Cadance The Crystal Princess

Crystal Empire

Princess Cadance, Prince Shining Armor, Dew Nourish and a crystal guard stood around a large, sturdy table in a small side room connected to the Crystal Palace’s main storage chamber. The storage room was filled with neatly organized crates and shelves, overflowing with supplies—everything from equipment and building materials to weapons and provisions.

The combat medic studied a timetable rolled out before them, cross-checking the details provided by Princess Amore. After a final glance, she set the scroll down carefully.

"That’s the last of the scheduled events for the summit." Dew said. "We’re all set. We can start preparing for the journey."

The prince nodded as he placed one of the scroll down on the table. "I just finished cross-checking the guard roster. Everyone’s accounted for."

The Princess of Love chuckled softly, a playful glint in her eye while holding a checklist in her magic. "You know, ever since my mom and the Crystal Imperial guards came along, things have run so smoothly. It's like you're trying to impress them."

Shining grinned. "Well, it never hurts to stay on top of things—especially with your mom around."

Cadance leaned in, teasingly bumping her husband's shoulder with hers. "Always the perfectionist."

The prince could do nothing but smiled warmly at his wife.

The Princess of Love looked back down at a checklist, looking through the pages. After seeing everything was ordered in a way, she placed the checklist down onto the table.

"Okay." Cadance started. "Everything seems to be according to order." She looked at Dew and the crystal guard. "Will you two be alright sorting this without us? It’s been a few hours since we visited our daughter. We're going to spend some time with her before my mum and us go to Mount Aris and Seaquestria tomorrow for the summit."

The combat medic gave a reassuring nod. "Of course, your highnesses. Everything’s under control here. Go enjoy some family time."

"Thanks. If you need our help at any point, you can call us out anytime." Shining assured, and the royal couple gave them a final nod before trotting over to the door, and leaving the other two to it.

Both Dew and the crystal guard watched as the royal couple left and closed the door before the guard walked up to the table and picked up the checklist.

"So, what is the first step, Brisk?" The combat medic asked, glancing at him while checking the straps on her spear.

Brisk White flipped through the checklist with ease, his eyes darting over the details before he answered. "Well, let's see..."

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Klugetown

The three royal carriages made its way down the road leading to the Equestrian embassy. The journey was smooth and comfortable, thanks to the material the road; a surface that was made with cobblestones. Some wagons filled with boxes or containers that were pulled by somecreatures went down various side streets as the royal carriages rolled past them. The citizens of Klugetown went about their daily lives as they walked down the pathways either side, entering and exiting the various houses and establishments lining them. Many stopped to gawk as the three carriages passed them, children waved at the carriages with grins while the ponies who travelled to the town even bowed as they passed, all knowing that at least one of the princesses would be riding within.

"It's good to see things are going well here." Twilight stated, looking out the window as she watched the bustling life of the town unfold outside.

"Well, I'm glad to see you like it." Silver said. "Equestria and the Crystal Empire had put a lot of effort into rebuilding and revitalizing this place. The town's thriving, though are still recovering from the Storm King’s rule even after his death two and a half years ago."

The ambassador sighed. "It hasn’t been an easy road for them. Many citizens left, seeking better lives elsewhere, away from the memories of what happened. But others stayed, determined to rebuild and move on."

"At least they don’t have to worry about another invasion." Flash pointed out. "The citizens were suffering from the Storm King and his army. And thanks to Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Amore and my wife, they finally have a chance at peace."

The Princess of Friendship slightly blushed from her husband's praise while Spike nodded his head. "I heard that Equestria is now doing trades with Klugetown. It’s good for both sides, especially since they specialize in some really unique imports."

Silver smiled. "That’s right. The trade agreements we’ve established have been mutually beneficial. Klugetown’s artisans are some of the best in the region, and their raw materials—like the rare minerals they extract from the cliffs nearby—are very valuable to Equestria’s industries."

Twilight nodded. "There’s so much potential here. If we can help Klugetown fully recover, it could become a major hub for trade and cultural exchange between Equestria and the southern regions. And with the Crystal Empire involved too..."

Tempest arched an eyebrow. "You’re already planning the next stage, aren’t you?"

Both the dragon and the lieutenant chuckled while the Princess of Friendship smiled sheepishly as she blushed. "Well, it’s hard not to."

The ambassador smiled warmly. "It’s definitely a long road ahead, but I believe this town will have a brighter future." Silver’s attention was caught by something else out the window, the embassy coming into view—a large, newly constructed building with clean lines and banners bearing the crests of Equestria and the Crystal Empire fluttering in the warm desert breeze. "We've arrived."

Soon, the three carriages rolled to a stop in front of the embassy, several Royal Guards and Crystal Imperial guards were ready and waiting to receive the bags and luggages on arrival.

Ambassador Silver Quill opened the carriage door and stepped outside, his guests following shortly behind as the guards and the guards in the other two carriages went to grab everything and bring it to the guest rooms assigned to the group in the embassy.

In the middle of the organised chaos, Capper squeezed his way through to greet the arrivals. He was dressed sharply in a black jacket, white shirt, and red tie, flashed a broad grin.

"There you are!" The cat called out, walking up to the group. "I trust the trip was pleasant?"

"Capper!" Spike waved his claw to his friend as the group walked toward Capper.

"How is your job being the mayor of Klugetown?" Twilight asked with a sincere smile.

A year ago, the cat have been doing everything he can to earn forgiveness from the Princess of Friendship and her friends by helping Equestria to bring Klugetown's stability back up. Six months later, he was appointed as a mayor of the town and had promised Celestia, Luna, Amore, Cadance and Twilight that he will lead the town toward a brighter future. Even after a year, him and the town were thriving.

A grin spread across Capper’s face as he adjusted his tie. “Oh, you know, just another day keeping the town in line. But things are looking up.”

"Well, that's good to hear." The captain stated as she stepped forward while gesturing the guards to move the bags and lugagges. "I'm glad to know that the town is doing fine."

The Princess of Friendship, Tempest, the cat and the dragon all chuckled before Flash trotted next to his wife. "All bags and lugagges have been brought into the embassy and into the assigned rooms." He said as he nuzzled his wife's neck to which Twilight returned with a kiss on his cheek.

Capper blinked in surprise at the display of affection. “Wait… you two are married?”

As the couple exchanged affectionate smiles, the cat's question hung in the air. Twilight blushed deeper, glancing away for a moment before meeting his gaze.

"Uh, yeah." The Princess of Friendship admitted with a shy smile, leaning into her husband slightly. "A few months ago, actually."

"Well, I suppose I’ve been a little too busy running this place to notice." Capper let out a playful chuckle, crossing his arms. "Come on, let’s get you all inside. Once you get settled in, I can give you a tour of the town to show you new things tomorrow and we can finalise the alliance between Equestria and Klugetown after the tour."

The mayor cat gestured his arm towards the embassy's entrance and Silver led the group inside. And with that, Celestia’s sun began to set into the horizon.

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Crystal Empire

Cadance wandered through the long, empty corridors of the Crystal Palace, her hoofsteps echoing softly against the crystal floors. The palace, normally vibrant with life, was eerily silent.

Not a single soul in sight.

“Hello?” The Princess of Love's voice echoed down the hallway as she glanced around, her heart beginning to pound in her chest. There was no reply, only the soft rustle of her wings as she instinctively unfurled them. The air felt unnaturally still.

Worried, Cadance stepped out onto the balcony and took flight, her wings beating against the cool breeze as she descended to the courtyard. She landed beside the Crystal Heart, which continued to spin on its pedestal, its gentle hum the only sign of normalcy. But there were no guards. No patrolling sentinels. No citizens.

Nothing.

"Shiny? Flurry? Mom? Anypony?" The Princess of Love called out, her voice trembling as it cut through the unnatural silence. Her heart raced when her calls were met with nothing but the whisper of the wind and her own shaky breathing.

Dumbfounded, Cadance tried calling out again and again. Both of her calls received only dead silence other than the echoes.

"W-what's going on..?" The Princess of Love stammered as she tried to get rid the creeping sense of loneliness coming down upon her while sweats began to form and streamed down from her forehead.

That was when a faint whisper of a voice called out to her. "Cadance..."

With a frightened gasp, Cadance swung around to face whoever called out to her, her horn flaring out of pure instinct.

Instead she found nothing or no ponies.

Her breath quickened. The silence had turned into something far more sinister. The Princess of Love's eyes darted frantically, searching for any sign of life. More sweat began to drip from her forehead as the oppressive quiet seemed to close in, squeezing her nerves tight.

"I need to get help." Cadance muttered, taking a hesitant step backward before slowly turning.

That was when the Princess of Love saw a cloud of dark shadow and a pair of light brilliant eyes giving off vivid violet vapour trails looming before her.

The Princess of Love stood there frozen, literally unable to move as she looked at the eyes bearing her down while her eyes became the same colors as the eyes staring at her.

"No... It can't be... Sombra?" Cadance stammered as the shadow and the eyes moved closer to her face.

"Cadance... Long time no see..." King Sombra's shadow form spoke with malice.

"How... How are you alive?" The Princess of Love trembled with fear. "You were destroyed—shattered by the Crystal Heart!"

The shadow of the umbrum pony only chuckled darkly, sending a shiver down Cadance's spine. He advanced slowly, his dark magic swirling around him like a storm waiting to strike.

"Nothing so powerful as I can be vanquished so easily." Sombra sneered, his eyes locking onto hers. "And now, Princess, you will witness the return of my reign as well as your mother's death Princess Amore…"

The Princess of Love stood frozen while the umbrum pony's shadow form moved closer to her, his head now levelled at her head as his eyes stared deadly at hers.

"THAT IS ENOUGH!" A voice that Cadance knew called out as a blue beam of magic was shot through the air and vaporising Sombra.

"Auntie Lulu?" The Princess of Love gasped as the lunar princess landed down in front of her.

"Are you alright, Cadenza?" Luna asked.

The Princess of Love nodded shakily. "I... I think so."

The lunar princess smiled. "That is good to hear. It is almost early morning and Tia will soon raise the sun, so it is best for you to wake up. I will make sure that you will have a pleasant dream once you have fallen asleep."

With a comforting nod, Luna’s horn flared bright, filling Cadance’s vision with white light.

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Cadance jolted awake, her heart pounding. Breathing heavily, she looked around at her surroundings. She was in her bed with Shining Armor next to her and Flurry Heart sleeping in the middle while a clock above the door showed that three and a half in the morning.

The Princess of Love slumped back down onto her pillow, her body trembling with residual fear.

"Cady? You okay?" The prince groggily called.

Cadance turned to see her husband sitting up, carefully not to wake their daughter up. She remembered that they went to spend some times with their daughter before the tomorrow summit.

"Did I wake you up?" The Princess of Love asked.

"Yeah... kinda..." Shining said as he rubbed one of his eyes. "What time is it?"

Cadance glanced at the clock. "Three thirty in the morning."

The prince’s concern deepened as he placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder. "You had a nightmare, didn't you?"

The Princess of Love nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "It was Sombra... He was back."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Shining asked gently.

"Not now." Cadance shook her head, glancing at their peacefully sleeping daughter. "We have a summit tomorrow. I’ll tell you after."

The prince pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Try not to think about it, okay? He’s gone. For good."

The Princess of Love sighed, closing her eyes as she leaned into her husband’s touch. Soon, both were fast asleep once more.