//------------------------------// // 2 - Pre-Judgement Day // Story: Chrystil Mist: Of a Changeling // by Bass Kick //------------------------------// Behold, all of my dear Canterlotians: we have downthrown and admonished the bitter hatred and leeching love of the shadows, but now, as the deathly womb of hatred stays unbarred, evil will sprout. And we will be waiting. ~ Pre-Judgment Day ~ The Royal Castle of Canterlot had been placed where it was strategically, so that the eyes of the City of Harmony could watch over all of Equestria, the stars and life as it was known. Standing in a small, tiled room at the foot of the castle was a mare and her father. Chrystil held her head low, heart almost crashing out of her body in nervousness as she awaited a Royal Guard to lead the newcomer to the main Royal Hall. She was thinking of both what it will be like to meet the joint ruler of all of Equestria, as well as what the ruler of unlimited power would think of the hybrid Changeling. Silent minutes went by until Chrystil's father spoke to her. "Don't worry, Chrystil. We'll be back at home before you know it. Trust me," the stallion said on an even tone of hope and sorrow to his daughter. He partially spoke on sorrow because of the fact that she was about to be judged for her appearance. A heavy wooden door to the room opened, and a unicorn Royal Guard peeped in. "You must follow me now, Miss Chrystil." the unicorn from last night told her, in his polite tone. "You may come with her, if you wish," he informed Chrystil's father, who nodded in agreement. The three ponies had left the room and were now pacing through a short, dimly lit hallway that led to the grand Royal Hall. At the end of the hallway, the unicorn guard turned around to give Chrystil a quick piece of advice. "Miss Chrystil," he started. "Don’t be afraid to show her Majesty who your heart depicts you as, not what the holes in your legs depict you as." Chrystil looked down at her front left hoof briefly before looking back up at the unicorn. "Thank you," she said with a warm smile. The unicorn silently gazed into her eyes for a moment before bringing himself back. "Um, yes, you're welcome. I'll lead you to her Majesty," he added in as he walked out into the Royal Hall, with Chrystil and her father following. The ponies walked down the center path of the wide, red carpeted hall. Chrystil tried to take in the beauty of the scenery. The giant violet walls that stood on either side of the walkway were embellished with glorious stain-glass designs, huge drapes, and flags of the various cities of Equestria. The floor was white as pearl, and sunlight shot in through onto it with marvelous patterns. Ponies of all sorts of high powers stood near the walls of the Royal Hall, watching Chrystil's every move. And Chrystil actually felt like she was the grand presentation to Canterlot. And she really was. After walking down the rug for some time, the ponies had finally stopped a few meters away from the joint ruler's throne platform. And there, on the platform, sat Princess Celestia, in her normal position of comfort. Chrystil bowed to the princess as if it was on instinct, as her father and the Royal Guard did too. Princess Celestia raised a hoof, and silence swept all throughout the Royal Hall in an instant. The unicorn Guard stood up from his bowing position. "Our Majesty; may I present to you, Chrystil Mist." The hybrid mare slowly raised her head to look at the Princess with shaky eyes and timid movements. "That is quite frank, I suppose," was the first thing that Celestia said, rubbing her chin with her hoof. "Do you speak?" she asked, in a tone showing her wanting to learn about this newcomer. Chatter started to fill the Royal Hall again. Chrystil looked up at the ceiling, took a deep breath and replied, "Yes." "Well then, may we have a pleasant conversation?" Chrystil was confused by the way that Princess Celestia was acting towards her. Why is she behaving so... kindly? "If it's fine with you, your Majesty." Inside her mind, though, she questioned herself as to why Princess Celestia had seemed calm and collective with a Changeling in her presence? Was there something in Chrystil that she could see? "How nice mannered," Celestia commented. "Now for my third question, Can you tell me why you are feeling so timid? Is it because of the crowd?" By this time, every pony watching this public display had been befuddled. Why was one of the Princesses of all Equestria having a mild-mannered conversation with a newcomer? Moreover, why did she not seem of the slightest bit on-edge about a Changeling? Chrystil swallowed hard, anxiety creeping into her. "Um, may I ask a question, your Majesty?" "Please, call me Celestia." The fixated ponies in the crowd were bewildered. Surprised. Suspicions rose. "Um, Princess Celestia, I just thought that..." "That you would be ridiculed? I already knew that you were not a threat to our city; I could see into your heart," Celestia finished with a slight chuckle. "Just not literally." Chrystil didn't know what to say. The unicorn guard beside her spoke up. "Your Majesty," he bowed. "May I present the question to your highness as to your views on our newcomer." "Why, she is quite polite. A level of being self-kept that I would expect to see in all of my subjects." With disagreement pressing up against his own heart, a bigger pegasus guard asked the princess another question, without greeting. "What should we do with this..." a disgusted look crept across his face as he stared down at the grey mare. "... this newcomer? And her father?" The stallion's tone of voice hardly hinted that he was asking a question, more like implying some sort of punishment to the newcomer. Celestia hardly acknowledged him. "Why, I will have Chrystil Mist and her father be let alone to live their lives, of course." "But this newcomer is a Changeling," the pegasus guard, known as Tipwing, growled. "Watch your tone," Celestia replied. "I know that Chrystil has Changeling features, but does that honestly give her Changeling qualities?" She turned her attention towards Chrystil. "Not to be of offense, but," "No offense taken," a now calmer Chrystil waved her off. "I have strong views against Changelings, myself." "Well then," Celestia said quietly. She tilted her head to the left, getting a view at the silver pony behind Chrystil. "Hello, sir," she said, grabbing his attention. "I presume that you are Chrystil Mist's father?" The silver pony took a step forward, fully revealing himself to Princess Celestia. He bowed his head before continuing. "Greetings, your Majesty. I am Chrystil's father. I thank you for noticing." Celestia nodded. "Yes. And may I ask what your name is?" The stallion under her throne cleared his throat. "My name is Platinum. My daughter and I have ventured to this city from a small area outside of the Steephoove Mountains." "Yes. I am certainly familiar with the Steephoove mountains." Princess Celestia smiled. "Well then, please take good care of your daughter; not that I have had any doubts," she complimented in a warm tone. "The public greeting of Chrystil Mist and her father is dismissed!" And with that, the crowds of spectating ponies left the Royal Halls, full of mixed opinions. Princess Celestia had a small chat with the newcomers afterwards, and in minutes they were left to travel back to their home, escorted by the Royal unicorn Guard. After walking out of the Royal Hall and nearing the carpeted exit flight of stairs, the unicorn guard had his own conversation with Chrystil Mist. "Well, my Majesty has acted very welcoming to you." "Yes, she has," the now happier Changeling replied. "So... I have to say thank you," she said, head turned away from the guard but smiling. "Thank you for what?" The guard asked, confused. "Thank you for defending me at my house yesterday. And thank you for the kind words that you had given me." She was now looking at the unicorn. "What is your name, by the way?" "Um, Steelstreak," he slightly stuttered. "Well, thank you Steelstreak," she responded. Chrystil didn't actually know why she had wanted to thank him, over other things. Maybe it was because of the joy that her new home town of Canterlot had given her. A hoof was stamped down in front of the three ponies. The owner stood tall. Tipwing had a grimace. He inspected the two newcomers. "I don't agree with Princess Celestia's decision on you, Changeling." He spoke directly to the mare. "What do you mean?" A sense of bravery had given Chrystil the ability to confront the stallion that had mocked her the night before. "I don't take to kindly to the pitiful beasts that you are," Tipwing deadpanned. This was enough to make Chrystil's father snap. He took a step forward, his hooves planting on the tiled floor with a loud 'thud'. Steelstreak stopped the angered stallion. "Platinum, sir, you have no need to worry about Tipwing; he acts this aggressive towards all new ponies he meets." "Do not speak ill of my name," Tipwing commanded to the unicorn. "I am your captain; stand down." Steelstreak stepped away from the pegasus guard, but still keeping his efforts to defend the mare. Tipwing swaggered over to Chrystil. Taking a close step to her, he stared her down, and spoke violently. "Enjoy your stay, Chrystil." "I don't fear you." Chrystil Mist stood brave. Tipwing, who had proceeded to exit the castle, whipped his head around. "I don't care what you fear," he said hastily, before unfolding his wings to fly out of the castle into the shielded Canterlotian skies. Steelstreak quickly recomposed himself. "Let's get you home," he soothingly said to a suddenly worried Chrystil. The three ponies traveled through the streets to the small residence of Chrystil, which was on the outskirts of Canterlot. All the while during their nearly silent walk, Chrystil couldn't get one thing out of her mind: She was so sure that she had seen the pegasus' guards eyes flicker with a green spark before he took off flying. ~ Pre-Judgment Day ~ End of Chap Three. Sowwy if this was a long wait! Gosh, I just had to publish this chapter today; you know why? Because, it's Friday the 13th AND one of the MOST AWESOMEST things EVER in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic has happened today!!! (Bet you can guess.)