Chapters I laughed lightly to myself as I finished another letter sent from my former student, Twilight Sparkle. It's been two years after the Tirek event, and Twilight thought it wasn't the same without sending me a letter or two every couple weeks. She wanted to remain as my student, claiming that it was something for both of us to enjoy. Frankly, I couldn't agree less. There was quite a difference in her mood after Tirek, so I agreed once more to her offer, just so she can feel better.
She maybe a princess, but it doesn't mean that I can't care about her. She is like a daughter to me, and often I wondered what it would've been like to her student. Sometimes, I learn new things. I maybe close to two thousand years old, but it doesn't mean I can't learn new things.
I rested the parchment in a magical bookshelf that miniaturized each parchment down to the size of a dustmite, and when I ever want to re-read one, I would think about it. Then it would regrow to it's normal size until I place it back. I watched it shrink as I heard a familiar knock.
"Yes Luna?" I asked, as I opened the door. Luna had the look of a great idea in her eyes. I smiled, and allowed her in. I set a barrier around every inch of my room. So much infact my fire that was lighting my room went out. I laughed to myself as Luna sits on my other large pillow that I often used as a bed. Smiling I too sit down, ready to hear my sister's new plan.
"So what's the plan you got in your head Lulu?" I smile softly.
Luna clears her throat, which I also took joy in hearing. This gave me a clear indication she thought it through. "You know how you ruled the kingdom for a thousand years in my absence?"
My eyes open wide, where was she going with this? "I do, it was rough stabilizing Equestria for the first two hundred years. After that it was law-by-law passing until things settled down. The courts where long..." I trailed off, but Luna clears her throat again, setting me back on track. "Anyways, I do, why do you ask?"
"I was wondering if I could do the same. Rule over both night and day." I kept my mouth shut, and continued to listen to my little sister. "Not for a thousand years of course, but maybe for one. A year where I raise and lower the sun!"
"Luna-" I started.
"Please Tia!" She said my nickname. I closed my mouth. "Just for one year, and I know how to convince the ponies without telling them the entire truth!"
I sighed, pulling a bottle of liquor from my end table. I drank it when I was ready to rest, or relax after a stressful day, one that would be a day full of ponies griping over their misfortunes only to ask me to help make it better in anyway. "Alright, but this does not mean yes." I say. "I want to know what you'll say to our little ponies." I drink straight from the bottle, only taking a small sip or two from it.
Luna's ears perked up. "It is not what I will say, but what you will say." She continued. "How have you been as of late?"
I thought for a moment. "Where are you getting at this Luna?" I ask, I wanted to get to the point, as swiftly as possible. But I suppose I should answer her question. "A bit under the weather I suppose. Might be stress from today. A dragon burned a large portion of a farmer's crop a couple days ago, and I just returned from solving the problem."
"My plan to is to make up a little fib, so you can take a good break, and I can get what I want! She smiled. "Tell them you're coming down with a rare sickness that'll put you do your death bed."
I spit my liquor out of my mouth off to the side. "Are you crazy Luna!?" I shouted. "I cannot fake my own death!"
"But you can Tia!" She used it again. "It is the only way!"
I sigh, as I became deep in thought. My sister was right. I had been working harder than I have in a while, and it's been effecting my performance as a diarch. While faking my own death would be easy, but how would I 'come back to life '? "So how would I return from beyond the grave ?" I chuckle slightly as I wave my forhooves like a ghost.
Luna rolled her eyes. "You know I lead the restless souls to the Doors of Judgement right?" She asked, and I reply with a silent nod. "I made a deal with Death, and brought you back to life for my grand services as a reaper!"
I actually felt proud for my sister. Not only had she used my condition as a semi-truth/lie, but she too also used her position as a reaper of lost souls as a semi-truth/lie. I smiled at her. "You actually thought it through this time haven't you?" I ask. "But one last question. How would I be able to relax without ponies knowing of this?"
Luna stood up, and flashed her horn. When I could ooen my eyes after a bright flash, I had realized what she ment. Standing infront of me was my sister's disguised form, New Moon. "You can become Eclipse!" She jumped into the air.
I laughed as I placed my bottle of liquor down back on my end table. I stood up as my sister changed back. "One year, no crazy things?" I ask.
"I swear Tia!" Dammit! She used it again! "One year! Then everything will return to normal!" She held her hoof out with a grand smile.
"Alright..." We shook hooves, smiling at each other. I playfully fait. "Oh dear...I think I'm ill!"
Luna laughed. "Oh no sister!"
Seven days went by and news of my mysterious illness spread like wildfire. In that time I taught my sister how to raise the sun, and set it. At first it shifted around in the sky like how Twilight managed to turn night to day, but soon it was as good as I had moved the moon.
However not many ponies alive get to say they went to their own funeral. I had teleported out of my coffin and swiftly turned into Eclipse. Ponies around stood in silence as my coffin was carried in a gilded white carriage. Roses were thrown in respects as Luna had acted quite nicely in pretending to be mourning my 'death'. I too acted as though as I was sad, I shed a few tears to make as though I was a normal unicorn.
As I watched my coffin lower into the ground, I saw a unicorn next to me smile. I felt angry until he grabbed a white rose from his saddle bags, and used his magic to place it on top of the coffin. My anger subsided, and I felt like my kingdom loved me more than I had thought. They stood in silence as a old stallion spoke the royal words that sent me off to the other side in peace.
"And may our glorious ruler rest in peace..." The stallion lowered his head, and everyone else followed. There was a total silence that even I felt the honor. Then something unexpected happened. Auras started to show, and pulled from everpony, including me. I watched as the auras mixed together, and shot down into the grave, covering it in a blanket of protective magic that would protect against even the largest explosion.
Then hours went by, and I remained, standing infront of the grave. I heard somepony approach me from behind, and I turned to see it was the unicorn from before, smiling still. Confused I decided to confront him.
"Why are you smiling?" I asked, not trying to sound rude. "Aren't you sad I-, Princess Celestia is dead?"
The stallion continued to walk up to the grave, and placed another white flower over the gravestone. He sat down and bowed his head, paying his respects.
"I loved her..." He finally said, his voice sounded heavy, like he ment it. He chuckled. "You think I'm crazy huh?" He asked.
"Everypony loved her, wouldn't that make everyone crazy too?" I asked, trying to be funny. Clearly it worked because I heard a laugh escape his mouth.
"Nah...I'm not like most ponies." He said. "I loved her. I would watch her raise the sun everyday at 6:30 in the morning. She would fly into the sky like a majestic bucking eagle." I hadn't heard that phrase before. "I would look at the sunrise from my small home in Ponyville, and pray that it would be a good day. A day where the sun shone on everything, giving me clarity wherever I was."
My heart jumped. "You really felt that way?" I asked. "Tell me, what is your name?"
He sighed. "It doesn't matter. I mean you live here right?" He asked, I nodded. "Then why would a rich pony like you care what my name is." He huffed, then took a long inhale. "You'd most likely forget it when I left."
"Not at all!" I protested.
"Alright..." He said. "My name is Comet."
"Well Comet, my name is C-...Eclipse....My name is Eclipse." I almost blew my cover on the first day. Maybe I should practice saying my name.
"Well Eclipse, why are you here?"
"I...I too wanted to repay my respects." I replied. "S-She was my teacher for a couple of years." I thought about it more. "She took me up when her previous student became a princess."
Comet smiled. "Then you too loved her, like I did?" He asked.
"She was like a mother to me..." I began to cry, although I didn't know why. Why was I getting worked up over a tiny little lie? Or, what is more than a tiny little lie, was it bigger? Was it a sin to tell such a lie? My act was so well, I was starting to fall for it.
He frowned, the first time I saw him to. "It's alright." He said. "She's watching us now." His voice was soft, as if he had truly loved the princess, or well, me.
I heard the clock ring from the royal towers, and we both look into it's direction. His frown went away with a more or less expressionless face. "It was nice meeting you Eclipse. Maybe our paths will cross again." Comet started to walk off as I stood infront of my grave. There was something about that stallion that made me want to continue talking to him. However as much as I wanted to talk to him, I couldn't move for whatever reason, and he was already out of sight.
I sighed heavily as I sit down, staring at my grave. I had not known why though. Comet had a present light blue coat with yellow mane that looked as though it was the sun with small stripes of red hidden under the yellow. His eyes were a pure orange that made my heart flutter. His voice, whether it was with a smile, or without one, it was like smooth molasses on a summer Sunday. One could fall faint under his happy expressions, and want to cuddle with him. Oh! What am I thinking! He is a pony from Ponyville! How would a princess like me fall for a lower class like him? He isn't even a prince either! Not to mention that I am around guards everyday. So what made him so much different?
Once I could stand up, I start to make my way to a inn with my bits I received from my sister to last me a few nights until she could speak to me again. Surely with my death, monarchs from other kingdoms come to visit my grave to pay their respects. She would be flooded with letters from other kingdoms in regarding my death by illness that had so suddenly stricken me to the point of death, and in each letter they would say how sorry they were for Luna because she lost her only living family. It would only be a year from tomorrow when she would act out her final plan to resurrect me because she couldn't handle being alone.
I approach the inn that was a short walk to the train station. There I saw what may have been Comet boarding the train with, what didn't surprise me, a smile on his face. I was about to pay for my room, when I swiped the bits back up and sprinted to the train as the conductor called for the train to be leaving soon. I paid for my ticket to Ponyville, and ran to the caboose where I sat in the very last seat. Comet was four cars infront of me, and would be easy to get around. Maybe, just maybe I should follow him until I get a good idea what it is to work hard.
I was jumped backward as the train pulled forward down the tracks. I watch as the train pushes forward, and I look at the castle. I quickly send my sister a message saying my unicorn form would be leaving Canterlot to the small town of Ponyville to investigate what it is like to truly work had. Working hard from what I was used to was sitting on my flank all day waiting for a pony to come up and complain.
I felt a tear run down my face, and then I knew why I was crying. I was crying not becuase I haven't done anything wrong, it was becuase I had felt a real emotion. Not one I would mask my pain in. At last over a thousand years, I have truly felt what it is like to be happy. Losing my sister, I had to keep a smile up so my kingdom would reflect it back to me. The speed of light isn't really as fast as ponies made it out to be. It is rather slow.
I laugh to myself as Canterlot vanished as we went through the mountain tunnel, finally exiting the capitol of Equestria. "Now the question is..." I say to myself. "What in the name of Luna," I laugh again. "what am I going to do?" The train makes a few whistles, which weren't really that loud from where I sat at the back of the train.
"Dammit!" I said to myself while I sat on the train. The whistle blew, and I covered my ears. "Why did I sit in the front!?" Just then a mare walked up next to me with a cart as she pushed it.
"Would you like a snack sir?" She asked in a soft voice?
"Yeah, sure, uh....one chocolate bar, and a bottle of ParaSprite."
"That'll be six bits." She started to pull out my order. "Two for the chocolate bar, and four the ParaSprite."
I gave her my bits, and she moved along asking any other pony if they wanted a snack. Fillies ran around in the compartment, and I started to get annoyed. I ate my chocolate bar swiftly before a filly or colt took it from me. Then I washed it down with a small sip of my ParaSprite.
Then I started to think. That mare from earlier, her name was Eclipse. She had light pink mane with a alabaster white coat. Her eyes were brilliantly light purple, and she was a unicorn. A good looking one at that. Her long legs made her the size I was, six-three, which was only four inches under Celestia's height. Then my thoughts were broken when a small colt bumped into me.
"Fuck! Watch it kid!" I said trying to make sure none of my ParaSprite was spilt.
"Button! Stop running around, and sit down! This no place to roughhouse in!"
"Okay...sorry Mister." The colt jumped over to where his mother was. She looked alone, but I decide to move from my car. It was too loud, maybe going to caboose would make things quieter.
I had ordered a bottle of wine from the mare what offered me a drink. I gave twenty for the whole bottle, and tipped her an extra ten so she wouldn't tell anypony. As I sipped from it a few times, trying to relax, when somepony came though the car door. I looked up, and instantly hid behind the seat that was infront of me
It was Comet, but why was he walking closer? Did he know I was here!? Then he saw me, so I gave up hiding. He smiled and sped over to where I was sitting. When he sat down he saw my bottle of wine and frowned.
"Why do you have that?" He asked, trying to take it away from me. I pulled it away. "You aren't a alcoholic are you?"
I scoffed. "Me? A alcoholic?" I began to laugh. "No, I just love the taste of red wine, and it makes you feel any better this will last Mr a week if I really tried." The bottle wasn't that big to begin with, and was already three-quarters full when I bought it.
"Oh..." He said. "Sorry then for assuming. My dad was one, so I try to help ponies get out of that kind of thing."
"That your tallent?" I asked nicely. "To help ponies out?"
He shook his head slowly. "No, I actually make the star maps for Ponyville. I told my client she would need to wait an extra day because of this little break I took to see Celestia's funeral." He stopped from a moment. "So why is a rich, good looking mare like you heading to a hick town like Ponyville?" He laughed. "Sorry, but there's some crazy shit that goes on down there."
I blushed, and held my hoof to my mouth. "I don't quite know really." I said, and this time it was the truth. "I guess to see what actually working hard for what I want is like. I've always had everything I ever wanted, ever since I was a filly. Just a wave with my hoof and ponies would line up infront of me with heartless gifts." I took another sip of my wine straight from the bottle.
He sighed. "Ain't easy as ya thank Eclipse." He said, drinking from a bottle of ParaSprite. "What do you think working hard is like?"
I thought for a moment. "Doing my best at whatever I end up doing I guess." Comet began laughing, so hard infact he started to grab his stomach. Then I started to get mad. "What's so funny Comet!?"
He stopped laughing, and actually looked surprised. "Y-you remembered my name?" He asked. "Holy shit! You remembered my name!" He started laughing again. "But to answer you question as to why I am laughing, is because of that lame idea." He said, wiping a tear from his eye. "Working hard isn't just what you need to do Eclipse. You gotta put your heart into whatever you do. You need to learn from mistakes, and build off of them so you can build a stronger foundation."
I sighed. "I see...." I frowned, and took a larger sip of my wine.
"You weren't wrong though, but working hard isn't just it." He said, most likely to cheer me up. I saw him kick his hooves back and forth. "So...you got any family?"
I shook my head. "Nope, all alone." I gave a fake smile. "I was a only child for a while, then my little sister was born, but she disappeared after our parents died. I sometimes wonder if she's dead or alive."
I heard him scold himself, and I chuckled lightly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to ask anything personal."
"Not at all." I smiled. "I've got what I need."
"And what's that?" He asked.
"Somepony to show me around a hick town." I laughed. "I'll pay if need be."
He thought for a moment. "Alright, you don't need to pay, so seem cool enough anyways, and I don't want to work you broke."
I began to laugh. "Oh, I will never go broke Comet. I got bits in places that might surprise you." I gave a playful wink. "Thanks by the way."
"It's not a big deal really. I'll show you around once I finnish up my latest star map for Princess Twilight."
"You know her?" I asked, sounding shocked.
"Yeah, asks me ever month for a new star map. She started before she became a princess, we go back a few years." He explained. "She's the client I said earlier. Gives me a hardy pay that gets me though the month a little bit to spare."
"So drawing maps of the night sky is all you do?"
"Not exactly. I spend the weekends helping out in the old folks home. Plenty of nice mares there that love playing games and pulling a prank or two. Once this old mare named Mini, she placed sneezing powder in Bingo's nose with a little magic. So imagine a pony saying 'Now calling Ahchoo !'!" The stallion began to laugh, and I joined in. "Then one time this sweet mare made a apple pie, and put laxatives in it. Then she gave it to the stallion who runs the place, and let me tell you he ain't nice. Once he yelled at a old mare, and caused her to have a panic attack. Kept screaming for six hours until I managed to somehow calm her down."
"Sounds like fun." I laughed. "You drink?" I offered my bottle to him. He pushed it away, and I had realized why. It was about his father. "Sorry I asked."
He shook his head. "No, its alright." He said with a smile. "I do drink, but not wine. I like the heavier stuff. Although I only drink on Saterdays when I don't visit the old folks home, and I'm not working on anything." He looked out the window and grinned. "Look, there's Ponyville. Population two thousand, and a Pinkie Pie. We'll be arriving in a couple of minutes."
"Great...." I said, smiling out the window. The sun was setting, casting Canterlot's shadow over the small town, and I could feel warmer, just getting near the town, I felt it's warm aura, unlike Canterlot which had a darker feel. I didn't know why, but it seemed as though friendships in Canterlot lot where made so ponies could be rich, or richer. Any hoof, Comet helped me up.
"Hey, I've got an idea!" His smile grew. "Why don't you see what I can do eh? You'll like it."
I laughed. "This isn't a date is it? We only just met."
Comet chuckled as he shook his head. "No, but everypony is coming out to see the Palisades Meteor Shower. Thought you might want to see it too."
"Alright, but is it really August the thirteenth already?" I asked aloud, mostly to myself.
"Yep, and tonight I think there's going to be more shooting stars becuase the gods are crying."
I frowned. "Why would they be crying?"
"Celestia's death..." He frowned.
Something told me he was one to trust during my time. The only question now is to tell him the truth...
Chapter 2: Mapping Falling Stars
"Luna I just don't see why I ask for a vacation. Then we wouldn't need to lie to our ponies." I stated.
"Sister, then you would have guards riding your flank for an entire year!" Luna pointed, and mind you it was a good one. "Faking your death makes it easier, and I can inform Twilight to tell her friends. That way you can get help if anything bad happens."
We were continuing our conversation after we made the deal. "Cadence can be informed as well?"
"She can!" Luna nodded. "The elements, and Cadence will know. That way it doesn't start another Twilight Episode."
I remembered that day. When Twilight has yet to learn anything, she started quite a mess over her reports to me. "I see..." I sighed. "So you'll send them a letter tonight while I sleep, and..."
"I'll tell you what they say. Mind you they might not like it." Luna sighed. "However I'm sure this plan will work!"
"Whatever you say Luna."
We had stopped for a few moments to grab a couple snacks to eat while we would watch the meteor shower. I still had my thoughts on finding a job though, and I didn't know where to start. While I was an alicorn I could show off my strength, my magic, and my fight abilities. However now that I was a unicorn I couldn't show off my abilites. I had to be the weaker of the races, but I didn't need to hold back as much.
I sat in a booth on the far side of a building called Sugar Cube Corner as I waited for Comet to return. I had wished for him to get me a banana nut muffin because I loved them so much. Bananas were so good, although their dirty appearance that would cause one with a perverted mind to shoot to the gutters.
I watched as he grabbed our orders, and paid with this own bits. I tried to offer some of my own, but he felt like it was impolite to make a mare pay for her own if she was accompanied with a gentle stallion like himself. He turned around with a smile on his face with a brown bag in his mouth. He placed it on the table.
"Here is our order Eclipse!" He pulled out my muffin with his golden magical aura, and placed it in front of me. "They told me its fresh so be caref-" I had ate it already in one bite. "Okay...that happened." He laughed. "I've never seen anypony eat a muffin that fast, other than my friend Derpy, and she loves her muffins."
I chuckled. "I see...so when does this meteor shower start?"
He looked over at a clock on the other side, then turned back to me. "About two more hours, so we can go start mapping if you want to."
I nodded. "Sure, lets go." I replied standing up. He was so kind even to open the door for me on our way out.
He told me he had a private place to map the night sky, and it was far enough away so there was no light pollution. Apparently light kept him from looking at all the stars, and would have to guess where the rest were by using previous maps he drew.
When we arrived there were two large desks placed on the left and right to a telescope he had that looked up into the sky. On the left there were dark blue sheets, and on the right there were two large plates made of wood that covered most of the desk. I would ask him what they were for, but I knew it was only time when he started to explain.
"Alright, so here we are, my special spot!" He jumped ahead. "The best place outside of Ponyville to get the best view of the stars." He pointed to the sky. "That constellation is called Ursa Major. You can tell because it's tail is made with the constellation the Big Dipper. And over there is Orion!"
"You sure do know your night sky don't you?"
"I've had my cutie mark before I was six. I read what ever books about space as I could, learning about planets, the stars, and the universe. I had my mom help me read everybook, and for my fifth birthday I got a telescope." He hugged the telescope he had now. "This is the same one, with a few new lenses, but it had the same exact appearance it had when I got it."
I chuckled. "Wow, I've never had something for more than six years..." I laughed. "Why do you still have it?"
"Well, I said my dad was a alcoholic." He frowned, and a tear started to form. I winced when I noticed I had struck something deep. "My gave it to me before she started taking blows from my father."
"I-I'm sorry!" I said trying to repair what I broke. "I didn't mean to strike something! If you don't want to talk about it, you don't need to!"
He shook his head, and rubbed his eyes. "No....no it's alright." He said. "It's just a memory, nothing big."
"Clearly I hurt you!" I stated.
"And I said it's alright Eclipse." He smiled again. "You didn't hurt me at all. Just a memory, that's all it is now, a memory."
I was sure I was going to hate myself for that later on. I'd been so stupid asking about what happened with his mother. Then he walked over to me. A clean smile was in his face, it seemed so kind, and light.
"Let's get past that." He said. "If it helps you any my mom is still alive. She's just still in rehab to walk again."
"Oh," I said with a relieving sigh. "Well, I hope she gets better."
He nodded, and looked through his telescope. After a few moments he used his magic to pick up a quill, and dunk the point into yellow ink that was the same color as his magic, a clean gold color. Then he walked over to the sheets of what may have been plywood, and drew twenty circles. He counted aloud in sort of a sing song tone, his voice was light, and showed no sign of any negative emotion whatsoever.
"So to explain what I'm doing in simple terms, I am drawing these little circles in proportion to the stars I look at. I mark out the sky is fifty sectors, and it looks like I might finish tonight. All the stars are out, so I guess Luna must want to make this a beautiful night for her sister." He explained. "After I finish drawing the stars I then punch holes through the wood. Then I draw the circles on the map, and then I'm done. It's alot harder then you think."
"I see, so how many stars are in the night sky?" I asked.
He looked up, and smiled. "I have no idea..." He laughed, scratching the back of his neck. "But looking at the sky now, I guess I've drawn over a half a million."
How come this stallion wasn't the royal star map maker? At least then he'd been in the castle! A half a million stars in the night sky, and he's counted to that point. I was surprised to hear this from a pony from Ponyville. Not even Star Cluster had counted that much in the night sky in his entire life. Maybe when I come back from the dead I might make him the new royal star map maker. However as I watched him get back to work it was close to the time when the meteor shower would start.
I was so busy watching the sky, I had not realized he stopped until I heard him open a bottle. I looked down, and saw a bottle of rum next to him. I laughed as he poured the rum into two red plastic cups. When he was done, he closed the cap, and placed the bottle of rum under a fake sheet of grass that covered a small hole. He did all of this with his magic.
"Told you I liked the heavy stuff." He laughed, then gave me one of the cups. "You want some?"
"This still isn't a date." I laughed, accepting his offer to some rum. I took a small taste, and the coughed as hard as I couof. It burned my throat as if it was liquid fire. "Ugh...Damn...That's heavy." I coughed.
He took a gulp of his own, then laughed. "Light weight...you're so used to that wimpy wine, you don't know what real alcohol is."
"I'm only twenty-two, so there hasn't been much of a time frame for me to drink."
He laughed again. "You're a goody two hooves aren't ya?" He asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Don't tell anypony, but I've been drinking since I was eighteen!" He drank more rum. "Anyways, so what did your parents do before they....ummm....died."
"Well, my dad....he...he was the CEO of a major corporation that minted two thirds of Equestria's bits." I lied. My dad was actually the king of the moon. "My mom she was a shop owner until she had me." My mom was literally the sun, well she became part of it anyways.
Comet nodded. "Cool, cool...I'm nothing special like you."
I giggled. "Are you trying to flatter me?" I asked him. He rolled his eyes then looked up at the sky. "So, what's your mom like?"
"My mom is nice, she took the blows that I was going to take from my dad." He sighed. "She would make me little toys made of wood. Once she even showed me her little workshop. The smell of wood glue would kill brain cells."
"Nice, my mom once made me a blanket she hoof stitched herself. She infused it with magic to keep me warm during winter nights." That part was kinda true. My mom did make me a blanket, but it was infused with dragon magic to keep heat in.
Then the meteor show started. We looked to the sky, and saw tiny streaks across the dark sky. Ponies behind us cheered on as the meteors rained on the sky above. A truely wonderful sight for one to enjoy.
"So, how come you love Celestia so much?" I asked.
"Her beauty, her power, her wisdom," He listed. "Her voice, it's so divine. However, it is only visual love Eclipse. There would be no way I could match to her. For starters I'm just a regular unicorn with a nack for space. I don't think I could love her truly. She'd outlive me, just like like, and she already has." He yawned. "You got a place to sleep tonight?"
I nodded. "I do, princess Twilight offered her spare room for a while, until I find a house to stay." I replied. "Why?"
"Well, you just moved here, I didn't want you sleep outside."
I smiled as I stood up. "Can we be friends Comet?" I asked. "You'll be my first in Ponyville, and it'd be an honor to talk to you more. Maybe you can teach me how to make your star maps."
He nodded. "Sure, besides I do need some help anyways." He stood up, and held his hoof out. "Friends?"
"Friends!" We locked our hooves, and smiled at each other as if a bond there was formed.
After that I started to walk to Twilight's house. Hopefully she's still awake, it was one' o clock in the morning. Her tree was repaired thanks to a bit of magic, and looked good as new. Can't say the same about the hundreds of books that were incinerated by Tirek.
I knocked on the library door, and my heart began to have a small sinking feeling. I was relieved when I saw Twilight open the door. A small smile was on her face.
"Hey...Eclipse." She said. "Come on in. You're a bit late, but the girls are waiting for me to get back to the sleep over." I heard a twing of excitement in her voice. "If you want, you can join us."
I shook my head. "No thank you Twilight. I am just glad you know who I am." I walked in, and Twilight closed the door behind me. "Can you get me something to drink before I sleep?"
"Sure princess, anything in particular you want?" Twilight asked as I changed back into my true form.
"Some red wine." I facehoofed. "I left my bottle with Comet..."
A flash of interest appeared in her eyes. "Who's Comet?" I saw a smile grow on her face.
"It's just a pony who said they'd show me around Ponyville. We met near my grave yesterday, so it's just a friendship between us." I felt a growing hate. "He is beneath me, and is a smiling dolt."
Twilight lost her smile, and was replaced with a sad frown. "Princess...." She walked away into a kitchen.
I walked passed the other elements, all seeing my long distant frown, and just sat in a circle, looking at me. Even Pinkie Pie, element of laughter, didn't speak up. I went to my room, and began to feel myself about to cry. Why was I feeling like this. I am a princess! I should be strong, not a crying maiden. It was like my heart was beating heavy after I spoke so wrong about the stallion. A stallion who would show me around town, and buy me my favorite type of muffin.
I flopped onto the bed, slightly shaking the tree. I turned back in my Eclipse form. Who was the stallion that was so kind to respect my princess self, and my Eclipse form? Was he always this kind, or is he like the rest of the stallions in Equestria that only have that one moment of temporary love that lasts no more than two, maybe three weeks? Only Luna would know. I laughed at muscle again. Changing the last part of that is slightly funny. I suppose I know what those Lunar Guards feel when they say it, it's different.
I closed my door, and slouched over onto my bed. It was big enough for two ponies, giving me enough room to toss and turn. I was a very physical dreamer, and it was like you were really there. My finished star map rested inside of a tube rolled up neatly. I pulled it over my head, and placed it next to the door with my magic.
Looked out my bedroom window from my bed, and sighed. Eclipse wasn't like most rich snobs, in fact she didn't even seem like me. Every word that came out of her mouth seemed kind, and caring, as if she was a mother. When she didn't mean to bring up my mother, she apologized right then, and then it hit me. She was a goddess sent from the Summerlands to bring happiness into my life. She was kind, beautiful, generous, and she walked as if she was a princess.
Then I remembered her teacher was Celestia. It explained why she was so elegant when she walked, but her kindness was another thing. Her words were like gold, pure, and with little flaw.
"So what now?" I ask myself. Clearly it was time to sleep, it was a quarter'till two in the morning. So I pulled my blanket over me, and turned off my bedside lamp. I stretched as I yawned, then I closed my eyes, waiting for my dreams to take me.
I heard a knock at my door as I woke up. My head was banging from a bad night's sleep. The knock was louder this time, and I covered my head.
"What?" I asked, my voice still raspy.
The door opened, and it was Twilight with a unicorn nurse next to her. My eyes narrowed towards Twilight, and she stepped back.
"Um...this is Eclipse nurse Asile. I was wondering if you know of any magic spells that can block overloading magic." Overload? Did I overload last night? It might explain my headache.
"I do princess, is that what's wrong with Celestia?"
Our jaws dropped. "How?" I asked.
"Princess, it is clear to me that you wish to keep your identity a secret, and your death a kept ideal for your kingdom. If you wish to know how I know you are Celestia, it is my tallent to see through spells to find causes of illnesses. Believe it or not princess, but many CEOs visit me with their employers to see if they are making themselves sick. It is also how I know when my son is lying to me." The mare explained, bowing. "I can do what you say Twilight. However because this is Celestia, she needs to accept the spell. It's called Well of Drain."
"I know of it." I said with a nod. "It will drain any unused magic while I sleep. After a quick bite to eat my magic will restore."
Asile shook her head. "Incorrect, I have changed it to only drain magic that causes overload to occur. You will not be drained completely."
"Alright!" I said. "Anything that'll keep these headaches from showing up again."
"Glad this worked out then..." Twilight sighed, dropping to the floor. "I thought I was dead for sure..."
I laughed. "Why would I kill my former student? It wasn't your fault, in fact Asile aren't you my sister's doctor?"
The mare nodded. "She said my services would be needed here princess. Twilight just pointed me the way." A book floated out of her side bag. "This is my spell book of healing, restoration, and magical defence."
"The book of Fregga? You read old books Asile." I laughed as I read the title of the book.
"Ma'am old books give better knowledge." She fixed her glasses with a heavy sigh. "And your sister refuses to use modern magic, or accept it. Now, shall we get started on your headache?"
I nodded, rubbing my left temple. "Yes, please."
Twilight began speaking as Asile began to spell. "So is this magic build up because you aren't casting the Solar Rotation Spell?" She asked.
"That will explain it..." Asile said with a grunt as she was reciting the spell in her head.
I felt my horn being pulled towards Asile. I look at my horn and saw a circle with symbols that I had trouble reading. A book by my mother would have ruins she would understand would drain why she was using a crude version of a spell. It wasn't long when I opened my eyes to see Asile panting, and Twilight giving her a glass of water. However just a moment ago she was standing infront of me, and now she was to the right of me.
"You were just there?!" I said, shocked. "Like, a second ago!"
"Ma'am it's been two hours. You fell under the drain, and I had to pull you out." She said breathing heavily. "You had so many magic blocks on you, somehow you went into shock....Has your heart been shaken?"
I blushed, and the mare nodded with a long 'ah'. "Okay..." Twilight smiled. "So, how much do I owe you?"
"Don't worry. It's always a pleasure to help Luna in anyway." She smiled as she wiped sweat off her brow. "She is my teacher."
"I'm glad my sister has you." I said. "Maybe she too has a void needing to be filled."
"You see it that way too?" Twilight asked, looking at me.
"I did, but I am glad what it came out too." I smiled. "There isn't a void anymore."
Twilight looked reassured, and smiled knowing know I had still saw her as a success, it was true too. She is bigger than Star Swirl ever was. Yes, he succeeded in creating powerful spells that allowed Celestial Creatures enter our world. Twilight had sped her way to ascending to alicorn state. She used an age spell as a filly by accident. It showed me she had the most potential I have ever seen out of the twenty other students I had.
"Luna has been acting strange lately. She said something about repenting." Asile said shrugging. "Well, I must be going. Luna wants me to return when I fixed her right up. If there is anything I can do, just give me a wink." She teleported away, and there was a kiss mark on the floor.
Twilight sighed. "That's going to be hard to get out..." Then Asile teleported back.
"I almost forgot. Princess, you need to watch your emotions. If I am correct you have lost a great deal of them over the time of Luna's banishment." She bowed again, and teleported away again. The burn mark on the floor started to smoke, and Twilight facehoofed.
"Dammit, where in tartarus is she teleporting, the Crystal Empire?!" Twilight grunted as she walked out of my room.
I looked outside, and sighed. "Day one of three hundred and sixty-five days."
Chapter 3: Jin and Bullies
It was a thousand and four years ago, my sister Luna, had fallen victim to a evil spirit making false promises of unlimited power. After a battle that nearly coasted my life, I used the elements of Harmony to safely banish her to the moon so that the spirit would give up. However my I lost my ability to three elements in the process, and my sister lost her elements. I lost Kindness, Magic, and Generosity. My sister lost Loyalty, Honesty, and Laughter. It was a rough thousand years, awaiting my sister's return to see her happy once again, and no longer under the Nightmare's control.
Soon did I realize my plan had failed. My sister returned, sealing me in a barrier inside the castle, and attacked Ponyville. I had then sent my student Twilight to find friends that embodied the new generation of elements. Apple Jack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity Bell, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy. Together they found the magic of friendship, and banished the Nightmare back to the moon. My sister had returned to me, and that day I had felt sadness once again.
While my sister was on the moon, serving her time, I became severely depressed, and lost most of my emotions. Hoping to find what I had lost I started the School for Gifted Unicorns in hope to find a filly or colt that could fill the void in my heart. The first was Star Swirl the Bearded, and my most recent students: Sunset Shimmer, Trixie, and Twilight Sparkle. Sunset lost her ability to remain my student after performing dark magic that killed seven ponies to reopen a portal to another realm. Trixie had dropped out after learning illusion magic. Twilight had remained by my side, eager to learn anything I threw at her. Aceing every test, reading every book, and practicing for hours on end to show how dedicated to being my number one pupil.
However even after ascending into her new alicorn state, she still can't open a jar of pickles. I watched as she even used combustion magic to blow up the jar, but to no prevail, the jar seemed untouched. She huffed, throwing the jar across the kitchen, and bounced off the wall, landing on the floor soon after.
"That is that thing made out of!?" Twilight exclaimed, as she slouched into her chair.
I laughed at her attempts to opening what may have been unbreakable jar of Phill pickles. "I don't see why not just getting a new jar of pickles..." I said resting the jar on the table. Twilight threw it across the room again, and it impacted Spike's face. A loud 'oooph' was heard before the passed out. "1-2-3...and he's out...." I sighed, looking back at Twilight.
"That demon does not get to rest on my table until the day it opens or the sun explodes...which ever comes first." Twilight said. "Anyways...you've been sitting in this tree for a week now princess, don't you think it is time to leave?"
I pondered for a moment then shrugged. "Heck if I know. Right now I need to be careful about my emotions."
"Yeah, your right..." Twilight agreed. "So now what? You're just going to stay here?"
Right before I could answer her, there was a knock at the door and Spike was still out cold. I stayed seated while Twilight went to go answer the door. I heard her talk to a pony, hearing a few chuckles between them, then I heard the door closed. When Twilight walked back in she had a large tube in floating next to her.
"What's that?" I asked, drinking some of my coffee.
"My new star map." She smiled. "He told me he just added something cool he's planning on doing from now on. Then he explained why my order came in late, so that's why Comet delivered it himself. Just wanted to explain himself I suppose."
"So let's see it then." I said. "And if it's the same Comet I know, I helped him a little bit."
"Oh, okay." She said opening the tube. She pulled out the large dark blue paper inside, and rolled it out on the table. Our jaw dropped in a spit second when we saw the sun set on the paper. The moon appeared on the paper, and the stars formed around it one-by-one. "That's a good reason..."
"A damn good one at that." I added. "He didn't tell me he was going to do this.
"Ohhh.....my head...." Spike had finally recovered, and I turned to see the tiny dragon.
"Well, welcome back Spike." I chuckled. "Don't suppose you hate pickles now that you were attacked by them."
"You tried opening that?" He grinned. "Sorry, but not even diamond can cut that glass. I tried before I ate it that yummy gem."
I smiled. "I see, so it might survive the end of the world then." I looked back at Twilight. "So I guess we should find a way to get rid of it."
"Agreed." She said. "Nothing that powerful can be used. The destruction such a weapon like that could cause." She began to laugh.
"We could banish it." I offered. "Nightmare Pickle Jar!"
Spike began to laugh, so I joined in the laughter. I couldn't believe I was laughing without being drunk, or anything. Some simple light hearted, meaningful laughter. It felt good to laugh like this.
"Maybe faking my death was a good thing." I said under my breath.
"Your kingdom misses you princess." Twilight said softly. "I'm just glad you two pulled it off after you told us. I'm sure I would've done black magic to bring you back."
I smiled. "I'm glad you care about me that much. It makes me feel like I did good rasing you after your parents let you live in the castle."
"You are like a mother figure." She added. "To me anyways."
I nodded as Twilight continued observing the grand star map. "Twilight, " I thought what I was going to say. "What job do you think I am good at?"
Twilight looked up at me, our eyes meeting each other. She smiled, with a approving nod. "Teaching."
I chuckled lightly to myself. "Teaching huh?" I asked, drinking more of my black coffee. "Do you think I could teach little one's?"
Twilight nodded the instant I asked her. "You're very good with teaching magic to me, perhaps you can teach the next generation of unicorns!"
"Does Ponyville have a magic school Twilight?"
"We have a school with a earth pony as a teacher. The unicorns there get their magic training from their parents, or from those who are willing. Maybe you can ask if you may teach those unicorns Cele-...Eclipse." She giggled. "I forgot you told me to call you that from now on."
I waved my hoof dismissively. "No worries Twilight. It wasn't like I was expecting you to instantly start calling me that, but I am glad you remembered." I finished my coffee, and placed it in the sink for Spike to wash later. I made my way towards the door when Twilight stopped me. "Yes?" I asked her.
"Make sure to be safe okay?" She said softly, and a worrying tone in her voice made it clear to me she was scared for me.
I nuzzeled her gently with a smile. "I am quite the fighter Twilight. There is no need to worry. If I find myself in a pickle I'll teleport here." My words seemed to lift her mood greatly, and she a slight grin on her face.
"Okay Eclipse, good luck."
I sat patently as I waited for Cheerlee to address my name to her class of forty or so students. She was kind, and had the liking to teach the foals with viggor. Her voice was soft enough to calm her class. Earlier she said she was glad to see a new face in Ponyville, and was even happier to take up my offer to teach to fifteen unicorns in her class.
When I heard her open the door for me, she smiled as she waved for me to enter the class room. I walked in, and already I had the unicorns clipping their hooves on their desks. I blushed as I cleared my voice.
"Hello everypony! My name is Ecplise, and I am hoping that you will want me to teach you how to control your magic. However it comes with many rules I'm sure your parents or guardians have taught you to follow." A few made 'awws", but I smiled. "Now that doesn't mean we won't have fun. I plan to have great trips, and aura node hunting with special prizes!" That had caught their attention. "So, what do you say? Do you want Ms. E to teach you cool spells?"
A cheer was clear enough I had won them over, and Cheerlee rung a small bell to calm them down. "So I guess it is settled then. Eclipse will now take any unicorn in this class, and will take them to the track."
"Thanks again for this Cheerlee." I smiled at the teacher as the unicorn foals started to walk out of the class.
"No problem Eclipse, I'm just glad you came around." She gave me a sheet of paper with a list of names on it. "These are their names, and I think you'll like Sweetie Belle, she's been practicing her magic with princess Twilight."
"That's good then, now I have an aid." I laughed. "I'll see you when school's over."
"It's a deal..." She turned to the class as I walked out to meet the unicorns.
There I saw fifteen unicorns standing at attention as if they were soldiers. I laughed a little as I walked up to them.
"At ease everypony, this isn't hoof-camp." I said. "But before we start, I would like Sweetie Belle to step forward."
I saw a small white unicorn with purple, and pink mane stroll up to me, a large grin on her face reaching ear-to-ear. "Yes ma'am?"
"You're Sweetie Belle? Well, its a pleasure to know you. I have one small question for you. You don't have to accept it, but do you think you can help me teach?"
"Sure! I would love to help!" She said. "But why me?"
I smiled as I met her at eye level. "Because you Sweetie Belle are currently princess Twilight's student, am I correct?" The filly gave a small nod. "That's why, now, get back in line with your friends."
"Okay!" She trotted back in place in the line, and she had a smug look on her face, like she had won a million bits.
I cleared my throat, in took a deep breath in. Letting it out with a sigh, I began to lift two large rocks from behind them. They all looked in awe as I spun them around, then placed them back into the ground.
"That is telekinesis, created by the first unicorns who inhabited Equestria during the darker times, and before Celestia and Luna rose up to face many foes." I said. "It has many uses, and lifting objects living or not is it's main purpose. This is also the easiest spell to learn so that's what we are starting with. By the end of the month you will learn this, as well as simple item teleportation." I saw their looks hadn't yet faltered. "If you are thinking this is going to be tough, it is. With hard work, practice, and determination, you will become masters in the magical arts. So, for our first lesson we'll be learning about Jin. Does anypony know what Jin Is?"
A pony raised his hoof. "I do ma'am! My mom told me it is magic that surrounds everypony. Earth Ponies have their Jin in their bodies, allowing them to become really-really strong! Pegasi have their Jin in their wings, allowing them to fly, and manipulate the weather. Unicorns however are the only ones out of the three that can use their Jin to manifest into semi-physical forms."
I nodded with a smile. "Very good, and what is your name?"
"Sparks ma'am!"
"Well Sparks, you are very correct. Now Jin is also in every thing in the world. Our homes, our food, our water, and the living creatures. You can use your Jin on everything that has Jin." I explained. "Jin flows from rivers of pooling magic that turn into Aura Nodes. We'll learn how to find them later on, and the dangers of finding unstable aura nodes such as Tainted nodes that spew the dark energy into the environment around them. Which explains why the Everfree Forest is full of deadly creatures. The evil there allows monsters such as Timber Wolves to form back when they are destroyed."
I saw another filly raise their hoof. " Ms. E," I nodded, allowing her to speak. "What do the good aura nodes do?"
"Good question little one. The good aura nodes provide safety, and shield use from the evil node's energy. However it drains their own energy protecting the living creatures around it, and if it is weaker than the tainted nodes, it too will become tainted. There are advanced spells that can purify a tainted node, but it will only work if the evil hasn't spread to it. It takes about three days for it to become a evil node." When I finished I heard the lunch bell ring. "Okay so while you eat I want you to talk among yourselves about what you've learned. Sharing your knowledge of what you know about Jin is very important, but for now, go eat and have fun!"
The kids bolted off as if it were the last day of school, and I chuckled to myself. I began walking to a empty bench where I then sat down. It was nice watching the foals run about, and talking to each other. Oh how it was so nice to see little foals again, it made my heart flutter, and made me think about my own childhood. I was a calm child most of the time, and had to deal with Luna. However that didn't mean I never had fun. Adding many little twists and turns around my old castle made it fun to toy with my little sister.
"Ms. E?" Sweetie Belle asked, walking up to me with what may have been two of her friends. "I was wondering if you've ever met any of the princesses."
I smiled. "Well, I have met all four at one point." I sat up, and looked at them in their eyes. "Celestia was my teacher, and Luna was like a aunt to me. Twilight was Celestia's student before I was, so I got to meet her when she was coordinated as a princess of Magic."
"What about princess Cadence?" A orange pegasus asked.
"Her too, she's nice." I replied. "So what brings you over here Sweetie Belle?"
"We just wanted to get away from Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon." She said. "They keep picking on us for not having our cutie marks."
I frowned, and felt almost annoyed. "Bring them here." I ordered. "I want to speak to them."
After a few moments they brought two rich looking ponies, and I already felt sick to my stomach. Rich snobs who would walk into my castle demanding that they have permission to buy every lot in Canterlot, or buy out a thousand acres of land to build a mansion made me really ticked off. Wasting my time on such stupid matters about not having enough land to raise one foal.
"Are you two Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon?" I asked.
"Pft, the one and only!" Diamond Tiara said flicking her mane to the side. I felt like I was going to puke right on them.
"I've been told that you've been harassing them because they don't have cutie marks yet, is that true?"
"Um, duh! Anypony who doesn't have a cutie mark is worthless, and should be treated as such."
And there went my good day. I stood up, and pulled their ears with my magic. They began to cry in pain, and made useless threats to me.
"I'm getting my daddy when I get home to fire you!" Diamond Tiara wined.
I looked at her dead in the eyes with a glare that would scare a dragon back into infancy. "Go ahead and tell him when I call him about what you two have been doing to those ponies who are much more worthy of becoming more talented than you!" I shouted as I continued to drag them into the school.
I picked up the phone, and began to dial Filthy Rich.
"Hello? " Came from the other line.
"Hello, is this Filthy Rich?" I asked in a calm tone, acting like nothing was wrong when clearly there was.
"Speaking, who am I speaking to? " He sounded so polite which made me wonder why Diamond Tiara wasn't.
"My name is Eclipse, I am a new teacher here in Ponyville, and I have your daughter and her friend next to me."
"What seems to be the problem Ms. Eclipse? " His voice started to sound worried.
"Well, your daughter and her friend thought it would be a good idea to harass three students of mine because they don't have cutie marks. When I asked your daughter if this was true she admitted to it, and said that those ponies were worthless because they didn't find their special talent yet."
A long heavy sigh was on the other side of the phone. "Thank you for telling me Ms. I'll make sure I scold her when she gets home. "
"Um, sir I don't think that'll make her learn her lesson. She'll clearly do it again behind your back." I noted. "And I know my students don't lie, because I can detect any lie with my truth detection spell."
"Then what do you suppose I should do? " His voice started to sound aggravated.
"Take away everything until she's written a ten thousand word apology letter to every student they've bullied. That means no money, no toys, and no play time at the spa." I said looking at them.
"Doesn't that seem a little harsh ma'am?" He asked.
"If it means to a end to the bulling sir, then yes, its harsh, but they will surely learn their lesson." I said. "Sir, I wish I would've called you saying how delightful your daughter and her friend is, but it seems that I've talked to too many students saying that your daughter has bullied them. Tripping them, making them fall into mud, making fake bribes, and even forcing other students to bully others. Over eighty different instances where your daughter has caused trouble at school. So I say that's why they should write apology letters to everypony in school."
Another long, heavy sigh came from the other side. "I see...So, ten thousand words? "
"Yes sir, and make sure you see that there isn't 19,994 really s in it."
"Thinking ahead are we? " He asked. "Alright, I will make sure they'll get it done. "
"Thank you sir, and have a wonderful day."
"No, thank you for telling me this awful news. If I would've found out sooner, I would have taken action. And you too have a nice day. "
I hung up after the other line cut out, and I smiled devilishly at the two bullies. "You're both grounded, I hope you learn your lesson."
After that was taken care of, I made my way back to my class. They all were sitting around, talking quietly to one another. As I approached Sweetie Belle rushed up to me, with a look of worry all over her face. Even a few of her class mates looked as though it was my final day in Equestria.
"What happened?" She asked. "Are you going to get fired?"
I laughed. "Ha! Like I would get fired on my first day Sweetie Belle!" I walked closer to the class. "You all don't need to worry about Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon anymore. They are to be grounded as soon as they get home. I won't go into detail of their punishment, but you should be receiving formal letters of apologies from them in a couple of weeks." They all smiled, and looks of hope flushed onto their faces. "Now, on to our lesson! Who wants to find a aura node!?"
"No! Mrs. Grey! Please get down from there!" I begged the old mare who was flying in the air. "You're going to strain your wings!"
"You unicorns don't know whacha talkin about!" The old mare replied flying around. "I feel perfectly fi-AH!" The mare's wings cramped up, and I dove under her. She ended up landing on my back, and I sighed in relief while silently crying in pain. "Thank goodness...You alright Mrs. Grey?"
The mare nodded, and slowly got off my back. "I am, thank you...I guess you unicorns aren't that bad."
"That's good to hear, now why don't you go and get your wings fixed up, and try not to fly so much next time."
"Alright buddy..." She slowly trotted off.
It got me wondering if she was as old as she was. Still flying like she was young, and running like she was in a triathlon. Most of the old mares here were nice, but had their own little devils inside. Often using their old age to their advantage, claiming that they wanted to have some fun before they kicked the bucket. I was the only one who somewhat tolerated their crazy pranks.
When it was time for me to leave I saw that school was ending. The Ponyville school ended right as my shift ended at the old folks home. I watched as the little foals ran back to their parents, and I saw that there was a new teacher who was standing next to Cheerlee. That's when I saw it was Eclipse waving goodbye to the other mare as she walked back into town.
"Hey! Eclipse!" I called as I ran up next to her.
"Good afternoon Comet, how have you been?" She asked in her soft voice.
"Oh not much, back's a little sore from a old mare landing on it. Other than that it's been quiet for me."
She laughed to herself. "I wish it were the same for me. Twilight's been quite offensive to a jar of pickles as of late."
"A jar of...pickles ?" I asked. "Why a jar of pickles?"
She shrugged as we continued to walk. "I guess it won't open so she got mad this morning, and threw it. Then it ended up being knocked into Spike's face." She giggled a little bit. "It was quite funny when I saw him fall over."
"So, um...got any plans next week?" I asked.
She smiled at me. "As far as I know, I am going to be doing nothing other than teach a living group of unicorns." She said. "Why? Are you asking me out?"
"No, just to meet up I guess. I'm going to be out of town for a week, and going to come back next Friday, so I was wondering if you want to catch up then?"
"I don't see why not Comet, but it might have to be late." She sighed. "We're going on a field trip into the Everfree Forest to observe Taint Nodes."
"Are you crazy?" I asked. "You can't take a group of young foals to their deaths!"
She scoffed at me. "I'm quite skilled in offensive, and defensive magics. I also know a range of healing spells if they get hurt, and I am fully prepared to show their parents I am qualified to protect their young." She raised her head into the air. "I'm not weak..."
I sighed. "I never said you were Eclipse, I worry you know." I said with a softer voice. "I don't want to see my friend get hurt, or little foals get hurt either. Their our future you know?"
She nodded. "Well, there's no reason to worry about me or them Comet." She said. "And if things get too hairy then I can teleport us all out at once."
"Now that's crazy, I've never met a unicorn who could teleport a whole class."
"Well shows you, I can teleport to Canterlot and back with something on hoof." She bragged. "Celestia said my magic is equal to Twilight's before she died."
"Wait princess Twilight as a alicorn, or before?"
"Now, at this point, but I remain a unicorn under choice. Don't want to learn how to use wings seeing how Twilight can hardly control her wings when she wants to sleep." She explained. "I need to hurry on now, it was great talking to you again, and I hope you have safe travels."
"Yeah, thanks, see you next Saturday."
Such a gentle stallion. Comet was kind enough to risk his well being for a old mare. Then again there were ponies like him who would. Ponies who took care of the old when they couldn't take care of themselves were nice, but some had selfish reasons. There was always bad when there was good, like there's always a shadow in the light.
I stopped back at Twilight's home, and was greeted with dinner.
"So how'd it go?" Twilight asked as she ate her hayberger.
I shrugged. "It was alright. Took care of a couple bullies, and met some very smart students who knew more about Jin than I thought."
Twilight smiled. "That's great!" She gave me a glass of clear wine. "So what's that look on your face. You look sad."
I pointed to myself. "Me sad?" I asked.
"Yeah, see it in your eyes."
"Well, Comet is leaving Ponyville for a week, and I was hoping to talk to him more." I replied.
"Comet? My star map maker?" A smirk grew on her face. "You got a crush on him don't you princess?"
I rolled my eyes. "He's just a friend Twilight. He's my first one I made when I faked my death."
Twilight nodded, and her smile was gone. "So when is he coming back again?"
"A week." I said. "But, does it really look like I have a crush on a lower class?"
Twilight shrugged. "Don't know, but sometimes it's the lower class that's cuter." She blushed with a little giggle. "At least that's what Cadence told me."
"Last time I checked your brother is a high class pony like you." I said.
"He is, but he's got low class qualities."
"Like his attitude." I laughed. "So high strong, yet elegant, it's why he's the husband to the princess of love."
"So what now?"
"Well, I'm taking my students on a field trip to hunt for some Taint nodes to study them soon."
"You know the moment they learn how to detect aura nodes, they'll see one in you." Twilight said, her face looking serious. "And you know you can't hide it."
"I know....I know....it'll put my plan in danger."