//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Brighter Than The Sun // Story: The Promise (Original Story) // by ThePrinceOfTheNorth //------------------------------// Chapter 3: Brighter Than The Sun Most good things come to an end, but some things don't. That's because true friendship burns brighter than even the sun, and that's because true friendship really is magic. -John Winter, Prince of Solstice Something stirred in the room, calling the Princess to attention. She moved over to her bed as a hoof covered in black chitin poked out. Relief spread across Celestia's face. She had saved the one pony in all of Equestria she'd cared about as much as Luna, and she'd used something this changeling had discovered without an alicorn's magic. The power and love of the magic of friendship. ~~~~~~~~~~ Crystalia opened her eyes to a sight she had become accustomed to. She was in the Royal Bedchamber of Princess Celestia, her closest friend and the pony she's impersonated for one thousand years since her death. She looked over herself to find she was in changeling form, but didn't mind, as only Celestia was allowed in the bed chamber. Crystalia looked out the window to see the moon high in the sky above, and felt a most unnatural warmth wash over her. She looked to see a white wing draped over her form. Startled, she turned her head to stare right into the magenta eyes of Celestia, who was seated beside her. Overjoyed, Crystalia jumped and hugged her best friend. They had been apart for so long that she never wanted to leave Celestia's side ever again. "I missed you," Crystalia said, sniffling. "As have I," Celestia said in the warm, comforing voice she'd been using for the last thousand years. Celestia and her had been so much alike then, and the same was true one thousand years later. They sat there for a good while, forelegs wrapped around each other in a loving embrace, almost sending Crystalia into a state of utter bliss. They broke off their hug and Celestia spoke. "So, what did I miss, sis?" Crystalia placed her horn on Celestia's and gave her a copy of her memories of the last thousand years. These left Celestia speechless. "The Crystal Empire has returned, and you found an heir beforehoof!?" Celestia was suprised beyond comprehension, so Crystalia only nodded. "Amazing! And you found the Elements of Harmony their physical manifestations! I am truely impressed!" Crystalia practically glittered with pride. "And never in all my years would I have had the courage to ask your sister to join the Council of Equus. I must say, that was a feat indeed, considering what she'd done to you." Crystalia blushed. "It was mostly Winter, though." "He seems nice," Celestia said thoughtfully, "I actually kind of like him, if your memories are anything to judge by." This resulted in an impromptu pillow fight between the two mares that ended when all the feathers in the pillows littered the ground of the bedchamber. "I haven't had that much fun on a day other than Nigthmare Night in years," Crystalia said as she laid back against the pillows that remained. "I haven't had that much fun since we last played hide-and-go-seek," commented Celestia, who also laid back against a pillow. Crystalia turned to face her adopted sister. "What happens now? You're back, I'll assume my secret's out, and I'll just run out of love again." Crystalia though back to all the times she'd raised and lowered the sun, the happiness it brought her loyal subjects. She sighed. She would never experience loving adoration like that ever again. Celestia caught the pained look on her sister's face, and put a hoof on her back. "You can be me whenever you want, okay?" "Really," asked Crystalia with excitement as Celestia nodded. "Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" She hugged Celestia, and Celestia hugged her back. Nothing would keep them apart ever again. ~~~~~~~~~~ Celestia stepped out onto the balcony, preparing herself to raise he sun. She was actually quite nervous. Though her loving ponies did not know it, their beloved Princess had been dead for over one thousand years. She steeled herself for what needed to be done, and focused all her magic. Nothing happened. Celestia, confused, tried refocusing her magic and attempted to raise the sun again. Still, the sun refused to obey her. It was as she had feared. The Sun, her own charge, would not suffer her efforts to raise it as she had been dead, and the sun itself was a symbol of life. Celestia's own purpose in life was lost, gone forever... Celestia awoke from the dream to find a worried copy of herself standing in the doorway. She looked out to see the sun already high in the sky, and realized that Crystalia had once again risen it. She sighed, but it was to be expected. She had been dead for one thosand years, and so had become out-of-touch with her normal routine. She quickly rolled out of bed. "I'm sorry, Celestia, but the ponies were growing impatient, and were beginning to think the Eternal Night had come...again," said Crystalia as she took off the regalia and dropped the disguise. It was only now that Celestia noticed that Crystalia's magical aura was different. "Your aura, it's golden, like mine," exclaimed Celestia. "Oh! I noticed that centuries ago, but it's hard to notice when I use it daily," said Crystalia. "Really," asked Celestia. "Yeah. I think it's an affect of holding a disguise for so long without a break," Crystalia paused. "Honestly, I hope it's permanent. I kind of like a golden touch." Both mares giggled at that, but stopped when they heard hoofbeats coming. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking," asked Crystalia as she donned the Celestia disguise once again. "I think so," Celestia said as she approached Crystalia. "Annoying Nobles or Hangover Payback," asked Crystalia as there was a knock on the door and a call from Captain Quincy. "Annoying Nobles," replied Celestia, "Definitely Annoying nobles." The two Celestias swung open the door and let loose the Royal Canterlot Voice at the same time. "'ELLO CAP'N QUINCY! TIS' VERY GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" Quincy had been flattened against the wall on across the hallway. The moment Crystalia and Celestia realized how comical it looked, they burst out into a fit of laughter. Quincy slowly slid down the wall in a comical manner, sending the princesses deeper into a laughing fit. He straightened up and adressed the two laughing messes before him. "Crystalia and Princess Celestia, I have been sent to inform you that the Council of Equus has ordered an emergency meeting." Both mares stopped laughing instantly, and Crystalia dropped her disguise in a beautiful golden flame, the first time it had ever been golden, actually, despite the fact her aura had been golden for centuries. She also noticed her chitin was a lot lighter in color than it had been before, and her mane and tail seemed to have the faintest signs of new color. She checked to be sure she wasn't seeing things, and she wasn't. Her natural form was changing color to appear more like Celestia's. "Celestia, how am I still alive, anyway," asked Crystalia. "I gave you some of my love," Celestia exclaimed as she saw the changes. "It must have binded to your love for me, and is changing your appearance!" Crystalia though for a moment before replying. "I like the idea of looking similar to you. That way, I don't always have to disguise myself in public." Celestia nodded in agreement before turning to Quincy. "Lead on, Captain Quincy."