Worthy of the Sunby RobolestiaChaptersPropheciedConquestDeedsWorthyProphecied"You will never hold the solar crown," the ancient equinoid declared, seated in his stone throne; he did not flinch as the cold mountain air blew through his white mane and beard, and against his faded, yellow coat, and he did not yield; not for dragons, not for demons, and certainly not for spoilt brats. The ivory mare with a golden mane standing before him at the foot of his throne was livid; dressed in the finest furs to be found within Equestria as befit a mare of her status, and possessed of a beauty that more than a few stallions claimed would be eternal, she was not accustomed to hearing no. "What do you mean, I will never hold the solar crown?" she demanded, casting decorum to the cold wind and raising her voice to shout at the ancient creature before her. "I am Princess Radiance Blueblood of Equestria!" she declared, stamping her finely-shod hoof upon the hard-packed snow. "I have travelled far across the land of Equestria, travelled further than most ponies would journey in a lifetime, and for what? For you to deny me what is rightfully mine?" "You are not worthy," the old sun king. "How am I not worthy?!" Radiance exclaimed angrily. "I have been chosen by prophecy to inherit the power of the sun!" She spun around and glared at her entourage. "Puddinghat! Tell him!" "Mmm," an ancient stallion croaked; his once-pink coat faded, the former Chancellor and leader of the earth ponies bobbed his head up and down in thought. "I did see a vision," he admitted, his voice barely carrying over the icy wind. "But if the old King says you aren't worthy…" Puddinghat shrugged. "I've been wrong before…" Radiance looked like she wanted to tear somepony's mane out; not hers, because that would be an overly cruel slight against the world to deprive the world of hair like hers, but somepony's. She gestured at Puddinghat as she turned back to the old sun king. "Would he see a vision if it were not true?" Radiance reasoned. "Not once has one of his visions failed to come to pass in one way or another! I am destined to control the power of the sun!" "Clover didn't grow wings like I predicted," Puddinghat corrected. "So you got one out of the thousands of predictions you've made wrong," Radiance exclaimed, looking back at Puddinghat. "What are the odds you were wrong about me? Prophecy is on my side!" "Prophecy does not a worthy inheritor make," the old sun king rumbled. "You will never hold the solar crown." Radiance snorted angrily. "Won't I? Soldiers!" "Your highness!" the soldiers shouted, stepping forward and readying their lances as one. "Take that crown for your Princess!" Radiance declared. Suddenly, the cold wind died out, and the sunlight intensified; the warmth of the sun restored strength to the numbed limbs of the ponies atop the mountain, and it froze them in their tracks. "You who would order those that hold no loyalty for you except for your coin," the old sun king growled, brilliant eyes glowing dangerously between his bushy beard and furrowed brow. "You who would order your men to march to their deaths…" the old sun king leaned forward, looming over Radiance. "You will never hold the solar crown." Radiance's legs shook as she felt true, undeniable power, and with her mouth dry, took an involuntary step back. "I will have that crown," she declared, stepping back and pointing a shaking hoof at the old sun king. "You are not worthy," the old sun king said, sitting back; as his back settled into the worn contours of the throne, the wind returned and the sunlight faded, the ancient regent of the sun back to normal. "Then I shall return, and demonstrate my worth," Radiance said. "The power of the sun will be mine, it is my destiny!" "As long as you seek this power," the old sun king said, "you will never be worthy." Radiance took a deep breath, and demonstrating the first trace of princess-like behaviour that day, held her tongue, instead opting to spin around, fur coat billowing in the wind, and storm off towards the pass. "Come on!" she demanded. "Let's go! We're done here!" And as the rest of her entourage quickly gathered their equipment and began to make their way down the narrow path behind their princess, she made a silent vow. For now. ConquestDays turned into weeks, weeks into months, and in no time at all, Radiance Blueblood returned, walking the path she had trod barely more than three years previously. In such a time, this time, gone was her luxurious fur coat, replaced with the shale-grey pelt of some large beast. She stepped onto the plateau, and found it like stepping back in time; the wind had erased any disturbance to the snow, and the old sun king continued to sit in his throne, as if he had not moved since the last time she had stood before her. "Hail, Solarion," she declared. "As promised, I have returned to demonstrate my worth and claim the solar crown." "You have wasted your time," Solarion stated. "As long as you seek it, you will never be worthy. You will never hold the solar crown." "I beg to differ," Radiance said. "I have returned from Hyperborea, where I led my soldiers in a rout of the dire wolves that plagued the people of the north; we drove them beyond the lands of ponies, from which they will never return." Solarion didn't move. "And?" he asked. Radiance blinked. "T- That's it," she concluded lamely. "Is that not a grand enough achievement? A dire wolf is a fearsome foe, and in but two and a half years, we have purged the north of their kind forever more. Does this not demonstrate my worth?" "A fearsome foe, indeed," Solarion agreed. "And how many of your soldiers' lives were sacrificed for this grand achievement?" Radiance was stunned silent. She hadn't given the notion any thought. How many had died? Six? Maybe seven? She recalled a few close shaves where a wolf had gotten one of her soldiers and not her… "Three hundred and twelve, your highness," one of Radiance's soldiers said quietly. "Three hundred and twelve," Solarion said. "Enough to stain the snow of the north red. Does that sound like a worthy ruler?" Radiance squared her shoulders. "It sounds like a waste of lives," she said evenly. "But if I had the solar crown…" "But you don't," Solarion said. "Because you were, and continue to be, unworthy." Radiance gestured to her escort. "We have travelled far, suffered hardship; I have fought hard to demonstrate my worth! Will you allow the suffering of my men, the lives they sacrificed, to be in vain?" "They have already been given in vain," Solarion said coldly. "They were given in vain the moment you neglected to remember the names of each life you sacrificed for glory." Radiance gritted her teeth. "If I remember the names of my fallen soldiers, will that make me worthy?" "It may," Solarion said. "And what of the wolves slaughtered?" "I- what?" Radiance blurted out. "The wolves? Wolves don't have names." "All things have names," Solarion said quietly. "Even if unspoken in Equestrian." "Well, even if they did," Radiance dismissed, "They don't deserve to be remembered. They were monsters that fed upon my people in the dead of night, they made an already harsh environment more dangerous!" "But they are wolves," Solarion said. "That is their way, and your people had intruded upon their land, driven away their game. Substituted themselves." "No, that's-" Radiance shook her head. "They- we-" "If you think blind bloodshed will make you worthy," Solarion said, "Then you think wrong. You will never hold the solar crown." Radiance held up a hoof as her mouth worked silently, the Princess struggling to find the words to express the frustration etched across her face, and slowly lowered the hoof. "Fine," she said. "If that's how it is, then so be it. I will return, and I will bring proof that I am undeniably worthy." "Don't bother," Solarion said. "As long as you seek it, you will never be worthy. You will never hold the solar crown." This time, the rejection didn't sting as much; Radiance Blueblood simply turned and walked away. Without a word, her soldiers followed her, and as the tip of the last soldier's spear dipped beneath the edge of the plateau, Solarion was alone once more, staring into a distant sunset. ♦♦♦ ☼ ♦♦♦ The view from the mountaintop was impressive; as far as remote, isolated thrones went, it was a reasonable choice. Radiance fancied that if she were to sit on a rock throne and wait for somepony worthy to give the solar crown to, this would be a good second pick; the first would be a castle in the middle of her land, where she could be waited on by palace staff. Waiting for a worthy soul didn't mean depriving oneself of luxuries, after all. She stepped onto the plateau once more, her well-travelled wolf's pelt billowing; she was struck by a memory of what it felt like the first time, stepping into the territory of an immortal being, the so-called keeper of the flame since time immemorial. To approach a creature said to be older than the universe itself, and lay claim to a destined, legendary heritage. Now she strode with confidence; the only difference between them was that he was old, and she was not -- that he had the crown, and she did not. And very soon, he would be old and without the crown. "Solarion," she said loudly at the being resting on one elbow in his chair. The old sun king's eyes opened, sharp blue eyes focusing on Radiance. "You have returned," he said; the jade in his voice was astronomical, of such a high level he didn't even bother to sound jaded, and merely implied he might be with his choice of words. It didn't phase Radiance, and she pointed a hoof. "You know why I'm here." "Gaia forbid that you come to seek my wisdom," Solarion said. "I have already sought it," Radiance said confidently. "I have my answers." "Then why return?" Solarion asked. "Because now I seek my prize." "Then you have not found wisdom," Solaion said, deflating ever so slightly. "I have committed glorious deeds," Radiance said loudly. "I have purged the southern lands of Arcadia, and rooted out the outlaws within; I have done so without needless bloodshed; I remember every one of those who have fought with me, or against me!" Radiance shook a hoof. "And then, I returned the land to the rightful owners, the Changeling hives, in peace and perpetuity!" "Glorious deeds, indeed," Solarion said. "Worthy of praise." "Worthy of the solar crown," Radiance added. "Less so," the old sun god countered. "Alright," Radiance said, cupping her brow with a hoof. "I went to great lengths to take Arcadia as peacefully as possible. Do you demand perfection? Worship? What would you have me do to earn the crown? What have I done wrong?" "Do you desire the crown?" Solarion asked, leaning forward a little. "Do you really, truly desire it?" "Yes!" Radiance exclaimed. "I want the crown! Give it to me!" Solarion sat back. "You cannot have it, then -- you are not worthy." Radiance looked like she wanted to scream. "Then how do I become worthy?!" Radiance demanded. "Stop running me in circles, and either give me the solar crown, or tell me what I have to do to get it!" "You must leave and stop seeking the power of the sun," Solarion said. "You continue to be mistaken in your belief that you are worthy. You will not become worthy with conquest, no matter how noble, no matter how much or little blood you shed." "I shall shed your blood in a minute," Radiance growled. Solarion ignored the threat. "Violence will not sway me, nor make you more worthy," he said. "The solar crown is a tremendous responsibility, fit only for the truly selfless." "Selfless?" Radiance put a hoof on her chest. "Was not my conquest and return of Arcadia to the changeling hives selfless?" "But it was not you who sacrificed," the old sun king said. "It was your soldiers." Radiance wrinkled her snout and scowled. "Very well, I see how it is.You conjure reasons to deny me my birthright." "I need not conjure anything," Solarion said. "It is written, clear as day, on everything that you are, and everything that you do. You will never hold the solar crown." DeedsWhile generally the picture of grace, Princess Radiance Blueblood was known for having a temper at times; a mare of wealth, power and documented special treatment, "No" was a word she hadn't heard often, and one she handled poorly at the best of times. And so when Radiance departed for the ancient mountain, far from Equestria, the castle staff anticipated that she would not return for a while. Veterans among the Princesses' guard recalled that following initial visits to the mountain, the Princess had screamed into a pillow, remote glade, or at less-than-swift retainers for literally hours, until she was hoarse. Repeatedly, over the course of several days, if not weeks. Especially when the word "Crown" was uttered within earshot. Of course, the princess had matured since then, so an extended absence as Radiance screamed into a remote cave or otherwise calmed down before returning was not unexpected. As the one-year milestone approached, however, the question of Radiance's location was raised, as was the wisdom of allowing the heirless ruler of Equestria to make the journey on her own. Various royal artefacts belonging to the Princess were recovered by scouts in fringe towns, often in the possession of those too poor to recognize the provenance of such items, traded for simple travelling provisions and supplies, and it painted a worrying picture. Where Radiance Blueblood had gone, she had not wanted to be followed. But her scouts were masters of their art, and not even Radiance Blueblood could deceive them; as they followed, they found impressive attempts to deter pursuit, false trails and even doubt that they were on the right path at times. But they persevered, journeying far beyond Equestria for years, forever in pursuit of their missing princess, clinging tightly to the tales and accounts of a beautiful unicorn's journey almost always a year previously. The trail led across barren wastelands, inhospitable mountain ranges and even through the kingdom of Avalon, where even gryphonic warriors spoke respectfully of Radiance's passage. And it was here that they finally asked why she travelled where she did, what she might seek that would impress the otherwise stoic warriors of Avalon; they learned of the sky demon that dwelled in the lands to the East. Garuda, a roc of phenomenal size, ruling with an iron claw over all he could see, devouring anything he pleased, and anything that displeased him. Garuda the Glutton, a legendary foe that countless heroes had opposed, each one failing like the last. To seek Garuda willingly was a deed worthy of respect in itself. To defeat Garuda would be to liberate a land and to inscribe oneself on the tapestry of legend with glory unparalleled. Now knowing Radiance's destination, her rangers, legends in their own right for the land they had traversed, redoubled their pace; now scarcely half a year behind her, theirs was a desperate gambit. To save their princess, they would have to find Garuda before she did. With every trick in their arsenal and every iota of talent they possessed, they closed the gap, pushing further into a land that most couldn't depart quickly enough, word of the only other soul crazy enough to do so reaching their ears, whether they sought it or not. And so they were present to bear witness to the birth of a legend, Garuda cursing her name as she sealed him in a brilliant, point-cut amethyst, the only royal artefact that Radiance had not sold or bartered in her journey. As they approached the Princess, struck with awe, it was as if Radiance was coming to her own epiphany, staring thoughtfully at the gem she held, mouth moving nigh-silently. In the years that followed, the ranger with the keenest ears, Butterscotch, would claim to have heard but a few words: "What a fool I was," Radiance whispered. "Your highness," the lead ranger said, taking a reverential knee. Radiance turned around, and saw her rangers bowing to her as one; once, it would have been demanded of anyone who sought to speak to her. Now, though, this far from her domain… "No need to bow, gentlecolts," she said, waving a hoof dismissively. "Forgive me, it has been a while, but… Yearling, wasn't it?" "That is me, your grace," the lead ranger confirmed. "You're a long way from Equestria," Radiance remarked. "What are you doing here?" "To confirm your fate," Yearling said. "A mission that I can now proudly say that we have thoroughly failed." "It isn't often one takes pride in one's failings," Radiance said. "It isn't often one defeats an immortal roc," Yearling replied. "Where to now, Princess?" Radiance sighed. "Well, I don't know about you, Yearling, but I think I'm due to go home." ♦♦♦ ☼ ♦♦♦ Radiance stood on the edge of the plateau, looking up at the old sun king, silence in the frosty air between them. "You know why I'm here," Radiance said. "I can only hope," Solarion replied. "Will you give me the crown?" Radiance asked. Solarion didn't move. "You know my answer." "Very well, then," Radiance said, without a trace of venom. "Farewell, Solarion." "That's it?" Yearling asked as she turned away from the throne. "That's it," Radiance agreed, making her way down the mountain. "But…" Yearling looked back at the throne and fell in line. "The crown." "He's not giving it to me," Radiance said. "His song hasn't changed since the first time I asked for - no - demanded it." "I know, I was there when you first sought it," Yearling said. "But you've grown. You've defeated Garuda. You have the power to just take it now, and our support. Why not?" "It's like he said, Yearling," Radiance said. "Violence won't sway him, and it won't make me worthy." "Princess," Yearling said, conceding the discussion. "Haven't we been over this?" Radiance sighed. "I think if anyone has earned the right to ignore my title it would be you four." "Princess," Yearling hissed. "What?" "Wake up, Princess!" Radiance jolted awake, and looked around. Next to her was Yearling in his guard armor, the aged stallion looking sharp as ever. She was lying on top of a wide, round bed, not unlike a large cushion, that sat in the middle of her chamber; she couldn't go back to a four-posted bed after all those years in the wilderness, and it was almost all that Yearling and her rangers could do to get her to not sleep on the floor. The return of Princess Radiance Blueblood was unexpected, but a homecoming that changed Equestria; policies set in place before her departure and the rule of several regents in her absence had not done any favors for Equestria, and Radiance had spent barely ten minutes in Canterlot before undoing the damage caused in her absence and early rule. The rangers accompanying her testified to her identity, but many still had difficulty in accepting that the Radiance that returned was the same Radiance that had left almost ten whole years previously. Many argued that no matter how you looked at it, she wasn't. Radiance had changed for the better, her temper subsumed by a seemingly infinite, new-found patience, her changes to the structure of Equestria no longer based on immediate results. And as word of her renewed rule and deeds in far away lands began to spread, Equestria and the surrounding lands began to bow to Princess Radiance Blueblood -- not because they had to, but because she was a leader worth bowing to. Tithes given not because it was demanded, but because they knew that every bit, every ounce of gold, would be used to improve Equestria and it's demesnes. "Apologies, Radiance," Yearling said, nodding. "It seems like the only way to wake you up is to call you Princess." "It's not a problem," Radiance said, stretching. "What is the matter?" "It's about to be sunrise," Yearling said. "You scheduled an audience with a merchant for sunrise." Radiance groaned softly. "Right. I remember. Allow me a minute." Yearling saluted, and started to move away, but hesitated. "Something on your mind?" Radiance asked, almost without looking as she rolled over and slid onto her hooves. "In a sense," Yearling said. "Is something on yours, Radiance? You sound tired." Radiance paused, facing the window. Yearling cleared his throat. "It's not my place to ask, I suppose," he said. "I'll tell everyone you'll be out in five minutes." "Thank you, Yearling," Radiance said, walking over to the window. She heard the door close, and let out a gentle breath, just as the tip of the sun broke the horizon and began to cast light across the highest points in the land; and far away, beyond equine sight, Radiance saw the world from atop the mountain, could almost feel the cold mountain air and the warmth of the sun above. "Good morning to you too, Solarion," she muttered. WorthyA refreshed Radiance strode into the throne room from her side-entrance, a tapestry being moved back over the hidden doorway as she left it, gold-shod hooves making muted clicking sounds as she walked across the red carpet that covered the stone floor. Yearling was waiting for her as always, to the immediate right of her throne. "Ready?" Yearling asked. "When you are," Radiance said, taking a seat. Her seat, by birthright, title and deed. Yearling nodded, and motioned to one of the guards near the doors, who reached out and along with his counterpart on the other side, pulled the main throne room doors open, letting in sunlight, and revealing a figure clad in robes, silhouetted by the sunlight. "Your highness," the figure said, bowing as he walked into the room. "Thank you for taking the time to see me." "The pleasure is mine," Radiance said, nodding respectfully. "Can I ask you for your name?" "You can ask me for whatever you desire," the figure said. "I am Curio, and I am the greatest merchant in all of Equestria and beyond." "A mighty boast," Radiance said. "I have seen the markets of Ghallanda, you know." "A wondrous place," Curio agreed. "And many goods can be found there. But never under one tent, and they do not sell everything a pony could want." Curio grinned. "I can." "Pull the other one," Yearling snorted. "It has bells on." "Captain Yearling," Curio said, pointing a hoof. "Am I right?" "That's my name," Yearling said. "I have what you want most, Captain Yearling," Curio said. He placed his hoof on his heart. "If I do not, the princess may execute me where I stand." "Please do not ask my soldiers or myself to kill you," Radiance said. "You're right, it would ruin this carpet," Curio muttered. "Well, strike me down, whatever; the point stands. I have what you want most. I have everything anypony wants most. And I know exactly what it is." "I'll save you the guesswork," Yearling said. "There's a berry that grows in a grove a few days out of Avalon, doesn't grow anywhere else." "Say no more," Curio said. "I know the one. Here." Curio pulled a tiny pouch out of his robes, and with a flick of telekinesis, threw them to Yearling. The aged ranger caught it, and tugged the drawstring loose to look inside. His eyebrows raised in surprise, and he pulled out a small, yellowish berry. "Well?" Radiance asked, curious. Yearling sniffed it, and took a nibble; it was harder than it looked, and he grimaced as he tasted it. "Yep," he grunted. "That's the one, alright." He grinned. "But you didn't let me finish, Curio. I wasn't after the berries themselves." "I know," Curio said, grinning slyly. "You wanted the seeds so you could grow more, and have been regretting not taking them when you could 26 years ago. Look in the bag." Yearling looked again, and tipped the bag into the frog of his hoof. Two more berries rolled out, followed by a pinch of tiny seeds. "Well, I'll be," Yearling said, putting the seeds and berries back into the bag carefully. "I am the greatest merchant in all of Equestria -- for allowing me to demonstrate that, no charge, Captain." "This is all very well and good," Radiance said. "But why did you request this audience? Surely not to show off." "I need to be, without doubt, the greatest merchant," Curio said. "And that means my claims need to be absolute." He pointed his hoof at Radiance. "You, Princess. I have what you desire most." "Impossible," Radiance said, without hesitating. "You can't give me the prosperity of my people in perpetuity, it is an intangible thing." "No, but I can give you the means," Curio said, reaching into his robes. "Which, incidentally, happens to be something I know you craved in the past..." "No way," Yearling said. "You don't-" "But I do," Curio said. "Princess Radiance Blueblood of Equestria, I have what you need." Curio's hoof left his robes, and with it came a familiar, worn gold item. Hollow on the inside, inscribed with images of the sun and set with timeless gemstones, it took Radiance's breath away; she couldn't look at the item without seeing it on top of Solarion's head. "The Solar Crown," Curio said, smiling. "The power of the sun, eternal and unlimited. You can use it to create or destroy, nurture or ruin. The future of Equestria and all of the world could be yours." "T- That's impossible!" Yearling blurted. "That must be a fake! The old sun king is wearing the crown!" "The old sun king is gone," Curio said. "His throne is in ruin, his body gone, spirit departed. This is all that remains. And it could be yours, Princess," Curio added, proffering the headpiece. Radiance stood up, struck dumb by the sight of the artefact, and stepped down from the throne, approaching Curio, who bowed his head and held the crown ever higher. She stood above the bowed Curio, tall and regal, and regarded the crown. "Is… Is it real?" Yearling asked. "It's real," Radiance said. "Curio… I don't know what to say." "Don't say anything, then," Curio said. "Just do it. This is your destiny, isn't it?" Radiance reached out with a hoof, and- Whack Curio flew backwards across the carpet, knocked off his hooves by the strike to his face. "Radiance!" Yearling exclaimed. "What are you doing?" There was a clear ping as the Solar Crown hit the ground and bounced, rocking in circles until it was still. "Princess!" Curio exclaimed. "Curio, it is as you said," Radiance said. "If you did not have what I desired, I was to strike you." "But-" "I'm sorry, Curio," Radiance said. "But I do not desire nor need the Solar Crown, I see that now. I have done without it so far, and I will continue to do so." There was a loud crack of splitting steel, and Radiance looked down at the Crown; it had suddenly split clean down the middle, and before their very eyes, began to fade and crumble. "What?" Curio exclaimed sitting up and scrambling towards the crown. "No, no! What's happening?" Radiance didn't say anything, just watching as the golden crown decayed, crumbling to a fine powder before their very eyes as Curio tried to scoop it up; the grains of gold dust flowed out of his hooves, and began to fade as it hit the ground; before long, the crown was gone, and no trace remained. "Radiance," Yearling said quietly. "That was…" "Nothing," Radiance said, turning away. "If I had seen it for what it really was all those years ago, maybe I would already have what I desire." "But, the prophecy," Curio blurted. "Chancellor Puddinghat foretold it! You would control the power of the sun!" "He'd been wrong before," Radiance said. "I wonder how much he was actually wrong about, in the end… maybe each of his predictions came to pass because we made them?" Radiance turned her head to look at Curio. "I think this audience is over, unless you have something else?" "I- I-" Curio stammered, bowing his head in defeat. "I have nothing else…" "Then I wish you the best of luck," Radiance said. "You might not have everything that absolutely everypony wants, but I believe you might well be the greatest merchant in the land." Curio nodded, and got up; with two guards flanking him, he walked out of the throne room, and the doors closed behind him. Yearling watched them go, and looked down at the ground where the crown had sat. "So, it was a trick, then?" Yearling hazarded, trying to understand. "Some sort of cursed replica?" "Nope, it was real," Radiance said quietly, staring at a tapestry depicting her conquest of Hyperborea. She looked at her hoof, and saw it trembling. "I could feel the power." "You really did it, then?" Yearling asked. "You turned down the real Solar Crown." "Like I said," Radiance said, clenching her hoof and putting it back on the ground. "I don't need it. The old sun king was right -- I'll never hold it, now." Yearling opened his mouth, but no sound came out, as he watched a shaft of sunlight start to move with remarkable speed; coming through a window above the main doors, it flowed down the wall and along the ground, onto Radiance, who grimaced and shielded her eyes from the sudden sunlight. And then she exploded into flames, the wave of energy causing tapestries to flap in a gale, and knocking Yearling clean off his hooves as his Princess was immolated in golden energy. "Radiance!" he exclaimed. He sat up, and tried to look at her, but had to avert his gaze from the intense light and warmth, gales of wind increasing in intensity until- Yearling lowered his hoof tentatively; he couldn't see properly, a large dark spot on his vision, but he thought he could see a tall mare where Radiance had been standing; the Princess wasn't short, by any measure, but the new equine standing in her place had easily doubled in size, and her mane and tail… they were flowing waves of energy, with no sign of the luxurious golden locks that had earned Radiance her name. "Princess?" Yearling hazarded. "Is that-" The tall mare extended her leg in front of her, looking down at it tentatively. She tried raising and lowering a hindleg, and turned around on the spot, slowly at first, but with rapidly growing confidence. "Yearling," she said quietly. "Are you seeing this?" "I must be," he said. "Are those… wings?" Radiance looked at her sides, and tentatively extended her new limbs; the feathered appendages expanded, each one as wide as the wingspan of an ordinary pegasus. She looked to the window through which the sun shone, and on an impulse, stretched a hoof towards the source. Narrowing her eyes slightly in the light, she moved her hoof slowly downward, and the shaft of sunlight left her face, moving back up the wall. "The power of the sun," Radiance whispered. "I guess Puddinghat was right, after all." "What does this mean?" Yearling asked. "What are you going to do now?" "What am I going to do?" Radiance asked. "I'll tell you what I'm going to do." She turned to walk towards Yearling. "First," Radiance said, "I'm going to have breakfast, because I am starving." She extended a golden-shod hoof to the fallen guard, and Yearling took it, feeling the warmth in her hoof, as if she had been sunbathing for a day, and clambered back up with her help. "And then?" he asked, tilting his head back further than usual to look up into Radiance's face. "And then, we will have to make some changes around here," Radiance said. "Such as the doorways. They are much too short, now." "I'll have the carpenters draw up renovation plans," Yearling said. "And while you're at it, have the scribes update my title to include my first name," Radiance said. "What?" Yearling tilted his head. "You have three names? Your first isn't "Radiance"?" "I'm nobility, I have at least three. It's my middle name," Radiance admitted. "I always felt my first name was a bit presumptuous, seeing as I didn't control the sun just yet." "Then what is your full name?" Yearling asked. The Princess cleared her throat. "I am Princess Celestia Radiance Starlight Cascadia Euphemia Blueblood, eldest of Platinum, inheritor of the sun, ruler of Equestria, and possessed of numerous additional titles that I don't care to repeat," she declared, and shot Yearling a look. "And I'll thank you to not ask me for my full name again, or we'll get nothing done." Yearling bit his lip. "Can I just call you "Celestia"?" "Please."
Prophecied"You will never hold the solar crown," the ancient equinoid declared, seated in his stone throne; he did not flinch as the cold mountain air blew through his white mane and beard, and against his faded, yellow coat, and he did not yield; not for dragons, not for demons, and certainly not for spoilt brats. The ivory mare with a golden mane standing before him at the foot of his throne was livid; dressed in the finest furs to be found within Equestria as befit a mare of her status, and possessed of a beauty that more than a few stallions claimed would be eternal, she was not accustomed to hearing no. "What do you mean, I will never hold the solar crown?" she demanded, casting decorum to the cold wind and raising her voice to shout at the ancient creature before her. "I am Princess Radiance Blueblood of Equestria!" she declared, stamping her finely-shod hoof upon the hard-packed snow. "I have travelled far across the land of Equestria, travelled further than most ponies would journey in a lifetime, and for what? For you to deny me what is rightfully mine?" "You are not worthy," the old sun king. "How am I not worthy?!" Radiance exclaimed angrily. "I have been chosen by prophecy to inherit the power of the sun!" She spun around and glared at her entourage. "Puddinghat! Tell him!" "Mmm," an ancient stallion croaked; his once-pink coat faded, the former Chancellor and leader of the earth ponies bobbed his head up and down in thought. "I did see a vision," he admitted, his voice barely carrying over the icy wind. "But if the old King says you aren't worthy…" Puddinghat shrugged. "I've been wrong before…" Radiance looked like she wanted to tear somepony's mane out; not hers, because that would be an overly cruel slight against the world to deprive the world of hair like hers, but somepony's. She gestured at Puddinghat as she turned back to the old sun king. "Would he see a vision if it were not true?" Radiance reasoned. "Not once has one of his visions failed to come to pass in one way or another! I am destined to control the power of the sun!" "Clover didn't grow wings like I predicted," Puddinghat corrected. "So you got one out of the thousands of predictions you've made wrong," Radiance exclaimed, looking back at Puddinghat. "What are the odds you were wrong about me? Prophecy is on my side!" "Prophecy does not a worthy inheritor make," the old sun king rumbled. "You will never hold the solar crown." Radiance snorted angrily. "Won't I? Soldiers!" "Your highness!" the soldiers shouted, stepping forward and readying their lances as one. "Take that crown for your Princess!" Radiance declared. Suddenly, the cold wind died out, and the sunlight intensified; the warmth of the sun restored strength to the numbed limbs of the ponies atop the mountain, and it froze them in their tracks. "You who would order those that hold no loyalty for you except for your coin," the old sun king growled, brilliant eyes glowing dangerously between his bushy beard and furrowed brow. "You who would order your men to march to their deaths…" the old sun king leaned forward, looming over Radiance. "You will never hold the solar crown." Radiance's legs shook as she felt true, undeniable power, and with her mouth dry, took an involuntary step back. "I will have that crown," she declared, stepping back and pointing a shaking hoof at the old sun king. "You are not worthy," the old sun king said, sitting back; as his back settled into the worn contours of the throne, the wind returned and the sunlight faded, the ancient regent of the sun back to normal. "Then I shall return, and demonstrate my worth," Radiance said. "The power of the sun will be mine, it is my destiny!" "As long as you seek this power," the old sun king said, "you will never be worthy." Radiance took a deep breath, and demonstrating the first trace of princess-like behaviour that day, held her tongue, instead opting to spin around, fur coat billowing in the wind, and storm off towards the pass. "Come on!" she demanded. "Let's go! We're done here!" And as the rest of her entourage quickly gathered their equipment and began to make their way down the narrow path behind their princess, she made a silent vow. For now.
ConquestDays turned into weeks, weeks into months, and in no time at all, Radiance Blueblood returned, walking the path she had trod barely more than three years previously. In such a time, this time, gone was her luxurious fur coat, replaced with the shale-grey pelt of some large beast. She stepped onto the plateau, and found it like stepping back in time; the wind had erased any disturbance to the snow, and the old sun king continued to sit in his throne, as if he had not moved since the last time she had stood before her. "Hail, Solarion," she declared. "As promised, I have returned to demonstrate my worth and claim the solar crown." "You have wasted your time," Solarion stated. "As long as you seek it, you will never be worthy. You will never hold the solar crown." "I beg to differ," Radiance said. "I have returned from Hyperborea, where I led my soldiers in a rout of the dire wolves that plagued the people of the north; we drove them beyond the lands of ponies, from which they will never return." Solarion didn't move. "And?" he asked. Radiance blinked. "T- That's it," she concluded lamely. "Is that not a grand enough achievement? A dire wolf is a fearsome foe, and in but two and a half years, we have purged the north of their kind forever more. Does this not demonstrate my worth?" "A fearsome foe, indeed," Solarion agreed. "And how many of your soldiers' lives were sacrificed for this grand achievement?" Radiance was stunned silent. She hadn't given the notion any thought. How many had died? Six? Maybe seven? She recalled a few close shaves where a wolf had gotten one of her soldiers and not her… "Three hundred and twelve, your highness," one of Radiance's soldiers said quietly. "Three hundred and twelve," Solarion said. "Enough to stain the snow of the north red. Does that sound like a worthy ruler?" Radiance squared her shoulders. "It sounds like a waste of lives," she said evenly. "But if I had the solar crown…" "But you don't," Solarion said. "Because you were, and continue to be, unworthy." Radiance gestured to her escort. "We have travelled far, suffered hardship; I have fought hard to demonstrate my worth! Will you allow the suffering of my men, the lives they sacrificed, to be in vain?" "They have already been given in vain," Solarion said coldly. "They were given in vain the moment you neglected to remember the names of each life you sacrificed for glory." Radiance gritted her teeth. "If I remember the names of my fallen soldiers, will that make me worthy?" "It may," Solarion said. "And what of the wolves slaughtered?" "I- what?" Radiance blurted out. "The wolves? Wolves don't have names." "All things have names," Solarion said quietly. "Even if unspoken in Equestrian." "Well, even if they did," Radiance dismissed, "They don't deserve to be remembered. They were monsters that fed upon my people in the dead of night, they made an already harsh environment more dangerous!" "But they are wolves," Solarion said. "That is their way, and your people had intruded upon their land, driven away their game. Substituted themselves." "No, that's-" Radiance shook her head. "They- we-" "If you think blind bloodshed will make you worthy," Solarion said, "Then you think wrong. You will never hold the solar crown." Radiance held up a hoof as her mouth worked silently, the Princess struggling to find the words to express the frustration etched across her face, and slowly lowered the hoof. "Fine," she said. "If that's how it is, then so be it. I will return, and I will bring proof that I am undeniably worthy." "Don't bother," Solarion said. "As long as you seek it, you will never be worthy. You will never hold the solar crown." This time, the rejection didn't sting as much; Radiance Blueblood simply turned and walked away. Without a word, her soldiers followed her, and as the tip of the last soldier's spear dipped beneath the edge of the plateau, Solarion was alone once more, staring into a distant sunset. ♦♦♦ ☼ ♦♦♦ The view from the mountaintop was impressive; as far as remote, isolated thrones went, it was a reasonable choice. Radiance fancied that if she were to sit on a rock throne and wait for somepony worthy to give the solar crown to, this would be a good second pick; the first would be a castle in the middle of her land, where she could be waited on by palace staff. Waiting for a worthy soul didn't mean depriving oneself of luxuries, after all. She stepped onto the plateau once more, her well-travelled wolf's pelt billowing; she was struck by a memory of what it felt like the first time, stepping into the territory of an immortal being, the so-called keeper of the flame since time immemorial. To approach a creature said to be older than the universe itself, and lay claim to a destined, legendary heritage. Now she strode with confidence; the only difference between them was that he was old, and she was not -- that he had the crown, and she did not. And very soon, he would be old and without the crown. "Solarion," she said loudly at the being resting on one elbow in his chair. The old sun king's eyes opened, sharp blue eyes focusing on Radiance. "You have returned," he said; the jade in his voice was astronomical, of such a high level he didn't even bother to sound jaded, and merely implied he might be with his choice of words. It didn't phase Radiance, and she pointed a hoof. "You know why I'm here." "Gaia forbid that you come to seek my wisdom," Solarion said. "I have already sought it," Radiance said confidently. "I have my answers." "Then why return?" Solarion asked. "Because now I seek my prize." "Then you have not found wisdom," Solaion said, deflating ever so slightly. "I have committed glorious deeds," Radiance said loudly. "I have purged the southern lands of Arcadia, and rooted out the outlaws within; I have done so without needless bloodshed; I remember every one of those who have fought with me, or against me!" Radiance shook a hoof. "And then, I returned the land to the rightful owners, the Changeling hives, in peace and perpetuity!" "Glorious deeds, indeed," Solarion said. "Worthy of praise." "Worthy of the solar crown," Radiance added. "Less so," the old sun god countered. "Alright," Radiance said, cupping her brow with a hoof. "I went to great lengths to take Arcadia as peacefully as possible. Do you demand perfection? Worship? What would you have me do to earn the crown? What have I done wrong?" "Do you desire the crown?" Solarion asked, leaning forward a little. "Do you really, truly desire it?" "Yes!" Radiance exclaimed. "I want the crown! Give it to me!" Solarion sat back. "You cannot have it, then -- you are not worthy." Radiance looked like she wanted to scream. "Then how do I become worthy?!" Radiance demanded. "Stop running me in circles, and either give me the solar crown, or tell me what I have to do to get it!" "You must leave and stop seeking the power of the sun," Solarion said. "You continue to be mistaken in your belief that you are worthy. You will not become worthy with conquest, no matter how noble, no matter how much or little blood you shed." "I shall shed your blood in a minute," Radiance growled. Solarion ignored the threat. "Violence will not sway me, nor make you more worthy," he said. "The solar crown is a tremendous responsibility, fit only for the truly selfless." "Selfless?" Radiance put a hoof on her chest. "Was not my conquest and return of Arcadia to the changeling hives selfless?" "But it was not you who sacrificed," the old sun king said. "It was your soldiers." Radiance wrinkled her snout and scowled. "Very well, I see how it is.You conjure reasons to deny me my birthright." "I need not conjure anything," Solarion said. "It is written, clear as day, on everything that you are, and everything that you do. You will never hold the solar crown."
DeedsWhile generally the picture of grace, Princess Radiance Blueblood was known for having a temper at times; a mare of wealth, power and documented special treatment, "No" was a word she hadn't heard often, and one she handled poorly at the best of times. And so when Radiance departed for the ancient mountain, far from Equestria, the castle staff anticipated that she would not return for a while. Veterans among the Princesses' guard recalled that following initial visits to the mountain, the Princess had screamed into a pillow, remote glade, or at less-than-swift retainers for literally hours, until she was hoarse. Repeatedly, over the course of several days, if not weeks. Especially when the word "Crown" was uttered within earshot. Of course, the princess had matured since then, so an extended absence as Radiance screamed into a remote cave or otherwise calmed down before returning was not unexpected. As the one-year milestone approached, however, the question of Radiance's location was raised, as was the wisdom of allowing the heirless ruler of Equestria to make the journey on her own. Various royal artefacts belonging to the Princess were recovered by scouts in fringe towns, often in the possession of those too poor to recognize the provenance of such items, traded for simple travelling provisions and supplies, and it painted a worrying picture. Where Radiance Blueblood had gone, she had not wanted to be followed. But her scouts were masters of their art, and not even Radiance Blueblood could deceive them; as they followed, they found impressive attempts to deter pursuit, false trails and even doubt that they were on the right path at times. But they persevered, journeying far beyond Equestria for years, forever in pursuit of their missing princess, clinging tightly to the tales and accounts of a beautiful unicorn's journey almost always a year previously. The trail led across barren wastelands, inhospitable mountain ranges and even through the kingdom of Avalon, where even gryphonic warriors spoke respectfully of Radiance's passage. And it was here that they finally asked why she travelled where she did, what she might seek that would impress the otherwise stoic warriors of Avalon; they learned of the sky demon that dwelled in the lands to the East. Garuda, a roc of phenomenal size, ruling with an iron claw over all he could see, devouring anything he pleased, and anything that displeased him. Garuda the Glutton, a legendary foe that countless heroes had opposed, each one failing like the last. To seek Garuda willingly was a deed worthy of respect in itself. To defeat Garuda would be to liberate a land and to inscribe oneself on the tapestry of legend with glory unparalleled. Now knowing Radiance's destination, her rangers, legends in their own right for the land they had traversed, redoubled their pace; now scarcely half a year behind her, theirs was a desperate gambit. To save their princess, they would have to find Garuda before she did. With every trick in their arsenal and every iota of talent they possessed, they closed the gap, pushing further into a land that most couldn't depart quickly enough, word of the only other soul crazy enough to do so reaching their ears, whether they sought it or not. And so they were present to bear witness to the birth of a legend, Garuda cursing her name as she sealed him in a brilliant, point-cut amethyst, the only royal artefact that Radiance had not sold or bartered in her journey. As they approached the Princess, struck with awe, it was as if Radiance was coming to her own epiphany, staring thoughtfully at the gem she held, mouth moving nigh-silently. In the years that followed, the ranger with the keenest ears, Butterscotch, would claim to have heard but a few words: "What a fool I was," Radiance whispered. "Your highness," the lead ranger said, taking a reverential knee. Radiance turned around, and saw her rangers bowing to her as one; once, it would have been demanded of anyone who sought to speak to her. Now, though, this far from her domain… "No need to bow, gentlecolts," she said, waving a hoof dismissively. "Forgive me, it has been a while, but… Yearling, wasn't it?" "That is me, your grace," the lead ranger confirmed. "You're a long way from Equestria," Radiance remarked. "What are you doing here?" "To confirm your fate," Yearling said. "A mission that I can now proudly say that we have thoroughly failed." "It isn't often one takes pride in one's failings," Radiance said. "It isn't often one defeats an immortal roc," Yearling replied. "Where to now, Princess?" Radiance sighed. "Well, I don't know about you, Yearling, but I think I'm due to go home." ♦♦♦ ☼ ♦♦♦ Radiance stood on the edge of the plateau, looking up at the old sun king, silence in the frosty air between them. "You know why I'm here," Radiance said. "I can only hope," Solarion replied. "Will you give me the crown?" Radiance asked. Solarion didn't move. "You know my answer." "Very well, then," Radiance said, without a trace of venom. "Farewell, Solarion." "That's it?" Yearling asked as she turned away from the throne. "That's it," Radiance agreed, making her way down the mountain. "But…" Yearling looked back at the throne and fell in line. "The crown." "He's not giving it to me," Radiance said. "His song hasn't changed since the first time I asked for - no - demanded it." "I know, I was there when you first sought it," Yearling said. "But you've grown. You've defeated Garuda. You have the power to just take it now, and our support. Why not?" "It's like he said, Yearling," Radiance said. "Violence won't sway him, and it won't make me worthy." "Princess," Yearling said, conceding the discussion. "Haven't we been over this?" Radiance sighed. "I think if anyone has earned the right to ignore my title it would be you four." "Princess," Yearling hissed. "What?" "Wake up, Princess!" Radiance jolted awake, and looked around. Next to her was Yearling in his guard armor, the aged stallion looking sharp as ever. She was lying on top of a wide, round bed, not unlike a large cushion, that sat in the middle of her chamber; she couldn't go back to a four-posted bed after all those years in the wilderness, and it was almost all that Yearling and her rangers could do to get her to not sleep on the floor. The return of Princess Radiance Blueblood was unexpected, but a homecoming that changed Equestria; policies set in place before her departure and the rule of several regents in her absence had not done any favors for Equestria, and Radiance had spent barely ten minutes in Canterlot before undoing the damage caused in her absence and early rule. The rangers accompanying her testified to her identity, but many still had difficulty in accepting that the Radiance that returned was the same Radiance that had left almost ten whole years previously. Many argued that no matter how you looked at it, she wasn't. Radiance had changed for the better, her temper subsumed by a seemingly infinite, new-found patience, her changes to the structure of Equestria no longer based on immediate results. And as word of her renewed rule and deeds in far away lands began to spread, Equestria and the surrounding lands began to bow to Princess Radiance Blueblood -- not because they had to, but because she was a leader worth bowing to. Tithes given not because it was demanded, but because they knew that every bit, every ounce of gold, would be used to improve Equestria and it's demesnes. "Apologies, Radiance," Yearling said, nodding. "It seems like the only way to wake you up is to call you Princess." "It's not a problem," Radiance said, stretching. "What is the matter?" "It's about to be sunrise," Yearling said. "You scheduled an audience with a merchant for sunrise." Radiance groaned softly. "Right. I remember. Allow me a minute." Yearling saluted, and started to move away, but hesitated. "Something on your mind?" Radiance asked, almost without looking as she rolled over and slid onto her hooves. "In a sense," Yearling said. "Is something on yours, Radiance? You sound tired." Radiance paused, facing the window. Yearling cleared his throat. "It's not my place to ask, I suppose," he said. "I'll tell everyone you'll be out in five minutes." "Thank you, Yearling," Radiance said, walking over to the window. She heard the door close, and let out a gentle breath, just as the tip of the sun broke the horizon and began to cast light across the highest points in the land; and far away, beyond equine sight, Radiance saw the world from atop the mountain, could almost feel the cold mountain air and the warmth of the sun above. "Good morning to you too, Solarion," she muttered.
WorthyA refreshed Radiance strode into the throne room from her side-entrance, a tapestry being moved back over the hidden doorway as she left it, gold-shod hooves making muted clicking sounds as she walked across the red carpet that covered the stone floor. Yearling was waiting for her as always, to the immediate right of her throne. "Ready?" Yearling asked. "When you are," Radiance said, taking a seat. Her seat, by birthright, title and deed. Yearling nodded, and motioned to one of the guards near the doors, who reached out and along with his counterpart on the other side, pulled the main throne room doors open, letting in sunlight, and revealing a figure clad in robes, silhouetted by the sunlight. "Your highness," the figure said, bowing as he walked into the room. "Thank you for taking the time to see me." "The pleasure is mine," Radiance said, nodding respectfully. "Can I ask you for your name?" "You can ask me for whatever you desire," the figure said. "I am Curio, and I am the greatest merchant in all of Equestria and beyond." "A mighty boast," Radiance said. "I have seen the markets of Ghallanda, you know." "A wondrous place," Curio agreed. "And many goods can be found there. But never under one tent, and they do not sell everything a pony could want." Curio grinned. "I can." "Pull the other one," Yearling snorted. "It has bells on." "Captain Yearling," Curio said, pointing a hoof. "Am I right?" "That's my name," Yearling said. "I have what you want most, Captain Yearling," Curio said. He placed his hoof on his heart. "If I do not, the princess may execute me where I stand." "Please do not ask my soldiers or myself to kill you," Radiance said. "You're right, it would ruin this carpet," Curio muttered. "Well, strike me down, whatever; the point stands. I have what you want most. I have everything anypony wants most. And I know exactly what it is." "I'll save you the guesswork," Yearling said. "There's a berry that grows in a grove a few days out of Avalon, doesn't grow anywhere else." "Say no more," Curio said. "I know the one. Here." Curio pulled a tiny pouch out of his robes, and with a flick of telekinesis, threw them to Yearling. The aged ranger caught it, and tugged the drawstring loose to look inside. His eyebrows raised in surprise, and he pulled out a small, yellowish berry. "Well?" Radiance asked, curious. Yearling sniffed it, and took a nibble; it was harder than it looked, and he grimaced as he tasted it. "Yep," he grunted. "That's the one, alright." He grinned. "But you didn't let me finish, Curio. I wasn't after the berries themselves." "I know," Curio said, grinning slyly. "You wanted the seeds so you could grow more, and have been regretting not taking them when you could 26 years ago. Look in the bag." Yearling looked again, and tipped the bag into the frog of his hoof. Two more berries rolled out, followed by a pinch of tiny seeds. "Well, I'll be," Yearling said, putting the seeds and berries back into the bag carefully. "I am the greatest merchant in all of Equestria -- for allowing me to demonstrate that, no charge, Captain." "This is all very well and good," Radiance said. "But why did you request this audience? Surely not to show off." "I need to be, without doubt, the greatest merchant," Curio said. "And that means my claims need to be absolute." He pointed his hoof at Radiance. "You, Princess. I have what you desire most." "Impossible," Radiance said, without hesitating. "You can't give me the prosperity of my people in perpetuity, it is an intangible thing." "No, but I can give you the means," Curio said, reaching into his robes. "Which, incidentally, happens to be something I know you craved in the past..." "No way," Yearling said. "You don't-" "But I do," Curio said. "Princess Radiance Blueblood of Equestria, I have what you need." Curio's hoof left his robes, and with it came a familiar, worn gold item. Hollow on the inside, inscribed with images of the sun and set with timeless gemstones, it took Radiance's breath away; she couldn't look at the item without seeing it on top of Solarion's head. "The Solar Crown," Curio said, smiling. "The power of the sun, eternal and unlimited. You can use it to create or destroy, nurture or ruin. The future of Equestria and all of the world could be yours." "T- That's impossible!" Yearling blurted. "That must be a fake! The old sun king is wearing the crown!" "The old sun king is gone," Curio said. "His throne is in ruin, his body gone, spirit departed. This is all that remains. And it could be yours, Princess," Curio added, proffering the headpiece. Radiance stood up, struck dumb by the sight of the artefact, and stepped down from the throne, approaching Curio, who bowed his head and held the crown ever higher. She stood above the bowed Curio, tall and regal, and regarded the crown. "Is… Is it real?" Yearling asked. "It's real," Radiance said. "Curio… I don't know what to say." "Don't say anything, then," Curio said. "Just do it. This is your destiny, isn't it?" Radiance reached out with a hoof, and- Whack Curio flew backwards across the carpet, knocked off his hooves by the strike to his face. "Radiance!" Yearling exclaimed. "What are you doing?" There was a clear ping as the Solar Crown hit the ground and bounced, rocking in circles until it was still. "Princess!" Curio exclaimed. "Curio, it is as you said," Radiance said. "If you did not have what I desired, I was to strike you." "But-" "I'm sorry, Curio," Radiance said. "But I do not desire nor need the Solar Crown, I see that now. I have done without it so far, and I will continue to do so." There was a loud crack of splitting steel, and Radiance looked down at the Crown; it had suddenly split clean down the middle, and before their very eyes, began to fade and crumble. "What?" Curio exclaimed sitting up and scrambling towards the crown. "No, no! What's happening?" Radiance didn't say anything, just watching as the golden crown decayed, crumbling to a fine powder before their very eyes as Curio tried to scoop it up; the grains of gold dust flowed out of his hooves, and began to fade as it hit the ground; before long, the crown was gone, and no trace remained. "Radiance," Yearling said quietly. "That was…" "Nothing," Radiance said, turning away. "If I had seen it for what it really was all those years ago, maybe I would already have what I desire." "But, the prophecy," Curio blurted. "Chancellor Puddinghat foretold it! You would control the power of the sun!" "He'd been wrong before," Radiance said. "I wonder how much he was actually wrong about, in the end… maybe each of his predictions came to pass because we made them?" Radiance turned her head to look at Curio. "I think this audience is over, unless you have something else?" "I- I-" Curio stammered, bowing his head in defeat. "I have nothing else…" "Then I wish you the best of luck," Radiance said. "You might not have everything that absolutely everypony wants, but I believe you might well be the greatest merchant in the land." Curio nodded, and got up; with two guards flanking him, he walked out of the throne room, and the doors closed behind him. Yearling watched them go, and looked down at the ground where the crown had sat. "So, it was a trick, then?" Yearling hazarded, trying to understand. "Some sort of cursed replica?" "Nope, it was real," Radiance said quietly, staring at a tapestry depicting her conquest of Hyperborea. She looked at her hoof, and saw it trembling. "I could feel the power." "You really did it, then?" Yearling asked. "You turned down the real Solar Crown." "Like I said," Radiance said, clenching her hoof and putting it back on the ground. "I don't need it. The old sun king was right -- I'll never hold it, now." Yearling opened his mouth, but no sound came out, as he watched a shaft of sunlight start to move with remarkable speed; coming through a window above the main doors, it flowed down the wall and along the ground, onto Radiance, who grimaced and shielded her eyes from the sudden sunlight. And then she exploded into flames, the wave of energy causing tapestries to flap in a gale, and knocking Yearling clean off his hooves as his Princess was immolated in golden energy. "Radiance!" he exclaimed. He sat up, and tried to look at her, but had to avert his gaze from the intense light and warmth, gales of wind increasing in intensity until- Yearling lowered his hoof tentatively; he couldn't see properly, a large dark spot on his vision, but he thought he could see a tall mare where Radiance had been standing; the Princess wasn't short, by any measure, but the new equine standing in her place had easily doubled in size, and her mane and tail… they were flowing waves of energy, with no sign of the luxurious golden locks that had earned Radiance her name. "Princess?" Yearling hazarded. "Is that-" The tall mare extended her leg in front of her, looking down at it tentatively. She tried raising and lowering a hindleg, and turned around on the spot, slowly at first, but with rapidly growing confidence. "Yearling," she said quietly. "Are you seeing this?" "I must be," he said. "Are those… wings?" Radiance looked at her sides, and tentatively extended her new limbs; the feathered appendages expanded, each one as wide as the wingspan of an ordinary pegasus. She looked to the window through which the sun shone, and on an impulse, stretched a hoof towards the source. Narrowing her eyes slightly in the light, she moved her hoof slowly downward, and the shaft of sunlight left her face, moving back up the wall. "The power of the sun," Radiance whispered. "I guess Puddinghat was right, after all." "What does this mean?" Yearling asked. "What are you going to do now?" "What am I going to do?" Radiance asked. "I'll tell you what I'm going to do." She turned to walk towards Yearling. "First," Radiance said, "I'm going to have breakfast, because I am starving." She extended a golden-shod hoof to the fallen guard, and Yearling took it, feeling the warmth in her hoof, as if she had been sunbathing for a day, and clambered back up with her help. "And then?" he asked, tilting his head back further than usual to look up into Radiance's face. "And then, we will have to make some changes around here," Radiance said. "Such as the doorways. They are much too short, now." "I'll have the carpenters draw up renovation plans," Yearling said. "And while you're at it, have the scribes update my title to include my first name," Radiance said. "What?" Yearling tilted his head. "You have three names? Your first isn't "Radiance"?" "I'm nobility, I have at least three. It's my middle name," Radiance admitted. "I always felt my first name was a bit presumptuous, seeing as I didn't control the sun just yet." "Then what is your full name?" Yearling asked. The Princess cleared her throat. "I am Princess Celestia Radiance Starlight Cascadia Euphemia Blueblood, eldest of Platinum, inheritor of the sun, ruler of Equestria, and possessed of numerous additional titles that I don't care to repeat," she declared, and shot Yearling a look. "And I'll thank you to not ask me for my full name again, or we'll get nothing done." Yearling bit his lip. "Can I just call you "Celestia"?" "Please."
