Sky of an Astral Land

Before the Beginning

Midnight

Astral Ember woke up with a start, sweaty and gasping for air. The darkness... rushing on, chasing her as she ran as fast as she could. However, she failed to escape every time.

She walked out onto the small balcony, taking in the night moon and the glimmering stars. It was barely one in the morning, but she couldn't bring herself to go back to sleep.

Strapping on a black leather jacket, she quietly walked out of her comforting home and onto the dark, narrow, empty streets. A cold wind drifted past, and Astral shivered while pulling her jacket tighter. Celestia's magelights tried to keep the darkness at bay, but it was never enough.

A robed black stallion stepped out of an alley.

"Hello. How's the parents?"

"They're as pompous as usual. Don't ask any more."

"Alright, Princess Astral. Your wish is my command."

Astral rolled her eyes and asked, "What are you going to teach me tonight?"

The black stallion chuckled in amusement and took out a small crystal dagger. "I was thinking we could practice some fighting. And your magic needs exercise as well. Don't want to underwhelm Celestia tomorrow, eh?"

Astral took the crystal dagger from his grasp. An aura of pulsating blue magic enveloped the faceted, wickedly sharp crystal weapon and pointed the tip towards the black stallion. "Ready, Shadow Sword."

The black Earth pony drew his own dagger and got into position. Simultaneously, the unicorn and Earth pony began circling each other, waiting for a weakness to reveal itself. Astral Ember jumped first, taking advantage of a flicker in the magelight. Shadow Sword dodged easily, using Astral's unbalanced position to trip her. Astral fell face first on the paved ground, but she lashed out her back leg to try and hit Shadow. Shadow fell back, grimacing as she climbed back up. Once again, the duo circled each other, searching for weak points.

Daggers flew as Astral tried to land a cut on Shadow. Shadow blocked, dodged, and parried easily each time. Eventually, Astral tripped on a loose stone and Shadow nicked her on the front leg.

"I win, yet again."

"I want a rematch."

"Alright, but you know I'll win every time, right?"

"Just... rematch."

Daggers flashed and metal hit crystal over and over again. By dawn, both ponies were exhausted - one from magical use and minor injuries, the other from physical exertion.

"Nice job, Astral Ember. Glad to see you can manage to defend yourself, for ten minutes at least. I'll be gone for a while, so shock Celestia with some fighting moves when I'm gone, alright?"

"Okay, Shadow Sword. Be back soon..."

"Count on it, sis."

Astral Ember looked on as Shadow Sword, her cousin and trusted mentor, trotted away into the fading darkness.

Little did she know... she would never get the chance to see him again.