//------------------------------//
// Ch2 - The Trials - Forging the Metal 
// Story: Phoenix-born Rising - The Ascension of Sunset Shimmer 
// by The Voice in the Water 
//------------------------------//

Sup Sunset!

Got your last letter. Obviously. Things are pretty quiet here without you. Such a shame I’m not allowed to encourage Pinkie to cause mayhem to spice it up, but I’ll manage. Oh who am I kidding, we’re going to cause trouble whether you give us permission or not Sunset. After all, you’re not here to stop us, so you don’t get to tell us what to do.

Besides, I bet you’re going to get a laugh when AJ writes you to complain about whatever we pull. I think Pinkie’s got something brewing, but I’m not going to say anything. Don’t want to ruin the surprise.

Not really much else to say. Things are getting back to normal around here, or as normal as they can get with you missing.

Look, I’m not good at this mushy stuff, so I’ll just say that it better not be years before we see you again. That Raven lady can’t keep you away from us forever, so you better find a way to come visit every so often (or get us into the core if that doesn’t work).

Love you sis. You better be taking care of yourself.

Rainbow Dash





Sunset was sitting on the balcony of her suite, a large mug of cooling tsujara in her hands and her eyes drifting out across the landscape of the Core. And to the sun that was slowly sinking below the western edge of the Corona’s massive wall. Even after a month of living in the Cathedral of the Sun, she wasn’t used to the unnatural sight of the perfectly flat, white horizon that the massive edifice created compared to the craggy, uneven one in Golden Tree.

Still, it was a beautiful sight: the sun’s fading light touching the forests, fields and rivers of the Core, the long shadows cast by the enormous marble statues and crystal spires that dotted the landscape creating a mosaic of sharply contrasting patches of light and dark. Even as the setting of the sun represented the end of the day and the beginning of the cursed night, there was a beauty to it. It was almost as if the holy orb were saying, “Here is my last gift to you until we meet again in the morning.”

With a sigh, Sunset downed the last of her beverage and rose from her seat. 

It’d been two weeks since Roseluck had departed back to Rose’s Blossom, taking both Lily and Daisy with her. Though the archduchess had promised to try visiting every so often, she also had a territory to administer and two new assistants to train, which left Sunset and Philomena effectively alone in the cathedral. Raven only rarely came by, and most of her visits were to consult with the queen on “government matters,” leaving the royal seneschal little time to speak with Sunset. She suspected that would end as soon as they began her lessons on governance and law, but until that time, Raven was all but unreachable and distant. And thankfully, neither Steel nor Spitfire ever came to Mt. Liakeed, so she didn’t have to deal with them.

Then there were Queen Celestia and Lumina. Sunset never saw Queen Celestia outside of her lessons, and once those were finished, she was sent on her way to conduct her own research into whatever topic the queen had given her. While the queen was warm and maternal when delivering her daily lessons, there was also a nearly insurmountable rift between them, one that Sunset wasn’t ever sure she’d overcome. Conversely, while Queen Lumina doted over Philomena and acted warm and pleasant towards Sunset herself, she still intimidated her on a fundamental level. Even as approachable as Lumina felt at those rare moments when they interacted, Sunset didn’t know how to reach out to the phoenix queen and found herself at a loss whenever she was around her.

That left only the sun-touched and prominence knights, neither of whom were great conversationalists. Getting a word out of one of the sun-touched was like convincing a linnorm to give up a handful of dirt from their territory. And the prominence knights, while at least willing to talk to her, had pretty much nothing to say that weren’t respectful greetings or terse, simple responses to her attempts at conversation.

If it wasn’t for Philomena, she’d probably have gone completely stir-crazy. 

Reaching a pair of large, glass double doors, Sunset pushed them open and re-entered her suite’s bedroom.

The room was, as she regarded it, unnecessarily large, and could have easily accommodated ten people instead of just her. The wall to her left was dominated by a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf that was only broken up by a door that led to her private study. Most of the shelves were already filled with books that had been brought to her as part of her studies: tomes on smithing, runes, spell-dancing, history, and the Solarian legal codes. She hadn’t touched many of them yet. Her lessons so far had been solely on the slow, laborious process of recovering her ability to use her flame. 

The wall behind her led to her balcony and bore not only the doors outside but a set of massive windows that gave her a clear view of the Core. Below the windows was a line of dressers and shelves, which included the clothes and effects she’d brought from Golden Tree, as well as the dozen or so outfits she’d been provided by the sun-touched. 

To her right, the room was dominated by her massive, four-poster bed. Hanging from the tester was an elaborate basket, from which emanated the sound of Philomena’s soft snoring. The bed was flanked by a pair of doors that led to her closet and personal bathroom, while the far wall had a large sofa and the door that led to the rest of her suite.

Setting the mug on top of the dresser nearest the doors, Sunset made her way to one of the chests of drawers and tentatively pulled it open. The drawer, despite its size, was occupied by a single object: the box containing the hammer Bronze had given her. Opening the container, she gently retrieved the tool from its resting place, holding it in her hands and running her fingers across the head. The metal was cool and the edges smooth yet still carrying a touch of roughness. Hefting it, she could feel just how well balanced it was. And engraved on the sides were Bronze’s name… and hers, signifying the passing off of his knowledge to his apprentice.

Slowly, Sunset turned the hammer over in her hands and stared at it wistfully.

Up until now, her lessons from the queen had been focused on the fundamentals of magical theory, as well as helping her “bring balance to her flame”, much of which consisted of different forms of meditation, strange physical and mental exercises…

…and dancing.

Lots of dancing.

Sometimes, they would be in the grasslands or rocky hills surrounding Mt. Liakeed. Sometimes they’d be on its slopes. Once, she’d been brought out to an island in the center of Lake Nimoklul on the southern end of the Core. Other times, she would be dancing in white space Queen Celestia would summon. But, no matter where she was asked to dance, the queen would be there, watching her and providing instruction.

At first, the dances had been simple things that she'd had little trouble with. Admittedly, they had been very different from the dances she did back home for fun or at festivals, or the spell-dances she used to use at the smithy. Instead, they had been strange, almost mathematical things, with the queen regularly directing her motions as the dances “helped build the proper pathways for her flame to burn.”

But, as the days had gone on and she'd begun to get a grip on the motions, the queen had begun to ask more of her. And as the dances had grown in complexity, so had the queen’s expectations. Often, Sunset would end up dancing for an hour at a time, followed by breaks where she’d go back to meditating.

But tomorrow, that was going to change.

Tomorrow morning, she was going to begin her artificing lessons.

It was the first day that signified Bronze was no longer her teacher.

The first day that broke the link of master and apprentice between them.

And bound it firmly to the queen.

Sunset turned the hammer in her hands again, feeling the smoothness of the polished ash handle. 

It was monumental.

And almost unbearably painful.

She’d always expected to one day become Bronze’s business partner. Maybe even get informally adopted and inherit the smithy when he was too old to keep working the anvil and forge. And maybe one day, when the smithy was hers, she’d have found an apprentice of her own and continued the tradition of the Golden Tree artificers.

But that was not going to happen now. It wasn’t like Bronze could afford to not have an apprentice while she was here on Mt. Liakeed. And even if he did want to wait, would she be able to be a town blacksmith and the archduchess of an entire territory? 

Gently, she returned the hammer to its box, then closed the lid with a soft snap. She didn’t want to risk it when she was training with the queen. Maybe one day, when she was proficient enough, she’d enchant it to keep it from breaking. Or maybe turn it into an amp, if she learned how to make them.

But for now, it was too precious to risk.

Closing the drawer, Sunset walked to another and pulled it open to retrieve her night clothes, before turning to the bathroom to prepare for bed.

Tomorrow was going to be another long day.

*****

After unreasonably opulent breakfast and a short flight by wyvern-carried gondola to Queen Celestia’s Castle, Sunset found herself following the familiar routine of entering a sky-car with a pair of sun-touched escorts, which soon carried her into the depths of the castle. After a few minutes of travel, the sky-car came to a slow halt and the locking clamps engaged to secure it. Rising to her feet, Sunset turned and offered her arm to Philomena, who had stubbornly insisted on using the golden perch inside the royal car. 

In the month since her hatching, Philomena had grown considerably. The chick had begun to fledge, with a multitude of new pinfeathers beginning to show through her reddish down. She’d also gone from cute and tiny to the size of a small dove. And with that increased size came increased coordination and strength. Enough that she could now hold onto a perch with some trouble. It would still be a few months before enough of her feathers came so that she could fly.

Despite some maternal misgivings from Queen Lumina, she’d finally given Philomena permission to directly accompany Sunset to her lessons. While Sunset was ecstatic to have Philomena with her, she was only allowed to accompany her on the condition that she was to be kept a safe distance from anything dangerous that the young phoenix-born might be doing, which included working the anvil.

Thanks, Philomena sent as she shakily stepped onto the offered limb. Even with her improved coordination and strength, she was still growing into her body.

No problem, Sunset sent as she brought her partner to the leather pauldron on her shoulder. Tentatively, Philomena stepped off of Sunset’s forearm and onto her new perch. Sensing Philomena’s nervousness as she gripped the leather in her talons, Sunset slowly walked to the doors of the sky-car, careful to keep her gait as steady as possible for the fledgling phoenix.

Never thought my posture training would come in handy like this, Sunset sent as the doors opened.

Who knows, maybe you’ll be able to put the etiquette training to use too, Philomena replied as she wobbled on Sunset’s shoulder.

If either of us need that, it’s you, fluff-ball, Sunset sent with a smirk as she gave Philomena a sidelong glance, having to suppress a giggle at the irritated look her bond-mate was giving her.

Stepping out of the sky-car, Sunset entered Queen Celestia’s personal workshop.

Like most of the castle, the room was enormous in size. Dominating the majority of the space was what Sunset could only presume were the queen’s personal anvil, forge, bench and tool racks, each one towering over the young girl more like the buildings in Heliopolis than anything resembling normal artificing tools. Yet in the shadow of the anvil were rows upon rows of smaller smithing alcoves, each one with a full set of supplies and their own anvil and forge.

And on a bed of pillows at the far end of the room, daintily sipping from her large teacup, the queen herself awaited Sunset patiently.

“Sunset, Philomena, welcome,” Queen Celestia said without moving from her bed of pillows.

“Bright day, Queen Celestia,” Sunset said as she curtsied to the queen, careful not to tilt her upper torso too much lest she make Philomena lose her grip.

As Sunset rose, she saw the queen smiling at her as she set her teacup down on a small ledge near the bed of pillows.

“Now that you’re here, we can begin. But, before we do…” Sunset watched as the tips of Queen Celestia’s right index and middle fingers began to glow. As they did, the queen bent forwards slightly and touched both of them to the ground. The moment they contacted the floor, the light flowed down and into the marble then racing towards Sunset as a pair of glowing lines. The lines stopped near one of the smithing stations and transformed into a pair of pools of glowing light. A few seconds later, one of the pools erupted from the ground, forming a short dais topped with a marble bowl lined with a large, red, silk pillow. The other pool similarly erupted from the ground, though this one took the shape of a marble statue that resembled the queen, only she was an earth-weaver rather than a centaur and was dressed in a simple peplos. As soon as the light faded, the irises on the marble statue’s face began glowing with soft, golden light.

“…since Lumina requested Philomena be kept away from the forge for the time being, please place her in the nest I’ve provided. Once you’ve done that, there is a set of smithing clothes and an apron in the compartment in the pedestal. After you’ve changed, we can begin your lessons,” the Queen’s said as she withdrew her arm.

Sunset regarded the statue and dais. A few weeks ago, Sunset might have been completely stunned by what she’d just seen Queen Celestia do. Now, she was simply impressed at yet more proof of the queen’s power.

Ready to watch me work while you relax, fluff-ball? Sunset sent as she approached the dais.

Sunset heard Philomena huff and send a soft mental shove through their link. 

You’re not going to be calling me that much longer. My feathers are coming in.

Reaching the dais, Sunset offered her arm to Philomena, who shakily stepped onto the offered limb, which Sunset brought down to the pillow. After clumsily stepping off her arm and nearly face-planting in the process, Philomena turned to face her.

Then I better enjoy you being fluffy and cuddly while I can, Sunset sent as she gently ran a finger along the ridge of Philomena’s beak before scratching her under the chin. Trilling happily at Sunset’s touch, Philomena rubbed her head against Sunset’s hand.

Reluctantly pulling her hand away, Sunset knelt down to retrieve the smithing clothes and apron. Quickly getting changed, Sunset turned to the colossal form of Queen Celestia and bowed.

“I’m ready, Your Highness,” Sunset said as she stood and folded her arms behind her back. “What are we going to be making?”

“That is the question, now isn’t it?” Queen Celestia said from behind, causing Sunset to jump slightly with surprise. Swiftly turning towards the sound of the voice, Sunset saw that the marble statue had detached itself from the floor and was walking up to the forge.

Sunset was stunned by what she was witnessing, only for it to swiftly dawn on her: what she had seen the queen create wasn’t a just statue.

It was a galatea: a stone sculpture animated by magic to act on behalf of its creator. Such creations were some of the rarest forms of enchanting, even more so than amps, while their creation was even more tightly regulated by the government. Of the few galatea that Sunset had heard about, they had been employed in the past as guardians of very powerful artificers in the pre-Splintering era. Few had been made in the modern age, and those that had been fabricated had taken months, sometimes years, to properly carve and animate.

And Queen Celestia had just created one within seconds.

‘Okay, I want to learn that trick,’ Sunset thought as she watched the galatea take a spot by the tool rack, before shaking off her awe and remembering that she was in the middle of her lessons.

“What do you mean, Your Highness?” Sunset asked as she walked towards the galatea, understanding that if the queen was projecting herself into the construct, that it would be the one giving her the day’s lessons.

“I will answer your question with a question: what do you want to make?” the galatea said as Sunset arrived at the forge.

Sunset stared at the galatea for a few seconds, trying to understand what she’d just been asked.

“I’m sorry? What do you mean?”

“Just what I asked: what do you want to make?” the galatea asked again as it gestured to the forge and the tool rack. “Surely you must have something you want to make.”

Sunset stood in stunned silence for a minute, unsure what to think.

‘What does she mean “what do I want to make?”’ Sunset thought.

This was nothing like her lessons back in Golden Tree.

With Bronze, it had always been structured around her learning to produce certain items, like nails or farm tools, because they were items that were always in demand and served as the lifeblood of the smithy. It had never been about what she had wanted to make. It had been about what she had needed to make in order for them to keep things running.

Snapping out of her distraction, Sunset glared at the galatea for a moment. What sort of answer was the queen looking for?

She knew that she had to reply, but no matter how hard she thought, she couldn’t come up with anything that she specifically wanted to make.

“I… I don’t know, Your Highness,” Sunset admitted nervously. “I don’t understand why that would matter? Aren’t you going to teach me how to work the forge?”

The galatea slowly nodded as it absently picked up a rounding hammer from the rack and inspected it.

“I am indeed,” the queen said warmly yet firmly. “But, before we can begin, there are questions you need to answer for yourself. Things from your old life that you will need to move past before you will be able to truly learn the lessons I will teach.”

Sunset was slightly taken aback by the way Queen Celestia had said what she’d said, but before she could voice her questions, the queen continued.

“So, I ask you again, what do you want to make?”

Sunset focused on her mental meditations as she tried to understand what the queen was getting at. What did it matter what she wanted to make?

“I don’t know,” Sunset replied, this time with a little more force. “I don’t know what I want to make.”

Setting down the hammer, the galatea regarded Sunset for a moment.

“Then why do you want to be an artificer?”

Whatever response Sunset had been expecting, it hadn’t been that. 

“What?” Sunset asked dumbly, the smouldering of her thoughts suddenly doused.

“Why do you want to learn to use the forge? If you have no intent or desire, why do you wish to become an artificer? Before, you made things for others, because it was your job. But now, you are a phoenix-born. Your purpose is something far greater than that of a simple town blacksmith.” 

Sunset bristled slightly. Despite the tone of the queen’s voice still being that same strangely maternal one she’d grown accustomed to, the way the queen had said “simple town blacksmith” didn’t sit right with her. 

“You are one of the chosen of Solaria. One day, you will take your place as a leading member of the ruling body of my nation and help ensure its prosperity for centuries. So I ask you again, why, in light of what I have just said, do you wish to continue down the path of the artificer?”

Sunset could have sworn her heart stopped for a moment as the weight of the queen’s questions hit her like a rockslide. She lifted her head to respond, but stopped when she saw the galatea shake its head.

“You don’t need to answer right away,” the queen said through the galatea as it raised a hand and held up its index finger. “Stop and think about it for a moment. I want you to really consider why you wish to continue to learn artificing.”

Shrinking back a little, Sunset snapped her mouth shut. Peripherally, she could feel Philomena's concern as she began sending sensations of comfort and love, before she felt their link open.

Sunset, Philomena sent, you okay?

I… no, Mena, I’m not, Sunset sent back morosely.

Anything I can do?

I don’t know. Maybe you can help me figure this whole thing out. The queen wants to know why I want to be an artificer, but I can’t think of an answer.

Sunset felt Philomena renew her sendings of warmth and comfort.

Well… why did you want to be an artificer back in Golden Tree?

Why did I want to be an artificer back home? Sunset repeated, her mind racing. I… back in Golden Tree, I became Bronze’s apprentice because Tender Heart recommended me to him. I needed a job, and artificing was one of the only ones that really would let me learn to harness my flame in a useful way. But, it was work. A way to make a living.

But… you liked doing it right?

Well, yea, obviously I did after a while. It was hard at first, and Bronze wasn’t exactly the gentlest teacher around. But, it was the only job I tried that really felt challenging. It pushed me and my flame. Making things on the anvil was rewarding, and learning runes and spell-dances was fun. Sure, it was hard work, but I liked that. And I liked the challenge.

And?

‘And’ what, Mena?

That can’t be the only reason you’re having a hard time with this, can it? 

Sunset stopped and considered that for a moment.

I mean, practically, I could’ve gotten another job. Maybe as an apprentice clerk or bookkeeper. Tender Heart always said I was smart enough for it. But, they didn’t really involve me using my flame. A big part of why I love artificing is the magic. I like spell-dancing, and I like studying the flame. I bet the queen could teach me so much about both. I bet if I asked, she’d train me to be a magus or something.

But…?

Sunset grumbled in frustration at Philomena’s question. 

But, I don’t think it would really be… me. I… like making things with my hands. I like learning runes and seeing what I can do with them. It just feels… good. Right.

There was a pause. Sunset could feel Philomena considering what she’d sent.

Well, can’t that be a reason? Because you love to do it, and it makes you happy?

Sunset’s thoughts froze for a moment at the sheer, blunt audacity of Philomena’s statement.

I don’t think it’s that simple, Mena.

Maybe it is? 

I… I don’t know about that. That can’t be it… can it?

Sunset sighed as she balled her fists.

‘Is that it? The only reason I could come up with is I like to do it? That it makes me feel good? That it challenges me?’ Sunset thought as she hugged her arms to her chest. ‘Is that really good enough?’

Looking at the galatea, Sunset furrowed her brow and steeled her resolve.

‘If it’s the best answer I’ve got, then it’s the best answer I’ve got,’ she thought morosely, the sensations of Philomena’s encouragement flowing through their bond.

“I like it,” Sunset said with as much conviction as she could muster as she looked up at the galatea.

“You like it?” the galatea replied in a curious tone.

“Yes. I want to be an artificer because I like doing it,” Sunset said, her voice growing in confidence as she spoke. “It makes me happy to make things. To learn new spell-dances. To push myself to figure out new and creative ways to use my flame. I don’t know if that’s what you were looking for, but that’s my answer.” 

Silence filled the smithy as Sunset awaited the queen’s reply.

“That’s a good reason.”

Of all the responses the queen could have given, that wasn’t one that Sunset had expected.

“Your Highness?” Sunset asked as she regarded the galatea.

The galatea simply looked at her for a moment before continuing.

“Sunset, you are new to your immortality, so you will not yet understand, but having an anchor, a focus, is vital. All phoenix-born need something to anchor them over the centuries. Something must give their lives meaning beyond their duty to Solaria,” the queen said with a wide, sweeping wave of the galatea’s hand. “Steel and Spitfire have found their calling in mastering the art of war. Roseluck in nurturing the life of the earth and delving into the mysteries of green growing things. My dear Raven? She has found her focus in mastering the power of her flame and guiding my sun-gazers towards a better tomorrow. And for you, you’re on the path towards finding yours, but I believe it will involve artificing in some form.”

Before Sunset could say anything, Queen Celestia pressed on. 

“So, now that we have why you want to become an artificer out of the way, what do you want to make?”

Sunset’s stomach tightened angrily as Queen Celestia asked her that question again. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath to calm herself and focusing on her meditation techniques, Sunset composed herself enough to reply.

“I don’t know yet. There’s nothing I need to make for myself, and nothing I have to make for work, so I can’t tell you what I want to make,” Sunset said, trying to keep the frustration out of her voice.

“Good,” Queen Celestia said simply.

Sunset felt her flame begin to rise, and she was vaguely aware that her hair was starting to move on its own, but she paid the sensation no mind.

“Good? How is that good?” Sunset asked through gritted teeth.

“It’s good because it means that you aren’t focused only on the end goal,” the galatea said as it strode towards Sunset, forcing her to look up to see its face. “What I intend to teach you isn’t the specific methods to make a single thing. As with your runes and your flame, what I will be teaching you are the fundamental techniques and methods behind the art of artificing itself. Once you have mastered these lessons, you will have the tools needed to combine them in ways that mortal sun-gazers can only dream of.”

Stepping away from Sunset, the galatea gestured for her to follow.

“For now, I want to see your mechanical skills with the tools of artificing. Please, begin preparing the forge for use,” the galatea said as it pointed towards the object in question. “Once you have it properly heated, we can get started with your lessons.”

*****

Setting down the hammer, Sunset wiped her brow with the back of her arm and took a moment to catch her breath. After a brief respite, she took her tongs and grasped the roughly shaped metallic disk she’d been working on. Turning, she presented it to the galatea. After a moment of inspecting her metalwork, the galatea nodded then touched the disk with its index finger, causing it to return to its original shape: that of a short slug of steel.

“Better, but your strokes are still uneven,” the galatea said. “Take a minute to rest, and we will go over where your technique can be improved.”

Sighing, Sunset slowly stretched her arms and reclined against the anvil.

Their lessons, such as they were, had begun what felt like hours ago. After she’d loaded the forge with charcoal and wood, lit it and brought it up to temperature, the queen had directed her to demonstrate her skills. Not sure what the queen was after, she had decided to go with something basic and relatively straight forward: making nails.

And so, after grabbing a hammer, header, tongs and gloves, Sunset began the process of heating up a piece of steel rod and forming it into nails. After being away from an anvil for nearly two months it took her a few tries to get back into the rhythm, but soon enough, muscle memory began to kick in.

In a short time, Sunset had a pile of reasonably well-crafted nails. They weren’t her best work, but they weren’t bad. Still, after finishing them and shaking a bit of the rust off, Sunset decided to try something a little more ambitious. Retrieving a rectangular sheet of metal, she placed it into the forge then pumping the bellows several times to bring the temperature up. Once the sheet was yellow-hot, she brought it to the anvil and began to slowly shape the metal into the basic pattern for a shovel blade.

As she worked, she kept glancing at the galatea, looking for any reaction from the queen. Unnervingly, it hadn’t moved once since she’d started, nor had the queen said anything to her. Huffing and furrowing her brows, she went back to work.

Eventually, Sunset finished the shovel blade and gave it one final quenching. Setting the completed tool down on the bench next to the pile of nails, Sunset wiped her brow with a sleeve before taking a step back and waiting for Queen Celestia to inspect her work.

Much to her chagrin, the galatea didn’t move to examine her efforts, instead turning to face Sunset herself.

“Your Highness?” Sunset said as the glowing lights of the galatea’s eyes regarded her.

“Thank you, Sunset. That was edifying,” the galatea said as it walked to another part of the forge and retrieved something from one of the drawers.

“What do you mean, Your Highness?” Sunset said, still a little put out that the queen wasn’t even looking at what she’d spent so much effort to make.

“Watching you told me what I need to know about your current skill,” the galatea said as it walked to the anvil. “To be honest, you have a long way to go. But you have a good foundation. For now, we will begin with that.”

Sunset found herself bristling again at the queen’s words, as though they were directed not only at her, but at Bronze and his training.

“We will begin to work on your form, strength and basic skill with the components of the forge,” the galatea said as it held up a small steel slug. “For now, I want you to take this steel and shape it into a perfect disk.”

Sunset blinked at the strange request.

“That’s all?” Sunset asked.

“That’s all,” the galatea replied as it set the slug onto the anvil. “However…”

The galatea fixed Sunset with a stern look.

“…the purpose of this exercise isn’t to make a perfect disk. It is to help you develop your coordination, technique and understanding of how the metal responds to your strikes. Producing the disk is the framing. What you are learning is how to use the tools and your body properly. Do you understand, Sunset?”

Sunset simply nodded.

“Good. For your first attempt, you will do it without guidance. Once you’ve finished, I will tell you where you need to improve and guide you to the correct form.” Taking a step back, the galatea gestured to the slug. “Please begin.”

Sunset let out an irritated huff as she furrowed her brow before grabbing the slug and heading over to the forge. Taking the slug and setting it into the coal bed using her forging tongs, Sunset began the process of heating the slug.

And so began the pattern of the day. Sunset would work the steel, slowly hammering it into shape. Once she was sure she was done, the galatea would come and revert the metal to its original shape. Then, after giving Sunset a few minutes to breathe, Queen Celestia would give her pointers on how to improve her technique or methods. From turning the slug to make sure it was evenly heated, to improving the mechanics of her swing, to any number of other major or minor corrections.

Then it would turn Sunset loose on the forge again.

And so the process repeated over a dozen times, until Sunset could barely lift her arms.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness,” Sunset said as she tried to pick up the hammer, only to find that her body had reached its limit, “but I don’t think I can keep this up anymore.”

The galatea stared at Sunset for a moment before sinking back into the ground. Sunset was unsure of what to make of that, until she heard the queen’s voice from behind.

“You did well for your first day,” the queen said with a warm smile. “You have a long way to go before you’ve mastered the techniques, but this is a good start.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Sunset said wearily.

You alright? Philomena sent with a concerned tone.

I can’t feel my arms, Mena. What do you think? Sunset sent back a little more venomously than she normally would, her body slumping against the workbench as sweat poured down her face, stinging her eyes.

Well pardon me for being concerned, Philomena sent back, her tone hurt.

A brief pang of guilt stung Sunset’s heart at Philomena’s sending.

Sorry for snapping, Mena, Sunset sent in a far more pleasant tone, but I know you can feel how spent I am. Dumb questions plus tired Sunset equals snarky, sharp responses.

Fine, I’ll forgive you this time. But I’m expecting some extra snuggles as an apology later.

Managing a weak chuckle, Sunset looked towards Philomena’s nest and smiled a little.

I’m sure I can manage that, after I can feel my arms again.

“You’re welcome, Sunset. That will be enough for the day. We will resume your lessons tomorrow. However, before you go,” Queen Celestia said as she extended her index finger and raised it. As she did, a small sphere of white energy manifested on the tip of the extended digit. Much to Sunset’s surprise and apprehension, the queen reached down towards her and, with the gentlest of touches, pressed the sphere of light into her chest.

As the light entered her body, Sunset felt a wave of energy pulse through her. In an instant, all of her fatigue vanished. Eyes going wide with shock, she flexed her arms. There was still a bit of stiffness, but her exhaustion had evaporated from her body like water splashed on white-hot metal. Looking up to the queen, she watched as she drew herself back up to her full height and retrieved her teacup and daintily taking a sip.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Sunset said.

“Of course, Sunset. Now, you and Philomena enjoy your afternoon. You’ve earned it.”

*****

Sunset’s eyes drifted listlessly over the landscape of the Core as she sat on her balcony. The sun was still a few hours away from setting, but even so, the shadows were starting to grow longer. On the table before her were the last remnants of her evening meal, the few remaining bits of bread and soup having gone cold. Lifting her hand, she slowly brought it up and gently drew it down the length of Philomena’s body, petting the phoenix in her lap, who let out soft trills at her touch.

It’d been a few hours since she’d returned from the queen’s castle, and she’d had time to think about the whole experience. The thing that was weighing on her mind the most was what the queen had asked her at the beginning, and her own answers.

But there were other things that were bothering her. Things that had nothing to do with Queen Celestia’s inquiries and more to do with things she’d noticed now that she wasn’t in the middle of the forge. Things that she suspected had to do with her ascension. 

You alright, Sunset?

Looking down into her lap, her eyes met Philomena’s as the phoenix stared up at her.

Just… thinking, Sunset said as she turned her attention back to the horizon and resumed her petting.

About what? Philomena said as she snuggled into Sunset’s lap and rubbed her head against her hand.

Mostly today and what the queen said, Sunset admitted as she scratched Philomena’s chin. And other things.

Like?

Well, I was working that anvil for almost five hours, Sunset sent as she closed her eyes and sighed. I shouldn’t have been able to stand after that.

Why’s that a problem? You were exhausted afterwards. I bet the only reason you’re moving’s because of the queen doing whatever she did to you.

It’s not just that, Mena. Even when I pulled all-day shifts with Bronze, I never worked for five hours straight. We’d pace ourselves. Take breaks. I’d be completely dead on my feet after two hours of what I did today, let alone five.

Oh…

Yea.

Philomena shifted a little to crawl a bit farther up into Sunset’s lap, until she was resting against her stomach, and began to gently nuzzle her.

Don’t you think that just means your earth-weaver flame might be starting to grow? You told me that your sisters could work for hours without getting tired. 

I guess, Sunset sent as she resumed petting Philomena. That’s not really what’s on my mind. It's something else I’ve read about from the legends.

What?

Mena, the heat of the forge wasn’t uncomfortable.

Why’s that a problem? Philomena sent with a confused tone.

Mena, forges are really hot. And I was next to one for hours… I could feel the heat, but it didn’t bother me. The heat didn’t affect me. At all. Sunset paused as she gently hugged Philomena to her as she worked up the courage to admit the next thing. According to the legends, phoenix-born are unaffected by heat or fire.

And that’s bad?

Not bad. It’s just… confusing. Bronze always made sure I was careful around the forge, or any of the metal we were working. Made sure I respected the danger of the flames and the heat. Now, that danger’s gone. It's just another thing Bronze taught me that doesn’t matter anymore.

Oh… that’s what’s bothering you, isn’t it?

Sunset sighed as her thoughts drifted back to Golden Tree and her former teacher.

Yea, it is. Every day, it feels like more and more of my life in Golden Tree just slips further and further away, Sunset sent as she petted Philomena.

Do you… want to go to Roseluck’s hot spring? I know it’s not the same without her and your friends, but it might help you relax. Maybe you could get a massage from one of the sun-touched? You liked it the last time.

Sunset shook her head.

I don’t really think going somewhere hot is a good idea right now, Mena. And that spring’s Roseluck’s. I just don't feel right to go there without her permission.

Huffing, Philomena gently nibbled on Sunset’s hand, clearly trying to return the affectionate contact Sunset was giving her.

Well, if the hot spring’s out, can we do something else? You’re getting broody…

I am not, Sunset sent back defensively.

Yes, you are, Philomena sent smugly. Didn’t Roseluck say that you needed to relax sometimes? Well, maybe you should listen to her.

Sunset’s eyes drifted down to the fledgling in her lap and the concerned look she was giving her.

You’re lucky you’re cute… Sunset grumbled as she went back to petting Philomena and looking out over the western edge of the Core.

Flattery won’t get you off the hook, Sunbutt, Philomena sent. Look, if you don’t want to go to the hot spring, can we at least find something else to do than sit here?

Grumbling, Sunset sent an annoyed poke through their link, not wanting to give Philomena the satisfaction of getting the last word in. After sending her displeasure, she closed their link to have some private time with her thoughts. As she did, Philomena let out an irritated huff and curled up a little as Sunset continued to pet her. Sunset felt a little bad about cutting off their communication, but she needed to think.

Now alone in her head, Sunset started to consider what Philomena was suggesting. As she’d said, the hot spring was out because she wasn’t in the mood to go anywhere with heat. In fact, she didn’t really want to go do anything physical, period. Not after spending practically the entire day hammering out the same chunk of steel over and over again.

They could go and visit Queen Lumina, but Sunset discounted that idea since that meant another trip to the sky-rail. Which she really didn’t want to do. Beyond potentially bothering Lumina, it was a long way to the phoenix queen’s forest from the west side of the cathedral.

That meant doing something in her room.

Rune-carving was out, because she didn’t feel like studying anymore today.

There was nobody else around besides Philomena, so playing a game was out.

She didn’t want to practice dancing or any of the meditations that the queen had taught her.

‘This would be so much better if my sisters were here. Too bad I’m stuck here while they’re all so far away,’ Sunset thought ruefully, before the spark of an idea lit itself in her head. ‘Wait, that’s not entirely true…’

Opening her link with Philomena, Sunset gave the phoenix a gentle nudge. Feeling Philomena give her an annoyed nudge back, the fledgling looked up at her.

Are we done brooding now? Philomena sent back with an irritated huff.

I don’t know… are you? Sunset sent back with a smirk.

Funny. So, did you figure out something else for us to do, or are you just giving me false hope?

Giggling a little, Sunset gently scooped Philomena up in her arms and rose from her seat, ignoring the phoenix’s annoyance at the sudden movement.

Yea, I did, Sunset sent as she made her way to her bedroom’s doors and headed inside.

Well, don’t keep me in suspense or anything. What’re we doing? Philomena sent as Sunset placed her on their shared bed.

Sunset didn’t immediately reply. Instead, she walked over to her bookshelf and retrieved an old, well-worn book.

How about I read you a story, Mena? Sunset said as she set the tome on the bed and climbed on, gathering the pillows to give herself something soft to lean against. I haven’t opened this book in far too long, and I think you might enjoy some of these.

Okay, that doesn't sound bad. What story are you going to read? Philomena sent as she slowly waddled over to Sunset’s side.

Why don’t you pick? I’ve read the book from front to back a bunch already, Sunset sent as she helped Philomena up onto one of the pillows.

Philomena considered that for a moment.

Are there any stories in there about my mom?

There’re a bunch, Sunset said as she flipped through the book, before she landed on one of the stories involving Lumina. How about: Queen Lumina and the Curse of the Windigos?

Windigos? Philomena sent, her curiosity piqued.

Yea. It's a story from the days after Empress Harmony departed to hold the Chaos at bay. The windigos were some of Grogar’s creations from the Chaos War, and it’s the story of Lumina’s battle against them to protect the harmonious-ones from their predations.

Sunset heard an excited chirp come from Philomena as the phoenix snuggled up to her side.

That sounds exciting. I’ll have to ask mom about it the next time I see her. See how well the story matches up with her version.

Sounds fun, Sunset sent as she settled in to read.

‘A cold, mournful wind was blowing across the Mnerittis planes, rustling the long grass and filling the air with the dread rattling of dry bones and the cries of a thousand lost and weeping children…’