Shining’s Log-Exams
Huh, maybe telling Twily that reading will let her do anything was something of a mistake. For almost a year, she’s spent every free moment she has reading. Our parents and Cadence actually have to try and get her to do ordinary things a filly her age normally would do, she just isn’t interested in anything outside her books anymore. However, whenever I try to do something with her, like fly a kite, or go on a picnic, she’s always so happy. She’s actually started calling me her Big Brother Best Friend Forever (or BBBFF). And let me just say, I’m glad she’s never used it in hearing range of any of my classmates from school. I’d never live it down, but I just don’t have the heart to ask her to use something else. Unfortunately, Cadence heard her use it once, and she mercilessly used it in our friendly bickering for two whole months.On the other hoof, Twily is so happy when she talks about the things she’s learned in the many (many) books she’s read. And Mom and Dad are talking about entering her into Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. Let me just say, wow. It takes a lot to get into that school, and generally the applicants are older than Twily. But she probably has a better understanding of magical theory than many of the later year students from her reading, even if her practical magic is not very impressive. Yet.
I have to wonder, will her entrance exam go the same way as it did for Twilight? If I altered things too much, she might not take her exam at the same time as Rainbow Dash’s sonic rainboom. And if the rainboom doesn’t happen, she doesn’t get that extra push she needed to hatch Spike’s egg. But, at this point, there’s not much I can do to alter things. So, I just have to have faith that Twily will be able to pass, even if there is no sonic rainboom.
On a more personal level, I’ve been prepping for joining the military academy myself. I’ve been studying, and there’s a lot to learn. My Uncle Jewel thinks that I shouldn’t be worried about the physical portion of the exam. He said something along the lines of ‘you’re already better than most of their graduates! I’ve never seen a pony as deicated to learning as you’. I don’t really get what he means. I mean in after three years training under him, I still feel like there so much more he could teach me.
Back to the exam, I’ve already gotten the date, and it’s supposed to be at the same time as Twily’s entrance exam. Mom and Dad offered to have one of them go with me, and another go with Twily, but I assured them that they should both go with Twily, ‘cause she will need the support.
Shining Armor, Signing Off
It was a cool evening in Canterlot. In the home of Shining Armor, five unicorns are chatting merrily around a fire. Night Light and Velvet Sparkle were sitting together, sharing proud smiles. Shining Armor was sitting proudly, with a broad grin on his face, while Twilight was bouncing around, shouting “Yes, yes, yes!” While their uncle Jewel was laying down, watching the two younger ponies with a similar grin to Shining’s.
“So let me get this straight,” Shining asked his parents, “Twily not only passed the test, she caught Princess’ attention? And now Princess Celestia wants to make her, her personal student!”
“Yep,” stated Night Light proudly, “Your sister was just amazing,” a slight look of worried passed over Night’s face, “although, she needs a lot of practice to control her power.”
“Huh,” Jewel said, with an amused glint in his eyes “I guess next to that, the fact that Shining passed his test with flying colors just isn’t as impressive.”
The bouncing filly stopped bouncing. “Wait, big brother passed too?” she questioned excitedly, “He passed his test! He passed his test!” she started bouncing around again.
Jewel laughed, “Yep little one. Your big brother’s going to the Royal Guard Academy. He’s going to learn all he can in order to protect you.”
The filly stopped again, but this time she seemed to be considering something. “If I’m going to school,” she reasoned aloud, “And big brother is going to another school. Does that mean I won’t be seeing him anymore?”
Her brother just got up, and ruffled her mane with his hoof. “Nah, little sis!” he assured her, “A little something like going to different schools, doesn’t mean we won’t see each other. It just won't be as often.”
“But,” the filly said, bowing her head and tears starting to fill her eyes, “but, you're my BBBFF!”
Her parents and uncle just exchanged a confused glance. But her brother just used a hoof to lift her head, “And I always will be. Just ‘cause we won’t see as much of each other, doesn’t mean you won’t still be my favorite little sister!”
“Now listen to your brother, Twilight,” their mother broke in kindly, “You don’t have anything to worry about. Why your Uncle Jewel went to the Royal Guard Academy while I stayed behind, and we’re still as close as we were before.”
“Like you’d let me be anything else, Velvet,” Jewel chuckled, “You sent me letters every single day for the first three months. And then you’d get annoyed that I didn’t answer them quickly enough.”
“Well,” Velvet defended herself, “you didn’t.”
The adults shared a laugh. But Twilight looked uncertain, before a look of determination crossed her face. “Well I’m going to write to big brother every hour!” she shouted with purpose.
All four of the other ponies laughed harder. Night Light placed a hoof on his daughter’s head. “I don’t think that’ll work, Twilight dear,” he said gently, “Maybe just once a week would be better.”
“Fine,” Twilight pouted, “but if he doesn’t respond, I’ll move up to sending them daily. And then hourly. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll send one every minute!”
“Then I better make sure I reply,” Shining said, with mirth in his voice, “I wouldn’t want you to miss that much study time.”
All five ponies laughed.