Krys snuck around to the side, past the Glitterbots, to the ship. Peeking over a spur of diamond, he saw the Princess looking at the Color Crystal the hypnotized Sprites had mined for her. A General stood by, waiting for her to finish. With him were several Sprites, their fur dull from the hypnoray.
Finally the Princess finished looking, and ordered the Crystal loaded. The General and Sprites moved on around the back of the ship, leaving the Princess alone.
Krys jumped out from his hiding-place, Prism at the ready.
"Don't move!" he ordered, pointing the Prism.
The Princess turned toward him, a snarl on her face. When she saw who it was, the snarl changed to a happy grin.
"There you are! I'm so happy to see you!"
Krys, taken aback, stopped short. "HUH?" he said.
"I was so afraid you'd been hurt in the fighting," she said.
"Why would you care about that?" he asked, suspicious.
"I have some news for you," she said. "I did some checking on you after we last met. You've lived on Spectra most of your life, raised by a Sprite mage named Orin, is that right?"
"Yes, it is," he answered, the Prism unwavering, "So what?"
"Why don't you put that weapon down?" she asked, "After all, you don't want to use it on your sister, do you?"
"My...what?" he gasped, lowering the Prism.
"Your name is Krys, and I'm your older sister, Krystina," she answered.
"I don't believe you," he said, raising the Prism again.
"It's true. When you were very small, our parents went on a trip to the outer border of the empire to see about a rebellion. They left me as heir, and took you to Spectra for safekeeping. I found the records in the Royal Archives," she said.
"Then why didn't they come back for me?"
"They were killed in an attack. It left me on the throne, and you stuck here. They did it in secret, and nobody knew where you were. It doesn't matter, though. I would still be on the throne even if you were home because I'm older."
Krys was silent, thinking.
"Why don't you come home with me?" she asked, "I've missed you."
"I--I don't know..." he said, thoughtfully.
"With your help, and your weapon, you can help restore the empire, even have a dukedom of your own."
That was too much. Krys raised the Prism again.
"No," he said, "I won't join with you. You aren't my sister. No sister of mine would be like you."
"I am your sister. Ask your Sprite friend...Orin. He took you to care for from our parents, but didn't know it would be a lifetime job."
"Get off this planet," Krys told her, "And don't come back. I will protect Spectra from you and anyone like you."
The Princess snarled, and started to say something, when the General returned. Krys recognized him as Zombo, who had been in charge of the garrison on the Prison Planet.
Seeing Krys he stopped short.
"YOU!" he shouted, raising his weapon. It was like the one Krys had ruined with the Prism.
The Princess stopped him with a gesture.
"Highness, he is the one..." he started.
"I know who he is, General," she said.
"Recall your troops, now, or I will use this," Krys told him.
General Zombo looked at the Princess, who nodded. He touched several buttons on the control box he held. "The Glitterbots are returning, Highness," he reported.
"Good, now get on the ship," she ordered.
The General looked at her, then at him.
"Now!" she shouted.
He moved off, shaking his head.
"Satisfied?" she asked.
"I will be when you're gone, and the Sprites freed from the ray," he answered.
"It will wear off in a day or two," she said.
"It'd better," he said, "Or I'll be looking for you."
"You would be better off coming home with me, Krys," she said, "If you continue to hang around with that Rainbow Brite, you might lose any chance at the throne."
"I don't care about that. Get out, now. I will give you an hour."
"Very well, but don't forget my offer. It will be good for a little while longer." She turned her back on him and walked with all dignity to the waiting ship.
Krys watched her get in, his feelings mixed up. Then the sound of metal caught his attention. The Glitterbots were returning, as the General said. Time to leave.
He turned and disappeared among the diamond outcropings.
Forty-five minutes later, Krys stood with Rainbow Brite, the Color Kids and their Sprites, Brian, Bombo, Popo and Orin, watching the Princess' ship take off.
It raised up from the plain, hovered for a moment, then rose toward space, gaining speed with each passing second. A minute later it was beyond the atmosphere, the rockets a small dot that faded away.
There was cheering from all the assembled.
Orin turned to Bombo. "Pass the word, the Princess is gone. And make preparations for the celebration."
"Yes, sir!" said Bombo, saluting. He turned and skated off.
"What about the hypnotized ones?" Orin asked Krys.
"She said it would wear off in a day or two," he answered.
"That's good," he answered, "I think we'd better round them up from the mines and see if we can speed the process. Popo, will you organize that?"
"Sure will," he answered, and skated off in the direction of the mines.
"Orin, we need to talk," said Krys.
Orin looked at him. "We will, young Krys."
Rainbow came over to Krys. "That was a brave thing you did, confronting the Princess and getting her to leave. I'm proud of you."
"Thanks, Rainbow," he answered, "But it was Brian's idea. You need to thank him, as well."
"Is something wrong?" she asked, seeing his expression.
"I don't know yet. I'll let you know when I do," he answered, and walked away.
She watched her friend go over and greet some of the Sprites who had taken refuge in the hills and were now returning. Brian came up behind her and watched Krys force himself to be cheerful.
"What's his problem?" he asked.
"I don't know. He'll tell us when he's ready," she answered.
"Krys tells me it was your idea to confront the Princess," she said, changing the subject.
"Yeah, it was. I'm just glad it worked," he answered.
She smiled. "Looks like you ARE a good luck charm for us, just like your father," she said.
"I didn't do much," he said, embarrassed.
"No, but what you did was the best thing to do," she answered, "Thank you."
"Aw, I'm just glad I could help," he said. He looked at her for a moment, then grinned. "You bring me on the most exciting trip EVER, and YOU'RE thanking ME?"
Rainbow looked at him in surprise. Most children his age would be swaggering around, bragging. She looked closely, and suddenly could see a white aura around him. She smiled to herself. Brian was a Light.
"Brian, Krys, the Kids, Orin...all are lights," she thought. Rainbow had no vanity about herself, so it never occurred to her that she might be one as well.
Of course, Spectra being a diamond, there was no real 'night. The light of stars shone constantly, making the surface glow all the time. But several hours later there was a celebration. Plants didn't grow very well on Spectra, and animals who needed regular periods of light and darkness were confused, so they imported all their food. Shipments had been disrupted when the Princess attacked, but the reserve was very great and they had more than they would need until the next one arrived.
Normally the Rainbowland Sprites would wait on the Color Kids, but the Spectran Sprites insisted they sit at the tables and be served as well.
Sprite musicians played a variety of instruments, and all were strange to Brian. Orin spent a lot of time explaining what things were to him.
Rainbow stood up, and gestured for the music to stop.
"I have an announcement," she said, "Moonglo wants to add to the beauty of Spectra."
There was murmuring among the Spectrans and guests.
Moonglo stood up, Nite Sprite standing up with her. "I'm pretty sure this will work, since Spectra doesn't orbit any star," she said.
She held up her hands, and the two of them disappeared, to the astonishment of the Spectrans.
"Everyone look up," said Rainbow.
Above, the stars, which had been visible but washed out by Spectra's light, began to brighten. Individual stars began glowing with color; red, blue, yellow, even green. A planet on the horizon took on more detail. The sky grew more beautiful with each passing second.
Spectrans and Color Kids alike began applauding.
Finally Moonglo and Nite Sprite reappeared, and she sat down heavily. She looked up, surveying her handiwork.
"Good work, Moonglo," said Rainbow, applauding with the others.
"Thank you all," she said, "This should last a long time, since there's no sun to rise and spoil it."
The partying lasted many hours, until all were tired and full from the exotic foods and drinks and dancing. They returned to their assigned housing, and slept late.
The next day the hypnotized Sprites began to recover. They were confused, and didn't know what had happened from the moment the ray had hit. Soon they all had recovered, and returned to their normal jobs.
"Well, young Krys what's on your mind?" asked Orin later that day. He was in his igloo, behind his desk. Krys stood in front of him. Rainbow stood near the door.
"You told me that my parents left me with you when I was a baby," said Krys.
"That's right," said Orin, "And they never returned. I've tried to raise you as best I could."
"I'm grateful for that, believe me," said Krys, "But I got some news I want you to confirm or deny."
"If I can..." said Orin.
"The Princess told me I am her younger brother."
Rainbow gasped, involuntarily, then clapped her hand over her mouth, in shock.
Orin looked down.
"Is it true?" Krys insisted.
"Yes," answered the old Sprite, "Yes, it's true."
"Why didn't you tell me before?" shouted Krys.
"The couple who left you with me, your parents, wanted your identity kept secret for your own safety. After all those years, it became a habit. Then she attacked Spectra the first time, and you encountered her. Saving Spectra took my attention, and it didn't occur to me to warn you then. And if my guess is right, she didn't know either."
"I'm sorry, Krys. I should have told you before."
Seeing Krys' expression, he added, "I should have expected her to find out and tell you. It would have been better if you heard it from me, rather than her, but I can't think of everything, you know."
Krys turned and stomped out of Orin's home, brushing past Rainbow.
Orin and Rainbow looked at each other.
"Go after him, please, Rainbow. See if he will forgive me," said Orin, sadly.
She turned and left, looking in the direction Krys had gone. She tried to catch him up, but lost sight of him.
An hour later she found him sitting in a high place, overlooking the village and Crystal mine.
"Krys?" she said, coming up behind him.
"Rainbow, I'm not like her," said Krys.
"I know, Krys. You're a good and brave person, one of the lights of the Universe," she answered.
"I don't know about that," he said
She put her hand on his shoulder. "I do," she answered.
"I just can't believe it," he said "That I would be related to the Princess, and that Orin didn't tell me."
"He didn't mean to hurt you," she said, sitting down beside him.
"I know, I know, but this is going to take some getting used to," he answered. Suddenly he brightened. "Gee, that means I'm royalty!"
"Uh huh. There's another upside to it, as well," she said.
He looked at her. "What's that?"
"You finally know about your family."
His face fell again. "Yeah, but it makes me wish I didn't know."
"Maybe you can get her to change her ways."
"Now that's a thought. She tried to get me to go with her. Maybe I should have gone."
"No, that wouldn't have been a good idea. You would have been confused, and maybe done something you'd later regret. This way, you can digest the news in peace, and come to terms with it first, before you meet her again."
"Hmmm...you're right, of course."
"Will you forgive Orin?"
"Sure. I was mad, but I understand."
"That answer confirms what I said before."
"And that was...?"
"You ARE one of the Lights of the Universe."
"Thanks for being my friend, Rainbow."
"Thank you for being mine, Krys. My world would be much duller if you weren't in it."
A day later, they took their leave of Spectra. The Sprites and Krys came to see them off.
"Goodbye, Rainbow Brite," said Orin, "Thank you for coming to our rescue once again."
"Any time you need us, Orin, you know that," she answered.
"And you can count on us to help if you need us, too."
"Thank you. I hope it won't ever happen, but the Princess is stirring up trouble, and we may meet again sooner than we wish."
"I fear you are right. But we will be ready. Goodbye!"
The Color Kids, their Sprites, Brian, and Rainbow Brite waved to the well-wishers. Rainbow touched the star on the Belt, and the rainbow formed under their feet. They soared upward, away from the light of Spectra, the stars now glowing brightly.