//------------------------------// // Chapter 1- A Thousand Years Later // Story: For Whom the Twilight Falls // by iAmSiNnEr //------------------------------// For Whom the Twilight Falls Cowritten by iAmSiNnEr and Meowofy Chapter 1 - A Thousand Years Later “Polar Seele Gale!” The stallion cried out in his reedy voice, nudging his half moon spectacles up the bridge of his muzzle and adjusting his ascot busily. “Please proceed to the next room!” A unicorn mare traipsed reluctantly towards him, offering a weak smile and hastily scurrying past into the door behind the stallion when it was clear that the gesture was not going to be reciprocated.     Celestia nudged her sister with a wing, a smile curling the corners of her lips. “You think you passed? I know I passed the pegasus trials, but I didn’t see how well you did.” She arched a brow, only to shake her head, still beaming, “I’m sure you did great, though!” The filly offered confidently.     “But I know I didn’t pass the final test,” Luna muttered, hooves hopping on the tiles as she fretted silently, biting her lip hard. “I totally messed up the transfiguration spell—made four teacups instead of three. Then, when I did the teleportation test, my hoof was two whole centimeters off-”     With a roll of her eyes, Celestia interrupted her sister’s rant with a hoof on her muzzle, the years of experience having made her especially adept when it came to stopping panic attacks before they started.  “Shh,” she smirked and caught Luna’s barrel deftly with a white wing. “I’m sure you passed. Father told me that he talked to one of the testers, and they were full of praise for you.” Celestia winked, taking her hoof away to noogy her sister’s periwinkle mane instead.     Luna scrunched up her muzzle and swatted Celestia’s hoof away, squirming out of the wing and fixing her mane fussily, “This year is special, though!” Luna insisted once her hair was deemed acceptable enough, stomping the marble firmly, “They said that Princess Sunset herself is coming to watch this year’s testing personally!”     “Yeah, so?” Celestia shrugged, the picture of nonchalance. “We’re getting into her school anyways! It’s just the egg test, and that doesn’t have any impact on anything, even if we don’t—uh—make anything happen.” She tilted her head, brows pinching together, “Nothing’s probably going to happen anyways, I mean, that egg’s been there for forever, and nothing’s happened yet!”     “Icy Kaledrius Reed!” that stallion shouted this time, clearing his throat. “Proceed onto the next room!” A pale blue pegasus strode imperiously past him, wings erect, eyes shut haughtily and muzzle tilted up as he paced past the doorway wearing a smirk. The caller paid no attention to him, tired eyes going back to his clipboard.     “Why haven’t they called your names yet?” Their mother glanced at the door, frowning slightly. “Your father has already confirmed with Headmare Ivory that Celestia got in, at least. She was tight-lipped about you, though.” Her hoof tapped the tiles anxiously, a nervous tick of hers.     “I knew it!” Luna wailed, spreading her forehooves and looking to the roof. “I failed at-”     “Luna Selene Solaris!” The stallion yelled out before glancing to his list again, eyes darting across the page. “Along with Celestia Terra Solaris! Proceed to the next room!”     “See? I told you we’d get in!” Celestia jabbed her sister with a plume, grinning, only for Luna to be too busy with a victory dance to pay any attention.      From behind, their mother reached out and caught both of them in an impossibly tight hug, rocking slightly. “Ohh, I’m so proud of you both!” She exclaimed, squealing with Luna.     “Mom,” Celestia squeaked, wings flapping in disarray. “Air—please!”     “Oh- oh! I’m so sorry!” Putting them down, their mother smiled sheepishly, kissing them both on the forehead and beaming. “I was just so excited that my precious widdle babies got chosen for-”      “Mom,” Celestia grumbled, pursing her lips as her cheeks heated and more eyes turned their way. “Not in public—I’m ten, for Sunset’s sake!” She hissed, covering her face with a wing and peeking out from a gap in her primaries.     “Still young enough for me to hug and cuddle!” Their mother sang, laughing and ruffling up Celestia’s pink mane.     “Celestia Solaris and Luna Solaris!” The caller shouted again, glaring with his face pinched together as if he’d tasted a lemon. “This is your last call!”     “We’d better get going, Mom,” Celestia blurted out, quickly ushering Luna towards the doors with a wing and trying not to notice as their mother blew air kisses. “We’ll see you once this is over!” “Congratulations~!” The call came from over the crowd, Celestia’s face reddening even further before the two sisters trotted hurriedly into the room behind the door, pointedly avoiding the stallion’s glare with their paces suddenly slowing as they looked around them in awe, eyes blown wide.  Towering pillars of marble as white as snow and as smooth as silk stretched up into the domed ceiling with impossibly intricate designs depicted on the trims of every coving.  A sparkling chandelier with drops of crystals hanging from each golden branch captured and scattered rays of light throughout the room, reflecting a beautifully ethereal pattern of sunshine onto the tiles and everyone’s coats.  Flames, which gave off more light than it was to be expected from such demure fires licked the tips of golden braziers delicately, waving in an unseen wind and spaced out between every two pillars.     Gathered in the middle of what was obviously a ballroom, was a group of assorted creatures. Changelings, dragons, kirins, unicorns, pegasi and earth ponies all stood together, numbering about two dozen, and from what Luna could see, at least, there was no fixed number from any tribe.     “Ooh, a centaur!” Celestia gasped to Luna, pointing with a hoof to the brownish-red centaur around the fringes of the crowd. “Haven’t seen one of them in forever!”     “Of course,” the centaur rumbled, making both jump as he looked over to them, mirth twinkling loud and clear in his eyes. “We barely number fifty back home—only one or two are sent to Equestria to learn every year.”     “Nice to meet you!” Celestia grinned, waving as Luna squeaked and hid behind her mane. “This is my little sister, Luna, and I’m Celestia.” “Salutations,” the centaur offered one of his hands to shake, and Celestia took it with her hoof. “I am Scorpan, prince of the centaurs. It is very interesting that fillies made it past the tests and trials.” “We’re not fillies,” Celestia huffed. “I’m ten, and she’s nine-” “I am forty-eight,” Scorpan smiled at her shocked expression. “Young in my kingdom. We live to several centuries, and I am twenty-four in pony system.” “Oh.”  “You’d know this if you paid attention in History class,” Luna muttered. “You’re always falling asleep.” “How is it my fault if the tutor’s always so boring?” Celestia huffed.  Scorpan laughed, a deep sound that rolled through the room. “You remind me of my brother. He’s closer to your age than I, and is always curious about the world. Though, he is a troublemaker. Perhaps you are, too?”     “Not purposely,” Celestia smirked. “Trouble finds me.”     “That’s what he says, too,” Scorpan replied. “I find that very hard to believe. Trouble is a concept, not some creature looking for other creatures.”     “That’s what everyone says,” Celestia countered. “You wouldn’t know till you’ve experienced it.”     “Tia,” Luna hissed, “He’s a prince!”     “It is alright, young Luna,” Scorpan smiled. “I am not my father, nor my brother. They’d take insult, but not I. I prefer to learn through others of different customs. For example, over there is a changeling who has barely interacted with anyone in this room. That tells me two things. One, their memories and grudges hold long. Two, he is not particularly friendly.”     Celestia opened her mouth to speak, but the doors on the other side of the room opened to admit a phoenix who soared through and landed on top of a stand near the doors.     “All bow for the entrance of her Majesty-” the guard by the side of the doors bellowed.     The phoenix cuffed him lightly by the side of his head. He shook his head in embarrassment, before straightening up into the previous pose.     As he did so, a slight pressure began to weigh down on every creature’s senses, the temperature of the ballroom rising slightly—but noticeably—as if suddenly bathed in sunshine. From beyond the doors, a tall orchid yellow mare possessing an immeasurable grace strode calmly into the room, a smile as warm as her sun atop her muzzle with an instinctive hush descending immediately upon the crowd, the only sounds echoing throughout being the soft swishes of golden horseshoes wading through the lavish red carpet.     Her silky coat glistened like a thousand gems and her mane—a mixture of red with streaks of pure gold—floated airily in an unseen breeze felt by nothing but itself, its twists and swirls simply mesmerizing to stare at. Sharp teal eyes swept the room, and behind her trailed another mare, slightly less extravagant, yet possessing the same aura of confidence. Everybody recognised who these ponies were-    “The princess and the headmare!” Luna yelped, hooves sinking and head ducking into a bow, many others following suit.     “Rise, my little ponies, and every creature, of course.” The alicorn smiled, a kind, benevolent smile, warming everybody’s hearts. “There is no need to bow. I am simply here to watch the proceedings, and will have no part in it. However, I am going to be watching closely.”     Furtive whispers filled the room as ponies and creatures craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the princess. “As usual,” the princess continued. “It will be a simple test. All of you have already gotten into my school for the talented and gifted, there is no need to worry. Just touch the egg, and you may go afterwards.”     “This is relatively simple,” Headmare Ivory continued once Princess Sunset fell silent. “As the princess has stated, touch the egg. I will call out your names, and you will step forwards. If nothing happens, you may go. A letter will be sent to your place of residence afterwards.” Her eyes scanned the crowd, “All understood?” A murmur of dissent rose from the collection of creatures, the Headmare waiting a moment for the noise to settle before looking to the Princess with a respectful nod, “Princess, anything to add?” Princess Sunset gave a gracious smile, stepping forward. “Only a request to see Miss Luna Selene Solaris at the end of the test-” Celestia felt her sister go rigid next to her as her own eyes widened to the size of pancakes, watching as the Diarch’s brilliant teal ones drifted to them, twinkling mirthfully, “-I have a proposition for her, one I think she’ll be very excited to hear about.” Headmare Ivory nodded her assent, seemingly in the know, “Of course. I apologise for having forgotten to mention it earlier, your Highness.” Her sharp gaze locked onto the sisters almost immediately, “Luna Solaris, did you hear Princess Sunset?” Luna squeaked out an affirmative, nodding vigorously, now trying to hide behind Celestia’s mane, her own dubbed too short for such a momentous shock.  “Good.” The eagle-eyed Headmare finally retracted her attention, Luna breathing a silent sigh of relief, even as she shifted her weight on her hooves anxiously. “Everycreature, form a single-file line in an orderly manner please. Over here, right in front of me.” Her hoof clicked the tiles as she pointed to the aforementioned spot. “Miss Solaris, stay at the end of the line.”  Everyone took their time, none particularly wanting to be first, even if the test was just to touch something. After all, every action held a lot more weight when the ruler of all Equestria was watching them, no matter what nation one came from. “Quickly please! We don’t have all day.” Headmare Ivory demanded in clipped tones, tapping her hoof firmly to the marble a few more times. A blue pegasus Celestia recognised as the pony who’d been called before them trotted up bravely, muzzle still turned up and eyes still closed. Celestia wondered briefly how he could even see where he was going.  A shallow cart with thick hay layered inside was pulled in by the Princess’ teal aura, and all eyes—even that of the haughty pegasus, who’d opened them instinctively—were drawn to the small, red and yellow patterned egg nestled cozily inside.  The Diarch’s phoenix glided down and fluttered to a stop, perching on the back edge of the cart with her majestic wings spread fully and sharp avian eyes eyeing the first hopeful sternly as he suddenly appeared to become much less sure of himself, trying to discreetly move away from the front of the line. “Name.” He looked around at the creatures beside him, acting nonchalant as if he hadn’t heard the Headmare’s demand. After a few uncomfortable seconds, when it was clear that nobody else would step up and that the mare had fixed her gaze upon him, he cleared his throat imperiously and ruffled his feathers, bringing them up once more. “Icy Kaledrius Reed the fifth of House Reed, ma’am.” He shot the two mares with a winning smile, “You may know me already—I am the son of one of your best professors, Sir Kaled-”     “Thank you, Mr Reed.” The Headmare’s lips twitched down slightly, bringing her clipboard away from her face and stepping away from the cart. “Approach the egg.” She nodded expectantly.     Icy Reed a slight pause, eyes flitting over to the ever calm Princess before resuming his prideful stance once more, striding over to the cart and touching his feather to the egg, striking a ‘behold’ pose. And…     Nothing happened.     Nodding, Ivory Rule crossed something off on her list, “Thank you, Mr Reed, you may now go back to the main hall and-”     “Wait, that was a fluke—just let me try again!” The pegasus demanded, this time pressing his hoof to the shell none-too-gently instead, squeezing his eyes shut as if he were a unicorn casting an exceptionally hard spell. When it became clear that nothing was happening, Icy Reed reached for the egg in its entirety, his usually pale face red and his lips curled back in a snarl.      There was a sizzle and a muted roar, a yelp and several screams. Celestia’s wings snapped over her sister without a second thought, ducking under herself with only the sounds of her own heartbeat pounding furiously in her ears to keep her company.     When her mind decided that it was deemed safe enough to lower her wings, at least—albeit cautiously—she looked around to catch a glimpse of what had happened. To her embarrassment, most of the line—particularly the back half—had remained relatively unperturbed—creatures seemed startled at best, but none had tried to hide like they had. The front of the line, however, had scattered left and right, Icy Reed himself pressed firmly to the opposite wall, white and shaking. Really, only the Headmare and the Princess had remained perfectly undisturbed.  Celestia’s eyes were drawn to the cart, and automatically, the cause for alarm became clear. The phoenix previously calmly perched there was... on fire. Of course, in her mind, she knew that phoenixes had an affinity to flame, and that the Princess’ one was probably no different, but to actually see it was a different story. Interestingly, it seemed that, yes, the bird was aflame, but the wooden cart wasn’t even singed. Was phoenix flame actually just an illusion and didn’t burn? A thought to ask Luna later, Celestia supposed—her sister had always been the more magical-oriented of the two. “Radiant.” Came the Princess’ voice, perfectly calm and just as kind as it was when talking to the crowd before—though the subtle undertone of command was not lost on any of the creatures.  As if Radiant had been splashed with ice water, the flames extinguished themselves just as swiftly as they’d come, leaving behind a bird who now nonetheless seemed just as dangerous as she was magnificent.  Now, Celestia was by no means an expert on the body language of phoenixes, but even a blind creature could tell that Radiant was not happy. Probably because if that egg was actually her egg—and it would make sense, seeing as Princess Sunset was using it—somepony had just tried to rough it up. No good mother would appreciate that. And indeed, after a brief staredown with her phoenix, the Princess turned to the slowly reorganizing line and graced them with another of the benevolent smiles she was known for. “Please, do not be alarmed, everybody. Radiant will not hurt you unless truly provoked. However, let this be a reminder that phoenixes care for their young very much. Once you have been dismissed by Headmare Ivory, please do not linger any further.” She received a round of nods just as the Headmare returned to her side after her hushed discussion with a shaken Icy Reed—who’d darted out of the door the moment he could, Radiant’s glare trained on him as he went, even after he disappeared around the corner. “Is everything alright now, Ivory?” The Headmare inclined her head, a hoof coming up to fix her bun. “Wonderful. I believe we are ready to start again, then.” Princess Sunset stepped back once more, content with letting Ivory Rule do her job. One by one, at the Headmare’s instruction, the students came up once more. The first few were openly anxious, barely touching the egg and skidding off before they could even see if anything happened, unwilling to risk the phoenix mother’s wrath. However, as more and more hopefuls came out without being burnt to a crisp, the line disappeared at a steadier pace. “Aren’t you gonna get in line? You don’t have to stay here with me, you know?” Celestia jumped and her eyes snapped to her sister. She blinked, her cheeks slightly tinting at being so distracted. “Um, sorry Luna, what was that? I was watching the egg test.”  Luna quirked an unimpressed brow, “There’s literally nothing happening—you were right, all we have to do is just touch the egg.” She shook her head, “Anyways, I was saying that Headmare Ivory only wanted me to stay at the back, not you, so you don’t have to wait with me.” Her lips seemed raw from chewing as she smirked, “Plus, I know how much you like to push in line.” She snorted, but could find no true rebuttal, “Well yeah, but you’re way more important to me.” Luna blinked, looking up at her sister. “Plus, the Headmare said Miss Solaris, wait at the end or something—not Luna Solaris—so technically she could’ve been referring to me!” Frowning, Luna tapped a hoof to her chin, “No, not likely. Judging by context clues, Headmare Ivory was clearly referring to m-” She was interrupted by a wing cuffing her head, albeit lightly. Celestia rolled her eyes, “It was a joke, Lulu.” “Oh.” Her sister blinked and her navy ears flattened somewhat. “Oh.” She repeated quietly, both lapsing into silence. Unsure of what else to really do, they looked back and watched as Scorpan went up to the egg next, carefully touching a clawtip to its surface before stepping back, nodding once to Princess Sunset and leaving without further protest when it was clear that the egg wasn’t just going to spontaneously hatch.  There weren’t many left—maybe six or seven at best—and the next hopeful moved up to the egg, the entire line shuffling forwards. “I—uh—didn’t mean to upset you, Sis.” Celestia offered awkwardly, when the silence between them dragged on for too long. “I just... thought it’d make you laugh or something. I don’t know.” Celestia shifted her weight on her hooves, grimacing as Luna’s stare bore into her. “I’m just— Sorry.”  She was quite the prideful pony—though she’d obviously never admit it to herself out loud—and apologies were hard for her to stomach. But even her pride came second to her baby sister. “...That’s okay.” She received a wide, genuine smile, and Luna met her in a brief, warm hug. It felt good—gooder than anything she could put into words. “So.” Celestia started, parting with her sister and slinging a wing loosely around her smaller body, “What do you think the Princess wants with you? She backtracked hastily, feeling Luna freeze. “I mean, can’t be anything bad, she said that you’d enjoy it, after all!” Luna nodded as if trying—and failing—to convince herself. “Hey, I’m sure it’s nothing too serious. Trust me.” Celestia nudged her and she finally relaxed, opening her mouth to— “Well, I’d like to think that it was a serious proposal, but please rest assured, you have certainly done no wrong.” They both yelped, whipping around and staring for a few moments before their brains caught up to just who they were seeing and they stumbled somehow into bows, with Luna’s muzzle practically planted onto the marble in her rush. “P-Princess Sunset— “Your Majesty—” “We definitely weren’t talking about you—” “It’s not what you think it is—” “Well, we were, but not about you you, just what you wanted from me—”  “I don’t even know what you think it is— “ I’m so-so-so-so sorry if we were being rude—  “But we’re not doing anything treasonous, I swear— “ “Please spare us—” “I mean, I’ve always wanted to blow up the sun to see what would happen but I wasn’t going to actually do it and—” “We’re just tiny fillies and we don’t know what we’re saying—” “And— Wait—did you just say we didn’t do anything wrong?” The two sisters froze and stared up at the Princess, whose mirthful grin was answer enough.     Suddenly, Luna shot Celestia a sidelong glare, “What were you shouting for if you heard that bit?” She muttered accusingly through grit teeth, her voice hushed.     Gaping, the elder sibling glared right back, not one to back down from an argument, “Wh- I was shouting? I was only shouting cause you were shouting!”     “But I was—”     A light, tinkering laugh silenced them both almost immediately, and they once more turned their attention over to the alicorn who towered over them both. “Let’s just put this behind us, hm? I’ll pretend I didn’t hear any of that and we’ll start over—does that sound okay to you?” She received bashful nods from both sisters.  “Though—what was that about the sun?” Princess Sunset arched a brow expectantly at Celestia, who rubbed her neck awkwardly. “Uh… Didn’t you say that you’d pretend you didn’t hear anything?” Celestia piped up hopefully, shuffling her hooves, “Oh—um—Your Highness.” She added hastily, blushing.  “So I did.” The Princess wore an amused smile before she shook her head, “Regardless, I was hoping I could speak to you, Luna, if your—sister?” Celestia nodded, and Sunset continued graciously, “—if your sister wouldn’t mind me whisking you away for a bit?”      “Wherever she goes, I go,” Celestia put a protective hoof on Luna’s withers. “She’s my sister, after all.”     Luna looked apologetically at Princess Sunset. “I’m sorry, princess, but Tia’s been like this ever since I was young. We do almost everything together.” She pawed nervously at the ground. “I hope you don’t mind her tagging along?”     “Well,” Princess Sunset smiled. “I wouldn’t, but I would prefer for your sister to let you make the decision on your own. It’s going to be a big one, after all.” She quirked a brow knowingly. “You wouldn’t deny your sister that privacy, would you?”     “I, uh,” Celestia shook her head slowly. “No, I wouldn’t.” She turned her head to look at Luna. “Are you okay talking to Princess Sunset alone?”     “Yes,” Luna tilted her head curiously, before realizing what she was doing and straightening up, embarrassed. “It sounds quite...serious?”     “Oh, it’s nothing that you did wrong, I assure you,” Princess Sunset put a comforting hoof on Luna’s withers. “I just simply have a proposition for you. Celestia, you may rejoin the line if you wish, or wait for her by a side. It will only be a while. Although,” she turned her head to the dwindling line, which had only the changeling and two other ponies left. “You could finish up there and be back before we finish our talk.”     “Oh, alright,” Celestia reluctantly moved off, trotting to rejoin the line.     “Now,” Princess Sunset turned back to Luna once Celestia was out of earshot. “I would like to begin by asking a question. I believe your father is Sir Light Asteris Solaris, correct?”     “Yes,” Luna nodded meekly. “I think you know him, princess.”        “Of course!” Princess Sunset beamed. “He’s the Royal Astronomer, and is in charge of watching the stars every night. He’s done a lot for Equestria, which is why I knighted him. But that’s not why I asked the question. Is he the one who teaches you magic?”     “No,” Luna shook her head. “I learnt most of the spells I know through books and self-learning,” she said proudly. “Father said that I knew more spells than him!”     Princess Sunset nodded approvingly. “It is a very impressive feat, definitely. Which brings us to the next reason why I wanted to talk to you. You are nine, yes?” Luna nodded, unsure why Princess Sunset was asking her that.     “And yet, your mana levels are that of a full-grown mage in my court,” the princess mused. “I was sure it had been a mistake. But once I talked to you, I could feel your magic fluctuating in there. Your mana is being overextended due to disuse, Luna.”     “What?” Luna squeaked. “Magic disuse?! That’s very serious! According to Raven Inkwell’s Magical Theories and Mana Uses, magic disuse can lead to the unicorn forever not able to use their magic properly and thatsverybadohwhatdidIdoPrincesscanyouhelpme-” she fell silent as Princess Sunset slowly lowered herself to her height.      “Luna,” Sunset said calmly. “There is no issue. You read a book which is filled with theories from a thousand years ago. Raven Inkwell was a genius, yes, but even she admitted she could be wrong at times. Magic disuse will only lead to mild effects such as limited use of magic until you clear your mana well, which is still not full. You’re fine for now, but you need to stop limiting yourself, Luna.”     Luna looked away and tried to look at something else. “How did you know I limit my magic?” she squeaked out.      “It’s quite obvious,” Princess Sunset lit up her horn, and a teal aura of magic washed over Luna. “This might be a little disorientating. Look down at your chest.”     Luna looked down and gasped. “Whu-”     “What you are looking at is what I can see at will,” Princess Sunset explained. “Leylines. As you can see, yours are overflowing with mana. Look at mine for comparison.” Luna tilted her head up slowly, as she nervously pawed the ground.      “They look so...clean, compared to mine,” Luna whispered.      “And I can help you remedy that,” Princess Sunset replied as her magic washed over Luna again, causing the leylines to disappear from view. “That is, if you accept my proposition.”     “What proposition?” Luna asked curiously.     “I would like you to be my student, Luna Selene Solaris,” Sunset said without pomp or ceremony. “You are incredibly talented, and have a mana well that I have never seen in any filly before you. Be my student, and I can teach you spells that are not in the public libraries. I can show you new things.”     “Y-your student?” Luna stammered.     “Indeed,” Sunset nodded. “It has been nine hundred years since I took a student. But I can see your talent, Luna. It would be a shame if I could not nurture that talent.”     “Nine hundred years?” Luna blurted out. “Talent?”     “Yes, Luna,” Sunset agreed patiently. “You have magic which I have never seen before. So, will you become my student? I will not force you to do anything you do not want to-”     “Of course!” Luna exclaimed. “I wouldlovetobeyourstudentthisissuchahonor- oh! I’m so sorry, Princess.”     “It’s alright,” Sunset’s lips curled upwards. “I once knew a mare who would do the same. She was older than you, and had many of the same mannerisms you exhibit…” she trailed off, a look crossing her face. “But that is a story for another time.”     Luna blinked. Was it just her imagination, or had the princess looked...sad, for a moment? The expression had cleared as fast as it had come, so she could not be sure, but for a moment she thought she saw an expression of deeply rooted grief and sadness.      “Anyways,” Sunset smiled. “If you are to be my student, there is a lot to do. I will have to speak to your parents once the egg test is over, see if they will allow you to move in to the castle to stay with me full time.”     “Stay...in the castle?” Luna blurted out.     “Of course,” Sunset nodded. “I could not be picking you up from your home every morning, now could I?”     Luna nodded quickly, agreeing. A thought crossed, her mind, and she looked at Princess Sunset. “Princess, what is the egg test for?”     “Ah,” Sunset considered her for a moment. “You by now would have guessed that it is Radiant’s-” She gestured offhoofedly to the phoenix perched on the edge of the cart, “-egg.”     “She was very protective when that - uh - Kaledrius tried to, you know,” Luna agreed. “But why is there a phoenix egg as a test?”     “A phoenix will only hatch for the most loyal and brave,” Sunset informed her. “I am in need of one with such qualities. It’s pretty simple.”     “Oh,” Luna nodded. “How long has it not hatched-”     There was a sound of something cracking from the other side of the room, before a cry of a newborn bird could be heard.      The two turned their heads to see Celestia standing there at the egg, mouth agape as a phoenix chick chirped and nuzzled her.      “And it seems like your sister is the very one I am looking for,” Sunset grinned. “Very interesting, your family. Your father is the Royal Astronomer, and now you two.” Luna could only watch, her mouth hanging open as the newborn chirped happily and Radiant flew down to the phoenix chick.  This couldn’t possibly get any crazier. She couldn’t have been more wrong.