//------------------------------// // Chapter 2-Standing on the Summit // Story: Only the Best, Only the Elite // by DougtheLoremaster //------------------------------// The purple Unicorn slowly stepped through the doorway. Her mane boasted the colors of violet and magenta and her eyes were of amethyst. Her steps contained no hesitation, and her gaze was placid; almost apathetic. The pride of A class, huh? Well then, what will you do...Twilight? *** Celestia’s gaze had been on the young filly’s abilities since she became the youngest Pony to ever reach the graduating class; skipping classes C and B. Her mother, Twilight Velvet, and her Father, Nightlight both stood next to the Princess. The pride of the academy, the mare and stallion had been honorarily named Members of the Board after leaving all others in their dust twenty years ago. And now their daughter would accomplish the same; they were sure of it. However, even though they were her parents, they could not and would not interfere in the outcome whatever it may be. They were spectators and special guests of Her Majesty, Celestia. *** “Miss Sparkle, you have shown extraordinary magical prowess. Though you are just a foal in the eyes of the world, the princess has deemed it only appropriate that you hatch a specially prepared egg. A dragon’s. Succeed and you will go down in the Annals of our school as the youngest to graduate. However, if you fail...Well, you saw what happened to Miss Amethyst...Didn’t you?” Taking a seat next to the Royal Alicorn, the two parents wore stern expressions. Both had witnessed, first hoof, the nightmare others had faced when failing. And now, their own daughter rested upon the princess’s chopping block. Celestia meanwhile never took her gaze off Twilight for a second. They think you’re some kind of prodigy, but you and I know the truth...Don’t we, Twilight? *** In truth, Twilight had been of the lowest caliber in magical ability upon entering the grounds of the academy. Her homework received the lowest marks, and by some chance she barely squeaked through her tests. However, contempt breeds competition; and so it was with her. Night and day, she had been made an example by the teachers. You may not leave until every answer is correct, failure. That’s what they told her. All the time, every time, she had the golden rule of Unicorns pounded into her skull: Only the Best survive and only the Elite matter. *** Her eyes were void of emotion and her movements precise; almost calculated as she stepped up to the table. Staring at the giant egg, she closed her eyes and began to run through everything she knew. Dragon’s are fire breathers. Creating gas within their abdomen, they exhale with a spark of igneous magic. The magic they cast is borne from their own ambition to conquer...Simple flame won’t cut it...Hm… Celestia watched on in interest. Normally those taking the trials rushed never realizing the tests contained no time limit. She sees there is no rush. Good, a steady mind is the key to spellcasting. Take your time and think about your options. *** Twilight had endured the worst of what her classmates could offer. Beaten, whipped. Treated no better than the dogs on the street. She had heard every insult and felt every possible blow, and all of it had written permanent scars upon her soul. She grew resentful of everypony, refusing to even look at them. And then one day after she felt she could take no more, it happened. Celestia visited the classroom and approached her with a scornful glare. “So, you are the failure. What a waste of precious talent. Where’s your fire?” Something inside her snapped, or perhaps, awakened. From that moment on Twilight had thrown herself into her studies; fueled by her rage. Everyone mocked her, who needed friends anyway? Her innocent nature was gone, and she grew determined. Determined to shut them up. Before she had dreaded reading, now though she developed an almost stockholm-related relationship with the school library. And all the time she had one thing on her mind: She would be the best. She left her emotions behind; no longer would her ears hear their scorn. No longer would her pain bring her tears. Day and night without nearly any sleep, she studied; even by candlelight. She amazed the class by scoring a perfect mark on her essay, and then the surprise quiz after that. Like a demon she devoured the knowledge in each book, absorbing all the information she could lay her hooves on. Never again, she swore to herself. Never again, would she fail. *** An hour had passed as she stood, still and silent; eyes closed in concentration. Celestia stared at the young filly of eight years. For years they ridiculed her, and it only made her stronger. What will she do this time, when failure is possibly her only option? Inside Twilight’s mind, information swirled in a raging typhoon. The dragon’s loyalty is to their own, and they adhere only to their own values. Though aggressive to others, the dragon will show their own hospitality; albeit in a brutal way. That’s it! I got it! I know what spell to cast. It isn’t fire and it isn’t an incubation spell it’s… “Kindness.” Twilight’s voice was barely a whisper but Celestia heard it clear as crystal. Very clever. If that were a real dragon’s egg, kindness would indeed be the answer. As stated in textbook 471 of the Codex of Sentience in Equestria, on page 264, paragraph 10, lines 4-6: As the broodmother of the Dragonlands fiercely guards the nest, she tenderly lets each of the soon-to-be hatchlings know the world may be a harsh and unforgiving one, but she believes in them. This causes the babes within the eggs to gain an unnatural vigor and break free from the restriction and safety of the eggs. But I’m afraid, the solution to your final exam won’t be found in any book, my dear. Twilight’s horn began to glow with a light lavender. Celestia gave a slight shake of her head in disappointment. If she casts that spell, at this moment, she most certainly will fail my test. Though her eyes were still closed, Twilight paused. Her horn stopped glowing with magical energy as opened her eyes. After a moment of carefully analyzing the egg, Twilight turned to look at the princess. “It’s too easy.” The princess gave nothing away as her expression stayed blank. She did however, address the testee. “Explain your hypothesis.” Twilight stared passively at her before pointing to the egg on the table and addressing the room. “This is far too easy. It was claimed that a special test has been prepared but this resembles nothing more than the humility test of class C. To hatch the egg, would require the spell of Mother’s Love; found within the pages of Pet Breeding 245. A simple spell used to mimic the creature in question’s own parental desire for the hatchling. It speeds up the incubation process by hundred percent. A foal could cast it within a week of practice.” How arro- no, no, she can tell something is off. I can see it, she isn’t cocky. She’s burning with a fiery determination. Interesting. Celestia licked her lips hungrily. “Go on.” “Something tells me that even though this is the exact egg; same size, weight, height, and pattern as before, this test requires something more than simply hatching it. A specially prepared test, by the most powerful spellcaster Equestria has ever seen, and it’s a simple Elementary level test? No. No. You want me to do something else.” Celestia’s expressionless face greeted her in response and her voice gave nothing away. Inside however, it was a different story. Has she figured it out? Celestia’s mind began to flash back when she stood in that exact same spot confronting her own teachers with the same argument. “Oh, and what would that be?” Twilight opened her mouth to reply and Celestia saw it all replay once more. That very same moment in time Twilight stood in, back when Celestia graduated from the very same school over 2000 years ago. *** “That egg is empty isn’t it?” The young filly prodigy known as Celestia stood before her testers and pointed an accusing hoof at them. “You don’t expect me to just hatch this unbreakable monstrosity; you expect me to create the life within as well!” *** “And what if I do, little one?” Celestia’s words mirrored her own instructors, spoken in the same way as before. And just like then, the response replayed; frame for frame. *** Celestia stamped her forehoof in anger. “You’ve ridiculed me, demeaned me, taken everything away from me for your sick pursuit of knowledge, and now you force me to do the impossible? We never even learned creation magic!” “You are right, you haven’t.” *** Twilight stared open-mouthed in silence for a moment before crying out. “Then why? Why ask me to do something that can’t even be done?” *** “Because Celestia, you’ve clawed, bit and fought your way to the top. No one believed in you, and no one stands beside you now. Your pain fueled your ambition, and your ambition gave you purpose.” *** "You’ve reached the summit little Unicorn, are you truly content to stop there? So what? You’ve risen above the rest, can you truly be satisfied just standing close to the sun?” “I-” *** The Alicorn; her own mother, stared scornfully down at Celestia. “Where’s the fire that extinguished your sister’s own natural gift? Have you given up, daughter of mine? Are you content standing on the summit; like some Earthpony who climbed a simple mountain? Or are you like me, ready to spread your wings and claim your birthright? Celestia stared at her mom as the Alicorn's next words would echo throughout her mind for the next two millenia. *** “Are you ready to fly; to see what lies beyond the summit?” Twilight was silent once again. She seemed lost in thought, eyes closed once more, before the gaze of Celestia. That’s right Twilight, you can climb even higher than the mere summit. I bet like me back then, you’ve never even considered such a possibility, have you? So what will you do? Will you aim for the Pantheon? Or are you content merely with standing on the temple floor? Her answer came in a sudden burst. Twilight’s eyes flew open; blazing with intensity, with a raging ferocity. Twilight stared into Celestia’s expressionless face. “You’re right. Standing here, after everything I’ve been through; to just crack open an empty shell. It’s not even satisfying. According to the rules of how tests are given, all I have to do is literally that: Just crack open the egg before me and I’ll graduate. And then what?- *** “Forever live in your shadow? Have some high paying job I hate until I die, whilst you sit upon the throne and torment others, like you have myself? No, that won’t cut it! I’ve come too far and been through too much to stop now.” Celestia’s eyes blazed in rage. “You claim there is something more to reach, something that will propel me higher? Alright then you- *** Twilight growled as the spark in her eyes ignited into a raging inferno of determination. “Demonspawn of Tartarus. I’ll play your game, and I’ll win. And one day, I will- *** Celestia roared her final words before turning to the egg once more. “Surpass even you!” Celestia’s mother gave a proud smile behind her daughter’s back as everypony present gave a gasp at the supposed blatant arrogance. Parting her lips, she whispered the very thing Celestia would tell Twilight, 2000 years later. *** “I would love nothing more.”