Chapter 2: Moonlit Prelude
Chapter 2:
Moonlit Prelude
Luna sat at the reading desk reserved for her in the Royal Library of Canterlot Castle, staring with unseeing eyes at the page she had just read. Gathering her wits with a shake of her head, she forced herself to read the last few lines again.
Eclipse, the last of Princess Luna's apprentices and the only one of her confidants to rebel against her when she became Nightmare Moon, was cleared of any complicity in the rebellion but decided to retire from public life completely. Nothing further is known of him save that he is noted in the public records of Trottingham as having passed away thirteen years later.
Luna sat back and rubbed her eyes with a hoof. Poor Eclipse... you were always the voice of my conscience. Would I had listened to you one last time!
"Sister?" came Celestia's voice from behind her, the pale alicorn taking a seat beside her and nuzzling her mane. "I take it you... found what you were looking for?"
"Yes," Luna sighed, nuzzling Celestia in return. "Thank you for - for not being harsh on him, Big Sister. I've come to miss Eclipse a lot, his insights and his company both."
"Luna, I know that he..." Celestia trailed off; talking about that time still did not come easily to her, even to one who had first-hoof memories of it. "I know that he counselled against your subsequent actions, and I would never condemn anypony simply for who they were." She paused. "May I ask... of course you would want to know what happened to him, but is there any particular reason why you have chosen this time?”
Luna straightened in her seat. "Yes. Yes, Sister, there is. I know that you have kept the tradition of taking a student, and in Twilight Sparkle I see that you have found perhaps your most talented protégé yet. I feel...” she hesitated momentarily before brushing away her odd, doubtful feeling. “I feel that it is time for me to do so as well."
“That is wonderful news!” Celestia beamed, looking at Luna with affectionate care. “I want you to know that I will support you in any way I can with this decision.”
Luna returned a hopeful smile; knowing very well how times had changed, she would gladly accept all the help she could get. “Thank you, Tia. I am well aware of how different things are now, and I’m quite sure the roles of mentor and student have not been exempt from that change! I have many questions on the matter.”
“And I will answer to the best of my abilities,” the elder sister said with a confident nod. She waited patiently as Luna rubbed her chin in thought, pondering over her first question.
“Well, as I recall, a personal student was often at our side, or at least in the vicinity of the castle - yet Twilight Sparkle resides in Ponyville and is still your student. Why is this?”
“Twilight and I keep very close contact with each other,” Celestia began without the slightest hint of hesitation. “And I myself asked her to remain in Ponyville in order to study the magic of friendship, which could not be done here in the castle.” Luna listened intently as her sister carried on. “As Twilight learns and studies, she sends me letters on what she has discovered, be it on friendship, magic, or various other subjects.”
“So she continues to study magic as well?” Luna questioned.
“Certainly. Twilight has a variety of avocations - astrology being another one of her personal favorites. And the same process applies; whenever she discovers something new or particularly enticing, she sends me a report on her findings,” Celestia said with a smile.
“I see... but having such little contact should make some aspects of your mentoring difficult, no? How do you assign studies or monitor her progress?”
“Twilight isn’t a little filly anymore, Luna,” Celestia said with a wry smile. “She’s a responsible and grown mare. I don’t have to keep track of her every spell and research project as I did when she first became my student. As for studies, I trust Twilight’s abilities in choosing her own interests.” Luna thought silently to herself, letting her sister’s words sink in.
“That’s another major point - trust,” Celestia continued. “The relationship of a student and teacher is unique - you know that very well. There must be a special connection that cannot simply be made by choosing any random pony.”
“I presume that has changed as well - choosing the right pony?” Luna asked, privately hoping that at least something from the past had survived to modern days.
“You must mean the old tradition of noble families raising their foals for the sole purpose of becoming our next protégé? No, that was done away with nearly a thousand years ago. Now, it’s a more... intimate decision. A student must be chosen carefully, not only having regard to their strengths, but their weaknesses as well. There is no simple way to find the right pony. But when you do, you will know.”
Luna sat in silence, reciting Celestia’s words in her head: but when you do, you will know. “How?” she thought aloud, raising a questioning brow. “How did you find Twilight Sparkle?”
“Oh, that is quite a story,” Celestia replied with a soft laugh. “I remember it well. Twilight was a filly at the time, but already quite gifted for her age and ready to enter the School for Gifted Unicorns. But her entrance exam was beset by... complications. Certain events caused her magic to surge uncontrollably, to the point of damaging the castle.” She gave a wavering smile at her little sister’s perplexed look. “But what is important is that everything turned out for the best. Not to mention that it brought Twilight and I together.”
Luna looked down, once again bringing her hoof to her chin in contemplation. “So what you’re saying is that you found your protégé entirely by chance? And that you chose Twilight because you witnessed her great magical prowess?”
“Yes, I saw at once that she would need to learn to control her very formidable power. At such a young age, it was quite an astonishing sight. But also... I felt a certain connection to Twilight. One that is rather difficult to express with words. Let’s just say, seeing her - a young, talented, devoted filly- made me feel happy inside,” Celestia said with a smile and an assuring nod. “Her gift is the closest I’ve ever seen a pony come to our own level of ability for some time, so who better to teach her?”
“Then how should I find a student? I simply cannot dally about and hope a certain pony comes along to fill the position. I cannot leave this to chance, can I?”
“That is something you must discover on your own. There is no way to hoof-pick a protégé from a crowd or select group of ponies. Often, it can be the most spontaneous circumstances that let you know who that pony really is,” the white alicorn spoke in her usual soothing and reassuring tone.
“I understand. Thank you, sister - I will think about this a little longer,” Luna said with an unreadable expression before turning to smile at Celestia.
“You know I am always free to discuss anything,” Celestia said, rising up and turning towards the door. “Also, if you’d like, I can carry a bit more work today so you can take the day off to do a little more research on your subject,” she looked back with a wink. “Oh, and I’ll see if Twilight is free anytime this week, as well. I’m sure you two will have fun discussing the matter,” Celestia finished with a wink, before exiting through the door.
~*~*~*~
“Hello, Princess Celestia?” Twilight whispered in respect to any others present as she entered the Royal Library, where she had been directed to upon her arrival. Of course she cleared her schedule for the whole subsequent day, always eager to spend time with her mentor. She put off all other obligation of the day, even if it meant reorganizing her scrupulous schedule.
Upon entering the library, she found much more clutter than she recalled from previous occasions. Books were piled high on tables and floor in an unorganized fashion, some shelves had entire sections missing and nopony seemed to be dealing with the mess. As a librarian herself she couldn’t help but cringe ever so slightly at the sight of her once-favorite reading and study room in such disarray - along with another twinge of guilt at her own habit of doing the same thing.
“Princess?” she called a little louder as she took a few careful steps into the library, a soft echo repeating her word. “Hello-”
“Twilight Sparkle!” Luna’s head popped out from behind another pile of books, startling Twilight ever so slightly. “I’ve been waiting for your arrival,” she continued with a smile. “I apologize for the mess, been doing lots of... catching up, you could say.”
“Oh! Princess Luna,” Twilight blurted in a tone of surprise, quickly recovering to return a toothy grin. “That’s all right, it’s always fun to rearrange the library, ahaha...” she smiled nervously. They stared at each other, Twilight finally speaking in an effort to break the awkward silence. “So... Princess, how are you?”
“Please, Twilight, I’ve told you that simply Luna will suffice. And I have been doing rather well, thank you,” Luna replied with a reassuring smile, walking around the stack of books and towards the smaller unicorn. “Now, you must be wondering why I have beckoned you here.”
“Well, to be honest, I thought it was Princess Celestia summoning me - but it’s a pleasure to be here with you too... Luna,” she nearly stuttered, subtly correcting herself.
“I’m glad, Twilight,” Luna said warmly. “You see, something has come up recently, and my sister and I believe you could offer me some assistance.” Twilight listened, curious as to what sort of predicament she could possibly be needed for. “I have decided that I wish to take on a new protégé. And who better to seek advice from, aside from my sister, than her own personal student?”
Twilight’s eyes grew wide with delight. “That’s great news!” she exclaimed. “Just the thought of having a study buddy is exciting.” She looked to the side longingly, daydreaming of all the possibilities for a few seconds. Returning her gaze to the other pony, she asked, “How can I help, Luna?”
Luna smiled at the unicorn’s enthusiasm. “I’d like to ask you a few questions first, if you don’t mind answering them,” she said, gesturing at a pair of sitting cushions by another book-filled table.
“I’d be happy to,” Twilight said as she went to take a seat, Luna following close behind. “I will answer to the best of my abilities!”
Luna felt rather comfortable speaking to Twilight. Not only was she her sister’s personal protégé and close friend, of course, but she was also the pony that had gone out of her way to help Luna during the Nightmare Night celebrations in Ponyville. Not to mention the fact that, in her role as Element of Magic, she had helped free Luna from the evil clutches of Nightmare Moon, and had gone on to save Equestria on many occasions since.
“You were rather young when you became my sister’s protégé, and presumably had to move into the castle under the watchful eye of a princess?” Twilight nodded in confirmation. “How did you feel about that?”
“Oh... well, that was some time ago.” Twilight bit her lower lip in thought as she recalled her past memories. “It was really exciting, of course. Being admitted into Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns was one of my greatest aspirations. I had never even dreamed about becoming the personal student of the Princess! When the reality of it all began to sink in, I really started to go through a lot of emotions. Honestly, it was a little scary being a little filly with no idea of what to expect. But I was also overjoyed! Ever since I can remember, I looked up to Princess Celestia. She was my role model and my inspiration, so I knew everything would be fine. And I was right.”
“And everything went well? Life in the castle, the intense studies, the sudden gain of social status?”
“Well... it took some getting used to, and there were definitely ups and downs. Having a teacher with great knowledge and wisdom is amazing, and an almost endless supply of books at all hours of the day or night was a dream come true! Although...” she paused momentarily, “I wasn’t the most sociable pony back then.”
Luna tilted her head in slight bewilderment. “But you have many friends in Ponyville. Indeed, I found you very approachable.”
“Things were not always that way. The only friend I really had at the castle was Spike, and with him being a baby dragon we didn’t exactly see eye to eye all the time. I’d often find myself alone. So instead of going out, I just studied and read books... until Celestia pushed me into a more social setting.”
Luna listened attentively with a grave expression on her face, the word ‘alone’ sparking immediate interest. Alone - a word that she couldn’t help but associate with herself. Her banishment, as well as the period immediately following her re-arrival, immediately came to mind; she could easily recall the feelings - the sad, scared, dreadful feelings and thoughts.
“So you spent much time alone as a filly?” Luna persisted, lowering her head and speaking in a softer tone, unsure of Twilight’s feelings towards her past.
“Sort of... I spent as much time as I could with my brother, Shining, but he also had his own studies and training to deal with. It’s all right, Luna, I’ve got lots of great friends now!” Twilight said with a reassuring smile. “Is there anything else you’d like to ask?”
“I have no more questions for now, but I do have another favor to ask of you.” Twilight readily leaned in, smiling encouragingly. “You see, the coming together of you and my sister was rather... fateful. It was a chance moment where you were both at the right place at the right time. I don’t believe I can simply wait for that sort of opportunity to come along... so I’ve been doing research on different possible methods for finding a protégé, particularly those from Equestrian history. I was wondering If you would be so kind as to help me study further?”
“It would be my pleasure,” Twilight said, levitating a few books from the stack on the table. “I need to freshen up on my history anyway.”
“Delightful! Then we should get to work; I don’t want to keep you for too long.”
And work they did, delving into their respective historical studies ranging from the era of Celestia’s monarchical rule to the time predating that of the royal sisters and the creation of Equestria. Time slipped by as Twilight and Luna immersed themselves deeply into their reading, scouring through almost-forgotten texts and ancient scrolls. It would be hours until either of them found anything of note.
“Luna, come look at this,” Twilight called from a table where she had stacked dozens of old scrolls, with a particularly tattered and motheaten one laid out before her. Luna set her own book down and came to settle at Twilight’s side. “This is rather interesting... it tells of the olden pegasus tribes before the creation of Equestria. As a common tradition, in order for a new tribal leader to come to power, many eligible pegasi would come forward to participate in a series of trials and battles. In the end, only the pegasus that passed every trial and defeated all other opponents would become the tribal leader.” She paused, carefully skimming the writing again. “Right here,” she said, levitating it for Luna’s inspection.
Luna carefully read it several times, silently pondering the options this opened up. “I don’t know about you,” Twilight began anew, “but thinking about it, the idea seems rather odd in this day and age. I mean, there are good reasons why ponies don’t do this sort of thing anymore,” she said, referring to the scroll with a hoof.
“I disagree, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna responded, an enigmatic smile playing about her lips. “To the contrary, I feel it is rather appropriate.”
“What? Really? I mean... really?” Twilight asked, her skepticism plain.
“Yes... perhaps a tournament?” Luna whispered, posing the question as much to herself as to Twilight. The more Luna considered the proposition, the more appealing it seemed. Celestia had given her fair advice, most of which she would be forced to dismiss if she went ahead with this plan, but Luna didn’t see that she had a great variety of feasible options. Celestia, being the Princess for so long, was in daily contact with lots of ponies, had many acquaintances and had been able, therefore, to wait and see if she would encounter a pony suitable to become her apprentice. Luna, not yet having that same level of contact with her subjects, didn't have that option - her social circle was still too small for her to regularly meet new ponies. Surely a competition would make them come to me!
“Uhh, sorry, I didn’t quite catch that... did you say ‘tournament’?” Twilight carefully.
“Yes, something along the lines of a... series of contests, perhaps,” the princess elaborated, “where only the most capable of ponies would succeed.” The idea was still nascent, but the longer she considered it the more intriguing it seemed. “I believe it might prove to be a rather effective means of finding the pony that is to become my protégé,” the princess continued. “I could hold trials and challenges to test their skills, allowing me to assess them along the way; perhaps, even, bring out their true characteristics in the process.”
“I don’t know,” Twilight began warily. “Do you really think this is the best way to find somepony? Would ponies really sign up for something like this?”
“I believe so. Don’t belittle your own position, Twilight Sparkle. Being the protégé of my sister or I is something very few ponies throughout history have had the opportunity to experience. It is a grand honor that many ponies would do anything for.”
“Well... if you say so. Glad I was able to help,” Twilight said with a grin. “Are you going to need some help cleaning up?” she added, inspecting the mess they had created.
“No, no, thank you for the offer, but I can manage. Besides, I must peruse through most of these books myself anyway,” Luna replied in a reassuring tone. “It’s beginning to get rather late as well. Would you care to stay in the castle tonight?”
“Oh! It is pretty late. I’d love to, Luna, but I should really be heading back to Spike and the library.”
“It is no trouble, Twilight Sparkle; I’ll make sure you are escorted home safely. And thank you for helping me.”
“My pleasure!” They stood up in unison, Luna escorting Twilight to the door of the library. “I had lots of fun... umm, reading with you today. Hopefully we can do this again soon!”
“I look forward to our next meeting,” Luna smiled. “But hopefully under less... demanding circumstances.”
“I’d like that... but for now, I really should get going,”
“Let me walk you to your carriage,” Luna said, keen to spend a few more moments with her first friend.
~*~*~*~
“Tia!” Luna, giddy with excitement, practically cantered up to her sister’s side. Celestia was standing on her balcony, having stepped out of her chambers to lower the sun at the end of its daily journey.
“Ah, Luna; I wondered if I was going to have to raise the moon myself tonight,” Celestia teased, but with a smile. “I presume Twilight had to return to Ponyville? It’s rather late.”
“Yes, I hadn’t realized how much time had passed.”
“And did you discover anything new? Or come up with any new ideas, perhaps?”
Luna hesitated a bit, unsure of her sister’s likely reaction to her as-yet underdeveloped plan. She watched Celestia’s magic gently push her fiery orb beneath the horizon. Stalling for time, she closed her eyes and let her own horn shimmer with magic as she drew forth the brilliant moon from the eastern horizon.
“Well, I have one,” she finally said, feigning total absorption in the task at hoof.
“Oh?” Celestia raised a questioning brow.
Luna thought for a few seconds before speaking again, tapping a hoof on the hard tile that lined the balcony floor. “Tia, you said you came across Twilight after witnessing her perform an extraordinary feat of magic, yes?”
“Correct,” she answered plainly.
“Then a pony’s skill is also a major factor in choosing a student,” Luna continued.
“Well, yes, but-”
“So then you will approve of my idea,” she grinned in triumph as she leaned in closer to her sister.
“... and this idea is?”
“I wish to... I am going organize a series of tests,” Luna said, her conviction clear in her firm tone.
Celestia blinked and cocked her head to the side, regarding Luna in silence for a few moments before finally speaking. “A series of... tests?”
“Yes,” was her simple and direct response.
“You will test ponies... to find a student?” Celestia dug further.
“Correct,” Luna answered again in the same firm tone of voice.
“What sort of ‘tests’ would this entail?”
“I will organize a tournament, sister!” she replied quickly. Celestia simply stared at her sister for a few moments, blinking in silence as she struggled to comprehend her sister’s enthusiasm.
“Luna... are you sure that is wise?” The smaller alicorn only nodded in response. “Don’t you think it is rather improper in this day and age? I am sure there must be a more... peaceful way of finding a student. One that does not rely on pitting ponies’ brute strengths against each other, hmm?”
“One of the principal reasons you chose Twilight was due to her strength. Aside from you having that chance encounter, what is the difference between what you did and what I want to do?” Luna said, looking at her elder sister with a furrowed brow and slight frown.
“Being powerful does not imply that a pony will be a good student... or a good pony in general for that matter,” Celestia countered.
“You did not know that, either. Twilight becoming such a wonderful student was a happy coincidence. What I am doing here is simply... speeding up the process. A pony’s strengths are important as well, Tia. You can’t deny that few ponies are fit to receive or even capable of understanding much of our teachings and wisdom...” She paused momentarily, both sisters now looking towards the starry sky with identically solemn expressions. “A tournament will serve to highlight everypony’s strengths and weaknesses; in the process they will reveal their true selves to me, giving me a better understanding of each participant - and bringing me closer to finding the one who is truly fitting of becoming my protégé.”
“I understand what you are saying, Luna, but... I don’t believe I can sit by and watch this happen with equanimity.” Celestia paused, a small frown upon her face as she looked over to her silent, stern-visaged sister. “What you are trying to do is entice our own subjects to battle each other in order to gain your favor. I cannot allow anypony to get hurt.”
“Neither can I, sister. They are my subjects as well, and I will not let any of them be so endangered,” Luna retorted at once.
“There are so very many things that can go wrong. And what of you, Luna?”
“... What of me?”
“Are you prepared for the possibility of an irrevocable disappointment? That the victor of this tournament might be a pony completely incompatible with you? It’s a real possibility, one that I don’t want you to be faced with.”
“I will not let that happen... I’ll make sure of that. But, if so, I will be responsible for whatever outcome may occur. You need not worry so much for me, sister. I know what I am doing,” Luna said, once again looking up at her elder sibling with conviction in her eyes.
Celestia hesitated, looking down at her little sister’s unwavering, determined face - a face she remembered from centuries ago. She sighed in acceptance, knowing nothing could sway her little sister at this point. “You know I trust you... and if this is what you think is right, then I will not stop you from doing it.” Celestia nuzzled Luna affectionately.
“But... are you aware of the amount of planning and organization that you will need for something like this?” Celestia continued, pulling back to return worried, swerling eyes beneath her lowered brow.
“I am well aware of it... and I have many ideas for how I can make this work. It will be safe, do not worry about that. It will be thoroughly organized; trials, levels, stages, brackets,” Luna spoke confidently. “Sign-ups shall begin without delay. I will make the announcement promptly at sunrise, and the news will be spread throughout Equestria thereafter!” she said, with a trace of giddy excitement underlying her voice.
“Splendid...” Celestia gave a wavering smile in return.
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Sorry for the super long wait! Had lots of stuff going on. I'll try having future updates come much faster
Yes update!
Love this story. Glad to see a new chapter.
i loves it im gonna tell every pony about this
Life goes on. I understand.
As for this chapter, it's nice to know how Luna came up with the idea of the tournament. I'm just interested in knowing how Luna is going to hold a tournament without any participants getting injured. Also, how the heck is Trixie going to get anywhere in this tournament? Her magic is mainly tricks and fireworks. I can see Trixie and Luna connecting as student and teacher, they both know about loneliness, but I don't like Trixie's odds of getting to that point.
Anyway, I hope another update comes sooner rather than later, but like I said...'Life goes on.'
I'd say the whole 'tournament' thing depends on what Luna tosses in as contests. And it seems she may have a very hooves-on approach to designing them.
Meanwhile, it might be good if in the future you noted flashback chapters as such. It took me a while to get my mind in line chronologically.
Interesting. Luna seems a bit like a filly in this new day and age. Having to adapt and change based on recent events is certainly a monumental task for her. I like the new take of her being more underprepared to deal with things in a new time in a cute way. This Luna is nice to see rather than the always stout and wise Luna you see most of the time. I must admit even I went with the flow on that one. Still loving it so far.
Let the trials begin!!!!!!
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Can you elaborate on that? For me it was rather obvious that the chapter deals with the past as soon as the 7th paragraph came up (which still is first page).
Personally, I like the more subtle approach with the flashback, since the author doesn't have to jump in time multiple times in a single chapter.
Best pony? Check. Best pony realizing her own weakness? Check. Best pony not talking in the third person? Check. I absolutely adore the way you characterized Princess Luna, and opening the story the way you did breaks my heart. I'm hoping you have good things planned for Trixie in later chapter, but please don't rush it. This is shaping up to be a great story. I wanna see my favorite showmare go far, and I know you won't disappoint!
Thanks, everyone, for all the kind words! I'm so glad you're enjoying the story so far. And don't worry about any questions you have about the story. So far, I'm pretty sure I've got all your questions covered
Again, thank you all very much!
Pretty good, here. I think Trixie would fit in quite well with Luna. She's not as powerful as twilight, but so far she outclesses just about every other unicorn we've seen. And can do at least one thing Twilight can't.
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I wonder what that thing would be. Being evil?
1794737 Actually, weather manipulation.
It pains me that this story went belly up. Pains me!
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Fear not! Bubu is still working on the next three chapters.
When are we getting a new chapter?
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So sorry about the wait! College and stuff... This coming weekend, I promise!
The answer to Celestia's concerns is simple. make the selection of the protege' independent from who wins the tournament.
Hold the tournament--- offer prizes, first second third etc. Throw in a few side prizes: fastest, strongest, most versatile, best costume, etc.... And add at the bottom "and a chance for one lucky pony shall be selected the Protege' of Princess Luna!" Then run the contest. After it's all over, Luna can select her protege' from any of the contestants she pleases.