//------------------------------//
// Chapter 7: Judgement of Aetheria 
// Story: The Promise (Original Story) 
// by ThePrinceOfTheNorth 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 7: Judgement of Aetheria

"I HAVE BEEN WATCHING YOU AND ALL OF MY CHILDREN SINCE THE BEGINNING, AND AM DISAPPOINTED IN YOU," boomed Aetheria, "YOUR RACE ONCE SHOWED GREAT PROMISE, BUT IS NO MORE THAN A SHADOW OF IT'S FORMER GLORY!"

Crystalia and Black Star cowered at the hooves of this god, the first of all the Changeling races, and their fogotten god.

"Please, I was only doing...," Black Star began.

"SILENCE! YOU HAVE PROVEN YOUR RACE UNWORTHY, AND FOR THAT, I SHALL UNMAKE YOU," boomed Aetheria.

Black Star's scream was cut short as she disentegrated before Crystalia's very eyes. She turned back to Aetheria, full of fear, but her face showed...happiness.

"Crystalia," Aetheria said in a voice of regal authority, "You and your race have done what I'd always wanted my children to do, and that is to spread love across Equus and recieve love from your actions. That is the true purpose of the Changeling, and you, Crystalia, have done it to a level I would never have thought possible until now."

Crystalia looked up at Aetheria. "What do you mean?"

"Your love for Celestia has formed a bond of friendship so strong that it kept you from letting her die," Aetheria said, "In return, Celestia saved you in your time of need, and the love she gave to you merged with your own, changing you to what you are now, a goddess of the sun."

"But Celestia is the goddesss of the sun," Crystalia relpied.

"My child, where there is one cutie mark, there is always another with the same purpose," said Aetheria, "It may take millions of years, but two ponies will always have shared the same cutie mark, and you will share Celestia's for the eternity to come."

"You mean I," Crystalia stammered.

"Are an immortal, as is your sister, Chryalis," said Aetheria, "You are both my direct decendants, and I grant you my gift. You will still need to feed in order to live, but will never run out of love, as I will always love you, my child."

"What about Evening Star and her sisters," asked Crystalia.

"She, her sisters, daughters, royal guard and aunt have been spared," said Aetheria, "They saw that their race could not be saved, and so abandoned it before the madness claimed them as well. I have also granted them my gift, and my love."

Crystalia hobbled to her hooves and walked up to Aetheria before wrapping her forehooves around the god. "Thank you."

Aetheria placed a hoof on Crystalia's back. "Any time, my child. If you ever need me again, just call my name, and I will be there."

Crystalia let go and bowed her head. "Until we meet again, Aetheria."

Aetheria bowed her head as well. "Goodbye, my child."

And with that, Aetheria disappeared in a flash of blinding light.