Royal Consanguinityby blackpixelsChaptersChapter 1: Polar OppositesChapter 2: Assignment OnePrologue (15 years ago)Chapter 1: Polar OppositesChapter 1: Polar Opposites “To you, princess of daylight, you shall be called Dawn Star." "AND TO THOU, PRINCE OF THE DARK NIGHT, THY NAME SHALL BE MIDNIGHT!” “Aunt Luna! I’ve mastered the spell!” The princess of the night was awoken from her sleep by her student’s voice. She got up from her bed, a little tired after having stayed awake the whole night, but nonetheless ready to hear from him. She had never really needed to guide the moon consciously at night, but as princess over it she felt obligated to every once in a while. The previous night was such a night. Princess Luna yawned. Rubbing her eye, she took her time to speak. “Good morning, Midnight. What spell is it, now?” Midnight straightened himself, looking proud as ever. “The transformation spell.” He floated in front of himself the quill that was tucked behind his ear. Shutting his eyes, he poured his concentration into the magic that was emanating from his horn. It glowed with a dark blue aura, similar to the one enveloping the quill. POOF. In a flash of white light, the quill had changed itself into a pink lily, stalk and all. Luna was impressed. Midnight was a magical prodigy, she always reminded herself. Yet even she, the second most powerful pony in Equestria, had never ceased to be amazed by the speed at which her student learned things. “It’s for you, Aunt Luna.” Midnight floated the lily upwards and tucked it behind his teacher’s ear. The contrast between its petals and her coat made her look rather cute. “Why, thank you, Midnight,” she smiled as she reached out to tousle his jet black mane. “It’s lovely. Continue with your studies; I shall see you at lunch.” She walked out the open door of her chambers where Midnight had barged into, and decided to take a stroll along the castle halls. Her nephew had grown to be so big; she could barely reach the top of his head with her hoof now. Well, specifically he was her grandnephew, related through Cadance her niece. But she had always shunned the g-word. It made her feel old. *** *** *** “Dawn Star! Where are you?!” Princess Celestia stepped inside from the castle tower’s balcony and shut the glass door behind her. The sun was set on its routine path along the sky; it required no more minding till midafternoon. Now, it was just her student that needed her attention. As always. The study, where she was supposed to be, was empty. A stack of spellbooks lay on her student’s desk, unopened and unread. The inkwell was as full as ever. And knowing Dawn Star, she couldn’t have been in the Canterlot library. Of course, Celestia knew just where she’d be. Princess Celestia teleported out of the castle, into the sky and straight in the path of her student. The young alicorn, who bore the same color coat as her teacher, stopped in her tracks. She laughed playfully as she saw that her teacher had come to join in her fun. But her smile faded as she noticed the bemused look that Celestia bore. “Dawn Star,” Celestia spoke, employing the use of her royal Canterlot voice that she had come to so often use for the past decade or so. Sometimes, only volume could reach through to stubbornness. “Stop this revelry at once. Meet me in your study, now!!” She teleported back into the empty study. Her student flew through the window a minute later. “Dawn Star,” she began, speaking normally. “What are you doing again flying among the clouds? Have you even started on anything today? What chapter of The Political History of Equestria are you on now?” Dawn Star landed, hoofing the ground and not daring to look her teacher in the eye. “I was... I was practicing my weather manipulation?" Princess Celestia nickered. “Weather manipulation, my hoof. And even if you were, your brother mastered it years ago.” The comment elicited a subtle eye-roll from Dawn Star, but Celestia caught it. She chose not to act upon it. “Now stay here and complete your studies for the day. Be glad that I don’t make you make up for all those days you’ve wasted having fun.” She stepped out of the study and closed the door behind her. Princess Luna was standing in the hallway, looking at her sister with a blank stare. “I’m tired, Luna,” Celestia sighed as she joined Luna’s side in her morning stroll. “Two thousand years I’ve ruled this kingdom, controlled the sun, and for half that time the moon as well. And I feel better than ever to be Equestria’s leader. But in the fifteen years that I’ve tried to raise Dawn Star, I don’t think I’ve had a night of peaceful sleep. I worry about her future.” “You’re too hard on her, ‘Tia,” Luna replied. “She is but a filly.” “But she is destined for greatness. I do not see that greatness in her just yet,” Celestia frowned as she spoke. “How goes it with you and Midnight?” “Midnight is... brilliant. Especially for his age. But I wish he would spend more time among his friends, and more inclined to have fun.” “I wish the opposite were true of Dawn Star,” Celestia remarked. “I almost miss my previous student. She was just so studious. And hardworking.” “Twilight Sparkle?” Luna asked. “Yes... She was one exceptional unicorn.” Suddenly, her eyes widened. “‘Tia, what would you think of introducing Dawn and Midnight to a few friends? They’re mature enough to be without us, and Twilight and her friends could supervise their studies while in Ponyville.” “Go on...” “Midnight and Dawn Star, they would do well some friends. Influences. Good ones, hopefully, but friends nonetheless. It’s unhealthy to keep them here as such,” Luna said. “And I know that you, of all ponies know the power and significance of friends.” Luna smiled at her sister. Celestia pondered the thought for a moment. “You know, if anyone knows how to teach our students a thing or two about magic of friendship – which they should already be learning by this age – it’s them.” “Mmhmm,” Luna agreed. “Besides,” she yawned. “We could do with a break from all this mentoring.” *** *** *** Twilight Sparkle was rearranging the books in her library, putting back the returned books into their proper places. Owloysious helped her with the books on the higher shelves, though she could have easily done it with her telekinesis. Spike was having his claws full at the borrowing counter where several ponies were queueing up. The Ponyville Library was now a much more popular hangout among Ponyville residents than it was when she first moved in, Twilight realized. She still remembered how empty it always was back then, when it would be just her and her studies along with Spike. Except when Pinkie threw her a party there to try and win over the Grand Galloping Gala ticket, she chuckled. Though at the very least, she could hang out with her friends anytime she wanted then. In the years past, the library had expanded to several times its original size, with new additions to the treehouse built every few years. Twilight looked out the window. It wasn’t just the library that had grown; the whole of Ponyville had developed beyond recognition too. Her close friends had expanded their businesses as well. Sweet Apple Acres had increased its land by dozens of acres and now had its own apple market. The Carousel Boutique was now more of a department store, though Rarity still liked to design and sew choice clothing personally. Pinkie Pie had become the stand-in manager of Sugarcube Corner until the Cakes’ kids graduate from high school and took over. Rainbow Dash now had her own weather team, clearing the skies over the enlarged Ponyville. The only pony who led her life pretty much the same as ever was Fluttershy, in her cottage on the outskirts of Ponyville and tending to animals. Ponyville was no longer the farming settlement that it started out as, nor was it any longer the town that Twilight had first moved in to. It was now a major trading city in the heart of Central Equestria. The purple unicorn glanced in Spike's direction. He wasn't a baby anymore, and she wanted him to have his own life. Not that she didn't want him around, but he deserved no less than to be given the choice to lead his own life. It was on that particular day that she had planned to offer him relief of his duties as her assistant. She would be much more busy without him, but that was alright. It was just that the young dragon had been with her since she was just a foal. He was family, and it was no easy thing to part with him. Twilight waited till the crowd of book-borrowers had dissipated. Clearing her throat, she walked up to Spike. “Spike, may I have a word?” The adolescent dragon looked worried, probably worried that he was in trouble. He stroked his green scales backward. Seeing this, Twilight forced out a smile. “Come, let’s go to the balcony,” she gestured. “Is something wrong, Twilight?” But Twilight was looking at Ponyville’s skyline, distracted by how things have changed. Spike respectfully kept silent until the middle-aged mare turned back her attention to him. “Oh, sorry Spike,” she apologized. “I was... I was just thinking.” Silence. “Remember when you told me when you wanted to be with your own kind? Back when you were younger – and you packed off to follow the dragon migration?” Twilight chuckled in nostalgia. "And I let you go. Even though I really really didn't want you to leave me at that point of time." "Twilight? What are you trying to say?" "Oh, nothing, Spike." Twilight looked away from the cityscape to Spike, who was now a head taller than her. "I'm just saying that if you... If you wanna... Look. You're no longer a baby dragon, and I have no right to keep you here with me, so should you wish to–" Her words were cut short by a blast of golden-green fire that singed the hairs on her muzzle. "Manners, Spike!" Twilight scowled. "What have I been teaching you all these years?" She looked down and saw a bound scroll on the floor. Her scowl disappeared. "Sorry," she said, snatching up the scroll and unfurling it. She was hardly fazed by the seal of Princess Celestia that was imprinted on it. Her trained eyes took in the words line by line, and at the end of it her eyes widened. "Spike, forget our talk. Take a letter," she said, leaving the message from the Princess in his open claws and stepping around him back inside the library. "Dear Princess Celestia, I have received your message regarding sending Prince Shining Armor's two children here to Ponyville for further studies. I will prepare accommodations and a curriculum for them at once. Your majesty may rest assured that I as well as my friends will do our best to give Prince Midnight and Princess Dawn Star the best advancement in their education, including the lesson of friendship. "Sincerely, your loyal subject Twilight Sparkle. "P.S., How are my brother and Princess Cadance doing?" Before the letter had even finished being burned away by Spike's flaming breath, Twilight was pulling books from the shelves and laying them on the table in front of her. "Spike, do up a checklist," she said as she trotted up to the balcony. Through her telescope, she caught a fine brown stallion with a dark brown mane. It's been 15 years. Romance can wait a little longer. Chapter 2: Assignment OneChapter 2: Assignment One “Brohoof! That's how we say hi in here.” "Dawn, come back into the chariot," Princess Cadance called out after her spirited daughter. Dawn Star chose not to listen, pirouetting through the air and flying alongside the Royal Guard pegasi pulling the chariot. She tilted her head back and laughed skyward, her gold-streaked rose colored mane blown back by the headwind. "Your daughter," Shining Armor muttered just loudly enough for his wife to hear. Cadance acted surprised. "For the thousandth time, she's yours." "She has your mane," Shine retorted, nuzzling his wife behind her ear. The pink alicorn purred in pleasure. It was certainly a delight to get to see Ponyville again. Being in command of the Canterlot Royal Guard did not grant him many opportunities to visit the town his sister resided in. But Twilight understood. He looked to his dark-coated son perched at the bow of the chariot, unmoving and staring straight ahead. The ponies of Canterlot had often misjudged him to be 'evil' by the color of his coat. After all, didn't Nightmare Moon herself have the same color as his son? Midnight's personality did not help much either. He was always silent, always brooding over nothing in particular. It was natural that ponies would be more drawn to his sister, Shine thought. Midnight flicked his ears as the chariot descended. It was his first time out of Canterlot, and thus the first time he's ever been at this low an altitude. He noted with some annoyance the effects air pressure does to the inside of your ears. It was clear that his mother and father was suffering from it as well, but he saw they've been out of the city enough times, though still rarely, to be unfazed by it's effects. Dawn Star, on the other hand, was too busy frolicking among the clouds to notice the phenomenon. He flicked his ears another time and faced the front again as they emerged from inside the cloud cover. A city rose up from behind the lush green hills of the Central Equestrian meadow, graced by the occasional skyscraper but nonetheless quaint, compared to Canterlot. Unlike the capital, Ponyville was a touch more disorganized in the way its houses were arranged. It seemed that the somewhat sprawling city was nucleated about a center (circular) town square, which boasted the tallest building in the city. Midnight assumed it was the town hall. The largest streets radiated from the square, leading outward to the furthest reaches of the city. One in particular lead down a slope and ended right on a cliff overhang, which drew Midnight's curiosity for a while until he noticed the buildings. Unlike the mostly uniform, grid-arranged buildings of Canterlot – which he was quickly realizing did not speak for every city in Equestria – they were more than a little dotted about the ground. And some had the most peculiar shapes. A giant tree-building thing had caught his attention. The chariot landed without so much as a bump just across the river that skirted Ponyville, with a little help from Shining Armor's telekinesis. Dawn Star landed on her hooves a split second later and galloped across the bridge, shouting at the top of her lungs. "Hel-lo, Ponyville!" Both her parents facehoofed at her behavior. Dawn Star took in a deep breath, savoring the rich, thick air that came with the city. An orange pegasus mare drove a cool-looking vehicle up to her, mouth open. "An alicorn, face to face. So. Awesome!" She noticed Dawn staring at her in confusion, and shut her mouth. The pony put a hoof to her mouth and cleared her throat, and took off her purple helmet. From inside it her mane unravelled, hanging down in some parts but curling upwards into spikes in most. It was a purple like the helmet, only much more shiny as it shimmered in the air with flakes of gold. She bowed to Dawn Star, kneeling on one knee. "Long live the princess," she said out to an now even more confused Dawn Star. She's seen ponies bowing to Mom and Dad and her teacher/great-grandaunt Celestia, but not to her. "Arise." Her dad had walked up to beside her. She looked to her left, and saw Midnight and her mom join her as well. The orange pegasus stood back up, an expression of awe and (fan-admiration?) plastered on her face. Dawn could almost see her eyes glitter at the sight of her family. Sometimes she was embarrassed how much influence her family had in the kingdom. Okay, maybe all the time. She wished that others treat her normally. Of course, she was even biologically 'above' them, having born with both horn and wings. “Hay, Scoot!” A yellow earth mare dressed in a frilly yet formal business dress trotted up to the orange pegasus and clapped her on the back. “Oh, sweet Celestia...” She quickly bowed at the royal family that had come to their city. After she got up, the pony known as Scoot walked up and shook the hooves of each of Dawn’s family. “I’m Scootaloo,” she introduced herself as. She was just slightly older than Dawn and her brother, and seemed to have only started working barely a couple of years ago. Scootaloo reached her muzzle into her saddlebags, taking out a stack of white cards from inside it. “Juh hol on for avit...” The cards slipped out from between her teeth and scattered onto the ground in front of her. “Oh, snap.” She looked at Shining Armor and then Cadance, letting out a nervous giggle. She swept the mess of cue cards behind her. “Well, apparently I’m supposed to be your guide. The mayor’s organized a welcome party in the square and I need to take you there.” Dawn’s mom smiled as she walked up to pat Scootaloo’s head. “Come on now, Scootaloo. Let’s make do without all the formalities, shall we? We’re not exactly strangers. You too, Applebloom.” The yellow mare looked up at Cadance and smiled, straightening the small bow tied on her red mane to the left of her head. Dawn Star and Midnight both gave a quizzical look at their father. He explained that they were his and Cadance’s bridesmaids when they got married. “Say,” Shine realized. “How’s Sweetie Belle been lately?” “She don’t talk much to us these days. Fame and glamor and all that. And she spends quite a bit of time touring the kingdom nowadays.” Applebloom gave a small scowl. "But ya do have to admit that she's good." Dawn noticed that Applebloom spoke with a slight, barely detectable accent. But one not usually heard in the capital. Wait. Sweetie Belle? "You mean *The* Sweetie Belle?" Dawn Star asked Applebloom. She turned to her dad. "Like, the one who came and sang at me and Midnight's birthday party a while back?" Shine just smiled and nodded. "Three times winner of the Voice of Equestria," Applebloom added. "Yep, that's her." Even Midnight was amazed. "She was your... bridesmaid, mother?" "Guys," Scootaloo interjected, more comfortable to use the term in the company of the down-to-earth ponies. "We're burning daylight here. Ponyville isn't gonna wait forever for you." *** *** *** Five ponies trotted (and another one riding a scooter) through Ponyville in the direction of the town square. Midnight was preoccupied with the odd variety and colors of the buildings. He recently just passed by a huge clothing store, named Carousel Boutique. It was filled with numerous ponies and even more clothes, seemingly clothes that copied Canterlot's latest fashion trend: horn socks and wing gloves. Midnight wasn't a pony of fashion – nobility rarely is, and really? It's barely autumn! – but he made a mental note to pay it a visit. Maybe he could meet the person who had decided to bring a taste of Canterlot to town. "So, tell me more about you three," Dawn Star asked Scootaloo and Applebloom. She had a spring in her step, unable to believe that she was actually talking to the best friends of (*squee!*) Sweetie Belle. "Well, Sweetie wasn't always a singer," said Applebloom. "The three of us were actually the only ones in our class to not have a cutie mark at that time." She looked to Scootaloo immediately after and gave her an apologetic look. "Sorry, Scoot," she whispered. "S'alright, AB. I'm cool." Dawn Star noticed that Scootaloo didn't have her cutie mark yet. Applebloom's was that of an apple blossom. "Everyone gets it sooner or later. And I like my job." But Dawn thought she saw her blink away some tears as she looked away. "Okay," Applebloom replied, not noticing it. She continued. "We called ourselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders. And ya wouldn't believe the crazy things we did together ta try 'n earn 'em," she said as she gave a nostalgic laugh. "A few years back, the Crusaders decided to sign up for the new Voice of Equestria singing contest. Sweetie Belle aced the auditions. Scootaloo was, well, Scootaloo." She elicited a laugh from her friend. "I barely made it past the auditions but got eliminated right after. "Sweetie coursed through the rounds like there was no competition whatsoever. Ponies around Equestria began to notice her. Support her. Became her fans. They were intrigued by this rising star, a blank flank from the small town of Ponyville, that made Equestria's best talents sound like a dying phoenix. "Then came the finals. Sweetie was up against an older earth pony, Magic Melody, who had had her cutie mark since she was young. A microphone. Ya could say she was a veteran singer. But our dear ol' Sweetie showed her what true singing was. Showed the whole of Equestria. And guess what she sang? Fluttershy's lullaby!" Applebloom exclaimed. Dawn Star remembered that moment. She was only about ten then, but the memory was vivid. The whole stadium erupted into cheers and applause. And at the moment where she was crowned the Voice of Equestria, her cutie mark appeared on her flank. A golden bell, tied around by a lavender ribbon. It made it a victory not just for Equestria, but a personal victory for herself as well. They were fired at from both sides with strips of confetti. Several more cannon shots joined the first two, and pieces of colored paper were raining down on the whole area. The town square broke into loud hoofstomps, the ground shaken by the sheer number of ponies that had assembled there. The crowd parted as they approached and Dawn got a view of the stage. There was an elderly mare at the podium, opening her mouth to speak into the microphone. “Citizens of Ponyville! Let’s give a warm welcome to the royal family!” *** *** *** The apple cider was delicious. Midnight licked his lips and turned his attention back to the mare he had come to know as Twilight Sparkle. Apparently she had seen him rather alone earlier, after the official welcome, and approached him to tell him that they were going to stay in her library for the duration of their studies. Probably noticing his discomfort in the social situation, she invited him over to the library. Midnight looked back in distaste at the welcome party thrown for them, hosted by a pink earth mare known as Pinkie Pie. An unspeaking unicorn next to the stage was mixing up some ear-blasting music that the residents were shaking their flanks to. None of them noticed that one of the two guests they were holding this party for was taking his leave. The effort was appreciable, though. "So, Ms Sparkle, wha–" "Just call me Aunt Twilight, Midnight," Twilight corrected. "You don't remember me? Oh that's right. You were probably too young to." Midnight nodded in understanding. So she was his father's beloved sister that he often spoke about. "Aunt Twilight, may I ask what we will be learning here in Ponyville?" His aunt's eyes seemed to twinkle at him, apparently impressed with the question. She sipped some cider from her cup and said, "You remind me of myself back when I was around your age, or maybe a little older. Straight to the point when it comes to academics. Focussed and directed." That was exactly how he would've described himself. To think that her aunt, who he hadn't ever spoken to before, could put it so nicely made him realize that she really was like him. Maybe it ran in the family. "Princess Celestia tells me that you are an exceptional magic user. And it's more than just being related to the royal bloodline on one side and -possibly the most powerful unicorn in the kingdom-, or so everyone says." She gives a little laugh and waves her self-remark away. "That it's also hard work." Just as Midnight was feeling good about the compliment, she continues. "But that's not what you two are here for. Sure, I could teach you magic privately once in a while. But your main task is something else." "So, what do we have to do first?" asks Midnight, eager to get at least something done before he retired for the night. "Your first assignment is something your sister's already completed," Twilight answered. "Make some friends!" Prologue (15 years ago)PROLOGUE (15 years ago) The cerulean-maned unicorn pranced back and forth in the hallway just outside the castle’s medical ward, leaving hoof marks on the velvet red carpet that ran through it. Biting his lip, he barely noticed the cold sweat streaking down his white coat and Royal Guard uniform. It felt like the longest time, waiting for any news to emerge from behind the ebony double doors of the ward. So when they swung open just in the slightest, Shining Armor rushed to the opening. “How is it, Doctor Healinghorn?” he asked with a slight brashness that did not befit the Captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard. But he didn’t care. He noticed that the front of doctor’s white medical coat was smeared with blood. Cadance’s blood. But that was okay, right? Childbirth always involved blood. It’s... it’s normal. He bit on the strap of his uniform and tightened it, something he tended to do whenever he was nervous. The doctor gave a quick bow to Shining Armor. “Congratulations, your highness,” he said with an air of excitement. “You have a son! You can come in and see yo–” A nurse came up from behind the Healinghorn and whispered something into the doctor’s ear. His eyes widened. “Oh... I see,” he replied the nurse. He smiled nervously to Shining Armor. “Give me a moment, sir, we have something unexpected.” And with that, Healinghorn stepped back into the ward and closed the doors once again on the white unicorn. Shining Armor could hardly contain his ecstasy. But he was kept from dancing on his hooves by the possibility that something still might go wrong. What could have happened to Cadance? Or the baby? Finally, he could take it no longer. He pushed through the doors and galloped to Cadance’s bed. There he saw his smiling wife, wrapping in her light blue magic two tiny baby alicorns, one the color of white day and the other as dark as the night.
Chapter 1: Polar OppositesChapter 1: Polar Opposites “To you, princess of daylight, you shall be called Dawn Star." "AND TO THOU, PRINCE OF THE DARK NIGHT, THY NAME SHALL BE MIDNIGHT!” “Aunt Luna! I’ve mastered the spell!” The princess of the night was awoken from her sleep by her student’s voice. She got up from her bed, a little tired after having stayed awake the whole night, but nonetheless ready to hear from him. She had never really needed to guide the moon consciously at night, but as princess over it she felt obligated to every once in a while. The previous night was such a night. Princess Luna yawned. Rubbing her eye, she took her time to speak. “Good morning, Midnight. What spell is it, now?” Midnight straightened himself, looking proud as ever. “The transformation spell.” He floated in front of himself the quill that was tucked behind his ear. Shutting his eyes, he poured his concentration into the magic that was emanating from his horn. It glowed with a dark blue aura, similar to the one enveloping the quill. POOF. In a flash of white light, the quill had changed itself into a pink lily, stalk and all. Luna was impressed. Midnight was a magical prodigy, she always reminded herself. Yet even she, the second most powerful pony in Equestria, had never ceased to be amazed by the speed at which her student learned things. “It’s for you, Aunt Luna.” Midnight floated the lily upwards and tucked it behind his teacher’s ear. The contrast between its petals and her coat made her look rather cute. “Why, thank you, Midnight,” she smiled as she reached out to tousle his jet black mane. “It’s lovely. Continue with your studies; I shall see you at lunch.” She walked out the open door of her chambers where Midnight had barged into, and decided to take a stroll along the castle halls. Her nephew had grown to be so big; she could barely reach the top of his head with her hoof now. Well, specifically he was her grandnephew, related through Cadance her niece. But she had always shunned the g-word. It made her feel old. *** *** *** “Dawn Star! Where are you?!” Princess Celestia stepped inside from the castle tower’s balcony and shut the glass door behind her. The sun was set on its routine path along the sky; it required no more minding till midafternoon. Now, it was just her student that needed her attention. As always. The study, where she was supposed to be, was empty. A stack of spellbooks lay on her student’s desk, unopened and unread. The inkwell was as full as ever. And knowing Dawn Star, she couldn’t have been in the Canterlot library. Of course, Celestia knew just where she’d be. Princess Celestia teleported out of the castle, into the sky and straight in the path of her student. The young alicorn, who bore the same color coat as her teacher, stopped in her tracks. She laughed playfully as she saw that her teacher had come to join in her fun. But her smile faded as she noticed the bemused look that Celestia bore. “Dawn Star,” Celestia spoke, employing the use of her royal Canterlot voice that she had come to so often use for the past decade or so. Sometimes, only volume could reach through to stubbornness. “Stop this revelry at once. Meet me in your study, now!!” She teleported back into the empty study. Her student flew through the window a minute later. “Dawn Star,” she began, speaking normally. “What are you doing again flying among the clouds? Have you even started on anything today? What chapter of The Political History of Equestria are you on now?” Dawn Star landed, hoofing the ground and not daring to look her teacher in the eye. “I was... I was practicing my weather manipulation?" Princess Celestia nickered. “Weather manipulation, my hoof. And even if you were, your brother mastered it years ago.” The comment elicited a subtle eye-roll from Dawn Star, but Celestia caught it. She chose not to act upon it. “Now stay here and complete your studies for the day. Be glad that I don’t make you make up for all those days you’ve wasted having fun.” She stepped out of the study and closed the door behind her. Princess Luna was standing in the hallway, looking at her sister with a blank stare. “I’m tired, Luna,” Celestia sighed as she joined Luna’s side in her morning stroll. “Two thousand years I’ve ruled this kingdom, controlled the sun, and for half that time the moon as well. And I feel better than ever to be Equestria’s leader. But in the fifteen years that I’ve tried to raise Dawn Star, I don’t think I’ve had a night of peaceful sleep. I worry about her future.” “You’re too hard on her, ‘Tia,” Luna replied. “She is but a filly.” “But she is destined for greatness. I do not see that greatness in her just yet,” Celestia frowned as she spoke. “How goes it with you and Midnight?” “Midnight is... brilliant. Especially for his age. But I wish he would spend more time among his friends, and more inclined to have fun.” “I wish the opposite were true of Dawn Star,” Celestia remarked. “I almost miss my previous student. She was just so studious. And hardworking.” “Twilight Sparkle?” Luna asked. “Yes... She was one exceptional unicorn.” Suddenly, her eyes widened. “‘Tia, what would you think of introducing Dawn and Midnight to a few friends? They’re mature enough to be without us, and Twilight and her friends could supervise their studies while in Ponyville.” “Go on...” “Midnight and Dawn Star, they would do well some friends. Influences. Good ones, hopefully, but friends nonetheless. It’s unhealthy to keep them here as such,” Luna said. “And I know that you, of all ponies know the power and significance of friends.” Luna smiled at her sister. Celestia pondered the thought for a moment. “You know, if anyone knows how to teach our students a thing or two about magic of friendship – which they should already be learning by this age – it’s them.” “Mmhmm,” Luna agreed. “Besides,” she yawned. “We could do with a break from all this mentoring.” *** *** *** Twilight Sparkle was rearranging the books in her library, putting back the returned books into their proper places. Owloysious helped her with the books on the higher shelves, though she could have easily done it with her telekinesis. Spike was having his claws full at the borrowing counter where several ponies were queueing up. The Ponyville Library was now a much more popular hangout among Ponyville residents than it was when she first moved in, Twilight realized. She still remembered how empty it always was back then, when it would be just her and her studies along with Spike. Except when Pinkie threw her a party there to try and win over the Grand Galloping Gala ticket, she chuckled. Though at the very least, she could hang out with her friends anytime she wanted then. In the years past, the library had expanded to several times its original size, with new additions to the treehouse built every few years. Twilight looked out the window. It wasn’t just the library that had grown; the whole of Ponyville had developed beyond recognition too. Her close friends had expanded their businesses as well. Sweet Apple Acres had increased its land by dozens of acres and now had its own apple market. The Carousel Boutique was now more of a department store, though Rarity still liked to design and sew choice clothing personally. Pinkie Pie had become the stand-in manager of Sugarcube Corner until the Cakes’ kids graduate from high school and took over. Rainbow Dash now had her own weather team, clearing the skies over the enlarged Ponyville. The only pony who led her life pretty much the same as ever was Fluttershy, in her cottage on the outskirts of Ponyville and tending to animals. Ponyville was no longer the farming settlement that it started out as, nor was it any longer the town that Twilight had first moved in to. It was now a major trading city in the heart of Central Equestria. The purple unicorn glanced in Spike's direction. He wasn't a baby anymore, and she wanted him to have his own life. Not that she didn't want him around, but he deserved no less than to be given the choice to lead his own life. It was on that particular day that she had planned to offer him relief of his duties as her assistant. She would be much more busy without him, but that was alright. It was just that the young dragon had been with her since she was just a foal. He was family, and it was no easy thing to part with him. Twilight waited till the crowd of book-borrowers had dissipated. Clearing her throat, she walked up to Spike. “Spike, may I have a word?” The adolescent dragon looked worried, probably worried that he was in trouble. He stroked his green scales backward. Seeing this, Twilight forced out a smile. “Come, let’s go to the balcony,” she gestured. “Is something wrong, Twilight?” But Twilight was looking at Ponyville’s skyline, distracted by how things have changed. Spike respectfully kept silent until the middle-aged mare turned back her attention to him. “Oh, sorry Spike,” she apologized. “I was... I was just thinking.” Silence. “Remember when you told me when you wanted to be with your own kind? Back when you were younger – and you packed off to follow the dragon migration?” Twilight chuckled in nostalgia. "And I let you go. Even though I really really didn't want you to leave me at that point of time." "Twilight? What are you trying to say?" "Oh, nothing, Spike." Twilight looked away from the cityscape to Spike, who was now a head taller than her. "I'm just saying that if you... If you wanna... Look. You're no longer a baby dragon, and I have no right to keep you here with me, so should you wish to–" Her words were cut short by a blast of golden-green fire that singed the hairs on her muzzle. "Manners, Spike!" Twilight scowled. "What have I been teaching you all these years?" She looked down and saw a bound scroll on the floor. Her scowl disappeared. "Sorry," she said, snatching up the scroll and unfurling it. She was hardly fazed by the seal of Princess Celestia that was imprinted on it. Her trained eyes took in the words line by line, and at the end of it her eyes widened. "Spike, forget our talk. Take a letter," she said, leaving the message from the Princess in his open claws and stepping around him back inside the library. "Dear Princess Celestia, I have received your message regarding sending Prince Shining Armor's two children here to Ponyville for further studies. I will prepare accommodations and a curriculum for them at once. Your majesty may rest assured that I as well as my friends will do our best to give Prince Midnight and Princess Dawn Star the best advancement in their education, including the lesson of friendship. "Sincerely, your loyal subject Twilight Sparkle. "P.S., How are my brother and Princess Cadance doing?" Before the letter had even finished being burned away by Spike's flaming breath, Twilight was pulling books from the shelves and laying them on the table in front of her. "Spike, do up a checklist," she said as she trotted up to the balcony. Through her telescope, she caught a fine brown stallion with a dark brown mane. It's been 15 years. Romance can wait a little longer.
Chapter 2: Assignment OneChapter 2: Assignment One “Brohoof! That's how we say hi in here.” "Dawn, come back into the chariot," Princess Cadance called out after her spirited daughter. Dawn Star chose not to listen, pirouetting through the air and flying alongside the Royal Guard pegasi pulling the chariot. She tilted her head back and laughed skyward, her gold-streaked rose colored mane blown back by the headwind. "Your daughter," Shining Armor muttered just loudly enough for his wife to hear. Cadance acted surprised. "For the thousandth time, she's yours." "She has your mane," Shine retorted, nuzzling his wife behind her ear. The pink alicorn purred in pleasure. It was certainly a delight to get to see Ponyville again. Being in command of the Canterlot Royal Guard did not grant him many opportunities to visit the town his sister resided in. But Twilight understood. He looked to his dark-coated son perched at the bow of the chariot, unmoving and staring straight ahead. The ponies of Canterlot had often misjudged him to be 'evil' by the color of his coat. After all, didn't Nightmare Moon herself have the same color as his son? Midnight's personality did not help much either. He was always silent, always brooding over nothing in particular. It was natural that ponies would be more drawn to his sister, Shine thought. Midnight flicked his ears as the chariot descended. It was his first time out of Canterlot, and thus the first time he's ever been at this low an altitude. He noted with some annoyance the effects air pressure does to the inside of your ears. It was clear that his mother and father was suffering from it as well, but he saw they've been out of the city enough times, though still rarely, to be unfazed by it's effects. Dawn Star, on the other hand, was too busy frolicking among the clouds to notice the phenomenon. He flicked his ears another time and faced the front again as they emerged from inside the cloud cover. A city rose up from behind the lush green hills of the Central Equestrian meadow, graced by the occasional skyscraper but nonetheless quaint, compared to Canterlot. Unlike the capital, Ponyville was a touch more disorganized in the way its houses were arranged. It seemed that the somewhat sprawling city was nucleated about a center (circular) town square, which boasted the tallest building in the city. Midnight assumed it was the town hall. The largest streets radiated from the square, leading outward to the furthest reaches of the city. One in particular lead down a slope and ended right on a cliff overhang, which drew Midnight's curiosity for a while until he noticed the buildings. Unlike the mostly uniform, grid-arranged buildings of Canterlot – which he was quickly realizing did not speak for every city in Equestria – they were more than a little dotted about the ground. And some had the most peculiar shapes. A giant tree-building thing had caught his attention. The chariot landed without so much as a bump just across the river that skirted Ponyville, with a little help from Shining Armor's telekinesis. Dawn Star landed on her hooves a split second later and galloped across the bridge, shouting at the top of her lungs. "Hel-lo, Ponyville!" Both her parents facehoofed at her behavior. Dawn Star took in a deep breath, savoring the rich, thick air that came with the city. An orange pegasus mare drove a cool-looking vehicle up to her, mouth open. "An alicorn, face to face. So. Awesome!" She noticed Dawn staring at her in confusion, and shut her mouth. The pony put a hoof to her mouth and cleared her throat, and took off her purple helmet. From inside it her mane unravelled, hanging down in some parts but curling upwards into spikes in most. It was a purple like the helmet, only much more shiny as it shimmered in the air with flakes of gold. She bowed to Dawn Star, kneeling on one knee. "Long live the princess," she said out to an now even more confused Dawn Star. She's seen ponies bowing to Mom and Dad and her teacher/great-grandaunt Celestia, but not to her. "Arise." Her dad had walked up to beside her. She looked to her left, and saw Midnight and her mom join her as well. The orange pegasus stood back up, an expression of awe and (fan-admiration?) plastered on her face. Dawn could almost see her eyes glitter at the sight of her family. Sometimes she was embarrassed how much influence her family had in the kingdom. Okay, maybe all the time. She wished that others treat her normally. Of course, she was even biologically 'above' them, having born with both horn and wings. “Hay, Scoot!” A yellow earth mare dressed in a frilly yet formal business dress trotted up to the orange pegasus and clapped her on the back. “Oh, sweet Celestia...” She quickly bowed at the royal family that had come to their city. After she got up, the pony known as Scoot walked up and shook the hooves of each of Dawn’s family. “I’m Scootaloo,” she introduced herself as. She was just slightly older than Dawn and her brother, and seemed to have only started working barely a couple of years ago. Scootaloo reached her muzzle into her saddlebags, taking out a stack of white cards from inside it. “Juh hol on for avit...” The cards slipped out from between her teeth and scattered onto the ground in front of her. “Oh, snap.” She looked at Shining Armor and then Cadance, letting out a nervous giggle. She swept the mess of cue cards behind her. “Well, apparently I’m supposed to be your guide. The mayor’s organized a welcome party in the square and I need to take you there.” Dawn’s mom smiled as she walked up to pat Scootaloo’s head. “Come on now, Scootaloo. Let’s make do without all the formalities, shall we? We’re not exactly strangers. You too, Applebloom.” The yellow mare looked up at Cadance and smiled, straightening the small bow tied on her red mane to the left of her head. Dawn Star and Midnight both gave a quizzical look at their father. He explained that they were his and Cadance’s bridesmaids when they got married. “Say,” Shine realized. “How’s Sweetie Belle been lately?” “She don’t talk much to us these days. Fame and glamor and all that. And she spends quite a bit of time touring the kingdom nowadays.” Applebloom gave a small scowl. "But ya do have to admit that she's good." Dawn noticed that Applebloom spoke with a slight, barely detectable accent. But one not usually heard in the capital. Wait. Sweetie Belle? "You mean *The* Sweetie Belle?" Dawn Star asked Applebloom. She turned to her dad. "Like, the one who came and sang at me and Midnight's birthday party a while back?" Shine just smiled and nodded. "Three times winner of the Voice of Equestria," Applebloom added. "Yep, that's her." Even Midnight was amazed. "She was your... bridesmaid, mother?" "Guys," Scootaloo interjected, more comfortable to use the term in the company of the down-to-earth ponies. "We're burning daylight here. Ponyville isn't gonna wait forever for you." *** *** *** Five ponies trotted (and another one riding a scooter) through Ponyville in the direction of the town square. Midnight was preoccupied with the odd variety and colors of the buildings. He recently just passed by a huge clothing store, named Carousel Boutique. It was filled with numerous ponies and even more clothes, seemingly clothes that copied Canterlot's latest fashion trend: horn socks and wing gloves. Midnight wasn't a pony of fashion – nobility rarely is, and really? It's barely autumn! – but he made a mental note to pay it a visit. Maybe he could meet the person who had decided to bring a taste of Canterlot to town. "So, tell me more about you three," Dawn Star asked Scootaloo and Applebloom. She had a spring in her step, unable to believe that she was actually talking to the best friends of (*squee!*) Sweetie Belle. "Well, Sweetie wasn't always a singer," said Applebloom. "The three of us were actually the only ones in our class to not have a cutie mark at that time." She looked to Scootaloo immediately after and gave her an apologetic look. "Sorry, Scoot," she whispered. "S'alright, AB. I'm cool." Dawn Star noticed that Scootaloo didn't have her cutie mark yet. Applebloom's was that of an apple blossom. "Everyone gets it sooner or later. And I like my job." But Dawn thought she saw her blink away some tears as she looked away. "Okay," Applebloom replied, not noticing it. She continued. "We called ourselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders. And ya wouldn't believe the crazy things we did together ta try 'n earn 'em," she said as she gave a nostalgic laugh. "A few years back, the Crusaders decided to sign up for the new Voice of Equestria singing contest. Sweetie Belle aced the auditions. Scootaloo was, well, Scootaloo." She elicited a laugh from her friend. "I barely made it past the auditions but got eliminated right after. "Sweetie coursed through the rounds like there was no competition whatsoever. Ponies around Equestria began to notice her. Support her. Became her fans. They were intrigued by this rising star, a blank flank from the small town of Ponyville, that made Equestria's best talents sound like a dying phoenix. "Then came the finals. Sweetie was up against an older earth pony, Magic Melody, who had had her cutie mark since she was young. A microphone. Ya could say she was a veteran singer. But our dear ol' Sweetie showed her what true singing was. Showed the whole of Equestria. And guess what she sang? Fluttershy's lullaby!" Applebloom exclaimed. Dawn Star remembered that moment. She was only about ten then, but the memory was vivid. The whole stadium erupted into cheers and applause. And at the moment where she was crowned the Voice of Equestria, her cutie mark appeared on her flank. A golden bell, tied around by a lavender ribbon. It made it a victory not just for Equestria, but a personal victory for herself as well. They were fired at from both sides with strips of confetti. Several more cannon shots joined the first two, and pieces of colored paper were raining down on the whole area. The town square broke into loud hoofstomps, the ground shaken by the sheer number of ponies that had assembled there. The crowd parted as they approached and Dawn got a view of the stage. There was an elderly mare at the podium, opening her mouth to speak into the microphone. “Citizens of Ponyville! Let’s give a warm welcome to the royal family!” *** *** *** The apple cider was delicious. Midnight licked his lips and turned his attention back to the mare he had come to know as Twilight Sparkle. Apparently she had seen him rather alone earlier, after the official welcome, and approached him to tell him that they were going to stay in her library for the duration of their studies. Probably noticing his discomfort in the social situation, she invited him over to the library. Midnight looked back in distaste at the welcome party thrown for them, hosted by a pink earth mare known as Pinkie Pie. An unspeaking unicorn next to the stage was mixing up some ear-blasting music that the residents were shaking their flanks to. None of them noticed that one of the two guests they were holding this party for was taking his leave. The effort was appreciable, though. "So, Ms Sparkle, wha–" "Just call me Aunt Twilight, Midnight," Twilight corrected. "You don't remember me? Oh that's right. You were probably too young to." Midnight nodded in understanding. So she was his father's beloved sister that he often spoke about. "Aunt Twilight, may I ask what we will be learning here in Ponyville?" His aunt's eyes seemed to twinkle at him, apparently impressed with the question. She sipped some cider from her cup and said, "You remind me of myself back when I was around your age, or maybe a little older. Straight to the point when it comes to academics. Focussed and directed." That was exactly how he would've described himself. To think that her aunt, who he hadn't ever spoken to before, could put it so nicely made him realize that she really was like him. Maybe it ran in the family. "Princess Celestia tells me that you are an exceptional magic user. And it's more than just being related to the royal bloodline on one side and -possibly the most powerful unicorn in the kingdom-, or so everyone says." She gives a little laugh and waves her self-remark away. "That it's also hard work." Just as Midnight was feeling good about the compliment, she continues. "But that's not what you two are here for. Sure, I could teach you magic privately once in a while. But your main task is something else." "So, what do we have to do first?" asks Midnight, eager to get at least something done before he retired for the night. "Your first assignment is something your sister's already completed," Twilight answered. "Make some friends!"
Prologue (15 years ago)PROLOGUE (15 years ago) The cerulean-maned unicorn pranced back and forth in the hallway just outside the castle’s medical ward, leaving hoof marks on the velvet red carpet that ran through it. Biting his lip, he barely noticed the cold sweat streaking down his white coat and Royal Guard uniform. It felt like the longest time, waiting for any news to emerge from behind the ebony double doors of the ward. So when they swung open just in the slightest, Shining Armor rushed to the opening. “How is it, Doctor Healinghorn?” he asked with a slight brashness that did not befit the Captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard. But he didn’t care. He noticed that the front of doctor’s white medical coat was smeared with blood. Cadance’s blood. But that was okay, right? Childbirth always involved blood. It’s... it’s normal. He bit on the strap of his uniform and tightened it, something he tended to do whenever he was nervous. The doctor gave a quick bow to Shining Armor. “Congratulations, your highness,” he said with an air of excitement. “You have a son! You can come in and see yo–” A nurse came up from behind the Healinghorn and whispered something into the doctor’s ear. His eyes widened. “Oh... I see,” he replied the nurse. He smiled nervously to Shining Armor. “Give me a moment, sir, we have something unexpected.” And with that, Healinghorn stepped back into the ward and closed the doors once again on the white unicorn. Shining Armor could hardly contain his ecstasy. But he was kept from dancing on his hooves by the possibility that something still might go wrong. What could have happened to Cadance? Or the baby? Finally, he could take it no longer. He pushed through the doors and galloped to Cadance’s bed. There he saw his smiling wife, wrapping in her light blue magic two tiny baby alicorns, one the color of white day and the other as dark as the night.
