Rise of Harmony

The day began with the rising sun as it always did, the unicorn guardians of the night retiring to sleep the daylight hours away. Those who had slept during the night now rose to gather their strength and go about the day’s work and studies. Among them were Cantor and Serena, as well as their young foals Stella and Nova. This day marked the foals’ first day of tutelage under the old wizard Starswirl the Bearded and they met the occasion with a mix of anticipation and nerves.

‘Do you really think we need tutelage Mom?’ Stella asked, trotting up beside her mother and looking up at the mare with a curious and concerned look on her face. They followed the pathway to the wizard’s tower alone, it being too early to account for any of the day’s usual traffic in the area.

‘No dear, it’s not that you need it.’ Serena explained, leaning down to nuzzle Stella gingerly. ‘But your father and I thought that it was better for you to learn from an accomplished wizard, and Starswirl only teaches the best students he can find.’

Behind them, Nova and Cantor exchanged a glance, the father doing his best not to convey any of the unease he felt. Instead he smiled warmly and ushered the filly on ahead. As Nova began trotting at an increased pace she met eyes with Stella. It took only the slightest prompt for the two to break into a full gallop as they raced the final leg towards the tower. By the merest fraction, Nova reached the creaky old door first and beamed with a grin.

‘Do we... knock?’ Stella asked. She glanced back as Cantor and Serena increased their pace to catch up with them.

‘I guess so.’ Nova said. Just as she raised a hoof to knock on the old wooden door it started to open, creaking loudly and eliciting a startled gasp from both of the foals.

‘Go on in.’ Cantor said. He smiled and nodded when they looked back in confusion.

‘Aren’t you coming in with us?’ Nova asked timidly.

‘I’ll be right behind you.’ Serena nodded. ‘But Starswirl wants to teach you remember? Not us. Go and introduce yourselves properly.’ She smiled warmly and nodded again as Stella took the first few cautious steps. Nova followed close behind.

Behind them, Cantor leaned in close so his whispers would not be overheard by the two fillies. Serena narrowed her eyes as the stallion gave his warning. ‘Stay with them as long as Starswirl will allow it. If anything seems untoward, let me know as soon as you can.’

‘I will.’ She replied to him. ‘Go on now. Don’t keep Captain Skystriker waiting.’

Cantor nuzzled her gingerly with a smile before turning and trotting at a brisk pace towards the centre of the Unicorn settlement. Though currently this place was the province solely of the unicorn tribe, liaisons had been dispatched in the interest of continuing the spirit of unity between all ponies. Cantor was to meet with an officer of the Pegasus tribe and assist in the negotiation of a substantial military presence. Serena was fortunately bereft of duties on this day, allowing her to stay with the foals as they learned.

‘How high do you suppose this tower is?’ Stella asked. Though it seemed long, she knew it was their own slow pace that was making the stair climb seem higher than it was.

‘It didn’t look too high...’ Nova answered. ‘At least... not from outside.’

‘Let’s hurry.’ Stella whispered. ‘This is creeping me out.’

‘Me too.’ Nova whispered even quieter. They increased their pace by a few trots, then swiftly Stella broke into a canter with a giggle. As was the way with children the contest escalated to become a race within moments and the giggles became the cacophony of childish laughter. Stella was the first to reach the doorway at the top of the staircase by two paces and crashed into the heavy timber with a dull thud.

‘Are you okay?’ Nova asked, still snickering.

‘Yea, I just-‘ Stella’s reply was cut short by the creak of the doors. A magic field of deep blue surrounded them as they opened and revealed the way inside. The two sisters peeked inside slowly, step by step as they walked with held breaths.

‘Hello?’ Stella called. The room was like a study that they had visited in the royal palace several times. It was round, the walls were all lined with bookshelves save for where the door lay behind them and the small window opposing it. In the centre of the room was a large desk of solid stained timber upon which was a scroll and an inkpot.

‘Hello children.’ A voice called. The two girls looked around in confusion, unable to tell from where the voice came. Moments later a flash of light filled the room and when it faded the elder unicorn stood before them.

‘Master Starswirl!’ Stella greeted in surprise, falling awkwardly on one knee in respect. Nova did likewise, but her eyes reflected more tangible fear than simple shock.

Starswirl smiled at them with the kind eyes of a sage. The wizard wore a cape of deep blue darker even than his own coat, and a hat of a similar shade adorned with moons and stars. His mane and beard were tied back and his horn was concealed by the crock of his slightly tilted headgear. As the wizard approached from his position before the desk, the two fillies rose to their feet and awaited some kind of instruction.

‘So formal.’ Starswirl commented. ‘So disciplined. And I can sense the raw power flowing through you and between you. The bond of sisterhood. Sibling unity. A rare trait that will doubtless serve you both well.’ He circled them both, seeming to read their magical strengths and weaknesses as well as noting their physical conditions.

‘Th-thank you Master.’ Nova answered nervously.

‘There is nothing to thank me for, young Nova.’ Starswirl said with a smile. ‘For it is your own gifts that have gotten you this far. Tell me, have you been eating well?’ He stopped by his desk as he asked the question.

‘We try to.’ Stella replied. ‘But sometimes the harvests are low so we don’t get as much as we would like... or as much as we should... I guess?’

‘Teething problems of a fledgling nation.’ Starswirl nodded. ‘It will hopefully not be a concern for too much longer. Now then, would you two be interested in giving me a run down of what you have learned so far?’

And so the two sisters regaled the wizard with the stories of their lessons past, their focus on developing power first and focus second, as well as the various forms of combative magic they had been practicing. When asked why they had practiced for combat, Stella had answered that it was their father’s wish. Throughout all of this Starswirl stood at his desk and took notes of what they were capable of and what they struggled with. After a period of ten minutes, the fillies had done explaining and Starswirl gave a nod, seemingly satisfied with their level of skill.

‘Well then, shall we go?’ He asked, the scroll he had been using rolling into its cover and levitating to an empty place on one of the nearby bookshelves.

‘Go?’ Nova asked curiously.

‘You don’t intend to practice such powerful magic in this small study do you?’ The wizard chuckled. ‘No, we will go to the plains near the wilds, there is room to do as much damage as we need to there.’

‘Damage?’ Stella asked as the two sisters began following the bearded stallion back down the stairs. ‘What are you planning for us to do?’

Starswirl waited until the heavy doors had creaked shut behind them before answering. ‘I want to see a demonstration of your raw ability, and once I have a firmer grasp of your power levels, we can decide upon a reasonable starting point.’ The sisters exchanged a glance but continued to follow without slowing down.

Serena met the trio at the entrance to the tower, stifling a troubles look as she turned to face them with a smile. ‘Lord Starswirl, an honour to see you once more this fine morning.’

‘You as well, Serena.’ The wizard answered. ‘Would you like to stand in for the girls’ first lesson, or will you attending to your own matters today?’

Serena hesitated, it was clear that she wanted to watch them train, but deep down she knew that she would likely pose a distraction to her daughters rather than a help. Cantor had always said she was too soft as a teacher despite the fillies’ considerable talents.

‘There is no pressure for either course.’ Starswirl assured her.

‘Oh, I’m sure there isn’t.’ Serena blushed. ‘I’m sorry Lord, as much as I would love to see your teaching methods first hand, I think it would benefit the children more if they were with you and you alone to begin with. If things go well, might I observe a later lesson?’

‘But of course.’ Starswirl nodded curtly. Serena returned the nod before offering a brief goodbye and departing. As she turned and cantered towards the main unicorn palace in the eastern distance, Starswirl focused his attention on the mountainous paths that led to the site of Equestria’s future capital.

‘Where are we going Master?’ Nova asked, following the wizard’s gaze.

‘We are going to train among the rocks of Canterlot Mountain.’ He replied. ‘At the peak, far above where the city is being built. There is ample room and we are free to cause as much damage as we need to.’

‘But Master, how are we to get all the way up there?’ Nova asked.

‘Magic.’ Starswirl grinned. Before either of the fillies could ask further, a blinding flash burst forth from his eyes and the horn beneath his crooked hat. Squinting through the blinding flash, Stella and Nova felt a moment of weightlessness before the ground became solid beneath their hooves once more. They were atop the mesa that formed the snowy peak of this great edifice in the earth.

‘Whoa...’ Nova was awestruck by the sight before them. All of Equestria was visible from the peak of this mountain, clouds and earth alike. The awe was quickly overshadowed however by the cold of this altitude. Out of nowhere, a chill breeze cropped up and set the young ponies’ teeth chattering.

‘Cold are we?’ Starswirl chuckled. Dressed as he was in his robe and sporting a thick beard, the cold held little sway over him while the children were clearly in a state of discomfort. ‘Then use your magic. Make a fire in this patch of ground.’ He pointed to where the vegetation and snow cleared to form a patch of barren ground.

‘But Master...’ Nova protested. ‘There’s no fuel for the fire. We’d have to keep powering it with magic.’

‘Wait, is that what this is for?’ Stella enquired. ‘You want to see how much magic we can make at a time?’

‘Hm.’ Starswirl chuckled. ‘Indeed, I can see not much gets past you Stella. Now, show me what you can do. Both of you.’ He gestured with one hoof for them to continue.

‘Alright.’ Stella said enthused. ‘Ready Nova? Let’s light this place up!’

‘Right sis!’ Nova beamed. Together, the two young unicorns created a ball of fire on the ground between them. The warmth was instant and relieving, offset only slightly by the energy expenditure. Starswirl watched with interest as the girls shared the burden, one picking up when the other weakened slightly, only for the positions to shift when the tide of energy turned.

It was an impressive sight. The two sisters were definitely in sync with one another. However, such a bond would only get them so far on their own. As instructed, Stella and Nova maintained the spell for as long as they were able to, remaining silent to preserve their focus.

As powerful as they were however, they had their limits. Inevitably Nova lost her concentration and her energy reserves, dropping to one knee before collapsing into a panting heap. Stella lasted mere moments more, before the fire went out and she too dropped to the ground as her legs gave out. Both of them began shivering once more as the cold returned, turning to Starswirl with apologetic faces.

‘Very impressive.’ Starswirl remarked, smiling and walking to stand between them. He blinked, a bubble of energy emitting from the tip of his horn and expanding to surround them in an area that encompassed the mesa itself. The cold was instantly gone and the chill breeze was kept outside the field.

‘That’s... amazing.’ Stella breathed, pushing herself upright.

‘Rest children.’ The wizard said to them. ‘When you are ready, we will try again.’