“Apollo what’s going on?!” Atlas yelled at his walkie-talkie.
Apollo: “Oh God, where to begin? When the crystal ponies found out that we didn’t have the crystal heart they got really mad and started to scream at us for lying to them. Then all of a sudden, the shield collapsed! Now Sombra is in the fucking city!! And worst of all, he’s not alone!”
“What do you mean Sombra is not alone?!” Galaxia ask as she and the rest of the group gathered around the walkie-talkie.
“HE HAS A FUCKING ARMY, GALAXIA! HE HAS SOLDIERS RUNNING AROUND THE CITY!”
He yelled, before they heard five more gunshots.
“We’re able to hold a line for now, but you guys better hurry up and find that crystal or else we’re screwed!”
“Hold on Apollo, we’re coming!” Atlas said before shoving the walkie-talkie back in his pocket.
“How are we going to get there in time with all the stairs?” Spike ask.
“Galaxia, how about you pick us up in your magic and you fly us to the top?” Twilight suggested.
“I would love to do that, but there’s a chance that the area around the stairwell could be booby trapped. And I’m not willing to take that chance, especially with your lives on the line.” Galaxia said.
“It looks like we have to go with Plan B.” Purple unicorn lit her horn and enveloped everyone with her magic.
The whole group start to levitate, flipped upside down, and landed on the bottom of the stairs.
After she completed her spell, they started to slide up the stairs, upside down.
Galaxia and Spike were having a blast.
“How are we doing this?” Atlas said in amazement.
“I used an anti-gravity spell. It’s a little trick Celestia taught me a few years back.”
“I can’t believe I’m say this, but I’m jealous.”
It was at this moment, when Spike passed the both of them, holding his arms up, like he was driving an imaginary go kart.
After two fun minutes later, they finally slid to the “bottom” of the stairs.
Twilight got rid of the spell before they crashed into the bottom. Allowing them to land perfectly on their feet.
The room they were now in was on the very top of the crystal Palace. In the center of the room was the legendary crystal heart.
“Is that?”
“Yes it is young one, that’s the crystal heart.” Galaxia answered Twilight’s question.
“Oh my Faust. We did it, we found the heart.” Twilight squealed as she hugged spike.
“Guys, you’re not going to believe what’s happening outside.” Atlas said.
When the rest of the group looked out the window, they saw that the street below was an absolute chaos.
Surrounding the crystal fair, and the castle was a large blue and magenta color wall and Artemis, Apollo, and Shining armor was on top of that wall, eliminating as many of Sombra’s soldiers as they can. While the rest of the elements try their best to make sure that the crystal ponies inside of the wall we’re ok or helping out shining and the two humans.
But the biggest threat outside was Sombra. He was getting closer to the city center, with a big bone chilling smile on his face. Like he was enjoying what he was seeing.
Galaxia put her case down, opened it up, and took out her double headed ax.
“I’ll deal with Sombra and his soldiers, you three get the crystal heart and bring it to Cadence.”
“Got it.” Spike Atlas, and Twilight said.
After that, Galaxia broke the window and jumped off the ledge. A few moments later, she spread her wings and flew towards the battlefield below.
“So, who should retrieve the crystal?” Spike ask.
“I should be the one to do it.” Twilight said.
“Are you sure?” Atlas asked.
“Yeah I’m sure. You two stay over here just in case.”
Twilight walked towards the crystal. She held her hands out to grab it, when the floor below her starts to flash. Like she triggered an alarm.
She lunged for crystal and knocked it out place before a wall of obsidian crystal surrounded her.
The crystal landed on the ground, a few feet away.
“CRYSTAL!” Sombra yelled as charged towards the palace, only to stop dead his tracks when Galaxia threw her ax and it cut him on the right cheek. “AHH!”
He looked down and saw the Galactic Alicorn, looking at him with a smug smile on her face.
The black unicorn looked at her with an angry expression before his shadowy frame became smaller and smaller. Now he was in his normal form standing a few feet away from the galactic Empress.
“Hello Sombra, did you miss me?”
“You.” He said a deep baritone. He wiped his hands across his cheek and examine his blood-soaked hand. “It always HAS to be you. Why can’t you old hags just drop dead already?!”
“One, do not insult my family. And two, it’s not my fault we have a long lifespan.”
“Well then, let me make sure that your time here is cut short!” The frustrated unicorn launched a powerful dark magic attack, only for Galaxia to block it with her ax.
“I knew it, you’re still the same old one trick pony.”
Galaxia launched an attack of her own, sending the dark unicorn flying through a few buildings.
Back in the castle, Twilight and her two friends tried everything to get herself out. She tried teleportation, that didn’t work. Spike used his dragon breath to melt the crystals only for them to regrow with more jagged edges. Twilight uses her magic to break herself free only for the same thing to happen again.
All of this was happening as Atlas tried his best to break all of the crystals that was slowly turning the room into a big prison cell.
“Spike, it’s no use, i’m stuck here. You have to deliver the crystal to Cadence.”
“No, I’m not going anywhere without you.”
“She’s right if we don’t get that Crystal to Cadence in time, we’re good as dead.” Atlas said before he destroyed a large crystal that was covering one of the windows with his magic.
“But what happens if-“
“Don’t worry about us.” Atlas handed the crystal to the dragon. “You’re the only dragon fit for this job. We believe in you, you can do it now go. GO!”
Spike ran towards the broken window, climbed out of it, and started to climb down the crystal wall of the palace.
At the same time an injured Sombra teleported back where he was standing before he was blasted by Galaxia.
Then he saw the young dragon climbing down the palace with the crystal heart in his hand.
His eyes became bloodshot as his horn sparked with magical power. “NOOO!” He yelled in both fear and anger as he summoned an obsidian crystal to carry him all the way to the palace.
Before Galaxia can act, he trapped her in a crystal prison. Making sure it was thick enough so she wouldn’t be able to get out anytime soon.
Then, to everyone’s horror, Spike slipped and fell.
Sombra was only 10 feet away from the falling dragon when Cadence came to his rescue.
She picked Spike up in her magic and flew as fast as she can to away from the dark king.
Horrified, the black unicorn tries to attack Cadence only for him to be stopped by being shot multiple times by Atlas. Luckily for him, his old armor protected him, but it still hurt.
After Cadence landed at the bottom of the palace, she announced. “Crystal heart has returned. Use the light and love within you to ensure that king Sombra does not.”
The pink Alicorn place the crystal right at the bottom of the palace, causing two blue crystals to come from the roof and the floor suspending the crystal heart in mid air.
All the crystal ponies coats became shiny as they bow towards the crystal.
“No, stop this. I command you all to stop!” Sombra commanded when he saw the streets of the city glowing with magical power.
When the crystal heart started to spin, he knew it was too late.
A blue light spread throughout the city, giving everyone a shiny crystal-like shine. Destroying all of the dark crystals and Sombra's solders.
Sombra screamed as the blue light obliterated him.
After that, the palace produced a bright light creating an aurora borealis. Announcing to the world that the crystal city was now free.
===•••===
Crystal Palace balcony.
4:50 PM
While the royal couple, spike the humans and main five wave to the crowd below, Atlas and Twilight teleported right behind them and said. “Hey every pony.”
Every pony turned around, and their eyes lit up.
“Thank heavens you’re all right, we were worried sick.”
Rarity said.
“Yeah, we thought you guys were goners when we saw Spike coming down.” Apollo said. “What happened up there?”
“Do you want the full story or the summarize version?” Twilight ask.
“Either one is fine.” Artemis said.
“Ok I’m just gonna summarize it. Twilight found a hidden entrance with dark magic, we climbed down a bunch of stairs. We experienced horrible nightmares because the door at the bottom of the stairs was covered in dark magic. We slid up another set upstairs towards the top of the tower like one big giant slide. The crystal heart was booby trapped and so we had to send spike down to deliver the crystal to you guys. And that’s how we saved the Crystal Empire.” Atlas said.
“Wait, so you got psychologically tortured by a door covered in dark magic?” Cadence asked.
“Pretty much, if it wasn’t for Galaxia, we would’ve been in that state for Faust knows how long.”
Twilight answered.
“You ponies slid up the stairs?! That sounds fun.” Pinkie Pie said.
It was at this moment, when Galaxia teleported onto the balcony.
“Speak of the devil, here she is. How’s the crystal ponies doing?” Shining ask
“They’re doing great. They’re just happy that they don’t have to deal with Sombra anymore. Some ponies were even crying tears of joy.” Galaxia answered.
“Does anyone know how long this Crystal look is going to last?” Spike ask.
“It should last about 30 minutes on average.” Cadence said.
“Aww, I don’t want it to disappear. My mane look so gorgeous like this.” Rarity stated.
“Don’t worry, it will happen again at my coordination.” Said Cadence.
“Oh right I almost forgot.” Rarity gasp. “There’s so much to plants so much to do I need to get your dress ready and everything.”
“Don’t forget the party!” Pinkie pie said a sing song voice.
While the main six was excitedly discussing their plans to make the best coronation ever, Apollo looked over at his brothers and said. “We’re not going to have a single moment of rest with these guys.”
“Yeah, especially with Rarity and Pinkie pie.”
Atlas replied.
“We did sign up for this, so we should’ve seen this coming.” Artemis stated.
===•••===
One week later.
March 16 1010 A.G
11:20 AM
Cadence was standing outside of the palace throne room, waiting for the two large doors to open.
She was wearing a beautiful white dress with gold and silver details. She was also wearing a purple sash, completing her entire outfit.
She was wearing this outfit because today was her coronation.
This past week was hectic for every pony. The royal family, the main six, and the humans helped plan the coordination, the Crystallian Government moved the capital from Magnolia to the Crystal city. And both Crystal and Equestrian Armed Forces were busy clearing out any remaining Sombra sympathizers in the north.
And now, today was the day that Cadence was going to be officially crowned as Empress of the Crystal Empire.
She would’ve been crowned a decade ago when her mom passed, but she was too young.
Now at the age of 26 she was ready. Ready to become the leader her ponies deserve.
The large doors finally open revealing a throne room filled with guests and reporters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeCIZLXwkI8&pp=ygUaYW50aGVtIG9mIHRoZSByb21hbiBlbXBpcmU%3D
She walked down the aisle with grace as she made her way to the crystal throne.
After she sat down, Captain Flash Century, the new leader of the crystal guards, held out an old scroll of the original crystal constitution.
Cadence placed her left hand on top of the scroll, and held her right hand up.
“Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, do you swear to lead the Crystal Empire with dignity and honor?”
“I do.”
“Do you swear to make sure that your subjects rights and liberties are protected?”
“I do.”
“Do you swear to protect the crystal empire with the best of your abilities, even if it cost you your life?”
Cadence’s heart swelled with pride. “I do.”
Flash put the scroll down on a nearby table, and backed up a few feet. Allowing an ordinary crystal stallion, chosen by a state sponsored raffle, to put Cadence’s new crown on top of her head.
Cadence bow her head, and stallion place the crown on her head.
After that, Captain Flash turn to the crowd and announced. “I proudly presented to the world, Empress Cadence of the Crystal Empire! All hail Crystallia, all hail Empress Cadence!”
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause.
The Empress made her way to the balcony with her husband Emperor Shining Armor, by her side.
In the streets below hundreds of thousands of ponies from all over the empire, gathered to see their new Empress.
In the air, were a few airships with the flag of the newly form empire displayed on their sides.
Cadence never felt so proud in her life. All these ponies believe in her to heal the scars of the past and lead them to a bright future.
She knows that her mom was looking down her, with a big smile on her.
“Cadenza, I am so proud of you.” A faint voice said in the wind.
===•••===
Vesalipolis, Changing Empire.
Vesalipolis Palace.
9:30 AM.
In the conference room of Palace, Queen Chrysalis and her few remaining military officers were watching the coordination on a large TV on the wall.
All of them either looked at the screen with distain or anger.
“One of you turn it off.” Chrysalis ordered.
After the TV was switched off the changing queen rubbed her eyes.
The last two months has been hell for her. Her country was humiliated by the ponies. Her beloved empire was recovering, but still limping after the amount of damaged the war has inflicted.
But the worst part about her new reality was that her daughter caused all of this. Her betrayal destroyed Chrysalis. It wasn’t uncommon in the first few weeks after the war that she cried herself to sleep out of anger and sadness that her daughter, her only child, would leave her like this.
The huge void that Zeya left, was now filled with hate and lots of it. Not for her daughter of course, she still loves her. Her hatred was pointed at the elements of harmony, the royal family, and last, but not least, the humans.
“Your majesty, may I have permission to speak?”
Remer ask.
“Permission, granted.”
“Why did we watch that?”
“It’s because this is a moment in history. Not only for the ponies, but for us as well. From this day forward, we have another powerful country we have to deal with on our border. Karbyshev, you can do your presentation now.”
“Thank you, your majesty.” The old changing said before turned on the projector.
“Ever since the end of the war, Equestria has grown stronger as the queen just said. Their military has been fully equipped with new tanks and other fighting vehicles.” Karbyshev narrated.
“Now we have the Crystal Empire to deal with. I’ve been researching this country ever since their old capital reappeared. And this nation is going to be a juggernaut when they fully gain back control of the north. For example, the old territories are full of natural resources like oil, precious metals, and of course valuable stones worth in the trillions. They also have plans to expand their military, possibly eclipsing our own before the war. And if we’re not careful, Equestria, the Crystal Empire and the entirety of the Harmony Entente will be able to defeat us in the great trial.”
“And I thought Equestria was already a pain in the flank to deal with. Now we have to deal with another powerful pony nation. What are we going to do?” Changing commander named Yazov wondered.
“It’s simple. We speed up our recovery, rebuild our military and make sure that the citizens stay in line. It might take us a year or two but when we are ready will strike. After that, not only will we be a united nation once again, we have an empire that will last 1000 years.” Chrysalis said with a smile.
“But what are you going to do with your daughter?” Pharynx ask.
“Don’t worry, I know what to do with her.”
===•••===
Somewhere in the Crystallian countryside.
10 PM.
While Neo made its way back to Canterlot, every pony on board the train were sleeping peacefully in their beds.
Well, except for Apollo. So he decided to get a drink from the lounge car.
After walking through three passenger cars, he entered the lounge. Only to find Galaxia was sitting at the bar by herself.
“Hey Galaxia, what are you doing here all by yourself?” Apollo ask as he pour himself a drink.
“I could be asking you the same thing. What are you doing here?”
“I’m just here to past the time. I don’t usually sleep this early as you already know.” He said, taking a seat right next to her. “Are you gonna answer my question now?”
“I couldn’t sleep because I am worried about the future.” She answered before taking a sip of her martini.
“Worried about what?”
“I am worried that everything will come crashing down again. Do you know why I stayed on my throne for 1962 years?” Galaxia asks.
“No. I thought you liked being a leader.” Apollo answered.
“Yeah, that’s one of them, but the main reason is that I was scared that the country I worked so hard to build would collapse into a bunch of warring states. Like the old River Federation.” She said with a sigh.
“Every time I had a student or met a politician that looks like a great option to be my successor, they were either corrupt or not fit for the job. When I was finally comfortable of stepping down and allowing my daughters to take over, I thought everything would be ok. Then Sombra coup happened and a few years later Nightmare Moon.
I was in Valhalla when that happened so I could do nothing but watch my children fight each other. Even though everything is going fine right now, I’m afraid that that won’t be the case tomorrow.”
“Wow, i’m sorry you’re feeling like that.”
“You don’t have to be sorry, thanks for allowing me to vent.”
“No problem. If I have to be honest, you nothing to worry about. Yes, a lot of bad things happen in the past, but now things are so much better. The Crystal Empire back and Equestria it’s the strongest nation on the planet. Not to mention, we have the elements a harmony, your family, the military, and our friends around the world. What I’m trying to say is that everything will be ok.”
“You really think so?”
“Yeah, a week ago we saved the Crystal City and two months before that, we were able to protect Canterlot from the Changelings. If those are not signs that things will be ok, I don’t know what is.”
Apollo said before taking a sip of his whiskey.
“You young ponies are always filled with so much optimism and hope. Thanks for making me feel better.”
“Anytime.”