//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Twin moon // by Little Solarflare //------------------------------// “So what have we learned today Dawn?” Twilight Sparkle asks sternly. I was on a high stool, next to a dinner table, whilst Twilight folded her hooves and gave me a disapproving look. We were back inside her library, Spike the dragon was cooking up something which smells enticingly of apples. “That I shouldn’t disobey my mother’s wishes, go running off when I don’t like something.....and never to leave an oven unsupervised..” I reply glumly. “Yes, especially the last part! Do you know how long it is going to take to fix Sugarcube Corner?” “I said I was sorry....” “Well sorry doesn’t fix Sugarcube Corner now does it? Because of that, Mr Cake is now living with Rarity, who so generously offered to help, whilst Pinkie Pie is now living with Applejack!” My stomach rumbled. Twilight chuckles, “Oh you must be very hungry after today, don’t worry, Spike is nearly done making dinner, I am sure that you will like it very much.” >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Pinkie Pie continued to jabber on, much to Applejack’s dismay. “So what do you think we should call Sugarcube Corner after it’s fixed? Pinkie Pie Super Duper Awesome Cake Shop?” Applejack sighed. “No Pinkie, that sounds ridiculous.” The Pink Party Pony pondered for a moment... “...Ooh OOh! I know, how about Candyville?!” Applejack raised her eyebrow. “That could work, but the cakes are going ta' have ta agree to it first.” “No silly! It will work! I know Mr Cake is just going to LOVE the new name!” However Pinkie’s gaze then dropped to the table before her, “...... once he forgives me for what happened to Sugarcube Corner...” she looked guiltily at her hooves, her previous excitement suddenly gone. “Aww Pinkie, Ah’m sure he’ll come round!” “You really think so?” “Of course!” Pinkie’s suddenly returned to her original cheerfulness. “Okie Dokie Lokie then! We have to start planning for the 'sorry-we-accidentally-blew-up-sugarcube-corner-party!'” Applejack facehoofed. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< “..that’s a good thing right?” I ask Twilight. “I hope so..” she replies with uncertainty. Spike walks in with a tray of apple pies and I look out the window, only to realise the sun was nearly completely set. I walk toward the window, and stare at the moon. It’s bright, round form reminding me of- I sigh sadly. “I wish you were here with me.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luna relaxed as she felt the familiar energies surround her body once more as she began her daily ritual of raising the moon. Perched nearby on a cloud was Celestia, whom smiled as she watched her sister perform the essential task. Once again she pulled the moon into its rightful place amongst the stars. As she descended, she heard a wish from somepony she held dear. “I wish you were here with me...” a ghostly voice whispered into her horn. With her duties finished, she once again descended next to her sister. “Well done little sister.” the solar princess complimented “Thanks Tia.” “Though we are a little behind schedule, elders Firestone and Diamondclaw have agreed to keep their younglings in check, after much discussion.” Luna chuckled. “If by discussion, do you mean beating the dragons into submission? Then yes, I do recall it being a huge success.” Celestia chuckled along with her sister. “Come sister, let us rest on the clouds, we still have seven elders to visit.” Luna paused. “Tia...there is one more task we wish to do before resting tonight.” Celestia nodded. “Of course sister. Go and visit Dawn, just be back on this cloud before sunrise okay? We still have a busy day ahead of us.” Luna smiled. “Thank you Tia.” With a flash of her horn, Luna disappeared into the evening sky. Celestia closed her eyes and waited for sleep to come. Luna smiled as the town of Ponyville materialised before her eyes. “Dawn, I’m here for you!” She thought happily, as she began to descend toward the town library. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I sit up from the table. Twilight and Spike look up from their meals and eyed me warily. “She’s here.” I say happily. “Who’s here Dawn? Twilight asks curiously. “Mommy!” “What?! Princess Luna is here?!” She asks, body suddenly tense. “We haven’t even made any preparations to-” “That will be quite alright, Twilight Sparkle,” A familiar voice suddenly says from within the library “P-princess Luna?” Twilight asked nervously. The Luna princess revealed herself. She takes a deep breath, absorbing the aroma into her nostrils. “My my, that smells delicious!” I gasp in happiness. Spike enters from the kitchen, curious at the newcomer before looking at the princess and me, back and forth in wonder. “That I am. It is good to see you again, Twilight Sparkle, I see you have been taking care of my little Dawn? Everything went well today I presume?” Twilight faked a smile, “Why yes! Everything today went swimmingly!” she lied. I look at Luna in the eyes. “I..kinda blew up Sugarcube Corner today... and some creepy guard chased me through town.” Luna raised her eyebrow. “What did he look like?” She asked with concern. “I dunno.. he was gray coloured, and he kept calling me ‘The Subject’ which was really weird.” Luna frowned. There were simply too many guards in the palace to remember by their colour. However, one assigned to the task of watching over her daughter must have been one of fairly high rank and skill, but that matter would be dealt with later, her daughter was all that mattered for the moment. “Where is he now Dawn?” She asks. “I’m not sure... he tried to touch me and I so I pushed him away.” Luna looks at me with concern. “With magic, dear?” “Yeah..he just disappeared though...” I reply, uncertain as to how she would react. “I see.” She smiles at me. “Don’t worry Dawn, Auntie Celestia and I have nearly finished dealing with the dragons, I will be with you soon.” I open my mouth to protest, but I thought better of it. “Umm sorry to interrupt, Princess Luna, may I talk with you for a moment in private?” Twilight asked. The Lunar Princess turned to her. “Of course.” “I’ll be right back, enjoy your meal.” she says to me before walking out the room. She nuzzles me gently before walking out the room, leaving me alone with Spike. We look at each other, unsure of what to say, we both smile sheepishly before turning away, unable to look at each other.. After around 40 seconds, I attempt to break the silence “So.....how is it like living here in Ponyville?” He scratches his head scales. “Well, it’s fairly quiet. Not many ponies here in Ponyville read that much, so the library is often quiet most of the time, unlike in Canterlot.” I nod, “I thought dragons were big and scary, how come I’m as tall as you?” I ask curiously. He gives a huff of annoyance. “Thats because I haven’t grown up yet, when I grow older, I’ll be bigger!” “Oh.. okay.” He smiles awkwardly. “Hey.. umm Dawn can I ask you a question?” “Sure” “You know how you met Sweetie Belle today?” He asks nervously “Yeah, what about it?” “Well.... I was wondering, if you could, you know... ask her what Rarity thinks of me?” His cheeks began to blush a deep pink. “Wait what has Sweetie Belle got to do with Rarity?” I ask curiously. “Well you see, um, she’s her sister!” My jaw drops. The filly whom I had become friends with today, was sister to the mare whom nearly killed me with her fashion and need for perfection. But Spike’s expression looked so desperate I could not refuse him. I realise he was staring at me, I shook my head and smiled. “Yeah, sure thing. I’m not sure what I am doing tomorrow though”, I tell him He stammers. “W-well it’s nothing really, just if you want to that is..” “Really, Its no problem.” I insist We both chuckle awkwardly before going back to the original silence. Spike sniffs the air. “Oops, the pies are done, be right back in a moment!” he waddles off into the kitchen in a hurry, leaving me alone on the kitchen table. I look up and see a book lying on the ground, I channel my horn and lift it towards me. “I wonder what Mommy and Twilight are talking about?” I thought to myself as I opened the book and then realised. “And who am I kidding, I can’t read.” Then I get a brilliant Idea. “Wait, if I’m in a library, that means there's a lot of books! BOOKFORT! YAY!” I hop from my seat, in search for more books ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Twilight led Luna towards up the ladder toward her bedroom before casting a barrier around them both. Luna raised an eyebrow. “Twilight Sparkle, what is the meaning of this secrecy?” Twilight looks at the Luna sadly. “Umm... Princess? There are a few things I would like to address with you, in regards to Dawn.” Luna looked at her thoughtfully. “Speak then Twilight.” “First of all, I believe Dawn should be supervised by somepony with much more power than I, today, I believe she had unwittingly killed a royal guard.” “What?!” Luna asked, concern beginning to fill her voice. “How could you suggest such a thing?” “I know it’s hard to believe, I didn’t believe it myself either at the beginning, but its the only plausible explanation for the guard’s mysterious disappearance. “ Twilight explained. “After I had taken Dawn back into the Library, I went back to the area where Dawn had ‘pushed’ the guard. From what I deduce, the guard’s armour was made of a material known as Iridium, or in a laypony’s term, Star metal. The chemical symbol Ir. This metal is of the atomic number 77. This metal itself can mask a pony’s magical presence from others, and also it can nullify magical effects by up to sixty percent of their original strength. It does so by projecting a miniature null field around a user.” She materialised a small blackboard and began to draw a diagram of this material. “Used against normal unicorns, it would normally render their magic near useless against the guard. As in the case this afternoon, he overpowered a forcefield I had created to protect Dawn with 4-5 hoof blows, causing a magical backlash, which had knocked me out.” Luna nodded slowly. “I see.” Twilight droned on. “But here is where it gets interesting; after I had awoken, the guard was nowhere to be seen. All that was left is the crushed chest piece and intact helmet. From what I hypothesise, I believe due to Dawn fearing for her safety, she had pushed the guard as hard as she could. The magical burst was so strong, it basically ripped the guard apart, particle by particle-.” Luna’s mouth was dry. “Dawn has been in ponyville for only one day in Ponyville, and already somepony is dead, but there really isn't anything I can do, Tia needs me, and I do not trust anypony well enough back in Canterlot to protect Dawn. Though asking Cadence is a good idea, I do not believe she can properly defend Dawn if need be.” “-that is unless of course, she had unwittingly teleported the guard to some unknown place.” Luna sighed in relief, “Then let us hope that it is the latter.” she stated hopefully. Twilight nodded. “Should we tell her what had happened?” she asks. Luna shook her head. “She is still a child, innocent and unknowing of the evils of the world, let her stay so for as long as possible. After all, she will have an eternity of responsibility afterward.” Twilight bowed. “I understand Princess.” Luna stood. “With that aside, what other issues would you like to address to me?” “Well, I was wondering, what would you like Dawn to do tomorrow, she is still here for a few days after all; also, she is illiterate.” Luna scratched her chin. “Well... It would be nice for Dawn to have greater control over her magic... also, she would need to learn to fly soon. Adding to that, I think she should make some more friends here in Ponyville, it would be terribly hard for her back in Canterlot. She is technically royalty now, and you know how it is once somepony becomes . As for her illiteracy, do not worry about it, I wish to teach her myself.” Twilight quickly materialised a sheet of paper and scroll, writing her wishes down. “Okay! As you wish princess” she says as soon as she finished. Luna smiled. “Anything else that I need to know about Twilight Sparkle?” “Umm, actually yes. About Sugarcube Corner......” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “and one more book here...” I mumble as I continue to stack the ‘castle’. “and Perfect!” With the fort complete there was but one thing left to do. With the entire library’s collection of books made into this masterpiece, it had all come down to this. “DEMOLITION!” I cry as I leap into the stacked books, giggling as I am buried under the library’s collection. “What are you doing?” Luna’s voice suddenly calls to me. My eyes widened in surprise. “Umm playing Book Fort!” I replied sheepishly. Twilight walks down and gave a shriek of horror before composing herself. “ugh. Now I’m going to have to reshelve all those books!” she huffs with irritation. “I-I can explain-” “Dinner’s Ready!” Spike called out, much to my relief. Luna chuckles and her horn flashes briefly, all the books simply re-organised themselves into the shelves neatly. “Come on now Twilight Sparkle, would you be so kind as to let me join your meal? Those apple pies smell delicious!” She winks at me. Twilight gave me a disapproving look before chuckling. “I guess you’re right Princess. Come on everypony, let’s not wait for the food to get cold.” Dinner was delicious. Spike had cooked up a filling meal, A large apple pie, which we all shared, a bowl of spinach which remained almost untouched, and fried hay strips. Spike was eating a bowl of gems, which at times through mouthfuls mentioned something about the ripeness of the emeralds. The crumbs of the Pie fell down my face as I took another bite of Apple flavoured goodness. After chewing and gulping down, I burp loudly. Luna looks at me disapprovingly. “What do we say young Filly?” “Umm, excuse me?” I replied sheepishly. Luna gives a authoritative look. “That’s right little filly, and that rule goes double for someone who is going to become a princess when she’s a little older.” I sigh. “Fiine..but ” Her expression becomes warm. “How were you today Dawn?” “Good I guess. I met these awesome ponies today who called themselves Cutiemark Crusaders. And then they invited me to go crusading with them and then it was so much fun!” I recounted excitedly. Luna chuckled at my excitement. “and praytell; Dawn, what activities were you up to today?” I begin recounting the events of the day. Luna listened with great interest, whilst Twilight seemed to panic at certain event. Luna laughed particularly hard when I said I had run away from Twilight’s attempted teaching. “Oh Dawn, you remind me of myself when I was a filly your age. Auntie Celestia had tried to teach me how to write, and I ran away at every opportunity. She use to chase me for hours before I finally tired....then she caught me.” Luna smiled at her memory. “Dawn, you are to listen and to do whatever Twilight Sparkle tells you to do from now on okay?” I roll my eyes. “Fiine!” I say again in exasperation. Luna looks outside at the moon and stands. “I’m sorry for such a short stay, but I must return to Celestia, we still have much to do.” I jump onto my seat to protest, but instead, I am lifted toward Luna, whom gives me a hug, leaving me speechless. A tear comes to my eye. She smiles at me once again. “Don’t be sad Dawn, I will visit tomorrow night, I promise.” With that her horn begins to glow a light blue hue, surrounding her body. “Mommy wait!” I run toward her and leap at her, hoping to stop her, but it was too late. Her body disappeared and I crash face first into a shelf of books. I feel the world spin around me, followed by a sharp pain on my head, along with hundreds of little sharp pains as the shelf dropped its contents over me. “Ohmygosh! Dawn are you alright?” Twilight’s voice was distorted, and my ears were ringing. I try to look at her, and I see four of her, blurring together as my head swam. I began to cry, but stop as soon as I feel Twilight’s hoof on my shoulder. I shook my head, and the four Twilight’s became one. “Don’t be sad Dawn, I’m sure you’ll have wonderful time here.” I yawn. “You think so?” I say tiredly. “How about I read you a story?” She asks. I nod my head eagerly. She carries me towards the fireplace and levitates a book toward her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “...and the little filly grew up, big and strong, and the family lived happily ever after.” Twilight closed the book and took off her reading glasses. A light snore from the ground confirmed her suspicions. She smiled and lifted the sleeping filly gently before walking her up towards a spare bed. She tucked her, placing the quilts over the little form. The Alicorn murmured something before kicking her hooves and turning over. “Good night my little Pony.” Twilight stretched and walked toward her study desk. Today had taken much of her time for research, and now was a perfect moment at night to make it up. All she needed to remember was to remind Spike to make coffee in the morning. She placed down the book and walked her way outside. First thing to be done was an apology and a favour to ask of Ponyville’s school teacher, after all, she had knew she wouldn’t be awake until the midday tomorrow. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I was dreaming once again, however this time, there was something different about the dream. I was floating in pure darkness, around me were the floating ruins of an ancient castle. In the centre of it was a figure sitting on a throne, surrounded by hundreds of statues. I looked around, and realised that that was all there was. Everything else was nothing but a horizon of darkness, an endless abyss. I slowly flap my wings and make my way towards the ruins. Around the place was shattered glass. The symbol of the moon was etched upon a bronzium gate, which swung lazily on it’s hinges despite the fact there was no breeze. Come. A voice echoes around my mind, the figure on the throne beckons me towards it. Slowly I land on the ruins and approach the throne. I look at the figure, and realise it was me. “Do you know who you are?” My own voice asked me. “My name is Dawn” I answer. My doppelganger snickered. “Wrong answer. That was a name given to you. Not your true name.” The castle floors began to crack, along with many of the statues. Green light began to appear on the statues. “Let me ask you again. What is your true name.” The doppelganger asks. “I- I don’t know!” I stammer The doppelganger rises from the throne. “Pathetic.” It states bluntly. “You were just like her, weak and Naive. Know your true purpose, Eclipse, know your destiny.” “My name’s not Eclipse, It’s Dawn!” I retort. Her face however remained impassive. “ you will see the truth, sooner or later.” The surrounding statues split open, to reveal hundreds of distorted ponies. Though they were all of different shapes, colour, species and size, they all shared one thing in common. Their eyes were blood red, like mine. They were all leering at me, some howling in pain, others in laughter. “Who are you? W-what are you talking about? What do you want from me?” I blurt out whilst taking a few steps back from the throne. The Doppelganger stands and smiles evilly and began to trot slowly toward me. “Who am I?” It says with a sneer. It chuckles. “You will know very soon.” The doppelganger began to grow in size. Dark arcane energies materialised and surrounded her. She rose to the air, mighty and powerful. “Open your eyes Eclipse, and embrace who you are!” her voice crackled as she flew toward me. I lift my hooves in a vain attempt to protect myself, and the next thing I know, she hugs me. I try to shrug her away, however to my surprise, she is gone.... I feel a sudden pain within my body, the pain creeps slowly from my chest, and towards my head. I cry out in pain and writhe on the ground. Embrace who you are! I step onto my hooves and pound at the ground, trembling, in an attempt to rid the pain in my mind. Each hoof blow crackles with mysterious power, sending black bolts of energy in every direction. I could feel her in my mind, writhing. “GET OUT OF MY HEAD!” I yell and slam both my hooves down . A shockwave of dark power surrounds my body and expands outwards, engulfing the shambling ponies around me. Exhausted, I slumped onto my stomach, but thankfully the pain was gone. I groggily look around the ruins of the castle, all the monstrous ponies had reverted back to their original statue forms. I walk slowly toward the throne. There was a black crown. However before I could reach it, the floor beneath me crumbles and I fall. I landed painfully on a rocky wasteland. I look around, and see nothing but darkness. I brush myself, and realise that something was different about me. My coat was no longer blue, It was purple, and my mane.... It was as dark as the abyss itself, and flowing with an unknown wind. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I jolt awake once more, gasping for breath. I squint my eyes as soon as I realise, that the sun was shining on me. I shake my head. “I really gotta stop having these bad dreams.” I thought tiredly. I hop from the bed, and smell the air. A wafting aroma of pancakes fill my nostrils, and I eagerly make my way toward the kitchen. As I made my way down, I realised only Spike was there, cooking. “Morning Spike!” I say cheerfully. He turns around, displaying a heart emblazoned apron. “Oh hey Dawn, just take a seat, breakfast will be ready in a moment!” I stretch, releasing my wings and flap them a few times. “Okay. Have you seen Twilight?” I ask. “She’s still sleeping, she was studying all night, so that’s why I’m letting her sleep in today.” Spike explains as he flips another pancake. “Oh okay then.” I trot beside him. “Hey! Can you teach me how to make pancakes? They are absolutely delicious back in Canterlot?” I asked eagerly He blinks before beaming a smile. “Sure! Come on, I’ll show you how you start making the mixture!” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rarity hummed a cheery tune as she approached the library. A gentle aroma wafted and she breathed it in deeply. “Mmm, that smells marvellous! I wonder what my gentledragon has made this time?” She knocked on the library door, and to her surprise, it was a small alicorn whom answered. She looked at Rarity nervously. “Umm hi..” she meeped. Rarity was not sure whether she should be annoyed or happy to see the little filly whom had so rudely left her store. However, she decided to give her another chance “Hello Dawn! How nice to see you! Splendid morning isn’t it?” “Y-yeah!” the Alicorn stammered and tried to avoid eye contact.. “Is Twilight in there by any chance?” She asked, fluttering her eyelashes, “May I talk to her please?” “Ummm, she’s asleep....” Dawn answered nervously. Rarity sighed. “Little FIlly, you do not need to be afraid of me, I am your friend!” Dawn looked at her warily. “You’re not going to make me play dress up again are you?” Rarity gave a hurt look. “So that’s what this her fear of me is all about!” She thought morosely. “No Dawn, we shall not do it, if you do not wish to! My Dear! What ever made you think you were forced to wear dresses! No, they are for one’s appearance and only if they wish to wear them.” The Filly seemed to relax a little. “So you’re not going to make me wear a dress?” she asked, relief entering her voice. “Although I believe in the fabulosity in all ponies, I cannot and will not force them to do what they do not want to do! Why, all you had to do was tell me to stop and I would have little Filly. Instead you just assumed I was a bad Pony who forces others to wear dresses!” “You’re not?” Dawn asked curiously, her head tilted to the side. Rarity felt a blow to her pride. Every part of her body screamed at her to tell this child off, but she gritted her teeth and forced a wide grin “Take a deep breath Rarity, she’s only a child, she doesn’t know what she’s talking about......but by Celestia, is her manners most unfit of royalty!” “No... of course I’m not!” Rarity mumbled through her fake smile. “HEY DAWN!” Three notorious voices called out behind her. The alicorn’s eyes widened in excitement. “Sweetie Belle! Applebloom! Scootaloo!” She says excitedly. “What are you doing here?” Rarity felt a cold down her spine. “ummm..girls? Shouldn’t you be at school right now?” “Hey Rarity! We’re here to take Dawn to school today!” Sweetie Belle answered. Rarity gave her a confused look. “Umm, who told you to do so?” “Why Ms. Cheerilee! After Twilight visited her yesterday night, she thought Dawn oughta try out School! She said something about every filly deserving a good ej-u-cation or something like that” Applebloom said happily. “Yeah! And she told us to come pick her up!” Scootaloo added. “Well, you ready to go Dawn?” Dawn smiles eagerly. “You bet!” Rarity cringes knowing what was going to occur next. “CUTIEMARK CRUSADERS ARE GO!” They all shout in unison before running off, leaving Rarity in a heap of dust, and her ears rang. He shook herself before examining her coat. She was covered in dust. She gave a huff of annoyance before shaking herself. She sighed before turning towards the library. After all, she had something to discuss with Celestia’s protege, and after that, most importantly; the spa. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We approach the schoolhouse, which was a single building rectangular building with a bell. It, like most other buildings in Ponyville, was highly colorful, resembling that of a gingerbread house. Its appearance was welcoming as the flag in the yard waved lazily in the morning breeze. “So um, what’s school like?” I ask curiously. “ Well sometimes it’s really really fun, but other times, really boring..” Sweetie belle explained. As we approach the door, I can hear a slight murmuring from inside, coming from many voices. “We’re here!” Applebloom knocks on the door. The murmuring stops and several excited gasps are heard. Lone hoofsteps trot towards the door, and it opens, revealing a magenta mare with a sunflower cutie mark whom announces to the ponies in the room “Class, please welcome our royal guest, Dawn!” “Good morning your majesty!” The class chirruped. The teacher turns and bows to me. “Welcome, your majesty, to our humble school.” I shifted uncomfortably. “Umm please, stand! and really there is no need to bow to me! I’m not a princess yet, I’m just a filly.” The teacher laughs. “Oh,your majesty, did you know there are three princesses, now four including you?” “Huh?” “You see, your majesty, when somepony is born with both horn and wings, it often means that they have come to Equestria for a special purpose, in regards to harmony. Which means your majesty, you were born a princess.” I blink. “W-what?” I say in surprise. She looks at me confused. “Hasn’t your mother, Luna, taught you any of this?” I laugh nervously, “Well, um, you see, I don’t remember anything until three days ago.” She looks at me blankly for a moment, before smiling again. “Don’t worry about that then. Oh my, where are my manners? Welcome to our class, your majesty!” I frown at what she had said, but Scootaloo nudges me from behind, disrupting my thought. “Come on! Let’s get inside!” she urges Cheerilee steps aside from the door, and I follow Applebloom and Sweetie Belle inside. As I walk inside, it brings me an uncanny reminder of Celestia’s day court. Once again, a dozen or so eyes stare at me and watch my every movement. “Umm, Hi!” I say nervously to the class. Cheerilee clears her throat. “Applebloom? Would you kindly allow Dawn to take your seat here at the front this morning?.” “Sure thing Ms. Cheerilee!” Applebloom answers. She points to an empty desk on the front row beside two other fillies. One of them was a white maned grey earth pony with a silver spoon on the left, and a pink unicorn with a tiara on her head. The one with the tiara looks at me excitedly. “ I thought the princesses were supposed to have cutiemarks.” The grey filly whispered, deliberately loud enough to make sure the others heard her, toward the pink one. “Hey, your majesty?” The pink filly sneered “Why are you hanging out with those blank flank losers?” “What’s a blank flank?” I ask her curiously. She giggled nastily. “Well isn’t it a shame! I know more than a princess.” I look at her blankly. “Ahem, quiet please, the class has started. If you want to say something, please raise your hoof.” Cheerilee’s friendly voice instructed. I looked around, curious of how school would be like. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Starry Quills stepped off the Ponyville express train and took a deep breath. It had been a long time since he had stepped out of the Canterlot tower. Starry cracked his shoulders and began to look for a taxi. Through from what he had heard, Ponyville being a place of simple tastes, he knew that to be untrue. All the six bearers of the elements resided here along with a powerful zebra shaman. He turned around to the train carriage. “Hurry up now Mr Mix, we do not have all day!” He waved to a taxi which began to move in for their pick up. His assistant trudged out of the carriage slowly, Laden with several bags of luggage. “C-Coming Sir!” He said with great difficulty He Called to his assistant. “Spicy, do remember what I had told you last night on the train?” Spicy mumbled some unintelligible nonsense under the strain of his load. Starry rolled his eyes and magically levitated all the luggage with ease. “*phew* Thank you *gasp* sir!” Spicy Mix said in relief as the heavyweight left his shoulders. Starry remained impassive as he loaded the items into the back of the taxi. “Do you remember my instructions from last night?” Starry asked once again. “Of course sir! You want me to approach the element of magic and-” Starry shoved his hoof into his assistant’s mouth. “Hush! not so loud!” He growled quietly,” Celestia’s guards may be eavesdropping.” After looking around a few times and satisfied they were safe, he trotted up to the Taxi driver. “Where to sir?” The capped Earth Pony asked. Starry smiled. “Take us to Ponyville reservoir lodge, and here’s an extra fifty bits if you get us there within twenty minutes and help carry our luggage.” The Earth Pony’s eyes gleamed with eagerness at the sack of coins, whinnied and galloped off toward their destination. “Sir, what will you do whilst I , you know, meet the element of magic?” Starry did not look at his assistant. “Do not worry what I am going to do Mr Mix, just concentrate on your task.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~