The next morning Nyx found a note on her desk but this one isn’t from her mom, it is from Crystal.
Dear Nyx,
I don’t know how you would react to this letter. You might even hate me more for writing it. But Shooting Star and Twilight both insisted I write you. So blame them for this. Luna came over and told me that today is the last day of camp. So you are coming back the day after tomorrow. She asked me if I would like to help you close up camp for the summer. I would really like to but if you don’t want me to I would completely understand. I heard school starts in three days. I am so scared, what if Cheerilee doesn’t like me. I been studying really hard and I am up to our grade level. So I hope I don’t make a fool out of myself. That would be the worst; my first days and I act foolish. I don’t know if I could ever show my face at school ever again.
Yesterday I spent some time with Scootaloo. She seems to get mad with me a lot. Dinky told me she gets that way with everypony, so I shouldn’t worry. I also went over to Fluttershy’s Angel was so cute. We eat apples and carrots together. Then I went to Rarity for a fitting for School Clothes. Opalescence liked the catnip ball I gave her. And then I went home and study until I went and saw your play. It was the first play I went to and I was amazed at the play. But I don’t know if my opinion is that valid since that was my first play.
Nyx put down the letter and see how long it is. “One, two, three pages and double sided. She has a lot to say.” She read on and the rest was about her daily life since being born. At the end of the letter Nyx had an understanding of what type of pony Crystal was. She is not much different than she was back when her adventure began. Nyx decided that she will write her back after getting some food. Nyx went to the mess hall and found that all the Royal rulers of Equestria were in the mess hall waiting for her. There are two things she noticed; one there is a stack of Newspapers in front of them. And two they were is their formal wear.
Luna was in the middle, with means she is the one ruling over whatever it is. “Nyx Please step forward. And bow.”
Nyx walked over and stood in front of Luna and lower herself.
Luna gave a warm caring smile “Princess Nyx of the night, I here proclaim you protector of the night.” With that Luna levitated a beautiful tiara made of black gold and with flawless sapphires weaved into it. She placed it on Nyx’s head. “Rise, my Nyx of the night.”
Everyone in the mess hall cheered. Then Celestia walked up to Luna. “Are you Happy now?”
Luna nodded, “I couldn’t have give Nyx her Tiara like you did gave Crystal her’s. What type of princess would get her tiara like she would get a glass of water?”
Crystal look up at Shooting Star and Twilight. “Am I less of a princess because of how I got my Tiara?”
Shooting Star got down and looked her in the eyes. “No, you are as much of a princess as Nyx. The reason we didn’t do something like this with you is because you haven’t been announce as a princess like Nyx. Don’t worry you will be announced as a princess at the heartwarming Ball this year. The reason so far away is so you can find out what type of princess you want to be.”
Crystal took off her Tiara. “I will not wear this Tiara until I am formally announced as a Princess. Do you think Nyx will let me use her old Tiara?”
Twilight laughed “why don’t you ask for yourself. She is behind you.”
Crystal turned to see Nyx smiling at her “Yes you can use my Tiara; I haven’t wore it since I got here. Nurse’s corner packed it for some reason. Let go back to my room and get it.”
Crystal looked at Nyx than ran over to Celestia “Celestia, I can’t wear this tiara until I am announced at the warming ball. Nyx is so kind as to let me use her Tiara until then.” Then Crystal put the tiara in the box that Nyx’s just can out of. Then she ran out of the room with Nyx.
Celestia picked up the box and closed it. “I guess this Tiara have to wait a little more. Well I have work to get done. See you later at the Castle.” Then she teleported Back to Canterlot.
Shooting Star and Cadence also left.
Shining Armor picked up some newspapers “now for the part we all have been waiting for the reviews of the play.” He handed a newspaper to each one of the staff.
Pinkie was the first to read the review. “A delightful insight on the Pony sisters, and a wonderful night of entertainment.” Pinkie skim through it “Hmmm the only thing I found to complain about is that there wasn’t more of it.” Pinkie smiled. “Nothing bad over here.”
Rainbow Dash was the next “listen to this “I hope these talented young ponies would put on more play in the future.”
Twilight smile “I can’t find a bad review in any newspaper. I know your families are proud of you.”
“This is right, and I am also proud of you. But you could have made me look better in the play.”
Nurse’s Corner Laughed “Princess, there is only so much we could do.”
Luna gave her a dirty look. “With that said, camp is over. Today you are all leaving.”
All the campers looked around, and felt lonely.
“I know that the friendships made here will last for years to come. As the campers that have been here in years past know.”
Pinkie stood up “I LOVE YOU ALL, AND WILL MISS YOU, SO MUCH!!” tears roll down her face.
Rainbow Dash sat Pinkie down. “We will miss you all, and our greatest hope is that by learning from us you have become a better pony, because we have became better ponies by teaching you.”
Luna took over “as you all should know it is time to get your things picked up. If you want to say your goodbyes to the Staff do it here. They are staying behind to close-up camp.”
Then Luna sat down and talked with the staff about what need to be done to close the camp.
In Nyx’s room.
“Crystal, here is my Tiara.” She pulled a box out of a drawer and put it on the desk. “Let’s wait till we are back at the Castle. I was going to take mine off. I don’t want it to get dirty or lost.”
Crystal saw the wisdom in this. “Alright, I understand.” Then she saw the letter on Nyx’s desk. “I told spike not to send that. Oh how embarrassing. Did you read it?”
Nyx nodded.
“I wish you didn’t. It was to get my thoughts together so I know what to talk to you about… stupid Spike.”
“I feel your pain.” Nyx took off her tiara and place it on the desk next to the box. “I have to help my camper get ready to go home. Do you want to help me?”
Crystal’s eyes got wide and a goofy grin spread across her face. “I would love to, but can I.”
Nyx put back in the Tiara “I Princess Nyx of the night protector of the night hereby order you Princess… What is your full name?”
“Bright Crystal.”
“Hereby order you Princess Bright Crystal to help me get my campers ready to leave camp.” Nyx put the tiara back on the desk. “Now that it is a Royal order you can’t say no.”
Crystal bit her lower lip. “Can I tell you a secret? You can’t tell Twilight Shooting Star or any of the other pony.”
“I will if i think it will hurt anypony.”
“It won’t, I remember everything that happen before I became Voldermare. And some of the things that happen while I was her.”
“Why don’t you want them to know?”
“You saw Luna last night. She said “I don’t want that to happen to you. Not again.” I am afraid if I told them they will treat me like a Monster.”
“I understand where you’re coming from. I have been treated like a monster in the past. But I know they will not treat you like a monster, because they never treated me like one.”
“Just don’t tell anypony, I will tell when I am ready. I told you because I just had to tell somepony and I know you would understand.”
“I won’t tell as long as I think it won’t hurt you.”
“I guess that is the only answer I can get for you.”
“Well, we have campers to help.”
Until early afternoon they got Campers packed and on the train to Canterlot. Then they cleaned the cabins, put the canoes back on the canoe rack. And they got all the sports equipment back in the shed. The sun was setting when they got done. Twilight has gone home Leaving Crystal to play night games with the Staff. They played ghost in the graveyard, tag, the sign game, and hide and go seek. Then after they got tired they went to bed. In the morning they did a once over to make sure everything was done then went home.
When Nyx got home Nyx went into the Library. Crystal walks in to see Nyx with books all around her. “Nyx what are you doing.”
“Summer homework, Cheerilee likes to give us work to do over long brakes. There is this study that said young ponies forget most of what they learned over long breaks from school. I did most of it before going to camp so I will be alright. But Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo didn’t do any of it till today.”
“Why don’t we have them over and study together?”
“I wouldn’t work, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom would work hard and get it done, but Scootaloo… she is another story. She would goof off and make it so none of us would get our work done.”
“I see, and you can’t ask those two over without Scootaloo. It would break her heart.”
“I will be done in an hour or so. Then we can go to Sugar-Cube Corner I will need something Sweet after this.”
I will be over on the cushion over there reading.” Crystal grabbed a large story book and lay on the cushion.
After some time Nyx close her last book. “I am done, are you ready.”
“When I finish this Chapter.” A minute later Crystal sighed then mark her place and close the book. “Nyx have you read this book.”
“Yes I have. I love the part when...”
At that Crystal dive and put her hooves over Nyx’s mouth. “I don’t want to hear about it until I am done with the book. Twilight already ruined many books for me.”
Nyx laughed “she does do that. So are you ready to go.”
“I had to get my saddlebag wait for me at the front door.” And she ran off.
Nyx put her saddlebag on and walked to the front doors of the Castle. It feels weird to be home. As she got to the top of the stairs leading to the front door Nyx looked down to see Crystal waiting. Nyx walk down the Stairs Slowly and stopping from time to time to adjust her saddlebag. When she got to the bottom of the stairs she said “did you wait long.”
Crystal gave her a dirty look.
“Then let’s go.” The two Fillies made their way through town to the Sweets Shop. The bell rang as they walk through the door. And pinkie bounced out from the back room. “Nyxie and Crystally I am still working on your nickname. So what can I do for you?”
“I will have a peach milkshake with extra oats and some cloud cake. What do you want Crystal?”
Crystal look at the menu board. “I would have a Fruity Ruity Milkshake and a banana Muffin.”
“That would do ten bits fillies.”
Crystal took out her purse and so did Nyx. “Nyx I will pay.”
“No crystal I will pay.”
“Nyx, I want to treat you so I will pay.”
“No I will.”
“No I will”
“No I will”
“No fillies I will pay” Pinkie said feeling left out.
“Ok, pinkie you can pay.”
“I agree with Nyx, Pinkie you are very kind.”
At that the two Fillies took their sets as Pinkie wonder how that happen. After the fillies got their treats and began to talk about the upcoming School year. Sweetie belle and Apple bloom came in. they had a blank look in their eyes. Then they fell to the floor. Sweetie only said “need sugar” Nyx rolled her eyes. After getting them milkshake and cake they seen to liven up.
Sweetie belle drank her shake “I went over to Scootaloo’s on my way here. She hasn’t even got halfway through her homework.”
“When will that filly learn to do her homework? So Crystal I heard you're starting school tomorrow. If you need any help just ask me Apple Bloom.”
Sweetie Belle laughed. “Apple Bloom, she is Nyx’s sister. So she is most likely smarter than both of us.”
Apple Bloom finished her Cake. “I still I have to do school shopping with Applejack.”
“I also have to go school shopping. My mom is taking me. What are you two going to do?”
“Well our maids already got our school stuff. I do have a fitting with Rarity, then I will read the rest of the day.”
“Rarity did my fittings while you are at camp. So I would most likely go home after this and read. I just started a good book.”
Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom said their Goodbyes and left.
Crystal sat there staring off into space. “It must be nice to go school Shopping with Family. Shooting Star and Twilight are busy ruling a kingdom. Shooting Star did go shopping with me for things for my room with Dinky. That was fun, but mostly we are taken care of by maids and Hoofmaidens. I would like to spend more time with them.”
“Well, that is how it was with me and my mom before she became a Princess. I miss it sometimes but now when she spend time with me it is more special. Like the night you show up at my play. I was about to lose it, then you show up and I felt like I was losing my family because they didn’t tell me about you. I so lose it that night. I wrote an angry letter to mom. She dropped everything and came and held me.”
“We are lucky to have our parents.”
Pinkie came over “are you two enjoying yourself.”
“Yes Pinkie, we are sorry for what we did to you. Here is the ten bits for the food.”
“Don’t worry about it. It made me smile, because you got me.”
Nyx took back the money “thanks Pinkie.”
Pinkie walked off.
“Nyx, Pinkie is something special.”
“Yes she is. I should go and do the fitting. Well you be alright going home alone.”
“I not going home alone I have all the undercover guards here. like those over there.” she point to the table across the way.
“I wouldn’t really call them undercover, because a cloak over armor isn’t a disguise.”
“Needless to said I will be fine walking home. And by the way, I think it is cute that they are trying.”
Nyx left Crystal to finish her shake and walked out the door. After Crystal finished her shake she thanked Carrot cake who was manning the front room after Pinkie ran off to plan a party.
Crystal spent the main part of the rest of day reading books. She had dinner with Nyx, Shooting Star and Twilight. Then she went to bed.
The next morning Crystal woke up early and did something in the kitchen. Then she ate breakfast with Nyx. And then got ready for school. She then waited for Nyx at the front door with two large pastry boxes. When Nyx came down. “Nyx I think you missing something.”
Nyx look herself over. “I don’t see what I am missing.”
“You are missing your Tiara. A proper princess isn’t fully dressed without a tiara.”
“You sound like the quartet. I don’t like wearing a Tiara.”
“It doesn’t matter what you like you are going to wear a tiara.”
The Quartet was laughing at the top of the stairs. Snowcap ran down and gave Nyx the Tiara she just got from Luna.
“Ok, I will wear it today.”
A pleased smile form on Crystal’s face, then Nurse’s Corner showed up and took them to School. The Everfree School house had three classrooms in it. The students are place in the classes by age. The youngest students are in Miss Patty cake’s class, the middle age group is in Miss Mattie Saddle’s class and the oldest is taught by Cheerilee. Nyx and Crystal are the youngest Nyx being about two and a half years old, and Crystal being little over two weeks old. But they were place in the oldest class.
Crystal looked in to the Classroom. “Where is Dinky?”
“She is in Mattie Saddle’s Class.”
“Mattie Saddle?”
“She is a teacher here but her family makes designer saddlebags.” Nyx lift the flap of her saddlebag and a label that Said Dark Saddle inc. “They are nice steady saddlebags that wear nice and long and they look good. They are the saddlebags that Celestia and Luna use. And they know their stuff.”
Crystal look at the flap of her Saddlebag and there is the same label. And move around a bit. The Saddlebag almost felt like it isn’t there. “They are very fine Saddlebags.”
“So Crystal, what is in those boxes that we brought here.”
Crystal smiled “A surprise.”
“Nyx would you take your seat. Class is about to start. And Crystal I want to talk to you for a little bit.” There stood Cheerilee with a warm smile.
“Ok, Ms Cheerilee.” Nyx sung before she walked to her desk.
Cheerilee looked at her new student “Crystal, do you have any questions before starting class.”
Crystal opened one of the boxes. “Can I share these with my classmates?”
“Since it is the first day after summer break. yes, but clear it with me before doing something like this in the future.”
“I will Ms Cheerilee.”
“Crystal, come with me to the front of the Classroom.” Cheerilee walk to the blackboard. And Crystal followed with the boxes in her magic. ”welcome back Everypony, I hope we have another great year together. I have a new student to introduce to you. This is Crystal she is staying at the castle with Nyx. She is the adopted Daughter of Prince Shooting Star. Treat her kindly.”
Crystal nodded “pleased to meet you all.”
“Crystal has brought treats for all of you.” Crystal opened the box and shown the class the cupcakes. “Now Class, thank Crystal for her kindness.”
The Class thanked her and line up to get a cupcake.
Nyx walked up to Crystal “I wish my mom thought of this my first day of school. I would be welcomed more warmly.”
After Everypony got a cupcake and ate it the Class started. Crystal enjoyed learning with other ponies. Before she learned alone with tutors, she didn’t know it at the time but it was lonely. She learned something else that between classes there is a break call recess.
as recess Crystal walked out and saw Colts and fillies were doing all sorts of games; it was a bit overwhelming. She was unsure what to do. the CMC was jumping rope and she was about to join them, when she saw two fillies walked up and start to pick on Nyx by calling her Nightmare Moon. And Nyx was getting bothered by this.
Crystal walks up and put her hoof on Nyx’s shoulder “Nyx, you are a princess. We are better than these ridiculous fillies.”
“You are new here so you don’t know how things work here. I am Diamond Tiara I can do and say whatever I want. My family own Barnyard Bargains and we are the richest ponies in town. And if you don’t want to be made fun of you would stop hanging out with these losers.” Diamond Tiara Said in her snooty way.
Crystal sneered “So your family owns a place named barnyard barges.” Her face changed to a pleasure smile “Rarity’s place is called the Carousel Boutique it rolls off your tongue and it is pleasure to say. Sweet apple Acres sound like a delightful place to visit. Golden oak Library is another delightful name for a place.” Crystal’s face got discussed “But barnyard barges just saying it make me feel idiotic. How do you think you have to right to make fun of somepony else when your family own a place with such an ugly name. And I can see that the ponies that own it are not much better.”
With Diamond Tiara told off she turned to the CMC “Sweetie Belle, could you teach me how to play this Jump rope game you were playing. It looks very enjoyable.”
Sweetie Belle smiled “yes, come this way.”
The little band of ponies walked away.
Diamond Tiara stomped her hoof “how dare she make fun of my Family.” Tiara sat down in the ground. “She’s a freak like all the rest of them. Who does she think she is?”
Silver Spoon said “she think she’s Princess Crystal. My daddy told me to be nice to the princesses.”
“Whose side are you on” Diamond Tiara said.
Silver Spoon said “It was fun when we were better than them but now Nyx is a Princess, and CMC have the best hangout in town. Why don’t we become friends with them?”
“We are still better than them.” Diamond Tiara matched over to Nyx’s group.
“Crystal, you think you are hot stuff because you are a princess.” Diamond Tiara said.
Crystal look at her like she is a bug. “You don’t know when to give up? I am a princess so what. Oh I get it now, you are jealous that I am a princess. That is why you pick in Nyx, she is a real princess and you are a fake one with your cheap tiara and you foul manners.”
Diamond Tiara burst into tears and ran away.
Apple Bloom said “Crystal, I think you went too far.”
Crystal nodded “that might be true, but it is the only way she will learn.”
Cheerilee walked over “Could one of you tell me why Diamond Tiara ran into the Classroom crying.”
Crystal walked forward “it was my doing. She tried to pick on my friends and I told her off. I called her a fake princess with a cheap Tiara and foul manners.”
Cheerily didn’t know what to do, compare to Nyx’s Tiara diamond Tiara’s is cheap. Nyx’s is black gold weaved around the finest sapphires by the most skilled Unicorn jeweler in Equestria. Diamond Tiara’s was a fake one from her father’s store. And the foul manners comment was way over do. Cheerilee wanted to say same thing for some time.
“So Cheerilee, what will be my punishment?” Crystal asked.
Cheerilee stood up straight. “We will go to your house and talk with Prince Shooting Star about this after school.”
“Ok, I will make sure that the maids know to set tea out for us.” Crystal said waved a Pegasus Guard over, then she wrote a note and she told him to give the note to Medley. “Cheerily, I am looking forward to having you over after school.” She said with a little bow
“You better get ready recess is almost over.” Cheerily walked away and thought “so that is what a Princess is like”
Scootaloo laughed “Crystal you are my hero. How can to talk to Cheerilee like that.”
“Like what?”
Scootaloo wave her hooves around. “All princessy.”
Sweetie Belle said “Scootaloo, she is a princess. But aren’t you worried what Shooting Star would do?”
Crystal looked confused. “Have you met Shooting Star?”
Nyx smiled “good point. And Cheerilee is only coming over to be fair to everyone. If it was Diamond Tiara that did it she would have to talk to her parents.”
“I think she will have a nicer time with Shooting Star.” Apple Bloom said.
“Oh yes, Diamond Tiara’s mom...” Scootaloo said.
All the ponies there nodded and Crystal looked Confused. Then that school bell rang and all the school age ponies went back to their classes. After School Nyx and Crystal waited until Cheerilee was ready to leave and on the way back Cheerilee and Nurse’s corner had a nice chat. When they got to the Castle Twilight and Shooting Star were waiting for them. All the ponies went to a parlor and sat
Nyx was about to leave when Twilight said “Nyx would you stay and tell us what happen?”
Nyx take a deep breath “it all started right after I went out to recess Diamond Tiara tripped me and started making fun of me. I was about to walk away when Crystal walked over and asked me to play with her. Diamond Tiara tried to start a fight with Crystal and she put her down. Then we left and that would be the end of it if Diamond Tiara didn’t came over to start something. Crystal called her a fake princess with a cheap Tiara and foul manners. And Diamond Tiara ran away crying. I think the reason she cried was because at camp she was make fun of for the same reason. She has foul manners and think she is better than Everypony else. Then Cheerilee showed up and Crystal admitted to everything. And so that is why Cheerilee is here.”
“Is that true Crystal?”
“Yes but I didn’t know about the tripping or the camp. I just wanted her to understand the saying those that live in Glass house shouldn’t throw stones. I know we all understand this, but she doesn’t. So I just want her to know that she isn’t perfect, and with the right stone her house can shatter. ”
Shooting Star thought it over “I think Crystal should have to write a report on the last book she read and turn it in tomorrow as punishment.”
Cheerilee agreed to that then the Fillies left the adults to talk. Crystal wrote the report have the quartet read over it to see if it would do. Then she went out playing with her friends. The next day Crystal turned the report in. and Life went on.