//------------------------------// // Desperation is a dangerous thing // Story: Redemption // by CommanderAlpha //------------------------------// 1030 After Nightmare moon [hrThe sound of metal clanging on the ground filled the empty room, save for one occupant. She looked at the wall, angered at her latest failure. The success for examination for the royal guard had evaded her once again. She would give everything for a 1A assignment. She blamed her dimunitive stature, she blamed her failure to react to danger; but most of all she blamed her heritage. She is Starburst, Daughter of the supreme leader of Equestria, Princess Twilight Sparkle and Flash Sentry, leader of the Equestrian Guard. While most would think this to be a power position, She viewed it as one of her biggest weaknesses. Ponies ]fraid that she will be hurt and refuse to allow her to live life. She looked at the ground why? Why must I be Royal? Why must I be a normal Pegasus? Why couldn’t I simply be a unicorn like uncle Shining or something? She took another swat at the helmet before returning to her more typical stoic demeanor. Well, I may as well go give the news to mom. The halls of the Canterlot Castle were quite magnificent. The pictures on the wall, the luminescent beauty of the stained glass windows that depict the victories of times past, the massive stone pillars made the main palace hall and throne room awe inspiring. It had been rebuilt several times, enduring many attacks throughout history, the most recent time about 30 years ago in 1002, after the changeling invasion. There was two ponies at the end of the hall, a unicorn and an alicorn. The taller alicorn gave instruction to the unicorn “ …follow my voice and clear your mind. The Calmer you are, the easier it is to control your magic. Superfluous thoughts only cloud your…..Anthea, we have a visitor.” Anthea was surprised, breaking off her concentration. She looked off in the direction of the voice. All she could she was blurred, colored shapes, but she could recognize those she knew by voice and color arrangement. Who? Starburst looked at her blind friend. She was her friend, but she couldn’t help but be a little jealous. Twilight was always praising her and refering to her as her "Faithful student", while Starburst often felt ignored. This was exactly what She wanted to walk into after her failure. "Hey Annie… " Starburst had her head hung in a dejected manner, and was sheepishly walking up to her mother. "Hi star!" Annie could sometimes be oblivious. "What’s wrong, Daughter?" Twilight worried about her daughter. She often put herself in harms way, and could be quite rebellious. "I…I was Rejected by the academy again." "Oh, I’m sorry to hear that." "I just wish they would give me a chance." Twilight was conflicted on the matter. She wanted her daughter to be happy, but Star just kept falling flat on her face on the entrance exam at the academy. The last thing she wants to see is her daughter injured. Well, maybe you should give it a rest for now. What do you mean by that? Starburst was unsure about what she was getting at. Oh great, I’m not quitting if that’s what “I mean perhaps you should just give this more consideration and think about...” Starburst cut her off. She was frothing was anger. “Oh no I’m sure you’d love it if I’d just quit. If I’d just start being “realistic” like you. Whatever, I don’t need this.” Wait, Star… I didn’t… The call was in vain. Her daughter ran off, ignoring her calls. “is everything ok, Princess?” Twilight sighed looked at her pupil. “Yes, my student, Star is simply upset.” ........................................................................................................... Laying in a heap in a library inundated with books, a small pegasus expressed her frustration to her Red and Yellow maned unicorn friend, The Professor. “I don’t get it, Doc! I swear, she just sits there thinking of what she could say to discourage me! She always does this!” Starburst had had it with her mother’s lack of support. “ Just for once…Just for once I was hoping she would offer some kind of, I don’t know, advice?” Professor Shimmer looked at her discontented pupil and friend as she went back and forth to the books she needed. “ Maybe she did. ‘Give it a rest’ doesn’t mean quit. Maybe you should take a break. You’ve been killing yourself lately.” Starburst took it as ludicrous. “I can’t take a break. I have to get as strong as I can in the next six months!” She thought for a moment. "Maybe…Maybe I can just gain the necessary strength I need . Through potions or something?! Yeah…I can simply take what I deserve!” Sunset chuckled a little “Now your sounding like me when I was young… and that isn’t a good thing.” “ Then what do I do?” Star sighed. “I’ve always wanted to be extraordinary on my own, to be my own mare, but I just can’t seem to breakthrough.” She began musing about herself if she were magic. She could make the world bend to her whim. “ Hey, Doc, is there a spell that could, say, make me a unicorn?” “Not to my knowledge. If there were, it would be the holy grail of spells.” “Well, could you…Make that spell?” “ No, I couldn’t. I know a lot about magic, but not that much. I think that you should just try to be more comfortable in your own skin.” The Young princess was disappointed. Her face fell with sadness and defeat. Sunset shimmer looked at her young pupil and friend. She raised one eyebrow “ You know, there is a story that there was an artifact buried deep with in Canterlot mountain that has magic that can be controlled by anypony, but it caused so much destruction and pain, it has been left where it belongs. It may be an old pony’s tale, but the moral holds true. The harmony of life is brought by accepting who we are, and using our talents to their fullest capacity to help others. This was something I thought I learned too late, and I paid the price when I ignored this wisdom and wanted more than I deserved. I would hate the same to happen to you…I’ll see you later , Starburst.” The professor left the room to her quarters, but Starburst began her walk home. An artifact that can make me magic? No, I can't. Besides it probably doesn't even exist . But.....Rrrrggh…I need to go home. I’ll think about this later… ..................................................................................................................... Night light was playing with his Action figure on the royal palace floor, emanating onomatopoeic words. “Pew pew… haha, I’ve got you now, Pixel…Ohno, Somebody save me!... I’ll save you!.. Oh nighty, you’re my hero…Kiss me! Starburst came into the room, seeing her little brother. Sweet Celestia, was he annoying. “What are you doing, playing make out with your dolls?” “They’re not DOLLS! What were you doing, getting arrested for smashing more mailboxes?” Nightlight was very upset by his sisters remarks. After all, they are Action figures. “Whatever, that was one time! Where’s mom?” “She’s out on royal business or something. She might not be back until tomorrow.” She looked back at her brother. “Say, light, wanna go on an adventure to Canterlot Mountain?”