//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: A Crystalling Tail // by Magic Kitsune Brony //------------------------------// A few hours later saw the two alicorns going over the spell while Sunset sat in the corner with the baby, a ball floating between the two. Sunset had discovered that the activity helped settled and entertained the baby, to the point that it kept the little one from throwing magic lasers. Twilight finished writing what she could remember on a piece of parchment and looked over it. “Uh, I think that’s everything?” Cadance looked over the spell herself. “It looks right to me, but… there’s only one way to find out!” Sunset turned around with the baby in her arms and watched the two alicorns use their magic to put the shattered Heart back together. At first, it looked like it was working until, after a second, it fell into a million pieces again. Twilight looked down in defeat. “The spell failed. I don’t know what else to do.” Sunset opened her mouth, in hopes of cheering Twilight up. But before she could say anything, Celestia spoke up as she and the others walked into the room. “An old student of mine believes he does.” Celestia moved aside to show a light orange stallion with two toned orange mane and tail with glasses. As he walked over, he stopped in shock at seeing Sunset and the baby. “What?” Was all he could get out. “Um,” Sunset said sheepishly as she gave the baby back to her parents. “We’ll explain later. How about save Empire now and ask questions later?” “Oh, of course,” Sunburst shook his head, pushed his glasses up his nose, walked over to the shattered Heart and looked at the pieces. “The baby did this?!” Twilight show him the spell they had tried to use. “I tried putting it back together with-” “The spell of Relic Reconstitution. No, that won’t do it.” Sunburst said as he pulled a book from his saddlebag to show Twilight. “The Crystal Heart’s been around for millennia. Restoring a relic like this is way beyond one spell. You need to combine it with something else. Something unique to the relic itself. Something that strengthens it and provides it with power…?” “The Crystalling!” Twilight exclaimed in realization. “Combining that spell with the light and love of everypony gathered for the ceremony, together with…” Sunburst passed another book to Starlight. “Somnambula’s Weather Abjuration to clear away the snow…” He then passed a scroll to Cadance and Shining. “And a little Fledgling’s Forbearance for the parents… heh. That should curb the little one’s power fluctuations,” He explained, as the baby tried to reach for his face. Cadance smiled at him. “You must be Sunburst. Starlight said you were a powerful wizard.” “Oh, I’m no wizard.” He countered, causing everyone to gasp in surprise. Starlight tried to explain, “But he studied magic his whole life! You should see his house! And since nopony has any better ideas, what do we have to lose?!” Shining placed the baby in Sunburst’s hooves. “I had planned on asking Twilight to be our crystaller, but since it seems like she’ll be busy…” Sunburst got what he was implying. “I’d be honoured!” “Well, what are we waiting for?!” Twilight exclaimed as she got into place. “I could help keep the heart in place too,” Sunset got everypony’s attention. “If that’s ok?” “Um,” Sunburst was unsure, still not knowing what this creature was. “Of course, Sunset, we will need all the help we can get,” Twilight smiled up at her friend. Sunset nodded and closed her eyes to concentrate. A moment later, Sunburst watched in fascination, as she pony-upped and then walked over to stand next to Starlight, her hands already glowing a faint red. Sunburst shook his head, remembering what he was meant to be doing, he’ll ask later. He walked out to the platform, as the 3 alicorns, unicorn and human shot blast of magic at the shattered Heart, keeping the pieces in place. He stood tall as he spoke to the crowd. “Citizens!” He called. “May I present the newest member of the Crystal Empire!” The ponies gazed in awe as the baby alicorn was raised. The ponies then kneeled, causing the roads of the Empire to glow with magic. Sunburst absorbed the magic into the crystal he was holding before galloping back into the room, throwing the crystal into the Heart. The Heart started to glow as it sealed up the cracks, fixing it. It sent out a wave of magic, making everypony to become crystalized, except Sunset, who looked down to see the Heart had activated her geode, causing her to be dressed in the outfit she had got at Camp Everfree. Starlight turned to Sunburst. “For a pony who isn’t great at magic, you did pretty well.” “Indeed,” Celestia agreed. “I’m glad to see you’ve found a way to share your unique gift, Sunburst. You may be more of a wizard than you think.” Twilight smiled as she and her family walked over, when she noticed Sunset’s outfit. “Wow, I didn’t think the Heart would give you a new outfit Sunset.” “It didn’t,” Sunset shook her head before pointing at her geode. “I think the Heart activated my geode, which caused the transformation.” “Geode?” Twilight tilted her head, looking at the gem. “Is that Equestrian magic I sense?” “Oh, right,” Sunset scratched the back of her head. “I haven’t told you about what happened at Camp Everfree. I’ll tell you later, after we explain my presence to Sunburst over there.” “Fair enough,” Twilight nodded. “Yes,” Sunburst pushed his glasses up his nose. “I can’t wait to hear about you.” Sunset simply smiled as she thought, I hope he doesn’t start asking me lot questions at once, like Sci-Twi did.