As Twilight and Lone made their way to the crystal palace, Breaker and the others followed them. "So, any idea as to what's going to happen?" Breaker asked the others.

"Not a clue," Flitter said.

"Well, let's hope nothing bad happens," Surprise said as the group made it to the palace.

The guards at the entrance to the staircase that led into the actual palace stood at attention when they saw Twilight and Lone approaching. "Captain. Princess," the one in charge said. "King Sombra and Queen Cadence are waiting for you two with their guests in the throne room."

"Thank you, sergeant," Lone said. "And allow the dragon to pass. He's princess Twilight's brother."

"Sir," the guard said.

"Well, guess I'll be seeing you guys later," Spike said as he went to catch up with Lone and Twilight.

"See ya, Spike," Surprise, waving.

"So, what to do now?" Doughnut said.

Breaker shrugged. "Well, don't know about you guys, but I'm going to join the army. They're going to need as many ponies as possible."

"Same here," Flitter said. "What about you guys?"

"Probably," Doughnut said.

"If you guys are going to, I don't want to break up the group," Surprise said. "Count me in." She looked at the three other ponies. "What about you three?"

"I'm in," Pinkie said with a smile.

"Well, Ah'm just gonna stay here in tha Empire," Applejack said.

When they all looked at Fluttershy, the yellow mare just tried to hide behind her hair. "I think it's safe to say she won't be joining the army," Breaker said.

"Definitely," Flitter said.

Twilight, Lone, and Spike, made their way to the throne room. "So, Twilight," Lone said, "have you been to Stalliongrad or Manehatten?"

"Yeah. Me and the other Elements went to Manehatten a few times over the years, mostly for Rarity."

"Who?"

"Element of Generosity, and the one Spike used to have a crush on," Twilight said.

"Ah. What happened with you and the others exactly, anyway?"

"Best not to ask that right now, Lone," Spike said as the three reached the throne room doors.

"Got it," the stallion said as he opened the doors.

One change to the throne room had been the quick, and surprisingly well, construction of a second throne, so that Sombra and Cadence could each have a throne. The two, Sombra wearing a duplicate of what her wore the day before and Cadence wearing a simple dress that went perfectly with her pink skin and multi-colored hair. At the base of the two thrones were two ponies, one having the typical look of a large city and the other having light winter clothes on, which Twilight assumed were the two representatives.

"Ah, Twilight's here," Sombra said upon seeing the three of them. "As well as Captain Lone Shadow and our adoptive son."

The pony from Manehatten, one with beige skin, light blue hair and tail, looked at Twilight in surprise. "Princess?"

"Coco? Is that you," Twilight said in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"The mayor asked to come here to meet with the leaders. I didn't expect you to be here."

"You know her, Twilight," Sombra asked.

"Yeah. Me and the others met her when we went to Manehatten five years ago."

"I fail to see what this has to do with the tour, your highness," the Stalliongrad representative said.

"And just what is your name," Twilight asked him.

"Hot Steel."

"Then, Steel, I'd be happy to give both you and Ms. pommel here a tour of the Empire," Twilight said. "Our escorts being the guard captain and my adoptive brother."

"Then let's get it over with," he said.

"Then if the both of you would please follow me."

"We're coming too, Twilight," Cadence said as she  and her husband got up from their thrones. "It's time we met with the citizens of our kingdom anyway."

"You got it, mom," Twilight said. With that, the group left the throne room, and made their way to the streets below.

As they made their way to the streets, Coco said to Twilight," Queen Cadence is your mom?"

"Long story, Coco," Twilight replied. "And yes, that mean's Sombra's my dad."

"Well, at least you three are back together."

"Yeah. Now we just need to make sure it stays that way."

The first stop on the tour was the part of the Empire that had the citizens that were poorer then the others, which didn't mean they were poor in the practical sense. They simply had less money, but had the essentials.

"As the both of you can see," Sombra said, "even where the citizens have less job opportunities, all of them thrive, unlike some ponies in Equestria. Ask any ponies here, and they'll say they're content with their life."

"And how do we know this isn't just a magical hologram," Steel asked.

"Like I said: ask any a random pony, and they'll say so."

"Okay then," Steel said. He pointed at a random pony wearing thick clothing and had a bow and arrow, indicating he was going out to hunt. "You! If you had to rate your living conditions from one to ten, ten being the best, and one being absolutely terrible, what would you say?"

"Well, sir, whoever you are," the stallion said, "I'd say a solid seven. Yeah, it could be better, but my family and I get by just fine, and we always have fresh food."

"You see," Cadence said. "The ponies here in the Empire have a better life then some in Canterlot, and I have seen ponies thers, so I know what I'm talking about."

"As have I, your Highness," Steel said. "But I will wait until the end of the tour to make my decision. I like to be as informed as possible."

"Of course, Mister Steel," Lone said. "If you'd please follow us."

With that, the group left that part of the Empire, and made their way to the more industry focused part of the Empire, which was also where the crystal guards were trained.

"Our industry, though old compared to others, is still efficent," Lone said. "For security reasons, I can't tell you what the production levels are."

"I can understand that," Steel said. "I can also see their is little pollution in the air."

"Yes, well," Sombra said, "we do take measures to ensure the ponies remain as healthy as possible, especially those that live near this district."

"That is something the citizens of Stalliongrad like," Steel said, a hand on his chin. "If I may ask, what would the Empire have to offer Stalliongrad if we decided to join with you?"

"That would depend on what you wanted," Twilight said. "We could easily give you some gemstones that can be found in our mines, but other then that, it would depend on resources."

"Of course. That makes sense, your highness," Steel said. "Is there anything else you wish to show me?"

"None we can think of, sir," Lone said.

"In that case, I'll need time to think on what I shall send the mayor."

"Me, too," Coco said.

"The the both of you are welcme to stay in the castle," Sombra said. "It is the least we can do for the two of you."

"I thank you for the offer, your highness," Steel said, bowing, "and I would gladly accept it."

"As will I," Coco said nervously.

"That is all we ask," Sombra said. "Now come. We have a feast being prepared, and I hoped you two would join us, and it would give my daughter and her friend to catch up."

With that, the group made their way back to the palace, each in anticipation of the feast. Next Chapter: Meanwhile Estimated time remaining: 37 Minutes