This is a bit of a long story, so I advise you get comfortable if you aren't already.
[She clears her throat.] Over a thousand years ago, to the north of Equestria, a realm called the Crystal Empire flourished. It was inhabited by Crystal Ponies, who are exactly what the name implies.
However, tragedy struck the empire when a unicorn named Sombra became their King. He used dark magic to enslave the Crystal Ponies and transform the Empire into a nightmarish, horrible place. He hid the only weapon that could have protected them from him, a device called the Crystal Heart, and ruled unopposed until Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were forced to invade from Equestria and depose him. However, as he was defeated he called on his powers and cursed the Empire, sealing it away from outside forces and, to the best I can determine, trapping the Empire and its inhabitants in suspended animation. That was all more than a thousand years ago.
Not long after the wedding, his curse started to fade. Shining and Cadence were sent to the Empire as soon as it began to reappear to establish connections, but it was quickly discovered that King Sombra, transformed into some sort of horrific shadow-being, had returned as well and was attempting to re-enslave the Empire. Cadence used her magic to force him out, but it wouldn't last forever without the Crystal Heart to empower the Empire's defenses.
That's where me and the girls came in. We were sent by Celestia to determine where the Heart was and how to power it before Cadence's magic failed.
[Private Audio]
[She clears her throat.] Over a thousand years ago, to the north of Equestria, a realm called the Crystal Empire flourished. It was inhabited by Crystal Ponies, who are exactly what the name implies.
However, tragedy struck the empire when a unicorn named Sombra became their King. He used dark magic to enslave the Crystal Ponies and transform the Empire into a nightmarish, horrible place. He hid the only weapon that could have protected them from him, a device called the Crystal Heart, and ruled unopposed until Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were forced to invade from Equestria and depose him. However, as he was defeated he called on his powers and cursed the Empire, sealing it away from outside forces and, to the best I can determine, trapping the Empire and its inhabitants in suspended animation. That was all more than a thousand years ago.
Not long after the wedding, his curse started to fade. Shining and Cadence were sent to the Empire as soon as it began to reappear to establish connections, but it was quickly discovered that King Sombra, transformed into some sort of horrific shadow-being, had returned as well and was attempting to re-enslave the Empire. Cadence used her magic to force him out, but it wouldn't last forever without the Crystal Heart to empower the Empire's defenses.
That's where me and the girls came in. We were sent by Celestia to determine where the Heart was and how to power it before Cadence's magic failed.