Ever since Sombra's defeat, the Crystal ponies enjoyed very happy lives. Even though Cadence remembers how close Sombra had control of the empire the second time, she is happy that the crystal heart was found and brought to her in time before Sombra could swipe it away from Spike. From then on, peace had been kept in the empire, and as time went by, like when Twilight became an Alicorn, and when they had their previous visit when Discord pretended to be sick, it felt like life was more predictable, because not only are other evils, including the Changelings, not attacking the empire, but when evil does attack, the crystal heart saves the day.

The biggest threat to the empire most likely is Sombra, because he seems to be the only villain who uses pure dark magic, that makes fear take over the crystal ponies, and hatred from Sombra. But since Sombra was not around anymore, because his body was torn apart, Cadence and Shining Armor had hope fill the ponies, and love from the couple. Sort of like what Celestia said.

Because of Sombra's defeats, the crystal ponies celebrate with parties, and games, even with pinatas shaped like Sombra, and ponies would hit them with sticks. Apparently Cadence would come to these parties from time to time, they seem to help her relax from her worries and duties, and sometimes if she has hatred stuck inside her, she would take it out on the Sombra pinatas, sometimes she hits them so hard, the pinata would be sent flying through the room.

But happiness always seemed to stay in the Kingdom, powering the heart even more, and the only way to destroy it was using hatred against it, and nothing had hatred like Sombra, and he was very threatening when he had control of the empire the first time, or attempted to get it a second time.

But because Twilight found the heart, the crystal ponies didn't have to feel oppressed again by the evil king, who made them do all kinds of work as slaves, but a second time would have made them so fearful without any hope that the heart would not even work against Sombra, but probably in his favor.

But because none of that happened, the crystal ponies finally returned to their normal lives. But Cadence feels something is wrong one day when flows of magic start heading towards the western side of the northern part of Equestria. But nopony notices it, so Cadence thinks a unicorn is trying something west from the Crystal empire, and doesn't think danger is brewing.

But many ponies soon feel the flows of magic from all across Equestria. But many don't think it's leading to something dangerous, and that judgment is soon to show the result.

Near the northwestern border of Equestria, there lies the ashes of King Sombra, his horn lies on top of the ashes, many think it's now powerless because it can't flow from the body of the unicorn. But one day the horn starts to have an opportunity to have purple and green smoke start coming out of it, causing flows of magic stretching for hundreds of miles across Equestria, they get sucked into the horn, causing a reconstruction spell.

Now back at the Crystal empire, Cadence and Shining Armor start having trouble performing spells, and sent a message to Celestia, Luna, and Twilight, who also were having trouble performing spells.

"But what could be sucking up the....Oh, No!" Cadence then realizes they may be in grave danger, and sends another message to the Princesses of Equestria.

"Luna, what do you think may be sucking up the magic?" "Maybe the Changelings, remember, they aren't completely defeated, and they would do anything to capture Equestria." "But it seems that the dark magic had been sucked as well, could it be?" "Sombra?" The third voice startled the sisters, and looked for it's source, and standing in the doorway was Discord. " I think I saw Sombra walking around in the north." "But....How did he...." "The Horn must've had hatred make it come to life, sucking up the magic around it to reconstruct Sombra." "We need to tell Cadence! Now!" "I'll make a quick trip for you." said Discord, willingly, and then he disappeared.

Sombra was on the loose, and nopony accept Discord, Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Shining Armor knew about it, they all knew with him around, he might cause trouble. But the only pony who had to know as well was Twilight. "She must know sister, after all, she is one of the princesses of Equestria." "Your right Luna, we'll tell her through a letter, she's in Ponyville right now." The Princesses then began the letter.

Dear Twilight,

This is important, we believe Sombra is on the loose again. Come to Canterlot at

Ounce! We need your help, or Sombra may take over the Crystal empire again.

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna

The Princesses then sent the note.

Meanwhile in the Crystal empire, another party for Sombra's defeats was being held near the Crystal heart, the thing that can most likely save them, from any danger. But when the party was in full swing, Cadence arrived with a worried look, she was moving quickly, but that didn't stop a Crystal pony asking Cadence to join the party. "I'd love to, but I have to do something right now." Replied Cadence. "If you think on coming back, we'd love to see you smash a Sombra pinata!"

Cadence was moving to the border. She is hoping Shining Armor put up his defense barrier, and Cadence was gad he did. Also, Cadence noticed that Shining Armor had put some military posts to protect, and if needed, kill, Sombra.

"Shining Armor? Um, if Sombra attacks, I want you to spare him, after all, we could use him for good." "He is not giving up his dark powers, we may have no choice but to kill him, he has been a threat for to long." "But he is just a unicorn." "A dark magic wielding unicorn, There's no unicorn like him, besides, did he learn his lesson the first time he was defeated? No! I don't expect him to learn his lesson at all anytime soon." Cadence then realizes, her husband was right, if Sombra still seeks control, then he may have to face a death penalty anyway. "Your right, it may be best." Then Cadence returned to the palace.

Cadence then sat down on the throne, she looked at the paintings of Sombra on the wall, Sombra in one picture is seen defeating an entire army, she then realizes that if too many soldiers are killed, Sombra might have Shining Armor as a easy target. She must tell the army at ounce.

"A Message from the Palace Shining Armor." Shining Armor spun around to find a blue pegusus fly towards them. The mare had then dropped a letter at Shining Armor's hooves, Shining Armor then read aloud.

"If ten soldiers are killed, retreat with me to Canterlot, with the army. If we can combine our army with Celestia, Luna, and Twilight's Army, we then might have a chance to defeat Sombra."

Confused, Shining Armor was willing to obey.

Cadence hoped her plan will work, to protect her subjects, her soldiers, her Shining Armor. To protect herself.