Crystal Empire

The Crystal Empire is a nation on Equus, North of Equestria

## History

### Before the Darkness

Their origins unknown, the prosperous Crystal Ponies lived in the lands of the Crystal Empire for centuries. Primarily Earth Ponies, these unique ponies sparkle and refract the magical lights of the crystals that abound in their lands.

Everything changed when the shadowy Umbrum attacked. They burned their crystal homes, preyed on them and crushed their hopes. However, Amore, a pony of love and optimism, discovered the Crystal Heart, a crystal gem of immense magical power. She projected her positive energy into it and with the power of the heart, the Umbrum were banished deep beneath the Empire. Amore was crowned as the first Empress of the Crystal Empire and became a wise and benevolent ruler. The power of the Crystal Heart kept the ponies safe and even warmed the local climate, making it more temperate and hospitable.

When a dragon stole the Crystal Heart, Celestia and Luna recovered it, thus establishing friendly relations between  Equestria and the Crystal Empire. The first Crystal Fair was held to celebrate the event and became an annual festivity afterwards.

### King of Monsters

The Umbrum plotted their escape and came up with a devious plan. They put a shadow pony inside the shell of a young earth pony, which allowed him to resist the Crystal Heart’s love, and sent him to the surface. The weak colt was found by patrolling guards, lying unconscious in the snow, with no knowledge of how he got there. The only thing he said was ”Sombra”, so that became his name.

He was sent to an orphanage. While there, Sombra met an eccentric and optimistic unicorn named Radiant Hope. They grew up together and became close friends, while other ponies avoided and mocked them. When Hope and Sombra visited the famed Crystal Heart, they saw visions in its reflections. Hope saw she would become a Empess; Sombra saw he would become a monster. He hid this revelation from her and feared it would become true.

The two looked forward to the Crystal Fair, but when it arrived, Sombra became bed-ridden and ill. This pattern repeated year after year, but always Radiant would remain by his side. One year Sombra's pony shell was nearly destroyed, his shadowy insides leaking out of it, but Hope cast a healing spell in desperation and saved his life. She gained her cutie mark and was soon invited to the Canterlot School for Gifted Unicorns.

Sombra feared the visions were becoming a reality; Hope would become a Princess and he would become a monster. He fled in terror to the frozen wastes, where he soon found a red Umbrum crystal. The crystal spoke to him and revealed his origin and purpose: It was his duty to save his people from imprisonment.

### The Return

Over a thousand years later, in 1002 ALB, Luna and Celestia's banishment spell faded and the Crystal Empire returned, King Sombra with it. Celestia sent her faithful student, Twilight Sparkle, and the other wielders of the Elements of Harmony, to aid Princess, turned Empress Cadance and Prince, turned Emperor Consort Shining Armour in defending the Empire. Sombra, in shadowy, body-less form, attempted to assault the Crystal City. Twilight Sparkle and her dragon Spike managed to recover the Crystal Heart and used it destroy Sombra and banish him to Limbo. This deed made Spike into a hero of the Empire.

Soon after Empress Mi Amore Cadenza (Cadance), possibly related to the Empress Amore of old, became the ruler of the Crystal Empire with her husband Shining Armour. Most crystal ponies welcomed the Equestrian rulers, but not all. Some were resentful of the new Equestrian influence in the ancient nation, and wanted to be ruled by one of their own. These ponies were a minority, however, and for the most part Cadance's rule has been uncontested.

### Monarchs

1. Mi Amore
2. Sombra
3. Candence