> Luna's heir > by Gabrielangel13 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Info on the alternate universe > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- so much to go over, so little time... 1. The myth that the sisters sleep through one another's time of day is completely false. Luna eats her breakfast when most ponies would be eating lunch, and Celestia sleeps midnight to dawn. 2. Alicorns are NOT immortal. They have about a two thousand year life span, though. 3. Seeing as Alicorns aren't immortal, they have to choose heirs to take over for them. 4. Twilight is Celestia's heir. 5. Cadence is the princess of emotions. 6. please don't hate on my story... > don't play the theme song > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "my little pony, my little pony. awww my little pony..." The alarm clock beside Luna's bed exploded violently as a dark blue aura surrounded it. The black alicorn responsible glared at it menacingly. "Tis the last time Twilight Sparkle sets our alarm!" Luna growled angrily, slipping back into the traditional way of speaking in her anger. Two Unicorn guards had entered the room just in to hear her growl. "Your highness, we heard an explosion! is everything alright?" The older of the two guards asked. "Yes, I just..." Luna began. The princess was interrupted by the younger guard's magical earpiece going off. "My little pony, My little pony..." "Rookie..." The other guard muttered as he cast his strongest shield spell. Luna showed up late to lunch. She groaned as she saw the extra ponies at the table. How could she have forgotten that Cadence, Shining Armor, and Twilight were joining then today? And it just had to be today that she nearly killed two guards. "Good morning, everypony." Luna said. She didn't see any need to tell anypony about that morning's incident until she and Celestia were alone. "Luna, is there something you wish to tell me?" Celestia asked. She sounded like a mother who knew that their child had done something wrong. "Not right now sister." Luna said. "Curse my inability to lie. Why did I have to be Honesty?" she thought. "Wouldn't you like to tell us about what happened when you woke up this morning, Luna?" Celestia urged. "Well, the alarm clock went off today with the most annoying song, which Twilight chose, and I smashed it. The guards burst in, and I assured them I was fine. a few other things happened, but nopony died. And here I am." "I have already spoken with Blue Shield." Celestia said. "It got chilly in here. Or maybe it's just all of your cold looks." Luna mumbled. "Luna, how could you?" Cadence cried. The princess of emotions had tears running down her cheeks. "He played the stupid song." Luna mumbled. "that's my favorite song!" Twilight protested. At that moment, a guard entered the room. "Somepony requests an audience with you. She claims it is important." The Pegasus guard said. "Good, this will change the subject." Luna thought. A light blue mare entered the room, and Luna groaned. The mare's cutie mark showed a darker blue cross than that of her flank. She was one of the two main doctors in the palace, the other being her brother. "How are they, Bluecross?" Celestia asked. "They are both going to live. The younger guard has a major concussion, four broken ribs, a broken foreleg, and a sprained wing. He also suffered from extreme electrocution, as if struck by lightning, and several burns, some 3rd degree. The Unicorn is suffering from magic exhaustion, and is bruised. BlueShield is with them now." She reported. "They requested that I tell Luna that they knew the risks when they signed up." She bowed and departed to return to her patients. "well, since this is settled, I can get to my waffles!" Luna said. an awkward silence ensued as Luna ate her breakfast, and the others ate their lunch. "Well, Luna, have you started looking for an heir yet?" Twilight asked in an attempt to break the silence. Luna's fork stopped halfway to her mouth. "No." She said curtly. "Don't you think that you should start? You only have about 600 years left. I know it sounds like a lot, but you would need to train them, and it would be helpful if they got used to being royalty before the became the leader of Equestria." Twilight reasoned. "Why not just do Blueblood? He is already used to being royalty, so you would just have to train him to control the moon." Cadence suggested. "Not Blueblood." Luna said, her voice tense as she tried to control her aggravation. "What about Rarity? She has a great eye for detail." Shining Armor reasoned. "What about Rainbow Dash? She's very brave and loyal." "What about Fancy Pants?" "NO, NO, NO, AND NO!" Luna shouted. Her face turned a brilliant red. "I'LL CHOOSE WHEN I'M READY ON MY OWN!" She yelled and ran from the room. "I apologize, everypony, she is very touchy about that subject. Excuse me, I must go speak with her." Celestia said, and left the others with shocked expressions on their faces. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Luna, why can't you behave for just one day?" Celestia asked as she walked into her sister's room. "I'm sorry, sister. I just am sick of being pressured into picking somepony. I need a day off, a day to just be on my own." Luna said with pleading with her voice. "Luna..." "Please?" She begged with a pitiful face. "I'll take over your duties today, and make sure that nopony disturbs you." Celestia offered. "No, Tia, I mean a day away from the castle. Please, I haven't had a day off since I returned, and I just want to be alone." Luna begged. "Very well. I'll get two guards to accompany you." Celestia said. "No, sister, I want to be alone." Luna insisted. Luna could see her sister struggling. On one hoof, Luna really did need the day off, one the other, she could get hurt. "Alright, sister, I guess the incident today proved that you are more dangerous to your guards than they are helpful to you. Just..." Celestia sighed as the blue Alicorn jumped out the window. "Be safe." she finished, even though she knew that Luna couldn't hear. > Griffon Slavers > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luna's only regret by sundown was that she didn't have many hours left of her free day. She had enjoyed just wandering around the country without seeing anypony. Her only royal duty was to raise the moon, but she didn't consider that a chore, it was often the highlight of her day. "HELP! SOMEPONY HELP ME!" The cry shattered the peaceful silence. Luna sighed, knowing that it was her duty to help her subjects, even on her day off. She took to the air, her vision becoming sharper as the light faded, one of the advantages of ruling the night. If not for this advanced vision, she never would have seen the struggle below her. She flew lower to see what was going on. She landed behind a tree and watched. It appeared to be a group of Griffins slavers. It had become a problem, as pony slaves had become more popular in the Griffon Kingdom, groups of griffons would come and foalnap any unsuspecting pony they found to take back to the Griffon homeland with them. Luna's wings flustered angrily. The Griffons were often very cruel, and often ponies who could not be taken were killed for knowing about the groups. As Luna prepared to attack, she noticed a white streak in the darkness. She looked again and saw a black pony with a white mane and tail. He jumped out from behind the trees with less hesitation than Luna had. "Let her go, and I'll let you live." He growled at the Griffons, bringing laughter from them. "One lone unicorn, against all of us?" the largest griffon asked with a chuckle. Luna counted. there were six of them, and Griffons were known for being savage and heartless in a fight. An average unicorn had no chance. The Princess took a breath and was prepared to step out from her hiding place, when a set of hooves grabbed her, and magic held her muzzle shut. "Your Highness, we can not allow you to go." a voice whispered in her ear. "I'm sorry, but we have to keep you safe, and there is more Griffon activity around. We can't take our eyes off of you, even long enough to help. Don't worry, more soldiers will be here soon." Luna struggled against the hold of her guard, but she didn't want to hurt them for doing there job. Helplessly, she watched five of the Griffons abandon the bound mare to circle the lone unicorn, but he didn't look worried. As one, the five Griffons leaped at the unicorn, ready to kill. The unicorn lit his horn, and in a quick burst of magic teleported five feet away. "What? Can't even catch me?" He taunted. "Stay still, you foal of a #$%^@!" One of the Griffons shouted. Luna watched for agonizing minutes as the Unicorn held his own against the five griffons. He might have had a chance, if it wasn't for the three that snuck up behind him and tackled him to the ground. One pulled out a magic dampener ring and fastened it on his horn. "Why'd you fight us, kid? What's so special about this old mare?" The largest Griffon asked. The stallion said nothing, only stared back defiantly. The Griffon looked back and forth between the black Unicorn and the white Pegasus. "Ah, is this your mother? You have the same green eyes. That is so touching! Now you get to watch her die." An evil glint entered his eyes. Luna lost it. The Soldiers were taking too long. She used a trick that only a few ponies could master: Telepathy. "LET ME GO!" she shouted in their heads. "I know this kid. He has gotten out of dampeners, believe me, I've put some on him." The guard holding her assured. The unicorn's eyes narrowed. His horn glowed, but when the glow hit the dampener and the light bounced backwards, back into the stallion. Instead of fading, his eyes began to glow a blinding white light. after several moments of taunting laughter from his captors, The light ricocheted back up. In one swift beam it shot through the dampener, shattering it. Uncontrollable, pure magic poured from him, making it a danger both to the griffons and everyone around. Breaking free of the guards, Luna threw up a shield, barely protecting them as a blast of magic bounced off it. Luna looked away from the stallion, up to the sky to avoid blinding herself. What she saw and felt made her gasp. The stars began to move in the sky, shining brighter than they were supposed to that night. She ignited her own horn, ordering them to remain in her place. For the first time in centuries, they resisted Luna's control. For many minutes the group stood there, Luna's shield was the only thing keeping them safe. When at last the light faded, Luna released her shield and stumble forward. "Princess are you alright?'' A guard asked. Luna ignored him and ran out to where the stallion was shaking. "Are you alright?" She asked, stepping over the unconscious Griffons. " Princess? I-I think so. My Mom..." He began, and then passed out. Luna felt something yanking at her consciousness. "Guards, check his mother and the Griffons, no matter what happens to me, don't touch me." She ordered. "What are you doing?" One guard demanded. "Finding my heir." She replied and gave in to unconsciousness. > Luna's Heir > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Hello? Where am I?" Luna heard a voice call. "The dream plane. I brought you here." Luna replied. The stallion spun around. As soon as he saw who it was, he dropped down into a bow. "Princess Luna." He acknowledged her presence. "I don't understand, what am I doing here?" "Please, get up." Luna waited for him to obey before continuing. "My soldiers are examining your mother as we speak. You are here because of what you did tonight." "I didn't do anything special. I just was protected somepony I loved." "You're very special." Luna replied. "Not many would have done that." "I'm not special. I don't even have a cutie mark yet!" Luna giggled. "You do now." "WHAT?" He cried and turned to look. A white star stood out on his black coat. "What did I do to earn that?" He asked. "look." She said. She lit her horn, and the night sky lay sprawled out before them. "I did that?!" he asked in shock as he stared at the disarray it was in. "Yes, you did." Luna replied. She lit her horn and reassembled the night sky. "Now, what's your name?" she asked. "Star Shine, your majesty." He replied. "There's no need to call me that." She said kindly. "so wait, back up a bit. What did you bring me here for?" he asked. "To take my place as ruler of the night." She said, and could barely keep calm at his reaction. "WHAT!" His jaw nearly hit the floor. "Who put you up to this? its not funny!" "Nopony did. I am dead serious." Luna was slightly annoyed at being called a liar. "But Alicorns are immortal! Why would you need a mediocre unicorn to replace you?" "Because Alicorns aren't immortal, the average lifespan is only about 2000 years, and since I'm 1,400, it was time for me to find one." She explained. "But Celestia doesn't have an heir!" He argued. "Twilight Sparkle." Luna countered. "What's holding you back? We can make arrangements for your mother." "My mom is dead." He stated curtly. "What?" Luna asked, completely baffled. "I felt her die. She always had a weak heart, I guess my outburst gave her a heart attack." Luna could see his attempt to hold back his tears was failing. "I'm so sorry." Luna said with tears in her own eyes. "If you are absolutely sure that you want me, than I will come." He agreed after a few stiff and awkward moments. "I don't have anything to miss." "Good! Now what was that spell?" She muttered. "Wait, what spell? You never mentioned any spell!" He cried in sudden panic. "Oh, calm down. It won't hurt." She said. She cast her spell before another word could be said. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luna woke and found herself laying in a hospital bed in the Canterlot Castle. "Cross! Shield! What am I doing here?" She shouted. "Princess! Are we glad you're awake. Celestia is on her way right now! Do you feel dizzy, nauseas, have blurred vision, a headache, cravings? IN YOUR SISTER'S NAME ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!" Shield rattled off. 'your stupid questions are giving me a headache. I put myself to sleep." She growled angrily. suddenly, the door burst open, and a white Alicorn entered, persued by four guards who were failing to keep up. "Luna! They said you were hurt in a fight with some Griffons! Is she ok?" Celestia asked. "CROSS! I ASKED YOU A QUESTION!" "Sorry, your highness. Shield shouted in my ear and it just quit ringing. Yes, she is good as new, except for what Shield did with his shouting." She replied, glaring daggers at her twin. "You should hear Luna's Royal Voice. It is louder, I assure you." Celestia said, a smile returning to her face. "Luna, I felt a magical shift, what did you do?" "What? You said it was time for me to find an heir." Luna said, and instantly plugged her ears. It is said that the next sound was heard all the way in Ponyville. ""HOORAH!" > What Happened > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Star Shine woke, and groaned as his head felt like it would explode. He glanced around his room, and tried to remember what he did last night. "Whatever it was, I magically exhausted myself, again. Dad's going to kill me!" He gasped. He leaped out of his bed and ran to the window. "Curses! Its almost noon! I haven't even started my chores!" Star Shine raced out of his bedroom and downstairs just as quickly as he could (meaning in his rush he tripped over his own hooves and fell down the stairs). "Sorry, I overslept Mom. Is Dad here yet? I might be able to finish my chores..." Star stopped as he noticed his father was the lone figure in the kitchen. "Dad, where's Mom?" "You should know. They told me you saw her die." His father didn't even turn to look at him as he spoke. "What? What kind of sick joke is this? Where is she!" Star's voice began to raise in panic. "Where was I last night? What did I do?" He wondered. "Joke? You think I'd joke about this?" His father yelled, and turned to face his son. His eyes paled, and he stepped back. "What the @#%$?" He cried. "What happened to you?" "I don't know! All I know is I woke up in my room magically exhausted, and now Mom's dead." Star Shine was beginning to panic, and his magic wasn't always controllable when he did. "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE! YOU FREAK! GET OUT! I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOUR SORRY HIDE AGAIN!" His dad shouted, now thoroughly scared. "Dad, what's wrong?" Star asked cautiously. "I SAID GET OUT!" To emphasize his point, Star's dad threw a vase at him. "What the heck?" Star cried. Star finally ran, as more objects began to be thrown. So defeated, scared, and homeless, the stallion set off on his own. "Its not like dad ever loved me anyway." star muttered. Suddenly, the busy marketplace that he had wondered into went silent. Everypony was staring, and then one one by one they started bowing! "What the..." Star backed up, and ran into a booth of mirrors. He looked at the mare running it, who was crouched low in a bow. "Uh, stupid question, why is everypony bowing?" he asked. "Have you looked in a mirror lately?" She asked. When he shook his head, she held one up. Star's appearance had changed. His horn had mysteriously turned white, and sprouting from his back was a pair of white wings. "WHAT?" He backed up, as if afraid of his reflection. Now that he thought about it, everything looked a bit shorter. "I'm an ALICORN!" "Duh, do ponies bow to any other race?" She asked sarcastically. Star backed up. He tried to light his horn, but whatever he had done the night before had completely drained him. "Come on, come on..." He muttered. A small glow flickered onto his horn, but it would have to be enough. With one last push he teleported away, praying that he would land anyplace uninhabited. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zecora had a completely normal morning. If by normal you mean an Alicorn teleporting into your hut, and startling you into dropping a root into a boiling couldren that caused the contents to explode! Yep, it was just as normal as if the Cutie Mark Crusaders had visited. "Look at what you have made me do! You have made me ruin my brew" She said angrily. "Sorry." he muttered. "Magical exhaustion, I think have you. allow me to make a quick brew." She said after a few awkward moments. In less than ten minutes, Star's exhaustion was gone. "Thank you, ma'am." He said. Very rarely did any pony show him kindeness, except for his mother. "A strange pony with a white horn, you need to see Twilight the Alicorn. "Princess Sparkle? But I'm just a normal pony, why would shewant to see me?" "Clearly you have not been an Alicorn for long, because saying you are 'normal' is wrong." She replied kindly. "What your are is a rarity. Now follow me to the library." "Library?" Star Shine asked, but Zecora said nothing and walked out the door. Puzzled, Star followed her. > Chapter 6 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The duo walked into Ponyville as discreetly as they could, but even then they were met with stares. After all, white wings did stand out on a black stallion. To Star, they couldn't arrive at the library fast enough. "Princess Sparkle lives here?" Star Shine asked. He had expected something a bit more elaborate. "Why live with more than you need? Twilight stays far from greed." Zecora stated and knocked on the door. "Coming!" a voice shouted. Star's eyes nearly popped out of his head when a dragon opened the door. "Oh, hi, Zecora. Are you here to see Twilight?" he asked. Zecora silently nodded her head, and entered the tree when the dragon invited her to. A bit nervous, Star Shine followed. "Twilight, Zecora is here to see you. She brought an alicorn with her." The young dragon's voice called. "Alicorn?! That must have been what I felt last night!" A lavender mare rushed up a stair case and into the room. "Princess Sparkle!" Star Shine gasped, and dropped into a bow. "First, my name is Twilight, Second, you're getting your knees dirty." Twilight said with a smile. "When did you become an Alicorn? Tell me exactly what happened!" Twilight's curious side was getting the better of her. "Uh... I think it happened last night. I exhausted my magic, so I can't really remember." He explained. "I wonder if Celestia and Luna know anything? Spike, take a letter." "Your body guard takes letters for you?" Star asked. "Body guard?" Twilight burst into laughter. "Spike isn't my guard, he's my number one assistant." "I could protect you." Spike muttered. "I know. Are you ready to write?" Twilight replied. When he nodded, she continued. "Dear Princess Celestia and Luna. I have a strange visitor today, that I think you should meet. Please come to the Ponyville library as soon as you have time. I will be awaiting your swift reply. Your fellow Princess, Twilight Sparkle." "Twilight Sparkle." Spike mumbled. "Done!" A small burst of fire shot out of his mouth and consumed the parchment. "Twilight Sparkle, how this ends I would like to know. I am afraid however, I must go." Zecora said. Twilight jumped, having forgotten that the zebra was there. "I'm sorry Zecora, I didn't mean to be rude. I am so sorry." Twilight's face turned red. "It is alright, You did have lots to excite." Zecora said with a small smile of amusement. without another word, she turned to leave. "Thank you, Zecora." Star Shine said. The zebra turned and smiled, and then left. "Um, is he alright?" Star asked, staring at the small dragon, who'd turned even greener than usual. "Yeah, I'm just getting a letter." Twilight replied. She waited calmly as the baby dragon barfed up a piece of parchment, and then read it. "Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle. We have a few minutes at three today. You probably felt the magic shift last night. Princess Luna chose her heir, but she lost him doesn't know where he is. We will see you at three, unless we find him before then. Your loving friend, Princess Celestia. "Spike, tell Luna and Celestia that they need to come here now. Say it is urgent." Twilight ordered with wide eyes. "So you're Luna's heir!" "Heir! But Alicorns are..." Star stopped as a wave of pain rushed through his head. ""Because Alicorns aren't immortal, the average lifespan is only about 2000 years." "Oh, that's what happened." Star struggled to hold back his tears. "Oh! What? What happened?" Twilight's eyes were wide with excitement. "I killed my mother with a magic burst." Star said annoyed. "Oh, I'm so sorry." Twilight had tears falling down her cheeks now as her excitement deflated. "Neh, better than living with my dad." Star said. He was inwardly kicking himself for making a princess cry. Just then, a loud noise shook the library. The door shone blue, then exploded., revealing three very worried, and fierce looking Alicorns. "Twilight! Are you alright? You said it was urgent! Has somepony threatened you?!" Cadence cried as she rushed in and hugged her. "What happened?" "You brought Cadence?" Twilight asked, she was always glad to see Cadence, but sometimes she was over reacted. "We thought you were in danger." Luna didn't even attempt to hide her anger. "Why did you call us here, Twilight." Celestia seemed to be the only one not shocked that there wasn't any sort of danger. "Because of him." Twilight said, and pointed. Star Shine began to back up, scared of the four Alicorns. "You found him! Good job, Twilight!" Luna congratulated, her earlier anger forgotten. "Actually, Zecora did." Twilight replied. "Actually, I crashed into her house." Star Shine said. "So this is who you chose? He sure is tall." Cadence said plainly. "He grew." Luna stated simply. "It happens sometimes." "Don't you think introductions are in order." Celestia said with a sigh. "I think that you know all of our names, what is yours?" "Uh, Star Shine. Are you four normally like this?" He replied, somewhat frightened. "Only when nopony's around." Luna answered. "Cadence, you owe me a door." Twilight grumbled. "Sorry. Why aren't ponies flocking to check out the explosion?" Cadence asked. "Oh, I do it nearly every day." Twilight blushed. "Sometimes I freak out, okay?!" Celestia sighed. "I think we need to go to the castle now. Star Shine needs to get settled in." She shook her head. "He has a lot to adjust to.