My Little Pony: When Friendship Shimmers

"I have been rebuilding the mirror that Sunburst destroyed, yes. But it'll still take a bit of time." Celestia noted.

"But once it's rebuilt, I can go see if Sunburst is okay on the other side of the mirror at least...right?" Sunset asked.

"I know how much it will mean to your mother for peace of mind, so I will allow it. But right now, there is something else that needs you attention. Queen Amare, if you would please?" Celestia said.

"My changelings have spotted the Crystal Empire. It seems that you were right to know it would reappear soon." Amare said.

"So what's up with the Crystal Empire?" Twilight asked.

"The crystal empire was once a place where love and light spread like wildfire. But, one day, an evil stallion known as Sombra had turned the empire's ruler; Princess Mi Amore; into a Statue before shattering said statue into thousands of pieces. Sombra then took over the Crystal Empire and became a cold and cruel tyrant king, forcing the Crystal Ponies into slavery. When me and my sister confronted him, he simply said that he was fulfilling his destiny." Celestia said.

"Which is why we banished the tyrant king to the Frozen north about three months before Discord suddenly appeared. But before he was fully banished, Sombra cast a curse on the empire, hiding it away from the public eye." Luna added to the tale.

"Which is why I wanted to know when the empire would return. And the timing couldn't have been more strange: Shortly after we had managed to deal with the Soltice situation, the Crystal Empire has chosen to return." Celestia said.

"That version of me I met during the Soltice incident said they were farther along in time then us. That one even mentioned how there was a version of Sombra that apperently was good." Celestia said.

"Are you referring to me?" A male voice called out. Cozy Glow soon showed up with the QoS version of the stallion in question. "It's obvious that this version of me in your world is much different then mine. With some help, I got to see the motivation and it seems that this version of me saw themselves becoming the monster your Celestia and Luna came to know in the reflection of the Crystal Heart." QoS Sombra said.

"He insisted on wanting in on this." Cozy Glow stated.

"What motivated me though, was the death of Radient Hope at the hands of her fellow Crystal Ponies. I became enranged. When I realized that your world was not far along as my own, I realized I had to figure out a few things, such as what became of your world's Radient Hope." QoS Sombra said. "...She did die, but one pony in particular is distant familial match." He added.

"Is it me? Because otherwise I don't know why I'm here." Cadence said.

"No. You are very much of the same bloodline as the former Princess Mi Amore." Celestia said to Cadence.

"Well to tell the truth, there are two ponies related to Radient Hope in this room, but only one mare." QoS Sombra said.

"M-me?!" Twilight exclaimed.

"But don't think you can befriend your version of me. If I know him, he won't care for that. He's blinded by revenge right now." QoS Sombra said. "For the sake of the crystal empire, you'll have to banish him once more." He added. "I should take my leave. I have a date to get to." The alicorn stallion said before he and Cozy Glow vanished into a portal.

"Such a strange little alicorn that Cozy Glow is." Celestia said.

"Let's not dwell on that. So, you want the elements to help Cadence and Shining Armor out at the Crystal Empire, right?" Sunset said.

"There's something I want you all to make sure you find: The Crsytal Heart. I originally was thinking Twilight should find the heart alone but I believe that Sombra might have hidden it and have it booby trap. I do not think this will be something that a single pony can do alone. And I don't want either of you to try to do it alone." Celestia said. "This is no normal villain, he has a brain." She added. Sunset's eyes went wide.

"You...actually want us to cover each other just in case?" Sunset asked.

"Yes Sunset. It's time to put your surrogate sisterhood to the test; I wish for you both to work together to find the crystal heart. The other elements are to help Cadence and Shining Armor help the Crystal Ponies in any way they can." Celestia said.

"Wow...okay...let's go pack Twilight." Sunset said and left with Twilight.

"...You aren't telling them something on purpose, are you?" Cadence asked.

"Something like that. They have both mastered all I could ever hoped they could in regards to friendship. Soon it'll be time for some tests, but before those tests come, I want them prepared. Sombra gives me the perfect excuse to prepare them for the tests to come. Tests that go above even my head." Celestia said and left the room.

Celesta went out to her balcony as she set the sun only for a ball of light to appear.

"...You are sure of this?" Celestia said. "Both of them?" She asked.

"Yes." A voice said.