//------------------------------// // 10. Luna Gets a Student // Story: The Trouble With Time Travel // by Mike the Red //------------------------------// Amethyst hung her head, hear ears drooping. "Yes, your Majesty," she sighed in resignation. She watched as the Alicorn healed Twilight's injuries and restored her horn as well. "I would like to learn how to wield such powerful healing magic," she mused. "I will instruct my sister to train you in these arts -- Luna will be happy to have a student under her tutelage. I expect you to be on your best behavior around her, but I will also assign Right Face to be your chaperon. He will accompany you wherever you go in order to ensure you try not to leave the Castle," Celestia stated firmly. "I hope he's not going to be helping me shower," Amethyst tittered. "He will respect your hygienic privacy -- but don't take advantage of that privacy, or he will accompany you during all times of the day and night!" the Alicorn admonished sharply. "I don't see why I can't have a female escort," the purple mare mused. "I would feel more comfortable --" "Your comfort is immaterial to your requirement to return to your original timeline, Amethyst. My patience with you wears thin and the sooner you get on your studies the better. I shall send you back to the Castle, where you will meet up with Right Face." The Solar Princess concentrated her magic, enveloping the dark purple mare with a golden aura, then teleported her to the Castle's main entryway. Celestia then teleported Twilight and herself to Ponyville General Hospital in order to help the others who had been severely injured in their attempt to get the dragon to leave its cave. ------------------------------------------ The dark purple unicorn mare materialized in a flash of white light and a golden POP as Celestia's teleport spell finished, depositing her in the middle of the Great Hall entryway. She spotted Right Face and trotted up to him, a look of determination on her face. "So, she sent you back. I was wondering when you'd return," the teal unicorn stallion stated flatly. "I suspect the Princess informed you that you were to be my personal escort and that you are to accompany me during nearly all phases of my stay here in the Castle, with the exception of my personal hygiene and when I sleep," Amethyst stated firmly, maintaining a serious look on her face. "Indeed I have, Amethyst, and it gives me no pleasure to be assigned this detail -- although I suppose it is partially my fault for allowing myself to be distracted by your charms. Trust me when I tell you this: I will not allow you to distract me again," the teal stallion said with more than a little anger in his voice. "Well then, let's head to the Archives. No better time to get started than now," she replied flatly. "I shall follow you." "We shall trot side by side, Amethyst," he implored. "If you need ink and parchment, we get those supplies first." The two of them began trotting to a supply room to pick up the needed supplies before they were to wend their way to the Archives. "Agreed," came her terse reply. "By the way, it gives me no pleasure to have you as my chaperon." Right Face gave a humorless chuckle. "Now you see how I feel." "I ran into an older version of you in the other timeline -- I still owe you an apology," she stated softly. "Accepted," was his terse response. She offered him a small smile as a response, which elicited a similar response from him. "Perhaps there might be a way I can make it up to you," she offered. "Perhaps," another curt response from the teal stallion. They trotted a fair distance in silence before the stallion entered the supply room and returned with a bottle of ink, a few quills, and a sheaf of parchment. They then started trotting towards the Archives. "Thanks for your assistance, Right Face," she said, flashing another smile. Her smiles seemed to soften his attitude towards her as he smiled back at her, then gave a short sigh. "You know, perhaps I was wrong about you." "In what way?" he asked, his curiosity piqued. "About you not being my type," she said, a slight giggle escaping her lips. "Don't get my hopes up," he admonished. "I'm not trying to curry favor or ingratiate myself, I'm just offering an opinion, and I'm also genuinely trying to be nice to you, since I acted so poorly last time around. I don't want to go through life making enemies when it's not needed," she said softly. "Understood. I want you to know that what you did to me last time around caused me a great deal of trouble and a demotion as well, so I am still a bit upset with you about it." "I am truly sorry about that, Right Face. I will try to make it up to you as best I can," she offered. "It's going to take me a few years before I can return to my former station as second in command -- and as far as achieving the top rank, I can forget about that," he said sullenly. "I will have a few words with Princess Celestia about that if or when the time comes -- perhaps she'll understand that your failure was my fault and she'll show some leniency. Again, I am deeply sorry for causing you such humiliation," she stated, showing genuine contrition. "Your words probably won't carry much weight unless you can find some way to truly impress her -- I'm not holding my breath on that, but thanks for your apology anyway," he said, his words dripping resignation. They trotted a fair distance longer in relative silence, then entered the Archives. "Last time I was here, I was unable to find the book I needed," Amethyst declared. "I'll help you locate it," the stallion offered. He stayed close beside the purple mare, matching her step stride for stride. He was determined not to let her out of his sight. "Thanks, but you don't have to be right up on me, you know! You can keep your eyes on me from at least a little bit further away. I promise you, I will not leave your sight!" she chuckled. She scanned the shelves looking for a certain book, though its title seemed to escape her immediate knowledge. She started at the top shelf, taking books one by one and scanning through them looking for the specific spell she needed in order to return to her original timeline. She continued skimming books and scrolls while continuing the conversation. "I just want to make absolute certain of that, Amethyst," he said flatly, though he continued to remain very close to the purple mare's right side, his body heat causing a little discomfort for her. "What is it about me that you find so irresistible?" she asked, flashing another smile. "Oh, uh ... well, it's just that ... you're so ... pretty, and all ..." he stammered. He blushed deeply in embarrassment at having been put on the spot. She giggled in response. "I apologize if my beauty has you so flustered," she giggled again. "Every time I look at my reflection in a mirror, I give thanks to Princess Celestia for blessing me with such beauty -- but at one time, I was quite slender and even more beautiful than I am now. I'd like to lose about 50 pounds or so," she mused softly. "Please, don't lose that extra weight! It's part of what makes you look so sexy!" he blurted. His face went totally red as he covered his mouth with both forehooves. "Oops." "Ah, so it comes out!" she laughed. "You like mares with a little meat on their bones! Well!" He nodded his head dumbly at having given himself away like that. "I notice the way a number of stallions seem to train their eyes on my flanks -- don't think I haven't noticed you stealing the occasional glance my way!" "Well, uh ... perhaps I shouldn't be admitting that, but ... yeah, you're pretty shapely," he said just barely above a mumble. "Thank you for the compliment, Right Face. I haven't found the specific spell yet and I'm starting to get hungry again. I hope the Princess is okay with me taking a dinner break," the purple mare mused. "Oh, by all means, let's get something to eat," he stated almost eagerly. "I'm feeling kind of hungry myself." Amethyst left the writing supplies behind on a desk as the two trotted to the dining hall to get their dinner. It was about this time that the Solar Princess returned to the Castle after having healed Twilight and the others. She decided to get a bite to eat in the dining hall as well and met up with the two unicorns, who were already seated at the table. "So, Amethyst, have you made any progress in your search?" the Alicorn asked, smiling gently. "I've scanned through quite a few books and scrolls, your Majesty, but haven't had any success yet. There are so many books in that section -- trying to find the correct spell is like trying to find a needle in a haystack," the purple mare stated in mock exasperation. "Perhaps you aren't looking hard enough," the Alicorn scoffed, chuckling slightly. "I'll instruct the chefs to provide you smaller food portions -- being overweight leads to health problems." "Your Majesty, begging your pardon, but wouldn't it be prudent to allow her to maintain her present weight? She doesn't appear to have any noticeable health problems," Right Face opined. "Be that as it may, I would like for all my little ponies to be at the peak of physical health, if it can be helped," she chided gently. "So when do I get to meet with Princess Luna?" asked Amethyst. "Ah, eager to get started on your new studies? I admire that quality in you, Amethyst," Celestia said warmly and widened her smile a little. "In a way, I am happy to be providing my sister with some new duties -- ever since she returned, she has been pleading with me to provide her with something interesting to do. I believe she will make a great teacher for you." "I am interested in meeting her -- I kinda got off on the wrong hoof with her in the other timeline, and I would like an opportunity to, if nothing else, make things right in this timeline. I can only apologize for my behavior towards your sister in the other timeline," the purple mare stated reverently, bowing her head again. "I appreciate your contrition and humility -- perhaps I may have been a little hasty in allowing my prejudices to color my opinion of you, Amethyst. Even so, it is imperative you try to return to your original timeline as expeditiously as possible." "How long may I stay here under Princess Luna's tutelage?" "For as long as it takes for you to perfect the spell needed for you to return to your original timeline. Even though I can cast that spell, I do not know it well enough, nor do I have the exact coordinates of your timeline -- if I were to cast that spell on you, I'm afraid you might end up far in the future or far in the past in your timeline. Therefore, I request you waste as little time here as possible." "Yes, your Majesty," she stated sullenly. Food was brought to the table for them and Amethyst noticed even smaller portions than last time. "Your Majesty? This is not going to be enough to sate my hunger." "You will have to make adjustments, Amethyst. I cannot allow you to continue to remain overweight like this." "Yes, your Majesty. I appreciate your concern for my health, though being hungry will hamper my efforts to find the spell I need," she stated flatly. "I will also impose an exercise regimen for you to follow -- as you lose excess weight, your energy level will increase, and your need for an excessive amount of food will also be diminished," the Alicorn stated firmly. "It is my desire to see you healthy, trim, and fit -- do you not remember how you felt when you were first transformed into your present body? Do you remember how full of energy you must have been? If I'm not mistaken, I wouldn't be surprised to discover that you were so full of energy you could barely contain your excitement, am I correct in this assumption?" "Yes, your Majesty, you are quite correct. Upon being transformed into this body, being tall, slender, lanky -- I was happier than at any other time in my life. I felt as though I were supercharged, able to tackle the most difficult obstacles and make short work of them. I felt more alive, more exuberant, more jubilant -- I still have to thank you, even if you're not the same Princess as the one who transformed me -- I would like to show my appreciation all the same," the purple mare beamed. "If you don't mind my asking, Amethyst -- how did you get a number for your cutie mark?" asked Right Face. "I don't know if Princess Celestia is responsible for that or not -- but the number 17 is my favorite number, one I attach great significance to -- I also regard it as the luckiest, holiest, and most sacred of all numbers. I consider it an honor to carry that number as my cutie mark," she stated wistfully. The Princess chuckled softly for a moment, recalling Discord's action regarding Amethyst's previous explanation of her cutie mark, and her subsequent outrage upon seeing what had been done. Amethyst glanced in Celestia's direction and frowned ever so slightly, glaring in disapproval before the Princess regained her composure, her serene smile returning to her face. The barest hint of a blush colored her cheeks when she noticed she had been caught. "Sorry, Amethyst, but the memory is still somewhat fresh -- amusement comes rarely for me anymore." "Accepted, your Majesty. I am eager to meet with your sister to get started on my new studies," the purple mare offered. "Please give me a few moments to lower my Sun and Luna to raise her Moon. She will be here shortly for you." The Alicorn finished her dinner and left to perform her daily evening duties. Amethyst and Right Face waited patiently, though the mare finished her dinner as well. Right Face offered her some of his food, which she graciously accepted. The ambient light changed from light to dark, though the light from the moon graced the dining hall before the lights were turned on. "Greetings and salutations, Amethyst Shadow! We have been instructed to take thee on as our new student!" thundered the indigo Alicorn in her Royal Canterlot Voice. The two unicorns flinched at the booming voice. "Princess Luna? It is a pleasure to meet you, but would you please mind speaking in a normal tone of voice?" asked the purple mare. "As one of thy rulers, we are required to maintain this speaking volume!" "It makes my ears bleed, your Majesty. Please, for the sake of my hearing, may we continue this conversation in a normal tone? My hearing is quite sensitive and I would like to prevent permanent hearing loss if I can help it." "Very well then. We shall respect thine request as best we can. Please, thou may call us Luna. Far too long has it been since we last had a student assigned to us," she smiled. "Luna, I am eager to get started on new studies with you -- though I have been scouring the Starswirl Wing of the Archives in an attempt to find a spell which can return me to my original timeline. I trust your sister has told you about me?" "Verily, Amethyst, we haven't been told much, other than thou hast traveled through time to reach this world. We are curious to know how thou were able to cast such an advanced spell," mused Luna. The purple mare related her earlier story of visiting the Archives with Twilight and stumbled across the spell almost by accident, then cast the spell as an experiment. Luna asked her about her origin and she began her tale. The Alicorn expressed surprise at many of the details, though when the purple mare grew tired, she was only about half-way done telling her tale. She informed the Lunar Princess that she needed some rest and would regale her with the rest of her story the following evening. Luna gave her permission to leave, but also requested more time for them to be together for the sake of Amethyst's further studies. Right Face escorted the purple mare to her bedchamber, a rather small appointment, but suitable to her needs. She laid down to sleep, drifting off almost immediately. The stallion stayed at her door for a few moments, then trotted to his quarters.