//------------------------------//
// A Chance to Rise 
// Story: I Promise 
// by pokeking95 
//------------------------------//

	“Lightning!  Thank goodness, you’re back, and—Holy Mother of Celestia what did you do to your mane?!  And your tail, too?!”

“You like it, Lyra?  Thought it’d be a cool look for me.”

“B-b-b-but… g-gold?”

“Hey, I enjoy having hair like yours, sis, but really, we look too similar, down to almost the same exact color and everything.  Um, besides the, you know, wings-versus-horn deal.  So, I figured I’d try changing my look while I was out.  Relax, it’s not that crazy, right?  I mean, it still matches my eyes, at least.”

“…”

“I’m gonna take your speechlessness as a sign of approval.”

“W-wha… I-I… D-do you realize Mom and Dad are going to kill you?!”

“...Yeah.  I know.”

“Then why’d you do it?!”

“…Dunno.  I just… wanted to be myself, for once.”

“Oh, Dusty…

“…”

“...Well, anyways Mom and Dad wanted to see you as soon as you got back.  And I swear, I didn’t rat you out!  They managed to find out by themselves.”

“Oh joy, here comes my death sentence.  Let me guess, another three months of being ‘grounded.’”

“Er, actually, no.  It turns out that auditions are coming up for the Junior Canterlot Philharmonic soon, and they want you to… you know what?  It’s better if you just go see them right now and hear it straight from them.”

“…Fine.  This ought to be fun.”

“Wait, Dusty…  Promise you won’t make them upset, okay?”

“…Promise.”