//------------------------------// // CH 50.1 A Second Foal Hood // Story: Twilight's Nightmare // by Nightsclaw //------------------------------// Slit eyes peered into their own reflection. Looking into the mirror and not seeing who you expected was almost a unique experience. The long coatless line that used to mare his muzzle had been a reminder Luna deliberately left when she healed him. He never underestimated the reach of a blade since that mark greeted him every night in the bathroom.  His reflection held not a single mark of his life or Luna's lessons.  Years of hard-earned scars and battle-hardened physique all shed like a snake's skin.   He stretched each leathery wing in turn. Both were pristine and new. I'm going to have to unlearn accounting for that extra bit of drag. He thought critically as his eyes trailed over the smooth membrane of his left wing.  He smiled, the one that looked back at him had none of his rugged handsomeness. No, he just looked cute. He sighed. “The things I do for you, my Sovereign.”  His magic, the magic he had been born with, warped his hooves, silencing them as he soundlessly trotted along the crystal floor. With each motion, he felt light. It was like he had just hiked all day and had just ditched the extra heavy training armour.   “Let’s see what this can do.” His adolescent body hunched down and all the youthful muscles tensed. A moment later, he exploded into action. Each limb extended, catapulting him almost to the ceiling without a single flap of his bat-like wings. Beneath him, four dispersing rings of shadows spread, the remains of his silencing effect blasted apart.  A second later, His hooves met crystal with an unfamiliarly natural sound. The nascent Earth pony magic was more than enough to absorb the impact.  He lifted a hoof. It felt so light without heavy shoes nailed to it. “More a pebble now than a meteor…” “Now, my daughter, I have a new friend for you.”  “You do?” Little Star’s voice was bright and pure, untouched by all the recent horrors. That was his cue. He emerged from Little Star's shadow. Magenta eyes focused and peered into his own.  “Hello, my name is Little Star, and my Mummy says we are going to be friends.” “Hey.” He just stopped himself from adding Kido or something like that. He offered his hoof. “Name's Meteor Crash.” Little Star stared at his extended hoof for a long moment before slowly reaching out and bumping it. “I have a spell that could stop you from crashing.” The slightest twitch flicked across Luna's face. But the eyes lacked the normal twinkle. Somethings wrong, but what? "I imagine, My Daughter, that there are lots of useful spells you can show him, and many things you could teach him." Little Star's eyes lit with joy. "I get to teach him?' "Anything you wish." Luna smiled.  "Don't I get a say?" Crash said in the silent thestral tongue.  "Of course you do. What would you like to learn first?" Little Star answered in an almost audible whisper.  How? As if reading his mind, Luna answered his question. "Our daughter is full of surprises."  Wait, the only ponies that hear us are half-bloods and... Luna winked before he could finish that thought. “We are going to have so much fun. I have to introduce you to Grey and Thorn.”  “Unfortunately, I have some work to do. Run along and play, my Little Star.” Luna nuzzled her daughter before looking at Crash. “We also expect you to enjoy this opportunity.”  “Yes, Mummy.” Little Star chirped, absently lifting Crash in her aura as she galloped off. The thick blanket of magic made his wings tingle. How powerful is she? He looked up questioningly at Luna.  ‘Keep her safe.’ She mouthed to him, her eyes dark and solemn.  Perhaps this is not going to be a cake-walk. Crash nodded and offered a heartfelt salute to his Sovereign before he was dragged around a corner.