//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Entrance Exam // Story: Luster Dawn Friendship Successor // by SamSwordsman123 //------------------------------// The weeks rolled by until it was time for Starlight and Sunburst to take their daughter to Canterlot. They headed from the Castle of Friendship to the Ponyville Train Station. Luster looked nervous as she followed her parents, this was the beginning of a new chapter in her life. One where she would have a chance to measure up to her parents potential and be recognized. This was her chance to shine like her mother had, be a bright rising star… or sun since she had the name dawn. Starlight noticed her daughter’s worried expression and leaned down to nuzzle her. “You’re going to do fine Luster,” she said. ‘”But what if I fail? What if I don’t get in?” Luster asked. Starlight smiled. “Then I won’t love you any less, and neither will your father. Right Sunburst?” Her husband nodded. “Of course, I’ll still love you Luster. That will never change.” Luster smiled as they continued to walk with her parents looking down at her. Then- Thump! Starlight crashed into somecreature. “Oh I’m sorry I- Starlight stopped as she saw she’d bumped into a blue griffin. A blue griffin that she knew very well, for she had taught that griffin at the school. “Gallus!” “Oh, Headmare Glimmer. Vice Head Stallion Sunburst.” The griffin said. “What are you doing here? Taking the training someplace?” Sunburst asked. “No! I figured I would just fly to Canterlot,” Galus joked. “But trains are quicker.” “You’re going to Canterlot?” Starlight asked. “Us as well!” “Oh cool!” Gallus said, he then noticed Luster hiding behind Starlight. “This must be your daughter.” “Oh yes,” Starlight said. “Luster, meet Gallus. He was a student at the school of Friendship.” “Hello,” Luster said shyly. They all boarded the train. “So why are you going to Canterlot Gallus?” Starlight asked. “I want to become a royal guard,” the griffin said. “A royal guard?” Sunburst repeated. “Yeah, I figured it would be cool to wear armor and help save Equestria more when it needs it.” “Are the others planning to become guards as well?” Starlight asked. She hadn’t seen Gallus’s group of friends since summer had began, all of them had officially graduated from the school of friendship and then returned home to their own lands. “No, I don’t know what they plan on doing,” Gallus said. The train ride to Canterlot was pleasant for Starlight and Sunburst. But Luster’s stomach still seemed uneasy. When they got off the train, they walked up to the school of magic where Twilight would be present for the entrance exam. They entered a class room with a small table occupied by a panel of judges. “It’s okay Luster. Whatever their task is you don’t need to fully succeed in it,” Sunburst said, putting a hoof on her shoulder. “You just need to demonstrate a good amount of magic power. That’s all they’re looking for.” Luster took a deep breath. She wanted with all her being to make her father and mother proud. Her two great parents who were so gifted at magic. Her mother could fly with it like no pony else she’d seen, and her father knew more about its theory than any other pony. She was going to be just like them, and it would take a lot of work. She looked at the examiners. “What do I have to do?” “First the princess must arrive with the item,” one of them said. Moments later, Twilight Sparkle entered the room. “Starlight! Sunburst! So good to see you both!” she said. Starlight hugged her. “I’m sorry I had to stop attending Friendship Council meetings. Running your school of friendship is a very busy job.” “I know, and being a parent is tough too. Pinkie Pie’s going to be one soon. Well Discord’s started coming to them now since he and Fluttershy are married,” Twilight said. She hugged Sunburst and then noticed Gallus. “Oh hello Gallus!” “Your majesty,” Gallus said with a bow. “I wasn’t expecting you to be here with them,” Twilight stated with a giggle. “Well… I came to speak with you about something,” Gallus said. “I see. Well… can it please wait until after the entrance exam?” Twilight asked. “Oh course,” Gallus replied respectfully. The princess turned to Luster. The young filly had heard much of her mother’s former mentor though this was the first time she could remember meeting her. Princess Twilight was so beautiful, easily the largest pony Luster had ever seen. Her mane shined as though it had stars in it and flowed like running water or wind was being blown through it. Yet there was no breeze in the room. “Hello Luster Dawn,” Twilight said with a smile. “I remember when you were born. That was one of the last times I got to see your parents. It’s good to meet you again.” Luster bowed and nervously said “T-thank you. Y-your majesty. So… what is my test?” The princess levitated an object from out of her saddlebag. It was an amulet, one side showing rays of sunshine and the other a crescent moon. “This amulet allows other ponies besides myself to raise the sun and moon,” Princess Twilight explained. “Charge up as much magic as you can, and see how far you can get the sun to go.” Luster concentrated. She dug deep into her body, focusing with all her might on one thing. Her parents, the two ponies she looked up to who knew so much about magic. Even her Aunt Trixie was good at it, using to entertain ponies and other creatures when not working at the school. She was going to be like them, make them proud. She would put everything she had into it. Luster unleashed more magic from her horn than ever before. Her beam hit the amulet and suddenly the window outside which showed a bright day was suddenly dark for a moment. When Luster’s magic faded she looked and saw the sun was lower than it should have been. It was as though dawn had just come. “Um… did I do… well?” Luster asked. There was silence, then Princess Twilight spoke. “You did marvelous! I’ve never seen a unicorn with such raw power! And you did it without the aid of a Sonic Rainboom like I did!” Luster didn’t understand the last bit. “Huh?” “You could be the one!” Twilight said. “Huh? The one what?” “The one… to be my personal protégé!” Twilight said with a smile. Starlight and Sunburst beamed. “Yes she’s in!” Sunburst exclaimed. “Guess my daughter is my mentors new top student,” Starlight said. “Are you proud of me?” Luster asked. “Very proud!” Starlight and Sunburst said as they hugged her. Luster gave an enormous grin, happy that her parents were so proud of her, that she now had a chance to achieve great things like they did. “Well, I will see you back here very soon, Luster.” Twilight said. Starlight suddenly came forward. “Twilight, promise me you will take good care of her while she’s here.” “Oh, of course Starlight. I know its probably going to be hard knowing you’ll be so far apart,” Twilight said. “Yes. And I wouldn’t trust anypony else to teach her and keep her on the right path,” Starlight said with a smile before turning to a serious expression. “But if anything bad happens to her, your majesty, no amount of alicorn magic will save you from my wrath!” Twilight shuddered slightly, remembering their battle years ago where Starlight had defeated her countless times and sent her back in time to terrible alternate timelines. “Starlight, dear. You can’t threaten the princess!” Sunburst said. “Its fine Sunburst. A mother is protective after all,” Twilight said before turning to Gallus. “Now, you had something you wanted to speak to me about Gallus?” The griffon nodded. “I would like to become a member of your Royal Guard Princess.” This surprised Twilight. “Oh. Well… that’s a first. I don’t believe we’ve ever had a griffon as a member of the royal guard.” “There’s no rule against it is there?” Gallus asked. “Not that I know of. Perhaps I should check with my brother Shining Armor, he’d probably know as a former captain.” Suddenly the classroom door opened and Spike entered the room with Twilight Velvet, Night Light, Flash Sentry, and Flurry Heart. All of them were teary eyed. “Mom, Dad, Flurry?” Twilight questioned looking at her niece in particular. “What are you doing here?" Flurry only looked at her Aunt with watery eyes while her grandparents embraced her. Flash Sentry sighed. “I bring terrible news to you, Princess Twilight. Your brother and sister in law, Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadence…. are dead.”