Daybreak Academy

The horizon grew dark as the day ended, and night stretched across the land of Equestria. Though the sun had gone down, the moon had not come up. That was the duty of Princess Luna, an alicorn princess, and the younger sister of the renowned Princess Celestia, who was in charge of moving the sun. Luna stood upon the balcony of her bedroom, staring out at the darkness, illuminated by stars alone.

Her fur was blue, her mane and tail a slightly lighter shade of it, and her eyes, teal. Aside from the black tiara behind her long horn, she didn't dress much like a princess. She was dressed in a black T-shirt that was loose on one shoulder, and some navy blue jean shorts. Taking a deep breath, she held out her hand and turned her palm upwards. Her horn began to glow with a magic aura, her hands slowly moving upwards. As she did, the moon slowly crept over the edge of the distant mountains.

As Luna raised the moon higher and higher, her arm trembled and shook. She outstretched her other hand, and began to grit her teeth, growling and pushing her arms up as if they were carrying an invisible boulder. The moon climbed into the sky, and once it had risen high enough to bathe the land in its eerie glow, Luna fell to her hands and knees, gasping. “I did it... I finally did it on my own,” she said, coughing a bit. “That's what you want me to think. Right, big sister?”

She glared back at the archway to her balcony, staring at it for a long moment. Her sister slowly emerged with a guilty look on her face, rubbing her arm. The woman was amazonian in height, with a mane the flowed with translucent colors, like an aurora. On her brow was a crown of gold, with matching bangles on her wrists and shins. She was dressed in a elegant white dress that flowed in a similar fashion to her hair. She gazed upon her younger sister with sad, pink eyes. “I just wanted to give you confidence.”

“And what happens tomorrow?” Luna asked as she found her footing, rising to her feet via the balcony railing. “Would that confidence be shattered, or would you continue to aid me day after day in hopes that one day I truly can do it on my own?” Her sister didn't answer her. She turned back to her with a weak smile, leaning on the railing. “I'm not mad at you, sister. I accepted a very long time ago that despite being an alicorn, I'm not even half as powerful as you. Moving the moon is a tall order for one lacking your gifts.”

Celestia teared up and ran forward, embracing the smaller mare off her feet. “Don't talk about yourself that way! You're just as capable as me, you just haven't... mother and father don't know what they're doing! They can't force you to become stronger!”

Luna squirmed and flailed her legs about, her screams muffled by her sisters ample bussom. “TIA! Put me down!” Her older sister yelped and quickly set her down with an apology. “Jeez, sis, if you cried as much over your own problems as you do over mine you'd be water logged right now!” Her weak smile returned. “I told you, it's fine. Maybe if I just try harder next time-”

“No more!” Celestia's brow furrowed. “There's not going to be a next time for a long time! I've made sure of that!”

The smaller princess looked more than a little confused. “Uh, Tia, what are you talking about?”

“I had a word with mother and father! You are grown mare, and you still haven't mastered your alicorn abilities!”

Luna's expression became sour. “Gee, I'm surprised they didn't notice without your detective skills.” The now more than a little salty alicorn marched back into her room, Celestia following her closely behind.

“My apologies!” Celestia cried frantically. “What I meant was that their methods have not worked, and it has only repressed your potential! That is why I made a proposal they could not refuse!”

Luna flopped onto her bed and said, “I don't like where this is going.”

“You don't know where this is going!”

“It's going somewhere maternal, which can't be good.”

“Luna, hush!”

“Yes, mooom.”

Celestia's cheeks puffed up at the sass, but she cleared her throat and smiled. “Luna, I want you to attend Daybreak Academy!”

Luna held up a quieting finger and climbed from bed, going to her nightstand, where a goblet of water sat. She took it up, taking a big sip, and then returned it to its perch. She approached her sister, who realized too late what she was doing. “Luna, don't you dare-!”

Water sprayed from Luna's lips, drenching her sister. She then smacked her palms to the sides of her cheeks with a loud gasp. “Daybreak academy!?”

Celestia glared down at her, water dripping from her face. “Was that entirely necessary?”

“Yes,” Luna responded simply. She then gasped as her shirt was lifted, her breasts bouncing into view, draped in a lacy, white bra. Celestia dried her face with her younger sisters shirt as if it were a towel. “Hey, let go! What am I, your linen closet?! MPH!” Luna flailed as her now wet shirt was shoved into her face. She shoved it down with a growl and a blush as her older sister laughed.

“That's what you get, brat!” She continued to laugh, and eventually it caught on, and Luna began to giggle and laugh herself.

They both sat side by side on the bed after they'd calmed down. “So, Daybreak academy. Isn't that the school you started?”

“It is!” Celestia beamed proudly. “I opened the academy for ponies that wanted to advance their abilities beyond what they learned in grade school! My curriculum teaches ponies of all races how to hone their natural abilities, while learning supplementary skills as well. Magic, flight, raw strength, even art! I feel like if you learn in an environment where you can make friends to aid and guide you, you can master your natural talents, and become as strong as me! Maybe even stronger!”

Luna raised her hand. “Question.”

“No!” Celestia pouted. “You're not getting out of this, it's for your own good!”

“But what if, and here me out on this-”

“Luna...”

“Instead of going to school, I go get a BIG and tasty cake for my beautiful big sister.” She clasped her hands together and fluttered her eyes at Celestia. The alabaster alicorn merely raised one brow. Luna huffed and began to whine. “Come ooooon! I don't know how to interact with other ponies! And hasn't my home schooling been enough? I don't want to go to school!”

Celestia ruffled her little sisters mane and said, “It's either that or we can rely on mother and father's tough love method until it actually works.”

“It's not going to work, though. Ever.”

“School it is then!” Celestia got up and sashayed over to a desk against the wall.

Luna went red in the face and said, “That's not what I meant! Isn't there something else we can try? Like drinking water upside down, or holding my breath for a minute?”

“This is magic, Luna, not hiccups.” She motioned her sister over, holding up a folder. “Come on, it will be fun! We can even pick your classes together!”

“You sure you don't want to choose those for me too?” Luna asked, annoyed. Celestia gazed at Luna with a sad face, her bottom lip quivering. “Aw come on, that's not gonna work on me!” Celestia whimpered, glancing between her sister and the folder, tears in her eyes. Luna turned away, covering her ears. “I can't see you, I can't hear you!” She stood there for a long moment, but curiosity took over and she glanced back. Rain poured over Celestia from a cloud above her, as she hugged the folder, a drawn out whine escaping her as she stared teary eyed at Luna.

Luna was so guilt stricken she felt herself tear up out of instinct. “Okay, okay! The idea sounds... better than being cooped up in this palace, making zero progress! I'll give it a try! Just turn off the waterworks, okay?!” Celestia's face lit up, as well as her horn, and the cloud vanished as she instantly dried off. Luna rolled her eyes and walked over, both mares taking a seat.

Celestia set the folder between them. “Let's get started, shall we?”

They opened it, and Luna began looking over the curriculum and details about the school. “It looks like there's a variety of classes and activities. Wait, there's dorms? Do I have to get a dorm?”

Her sister shook her head. “You don't have to, if you don't want to.”

Luna thought about this. Staying at a dorm, outside the palace, where her parents couldn't bug her. She'd be willing to deal with a roommate if it meant that kind of freedom. “If I'm doing this, I might as well stay in a dorm. You know, for convenience.”

This made her big sister beam, and she took out a form that she began to write on. “Okay! Now lets decide on your classes! It's important that you learn things that you can utilize in the future, but will aid in heightening your abilities. Perhaps since this is your first year, something simple to start with like... history of magical studies!”

The blue alicorn stuck out her tongue in disgust. “That sounds boring. You're boring.”

Celestia elbowed Luna gently. “You have to start with the basics. It's not just about unicorn magic, but the magic that flows in everypony and everything.”

Rolling her eyes, Luna said, “Fine, fine. But speaking of magic, look at this list! Restoration, alteration, conjuration, illusion! Oh man, they even have destruction magic! I wanna learn that!”

The older mare grimaced and said, “I-I don't know, Luna. Your magical abilities are...”

Luna raised her brow. “Shit?”

“I would have said sub-par. How about something simple, like... mysticism?”

“Aw, come on, Tia! I can't just do nothing but simple baby classes! Even if my magic isn't the best, Destruction magic is impossible to control for any beginner! Wouldn't a class on it teach me that kind of control?”

Celestia opened her mouth to answer, but then paused as she considered this. “That's an impressive argument. Perhaps... but I still insist you learn mysticism. It's basic knowledge for any unicorn, so I think it will be extremely beneficial to you.”

“Okay, fine, baby magic, and super cool, awesome, explosion magic!” Luna bounced eagerly in her seat until Celestia wrote them in. “How about something pegasus related? They got aerodynamics, and weather control! Those sound like fun!”

The taller mare crossed her arms. “Luna, you've been a flying savant since before you even became an alicorn. You show off your skills any chance you can get.”

“I can't help that I was born a pegasus. What's wrong with easy A's?”

Waggling a finger, Celestia said, “You can improve on these talents at a later time. Right now, there's something more important that you lack. Something that you need to learn.” Celestia wrote 'Weather Safety' on the paper.

Luna's face scrunched up. “Safety?! Why do I need to learn safety?!”

“Luna, you have a tendency of rushing off into dangerous situations if given the chance.”

“One owl bear fight and I'm labeled reckless!”

“And what about the dozen other monsters you rushed off to fight?”

“Details.” Her sister looked unconvinced. “Well, what if I didn't need to learn how to be safe more? Maybe what I need is to learn more about... creatures! And how to handle and interact with them, to avoid... situations like that.” She blushed, glancing away. “Got a class for that?”

“Actually, yes. Animal empathy.”

“Wait really?” Luna's tail began to wag. “That's cool! I'd like that, I guess.” She began to look over other classes. “Ooo! They have combat classes! Can I take those?!”

Celestia shook her head. “I think you need some more experience under your belt before you start learning to use your various alicorn abilities for... combat.” Luna groaned and slammed her face against the desk. “Come on, Luna. I'm not trying to sound over protective. I just want you to gain more experience that you haven't been able to here at the palace. Learning how to fight seems like something you can learn on the side, outside of a classroom. Those classes kind of expect you to be a pro.”

“Then what about aerial combat class?”

“You still need weather safety, feather brain.”

“Since when does weather safety help you with pegasus combat!” Luna slammed her rear against her seat, which luckily was reinforced to not break so easily. “Can't I lean anything physical?”

“Physical education,” Celestia answered with a smirk.

Luna's lips puffed and she muttered, “What are you trying to say?” The alabaster amazon gripped the smaller pony's stomach, giving it a squeeze to show off pudge caused from a diet of snack foods and lazily playing video games in one's off time. Luna shrieked and slapped her sister's hands away, tugging her tail up to shield her as if trying to hide her nudity. “You just violated the sanctity of my naval! Now a stallion will never wanna marry me!”

“Oh, shut up!” Celestia laughed, giving her sister a shove. “Look, a bit of exercise will do wonders for you. And you know, if you wanna attract a stallion, nothing would work better than home cooking.” She motioned to a cooking class in the papers.

Luna blushed, not expecting that. “Uh... well... what if I want to attract a mare?” She avoided her sisters gaze.

To this, the other mare just pointed to cooking again. “Pastries.”

This caused the blue pony to blink, before bursting into laughter. “Yeah, right! I bet you just want me to learn to bake you cake so we don't have to bother the chefs for your addiction!”

Now it was Celestia's turn to blush. “I don't have an addiction to cake! Take that back!”

“Cake Butt.”

“Is not!”

“How about I learn something modern and practical. Like computers!”

Celestia cast a suspicious gaze on her sister. “And what are you going to do in such a class?”

Luna was quiet for a while, sweat beginning to appear on her brow. “Learn to... code, and... stuff?” Celestia continued to stare, which made her grow more and more nervous. She finally admitted with a soft mutter, “And play some games?”

“No computer class.”

With a whine, Luna said, “Come on! What if I learned something that would help me... rough it in the woods too! Like this one!” She pointed to a class titled 'Survival'.

“You really wanna do that?”

“Yeah!” Luna said with a big grin. “Just imagine, what if I end up lost in the woods? I wouldn't be some dainty princess stumbling about without a clue! I'd be an expert! Ready to live off the land, and turn it into a weapon against my kidnappers!”

Celestia was taken aback a bit by that. “Are you comparing this to your ninja fantasies?!”

The rosy glow in Luna's cheeks was becoming consistent at this point. “Hey, ninja's are really cool! And this is different! It's surviving in wild and harsh environments!”

Her older sister smiled proudly. “Okay, you've convinced me. But if I can make a suggestion? You really can't used computers in the wild, but you know what would help with the mushrooms and apples you find out there?” She pointed to cooking class for the third time.

Luna stared at the class, genuinely taking that into consideration. “That... does kind of sound like a good combo.” Luna glanced over her classes. History of magical studies, mysticism, destruction, weather safety, animal empathy, physical education, and survival. She had room for one more class, if any, before it became more than she felt she could handle. With reluctance, she admitted defeat. “This better be an awesome cooking class.”

Celestia squee'd and added cooking to the list. “Great! Okay, we'll iron out the rest of the details tomorrow. I'd like to tonight, but... I've had one heck of a day and need some sleep.”

Luna shook her head and said, “It's fine sis. You go get some rest. I'll play a game, drift to sleep, and see you tomorrow when you're free.” Her sister nodded and gathered up the papers, rising from her seat. The moon princess bit her lip and said, “Hey, Tia? I know I give you a hard time and everything, but... I really do love you. Your my big sister and your always trying to help me. I want to help you too, someday.”

Her sister gazed down at her with a growing smile, and then gave her a gentle hug. “I know. Someday you will definitely be able to help me, and pay me back for everything. I just know it. And I know that Daybreak Academy will be good for you. So thank you for giving it a chance.”

She hugged her sister back, both mares sharing a touching moment until Celestia broke the hug and left the room with a, “Good night, little sister.” Luna went back to bed, laying down and staring at the ceiling. All she could think about was what she was setting herself up for. She'd never been to an actual school before, and she didn't really get to interact with a lot of ponies outside the palace staff or guards. She was excited, but nervous, and the twists in her stomach kept her from focusing on anything else. Eventually she drifted to sleep, dreaming of the school life she'd soon have.