//------------------------------// // Graduation // Story: Goddess of the Moon // by Duke of Canterlot //------------------------------// Princess Luna knew that something was not quite right. Even though she had retired from her royal duties for three years at Silver Shoals, Luna knew something that no pony was willing to admit. Princess Twilight Sparkle desperately needed help. Twilight was too proud to admit it and Princess Celestia was perhaps oblivious to Twilight’s struggles. Twilight seemed comfortable in the role, but her dreams hid deep anxieties that she would fail both the sun and moon over Equestria. Luna knew that there was an easy solution. She just hoped that her sister, Celestia, would be on board. Luna, the moon princess, would need to have a chat with her sister, the sun princess. To think that Twilight could handle both and maintain her sanity was preposterous. “Tia”, said Luna, “I need to speak with you.” “What’s the matter, sis?” “I was thinking. How has Twilight Sparkle been doing in our former residence?” “From what I hear, Twilight has been exceeding expectations! She has handled herself so well. I cannot believe that she has done both of our duties effortlessly.” “Are you sure about that?” “What? Are you belittling my star pupil?” “No. I agree with you that Twilight has been doing an excellent job. I just wonder if it is as easy for her as she makes it seem.” “Twilight never mentioned anything to me.” “Not to me either. But you know how Twilight hates to disappoint.” “You’ve been spying on her dreams, haven’t you?” “Yes, I have. I see a bright princess who has lost touch with her friends. I see one who is afraid that the slightest mistake will destroy Equestria.” “Luna, Twilight has always been a perfectionist.” “I know, but this is worse. I think Twilight needs a partner. Some pony to help her with duties.” “So, what are you thinking?” “You helped pick out Twilight Sparkle to be your successor – or I guess, our successor – but now it should be my turn to find someone to take care of the moon.” “A new goddess of the moon? I must admit that I am liking the idea, but it will take a long time to find and train an appropriate pony for the job.” “I know”, said Luna, “but later is better than never.” “This is true”, responded Celestia with a smile, “Twilight certainly has a long road ahead of her.” “I already have been thinking about this. We need somepony who can handle my moon duties and who can handle a duty I haven’t quite relinquished yet.” “The dreams?” “Yes, Tia. I have been watching over many ponies for years and I think I know who I want as my replacement.” “Really? I mean – if this will help make Twilight’s life and your life easier, I am all for it.” “I think the answer is clear. My replacement needs to have the drive, the empathy, and the intellect to handle the life as the Goddess of the Moon.” “I am going to say though. I don’t think it would be a good idea to take Princess Cadence away from the Crystal Empire.” “No, I wasn’t thinking of Cadence. I have watched this young mare grow up. She has gone through her own share of struggles. Losing both of her parents at an early age, struggling without a cutie mark for so long, and yet she has shown that she can overcome tragedy and disadvantage. Another quality I am looking for is resilience and that is Apple Bloom in spades.” “Apple Bloom? But it’s never been done before?” “What?” “An earth pony transforming into an alicorn.” “I don’t care about what hasn’t been done before, Tia. You knew in your heart that Twilight Sparkle was the best one. I know that pony is Apple Bloom.” “I won’t stop you from trying. But any other ideas?” “I don’t think any other pony matches up to be honest – not even Twilight Sparkle.” “She’s your replacement, Luna”, said Celestia, “and if Twilight is really going through the agony you say – then I will certainly do whatever you think will help my star pupil.” “This will help Twilight. I promise.” Apple Bloom couldn’t believe she was finishing another chapter of her life. Today was graduation day at Ponyville High School. She would be starting college at Canterlot University in the fall – the first in her family to attend college. Apple Bloom knew that the farm life wasn’t the end-all for her. It worked well for her older siblings, but Bloom was different. At heart – she was a Cutie Mark Crusader along with her best friends in the whole wide world, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Apple Bloom smiled as she saw those two best friends of hers. She still found it hard to believe how much they had all grown up since they met that fateful day eight years ago. High school was filled with crazy drama but nothing broke up their friendship. Apple Bloom made sure of that. The three mares huddled in an embrace. “Wow, girls”, said Apple Bloom, “ah can’t believe that we are done with high school!” “Yeah”, said Sweetie Belle, “feels like yesterday that we were still little fillies without cutie marks. I’m going to miss you both. Why do you two have to leave Ponyville?” “I’ll be around sometimes”, said Scootaloo nonchalantly, “wherever Rainbow Dash says I need to go.” Scootaloo – a future Wonderbolt. “You’re going to be just as good as Rainbow Dash someday”, said Apple Bloom cheerfully. “Nah probably not. But I have other tools to help me put on a show!”, responded Scootaloo as she flapped her wings knowing far too well that she couldn’t take off. “Ponyville is going to be so boring without you two”, said Sweetie, “going to miss you both!” “Hey”, said Scootaloo, “you get to go to Ponyville State with your boyfriend. Bloom and I are still single!” Button Mash, thought Apple Bloom, she lost that competition but she swore she would forget about it. “I know”, said Sweetie Belle, “at least I still have Mashie.” “Ah will still be home during the holidays and breaks”, said Apple Bloom, “it’s not like ah will be gone forever.” “Honestly, you’re too good for Ponyville”, said Sweetie Belle. “C’mon, that’s not true. Ah am just lil’ Apple Bloom.” “Yeah yeah”, said Scootaloo, “says straight-A Apple Bloom who is only going to the most prestigious university in Equestria.” Ah guess that's something, thought Apple Bloom. “Ah just study hard.” “Don’t be so modest”, said Sweetie Belle, “you’re a genius and every pony knows it!” Apple Bloom could see a large crowd of ponies approaching them. The crowd included Applejack (Apple Bloom’s older sister), Big Mac (Apple Bloom’s older brother), Rarity (Sweetie Belle’s older sister), Rainbow Dash (Scootaloo’s “sister”), Pinkie Pie, Cheese Sandwich, Spike, Fluttershy, and Discord. “Hey, there’s my sis”, said Applejack, “moving on to the big leagues! Don’t forget about our farm.” “Eeyup”, said Big Mac with a smile. “We are so proud of all three of you”, said Rarity, “can’t believe my baby sister is becoming an adult!” “I’ve been feeling grown up for a while”, responded Sweetie Belle. “You’ll always be my baby sister to me!” Apple Bloom noticed a peculiar absence. “Is Princess Twilight coming to our graduation?” “She couldn’t make it”, said Spike shaking his head, “her royal duties have been just so much but she is looking forward to hearing all about it when I go back to Canterlot.” “Poor mare”, said Discord, “I have offered multiple times to help Twilight with her princess stuff and she always seems to decline.” “Gee Discord”, responded Applejack, “ah wonder why.” “Oh perhaps I should tell her that I have no intention of taking over Equestria as my own. All the responsibility! What’s the fun in that?” “Too bad Twilight couldn’t join us”, said Apple Bloom, “ah think she needs some steady help.” “But I must warn you all, I asked Twilight for assistance and she was like”, Discord said while transforming into Twilight Sparkle, “oh, Discord. Thank you for your kind offer but I have everything handled on my own.” “Steady.” “Ooh, will there be sprinkles”, asked Pinkie Pie. “Another one we can cross off Twilight’s Little Helper list”, said Spike. “Well, the ceremony is starting in a little bit – so the girls and I better get going”, said Apple Bloom. “Ready for your big speech, Apple Bloom? Ms. Valedictorian of Ponyville High?”, said Discord. “Ah didn’t write anything down. Just going to wing it.” “Alright”, said Discord with a wave of his claw, “just don’t bore me.” “Wouldn’t dream of it.” Apple Bloom could honestly not care what Discord thought about her speech. Apple Bloom honestly had almost forgotten about her speech. She knew she would have to put on a fake smile and pretend that everything was so bittersweet and great in her life. She felt something important was missing in her life but the young mare couldn’t figure out what that was.