The day of Starlight's exam came to a close after Shining Armor had double -and triple- checked Star's belongings to be sure she had everything necessary for schooling. They stood within the entrance hall, various bags surrounding Star after a long day of shopping for Star's upcoming enrollment.
"...-and you have all your books and scrolls?"
"Yes daddy, you asked that already," said Star as she smiled up at her father.
"Oh, right," said Shining Armor, earning a giggle from the tiny foal, "alright then, what about your parchments? You are going to write your mom and I, aren't you?"
As Shining Armor stood prolonging the time he still had with his daughter, within the throne room, Luna was speaking with her sister. Luna slowly paced at the base of the steps leading to the two thrones. Celestia's magic had begun to lower the sun to begin the night, but the spell would still last a few minutes.
"She is more powerful than you think, sister. You didn't see her last night; in all our centuries of ruling, no pony has ever manipulated my night. Even the unicorns from before our time did not use such magic as she did."
"You said she did something to the stars? What exactly did she do, Luna?" Celestia asked, tilting her head to the side as her eyes followed her sister's pacing.
"They... well, they were glowing. I've never seen anything like it before; they was this aura of silver across the entire sky. It was... beautiful." Luna ceased her pacing as she turned toward Celestia, who stood perched at the top of the stairs. "I want to see her use this magic more."
"She'll learn plenty in school, Luna, I'm sure she--"
"No, sister," Luna paused, seeing Celestia slighting taken back by the interruption. "I... That's not what I meant," Celestia blinked, and remained silent as Luna continued, "I want to see her magic grow. She cannot do that without a teacher; one who knows the night better than anypony." Luna's eyes burned intensely as she spoke, further solidifying her serious tone. "I wish to make her my apprentice."
For a moment, Celestia stood silent, staring down at her younger sister.
"An apprentice?" asked Celestia, as if unsure of this idea, "Luna are you sure? You've... not been back for very long, and taking on a personal student is a difficult task."
"Sister I've never been more sure of anything in my life. Starlight is the foal I want to teach; her magic is unique, it's something that should be allowed to flourish. I can help her realize her full potential, just as you did with Twilight Sparkle."
"I see... You're set on this, I can tell. It is a great responsibility, but I know you'll do your best. I wish you luck, Luna." Celestia smiled. Indeed she believed it to be a difficult task for her sister, as she had never taken on a personal student before, but Luna was a determined pony. She was fully capable.
"Thank you, sister. I'll retrieve her after Shining Armor has said his goodbyes. She still must decide what classes she'll be attending when in school," said Luna, and she turned quickly on her hooves and began walking out of the throne room. Her wings were carried high, and a small, excited smile came to her face.
"Your mother and I will come see you anytime we can can. If you ever need anything, just ask Princess Luna or Celestia," Shining Armor said as he finished hugging Star.
"I will, don't worry, I'll be fine," said Star with a smile as she nuzzled herself against her father's chest. As he stood, she jumped to the ground.
"Good, I know you will. I'll see you soon, Star. Goodbye, little Princess,"
"Bye daddy!" said Star excitedly as Shining Armor turned to leave the castle and head back towards the train, and finally to the Crystal Empire. Star waved frantically until her father was out of sight, then sat by her bags with a long yawn. It was already getting close to this little filly's bedtime.
"Hello again, Star."
Star turned her head at hearing the voice of Luna, her mane falling temporarily in fron of her muzzle. As Star shook her head to move her hair out of her eyes, Luna walked across the hall and stopped in front of her.
"Oh, hello Princess Luna. How are you?" Star said happily.
"Quite alright, and you?"
"Fine I guess. I miss my mom and dad already though." Star shrugged as she spoke.
"I know, but don't you worry, I'm sure you'll see them every time they get a chance to come here," Luna reassured the little filly by placing a hoof on her shoulder. "Come, walk with me for a moment," said Luna gently. Star stood up and took a few steps after the Princess, but paused and glanced over her shoulder,
"But, what about my bags?"
"Don't worry, I'll have a guard bring them up. I have a few questions for you first though."
"Oh, questions? Okay, sure!" Star jumped after the taller mare and walked in parallel with her as they made their way down the hall.
"Your magic last night was truly impressive. Do you know that no pony in my time has ever used magic like you have?"
"Huh? Really? Magic like what?" Star asked, her voice peeking with interest.
"Magic that changes my night, like how yours made the stars glow." Luna gestured for Star to turn down a small passage that led to a winding staircase. The staircase climbed the outside of the castle, and around a tall tower.
"O-o-ooh, that," Star paused a moment, thinking about the Princess's words, "But I've always been able to do that. It's one of the first things I learned."
"But nopony taught it to you."
"Well... no. My mother taught me a few things, but not the star spell. I can get a flower to float in midair though!"
Luna laughed quietly as she walked beside the filly on the staircase.
"An impressive feat for a foal your age. Whatever you may think Star, the magic you performed was special. It has never been done before. That is why I want to see you learn to use it to a more powerful extent; recognize the true ability you have." Luna paused at the top of the staircase, and Star stopped across from her. "That is why, I want you to be my personal apprentice."
For a moment, Star stood motionless. Apprentice? Her? Luna wanted... her, to be an apprentice? Then finally, as if suddenly realizing she had not moved yet, Star jumped into the air and hoved for a moment, her tiny wings buzzing with joy.
"Really?! Can I?!"
Luna could not help but laugh happily at the filly's reaction.
"Yes, of course," said Luna with a smile as she turned towards the door in front of them. A quick spell made the door open inwards, and Star was met with a wall of sheer darkness. She could not see two steps inside, yet Luna walked in without a second thought. "My old home... This is where your apprenticeship will see most of its progress."
"It's... it's dark in here, Princess." Star said as she took a few tentative steps inside.
"We are ponies of the night, little Star. We don't fear the darkness, it is just a product of the night; a necessity we must learn to accept. In fact," Luna's voice emanated from the darkness, and reverberated off the walls of the room eerily.
Suddenly, the tower shifted with a large quake, and moonlight poured through the roof as it opened overhead.
"You simply have to learn to let in the light, to make the shadow's fade."
Star gazed up in amazement at a sky swirled with pink, orange and faded blue. The sunset was near its completion, and the moon would once again rise into the sky. Facing out of the opened dome roof was a colossal bronze colored telescope. Around the room there were various tables and shelves all covered with masses of scrolls and books on advanced arcane magics and mathematics. One side of the room was dominated by a thirty foot chart holding dozens of charted stars and constellations. On the floor around the telescope, the polished stone was inscribed and painted with the moon cycle set in a perfect circle.
"This is the castle observatory. After I was... when I came back to Equestria, Celestia had it built for me. I cannot use it much, unfortunately, but you can. Use this observatory to study the night alongside your studies in my sister's school. Together we'll discover things that no pony has ever known; that I never even knew."
"I get to use this?" Star said in awe as she slowly walked over to join the Princess.
"Yes. You'll be able to use my observatory anytime you wish. Not only that, but you'll be staying here; this will be your home while you stay in Canterlot. Come, I'll show you your room." Luna gestured for Star to follow her as she approached a wall. The stones were carefully laid, and no door seemed presence.
"Uhh, I don't think I know the walk through walls spell yet, Princess." said Star as she looked up at Luna, who chuckled in reply.
"No, no magic required, Star." Luna lifted a hoof and placed it upon one of the stones, and lightly pressed it into the wall. A grinding suddenly echoed out as a large section of the wall shifted in, and moved off to the side. Luna stepped inside, followed shortly by her new apprentice. Only one source of light lit the room, a single small candle in a gold holder, which sat on top of a table beside a bed.
"Celestia always loved making our home filled with puzzles and mechanisms for me to find, this home was no exception." Luna spoke as she cast a spell on the dimly lit room, causing various wall-mounted torch sconces to burst into fiery life. With the room lit, Star walked to the center to examine its contents. A large bed made up with dark blue sheets and blankets. A bookcase containing various works and scrolls.
As Star turned to look at more of the room, a sudden chirp caught her attention.
"Ah, there you are, I was wondering where you got to." Luna chuckled as a familiar dark blue feathered bird hopped along the ground towards Star. "Remember him?"
Star leaned down to be eye level with the little chick, and smiled as he walked over to press his beak against her nose, and Star giggled happily.
"A pet is a companion for life, and one that can help you in your studies." Luna said with a soft smile.
"A pet? Can he be my pet?" Star asked hopefully, gathering up the little chick in her hooves and holding him close.
"Of course," said Luna. A drop in the light let in from the dome made Luna turn her head. "It's time for me to go, Star, but before I do, come over here." Luna walked over to a desk set in the corner of the room. On top of it lay an open scroll, and a quill resting in an inkwell. "This scroll lists the available classes you may take during your studies at my sister's school. You may pick four as your main focuses, and the school will decide your magic leveled class. Choose them tonight, and I will send it to the school in the morning."
"Oh, okay!" Star said as she jumped up onto a chair to see the scroll set on the table.
Luna smiled and nodded once before turning and walking towards the other side of the room. In front of her opened two glass doors that led to a small balcony. The balcony overlooked the castle below, and Canterlot beyond its walls. Star hopped down from the chair and trotted over to Luna as the Princess extended her wings and pulled her head back proudly. As the last colors of sunlight began to fade, Luna's aura of magic glowed around her horn, and in the distant horizon, the moon began to rise.
Star watched in awe as the sky darkened and the stars once again came to life, dotting the sky like tiny diamonds. Eager not to miss an opportunity to practice, Star put her hooves up on the balcony railing and willed her magic into the skies. In response, the stars began to glow brightly, pulsing with new and added light. At that moment, Luna could not help the smile on her face, a smile of hope and pride.
"This is only the beginning, little Star. You're on your way. We'll speak again in the morning, good night." Luna's wings made a broad down stroke, lifting her into the air as she dived off the balcony, and soared into the open night air.
"Goodnight, Princess." Star said with a wave of her hoof. She pushed herself off the balcony, and found herself looking at the little phoenix who seemed intent on staying as close to her as possible. "Hey there, little guy. Looks like you'll be staying with me!" said Star excitedly as she trotted inside and looked back over her shoulder to see the chick quickly hobble after her. He gave his wings a frantic flap, but fell forward on his breast. Star walked over and helped him back up, and watched the phoenix hang his head with a huff.
"Aww, it's okay little guy," Star said in a consoling manner. Then a thought occurred to her, and her knelt down beside the phoenix. "Wanna know a secret? You can't tell anypony... or... anybirdie, okay?" Star glanced side to side, making sure no one was listening in, then she leaned in close to the chick. "I can't fly yet either. So we'll learn together, alright?" Star with with a grin, earning a happy chirp from the phoenix. "Great! Oh, I just realized, you don't have a name yet." The phoenix shook his head. "Hmm... well, you sure made a scene when you hatched. The sound was like a thunderstorm... Huh.. how about that? How about Storm?" Quickly, the chick nodded his head in agreement, his bright emerald green eyes beaming. "Alright then, it's official. Your name is Storm." said Star with a smile, and Storm chirped happily. Star laughed as she stood up again and jumped towards her desk. "Well, come on Storm, you wanna help me pick out my classes?"
Storm cawed as he followed Star over to the chair, where Star scoped him up onto her head and jumped up onto the chair. Thee, she placed him on the table and he walked over to stand on the corner of the scroll.
"Now, let's see what we can do. Hmm... Studies is Nature Magic. That sounds interesting... Ooh Alchemy! Do you think we could do that?" asked Star, who received a confident chirp from Storm. "I think so too. Alright, two more!" Star called the quill over with her magic, and together, she and Storm began to plan out her future classes.