Teenage Celestia

Chapters

Prologue: The Gift of Knowledge
Chapter 1: There's Always More to Learn
Chapter 2: To Be Young Again
Chapter 3: Not a Morning Pony

Prologue: The Gift of Knowledge

They called Equis "king". Sometimes, the eons-old stallion didn't know what to think of the title. He knew his name was Equis, he knew he loved his wife, Galaxina and their two daughters Celestia and Luna with all his heart, all his life. But as he stood on the balcony of majestic Canterlot Castle and gazed out on the kingdom of Equestria as the sun rose, he pondered his own destiny. Equis was unsure of his fate.

It had never been explained to Equis why it was his duty to rule this world, to attend to its pony inhabitants alongside his wife. The mark that sealed his fate had adorned his backside for as long as he had known. Before it, there was nothing. He knew that caring for the kingdom of Equestria was his obligation... but he did not know why.

Equis had been blessed with many gifts, a kingdom, a beautiful mare to call his own and just a few days ago, two beautiful baby foals. He promised himself that his daughters would not be blessed with uncertainty.

Galaxina, his wife, descended from the sun as it took position in the sky to mark morning. Her wings glowed with a heavenly light and glittered as she soared down to the balcony. Her radiance was only amplified by the sun, Equis marveled at her work as it lit up the kingdom below. But it was Galaxina's smile, not the sun that lit up Equis' world as she landed before him. Without a word, they embraced in the light of a newborn morning.

"How are they?" Galaxina asked about their daughters.

"Still sleeping. Would you like to go check on them?"

"No... let them sleep. Tomorrow's going to be a big day for them."

"Today, you mean," Eternos corrected with a grin.

Galaxina smiled, realizing she'd just raised the sun. "Yes, you're right." Equis was not the only one who had difficulty understanding his role at times. He smiled back at her.

"When are they expected to arrive?" Galaxina asked, now inquiring about the guests scheduled to come to Canterlot Castle.

"Soon. A few hours, probably. They keep track of time based on the position of the constellation they call "Harbinger". So, for now the girls can sleep and we can have the morning to ourselves," King Equis said. His wife smiled at him again and for the second time, he felt the warmth of more than the sun overhead. The two stood on the balcony in silence and looked upon their kingdom together.

An hour later, the two guests arrived. They were escorted into the castle by the royal guard. Equis and his wife were informed and they gathered in the throne room to meet their guests. The first guest was a dragon, a blue lizard-like creature that stood on two legs and carried a gold scepter topped with a red gem. His angular face, scales and wings gave him a menacing appearance but he strode with a certain grace as he walked into the throne room.

The second guest was a zebra, a cloak pulled over his entire body and a hood over his head. The zebra kept his head in a downward-facing position as he walked so his face was obscured by the darkness of the hood. Gold rings adorned his hooves, barely out from under the dark cloak. The two walked side-by-side up to where the king and queen sat on their two thrones. They bowed as they approached, both kneeling before the rulers of Equestria.

"We are honored to be welcomed here on behalf of the Zebra Kingdom," the dragon said, head hung low and a claw over his heart as he spoke. "I am called Spar. I speak for the Oracle, Zen," he gestured to the Zebra with his other claw.

"We are honored to receive you, Spar and Zen. You may rise," the king said. Both he and his wife rose from their seats now that introductions were over. Etiquette was something that sometimes could not be spared. Spar and Zen both rose. The zebra pulled back his cloak revealing a determined face and short-cropped mane, both striped black and white. A jagged scar ran from Zen's forehead through his eye and down to his chin. Despite being smaller, his appearance was no less menacing than the dragon's but he carried himself with an amount of grace making him seem powerful, yet not dangerous.

"We appreciate you coming here at our request. This way, please," Galaxina said. The king and queen led them out of the throne room and into another hallway. The four walked through the castle quietly, guards saluting as they passed them. They entered a small chamber at the end of a long hallway, a room off of the main path but traveled to often. Equis used his magic to open the door and the four entered.

The room was very small, the only thing that occupied it was a crib that contained the newborn foals of the king and queen. The two baby ponies stirred as their parents approached. The four surrounded the crib and its contents, four sets of eyes on the infants inside.

"Celestia," Equis said, gesturing to the white foal with the smallest outcropping of a blue mane. "and Luna," he said, addressing the dark blue foal next to her.

"Their marks represent the sun and the moon. They're visible already," Galaxina said. Zen and Spar noticed the two marks on the newborn flanks.

"We wish for them to know their future, their purpose for being here," Equis told the two. Zen muttered something as he stared at the two and then spoke something in his native tongue. Neither Equis nor Galaxina spoke zebronics and it's likely that Zen didn't speak ponese which is why Spar was there.

"The oracle can see the future, not the fate of these two. Their destiny is something that can only be revealed with time," Spar said.

Equis and Galaxina looked at each other. They could each read what the other was thinking just from the expressions on their faces. Galaxina nodded and the king turned to the oracle.

"That will suffice for now," he said, his voice conveying a hint of regret at not being able to learn the full extent of his daughters' destinies... or his own.

Zen nodded and said something else, he looked directly into the king's eyes as he spoke in the language of the zebras.

"The oracle is ready," Spar said. "He can only see the future of one of your daughters at a time."

The king and queen looked at each other again, knowing what the dragon meant. They had to choose which daughter's future they were going to see first. This was something neither of them had considered, now both of their expressions turned to that of confusion. How did they choose? Equis looked into the crib at the faces of his two foals and then back at his wife. His mouth started to form a word, a name beginning with the letter "L".

"Celesita," Galaxina said. "She is the older if only by moments." Equis nodded; he was uncertain but that seemed to be the only way to decide.

"Very well," Spar said. He spoke the name in zebronican to Zen who nodded solemnly. "The oracle will begin now."

The zebra called Zen leaned over the crib to see the white foal. She looked up at the strange black-and-white creature that was observing her. The oracle raised a hoof over the foal and held it in midair. The gold ring on his limb began to glow an eerie blue. He spoke something else in his native language and his eyes took on the same color. A flash erupted, the oracle's mouth began moving at a blinding speed. Even if they could understand his language, he was speaking so fast he sounded almost incoherent. A drone filled the air and then suddenly, stopped. Equis looked over to his wife. Galaxina's mouth was agape, a mother's concern on her face.

The glow vanished from the oracle's eyes and ring. He turned to face the king and queen and began to speak again, this time normally. Spar interpreted for the oracle.

"The oracle sees the one called Celestia doing great things. She will wield the power of the sun, like her mother and will face many challenges but through each one, she will emerge triumphant. Using the power of magical elements yet to be revealed, she will usher fourth a new age of harmony for all of Equestria," Spar said.

"That sounds wonderful," Galaxina remarked. Equis nodded, happy and relieved. His daughter was going to bring fourth an age of harmony. Knowing the journey's end didn't spoil it, no, the knowledge that the sister of the sun had such a bright future ahead of her gave the king only solace. His heart was contented by the oracle's words. She would have the certainty he and her mother did not.

"Please, now Luna," Equis implored.

Galaxina nodded. "We wish to know Luna's future now, please."

Without another word, the oracle extended his hoof over the head of the darker foal. Luna, curled in a ball in her crib next to her sister was almost completely eclipsed by the shadow cast by the hoof over her body. Again, the oracle's eyes and ring glowed with an other-worldly blue-green light. He opened his mouth to speak again... but not a sound emerged. The king and queen listened as did the dragon translator, hanging on any utterance of a word, no matter how vague the oracle spoke.

But the oracle remained silent. He seemed almost controlled by the power he possessed, stuck in a trance-like state. Different lights then appeared in his eyes. Equis noticed the flashes, circlets milling about his sockets. Orange... yellow... white... bright pink and light blue... and finally a purple. The oracle blinked and lowered his hoof to the floor again without warning. He shook his head and said something, a trite statement.

The king and queen looked to Spar. The dragon held his scepter, puzzled. He leaned towards the oracle who made the same short utterance yet again, this time louder. The zebra then threw back on his hood and began walking out.

Spar turned to Equis and Galaxina, at a loss for words.

"What did he say to you?" Equis asked.

"I... I am not entirely sure. Forgive me your majesties but I am not a well-versed dragon. Some terms still elude me..."

"What is it he said? Please tell us," the king almost begged. He had to know, what was Luna's fate? Was she going to die young? Why had the oracle been so brief? He thought of summoning the oracle again, too many options were racing through his mind, he couldn't think. Spar continued to look confused.

"Please, whatever the oracle told you, we must know," Galaxina pleaded.

"Your daughter Luna.." Spar began. He stopped as if trying to find the words.

"Our daughter Luna, what is her fate?" Equis asked, his heart heavy and racing. "What is Luna's future?!"

"She's going to be a colossal nerd."

Chapter 1: There's Always More to Learn

Over a thousand years later...

"Move! Oh my goodness, why are you just standing there?! MOVE!!"

Any louder and the shouts might've echoed off the walls. The small room somewhere in Canterlot Castle would've been completely dark if it weren't for the light of a single screen and it would've been quiet if not for Luna yelling at said screen.

"I do not even know why I try sometimes," Luna said into her headset. A controller levitated in front of her. Using her magic, she was able to manipulate the controls and move her avatar in the game around the battlefield she saw before her. On the other end of her headset were her teammates, players in her clan that were playing the same game with her. They faced another team on the fictional plane of battle and at the moment they were losing, mostly due to the inexperience and lack of coordination of two random players they picked up at the start of the match.

"I can't believe this. Will you TURN AROUND?! Get off the turret!!" Luna was a princess. At well over a thousand years old, she had the power to control the moon as her name suggested. She'd fought demons, tyrants and monster alongside her older sister Celestia. Over the long course of her life, she had seen the rise and fall of many great civilizations. But she had decided at that very moment that she had never before witnessed such epic failure.

The random players, one "Snip3z" and "S-Nails" had spent most of the match being murdered by the enemy team, increasing their team's score and decreasing Luna's. She sighed heavily. She just realized the two hadn't connected to their voice chat server, meaning her shouts hadn't been heard by either of them. Normally the case with random players who join a pick up game.

A massive explosion appeared on the screen. A wall of fire raced towards Luna's avatar. In a matter of seconds, it was over and Luna's screen turned black. A menu slowly faded into view detailing Luna's statistics along with those of her teammates. It also listed the enemy's along with the word Defeat in large, red letters at the top. Luna dropped the controller in disgust, barely even paying attention to the scores.

"I just don't know what went wrong..." Derpy's voice said in Luna's headset.

"It wasn't your fault Derpy," Luna replied. She was being honest, Derpy had performed exceptionally well during the match, demonstrating a great deal of skill with the sniper rifle weapon. A difficult aspect of the game to master, the gray Pegasus had shown she is quite capable of wielding it to its fullest potential. Derpy's kills were at the top of the chart as was her accuracy rating. Truly, Derpy Hooves was an asset to the team.

"The GREAT and POWERFUL Trixie demands a rematch! Trixie will NOT be disgraced by spawn-camping noobs!" Trixie, another member on their voice server commented. The unicorn hadn't faired well that match and she tended to get very angry when things didn't go her way.

"Uhh, I think that was me and Tavi's last game. We both gotta get to work," Vinyl Scratch said. She along with her roommate Octavia played and worked well together, they were both an asset to Luna's team.

"All right, then. I wish you all well," Luna said, her voice still rang with the disappointment of the loss.

"Later Luna!" Derpy called back.

"Later," Vinyl responded.

"TRIXIE SHALL HAVE HER REVENGE!" Luna removed the headset quickly. Trixie's rage was something she'd witnessed quite often lately. Mostly, it was just loud and accompanied elaborate plans to solve the problem of her anger by crushing the source with enormous bears from outer space. Lately, she'd been angrier than normal for a reason she hadn't explained. Just last week, Trixie claimed she'd obtained some sort of mystical item that would make her unstoppable but Luna had forbidden her from using it while they played. Hackers got banned, simple as that.

Luna shook her head and picked up the controller again. She decided she'd might try to join a couple pick up games herself. Maybe she'd get lucky and get paired up with those two that lost her team's match. That way, they could all be failures together. It wasn't like she had anything else important to do today anyway.

A knock on her door suggested otherwise. She dropped the controller and walked through her pitch-dark room to open it. Opening her door, she was surprised to see her older sister Celestia.

"Good morning Luna," the white alicorn greeted her. Standing at over a head taller than Luna, Celestia was regal in every essence of the word. Everything about her, her appearance, voice and presence simply radiated grace and elegance.

"Good... morning sister," Luna replied. "How are you today?"

"I am fine," Celestia looked behind Luna into her room. "Another match with your team?" she asked, trying to make conversation.

Her sister had noticed the screen still on. "I... we were not victorious," Luna said simply, averting Celestia's gaze. She didn't like losing, especially not in front of her big sister.

But Celestia just smiled at her. "I am sure you will win eventually," she told her. Celestia didn't play video games and even she had the right attitude. Luna didn't say anything in response; her sister was right. As always...

"Twilight Sparkle is going to try using age magic for the first time today," Celestia said. "I would like it if you were to join us for the demonstration."

"Age magic?" Luna asked. "Are you sure she is ready?" Temporal manipulation spells were among the most complex known to ponies. So much could happen, so many things had to go just right or the results could be disastrous.

"Recent events have shown me that she is indeed ready. I've learned to place a great deal of faith in my student... as she has in me," Celestia answered.

"I would be happy to join you," Luna said. She turned off her console and walked out of the room, following her sister down the hall. They passed royal guards who stood firmer at attention as they passed. Luna wasn't sure if they were doing it more for her or her sister though. Everything about Celestia was just... serene. Her older sister resembled the ruler Equestria deserved. By comparison, Luna looked like, well, Celestia's little sister. Despite the fact that Luna had come to terms with her jealousy, the sun still cast a shadow that Luna felt trapped in. For the last thousand years.

"Twilight Sparkle has come a very long way," the big sister said, making conversation as they walked. "She has progressed faster than even I could have anticipated. This is no doubt because of the friends she made in Ponyville."

"Yes. It seems they've taught her more about magic than anything in Canterlot could have," Luna agreed.

Celestia looked over to Luna. "You may wish to consider taking up your own students."

Luna almost stopped in her tracks. "My own students?" She'd never considered that. Luna was still getting used to life outside the moon and it had been an adjustment. Meeting Derpy and their other online friends had given her social opportunities she hadn't had in... a long time. But she hadn't thought about taking one into her tutelage.

"I've come to depend on my student Twilight. I believe one day she will become stronger than both of us," Celestia said. "She still has much to learn though. That is why I've invited you to see her latest exploits today."

Luna nodded. Twilight was still very young. "Age magic is very complicated. Who will be the subject for her first attempt?"

"I am," Celestia said casually. That shocked Luna. She stopped in the hallway, Celestia turned to her.

"You're willing to let her cast it on you first?"

Her older sister nodded. "I have the upmost confidence in Twilight Sparkle. I volunteered to be her first subject myself," she explained.

"You are placing a lot of faith in her," Luna remarked. The two started walking again.

"I am. And I have no doubt she will be successful. As I said, she still has much to learn. That is why I need you here for her first attempt."

Luna knew now what her sister was insinuating. "In case she fails? In case something happens to you?"

"Yes. If anything were to happen to me, the duty of protecting the kingdom would fall to you."

Luna felt a really bad feeling forming in the pit of her stomach, worse than the recent loss she felt this morning.

"I am familiar with age magic," Luna said. "Surely if anything were to go wrong, I would be able to reverse the effects."

"Of course," Celestia replied. "And don't call me Shirley."

"What?"

"It's also important that we both be here to support and encourage Twilight and her friends. If she is successful with the age spell, that will indicate how far she has come... and offer a glimpse of what we can expect in the future." Luna admired Celestia and her relationship with Twilight. It was yet another in the long list of things that made her envious of her sister. She knew where dwelling on such feelings led... but Celestia wasn't just encouraging Twilight. She was encouraging Luna too. Her own student? Students? She didn't know what to think at that moment. Twilight's friends were out of the question... but who else was a gifted unicorn? Perhaps Trixie?

The reached the end of the hallway and entered the throne room. It stretched fourth, massive and lavish with a high ceiling and gorgeous stained glass windows, the light of the new morning shining through each one brilliantly painting the pictures they held on the floor. They entered the room from the back, Celestia's throne to their left as they entered. In the center was Twilight Sparkle and her five friends. They were talking as the two sisters approached.

"My faithful student Twilight!" Celestia called to her student.

"Princess! I, uh... I've been preparing all morning and I-" The purple unicorn was flustered, as usual. A spell book levitated by her head, she flipped through the pages quickly like a student cramming in a last-minute study session before a test.

"I can see that," Celestia said with a chuckle as she and Luna walked over.

"We've been helping Twilight prepare for the last few days. We wouldn't miss this for the world!" Rainbow Dash said as she hovered above the ground.

"She's definitely practiced very hard, your majesty," Rarity commented, slightly nervous herself.

"Twilight used somea our apples to try her new-fangled age magic on. We went through quite a few," Applejack said. "We were too afraid to try to use it on any of Fluttershy's animals because a..." Fluttershy herself said nothing, apparently the creatures she cared for had been involved in something... less than safe.

"She uh, she tested it out on a few things, fruits and veggies and the results were-"

Pinkie giggled. "First she turned the apples into oranges, then the oranges exploded! It was amazing!"

"We think she's got it worked out now. At least, it was okay when we tried it on the seeds," Rainbow Dash said. The purple unicorn was apparently sweating as she flipped through the book again and again. The comment about exploding produce had sent Luna's concern skyrocketing. What if that spell made her sister explode?! How could she go through with this?!

Celestia simply walked over to Twilight. "I am sure Twilight will perform the spell successfully," she said, putting a hoof on her student's shoulder. That snapped Twilight out of being absorbed in her book and dropped her back down to Equestria. The purple unicorn looked up at her mentor, eyes filled with uncertainty and fear. Celestia simply smiled back at her student, a comforting and knowing expression that warmed those who saw it.

"Have you decided what type of age spell you wish to cast?" Celestia asked.

Twilight's eyes widened. "What type of spell? I don't, I didn't see any-"

"There are two basic types of age spells," Luna said, walking closer. "Increasing one's age or decreasing it are the easiest spells." Apparently Twilight hadn't given it much thought. She opened the book again.

Celestia put a hoof in front of Twilight's book, prompting her to lower it. "I am sure that since my student is aware that I am well over one thousand years of age, the effects of an age increasing spell would be difficult to notice," she gave Twilight a subtle wink and the student understood. Harnessing magic was one thing, achieving the desired result was another entirely. Twilight hadn't decided if she was going to make Celestia younger or older, apparently she had subconsciously assumed the princess would decide for herself. And it was clear that a decision had been made.

"Yes, of-of course," Twilight agreed.

Celestia stepped back away from Twilight to give her plenty of room to cast. "Are you ready Twilight?"

Twilight put down the book. "I am."

"WAIT!" Pinkie's voice screeched. Pinkie disappeared for a moment and then wheeled a cannon closer to the group. Ducking behind the cannon, she reappeared wearing a top hat and rip cord, prepared to fire the cannon. "Okay, I'm good!" she shouted.

"Now Twilight," the princess said. "Show me what you have learned."

Twilight nodded. She closed her eyes and thought clearly, the details of the age spell etched vividly onto the surface of her mind. Magic surged through her entire body, the ends of her mane levitated slightly and her horn glowed with built up energy. She gritted her teeth, focused on the princess and cast the spell.

A beam of pure magical energy emerged from the unicorn's horn. It collided with the princess, enveloping her in a magenta light. An explosive flash burst from Celestia, blinding everypony in the throne room. Sparks descended from ceiling and for a moment, all was silent.

Twilight opened her eyes to see the results of her spell. In front of her stood Princess Celestia, the alicorn examined herself to see if the age spell had worked. Her expression was ever so slightly puzzled, she looked to her student.

An explosion rang out and confetti showered the group. Pinkie Pie's party cannon launched a celebratory cloud of glittering bits throught the room. Behind the cannon though, Pinkie was just as confused as everypony else.

"Woo... hoo?" Pinkie said, quirking an eyebrow.

"She... doesn't look younger," Rainbow Dash commented, flying closer.

Twilight looked at her mentor. Something had gone wrong. The spell hadn't worked, Celestia remained unchanged.

"I don't know what went wrong. I don't think I missed anything," Twilight said. She picked up the book almost instinctively and began flipping through it again. Celestia walked over to her student again.

"It is all right, Twilight," she said, comforting Twilight again.

"Beg yer pardin' princess but, you wouldn't happen to be feelin... orange-y, would ya?" Applejack asked. Celestia shook her head.

"Well, that's a relief," Applejack said, wiping a tad bit of sweat off her forehead.

"What could've happened? I went over every step about a dozen-dozen times, memorized every word and still..." Twilight trailed off. Princess Celestia once again walked over and prompted Twilight to put the book down.

"You will master this spell eventually Twilight. I know you will," the princess told her. Twilight practically had tears in her eyes; she didn't take failure well. But the princess did not relent in trying to comfort her student. Like a torrent of positive energy, she kept showering Twilight with the same confidence, the same faith and determination until all her doubt melted away. There was a lot.

"We will try again tomorrow," Celestia said to them. "I will come to Ponyville with Luna in the morning. Perhaps you will have success in more... comfortable surroundings." Truthfully, changing location would not change the chances of success or failure of the spell again but Celestia knew that if Twilight and her friends stayed in Canterlot, Twilight would most likely spend the entire night worrying and studying. Not that being at her own home would make a difference but at least in Ponyville she would be more comfortable.

"Okay... thank you, princess," Twilight said, sounding devastated. The two ponies turned away from each other as Twilight and her friends departed. They had come all that way for nothing, just because Celestia had requested them come to the castle. She would come to them tomorrow, make the commute easier on everypony involved. She knew there was no other pony who could take the responsibility to be Twilight's first subject to cast the age spell on. That was the joy and burden of being a teacher.

The doors at both ends of the throne room opened and the respective parties exited.

"That was... unexpected," Luna commented to her older sister.

Celestia was silent for a moment before responding. "Indeed. It's not often for a spell to cast without any discernible effects. But I am sure Twilight will be successful eventually."

"I agree. Is there any other reason why we are going to see them in Ponyville tomorrow?"

"If the spell misfires again, Twilight may need some more hooves-on-approach training in how to use age magic. It would be the perfect opportunity to practice together," Celestia said. She wondered if her sister had difficulty placing faith in her student at times.

"Is there anything else you need me for?" Luna asked.

"Not at the moment but thank you. Would you care to join me for some tea?"

"Perhaps later," Luna said. "I'm going back to solo-qeue for a couple matches on Live," she turned and headed back to her room.

Celestia smiled. "Best of luck, Luna."

Luna turned her head back. "Thank you," she replied softly. So much was still uncertain and yet her sister remained unfazed. There was a difference between being a leader and a ruler, Luna was beginning to understand that. So many things around them were changing, some that neither of them were aware of. Luna wondered... what would've happened if she had never rebelled against her sister? Would she then understand what it meant to rule, what separated her from her sister?

She shook her head at the thoughts. What was done was done. Now it was time to take out these strange emotions on random ponies playing online.

Author's Note

I don't blog. Blogging wastes time, me telling you about it in the author's notes section of this chapter is wasting time. You're here to read stories about ponies, I'm here to write stories about ponies. We can talk about what you like or didn't like about the story, point out stuff that needs to be improved or fixed in the comments section or PM me, don't be afraid to discuss things with each other, all that stuff. Now if you'll excuse me, I have stories to write about ponies. Thank you for your time.

Chapter 2: To Be Young Again

The next morning...

Luna's room was quiet this morning but still she gamed in the dark, alone if not for Derpy talking to her via wireless headset again. Today they were engaged in a roleplaying game, one based on cooperation rather than competition. Generally easier and less stressful, it provided a pleasant escape.

The silence was punctuated by a knock on the door. Then another, the door was beset upon by a series of rapid taps as if whoever was on the other side was impatient.

"I'm coming!" Luna shouted across the room. "Bee-are-bee," she then whispered into her headset to Derpy, an acronym indicating she would 'be right back'.

Luna walked across the room and opened the door. Not surprisingly, Celestia was on the other side. She still looked the same as she did yesterday, the effects of the age spell having surprisingly no effect at all. Luna didn't pay attention to the enormous grin Celestia wore as she stood in the doorway.

"Good morning sister, are we going to-"

"Luna!" her big sister interrupted. The larger white alicorn lunged through the doorway to grab her sister and embrace her in an overly-tight hug. "It's so good to see you lil' sis! How are you doing this morning?"

"I am... fine," Luna said, nearly choked in the awkward embrace. She would've tried to hug back but her sister's limbs were like a vice. Luna was instantly confused and conflicted; on one hoof, she had the instinct to return Celestia's affection, on the other, she had the powerful urge to flee for safety. Before she had time to absorb anything other than discomfort, her sister released her.

"So, what are you up to?" her big sister asked.

Luna averted her sister's gaze for an entirely different reason now. "I was just-"

"Why is your room so dark?" Celestia interrupted, sticking her head into Luna's room. "Why is it so dark in here? Are you playing video games in here? Oh my gosh, you are! That is so cool!" the white alicorn strode past Luna and into the room.

"Why are you playing alone in the dark? This room doesn't have any windows. Don't you have a lamp or something at least?" Celestia questioned. For some reason, her voice sounded different to Luna. It was higher... and annoying. Her tone sounded childish almost, gone was the regal presence of a mare who was both ruler and mentor.

"Umm, sister? Are you feeling okay?" Luna asked, indirectly trying to wonder why her sister seemed a tad 'off' this morning.

"Awesome! Just wanted to come by and see what my baby sister was up to," Celestia answered. "So what are you playing?" The larger mare approached the silvery screen, the game still paused on what Luna was doing with Derpy.

This was the first time her sister had shown this much interest in her video games. "Just playing Skyrim with Derpy. I thought we were going-" Luna awkwardly admitted but was once again interrupted.

"Is this your controller? Ooh, and your headset!" Celestia levitated the two devices. She placed the headset on her own head and examined the controller as she held it with her magic. Celestia looked over the device, turning it upside down and on its side the same way one might study a puzzle.

"Come! Play with me! We don't hang out any more, we need to do stuff together," Celestia beckoned to Luna.

Luna put a hoof behind her neck. "I thought we were going to go see Twilight today."

The sun princess gasped. "You're right! We should go hang out with Twilie!"

Twilie? Wasn't that what her brother called her? Luna was even more confused now. Her sister was acting bizarre. She was acting like this was the first time she'd seen Luna's room, Luna's games, for that matter, Luna. What was the reason for this strange behavior? Celestia seemed normal yesterday especially right after the-

"The age spell!" the realization hit Luna. "Sister, yesterday, I think something might've happened when Twilight was here."

"Let's go see Twilight now!" Celestia said. She dropped both controller and headset on the floor and strode towards the door. Luna tried to stop and ask her something, maybe it would be better if Twilight came to them. But the larger alicorn embraced the smaller one again before she could say anything. The breath was squeezed from Luna's lungs in another hug.

"I love you so much, Luna. I'm so sorry I've been too busy to do things with you," Celestia said, closing her eyes.

Luna felt like she was being crushed in the grip of an Ursa-Major. "I... I assure you-"

"But all that's going to change. We're going to go see Twilie in town! Won't that be fun?"

"Absolutely?," Luna replied, unsure. Finally, Celestia released her. It felt like she could breath again. There had to be some kind of connection between the age spell Twilight tried to conjure yesterday and how Celestia was acting now. Thankfully, Celestia wanted to go see her student right away.

"We'll spend the whole day together just you, me and Twilie! We can go shopping and get you some new clothes, maybe a whole new wardrobe something nice and less dark for you. Maybe we could even give you a makeover!" Celestia began. Her attention span was so short, she hopped from one topic to the next and just kept going. Spending the whole day together turned into shopping, shopping turned into new clothes, new clothes turned into a need for a new style, it just didn't end.

"A... makeover?" Everything was happening too fast, Luna was confused, reluctant to do anything. Part of her on the inside screamed in her own voice that she needed to get her sister help, try to fix her condition on her own.

"Let's get going right now. We've got the whole day ahead of us and let's not spend it alone in the dark," Celestia gently encouraged. That gentle encouragement though also included grabbing her little sister and practically dragging her entire body through the hallways of the castle. Luna had little choice but to come with her as Celestia put a hoof around her body and lovingly carried her out of the room.

Luna's hooves dragged on the floor as her sister pulled her. Royal Guards that saw the two silently turned their heads, just as confused as Luna yet they remained at attention as they followed the two with their eyes. The larger alicorn practically carried her smaller sister out of the castle.

Chapter 3: Not a Morning Pony

Twilight Sparkle awoke to the sound of somepony pounding on her front door. She'd spent most of the night studying, going over the age spell again. Finally, Spike had managed to convince her to get some rest and that she could try figuring it out in the morning.

"Spike... could you see who that is?" Twilight asked in a tired voice as she woke up.

"Wha...? Could I see who the..." Spike's voice groggily trailed off. Twilight looked over to where the baby dragon was sleeping, he turned over once in his bed. She decided it might be best just to see who it is for herself.

Twilight walked down the stairs and across the living room. Whoever was knocking at her door hadn't stopped since she'd woken up, Twilight began to hasten herself as she got closer. Finally, she opened the door with her magic but what was on the other side made her think she was still asleep.

"Twilight! My favorite gal pal! What's up?!" Celestia asked. Twilight's mind immediately entered a state of shock as she witnessed the grinning face of her mentor holding Princess Luna in a headlock grip to her side. The sight of the two ponies just standing in front of her was so surprising, she could barely find the words to speak.

"Prin-princess Celestia?!" Twilight asked in an astounded tone.

"Please help me Twilight Sparkle," Luna said quickly, still being gripped to her older sister. Twilight looked to her, still unsure of what to make of the situation.

"Twilight, like, my most super special student! We need to hang out," Celestia declared. "I just woke up today and had nothing to do and I realized, I don't get to see you guys enough. We never do anything so today I decided we're going to spend the whole day together having fun!"

"That... sounds great!" Twilight said. Despite the way Celestia was acting, Twilight did love the opportunity to spend time with her teacher. She didn't know what to make of what she saw but something seemed strange about them both. Finally, Celestia released Luna to hug Twilight. The larger white pony picked up the purple unicorn like a small foal and squeezed her in a bipedal stance with both hooves. Twilight felt the air rush from her lungs as she was held in Celestia's grasp.

"I just love you guys soooo much!" Celestia said, eyes closed tight.

"We... love you too, Princess," Twilight said. She looked to Luna who was rubbing her side. Twilight noticed the expression of deep concern on Luna's face. Something was wrong but what could she do about it?

"I'm so sorry about what happened yesterday," Celestia said, releasing Twilight who gasped for air. "Those age spells can be soo tricky sometimes. So, I figured we could forget all about it with a spa day!"

"A spa day?" Twilight asked. She looked to Luna who still wore an expression of deep concern. She said nothing though, it seemed as if she was just as perplexed about this as Twilight was. "That sounds wonderful, princess."

"Awesome! You need anything to get ready or shall we get going?" Celestia asked.

"Let me just let Spike know where we're going. It'll be just a minute."

"Okay!" the princess said gleefully, clapping her hooves together. Twilight slowly took her eyes off her mentor as she closed the door. What was going on? The princess was acting strange. Almost like a kid or something. Twilight ran up the stairs to see Spike still curled in bed.

"Spike? Are you still asleep? Wake up," she urged him.

"Hey... morning Twilight," he said groggily. "Is somepony at the door?"

"Yeah, it's Princess Celestia and Luna."

Spike started to perk up at the sound of the princess' names. "Wow, they came all the way to Ponyville to see you this morning?"

"Yeah... and they've invited me to out for a 'spa day'." Twilight said.

"Wow, that sounds like fun, Twilight."

"I know..." Twilight said, putting a hoof behind her neck and looking down at the floor. "but something seems a bit... strange about her today."

Spike sat up in his small bed. "Strange how?" he asked.

"I... I'm not sure," Twilight admitted. "She's just acting, a bit weird is all." Unfortunately in a situation she didn't understand, Twilight's first instinct was to send a letter to the princess. But what happens when what she didn't understand WAS the princess? Who could she send a letter to know? Who watches the Watchmen? Should she try to get her brother and Princess Cadence? Could they help? And what about Luna?

"Hmm," Spike put a claw to his chin. "You think it has anything to do with the age spell you cast on her yesterday?"

Twilight had been subconsciously trying not to connect the two. "I don't know. But Luna's with her. Maybe I'm just imagining things."

"Maybe she's just excited to see you?" Spike shrugged his shoulders and suggested.

"You could be right," Twilight said, trying to look at things from another angle. "I should be happy that both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna both came by to see me and-"

"Twilie! Are you ready yet?" Celestia's voice called, sounding all too much like it was coming from some eager valley girl.

Spike raised an eyebrow. "Doesn't your brother call you that?"

Twilight nodded quietly. "I better get going. Could you try to look up more about age magic while I'm gone? Try to find everything you can about it."

"Of course. How long you think you'll be gone?"

"I don't know. Try getting in touch with the others too," Twilight said as she descended the stairs.

"Okay Twilight. Have fun... I guess!" Spike called back. Twilight walked through her living room and opened her door slowly to see Celestia and Luna once again though Luna looked as though she was keeping a specific distance between herself and her big sister.

"Let's get going! We've got the whole day ahead of us!"

"Yeah..." Twilight said, trying to sound more enthusiastic than she was. "Let's go to the... spa!" The larger white alicorn lead the way, almost prancing as she strode away from Twilight's house. Twilight and Luna followed, hopefully Twilight could get some answers from the other sister.