Heir to the Crystal Empire

In a dark room buried beneath snow and ice of distant tundra, the only source of light is a gleaming structure of pure crystal. The refracting statue was in the shape two spiraling, interconnected helixes. The work of art caught the sole source of light in the room, a lamp directly above it, and refracted it as individual colors in every direction.

A shadow in the shape of a pony fell over the artifact.

"One of the few pieces from the Pre-Sombrian  era to survive intact. A relic, from an age long gone." Spoke a cold voice, one that betrayed no emotions or desires. "Grand, staunch, radiant... but ultimately, fragile." An ice blue hoof extended from the darkness, trailing across the crystal masterpiece. "A fine summary of the Crystal Ponies. As a group, they are staunch. Placing oneself ahead of the collective is unthinkable. In the endless cold death of the ice packed waste, they are a burning torch of light. A torch that stays lite through the effort of the collective." As the hoof trailed the angular surfaces of the piece, tiny cracks could be perceived.

"But through their desire to survive, they made themselves frightened, abhorrent of conflict, intolerant of sacrifice. They will choose a state of persevered submission as an alternative to freedom earned through conflict."

The figure gestures to someone in the darkness. "The history of this work is an excellent example. It's creator put his heart and soul into this piece, and considered it his life's work, a masterpiece he never believed himself capable of surpassing, and considering this is a Perfect Prism original, that is saying something."

"However, he knew that if his piece suffered a single crack, the magnificent rainbow display before you would be gone, irrevocably broken. So, rather then risk the slightest crack transporting it, he let it languish in the darkness of his workshop, going to great lengths to keep anyone from approaching it, from damaging it. You would not believe what it took to bring it here safely. This is the first time it has receive enough light to generate the complete display in centuries." The slight cracks had spread, cobwebbing the creation in a veiny network of imperfections. The multi-colored rays could no longer escape the masterpiece in their previous, beautiful display, and now emerged from the broken crystal mass in odd, asymmetrical angles.

"It is time to return the Crystal Empire to the safety of the dark."

The Crystal Empire was experiencing a quite, pleasant day. A warm feeling hung over the Crystal Ponies: The newest alicorn, Princess Twilight Sparkle, had attended a conference in the empire around a week ago, and everypony had enjoyed seeing one of their saviors again. Today was the scheduled day off from the flurry of work needed to prepare the Empire for the upcoming games, so everypony, including the national leaders, Princess Cadance and Prince-Consort Shining Armor, was in the midst of a slow, relaxing day. The royal couple were holding court at the moment, though they had not entertained a petitioner for almost an hour now, and had adopted a decidedly un-royal posture.

They were roused from their daze by the entrance of one of the castle's staff, a court page known as Sparkling Geode. In an outstretched hoof, he held a wrapped present. "A personal gift from one of the ponies, your majesties. Looked to be an artisan of some sort. Claimed he wished to "commemorate the new age of the Empire." The page explained.

Cadance levitated the box over to her throne using the gentle aura of magic. As her husband drew close, the seals on the box came undone through the gentle hand of magic before falling to the floor, leaving only a light blue crystal floating before the two.

Abruptly, a flash emanated from  the gleaming stone, causing both monarchs to shield their eyes, and Cadance in particular to drop the crystal. When sight returned to them, they saw a magical image before them.

"Celestia told me about these. Receiver crystals enchanted through the magic of the Crystal Empire, able to carry knowledge and understanding over long distances. Sombra stamped out the secrets of creating them..."

"Not quite, Miss Cadenza." Spoke a voice of unbroken coldness, as a projection assembled before the two, a creation of the magic crystal. "I had the great fortune of learning the secret of their construction from the last great master of the art." Without even a twitch of the face, the pony added on. "Shortly after my apprenticeship was complete, Sombra executed him."

With their eyes returning to normal, the royal couple could get a good look at the speaker. The dancing lights had aligned themselves into the shape of a pony. An earth pony, surprisingly enough. Not even a Crystal Pony at that. The earth pony was of average build, possessed a solid blue coat (as far as the couple could see. His body from the neck down was clad in starch white uniform. Clean and crisp, the suit radiated authority without an abundance of bells and whistles) and a straight cut, close cropped black mane. In fact, everything about this stallion seemed perfectly mundane, save for one notable feature.

His eyes were solid, glowing red.

"Who are you? What's going on!?" Demanded Shining Armor, taking a protective step in front of his wife.

"I am Grand General Thaw, supreme leader of the Crystal Army, and the successor to King Sombra." This elicited a gasp from the royal couple. The knowledge that the evil king had any pony followers was a revelation for the two. "In a yet to be determined amount of time from now, I will arrive at the city to resolve the current, unlawful rebellion. A rebellion, I might add, that the Principally of Equestria has illegally involved themselves in. In the interest of goodwill, I must request that you two vacate the throne prior to my arrival."

Shining Armor snorted out two puffs of steam. "No bucking way."

"So be it. The consequences of any unlawful actions by the Empire's citizens under your leadership, is now your responsibility."

"Thaw out."