A high pitched screech sounded as the brakes slowed the train to a stop within the deserted station. Outside, the sky was dark and dotted with glittering stars. As the doors slid open, a small white filly burst into full gallop across the wood planks of the station. Each stride made a clear thud that seemed louder just by the sheer silence.
"Star, don't run off now, it's too dark for that." A stallion called as he stepped from the train. Shining Armor, the captain of Canterlot's Royal Guard. After so long in the Crystal Empire, Celestia had requested a report on its progress into recovery and return to life.
And what better time to introduce his daughter to Equestria's crowning jewel; Canterlot?
For as long as she could talk, Starlight -usually called Star, for short-, learned of Canterlot from stories told by her mother, Princess Cadence; and with tales of Canterlot, came the story of Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns.
Coming to a stop, Star shrugged her shoulders but smiled and came galloping back to her father, weaving her way between his front legs before standing next to him. She puffed out her chest in a mimicking way towards Shining Armor, smiling as she did.
Shining Armor smiled softly at the little filly before turning to walk across the station to the road that lead up to the Canterlot Castle. Star followed behind him, having to trot to keep up with the long strides of her father.
For such a young filly, Star's mane and tail were quite long. If she did not carry her tail in a graceful arch, the ends easily fell to the ground. Her mane was a lovely shade of blue, highlighted with two thick strands of purple and yellow. Lastly, but possibly the most beautiful feature about her, was the deep shade of purple that filled her eyes.
As she trotted behind her father, she mimicked his proud stature as best she could. She held her head high, allowing her mane to flow in the crisp night air. Each step was quick but deliberate and strong. She kept this pace with Shining Armor the entire way to the castle.
As they approached, they were met with a shadow gliding over them. Star jumped at the sudden appearance and found herself colliding with her father's leg. Shining Armor however, did not flinch at the shadow's appearance. He knew exactly who it was.
Landing a short distance up the road, princess Luna walked toward them. Her celestial mane billowing behind her.
"Shining Armor," said Luna quietly, "It is good to see you again. We did not think you would be arriving so late."
"I'm sorry, Princess. I stayed in the Crystal Empire to help Cadence square the guards away while I'm gone." As Shining Armor spoke, little Star poked her head out from behind his leg shyly. Luna tilted her head slightly at the small filly, and chuckled softly.
"Is this who I think it is?"
"Yep, our newest little princess. Go on Star, say hello." Shining Armor smiled down at Star and gave her an encouraging nudge on the shoulder.
Star slowly stepped out from behind her father's legs, and stood shyly with one front hoof crossed over the other.
"H-hello, princess..." She said quietly.
"Hello to you as well, little Star." said Luna as she politely nodded once towards the small filly. "I hear you wish to join my sister's school?"
Star's ears twitched at the word 'school', and she lifted her head slightly.
"Y-yes," said Star. However, a thought seemed to come to her, making her quickly speak again, "b-but, I'm an Alicorn...! Can I still join even if I'm not a unicorn..? Father said I could!" Star's shoulder's dropped as she glanced from Luna to Shining Armor.
Luna laughed quietly.
"I am sure we will find a place for you, Star, do not worry, but that can wait until tomorrow; it is late." Luna spoke in a reassuring tone. "Shining Armor, your old room has been prepared for you. I trust you remember where it is?"
"Of course," said Shining Armor.
"Then I must return to my routes. My sister and I will speak again in the morning. Good night." Extending her wings with a light gust of wind, Luna lifted herself into the air and once again took to the skies. As quickly as she had appeared, she was gone; like a shadow over the land.
Shining Armor began following the rest of the path to the castle, and Star followed quickly after him.
"See? I tried to tell you everything would be fine." Shining Armor said with a chuckle. Star lowered her head and smiled shyly. "We'll talk to Celestia tomorrow about getting your schooling started, alright?"
"Mhmm!" Star nodded happily with a slight bounce in her step.
Shining Armor's magic easily pushed the doors to the castle open. He shared a glance with the night guards before silently entering the castle. The lavender glow of magic was able to light the dark hall as he turned and walked.
However, eager to lend a hoof, Star concentrated for a moment, and let a tiny blue light glow from her horn, creating a small ray in front of her. This earned a proud smile from her father as Star proudly held her head high at accomplishing such a spell, even if it was one of the most basic of spells.
Shining Armor pushed open the last door at the end of the hall, and let Star into the room. It was as dark as the rest of the castle, but the large glass door that led to a sizable balcony allowed for an ocean of moonlight to bathe the middle of the room.
On one side of the room was a large bed with decorative posts and enough pillows to fill a small store. On the other, a cute little bed just the right size for a little filly. Star trotted over to it and grinned at its midnight blue blankets and pillow that looked as if somepony had plucked a cloud out of the sky and placed it right there on the bed.
"Come on, get to bed Star. You have a big day tomorrow." Shining Armor pulled back the covers just enough for Star to leap under them and cozy up against the fluffy pillow. Shining Armor laid the thick blanket over her and smiled as she leaned up just enough to nuzzle him. "Goodnight, Star." He said quietly, returning the nuzzle before turning to go to bed himself.
Star peaked through one eye after some time in the quiet room. It seemed her father was asleep now. Quietly, she slipped out of bed and stepped towards the balcony door. One hoof pushed the door open while the other pivoted to swing her through the tiny opening without making a sound.
Outside, the air was as crisp and fresh. The smell of flowers from the garden was swept up on a light summer breeze. Star walked to the edge of the balcony and placed her hooves on the low wall, and she looked up at the night sky. The moon was full tonight, tinting the sky a light violet around its edges. Star smiled widely up at the stars, and after a moment of stillness, she lowered her head slightly.
From her horn the glow of magic formed again, a blue ray that wisped its way into the air and dissipated into the sky. As soon as the magic took effect, Star quickly looked up again and found herself grinning in awe.
The stars above began to sparkle more brightly, and twinkle as the magic worked around them. It was almost as if they had come alive to dance in their heavenly domain. Their light gleamed across the sky, creating a aura of glittering silver across the night, and Star marveled at her creation.
"Again?" Luna hovered in the air, her eyes narrowing at the sight in her sky. The stars suddenly breath in life and were glittering as bright as their sister moon.
This had happened multiple times now, and seemed to appear out of nowhere one night. The first time had been simply a small twinkle, but the magic was stronger now, and nearly half the sky was being affected.
Who was responsible for this activity? The night was -her- domain; one that she alone controlled. Who could even manipulate her stars in such a way?
Quickly the princess of the night dived through the air, gliding over Canterlot with watchful eyes. There was magic at work here and she was determined to find the source. As she flew, Luna noticed wisps of blue tinted magic twisting in the air as if carried on the breeze. They twisted and flowed through the air as they rose into the sky to their destination in the stars. Luna began following the trails of little wisps as they drifted past her, and she found herself circling around the Canterlot castle.
Luna narrowed her eyes as she banked around the west side of the castle. Somepony near the castle was the source of magic? As she rounded the side of the castle, she found her answer.
On a balcony, with blur magic emanating from her horn, was little Star. Luna stopped in mid-flight, her wings turning upwards to pull her to a stop as she stared in disbelief. The gust of wind caused by her stop caught the attention of the little filly, who jumped when she saw the princess above her.
"You? It was you who did this?" said Luna, seemingly to herself.
Star pushed herself off of the balcony and lowered her head, unsure if she was in trouble or not.
"U-Uh..." She started hesitantly, "... yes?"
Luna looked from Star to the skies above, that slowly stopped glittering brightly as Star's magic faded. Her gaze turned slowly back to the filly, and she flew the last short distance to quietly land on the balcony in front of the small filly.
"I'm... impressed." said Luna, and she found herself smiling. Star raised her head slightly, her ears slowly perking up. "Very few have that kind of ability."
"R-really? Thanks, princess!" Star said with a happy smile.
"Of course," Luna began with a quiet chuckle at the filly's happy response, "but, I believe someone is out passed her bedtime." Luna raised her brow as she tilted her head towards Star.
"Oh, y-yeah..." Star laughed nervously, "I-I just wanted to watch the stars before going to sleep; they look pretty when they sparkle!"
Luna's smile grew at hearing what Star said. It was touching to hear such words when her night went mostly unnoticed, even with her return after one thousand years.
"As much as I love the night as well, all ponies must sleep at some time or another, right?" Luna said, her smile softening.
"Yeah, I guess so..." said Star as she shrugged her shoulders.
"Do not worry. For every sunrise there is a sunset, and there will be plenty more nights for you to see, -after- you get some sleep. After all, you have a lot to do tomorrow." Luna reassured the tiny filly as she laid her hoof on her shoulder. "Back to bed, little Star. You'll need your sleep."
"Aww... Alright, princess." Star flicked her tail as she turned to walk back inside, but paused before opening the door. "G'night!" She said with a glance over her shoulder. Quickly but quietly, Star slipped back into the dark room and into her comfortable, warm bed.
Luna watched the filly disappear into the room, her smile remaining on her face as she turned her gaze towards the sky once more. The stars were once again quietly and softly shining over the land, the last of Star's magic having left them.
"Goodnight." Luna whispered quietly.