//------------------------------// // Act One: Chapter Seven - Chances // Story: Turning Points // by Slatewings //------------------------------// Act One: Chapter Seven - Chances Well before dawn, Tourmaline’s carriage pulled up to Luna and Celestia’s house. Tourmaline hopped out and smiled up at the moon before plodding through the snow up the gravel path to the door. She knocked and waited. A few minutes later a disheveled Lily opened the door and blinked out in the moonlight. “Hey Lily, are the girls ready yet?” Tourmaline asked. “Read..y? Ready? But its not even morning yet,” stammered the tired mare with a yawn. Tourmaline facehooved, “They forgot to tell you didn’t they?” Lily just stared blankly. “Clover wants everypony to be ready and at the arcanum before dawn today.” “You're sure?” asked Lily. “Quite,” Tourmaline answered, “I can get them ready if you want to go back to bed?” Lily nodded and opened the door. Tourmaline followed her in and closed the door behind her. She wished her friend good night and made her way to Luna and Celestia’s room. Carefully opening the door as quietly as possible she crept in, stepping over Celestia’s toys and Luna’s books. She gently grasped the girls bunk bed in her magic, silent praying that the light and sound wouldn’t wake them. Tourmaline took a deep breath and yelled, “EARTHQUAKE!!!” as she shook the bed back and forth. “AHHHHHHHHH!!!!” “AHHHHHHHHH!!!!” The girls screamed in unison as Tourmaline collapsed to the ground in laughter. A pillow struck her in the face, cutting off her giggling. “That wasn’t funny!” yelled Celestia from the top bunk. “Yes it was,” Luna answered, “You screamed like a banshee!” “I did not!” Celestia snipped back, “Besides, you screamed too.” “Ya,” Tourmaline laughed, “But you screamed louder, Tia.” “Ya well... What are you even doing here?” “Um.. because you’re late for school?” Tourmaline answered. “But’s not even.. Oh no! The sunrise!” Celestia cried and jumped out of bed and sped out of her bedroom door. A moment later she stuck her head back around the corner, “Come on guys! You’re gonna make us late!” “Girls, you just get ready. I’ll grab you something to eat on the go.” Tourmaline rummaged through the kitchen’s almost bare cabinets before settling on a bag of sweet oats. No sooner had she levitated it out of the cabinet when the girls sped out the door and snatched their breakfast out of Tourmaline’s magical grip then dashed through the snow to the waiting carriage outside. Tourmaline walked out to the carriage with a flask of water for them to share and found them already digging into their meal. “This is all we have for breakfast?” Celestia asked, mouth full, as Tourmaline climbed in and joined them in the cabin. “Sorry Tia. It’s all you had.” “It’s ok, Miss Tourmaline,” Luna said, “Momma said the market was closed yesterday ‘cause of the snow.” Tourmaline nodded knowingly. Lately the market had been closing early alot and not just because of the snow. Sometimes the stalls simply didn’t have any food to sell. The Earth Pony Clan claimed their farmers were doing the best they could with the snow and flatly refused any magical assistance. They blamed the Pegasi for shoddy weather work, who of course blamed the Unicorns for trying to make them look bad with ‘their unnatural magics’. Tourmaline wasn’t sure who to blame but she knew one thing for sure. They were all getting a little thin. Even at the palace. They talked as the cart bumped and bounced along on the icy cobblestones. “I can’t wait until the eclipse!” Celestia clopped her hooves together a she spoke. “They say that everypony who is anypony is coming. The entire Royal Court, everypony in the arcanum, thousands of VIP’s... Even a few of the big cheeses from the Earth Pony and Pegasi Clans are coming.” “Yep,” Tourmaline nudged the filly with an elbow, “It’s the biggest show of the century and it’s staring us!” “Well, us and every other member of the choirs, intraining, active, and retired,” Luna corrected. “Ya but we get to be center stage!” Celestis said happily before grunting, “I just hope that dummy ‘Last Place’ doesn’t ruin things.” Tourmaline rolled her eyes, “Finish Line might be a brat but he’s not a dummy, Tia.” “I know, Miss Tourmaline,” Celestia admitted, “he’s just so mean sometimes.” “Yeah...he is,” said Luna, “But, it’s not like you don’t egg him on.” “I was only returning fire! If he doesn’t want pepper in his tea then he needs to keep his spiders out of my desk.” Tourmaline laughed, “Celestia, you can’t do that!” “So I should just let him get away with it?” Celestia asked with a stomp. “Nooo... You should tell me or somepony else what happened before you go off seeking revenge.” Celestia grumbled, “Where’s the fun in that?” “I’m serious Tia,” she turned the filly to face her. “It’s only a week from the Eclipse. Guests are going to start arriving tomorrow. You can’t be getting in trouble again. Promise me you’re going to be good.” Celestia sighed, “Fine, I’ll be good,” she promised before whispering under her breath, “if he is...” Suddenly the car lurched to a stop sending Celestia, Luna, and Tourmaline spilling across the cabin in a jumble. Tourmaline carefully untangled herself and, finding the door blocked by a snow drift, stuck her head out the curtained window. “What happened?!”she cried to the two stallions pulling the carriage. “I beg your pardon, ma’am,” one of them answered, “It’s the weather. We slipped on an ice patch. I’m afraid with this much snow coming down we won’t be able to go any further.” “You’re unicorns,” Celestia said, sticking her head out beside Tourmaline’s. “Can’t you just melt the snow?” “I’m sorry miss, but if I could do spells like that I wouldn’t be pulling this cart right now.” Tourmaline climbed through the window into the snow, “Maybe I can help.” “I’d be much obliged ma’am, even with my thick coat it’s getting a bit too cold for my tastes.” Tourmaline climbed into the seat atop the carriage and tried to remember the spell she had learned just a few days ago. A moment of concentration later and her horn flared to life. A sky blue force field appeared around the cart before shifting and changing shape until it was just in front of the two drivers hitched to the carriage. The force field moved and flowed until it formed itself into a light blue translucent plow. “Will this help?” Tourmaline asked. “That should do nicely Ma’am,” the driver answered before continuing on, driving the snow back with Tourmaline’s magical plow. By the time they arrive at the palace, Tourmaline felt as if she had frozen to her seat. The filly’s jackets the sisters had lent her wasn't nearly big enough to lend much warmth to her own. As soon as they approached the entrance Tourmaline immediately jumped off the carriage and ran to the blessed warmth of the palace interior. She threw off her half frozen jacket and made a futile attempt to warm her hooves off one of the sconces by the coat hooks. Once Celestia and Luna joined her they made their way to the arcanum library to join their fellow apprentices for class. Tourmaline tried to take a minute to thaw herself by the fire but only had a moment before Clover and the chairponies entered and instructed everypony to take a seat. The two dozen or so students rushed to their desks. Clover addressed the class, “The choir appreciates you braving the weather to make it here. We are not yet sure what is the cause of this persistent blizzard but the pegasi insist that it is not their doing. It is possible, though unlikely, that the upcoming Eclipse is to blame. Although, I cannot see how. “Well now, in any case today is a very special day for all of you,” Clover smiled proudly. “After all your practice and study, you will be taking over the sun and moon for the day. I had hoped we would have time for a practice run before daybreak but I have faith in all of you. I know you will make your instructors proud. It is only half an hour until day, take a moment to prepare yourselves and report to the Choir Tower. The apprentices chattered excitedly as Clover left. They had assisted the choir with raisings and settings before but this would be the first time they had been trusted to do it on their own. They were lucky too, Tourmaline thought, with so few apprentices left, if they lost anypony else they might not get the chance. And there was no way the Choir was going to let an untested class participate in something as delicate as the eclipse. Tourmaline and the girls took a moment to enjoy the warmth of the library before heading out for the tower. Together they trotted through the heavy double doors, chatting happily, and managed to plow right into a very tired looking High Horse, managing to knock the disheveled noble done on his well pampered rump. “Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry, High Horse!” Tourmaline offered him a hoof which he gladly accepted as he stood, “I didn’t see you, are you okay?” “Quite alright, Miss Tourmaline,” he said, dusting off his coat, “Today is quite the special day for you. Setting the moon for the first time, quite an auspicious occasion.” “Ya! It’s going to be great!” Celestia interjected while bouncing in excitement. Despite his fatigue, High Horse chuckled, “And I’m sure you’re going to do wonderfully, little miss.” “So.. was there something I could help you will High Horse? It’s pretty early to be up if you don’t have to be,” asked Tourmaline. “Actually,” he answered with a yawn, “I woke to wish you good luck this morning, although I doubt you’ll need it. I hope you don’t mind if I am not there in person but I can hardly keep my hooves under me,” He flashed a smile, “I just wanted to ensure that you knew I was rooting for you... if only from the comfort of my bed.” Tourmaline beamed, “Well thank you! I really appreciate that.” Celestia and Luna giggled but the two adults ignored her. “Well if you would excuse me,” High Horse said as he gave a polite bow, “I really must return to my chambers. I’ve been laboring from dawn until dusk preparing for next week’s celebration. For a pegasus, you would not believe how picky Commander Hurricane is about her accommodations.” Tourmaline did her best curtsy, “I had better let you get back your beauty sleep, Milord.” “I better indeed,” he laughed at the jested formality, “At least you then seem to have slept very well indeed,” he said as he dismissed himself and returned to his chambers. Tourmaline smiled and blushed happily as the two fillies rolled in a fit of giggles. Celestia poked her in the side, “See? I knew you liked High Horse!” She and her sister launched into their favorite refrain while bouncing around the still blushing mare, “You like High Horse! You like High Horse! You like High Horse!” Tourmaline just laughed, “Know what? Fine,” she admitted, “I like High Horse. Now what are you going to say?” Celestia and Luna looked at each other and smiled, “Miss Tourmaline loves High Horse! Miss Tourmaline loves High Horse!” “No! I...I mean,” she stammered, “We don’t.. uh.. Gah! You’re the most evil fillies ever!” Fortunately, Tourmaline is spared from her torment when an apprentice dashes by toward the tower. Luna stops mid bounce and gasps. “We gotta go!” she yells before bolting off with her sister for the stairs. Tourmaline, still flustered from their teasing and High Horse’s compliment, followed. They proceeded up the long winding stairs of the Choral Tower and, after several leg burning minutes, arrived at the top. The top of the Choral Tower was marked by a single small, but beautifully ornamented chamber between two balconies, one facing east and another west. The apprentices milled about the tower’s chamber as they waited for the chairponies. Beyond the balcony doors workers in heavy coats labored to clear the snow only to watch their labor go to waste before their eyes as more snow drifted down from the clouds overhead. Tourmaline and the fillies walked about the perimeter of the room admiring the paintings and sculptures that adorned the walls. Many of the pieces were hundreds of years old, a few dated all the way back to the founding of the unicorn clan. “Who’s she?” Luna asked, gazing up at one of the priceless paintings. Tourmaline looked up at the painting. Captured forever on the linen in the layers of pigment and magic was heartbreakingly rendered image of a beautiful alicorn mare holding a tiny unicorn colt to her chest. “That’s Aetheris, Luna,” she told her. “The Queen? But she looks so...tired.” “She is. This is after the Fracturing.” Tourmaline looked on the piece again. She was still an alicorn but she was much diminished and the mothers pride in her clear silver eyes did little to hide the sorrow in her heart. “Aetheris’s child was the first unicorn ever born.” “What was the foals name?” Tourmaline pointed to the tiny silver plate on the frame. ‘My little Hope’, it read. “Lunar choir are you ready?” Noblesse Oblige’s voice called through the chamber. A dozen apprentices turned and nervously followed the emerald chairpony out into the cold night air on the western balcony. The solar apprentices waited in the relative warmth behind the balcony doors. High above, Tourmaline could see pegasi braving the cold and wind as they frantically tried to clear the snow laden clouds. Seemingly untouched by the cold and blowing snow, Lady Noblesse addressed her students, “I want you to know how proud I am of all of you. The Choirs are fortunate to welcome you to their number. This morning is your chance to demonstrate how far you’ve come and how practiced you’ve become. “I know many of you would be more comfortable had we the chance to perform a practice session before the moon’s setting but do not worry yourselves. If I held any doubt we would not be here on this balcony right now. “So long as you remember what you have been taught you will do wonderfully. Remember cast your spells in harmony. Do not try to force the moon below the horizon, call to her. Wait for the moon to sing to you,” she said with a smile for Tourmaline, “and sing back to her. “Now, my Choir, set the moon to her rest...” Every apprentice on the balcony, the onlookers in the tower chamber, and the representatives from the Choir proper took a collective breath. One by one each of the lunar apprentices closed their eyes and reached out with their magic. As Tourmaline stood in the cold of the night, hoof in hoof with Luna, she felt her magic touch that of her fellow Choir members. Deep in her heart the harmony of their spell swelled like a melody only they could hear. Everything else faded away. For Tourmaline, Luna, and the rest of the choir there was nothing but the song of their spell. Like a symphony, the overture of their magic passed and new notes joined their one. Small, light, but growing in number to a multitude, the stars were singing their refrain. The music in Tourmaline’s heart rose to a crescendo and a new voice joined in the song. It was old, somber, and beautifully gentle. The moon had answered their call. Around the balcony the observers watched with pride as the moon began its descent. That silent adoration turned to joyous applause when it finally sunk below the horizon. Those still silently singing their spell heard none of it until the moon had been laid to rest in its well worn path beneath the world to the eastern horizon. The casting finally done Tourmaline opened her eyes and saw her choir mates do the same. The solar choir could be contained no more. Filled with excitement and pride the burst through the balcony doors to congratulate their friends. A tiny pastel pink and blue missile tackled Tourmaline and Luna to the ground. “You did it!” Celestia cried as they, and a few other ponies who got in her way, tumbled to the door, giggling happily, “I knew you could do it!” Tourmaline and Luna hugged her back as they laughed happily, “Now it’s your turn sister!” said Luna. “Oh my gosh, I almost forgot!” Celestia jumped off of her friend and sped through the tower chamber to the eastern balcony where most of the solar apprentices were already waiting. Tourmaline and Luna gathered themselves up and joined the rest of their choir in the warmth of the tower. The other lunar apprentices were busy talking about the experience but Luna and Tourmaline’s attention is drawn to the star light balcony outside. Through the colored glass panes they watch Celestia take her place with her choir mates and Aster Skies begin his address. The crash of a door slammed open reverberates through the tower chamber. A grey green colt shot through the crowd to join the solar apprentices on the balcony. Through the still open balcony door Tourmaline can hear Aster scold the latecomer. “Mr Finish Line!,” he yelled, “I have half a mind to make you sit the sunrise out. Where have you been! Explain!” “I’m sorry Chairpony Aster,” Finish answered respectfully, “It seems somepony locked the door to the tower behind them.” He glared at Celestia. “Well don’t look at me Last Place. Maybe it was the same pony who magically changed all the answers in my textbooks last week. Or maybe you could just show up on time,” Celestia fired back. “That’s it you stupid little...” he stepped toward her. “That’s enough! Both of you!” Aster magically amplified his voice. “There is no place in my Choir for this nonsense. Either learn to work together or it won’t be a problem for much longer. Do you understand.” Celestia and Finish Line gulped, “Yes sir,” they said in unison. They took their places back in the choir without further argument. A gust of icy wind blew in through the balcony door and somepony closed it against the cold. Aster began his address again. Tourmaline strained to hear but couldn’t make out the words through the glass and wind. When he was finished he stepped to one side and the apprentices began their spell. Tourmaline watched in pride as they lowered their heads and started the casting. A glowing golden light spread out from each horn and joined in a great shining aura. Minutes passed and although she couldn’t hear it herself, Tourmaline knew the song was cresting. A bright spear of light shone over the horizon followed by the golden disc of the sun. A new day had dawned. Everypony on the tower celebrated. They had done it, new day begun and all without help. Tourmaline and Luna joined Celestia on the balcony. Although the sun did little to drive back the cold of the unnatural winter everypony was simply too happy to care. “Congratulations everypony!” announced Clover behind them. Everypony immediately gave her their attention. “Though a few disharmonious notes shown through, both songs played beautifully. You all have reason to be proud.” They cheered. “Everypony please report back to the library for class. You’ve come very far in such a short time but we still have some ground to cover before the Eclipse.” Everypony applauded her, and themselves, and filed into line down the long winding tower stairs. Tourmaline started to follow Celestia and Luna down the stairwell when Clover called her name, “Miss Tourmaline, a word?” “Go on ahead girls, make sure they don’t start without me,” She told the sisters before turning back to Clover. “Yes, Magus Clover?” Tourmaline asked. “Tourmaline we have a problem,”Clover began, “and you have a problem.” Tourmaline swallowed. “One of the most talented and naturally inclined apprentices to join the choir in history is involved in a feud with fellow choir member, and it’s beginning to test our patience.” “I... I’ll talk to her,” Tourmaline started to sweat despite the cold. “No, you’ll solve this,” Clover sighed, “Look, we all love Celestia., Aster Skies and Lady Noblesse nodded in agreement, “but this issue with her and Finish Line, himself quite talented, is becoming disruptive. The eclipse is only a week away if something were to go wrong with the eclipse the results would be catastrophic.” “What about Finish Line?” asked Tourmaline. “We will deal with him as well but in truth we don’t hold my hope that his behavior can be corrected. We know Celestia loves you dearly. She will listen to you. If she can be convinced to put a stop to this we may be able to save both of them.” Tourmaline nodded, “I promise, Ma’am. I will make sure this isn’t a problem again. “ “See that you do,” Clover looked her in the eye, “Remember Tourmaline, among we who devote ourselves to the study and application of magic, our word is sacrosanct. You vouched for this filly, and as much as it would pain me... if Celestia becomes unmanageable you will share in her discipline. Do you understand?” Tourmaline could only nod. “Very good.” At that there was a flash of white light and Clover was gone. Tourmaline took a few deep breaths to steady herself and walked down the stairs and to the library to join her classmates. She finds Luna standing outside, Celestia having already gone in. “It’s about Celestia, isn’t it?” Luna asked. Tourmaline nodded. “How bad is it?” “Final straw Luna...” Tourmaline answered heavily, “If she doesn’t stop this fight with Finish immediately they will both be expelled.” She opted not to tell her that she might be gone along with them. They decided to talk to Celestia and Finish Line after class. Together. By force if necessary, Tourmaline thought to herself. They entered the library together. Tourmaline jumped back two whole paces in surprise when she saw Clover at the lectern. She recovered and took her place at her desk beside Luna. “Now that everypony is here, lets begin.” Clover launched into her lesson. The topic of the day was an esoteric lecture on the ‘Ethero-panelic effects of stellar harmonics on the flow of telluric dicantics’ or so Tourmaline gathered. A fascinating field of study... according to Clover at least. After an hour or so of painful, head bobbing, boredom Clover said, “Now is there anypony here who has the slightest idea what I am talking about.” Nopony raised a hoof. “Nopony? Very well... allow me explain then why you should at least care about the topic.” She cleared her throat and continued. “You all felt the magic of the stars this morning. You know they have a magic of their own. Each star ‘sings’ it own note. Some sing in harmony with their neighbors, others do not. Most of the stars we see in the sky are anchors, powerful singers whose voice stands out among others. “Between them lay countless others. Tiny shifting motes of light and magic that flow along the rivers of harmony between the powerful anchors. Nearly invisible to our eyes, they drift in great, slow currents around the sky. “Can anypony tell me what happens when a star gets caught in an eddy and cast out of it’s current?” A pink mare raised a hoof and guessed, “It get’s stuck?” “No ma’am. Anypony else?” “It goes out?” guessed a blue stallion. “No, but you are closer. Where would all that energy go if that were to happen? Who’s next?” “It falls.” Finish Line said matter of factly, without raising a hoof. “Very good,” she nodded to Finish. Celestia scowled, “The star falls and when it does it releases its energy on the way down appearing as a brilliant streak across the sky before going out. Only rarely do they actually reach the ground.” “What happens when they do?” Luna asked. “Usually makes a mess of things of first,” Clover answered, “But as their magic fades and radiates into the surrounding stone it can effect a profound change change on the mineralogical make up of the area.” The stone lover in Tourmaline let out a little squee of excitement, “What kind of change?” “Well it depends on the type of stone it imbeds itself in. At times nothing at all, but often it can cause the formation of a brilliant variety of large geometric gemstones. “In any case... My point is that the stars can and do have a profound effect on our task. Something as seemingly insignificant as a shooting star can produce harmonic eddies that can make guiding the sun and moon extremely difficult. Does anypony have any questions?” A tan mare raised her hoof and asked, “Is there anyway to block or deflect a falling star?” “Not that we know of anymore,” Clover explained, “Although their energy is easily tapped into it is neigh impossible to affect the star itself. And before somepony asks what I mean by ‘tap into’ let me explain. Anytime a Pony wishes on a falling star they are actually tapping into a tiny, but discernable, bit of its energy.” “Even non unicorns?” somepony asked. “Yes, all equids have that ability. Remember that our ancestors came from beyond the skies of this world. Even earth ponies retain that ability. The ancient alicorns could tap into the power of the stars directly.” “Why would they do that?” Celestia asked. Before Clover could answer, Tourmaline interrupted, “They were weapons.” “I’m impressed Miss Tourmaline. You’re correct,” Clover looked both saddened by the knowledge and pleased at Tourmaline's answer, “The stars were the weapon of choice during the Great Fracturing. We will never know how many stars the ancients pulled from the sky in that terrible conflict. I can only imagine the splendor the night once held.” “Perhaps it is not altogether a shame that we have lost that knowledge,” she shook her head sadly, “That was our ancestors great sin. The one that split us into the three races we are now. Our ancestors came here pledging to bring the harmony of the heavens to earth and they broke that oath to harmony.” “This is the lesson we must take from that horrible calamity,” She looked up from the lectern, straight at Celestia, “Harmony must be maintained.” After class they adjourned for lunch. Before the reach the serving table Tourmaline stopped Celestia with a hoof on her shoulder, “Celestia, we need to talk.” “Let me guess,” the filly sighed, “I’m in trouble.” Tourmaline nodded. “Look I’m trying okay. I’ll be fine.” “Celestia, please. Lets just go sit down and talk, I’m really asking.” Celestia grunted, “Fiiine.” They walked to the back of the dining hall, and approached a table where Luna was already sitting with Finish Line. “Ohh no. You are not going to get ME to sit down and talk with HIM,” exclaimed Celestia. “Oh yes I am.” Tourmaline plucked Celestia off the ground with her magic and planted her in the seat across from Finish and held her there. “You are going to sit down and find away to declare peace.” “See? She’s too stupid to do whats in her own best interest,” Finish sneared. “You’re no better Finish,” Tourmaline responded. “So just be quiet for a moment and let me talk.” He crossed his forelegs in defiance but remained still. “Look you two, I know you don’t like each other. I’m not asking you to be friends, you don’t even have to look at each other. But I just had a very tense conversation with Clover and you two have at least one thing in common: the chair is about to send you packing.” “They wouldn’t dare!” Cried Finish, “Don’t they know who my father is?!” “Yes they do. And so do I, Finish. Lady Noblesse is the leader of a Noble House, hence the ‘Lady’, and Aster Skies is Princess Platinum’s second cousin and fourth in line for the throne. No matter how successful your father may be, being the son of a hat marchant isn’t going to impress them “Both of you heard Clover in class today, ‘Harmony must be maintained’,” that was a warning to both of you! They will expel you at the next sign of trouble. With the eclipse next week they can't give you any more chances.” They grumbled. “Please guys...” “Fine,” Finish huffed, “I’ll do it.” “Me too... I just don’t have to like it,” Celestia caved. “I’m going to hold you to it, BOTH of you. No more arguing, no more pranks,” she pointed at them in turn, “In fact, no more interaction of any kind untill after the eclispe unless you can’t avoid it.” They both nodded. “Now shake on it.” Finish held out a hoof but looked away. “No way. I’ll do it but I’m not touching him,” argued Celestia. “You two, I swear by all that I hold dear if you do not look each other in the eye and shake I will go straight to Clover and tell her you won’t cooperate.” With an over dramatic groan Celestia met Finish Line’s gaze and the two of them shook hooves. Aside from Finish making a show of cleaning his hoof with a napkin they parted peacefully and each went their way. Tourmaline and the girls shared a quick and awkwardly quiet meal before returning to class. This time the class was taught by Lady Noblesse and was on a topic nopony could help by find interesting, the eclipse. Everypony scribbled madly as she spoke to ensure not a detail would escape them. Who was going to be in attendance? Which ponies would be in the tower and who would be watching it from the courtyard? Every nuance of bit of the celebration’s program was gone over again and again until it was firmly routed in everypony’s brain. Tourmaline joked to herself that she would probably be reciting guest lists in her sleep. During the lecture Celestia leaned across the aisle and whispered to Tourmaline. “Miss Tourmaline. Do you have any extra ink?” she asked. “How can you be out already Tia? I just gave you a bottle.” “Please... I’m all out,” she pleaded. Tourmaline checked her inkwell, “Sorry Tia, I’m almost out too. You took my last spare.” She had a moment of inspiration, “Hey you should ask Finish Line.” “No way!” Celestia hissed. “No, seriously, do it,” Tourmaline explained, “Lady Noblesse will see you guys cooperating. It’ll be a good thing.” Celestia grumbled but did as she was told. She waved back to Finish Line and asked for the ink. He looked like he was going to blow her off but she flicked her head toward Noblesse and he seemed to understand. He opened his desk and rummaged for a minute before picking up a fresh flask of oil with a hoof and flipping it to her. Celestia caught it with her magic, thanked him curtly and poured it into her inkwell. “Proud of you,” Tourmaline whispered to Celestia who just rolled her eyes and huffed. After a quick tea break they went to the courtyard for more practice. Clover gave them their instructions, “I know everypony did very well this morning but it never hurts to have too much pract....” She stopped and turned to see a trudging Finish Line approaching “Finish Line you are late,” he starts to explain but suddenly puts a hoof to his stomach, “Are you ill?” she asks him “No... no ma’am,” as he gripped his stomach, “Maybe, I’ll be fine. I think I should just stay away from the licorice tea from now on.” “Very well, if you're sure. Tell somepony if you need to be excused.” He nodded. She instructed them to form two lines, one for each choir, facing each other. “When you’re respective chairpony gives you the signal Everypony is to cast the raising spell until you are instructed to stop. The Chairponies will be examining your performance and strength so do not drop the spell until you are instructed to. I will be maintaining a force field over up to ensure we don’t disrupt the sun.” She cast her spell and the choir found themselves under a shimmering white dome of translucent light. The chairponies started opposite ends of the lines and nodded to each pony intern. As they did the apprentice cast their spell until the chairpony told them to stop. Butterflies flitted around Tourmaline’s stomach as Noblesse Oblige approached her and nodded. Tourmaline focused and cast her spell, noting how hollow it felt when the moon wasn’t there to answer. After a few short moments Noblesse nodded again and she dropped the spell. Tourmaline smiled proudly and waved to Celestia further down the line who had already cast hers. When Aster Skies reached Finish Line the colt looked about ready to throw up. Unfortunately when Aster nodded to him and he began his spell... he did, only missing the solar chairpony by blind luck. Tourmaline looked over at Celestia who only shrugged and held up her hooves in innocence Everypony backed away as Finished continued retching. Catching a momentary reprieve he ran as fast as he could to the nearest bush and just made it before another wave of nausea overtook him. Clover sent for a nurse and the class pushed on... although they moved about twenty feet away from the mess. Everypony but Finish, who was taken to the infirmary, was able to complete the practice. Clover congratulated them on a job well done and invited them to rest and relax for the next hour until they met for the sunset tonight. Their lunch having previously been cut short, the three friends resolved to go to the dining hall for an early supper. Sunset came and the apprentices convened to the Choral tower again to conduct the setting of the sun and rise of the moon. This time the Solar Choir convened first bringing the sun to the horizon and laying it to rest clearing the way for the Lunar Choir to raise the moon into the sky to light the night. Again they proved they could do it. Even when they were a pony down, they still were able to bring the day to a close. Tourmaline levitated the two fillies onto her back and they happily trotted down the hall to fetch their coats and head home for the day. Suddenly there was a brilliant flash of light and the world seemed to turn in on itself. In a blink the three found themselves back in the library with the chair ponies and staring confusedly at the enraged face of Clover the Clever. “Luna dear?” she said with a voice that could have spoilt milk, “Please wait in the hall while the five of us have a little discussion.” Luna cringed and obeyed without question. “Magus Clover....” Tourmaline managed to stammer, “What’s goin on?” Clover fumed and turned away. Aster Skies stepped forward and explained. “Miss Celestia, apprentice of the Solar Choir. You have been formally charged with the intentional poisoning of a fellow choir mate, Finish Line” he stated solemnly. “Poisoned? But I didn’t do anything! I’ve been with the choir the whole day I swear!” Celestia protested. “Did not do anything?” Clover practically hissed, “You poured a bottle of ipecac syrup into his tea! We KNOW that you did.” “But.. I..” “But nothing. I know you and he have a rivalry and you probably thought this was just a harmless prank but you are dead wrong. Do you have any idea how dangerous that much ipecac is for a pony his age?!” “I promise Magus.. I would never..” “Do. Not. Lie to me,” Clover shot, “Have you any idea what a prank like this could do during the eclipse?” Celestia shook her head. “We could have lost the very sun and moon!!” Clover paced about ranting, “If the Choirs lost their concentration at the wrong moment the spell could collapse in on itself. The sun and moon would wrap themselves in the energies of the eclipse and slip below the horizon, beyond our reach for a full MONTH until their excess power bled off.” “How do you know she did this?” Tourmaline asked, “I know they’ve had a rivalry and no small amount of pranks but I just can’t see Celestia doing something like this.” Clover levitated a glass out from behind the lectern. In it was a small label marked ‘Syrup of Ipecac’. “We found this in Celestia’s desk stuck to the bottom of an empty ink flask. It seems she got rid of the bottle but the label escaped her notice.” Realization dawned on Celestia. She stamped a hoof against the ground with a resounding crack, “Why that dirty, lying, no good, slimy, excuse for a pony!!!” she yelled as she stamped. “He did this! He gave me that bottle of ink! He must have stuck that label on there so you would find it after he poisoned his own tea.” “Ms Tourmaline...” Clover said, leaning in, “You expect us to believe that he kept a bottle of ipecac on hoof just incase you asked him for something so he could plant the label as evidence and get you in trouble? And why would he expect you to come to him given how much you two don’t seem to like each other?” Celestia’s mind raced as she searched for an answer, “That explains why I ran out of ink! Remember Tourmaline?” she asked, Tourmaline nodded, “You just gave me ink and didn’t see how I could have run out already? He must have dumped it out so that I had to ask around.” “Interesting explanation,” Clover placed the jar on the table before them, “Except I analyzed this label. It’s YOUR’s Celestia. You understand that your magic leaves a signature right? One that can be detected with the proper spells? There is only one magical signature on this label. Only one pony out of the entire palace staff had handled it before I did. You Celestia.” Celestia started to weep, confused, “Please believe me... I’m begging..” “No Celestia. No more chances. You’re done.” “but...” “Tourmaline will take you home, and you will not return,” Clover turned her back on the filly, “You are no longer a member of this choir. Now get out.” “Please Magus,” Tourmaline pleads, “Ban her from the eclipse if you must but don’t do this... what if she apologizes and makes amends.” “No.” “But there must be some way to...” “Apprentice Tourmaline, you will take this trespasser home and return in the morning for class. with apprentice Luna. Do not speak of this again.” Tourmaline opened her mouth to object but Celestia put a hoof on her side, “Don’t, miss Tourmaline... just take me home.” Defeated, Tourmaline gathered the broken hearted filly up in her magic and held her to her chest as she walked out of the library without another word. They met Luna in the hall and Tourmaline quietly explained what happened. “But it is so obviously a setup!” Luna protested, “Why can’t they see that?” “Because they are not Celestia’s sister or friend. They don’t know her like we do,” Tourmaline explained. “I can’t let them get away with this. I’m going to talk to them right now.” Luna spun on a hoof and poised to run down the hall to Clover’s office. “No, Luna...” spoke Celestia’s. “I want you to do the Eclipse.” “But I can’t just...” “For me Luna?” Luna’s eyes filled with tears but she nodded. They boarded their carriage and headed out into the snow home. Tourmaline could not begin to imagine how she was going to explain this to Lily and Silver Shield. The carriage slowed to make the turn out of the palace when they heard a voice yelling from the side of the road. Tourmaline and Luna looked out the window, Celestia was beyond caring. There atop a snowdrift stood Finish Line, waving a small empty vial at them and calling out, “See you later, you stupid blank flank!!” Finish Line laughed. With a scream of indignant rage, Lune leapt from the moving carriage and launched herself across the snow. She pounced on Finish Line hooves first. Luna struck at the cruel colt over and over screaming “Why would you do that to my sister?! How could you do something cruel? I hate you!!! You deserve to be thrown out of the choir, not her!” “Luna no!!!” Tourmaline leapt from the cart after her. “Help me!!!” Finish Line cried piteously as Tourmaline pulled her off of him, “Somepony get this crazy filly off of me!” Guard ponies ran to the scene and held them all while they waited for Finish to decide if he wanted to press charges. Despite his bruises and scrapes, he declined. “Don’t worry officer, I have a feeling she’s going to get the punishment she deserves soon enough.” The guards are concerned but do as he asks. They load Luna and Tourmaline back into the carriage and personally escort them to the sisters’ home. Shortly after Tourmaline and the fillies are sitting in their home with their parents in silence. Lily and Silver could hardly bring themselves to accept what they were told. It wasn’t fair. It was wrong. There was a knock at the door. “You want me to get that?” Tourmaline asked. Silver nodded and thanked her. Tourmaline opened the door to find a smartly dressed palace messenger bearing a letter without a word he handed it over to Tourmaline and left. Lily asked her to open it. Tourmalines breath caught in her throat as she read the letter aloud. ‘Apprentice Luna, In light of your current actions regarding the assault against your fellow choirmate, Finish Line. We have no choice but to inform you that you are no longer welcome among the Choirs. Because she has previously vouched for yours and your sisters good behavior, your chaperone, a Miss Tourmaline will be placed on restriction and relocated to understudy status not to participate in the upcoming Vernal Eclipse. May you learn the lesson of the your follies so that some good might come of this whole affair. With regret, Lady Noblesse Oblige of House Blueblood, Chairpony of the Lunar Celestial choir.’ Broken hearted, Tourmaline let the letter fall to the ground. Luna runs over to her and wraps her hooves around her neck and she slumps to the floor. “I’m so sorry Miss Tourmaline...”