Author's Note

It's Monday! But despite the fact that Hamtaro is here, your Monday may not be getting filled with much joy today, as something crazy is about to go down and not the lighthearted kind of crazy. Because I'm about to do something I don't think has ever been done before: Rolling together something from the comics and something from the actual show into an AU for what was originally the Season 3 Premire of The Crystal Empire. Hasbro did acknowledge a certain story arc from the comics as being cannon, and if you've been around my profile for a while, you should already know what exactly I'm talking about. If not, well, then that will just add to the crazy factor~

Season 3: Episode 5 - Hamtaro & The Empire Part 1 (Crystal Empire AU)

Unknown Day
Frozen North - Crystal Empire Outskirts
Unknown Time

Out of nowhere in the vast icy wastland that is the Frozen North, the ground suddenly cracks open as a shadowy figure suddenly comes out of it and suddenly solidfies into a unicorn stallion.

"Finally, after so long, it will be my time to rule the Crystal Empire; just as I was destined to~" The Stallion said.

Present Day
Canterlot Castle - Celestia's Chamber
12:21 AM

Celestia suddenly woke up with a cold sweat. "W-was that merely a dream; or a foreboding warning?" Celestia asked herself.

"Sister, I have unfortunate news!" Luna said, barging into Celestia room unannounced.

"...Pray tell, is it about how the Crystal Empire has returned?" Celestia asked.

"Well, yes actually. How did you know?" Luna asked.

Canterlot Castle - Throne Room
8:00 AM

"Thank you for coming so quickly. All of you. But, time is of the essence." Celestia said; adressing the main six and the Ham-Hams. "The Crystal Empire has returned."

"I-I don't remember reading anything about that in my studies." Twilight said.

"I had all knowledge of the existence of the Crystal Empire purged for safety reasons, my dear student. For you see, there was a moment where Equestria almost went to war with the empire because of a power mad Tyrant who called himself King Sombra." Celestia said.

"Something tells me this guy wasn't the type to give or even ask for hugs..." Hamtaro said.

"Sometimes, I think you are too innocent for your own good..." Boss said.

"But he's more lovable for it~" Bijou said, giving her special hamster a hug and a kiss.

I'd say something, but I don't want to look like I'm jealous. Sparkle thought to herself.

"The two of us; Celestia and myself; had went to the crytal empire in an attempt to dethrone King Sombra shortly after he had turned the rightful ruler of the kingdom; Princess Amore; to stone, broke her apart, and scattered her pieces to the wind. Our scholars and ourselves were only ever able to recover a few of the pieces." Luna said.

"So...she's basically dead now?" Maxwell asked.

"Technically, I'd say currently is a fate worse then death. Because if we could somehow recover all the pieces and put them all back together, then Princess Amore could be brought out of her stone statue state." Luna said.

"And some say I'm the evil one..." Shadow Skull said.

"As fate would somehow have it, Princess Cadence is the long-lost daughter of Princess Amore. When she had ascended into Alicornhood by showing love to a witch who was stealing love from many ponies, I couldn't help but notice her magical capabilities were a near direct copy of Princess Amore. From what I can only hypothesize is the case, Amore must have somehow sensed Sombra's takeover was coming, so she sent her only daughter away to parts unknown to Sombra to protect her at all costs." Celestia said.

"So, Cadence is going with us?" Twilight asked, excited.

"In a way. She and Shining Armor have already been briefed and sent on ahead. Because the goal is to find the Crystal Heart and use the love and light of the citizens to power it. For you see, if the Crystal Heart is filled with the light and love of the empire's citizens, it will bring hope to all of equestria." Celestia said.

"But if the heart is filled with the sorrow and sadness of the citizens instead, it will fill all of Equestria with dread. So it is up to all of you to find the Crystal Heart before Sombra does, and find a way for the citizens to be filled with happiness and joy once more." Luna said.

"We'll do whatever it takes." Twilight said.

"Not alone your not." Hampton and his hamster band were in the room suddenly.

"What the-how did you get in here?" Celestia asked.

"Hamster Trade Sequence. Besides, did you forget the mega awesome performace we did at the Grand Galloping Gala? I'm pretty sure it's time to put on what is no doubt the biggest concert of all time." Hampton said.

"Now there's a thought. Your band can keep the citizens happy, while we search for the Crystal Heart!" Twilight said.

"What-but..." Celestia didn't even finish before the entire group went off.

At the Crystal Empire Hampton & The Hamsters started getting set up. "Since this is last minute, we don't have our usual back-up hamsters with us. You ham-hams feel like filling in for them?" Hampton asked the Ham-hams.

"A-a chance to perform with Hampton & The Hamsters on set as back-up hamsters?! WHERE DO I SIGN UP?!" Sparkle exclaimed.

"Guess you can take that as a yes." Hamtaro said. "But do you need all of us? Because I'm thinking Bijou and I go looking for clues on Sombra."

"What clues? We need to stop that guy from taking over." Rainbow Dash said. "Don't need nothing more then that."

"I don't know. Something just doesn't sit right with me about him. Call it intuation." Hamtaro said.

"You really are too innocent for your own good." Boss said.

"Maybe he is, but if Hamtaro feels like there's something more to this, then I'm willing to put my faith in it." Bijou said.

"Alright, I suppose I can't stop you. Let any of us know if you find anything." Twilight said.

Twilight and Spike split off from the main group to search the underground portion of the castle when they found it, but soon so did Hamtaro & Bijou. The door the pair encountered tried to do to Hamtaro what it did with the unicorn and young drake, but upon even trying, it broke.

"...Huh. That's the second time that's happened to me. First Discord can't do anything to me, and now that strange door just breaks." Hamtaro said. The door soon phased away, revealing a hidden staircase. "Wow, now we're getting somewhere."

"Seems like this was really hidden." Bijou said. The two hamsters soon found a library, where they encountered a diary.

A dairy by none other then Sombra. And it explained everything about the truth.

And shortly after they finished reading it, they found a second book, this one about researching something called the Umbram. As well as a note inside of it, from Radient Hope.

"Hamtaro, if-if this note is correct..." Bijou said.

"Then Sombra is just as much of a victim as Princess Amore. He was being used." Hamtaro said. "I knew it. I knew there was something more to this whole mess." Hamtaro said.

"HEY CRYSTAL EMPIRE, ARE YOU READY TO GET FUNKY?!" Hampton's voice could be heard above ground.

"Their about to start the concert; we gotta tell Twilight and the others what we've found!" Bijou said.

"And save everyone; including both Sombra AND Radiant Hope!" Hamtaro said.

To be continued...