Is this legit from EqG?
They sure have been pushing the Crystal Empire hard ever since S3. Seems like everything has to come back to that place.

I'm actually more convinced by this screenshot of the theory that Brad is working for Sunset Shimmer and is a bad guy. Think about it, the element of magic getting stolen from one of the most secure places in Equestria, who better to steal it than a guard? And when Twilight goes to the human world he would be perfect to keep an eye on her.
I think this whole love interest is a red herring.