The Crystal Empire is a place and home of the Crystal Ponies. 1,000 years ago, it was taken over by the evil King Sombra. This turned the peaceful, happy empire, into a dark, depressing place as the crystal ponies were enslaved. The empire was cursed by Sombra before he was defeated by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. The empire disappeared into mid air, before returning 1,000 years later. Princess Cadence and Shining Armor became the new leaders of the empire after Twilight Sparkle managed to find the Crystal Heart, making the empire safe and a happy place once more.