//------------------------------// // Celestia's New Student // Story: The Rise Of Twilight Sparkle // by StevieBond //------------------------------// No pony ever saw it coming, it all happened out of the blue. There was Princess Luna who was raising the Moon one night on her own as normal, when an evil aura approached from behind and slithered towards the Princess of the night. When she turned around, it was too late, she had been captured by the possessed aura that made her behave in a ruthless manner and later confronted her sister in an abandoned castle where after a heated argument, she began to form into Nightmare Moon, leaving Celestia with no choice but to do what she knew was right. The banishment of her sister who was taken over by an evil aura to the moon, took it's toll on Princess Celestia and she was distraught with the moment it happened before realizing that she now had to take the role of raising and lowering both the sun and the moon. Every day when she sat on her throne, she would watch over the ponies across the world and every night, she walks to the highest tower of the castle and calls out to her sister on the moon, never able to have the proper night sleep that she needs. The nine centuries and nine decades have passed since then, Celestia had learnt that on the upcoming longest night on the thousandth year, the stars around the moon will aid in Nightmare Moon's return, the Princess knew she wouldn't be able to stop her a second time and preventing her from bringing forth eternal night. She needed a student, a unicorn she would be able take under her wing and teach him or her all the lessons of magic and to also find five other ponies to aid him or her in their quest to stop Nightmare Moon from succeeding. Unfortunately, a unicorn who went by the name of Sunset Shimmer failed in not only her trainings, but also in learning about friendship and peace. Celestia had her banished to another world through a mirror portal and was never heard from again. The Princess had to find another student to take her place, one who was at a filly age and could be raised to be a strong unicorn, ready to face all challenges but she didn't have long to do so, the training and the methods would need to be accelerated in time. The day before all the fillies would return to school, Celestia was in the office with the Principle and were looking over all the files of the fillies at the school. "Well Princess, it is an honour to have you here." The Principle said. "And I think you for that, but I am only here to find a new faithful student and train her to my expectations." Celestia replied. "Forgive me your highness, but did the previous student you had not succeed?" "Not only did Sunset Shimmer failed in her training, she also took her friendships for granted, that I cannot accept." "That's terrible, I hope one of these fillies in this album will be perfect for you to mentor and guide." They both went back to looking over the photos of the fillies, Celestia took notice of a lavender unicorn filly and smiled with hope in her expression. And this is where our story begins. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ One sunny morning over at Canterlot, a filly Twilight Sparkle was getting up and ready for her first day of her second year at the Canterlot Filly School. Her first year had a lot of diamond in the rough moments, but they were all smoothed out in the end and this year, Twilight was determined to do much better. "Twilight dear, your breakfast is ready." her mother called out to her from the kitchen. "Okay mom." she replied as she combed her mane and trotted downstairs. She joined her parents by the kitchen table where breakfast was waiting for her. "Morning Twilight." her father said as he was reading the newspaper, "Are you ready for your first day back at school?" "Yeah, I'm gonna be better than last year." she replied confidently. "No mistakes." The family began eating their breakfast at the table and when they were done, Twilight looked up at the clock and slightly gasped. "I better go to school right now." Twilight said as she packed up her bags. "Alright sweetie, have fun today." her mum replied. "I will, mom." Her mother hugged Twilight and she then left her family home and began trotting over to the main town of Canterlot and into the filly school. Things had been a little quiet for Twilight since last year though when her older brother Shining Armour went away to train and become a royal guard, so she didn't have much in the way of friends. This was her second year and this time, her goal was to find caring friends whilst she carried on with her studies. However, unbeknownst to her, she may be the next filly to be taken under Celestia's guidance and therefore, change all of her goals and plans. When Twilight arrived at the school, she walked over to her locker and placed her bags in it, whilst taking out her notebook before trotting off to start her morning lesson. She opened the door and to her it wasn't a surprise, but she was the first one in to arrive before the other fillies did. "Well, morning Miss Sparkle." her teacher greeted happily, "Right on time on the first day as always." "Morning, Mrs. Bright." she replied excitedly. "Yes, I can't wait to start my lessons again!" "Glad to hear it, I wish the other students had your studying ambitions." Soon, the other fillies in her class turned up and it was time to start the first lesson of the day. The morning seemed to flew by for Twilight, taking notes all the while which got her a few glances from other fillies who didn't see school quite the same way, but nothing more than that so there was never any trouble directed at her. When it was the lunch break hour, loudspeakers across the hallways went off with a ding noise ringing a few times. "This is the Principle, would Twilight Sparkle please come to my office, I have somepony who wants to meet you." the Principle's voice boomed quietly on the speakers. "And please, leave your notes behind." Twilight knew what he meant by that as during her first year on parent's evening, she was writing down notes on hearing about her progress and how a griffon teacher gave her a hard time, until the Principle saw her note and assured her that she didn't need to write it down and it would be taken care of in time. Twilight left her notes and bags in her locker and walked to the office and when she got there, she noticed silhouettes of the Principle and a bigger pony coming through the glass window, she tapped on the door. "Come on in." the Principle said. Twilight opened the door and closed it behind her. "Yes Mr. Strike?" she asked. "Ah miss Sparkle, I have important news for you." he then pointed to Celestia. "Do you know who this is?" Twilight gasped in shock as her jaw nearly dropped and her pupils shrunk. "P-P-P-Princess Celestia?" "Yes, Twilight Sparkle, I am." the Princess replied softly, "I am also here today to inform you and the Principle of something very important." "So if you may take a seat, we can begin." the Principle added. Twilight did so as she sat down on a chair by the desk and listened carefully. "Twilight Sparkle, I am in need of a faithful student who I can guide and train to become a strong magical unicorn, one that can overcome many dangers." Celestia explained, "If you were to accept this new role and responsibility, I will explain of all of the information you need." "And what's more," the Principle added. "it will not affect your studies at school here since you are still at a filly age, so you'll have your lessons as normal, but not as much as before which I have agreed to accept as a small sacrifice to your education." "Your parents will be notified of this news if you wish to accept via letter." Celestia finished, "so what is your decision?" Twilight began to have a moment of wondering if she would be ready for such a big change at her age, but then again, perhaps working under the guidance of a Princess may be the smartest move she could make as she would be learning all the best magic around. "I umm...I w-w-would love to, Princess." she replied nervously. "Oh, I am very pleased to hear that." Celestia said with her smile somewhat bigger this time. "I think you made a smart choice, Miss Sparkle." the Principle added. "I shall write you a letter of this information to your parents so that they know everything you'll go through." "Thank you, can I go now?" Twilight asked. "Of course, you may now go to enjoying the rest of your lunch break, don't tell anypony else." "I won't." Twilight then left the office and went on with her lunch break before having her afternoon lessons. When it was home time, Twilight was given a letter by the principle before she left the school and began galloping back home in sheer excitement about today and she couldn't wait to tell her parents about it. She opened the door and trotted to her parents who were by the sofa in the living room. "Mom! Dad! I had an awesome day!" she exclaimed. "Oooh Twilight, calm down dear. What happened today?" her father chuckled. "I got a letter from the principle, he said you should read it." Twilight replied happily as she took out the letter from her school bags. The parents opened the letter and read it together and when they were done, they smiled at Twilight. "Twilight dear, are you sure you know what you're letting yourself in for?" her mother asked worryingly. "Yes I am, I can tell." "Well in that case, we are very happy for you. Being taught by the Princess will be a huge honour for you and it will bring so much pride and joy to our family." her father said, smiling. They all then went in for a family hug before Twilight trotted upstairs with her bags and into her room and started jumping lightly around her bedroom in sheer delight. It was nightfall sometime later and Twilight was reading one of her newly borrowed books from the local library until she heard a knock on her bedroom door, she opened it to see a familiar face. "Cadance!" she greeted with a big smile. "Hi Twilight, happy to see my favourite filly to foal sit for the evening again." Cadance replied as they hugged. "Do you still remember our chant?" "Yes!" Twilight said as she clapped her hooves in excitement. They then got into position to do thier little chant and said it together. "Sunshine, sunshine ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" They then giggled after their chant. "I hear that some filly is going to be mentored by the Princess?" Cadance asked Twilight with a cheeky wink. "Yeah, that's me! I'm so happy." she replied happily. "Well I'm excited for you, but won't it be too hard for you?" "Nope, I'm ready for it." "Okay, but for now, let's enjoy our fun-time. "Yay!" Soon, Twilight was told that her parents were out tonight as usual but only whenever Cadence came round to watch over her. Back at the castle, Celestia was watching over the moon and seeing the mark still present. She was worried for sure, but she hoped that by selecting Twilight, she would be able to train her in time with only ten years to go until the longest day of the thousandth year arrives. All she could do for the moment was to wait for the day Twilight would begin her first special day with the Princess, giving her a tour of what being her faithful student would provide before any of the training could commence.