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// Back at Home 
// Story: The Magic of the Earth 
// by Cameron Nightshade 
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	When Princess Twilight and I returned back to Ponyville, we saw that my mother was waiting for us outside of the library. 

“MY DAUGHTER CAN DO MAGIC! I looked in all the books in the library. There is no recorded pony who could ever do magic besides the Unicorns, and the Alicorns. My daughter is the only one!” my mother screeched. 

Princess Twilight looked at her. “Well, yes. It seems as if that is the case. With this going on, I am going to be mentoring Dawn that way she knows how to control her magic. As a unicorn filly, a parent usually teaches you how that works. I was honoured to be taught not only by my parents, but also Princess Celestia. As far as I can tell, Dawn has done exceptionally well at controlling her magic. So I trust that you will let me tutour your daughter, correct?” Princess Twilight explained.

My mother looked dumbfounded. “Uhm. Of course. Whatever you say, your majesty.” my mom bowed.

Princess Twilight laughed. “No need to use formalities. While I am still living in Ponyville, you are all my friends. You may call me Twilight, and no need to bow in my presence. I like the formalities, but it’s getting old. I’ve only been an Alicorn for a short time, and I’m tired of the regality. Just to think that Celestia and Luna have been doing this for over a millenium,” Twilight told.

“Okaaayyy,” I started. “Well, this has been a nice talk, but I am gonna be with Prin- Twilight today, so I can practice on my magic. Goodbye!”  with my final word I took Twilight and ran into the library, leaving my mom looking at a cloud of dust in our wake. 

Spike was walking around dusting the shelves. When he heard us enter, he turned around. “Twilight! I’m so glad you’re back! It’s hard running a library all by myself!” Spike exclaimed.

Twilight looked around. “It seems like everything is fine. How about you go see if Rarity needs any help?” Twilight asked.

Spike lit up at the idea. He ran out the door, and down the street to the Carousel Boutique. For as long as I can remember, that little dragon has had a huge crush on the white furred, purple maned mare. 

I walked around the library. I had only been in here once before, when my mom wanted to buy a book on herbal teas. I don’t remember it very well, but I do remember that Twilight was just a regular unicorn who was a student of Princess Celestia. 

I have met all of the Elements of Harmony before. That was a huge honour. Sadly, I didn’t get to go to Twilight’s coronation. That made me sad, but it was alright. We had the Princess of Magic living in our town, running our library! Not living in some fancy castle, but an ordinary library right in the middle of Ponyville. Princess Celestia did offer Twilight a place at the castle, but Twilight felt that it would be better if she stayed in Ponyville, with her friends, and she would still get to stay in a library, so that was a big deal for her.

“Okay, so first of all, I want you to close your eyes. Feel the magic within you. Feel it’s presence, and control it as best as you can,” Twilight told me.

I tried to control it, but it kept fighting me. After an hour of trying, I broke down and cried. I never liked crying in front of anypony, but this was just too much for me to handle.

“Hey, it’s alright. The first time is always the hardest. You will get better with time, I promise you,” Twilight said sweetly.

I looked up at her. “No! I just can’t do it!” I got up off the floor and walked out of the library doors. 

Of course I felt bad about walking out on Twilight, but I just needed some air. If I am the only non- unicorn pony in Equestrian history that can do magic, then no one can know how hard it is. I know that sometimes Unicorns aren’t very skilled in magic. Sometimes Sweetie Belle has trouble with her magical abilities. 

But since I am an Earth pony - or a unicorn earth pony? - it’s even harder for me than it should be in the first place. 

I looked back at the Tree Library. I felt bad for running out on Twilight like that. So I decided to go back and apologize to her for being so rude. 

I stepped into the library with my head hung low. Twilight looked up from her desk and looked at me quizzically. “I’m sorry for yelling at you like that. I shouldn’t have run out. Can you please forgive me?” I asked Twilight as I lifted up my head.

She looked pleased. “Yes, Dawn, I can. I know it’s hard. But you are special. You have made it into the history books. And even though it seems difficult now, with a little practice, you will get better. When I was in Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, I was being taught how to control magic. I grasped it pretty easily, but the other unicorns couldn’t do it as well as me. You just gotta give it a little time, Twilight explained.

I looked back up at her. “Yeah, I guess. But what about everypony at school? It’s not like I can go to Princess Celestia’s school. And you have your Royal Duties, so I can’t be with you all the time,” I started out. “What if I accidentally let my magical skills show in class, then everypony wonders why I am like this?” I said.

Twilight laughed, but I found no amusement in this at all. “You’ll be fine. Just stick to it. Like Rainbow Dash always says, ‘Never give up on your dreams, kid,’” Twilight told me. 

I nodded my head and went back to my exercises with my magic.