//------------------------------// // A Destiny is Realized // Story: Lost in the Mirror of Worlds // by Meadow_Dawn //------------------------------// The trip back was relatively uneventful, with Stalwart asking about my day, and me readily telling him about the struggles of magic kindergarten. He listens to me readily, and the way he laughs at what I say makes me smile in kind. What had been a stress filled day is already turning into a much more bearable and enjoyable day. Sadly, we had to part ways soon after entering the main doors. He walked off toward his barracks to report for duty while I walked down the main hall. Despite feeling disappointed in not being able to share in Stalwart's company, I suddenly remembered Silver Wing and wondered where he was. I looked around, only spotting an occasional pony, with all but one seeming to be heading somewhere. The last one was yet another guard with similar colors to the rest I've seen, standing still with a spear in the crook of his leg against his chest. I approached him, feeling slightly impressed and a bit intimidated he was able to keep it standing straight up without much input for not having wings or a horn. “Excuse me?” I say to him, hoping to catch his attention. I paused slightly but he turned slightly in my direction as he continued to watch over the room. “Have you seen a pegasus by the name of Silver Wing come in?” “I have not, ma'am.” he said firmly. “Oh... I see.” I replied sullenly. Taking a deep breath I turn to walk back outside to sit near the entrance to the palace and begin to wait. I watched the movement in the town below for what seemed like only a minute, before I heard hoofsteps that seemed to get right next to me and stop. I turned to face it and there was Stalwart again. Pleasantly surprised, I looked at him with furrowed brows, “Hi?” “Hey! Turns out I didn't get the time right and I don't have to go in for a few hours!” he chuckled. A small smile came to my face again as I appreciated his thoughtfulness in keeping me company. “Well then perhaps you could stick around while I wait for my friend.” “Oh? Who would that be?” he asked me quickly. “Silver Wing. He went to school too but hasn't come back yet...” “I see... Are you two friends?” I could hear his voice shake slightly, making me wonder what he meant or if he was thinking of something else. I shook my head no. “He's a bit like me, and we both can't go back to where we're from, but I feel bad for him. I can only imagine how terrified I'd be if I had to learn how to fly after not being able to for so long.” “I'm sure he'll be fine.” He spoke with such confidence now I could only hope that he knew something I didn't, but then he got up from by my side and stood in front of me, offering a hoof to pull myself up by, “I don't suppose you've explored much of canterlot then have you!” “Well, no, no I haven't.” I admit, starting to feel that nervousness appear. “Then let's go show you just what you can do!” He said cheerfully. His happy nature was contagious, a smile starting to cross my lips, albeit a small one. “Ok, but only if we can pick up Silver Wing from school too. I still don't know where that is either.” “Haven't you looked up?” He asked with a confused look “What?” I ask wide-eyed before looking up the mountainside as small shapes could be seen moving among the clouds, some of whom appear to be walking on the clouds themselves. I feel my legs start to shake as I sink down and lie on the paved street as my mind tries to comprehend just what I'm seeing. “Are you ok? You don't look so good...” “Are... are they walking on... clouds? But how?” I barely manage to ask, feeling my voice shake. It was bad enough in the past going to tall buildings, but the idea of standing on a cloud that far off the ground was terrifying. “Hey, look at me.” I heard a voice say seemingly far away, suddenly feeling two warm things against my cheeks as my eyes were torn away from the clouds and I was staring at Stalwart again. “Look at me, there you go.... It's ok, it's going to be ok.” I took several deep breaths, looking into his eyes and face, only now noticing how his eyes had some golden overtones despite only noticing some shade of orange or yellow. I let my attention wander around his face, the feeling of being so high off the ground slowly left my body, letting my breath slow before I let my eyes close. Listening to his voice and the feel of my own heartbeat, I slowly opened my eyes and looked down at the ground where his hooves were, only now noticing the blue 'shoes' he wore and wondering how they stay on without fasteners. After a few minutes, I felt strong enough to try to stand. “Are you all right?” “I... I am now.” I said. I could tell just from my difficulty standing still I certainly wasn't. It was one thing to be in a world where everyone walked on all fours. It was one thing to have magic in said world. Yet the scope to where the clouds could be used for buildings or be walked upon, as well as that being where Silver Wing had to learn to fly? This world was becoming too much to handle at once, especially when I pictured being up there with him somehow. Shivering a little bit, I felt a nudge on my side to see Stalwart walking into the castle. Not wanting to stay outside much longer, I followed him in readily, noting the tail's two or three shades of blue to keep myself from thinking about that school. Following his hoofsteps, I let my mind stay blank as we walked along until suddenly he stopped. Without realizing it, he walked me all the way to my room, door already partly opened for me. Looking at him with numbed eyes I saw him motion his head toward my room and then gave me a gentle smile. Giving him a nod, my lips were unable to relay the 'thank you' I wanted to say. I must have been less steady than I thought, as my right side suddenly felt warmth as our coats touched. Ignoring any further reaction, I go inside and lay down on the rug in the middle of the room. “You rest here a bit.” I heard Stalwart say, “I'll wait for your friend and bring you both to Celestia when it's time.” I hear a creaking noise, followed by a short click. Suddenly the room I took for granted last night didn't feel so welcoming. The bed still seemed gigantic, but all the furniture reminded me of home. The chairs, table, dresser, even the rug I was on served to remind me just how far from home I was. My chest tightened and I couldn't keep my eyes open as tears threatened to come out. It was difficult to stop, but a very light tap on my leg made me look up surprised, thinking I was alone. There before me was that shadow that was blocking me in the mirror, but he wasn't in the mirror! I look up at him confused, almost feeling anger well up inside before he turned away from me toward the dresser and pointed out a book laying on it. My limbs moved more slowly than I wanted, but I slowly stood and walked over to the desk and climbed up into the chair. Bound in a white cover with blue accents was a copy of “Mundane Magic.” Wiping my tears away and taking a breath, I try to remember earlier today how to open a book. The entire book floats up a little bit until I stop and try again, just holding the edge of the front cover. A slight sigh of relief comes out as the book opens up and reveals the first pages. I give myself a small smile into the mirror ahead of me, seeing the open book and the pony sitting just beyond it. I nod to her, while she did so in kind, and we both proceeded to read our book. Even if this isn't home, I am not powerless, and I can't give up just yet. If learning magic will help me get home, then I will master it, no matter how much time it needs. Fueled by determination, I studied the first several chapters intently, though some of the concepts were still hard to grasp. The two hours passed so quickly I felt like I was only just beginning to understand some of the basic magics, even despite reading the first 50 pages several times over when there was a knock at my door. I started to get ready to call out when I decided to just try and open the door instead. Concentrating, I stared intently at the door handle, beginning to turn it, and then pull on the door. It opened slowly, more slowly than I'd like, but it opened. “Time for your dinner with the Princesses Dawn,” I hear a familiar voice say, stalwart now being spotted in the light, “are you feeling any better?” “Yes,” I start to say, then realize it isn't entirely true, so I quickly try to make up for it, “a bit, thank you.” I bow a little bit to him for his courtesy, stepping out of my room to see Silver Wing nearby. “Oh hi Silver!” I say slightly cheerfully, “Did you... well...” I hesitate, getting a little dizzy remembering how high up that school was and try to block out the memory immediately, looking away and to the floor. “Are you all right Dawn?” I hear Silver ask, making me look up at him and take another deep breath in, steadying myself. “Y-yeah, I am. I just couldn't go to a school in the clouds... way too scary for me.” I reply, suppressing a shake. “Should we get moving?” I ask Stalwart. “Knowing my luck today, I'll be quite early yet again, but we could always wait there if we need to.” Stalwart says, smiling a little bit, though I could swear I heard a faint chuckle in his voice. "It's not too bad, once you get used to it," Silver replies with a smile, "Though, to be honest. I still haven't set foot in the academy yet. Though I did almost crash into it." He laughed while I looked back at him in surprise I can't figure out anything to say, surprised at his own reaction. I look ahead to Stalwart, who's already begun walking off toward the dinner tower. Giving a small gasp of surprise, I motion for Silver to follow and end up walking behind him on his right side. “So how was your day Dawn?” Silver asks after we passed one of the windows in the hall. “Well,” I begin to say, “I learned there's a lot of spells... and I'm better at moving things than I am lighting things, or making music.... definitely nothing that Starswirl's done yet.” I say a little bit frustrated, but then I quickly concede, “yet... It's only my first day after all... Even they had to practice and learn so I shouldn't be so upset.” "I'm sure you'll get the hang of it in no time." Silver says eagerly. “First day?” Stalwart asks, “didn't you practice even a little bit as a foal?” “I... no, I,” I hesitate noticeably as I try to come up with a reasonable excuse, when it hits me, “it never worked for me as a foal, so I just gave up on trying.” “Shame... I'm sure you'll make great magic one day.” He says confidently, causing me to blush and shake my head no, but my voice gets caught on my tongue so I follow him in silence. We walked the rest of the way quietly to the tower, where Stalwart waited outside the door as I nodded to him before passing through, only to spot Celestia and Luna both already at the table. “Good evening students, how did your days go?” Celestia asked us as we began to sit down. “Well, I made Breezy laugh.” Silver stated. He sounded pretty pleased with himself, and then I noticed his smirk. “Did you now?” Celestia asked, her tone starting to show more interest as I wondered who 'Breezy' was. “and how did you manage that?” I watched as he looked at the table, tilting my own head to the side to watch as he did, before he replied, “I may have almost crashed into the academy and made some of the other instructors dive for cover.” “Yes, I heard about that.” Celestia chuckled. I turn confused to Luna, who only had a smile on her face as well, “You seem to have a knack for those wings of yours after all!” I smiled happily for him. It sounded like he was doing better than I would have if I were in his shoes, though it made me start to wonder if it was by chance we ended up this way or if it could have been reversed as I start to stare at the table myself in thought. “Dawn?” Celestia spoke, snapping me out of my thought and looking at her right away. “Oh, right!” I reply before turning to him, “Congratulations.” I try to give him another smile though, just in case he didn't see my other one. Then I realized she was asking how my day went. “Well, I didn't expect to need to go to school again, but I learned a little bit about someone named Starswirl the Bearded and Crescent Bell. Then we just spent most of the day practicing magic.” I started to shuffle my legs around slightly, feeling embarrassed, but then took a breath and continued. “I can move things around easily enough, but I can't make them turn or make my horn give a light yet.” “Sounds like you're getting it down though,” Silver says, “I still can't fly.” I look at Silver slightly surprised, from what Celestia said, it sounded like he had a lot of talent, but maybe talent wasn't enough. “And you need to remember,” Luna chimed in, sounding as serious as always, “Most fillies struggle to do even the most basic magic, and light magic is not the easiest spell. Practice will ease your struggles.” “I will try.” I say quietly. I think back to my room and remember my promise I made. I will not give up, and I will learn this magic if only so I could make my way back home, however long that might be. Any further thought I had was interrupted by the pulling of a cart, already having 4 meals loaded on it. Celestia, Silver, and I were given an apple fritter each along with a vegetable salad, with some whole carrots poking out of the bowl, while Luna was given something that reminded me of a casserole. I almost wanted to ask her for some, but I was getting too hungry to care. Everyone digs in, and I use my horn to start digging into the apple fritter first, floating it in front of my face and just moving my head forward to chew instead of repeating this morning's debacle. I barely manage to finish half of my fritter, enjoying the slight burn of cinnamon and warmth, the earthy smell of the apples and cinnamon mingling, and the sweetness it held when I hear a particularly noticeable crunch, shortly followed by another and another. “Mmm!” Silver managed to get out as I watched him eat the stump of what might have been his second carrot. “These carrots taste great!” Chewing on another piece of my fritter I watch as he rapidly devours a third carrot. I get a slightly mischievous smile on my face as an idea comes to mind, and before I've had time to think about it, I've set down my fritter and proceed to float his up in front of him, waving it gently back and forth under his nose to tempt him with it instead. “H-how?” he asked surprised, and I looked at him with a smile until I saw him frown. Disappointed, I put the fritter back down slowly onto his plate and resumed eating my salad, attempting to use my fork to get some of the greens into my mouth, following Celestia's and Luna's example. “Dawn,” Celestia chimed in with a smile, “usually it's polite to ask a pony their permission to play with their food.” I blushed slightly and looked down at the table with a small nod. It didn't occur to me to think about asking, since I needed magic to do everything, but he seemed to be managing well on his own so far, so I really shouldn't have. “On the other hoof,” Luna added, bringing my attention from the table to her, “you've demonstrated significant improvement since this morning.” “Yes, and it'd be a terrible shame if Silver here continued to ignore a Sweet Apple Acres apple fritter. Somepony else might snag it for themselves at this rate.” Celesta said turning toward Silver and giving a mischievous smile herself. I smiled along with her as I proceed to magically hold the plate in front of him just to go along. I had to keep from laughing as Silver quickly picked up his apple fritter and took a bite of it, quickly laughing out “No one's snagging it today but me! I don't know how much energy it takes to learn magic, but I know how much it takes to try and fly, and I need all the food I can get!” and with another bite of finality, he smiled in my direction again, allowing me to feel comfortable enough to laugh at his antics and return to my food. “It's true, it does take more energy to fly than to simply levitate food.” Luna said with a smirk, “perhaps we should make things a little more fair?” Without any further notice I saw two of my carrots leave my salad bowl and head in his direction. “Oh no you don't! I need energy too you know!” I laugh, attempting to grab the carrots back. Even as the carrots glowed a dark dark green, greener than I usually see, I watched as the carrots went back and forth between the center of the table until Luna relinquished them back to me. The sudden stop took me so much by surprise I nearly hit myself in the face with them, before I slowly put them back in my bowl. “You've got a better grip on magic than you give yourself credit for Meadow.” Luna said with a smile, “Trust those instincts, and we shall see how far it takes you.” I look over to Silver, who seemed slightly disappointed at missing out on his chance to get some extra carrots, and I decide it really is appropriate for him to have more. I proceed to then hover both of those carrots over toward him, putting one on his plate, the other held in front of him ready to be eaten. He didn't seem to know how to reply, but that was fine by me, though I was waiting for him to take a bite. “I thank you for the offer, Dawn,” he starts to say, “but I'm sure you're hungry too.” I feel even more mischievous and hold it in a more swordlike stance, a little bit closer to myself but still near him, wiggling the end nearest him in a slightly taunting way, “Nope, you've gotta eat, so either you eat, or you face the wrath of my carrot-point! Take up your carrot if you dare, en garde!” I watch as Silver smirks but then looks at his carrot, then the underside of his hoof. I wait for him to figure out a way to hold it before he manages to loosely hold it in my direction. I wait for his attempted swing, feeling reasonably confident in myself when it falls out of his grasp as he tries to hit my carrot, his own falling toward the ground before it's caught by the darker blue magic I saw earlier, including my own. “That's quite enough here tonight children,” Luna said sternly, though I couldn't help but notice her smile, “now I know what it's like to have fillies at the table.” “I try to remind myself what that's like from time to time, but I agree, that is enough for tonight.” Celestia says, smiling as she always seems to. Luna starts to give my carrots back, but I hold a hoof up and gesture toward Silver. Luna nods and floats them onto Silver's plate. “Well, seeing as I kinda lost that duel,” Silver started to tell me, “but you're so adamant that I have a carrot, how about we share the spoils?” “I'm fine thank you. I'm not nearly as hungry right now, and I still have plenty left.” I say, shaking my head before hearing Luna clear her throat. “We are not able to keep having these meals both morning and night.” Luna starts to say, and I pause my thoughts on finishing our meal to pay attention, “We feel it would be best if we met in the evenings instead, so that we may hear of your progress throughout the day. Then as time passes and you grow more accustomed to life here, you may venture forward into the world on your own. Or, if preferred, remain in Canterlot were we could better assist you in locating a suitable calling.” I nodded my understanding. They were being incredibly nice in giving us a place to live, food, and helping us adjust to their world, but it wasn't unreasonable to expect them to want to see us be productive. At Luna's mentioning of the 'assisting with a suitable calling', I thought for a second before speaking up. “If I may,” I start to say, getting a bit conscious about what I'm about to ask, “I'd like to see about maybe trying to fix people's magic things... to see how hard it is and if I might be able to help Silver's mirror be fixed eventually.” I look at them slightly confused as I see the interest in their faces. “That is a calling few even dare to attempt,” Luna stated. “Tampering with another pony's spells, no matter their intent, poses great risk. Yet for those few who are suited to the task, their talents are revered far and wide.” Celestia looked between Luna and myself as I start to tense, swallowing but staring back as if to stand my ground. I don't want to see Silver stuck here if I could go back when I could use magic to send him home first. “Should you do well on your studies, Meadow Dawn, I may have a few such items you could test your skill with.” Celestia said slowly, her voice denoting caution, to which I nodded slowly, hoping my serious nature carried over as I'm beginning to understand just how deep I may be getting myself into. “I understand I may fail, but I'm used to seeing how things work, and at least trying to redo what others have done... I learned a great deal of moving things from school by watching the... fillies?” I ask hesitantly, hoping I got the right term. A small nod from Luna confirms my hope and I continue, “and it is my hope that I can do the same here.” “You certainly do have an appropriate Cutie Mark, Meadow Dawn,” Celestia said somberly, “may it serve you well.” To my surprise, both Celestia and Luna gave me a bow for several seconds, taking my breath away. My back tingled as my skin seemed to shiver along my legs. I took a deep breath, not at all sure what was going on other than a great deal of expectations being bestowed upon me. It wasn't magic, at least, I don't think it was, but something inside me feels more alive than I've felt in a very very long time... “Uhh,” Silver begins to say, causing my gaze to turn over to him, “Stupid question I'm sure, but... What's a Cutie Mark?” His hoof was in the air a bit, much like the students at my school when they had a question. I turn to Celestia and Luna, only barely remembering a mentioning about the mark last night. I struggle to remember what was said, too much had happened since. “Oh my," Celestia replied, surprise apparent on her face, "I had explained what a cutie mark was to young Dawn when I first met her, so I'm afraid it slipped my mind. I'm sorry Silver." “No worries,” He said as I watched Silver slowly pulled his hoof back. “it's not a big deal, really.” “We had not thought to explain either,” Luna stated, “But we will rectify that now.” After a brief pause, Celestia nodded, signaling Luna to go on. “A cutie mark is a special mark that everypony gets when they realize their own special destiny," Luna explained, "It is a visual representation of that ponies inner most passion and drive. Most ponies get their cutie marks when they are very young, though some do not receive theirs until they have matured.” “And everyone gets one?” Silver chimed in. I tiled my head to the side as he looked back at his own rear half, my gaze following his to find out what his mark seemed to be. “They do.” Luna confirmed. “Where do they come from, and how come I have one already?” “They come from within,” Celestia smiled softly, “And you have one because at least some part of you knows what you desire to do.” Her smile widened and she titled her head slightly. “And if I had to guess, I would say that your calling is to protect those that cannot protect themselves.” I think really hard about what they said, the gravity of what they said starting to really press down upon my chest as I then look up and quietly go, “and me?” “What I see in your Cutie Mark,” She said, turning to look at me directly, “is why I named you Dawn. The light of Dawn is a light of hope. The hope that a new day will bring an even better and brighter day than the last. You said so yourself that, even your own world, you sought to shed your light on the lives of others and help them as best you could.” I listened intently, nodding and let out a deep breath as if now realizing just how much of me was actually seen. I just never imagined it would be at all important. “It's time for bed, lest you be late for school tomorrow you two.” Celestia said, rising from her seat. “We've covered a great deal tonight, and if you have more questions, you're welcome to bring them to us next time.” I simply nod in silence, stunned by what we've discovered, and then remembering the choice I made on what I'm going to try to do for Silver Wing. As I get up to leave the room, I look over to him and wonder how he's feeling, but can't manage to speak to him. A pony walked us down to our rooms, I barley even paid attention to what color it was or anything, I was that absorbed in my thoughts. Calling out a “Good night.” to Silver before we separated I entered my room and looked at that book on the desk in a new light, as a starting point for which I'll be able to follow through on that offer. A yawn passes my lips before I know it, and I readily jump up into the bed like I had the previous night, staring upward into the moon before drifting off to sleep, wondering what things Celestia or Luna see me doing that I don't see myself.