“Ok, ready to go at it again?” Golden Sword asked as he raised his wooden sword.
It’s been nearly a year since my first lesson, and I’ve come a long way since that day. First, I can actually get through a lesson without getting an injury after the first couple of lessons. Nearly a month later, I was actually able to beat him in a spar. After the Fiftieth win, he moved me up to using swords. It wasn’t as painful as hoof-to-hoof combat, though it came at a close second. I was able to win, occasionally, but it still wasn’t consistent at first. Now, several months later, I was able to beat him (and some of the other guards) in a spar, consistently.
I gave Golden a nod as I raised my own sword in my magic. Faster than I could blink, he sprang forward, trying to catch me off guard. I just sidestepped while doing a jab. He rolled under it and swung his sword, blocking it with my own. We ended in a stalemate, though this allowed an unique opportunity. Quickly twisting my sword, I knocked it out of his magic and held the sword to his throat.
“I win,” I said simply. He just chuckled.
“Didn’t think you would pull that off,” he replied while retrieving his sword. “I think it’s time that I give you your final test.”
Tilting my head, I asked, “Is it really that time already?”
“Yes, it is. Meet me here tomorrow.” I gave a smile as I said goodbye to Golden as I went to the dining room to get something to eat. On the way, I ran into my mom.
“Hello, Sunny,” she greeted, “How was training?”
“Good,” I replied, “Also, tomorrow is my final test, if you can believe it.” She looked at me in surprise.
“It’s that time already?” I gave her a nod, “I wonder what he’s going to do this time.”
“I honestly don’t know, I just have to wait until tomorrow to find out.”
“Mind if I watch?” she asked.
“I don’t mind,” I said with a smile. We continued to the dining room, where we ate before we retired for the night.
“The final test is what now?!” me and my mom asked in shock.
“You have to fight me without a sword,” he replied calmly, “Though you can use any spell at your disposal.” I raised my hoof to my chin in thought.
If it’s any spell, then it may not be as tough as I thought…
Releasing a sigh, I said, “Ok, I’m ready when you are.” I said stepping into the ring. He picked up a iron sword before doing the same.
“Ready…” my mom started, “Fight!”
Golden started off by rushing me, so I rolled off to the right and countered with an uppercut. While he was recovering, I managed to land several hits before me managed to counter with a swipe of his sword. I managed to roll backwards thanks to the fact that I was staggering backward, though not unscaved. That attack left me with a pretty nasty gash along my side, though I wasn’t going to give up just because I got an injury, as I’ve had worse injuries fighting in a rage, against a manticore, no less.
Anyhoof, my next mistake was when I tried to block the sword with my foreleg, causing a deep gash, if you could even call it that at that point. Not letting that deteriorate me, I got into a rhythm of dodging and attacking. Though even somepony as experienced as myself is falling when against an armed opponent without any weapon. The only question is when I’ll fall.
No, I thought to myself, I won’t let that happen!
With that thought, I felt a strange feeling inside of me. I felt power, magic raging to come out. Without even meaning to, I thought of a weapon of pure magic, a weapon that I could use reliably. My thoughts turned to Bound Weaponry. I’ve studied them a bit but could never get them to work. Suddenly, a bright flash covered my vision before I heard a gasp. Looking around in confusion, I saw that all of the spectators were looking at me in shock. Even my opponent was shocked for some reason. I then felt a strange feeling in front of me. When I looked, I was greeted by a shimmering, silver sword floating in midair. I grabbed the sword in my magic and gave it a few test swings.
“This’ll do nicely,” I muttered to myself before turning back to my opponent, who was still staring at me in shock. Using this to my advantage, I swung my sword sideways only for him to snap out of it at the last moment to roll out of the way. After that, it was just a matter of wearing him down enough to defeat him. We traded strikes and jabs, though when me sliced me, I caused us to stalemate again. Smirking, I twisted my sword at an impossible speed, knocking Golden’s sword out in the process. And with a sword pointed at his throat, it was over.
“I win…?” I asked uncertainly.
“I did say any spell was allowed…” I heard him mutter. With a flash, the sword disappeared. However, it didn’t end there. I quickly noticed the shocked expression Golden held.
“W-what is it?” I asked, worried.
“I-it’s….” he stammered, “It’s your cutie mark!” he finally got out. With wide eyes, I looked at my flank to see a blue sword and shield with a silver star in the center. I just stared at my flank in shock before squealing like a school filly.
“I got my cutie mark!” I chanted while prancing around, forgetting what had happened moments before with the sword. After nearly a minute passed, I ran up to Mom and said, “Mom look! I got my cutie mark!” I said with utter happiness.
“Congratulations, Sunny!” Mom said with a smile on her muzzle. I probably would have pranced around in happiness for hours if a guard didn’t come rushing in, panting.
“Your Majesty! I have news from northern Equestria!” she managed though her attempts to get air.
“What is it?” Mom asked with curiosity.
“All I’ll say is that it has returned.”
“Inform Princess Cadance and Captain Shining Armor immediately,” she said with a gasp, trying to make sure her panic didn’t show through. The guard saluted and left to do what she was told. “Sunny, I want you to head to the infirmary to get those wounds checked out.” I gave a nod as the adrenaline finally faded, leaving me in serious pain.
Later…
“Are you sure you don't want me to go as well?” my aunt asked.
“Yes. Princess Cadance and Shining Armor are already there. Sunny and the others will be joining them soon.” my mom replied.
“The Empire's magic is powerful. It cannot fall again, my sister.”
“She will succeed at her task. And when she does, we'll know that she is that much closer to being ready.” Twilight came rushing into the room, “Trust me, little sister.”
“You wanted to see me? To give me a test? I brought my own quills and plenty of paper to show my work.” Twilight’s parchment unfurled, stopping in front of my mom, “Sorry, sorry!” she quickly apologized
“This is a different kind of test. The Crystal Empire has returned.”
“The Crystal Empire?” Twilight questioned, “I'm sorry, I-I thought I'd studied. Ooh. I don't think there's anything in any of my books th–”
“ There wouldn't be,” Mom interrupted, “Few remember it ever existed at all. Even my knowledge of the Empire is limited. But what I do know is that it contains a powerful magic. One thousand years ago, King Sombra, a unicorn whose heart was black as night, took over the Crystal Empire. He was ultimately overthrown, turned to shadow, and banished to the ice of the arctic north. He was ultimately overthrown, turned to shadow, and banished to the ice of the arctic north.”
“You want me to help protect an entire empire?” she asked.
“It is, as I said, a different kind of test. But one I'm certain you will pass.”
“How do I begin?”
“By joining Princess Cadance and Shining Armor in the Crystal Empire.”
“My brother is there?”
“He is. And your Ponyville friends, along with Sunny, will join you there as well. I have every confidence you will succeed. And when you do, I'll know you are ready to move on to the next level of your studies.”
“But what if I fail?”
“You won’t.”
“But what if–”
“You won't,” Mom interrupted, “But Twilight, in the end, it must be you and you alone who ultimately assists Princess Cadance and Shining Armor in doing what needs to be done to protect the Empire. Do you understand?”
“Mm-hmm!”
“Then go. There is no time to lose!” Me and Twilight exited the room.
“Hey, girls,” I greeted my friends after we made it outside, “We’ll explain on the way.”