A long, long way away, over vast seas and enormous mountains, there is a country known by most, as Equestria. This nation is inhabited by a magical race of ponies; each pony being one of five possible types. One of these types are the Alicorns. They rule over all of Equestria, raising the Sun and Moon, spreading Love and Friendship. One of these Alicorns rules the Crystal Empire, a legendary place in Equestria’s North. This Alicorn also rules over the Empire's in habitants, the Crystal ponies, and saved them from their previous ruler, King Sombra - an ancient Unicorn King. He rose to power and took over the Empire, ruling with an iron hoof. He was eventually turned to shadow by the two Immortal Alicorns that rule over Equestria. But before he was locked inside his icy prison, he cursed the Empire, causing it to vanish into thin air.

Yet, after one thousand years, it returned. Nopony knows why or how, but it did. Nopony truly knows who Sombra was either. There are many blanks in the Empire's story.

But this is the story of why, how and who.

Many thanks to DaggetWithADagger and FlashQuatsch for the cover art's components