The Crystal Empire
The Crystal Empire is a location featured in the G4 television show My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. It also served as the collective name for a series of toys loosely inspired by Season 3.
Media Appearances
The Crystal Empire was introduced in the Season 3 episode "The Crystal Empire: Part 1. It is described as being a place of powerful magic. It also serves as the home for a race of ponies known as Crystal Ponies. Crystal Ponies are similar to Earth Ponies, but have a crystally-coat and gradient hair.
1000 years prior to the show's setting, the empire was ruled by King Sombra, a evil unicorn who enslaved the Crystal Ponies. King Sombra was overthrown by the join effort of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. However, Sombra was able to curse the empire, making it disappear for 1000 years. When it reappears, Celestia sends Princess Cadance and Shining Armor to investigate. A short time later, she tasks Twilight Sparkle with finding a way to protect the empire from Sombra. When she arrives, Twilight finds that the Crystal Ponies are depressed and amnesiac, causing their coats to appear dull. After a series of advantures, Twilight finds the Crystal Heart, which will protect the empire. When she becomes victim of a trap set by Sombra, Spike and Princess Cadance are able to place the heart in its resting place. The Crystal Ponies are able to use their love and happiness to empower the heart, killing presumably killing Sombra. After this, Cadance is made Princess of the Crystal Empire, which Shining Armor helps her rule
Later on, the Crystal Empire is in the running to be the location of the next Equestrian Games. Twilight, G4 Rainbow Dash, and the others are able to convince the selection committee to pick the empire as the next location; the Crystal Ponies' subsequent happiness sends another burst of energy from the Heart
The empire appears briefly in the Equestria Girls movie. It is to be the site of a Princess Summit that Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Twilight are attending, and is the home of a strange mirror that allows a pony to pass into another world.
Merchandise Appearances
The Crystal Empire serves as the name for a grouping of toys revolving around Season 3. Toys released under this name included updated versions of the Princesses and the Mane Six, as well as many other toys.