Chapter 4: The Bells of Solstice
Solstice, The Nest Day...
Crystal Heart stood silently in front of the tomb of Winter. The funeral had been hours ago, but for some reason, she had not moved since the crypt was sealed. Finally, she spoke to herself.
"How could this happen," Crystal asked as she pulled he Crystal Pendant from under one of her wings. She had collected it the day before, just before Luna and Snowdrop had came through the barroer. "How could it do this? It was designed to change my form, not create another body and transfer my mind into..."
Crystal trailed off as she realized that she was not alone. She turned to see Snowdrop standing behind her.
"Oh, umm, Snowdrop," Crystal said with shock, "I...I didn't hear you coming. What are you doing down here?"
Snowdrop didn't respond, and instead just stood and stared at Crystal. Finally, after becoming very uncomfortable, Crystal sighed.
"The necklace," Crystal said, holding it out with her magic, "Was supposed to transform, well, me, into what I am now. It looks like instead of it transfoming me, it created another being entirely, and put my consciousness into it."
Snowdrop nodded. She understood what Crystal was saying, for the mos part. "Is it permanent?"
Crystal nodded. "I was fine with it, but I had no idea this would happen."
"Well then, I suppose this little meeting never happened," suggested Snowdrop.
"Thank you," Crystal said. "So, what really brings you down to the Hall of Kings?"
Snowdrop shrugged. "Just exploring. Solstice is HUGE! I mean, this place, um, the Citadel, right? It's really big! To bad I'm blind, though."
Crystal came up to the little Alicorn and liter her head with a hoof. "You may be blind, but it seems to me that you can see just fine."
Snowdrop was confused. "What do you mean?"
"It's a riddle," Crystal said thoughtfully. "It means that while you cannot see with your eyes, you can visualize what's around you with your sense of hearing and smell, painting a picture of the world around you. That is a vauable gift, even for a pony who is blind."
"Really," asked Snowdrop. She'd never really though about how she always knew where she was going, even in unfamilliar places, but now that she thought about it, she realized Crystal was right.
"Really," said Crystal. "In truth, there are many who would envy you, not jsut for your accomplishments, but for your unique abilities."
"Do you envy me," questioned Snowdrop.
"Good heavens, no," said Crystal, laying a hoof on the filly's back, "But I do value you as a friend, not just to me, but to Luna as well."
Snowdrop looked up at Crystal and smiled. "Thanks, Crystal."
"Any time, Snowdrop," said Crystal. "Now, we best get going. I think there's a bakery in Solstice Square that sells the best fudge you'll ever eat."
Snowdrop began jumping up and down. "Oooohhh, fudge!"
Snowdrop's enthusiasm brought a smile to Crystal's face. "Come on, let's go!"
Some Time Later, at Solstice Treats...
Crystal and Snowdrop walked out of the shop with bags filled with candy. Snowdrop had really gone to town, and if it weren't for Crystal having been there, she might have just bought the entire shop! Perhaps Crystal shouldn't have given Snowdrop five thousand bits to spend, but it was a bit late for that now.
"Thanks for stopping by," said Stewart, the shopkeeper, as we the door began to close.
"You're welcome," called Crystal just as before the door closed. She turned to Snowdrop. "So, is this enough candy?"
Snowdrop just stared blankly at the mound in front of her. "I think I might've gotten too much candy." Both of them giggled at the comment before heading to the Winter Palace.
Crystal had to admit, it was different not being the center of attention at all times. Many people nearly stepped on her hooves, and she actually like it. Normally, everyone would clear a path as Prince Winter made his way through the Square. Now, as Crystal Heart, she didn't have anyone claring a path for her. It was just one of those little things that makes you realize how high and mighty you really are, or were.
They arrived at the Palace to find Luna, Nightmare Moon and Field Marshal Stormcry, leader of the Solstice Royal Army, waiting for them. Also there were Captian Nightshade of Nightmare Moon's Shadowbolts, and Captian Twilight of her Shadow Guard.
"LUNA! LOOK AT ALL THE CANDY CRYSTAL GOT FOR ME!"
Luna smiled as Snowdrop dropped the mass of confections in front of her best friend before raising an eyebrow at Crystal.
"I, umm," Crystal said, putting a hoof to the back of her head, "I gave Snowdrop five thousand bits to spend on whatever she wanted. Turns out all she wanted was candy!"
Luna and Nightmare Moon laughed at the joke, and the Captains and Marshal grinned, suppressing their laughter.
"Anyway, what's up with all the security? Did something happen?"
"Funny thing," said Nightmare Moon, "Winter was looking for a certain relic, and he told me that is he wasn't around if we found it to come to you."
Crystal was dumbfounded. If Nightmare was talking about what Crystal thought she was talking about, then big things were about to happen, and those things were more than likely not good things.
"Do you mean what you think you mean," said Crystal excitedly.
"I think so," said Nightmare. "We've found one of the Shards."