Tears of a Fallen Star

by Priceless911


Ch2 The Exam


The wind was calm today; hopefully it will go as planned. Star Bolt stood at the edge of a steep cliff looking into the distance. Thinking back it’s been almost five years since he first used the Lightning Orb and now that he is older, he believes fully that he can control it. His mentor Commander Mist stood behind him; “You can do it sparky, show them what your training has amounted to.”
Star Bolt looked back at Commander Mist, and nodded. Then he started to focus. After a short time of concentrating, he could feel a static charge in his hooves. Then he looked up, a small cloud formed above his head. This cloud grew larger and larger till it was about five feet across. Then Commander Mist yelled out, “It’s too big hold back!”
When Commander Mist yelled this, it surprised Star Bolt and broke his concentration. At that moment a bolt of lightning shoot out of the cloud strait up into the sky. Then the cloud dispersed. Star Bolt felt weak and dropped to a knee. His mentor ran to his side, “You ok sparky? Ya need a rest?”

Star Bolt could only shake his head in disappointment, “Five years of training, and it wasn’t even an orb, just a single bolt of lightning. Why can’t I control it yet?”
Commander Mist tried to calm him down, “listen sparky, five years ago Princess Luna asked me to look after a skinny weak looking colt who supposedly survived a Lightning Orb. Over the years, I trained you in everything I know, hoof to hoof combat, strategic flying, air to surface combat, surface to air combat, and even how to climb mountains without using your wings. In that time, I started to believe that you really did use the Lightning Orb, and just last week you were able to produce the cloud for it. Now today you had lightning in it, a single bolt, but lightning none-the-less. I believe that you do have what it takes to control it. All you need is a little more practice.”

Star Bolt stood back up, “Maybe you’re right, but I still don’t know. None of my memories ever returned to me, and nopony ever came to find me, so what makes you so sure that I was meant to use it in the first place?”
“Because of your cutie mark, there is no way that you received it by doing anything else, especially at a young age.”
Star Bolt looked into the distance at the Canterlot castle. “Well maybe I’ll try again later.”
Star Bolt turned around and saw Princess Luna watching him from a small hill. All he could do, was hid his face in shame as he trot passed her without a word. Princess Luna watched with concern as Star Bolt went by without so much as a second glance.

Commander Mist approached Princess Luna then bowed, “Your majesty, please forgive the colt for any disrespect. He is still young, naive, and determined.”
Princess Luna replied, “That’s ok commander, at least he has made progress in his attempts, I saw the lightning bolt.”
“Yes your majesty, he has made great progress, but I'm afraid he might give up too soon, he has gotten too obsess with trying to use the Lightning Orb for the entrance exam tomorrow. He believes it will guarantee him a position in the royal guard.”
Princess Luna smiled “It would be impressive, but its more than just ability that will pass that exam, confidence is key, as they say.”
“Perhaps your right your majesty I’ll give him a little room for now. He needs time to gather his thoughts.”
“Where is he going?”
Commander Mist smiled “Where else? The same place he always goes when he is feeling down.”
Princess Luna thought for a second “You mean the Thunder Grounds?”
“Yep, whenever he feels bad he goes there in hops that he can remember his past.”
Princess Luna looked at the sun, “It’s still mid-day I have time to try to cheer him up.”
Commander Mist could only smile “As you wish, your majesty.”

Back at the Thunder Grounds, Star Bolt looked into the crater, which sat in the middle of the Everfree Forest. Five years have passed and the land is still charged with static electricity, plants are just starting to grow back. But the crater is still easy to see. Princess Luna trotted up behind him and spoke, “Are you ok Star Bolt?”
Star Bolt was startled, he thought he was alone. But he hid his surprise and answered. “Yes your majesty, I only needed time to think for a little bit.”
Star Bolt turned around and looked at Luna with surprise, “Your Majesty! Where are your guards?”
Luna giggled, “I gave them the slip, and decided to come out here alone. Why? Is that a bad thing?”
Star Bolt said with hast, “Yes it is! Timber Wolves are out this time of year, what if you get attacked by one?”
Luna Smiled, “Then I’d have you to protect me.”
Star Bolt quickly looked away to hide his blushing face “Well… I… uh...”

Luna looked at Star Bolt, “You are trying to enter the royal guard exam tomorrow right? A royal guard has to be able to protect the Princess right?”
Star Bolt replied “Yea, but I don’t know if I'm ready yet. I haven’t even succeeded on controlling the Lightning Orb.”
Princess Luna looked into the crater, “How long has it been? A little more than five years now, right?”
Star Bolt looked at Luna “What?”
“It’s been five years since I found you here in this crater, this was the first place you used the Lightning Orb and since then you have grown into a strong stallion, but I think you focus too much on the Lightning Orb. If you start to doubt yourself now, than you will never achieve your goal.”
Star Bolt looked into the crater, “Your right your majesty, I need to slow down a bit.”
Princess Luna giggled; Star Bolt looked at here and asked “What’s so funny?”
Princess Luna stopped and smiled at Star Bolt, “I was just thinking, five years we’ve known each other, and you’re still referring to me as your majesty in informal times.”

Star Bolt blushed and asked in a nervous manner, “Well wh-what should I call you then?”
Princess Luna smiled and replied “When we are alone like this, you can call me Luna?”
Star Bolt was amazed at what she said, “Ok your maa… Luna.”
Luna laughed a little and commented, “See, that wasn’t so hard was it?”
Star Bolt laughed, “That’s easy for you to say, you’re not normal pony calling a Princess by her first name.”
They both shared a laughed and started trotting back to the castle.

They Arrived at Canterlot castle just as the sun started to set. Luna looked at Star Bolt and asked, “Would you like to see me raise the moon?”
Star Bolt couldn’t resist this chance, “Yes, I would like to see that very much.”
Then they both flew to a balcony on one of the tall towers, where Princess Celestia was already waiting. “Sister, I see you have been with Star Bolt this whole time. I was wondering where you went.”
Luna smiled, “Well, I was watching Star Bolt train for the royal guard exam.”
Celestia looked at Star Bolt, “Really, then I wish you luck on the exam. You will make a fine guard someday.”
Celestia looked back at Luna “Well sister, are you ready to begin the night.”
Luna nodded her head and walked out to the edge of the balcony. Just then her horn started to glow and she flew up into the air. The moon rose up in the background casting here shadow over Star Bolt.

Star Bolt looked in awe at the sight. This was the first time he had ever seen this. Then Luna landed back on the balcony, “How was that sister?”
Celestia smiled, “You were showing off a bit for the audience weren’t you?”
Luna started to blush and shouted “Tia! you show off every time you raise the sun for the summer sun ceremony, why can’t I do it just this once?”
Both Star Bolt and Celestia laughed at the blushing Luna. Then Star Bolt spoke “Well thank you for letting me see the moon rise with you your majesties, but I have to get back to my mentor. He should be returning from duty now.”
Princess Celestia looked at Star Bolt, “Of course, you go back and get some rest. The Royal Guard Exam is tomorrow, and you need your rest.”
Princess Luna spoke next “Take care of yourself and remember what I told you.”
Star Bolt agreed “I will, I can’t doubt myself now, I have a goal to reach.”
Star Bolt flew off the balcony and towards the building where he lived.

When he got there he walked in and saw his mentor relaxing in a chair. Commander Mist asked “So how did it go?”
Star Bolt looked at him, “How did what go?”
The commander smiled “Your talk with Princess Luna?”
Star Bolt looked away “Oh that, it went good, she gave me confidence to try my best tomorrow.”
“And?”
“And? And what? She told me that if I doubt myself then I’ll never achieve my goal.”
Commander Mist sighed, “You blew it… didn’t you?”
Star Bolt looked back at the commander, “What are you talking about?”
Commander Mist started walking away, “Go ahead and play dumb colt, but if ya keep blowing it like this then she will never know how ya feel. See ya tomorrow sparky.”
Star Bolt knew that his mentor was right. But what else could he do? She was a Princess and he is only a simple pegasus. Star Bolt got him some hay and went to sleep.

The next morning at the exam arena, Star Bolt stood in line with all the other participants. He seemed to be the only one nervous out of the group, but he remembered the princesses words and tried to keep himself confident. The arena was full with ponies from all over Canterlot, but Star Bolt didn’t want to think about that. He just wanted to remain focused; he has five opponents for this exam all he has to do is win the competition.

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna walked to the podium on the side of the arena; there Princess Celestia announced the events. “Fillies and GeltleColts we are gathered here to hold a competition for these six devoted Stallions, each a fine example of bravery and loyalty that only Equestria can offer. And even though I would be proud to have all these stallions as my guards, I can only choose one. The exam will be split up into two events. One is an event of speed, each pony will go through the course designated for what kind of pony they are being pegasus, unicorn, or earth pony. The fastest of each will be placed into the final event of bravery; they will each face a small horde of dragons who have agreed to fight them. If more than one pony completes both of these tasks then they will face each other in overtime. In the overtime event they will face each other in hoof to hoof combat. If any challengers object to this then speak now…”

Princess Celestia gave the consistence a chance to object. but after a few second of silence, she continued, “Ok then let me explain the first event, each pony will start at the start line and race through each ring until they grab the flag that has their cutie mark on it. Then you will return to the start line before any other ponies make it back. And to let you each know, when you return with the flag you don’t have to go through the rings just return to the start line. Ok all contestants meet at the starting line for your pony type.”

Star Bolt flew up to the platform where one other pegasus was waiting to begin the race. The races between the unicorns and earth ponies went first, after the winners were chosen both Star Bolt and the other contestant lined up on the starting line. All he had to do was make it through the rings grab his flag and make it back before the other pegasus did. The Judge at the starting line gave them the ready, and then hit a bell starting the race.

Both Star Bolt and the other pegasus took off at the same pace for the first ring. With each ring they passed the other pegasus slowly took the lead and made it to the flags first. The cleaver pegasus tried to cheat by knocking Star Bolts flag off the pole. Star Bolt saw what happen but instead of complaining he charged downward to retrieve the flag. After catching the flag before it hit the ground Star Bolt raced back to the start line. The other pegasus was taunting Star Bolt by going half the speed that he went before he got the flag. This plan backfired however; Star Bolt reached the finish line one tenth of a second sooner than the other pegasus, winning the event and moving on to the next.

Princess Celestia announced the rules of the next event, “Each pony will face five dragons all at once. All you have to do is manage to neutralize at least one of the five dragons, to win the event. If the pony tried to leave the arena or loses consciousness then that pony will forfeit the event. The dragons have agreed to not fatally harm anypony however if an accident is to occur than we will not be held responsible. Are there any objections?”
Nopony spoke up so Princess Celestia continued talking “The first to face the dragons will be the unicorn, and then the earth pony, the pegasus will be the last to face the dragons.”

Luckily Star Bolt was going to be the last one to face the dragons; he had already worn himself out during the race so this will give him a chance to catch his breath. The unicorn entered the center of the arena. Just then five dragons flew in from the opening in the top of the arena. The dragons where moderately small but five of them will still be a good challenge. Just then the bell to begin rang. All five dragons started to circle the unicorn.

The unicorn was studying each dragon as it flew by but just then one of the dragons tried to shoot the unicorn with a fireball. The unicorn used magic to block it but while using magic another dragon charged him from behind. The unicorn tried to teleport but the dragon hit him first. The unicorn flew across the arena hitting the wall and landing unconscious on the arena floor. “Enough this match is over!”
Princess Celestia’s voice echoed throughout the arena. Star Bolt was amazed at what he just saw. The unicorn was tossed across the arena like a ragdoll and yet Star Bolt had to face the dragons soon.

Next up was the Earth pony. The pony approached the arena and waited for the bell. Once the bell rang the dragons went back to circling their opponent. Just like before one tried to shoot a fireball while another tried to charge him. The pony dodged both attacks and braced himself back in the middle of the arena. This time three dragons charged him from behind. The pony expected this; using both back hooves he kicked sand into their eyes, and then jumped out of the way. All three dragons colligated with each other knocking one of the three unconscious. The bell sounded to end the event and a few doctors went to wake up the unconscious dragon. Now it was Star Bolts turn to face them.

Star Bolt felt nervous as he entered the arena, he quickly started to think of a strategy, he needed a chance to try the Lightning Orb but that would be very difficult in this situation. The bell sounded to begin the event, and the dragons started to circle the arena. Star Bolt tried to read their actions but with five of them circling around him he had to take his eyes of one to watch another. One decided to shoot a fireball at him from behind, but Star Bolt dodged it by flying around it then he decided he had try using the Lightning Orb.

Star Bolt landed and quickly started to focus on channeling his energy into his hooves. It seemed to be working a small cloud appeared in the center of the arena but it was still too small. Just then a dragon tried to charge him for his right; Star Bolt dodged him and flew to another part of the arena, and continues focusing. The cloud was getting bigger but it was still too small. Then without noticing, a dragon charged from behind and knocked Star Bolt across the arena. Star Bolt was hurting but he knew he had to continue; he slowly lifted himself to his hooves and continued focusing on the clouds growth. It only needed one more foot in diameter.

One dragon fired a fireball at Star Bolt while another charged him. Star Bolt managed to dodge the fireball but he took a direct hit from the charging dragon. Star Bolt flew across the arena hitting the wall on the other side. Princess Celestia stood up “That’s enough.”
Star Bolt yelled “NO! I'm not done yet! I can still go.”
Princess Celestia looked at Luna who also looked concerned then said “Continue!”
Star Bolt struggled to get back on his feet then while he was focusing on the cloud he staggered to the center of the arena, directly under the cloud then he waited for the right time. Getting annoyed all five dragons charged him at once. Star Bolt waited one more second then decided, “NOW!”

The cloud in the center of the arena started shooting lightning in all directions stopping mere feet from the cheering audience. The dragons however where all hit by this cluster of lighting each one experience an electric shock that has never been experienced by a dragon before. When the lightning stopped all five dragons were lying in the center of the arena unconscious, Star Bolt was still standing but he felt very weak.

Princess Celestia, who was still shocked by what she had just seen, stood up to speak. “The event is over, the competitor won. I’ll allow a thirty minute rest time for the competitors before we begin the Overtime Event.”
Star Bolt staggered off the arena floor to Commander Mist on the side. “Way to go sparky, ya did it, but do you think you can face the last pony in the shape you’re in.”
Star Bolt looked off the arena at the podium where Princess Luna was sitting. He could see the concern on her face; this gave Star Bolt a little more confidence. Star Bolt looked at his mentor and spoke, “With every attack there’s an opening… right commander?”
Commander Mist smiled “You’re either crazy or dumb, but I like your determination. Watch his moves and his openings then you will end this quickly.”

Princess Celestia stood tall and announced, “The rest time is over, I’ll explain the rules to the final event. Both ponies will face each other in hoof to hoof combat. Just like the last event only one pony needs to be neutralized and the other pony wins. Are both competitors ready?”
The earth pony replies “Yes”
Star Bolt only gave her a nod yes.

Then the bell rang beginning the match. The earth pony started to taunt Star Bolt, “An amusing trick to defeat the dragons. But with that technique and the beating you took at the start, there is no way you can win against me, so why don’t you just give up now.”
Star Bolt could only reply with confidence, “You’re wasting your time. If you are too scared to charge me than just say so, and spare me a little speech about how you think you can beat me.”

The earth pony got angry at this comment, and charged. Star Bolt watched the pony’s attack and acted, when the pony was close enough Star Bolt using his wings through himself up into the air and landed all four hooves into the earth pony’s face. The pony flew back and rolled a number of times before stopping, and then he laid there without moving. Star Bolt stumbled to the other pony and looked at his unconscious face. Standing there he could only think to himself “I found the opening.”