The Crystal Empire: A bright and beautiful kingdom of crystals nestled in the frozen lands of northern Equestria. This place is home to the Crystal Ponies, and their beloved rulers: Prince Shining Armor and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza…also known as Cadance.
Things have been peaceful in the Empire as of lately, but today is to be marked as a very special day…one in which both Princess Celestia and Luna, the ruling sisters of Equestria, are attending.
Today, after one whole week, Equestria’s newest Prince and Princess, Twilight Sparkle and Courageous Heart, return from their honeymoon.
They are due to arrive at the Empire any moment now. All their friends…which include Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Spike, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie…are ready to give them the biggest “welcome back” party EVER.
After a long while of waiting, a magical carriage…pulled by a few royal guards…flies on down from the skies, and approaches the Crystal Castle; The newly weds…have returned.
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“There it is!!” Spike calls out, informing all his friends, “They’re back!!”
Everypony looks up and sees the very carriage that they last saw at the end of the wedding last week, coming in for a landing…with it’s two passengers within, whom they are all looking forward to seeing.
Once the carriage lands and comes to a halt, the Royal Crystal Guard line up in front of it with their trumpets at the ready. Their youngest member, Flash Sentry, stands at the end, prepared to announce the arrival of the two newest members of the Royals.
Soon, the doors open, and the trumpets blow as the two ponies exit and start to walk down the aisle together, side by side.
“Presenting…Princess Twilight Sparkle and her husband, Prince Courageous Heart!” Flash Sentry announces once the trumpets finish, and stands up straight as the married couple walk on by..
Once the two arrive at the end, they are quickly greeted by all their friends and family; Pinkie Pie runs up to Twilight and hugs her so tight, for she has missed her best friend the most.
“I missed you sooooooooooOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!” Pinkie squeals as she hugs the lavender alicorn tight.
“I…missed…you…too…Pinkie…” Twilight smiles as she gasps for air, “…Pie!”
Courageous chuckles and watches this for a bit, then breaks it up, “Alright, Pinkie. Give her some air…”
Pinkie smiles nervously and releases her, “Oops, sorry. I just can’t help it, I MISSED YOU SO MUCH, TWILIGHT!!”
Twilight catches her breath and sighs, “I’ve only been gone a week, Pinkie.”
“Really? It feels like…two weeks, no maybe three…or even *Gasp*…four weeks…!”
Twilight rolls her eyes and smiles, “Oh Pinkie…”
The others approach Twilight and surround her with light, but loving, hugs. They have missed their little unicorn-now-turned-alicorn.
“We really missed ya Twilight. Both you and Courageous,” Applejack admits warmly to her dear friends.
“Yeah! It hasn’t been the same without my wing buddies around,” Rainbow Dash admits, but tries to stay cool as usual.
“It just has not been the same without you two here,” Rarity admits as well.
“Oh yes…I agree with Rarity,” Fluttershy agrees with politely.
Spike embrace Twilight and rubs the side of his head against hers, “I missed you, Twilight. Even though it’s only been a week, it feels like forever…”
“That what I said!!~” Pinkie interrupts with a giggle.
Spike and Twilight chuckle and embrace for a bit, “I missed you too, Spike.” She looks up at all her friends and smiles, “I missed you all…so much.”
The girls hug Twilight once more and are so happy for the return of their best friend. They even share some hugs with Courageous…for they have missed him too.
After nearly a week, the Mane Six have been reunited once again, and hope never to be separated again…for a long time at least.
“Twili…don’t forget about us,” Shining Armor chuckles as both he and his beloved Cadance approach.
Twilight smiles brightly and gallops over to her BBBFF and sister-in-law, throwing her forelegs around them both; Out of everypony that has come to welcome her home, she has missed them the most.
Cadance hugs her little sister and smiles, “It is so good to have you home, Twilight.”
Twilight thanks her sister and former foalsitter as she continues to hug her, “I am happy to be home…”
As the two alicorns hug, Shining walks up to his brother-in-law and hugs him, happy to have him home too. Courageous smiles and hugs the white stallion back.
“It’s good to have you back, bro,” Shining expresses.
Courageous smiles at his new brother-in-law and nods, “Thank you, brother. It is good to be back too.”
The former Champion of the Light, now the Prince of the Light, is glad to be home again with his new family…and all his friends that have helped him through so much in over a year that he has lived in Equestria.
Now that both Courageous and Twilight are here at the Crystal Empire, they are ready for whatever comes next…no matter the challenge.
Once all the hugging and the welcoming home comes to an end, Twilight and Courageous walk up the steps of the castle, where both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are standing…ready to welcome their newest Prince and Princess home.
Upon seeing her mentor, Twilight kneels before the two alicorn Princess. Courageous does the same.
However, Celestia steps forward and allows them to rise, “Oh Twilight, you are a princess now. There is no need to kneel anymore,” The Princess of the Sun assures her former student.
“Oh…sorry, your Highness,” Twilight blushes nervously, “I guess I haven’t gotten use to being a princess yet.”
“That is quite alright,” Celestia comes to the little lavender alicorn’s side, “We can worry about all that later…but for now, let us all head to the dinning room for a wonderful meal that we have prepared for you and your husband.”
Both Twilight and Courageous’s eyes widen and their bellies rumble at the mention of food; Neither of them have had anything to eat since the ride back, “That sounds like a wonderful idea, Princess Celestia,” Courageous approves.
With that said, everypony strolls up the stairs and into the palace, with a few guards carrying the luggage of the Princess and Prince. After a long day and week, it is time to sit down, enjoy a nice meal, and spend time with all the family and friends around the two married ponies.
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That evening, everypony gathers at the dining table and are served a nice, delicious hot meal. Twilight and Courageous dig right in…and even share a little with each other, since they are married and all.
While the others eat, Princess Celestia…who is sitting right next to Twilight…turns to her and asks, “So, Twilight…are you ready to begin your princess training tomorrow?”
The young alicorn does not know how to answer that, so she simply says, “I…guess so.”
Celestia notices the tone in her student’s voice and places her hoof upon the little alicorn’s shoulder, “Is there something that troubles you, Twilight?”
She sighs and nods, “I guess there is. I…am a little worried about all this: Being a princess, my new role, plus an entire kingdom to rule on Tambelon…”
“Oh Twilight,” Celestia giggles, “There is no need to be worried: I promise to help you through it all for the next year; Both you and Courageous will learn all that there is to know about ruling a kingdom.”
The little pony nods, but still worries a little. Then, she feels the hoof of another touch her own. She looks over and smiles when it is Courageous Heart holding it; He had been listening in, and shows that he will be by his wife’s side through all the training they will both be taking.
“It’ll be alright, my love. We are going to do just fine…” The brown stallion prince promises.
Twilight feels a little better, knowing that she will have her husband and all her friends and family to help her complete her training and become a beloved ruler of the new island kingdom, “Thank you…everypony.”
They all smile back at Twilight, showing their support of their dear friend and family member. After that, everypony returns to their meals and eat as much as possible, before dessert is ready…in which Pinkie will undoubtedly eat it all…unless Celestia gets to it first.
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After dinner is finished, the hour is already growing late and it is time for everypony to retire to their rooms. They will need their sleep, because first thing in the morning, will be the beginning of Twilight and Courageous’s training.
Everypony is looking forward to this…especially the two married ponies.
Twilight and her husband head to their chambers, ready for a goodnight sleep. But along the way, Courageous senses something within the castle…through the Light. He shivers a little and looks around the hallway, wondering what is going on.
“What is wrong, my love?” Twilight asks her husband once she sees him shivering.
Courageous feels something strange in the castle, something…dark. He cannot tell what it is exactly, since the presence is so small and weak…but it is still there.
“Courageous…!?” Twilight tries to get his attention once more.
“Huh?!” The young prince snaps out of it and turns to his wife, “Oh…uh…sorry, Twilight. I uh…”
“What troubles you?”
He looks around, and senses the presence is gone, “I don’t know. I thought I…sensed something…”
Twilight uses her own Magic and Light to sense what he was, but there is nothing. “I don’t sense anything, Courageous…”
The Prince checks again, and shrugs, “Neither do I…not anymore, that is. I guess it was nothing…”
Princess Twilight nods and wraps her wing around his back, “Come on. Let’s get to bed. We have a big day ahead of us.
Courageous agrees and walks alongside his wife to their chambers, where little Spike is already sleeping in his little basket bed.
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Deep within the Crystal Castle, locked away in a room full of antique items, lies a magical mirror; This mirror is a link to another world…one that Twilight once traveled to some time ago.
But now, the mirror lays dormant…for the gateway to the other side is closed, since it has not reached thirty moons yet. However, a dark presence resides in the mirror, one that is both familiar and just as evil.
A pair of dark, void eyes glow in the mirror…and await for the moment when it shall come forth, and bring the Darkness back into Equestria one more.
The next morning, as Princess Celestia begins raising the sun. Twilight and Courageous are already up and walking down the hallway to the kitchen…ready for an early breakfast before their training begins.
The two are a bit nervous, but as long as they stick together and do their best as a team, they will soon become the rulers that the Island of Tambelon deserve; Even the new citizens deserve leaders like them.
As the two married ponies walk down the hall, they are quickly greeted by their friends: Pinkie, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow, Fluttershy, and Spike; They got up early just so they can be with their two best friend and help them through their first day of training.
“Today’s the big day, Twilight!” Pinkie Pie squeals, “Are you excited?! I’m so excited! Although I’m a little nervous! Are you nervous? I know I am!” Pinkie jabbers on, “Ooooooo….I’m both nervous and excited! I’m nevicited!!!”
Applejack sighs and corrects her friend, “Pinkie. How many times must I tell ya dat is not a real word?”
Twilight giggles and says, “It’s alright. Honestly, I am feeling both nervous and excited.”
“See?” Pinkie informs the orange earth pony with a big smile, “She is nervicited as I am!!”
Applejack rolls her eyes, while the others laugh, “If ya say so…”
Courageous smiles and nods, “I am as nervicited as the rest of you,” He admits, which brings a bigger smile to Pinkie’s face, “I do not know what Princess Celestia has in store for us, but whatever it is, I do know Twilight and I are going to-” Courageous stops suddenly…and his horn and eyes glow with the power of the Light.
“Going to what, darling?” Rarity asks the brown stallion when his speech is suddenly cut short.
Twilight notices that same look in her husband’s eyes, “What is the matter, Courageous?”
The young prince can feel a small presence of Darkness…somewhere in the castle; The very same he felt last night, but dismissed. This time, he can sense where it is coming from.
Even as the other mares and one dragon try to get his attention, Courageous runs off…with the Light guiding him to the very place he senses this evil presence, “Follow me!!”
The little ponies do not know what is going on, but they follow behind the prince and wonder where he is heading.
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The ponies follow behind Courageous as the Light guides him through the Castle…to a location unknown.
As they run, the group manage to pass both Shining Armor and Cadance along the way, without so much as a “hello” or “Good morning.” Concerned, they both follow the group…while hoping to get some answers.
“Where is everypony running to, Twili?” Shining asks his little sister as he runs beside her.
“I don’t know…but I think Courageous senses something evil within the castle…” Twilight explains as she takes a moment to summon the Light. Once she does, she gasps, “…and I think I sense it too!”
Shining and the others now grow more concerned; After all the evils they have vanquished, one would think they deserve a break from it all, but it seems something new has arisen…in the Crystal Empire once more.
Everypony continues to follow Courageous…until he arrives at a door, leading into a room where the Royals store many antiques and magical items. Two crystal guards stand by the door, sworn to protect it always.
“Let us pass, please,” Princess Cadance orders her soldiers, who step aside immediately.
Once the door is opened, they all run in and looks around. The place has many items around…but they are searching for something that is out of place. Everypony is about to look around for it, until both Courageous and Twilight point and yell:
“There it is!!!”
Everypony turns and looks at where they are pointing at…and gasps when they see what it is: The Magical Mirror that links this world to another; This very mirror that Twilight once entered some time ago.
“The Darkness is coming from…within the mirror…” Courageous concludes.
Twilight cannot believe it, but since Light does not lie, she can feel that both her husband and the Light speak the truth: A dark, and familiar presence is coming from inside the mirror…on the other side.
“Inform Princess Celestia and Princess Luna! Make haste!” Courageous turns to the guard and orders.
“Yes, your Highness!” The two Crystal Guard rush off to retrieve the Princesses.
As the ponies wait, Courageous and Twilight do not take their eyes off the mirror for a second. They watch it ever carefully…and hope something can be done soon before the worst happens.
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Once the Princesses of the Sun and Moon arrive, they sit and listen to what Courageous and Twilight have to say on what they have discovered about the magical mirror.
Every other pony does the same and hear what their friends have discovered…and hope that this problem can be fixed soon.
“So, you are saying the Darkness is coming from the mirror…from the other side?” Celestia questions.
Courageous nods, “Yes. But it is not just any Darkness: It is the very same that invaded Equestria a year ago…and took control of the Crystal Empire as well as the rest of the major cities.”
“Are…you saying that…it’s…?” Fluttershy mutters in fear of the answer she wishes not to hear.
“Yes…” Courageous sighs and confirms, “Whatever is inside, is from…HIM!”
Everypony is completely shocked and disturbed by the very thought of it, but they know it not to be untrue. When the Supreme Master of Darkness…know by the name of Tirek…invaded Equestria, his Darkness spread all over. Somehow, it managed to get inside the mirror…and into the “other world that lies beyond.”
“But…I don’t get it?” Rainbow questions, “How did the Darkness get inside…and if it did…is the other side a dark world now?”
Courageous shakes his head, “I do not think so…”
“How are you so certain, darling?” Rarity implies politely.
“Well, I am not sure exactly…but I don’t sense a heavy presence of Darkness in this “other world” so I believe it is still intact…for now anyway,” Courageous explains then adds, “Besides, I myself don’t know much about this “other world” on the other side of this mirror anyway…”
Princess Luna stands and steps forth, “I believe I can answer that for you, young prince.”
Courageous nods and sits with his wife Twilight, and listens to the story behind the mirror; Although everypony there knows about it already, the young brown stallion does not.
“This mirror is a gateway to another world…one that opens once every thirty moons,” Luna explains, “Twilight Sparkle once entered this world not too long ago, to retrieve her Element of Magic…when it was stolen by a former student of my sister.”
Courageous understand, but then asks, “I see…but wait! When did Twilight enter this world? I don’t remember this happening at all.”
Twilight tries to explain, “Well, it’s kind of a long story-”
“-and one we do not have time to discuss I am afraid!” Luna interrupts with a valid point.
Twilight agrees, “You’re right, your Highness,” She then turns to Courageous and frowns, “I guess I will have to tell you the story of my time in that other world there later.”
The young prince nods and smiles, “I understand…and I will look forward to hearing about it. My dearest Twilight.”
Princess Luna continues, “Anyway…I have no knowledge of how the Darkness entered the mirror, but as the keeper of the Night and Moon, I do believe the gateway to the other world opened sometime during Tirek short reign over Equestria.”
Courageous quickly agrees, “That makes sense. The gate must have been closed when the Darkness took over the Empire and the rest of the Kingdom. But right before the girls and I vanquished Tirek, the gate opened and the Darkness went through…though only for a brief moment before the Rainbow of Light cleared the world of that very Darkness.”
Twilight agrees with her husband without a second thought, “You’re right, Courageous! Whatever Darkness got in, as small as it was, remained even when Tirek was destroyed. But I guess it wasn’t strong enough to take over the other world.”
“No, it don’t think it was. But in over a year that it’s been there, it has no doubt begun to rise slowly and become more powerful. At this moment, while still not at full strength, it could get that way at any minute…and if it succeeds, it will take over that world…and possibly even find it’s way into ours…”
Everypony gasps and doesn’t even want to think about that possibility; They barely defeated the Darkness and it’s Master a year ago, and if they have to go through that ordeal again…there is no telling if they will get lucky and stop it a second time.
“Well…I say it’s pretty obvious what we need at do!” Applejack informs, “We need ta go dere, find the Darkness, get rid of it, and get back on home before supper time!”
The other ponies agree and are about to head into the mirror, until Luna halts them, “No, little ponies. I am afraid nopony is going to be using them mirror anytime soon.”
“Why not…?” Twilight questions her fellow princess.
Luna decides to show them instead of explain. She touches the mirror, but nothing happens; Her hoof does not go through it at all, since at the moment the mirror is nothing but glass at the moment, “The mirror opens once every thirty moons, remember?”
Twilight nods, “Yes…but…are you saying that it has not been thirty moons yet?”
Princess Luna merely shakes her head lightly.
The others moan and are at a lost.
“How long until it opens again?” Princess Cadance asks.
Luna thinks on it for but a few seconds, then answers, “Fifteen days.”
Courageous shakes his head, “We can’t wait that long! There is no telling how much time that world has left before the Darkness reaches it’s full strength and corrupts everything there! It already had a year to get this bad, and may strike at any moment!”
“Then what is it you suggest we do, Courageous Heart?!” Luna snaps at the young stallion, then calms down and apologizes, “Sorry young prince, but the magic of this gateway is powerful, and not even my magic…nor that of my sister…can change it’s course.”
“My sister is right…” Celestia supports, “I do not know what else we can do to open it.”
Courageous aims his horn at the mirror, “There IS another way; A power far stronger than magic: Light!” He summons the source of all good and fires a beam at the gateway, “AGOR!!”
Everypony watches as the Light enters the mirror…and opens the gateway to the other world. They all gasp and are really surprised at this; They have seen the many wonders the Light can bring, but this is one of the few that tops it all.
“You did it, Courageous!!” Spike cheers.
“Yes, but it will not last forever,” He reveals sadly, “The Light can only keep it open for a while; No more than three days. But only two at most can enter; I cannot because I have to stay here and hold it open…“
Twilight feels sad that Courageous will not be able to come with her, but she understands, “Okay…then I guess it is just me and Spike going through again…“
“Alright. But…“ He sighs, “I have not told you the worst part yet…”
Twilight hates to ask it, but does, “What’s the worse part…?”
He sighs, “Because the Light opened the door before it’s time, and now that the magical cycle is broken, by the high moon of the third day…the portal will close…forever.”
Twilight and the others gasp once more, but it is much louder this time. “What?!”
“I’m sorry, Twilight…but what I say is true: You have to find and defeat the Darkness in the other world by late evening of the third day…or…you will never be able to return here…” It hurts Courageous to even think this, but it is the truth.
Twilight does not know what to say and cannot even imagine what will happen if she becomes trapped there; Though she has friends in the other world, to never come back here…where her friends, family, and husband are, would just devastate her.
Suddenly, the little alicorn feels herself being hugged by all her friends and family; They know Twilight will return, because she always does. Smiling, she hugs them all back lovingly, “Thank you, everypony. I love you all so much, and I promise I will return as soon as I can.”
They all hug her more and hope so too.
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After Twilight is given a saddlebag of supplies, plus her Element of Magic, she says goodbye to everypony and is ready to head into the mirror. However, before she goes in, she wishes to say goodbye to a certain pony she loves with all her heart.
“It’s not fair…” Twilight sadly admits to her husband.
He shakes his head sadly, “It never is…”
“We just got married…only to be separated…”
Courageous embraces her gently, “We will never be apart, Twilight. As long as you keep me in your heart, I will be with you…”
Twilight sheds a tear and hugs him back, “I love you, Courageous. I will always think of you while I am there…”
Courageous smiles and kisses her cheek, “I love you too, Twilight. Be safe…”
Twilight kisses his cheek lovingly, and smiles. She then lets Spike hop onto her back, “Ready, Spike?”
“I’m ready!!” He nods firmly while holding on to his friend.
With that, Twilight gallops towards the mirror. Everypony waves goodbye to her, as she steps into the gateway…and moves on into the world she once visited long ago.
Her mission to stop the Darkness and save both worlds from its terror…has begun.
