Western Border of the Crystal Empire, 1 1/2 years later

At the very edge of the Crystal Empire a group of nine individuals could be seen making their way through the snow in the direction of the city. These individuals were sent by Princess Celestia herself to end the tyrant King Sombra and reclaim the Crystal Empire in the name of Equestria.

The first of the group, who also appeared to be the one in charge of the mission, was a mare standing roughly six feet tall possessing an hourglass figure with high D-cup bust. She had bright pink fur with a long mane and tail colored yellow, purple and magenta but her most notable features were her horn and wings making her an alicorn. For attire she wore a light pink strapless dress with her crystal heart cutie mark stitched onto her hips along with her gold regalia. This was Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, or better known as Princess Cadence to friends.

Close by her side stood one of the only two males in the group. The stallion stood at six foot one and had a well built form, with white fur that matched the surrounding snow and an electric blue short, spiky mane. Poking out of said mane was a short horn making him a unicorn. He was wearing more appropriate attire for this mission as he had on dark blue pant's, black form fitting shirt under a dark purple chest plate, a black traveling cloak and finally a longsword sheathed at his hip. He was Shining Armor, Captain of the Solar Guard and husband to the aforementioned Princess Cadence.

Behind the two of them stood six mares and on young drake. These six mares were the bearers of the Element's of Harmony, while the drake was simply an extra who was a brother/son figure to one of the mares.

The lead mare of the six was a purple furred unicorn with a straight violet mane with a pink stripe through it. She stood at five foot six and had a rather modest figure with low C-cup breasts. What she wore was a pair of tight blue jeans, a dark purple turtleneck with a pair of matching earmuffs. Her name was Twilight Sparkle, personal student of Princess Celestia and the Element of Magic.

Standing directly to her right was a light blue pegasus mare, as indicated by her wings which she was using to currently hover about a foot off of the ground. She had a spiky rainbow colored mane and tail while her figure was more athletic than the others only possessing a mid B-cup for her chest size. She wore a pair of black track pants, a blue t-shirt under a grey windbreaker. This was Rainbow Dash, self proclaimed 'Fastest Flyer in Equestria' and bearer of the Element of Loyalty.

On Twilight's immediate left stood an orange furred earth pony mare, as indicated by her lack of extremities such as wings or a horn. This mare had a long blonde mane and tail done up in 'ponytails' and sported a very defined yet not unappealing muscular figure as she stood at five foot ten and had a high C-cup bust. Her own ensemble included a pair of worn faded blue jeans, a dark brown jacket and an old, but well taken care of, stetson. Her name was Applejack, owner of the Apple farm in Ponyville and bearer of the Element of Honesty.

Next to, but also slightly behind, Rainbow floated another pegasi only she had light yellow fur with a long pink mane and tail. Out of all the mares present she had the most impressive figure, she stood at five foot ten with flawless curves and had at least an E-cup bust. While her outfit was meant to be conservative it did nothing to hide her figure as she wore a pair of tight fitting skinny jeans, a dark green turtleneck, a fuzzy pink scarf and a matching pink beanie. Her name was Fluttershy, Ponyville's animal caretaker and bearer of the Element of Kindness.

Opposite of Fluttershy was another unicorn like Twilight as indicated by her finely manicured white horn. Her fur was a shining white that put Shining's to shame, while her purple mane was done in elegant curls. She stood a respectable five foot six and had a well cared for figure with a mid C-cup bust. The attire she had selected was as functional as it was fashionable as she had tight fitting purple pants, a white fur lined purple coat and finally a fur lined purple cap. This mare's name was Rarity, Ponyville's resident fashionista and bearer of the Element of Generosity.

The last of the mares was an earth pony like Applejack who was happily hopping all around the group. She had bright pink fur with a darker pink mane and tail that were very poofy. When standing still she stood at five foot eight and possessed a fuller figure that filled out in all the right spots as seen by her high C-cup bust and slightly more pronounced flank's. She probably had the most outlandish cold weather attire of all as she wore a pair of bright yellow pants, a completely fuzzy blue jacket and a white and red striped cap. Her name was Pinkie Pie, Equestria's greatest party planner and the bearer of the Element of Laughter.

Finally bringing up the rear was the last male of the group and the only drake. He possessed light purple scales with a short reptilian tail along with neon green spines traveling from the top of his head to the end of his spade shaped tail. By fare the shortest of the group he stood at four foot five and possessed a boyish figure. He wore a dark purple snow suit with a green scarf covering the entire lower portion of his face while on his back sat a ridiculously large pack filled with all manner of gear. This young drakes name was Spike, assistant/brother/son figure to Twilight Sparkle.

"How much longer until we reach the empire Shiny?" asked Twilight as she looked towards her big brother.

"It's still a good few hours walk yet Twily." he answered back kindly.

"Ugh I hope so, this weather is absolutely dreadful!" complained Rarity.

As the group moved and talked none of them noticed a slight shimmer in the air a bit away before giving way to reveal a figure dressed from head to hoof in black and red leather armor. (dark brotherhood armor) The figure was male by his body shape and he continued to watch the group until they were completely consumed by the swirling snow. Once they were out of sight the Dark Brotherhood member pulled out an oval cut, white crystal and pulled it up to his face. The crystal then began to glow before the figure spoke into it.

"This is the Western Border, we've got a company of eight ponies and one drake making their way towards the Empire, acknowledge." he said and waited a moment before a female voice responded from the other end.

"Acknowledged. Stand by and we'll take it from here."

Accepting the response the stallion pocketed the gem once more and quickly disappeared once more with the help of his armors enchantments.

Gates of the Crystal Empire

At the gates leading into the Crystal Empire stood two Crystal Guards dressed head to hoof in the Wolf Armor of the Companions that had now become standard issue amongst the guard. The Guard on the left wielded a large steel battle axe while his companion on the right favored a steel shield and sword combo. Stretching out before them was a few miles of beautiful grassy plains, a symbol that the Crystal Heart's power was well at work on restoring the land to it's once prosperous state before Sombra's reign.

On either side of the guards stood two Dwarven Centurions. Each Centurion stood fifteen feet tall and was made completely out of Ebony. Each one also wielded a giant hammer for the right arm while a large crossbow, with exploding bolts, made up it's left. Their eyes glowed with magic despite their forms standing as if they were mere statues.

Neither of the guards spoke as they waited vigilantly for the arrival of the 'trespassers.' They had been informed hours ago about the groups arrival and were given orders to not allow them entry until the King deemed otherwise. If and when they came they would send word to the King and he would come to decide what's to be done about this new development.

It was a few minutes later that the guards caught sight of the group of ponies that they had been informed of and with a quick nod to each-other the guard on the left knocked on the gates three times. This was the signal for a courier to be dispatched to the King to inform him of the situation.

The guards then watched with rapt attention as the ponies approached. The group seemed surprised to see them but approached nonetheless stopping when they were only a few feet away. It was then the guard on the left stepped forward with a raised hand.

"Halt! State your business in the Crystal Empire." demanded the guard before Cadence decided to step forward.

"I am Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and I have come, along with my companions, to rid the Empire of the tyrant Sombra!" she said with conviction but all she got was a snort from guard she was speaking to companion.

"Your too late for that. Sombra has been dead and gone for nearly two years now and he fell at the hands of our current ruler King Raddin. Seems like you came here for nothing." said the guard hoping his words would be enough to make the group just go away.

Unfortunately this had quite the opposite effect on the ponies. Since the Empire had been indisposed of for so long they were unaware that the term's 'King' and 'Queen' were now seen as titles given to tyrants and oppressor's. This meant that the new arrival's just thought that the Empire had traded one tyrant for another.

"What!? Then you must let us inside quickly so we can dispose of this so called 'King'!" declared Shining as he moved to step forward but was stopped once the guards brandished their battle axe and sword respectively.

"You will not harm our King! Rahinseten!(rise in the dragon tongue)called out the guard wielding the battle axe as the two Centurions began to come alive.

While the ponies, and the drake Spike especially, were surprised at the guard speaking in the ancient dragon language, they were ven more surprised at the walking centurions that they had thought previously were statues. They quickly back up and took defensive positions as they tried to come up with a plan.

"They must be brainwashed Cadence! There can't be any other explanation for why they would serve a tyrant so desperately!" declared Twilight.

"Than I reckon we gotta knock sum sense back inta th'em!" drawled Applejack as she reached behind her for her lasso.(please forgive me if I majorly screw up on her southern drawl)

"Now that's a plan I can get behind." said Rainbow as she threw a few punches in the air.

Before either party could make a move however to attack the other the gates began to open. As soon as the gates had fully opened a group of twenty guards rushed out forming an open aisle for a lone figure to walk through. This figure was none other than Raddin, the King of the Crystal Empire yet instead of being in his royal robes and crown he was now donned in his Daedric armor minus the helm. On his left he carried Spellbreaker while he had Worldeater sheathed at his side.

When he reached the end of the aisle and stood just mere feet from the Equestrians Raddin took a quick moment to observe them before speaking.

"What in Oblivions name are you followers of that pitiful excuse of a ruler Celestia doing in my Empire!?"

Author's Note

Okay first off sorry this chapter isn't as long but hey it happens.

As for the word in the dragon language I made it using the dragon alphabet from Skyrim so please don't hound me about it and just accept it please for the sake of the story.