Tree of Harmony
Chapter 7
The Next Day
The next day Sombra and Queen Chrysalis were standing together on Luna's balcony, watching Flame Striker raise the Sun. To their surprise it was brighter than normal. Sombra wondered aloud, "I wonder if it's brighter because its Flame Striker raising it? She specialized in protecting it after all... I wonder if the moon will be brighter too. Or will it be duller?" Queen Chrysalis nodded thoughtfully.
They hadn't slept much last night, instead they had been waiting for their orders. However, there were no orders. At least not yet. No one had visited them either so they began exchanging stories. First it was about how they knew Flame Striker. Sombra went first,
"When I first became a Unicorn through dark magic, Flame Striker banished me. She fought me in the frozen north, which had been my place of exile, and told me to never return to Equestria. She had been there when Celestia and Luna fought the draconequus. Then later on, when I returned to take over the Crystal Empire, she, Celestia, and Luna fought me. I won but only because she was called away. Umbra's tome even warned of her." Queen Chrysalis nodded,
"I have heard stories from my subjects about her and my ancestors. I was not always Queen you know. Apparently she beat my father and uncle's army when they visited the Sun. They thought it would be free for taking, its pure magic. However there had been an Alicorn guarding it. They hoped to beat her but they failed. Even when my uncle turned into her sister, Krystallos, she was not fooled. The changelings remaining fled after she defeated my father and uncle. They tell stories about her you know. I have never fought her before but still I acknowledge her power. There are even some rumors among the changelings that she has beaten Celestia before." Sombra nodded,
"I have heard such things as well. Apparently she's older than them as well. Much older."
Later that evening Queen Chrysalis got her drink. As she sipped it, she felt herself becoming stronger. It was a nice feeling. The emotions in the drink were astonishing. Love sorrow, regret, hatred, and something surprisingly bright. She offered some to Sombra and he exclaimed,
"My! This is such a rich drink. There are so many flavors and emotions mixed in it!" Queen Chrysalis nodded,
"I agree my dear Sombra. These emotions are unlike anything I've ever felt. The love is not powerful, not here. But the sorrow and regret certainly are. The hatred, it tastes beautiful doesn't it? There is something that I cannot decipher there...something bright..." Sombra grew thoughtful,
"Perhaps the moon. The moon is bright, gets cold and very sweet." Queen Chrysalis merely shrugged. As it grew dark out they watched Flame Striker rise the moon and set the sun at the same time. Her horn was blazing gold as she stood there, on her own balcony without even having to fly to represent it. The moon glowed brighter than it had ever done before, much like the Sun had earlier. The two smiled at each other and turned in, to sleep.
With the Ponies
When they got up the Sun was already shining. Even though it had been bright before, it seemed even brighter to them. Apple Jack shielded her eyes, "Now what's up with the Sun I wonder?" Twilight replied,
"I think it may be because Celestia's guarding it. Or possibly because Flame Striker is the one that caused the Sun to rise instead of Celestia." Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy all nodded, agreeing with Twilight. Pinkie Pie shrugged,
"I don't know! All I know is that it's a beautiful day out and we should invite Flame Striker out to a picnic!" Twilight frowned at Pinkie Pie,
"That's Queen Flame Striker Pinkie Pie. You don't even have a title." Pinkie Pie giggled,
"Whatever Twilight. Let's go! Let's go!" When they arrived at Flame Striker's quarters they were told to wait in the throne room for her majesty. Something that surprised the ponies was how quickly the guards adapted to a new ruler. When they arrived at the throne room they saw Flame Striker sitting in her throne smiling at the ponies.
"Good morning Princess Twilight Sparkle, Head Coordinator Rarity, Co-Coordinator Pinkie Pie, Head Cook Apple Jack, Head of the Royal Pegusi Guard Rainbow Dash and Head Grounds Mare Fluttershy. Did you sleep well?" The ponies gaped at their titles and then smiled proudly responding,
"Yes, of course Queen Flame Striker." The last three words slipped off their tongues awkwardly. They were used to Princess not Queen, it was quite strange for them.
"So, did you like my morning?" They all nodded and Queen Flame Striker dismissed them.