At Canterlot Castle, Celestia was sitting on her throne, signing some papers. Suddenly, a guard came running into the throne room.

"News from Northern Equestria! Uh… Your Highness," Addressed the guard.

"Yes?" Questioned Celestia.

"I am simply to tell you that 'it' has returned."

Princess Celestia gasped in shock, knowing what the guard was referring to.

"Find Princess Cadance and Shining Armor," Ordered Celestia.

"Yes, Your Highness."

As the guard, along with two others, ran to find Cadance and Shining Armor, Princess Celestia began writing a letter.

"My Dearest Twilight, you must come to Canterlot at once…"

A little while later, at the Golden Oak Library, Twilight was pacing around the main library, frantically searching for various items, including writing quills and various reference books. All of her friends were watching with concern.

"So, see what I was talking about?" Asked Deadpool.

"Yeah, Twilight gets like this whenever there is a test," Answered Applejack.

Spike had the courage to walk up to Twilight. Unfortunately for him, he was crushed by a large book.

"Flash cards! I should make some flash cards." Twilight went to a desk and pulled out a drawer containing flash cards. As soon as Spike got out from under the book, he had to grab two stacks of cards as tall as he is. "Spike, I'm gonna need you to quiz me on everything. Everything I've ever learned. EVER… This isn't going to be enough cards."

"Twilight, calm down. It's just a test," Said Spike.

Twilight stopped dead in her tracks.

"... Excuse me?"

"He's right, it's just a test," Said Deadpool as he walked over to Spike.

"Just a test? JUST A TEST?! Princess Celestia wants to give me some kind of exam, and you both are trying to tell me to calm down because 'it's just a test?!'" Asked Twilight rhetorically.

"... Yes," Said Spike and Deadpool in unison.

During Twilight's fuming banter, she backed up Deadpool and Spike into a wall. She was so enraged that her horn startled to glow and crackle with magical energy.

"I'd say she's handling things pretty well, considerin'-"

"URGH!"

KA-BOOM!

Applejack didn't have enough time to finish her sentence before Twilight created a magical explosion that was so powerful, it caused her tree house to get uprooted into the air before being brought back down by gravity.

Not going to lie, I was scared just writing that.

A few hours later…

Princesses Celestia and Princess Luna were looking at the stained glass art that adorned the walls of the throne room.

"Are you sure you don't want me to go as well?" Asked Luna.

"Yes. Princess Cadance and Shining Armor are already there. The others will be joining them soon," Answered Celestia.

"The Empire's magic is powerful. It cannot fall again, my sister."

"She will succeed at her task. And when she does, we'll know that she is that much closer to being ready."

"Ahem."

Twilight was standing at the entrance of the throne room. She was carrying saddlebags full of writing supplies.

"Trust me, little sister," Said Celestia.

Luna left the throne room as Twilight walked up to Celestia.

"You wanted to see me? To give me a test? I brought my own quills and plenty of paper to show my work." As she was walking, Twilight accidentally dropped all of her stuff. "Sorry! Sorry!"

"This is a different kind of test. The Crystal Empire has returned," Said Celestia.

"The Crystal Empire? I'm sorry, I-I thought I'd studied. Ooh, I don't think there's anything in any of my books th-"

"There wouldn't be. Few remember it ever existed at all. Even my knowledge of the Empire is limited."

Celestia grabbed, fittingly, a crystal from a display case, and placed it on the floor. She cast a spell to cause it to form into a map of the Crystal Empire. It was large, and the most noticeable POI was a large castle at the center of the land.

"But what I do know is that it contains a powerful magic. One thousand years ago, King Sombra, a unicorn whose heart was black as night, took over the Crystal Empire."

One thousand years ago...

King Sombra was overlooking the formerly conquered Crystal Empire. He was a dark grey unicorn with a spiky, black mane and tail. His horn was smooth but sharp at the tip, and the top half is crimson red. His eyes were green with red irises and purple mist emanated from them. His smile was wicked, baring two sharp fangs. He wore silver armor on his neck and legs, a silver crown with sharp points sat atop his head, and wore a red cape over his back and flank. He watched countless ponies marching in shackles. Suddenly, silhouettes of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna flew above, and cast a beam of magic onto Sombra, causing him to turn into shadow and disappear.

"He was ultimately overthrown, turned into shadow, and banished to the ice of the Arctic North. But not before he was able to put a curse upon the Empire. A curse that caused it to vanish into thin air," Said Celestia.

Present day...

"If the Empire is filled with hope and love, those things are reflected across all of Equestria. If hatred and fear take hold…"

Celestia briefly used dark magic to summon inky black crystals, representing what would happen to Equestria if fear and hatred take over. She then destroyed the crystals.

"Which is why I need your help finding a way to protect it," Said Celestia.

"You want me to help protect an entire empire?" Asked Twilight in disbelief.

"It is, as I said, a different kind of test. But one I'm certain you will pass."

"... How do I begin?" Asked Twilight determinedly.

"By joining Princess Cadance and Shining Armor in the Crystal Empire."

"My brother is there?"

"He is. And your Ponyville friends and Deadpool will join you there as well. I have every confidence you will succeed. And when you do, I'll know you are ready to move on to the next level of your studies."

"But what if I fail?"

"You won't."

"But what if-"

"You won't. But Twilight, in the end, it must be you and you alone who ultimately assists Princess Cadance and Shining Armor in doing what needs to be done to protect the Empire. Do you understand?"

"Mm-hmm!"

"Then go. There is no time to lose."

Twilight walked out of the throne room with a determined look on her face. After a long walk back to the train station, she met up with her friends.

"Twilight! Uh, did you pass?" Asked Applejack.

"Are we gonna celebrate your awesomeness with Princess Celestia?"

Pinkie Pie pulled out her party cannon and jumped with the confetti that was launched.

"Not quite," Said Twilight.

Pinkie and the confetti floated back down. The confetti surprisingly landed back into the cannon.

"We're going to the Crystal Empire!"

"Huh?" Cried Twilight's friends.

"The Crystal Meth Empire?" Asked Deadpool.

(Just Crystal Empire. Methhead.)

"Damn! I was hoping to go to a kingdom of drugs. That would be one less thing on my bucket list."

(Why do we have a bucket list? We can't die.)

"No matter. I'm up for an adventure. Drugs or no drugs."

A little while later, a train was travelling across a barren, snowy landscape. It stopped at a nearby station and when the doors opened, Twilight and co stepped out. As soon as everyone but Deadpool and Rarity stepped out, they shuddered at how cold the environment was.

"Ha! And you all made fun of me for packing so many scarves," Said Rarity.

"Yeah, well, I only need one scarf. Not fifty like you, Rarity," Said Deadpool.

Spike was the unfortunate one who had to carry all of Rarity's suitcases. He accidentally slipped stepping off the train, dropping the suitcases, their items spilling out. He chased after them in order to retrieve them.

"Twilight!"

A faint but familiar voice could be heard in the distance.

"Shining Armor?" Shouted Twilight.

A figure stepped out of the falling snow. After removing a pair of goggles and a scarf, they were revealed to be Twilight's brother, Shining Armor.

"Twily! You made it!" Both siblings rushed over and hugged each other. "We'd better get moving. There are things out here we really don't want to run into after dark," Said Shining Armor.

"What kind of things?" Asked Fluttershy fearfully, an audible gulp coming out of her throat.

"Let's just say the Empire isn't the only thing that's returned," Said Shining Armor.

The group of heroes were trudging through the snow. A strong gale blew across the land, stirring up snow. Deadpool decided to ask a question. He had to speak up, so he could be heard over the wind.

"What is this… 'thing' that has returned?" Asked Deadpool.

"Something keeps trying to get into the Empire. We think it's the unicorn king who originally cursed the place," Answered Shining Armor.

"But Princess Celestia said I was being sent here to find a way to protect the Empire. If King Sombra can't get in, then it must already be protected," Reasoned Twilight.

Suddenly, a ghastly howl could be heard from behind the group. Fluttershy gasped out of fear.

"Th-That's one of the things, isn't it?" Fluttershy asked fearfully.

"Guh. We have to get to the Crystal Empire, now!"

As soon as Shining Armor stopped talking, a giant, black tornado formed behind the group. It had eyes - Sombra's eyes. Everyone but Spike ran off; he was frozen with fear. Shining Armor quickly ran back and used his telekinesis to grab Spike, causing him to let go of Rarity's stuff. Shining Armor then tossed the baby dragon on Twilight's back. The group was making good pace. They could see a light blue force field in the distance.

"Almost there," Said Shining Armor.

As the girls and Spike ran off, Shining Armor and Deadpool stayed behind to combat the tornado.

BANG! BANG!

Shining Armor cast a beam of magic while Deadpool fired a barrage of magic bullets at the tornado. The tornado simply phased through the attacks. Before both ponies could react, it lunged at them. Meanwhile, the girls made it through the force field. Everyone was catching their breath.

"Everypony okay?" Asked Twilight out of breath.

Everyone nodded to answer yes. Two ponies leapt through the force field - Deadpool and Shining Armor. The latter didn't look the same. His horn was covered in miniature black crystals.

"Oh, no! Shining Armor, your horn!" Said Twilight out of concern.

Shining Armor tried to light his horn, but his magic was sparking with black electricity.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. Thanks for asking," Said Deadpool sarcastically.

"Sparkleriffic!" Said Pinkie Pie in excitement.

The whole group walked over to a gate and saw the Crystal Empire. The buildings were made of a rock with crystal like properties, and at the center was the castle, serving as a beacon to the whole empire. After taking in the sites, the group made their way to the castle.

"It's gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous! There are no words!" Said Rarity excitedly.

"Focus, Rarity. We're here to help Twilight, not admire the scenery," Said Applejack.

"Eh, I don't see what the big deal is. Just looks like another old castle to me," Said Rainbow Dash.

"A-p-guh! Another old…! Have you lost your mind?! Look at the magni-"

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were both laughing at Rarity's reaction.

"Very funny," Said Rarity sarcastically.

Inside the castle's throne room, Princess Cadance was sitting on a throne of blue and purple crystals. She had her horn lit and looked completely exhausted. She was dozing on and off until everyone walked in.

"Cadance!" Cried Twilight.

Seeing Twilight, Cadance met up with her and both greeted each other with their cheer.

"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!"

They both laughed happily.

"One of these days we need to get together when the fate of Equestria isn't hanging in the balance," Said Cadance.

Cadance sighed in exhaustion.

"Are you okay?" Asked Twilight.

"Cadance has been able to use her magic to spread love and light. That seems to be what is protecting the Empire. But she hasn't slept, barely eats. I want to help her, but my protection spell has been countered by King Sombra," Said Shining Armor.

Cadance took a deep breath before speaking.

"It's alright Shining Armor, I'm fine."

"She's NOT fine. She can't go on like this forever, and if her magic were to fade… Well, you saw who's waiting for that to happen," Said Shining Armor grimly

"That's why we're here," Said Twilight.

"Why we're all here," Added Applejack.

Everyone else agreed with Applejack.

"Well, with Cadance putting all her strength into keeping her spell going, and me trying to keep an eye on signs of trouble in the arctic, we haven't been able to gather much information from the Crystal Ponies," Said Shining Armor.

"Crystal Ponies?! Hahaha, there are Crystal Ponies?!" When Rarity realized she was being stared at by her friends, she tried to divert attention from herself. "Um, ahem. Please continue."

"But we have to believe one of them knows how we can protect the Empire without having to use Cadance's magic," Said Shining Armor.

At that moment, Twilight came up with an idea.

"A research paper!" Said Twilight.

"Huh?" Questioned Shining Armor.

"That must be part of my test - to gather information from the Crystal Ponies and deliver it to you! This is gonna be great! I love research papers!"

"Leave me out of this. I'm a high school dropout. I don't do research papers," Said Deadpool.

"Don't worry, big brother. I am really good at this sort of thing," Said Twilight.

A few minutes later, Twilight Sparkle and Spike were standing outside of a house, talking to a local. Despite being called the Crystal Ponies, the mare at the door didn't look like she was made of crystal. She looked like the average pony, and she looked depressed.

"Are you sure? Absolutely sure?" Asked Twilight.

"I'm sorry. I wish I could help you. But I… can't seem to remember anything before King Sombra came to power." Suddenly, King Sombra's eyes flashed in the mare's mind, terrifying her. "And I don't want to remember anything about the time he ruled over us." The mare then shuddered in fear.

"King Sombra's spell must be why their coats aren't… crystally," Whispered Twilight to Spike.

"Have we really been gone for a thousand years?"

"Yes."

"It feels like it was just yesterday."

"If you think of anything, even the smallest thing…"

"Of course."

The mare walked back inside and shut the door behind her.

"Well, that was a bust," Said Spike exasperatedly.

"Maybe the others are having better luck," Said Twilight optimistically.

After some time, everyone met back up outside of the castle.

"I got nothing so far," Said Rainbow with a sigh.

"Oh, me neither," Added Rarity.

Fluttershy walked up to Twilight. She grabbed the top of her own head and revealed Pinkie Pie in disguise.

"My cover has been blown. I repeat, my cover has been blown!" Said Pinkie.

"Ooookay? What about you, Wade?" Asked Twilight.

"I'm not Wade! I'm…" Deadpool ripped off his suit, revealing himself in his suit. "Deadpool!"

Twilight facepalmed out of exasperation.

"I have two of the weirdest friends," Muttered Twilight.

"Sorry, Twilight. These crystal ponies seem to have some kind of collective amnesia or somethin'. Only thing I was able to get out of 'em was somethin' about a library," Said Applejack.

Twilight gasped out of pure excitement before growing the largest smile on her face.

"A library?! Well, why didn't you say so?!" Asked Twilight.

"Uh… thought I just did," Said Applejack.

Twilight ran off to find the library. After a couple minutes of searching, she and the rest of her friends managed to find the library. Once inside, there were shelves that towered over everyone and they seemed to stretch for miles.

"I just… I don't even know what to… There are no words!" Said Twilight joyfully.

"Ahem. May I help you?"

Everyone looked to the right and saw an elderly mare. She appeared to be the librarian.

"Yes. We're looking for a book," Said Twilight.

"We have plenty of those," Said the librarian.

"You do. You really do," Said Twilight blissfully.

"We're lookin' for a history book. Somethin' that might tell us how the Empire might've protected itself from danger back in the day," Explained Applejack.

"Yes. Of course. History, history… Ah, yes."

A few seconds went by, and the librarian said nothing. After sitting in awkward silence, Twilight decided to speak up.

"Which is where, exactly?" Asked Twilight.

"I… I can't seem to remember. I'm not sure I actually work here," Said the librarian.

"How long has the Crystal Empire been gone for?" Asked Deadpool.

"One thousand years," Answered Twilight.

"She definitely looks like she is a thousand years old."

His comment earned Deadpool a punch to the shoulder by Twilight.

"We'll just take a look around. I'm sure we can find it on our own," Said Twilight confidently.

"Let me know if you find anything," Said the librarian.

"I like her!" Said Pinkie.

Everyone began searching throughout the library for the book they were looking for. They went through multiple shelves, and eventually everyone started to get tired. Deadpool was already asleep against a shelf with a book on top of his head.

"Uh, anyone else startin' to think this is a lost cause?" Asked Applejack.

"No, no, no, no, no… Yes!"

After combing through various titles, Twilight found the book they were looking for. It had a leather cover and, well, three crystals. Because it's about the Crystal Empire.

"'History of the Crystal Empire'. I just hope it has the answers we need," Said Twilight.

After checking out the book, Twilight was with her brother, sister-in-law, and Spike in the throne room. She was going through the contents of the book with them, even though Cadance was dozing.

"A 'Crystal Faire.' According to this book, it was established by the first queen and became their most important tradition. The Faire was held every year to 'renew the spirit of love and unity in the Empire so they could protect it from harm.' My friends and I could put it together. Everything we need to know is in the book!" Said Twilight.

"That sounds pretty promising," Said Shining Armor.

"We'll get started right away. C'mon, Spike, we've got a Crystal Faire to put together."

After a long day of planning and setting up, the group of friends put together a Crystal Faire. It was going to be held outside of the castle, where multiple tents and food tables were set up, to name a few.

"It looks amazing! I don't know how I could've done this without you! One last check to make sure everything is in place, and then the festivities can begin!" Said Twilight.

"What's this thing for?"

Applejack was pointing at what looked like a carved statue of a heart on top of a crystal.

"The last page of the book mentioned a Crystal Heart as the faire's centerpiece, so I used my magic to cut one out of a crystal block," Said Twilight.

"Nice work, Twi. Think we're ready to get this faire up and runnin'," Said Applejack.

Once everything was ready, Twilight, Shining Armor, and Princess Cadance walked onto a balcony overlooking the Crystal Empire. Deadpool and Pinkie Pie were also there towards the back, holding flugelhorns; horns that have two bells instead of one. Twilight started to address the citizens of the Crystal Empire.

"Hear ye, hear-"

ER-EEE, EEE-EH!

Both Deadpool and Pinkie blew their horns, creating terrible sounds.

(Christ! What awful noises! And I don't even have ears!)

Both ponies stopped when they were being stared at.

"Ahem. Hear ye, hear ye! Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor do cordially invite you to attend the Crystal Faire!" Said Twilight.

This got the Crystal Ponies' attention. Some of them magically changed into having brighter shades of colors.

"Come on in, y'all. Got food and drinks that way, games and crafts that way, and the Crystal Heart to the back near the Princess," Said Applejack.

"Did she say… Crystal Heart?" Asked some ponies.

As everyone settled in, a duo of mares were talking to each other.

"Seeing all of this, I feel like I'm starting to remember. Remember things from before the king," Said one of the mares.

"Me too," Said the other mare.

"The Crystal Heart!" Said the mares in unison.

The mares' coats looked brighter, and they seemed to have their memories restored.

"Do you think they really have it?"

Just then, Rainbow Dash chimed in.

"Of course we have it! Can't have a Crystal Faire without the Crystal Heart, right?" Asked Rainbow rhetorically.

The librarian from earlier decided to join in on the conversation as well.

"Of course you can't. The whole purpose of the Crystal Faire is to lift the spirits of the Crystal Ponies, so the light within them can power the Crystal Heart, so that the Empire can be protected!" The librarian's coat and memories returned. "I do work at the library!"

"W-What's that about powering the heart?'" Asked Rainbow.

"I just can't believe you found it. King Sombra said he'd hidden it away where we would never see it again! I only hope it will still be as powerful after all these years… Mm, funnel cake!"

The librarian walked away, leaving a nervous Rainbow Dash.

"Oof. Big oofs," Said Deadpool from afar.

Rainbow Dash flew into the air and grabbed a flag. She then landed beside the "Crystal Heart" and covered it as well as Twilight, who was standing next to it.

"Why did you-"

"I think we have a problem."

After Rainbow Dash explained the situation, she, Twilight, Shining Armor, and Cadance were on the balcony, where Twilight was panicking.

"I didn't know it was an actual relic! The book didn't mention anything about the Crystal Ponies powering the Heart!" Twilight looked through the book and realized the last page was torn out. "There was a page missing… How did I not notice?!"

"It's alright, Twilight."

Cadance without warning became dizzy and fainted on the spot. Luckily, Shining Armor caught her.

"Twily…"

Without Cadance using her spell, the force field disappeared. A black smog circled around the Crystal Empire. A face then appeared, Sombra's, and he had a wicked smile.

To be continued...