The Crystalling 2.0: Sombra's True Return

From the Rulers of the Crystal Empire,
Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor,
You are cordially invited to
The Royal Baby Shower of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza
Next Thursday, starting at five
Plan your travels accordingly,
and we await your timely arrival.
Sincerely,
Cadence and Shining Armor

The invitation, which Twilight recieved a week ago, was short and sweet, yet still conveyed the tremendous excitement of the expectant couple. As soon as Twilight found out about her sister-in-law's baby shower, she immediately had Spike cancel all of her plans for Thursday (which, thankfully, was fairly empty to begin with) and began preparing for her trip to the Crystal Empire. Twilight still feels as if it was only yesterday when Shining Armor and Cadence first announced that they were expecting, and she could not be more happy for the two of them.

"I wish this train would go faster," Twilight says excitedly, "I can't wait to get there!"

"Be patient, Twilight," Applejack responds, "We'll get there in plenty of time." She, along with the rest of Twilight's friends, including Spike, were invited to the baby shower, as well. Even Starlight Glimmer was invited, despite almost destroying all of Equestria a few months ago.

"I hope it's alright that I"m coming along," she asks the others, "I know we got off on the wrong hoof, but I want you to know that I'm willing to change and accept your friendship instead of stealing it."

"Of course we are!" Twilight answers, "Right everypony?" The others gave approving yet hesitant replies; unlike Twilight, they had not completely forgiven Starlight for briefly stealing their cutie marks and tampering with time.

"Well, in any case, you've got friends in all of us," twilight says reassuringly to Starlight, who smiles in return.

"Thanks, Twilight," Starlight says, "This really means a lot to me."

"And I'm sure it'll mean even more to you when you see Sunburst again after all these years!" Twilight says enthusiastically.

"Ah, yes - that," Starlight says hesitantly, "Not that I'm not excited," she adds after Twilight gives her a questioning stare, "but I'm probably mostly nervous, too."

"Well, that's understandable," Spike says, "After all, it has been many years since he left you in your sorrow to plot an evil plan to brain-wash ponies into being your friend," he adds bluntly.

"Ok, that wasn't really necessary, Spike," Twilight scolds as Starlight shrinks down in her seat in embaressment. As if on cue, the conductor trots through their train car announcing the Crystal Empire as the next stop, relieving some of the tension amongst the group.

"Ooh, we're almost there!" Pinkie exclaims, bouncing around the car with excitement, "What food do you girls think they'll have? I hope it's lots and lost of cupcakes, candy, cinnamon buns. . ." she continues on listing her favorite foods.

"I'm just anxious to get there and start working," Rarity says.

"Will you have enough time to get Cadence's dress done before the crystalling?" Fluttershy asks, concerned for her friend's schedule.

"Well, I've certainly been in worse circunstances before, darling," Rarity explains, "I have every confidence that this dress will be finished in due time."

"Well, if there's anything we can do to help," Applejack says, "I'm sure we'd be happy to lend a helping hoof."

"Yeah, sure," Rainbow Dash says impatiently, "but I'm definitely setting aside some time to relax and enjoy some spa-er, I mean, um,” she stutters, “d-do some wing exercises,” she finishes, blushing as the others snigger. As everypony chuckles at Rainbow’s expense, Starlight looks out across the frozen lands of Northern Equestria. Amidst the swirling snow, she notices a dark blob which seems to resemble a pony wearing a cloak trudging through the storm. Eventually doubting that nopony would be stupid enough to try and brave the weather, Starlight turns her attention away from the window and joins in her friends’ conversation.

* * * *

Just outside the protective walls of the Crystal Empire, a lone unicorn stallion wearing a thick cloak watches the Friendship Express make its way towards the station before continuing on his way. “I know it’s here somewhere,” he tells himself, “All my research points to this spot.”

Eventually, his horn emits a pulsing glow, signifying something he has been waiting weeks for to happen. “Yes! It must be right here,” he says to himself as he begins digging, “I knew my new spell wouldn’t fail me this time!” After a few minutes of digging, Crescent Star appears to find his prize; a curved black unicorn horn with a soft red tip, broken at the base.

"Crescent Star, you’re starting to amaze yourself with your magical abilities,” the stallion prides himself with his discovery. “I must tell the Princess about this, before the prophecy comes true—” suddenly, the horn levitates off of the ground – only he is not lifting it. Shocked by the sight, Crescent Star backs away as dark shadows appear seemingly out of nowhere and swirl around the horn, materializing into a solid mass. Fearing the worst, he lights up his horn and fires magic into the dark mass of shadow, which bounces harmlessly away.
In no time at all, the shadows disperse, revealing the dark ruler of the Crystal Empire from centuries past in all his former glory. Crescent Star, backs away even further, standing wide-eyed in shock at the events that just unfolded before him. King Sombra inspects himself, holding his forehooves in front of him, and laughs maniacally before striding towards Crescent Star, who lights up his horn again.

“Stay back, you filthy excuse for a leader!” he shouts, his voice full of contempt.

“Well, well, well,” King Sombra says, grinning at the poor stallion’s defense, “After all these years, I’m still not welcome in my own empire? Well, we’ll just have to change that!” He rises up in his back legs, lighting his own horn up; as he comes back down, he shoots a brilliant beam of pure purple and black energy at Crescent Star. The stallion barely has time to react as the beam of magic completely engulfs him; in a matter of seconds, all that is left of Crescent Star’s existence is the cloak he was wearing. As the cloak blows away in the wind, King Sombra laughs darkly and begins walking towards the Crystal Empire.

* * * *

Meanwhile, the train pulls into the Crystal Empire station, where the Mane 6, Starlight, and Spike step out into the lush environment of the empire. Twilight immediately spies her brother, Shining Armor, waiting on the platform to greet them. Everypony notices that he looks a little more disheveled than usual; signs of stubble dot his muzzle and his hair falls unkempt in front of his eyes.

“Shining Armor!” Twilight shouts as she gallops towards him and they embrace each other affectionately.

“Twiley!” Shining Armor says, sounding slightly tired, “I’m so glad you all could make it! This really means a lot to the both of us.”

"Glad to be here too, big bro," Twilight says, "Speaking of which, where is the mother-to-be?"

"She's back at the castle," Shining Armor replies, "She really wanted to be here, but we both agreed that she shouldn;t move more than she needs to. Hope this doesn't put a damper on things."

"Of course not, darling," Rarity replies, "We completely understand; she must be due any day now."

"Yeah, that's what the doctors keep telling us," Shining Armor says, "but it's done little to calm my nerves."

"Before Shining Armor can explain, Starlight spots a familiar-colored coat of fur from across the platform. The orange coat belongs to a handsome stallion with a dark ginger mane, scraggly goatee, thick glasses, and a sorceror's cape. What Starlight finds most noticeable - and most recognizable - is the white patches on his hooves and muzzle; she trots over to the pony she remembers as her foalhood friend.

"Um, hello there," Starlight begins awkwardly, causing the stallion to turn around, "Um, I don't know if you remember me, but we used to be-" suddenly, the stallion pulls her into a heartfelt embrace, tears forming in his eyes.

"How could I forget my longest, bestest friend in all of Equestria?" the stallion says as he hugs the pony he ever truely called "friend". Starlight embraces him as well, a flurry of emotions circling her mind.

"I missed you too, Sunburst," she whispers in his ear as they hold each other for a moment longer, the others looking on, happy for their new friend.