The war with King Sombra and the Crystal Empire had been waging for years. Almost everypony remembered the time before the Crystal Invasion, when there was peace and color and everything seemed right. That all changed, however when the missing kingdom returned from a banishment lasting over one-thousand years. Within hours of its return, Sombra had regained power and achieved his status over the Crystal Ponies, all it took then was to turn them into the magical soldiers that the Equestrians first encountered when they began conquering the villages and town bordering the Frozen North.
When news of the attacks reached the princess, she took immediate action. The Royal Guard was larger than it had previously been, due to the return and defeat of Celestia's sister, Nightmare Moon. Nonetheless, they didn't stand a chance when it came to the military engagement that ensued. Celestia herself led the Equestrian front, while Sombra led the Empire's.
In the end, Celestia's captains were not prepared for a confrontation on the scale that there was. The Equestrians were outnumbered and outmatched. Out of the many that fought at the battle, few made it to Celestia's rendezvous farther south. That day was lost and most of the First Royal Guard were captured or missing.
The tattered remains of Equestria's finest soldiers dispersed among to land to recruit militia to potentially halt the Dark King's advances. Their attempts were not in vain and everywhere Sombra turned in this land, his armies met resistance. The Wonderbolts of Cloudesdale were humiliated when they heard the news of the defeat of their princess. They departed Cloudesdale for combat but were never heard from again. Whether or not they made it to battle against Sombra is unknown.
After these first encounters, the battle lines were drawn and what Sombra had clearly hoped to be a short and easy takeover, turned into an extended conflict. Almost immediately the Equestrian industry exploded and ponies of all kinds joined up under the princess's wings to fight this invader and to put an end to his tyranny.
From what accounts can tell, Sombra himself was last seen leading his troops in the Siege of Vanhoover. Once the surrounding countryside was under his control, he disappeared and left his troops to finish the the siege. It took over a year for the city to give way. Food and supplies were smuggled into its harbor at night, allowing the ponies inside to remain and keep up the defense against the siege.
Eventually, the city's walls mysteriously fell outward filling the moat with rubble and allowing the surrounding army to overtake the city. From there Sombra's army has pushed farther south on the west coast. Manehatten volunteers have made sure that Sombra's soldiers on the east coast did not make much headway. That's where the battle lines remained for a good year and a half. There was no major confrontation, but smaller engagements ensued.
Recently, however, Sombra's troops began pushing the lines. The ponies that were able be, were evacuated from towns like Ponyville. Most of whom went to the old capital, Canterlot.
Along the west coast of Equestria, the crystal armies captured thin stretches of land that went all the way to Equestria's southern border. They then came East, almost as far as Appleoosa. The Buffalo herds have made it difficult for them to pass through the valley. The natives don't want the crystals to ruin their stampeding routes.
With Equestria holding on by a thread, the juggernaut pulled out. The battle-lines pass so close to Canterlot, which is still acts as the capitol, that one swift blow and Equestria would be finished. Sombra set his sights on bigger opponents. He attacked the Gryphon Kingdoms. It is rumored that his army is growing and will soon move on to other nations.
Celestia leads her fledgling army now. In her place, to keep the stability of Equestria, she appointed officials to form a council representing each major city still in Equestrian hooves. It is this council that has overseen Equestria's war effort and musters up the funds to keep them going.
In the cities themselves, everypony works around the clock to keep the machines turning out equipment and food for the dying kingdom and army. The ponies know that they fight a hopeless cause. Still, they work day and night to keep up the fight.
The days are long and dull, while the nights are short, ponies across the land still hope for a single spark of victory, a light of rejuvenation, a glimmer of hope.
Here's the synopsis. What do you think? Thoughts?
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