//------------------------------// // Prodigies Need Not Apply // Story: Beyond the Sun's Influence // by Zaki //------------------------------// "Night court is adjourned." The Princess of the Night announced as the current pony finished his appeal and stepped away, her magic handing the large scroll to her aide. The ponies present bowed and the attendant at Princess Luna's right side jotted down a few lines of hoofwritten notes at a speed that came from years of experience. Her yellow eyes lifted to watch the quiet clamoring of the line dissolve into a small crowd as various attendees began conversing in the usual soft chaos of court being dismissed. Princess Luna took a moment to gather herself and her thoughts before clambering to her feet, immediately suppressing the tingling in her legs as the feeling began to seep back into her limbs. After a brief moment to compose herself for the walk out, Luna began to descend the stairs, her aide following dutifully beside her with her clipboard tucked neatly under her leathery wing. As expected, various ponies attempted to engage the Princess in small talk, affairs of no interest to the diarch, both big and small, but the threstal at her side prevented most from saying more than a handful of words with a simple glance. Even after several years of the Night Guard being reformed and the threstals returning from their self-imposed exile, the majority of the nobles were unnerved by the denizens of the night. "I should thank you, Night Shade." The princess spoke as they entered the hallway, the two guards giving curt nods as they passed. Her neutral expression had given way to a slight smile as she glanced at the pony at her side. "You're still the best at keeping things running smoothly even when the nobles are acting like a bunch of bratty foals. I'm not sure how I would manage without you." "You would manage, your Highness." Night Shade replied automatically, the mare pulling her notes to read what was else on the agenda for the night. "You and your sister would still be able to handle the paperwork without Quill and my help." "No, we wouldn't. Without you the paperwork-" As they rounded the corner, Luna's expression hardened as they came near the study, a familiar sight greeting the two of them and Night Shade suppressed a sigh of annoyance at the pair. In front of the study was the Princesses' adopted nephew, Prince Blueblood and philanthropist Fancy Pants. Judging from the way their voices were growing elevated and the way the pair of guards were eyeing the two, they had been at it for some time and would likely come to blows if things weren't averted. "So just because you had a bad experience one time, you're not going to even consider coming to my gathering?" Fancy Pants asked, his monocle slightly askew as he glared at Blueblood. "Are you truly that afraid of that mare for what she did to you a few years back? Considering your rudeness to her, it's no wonder Miss Rarity snapped at you." "I have no interest in associating with the commonfolk like yourself, Fancy." Blueblood responded coolly, his volume matching the stallion across from the Prince. "Besides, she never apologized for ruining such a handsome suit and why should I give her the honor of my patronage when she's so callous to not accept her part in the death of my favorite clothes? I apologize, Fancy Pants but I must decline for the final time to attend your little... soiree." "Suit yourself, Blueblood." With a huff, Fancy Pants adjusted his monocle and turned away, heading down the hall. His gaze fell upon the Princess and her aide, his eyes widening before he dropped into a low bow, his muzzle inches from the ground. "Your Highness! My sincerest apologies for that, I never intended-" "It's quite alright, Fancy." Princess Luna responded with a voice that carried a faint edge to it. "My nephew has always been rather difficult and could do with some humility..." Blueblood fidgeted where he stood, one hoof pulling idly at his collar and muttering under his breath. Night Shade felt a smile cross her lips before it was quelled, plucking her quill from behind her ear and jotting down a note to herself. Fancy Pants had regained his hooves and was engaging Princess Luna in useless pleasantries, the diarch indulging him with questions on his social gathering, going through the usual parrying of invitations and declining to attend. It was a dance everypony present was familiar with, a game of chess that could end poorly with one wrong move and cause a collapse larger than intended if done carelessly. "Well, I am unfortunately on a bit of a schedule so I must take my leave. It has been pleasant, Fancy. Have a good night." The Princess stepped around him as he smiled and moved aside, continuing along his way. Her nephew was still fidgeting nervously and her eyes narrowed at him, her head motioning towards her study. Night Shade placed the clipboard back under her wing, moving in tandem with Luna as they entered the study, the threstals on each side nodding in acknowledgement before returning to their reverie. As the doors shut fully, a indigo light flashed and covered the doors, moving to encase the room in a brief but brilliant show of lunar magic. Luna turned to face Blueblood who was already undoing his tie and pulling it loose. His earlier nervousness was entirely gone as well as his smug smile, the noble offering his Princess a tired smile. Her own mask came down and Luna smirked at him, situating herself in her chair and levitating the already steaming teapot to fill two cups sitting on her desk. "I take it Fancy Pants is making moves again?" Luna asked, pouring a generous amount of tea in each cup and levitating one to the unicorn who graciously took it after removing his tie and opening his collar. "He is, yes." Blueblood slumped into a chair with a tired sigh, draining his cup with a single gulp. His Canterlot accent was gone, replaced with more subdued inflections and a slight Manehatten touch. “His plan to get Lady Rarity into his circle was ultimately successful when he’s guaranteed himself as a sponsor. Its been difficult to subtly break his influence on her and with her on his side, it's possible he could be fostering relations with those sympathetic to his ideals. “And Rarity has no idea herself?” Luna questioned, sipping her tea after refilling Blueblood’s. “I thought she was such a good judge of character.” “Fancy Pants and I are both very good are what we do, your Highness. I play the villain for the crowns and he plays the hero for himself. Even Rarity, practiced as she is at reading ponies would have no chance seeing through that perfect mask…” Blueblood sighed and rubbed his face with his hoof, trying to stave off his sleepiness. “But I’ve taken steps to try and get her less dependant on him by putting in a good word through to various ponies who are connected as well anonymous funding with lavish orders.” “I’ve also forwarded another site for her here in Canterlot so she can expand her brand to three locations and hopefully she’ll look at it as another chance to further herself.” “Good, good.” Luna nodded her approval as Night Shade wordlessly moved the tea tray to a nearby table, the princess levitating a large scroll onto the desk after nodding her thanks. “That isn’t why I called you here tonight.” “Shame. I was under the impression that Night Shade was pining for my company again.” He flashed a lascivious wink at the threstal who merely chuckled at his advances. “I’m married, Blueblood.” She replied, lightly pushing his shoulder with her free hoof. “So keep dreaming.” “A stallion can dream…” He muttered in mock indignation as he approached the desk, examining the Old Equine writings upon the aged paper. Night Shade stood beside him, looking just as confused as their princess began to speak. Luna cleared her throat, her hoof raising as she began indicating various sections of text. “As to why I’ve called you here, I’m sure you’re aware that Princess Celestia has taken numerous students under her wing over the centuries since my banishment in an attempt to reawaken the Elements. The ponies she trained in mind and magic have become rather large portions of history, their accomplishments standing the test of time with their discoveries and elevating various houses of unicorn to prestige over the years. “Medical magic, weather manipulation that was originally limited to the domain of the pegasi, teleportation, ethereal manifestation, and the list goes on.” Luna paused as she continued down the rather small list of Celestia’s students. “Every student she’s ever trained was taught only the magic of the harmony side, teaching friendship and such in an attempt to keep any other from following the path of Sombra or myself into Dark. “That changed twelve years ago with Sunset Shimmer as she was and remains the only unicorn to openly challenge her teacher. She researched into the dark arts and learned, only for Celestia to banish her almost instantly. We all know how the rest of that story goes. “Then she found Twilight, Element of Magic and eventual Princess of Friendship. Since that time, my sister has made no move to take another student under her wing or even to address her past, be it problems that we faced or mistakes we made. She simply pawns her problems off on her best student and expects her to solve the issue.” “And what does this have to do with us, your Highness?” Blueblood asked carefully, recognizing a bit of an old wound that still wasn’t fully healed. Night Shade’s brow was furrowed as she looked from the scroll to Princess Luna. “We’re well aware of the facts but I don’t know what you want from us.” “Its simple. The lunar arts are a dying branch and as of this very moment, there is only one true practitioner. I want to find a student to teach as well as found a school of my own that allows all ponies.” Luna replied, whisking the scroll off the desk and rolling it back up. “You have the influence to help gather support and funding for the school, Blueblood. Night Shade you have the knowhow and experience to find the proper teachers.” Night Shade smiled and glanced at Blueblood, his lips slowly curling in a broad grin. “When do we start?” “The building has already been selected and renovated. “Luna replied, sliding a thick envelope towards Blueblood and a large scroll to Night Shade. “Before we do anything else, the first thing we need to accomplish is find some potential students…” * * * Dawn and Celestia found Luna bent over the large dining room table, the usually immaculate surface covered in papers as Night Shade darted to and fro, jabbering all the while in Moonspeak. It took a few minutes of the solar princess staring at the two chirping and hissing at each other as they worked before she cleared her throat, approaching the table. “Backed up paperwork, sister?” Celestia asked as she seated herself at the head of table and picked up one of the scrolls to examine it. Her eyes widened as she digested the words, peering over the edge to look over at her sister who was busy throwing back a large mug of what Celestia presumed was coffee. Luna pulled away with a large gasp and chucked the glass behind her, the cup being deftly caught by a servant and refilled. “Not at all, sister.” Luna replied, noticing her sister at last and flashing her a smile. “Night Shade is helping me finish put the final touches on these invitations of tutelage.” “And for what reason?” Celestia accepted her own cup of tea with a smile, taking a careful sip. “Finally taken an interest in having in a student?” “Exactly, Tia.” Luna looked over the proffered scroll from Night Shade and nodded, offering a sharp chirp as she signed it. “It's high time that I had a student of my own.” “Wonderful!” Celestia smiled and materialized a scroll in a burst of golden light, unfurling it in front of her. “There are quite a few promising individuals from my school that you could teach-” “No.” Celestia looked up in surprise, her magic faltering briefly before she regained her voice. “E-excuse me?” “I don’t want any of your students, sister. Thank you, Night Shade. Get these sent out before tonight to every city possible.” Luna replied, setting down her scroll and gathering the mess of papers into a neat stack. With a brief flash of blue, they were neatly folded and handed off to Night Shade, who bowed to the sisters before vacating the room. “Why don’t you want any of the ponies at my school?” Celestia asked, her voice tinged with confusion and hurt. “They’re all exceptionally well trained and we’ve quite a few talented individuals that could keep up with any teaching schedule.” “Tia, with all due respect, your school is for those who have the bits and the talent to pass the entrance exam. They have things that not everypony has, money and skill.” Luna took another long drink of her black elixir, her eyes closed in enjoyment before she set the empty mug down on the table. “They’ve all futures in the magical field and can do anything they want if they so chose. I’m not interested in those that have a future already; I want something else from my student.” “I see…” Celestia slowly rolled up her scroll and teleported it away, her tea being refilled by a passing servant. “So my students aren’t good enough for you?” “Au contraire, sister.” Luna placed her hooves together under her chin, deep in thought as she weighed her next words carefully. “Your students are too good. I don’t want to train a prodigy, Tia. How do I explain myself? Let me put it this way…” Luna’s horn flashed and two objects materialized on the table, the princess of the sun casting a glance at them. An uncut diamond and a bit of ordinary coal were resting in front of her sister, the dark alicorn picking up the diamond in her magic and showing it to Celestia. “Consider this to be your student. Rough but the true potential is obvious from a glance.” A thin laser of magic began to weave around the gemstone as she spoke, flashes of bright light obscuring the sisters vision at times but Luna’s voice continued calmly through the brief hazes. “You carefully apply your lessons and magic teachings until eventually they reach their full potential.” Her magic faded and Luna set the gemstone in front of Celestia, the clear diamond cut in the likeness of her cutie mark. “This is your method of teaching and there’s no denying the results but sometimes the easiest path isn’t the best one.” Luna lifted the block of coal now, surrounding it with magic and encasing it with glowing heat. “The student I want is a bit like this coal: nothing more than a common occurrence that you can find nearly anywhere. No inherent potential, nothing special about it, and utterly devoid of anything making it valuable. But if you apply a bit of effort, a lot of hard work, perseverance, and a dash of luck… Celestia shielded her eyes as Luna’s magic became near blinding before it began to fade away, leaving the alicorn blinking to regain her sight as her sister set the coal in front of her. The coal had changed to a light blue gem shaped in a crescent moon. It wasn’t as large or cut as cleanly as the diamond sitting before her but there was a radiance and brightness to it that the colorless gem lacked. “Even so… the kind of work you’re talking about could mean years of training. Maybe even over a decade, sister.” Celestia replied, lightly pushing the gemstones away and fixing her sister with an even look. “You can’t do that for years and shirk your duties, Luna.” “I don’t plan on it. You did it with Twilight, Sunset and all your other students, sister. If you can manage, then so can I.” Luna smiled at her sister and stood from the table, scooping up the gems. “Now if you’ll excuse me, Celestia, I have letters to send out.” “At least consider the idea of teaching one of my students at my school.” Celestia called after the disappearing alicorn, Luna pausing and turning to look at her sister before offering a simple nod. The white alicorn sighed and began eat her breakfast, shaking her head at her sister. “So prideful in doing things her way…” * * * Night Shade nodded to the unicorns in front of her who were gaping at the stack of letters that was set before them. The mare on the left shook her head and chuckled before she got to work to teleporting her stack of letters to their destinations; the other two caught the hint and began to work as well, brows furrowed in concentration. They were going to be here for quite a while… * * * A letter appeared on the bedside table of a traveling magician, the unicorn starting in surprise and scooping up the letter… A young filly halfway through levitating her blocks jumped at the letter appearing on her tower, the mare scowling and pulling it down in a white aura... The turntable disc was interrupted by an envelope materializing on the switches, a startled yelp escaping the DJ as she fell back… Her diary buzzed and Sunset raised her head off her pillow to look blearily at the offending book… The quiet town of Appleloosa was suddenly filled with shrieks as earth ponies were assaulted with conjured letters, a few fleeing from the town with the cries of ghosts and mad spirits… Letters filled the mailboxes of homes across the breadth of Equestria as the letters were teleported to their directed ponies. Some were simply confused and threw the scrolls aside, dismissing it as a scam while others considered it a prank. A few took the letter seriously and began making arrangements to visit Canterlot while their families rejoiced. A lavender alicorn picked up a letter on the ground that the mailmare had dropped on her mad dash across the sky, dodging the weather team with ease as she departed the scene. Twilight lifted the letter and opened it with curiosity, reading the contents out loud. “To the pony who received this letter, You have been chosen as one of several thousand participants for the chance to be taught by the Princess of the Night. In one month’s time, participants are asked to come to Canterlot for a written and practical exam to judge your skill level and eligibility to be selected as Princess Luna’s personal student. For those not interested, Luna’s School for Gifted Ponies will also be opening next month and an application for teaching and enrollment has been enclosed as well. Please bear in mind that this also comes with a practical exam and written exam but all are welcome to apply for a teaching position. Seeing you hopefully in a month, On behalf of Princess Luna, Dreamstrider and Princess of the Moon ~Night Shade” “I’ve been one of the few chosen to study under Princess Luna?” Twilight asked excitedly, taking off in a rush and careening towards her castle. “I didn’t even know that Luna was looking for students! The chance to study under both of the Royal sister! Oh, I have to study right now! There’s only 29 days, 23 hours, 57 minutes and twenty seven seconds before I have to be in Canterlot for my evaluation!” As she landed on her balcony, Twilight wove an instant teleportation spell and reappeared in her library. She hurriedly began pulling books down to began rereading magical theory when the sound of the portal activating behind her drew her attention, the alicorn spinning in fright and dropping her books. An amber unicorn stumbled out of the glowing white vortex and nearly faceplanted before recovering her balance. Twilight stared at Sunset who was smiling rather sheepishly and pawing at the ground while the princess looked at the open portal and back to Sunset. “H-how? Why?” “Oh. Was I not supposed to open it for her…?” Starlight asked hesitantly, levitating the journal from the top of the portal and sealing off the magical gateway. The alicorn gaped at her before returning to her frantic book gathering, Sunset and Starlight exchanging a confused glance, the former shrugging before lighting her horn and began her own pile of books to refresh her memory. * * * Unbeknownst to them, the mailmare was frantically looking for the letter she had dropped with little success. Chewing nervously on her hoof, Ditzy looked around in worry at the thought of a missing letter being found out by her boss. Then again, it hadn’t been addressed… maybe it was for the best?