//------------------------------// // I don't cry // Story: Crystal Twilight // by Gabrielangel13 //------------------------------// "Mother, Father, we fly to the Empire." Coldlight said. "Coldlight, your father lost his wings when we helped you escape from our prison." There was something in Cadence's voice. It sounded like fear. "Ugh…here." Coldlight said with agitation in her voice. She lit her horn with dark magic, which shot out and sorounded Sombra. For several seconds, nothing could be seen of the unicorn tyrant, as he was covered by Coldlight's dark magic. When the magic died down, a dark Alicorn stood before them. "Now this is more like it." Sombra said as he stretched out his new wings. "Coldlight, won't Celestia expect us to attack the Empire right away?" Cadence asked, her face betrayed fear. "Celestia will set up defenses there if we don't strike now! Besides, I've taken on the princesses before. Do you think me a weakling, mother? I have more power than you could ever dream of!" Coldlight looked upon her mother in disdain. "I am powerful too, young lady, and you will not speak to me in that voice!" Mi Amore Cadenza shouted back. Black magic suddenly flew from Coldlight's horn, and struck her mother. She flew against the wall in pain. "You call yourself strong? You could only leave the prison for a short while the first time! Had you been stronger, I wouldn't have had to take the place of a lowly citizen. You are worthless! If you didn't have your knack for controlling the Crystal Heart, I wouldn't even keep you around! Do not anger me!" Cadence's face paled. "How did you know I got sucked back in?" "Father talks a lot when you aren't in the room." She said with a smirk. "Enough talk, we must fly." Coldlight flew in front, and her parents flew side-by-side behind her, forming a triangle. "Thanks for the help in that conversation." Cadence muttered sarcastically. "No need to make her mad at me too. 'For better or for worse' doesn't count when it comes to Coldlight. She does have a valuable point, though. You don't have raw power. You do have a quite efficient mind-control spell, however." Sombra replied. "Maybe I should use it on her." Cadence muttered. Sombra didn't respond, and simply flew on in silence. CANTERLOT CASTLE A streak of rainbow hit Celestia before anypony could react. Celestia was knocked to the floor under the impact. "YOU LIAR! HOW COULD YOU HAVE LEFT THAT PIECE OF INFORMATION OUT!" Rainbow Dash yelled. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" Celestia choked through her tears. "RAINBOW DASH! GET OFF OF MY SISTER!" Luna ordered in the Royal voice. "TWILIGHT TRUSTED YOU! WE ALL TRUSTED YOU! WHAT KEPT YOU FROM TELLING US? YOU DIDN'T EVEN WARN US THAT HE HAD A FAMILY! IT'S YOUR FAULT TWILY'S GONE!" Rainbow yelled. "You're right, Rainbow." Celestia muttered. "Look at you! All you're doing is crying over her. This is our fearless leader? Fearless ponies don't cry." Rainbow said in disgust as she stepped off of the Alicorn. She added quietly "I don't cry." Celestia looked into the eyes of her subject, and saw tears, just for a moment. "Rainbow, only a heartless pony doesn't cry." The tears that Celestia had seen moments before disappeared from the cyan pony's eyes. "I don't cry." She stated. An orange hoof whacked Rainbow on the side if her head. "Y'all might be able to lie to the princess, it not to me." Apple Jack said. Rainbow hung her head. The ponies there witnessed a sight that very few had ever seen. They watched in shock as tears fell from the pegusus's face, and silent sobs racked her body. Rainbow cried for the first time in front of more than just Fluttershy. Flutters was the only pony that Rainbow had ever cried in front of. Rainbow felt a pair of hooves wrap around her. She looked up to see the last pony she expected: Princess Luna. Soon, all the ponies were in a group hug around Rainbow and Celestia. "You're right about one thing, Rainbow Dash. It is time to get my student back." Celestia said with determination in her eyes. TWILIGHT'S FAMILY "Be careful, dear." Twilight's mother said as she handed a saddle bag to her spouse. The stallion had just finished strapping on his old armor. He took the saddle bag in his magic and put it on. "I'll come back with our children." He said. He hugged his wife and walked out the door. "Now to the Empire." He muttered.