//------------------------------// // A Holiday in Ponyville // Story: Star Knight and the Nine-Tailed Fox // by Rakoon1 //------------------------------// After one more day of school, Star went to the place where he met with Golden Paladin for one more of his lessons. "Hello, Golden" Star greeted, arriving. "What are we doing today?" "Today we won’t do anything, young prince" he replied. "Why?" Star asked. "Because I decided to give you a small task that I think will require some time" Golden Paladin replied. "So while you're doing it, our lessons are suspended." "Suspended?" Star repeated. "But I thought all of this was to help me control the Nine-Tails’ power and you underlined the importance of that." "Relax" Golden Paladin said. "The task that I’ll give require some… technique. As you know, unicorns use an active form magic, but each one has its own special kind of magic. My siblings and I are a good example of that, not to mention alicorns like you. I want you to develop your own specialty." "You mean like my eyes?" Star asked, referring to its power to see inside of ponies. "Your gift can help you distinguish evil, but not all villains that you will face will be so easy to reform as it was with Pandora" Golden Paladin said. "Some of them are truly evil, without any good in them. Therefore, you have to learn something new." "Are you saying I have to create my own spell? But I'm just a colt." "But your knowledge in magic is great and you have a lot of potential. I believe that if you use your imagination, you can think of something. Furthermore, without these lessons, you will have more time to concentrate on your studies and your parents will be more satisfied." That made Star drop a laugh, that didn't take long. Despite the things Golden Paladin had said, Star was a little nervous about inventing his own spell. He didn't know if he would be able to do it. With the suspension of Golden’s classes, Star found himself with more time to be with his friends who were happy to be able to do things together at last. Also, with the extra time, Star could focus more on studies, although he did not stop trying to get any idea for a new spell. However, the task proved to be quite complicated, because it was hard to think of something no one had thought of or done. But that changed during the last class of Introduction to Practical Magic before the winter holidays. Professor Knotgrass said to her unicorn students: "Since today is our last day before your holidays, I decided to show you what we're going to practice for when the holidays are over." "What is it, professor?" Star asked. "Something that will require a certain control on your part in your own magic" Knotgrass explained. "But it's better to show than explain." And so, she grabbed her wand and waved it. Then, to everypony's astonishment, a trail of magical aura appeared from the movements Knotgrass was doing with the wand. Then, using the wand, she began to control the movements of the aura to the great amazement of everypony. "How can you do that, professor?" the student next to Star asked. "It's quite simple, really" she replied, while manipulating the aura. "I just leave my magic flow through my wand, in your case your horns, and release it. Of course, the hardest part is to contain it and manipulate it. This is the basis of all magical manipulation, so I hope that, after your holidays, you will work hard enough because a lot of work awaits you." "Yes" everypony replied. Star observed carefully how Knotgrass handled the magic trail. He was fascinated by the way the magic trail moved. Then he found himself imagining it spinning on one point and with great density. Finally, he discovered what Golden Paladin want him to do. The question was whether he could do something like that. After class, Star left the class and met with Heartbeat that was passing by. "Heartbeat" he called her. She turned to him and asked: "What is it, Star?" "Can you deliver a message to Golden?" Star asked. "Of course" she replied. "What do you want me to tell him." "Tell him that I think I did what he asked me to do and that we can restart our lessons" Star said. "Very well, I'll tell him" Heartbeat said. "Wait here, I’ll be back in a minute." And, having said that, Heartbeat got away with her speed and, after about a minute, she returned and said: "I already told Goldy and he said he will be waiting for you in the same place at the same time." "Thank you, Heartbeat" Star thanked. So, when the time came, Star headed to the place where he had lessons with Golden Paladin and, upon his arrival, he found him waiting for him. "Prince Star Knight, I see you were able to accomplish the task that I gave you" he said. "You can say that" Star replied. "I don't have a fully formed idea, but I think I have outlined the basics." And he explained to Golden Paladin what he thought during Knotgrass’ class. When he finished, Golden Paladin said, musing on the idea of the young prince. "I see, concentrating your own magic to then use it in a single blow" Golden Paladin said. "It looks interesting and certainly can create an immense attack power." "Do you think it will be possible to make something like that?" Star Knight asked. "Just because it was never been done, it doesn't mean it's not possible" Golden Paladin replied. "This type of spell is typically used in spells of more advanced magical manipulation. But I think it's worth a try. And I can advise on the best method of training." "Seriously?" he asked, drawing a smile on her face. "Thank You, Golden. What method should I use?" "First, you need to master the technique of freeing the aura and control it" Golden Paladin explained. "Only then we can think about the next step." "Okay, I can do that" said Star. "Since we're here, I can use the time we would normally use for our usual training to begin." Star Knight began to train, carrying his horn with magic and trying to release the aura as Knotgrass made with hers. But the task proved to be more challenging than it seemed. But when Star began to free his aura, the most difficult task was to control it. Star was only able to accomplish that task in the last lesson with Golden before the winter holidays. "You're doing pretty good, young prince" Golden Paladin congratulated, while he saw Star controlling his aura. "I think we can move on to the next step." "Are you talking about concentrating it and rotating it?" Star asked. "Let's focus now on what I think will be easier" Golden Paladin said. "The rotation. Now you can control your aura, you can rotate it at will. When you create a rotation strong enough, I think you'll be able to concentrate on accumulating energy." "And how do I do that?" "Try to use something with an elastic surface, but containing within some liquid. If you use the rotation of your aura to circulate the liquid." "I can create enough pressure to blow the surface like a water balloon" Star concluded. "I see you've outlined your training for the holidays" Golden noted. "Well, therefore, I will let you focus on your own practice. I hope you have success, young Prince." And, having said that, Golden Paladin disappeared. Star then realized he still had plenty of work to do. He had been struggling to learn something that his colleagues had not yet mastered only to perform his own spell and the task was rather cumbersome and still wasn't completely dominated. Now, he would have to move on to something more complicated. But he would not give up. The next day, the students were preparing to return to their respective homes to spend the winter holidays. "So, how will you spend your holidays?" Star asked to his three friends, while they waited for their respective rides. "Well, ya already know how will be mine" Jonagold said. "Mah family joins all together tah celebrate the Heart’s Warming Eve." "And I think we can celebrate together" Star said. "I got a letter from my mother saying that we were going to spend the Heart’s Warming Eve in Ponyville." "Cool!" Jonagold exclaimed. "It has been some time that ya don’t go tah Ponyville." "And my mother said you could come with me to the Light Kingdom and then come back with us to Ponyville" Star said. "She already talked to your parents." "Griffons do not celebrate the Heart’s Warming Eve, but we usually celebrate at this time around" Gunter said. "Well, we also celebrate the longest night" Bramble said. "That's when the horns of the grown deers fall and we make a celebration, while we gather the horns to then turn them into powder." "It seems that each one of us is going to have different celebrations" Star noted. "But, anyway, I can't wait for the end of the holidays to meet you again." He extended his hull and Jonagold and Bramble did the same, putting their hooves over Star’s, while Gunted placed his talon. After that, the carriage of the Light Kingdom appeared. "It's time to go" Star said, while the carriage stopped. "Wait for us, Prince Star Knight" a voice said. And Melody and Purple Smoke appeared. It had been the General of Music to talk. "We will return to the Light Kingdom with you" Purple Smoke said. "What about Heartbeat?" Star asked. "You know her" Melody said. "She does what she wants. Probably she’s already there." "Ok" Star said, turning then to Gunter and Bramble. "See you after the holidays, guys." "Yes, have a good holiday" Jonagold wished. "You too" Gunter said. "Bye" Bramble said. The two friends and the two Generals entered in the carriage that started riding as soon as their passengers shut the door. After crossing the border between the Enchanted Forest and the Pony World, they were quick to reach the Light Kingdom, where Twilight, Blue and the twins were already waiting. Spike would also go with them, along with his brothers, who, like him, had wings and bigger spikes and horns. It wasn't long before the royal family board the Light Express, letting the Generals taking care of the kingdom. Spike and his brothers, how could get a little uncomfortable in the train, followed them by fly. Finally, they arrived at the train station of Ponyville, where, waiting for them, was Cherry Blossom, who carried a baby filly in a baby changer. This filly was Jonagold’s little sister, Apple Flower, who had a year and a half. She was a baby unicorn who had her mother's coat, Applejack’s mane and her father's eyes. The train doors opened and Jonagold was the first to leave, going to hug his mother. "Ma! Ah missed ya so much." “Me too, my dear" Cherry answered, hugging his son. "And your baby sister too." "Jona!" Apple Flower exclaimed, seeing her older brother. "Hello, Flo" Jonagold said affectionately to his sister. "I hope you're doing well at the academy" Cherry Blossom said. "Of course Ah am, ma" Jonagold said. Star, his parents and sisters also came out of the train. "Cherry!" Twilight exclaimed, heading to her old friend. "Twilight!" Cherry exclaimed, going to hug Twilight. “Thank you for bringing Jona." "It was a pleasure, Cherry" Twilight said. "After all, he is my son’s best friend and, since we were coming here to spend the Heart’s Warming Eve, we just joined the business with pleasure." "Wow!" Midnight exclaimed, looking around. "Ponyville is so beautiful during the winter!" "Yes!" Sunny agreed. "It's all so different from the Light Kingdom." "This is because the magic of our kingdom, just like in the Crystal Empire, prevents snow from entering" Star explained to his sisters. "That’s true" Twilight said. "And it's all because of Windigos, who are servants of the Lord of Chaos. They freeze everything around when there is disharmony." "I'm glad there's none here" Sunny said. "Yes, things would not be anything beautiful" Midnight agreed. They heard wings and Spike arrived with his brothers. He was the first to land and said, looking around. "It feels so good to be in Ponyville again." His brothers also landed and Flambeau said: "Wow, so this is where you lived before you go to the Light Kingdom, big bro. Not bad." "It seems cozy" Nitelite commented. "Yes, the houses are quite nice" Smokewing said. "Although I prefer the rocky environment of our island" Hardscale said. "Don't you agree with me, Toothy?" The youngest dragon, who was always quiet, waved. "Come on, bros, let's honor Ponyville with one of our amazing songs" Flambeau said. "And the one, and the two, and the… But before they could start singing, Spike said: "Maybe it's better to keep your voices to the chanting of the Heart’s Warming Eve. In addition, I do not believe that here there is an audience worthy of your performance." "You're right, big brother" Flambeau said, while the others waved. "We must ensure that everypony can hear us." "That and the fact that they wouldn't shut up if I let them sing now" Spike whispered to Twilight, who giggled. "So, where’s Big Mac?" Blue asked to Cherry. "He didn't come." "He had to get to work on the farm" Cherry replied. "There is a lot of snow blocking the way to the farm." "Maybe Ah can lend a hoof" Jonagold said. "Well, Ah have tah go. Bye, Star." "Goodbye, Jona" Star replied. And Jonagold, Cherry and Apple Flower moved away. "And me and my brothers will accommodate ourselves in the caves near here" Spike said. "I don't think there's room enough for all of us in the library. Come, brothers." The six dragons took flight and moved away too. Star and his family drove to the place that was once the home of his mother when she was still living in Ponyville: the Golden Oak Library. He barely remembered that place, because it's been a few years since he came to Ponyville, however it felt good to be back. The family entered the library that was obscured. It was then that the light suddenly came on and they were faced with the library decorated with party decorations and with Twilight's friends and their respective husbands and children saying: "SURPRISE! " "I was expecting this" Twilight said. "Let me guess. It was Pinkie Pie’s idea." "Okie-dokie-lokie!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, approaching and embracing Twilight. "As soon as I heard you were coming, I prepared everything as fast as I could. Besides, I wanted to teach little Winesap how to prepare a good party to a friend she doesn’t see for a long, long, long time." And she pointed to her daughter who was with the other foals talking excitedly with the twins. “Pinkie, we saw each other last week” Twilight said. “We even took a cup of tea and you taught my chef how to cook the perfect cupcake.” “Hey, if there’s something that I don’t allow to be less than perfect so those are cupcakes are parties” Pinkie Pie replied. “And a good party can only be good with your friends helping you preparing it.” "She even convinced me to help" Bushel said. "Even when I had to help Big Mac clear the roads." "To me happened to me the same thing" Applejack said. "Don't tell me anything" Thunder Night said. "She even convinced me to go out during the day." "Well, we all know how Pinkie Pie is" Fluttershy said. "Yes, she can convince everypony to do what she wants" Rarity said. "She even more persuasive than me.” "And look that she is quite persuasive" Shadow Claw said, referring to his wife. “Rainbow Dash didn't come?” Twilight asked, repairing in the absence of her friend, Soarin and Gust. "Unfortunately they couldn't come" Cloud Chaser said. "Rainbow and Soarin have a show in Las Pegasus tomorrow." "It's a shame" Twilight said. "I've not seen them in so long." Star headed for one of the tables with food when he noticed somepony who was watching him from a far. "Hello, Moonlight" he greeted her, smiling. Seeing Star smiling at her, Moonlight blushed slightly. She approached and said, timidly: "Hello... Star. How... are you?" "I’m good" he replied. "Although a little exhausted from all the classes at the Academy." "It must be pretty good study in the Enchanted Forest" Moonlight said. "My mother always wanted to go there, but she is always busy with her animals here. And I think that her work will only increase." "What do you mean?" Star asked. But before she could say anything, Thunder Night said to Twilight and Blue: "And we also have wonderful news to give you, right, Fluttershy?" "Well, yes" she said. "Everyone in Ponyville already knows, but I wanted to tell you when you got here." "It must be something very important" Twilight said. "You're glowing." It was then that Twilight realized. "It can't be!" she exclaimed. "Are you..." Fluttershy waved gently, while she smiled with one of her sweet smiles. "Yes, I'm pregnant" she confirmed. "Oh congratulations!" Twilight exclaimed, embracing her friend. "Yes, it's excellent news" said Blue, bumping his hoof with Thunder Night’s. "Congratulations." "Thank you" Thunder Night thanked. "We're pretty happy." "Wow, you're going to be a big sister" Star said to Moonlight. "You must be very happy." "Well, yes" she replied. "I always wanted a little brother or sister." "You're going to like a lot of the experience" Star assured. "Younger siblings can be a headache sometimes, but it’s worth it." "Thank you, Star” Moonlight thanked, blushing slightly. "You're welcome" Star replied. The young prince realized that was a good time to practice his new spell. He addressed to Pinkie Pie and asked her: "I'm sorry, aunt Pinkie Pie, do you have some water balloon you can borrow me?" "Of course I have!" she replied, taking her hoof to her mane and taking a water balloon. "I always have a water balloon, in case of a water balloon emergency. Wait, do you want to start a water balloon war. That would be a great idea!" "No, I just need it for an experience that I'm doing" Star said. "I see..." Pinkie Pie said, a little disappointed. "It's a shame, because a water balloon war would be a perfect way to liven up the party." Star used his magic to get the water balloon. "Thank you, aunt Pinkie Pie" he thanked. Star turned to her mother and said: "Mom, I'm going to my room. You don't mind, do you?" Since his parents had him, they created extra rooms that would serve to him and Spike. However, now that Spike was too big for the library, his room now belonged to the twins. "Of course not, dear" she replied. '' I understand that you must be tired. After all, we came straight to Ponyville after you arrived from the Enchanted Forest." "Thanks, mom" Star thanked, giving him a kiss on the cheek. And he went up the stairs, with Moonlight watching him, disappointed by not being able to spend more time with Star. Star entered in his room of the library and, as soon as he found himself alone, prepared to train his spell. He lifted the water balloon he obtained from Pinkie Pie and focused. To this part of his training, he had to use the magical manipulation to make the water inside of the balloon spin in such a way that the resulting pressure would blow up the balloon. Concentrating, he activated his magic, while holding the balloon in one of the hooves. He made his magic flow into the balloon, using the magical manipulation that he had learned to do the water inside the balloon spin. Star could feel the water spinning inside the balloon, but it wasn't enough to blow up the balloon. This continued for some time until Star feel tired of using his magic. He decided to end his training in that day and try again the next day. During the days he spent in Ponyville, Star struggled to be able to blow up the water balloon, but that seemed to be a very laborious task. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't make the balloon blow up. He trained mostly in his room, although he trained in every chance he could when he was walking through the town in Jonagold’s company, who supported him during his training. Of course he had to protect the water balloon with a spell that protected it from the cold. Sometimes, without them knowing, they were followed by Moonlight, who limited to observe Star by far. Although she didn't know the true nature of his training, Moonlight noticed Star’s effort and wished he could do it. When the Heart’s Warming Eve arrived, everypony in the village were busy putting the decorations all over the village while singing holiday songs. Star helped his parents and sisters decorating the library, piling up the presents and putting their respective doll on the fireplace. After helping his parents, Star prepared to go to meet up with Jonagold at Sweet Apple Acres, where he, his parents and his sister spent the holiday. When he prepared to leave, Twilight reminded him: "Star, don't forget to meet us at the theater this afternoon to watch the pageant." "Sure, mom, I won't forget" he said, while he put his scarf and bonnet. "After all, the Apple will also watch it." And he left, heading to Sweet Apple Acres, which was covered by snow, with the apple trees devoid of their leaves. Star and Jonagold sat against a tree, doing time until the time of the pageant. The young prince continued his training to blow up the water balloon. "I can't believe that I'm not getting it" Star said, while the water span in the balloon. "This is frustrating!" "I'm sure you're going to get it" Jonagold ensured. "I know you well enough, Star. You can master any spell." "Yes, but this isn't any spell" Star said. "This is a new spell." It was then that someone approached. It was Apple Bloom. Now a young grown mare, Apple Bloom replaced his big bow by a smaller one in front of the ear and another at the end of her braided mane, not counting with the one at the end of her tail. She also had a handkerchief around her neck. "So you guys are here" she said. "It's time to go to the theater." "We were just waiting to go, aunt Apple Bloom" Jonagold said, while he and Star, who had teleported his water balloon to his room, raised up. "Well, then let's go" Apple Bloom said. "Sweetie Belle and Diamond Tiara will participate in the pageant. I'm glad Sweetie Belle struggled to make it to the Ponyville pageant, despite the success she's having in Manehatten." Star followed the Apples to the Ponyville theatre, where he met with his family. In the way, he found Rainbow Dash, Soarin and their son Gus, as well as Scootaloo, whose wings had grown up enough to allow her to fly as a normal pegasus, despite she continued to prefer to use her scooter. The royal family of the Light Kingdom went to their place in one of the boxes. Spike and his brothers were in places further back. "I can't wait to see Sweetie Belle acting" Spike said. "She is simply amazing." "Oh, it's so hard to be in the audience when we could be performing on the stage" Flambeau said, while the others agreed. "I understand that, Flambeau, but you six will see you will enjoy watching" Spike said. "Do you think I like not being on stage? I used to be the narrator. But you will see that you will be like." The pageant about the Heart’s Warming started with Sweetie Belle acting as Clover, the Clever, and Diamond Tiara as Smart Cookie. Silver Spoon also participated as Chancellor Puddinghead. In the end, all those who attended applauded with energy. After that, there was a party at the library, which extended to the outside. Everypony talked and laughed while they ate and drank. Star was walking through the party with Jonagold and Moonlight, while his parents talked with their friends of Ponyville, his sisters played with the other foals, Spike was with Sweetie Belle and the dragon’s brothers showed their skills as singers. During the party, Star noticed Rarity’s cat, Opal, that was playing with a small ball. He saw her playing with a ball. Seeing her spinning the ball from one side to the other, he began to imagine the ball like a water balloon. He realized that this would make the water spin in all directions, which would inadvertently... "I get it!" Star exclaimed. "What, Star?" Jonagold asked. "What did you get?" Moonlight asked. "Sorry, guys, but I have to go do something" he said. "See you later." And, having said this, he moved away, while his friends watched him confused. Star headed to his room and, after entering, he made the water balloon he used to practice go to his hoof and began to use his magic to spin the water in it, as he had been doing, but, this time, he used the other hoof to make the magic spin the water into all directions. It was then that the balloon began to twitch dangerously and eventually blow up, releasing the water. "Yes!" Star exclaimed, who couldn't be happier. "I did it!" Finally the young prince had managed to end the first part of his training in the creation of a new spell.