The Two Students of the Moon

After the test on Monday, Twilight and Sunset returned to the castle. Their papers had been graded after the test, which had different scores. When Twilight saw that she got ninety-five percent on her test compared to Sunset's perfect score, she rushed into Luna's office to complain. Even though her mentor didn't grade the papers, she had expected to reach one hundred percent because of her intelligence and magical talent.

"Princess Luna, my test is five percent short of one-hundred. I'm sure I got all the answers right. Miss Storybook questioned some of my answers and took five away from the original score," Twilight said as she showed the paper to Luna.

Luna scrutinized the paper. "You still did very well. The words in red were written by Miss Storybook, right?"

"Yes."

"This is what she wrote. 'The answers are honest and factual, but the paragraph at the end causes me to wonder. Not all spells are beneficial.' I have to agree with Miss Storybook. Haven't I told you the reason why you shouldn't touch the archives?" Luna gave Twilight a quizzical look.

Twilight maintained eye contact and resisted the urge to fidget. She didn't want to give the impression that she didn't tell the full truth. She did tell the truth about the test. The archives, however, was another story entirely. Dare she blame Sunset? She played with that choice in her mind for a long minute, but decided against it. There was no use being removed from her position for falsely accusing her friend. The door opened behind her before she could utter another word. Sunset's smile faded.

"I'm not interrupting the conversation, right?" Sunset asked.

Luna shook her head. "You can wait, though."

Twilight shot a glare at Sunset. "Of course I know the reason why the archives are forbidden. I'll go study." She left the office. She couldn't help but overhear what Sunset and Luna said to each other, so she peered into the office. Neither mare seemed to notice.

Sunset showed a piece of paper to Luna. "I passed the test."

Luna smiled. "That's wonderful! I'm proud of you. I knew you would-"

Twilight blocked out the last word from her mind. She wanted to be happy for Sunset, but something blocked that pleasant feeling. She couldn't tell what emotion overtook her heart. It wasn't anger or hatred. Once the hoofsteps approached the door, she backed away. Luna covered Sunset with her wing as their conversation continued. If that was the reward Sunset got for passing the test, it was because the yellow filly avoided the archives. What was so evil about the archives anyway? Forbidden spells? Advanced magic? Books written before the contemporary era?

Luna glanced at Twilight. "Is something the matter?"

Twilight shook her head. "I'm fine. The test drained my energy."

"Drained? Let me tell you this. Sometimes when a pony lies about their feelings, they would wear the same expression as you do. There's no need to bottle your emotions. If you want to talk, go ahead. I won't judge."

"I said I'm fine, okay? As I said earlier, I'll go study." Twilight stopped herself before she could lash out at Sunset. Her friend hadn't done anything wrong. What was the point of starting a fight? She raced to her bedroom and yanked a book from under her bed. Had there been a different outcome to the exam at the School for Gifted Unicorns, she wouldn't have to compete with Sunset.

Twilight placed a lock spell on the door. If Sunset was going to spend the evening outside the room until midnight, this would give her time to study enough dark magic. No, she had all the time in her life to study. She had an idea. Perhaps she could surprise Miss Storybook with unusual spells. The forbidden magic would help her outshine Sunset. A knock on the door broke her concentration as she promptly concealed the book.

"Princess Luna, I don't have time for this. I'm still studying," Twilight said.

"It's me, Sunset Shimmer. How did the door get locked?" Sunset replied.

"I didn't realize you want to come in." Twilight's magical aura unlocked the door.

Sunset walked in. She furrowed her brow. "You're not hiding something, right? You look like you saw a ghost."

Twilight chuckled. "That's silly. Ghosts aren't real. And I don't have any secrets." She hoped her body language didn't make Sunset feel suspicious.

"Okay, then. Have I done something wrong? You seemed a little mad earlier."

"You haven't done anything."

"Good. I don't want to be a bad friend. Still, I don't understand why you were acting strange. Is it the archives?"

Twilight jerked her head back and forth. "It's not related to forbidden magic. I had promised never to lie to our mentor again." How ironic. Luna won't be happy once she finds out.

However, Sunset wasn't too convinced. "I hope you're not deceiving me. Also, Luna doesn't take dishonesty lightly. She can get upset when somepony lies to her."

"I'm being honest."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." Twilight bit her bottom lip and walked to the balcony. The golden rays of the remaining sunlight shone from the western horizon. As the sun dipped further, she noticed the shape of a unicorn head on its surface. The sound of a faint singing voice caused her to scan the area.

Although Twilight wasn't sure where the voice came from, it had a tinge of sadness. She stole a swift glance at the window to make sure Sunset didn't snoop around. As usual, Sunset focused on homework. Would her friend still investigate the room when she wasn't looking? She cast an invisibility spell on the forbidden books. Just in case Sunset thinks something is up...

Luna strolled through the courtyard, her gaze on the western horizon. "May all your dreams be sweet tonight, safe upon that bed of sunlight... And not know of fear nor gloom... Sleep..." she sang. As soon as she finished the lullaby, her sister's faint reply came to her ears. She never wanted her sister to be banished in the first place.

But Daybreaker wouldn't let go of Celestia. And Luna was forced to do what a wise ruler must do. On the first night of her sister's banishment, she had felt nervous. Public speaking hadn't been her forte. In the first few decades when she had ruled Equestria with her sister, she would become shy each time she had to speak to a large crowd.

Back then, Luna hadn't expected to become a sole ruler. And taking over diurnal duties? Even then, she knew those duties were more stressful. She entered the castle and navigated the hallways. Once she reached a darkened hallway, the murals drew her attention. One of them depicted the royal sisters' coronation. She remembered what life was like before they took the throne. Not the one where Discord was the tyrant, but the one where they were around a normal filly's age. Despite the tears, she smiled.

Luna went down memory lane as she placed her hoof on the mural. One of her favorite memories was when she took a night adventure outside the castle by herself. The reason she had taken a brief adventure was that wanted to prove Celestia that she was just as courageous. The brief adventure had taken a surprising turn when she encountered the Timberwolves. Although she stood up to them, her sister had warned against going out alone a second time.

The approaching hoofsteps brought Luna's mind back to the present time. She expected to see a lunar guard, but for some reason, Sunset wasn't in her room. Usually her students would stay in their room until bedtime. Why would Sunset enter this hallway? More importantly, why did the young unicorn seem concerned?

"Sunset, is there something you want to tell me?" Luna asked.

Sunset shrugged. "Yes. I can't deny that Twilight is hiding something. I shouldn't have introduced her to the archives. It's all my fault."

Luna processed Sunset's words for a minute. As far as she knew, Sunset hadn't touched the archives since the night they talked about forbidden magic. The idea of Twilight keeping a secret made sense. Was this why Twilight's body language was odd today? Twilight couldn't be lying to her. The lavender unicorn never showed any signs of pride or arrogance, nor did she pick a fight with anypony. Surely Twilight had potential, right?

"It's not your fault. And you had been genuine when you apologized for entering the archives. I may go talk to Twilight," Luna said.

Twilight skimmed the pages of a book about a certain mirror. Apparently that kind of mirror was a portal. Sunset had mentioned going for a short walk, but she couldn't help but wonder if her secret would wind up exposed. She brushed it off as anxiety and continued to read. This kind of knowledge might help in future tests. Midnight Sparkle materialized in front of the door.

"I'll lead you to the mirror," Midnight said.

"Alright," Twilight replied as she slipped out of bed. "Am I the only pony who can see you?"

"Yes."

Twilight followed Midnight into the hallway. As usual, the lunar guards patrolled the hallways. She crept past the doors and turned a corner. As she snuck around, a thought came to her mind. It was possible that Sunset had held another conversation with Luna about the archives. If that was the case, it would mean the end of her position as a student. What if she got stuck in another universe as a result of entering the mirror? In a sense, she wouldn't mind the possible result. She scrutinized the hallway for anypony who might tell on her.

Twilight sighed with relief. No snitches to deal with. She found herself in a room similar to the archives. This one had the legendary mirror. As she inched closer, she gasped. The mirror showed an alicorn version of her. Midnight Sparkle stood by her side. Subtle hoofsteps caused her to whirl around. One of the lunar guards saw her. She swiftly locked the door before anypony else could discover her whereabouts. She remembered the other books she had concealed under her bed.

"The books!" Twilight said before covering her mouth. "Great, how can I get back without being detected?"

"Don't return for those. I'll teach you more magic."

Twilight activated the teleportation spell. The door had been left open. Had somepony figured that she snuck out? She retrieved the forbidden books and chose the ones from her own bookshelf. She teleported back to the room with the mirror. The door had somehow been unlocked. A familiar figure stood in the doorway.

"Twilight Sparkle, stop what you're doing and explain yourself. You've been lying to me for a while," Luna said. Sunset stood by her side. "Why?"

"Because I can!" Twilight said. "You hid this wonderful magic from me. And I didn't get the perfect score, no matter how smart I am. And Sunset, how dare you tattle on me! We're not friends anymore."

Sunset stepped forward. "Twilight, don't do this. Please. Princess Luna didn't forbid us from using this magic out of cruelty. She's trying to protect us from being harmed."

Twilight chuckled. "Protect? More like shelter. And she never told me about the mirror before, either. If I can't succeed here, perhaps I can in another-"

Luna shook her head. "Stop. If you're not going to listen, then I'll remove your position."

"Fine. I don't want to be your student anyways." Twilight turned away so that she wouldn't see the expressions on Luna's face and on Sunset's.

Luna's tone sounded stern and regretful at the same time. "If that is what you want, then I won't force you to stay. You are no longer my student. Leave the castle at once."

The guards approached Twilight and led her around a corner. As soon as Sunset and Luna were gone, she teleported to the mirror. The guards seemed shocked. She gathered the books and stumbled through the mirror. The world she entered was the total opposite of her home world. Instead of ponies, she saw bipeds everywhere. It seemed to be a late afternoon. Her limbs felt strange. She glanced at herself in a puddle. A gasp escaped her mouth. At least the books were still here.

A tall biped with blue and purple hair gave her a concerned expression. This biped reminded Twilight of Luna. "I haven't seen you before. Are you lost?"

"No. How did you find me?" Twilight asked.

"I was just leaving the school." The biped turned her gaze to a taller one. The other female had multi-colored locks. "Celestia, do you think we can take her in?"

Celestia shrugged. "Maybe we can, but we have to become her legal guardians first." She scrutinized Twilight. "Hello there, little one."

Why couldn't anyone named Luna leave Twilight alone? She scowled. Her former mentor's sister would probably be just as annoying. At least the Luna of Equestria left her alone. She glanced at the stone statue and took a mental note. She might return to check on Sunset if something important happened...