//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: A Very Gifted Alicorn // by RoyalPonySisters //------------------------------// The Princess of the Night let out a decidedly un-princess-like whine. Her muzzle was buried in Elemental Theories and Magicks, which she had been reading for most of the week, along with a myriad of other long books. “Is everything alright, Highness?” she heard a voice ask. Luna poked her head out of her room. All she saw were her loyal guards. “I am fine... just frustrated,” she admitted to Nightwing and Dark Shield. They looked at her quizzically. “Celestia is trying to help me learn all the magic I missed while I was... absent. It is quite an arduous process.” “Oh, that does sound hard. ‘Course, I wouldn’t know any of that stuff,” Nightwing said, gesturing towards his own hornless head. Luna sighed. “I suppose I cannot expect learning a thousand years of magic to be easy.” She tried to remind herself how nice it would be to be able to converse confidently on magic, and that this was necessary. She continued, “Still, at times it can feel quite overwhelming- trying to memorize the formulas for elementumometry and various other details.” The guards stared at her blankly. “I- never mind,” she said. “You are both excellent guardsponies, and that is what matters. Good day.” She saluted them, and returned to her room. Pretty foolish to think the guards could help me with this. There is probably nopony in Equestria who could even understand this. Luna sat up suddenly. Wait. There is one pony who has experience with this.She trekked right out of her room to her confused guards, lugging the books with her. “Nightwing, Dark Shield, prepare my chariot. We are going to Ponyville!” The trip wasn’t too long, and before she knew it, they were there. Ignoring the gawking of the average Ponyvillians, Princess Luna stared at the doors to the Golden Oaks Library sternly. Then, she delicately extended a hoof and knocked. No response. She knocked again. Still no response. “TWILIGHT SPARKLE WHERE ART THOU?” she finally yelled. Luna heard a yelp from behind the door, which finally opened to reveal a frazzled purple Unicorn. “Oh, Princess Luna! How nice to see you! What a... pleasant surprise!” Twilight squeaked out to the Princess of the Night, who was levitating a large number of old books over her head. “Twilight Sparkle, We require your assistance,” Luna said. “Well, I’m always willing to help a friend. What is it?” Twilight asked more confidently. Luna sighed. “As you know, I was... absent from Equestria for a thousand years. In that time, things have changed greatly, including the arcane arts. My sister has been assisting me in learning magic, but it has been a bit... difficult. I thought, since you are her student, perhaps you could help?” Twilight stared for a second, and then burst into a wide smile. “Of course! I’ve never had a ‘classmate’ before!” She turned to the books Luna was levitating. “So these are what you’re using for your research paper? I’ll be glad to help. I love research papers!” Luna frowned. “Twilight Sparkle, there is no research paper.” “But then how are you supposed to gain a deeper understanding of the subject?” Luna rubbed her forehead. “You and my sister...” “Well, then, why are you here?” Twilight asked. “If you’re not here for a research paper, I mean. Of course, you can show up, Your Highness, whenever you want, I’m always glad to see you, but I was just wondering...” Luna dropped the books. “I was just having... some difficulty understanding some of the topics. I thought, as my sister’s protégée, you would have some experience with these matters and... well... tutor me?” She blushed. Twilight’s eyes widened in recognition. “Oh.... Well, don’t worry. I’m happy to help.” Luna levitated up Elemental Theories and Magicks. “I was just having some trouble understanding the elementumometry formulas for the non-classifiable spells...” Twilight took the book and stared at it. “Wow, Elemental Theory? That’s really complicated; it’s no wonder you’re having a hard time. Even I don’t know it so well, but I’ll see what I can do.” She sat down behind a writing desk in the back of the library and opened the book. Following her, Luna sat down beside her. If this is difficult for Twilight Sparkle it must be truly complicated. She felt relieved to know she hadn’t suddenly lost the ability to understand magic. Twilight rifled through the pages of the book, mumbling to herself all the while. “Mm... mmm hmm... yeah... right, right, exactly....” She finally turned back to Luna. “I think I can explain. Sorry I took so long, I haven’t kept up with the more obscure theories as much as I should have.” Confused, Luna turned to her new study partner. “What do you mean, ‘obscure’?” “Well, Elemental Theory isn’t really used much in modern magic- it isn’t used at all, actually, not since it was disproven by Gallopeo in the third Celestial Era.” Twilight replied. “Work on Elemental Theory ceased almost immediately after Gallopeo introduced the Harmony Model. Nowadays Elemental Theory is only studied by magical historians and a few pure magicians.” Luna could feel the room constricting around her. “So you are saying that it has no practical applications?” she said, willing herself to stay calm. “I’m sure there are some- but none that I can think of.” Twilight admitted. “I mean, it is interesting, seeing how our understanding of magic has evolved, but for practical magic it’s basically useless.” “Thank you, Twilight Sparkle, but I have to... go. Now.” Luna choked out. Rage filled her chest. Twilight looked at her in bewilderment. “Wait, but I can explain it. I read it now, I understand! Oh, please don’t tell Princess Celestia! I’ll study it more! Is this a test? It was all a test, wasn’t it? I failed, didn’t I? Oh no....” Leaving the books and the hysterical Unicorn behind, Luna stride into her chariot and sat down. “Nightwing, Dark Shield- fly to Canterlot.” Somehow, she managed to keep it together for the trip, even as she grew angrier and angrier. Celestia, when I get back there is going to be Tartarus to pay!