Cadance The Crystal Princess

by Sean Tan the Brony

Rating: teen
Tags: Violence, Dark, Death, Alternate Universe, Main 6, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Princess Cadance, Adventure, Shining Armor, Princess Amore, King Sombra, My Little Pony: The Movie
Length: 122252

Princess Mi Amore Cadenza is not who she said she is, she had no idea WHO she really is

A parent will do anything for her children, even it means giving them up so that they will be safe from dangers and live in a peaceful life, despite the pain that comes for the parent.

That pain is something Princess Amore has gone through for one thousand and fifteen years, but now after being restored from her imprisonment by her fellow subjects, the time is upon her kingdom, and she wants her daughter back. Even if that means saving her adoptive Canterlot family from the Storm Kingdom.

Inspired by Tom117z's Change Series

Cover art made by: Questionmarkdragon

Published 2024-03-05 18:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2025-02-10 01:01:14 UTC

Chapter 2 - Analogous

The train journey from the Crystal Empire to Canterlot was long. Some of crystal ponies talked among themselves while others were just looking out the window. Princess Cadance herself was sitting on her haunch in her private compartment and decided to look out the window while leaning against it.

From the distance, she could see Canterlot Castle from her view. It has been a few days since she last saw her aunties with a disaster in their hooves, not to mention the last time she spent with her sister was when Twilight decided to invite her and Flurry Heart to watch one of Trixie's magic show.

As she watched the castle from the distance, her eyes started to slid down as she drifted to sleep. Before long, sleep had claimed her.

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Cadance woke up at the sound of a howling wind. She immediately jumped up onto her hooves and looked around in panic and shock.

"Where am I? Was I not on train a moment ago?" Cadance asked shakingly herself.

After a few minutes, she calmed herself down and surveyed the surrounding area.

The only thing she could see were snow covered ground, snow falling around her and her kingdom just barely seen from a distance. That's when she saw something from the distance on her left.

A cyan blue light can be seen shining around what looked like another Crystal city with a smaller Crystal Castle, shielding it from the harsh blizzard.

While she looked at the city in confusion, she suddenly noticed somepony walking toward her from the direction of the city.

As the pony walked closer, Cadance was able to make up it's appearance.

The pony was a unicorn mare at the same size as Princess Celestia, with a very pale vermillion coat, her mane being in gradient of brilliant raspberry to moderate cobalt blue, her horn being a shiny light blue shaded from the tip to cyan, and a cutie mark of deep blue snowflake between blue laces on both flanks. And lastly, she was wearing blue garb around her body and a blue crown on her head.

Cadance stood dumbfound as the tall unicorn mare got closer and closer until the said mare was standing directly in front of her.

She could not stop herself from fidgeting and sweating as the unicorn's face was directed at her face with the mare's eyes closed.

Suddenly, the pale vermillion unicorn's eyes opened her brilliant amber eyes, and said a name that only Cadance's auntie, Princess Luna, would normally called her.

"Cadenza..."

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"Huh!?" Cadance jolted up from her sleep, looking around her compartment confused.

"Your highness, you say something?" One of the crystal guards asked through the opened door.

"Oh... Was I... It’s nothing. Just feeling a bit tired, Private Cloud Bolt. Nothing to be worried about." Cadance replied with a gentle smile.

Cloud Bolt saluted at her before closing the compartment door as he went back to his post with his fellow guard.

She stared at door, before stealing a glance through the window, reflecting her cutie mark. She could see the Canterlot getting closer in her view.

She sighed to herself as the crystal train continued it's journey toward it's destination.

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The crystal train finally came to a stop at Canterlot station, and all of the passengers including Cadance were greeted by a large number of ponies ranging from Ponyville, Appleloosa and Dodge Junction to Manehattan, Fillydelphia and Las Pegasus. She was escorted by her crystal guards all the way to castle.

On her arrival at Canterlot throne room, Cadance ordered her guards to wait for her outside. Standing near the door, she could hear the four familiar voices talking.

She took a breath and then released it with a hoof held to her chest before straightening herself.

And with a smile, she opened the doors via her pale blue magic.

The three ponies and a young purple and green dragon, who were discussing, all stopped and turned their head toward the door before smiling at the arrival of a pale pink alicorn.

"Cadance!"

Cadance smile widely at the excited lavender alicorn with mane and tail made of dark indigo with streaks of purple and pink as Twilight Sparkle galloped toward her.

Knowing what was going to happen, she readied herself.

"Sunshine sunshine ladybugs awake, clap your hooves and do a little shake!” both mares sang while doing the dance to go with it, at the end they both broke down into a fit of giggles and hugged each other.

Celestia and Luna both looked at them while smiling.

After the sisters had hugged, they both looked at the elder princesses. Cadance began with a raised eyebrow. "So I read the scroll that said that Twilight required our magic for something at the festival?"

"Of course, Cadenza. Twilight, Let us continue where you left off." Luna replied.

Twilight yelped at the sudden mention of her own name, but quickly composed herself and began speaking, "Well, you see, I was wondering if you could use your magic to reposition the sun and moon for the concert performance of Songbird Serenade?" She ended with a forced grin.

The solar princess looked at the other two princesses for a few second before turning her head and looked at her former student's eyes.

"Twilight." Celestia started, using her motherly tone. "As much as I want to help you, I'm afraid I have to reject your proposal." Twilight's face fell.

Celestia started. "As a Princess of the Sun, my magic is served to move the sun."

Luna continued off what her sister. "And as a Princess of the Moon, my magic is served to move the moon."

And finally, Cadance said: "And as a Princess of Love, my magic is served to help ponies overcome their problems."

After all the three princesses said their speeches, Twilight looked away in disappointment.

"And beside." Twilight looked at the solar princess.

"As a Princess of Friendship, you already have all the magic you need to make this festival a success." Celestia added with a gentle smile.

Twilight looked at her mentor's eyes for a while before saying: "Very well, Princess Celestia." After those words were said, Twilight turned and walked out of the throne room along with Spike who was an armful of scrolls.

The three princesses looked at each other in silence.

Cadance was the first to break the silence. "I will go and talk to her, auntie Celly and auntie Lulu." She trotted after her sister, leaving both the solar princess and the lunar princess alone with each other.

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After trotting for a few minutes, Cadance finally found Twilight sulking, walking with Spike.

"Twilight!" The name got rid the said mare's sulkiness and was replaced with a sad smile.

"Oh, hey Cadance." Twilight replied, looking at her sister direction. Cadance slowly walked beside and draped a comforting wing over her sister, giving her a little nuzzle.

"Twilight." Cadance started. "Why don't you start and tell me who is this Songbird Serenade pony?"

Twilight's eyes immediately sparkled and started talking. "Songbird Serenade is a biggest popstar singer in Equestria who resides in Manehattan. Not to mention, her fame and talent are so unmatched."

Cadance couldn't help but smiled sincerely as Twilight continued to ramble on about the popstar singer.

"Did you know, she has an angelic voice and uses her incredible music talents to sing to have a deep belief in the values? Hay, Songbird is even quick to donate her time and energy to any good cause and is always willing to give back to her adoring fans."

Twilight squealed loudly: "All of that makes Songbird the most beloved celebrity in the entire ponydom!!!"

After Twilight had said all of that in one go, she immediately started to blush in embarrassment and covered her face with both of her forelegs as all the ponies within the castle were all staring at her while Cadance and Spike were trying their hardest not to laugh.

After a while, the ponies were shrugged themselves and resumed their activities.

"Twilight." Cadance called out to snap her sister out of embarrassment, causing Twilight to look up at her.

"Listen, about the proposal." She started.

"While my aunties and I may have rejected your ideas, I think that with your own magic, you could still make the concert performance of Songbird better." Cadance paused to see Twilight nodding her head.

"Not to mention" She continued. "With your friends' ideas and help, it would make the performance even better."

Twilight's gears were turning in her head before she gasped.

"You're right, Cadance! Why didin't I think about that?!" Twilight said.

"Thank you so much for reminding me that I have friends I can rely on, Cady." Twilight finished by hugging Cadance with her forelegs, who in return hugged her back with one of her owns.

A few minutes of hugging later, both sisters released each other and parted way.

"You know, I can lend you and your friends a helping hoof if you need it." Cadance replied.

Twilight smiled and said: "That would be helpful, Cadance."

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At the Canterlot Square, Cadance, Twilight and her friends were busy getting the Friendship Festival up and running. Spike was ticking the checkboxes while Twilight was making sure that everything goes as planned. Applejack was handing out apple ciders to everypony. Rainbow Dash was using her Wonderbolt moves to clear the weather. Pinkie Pie was making various types of balloon animals. Fluttershy was rehearsing with her chorus of the songbirds. Both Cadance and Rarity were decorating the stages with various of ornaments and trinkets for the coming popstar singer.

Within minutes, the Friendship Festival was up and running in a glamorous and prestigious way. The Mane 6 and Cadance all looked at the scene and could not stopped themselves from feeling pride from doing all their hard work.

"Hay Yeah! We did it!" Rainbow Dash cheered excitedly.

"I simply can't believed we managed to get this Festival up in a nick of time." Rarity said.

"Darn tootin we did, Rare!" Applejack replied.

"Yeah, I set up many parties fast and quick, but I never set up this party quicker!" Pinkie Pie squealed while bouncing up and down.

"Yay!" Fluttershy cheered softly.

"Thanks to your help, Cadance, the Friendship festival is ready for the arrival of Songbird Serenade." said Twilight, looking at her sister.

Cadance blushed from the compliment and brushed her mane. "Oh, it's nothing. I just feel like helping you."

"Well, we still have some time before Songbird arrives. I say we take a break. All this clearing the clouds has me all worn out." The rainbow-mane mare said, already lying down on a piece of cloud.

"Well, ah think Rainbow's right. Ah'm sore." The farm mare said.

The rest all agreed with the two mares.

"Well, I'm going to double check everything to see the festival is up to it's standard." Twilight proudly said before turning to ask her sister.

"How about you, Cadance?"

"Actually, I'm going back to the castle. I have some things I need to grab from the castle to bring back to the Crystal Empire. So, I will see you once I have put them in the train." Cadance replied with a smile.

Twilight nodded happily, and the two shared one more hug before parting ways, Twilight heading off to double check up on the festival preparations with her Number-One Assistant, and Cadance towards the castle.

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Cadance walked through the castle hallway, and climbed up the stairwell. At the end of the stairwell was her old tower room.

She had known she had been adopted, and she also knew that her biological parents had abandoned her near the entrance of the Canterlot Castle garden. Both her aunties had told her the truth, but had also told her that they don't care about that. Even though their relation isn't the same, she was still their niece. Her aunties has also told her that Princess Amore may be her distant relative to her since Cadance's full name has "Amore" in it.

But an incident, around three years ago, at the Crystal Empire had made her doubt herself. Now she had to wonder if there was more to her abandonment than she thought.

Cadance entered the room that belonged to her. It was still left untouched by the two elder princesses, despite her rarely using it anymore since she had moved to the Empire to rule.

She looked around the room to make sure she was all alone before locking the door behind her via her magic. Next to her old walk-in wardrobe sat a full size mirror.

Cadance slowly walked toward the mirror and stood in front of it, looking at a pale pink alicorn wearing golden regalia who stood there staring back, wearing a nervous expression on her face.

She stood there for a good solid minute, just staring at herself in the mirror.

Then, she closed her eyes and with a flick of her magic, a light blue aura glowed and shimmered around Cadance's body, before dying away.

She opened her eyes and stared back at the mirror.

While she still retained her pale pink coat and her stripped in colors of pale yellow, bright pink, and purple mane and tail, there were now two parts of her body that weren't the same.

Her horn, instead of pale pink, was now a shiny light blue shaded from the tip to cyan. Her wings were now white with trailing edges of the feathers being pale blue.

Cadance now stared at herself.

It felt good to be finally able to restore some of her magic after using it to disguise her horn and wings.

Every time she had time, Cadance would hide away and look at a mirror, staring at her wings and horn with curiosity. She had spent many months trying to find why she was like this in the Crystal Empire, before giving up after finding no references. The only pony who knew about this was her husband, Shining Armor. As for the rest, she hasn't told them as she was simply too scared of their reaction.

While the reasonable part of her mind knew they would accept her and still love her like her husband, the other part of her mind also knew that they would think that she was the changeling queen, Chrysalis, and would banish her or turned her into a statue.

Light blue aura glowed around Cadance's body once again as she used her magic again, replacing her horn and wings back to it's original colors. Though it doesn't eased her nervousness and curiousness.

"Who am I?" Cadance asked to herself.

Author's Note

And the story continues, but things are about to get interesting. :raritywink:

Chapter 3 - Flashback One: The Discovery

Crystal Empire, Three years ago

Darkness hung over the Crystal Empire as Cadance made her way back inside the Crystal Castle from the balcony, after waving some crystal ponies a peaceful night.

As Cadance walked through the empire's hallway, she stopped by one of the room and opened the door. She slipped inside and closed the door behind her via her magic. The room was fairly large, a wardrobe along with a small cabinet and a full size mirror was next to the door Cadance just closed and a crystal crib was sitting there near the corner. In the crib was Flurry Heart, her daughter, sleeping peacefully while hugging her favourite plush Whammy.

Next to it was her husband, Shining Armor, standing near the crib.

"I hope I'm not too late." Cadance said, smiling as she walked closer to her husband and her daughter.

"Not at all, Cady." Shining replied, turning his head and nuzzled his wife.

Cadance nuzzled him back before pulling back and stared at his eyes.

"I can't believe how far we have come." She said.

"Yeah, how long has it been? Four years?" Shining asked.

As they began reminiscing their pasts, a shuffling against the bed in the crib interrupted them.

Confused, the couple turned their head to their daughter. Flurry Heart was now shivering like a leaf. Confusion was immediately replaced with concerns, prompting the couple to check.

"What's wrong, my little Flurry? Are you unwell?" Cadance asked her daughter.

"Maybe we should call the-"

Whatever Shining was going to say, it was suddenly interrupted by a blast of yellow magic burst from Flurry's horn when she suddenly sneezed and hit directly at Cadance's chest. The Princess of Love was sent flying into the wall, sending dust and dirt everywhere in the room

Shining Armor coughed, looking back and forth between Flurry Heart and his wife, before shaking his head.

"Cadance! Are you all alright?!" He worriedly asked while rushing to his wife's aid.

As dust and dirt began to settle, he started to see his wife more clearly.

"Oh dear Celestia, you're all right! Do you need-" Shining stopped with a slack jawed look of surprise when he saw his wife.

Cadance, while retaining her pale pink coat, has a shiny light blue shaded from the tip of her horn to cyan and a pair of white wings with trailing edges of the feathers being pale blue.

She began to regain conscience.

"Sweet Mother of my aunt's name, I know she possessed powerful magic, but that was one strong magic." Cadance said as she steady righted herself, shaking the dust and dirt off of her, only to freeze.

Her husband had taken a defensive stance with his horn flared up while her daughter, who was now sleeping, was enveloped by his magical shield.

"Shining, what-" She began before getting cut off.

"Where's Cadance, Chrysalis?! He snarled.

"What are you talking abou-" She asked before getting cut off again by her husband stamping one of his hoof down.

"Don't play dumb. Where. Is. My. Wife?" He angrily asked with a death glare.

"Shining..." Cadance started, trembling slightly at her husband's question. "You're scaring m-"

She stopped when her eyes fell onto the mirror near the door and saw that her horn and wings were different now.

Realising why her husband was being hostile to her, she immediately defend herself.

"Shining, it's me. I'm not Chrysalis. I am Cadance, your love of your life."

"LIKELY STORY, Chrysalis" he snarled. She flinched back.

"Shining please..." Cadance whimpered, pool of tears beginning to form in her eyes. "If I was Chrysalis, I would have kidnapped Flurry Heart and used her to overthrow you. If I was her, I would have brainwashed you by now."

Slowly, the Prince of the Crystal Empire dropped his defensive stance, but his horn still flared with magic.

"Alright, if you are really Cadance, then say something only my wife will remember." He demanded.

The Princess of Love nodded her head quickly before replying.

"I remembered that a week from our wedding, Queen Chrysalis kidnapped me and take my form, before trapping me in the crystal cave under the Canterlot castle. I also remembered how I tried to find the way out, but kept failing miserably." Her voice wavered. "I also remembered how scared I was being alone in the cave while thinking about you being with the imposter."

By the time Cadance had finished talking, the tears in her eyes had begun to flow down her cheeks and she started weeping.

Whatever anger Shining Armor had quickly melted away into guilt and regret. Immediately, he dropped his magic and his magical shield around his daughter, before trotting toward his wife. He hugged her as she continued to cry on his shoulder.

"Cady, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories." Shining apologetically said as he stroked her mane.

After a few moment, Cadance slowly stopped weeping and nuzzled her husband's neck before the couple parted ways.

"Feeling better now?" Shining asked to which she nodded her head, sniffing while wiping her tears with her foreleg.

Deciding to change the subject, he asked with a raised eyebrow. "So, why are both your horn and wings different?"

Cadance turned toward the mirror and looked at her body, twitching and fluttering her wings, before replying. "I... I'm not sure."

She quickly whirled her head toward her husband. "Don't tell my aunties and Twilight about this, please." She begged. "I don't know what will happen if they found out and I really don't want to know."

Shining winced. "I don't know if I can do that, Cady."

Cadance wore a panic expression, before he closed his eyes with a sigh and continued. "But I will see what I can do. We can also use that opportunity to find some answer to your appearance. For now, try disguising both your horn and wings."

She sighed in relief and nodded her head, before using her magic. A light blue aura glowed and shimmered around her, reverting her back to her old self.

Just then, a crystal guard barged his way into the room.

"Your highnesses, is everything alright?!" Lieutenant Sky Vision spoke up.

"At ease, lieutenant." Shining Armor reassured. "Everything's fine. Our daughter just have a magic surge when she sneezed. That is all, you are dismissed."

Sky Vision saluted the Prince before heading out the way he came and closed the door.

The couple stood there silently for a couple of minutes before it was broken by Cadance.

"Let's just go and sleep. We will figure something out tomorrow." The Princess of Love said, rubbing her temple.

Shining stared at her before sighing. "Yeah. That's probably good idea."

The couple quietly walked back to their bedroom, their mind still fresh from what had happened.

Author's Note

This is my first flashback. Tell me if I am doing it right.

Chapter 4 - The Storm: Part 1

Celestia's sun shifted significantly as Cadance left the train station to meet her sister-in-law after bringing some of her things from her old room to the crystal train. The Friendship Festival is now in full effect as ponies were starting to crowd around the stage. Amidst the crowd, she saw Twilight standing near the stage.

Just as she reached her younger sister's position, a multi-layered cake suddenly landed on Twilight, splatting the batter everywhere. Cadance was able to stop some of the cake batters by using one of her wings to shield herself from splatting onto her.

She couldn't stopped herself from giggling while the Princess of Friendship was now glaring angrily at Pinkie Pie as the cake batter slowly slide down Twilight's body.

Then, two security guard ponies approached with a white furred pony with a yellow and black mane covering her eyes, with a matching tail, and a huge pink bowtie on her mane, arriving at the stage from the crowd of ponies.

"Hi. I'm looking for the pony in charge." The mare spoke as Photo Finish managed to snap a few quick photos of her. “I need to set up for my sound check.”

She then turned her head toward the Princess of Love and said: " You must be the one in charge of the Friendship Festival. Hi, my name is Songbird Serenade. Pleased to meet your acquaintance." She reached out her hoof for a hoof-shake.

Cadance returned the gesture, smiling sincerely at the popstar singer before replying. "Pleased to meet you too, Miss Songbird, but I'm not the one in charge of this festival. My sister-in-law, Twilight Sparkle, is.

The popstar blinked her eyes at her before rubbing her head.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know." Songbird said to Cadance before turning her head toward the Princess of Friendship trying to get rid of the cake batters.

"I'm here for my sound check, Princess Twilight." Songbird spoke.

"Ah, Ms. Songbird Serenade?" Twilight recognised the mare. "Welcome!” She greeted as she approached her. “So glad you could make it.” She added as she tried to remove the batters. “I'm Princess Twilight Sparkle, and I apologize for the mess. I'm usually not so…”

Only for her to stop when she accidentally splatted some cake batters on Songbird's jacket, to which she blushed at her own action.

“Caked in cake?” the popstar singer jokingly figured.

Cadance covered her mouth with her hoof to stop herself from snickering at Songbird's joke.

All of a sudden, a black storm cloud appears in the sky over Canterlot, causing everypony to look up at the cloud fearfully. It was later followed by multiple airships before a larger airship landed on the festival ground. A small hedgehog then came out of the ship.

"PONIES OF EQUESTRIA! WE COME ON BEHALF OF THE FEARSOME! THE MIGHTY!! STORM KING!!" The hedgehog announced. "AND NOW! TO DELIVER THE EVIL EVIL MESSAGE! PUT YOUR HOOVES TOGETHER FOR COMMANDER TEMPEST!!"

At the call of the name, a unicorn mare with dark orchid coat, with moderate rose with lighter edge mane and a broken horn, emerged from the airship. The appearance of the unicorn pony earned everypony gasps and shocked expression.

"Tempest, is it?" Celestia began with a raised eyebrow, her tone guarded. "How may we help you?"

"Ah, I'm so glad you asked. How about we start with your complete and total surrender!" She declared imperiously, as both the solar and lunar princesses gave angry frowns at her. However, Twilight walked past Cadance toward the Storm King's lieutenant.

"Hi, Princess of Friendship, not really sure what's going on, but, I'm sure we can talk this out?" Twilight asked to which Tempest gave the Princess of Friendship most unimpressed look.

"How cute. . . ." Tempest replied, before raising her voice. "Here's the deal ladies, I need your magic. Give it up nicely please or we make it difficult. . . for everyone!" At that moment, the four princesses' expressions became like stone.

"Did you bring an army, miss Tempest?" Celestia asked, her tone being calm. No sooner the solar princess asked the question, ranks of monstrous storm beasts filed out from the airship the Storm King's lieutenant was standing on, shields and spears held at the ready. As the troops from the larger airship got into formation, more Storm Guards from multiple airships, jumped down in front of the terrified crowds of ponies.

"As a matter of fact, I did." She drawled, smirking at four frowning princesses.

Cadance turned her head to see her aunt Lulu stepped forward as the lunar princess glared angrily at Tempest.

"Look Tempest," Luna started. "We ponies are reasonable and that's why we're going to give you... ONE LAST CHANCE TO STOP ALL THIS NONSENSE!" She finished with her Royal Canterlot Voice. Celestia nodded as she spoke up.

"This doesn't need to end in violence Tempest. Perhaps if you explain why you and this. . . 'Storm King' need our magic, then we can find a way to help you?" Tempest narrowed her gaze at the solar princess, as she retrieved a small orb, from a pouch hidden beneath her mane.

"I don't think you princesses understand the position you're in. Let me help illustrate it for you." She declared with a cold smirk, as she tossed the orb into the air. With an acrobatic twirl, Tempest struck the orb with her back hoof, aiming it directly at Princess Luna. As her soldiers locked shields, and surged forward.

Cadance stared at the orb that was flying straight to her auntie Lulu before widened her eye in horror as she sensed dark magic coming from it, before quickly calling out to her.

"Auntie Lulu! Look out! It's dark magic!!!"

The Princess of the Moon, upon hearing what her adoptive niece had said, tried to block it with her magic shield. After struggling for a minute against the orb’s powers, she got hit by it as black magic dust surrounded her and began turning her into statue.

"Luna!!!" Celestia cried out in horror.

“Aah..I…I can’t stop it!” Luna screamed as she was turned to dark crystal statue. Both sister-in-laws stared at now petrified Princess of the Moon in shock.

All of Canterlot was immediately thrown into chaos as the storm beast rushed forward. The Royal Guard had responded immediately, but the sheer size and strength of the invasion force meant they were quickly outnumbered and subdued.

Twilight, Spike, Cadance, Celestia and the rest of the bearers of Harmony tried desperately fight as many Storm Guards off as they can.

"There's too many of them!" Rainbow Dash yelled as she uppercut one of the storm beast in the face.

"Ya think, Rainbow?!" Applejack answered sarcastically as she bucked one of them with both of her hindlegs.

"Twilight! Cadance!" The solar princess called them as she smashed ten of Storm King's soldiers into the ground with an effortless pulse of magic. "Go south beyond the Badlands! Seek help from the Queen of the Hippo-"

Celestia would never get to finish her sentence as she was hit by another orb, turning her into statue.

"Princess Celestia!"

"Auntie Celly!"

The Storm King's lieutenant, using Twilight's disbelief as an opportunity, immediately fired another orb at Twilight. Cadance saw that and her eyes widened in horror before quickly pushed her sister-in-law out of harm's way, the orb hitting her instead.

"NOOOO!!!" The Princess of Friendship screamed.

Tempest smiled with a sadistic glee as the Princess of Love was covered with black magic dust. But when the dust finally settled, her smile was replaced with disbelief as her jaw dropped at the sight before her.

Princess Cadance was standing on the ground unscathed, her face full of confusion as she stared at her body. Twilight and her friends were all staring in shock.

After staring at her own body, she immediately enveloped the Mane 6 and Spike in her telekinetic grip before sprinting away.

Tempest shook her head. "Grubber! Soldiers!" She commanded them upon seeing the two princesses, Spike and the Mane 5 escaping. "Go get those two princesses! Find them!"

After the Princess of Love got a fair distance away from the invasion force, she gently put them down on the ground. After that, all seven ponies and a dragon quickly run, dodging the soldiers' attempt to grab them before finding themselves cornered on the bridge by two soldiers blocking off each side of the bridge.

Cadance tried blasting them with her magic, but one of her magic ended up reflecting off one of their shields and destroyed the bridge they're standing on, plummeting themselves into the river and over a waterfall.

The small hedgehog, Grubber, and several of the soldiers all arrived on the scene, but could not spot them from down below.

Grubber groaned while pinching the bridge of his nose with his hand. "Great. Boss is so not going to like this."

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Just Below Canterlot

The seven ponies and a dragon regained their consciences after falling over the waterfall and quickly swam toward the shore. As they dried themselves up, Applejack started the conversation.

"Everypony okay?" Applejack asked.

“Okay?! We just got our cupcakes handed to us by the worst party crashers ever!” Pinkie exclaimed in defeat.

“I said we go back up there and fight!” Rainbow Dash told everypony, not wanting to give up on Equestria just yet.

"Are you crazy?!" Spike exclaimed. "You saw the size of those goons! Not to mention, you saw what Tempest is capable of. You seriously wanna go back and challenge her?!" Spike almost shouted.

"Spiky-Wikey's right, darling!" Rarity agreed. "Tempest was able to capture both Princesses Celestia and Luna with those orbs of her."

“So now what? We can't hide here forever.” Applejack pointed out. “And let's be honest, we can't go back to the castle after what Tempest did to the Princesses. We gotta keep them from Twilight and Princess Cadance.”

"Speaking of Princess Cadance..." Fluttershy added as she turned her head toward her and asked. "How come the orb didn't turned you into... you know... the crystal statue?"

As soon as Fluttershy finished his questions, all of them stopped their conversation and turned their head to Cadance.

"Yeah, how come you didn't get turned into statue when Tempest threw the orb at you? " Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow. "Both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna got turned into statue after that unicorn threw the orbs at them."

Cadance could only shrugged and said truthfully. "Honestly, I don't know. A defected orb, I guess?"

The six ponies and a dragon all stared at her, which started to make her sweat. Then, Twilight sighed and turned to get her friends attention.

"We figure it out later once we liberate the Canterlot castle from the Storm King's army." Everypony nodded in agreement, to which Twilight continued. "Right now, we need to go south beyond the Badlands. Princess Celestia said to seek help from the Queen of the Hippos."

"Hippogriffs." Cadance interjected. "Auntie Celly said to seek help from the Queen of the Hippogriffs. She told me that she knew the queen when I was visiting her back in Canterlot."

"Right, Hippogriffs. And she is beyond the Badlands which means we'll have to leave Equestria." Twilight added grimly.

The Mane 5 and Spike shared a look with worry before Cadance interrupted them.

"Guys, listen!" She called out. "You girls have travelled all around the Equestria, not to mention saved the world many times." She continued with a smile and gestured her hoof to herself. "Beside, you have me."

Twilight's friends all looked at each other before nodding their head with determination.

"All rightly! Let's go find this Queen of the Hippogriffs!" Pinkie declared as she bounced off northwards.

"Uh Pinkie.” Twilight called out to her. “South would be that way.” She said as she pointed her to the right direction.

"Okie dokey loki!" The party mare happily said before bouncing off ahead in the right direction.

While the rest of Twilight's friend followed Pinkie, Twilight stayed behind to talk to Cadance.

"Thank you for saving me, Cadance." Twilight happily said to her sister-in-law. "How can I even repay you?"

Cadance smiled before replying. "There's no need to. I'm just looking out for my sister-in-law."

Twilight giggled before looking out at the distance. "Do you think the Queen of the Hippogriffs will help us?" She asked.

"I'm sure... she will..." Was all Cadance said before she started coughing.

Twilight turned her head, concern on her face, asked. "Hey, are you okay?"

The Princess of Love stopped coughing after a while and said, "I'm fine. Let's just go and find the queen. The fate of Equestria is in our hooves." She finished with a smile.

Twilight looked at Cadance for a while before nodding and went to catch up with her friends.

Cadance watched at her sister-in-law talking to her friends while thinking about what had happened at Canterlot.

'Why didn't I get petrified like both of my aunties?' She thought to herself.

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Back in Canterlot, all of the captured ponies have everypony restrained and muzzled as they are all escorted by the soldiers while the other’s cause the balloons hanging around to float away after cutting the strings holding them down.

On the balcony of the castle, Tempest Shadow oversaw as the soldiers does their work as the balloons floated up to the sky. Her mind was currently on the Princess of Love. 'Why didn't the Obsidian Orb turned her into statue? It worked for the other two princesses .' She said to herself in her mind.

Sighing to herself, she made her way back inside the throne room where the two petrified princesses were now standing in the middle of the room.

Two of the Storm King’s soldiers approach her in front of a circular bowl shaped table separating them with a potion making a ring-tone like noise.

“Well? Answer it!” Tempest irritably ordered them to do so as they poured the potion into the bowl sized table into the potion inside. The blue smoke appeared from the bowl of chemicals as the Storm King appeared from the smoke from the magical phone call spell.

"There you are." The Storm King said. "Report."

“Successful, everything went exactly as you planned.” She reported.

“Good!” The Storm King said very pleased to hear that. “Now do we have all four Pegacornicuseses, or whatever you call them?”

"They are called alicorns, and all but two." She honestly reported without fear in her eyes, before adding. "Which reminds me..."

The Storm King arched a eyebrow at her, to which the lieutenant continued.

"I threw one of the Obsidian Orb at the Princess of Love and the orb hit her directly, but somehow she didn't get petrified like the other two princesses." She said.

Storm King stared at her for a minute, before he said. "Ok, I will admit that I did not see that coming. We may have to improve the Obsidian Orb to prevent that from happening."

Tempest nodded her head before she was interrupted.

"But, you are going to get them right?!” The Storm King asked with brewing fury.

“Of course!” Tempest calmly replied before continuing. "Give me three days! I'll have everything ready for your arrival. And by then, you will all have what you came for once I have captured the remaining princesses.”

“All right then.” The Storm King nodded his head in agreement. “Just remember, Tempest. Only I have the power to make you whole. Make this staff work, and you'll get your reward. Fail me, and your horn won't be the only thing that's broken.” He venomously warned the unicorn.

“It won't be a problem.” Tempest replied unfazed to the threat.

“Great!” The Storm King replied suddenly upbeat as the spell started to wear off. “I'm ready to power up, crash and bash, and be the biggest, baddest bugaloooooo...”

As the spell wore off, Storm King's lieutenant saw Grubber standing in front of her.

“Do you have the princesses?” Tempest asked him.

"Yeah. About that... both the princesses might have... got away... " Grubber hesitantly answered as he fidgeted his fingers nervously.

The lieutenant stared at him before zapping him with her magic who screamed in pain.

“We need all four for the staff to work.” Tempest stressed the importance of having all four princesses here, before raising her voice.

"Those two princesses are not gonna keep me from getting my horn back! Prepare my ship!!!" Tempest threatened Grubber, to which he immediately obeyed with a salute before running off in fright.

After the hedgehog left the throne room, the Storm King's lieutenant stared at the double doors for a while before turning around and walked out to the balcony.

"You can run, princesses." Tempest started before raising her voice again. "But you can't hide forever! I will find you!" She finished with a determined face, looking out at a distance.

Author's Note

It begins...

Instead of Cadance being the first to be petrified, I decided to make Luna the first to be petrified.

You guys will soon find out why Cadance didn't get petrified like the other two princesses. :raritywink:

Also, I want to thank Bronyshot2020 for his help. Shout out to him! :twilightsmile:

Chapter 5 - The Storm: Part 2

Seaquestria, Two days later

After two days of walking, running and some setbacks, the seven ponies and a dragon have finally reached their destination and met the Queen of the Hippogriffs, Queen Novo. The only problem was that Queen Novo had just told them that the Pearl of Transformation was not going anywhere.

Twilight could not believe her eyes. After that entire trip and her friends not taking the mission seriously except for Fluttershy and Spike, it was going to end in a failure? As Princess Skystar, Queen Novo's daughter, told them that they could stay there, she started to wondering what were they going to do now since she and her sister-in-law were the only princesses not turned to stone.

As the Princess of Friendship thought for solutions, some coughing interrupted her thinking and she, Fluttershy and Spike all turned to see Cadance coughing. Seeing that, Twilight's worry for Equestria was replaced with her worry for her sister-in-law.

During the two days journey, Cadance's coughing had started off small before gradually becoming serious. Fluttershy had noticed it first and checked her over and over again, but couldn't figured out what was making her sick. Spike also noticed and asked if she was okay, to which the Princess of Love nodded her head and told him she was okay.

After coughing, Cadance looked up to see Twilight, the shy mare and the dragon looking at her in concern. Seeing that, she smiled and replied. "Guys, I'm alright. How about this, I will try talking to Queen Novo. Maybe I can change her mind."

While three of them don't looked convinced about the Princess of Love being okay, they knew that they had no choice as the Queen of the Hippogriffs refused to give the Pearl.

Twilight sighed and said. "Alright, Cadance. Just be okay."

She nodded at the Princess of Friendship before swimming toward Queen Novo.

"Queen Novo..." Cadance started before she got interrupted.

"I already told you..." Queen Novo whirled around before she continued. "That Pearl is going no-hey, are you alright?" Novo stopped her rant and asked as she looked at the Princess of Love in concern.

Cadance raised an eyebrow in confusion before her eyes fell on the reflection of the air bubble she was using to breathe underwater. Her nose was bleeding. She could feel the wetness on her lips. She heard gasps and turned her head.

Twilight's friends and Princess Skystar looked at Cadance in shock. Her sister-in-law and Spike stared at her with concern while Fluttershy had both of her forelegs on her mouth.

After hovering in the water for a while, Cadance felt her throat squeezing and immediately swam toward the beach.

The rest looked at each other before swimming after her.

The Princess of Love jumped out of the water and landed on the sand, with the rest behind her.

Twilight, wearing a worried and concerned face, walked toward her sister-in-law as Cadance started to cough out blood and asked, "Cadance! Are you really alright?!" The Princess of Love turned her head at the question. Twilight, her friends and the two Hippogriffs all gasped in shock and horror at the sight before them.

Cadance's nose was bleeding, her mouth was now covered in blood and her eyes were red and swollen.

Twilight whimpered while reaching out her hoof, "C... C... Cadance...?"

"Twilight... I... don't... feel... so... good..." Was all she said before her eyes rolled into the back of her head and collapsed to the ground, her crown falling off her head.

"Cadance!!!" Twilight shouted out in panic.

The Princess of Friendship, with teary eyes, rushed forward and cradled her sister-in-law in her forelegs. Fluttershy also rushed forward and quickly checked Cadance's pulse while Spike joined Twilight's side, their face being worried.

"Her pulse is low. I think the orb did something to her." Fluttershy said as Cadance's breathing became erratic.

The rest all stared in shock before Applejack stepped forward and asked. "What's wrong with her, Twi?"

Her question was answered with an angry glare from Twilight who shouted at Applejack. "Oh, so now you noticed it?! Where was that when Cadance's condition started to get worse?!"

The Mane 5 excluding Fluttershy could not stopped themselves from reflexively cringing from the shouting of the Princess of Friendship as they started to feel guilty for not realising Cadance's health.

Sound of footsteps and hoofsteps caught their attention and the group, including the two hippogriffs, all turned to see two Storm King's soldiers with a airship in the sky behind them and Tempest who was looking at Cadance in shock and confusion.

"What the hay is wrong with her?" Tempest finally asked.

"How the hay am I supposed to know?! You're the one who threw the orb at my sister-in-law and made her like this!" Twilight snarled at her.

Tempest flinched back at the Princess of Friendship's accusation and immediately defend herself. "What are you talking about?! The Obsidian Orb was meant to petrify, not do whatever it's doing to her!"

Before Twilight could opened her mouth, a loud "thud" was heard from behind the Storm King's soldiers, getting every creatures' attention. They all gasped at the sight in shock and horror.

It was one of the Storm King's soldier, but it had multiple light blue crystal shards stabbed onto it's back, the rest of it's body being riddled with medium injuries.

The lieutenant rushed toward the fallen soldier and immediately asked. "Who did this?! Who did this to you?!"

The injured soldier weakly point it's finger toward the airship above, prompting Tempest and the rest to look up.

On the airship, there were three ponies standing on the deck which was littered with Storm King's soldiers corpses, their eyes giving off pure icy blue magical vapour trail from the corner of their eyes and out into the open air, looking at the Storm King's lieutenant. One was a pegasus stallion, wearing what appeared to an ancient royal armor and helmet. The other two were mares. One of them, a unicorn, was wearing a cloak with the hood on while the other one, a earth pony, was wearing a helmet that had small metal wings on it's sides and a weather armor tied by two belts and a metal medallion and was holding a spear.

The three ponies jumped off the airship and landed on the ground safely, with the help of the unicorn mare's magic, in front of Tempest and the two soldiers, just behind the shadow of the mountain.

Tempest flinched back in surprised by their action, but quickly regained her compose.

"Who are you three?!" Tempest demanded. They remained silent at the lieutenant's question before assuming a fighting stance.

"Not talking? Fine then! Let us get right down to business! Soldiers! With me!” She charged up her broken horn, charging forward, and unleashed her unstable magic to the three while two soldiers readied their spears and charged forward.

The three ponies split up, with the unicorn conjuring a bunch of light bluish crystal shards for the unstable magic to hit.

The pegasus flew up before flying down and headbutted his head into the first storm soldier's stomach. The storm soldier flew and landed on the ground, dropping it's weapon before recovering. To it's shock and confusion, light bluish crystals started to form around the pegasus's knuckles and wrists before they stopped, giving the winged pony a pair of crystal armored forelegs. Before the storm soldier could do anything, the stallion rushed forward and punched it's face with one of his armored forelegs, causing saliva and blood to fly out of it's mouth. The pegasus stallion continued to punch it's face multiple times before finishing up with an uppercut, causing the storm soldier to fly and crash into a large boulder, knocking the solider out of commission.

Meanwhile, the earth pony vaulted over the second storm soldier using her spear, before landing on her hooves and bucking it with both of her hindlegs. The soldier flew and crashed into tree, but quickly regained it's compose before turning around. The soldier swung it's spear toward her, to which the earth pony blocked it's attack with her spear. It attempted to strike at her again, but the pony quickly rushed forward and headbutted her head into the soldier's stomach, causing it to lose it's balance and fell on it's back. Before the soldier could get back up, the earth pony jumped on it's stomach and raised her spear with both of her forelegs, it's tip glittering with crystal, before bringing it down to the soldier's chest. The spear penetrated through the soldier's armor and into the heart, ending the second storm soldier's life.

Simultaneously, when the unstable magic hit and destroyed the crystal, Tempest frozen in shock when the unicorn was seen levitating a few crystal shards via her magic, before shooting them straight toward the lieutenant. Tempest quickly rolled over to her left, before firing another magic at the unicorn. The unicorn sidestepped, causing the magic to hit a nearby tree before following up a beam of light blue magic. Tempest could only widened her eyes before she was hit, flying a few meters before landing on the sandy ground. The lieutenant rolled and quickly got up to her hooves, only to get hit by a crystal shard straight into her left foreleg from the cloaked unicorn.

Tempest hissed in pain before an another pain in her left hindleg was shot through her flank, falling to the ground. She gasped before crying out in agony and looked down to find a spear embedded in her flank, but was unable to remove it as the pegasus suddenly landed in front of her.

He immediately shoved himself off the ground by his front hooves, wings flapping firmly as he wrapped his hindlegs wrapped around her throat. She gargled, grabbing at his limbs, before the pegasus stallion's wings twisted and flapped again, reversing his momentum and dragging the mare head-over-heels in a front roll that sent her crashing toward the mountain wall, her limbs spread apart. As Tempest tried to get back to her hooves, she felt her forelegs and her horn hardening into the rock. She took a look and saw that both of her forelegs and horn had been hardened by light bluish crystals, trapping her. Before the lieutenant could think about freeing herself, a bright blue light got her attention and turned to see the three ponies standing in front of her. Seeing that how the three ponies had just easily defeated her and her group of soldiers, she let her body sagged and looked down in defeat.

Seeing the Storm King's lieutenant giving up, the three ponies turned to see the group of six ponies, a dragon and two hippogriffs staring at them, their mouth opened in pure shock. The group continued to stare at the three ponies before Spike broke the silence.

"Who are you guys?" Spike started to ask, "And why did you help us? And also, how did you do all that?!" He finished with a raised voice.

The three ponies glanced at each other, before the cloaked unicorn giggled.

"Let's just say we have a lot of practice." She said with before she and her group walked out of the shadow while pulling back her hood.

The Mane 6 and Spike all gasped.

The pegasus stallion had a crystal dark blue coat covering his body, with his mane and tail being blue with three various shades, his eyes being yellow, wings being white with trailing edges of the feathers being pale blue and a cutie mark of a tornado. The earth pony had a crystal brownish coat covering her body, with her mane and tail being light brown, her eyes being amber and a cutie mark of a sword. The unicorn had a crystal white coat covering her body, with her mane and tail being mussy green with two various shades, her horn being a shiny light blue shaded from the tip to cyan and her eyes being light purple.

While the two hippogriffs had no idea who they were, the rest knew the two ponies.

"CLOVER THE CLEVER?! COMMANDER HURRICANE?!" They all yelled in shock and confusion.

"Yep. That's right." Commander Hurricane strolled forward, his expression neutral. "Leader of the Pegasus Weather Brigade, if they still existed in Equestria." He added.

Clover giggled but was interrupted by Cadance's weak coughing, causing everyone to divert their attention to the Princess of Love.

Twilight cradled her sister-in-law before the earth pony rushed over and put a hoof to Cadance's forehead.

"She's burning up with a fever." The earth pony said as Twilight gave her an odd look.

"And you are...?" Twilight asked while stroking her sister-in-law's mane.

The earth pony smiled. "Dew Nourish, combat medic for the Mighty Helm."

Before more questions were answered, a loud blaring horn was sound, prompting everyone to look for its source. Tempest looked up from the ground. "You three may have defeated me..." She suddenly said, causing everyone to look at her, before she continued. "But now the Storm King has found you! It wouldn't be long before you were brought to your knees."

As soon as the lieutenant finished her sentence, three Storm King's airships appeared from the cloud. Tempest smirked. But the smirk on her face quickly fell when the airships flew over their head without stopping, flying across the open ocean.

As they faded from the sight, the Storm King's lieutenant could only stare at disbelief.

"W... Wh... What...?" She muttered.

Clover continued to stare at the sky where the airship disappeared before turning around to look at the cloud they appeared and said with smile. "Well, looks like the Storm Kingdom are falling back to their kingdom."

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Canterlot, Forty-five minutes ago

Songbird Serenade was currently in one of the cages. Feeling sad and depressed, she looked down and started to sing.

"I am here and I see your pain

Through the storms, through the clouds, the rain

I'm telling you, you can not es-"

A loud explosion interrupted her singing, causing her to look back up. She gasped.

Several crystal coated earth ponies, unicorns, Kirins and yaks were on the ground attacking several Storm King's soldiers while releasing the prisoners. In the sky, several crystal coated pegasuses, bat ponies, changelings, griffons and hippogriffs were attacking from above using crossbow, magic, muskets and bows and arrows while destroying the invasion force's airships.

Songbird had her attention at the battle before a loud "thud" made her turn her head.

In front of her cage was a female Kirin, her coat were crystal reddish brown covered by crystal armor; her mane, fur and tail were light brown; her cloven hooves, back, and forehead were dark brown and her large horn that curved backward was shiny light blue shaded from the tip to cyan. Behind her was an unmoving Storm Soldier, blood pooling around it.

The Kirin quickly used her magic to destroy the lock on the cage before opening the door, allowing the popstar singer to step out.

"Hey." The Kirin called out to Songbird before asking. "Are you okay?"

The popstar nodded her head to which the Kirin smiled and said. "Good. Go with the other ponies." She pointed at the exit where several prisoners were now escaping while other crystal coated creatures defended them for the soldiers. "It's safer for you."

Songbird nodded her head and started to go toward the exit before stopping. She quickly turned and asked. "What's your name?"

The Kirin blinked her eyes at the popstar's sudden question before replying with smile. "Mallow Sear. My name is Mallow Sear."

After answering Songbird's answer, the Kirin, Mallow Sear, turned around, transforming into Nirik before charging forward toward the battle.

The popstar singer quickly flew toward the exit.

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Captain Crimson Chaser, a unicorn Royal Guard, was being chained up and muzzled, being forced to move by the Storm King's soldier.

As they were moving through the hallway toward the prison cells, a loud crash was heard before the storm soldier that was holding the unicorn flew to the wall.

The captain, confused, turned his head to see his saviour hovering above him.

His saviour was a male changeling, it's body was crystal light green chitin covered by crystal armor, it's insect-like wing was crystal light blue and it's curved horn was shiny light blue shaded from the tip to cyan.

The changeling quickly glued the soldier to the wall with the Changeling resin, before turning to face him.

The changeling used his magic to break the muzzle and chains around Crimson, allowing him to breathe.

"Are you hurt?" The insect-like pony asked, to which Crimson shook his head.

"My name is Furx." The changeling introduced himself, levitating a spear toward the captain before he asked again. "Can you fight?"

The captain stared at the spear before enveloping it and said. "Yes, I can still fight."

Furx genuinely smiled at the lieutenant before speaking. "Good. Because we got prisoners to liberate." To which Crimson smiled back.

Immediately, both Furx and Crimson Chaser started to run toward the prison cells, to free the rest of the Royal Guards.

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Canterlot was once again thrown into chaos. The crystal creatures, along with the help of the Royal Guard that were imprisoned by the Storm King, were overwhelming the storm soldiers.

Meanwhile, Storm King was starting to get furious as his plan to power up his staff was crashing down while looking at the battleground below on the balcony. The throne door was suddenly burst open, revealing a panic Grubber, making the king turned his head around.

"Boss, we've got big troubles!" He started with panickingly voice. "A herd of yaks just stormed inside the castle and there are now several some sort of crystal creatures attacking and overwhelming our troops!"

Just as Storm King started to speak, a loud roar interrupted him, prompting his head back to the battleground. His eyes was widened in fear at the direction of the roar.

In the sky, a massive crystal red scaled wyvern with light blue crystal spike running along it's spine, was descending down toward Canterlot while a large crystal yellow scaled dragon was flying around the castle, unleashing blue flames on the airships and the storm soldiers.

As Storm King stared in horror and fear, the throne door was suddenly burst from the hinges and shattered into million pieces.

The King and Grubber turned to see several crystal ponies and crystal creatures containing griffons, yaks, hippogriffs, bat ponies, changelings, and kirins. They were all staring angrily at the Storm King and Grubber.

"FALL BACK!!!" Storm King shouted before jumping out of the balcony with the small hedgehog following along, leaving the two petrified princess behind, and landed onto one of the airships.

The pilot, hearing what Storm King had ordered, quickly piloted the airship out of the city and into the sky.

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Present time

The group all stared at Clover with confusion, but before they could ask, a bright blue light got their attention.

Where the light was now stood a unicorn mare being at the same size as Princess Celestia, with a very pale vermillion coat, her mane being in gradient of brilliant raspberry to moderate cobalt blue, her horn being a shiny light blue shaded from the tip to cyan, a cutie mark of deep blue snowflake between blue laces on both flanks and wearing blue garb around her body and a blue crown on her head.

Clover, Hurricane, and Dew immediately bowed down while the others just stared at the new arrival.

"Princess Amore!?" Twilight recognised the mare.

At the call of that name, the unicorn mare turned and saw Twilight cradling Princess Cadance.

Princess Amore, concern on her face, started walking toward them, her attention toward Cadance.

However, before she could get any closer, four mares immediately stand between her and the sister-in-laws. The four mares were Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rarity.

"Hah, nice try, rogue changeling!" the rainbow-mane mare yelled at Princess Amore at the sheer horror of Twilight, Spike and Fluttershy as Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash took a fighting stance. "You can forget about hurting Cadance, because we will-"

Whatever the cyan pegasus was going to say, the four mares were suddenly enveloped in light blue magic before they were pulled toward Princess Amore's furious face.

"You dare suggest that I would hurt Cadenza?!" Amore snarled with her eyes giving off pure icy blue magical vapour trail from the corner of her eyes. "My own daughter?!"

Everyone except Clover, Hurricane, and Dew all dropped their jaw at what Amore had just said.

The unicorn princess tossed the four mares aside.

The pure icy blue magical vapour trail disappeared and her face was quickly replaced with concern when she noticed Cadance was breathing weakly, trotting toward the two sister-in-laws before stopping in front of them.

Amore's concern face deepened when Cadance started coughing out blood before being replaced with determination. Her horn immediately flared up with magic, surrounding the Princess of Love.

Almost immediately, Twilight and her friends stared at Cadance being lifted up as dark magical dust was pulled out of her before it was destroyed by Amore. Twilight's sister-in-law slowly lowered to the ground

The Princess of Love gasped and her eyes opened half-lidded before they slowly closed as light blue aura glowed and shimmered around her before dying away, revealing her disguised horn and wings.

Twilight and the others except the three crystal ponies all stared in sheer shock as Amore levitated her daughter onto her back before looking at the Princess of Friendship.

"Clover and her friends will explain everything to you." The unicorn princess said while gesturing the three crystal ponies. "Right now, I need to take care of my daughter."

Amore's horn glowed a bright light blue; and before anypony could stop her, she teleported both herself and Cadance away.

Twilight and her friends all stood in silence for what seemed liked hours, but in fact was just several seconds.

Princess Cadance - Princess of Love - Ruler of the Crystal Empire - Wife of Shining Armor - Adoptive Niece of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna - Sister-in-law of Twilight - was a daughter of Princess Amore, who was alive.

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The fighting continued for another few minutes before rest of the storm soldiers were forced to surrender. But after the Storm King's soldiers surrendered, the crystal ponies and crystal creatures quickly disappeared via teleportation with the help of the crystal unicorn, crystal Kirins, and crystal changelings. The ones who stayed in Canterlot were a yak, a bat pony, a hippogriff, a griffion, Mallow Sear and Furx.

Inside the small crystal city, a large group of crystal ponies and crystal creatures gathered around Princess Amore. The unicorn princess looked at the still sleeping form slumped on her back, and smiled.

Her daughter was finally home.

Author's Note

How Clover the Clever and Commander Hurricane look:
Clover the Clever
Commander Hurricane
Both pictures made by Faith-Wolff

Edited by Bronyshot2020

Finally! :facehoof:
Took me forever to write such a long chapter.
I need a break.

Chapter 6 -The Revelation

Cadance's dazed eyes were met with distorted images, crystal-like figures staring at her, shades moving around behind them.

As quickly as her consciousness returned, it left her.

...

The next time Cadance managed to get some consciousness, she found herself in a well-lit, smoothly light blue wall hallway that arched towards the ceiling with crystal-like materials.

Cadance tried to make sense of her situation, to remember how she came to be here, but a pounding head kept her from making any sense of her thoughts. As if something or somepony sensed her discomfort, an unknown and unclear soothing voice started to comfort, and it slowly helped her drift back into a peaceful sleep.

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Cadance woke up with a start. She laid motionless for a few minutes as her mind started to catch up the memories of previous events.
The beach.

Twilight.

Her losing consciousness.

And what happened just after she regained consciousness before it left her again.

"Clover and her friends will explain everything to you. Right now, I need to take my daughter back to heal her." The tall unicorn mare said.

Cadance thought about what that unicorn said.

Daughter...

It couldn’t be true, could it?

Before she could think more about any more on it, Cadance felt her magic disguise begin to strip away.

‘No… Twilight can’t find out like this…’

The last thing Cadance felt before she slipped back to darkness was the magic aura enveloping her and lifting her up before she drifted back to unconsciousness.

The memories after that event were all blur to her, but it was the final memory that clicked in her mind, causing her to start panicking.

"Did Twilight see me? What I looked like?" The Princess of Love asked herself in an alarmed tone.

Before she could panicked even more, she sat up and took several deep breaths, just like she did before entering the throne room back in Canterlot Castle and when she taught Twilight several years ago.

"All right, Cady, one problem at a time, first one being, where am I?"

Cadance surveyed the object she was sitting in, it was a large comfortable king-sized bed decorated with bluish crystal silk, just like her bed back at the Crystal Empire. The bed was located at the end of a large room, centred in the middle facing the double doors. On the right side of the bed was a large bookshelf filled to the brim with books while on the left side was a desk with an inkwell, some scrolls and a lantern sitting on top of it. At the centre of the room sat a round table along with four chaise longue with cushions. The floor was a polished dark sky crystal floor, while the walls were smoothly light blue. A window was left opened, showering the room with sunlight. But what caught the Princess of Love's attention was what sat near the wardrobe at the far right side of the room...

"My necklace!" Cadance nearly shouted.

A mannequin with golden regalia sat near the left side of the wardrobe. She jumped out of the bed to inspect her regalia herself. Looking closely at her golden regalia, she found a pearl heart shaped in the middle of her necklace embedded in it. Sighing in relief, she quickly donned on her necklace as it was a gift from her husband from their last anniversary, before donning the rest on her. As she slipped her last golden slippers on, she noticed the mirror at the front of the wardrobe and saw her reflection.

She instantly froze and stared at the mirror.

Both her horn and wings were now in different colors.

Cadance started to hyperventilate as her fear were confirmed, her magic disguise had been ripped away in front of her sister-in-law.

Before she could hyperventilate even more, a creak from the double door interrupted her and caused her to whirl her head toward the doors to see a crystal pony.

The crystal pony was a pegasus mare carrying saddlebags with a red medical cross emblazed on them, her coat being crystal light grayish magenta, her mane and her tail being light bluish white, her eyes being dark cerise, her cutie mark bearing a red cross with wings and lastly her wings being the same colors as Cadance's wings.

Both mares froze as their eyes met.

"Your... your highness, I apologised for walking in but..."

Cadance kept staring at her, making the pegasus sweat.

Suddenly, the pegasus found herself being close to Cadance, almost muzzle to muzzle.

"Your wings are just like mine! Where am I? Who are you? Why are my horn and wings in different colors? Are there others like you? What do you know..."

The Princess of Love stopped herself from asking questions as she saw the pegasus shrank down, left eye twitching.

"Oh... sorry about that." Cadance blushed.

"It's... it's quite alright, your highness..." The pegasus sighed.

Cadance smiled sheepishly while rubbing her back of her head with her hoof.

"Well... anyway, my name is Princess Cadance."

"I am very well aware of your name, your highness. My name is Remedy Elixir, at your service!" Remedy Elixir said as she bowed down in front of Cadance.

"Wait, you know my name?" The Princess of Love asked with confusion on her face.

Remedy looked up before replying. "Why of course, your highness. Your mother told us everything about you when you were born."

"M.. mother?" Cadance asked while her thought went back to the beach.

"Right now, I need to take care of my daughter."

"Who's... my mother?"

"Why, it's Princess Amore."

Cadance froze at that name. "W... wh... what..."

Another figure emerged through the already open double door. "I will take it from here, Miss Elixir."

Princess Amore looked Cadance, a warm motherly smile worn on her face.

"Leave us." Amore ordered, prompting the pegasus to do a quick bow before leaving the room and closing the double doors.

"H... h... how are you alive?" Cadance stammered, staring at the unicorn princess before she continued. "From what I heard from my two aunties, King Sombra petrified you and shattered you into many pieces, scattering your pieces across the Equestria before taking over the Crystal Empire."

Amore's face darkened at the name of the tyrant unicorn, but was immediately replaced with a sad smile.

"When the Crystal Empire returned after a thousand years, remnants of the Crystal Imperial quickly dispatched several groups of guards to find my pieces to rebuild and heal me, along with the help of some other creatures who were lost in the Frozen North before and after the empire return. Once there were enough pieces of me rebuilt, I was able to tell them where some of my remaining pieces are for them to find." Amore answered.

Cadance stared at her for a while before nodding.

"I... I see... wait a minute..." Cadance thought what the pegasus said before asking. "What did Remedy Elixir mean when she said that you are my mother?"

Amore gave a sad sigh before casting a sound proofing spell around the room.

Cadance arched an eyebrow at that display, but remained silent before Amore spoke.

"I assumed Princess Celestia and Princess Luna told you the story of the Crystal Empire from the history book, but I will tell the story again."

Amore began. "A thousand and five years ago, King Sombra arrived and wanted to conquer the Crystal Empire. He was able to take over the empire despite my efforts. Then, both the princesses from Canterlot came and managed to banish him to the ice of the artic north, but he was able to put a curse on the empire before he was imprisoned which caused it to vanish for a thousand years."

Amore stopped to see Cadance nodding her head.

"But... " The unicorn princess continued. "What the history book didn't say is that a month before King Sombra's arrival, I gave birth to an alicorn filly..." She paused before speaking again. "That alicorn filly... was you, Cadanza."

Cadance's eyes widened, her heart seemingly stopped, her body trembling.

"Cadenza?" Amore asked with concern in both her voice and face after a few minutes of Cadance not saying anything.

"No..." Cadance started.

"NO...!"

"NO, IT'S NOT TRUE!!!"

Amore flinched back at the Princess of Love's sudden burst.

"You..." Cadance spoke with distressed tone as tears started to stream down her face. "You can't be my mother..."

Amore's heart broke when she saw Cadance cried and she too started shedding tears from her eyes.

Cadance was now struggling with internal conflict.

She didn't want to believe, but at the same time, she want. For one thousand and five years, she had known from her aunties that Princess Amore was just a distant relative, only to told by the said mare in front of her that she was actually her mother rather than her great grandmother.

"I... I don't... I don't believe..." Cadance mumbled, looking away from Amore as she started to stroke one of her wings while tears continued to flow down her cheeks. "No... it can't be true..."

A shadow loomed over her, and she looked up to see that Amore had moved up to sit in front of her.

"Oh, Cadenza..." Amore spoke in an anguished voice. "I'm so sorry if that was too much of a shock to you, but it is the truth. I am your real mother."

Cadance shook her head as she tried to process the information.

She wanted to deny Amore's words, but she sensed no deception within the unicorn princess's voice.

Though her head was telling her not to accept it, her heart was leaping in her chest at that revelation.

After a few minutes of sobbing and weeping, Cadance finally spoke through an anguished tone.

"If... if you're really my mother..." Cadance whimpered. "Then why did you abandoned me? Leave me at the garden?"

"Because I didn't have a choice!" Amore cried, her voice echoing inside the sound-proof room.

Cadance looked at her in shock, her eyes being red from all the crying. "W-what?"

Amore regained control of her emotions before she spoke again. "Be... because I didn't have a choice. I had to give you up, otherwise Sombra will make you his heir."

"His... his heir?" Cadance asked while sniffing.

"Yes, his heir." Amore's voice sounded pained before she continued, her eyes closing. "A month after your birth, King Sombra gathered his umbrum army and started to march toward the Crystal Empire. The Crystal Imperial tried to stop the attack, but his army was too strong and they were able to breach one of the empire's defences. Minutes before he arrived to the throne room, I was able to channel some of my magic to you to send you away from that tyrant. Right before I sent you away, I said..."

She opened her teary eyes and said. "I will always remember you, my little Cady; I always will."

As soon as Amore finished her sentence, Cadance flinched back, her eyes widened.

"I will always remember you, my little Cady; I always will."

She remembered those words when she was just a filly, but couldn't figured out who had said that.

Until now.

"M... m... mom?" Cadance spoke in a trembling voice as tears continued to stream down her face.

Amore didn't respond, only nuzzling the top of her daughter's head and hugging her, letting more tears flow down her cheek. A few seconds later, Cadance returned the hug to her mother, sobbing into her mother's shoulder.

How long they cried, they lost count after 10 minutes.

< < < < < < < < < 💙 > > > > > > > > >

The crying had slowly faded away, but the two ponies still did not let go of each other. Neither of them spoke up, but no more words were needed to express what they were thinking.
By then, it was a couple of hours into the day.

"Don't you have royal duties you need to perform?" Cadance broke the silence.

Amore shook her head. "No. My subjects are okay in doing things by themselves, and they are giving me all the time for me to see and talk to you."

They stayed silent again before Cadance spoke again.

"So, where am I?"

The unicorn princess reluctantly let go of her daughter and looked at her.

"We are currently in one of the Crystal Empire's outpost cities."

"Crystal Empire's outpost city?" Cadance asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes." Amore answered. "There are six outpost cities surrounding the Crystal Empire from a distance."

The unicorn princess stood up and gestured her daughter to follow her before moving toward the opened window. Cadance followed her and looked out the window. Her eyes widened at the sight she saw.

From the window, the Princess of Love could see various buildings similar to the ones in the Crystal Empire and individuals of various races walking or doing their business. Among the crystal ponies, there were yaks, griffons, hippogriffs, bat ponies, changelings, even kirins. Some of the races were wearing crystal armors and holding spears, swords, muskets or crossbows, symbolising them as part of the Crystal Imperial. Around the outpost city were crystal walls and a cyan blue shield blocking the blizzard and snow from coming in.

"What's powering the shield surrounding this outpost?" Cadance asked, turning her head toward her mother.

"The Crystal Heart." Amore answered before continuing when she noticed her daughter's eyes being widened. "There are seven Crystal Hearts in the Frozen North. While the one in the Crystal Empire is the powerful relic that can protect the empire from evil, the other six relics can only protect the outposts from blizzards."

Cadance processed the information Amore gave through her head as she stared at her mother in shock. To think in the Frozen North, there were actually six more Crystal Hearts in each of the outpost cities that she didn't know existed.

"That's... a lot to take in." The Princess of Love finally said while staring down at the floor.

"I know." The unicorn princess nodded her head.

A moment of silence hung between them before it was broken by Cadance.

"So... what happens now?" She asked, looking at her mother from the floor.

Amore gave her daughter a warm motherly smile before she answered.

"Walk with me."

"Um... Ok? Where are we going?"

"I'm going give you a tour of the city we are in."

Cadance looked up into the unicorn princess's eyes, before she answered.

"All right..."

Both princesses left the bedroom behind and began to walk down the hallway, several crystal ponies and crystal creatures bowed as they passed by.

There was silence between the two a little while, before Cadance broke it.

"You said that you were able to tell them where your remaining pieces were for your subjects to find once there were enough of your pieces rebuilt. How do you talk to them when your body isn't fully rebuilt?" She asked.

"Well..." Amore started. "When Sombra shattered me, my soul fused with all the pieces that scattered around the world. When enough of my pieces were rebuilt, I was able to make up my astral form for me to talk and used my magic to find some of my remaining pieces."

"I... I see..." Cadance trailed off as she took the information her mother had gave.

"Hey..." Amore stopped and placed her hoof on her daughter's shoulder. "If you want, you could stay in the bedroom for a while to process all this information."

The Princess of Love stood there and looked down, debating what to do. After a while, she had decided.

Cadance looked back up and said. "Well, I still have a bunch of questions." She gave her mother a smile. "Plus, you have been trapped and alone for so long. Not to mention, I had always wanted to know more about you before... you know."

Amore gave her daughter a tearful smile before pulling Cadance into an embrace.

"Ok..." She croaked out.

‘Maybe everything will work out after all.’ Amore mused.

Author's Note

Wrote lots of dialogues and I'm not even sure if I am writing correctly.

Edited by Bronyshot2020

Chapter 8 - Post Invasion Blues

Canterlot, One day before Cadance's awakening

A somber mood covered the capital of Canterlot. An increased guard presence along with the Elite Royal Guards patrolled the streets and a tense atmosphere had built up in everypony. A sense of paranoia and fear remained prominent among the population in wake of the recent attack from the Storm King.

Deep within the halls of Canterlot castle, a group including Twilight's parents sat in the royal dining room, contemplating the revelation that has shaken them all to their very cores except for the three crystal ponies.

Princess Amore was alive, and she was Princess Cadance's mother.

"I simply can't believe that Princess Amore was alive, let alone to be Princess Cadance's long lost mother..." Rarity said in shock.

"I can't believe you threatened Princess Amore." Dew said in disbelief as she glared at the fashionista in disapproval.

As Rarity slunk back into her chair guiltily, the others except Hurricane and Dew sat in uncomfortable silence.

Hurricane grew angry and moved closer to the rainbow-mane mare. "Yeah, what is wrong with you?!" He scolded Rainbow Dash, the cyan pegasus flinching back as his eyes started to give off pure icy blue magical vapour trail. "You not only straight up called her a rogue changeling, you also yelled at Princess Amore!"

Rainbow Dash could only lowered her head in shame as she sunk lower into her chair.

"Speaking of princess..." Spike interrupted, causing him and the others to look at the Princess of Friendship.

The said mare was staring out of the window, not even registering the conversation as a war was going on within her mind.

"Princess Twilight..." Clover spoke as Twilight's parents trotted to their daughter. "How are the princesses doing?"

Twilight sighed before replying. "I don't know what's going on with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, they just threw me out of the throne room when I told them everything after I unpetrified them... they told me that they wanted to process everything on their own for a while."

Both her parents and Spike hugged their family member, giving her nuzzles.

Just then, the door to the dining hall opened as a unicorn stallion walked in, getting other's attention.

"What's going on?" Shining Armor asked. "Twilight sent me a letter that told me to come here as soon as possible. I had to ask Sunburst to take over for a while at the Crystal Empire and take care of my daughter."

Suddenly, the Prince of the Crystal Empire found Pinkie Pie right up to him, almost muzzle to muzzle.

"You have no idea!" The party pony screeched. "We were just asking some question for our new friend, Skystar the hippogriff, when suddenly Cadance's nose started bleeding and she went to the surface! When we caught up with her, she was already coughing out blood and all of the sudden, she fainted! While Twilight, Spike and Fluttershy were checking on her, the party-crasher came along with her soldiers! Before that Storm King's lieutenant could do anything to our friends, three ponies jumped down from the airship above and started to beat them up! After all that drama, three airships appeared from the sky and flew over our heads! Not a moment later, a tall unicorn came out of nowhere and it turns up to be Princess Amore! Amore used her magic and some dark black mist came out of Cadance, and soon both her horn and wings were in different colors! Not to mention, Amore claimed that Cadance is her daughter! I mean, how crazy is that?!"

By the time the pink mare finished, the poor stallion has shrunk down, eyes twitching.

"I... she... what?" Shining stuttered before he registered what Pinkie Pie had said. "Wait, her horn and her wings were in different colors? That would mean her magic disguise dropped."

No sooner he said those words, Shining immediately threw his hooves onto his mouth, but it was too late.

The other's face all looked at him with shock, confusion, surprised and anger.

"You knew?" Twilight said, turning away from the window, her face being red with anger. "You knew about Cadance's horn and wings being in different colors, and you didn't tell me or us about this?!"

Shining flinched back as his family started to march toward him as they stared daggers at him, causing him gulp in fear.

"I... I..." The unicorn stallion stuttered before getting interrupted by his mother.

"Why did you not tell us or the princesses about that?!" Twilight Velvet screeched at him.

"Because I was afraid!" Shining blurted out, causing his family to flinch back and looked at him in surprise.

Twilight and her family looked at each other. They could see that his body had started to shake uncontrollable as he slowly sat down. Soon, they all surrounded him and sat down while the others all looked from where they were.

"Care to explain?" Night Light asked with an arched eyebrow.

Shining nodded before explaining. "Three years ago at night, I was checking on our daughter and Cadance came in after she had done her duty. We began reminiscing our past like how far we've come, then Flurry suddenly sneezed and let out a magic beam that caused my wife to fly into the wall. As I went to check on Cadance, I noticed both her horn and her wings were different. Immediately, I assumed that Cadance was Chrysalis. I quickly placed a shield around Flurry and started demanding where my wife was. She tried to tell that she was really my wife and I slowly started to believe her. But when I asked her to say something only my wife will remember, Cadance told me everything she remembered about the wedding incident before she started to cry."

Shining's family stared at him in shock, while the other except the three crystal ponies all grew ashamed looks.

The unicorn stallion sighed before continuing. "As soon as I saw her cry, I realised that Cadance was definitely not Chrysalis as I remembered that making her remember about the wedding incident would made her break down. I immediately went to comfort her as she continued to cry. After a while, Cadance calmed herself down and we talked about it. After a few minutes of debating, she and I decided to keep this to ourselves until we could figure it out why her horn and wings had changed colors. We didn't find any references to why she was like that."

He shook his head before he resumed talking. "We were planning on telling you and the princesses about this after the news of Queen Chrysalis's death one year ago. But Cadance and I feared that if we told you or the princesses about this, you guys would banish her or turn her into a statue without any hesitation."

The others all dropped their jaws at what Shining just said before the unicorn stallion sighed again.

"Mom, Dad, Spike, LSBFF..." Shining started, looking at his family's eyes with teary eyes. "I'm so sorry for not telling you. I was too scared about what you or the princesses would do if I were to tell you or them about this."

The alicorn stared at her brother with a blank face before sighing.

"BBBFF..." Twilight started before looking at him with an understanding smile. "You don't have to apologise. I can understand why you did it. If I were you, I would have done the same."

"Twily's right, Shiney." Twilight Velvet said with a smile, causing him to turn his head to his mother. "Hay, if your father and I were to find out that our daughter was a changeling, we probably kept this a secret as we would be afraid that Princess Celestia would take your sister away or banish her."

Night Light and Spike nodded their head in agreement.

Shining, seeing that his family understood him, hugged them all.

They stayed like that for a while before parting away.

"So..." Shining started. "Pinkie Pie said that Princess Amore is alive. Is that true?"

Twilight and her friends all looked at each other before the alicorn answered.

"Yes, it's true." Twilight said.

He stared at his sister in pure shock and dropped his jaw as he processed the words.

It took several minutes before the unicorn stallion shook his head and asked.

"How is it possible?!" Shining exclaimed. "How is Princess Amore alive?!"

Before Twilight and her friends could answer his question, Clover interrupted them with a cough, causing the others to turn their attention to the crystal unicorn.

"You know..." Clover started. "You don't have to call Princess Amore princess. I mean, since Princess Cadance is her daughter and Prince Shining Armor married her, Princess Amore is technically part of Princess Twilight's family."

There was a long, long moment of silence as the others except Hurricane and Dew all dropped their mouth open and stared at the crystal unicorn in shock. Even Shining sat frozen, as he was hit by the realization that Princess Amore was actually his mother-in-law.

Before they could processed the information, the door to the dining hall opened again and the royal sisters, along with a group of six crystal creatures that stayed behind, walked in which caused everyone to turn their head to see the princesses.

"Your highnesses." The three crystal ponies bowed down in front the royal sisters.

"Please..." The lunar princess said. "There's no need to bow."

The three crystal ponies raised up as Twilight walked up to the royal sisters and asked. "Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, are you ok?"

Both the princesses looked at the Princess of Friendship and sighed.

"Truthfully..." The solar princess started while rubbing her forehead with her hoof. "We are still processing everything you have told us. The fact that Princess Amore is now alive and our adoptive niece turns out to be our friend's daughter are still shocking to us."

Luna draped a comforting wing over her elder sister, giving her a little nuzzle.

"So..." Applejack spoke up. "Who the hay are they?" The orange mare pointed a hoof toward the four crystal creatures, getting everyone's attention toward the group as they have already met with Mallow Sear and Furx.

The yak has a coat of crystal tangelo and crystal brown, his mane being moderate tangelo and his horns being shiny light blue shaded from the tip to cyan.

The bat pony has a coat of crystal grey, her mane and tail being lavender, her cutie mark being three white-petaled flowers, her slitted-pupil eyes being bright yellow and her bat wings being whitish purple.

The griffon has a coat of crystal moderate azure with grayish amber, his head feather being pale cyan to brilliant amber, his eyes being light cyan and his wings being white with trailing edges of the wings being pale blue.

The hippogriff has a coat of crystal whitish yellow, his mane and tail being grayish green, his eyes being pinkish red and his wings being white with trailing edges of the feathers being pale blue.

"Everyone, I would like you to meet..." Celestia started before pointing the members individually. "Yeth, Midnight Blossom, Ironclaw and Sunwing."

Luna continued off where her sister said. "They now serve Princess Amore as they claimed that she saved them."

"Moon princess's right!" The yak, Yeth, exclaimed. "Yeth own her!"

"Princess Amore and her guards saved my life, and I would forever stand for them." Midnight spoke.

"She would have left me to die when I was out in the Frozen North, but instead she allowed me to stay. I own my life to her." Ironclaw said.

"Princess Amore's guards saved me from blizzard after I ran to the Frozen North when Mount Aris was fell to the Storm Kingdom." Sunwing spoke.

While Twilight, her family and her friends all stared at them with surprised, the others were smiling genuinely.

"It would appear our old friend, Amore, is still kind and helpful mare even after many years." The solar princess deduced with smile.

"Despite how scary Princess Amore is." Rainbow Dash muttered while shivering.

"Well, maybe in the first place you shouldn't have threatened her." The lunar princess deadpanned.

The room became silent as Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash bowed their head down in shame.

Twilight coughed herself to get everyone's attention. "We need answers." She said. "And those answers are likely lay with Princess Amore, and maybe Cadance herself."

"That won't be necessary..." Celestia answered. "Yeth and his friends were able to give some answers to us."

The crystal creatures all nodded their head.

Luna said. "My sister, Prince Armor, Twilight, Spike and I will discuss the plan. Meanwhile, the rest of you are welcome to stay at the castle for as long as you wish. But..."

The lunar princess's voice became cold and serious. "Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity are to stay within the castle."

The four mares all took a huge breath in, and wore shocked and disbelief expressions, before the solar princess continued off.

"My sister's right." Celestia said as she walked up next to her sister, her face being stern. "Think of this as your punishment for not taking the mission seriously and for not taking our niece's health seriously. Beside, I don't think our friend will be happy to see you four given how hostile you were toward her."

The four mares hung their head as they began to leave the dining hall along with the three crystal ponies and the crystal creatures. Twilight noticed Clover and Hurricane looking at her friends sadly before looking away, but decided to talk about that later.

Twilight and the others left the room, walking down the castle’s long winding hallways. Her thoughts were on her sister-in-law the whole time, and she worried for Cadance's well-being.

"Prince Armor, I want to gather my captain and my sister's captain. We will continue this in the throne room.” The lunar princess ordered as Shining threw a quick salute before trotting off.

"You alright, Clovy?" Hurricane asked.

"I'm alright, honey." Clover replied with a smile before noticing everyone staring at her and Hurricane except the crystal creatures.

"What did you just call Hurricane?" Celestia asked Clover.

"And why did you call Clover Clovy?" Luna asked Hurricane.

Both the unicorn and pegasus immediately blushed.

"Well..." Hurricane finally spoke after a few minutes of silence. "Because Clover and I are married."

The royal sister, Twilight and Spike all dropped their jaws as they stared at Hurricane before Clover interrupted them.

"We've been dating for four years before getting married a year ago." Clover said as her face became more red.

A loud "thud" was heard, causing all eyes to be immediately directed toward the Princess of Friendship who had fainted on her back, her hind legs twitching.

"Is she alright?" Clover asked with concern.

Author's Note

Not sure about this chapter, I just kept writing.

Edited by Bronyshot2020

Chapter 9 - The Plan

Several ponies and creatures stood before the currently empty throne in Canterlot castle; Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and now fully-awake Princess Twilight Sparkle, along with Prince Shining Armor, Solar Guard Captain Crimson Chaser and Lunar Guard Captain Night Shadow. Beside the prince and the two captains were the crystal ponies and the crystal creatures.

Shining Armor took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. With a heavy heart, he began to recount the events of the past three years, his voice laden with remorse and regret. Celestia and Luna listened in silence, their expressions a mixture of surprise, disappointment, and understanding.

"I am disappointed in you," The solar princess finally spoke, her voice gentle but firm, as Shining Armor flinched back under her gaze. "That you would think I would turn my niece into a statue for something beyond her control."

"I'm sorry, your majesty," Shining Armor replied, his voice heavy with shame as he continued. "I know Cadance and I should have trusted you. But we were just so afraid."

Celestia sighed, a gesture weighted with the burden of understanding. "Now that's out of the way," she said, her tone shifting to one of resolve as she continued. "I think it is time to share what Yeth and his friends have told us."

"Indeed," Luna agreed, her eyes reflecting the weight of the revelation about to unfold.

Just before anyone could speak, a scroll with the seal of Crystal Empire emblazoned onto it suddenly manifested from blue fire in front of the solar princess, causing her to grab it via her magic.

Confused, Celestia undid the seal and read the letter out loud.

Dear Princess Celestia,

I hope this letter finds you well. Today, a remarkable event unfolded in the Crystal Empire, one that I feel compelled to share with you.

As I was attending to my duties, a sudden surge of magic emanated from the Crystal Heart, enveloping both myself and the citizens of the empire in a shimmering coat of crystalline essence. The atmosphere was one of jubilation and astonishment as the crystal ponies erupted into cheers, their joy reverberating throughout the kingdom.

Curious about the cause of this extraordinary phenomenon, I sought answers from the crystal guards, who were equally caught up in the revelry. To my amazement, I learned that Princess Amore had finally been reunited with her family—a momentous occasion that filled the hearts of all with boundless happiness. Does the name 'Amore' ring any bells for you?

And thirty minutes ago before it happened, I was going through the library when I stumbled on a page that belonged to the History of the Crystal Empire. According to the page, it stated that there were actually six more Crystal Hearts in each of the outpost cities. It said that the outpost cities were served as a first defence before the barrier while the Crystal Hearts protect the outposts from blizzards. It also stated that they are built from distances away from the empire, so the guards could see threats coming in Frozen North before the empire does. The name of the outpost cities are Outpost Artic, Outpost Frost, Outpost Crystal, Outpost Snow, Outpost Shard and Outpost Blizzard.

Anyway, I shall continue my investigations into this matter and keep you informed of any further developments.

Royal Crystaller,
Sunburst

Twilight, Spike and Shining had their mouth opened as they processed the news Sunburst had written on the scroll. The three crystal ponies and the crystal creatures could not stopped themselves from giggling at their reactions.

The two captains and the royal sisters were starting to get concerned as Twilight, Spike and Shining stayed silence after a while before it was broken by the Prince.

"SI-SIX CRYSTAL HEARTS?!" Shining cried.

"IN SIX OUTPOST CITIES?!" Twilight and Spike exclaimed in shock and disbelief.

"Yes." Celestia said as she lowered the scroll down as her ears were pinned to the back of her head to block out sounds.

"Regardless!" Luna interjected, redirecting the conversation. "Now you know that there are currently six outpost cities with six Crystal Hearts somewhere in the Frozen North, which mean Cadance could be in one of them. We just need to find it."

"Your majesty, wait!" Night Shadow suddenly blurted out. "What about Storm King? If both of you leave Canterlot, what to say that he and his army will try to attack again?"

Both the solar princess and the lunar princess inward cursed themselves, they were so focused on Amore and Cadance, they had forgotten about the Storm King's kingdom. Now they had to make sure to look out for any signs of Storm King's kingdom activities.

"That's where we come in." Clover interrupted as she, Hurricane and Dew walked up to the royal sisters, getting everyone's attention.

"We know which outpost cities Princess Cadance is currently staying because me and my friends have lived in the Frozen North for a thousand and five years and we know the way." Dew said.

"But the journey won't be easy as there are hostile frost animals roaming between the Crystal Empire and the outpost cities." Hurricane stated. "So I recommend that you send at least a small team of four to us, that way we can protect them easier and get to the destination faster."

Both Twilight Sparkle and Shining Armor stepped forward. "Me and my brother volunteer for this mission. Cadance is one of our family and we will find her."

Spike nodded in agreement. "I'm in too. I can send messages when we reached the destination and even breathe fire for warmth during our journey."

"Meanwhile..." Mallow Sear spoke up. "Furx, Midnight, Yeth, Ironclaw, Sunwing and me will stay behind to help your captains out in case of Storm King's kingdom attack again."

Celestia nodded her head. "Which leaves only the fourth member in question."

The group pondered for a few moments before Twilight spoke. "How about Flash Sentry? He is one of high-ranking ponies in the Crystal Empire Royal Guard. He has experiences in aerial attacks and recons. And as a pegasus, he can help us in looking out for incoming threats from a distance."

As the Princess of Friendship's proposal hung in the air, a flush crept up her cheeks as she recalled her previous encounters with Flash Sentry. Shining Armor's eyebrow arched in amusement at his sister's sudden fluster, a knowing grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"It seems like an excellent choice," Shining Armor remarked, his tone laced with amusement as he continued. "And it's not just because of your... previous interactions, right, Twilight?"

Twilight stammered slightly, her cheeks burning brighter as she hastily clarified, "Of course not! It's purely based on his skills and qualifications for the task at hoof."

Shining's expression softened, understanding evident in his eyes as he looked at Twilight. "It's a solid choice," he affirmed, his tone reassuring. "We'll need all the expertise we can get on this mission."

"Good idea." Luna said. "With the Storm King and his army still out there, we can hardly spare any more guards than we have to. On the other hoof, the ERG (Elite Royal Guards) military is seldom used these days. Aside from the occasional monster attacks, it spends all its time training, so its soldiers should be readily available.”

Crimson Chaser chuckled. "Well, that is true. We haven't had any major fights since the changeling attack on Canterlot during the wedding of Prince Shining Armor and Princess Mi Amore Cadanza."

"I will get Flash Sentry to be re-assigned to us, when me and my siblings get back to the Crystal Empire." Shining said before adding. "Anything else?"

"Only what the guards should do in the meantime,” Night Shadow asked.

Midnight walked up beside Clover and spoke up. "I recommend we have the Canterlot Royal Guards and Elite Royal Guards to reinforce the defences. We can have some guards to patrol the Canterlot's surrounding area to make sure no enemies are scouting and assign some ERG regiments for recon to pinpoint the Storm King's stronghold. By gathering intelligence on the enemy's movements and positions, we gain a crucial advantage in our preparations for any potential conflict."

Celestia thought about this for a few moments, before answering. "I agree. The Royal Guards and the ERG will reinforce the defences and patrol around the city. However, we cannot send out recon teams. At least, not yet."

Yeth arched an eyebrow and asked. "Yeth wants to know why not."

The solar princess sighed before answering the crystal yak's question. "We can't, not until things have calmed down a little. When that has happened, we will be able to spare a few ERG regiments to recon for Storm King's stronghold. Once we have located his stronghold, we will figure out the next plan. I also want to reiterate that all discovered Storm King's soldiers are to be captured and brought to the dungeons for interrogation, not killed or unnecessarily harmed. Is that understood?"

"Yes, your majesty!" The two captains said as they saluted Princess Celestia.

"That is all, you are dismissed." Luna said before the two captains and the crystal creatures left the throne room.

"As for you six..." Celestia spoke, getting Twilight, Spike, Shining and the three crystal ponies attentions. "I believe you have a mission to go."

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The next day, Crystal Empire

As Lieutenant Flash Sentry patrolled the vibrant streets of the Crystal Empire, he couldn't help but noticed the heightened energy that seemed to electrify the air. Everywhere he looked, crystal ponies moved with an extra spring in their step, their voices filled with eager anticipation for the imminent arrival of Princess Amore. Even the usually stoic crystal guards couldn't suppressed their excitement, their disciplined strides now punctuated by animated conversations and cheerful greetings to passersby.

Flash Sentry, a brilliant gamboge pegasus with a two tones of moderate sapphire blue mane, was currently on patrol with two crystal guards, their spears being held in their hooves. He could hear the two crystal guards were talking to each other excitedly.

Observing the lively scene with a mixture of bemusement and understanding, Flash couldn't fault the fellow citizens of the Crystal Empire for their enthusiasm. After all, the events of yesterday had been nothing short of miraculous, with the unexpected return of Princess Amore sparking newfound hope and joy throughout the empire.

His thoughts were currently on the lavender alicorn. Ever since the Princess of Friendship had first bumped him when she entered the throne room for her first princess summit a few years ago, he could not stop thinking about the alicorn. Her blushing face. Her beautiful lavender coat. Her attractive violent eyes. To his, she was a perfect mare.

His thoughts were cut short when he saw Prince Shining Armor walking up with Princess Twilight Sparkle and Spike at his sides, along with the three crystal ponies he does not know. "Lieutenant Sentry?" Shining called out.

Straightening up, Flash snapped to attention. "That's me, sir," he replied with a salute. "What can I do for you?”

"You have been re-assigned." The prince said.

"Re-assigned? Did I did something wrong, sir?" Flash asked with worry in his voice.

"No you didn't do anything wrong. All you need to know is that you will be under the joint command of me and my sister, for a special mission into the Frozen North. The details of this mission are on a need to know basis, and you will be briefed further on soon." Shining reassured him.

Flash Sentry opened his mouth for a few seconds before he started to talk. "You and your sister are organizing this mission directly? I suppose I should get ready, when do we leave?”

"In one hour, Spike and the three ponies will also be accompanying us." The prince said as the group began to make their way to the Crystal Palace.

"I see..." The orange pegasus nodded his head before he asked. "So, what's this mission about, sir?"

The Princess of Friendship answered the guard's question. "Like my brother said, it is a need to know mission. But I suppose you should know."

The lavender alicorn began. "Well, apparently Princess Amore is alive and Cadance, my sister-in-law, happens to be her daughter."

Flash gave Twilight a disbelief look and said. "Wait... what?!"

"I know, it's a lot," Twilight responded, her voice tinged with urgency as she continued. "And to add to that, there are actually six outpost cities hidden somewhere in the Frozen North, each containing a Crystal Heart. Cadance is located in one of these cities."

"Wow, that's a lot to take in." The lieutenant admitted before asking again. "So, who are the three ponies we are bringing along?"

"Oh, they are Clover the Clever, Commander Hurricane and Dew Nourish." Spike answered before quickly adding. "And no, Clover and Hurricane are not changelings, they are real. They just been living in one of the outpost cities for a thousand years, assisting the Crystal Imperial Guards in searching for Princess Amore's scattered fragments for the past five years."

Flash stared at Spike for a couple minutes before shaking his head and said. "I see. Where do we meet after an hour, sir?" He asked the prince.

Shining said. "At the entrance of the Crystal Empire."

The lieutenant saluted before the group go their separate ways to gather supplies for the journey.

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One hour later, Crystal Empire's entrance

Six ponies and a dragon stood before the entrance of the empire; Princess Twilight Sparkle, Prince Shining Armor, Lieutenant Flash Sentry, Clover the Clever, Commander Hurricane, Dew Nourish and Spike. Twilight and Spike were wearing scarves for warmth while Flash and Shining were wearing their armors. Each of them had saddle bags filled to the brim with supplies while Flash took on the additional burden of three sturdy tents.

"All right..." Clover spoke up, getting the other's attentions. "I need you four to listen to us very carefully. The journey between the empire and outpost cities will be extreme difficult as there are many hostile frost animals roaming around in the Frozen North. They are nothing like the animals you guys deal back in Everfree Forest. These creatures are more intelligent, nearly indestructible, and exceptionally ferocious."

The three ponies and the dragon couldn't stopped themselves from gulping as they took in the information Clover and her friends before they nodded their head in agreement.

"Now, the outpost city we're heading to is Outpost Arctic," Dew said, her voice steady, her spear held firmly behind her back. "Expect a significant presence of frost animals there. Stay vigilant and watch each other's backs. Any questions before we embark?"

The three ponies and the dragon shook their head.

"In that case..." Hurricane said, his gaze swept over the desolate landscape as he continued. "Let's not linger. We must press on before the blizzard arrives."

With that, they set off into the Frozen North, their resolve unshaken despite the challenges that awaited them.

Author's Note

More information about outpost cities.

Until then, hope you enjoy this chapter. :raritywink:

Edited by Bronyshot2020

Chapter 10 - The Crystal Princess

The day after Cadance's awakening, Outpost Artic

Cadance was sitting on the bench near one of the guard towers while listening to the griffon who happened to be one of the Crystal Imperial guards, as he explained the weapons the guards use for protection of the outposts.

She learned about the repeating ballistas, formidable war machines strategically placed atop the towers. These intricate devices boasted reload mechanisms that allowed for swift deployment of ammunition, ensuring a constant barrage against any potential threats. The spears wielded by the guards were imbued with magic, enabling precise shots that could be unleashed before requiring a brief recharge. And then there were the archers, armed with arrows tipped with explosive magic, ready to decimate any adversary with a single strike.

"Wow... this is fascinating!" The Princess of Love beamed. "These weapons could prove useful for Royal Guards and Elite Royal Guards for any major fights."

The griffon chuckled in agreement as he said. "Well, there are plans on distributing weapons to Equestria and other races. However, the persistent threat of frost animals has hindered our efforts to transport them safely to the Crystal Empire for us to distribute to the Equestria and other races."

Before the Princess of Love could delve further into the topic, sound of hoofsteps caught their attention and they turned their head to see the tall form of Princess Amore walking towards them.

"I see that you are getting acquaintances with the guards and the weaponry the Crystal Imperial used." Amore said with a smile. "How are you doing?"

Cadance started. "Morning, mom. I actually doing quite well. I've been learning a lot from the guards about their equipment."

"And she agrees that we should distribute the weapons to Equestria and other races." The griffon said with a smirk.

"I see..." Amore said. "If you're done, there are some creatures I would like you to meet. They are the leaders of the various races here and the ones who had helped the Crystal Imperial to find my pieces across the Equestria."

"Sure." The Princess of Love said, quickly standing up while giving a smile to the griffon. "It is nice to meet you, sir."

The griffon threw a salute at the two royal ponies as Amore and Cadance walked away from him toward the city, before going back to his position.

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At the corner of Outpost Artic was a large crystal barrack where Crystal Imperial guards and personnel of various races were hanging out or training themselves. The sounds of drills being run and the chatting from various races filled the air. One particular crystal pony was enjoying it.

Nimbus Dash; a crystal light purple pegasus mare with dark blue mane and tail, wearing a silver armor with one gauntlet on her right forehoof and a silver helmet with a red crest, her wings being white with trailing edges of the feathers being pale blue and a scar on her left eye; was currently giving some soldiers special training session in advanced aerial combat. Her spear was slung over her back.

Nimbus used to be part of Cloudsdale Royal Legion, but now she was part of the Crystal Imperial after having been cursed to be trapped within the Frozen North for a thousand years and helping to find Princess Amore's piece across the Equestria for five years.

Despite her focus on the training at hand, Nimbus's thoughts wandered to days gone by, reminiscing about the camaraderie she shared with her dear friends, Bella Breeze and Flash Magnus, during their time together in the Cloudsdale Royal Legion. Memories of laughter and companionship filled her mind, a bittersweet reminder of the bonds forged in the crucible of duty and honor.

As she guided her soldiers through the intricacies of aerial combat, Nimbus couldn't help but long for the days when she and her friends would gather during breaks or embark on missions alongside their esteemed leader, Captain Ironhead. Though time had passed and circumstances had changed, the warmth of those memories remained, a source of strength and solace in the midst of her duties.

She sighed to herself. While she enjoyed the company of Commander Hurricane and the other races working with the Crystal Imperial, it just wasn't the same.

Her musing was cut short as a stallion's voice called out to her. "Nimbus!"

She turned her head and smiled when she saw who the stallion was.

Grimhoof was a pegasus stallion with crystal light cobalt blue coats with dark grayish blue mane and tail, wearing a bronze armor with on gauntlet on his left forehoof and a bronze helmet with a red crest, his wing were like hers being white with trailing edges of the feathers being pale blue and some scars on his right foreleg.

He happened to be one of her friends who was also part of Cloudsdale Royal Legion before joining Crystal Imperial too to find Princess Amore's piece across the Equestria for five years after the curse by King Sombra trapped him for a thousand years.

"Ah, Grimhoof," Nimbus greeted with a warm smile, wrapping him in a brief embrace before stepping back, curiosity evident in the arch of her eyebrow. "What brings you here? Last I heard, you were overseeing the guard towers."

"Well..." Grimhoof started. "There's been a change of plan. Princess Amore wants us to bring the leaders of griffons, yaks, hippogriffs, bat ponies, changelings, and kirins. She wants to introduce them to her daughter."

The pegasus mare stared at him for a few seconds before replying. "I see... Alright, you go and get the leaders of griffons, bat ponies, hippogriffs and kirins while I go and get the leaders of yaks and changelings. That reminds me... where are we meeting Princess Amore and her daughter?"

The pegasus stallion stopped to think a moment before answering her question. "We will be meeting them at the base of the Crystal Spire."

"Alright, see you soon." Nimbus said as they both hoofbump each other before Grimhoof flew off to find the leaders of griffons, bat ponies, hippogriffs and kirins.

The pegasus mare turned back to the soldiers and yelled. "All right! Training's over! I got a yak and a changeling queen to find!" After she finished her sentences, she spread her wings and flew up before flying away to find the leaders of yaks and changelings while the soldiers dispersed.

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At the entrance of Outpost Artic, a changeling queen was seen talking to one of the guards; her body with holes in her legs was equal in height to the solar princess with crystal black chitin, her insect-like wings were crystal light blue, her teal mane was being done up into a neat bun, her slitted-pupil eyes were green and her crooked horn was shiny light blue shaded from the tip to cyan.

Queen Seraphine listened intently as one of her subjects delivered a report. Frost animals had been spotted near the outpost, but the situation appeared to be under control. Seraphine's sigh of relief echoed through the crisp air as the changeling drone assured her that there were no casualties; the frost animals had fled before any harm could be done.

Sounds of hoofsteps and flapping of wings caused her to turn her head to see Nimbus Dash and a yak walking up to her.

The yak has a coat of crystal dark tangelo, his mane being moderate scarlet and his horns being the same colors as her.

"Ah, Nimbus, Thunderhoof." The changeling queen greeted them with a smile. "What bring you two here?"

Thunderhoof answered her question. "Pony princess wants us to be introduced to her daughter at the Crystal Spire."

Seraphine's brow furrowed with concern, her thoughts racing. "Are you sure that's a wise decision? Considering..."

Before the changeling queen could finish her sentence, Nimbus interjected firmly, halting her doubts in their tracks. "Stop right there. You're nothing like your younger sister. Don't ever think about that again."

Seraphine's gaze softened, gratitude flickering in her eyes as she absorbed the pegasus mare's reassurance. With a sigh, she conceded, realizing she had let her doubts get the better of her.

"You're right," The changeling queen murmured, her voice tinged with self-reflection.

Turning her attention back to Thunderhoof, Seraphine asked. "Who else is coming to meet Princess Mi Amore Cadanza?"

"Stormfeather, Au Hasard, King Crestwing, and King Fire Blaze. Grimhoof went to get them." Nimbus provided the answer, listing off the names of their companions.

Nodding in understanding, Seraphine gestured for them to lead the way. "Lead us to them," She instructed, determination resolute in her tone.

With that, the pegasus led them toward the Crystal Spire to meet Princess Amore and her daughter.

'Time to meet Princess Mi Amore Cadanza.' The changeling queen thought to herself.

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Amore glanced over to see her daughter, Cadance, utterly fascinated by the crystal creatures and the majestic buildings that adorned Outpost Arctic. Having been given a comprehensive tour the day before, Cadance was already familiar with the layout of the outpost cities. She had learned that each outpost city boasted several residential buildings, military barracks, a crop farm, a library, and a bustling market square. The crystal creatures she encountered were all gentle and adorned with coats of shimmering crystal.

As the Princess of Love saw the crystal creatures walking busily, she found herself pondering a question to pose to her mother.

"Mom..." Cadance started. "Why are my horn and wings different now? Three years ago, they retained the same colors as my coat before my daughter's magic surge hit me and now they are in different colors. And why do some of yaks, griffons, hippogriffs, changelings, kirins and bat ponies have the same colors of their horns and wings as mine?"

Amore turned her head and answered her daughter's question.

"Your transformation, my dear, is a testament to the magical energy that flows within you," She explained gently. "When your daughter's magic beam hit you, it unlocked a deeper aspect of your own power, manifesting in the alteration of your horn and wings."

The Princess of Love listened intently, absorbing her mother's words with a sense of wonder. "But what about the others?" She inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"As for the others..." Amore started. "It all started when some of the yaks, griffons, hippogriffs, changelings, kirins, and bat ponies stumbled upon the Crystal Empire and the outpost cities in the midst of a freezing blizzard due to their situation being from being chased out to looking for shelters."

The Princess of Love listen intently as Amore explained. "They had sought refuge within the protective walls of the outpost cities, finding safety from the relentless cold and the howling winds. And while they sought shelter, they also found what happened to me during their stay and decided to help the Crystal Imperial guards to find my scattered fragment and rebuild me. Over time, they integrated into the ranks of the Crystal Imperial, working together to try and keep the Frozen North safe and secure."

Cadance nodded slowly, piecing together the threads of her mother's narrative. "So," She ventured, "Their horns and wings gradually shifted to mirror the colors of the Crystal Empire as a symbol of solidarity and collaboration?"

Princess Amore smiled warmly at her daughter's understanding. "Exactly, Cadenza," She affirmed. "In times of hardship, it's important to come together and support one another. They may be different, but their shared bonds of friendship and teamwork are what make them truly strong."

Cadance nodded, her heart swelling with pride for the Crystal Empire and its diverse inhabitants. In that moment, she understood the significance of their shared colors as a testament to the bonds forged in adversity and the enduring spirit of friendship that still thrived even before Twilight Sparkle became the Princess of Friendship.

As the Princess of Love processed her mother's information, another thought came to her.

"I just recalled..." Cadance began, her voice tinged with apprehension. "During the Storm King's invasion of Canterlot, a pony named Tempest Shadow hurled an orb containing dark magic at me—one that could petrify any creature upon impact. Strangely, I didn't turn into statues like my aunts did. But then, two days later, while at the beach, my nose started bleeding profusely, I coughed up blood, and my eyes swelled and turned red before I lost consciousness. After that, I regain a little bit of consciousness only to feel better before I passed out again. Why did that happened to me but not to my aunties?"

Amore stopped walking, causing the Princess of Love to stop and stared at her mom as Amore gave a sad sigh.

"Because..." Amore started. "The protection spell on you faltered when the orb struck you directly." She paused to see her daughter looking at her in surprise before continuing. "You see, as King Sombra slowly made his way toward the throne room, I channelled some of my magic to create a protection spell that would protect you from any injuries or spells before I sent you away."

Amore's eyes reflected the weight of her decision, the memory of that harrowing moment etched in her mind before she continued. "My guess is that the orb that contained dark magic was able to penetrate and weaken the spell I cast, allowing a fraction of its magic to seep inside you and take effect."

Cadance listened in stunned silence, her eyes widening with shock as she processed the revelation. She shuffled on her hooves as her emotions swirling tumultuously within her.

Sensing her daughter's distress, Amore reached out, gently placing a hoof on Cadance's shoulder, her touch a soothing balm. "It's alright, my dear. I managed to cleanse the dark magic from your system before it could fully take hold, and don't worry about Celestia and Luna," she reassured, her voice steady with reassurance. "The Crystal Imperial guards were able to repel the Storm Kingdom's forces from Canterlot. Your sister-in-law and her friends are safe."

Cadance stared at her mom, her gaze meeting Amore's with a mixture of gratitude and understanding before she said. "Thank you, Mom." she murmured softly, her voice filled with appreciation as she continued. "For protecting me and saving my aunties. And please, just call me Cadance. I prefer my nickname to my full one."

Amore smiled and nodded her head at her daughter, but before they could continued their conversation, Nimbus flew right up to the two royals and threw a salute.

"Your highness..." The pegasus said, saluting before continuing. "The leaders are now at the Crystal Spire. I am to escort you there."

Amore acknowledged Nimbus with a nod, her attention drawn to Cadance, who seemed visibly taken aback by the arrival of the pegasus. Concerned, she gently tapped her daughter's shoulder, prompting the Princess of Love to speak up.

"You... you're Nimbus Dash. From the Cloudsdale Royal Legion," Cadance uttered, her voice a mixture of surprise and realization.

The pegasus was shocked to know that Princess Amore's daughter actually know about her and asked in surprised. "How did you know?"

Cadance smiled and said. "Flash Magnus. My sister-in-law and her friends freed them from the Limbo and helped them defeated the Pony of Shadow. In Twilight's letter, she told me that Flash Magnus told her that he was best friends with you, Grimhoof and Bella Breeze. You, Flash Magnus and your other two friends would often embarked on missions with Captain Ironhead."

Nimbus Dash slowed down beating her wings, and slowly landed on the floor without making a sound, then folded her wings to her sides. She looked completely in shock as she took in the information the Princess of Love.

"To think that all this time..." The pegasus started. "Flash was believed to be perished at the hooves of the Pony of Shadow." She murmured, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Slowly, a wistful smile tugged at the corners of Nimbus Dash's lips as she contemplated the implications of the Princess of Love's words. "Grimhoof will hardly believe it." She admitted, a note of anticipation coloring her tone before continuing. "He'll be thrilled to learn that our old friend is still alive."

A wave of shocked overcame Cadance over that new information and she asked. "Grimhoof is alive and with you?"

The pegasus lifted herself off the ground with a beat of her wings, continuing. "Yes," She affirmed. "Grimhoof and I were trapped within the Frozen North by King Sombra's curse for a thousand years when we were exploring the Frozen North. We spent the last five years working with the Crystal Imperial guards searching for and collecting Princess Amore's scattered fragments to rebuild her."

As Cadance processed this astonishing revelation, Amore intervened with a gentle smile. "It seems your sister-in-law was able to bring Nimbus and Grimhoof's friend back." she remarked, her tone reflecting a mix of curiosity and warmth. "But for now, let us be on our way. Lead the way, Nimbus."

With a firm nod, the pegasus gestured for the princesses to follow as Cadance and Amore trailed behind her.

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Grimhoof stood resolute near the towering Crystal Spire, its crystalline form a testament to the magnificence of the Crystal Empire. At its base, a mesmerizing crystal heart hovered, suspended between two pillars—one rising from the ground, the other descending from the ceiling—as if held aloft by sheer magic.

His gaze shifted, taking in the solemn assembly gathered nearby. Thunderhoof, Queen Seraphin, and the leaders of the griffons, bat ponies, hippogriffs, and kirins stood with dignified poise, a tableau of unity and anticipation, awaiting the imminent arrival of Princess Amore and her daughter.

Stormfeather, leader of the griffons, has a coat of crystal dark gamboge, with his wings being white with trailing edges of the feathers being pale blue. His mane and tail were both dark violetish gray and his eyes were black.

Au Hasard, leader of the bat ponies, has a coat of crystal light gray, with his wings being whitish purple. His mane and tail were both royal purple and rose with dark grey bat wings and his slitted-pupil eyes were teal. His body was almost as tall as the lunar princess and he has a cutie mark of two dices. He was wearing Lunar Guard armor with bracers with long, deadly blades that curved out of them in both of his forehooves.

King Crestwing, King of the hippogriffs, has a coat of crystal lightish gray, with his wings being white with trailing edges of the feathers being pale blue. His mane and tail were both artic blue and his eyes were cyan. His body was equal in height to the Queen of the hippogriffs.

King Fire Blaze, King of the kirins, has a coat of grayish amber with his cloven hooves, back, and forehead being dark amber. His horn that curved backward was shiny light blue shaded from the tip to cyan. His mane, fur and tail were all dark gamboge and his eyes were dark artic blue. His body was equal in height to the Queen of the Kirins.

Sounds of hoofsteps and flapping of wings caught his attention. Turning his head, he saw two royals and Nimbus walking up. With a deep exhale and a smile, Grimhoof marched up.

"Your highness, leaders of griffons, yaks, hippogriffs, bat ponies, changelings, and kirins are awaiting for the introduction to your daughter, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza." The pegasus stallion reported while saluting.

"At ease, Grimhoof." Amore said as she gestured for him to stand comfortably. She turned her attention to her daughter, a fond smile gracing her features. "Cadenza, allow me to introduce you to King Fire Blaze, King Crestwing, Au Hasard, Stormfeather, Thunderhoof, and Queen Seraphine," she said, indicating each leader in turn.

As the introductions were made, Princess Cadance's eyes widened in surprise, her heart skipping a beat as her gaze fell upon Queen Seraphine. Memories flooded her mind, images of her time held captive in the caves during her wedding, and a name escaped her trembling lips.

"Ch-Chrysalis?" Cadance stammered, her voice betraying a mixture of shock and fear.

The leaders and two pegasi all winced while the changeling queen remained calm. After a moment of silence, Queen Seraphine walked forward before stopping in front of the Princess of Love.

"I'm afraid that I am not Chrysalis..." The changeling queen started. "But I was her elder sister."

Cadance's mind reeled before she stammered. "You're Chrysalis's... elder sister?"

"Yes." Seraphine honestly said. "I was petrified and banished to the Frozen North by Chrysalis before the Crystal Imperial guards freed me."

The Princess of Love’s jaw dropped. “Wha-...WHAT!? You... she..." She stammered as she tried to find the right words. "Why?” She eventually managed to utter.

Amore, already aware of the intricate history between Seraphine and Chrysalis, guided the other leaders away, allowing the two to converse in privacy before turning her head towards the two pegasi.

"Grimhoof and Nimbus Dash." Amore addressed them, causing the two to look at her before she spoke. "Take the rest of the day off. You two deserved it. And Grimhoof, you might want to sit down once Nimbus tell you something."

Grimhoof arched an eyebrow at Amore but did not questioned her, while Nimbus gave her a gentle smile. They both saluted at her before flying off. She turned her head back to the two as Seraphine began her story.

"Chrysalis and I were once sisters, bound by blood and kinship," The changeling queen started to explain, her tone heavy with the weight of memories long buried. "But as time passed, she started to sought power at any cost instead of friendship. Chrysalis saw me as a threat to her rule after I confronted and argued with her. In her paranoia, she casted me into a state of petrification and exile in the Frozen North, where I was remained imprisoned for centuries before being rescued."

As the truth of Seraphine's plight sank in, Cadance felt a surge of empathy coursing through her veins as her ears drooped. "I'm so sorry, Queen Seraphine," she whispered, her voice filled with genuine remorse.

"It's fine." The changeling queen spoke calmly before continuing. "Beside, Chrysalis had her death coming by her own hive after I showed her diary that contained about permanently riding hunger for love to her hive."

The Princess of Love gawked at Seraphine's words before asking. "What?! You orchestrated Chrysalis's downfall?!"

"Yes." Seraphine gave her a smirk. "Remember this form?"

No sooner the changeling queen said, green flames surrounded her and her tall form was replaced with a unicorn mare with a coat of light bluish gray, her mane and tail being moderate blue, a cutie mark of dark blue heart and her eyes being moderate lime green.

Cadance's jaw dropped as she remembered the changelings told her and her husband about a mysterious pony who had somehow acquired Chrysalis's diary and exposed her secrets to the hive before vanishing without a trace.

"It's... it's you." The Princess of Love stammered as Seraphine shed the disguise.

With a gentle smile, the changeling queen nodded before she spoke. "Yes, it's me. I took on that guise to ensure the safety of Equestria and its inhabitants."

Cadance nodded slowly, processing the gravity of Seraphine's words before speaking again. "Thank you... for everything you've done, Queen Seraphine."

Seraphine smiled graciously at the Princess of Love as she took in the words Amore's daughter said.

Amore could not helped herself but smiled graciously as her daughter started to converse with the other leaders.

Author's Note

How Nimbus Dash and Grimhoof look:
Nimbus Dash
Grimhoof
Both vectors made by CloudyGlow

So in this alternative universe. Queen Chrysalis had an elder sister but she exiled her so that she can be the only queen to sought power.

Edited by Bronyshot2020

Chapter 11 - Flashback Three: Fall of Queen Chrysalis

Outskirt of Crystal Empire, One year ago

Darkness shrouded the Arctic North of Equestria. Most of the crystal ponies had retreated to the safety and warmth of their homes, leaving the streets deserted and silent save for the occasional howl of the chilling wind.

At the edge of a precipitous cliff, a group of undisguised changelings gathered, their forms silhouetted against the backdrop of the Crystal Palace. Among them, Pharynx, with his distinctive red frills, took charge, his imposing presence commanding the attention of his comrades.

"Listen up, changelings," Pharynx began, his voice low but commanding. "You all know the plan. We disguise ourselves, infiltrate the Crystal Palace, capture the princess and her family, and return them to the Badland Hive. Any questions before we proceed?"

The group shook their heads in unison, their determination evident in their resolute expressions.

"Excellent," Pharynx declared, his wings twitching in anticipation. "Let's move out."

But just as they prepared to take flight, a calm and composed voice interrupted their preparations. "Excuse me?"

The changelings froze, their movements halting as they turned to face the source of the interruption.

Standing a few feet away was a unicorn mare; her coat being light bluish gray, her mane and tail being moderate blue, a cutie mark of dark blue heart and her eyes being moderate lime green. Though her appearance was quite startling, it was her expression that was the biggest surprise. She doesn't looked scared. In fact, she looked more calm.

Finally moving past their shock, the changelings assumed a fighting stance toward the unicorn mare. Yet, despite their hostile posture, the mare remained unfazed, her calm demeanor unwavering in the face of their aggression.

Pharynx walked past the group before stopping just in front of the unicorn and demanded. "Who are you?! What are you doing here?!"

The mare did not flinched back from Pharynx's demand and opted to answer calmly. "Who am I is not important. But as to what am I doing here, I'm here to make you open your eyes and see through Queen Chrysalis's lies."

Her words hung in the air, causing a moment of uncertainty among the changelings. They exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of how to react to this unexpected revelation.

Pharynx narrowed his eyes, his gaze probing as he considered her words carefully.

"And what proof do you have to dare claim that our queen is deceiving us?!" he demanded, his voice laced with skepticism.

His response was the unicorn mare conjuring the diary with a flick of her magic. Flipping through its pages with practiced ease, she located the pertinent entry and presented it to the red-frilled changeling.

"Read it," she urged.

The changelings exchanged uncertain glances, their confusion evident as they realized the diary belonged to Queen Chrysalis. Despite their reservations, Pharynx seized the diary without hesitation, his curiosity outweighing any apprehension and read the page.

When I was pretending to be the bride at the wedding in Canterlot, I decided to sneak inside one of the libraries to see if I could find any information about the Elements of Harmony. As I was skimming through the shelves, I happened to stumble upon a page about us in The Monstrous Manuscript of Monstrous Monsters book. Apparently, there is a way for us changelings to rid ourselves permanently of our hunger for love.

I was taken aback as I read the words over and over to ensure I had not misunderstood, but it was true. I contemplated revealing this knowledge to my subjects, but then I realized that by keeping it a secret, I could maintain control over them, ensuring they remained dependent on me for sustenance. By keeping them in a perpetual state of hunger, they would be more aggressive and more compliant with my plans.

Nevertheless, I destroyed the book, ensuring that my subjects would not stumble upon it should they ever venture into the library.

As Pharynx scanned the page of the diary, his expression shifted from skepticism to disbelief. The words written on the parchment seemed to leap off the page, painting a damning portrait of Queen Chrysalis's deceit.

The other changelings gathered around, their curiosity piqued as they peered over Pharynx's shoulder to read the contents of the diary.

"What does it say, Pharynx?" one of the changelings asked anxiously, his voice tinged with apprehension.

Pharynx's jaw clenched as he slowly lowered the diary.

"It says that... there is a way for changelings to be permanently rid of their hunger for love." Pharynx admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

The revelation sent shockwaves through the group, their faces a mixture of confusion and anger.

"But... but why would she lie to us?" another changeling questioned, his voice trembling with uncertainty.

As the changelings grappled with the implications of Queen Chrysalis's deceit, Pharynx sank to the ground, his mind reeling with a mix of emotions.

He pulled himself out of his reverie and turned to the unicorn mare to ask. "What do we do now?"

The changelings fell silent, their attention now focused on the mare's response.

The unicorn mare, who had remained quiet until now, met Pharynx's gaze with unwavering resolve.

"I think you know what you need to do," she said, her voice steady.

Before any of the changelings could react, the unicorn mare disappeared via her magic, leaving the group looking at the spot she once stood.

After a while of silence, Pharynx's closed his eyes before opening them, his gaze hardened, a steely resolve taking hold as he squared his shoulders.

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Badlands Hive, a few hours later

Queen Chrysalis's day had taken a turn for the worse as she sat alone in her throne room.

She, for some reasons, was unable to establish contact with any of her subjects. Frustration gnawed at her insides as she attempted to reach out across the wavelengths, only to be met with silence.

A creak from the door drew her attention, and she looked up to see Pharynx, his expression dark with anger, standing before her.

"Pharynx?!" The changeling queen snarled, showing her own carnivorous fangs as she continued. "Do you mind explaining to me why have I lost all contact to the entire hive?!"

The red frilled changeling stayed quiet before throwing Chrysalis's diary on the floor in front of the changeling queen via his magic.

The changeling queen's eyes widened as she regarded Pharynx, a mix of shock and anger evident in her expression.

"Where and how did get your hooves on my diary?" She demanded, her voice laced with impatience.

The red frilled changeling crossed his hooves over his chest as he sat down, his scowl deepening before he replied. "I think the real question is why did you decided to hide the fact that there is a way for us to rid ourselves permanently of our hunger for love."

Chrysalis's glare intensified, her wings flaring out in a display of aggression. "That's none of your concern! And how dare you speak to me in such a manner!" She snapped, her tone sharp and dismissive.

Pharynx remained unfazed, meeting his queen's furious gaze with steely resolve. "It became my concern when it affects the entire hive," He retorted, his voice firm as he continued. "You've kept this knowledge from us for far too long."

The changeling queen's eyes narrowed as she asked, her voice betraying a hint of sarcasm. "And what do you intend to do now?"

"It's not just me," Pharynx declared as the door swung open, revealing a throng of angry changelings before he continued. "It's all of us."

Chrysalis's shock turned to terror as her subjects flooded into the throne room, their expressions set with anger.

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Crystal Empire, the next day

Princess Cadance sat upon her throne, a mountain of paperwork towering before her, each document demanding her attention with its insistent presence. Her expression betrayed her boredom as she mechanically filled out yet another form. Meanwhile, her husband, Shining Armor, was occupied with their energetic daughter, Flurry Heart, elsewhere in the palace.

Just as the Princess of Love was lost in the monotony of her task, the doors to the throne room burst open, disrupting the quiet atmosphere. A crystal guard hurried forward, his urgency evident as he bowed before the princess.

"Your highness!" The guard announced, his voice tinged with urgency.

Cadance looked up from her paperwork. "Yes?" She inquired, prompting the guard to straighten up.

"We have located a group of changelings at the outskirts of the empire, and we have detained them. We are in the process of bringing them here for questioning," the guard reported, his tone grave.

The Princess of Love's interest was immediately piqued, her mind racing with possibilities. "And is there anything else?" She asked, sensing there was more to the guard's report.

The guard hesitated for a moment before reluctantly continuing. "Your highness, the changelings we detained were not in disguise. They were in their true forms."

Cadance's eyes widened in shock, her grip on her magic faltering for a moment as the documents slipped from her grasp, scattering across the floor.

A moment later, with a mixture of concern and determination, Princess of Love rose from her throne and addressed the guard.

"Thank you for informing me," she said, her voice steady. "Escort the changelings to the throne room immediately and bring my husband here. I will speak with them with my husband."

The guard nodded in acknowledgment before swiftly departing to carry out her orders. Left alone in the now-silent throne room, Cadance took a moment to compose herself, her thoughts racing as she considered the implications of this unexpected development.

A minute later, Shining Armor came through the door, his face being worried

"Cady." The Prince started. "What's going on? The guard told me to come to the throne room as soon as possible."

Cadance turned to her husband as she recounted the urgent news.

"Shining, we've had an unexpected development," The Princess of Love began. "A group of changelings has been detained at the outskirts of the empire, and they were not in disguise. They're being brought here for questioning."

Shining's brow furrowed in concern as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. "Changelings, in their true forms?" he echoed, his mind racing with possibilities. "That's highly unusual. What could they want here?"

Cadance nodded in agreement, her thoughts mirroring her husband's. "That's what we aim to find out," she replied, her tone resolute.

A few minutes later, the heavy doors swung open once more, and the crystal guard returned along with four guards, leading a group of changelings into the chamber. The prisoners were kept under close watch as they entered the presence of the royal couple.

The changelings have several major differences. First, there were no holes in their hooves or their wings, which shimmered in the light. Their exoskeletons were different colors. Lastly, their eyes had changed to multifaceted in bright colors.

The Princess of Love and the Prince stood side by side as they assessed the newcomers. Their gaze swept over the group, their eyes narrowing slightly as they took in the undisguised changelings.

"Welcome," Cadance began. "I trust you understand the gravity of the situation."

The changeling with a dark cyan exoskeleton with moderate amaranth chest and moderate amaranth with grayish blue underside carapace, two red horns and moderate blue violet eyes carrying saddlebag on his back stepped forward, his posture rigid as he addressed the princess and the prince. "We do," He replied. "My name is Pharynx."

The Princess of Love and the Prince nodded, acknowledging the red frilled changeling's name. "Alright Pharynx," Shining started, "Why have you come here, and why in your true forms?"

The changelings exchanged uneasy glances, a flicker of uncertainty crossing their features before Pharynx spoke again.

"We came here as representative for a long lasting peace between Equestria and our hive." He explained.

Both Cadance and Shining widened their eyes in surprised as they processed the words the purple changeling said.

"A peace treaty?" The Princess of Love repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief. "But why now? And why in your true forms?"

Pharynx met her gaze and said. "A coup took place within our hive. Our queen, former Queen Chrysalis, had been permanently disposed and drained to death."

"Permanently disposed? And what do you mean 'drained to death'?" The Prince asked in confusion.

"Why don't you open my saddlebag and see it for yourself?" The dark cyan changeling replied.

The royal couple looked at each other in confusion for a while, before Cadance reached out an item wrapped in cloth from inside Pharynx's saddlebag via her magic.

Confused, she removed the cloth from it and the royal couple gasped in shock, their eyes widened and their mouths hanging agape.

Inside was a black crown with turquoise gemstones tipping each point on it. Both Cadance and Shining knew the crown belonged to Queen Chrysalis as they remember the changeling queen wearing it when they first saw her in their wedding.

"That's..." The Princess of Love stammered as she continued. "That's Chrysalis's crown."

The Prince looked up from the crown toward Pharynx and asked. "Why did you disposed her?"

The changelings faces immediately darkened as the dark cyan changeling spoke. "We found out that she had hid the knowledge that there is a way for us to rid ourselves permanently of our hunger for love."

Pharynx's revelation hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the already tense atmosphere. The royal couple exchanged a glance.

"You mean... Chrysalis knew how to end the changelings' need to feed on love?" Cadance said as her voice quivered with a mixture of shock and disbelief.

The dark cyan changeling nodded solemnly before replying. "Yes, your majesty. She possessed the knowledge, but she kept it hidden from the rest of us."

Shining arched an eyebrow and asked. "And this knowledge... how did you come by it?"

The changelings exchanged glances before Pharynx answered the prince's question truthfully. "A unicorn mare came to us before we could infiltrate your empire. She gave us our former queen's diary that contained that knowledge."

Surprised, the royal couple looked at each other before the Princess of Love asked the dark cyan changeling. "This unicorn mare... who was she? How did she come by Queen Chrysalis's diary?"

Pharynx sighed in resignation before replying. "We do not know her name, or her intentions. All we know was that she appeared to us with the diary, urged us to open our eyes and see through our former queen's lies before vanishing without a trace."

The prince stared at the dark cyan changeling before asking. "This unicorn... what does she looked like?"

"She has a coat of light bluish gray, her mane and tail is moderate blue. She has a cutie mark of a dark blue heart and her eyes are moderate lime green." Pharynx answered honestly.

The throne room became silent as the royal couple processed everything the purple changeling had told. After a while, they sighed and nodded at each other.

"Pharynx." Cadance spoke. "We thank you for your honesty. We will take this into consideration as we move forward."

"Meanwhile, you and your group are welcome to stay while we write a letter to Princess Celestia."Shining said as he trotted up to his wife's side.

"Thank you, your majesty." The group of changelings said as they bowed down before Pharynx asked the royal couple a question. "Do you both know where my brother, Thorax, is?"

The Princess of Love and the Prince blinked in surprised before composing themselves.

"Well..." Cadance started. "He is currently in Sunburst's house. It's near the outskirts of the Crystal Empire. He's been helping with some research and magical studies."

The dark cyan changeling's expression softened with relief upon hearing this news. "Thank you," he said sincerely.

"And if you and your group require anything during your stay, our staff will be at your disposal." Shining said.

Pharynx nodded his head, before him and his group were escorted to their temporary quarters within the palace.

As the doors closed behind them, the Princess of Love turned to her husband and said. "Shining, we need to inform Twilight and the others about what's happening. They'll want to be kept in the loop."

The prince nodded in agreement and replied. "I'll send Spike a letter right away. He can relay the message to Twilight and the rest of her friends."

Cadance smiled appreciatively at her husband's quick action. "Thank you, Shining. And while you do that, I'll start drafting a letter to Princess Celestia. She needs to be made aware of the situation as well."

With their plan in motion, the royal couple set to work, each fulfilling their respective roles in addressing the unexpected turn of events.

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Just a couple of distance away from the Crystal Empire, the same unicorn mare stood there watching before green flames surrounded her.

Once the flames died away into nothingness, it was replaced with a tall form of changeling queen; Queen Seraphine, elder sister of Queen Chrysalis.

"Forgive me, Chrysalis, but I cannot allow your insatiable thirst for power to wreak further havoc upon our kind." The changeling queen murmured, her voice heavy with regret and sorrow.

With a flutter of her majestic wings, Queen Seraphine took to the sky, her form disappearing into the night as she soared away from the empire.

Author's Note

I don't like the episodes 'To Where and Back Again', so I thought I changed the whole thing and have Queen Chrysalis die.

Edited by Bronyshot2020

Chapter 12 - Storm Preparation and The Talk

Elsewhere, far from Equestria

In a realm far removed from the tranquil borders of Equestria, nestled amidst the tumultuous waters just off the coast of the Slug Troll Swamp and to the north of the imposing Great Iceberg Barrier, lay a formidable rocky island. Its rugged terrain boasted imposing mountains that towered tall and unyielding, while the sandy shores stretched along its jagged perimeter, battered incessantly by the unforgiving waves. Above, the sky raged in perpetual turmoil, with thunderous clouds swirling in an endless dance of lightning and tempest.

Upon this desolate island stood a fortress, its silhouette rising defiantly against the tumultuous backdrop. Though modest in appearance, its architecture was imposing, with a tower adorned by antler-like branches that seemed to reach skyward, defying the relentless assault of the elements.

Within the confines of the Storm Realm's throne room, the Storm King seethed with unbridled fury. His plan to harness the formidable power of his Staff of Sacanas had crumbled before him, thwarted by the unexpected arrival of the crystal creatures and crystal ponies. They had managed to overwhelm his formidable Storm Guards, forcing him and his beleaguered army to retreat to the safety of their stronghold. Adding insult to injury, Tempest Shadow's mission to capture the two princesses had ended in failure; she herself now languished in the dungeon, a bitter reminder of his thwarted ambitions, leaving him seething with rage and bitter disappointment.

A creak from the heavy doors of the throne room drew his attention, and he looked up to see Grubber standing before him, clutching a report in his trembling hands.

"Ah, Grubber..." The Storm King's voice rumbled ominously as he addressed the diminutive hedgehog. "What news do you bring?"

Grubber shuffled forward nervously, his eyes wide with trepidation as he presented the report to his master. "Uh, sir," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper as he continued. "We've managed to regroup most of our forces, but the losses were... substantial."

The Storm King snatched the report from Grubber's grasp, his eyes scanning the parchment with a scowl. "Substantial losses indeed." he growled, his grip tightening on the edge of the throne as he continued. "But we are not defeated yet. Tell me, Grubber, what of our remaining resources? How soon can we mobilize for another assault?"

Grubber swallowed hard, his gaze dropping to the floor as he spoke. "Our armory is depleted, so it'll take time to replenish our supplies and get most of our troops back in action. Not to mention, we will need to get more troops as we only have like three dozens of them."

The Storm King's expression darkened further at the news, his mind already calculating their next move. "Very well..." He said, rising from his throne with a sense of purpose before continuing. "Gather the generals. We will not rest until Equestria bows before us. Our reign of chaos will not be denied."

With a nod of understanding, Grubber scurried out of the throne room to carry out his orders, leaving the Storm King alone with his thoughts. As the storm outside continued to rage, he turned to the window, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon where Equestria lay. In the swirling tempest, he saw not defeat, but opportunity.

A few minutes later, the heavy doors of the throne room swung open once again, drawing the Storm King's attention away from the window. Standing before him were three generals, their battle-worn armor a testament to their resilience.

"Generals..." The Storm King's voice resonated with authority as he addressed his trusted commanders. "We may have suffered setbacks, but our resolve remains unshaken. It is time to prepare for our next move."

The three generals nodded in solemn agreement, their expressions reflecting the determination in their leader's voice. One of them stepped forward, his gaze unwavering as he spoke. "Shall I begin preparations for another assault on Equestria, my King?"

The Storm King paused for a moment, considering his options. "Not yet." he replied, his tone measured as he continued. "We still need to reinforce our ranks, replenish our armory and recruit more troops. Our enemy may have momentarily repelled us, but they have not seen the full might of our forces."

The generals exchanged glances, silently acknowledging their orders. "Very well, my King," The first general replied.

Turning his attention to the second general, the Storm King continued. "I want you to send scouts to gather information about Equestria's defenses. We need to know everything about their strengths and vulnerabilities."

The second general nodded, his expression determined. "It will be done, my King." The second general answered.

Finally, the Storm King addressed the third general. "Meanwhile, I want you to expedite the process of rallying our troops, restocking our supplies and recruiting more troops. The time for our next assault will come soon enough."

With a collective affirmation, the generals departed, each with a sense of purpose and determination etched on their faces. Left alone in the throne room once more, the Storm King's eyes glittered with anticipation.

"While my first invasion may have failed, but the second one will be more successful. Once my staff have been powered, Equestria would tremble beneath the might of my wrath!" He sinisterly said as he laughed menacingly which echoed through the throne room.

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Canterlot

Celestia sat alone on her throne in the throne room as the Day Court was finished forty-five minutes ago, her mind was currently on Princess Amore and Princess Cadance.

Her thoughts were interrupted when the doors of the throne room opened and Luna walked in, concern on her face.

"Sister, are you well?" The lunar princess asked.

The solar princess's shoulders sagged as she shook her head slightly. "No, I'm not." She admitted softly as her ears drooped.

Luna closed the distance between them, her concern palpable as she stood before her sister, offering silent support.

"Is it about Princess Amore and Princess Cadance?" The lunar princess inquired.

Celestia sighed to herself before she answered her younger sister's question. "Yes... It's just... we had failed to save Amore and the Crystal Empire one thousand years ago as she was turned into a statue by King Sombra before he destroyed her and scattered her fragment pieces across the world. And now five years later, not only we found out that Cadance, who we adopted after we found her abandoned at the garden, turned out to be our friend's daughter, but also Amore was brought back to life and sent the Crystal Imperial to push the Storm King's kingdom out of Canterlot while she went to her daughter to save her from the effect of that dark magic orb two days ago."

The lunar princess listened intently, her expression reflecting a mix of empathy and understanding as the solar princess poured out her troubled thoughts.

"And I don't know what to do." Celestia confessed with uncertainly in her voice as she continued. "I don't know what to do if we meet Amore again. Will she hate us? Will she forgive us for failing to arrive in time to save the Crystal empire? And what about Cadance? When she learns of our past shortcomings in protecting her mother and their kingdom from a thousand and five years ago, will she turn away from us? "

Luna placed a comforting hoof on her sister's shoulder, offering silent support as her sister wrestled with her emotions.

"We cannot change the past, sister." The lunar princess said, her voice being genuine and sincerely as she continued. "But we can learn from it and strive to make amends for our friend."

The solar princess looked at her younger sister.

"And moreover..." Luna continued, her tone carrying a note of reassurance as she carried on talking. "Cadenza will likely extend her forgiveness and implore her mother to do the same. And as for Amore, her desire to reconnect with us is undeniable. And if she chooses to remain by our side, I have no doubt she will remain a steadfast ally, not only for the good of Equestria but also for the bonds of friendship and family that unite us."

Celestia smiled as she leaned in to nuzzle her sister affectionately before she spoke up. "Thank you, Lulu. I don’t know how I managed without you for so long."

Luna joined in the warmth of the moment, a soft chuckle escaping her. "Neither do I, Tia. Neither do I..." She admitted as she shared in her sister's sentiment.

Author's Note

Meant to publish yesterday, but I wanted to make sure the story is correct.

Chapter 13 - The Frozen North

The Frozen North, two days after Cadance's awakening

"Lieutenant, report!" Shining Armor barked.

"Nothing yet, sir. Just endless snow and some boulders as far as my eyes can see." Flash Sentry responded, his wings flapping as he hovered above the terrain.

"That's what the frost animals want you to think," Dew Nourish interjected, striding past the sergeant as she continued. "The frost animals will use the surrounding snow to camouflage themselves and lie in wait for their prey to wander into their trap."

"What do the frost animals look like?" Twilight asked with concerns.

"They resemble the creatures in the Everfree Forest, but with notable differences," Clover explained, her tone grave as she continued. "The Frozen North has changed them. The frost animals are encased in indestructible crystals that cover their entire bodies, except for their eyes. The Frost Wolves have developed heightened agilities compared to their forest counterparts. The Glacial Bears have razor-sharp icicles claws and teeth that can rend through even the toughest armor. The Ice Worms have the abilities for burrow underground to surprise attack and to breathe out icy blasts that freeze their prey in an instant."

"Clovy's right." Hurricane interjected, his gaze scanning the horizon for any signs of movement as he continued. "They're very cunning and adaptable, blending seamlessly into the snowy terrain."

Spike tightened his grip around Twilight's neck, his fear palpable.

"Understood," Flash Sentry said, trying to conceal his unease.

"You seem well-informed about these creatures," The prince said, his curiosity piqued.

The unicorn mare exchanged a solemn glance with the commander and the combat medic before answering Shining Armor's inquiry. "We've encountered them before, during our time in the Frozen North looking for Princess Amore's scattered fragments. We lost good ponies and creatures to those frost animals."

Shining's ears drooped as his expression softened. "I'm sorry to hear that," He said. "It sounded like you three have been through a lot."

"It's alright." Clover replied, her voice carrying a hint of resilience as she continued. "We have made peace with their deaths."

The prince nodded in understanding, before concentrating on their task.

The six ponies and a dragon continued to make their way through the Frozen North, an inhospitable place that was seemingly just snow and boulders for miles and miles on end. So far, they hadn’t spotted any signs of frost animals within the last two days. The seven trudged on for a few more hours in silence before anypony or anycreature spoke again.

"So what's with your wings and your horn?" Spike asked Hurricane and Clover. "They looked different from your coats."

"Spike!" The Princess of Friendship gently chided him.

"It's all right, Princess Twilight." The commander assured her before turning his head to Spike and answered. "As for my wings and Clover's horn, after a thousand years have passed, we started to try to find a way out of the Frozen North. While we were looking, we found some of the Crystal Imperial guards wandering in the Frozen North. We found out that they were looking for Princess Amore's scattered fragments, so we decided to help them. Over time, as we continued to help find Amore's pieces and help, both my wings and Clover's horn gradually shifted to mirror the colors of the Crystal Empire as a symbol of solidarity and collaboration."

The dragon nodded as he absorbed the weight of Hurricane's words. "That's pretty incredible." he remarked.

The unicorn mare chuckled as she interjected. "It's been quite the journey, indeed." She said. "But seeing the transformation of our wings and horn serves as a constant reminder of the bonds we've forged and the purpose we've embraced."

Flash hummed himself as he thought before he turned to Shining and asked. "How could anypony or anycreature adapted to this cold place?"

The sun had begun to dip lower on the horizon, casting its final rays across the landscape. The twilight sky begun to unfurl like a canvas of shimmering hues above them.

"That's actually a really good question." The prince said before turning his head to Dew Nourish and asked. "How do you three manage to withstand this cold? It's freezing."

The combat medic offered a small smile in response to Shining Armor's question. "It's not easy." She admitted. "But years of living here have taught us to adapt. We've learned to layer our clothing, find shelter when needed, and keep moving to generate warmth."

Shining nodded in acknowledgment. "It's impressive how resilient you've all become." He remarked.

Hurricane held up a hoof to signal the others to stop and spoke up. “We should rest here for the night.”

The prince nodded his head in agreement and said. "Agree. Flash, set up the tents."

"I will be on a lookout for any sign of frost animals." Dew spoke as she unslung her spear.

With the combat medic on the lookout, the others got to work. A small cooking fire was kindled by Spike, three tents with sleeping bags in them were set up and rations arranged for the night. As night finally rolled in they sat by the fire, enjoying the warmth as the unforgiving cold of the night got even more colder.

The dragon rummaged through his saddlebag and withdrew a medium-sized plastic bag, his chuckle tinged with nervousness when Twilight looked that and arched an eyebrow at him.

"Marshmallows? Really, Spike?" The Princess of Friendship questioned.

"What? It's been ages time since we've done this together." Spike reasoned as he shrugged sheepishly.

"He does make a compelling point, LSBFF." Shining said.

Twilight looked back and forth between her number-one assistant and his brother, before a smile spreading across her face and said. "You know what? You're right."

Spike smiled and teared the packet, carefully distributing the treats evenly. The Princess of Friendship converted some snow into sticks. They cooked the marshmallows on the open flame; Twilight, Shining and Clover held theirs in their magical aura while the others used the sticks. A while later, Spike rose from his spot to offer marshmallows to Dew, leaving the rest to enjoy the warmth of the fire.

"That reminds me..." Twilight began, her tone turning thoughtful. "As we were leaving the dining room, I noticed the sad looks you and Hurricane gave my friends."

Both Clover's and Hurricane's expressions turned somber.

The unicorn mare glanced at her husband, a pained expression crossing her features before she spoke. "It's hard not to feel a pang of sadness when we think about them. Especially when your friends resemble ours so closely." she admitted softly.

"Private Pansy, Princess Platinum, Chancellor Puddinghead, and Smart Cookie?" Flash inquired as he chewed on a marshmallow, having to know about the history of the Founders of Equestria.

"Yes, those were our companions," Hurricane confirmed, gazing into the flickering green flames of the fire as he continued. "We journeyed together through many trials and triumphs, facing challenges that tested our courage and unity."

"They were more than just allies, they were our closest friends." The unicorn mare said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears before she continued. "We were at Canterlot when we first heard about the Crystal Empire. So, Hurricane and I volunteered to explore the Crystal Empire. While we were walking along the Frozen North to reach Crystal Empire, a sudden dark mists rushed across the snowy landscape that devoured us and we found ourselves in some sort of void. We tried to find a way out, but we couldn't find it. After walking endlessly, we were just about to give up when the landscape transformed back to the snowy terrain. We were confused, before we realized that we were back at where we were supposed to go. On our way, we stumbled up upon some sort of station and we figured we could asked for direction. When we asked, we learned the horrible truth that... a thousand years had passed."

Hurricane wrapped a comforting wing around his wife, whose tears had started to streamed down her cheeks.

"Clovy broke down when we learned the grim truth. I had to comfort her as she cried and lamenting that we never got to say goodbye to our friends, her mentor and his friends." Hurricane said, continuing off his wife's story as he spoke. "After a while, Clover managed to calm down a bit before we decided to look for a way out off the Frozen North. I don't need to tell you what happened after I told your dragon our story a few minutes ago."

Twilight, Shining, and Flash listened intently as their ears drooping in sympathy.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bring up painful memories." The Princess of Friendship apologized, now feeling guilty.

Clover wiped her tears away with her hoof, composing herself before she spoke. "No, it's fine. I'm still trying to move on."

A moment of silence hung between the group before it was broken by the Twilight again.

"Actually, there's something you need to know..." Twilight spoke, getting the couple's attention as she started her story. "Many days ago, Sunburst found Starswirl's journal and he found out that in the last entry, Starswirl and his friends had used magical artifacts and talismans of the elements they each represent to seal away the Pony of Shadows in Limbo. But in order to imprison him for good, they had to trap themselves with him. So me and her friends used those and brought them back from Limbo. Only downside was that bringing them back also brought back the Pony of Shadows. But we managed to banished the darkness back to Limbo as well as saved the pony that was consumed by the darkness. Turns out the pony, Stygian who brought them together, got cast out when they thought that he betrayed them by trying to steal their power when in actuality he only took their artifacts so he could replicate them and become like them."

There was a long moment of silence as Clover's mouth dropped open and she stared in shock at the Princess of Friendship as she proceeded the revelation.

"I... I don't know what to say. All this time, I had thought that he died from old age." The unicorn mare finally said.

Twilight nodded solemnly as she spoke. "It's a lot to take in, I know. But I thought you should know the truth."

The prince broke the silence, his tone filled with sympathy. "It must be difficult to process," he said, offering a reassuring smile to Clover.

The lieutenant leaned in and said. "If there's anything we can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask."

There was a silence before Clover said. "Thank you."

Suddenly, a howl echoed through the night, causing the group to froze. The unicorn mare immediately smothered the cooking fire and extinguished what was left of the flames with her magic as Dew and Spike rushed toward the group.

"Frost Wolves," Dew announced breathlessly, her eyes scanning the darkness as she continued. "Three of them. They seem to be on the move, but they're not aware of our presence yet."

"Good." The commander remarked, rising to his hooves as he continued. "That gives us the advantage. We'll stay low and quiet, let them pass without alerting them to our presence."

With a silent nod of agreement, the group huddled together, their breaths held as they waited for the wolves to move on.

As the group held their breath, the sound of padded footsteps grew louder, the frost wolves drawing closer with each passing moment. Twilight, Shining, Flash and Spike exchanged wary glances, their senses heightened in anticipation.

Suddenly, Clover held up a hoof, motioning for everyone to stay still. "They're getting closer, remain calm and still." She whispered, her voice barely audible above the night's gentle whisper.

With bated breath, they watched as the shadows of the wolves loomed closer, their silhouettes dancing against the moonlit snow. The dragon tensed while the rest of the group remained as motionless as statues.

One of the wolves paused, sniffing the air, while the others pressed forward. Twilight's heart skipped a beat as she caught sight of it.

The Frost Wolf stood before them, its body encased in impenetrable crystals, except for its glowing eyes, emitting trails of dark blue vapor that danced and swirled in the frigid air.

The creature's presence sent a shiver down Twilight's spine, her instincts urging her to flee, yet rooted to the spot by fear. She exchanged a glance with her companions, silently communicating their shared trepidation.

It's gaze seemed to linger for an eternity, its eyes piercing through the darkness with an otherworldly intensity. But just as suddenly as it had appeared, the creature turned and padded away, its crystalline form blending seamlessly into the night.

"Is... is it gone?" Spike whispered, his voice barely above a breath.

The combat medic cautiously approached the spot where the Frost Wolf had stood, her eyes scanning the darkness. After a tense moment, she returned to the group and spoke softly. "They're gone. We're safe."

The group exhaled a collective sigh of relief as the tension that had gripped them began to dissipate.

Hurricane sat up and said. "I suggest we get some sleep. We still have a distance to cover to reach Outpost Arctic."

The group nodded their head in agreement and moved toward the tents to get some shut-eyes.

Chapter 14 - The Father

Outpost Artic

"So what does the Pearl of Transformation does?" The Princess of Love asked.

King Crestwing looked at her and said. "The Pearl of Transformation can be used to transform the hippogriffs into seaponies and control the weather in ways that can hide our capital if needed."

Princess Cadance was conversing with King of the hippogriffs and decided to get to know about him and the hippogriffs more after conversing with the other leaders yesterday.

"I knew that the pearl could transform any beings into seaponies since Novo did that to me, my sister-in-law and her friends when we first arrived to Seaquestria, but your wife never mentioned to us that it could also control the weather." The Princess of Love said.

"I..." Crestwing spoke and lapsed into silence for a moment, then sighed before continuing. "Cadenza, I'm sorry about Novo. I can't believe that she decided not to help you, your sister-in-law and her friends to fight against the Storm King ."

Cadence mentally winced to herself. She remembered how angry the King of the hippogriff was when she explained what his wife had done, once she had learned that he was Novo's husband yesterday.

"You're not too angry at her, are you?" The Princess of Love asked.

"No, Cadenza. Just… upset and disappointed that she would just outright refused to help." Crestwing said, letting out a sigh before he continued. "While I still love her, I can't let this go. So when I meet my wife, I'm going to have a firm talk with her and ask her what she was thinking and how she could do that."

"I see. And please call me Cadance." Cadance said just as Grimhoof flew in, getting both the alicorn's and the hippogriff's attentions.

"Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, I am to escort you to your mother, Princess Amor. She's near the square and wants to talk to you about something." The pegasus stallion said as he saluted.

"You don't have to call me by my full name. Just Cadance will do." The Princess of Love replied with a warmly smile.

Relaxing his posture, Grimhoof said. "Yes... Cadance." He gestured the princess to follow.

"Well, it's nice to see you, King Crestwing." Cadance said to the hippogriff.

"Well, it's nice to see you too, Cadance. And please, just call me Crestwing." Crestwing replied with a gentle smile.

With that, the two part ways as the hippogriff returned to his duties while the Princess of Love followed the pegasus stallion.

"So, what was it that my mom want to talk to me about?" The Princess of Love asked after a moment of silence.

"I'm not sure, but she said that it is something you should know about." Grimhoof said.

Cadance nodded her head.

"Cadance..." The pegasus stallion started, turning his head to her before continuing. "I would like to thank your sister-in-law for bringing back Flash Magnus back from the Limbo. You have no idea how happy I was when Nimbus told me what you said to her yesterday."

The Princess of Love could only gave Grimhoof a smile as she spoke. "Well, Twilight is a very resourceful pony. She will always figured out the solutions for the problems along with her friends. She and her friends are the Bearers of Harmony."

The pegasus stallion chuckled before replying. "Now that's something truly admirable. It's good to know that such capable ponies are out there looking out for Equestria's well-being."

Cadance nodded in agreement as she spoke. "Absolutely. Twilight and her friends have proven time and time again that they can handle any challenge that comes their way."

They continued to exchange conversation to each others as they walked toward their destination.

After a few minutes of walking, they found Amore standing there staring into space.

"Your mother is waiting for you there, Cadance." The pegasus stallion said as he gestured for the Princess of Love to proceed ahead.

"Thank you, Grimhoof," Cadance said with a nod to which Grimhoof saluted her before flying off, before making her way towards her mother's location.

"Mom..." The Princess of Love called out, getting Amore's attention before she asked. "Grimhoof said you wanted to speak with me?"

Amore gave a sad sigh before she spoke. "Yes, there's something you need to know. But before that, I need to show you something."

She gestured her daughter to follow her, to which Cadance arched an eyebrow but chose not to say anything before following her mom.

A few minutes of walking, they reached the square of Outpost Artic. In the middle of the square stood a large statue of a pegasus stallion adorned in an armor, holding a sword in his mouth.

The Princess of Love stared at the statue before turning her head to Amore and asked. "Mom, who is that?"

Amore now has a face of sadness and sorrow, before she answered her daughter's question.

"That..." She started, her voice faltered while gazing on the statue as she continued. "That is your father."

Cadance's breath caught in her throat as she stared at her mother for a few seconds before turning her head toward the statue of the pegasus who her mother said was her father.

"What... what happened to him?" The Princess of Love finally whispered after a few minutes, her voice choked with emotion as tears welled in her eyes.

Amore turned her head to her daughter, her expression being a mixture of sadness and reverence, and spoke. "Three and a half weeks after your birth, this outpost we are in was the first to be attacked by King Sombra and his army. Your father happened to be there when the outpost was attacked. He and his soldiers tried to defend the outpost, but over time they began to lose. When the survivors of the outpost arrived, they revealed to me that..." She paused as the pain of old wounds resurfaced before continuing. "That your father was killed by King Sombra's captain during the attack of the outpost."

Cadance slowly sat down in silence, absorbing the new information. Her gut twisted and she couldn’t help but shed tears for a stallion she would never get the chance to know.

Amore enveloped her daughter in a tender embrace, offering silent support as she slowly sat down next to her daughter.

"I'm so sorry, Cadenza." Amore whispered, her voice laden with sorrow as she continued talking. "Your father was a brave and noble stallion."

Cadance leaned into her mother's embrace, seeking solace in the warmth of her love, before whispering. "I wish I could have known him. To hear his voice, to feel his presence..."

They sat there in silence while embracing each other. They remained in that position before Amore broke the silence and said. "His name was Arctic Spirit, and this outpost bears his name in honor of his memory."

The Princess of Love's thoughts swirled with a mixture of emotions, her heart aching for the father she had never known, yet feeling a newfound connection to him through the stories her mother shared.

Amore gently brushed the tears from her daughter's cheeks with her hoof before whispering. "I know, my dear. I wish you could have known him too. If you want, I have some pictures of him."

Cadance nodded her head as she said while sniffling. "I... I would like that."

Before either their conversation could continue, a crystal bat pony guard ran up to the two royals before throwing a salute, getting both of their attention.

"Your highnesses! We have just rescued a small groups of ponies and a dragon from the frost animals at the entrance. One of them is an alicorn, and among them are Clover the Clever, Commander Hurricane and Dew Nourish. Au Hasard and Queen Seraphine are also meeting you there." The bat pony said.

“What!” Both the mother and the daughter shouted at once, causing the guard to wince as he folded his ears back in response.

Amore quickly composed herself, her mind racing with the implications of this unexpected news before she spoke. "Thank you, guard. Please escort them to the infirmary and ensure they receive the care they need."

"Yes, your highness." The bat pony said as he saluted before running off, leaving the two royals alone.

Cadance gave her mother a confused look and asked. "Did the guard said who I think he just said?"

Amore offered a reassuring smile before responding. "Yes, my dear. He did. It's a long story, one that Clover and her friends will surely share with you. Besides, there may be familiar faces awaiting us at the infirmary. "

Amore began to move toward the direction the guard ran off while the Princess of Love herself had her suspicions as to who they were and why.

‘Well, there are two ponies and a dragon I can think of who would brave a frozen wasteland right after, say… one of their family members was taken.’ She thought as the realization sent a chill down her spine.

Cadance began following her mother to the infirmory as both began moving at a brisk pace through the outpost.

‘Oh Shining, Twilight, Spike. What trouble have you guys managed to find yourself into this time?’ She wondered to herself.

Chapter 15 - Chased

Earlier that day

Celestia's sun began to rise, signalling the beginning of a brand new day. Though a large groan soon interrupted the morning.

"Are we there yet? We have been walking for past three hours since we woke up early. I miss my warm bed..." Spike complained.

"Spike?" Shining Armor and Twilight Sparkle called out to the dragon.

Spike turned his head toward the siblings and asked. "Yeah?"

"Shut up." Both the prince and the Princess of Friendship deadpanned.

Across the desolate frozen expanse, six ponies and a dragon pressed on towards Outpost Arctic, their journey punctuated by the crunch of snow beneath their hooves.

"You know, Spike's right. How much further?" Flash Sentry asked Hurricane.

The commander turned his head around to face the lieutenant before answering. "Not much longer. The outpost should come into view after a few more stretches of ground."

"Trust us, we had been familiarised with the landscape." Clover interjected as she turned her head to look at Flash.

Twilight and her group glanced at each other before nodding their head at the unicorn mare and her group. They continued their trek through the Frozen North.

After an hour of walking and flapping wings, the group reached over a small dune of snow and walked on top of it. From their position, they finally could see Outpost Artic. The outpost's cyan blue shield surrounding it emerged on the horizon, its silhouette outlined against the pale light of dawn.

"There it is. Outpost Artic." Dew Nourish proudly said while the Princess and her group all stared at the outpost in sheer amazement.

The Princess of Friendship's eyes immediately sparkled as she took in the view of the outpost before squealing. "Oh My Gosh! It looked almost like the Crystal Empire, except it's not! If there's library back in the empire, there must one in there too!"

Clover, Hurricane, and Dew all looked at Shining and Spike with an arched eyebrow before the unicorn mare asked. "Is she always this overenthusiastic whenever there's new discoveries?"

Both the unicorn stallion and the dragon chuckled sheepishly before Shining answered Clover's question. "Yes. Every single time."

"No matter what kind." Spike added.

Twilight shot a glare at her number one assistant before her attention returned to the outpost ahead.

"Alright, let's get moving before your friend, Spike, start complaining." Flash stated with a smirk, earning him a glare from the dragon and a few chuckles from the prince and the Princess of Friendship.

The group began walking across the frozen landscape towards Outpost Artic. But, five minutes of walking later, a sudden rumble caught their attention, causing them all to stop.

Twilight asked. "What was that..."

However, before she could finish her sentence, the ground exploded in front of her as something forced its way out. She cried out in surprise as she saw a big worm coming straight for her. While its worm-like body was encased in impenetrable crystals except for its glowing eyes, its mouth have two claws on each sides.

The Princess of Friendship barely had time to react before the Ice Worm crashed into her, knocking her to the ground. It quickly raised its head and lunged toward her head with its claws opened. Her eyes widened and reflectively lifted her right foreleg in front of her. The Ice Worm bit on her foreleg, causing her to cry in pain as it pierced through her flesh.

As it's claws pierced through Twilight's flesh, a sharp pain shot through her body, causing her to grit her teeth and cry out in agony. The weight of the Ice Worm bore down on her, pinning her to the frozen ground beneath as she struggled to free her foreleg.

Spike and Shining widened their eyes in shock and surprised before narrowing them. The dragon prepared to unleash his flames, while the prince's horn shimmered with magical energy.

Before both of them could do anything, the combat medic charged forward with her spear unslung. She crashed into the creature, causing the Ice Worm to let go of the Princess of Friendship's foreleg and fall onto its back. Before the creature could do anything, Dew raised her spear and plunged it into one of its eyes, ending the creature's life in an instant.

"Twilight!" Both Spike and Shining called out in concern, running toward her while Twilight whimpered in pain as she placed her left forehoof on her right foreleg's injury which started to ooze out blood.

They reached the Princess of Friendship's side in haste, their expressions etched with concern as they knelt beside her. Twilight winced as she felt the warmth of their presence, her breath coming in short gasps as pain pulsed through her injured foreleg.

Dew slung her spear and trotted toward the princess, inspecting the wound before she grabbed the bandage from her saddlebag and wrapped it around the wound while she spoke. "The injury isn't severe, but the wound still needs to be tended."

Suddenly, sounds of howl echoed near the group, causing the six ponies and the dragon to tense up and looked at the direction where the howls came from.

"That wasn't the Frost Wolves, was it?" Spike nervously asked.

Clover sighed to herself as she rubbed her face with one of her foreleg before replying the dragon's question. "Unfortunately, yes."

Soon, fifteen silhouettes of Frost Wolves emerged from the snowy landscape, their presence outnumbering the group.

"There's too many. We need to get to Outpost Artic before the creatures reached us." Hurricane urgently said, to which the group nodded their head in agreement.

The group quickly raced toward the outpost. Twilight took to the sky, not wanting to even injure her injured foreleg. Flash Sentry swiftly scooped up Spike, placing the dragon securely on his back before taking flight alongside the Princess of Friendship.

Meanwhile, Shining and Clover used their magics to shoot bolts of magic. Though the creatures' impenetrable crystal encased bodies deflected most of the magical attacks, the onslaught was enough to disorient and slow their relentless pursuit. Each blast bought the group precious seconds as the group continued to run.

Suddenly, the ground in front of the group exploded as something big forced it out, causing the group to stop dead in their track as they stared at it.

The Glacial Bear stood menacingly with razor-sharp icicles claws and teeth, it's shadow looming over the group as it fixated its glowing eyes at them with trails of dark blue vapor emitting before roaring at them.

The commander was the first to snap out and he quickly flew up to the bear's face before bucking it's face with both of his hindlegs, dazing it for a moment. Then the combat medic kicked at one of its legs, causing the bear to collapse onto the ground.

"Don't just stand there gawping, come on." Clover shouted before shooting another bolt of magic at one of the Frost Wolves, which caused the wolf to stagger.

The rest of group quickly shook their head before going around the bear, who started to get up from the ground.

Soon, the group found themselves being chased by not only fifteen Frost Wolves, but also a Glacial Bear.

As they ran toward the outpost, Clover and her friends saw the Crystal Imperial guards within the shield of Outpost Artic taking notice of the chaos unfolding outside. While some of the guards immediately armed the repeating ballistae on top of the outpost's towers before aiming at the approaching frost animals, the others went outside the shield and readied their muskets, crossbows, bows and magics before doing the same.

All the guards immediately let loose their weapons. Arrows, round balls, javelins and magic bolts at the oncoming frost animals. While most projectiles bounced off the creatures' impenetrable crystal encased bodies, the onslaught was enough to cause the frost animals to back off.

The group pressed on as the shield covering the outpost got closer to them while the screams of the frost animals echoed behind them.

But just as they were about to reach the entrance, another Frost Wolf leaped out from nowhere. The wolf crashed into Flash Sentry from behind, causing the lieutenant and the dragon to crash onto the snowy ground while the rest of group made it inside the outpost and widened their eyes in horror. While Spike managed to roll safely into the outpost, the same could not be said for the orange pegasus.

Flash found himself pinned beneath the weight of the relentless creature, its jaws dangerously close to his face, as he struggled to break free from its grip.

Just as the Frost Wolf was about to bite off the lieutenant's face, a bolt of blue magic struck the creature, releasing him from its grip. Confused, Flash turned his head to see Dew standing at the entrance from a distance while holding a spear in one of her forehooves, its tip smoking.

With a surge of relief, the lieutenant quickly got up and hurried inside the outpost, the gate closing behind him just as the last of the Crystal Imperial guards retreated to safety.

As the last of the frost animals ran away, the group sat down and breathed a collective sigh of relief as their hearts were still racing from the adrenaline-fueled ordeal.

As they caught up with their breath, Flash walked up to the combat medic and spoke with a smile. "Thanks for the save back there."

Dew nodded her head at the lieutenant and replied. "Not a problem. I'm glad I could help, Lieutenant Sentry."

The lieutenant offered the combat medic a grateful nod before the prince of the Crystal Empire trotted toward them as the rest of the Crystal Imperial guards went to help out the group.

"Wait a minute. That spear you are holding. It can shoot magic bolts?!" Shining asked in disbelief as he blinked before asking. "How come you never told me or Flash about that?"

Dew shrugged as she said. "Well, you never asked."

Before both the stallions could asked more questions to the combat medic, sounds of hoofsteps were heard and everyone turned their head toward the source. The Crystal Imperial guards immediately saluted as the bat pony wearing a crystal armor and bracers with long, deadly blades that curved out of them in both of his forehooves.

"At ease, guards." The bat pony said to the guards to which they relaxed before he trotted toward Clover, Hurricane, and Dew. The three crystal ponies smiled at him.

"Ah, Hasard..." The commander started, trotting up to the bat pony before giving him a hug. They stayed there for a while before letting go.

"Hurricane, it's good to see you again. I take that the journey went smooth?" Hasard spoke as he smiled.

"Yes, Hasard. The journey was mostly uneventful until we encountered the Ice Worm, the Frost Wolves, and a Glacial Bear." Clover replied.

The bat pony's expression turned serious as he took in the group's state, his gaze sweeping over each member with concern before he spoke again. "I see. It seems you've had quite the ordeal. Are any of you injured?"

Twilight nodded her head, her injured foreleg bleeding through the bandage while she admitted. "I... I think my foreleg's bleeding through the bandage."

Hasard grimaced at the sight of the Princess of Friendship's injury before speaking again. "Let's get you to the infirmary and have that looked at right away. We have skilled medics who can tend to your injury." Hasard said, gesturing the group to follow him.

With his guidance, the group made their way deeper into Outpost Arctic.

< < < < < < < < < 💙 > > > > > > > > >

Amore and Cadance briskly walked in silence through Outpost Artic, nearing the infirmary where the ponies or creatures were treated whenever there were injuries. On reaching the doorway, they were greeted by Au Hasard and Queen Seraphine.

"Princess Amore and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza." The bat pony leader started, saluting at them before relaxing his position and continued. "We have identified three of the Equestrians, while we don't know the fourth."

"Well? Who are the three we know?" Amore asked.

'Could it be?' The Princess of Love thought to herself.

"One of them is Spike the dragon. The other two were the Prince of the Crystal Empire Shining Armor and the Princess of Friendship Twilight Sparkle." Hasard answered.

Cadance froze as her suspicions were confirmed.

"It would seem that your family members has come for you, my dear Cadenza." Amore said as she gave her daughter a warm smile.

"Are they alright?" The Princess of Love asked in concern.

The bat pony turned his head to her and answered. "Princess Twilight Sparkle has an injured right foreleg, bitten by an Ice Worm. But the injury doesn't seem to be serious."

Relief washed over Cadance at the news of her sister-in-law's condition before she spoke. "I would like to see them as soon as possible."

Amore nodded in agreement before speaking. "Yes, let's not delay. Lead the way to the infirmary. And if you want, I can stay at the back with the leaders while you meet them alone to explain things."

"Thank you. And no, I want them to meet you along with the leaders, mom." The Princess of Love said, receiving and returning an affectionate nuzzle.

Amore smiled and said. "Very well, my dear." She turned her head to the changeling queen before speaking. "Queen Seraphine, why don't you order some of the changeling medics in the infirmary to leave the room along with the rest of the medics once they are done tending Princess Twilight's injury?"

Queen Seraphine nodded her head in agreement and closed her eyes to concentrate for a moment before opening them again.

With a nod from the changeling queen that simplified that she had done the job, the bat pony guided Cadance and her mother along with Queen Seraphine through the outpost's corridors towards the infirmary.

< < < < < < < < < 💙 > > > > > > > > >

Inside the infirmary, the medics had already examined the Princess of Friendship's injury and tended to it. Remedy Elixir turned her head to the group and said with a smile. "She'll be fine. The wound isn't deep, but the bandage will still need to be wrapped around the wound so that there will be no infection."

Before Twilight, Shining, and Spike could show their gratitude, a feminine-looking changeling approached Remedy, murmuring something in her ear. She widened her eyes in surprised as the changeling pulled back before she spoke again. "Excuse me, but me and the rest of us will need to leave the room for a moment. There are some individuals who wish to talk to you privately."

One by one, the medics left the infirmary, leaving the group alone.

"LSBFF, are you sure you're okay?" The Prince asked.

The Princess of Friendship nodded, managing a small smile as she replied. "I'll be fine, BBBFF. It looks worse than it is."

"BBBFF? LSBFF?" Clover asked with an arched eyebrow.

Shining chuckled softly, realizing the confusion and answered the unicorn mare's question. "Oh, sorry. BBBFF stands for Big Brother Best Friend Forever. It's just a little nickname we have for each other."

"And LSBFF?" Dew asked.

Twilight's smile widened as she explained. "LSBFF stands for Little Sister Best Friend Forever. It's our way of reminding each other that we're not just siblings, but also the closest of friends."

"Yeah, we're like one big, happy family!" The dragon chimed in with a grin.

Both the siblings giggled, but before they could said anything, the door opened and the siblings' and Spike's hearts soared as a familiar pink alicorn nervously walked inside.

"Cadance!" The three shouted.

Before the Princess of Love could do anything, she was grappled into a planet shattering hug to end all hugs.

"Don't ever scare us like that, ever!" The siblings and the dragon both exclaimed as they held on tight to her.

"Guys... can't... breathe." Cadance gasped.

"Oh." The three said sheepishly, quickly releasing her from their hug.

"Princess Mi Amore Cadenza." Hurricane and his friends greeted. The commander saluting while the two mares bowed down.

The Princess of Love's eyes widened in astonishment as she took in the unexpected sight before she stuttered. "Commander... Hurricane? Clover the Clever? How are you alive?"

Both the unicorn mare and the commander stallion pegasus chuckled while the combat medic smirked before the unicorn answered. "It's a long story."

But before Clover could begin, a sudden shriek of "Chrysalis?!" interrupted them and they all looked to see Twilight, Shining, Spike and Flash in fighting stances at Queen Seraphine.

"Everypony, wait!" Cadance shouted, causing the four ponies and the dragon to look at her in confusion before she explained. "Seraphine is not Chrysalis, she's her elder sister. She was petrified and banished to the Frozen North for centuries when she confronted and argued with her younger sister. She was later rescued by the Crystal Imperial guards when they were looking for my mom's scattered fragments."

"WHAT?!" Twilight, Shining, Spike and Flash shouted as they exchanged incredulous glances.

"But that’s her- but why would Chrysalis-" The Princess of Friendship stuttered as she was flabbergasted. She couldn’t even properly form a complete sentence.

"How could Chrysalis do something like that to her own family? I mean, I know she doesn't care about her drones since she see them as slaves, but to turn against her own sister? That's..." the Prince trailed off as he shook his head in disbelief.

Before they could continue, a short cough caught their attention and the Princess of Love and her family and the lieutenant all looked to see Princess Amore standing at the door entrance.

"Princess Amore." Twilight, Shining, Spike, and Flash said as they bowed down.

Amore giggled before she spoke. "There's no need to bow down. After all, we are family." She smirked as both the siblings and the dragon blushed when they realised that she has a point before her eyes fell on the orange pegasus.

"And who are you?" Amore asked, prompting Flash to stand up and saluted at her.

"Lieutenant Flash Sentry, Crystal Empire Royal Guard, your majesty." He reported before relaxing.

"Crystal Empire Royal Guard? You guys were so desperate to get me back you got the Crystal Empire involved?" Cadance asked.

"That’s... part of the reason. Celestia, Luna and the others are worried sick, we all want you home, Cadance." The Princess of Friendship spoke.

"They're... not mad at me?" The Princess of Love sheepishly asked as one of her front hooves was digging little groves in the floor.

"Mad at you? Why would we ever be mad at you?" Spike remarked, surprise clear in his voice.

"Oh you know, because of, well..." Cadance stated.

"Actually, is it ok if you and I could talk to each other alone? It's regarding about a certain secret that you hid from me, Celestia, Luna and my parents three years ago." Twilight interjected.

The Princess of Love froze and looked back and forth between her sister-in-law and her guilty-faced husband before sighing.

"Oh, right. Well, we could talk in one of the guest quarters." Cadance spoke before moving towards the door.

"Do you want me there for you, my dear Cadenza?" Amore asked, concern clear in her voice.

The Princess of Love looked at her mother's face and answered. "No. This is something I need to do alone."

Amore stared at her daughter for a while before relenting and said. "Very well. If you need anything, call me or the guards out."

Cadance nodded before she and her sister-in-law exited the infirmary, leaving the rest alone.

They all stood in silence.

"So... I suppose you want to know how I am alive and why I abandoned my daughter." Amore spoke up as she walked forward while the bat pony and the changeling queen along with Clover, Hurricane, and Dew stand aside.

Shining, Flash and Spike all stared at her for a few seconds, before nodding in unison.

Amore sighed before she started. "Well, a thousand and fifteen years ago..."

Chapter 16 - Sister Talk

Cadance and Twilight walked through Outpost Artic in silence, not acknowledging the crystal ponies and the crystal creatures bowing to them as they continued before entering the Crystal Spire and into one of the guest quarters.

Once inside, the Princess of Love closed the door behind her via her magic. She turned her head to face her sister-in-law.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Cadance asked Twilight, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Why?" The Princess of Friendship started, her expression a mixture of confusion and hurt as she continued. "Why did you keep the secret about your wings and horn being different colors from me, Celestia, Luna and my parents, but not to my brother, for three years?"

The Princess of Love looked away from her sister-in-law in shame for a while before speaking in regretful voice. "I was afraid. Afraid that if anypony found out about the discrepancy in my appearance, they would suspect... they would suspect that I was Queen Chrysalis in disguise."

Twilight's eyes widened in shock as she took in the words her sister-in-law had said before she asked. "You were afraid that we would think that you were Queen Chrysalis?"

Cadance nodded as she looked back to her sister-in-law and answered her question. "Yes. And I was terrified that you and the others would banish me, or worse... turn me into stone."

Silence fell between them as Twilight struggled to process the reason and the truth of her sister-in-law's words, before she asked again. "But what about after Chrysalis was... permanently disposed and drained to death of by her own hive when they found out that their former queen had hid the secret about ridding themselves permanently of their hunger for love a year ago? Why didn't you tell us then?"

Cadance's gaze fell down straight towards the floor, her shame resurfacing with renewed intensity before she admitted. "I know I should have told you, your parents and my aunties about my wings and horn when Chrysalis's demise was told by her changelings." Her wings twitched and fluttered as she continued. "But I was afraid. Afraid that you and the others would think that I am a rogue changeling. Afraid that I would be judged differently."

The Princess of Friendship stared at her sister-in-law in blank faced.

"Twilight, I'm so sorry. I should have trust you sooner. I was just so scared of losing everything." The Princess of Love whispered.

Twilight didn't say anything and just kept staring at her for a while before readying herself.

Cadance seemed confused for a moment, but then realisation struck her like lightening and readied herself too.

“Sunshine sunshine ladybugs awake, clap your hooves and do a little shake!” The two sister-in-laws chanted while going through the motions of their special hoofshake, breaking down into giggles by the end before hugging each other.

"It's okay, Cadance. We can move past this together. Just promise me, no more secrets. We face everything together." The Princess of Friendship said softly

The Princess of Love nodded, hugging her sister-in-law tightly as she spoke. "I promise."

Just then, a couple of knocks was heard through the door to which they parted away before Cadance spoke. "Come in."

The door of the guest quarter opened, revealing Nimbus Dash and Grimhoof as they trotted in and saluted before relaxing as the stallion pegasus spoke up. "Princess Cadance. Your mother requested us to bring you and Princess Twilight Sparkle to meet other leaders at the base of the Crystal Spire."

The Princess of Love nodded her head before noticing her sister-in-law standing still with her expression being shock and surprised along with her jaws being opened, staring at both the female and the male pegasi.

"Uh, Twilight?" Cadance asked, waving a hoof in front of her sister-in-law's face while the pegasi glanced at each other.

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Outside the guest quarter, two crystal guards; A female kirin and a male hippogriff, were going about their duties loyally, patrolling the corridors with complete focus on the task at hoof.

*EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH*

The Royal Canterlot Voice enhanced squee made the kirin jumped on the hippogriff who instinctively flapped his wings in shock, lifting them both a few inches off the ground. They clung to each other, shivering like leaves in the wind, their wide eyes fixed on the guest quarters' door.

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"OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! YOU ARE NIMBUS DASH AND GRIMHOOF! YOU TWO SERVED IN THE CLOUDSDALE ROYAL LEGION WITH FLASH MAGNUS!" The Princess of Friendship squeed while bouncing off the walls in excitement .

Both pegasi were staring at Twilight in shock, their ears folded back to their heads as they winced, while the Princess of Love tried to calm her down.

"Twilight-" The Princess of Love tried to chime in.

"OH MY GOSH! RAINBOW DASH IS SO GOING TO BE JEALOUS WHEN I TELL HER THIS!" Twilight continued as she stopped and moved closer to their faces, prompting the pegasi to shrink down with their eyes twitching.

"Twilight." Cadance spoke, this time louder.

"AND THERE'S FLASH MAGNUS AND ROCKHOOF! THEY ARE GOING TO BE SO HAPPY THAT YOU TWO ARE ALIVE AND-" The Princess of Friendship still continued as she pulled back away from them and started to walk in circle before...

"TWILIGHT!!!" The Princess of Love finally exclaimed with her Canterlot Royal Voice.

Twilight froze mid-step, her eyes widened in shock as she turned to face her sister-in-law while Nimbus and Grimhoof had their ears covered with their wing tips, wincing at the volume.

Cadance smiled sheepishly as she spoke up. "Sorry about that, but that was the only way to stop you from rambling."

Instantly, the Princess of Friendship's face turned bright red as she realized the extent of her excitement. She sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck, feeling embarrassed.

"Sorry about that. I got little carried away." Twilight sheepishly apologised.

Both pegasi lowered their wings while sighing themselves in a relief before the pegasus mare spoke with a smile. "It's quite alright, your majesty. Oh, there is something that me and Grimhoof want to say to you."

The Princess of Friendship arched an eyebrow at them as her blush on her face melted away and prompted them to say while the Princess of Love stepped aside to give the pegasi some space.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle, thank you for saving and bringing our friend, Flash Magnus, from the limbo. Your sister-in-law have told us everything." Both the pegasi said.

Twilight's eyes widened with surprise and then softened before speaking. "You're welcome, Nimbus Dash and Grimhoof. Me and my friends were able to use Flash Magnus's and his friends' magical artifacts and talismans of the elements to bring them back from the limbo."

Cadance smiled at the heartfelt exchange before suggesting. "Shall we head to the meeting now?"

Twilight nodded, her excitement now more contained as she answered. "Yes, let's go."

The group walked toward the door and opened it, only to see the kirin and hippogriff clinging to each other in the air while shivering.

"Hey, are you two alright?" Grimhoof asked as he walked over to them.

The female kirin, still clinging to the hippogriff, nodded shakily as she stuttered. "Y-yes, Grimhoof. We're alright. Just a bit startled."

The hippogriff gave a nervous laugh, gently setting the kirin down before he spoke. "We didn't expect such... enthusiasm."

The blush immediately returned as the Princess of Friendship again rubbed the back of her neck while replying. "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you two."

"It's alright, your majesty. We're fine." Both the crystal guards assured.

"Please, just Twilight will do." Twilight insisted.

Both the female kirin and the male hippogriff glanced at each other before the kirin spoke up. "Very well, Twilight. Now, let us lead you to the leaders."

With the nod, the group departed for the base of the Crystal Spire.

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After a few minutes of walking, the group arrived the base to see the leaders of various races, Princess Amore, Shining Armor, Flash Sentry, Spike, Commander Hurricane, Clover the Clever and Dew Nourish all waiting.

Nimbus and Grimhoof suddenly froze when they saw the lieutenant as he looked like their friend, Flash Magnus, and stared at him before Flash called out. "Are you two alright?"

The lieutenant's question knocked the two pegasi out before the stallion pegasus replied. "Sorry. You just look almost like our friend, Flash Magnus."

Flash chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck before speaking. "A lot of ponies kept mistaking me as your friend. I'm actually his descendants."

"What?! You're Flash Magnus descendant?!" Nimbus and Grimhoof exclaimed.

The lieutenant chuckled. "I suppose I should explain."

While the pegasi were talking, Cadance and Amore individually introduced the leaders to their family with Clover and her friends standing aside.

"You're Queen Novo's husband?!" Both the Prince of Crystal Empire, the Princess of Friendship and the dragon exclaimed when the Princess of Love and her mother introduced King Crestwing.

The King of hippogriffs sighed. "Yes, Prince Armor, Princess Twilight and Spike. Cadance told me everything. Princess Twilight, I'm truly sorry about how my wife outright refused to help you and your sister-in-law during the Storm King's invasion on your capital."

Twilight quickly responded to King Crestwing. "It's alright. I understand."

As the group continued their conversation for hours getting known to each other, Cadance suggested to her mother. "We could head back to the Crystal Empire. The crystal ponies will be overjoyed to see you again, mom."

Amore hesitated as her eyes filled with uncertainty. "I don't know if I'm ready for that." She admitted.

Seeing her reluctance, the unicorn mare stepped forward.

"Princess Amore, you are beloved by your people. Your return would be a true joy for them," Clover said gently.

The commander pegasus nodded in agreement at his wife before speaking. "The Crystal Empire needs you. You have been gone for so long, and your presence will bring the crystal ponies joy."

The combat medic added. "The crystal ponies will accept you again."

Shining, standing beside his wife, spoke up. "Mother-in-law, you are now part of our family. Your return is not just a political matter, it's a personal one. We want you with us. Beside, I think my mom would love to get to know more about you."

Twilight stepped forward before adding. "Amore, listen to us. We need you, and we want you to be with us as we face the future together."

Spike said. "Yeah! The crystal ponies will be happy to see you again."

Flash Sentry chimed in. "The crystal ponies in the Crystal Empire already know that you have returned, and they've been excited ever since."

Amore's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? They know?"

The lieutenant confirmed with a nod. "Yes, the crystal ponies in the Crystal Empire have been buzzing with excitement since they learnt the news."

With more gentle encouragement from Cadance and the leaders of various races, she finally nodded her head and said. "Very well. Let's go home."

The Princess of Friendship then turned to the dragon. "Spike, write a letter."

"On it!" Spike replied, swiftly grabbing a quill and a letter before started to write.

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Life was starting to return to normal in the city of Canterlot. Ponies of all races went about their lives, bustling with activity.

Princess Celestia overlooked it all from one of the castle’s many balconies, a sense of unease surrounding her regal aura.

“Sister?” A kind voice called from behind. The solar princess looked back to see her sister, Princess Luna, joined by a group of crystal creatures.

“Sister, what troubles you?” The lunar princess asked gently.

Celestia's eyes returned to the view of Canterlot as she spoke. “They should have been back by now.”

“Tia, the fate of Equestria no longer rests squarely on your shoulders. You need to stop worrying constantly.” Luna urged.

Celestia countered. "How can I not? Cadance is in danger. And we have heard nothing from Twilight and her team.”

“They will be fine, Princess Celestia. You said yourself, Princess Twilight Sparkle and her group can watch out for themselves.” Furx reassured.

Midnight added. “Don’t forget about Clover, Hurricane, and Dew. They're with them. Give them a few more days. If we hear nothing, my friends and I will go out and look for them.”

Before the solar princess could respond, a letter suddenly manifested from green fire in front of her. She grabbed it with her magic and quickly read it out loud.

Dear Princess Celestia and Princess Luna,

We have finally located the outpost Cadance was staying, though we did have to go through the Frost Animals. But we are okay. Clover, Hurricane and Dew were able to help us.

There were a lot of races. There were kirins, changelings, bat ponies, yaks, hippogriffs and griffons. They all seem happy to work for Amore.

Each of the races are led by the leader. For the kirins, it was King Fire Blaze. The yaks, Thunderhoof. The bat ponies, Au Hasard. The griffons, Stormfeather. The changelings, Queen Seraphine. And the hippogriffs, King Crestwing.

I will explain to you about the changelings and hippogriffs, it's a long story.

Anyway, Cadance had suggested to her mom that she should head back to the Crystal Empire. Princess Amore was hesitate, but we managed to convince her and Princess Amore agreed. So we are preparing to head back to the Crystal Empire.

I think you two should come. After all, she was your friend.

Your friend,
Princess Twilight Sparkle

Celestia stared at the letter in her magic, blinking.

"See, Princess Celestia. You don't have to worry for them now." Sunwing spoke up.

It was then the group shrunk back when the solar princess suddenly shouted, causing them to cover their ears.

"TWILIGHT WANTS ME AND MY SISTER TO SEE AMORE?!"

Chapter 17 - Heading back to Crystal Empire

"Can you handle things here while I'm gone, captain?" Queen Seraphine asked her captain while she prepared her saddlebag.

The changeling captain nodded his head and saluted. "Yes, my queen. I can."

The changeling queen gave her captain a smile. "Good. We might be away for a few days to a week, so if you need any help, you can ask my friends' captains."

The changeling captain nodded his head before Queen Seraphine turned to meet the five changeling guards, armed with spears, swords and crossbows.

"Alright, now I know I already pinged you five over the hive about the journey, but I will repeat it anyway. Princess Amore and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza are preparing to head back to the Crystal Empire, along Princess Twilight Sparkle, Prince Shining Armor and Spike, Lieutenant Flash Sentry and the rest of the leaders. King Crestwing, King Fire Blaze, Stormfeather, Au Hasard and Thunderhoof will each have five of their guards. Your objective is ensuring Princess Amore and her daughter safety while we travelled toward the Crystal Empire. Understood?"

"Yes, my queen!" the guards responded in unison, their voices filled with resolve.

Satisfied with their response, the changeling queen gave a small nod. "Excellent. Remember, this mission is of utmost importance."

As she finished her briefing while the five guards saluted before leaving, the queen's thoughts drifted to the upcoming journey. The Crystal Empire, with its shimmering towers and the legendary Crystal Heart, was a place where Amore truly belongs. She will ensure Princess Amore and her daughter's safety to return the favour for letting her stay in Outpost Artic.

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The group assembled at the entrance of Outpost Artic. The cold winds were howling relentlessly, implying that a blizzard is about coming.

Cadance stared out at the open landscape of the Frozen North. She then turned her head back to observe the group.

Twilight, Shining and Spike were busy talking to her mother, Amore, to get to know about her more. Lieutenant Flash Sentry was conversing with Nimbus Dash and Grimhoof. The leaders were individually talking to their own five guards about the mission. Meanwhile, Clover, Commander Hurricane and Dew Nourish were helping Amore's five Crystal Imperial guards by telling what to expect out in the Frozen North.

Princess of Friendship noticed her sister-in-law gaze and walked over. "How are you feeling, Cadance?"

Cadance sighed, her breath visible in the frigid air. "A little nervous but hopeful. It's been so long since my mother has been home. I just want everything to go smoothly."

Feeling a hoof on her shoulder, the Princess of Love turned to see her husband smiling as he offered comforting words to his wife, Cadance, reassuring her with gentle tones and a supportive smile. "Everything will be alright, Cady. We've faced so much together, and we’ll get through this too." His words carried the weight of countless shared experiences and challenges overcome together.

Amore stepped forward, her regal presence softened by the tender emotions in her eyes. She placed a hoof on Cadance's shoulder, her voice steady yet filled with a touch of vulnerability. "I'm nervous too, my dear, but I'm willing to give this a shot. Returning to the Crystal Empire feels daunting, but remember, I will always be by your side, no matter what happens." Hearing these heartfelt words, Cadance felt a swell of emotions and embraced her mother tightly. The group watched this touching reunion with a mix of admiration and respect.

Suddenly, the dragon suddenly belched out a letter and a roar of green flames erupted from his mouth, causing a letter to appear in front of Twilight.

The Princess of Friendship picked up the letter and read it out loud for the group to listen.

Dear Twilight,

I'm glad you and your group are safe. Luna and I will be coming to the Crystal Empire to meet you there.

Your friends will also be coming with us to see you as they missed you dearly. This will also allow Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity to apologise for their hostility toward Amore at the beach that day.

We will meet there soon.

Your Friend,
Princess Celestia

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Soon, the group was trudging through the relentless blizzard, the howling winds and biting cold threatening to impede their progress. The Prince of the Crystal Empire and Clover the Clever, their horns glowing with a powerful aura, conjured a large, robust shield around the group. This magical barrier was conjured to not only protected them from the blizzards but also from any lurking frost creatures.

Within the shield, the five guards from each leader's faction remained vigilant, either walking or flying, ever watchful for signs of danger. King Crestwing, along with King Fire Blaze, Thunderhoof and Stormfeather, engaged in a deep conversation. They spoke of their excitement and anticipation about reuniting with their families and species after years spent aiding the Crystal Imperial guards in their quest to locate Amore's scattered fragments.

Au Hasard, the bat pony, was engrossed in a lively discussion with Spike. The young dragon, his eyes wide with curiosity, peppered the bat pony with questions about his time serving Princess Luna. Hasard recounted tales of his past duties as a captain under the lunar princess before he was lost and eventually found by the Crystal Imperial.

Nearby, Commander Hurricane, Nimbus Dash and Grimhoof shared their stories with Flash Sentry, reminiscing about their adventures as they scoured the globe in search of Amore's fragments together. Dew Nourish meticulously checked her supplies, ensuring she was prepared for any injuries that might occur.

Amore and the Princess of Love walked together, deep in conversation. Cadance took this opportunity to catch up with her mother, sharing the events that transpired during her imprisonment and listening intently to Amore's experiences.

Twilight observed the mother-daughter duo, a warm smile spreading across her face. She then turned to her brother to share her thoughts. "You know, I’ve never seen Cadance so happy before." The Princess of Friendship remarked, her voice tinged with joy.

Shining nodded in agreement, his expression thoughtful. "I know. She’s always had us—me, our daughter, you, and our parents. But I never imagined that Amore, the former ruler of the Crystal Empire before King Sombra, would turn out to be Cadance's mother. It’s like a piece of her past has finally fallen into place."

"Amore has been watching her from the start." a voice said, causing both siblings to turn and see Queen Seraphine approaching from behind.

"What do you mean?" The Prince asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

The changeling queen cleared her throat before explaining. "When enough of Amore's scattered fragments were rebuilt, she managed to create an astral form. Through this, she communicated with the Crystal Imperial guards and used her magic to locate some of her remaining pieces. Apparently, when King Sombra shattered Amore's petrified statue, her soul fused with the fragments scattered across the world."

Both siblings stared at her, wide-eyed.

Queen Seraphine continued, "When Amore discovered her ability to manifest through the fragments, she used it to watch over Cadance. From her time as a foalsitter, to her wedding, and to her role as the ruler of the Crystal Empire, Amore has always been there, silently proud of her daughter."

"Wow..." The siblings said, staring the changeling queen while walking in awe.

As the group continued their journey through the blizzard, one of King Crestwing’s guards suddenly called out, alerting everyone. The group turned, readying themselves for a potential threat, and saw a couple of Frost Wolves staring at them from a distance.

Weapons were drawn, and they stood in a fighting stance, prepared to confront the wolves. To their surprise, the wolves backed away from the magical shield protecting the group and then disappeared into the howling wind and snow.

Confused, the combat medic lowered her guard and asked, “What was that about?”

The group exchanged puzzled glances, shrugging as they stared at the spot where the Frost Wolves had been.

Dropping her fighting stance, Amore suggested, “Let’s get moving before more frost animals arrive.”

The group nodded in agreement and resumed their journey, their minds lingering on the peculiar behaviour of the Frost Wolves.

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Crystal Empire, two days later

Within the Crystal Empire, the crystal ponies bustled with excitement, their voices filled with eager anticipation for Princess Amore's arrival.

"HELP! SOMEPONY HELP!" A scream echoed through the air, causing everyone to turn their attention toward the Crystal Palace.

Sunburst, the Royal Crystaller, was being dragged through the air by a giggling Flurry Heart, the baby alicorn. Two crystal guards chased after them, struggling to keep up.

The Royal Crystaller screamed as the baby alicorn refused to let him go. The guards were panting heavily, clearly outmatched by the energetic baby.

Starlight Glimmer, visiting her friend, sat nearby, trying hard not to laugh at the commotion. "Do you need any help, Sunburst?" she asked, lounging on a chair and munching on popcorn.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK, STARLIGHT?!" Sunburst yelled, flailing as Flurry Heart swung him around in circles with her magic.

Unable to contain herself, the unicorn mare burst into laughter, falling off her chair and rolling left and right on the floor.

"STARLIGHT!!!" The Royal Crystaller screamed again as the two crystal guards finally caught up, only to collapsed face-down in exhaustion.

Wiping away her tears of laughter, Starlight got to her feet and said. "Alright, alright, I’ll help you."

Her horn glowed, and the baby alicorn was enveloped in the unicorn mare's magic, causing the baby to lose her grip on Sunburst, who promptly fell face-first onto the floor.

Starlight chuckled again while Flurry Heart gave her an indignant "hmph" and looked away, crossing her tiny hooves.

Sunburst weakly stood up, his eyes spinning in dizzy circles as he adjusted his glasses. "Sweet Celestia, this baby has a lot of energy," he said, dragging himself toward the unicorn mare and the now pouting baby alicorn.

The unicorn mare ruffled the baby alicorn’s mane affectionately. "She sure does. You okay, Sunburst?" She asked.

"Define 'okay'," The Royal Crystaller replied, still trying to catch his breath. "Next time, maybe you could step in a bit sooner?"

"Where’s the fun in that?" Starlight teased, giving him a playful nudge. "Besides, you handled it pretty well."

The Royal Crystaller gave her a weary look. "I think 'well' is a bit generous."

Laughing, the unicorn mare lifted Flurry Heart into the air with her magic, the baby alicorn giggling once more, her earlier indignation forgotten. The crystal guards, finally catching their breath, managed to sit up, leaning against each other with relieved smiles.

"Good work, all of you," Starlight said, smiling at the guards. "You really gave it your all."

One of the guards, still panting, replied, "Thank you, Lady Starlight. We try our best."

Sunburst adjusted his glasses one last time and sighed. "I think I need a vacation."

Before the unicorn mare could laughed, the door to the hallway opened, causing the group to see a crystal mare guard panting as she catches her breaths.

"She's here!" She exclaimed, prompting the group to arch an eyebrow.

"Princess Amore's here! She's here right now in the empire!" The crystal mare guard exclaimed as she started to bounce in excitement.

The two crystal guards immediately got up, their adrenalines kicking in, and ran toward the empire's entrance along with the crystal mare guard.

Both unicorns exchanged confused glances as the crystal guard's excitement echoed through the hall.

"Who's Princess Amore?" Starlight asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I'm actually not sure. Princess Celestia didn't replied my letters." The Royal Crystaller adjusted his glasses, still catching his breath from the earlier ordeal with Flurry Heart, before speaking. "Let's just go and see what's happening."

With the baby alicorn giggling in her magical grip, the unicorn mare led the way, Sunburst trailing behind as they followed the guards out of the palace.

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At the bustling entrance of the Crystal Empire, where a crowd of crystal ponies had gathered, their faces alight with excitement and joy. They cheered and waved, welcoming Princess Amore, Cadance and Shining Armor. Nearby, Twilight, Spike, and the other leaders stood aside, smiling at the heartwarming scene.

They were in the midst of gratefully thanking the crystal ponies when Starlight and Sunburst emerged from the crowd, holding Flurry Heart.

The Princess of Love, her husband and her sister-in-law turned, their faces lighting up with joy. "Flurry!" Cadance exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace her daughter, Shining and Twilight following her and gave the baby alicorn a hug too. The crystal ponies respectfully stepped aside, allowing the family their moment.

As the family reunion unfolded, Amore’s expression changed from joy to shock. She stared at Flurry Heart, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Mom, what’s wrong?" The Princess of Love asked, noticing the look on Amore's face.

"Your daughter... she's an alicorn?" Amore asked, her voice tinged with astonishment.

Cadance nodded, smiling proudly as she confirmed. "Yes, she is."

Amore’s face slowly broke into a smirk and said. "And here I thought my husband and I were the only ones who could manage that."

The gears in both the Princess of Love and her husband’s minds started turning as they processed her words. Realization dawned on them, and their faces turned a deep shade of red.

"M-MOM!"

Author's Note

This one took a bit longer to write, so sorry.

Chapter 18 - Crystal Empire

After the group chuckled at both Cadance and Shining Armor's reaction, they retreated further into the Crystal Empire where the leaders introduced themselves to Starlight and Sunburst before the group split up.

King Crestwing, King Fire Blaze, Stormfeather, Thunderhoof, and Au Hasard were currently given a tour of the empire by Sunburst, while Queen Seraphine stayed behind as Starlight wanted to ask the changeling queen some questions. The rest headed to the baby alicorn's room.

"You're Queen Chrysalis's elder sister?!" The unicorn mare exclaimed.

Seraphine nodded her head and recounted her past to Starlight.

"I... I have no words for it." The unicorn mare muttered, "Princess Celestia banishing Princess Luna to the moon for a thousand years I can understand, but Chrysalis, your own younger sister, petrifying and banishing you to the Frozen North so that she can sought for power without you interfering her... that's just..."

"Unforgivable," The changeling queen finished, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I hold no hatred for her. Only sorrow for what she has become and what I had to do to stop her."

Starlight arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Seraphine didn't answered the unicorn mare's question, instead green flames surrounded her and her tall form was replaced with a unicorn mare with a coat of light bluish gray, her mane and tail being moderate blue, a cutie mark of dark blue heart and her eyes being moderate lime green.

The unicorn mare's jaw dropped open at the sight as she remembered the letter Twilight received from Cadance about a certain unicorn mare with the same appearance who shown the secret Chrysalis had hidden in her diary from her hive of ridding themselves permanently of their hunger for love, causing them to permanently dispose of her and 'drained her to death'.

"You?! It was you?!" Starlight exclaimed as the changeling queen shed her disguise.

Seraphine nodded. "Yes, it was me. I was the one who shown my younger sister's diary to her changelings."

The unicorn mare stared at her for a while before looking away. "That's... that's a lot to take it."

The changeling queen sighed. "I know."

A moment of silence hung between them before it was broken by Seraphine.

"So, what is it about Princess Celestia banishing Princess Luna to the moon for a thousand years?" She asked.

Starlight looked back at the changeling queen and replied. "Well, it all started..."

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In the baby alicorn's room, Twilight and Spike were playfully entertaining Flurry Heart, with Amore, Cadance, and Shining Armor watching with amused smiles.

"She's growing up so fast," Amore remarked, her voice tinged with melancholy.

The Princess of Love nodded, her expression tender as she cradled her daughter. "Yes, she is. And I hope we're guiding her to become a kind and wise leader."

The Prince chuckled. "As long as she doesn't destroy the heart again, she's got the best examples she could ask for from you and Twilight."

Amore, raising her eyebrow, asked, "What did you mean when you said Flurry Heart destroyed the heart?"

The Princess of Friendship rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "Well, during the Crystalling, when I took Flurry Heart away from Pinkie Pie, she cried so loudly that it shattered the Crystal Heart. It caused a massive snowstorm in the empire. Fortunately, Starlight, Celestia, Luna, and I were able to repair the Crystal Heart in time."

Amore stared at Twilight and then at Flurry Heart, her face turning red. "I thought I was the only one who broke the heart."

Cadance looked at her mother, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Amore sighed and confessed, "When I was young, I tried to use my magic but ended up losing control. My magic broke the heart, shattering it into million pieces. My mother and I were lucky that a crystal sorceress was able to fix it before the snowstorm arrived. It was years before my mother let me use my magic again."

"You what?" The Princess of Friendship and Spike exclaimed in shock.

The Princess of Love, Shining and their daughter giggled at the revelation. "Looks like breaking the Crystal Heart runs in the family," the Prince said, still chuckling.

Amore laughed softly. "Seems like it."

The group all shared a laugh together as their laughs echoed through the room before they were interrupted by a knock from the door.

"Come in." Cadance said, the door opening to reveal a crystal guard.

"Your highness," The guard began. "Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and the bearers of Elements have arrived at the train station."

"Thank you," The Princess of Love responded, standing up with Flurry Heart in her left forearm. "Please show them in to the throne room. And on your way to them, if you find Sunburst, tell him to bring the leaders to the throne room. If he asks why, tell him that there are someponies who want to meet the leaders."

The guard saluted before closing the door, leaving the group alone in the room.

"Well, I suppose it's time to meet to my old friends." Amore said with a smile. "Shall we?"

With the nods from the group, they set off to the throne room to wait for the visitors.

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Meanwhile outside, Sunburst continued to guide King Crestwing, King Fire Blaze, Stormfeather, Thunderhoof and Au Hasard through the empire.

"This Crystal Heart, unlike the ones in the outposts, is a powerful artifact that channels the love and hope of the Crystal Ponies to create a protective barrier around the empire, protecting the empire from harm and snowstorms." The Royal Crystaller explained, gesturing toward the heart's pedestal.

The King of hippogriffs nodded and said, "The resilience and unity of these ponies are truly inspiring. Amore said that this Crystal Heart is a symbol of her subjects' unity and strength."

Sunburst smiled. "You're quite right, Your Majesty. This Crystal Heart is a symbol of their unity and strength. Every time they come together for events like the Crystalling, they strengthen its power. It's a continuous cycle of giving and receiving love."

The bat pony arched an eyebrow and asked, "What's the Crystalling?"

The Royal Crystaller turned his head and answered, "The Crystalling is a special ceremony for Crystal Empire newborns that culminates in making the Crystal Heart stronger than before."

"It's remarkable that this heart can protect the empire from harm and snowstorms, while the outpost cities' ones where we stayed can only protect the outpost cities from snowstorms." The griffon remarked.

As they continued their tour, Sunburst led them to other significant landmarks, including the Crystal Palace, the Crystal Library, and the bustling marketplace as he explained each location of its story and significance. The crystal ponies greeted their guests warmly, their faces reflecting the pride they felt for their homeland.

At the marketplace, the Royal Crystaller paused to explain the history behind the Crystal Fair. "The Crystal Fair is one of our most cherished traditions. It was established to renew the spirit of love and unity among the crystal ponies. The fair culminates in the rejuvenation of the Crystal Heart, strengthening their bond and ensuring their continued prosperity."

The King of the kirins, fascinated by a nearby vendor selling crystal trinkets, remarked, "The integration of their culture with the power of the heart is seamless. It’s as if every aspect of life here is intertwined with the magic of the Crystal Heart."

Sunburst beamed with pride. "Exactly. The heart is the lifeblood of the empire, and its magic touches every part of their lives. It’s what makes the Crystal Empire so unique and resilient."

Before the yak could asked the Royal Crystaller some questions, a crystal guard suddenly walked up to the unicorn.

"Royal Crystaller Sunburst, Princess Cadance has requested you to bring the leaders to the throne room." The guard said.

Sunburst gave the guard a confused face. "What? Why?"

"There are someponies who want to meet the leaders in the throne room." The crystal guard simply said.

The Royal Crystaller's face was replaced with surprised before he composed himself. "Alright, thanks for telling me."

The guard saluted before heading toward the train station.

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The Crystal marketplace was packed with workers and other ponies who had decided to visit the Crystal Empire for sightseeing or vacations.

Amidst the crowd, seven ponies were being escorted by a crystal guard to the Crystal Palace as they watched many ponies and crystal ponies passing them with some of them greeting them, though for the two ponies, they were panicking.

"Sister, you need to calm down. Panicking isn't going to help you or me." Princess Luna whispery hissed, though her body was shaking a bit as the group walked toward the palace.

"Luna, how can I calm down when we are on our way to meet Amore, who we thought she was dead after King Sombra petrified her and scattered her fragments across the world before we arrived? What if she doesn't forgive us?" Princess Celestia whispery hissed panicky back at her sister.

"I thought I told you not to worry about that."

The Mane 5 walked in silence while staring at the two princesses bickering with each other.

Fluttershy, growing enough of the bickering, moved toward them to stop them. "Your majesties, while I may not know your relationship between you and Princess Amore, I do know that Princess Amore would still want to be friends with you."

The royal sisters, hearing this, composed themselves and calmed down with a deep breath.

"Thank you, Fluttershy," The solar princess said, her voice softer now. "You're right. We need to approach this meeting with calm and open hearts."

The lunar princess nodded in agreement. "Indeed. It wouldn't do to let our nerves get the best of us."

Soon, they reached the palace before the guard saluted and leave while the group continued their journey to the throne room.

Just at the doors of the throne room, the group were met with Clover, Commander Hurricane, Dew Nourish, Nimbus Dash, Grimhoof, Lieutenant Flash Sentry and five guards from each leaders.

Rainbow Dash immediately froze at the sight of the two pegasi as they along with the five guards from each leaders walked toward the group, stopping just in front of them to salute before relaxing.

"Your highnesses, my name is Nimbus Dash. This is my friend, Grimhoof, and these guards behind us are from each of leaders." Nimbus introduced as she gestured to herself, her friend next to her and the guards. "Princess Amore, Princess Cadance, Prince Shining Armor, Princess Twilight Sparkle, Spike, King Crestwing, King Fire Blaze, Stormfeather. Thunderhoof, Au Hasard and Queen Seraphine are all waiting in the throne room."

Before both pegasi could lead the group in, the rainbow-mane pegasus flew straight up to them, her face grinning and her eyes sparkling.

"Ohmygosh, ohmygosh, ohmygosh! You're Nimbus Dash and Grimhoof!" Rainbow Dash squeed as both pegasi shrank down with their eyes twitching. "You guys are part of Cloudsdale's Royal Legion and Flash Magnus's friends! How are you-"

The rainbow-mane pegasus's words were cut off as she was enveloped in blue magic aura by Rarity before being pulled away from Nimbus Dash and Grimhoof.

"Honestly, Rainbow darling. Give those poor guards some space, you're scaring them." The unicorn mare said while lowering Rainbow Dash down onto the floor.

The rainbow-mane pegasus blushed as the group all stared at her before it was interrupted by the combat medic.

"Excuse me, but Princess Amore and the leaders?" Dew spoke.

The guards quickly opened the doors and ushered the group to enter the throne.

They were met with the group with Sunburst, Starlight Glimmer and Flurry Heart in the throne room.

"Amore." Both the royal sisters whispered.

"Hello, Celestia and Luna. It's been so long since I have seen your face." Amore replied as she walked toward the royal sisters before embracing them, which the sisters returned.

The groups watched the touching embracement before Amore and the royal sisters released each other.

Using this opportunity, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash approached Amore, their heads held low in shame.

"Princess Amore..." The white unicorn mare started, getting Amore's attention to the four mares while the rest of the group backed away. They had all agreed that she should be the one to speak to Amore, having the most regal voice of all of them, and being the most experienced smooth talker. "My friends and I would like to apologise for the hostility back at the beach. We shouldn't have done that."

Amore looked at the four mares, her expression softening. "Your apology is accepted," she said warmly. "Let's move past that incident."

The four mares smiled before a scream caught the group's attention and turned their head to see Fluttershy hiding behind a hippogriff guard while staring at the changeling queen.

"CH-CHRYSALIS?!" The four mares and the royal sisters shouted.

The Princess of Friendship and Princess of Love immediately jumped in front of Seraphine, getting both the bearers of harmony and the sisters confused and shock.

"Wait! Queen Seraphine is not Queen Chrysalis! She's just her elder sister!" Twilight quickly explained.

"WHAT?!" came the collective, bewildered response.

Before Cadance could explain more, the changeling queen placed a hoof on her shoulder. "Allow me to explain, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza." She said before recounting her past to the group.

Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Celestia and Luna were beyond shocked and horrified after Seraphine finished her story.

"I... I can't believe Chrysalis would do that to you." The solar princess muttered.

"My sister banishing me to the moon for a thousand years I can understand, but what Chrysalis did... that's..." The lunar princess was unable to finish her words as she took in the story the changeling queen had recounted.

"What my younger sister did was unforgiveable. That's why I orchestrated her downfall and death." Seraphine said before explaining what she did a year ago.

"You? You were the unicorn who showed Chrysalis's diary to her changelings, causing them to permanently disposed and 'drained her to death'?" Applejack shouted in pure shock.

But before the Mane 5 could asked more questions, Celestia and Luna coughed to get the others attention.

"Sorry about that. It's just... Luna and I would like speak to Amore alone in another room." The solar princess said.

Hearing this, Amore arched an eyebrow at the royal sisters before sighing. "Very well."

"I will come with you, mom." The Princess of Love hastily said to her mother.

Both sisters wanted to argue, but decided against it and leave the throne room with Amore and Cadance before closing the door behind, leaving the rest of the group behind.

The group remained in silence before Thunderhoof broke it.

"So, you five ponies and purple princess are the Bearers of Elements of Harmony? How did six ponies managed to do that?" The yak asked.

The Princess of Friendship beamed and started to explain how they did it.

Chapter 19 - A Long Awaited Meeting

A lone crystal pony smiled at her work, a duster being held within her left hoof. Every speck of dust had been removed from the last sleeping quarter; every corner and surface was spotless. Unfortunately for her, she was so concentrated on cleaning the quarter that she wasn't informed of Princess Amore's and Princess Cadance arrival at the Crystal Empire.

Wiping the sweat off her forehead, she packed up her cleaning equipment and as she turned her body to leave, the sleeping quarter's door opened. Amore and her daughter strutted in, followed by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. When both parties saw each other, the crystal pony froze at the sight of the Princess of Love and her mother.

Immediately, the crystal pony bowed down in front of Cadance and Amore. "Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Princess Amore. My apologises, I didn't realise you have return to the empire, along with your mother."

Both the mother and the daughter smiled at the pony before the Princess of Love addressed her. "It's fine. Excellent work on cleaning the sleeping quarters."

The crystal pony's face flushed with pride at the compliment as she lowered her ears.

"However, right now my mom would like to talk to my aunties in private," Cadance finished.

The crystal pony rose from her bow and vacated the room, the royal sisters watching her go, before turning to Amore with guilty looks.

The Princess of Love, seeing her aunties' faces, decided to step aside and give her mother and her aunties some space for them to talk.

"So, Celestia and Luna, what do you want to-" Amore started, only to be interrupted.

"I'm sorry..." Both the royal sisters said in unison.

Amore blinked her eyes in surprise. "What? For what?"

Celestia walked forward. "For not being able to save you and the empire on time when you urgently needed help a thousand years. My sister and I should been faster."

"It's ok. I forgive you two." Amore stated.

Luna's eyebrows shot up. "You... you forgive us? After we failed to save you and the empire?"

Amore nodded her head with a smile. "Of course. You and Celestia did your best to try and come to my aid. Sombra was just too strong for me to defeat him."

"But still..." The solar princess muttered.

"Still nothing." Amore interjected. "Beside, you and your sister took care of my daughter during the time I was gone, so you have earned my forgiveness."

"Mom's right, Auntie Celly and Auntie Lulu." Cadance stepped in. "You two have taken care of me when my mom's got petrified by Sombra before he destroyed and scattered her fragments across the world. So please, don't blame yourself a lot."

Both the royal sisters glanced at both the Princess of Love and her mother, unsure what to say as their minds reeled before they smiled at them.

"You're... you're right, Cadance. I suppose that blaming ourselves isn't helpful." Celestia said.

The lunar princess nodded her head. "Indeed. We must move on from the past and focus on the present and the future."

The group smiled and nodded at each other for a while before Amore’s face gave a smirk. She turned to her daughter, Cadance, and said, "You know, this bring me back a memory where I first met the two when we were just fillies. Of course, they didn't make a good impression."

“What do you mean?” Cadance asked, curiosity piqued.

Both royal sisters’ faces immediately turned bright red.

“No, Amore!” The solar princess exclaimed.

"Don’t you dare tell Cadenza, Amore!" Luna shrieked.

Amore chuckled, looking at the royal sisters with a mischievous glint in her eye. “You worry too much! I would never dream of telling my daughter about how we first met. How, in your very first visit to the Crystal Empire, you tried to show off your recently learned lesson on flying, only to end up crashing into one of the hanging drapes, tangling yourselves together in the process before hanging upside down.”

Celestia and her sister looked mortified, their faces burning even more with embarrassment.

The Princess of Love on the other hoof, tried very hard to keep in a bout of giggling. "Tangled together and hanged upside down? With that, you eating cakes and Auntie Lulu using her Royal Canterlot Voice during her first Nightmare Night, all those would give my husband, Twilight and Spike a stomach ache after laughing so hard." She teased her two aunties.

Amore turned back to her daughter and raised her eyebrow in curiosity. "Eating cake? Royal Canterlot Voice during Nightmare Night? What's all that about?"

"Nothing!" Both royal sisters quickly stepped in between Cadance and her mother as they started to visibly sweat while smiling sheepishly.

Both Amore and her daughter couldn’t help but giggle at the expense of rather bemused Celestia and Luna. But when all was said and done, they relented.

“Very well then Celestia and Luna, we’re done. Not that I doubt you will try to get me back at some point in the future.”

“You know us too well,” The lunar princess said with a laugh.

"You know..." The solar princess started, getting the group's attention. "Both my captain and my sister's captain are supervising the clean-up from the Storm King's invasion. And Twilight had decided to throw another Friendship Festival. I was wondering if you and the leaders would like to come to this festival."

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"And here we are." Twilight finished with a smile, holding Flurry Heart in her left foreleg.

The leaders, Clover the Clever, Commander Hurricane, Nimbus Dash, Grimhoof and Dew Nourish all looked amazed by the accomplishments she and her friends had done, while Sunburst, Shining Armor, Starlight and Spike stood aside since they already knew all about the adventures and accomplishments.

"That's... that's amazing and incredible! Never thought a princess like you and your five friends can be a Bearer of the Elements of Harmony." Nimbus remarked with a smile.

"Me too." King Crestwing walked forward. "You six are truly remarkable. Taking down Nightmare Moon and Lord Tirek, saving the Crystal Empire, redeeming Discord and solving countless friendship problems."

Rainbow Dash flew up proudly. "Yeah! We are awesome at everything!"

"Like calling Princess Amore a rogue changeling and yelling at her with your three friends?" Commander Hurricane quipped.

The rainbow-mane pegasus sweated visibly while Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie looking at the ground in shame. The leaders, Prince Armor, Sunburst, Starlight and the two pegasi were staring at the four mares with their eyes widened in pure shock while the Princess of Friendship, Fluttershy, Spike and the rest of the group could only winced.

"Rainbow pegasus yelled at Princess Amore?!" Thunderhoof yelled.

"Are you four crazy?!" Stormfeather shrieked, tapping one of his claws to his head.

"Why would you do that?!" The King of the hippogriffs exclaimed.

"How could you do that to her?" Au Hasard reprimanded.

"You have no right to yell at Princess Amore!" Queen Seraphine snarled.

"What were you four thinking?!" Nimbus and Grimhoof scolded the four mares.

"What the hay is wrong with your four?!" Shining voiced his anger.

King Fire Blaze said nothing, narrowing his eyes at the four mares, while Sunburst, Starlight, Fluttershy and Spike exchanged uneasy glances.

The four mares stood with their heads hung low, the weight of their mistake heavy on their hearts. The Princess of Friendship quickly stepped forward to defend her friends.

"My friends made a terrible mistake, but they didn't know it was Princess Amore and thought she was a rogue changeling. They were just protecting Cadance. Please, understand that they regret their actions deeply." Twilight pleaded.

"Twilight's right." The shy pegasus stepped forward. "They didn't mean to do that. Please, forgive them."

The group exchanged glances at the Princess of Friendship's and Fluttershy's heartfelt plea before softening their expressions. There was a tense silence, thick with the weight of unspoken emotions and the importance of the moment.

Before any words were exchanged, the doors of the throne room opened to reveal Amore and the three princesses. The group watched as the four ponies walked in before the baby alicorn flew out of Twilight's foreleg and into her mother's embrace, which Cadance returned, while Celestia and Luna closed the door behind them.

"Twilight Sparkle..." Amore started, getting the Princess of Friendship's attention toward her. "Celestia told me that you are preparing another Friendship Festival after the Storm King's invasion." Twilight blushed. "And I was wondering if you could invite someponies and creatures of my friends."

The Mane 5's eyes widened at Amore's request while the Princess of Friendship stared at her.

Twilight stared at Amore for a while before stuttering. "Well, that's... something I could do."

Amore noticed the Princess of Friendship's stutter and raised an eyebrow. "Is there a problem?"

Twilight's eyes widened before she shook her head. "No! There isn't a problem. It's just that..." She rubbed the back of her head. "I never actually invite a lot to the festival because it would put a lot of pressure on me."

Amore gave her a smile. "Well, why didn't you say so? I could help you, so could my friends."

The leaders, Clover the Clever, Commander Hurricane, Nimbus Dash, Grimhoof and Dew Nourish all gave the Mane 6 reassuring smiles. The Princess of Friendship glanced at her friends and her brother before her face turned into a smile.

"Thank you, Princess Amore." Twilight thanked before turning to the dragon. "Spike. Get ready to take some letters. A lot of letters. We are going to invite everyone."

Spike could only widened his eyes before falling backward to the floor while muttering, "My voice is so going to be dead."

The group stared at the dragon for a while before they all burst out laughing. The sound of their laughter filled the room, breaking the tension

Chapter 20 - Forward onto Canterlot

Equestria, Crystal Express

The Crystal Express sped along the tracks towards its destination, its sides being accompany by a crystal red scaled wyvern and crystal yellow scaled dragon. Over time, the ice and snow of the frozen north would give way to the lush green grass of Equestria. Giant mountains could be seen in the distance, reaching high into the sky as if to touch Celestia’s sun itself.

Inside the train's first class car, multiple figures were either seated or standing, engaged in various conversations.

The first was Princess Twilight Sparkle, who sat comfortable in her seat as she watched Spike sleeping peacefully next to her while stroking his spine, with Lieutenant Flash Sentry sitting opposite side.

Starlight Glimmer and Fluttershy were chatting with and asking questions to Queen Seraphine to get to know more about the changeling queen. King Crestwing was telling everything he knows about the Storm King, his lieutenant Tempest Shadow and their army when they invaded Mount Aris to Princess Celestia. Princess Luna and Au Hasard were sitting together while catching up with each other, sharing the events that transpired during a thousand and five years. Pinkie Pie and Thunderhoof were chatting with Dew Nourish and Commander Hurricane. Rainbow Dash was busy asking questions to Nimbus Dash and Grimhoof about the Cloudsdale Royal Legion and their adventures. Rarity was complimenting about King Fire Blaze's and Clover the Clever's appearance to them. Applejack and Stormfeather were talking to each other to get to know more about each other. Across from the Princess of Friendship sat Amore talking to her family, Princess Cadance and her son-in-law, Shining Armor. The guards from each leaders were chatting with each other.

Twilight smiled at the family sitting across from her as she watched them talking while giggling with each other.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle?" A voice called out to her, prompting the princess to turn her attention to Flash. "Can I confess something to you?" The lieutenant asked while twitching his wings.

"Sure, what is it? And please, just call me Twilight." Twilight smiled.

The lieutenant's cheeks began to flush pink as he looked at her. "Twilight..." He began. "I... I like you."

The Princess of Friendship's eyes widened in shock, a blush appearing on her face while the others stopped conversing and looked at them in surprised, even the dragon woke up and stared at the two.

Flash took a deep breath before continuing, his eyes never leaving Twilight's. "From the moment we first bumped into each other at the first princess summit a few years ago back at the Crystal Empire, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I like your intelligence, your kindness and your beautiful lavender coat. Every time we met, my feelings grew stronger, but I never had the courage to tell you. You're really cool, and you don't let your status as Princess go to your head. You're really approachable, and you're smart, and Seeing you everyday, now I realized I just... really like you..."

The train car fell silent, and everyone awaited the Princess of Friendship's response. She took a moment to gather her thoughts, her mind racing with emotions and memories. She recalled their first meeting, and the subtle moments that had passed between them during her visits to the Crystal Empire. Finally, she took a deep breath and met the lieutenant's gaze.

"Flash," Twilight began, her voice being soft as her face blushed even more. "I have something to confess to you too. I like you too." Flash's eyes widened at the confession. "Your support and friendship have meant a lot to me. You've always been there, offering a helping hoof or a comforting word when I needed it. Your sincerity and courage are qualities I deeply respect, and they made me realize how much I appreciate having you in my life."

The Princess of Friendship's blush deepened as she continued, her voice still soft. "I like you for who you are, Flash. You're really sweet, you're protective, not to mention you're really nice, too. I didn't realize how much I cared about you until recently, but now I understand. I like you too, more than just a friend."

The lieutenant smiled and moved in to nuzzle Twilight. "I really like you." He half-whispered.

The Princess of Friendship smiled serenely, and nuzzled him back. “I really like you too.” She replied.

The group watched the scene with various degrees of happiness and adoration. Fluttershy looked ready to faint, but from happiness and cuteness overload instead of fear. Pinkie looked ready to throw a million parties a day to celebrate this wonderful occasion. Rarity clapped her hooves together in delight while squealing, and Applejack tipped her hat with a proud grin. Rainbow Dash nudged Nimbus with a wink while Grimhoof and Stormfeather let out an appreciative whistle. King Crestwing, King Fire Blaze and Queen Seraphine smiled. Clover and Hurricane exchanged knowing smiles. Both Starlight and Dew's eyes sparkled while beaming. Amore smiled. Cadance was trying and failing not to squeal while Shining was smiled with amusement. The guards cheered and clapped at Flash.

Spike, fully awake now, grinned at Twilight. "About time," He said teasingly, earning a chuckle from the Prince.

The dragon's remark got both the Princess of Friendship and the lieutenant exchanged confused looks. Shining walked toward them, smirking, while the Princess of Love giggled.

"What do you mean 'about time', Spike?" Twilight asked, confusion evident in her face.

"Twily, do you remember back in Canterlot when I asked you if it's not just because of your previous interactions with him when you suggested Flash to come with us and you said no?" The Prince asked.

"And you never thought why didn't Shiny stopped you?" Spike added with a mischievous grin.

It took a minute or two for everything in the Princess of Friendship's mind to click. Once they did, her face went red and she exclaimed, "Sh-shining! Spike!"

The train car erupted into laughter, the joyful sound echoing off the walls as the train continued to speed towards its destination while Amore watched the scene and smiled.

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Badlands Hive

It's been a year after the former Queen Chrysalis had been permanently disposed and drained to death. The once dark, foreboding, and jagged hive structures have transformed into more colorful, organic, and harmonious shapes with lowers, vines, and other greenery.

Within the hive, Pharynx strolled through the hive's hallway, nodding in greeting to the changelings he passed. He had been informed by one of the guards that his brother, Thorax, had some important news to share. It had been decided that his brother would be the new leader of the changeling hive.

As he made his way to the throne room, the purple changeling couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilty. He remembered how his brother forgave him even though how badly he had treated his brother during Chrysalis's reign and how he constantly kept telling his brother that taking love from others was the only way for the hive to survive.

Pharynx shook off the guilt as he reached the throne room and found Thorax, who looked up from his seat with a warm smile while holding a letter in his magic, and Ocellus standing with her friendship reports held in her magic.

Thorax now has green with brilliant gamboge chest exoskeleton, dark azure with moderate emerald green underside carapace, two light brilliant orange horns and moderate rose eyes. The young changeling has pale, light grayish artic blue exoskeleton and carapace, moderate cyan eyes and light amaranth neck fin mane.

"Pharynx, I'm glad you're here," The green changeling said, his voice gentle. "I have some news that I think you'll find interesting."

"What is it, Thorax?" The purple changeling asked, his curiosity piqued.

Thorax gestured for his brother to come closer. "We've received words from Princess Twilight Sparkle. She's invited us to her Friendship Festival in Canterlot."

Pharynx raised an eyebrow. "The Friendship Festival? What's the occasion."

"It's a celebration of unity and friendship. Princess Twilight thought it would be a great opportunity for all of us to come together and strengthen our bonds." The young changeling answered with excitement.

The purple changeling nodded his head in agreement. "Sounds like a good idea. When do we leave?"

"The festival's in a few days, we should start preparing immediately." The green changeling replied.

The young changeling beamed while bouncing. "I'm excited for the Friendship Festival!"

Pharynx couldn't help but smile at Ocellus's enthusiasm. "Alright, I will get some of our guards ready. It'll be very interesting."

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Griffonstone

The once-mighty city of Griffonstone had seen better days, but there were signs of hope and renewal everywhere. The griffons, inspired by the efforts of Gilda, Gabby and Gallus, were slowly rebuilding their society. Homes were being repaired, businesses were opening, and a sense of community was starting to return.

In the heart of the city, Grampa stood atop a newly rebuilt structure, his eyes scanning the horizon. He could see several griffons working together, something that had been a rare sight for many years. He felt a sense of pride and responsibility, knowing that the future of Griffonstone depended on the continued efforts of its inhabitants.

As he stood there, a messenger griffon approached, carrying a letter in his talons. "Grampa Gruff! Message for you!" He called out, landing gracefully beside her.

Gruff took the letter and unrolled it, his eyes slowly widening as he read. "A Friendship Festival in Canterlot? Huh, this could be interesting." He muttered to himself.

He looked around at the bustling city, contemplating the invitation. "You!" He turned and called to the messenger, who stiffened. "Bring Gilda, Gabby, Gallus, and some of our guards. Tell them there's a festival in Canterlot, and they'll be attending by themselves."

The messenger quickly saluted before leaving to gather the necessary griffons.

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Peaks of Peril

The Peaks of Peril, home to the kirins, were nestled in a lush, mountainous region. The kirin village had flourished under the guidance of their leader, Rain Shine. The once reclusive and silent kirins had embraced a new era of communication and harmony, thanks to Applejack and Fluttershy's intervention.

The Queen of the kirins stood at the edge of the village, looking out over the serene landscape. The tranquility of the Peaks of Peril was something she cherished deeply. As she pondered the beauty around her, a messenger kirin approached, carrying a scroll in her magic.

"Queen Rain Shine, a message from Princess Twilight Sparkle." the kirin said, presenting the scroll.

The queen took the letter, her curiosity piqued. As she read the message, her eyes widened slightly. "A Friendship Festival in Canterlot? This could be a wonderful opportunity for us."

She put the letter down and looked around at the messenger. "Gather our leaders and some of the guards. We need to discuss this invitation."

The messenger bowed down before leaving to perform her task.

Soon, a group of kirins and guards had assembled, including Autumn Blaze, who was known for making new friends, chatting, singing, and playing practical jokes.

Rain Shine addressed them with a calm but excited demeanor. "We have been invited to a Friendship Festival in Canterlot by Princess Twilight Sparkle. It's a celebration of unity and friendship. I believe it would be beneficial for us to attend, to make new friends with the other creatures of Equestria."

Autumn's eyes lit up with excitement. "A festival? That sounds amazing! We should definitely go and share our stories and songs."

The other kirins nodded in agreement, their expressions reflecting a mix of curiosity and eagerness.

"Very well," The queen said with a serene smile. "We will prepare for the journey. This is an opportunity to show the world who we are and to learn from others."

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Seaquestria

Within Seaquestria's throne room, Queen Novo sat in her throne chair deep in her thoughts.

Her thoughts went back to a few days ago where she refused to give the the five ponies, two princesses and the dragon the Pearl of Transformation when the Storm King invaded Canterlot and where the Princess of Love had suddenly bleeding from her nose and swam up the beach to cough out more blood before collapsing on the beach.

Lost in her thoughts, the queen of the hippogriffs didn’t notice the messenger hippogriff approaching. "Queen Novo, a message for you," He announced, bowing respectfully.

Startled, Novo looked up and took the letter. As she read, her eyes softened. "A Friendship Festival in Canterlot?" She mused aloud. "Perhaps this is a chance to make amends and strengthen our bonds."

She turned to the messenger. "Summon my daughter and some of our guards. I want to have a word with them."

The messenger bowed and left to carry out his orders.

Soon, Princess Skystar, Silverstream, Sky Beak and some of the guards arrived. The queen addressed them with a mixture of solemnity and hope.

"We've been invited to a Friendship Festival in Canterlot by Princess Twilight Sparkle. It's a chance for us to strengthen our bonds and perhaps make amends for past mistakes," Novo explained. "We should attend this 'Friendship Festival'."

Skystar's eyes sparkled with excitement. "A festival in Canterlot? This sounds amazing! We'll make new friends and show them what Seaquestria is all about!"

Silverstream nodded eagerly, and Sky Beak smiled proudly at his daughter's enthusiasm. The guards stood ready, prepared for the journey ahead.

Novo nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Very well. Let's prepare for the journey."

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Yakyakistan

Yakyakistan, the land of the yaks, lay nestled in the snowy mountains, cold air being thick with the scent of pine and the distant sound of icy winds brushing against the mountains. Inside the grand throne room, Prince Rutherford was deep in conversation with an advisor yak.

The heavy wooden doors creaked open, and a yak messenger, panting slightly from the climb, stepped forward, a scroll held carefully in his mouth. "Prince Rutherford! Message from Princess Twilight Sparkle!" He announced.

Rutherford took the letter, his eyes scanned the letter in concentration. After a moment, he set it down with a decisive nod.. "Friendship Festival in Canterlot? Yaks will attend!" He turned to the messenger. "You yak will go to Yona and some guards. Tell them that they will be attending the festival on my behalf as I won't be able to attend."

The messenger saluted enthusiastically before rushing out of the throne room to carry out Rutherford's orders.

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Dragon Lands

The volcanic landscape of the Dragon Lands was rugged and fierce, much like its inhabitants. Dragon Lord Ember stood near the edge of the cliff, looking out the volcanic terrain as the lava bubbled and steamed below.

As she surveyed her domain, a dragon messenger flew in, landing gracefully beside her and bowing slightly. "Dragon Lord Ember, a message from Princess Twilight Sparkle," He announced, holding out a letter.

She took the letter and read it carefully. "A Friendship Festival in Canterlot?" She mused aloud. "This could be an excellent opportunity for us."

Ember put the letter down and turned to the messenger. "Gather Smolder and some of our best warriors. Tell them we have an important event to attend in Equestria."

The messenger nodded and flew off to carry out her orders.

She looked out over the Dragon Lands once more for a while before turning and heading back towards her throne to make preparations for the journey.

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Everything was well in the city of Canterlot. Everything was well in the city of Canterlot as individuals of various races of ponies walked the streets while patrols of the Royal Guards continued their duty. All was normal in the city, and amongst the families inhabiting it.

Both Crimson Chaser and Night Shadow overlooked it all from one of the throne room's windows, sense of worriedness filled within them.

"Captains?" A voice called from behind. Both the captains looked behind them to see Mallow Sear, Furx, Yeth, Midnight Blossom, Ironclaw and Sunwing approaching them, along with Starswirl the Bearded, Mistmane, Rockhoof, Flash Magnus, Somnambula and Meadowbrook who have received the letter from Twilight to attend the Friendship Festival.

"Are you two alright? You looked worried." Furx asked.

The solar guard captain smiled. "Yeah, we're alright. Just a bit worried."

"You two need to relax. Both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are just seeing Princess Amore at the Crystal Empire. It won't take long before they come back." Midnight reassured Crimson.

"I know that. But the Storm King and his army are still out there, and the recon teams still haven't have the stronghold yet." The lunar guard captain countered.

Starswirl stepped forward, his wise eyes meeting those of the captains. "Your concerns are valid, but we must not let fear dictate our actions."

Mistmane nodded in agreement. "And remember, we have many capable allies now."

Crimson Chaser sighed, his tension easing slightly. "I know, but it's just hard to shake off the feeling that something might go wrong."

Rockhoof walked forward. "Aye, we've overcome foes that seemed unbeatable. This Storm King is just another challenge to be met with."

Flash Magnus added. "And if the Storm King does show up, we'll be ready to give him a fight he'll never forget."

Both Somnambula and Meadowbrook nodded their head in agreement.

From their vantage point, had the group been paying attention they might have just spotted the crystal train heading straight towards the Canterlot train station.

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The crystalline designed train sped towards the station, the train’s whistle screeching again to signal its arrival which caught the attention of the workers, other ponies and some of the Royal Guards at the station.

The crystal train slowly came to a halt, the guards from each leaders quickly departing and getting on with their jobs while the two large dragons landed on the station's roof. The rest of groups slowly walked out the vehicle.

A royal guard slowly approached the group, bowing down before raising up. "Your highnesses, you have arrived. I have been ordered by Captain Crimson Chaser to escort you and your visitors to the throne room."

"Very well, Lieutenant Cobalt Onyx. Take us there." Princess Celestia said and the lieutenant saluted at her before gesturing them to follow him.

Chapter 21 - Arrival and Reunion

Lieutenant Cobalt Onyx continued the group through the bustling streets of Canterlot, the ponies occasionally greeting them as they passed by.

Queen Seraphine, King Fire Blaze, King Crestwing, Stormfeather, Au Hasard, Thunderhoof, Nimbus Dash, Grimhoof, Clover the Clever, Commander Hurricane and Dew Nourish were all looking around in astonishment, taking in the grandeur of the city. The intricate architecture, the beautifully adorned buildings, and the vibrant atmosphere captivated their attention. They nodded politely to the ponies who greeted them, appreciating the warm welcome.

Soon, the group entered through the castle and walked through the hallway toward the throne room.

On the way to the throne room, Princess Cadance, Prince Shining Armor, Lieutenant Flash Sentry, Spike, Princess Twilight Sparkle, and her friends talked.

"So, what are you going to tell our parents, Twily?" The Prince asked her sister teasingly.

"Shhhiiinnny!" The Princess of Friendship let out a high pitched whine.

"You know, if you want, I could marry you two. After all, I am the Princess of Love." The Princess of Love smirked.

Both Twilight and the lieutenant's faces turned bright red, making the Mane 5 and the dragon laugh. Pinkie Pie bounced in excitement, Fluttershy smiled at them while Rainbow Dash flew up and pumped her hoof in the air.

"I think it's a wonderful idea!" Rarity exclaimed, her eyes shining with delight. "A royal wedding would be simply fabulous!"

Applejack chuckled, tipping her hat. "Y'all better start planning, Twilight. Looks like everypony's on board."

The Princess of Friendship covered her head with her wings as her faces turned even brighter red while Flash rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, causing the Mane 5 and Spike to laugh again.

Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Amore turned and watched the scene with warm smiles while walking.

"I think Flash Sentry will be a great husband to Twilight and a great son-in-law to me." Amore stated with certainty and affection.

Both the royal sisters giggled. "Now, that's something we all agree." The solar princess said.

Before long, Cobalt had led the group to the throne room's ornate doors, which the group stopped chatting.

The two royal guards stationed at the entrance bowed and raised up before pushing the doors open.

Within the throne room, Captain Crimson Chaser, Captain Night Shadow, Starswirl the Bearded, Mistmane, Rockhoof, Meadowbrook, Flash Magnus, and Somnambula, along with Furx, Midnight Blossom, Yeth, Mallow Sear, Sunwing, and Ironclaw.

"Your highnesses." Both the captains and the crystal creatures said to the five princesses as they bowed down while the Pillars smiled.

"At ease." The lunar princess and her sister said, prompting the captains and the crystal creatures to raise up.

"Ah, Celestia, Luna. It's good to see you two again." Starswirl greeted his former students.

Both the royal sisters nodded their head. "Starswirl, Flash Magnus, and Rockhoof. There are some ponies who want to meet you." Celestia said, the five princesses moving aside.

The three stallions' eyes widened at the sight of Clover, Dew, Nimbus, and Grimhoof.

The seven ponies just stared at each other for a few minutes while the rest of group stood silent as they watched.

Starswirl slowly walked toward his former student before stopping just a few metres away from her.

"C... Clover...?" He stuttered.

Tears welled up in Clover's eyes. "Hi, Starswirl. It's been so long."

The bearded unicorn pulled his former student into an embrace, to which she returned.

Next to the two, Magnus slowly approached Nimbus and Grimhoof while a single tear streamed down his cheek.

"Nimbus... Grimhoof..." Magnus spoke as he embraced the two pegasi. "I missed you two."

"We missed you too, Flashy." Grimhoof said as he hugged back tightly.

"It's good to see you, Magnus." Nimbus added, her eyes welled up with tears of joy.

Meanwhile, Rockhoof stood still, staring at Dew while she slowly approached him before stopping just in front of his body and lifted her head up to see his face.

"Hey, Rockhoof." She started, prompting the giant stallion to smile, tears brimming in his eyes.

"Hey, Nourish." He spoke as he bent down and pulled her into a hug with a hoof, which she returned. "You still looked the same the last time I saw you."

"You too, big guy." Dew replied, prompting the stallion to chuckle as they part ways.

The rest of the Pillars wiped at their moist eyes as they watched the touching reunion, and stayed quiet so they didn't interrupt it. The rest of group also smiled warmly, sharing in the joy of the reunion.

After a few minutes, Starswirl, and Magnus parted off Clover, Nimbus, and Grimhoof, as they wiped the tears off their eyes.

"I'm glad that you're still alive, Starswirl. I thought you died from old age. I didn't think you would trapped yourself together with the Pony of Shadow to the Limbo just to imprison him." Clover stated.

"Us too, Magnus. When we heard from Captain Ironhead that you were perished at the hooves of the Pony of Shadow, we and Bella Breeze were devastated." Grimhoof said.

Starswirl and Magnus chuckled a little. "Well, it was the only way to stop the Pony of Shadow from spreading darkness across Equestria. But now I think about it, I probably should have asked Stygian what was he going to do with our artifacts instead of accusing him of stealing our powers without asking him." The bearded unicorn stallion admitted as he rubbed he back of his head sheepishly.

The group shared a collective chuckle, the tension easing into a comfortable laugh.

The doors of the throne room opened again, getting the group's attention to see a royal guard stallion.

"Your highnesses..." Corporal Steel Facade started as he bowed down before standing. "The visitors who have received the letters from Princess Twilight Sparkle have arrived at the train station and are now being escorted to the throne room now."

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Thorax, Pharynx, Ocellus, Gilda, Gabby, Gallus, Queen Rain Shine, Autumn Blaze, Queen Novo, Princess Skystar, Silverstream, Sky Beak, Yona, Dragon Lord Ember, Smolder, Sandbar, and guards from the respective races walked toward the throne room while being escorted by another royal guard.

While the leaders of the races walked casually, the Young 6, Princess Skystar and Autumn Blaze happily chatted with each other.

"What games do you think the Friendship Festival will have for us to play?" Ocellus asked eagerly, hovering in the air.

Smolder smirked, crossing her arms. "I'm pretty sure the festival will have plenty of games for us to play, Ocellus. Chill down."

The young changeling blushed, prompting Gallus to giggle. "Smolder's right. There's going to be tons of fun stuff to do."

"Yona can't believe that Yona is actually participating this festival! This is Yona's first time!" The yak squealed.

"I agree with you, Yona." Sandbar happily stated.

Princess Skystar and Silverstream were busying popping questions to the Kirin.

"Oh my gosh. You look so pretty with all the furs."

"And beautiful."

Autumn's face turned brighter red from the compliments made from the two hippogriffs.

Before long, the group had reached the door of the throne room, where two guards saluted before opening the doors for the group to enter.

The group excluding Ember, Smolder and Sandbar all stared at the group in the throne room, mainly just staring at Queen Seraphine, King Crestwing, King Fire Blaze, Stormfeather and Thunderhoof.

They just stared at each other for a few minutes in silence before it was broken.

Skystar stared at Crestwing with teary eyes. "D-daddy?"

The King of the hippogriffs smiled. "Hello, my dear Skystar."

The princess hippogriff leapt forward and tearfully hugged her father, who returned the embrace while Novo stared at her supposedly deceased husband in shock. Both Silverstream and Sky Beak stared at the king with opened jaws.

"How... how is this possible? I thought the Storm King killed you back at Mount Aris." The Queen of the hippogriff asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

Crestwing gently released Skystar from the hug and approached his wife. "It's a long story, which I would tell once we are alone and you fully explain why you refuse to help the ponies to fight against the Storm King when he invaded Canterlot." He asked, his voice carrying a bit of anger and disappointment.

Novo winced back from her husband's voice, but composed herself before sighing. "Very well, Crestwing."

Both the husband and wife slowly walked out of the throne room, closing the doors behind as the three hippogriffs glanced at each other with worried look while Sunwing winced.

Next to them, Rain Shine was embracing her supposedly deceased brother, Autumn standing aside as she watched the reunion while wiping her moist eyes with her hoof, with Mallow Sear putting a hoof on her shoulder.

"Oh, Blazey... I thought you were perished when the village burned down after the two of our subject turned into Niriks in anger while they were exchanging hurtful words." The queen of the Kirin said with teary eyes.

Fire Blaze chuckled. "I thought the same about you, my dear sister. I'm just grateful we found each other again."

Rain Shine hugged her brother tighter.

As the kirins shared their emotional reunion, the changeling brothers and the young changeling approached the changeling queen, confused look in their face, while Furx stood aside.

"Uh, who are you? You looked like Chrysalis." Pharynx asked with an arched eyebrow.

Seraphine giggled. "Close. I'm actually Chrysalis's elder sister, Pharynx."

The three changelings stared at the changeling queen and their mouth fell open in shock. "You're... you're our former queen's elder sister?! Chrysalis didn't... didn't tell us that..." Thorax stuttered.

"You know me? I never met you before." The dark cyan changeling asked in shock.

The changeling queen smirked as green flames surrounded her and her tall form was replaced with a unicorn mare, which Pharynx recognised that form.

"It's... it's you. You're the one who gave our former queen's diary to me and my soldiers at the outskirt of the Crystal Empire a year ago." The dark cyan changeling stuttered, taking a step back as Seraphine shed her disguise away, while the green changeling and Ocellus glanced between the changeling queen and Pharynx.

"Pharynx, you know her?" Thorax asked, walking toward his brother.

The dark cyan changeling looked at his younger brother and nodded his head. "Yes and no. I only know the unicorn mare. I didn't know that she is one of us, let alone to be a changeling queen."

Pharynx turned his head back to Seraphine with an apologetic look. "Queen Seraphine, I apologised for my hostility back at the outskirt a year ago. Had I known that you were the changeling queen and our former queen's elder sister, I would have acted differently."

"It's ok, Pharynx. You didn't know and you made the right choice of disposing my younger sister for good." The changeling queen smiled warmly at the dark cyan changeling.

Pharynx smiled before Seraphine's attention was directed to the young changeling.

"And who you might be, little one?" She asked with a hint of confusion.

Ocellus's eyes widened when the changeling queen took notice her, but quickly composed herself and introduced herself. "My name is Ocellus."

Seraphine bent down to meet the young changeling's eyes while smiling. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Ocellus. I assumed you want to get to know more about me with all the staring you made."

Ocellus' face turned red before slowly nodding her head. The changeling queen giggled.

"Well, maybe later, once we finish up here." She stated.

The young changeling nodded happily as she bounced while both the changeling brothers chuckled.

Meanwhile, the three griffons and Yona went to greet Stormfeather and Thunderhoof with Ironclaw and Yeth.

"Hi there, I'm Gabby. What's your name?" Gabby asked.

Both the crystal griffons chuckled. "Well, my name is Stormfeather and this is Ironclaw." Stormfeather introduced himself and Ironclaw.

"And we yaks are Thunderhoof and Yeth." Thunderhoof introduced themselves to the young yak.

"So, you're like a crystal version of us!" Gallus remarked, examining Stormfeather's shimmering feathers.

"Exactly," Stormfeather replied with a smile. "We share many similarities but also have unique traits."

"And you two are like crystal yaks?" Yona asked Thunderhoof and Yeth, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"That's right," Thunderhoof replied. "We're a bit stronger and more resilient, thanks to our crystal nature."

The young yak's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Yona want to know more about crystal yaks!"

Yeth chuckled. "We'll be happy to tell you all about it."

While the groups continued to exchange stories and learn about each other, Magnus and Somnambula were talking with Commander Hurricane.

"It's truly an honor to meet you, Commander Hurricane," Magnus said, saluting.

"Likewise," Hurricane replied, nodding. "I've heard many tales of your bravery, Flash Magnus."

Somnambula smiled. "And your leadership has inspired generations of pegasi, Commander."

As Commander Hurricane and the two pegasi of the Pillars continued their conversation, Clover joined them, smiling warmly. She nuzzled Hurricane's neck affectionately.

"Hello, honey," she said softly, her eyes glowing with affection.

The Mane 5, Spike, and the Pillars of Equestria all turned to look at Clover and Hurricane in surprise, their reactions varied and vivid, while the rest of the group either smiled at their interaction or whistled, having already known about the relationship.

Starswirl arched an eyebrow. "Did I mishear that, Clover? Did you just call Hurricane 'honey'?"

His former student blushed, her face turning a deep shade of red. "No, Starswirl, you didn't mishear. Hurricane and I have been married for four years." She nuzzled Hurricane's neck again, her affection evident.

Starswirl stared at her evenly for several long minutes, his expression unreadable. Finally, he smirked. "If I recall correctly, didn't you once say that study was more important than relationships?"

It took a moment for everything to click in Clover's mind. When it did, her face turned even brighter red, and she exclaimed, "St-Starswirl!"

Her exclamation caused the entire room to burst into laughter.

Chapter 22 - The Final Preparation

Three hours later

It had been three hours since the group arrived to Canterlot from the Crystal Empire and across the world. Preparation of the second Friendship Festival were underway after the Storm King 's invasion had ruined the first one.

At the Canterlot Square, a group of ponies and creatures were setting up the festival, with Starlight Glimmer overseeing the preparation while holding a checkbox paper and a quill as Twilight had to go to Canterlot castle to tell Amore and her daughter that the festival will be ready soon.

Mallow Sear and Ocellus were assisting Rarity and Spike with decorating the stage for Songbird Serenade's performance. The area sparkled with ornaments and trinkets, meticulously placed to create a dazzling backdrop.

"How's it coming along, Miss Rarity?" The young changeling asked, holding up a string of sparkling gems.

"Splendidly, my dear! These decorations will make the stage shine like never before," Rarity replied, her horn glowing as she placed the gems with precision.

Mallow Sear and Spike were busy arranging the ornaments and trinkets, their teamwork seamless. "I think this spot could use a bit more sparkle." The crystal kirin suggested, placing a shimmering ornament.

"Good idea!" Spike said, adding another trinket to complement it.

In one of the stand, Applejack and Yona were working hard, making and serving apple cider to everyone. "Here ya go, partner," Applejack said, handing a mug to a passing pony.

"Yona happy to help!" The yak added, carrying a tray of ciders with ease.

Near the stage, Fluttershy and Sandbar were positioning the rehearsed birds on the stage. "Just a little to the left, Mr. Robin." Fluttershy gently guided the blue bird.

"Perfect! They're going to sound amazing!" Sandbar said, admiring their work.

Pinkie Pie, Silverstream, Princess Skystar, Gabby, and Autumn Blaze were in a flurry of laughter and creativity, making balloon animals of all shapes and sizes.

"Look at this one! It's a dragon!" Silverstream exclaimed, holding up a balloon dragon.

"That's awesome! Check out my kirin!" The cheerful kirin replied, showing off her creation.

Meanwhile in the sky, Rainbow Dash, Smolder, Gilda, and Gallus were busy clearing the skies, making sure the weather was perfect for the festival.

"Clear skies, just as planned!" Rainbow Dash cheered, zipping through a cloud.

"We're doing great! This festival is going to be awesome," Gallus said, high-fiving Smolder.

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Within Canterlot castle's strategy room, Queen Seraphine, King Thorax, Pharynx, King Fire Blaze, Queen Rain Shine, Thunderhoof, Au Hasard, Prince Shining Armor, Solar Captain Crimson Chaser, Lunar Captain Night Shadow, Commander Hurricane and Starswirl were discussing with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. They were talking about mixing the Royal Guards and the Elite Royal Guards stationed in Canterlot with some of the guards from the leaders of various races for the festival and increasing the defences and presences of guards.

"The Storm King will be back once he finished regaining his strength when the Friendship Festival starts, and when he does, he will resume his plan of stealing you, your sisters, Princess Cadance and Princess Twilight Sparkle's magic to fulfil his plan. This festival will be opportunity for him to strike since you four princesses are here." The changeling queen said to the royal sisters.

"Queen Seraphine's right." The dark cyan changeling added. "From what you told us, he has dark orbs that can turned you, your sister and the two princesses into dark crystal statues." The green changeling nodded his head.

The solar princess and the lunar princess shuttered at what Pharynx said as they remembered how it was like when they were the first to be hit by the orbs threw by Tempest Shadow.

"The Crystal Imperial guards will be joining forces with the Royal Guards and the Elite Royal Guards for the festival as a precaution of Storm King's attack, along with the guards from changelings, yaks, dragons, hippogriffs and kirins." The commander stated.

"Do you think it is enough? The Storm King's soldiers are big and strong that they can overthrow the Royal Guards with ease." The solar captain voiced his concern.

The lunar captain nodded his head in agreement with his solar counterpart. "I agree with Crimson. Those soldiers are like Minotaurs, but more formidable."

"Yak's guards are capable of knocking those soldiers down, allowing the rest of guards to detain them. Would that work?" The yak voiced his suggestion.

The King of the Kirins stroked his chin with his hoof. "That could work. My sister's guards and mine can turn into Niriks and provide fire support." The Queen of the kirins smiled at her brother's idea while nodding her head.

"We could supply the Royal Guards and the ERGs with some of our spears and leftover arrows stationed at Canterlot. The spears the Crystal Imperial guards use can fire a precise bolt of magic before requiring a brief recharge while the arrows the Crystal Imperial archers use are tipped with explosive magic which can decimate any adversary with a single strike." Hasard suggested while explaining the weapons to the royal sisters.

"That's a good idea. Those weapons could help the guards out." The Prince replied with a smile.

"The Pillars and I will also be here. While me, Mistmane, Rockhoof and Meadowbrook stayed on the ground for his soldiers, Flash and Somnambula will take care of any Storm King's airships." The bearded unicorn said.

Celestia and Luna glanced around the ponies and creatures.

"All those ideas could work. If the Storm King and his army does attacks again during the second Friendship Festival, the civilians must be evacuated to the nearest shelter while your guards and ours will handle his soldiers." The solar princess addressed everyone in the room before turning her head to her sister.

"Luna, how are the search for Storm King's stronghold?" Celestia asked.

The lunar princess shook her head. "Not good. The recon teams we sent to find his stronghold have been unsuccessful. Not to mention, one of the team hasn't returned."

Both the captains and Celestia grimaced at the news.

The solar princess turned to Captain Crimson. "And what about Storm King's lieutenant, Tempest Shadow? Has she given up information?"

"No, she hasn't." The solar captain sighed. "She's not willing to give us any information of Storm King. Said that she would rather rot in a cell than betray him."

The room fell into a tense silence as everyone exchanged worried glances.

"I see..." Celestia rubbed her forehead. "Then we may need to prepare for anything. Thank you all for your cooperation and dedication." She addressed the group once more with a smile, Luna nodding her head as she too smiled.

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Princess Amore and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza walked through the hallways of Canterlot, with the Princess of Love and her mother talking to each other.

"Mother, I never got the chance to thank you properly for everything." Cadance said, her eyes shimmering with gratitude.

"There's no need to thank me, Cadance. You have become a wonderful ruler and mother in your own right." Princess Amore replied, smiling warmly.

The Princess of Love blushed at the praise from her mother.

But before she could thanked her mother again, a voice called out to her. "Cadance!"

Cadance turned and smile at the sight of her sister-in-law galloping toward her.

Knowing what was going to happen, she readied herself.

"Sunshine sunshine ladybugs awake, clap your hooves and do a little shake!” Both mares sang while doing the dance to go with it, at the end they both broke down into a fit of giggles and hugged each other.

"What are you doing here, Twilight? I thought you are overseeing the Friendship Festival's preparation?" She asked.

Twilight giggled. "Starlight is overseeing the preparation for the moment. I just came here to tell you, your mother and the others that the festival will be ready soon."

Amore watched the scene with a tender smile as the sister-in-laws talked to each other.

After they had talked, they both looked at Amore, to which she asked. "So, what's that dance you did with Twilight, Cadenza?"

The Princess of Friendship's eyes sparkled as she turned to Amore. "Oh, it's a little chant and dance Cadance and I made up when I was just a filly. It was our special greeting."

The Princess of Love nodded, still smiling. "It became our tradition. Every time we see each other, we do it. It's our way of reconnecting."

Amore chuckled softly. "It's lovely. You two share a beautiful bond."

Twilight beamed. "Thank you, Princess Amore. Cadance has always been like a big sister to me."

"And Twilight has always been my special little sister," Cadance added, giving her sister-in-law a gentle nuzzle.

Amore smiled. "I can see why Shining Armor is so happy to have you as his wife as a pretty and beautiful mare."

The Princess of Love's face turned bright red as she stuttered. "M-mom!"

Both mares both giggled at Cadance's flustered state.

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Sky Beak strolled through another hallway of Canterlot Castle towards one of the sleeping quarters, where he knew that his brother, King Crestwing, and his sister-in-law, Queen Novo, would be there talking to each other in private. After what he heard from the beach from Novo, he decided to convince her to open relationship with Equestria and get help from them.

Sure enough, he overheard arguing from his brother and his sister-in-law behind the door of the sleeping quarter. Sky Beak stood by behind the door to listen in.

"Novo, I understand protecting our kingdom is important. But outright refusing to help the ponies out when the Storm King first invaded and taken Canterlot, that isn't you." Crestwing glared at his wife.

“Crestwing, you don’t understand. Our kingdom were forced to hide to Seaquestria after his last attack on Mount Aris when we lost you. I can’t risk our people being exposed or the Pearl of Transformation being taken by him. If he turns his attention back to us, it could mean the end of Seaquestria.” Novo countered.

The king of hippogriff pinched the bridge of his nose, his face softening a bit while sighing. "Novo honey, I know you're trying to protect everyone, but isolation isn't the answer. We need allies, especially now with the Storm King still a threat."

"I know... I just... I don't want to lose anyone else, Crestwing. Not after what happened last time." The queen's voice softened.

Crestwing's voice remained firm, yet tinged with a softness. "Novo, we can't keep hiding. Our people need more than just safety; they need hope, allies, a future."

Novo's eyes flashed with determination. "You think I don’t know that? Every decision I’ve made has been to protect our kingdom, our people. The Pearl of Transformation is our lifeline. If it falls into the Storm King's hands, we’re finished."

The king of the hippogriff took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure. "But by isolating ourselves, we’re only prolonging the inevitable. We need to stand with the ponies, show the Storm King that we’re not afraid, that we can fight back. If we had helped them during his first invasion, things might have turned out differently. Novo, you and the hippogriffs in Seaquestria need help. Equestria will help us."

"Sky beak made the same suggestion." The queen sighed.

"That’s because it’s a good suggestion." Sky Beak finally made his presence known. "You should listen to us, Novo. It's not too late."

Novo stared down at the floor a few minutes, before nodding her head slowly as determination returned to her eyes. "Alright. I’ll do it."

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A few miles from Canterlot, the remnants of the last recon team lay scattered. The final pony, battered and exhausted unicorn, made a desperate attempt to escape. His breath came in ragged gasps as he stumbled through the underbrush, but his efforts were in vain. A large, clawed hand reached out, grabbing him by the neck and lifting him off the ground.

The pony's eyes widened in terror as he looked into the cold, unfeeling eyes of one of the Storm King's soldiers. The soldier's grip tightened, and with a final, brutal twist, the life drained from the pony's body. The soldier dropped the lifeless form to the ground and turned back to his comrades.

In a nearby clearing, the Storm King stood tall, flanked by his three generals, while airships bearing the flags of the Storm Realm loomed overhead. He turned his head toward his generals, his eyes gleamed as he surveyed them who were ready for another assault on Canterlot.

"Report." He asked the three generals with a deep, menacing voice.

The first general stepped forward, saluting before relaxing. "Our soldiers are now fully reinforced and are ready to fight."

The Storm King nodded approvingly. "Good. And with the element of surprise on our side, we will strike when they least expect it. The second Friendship Festival will be the perfect opportunity. All the princesses will be there, and with them, their magic."

The second general looked down in shame. "We don't have enough materials to make more Obsidian Orbs, my King. We would be able to turn them into crystal statues, so taking their magic for your staff will be difficult. We also have scouts reporting that there will be a lot of those crystal creatures and guards in the festival."

"I see..." The king said.

The third general spoke up. "And what of Tempest Shadow, my King?"

The Storm King's expression darkened. "Tempest Shadow has failed us by not getting the last two princesses before we were forced to retreat. Leave her to her fate."

The three generals nodded, their faces grim. The Storm King turned his gaze back to his generals, raising his Staff of Sacanas high. "Prepare for the invasion! We march on Canterlot at dawn. This time, the invasion will not fail!"

The generals saluted and began to order the army to move as they prepared themselves to march toward Canterlot.

Unbeknownst to them, an injured pegasus stallion, Private Dark Meadow, was hiding in a nearby bush, having able to escape his recon team's death at the hands of the Storm King's soldiers, and had heard the entire conversation as he watched the army marched.

The pegasus waited until the army disappeared before weakly walking out of his hiding place. He surveyed the surrounding area for any sign of the army's soldiers before flaring out his wings and took to the sky toward Canterlot to warn the princesses about the incoming army.

Chapter 23 - Second Invasion

The army of Storm King soon arrived near the clearing of the forest near Canterlot, the faint strains of music from the Friendship Festival in the square just audible in the distance. Storm King and his three generals strolled past the army and stopped to gaze upon the majestic capital. Overhead, airships began to descend stealthily as they manoeuvred to avoid detection.

The Storm King gaze the capital for a while, before turning his head back to his army

"Gentlemen!" He began, raising his Staff of Sacanas high to the army's attention. "Our first attempt to conquer Canterlot may have failed, but this time, we will be ready. This so call Crystal Imperial caught us off guard, but now we know their strength and their tactics."

"These ponies down there think they've seen the worst of us." He thundered. "They believe that because we stumbled once, we will fall again. But they are mistaken! They have no idea the power we possess, the strength we hold! Today, we will show them the true might of the Storm King and his legion!"

He pointed towards the distant city, the music of the Friendship Festival a mocking reminder of their previous failure. "We will strike with precision and fury! Our airships will rain down terror from above while our ground forces crush them beneath our feet. We will show them no mercy."

"Remember, we fight not just for conquest, but for dominance! We will leave Canterlot in ruins and claim it as our own! We will be victorious!" He continued.

The army erupted into a deafening roar, their voices filled with fervor and anticipation. As the echoes of their cheers faded, an airship descended from the sky, its ramp lowering. The Storm King boarded it with a confident stride, turning one last time.

"To victory, my warriors! To the storm!" He addressed his army.

The airship's engines roared to life as it ascended into the sky, the Storm King watching from above as his army began their march toward Canterlot.

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Dark Meadow kept flapping his wings, straining to speed toward Canterlot despite his severe injuries. Every beat of his wings sent jolts of pain through his body, but he knew he had to warn the princesses about the impending attack from the Storm King. If the capital fell, the rest of Equestria would soon follow.

The determined pegasus forced himself to keep moving, slicing through the sky and clouds while wincing with each movement of his injured left wing. The pain was nearly unbearable, but the thought of failing his mission was far worse.

After what felt like an eternity of torturous flight, the majestic city of Canterlot began to emerge from the misty clouds ahead. The sight filled Dark Meadow with a renewed sense of urgency. He had no time to lose.

As he pushed onward, his vision started to blur, his flight becoming increasingly sluggish. His eyelids grew heavy, fluttering closed against his will. He shook his head vigorously, trying to clear the fog from his mind and maintain his course.

The grand city was now within reach, its elegant towers and bustling of the Friendship Festival almost close enough to touch. Dark Meadow could see the faint outlines of Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Twilight talking through the windows of the throne room.

Summoning his last reserves of strength and determination, he aimed himself toward the throne room window. With a final, desperate burst of speed, he propelled himself forward.

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Earlier in the throne room

"Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, do you think the Storm King would attack again after his failed plan to empower his Staff of Sacanas from our alicorn magic?" Twilight nervously asked while shuffling her right forehoof on the floor.

Both the royal sisters glanced at each other for a few moments.

"Truth be told, we cannot underestimate the Storm King. His desire for power and control is insatiable. My sister and I have already been discussed by the leaders of various races. The Crystal Imperial guards who were brought from the outpost cities in the Frozen North will be joining forces with the Royal Guards and the Elite Royal Guards stationed here. The RGs and ERGs had been equipped with some of the spears and arrows the Crystal Imperial uses." Celestia first responded.

Seeing the Princess of Friendship's confused face at the fact that the RGs and the ERGs would be using Crystal Imperial's weapons when the RGs and ERGs had already had weapons of their own, Luna took over. "The weapons used by the Crystal Imperial guards are different." She said before explaining the use of the weapons to the lavender alicorn.

Twilight’s eyes sparkled with understanding before she shook her head to clear her thoughts. "Do you think I should cancel the Friendship Festival and reschedule the festival another day after the Storm King threat has been dealt with?"

Before both the royal sisters could answer, Dark Meadow crashed through the window of the throne room, smashing onto the floor hard as bits of glasses scattered across the floor.

Twilight screamed while both Celestia and Luna yelped at the sight of one of their royal guards being injured lying before them.

The three princesses rushed toward Dark Meadow as the pegasus weakly raised his head to them.

“Dark Meadow, what happened?” The solar princess asked, her voice gentle but urgent.

The injured pegasus struggled to speak, his voice weak. “The Storm King... he’s coming... army... airships... Canterlot... must... warn...” His words trailed off as he lost consciousness, his head falling onto the ground.

“Sergeant Emerald Sweeper! Get a doctor quickly!” The lunar princess shouted as she pointed at the sergeant.

Emerald quickly saluted before running rampant from his position stationed on the right sides of the throne room's doors to fetch a doctor while the Princess of Friendship cast a healing spell over an injured pegasus, his wounds closing up.

"Corporal Lila Swirl, alert the Royal Guards, the Elite Royal Guards, the Crystal Imperial and the Pillars! Get the city defenses ready and start evacuating the civilians to the nearest shelters now!" Celestia commanded the corporal.

Lila swiftly saluted before running from her position to warn her fellow guards, the Crystal Imperial guards and the Pillars about an incoming attack, leaving the three princesses alone in the throne room.

"Princess Celestia, do you think the RGs, ERGs and the Crystal Imperial can stop the Storm King and his army?" Twilight asked in fear.

Before both the royal sisters could answer, the doors of the throne room being thrown opened caught their attention and turned their heads to see Gabby panting heavily while hovering above the ground.

"Your... your highnesses... a... a fleet of airships had just emerged from the black cloud that appeared in the sky over Canterlot. The soldiers... They had dropped from the airships are now attacking the square as I speak." The young griffon said while still panting from her flight.

Both the royal sisters gasped while the Princess of Friendship's eyes widened in horror.

"Princess Celestia..." Twilight began, getting the solar princess to turn her attention to her. "Cadance and Shining Armor are still at the Friendship Festival."

Celestia's eyes widened in horror and terror.

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Earlier in Canterlot Square

Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Prince Shining Armor strolled through Canterlot Square, enjoying the lively atmosphere of the Friendship Festival. The air was filled with laughter and music, and colorful decorations adorned every corner. Ponies and creatures from all over Equestria had gathered to celebrate friendship and unity.

The Princess of Love smiled as she watched fillies and colts play games and enjoy the festivities. "It's wonderful to see every ponies and creatures so happy." She said, turning to her husband.

The Prince smiled back, his eyes scanning the crowd while nodding his head to the Royal Guards, Elite Royal Guards and Crystal Imperial guards who saluted at him while they patrolled the square. "It really is. After everything we've been through, it's good to enjoy without anything happening."

Songbird Serenade and her band were singing on the main stage as the crowd facing her cheered, danced, and celebrated while fillies and colts played games within the festival, their laughter mixing with the music. Both Cadance and Shining could not help but feel proud of Twilight for hosting the Friendship Festival.

Suddenly, a dark cloud began to loom over the square, casting an ominous shadow. Songbird faltered to a halt, her eyes widening in fear as she gazed upward. The crowd turned almost instantly, their expressions mirroring the singer's alarm. Meanwhile the some of the RGs, ERGs and the Crystal Imperial guards started to usher the civilians to the nearest shelters while the rest of them prepared themselves for attack.

The Princess of Love's eyes widened in horror she immediately recognized the cloud. "It's the Storm King's army." She said urgently, turning to her husband who began to cast shields around the civilians as they were being escorted.

Airships bearing the Storm King's flags began to emerge from the clouds, descending rapidly. The sight of the formidable vessels caused a wave of panic to sweep through the square. The crowd erupted into screams of terror, ponies and creatures scattering in every direction.

"Stay calm! Get to the nearest shelters!" The Prince shouted, his voice barely audible over the chaos. He immediately took off to help the guards to confront the army. Cadance ushered the civilians to safety while she cast defensive spells around them.

As the airships touched down, their ramps lowered, and Storm King's soldiers began to pour out, spreading out with their weapons ready. Meanwhile, the Storm King, standing at the bow of leading airship, overlooked the scene with a malevolent grin while the airship was positioned near the clouds to remain unseen.

The remaining guards who stayed behind sprang into action, rushing toward the invaders, being led by Captain Crimson Chaser and Captain Night Shadow. Simultaneously, the Pillars, the Mane 5, Clover the Clever, Commander Hurricane, Dew Nourish, Nimbus Dash, Grimhoof, Furx, Midnight Blossum, Yeth, Mallow Sear in her Nirik form, Sunwing, Ironclaw, Thorax, Pharynx, Ember and guards from the various races charged toward the army, alongside with Queen Seraphine, King Fire Blaze and Queen Rain Shine in their Nirik forms, Stormfeather, Thunderhoof and Au Hasard.

The clash was immediate and fierce. The square, once filled with music and laughter, now echoed with the sounds of battle. The guards charged forward and grappled with the army's soldiers. Some of the guards stood firm, their spears poised as they unleashed a barrage of magic bolts, striking the Storm King's soldiers and knocking many unconscious. before they recharged the spears. Behind them, archer guards released arrows tipped with explosive magic, causing devastating damage to the enemy ranks.

Both Crimson and Night Shadow worked together and coordinated their respective guards while fighting and dispatching the soldiers with their swords and bracers. Shining Armor provided shields for the guards from the enemy's attacks.

Clover enveloped herself with her magic and lifted herself up in the air before letting loose a barrage of magic bolts, hitting precisely at some of the soldiers and knocking them out. She then summoned multiple blue crystal shards before directing them to the Storm King's soldiers, impaling and killing them immediately. Starswirl and Mistmane aided her by letting a barrage of magic bolts at the army.

Dew swung her spear multiple times as she walked forward, hitting and killing some of the soldiers who were unfortunate enough to stand in her way before she stopped and aimed her spear at one of the soldiers who was running away. She let loose her shot, which hit the soldier's back before it fell face down unconscious. Meanwhile, Rockhoof used his shovel to smack the soldiers, knocking them out of action, while kicking the rest with his hindlegs to the wall.

Mallow let loose a barrage of fire magic bolts, catching the invaders' soldiers on fire as she charged forward. Fire Blaze and Rain Shine mirrored her, engulfing the Storm King's forces in a sea of fire. The kirin guards in their nirik forms engaged the army either by letting loose a barrage of fire magic bolts or kicking them with their fiery hindlegs.

The yak guards, Yeth and Thunderhoof charged forward with their horns pointing straight at the army, causing the soldiers to be flung in the air in different directions.

Rainbow Dash, Hurricane, Flash Magnus, Somnambula, Nimbus, Grimhoof, Ember and the dragon guards flew in the sky and attacked several airships that were still floating above Canterlot, along with the guards who can fly. Rainbow flew up into the sky and diving down toward the three airships before unleashing her sonic rainbow, causing all three airships to slew around before falling down to the valley.

Hurricane landed in one of the airships, where his forehooves transformed into crystal gauntlets, and started to punch the soldiers out of conscious and out of the airship while Somnambula swooped down to aid him by kicking the soldiers in their faces. Flash and Grimhoof crashed into soldiers, causing them to fall, while Nimbus attacked soldiers with her spear on the airship. Ember and her guards unleashed torrents of flame, catching the airships on fire before they exploded and went down to the valley.

Hasard and Midnight flew up and dive down toward the army, with Hasard using his sharp bracers to decapitate the soldiers' heads while Midnight used the spear dropped by one of the guards to stab them.

Queen Seraphine strode forward, her changeling magic unleashing beams that cut through soldiers, her guards and Furx swiftly dispatching those she missed. Pharynx transformed into a manticore, charging ferociously, while Thorax transformed into a bear and roared before mauling an unfortunate soldier.

Stormfeather, Ironclaw and the griffon guards flew in the sky and fired their muskets at the soldiers before reloading and doing it again. Gilda tackled one of the Storm King's soldier to the ground before Sunwing stabbed it with his sword while the hippogriff guards dispatched the rest of the soldiers.

Applejack was ducking and weaving through the ranks with agility, switching from tripping up soldiers with her lasso to lashing out with powerful kicks. Pinkie Pie had conjured her party canon and fired a volley of confetti at several soldiers, knocking them out of action.

Rarity summoned a barrage of sharpened gems to drive back the soldiers while Starlight unleashed powerful beams of spells to the airships, causing the ships to go down in flames. Fluttershy was escorting the Young 6 and Cutie Mark Crusaders to the shelters while Harry the bear protected them from the soldiers. Meadowbrook brought injured guards to a safe location and used her healing abilities to nurse them back to health.

The Princess of Love watched the battle in horror and concerned for her husband. Something else caught her eye and she turned to see a crystal changeling and a crystal kirin fighting one of the Storm King's general holding a broadsword and losing. Before she could process what was happening, the general made one clean sweep with his broadsword, and took off the heads off both the crystal guards.

"NO!" Cadance screamed as she let loose a beam of her magic bolt towards the general, blasting him back to the railing, where he tripped over and fell into the valley to his death.

The two Storm King's soldiers, who managed to make their way through while injuring some of the guards, noticed the Princess of Love and made a run straight for her, only to be blasted away by multiple magic bolts. Cadance turned to see Celestia, Luna and Twilight descending down from the balcony to the ground and her mother, Amore, walking on the ground while their horn were flared up.

"Mom! Auntie Celly! Auntie Lulu! Twilight!" Cadance called out to them as they reached her before she hugged her mom. Both the solar princess and the lunar princess conjured a shield around the five.

"Cadenza! Are you alright?" Amore urgently said, embracing her daughter while the three princesses looked at the scene smiled amidst the chaos.

"I'm alright, mom. Just a bit terrified and concern for my Shiny." The Princess of Love answered as she hugged her mother tighter before letting her go reluctantly.

"Where's Shiny?" The Princess of Friendship asked in worry.

Right after she asked Cadance, a second general of the Storm King was flying into the air and crashed onto the ground in front of the shield before the Prince ran inside.

"Shiny!"

"BBBFF!"

They both shouted at him, embracing him for a while before letting go.

"Twily! Cady! Glad to see you and the princesses. The Storm King's really bringing everything he could to take over Canterlot." Shining said.

"Then we must defend the capital. We cannot let him take Canterlot." The lunar princess stated, flaring her wings and her face in determination.

The solar princess nodded her head in agreement. "Luna's right. We will chase him later, but for now we need to protect the civilians."

"Then we better get started." Amore said, flaring her horn, to which the four princesses and the Prince flared theirs.

The royal sisters dispersed the shield before the group charged toward battle.

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The Storm King could only watch in anger from his ship as his army were not only fended off by the guards but were gradually being overwhelmed. He had thought that if he surprise attacked them during the second Friendship Festival, they will be terrified and ran away including the guards. Yet, his army was gradually losing ground to not only the ponies living in Canterlot, but to the four alicorns.

Not to mention, there were also the Crystal Imperial guards who had defeat him the first time were now fighting together with the ponies, helping them to push his army back off the capital.

Just as the Storm King thought the situation couldn't get any worse, loud screams from the nearby airships caught his attention, turning his head only for his eyes to widen in horror.

The same crystal red scaled wyvern had managed to grab hold of one of the airships and had started to eat his soldiers while swinging his tail to push them out of the airship, causing them to fall to their death down the valley. Meanwhile, the same large crystal yellow scaled dragon was smashing the airships with his tail while unleashing torrents of blue flames on the others. The Storm King could only feel more rage washed over him, as after the two dragons finished off the airships, they went down to the capital and helped those fighting his army in the city, their added effort accelerating the inevitable conclusion to the battle.

"MY KING!" The third general's urgent voice caught the Storm King's attention, and he turned to face the general. "We're losing more soldiers to them than they are to us! Not to mention, we have lost two of the generals. What are your orders?!"

The Storm King turned back to the battleground in the capital, deep in thought. He stood there for a while before turning back to his third general.

"I want you to order the remaining soldiers and airships to pull back. We are retreating, but we will be back later once we have gathered more soldiers and airships." He commanded.

The general saluted and ran off to do his order.

"Actually, wait!" The Storm King's voice made the general stop in his tracks before turning back to see his king giving him a sinister smile. "After you do that, I want you to bring me a spear. If I can't get those four alicorn's magic, I can at least wound one of them severely."

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Amore, Cadance, Shining, and Twilight were blasting the soldiers, their magic creating a dazzling display of power. Celestia and Luna soared overhead, their wings outstretched as they rained down beams of solar and lunar energy upon the soldiers.

The combined might of the four princesses, a Prince, a powerful grown up unicorn, the Pillars, the Bearer of Elements of Harmony, the Royal Guards, the Elite Royal Guards and the Crystal Imperial guards were a sight to behold, each one contributing their unique abilities to the battle, creating a formidable defense that repelled the invaders with increasing effectiveness.

Soon the red-scaled wyvern swooped down, snatching up soldiers in its jaws and tossing them aside like ragdolls. The yellow-scaled dragon landed with a thunderous crash, its massive form dwarfing the combatants around it. With a mighty roar, it unleashed a torrent of blue flames that incinerated the enemy ranks, turning the tide of battle even further in favour of the defenders.

The scene on the ground was one of utter devastation for the Storm King's forces. The once-proud soldiers lay either dead or incapacitated, their weapons scattered and broken. Almost all airships, either destroyed or burning, sank slowly down to the valley, their frames twisted and charred.

Seeing this battle as a lost cause, the remaining soldiers and airships immediately retreat, soldiers dropping their weapons as they ran back and disappearing through the forest while the airships turned themselves before swiftly propelling themselves and disappearing through the cloud.

The ponies and creatures cheered and celebrated at the defeat of the Storm King's army as they watched them retreated to their stronghold. Some of them stared down in sorrow at their fallen friends and guards.

The group watched the enemy retreat, their bodies covered in sweat. The royal sisters landed on the ground, equally exhausted.

"Are you all alright?" Celestia asked, her voice heavy with concern.

"We're fine, Princess Celestia." The Princess of Friendship answered, and the others nodded in agreement.

Soon, the Pillars, Clover, Dew, Hurricane, Nimbus, Grimhoof, and Hasard arrived. They began reporting what they had seen during the battle.

"The enemy is in full retreat." Hurricane said. "Their morale seem to be broken."

"We saw them dropping their weapons and running." The combat medic added. "It looks like they won't be coming back anytime soon. Or at least for a while."

As Amore, the royal sisters, and Twilight discussed what to do with the Storm King and his army with the Prince and the group, the Princess of Love stood staring at the remains of the battlefield as the RGs, ERGs and the Crystal Imperial guards helped out their fellow injured mates. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't notice the spear hurtling towards her from the sky until she heard her husband's exclamation.

"CADANCE! LOOK OUT!" Shining yelled as he ran past the group and shoved his wife out of the way, the spear piercing his chest and lifting him off the ground, his body sliding across the ground before stopping.

"NO!" The Princess of Friendship yelled in horror.

The three alicorns, four unicorns and the unicorn guards immediately launched a barrage of magic bolts at the airship from which the Storm King had thrown the spear. Their spells either missed or impacted the airship as it sped off into the distance, disappearing through the clouds while the pegasi guards and the guards with wings flew after it.

Cadance got up and stared at her husband lying still in horror. "SHINING!" She cried out, rushing to his side. She cradled him in her hooves as his blood stained her coat.

"Please, don't die on me. Don't leave me and Flurry alone." She whimpered, hugging him tighter as tears streamed down her face just as Twilight ran toward them with teary eyes and kneeled next to her brother.

The group watched the scene in horror, their heart sinking at the sight of both mares crying and Shining Armor.

Chapter 24 - Aftermath

"We're fine, Princess Celestia." Twilight answered Celestia's question, and Amore, Cadance and Shining nodded in agreement. A mix of sorrow and fury coursed within the lavender alicorn, sorrow for those who fell defending Canterlot, and unrivaled fury for those who had attempted to harm the ponies and creatures in the capital.

Soon, the Pillars, Clover the Clever, Dew Nourish, Commander Hurricane, Nimbus Dash, Grimhoof, and Au Hasard arrived.

"The enemy is in full retreat." Hurricane said. "Their morale seem to be broken."

"We saw them dropping their weapons and running." The combat medic added. "It looks like they won't be coming back anytime soon. Or at least for a while."

"Should we follow them? They could lead us to their stronghold." The bat pony asked Princess Luna.

The lunar princess shook her head. "No, not yet. We need to make sure everyone are alright before we chase them."

"Agreed. We need to help out those who are injured and figure out the next move." Amore stated.

"So, after we check on the wounded, what do we do? By the time we are finished, the Storm King and his army will be long gone and we will be back to square one." The Princess of Friendship inquired.

"Maybe we should..." The Prince started to say, only to stop when he looked past his sister and his eyes widened. "CADANCE! LOOK OUT!"

He ran past her and shoved his wife out of the way, the spear piercing his chest and lifting him off the ground, his body sliding across the ground before stopping.

"NO!" The Princess of Friendship yelled in horror.

The three alicorns, four unicorns and the unicorn guards immediately launched a barrage of magic bolts at the airship from which the Storm King had thrown the spear. Their spells either missed or impacted the airship as it sped off into the distance, disappearing through the clouds.

Cadance got up and stared at her husband lying still in horror. "SHINING!" She cried out, rushing to his side. She cradled him in her hooves as his blood stained her coat.

"Please, don't die on me. Don't leave me and Flurry alone." She whimpered, hugging him tighter as tears streamed down her face just as Twilight ran toward them with teary eyes and kneeled next to her brother.

"Shiny... BBBFF... Please wake up. Don't die on us. What are we supposed to tell Flurry Heart?" The Princess of Friendship was now begging, not believing at what was happening as the Princess of Love continue to sob.

Shining tried to say something, but nothing came out, his eyes began to shift into something more… peaceful. His body began to slowly go limp.

And then his eyes closed.

Twilight's eyes widened, tears now streaming down her face, before a blue hoof brought her head upwards.

“You shouldn’t have to live this again, Twilight Sparkle.” Luna said softly. “Wake.”

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Twilight awoke with a start, the morning sunshine creeping through the curtains. She took a deep breath, her heart still racing from the vivid nightmare. She didn’t remember much from last night, aside from locking herself away in her old tower in Canterlot and crying herself to sleep, away from her friends.

Sighing to herself, the Princess of Friendship made her way out of bed, and used her magic to straighten the sheets out and set them neatly back down onto the mattress. When she did so however she noticed a book shaped lump sticking up in the middle. Carefully extracting the object, she saw it was a photo album.

I must have fallen asleep while looking at it. Twilight thought.

The Princess of Friendship opened the album to a creased set of pages, there was a single picture on each page. One was taken by their parents before her brother left to join the Royal Guards, with a younger Cadance and a filly version of herself standing beside him and smiling brightly at the camera. The other one was taken on the wedding day before Shining and Cadance left for their honeymoon, with their parents, Spike and a unicorn version of herself standing beside the couple. There were tear stains on that particular page, the tears being recent.

"Twilight?" A voice called out to her, breaking the silence.

Twilight dropped the book onto the bed and swung around, tearing open the curtains as she did so. The sunlight revealed the shadowy corner of the room, where Princess Celestia stood.

"Twilight..." The solar princess started. "Are you alright?"

The Princess of Friendship just stared at her, her eyes bloodshot from crying.

"How did you know where I was?" She finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Celestia sighed. "I have known where you would hide when you are sad during your time as my student. Still, are you alright?"

Twilight lowered and shook her head, fresh tears welling up. "No. I'm not alright, Princess."

The solar princess walked forward and embraced her, who returned her embrace to her and wept.

"I... I don't know what to do or what to tell my niece about her father, Princess Celestia." The Princess of Friendship sobbed. "Will Flurry hate me? Will she also hate Cadance too?"

Celestia let Twilight rambled on and stroked he mane for a few minutes before letting go and placed his hoof under her chin, raising her head to look at her. What she said next shocked the Princess of Friendship.

"Twilight, your brother is still alive. Amore managed to save him." She said.

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Crimson Chaser, Night Shadow, Flash Magnus, Rockhoof, Nimbus Dash, Grimhoof, Dew Nourish, Stormfeather, Ironclaw, Gilda, Pharynx, Furx and Yeth sat in a bar, not far from the Canterlot hospital from where they had just come. They sat around a big table with glasses sitting before them. The other guards from various races who survived defending the capital sat at different tables at the bar itself, deep in discussion, while the other ones patrolled the city to look out for any attacks from the Storm King and his army.

The solar guard captain took a swig from his glass before slamming it down onto the table. “Celestia damn that Storm King. I knew he was ruthless, but I never would have thought he would go this far by trying to kill the Princess Cadance with a spear, only for Shining to push her out of the way and took the hit. That' Storm King is just so..." He trailed off.

"Bucked up, I know." The lunar guard captain started. "I hope Shining's alright."

"Did any of you saw where he or his airship went?" Grimhoof asked.

Nimbus sighed while rubbing her face with her hoof. "I’m afraid not, according to the guards who pursued him and his airship, they weren't fast enough to catch up with it."

"Celestia damn it." Rockhoof muttered. "How about the recon team Princess Luna told me and the other about who never returned?"

Flash grimaced. "We found them... or what remains of them. From what I saw the scene, they must have encountered the Storm King and his army and tried to report back, but they were found and slaughtered. Only one of them managed to avoid being killed before he barely flew back to the capital to warn the princesses."

"Injured pony alright?" Yeth questioned.

"From what I heard from Queen Seraphine, he was injured from the Storm King's army but still breathing." Furx answered, picking up his own glass and drinking from it..

"Though he needs to stay in bed for a few days to recover his injuries." Pharynx continued off where the crystal changeling left off.

After a few moments of silence, Dew spoke. "I can only imagine how Prince Shining's parents feel, and you all saw Princess Twilight and Princess Cadance. I never seen both princesses this broken down. Has anypony told the parents yet?"

"Princess Luna did." Stormfeather confirmed. "The mother did not react… well."

"Can you blame her? If I heard my son was injured, I'd react the same as her." Ironclaw stated. holding his glass for a moment before drinking it.

"That is true." Grimhoof agreed. "But I can tell you this. If the Storm King and his army think they can run and hide forever, then they are fools.”

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Nurse Ivy Jewel sat behind the reception desk of Canterlot hospital, she had been taking care of the injured guards when news of Shining Armor's horrific injury flooded in and she immediately offered her services. Now she sat behind the desk sorting through files relating to his medical history, when shouting reached her ears.

“Where is he?!” Twilight Velvet shouted as she burst into the room, bolting straight to the reception desk where a startled nurse sat. A panting Night Light followed shortly behind her.

“You m-must be Twilight Velvet, right?” Ivy asked.

“Where. Is. My. Son?!” The mother snarled.

“Madam, I’m afraid he’s not taking visitors right now and-" The nurse started, only to cut off by another voice.

“It’s OK, you can tell her.” Clover the Clever strolled in from the hallway with Commander Hurricane, assuring the nurse.

With Clover's approval, Ivy Jewel told her. “He's in the royal wing, in the room normally reserved for Princess Celestia should she ever need medical attention.”

Twilight Velvet bolted off immediately, leaving her husband to be the one to thank the mare, before he and the couple quickly followed her.

The nurse looked after the four ponies in shock, before regaining herself and continuing her work.

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The hospital was getting closer as five mares and the dragon walked towards the building, none of them had gotten much sleep the previous night.

“It’s not fair!” Fluttershy squeaked first. “Why did this have to happen.”

Pinkie, whose mane was deflated, spoke next. “It was that meanie king, if I ever get my hooves on him… I have a special dungeon ready to use on him.”

Both the mares and Spike gulped and shuttered as they remembered that the pink mare had built a dungeon within her party planning basement a few months ago.

“Ah would certainly rough him up somethin’ fierce, that no good tyrant..." Applejack puffed.

Rainbow shouted in frustration. “Does it really matter, any of us making all these plans? The deed’s done, Twilight's brother's hurt and where were we? Fighting against the Storm King's army! We should have been there…” She trailed off.

“There’s nothing we could have done sugarcube, none of y’all could have seen this coming.” The orange mare stated.

“She is right, none of us expected the king to do what he did. All we can do now is be there for Twilight and her family, and let the princesses and the guards deal with this.” Rarity added.

Before any conversations were continued, a bright flash of magic caught their attention and were shocked to see Twilight and Celestia standing in front of them.

"TWILIGHT!!!" The group shouted, running up to her before grabbing and hugging her. After a second to overcome the shock, the Princess of Friendship returned the embrace.

Celestia stood in silence as she watched the scene, before the group let Twilight go.

"Twilight, are you alright?" Spike asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine." The Princess of Friendship sniffled while wiping the tears off her eyes. "Come on, let's get to hospital."

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The two Crystal Imperial guards standing guard outside the royal wing in the hospital momentarily reached for their weapons as they saw four figures steaming towards them, until they saw who they were.

Twilight Velvet, Night Light, Clover and Hurricane, with Velvet heading straight into the only occupied room, while Night and the couple stopped just short, catching their breath.

As she entered the room, she came to a dead stop at the sight that awaited her. Shining lay in the hospital bed, mask over his muzzle and with various medical machines all connected to him. Cadance sat beside him, with bloodshot eyes looking at him.

"S-Shining?" Velvet called out softly, receiving no answer while getting the Princess of Love's attention as she walked closer.

Velvet immediately froze when she saw something was different to her son.

Shining's horn, who's color was light gray, was now now a shiny light blue shaded from the tip to cyan.

"W-What?" She stuttered just as Night Light, Clover and Hurricane strolled in, with her husband too froze at the sight of his son while the couple stopping and standing aside. Cadance sighed.

"Ms. Sparkle. The spear that Storm King had thrown hit directly at his heart. My mom was able to save him, but the only way to do so was to transform him like her and the Crystal Imperial guards." The Princess of Love explained.

Velvet and Night looked down on their son’s peaceful face, their own showing much sorrow for their son's predicament and grateful for Amore saving him.

"Where's your mother? Me and my wife would like to thank her." Night asked.

"You just missed her a few minutes ago. Amore was called by one of King Creswing's guards. The guard said that King Crestwing and the leaders wants her to come and talk to her about assembling recon teams to assist Princess Celestia's and Princess Luna's recon teams to find the Storm King's stronghold faster." Hurricane replied.

"I... I see." Velvet said before she and her husband approached the bed and pulled two chairs to sit, each of them gently nuzzling their son affectionately.

Their attention were caught by their daughter standing by the door watching the display, five mares, Spike and Celestia standing closely behind her.

“Come on in.” Night called out.

Nodding her head towards the others, Twilight entered the room with the others following shortly behind, all taking up positions around the bed.

As the Princess of Friendship continued to stare at her brother, the solar princess cleared her throat to get her attention. "Twilight, I understand that you might want to forgive the Storm King and befriend him, but you must understand that he and his army have attacked Canterlot twice, injuring and killing some of our guards. He would have killed Cadance if Shining hadn't stepped in." She sighed deeply. "As much as I hate to say it, we must put a stop to him. Either we turn him to stone or have him executed for his crimes."

The group stared at Celestia in shock, but what Twilight said next shocked them even more.

"Who said that I was going to allow that tyrant to live? The moment he nearly killed my brother, forgiveness was off the table." She declared with unwavering resolve.

The group stared at her for a while before Spike broke the silence.

"How about you? The ponies and creatures would view you as a monster because of that!" He shrieked as the group glanced at each other with unease.

The Princess of Friendship took a deep breath. "I will cross that bridge when it comes to me, but what the Storm King did was unforgivable to me and Cadance. This is my choice wherever you all agree with me or not."

Author's Note

Uh oh, the Princess of Friendship is very pissed.

Chapter 25 - The Storm Rage

Storm King's Realm, A few hours after the second attempted invasion

Storm King was still in bad mood, and that mood had remained ever since his second fail invasion to empower his Staff of Sacanas.

While his army were able to inflict some casualties on the ponies and the creatures at Canterlot, almost all his army were either incapacitated or killed by the ponies and the Crystal Imperial guards, leaving him only five dozen of his soldiers and five to six airships left in his disposal. To make matters worse, two of his generals had been killed in the confrontation.

As he fumed while sitting in his throne, fidgeting his staff, the sound of the throne room's doors opening and closing caught his attention. He looked up to see his last general timidly walking toward him. His face was etched with a mix of fear and uncertainty, knowing his king's wrath could fall upon him at any moment.

"Ah, general, how are we looking? What is your report?" The Storm King asked with icy gaze, causing the general to shrink back in fear before composing himself.

"Not good, my King. We are low on troops, supplies and airships. The ponies and the Crystal Imperial guards in Canterlot managed to incapacitate or killed almost all the troops. We’re barely holding on with what little we have left.”

Storm King’s grip tightened on his staff, the magical artifact sparking with raw energy. “What about the captives we have caught? Any way we can train them to fight for us?”

The general shook his head. "The captives we have managed to catch during our conquest on the south side of Equestria are too injured or weak to be of any use, my King.”

Storm King's eyes narrowed, his frustration growing. "So, we have nothing?" he growled, the room crackling with the energy of his barely contained anger.

The general swallowed hard, his fear evident. "Uh... unfortunately yes. Other than five dozen of soldiers and five to six airships, we have nothing."

Storm King slammed his staff on the ground, sending a shockwave through the room. "This is unacceptable!" He roared. "We need a new plan, something to turn the tide in our favor! I will not be humiliated again by those ponies and Crystal Imperial!"

The general flinched at the king's outburst but managed to nod. "Y-yes, my King. I will see what we can come up with. Perhaps we can regroup and find new allies, or seek out resources in uncharted territories."

The Storm King’s eyes flickered with a dangerous glint. "Do whatever it takes. I want results, and I want them soon. We will crush those ponies and take what is rightfully ours."

With a final, fearful glance at his king, the general hurried off to begin his desperate search for a solution.

"Wait!" The Storm King's icy voice made the general stop in his tracks before turning back to look at him. "If you see Grubber, tell him to come to me as soon as he can. I want to have a full report on the resources from him."

The general quickly nodded his head before rushing out the throne room, closing the doors behind him and leaving his king alone once again.

After the general left, the Storm King sank back into his throne, though his mood remained as dark as ever, his mind deep in thought.

The Storm King slumped in his throne, the weight of his failures pressing down on him like a boulder. His mind churned with thoughts, each more desperate and furious than the last. The once formidable and fearsome ruler now faced the bitter reality of his crumbling empire. The memory of the battle in Canterlot replayed in his mind, a bitter reminder of his humiliation. He had envisioned a swift victory, the Staff of Sacanas crackling with the power of the alicorns, but instead, he had been thwarted by those insufferable ponies, their relentless guards and the Crystal Imperial forces.

Storm King clenched his fists around his staff, feeling the raw, untamed magic within it. It was supposed to be his key to ultimate power, yet it had brought him nothing but failure. The loss of his troops and generals weighed heavily on him. They had been his best, his elite force, and now they were gone, leaving him with a ragtag group of survivors who were as disheartened as he was.

His thoughts turned to his remaining resources. Two dozen soldiers and a handful of airships were all that stood between him and complete annihilation. He knew he needed more than brute force to turn the tide. He needed cunning, strategy, and perhaps even allies. But who would ally themselves with him? Who would join his cause when his own army lay in ruins?

He considered the captives they had taken. The general’s report echoed in his mind: too injured or weak to be of any use. His hopes of training them to fight for him were dashed. The Storm King gritted his teeth, the frustration boiling over. Every plan, every backup had crumbled to dust.

His mind raced through possible solutions. Uncharted territories, new alliances, hidden resources – all seemed like long shots, desperate gambits that could just as easily lead to further ruin. Yet, he knew he could not afford to sit idle. Time was his enemy now, and every moment wasted could brought his foes closer to his doorstep.

The image of the ponies, creatures and the Crystal Imperial forces battling against his army with ease flashed before his eyes. Those meddlesome ponies and creatures had thwarted him again. They had an uncanny ability to rally against impossible odds. He hated them for that. If only he could harness that kind of loyalty and resolve among his own followers.

A new plan. That’s what he needed. Something bold, something unexpected. But what? He couldn’t afford another failure. His resources were depleted, his troops demoralized, and his enemies emboldened by their victories. He needed to think, to strategize, to outmaneuver his foes in a way they wouldn’t anticipate.

As his thoughts spiralled, the throne room doors creaked open, interrupting his reverie. The general entered, his face pale and tense. "My King." He began, his voice trembling, "I have searched everywhere, but I couldn't find Grubber. He... he's gone. I think he might have be killed back at Canterlot."

"WHAT?!" The Storm King’s roar echoed through the chamber. He glared murderously at the general, who gulped and took a step back, his fear palpable.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, the Storm King spoke again, his voice a dangerous whisper. “Get out and leave me alone. I need to think. And order the remaining troops to prepare the defenses. We might have company in the near future.”

The general quickly vacated the throne room, his relief evident as he escaped the Storm King's wrath. Alone once more, the Storm King propped himself up against his throne, trying to quell the rage that threatened to consume him. His grip tightened around his staff, his knuckles white with the strain as his staff crackled with magic.

He was definitely in a very bad mood.

Chapter 26 - Visitation Hours

Crimson Chaser, Night Shadow, Flash Magnus, Rockhoof, Nimbus Dash, Grimhoof, Dew Nourish, Stormfeather, Ironclaw, Gilda, Pharynx, Furx, and Yeth exited the bar they had been sitting in for the last few hours. The streets of Canterlot ahead were mostly empty, save for the patrol of the Royal Guards, Elite Royal Guards, and the Crystal Imperial guards. The thirteen figures headed down the street in the direction of the castle, their footsteps echoing in the quiet night.

"So, now what are you guys going to do now?" Night asked the crystal ponies and creatures.

Nimbus rubbed the back of her head, glancing at her companions. "Me, Grimhoof and the others will get our gears and then join the others in patrolling the capital for anymore attacks from the Storm King and his army."

"The princesses and the leaders had deployed multiple patrols throughout Canterlot and the surrounding area. They are hardly going to leave the city undefended after what happened, you guys worry too much.” Flash stated.

"Well, the last time we didn't worry too much, Storm King and his army attacked Canterlot and almost killed Prince Shining Armor before he was forced into retreat." Grimhoof countered.

Crimson, who was leading the group, stopped. He sighed and turned to look at the crystal ponies and creatures before giving them a sympathetic look. "Look, you guys need to stop beating yourself up. You couldn’t have known the Storm King would do that.”

“Let’s… let’s just get back to the castle, all right?”

They walked the rest of the way in silence until they finally reached the castle. Both the castle and the capital was under lockdown after what happened, Royal Guards, Elite Royal Guards and the Crystal Imperial guards filled the streets and the courtyards, along with dragons, yaks, griffons, kirins, changelings and hippogriffs. They roamed the corridors in a coordinate effort to be on lookout for any Storm King's airships or scouts and stop them from trying to flee the capital to give information to the king.

As they entered the castle grounds, Dew broke the silence. "I have to admit, I have never seen this many guards in one place before."

"Yeah, can't blame them though." Furx said. "After what had happened, both the princesses and the leaders can't take another attack like this again."

"That reminds me..." Stormfeather turned to Gilda. "How's Gallus and his friends?"

"They're a bit shaken up, especially Silverstream and Ocellus, but they are alright." Gilda replied.

Ironclaw sighed in relief. "That's good to know. Those young children doesn't deserve to go through the invasion, let alone witness what happened to Prince Shining Armor."

Rockhoof nodded his head in agreement. "Aye, that's for sure. And it's a good thing that the princesses deployed multiple patrols throughout Canterlot and the surrounding area. While his army took a pretty heavy hit, the Storm King will come back again with even more forces to conquer the capital."

"Yeth was wondering if the princesses have send the recon teams again to look for Storm King's stronghold?" Yeth asked.

Rubbing the back of his head, Pharynx answered. "Yeah, both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had decided to send the recon teams again, but this time my brother Thorax and the others will also be sending their own recon teams to help out and find the stronghold faster."

"Well, that's good to know. The more teams sent out, the better chance of finding the Storm King's stronghold quicker." The lunar guard captain agreed.

The group nodded their head in agreement and walked in silence. They opted to use one of the side entrances for shortcut, taking them into one of the castle’s courtyard. From there they entered the castle proper and quickly made their way through before reaching the armory.

At the entrance of the armory, the group saw Au Hasard and Midnight Blossom conversing to Flash Sentry, Mallow Sear and Sunwing before the two bat ponies saw them and stopped to greet them.

"Hi guys, didn't think you would dropping by." Hasard said, stepping forward. He, Midnight, Mallow and Sunwing embraced each member of the crystal group one by one while Crimson, Night, Flash, Rockhoof, Gilda and Pharynx stood behind.

"Yeah, we figured we'd get some gear and join the patrols." Nimbus stated before gesturing the group behind to come forward, to which the group did.

"Guys, meet Solar Guard captain Crimson Chaser, Lunar Guard captain Night Shadow, Flash Magnus, Rockhoof, Gilda and Pharynx." Grimhoof introduced them to the four figures.

"Night Shadow? I heard of you. Your ancestor took over my position after I was gone for a thousand years. I'm Au Hasard. And this is Midnight Blossom, Mallow Sear, Sunwing and Flash Sentry." Hasard introduced him self and his friends to the group.

Night widened his eyes in surprise. "You're captain Au Hasard? I heard from Princess Luna that you used to be her captain before you disappeared from a patrol a thousand years."

Hasard chuckled, extending a hoof to shake. "Well, it's good to see the lineage continues. Princess Luna told me you’ve been doing an excellent job in my stead."

The lunar captain extended his and shook Hasard's hoof and smiled before glancing at Midnight.

"And you must be his wife." Night stated.

Both Midnight and Hasard stared at him for a couple of seconds while the rest of the crystal ponies and creatures tried to contain themselves, but couldn't help letting out a stifled laugh.

"What? What's wrong?" The lunar captain asked with an arched eyebrow as Midnight groaned and rubbed her face with her hoof while Hasard rolled his eyes.

"I'm not his wife. I'm his sister." Midnight blankly stated.

Gears in Night’s minds started turning as he processed her words. Realization dawned on him, and his face turned a deep shade of red, causing the group to laugh while both Midnight and Hasard simply chuckled.

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Princess Amore walked through the halls of Canterlot hospital, having to finish helping Queen Seraphine's out in assembling the changeling queen's recon team.

The guards within hospital patrolled the hallway, waiting for any signs of the Storm King and his army. A scenario that had luckily not yet played out.

As Amore approached the royal wing, she briefly passed Twilight and Celestia being led by Luna as they headed in the opposite direction.

The three princesses noticed her presence and exchanged respectful nods, acknowledging each other silently as they continued on their respective paths.

When she approached, the guards standing idly by the entrance noticed Amore and quickly saluted before relaxing and standing aside to let her past.

The Mane 5 and Spike stood just outside the door to the Prince's temporary residence, and they stopped their conversation when they spotted Amore. They stared in her direction and an awkward silence ensued, before Amore moved forward towards the door.

As she passed, the group each gave her a nod before they returned to their conversation.

As Amore pushed the door open, her heart tightened in her chest as she spotted her daughter sitting beside her husband with various machines surrounding him as Cadance stared at Shining.

Amore slowly closed the door behind her before noticing Twilight Velvet and Night Light sitting on the other side of the bed, the mare was asleep as her head rested against her son's shoulder while the stallion sat beside her, gently caressing her mane.

Amore coughed softly to get the group in front of her their attention, causing the three ponies to look up to see the tall unicorn.

"Mom!" The Princess of Love silently called out before rushing toward and embracing her mother while the Prince's parents stood and watched the scene as Amore embraced her daughter.

After a few minutes, both the mother and the daughter parted ways before Amore looked at the parents. "You must be my daughter's husband's parents. I'm Princess Amore."

Night Light smiled weakly at her. "Princess Amore. It’s an honor to meet you."

Twilight Velvet, having woken from her light sleep, approached Amore slowly. Much to Amore's surprise, she was quickly enveloped in a hug by the mare.

"Thank you... thank you for saving my son..." Velvet whispered, her voice breaking with emotion. "I'm just so glad that he's alive."

Amore returned the embrace, her own eyes welling up with tears as Cadance and Night Light watched the scene.

"I had ensured he recovered." She assured her, her voice steady despite the lump in her throat. "Your son is strong, and with all of us by his side, he will pull through this."

They stayed in the same position for a while before parting ways and the group each took their respective seats around Shining.

They stayed silent for a couple of minutes staring at the sleeping form of the Prince before Velvet broke the silence.

"Twilight told me what happened to you a thousand and five years ago." She began, her eyes meeting Amore's. "It must have been incredibly hard to send your daughter away to save her from King Sombra and tried to defend your empire from him, only to be petrified and have the pieces of your body scattered across the world by him."

Amore sighed, her gaze distant as she recalled the painful memories. "It was the hardest decision I ever had to make." She admitted. "Sending Cadance away was the only way to ensure her safety. I fought with everything I had to protect the Crystal Empire, but Sombra's magic was too powerful. Being petrified and scattered was a cruel fate, but knowing my daughter was safe from him gave me the strength to endure it. And I would have remained petrified and scattered if it wouldn't for the Crystal Imperial guards and other races."

Amore sighed again, this time deeper. "Cadenza, Mr and Ms Sparkle." She began. "I promise you, that the Storm King who did this to your husband and your son will pay for what he did, and end him. That is promise I wouldn't break."

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Tempest Shadow grumbled to herself as she laid in the bed within the confines of the dungeon. It's been five days since she was thrown in here, both her left foreleg and hindleg were bandaged up.

How did this happen? It was supposed to be easy... She thought to herself as she shifted in the bed.

Her mind replayed the events leading to her downfall. The plan had seemed foolproof: invade Canterlot, capture the princesses, and deliver them to the Storm King so he could empower his Staff of Sacanas and finally fix her horn. Yet, everything had quickly spiraled out of control. The unexpected arrival of three ponies and her subsequent defeat at their hooves had turned her meticulously crafted plan into a disastrous failure, causing her to be captured and thrown into the dungeon.

Tempest clenched her teeth, frustration bubbling inside her. She had always prided herself on her meticulous planning and execution. Failure was not an option in her line of work, yet here she was, wounded and imprisoned.

A soft clanking sound drew her attention to the cell door and her eyes widened in shock and surprised when she saw King Crestwing along with two of his guards approached her cell.

"You..? How are you alive? Storm King and I stormed Mount Aris and ended you!" The lieutenant exclaimed as she tumbled out of the bed in shock.

The King of the hippogriffs narrowed his eyes at her. "I managed to escape to the Frozen North despite my injuries where I was saved by Princess Amore before I was frozen in the frozen wasteland."

Tempest struggled to process his words. The Storm King had assured her that the hippogriffs had been defeated, their forces decimated, and their kingdom reduced to rubble. Yet here stood their king, very much alive.

"I don't know why you decided to work the Storm King, but if you continue to work with him, you will be no better than King Sombra who petrified and scattered Princess Amore and enslaved the crystal ponies." Crestwing bitterly continued.

The lieutenant immediately flinched back, her eyes widened in shock as she processed the fact that the king of the hippogriffs had compared her with King Sombra, his word cutting through her like a blade.

"I'M NOTHING LIKE SOMBRA!" She angrily yelled at Crestwing.

"Actions speak louder than words, lieutenant." The king said calmly. "You may believe you are different, but aligning yourself with the Storm King shows otherwise."

Tempest seethed with anger, but the truth in Crestwing's words gnawed at her. She had justified her actions for so long, believing that regaining her horn would make everything right. But now, she faced with the consequences of her choices and the suffering she had caused.

"I did what I had to!" The lieutenant said, her voice trembling with anger. "I wanted my horn back, and the Storm King was the only one who offered to do it for me! He was the only one who even seemed to care!"

"We all make mistakes, but this doesn't excused your actions. Beside, if the Storm King really cares for you, why didn't he rescued you when he launched the second attack on Canterlot? He could have sent some of his soldiers to free you while his main forces focused on the battle in the square." The king of the hippogriffs asked with an arched eyebrow.

Tempest backpedalled as if struck.

As much as the lieutenant was loath to admit it, she knew Crestwing was right. She had convinced herself that the Storm King's promise was her only hope, but now she couldn't ignore the glaring inconsistencies in his actions.

"You can believe me or not, lieutenant. We will find the Storm King and put an end to this. It's only a matter of time." The king of the hippogriffs said before walking away with his guards, leaving Tempest alone in the cell.

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Twilight, Celestia and Luna were walking down one of the many corridors in Canterlot castle, en route to somewhere only Luna knew.

"Shining Armor's condition hasn’t changed, the doctors are keeping an eye on him.” The lunar princess informed both the Princess of Friendship and the solar princess.

Twilight sighed. “All we can do now is hope for the best, until then I intend to find Storm King and end him.”

Luna looked at her sister in concern as she remembered what had the Princess of Friendship said after Celestia told her.

The lunar princess turned her head to Twilight. “Well Twilight Sparkle, I have something that might be able to help with that.”

She pointed towards a small door at the end of the corridor they walked down, before stopping in front of it.

“Why are we stopping here? Luna, what did you do?” The solar princess asked.

“Nothing. I have done nothing, but something happened while I was about to visit you..." Luna stated.

Both alicorns looked at the lunar princess incredulously as she opened the door to reveal a sparse room with a single table in the centre. Sitting at the table, a hedgehog was restrained with a pegasus and a crystal griffon standing beside him watching him.

The Princess of Friendship and Celestia widened their eyes. "That's... that's the hedgehog who announced the Storm King and his lieutenant! How did you managed to get him?!" The solar princess exclaimed in surprised while Twilight stared at him before looking back at Luna.

"I didn’t." The lunar princess replied calmly. "He approached me as I was leaving for the hospital. Apparently, during Storm King’s second invasion of Canterlot, he fell off the airship when it was struck by the red crystal dragon and survived the fall by landing on the nearby bushes. He had been hiding in the courtyard for a day before he found me. He said he wanted to surrender."

"Really?" The Princess of Friendship's eyes narrowed as she turned to glare at Grubber, who wilted under the intense gaze of the lavender alicorn.

Luna nodded. "He told me that what the Storm King and his army are doing is wrong, and he wants to put a stop to them. He's willing to provide us with information."

Celestia nodded. "Luna, get Amore and Cadance and bring them here. I will personally talk to him once you bring them here."

“I will, but there was one piece of information he mentioned specifically he could provide us…” The lunar princess stated.

“And what is that?” Twilight asked, her eyebrow arched in curiosity.

“He knows where Storm King is residing and where him and his army's stronghold is." Luna revealed.

Chapter 28 - The Wrath of Equestria

A light flickered above the heads of the three ponies and a hedgehog that inhabited one of Canterlot Castle’s two interrogation rooms. The room was located deep beneath the castle itself, just off from where the dungeons were located, with Tempest in one of them. Three ponies in the room were Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and a very insistive Princess Twilight Sparkle, with Grubber sitting in a metal chair behind the only other furnishing in the room, a table with various items scattered about. To his right, there was a blacked out window where Princess Amore, Princess Cadance and a few guards stood on the other side just watching him.

The Princess of Friendship gave the hedgehog an extremely stern look. “You know why you are here.” She simply stated.

“Yes, I surrendered myself to you in hopes of fair judgement, and in the hopes of stopping my king before anyone else gets hurt." Grubber somberly said.

“Then...” The solar princess spoke. “Let us begin.”

Celestia leaned forward. "Luna told me that you told her you fell off the airship when it was attacked by the red crystal dragon and survived the fall by landing on the nearby bush. You had been hiding in the courtyard for a day before you showed yourself to my sister. Is that true?"

The hedgehog nodded his head. "Yes, it's true. I did fell off the airship when it was attacked by the red crystal dragon and survived the fall by landing on the nearby bush. I had been hiding in the courtyard since then before I decided to surrender myself."

The lunar princess narrowed her eyes at him. "And why should we believe you, Grubber? You've served the Storm King faithfully. What proof do we have that you're telling the truth now?"

Grubber swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the lunar princess's scrutiny.

"I understand your doubts." He began, his voice trembling slightly. "I did serve the Storm King, but I never agreed with his methods. When I saw how far he was willing to go, the destruction and the pain he caused, I realized I couldn't stand by him any longer. I knew that the only way to make amends was to help you stop him."

The solar princess exchanged a glance with her sister and Twilight before turning her attention back to Grubber. "And what information can you provide us about Storm King? And please tell us the truth, the whole truth. At this point lying will only make things worse for yourself as we have lie detector spells in place."

The hedgehog nodded his head again in agreement.

"Good. Now, could you please detail the events leading up to, during and after the Storm King's second invasion on Canterlot?" Celestia asked.

"Well..." Grubber began. "It started soon after we returned to the stronghold...”

The hedgehog described to the princesses how the Storm King had him gathered his three generals to discuss the next move, how he ordered the generals to send scouts to gather information about Equestria's defenses and expedite the process of rallying our troops, restocking our supplies and recruiting more troops for their next assault. He told them of the captives they captured during the conquest on the south side of Equestria, which the three princesses only grew angrier when he told them that Storm King and his army would often tortured them for fun or to be trained for fight. He also told them of their fortress located in the South Luna Ocean, off the coast of the Slug Troll Swamp and north of the Great Iceberg Barrier before ending with him falling off the airship and landing on nearby bush.

“-and I hid in the courtyard for a day. When I saw one of the alicorns, I used this opportunity to walk up to her and well... you know the rest.” Grubber finished.

Luna thought over what had just been said. "So that would explain why our first recon teams couldn't find the stronghold. It wasn't in Equestria, it was just outside our borders."

“There is one more thing.” The hedgehog interrupted. “He will likely have the remaining forces to prepare the defenses and on high alert as a precaution.”

"Thank you for that information, Grubber." The solar princess said. "You have been most helpful."

“There is one last thing I want to know..." The Princess of Friendship interrupted before leaning forward. "Why? Why did you decided to not to go back to the Storm King and his army? What changed your mind?”

Grubber sighed deeply. "It was a lot of things." He responded. "The way the Storm King treated his soldiers was appalling. He saw us as disposable tools rather than beings with our own thoughts and feelings. I followed him out of fear, but it became clear that he was willing to sacrifice anyone and anything to achieve his goals. I couldn't stand by that any longer."

“How about Tempest Shadow? What can you tell us about her?” Twilight asked with narrowed eyes.

The hedgehog sighed again, rubbing the back of his neck. “Tempest... she’s been through a lot. She’s loyal to the Storm King because she believes he can fix her horn, but deep down, I think she wants something more like being accepted. She thinks that by serving the Storm King, she can prove her worth and regain what she lost.”

The Princess of Friendship continued to stare at him before relenting and pulled back.

“I see… is that all?” Celestia asked.

“Yes. That’s everything I have told you.” Grubber slumped in his seat.

“Very well...” The lunar princess nodded towards the blacked out window, and two guards walked in and stood either side of the hedgehog.

Both Luna and Twilight stood aside as the solar princess stood up, spreading her wings as she delivered her verdict. “Grubber the hedgehog, you shall be imprisoned within the dungeons with Tempest Shadow until both you and her court martial at a later date. We can’t ignore the crimes you two have committed against Equestria and the surrounding lands, but the assistance you have provided today will also be taken into account when judgement is rendered. Do you have anything else to say in your defence?”

Grubber hung his head dejectedly as he stood up. “No. I don’t.”

Celestia folded her wings. “Very well, take him away.”

The two guards led the hedgehog out of the interrogation room, leaving the three princesses alone before Amore and her daughter walked in.

"Celestia..."Amore addressed. "What do you and Luna intend to do now that we know where the Storm King's stronghold is?"

"We need to discuss our battle strategy, but this Storm King and his army must be wiped out soon to prevent another invasion. I do not intend to let him escape, and we must pray that the others surrender to us if they do not wish to share his inevitable fate. Luna and I will be there and I know you and the others will help us too. Though I imagine that Twilight will insist on coming." The solar princess stated.

The Princess of Friendship looked away as the Princess of Love and Amore looked at her in concern.

“Twilight, I know you have every right to harm the Storm King for what he did to Shining...” Cadance started. “But, please be careful not to let your personal feelings get in the way if there are to be battle. They are a very dangerous thing in the middle of battle.”

Twilight gave her sister-in-law a reassuring smile. "Don't worry Cadance, I promise I will be fine. The fate of the Storm King’s army is still up to them when the time comes, but the Storm King cannot be alive as he had tortured the captives for fun or tried to train them for combat."

"I can see a lot of your brother in you." Amore said.

"What?" The Princess of Friendship looked at Amore in confusion.

"You cannot fool me, I know you want him dead just as much as my daughter and I do for Shining Armor, just be careful. Such dark thoughts can lead to much more trouble in the future.” Amore stated in concern.

Twilight stared at Amore for a while before nodding. "I understand, but I still want to come."

Both the three alicorns and Amore glanced at each other before Celestia sighed. "Very well, Twilight. I will get the guards to bring you some armor and a weapon.

"I will go and bring the leaders up to date. I imagine they will volunteer readily to come with us." Amore said before walking off with her daughter.

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A peaceful scene painted the late afternoon countryside just outside Klugetown, Capper was walking with guilt of trying to sell the seven friends to his boss. He looked up and see that night was falling fast but there was still vestiges of sunlight remaining as his ears twitched while he observed its surroundings and took several breaths of air.

However, Capper's head darted up when the seven large shadows and multiple shadows were formed over him, seeing seven airships and several silhouettes of pegasi, dragons, griffons, changelings, and hippogriffs heading onwards extremely fast. His eyes widened when he saw the flags of Equestria.

"Equestrian airships? What are they doing here?" He muttered to himself, his heart pounding. The sight of the flags filled him with a mixture of hope and dread.

The airships continued their flight towards the horizon, their destination clear to those who knew the signs: the Storm King's stronghold. He immediately set off in the direction of the airships, making his way through the streets of Klugetown.

The seven airships, pegasi, dragons, griffons, changelings and hippogriffs flew through the air; while airships were mainly used to transport goods for trading, they were rarely used to transport huge amount of guards to the destination. The pilots piloting the airships were told to land near the coast so that they wouldn’t be fired upon and allowed the those deployed to quickly move form there. Each airships contained several guards, with the two containing several of the Royal Guards and the Elite Royal Guards while the four contained the majority of the Crystal Imperial guards along with yaks and kirins. The last one contained Clover the Clever, Commander Hurricane, Dew Nourish, Nimbus Dash, Grimhoof, Ironclaw, Furx, Mallow Sear, Midnight Blossom, Sunwing, Crimson Chaser, Flash Sentry, Night Shadow, and Pharynx. That particular airship also contain Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Twilight, Princess Amore, Dragon Lord Ember, King Crestwing, Queen Seraphine, Thunderhoof, Au Hasard, Stormfeather, and King Fire Blaze. All of them were wearing their own armors and carrying their weapons, with the Princess of Friendship wearing the Royal Guards armor and carrying a sword.

“Twilight.” The solar princess called out. “How’s the armor?”

The Princess of Friendship flexed her wings, adjusting the Royal Guard armor she now wore. "I don’t remember it being so tight." She said.

The lunar princess glanced at Twilight. “It’s designed for protection, not comfort. You’ll get used to it."

Twilight nodded her head at Luna before glancing at Amore’s armor, to which the latter noticed.

“Curious about my armor, Twilight?” Amore asked.

“You could say that... the armor you’re wearing looks old, and I don’t think I have read the book about you wearing this armor.” The Princess of Friendship said.

“It is old, I last wore it during the war against King Sombra. The Crystal Imperial guards found my armor and my sword during their search for my missing pieces to rebuild my body.” Amore stated.

“Fire Blaze.” Seraphine called the king of the kirins. “Where’s your sister? I didn’t think she would want to leave you again.”

“At Canterlot with our subjects.” Fire Blaze responded. “Said that she and the others would make sure the others are alright.”

“As for Flash Magnus and Rockhoof...” Nimbus interjected. “They wanted to be here, but they decided to stay back to protect Canterlot. They trust we can handle this mission.”

After a short trip, the seven airships performed a rapid descent, landing on the beach of the coast a short distance away from the stronghold’s walls. The RGs, ERGs and the Crystal Imperial guards disembarked and quickly moved into formation. As Celestia and Luna touched down just behind the group, the solar princess lit her horn as the sunlight slipped beneath the horizon and the lunar princess lit hers to raise the moon high into the sky.

The seven airships took off again after their passengers were gone, the four hovering near the stronghold for air supports while the rest headed toward Klugetown to secure the town.

“All right!” Both Crimson and Night called out. “They will likely be ready to meet us so we want tight formations and for everyone to be on high alert! Now move out!”

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The Storm King looked out through the window in his throne room, contemplating a plan to get more troops and airships to launch another invasion on Canterlot. He believed he was making progress, until the doors of the throne room burst open and the general ran toward his king in panic. He turned to see his general in confusion.

“My King, seven Equestrian airships just touched down at the coast and those it deployed are heading straight for us! We have minutes at best!” The general panickingly reported.

Storm King gave a shout of frustration and anger. “Damn them all! What are we facing?”

“About ten dozens of guards, the leaders and even the princesses are among them!” The general answered his king’s question. “They outnumbered us! What do we do?”

The Storm King stayed silent as he looked down, his hand gripping the Staff of Sacanas tightly. “Have the soldiers and the airships converge at the entrance of our fortress! Get ready to fight!”

The general immediately saluted before running off to carry out his orders, a scramble of feet following as they all got ready for the coming fight.

Storm King growled to himself, bringing up his staff as it crackled with magic.

“If I’m going to be defeated by them, I’m taking one of the princesses with me!” Storm King angrily stated.

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Hurricane saw the entrance to the fortress ahead, and a flurry of movement was coming from within.

“Your highnesses! We have contacts! What are your orders?!" Hurricane asked Amore.

“Form up behind me, the princesses and the leaders, the Storm King’s fate is sealed but let us give his army a chance.” Amore replied.

They ran to the stronghold and formed up on the entrance. They were met with thirty fully armed soldiers forming up on the entrance of the fortress and six airships hovering in the air, waiting for them while the rest of the soldiers were either on the wall aiming with their bows or inside the fortress preparing more defenses.

At the head of the enemy group, a soldier stepped forward, his armour signifying him as the general.

“Hold there foes! You shall not pass!” The general called out.

Celestia stepped forwards from the group and walked beside Amore before addressing the army. “Hear me out, this does not have to end in bloodshed. The Storm King has led you astray, but it is not too late to turn back. Surrender now, and you will be shown mercy. Resist, and you will face the full might of Equestria.”

‘Never!” The general shouted. “You will not fool us! His power will grant us even more power!”

“Your loyalty to him has been misplaced,” Luna interrupted, her voice carrying an icy edge. “He cares not for your lives, only for his own power. He will sacrifice you all without a second thought to save himself.”

“Lies! Those are lies!” The general shouted and both the royal sisters and Amore sighed as they knew what was about to happen.. “Soldiers attack! We shall never bow to-”

He never finished his final order as a beam of light brilliant raspberry struck him, his head flew through the air before landing in front of his soldiers.

Both the royal sisters and Amore widened their eyes and turned to see Twilight’s horn smoking in shock and horror. Both sides just stood there in silence for a few minutes.

And then all hell broke loose.

Immediately the clash of steel and the whooshing of arrows and magic could be heard as blades clanged off one another while magical explosions sent sand and dirt flying. Flash Sentry and a ERG guard flanked one of the soldiers and dug the blades into his chest. Once they retracted their spears from the dead soldier, the ERG guard turned around only to be stabbed in the head by another soldiers with a spear and Flash went to engage with it. As Clover blasted a soldier with her magic, Hurricane tackled another soldier behind the unicorn and knocked the soldier unconscious by hitting the head multiple times with his crystal gauntlets. Simultaneously, Celestia, Luna, and the Princess of Friendship took to the air and fired devastating beams through the battle field, causing the Storm King’s soldiers to run for cover. Several unfortunate soldiers were caught in the blast, and they were reduced to ash. The Crystal Imperial guards let loose bolts of magic from their spears, some of the bolts hitting directly at the soldiers before the guards charged toward the battle.

Meanwhile, Nimbus and Grimhoof were busy taking care of the archers posted on the wall by either beheading them or knocking them unconscious. Hasard, Midnight, and the Equestrian airships attacked the Storm King’s airships, with the two bat ponies attacking the crews on one of the airships, either by killing them with their weapons while the Equestrian airships engaged the enemy’s airships by firing its cannons, turning the airships into twisted metal. As Crimson and Night Shadow fought one of the soldiers, Ironclaw and Stormfeather fired their muskets at the archers and were rewarded with the archers falling off the wall and hitting the ground with holes in their heads. Thunderhoof and his yaks were prowling the soldiers over their heads while Ember and her dragons were unleashing torrents of flames on the soldiers.

Crestwing, Sunwing and the hippogriffs were taking the soldiers down by either stabbing them with spears or swords or slammed them into the floor and knocked them out cold. Queen Seraphine used her changeling magic to incinerate three soldiers into ashes before firing a beam of magic at one of the soldiers who tried to sneak attack her from behind.

Several soldiers moved to surround Amore and strike at her, only for her to release a pulse of magic that sent them all flying backwards to the wall or onto the ground. Another two soldiers jumped out at her from behind with spears in his hands to make lunging stabs for Amore’s back, only for one of them to be tackled by Pharynx and restrained by the dark cyan changeling’s changeling resins while the other was burned alive by Mallow Sear in her nirik form. Scanning the battlefield, she realised the Storm King himself wasn’t in attendance. Realising that he must still be inside the stronghold, she quickly built up her magic to breach into the fortress just as the others had just finished off the last soldiers they were fighting.

A massive explosion sent two unfortunate soldiers flying across the courtyard and the army charged into the fortress. Soon, the courtyard became a battlefield, with the guards fighting against the Storm King's soldiers. In amidst of the battle, the Princess of Friendship created an opening directly into the castle by firing a beam of her magic into a group of enemy soldiers to knock them out of her way and quickly ran for it.

As Twilight entered the fort, Amore noticed what she was doing and moved to follow her in, not wanting the Princess of Friendship to face what lay within alone.

Twilight didn’t see Amore also break away from the fight and move to follow her inside. If she did, she might have waited for her, but with her adrenalin pumping through her veins, she continued onwards by herself.

As the Princess of Friendship continued her way further into the fort while dispatching the soldiers with her magic, the sound of the fighting outside became more muffled before she reached the throne room's doors.

Twilight built up her magic before letting loose a powerful bolt of magic and the throne room's doors was burst open off the hinges and shattered into million pieces.

The shattered remains of the throne room doors flew across the vast chamber, echoing off the walls as they clattered to the ground. As the Princess of Friendship stepped inside, she saw tall pillars lining the sides and banners of the Storm King hanging down.

At the far end of the room, the Storm King sat upon his throne chair, glaring down at her with a twisted smile.

"So, the Princess of Friendship finally decides to grace me with her presence." Storm King sneered, rising from his throne while gripping his staff tightly that crackled with chaotic energy.

Twilight held her ground while growling at him. "Your reign of terror have gone unpunished long enough, Storm King! It ends here."

The Storm King’s grin only widened as he descended from his throne. "You think you can stop me? You and your little army are nothing compared to the power I wield now. I am unstoppable!"

The Princess of Friendship’s horn flared with magic as she held her sword. "I've faced worse than you, Storm King. Your threats mean nothing to me."

Without warning, the Storm King raised his staff and unleashed a bolt of raw energy directly at Twilight, forcing her to dive away and dropped her sword. She retaliated by letting loose a powerful bolt of magic at him, only for him to sidestep and let the beam strike one of the pillars behind him which crumbled into rubble.

Storm King brought up his staff and struck up his staff by shooting another bolt of raw energy at the Princess of Friendship who dodged with a flap of her wings before she let loose another bolt of magic at her. He blocked the bolt with a swing of his staff before using it to unleash a beam of energy at her.

Twilight’s eyes widened in pure shock before she too unleashed her beam of magic, hitting the Storm King’s beam. The throne room was engulfed in the intense light as the beams of magic collided in midair, creating a shockwave that sent cracks spider-webbing across the marble floor. The air hummed with the raw power of the two forces clashing, and for a moment, it seemed as though neither would yield.

The Princess of Friendship gritted her teeth, pouring every ounce of her strength into her magic. She could feel the strain in her horn as sweats streamed down from her forehead, but she refused to back down.

Storm King, however, remained confident, his sneer unwavering. He leaned into his staff, feeding more energy into the beam, causing it to swell and push back against Twilight’s magic. “You’re a fool, Princess.” He growled, his voice booming over the roaring energy. “This is the end for you and your precious Equestria!”

A beam of cyan magic struck at the back of the Storm King, causing him to lose concentration of his beam and got hit by Twilight’s beam. He flew across the room before impacting the wall and fell down onto the floor.

Storm King weakly got up, looking up before snarling at Amore and the Princess of Friendship as they ran up to each other. Staggering to his feet as rage burnt in his eyes, he glared at both of them.

"You... insolent fools!" He roared, his voice reverberating through the throne room. "You think this changes anything? I am the Storm King! I will not be defeated by the likes of you!"

He charged toward Amore, his staff raised up to stab her. Amore raised her crystal sword and blocked the Storm King’s attack before pushing him off with a swing and delivered a powerful kick with her hind legs to his face, causing him to stagger back while he held his face in one hand.

The Princess of Friendship flew up in the sky with a flap of her wings before she charged toward him, Amore following close behind with her sword raised.

Storm King shocked his head to compose himself and looked up, his eyes widened in shock as the two ponies charged toward him.

Immediately, the Storm King unleashed another powerful beam from his staff. Amore reacted quickly, summoning a shimmering shield of magic that intercepted the deadly energy. The force of the impact caused her hooves to slide backward on the marble floor a few meters, her face tense with concentration as she held the shield steady.

Twilight, seeing an opening, charged forward, her horn glowing with magic. But before she could strike, Storm King’s eyes flashed with cunning. In a swift motion, he reached out and grabbed her by the throat, lifting her off the ground. She gasped, her magic flickering out as she struggled to breathe.

With a triumphant sneer, the Storm King slammed the Princess of Friendship down onto the cold stone floor, the impact knocking the wind out of her. He kept his foot firmly planted on her head, pressing down as he continued to channel energy into his beam. Amore’s shield began to crack under the relentless assault, spiderwebbing from the center outward with the strain taking its toll as Amore's sweats streamed down her forehead.

“You see?!” Storm King roared, his voice echoing through the throne room. “I am the most powerful king in the world! Equestria will bow to me, and there is nothing you can do to stop it!”

The cracks in Amore’s shield widened, and Amore's hooves slide backward even more. He smiled even more sinisterly. But then, a sound of glass shattering filled the air. The Storm King barely had time to register the noise before a piercing scream of agony and pain echoed through the chamber.

He felt a sudden, searing pain in his back as the tip of a spear embedded itself deep into his body, emerging from his chest. His eyes widened in shock as he looked down at the weapon protruding from him, held in the determined hooves of Flash Sentry, who had appeared from a broken window high above.

Storm King staggered, his grip on Twilight loosening as he tried to comprehend what had just happened. Twilight, seizing the moment, grabbed hold of his staff with her magic, wresting it from his grasp. With a swift motion, she drove the sharp end of the staff into his heart, piercing through his armor and striking deep.

The Storm King let out a choked gasp, his eyes filled with disbelief as the power he had once wielded with such confidence now drained from him. He stumbled back, the staff and the spear still embedded in his chest, before collapsing to the floor in a lifeless heap.

The lieutenant panted as he looked down at the fallen tyrant before widening his eyes. He immediately ran for the Princess of Friendship just as Amore rushed to her side.

"Twilight! Are you alright?" Flash worriedly asked his girlfriend as he helped her up.

"I'm alright, Flash." Twilight reassured her boyfriend. "Just a bit battered, but nothing I can't handle." She replied, leaning onto him slightly as she regained her footing.

Amore stood there, looking at the the couple with a smile. Moments later, Celestia, Luna, Crestwing, Seraphine and a small group of the Crystal Imperial guards stormed the throne room with another small group of RGs and ERGs following close. Some of guards were worse for wear including Crestwing and Seraphine, but the royal sisters were as pristine as always.

"Amore!" Both the solar princess and the lunar princess called as they rushed to Amore's side, spotting the deceased Storm King, the Princess of Friendship and the lieutenant.

"Storm King?" Luna asked.

Amore looked at the lunar princess. "Dead. Twilight and Flash delivered the final blow."

Celestia sighed in relief as the RGs, ERGs and the Crystal Imperial guards spread through the throne room to look for any sign of Storm King's soldiers.

"Any casualties? And what about his army?" Amore asked just as the hippogriff king and the changeling queen walked toward her.

"There are no casualties among us, we made sure of it, though some of them did take some nasty injuries. Aside from a few scars, I believe they will make a full recovery." Crestwing answered.

"As for the Storm King's army..." Seraphine sighed. "Almost all of the army had fought to their last before the rest surrendered. The airships were also destroyed, no survivors from the wreckages."

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As the four airships descended on Klugetown, they were met with a flurry of activity. Several medics were ready to receive the wounded while guards moved to keep back the civilians of the town.

As the airships landed, medics rushed forwards to see to the less seriously wounded, while stretchers were brought out to receive those with more serious injuries and needed immediate medical attention.

As Twilight stared at the activities, one of the ERG guard walked up to her from amidst the crowd and saluted before relaxing. "Your highness, there's a citizen who insisted that he wants to talk to you. Please follow me" He reported.

The Princess of Friendship arched an eyebrow at him but decided to follow him, with Flash following close behind.

After moments of walking through the crowd, they reached the destination. Twilight's eyes widened in shock and anger as she saw the familiar cat waiting.

"YOU!!!" The Princess of Friendship yelled as she pointed a hoof at Capper, which he flinched back.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle, I..." The cat began.

“What are you doing here, Capper?” Twilight demanded, her voice cold and sharp. The lieutenant stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he watched the cat closely, ready to intervene if necessary.

Capper held up his paws, showing he meant no harm. “Whoa, easy there, Princess,” he said, his voice smooth but with an edge of anxiety. “I know I’m probably the last person you want to see right now, but I’m not here to cause trouble. In fact, I’m here to tell you something."

"And what's that?!" The Princess of Friendship angrily asked.

The cat stayed silent for a few moments before he replied. "I'm sorry."

Twilight blinked in surprise, her anger momentarily giving way to confusion. "What?"

Capper sighed as he rubbed the back of his head with his paw. "I messed up, okay? I was in a tight spot, trying to look out for myself."

The Princess of Friendship stared at the cat, her mind racing as she tried to process his sudden apology. The raw anger she felt toward him was still fresh, but now it was mingled with a flicker of uncertainty. He had been nothing but trouble the last time they crossed paths, and his sudden appearance now, in the midst of a crisis, was more than suspicious.

"Why should I believe you?" Twilight asked, her voice firm but less biting. "Last time, you sold us out for your own gain. What's different now?"

Capper’s ears flattened against his head, and his tail flicked nervously behind him. “I know I don’t deserve your trust.” He admitted. “But things have changed. Klugetown is a mess—more so than usual. Tempest Shadow isn’t here to enforce the Storm King’s rule anymore after she was imprisoned, but that’s left a power vacuum, and the town’s more dangerous than ever. I came here to... ask you for help.”

Flash stepped closer, his expression skeptical. “And we’re supposed to believe you? What’s your angle, Capper?”

The cat looked between the two ponies, a pained expression on his face. “Look, I’ve done a lot of things I’m not proud of, but I’m not looking for an angle this time. I’ve seen what the Storm King did to places like this, to people like me. With him gone, Klugetown needs someone to step up, to help rebuild, not tear it down further. I thought... maybe you could help."

The Princess of Friendship kept glaring at Capper for a couple of minutes before softening. "Alright, I will discuss this with the princesses and see if they agree in getting Klugetown's stability back up. But, don't think I will forgive you just yet. It will take some time for you to earn me and my friends' trust after what you did back then."

The cat quickly nodded his head.

"For now..." Twilight said as she turned her attention back to the chaos unfolding around them. "We got wounded that need to be taken back to Canterlot for medical attention."

Author's Note

This took way longer to write than I thought.

Chapter 29 - The Healing

Tempest sat in the corner of the dungeons, thinking about the words King Creswting had said to her while worrying about Grubber who had remained silent to her.

Its been twelve hours since the hedgehog had been brought into one of the cell. The lieutenant had tried to talk to Grubber, but he didn't answered her, instead chose to keep quiet.

A soft clanking sound drew her attention to the cell door and Tempest looked up to see Princess Celestia in full armor covered with dry stain of bloods, along with two of her guards, in front of her cell.

The lieutenant stared, her confusion evident as she took in the sight of the solar princess’s bloodstained armor. Why would the Princess be here, in such a state, and what did it mean for her and the hedgehog?

Celestia's gaze met Tempest's, her eyes no longer soft and comforting but hardened by the harsh realities of war. After a moment of silence that hung heavy in the air, the solar princess spoke, her voice steady but laced with a solemn finality.

“The Storm King is dead.” Celestia announced, her words cutting through the tension in the cell like a blade. “Almost all of his soldiers died fighting to the last against the Equestrians. They were relentless, refusing to surrender until the very end. Those who survived eventually laid down their arms, but it was a costly victory.”

The lieutenant eyes widened, the weight of the news crashing down on her. The Storm King—dead. The tyrant she had served was gone. But before she could fully process this, the solar princess continued, her tone unyielding.

“Grubber...” Celestia began, her gaze softening slightly. “He told us everything we needed to know about the Storm King’s whereabouts and the remnants of his forces. He gave us all the information willingly, without hesitation.”

Tempest felt a jolt of shock. Grubber, her loyal companion, had cooperated with their captors? The thought of him revealing everything was almost too much to comprehend as her mind raced to grasp the solar princess’s words.

The lieutenant swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet Celestia’s gaze. “What happens now?” She asked, her voice tinged with a mixture of defiance and resignation.

The solar princess held her gaze. “Now, Tempest, you will face the consequences of your actions. You have committed grave wrongs, and there will be severe punishments. As for Grubber, his cooperation will spare him from the worst of it, but he, too, will be held accountable.”

Celestia pulled back. "My sister and I will be seeing you during the courtroom once it's date has been decided."

The solar princess turned and walked away with her guards, leaving Tempest and Grubber alone in the cells.

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The next day

The sun shined brilliantly, almost blindingly to the ones in the royal wing, through the curtains as Princess Cadance, Twilight Velvet, Night Light, and Spike sat beside the still comatose Shining Armor lying on the bed.

It's been a day since the assault on the Storm King's fort and the death of the tyrant king. While the citizens were relieved that the king were no longer a concern to be worried about, the four didn't cared about that as they were worried about the stallion on the bed.

The royal wing’s doors being opened caught their attention and they turned their head to see Twilight, Flash Sentry, and Amore walking into the room.

“Twilight!” The dragon called out as he dashed toward her, wrapping his small arms around her foreleg. She leaned down, hugging him with her left foreleg, a soft smile on her face as the others watched quietly. After a few moments, they gently broke the embrace, and the group moved further into the room.

"How's Shining?" The Princess of Friendship asked her sister-in-law as she, Spike and Amore took their respective seats around the bed while the lieutenant stood beside his girlfriend.

The Princess of Love shook her head. "Nothing. He's still in a coma."

Twilight sighed before she went quiet, staring at her brother. The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of worry and exhaustion palpable.

“So...” Night Light broke the silence. “I heard that you, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and my daughter managed to put an end to Storm King and his army.”

Amore nodded her head as she sighed deeply. “Yes, we did. Although your daughter and lieutenant Flash Sentry were the ones who slayed Storm King. What's left of his army surrendered after they took too many casualties from our army and us."

“They’re currently imprisoned in the dungeons, along with Tempest Shadow and Grubber, awaiting court martial at a later date." Flash reported.

Night Light absorbed this information with a solemn nod before turning his attention to his daughter. "Twilight dear, are you alright? You’ve been through so much...”

The Princess of Friendship looked at both her parents. "I'm... I'm alright. Just wishing that it shouldn't end with killing Storm King."

The lieutenant draped a comforting wing over his girlfriend, giving her a light nuzzle. Her parents exchanged a quiet, knowing smile, fully aware of the bond between their daughter and the lieutenant, something Twilight had confided in them recently.

Velvet tilted her head slightly, curiosity in her voice. "What took you so long to get here, Twilight?"

Twilight exhaled slowly, gathering her thoughts before she began to explain. "After the battle, we departed from the Storm King's realm to Klugetown and help the princesses and the leaders to oversee the treatment of the injured. While I was there, I encountered Capper—he’s the one who tried to sell my friends and me to his boss when we were searching for help from the hippogriffs. He told me about the state of Klugetown after the Storm King's defeat, how it’s struggling to stabilize."

The Princess of Friendship continued. "I spent a few days discussing the situation with the princesses and the leaders. We decided to send a team of Equestrian and Crystal Empire officials and an ambassador to Klugetown to help bring some order and support the town’s recovery. The town will be outfitted with an embassy as a base for any diplomatic mission and to assist any Equestrians who decided to travel there or live there."

Amore nodded. "Celestia, Luna, me, and the leaders believe it’s the right course of action to ensure stability in the region as well as help the citizens living there to recover from the Storm King's rule."

The room fell silent again. The weight of everything Celestia, Luna, Amore, the leaders, and Twilight had been through hung in the air. Both parents exchanged worried glances.

"Twilight..." Cadance began, breaking the silence. "I know how hard this has been for you, for all of us. But right now, we need to focus on Shining. He's strong; he always has been. We just need to keep believing that he'll wake up."

Twilight nodded, though her eyes remained on her brother, her expression conflicted. "I know, Cadance. I just... I wish I could do more. I feel so helpless."

"You’ve done more than enough, Twilight." Amore said gently. "We led the charge against the Storm King, and now we’re helping to rebuild the world he tried to destroy."

Flash tightened his wing around his girlfriend, offering silent support as she fought back the tears threatening to spill over.

Suddenly, a soft groan echoed through the room. Everyone's heads snapped toward the bed, their eyes wide. Slowly, Shining opened his eyes to find himself surrounded by everypony and dragon who were all watching him expectantly.

"Cadance? Twily? Spike? Mom and dad?" The prince croaked, his voice weak.

"Shining!" His family all shouted at once, glomping his already weakened body, which threatened to turn into dust at the contact, while the lieutenant and Amore stood aside and watched the scene.

“Ow! Hey!” Shining croaked out underneath the mass of bodies, who all retracted and gave him sheepish, apologetic smiles.

Tears of relief were welled up in the Princess of Love's eyes and were threatening to spill as she clutched his hoof tightly. "Oh Shining, I thought you wouldn't wake up."

"We were so worried for you, BBBFF." The Princess of Friendship tearfully said.

“Worried for me? What happe-" The prince began, but then he froze as the memories came flooding back. Storm King, the second invasion, the spear. It was then he realised that he had been in a coma.

“Oh dear Celestia, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you like that, I-" Shining started.

"It's alright, Shiny. You saved me from getting speared by the Storm King." Cadance interjected. "But please, don't do that again."

The prince smiled and nodded his head before he widened his eyes. "Wait! Storm King! What about-"

"He's gone." Amore quickly reassured Shining. "He wouldn't be attacking us anymore."

“W-what do you mean?” The prince asked, confusion evident on his face.

Twilight winced slightly. “All will be explained later, for now just rest.”

Shining arched an eyebrow at her, but decided not to press the matter. He nodded, sinking back into the pillows. "Alright, I will."

As they all stood around the prince, the relief was palpable. After everything they had been through, the battles they had fought, and the fears they had faced, one thing became clear to them all.

Everything was going to be fine.

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Two weeks later

The Princess of Love moved through the hallway of the Crystal Palace, her husband walking beside her.

"I heard from Twilight that the Friendship Festival will be back on track tomorrow to not only celebrate the unity, but also the end of the Storm King's threat tomorrow at Canterlot." Cadance said.

Shining chuckled. "Well, after the Friendship Festival got postponed for a week and being prepared for another week, it's good to know that the festival will finally happen. I think everypony could use some good news after everything that’s happened."

The Princess of Love nodded in agreement. "The past weeks have been difficult for everypony. It will be nice to have something to celebrate. Auntie Celly and Auntie Lulu told me that Twilight have been working tirelessly to make sure everything is perfect. She want this festival to be a symbol of hope and unity for all of Equestria."

The prince’s smile widened slightly. "It sounds like it’s going to be a grand event. I just hope Twily isn’t overworking herself. She tends to throw herself into her duties when she’s stressed."

"She does..." Cadance agreed, her voice tinged with concern. "But Flash and the others have been keeping an eye on her. Plus, she has Spike, and you know how protective he is of her."

Shining chuckled softly. "Yeah, Spike’s always been there for her. He’s grown up so much."

The two came to a stop just outside the throne room.

"You know, I think it was good idea to allow your mother to rule with you. She deserved it after a thousand and five years of being petrified and scattered before being rebuilt." The prince said.

The Princess of Love smiled. "Well, it took me and my aunties a while to convince her, but we finally did. And I’m glad we did."

Shining chuckled again. "Glad you and both the princesses managed to convince her. Now, I do believe you got nobles to meet."

“It’s mostly the leaders from various races coming over for diplomacy, only a couple of nobles are coming along to ‘see what all the fuss is about’.” Cadance nuzzled her husband's neck, who returned the nuzzle. “But yes, I better get going. Until now all negotiations have taken place in Equestria so this is fairly major.”

The prince pulled back. "Alright, I'll be waiting for you at Flurry's room when you finished."

Shining gave his wife a kiss before walking off to help out the Crystal Imperial guards.

After watching her husband go, the Princess of Love turned to the throne room's doors and pushed them open.

On her new throne at the end of the room, Amore smiled affectionately when she spotted her daughter. Amore dismissed Commander Hurricane and Clover the Clever, who nodded to Cadance as they passed.

"Good morning, Cadenza. Did you sleep well?" Amore asked.

The Princess of Love smiled. "I did, mom, thank you. Is everything ready?”

"Yes, everything is ready." Amore stated as she smiled back at her daughter. “Now come; let us ready ourselves for the leaders' arrival."

Cadance nodded her head before approaching her own throne and sat down.

Amore looked on at her daughter with proud eyes.

‘Oh Artic Spirit, wherever you are I know that you are as proud as I am. Thank you, for everything.’

The Princess of Love looked up at her mother and returned her smile, before looking towards the door expectantly, the leaders due to arrive any moment.

She sat up straight, channelling the regal posture her aunties always made.

And when the leaders and the nobles entered the throne room, they were met with two princesses waiting for them.

Chapter 30 - Act 1 Epilogue

Elsewhere, far from Equestria

Deep within a cave, water droplets dripped down from stalactites while vines hanging on the cave's ceilings swung slightly.

Through the dark, a lone unicorn wearing a cloak walked within the cave, her moderate artic blue eyes scanning the area.

After a few minutes of walking in the dark, the unicorn stopped at a perfect flat ground. With a flick of brilliant cornflower blue magic, the unicorn summoned a stick and began to carve magical insignia into the ground.

As soon as the unicorn finished carving the insignia, a cluster of dark crystals rose out of the ground within the insignia. Before long, dark shadows tendrils appeared and began to swing around the crystal. The shadow tendrils kept swinging around the crystal as it rose, turning a miniature tornado. Soon, a red curved horn emerged from the shadow, follow by light brilliant green eyes giving off vivid violet vapour trails.

Within seconds, the shadow dissipated revealing King Sombra. The newly materialized umbrum pony scanned the cave with his eyes before settling on the cloaked unicorn before him. He recognized the magical energy that had summoned him, a mixture of curiosity and wariness flashing in his gaze.

The unicorn lowered her hood, revealing her face—a mare with a pale, light grayish artic blue mane and a grayish heliotrope coat, her moderate artic blue eyes looking at him.

"Hope? Radiant Hope?" Sombra said, surprised to see his best friend standing in front of him.

"Hello Sombra." Hope replied with a sad look. “It’s been so long since we last saw each other.”

The crystal unicorn reached out, her hoof trembling slightly as it hovered near him. "I brought you back to heal you, Sombra." She whispered, her voice wavering with emotion. "I couldn’t bear the thought of you being lost forever."

The umbrum unicorn's eyes softened for a brief moment, but then he looked away, his expression hardening. "There’s no healing for me, Hope. The darkness is all I have left."

"But there has to be a way!" Hope pleaded, her voice breaking as she fought back tears. "I won’t give up on you, Sombra. I’ll find a way to save you, no matter what it takes."

Sombra fell silent, watching her with an unreadable expression. After a long pause, he finally spoke, his tone measured and thoughtful. "Perhaps… there is something that could help. The Crystal Heart. It’s powerful, filled with the magic of the Crystal Empire. Maybe… maybe it could restore me."

The crystal unicorn’s eyes widened with a glimmer of hope. "The Crystal Heart? Of course! It’s filled with the power of love and light. It could cleanse you of the darkness! I can lead you to the Crystal Empire—"

Hope stopped short as she noticed her best friend's expression, but he quickly replaced it with a neutral look. "Yes..." The umbrum pony murmured. "Lead me there, and we shall see."

The crystal unicorn nodded eagerly, relief flooding her heart as she turned to guide him out of the cave. "Follow me, Sombra. I’ll get you there safely."

As they made their way out of the cave, Hope's thoughts were entirely focused on the mission ahead. She didn’t see the sinister grin that twisted Sombra’s face as he followed behind her. His mind was not on healing, but on conquest. The Crystal Heart was not a tool of redemption in his eyes—it was a weapon, one that he intended to use to reclaim the throne that had once been his.

'Soon.' The umbrum unicorn thought to himself, his grin growing darker with each step. 'Soon, the Crystal Empire will be mine again.'

Chapter 31 - Interlude: Within The Mind Of The Friendship

The next day after the Storm King's second attempted invasion, a few minutes after Princess Celestia left

The royal wing in the hospital had remained silent, even after Celestia had left to talk to the leaders, leaving Twilight and the group alone to watch over Shining's coma body.

Just looking at her brother, the Princess of Friendship could not help but feel anger and sorrow. Anger at the Storm King for what he had done and sorrow for her brother who remained comatose after taking a spear to his chest to save Cadance. She was fighting between the two feelings.

"Am I a bad pony?" Twilight broke the silence, shocking the group.

“What?!” Velvet’s voice was filled with shock and disbelief. “No, Twilight, you’re not a bad pony! You’re just looking out for your brother and for Equestria, sweetheart.”

Velvet's reassurances did little to ease the turmoil within her. Cadance stepped closer, draping a comforting wing over her sister-in-law. “Why would you ever say that about yourself?” Cadance asked softly, her tone filled with concern.

The Princess of Friendship sighed and looked at her sister-in-law. "It's just I never been so close on losing my brother. How I saw Shiny took a spear to save you from the Storm King and laid on the ground not moving. And each time I relive it, the anger at Storm King and his army grows a little more. Each time it makes it harder to forgive them for what they done."

Twilight's voice wavered as she continued, her gaze dropping to Shining’s still form. "I’m scared, Cadance. I’m scared that if I dwell too much on this, I might reach a point where I do something I’ll regret. When Princess Celestia mentioned turning the Storm King to stone or executing him for his crimes... I said I wouldn’t let him live. Right now, I don’t know where I stand.”

The Princess of Love tightened her wing around her sister-in-law, pulling her into a gentle embrace. "Twilight, what you’re feeling is completely understandable. You and I have been through so much, and it’s only natural to feel anger and hurt after what’s happened. But you’re not alone. Your friends, Spike, your parents and me are all here to help you through this, and to make sure you don’t lose sight of who you are."

Velvet moved toward her daughter, embracing her daughter. “What matters is that you recognize these feelings, Twily.” She said gently. “You’re not letting them control you. You’re a good pony, a good sister, and a good leader. Don’t doubt that.”

Night Light nodded his head.

Before her friends and the dragon could open their mouths to assure the Princess of Friendship, a voice called out for Twilight.

"Twilight Sparkle." The Princess of Friendship looked up and turned to see Luna with the solar princess behind her.

"I need to borrow you, there's something you and my sister need to see." The lunar princess simply said.

Twilight looked at Luna in confusion, but she nodded her head and followed her.

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Canterlot Castle Interrogation Room, The Next Morning

'Luna found one. She found the hedgehog who worked with Storm King. I could use my magic and break his neck like a stick.' The Princess of Friendship thought.

The royal sisters continued to conduct the interrogation on Grubber. They were either unaware of Twilight's inner conflict, or they chose to ignore it. In truth, she was hardly listening, at least until she heard the location of the Storm King's stronghold.

"So that would explain why our first recon teams couldn't find the stronghold. It wasn't in Equestria, it was just outside our borders." The lunar princess staed.

“There is one more thing.” The hedgehog interrupted. “He will likely have the remaining forces to prepare the defenses and on high alert as a precaution.”

"Thank you for that information, Grubber." Celestia said. "You have been most helpful."

“There is one last thing I want to know..." The Princess of Friendship decided to ask before leaning forward. "Why? Why did you decided to not to go back to the Storm King and his army? What changed your mind?”

Grubber sighed deeply. "It was a lot of things." He responded. "The way the Storm King treated his soldiers was appalling. He saw us as disposable tools rather than beings with our own thoughts and feelings. I followed him out of fear, but it became clear that he was willing to sacrifice anyone and anything to achieve his goals. I couldn't stand by that any longer."

“How about Tempest Shadow? What can you tell us about her?” Twilight asked with narrowed eyes.

The hedgehog sighed again, rubbing the back of his neck. “Tempest... she’s been through a lot. She’s loyal to the Storm King because she believes he can fix her horn, but deep down, I think she wants something more like being accepted. She thinks that by serving the Storm King, she can prove her worth and regain what she lost.”

The Princess of Friendship continued to stare at him before relenting and pulled back to stand aside with Luna, to which the solar princess delivered her verdict, spreading her wings as she delivered it. “Grubber the hedgehog, you shall be imprisoned within the dungeons with Tempest Shadow until both you and her court martial at a later date. We can’t ignore the crimes you two have committed against Equestria and the surrounding lands, but the assistance you have provided today will also be taken into account when judgement is rendered. Do you have anything else to say in your defence?”

Grubber hung his head dejectedly as he stood up. “No. I don’t.”

Celestia folded her wings. “Very well, take him away.”

The two guards led the hedgehog out of the interrogation room, leaving the three princesses alone before Amore and Cadance walked in.

"Celestia..."Amore addressed. "What do you and Luna intend to do now that we know where the Storm King's stronghold is?"

"We need to discuss our battle strategy, but this Storm King and his army must be wiped out soon to prevent another invasion. I do not intend to let him escape, and we must pray that the others surrender to us if they do not wish to share his inevitable fate. Luna and I will be there and I know you and the others will help us too. Though I imagine that Twilight will insist on coming." The solar princess stated.

Twilight looked away as the Princess of Love and Amore looked at her in concern.

“Twilight, I know you have every right to harm the Storm King for what he did to Shining...” Cadance started. “But, please be careful not to let your personal feelings get in the way if there are to be battle. They are a very dangerous thing in the middle of battle.”

The Princess of Friendship gave her sister-in-law a reassuring smile. "Don't worry Cadance, I promise I will be fine. The fate of the Storm King’s army is still up to them when the time comes, but the Storm King cannot be alive as he had tortured the captives for fun or tried to train them for combat."

"I can see a lot of your brother in you." Amore said.

"What?" Twilight looked at Amore in confusion.

"You cannot fool me, I know you want him dead just as much as my daughter and I do for Shining Armor, just be careful. Such dark thoughts can lead to much more trouble in the future.” Amore stated in concern.

The Princess of Friendship stared at Amore for a while before nodding. "I understand, but I still want to come."

Both the three alicorns and Amore glanced at each other before Celestia sighed. "Very well, Twilight. I will get the guards to bring you some armor and a weapon.

"I will go and bring the leaders up to date. I imagine they will volunteer readily to come with us." Amore said before walking off with her daughter.

The solar princess left to make preparations with her sister following behind, but not before they glanced at Twilight with concern.

The Princess of Friendship had swallowed her rage before with a purpose, to not upset her friends during their journey to Seaquestria to seek help from the Queen of the hippogriff. But now she had no such purpose, and she needed an outlet.

Twilight stayed in that room for a few more minutes before leaving to meet up with the royal sisters. Back in the room, where the chair had once stood, was nothing more than a pile of broken woods.

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Storm King's Realm, That night

Once the airships reached the drop zone, the passengers disembarked. The Princess of Friendship, wearing a Royal Guard armor lit her horn that illuminated the area around her.

Twilight had never intended to make it so bright, but right now, her fury was barely held back, and her emotions fuelled her magic.

The airships ascended, with the four staying for air support while the three headed for Klugetown, and the raiding army set out.

It wasn’t long before they found their target, a wall surrounding the fortress. And the enemy had deployed a welcome party.

“Your highnesses! We have contacts! What are your orders?!" Hurricane asked Amore.

“Form up behind me, the princesses and the leaders, the Storm King’s fate is sealed but let us give his army a chance.” Amore replied.

The enemy group emerged from the entrance of the fortress, with six airships hovering in the air and some soldiers aiming their bows on top of the wall. At the head of the enemy group, a soldier stepped forward, his armour signifying him as the general. The Princess of Friendship scowled at the general with hatred.

'No, I can't just kill them. They were being used. It doesn’t excused for their crimes, but they should be given a chance.’ Twilight thought to herself as she shook her head.

“Hold there foes! You shall not pass!” The general called out.

Or perhaps not. It's look like they want to die. The Princess pf Friendship thought.

Celestia stepped forwards from the group and walked beside Amore before addressing the army. “Hear me out, this does not have to end in bloodshed. The Storm King has led you astray, but it is not too late to turn back. Surrender now, and you will be shown mercy. Resist, and you will face the full might of Equestria.”

‘Never!” The general shouted. “You will not fool us! His power will grant us even more power!”

“Your loyalty to him has been misplaced,” Luna interrupted, her voice carrying an icy edge. “He cares not for your lives, only for his own power. He will sacrifice you all without a second thought to save himself.”

“Lies! Those are lies!” The general shouted and both the royal sisters and Amore sighed as they knew what was about to happen.. “Soldiers attack! We shall never bow to-”

The rage within Twilight shot up. Within seconds, she channelled all of her anger into her horn, and unleashed a beam of magic.

The general never finished his final order. The beam struck him in his neck, and his head flew through the air before landing in front of his soldiers.

The Princess of Friendship had never wanted to use violence up until now as both the royal sisters and Amore widened their eyes and turned to see her in shock and horror of her action.

And then all hell broke loose.

Throughout the fight, Twilight fired devastating beams with the royal sisters. At her hoof, a lot of the soldiers shared the general's fate.

Amidst of battle, the Princess of Friendship made her way into the fortress and to the throne room where Storm King awaited.

The Storm King was a lot stronger than Twilight thought and would have fallen if it wouldn't for Amore. In the end, it was by the hooves of the Princess of Friendship and her boyfriend, Flash Sentry, that Storm King laid dead.

And when all was said and done, Twilight couldn’t help but feel hollow on the inside. The ride to Klugetown gave her time to think things over.

The Storm King was dead, but now the rage had subsided, the Princess of Friendship couldn’t stop herself from feeling guilt and horror of killing him. She quickly remembered why she did that as she shook her head to compose herself.

Twilight would move past this. It would have taken some time, but she would heal and find acceptance for what she had done.

But what matter to the Princess of Friendship was that she had avenged her brother.

Author's Note

Was unsure how to write, took some time for me to think.

Chapter 32 - Act 2 Prologue

Everything is going great with Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, reunited with her mother who she thought was a distant relative and dead and ultimately helped her sister-in-law to organise a unity between Equestria and all nations with the help of her mother and the leaders of various races.
Now it's time for Amore to teach Cadance about the Crystal Empire history and politics...
But unbeknownst to them, a dead threat has been resurrected back to life and is now making plans...
King Sombra has returned, and his darkness awaits.

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Princess Cadance walked through the corridor toward her personal chamber where her husband and their daughter were waiting for her after being reassured by Amore that she would handle the court while the Princess of Love get some much needed rest. Upon reaching said chamber, she was met with her family who smiled at her.

"Mummy!" Flurry called out as she soared off and embraced her mother, to which Cadance returned it.

Shining Armor smiled at the scene. "Good to see you, Cady. How's the court?"

The Princess of Love responded with a slight chuckle. "It's alright. Tiring but alright. My mom told to get some rest while she handled the remaining courts."

The prince nodded. "Well, it's good to see Amore getting more confident to handle court. But I agreed with her, you need to get some rest."

Cadance smiled warmly and chuckled again.

It has been two and a half years since that fateful Storm King's invasion, and the three had grown up a lot. The young alicorn, now seven and a half years, have grown into a filly. Shining Armor had a small beard under his chin. The Princess of Love herself had grown taller; she now stood a bit above Luna, though still shorter than Celestia.

Within those years, she had helped Twilight to organise a unity between Equestria and all nations with the help of her mother and the leaders of various races, distributed weapons of the Crystal Imperial to Equestria and organised a wedding for the Princess of Friendship and Lieutenant Flash Sentry. Her sister-in-law had also managed to recruit new guards for herself, including Tempest Shadow — or Fizzlepop Berrytwist, as she was truly named. Released from prison a year and a half ago for her crimes against Equestria, Tempest had been given a second chance, quickly proving her worth and earning a promotion to captain due to her unmatched skills during her time as the Storm King's lieutenant.

'Though she does take her job a bit too seriously.' Cadance thought to herself as she slowly break away from the embrace of her daughter.

The Princess of Love turned her head slightly, feeling the soft weight of Flurry Heart climbing onto her back. The young alicorn nestled comfortably between her wings, nuzzling her mother’s mane with a contented sigh. A smile crept onto Cadance’s face, and she gently stretched one of her wings to wrap protectively around her daughter.

The prince moved closer, his expression warm but thoughtful. “So much has changed since that day...” He began, his voice tinged with nostalgia. “I still can't believe that two and a half years have passed since your mother saved you at the beach during the Storm King first invasion after he conquered Canterlot and captured your aunties."

The Princess of Love smiled warmly at her husband. “I know. Sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago… and yet, the memories are still so vivid.”

Shining stepped closer, watching as Flurry settled on her mother’s back, her small hooves draped over Cadance's shoulders. The young filly nuzzled her mother’s mane, her eyes half-closed with contentment.

“I still think about that day often...” The prince murmured, his voice soft. “How close we came to losing everything, how close you came to losing me after I took a spear to the chest to save you from the Storm King during his second invasion, and how much we’ve gained since. It's hard to believe how much has changed in such a short time.”

The Princess of Love sighed. “You know, I sometimes wondered what might have happened if things had gone differently? Like if the Storm King hadn’t invaded… or if my mother hadn’t returned? But I try not to dwell on it.”

Shining leaned in, resting his head against Cadance’s as they shared a quiet moment. The silence was comforting, broken only by the soft breaths of their daughter, who had nearly drifted off to sleep.

But the moment was gently interrupted as the doors to their chamber creaked open. The couple turned their heads, and their expressions brightened as they saw who had entered.

Amore stood in the doorway, a warm smile gracing her features as she stepped inside. She carefully closed the doors behind her, ensuring their privacy, before approaching the family. “I hope I’m not interrupting,” she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of amusement.

“Mom.” The Princess of Love greeted warmly, her smile growing as she adjusted her wings to better cradle Flurry. “You’re never an interruption.”

The prince nodded in agreement, his own smile mirroring Cadance’s. “It’s good to see you, Amore. How did things go at court?”

Amore chuckled lightly as she drew nearer. “Oh, it went as well as can be expected. Nothing too exciting, thankfully. I wanted to check in on you all before retiring for the evening.”

The Princess of Love shifted slightly, careful not to disturb Flurry, who had now fully succumbed to sleep on her back. “We were just talking about how much has changed since... well, everything.”

Amore’s eyes softened as she looked at the peaceful scene before her. “Yes, it’s been quite the journey, hasn’t it?” She sighed contentedly, reaching her hoof out to gently stroke Flurry’s mane, much like Shining had moments before.

Amore gazed at Cadance and Shining Armor, her smile tinged with a hint of nostalgia. "It has been a long road, filled with challenges but also with so many blessings..." She said, her voice carrying the weight of years gone by. "To see you all like this, together… it brings me more joy than I can put into words."

The Princess of Love smiled at her mother warmly. “We’ve come so far...” She murmured, glancing at her husband, her eyes reflecting a mix of determination and hope. “And I feel like, with you both here, there’s nothing that could serparate us.”

The prince took her hoof in his, his grip firm but gentle. “We’ll face whatever comes next together… even if it’s another invasion, or whatever life decides to throw our way.” He stated.

Amore nodded, her smile growing. "Yes, together. And Cadenza, there is so much I still need to teach you about our history… about our people." She paused, her eyes glinting with a mix of excitement and seriousness. “Tomorrow, we’ll begin. There’s a lot you need to know, but for now rest. We all deserved it.”

The couple nodded their head in agreement before Amore bidded them a goodnight as she left for her chamber.

Chapter 33 - Invitation to Mount Aris

The next day

Princess Amore was walking alongside her daughter and her son-in-law, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Prince Shining Armor, toward the Crystal Empire's entrance. They were going there to meet a hippogriff messenger regarding the alliance of Mount Aris, Seaquestria, Equestria and Crystal Empire, and walking alongside with them were Clover the Clever and Commander Hurricane.

Along the way, they walked past some of crystal ponies and creatures. After the defeat of the Storm King, some of the crystal creatures returned to their own homes across Equestria while others decided to stay in the empire and the outpost cities as their new home, with the others still being part of the Crystal Imperial guards.

Shining broke the silence that hung between them with a question. “I thought Equestria and Crystal Empire are already allied with the hippogriff. Twily made sure of it.”

Amore glanced at her son-in-law. "Yes, we are. Equestria and the Crystal Empire have stood as allies to the hippogriffs since King Crestwing's return's. However, this meeting is more than just a formality. The messenger comes bearing an invitation for us to attend a meeting where the final details of the alliance will be confirmed."

"Twilight is also on her way to Klugetown to finalize the details of the alliance there with the mayor. The last I heard, the railroads extending to the town had been completed yesterday. The trains were being tested to ensure safe passage for all who want to travel to and from the town. Twily’s work has brought so many of us together, in ways we never imagined possible." Cadance stated.

Amore nodded, her smile growing. “You know, I still find it remarkable that your sister-in-law chose to turn down the offer to take over the throne from Celestia and Luna when both of them asked her that she had the qualities they saw fit to rule Equestria. She would have made a wise ruler."

The prince nodded his head. "Believe me, Twily's decision surprised many including me and Cady, but I understand her reasons. She wants to continue running the School of Friendship as her career while staying close with her friends."

"How did Princess Celestia and Princess Luna take it when she declined their offer?" Clover, walking beside them, tilted her head curiously.

The Princess of Love chuckled softly. "Auntie Celly gave Twilight a knowing smile, the one she always has when Twily surprises her in some way, understanding her reasons. Auntie Lulu thought it over and agreed with Twilight's decision.”

Hurricane smiled. "I think Princess Twilight made a right choice. I mean, running the School of Friendship is her passion after all. She wanted to teach and to inspire every ponies and creatures about harmony and friendship."

The group nodded their agreement. "That's something I agreed with. Now, let's get going to the entrance. The messenger should be arriving soon.”

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The snow fell gently, like a delicate lace curtain descending over the white landscape. A lone hippogriff soared above the snowy ground, her coat flecked with crystalline snowflakes. Her wings flared wide, catching the cold air as she began her descent toward the Crystal Empire.

The hippogriff has a coat of light brownish gray, her mane and tail being light amaranth and her eyes being pale light grayish spring green. She was dressed in a deep blue sash that bore the crest of Mount Aris and Seaquestria.

As the hippogriff neared the gate, she could see the towering crystal spire of the empire that glistened in the morning light as it casted prismatic reflections across the snow. As she got closer, she could see two Crystal Imperial guards standing guard at each side of the gate.

She landed gracefully in front of two guards, dipping her head in a respectful bow before speaking.

"I am Haven Bay, emissary of Queen Novo and King Crestwing." She announced herself. "I am here to talk to Princess Amore, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Prince Shining Armor."

No sooner as Haven said, Amore, Cadance, Shining, Clover and Hurricane continued their approach to the gate. As they drew near, Amore smiled warmly at the hippogriff emissary.

"Welcome to the Crystal Empire, Miss Haven." Amore greeted. "We are honored to receive you. Queen Novo and King Crestwing's trust in us is greatly appreciated, and we are eager to discuss the details of this alliance."

The hippogriff bowed once more. "Thank you, Princess Amore. Queen Novo and King Crestwing send their regards and hopes this meeting will further strengthen the bonds between our nations. We have much to discuss, including the terms of shared defense and mutual support in times of crisis."

The Princess of Love nodded thoughtfully. “Indeed, the times call for unity, not just in celebration but in preparedness. Let us walk together inside, Miss Haven, and continue this discussion in the warmth of the palace.”

Haven nodded her head before the group turned and began their trek toward the Crystal Palace, leaving the two guards alone again at the entrance.

As they walked, the hippogriff said to Amore. "King Crestwing believes that this alliance will not only protect our lands from outside threats but also foster greater collaboration. He was happy to extend the alliance to Equestria and Crystal Empire for what you did for him after you saved him from the blizzard when he was forced to escape from Mount Aris during the Storm King's conquest."

The prince, walking alongside his wife, instinctively touched the scar on his chest—the one the Storm King had left him with the spear two and a half years ago which was meant for his wife. Only Cadance noticed the motion, her eyes softening as she saw her husband’s quiet pain.

Amore exchanged glances with Clover and Hurricane, the memory of that dark time flashing in their minds. It had been a treacherous storm, one that nearly claimed the life of the hippogriff king as he sought refuge from the Storm King’s forces. "We’re glad we could help." Amore said. "That was a dark time for him, but I'm glad that we managed to help him and returned him back to his family."

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The grand entrance to the Crystal Palace loomed ahead, its gleaming doors standing open to welcome the group inside. The warmth of the palace was a stark contrast to the chill outside, and as they stepped into the grand halls, the shimmering light of the crystals within cast a soothing glow over them.

Haven Bay marveled at the beauty of the palace, her eyes wide with wonder as they moved through its halls. The grandeur of the Crystal Empire had always been spoken of in legend, but to see it now was another experience entirely.

The throne room lay just ahead, its towering doors gilded with intricate designs of crystal and gold. As they approached, the doors swung open with a soft hum of magic, revealing the spacious chamber within. At the far end stood the thrones of the Crystal rulers, but for now, they would conduct their meeting at a more modest table arranged near the center of the room.

"Princess Skystar wanted me to send her thanks to you for saving and bringing her father back to her and her mother, Princess Amore." The hippogriff spoke again once seated as Amore, the Princess of Love and the prince seated and looked at the hippogriff's eyes while Clover and Hurricane stood aside the two princesses.

"Tell her it's alright and that she is welcome. Now I believe you have news from Seaquestria and Mount Aris regarding the alliance." Amore stated while smiling warmly.

Haven coughed herself in her claw before speaking. “Queen Novo and King Crestwing have extended an invitation for you to attend a summit at Mount Aris in three days’ time. There, we will finalize the terms of the alliance and officially sign the agreements. They are hopeful that this summit will mark the beginning of a new era of unity between our nations.”

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Just a few miles away from the Crystal Empire, two ponies-like-figures walked through the blizzard, their cloaks flapping against their body.

Two ponies were Radiant Hope and King Sombra.

"Come on, Sombra." Hope said to her best friend as she looked at him with a smile. "Just a few more miles to reach the Crystal Empire and we will be able to restore you back to normal."

Sombra nodded his head at her with a smile. "Very well, Hope."

As the crystal unicorn turned her head back, the umbrum pony's smile was replaced with a sinister one.

"Just a few more miles..." Sombra thought to himself. "And I will be able to rule the empire."

Chapter 34 - Official Visit

Equestria, Friendship Express

The Friendship Express sped along the newly built tracks towards the destination. During the journey, the grass of Equestria would give way to sand and dunes of Bone Dry Desert. Through the windows, passengers could see small, bleached bones scattered across the sands, remnants of creatures that once roamed this unforgiving land as the Friendship Express travelled to a certain place where residents living there called it home.

Klugetown.

Once a lawless haven under the cruel reign of the Storm King, Klugetown had since transformed. Now a vibrant part of Equestria, the town boasted a colorful mix of species and cultures, its once-rotten buildings replaced with fresh, sturdy architecture. The residents, formerly terrorized and downtrodden, had found new hope and pride. It was thanks to the effort of the royal sisters, the Princess of Friendship and the Crystal Imperial, he was put down permanently.

After the Storm King's downfall, the town underwent a complete overhaul. Equestrian architects and builders, along with volunteers from across the nation, arrived to help rebuild. Streets that were once filled with thieves and swindlers had become bustling markets where goods from all over the world were traded. The citizens, once downtrodden and hopeless, now walked with pride, their businesses flourishing in the renewed prosperity of the town. The town was also now outfitted with an embassy which was built near the outskirt of Klugetown and train station to assist any Equestrians new to the town.

However, none of that was of particular concern to the group sitting in first class.

The first was Spike the dragon, who sat comfortable in his seat as he watched the sand dunes out of the window, an armful of scrolls beside him. Though still youthful, Spike had grown significantly since the days of Princess Twilight Sparkle’s wedding to Lieutenant Flash Sentry. He now stood taller than most fillies, though he remained a bit shorter than the average pony or his best friend, Princess of Friendship herself. Two small wings had sprouted from his back, granting him the ability to soar through the skies, though he still preferred the comfort of the train for this particular journey.

Across from him sat or stood several guards and two married couples.

One of the guards was Captain Tempest Shadow who stood near one of the windows of train with the other guards as protection. Princess Twilight Sparkle sat, a scroll and a quill in her magic, while Lieutenant Flash Sentry stood beside her, occasionally glancing back at his wife with a smile. The Princess of Friendship was busy looking through the scroll, too engrossed.

At least until the dragon spoke.

"So... how was the honeymoon?” Spike asked.

The lieutenant arched an eyebrow with a smirk at the dragon while Twilight blushed as she brought the scroll closer to her face. "An entire train journey and you only now ask?” Flash asked.

“Hey, I’ve been busy. You two may have had two weeks in Las Pegasus, but both me and Starlight had been taking care of the Castle of Friendship while teaching the others with friendships lesson at the School of Friendship." Spike pointed out.

"That still doesn’t explain the train journey.” The captain stated, turning away from the window to look at the dragon with an arched eyebrow.

"Come on!" Spike turned to Flash. "Flash, you may be Twi's husband but you can't just be a prick!" The dragon groaned, causing the Princess of Friendship to blush even redder.

“Funny you should say that, that's what Twily said to me after I pushed her into the pool.” The lieutenant smirked, the Princess of Friendship lowering the scroll to glare at her husband.

Several guards giggled while Tempest raised an eyebrow at Flash. "Are you trying to earn yourself a divorce, lieutenant?"

Twilight smirked. "Oh I got my revenge, only it was in the ocean while we were on a yacht. Just two miles away from shore." She giggled. "Though you still need to learn how to swim."

Several guards, the captain and Spike all stared at blushing Flash who dipped his head down in embarrassment before the dragon shook his head in disbelief. "Wait a minute! You can't swim?!"

"Of-of course I can swim!" The lieutenant stammered defensively.

“Splashing around like a foal doesn’t count as swimming, my dear Flashy." The Princess of Friendship gave her husband a sly smirk as the guards and Spike erupted into laughter while Tempest shook her head in amusement

Flash groaned, rubbing the back of his neck with his hoof, but even he couldn’t suppress a grin. "You surprised me, Twily. I wasn't expecting you to kick me off the yacht so sudden."

"Yeah, right." Twilight smirked.

It took a few minutes for the laughter to subside before the dragon asked. "So, it was a good honeymoon then?"

Both of them nodded their head while smiling at the memory of their honeymoon. "Yeah, it was perfect." Twilight replied softly.

“Well, I’m happy for you, both of you. And at least now you and your friends can share the embarrassing bits whenever you guys have time." Spike stated with a mischievous grin.

The lieutenant's face turned an even brighter red once he heard what the dragon said and turned his head to look at his wife. "Oh please don’t, they can't know."

"We'll see." The Princess of Friendship said, still smirking as the guards laughed again even Tempest chuckled a little. "I wonder how Klugetown is doing now."

"I bet that there will be children in the town now that the Storm King is gone." Spike noted.

Twilight leaned back into her seat, a much softer smile on her face. "That’s… good to know."

Flash looked back at his wife. "Twily? Are you alright?"

“I’m perfectly fine; you don’t having anything to worry about.” The Princess of Friendship reassured her husband with a warm smile as she stretched herself before turning to Tempest. "How long until we arrive, captain?"

"Only about two to three hours until we arrive to Klugetown." The captain reported.

"Good." Twilight said, settling back into her seat. “Let’s hope everything in Klugetown is as peaceful as it seems.”

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Crystal Empire, An hour later

"Very well, Miss Haven. Is that all?" Cadance asked with a smile.

“For now, Princess Amore, Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor. We will have more to discuss when the summit begins, but today’s progress has been most fruitful.” Haven Bay said, nodding her head as she got up her seat. Princess Amore, the Princess of Love and her husband also got up from their seats too and escorted the hippogriff out of the Crystal Palace, with Clover the Clever and Commander Hurricane.

"You know..." Cadance started as they walked through the hallway. "It's been so long since I last visited Seaquestria. Me, Twilight and her friends only had a brief stay last time when the Storm King's first invaded and conquered Canterlot and petrified my aunties before the beach incident, but it was incredible. The underwater kingdom is truly a sight to behold."

The Princess of Love smiled warmly. "It would be wonderful to visit again, especially with you two and Flurry Heart. I’m sure she’d love it. Perhaps we could take her after the summit?"

The prince chuckled. "That’s a good idea. I’m sure she’ll have a blast. It’ll be a nice change of pace from the palace."

Amore smiled as she added softly. "How about a family trip? It would be lovely for all of us to experience Seaquestria’s beauty together."

The hippogriff, walking between Amore and Cadance, smiled at the exchange. "Mount Aris and Seaquestria would be honored to host you and your family. Queen Novo and King Crestwing would welcome you with open wings."

As they reached the palace’s main doors, Amore turned to Haven with a sincere smile. "Thank you, Haven. We look forward to seeing you again at the summit. It’ll be the perfect opportunity to celebrate our nations’ unity."

The hippogriff nodded in agreement. "I’ll relay your words to Queen Novo and King Crestwing. Until we meet again, may the winds guide you."

With that, the hippogriff emissary spread her wings and took off, soaring into the crystal-clear sky above the empire. Cadance, Shining, Amore, Clover, and Hurricane watched her go as Haven flew into the blizzard.

Once the hippogriff was out of sight, Amore turned to look at Hurricane and Clover with a warm smile. "Hurricane and Clover. Can you help the other to set up an escort and a carriage for us?"

Both Hurricane and Clover bowed down and raised up. "Yes, Princess Amore. It will be done."

They then trotted off to get the work done.

Amore then turned her to her daughter and her son-in-law. "How are you two holding up? I know the summit will be a busy time."

The Princess of Love nodded, a warm smile on her face. "We’re ready for it. It’s important for Equestria and our allies to come together."

The prince wrapped a supportive hoof around his wife, nodding in agreement. "We’ve got this."

Cadance leaned into Shining's embrace, her expression softening. "It’s been a long road, but I believe we’re on the right path. And with Twilight continuing her work on expanding relations throughout the world, we’re creating a brighter future for all of Equestria and beyond."

Amore nodded thoughtfully. "Twilight's work has been exceptional. The alliance throughout Equestria could reshape the way our nations work together. Who would have thought, after all these years, that peace would be possible?"

"She’s always been a visionary." The prince added with pride. "Even when others doubted her, Twilight pushed through and proved them wrong."

The Princess of Love smiled, her heart swelling with pride for her sister-in-law. "She has a way of bringing out the best in others. It’s her gift."

Amore smiled warmly. "Indeed, she does."

The three ponies giggled before it slowly dying down. "Now, let’s focus on what’s ahead. I’m sure the preparations are already underway, but we still have much to do before the summit begins."

Both Cadance and Shining nodded their heads in agreement before the group turned back to the palace, the crystalline walls shimmering with the light of the afternoon sun as they walked back inside to prepare for the upcoming summit.

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Mount Aris

The large mountain of Mount Aris and Seaquestria lay before King Crestwing and his daughter Princess Skystar. They stood there as hippogriffs working in unison to prepare for the upcoming summit for the finalization of the alliances between Equestria, Crystal Empire and their nation.

"Crestwing! Skystar!" A voice called out, one that both hippogriffs was happy to hear.

"Mom!" The young hippogriff happily called out, running toward Queen Novo before embracing her to which the hippogriff queen returned while the hippogriff king smiled at the scene.

After a few minutes of embracing each other, both the female hippogriffs slowly let go of each other.

"So, how's the preparation for the summit?" Novo asked her husband while he watched their kingdom busy at work.

Crestwing stepped beside his wife, his wings ruffling slightly in the cool sea breeze. "Everything is proceeding smoothly. The alliance will mark a new era for all of us—Equestria, the Crystal Empire, and Seaquestria united. It’s a momentous occasion.”

Skystar’s eyes lit up. “I can’t wait! I’m so excited to meet everypony again. Twilight and her friends, Princess Cadance and especially Princess Amore. Do you think they’ll remember me?”

The queen hippogriff chuckled softly, placing a hoof on her daughter's shoulder. "Of course they will, Skystar. Twilight and her friends and Princess Cadance made a great impression when they last visited. Besides, this summit will be a perfect opportunity to strengthen those friendships as thanks to Princess Amore for saving and bringing your father and my husband back to me."

The young hippogriff beamed at her mother's reassurance, her wings fluttering in excitement. "I really hope so! I want to show them around Mount Aris again, maybe even take them on a little tour of Seaquestria."

Novo smiled warmly, her heart swelling at her daughter's enthusiasm. "Just remember, Skystar. This summit is not only about alliances between nations but also building lasting friendships, just like the ones you started with Twilight and her friends."

The king hippogriff nodded his head. "It’s true. We now stand on the cusp of a new era, and it’s the bonds we create now that will ensure peace for generations to come."

The three chuckled for a while before standing in comfortable silence for a moment, watching their fellow hippogriffs work in harmony to prepare for the summit.

"Skystar, why don't you go help the others with the decorations?" Crestwing suggested gently. "Your energy will be most appreciated."

Skystar nodded eagerly. "I’ll make sure everything’s perfect!" With a happy squeal, she spread her wings and flew off toward the village, leaving her parents to continue their quiet conversation.

The queen hippogriff watched her daughter before turning to her husband. "She's grown so much, hasn't she?"

"Yes..." The king hippogriff agreed, his gaze following his daughter as she fluttered down to the workers below. "She has the heart of a leader, just like you."

Novo smiled softly and leaned into her husband. "And like you too, my love. Together, we’ll guide her and our people into this new chapter."

With the summit on the horizon, the hippogriff royals shared a moment of quiet reflection, their hearts united in purpose.

Chapter 35 - Klugetown

Klugetown

"Final stop, Klugetown!" The Friendship Express's conductor called out to all the ponies in the carriage, before he moved on through to the next one.

"Finally." Spike sighed in relief, stretching out his wings to loosen the overly stiff muscle within. "I’ve been sitting here for far too long."

"Yeah." Flash agreed as he stretched his body and his wings. "Why didn’t we just use one of the chariots to fly here?"

"We wouldn't survive that long under that hot weather. Hay, the first time me, Twilight, Cadance and her friends walked through Bone Dry Desert was after the Storm King conquered and petrified the two princesses. And it was a torture, even for me." The dragon explained to his brother-in-law.

Tempest briefly tensed at the mention of the Storm King. Her eyes flickered with a shadow of old memories, but her expression quickly hardened into one of quiet determination.

"Spike's right." The captain spoke. "During my time as lieutenant of the Storm King, I had to walk through the desert to get a good view on the town for any weakness to breach the town and it was burning hoy for me, even the soldiers with me were sweating profusely."

“Yikes.” The lieutenant muttered, wincing. The guards shared uneasy glances, imagining the trek under the blistering sun.

"We're here." Twilight spoke, just as the train finally came to a complete halt with a hiss. “Come on, we have work to do."

The group began to unload their bags from overhead compartments, with Spike and Flash using their wings to gently lower the heavier pieces of bags and luggages. Outside of their compartment, the corridor was already rammed with some ponies exiting their own compartments and making for the carriage doors, everypony seemingly eager to finally put to an end the hours long journey, leaving the group of guards, three ponies and a dragon alone.

"Got everything?" The Princess of Friendship asked as she strapped her saddlebag to her body with her magic from her horn.

"I think so." The lieutenant answered his wife's question as he inspected the bags in the possession. “Yes, we have everything.”

"Good, let's go." Twilight said.

Tempest gave a sharp nod and move to the door to slide it open, waiting for the Princess of Friendship, Flash, the dragon and the guards to move on past before moving into the corridor herself. It was a tight squeeze through the corridor, but eventually they made it to the exit and stepped down onto the platform.

The hot desert air greeted them, prompting the group to shield their eyes with their hooves and claw before they adjusted to the harsh light.

The building in front of them, once ramshackle and decayed, was replaced with sturdy, colorful architecture. The Princess of Friendship couldn’t help but smiled as she looked on the colorful building.

"So..." Spike interrupted. "Where is the ambassador meant to be meeting us?”

Twilight blinked her eyes before placing a hoof under her chin. “I… don’t actually know. He might be waiting out front?”

As the group approached customs, they were ushered straight through without any of the hassle. A royal guard, stationed at the station, saluted at them before guiding them through the station and out to the front, where three golden carriages were in wait.

Four heavily armoured guards each sat in front of each golden carriage, two of them being the Royal Guards while the two other two were Crystal Imperial guards, ready to take them to the embassy once given the word. An ambassador, a stallion unicorn with light gray coat wearing a black tie with a collar; with the mane and tail being moderate and light phthalo blue; the eyes being gold and a cutie mark of a scroll with two quills on each sides, stood near the one of the carriage as he waited for the arrival of the group. He smiled warmly once the group came into his view.

"Your highness." The ambassador addressed as he bowed down before raising up. "Welcome to Klugetown. My name is Silver Quill, the ambassador here."

"Hello, Silver Quill." The Princess of Friendship said with a smile.

"It’s an honor to have you here, Princess Twilight. I trust your journey was smooth?" Silver asked.

Twilight nodded, though there was a slight sigh in her voice. "It was fine, just a bit long. But it’s good to be here. Now, I believe the mayor is waiting for us in the embassy and how is Klugetown going?"

"Yes, he is." The ambassador replied. "On your way to the embassy, you'll find things have improved greatly since the Storm King's death. We’ve made strides in infrastructure, trade, and security. The citizens are now thriving."

“That’s good to hear.” The Princess of Friendship said, her gaze sweeping over the rebuilt town. "It’s incredible to see the progress. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together."

Silver Quill dipped his head in agreement. "None of it would have been possible without you, your highness."

Twilight blushed slightly at the compliment, but quickly regained her focus. "Thank you, Silver Quill." She then turned to the dragon, the captain and the guards. "Spike and Tempest. Help the others to load up the bags and luggages into the carriage."

Spike, Tempest and the guards began to load up the bags and luggages into the carriages’ storages while the ambassador motioned the Princess of Friendship and Flash to board the middle carriage.

As Silver got into the carriage, Twilight quickly pulled her husband aside.

"Twily, what is it?" The lieutenant asked.

"Nothing... It's just... You know what you said about what it would feel like to have kids a few days ago?" The Princess of Friendship stammered out.

"Yeah? What about it?" Flash asked with an arched eyebrow.

"Well, you see..." Twilight scuffed the ground with a hoof as she tried to explain to her husband, her wings fluttered slightly.

"What is it? Is something wrong?" The lieutenant asked with concern.

"Nothing's wrong. It's actually quite the opposite." The Princess of Friendship stated.

"What are you talking-" Flash was interrupted by the ambassador calling out to Twilight.

"Your highness, are you coming?" Silver asked. "All the bags and luggages are loaded, your guards and assistant are on board on the other two carriages and waiting for you."

"In a second!" The lieutenant called back, before turning back to his wife. “Now, what is it you were saying?”

Twilight bit her lip. “Actually, this can wait until later."

"Okay... You do know that you can talk to me about anything, right?” Flash’s concern softened into a warm smile.

"I know. It's just I think some privacy would suit this a bit better. I promise I will tell you later." Twilight assured her husband with a smile.

The lieutenant stared at his wife for a while before nodding his head with a warm smile. “Alright, come on then. Let's not keep the ambassador and others waiting."

The Princess of Friendship nodded her head before Flash turned away and began to walk towards the carriage. He did not noticed his wife gently lay a hoof on her belly, a small motherly smile on her face.

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Outpost Crystal

The once busy outpost city lay in ruins, debris strewn across the battlefield. Dead crystal ponies and creatures littered the ground. King Sombra was grabbing the crystal changeling's neck with his magic and lifted him up in the air as the changeling struggled.

A few minutes, the changeling's struggle lessened, his eyes slowly closed before the umbrum pony snapped his neck and tossed his limp body aside.

"You killed him, didn't you?" Radiant Hope asked as she emerged from the corner of the crystal building which was now destroyed.

Sombra looked at his best friend with a neutral expression. "Of course. He attempted to attack you and me. Just like the others who tried to attack."

The crystal unicorn sighed in guilt. "I... I see."

Deep down, the umbrum pony had wanted to torture the crystal ponies and creatures to satisfy himself but not wanting to upset Hope and expose his plan on using the crystal heart to conquer the Crystal Empire, he decided merely to kill them quickly.

"Is that all of them?" Sombra asked as the crystal unicorn slowly made her way towards her best friend while avoiding or stepping over dead crystal ponies and creatures, scanning across the battlefield.

"I believe so. I don't see anypony or anycreature moving, so I think you got them all." Hope said, a bit of guilt still in her voice as she looked over the battlefield.

The umbrum pony sighed to himself. "That's good. I had hoped that it wouldn't come to this."

"It's alright, Sombra. They wouldn't listen to us, so you did what you needed to do." The crystal unicorn assured her best friend.

Both ponies stayed silence after a good amount of minutes as they took in the battlefield and the dead bodies.

"So..." Sombra broke the silence. "What now?"

Hope was startled off from her musing before composing herself. "Well, since this is one of the outpost cities, it would mean that the Crystal Empire is close. But there will be a lot more guards than the ones we are currently at."

The crystal unicorn sighed. "So, when we reached the empire, we are going to be careful and stealthy if we want to reach the Crystal Heart to cure you."

The umbrum pony nodded his head. "Alright, lead the way."

Hope smiled and walked, leading her best friend to the empire.

'Almost there.' Sombra thought to himself as he followed the crystal unicorn to the empire, leaving the ruined outpost city.

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Unbeknownst to them, a crystal griffon was watching from the doorway of a ruined crystal building as the crystal unicorn led the umbrum pony toward the outpost city's entrance.

'Holy crystal...' The crystal griffon thought angrily. 'To think we have a traitor working with King Sombra.'

The crystal griffon continued to glare furiously at the traitor unicorn as she led Sombra out into the blizzard and toward the Crystal Empire, his jaw clenching at the thought that a traitor would work with the tyrant.

A pain groaning interrupted the griffon's thought and his anger was replaced with concern and worry as his eyes fell on a injured crystal bat pony.

"Florence? How are you holding?" The griffon asked the bat pony, wincing at the bandages wrapped around her belly as it was slowly becoming red from the blood.

Florence let out a pain breath as she laid on the bed, medical supply laid empty beside the bed. "Well... other than a huge gash on my belly cut by King Sombra, I'm not dead yet, Skystrike."

Florence the bat pony has a coat of crystal white, blonde and light blonde stripes mane and tail, her white with trailing edges of the wings being pale blue bat wings, light blue slitted-eyes and a cutie mark of green white-belled flower.

Skystrike the griffon has a coat of crystal dark scarlet with brown, his head feather being lightish brown to brilliant brown, a pair of white with trailing edges of the feathers being pale blue wings and dark brown eyes.

"Are... are they gone?" The crystal bat pony asked before letting out a pain hiss as she placed a hoof on her bloodied bandage on her belly, her wings twitching.

The crystal griffon nodded gravely, his gaze flickering from his injured companion to the entrance of the outpost. "Yes, they're gone. Heading for the Crystal Empire. Sombra and that traitor unicorn."

Florence groaned, her face contorted in pain as she shifted slightly to try to ease the pressure on her wound. "We need to… warn the Empire." She rasped. "They need to know Sombra is coming."

Skystrike looked at his companion in worry. "You’re in no shape to move, Florence. If we don’t get you proper medical attention soon…"

"I don’t care about me." The crystal bat pony winced but pressed on. "Sombra can’t… can’t reach the Crystal Empire. He’ll enslave the Empire again." She locked eyes with the crystal griffon. "Princess Amore, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Prince Shining Armor have to be warned about the danger."

Skystrike hesitated, torn between helping his injured friend and the duty that now weighed on him. His mind raced. The outpost was in shambles, and all soldiers were dead after Sombra killed them except two. He couldn’t leave Flame Song here alone, but if they didn’t get word to the empire…

"How about this? I will carry you on my back and bring you back to the empire, that way we can both warn Princess Amore and her family." The crystal griffon suggested.

Florence opened her mouth to refuse, but the crystal griffon held up a claw before she could speak. “No arguments, Florence. I’m not leaving you behind, and I’m not losing you either. We’ll make it back together.”

The crystal bat pony sighed but gave a weak nod, her body clearly too drained to protest further. “Alright…"

Skystrike smiled. "Good. But first, let me see if I can patch you up a little better. I will go and scrounge the outpost for medical supplies and supplies. Once I got those, I will patch your injury on your belly before we get moving to the empire."

Florence weakly nodded her head as the crystal griffon stuck his head out for any signs of King Sombra and the traitor before he went out, leaving the crystal bat pony alone on the bed.

Author's Note

King Sombra is coming. :twilightoops:

Chapter 36 - Night Terror

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.

Chapter 37 - Departure

Frozen North

Skystrike trudged through the relentless blizzard, each step a battle against the biting wind and the thick, unforgiving snow. The icy air clawed at his feathers, and the snow fell in heavy sheets, quickly covering his coat and his saddlebags filled with medical supplies. His wings, usually strong and steady, remained tightly folded to shield the injured Florence, who lay slumped across his back while wincing in pain as every jolt in the crystal griffon's stride caused pain in her belly and her wings to twitch.

The swirling snow seemed endless, stretching in every direction, making it nearly impossible to see more than a few feet ahead. The ground beneath him was treacherous, uneven, and hidden beneath layers of snow. Each time Skystrike's talons sank into the drifts, it took a concentrated effort to pull them free as his muscles burned with the effort to keep moving forward.

"Just hang in there, Florence." The crystal griffon assured his friend, though his voice was nearly drowned out by the howling wind. "We're almost to Crystal Empire."

Florence winced in pain again as her hooves clung tightly to her friend's shoulders. "That's... what you said... thirty minutes ago, Skystrike." She rasped, managing a faint smile despite the agony searing through her body.

Skystrike glanced back at his friend, noticing the bandages on the crystal bat pony's belly soaking with blood. He knew that Florence's wound need a change of bandage to prevent infection.

As the crystal griffon thought for some ideas, he caught a dark silhouette barely visible against the blinding white blizzard. A cave, nestled in the side of a jagged rock formation.

“Thank the stars,” Skystrike thought with relief, but his moment of respite was cut short by a distant, thunderous roar. His heart sank as the unmistakable cry of a Glacial Bear echoed through the mountains.

Florence’s eyes widened, fear flickering in them despite her exhaustion. The crystal griffon didn't waste a second. His legs burned with the sudden sprint as Skystrike raced toward the cave, each footfall a desperate push against time.

They reached the cave just as another roar ripped through the blizzard, closer this time. Inside, the crystal griffon gently laid the crystal kirin down on a smooth patch of rock.

"Stay with me, Florence." Skystrike urged, pulling out fresh bandages and quickly setting to work on Florence's wound, the crystal bat pony wincing in pain while her jaw clenched together as her friend removed the bandages off her belly.

Suddenly, a heavy thud echoed from outside the cave, followed by the crunch of snow under massive paws. the crystal griffon froze, his ears flattening against his head as the unmistakable silhouette of a Glacial Bear lumbered into view. Its massive form moved through the blizzard, its head turning toward the cave entrance.

Skystrike's heart raced. He quietly dragged Flame and the medical supplies behind a large rock, motioning for her to stay silent. The crystal bat pony bit down on her hoof, stifling a cry as another wave of pain washed over her.

The Glacial Bear’s shadow loomed at the entrance, its hot breath fogging in the cold air. The crystal griffon pressed his back against the rock, holding his breath, every muscle tense as he listened to the beast’s deep, rumbling growl.

Minutes passed like hours before the bear roared again and walked away from the cave and into the blizzard. Both crystal creatures sighed in relief as they let their bodies relax before Flame cried slightly in pain, causing Skystrike to continue tending to her.

Soon, the crystal bat pony's belly was wrapped with clean and secure bandages. The crystal griffon sighed in relief before wrapping one of his wing on his friend. "We'll rest here for a while. After that, we will continue our journey to the Crystal Empire."

Florence looked at her friend and opened her mouth to disagree, but another pain from her belly caused her to wince. Eventually, she nodded her head. "All right. Let's take a rest."

Skystrike settled in beside her, his eyes scanning the cave’s entrance, knowing their journey was far from over.

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Crystal Empire

Hurricane grunted with effort as he and a few other Crystal Imperial guards finished lifting the final couple of boxes of supplies and equipment into one of the three carriages sitting in front of the Crystal Palace. Once all the boxes were lifted inside, the two Crystal Imperial guards - a crystal pegasus and a crystal changeling, took their places in front of the carriage. The first carriage was being hitched by a crystal griffon and a crystal batpony while the other carriage was being hitched by a crystal hippogriff and a crystal pegasus.

The Crystal Imperial guards that would be accompanying the royals to the summit all sat within the two carriages while others who can fly stood beside the carriages in full battle gear, their favourite weapons tucked in beside them. Clover, who had chosen to stay behind in the Empire, stood beside the middle carriage, overseeing the final preparations. The crystal unicorn smiled, her cheeks flushing as Hurricane brushed her side with his wing, sharing a brief and warm moment amidst the prelude to their departure.

"Everything's in order, Princess Amore." Hurricane reported, snapping a salute as Princess Amore, Princess Cadance, and Prince Shining Armor approached the carriages.

"Secured and good to go, your highness." Another crystal guard near the middle carriage confirmed.

"Excellent." Amore replied with a gracious nod. "We’ll depart in five minutes."

"So, how long do you think will the trip be?" The prince asked his wife, glancing at the loaded carriages.

The Princess of Love thought about it for a moment before she responded. "I think the trip will take about two days to reach Mount Aris and Seaquestria. We should arrive just in time for the summit."

"Don't worry, Shining. We will get there in time." Amore chimed in with a warm smile to his son-in-law as she approached her family.

Shining blushed slightly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I know. It's just that... I had never been so far from Equestria before. The only furthest I’ve been is a brief visit to Yakyakistan with Princess Celestia once when I was a recruit back before Princess Luna’s return from the moon. Princess Celestia visited there to establish trade relations with the yaks."

Cadance giggled softly. "You’ll find Mount Aris and Seaquestria quite different, but I’m sure you’ll manage."

The prince smiled before nuzzling his wife's neck, to which the Princess of Love returned while Amore watched the scene with a warm smile.

"Mommy! Daddy! Grandma!" A voice called out to them, catching the attention of Amore and the royal couple.

The group turned to see Princess Flurry Heart galloping toward, with Sunburst chasing after the young alicorn. The royal couple smiled at their daughter.

The young alicorn jumped with a flap of her wing and hugged both her parents, juts as the Royal Crystaller caught up with Flurry.

As the young alicorn landed between her parents, her large eyes blinked up at them. "Mommy, Daddy… why can’t I go with you?" Flurry asked, her voice filled with innocent curiosity.

Both Shining and Cadance exchanged a look before the Princess of Love knelt down beside her daughter, her expression soft. "Sweetheart, the summit is going to be long and mostly about finalizing the alliance between the Crystal Empire, Equestria, Mount Aris, and Seaquestria. It’s important work, but… well, it’s not very exciting."

The prince nodded, crouching beside his wife. "There will be lots of talking, Flurry. No games, no stories—just grown-up stuff. You’d be bored out of your mind, trust me."

Flurry pouted slightly, but she could see her parents’ point. "Okay… I guess..." She mumbled, glancing down.

Before the young alicorn could say more, Sunburst stepped up and placed a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. "Don’t worry, Flurry. You’ll be in good hooves with me. We can work on your magic, and I’ll make sure you have plenty of fun while they’re away."

Flurry looked up at him, her pout softening. "Promise?"

The Royal Crystaller smiled warmly. "I promise."

Satisfied, the young alicorn nodded before turning back to her parents and grandmother. "Okay. But please come back soon."

Amore stepped forward and gave her granddaughter a gentle nuzzle. "We will, my little star. And when we return, we’ll tell you all about Mount Aris and Seaquestria."

Both Cadance and Shining followed, each nuzzling their daughter. "Be good for Sunburst, Flurry." The Princess of Love said, kissing her on the forehead.

"We’ll be back before you know it." The prince added with a smile, giving her a playful ruffle of her mane.

As they finished, Hurricane approached the group. "Is it time, Your Highness?"

Amore nodded, as did the Princess of Love and the prince. "Yes, it's time," Amore replied. She then turned to Flurry, her voice softening. "Be good, Flurry Heart. We’ll be back soon."

Each of them nuzzled Flurry lovingly, bidding her goodbye before heading toward the middle carriage. Cadance kissed her daughter’s forehead before stepping inside, followed by Shining, who gave one last wave. Amore entered after them, casting one final glance at the young alicorn with a reassuring smile.

Hurricane approached Clover, his gaze softening as he leaned in to nuzzle her. “I’ll be back soon.” He murmured before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. The crystal unicorn smiled, leaning into the affection before stepping back to let him go.

Hurricane then turned to the guards hitched to the carriages and those readying to take to the air. "Alright, I want this journey to be clean, swift, and without incident. Stay in tight formation around the carriages and be on constant alert for any signs of hostilities. Do I make myself clear?" His voice echoed across the courtyard.

In unison, the guards shouted their confirmation. "Sir, yes sir!"

With a nod of approval, Hurricane barked his final order. "Move out!"

The flying guards immediately spread their wings, launching into the sky and forming a protective perimeter around the carriages. The guards hitched to the carriages gave a brief run-up before pulling the vehicles into the air with a powerful surge, joining their airborne comrades as they ascended into the sky.

Flurry watched from the ground with Sunburst by her side, her gaze following the carriages while waving until the carriages and the guards were out of sight.

Sunburst placed a comforting hoof on her back, giving her a kind smile. "They’ll be back soon, Flurry. Come on, let’s help you learn how to use magic."

The young alicorn nodded before following the Royal Crystaller to the palace for the magic lesson.

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Just beyond the protective shield of the Crystal Empire, Radiant Hope and King Sombra emerged from the raging blizzard, their forms dark against the swirling white backdrop. The umbrum pony's piercing eyes glinted with malice as they neared the boundary of the Crystal Heart’s magic.

"We're-we're here!" The crystal unicorn exclaimed happily, turning to her best friend as she pointed her hoof at the Crystal Empire and the Crystal Palace.

Sombra smiled falsely. "The journey through the blizzard and forcing to kill the guards at the outpost city had been worth it." His smile faded away as his eyes narrowed at the barrier. "Though there is a very high chance that the crystal heart could kill me as soon as I step through the shield."

Hope looked at her best friend with concern and winced as she remembered she saw the umbrum pony got shattered into million of pieces by the crystal heart when the Crystal Empire first re-emerged after a thousand years. The thought of him being shattered again sent a shiver down her spine.

"That's a good point." The crystal unicorn said as she rubbed her chin with her hoof to think before she thought of a idea. "How about this? You stay here and find somewhere to hide from any patrols while I go and tried to take the Crystal Heart to you, so that I can use it to try to cleanse your darkness. Beside, since I am a crystal pony, the guards wouldn't be suspicious of me."

The umbrum pony placed a hoof under his chin to think before nodding at his best friend's idea with a smile. "Very well, Hope. Let’s see if your plan succeeds."

Hope nodded her head before she slipped through the shield and made her way to the palace while Sombra moved to find somewhere to avoid being seen by any patrols.

As the umbrum pony glanced the crystal unicorn who made her way to the Crystal Heart, he smiled sinisterly as his plan was going accordingly.

'Good. Now all I had to do is wait for her to come back with the Crystal Heart and the empire will be my once again.' Sombra thought to himself as he noticed a nearby rock and made his way there before sitting behind it, waiting for Hope to come back while the blizzard raged around him, prompting him to cast a shield around him to protect himself from the snowy wind.

Author's Note

Uh oh, King Sombra is here.

Chapter 38 - Infiltrating

Klugetown

Princess Twilight Sparkle was shaking.

The Princess of Friendship was scared, nervous and excited at the same time. There were so many emotions running through her body as Capper had got up to pay the owner of the new restaurant, Talon’s Tavern, leaving her and her husband alone.

The group had just finished eating an exquisite lunch prepared by Talon, a young but skilful parrot chef, who had decided to open his restaurant after the Storm King's death. The restaurant, like the other buildings, was too rebuilt with brand new materials that gave the restaurant a new look. Several small chandeliers hung above the tables, and the tables themselves were decorated with several silver candle holders on top of each a green and yellow tables' cloths.

Spike and Tempest did not attended lunch with them, instead they opted to visit Captain Celaeno and her crew who happened to arrive at the harbour after they had done sending trades to one of Equestria's city. Silver Quill had left the restaurant to check on the next place they were going to tour from the carriages. Flash Sentry had finished his lunch, but Twilight Sparkle still haven't finished hers.

The cat paused his walk before he turned to the couple with a smile. "Don't worry about paying the lunch, it's on me. I insisted." He winked at them.

Both the lieutenant and the Princess of Friendship smiled and nodded thanks to Capper before he headed to the counter to pay.

Twilight couldn't stopped herself from sighing in relief as the cat moved toward the counter. Now it was just her and Flash left together. If there was ever a time to reveal the ‘small’ fact that she was pregnant with his child, now was the time to do so.

“You can tell me now.” The lieutenant chuckled.

The Princess of Friendship blinked at her husband. “I’m sorry?”

“You’re fighting, going slow with your food. You want to tell me something and wanted us to be alone to say it. I assume it has to do with what you tried to tell me yesterday at the train station?” Flash asked.

“Y-yeah” Twilight lowered her half eaten hayburger next to her hayfries. “There is something I have wanted to tell you. I went to the doctors just before we left Ponyville, I had a test done.”

The lieutenant adopted a concerned expression. “Test? Is something wrong, you’re not ill are you?”

“No! No!” The Princess of Friendship said quickly while waving her forehooves. “Nothing is wrong, the complete opposite in fact!”

Now that Twilight had her husband's undivided attention, and with nothing stopping her, it was time. She breathed deeply in and out a few times to calm her growing nerves, and then opened her mouth.

“Flashy, something wonderful has-" The Princess of Friendship started.

Obviously, some cruel outside force just loved messing with them, the doors to the restaurant opened and the ambassador strolled with a warm smile. "Princess Twilight, I have found a perfect place for our next stop."

Twilight's right eye twitched in frustration before she slammed her face into the table from sheer exasperation.

Flash looked at her, wide-eyed. "Twily?"

"Your highness, is everything alright?" Silver asked in concern before the Princess of Friendship lifted her face and breathed out a sigh.

"Every-everything is alright. Just a little stressed, that's all." Twilight assured the ambassador, looking at him with a smile.

"Are you sure, your highness?" Silver asked again.

"Yeah. you were going to say something before the ambassador interrupted." The lieutenant stated with an arched eyebrow.

The Princess of Friendship looked down at her food before glancing up at her husband. "I-I will tell you eventually, but this isn't a good time. At least not yet."

Flash stared at his wife for a good while before sighing. "All right, if you say so."

The ambassador straightened his tie. "Well then, in that case, I will wait in the carriages for you two to finish up." With that, he bowed down before walking back to the carriages and closing the door behind him.

Once the door closed behind Silver, Twilight slumped in her seat, the moment lost once again just as Capper came back from paying at the counter.

The cat glanced at both the Princess of Friendship and the lieutenant and the door where the ambassador left with an arched eyebrow. "What did I just missed?"

Twilight looked at Capper with unamused look. "You have no idea."

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Crystal Empire

Radiant Hope slowly made her way toward the Crystal Empire's street after she walked through the shield.

'All I got to do is get to the Crystal Palace, evade all guards and grab the Crystal Heart and bring it to Sombra to cure his darkness.' The crystal unicorn thought, her heart heavy with both determination and doubt.

Lost in her thoughts, Hope didn’t notice the figure approaching her until she collided with him, falling back onto the street with a dazed expression.

"Miss! Are you alright?" A male voice called out to the crystal unicorn and she looked up. What she saw made her froze.

The figure was a stallion unicorn, dressed in Crystal Imperial armor. His coat was crystal gray, his mane and tail being blue and light blue stripes and his eyes being cyan and his cutie mark being a sword and a épée crossed together. But the most notable one that caused Hope to freeze was the guard's horn being a shiny light blue shaded from the tip to cyan.

The crystal unicorn stared at the guard, frozen in place. The unicorn shifted nervously under her gaze. “Uh, miss? Do you need help?” The guard asked again, his voice laced with concern.

Hope quickly gathered herself, shaking her head. “N-no, I’m fine. Thank you.” She forced a smile, but her heart pounded as she realized just how close she’d come to blowing her cover.

Before the guard could asked the crystal unicorn again, a voice called out. "Glacier Lance! Is everything alright here?"

Both Hope and the guard, now identified as Glacier Lance, turned to see a crystal griffon dressed in Crystal Imperial armor flying down from the sky before landing a distance in front of them, folding his wings to his sides as he walked toward them.

"Fine. Everything's fine here, Icelight Feather." Lance assured the crystal griffon, now identified as Icelight Feather.

The crystal unicorn's jaw dropped once she got a good look of the crystal griffon.

Icelight Feather has a coat of crystal dark blue with cyan, his head feather being lightish cyan to brilliant white, a pair of dark blue eyes and the most notable one to her was a pair of white with trailing edges of the feathers being pale blue wings.

"Are you sure? That mare looks like she’s seen a ghost." The crystal griffon stated, pointing a talon at Hope's shock position.

The crystal mare unicorn quickly recovered and got up, but the encounter had shaken her more than she cared to admit.

"Why does your horn and your wings look different to your coats?" Hope decided to ask both the Crystal Imperial guards.

The two guards exchanged a curious glance before Glacier Lance responded. "As for my horn and Icelight's wings, we were exploring and got lost in the Frozen North when we stumbled upon one of the Crystal Imperial guards. They were looking for Princess Amore's scattered fragments, so we decided to help them."

Icelight then took over the explanation. "Over time, as we continued to help find Amore's pieces and help, both my wings and his horn gradually shifted to mirror the colors of the Crystal Empire as a symbol of solidarity and collaboration. After we, the Crystal Imperial guards and other species found and managed to rebuild Princess Amore's statue for five years, we decided to stay and integrated into the Crystal Imperial's ranks."

The crystal unicorn mare’s mind spun. "Prin-Princess Amore is alive?"

The crystal unicorn stallion arched an eyebrow. "Yeah, she is still alive, though you missed her as she, Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor had left to attend the summit at Mount Aris and Seaquestria to finalise the alliances between Equestria & Crystal Empire and Mount Aris & Seauqestria."

Hope’s heart raced. 'Amore is alive?' She thought as she realised this complicated her mission far more than she had anticipated.

"I'm surprised that you haven't heard that Princess Amore is alive. Where were you when the news of Princess Amore is alive came out two and a half years ago?" The crystal griffon asked, his eyes narrowing suspiciously and causing the crystal unicorn mare to sweat as she struggled to find a good explanation.

Hope’s heart raced as she searched for an answer, but she didn’t need to. A booming voice interrupted them. “Icelight! Lance!”

Both Icelight and Lance turned to see a crystal yak trotting toward them while the crystal unicorn mare stood frozen at the sight of the yak, or the yak's shiny light blue shaded from the tip to cyan horns.

"What are two doing? Clover pony will have be angry when she found out we three are not doing the patrol around the empire." The crystal yak stated.

Both the Crystal Imperial guards looked back to Hope. "Sorry, miss. But we have a patrol to do."

The three Crystal Imperial guards immediately turned and returned to patrolling the empire, leaving the crystal unicorn mare alone.

Hope continued to stare at the three guards before a shadow loomed past her, prompting her to look up and gasped again as she saw a crystal changeling stallion flying past with a spear on his back. And like Glacier Lance, his horn was a shiny light blue shaded from the tip to cyan.

The crystal unicorn mare stared at the changeling before her eyes fell in front. Most of the citizens and the Crystal Imperial guards patrolling the empire were made of unicorns, pegasi, kirins, changelings, bat ponies, yaks, hippogriffs and griffons.

Hope's jaws dropped. 'What happened here?' She thought as she absorbed the scene in front of her.

The crystal unicorn mare was so distracted with the scene that she didn't noticed a crystal hippogriff guard walk up to her behind.

"Excuse me, miss." The guard called out.

Hope half-screamed in surprised as she jumped twenty cm into the air.

"Don’t do that!" The crystal unicorn mare protested. "You scared me half to death!"

The crystal hippogriff gave Hope a deadpan look. "Forgive me for doing that, miss. But you loitering here is making the citizens nervous."

The crystal unicorn mare looked to see some of the citizens were looking at her with their faces mixed with a bit of nervous and worry.

"Oh… right. Sorry I’ll… just go..." Hope quickly walked briskly in the other direction, her mind still racing with the revelations.

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King Sombra sat behind the rock that was just in front of the shield the Crystal Heart made, waiting for his best friend to come back with the artifact.

'Once I have the Crystal Heart, not only the Crystal Empire will be mine, Equestria will be ruled by me and my army of umbrum.' The umbrum pony thought menacing as wind caused his cloak to wave everywhere.

As Sombra thought, sounds of hoofsteps coming from his left caught his attention, causing him to ignite his horn as he readied himself from an attack.

Soon, the sounds of hoofsteps grew closer before Hope came into the umbrum pony's view, prompting him to lower his defenses and his horn to dim down.

"Hope? What are you doing here? I thought you said you will come back with the Crystal Heart in your hooves." Sombra asked with an arched eyebrow.

"I was, but something happened from two and a half years ago that changed my plan a bit." The crystal unicorn admitted as she sat beside her best friend.

"Oh?" The umbrum pony looked confused. "What is it that happened two and a half years ago that changed your plan a bit?"

Hope hesitated for a moment before sighing. "Princess Amore is alive. Apparently, after the empire returned from a thousand years banishment you cursed on, the Crystal Imperial guards and other species who wandered into the Frozen North spent five years looking Princess Amore's scattered fragments and rebuilding her."

Sombra’s eyes widened, a rare flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. "Amore... alive?" He muttered as he realised this revelation complicated his plans in ways he had not foreseen.

"What's more, other species like changelings, bat ponies, yaks, hippogriffs and griffons were among the populations either as citizens of the empire as Crystal Imperial guards." The crystal unicorn continued before sighing again.

The umbrum pony scowled but nodded. "I see. But don’t give up. You’ve come too far to turn back now. Remember, the Crystal Heart can cure me of my darkness and restore me."

Hope stood back up, determination flickering in her eyes once more. “I won’t. I’ll find a way.”

With that, the crystal unicorn turned and made her way back to the Empire, knowing this time she needed to be even more careful—for her best friend's sake.

Chapter 39 - King and Queen

Mount Aris

Princess Cadance and Shining Armor gazed out the window of the carriage, their eyes widening in awe as the majestic peak of Mount Aris came into view. The mountain, once scarred by the Storm King's invasion, now stood proudly restored, a symbol of resilience and unity. Its slopes were adorned with vibrant banners and intricately woven drapes that fluttered in the breeze, each one a testament to the tireless efforts of the hippogriffs who had rebuilt their home. At the base of the mountain, a par of large doors existed as an entrance to Mount Aris and Seaquestria and the decorations were just as breathtaking. Brightly colored streamers connected towering posts to the cliffside, creating a dazzling display that cascaded upward, mirroring the grandeur of the peak above. At the very peak of the mountain, a magnificent statue of a hippogriff stood tall, holding the kingdom’s flag high.

And from their high vantage point, the royal couple could see hippogriffs, lots of them, and several of them were crystal hippogriffs. Citizens roamed the grounds while guards in armors patrolled around in security operations to ensure the smooth unfolding of the summit's proceedings. The Princess of Love and the prince even spotted Princess Skystar talking to some of the young hippogriffs and some nobles talking to each other or Queen Novo.

Near the landing area, where their carriages were to arrive, stood King Crestwing, flanked by Sky Beak and a few hippogriff guards. His eyes were fixed on the approaching guests, a smile on his face.

As Crystal Empire group came in for landing, the flying Crystal Imperial guards descended first, touching down gracefully before the three carriages. Moments later, the carriages themselves landed softly onto the stone ground and quickly coming to a halt, several guards immediately getting to work in unloading its contents from the two carriages.

Commander Hurricane landed shortly behind before trotting toward the middle carriage and opened the door, allowing Amore and the royal couple. As they got off the carriage, the king of the hippogriff began to approach the three, his guards taking position at a respectful distance. Several of Crystal Imperial guards glanced at the approaching king and saluted when they recognised him.

"Crestwing." Amore greeted happily, a joyful smile lighting up her face. "It is truly a delight to see you again, my old friend."

"And I to you, Amore." Crestwing responded, accepting a quick, friendly hoof shake from Amore. "I trust you three are well?"

"As well as can be.” Cadance answered, nodding along with Shining. “How have things been here?”

"No. Things have been quiet, and now that you’re here, the summit can begin. The first session will be pinned to take place tomorrow morning." The king of the hippogriff said. "Come, I will show you to your prearranged accommodations."

"That would be great." Amore smiled while the royal couple gave each other a loving smile just as Hurricane trotted up to Amore, saluting before relaxing.

"Your highness." Hurricane began. "We have the carriages unloaded. Now we just need a place to put them. Also, those not immediately assigned to security detail are eager for some rest after a full hour of flying."

"Ah, my apologies. You all will be staying in the west wing of the mountain. With most of our subjects in Seaquestria, there’s plenty of space." Crestwing said with a chuckle.

"Yes, your highness. We will make our way over there right away." Hurricane saluted.

The king of the hippogriff turned to his brother and his guards. "Sky Beak, you and the guards go with them. Help them bring in their things and point them out to their rooms if you will."

"No problem." Sky Beak nodded and the guards saluted before joining the Crystal Empire’s group, ensuring everyone knew where to go just as the queen of the hippogriff flew down with a flap of her wings.

"Ah, Princess Amore and Princess Cadance." Novo said with a smile. "It’s lovely to see you all."

Amore and the Princess of Love smiled. "It's lovely to see you too, Novo." Amore responded.

The queen of the hippogriff chuckled. "I can never thank you enough for saving my husband and some of my subjects and kept them safe in your hooves after Mount Aris was taken by the Storm King and his army, Amore."

Amore smiled warmly at Novo. "No thanks are needed. I just "

Novo's gaze shifted to the prince, and her expression softened with curiosity. "And you must be?" She asked with a kind smile, directing her attention to Shining.

The prince stepped forward with a polite bow. "My name is Shining Armor. I am Princess Cadance's husband and Princess Twilight's big brother. It's an honour to see you."

"A pleasure indeed." The queen of the hippogriff said with a warm smile. "We’re grateful for your presence here."

"Thank you, Queen Novo." Shining responded with a humble bow.

Just then, Princess Skystar flew down and landed next to Crestwing, her eyes bright with excitement. "Daddy, all the decorations are ready and looking fantastic!" She chirped, before noticing the guests. Her eyes widened as she greeted them with an enthusiastic smile.

"Oh! Princess Amore and Princess Cadance, it's a great honour to see you again!" The young hippogriff happily greeted both Amore and Cadance before her eyes fell on the prince. "Who are you? I don’t think we’ve met before!"

"I'm Shining Armor, Cadance's wife. A pleasure to meet you." The prince introduced himself with a smile, stretching out a hoof.

Skystar extended her talon and shook Shining's hoof. "Oh, the pleasure is mine! I'm Skystar!" She greeted before noticing the crystal hippogriffs within the Crystal Empire group being helped by the other hippogriffs.

"I still can’t believe some of our kind chose to stay in the Crystal Empire and the Frozen North outpost cities!" The young hippogriff stated, prompting Amore to chuckle.

Amore smiled warmly. "Well, most of other species that the Crystal Imperial guards saved or brought them to safety had stayed in the empire and the outpost cities as their new home, with the others still being part of the Crystal Imperial guards."

"They’ve become part of our community now." Cadance added with a nod.

Novo smiled at the Princess of Love's words, her expression glowing with gratitude. "It warms my heart to hear that." She said, her voice sincere. "The bonds between our kingdoms have only grown stronger. We’re not just allies now—we’re family."

Skystar nodded enthusiastically. "I’ve heard so many stories from those who stay in the Crystal Empire and the outpost cities. They talk about the beauty of the Frozen North, the warmth of the Crystal Ponies, and how the Northern Lights dance in the sky." She fluttered her wings with excitement, her curiosity clearly piqued. "I really want to visit one day!"

Cadance smiled warmly. "You’re welcome to visit anytime, Princess Skystar. The empire would love to have you."

The prince chuckled softly. "Just be sure to pack something warm. The Frozen North can be a bit… chilly."

The young hippogriff giggled. "Oh, I bet! I’ll have to bring my coziest feathers."

As the group shared a lighthearted moment, Crestwing gestured toward the path leading further up the mountain with a wing. "Shall we continue? There’s still much to see, and I’m sure you’ll want to settle in before tomorrow’s summit."

"Yes, of course." Amore said, nodding gratefully. "Lead the way, Crestwing."

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Sky Beak directed his brother's guard while Hurricane directed the Crystal Imperial guards as they picked up the various crates and bags that had been unloaded and began to take them into Mount Aris, the hippgriff guards directing the Crystal Imperial guards at their head. Once everything had been taken indoors, he turned to see Hurricane directing a few guards to go and park the carriages with a few others near the entrance. With everything settled, he gave a nod and started to head inside himself, leaving Hurricane alone with the Crystal Imperial guards.

As Sky Beak approached the door, he spotted a familiar crystal hippogriff guard holding a spear, engaged in a conversation with a crystal kirin guard. He smiled widely as the crystal hippogriff noticed him approaching, his face clearly pleased to see him.

The crystal hippogriff guard quickly straightened, waving a talon at his friend with a grin. "Sky Beak! Good to see you again."

Sky Beak chuckled, returning the gesture as he approached. "Good to see you too, Swiftwave. How are you finding the mountain air after so long in the Crystal Empire?"

Swiftwave let out a warm laugh. "It feels like home again, though the Frozen North has its own charm. The empire’s hospitality really helped us settle in."

The crystal kirin guard beside him, a calm smile on her face, nodded in agreement. "The Crystal Empire’s warmth may be different from Mount Aris, but it still feels welcoming." She extended her hoof. "I’m Dawn Ember, by the way."

Sky Beak shook her hoof, noting the gentle shimmer in her crystal coat. "I'm Sky Beak, Dawn Ember, an honor. It’s wonderful to see the bonds between our lands in person."

Dawn Ember smiled as she lowered her hoof, glancing around at the lively bustle of guards and courtiers. "It’s rare that I get a chance to meet so many from Mount Aris again." She remarked, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. "I look forward to sharing stories from both our homelands."

Sky Beak nodded. “We’d be honored to hear them! It’s been too long since we’ve shared tales between our two worlds.”

Before the crystal kirin guard could respond, a crystal bat pony guard called out to her from across the courtyard which prompted her to turn her head, his voice carrying a note of urgency. "Dawn! Could you lend a hoof over here? We need help setting up the west wing accommodations and moving this heavy crate."

Dawn turned to Sky Beak and the crystal hippogriff guard with an apologetic smile. "Duty calls, it seems. I’ll catch up with you both later—I’d love to hear more about life in Mount Aris, Sky Beak."

Sky Beak inclined his head, waving a friendly wing. "We’ll hold you to that, Dawn. See you soon."

With a quick nod, Dawn trotted over to assist, leaving Sky Beak and Swiftwave standing by the entrance. As they started to walk into the mountain, the crystal hippogriff guard glanced at Sky Beak, a reminiscent smile spreading across his face.

"So, how’s the family? I hear your little ones have grown quite a bit since I last saw them." Swiftwave began, his tone lighthearted.

Sky Beak chuckled warmly. "Oh, you wouldn’t believe it! Silverstream’s still her adventurous self, of course—off exploring, studying with Princess Twilight’s School of Friendship to learn more friendship lesson. I heard she was planning to become a teacher at the school. And Terramar, well… he’s as torn between the sea and sky as ever." His eyes softened with pride. "They’ve both grown into such strong individuals. And you? How have things been with you and yours?"

The crystal hippogriff guard sighed happily, his expression brightening. "My elder brother joined the Crystal Imperial Guards! It’s strange, seeing her in uniform—but I couldn’t be prouder. And my youngest sister—well, she’s just discovered a love for art. My home’s covered in her paintings now."

Sky Beak laughed. "Ah, the joys of creativity! You’ve got yourself an artist! It’s amazing how each generation finds their own way." As they continued up the winding paths within Mount Aris, the pair exchanged tales of family gatherings, milestones, and adventures, each story deepening their bond as friends and fellow guardians of their kingdoms.

As they reached the inner hall, Sky Beak paused to take in the familiar yet breathtaking scene. "You know..." He mused. "No matter how many times I come back here, Mount Aris always feels like a breath of fresh air."

Swiftwave nodded. "Home has a way of grounding you, doesn’t it? And now, with this summit, it’s like a new beginning for all of us."

Sky Beak’s gaze drifted over the intricately carved walls and vibrant tapestries, symbols of the unity and strength Mount Aris had reclaimed. He nodded thoughtfully, feeling the weight of the summit’s purpose settling in. "You’re right. Bringing everyone together like this—after everything we've been through—it feels like we’re securing our future."

The crystal hippogriff guard matched his stride, his voice turning reflective. "After all you endured under the Storm King and his army, Princess Amore saved me and the survivors in more ways than we could have ever imagined. Seeing you and the others here today… it’s more than politics; it’s family."

Sky Beak placed a wing on his friend’s shoulder, his gaze warm. "You speak the truth, Swiftwave. And those bonds—between the Crystal Empire, Equestria, and Mount Aris and Seaquestria—are only going to grow stronger."

Just then, a group of young hippogriffs ran past, their laughter echoing through the corridors as they darted from one end of the hall to the other. The crystal hippogriff guard watched them, his smile broadening. "It’s for them, isn’t it? All the struggles, all the sacrifices—so they can grow up in peace, without fear."

Sky Beak’s eyes softened as he watched the young ones play. "Exactly. To give them a world where they can choose their path—whether it’s the sea, the sky, or something else entirely."

They continued walking, soon arriving at the heart of the mountain’s grand hall, where shimmering crystal chandeliers and natural skylights filled the space with a warm, inviting glow. Hippogriffs, crystal ponies, and other delegates mingled around tables, sharing stories and preparing for the summit. The sight brought a renewed sense of pride to both Sky Beak and Swiftwave.

"Remember when we used to be young guards ourselves?" The crystal hippogriff guard said with a nostalgic chuckle. “Full of ideals and ready to face any danger for our kingdom.”

Sky Beak chuckled, nudging him playfully. "And now, here we are, the ‘wise’ ones, sharing those ideals with the next generation. Funny how things come full circle."

They exchanged a quiet look of understanding before Swiftwave broke into a grin. "Well, let’s make sure our wisdom doesn’t bore the young ones too much, yeah?"

Sky Beak laughed. "Agreed. Let’s give them something to aspire to, not just stories of glory but a legacy of peace."

With that, the two friends went deeper into the mountain, their steps confident as they moved forward into the crowd, ready to represent the strength and resilience of their shared history.

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The royal couple looked around the room they would be staying together. They and Amore would be sharing a room on the third floor of the west wing for the duration of the summit. The room itself was decently large with a fireplace with a few cushions, a work desk, a king size bed and a single bed beside the king size bed. Their accompanying guards' rooms were all clustered together, adjacent to one another and just a hallway away from them. Shining had been wondering about the Seaquestria, but that would likely soon change.

Amore had a few more words with Crestwing and his family before the family left to attend to other matters, and with two of the Crystal Imperial guards taking position by the door, Amore walked in.

"Are you two well?" Amore asked with a smile.

"A bit tired, but we're alright." The Princess of Love responded, Shining nodding his head in agreement.

With a loving smile, Amore pulled both the royal couple towards her and nuzzled her family on the head. "Well then, I assumed you would want to explore Seaquestria first."

The royal couple nodded their head, eager to explore Seaquestria. "We would like that." The prince replied.

"I thought you two would." Amore smiled. "Come then, let's go."

Chapter 40 - Flashback Five: Love In First Sight

Mount Aris, Many years before the Storm King's invasion

"Come now, Crestwing. We're going to be late for dinner." Wavebreeze said to her young son, as she and her husband, Aetherwing, walked through the hallway of Mount Aris.

Wavebreeze was a female hippogriff with a pale lavender mane and tail, pearl-white coat and a pair of sea green eyes while Aetherwing was a male hippogriff with deep charcoal gray with hints of silver mane and tail, sleek, dark blue coat and a pair of oceanic blue.

"Your mother's right. We wouldn’t want to keep Queen Nereida, King Oceanus and their family waiting." Aetherwing added warmly.

The young male hippogriff nodded his head. "Yes, daddy and mommy."

The family entered the bustling atrium, where hippogriffs moved about on foot and wing, each on their own path as the lively hum of voices and rustling feathers filled the air.

Wavebreeze sighed with a soft smile, glancing at her husband. "I can hardly believe that Queen Nereida decided to invite us to dine. It feels like yesterday she ascended the throne after her mother’s peaceful passing."

Aetherwing chuckled slightly. "It was such a kind invitation, and she’s genuinely interested in getting to know us and our work. I feel honored, too. It’s not every day one dines with the queen."

Wavebreeze smiled. "Well then, let's not disappoint her."

As the family continued to walk through the crowd, they soon arrived to a restaurant at the lower level of the atrium called The Pearl’s Palette. The space was filled with the enticing aroma of Mediterranean-inspired dishes, seasoned with fresh herbs and crafted by an enthusiastic chef known for their vibrant, ocean-themed creations. As they entered, the family felt both humbled and excited to share this special evening when they saw Queen Nereida, King Oceanus and a young hippogriff sitting in a royal reserve table.

"Aetherwing! Wavebreeze! Over here!" The queen of the hippogriff waved a talon, her husband smiling while her daughter glanced at the guests.

Queen Nereida was a female hippogriff with a coral-pink coat, light ocean blue mane and tail and a pair of deep aquamarine eyes while King Oceanus was a male hippogriff with rich and stormy gray coat, deep, midnight-blue color with streaks of silver mane and tail and a pair of blue eyes.

"Ah. Queen Nereida and King Oceanus." Wavebreeze responded with a wave as the family reached the table, pulling the seats before sitting down.

"Please, just call me and my husband Nereida and Oceanus. Tonight, we’re here as friends." The queen of the hippogriff said with a light chuckle, waving away formality.

The king of the hippogriff nodded, his eyes gentle. "We wanted this evening to feel like a gathering of family, a time to share stories and connect." His gaze then landed on a young male hippogriff. "And who is this fine young one with you?"

"Oh! This is Crestwing, our son. How about yours?" Aetherwing introduced before his gaze fell on a young female hippogriff.

"Ah, meet Novo, our daughter." Nereida gestured a talon to her daughter.

Novo shyly fidgeted as she slowly made her eye contact with the family.

At that moment, Crestwing looked at Novo, his heart skipping a beat as he took in her curious, gentle gaze. At the same time, Novo's eyes landed on his.

With a small smile, Crestwing lifted a talon in a friendly wave. "Hello, Novo."

Novo smiled back, her shyness fading ever so slightly. "Hello, Crestwing."

The adults exchanged knowing glances as they watched the young pair introduce themselves. Oceanus leaned toward Novo, his voice warm. “Why don’t you and Crestwing spend a little time together if you’re not too hungry yet?”

Novo looked at her father, then at Crestwing, and gave a small nod, her excitement overcoming her shyness. The two young hippogriffs wandered a few steps away, beginning to talk in hushed tones.

As Novo and Crestwing wandered away from the table, their voices grew softer, blending into the ambient hum of the restaurant. Novo glanced around, her gaze flickering between Crestwing and the decorations on the walls—beautiful, swirling murals of sea creatures and coral reefs.

“So,” Crestwing began, trying to sound casual, “do you come here often? I mean… it’s just really nice here.”

Novo giggled, a quiet, lilting sound. “Sometimes. My parents love this place, but it’s been a while since we’ve all come together. Usually, they’re so busy, and it’s just me and my tutor. What about you?”

Crestwing perked up, happy she was curious about him. “Well, my mom works with sea navigation maps, and my dad’s involved in flight training for the young hippogriffs. So I get to tag along to some cool places, but I’ve never been here either until tonight.”

Novo nodded, her eyes brightening as she took in the idea of Crestwing’s adventures. “That sounds amazing! I… I’m usually reading or practicing songs. I don’t get to see much outside the palace.”

“Oh, do you sing?” Crestwing asked, genuinely intrigued. “What kind of songs?”

Novo’s cheeks flushed a gentle pink. “Mostly old songs of Mount Aris, the kind you’d sing at festivals or during ceremonies. My mom loves them, so she’s always asking me to sing for her.”

“That’s incredible,” Crestwing replied, admiringly. “You must be really good at it. My sister used to sing lullabies to me when I was little… though she would mess up the words sometimes just to make me laugh.”

Novo’s eyes softened at this, her own laughter soft. “That sounds like fun.” She paused, glancing back toward their parents, who were watching them with knowing smiles. “I think they wanted us to get to know each other.”

Crestwing nodded, looking back at their families and noticing their warm smiles. “Probably. It’s like they know we’ll be friends forever.” He turned back to her with a grin. “And, maybe… we will be.”

Novo’s heart fluttered at his words, and she found herself smiling widely. “Maybe we will.”

Just then, a server approached their families’ table, announcing that dinner was ready. Queen Nereida beckoned to them, and Crestwing held out a talon to Novo. “Shall we?”

Novo took his talon, her smile growing as they walked back to the table together. As they settled in for dinner, Crestwing and Novo shared small glances, discovering a comfort in each other's company that would bloom into a bond as steady and unbreakable as the ocean itself.

Chapter 41 - Legend

Crystal Empire

Radiant Hope slowly and stealthy made her through the street, carefully avoiding to crash into any Crystal Imperial guards like she did the last time.

'Alright, Radiant Hope. You can do this this time. Get to the Crystal Palace, grab the Crystal Heart without being seen by any Crystal Imperial guards and bring it to Sombra to cure his darkness.' The crystal unicorn thought.

As Hope walked through the street, she couldn't help but shivered at the sight of the Crystal Imperial guards patrolling the street, while crystal creatures citizens strolled along with their families as they conversed with each other.

Watching the scene, a pang of nervousness shot through the crystal unicorn. For the Crystal citizens, this was just another peaceful day—but for her, it was a delicate mission, and every guard’s watchful gaze seemed to sharpen her focus.

Just a little further, and I should be able to see the Crystal Palace. Hope reassured herself as she carefully moved aside for a family of three crystal changelings to pass by, hoping not to draw any attention.

'How in Equestria did the Crystal Empire got this many creatures integrated here? And why do they have different colors of their horns and wings?' The crystal unicorn mentally thought to herself as she moved aside again for a group of three Crystal Imperial guards that consisted of a griffon, a hippogriff and a pegasus.

Soon, the crystal unicorn reached the palace, but she froze when she landed her eyes at the base of the palace and the Crystal Heart spinning on its pedestal.

There, at the base of the Crystal Palace, the Crystal Heart spun gently on its pedestal, casting its shimmering light. Surrounding it were ranks of Crystal Imperial guards, stationed like an impenetrable wall around the Heart. Some patrolled in a steady rhythm, others watched intently from their posts within the palace.

Hope’s pulse quickened as she studied the guards, sweats forming on her forehead and streamed down her face as she realised her mission just got more complicated.

'OK, this just got more difficult. Why the buck would there be so many guards? What the buck?!' The crystal unicorn thought as her left eye twitched in frustration.

Hope took a deep breath, attempting to calm her racing thoughts. 'All right, calm down. There must be another way to get the heart.' With that, she turned and walked into an alleyway as she thought for any ideas.

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Seaquestria

Meanwhile, Shining Armor, now transformed into a seapony by the Pearl of Transformation, swam gracefully through the vibrant sea depths with Princess Amore and Princess Cadance gliding alongside him as he marvelled at the underwater city surrounding them.

The aquatic metropolis gleamed with an ethereal beauty, streets bustling with both hippogriffs and seaponies. They moved like a vibrant tide, flowing from one area to the next, some darting purposefully, others drifting leisurely, creating a spectacle of color and motion in the crystal-clear waters. The prince’s gaze swept over his surroundings, caught in awe at the lively community and the seemingly endless expanse of shimmering blue.

As the family of three swam with Shining marvelling at the scene of Seaquestria while enjoying being a seapony, the Princess of Love decided to ask a question.

"Mom, I have been thinking about the Crystal Empire. Who was the ruler before you took over?" Cadance asked her mother.

"Ah, well, that will be my mom and your grandmother, Princess Aurora Diamond. She and your aunties' mother, Princess Lauren Faust, were good friends." Amore explained.

The Princess of Love blinked her eyes in surprise. "I didn't know auntie Celly and auntie Lulu have a mother. They didn't tell me about her."

Amore looked at her daughter sadly. "Well, it was a sad topic they refused to remember, even a thousand years."

Cadance noticed her mother's tone. "Mom? Did something happened?"

Amore stared at her daughter with a sad look. "You could say that."

"You see..." Amore began explaining. "When I was young, there was an ancient myth about an ancient, dreadful force—the umbrum. They were creatures of darkness, undead ponies and beings that should have passed on long ago, led by a queen who was also an alicorn like you, your sister-in-law and your aunties. This queen somehow harnessed the power of necromancy and dark magic together, using a hive mind to control the umbrum army to attack. She ruled the umbrum army with an iron hoof, her undead army completely bound to her will."

"An alicorn that not only harnessed the power of necromancy and dark magic, but also can use a hive mind like a changeling?" The Princess of Love gasped. “How is that even possible? All those combined powers could tear the user from inside out."

"She was beyond anything we’d hear." Amore replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "With her hive mind, she could direct each umbrum’s movements with a terrifying precision. It was as if the darkness itself had a mind of its own."

Amore hesitated, her gaze distant. "Our ancestors knew little of her origins. All they knew was that she and her army thrived on fear and pain, that her power seemed boundless and that the queen claimed herself as the queen of umbrum. This was during an age when the sun and moon moved by themselves, when nature was unregulated and the existence of alicorns were just myths."

"Wow, my aunties told me that before they were born, that this planet was so chaotic back then." Cadance stated.

"You're correct. But that is the nature of evolution, and progression." Amore agreed.

The Princess of Love nodded her head . "So? What happened to her?"

"Well, The same thing that happened to King Sombra, and other similar tyrants. From what my mother told me, the queen was defeated by Princess Faust who went to fight the queen." Amore continued.

Amore sighed sadly. "Eventually, Princess Faust defeated the queen with the elements of harmony and likely killed her, though Princess Faust was seriously injured. From what I was told, she died from her injuries during the battle and was found by Celestia and Luna. They were devastated by her loss and a funeral was held to honor her sacrifice."

Cadance’s heart ached at her mother’s words. "And auntie Celly and auntie Lulu lost her… just like that?"

Amore nodded. "Yes. It left a deep scar on those who knew her."

The Princess of Love’s voice was filled with empathy. "She must have been an extraordinary mare. Aunties would be proud to know their mother’s legacy endures during her times ruling Equestria before them."

Amore smiled softly, a glimmer of pride in her eyes.

"Well, I think I understand why my aunties doesn't want to remember that incident and why they didn't tell me, but how come the ponies never heard of the queen of umbrum?" Cadance asked her mother, her eyebrow arching in confusion.

"It’s a mystery. All traces of her vanished after the battle, including her army. We don’t even know her name and no records about the queen were found. The only reason I know this tale is that my mother shared it with me just two days after Princess Faust's funeral." Amore sighed as she rubbed her face with a hoof. "Apparently, she learnt about the queen from one of the Crystal Imperial patrols were happened to be there to see the queen ordering her army from a distance and were forced to hide for several days after one of them was nearly spotted by her army. Soon, the queen of the umbrum became a story to scare fillies and colts just before bedtime."

The Princess of Love shivered at the tale. "A force like that, lost to memory… it almost feels like it could happen again.”

Amore gave a reassuring smile. "Our world is stronger now. And you, my dear, are part of its light."

Cadance smiled back at her mother before she was interrupted by her husband. "Uh, Cadance? Mom? A little help?"

The mother and daughter blinked in surprise and turned to see the prince tangled up in one of the seaweed drapes, his face bright red as he struggled to free himself.

The princesses burst into laughter, their worries momentarily forgotten. The Princess of Love swam over, chuckling as she began to untangle her husband. "Sh-shining. How in Equestria did you managed to get yourself tangled up?!"

Shining managed a sheepish smile. "I… uh… might’ve been a bit too excited being a seapony."

Amore shook her head with a smile, amused at the sight of her son-in-law’s predicament. "Well, try easing down your excitement a bit."

As Cadance finally freed her husband, she gave him a playful nudge. "Next time, just watch where you’re going, okay?"

The family of three all shared a laugh before Amore responded. "Come on now, I believe you have a city to explore, my dear son-in-law."

The prince smiled and nodded his head before the family swam toward the city of Seaquestria.

They swam further into Seaquestria, the sights around them shifting from the lively main square into quieter, more secluded areas with dazzling coral formations and caves glowing with bioluminescent sea plants. Shining was entranced by the way everything seemed to glow softly, giving the surroundings an otherworldly feel. The Princess of Love swam close by, the play of colors reflecting off her scales as she pointed out small details, from tiny schools of fish to the delicate, shell-encrusted statues that dotted the cityscape.

A sense of tranquility settled over the group, broken only when Amore motioned toward a large, open area ahead—a vast, sandy basin flanked by two monumental stone statues that seemed to guard the entrance.

"This is the Hall of Tides." Amore explained, her voice carrying a reverent tone. "Crestwing told me that this sacred place honors the unity of Seaquestria’s creatures, both seapony and hippogriff, and the gifts of the ocean itself."

The royal couple followed Amore, taking in the breathtaking sight. As they entered the Hall, Shining noticed an ancient-looking mural painted across the walls, depicting battles, celebrations, and scenes of harmony between the sea-dwelling creatures.

"It's beautiful." Cadance whispered. "You can feel the history in these walls."

As they explored, Amore's expression softened with memory. "Cadenza, did I ever tell you about your aunt Celestia and Luna's first visit to Seaquestria?"

The Princess of Love looked up in interest, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "No, I don’t think so. What happened?"

Amore chuckled softly. “They were so young back then. Celestia was wide-eyed and eager, wanting to know everything at once, while Luna, of course, was more cautious, staying close by my side. Queen Novo’s parents hosted them graciously, but Celestia nearly started a feud by accidentally eating a sacred seaweed! Queen Nereida and King Oceanus took it in good humor, thankfully, but Luna was mortified.”

The prince couldn’t help but laugh at the thought. “Sounds like Celestia. She was always a little too curious for her own good.”

Cadance joined in the laughter, but suddenly, a small seapony child darted into the Hall, almost colliding with Shining. “Oops! Sorry, mister!” The child said, giggling as he spun in the water before darting away. The family chuckled, watching him go, until they noticed a few more families entering the Hall, curious about the visitors.

The Princess of Love leaned over to her husband. "It looks like we’re drawing a bit of attention ourselves."

The prince grinned. "Maybe it’s because I’m the only seapony here who seems to keep getting tangled in seaweed."

The families laughed at Shining’s comment, a few even waving in a welcoming gesture. Cadance and Amore waved back, their warm expressions only adding to the peaceful atmosphere.

Just then, Princess Skystar glided gracefully in front of them, a warm smile plastered on her face. "So, what do you think about Seaquestria?" She asked.

Shining smiled at the young hippogriff. "It's incredible, honestly. I’ve never seen anything like it! I think I’ve fallen in love with Seaquestria." He glanced at his wife with a grin. "Of course, not as much as I’m in love with my wife here, but it’s close."

The Princess of Love playfully rolled her eyes, nudging him with her fin. "Nice save, Shiny."

Skystar laughed, delighted by the royal couple's banter. "I'm glad that you liked it, Prince Shining Armor! Seaquestria has a way of enchanting visitors, especially those experiencing it for the first time."

Amore glanced at the young hippogriff. "It’s wonderful to be back, Princess Skystar. You’ve brought such life to this place—it feels more vibrant than ever."

Skystar’s eyes sparkled. "Thank you, Princess Amore! We’ve worked hard to make Seaquestria welcoming to all creatures, especially since the Storm King incident. My parents and I both believe it’s important that everyone feels at home here. And please, call me Skystar."

The prince swam closer. “I heard a lot about the Storm King and his army and what they did to Mount Aris from some of the crystal hippogriff guards staying at the empire. It must have taken a lot of resilience to rebuild after everything he did."

The young hippogriff nodded, her cheerful demeanor softening as she thought back. “It was a difficult time, but it showed us just how strong we could be. And it brought us all closer together.”

Cadance placed a gentle hoof on Skystar’s shoulder. “It’s truly inspiring how Seaquestria and Mount Aris came together in unity. Your courage has left a lasting legacy that many can look up to.”

As Skystar smiled in appreciation, a familiar figure glided toward them—King Creswting himself. The seaponies and the hippogriffs around the Hall bowed respectfully as he approached the group.

"I trust that you enjoyed the tour of Seaquestria, Prince Shining Armor?" The king of the hippogriff asked.

"Absolutely." Shining replied with a chuckle. "And I’m enjoying Seaquestria even more than I expected."

Crestwing chuckled. "Well, I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Now I believe that summit will be happening tomorrow, so I recommend that you three take a rest."

The family of three shared a knowing smile and nodded their head before gliding toward the surface and back to Mount Aris's rooms they have accommodated, getting ready to rest for the upcoming summit tomorrow.

Chapter 42 - New Plan

Crystal Empire

The wondrous glow of the moon weaved its way throughout the shimmering crystalline structures of the Crystal Empire, illuminating Luna’s night sky. The stars twinkled down onto the planet’s surface, the far away celestial bodies forming complex and fascinating patterns which ponies and creatures loved to discover and map, with many crystal bat ponies seeing the night as beautiful and amazing.

But for Radiant Hope, the night was anything but peaceful. Hidden away in a narrow alley, she paced anxiously, back and forth, her mind racing through every possible plan to reach the Crystal Heart. So far, though, none of her ideas had succeeded.

The crystal unicorn had tried waiting out for the guards and patrols to switch shifts, but both guards and patrols haven't switched shifts yet and she overheard that the switch shift was very quick and fast, leaving her no time to even run past the guards without getting caught.

Another idea was to try to persuade the guards to let her pass by lying about her being an advisor, but that was dashed by Hope when the real advisor walked toward the palace while pushing a large package and the Crystal Imperial guards used their magic to scan her to check if he was lying or if the package contained any threats before letting him passed while being guided by two guards.

Her third idea had fallen apart just as quickly. The crystal unicorn had considered sneaking in through the shadows but quickly realized that the Crystal Imperial guards were too vigilant, their routes and patterns crafted to cover every possible angle, leaving her with no opening.

Frustrated, Hope sank against the cold, crystalline wall, exhaling sharply. Each failure only added to her desperation, a mounting reminder of the stakes and the danger she was risking.

'This isn’t working. There has to be a way past them without drawing attention...' The crystal unicorn frustratedly thought as she placed her forehooves on her head.

A distant clatter snapped Hope out of her thoughts, and Hope shrank further into the shadows as two Crystal Imperial guards passed by, deep in conversation.

"So, what do you want to do after the shift switched?" A crystal stallion changeling guard asked his fellow guard.

A crystal mare unicorn guard sighed, rubbing her face with a hoof while tapping the ground with one of her hindhooves. "Not sure, but I'm definitely getting a shower after this. By Crystal, this whole guarding the Crystal Heart is exhausting with all patrolling and guarding the heart. I mean, who will be foolish and stupid enough to steal the Crystal Heart?"

The crystal changeling guard shook his head with a slight chuckle. "Well, you never know. Precautions are what keep the Heart safe."

The crystal unicorn guard rolled her eyes, only to be interrupted by a pair of Crystal Imperial guards approaching toward them—a crystal bat pony and a crystal hippogriff.

The four guards saluted at each other and relaxed before the crystal bat pony addressed. "Maxilla, Strawberry Dusk! Time to switch shifts. Go and get some rest; we’ll take it from here until the next cycle."

The unicorn guard, now identified as Strawberry Dusk, heaved a sigh of relief and tilted her head back. "Ah, finally! Now I can go and take a shower." She responded before turning and trotting back to her home.

The two guards arched eyebrow at the unicorn guard while the changeling guard, now identified as Maxilla, just shrugged his shoulders before he made his way back to his house and his family.

The crystal unicorn waited until the four figures disappeared around the corner, her mind now whirring with a new plan.

'Maybe I don't need to sneak past when I can just disguise myself as a guard.' Hope thought, a glimmer of hope rekindling in her chest.

The crystal unicorn moved out of the alleyway, glancing from left to right before following the unicorn guard.

'Just hang in there, Sombra. I will have the Crystal Heart back to you soon.' Hope mentally thought as she tailed Strawberry Dusk.

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Klugetown

"And then we have the Desert Mirage University, a campus where scholars, explorers, and learners from across Equis can learn many new things." Mayor Capper gestured a paw at a sprawling campus with sand-colored stone towers, domes, and arches that mimic desert canyons with the main lecture halls are designed with large, open-air courtyards, allowing a natural breeze to cool the spaces.

"Lots of ponies and creatures who migrated to this town have been studying there to learn more about the town and its civilisation." Ambassador Silver Quill , walking beside the mayor, added.

Princess Twilight Sparkle smiled as the group walked along the street, Captain Tempest and the guards following behind the princess while guarding and Flash Sentry and Spike at her sides.

"Excellent to hear that, Mayor Capper." The Princess of Friendship responded to the mayor. "What else is new?"

The ambassador placed a hoof under his chin. "Well, other than the library, restaurants and the university, Klugetown had been issued with a military base. Many of the guards had also stationed around the ports and bays, as well as the streets of the town."

As if to prove Silver's words, a patrol of nine guards—three Royal Guards, three Elite Royal Guards and three Crystal Imperial guards, emerged from the corner of the building opposite from the group and walked the opposite direction.

"Well, that's good to know. Though Captain Tempest would want to see the base herself." Twilight stated, glancing back at the captain with a knowing look.

Tempest gave the Princess of Friendship a knowing smile. "Yes, that would be wise."

Both Capper and Silver nodded their head in agreement. "Very well, Captain Tempest. Follow us. The base is just near one of the bay." The ambassador gestured the group to follow him and the mayor to the destination.

The group followed Capper and Silver for two full minutes before arriving at the destination.

The military base came into view, its structure impressive and formidable against the desert landscape. High stone walls, reinforced with steel and enchanted to repel magical intrusions, encircled the perimeter. Guard towers stood at each corner, occupied by sharp-eyed sentries equipped with crossbows and enchanted scopes for surveillance. The base, designed with strategic precision, was a testament to the town's commitment to security and defense.

Inside the gates, the main courtyard stretched wide, lined with sandstone pathways that connected various sections of the facility. To the left, there were a row of barracks, the buildings being sturdy and adorned with Klugetown’s emblems and banners. Further down were the training grounds, a sprawling area bustling with soldiers of various ranks practicing combat drills, magic sparring, and flight maneuvers.

A little farther, Twilight noticed a storage facility that stored weapons, armor, and supplies essential for any military endeavor. The doors to the arsenal were heavily reinforced, and two elite guards flanked the entrance, alert and ready.

The captain’s eyes lit up as she surveyed the well-organized layout of the base, her keen gaze taking in every detail.

"This place is impressive." Tempest commented, nodding her approval. "Whoever designed this has a sharp mind for security.”

The cat chuckled, proud of the town’s achievement. "Several architects from Equestria and Crystal Empire contributed to the design, and every detail was planned to protect both the citizens and the region’s vital resources. Beyond these walls, patrol routes were extended into the bay and surrounding streets to secure Klugetown from any potential threats."

"That's excellent to hear. And I assume you, Flash and the guards want to explore the base, Tempest?" The Princess of Friendship asked the captain.

Tempest, Flash and the guards all smiled and nodded their head. "Well, take your time exploring the base. Me and Spike will be waiting for you guys near the front." Twilight responded with a smile.

"Meanwhile, the mayor and I will discuss about the next stop." The ambassador said.

With that, the captain and the guards all left to explore the base while both Silver and Capper moved somewhere to discuss the next plan, leaving the Princess of Friendship and her assistant alone.

Spike turned to Twilight. "So... what's next, Twilight?"

Twilight chuckled. "Well, after Flash and others are done exploring the base, we will follow the mayor and the ambassador to the place they planned."

The dragon giggled before he took on a far more serious expression. "In all seriousness though. I want you to take it easy. Don't overexert yourself."

"W-what are you talking?" The Princess of Friendship asked.

“You’re pregnant with child, are you not? It may not be showing yet but that is no reason to be hiding from me." Spike responded.

Twilight gawped at her assistant. "What?! How? How did you know that?"

"To be honest, it wasn't that difficult. I saw the way you react when I said that I bet that there will be children in the town now that the Storm King is gone back on the train and how you were acting around Flash." The dragon smirked. "I take it you haven't tell your family yet?"

The Princess of Friendship's face turned bright red. "Yeah, not yet."

Spike chuckled. "I knew it. Cadance and your mom had a bet if when you are going get pregnant."

"Wait... what?!" Twilight turned her head to her assistant.

The dragon’s eyes widened in panic. "Oh, I shouldn't have told you that. Oh Celestia, they are going to kill me if they find out."

The Princess of Friendship giggled. "Don't worry, Spike. I won't tell them anything about what you said."

Spike sighed himself a relief. "“Thank you so much, Twi. Anyway, have you told Flash about it?"

Twilight groaned. "No. I’ve been trying, I swear! It’s just… every time I was about to tell him, I always either get cold hooves or something interrupts! Not to mention, I don't know how to tell Princess Celestia and Shining about my pregnancy."

The dragon gave the Princess of Friendship a sympathetic smile. "I'm sure you will get it. Shining told me Cadance had the same trouble telling him. She kept getting interrupted or chickening out until she finally just blurted it out at a restaurant."

Twilight blinked in surprised. "Really?"

Spike nodded. "Yes, really. Why do you think Cadance and Shining sent you and your friends on an elaborate treasure hunt? I'm quite impressed that Pinkie can keep the secret for so long without bursting."

The dragon shook his head. "The point is just take your time. Tell him when you are ready."

The Princess of Friendship grinned. "Maybe I can just send him on a treasure hunt with my friends."

"That could work too." Spike agreed before noticing the group coming. "Oh, they are back."

Twilight glanced to see Tempest and the guards coming out of the base and the ambassador and the mayor coming toward the base.

As the captain and the guards rejoined the group, Capper and Silver returned from their conversation, looking pleased.

"So, Princess Twilight Sparkle..." The mayor began. "Our next stop is something I think you’ll find fascinating. Klugetown’s newly established Cultural Exchange Center. After that, we will head back to the embassy."

The Princess of Friendship’s eyes lit up with interest. "A Cultural Exchange Center? That sounds wonderful! What is it?"

The ambassador nodded, smiling. "It’s a place where ponies and creatures from all over Equis can share stories, traditions, and art. We even have classes where residents can learn foreign languages, dances, and customs. It’s been a real hit with the newcomers. It took a lot of outreach, but the architects made it a place where every ponies and creatures feels welcome."

"I’d love to see it." Twilight replied eagerly. "Lead the way."

With that, the group set off down a busy street toward the destination.

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Crystal Empire

Radiant Hope continued tailing Strawberry Dusk from the shadow as the unicorn guard made her way back to her home, her armor clinking against the guard.

'Where in Equestria is the guard's house? I swear if she is leading me to the trap...' The crystal unicorn thought as she hid around the corner of a random building from a patrol of two Crystal Imperial guards who greeted Strawberry, to which the unicorn guard greeted them back before moving on toward her destination.

After a few minutes of hiding from patrols and following Strawberry, Hope finally found the unicorn guard's home the guard was heading to.

The house was a quaint, two-story building crafted from polished pink and lavender crystal, catching the light with a gentle, reflective glow. The exterior featured elegant, arched windows framed with delicate carvings of blooming crystals and vines.

The front door was made of polished dark wood with a crystal knob, and above it, a small balcony on the second floor jutted out, adorned with a modest railing of crystal spindles. The balcony held a few potted plants with lush ivy spilling over the balcony's edges and hinting that the unicorn guard might have a fondness for gardening.

The crystal unicorn didn't care about the house's appearance as her eyes laid on Strawberry who went to take her keys out to unlock the door before entering the house and closing the door behind her.

'Okay, so this is the mare guard's house. Now I just need to find a way in and take her armor to disguise myself to get to the Crystal Heart.' Hope thought as she emerged from the shadow from the dumpster after making sure that the streets were empty, scanning the house for any way in.

Suddenly, the doors at the balcony opened, forcing the crystal unicorn to hide back to the dumpster as Strawberry walked out into the balcony. The unicorn guard stood in the open as she gazed the stars in the sky for a full minute before heading inside.

Seeing this opportunity, Hope used her magic to envelop herself and gently lifted herself up into the air and toward the balcony. After reaching the balcony, she lowered herself before sneaking inside the house and finding a perfect hiding spot to hide. Her eyes scanned the area, finding the Crystal Imperial armor on the stand and the sound of water in the bathroom.

The crystal unicorn's eyes then landed on a storage chest and she approached to open to see it empty.

'Perfect.' Hope thought with a smile as she went inside the chest and closed the lid on top of her. 'Now all I need to do is wait till morning and then knock the mare guard down. Once that's done, I will disguise myself as her and waltz right toward the heart and grabbed it.'

Chapter 43 - Discussion

Chapter 43 - Discussion

Mount Aris, The next day

Princess Cadance rolled erratically underneath the covers, as a tight grimace crossed her face. Amore and Shining Armor began to rouse from their own slumber as they heard their loved one’s distress, and they blinked open their eyes to see what was going on.

The Princess of Love was panting heavily as if she had been running. She also seemed to be locked in a death battle with her covers, and fear was evident on her features.

Amore slipped out of her own bed and swiftly moved to her daughter’s side, while the prince sat up to gently place his hoof on his wife's shoulder and softly shaking her awake.

"Cady?" Shining quietly cooed. "It is just a nightmare, you can wake up now."

"He's right, it is just a nightmare, Cadenza. You don't have to experience it." Amore added.

Cadance slowly came to a halt as her eyelids fluttered open. The morning sun’s rays nearly blinded her as they made contact with her eyes, causing her to blink rapidly as she wiped away the sleep with the back of her hoof. She then sat up in the bed and looked around in confusion, her sleep addled mind figuring out where and when she was. Eventually her gaze rested on her husband and her mother, who were providing the Princess of Love with comforting smiles.

"Mom? Shiny? Is it morning already?" The Princess of Love sleepily asked.

"Yes." Amore replied. "Though it seemed like the morning couldn’t come quickly enough for you, Cadenza."

Cadance nodded his head. "Y-yes. You could say that…"

"Another nightmare?" The prince asked in concern.

Almost like she was a foal again, the Princess of Love simply gave a sheepish nod in confirmation.

Shining sighed. "Was it about… King Sombra again? Like the one Princess Luna halted before?"

Amore looked at the prince in shock before looking back at her daughter.

The room fell silent for a moment, save for the gentle rustle of the curtains in the morning breeze. Cadance’s lips trembled slightly as she glanced away.

"Yes." The Princess of Love admitted. "Except this time it took place here, in Mount Aris. Things started out as normal, we were getting ready for the summit when I took a wrong turn and got lost. After that, Sombra showed up, and then things pretty much went the same as last time."

"What happened the last time?" Amore asked.

Cadance winced, but slowly relaid the events in her last nightmare back at the Crystal Empire yesterday. When she ended her story, a grim faced Amore nodded her head.

"I see." Amore said after a moment, placing a gentle hoof on her daughter’s. "Thank you for sharing that with me, Cadenza. I know it’s not easy to relive these moments, but you don’t have to carry this burden alone. Next time, come to me. I’m here for you."

The Princess of Love met her mother’s gaze, her lip quivering slightly before she nodded. "I will, Mom. Thank you… both of you."

Both Amore and the prince smiled back before Amore asked again. "Whereabouts in the sequence did I interrupt the dream?"

"Around where Auntie Lulu did." Cadance replied, though her face took on an extremely disturbed expression.

Both Amore and Shining gently brought the Princess of Love into an embrace, nuzzling her gently to allay her fears.

"Why is this happening now?" Cadance shakily asked.

"Why what?" Amore asked in return, still holding into her daughter.

"These dreams are only now beginning. As if they are trying to warn me something." The Princess of Love responded.

"How so?" Amore asked with an arched eyebrow.

Cadance hesitated, her gaze distant as though searching for an answer she couldn’t yet find.

The Princess of Love's eyes scrunched her muzzle as she thought back on the last two dreams. The emptiness of the empire and the shadowy form of King Sombra with his eyes piercing deep into her eyes all terrified her beyond belief. What confused her was why was she having nightmares about the umbrum pony's return.

"I'm... I'm not sure, I think this is something else." The Princess of Love responded.

"Oh?" The prince said. "Care to share?"

"Not right now. Later, but after the summit." Cadance responded.

Amore frowned. "Are you sure? We are here to talk whenever you need us, you know that right?"

"Of course I do!" The Princess of Love gave her mother and her husband a reassuring smile. “I just need to sort some things on my own. I promise I will tell you two when I am ready."

"Well, alright. Just go steady OK?" Amore reluctantly said to her daughter with profound motherly concern radiating off of her.

"Don't worry I will, but haven’t we got a summit meeting to get ready for?" Cadance asked.

The three looked over to a clock on the desk, which read that it was eight forty-five.

"Well, we only have fifteen more minutes to rest, and the summit starts at ten fifteen. We might as well get up and ready now." Shining stated.

Amore moved away from the Princess of Love's bed. Amore, with a flick of her horn, took hold of her own bed’s sheets and straightened them out neatly. The Princess of Love and the prince quickly vacated their own bed and did the same.

Cadance moved over to the desk and brought up a small mirror in her magic as she began to sort out her bed-head with Amore waiting behind her while Shining took his armor and put them on him and adjusting them.

As the Princess of Love finished brushing her mane, she glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Though she looked presentable, the faint shadows under her eyes betrayed her restless night. With a quiet sigh, she turned to face her husband and her mother.

"Do you think it’s strange?" Cadance asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

Shining paused mid-adjustment of his armor. "Strange? What do you mean?"

"These nightmares." Cadance clarified. "It’s like they’ve come out of nowhere. First, the Crystal Empire, and now Mount Aris. They’re so vivid… so real. It’s not like the usual dreams I’ve had before."

Amore stepped closer, her expression thoughtful. "Dreams often carry messages, especially for ponies as closely connected to magic as we are. It’s possible they’re trying to tell you something, even if it isn’t clear yet."

The prince furrowed his brow. "But why now? Sombra was defeated years ago. If he’s really gone, what could these dreams mean?"

"That’s what’s bothering me." The Princess of Love admitted, pacing the room. "I feel like there’s a piece of the puzzle I’m missing. Something... hidden in plain sight."

Amore’s gaze softened. "Perhaps Luna could help. Dreamwalking is her domain, after all. She might be able to interpret the meaning behind these visions."

Cadance hesitated, her wings twitching slightly. "I… I could ask her. But part of me wonders if I need to figure this out on my own first. What if it’s something only I can understand?"

Shining walked over to his wife, placing a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. "You don’t have to carry this alone, Cady. We’re here for you, no matter what. After this meeting, we will try to make of these dreams out."

The Princess of Love smiled at her husband and her mother.

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Amore, Cadance and Shining were admitted entrance to the meeting chamber by the two hippogriff guards guarding the one and only doorway leading inside. Hurricane was talking to the Crystal Imperial guard nearby going over a few final security checks as the long awaited summit meeting was about to begin.

Princess Skystar and several nobles were already sat in their respective seats. Queen Novo and King Crestwing, being the event’s organisers, sat in the seats at the ‘head’ of them all, examining all new arrivals.

Both the queen and the king of the hippogriffs glanced at the three ponies with smiles.

"Lots of nobles here today." The prince pointed out at the amount of hippogriff nobles seated in their seats, some of them looking at the papers while others were discussing with each other.

Amore looked over to where Shining was gesturing to. "Well, the finalisation for the alliance between Equestria & Crystal Empire and Mount Aris & Seaquestria are important to them, so I think it was naturally important for them to be here.

The Princess of Love exchanged polite greetings to the nobles who walked pass her. Though the weight of her dreams lingered, she pushed it aside for now.

"You highnesses." A voice called to their right.

The three ponies turned to see a crystal hippogriff guard approaching them.

"Yes, what can I do for you?" Cadance asked.

The crystal hippogriff levitated a list. "Your seats."

"Ah, I see." Amore said. “Where are we located?”

"Four seats to Queen Novo's and King Crestwing's right." The crystal hippogriff responded.

"Thank you." The Princess of Love said with a smile.

The crystal hippogriff gave a respectful salute before moving off.

"Come now, Cadenza and Shining. We best take our seats." Amore gestured her family.

Nodding, Cadance and the prince followed. On reaching their assigned spots, they sat down in the chairs. The royal couple saw most of the nobles setting down their paperwork before straightening themselves up with other still discussing with each other. Meanwhile the guards including Hurricane within the meeting chamber all took their positions around the table, straightening themselves up and ready themselves for any threats that comes to the royals.

All conversations and actions suddenly died as a cough from King Crestwing caught the attention of all those present. When he was satisfied that he and his wife had all of their attention, he smiled.

"If all are present, my husband and I are pleased to announce this summit meeting is now in session. Before we start, we have three royals to welcome. Princesses Amore and Mi Amore Cadenza and Prince Shining Armor are from the Crystal Empire and are here for the finalisation of the alliance between Equestria & Crystal Empire and Mount Aris & Seaquestria." Queen Novo gestured her talon to the three ponies to introduce them.

All eyes turned to examine the three ponies and introduced themselves to them.

As the introductions concluded, the queen of the hippogriffs stood, her presence commanding yet warm. She raised a talon, gesturing for quiet as the chamber grew completely still.

"We gather here today to solidify an alliance that promises prosperity and protection for all our nations." Novo began, her voice regal and confident. "Mount Aris and Seaquestria have long valued peace and friendship, and with Equestria and the Crystal Empire standing beside us, we are forging a bond unbreakable by time or trials."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the chamber before falling silent again. The king of the hippogriffs nodded to his wife before addressing the attendees.

"To ensure this alliance is more than words, we must discuss the practicalities—mutual aid, trade agreements, and joint defense strategies." Crestwing said. "Before we dive into the details, however, let us hear from our esteemed guests from the Crystal Empire. Princess Amore, Princess Cadenza, Prince Shining Armor—the floor is yours."

All eyes turned toward the three ponies and Amore stood first.

"Thank you, Crestwing." Amore began with a respectful bow. "The Crystal Empire is honored to be part of this historic moment. As a nation rebuilt on the foundation of love and unity, we are committed to ensuring this alliance is fruitful for all parties involved. And I believe that together, we can address threats more effectively, share resources, and create opportunities that benefit every creature under our care."

Amore paused, letting her words settle before sitting back down nodding at her daughter, prompting Cadance to stood up.

"Your Majesties and esteemed delegates The Princess of Love began. "As Princess of the Crystal Empire and a representative of Equestria, I believe this alliance symbolizes more than just mutual benefit. It’s a declaration—a stand against the forces that would divide us. Not to mention, some creatures and ponies from across Equis that had helped the Crystal Imperial guards to rebuild my mom's body and bring her back to life are now living in the Crystal Empire and the outpost cities as citizens or guards while others returned back to their homelands."

A stronger wave of approval followed Cadance's words while the king of the hippogriffs and his wife smiled before she sat back down and nodded at her husband, prompting the prince to stood up.

"Your Majesties and esteemed delegates." Shining began. "I speak as a soldier and protector. This alliance is not just an agreement—it’s a promise. A promise that if one of us faces danger, the others will stand ready and help."

The prince scanned the room, meeting the gazes of the delegates. "This summit is the first step, but it’s the actions we take after today that will define our legacy. Let us ensure that legacy is one of unity and strength."

The chamber filled with approving murmurs and nods. Both the queen and the king of the hippogriffs exchanged satisfied glances before the queen gestured for the discussions to continue.

"Thank you, Princesses and Prince." Novo said warmly. "Your words reflect the spirit of this alliance. Let us now address the key topics of our treaty. First on the agenda: shared defense initiatives."

A hippogriff delegate, adorned in a sash denoting their role as Minister of Defense, stood and unfurled a scroll. "With our nations’ proximity to uncharted waters and regions still recovering from the Storm King’s reign, it is imperative we establish a unified response protocol. Mount Aris provides naval dominance over the eastern seas while Seaquestria provides submarine defense and aquatic reconnaissance."

The Minister turned to Shining . “Prince Shining Armor, as the Crystal Empire’s Captain of the Guard, we welcome your insight. How do you propose coordinating our forces for maximum effectiveness?”

The prince nodded his head, his tactical mind already analyzing the question.

"Thank you, Minister." Shining began. "To coordinate our forces effectively, we must first establish a unified chain of command during joint operations. While each nation retains its autonomy over its military, there should be designated leaders from each force who report directly to an allied council."

The prince paused, looking around the room to gauge the reactions of the delegates before continuing. "This council could consist of representatives from Mount Aris, Seaquestria, Equestria, and the Crystal Empire. It would oversee joint training exercises, manage intelligence sharing, and facilitate rapid communication in the event of a threat. Additionally, a shared code of conduct for combined operations would ensure seamless cooperation between our forces."

The Minister of Defense nodded thoughtfully, but one of the hippogriff nobles, an older delegate with sharp eyes and a silver crest, raised a talon. "And what of logistics, Prince Armor? Combining forces is an admirable goal, but it requires considerable resources. How do you propose we allocate them without straining any single nation?"

Shining gave a small, confident smile. "Excellent question. Logistics are indeed the backbone of any military effort. My proposal is to establish centralized supply depots strategically positioned near key regions. Each nation could contribute proportionally based on its capabilities—Mount Aris and Seaquestria, for example, could focus on naval supplies and marine provisions, while the Crystal Empire and Equestria could provide land-based support, such as rations and medical supplies."

A murmur of approval rippled through the chamber as the prince's words resonated with practicality.

"Furthermore..." Shining added. "Regular drills involving all our forces would allow us to identify and address logistical challenges before they become critical during an actual crisis."

The Minister of Defense and other delegates nodded, clearly impressed by the prince's well-thought-out plan.

As the prince resumed his seat, the Minister stood again. "Your Highnesses, delegates, it is clear that the Crystal Empire brings invaluable expertise to this alliance. Prince Armor’s suggestions provide a strong foundation for our shared defense initiatives. I recommend we further explore these proposals during specialized sessions after the summit."

The chamber erupted in nods and approving murmurs. Both Novo and Crestwing raised their talons once more, signalling for order.

"Thank you, Prince Shining Armor, for your insight. With that, let us move to the next topic on finalisation of the alliances between Equestria and Crystal Empire and our nation." The king of the hippogriffs stated.

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Crystal Empire

As the sun slowly moved across the sky, Strawberry Dusk blinky opened her eyes and stretched her forelegs before going slump onto her bed.

"Another day, another day to get ready for guarding." The unicorn guard muttered to herself, before reluctantly getting off her bed and head to the bathroom to clean herself up to get ready for guarding the Crystal Heart.

Unbeknownst to Strawberry as she made her way toward the bathroom, the storage chest near the closet had the lid opened slightly as Radiant Hope peaked through the slit, watching the unicorn guard making her way to the bathroom.

The crystal unicorn was trembling. If she somehow botched this up, she would be taken into dungeon, failing to curing her best friend from the darkness with the Crystal Heart.

Shaking her head, Hope put on her determined face and silently opened the storage chest's lid before stealthy got out. She then silently made her way to the bathroom

Author's Note

Oh no. :twilightoops:

Chapter 45 - Turnaround

"So what do you make of the dreams Cady had been dreaming?" Prince Shining Armor asked.

Amore remain silent as she pondered about her daughter's dreams about King Sombra.

Both Amore and the prince were situated in the room shared by the three royals from the Crystal Empire. Princess Cadance was sound asleep in her bed while the other two talked in the centre of the room.

"I'm not sure." Amore replied after a few minutes of silence.

Shining ’s ears flicked as he stepped closer. "But you think they mean something, don’t you? These dreams… they feel too vivid to just be dreams."

Amore let out a quiet sigh. "Cadance and I have always had a deep connection to the Crystal Heart. It’s possible her dreams are more than figments of her imagination. They could be echoes… warnings, perhaps."

"Warnings?" The prince’s tone sharpened as he straightened, his posture turning more defensive. “Do you think Sombra could—”

"I don’t know yet." Amore interrupted gently but firmly, her expression grave. "But we can’t dismiss the possibility. Dreams tied to magic or destiny often carry weight, even if their meaning isn’t immediately clear."

"I'm glad that the finalisation of the alliance between Equestria & Crystal Empire and Mount Aris & Seaquestria has been finalised. We might need their help." Shining stated.

Amore nodded her head to agree with her son-in-law. "True."

Neither noticed as the Princess of Love’s eyes opened, waking from her revelation filled slumber. She wiped the sleep from her eyes and swivelled her head to see the other two occupants of the room.

"So, we don't know if the dreams Cady had been dreaming are visions or just nightmares?" The prince tapped his chin as he thought to himself.

"Unfortunately no. But we should wait until Cadenza wakes up from her nap. She should be able to tell us if the dreams she been dreaming are visions or nightmares." Amore suggested.

"They are not nightmares. The dreams I've been dreaming, they are visions." Cadance quickly said, surprising both Amore and Shining.

"What do you mean the dreams are visions?" Amore asked her daughter, her eyes widened.

The Princess of Love nodded, her expression resolute. "Sombra in my dreams or rather my visions said something will happen in the Crystal Empire once him and his army of umbrum ponies stormed the empire."

Both Amore and Shining stared at Cadance in shock. "If what you're saying is true, that would mean... Oh, I have a bad feeling about this." The prince stated.

"You're not the one, Shiny." The Princess of Love replied.

As Shining and Cadance talked, Amore just stood there, a dark expression dawning on her face as her hooves caused the flooring to crack beneath the pressure.

"Crystal Empire and the citizens living there are in danger as long as we stay here." The prince said.

The Princess of Love tapped her front hoof on the floor nervously. "What should we do? The Crystal Imperial guards back at the empire wouldn't be able to hold back Sombra and his army."

"We need to get back to the empire before-" Amore's words were cut off just as a knock on the door interrupted her.

"Your highnesses!" Mercury shouted as she burst through the door, followed by two Crystal Imperial guards following her behind.

"Your highnesses." The two guards saluted. "We know you didn’t want to be disturbed, but Mercury the messenger had a important message from Captain Tourmaline back at the Crystal Empire."

"Mercury?" Cadance addressed the messenger. "What is it?"

"A message from Captain Tourmaline of the Crystal Imperial guards." The crystal pegasus said, bowing down and raising up before she handed over a scroll with the seal of Crystal Empire emblazoned onto it.

"What could be so urgent?" Shining said to Amore, as the Princess of Love undid the seal and read the letter out loud.

Dear Princess Amore, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Prince Shining Armor,

Recently, the caravan carrying packages of crops that was supposed to deliver to Outpost Crystal from the Crystal Empire didn't arrived. At first, I assumed that the caravan was being harassed by blizzards and crystal animals out in the Frozen North, so I opted into waiting for the caravan. But after an hour of waiting and not seeing the caravan, I decided to send a squad to check on the outpost to see why.

I will report you back if anything comes up.

Captain of the Crystal Imperial guards,
Captain Tourmaline.

Cadance looked up from the paper she had just been reading. "Well, as if we didn’t need enough proof that the dreams are really visions."

"We-we need to get back to the empire now!" Amore urgently said, looking at the two Crystal Imperial guards. "You two, go to the rest of the Crystal Imperial guards and tell him to pack up all boxes of supplies and equipment and bring them to the carriages. We're leaving now." She then turned to Mercury. "Mercury, find Commander Hurricane and tell him to "

"We're leaving now? What do we tell Queen Novo and King Crestwing about us leaving now?" The prince asked Amore, as the two guards saluted at Amore while the crystal pegasus bowed down at her before leaving.

"I'll personally explain both Crestwing and Novo about the urgency of our departure. They’ll understand. They’ve faced their own share of threats and know the importance of acting swiftly in times of crisis." Amore continued as she prepared to head to the leaders of the hippogriffs.

"Do you want me to come with you, mom?" The Princess of Love asked, still holding the letter.

"No, Cadenza. I want you to go with Shiny and help him and the others to ready the carriages. I will be back once I have inform the situation about Sombra and the Crystal Empire." Amore stated.

Cadance wanted to protest, but found herself unable to come up with a counter argument with her mother and can only nodded her head.

"Alright, mom." The Princess of Love turned back to Shining and motioned for the prince to follow. "Shiny, come with me. I’ll need your help."

"You got it." Shining replied as he moved to follow his wife.

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Frozen North

Skystrike was almost out of energy as he continued to trudge through the relentless blizzard. His wings still remained folded to shield the injured Florence from the blizzard, who was barely conscious as her eyes were half opened due to the injury on her belly.

The snowstorm howled around them, and each step was a battle against nature’s fury. But the crystal griffon’s resolve didn’t falter as he knew that if he gave up now, both him and his friend would perished in the Frozen North due to them froze to death.

"Just hang in there, Florence. We are almost there." Skystrike tried to assure his friend, though he wasn't sure if he was close to the empire or not.

The crystal bat pony groaned weakly. "If you tell me that one more time, Sky, I swear I’ll punch you… if I don’t freeze first." She rasped, her voice faint but tinged with dry humor.

The storm raged around them, but the crystal griffon pressed forward, refusing to give in.

"We’ll make it, Florence." Skystrike whispered, though whether he was convincing Florence or himself was unclear.

As the crystal griffon continued to walk through the snow and the blizzard, he glanced back at his friend and noticed the bandages on the crystal bat pony's belly soaking with blood again. He knew that her wound need a change of bandage to prevent infection, but unfortunately, he had used the last bandages to bandage the wounds on his friend.

Skystrike knew that the only way to save Florence was to get to the Crystal Empire and get her to the hospital for serious medical emergency treatment. But he also knew that if she doesn't get her treatment fast, she will die due to the loss of blood.

As the crystal griffon trudged on, his gaze darted to the horizon. The unending white of the blizzard blurred everything, but then—a shape. At first, he thought it was his imagination, a cruel trick of the storm. But as he squinted through the swirling snow, hope sparked in his chest.

The spire of the Crystal Palace emerged from the chaos, piercing the storm like a beacon. Relief coursed through Skystrike, banishing the fatigue that had threatened to drag him down.

"Thank the crystals! Florence! The Crystal Empire! We are almost there!" The crystal griffon shook his friend to let her know.

"Skystrike, I swear to Amore, I will literally skin you alive." Florence weakly growled.

"I'm not lying! Look!" Skystrike pointed his claw at the spire, prompting the crystal bat pony to look up.

Florence squinted through the swirling snow, her gaze following her friend's gesture. Her tired eyes widened ever so slightly as she saw the unmistakable silhouette of the Crystal Empire’s centerpiece. For the first time in what felt like hours, a flicker of hope shone in her expression.

"You... weren’t lying..." The crystal bat pony whispered, her lips curving into a faint smile before her head drooped again.

The crystal griffon tightened his grip around her, determination surging through him like a lifeline. "Hold on just a little longer. We’re almost home."

With renewed strength, Skystrike pressed forward, the distant spire guiding him through the storm like a lighthouse in the endless white void.

As the crystal griffon was pressing forward, two silhouettes of ponies and two silhouettes of creatures approached them before they noticed him and his friend.

"Hey! Over here!" One of silhouettes shouted before they moved toward Skystrike and Florence.

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Crystal Empire

Maxilla and Radiant Hope disguised as Strawberry Dusk continued to patrol the East district of the empire, occasionally greeting the citizens who happened to pass them.

"So, after this, where do you want to go, Strawberry?" The crystal changeling asked his companion. "I hear there’s a new bakery in the market district."

"Sure. No problem." The crystal unicorn said with a forced smile, sweats appearing on her forehead.

Maxilla nodded his head before turning his head back to the task, not noticing that Hope was igniting her horn.

"I'm sorry." The crystal unicorn said, before unleashing a knockout spell on the crystal changeling. The spell hit directly on the changeling's head, knocking him out of cold. She then walked toward the unconscious changeling and nudged him with her hoof. After confirming that he is unconscious, she turned and began to trot back to the palace.

'Just wait for a while, Sombra. Soon, I will get the Crystal Heart to you to cure your darkness.' Hope thought before putting on her determined face as she sped up her trotting.

A few minutes of trotting, the crystal unicorn arrived near the palace, her eyes landing on the spinning Crystal Heart.

Chapter 46 - Darkness Ascends: Part 1

Crystal Empire

The Crystal Imperial guards began unloading the carriages and bringing them into the Crystal Empire as Princess Amore, Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor watched on. Commander Hurricane stood at Amore’s side, barking occasional orders to ensure everything went smoothly.

"What did Queen Novo and King Creswting said when you told them about the situation in the empire?" The Princess of Love asked her mother.

"They said that they understood the situation and agreed to hold the summit meeting until the situation in the empire is dealt with, though Princess Skystar was a little disappointed that we had to leave early." Amore responded.

"Now we know that Cadance's dreams are visions, what are you going to do?" The prince asked.

"I don’t know..." Amore sighed. "It is something I will be discussing with Celestia and Luna soon however. We must get ready and ready the defences before Sombra arrive. If I know Sombra, he will not stop until his goals are achieved."

"And we're all out of the way." Hurricane noted with a groan, dragging a hoof down his own face.

"Exactly." Amore replied.

"So, what now?" Cadance asked.

Amore turned to face her daughter. "Like I say, we must get ready and ready the defences before Sombra arrive. By the time he arrives, he will be facing a lot of our troops against him."

The Princess of Love didn't say anything but she nodded her head as she looked grimly on at the distant horizon. The silence seemed to last for hours, and in that time all the carriages were fully unpacked and all the guards retreated back further into the empire.

"Your highnesses." Hurricane gently called. "I think it is time we too went inside."

Amore looked at Hurricane. "I agree. Take the rest of the day off Hurricane, you’ve earned it."

"Thank you your highness, but I don't think I will be..." Hurricane started.

"No buts." Amore interrupted, her voice being firm but kind. "You’ve worked yourself to the bone the past few days along with the rest of the guards, go and be with your wife, she missed you. Don’t make me order you to do so."

Hurricane opened his mouth to argue but thought better of it. Instead, he sighed in reluctant acceptance. "Very well, your highness. It would be great to spend the rest of the day with my wife."

Amore nodded her head, and as Hurricane made off towards his house, she turned to her family. "Cadenza? Shining?"

The royal couple looked at Amore. "Yes? What is it, mom?" Cadance asked.

"I understand you two are tired and want to spend the rest of your day with your daughter, but could we talk? Preferably in private." Amore asked.

"Of course." Shining nodded his head in agreement, along with his wife. "We're always here if you need to talk about anything."

Amore smiled and gave the two loving nuzzles on their head. "What did I ever do to deserve a daughter and a son-in-law as wonderful as you two?"

The royal couple giggled as they returned the nuzzles back to Amore. "Coming back to us." The Princess of Love responded.

Amore couldn't help but let a giggle of her own. "That is true after all. Come then, let's go."

The three ponies entered the empire, not knowing that Sombra was watching behind the rock he was hiding.

'So, it's true. Amore has returned.' The umbrum pony thought before smirking sinisterly. Well, not for long.'

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Canterlot

Princess Celestia hummed softly to herself in her study room, the melody a soothing counterpoint to the monotony of her task. She skimmed through a scroll, her quill ticking off checkboxes with practiced precision. Treaties, updates, and endless stacks of paperwork lay before her, each requiring her signature or review.

Though overwhelming to many, the solar princess moved through the workload with effortless grace as she had done this even alone during a thousand years banishment of Nightmare Moon.

The knocking of her study's doors interrupted Celestia's work, prompting her to lower the scroll. "Come in." She called out.

As the doors opened, the solar princess smiled at the sight of her little sister who entered the room before gently closing the doors behind her.

"Tia." Princess Luna greeted warmly. "I trust I'm not interrupting anything."

"Nothing is more important to me than you Lulu." Celestia said as she got up and gave her younger sister a nuzzle.

The lunar princess giggled at the sentiment and accepted the nuzzle while returning the nuzzle to her elder sister. "Ah, that is great to hear."

The solar princess levitated a nearby teapot and two teacups towards them while motioning her younger sister towards some cushions set up by the window. "Would you like some tea, Lulu?"

Luna smiled. "I don't see why not."

Celestia nodded with a smile and placed two teacups on a nearby table before pouring the tea into them while her younger sister sat one of the cushions.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Lulu?" The solar princess asked, her tone light yet curious as she sat down on the other cushion.

Celestia sipped her tea, savoring its warmth as she looked at her younger sister. "You seem deep in thought, Lulu. What's on your mind?"

Luna exhaled softly, her gaze momentarily drifting to the sky outside. "I’ve been reflecting on some of the crystal bat ponies who had decided to join ranks with the Royal Guards. Au Hasard has retained his title as captain of my guards. I decided for him to retain his title since he spent a thousand years in the Crystal Empire banishment and another five years in rebuilding Amore."

The solar princess chuckled, setting her teacup down. "I figured you would want him back. And his sister, Midnight Blossom? How has she been faring?"

"Ah, Midnight Blossom." The lunar princess’s expression softened. "She’s been promoted to lieutenant. Her determination, and quick thinking she learnt from her brother and the Crystal Imperial guards have made her indispensable. She is a credit to her role and a fierce protector."

"I’m glad to hear it." Celestia said, her voice warm with approval. She reached out a hoof to touch her sister’s. "It sounds like your guard is in excellent hooves."

Their conversation was interrupted by a burst of emerald fire in the air. A scroll materialized, glowing faintly before it landed neatly on the table in front of the royal sisters.

"Ah, Spike’s magic fire." The solar princess remarked as she unrolled the scroll. "A letter from Twilight, no doubt."

The lunar princess leaned in slightly, curious. "What does it say?"

Celestia began to read the scroll aloud.

Dear Princess Celestia and Princess Luna,

I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to inform you that my visit to Klugetown is progressing better than I could have imagined. Mayor Capper and Ambassador Silver Quill have given me a thorough tour of the town. It’s remarkable how much progress they’ve made in fostering unity among the citizens.

By afternoon, I will sign the official alliance agreement between Equestria and Klugetown. Capper and Silver has assured me that this partnership will be mutually beneficial for both our nations. I’ll provide further details upon my return.

Your faithful friend and fellow princess,
Twilight Sparkle

The solar princess finished, she glanced at her sister, who looked thoughtful with her brow slightly furrowed.

Luna spoke cautiously. "Tia, I cannot help but find it surprising that Twilight has placed such trust in Capper. You remember what she told us—how he once attempted to sell her and her friends to his boss two and a half years ago."

Celestia’s serene smile didn’t falter. "Yes, I remember. But I also recall that Twilight and her friends forgave him two years ago, after he redeemed himself by helping to rebuild Klugetown back to its former glory."

The lunar princess tilted her head, her skepticism evident. "Forgiveness is admirable, but entrusting him in becoming a mayor and running Klugetown?"

"Twilight and her friends sees the good in others, even those who’ve made mistakes." The solar princess said gently. "Capper’s actions since then have proven his loyalty and commitment to bettering Klugetown."

Luna sipped her tea again, her expression softening. "Perhaps you are right, Tia. I should trust Twilight’s judgment. She has become a remarkable princess."

"Indeed, she has," Celestia agreed, pride shining in her eyes. "Twilight is a beacon of hope and friendship. Her ability to forgive and inspire others is her greatest strength."

The lunar princess gave a small nod, allowing herself a smile. "Then let us hope this alliance brings prosperity to both Klugetown and Equestria. Twilight deserves success in this endeavor."

The solar princess's smile widened as she nodded her head in agreement with her younger sister.

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Crystal Empire

Hurricane walked through familiar streets of the empire, quickly approaching an even more familiar house of his and his wife. He saw crystal ponies and creatures going about their days with several children playing in the crystal playground in the centre of the two crystal resident buildings. Several nodded to him as they passed, but none stopped to chat.

The house in front of Hurricane was two stories tall, with a gently sloping roof crafted from translucent crystal tiles that glimmer in the sunlight, casting rainbows on the ground below. The front door is an arched, polished wooden piece painted deep blue, adorned with a brass handle shaped like a stylized feather—a nod to Hurricane's pegasus heritage. Flanking the door are two tall windows with diamond-patterned panes, framed by shutters painted in soft lavender. These shutters are carved with intricate symbols of stars and leaves, likely designed by Clover to represent wisdom and growth. A small garden stretches along the front of the house, enclosed by a short fence of light green crystal. The garden is a burst of life, with colorful flowers like tulips, daisies, and a few magically-enhanced blooms glowing faintly in the twilight. A pathway of smooth crystal stones leads to the house, and a weathered wooden bench sits just to the side of the door. The bench is often used by Clover to read or Hurricane to relax after a long day.

Looking back toward the door, Hurricane took in a soft breath, taking off his helmet and putting it on the ground before knocking the door. A few noises were heard inside as Clover’s ears shot up and she made her way to the home’s front entrance. Hurricane heard a key turning just before the door swung open.

"Hurricane? You're back early? I thought I will see in two to three days later." Clover asked, her face showing confusion.

"It's a long story to tell." Hurricane said before ushering his wife inside, making sure to grab his helmet on the way.

Once the door was closed, Hurricane gestured Clover to sit on the nearby couch. Once the couple had sat, Hurricane told his wife everything, from Princess Cadance dreaming Sombra to the discovery of the dreams being visions, and the subsequent leaving Mount Aris.

"That's... that's doesn't sound good." Clover admitted. "But Crystal Heart shattered King Sombra into million pieces. How could he return?"

Hurricane nodded gravely, his wings shifting uneasily at his sides. "That’s what we all thought. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from Princess Amore about King Sombra, it’s that he’s relentless. Whatever’s left of him—whatever he’s become—it’s dangerous."

Clover reached out, placing a comforting hoof on his foreleg. "I'm sure that Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor can defeat him. After all, the Crystal Heart destroyed Sombra, so the artifact can be used again to destroy him."

Hurricane chuckled before draping a wing over his wife and nuzzled her. "You're right, Clovy. As long as the Crystal Heart remained in the empire's hoof, Sombra wouldn't be able to touch the empire."

Clover giggled as she laid her head on her husband's shoulder. "So, what do you want to do now?"

Hurricane hummed himself as he thought about it. "Well, let's go and have a walk around the empire. Get some fresh air."

Clover nodded her head in agreement. "That's a great idea."

Hurricane smiled before turning his attention on his armor. He took his armor off of him and placed it aside near the side of the couch.

"Clovy, you don't mind if I sort out my armor before I get myself washed up while you get yourself ready?" Hurricane asked as he started to sort out his armor and helmet.

"No problem, honey. I can wait for you even while you're washing yourself up." Clover replied as she walked toward her husband with a smile.

Hurricane smiled as he nuzzled his wife's neck before heading to the bathroom after he gave his armor a quick clean and placed back on the stand near the entrance of the house.

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In the throne room of the Crystal Castle, Princess Amore froze mid-step, her gaze fixed on the horizon through a wide window.

"Mom?" Cadance’s voice broke through the silence, tinged with concern. Shining , standing beside her, gently closed the door behind them. "Are you alright?"

"No, Cadenza... I am not," Amore admitted, her voice low and troubled. "“I am tired. Tired of Sombra's games. Tired of you getting attacked by threats."

The royal couple gasped as they spotted the tears forming at the corners of Amore's eyes. They rushed toward her, the Princess of Love draping a wing over her mother while the prince placed a hoof on Amore's shoulder.

"Mom..." Cadance responded as she nuzzled her mother's neck. "Please don’t be upset…"

"Cady's right, mom." Shining agreed with his wife.

"I'm sorry, Cadenza and Shining. It's just... it just that I'm tired of dealing with Sombra. Ever since he petrified me before shattering and scattering my pieces across the world a thousand years, I’ve felt this unrelenting exhaustion. Even now, as he threatens to return, I can’t help but feel the weight of it all."

"Don't worry, mom. You know what? I think you need a break." The Princess of Love responded.

Amore looked at her daughter. "What?"

"Cady's right, mom." The prince said, prompting Amore to glance at her son-in-law to see him giving her a determined face. "You need a break. A holiday. When was the last time you took a day off?"

Amore hummed to herself. "Well, I would say two and a half years ago since ."

"How about this? While you take a break, Shining and I can hold our own running the empire. Take at least a week or two, let us run this place while you clear your head. You could even play with Flurry Heart." Cadance said with a smile.

Amore looked at her family. "Are you sure? It seems to be a lot of work-"

"We will not take no for an answer." Shining insisted.

Amore stared at her family before sighing. "Alright, I will take a break."

The Princess of Love smiled. "Good. You deserved to have a break."

Amore wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes. "You know... it's been a bit long since I played with Flurry. I wonder what she's up to?"

The prince giggled. "Probably playing with Sunburst by constantly conjuring weird spells on him for fun."

The three ponies all shared a laughter for a good minute before it died down.

Amore giggled. "Alright then. I will go to Flurry while you two-"

Suddenly the shield shielding the Crystal Empire started to flick before disappearing, prompting the three ponies to look in horror as crystal ponies and creatures started to panic.

"What-what happened? Why did the shield just go off?" Cadance asked.

Suddenly, the voices of panic turned into shouts of horror and terror as the crystal ponies and creatures screamed.

"What in Faust’s name is going on?!" Shining shouted, just as a crystal griffon guard burst into the throne room.

"Your highness!" The crystal griffon shouted without saluting or bowing at them.

"Private! What is happening? What is going on out there?" Amore asked.

"We have a serious problem." The crystal griffon replied with fear in his voice.

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Crystal Palace's base, Moments Earlier

Hurricane smiled over at his wife, who had a smile on her face.

The base of the Crystal Palace, like yesterday, was packed full of Crystal Imperial guards guarding and patrolling to protect the Crystal Heart, now double in size after Princess Amore ordered more guards to ensure that the heart was fully protected. Outside where the guards are stationed were many crystal ponies and creatures citizens walking around in happiness from shopping at the marketplace to going to restaurant to eat.

The atmosphere was calm and vibrant.

Though one Crystal Imperial guard stuck out considerably to Hurricane.

The guard named Strawberry Dusk kept glancing at the heart, her eyes shifting around at the Crystal Imperial guards and the crystal ponies and creatures. Her forehead were full of sweats as they streamed down.

As he subtly observed her, Hurricane’s suspicion grew. This mare wasn’t who she seemed to be.

But before Hurricane could do anything, he and his wife heard commotion coming from the shield shielding the empire.

"Get a medic now!" One of the Crystal Imperial guards from a patrol sent by Captain Tourmaline called out as a crystal yak carried an injured Florence on his back while a crystal pegasus carried a hypothermia Skystrike by his hoof.

The sight of the injured bat pony prompted a crystal hippogriff to flew up into the sky and toward the hospital to get a medic while nearby Crystal Imperial guards grabbed nearby towels to warm both the crystal griffon and his friend.

Hurricane and Clover exchanged a look of concern and worry before making their way through the crowds of the crystal ponies and creatures to check on the two crystal guards.

"Private Skystrike." Hurricane began as he and his wife reached to the crystal griffon while the griffon wrapped himself tighter with the towels he was given to. "What happened to you and your friend?"

"We were ambushed by King Sombra at Outpost Crystal. Everypony and every creatures there were slaughtered by him. We were the only ones who survived from him." Skystrike reported.

Hurricane and Clover widened their eyes in horror while the nearby Crystal Imperial guards shared each other a look of concern and worry.

"So, the dreams Princess Cadance had been dreaming were really visions." Hurricane muttered to himself. "What else, private?"

The crystal griffon's face turned into anger. "There's a traitor working with King Sombra. She was on his side when he slaughtered Outpost Crystal."

Hurricane and Clover dropped their jaws in shock while the guards all gasped in shock that one of their own would work alongside with King Sombra.

"Who?" Hurricane demanded, his voice icy.

Skystrike’s eyes burned with fury. "Her name is Radiant Hope."

As most of the guards looked towards the commotion, no pony or creature noticed Strawberry creeping toward the Crystal Heart.

Just then, a voice called out.

"Hey!" Hurricane, Clover, the crystal griffon and the nearby Crystal Imperial guards turned to see a bruised up another Strawberry Dusk slowly making her way to them, one of her hoof holding at the back of her head.

"Strawberry Dusk?!" Captain Tourmaline gasped. "What are you doing here? I thought you were at the base of the Crystal Palace guarding the Crystal Heart!"

The crystal unicorn guard blinked her eyes in shock. "What?! That wasn't me! I was ambushed and knocked out at my home! The pony that you thought it was me was not me at all!"

Everypony and creature including Hurricane, Clover, Skystrike and the captain stared at Strawberry for a full minute before turning just to see the imposter grabbing hold of the heart with her magic and pulling it towards her.

As soon as the imposter pulled the Crystal Heart toward her, the shield shielding the Crystal Empire started to flick before vanishing.

"Get her!" Tourmaline shouted and pointed at the imposter, prompting a group of Crystal Imperial guards to charge towards her.

The imposter quickly teleported behind the group before running, causing the group of patrols to stop and turned around to chase after her.

The imposter shed off her disguise just as King Sombra arrived in front of her and at the south entrance of the empire, prompting her to stop as the group of guards approached her. But before they could reach her, the umbrum pony casted a spell and caused several black crystal shards to erupt from the ground and in front of the guards.

"Sombra! Here, use the heart to cure your darkness before the Crystal Imperial guards break through!" Radiant Hope called out as she gave the Crystal Heart to her best friend.

Sombra grabbed hold of the heart and looked at it for a few second before he corrupted it with his dark magic, causing the heart to turn black.

"Sombra?! What-what are you doing?!" The crystal unicorn exclaimed, her voice trembling with shock and betrayal as her best friend corrupted the Crystal Heart.

"What I wanted to do when you brought me back to life." The umbrum pony replied before the corrupted Crystal Heart flashed across the ground, causing puddles of shadow. As soon as the puddles of shadow appeared, umbrum ponies emerged from the puddle, each wielding a weapon. Soon, an army was amassed behind him. With that, he pointed his hoof toward the Crystal Imperial and the umbrum ponies charged with a roar.

The crystal ponies and creatures citizens began to scream in terror as the army advanced further into the empire. Hurricane saw several civilians and guards engulfed by spells casted by the umbrum unicorns as more umbrum ponies emerged from the puddles of shadow.

"Guards, to me!" Hurricane shouted as he retreated back to his wife who blasted a umbrum earth pony with a spell, killing him.

A umbrum pegasus flew down in front of him and charged toward him with a sword in his mouth. Hurricane ducked as the pegasus swung his sword.

"Commander!" An approaching crystal kirin blasted a fire spell at pegasus, causing him to catch on fire as he thrashed in agony before the kirin threw a spear at Hurricane's direction, which he quickly grabbed and used to finish the pegasus.

"Commander, what are your order?!" The captain shouted as he moved toward Hurricane.

Hurricane growled as he saw the umbrum ponies slaughtering some of the civilians. "Evacuate the base of the palace and the palace, and block their access further into the empire! Get the civilians to safety!" Hurricane shouted as he began to head toward the palace, Clover following behind him.

"What's the plan, Hurricane?" clover asked.

"We need to link up with the princesses and the prince and form a defence before the umrbum army overrun the empire." Hurricane responded.

Clover nodded her head before they sprinted away as the Crystal Imperial guards dragged nearby civilians to safety.

The battle had just began.

Author's Note

And it begins... :pinkiegasp:

Chapter 47 - Darkness Ascends: Part 2

Hurricane and Clover ran through the hallway of the Crystal Palace with one crystal hippogriff and one crystal griffon flanking them. The whole empire was in chaos as the Crystal Imperial guards evacuated any and all civilians from soon to be contested areas.

After weaving through the crowds of guard and the hallways of the palace, the doors of the throne room came up quickly. Around the two doors, the guards were setting up defences such as barricades as the most of the servants and civilians were gathered inside for their safety. Hurricane, Clover and the two crystal guards were granted entrance without any delays as they were led in into the throne room, spotting Princess Amore, Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor talking to several lieutenants, determined looks of steel on their faces.

"Both the southern west and the southern east districts have been heavily breached, there is massively fighting." One of the lieutenants reported to the three ponies. "There were lots of umbrum ponies attacking us, not sure if the districts can being hold for long though."

"Try to do your best, and take what soldiers you need to get it done before the districts get overwhelm." The prince ordered.

"Yes, your highness!" The lieutenant saluted before bolting off to carry out his order.

"Hurricane! Clover!" Amore addressed the two as they came in her view. "What is going on out there? Me and my family saw the shield go down before hearing screams of terror."

"We have a traitor working with King Sombra, goes by Radiant Hope. She stole the Crystal Heart, bringing down the shield before giving it to him. He then proceeded to corrupt the heart before raising the umbrum army." Clover reported.

"He corrupted the Crystal Heart? The fact that there was a traitor working with that tyrant is very disturbing, not to mention that I knew the traitor before."

The Princess of Love arched an eyebrow at her mother. "You knew this Radiant Hope pony, mom?"

Amore sighed, her voice heavy with regret. "Yes. She was once a resident of the empire during my reign. Back then, Sombra was just an ordinary pony—her best friend. But when he turned to dark magic and fled, Radiant wanted to follow him. I tried to dissuade her, to make her see the danger he posed, but she wouldn’t listen. She ran after him, and when Sombra returned with his army, I thought she had perished. Clearly, I was wrong."

Cadance and Shining looked at Amore in shock. "That's not good. If this Radiant Hope is really working with King Sombra, then we might be in really big trouble." The prince responded.

Amore nodded her head before turning to Hurricane. "What of the civilians and the guards stationed at the west and east district of the empire?"

"Most of the guards there have already been dispatched to evacuate remaining civilians. The few who stayed behind are doing their best to hold back the umbrum forces, but I don’t know how long they can last." Hurricane reported.

Amore grimaced. "We are going to be spread thin, but do what you must do."

Several servants screamed as an explosion exploded at one of the crystal building, shaking the palace as chunks of ceiling clattered to the ground.

"What was that?!" The Princess of Love shouted.

"Damn! That came from the west district!" Shining exclaimed.

Just then, a bruised and battered crystal changeling flied through a window that had been broken by misfired spell casted by a umbrum unicorn. "Your highnesses!" Maxilla saluted. The western district's defences had been breached, the umbrum ponies are getting in and none of us could stop them! They are attacking the civilians as I speak. There are still hundreds of civilians we haven't evacuated yet and we are taking heavy casualties!"

Before any of the three ponies could respond, Strawberry Dusk came running toward them with fear in her face. "Your highnesses! There is a large umbrum ponies at the northwest district and the northeast district is barely holding back the attacks." She reported.

The crystal changeling looked at the crystal unicorn with wide eyes as he remembered that she was the one who knocked him out of consciousness. But before he could do anything, Clover intervened. "Wait! That pony who you thought to be Strawberry was the traitor named Radiant Hope. She disguised herself as Strawberry to get the Crystal Heart and gave it to King Sombra for him to corrupt it."

Maxilla relaxed after hearing what Clover said before trotting up to his companion and gave her a hug. "I'm sorry I didn't realised that you were replaced by a traitor."

Strawberry hugged her friend back. "It's alright, Maxilla. You didn't know."

While the guards were hugging, Amore grimaced as more screams of terror and explosions continued. The Crystal Imperial guards were being pushed back rapidly, things were not looking great.

"Cadenza. Shining." Amore started. "Can Celestia and Luna, along with their guards and the guards from the outpost cities, make it in time with Sombra and his army's rate of progression?"

The royal couple did the mental math in their head before grim faces set on their faces. "No. They wouldn't make it in time."

Amore silently cursed to herself before sighing. "I see... Alright. Here's the plan. We are going to evacuate the empire. Abandon all other districts, order the guards to coordinate the civilians solely on the currently clear northern district. There is a secret door that leads to outside the empire, it is between the cyan crystal building and the dark blue crystal building, you can't miss it. Cadenza and Shining, you two, Hurricane and Clover see to it that your daughter and as many of civilians get out as possible. Make a break for Equestria, hopefully we’ll meet up with the reinforcements on the way."

"Got it!" Cadance nodded. She quickly teleported a scroll, a quill and ink and began to write the messages for help to Princess Celetsia, Princess Luna, Princess Twilight, the leaders and the outpost cities. After she sent the messages through her magic, she and her husband stared to move, before she stopped and turned to face her mother. "Wait, what about you?"

Amore looked and examined the many scared faces of the servants and the determined faces of the Crystal Imperial guards. "Me and a few guards will buy you as much time as I can. Don't worry about me, I will follow you out."

"Are you sure? The last time you fought with Sombra, it ended badly for you." The prince asked in concern.

"Yes, it's true. But I am ready to face him again, and I won't fail." Amore responded.

The Princess of Love walked back up to her mother, and hugged her tightly. "Just be careful, alright?"

"I promise, Cadenza." Amore replied while nuzzling her daughter's head. "Now go."

Cadance nodded as she stepped away from her mother and joined her husband. She took one last look at her before ordering the guards.

"Guards! We are evacuating the empire! There is a hidden door between the cyan crystal building and the dark blue crystal building in the northern district that leads outside the empire! I need every available guards to go secure the northern district and assist the evacuation efforts! Me and my husband will help out if we can!" The Princess of Love shouted.

A round of affirmatives came back to the royal couple, and Cadance and Shining nodded to Hurricane and Clover for them to follow her and her husband as all servants and most of the guards began to depart.

"Stay close. Stay alert." The prince shouted as he and his wife fell into step with the group.

Amore watched her family leave with a proud smile on her face before turning to one of the lieutenants who stayed behind with her along with a few more others. "Lietuenant, get me my armor and my sword."

The lieutenant saluted before gesturing one of the guards to follow him and went to get Amore's armor and sword.

Just then, a heavily injured crystal pegasus flew through the broken window before collapsing onto the floor. His left wing was almost gone, with only a few feathers left, and a black crystal shard was embedded in him.

The remaining Crystal Imperial guards moved to aid him, though they knew that with that kind of injury, he wouldn't make it. Amore followed them and kneeled down to the injured crystal pegasus.

"Your... Your highness..." The crystal pegasus stuttered as blood spilled from his mouth.

"What is it, private?" Amore gently speak.

"King... King Sombra is waiting... for you at... the marketplace... in the south district..." The crystal pegasus said before going limp, blood pooling beneath him.

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King Sombra stood there, watching the chaos while holding onto the corrupted Crystal Heart, his army were storming the Crystal Empire with murderous intent, and all resistance was quickly being quashed under hoof.

The umbrum pony couldn't help but smiled sinisterly as he finally realised that the empire would fall into his hoof once again.

Sombra's eyes were drawn to one of the crystal building as he saw several Crystal Imperial guards desperately defending their position against the overwhelming number of umbrum ponies, forcing them to retreat further into the empire while dragging injured guards and civilians along with them.

The umbrum pony ignited his horn for teleportation before he teleported himself further into the empire where he met several Crystal Imperial guards preparing themselves to defend the empire who noticed him.

"It's King Sombra! Attack at will!" A crystal kirin shouted.

Several arrows, magic bolts and spears came flying toward Sombra. He simply blocked all magic bolts while he caught the arrows and spears before hurling them back to his attackers with deadly precision and twice the force.

Shouts of pain and death arose as the umbrum pony strolled toward the guards and into the marketplace. There had been fifteen guards standing, and now ten guards lay dead with arrows and spears protruding from their bodies.

The remaining five guards, the crystal unicorn and the crystal changeling launched more spells at him while the crystal hippogriff, the crystal griffon and the crystal pegasus charged with sword and spear drawn. Sombra deflected one spell back at its caster with his magic shield, killing the unicorn through his head , while the other deflected bolt went wide. Sombra then created several black crystal shards and sent them toward the three charging Crystal Imperial guards. The crystal hippogriff and the crystal griffon got hit several times by the shards, killing them, while the crystal pegasus got a crystal shard impaled in his body but he continued charging. Sombra then grabbed onto the pegasus, lifting him into the air by the neck while snatching away his spear and flinging it towards the changeling. The changeling only has time to widen her eyes before the spear impaled through her neck, killing her immediately as she fell to the ground lifeless.

The umbrum pony examined his work before turning to look at the last guard he was holding in his grasp.

"You. Go find Amore and tell her that I will be waiting for her at the marketplace." Sombra said.

"Over my dead body." The crystal pegasus snapped at the umbrum pony.

The umbrum pony’s smile turned cruel. "That can be arranged."

With a flick of his magic, Sombra grabbed the pegasus’s wing, ripping out feathers in a brutal display of dominance. The pegasus screamed, blood pouring from the mangled wing.

"Alright! Alright! I’ll go!" The guard cried out in agony. "Just stop!"

Satisfied, the umbrum pony released his grip, tossing the pegasus to the ground like a broken toy. The injured guard staggered to his hooves, his movements shaky as he flapped his remaining wing and took to the air, flying toward the Crystal Palace.

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Klugetown

The meeting room in embassy was filled with several individuals. They included Princess Twilight Sparkle, Lieutenant / Prince Flash Sentry, Spike the dragon, Captain Tempest Shadow, Mayor Capper, Ambassador Silver Quill and several Royal Guards.

The Princess of Friendship glanced up from the parchment before her, addressing the mayor and ambassador with her signature poise. "So, is that everything on the scroll, Mayor Capper?"

"Indeed, Princess. All that’s left is your signature to seal the alliance between Klugetown and Equestria." Capper replied with a gentle smile as he adjusted his tie.

Twilight smiled as Silver levitated a quill and inkstand toward the princess, placing them neatly on the table, the former taking the quill and dipping it into the ink. She then proceeded to sign the scroll of alliance between Equestria and Klugetown. therefore finalising the alliance.

"It's official. Klugetown has been allied themself to Equestria." The Princess of Friendship addressed before stretching out her hoof to shake the mayor's paw, to which the latter returned it. They shook for a while before letting go.

"A new chapter of friendship." Capper said before bowing down.

Twilight nodded as she began to levitate the quill and inkstand up int the air. "And one we’re proud to share together."

The Princess of Friendship turned to her number one assistant. "Spike, send a letter to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna that the alliance between Equestria and Klugetown has been finalised."

The dragon gave her a thumb up. "No problem, Twi. Let me just-"

Suddenly, Spike's cheek puffed as he placed both his claws on his stomach before he aimed his head to the sky and belched out a green fire and a scroll with the seal of Crystal Empire emblazoned onto it appeared in mid-air.

"A letter?" The captain asked. "From the Crystal Empire?"

Twilight picked up the scroll with her magic while still levitating the quill and inkstand in the air. "I guess so."

The lieutenant stared at the scroll. "Hasn't been a few days already. Maybe the summit about finalising the alliance between Equestra & Crystal Empire and Mount Aris & Seaquestria just ended? Your sister-in-law and your brother might be telling you how it went."

The Princess of Friendship wanted to agree with her husband, but for some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling that something bad happened.

"Maybe... let's find out." Twilight said as she opened up the scroll and read it.

Her expression darkened almost instantly. Without warning, the quill and inkstand snapped in midair with an audible crack, sending shards of glass and splatters of ink across the table. Silver Quill and the guards recoiled in shock, their eyes wide with alarm. The Princess of Friendship's eyes promptly darkened into aqua blue for a moment before returning back to normal.

"T-Twilight?" The dragon asked in alarm.

"Get the army from the military base – NOW! Tell them to get on the Friendship Express immediately, Cadance, Shining and Flurry are in danger!" Twilight ordered Tempest.

"What?!" Flash shouted in shock. "What happened?"

"It's King Sombra. He somehow returned back to living. The Crystal Empire is under attack at this very moment, and Cadance said that they won’t survive without our and Princess Celestia & Princess Luna's help!" The Princess of Friendship shouted as she shot up from her seat and made her way toward the doors.

"Twilight." Spike was quick to stop her. "Are you actually going to the Crystal Empire?"

Twilight looked at the dragon as if he had gone momentarily crazy. "Of course I am! Cadance, Shining and Flurry are in danger, I will not stay idle here." She insisted.

"But Twilight, you're pregnant! If you go and attack Sombra, who to say he will harm you and the baby?" The lieutenant quickly stated.

The Princess of Friendship froze and looked down at her belly. "Damn it."

"How about this? You can come with us, but you wouldn't be joining the battle with us." The captain suggested.

Twilight thought about it. "Alright, that's reasonable."

"How fast can the army from this military base be organised? Also, which military base is nearest to the Crystal Empire?" Tempest enquired one of the guards.

"As fast as they can once they are told about the situation in the Crystal Empire. And the nearest military base would be Fort Glimmer, my father was stationed there briefly before he retired." The guard answered.

The Princess of Friendship nodded. "Have them mobilise and head towards the Crystal Empire without us, we’ll catch up."

The captain saluted before she, Flash and the guards walked out through the doors, with Twilight and Spike briskly
following them.

'I will not lose them. King Sombra will pay.' The Princess of Friendship thought to herself.

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Princess Cadance, Prince Shining Armor, Commander Hurricane and Clover the Clever were at the head of the group making their way towards the northern district of the empire. Masses of crystal civilians followed behind as the guards did their best to keep them organised and safe.

"Keep up!" The prince shouted to those shortly behind the group.

A door of Sunburst's house to their left burst open and Sunburst and Flurry Heart came out in hurry. However, they were not expecting to be face to face with the Princess of Love and her husband.

"Mom! Dad!" The filly alicorn rushed toward her parents and hugged both of them. "What's going on out there?! Uncle Sunburst was teaching me how to use advanced magic spell when we heard screaming and explosions!" She shouted as she let go of her parents.

Before the royal couple could answer their daughter's question, several umbrum pegasi flew down and landed a few feet in front of them and the group, causing Flurry and several of civilians to scream in terror and fear as the three pegasi charged toward them.

Immediately, Cadance let loose a magic bolt at one of the pegasi, killing him through his head. Shining produced a shield in front of the flying pegasus, causing the pegasus to hit the shield before he stabbed his sword into the pegasus, while Hurricane slashed the last pegasus's right wing, causing the pegasus to scream in pain as he fell onto the ground before Clover finished him off with a magic bolt to his head.

After killing the three umbrum pegasi, the four ponies took a breather before the royal couple quickly check on their daughter, who was huddling with the Royal Crystaller in fear.

"Flurry! Are you alright?!" The Princess of Love quickly asked her daughter. She enveloped the trembling filly in a protective hug, her voice trembling with maternal concern.

The prince knelt beside them, wrapping a comforting hoof around his daughter. "It’s alright, sweetheart. You’re safe now." He assured her, his voice steady despite the turmoil around them.

Y-y-yeah... I’m okay…" Flurry shakenly answered as she hugged and clung onto her parent.

Sunburst placed a reassuring hoof on the filly alicorn's shoulder. The group lingered for a moment to recover, but a massive explosion shook the ground, causing some of the civilians to lose their balance and fall to the floor.

"What in Equestria was that?!" The Royal Crystaller shouted as he got up and adjusted his eyeglasses.

The royal couple, Flurry, Sunburst, Hurricane and Clover turned to see a towering column of fresh black smoke rose ominously into the sky, merging with the already darkened horizon.

"That came from the southern west district." Clover responded, just as a crystal kirin rushed out through the the alleyway between two crystal building with a crystal earth pony and a crystal yak following behind him while levitating a crystal changeling nymph.

"Private! What was that huge explosion?!" Shining shouted at the crystal kirin who slowly put the crystal changeling nymph before the nymph rushed toward her parents in tears.

The crystal kirin saluted before reporting. "That huge explosion came from the southern west district. The umbrum army managed to overrun the defences set up there by casting a huge amount of magic bolts and letting loose of it, destroying the barricades and killing and injuring several Crystal Imperial guards and civilians."

The group stood silent for a moment, the weight of the kirin’s words sinking in.

"Oh Celestia..." Cadance felt sick. All those civilians and guards...

Suddenly, screams of terror and panic filled the air. "Your highness, more of them are coming!" Clover yelled, trying to shake the Princess of Love out of her stupor just as more umbrum ponies arrived behind the group. Without any hesitation, she flew up in the air with bright eyes and flared her horn before unleashing a powerful magic bolt at the new foes.

The umbrum ponies only had time to change their expressions into looks of horror before the spell detonated in front of them and engulfed them all. The magic blast was big to wipe all of them out, and made a huge crater.

Cadance looked at the others, who were staring at her wide eyed. "We need to get everypony out of here. Now."

The prince recovered first. "Right. Amore said that the hidden passage leading outside the empire was between the cyan and dark blue crystal buildings." He responded.

The group nodded and led the group of civilians toward the hidden passage. Down the corridors and alleyways they traversed, they encountered more umbrum pegasi flying down and trying to kill them. The umbrum pegasi were swiftly dealt with before the group continued to make their way to their destination.

Before long they made it to the hidden door, just as another group of civilians and guards led by Captain Tourmaline arrived.

"Your highnesses! Commander!" The captain saluted on seeing them emerge. "Glad to see you are safe."

"You too, captain." Hurricane replied. "Any problems?"

"Only a few umbrum ponies, but nothing we couldn’t handled with." Tourmaline reported.

"That's good to know. Now, get the hidden door open before more of them arrives!" The Princess of Love ordered.

Several Crystal Imperial guards quickly moved up and together opened the hidden door leading outside the empire.

"Alright! Everypony move up!" Cadance ordered while Shining gestured the group to move up with his hoof.

The royal couple took point with Hurricane and Clover at their sides and the filly alicorn sat on her mother's back clinging while the captain moved in front of them to ensure the area was safe as the civilians began to spill out into the open daylight and into the Frozen North.

Both the Princess of Love and the prince and their daughter stood aside as the evacuating civilians moved on up and began to move away from the empire while the Crystal Imperial guards guarded the civilians and gestured them to move faster.

"Come on! Keep moving!" Tourmaline urged the civilians, gesturing them to keep moving no matter what.

The royal couple and their daughter watched as the civilians began to pour out of the empire and into the Frozen North. For some of them it was their first ever time outside the empire.

As Cadance briefly pondered about the freezing situation while comforting her daughter, she was knocked out of her thoughts as a spear missed her and her family by mere inches.

"More umbrum ponies!" Hurricane shouted in alarm as more spears and magic bolts began to fly toward the group.

All the Crystal Imperial guards outside the empire immediately moved to defend the increasingly panicked civilians, with crystal unicorns, crystal kirins and crystal changeling firing back with their own magic while others threw spears at the enemies. However, they were outnumbered, with most of the guards still inside the empire with most of the civilians.

The Princess of Love immediately deposited her daughter to Sunburst before taking up into the air with a flap of her wings, forming a shield to intercept a large number of magic bolts, arrows and spears as they came in. She then redirected all the projections toward the attackers, killing majority of the umbrum ponies. One umbrum pegasus tried to strike her with his sword from behind, but she bucked him with her hindlegs before snatching the sword and impaling him with it, throwing him aside.

Meanwhile, Shining dodged a magic bolt with his shield as the umbrum unicorn fired a magic bolt at him. He then fired magic bolt at the umbrum unicorn at the head, dazing the unicorn before he used his sword and severed the umbrum unicorn's head. Hurricane flew up and knocked one of the umbrum pegasi onto the ground before snapping his head while Clover fired magic bolts repeatedly at the enemies, with some of them hitting them directly at the heads and killing them while protecting the civilians with a magic shield. Meanwhile, the Royal Crystaller carried Flurry to safety while being guarded by several Crystal Imperial guards for protection.

"Keep going!" Hurricane shouted at the group of the civilians while pointing them to the way toward Equestria as he dodged another attack from the umbrum earth pony using a spear before bucking him in the face, snatching the spear and impaling it through the umbrum earth pony's neck.

Clover's mind raged when she saw several umbrum pegasi throwing spears at the group of three crystal yaks, the spears striking directly at them and killing them.

Cadance blocked a spear with her magic shield and shot a magic bolt at the umbrum unicorn, severing his body in hlaf and spilling bloods over the ground. She took a breathe and turned to see. To her horror, several umbrum ponies were breaking through the defence at the hidden door set up by her husband and the remaining Crystal Imperial guards. The guards were trying their hardest to stop the enemies, but there were just so many of them.

Realising that the Crystal Imperial guards wouldn’t stand chance against the huge amount of the umbrum ponies and the guards along with the civilians and her family would be slaughtered, the Princess of Love flew there to deal the enemies, saving the guards with a magic shield just in time as spears, magic bolts and arrow impacted against the shield and helped the group up.

Hurricane spun himself to dodge a spear flying toward him thrown by the umbrum unicorn, aware of the fact that he wasn't wearing his armor to protect himself since he had never had time to put on since the battle. He briefly watched his wife got her left cheek cut by a sword wielded by the umbrum pegasus, leaving a bloody cut on her left cheek. But despite the injury, Clover bucked her attacker with her left hindleg before blasting the umbrum pegasus in his head.

Hurricane couldn't do anything to reach his wife though as his attacker tackled him to the ground, catching him off guard.

"Crystal pony bastard!" The umbrum earth pony yelled as he punched Hurricane in the face.

Hurricane was dazed for a moment before he kicked his attacker off him and bucked him in the face before tackling him to the ground and repeatedly punched the attacker in the face multiple times before his attacker went still. Hurricane took a few breather before he was tackled again to the ground by the umbrum pegasus wielding a spear in his hoof. He could only saw his attacker raising his spear to finish Hurricane off, leaving Hurricane powerless to mount any attack.

Only for the umbrum pegasus to be knock off flying by a charging yak, the spear clattering down next to Hurricane who was startled by the appearance of a yak.

Glancing where the yak came from, Hurricane saw more yaks and crystal yaks charging and knocking the umbrum ponies over while others moved to assist the Crystal Imperial guards and protect the civilians of the Crystal Empire.

The Princess of Love saw this too, and gawped as the yaks and the crystal yaks along with the crystal ponies and creatures broke the enemies' lines and began to push the surprised umbrum ponies away from the Crystal Imperial guards and the civilians of the Crystal Empire.

"Princess pony!" One of the yaks approached Cadance.

"You finally came!" The Princess of Love exclaimed.

"Prince Rutherford received the scroll about needing help and sent Thunderhoof and most of the yaks and crystal yaks army to help the princess up. Crystal ponies and creatures from Outpost Blizzard also came along and joined us after they also received the scroll." The yak responded.

Despite the situation happening , Cadance couldn't help but smiled and sighed a breath of relief. "Tell Rutherford and Thunderhoof that me and my husband are grateful for his help! Your timing was just in time before these umbrum ponies overrun us!"

"Yak will tell Prince Rutherford and Thunderhoof." The yak replied with a smile. "Thunderhoof is on route with some more reinforcements."

"Tell him to meet us on the border of the Frozen North, we will be heading there." The Princess of Love said.

"Very well." The yak nodded.

Cadance's smile widened as she watched the Crystal Imperial guards and the yaks finishing off the umbrum attack force assaulting the group, the combined force greater than the local amount of invaders, and the civilians successfully began to escape the empire again.

"Hurricane? You good?" The prince approached the bruised Hurricane, lifting the pegasus up with his hoof.

"Yeah, I'm fine. That was way too close." Hurricane replied.

Clover also approached, with a bandage on her left cheek and the Royal Crystaller holding Flurry. "This isn't over yet, there will be more umbrum ponies."

"You're right, Clover." The Princess of Love agreed. "But the civilians should be safe now. The umbrum ponies will be busy taking the empire while other Crystal Imperial guards remaining in the empire made their way to the hidden door."

"So, what do we do now?" Hurricane asked.

Cadance looked back towards the empire, black smokes raising from the place. "My mother is still in there, I won't leave her there."

"Are you looking for your mother, Princess Cadance?" A crystal hippogriff guard overheard the Princess of Love and approached her before saluting and relaxing. "Your highness. I think I know where your mother is."

"Really? Where is she?" Cadance asked.

"As I was flying toward the northern district and passing the Crystal Palace, I overheard that Amore and a huge group of guards with her were going to the marketplace." The crystal hippogriff answered.

"The marketplace? Where would she be going there?" Shining asked the crystal hippogriff.

"I'm afraid I don't have an answer to that, Prince Armor." The crystal hippogriff sadly said.

The Princess of Love nodded her head. "It's alright and thank you. Now get moving, it's not safe here anymore."

The crystal hippogriff saluted and moved off to join the rest of the guards protecting the civilians.

Cadance turned to the other three ponies. "Shining, I need you to come with me. As for you two, you don't have to come with us."

"Like Tartarus we don’t!" Clover shouted. "Why on Equis would we ever let you two to go alone?"

"We are with you, your highnesses!" Hurricane agreed.

The royal couple smiled at the two. "Thanks." The prince said before glancing back to Sunburst. "Sunburst, get our daughter to safety and keep her close to you. We'll be back."

"Understood, your highness." The Royal Crystaller nodded his head before heading off to join the evacuation, the filly alicorn crying out to her parents.

The royal couple waved at their daughter until Sunburst and their daughter couldn't be seen.

"Alright, let's go." The Princess of Love responded, flaring her wings and taking to the air, with Hurricane doing the same. Shining and Clover followed them shortly behind.

The group encountered little resistance on their way over, as most of the umbrum ponies were deep within the Crystal Empire.

However, about half way to the marketplace, Cadance was hit by a corpse of a crystal kirin, causing her to pummel down onto the ground.

"Cady!" The prince called out to his wife as he, Hurricane and Clover made their way to her.

The Princess of Love groaned herself, slowly getting up as the other rushed toward her. Her eyes then landed onto her attacker.

The umbrum unicorn was wearing armor like the other umbrum ponies, but he has a rank of captain and wielding a sword in his magic as he slowly lifted an injured crystal bat pony by her head by his magic before slowly crushing her head with his magic, the crystal bat pony going limp before the umbrum captain dropped the corpse.

"Princess Mi Amore Cadenza..." The umbrum captain started just as the three ponies arrived to Cadance's side. "I never thought that Princess Amore has a offspring."

"Who the hell are you?" Shining demanded to know as he took a fighting stance while flaring his horn, while Hurricane and Clover readied themselves and glared at the umbrum captain.

The umbrum captain laughed sinisterly as he flicked his sword to get rid of the blood. "I am Dreadspire. Captain of the umbrum ponies and loyalist to King Sombra."

"If you're loyal to King Sombra, then why aren't you with him?" Clover asked with an arched eyebrow.

Dreadspire looked at Clover. "King Sombra wanted me to be here to mop up the stragglers who somehow survived the slaughter. As for where is my king, I wouldn't tell you where he is."|

"Arrogant idiot." Hurricane muttered to himself as he rolled his eyes.

"My sword still stained with the blood of your father, Artic Spirit." The umbrum captain laughed as Cadance growled at him angrily. "I wonder how his daughter can handle me..."

Dreadspire suddenly charged, the tip of his sword scraping the ground as he dragged his sword while his horn flared before he jumped into the air with a boast of his magic, bringing his sword toward the Princess of Love.

Cadance was barely able to put up a shield in time as the sword strike against her shield.

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Amore, fully armored and holding her crystal sword, tossed a dead umbrum earth pony to one side as she and the group of Crystal Imperial guards strolled toward the marketplace. Her face darkened as she saw all of her, her mother and her daughter's achievements in ruins.

Amore's face darkened even more as she and the guards saw King Sombra, gutting the crystal yak with his scythe and watching the yak's life draining before he threw aside as the group umbrum ponies chuckled at the scene.

"Ah, Princess Amore." The umbrum pony noticed Amore as his soldiers took defensive stances. "Hope mentioned to me that you're alive. I didn't think that you would return back to life."

"Do you think you can get away from this? This slaughter? Even if you kill me and my guards and win, Celestia, Luna, Twilight and my daughter will put a stop to you!" Amore snapped, her guards taking fighting stances.

"Oh please." Sombra dismissed with a wave of his hoof. "Did you really think I wouldn’t have a plan to defeat them once I have learnt the true power of dark magic?"

"What? True power of dark magic?" Amore asked in confusion.

"What if I told you those stories about a Queen of umbrum who had the power of necromancy, dark magic and the use of her hivemind… were true and can be brought back to life?" The umbrum pony stated.

Amore scoffed. "You have to be kidding yourself. While the stories about the queen of umrbum were true since my mom told me about it, bring her back to life is impossible to do so."

"Oh, I'm not kidding." Sombra replied. "Why did you think I want to conquer the Crystal Empire for a thousand years ago? I had heard stories about this legendary queen from one of my soldiers and I decided to find out myself. Once I have conquered the empire and discarded, I had my soldiers searching through the empire about this time. After some times, my soldiers found something. Texts from your mother's diary and ancient texts beneath the empire detailing the Queen of umbrum, the one who controlled and led the umbrum soldiers and the undead. The one who ruled her soldiers with an iron hoof."

The umbrum pony chuckled sinisterly. "The queen may be gone, but in those two texts I found clues about a regalia. The same regalia that contained the soul of the queen. If I were to access it..."

"I thought that you were crazy. But now, I find that you are even more insane." Amore snorted.

Sombra’s eyes glinted dangerously, his scythe hovering menacingly at his side. "Believe what you will, Princess. Soon, all will witness the return of the Queen, and your precious empire will fall."

"So, what happened to these ancient texts?" Amore asked.

"Destroyed." The umbrum pony stated with a grin. "I didn’t want any princesses to see them and know about the regalia. Now the regalia’s location is only to be found up here…" He pointed his hoof to his head.

"I won't let you do that." Amore firmly stated.

Sombra chuckled sinisterly.

"If you knew where the location is, why not just take it and bring the queen back to life?" Amore asked with an arched eyebrow.

"It's simple. I couldn't risk looking for it without any princesses still alive. Once the princesses are gone, I will bring the queen back to life, and soon Equestria will be conquer. Then the Griffonstone, then Dragonland, then Yakyakistan, and then... well , you get the point." The umbrum pony responded.

"I will not let you do this!" Amore snapped as she took a fighting stance. "Let's us end this, once and for all!"

"So be it!" Sombra grinned, taking a fighting stance too.

The two sides locked eyes for a few moments, hateful glares on their faces as the soldiers on both sides readied their weapons and charged their horns.

And then they charged toward each other.

Author's Note

The battle continues...

Chapter 48 - Darkness Ascends: Part 3

"My sword still stained with the blood of your father, Artic Spirit." The umbrum captain laughed as Cadance growled at him angrily. "I wonder how his daughter can handle me..."

Dreadspire suddenly charged, the tip of his sword scraping the ground as he dragged his sword while his horn flared before he jumped into the air with a boast of his magic, bringing his sword toward the Princess of Love.

Cadance was barely able to put up a shield in time as the umbrum captain charged toward her.

The sword strike against the shield and the umbrum captain pushed his word against the shield, causing it to crack as the Princess of Love brow creased as she concentrated all her power on her shield.

Before Dreadspire could shatter the shield completely, a bolt of blue magic slammed into his side. Staggered, he stumbled back and turned his glowing crimson eyes toward Shining Armor, who stood firm with his horn aglow.

"Stay away from her!" The prince bellowed, charging toward the umbrum captain.

Dreadspire let out a growl, his sword raised high, and retaliated with a barrage of crackling magic bolts. Shining quickly cast a shield, the bolts slamming into it with relentless force. The last bolt struck hard, fracturing the barrier just as Dreadspire's blade came crashing down. Shining reeled back, a shallow cut appearing on his cheek as he narrowly dodged the worst of the blow.

The umbrum captain sneered, leveling his blade at the prince. "Not much of a prince, are you?"

Before the prince could respond, Hurricane charged forward and tackled the umbrum captain with his body. But the umbrum captain grabbed hold of Hurricane with his magic and tossed him aside into the window of the house.

As Dreadspire got up, he was assaulted by multiple magic bolts, some of them hitting him before he was able to cast a shield. He turned to see Clover firing multiple magic bolts at him.

In retaliation, the umbrum captain let loose of a powerful magic bolt at Clover. Widening her eyes, Clover casted a shiled in front of her, but the powerful magic bolt shattered the shield and caused her to fall on her back.

As Dreadspire panted himself, a humming of magic caught his attention and prompted him to turn to see Cadance flaring her magic. Before he could react, she let loose a beam of magic at him. He casted a shield in front of him, letting the shield to absorb the beam as he slide backward and into the house. The house then exploded, causing the structure to collapse and leaving her to pant as the others got back up.

The battlefield fell silent for a moment, save for the Princess of Love's labored breaths. Then, from within the rubble, a faint movement stirred, prompting the four ponies to ready themselves.

With a grunt, the umbrum captain pushed the debris aside and stepped forward. His armor was dented, his left eye swollen and bruised, but his posture remained unnervingly steady. He moved with deliberate calm while wielding his sword in his magic, as though the battle had barely fazed him.

"You’ll need more than that to defeat me." Dreadspire said, his voice cold and unyielding, his sword gleaming in the dim light.

"This guy's tough, that's for sure." Hurricane stated as he pressed his hoof on his injured forehead to stop bleeding.

Cadance nodded as Clover rubbed her bruised chest with his hoof while her husband pressed his hoof on the scratch on his right cheek.

"Alright, new plan." The Princess of Love began. "Hurricane, Clover. You two flank left around Dreadspire. Me and my husband will flank right."

Clover and Hurricane nodded their head before flanking to the left while Cadance and her husband moved to flank on the right.

The umbrum captain glanced between the royal couple and the couple as they flanked him.

"You realize this changes nothing." Dreadspire said, a cruel smirk curling his lips.

The four ponies said nothing and opted to take a fighting stance as they readied themselves against the umbrum captain.

"Still not going to give up?" Dreadspire asked before shaking his head. "Very well then." He said as his horn flared up.

The umbrum captain flared his horn and readied his sword before in unison, the four ponies charged toward him.

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The clashes of steels, the whooshing of arrows, spears and magic bolts filled the air as Amore and her guards charged head first toward King Sombra and his soldiers who also charged toward them.

Amore clashed her horn against the umbrum pony's curved horn, their horns flaring up while they glared at each other with hatred.

Meanwhile the soldiers on both sides attacked each other, with several crystal pegasi, crystal hippogriffs, crystal changelings, crystal griffons and crystal bat ponies grappling with the umbrum pegasi in the air while a few crystal unicorns and crystal kirins attacked with their magic bolts or bows with explosive arrows at the umbrum unicorns who retaliated with their dark magic bolts. Simultaneously, several crystal earth ponies attacked several umbrum earth ponies with swords or spears while crystal yaks charged forward.

Amore and Sombra kept pushing each other with their horns. Realising the fight going nowhere anytime soon, he opted to teleport. Amore widened her eyes in shock, quickly turning around and raised her crystal sword in her magic just as he materialised behind her and tried to strike her with his scythe, his scythe striking against her sword.

Amore pushed the umbrum pony back with her sword and fired a beam of magic at him. The umbrum pony quickly sidestepped the attack as the beam sailed right through where he was and destroyed the crystal house.

Sombra retaliated with several short bursts of his magic at Amore, forcing her to evade the incoming strikes. With a series of magic shield and blocking with her crystal sword, she was able to deflect all his magic bolts before five Crystal Imperial guards who had managed to defeat some of the umbrum ponies came and charged toward him.

Amore's eyes narrowed towards her opponent as she readied herself to assist the guards, though her gaze was diverted with the sound of hooves galloping toward her. Six umbrum ponies; two umbrum earth ponies, two umbrum unicorns and two umbrum pegasi, set their sights on her and readied their weapons, three of them holding swords while two held spears and one holding a bow and arrow.

Amore tightened her grip on her sword, her eyes narrowing as she prepared to face the oncoming threat.

The two umbrum earth ponies and one umbrum unicorn holding swords charged forwards towards Amore while a umbrum pegasus threw his spear and a umbrum unicorn fired an arrow in her direction. Amore simply grabbed onto the arrow and the spear with her magic and flicked them back to the attackers. The spear impaled the pegasus, and the arrow struck the bow-wielding unicorn, both collapsing lifelessly to the ground.

Amore then let loose a magic bolt to the ground in front of the three ponies, sending them up to the air before Amore swung her crystal sword across them, cutting them into half before they hit the ground.

After taking a breather, Amore turned just in time to see the umbrum pony had impaled his scythe into a crystal changeling and lifted her up as the crystal changeling grabbed the blade impaled in her body before he violently sliced her into half. Amore, seeing this, growled in anger and pulled the spear out of the umbrum pegasus threw it forwards to the umbrum pony.

Sombra’s eyes widened as the spear flew toward him. He twisted to dodge, but he wasn't fast enough. The spear grazed his neck, leaving a deep, bloody gash. He hissed in pain, dark energy swirling around the wound.

The spear flew across and into a black smoke.

The umbrum pony bared his fang as he glared at Amore with seething fury and charged toward her, their weapons locking against each other. The two ponies fought against the other for a few moments more, before the umbrum pony managed to strike a powerful blow that made Amore stagger back and flicked his scythe, leaving a bloody cut over her right eyes.

Sombra smirked as Amore let loose a magic bolt at him, prompting him to cast a shield in front of him.

"I must admit..." The umbrum pony said behind his shield before using it to push Amore back a few metres. "Your fighting skills are better than when I fought you a thousand years ago."

"You talk too much." Amore said as she wiped the blood streaming down her face off before she fired a beam of magic at Sombra again, causing him to move his head to the side as the beam sailed right through where his head was and destroyed Spike crystal statue into million pieces.

Amore and the umbrum pony danced around each other, firing magic bolts at each other only to be blocked by their magic shields and striking their weapons against each other.

Sombra summoned a cluster of black crystal in front to temporary block Amore's line of sight on him as he gathered himself, panting himself to regain his strength against Amore while the other umbrum ponies went to deal with her while others dealt with the remaining Crystal Imperial guards.

The umbrum pony turned to see two of his soldiers finishing off the crystal unicorns and kirins as one of the umbrum unicorns impaled his sword into a crystal kirin, killing her.

Sombra smiled sinisterly as he started to plan out his plan to take down Amore once and for all.

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Shining barely managed to intercept Dreadspire's blade with a discarded sword, the clash sending a spray of sparks in the air and him to fall onto the ground.

The prince held the umbrum captain's blade with the discarded sword as long as he can as the sword began to slowly reached toward him.

Just as Dreadspire pressed forward, preparing to overpower Shining with sheer force, a blur of motion swept in from behind. Hurricane dove in, locking his forelegs around the umbrum captain's neck in a swift, practiced maneuver.

With a powerful beat of his wings, Hurricane yanked Dreadspire away from the prince, forcing him to stumble back. The umbrum captain thrashed violently in his grip, snarling as he fought to break free, but Hurricane held firm, his wings straining as he lifted his struggling opponent off the ground.

Before Hurricane could fly further up, Dreadspire used the butt of his sword in his magic to hit the side of Hurricane's head, causing Hurricane to drop the umbrum captain back to the ground as Hurricane winced while placing a hoof on his injury.

Hurricane shook himself and readied himself, only to be hit by Dreadspire's magic bolt who had gotten back up, causing Hurricane to fly uncontrollably in the air before crashing into a cart filled with boxes, the wooden structure splintering under the force. Hurricane groaned as the debris scattered around him, his wings twitching weakly.

The umbrum captain smirked, but his moment of triumph was short-lived. A loud crash drew his attention as he was forced to conjure a magical shield. A heavy carriage, propelled with tremendous force, smashed against the barrier, shattering into splinters upon impact. The shockwave rippled outward, scattering debris and forcing him to brace himself.

Lowering his shield, Dreadspire snarled and turned toward the source of the attack. Standing amidst the chaos was Cadance, her horn glowing with residual energy from the throw. Her eyes blazed with determination as she faced him, wings flared and ready for the next move.

The umbrum captain narrowed his eyes, his grip on his blade tightening as he prepared for the confrontation.

The Princess of Love fired a beam of magic at Dreadspire, causing him to cast a shield in front of him to block the blast, but the force pushed him back several steps.

Before the umbrum captain could recover, Cadance charged, her wings flaring as she drove her head into his chest. The impact sent him stumbling backward, his hooves skidding across the cobblestones until he toppled into a fountain and his sword thrown inside the fountain. Water splashed in all directions as he landed with a crash, momentarily submerged.

The Princess of Love stood firm with her wings flared out, her gaze blazing as she prepared for the next move. "You won’t harm anypony on my watch." She declared angrily.

Dreadspire rose from the fountain, dripping and furious, his crimson eyes locking onto Cadance. "You’ll regret that, Princess." He snarled, his magic swirling ominously around his sword.

Before the Princess of Love could react, the umbrum captain charged forward with a boast of his magic and speed and tackled her onto the ground, dazing her.

As her vision cleared, Cadance's eyes widened in horror as she watched Dreadspire sitting on her and lifting his sword over his head before bringing down toward her.

Reacting in the nick of time, the Princess of Love gripped hold of the sword with her magic, stopping the blade just a few centimetres away from her face.

Cadance's horn sparked under the strain as the blade slowly got closer to her face. Desperately, she used her forelegs to push the umbrum captain off of her, but he was too strong to be pushed off. She panicked as the blade was reaching toward one of her eyes.

Only for Dreadspire to scream in pain as a spear was impaled into his left foreleg, causing the grip on his sword to drop as he staggered away from the Princess of Love.

Cadance looked to see Clover. She had managed to got back up after the umbrum captain blasted her into a crystal building and threw the spear at him.

"Stay the hell away from her!" Clover shouted in anger as she fired multiple magic bolts at Dreadspire.

The umbrum captain moved to cast a magic shield, but before he could, a precise bolt from Shining struck his horn, shattering it in half. He roared in agony as he clutched at the broken remnants of his horn while being hit by multiple magic bolts.

As Clover ceased firing, Dreadspire was in so much agony that he couldn't see the Princess of Love had gotten up and was holding his sword in her magic as she walked up to him.

"This is for my father, you bitch." Cadance snarled at him with anger.

Before the umbrum captain could respond, the Princess of Love plunged his sword through his neck, the blade impaling through his throat.

Dreadspire gave a choked scream as his throat was impaled, The wound on his throat began to bleed profusely. His gasp for air were in vain as he couldn’t fill his lung. He fell onto the ground and thrashed around for a few more seconds, his movements grew weak and little before going lifeless.

The three ponies stood over the dead umbrum captain as they gathered themselves.

"That...was tiring..." Clover panted heavily as she rubbed the bruise on her belly.

"Yeah. This captain was definitely tougher than any villains Twily had faced." Shining responded as he stared at Dreadspire.

"Thanks for the save, Clover. Dreadspire almost had me." Cadance gave Clover a smile.

"I couldn't let him kill you, your highness." Clover smiled back as she looked around. "Wait, where is my husband?"

"Right here." Hurricane replied as he weakly flew toward the group, his wings drooping and his face marked with fresh bruises. "Dreadspire did a number on me, but I can still fight."

The Princess of Love nodded her head, though she internally winced at Hurricane's bruises. "Alright then, let's go. My mother needs us."

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Sombra hissed in rage as a bolt of magic sailed past him, singeing his fur of his coat as he charged forward toward Amore who was fighting against several umbrum ponies.

The umbrum pony fired several magic bolts at Amore as he continued charging, Amore intercepting and stopping the magic bolts with her shield while finishing off the last umbrum soldier attacker but she was unable to stop his scythe from slamming into her.

The impact sent Amore staggering, her shield flickering as she struggled to regain her footing before she swung her crystal sword at Sombra, who blocked it with his scythe. In her frustration, she flicked his scythe out of her way and stabbed it into his right foreleg, eliciting a shout of pain from him. Amore then pulled her sword out and swung it toward his neck.

The umbrum pony, realising Amore was moments away from decapitating his head, cast a panicked teleportation spell around himself.

Amore's crystal sword sliced through empty air, the force of her swing unbalancing her for a moment. She quickly steadied herself, scanning the battlefield for any sign of her enemy.

"Sombra? Reveal yourself?! Or are you a coward?!" Amore shouted as she scanned for signs of King Sombra.

Sombra hissed in rage as a bolt of magic sailed past him, singeing his fur of his coat as he charged forward toward Amore who was fighting against several umbrum ponies.

The umbrum pony fired several magic bolts at Amore as he continued charging, Amore intercepting and stopping the magic bolts with her shield while finishing off the last umbrum soldier attacker but she was unable to stop his scythe from slamming into her.

The impact sent Amore staggering, her shield flickering as she struggled to regain her footing before she swung her crystal sword at Sombra, who blocked it with his scythe. In her frustration, she flicked his scythe out of her way and stabbed it into his right foreleg, eliciting a shout of pain from him. Amore then pulled her sword out and swung it toward his neck.

The umbrum pony, realising Amore was moments away from decapitating his head, cast a panicked teleportation spell around himself.

Amore's crystal sword sliced through empty air, the force of her swing unbalancing her for a moment. She quickly steadied herself, scanning the battlefield for any sign of her enemy.

"Sombra? Reveal yourself?! Or are you a coward?!" Amore shouted as she scanned for signs of King Sombra.

A sinister laugh echoed across the battlefield, chilling and full of malice. The sound seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once.

"Do you think you can challenge me, Amore?" The umbrum pony 's voice hissed, laced with venom. "You’ll find no victory here, only despair."

Amore tightened her grip on her sword. "You’ll not have the empire, Sombra. I will see to that!"

The battlefield fell eerily silent for a moment as Amore did a quick scan of the area around her, seeing no sign of her nemesis.

Amore then began to move steady, her hooves splashing through pools of blood spilled by friend and foe alike. The lifeless bodies of Crystal Imperial guards and umbrum soldiers littered the ground, forcing her to step over the bodies..

As Amore continued to look for the umbrum pony, two magic bolts impacted her armor, causing her to flinch.

Amore swung around to see two umbrum unicorns standing, one holding a sword in his magic while the other holding a bow and arrow. Both their horns were smoking.

Amore shot forward towards them, both of them widening their eyes as they started to fire their magic bolts and arrows at her who had casted a magic shield.

Amore fired a magic bolt at one of the umbrum unicorns in his head, killing him.

The other umbrum unicorn immediately jumped to the side as Amore swung her sword before he fired his arrow at her desperately.

Amore quickly grabbed the arrow with her magic and flicked it back to the attacker, impaling it into his neck. He gurgled against the blood as he fell onto the ground before slowly going limp.

Amore took a deep breath as she flicked her sword to get rid of the blood.

However, Amore's break was short-lived as she heard hoofsteps getting close to her very quick. Instinctively, she turned around to face the danger.

A sharp scream filled the air as Amore felt the blade of the scythe embedded itself in her belly and through her back and her armor, the weapon being held in King Sombra.

Amore gasped in pain, tightening her grip on her sword before impaling it into the umbrum pony's side, eliciting a hiss of pain from him before he forcefully removed his scythe.

Amore collapsed onto the ground and tried to fire a magic bolt at him, but Sombra quickly fired a magic bolt at her horn, shattering it into pieces. She screamed in pain as her magic holding her sword disappeared, leaving it embedded in his side.

The umbrum pony grabbed Amore's neck with his magic and lifted her in the air as she gasped in agony, her forehooves gripping her neck while her hindlegs weakly swung.

Sombra then removed the crystal sword off of his side with his magic, hissing in pain before he proceeded to stab it into Amore, eliciting a scream of pain from her as he left it in her.

Amore coughed up some blood as she glared at the umbrum pony, all while breathing painfully and blood spilling out from her wound.

"You fought valiantly, Amore." Sombra sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "But this is where your legacy ends for good."

The umbrum pony lifted Amore higher in the air before brutally throwing her int the air and across the empire. He watched as Amore disappeared behind the smoke.

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Cadance pressed forward, urgency etched across her face as she called out. "Come on! My mother needs every help she needs!"

Shining, Hurricane, and Clover exchanged a determined glance before nodding in unison. Without hesitation, they followed the Princess of Love, their hooves pounding against the cobblestones as they raced toward the marketplace.

Suddenly, a heavy thud interrupted their charge. A body slammed into the ground before them, sending up a cloud of dust. The group skidded to a halt, startled yelps escaping as they shielded their faces from the gritty air.

As the dust slowly settled down, Cadance and her husband's hearts sunk when the body revealed to be a heavily injured Amore.

"Mom? MOM!" The Princess of Love shouted in deep pain as she rushed toward her mother, horrified at her mother's many injuries and her broken horn.

The prince followed close behind, his expression horrified. "Oh... Celestia..." He muttered as he knelt beside his wife, dread pooling in his chest while Hurricane and Clover stood frozen at the sight of Amore.

Cadance gently cradled her mother’s head, tears welling in her eyes. "Mom, please, stay with me." She pleaded, her voice shaking as the weight of the moment threatened to crush her.

A faint, shallow breath escaped Amore’s lips, the only sign that life still clung to her ravaged body.

"She's still alive!" Shining shouted, Hurricane and Clover rushing in after being stunned at the sight.

"We got to get your mother out of here, your highness! She won’t survive without immediate medical attention!" Clover responded urgency,

"I know!" Cadance snapped, using some healing spell to heal some injuries on her mother's body.

Together, the three ponies picked up Amore and placed her onto the Princess of Love's back before escaping the fallen empire.

Cadance looked back to the Crystal Empire to see it encompassed in black smoke which raised into the sky.

As the four ponies and near dead Amore began to make their journey to meet up with the others, on the border of the Frozen North, the survivors finally reached safety.

The civilians and the remaining Crystal Imperial guards looked as chariots and carriages pulled by ponies and creatures came into view as they began to slow down. Moments later, they stopped, medics from across Equestria jumping out off the chariots and carriages as they began to treat the wounded and comfort the despondent families in any way they could.

Soon, supplies were set out and makeshift shelters were set up as RGs, ERGs and the Crystal Imperial guards from the empire and across the Equestria set up a perimeter to watch for any lurking threats.

Medics rushed to greet the Princess of Love and the others as they finally reached safety themselves. They looked over Amore, grim and horrified looks on their faces.

"We need to operate on her, ASAP!" One of the medics shouted as they took Amore into a nearby tent to begin their work.

Everything had become just too much for Cadance to handle.

The world begins to shift for the Princess of Love, she barely noticed Flurry Heart crying and hugging her left foreleg, Shining comforting her or Hurricane and Clover being treated for their wounds while reuniting with Nimbus Dash, Grimhoof and the others who came.

"Your highness? You're injured, you need to be checked out." A crystal bat pony doctor asked as she approached Cadance.

"I'm... okay. I'm... really..." The Princess of Love managed to say, before slipping in to unconsciousness.

Author's Note

Crystal Empire has been conquered...

Chapter 1 - Prologue

A parent will do anything for her children, even it means giving them up so that they will be safe from dangers and live in a peaceful life, despite the pain that comes for the parent.

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Darkness hung over the Artic North of Equestria. But across the landscape, there were multiple corpse of ponies lying in their own blood. Some blood were pure red, while other were black. Several of the crystal houses were destroyed, what remains were debris and destroyed furnitures. The only sound now were the shouting and screaming across the distance.

Magical explosions sent dust, dirt and debris flying around the Crystal Empire. The clanging of steel and the whooshing of arrows and magic filled the air while crystal guards fought against the umbrum ponies. As fire, blood and death filled the battlefield, a unicorn was seen standing near the edge of the cliff that oversees the battle.

King Sombra couldn't stopped himself from smirking as a small group of the crystal ponies was surrounded by umbrum ponies and their dying screams filled him with delight.

He teleported from the cliff to the battleground to the front of another group of crystal ponies. The groups' eyes widened in surprise at the tyrant unicorn appearance before recovering and charged at him.

Sombra sidestepped one of the charging crystal ponies before slicing another one in front of him. He then proceeded to use his dark magic via his horn to shoot out dark crystals, impaling all except one. The last thing the remaining crystal pony saw was Sombra smirking before he struck her with his scythe and her life went out. He was enjoying his latest kills before the umbrum captain arrived.

"What is it, captain?" Sombra asked.

The umbrum captain bowed down and raised up before replying. "My team have managed to breach one of the defences and are now clearing the way toward your victory, my lord."

Sombra smiled and said: "Well done, my captain. Have your team ready to breach the Crystal Castle once you had cleared the way."

"Yes, my lord." The captain of the umbrum ponies bowed down before standing up and ran to give the orders to his team.

Sombra stared at the castle before saying. "Soon, once the Crystal Empire is conquered, then all of Equestria will be mine!!!" He gave a sinister laugh.

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Meanwhile in the throne room, Princess Amore, wearing grey armour and grey helmet, was levitating a pale pink alicorn crying in a bundle while the room was rumbled and bits of crystals fell onto the ground. Amore looked at the pink alicorn with a sad smile and tears in her eyes and said. "Oh Cadenza, go back to sleep and remember that... that..." Amore choked down a few of her tears, before continuing “that I will always love you..." Amore gently nuzzled her daughter, who slowly stopped crying and closed her eyes, drifting back to sleep.

Amore's horn brightened up and began channelling her magic around her daughter before speaking. "I will always remember you, my little Cady; I always will."

As soon as she finished her sentence, the filly was engulfed by a white light before the said light along with the pink alicorn shot out through one of the throne room's window. Amore sobbed quietly, but was interrupted by the throne door being burst from the hinges and shattered into million pieces.

Amore wiped her tears away with one of her forelegs as Sombra casually strolled in, flanked by guards in dark grey armor and helmet with green eyes. The crystal guards, standing beside Princess Amore, readied their swords, spears and horns.

"Princess Amore, we meet again."

"Sombra... " Amore coolly said while glaring angrily at him.

"Amore, I have one request and it is quite simple." Sombra said.

She knew what he wants, but still raised one of her eyebrows.

Sombra then said "Surrender the Crystal Empire and your throne to me, and you and your subjects will be spared."

Amore gave Sombra an angry glare and snarled. "Over my dead body will I surrender my subjects and myself to you, you fiend!"

She and the crystal guards then proceeded to get themselves into fighting positions.

Sombra stared at them for a few minutes before saying in a sinisterly and deathly voice.

"So be it."

He and his guards then ran toward with their weapon in their magic while Amore, levitating her crystal sword, gave a shout and charged at him along with her guards head-on.

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The light that shot out through one of the Crystal Castel throne room's window continued to soar through the sky for an hour, heading toward the Canterlot Castle before slowly descending down and landed near the entrance of the castle gardens.

The filly alicorn could be seen slumbering in a bundle as the night hung over the castle.

It would take thirty minutes before two alicorns came in the view of the gardens. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna landed, both covered in snow.

"I can't believe Sombra turned Amore into statue and destroyed her. Not to mention, he cursed the empire to vanish for a thousand years after we banished him away." Princess Celestia began while shaking the snow off of her coat.

Princess Luna placed a hoof on her sister's shoulder. "You couldn't have known, Tia. Neither of us couldn't have known. We did what we could, sister."

Celestia sighed. "Still... You know what? Let us retire to our chambers, tomorrow we can find a way to remove the... Wait a second..."

A light gurgling sound was heard by both the solar princess and the lunar princess.

Celestia and Luna noticed the bundle at the entrance of the garden, and looked closer. They were met with the face of a sleeping pale pink filly alicorn, with her hair stripped in colors of pale yellow, bright pink, and purple.

"Sister, is that..."

"Yes, Tia. A baby alicorn. Who and why would somepony abandoned that poor thing like that?"

"I do not know, Lulu. But we can't just leave her out here like this, lest she gets hurt or kidnapped."

"I... you're right, let's bring her in. I will see if I can get the chef to boil some milk for the filly to drink. Poor thing might be thirsty."

"Very well, Lulu. I will get the filly comfortable in my chamber while I figure out this filly's title since she is born as an alicorn." Celestia smiled. Princess Luna trotted back to the castle to get the milk, while the solar princess gently picked up the bundle and examined the filly within. "Hello there little one, what's your name?"

It was then she noticed the small piece of paper. Using her magic, she levitated it up to her and read the name out loud.

"Mi Amore Cadenza"

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One thousand and five years later...

A family of three were walking around the Crystal Empire, enjoying a cold breeze of wind while waving at the crystal ponies, before they were interrupted by a crystal pony with swirly cyan hair, yellow skin, purple eyes, a black and yellow round hat, a black suit, black shoes with golden wings, and a white bag with a yellow strap.

"Your highness, a message from Canterlot Castle." Mercury said, bowing down, before giving a scroll to Princess Cadance.

Cadance levitated the scroll via her magic and read it out loud, so that her husband, Shining Armor, can hear what it said while holding the baby alicorn, Flurry Heart.

My dearest niece, I am pleased to say that your sister-in-law, Twilight Sparkle, had decided to host a Friendship Festival in Canterlot.

"Friendship Festival?" Cadance confusedly said.

While it will be great for you to come and help Twilight and her friends out to set up the festival, it is unfortunate to say this, but your husband will have to stay behind to guard the Empire and the Crystal Heart from incoming threats. It is also worth mentioning that a popstar singer named Songbird Serenade will also be attending for this festival and Twilight will required me, my sister, and you to use our magic for something. See you soon.

Your aunt, Princess Celestia.

"Guess I will be staying behind." Shining Armor replied. Cadance put the scroll and looked at him.

Cadance said with a sad smile. "But still, you should be there for your sister's festival. Not to mention, you deserved to take a break with me from rulering the empire and taking care of our daughter." She sighed and hung her head down.

"Hey." Shining placed a hoof to his wife's chin, and raised her head to look at him with a sincere smile.

"It's alright, sweetie. I have Sunburst to help me to take care of Flurry and some advisers to help me out."

Cadance doesn't looked convinced.

"And beside, it is you who deserved to have a break from doing all the work from the Empire. You need this, otherwise you will overworked yourself." Shining continued

Cadance finally smiled and nuzzled both Shining and Flurry.

"Alright, Shining. If you say so."

Cadance pulled back and turned her head towards Mercury.

"Messenger Mercury." Cadance started.

"Send a message to my auntie that I will be coming to Canterlot."

Author's Note

Heavily inspired by Tom117z's Change Series. Please follow him
Here's his profile, Tom117z.
So, a new adventure begins! Enjoy!

Please point out any grammatical errors I may have made.

I will also need someone to proofread, so that I can know where I will need to improve.

Chapter 7 - Flashback Two: The First Crystalling

Crystal Empire, One thousand and five years ago

“Citizens! May I present the newest member of the Crystal Empire!”

The entirety of the Crystal Empire was in a state of celebration. Families had gathered in the square around the Crystal Palace, cheering as everypony watched the newest member in awe from the ground.

While the celebrations and parties got underway, one individual lay quietly in the bundle, being cradled. The one cradling the small form was Princess Amore, who was staring lovingly at the foal in her forelegs after showing everypony from the balcony. The crystal guards had silently excused themselves to give the unicorn princess personal time with her new daughter.

A small gurgle came from the pink alicorn filly as she looked upon her mother for the first time, their eyes meeting. Amore saw sparkling light purple eyes meet her brilliant amber, and two small tears slowly flow down her cheeks, as a warm smile stretched across her face.

When her daughter was born, the unicorn princess was very surprised when the filly was an alicorn. While some unicorn and pegasus couples would usually give birth an unicorn or pegasus foal, there was a very rare chance that the baby could be born as an alicorn.

Still, just because her daughter was born as an alicorn doesn't mean she should judge her, she was and still always be her daughter.

"Hello, my little one." Amore addressed her daughter with a small chuckle. "I have been looking forward to meeting you... Cadanza... and I'm not the only one."

As soon as she finished her sentence, the door to the balcony opened, and a rather tall pegasus stallion wearing a crystal armor with his helmet being held by one of his wings walked in - Artic Spirit. He has a light whitish blue coat, with a blonde mane and tail, his eyes being light purple and a cutie mark of three crystal shards cladded in armor. Artic had been known as the new captain of the Crystal Imperial guards when Amore became the ruler of the Crystal Empire. Now, he was more known as the husband of Princess Amore and the father of the empire's newest member. Amore had thought him as a friend, but in the end he had captured her heart.

"Ah, Artic, come here." Amore softly called out her husband.

Artic approached his wife at a slow pace, his eyes fixed on the newborn filly in her hooves. "She looks beautiful honey, just like you." He said.

Amore giggled. "Well, she has your eyes."

"The best in the world!" Artic chuckled before his face became worried. "I just hope we get to see our baby grow into the wonderful mare I know she will be."

Noticing his worried face, her mood dropped slightly as she replied. "Artic... I know you're worried about King Sombra, but we will find him and stop him... I promise."

"And what if we can't find him? Some of the guards and civilians are getting very uneased as we kept failing to find him, not to mention some of the patrols had reports of some shadow type creatures staring at them from a distance. If we don't stop him... promise me we aren't going to lose her!" Artic couldn't stop himself from almost shouting as he looked beggingly at his wife. "Promise me that no matter what happens, she will grow up safe and live in a peaceful life."

Smiling, Amore placed a hoof to her husband's chin and said. "I promise I will never let anything happen to our little Cady."

Artic gave his wife a sad smile before apologising. "Sorry, I really shouldn't have..."

He didn't get his finish his sentence as Amore pulled him into a lovingly kiss via her magic. Cadance watched the display in pure curiosity, before she drifted back to slumber in the comfort of her parent's presence.

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Present day

Amore woke up from her slumber with a start, looking from side to side frantically trying to find out where she was before her eyes fell on sleeping form of Cadance next to her. She had realised that she had been dreaming. Dreaming of peaceful times before King Sombra... before her husband's death.

Looking to her right, Amore saw a picture of herself and her family smiling sat on the bedside table. Sighing, she grabbed the frame with her light blue magic and looked at the picture. Sooner or later, she would have to tell Cadance about her father, about Artic Spirit.

After staring at the picture for a while, she gently placed it back down on the bedside table. Her body tensed with overwhelming emotion as her thoughts drifted to her deceased husband, yet she found comfort in the fact her daughter was back with her.

Turning her head, she looked at her daughter sleeping peacefully next to her before smiling.

Now was not the time to dwell on the past.

Not when the future began to look so bright, and she still had a promise to keep.

Author's Note

Another flashback, but it is about Amore's husband and the Crystal Empire's first Crystalling.

Edited by Bronyshot2020

Chapter 27 - Flashback Four: Friends

Princess Amore thought quietly to herself. She was still in the hospital, sitting next to Shining's sleeping form. Both Cadance and the Prince's parents had fallen asleep either next to the patient or on the couch. She thought about the happy times to steer herself from the current time.

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Crystal Empire, Many years before King Sombra's arrival

It was a radiant day in the Crystal Empire, the kind that seemed to make the crystal buildings shimmer even more brightly. The air was filled with an electric excitement as crystal ponies moved to and fro, a general excitement about as thoughts turned to Princess Lauren Faust coming for diplomatic relations between the empire and Equestria.

"Amore, please behave yourself when Princess Lauren Faust arrived. We want to make a good impression." Princess Aurora Diamond warned her young daughter, who was nervous.

Princess Aurora Diamond was a fully grown unicorn with a moderate cobalt blue mane, vermillion coat, a pair of green eyes and a cutie mark of a crystal heart with wings on its sides.

“But, I have never heard of Equestria, let alone the name Princess Lauren Faust! How can you not be nervous about this!?” Amore exclaimed as she shifted in herself in her chair next to her mother's throne chair.

Aurora could only give a light-hearted chuckle at her daughter’s flustered features before smiling warmly at her. “Being nervous will not help you. Just take a few deep breaths and you will be fine, my dear."

Amore stopped and slowly took a few breaths. After a few minutes, she was calm.

"Better?" Aurora asked, prompting her daughter to nod at her with a smile.

The doors of the throne room was opened, with a crystal guard walking in and saluting them before relaxing her stance.

"Your highness, Princess Lauren Faust has arrived, along with Princesses To Be Celestia and Luna." The guard said.

"Princesses To Be Celestia and Luna?" Aurora asked with a confused look.

The guard nodded her head. "Yes, they are Princess Lauren Faust's children."

"I see. Let them in." Aurora said as Amore squealed when she heard that there were new friends to make.

The guard saluted and made her way toward the doors before opening them.

Princess Lauren Faust, a fully grown alicorn with moderate amaranth mane, light goldfish gray coat, a pair of moderate artic blue eyes and a cutie mark of inkwell with quill, entered the throne room. Behind her were younger Celestia and Luna, both alicorns.

Both Aurora and Amore stared at the group in shock, seeing that the three ponies in front of them have horns and wings before Aurora shook herself out of shock.

"Welcome, Princess Lauren Faust, to the Crystal Empire. I am Princess Aurora Diamond and beside me is my daughter, Princess Amore." She introduced herself and her daughter to the princesses.

Lauren smiled. "Thank you, Princess Aurora Diamond. And please, just call me Lauren."

Aurora smiled back warmly. "Very well, Lauren. Do call me Aurora." She glanced at the two young alicorns. "And these two behind you must be your children."

"Yes. Aurora, meet Celestia and Luna. Celestia and Luna, meet Princess Aurora Diamond and Amore." Lauren introduced.

Both the young alicorns shyly waved her hooves while Amore grinned and waved excitedly at them, prompting both Aurora and Lauren to slightly chuckle.

"I have heard great things about you. I too hope that this may lead to better things between us in the future." Aurora stated.

Lauren smiled. "Me too, Aurora. Shall we begin?"

Aurora nodded her head before turning to her daughter. "Amore my dear, while we are discussing the future between us, why don't you give Celestia and Luna a tour of the empire, if that's alright to you, Lauren?" She asked.

Lauren glanced at both her daughter and Amore before smiling. "Well, I don't see no reason to do that."

Amore squealed while Celestia and Luna breathed a sigh of relief. Amore got off her chair and led both young alicorns through the throne doors before closing them behind her, leaving Aurora and Lauren alone in the throne room.

A minute of walking through the hallway in silence past by before it was broken by Amore.

"So, what do you think of the empire? Amazing, isn't it?" She excitedly asked, causing the blue alicorn to reflectively flinch while the white alicorn shyly smiled.

"Yes, it's... it's amazing... and very crystally..." Celestia nervously replied.

Noticing both alicorns' nervousness, Amore calmed herself down. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you two nervous. I was just excited to see new friends, let alone to actually see alicorns."

Luna slowly looked at Amore. "It's... it's alright..."

Amore nodded before glancing at their wings and horns. "It must be challenging, learning to use both your magic and your wings."

"You could say that. Mother want us to use our magic for good." The white alicorn replied while rubbing the back of her head with her hoof.

"You two are lucky. My mom doesn't want me to do any spellcasting or anything else that I might do to accidentally cause damage or blow up the empire." Amore twirled a hoof in the air.

“She seems kind of paranoid to stop you from doing any spellcasting." The blue alicorn stated.

“Perhaps. But she might have a good reason to be.” Amore said.

Celestia raised her eyebrow. “What do you mean?

Amore blushed in embarrassment. “Oh, there was an incident. It involved losing control of my magic and shattering the Crystal Heart."

Both alicorns seemed rather confused. “Wait what? What do you mean by any of that?” Luna asked.

“Nothing!” Amore quickly stated while her face blushed even brighter red.

Both the alicorns just stared at her for a full minute before they smirked.

"Remember what I said about how our mother would taught us how to use our magic for spellcasting and our wings to fly? Well, my sister and I have been practicing one of the flying method. Want to see?" The white alicorn excitedly asked, prompting the blue alicorn to look up in excitement.

“Sure.” Amore nodded. “Let’s see what you two have got!”

Both alicorns nodded and spread their wings, flapping them until they hovered above the floor.

“Alright, here we go!” Celestia said before she and her sister took off into the air.

They soared through the air in the palace while Amore watched them with sparkling eyes.

They flew for only two minutes before Luna started to lose control, smashing into her sister before crashing together into one of the hanging drapes hung in the ceiling.

“Um… help?” Both alicorns squeaked in embarrassment.

Somehow, they managed to tangle themselves together with the hanging drape they crashed, leaving them suspended in the air as they tried to free themselves.

Amore erupted into a fit of giggles that sent her falling to the floor.

"Yeah yeah laugh it up…” The white alicorn groaned.

Amore managed to bring her giggles under control and shot the alicorns an apologetic smile. “Sorry, but that was too funny!”

"It's ok, but can you help us out?" The blue alicorn asked, her face still bright red.

"OK! I will help you out." Amore answered.

Amore lit up her own horn and grabbed onto Celestia and Luna with a levitation spell. With both their efforts and after about a minute of trying, both alicorns tumbled to the floor.

“T-thanks.” Luna thanked as she got up while her sister laid on the floor.

Celestia looked up to see a hoof outstretched to her, Amore was offering to help her up. She accepted the help gratefully.

“You're welcome.” Amore smiled. “I like you two. Do you want to hang out after I finish giving you two the tour?”

Both alicorns smiled back at Amore. “I would like that."

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Present day

Amore sighed, smiling as she remembered the good old times she and her friends spent together after both the Crystal Empire and Equestria had been allied together.

Her musing was interrupted when the door was opened by Princess Luna, causing Cadance, Twilight Velvet and Night Light to wake up and Amore to look at her.

"Greetings." The lunar princess started. "I apologized for interrupting you, but I need you and your daughter to follow me. There's something you need to see and hear."

Chapter 44 - Executing The Plan

Crystal Empire

Radiant Hope crept out of the storage chest, her movements careful and deliberate. Her eyes darted toward the bathroom, where Strawberry Dusk stood in front of the mirror, magically combing her mane with a small hairbrush.

The unicorn guard hummed softly to herself, unaware of the crystal unicorn silently approaching her from behind. The crystal unicorn’s expression was apologetic but resolute as she reached out swiftly, wrapping her forelegs around the guard's neck in a firm grip.

"What the—Hey!" Strawberry gasped, her magic flickering and cutting off. The hairbrush clattered to the floor as her focus shifted to the sudden attack.

"Sorry about this." The crystal unicorn apologised as she tightened her grip on the unicorn guard's neck.

Strawberry's training kicked in instantly. With a sharp inhale, she planted her hindhooves against the bathroom counter, using the leverage to shove herself and the crystal unicorn backward with force. The sudden move threw both ponies off balance, sending them tumbling out of the bathroom and onto the cold floor.

Hope quickly scrambled to her hooves as the unicorn guard spun around to face her enemy. The guard’s training and instincts took over, her stance firm and ready for combat despite the surprise attack.

"Big mistake." Strawberry hissed, her horn sparking to life as she summoned a barrier of magic to shield herself while planning her counterattack.

The crystal unicorn lunged forward, attempting to overpower her before she could strike, but the unicorn guard was quick. The guard sidestepped and twisted, using her forehoof to shove her attacker off balance. The crystal unicorn stumbled but managed to recover, her resolve unshaken.

Strawberry advanced, letting loose of her magic beam,, which Hope barely managed to dodge. The blow grazed the crystal unicorn's shoulder, but it was enough to send her staggering back a few steps. The guard pressed her advantage, delivering a flurry of quick, precise strikes. Hope blocked as best as she could, her magic shield absorbing the brunt of the attacks, but the relentless assault forced her back against the bathroom doorframe.

The unicorn guard reared up on her hind legs and attempted to pin Hope against the frame, her magic crackling dangerously as she prepared a deadly spell. The crystal unicorn, desperate to escape, ducked under the guard’s forelegs and spun behind her, delivering a sharp kick to the guard’s flank. The guard stumbled but maintained her balance, her glare intensifying.

"You’re really starting to piss me off!" Strawberry growled, charging at the crystal unicorn with full force.

The two mares collided, tumbling to the ground in a chaotic struggle. The unicorn guard used her superior strength and training to pin Hope beneath her, one hoof pressing firmly on her chest while the other gripped her neck. The pressure was suffocating as the guard leaned in, her forelegs tightening like a vice.

The crystal unicorn gasped, her hooves flailing as she struggled to break free. Her vision blurred slightly as her breath became ragged, but she refused to give up. Summoning all her strength, she swung her left forehoof with as much force as she could muster. The strike connected squarely with Strawberry’s face, causing the guard to cry out and recoil, her grip loosening.

Seizing the moment, Hope twisted free and scrambled to her hooves. The unicorn guard, dazed but determined, recovered quickly and attempted to grab her again. The crystal unicorn reacted instinctively, spinning on her hind legs and delivering a powerful kick with her back hooves.

The impact caught Strawberry directly in the face, the force sending her reeling backward. Her head struck the edge of a nearby dresser with a sickening thud, and her body crumpled to the ground. The guard lay motionless, unconscious, as the room fell into an eerie silence.

Panting heavily, Hope stood over the fallen guard, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. Her gaze lingered on Strawberry for a moment, guilt flashing across her face. "I’m so sorry." She whispered softly, before using a nearby long ribbons to tie both the guard's forelegs and hindlegs and gagged the guard's mouth with a cloth.

Once bound, the crystal unicorn levitated Strawberry’s limp form into the storage chest and closed the lid with a soft click, her ears straining for any sounds outside the room.

Assured she was still undetected, Hope turned back to the mirror. Taking a deep breath, her horn glowed as she assumed the guise of the unconscious guard.

Once the crystal unicorn observed her body and saw nothing unusual on her body, she then proceeded to take the crystal armor off the stand before wearing them.

Once fully armored, Hope turned back to the mirror, her new appearance imposing and convincing. A small, determined smile crossed her face. "Let’s do this." She whispered.

With measured steps, the crystal unicorn descended to the first floor. At the main door, she hesitated, her breath catching in her throat. Exhaling slowly, she pushed it open and stepped outside, closing it behind her with a quiet finality.

Looking around the street, Hope proceeded to walk toward the Crystal Palace while at the same time avoiding any contact with the Crystal Imperial guards.

'Alright, Hope. You're now disguised as Crystal Imperial guard Strawberry Dusk. All I got to do is waltz right to the Crystal Palace, grab the Crystal Heart and get out to cure the darkness off Sombra. Simple... right?' The disguised crystal unicorn thought as she moved aside for a family of a crystal unicorn stallion, a crystal pegasus mare and a crystal pegasus filly.

Soon, Hope reached the palace and as expected, surrounding the base of the palace were Crystal Imperial guards standing guard while others patrolled the surrounding area.

The disguised crystal unicorn walked through the guards, occasionally greeting the guards with Strawberry's voice while smiling.

As Hope approached the base of the palace, a voice called out. "Strawberry!"

The crystal unicorn froze in her tracks as hoofsteps sound approached her. With no other choice, she turned with a forced smile as the crystal changeling stallion guard Maxilla approached her.

The crystal changeling guard's stern gaze softened slightly as he stopped in front of Hope, now disguised as Strawberry Dusk. "What are you doing here, Strawberry? We were supposed to patrol the Empire together today. Or did you forget?" His tone carried a mix of curiosity and mild annoyance.

The crystal unicorn’s mind raced as she forced herself to remain calm. She plastered a sheepish smile on her face and gave a small, apologetic shrug. "Oh, Maxilla! Of course, I didn’t forget." Her voice was light and casual, perfectly mimicking Strawberry’s tone. "I just needed to… uh… freshen up and get my mane in order before the shift. You know how important appearances are."

Maxilla arched an eyebrow, not entirely convinced. "Uh-huh. And that freshening up took you so long you missed the shift change announcement? We’re on patrol until 3:00 p.m. sharp."

Hope feigned an embarrassed chuckle, rubbing the back of her neck. "I know, I know. It’s my bad. I got distracted—one of those mornings, you know? But I’m here now." She quickly shifted the subject. "Where do you want to start the patrol? North district or east?"

The crystal changeling guard tilted his head, his expression skeptical but not overtly suspicious. "You’re not usually this forgetful." He said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Everything okay? You’re acting… off."

The crystal unicorn stiffened, but only for a fraction of a second. She leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "It’s nothing, really. Just had a rough night, and… you know, not enough sleep." She let out a soft sigh, hoping to sell the excuse. "Don’t worry, Maxilla. I’m fine."

Maxilla’s eyes lingered on her for a moment longer before he exhaled and shook his head. "Alright, Strawberry, but if you’re not feeling well, you should’ve reported it. You know how strict Captain Tourmaline is about us being in top form."

"Of course!" Hope replied quickly, giving him a reassuring smile. "I’ll make it up to you during the patrol."

"Good." The crystal changeling guard said, stepping back and gesturing for her to follow. "Let’s head to the east district. Heard that the patrol that was supposed to patrol that district were sick, so it's up to us now. Not to mention, we haven't heard any news from Outpost Crystal, so the squad that was supposed to take over the patrol of east district were sent to check what's going on there. The captain also sent Mercury to send the message of the Outpost Crystal's situation."

"I see. Well, I'm right behind you." The crystal unicorn said, her voice steady despite the growing knot and nervousness in her stomach. She followed Maxilla, doing her best to mimic Strawberry’s confident stride and mannerisms.

As they walked, Hope's mind churned. 'This complicates things. I’ll have to stick with him for now, but I need a way to slip away and reach the Crystal Heart.'

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Klugetown

"And this is the Glinting Bazaar marketplace." Mayor Capper pointed at the marketplace with his paw, prompting the group to see while Ambassador Silver Quill smiled.

The Glinting Bazaar marketplace is housed under large, transparent Glasscrete domes that allow natural light to filter through, casting a warm, colorful glow throughout the space. The place has wide, cobblestone walkways, shaded by arched canopies made from Cactus-fiber fabric that shaded sway slightly in the desert breeze and offered shelter from the harsh midday sun. Rows of vibrant stalls were arranged in a semi-circular pattern that allowed visitors from across Equus to stroll freely from one section to another and to look at the items displayed on the stalls. Each stall was constructed from a mix of Desertwood and Metalweave, with ornate carvings or mosaics decorating the outer walls to give the market an artistic touch. Each merchant has their own sign or banner to advertise their wares and the costs. At the heart of the marketplace stands a grand fountain made from intricately designed Glasscrete, featuring wind chimes that ring with the desert breeze and filled the air with a peaceful, melodic sound.

Princess Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Captain Tempest Shadow, Lieutenant Flash Sentry and the guards all looked at the marketplace with fascinating while the mayor and the ambassador stood aside and watched the group.

"This... this looks amazing!" The Princess of Friendship squealed as her eyes sparkled with excitement, her wings flapping with excitement.

The group with Twilight all nodded in awe, captivated by the vibrant energy of the marketplace.

"Why don't you guys explore the marketplace? We will hang back here until you're done." Silver said, smiling warmly with Capper at the group.

The group nodded their heads before going separate ways, with the captain and the dragon going to visits the stalls, the guards exploring the space in the marketplace, while the Princess of Friendship and the lieutenant went the other way.

As the couple explored the marketplace while occasionally visiting the stalls to look at the items on sale, they laid their eyes on a certain book.

"Is that... Daring Do and the Chains of Tartarus?!" Twilight gasped once she read the title of the book.

"I think so. A. K. Yearling must have finished writing this book and published the copies all over the world." Flash replied.

"Rainbow's going to be jealous when she found out that I have the book first before her." The Princess of Friendship nearly squealed in happiness.

The lieutenant’s face morphed into a scowl. "That reminds me something."

"Huh?" Twilight looked over towards her husband.

"You have yet to tell me what's going on with you." Flash said. "I enquired with Spike about it, but all I got in return was his smirk. You know how much I hate being out of the loop, so honey, please tell me what is going on."

The Princess of Friendship sighed, but with a small smile formed, and Spike’s words rang in her ears again. “I suppose now is a good a time as any.”

“For what exactly?!" The lieutenant blurted out, a slight twitch in his eye.

“I…” Twilight took a deep breath, and then let it out slowly. “Flash Sentry, I love you. So much. So much so I just know you are going to be a great father to our foal.”

Flash froze in his spot while the crowd around them gasped.

"I’m pregnant." The Princess of Friendship told her husband. “I found out when we got back to Ponyville from our honeymoon. I’ve been trying to tell you but I always either get cold hooves or something interrupts."

Twilight noticed her husband still frozen in place and unmoving. She waved a hoof in his face, trying to get a response.

The Princess of Friendship became worried. "Un Flash, you alright the-"

Twilight's words were cut off as the lieutenant pulled her into a passionate kiss, wrapping his wings around her. Her eyes widened before closing in bliss, the world around them melting away. Cheers and murmurs of congratulations erupted from the crowd as they pulled apart, their foreheads pressed together.

"You are amazing, you know that?" Flash whispered as their lips parted.

“So, you’re not angry that I took this long to tell you?” The Princess of Friendship asked nervously.

"Angry?" The lieutenant raised an eyebrow. "I’m going to be a father. How could I be angry with you for not telling me?"

Twilight breathed a sigh of relief.

"So, colt or filly?" Flash asked enthusiastically.

The Princess of Friendship chuckled. "I don’t know yet, I’m due back at the hospital when we get back to Ponyville after the finalisation of the alliance between Equestria and Klugetown."

The lieutenant took his wife's hoof. "Then I’ll be by your side every step of the way."

Twilight blushed and giggled as her husband nuzzled her neck.

"Took you a day for you to tell him." Another voice called out to the Princess of Friendship.

Both Twilight and Flash widened their eyes and turned to see Spike standing with arms crossed and a knowing grin on his face as the crowd dispersed.

"How long have you been standing there?" The Princess of Friendship asked her number one assistant with wide eyes.

"Long enough." The dragon smirked just as Tempest arrived next to him with her helmet tucked under one foreleg.

"Spike told me everything about you and your pregnancy. Can't believe that you always chickened out whenever you tried to tell him." The captain said, a mischievous grin and a pair of playful eyes on her face.

Twilight stuttered as her face became more red, her head dipping down in embarrassment while the lieutenant chuckled behind one of his hoof.

"Well... it wasn't easy and... stop teasing me!" The Princess of Friendship blurted out, her face fully burning red with embarrassment.

Spike and Tempest exchanged a look before bursting into laughter, leaving Twilight burying her face in her hooves while the lieutenant wrapped a comforting wing around her.

The dragon wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling. "Alright, alright, we’ll stop. But seriously, Twi, congratulations. You’re going to be an awesome mom."

The Princess of Friendship peeked out from behind her hooves, her cheeks still flushed but a smile forming on her lips. "Thanks, Spike. That means a lot."

"Yeah, and for the record..." The captain added, her tone softening. "I think you’ll handle this just as well as everything else. Probably better, considering how stubbornly you tackle every problem."

Twilight smiled gratefully. "That’s kind of you to say, Tempest. I’ll admit, I’m a little scared, but… I’m also excited." She glanced up at her husband, who was beaming with pride.

Spike clapped his claws together, breaking the moment. "So, how about we celebrate? I saw a stall selling some amazing gemstone-themed trinkets—maybe I can find a dragon-friendly treat for myself."

"I like that idea." Tempest said with a rare grin. "And maybe I can find something sharp and pointy to add to my collection."

The Princess of Friendship giggled. "You two are impossible."

The group began strolling through the marketplace together, the tension from earlier replaced with a lighthearted camaraderie. As they passed the various stalls, merchants called out, showcasing their wares. Flash kept a protective wing over Twilight’s back, drawing smiles and congratulations from some of the passersby who had overheard the announcement.

The group eventually stopped at a stall featuring a dazzling array of gemstone-inspired jewelery. The dragon’s eyes widened as he scanned the selection. "This is my kind of place!" He said eagerly, already inspecting a necklace made of polished emeralds.

"Anything catching your eye?" The captain asked with amusement as she scanned the collection of daggers and ornate armor pieces at the adjacent booth.

The Princess of Friendship, meanwhile, paused at another stall, her gaze falling on a small, intricately crafted music box. The delicate carvings on the surface depicted a peaceful night sky, complete with tiny star motifs that sparkled faintly. When she turned the key, it played a soft, soothing melody that reminded her of lullabies her mother used to sing to her for her to sleep when she was a filly.

Twilight smiled, a sense of calm washing over her. "This… feels perfect."

Flash leaned in, his curiosity piqued. "Thinking of getting it?"

The Princess of Friendship nodded. "For the nursery. I think it’ll help our foal sleep peacefully."

The lieutenant grinned. "Then it’s a must-have."

As the couple paid for the music box, Spike returned with a satisfied grin, holding a small pouch of gem chips he’d bargained for, and Tempest had added a sleek, curved blade to her growing arsenal.

"Looks like we’re all set." The captain remarked as she secured the blade at her side.

The group reconvened at the center of the marketplace near the grand fountain, where the mayor, the ambassador and the guards were waiting.

"Ah, I see you’ve enjoyed yourselves." Capper purred, his sharp-toothed smile widening as he spotted the music box and the dragon’s gem chips. "I told you, the Glinting Bazaar has something for everyone."

"It certainly does." Twilight agreed warmly. "Thank you for hosting us, Capper. This marketplace is truly incredible."

"Only the best for my friends." The mayor replied with a warm smile.

Silver nodded in agreement. "Shall we move on to finalize the alliance agreement, Princess Twilight?"

The Princess of Friendship nodded her head confidently. "Let's do it."

With that, the group headed back to the carriages waiting for them to be taken back to the embassy.

< < < < < < < < < 💙 > > > > > > > > >

Mount Aris

Cadance recognised what was going on.

The Princess of Love was back to the empty Crystal Empire as she had the previous night. She knew what would happen if she heard whispers of her name, who she would meet.

"I need to know." Cadance said to herself to calm her nerves.

Just like the previous two dreams, the Princess of Love found herself alone in the empire and walked through the dream.

Soon after a few minutes of walking, a familiar voice called out to Cadance. "Cadance..."

The Princess of Love narrowed her eyes and turned to meet King Sombra's shadow form with his eyes.

"What's this? The Princess of Love standing her ground? Well, perhaps a little nightmare will break you." The umbrum pony said with a smirk before levelling his eyes toward Cadance's eyes.

As Sombra stared at the Princess of Love's eyes, his smirk slowly evaporated into a shock as he realised that she was not showing any signs of being afraid.

"What?! How is this possible?!" The umbrum pony snarled in shock as Cadance stared at him with determination.

"Tell me what all this mean now." The Princess of Love demanded.

Sombra smirked again. "Why should I tell you? I’m just a figment of your imagination."

"I have this dream three times. I know this is some kind of a vision of something bad going to happen in the Crystal Empire!" Cadance snarled.

The Princess of Love stared the umbrum pony in the eyes, all defiance fading away as he sighed in defeat.

"You are correct. Something will happen in the empire of yours and it will be my victory once me and my army of umbrum ponies stormed the empire." Sombra said with a sinister smile before slowly fading away.

Cadance stared at the spot where the umbrum pony was, getting a bad feeling about what he said.