//------------------------------// // Old Pony's Tale // Story: Crystalline // by Seraphine Starchaser //------------------------------// "But Friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine."-Thomas Jefferson The Mane Six were traveling to the north of their homes in Ponyville, to the distant lands of the Arctic Frost. Everypony was trying to stay out of Twilight Sparkle's way while simultaneously trying to help her. It was a difficult task, so the fillies had taken to talking amongst themselves as they waited for their long train ride to be over. "The crystal ponies?" Rarity asked. "How exciting—they sound marvelous!" "Rarity, we're not goin' there to look at 'em," Applejack said, exasperated. "Yes," Twilight Sparkle agreed. "We need to help them. Princess Celestia gave me this mission as my exam, and she needs all of us there." Twilight's mane hung limp, her normally expressive eyes dull and tired-looking. Rarity hung her head, feeling abashed. "I know, I've just never heard of such a thing before. My heart, it's beating so fast… I suppose I'm a bit nervous, as well. But I promise to do my best to help you, Twilight." Everypony echoed Rarity's words, knowing that their friendship was powerful enough to help save all of Equestria. The purple pony gave a wan smile before looking back down at her notes. That night, everypony was sleeping—all, of course, except for Rarity. Normally, she would be the first one to go to bed, but she couldn't stay still for long. She left the bedroom compartment to watch the scenery fly by. "Why do I feel so anxious?" She wondered, biting on her lip worriedly. "This isn't like me at all." Though she was watching the countryside, her eyes were focused on some unseen memory. Everything began to blur together until darkness overwhelmed her. "-ity? Rarity?" The unicorn felt a hoof gently shaking her. "H-huh? Wha's goin' on?" Rarity murmured, rubbing her eyes free of lingering sleep. She missed the looks passed between her friends. "We-we found you out here, Rarity. Sleeping," Fluttershy whispered. Rarity shakily stood up, closing her eyes against the onslaught of dizziness that threatened to engulf her. "That's odd…." She trailed off briefly. "I wasn't even tired when I came in here." Applejack felt her forehead. "She doesn't feel warm. Are you sure you're okay, sugarcube?" "Maybe she needs a party!" Pinkie Pie yelled, wheeling her cannon front and center. Rainbow Dash put her hoof on Pinkie's to stop her. "I don't think that's what she really needs." Rarity smiled gratefully at the Pegasus, while the earth pony dejectedly wheeled her party cannon away. "Rarity, are you going to be okay to come with us to the Arctic? This mission…" Twilight Sparkle started. "Of course I can!" The unicorn stated. "I probably just didn't realize how tired I was, that's all. You all know how early I prefer to go to bed, after all." She smiled at her friend to reassure her. "Well… okay, but you have to let us know if you start feeling bad, okay?" Twilight said. Rarity only nodded in reply. She wasn't going to let down her friend, especially not her country. It didn't matter that the closer they go to their destination, the more off the gem-finder felt. Princess Celestia sat in her private study, sipping tea while viewing the morning reports. "Sister, you are aware of whom the bearers of the Elements of Harmony are, right?" Princess Luna asked, walking into the room hurriedly. Celestia gave her an odd look. "Of course, sister mine. Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty; Fluttershy, the Element of Kindness; Applejack, who embodies the Element of Honesty; the Element of Laughter which is Pinkie Pie, and--" "And Generosity, which is Rarity." Luna interrupted. The light mare raised a brow, wondering where this was going. "Yes, she is. Do you not think she is generous?" Luna sighed in exasperation. "Have you forgotten, sister, the lore of the ancients? Long before our ascension to the throne, our parents told us of the ancient magic of the Crystal Empire. A prophecy had been foretold, had it not?" Celestia chuckled. "Luna, those are just old pony tales." She turned back to the reports, sipping her tea languidly. "You scoff at the ancients and their wisdom?" The moon princess asked in a tone that reminded her sister of her former dark heart. Papers flew in various directions as Luna's magical ki swept over the low table, demanding her sister's attention. "There have been many magical occurrences of which the ancients foretold. The prophecy of my return held true, did it not?" Sensing her sister's ire, Celestia became serious. "I know that there is magic beyond our understanding, and that the ancients were wise. However, I do not think Rarity is the one from the prophecy. Princess Cadence has been sent to rule there, as I believe she is the one." The two royals locked eyes for a moment before Princess Luna shook her head sadly. "Your willingness to stand by your convictions is honorable, sister. I just hope your convictions do not lead them astray. I pray for their lives, as you should, if your belief does not hold true." Her ki set her sister's work right once more as she walked out of the room. Princess Celestia could not concentrate on her duties after her sister's confrontation. She, too, remembered the lore their parents told when they were young ponies. Once, she believed that the ancients knew everything, until her parents told her of Luna's dark future. Though it came to pass, as did the prediction of her return, Celestia did not fervently believe in magic as much as she had. While she lived with a healthy dose of respect and admiration for magic (she was, after all, an alicorn), she preferred to view life through a realistic objectiveness. Fanciful beliefs did not help battle forces and run a kingdom after all. She had consulted her advisers, read as much as she could and studied the stars, and she truly believed Princess Cadence would be the one to restore the Crystal Empire. Celestia refused to consider such a little pony as a savior, elements of harmony or not.