We doubted the queen's power. We thought nothing of her tales of strength. Why should we have believed the far fetched rumors of awesome power? Of her loyal maidens of battle? That the small country that had the gall to call itself the "Crystal Empire" was in its right a true empire?

Well, the simple answer is, we didn't. And we should have.

Then maybe the bloodshed could have been avoided. I believe that's what Queen Megan would have wanted.

-From the memoirs of an ex-Providence soldier.

Inspired by a particularly excellent piece by Equestria Prevails!