The Search for Light: Finding New Hope.

Chapter 4: Final Preparation.

I have Double help me finish setting up my equipment. Strapping the bow to my back, and making sure everything is secure. “Ok, think it’s all done. You ready?”  I give a confident smirk, and shake my head. “Of course I am. I've been training my entire life.” He gives a sad smile “Yeah. I know. Well, I will be cheering you on.” He holds out his hoof, and I hold out mine. We each smile for a moment. “Come on.~”  I hear from the side of Double. “We gotta get good seats.” He chuckles as he looks down at his sister. “Run on ahead Hat. I’ll be there.” She nods excitedly and bolts off.

“Silver. I’m being serious now.” He gives off that impression too, as he speaks. I nod slowly, letting him continue. “Silver. I’m your best friend. I have known you since we’re foals. And, you’re amazing. You really are. When you set a goal. . Well, it’s like you're shooting arrows, you will always hit your target.” I smirk. “Well of course. I am the best” He cuts me off with his still serious glare. “That could be true. But you forget one thing. You’re only one pony. And every pony has their limits. You know yours. So please, don’t push yourself too hard.”

He takes a short breath and gathers his thoughts. “I know you can pass this test. If there’s one pony who can, it would really be you.” He pauses again, silence coming over us. “Then, why are you worried?” I ask, breaking the silence. “I’m not. . Well, I just don’t want to see you destroy your self. I’ve seen ponies who do that, trying to reach targets that are just too far. It can even happen to the best. Even they can fall. Just ask yourself three questions.” He pauses again. I am really starting to hate these pauses. “First. ‘what is my goal.’ The second. ‘Can I reach it.’ “ He takes another pause, staring right into my eyes. Orange meeting silver. “And the third, the most important. ‘Am I ready.’ Like, really ready.” I look down at the ground. Then back up to him. “If you can answer all these, and answer them confidently. If you can do that for me, then we both know, for sure, that you will pass this test.”

Seems silly, but I entertain the thought for him. “My goal, to pass the test, and join the guard. I know for sure that I can reach it.” I pass his third question around in my head. “I’m. . Ready.” He gives a half smile, that looks more sad then happy. “Good. Now go pass that test.” He gives me a friendly hug, before finally walking off. I hear a laugh from behind me. “W-what was that all about?” I recognize the voice as Midnights. “Just some friendly conversation.” She shakes her head through the laughs. “Yeah, ok sure. How about a weird pep talk?” She laughs more before calming down. “Sorry. He seems like a good friend. You should be lucky.”

I nod “Yeah, I know. He’s my best friend.” She smiles. “Anyways, time to get going. You have a test to take.” I turn around, looking at the entrance to the cavern arena. It was a normal cavern that they bared out, and turned into a sort of battle/training arena. It also connect to a large cave system, that they use for the final test. “You know the secret about this place, right?” I give her a confused look, shaking my head. “No, I don’t think so.” She smiles as we walk down the long stairway. “Well, some say, that somewhere in those caves, is a spring. Going into that spring, they say, will bring you into a magical garden, where a kingdom was once formed.” Magical garden. . A kingdom formed. That sounds a lot like. . “Hmm. What ever. Probably not true.” I brush it off. It might not be related, at all. But just incase I pretend to be sceptical. “Have you been there?” She shakes her head, laughing.

“No. Like you said, it’s probably not true. But, my father would always tell me stories about it. Or at least, what it would be like.” I nod slowly, listening to her talk. “Amazing architect, with all the buildings and castle made out of the finest amethyst.” It can’t just be a coincidence now. Maybe there is more than one entrance to the Lunar Garden?  I have to make sure though. “Your dad’s stories. The place he talked about. . It wouldn’t happen to be the Lunar Garden, right?” She nods slowly. “Mmhm. That’s what he called it. How’d you know?” I give a slightly nervous smile. “Oh uhh. Yeah. I have heard about it before, my mom. . She, would tell me stories too.” I give a sad sigh, thinking about mom again. “T-to bad they're just stories.” She nods again. “Yeah.” We finally reach the end of that conversation. We reach a small clearing, where there is a set of stairs on either side, leading to the stands, and the main staircase still leading down to the arena. “Well, see you later, Midnight.” She waves bye, and steps off to the right, as I continue down.

I step into the large, oval arena. It is dead silent, apart from all the hushed whispers. The arena is full with all the cadets, and a few outsiders. I spot Double, Hat, and Midnight all sitting together in the front row. They wave to me. I would have waved back, but the table that sits in the middle of the arena catches my attention. Because, sat at it, are the ponies who were going to judge my test. Decide my fate. And they were also the most important ponies ever. On the edges of the table, sat the two highest ranking members of Luna’s Guard. Then, following them, sat Astral Blade, and the other commanding officer of this camp, Smokey Night.  And, in the middle of all of them, sitting at the center of the table, was Princess Luna herself.

I instantly bow the moment my eyes meet hers. “Please stand, Silver Shot.” I comply as I hear the soft voice of the Princess. I stay completely silent. “As I hear it, from Astral Blade, you are a very good cadet, and that you would make a great addition to my Guard.”  I hear Smokey grunt, and I am pretty sure I saw him roll his eyes. “I wouldn’t say that Princess. He just got lucky.” She glares at him. “I was not asking you, Smokey.” She looks back to me, nodding for me to answer. “Well, that is up for you to judge, Princess. But I am confident in my skills, yes.” She nods, smiling. “Good. Your test is a simple one. All you have to do, is find this.” Her horn radiates a silver aura, before shifting to a darker color. Before her, on the center of the table, appears a clear orb, filled with swirling black smoke, that looks a lot like shadows. ”Do you have any problems, or questions about your test?” I shake my head. Luna’s horn glows again, sending the orb away with a flash. “And, you are allowed one piece of equipment from outside the caves.” She flashes off all my armour, and weapons, having them rest on the table. “What will it be.” I walk up, and grab my bow, and quiver. “I figured that would be your choice.” Astral Blade remarks, chuckling lightly. Luna hushes him with a glare as well. “Sorry, Princess.”

“Well. Silver. Feel free to start when you want. You have till this amulet turns red to find the orb.” As she says this, she lifts an amulet onto my neck, it is a bright gold gem, with a silver casing around it. “Once you get the orb, or after this amulet turns red, you will be teleported back here. Once back,  your performance will go under review, and it will be decided if you will pass.” I nod throughout her small speech. Once she was finished, a loud clank is heard, and behind them, the large, iron doors creek open.  I walk around the table slowly. I stand there, at the entrance. I take a step through the doors, feeling the musky air of the cave hit me. I am about to continue past, when I hear the princess speak again.  “Oh, one more thing, Silver Shot.” I turn back to face the speaking princess. “Please try to pass. I have quite a few bits bet on you.” With that, the iron doors close quickly. The last thing everypony sees is the face of a bewildered, silver, pegasus.