It was while I was laying in bed with Trixie, who had wrapped her legs around me, that I started contemplating what Celestia had told me. My body called out for sleep, but my mind was racing. Something inside me started to burn -- I think it was because she had lied to me and casually admitted to it without even bothering to apologize. The more I thought about it, the angrier I became. The angrier I became, the warmer my body became. Trixie moved off of me unconsciously, my body heat radiating a bit too much. Beads of sweat had formed on most of Trixie's body, so she instinctively pushed the blanket off. The cool air helped her a little and her breathing returned to normal.
"C'mon, Michael, Trixie wants you to cuddle her some more," she cooed lightly in her sleep.
"There'll be time for that later, Trixie -- I can't sleep," I muttered. She turned over again and started snoring lightly. She curled herself a little tighter, but I ignored her movement. I was seriously wondering how I was going to confront the Sun Goddess -- and the idea of openly defying her was giving me butterflies in my stomach. "I might be a powerful Alicorn, but will my power be enough to defeat her?" I thought. "She lied to you, Michael! What are you going to do about it? Are you going to let her get away with that?"
Time seemed to drag by as I laid in the bed. I leaned over to Trixie and gave her a kiss on her forehead and whispered in her ear, "I hope you forgive me for what I'm about to do. No matter what may come to pass, I will always love you, Trixie."
The words hadn't left my lips more than a minute and there was a knocking at our door. I was being summoned to raise the sun again, but my mood was a thunderstorm. My stomach was in knots and my knees trembled a little as I rose to my hooves to make my way to the Sun Goddess' bedchamber. I only hoped that this would not be the last time I visited her there.
"The Princess wishes to see you in her bedchamber, Michael," came the voice from a female guard from behind our door as she knocked on it once again. I heaved a sigh of resignation as I trotted slowly to the door and opened it.
"Lead the way, please," I stated flatly. My hoof-steps seemed to echo more loudly in my ears as I followed the guardsmare down the hallway, though I was trotting on carpet, which seemed to do a very inadequate job of muffling the sound. I heaved another sigh as we made it to her door. The guard opened the door for me and I entered slowly.
"Something troubling you, Michael?" asked the Solar Princess. She smiled warmly at me in an attempt to comfort me.
"As a matter of fact, Celestia, there is. I have spent last night contemplating what you have told me earlier -- and I am deeply distressed and disturbed by your casual admission of mendacity with regard to an earlier concern of mine." My expression showed no emotion behind the words, though perhaps a slight amount of anger might have been noticeable.
"So I lied to you. I have my reasons, Michael. You shouldn't let that bother you. Now please raise my Sun for me."
"That's just the point," I stated, my anger becoming evident. "You didn't bother to apologize for lying to me -- you just simply admitted it in a very dismissive and condescending manner. That's what offends me more than your desire to have me act as your stand-in from time to time. What also offends me is the fact that you manipulated me into becoming an Alicorn, even though I did not want the responsibility of that status and told you as much."
"The hour grows late, Michael. Raise my Sun for me."
"That's your job, not MINE!"
The Sun Goddess sighed and then rose to her hooves. Silently she made her way to her balcony and very abruptly raised her Sun. The light reflected off her face to show a rather haggard expression, and her displeasure with me was more than evident.
"Your defiance has been noted, Michael. I need a moment to determine an appropriate punishment for your insolence."
"So this means you're revoking my Alicorn status?" I asked.
"Maybe. But given the fact that I forced this on you without your approval -- I was under the impression you were capable of handling such responsibilities. I had assumed, given your potential, that you would make an admirable choice as not just an Alicorn, but a Solar Regent at that. That was why I created that specific amulet you wear as part of your regalia -- speaking of which, I demand its immediate return --"
I removed it with my telekinesis and placed my circlet, torque, and hoof-guards on the floor in front of her fore-legs. "You can keep it, for all I care. I never wished to be an Alicorn -- I was happy while I was still a unicorn, even when I was in a copy of Trixie's body. Trust me when I tell you that I will serve you faithfully as a unicorn, so long as you refrain from openly lying to me again --"
"My actions and motives are my own, Michael, and don't you forget that! I have lived far longer than you, and you cannot hope to comprehend the game I play --"
"Oh, so I am nothing more than a pawn to you --"
"I had intended to make you a much more substantial piece on my chessboard, but if that's the role you are to play, then by all means, feel free to be returned to the status of a pawn --"
"You disgust me, your Majesty," I spat at her.
Celestia chuckled. "I was hoping to get that response from you, Michael. I know your origin -- and I know a great deal about your past -- and I also know a great deal about your home world, and the behavior of your species. You wanted to prove that you were better than a majority of those you left behind, but your behavior has proven to me otherwise. I believe I have come up with an acceptable punishment for you -- I am going to transform you back into your original human form and return you to your home world --"
"NOOOOO!!!" I screamed, using magic to amplify my voice. I was only hoping this might get the attention of Princess Luna, and that perhaps it might bring about her hasty arrival. My guess proved correct as she teleported into her sister's bedchamber. My scream was also loud enough to roust Trixie from her slumber, and she came galloping as quickly as she could into the room.
"Michael, what is the matter?" asked Luna. Her expression was one of worry.
"Would you be kind enough to talk some sense into your sister? She wants to send me back to my home world, and as a human at that. I have nothing left there and no one to help me, either." I witnessed Trixie drop to her haunches at this mention, her ears drooping.
"Tia, what is the meaning of this?"
"It would appear my assessment of our fledgling Prince was ... incorrect."
"Thou wouldst condemn him to his death?"
"Luna, he openly defied me!"
"Michael, is this true?" Luna asked sternly, addressing me with her gaze.
"Luna, your sister admitted to openly lying to me in a dismissive and condescending manner, and failed to apologize for this oversight. Then she expects me to do her job for her --"
"Tia, thou shouldst know that thou mustn't tell untruths to Royalty. He may be a fledgling Prince, but he's still Royalty. Perhaps thou regardeth him as your colt and failed to remember his status as Royalty."
I stood in stunned silence as I witnessed Celestia hang her head in shame. My mouth opened in surprise.
"I'm sorry, Michael. I tried to push too much responsibility on you too quickly. You may have your regalia back, if you wish."
"Your Majesty, I request you return me to my old unicorn self, Amethyst Flame. I do not wish to remain an Alicorn any longer than I absolutely have to. Knowing that you have the ability to reverse the change, I humbly request you do so. NOW. PLEASE."
Luna opened her mouth to protest and Celestia heaved a very heavy sigh.
"Michael, I am extremely disappointed by your decision, but if that is what you wish, then I shall do so. It has been so long since I last had an extended break from my duties, and I was merely hoping that with your potential and intelligence that you would be the one who could provide me with that break."
"When you say 'extended break,' what exactly do you mean?" I asked out of idle curiosity.
"About ten years, I believe. I don't suppose that would be too much to ask of you, would it?" the Sun Goddess asked pensively.
I laughed. Hard. "I suspect for you that ten years is merely a drop in the bucket. For me and Trixie, though -- a decade is a loooong time. Let me make this compromise for you, Celestia -- forgive me, Trixie -- I promise I will provide you an extended break from your duties after Trixie dies of old age -- if I'm allowed to live that long. But until then, I wish to be with Trixie, to accompany her on her travels, to have a few foals with her and help raise them, and live a happy life with her. After that, then I will be happy to serve you as you wish. Does that sound agreeable to you, your Majesty?"
I witnessed both Princesses smile, Celestia smiling more broadly than I had ever seen. The Sun Goddess lit her horn, her golden aura enveloping my body. I could feel myself being transformed, becoming smaller. I looked down at my coat and saw it return to the purple I had worn before my ascension to Alicorn status. Trixie watched in amazement as this transformation occurred. I watched her mouth my name "Amethyst" silently and beamed the biggest smile ever.
"You have seventy years, Amethyst. Use them wisely, enjoy them. Make lots of foals and be happy. And when your seventy years are up, I shall come calling for you, Michael. Do not disappoint me this time."
I turned toward the Sun Goddess and saluted her firmly. "You have my word, your Majesty."
"Trixie is so happy! Thank you so much, Princess Celestia! You too, Princess Luna!"
"Tia, this pleases Us greatly. Trixie? Amethyst? You both are welcome to return to Our Castle any time you wish," the Lunar Princess stated, smiling warmly at both of us.
"Princesses Celestia and Luna -- you both have my sincerest thanks. I believe Trixie and I shall take our leave -- and if you don't mind my asking, where is my car?"
"Your vehicle is in the main courtyard, Amethyst. I trust you will write to me and inform me as events progress?" the Sun Goddess half-asked.
"You have my word, your Majesty. Come on, Trixie, let's be off," I stated, holding her left fore-hoof. She grinned at me as we left the Castle and got into my car. I had the car teleport us to Ponyville so we could have a reunion of sorts. After saying our good-byes to Twilight and the others, I hooked Trixie's caravan to the tow hitch on the back.
"Okay, Trixie, we're off. Where do you wanna go?" I asked, smiling warmly.
"How about Hoofington?" she asked.
"Okay, good. Never been there. Hope it's nice!" I chuckled.
"Oh, you're going to love it!" she giggled.