Princess Celestia was sitting on her throne, looking through paper after paper of important documents. Today was a slow day in the palace, even with Luna helping her through the papers. Being a slow day, this was enough reason for Celestia to think about what had occurred the last few weeks. Her faithful student becoming a princess and her being married and with a foal on the way. Her husband was also Equestria's newest prince as well.
Celestia was still surprised that Twilight fell in love with the one creature she had been able to fall in love with over a thousand years ago. Discord. He really had changed after being released from stone, thanks to Twilight.
Celestia smiled at the thought. So much excitement had happened from Apple Sweet invading the castle with her friend Bookworm and Star Mage, the later whom had been placed into the dungeons until further notice after his spell on Bookworm and Apple Sweet had been reversed, finally freeing their minds.
“Princess?” called a soft voice of a mare. Celestia snapped out of her train of thought and looked at her small secretary. “You and Luna must finish signing the documents to make certain that Princess Twilight can officially go on business.”
“Yes, of course.” Celestia signed as she grabbed a quill and began signing the documents she had and Luna with hers. She kept on signing more and more of the documents until the doors of the throne room, a guard running through.
“Princesses, we have news from Northern Equestria!” the guard yelled as he rushed through.
“What? What has happened?” Luna asked, putting the papers she had been signing down.
“All I'm supposed to say is that it and the mirror have returned.” the guard said as he removed his helmet.
“The mirror to the other dimension?” Luna questioned as she looked at her sister. “Sister, what are we going to do about it?”
“Guards, find Princess Cadence and Shining Armor.” Celestia informed as she immediately grabbed a scroll and began writing on it. “Dearest Princess Twilight and Discord, you both must come to Canterlot at once. We need your help with an important matter...”
Back in Ponyville, Princess Twilight Sparkle and her husband Discord were in the library along with the rest of Twilight's friends. Twilight was flying around the library in a panic as she was levitating certain books off from the shelves.
“Will that be enough books?” Twilight questioned as she felt a small magic burst come from her horn, it producing bubbles. “Yes, I know. I know. You're awake now.” Twilight said as she rubbed her hooves over her stomach.
“Darling, I know the princess needs you, but aren't you bringing a little too many books with you?” Rarity asked, puzzled with just how many pregnancy books Twilight was pulling off the shelves.
“Rarity, I have a foal on the way and I need all the information I can have, ready at my disposal!” Twilight informed, panicked as she felt another magic burst, this time dropping a muffin into Twilight's hooves. “Ok, very funny little one.”
“You were never this book crazy when we were back in Canterlot or Manehattan all that time ago.” Discord said as he watched his wife just rush around the library. “You were just fine then, why would things suddenly go chaotic now?”
“We had bigger things to worry about then, Discord! Apple Sweet and her gang and before that, Celestia and her sleeping spell!” Twilight panicked.
“Twilight, you're just going on an overnight trip to Manehattan. You're going to be-” Spike started when he burped and green magic come up, forming and popping in as a little scroll. “Twilight, you have a letter from Celestia!”
Twilight, still flying, grabbed the letter with her magic and looked at the letter. It was tied with a bright red ribbon, meaning it was urgent. “Oh no, I hope nothing is wrong!” Twilight immediately unwound the letter and began to read its contents.
Dearest Princess Twilight and Discord,
You both must come to Canterlot at once. We need your help with an important matter. I cannot say much, but I can say that a civilization once thought to be lost has returned again, along with a special mirror as well. You both most get to Canterlot immediately. I will explain everything once you get here.
From,
Princess Celestia of Equestria
“Discord, we have to get to Canterlot immediately. Forget the trip back to Manehattan, Princess Celestia needs our help!” Twilight panicked.
“What about the books?” Discord joked. “I thought you wanted to be prepared for anything the foal may do.”
Twilight looked at the books and immediately picked them up with her magic. “Good point, we need them just in case Princess Celestia needs us to go somewhere.” Twilight quickly landed back on the ground and placed the large amount of books into her saddlebags.
“Twilight, what's wrong?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Do you need our help?”
“Princess Celestia has requested Discord and I to be in Canterlot ASAP. We'll return from Canterlot if you are all needed.” Twilight informed.
“Mama, is everything alright?” Screwball asked, rubbing her eye. “I heard panicking.”
“Oh Screwball. I didn't mean to wake you up.” Twilight said as she looked at her adopted daughter. “But your father and I are needed in Canterlot. We were going to back soon.”
“Not without me.” Screwball said as she started the top of her hat, causing her to start flying into the air, despite beginning a Earth pony. “I helped you with Apple Sweet and them. Whatever it is this time, I'll be there.”
“That's my Screwy.” Discord smiled as Screwball gave him a happy smile.
“Fine, you can come along but we must get going, Discord.” Twilight informed. “Discord, can you get us to Canterlot?”
“When pigs fly.” he stated when he made a pig with wings appear in front of them all before making it disappear again. “And I guess that will be now.” he laughed as he snapped his fingers, causing the three to be enveloped in light and disappearing from the library.
~~*~~
“Sister, are you sure Twilight and Discord are going to be able to handle this task? I mean, the mirror's magic is legendary. We can't let it fall into the wrong hooves again.” Luna informed her sister as she and Celestia were looking at the newest stained glass formation of Twilight and Discord becoming the newest members of the royal family.
“I think they can handle this after all that has happened.” Celestia informed. “What they have been through is more then qualifying.”
“But is it wise to send Twilight on this mission, especially with a young foal on the way? It cannot be healthy for her or her unborn foal.” Luna reminded her sister. “I have read too much stress on a pregnant mare could have dire effects on the foal, most of which are negative.”
“I know, Luna. Since she is still very early in the pregnancy, only still in the first quadrant, she can still handle this things without it harming the foal.” Celestia informed her little sister. “Besides, we need-”
The doors busted open as Twilight flew in with Discord simply walking behind her, a smirk on his face. Screwball also flew in, herself with a slight giggle. “I'm here, Princess! What did you need us for?”
“Twilight, please land and I will show you, Discord, and Screwball what I mean.” Celestia said as she glanced at her little sister. “Do not worry, she can handle this.” she spoke as Luna walked past the family and out of the throne room, a worried expression on her face.
“What is it? What's wrong?” Twilight panicked. “What civilization has returned?!”
“Calm down, my student but the Crystal Empire has returned, as has the Crystal Mirror.” Celestia informed.
“The Crystal Mirror has returned, eh?” Discord spoke. “I almost had that mirror in my grasp before it disappeared on me.”
“The Crystal Empire?” Twilight questioned. “But I've never read about it.”
“You wouldn't have been able to in the first place. Very few remember it ever even existed, and even my knowledge on the Empire is fading...” Celestia spoke sadly.
“It faded away?” Discord questioned. “When did this happen? It was shining with a slight gleam when I was ruling.”
“Years after you were first sealed Discord is when the Crystal Mirror gave off a powerful burst of magic that sent the Crystal Empire into a void that was untouched by the fabric of time.” Celestia explained. “I believe the magic was caused by the last ruler of the Crystal Empire, King Sombra.”
“King Sombra?” Discord said. “I'm afraid my memory has gone for a jog.” After speaking, Discord's brain popped from his head and literally began jogging around the room for a bit before bouncing itself back into Discord's head.
“King Sombra. He took over the Crystal Empire and ruled with a iron hoof. He turned all of the crystal ponies into slaves and forced them to mine crystals for their magical properties.”
“Crystal ponies?” Twilight questioned. “But I thought that species of pony was simply a myth, a legend.”
“They are most certainly real, but they all disappeared when the Empire disappeared.”
“But why was this King Sombra imprisoning these ponies? What are so special about these crystals?”
“Its quite easy. The Crystal Empire has the special ability to broadcast hope and love all over Equestria with the crystals it has but the King wanted them in order to prevent that from happening. If the crystals could not send that across Equestria, then the rest of country would be unaffected emotionally. Luna and I eventually overpowered him and turned him to shadow, but I fear he is trying to come back and get the Mirror.”
“But I thought this King wanted crystals?” asked Screwball with a tilt of her head. “What's so special about this mirror?”
“While he did want the crystals, his most prized possession was the Crystal Mirror and he vowed to not let any pony get it. It serves as a gateway into an alternate dimension where different creatures not found in Equestria live and thrive without magic. He wanted to enslave that world's creatures for his own use but it didn't work.”
“But what I don't understand is how did the Empire disappear exactly?” Twilight questioned.
“I believe when we turned Sombra into shadow, he still manged to slip into the Empire unnoticed and was trying to get the mirror. I believe when he came into contact with the mirror, the magic that had turned him into shadow triggered the Crystal Mirror's magical properties, causing a magical vacuum that sent the Empire into another plane of existence, until now.”
“I see.” Twilight said as she pulled out a paper and quill to write down all of the information that Celestia had given her. “But why did you call us here for then?”
“I want you to go join your brother and Princess Cadence in the Crystal Empire and make sure that King Sombra does not emerge from his dormant state and try to get the Crystal Mirror again. I don't know what would happen if he came into contact with the mirror again. He might be able to slip into the other world or cause another power surge like before.” Celestia explained. “Whatever it is, I do not want him getting near that mirror. The empire must be protected from him.”
“But you want us to protect an entire empire? Do you think we can handle it?” Twilight questioned.
“I know its a lot but nothing that a Princess and Prince of Equestria couldn't handle.” Celestia smiled. “Please, I need you both to find a way to protect the empire.”
“Of course, Princess Celestia. We'll go to the Crystal Empire right away.” Twilight spoke.
“Why should we go to some boring Empire to save an old mirror? I know I wanted it before, but its most likely just gathered dust by now.” Discord complained.
“Discord! An entire nation is in danger and you don't care?!” Twilight fumed. “As a prince of Equestria, you should be greatly concerned for the well-being of these crystal ponies!” As her anger grew, small puffs of smoke were coming out of her muzzle as it slowly appeared that her mane and tail were on fire.
The sight was enough to cause Discord to start laughing uncontrollably. “Oh my goodness! You should see the look on your face, my dear! It's just completely priceless!” he laughed as tears formed in his eyes. “You really think I'm that big of a jerk? Geez, don't get your tail in a knot. Besides, I haven't seen the Crystal Empire in years. I could use some new crystals for my ever-growing collection.”
Discord snapped his fingers and up popped a box with crude writing on top of it that read My Crystals. He opened the box, which revealed nothing. Discord looked at the box in fake surprise. “What's this? I have none. Go figure! I was stopped before I could ever reach the Empire. How in Equestria did I forget something like that?” Discord spoke in fake surprise.
Twilight's hair returned to normal as she shot Discord a glare. “We do not have time for games, Discord. We need to go to the Crystal Empire. Besides, this is a great opportunity to learn about a lost civilization! Think about the things I could learn!” Twilight smiled happily at the idea. “And protect it too.” she added in when she saw Screwball giving her a questioned look.
“I'll have a train ready for you immediately, Twilight. I want you to get the rest of the Elements before you go for I know their Elements might be able to help the Empire.” Celestia spoke. “Hurry along now. I'll have the train ready for you in one hour.”
“We'll be back.” Twilight said as Discord snapped his fingers, sending the three of them back to the library in Ponyville, where Twilight's friends were still standing. “Girls, pack your bags. Princess Celestia requests our services immediately.”
“Wait, where are we going?” Rarity asked.
“The Crystal Empire.” Twilight spoke. “We need to protect it and the Crystal Mirror.”
“The Crystal what?” Rainbow asked with a tilt of her head.
“I'll explain everything later. Please, pack your saddlebags and be back here within the hour. Hurry, Princess Celestia really needs our assistance.”
“Right then.” Rainbow said as she and the other Elements rushed out through the library's door.
“I really hope we can find a way to protect the Crystal Empire.” Twilight muttered to herself.
“So, the Crystal Empire has returned?” Rarity questioned as the train pulled on. “What is the Crystal Empire? I've never heard of it.”
“Celestia tells me it was an ancient society filled with crystal ponies, but they were lost in time when this legendary mirror that leads to an alternate dimension gave off a powerful burst of magic that suspended this empire and made it become lost in time.”
“Did you just say crystal ponies?” Rarity spoke excitedly. “I thought those were just mythological ponies!”
“Celestia says they're real.” Twilight explained. “And they all live up here in Northern Equestria, home of the freezing snow. My brother is there, waiting for us.”
“Crystal ponies though.” Rarity spoke excitedly. “I never thought I would be able to see actual crystal ponies!”
“In due time, Rarity.” Twilight said as she looked outside the train window, seeing the ground covered in snow and a raging blizzard whipping by. “And it seems we're in the right place. Girls, Discord, grab your things, this is our stop.”
The train agreed with Twilight's statement as it stopped at a small train station. The doors of the train opened as everypony was met with the freezing snow. Twilight instinctively covered her eyes with one of her wings as she stepped outside of the train and onto the snow-covered train station. Everypony else followed suit with Rarity stepping out last, a large pink scarf blowing in the wind.
“And you all thought it was silly that I packed a scarf with me.” Rarity laughed.
“Twilight? Is that you?” came a voice from the distance. Twilight glanced in the direction that the voice had come from. On the distance stepped out a pony wearing protective snow gear. Twilight knew it was Shining Armor. “Thank goodness you got here alright. We have to move though. King Sombra awaken and wants that Crystal Mirror.”
“How far is the Empire?” Rainbow asked.
“Not too far.” Shining spoke. “But we have to move quickly. Cadence has a barrier to keep Sombra out, but I don't know how long she can last now. Let's move.”
The group quickly began galloping after Shining Armor in order to get out of the bitter cold. Discord simply floated along above the group, sporting winter wear, not seeming to be bothered at all by the freezing blizzard.
Still going through the snow, the group suddenly froze when they heard an evil laugh and a voice saying the word, “Crystals.” Shining immediately turned around to see where the voice was coming from and he saw a shadowy figure approaching the group at incredible speed.
“Its King Sombra! You have to get to the Crystal Empire quickly!” Shining shouted. “I'll stay back and stop him! Go, now!”
“I can't leave you here, Shining.” Twilight countered him.
“Twilight, get to the Empire, now! You have a foal to think about, remember?” Shining reminded her. “Now, go now! I'll be there soon!”
“Shining, I-” Twilight was cut off when a burst of magic surrounded her and the group. The burst left a second later so that Twilight could see that she was someplace that was completely devoid of snow and ice. “I-Is this the Crystal Empire? Where's Shining Armor?”
“O-Over here.” Shining said as he rubbed his head. “What just happened?”
“If you must know, I for one was getting tried of being in that snow and ice.” Discord spoke as he poof up a lawn chair and tanning fan. “Besides, I needed to work on my tan anyways.”
“True that.” Screwball spoke as she sported a giant pair of sunglasses.
“What about King Sombra then?” asked Twilight.
“As long as Cadence has that barrier up, he can't get in here. It repels dark magic.” Shining spoke. “We need to get to Cadence anyways.”
~~*~~
“Twilight!” Cadence spoke happily as she rushed to see her favorite sister-in-law. “How are you and the new family? The foal alright?”
“We're fine, Cadence.” Twilight spoke.
“I heard you ran into King Sombra.” Cadence spoke as she quickly shook her head and let out a yawn. “He didn't cast any spells on you, did he?”
“He might have but Discord teleported us all out of there before Sombra had a chance to attack us back.” spoke Shining Armor. “How are you doing, dear? Are you ok?”
“I'm alright. Tried, but fine.” Cadence smiled at Shining Armor, the bags under her eyes now more noticeable.
“Cadence, what happened to you?” Twilight questioned.
“She's been using so much magic to keep Sombra from entering the Empire that its completely zapped her strength. Cadence won't eat a thing either.”
“I have to make sure the crystal ponies are safe. I cannot let the Empire slip away again like it had before.”
“Mind if I interrupt your lovely get together?” came an evil sounding voice. The entire group turned around in shock to see the shadowy figure of King Sombra hovering there.
“How did you get in here?!” Twilight yelled as she looked out the window. The barrier that was protecting the Empire still stood, strong as ever. “The barrier-”
“I'll give you the quick details. I am a shadow and magic cannot travel underground. I simply traveled under the ground and popped up. And here I am.” Sombra sneered. “But, I really must leave.”
“No, you will not!” Shining threatened as he blasted a bolt of magic at King Sombra.
“Why you!” he yelled. He quickly lunged himself at Shining Armor and wrapped his shadow energy around Shining's horn, covering it in what appeared to be dark crystals. “That ought to stop you.”
“You will-” Cadence started when she felt her energy take a temporary drop. “-not win.”
“This has all been good fun but I really must be going.” Sombra spoke as he went through the doors of the throne room.
“You won't win this!” Twilight yelled as she pushed open the doors and took off flying after King Sombra.
~~*~~
“Get back here, King Sombra!” Twilight yelled as she flew at top notch speed. “You will not win this battle!”
The shadowy pony simply gave the purple princess an amused look. “And what are you going to do in order to stop me, hmm?” he taunted.
“I'll return you back to your ice-cold prison, where you belong!” Twilight threaten.
“Be careful, Mommy!” Screwball spoke as she flew after Twilight and Discord behind her. “Think of my little brother or sister!”
This outburst was enough to make King Sombra stop and grin evilly. The sudden stop didn't give Twilight enough time to stop and ended up crashing face first into a door. “And this princess is pregnant as well. What very valuable information.” he mused. “Princess Twilight Sparkle, I have a proposal for you.”
“Whatever is it, the answer is no! I've heard the bit a hundred times before.” Twilight yelled as she got up from her face meeting the door.
“I think you may like my idea. Why not you and your unborn foal join me and rule the Crystal Empire along side me. Your unborn foal can know the wonders of what real royalty is like and I can have a successor to my throne.”
“Forget it, King Sombra! I'm already married and have an adopted daughter!” Twilight yelled again. “And I am already royalty for I am Princess Twilight Sparkle.”
“Are you sure, Twilight? I can be better then Discord here. I have far more power, more than he can ever dream of.”
This statement was enough to make Discord giggle like a school filly. “You have more power then me? I'm afraid we haven't met then. I am Discord, spirit of chaos and disharmony. I am the very essence of chaos.” he stated as bolts of lightening from cotton candy clouds appeared and disappeared.
“Go Daddy!” Screwball cheered as she clapped her hooves together.
“The spirit of chaos eh?” King Sombra. “Very amusing. But if you will not simply accept my offer, Twilight Sparkle, I will be getting the one thing I came for and you just located the room for me. Thank you ever so much.”
“What?” Twilight said as she looked at the door she had crashed into. The door was covered in special violet crystals lined in an arch with a single, large blue crystal hanging in the front. Twilight had managed to miss it when she had the honor of meeting the door with her face. “You will not be getting that mirror, Sombra!”
“Good luck trying, Twilight Sparkle!” Sombra laughed as he darted literally through the door.
Twilight immediately tried opening the door, finding instead that she was able to cross through it just like Sombra had, and in the process turning into a crystallized version of herself. “Step back away from that mirror, King Sombra!”
As soon as she had gone through the door, she realized that King Sombra was no longer in shadow form, but was a full unicorn king, formal robes and all. The two of them glanced at each other in confusion. “It seems the Crystal Mirror's magic is more powerful then I thought.”
“B-But how did you return to-” Twilight asked when Sombra simply smirked at her.
“The same way it turned you in a crystal pony princess. The mirror's magic is more powerful then anypony knows and its still pulsing through, even after it disappeared for a thousand years.” Sombra sneered.
“Mommy, we're coming!” Screwball said as she too went through the door, turning into a crystal pony herself. “Get back away from my mother, King Sombra!” she shouted, at a full defensive stance.
Discord also came through the door, except he didn't have any affect like the others had. “Enough of these games, Sombra, old chap. You must be getting quite bored with them.” he spoke in a fake posh voice,
“You're right. These chasing games are getting so old. I think I'll just take the mirror I came for and be off.” Sombra spoke as he turned to the mirror, only to have several of the crystals that were lining the mirror to start glowing and sending a beam of magic directly at him, knocking him back. “What the?”
On his back, Sombra could see Twilight's horn glowing the same color as the one's that the crystals emitted. Twilight blinked in surprise when this happened, not realizing she had been capable of it. “What just happened?”
“It seems the Crystal Mirror trusts your magic for some reason.” Sombra stated as he climbed onto his hooves before giving a sneer. “No matter, I've encountered this pesky problem before. The only way to resolve is easy.”
“Whatever it is, I won't allow you!” Twilight said as she used her magic to blast yet another beam from the mirror's crystals, knocking Sombra back again.
“Oh enough of these silly games!” Sombra yelled angrily as he once again returned himself to an upright position. “This has gone on far enough!”
Turning around at breakneck speed, Sombra spun and ran towards the Crystal Mirror, putting up a protective spell just as the crystals began to emit a ray of magic at him. Running closer and closer towards the mirror, Sombra could feel in his muscles that the mirror's magic would soon be his, all his. “It seems you lose, Twilight Sparkle.”
“Not yet, Sombra!” she threatened, her crystallized horn still glowing.
“I think you have.” he started as his hoof touched the mirror. Instead of magic pulsing out of the mirror, the mirror instead sucked him in, acting as if it were some kind of portal.
“You will not escape!” Twilight yelled as she ran towards the mirror, herself getting sucked through it as well.
The sight was enough for Screwball to enter panic mode and go running off at full speed towards The Crystal Mirror in order to save her adoptive mother. Discord also worried since he had heard of what the Mirror could possibly do, but never had a chance to encounter its magic fully. Right behind Screwball he flew, and both of them traveled through the Mirror, getting sucked in through the portal like opening.
The four creatures were all traveling down a spiral like portal, not knowing where they would head. Screwball quickly spotted Twilight in the swirling area and was able to push herself towards her mother in an effort to save her from Sombra.
“I'm coming, Mommy! I won't-” Screwball started when she was interrupted by a blinding light that seemed to render everyone to slip into unconsciousness.
