Lost Innocence, and a Growing Insanity

Twilight wasn't sure if she was prepared for this. When she honed her knowledge in preparation for the test that Princess Celestia planned for her, she had no idea this was the test! Only a mere six months passed since she was face-to-face with the changelings, but now she was to face something much, much greater.

After a millennium, the mysterious Crystal Empire suddenly popped back into existence. Not even her teacher knew what triggered its reappearance, but it mattered little. The empire's magic was powerful. If it was filled with hope and love, then all of Equestria would benefit from it. If hatred and fear took hold... Well, it chilled the young pupil to the bone to contemplate the consequences, for she knew nothing about the nature of hate and fear incarnate. She didn't want to find out, either, especially after Princess Celestia's demonstration.

How in Equestria could she possibly find a way to protect it, all of it, without any help from anypony?

Sighing, Twilight rested her forehead against the window's cool surface. The vibrations caused by the moving train helped her drain out the voices of the others. All of them were blissfully unaware of her fears as they happily chatted various speculations about their destination, though she was too caught up in her thoughts to make out what was said.

It wasn't until a certain fashionista spoke up that she realized just how much time had passed. “Twilight, darling,” she said, placing a hoof on her shoulder. “Come now, time to snap out of it. We're arrived.” Smiling, she reached into one of her saddlebags and she produced a navy-blue scarf. “Here,” she added, using her magic to carefully wrap it around the other unicorn's neck. “The others poked fun at me for packing so many of these, but—ha!—I'm the only one here who came prepared! Just take a gander outside. The weather is absolutely horrid!”

“Well, Rarity, we are in the Arctic North,” replied Twilight. As her friend trotted towards the door, she looked down at the given accessory and was pinched by a pang of guilt. In her haste, she neglected to bring warmer clothing.

Behind them, Spike snorted as he struggled to keep the massive mound of Rarity's luggage from toppling off his back. “You got that right,” he grumbled. Despite the weight he carried on his narrow shoulders, he was able to make it off the train shortly after Twilight. The moment the howling wind struck him, however, he had to fight to keep his balance. “Yikes!” he exclaimed, shuddering.

“Ugh, It's so cold,” groaned Rainbow Dash. “Where's this empire supposed to be, anyway?”

That was an excellent question. As Twilight surveyed their surroundings, she was surprised to see that there was only a seemingly endless blanket of snow all around them. If there was anything out there, there was no seeing it past the blizzard. “Well, it has to be around here somewhere,” she said loudly.

Fluttershy pressed herself against Applejack as another gust of wind struck them. “We... We better find it s-soon,” she whimpered. “It's s-so c-c-cold!”

Biting down on her lip, Twilight stepped off the wooden platform as she continued to regard the area.  That is, until a voice called out to her. “Hey, Twily, over here!”

Through the fury of the falling snow, a dark figure slowly came into view. Squinting, Twilight raised a foreleg to shield her eyes so that she could get a better look. She smiled widely once she caught sight of his white coat and two-toned blue mane. “Shining Armor?” she called. “Is that you?”

Sure enough, it was her big brother. He was clad in a protective set of goggles, as well as a scarf that appeared tightly wrapped around his muzzle. As he approached them, he removed both; the goggles were moved to the secure spot behind his horn, and his scarf was lowered to the base of his neck. “The one and only!” he chuckled, opening his forelegs. He then shared a quick hug with Twilight before he motioned for them to follow. “Princess Celestia messaged us that you and your friends were on the way,” he added, “and I sure as hay wasn't going to let you get yourselves lost out here. You wouldn't want to be here too long.”

"Why's that?"

“Let’s just say the empire isn’t the only thing that’s returned…” Shining Armor answered ominously

As they trekked the tundra, Shining Armor explained, raising his voice over the roar of the wind, “Something keeps trying to get in! We think it’s the unicorn king who originally cursed the place!”

“But Princess Celestia sent me here to find a way to protect the empire!” Twilight brought up. “If King Sombra can’t get in, isn’t it protected already?!”

Before Shinning could respond an ominous laughter soon started to echo through the tundra. “Get to the empire, run! Everypony run!”

In response to the white unicorn’s words, a plume of smoky shadow erupted from the snow and from the darkness did appear a very familiar pair of frightening eyes!

Twilight quickly levitated Spike onto his back, discarding all of the scarves Rarity brought, and joined the herd as they galloped for their lives, Rainbow Dash flying protectively above them.

“Go, go!” Twilight screamed, and looking ahead they saw a shiny blue dome.

“Almost there!” Shining Armor yelled, soon enough Shining Armor skidded to a halt, as he faced the fury of the darkness.

The shadowy mass leered down at him, Shining Armor making the first move as he fired a magenta laser from his horn. The darkness dispersed to avoid it but bunched back together as it came down upon the unicorn prince.

“Shining Armor!” Twilight screamed, Twilight saw two mechanical claws grab Shining Armor, the two claws started to pull him into the dark cloud.

Twilight desperate to save her brother pulled back with her magic, grunting she pulled with all her might, bringing Shining Armor out, and bringing him into the force field. “Shining Armor!” Twilight gasped, “Your horn!”

"Stupid little unicorn!" I slammed my claws on my Koopa Clown Car (K.C.C.). "Looks like if I have to beat them I have to send some units."

I got out my wand. "Hello!?" No response.

"HEY!!!"

"....zzZZZzz...."

"IDIOT WAKE UP!"

The small orb on my wand started to get cloudy, and soon enough a figure appeared on the orb. "My lord, how may we assist thee?" The figure on the orb was known as 'The Crystal King' one of the last bosses, I had defeated and had them join me. The Crystal King is a transparent being with only eyes and a furry blue coat and  a crystal crown visible, three icy beings where floating next to him, he was one of the best magic users I know.

"Crystal King, I have a job for you."

The king eyes widen, "oh? Is it time for us to join the brawl?"

My grin widened, "oh yesss... and here what I want you to do..." And if everything goes according to plan, soon the tyrant king will fall, and the Era of the Koopa will begin.