Twilight's Pupil

Twilight's Pupil Chapter 7

by Crystal Secret

"You really should be more careful Starlight; you could have gotten yourself hurt." Said Twilight, rubbing some shampoo into the filly’s mane, who just stared back at her in disappointment; clearly unaware of how much trouble she was just in.

"I'm sorry Twilight, I had no idea that danger lurked around the corner of someplace as safe as this castle." she replied, taking in a deep breath before going beneath the surface of the hot, soapy water.

"I've requested to increase the security around the city's perimeter and more importantly the castle. I will do everything in my power to prevent Sunset Shimmer from causing any more damage." She said in a concerned tone.

"Is that really necessary? I mean what's the point? She's already inside the castle so there really is no hope."

"The Summer Sun Celebration is tomorrow and ponies from all over Equestria will be there, so it's necessary that for their we set up some kind of militaristic defence against perhaps one of the most powerful sources of evil that we have had to deal with in a long time."

As Starlight swished around in the tub, the excess water overflowed and washed overboard, wetting the marble floor around Twilight. However, she didn't seem to mind though as she simply smiled and rinsed her pupil off in reply. She levitated a big, fluffy tower over to the tub as Starlight stepped out of it.

Twilight dried off the little filly’s body as she explained the premise of the events that would play out that evening.

“Tonight, you dine with royalty. So I got my friend Rarity to design you a dress to wear to the feast that will be hosted in our grand dining hall. There will be lots of important ponies attending so look sharp, remember always to please the eyes of many government officials.” She said wrapping the towel around the filly. “One last thing, there is nothing you can do that will make me any less proud of you.” She said with a sincere smile, her eyes gleamed like diamonds as she stared into the filly’s pupils for just a moment of silent sentiment.

She led the filly over to the wardrobe and pulled out the beautiful garment that Rarity had made for the occasion. Starlight’s eyes lit up with appeal and excitement, she had never seen such a gorgeous dress in all her life and she got to wear it. Oh how she longed to be in the limelight tonight would be her night to shine and in this dress oh how she could just imagine the praise and appeal of her superiors.

The dress was a lovely night sky blue, with a silver transparent layer over it and a short train. It had a matching neckpiece and tiara both with sapphires. It was spectacular, it was beautiful and it was hers. Twilight quickly helped her get into it as she pulled on the matching ballerina slippers.

When Starlight looked in the mirror she gasped at the sight. She looked for the first time in her life, like a princess going to her first ball and all of a sudden she could herself almost in tears.

“You look beautiful Starlight. Just like a princess would. Now, are you ready?”

The tears sprung to her eyes and she became overwhelmed by it all. Never before had she been so happy to be alive in her whole life. Twilight knew she was an orphan but she didn’t know of the troubling, horrific past that loomed in her mind.

“What’s wrong Starlight? Aren’t you excited about tonight?” she asked standing next to the filly in the mirror.

Starlight just cried in response but was able to mutter few words. “I’m sorry princess, it’s just that...’ ‘I’ve never been so happy in my whole life, or been treated quite as nicely as this.” She said as the tears continued to run down her cheeks.

“I`m sorry to hear that, but perhaps tonight can make up for all the sorrow and disappointment.” She said, eagerly trying to cheer the filly up but to no prevail. “We really must get going; otherwise we’re going to be late.”

With that, the two ponies left Starlight’s room and walked silently down the halls of the castle, their hoof steps echoing loudly throughout the castle. Starlight was completely unaware of the events that the new day would bring. Nor did she faintly realise of the potential danger she was in as they continued to walk down the halls, unguarded and completely vulnerable to the enemy.

After awhile, they were greeted by two large doors that were guarded by two Royal guards standing at attention. The guards opened the door for them as they silently made their entrance into the large, colossal room that occupied many familiar and yet unfamiliar faces of the very ponies whose lives rested upon the shivering shoulders of the little filly standing before them.

Her maroon eyes took in the sight around her; she was surrounded by a heavy, stiff atmosphere that seemed to lay a weight on her shoulders. The unicorn’s intuition told her that there was nothing to be afraid of as she noticed that the room was heavily guarded and there was plenty of security but what bothered her was the unfamiliar and tightening feeling her chest and she noted that there was a changeling sitting among them.

A crystal chandelier hung above a long, glass table that was adorned with a feast fit for a king. The princesses sat at the very top end of the table, with many unfamiliar faces sitting along the sides. She sensed a strong, unfamiliar presence of magic as she walked past a row of guests.

She took her seat next to Twilight at the top end of the table. With hope, she would get through this night without any hassle.

“Honoured guests, government officials and everyone seated at this table, I bid you welcome. I have gathered you all here tonight to celebrate the coming of the Summer Sun Celebration. Thank you, dinner will be served shortly.” said the Sun Goddess, finally taking her seat.

Flustered but not entirely confused Twilight had a wave of realisation wash over her as she realised with just one look down the table, she was being stared at by the demeaning, judgmental eyes of the other guests. It would seem that for the remainder of the evening her every move would be noted, judged and filed away for later referral.

Having sensed her panic and overwhelming wash of fear, Twilight quickly whispered some meaningful words into her ear. “Relax.’ She whispered. “Just be you and nopony will have any reason to wrongly judge you. Besides, it’s just a formal dinner party, nothing more.”

With those words Starlight let out a breath and smiled in relief. She couldn’t help but giggle at how worried she was. Twilight was right, she just need to relax. Besides, what could possibly go wrong?

“That over there is the governor general, he represent the princesses in their royal duties.” Explained the alicorn, pointing to an old, bored looking stallion sitting across from them. That over there is the duchess of Baltimare and sitting next to her is the government official for Cloudsdale.”

“How many government officials are there?”

“Well, there’s one for every city in Equestria.”

“That’s a lot of ponies.”

“Yes, but they’re not all ponies.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well some of them are griffons while others are zebras and even buffalos.”

“Wow. I had no idea Twilight.”

“Well now you do.”

The first meal was served in a flash. The waiters were in and out of the room before you can even exchange your meal for somebody else’s. What was served before them was even more impressive. As an entree, a delicious oven baked carrot topped with some sort of salad dressing was presented before them beneath a silver platter.

Starlight had never laid eyes upon such delightful food. All her life she had spent scrambling food off the sidewalk, her family were unable to provide for her. So when she gobbled up the delicacy, she found herself smiling in content. Oh how she wished she could eat like this every day.

“Your highness, a rumour has been going around that you have a protégé, is this indeed true?” asked a griffon in an inquisitive tone.

“Why yes. I do have a student. In fact, she is sitting right next to me. Her name is Starlight and I couldn’t be more proud of her.” The purple alicorn replied, more than willing to present her pupil to the world; may showers of praise rain upon her.

“Well, I apologize for not realising earlier. I just thought that she was your niece or some other relative.”

“That’s your pupil? Well, isn’t she just darling? I could just dress her up in my fabulous designs all day!” exclaimed the duchess who was simply overwhelmed by the fact that such a young unicorn was the pupil of the newly crowned princess.

Suddenly the table burst with chatter about Starlight and her teacher became extremely occupied with all the inquiring questions about the little filly.

“How old is she?” a griffon asked.

“Where did she come from?”

“What’s her special talent?”

“Can she do advanced calibration yet?”

And so on. Starlight became lost under all the conversation that for a moment she completely zoned out and didn’t notice the loud rattling coming from the roof. She took no notice of it as the conversation carried on, ranting about her origin and what her next level of training would be.

That is, until she heard again except louder. The two large doors that led to the outside of the castle were briskly pushed open and a royal guard came rushing in. The royal guard who came to be known as Flash Sentry looked well alarmed as he rushed over to Princess Celestia.

“Your Highness, there is an unknown threat attacking Canterlot. Many of our guards are severely injured and we are quickly losing ground!”

“Everypony head to the grand ball room immediately!” she ordered and everypony got up and exited the room through to the central doors to the left. “Everypony please remain calm! Flash sentry I want you to make sure that every Royal guard is on duty and is awaiting further orders.” She asked in a calmer tone.

“Yes your majesty, right away.”

“Twilight,’ she said looking at her with narrowed eyes. ‘You know what to do.”

The purple alicorn simply nodded in reply retuning the expression.

“Starlight, follow me.” She asked leading her pupil out of the room.

As the two ponies run off through the dark, echoing halls Starlight was utterly confused by what had just transpired. Canterlot was under attack and she had no idea why she wasn’t going to the designated area as well. As they passed a lantern, it went and this only confused her further. Where were they going? What exactly was going through Twilight’s head right now?

She found herself falling behind and her little legs were becoming increasingly tired. There wasn’t a doubt that she hadn’t done so much running in her life.

“Keep up Starlight! We must make haste!” Twilight called out from the dark.

“I`m sorry Twilight, it’s just that...” Her face collided with the cobblestone with a loud groan from Starlight and what resulted was a scrape to her forehead that began to severely hurt, leaving the little filly in tears.

“Starlight!” called Twilight of whom came rushing over to her within in an instant. She levitated the pony onto her back as she continued to run; nothing was going to stop them from reaching their destination.

They finally reached their destination, they were met by two foreboding doors which were easily opened with a little magic and the pair ran into the room finally coming to a halt. Twilight put the filly on the ground gently and gave her one last, loving embrace.

“Starlight, listen to me carefully. I want you to remember that no matter what happens I want you to be brave for me okay? And that I am proud of you. I have to go now but I’ll be back. It’s time that you were met with your destiny, I want you to stay calm and be the pony you were meant to be.” asked Twilight tears welling up in her eyes.

“But princess, what if I don’t know who that pony is? And what’s going to happen to me when you leave? Why do you have to go princess? Why?” asked Starlight, tears running down her cheeks as her face turns towards the cold, stone ground beneath her.

Instead of answering her questions, Twilight simply replied with; “Starlight, my most faithful student, this, is where someday you’ll find out the answers to all of those questions.” she replied, pulling her chin up towards her before giving her one last hug. “I love you Starlight.”

And with that, the alicorn disappeared into the night, leaving Starlight all alone in the royal throne room. The very place where her story would both begin and end, if only the little filly sitting in the very centre of the room would realise that.