//------------------------------//
// Chapter 14: Differences 
// Story: "Princess Flurry Heart, Destroyer of Worlds!" 
// by Fluttercheer 
//------------------------------//

When Flurry Heart awoke the next morning, the young princess immediately felt that something was different. Her cold from yesterday was gone, she and Sunny were still friends and by looking around in her room, she could see that she even managed it to awake before sunrise again, as the whole room was still bathed in darkness. It was basically the same like every morning, but she could feel that things had also changed. Usually, she felt full of life already in the early morning hours, but today, her chest was filled with a strange, cold feeling. When she let her eyes wander around the dark room, she felt a weird pressure everywhere, almost like the air tried to choke her. It felt heavy and so did her body.
Instead of getting up, Flurry Heart just lied in her bed, hooves placed on her belly, inspecting the ceiling while her eyes became used to the darkness more and more. Thoughts circled around in her mind, thoughts about how to get out of the mess she was in. She still had to go to school today, it was only Friday, and there would still be one more day until the weekend was there and she could spend two blissful days away from everything. But no matter how much Flurry Heart thought about it, the conclusion she came to always ended up being the same:
.
She had to face that dreadful day that lied ahead, no matter what new woes it might bring for her.
.
The only thing that finally threw her out of her thoughts was something flickering in the corner of her eyes. Slowly turning around, annoyed sighing coming out of her throat while doing so, she noticed a small shimmer of light entering through the window.
Evidently, the sun was coming up and it finally lured Flurry Heart out of the bed. She took position in front of the window, just in time to see the second half of the bright celestial body rise over the Crystal Mountains. She felt it brightening her mood, even though just slightly, and a tiny smile appeared on her face. At least the sun was still the same. Just for a split-second, Flurry Heart did a careful look to the ground. None of the citizens of the Crystal Empire had left their houses yet, but Flurry Heart knew it would happen soon. A slight shuddder went through her body as she had that thought.
As the glowing ball had appeared above the mountains almost completely, it was time. Faint, the young alicorn could hear doors getting opened under her and as she looked down again, the first crystal ponies left their homes to catch some of the early morning sunrays. Flurry Heart didn't dare to say a word this time, not even to greet the sun as it was her usual procedure at morning. Silently, she watched the ponies under her starting to go about their daily business, paying no heed to her.
It was only when she didn't say anything for another minute that some of the ponies raised their heads and looked straight up to her window. Flurry Heart crouched back a little as she noticed frowns on the faces of these ponies, their eyes emanating a piercing frostiness that went right through her body. Noticing what they did, other ponies followed their example and looked at her as well.
Gulping, Flurry Heart let her eyes wander over them, checking all of their expressions. She was hoping for it to find compassion or maybe even the usual joy to see her from at least one citizen, but all she was met with were frowns, disdain, hatred and disappointment. The faces of the ponies under her were full of these emotions and reactions. Only a small, snow-white filly, apparently a bit younger than her, gave her a broad genuine smile, its eyes glistening, but suddenly she was whisked out of her sight and carried into one of the houses. The mare who seemed to ber her mother had a disapproving, angry spark in her eyes.
Flurry Heart's ears flattened as she saw this scene, bitter grief spreading over her face, and a few tears left her eyes, which she quickly wiped away. The most shocking thing about all of this was how the crystal ponies just kept their stone-cold expressions at her obvious display of sadness. The tears running over her face did not move them, she realized, and the cold feeling in her chest increased.
Now shaking, Flurry Heart retreated from the windowsill and turned around. After a moment, she sat down under the window and brought her hooves up to her face. Covering her eyes, she started to weep into them and more tears ran down her cheeks. She sat like this for a few minutes, her mind empty, until Sunny entered it and her thoughts returned to yesterday's afternoon and how Sunny had unexpectedly shown up and apologized to her in tears.
Reluctantly, but with more energy than before, she stood up again and wiped the tears off of her face. She tried to force a smile, then she trotted out through her bedroom door and into the corridor, carefully setting one hoof in front of the other.
As she wanted to turn around the corner, she bumped into something soft. Startled, she looked up and found herself looking into the face of her dad. Shining Armor immediately noticed the reddened eyes of his daughter.
“Are you alright, Flurry?” he came right to the point, worry gracing his face. Misinterpreting the reason for her red eyes at first, he held a hoof at her forehead, then breathed out relieved as he didn't detect any fever.
“I'm fine,” she answered, but the broken tone in her voice betrayed her words and Shining Armor noticed the contradiction immediately.
He ruffled through her mane, gently and for a long moment. “Everything will work out, Flurry,” he said, his voice expressing nothing but utter convinction. He put a hoof around her shoulder. “Now come. There are some things we have to discuss before you leave.”
Flurry Heart sternly nodded as they made their way to the kitchen. Cadance sat already at the table, a fully prepared breakfast for all three of them in front of her. It was only now that Flurry Heart realized that her parents had gotten up especially early this morning, so that they would have time to talk about what should happen now.
A morose expression on her face, Flurry Heart took seat at her mom's side. Gently, Cadance wrapped her up in a hug. “Good morning, Flurry Heart!” she said, her voice sounding happy and uplifting. She placed a kiss on her forehead, then they parted again. “Do you feel better this morning?” she asked her daughter.
Wordlessly, Flurry Heart nodded. Then she lit up her horn and hovered the mug with hot, steaming cocoa that stood in front of her to her face. She took a careful sip. As she put down the mug again, Shining Armor started to speak.
“After Sunny was gone yesterday and you had fallen asleep again, your mom and me discussed how we can fix everything. And we came up with a solution.” He smiled at Flurry Heart, but she only gave a gloomy look in response.
Cadance rested a hoof on her shoulder, silently signaling her to look over to her. “Do you remember what I told you about the spell by Sunburst after I was telling you why we named you 'Flurry Heart'?”
Flurry Heart did not know what her mom was talking about at first, but then the memory entered back into her mind. She nodded.
“Sunburst cast that spell on you to prevent you from destroying the Crystal Heart again. He has to recast it sometimes, but as long as he does that, you can't do any harm to the Crystal Heart. And we will let everypony know about it.” A flash of guilt appeared on Cadance's face. “We probably should have done this right away.....”
Feeling more relieved, but aware of it that the situation was still very serious, Flurry Heart nodded attentively. “What are we going to do, mommy?” She hovered the mug to her face again and took another sip, looking at her mom with interest, then bit in one of the apples on the plate in the middle of the table.
Taking over for her mom, who was still trailed off in thoughts, Shining Armor explained. “Sunburst is on a research trip in Griffonstone right now and he won't return until Monday morning. But once he's back, we will make everything about his spell public and he will explain in detail how it works. We already contacted him and made the necessary arrangements for his presentation to happen at your school on Monday.”
Now Flurry Heart frowned again. Even though she was young, she realized that it was an idea that would barely work. “But Sunburst is my crystaller!” the young alicorn opposed. “My royal crystaller,” she then added with emphasis. “The ponies here don't trust us anymore, they will think we told him to say that and to lie about the spell!”
Now it was Cadance who spoke again. “We already thought about this,” she said calmly.
Flurry Heart looked at her in disbelief as she noticed the serenity of her mother.
“It is possible that they won't believe Sunburst, but for this case, we have a trump card, Flurry.” A knowing smirk appeared on her face, leaving Flurry Heart in confusion. Her husband replied with the same smirk.
Cadance continued. “We sent off a letter yesterday evening and got a quick response. There is someone who will come to your aid, Flurry Heart.”
The tone in her mom's voice fueled Flurry's excitement. “And who is it?” she burst out, now suddenly seeming as energetic as ever.
But Cadance shook her head. “We can't tell you now, it's a surprise. But it's someone you know very well and someone who has influence.”
Flurry Heart's lips pointed downwards all of a sudden, the disappointment plastered over her face.
Cadance stroke over her mane. “Don't worry, it won't be long until you find out. The arrival is set for today. You will see who it is in the evening. And it is someone who will surely lighten your mood, Flurry.”
The tone of secrecy in these last words just increased Flurry Heart's desire to find out now, but when she looked over her parent's faces, it was clear they wouldn't give it away before the time of arrival of the mysterious trump card had come.
So, instead of asking further questions, Flurry Heart reached for her cocoa and slowly gulped it down her throat without putting away the mug, a pout on her face.
Both Cadance and Shining Armor laughed lightly as they saw the defiant reaction of their daughter. Even though they didn't tell her the surprise right away, Flurry Heart noticed that she felt better all of a sudden. The announcement of the mysterious savior had given her new hope and she swiftly expressed it as she had emptied her mug, by tightly hugging her parents in quick succession. Then she dashed out of the kitchen and towards her room, a swing in her step that her parents hadn't seen for a while. She couldn't await it to meet Sunny again now!
But there was still something that would delay her departure this morning. As Flurry Heart came out of her room and returned to the kitchen, her fully equipped saddlebags on her back, her parents weren't alone anymore. At their side was a white unicorn guard, in golden armor and holding a spear in his right hoof. He smiled at Flurry Heart, but she was not repeating it and presented him with a deep frown. A shudder ran through ber body as her eyes fell on the spear. She looked over to her dad, desperation and a bit of fear in her eyes.
“Do I really need a guard, daddy?”
Shining Armor nodded sternly, receiving support by his wife. “It's for your protection, Flurry Heart. I don't think that anypony will attack you, but we need to keep you safe, just in case.”
Shining Armor followed the explanation up as he noticed that Flurry Heart started to shake.  “Don't worry, Sharp Pitch here is one of our best guards. He fought against changelings and timberwolves and he saved many citizens of Canterlot during an attack some years ago. As long as you stay by his side he will protect you, no matter what happens.”
A spark appeared in the eyes of Sharp Pitch, they were emitting grim determination for a moment, but then he stashed away his spear at the side of his armor and approached Flurry Heart with a welcoming gesture, a smile playing around his lips.
As Flurry Heart didn't take his hoof and just wordlessly frowned at him with all the aversion against the idea that a guard should accompany her coming out of her eyes, he lifted his hoof and ruffled through her mane instead, still keeping his smile. “I'm here to protect you, Princess. There is no reason to fear anything as long as we are together.”
The assertion only deepened Flurry Heart's frown and simultaneously, she raised an eyebrow at her protector. A playful laughter came from his throat, then he stepped past Flurry Heart and took position at the door. “I'm ready to leave whenever you are, princess,” he said then, in a more professional tone again.
Cadance nodded at him as Flurry Heart showed once again no reaction to his words, then she looked down at her daughter. “He's right, Flurry, it's time to leave if you don't want to arrive late at school.”
Flurry twitched a little at these words, which Cadance responded to by giving her a hug. Shining Armor joined in swiftly. “Keep your head up, okay? I know you're strong, you're gonna make it.”
“And don't forget that a surprise awaits you at the evening,” Cadance added. She retreated and gave her daughter a smile. “If there's anything that's troubling you, feel free to talk with Sharp Pitch too.”
This suggestion let Flurry Heart look up suddenly, confusion in her eyes. Her mouth was slightly opened. Before she could ask, Cadance winked at her. “You will see that physically protecting you is only one thing he can do.”
Still not understanding what the words of her mom meant, Flurry Heart kept looking at her, but Cadance gently pushed her towards the door as a reminder that she had to leave now.
Begrudgingly, Flurry Heart turned around and as her eyes fell on Sharp Pitch, the frown returned into her face. In slow steps, she walked out of the door, Sharp Pitch closely following behind her. He took position at her side as Flurry Heart was through the door and turned around a last time to wave at her parents, a sad, longing expression adorning her face now.
Cadance and Shining Armor returned the gesture, presenting their daughter with last, uplifting smiles, then Flurry Heart and Sharp Pitch made their way out of the castle.
The first thing Flurry Heart noticed once outside was how cold it was. It was not the temperature, though. It was a sunny day in the Crystal Empire, like most were. The cold came from the ponies around them. It was the same like when Flurry Heart had looked down her window earlier, but now that she was much closer to the citizens, their looks were way worse. Some faces showed unrestrained anger now, there were ponies grinding their teeth and ponies scraping the ground with one of their hooves. Others just looked disappointed, but now, their disappointed expressions were much deeper as they saw their princess so near by them.
Sharp Pitch remained calm. All he did was giving the crowd that had gathered in front of the castle a warning glance. It did not change the hostile looks, but they stayed at their spots as he guided Flurry Heart gently through the mass of ponies. Flurry Heart could still feel the piercing looks in her neck as they had left the outraged citizens behind. She stopped and looked at the street in front of them. It was nearly empty save for a few ponies being busy in the gardens of their houses. Flurry Heart breathed a sigh of relief.
As Sharp Pitch put a hoof on her shoulder and gently nudged her, she set herself into motion again.
Flurry Heart's parents had described him the way to the school very exactly, something which wasn't necessary, as he had told them, because he knew the geography of the Crystal Empire very well from his nightly guard duties, yet they insisted on it and so, he knew there would still be quite a distance before they reached the house of Flurry's friend. Enough time to start a conversation with his little companion, yet Flurry Heart looked anything but up for it. Despite the slight relief from moments earlier there was still a frown on her face and when Sharp Pitch looked at her, it was easy for him to see that Flurry Heart did not like him. It would not be easy to get her to talk. But he was determined to try.
For minutes, they kept trotting through the streets of the Crystal Empire, wordlessly, while Sharp Pitch tried to think of something to talk about. There weren't many things he knew about Flurry Heart, except for the most necessary ones that he needed to protect her, so he figured it would be best to find out more about her first. As an idea how to spark a conversation with her entered his mind, he looked over to her.
“So, I heard you like flying?” he began and gave Flurry a smile.
Flurry Heart stayed silent. She did not even acknowledge his words with a look and kept her eyes on the crystal pavement they trotted on.
Sharp Pitch wrinkled his forehead for a moment, but soon returned to a cheerful expression. Pally, he patted her back. “I'm sure you are a very good flyer thanks to your big wings. Maybe you can show me some tricks one day?”
Again, no answer came from the little alicorn. But there was a reaction this time, although not one like Sharp Pitch had hoped for. Flurry Heart laid back her ears and pressed them tightly against her head. A slight growl indicated that she became angry.
It was a sign Sharp Pitch understood. Not wanting to cross any lines, he didn't probe further and decided to stay silent for a while.
Together, they kept trotting through the streets towards their destination. Occasionally, ponies crossed their paths, all wearing hostile expressions or at least a frown on their faces as they looked at Flurry Heart. They were turning into the street that led to Sunny's home as a chubby stallion left his house. He did not greet them, not even look at them, but as he passed by, a quiet whisper could be heard.
.
“Uncontrollable beast. The guards should protect us from her.”
.
It was clear that he had made an effort to avoid being heard, not least because of the presence of a royal guard, but Flurry Heart did hear him.
Abruptly, she stopped in her tracks. Her eyes widened in dismay and she opened her mouth.
Sharp Pitch noticed. He stopped too and looked at her. “Anything wrong, princess?” he asked concerned.
Then small eruptions began to run through Flurry Heart's body as she began to shake slightly. She sniffed and a few tears formed in her eyes.
A thought falling into place, Sharp Pitch looked up and after the chubby stallion, a knowing expression filled with discomposure in his face, then he leaned down at his little protégée.
“Did he say anything mean?” he asked with compassion, but Flurry Heart denied him an answer.
She wiped her tears before they could run down her face, then trotted ahead in a fast tempo, making it necessary for Sharp Pitch to catch up with her. Her ears were still pressed flat against her head, what kept them in this position was a different emotion now, though.
“Hey, don't go alone!” Sharp Pitch said in a warning tone as he went after her.
For another minute or so, no one of them said a word and only Flurry Heart's occasional sniffing interrupted the silence. Then Sharp Pitch tried it with another attempt to talk.
In the distance, he could see a light-blue foal sitting on a small flight of stairs in front of a house that was colored in a slightly darker blue. He almost didn't notice her against that backdrop, if it wouldn't have been for her bright, yellow mane. Her look fit to the description he got from the prince and the princess, he realized, and this gave him another idea.
“Your friend is already waiting,” he addressed Flurry Heart and pointed ahead.
Flurry Heart looked up and now finally, there was a faint smile on her face. She increased her tempo.
“How long do you know her?” Sharp Pitch continued.
Flurry Heart's smile remained in her face, but she gave no answer, and a flickering in her eyes indicated that she was still not okay with him talking to her.
He sighed inwardly. This was harder than he thought and he was running out of questions to ask her. Yet he also didn't want to give up so quickly. A sly expression crept over his face for a moment. There was something he could do. It was risky, but maybe the only chance to get a word out of the royal filly at his side.
“How was her name again?” he asked incredulously, knowing full well how Flurry's friend was called. “Was it 'Puny Midget'?”
Flurry Heart's ears perked up all of a sudden. She stopped and glared at her guardian. “Her name is 'Sunny Spirit'!” she corrected him, the outrage in her voice impossible to miss.
“Oh!” he exclaimed in pretended surprise. “I'm sorry. I'm not very good with names.....” He scratched the back of his head, giving Flurry Heart a sheepish expression. Her glare continued.
“Your parents Prince Pining Farmer and Princess Radiance told me her name, but my brain got it mixed up somehow.” He chuckled nervously.
Flurry Heart did a step towards his direction, now grinding her teeth and her face distorted in anger. “Their names are 'Shining Armor' and–“ She stopped and the angry expression turned into confusion, then realization, then embarrassment. “Hey, you did that on purpose!” she squeaked awkwardly, her cheeks flushing red.
A feeling of satisfaction went through him over the fact that Flurry Heart was at least talking to him now, even though it wasn't in a friendly way. “Just a little more to break the ice,” he thought.
He looked at the young alicorn in bewilderment. “Me? Oh, no! I would never, I promise! I would not dare to joke about the names of members of the royal family!” He put a hoof at his chest and stroke a reverent pose. “I swear by your name, Princess Curry Fart, I will never make fun of you!”
The blushing in Flurry Heart's face deepened and so did her anger. Sharp Pitch noticed and an expression of horror spread out on his face. “Oh, for the love of.....” he groaned. “I did it again! 'Curry Fart' isn't your name, right? I'm so, so sorry, Princess!”
Furiously, Flurry Heart stomped a hoof on the ground. “NO!” she yelled loudly. “BUT I WISH IT WOULD BE!” Then she galloped past him, towards Sunny's house. Her last sentence was leaving her mouth with a tinge of sorrow.
Sharp Pitch could hear it clearly and it was only now that he realized he had went a bit too far with his joke. He sighed and cursed himself as he followed Flurry Heart. At least she had talked a little bit with him, a thought he took sollace in, yet getting her to talk with him again would be much harder now.
Flurry Heart and Sunny Spirit were just exchanging a hoofbump, followed by a crushing hug as Sharp Pitch reached them. Having released the hug again, Sunny pointed behind Flurry. “Who is this?”
Flurry Heart rolled her eyes conspicuously. “A guard,” she answered the question. “My parents said he's there to keep me safe, just in case.” Her voice shook slightly, but it was barely noticeable and she suppressed the urge to gulp.
Having heard about the curfew from the day before after she had reconciled with her friend, Sunny Spirit nodded. “They are probably right, Flurry.”
“Maybe,” Flurry Heart answered. “But I don't feel good with him around.”
“How is his name?” Sunny asked curiously.
Flurry Heart started her answer, then stopped suddenly, a malicious grin on her face. She looked over at her protector and presented him with it, then back to Sunny.
“Carp Stitch,” she said deadpan, then went down the stairs.
Sunny stayed behind a moment, a weird expression on her face, then she followed her friend.
“Carp Stitch” hurried after the two fillies to take position at Flurry Heart's side again. Before he was there, she turned back at him, giving him another malicious grin that was dripping from cold revenge. In the corners of it, her mouth seemed to form a smile, though.
Flurry Heart turned back again before he could make sure and as he was at her side again, her expression had returned back to normal. Or, at least what was normal for her right now. Her face still showed a slight frown, but she also looked noticeably happier now that Sunny was here. He smiled at his observation and felt a bit of hope rising.
On the rest of the way to the Magic Kindergarden, Sharp Pitch remained quiet, while the two fillies at his side were chatting. As the three of them had finally reached the school, they hurried inside upon noticing that the clock of the tower at the front of it showed that it was barely a minute anymore until Flurry's and Sunny's first lesson would start.
Despite the hurry, Flurry Heart shuddered as she entered the building. Yet nopony bothered her as they were inside, the corridors were empty, the loud sounds from the classrooms indicating that all the students were already at their desks and getting prepared. They rushed through the right corridor to the classroom at its end, chatter and talks from inside ringing into their ears. As they had entered, the whole classroom became silent all of a sudden.
The students looked at them speechlessly. Sharp Pitch couldn't figure out if it was more because of the unusual presence of a royal guard in the classroom or because of Flurry Heart and the truth about her that everypony knew now. It was pretty clear, though, that both of those things were the reason for the looks and it was especially clear to Flurry Heart.
She just stood there, feeling the looks like needles on her skin, unable to do a step forward. Her whole body was shaking now and her teeth clattered in quick succession. The bell of the school rang out, but Flurry Heart did still not move.
Sharp Pitch bent down to her and whispered into her ear. “Be strong, Princess Flurry Heart!” he encouraged her, addressing her with her name for the first time. “They will stop looking if you just act normal.”
Surprisingly, Flurry Heart nodded at the advice and slowly moved towards her desk, supported by Sunny Spirit.
Whispers started to emerge from across the classroom as she made her way through it and only scraps entered Flurry Heart's ears.
.
“Why is she here again?”
.
“..... Witch?”
.
“Can she hurt us?”
.
The words prickled unpleasantly in Flurry Heart's ears. That the other foals on the desks around her own inched as far away from her in their seats as they could while she climbed onto her own did not help.
As Flurry Heart and Sunny Spirit were both sitting at their desks, the whispering stopped and Sharp Pitch positioned himself at the right side of Flurry Heart's desk. Their attention a bit distracted from Flurry Heart now, the other foals watched him with big eyes. It seemed like a few of them wanted to ask him curious questions, but before they could, the menacing figure of Austere Knowledge entered the classroom.
If it would have been possible for the foals to become any quieter, they would have now, but since they already were silent, the only thing that happened was that the temperature in the classroom suddenly decreased. Or, at least that's how it felt to Flurry Heart.
There was not really anything to say for Austere Knowledge in this situation, the principal had made a decision yesterday and he had to obey, as much as he hated it to see Flurry Heart in his classroom again, yet he did not leave it at that.
He stood at his desk and let his eyes wander over the classroom, mentally making notes to see if each of his students was here. As he was finished, he rested his sight on Flurry Heart. His black eyes felt to her like he was trying to suck her in with them, so much disdain radiated from them. He did not waste any time to make her feel miserable.
“Our princess monster has returned it seems,” he said coldly. “This was certainly not my decision and it's only due to the principal's mercy that you can still come here. If it were up to me I would keep a dangerous monster like you as far away from everything as possible.” His face turned into a cruel grimace. Flurry Heart began to shake again, avoiding to look at him. “There is not much crime happening in the Crystal Empire, yet everypony pays taxes to maintain the dungeons. They might as well getting used now, finally.” A sob rang out of Flurry Heart's throat as the meaning behind the words washed over her mind. Sunny Spirit stroke over her back soothingly.
Something snapped inside Sharp Pitch as he heard the cruel words, yet he did his best to compose himself, remembering what Shining Armor and Cadance had told him about de-escalation. Instead of giving in to his rage, he decided to tell Austere Knowledge why he was here.
“I will use the opportunity to introduce myself,” he began, in a tone as professional as he could muster given the situation. “My name is Sharp Pitch, high-ranking member of the royal guard. I am here today to protect her Royal Highness, Princess Flurry Heart, from any harm.” 	His voice had a certain tone ringing in it, a tone Austere Knowledge would sure understand. And his eyes might as well have been daggers the way he looked at the teacher.
The face of Austere Knowledge showed a strange expression that was hard to identify for Sharp Pitch. “Protection, of course,” he said taut. “Since this is my classroom and I am responsible for it, I am sure you won't mind if I apply my own method to protect my students from harm.”
His horn flared up with the black aura of his magic and a split-second later, a magical shield appeared around Flurry Heart. Sunny Spirit retreated her hoof from her back quickly as she felt the heat of the shield that was spreading around her friend.
A smile of smug satisfaction appeared on Austere Knowledge's face. “A simple magic absorber. Hopefully enough to contain the wicked powers of the princess.” He addressed the whole class. “Since the danger is sitting right in our midst, I think it would be appropriate to continue with the correct usage of neutralization spells.” He looked at Flurry Heart again. “Maybe you will have to use them soon.” Then he opened his book and began with the lesson.
The words of the teacher still ringing through him, a cold shiver went down the spine of Sharp Pitch as he realized what Austere Knowledge just suggested.
Things had become different in the worst possible way.