“I’m not touching youuuuu~”
 
“Put it away or I’ll tear it off.”
 

 
Hey, look it this, another family portrait for my nextgen universe! This was the next highest up in my poll, so here’s the ruling family of the Crystal Empire!
 
Shining Armor: Empress consort and still Captain of the Crystal Guard, Shining Armor is in the process of training his youngest son, Shimmering Aegis, to take over for him when he decides to retire. He sired the half-blood Pupa unintentionally when ensorcelled by Queen Chrysalis, but still cares for his rather grumpy son, despite his sour attitude and startling appearance. Shining does sometimes still find himself in awe of how much his eldest son got from him as far as his white coat and blue shaded mane and tail.
 
Empress Cadenza Mi Amor: Ruler and protector of the Crystal Empire, Cadence remains the Alicorn of Love. Her magic has begun to build up at this point to noticeable levels - perhaps a side effect of the strain of raising a powerful alicorn foal - and her mane and tail have taken on a bit of an ethereal hint here and there. She adopted Pupa when his mother Chrysalis was exiled from Equestria, pitying the poor young stallion for the ‘loss’ of his mother. She very much cares for Pupa, but is often concerned by his near violent moodiness and need to bully others.
 
Pupa: Born the son of Queen Chrysalis and Shining Armor and conceeved during the Changeling’s ‘occupation’ of Canterlot, Pupa was born among the hive after the Changelings were first expelled. Raised as the apple of his mother’s eye to be a loyal warrior and potential successor, should anything happen to her, Pupa knew very little true love growing up. When the Changelings were freed and went through their transformation, Pupa chose not to flee with his mother and instead side with Equestria. However, Pupa was unable to transform like the pure-blooded Changelings and remained stuck as he was. He is often wracked with guilt over this ‘betrayal’ of his mother Chrysalis and self-loathing. He channels this distress by being overall very cranky, as well as ruthlessly bullying other ponies around him.
 
Later in his future, he enters into a relationship with Void Star, son of Nightmare Moon and Rarity, who seeks to quell his internal trauma and heal the wounds they’ve caused him.
 
Flurry Heart: Middle child of the Crystal family, Flurry Heart is, of course, a trueborn Alicorn and heir to the Crystal Empire and the Throne of Love. However, she was a very mischievous foal, growing up playing pranks and tricks on anyone she could and generally not being a very good example of a Princess or a lady. For some time her parents imagined it was simply the stress of being groomed for the succession, but in time it was revealed that Flurry was just generally impish in nature. While coming of age settled her just a teeny bit, she is still quite wily.
 
At some point in the future, she takes an extended trip away from home, meeting and falling in love with Dragonlord Ember, whereafter her son Frostbite is conceived via a great manifestation of magic spawned by the love between the two. She takes pleasure in retaliating against the bullying Pupa often provided as they were growing up and Pupa quickly learned that his little sister was not a great target.
 
Shimmering Aegis: Youngest child of the family, Shimmering Aegis is a tactical prodigy and everything his father could hope for to succeed him as Captain of the Crystal Guard, except perhaps proper social tact. While seemingly charming and handsome, Aegis has little use or want to flaunt this charm, especially in regards to his fanbase of mares and other suitors. He claims he has little time for matters of the heart - a fact that greatly troubles his mother, being Alicorn of Love, and he insists his time is better spent on studies and strategy. Due to this attitude, Aegis often comes off as rather dismissive or aloof. The stallion is a genius when it comes to defensive strategies, however, and quite enjoys the ‘game’ of battle, especially sparring.