//------------------------------//
// Luna's Dream Training 
// Story: Stranger in a Strange Land 
// by Andrew Joshua Talon 
//------------------------------//

Ryan wandered in a dojo, covered in ancient weapons and banners from long ago. He blinked in confusion.

"Where am I?"

"Welcome, Ryan," Luna spoke. Ryan turned in shock, but he remembered his manners and bowed to her. Luna smiled indulgently, and walked up to him. She lifted his chin.

"There is no need for that amongst family," she said warmly. Ryan smiled back.

"Thank you... So... What brings you by, Auntie?"

"I have retaken my position as military commander of Equestria," she said, "and I am... Most unhappy with what has happened to combat readiness in my absence."

"Er... I mean," Ryan rubbed the back of his head, "to be fair, Auntie, we haven't had a war in-"

Luna stared intently at him. For a moment, her green eyes were slitted. He immediately tensed up, before he nodded quickly.

"Point taken," he said.

"You fought courageously," Luna said, "and you have talent... But you fought... Well-"

Ryan sighed.

"No, go ahead... Be honest," he said, waving his hands.

Luna nodded.

"You were awful. I would have cut you down in seconds if I had been fighting seriously."

Ryan nodded slowly.

"Okay, that's-"

"Your armor is the only thing that kept you from dying and only just. Nightmare Moon was holding back but really, she was mostly bored."

Ryan's eyebrow twitched.

"I get it-"

"If the Royal Guards fought that badly-"

"AUNTIE!" Ryan growled. Luna flushed.

"Sorry... The point is, you need to learn how to fight properly. As do most of our soldiers... But, seeing as you are my nephew..."

She hugged him tightly.

"I... I feel we could also... Bond? If that would be all right?" She asked quietly.

Ryan beamed, and hugged her back.

"I'd love to! I read about your battles! The Battle of Trenchhoof! The Rout of Condora! The 39 and a half Year War! I can't think of a better teacher!"

Luna's smile grew, as she hugged her nephew very tightly.

"Good... Ahem... Let us begin with the basics. Please, show me your combat stance."

Luna stood up. Ryan followed suit. He assumed a stance for battle, just like the guards had taught him-

"UWAH!"

-and he fell like a tree the moment Luna gave him a light shove.

"Your feet are too close together," Luna said, "you don't have hooves like ponies, so your stance must be wider. Bend your knees more, as well."

Ryan nodded with a smile, and got up onto his feet.

"All right... What else?"

"It's going to involve a lot more falling," Luna warned. Ryan grinned.

"My mom just told me that the most important part of falling down? Is getting back up again."

Luna smiled warmly. There was... A hint of nostalgia in her eyes?

"That is the first lesson..."