"Focus, Rarity -- this place needs our help. Just look at what Sombra's done to it... It looks like he destroyed a lot of Empire's lights and signposts before he was banished. Could you help us rebuild them?"
"This isn't good... These pools of dark magic must be left over from when Sombra ruled this place... They're even seeping into crystals around here! We need to clean all this up -- and fast!"
Required Quest
Level Requirement
Task
Requirement
Remove Small Black Crystals Skip:3
3 Times Cost:2,250
Clear out Sombra's Corruption Skip:3
5 Times Cost: Varies
Rewards:
75 , 1,500
Closing Text
"Didn't anyone tell Sombra not to litter? Well... I guess I wouldn't blame them for being scared to!"
Saving Crystal Ponies[]
Shining Armor: Twily! You made it!
Twilight Sparkle: Shining Armor?
Shining Armor: We'd better get moving. The Empire isn't the only thing that's returned.
Shining Armor: The unicorn king is trying to come back! We need to find a way to protect the Crystal Empire from his clutches.
Shining Armor: Cadance and I have been trying to find a way to banish him again, but we're short-hooved: He's somehow managed to trap all the ponies here inside giant crystals.
Twilight Sparkle: Well, Princess Celestia sent me here to find a way to protect the Empire, too -- and that means helping them! I bet we can break them out if we use enough Shards...
Twilight Sparkle: Split up, everypony: Let's each free one of those trapped ponies and make extra sure they're okay!
"I've been getting ready for this my whole life... For the EXACT MOMENT when I get to break a pony out from inside a crystal in a lost city at the North Pole! Or... wait, maybe I'm thinking of something else? Anyway -- let's DO THIS!"
"SHE'S OUT! And... she kinda looks like she's not in the best mood ever? I guess even my Patented Pinkie Pie FRIENDSHIP ONSLAUGHT isn't enough to IMMEDIATELY perk up somepony who's been in crystal jail for that long... We need to turn her frown UPSIDE DOWN!"
"Aw, she's doing a LOT better now! I gotta get back to Twilight and tell her how COMPLETELY AWESOME all this went... Oh, but first! My new friend wants to give us an EXTRA SPECIAL TOUR of the local crystal mines to say thanks -- and Pinkie Pie NEVER says no to a mine cart ride!"
"Everything ABOUT this place is so ENCHANTI-- Ahem. Forgive my... distracted state: we have important work to do, after all. That crystal prison is the only tacky thing for miles around. Let's free the pony trapped inside it as soon as we're able!"
"Oh, good heavens, what a sparkly mane she h-- Excuse me. As I was saying: I'm certainly glad we've freed her, but she still looks a bit unsteady on her hooves... Perhaps we should let her rest under a shady tree for a while?"
"Hmm. She's still not quite fully recovered. Maybe it's not a physical problem at all... Maybe she just needs a little joy brought back into her life after being imprisoned so ling! Let's play with her, together! (And maybe ask her about her mane-care regimen, while we're at it...)"
"(Intriguing... I didn't even know they made crystal shampoo...) Oh! I didn't see you there... You'll be glad to know that my new friend and I are getting along swimmingly. Do you know, we both agree that the tree you planted earlier would look better as part of a grouping? It's true!"
"I was just telling my new friend how lovely it was to see Princess Cadance and Shining Armor's wedding... and she was just so sorry that the curse prevented her from being there! She would love to get them some belated gifts to make up for it... Where could we find her some?"
"I think we're ready to see how Twilight and the others have fared with rescuing their Crystal Ponies, don't you? But before we do... my new friend wants to show me some of the Empire's signature dance moves! I must say -- I'm quite curious!"
"You ready to bust this Pony outta his crystal prison? Because I sure am! If we work our tails off to gather up all the Honesty Shards we can, we'll have him free quicker than you can say GRANNY SMITH!"
"Boy, that Crystal Pony ain't been free for five minutes and he's already hollerin' about how he needs to make sure all his friends got enough to eat once THEY get free! And he's right... Ain't gonna be much food in the Empire after a thousand years. Let's help him get stocked up!"
"We'll, I'll be... We ain't barely got the food situation sorted out, and NOW he's fixin' to clear up all the black crystal junk Sombra's left behind! If that ain't the most public-spirited Crystal Pony I ever did meet... Also the ONLY Crystal Pony I ever met -- but we gotta help him!"
"Between you, me, and that Crystal Pony, the Empire's sure cleaned itself up nice. I figure all we gotta do is get a couple of roads laid down, and this place will be right back to normal!"
"We... we did it! She's free... and do you know that she loves plants just as much as I love animals? She's very sad that the Empire's crystal trees have withered after all this time under the curse... Would you please help me plant some new ones for her?"
"Those trees look lovely, but... do you think we should plant a green one there, too? Rarity has always told me how pretty color contrast can be, and I think my new Crystal Pony friend would really like it..."
"I know I have to get back to Twilight and the others, soon... But... my new friend has never seen plants from Ponyville before, and... Could we bring her just one or two of them, please? As a... as a "Congratulations on Not Being Cursed Anymore" present!"
"Right! I don't actually know HOW Shards can get this pony free -- but if we work together on this, we can't lose! Let's keep trying things out until that crystal's cracked!"
"YES! I knew we could get that pony out of there! Probably kinda stiff after all that time trapped in the crystal, though... How about putting him through a little physical therapy? I bet a quick gallop through the open sky would be just what he needs!"
"That Crystal Pony's loving the workout regimen I set up for him! Getting healthier all the time, too... He DID say he could use a little more clear space near the edge of the Empire, though, for windsprints... Wanna help us get that set up?"
"Okay... This will be tough, but I researched this kind of crystal prison on the train ride over here. We should be able to break it if we work together!"
"I'm so glad we freed that Crystal Pony -- and he's really great to talk to, too! He's interested in history, in magical studies, even in astronomy... just like me! In fact, we made plans to do a little stargazing together while he recovers..."
"I told that Crystal Pony that Sombra might be trying to come back -- and he wants to help us keep everypony safe, too! He thinks Magic Shards might be the key to stopping Sombra... and he knows where we might be able to find some."
"Those Magic Shards are really high-quality... but we'll need to collect a few more if we're going to stand up to Sombra. That Crystal Pony does, too -- good thing he knows how to get into the Empire's crystal mine!"
Required Quest
Level Requirement
Mining for Magic
Task
Requirement
Collect Magic Shards in the Crystal Mine mini-game Skip:7
5 Times Cost: 7
Rewards:
80 , 2,500
Closing Text
"Nice job! Looks like I'll need to get another Shard-storing bucket..."
"You know, searching for these Shards has really helped that Crystal Pony recover. He's doing a lot better than when we first freed him! He even wants to make a game out of collecting the last couple of Shards we need... and I know just how we can do that!"
"Awesome! Twilight told me we're good on Magic Shards for now -- so let's see how everypony else is doing!"
Crystal Fair[]
Part 1[]
Twilight Sparkle: Okay... We've rescued all the Crystal Ponies we can find, so it's time to regroup with Shining Armor and... Cadance...
Princess Cadance: Twilight... (yawn)...
Princess Cadance: One of these days we need to get together when the fate of Equestria isn't hanging in the balance...
Twilight Sparkle: Cadance! Are you okay?
Shining Armor: Cadance has been able to use her magic to spread love and light. That seems to be what is protecting the empire from King Sombra. But Cadance can't use her magic to protect the Empire forever...
Princess Cadance: We've been too busy protecting the Empire, so Twilight, we need you to find out how we can stop the unicorn king.
Shining Armor: I want to help, but Sombra has been countering my protection spell, too.
Shining Armor: There must be some way to protect the Empire without using Cadance's magic... but whatever it is, we haven't found it yet. Maybe you and your friends would have better luck?
"A way to protect the Empire... Well, when Twilight wants to find something out, the first thing she always does is go to the library... Maybe I should find her a library. ... And a librarian. And a... library card valid in the Crystal Empire? This might be tougher than I thought..."
"Well, it took a lot of searching, but just LOOK at all these books I found! It might take a while to check through them all... but this is ONE pony who loves a good research project. Especially when it's to save a whole empire!"
"I think Twilight's on something... She's making that "Aha" face she makes when she's discovered something cool! Hope it's good news..."
Part 2[]
Twilight Sparkle: Wait, I think I've got it. According to this book, "History of the Crystal Empire," the Crystal Fair is an important tradition celebrated to renew the spirit of love and unity in the Empire so they could protect it from harm!
Shining Armor: That sounds pretty promising. We're counting on you, Twily!
Twilight Sparkle: C'mon, Spike, we've got a Crystal Fair to put together!
"So excited... I've been coming up with the new pie recipes for ages, and this Faire is gonna be my time to shine! They don't call me Pinkie Pie for nothing, you know... Well, besides the fact that it's also my parents' name and my sisters' name. ... How do you feel about key lime chiffon?"
"It there's one thing I know about Faires -- Crystal or otherwise -- it's that they're simply incomplete without a place to get artisan-quality souvenirs. I don't pretend to know how the Empire has survived this ling without hoof-woven novelty vases, but they won't have to anymore..."
"Hmm... Crystal Fair, Crystal Fair... Jousting, maybe? Or, no, wait -- like, a stunt show? Yeah... Look: However it is we entertain all these Crystal Ponies, it's gotta be big, it's gotta be flashy, and it's gotta be action-packed. You got any ideas?"
"How much Crystal Corn do you think a Crystal Corn-Chuck could chuck if a Crystal Corn-Chuck could chuck c... Aah, I'd better leave the slogan-makin' to Pinkie. All I know is, a Faire like this has gotta have someplace to get fresh-grilled corn on the cob -- and I'm gonna run that place."
"How much crystal chuck could a... How much Cornish crystal could a chuck-chuck... Hmm. ... Yeah, we really need to come up with a better slogan."
Crystal Heart[]
Part 1[]
Twilight Sparkle: Everything looks amazing! I don't know how I could've done this without you guys!
Spike: But Twilight... All the Crystal ponies are talking about the Crystal Heart. What is it?
Twilight Sparkle: The whole purpose of the Crystal Fair is to lift the spirits of the crystal ponies...
Twilight Sparkle: ...So the light within them can power the Crystal Heart, so that the empire can be protected!
Shining Armor: But King Sombra said that he's hidden the Crystal Heart away where nopony would ever find it!
Twilight Sparkle: Well, if we want to save the Empire, we'll have to. I did a little reading on this: We MIGHT be able to trace the Heart if we collect enough Element Shards...
Twilight Sparkle: But we have to keep the Faire going too! If the Crystal Ponies' spirits don't stay lifted, then they won't be able to activate the Crystal Heart once we find it!
Rainbow Dash: Keep the Faire going and the Crystal Ponies' spirits high - AND get plenty of Shards. Done and done!
"Step right up, step right up to PINKIE PIE'S PINKIE-PATENTED POPPATORIUM! Best Faire game in the Empire! Win a CANDY CANE! Win some OTHER stuff! Hopefully win me some LAUGHTER SHARDS! Mostly that LAST THING!"
"Good afternoon, ponies of the Crystal Empire. Tired out from all your Faire Day merrymaking? Come rest a while at Rarity's Relaxation Pavilion, stocked with only the finest locally made divans. Special offers for those with Generosity Shards in tow..."
"Hey there, Crystal Ponies! Don't know how y'all do things around these parts, but where I'M from, every good Fair's got a barn-raising or two to go with it! Help me get this stall built -- and bring whatever Honesty Shards y'all can find -- and there'll be treats all around!"
"Um... hello, everypony! This is Fluttershy, and... um... I'm selling healthy beverages for the Faire today! Pinkie helped me make these... but they're really good! And it... it would be great if we could borrow any Kindness Shards you have, too, just for a little while!"
"Look alive, Crystal Ponies... 'cause your pal Rainbow Dash is kicking off a MINE CART RACE right here in the middle of the Faire! Scoot your WAY TO THE QUICKEST TIME IN THE Empire -- and for every Loyalty Shard you can snag, we'll shave off a half-second!"
"Excuse me? Crystal Ponies? Official Crystal Fair Cultural Ambassador here... Could any of you help me raise these traditional Crystal Empire heraldic banners? I've read it's one of the most crucial parts of the Fair... Oh, and maybe I could borrow some Magic Shards too?"
"Those banners look awesome. Purple's my favorite color, you know. ... Well, tied with green, anyway."
Part 2[]
Twilight Sparkle: There's the Crystal Heart!
Spike: How are we going to get to it?! It's surrounded by Sombra's black crystals!
Spike: Aw, for all the... He's just the worst! Why couldn't he have put nice, colorful, NON-EVIL crystals all over the Empire instead?
Twilight Sparkle: Colorful... Wait. Spike: You're a genius!
Spike: I am?
Twilight Sparkle: If we use the Elements of Harmony to destroy those black crystals and replace them with colorful ones, Sombra's magic will weaken -- and we'll be able to find the Crystal Heart.
"Better start with the smaller black crystals first -- we don't want to get hit with any feedback when the dark magic inside them dissipates. We can put down... let's see... some red crystals and bushes to refocus my own magic... I think. I'm kind of winging this spellcasting session a bit..."
"Is it working...? While you were doing all that, Twilight tried to tell me how the spell worked - kinda went over my head, though."
King Sombra: Crystal... Heart...
Spike: *yipe* Twilight, it's King Sombra... And he does NOT look happy...
Twilight Sparkle: Oh no... He must be trying to stop us from getting to the Heart! Quick, we've got to destroy the rest of those black crystals as fast as we can!
"Mo time to explain the details -- we need to remove the black crystals and get some blue crystals and crystal bushes, as soon as we can. I'll handle the casting from there."
"Okay, Spike. You can do this. You just have to destroy all the black crystals and replace them with colorful ones. During an evil unicorn attack. ... Help?"
"Wait... Is that...? It is... The Crystal Heart's hiding place... Okay, Spike: Remember what Twilight told you. Get the Heart, and bring it to Cadance. Get the Heart, and bring it to Cadance. Get the..."
"Everypony, turn up the lights, break out the equipment, and play ball. I know how strong you are, and how brave -- I've seen it myself. We could all take on Sombra right now if we wanted. But if we wanna power up that Heart, we gotta put all that energy into having a good time."
"Everypony, it's time to PARTY! Pump up the balloons and hit the dance floor, 'cause we're GOING. ALL. NIGHT!!! And if Sombra tries to crash this empire-wide shindig, all we gotta do is have even MORE fun, RIGHT IN HIS SILLY EVIL FACE!"
"Everypony, we gotta show that nasty unicorn king that he'll NEVER break this place! We've got happy faces, clear skies, enough good food to go 'round... There's nothin' Sombra can hit us with that we can't shrug off with a smile!"
"Everypony... Remember that you aren't alone. The Crystal Empire may soon become the crossroads for ponies of many lands... And from Canterlot to the Everfree Forest, you have allies willing to support you just as strongly as you support them. Can Sombra match that? I think not."
"Everypony, find something that inspires you! The stars above the city, or the crystals that give your empire its name... They'll be there long after Sombra is gone, and you will be too!"
"Everypony... Be kind to each other! Help your friends be the best they can be... Make the smile... Care for them! If we can do that... Oh, I know we'll all be okay!"
