Chapter 4: Training
Starlight jumps along in pure daylight above her levitating a box of chocolates and flowers.
"I wonder if mommy will appreciate the chocolates and flowers? What do you think Woona?"
Luna giggles.
"I'm sure your mother will love them!"
Starlight gallops along as she enters the Canterlot hospital Luna not far behind. Ponies bow in the presence of Princess Luna the pony of the night, but Starlight was another story ponies just stared at her weirdly. Starlight stops at Celestia's room waiting for Luna. She knocks as Luna arrives.
"Come in."
Starlight bursts in screaming "SURPRISE!!!"
Celestia giggles not scared at all.
"Hello Starlight."
Starlight runs and flies onto the over sized hospital bed.
"Mommy look what me and Woona got you!!" Starlight says levitating the chocolates and flowers over to Celestia.
"Oh my thank you they're beautiful" Celestia says putting them on the table next you her oversized hospital bed.
"Mommy when are you coming home?"
Celestia stops, she finally speaks up again after.
"Starlight could you give me and Luna a minute? Maybe go look at all the sleeping foal!"
"Ok!" Starlight says running off.
Once gone Luna's expression turns more serious.
"Something wrong?"
"Starlight needs training."
"But sister I thought she wasn't-" Luna was cut of my Celestia raising a hoof.
"She needs to go to the Crystal Empire to train with Princess Cadence and Shining Armor."
"She just got you back and you want to send her away again!"
"I'm sorry but if Nightmare Moon is truly back we a strong pony to help defend Equestria and I really hate to say it, but Starlight is that pony."
"I...I understand."
Starlight comes rushing back. "Mommy! One the foals waved at me!"
Starlight stopped talking obviously knowing something was wrong.
"Mommy is something wrong?"
Celestia begins talking her voice a little broken "Starlight we.... I think it's time you were sent away to train."
"Is it something I did?!"
Celestia pulls her close "No no! You did nothing wrong, but Nightmare Moon is back and mommy can't protect Equestria like she used to. That's where you come in! Mommy needs to be the strongest you can be physically." Celestia points at Starlight chest "and mentally." Celestia points to Starlight's head.
Starlight sniffles. "Ok mommy!" Starlight backs up and stands tall "I promise to become super duper strong!"
Celestia smiles "Good."
Starlight says her goodbye's to Celestia as Luna take her homes. When they arrive back Starlight walks to her room not saying anything.
"Poor Starlight."
The rest of the night was uneventful mostly packing things for Starlight and the pony herself sleeping. When it came time Starlight put on her saddlebags Luna escorted her to the train station.
"I hate this place Woona."
"I know you do, but I can't fly you there I have to stay and watch your mommy."
Luna hugs Starlight tightly.
"You'll do great! I'm sure your gonna love Cadence and Shining Armor!"
"Woona am I the only pony who can save us?"
Luna looked down at Starlight smiling sadly.
"Yes you are."
The train arrives and Luna gives the pony one more hug before Starlight departs onto the train. Starlight stared at Luna as she waved goodbye while the train began its departure. Starlight look back from the window and noticed many ponies staring at her. I guess it was weird for an Alicorn to be using a train especially one of her size regardless she ignored them and sat back enjoying the ride. She eventually fell into a deep sleep. In the dream Starlight dreamt of her mother when she was a filly and Luna wishing she could have been born with them and avoid this accursed fate. A bump from the train woke Starlight up it was raining outside.
"I must have been out for awhile."
The train conductor speaks through the intercom "We shall be arriving at the Crystal Empire shortly please be sure to gather all your belongings and we hope you have had a pleasant trip."
Starlight sits and cracks her back levitating her saddlebags on. The rain began to disperse as the ground become a bright green field and the skies were a rich blue with no clouds at all.
"Wow this is beautiful... Time to grow up Starlight."
Starlight got as the train stopped some ponies tumbled over by accident Starlight was unfazed and began her walk off the train. Starlight raised her hoof in front of her face as the sun gleamed down upon her. Starlight looked around for awhile not knowing where to go till she finally decided to ask somepony. She grabbed a glimmering random pony by the shoulder.
"Excuse miss! Do you know where I could find Princess Cadence and Shining Armor?"
The pony was about to speak, but a pony grabs her shoulder from behind. Starlight without thinking spins around her tail crystallized and slams a guard across the crystal road. Starlight's face goes from readiness to worried.
"Oh no.."
She runs over to the guard. "I am so sorry are you ok?!"
The guard was limping now the second guard that was apparently with him comes to his aid and supports him. The second one speaks up.
"Go up the stairs that are at the one of the legs to the giant dome castle." The guards walk and limp off leaving a very shamed Starlight alone.
Starlight flies toward the stairs and walks up them which lead her to a crystal lobby with two large doors the larger ones to her left and smaller to her right. Beyond the larger doors she could hear talking. She sneaks to the doorway and peers around it to get a closer listen on the situation.
"I see... Another missing pony. Send more search parties I will alert the family."
Starlight lightly sneezes thus revealing herself to Cadence. She quickly ducks back into hiding.
"You shouldn't hide from family." Cadence chuckles
Starlight comes out from behind the door.
"I don't think we have ever met but I am Celestia's Niece Princess Cadence."
"Hi I'm Starlight! I was told to find you."
Cadence walks up putting a wing over Starlight.
"I'm sorry what you have to go through it isn't fair to you."
Starlight jumps at the comment "I'll take anypony on that hurts others and make sure they never hurt anypony again!"
"That's brave of you, but I think once Nightmare Moon is gone again everything will be peaceful."
"If not I was made to do this!"
Cadences strokes the foals mane with a somewhat sad face.
"Why don't we go get you settled in then?"
Starlight nods and follows Cadence to her room. The rest of the night went by peacefully till in the morning. Starlight peacefully sleep her worries melting away as she rests in the comfortable bed. Cadence comes in her crown and boots off. She walks over to the sleeping foal. Cadence rocks the foal slightly.
"Starlight. Time to wake up."
Starlight immediately got up and shot past Cadence. She was obviously excited to learn new spells and how to help rid the world of the evil that is Nightmare Moon. Starlight continues to run until running into a white pony with blue and light blue mane.
"Whoa calm down there."
"Starlight! Sorry Shining dear. Shes just a little excited." Cadence looks down.
"Hey it's ok! This will be all over soon when shes ready."
Cadence snaps "She shouldn't have to be ready Shining!! This isn't her fight! She shouldn't fight in it!"
Shining Armor nuzzles Cadence "Listen I don't like it anymore than you do, but Princess Celestia said it was all up to her."
Starlight sits there idle just watching the two.
"Boring! Let's do this!"
Starlight says running and jumping out the window. At this point Starlight jumping of ledges was normal. Shining Armor kisses Cadence then puts on his cap and begins his walk to the courtyard.
-2 weeks later-
Starlight's training was well spent as she learned many new and lethal spells. Starlight excelled like no other pony in learning magic and flying. Cadence was less than happy with all the training and refused to help in anyway, but not at the cost of ignoring Starlight. She tried her best to make her feel like a normal pony that had a normal life. Starlight had other ideas and constantly practiced her till her abilities were worn out for the day. The final day came and Starlight had to leave Cadence and Shining Armor, but not because she had to go back home. It was because something was wrong.
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Starlight stood on the balcony overlooking the Crystal empire. Princess Cadence and Shining Armor both walk over to Starlight.
"Are you really sure something is wrong?"
"Yes. My mother is in trouble I can feel it."
Starlight turns around "I must thank you both for all that you have taught and given to me."
"I just wish you didn't have to fight a fight you didn't start." Cadence says looking away.
"Well somepony has to do it and that pony is me!"
Starlight turns around looking outward. She takes a deep breath as she prepares for what could be hers or Nightmare Moons final day on Equestria.