The Crystal Empire - Part 2


 * [Previously on My Little Pony]


 * Twilight Sparkle: You wanted to see me? To give me a test?


 * Princess Celestia: The Crystal Empire has returned.


 * Twilight Sparkle: You want me to help protect an entire empire?


 * Princess Celestia: It must be you and you alone.


 * [train whistle]


 * Twilight Sparkle: But what if I fail?


 * Shining Armor: Let's just say the Empire... isn't the only thing that's returned.


 * Twilight Sparkle: Go, go!


 * Pinkie Pie: Sparkleriffic!


 * Shining Armor: 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.


 * Rarity: There are Crystal Ponies?!


 * "Autumn Gem": I wish I could help you. But I... can't seem to remember anything before King Sombra came to power. [flash]


 * Twilight Sparkle: "History of the Crystal Empire". 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.


 * Amethyst Maresbury: 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!


 * Rainbow Dash: I think we may have a problem...


 * Twilight Sparkle: I didn't know it was an actual relic!


 * Princess Cadance: It's alright, Twilight.


 * Shining Armor: Twily...


 * [howl]


 * King Sombra: [growls]




 * King Sombra: [laughing]


 * Shining Armor: The Empire is under attack.


 * [shing]


 * King Sombra: Arrgh!


 * [fizzling]


 * Shining Armor: I have to find the Crystal Heart!


 * Twilight Sparkle: No, you stay here with Cadance. She needs you, Shining Armor. I'll retrieve the Heart.


 * Rainbow Dash: Let's do this!


 * Twilight Sparkle: I've been trying to figure out how I'm meant to pass Celestia's test. Retrieving the Crystal Heart must be it. But there is something else you can do.


 * Rainbow Dash: Name it.


 * Twilight Sparkle: You and the rest of our friends have to keep the Faire going.


 * Rainbow Dash: What? With that thing moving into the Empire?


 * Twilight Sparkle: The whole purpose of the Crystal Faire is to lift the spirits of the Crystal Ponies, so they can activate the Crystal Heart.


 * Rainbow Dash: Yeah, and?


 * Twilight Sparkle: If the Crystal Ponies find out that King Sombra is trying to take over the Empire again, their spirits are gonna be anything but lifted. It won't matter if I find the Crystal Heart. They won't be able to make it work. You have to keep them happy here at the Faire.


 * Rainbow Dash: Keep the Faire going and the Crystal Ponies' spirits high. Done and done!


 * Shining Armor: Twily, be careful.


 * Twilight Sparkle: I will.


 * [growl]


 * [clink]


 * ["Autumn Gem" eating]


 * [rustling]


 * Rainbow Dash: [whispering] Okay, here's... [becomes indistinct]


 * Rarity: Huuuuh? [pause] I... just found out they're offering face painting for the little ones. [laughs nervously] [whispers]


 * Spike: [under his breath] Uh-huh. We can do that. Twilight's doing what?!


 * Rarity: He... really... loves getting his face painted. Haha.


 * Rainbow Dash: Who wants a flugelhorn?


 * Pinkie Pie: I want a flugelhorn!


 * Rainbow Dash: Who else wants a flugelhorn?


 * Pinkie Pie: [screaming] I want a flugelhorn!!


 * Spike: [pants] Twilight, wait! I'm coming with you!


 * Twilight Sparkle: You can't. I have to retrieve the Crystal Heart by myself.


 * Spike: I know. I promise I won't lift a claw to help you.


 * Twilight Sparkle: [sighs] Not a claw, Spike.


 * Spike: Where are we going exactly?


 * Twilight Sparkle: I think I might know where King Sombra hid the Crystal Heart.


 * Spike: The castle?


 * Twilight Sparkle: The king would've been counting on the fact that nopony would dare come looking for it here. They'd have been too afraid to even try.


 * Spike: I hope you're right.


 * Twilight Sparkle: You and me both.


 * Applejack: [whinnies in surprise]


 * Rainbow Dash: What are you lookin' at?! That's what I thought!


 * Applejack: [whispering] Uh, Rainbow Dash? We're supposed to be actin' like nothing's wrong.


 * Rainbow Dash: Exactly. [growls]


 * Applejack: [hushed] What I mean is, maybe you should let me keep the Crystal Ponies away from the fake Heart, while you show off your joustin' skills.


 * Rainbow Dash: Huh. Seeing my awesomeness does have a way of putting ponies into a pretty good mood.


 * [ewes bleating]


 * Rainbow Dash: Come on, Knight Fluttershy.


 * Fluttershy: Huh?


 * Rainbow Dash: It's showtime.


 * Applejack: How are y'all feelin'? Havin' a good time?


 * "Autumn Gem": The best I've had in over a thousand years!


 * Applejack: Well, that's good! Gotta renew that spirit of love and unity if you're gonna power up that Crystal Heart, right?


 * "Autumn Gem": I sure would like to see it before the ceremony. It's been such a long time.


 * Applejack: Oh, I hear ya, but, uh... phew! Gettin' a little toasty out here. Bet you'd like to cool off with a little Crystal Empire nectar! [panicked noise] Uh, you tried the Crystal Empire fritters yet? Made from a traditional Crystal Empire recipe! You're gonna love 'em! [loudly] Uh, I hear there's a joustin' match about to start! You don't wanna miss that! [hushed] Come on, Twilight... These Crystal Ponies are more curious than a cat!


 * Twilight Sparkle: [painting, noises of exertion, sighs]


 * Spike: [pants]


 * Twilight Sparkle: It's gotta be here somewhere. It's just gotta be! Not a claw, Spike.


 * Spike: Uh... [laughs nervously]


 * Twilight Sparkle: Celestia's orders!


 * Princess Celestia: [echoing] If the Empire is filled with hope and love, those things are reflected across all of Equestria. If hatred and fear take hold... [echoes out]


 * Twilight Sparkle: Of course!


 * Spike: [panting for breath] Argh! What? Did you find it?


 * Twilight Sparkle: No. Because this isn't King Sombra's castle.


 * Spike: Well, isn't this where he lived when he was in power?


 * Twilight Sparkle: It is. But it didn't look like this. [grunting]


 * Spike: Whoa. When did you learn to do that?


 * Twilight Sparkle: That was a little trick Celestia taught me.


 * Spike: [gulps] [nervous noise]


 * Twilight Sparkle: You stay here.


 * Spike: Huh, if you insist. [echoing] Can you see what's down there yet?


 * Twilight Sparkle: [echoing] Not yet. I can't even tell how far down this goes!


 * [squeaking noise]


 * [distant clatter]


 * Twilight Sparkle: Spike?


 * Spike: [echoing] Yeah?


 * Twilight Sparkle: [echoing] Can you see outside?


 * [thunder rumbling]


 * King Sombra: [growls] Yesss... Crystalsss...


 * Spike: It's not good! Cadance's magic must be fading [echoing] faster than before!


 * Twilight Sparkle: Ugh! Ow! [sounds of pain]


 * Spike: [echoing] Twilight? Are you okay?


 * Twilight Sparkle: Yes...


 * [crunching]


 * Twilight Sparkle: What in the... [thud] Stop... moving! [sounds of exertion]


 * [door creaking]


 * Twilight Sparkle: Spike, I think it's here! Huh?


 * Princess Celestia: What are you doing here?


 * Twilight Sparkle: I don't know! I opened the door and–


 * Princess Celestia: And now you must go.


 * Twilight Sparkle: Go where?


 * Princess Celestia: Doesn't matter to me. You failed the test, Twilight!


 * Twilight Sparkle: I don't understand! The test?


 * Princess Celestia: Not only will you not move on to the next level of your studies, you won't continue your studies at all!


 * Twilight Sparkle: I... You didn't say anything about no longer being your student if I failed!


 * Princess Celestia: Didn't I?


 * Twilight Sparkle: But... what do I do now?


 * King Sombra: [laughing]


 * Twilight Sparkle: [crying]


 * Spike: [incredibly distant and muffled] Twilight! [closer] Twilight? Twilight! Twiliiiight! [quickly] I know you told me to stay up there, but you were down here for such a long time and you weren't answering and I got worried so I came down here and you were just staring at that wall and... I was calling your name, but I couldn't seem to get your attention, and– What were you looking at? I mean... it's just a wall. ...Ponyville?! Well, how did I get... No! I don't wanna go! Please, Twilight, don't make me!


 * [door slams]


 * Twilight Sparkle: King Sombra's dark magic. A doorway that leads to your worst fear.


 * Spike: We were home. You told me you didn't need me anymore. You were sending me away...


 * Twilight Sparkle: A fear that will never come to pass. I'm never gonna send you away. And I'm not gonna fail my test!


 * [door opens]


 * Spike: What's in there?


 * Twilight Sparkle: [sighs] Stairs. Lots and lots of stairs. [sighs] Maybe you should come with me this time.


 * [thunder rumbling]


 * King Sombra: [laughs]


 * [Crystal Ponies cheering]


 * Fluttershy: [scared, nervous noises]


 * [thunder rumbling]


 * [flugelhorn fanfare]


 * Fluttershy: [shrieks] [screams]


 * [Crystal Ponies cheering]


 * Crystal Pony: [off-screen] Bravo, Knight Rainbow Dash!


 * Fluttershy: [nervous exhale] [catching breath] Isn't there... somepony else who could... take over the jousting demonstration with you?


 * Rainbow Dash: [scoffs] The fate of an entire empire rests on us showing these ponies a good time. But, y'know, if that isn't important to you...


 * Fluttershy: [cries]


 * Rainbow Dash: [sigh] Okay, okay, I'll take it easy on you next time. But not too easy. I've got a reputation to maintain!


 * [stone cracking]


 * Twilight Sparkle: [panting]


 * Spike: [panting] What if this is just more of his magic? He makes a door that leads to your worst nightmare. Why not a staircase that goes on forever?


 * Twilight Sparkle: Hold on to me.


 * Spike: Uh...


 * Twilight Sparkle: [sounds of exertion] Whoa. Whoaaa! Yaaaah!


 * "Paradise": [shrieks]


 * "Fleur de Verre": [distressed cries]


 * Crystal Ponies: [scared indistinct chatter]


 * Rarity: [laughs nervously] Excuse me, pardon me... [hushed] I am running out of weaving materials for the traditional crafts booth! I just made a hat out of three pieces of hay and a drinking straw! I made it work. But still!


 * Applejack: We gotta do everything we can to keep this thing goin'. The Princess isn't lookin' so good. I can't imagine her magic is gonna last much longer. It's gonna be fine. These ponies are gonna power up that Crystal Heart when the time comes, and we won't be needin' her magic anyway.


 * Pinkie Pie: I sure hope that time comes soon! Even I can't keep this party going forever! [shrieks]


 * [bonk]


 * "Crystal Arrow": This isn't the Crystal Heart.


 * Rarity: [laughs nervously] Oh, of course it isn't. The real one is–


 * Applejack: On its way!


 * Rarity: [hushed] I was going to say 'being polished' to buy us some more time?


 * Applejack: Oops.


 * King Sombra: [laughs]


 * Crystal Ponies: [distressed cries]


 * "Amber Waves": It's... It's him!


 * King Sombra: Crystal Heart...


 * Twilight Sparkle: Whoooooahahaha! I actually studied gravity spells, thinking it might be on my test! Turns out I was prepared for this! Wooo-hooo! [laughs]


 * [thud]


 * [wind blowing]


 * King Sombra: [growls] [laughs]


 * [lightning strikes]


 * Twilight Sparkle: The Heart... Where's the Crystal–


 * Spike: Here! It rolled over to me when you dropped it!


 * Twilight Sparkle: Don't move!


 * Spike: [grunts]


 * Twilight Sparkle: You can move, just not toward me! How could I have been so foolish? I was just so eager to get it! Then when I saw what was going on outside, I...


 * Spike: You have to get out of there, Twilight! You have to be the one who brings the Heart to Princess Cadance! If you don't, you'll fail Celestia's test!


 * Twilight Sparkle: King Sombra is already attacking the Empire. He could reach the Crystal Ponies at any moment... reach Princess Cadance, my brother, my friends. There may not be enough time for me to find a way to escape.


 * [stone cracking]


 * Twilight Sparkle: You have to be the one to bring the Crystal Heart to the Faire.


 * Spike: Me? But Twilight–


 * Twilight Sparkle: Go!


 * Spike: But–


 * Twilight Sparkle: Goooo!


 * [crystals cracking]


 * Crystal Ponies: [indistinct worried chatter]


 * Applejack: Now, don't y'all worry your pretty, little Crystal heads! The real Crystal Heart will be here any second!


 * Rarity: [hushed] I don't know if they believe you...


 * Applejack: [hushed] Don't know if I believe me...


 * [electricity crackling]


 * "Amber Waves": He's back! I can't take it! [shrieks] Ugh!


 * King Sombra: Ahhhhhh...


 * "Amber Waves": [shrieks] King Sombra...!


 * King Sombra: My crystal slaves...


 * Spike: Whoa! Huh! [spits fire] Yah! [nervous noise] Hey! Up here!


 * Rarity: Spike?


 * Spike: I got the Crystal Heart!


 * King Sombra: [growls] That is mine!


 * [crystals cracking]


 * King Sombra: [growls]


 * Rarity: [gasps] Spikey-wikey!


 * Princess Cadance: [wings unfurl]


 * King Sombra: Hah. Huh?


 * Crystal Ponies: [indistinct awe chatter]


 * "Castle": Behold! The Crystal Princess!


 * [crunch]


 * Princess Cadance: The Crystal Heart has returned. Use the light and love within you to ensure that King Sombra does not.


 * [whirring noise]


 * King Sombra: What? No... No! Stop!


 * [whirring noise]


 * [whoosh]


 * Rarity: Oooh! [giggles]


 * [crystals cracking]


 * King Sombra: [screams]


 * [boom]


 * [crowd cheering]


 * Spike: [sighs]


 * Twilight Sparkle: [sighs] Good job, Spike.


 * Rarity: I do so wish it was permanent. Did you see how my mane just absolutely sparkled?


 * Applejack: But... good things are better when they're a rarity.


 * Rarity: Aww. [laughs]


 * Shining Armor: Everything's gonna be okay. You've gotta stop saving my rump like this. It's starting to get embarrassing.


 * Twilight Sparkle: Wasn't me who saved you in the end. It was Spike.


 * Shining Armor: It's just a test. Maybe she'll let you retake it.


 * Twilight Sparkle: I don't think she's gonna give me a new test.


 * Spike: [breathing heavily] [to himself] Keep it together, buddy... Gotta stay strong... for Twilight...


 * Princess Celestia: It's beautiful.


 * Twilight Sparkle: I wish it had been me who ultimately made it so. But it wasn't.


 * Princess Celestia: Twilight, as I understand it, Spike brought Princess Cadance the Crystal Heart because you weren't sure how quickly you could find a way to escape the tower. You weren't willing to risk the future of the citizens of the Crystal Empire in an effort to guarantee your own. Far better that I have a student who understands the meaning of self-sacrifice than one who only looks out for her own best interests.


 * Twilight Sparkle: Does this mean...?


 * Spike: She's totally gonna lose it! [breathes heavily] Keep it together, buddy... Gotta stay strong... for Twilight...!


 * [thud]


 * Twilight Sparkle: I passed!


 * Other main characters: [cheers]


 * Twilight Sparkle: Ooh.


 * Spike: [laughs nervously] Yeah, I knew everything was going to be fine. [sighs]


 * [music]


 * [credits]