Past is Present

Chapter 13

The Crystal Empire

"Where is she going?" Honeysuckle muttered to herself as she watched Morning Glory looking this way and that from behind a tree before quickly flying to the next hiding place in the early morning sun. As she peered out from the corner of a house Honeysuckle snuck up behind her, "What are you doing?" she asked incredulously.

"Oh nothing."

"It doesn't look like nothing." Honeysuckle accused. Morning Glory seemed to be searching for an answer.

"I'm just... practicing my hiding for the Spring Picnic with the ponies."

"Hide and Seek?"

"Yes, and you found me so I'll have to try again." she said quickly, rushing off.

"Hmmm..." Honeysuckle muttered as she watched the blue flutterpony fly to another part of Flutter Valley.

"Phew! That was close." Morning Glory sighed in relief as she flew over the snowy mountains. "I'll have to be more careful next time. Of all the flutter ponies I can't have Honeysuckle finding out - she'll go straight to Queen Rosedust." She redoubled her speed over the still, snowy plains.

"Morning Glory!" The white unicorn hailed.

"Night Moon!" she cried, soaring down to his side. They greeted each other with loving nuzzles. "I missed you!"

"I missed you too."

"Good Morning, Morning Glory." a second stallion, deep blue in color with a shimmering silver mane that matched his iridescent gold eyes, smiled at her.

"Star Song! I'm glad to see you again."

"We almost couldn't get away." he answered. "Father wanted our help preparing for the Crystal Faire."

"But when I told him it was you we were meeting... he felt we could do with a little break." Night Moon finished.

"I can't wait to meet him! You've both told me such wonderful things about him."

"I know he is eager to meet you as well. Will Queen Rosedust be attending our wedding?"

"Well..." Morning Glory hemmed. "About that..."

"You still haven't told her?" Night Moon looked stunned.

"Well, I still have time." she defended.

"The ceremony is next month."

"See, thirty whole days." she answered with a smile. Night Moon fixed her with a stern look. "I wish it were so easy; but I don't think Queen Rosedust would approve."

"You'd better believe she wouldn't!" Honeysuckle exclaimed, flying up to reveal herself from behind a snowdrift. "So this is what you have been up to! Well you had better get yourself home before Queen Rosedust finds out." she said pushing Morning Glory away from Night Moon. Recovering from her shock Morning Glory found her footing.

"No." she answered, standing her ground. Honeysuckle stared, stunned.

"Excuse me?"

"I said NO. I'm not leaving."

"But-but... you know what this means! Queen Rosedust will be furious!" she cried. "Morning Glory, this is madness! Please, what can I do to convince you to come home and forget all of this?" Honeysuckle pleaded.

"Nothing. Without Night Moon it would never be my home." Morning Glory was resolute.

"But... but..." Honeysuckle sought for answers.

"Please don't tell Queen Rosedust!" Morning Glory pleaded. "At least not until after we are married. It's only a week. Pretend you didn't see us."

"I can't - I can't do that."

"Please Honeysuckle!"

"I would wager," Star Song interjected - Honeysuckle stared open-mouthed at the stallion she had not yet noticed. "That it shouldn't hurt anypony to wait a week. I don't think these two are going to change their minds if you gave them one hundred years." Honeysuckle found herself unable to reply; Morning Glory giggled in understanding,

"Honeysuckle, this is Prince Star Song; Night Moon's half-brother. Star Song, this is Honeysuckle."

"Prince?" Honeysuckle finally managed.

"Yes. He and Night Moon are the sons of good King Sombra of the Crystal Empire." Morning Glory explained.

"It is a pleasure to meet you." Star Song said with a graceful bow.

"Yes. The same." Honeysuckle stuttered.

"I know you're probably very busy, but since you are here, would you like to see our Kingdom? We'd be honored to give you a tour." Night Moon suggested, picking up on Morning Glory's lead. Honeysuckle looked about, flustered, as though unsure whether to stay or go;

"I suppose it couldn't hurt..." she finally ventured.

"The Crystal Empire has flourished, undisturbed, for over a thousand years." Night Moon led the foursome through the streets.

"They say it is protected by the power of the Crystal Heart which was carved by the very first Unicorn ever to come to Ponyland." Star Song added to Honeysuckle.

"The Crystal Heart?" Honeysuckle asked.

"Yes, it magnifies the power of love giving all Crystal Ponies their sparkling eyes." Star Song answered. "A long time ago it used to light up the entire empire as though everything and everypony were made of crystal."

"Yes, but it seems like every year it grows weaker and weaker." Night Moon continued as they approached the giant blue spire in the center of town. Within it stood a Crystal Heart that flickered weakly with a blue glow. "If we can't find a way to restore its power soon we won't be able to protect the empire from the frozen snows and we will have to leave our home."

"That's what Night Moon was looking for when we first met."

"We'd heard stories of the Moochick; we thought, perhaps he could help us. But it is a long journey - we can't wink as far as we used to be able to and it requires more power each time."

"What did the Moochick have to say?" Honeysuckle asked. It was unbelievable she had scarcely even noticed Morning Glory's absence; but then with all the work in Bumbleland... How had Queen Rosedust failed to notice?

"He told us the magic of the Crystal Heart was being stolen but that dark magic prevented him from seeing who was doing it." Morning Glory continued. "Good King Sombra cast a spell to locate where the dark magic was coming from but to no avail - it only led us into a wall of ice."

"Whatever creature is stealing the magic must be powerful enough to interfere with father's magic."

"Or else vanish into a block of ice." Star Song added as they approached a large crystaline palace balanced upon four thick legs of iridescent gems. Below the castle, visible even from a distance, the heart-shaped stone seemed to twinkle.

"It's beautiful!" Honeysuckle said, awestruck, as she approached the flickering stone.

"Thank you." a tall snow-white mare appeared from behind the stone. She did not seem especially old, but something about her aspect told Honeysuckle that her heart had aged beyond her years. She fluffed her wings revealing a tear shaped shimmering stone surrounded by silver. "I see you have brought us a new friend, Night Moon."

"I believe she is Star Song's guest, mother." Night Moon answered, a glint of mischief in his eye.

"Is this true, son?" The white mare asked. Star Song colored slightly.

"Yes, mother. I suppose it is."

"Please excuse my son's manners for not granting us a proper introduction. I am Queen Tiffany, and who might you be?" despite her attempt at warmth, Honeysuckle felt a coldness from the Queen that made her shudder.

"My name is Honeysuckle. Pleased to meet you, your majesty." She replied with a bow.

"Likewise. Please make yourself at home while you are visiting my kingdom. Morning Glory, it is wonderful to see you again - we do hope you both will join us for dinner this evening." Morning Glory nodded. "Until then, I will leave you to your guides." she said, and, spreading her wings she flew up to the castle.

"Your mother is one of the six Princess Ponies?" Honeysuckle cried, dumbfounded.

"Yes, Princess Tiffany, ancestral ruler of the Crystal Empire and keeper of the blue wand of magic." Star Song said, mimicking his mother's haughty tone. "I am certain she will tell you all about it at dinner, if you come."

"Well... I'm not sure... I think we should get back before Queen Rosedust misses us." Honeysuckle hemmed.

"Perhaps another time then?" Star Song inquired, hopefully.

"Perhaps." Honeysuckle conceded. Her pink cheeks turning an even darker shade of rose.

"Then you won't tell Queen Rosedust?" Morning Glory asked eagerly.

"Well... no. Not yet, anyway. Does it always flicker like that?" Honeysuckle attempted to change the subject.

"It didn't before, but now it is becoming so weak... we fear one day it will go out entirely and not even the Crystal Faire will be able to restore it." Star Song answered, worriedly.

"Don't worry, we'll find out the cause of it." Honeysuckle reassured him, placing her own hoof upon his comfortingly. Star Song glance over at her and their eyes met. Both colored and turned away, embarrassed. The moment was not lost on Morning Glory and Night Moon, who looked at each other and smiled.

"I suppose our secret is safe, for now." Night Moon whispered.

"I suppose so." Morning Glory replied giving her special somepony a nuzzle.