On The Wings of Wind

While the Crystal Ponies felt like temporal fish out of water, they were doing their best to adapt to the new time period they found themselves in. Cadance was able to convince them to make a dirt path from the Empire to the nearby train station, which was affected by the Crystal Heart's snow-melting area. Thanks to the trains bringing supplies from other cities and towns in Equestria, the inhabitants got a leg-up in stabilizing their lives.

In the Crystal Castle, where everyone involved with saving the Crystal Empire had been lodged for the night, Cadance had managed to find Twilight to relay a message. "Auntie Celestia told me to tell you that you're free to relax in the Crystal Empire for a bit before returning to Canterlot."

Twilight wasn't overly joyful to hear it. "Probably because I failed my test and she's willing to let me put off hearing it..."

"Why would you say that?"

"Because my 'test' was to save the Crystal Empire from Sombra. Yet... You kept the Crystal Ponies safe, Zephyr kept Sombra distracted and disrupted, and it was Spike who ultimately delivered the Crystal Heart to you. I chose to toss away my chance at passing the test because the stakes were too high..."

"Twily, why do you think you 'tossed away your chance'?" Shining Armor appeared with some tea for the two of them. "I feel like you did all you could to save the Empire, especially once you were caught in Sombra's fail-safe trap. Besides, I'm sure her highness would be fine with the Empire being saved at all as a prerequisite to passing if that's what you're worried about."

When Twilight looked unconvinced, Cadance put a hoof onto hers. "You always did overthink things, even as a filly. Relax for now and talk it over with Princess Celestia when you return to Canterlot. I'm sure she understands more than you know."

There was a moment before Twilight smiles at her brother and sister-in-law. "I think... relaxing is a good idea. You two should relax as well, considering all you went through. What, that's the Changeling Invasion and now the Crystal Empire within one or two weeks of each other?"

"No rest for the wicked, you know that as well as I do." Both Cadance and Twilight share a laugh while Shining Armor shakes his head as he leaves the two alone.

"I mean, this armor looked cool by default but I think the two of us pull it off quite nicely!"

Rainbow Dash and Zephyr were in the castle armory testing out more armor sets for future Royal Guards to wear when they arrive or are hired. Despite looking more ornate than even the Canterlot Royal Guard armor, they had confirmed that it was just as viable for protection as more standard armor.

Zephyr uncomfortably shifted the set he had on currently. "I think my personal set spoiled me a bit. My secondary wings feel crushed and the joints of my primaries are getting chaffed."

"Falconite physical characteristics really are different from Pegasus ones, huh? Thankfully we're just wearing them to confirm nothing's wrong with them rather than actually going into combat."

"Thankfully... though a part of me is beginning to feel like an armor connoisseur with how often I'm wearing them." Zephyr took off his current set with a sigh. "If it gets any worse, I might end up with armor display models decorating my house. I doubt Scoots would appreciate that."

That got a laugh out of Rainbow as she also removed her armor. "Or she'll like them just as much, you never know!"

"How are the armor sets in here, you two?" Shining Armor came by with a clipboard after checking the weapons in another room. "Any thoughts or concerns?"

Zephyr observes all the armor sets in the room. "Not much different from the set Canterlot guards wear outside of color and certain details. I do have a question, though: are they more ornate in nature or is their defensive value actually viable in an actual battle?"

"A mix of both. The Canterlot armor just LOOKS gold rather than actually being made of it, so I would guess the same logic applies here. Still I'll run some tests on these sets later to judge if they're in the same spot." Shining Armor writes his notes down before smiling at the couple. "Alright, thank you for your help. You're good to head out and explore the city!"

As the two exit the castle, Pinkie Pie suddenly rushes up to them excitedly. "Both of you, come quick! Somepony wants to show us all something!"

Rainbow recoiled a bit. "Slow down, Pinkie Pie! Show us what?"

"Only something amazing! It'll be easier to show rather than tell!" With that, the party mare dashing off again, leaving two bemused ponies to follow her.

When they entered the rather large building, they saw their friends and family there. Rarity was swooning. "Just look at how GORGEOUS these works are! I'm feeling rather inspired myself!"

"They're very pretty, even ah' can admit that."

Fluttershy smiles at the two newest arrivals. "Big brother, Rainbow Dash, have a look at those crystal sculptures! They're amazing for an overnight session!"

Being presented by a proud-looking Crystal Pony, there were 7 different crystal sculptures all being displayed. They depicted:

-Cadance and Shining Armor setting up the barrier around the Crystal Empire

-The 6 mares setting up the Crystal Fair

-The tornado Zephyr summoned with the Falconite standing on top of it

-Rainbow Dash rescuing Crystal Ponies with Fluttershy taking care of one

-Twilight throwing the Crystal Heart to Spike while dark crystals surround her

-The final clash with Sombra with Zephyr and Rainbow pincer attacking the despot while Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie all support

-Spike presenting the Crystal Heart to Cadance on the artifact's pedestal

Twilight marveled at the crafting mastery on display. "And you made all of these within a single night? That's amazing!"

The presumed craftspony chuckled. "Observing all I had yesterday, as well as hearing other parts to fill the gaps, I felt super inspired to create these! A story writer even wrote something to go along with these sculptures!"

Pinkie Pie bounced on the spot excitedly. "Tell us, tell us!"

"It'll take some time to tell, plus you all were there for it so I figured you wouldn't want to hear it." The story writer came out of another room with a nervous smile.

"Everypony would tell the story differently. We're interested to hear your take!" Twilight, knowing she doesn't have much of a role in the story due to being the most separated, was interested to hear it.

Spike grins at the prospect. "It really would be interesting!"

When he saw that the decision was unanimous, the story writer cleared his throat. "Alright. Here is the story... of how the Crystal Empire was freed from the shadows of evil."

Long, long ago, an Empire stood tall and proud in the northern reaches of Equestria. When the ponies that lived there felt hope and joy, those feelings were reflected across all the land. For a long time, all thought peace would reign.

But it was not meant to last...

When nopony was expecting it, the benevolent ruler was tragically overthrown by a dark usurper. He used dark magic to enslave all the Crystal Ponies of the Empire and crowned himself their rightful king. Stealing away the Crystal Heart and hiding it so none may find it, his influence spread fear and hatred across all the land.

When he was finally dethroned by the Princesses of night and day, the dark ruler did not go quietly. While he was turned to shadow and sealed within the ice around his ill-gotten throne, he activated a curse that sealed away the Crystal Empire, causing it to to vanish from the physical space. For untold years, the Empire remained hidden until the dark king broke free from his prison to retake his prize.

His plan was thwarted when a distant relative of the late Princess and her husband reached the empire first and protected it with a barrier of love and hope. Though none knew how long until the dark king's shadow would be defeated, the Princess maintained her vigil for as long as she could.

Eventually, more ponies would arrive to help find a more permanent solution to the dark shadow cast on the Empire. 6 mares would search for answers and eventually sought to revive a tradition abandoned since the dark king's rule began. Thus, did these strangers put forward their best efforts into the first Crystal Fair in untold time in an effort to raise Crystal Pony spirits.

But the shadowy despot did not sit idly by. He attempted to put pressure on the Princess' barrier, seeking to break or diminish it to gain access to his prize. But his efforts awoke within a visiting Falconite, an ancient Pegasus born in modern times, a wind-born fury that sought to protect the freedoms of all who the king would seek to enslave. By the power of wind did the despot find difficulty in contesting the Empire.

Even with the support of the Winds of Freedom, the Princess' vigil could not hold up forever as her protection failed due to fatigue. The dark machinations of the shadowy despot had also diminished the power of wind, allowing him to attempt subjugation of the Crystal Ponies.

Though weakened, the Winds of Freedom continued to fight back allowing a Pegasus of Undying Loyalty to rescue others from the torturous presence of the shadow. Bringing them to safety, they were comforted and reassured by the presence and words of a pony who's kindness and compassion touched the hearts of all. By their efforts and the efforts of their fellows who set up the Crystal Fair, did flagging hope remain steadfast.

In the depths of the Crystal Castle, one Unicorn had solved where the Crystal Heart had been hidden by dark design. Upon reaching it, she was beset upon by the evil king's final trap. Confined by blackest crystal with no way to escape, she entrusted the Crystal Heart to her loyal Dragon and bid him to deliver it unto the Princess. Assisted by the Winds of Freedom, the Dragon rode to the Princess with hope in his heart.

The shadowy despot, now having regained his original form, attempted to prevent the delivery but to no avail. In a last ditch effort to secure his victory, he threatened to unleash an attack that would destroy the lives of all affected. Those who arrived to help the Crystal Ponies fought back, preventing the attack and to keep hope from dying out.

Their efforts would be rewarded, for the Dragon delivered the Crystal Heart unto the new Crystal Princess. With the bravery of the others inspiring hope, the Crystal Heart responded in kind to eradicate the shadow from the land. Bathed in it's brilliant light, the Crystal Ponies and their Empire were saved and they all lived happily ever after.

Twilight, despite seeing one of the sculptures, was surprised that her role was actually given clarity in the story. "I... didn't do that much. Why was I given a sculpture and piece in the story?" Spike patted her on the back.

"By that thought process, I'm also concerned with the more 'heroic' depiction of what I was doing." Zephyr shook his head despondently. "I don't want to give foals the impression that everything I did was truly my own control."

"Both of you should lighten up a bit more!" Rainbow stretches after sitting for a while listening to the story. "It's a story... or a story reading like a legend. There will be embellishments for the sake of a cohesive telling. As awesome as I was during the actual crisis, even my parts feel over-exaggerated."

Fluttershy nuzzles her brother. "Plus, everything you did after we calmed you down really was heroic! You just don't remember it all because you were stuck in your fever dream."

"I'm certain the story hasn't been finalized since there are some details that need to be refined." Rarity smiles at the story teller. "But I'm certain even adults visiting the Crystal Empire will be interested to listen or read that story!"

"I thank you kindly, young miss. While we haven't planned it out yet, we've been considering converting a part of the Library into part of a museum for history like this."

Pinkie Pie was looking out the door observing the Crystal Ponies go about their day when she realized something. "Do Crystal Ponies only ever look like Earth Ponies?"

The sculptor let out a sad sigh. "No. Before Sombra enslaved us, we had Crystal Unicorns and Pegasi with us as well. Unfortunately his reign was so harsh, only the naturally tough Crystal Earth Ponies survived the whole thing." That got a grimace out of everypony. They weren't expecting an answer like that.

"I'm sure Crystal Unicorns and Pegasi will slowly pop up again!" Cadance had entered the building with a smile. "You all saw a brief example made of yourselves, plus constant exposure to the Crystal Heart's energies will eventually cause a pony to develop permanent crystalline features."

"Is... that how that works?" Applejack looked uncertain. "Ah' would think it would take a long time for that to happen."

"As amazing as it would be to actually become one, I don't think I can handle the time sink it requires." Rarity had to give up on that dream, deciding her brief stint was good enough.

Twilight looks at her friends before coming to a decision. "With everything we've learned, I think it's time to head back to Canterlot. Zephyr, I'm sure Scootaloo misses you and Fluttershy dearly since--"

"A-actually, I got mom and dad to look after her before I left." Fluttershy spoke up. "I didn't want to leave her alone."

"Even so, we have lives to go back to. Hopefully, by the time we return for a visit, it'll be in more peaceful times and with the city restored completely."

"Twilight, your test..." A part of Spike did feel guilty for meddling too much in Twilight's affairs, even if it was ultimately necessary.

"Whether I passed or failed, I have to find out one way or another. I won't get anywhere without facing the music." Twilight smiles at her friends. "Come on, everypony. Let's go home!"

As it turned out, Twilight had nothing to worry about when she announced to her friends that she did pass. Zephyr later inquired about what this meant for her and she stated that Princess Celestia will be more willing to entrust more advanced magic lessons to her. While he was uncertain as to why anypony would want to know so many spells, he left it alone since Twilight's calling in life was magic itself.

It was at that point Zephyr realized he was somewhat directionless in life. He had his position as wind manager and also lead singer for Three Night's Grace, but he didn't have any real aspirations for the future like Twilight did. While it wasn't a great replacement for his own, Zephyr decided to support Rainbow's dreams to the best of his ability and no matter what.

I... suppose the only things I personally have to look forward to is my future in the band and possibly marriage. Assuming what had happened to me really was just a result of dark magic affecting me overtly, is it too much to hope that will be the last? Yet... I get the feeling the true answer is more complex than that.