Twilight's Pupil

Twilight's Pupil Chapter 5[/center]

by Crystal Secret

The newly renovated Canterlot streets were bustling with ponies. The sound of noisy chatter was accompanied by the rustling of the leaves that swayed calmly in the wind. There wasn't a speck of garbage anywhere on the verdant stone pavement, doubtfully because of the local's vigilance. Just about every pony around their heads turned slightly upwards, as if looking straight ahead was too good for them.

Starlight took all of this in as she walked side by side with her teacher. Apparently, the princess wanted to take her out on a little excursion, she wanted to get used to the busy streets of the capital and what life was going to be like there.

Even though royalty was currently traversing the elegant streets of Canterlot, nopony seem to pay any attention. It was as though Twilight was just another common folk, but why was that so? This, thoroughly confused the filly and after while she wondered if there really was any point in questioning it.

The click clack of hooves on the street had a causal rhythm to it; no one was in any rush to get anywhere. Colourful stores with large glass windows were plentiful on this particular pathway through the city, offering wares such as fancy attire or jewellery with gemstones so large they must have had a noticeable weight when worn. Very impressive indeed, especially considering the fact this street was known for being the cheapest shopping in Canterlot.

Suddenly, they came to a pause and they stood there for a short moment in the middle of the hustle and bustle. Confused, Starlight turned to ask a question but was immediately cut off by Twilight.

“Look around you my pupil, what do you see? What is it about this street that defines it from all of the other streets that we have strolled through?” asked her teacher, her hoof outstretched and moving in the air around her.

She stood there and thought about Twilight’s question for a minute. She had been paying very close attention to her surroundings but all the streets seemed the same. Perhaps she wasn't looking hard enough. Then the answer hit her like a pie in the face.

“Unlike all the other streets, this one is known to be the oldest in all of Canterlot. ‘A Guide to Canterlot History: Volume I’ dictates that centuries ago, Canterlot was built and this was once the main street of the newly built capital. Just recently has it been restored to its former glory. The other streets have all been built around it less than a hundred years ago and so most of these streets are new and there aren't as many cracks and the paint is as washed out. Therefore the defining characteristic of this street is its newly returned beauty!” exclaimed Starlight excitedly.

A warm, proud smile lit up the princess’s face as she nodded her head lightly. “Very well said Starlight, you have obviously been burning the midnight oil with all the studying that you've been doing. I never knew that you had a keen interest for the history of Equestria.” She praised Starlight.

They continued to stroll through the street and the ponies that they walked passed continued to pay them no attention. The reasoning behind the behaviour of everypony still confused Starlight and she was bursting to find out what was going on.

“Um, princess? Why is it that everypony is ignoring your presence?” asked Starlight curiously. The question had been bothering her all morning and she wasn't going to let it lurk in the back of her mind any longer.

“I arranged for the ponies to be on their best, ignorant and submissive behaviour. I didn't want to attract any attention to myself so I asked the Royal Guard to inform the ponies ahead of time of my presence and to just ignore me because I didn't want to be disturbed every couple of minutes by the greetings and photographs of ponies. If that makes any sense.” She replied.

“It makes sense; I just thought that it was rather odd how the ponies were all ignoring you, especially since your royalty and everything.”

A loud, annoyed rumble came from Starlight stomach and at that moment she realized how hungry she was. They had been walking for hours and she couldn't see any food outlets nearby.

“Are you hungry my pupil?” asked Twilight with a knowing look in her eyes.

“Yes princess, I am.”

“Well, the nearest restaurant is still a couple more streets away. So, how about we...” Twilight levitated the little unicorn filly onto her back. “Fly the rest of the way. Hhm?”

Starlight let out a giggle of excitement. “Are you sure princess?”

“Yes, I am sure. Now are you ready?”

“Yes!”

With that, Twilight sprouted her wings and took off gracefully into the air. She glided effortlessly over the classy and old buildings of Canterlot, giving Starlight a bird eye’s view of the wealthy capital.

A light breeze ran through their manes as they flew. Starlight had never been so high up in the air before, nevertheless ridden on the back of an alicorn. She smiled from ear to ear as she hung on tight, the thrill of being so high up and trying something new was something she had never experienced before.

“Here we go!” exclaimed the princess as she did a few tumble rolls, spiralling effortless downwards towards the city.

After what felt like a lifetime’s worth of been above the ground, Starlight felt the wind rush through her mane as they flew towards the ground. It appeared that they would be landing soon and for some reason, she didn't want the moment to end. But, it did as Twilight landed on the stone paved street effortlessly.

As Starlight climbed off the alicorn’s back, she noticed that they had flown a couple of streets ahead and were now in the food district of Canterlot. Cafes, restaurants and other assorted food shops filled the street.

“Now, why don’t we go and get some lunch? I'm pretty hungry after that short little flight we just had.” suggested Twilight eagerly.

“That’s sounds great princess!” exclaimed Starlight excitedly. The truth was she had never eaten out before let alone with a princess. So the experience sounded fun and exciting, especially for a little filly who had barely even explored the streets of the place she now called home.

Twilight and her pupil sat and had lunch at Costello’s Pizzeria. It was known to have some of the best pizza around, she knew this because she had come here once after one of the many Grand Galloping Gala’s that she had been required to attend since her coronation.

They sat in silence as they watched ponies pass them by without even a glance their way. She didn't even have her royal gear on today due to the fact that it would probably draw her too much attention.

After a deliciously satisfying lunch, they continued their exploration of Canterlot’s finest but busiest streets. Towards the end of the day, Starlight became rather tired due to all the walking that had occurred and she found herself almost dragging her short legs along the street beside her teacher who also began to look exhausted.

But the day took a rather unexpected turn as a loud shriek of terror came from a group of ponies nearby. Twilight’s attention turned to the source of the sound, unsure of how to react to the hooded figure that had emerged from nowhere she stood there for a moment in utter confusion.

The cloaked figure came a little closer to where they were standing and for a moment Twilight could almost swear that she saw the pony’s eyes flash a different, more sinister colour from under the hood that concealed the pony’s identity from every pony else. Ponies around them starting running from the figure as large obstacles were levitated into the air and thrown into the space around them. Madness had just arrived in Equestria’s beloved Capital; Canterlot.

As the area cleared out, the cloaked figure walked slowly up to them and at that moment, Twilight knew that she had to get out of there and fast. Without a moment to lose she hoisted Starlight into the air and onto her back before taking off into mid-air. She flew fast, fast into the direction of Canterlot Castle.

Later that day, it had been reported that royal guards had arrived at the scene only to find an abandoned street. The cloaked figure was nowhere to found.

• - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  - - - - - - -

The memory of the sinister colour in the pony’s eyes tormented the back of Twilight’s mind as she tossed and turned in her sleep. Beads of sweat ran down her face as blankets were strewn all over the floor. She was having a nightmare, a nightmare where the cloaked figure snatched her pupil away and ran off into the night. She feared the face of the pony whose identity was unknown.

Suddenly her eyes snapped wide open and she awoke to find her four poster bed a dishevelled and untidy mess. Knowing that she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep for quite awhile, she decided to have a little walk around. She rose from her bed and quietly made her way down the long and dark hallways of the castle.

As she walked down the quiet, empty corridor she eventually came across one of the largest and most profound libraries in the entire castle. Light emitted from the room and stood out in the corridor like one of the brightest stars in the night sky. Curious as to who would be up in the library at this hour of night she decided to take a peak, preferably without been noticed.

She tiptoed slowly up to the entrance and stood there on the corner leaning in slightly to see in. Peeking into the library she could see Starlight lying on the floor, books open around her with a small little lantern sitting beside her. She was burning in the midnight oil with her head stuck in books.

The sight of the little filly studying reminded Twilight of her early years when she was Princess Celestia’s protégé and how she used to stay up every night studying everything there was to learn in books. Not knowing of the things that could be taught through ponies and more importantly friends. Oh, those were the days. Now she was a princess, a political leader and ruler of a small portion of Equestria. Would this be Starlight’s destiny too? Or would she have a more scientific purpose now that she had her cuitemark for astronomy?

She decided not to disturb the little filly and her studying. Instead she quietly walked away and back towards her royal chambers. Perhaps now that she had seen her pupil stuck into her study, she could relax knowing that no harm would come to her, or at least for the time being.