//------------------------------// // 1. Luna's Test // Story: Age of the Alicorns: Chaos Rising // by AleximusPrime //------------------------------// CHAPTER 1: Luna’s test The world around Princess Luna was obscured by her closed eyelids. Darkness was something that never scared her though; after all, she was the princess of the night. All she could hear in the large palace was the voice of the pony in front of her: Starswirl the Bearded. He was the wisest and most powerful unicorn mage in the kingdom and Luna’s best teacher thus far. His gift of immortality allowed him to live on without dying and he had been teaching younglings for centuries by now. Remaining perfectly calm, Luna’s unicorn horn began to glow with light and was ready to cast a powerful spell. She was in the middle of a very important test of her skills in magic and was more than determined to pass it. “Now remember Luna, you will not need your eyes for this test.” said Starswirl. “The deepest forms of magic come from within. You cannot rely on vision to help you with such a task because your eyes may deceive you. You must trust your instincts and feel the magic within, and then you can do the impossible. Understood?” “I understand, Master.” Luna said quietly with her eyes still closed and her horn still glowing. “Now, with your eyes closed the whole time, reach out with your mind and locate all of the objects I have placed around you.” Luna had been through similar tests before. She knew that sight may interrupt certain spells especially when a pony was just learning them. Her mind was clear and ready, but she was still having a difficult time finding the objects. She had to concentrate and think about what was around her. She then felt the presence of what seemed to be several small pillars, tables, statuettes, and other pieces of furniture which could be found in the Everfree Palace. “I have found them master. All of them.” she said determinedly. “Excellent. Now, remembering what you have been taught about levitation, lift some of the objects with your mind. You need not lift them all, only a few for right now.” A few of the objects slowly ascended and then stopped. They glowed the same hue as her horn indicating it was now under her control. For a few seconds, Luna kept the objects in midair showing little signs of effort. She had already completed the first part of the test. “You are doing wonderful Princess.” Starswirl said happily. “Now, lift more objects while keeping the others in the air.” Luna did it again with ease although lifting more objects required more magic. Her eyes closed harder and her horn shone brighter. The new objects ascended more slowly but they were eventually brought to level with the others. At this point, she had lifted around ten different objects and kept them steady waiting for Starswirl’s next set of instructions. Meanwhile, at the top of the stairs leading into the palace room stood another princess. This princess was not dark blue like her sister, but white with a mane of pink wavy hair. While Luna had no cutie mark, this princess did: an image of the sun symbolizing her ability to raise the sun to bring about the day. She was Celestia, the princess of light and the first pony to move the sun in ages since her father, King Solmidas. Celestia was the older of the royal sisters and a very good influence on Luna. She watched her sister with care knowing Luna would do very well in this test. She could still remember when she was learning magic at the same age and not too long after many teachings, she brought the sun up one morning. In time, Luna would be next, but Luna’s goal was to move the moon and be the successor of their mother, Queen Chernalia. That was what Luna was testing her powers for. Although Starswirl was teaching Luna, Celestia would be the one to take her to the eastern shore to where she would bring up the moon. All Luna had to do now was pass this test of magic and they would be off. Celestia sat herself down patiently waiting for Luna to complete the test. She smiled at the site of her little sister showing so much capability. It reminded her of herself when she was young and just learning her magic. She could tell that Luna would pass this test quite easily for she had always been a very determined young filly and saw failure as anything but optional. She continued waiting as Starswirl spoke to her sister. “Now Luna, the time has come to lift all objects. Once they are all in the air, spin them counter-clockwise with ease. This will indeed be strenuous but do not lose your concentration.” “I promise, Master, I won’t let you down!” Luna said with much effort in her voice. Her eyes were closing quite hard and she was starting to grit her teeth. Suddenly, the rest of the objects moved upward and stood still in midair for a brief second. Luna took a deep breath, puffed up her cheeks, and her horn glowed even brighter as the objects started to turn around her. Starswirl spoke not a word but let Luna do the rest on her own. The next step was something Luna had already learned: flying while performing magic. Luna opened her wings and started to flap them and was lifted off the ground in no time with all the objects. This of course made it even more difficult to use magic. Nevertheless, Luna did it quickly and almost effortlessly. Over near the steps, Celestia gazed in awe at her little sister hovering in midair with all the objects spinning around her slowly. She never thought she would see her sister perform such powerful magic at such a young age! “How’s she doing?” asked a voice from behind. Celestia turned to her side to see Penelope the little magenta baby dragon who had been raised in the palace by the royals with her brother Perseus. “Oh, Penny, there you are! I was looking for you earlier to let you know Luna was testing. Where’s Percy?” “Oh, you know by brother, he’s always late for something…” Suddenly, a larger blue and green dragon walked in behind Celestia and Penny. “Hey guys, what’s going on-WHOOOOA!” One of the pillars Luna was levitating had moved further out and almost bumped into Percy’s head but he ducked below it just in time. “Percy, get down, Luna means business here!” shouted Penny to her brother. “Shhhhh, quiet you two…she needs her concentration.” Celestia whispered to them excitedly while watching Luna fly higher and higher with the objects moving at greater speeds. Starswirl himself was amazed at how well Luna was doing and his jaw remained open and his eyes got wider as Luna rose. “Shouldn’t she kinda take it slower?” Percy asked Celestia nervously. “Oh she’s doing fine, I can feel it. She’s got great balance with her powers even when she may look like she’s overdoing it.” Celestia replied. “This is so awesome!” said Penny; the only one of the trio that didn’t need to duck down due to her size. Luna rose higher in the room with the objects spinning fast but none of them hit the walls or pillars in the room and Starswirl and the others were out of their way. Finally Luna opened her eyes to reveal they were illuminating with light. This was a sign of great magic being present and Luna had reached the same level Celestia had. “Oooooooh…” said the dragons with their eyes wide. Celestia didn’t speak but stared and smiled wide at the sight of her sister. Finally Luna descended and the objects started slowing down until she was on the ground. The objects finally slowed to a stop, and ended up neatly back where they began. Her eyes were still glowing white and then they returned to normal showing her lovely cyan irises. She stared in empty space for a moment and started breathing heavily trying to regain her composure. She then directed her eyes towards Starswirl who looked very pleased and satisfied with what he had seen. “Well done Luna! Well done indeed!” he said ecstatically. “I…I did it?” Luna asked herself out loud as it was so hard to believe what she had just accomplished. “I DID IT!! HUZZAH!!” The little filly jumped around in circles repeatedly until she noticed her sister walking in with the dragons. “Luna, I’m so proud of you!” Celestia exclaimed as Luna rushed towards her and wrapped herself around Celestia’s neck. “DID YOU SEE ME SISTER?!? WASN’T IT AMAZING?!?” “HORRAY FOR LUNA!!” shouted the dragons coming in next to them and jumping for joy. “Well Master, do you think she’s ready?” Celestia asked turning to the unicorn wizard. “Your sister is ready, Celestia.” Starswirl said proudly. “YES!” shouted Luna jumping in the air with her left front hoof raised. “She’s going to raise the moon?!” Penny asked. “She sure is, Penny.” her brother responded. “You wanna go hang out in the tower and watch for the moon to come up later tonight?” “Do I ever!” “You two don’t want to come to the shore with us?” Celestia asked them. “Well, we have a few errands to run while you guys will be gone…” Percy said scratching his head remembering all the work he had to do. “…but I promise we’ll watch for the moon; me and Penny both!” “We wouldn’t miss it for the whole world!” said Penny putting her hands on her hips. “Well you two, have a safe trip to the eastern shore. I will notify your parents so they can watch for the moon later.” said Starswirl. “Thank you so much, Master Starswirl.” Luna said bowing her head to her wise instructor. “I’ll remember everything you’ve taught me and make you proud!” “Come now Luna, the moon awaits you.” Celestia walked towards a large doorway between two pillars that lead to a little balcony outside and spread her wings. Luna galloped after her and spread her wings and then they both took off waving their hooves to Percy and Penny who ran out onto the balcony to say bye. “Have fun Luna!” Percy said waving. “Yeah, show the moon your stuff!” Penny chimed in. “Alright now you two; don’t forget your duties for the King and Queen tonight.” Starswirl said behind them. Percy stared forgetting what it was Starswirl was talking about as usual, but then it came to him. “OH!! Penny, that’s right, we gotta go get things ready?!” “Ready?” “Yeah, you know…that talk that the King said he wanted to have with them after they returned? He wants us to clean up the main chapel where they’ll be!” “Oh, you mean when they tell them it’s time for-“ “SSHH! Celestia and Luna might hear you!” “Bro, they’re both flying away now, I don’t think they can hear us…” “Well, we gotta go anyways. Come on, we don’t wanna be la-“ Not looking where he was going, Percy bumped into one of the pillars Luna left behind and stumbled backwards with his eyes spinning around. “Uh……who left this darn thing here?!” “Percy, you klutz, come on!” Penny called back running ahead of him as he waddled off after her and almost tripping over his own feet. “Be careful you two, don’t make a mess!” Starswirl laughed. “Ah, those silly dragons…” “How did she do, Starswirl?” said a very poised and dominant voice from behind. The King of all Equestria, Solmidas, walked in. He was very tall and white with a flowing radiant mane, tail and beard that shone a fiery orange hue. His golden crown and collar glimmered in the light and his royal anklets glistened while moving forward until he stopped walking. “Solmidas…” Starswirl said bowing his head in reverence. “Your daughter Luna has performed admirably my King. It’s been a long time since I have seen any alicorn do so well at such a young age.” “I can tell. She is just like her sister: talented and determined. I foresee she will make a very wise and powerful leader one day. And where are Perseus and Penelope?” “They are preparing the chapel for you and your queen later tonight. I presume Celestia and Luna will take the news rather well.” “I am sure they will. They have both grown so much over the past few years and I think they are ready now.” The King looked out to the sky by way of the door, through which his daughters had left. He knew Luna was strong and that she would come home with her mark just like Celestia did a few years ago after raising the sun. And once they returned, it would soon be time for the next step into their lives as royals. TO BE CONTINUED…