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// The Invitation 
// Story: The Lonely One 
// by Celesteon 
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	As the winter night started the ponies in Ponyville have gone quietly to their home, have settled down with thier loved ones and yet there was one pony who lived in this town came to be known as the Lonely one.  For this pony had a dark crisp Corvix mane that showed many wonders of beauty, and having a color teal for his fur, and his cutie mark of a gaming expert, which was a Game controller, with knowledge of many games that he has tested and played for the major companies like Neightendo, Hoofsoft, and Spectral-oni. His name was Lakura Dusk, his childhood wasn't a kind one though his parents had a fight and they left because of trust issues, Lakura never made many friends due to his parents squabbles that happened at home.  Now as a full grown stallion with a high rep around the pony gaming community, he has dominated every pony in every tournament, but though being a pegasus, he has been living the lonely life.  However when it came to school, he would schedule with the teachers and school board of his next visit to help teach the young fillies and colts, and letting them ask questions, to a certain extent.

"Another day with the young ones," he shook his head as he entered his home, which was close to the Ponyville library, but as soon as he entered his home there was a letter on the floor.  Curiosity struck him as he picked it up and saw that it was an invitation to Canterlot Palace, and it had one of the Princess' seals that it was required, but there was something strange about this letter.  He began to look at the front and it read: "Equestrian Gaming Tournament held at Canterlot Palace."  Lakura opened the letter and it read like this:
To the champion of Canterlot Tournament,
You have been invited to participate in the best of the best around the country to represent our society in Canterlot.  These pony gamers aren't the ones you have faced in the past.  You are fully aware of our last champion lost to these gamer ponies, and they have been supported by many sponsors from around the country, just like you.  Report to Canterlot Palace tomorrow, first train departs early so get here and try to get some sleep, you will need your focus in the tournament that starts the day after tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Princess Celestia
P.S. Luna says 'hi'

Lakura knew he had been tired from all the stuff he was caught up on during the day and how much he wanted to game all night would've been his thing but if it was a tournament invitation, he wouldn't back down at all.  He decided to set his alarm early after he packed the things he will be needing for the tournament, for tomorrow he would be doing alot of training for the game tournament, and he would show the country on how he far he has come since he lost in their qualifier rounds, for it was his time to shine.

The next morning was a bit too early, way too early for the gamer of Ponyville, Lakura gathered his things and headed to the train station being chased by all the little filles and colts that adored him as their hero, which he didn't mind but it was the average game ponies that wanted to show him their new strategies in the game he beats them at and he had no time for this.  Lakura barely makes it to the train station, bought his ticket and got on and the train departed for Canterlot.  Lakura would take this time on the train ride to rest for the lost sleep he had, which he did, but he didn't notice that there was another pony on the same traincar with him which, she too, had an invitation to Canterlot to partake in its local  gaming tournament.  She soon discovered that she was in the same car as Lakura, and she decided to walk over and say 'hi' to him.  Lakura felt a soft shake and opened his eyes and saw, this mare standing infront of him, though he was shy, but it didn't stop him for letting the mare to sit next to him.  As the train continued to travel the two ponies began to talk, until she came to ask this question:

"What's it like to be in a gaming tournament?" she asked.

"Hard to say, many competitors are usually scared, pressured, nervous, or calm," Lakura answered.

"Will I ever get up to your level of gaming?" she asked nervously as she knew she was gonna be playing against other players.

Lakura put his hoof to his chin and put his right wing over her and said some words that were comfortable, "Look I know your nervous about going into this tournament, I was too, but as soon as you forget everything around you and focus on the game at hoof, nothing can stop you, win or lose you only played for fun."  As he smiles afterwards to help the mare around his age comfort.

She took those words to heart and she introduced her name, " My name is Naruna Light."  For she too was a pegasus, and haven't been widely known as Lakura.  She had a bright vanilla cream coat, a Gold/Silver mane, and her cutie mark was a game controller, the same as Lakura's.

Lakura smiled and said, "My name is Lakura Dusk, and it is a pleasure to meet you Naruna, I wish you luck in the local tournament."

As the train stopped in Canterlot, the two ponies got off and went their separate ways not knowing that they would meet each other again.  As Lakura walked up to Canterlot Castle, his journey through this tournament is going to be the toughest one yet...he just wished his parents were here to see him make it this far.....