As the due date for Cadence's foal draws closer, Twilight and her friends cannot hide their excitement when they are invited to the Crystal Empire to celebrate the crystal princess' baby shower. On a day that should be filled with happiness and joy, however, darkness looms in the distance, closing in fast on the empire. As ponies scatter and panic when the empire's fiercest ruler returns for revenge, can Twilight and her friends keep Cadence safe and figure out a way to take Sombra down, once and for all?

Author's Note: This story is my retelling of the Season 6 two-part premiere, and replaces "The Crystalling". All other events before or after the premiere occur as the show's canon dictates.