Because if there’s any three ponies who deserve more love (Especially after what the original fic series has done to them), Legendbringers Deconstruction/Reconstruction brings us the tale of love and familial joy in the Crystal Empire.

(Clockwise)

(Left) What Is Worth Fighting For?

When Conquest brings about the return of Sombra (Or at least what may be Sombra), Shining Armour, Fratello and Thorax muster the defences of the Crystal Empire and the Equestrian Alliance and holds the line. Cadence, meanwhile, utilises a power greater than force of arms. The question. The question all things hold in their hearts in times of battle.

Why are we fighting?

With a spectacular show of magic and light, the battlefield is transfixed. Invader and defender let their weapons clatter to the ground, Sombra is left without henchbeasts and the Crystal Empire is saved through the Magic of Love, Friendship and Harmony, the principal tenants of Equestria.

(Top-Left) I Will Not Become You

The arrival of the Dark King upon Equestria is met not by Starfleet or the Knights of Harmony but by Shining Armour. Through his friend’s advice he has reached a dreadful conclusion. Dark King is Shining Armour, or at least what he will become.

His wife hounded by unrelenting torment, his child ripped from the world of the living, every waking moment a torture inflicted by some vile, spiteful force…It does things to a stallion.

Removing his mask and showing his old face to his younger self, Dark King warns Shining Armour that the change will be inevitable and he will want nothing more than vengeance, plunging United Equestria into darkness, slaying Starfleet and their masters with burning hatred over an endless cycle. The very hatred that brought Conquest.

Shining listens, learns…and refuses.

He refuses there and then to do what Dark King did and give into hatred. Even if he lost his sister, his child, his wife and his slightest chance of happiness in life, he would not give into hatred and become a monster like Dark King.

For the simple reason that it wouldn’t be what Cadence and Twilight would have wanted.

The revelation leaves a very different mark upon Dark King. Knowing this Shining Armour was better than he could have been, Dark King, whether a mocking hallucination or a look into a grim future, exists no more.

(Top-Right) Against The Odds

How Cadence finds herself surrounded by Windigoes on the peak of childbirth is a mystery but fate certainly seems bleak. All she knows is that somehow, for whatever awful reason, some terrible unseen entity doesn’t want her to be happy.

But others do.

Shining Armour appears, clad in the crystal armour, protecting him and those he loves from the negative energies the windigoes thrive on. While her husband fights, Cadence is waited upon by Sunburst and Starlight Glimmer who precariously assist the birthing.

Nopony said it would be easy…or clean

(Right) Welcome to Equestria, Princess Flurry Heart

After a most arduous event, Cadence successfully gives birth. The day is won and Shining Armour and Mi Amore Cadenza behold their child opening her eyes to the world for the very first time.

If the two have ever been truly happy, it is there and then.

His sister still (As far as anypony knows) deceased, Shining Armour tells Flurry Heart of her wisdom, courage and compassion that saved Equestria on many occasions, wishing endlessly that she were there for her new niece. Numerous shrines around the crystal empire commemorate her memory and Shining takes Flurry to each one.

(Bottom-Right) Love Conquers All

Soon after Grand Ruler’s death, the Crystal Empire is stage to an attempted assassination of the royal family.

Heartstrings, an envy-driven rival of Cadence’s love who had relentlessly stalked and spied on the young princess in her youth, abducts Flurry Heart and Shining Armour, taking them to a secret site where he along with various others, believing that the Magic of Friendship ‘failed’ them, attempt to resurrect Grand Ruler Celesto by sacrificing the baby alicorn.

Cadence appears and clears the way with breathtaking force, saving her husband and daughter from a gruesome end. She is then attacked by Celesto’s wraith, an embodiment of his cruelty, his malice and his will to dominate all life. The wraith wishes to harm Cadence chiefly of all, believing she is to blame for his wife turning on him and for the fact that the infant princess Celestia, back during Titan’s rule, never fell in love with him as was his desire.

Cadence retorts and declares that Celesto’s failings are of his own design, that he has never truly loved anpony, only manipulated, abused and treated others as tools for his own petty fantasies, and that, worst of all, he does not know how to truly love nor wants to know.

Cracked by her words and banished by her power, Celesto’s intended return in the Crystal Empire is thwarted and Shining, Cadence and little Flurry Heart are safe from his spite once and for all.

(Bottom) BLSFF

Their feats in the terrible war pay off for the family as they travel fast to Ponyville to bear witness to a miracle.

Twilight Sparkle has returned exactly as according to her plan.

Her adored baby sister returned to him, Shining Armour lets his softer side go a bit.

Cadence meanwhile, joins the pride of her foalsitting-days a well-deserved dose of sunshine.

It is with giddy pride and joy that Twilight Sparkle learns she is an aunt and promises baby Flurry Heart as much fun time and happy memories as she is capable of giving her.

Strangely, it would seem Flurry Heart never truly believed Twilight was dead.

Alicorns work in mysterious ways.

(Bottom-Left) Best Aunt Ever

At Equestria’s Victory Beach Party, Shining and Cadence take extra care of Flurry Heart and find themselves a little short of free time. Their baby, while by no means a burden, is certainly a hoof-full.

But their aunt is happily available and enjoys a moment of looking after her little niece.

This gives the parents the opportunity to enjoy some well-deserved privacy.

Very wide on description here but hey, it’s a good story. Or so I hope.

I really quite enjoy colourful background characters. Variation is key when it comes to stuff like this. Each face tells a story.