Long Ago, in the dark ages of the world, often believed in the gods or higher powers of salvation or comfort. It was true these beings existed, but not many cared or could help the poor mortals. Yet, one Goddess, the Maiden of Death, the caretaker of all lost souls, decided to try and help those she could, with her flock of caring crows. This is where in Equestrian Myth where the crow comes from. A cloaked watcher and keeper of secrets, who guide the souls of the lost.

Yet, one of her crows sought out where the souls go, and the beings who helped them fight off the beings of the spirit world and claim the restless dead. He flew along the spiritual paths the dead must take and for a time he found not a single sign of where the dead go until he found a beast of a being soaked in blood, violence within his heart, and the champion of his maker standing before an unknown river. The crow, curious about the river, looked in and saw his reflection.

His eyes were like stars, and wings of rainbows, his confusion was clear, as the warrior spoke. "This is the river of the dead, it leads into the lands of the souls and hallowed world. Best not get too close crow." He warned as the Champion nodded, and both soon tossed offerings into the river, which were carried by it. Both soon parted with farewells, but the crow was transfixed by the reflection.

"That can not be me I see," he spoke, as he checked himself over, in awe of colors he could not see on his wings. He then spent many days coming back to the river, staring and admiring his beauty and colors, before he realized he was not alone. A little pony, a pegasus with a white mane and teal coat, watched him, as she seemed to find his behavior funny. He did not really care and kept admiring himself.

However, over the days, he noticed more folks gathered as if waiting for something, all pale and sad, but seemed to be merry and smile when he came around. Confused, he soon landed on a branch by a stallion, and asked, "Why do you all gather here?" He asks as the stallion speaks. "We come to see our loved ones, every year when the sun is dark, they come out and we say hello." He says as the crow speaks. "But you know you can not get too close right?"

The stallion nods, as he speaks, "We know, we sit by the edge, wave to them, and toss gifts to them all, but none make it over the river." He says as they see the little filly, waiting by the water, as the stallion sighs, "Some here only get to see loved ones this way, and we all hope one day to give them something to know we miss them." He says and trots off to the filly, who cries.

The crow, confused, asked more questions, and soon had an idea in mind, and upon the day of the darkening sun, when the spirits began to be visible on the other side of the river, he told all present his plan. "Put all your gifts in this basket, and I'll fly across to them, and fly back to pick up more. That way, the gifts will make it." The many ponies and others present agreed, and loaded his basket up, before he took flight, struggling but managing to fly to the other side, and soon set down, as the dead thanked him, and were finally able to see their gifts.

He did this two times before the sun was shining through, and he was on the other side when a pale mare spoke to him. "Give this, to my daughter, oh crow." *She held out, a letter, as the crow looked up, and took it carefully, before flying off. As he was trying to cross, he saw the others begin to become blurs, and pain wrapped through him, his inky blackness peeled away, as he pushed against a force he could not see. Soon, he freed himself, a shining rainbow of colors, as flames ignited around him, and he landed in front of the filly and gifted her the letter.

The folks were in awe, as he defied death, even as a mere crow, a mortal being made by a god though, he cheated death, and now the fiery rainbow of life adorned his wings. He looked back in the water and saw eyes stare at him before the pale filly thanked him, and they welcomed him to their village. Soon, other crows came to help them, and thus, the rainbow crows, soon called Phoenixes, were brought forth to the world.

Celestia closed the book, as she looked at the sleeping pony beside her. The fiery mane and coat of the young filly, who lost so much, reminded her of the story. Philomena rests nearby, as the Solar Monarch spreads a wing over the young student and sighs. "I wonder if you will carry such burdens as I or the crow my student. If so, I only hope you can bear them. Sleep well Sunset." She says, as she gets ready to do some work, as she sadly can not afford to sleep, after all.

The sun never rests, nor can she.

Author's Note

Just a fun little idea I had come up with. Hope you all enjoy it.

Does it link back up to Shimmering Hope? Maybe, or maybe it can is just to tell everyone, the burdens you carry, and the struggle you go through, can better you, if you let them, and make you amazing. You just gotta see it in yourself.

Be good to each other everyone.