You wanted to see me?
To give me a test?
The Crystal Empire has returned.
You want me to help protect an entire empire?
It must be you, and you alone.
But, what if I fail?
Let's just say the empire isn't the only thing that's returned.
Sparklriffic!
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.
There are Crystal Ponies?!
I wish I could help you.
But I can't seem to remember anything before King Sombra came to power.
History of the Crystal Empire.
The last page of the book mentioned a crystal heart as the fair's centerpiece,
so I used my magic to cut one out of a crystal block.
The whole purpose of the Crystal Fair 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!
I think we may have a problem...
I didn't know it was an actual relic!
It's alright, Twilight.
Twilie...
The empire is under attack!
I have to find the crystal heart!
No, you stay here with Cadence.
She needs you, Shining Armor.
I'll retrieve the heart.
Let's do this!
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.
Name it!
You and the rest of our friends have to keep the fair going.
What?
With that... thing moving into the Empire?
The whole purpose of the crystal fair is to lift the spirits of the crystal ponies
so they can activate the crystal heart.
Yeah, and?
If the crystal ponies find out 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.
We won't be able to make it work.
You have to keep them happy here at the fair.
Keep the fair going and the crystal ponies' spirits high.
Done and done!
Twily!
Be careful.
I will.
I just found out they're offering face painting for the little ones.
We can do that.
Twilight's doing what?
He...
really... loves getting his face... painted.
Who wants a flugelhorn?
I want a flugelhorn!
Who else wants a flugelhorn?
I want a flugelhorn!
Twilight! Wait!
I'm coming with you.
You can't.
I have to retrieve the crystal heart by myself.
I know.
I promise I won't lift a claw to help you!
Not a claw, Spike!
So... Where are we going, exactly?
I think I might know where king Sombra hid the Crystal Heart.
The Castle?
The king would've been counting on the fact
that nopony would dare come looking for it here.
They would have been too afraid to even try.
I hope you're right.
You and me, both.
What are you looking at?
That's what I thought!
Um, Rainbow Dash?
We're supposed to be acting like nothing's wrong.
Exactly!
What I'm saying is...
Maybe you should let me keep the crystal ponies away from the fake heart,
while you show off your jousting skills.
Seeming my awesomeness does have a way
of putting ponies into a pretty good mood.
Come on, Knight Fluttershy!
It's showtime!
How are y'all feelin'? Having a good time?
The best I've had in over a thousand years!
Well, that's good!
Gotta renew that spirit of love and unity
if you're gonna power up that Crystal Heart, right?
I sure would like to see it before the ceremony.
It's been such a long time!
Oh, I hear ya, but...
Uh, gettin' a little toasty here.
Bet you'd like to cool off with a little Crystal Empire nectar?
Uh, you tried the crystal empire fritters yet?
Made from a traditional Crystal Empire recipy!
You're gonna love'em!
I hear there's a jousting match about to start!
You don't wanna miss that!
Come on, Twilight!
These crystal ponies are more curious than a cat!
It's gotta be here somewhere.
It's just gotta be!
Not a claw, Spike!
Celestia's orders!
If the Empire is filled of hope and love,
those things are reflected across all of Equestria.
If hatred and fear take hold...
Of course!
What? Did you find it?
No.
Because this isn't king Sombra's castle.
Isn't this where he lived when he was in power?
It is.
But it didn't look like this.
When did you learn to do that?
That was a little trick Celestia taught me.
You stay here.
If you insist.
Can you see what's down there yet?
Not yet.
I can't even tell how far down this goes.
Spike?
Yeah?
Can you see outside?
Yes!
Crystals!
It's not good!
Cadence's magic must be fading faster than before!
Twilight?
Are you okay?
Yes
What in the...
Stop...
moving!
Spike?
I think it's here.
What are you doing here?
I don't know.
I opened the door and...
And now you must go.
Go where?
Doesn't matter to me.
You failed the test, Twilight.
I don't understand!
The test?
Not only will you not move on to the next level of studies,
you won't continue your studies at all!
I...You didn't say anything about no longer being your student if I failed.
Didn't I?
But, what do I do now?
Twilight!
Twilight?
Twilight!
Twili-i-ight!
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.
I was calling your name but I couldn't seem to get you attention and...
What were you looking at?
I mean... it's just a wall.
Ponyville?
Ugh, how did I get...
No! I don't wanna go!
Please, Twilight, don't leave me!
King Sombra's dark magic.
A doorway that leads to your worst fear.
We were home. You told me you didn't need me anymore.
You were sending me away...
A fear that will never come to pass.
I'm never gonna send you away.
And I'm not gonna fail my test.
What's in there?
Stairs.
Lots and lots of stairs.
Maybe you should come with me this time.
Isn't there somepone else who can take over the jousting demonstration with you?
The faith of an entire empire rests on us showing these ponies a good time.
But, you know if that isn't important to you...
Okay, okay, I'll take it easy on you next time but not too easy.
I've got a reputation to maintain!
What if this is just more of his magic?
He makes a door, that leads you to your worst nightmare,
the one that is staircase, that goes on forever.
Hold on to me.
Hehe, excuse me, pardon me.
I'm running out of weaving materials for the traditional craftsbooth,
I just made a hat out of three pieces hay and a drinking straw!
I made it work, but still!
We gotta do everything we can to keep this thing going.
The Princess isn't looking so good.
I can imagine that her magic isn't going to 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 needing her magic anyway.
I sure hope that time comes soon,
even I can't keep this party going forever.
This isn't a Crystal Heart!
Oh, of course it isn't.
The real one is…
On it's way!
I was going to say "...being polished", to buy us some more time.
Oops.
Crystal Heart!
I actually studied gravity spells, thinking it might be on our test!
Turns out, I was prepared for this!
The heart! Where's the crystal…
Here! It rolled over to me when you dropped it.
Don't move.
You can move, just not towards me!
How could I've been so foolish?
It was too easy to get it.
Then when I saw what was going outside I…
Whe have to get out of there, Twilight!
You have to be the one who brings the crystal heart to Princess Cadance.
If you don't, you fail Celestia's test!
King Sombra's 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 escape.
You have to be the one to bring the Crystal Heart to the fair!
Me? But Twilight…
Go!
But…
GO!
Don't y'all worry your pretty crystal heads!
The real Crystal Heart will be here any second.
I don't know if they believe you.
I don't know if I believe me.
He's back. I can't take it!
King Sombra…
My crystal slaves!
Hey! Up here!
Spike?
I have the Crystal Heart!
That is mine!
Spiky-Wiky!
Behold! The Crystal Princess!
The Crystal Heart has returned.
Use the light of love within you to ensure that King Sombra does not.
What?.. No…
No! Stop!
Good job, Spike…
I do so wish it was permanent.
Did you see how my mane just absolutely sparkled?
But good things are better when they're a Rarity
Everything's gonna be ok.
You've gotta stop saving my rump like this,
it's starting to get embarrassing.
Was it me who saved you in the end?
It was Spike.
It's just a test. Maybe she'll let you retake it
I don't think she's gonna give me a new test.
Keep it together, buddy... gotta stay strong... for Twilight...
It's beautiful.
I wish it had been me who ultimately made it self.
But it wasn't.
Twilight, as I understand it,
Spike brought Princess Cadence to Crystal Heart
because you weren't sure how quickly you will 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've a student to understand the meaning of self-sacrifice
then one who only looks out for own best interests.
Does… this mean?..
She's totally gonna loose it!
Keep it together, buddy!
Gotta stay strong! For Twilight!
I passed!
You were prepared to do your best,
as one who takes to pass the test.
All those doubts you can dismiss,
turns out you were...
prepared for this!
You clearly had what it takes,
To pass a test with such high stakes!
We knew for sure you would prevail,
Since when did Twilight Sparkle ever fail?
All those doubts you can dismiss,
trust yourself and you cannot miss.
Turns out you were…
Turns out I were…
Turns out you were…
Turns out I were...
Turns out you were...
...prepared for this!
Yeah!
I knew everything was gonna be fine.
SCHASTLIVIY PONETC
anon2anon sunnysubs.com