“We need never be hopeless, because we can never be irreparably broken”

The mysterious mare known as Liberty had supplied Luna with everything and more.

The research done by Professor Walnut, a Canterlot native who had harbored Liberty from the Fall for three whole years, had shed light upon one of the most pressing enigmas of Equestria’s submission; The Crystal Heart. The Professor, with Liberty’s help, did a mix of detective work and magic studying, culminating in a disturbing yet crucial discovery.

At some point after the caribou had taken the Crystal Empire, a powerful and lasting spell was placed upon the entirety of Equestria, one which affected the minds of both stallions and mares alike. The immense magic culled stallions to support and follow the caribou patriarchy, while a portion of the mares were rendered mentally vulnerable, ultimately making them more susceptible to the caribou. However, very few stallions were seemingly unaffected by the magic, allowing them to remain loyal to Equestria.

This spell was determined by Professor Walnut to have come from the power of the Crystal Heart. In the Professor’s words, the caribou somehow ‘corrupted’ it into something else to suit their needs. Whatever the caribou did, and however they did it, one thing is for certain.

The Crystal Heart no longer represents love.

After she had thoroughly read through the findings, Princess Luna revised her plans. The number one priority lies in the destruction of the Crystal Heart. With its removal, Equestria will be able to unite properly under Luna’s guidance, and in turn, even the playing field.

Now, it was only a matter of reaching the Crystal Empire, and eliminating the source of the caribou’s influence. Whatever the cost.

Upon a small hill, Princess Luna crawls underneath the white camo tarp, which blends in with the surrounding snow. She takes up a spyglass and pokes it through the small opening at the front of the tarp.

Before her lies the Crystal Empire. A mix of orange torches and black clouds of night give the city a sinister glow, which reflects off of the blue and red crystal structures. The crystal palace stands at the very center, dwarfing the other buildings. Howling winds and flurries of sleet encircle the large city, preventing any clear view. Though it was easy to see how the caribou have fortified the city.

A massive wall nearly twenty feet in height surrounds the city, with several towers dotting its perimeter. Princess Luna isn’t surprised at the presence of such defenses. The Crystal Empire is one of the northernmost settlements in Equestria, second only to Lindesbarne. The caribou have had firm control of it even before the Fall, and three years is more than enough time to construct such unmistakable defenses.

The walls and guards told Luna one thing. That the Crystal Heart was indeed there, being protected and tended to by its most likely custodians.

Cadence and Shining Armor. The betrayers.

Luna remembers fondly of when Cadence and Shining Armor visited her in Canterlot in the early months of the Fall. It was Cadence who recommended drugging Luna during her imprisonment, in an attempt to make her more vulnerable. Part of the reason Luna chose a red collar was to avoid being pumped constantly with debilitating narcotics. It is difficult to say what could have happened, had Luna not convince the caribou of her willingness.

Luna’s plan doesn’t involve seeking out either of the rulers of the Crystal Empire. The priority is the destruction of the Crystal Heart, and nothing more. Though if she were to happen upon either of them, Luna would not hesitate to give them a piece of her mind. Now that she can use her fists, that is.

Coming out of her thoughts, Luna finishes her reconnaissance, packing up her camo tarp and strapping it behind her back. She makes her way down the snow covered hill, crossing over a small field before reaching another set of hills laden with snow, where the rest of her team are positioned.

Knowing that this mission would require stealth, Princess Luna had opted to take as few of her team as needed. She decided on bringing her lieutenants, Night Seer and Lantern, as well as High Tide. The final member to join is Liberty, whom Luna chose due to her knowledge of the Crystal Empire.

Princess Luna made sure that she and her team were fully equipped for an infiltration mission in the cold climate. Along with donning warmer winter gear, with white cloaks and less encumbering armor, they are equipped with new one-handed crossbows from Umbra. They allow the user to accurately and quietly take out ranged targets without arousing suspicion, perfect for the incursion into the Crystal Empire. In a place as hostile as this, stealth is the single most important factor.

“Ohhh crap it’s cold. I don’t know how those crystal ponies stand it.” Says High Tide, his teeth chattering.

Liberty smirks, turning to the shivering noctral. “They don’t have to. The Crystal Heart protects them from the cold. Take a look.”

Liberty points out towards the city. Sure enough, lush grass can be seen close to the outer walls erected by the caribou. Though the Crystal Heart had been corrupted, it still allowed the city to survive the freezing snowstorms frequenting the area, providing a sphere of warmth which blankets the Empire.

High Tide groans. “Well… Good for them. Brrr…”

As High Tide descends the hill to meet up with Night Seer and Lantern, Princess Luna joins Liberty.

“Princess Luna.” She acknowledges. Liberty’s golden hair is kept hidden underneath the hood of her cloak, making her golden eyes stand out among her white fur and the white snow.

“I’ve been meaning to speak with you, Liberty.” Luna says, stopping beside her.

The earth pony looks to her. “Yes?”

“We haven’t had much time to speak with one another over the course of our journey. I would like to learn more about you.”

Liberty pauses for a moment, soaking in Luna’s request. She turns to her, nodding.

“Ok. Well, I was born in Baltimare, and when I was old enough I moved to Canterlot and joined the royal guard. I wanted to be Celestia’s protector. She inspired me a lot, especially during her visits to my home town. For a pony like her to do so much for us for so long… I wanted to return the favor. I still do.”

Thinking of her sister was something Luna tried her best to avoid. The thoughts only made her cringe. Though hearing how she inspired Liberty in such a way lightens her heart.

Liberty continues.

“It wasn't long after the completion of my training and assignment to Canterlot when the Fall happened, on the day of the Spring Planting Festival. A close friend of mine, who'd been there for me for as long as I can remember, helped me escape our barracks and find Professor Walnut. Shell-... She... Well. I lost many of my friends in the Fall. Walnut took me in, and for the following three years I helped him with his research, and when it was completed, I left to find you. And now, I’m here.”

“Your collaboration with the professor was invaluable. Is he still in Canterlot?”

Liberty falls silent.

“The day I left was the day the caribou discovered Professor Walnut’s treachery. He sacrificed himself to save me."

Princess Luna somberly nods. “I am sorry about his death. But it was not in vain. He gave us a chance.”

Liberty stares at the fluffy snow below her.

“… I hope you're right, Princess. I really hope you're right.”

“It was not in vain.” Luna assures. The Princess of the Night has seen enough death in her time to think of it as a trivial matter. Yet she understands it more than most, not only because of her experience but also because of her insight to the dreams of others.

Interrupting the silence, Lantern approaches with Night Seer and High Tide behind her.

“Princess Luna, everything is set to begin the mission.”

“Thank you, Lantern. Everyone come close.”

As per her request, the group huddles close, forming a tight circle.

“I’m aware that you all know what is at stake here. And I know you are all up for the task at hand. But let me repeat once more. The Crystal Heart is our priority. We are not here to liberate the entire Crystal Empire, as unfortunate as it is. We must reach the Crystal Heart, destroy it, and then make our way back to Haven as soon as possible. Are we in agreement?”

With determined eyes and focused expressions, Luna’s team agrees. They are ready.

“…Then let us begin.”

The infiltrators hug the outer wall, carefully treading through the mounds of snow while crouching to avoid any scanning eyes perched upon the towers. In accordance with their plan, the group reaches a large embankment packed with thick snow and ice. The huge mound reaches halfway up the wall, allowing them to climb over.

Clambering up the embankment and stopping at the top, High Tide and Night Seer put their backs to the wall and cup their hands, giving Lantern and Liberty a boost up and over. After Luna is boosted over next, she and Liberty turn and give their hands to the two noctral stallions, helping them up. Immediately they move along the wall’s walkway in search of the second step of their plan; an armory.

Luna and her team leap onto the rooftop of the armory, which is connected to the wall. On the stone roof is a wooden hatch, which is connected to a ladder leading down to the second floor. Night Seer carefully opens the hatch door, allowing Lantern to peek in quickly. She spies a crystal stallion guard below, putting away his armor into one of many storage lockers.

Lantern pops back up. “Lower me in.”

High Tide and Night Seer keep Lantern steady as she is lowered down head-first. Stopping halfway, she slowly pulls out her crossbow and aims it at the back of the stallion, taking her time to line the shot while being upside-down.

With a silenced click, a crossbow bolt finds its mark in the back of the guard’s neck, felling him instantly. After giving the all clear, Lantern hops to the floor, followed by the others.

As Liberty moves the body into a corner, the team breaks open several of the lockers, finding two complete sets of crystal armor, along with armored helmets. Night Seer and High Tide don the armor and place the helmets upon their heads. Luckily for the noctrals, the helmets come with shielded sights, allowing them to keep their tell-tale eyes hidden from view.

Princess Luna deems them to be a little short for crystal guards, but they look convincing enough.

“We’ll be waiting on the rooftops for your signal. Try your best to avoid any unwanted attention.” Luna advises, double checking Night Seer’s armor.

“We’ll investigate the base of the tower with not a moment to spare, Princess. Should only take a minute.”

With their disguises complete, Night Seer and High Tide make their way to the bottom floor as Luna, Lantern and Liberty return to the rooftop. They make their way across the continuing rooftops, utilizing the caribou-built wooden buildings to stealthily follow Night Seer and High Tide as they walk on the ground.

During their rooftop-crossings, Princess Luna is able to get an able view of many parts of the Crystal Empire. Nearly everywhere she looks, there are examples of the Fall. There are auctioning platforms for selling red collars to visiting figures or local males. In several public spaces there are racks and crosses used to display black collared mares who continue to resist. Many of them are limp, only being held up by their shackles. It is evident that many of the poor mares have been strewn out like this for days on end. The streets and plazas of the once beautiful empire are littered with refuse and debris.

Landing on another roof, Luna motions for her companions to hold. Right before them lies the crystal palace, its lengthy spire appearing to touch the clouds above. They lay low and out of sight as Night Seer and High Tide walk as casually as possible around the base of the palace, where the Crystal Heart was usually kept in the past.

Luna watches them as they come about, finishing their circle. Just as Night Seer is about to turn in her direction however, he and High Tide are approached by a crystal stallion guard. Luna listens in carefully, barely able to catch the conversation.

“Lazy day, huh. Why are you guys wearing your helmets? It isn’t exactly cold right now.”

“Uhh….” High Tide stammers, “Y-yeah… Actually we were out on patrol earlier and uhhm… We got attacked by a polar bear. Punched me right in the face and, well… It was awful, don’t go out there.”

The guard looks at High Tide as if he had drank too much.

Night Seer shakes his head, looking to the confused guard.

“Sorry about that. Rook here has been trying to think up random stories ever since one of those cunts gave him a good swipe to the eyes. He’s just too embarrassed to admit it, so he’s been wearing his helmet all day. And I’ve been wearing one to make sure he doesn’t look like a complete fool.”

The guard gets a good chuckle from Night Seer’s story. High Tide goes with it as best he can.

“Thanks a lot… Snowball. You’re such a great friend.” He says sarcastically.

“Heh, those black collars can be a handful sometimes. Usually they break easily, so you shouldn’t have to worry about getting scratched up anymore. The ones that don’t break we put in the public service sections. Easy enough to use without getting hurt. Well, hope your eyes get better soon pal.”

The guard bids them goodbye, leaving Night Seer and High Tide as they breathe a subtle sigh of relief. Turning to each other to mimic conversation, Night Seer makes a hand gesture, waving his hand in front of him as if dismissing something High Tide said.

Luna recognizes his signal, which told her that the Crystal Heart was not at the base of the tower. It had to be somewhere inside.

Princess Luna had created a fallback plan, should the Crystal Heart be located within the walls of the crystal palace. Along the walls of the palace are many small balconies, which for the most part are unguarded. While Night Seer and High Tide continue to keep an eye out in plain sight, Luna, Liberty and Lantern would find their way in through one of these balconies.

Pulling out large coils of mountain rope with metal hooks at the tip, Luna and her companions arm their crossbows with the grappling hooks. They fire them up at the face of the palace, targeting the lowest hanging balcony on their side. The hooks embed themselves along the base of the balcony, wedging into the crystal structure.

Lantern tests her rope, finding it to be secure enough. She grabs it tightly and swings onto the wall, panting her boots firmly against the reflecting surface. As she begins to scale the wall, Luna follows, with Liberty taking the rear.

The three daring climbers scale the sheer face of the palace wall, their hands and arms aching from the harsh steepness and the length of the climb.

Lantern huffs, looking up ahead to see the balcony getting closer.

“Almost there!”

Crack

Lantern gazes up in horror as her rope jerks. The hook clinging to the balcony slowly creeps to the edge, its previous mooring broken from the weight.

SNAP

The rope tears free of its hold on the ledge, sending Lantern plummeting.

Just as the noctral lets out a scream, she is snatched by an arm.

Luna had saved Lantern from her fall.

Though Luna’s muscles quickly remind her that she cannot support herself and Lantern on the rope for long. Luna clenches her teeth in agony as Lantern reaches with her other arm to hold on to the Princess for dear life. An utter look of fear is in the noctral’s orange eyes.

“Liberty!! Can you take her?!”

“Yes! Swing her here!”

Using all her might, Luna cautiously swings a dangling Lantern towards Liberty, mindful of the strong winds encircling them.

Liberty manages to grab hold of Lantern, bringing her safely to a small jut in the wall with just enough footing to support them both.

Princess Luna breathes a heavy sigh of relief as she continues up the rope, soon reaching the balcony.

As she clambers over the railing, Princess Luna makes sure both remaining hooks are secure, and then pulls on the ropes briefly to let her companions know it is safe to continue ascending. Soon, both Lantern and Liberty safely make it onto the balcony.

Lantern drops onto the floor in exhaustion. Luna kneels beside her.

“Th-thank you, Princess Luna. I don’t know how you were able to do that. If you hadn’t…”

“I’m not about to let a friend fall to her death, not after how far we’ve come. Are you ok?”

“Yes, I’m… I’m ok. I… thank you.”

Luna gives Lantern a heartfelt hug to warm and assure her, before helping her up and turning to Liberty.

“Then let us find the Crystal Heart.”

Picking the locked balcony door, Luna, Lantern and Liberty silently enter the crystal palace, skulking through rooms and evading the watchful eyes of the crystal stallions on guard. Surprisingly, there appears to be few caribou within the palace walls. No doubt many of them are in Canterlot or spread across Equestria. And with the Crystal Empire so fortified, they must have deemed it pointless to guard the palace. Better to leave it to the stallions, so the caribou could find somewhere else with less worries and more mares.

As they continue, Luna and her party approach another room, which they easily gain entry to. However, they soon regret even opening the door as a bizzare stench reaches their snouts.

Within the room lies dozens of tubs, all filled to the brim with a white, sticky fluid. It is obvious to them what the liquid is, due to its viscosity. Surrounding the tubs are racks and long clamps, undoubtedly used to forcefully submerge unwilling mares into the cum-bath.
Liberty and Lantern look around in repulsion, though Luna does her best to ignore the tubs as she moves to scan the room further.

“And here I thought Canterlot was worse…” Mutters Liberty.

Moving towards a door at the end of the room, Luna hears movement on the other side, in what appears to be a smaller storage room.

“This way.” Luna beckons her companions. She opens the door cautiously, finding the room to be clear of any threats. Though the room is occupied.

“MMPHH! HMMPH!”

On the far side of the room is a black collared mare, her arms and legs spread-eagled on the nearby wall by several long straps. She struggles and pleads through the cloth gag stuffed in her mouth.

Luna removes the gag, allowing the mare to cough and breathe heavily. She can hardly budge with the straps securing her.

“P-Princess Luna! Oh, thank you! I can’t believe this! I can’t believe you’re here!”

“We don’t have much time. Do you know anything of the Crystal Heart and where it’s being kept? It’s imperative that we find it.” Luna quickly asks.

“N-no, I’m sorry. I’m not from here. I-I was brought here a week ago… I think. B-but Princess Cadence could know! She comes down here every day from somewhere up in the palace. She forces us into those tubs…”

Cadence was more in line with the caribou than Luna originally thought. Subjecting her own kin to what the caribou deem ‘right’ only proves further how far she has fallen.

Luna’s thinking is quickly interrupted by the captive mare.

“Please! You have to get me out of here!!”

A silence falls over them. Luna looks to Liberty and Lantern behind her. They know that they cannot take her with them.

As Princess Luna turns back to the mare, Lantern quickly leaves the room, in an effort to hide her tears. Liberty remains, though she stares at the floor somberly, occasionally looking at the mare on the wall.

“I’m… I’m sorry. We can’t free you. We did not come to free anyone.”

The mare squints her eyes shut, tears already flowing down her cheeks.

“Th-th-then… Please, tell my mom that I’m still ok. I… I haven’t changed. She lives in Manehatten. Tell her Ruby is ok!”

The mare bursts into tears. But before Luna can apologize and put the gag back in her muzzle, Liberty pulls out one of her daggers and goes up to the mare.

She cuts her loose of her straps, causing the mare to look at her with shock and confusion.

“We’re here to destroy the Crystal Heart, not to take you with us. But that doesn’t mean we can’t help you. Take this dagger, and use it to defend yourself if you need to,” Liberty says as she hands her the weapon, along with her winter cloak, “This will keep you warm, and you can use it to hide too.”

The mare looks at her with disbelief, though this is quickly replaced with a hopeful smile. Liberty smiles back, placing her hand on her shoulder.

“Ruby. Promise me you’ll stay here, in this room. Don’t leave until you know it’s safe.”

“I promise. H-how will I know when it’s safe?”

“I can’t explain everything right now. In short, the Crystal Heart is controlling the stallions, making them side with the caribou. Once we destroy it, many stallions will be freed of its influence, and they will fight against the caribou. Once you hear the fighting, find your way out and spread word to as many ponies as you can. Tell them that their best bet for survival is to head to Stalliongrad, to the south east. By the time you reach there, you should be safe.”

“O-ok. I will.”

Liberty places both of her hands on Ruby’s shoulders.

“When all of this is over, I want you to go find your mom, and I want you to tell her yourself that you’ll be ok. Understood?”

Ruby’s tears flow again, though this time in joy and hope, given to her by Liberty.

“Thank… Thank you! Thank you! I promise you I’ll find her! I will!”

With that, Liberty reminds the mare to stay safe and hidden as she and Princess Luna leave the small storage room and regroup with Lantern, who had overheard Liberty’s assurance of the mare. The noctral thanks Liberty for what she did.

Liberty gave the mare sound advice on what to do, especially about leaving the Crystal Empire. Luna had almost forgotten about Stalliongrad’s resident ponies. Once the stallions there are freed from the brainwashing, and the mares freed from their enslavement, the caribou in the city will be overwhelmed by the sheer tenacity of Stalliongrad ponies. Luna has no doubt that they will be able to liberate themselves in time to allow any ponies arriving a safe home.

Though there was little time to speak her mind as she, Liberty and Lantern continue through the palace, Luna kept thinking of how noble and admirable Liberty’s actions were regarding Ruby. Luna herself felt ashamed for almost leaving the prisoner to remain trapped, with the possibility that she could have been tortured further by her captors, or worse, be completely forgotten.

But Luna had good reason. They cannot delay the mission any further.

Princess Luna knows now, thanks to Ruby, that Cadence is indeed in the palace. A part of Luna’s mind jumped for joy upon learning the former Princess’s whereabouts. What better way to find out where the Crystal Heart is than to beat it out of the alicorn who betrayed Equestria?

Luna could not think of any option more satisfying.

After ascending two more stories, Luna discovers the door to Cadence and Shining Armor’s personal chambers. A lone crystal stallion stands guard, yawning and slouching against the wall in boredom. Luna instructs Lantern and Liberty to clear surrounding area and keep watch. As they carry out her orders, Luna sneaks along the nearby wall, managing to stay out of the stallion’s sight.

Only a few minutes later does Princess Luna cold-cock the stallion in the back of the head, quickly grabbing him to prevent him from falling to the floor with a thud. Luna lays him down, looting his pockets and uncovering a key. She inserts the key into the door and unlocks it, carefully gripping the doorknob and quietly entering. She cautiously closes it behind her, though the door makes an unavoidable click as it closes.

“Shining? Is that you?”

Upon hearing Cadence’s voice, Luna calmly creeps through the room. She determines her voice to have come from the room ahead, most likely the bedroom.

As the door begins to unlatch, Luna swiftly and silently hugs the wall, allowing the bedroom door to conceal herself as it swings halfway open.

Cadence walks out, closing the door behind her and making her way to the center of the room. Just like any other collared mare, she is completely naked. Though to express her status, her red collar is laced with gold trims, as are her red wing sleeves.

Luna hides in the shadow of the wall, waiting patiently and with intent as Cadence stops for a moment.

“Ohhh I see… I’m yours to take, master. However you want.”

Cadence goes to the opposite wall, leaning her forehead against it and placing her wrists crossed behind her. She alluringly pushes her ass out into the air, waiting for the grip of her Shining to come while closing her eyes. It seems that she and her master often play like this.

Princess Luna sees an opportunity.

Her winter boots mimicking those of a stallion, Princess Luna annunciates her steps as she slowly makes her way towards Cadence, stopping right behind her and letting her feel her air. Luna breathes sensually onto Cadence’s fur, while wrapping one hand around her wrists and the other around her waist. The former Princess sighs in delight.

Luna’s lips stop only inches away from Cadence’s ear.

“… However I want, you say?”

Luna’s words stop Cadence’s breath cold. Her eyes widen in fear as she recalls the all-too familiar voice.

Before having the chance to turn around, Luna grabs Cadence by the collar, dragging her into the bedroom and slamming the door shut. She pins Cadence against the wall while forcefully gripping the red collar around the fallen alicorn’s neck. Cadence’s own hands latch on to Luna’s arms in an effort to support herself as she is thrust against the wall, her wing sleeves bending into her back painfully.

“T-this can’t be happening! This is has to be a dream!”

“A Nightmare would be more appropriate. Would you like me to ‘pinch’ you?”

Just as Cadence begins to shake her head, Luna rams a fist straight into Cadence’s exposed stomach, causing her to reel and cry out, knocking the breath right out of her. Luna prevents her from flinching, holding her to the wall as she coughs in pain.

“I’m prepared to break every bone in your body, unless you tell me what I need to know. Where is the Crystal Heart being kept?” Luna demands. Her cold stare pierces through Cadence.

“I’m sorry, auntie Luna, but I can’t tell you…augh. I won’t tell you.”

Cadence was always a strong figure among the royals in the past. Even when she was only beginning royal duties as the third alicorn, she had the determination and resolve of a true leader. She’s retained at least some of that strength in defending her new ideals, much to the chagrin of Luna.

However, that strength is nothing compared to the strength of the Princess of the Night.

Princess Luna slowly pulls out her dagger, methodically dragging it along Cadence’s exposed fur.

“You’ve gained quite a bit of power here, Cadence. Undoubtedly because of your relationship with Shining Armor, and your… ‘trophy wife’ appearance. I wonder… How would your precious masters treat you if you had suddenly become bereft of a limb?”

Luna’s voice turns soft and smooth, whispering to Cadence as if she was singing a lullaby. The sharp tip of her dagger moves to Cadence’s shoulder, before making its way down with a sensual motion.

“Or, perhaps… You had lost your prized tongue? Or even your breasts? It wouldn’t take a second’s thought for Dainn, or even Shining Armor to deem you utterly devoid of all use. You would be left in some dank alley or hollow pit to rot. Just like the rest of the mares who are ‘deemed unsuitable’ to your masters’ needs. All it would take… Is one thrust…”

Under the steel glare of Luna’s eyes and the pressure of the blade steadily growing against her body, Cadence relents.

“The hidden room, at the top. It’s at the top of the palace.”

“Thank you.”

Princess Luna continues to stare at Cadence, sheathing her dagger.

“Y-you’re going to destroy it, aren’t you?”

“I came here to give clarity to Equestria. And to do that, I have to fix your mistake.”

“Even if you do destroy it, you can’t defeat Dainn. He defeated Celestia himself. You must realize that you’re setting yourself up to fail!”

Luna scoffs. “Dainn used the Crystal Heart to sway the stallions to his side. He is nothing but smoke and mirrors. And I will uncover the reasons behind his supposed ‘strength’. It is only a matter of time.”

Cadence continues to insist. “You won’t win. There’s no way you can restore the diarchy! This is Equestria’s future!”

“…I don’t need to restore the diarchy to save Equestria. That much is true.”

Deciding their conversation is at end, Luna knocks Cadence out cold, letting her fall limp to the hard floor.

Though she intended to leave, Luna continues to gaze at Cadence. She kneels down and pulls out her dagger, staring even more intensely at the alicorn. The words of Mjolna, from many months ago in Whitetail Wood, echo in her mind.

Mares like you aren’t trying to survive or to serve your masters. You’re just being selfish. You’re choosing your own pleasure over those who cared about you. You don’t care about anyone but yourself. And just like your masters, you’re heartless.

A look of disgust and anger creeps onto Luna’s face as her dagger’s tip rests right on top of Cadence’s heart. Her muscles tense and beg her to use them. The grip on her dagger tightens.

“Princess Luna?”

Luna snaps out of her thoughts, twitching her ears to catch the voice of Lantern.

“What is it?”

“Ah… We don’t have much time. There are more guards blanketing the area. If we want to find the Heart, we have to move.”

After a few more seconds, Luna puts away her dagger, shaking her head. She quickly gets up and exits the room with Lantern, leaving an unconscious Cadence behind.

As they close the door behind them, Luna snaps off the handle and tosses it away. Liberty joins them as they move towards the nearby stairwell.

“I have the location of the Crystal Heart. It’s being kept at the very top of the palace, in the old chamber which Sombra hid it during his reign. Come.”

It baffles Luna why a certain villain of the past had such a fascination with stairs. As she and her team ascend the massive spiral staircase, she wishes more and more that she could cast a reverse-gravity spell. Perhaps the exercise is more worth it.

They finally reach the top platform, and are immediately greeted by a fierce gale of wind, cold and frigid due to their altitude. The open arches surrounding the platform give a wide view of the entire area.

Floating in the very center of the platform is the Crystal Heart. However, it is no longer a heart.

“Well… Ok then. A giant penis. How creative.” Liberty remarks, shaking her head at the crystal representation of a male’s genitals. Testicles and all.

Lantern agrees. “I’m surprised the caribou didn’t keep it at the base for everyone to see it. To show another sign of their superiority.”

“They wanted to protect it somehow. Placing it up here and out of sight was the only precaution they thought necessary.” Princess Luna interjects.

Approaching the huge crystal phallus, Luna draws her sharpest blade. Though its current appearance is unsettling, the shape makes it much easier to effectively cut in half.

With one massive, overbearing slash of her sword, Princess Luna halves what was once the Crystal Heart. As it separates, the two pieces lose their levitation and fall to the floor, shattering into small chunks and fragments.

A moment of silence envelopes the group as they look down upon the fragments. Lantern breaks the silence.

“Did that do it? Did we lift its influence?”

A much colder wind breezes though the platform, bringing with it snow from the clouds above.

“Without the Crystal Heart, the Empire will be overcome by the winter weather. Come. Let us find Night Seer and High Tide.” States Luna.

Leading her team back down the spiral flight of stairs, Luna arrives back in the center of the palace. As she chooses a preferred way to make it to the ground floor, a commotion reaches her ears from the nearby hall. Luna and her group move to investigate, spotting three crystal stallion guards, along with a caribou overseer. One of the guards stands beside the caribou, while the other two are shielding a distraught black collared mare. The sight confirms to Luna that the caribou’s influence has indeed been lifted.

“Hand over that slut now you idiots!!” bellows the caribou. He is quickly supported by the stallion at his side.

“What are you guys doing?? We’re supposed to be taking her to the baths, not letting her go. What’s wrong with you?”

The guards protecting the black collar remain defiant.

“What’s wrong with us?! What’s wrong with you is the real question! Can’t you see what we’ve been doing to all these mares?? This isn’t us!”

The other guard joins in as Luna motions for Lantern and Liberty to move in quietly.

“We don’t give a damn what you say! We’re stopping this madness.”

With a snarl appearing on his face, the massive caribou reaches for his weapon, but is quickly stopped by a bolt fired from Liberty’s crossbow, which finds its mark in his shoulder. The other stallion guard attempts to flee, but is caught by another bolt fired by Lantern. Liberty rushes forward to drive a dagger into the caribou and the stallion before they can recover.

The other two guards and the mare behind them look shocked as Princess Luna approaches them.

“By the stars… Princess Luna!”

“Be at ease, ponies, you’re safe now.”

One of the stallions goes to Luna. “What happened? Why… Why did we do the things we did? I can’t believe…”

He stops to look upon the mare behind him. His expression looks as though he wants to apologize to her, but cannot think of any way to do so.

Princess Luna garners his attention.

“What was once the Crystal Heart… has been destroyed. It was influencing the minds of stallions all over Equestria, manipulating your conscience. Find a later time to dwell on this. Right now you must spread the news, and gather those still faithful to Equestria and lead them to safety in Stalliongrad. The winter will be upon the city soon.”

The guards nod, preparing to move out. Liberty stops them.

“Wait. Go up three stories, to the cum baths. There is a red coated mare hiding in the storage room. Her name is Ruby. Tell her you’ve seen us. Make sure she is safe!”

“Y-yes ma’am!” they reply as they take the mare with them and head in the direction of the stairwell.

Before they can get on the move again, Night Seer and High Tide, still dressed in their stolen armor, though this time without their helmets, appear from the end of the hallway. They jog down and reunite with Luna, receiving a warm hung from Lantern and a smile from Liberty.

“Princess! It worked… You have to come see this.”

Following Night Seer and High Tide, Luna, Lantern and Liberty are brought to the base of the crystal palace, and are given sight to the astounding change before them.

Throughout the city, there is conflict. As snow begins to stick to the ground and the buildings, shouts and cries can be heard from all around. Sounds of weapons clashing and chains breaking echo from the streets and alleys. Already there are freed black collared mares either fleeing from the caribou, or joining friendly stallions in fighting them off. With haste, a group of stallions rushes over to one of the larger public areas, quickly freeing the many mares shackled to the racks and taking them elsewhere, while some others distract caribou soldiers and enemy stallions from pursuing.

Equestria has woken up.

Liberty approaches Luna. “The ponies here need our help. We can free the whole city if we help lead them!”

“We cannot stay any longer. We must return to Haven…”

Liberty is about to object, though Luna smiles at her with a look of cunning.

“…Which means we will need to open the south eastern gates… Which are the gates pointing to Stalliongrad.”

Taking Luna’s hints, Liberty nods in agreement. With a reinforced confidence, Princess Luna leads her team through the turmoil of the city, dashing through the conflict with as much speed as possible. Luckily they are unopposed as they arrive at the closed gates.

On Luna’s orders, her Sentinels, along with Liberty, enter into the nearby buildings which house the gate’s mechanisms. They stealthily remove the caribou guards, and utilize the mechanisms to swing open the gates. They make sure the gate controls are sabotaged so that they remain completely open.

Already groups of ponies, both mares and stallions of various races, begin to make their way through the gate, garbed in whatever winter clothing and gear they could find. They hurry though and begin on the snow-laden road which leads towards Stalliongrad. Princess Luna watches them as her team regroups with her.

Princess Luna addresses them, standing at the gates as ponies pass by them, some looking in awe at Luna’s presence.

“Excellent work, all of you. This is your victory as much as it is mine. Now, we have a home to return to.”

As Luna’s party finally returns from their week-long journey, arriving back home in Haven, they are quite astounded to notice a boom in the population. Whole groups of ponies have arrived since the Crystal Heart’s elimination. The biggest change being that there are many more stallions. Not quite as much to reach the number of mares, but still a significant amount to outnumber the noctral stallions about.

“Incredible. It looks as though we have the population of an entire city here now!” says Lantern, admiring the amount of ponies who have arrived.

“We will have to keep building up Haven if we actually want to support a city’s worth of people. I’ll have to get to the drawing boards once we settle back in.” remarks Night Seer.

As her Sentinels go ahead and enter Haven, Liberty stays at Luna’s pace, which has slowed down. Luna pulls out a document she compiled during the journey home and hands it to Liberty.

“I would greatly appreciate it if you could give the report to Mjolna for me, Liberty. I’m thinking about laying my head down early.”

“Sure thing, Princess. I’ll let her know you say hello.”

Thanking Liberty, Luna watches as she walks ahead, melding into a crowd of ponies, some of whom welcome her back. Luna doesn’t make it much farther towards Haven before almost all of her Sentinels come out to welcome her home. Star Glow, Dew Drop, Crowe, and Spirit come, led by High Tide. They all greet Luna with cheer and praise, overjoyed to see their Princess once again.

Princess Luna herself is quite happy to see them again as well. It is the warm feeling of reuniting with loved ones, after being gone for a time, which brightens Luna the most. Such a feeling was rare for Luna in her time spent ruling. It is pleasant and heartfelt to experience again, and thanks her loyal noctrals for their welcoming.

The welcome is made official as Sweetie Belle appears from behind Crowe, running and embracing Princess Luna, who gladly returns the affection. Even the Bureau ponies, Scavenger Hunt and Tome, had come out to greet her, giving her a warm hug after Sweetie Belle.

It is all too surreal. Being welcomed home by so many friends. All of whom shared a love for Luna as though she was not some superior being or royal figure. But another friend who is simply cared about, thought about, and loved dearly.

Luna could not ask for a better victory.

The following day, Princess Luna is approached by Mjolna after her waking from a short slumber. Mjolna informs the Princess that she should consider taking the day off, and to replenish her energy. Though normally she would insist on continuing her duties, Princess Luna is grateful for the offer, and deems it wise to recuperate for the day. Though her mission was a stunning success, as evident by the amount of mares and stallions joining the forces of the rebellion, the venture in the Crystal Empire was not only quite taxing, but traumatizing as well. Luna knows she will be having even more nightmares now, sadly.

Deciding to take in some cool fresh air, Princess Luna walks outside of Haven and into the tent fields. She bids good morning to many Haven residents; zebras, noctrals, and ponies alike.

As she continues her walk, she comes near one of the common flat rocks that dot the slopes of Haven. Such rocks are quite large and used by the residents as places to sit or by the younger foals as something to climb on.

On this rock before her is a collection of some Haven residents, with Sweetie Belle among them. Each of them has a particular instrument in hand. A pegasus stallion with an old guitar, a zebra mare with a beautiful set of Zebrican drums, and a noctral mare with a flute. As they sit in a rough semi-circle on the rock, Sweetie Belle passes them each a piece of paper; sheet music of a song which Sweetie Belle had transcribed to the best of her ability for each of the musicians’ respective instruments. She gleefully helps each of them tune and clarify her scribbles. Luna had an idea of Sweetie Belle’s talent in singing, but she never knew that she was proficient in music theory. At least enough to write her own music.

Princess Luna watches with a smile as Sweetie Belle stands on the rock while the others sit. She counts them off, and the band begins playing a very catchy marching tune. It has a very exotic appeal with the Zebrican drums, though still retains a familiar Equestrian feel with the guitar and the flute. After a few measures, Sweetie Belle begins to sing in a cheery yet lovely voice.

We’re the toughest little, ponies in town!
Got the moves, got the mo-jo.
No harder working ponies around.
We are a trio, work as team.
We’ll be the first ponies out on the flaag waaving scene!

Their melodious and upbeat music rings out across all of Haven, even catching the ears of those in the caves closer to the surface. Several listeners come and watch, standing around the rock as well as sitting on the grass. Another round of measures go by for the filling music, giving way to Sweetie Belle beginning the second verse. This time, she is joined by the stallion strumming his guitar, who adds a bass voice to Sweetie’s alto.

We get-going when the, going gets tough!
We know, our very best is just, never enough!
We’re kinda short but so what? We don’t, get defeated.
We could take a little break but, we don’t need it!

We’ve got hearts, as strong as horses!
We’ve got hearts, as strong as horses!
We’ve got hearts, as strong as horses!
We’ve got heeaaaarrts, hearts as strong as horses!

A much larger group of ponies, zebras, and noctrals have now gathered around Sweetie Belle and her musicians, cheering and whistling. On the higher slopes, more onlookers perch themselves above to enjoy the performance as well. Many of the young ones jump up and down and dance with others. Everyone expresses joy and delight as they continue to gather and listen.

Sweetie Belle starts on the next verse, this time joined by the zebra mare playing drums.

When we put our minds together, we can achieve!
We’re the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and you should believe!
We’ve got determination, to represent the nation fooor the wiiiiin!

We’ve got hearts, as strong as horses!
We’ve got hearts, as strong as horses!
We’ve got hearts, as strong as horses!

And we’re playing to win, as we gallop to glory!
We can conquer any challenge we’re in!

We’ve got heeaaaarts!
Hearts stong as horses!
Hearts strong as horseees!!

With a last measure sound off, Sweetie Belle and the musicians finish their song, causing the now huge crowd before them to roar in an enormous round of cheer and applause. Luna looks around to see nothing but glee and mirth on everyone’s faces. The musicians all laugh and smile with each other, and at Sweetie Belle, who is perhaps the most joyful of them all. She goes around and hugs the musicians who played with her, thanking them for helping in the performance.

All of this merriment and sheer happiness baffles Luna. She had gathered them under a banner to fight for their freedom and to overcome the caribou’s might and terror. And here they all are, singing, dancing, and celebrating life. Luna sees that this is their most powerful weapon against the caribou. Their love for one another, be they zebra, noctral, or pony. Their compassion and will to live on despite all that has happened is a strength greater than any kind of magic. Princess Luna can tell that this is what true Equestrian magic looks like. Friends coming together to simply have fun and be friends. To lift and support one another, so that no one falls.

Luna gazes at Sweetie Belle, admiring her cheer. Suddenly, she notices a change in the young unicorn’s expression. She seems to have caught something in her sight, looking out towards the crowd. Luna sees her lips mouth something like a question, and then her eyes widen in disbelief.

As Sweetie Belle hastily hops down from the flat rock, Luna hurried herself to follow, wondering what spurred her senses. Luna makes her way through the crowd, noticing that the large body of Haven residents have moved aside to allow Sweetie Belle to run past them, towards something.

As Luna finds her way to the parting of the crowd, she discovers that she didn’t see something, but someone.

Her sister, Rarity.

As they ran to each other in between the crowd, embracing and falling to the grass with emotional tears, a resounding and uplifting cheer comes from those around. They witness the reuniting of two long-lost sisters, once torn apart by terror and suffering, now brought back through determination and love. Several of the onlookers are moved to tears themselves.

“Sweetie Belle!! You’re safe! You’re safe! Oh….Oh thank goodness, thank goodness you’re safe. I’ve…. I’ve missed you so much….”

Rarity’s words mix with her tears, her arms not loosening one bit around her little sister.

“I’ve missed you too Rarity. And now you’re safe too!”

Sweetie Belle and Rarity continue their embrace, until Princess Luna approaches. Sweetie Belle looks to her with a smile as Rarity gazes at her with a sense of awe.

Offering her hand, Princess Luna helps Rarity up. She notices that Rarity is looking particularly worse for wear, due to a black eye and several scratches and bruises marking her all over. Luna can only surmise she acquired such wounds in the chaos created by the lifting of the Crystal Heart’s influence, which had no doubt granted her the opportunity to escape as well. Her torn and scuffled mane fail to hide the stub of her sheared-off horn. The more Luna examines Rarity, the more she sees her as a fitting example of what a pony can endure and still find a way to survive.

“Princess Luna, I… Thank you. For keeping my sister safe.”

“It was not I alone. It is thanks in part to many of the ponies here that she is safe.”

Rarity looks around. The faces of ponies, zebras and noctrals, fillies and adults, smile back at her, with welcoming and accepting eyes.

“Then… thank you! Thank you all! I-I can’t… even begin to think of a way to show my gratitude.”

“There’s no need. Now, we should be getting you to the infirmary. Those wounds will need proper treatment.”

“Wait, Princess. There are others with me that need more care than I do. One especially.”

Rarity leads Luna to the group of escapees that she had arrived with. They all share similar injuries, though they brighten up and express relief upon meeting Luna. She returns each of their greetings in kind, though is shocked to discover that Rarity is not the only former-element bearer to have made it to Haven.

Sitting in the cart that the escapees brought with them is Fluttershy. Unlike the other ponies, Fluttershy makes no attempt to greet Luna. In fact, she doesn’t even seem to notice her. Even when Princess Luna approaches, she remains curled around her knees with an absent look in her eyes, as though she is trapped in another existence. Rarity gazes upon her friend forlornly.

“We were able to flee Ponyville thanks to fighting that broke out amongst many of the stallions and caribou. The only one of my friends I was able to find during the chaos was Fluttershy. For years she had been at the mercy of the caribou’s beasts… For lack of a more appropriate phrase. Now she’s… completely unresponsive. She hasn’t even shown any love or attention to the animals we’ve come across. Almost as if she is terrified of nature itself.”

Princess Luna had heard reports of the caribou giving mares to their war beasts. It was one thing to be assaulted and ravaged by a caribou, but to be subjected to rabid bestiality was another matter entirely. The caribou had perverted nature itself, and in turn had utterly shattered the fragile state of Fluttershy’s mentality.

There is no further way to help Fluttershy than to bring her to the infirmary and to keep her comfortable. Luna surmises that the only cure that could be given to her would be time.

With that, Luna helps Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and the other escapees into Haven, and with the help of her Sentinels, leads them to the infirmary. Nurse Redheart’s clinic has exponentially grown with the arrival of the zebras and the destruction of the Crystal Heart. Zebra shamans, with Zecora among them, give herbal and alchemic treatments to patients for any magical or unique ailments. Many ponies have now joined the clinic staff, not only mares but stallions as well. The unicorn stallions in particular are extremely helpful thanks to their spell casting, though few among them have had any prior medical knowledge.

As the other escapees are tended to by the clinic assistants, Nurse Redheart personally attends to Fluttershy, lying her down on a medical cot and doing her best to calm her. The pegasus gains a sense of fright however, holding herself and crying softly, as if she is reliving the memories of her time as a red collar all at once. Rarity and Sweetie Belle hold her hand, as Zecora comes to give her support as well.

After physically examining her and trying her best to commune with her, Redheart assures Rarity and Sweetie Belle before asking to speak with Luna outside of the infirmary chamber. They both enter the corridor, standing to the side to avoid obstructing the path.

“I... I don’t think there is much I can do for Fluttershy. I’ve examined her body, and I have given her a pelvic exam as well. To put it bluntly, she’s been through years of having sexual intercourse with… a lot of things. When you destroyed the Crystal Heart, I think she finally realized what she was doing and just… snapped.”

Princess Luna can easily see the sorrow and stress in Nurse Redheart. She is devoted to helping those in need, and curing them of their ailments. Even though she knows some patients can be beyond saving, Redheart doesn’t want to accept losing anyone.

Luna crosses her arms in speculation. “Is there no one among the medical staff that has any knowledge on mental treatment?”

“Well, we’ve been trying our best with the purple collars that are brought to us. Zecora and the shamans have not had any luck in their remedies for such mental trauma. And the unicorns that I’ve spoken to have no spells or magical treatments. The only spells that could help in some way would be memory spells, but we have no books on any of them. I even tried asking Scavenger Hunt and Tome if they’ve found any, but… They haven’t.”

Luna curses in her thoughts. Even if they had the appropriate books, it takes a special unicorn to be able to master memory spells. Ponies like Starswirl the Bearded and Twilight Sparkle were capable, but they were not average unicorns. Luna herself knows very old forms of memory spells, but they are of alicorn origination, and cannot be taught to any unicorn. And she herself cannot use it for… well, obvious reasons. No horn.

Amidst Luna’s contemplation, Redheart looks forlornly at the ground.

“I’m not a psychiatrist. I’m just a nurse. The only thing I can do now is keep her comfortable. That would be the most heartening thing to do.”

In that moment, Luna’s memories started to come together. Memories from all of her ventures thus far. The thoughts flashed to the many ponies, noctrals, and zebras she has encountered during her endeavors. Elder Vigil, Mjolna, Nurse Redheart, Zecora, Chief Zavala, Liberty, her Sentinels, Rarity, and Sweetie Belle. All of these people had shown her something. In their own unique ways, they are the paragons of the one thing that Luna now sees is the answer.

The heart.

Luna, with a revelation in her eyes, looks to Nurse Redheart.

“…Yes you do.”

“Excuse me?”

“Push the memories away. Focus on nothing but your heartbeat.” Princess Luna recites.

Nurse Redheart now shared the same revelation.

Princess Luna immediately turns back into the infirmary, followed closely by Nurse Redheart. Rarity and Sweetie Belle look to them with concern.

“Is there any way to help her?” asks Rarity, on the verge of tears.

“There is a way. We mustn’t focus on the mind. We must focus on the heart!”

“B-but…Do we not need a spell...?”

“No,” Luna cuts in, “We do not need a spell. We aren’t going to replace memories. We need to mend the heart. All Equestrians know that our strongest magic is not unicorn magic, or alicorn magic, but the magic of friendship. And with friendship comes love. And this magic is drawn from our hearts, not our minds.”

The ponies in the room begin to see Princess Luna’s point. And they realize that she speaks the truth. Nurse Redheart looks over the terrified Fluttershy once more, before turning to Luna.

“…How will we draw this magic?”

“We use our hearts. Come.”

Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Zecora, and Nurse Redheart gather closer Fluttershy, placing their hands upon her. Princess Luna stands behind Fluttershy, placing one hand upon her shoulder and the other upon her heart. They all relax and clear their thoughts, only focusing on their heart beats, and of the love they share.

A few moments pass. No bright flash or magical glow occurs. Only stillness, peace, and a lingering sense of harmony. As the ponies open their eyes, they look down to see Fluttershy opening her eyes with them. Her pupils have dilated, and she seems the opposite of before. Awareness is in her gaze.

Fluttershy feels the hands of the others in her own. She looks up, seeing Princess Luna.

“…Princess Luna? Y-you’re…upside down…” she says with a squeak.

At the sound of the pegasus’ voice, a grin of pure happiness spreads across the room. Sweetie Belle and Rarity hug Fluttershy. At first the pegasus is surprised by the sudden affection, though she weakly smiles at noticing Rarity and Sweetie Belle.

“She has come back, even after being so torn apart. You were true to say that what survives is the heart.” Remarks Zecora in wonder.

Princess Luna agrees, amazed in her own way that Fluttershy has regained some of her awareness.

Nurse Redheart begins to ask Fluttershy a host of questions, mainly of any pain she might be feeling.

“W-well, I… Uhm… I was w-wondering where Angel is… The last time I saw him was with the…Timb-…Ti….Ti….T-t-t-t…”

Fluttershy’s eyes widen as if she has suddenly seen a ghost. Her breathing is heavy and fast as she fails to form words. Nurse Redheart leaps to action, trying her best to calm her and to prevent her from potentially hurting herself.

Princess Luna and the others look to her as she deduces the problem.

“She must be having a memory relapse. We need to calm her down again!”

Before most could react, Zecora quickly calls out in Zebrican to a nearby shaman. The shaman brings her a small bowl with a grounded, powder-like substance within it. Grabbing a handful of the powder, Zecora throws it above Fluttershy’s head, letting it float gently upon her.

Within seconds, Fluttershy’s breathing slows and her eyes close as she drifts into a peaceful sleep. As the others become relieved, Zecora smiles, thanking the zebra shaman for bringing the powder. Nurse Redheart sighs thankfully.

“Ah… I should have remembered about your herbal anesthetics. Thank you, Zecora.”

Zecora bows, before moving to attend other patients in the clinic.

Still kneeling beside a slumbering Fluttershy, Rarity gently caresses her pink mane before lifting up and kissing her on the forehead.

“I suppose she will still have to be treated often, yes?”

Nurse Redheart nods. “Yes. It might take a little while, but with our new method and a combination of other treatments, I think Fluttershy will be able to be herself again one day.”

Sweetie Belle then chimes in. “What are you going to call the new method? Don’t doctors give names to new medicines discovered?”

Nurse Redheart looks to Princess Luna.

“Well… I think Princess Luna had put it the best way when she was explaining it. We will call it Heartmending.”

“And those who practice it will be called Heartmenders.” Princess Luna adds, receiving an approving smile from Nurse Redheart.

Though she was a bit nonsensical, Fluttershy had broken out of her near-catatonic state. Luna judges that she will still need continuing Heartmending sessions like this, as well as additional care from the medial staff. Though with enough patience and understanding, Fluttershy may very well be healed of her trauma, as could other mares who have been mentally broken.

Princess Luna leaves the organizing and leadership of the new Heartmender practice to Nurse Redheart, and also declares her the very first official Heartmender. Though to find other ponies capable of Heartmending may be a challenge, as it is deemed that one would have to be able to show incredible amounts of understanding, compassion and love to any pony they meet, even complete strangers. Luna has no doubts that Nurse Redheart can handle it.

The last few weeks have been hallmarked by two incredible and much-needed victories. Luna continues to hope and pray for such fortune and grace as the fight continues.

She may not even need luck anymore.

The spirit of Equestria has been revived.

Author's Note

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcRQPAggmlE

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. There is more to come! Though now that college is starting again, it might be a bit of a wait. But I'll keep on writing! =]

Thank you for reading. =]