When Equestria is commandeered by unknown assailants, the Crystal Empire stands alone as a bastion of defiance. It's up to Twilight and friends to pick up the pieces, hold the front lines, and take back what they hold so dearly, before the Empire is taken too. And with almost all ponies thrust into a new way of life and suddenly unable to communicate, is it even possible to accomplish?

Time is ticking.

Written originally as a 1000-word entry in GaPJaxie's third Quills and Sofas Speedwriting Competition, where it won fourth.

Thanks to Lofty Withers for editing.