Youth
Celestia walked through the halls of the castle on her way to bed. The walls were a mixture of grey and blue which she was accustom to having and lined with many windows, some were stained glass and much larger than the others shining their brilliant colours on the floors and adjacent walls. She was tired from a long day’s work and wanted nothing more than to sleep. As she made her way through the entrance hall something felt off, something in the air was different to the rest of the castle. She moved cautiously towards the heavy wooden front doors waiting for something to jump out at her from the other side as she opened it. She looked down dumbstruck by what she saw. Lying at her feet at the top of the steps leading to door was a red Alicorn baby staring up at the sky. She looked around to try and see who had left it outside her home but nopony was there to be seen. She picked the baby up and brought it inside shouting in a panicked voice for Luna causing the baby to let out a small cry.
The night pony charged through the castle hearing her sister’s panicked shout for her and when she found her was greeted with a sight that made her panic as well. Celestia was in the nursery that they had both lived in when they were babies sat on a purple sofa against the far wall cradling a little Alicorn. The room had many colourful paintings on the walls of ponies and dragons and many other creatures that inhabited Equestria. In the middle of the room was a wooden cot that would ordinarily make her smile but she was fixated on the baby in her sister’s grasp.
“What? Uh….what? How?” Luna could barely speak. She didn’t know of any other Alicorns being in Equestria but here was a baby right in front of her that she knew couldn’t be her sister’s.
“He was just left by the front door I don’t know what to do little sis.” Celestia was looking completely terrified and made a good point. What were they going to do? They couldn’t leave the baby but at the same time they didn’t know what to do with one. Celestia had looked after Luna most of her life since their parents’ death but Luna was past being a baby then.
“I’ll tell you what we do Tia. We keep this baby, his parents obviously didn’t want him so we should do our best to give him a good life.” Celestia looked up at her little sister and nodded. She was amazed by her sister’s maturity, being able to make a decision when she couldn’t. She lifted the little baby over to the cot that lay in the middle of the room and tucked him into bed a smile appeared on her face looking at the small pony yawn and almost instantly fall asleep. The sisters watched the little one sleep for a while before Luna spoke up.
“So what should we call him? We gotta give him a name if he is gonna stay with us”
“Well he hasn’t stopped looking at the sky since he got here so I kinda have got one idea. How about Stargazer?”
“Stargazer. I like that” They watched the baby sleep a bit more before Luna let out a yawn.
“Come on little sister I think it’s time you went to bed. We’re both going to have a busy day tomorrow with this little one.” Luna left the room heading towards her bed without a fuss knowing that they were going to have a tough time with the baby. Celestia walked over to the sofa not wanting to leave little Stargazer and fell into a deep sleep.
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A nine year old Stargazer peered round the corner watching the slightly ajar door intently. Placed on top of it was a bucket filled with ice cold water that when the door opened would fall upon his victim. He struggled to stifle his giggles waiting for his prank to be completed. Luna opened the door her freshly combed mane appearing before her, as the door opened far enough the bucket fell on her head just as planned. Stargazer burst into laughter at the sight of the night pony, the bucket still on her head. As she pulled it off she looked over to the red Alicorn rolling on the floor in laughter.
“You’re dead Star!” He sprung up and ran off still laughing with Luna in hot pursuit. He ran as fast as his legs could take him flapping his wings furiously trying to make him run faster from the angry mare. They both ran into the kitchen where Celestia was washing up who at the sight of them used her magic to stop both of them in their tracks and bring them in front of her.
“So what’s going on here?” She looked at both of them Stargazer trying to stifle his giggles looking at Luna’s wet mane.
“He threw a bucket of water on my head! And I had just sorted my hair out” She was shouting annoyed and upset at the prank pulled upon her.
“Star. Is this true?” The red pony went silent and stared at the floor his mane falling in front of him hiding his face. He knew he was in trouble but gave an honest answer to the white Alicorn knowing lying would only get him in more trouble.
“Yes Tia.” Celestia sighed then spoke to both of them.
“Luna you go clear up the mess outside your room. And Star you come with me. I think it’s time we had a chat.” Luna went off in a huff already formulating a plan to get Stargazer back for dropping the bucket on her. Meanwhile Celestia led the worried Alicorn through into the throne room of the castle.
The room was a spectacle to see, the walls were a much stronger shade of blue than the rest of the castle gilded with gold boarders and many paintings. The massive stained glass windows shone colour all around the room. The large pillars lining the room were made out of pure marble along with the floor and helped reflect light around the hall. Just before the steps leading up to the two thrones was an ornate mural of the sun with the moon inside of it. Celestia led the colt through the room to a door that stood off to the side of the thrones almost hidden in the corner. They walked through the door leading to a concrete staircase. The staircase was kept the colour of the bricks that built it obviously not being an area that was visited often by ponies. They climbed to the top where they were greeted with a heavy wooden door. Celestia summoned a simple metal key and slid it into the lock causing the sound of a heavy bolt moving signalling the door was unlocked.
The room they entered was simple yet had an element of warmth to it. There were many bookshelves that stretched to the ceiling filled with books and scrolls. The one small window looked out over Canterlot castle, Stargazer deduced that this must be the tower he could see rising from the castle whenever he went outside and had many times tried to find the entrance to it with no such luck. Celestia sat on a cushion in the centre of the room and indicated for him to sit on the one in front of her which he did so.
“Stargazer I have been thinking this over for some time now and I have made my mind up” Stargazer began to panic. Was she going to kick me out? Leave me out in the Evergreen Forest or even worse, in the mountains? Had she gotten angry with all his little pranks and jokes that he pulled on both of the sisters? He couldn’t stop worrying he didn’t know of any other home and he couldn’t live out in the wild he was only a colt after all. His fear finally took over him as he burst into tears clutching onto Celestia.
“I’m sorry Celly I won’t play anymore jokes I promise! I’ll be good I swear it just don’t leave me in the forest!” He buried his head in Celestia’s multi-coloured mane and sobbed profusely. She looked down at him shocked by the sudden outburst she wasn’t used to him crying. Even when he was a baby he was quiet. She pulled his head up and looked into his eyes already bloodshot from tears and showed him her trademark reassuring smile.
“Why do you think I was going to leave you in the forest? I actually find some of your antics rather amusing and so does Luna she loves having another pony round that she can have fun with apart from me.” Stargazer sniffled as the tears stopped falling down his muzzle giving Celestia a confused look.
“But Luna always gets mad whenever I do stuff to her. And you always look mad too whenever I do things.”
“Yes but when you are in bed we normally talk about how good some of them are and whenever you two come running in and I have to stop you from fighting I always want to laugh it is highly amusing but you still have to be told that it isn’t the nicest thing to do to others. And if Luna didn’t like you then why would she let you get in bed with her whenever you have a bad dream?” Stargazer looked at her and once again threw himself into her mane barraging her with a cuddle which she returned.
“I love you Tia”
“I love you too Star” She pulled him away and he sat on the cushion again wondering what she had taken him up here for.
“What I wanted to say was that I have decided to make you my personal protégée. I believe it would be best if I taught you everything you need to know about magic and friendship. So shall we get started?” The red Alicorn nodded excitedly and she began her lesson.
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Stargazer slept in the forest floor it had ben six years since he started his lessons with Celestia and his appearance had changed allot since he was a colt. His mane had been cut shorter so as not to flop over his eyes. He had grown allot too he was slightly taller than an average pony. His legs had gained a slight amount of muscle making him look lean but still being considered quite strong. His wings were impressive even tucked against his body and it could be seen when fully stretched out that he had an impressive wingspan. His coat and mane’s colours had also grown allot stronger over the years and he had an air of confidence about him which he loved to flaunt.
A black cloud slowly moved behind the sleeping Alicorn and stopped overhead. Luna peered out from behind the cloud silently giggling to herself looking at the napping Stargazer. She positioned herself on top of the cloud then jumped causing a crack of lightning making Stargazer jump to his feet and look around his face that of pure shock and fear from the sudden noise awakening him. He turned round to see Luna on the cloud laughing and he quickly moulded his face into the cool expression he was slowly learning to perfect.
“Totally didn’t scare me I knew you were gonna do that” Luna’s laugh turned into hysterics as she heard the bad lie.
“Oh yeah I’m so cool that I just never get scared of anything” Luna started wheezing as she laughed even more mimicking Stargazer’s voice and face badly then dropped to the floor in front of him.
“What is it you want Lu? He was clearly annoyed with her for waking him especially if it was just to make fun of him”
“Oh yeah Celly wanted me to tell it’s time for your lesson with her but when I saw you I just couldn’t resist having a bit of fun!” She giggled and took into the air Stargazer following suit and both headed towards the castle.
Stargazer landed at the front door and ran through the castle into the throne room and up the winding staircase he had come accustom to using in his lessons with Celestia. He reached the top and wandered in to see the white Alicorn looking at him with the same smile she normally had on her face.
“Sorry I’m late Tia” He put a hoof on the back of his neck and scratched slightly as he did when he became embarrassed. Celestia then got up and headed towards him.
“Come with me Star I think our lesson today would best be spent out of here.” Stargazer looked at her confused, he had never had a lesson outside of the tower before but he followed suit following her down the staircase.
They wandered through the castle Stargazer looking around all the while trying to figure out where they were going. They walked around the outside of the throne room to the side of it ending up in the castle chapel which was kept simple. The walls were the same blue as the rest of the castle but were mainly empty apart from an altar at end of the room.
“Wait you’re showing me the elements? But we’ve already been over them before?” Stargazer looked at Celestia more confused than he had been in a long time making Celestia giggle as she sat down.
“I thought I should give you the fine details of the elements. Everything I was taught by my parents, I think you are ready to know now. As you know the elements are powerful relics that a pony can use to give themselves incredible power. Even earth ponies and pegasi are able to use magic if they wield them and they keep all of Equestria in balance. But that is just the basic stuff. The elements themselves are Kindness, Loyalty, Honesty, Generosity and laughter. But there is another element that has remained elusive. I have no idea what this element is but it must be incredibly powerful not to be known by anypony.”
“Hasn’t anypony ever tried to find it before?” He gave Celestia a quizzical look as she stayed silent for a few seconds staring at the altar before answering him.
“Many have tried but it still remains hidden. It is quite hard to find something when you don’t know what it is after all. I believe that this element may not have a physical form but be something that exists within all of us. But I have been wrong before.”
“When have you ever been wrong before Tia?”
“Well until you came along I thought me and Luna were the last Alicorns left in existence, but here you are.” They sat for a few more minutes merely looking at the elements until Celestia broke the silence.
“I think that is enough for today. I’m really not the best teacher am I?” She chuckled as Stargazer gave her a slight grin that she was coming accustomed to with his increasingly confident nature.
“Would you go help Luna with supper? I have something I need to attend to.”
“Sure thing mum.” He put extra emphasis on the last word and shot Celestia a mischievous grin to which she frowned slightly.
“Really? Please don’t call me that, it makes me feel old.” They left the room turning in different directions as they headed off to do their different duties. Stargazer looked back and saw that Celestia was heading directly towards the throne room.
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Stargazer slid his Canterlot guard armour on proudly. The gold shimmered brilliantly and complimented his coat perfectly making him look all the more dynamic. He was annoyed that the armour covered his newly formed cutie mark which he got in a training session making him realise his special talent was for combat. He had wanted to join the guard since he was a colt and now his dream had come true.
“Looking good soldier!” Luna entered the room and gave him a slight wink trying to break his confident look which he had managed to perfect over the course of the few months that had passed since she last managed to break it.
“Luna you know I always look good. This just helps improve perfection!” He flicked his short main with his cocky smirk . He then picked up the helmet sitting on the table in his room and inspected it before sliding it on. He didn’t entirely like the brush that was atop the helmet and the fact it covered his mane but he would put up with it after all he had made it into the Canterlot guard and it was his first day so he wanted to make sure he made a good impression. Celestia appeared behind Luna a proud smile on her face as she looked at the armoured pony before her.
“You be careful out there you hear?”
“Oh come on Tia the job doesn’t take much just stopping a few petty things here and there and occasionally sending a Manticore back into the forest.” He made to move past Celestia and made for the front door and headed out into the town of Canterlot towards the guard station eager to get started.
He was assigned to spend the day patrolling the town with an earth pony sergeant by the name of Crawford who seemed annoyed at being paired with a new recruit. They walked through the town Stargazer holding his head high above the other ponies around him which was quite far considering his height. Crawford merely walked ahead not seeming to be interested in anything happening around him looking around at the various shops located within thatched roof houses and market stalls littering the main street. The floor had been left to be a dirt path made by the coming and going of hooves instead of being paved the town priding itself on being as close to nature as a settlement could be.
They headed into a small café where the sergeant bought himself a coffee and sat down Stargazer buying one for himself and then sitting at the table removing his helmet as was custom for when a guard was drinking or eating.
“You know you best get all the ideas out of your head of this job being glamorous because it isn’t.” Crawford didn’t even look at Stargazer focusing on his coffee.
“The job is dull you walk around the town for the day arrest the occasional trouble maker. Then very rarely you group up with a few more guards to take down a Manticore then spend the next two days writing paper-work on what happened.” Stargazer ignored his superior, he knew the job would be exciting he just had to wait for something to happen unlike what Crawford was saying.
A few more hours passed as they made their way around the town with nothing interesting happening. As they picked up their fourth coffee from the café they had entered in the morning something began to happen. The sky rapidly darkened and the ground began to tremble. Suddenly pieces of the ground started floating upwards causing many of the ponies to panic. Stargazer and Crawford donned their helmets and moved towards the guard building in the centre of town where there was sure to be a rally of the guards being given orders on what to do.
As they reached the outside of the guard building they saw the entire guard force engaging an unknown group of ponies of all different varieties. The pair charged forward to help their comrades Stargazer launching a few bolts of lightning at the attackers. As he neared he got a good look at them they all seemed to be wearing the same clothing a black coat covering them with a hood hiding their identity. Crawford leapt at the front line of the attackers and began fighting furiously.
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The fight was merely a way of holding back the group whilst a handful of the guards began evacuating the town’s citizens but the soldiers fighting were losing badly. Two of the guards were already dead and the remaining ones were mainly earth ponies only one unicorn and pegasus remained the other pegasus being killed early on in the battle with a building collapsing on them. Stargazer was taking cover behind a pile of rubble with the other unicorn firing bolts at their enemy when he saw the figure emerging from the path within the forest.
The Draconnequus stood proud at what his group had done to that small community his yellow and red eyes surveying the destruction with a cruel smile on his face. Stargazer fired a bolt at him but it bounced off landing in the thick of the skirmish. The menacing creature looked at where the bolt had come from, its eyes piercing Stargazer and committing the Alicorn’s image to memory. Crawford was launched near Stargazer as a unicorn hit him with a beam it had picked up with magic from some of the wreckage. He ran towards the sergeant trying to gauge his injuries but was stopped by his superior officer.
“Stargazer listen to me you need to get the princesses you need to protect them there’s nothing you can do here.”
“But Crawford….”
"Listen to me this is an order! It is your job to guard them you will be their guardian. You will protect them. You got that soldier!” Stargazer nodded, he knew that protecting Luna and Celestia were more important than anything right now, without them Equestria would fall. Protecting them was protecting Equestria.
He ran in the direction of his home as fast as he could move dodging the explosions and bolts that were fired at him through the town. The castle was far enough away from the town that Celestia and Luna didn’t know of the destruction befalling the settlement but the attack would soon reach it making Stargazer need to move fast.
Stargazer burst through the door and started shouting for his friends who came running not expecting him back and looking on in shock at the sight of him. He was covered in ash and sweat with a panicked look on his face. Celestia was the first to speak up barely able to keep the worry out of her voice.
“What’s happening Star?” His eyes darted around for a moment before he regained his composure and gained a level of authority in the situation.
“We need to leave. Canterlot is under attack and it is my duty to get you to safety. I think that it’s the Draconnequus you told me about.” The sisters nodded and followed suit as he took off into the air and flew away from their home.