Valkyrie

Twilight watched in slight fascination as Luna went about the task of preparing a simple meal. At first, Twilight had wanted to question why on Equestria Princess Luna had a small kitchenette in her study of all places. Then Twilight reminded herself that Luna was a Princess, and therefore could have a kitchen anywhere she chose to. After that, Twilight became distracted just watching Luna. The Alicorn moved about the appliances with gentle grace, never once hurrying as she chopped some greens for a simple salad and sliced some fresh turkey meat for sandwiches. The latter was what Twilight was really looking forward to; Meat was quite rare in Equestria, as they could never grow it fast enough to feed an entire nation. Meat was usually reserved for special occasions like Hearth’s Warming Eve, and the rest of the time the ponies of Equestria made due with enhanced fruits and vegetables.

It took Twilight a few moments to realize that she was no longer just watching the Princess work. Time and again Twilight’s eyes were drawn to Luna’s seemingly natural beauty. Princess Luna was only a stretch or two taller than Twilight, but the Princess still had legs that gave the impression of being miles long. Luna’s backside was so smooth, rippling and coiling as the ruler of Equestria moved about. And her wings! They fanned the air gently every now and then as Luna stirred and mixed, full of downy tenderness and strong energy.  Twilight felt her cheeks heat furiously and quickly averted her eyes, scolding herself for ogling the Princess so! Thankfully, by the time Princess Luna turned bearing a tray of food in her obsidian magic, Twilight had managed to wrest her blush under control. And her wandering eyes.

Luna plunked down a turkey and sunflower sandwich in front of her new student and set the salad aside for the moment. She gestured to the food. “Eat, Twilight. I find it easier to learn new things on a full stomach.”

Hesitating slightly (she was still in the presence of the Princess!) Twilight took a nibble from her sandwich. She immediately began eating with gusto, moaning slightly. It had been far too long since she had been able to have any meat at all. Princess Luna grinned, clearly pleased.

Twilight swallowed. “So, Princess—”

“Luna,” came the swift correction, and Twilight smiled slightly.

“Luna,” Twilight tried again. “Why exactly are you going to teach me about all ten branches of magic?”

Princess Luna actually arched an eyebrow. “Do you not wish to learn more about magic?”

Twilight was quick to assure her mentor. “Of course I do, Princess. But no other mage would accept an apprentice who wanted to study a branch of magic outside what they taught.”

Princess Luna frowned briefly at the renewed use of her title before she spoke. “I am also no mere mage, Twilight Sparkle. You have not escaped my notice, living in the palace. I’ve seen you diving into your studies, determined to learn everything you could about magic in general. Most other students are simply content to follow one path. Even from an early age, however, you were seeking knowledge on as many branches of magic as you could. Some magic, you discovered, are not exactly talked about in any depth in any of the books you’ve studied. Friendship and Animosity are examples of this, as those two do not always manifest in the clearest ways possible. Others, like Necromancy, are not talked about at all, merely glossed over with a hurried explanation. Yet no matter what you managed to read, no book at the Canterlot Archives actually taught you the proper techniques for magic, did they?”

Twilight took another bite of her sandwich before answering. “No. What little I do know about magic I taught myself. It was enough that I could impress any Master I wanted. But that plan didn’t go over well. I didn’t see a single mage at the time of my Choosing.”

“Because I warned them to stay away, Twilight,” Luna spoke gently. “I told them, under no circumstances, were any Mage to appear at your Choosing. I had chosen you to be my next protégée long before any of those fools had their eyes on you.”

Twilight looked up at this revelation, eyes wide. “But why, Princess? I am naught but a curious unicorn filly who loves to read. What if I don’t live up to your expectations?”

Princess Luna chuckled a tiny bit, finally understanding what was eating away at her new student. “I chose you because I can see your potential, Twilight Sparkle. And I shall leave it at that. But know this: You won’t ever disappoint me, Twilight. I know you will always put forth your best effort, and that is good enough for me. Now, come. I see that you have finished your lunch, as have I. I’ve got some books I’d like you to read a few passages from. After that, I believe I can find some other stuff for you to work on.”

Luna stood up, clearing the small table with a pulse from her horn. In the same pulse, she levitated two thick tomes over to Twilight. Tilting her head sideways, Twilight read the titles: Military Equestria and Basic Guide to Magic.

“These two books will become your primary sources of information for the time being. A good deal of your initial studies will revolve around these two. I’ve already marked the pages I would like you to read from. Start with Military Equestria and go from there. I must take care of a small bit of business, and then I will return.”

With that, Princess Luna was gone. Frowning a bit at her teacher’s sudden disappearance, Twilight cracked open the first book she had been told to read. The unicorn rifled through the pages until she found the pages marked by a magical bookmark and began to read.

Equestria’s Military Forces. **Equestrian Rangers* –The Rangers very rarely fight off of Equestria’s soil. This branch of the military acts as a “national guard” of sorts, mobilizing in the event Equestria becomes invaded. In times of relative peace, the Rangers comprise about sixty percent of Equestria’s food sources, farming land in addition to performing regular military exercises. If Equestria is ever besieged, only forty percent of the Ranger’s full might are ever engaged at one time, allowing the nation to continue to produce enough food to withstand an invasion that may last years.*

That was certainly interesting. Twilight had known that Equestrian Rangers were designed to protect the Crown, but she had no idea that their deployment was so intricate. With a good portion of the Rangers still helping produce food, Equestria would prove to be a difficult nation to take by direct force. Twilight read on.

**The Wonderbolts* –“Faster, Swifter, Stronger” is the motto of the Wonderbolts, and it is a motto they strive to uphold each and every day. The Bolts are hands down the best aerial force Sol has ever seen, the first deployed to an engagement and the last to leave. Ancient pegasi magic combined with aerial moves introduced by the iconic Commander Hurricane has given the Bolts a reputation well deserved. Undying loyalty to the Crown they serve and to each other leaves the Wonderbolts as Equestria’s oldest military force.*

So that was what Rainbow Dash was getting herself into. It sounded like the Wonderbolts strived to be the very best, all the time. It seemed rather unrealistic to Twilight, and the studious mare wondered if Dash would be up to the challenge.

**Medic Corps* –The Medic Corps have been around as long as the Wonderbolts. Comprised of animal Whisperers and the best doctors Equestria can provide, the Corps is the singular force that keeps Equestria breathing. From combating sickness in Equestria’s many cities and towns, to practicing their art upon the field of battle, the Corps provide the muscle behind recovery.*

Well, that certainly sounded right up Fluttershy’s alley, if she could get over her intense shyness. Twilight didn’t know any other pony that would care so much for a complete stranger.

**Canterlot Guard* --The Canterlot Guard is one of the last lines of defense for the Equestrian Crown. They mainly police the palace and the grounds itself, although it has been known for Canterlot Guards to sign contracts with other nobility.*

That was what Shining Armor was, a Canterlot Guard. Nothing made her brother happier than to be defending the Princess.

**Equestrian Intelligence* –EI knows everything. A vast spy network comprised of undercover agents everywhere, Equestrian Intelligence ensures the nation they serve is prepared for anything. Every major plan, every notable event usually revolves around an EI combat agent. They operate from the shadows, usually shaping Equestria’s future more than any other military force.*

Equestrian Intelligence had Pinkie Pie written all over it. That pony knew things about other ponies she had no business knowing about. It didn’t matter if it was a thought never spoken aloud. Pinkie Pie would still know about it.

**Arcane Brigade* –If there is one thing the enemies of Equestria fear, it is Princess Luna’s Arcane Brigade. Comprised of the most deadly spell casters ever born, the Brigade only enters a conflict when the need is dire. The Brigade guards their magical secrets jealously, ensuring that enemies know next to nothing about them. The Brigade is also responsible for Equestria’s advancements with magic.*

The Arcane Brigade. The name sent pleasing shivers down Twilight’s spine. She had always dreamed that she would have a chance to join the Brigade, after learning all she could from a Master Mage. The Brigade solved everything, and Twilight would love nothing more than to be that part of Equestria’s forces. Perhaps Luna would allow her to join the Brigade after Twilight completed her training.

**The Valkyrie* –If the Arcane Brigade brings fear to Equestria’s enemies, then Princess Luna’s Valkyrie brings unbridled terror. Throughout Equestria’s history, the Valkyrie has been a mare every bit as powerful as Princess Luna herself. Records show that victory is guaranteed when the Valkyrie takes to the battlefield. Mastering every branch of magic known to Sol, the Valkyrie is Princess Luna’s right hoof, meting out justice where she sees fit. The other branches of military also directly answer to the Valkyrie, rather than Princess Luna.*

This was a name that brought back foalhood memories. Everypony knew who the Valkyrie had been. Respected, feared, and loved as much as the Princess herself, the last Valkyrie vanished sometime during the giant War almost a thousand years ago. To the best of Twilight’s knowledge, there has not been one since.

**Princess Luna* –There has only been one instance where the Princess of Equestria has entered combat personally. This was back during the War of the Sun and Moon decades ago, when the usurper Corona Flare attempted to claim the throne of Equestria. The details of this war are vague at best, but it is a testament of Princess Luna’s prowess that Corona Flare is no more.*

Twilight remembered reading vague details about this war. All anypony remembered was that Corona Flare attempted to usurp Princess Luna’s position, to bring about never-ending day. After a vicious war, Princess Luna emerged victorious, and supposedly banished Flare into the Sun. At the time, Twilight had thought the tale was simply something to entertain young foals. After seeing Princess Luna up close, and feeling her majestic power, Twilight was starting to think that perhaps there was a grain of truth to this story. With a thoughtful expression, Twilight opened the second text.

Magical Basics

Magic is a part of everything. From the visible and flashy magic of unicorns and other casters, to the more subtle passive magic of ground and fliers, magic is everywhere. Over the years, magic has branched out into ten different categories, each with their own counterpart. They are as follows:There have been numerous disputes when categorizing magic as we know it. For example, a good many scholars and mages feel that Light and Night should be their own counterparts and that a new Accord Magic should be created for Destruction. However, this idea is not entirely sound and has been thus far ignored; Light magic focuses on strength, courage, and creating new things, while Destruction does the exact opposite.

Twilight knew all of this already. But Princess Luna undoubtedly had some reason to bring this to the forefront of the unicorn’s mind. Twilight was interrupted from her thoughts by the reappearance of Luna, who had a strange gleam in her eye.

“Good, you are finished reading! Now, let us set you up with some chores.”

“Chores?” Twilight echoed, confused. This was not what she had expected when Luna had said there she was going to teach Twilight magic.

“Yes, chores. Take a look around, Twilight. Are there any servants here?”

“No, Princess.” Twilight was confusion layered her voice, but she did have a small inkling of where this was going.

“Of course there is not! Servants rarely ever approach my study and its hallway; it is the one place they are forbidden from!”

This made sense. Twilight had noticed a distinct lack of servants on her walk here, despite the haze over her mind at the time. “So then I am going to perform the cleaning they are unable to do?” Try as she might, Twilight could not hide the disappointment coloring her words.

Luna finally had mercy on her student. “Relax, Twilight. You are not in trouble. This is my way of gauging your magical aptitude. I don’t want you to do anything overly fancy to accomplish what I ask of you. All you should need to do is some levitation and a few other minor spells. I want to test your control and see how you go about completing everyday tasks. Firstly, I would like you to clean up after our lunch. After that, the fireplace needs cleaning out and the mantle dusted. The rugs need to be dirt free. Then you can start on my bookshelves. Dust them and clean them. Make sure my books are all categorized. Once you are finished, then I can get a better idea of where to start you in your training.”

Twilight perked up a bit. Housework was nothing new to her, despite being of noble birth; growing up in the palace instead of a foster home meant she had to clean her own room on numerous occasions. The fact that the Princess wanted Twilight use magic made the work more bearable. Humming a faint tune, Twilight got started. Horn shimmering with a low key magenta glow, she attacked the stuff left over from lunch. A single horn wave removed leftover foodstuffs from utensils and surfaces, and then a further wave sent the implements sailing back to their proper place in the kitchenette. At the same time the purple unicorn attacked the fireplace, Vanishing the ash left over from its last use and whitening the bricks a bit. She then produced a small duster and proceeded to buff the mantle. By that time she had finished the lunch mess and moved onto the books and bookshelves.

Princess Luna watched her student with interest. She was using and maintaining spells constantly, without conscious effort. Twilight’s horn didn’t even shine any brighter than it had at first, signaling a record low power usage despite all the magic the unicorn was using. It was starting to look like taking Twilight as her personal protégé was a very good decision. As Luna watched her student, her eyes started to wander. Twilight was young, certainly, but no less an appealing mare. Her legs were sturdy and strong, a testimony to an active pony despite Twilight’s love for books. The fact that Twilight was not some fat, lazy scholar was a very good thing, in Luna’s book. While Twilight was nowhere near as glossy and graceful as Luna, there was a certain symphony about her movements, as the unicorn turned slightly to keep an eye on her spells. And besides, gracefulness would come in time. All in all, she was confident that she had chosen well. Twilight would make a good Valkyrie.