Under Hooves

by LMayo

Rating: teen
Tags: Octavia, Adventure, Princess Celestia, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Main 6, Princess Luna, Original Character
Length: 5590

Equestria's torn by an old foe, and new elements are revealed.

Princess Luna's fall a thousand years ago was a catastrophic event. Most of the history about that moment has been lost to time, or intentionally erased. There is one group, however, that holds all the history of Equestria in its halls. It lies within The Shades, an ancient extremists organization that believes it has the power to change Equestria's destiny comes back to haunt the royal sisters. A colt, known as Zane Sparkspur has the innate power to read ponies' minds. He's established as Princess Luna's student and sent on a mission to save Equestria. When he discovers a new element that was used by Princess Luna herself, the fate of Equestria could change at his leisure. Apparently the Elements of Harmony aren't the only powerful magical force in the land.

Published 2012-08-29 08:24:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-08-30 17:28:15 UTC

Chapter 1: My Mommy Said I'm Special

Under Hooves

Chapter one: My Mommy Said I’m Special

“My mother said I was special, like most colt’s mothers did, but I didn’t know why I really was until I was older. Magic School had been a breeze; they heralded me as a prodigy, perhaps greater than Twilight Sparkle herself. The fact of the matter is that I cheated. I hadn’t cheated in the sense of copying the answers down, or looking over another pony’s shoulder, but I learned things differently.

“I saw the teacher’s lesson in my head as she taught, then I heard it with my ears. I saw her muse about the different aspects of magic during tests, but I knew she wasn’t saying these things. I wondered why all the other ponies couldn’t learn from her like I did. Then again, I also wondered why I could see their pictures too.”

A cyan unicorn with a dark blue mane and three gears surrounding a sparkle as a cutie mark relaxed on a small sofa in the company of a brown Earth Pony with a fancy sofa as his cutie mark, glasses on his short muzzle, and a quill with parchment. The writing pony looked up in this pause and spoke in a very deep soothing tone, “Are you reading my mind right now?”

The couch shifted slightly as the pony atop it turned his head to the psychiatrist and shook it slowly, the cyan streak in his mane shifting slightly. “Well, it works, like any magic, like a muscle. Take for example when you figure out how to wiggle your ears, or twitch your tail. Something that isn’t usual to control, but when you find the muscle that causes it, you have it down. So no, I’m not.”

“I see...” The shrink jotted something down, then spoke without looking up, “Please continue.”

“Alright. Well, I had an idea of what might happen if I grew to be as good as they said I might. I already had teleportation magic down when I was only a colt, but it wasn’t because I was talented. It was because I knew what everypony else knew. I only figured it out when another pony thought about it. Then I knew what ‘muscle’ to use.

“In time, I caught the attention of the Magic Council. They were intrigued by me, and I told them my secret. I expected them to disregard me as a potential candidate for special training, but they became more interested.”

The psychiatrist stopped writing, “So, you’ve had guilt bottled up inside ever since you were a colt?”

“You could say it was guilt, Doctor Finklestein, but it was more like shame. Shame that I couldn’t figure things out for myself and had to copy somepony else.”

“Zane,” The Doctor pushed his glasses up on his snout and sighed, “I don’t think you’ve cheated. This... gift is what makes you talented. I wouldn’t put so much guilt on yourself, or it might turn into a violent depression.” He stood, “I think our time is up, it’s a pleasure hearing from you, Zane. I’ll see you next Thursday, alright?”

“Okay Doctor, See you then.” Zane stood and shook hooves with his psychiatrist, then plodded out of the room.

The walk from the office to his home in Canterlot was a long one, but it gave him time to think over what his Doctor had said. So what if the Magic Council wanted him? Shouldn’t that be a great honor? But if he cheated his way to the top, it wouldn’t be so grand of an accomplishment.

He exercised his mind magic as he called it and focused on two mares talking ahead of him.

“Oh yes, I simply adore your cape! You look so darling.” the noble said. Her thoughts were quite the opposite. She was appalled by the color choice. Zane could feel exactly what she felt.

The other stuck her nose up in the air and brought her hoof to her chest, “Why thank you, I picked it out last night!” Lies; her mother bought it for her a week ago. She has no taste in clothing.

He turned his attention to a rather disheveled pony standing in front of an apple stand. He was short two bits for a full bushel. Zane walked up to him and flung the needed amount into his hoof. The pony thanked him graciously, but Zane didn’t bother turning around. The pony was planning on milking a few more bits out of him if he spoke.

A pony here liked a saddle, a pony there wanted a kiss, a few ponies even wanted to make the cows outside Ponyville stampede for fun. Reading ponies’ minds was hard, but it could become weak after a period of no use. It was just like an unused muscle.

A thought caught his attention, and he honed in on it. Most ponies didn’t use feelings that involved “infiltration” or “monster” in the same thought as Princess Luna. Well, monster was acceptable a few years ago, but now she was a revered princess.

Who would think this, much less discuss it? Two ponies in a back alley to the side of him owned these thoughts. He stopped and concentrated on their thoughts. It wasn’t complete sentences like most envision mind reading. It was in pictures, feelings, emotions.

What these ponies were thinking was despicable, deranged, and diabolical. He gathered images of Princess Luna being banished to the moon, but not the first time. She would be in her current form this time. She was a threat to all ponies, she must be dealt with accordingly.

Zane felt a bead of sweat on his brow; this wasn’t good. He had to warn her, but what could these ponies do to a magically all powerful princess? He lowered his head and shook it, his cheek length, cyan mane waving in front of him. They had help.

Professor Light Straw.

He was one of the Magic Council that interviewed Zane. He had a heavy Earth Pony drawl, but he was one of the strongest unicorns in Canterlot. His only rival at this point was Twilight Sparkle herself.

He had to speak to the Princess, but he might need help. He wasn’t officially allowed into the castle, and one pony’s story is less believable compared to two. He needed a friend to help, even if he had to get rough with the guards to allow him to slip through. He knew just the stallion.

Zane concentrated on his home. He could feel the unusual squeezing sensation pulling him through space. He could see the blurry image of his home, and a millisecond later he was there. The effects of teleportation flew through him. Fatigue invaded his body, and he almost stumbled to the ground. The familiar sounds of metal against metal invaded his ears. His family co-owned a metal works business with his best friend’s parents.

A silver coated, gold maned pegasus with a lightning bolt striking a shiny metal hammer flew out of the workshop, sparks behind him creating almost a halo effect. Zane ran up to him breathing heavily, “Steele!”

The pony noticed his best friend, “Oh hey Zane!” He flew down, lightly touching on the ground. “What’s up?”

“The princess...” he gasped between breaths. That teleportation spell was extremely potent and in turn sucked his stamina dry. “In trouble... Light Straw... evil!”

“What... whuuh?” Steele sat down and looked at Zane incredulously, “Come on, bro. Sound it out.”

Zane nodded, waiting a few seconds to catch his breath. He lifted his head and inhaled deeply. “Professor Light Straw is planning to kidnap Princess Luna. He has a straight shot at her tonight after he meets with the Magic Council.”

“Okay,” Steele’s eyelids lowered, “I know you thought he was creepy, but seriously? Kidnapping the princess?”

“I’m serious, I heard two ponies planning it downtown today!” He tapped his horn with his hoof.

“Oh, right. You sure ‘bout that? I mean, there’s a shady line between kidnapping and... and uh... Stealing...”

“Same thing, Steele.” Zane would have laughed, but he was too tired. Steele was rather dull sometimes.

“Well, you know I always trust your judgement, bro. It’s just... What could we do?”

“The Magic Council usually meets around seven. It’s six fifty.” He trotted in place impatiently.

Steele nodded, “Alright. Here, grab my hooves. You’re tired enough already.”

Zane complied, taking Steele’s two front hooves. They lifted off in a flurry of dust, Steele wavering about while compensating for the extra weight. Despite his work as a metalsmith, Steele was an excellent flier. He rose above the buildings around them and continued over. Steele looked down at his companion, “so, what are we supposed to do when we get there? Luna’s not exactly out in the open.”

“I’ve met Celestia a couple times. The Magic Council wanted her to take me as her new pupil, but she said she had other plans.”

“Aye, well, good luck with that.”

“Oi, you’re coming too! I might need some help if Praise comes in.”

Steele reared his head back, “Are you mental? What am I supposed to do? He’s a noble; I can’t even talk to him without getting a boot up my butt.”

“Just distract him with something! If he gets anywhere near us, I want you to get his attention.”

They came within landing distance of the castle in a couple minutes, Steele straining to keep a hold of his friend. He dropped Zane in front of the outer courtyard, his hooves touching down with a clack. The unicorn rushed up to the castle gates, but the guards were outside, emotionless as usual. They barred the door when he came close enough, but he wouldn’t let that stop him. “I must have an audience with Princess Luna, or her Majesty Princess Celestia.”

The guard simply whinnied and stood his ground. Zane sighed, then Steele stepped in. “Look bucko, this is a matter of life or death for the princess!”

Just then a fantastic feat of nature occurred, the guard opened his mouth! “I assure you...” and he was speaking? Wait, was this a dream? The guard shook his head slowly, “the princesses are in good care within the magic council.”

Zane shook his head, “That’s just it! Somepony in the Magic Council is planning on betraying them.”

A large burst of light appeared over the ponies, and large white wings connected to an elegant mare fluttered down from the sky, “Zane Sparkspur, Steele Rivet, I hear you wish to speak to me?” Princess Celestia looked down at the bowing ponies with her large, glistening, indigo eyes.

“Your majesty, we have urgent news about your sister, Princess Luna.”

“And?” She squinted her questioning eyes.

“There’s a plot to hurt her!” She had to believe him. If she didn’t, who would?

“And who would do such a thing?”

“Light Straw. I overheard some ponies’ thoughts about what they were planning tonight.” Come on Celestia, you have to help!

The pure princess looked at Zane disbelievingly, then scoured his face up close. “Light Praise has been a strong advocate of Luna’s for a long time now. He backed her up when nopony else did in her return. I don’t see why he would betray her now, but...” She moved back and sighed, “You have no lie in your eyes, Zane. I thought something like this might happen in the near future; after all, she was an evil mare for a thousand years.”

Zane’s eyes widened as the corners of his mouth curled upwards, “Really? You believe us?”

“No time to waste,” She responded, “quick my little ponies, the meeting’s almost ended!”

The group of three raced through the castle halls, passing various guards who Celestia prompted that there wasn’t any need to help her. Up and up they ran, Zane hadn’t felt so dutiful in his life. He was off to save a princess! What a noble cause!

Steele looked extremely pumped, as if he were to fight a whole army of Griffons by himself. Zane laughed inside; that pegasus was always ready to dive in. He never needed preparation. They finally reached the meeting chambers at the third highest tower, overlooking most of Canterlot. Celestia opened the door forcefully, jumping into the room.

The only pony there was Luna, cleaning up her notes and papers from the council meeting. Celestia glared at Zane and trotted to her sister, “Did Light make any threats?”

“Light?” Luna looked up at her sister and raised her eyebrow. “Why would he of all ponies be threatening me?”

“Zane” Celestia said as looked back at the sheepishly grinning pony. “overheard some thoughts that you were in trouble, and Light was the source of it.”

“What?” She left her papers and walked over to Zane. “Are you sure? You know I trust your judgment, but Zane could be wrong.”

Steele nudged Zane. “I really hope you were right, buddy. This could turn ugly.”

Zane shook his head, eyes closed. No, he was right. There was no way he read those thoughts wrong... unless he did. What if Luna wasn’t their target? Thoughts weren’t a definitive story or statement, they were interpreted. The thought of Light Straw as an assistance to them could have a double meaning. He could be a help to them by being the key to Luna. Once they have him out of the way, that would help them to get to Luna! But how would they do it? The only way to defeat one of the most powerful magic users without magic is... Well, the most common method that Zane knew of was poison. He would go with his gut and hope that was the case.

“You’re right.” Zane’s face contorted into a grimace, “I thought wrong. Light Straw isn’t the problem, he’s the one in danger!”

Celestia unfolded her wings, her face in a concentrated stare ahead. “Under!” The ponies all hopped under her wings, and the strange sensation of teleportation came to Zane again. They appeared in a small cafe just outside the Castle walls, a pony in front of them startled by their appearance. He wore a simple straw hat, a monocle covering one eye. There was a sense of pride about him, but it was dispelled by his calm, caring eyes. “Hello, girls.” He unscrewed a floating bottle of water and lifted it to take a sip.

“Wait!” Zane yelled, ripping the bottle from Light’s magical grasp with his own.

Light coughed slightly. “Wha- What are you doin', boy?”

Celestia confiscated the bottle, her horn not even glowing while it flew. “I think I know what Zane was thinking.” She took a sip, and a gasp from Zane erupted. She quickly spat the water on the floor. Zane thought how unbecoming that must have looked for the princess. “Your water is poisoned.” she said flatly.

Light looked at the bottle, then down at the ground. “I... I mean it's not water, but in any case I had no idea. So thank you Zane.” He smiled at the prodigy and shook his hoof. “It seems I made the wrong decision about you today.”

Luna grinned, “That’s for sure. Light disagreed that you should be put in as my new student, Zane.”

Celestia nodded, “But I had chosen you anyway. Light doesn’t have a say past me.”

Luna’s... Student? Zane’s mind went completely blank in shock. He half expected Steele’s hoof to whack him on the shoulder in congratulations. This would completely change his life. He would be one of the elite; one of the ponies he looked up to. He knew why she chose him, too. He was different, and his differences made him powerful, and his potential could lead him down a road he had dreamed of for years.

Light smiled, “Thank you again Zane, I’m sure I can do something for you in return. Perhaps your parents business. You’ve been wanting to expand, haven’t you?”

A thought just occurred to Zane. “Well, yeah, but-” He looked around, the other ponies just noticing the disappearance of one of the group. “Where’s Steele?”

Chapter 2: Metal Against Magic

Under Hooves

Chapter two: Metal against magic

Steele launched from building to building, hovering over and behind the strange ponies below him. He saw two hooded ponies leave the cafe without a word, nor a payment. Even if they weren’t related to Light’s poisoning they must be brought to justice! For there is no such thing as delicious free food in Canterlot! Except for his great grandmamas apple strudel; at least in Steele’s experience.

The mysterious ponies looked over their shoulders every few seconds. These guys were definitely baddies. Steele flew closer to the ground as they entered a donut shop. What’s with shady characters and donut shops these days? Steele sighed and landed in front of the building, then opened the door after a few seconds. The room smelled of warm coffee and sugar. There were a few tables full, but donut shops weren’t very popular in the daytime. He saw the two ponies ahead of him sit down at a table with another; most likely their boss. He needed a disguise. He looked around, there were a few hats on a hat rack to his left. Who uses a hat rack?! He donned a felt fedora and covered his eyes.

He sat down at a table within hearing distance of the ponies and strained his ears. Too bad Zane wasn’t here, he could just read their minds and be done with it. That whole natural ability to dive into your mind and peek around always creeped Steele out, but he was who he was. He can’t change that.

He heard the boss pony talk, “Is it done?”

“Celestia found us out, sir. Light is still equine.”

The leader sighed. “Great, now what are we supposed to do? I’ll speak with the Shades, they’ll know what our next move will be. What of our informant?”

“She was present at the meeting, and did her job well. We were merely a second too late.”

He grunted, Celestia wasn’t going to believe this. The next sentence spoken by their leader caught Steele by surprise. “Did they figure out what to do with Zane?”

“Light Praise was against the idea, but apparently Celestia said otherwise.”

“We have to watch out for him in the future... or just get rid of him.” He chuckled slightly, his minions doing the same.

Wow... These guys were classic bad. They even had the evil capes n’ all. Steele stood, he had to tell Celestia about this news. He was walking out of the shop when one of the hooded ponies pointed at him and yelled to his comrades, “Hey, it’s one of the guys that helped Celestia!”

Aw snap.

He rushed out the door and launched into the air. Ha! They couldn’t follow him now! He looked back to see both of the minions take off their cloaks to reveal bald heads... and wings. Steele’s eyelids closed partially. “Really?” He said mock questioningly.

They shot off in the air, Steele weaving and diving in between buildings to get rid of his pursuers. One broke off from the other, flying high into the air. Steele turned swiftly around a corner and stopped abruptly. The flyer behind him screamed around the corner, not noticing Steele behind a crate of apples. He smirked and turned around, launching off down the street.

The other pegasus flew down behind Steele, catching him off guard. He flew faster, his trail of sparks raining down behind him. He saw a tall white pony with three others gathered around her in the street. Was that Celestia? He whizzed past them violently, “Get this freak off of me!”

Zane and everypony else looked to see Steele and his spark stream shoot past them across the street and into an alleyway. He laughed once, “There’s Steele, but what’s he running from?” The answer to his question flew by a second later. Zane growled and raced after them, “There’s gotta be a way to help him!” He activated his magic and connected Steele’s mind to his own. He was getting out of range, he had to turn around! Zane screamed in his head, and even though there was no way of Steele hearing him, his thoughts ran anyway. He could feel the connection growing; did it work? Could Steele hear him?

Steele swiftly landed in front of Celestia and dashed out of the way of the incoming pegasus. He almost landed when a barrier of magic appeared around him, stopping his momentum completely. Celestia walked forward with her horn aglow. “And who might you be?”

The bald pony didn’t respond, but Steele was more than happy to. “One of ‘em said they were going to talk to the ‘Shades’ or whatever. You know anything about that?”

Celestia’s eyes widened, then she regained her composure and turned to the pony in her magical grasp, “Are the Shades of Gray behind this?”

He didn’t speak again, but Luna stepped in and took a hold of him with her magic, “If you’re a part of the Shades, I’m going to make you wish you were never bor-”

“Okay fine!” The pony screamed.

Zane and Steele were speechless. The princesses were acting quite strange, aggressive even. Would they hurt another pony?

The bald one spoke again in fright, “The Shades of Gray are back- well, they never left! It’s been passed down from generation to generation until now. We’re getting bigger, that’s all I know! I swear!”

Celestia looked him deep in the eye, “You know anything about trying to poison Light Praise?”

The pony nodded, “Yes! Just please don’t hurt me!”

Celestia chuckled, “He’s been told about the past, Luna. You know what to do.”

Luna nodded and teleported away with the prisoner. Celestia turned to the two friends, “You musn’t speak of this to anypony. This is strictly between you two and us, you understand?”

Zane and Steele nodded, and Celestia smiled. “Now, for your education Zane.” Woah, she changed topics easily. “You’ll be at the Castle at six in the morning tomorrow, yes?”

“Alright.” Zane said uneasily. The princesses were acting very strange indeed.

“Good day to you two.” she said quickly before teleporting away.

Strangely enough nopony else was present at the time to witness the scene. Must have been after closing time. Zane raised an eyebrow to Steele. “So, what compelled you double back?”

“Oh, right, that. I don’t know, I just felt like I should. I definitely wouldn’t have normally, but it’s like somepony else put the idea into my head...”

“Right...” Zane dug his hoof in the ground in thought. “Well, did you notice what I noticed about the princesses?”

“What, that Celestia and Luna are going insane over this Shades thing?”

“Yeah. Whatever it is, they’re scared of it.”

Steele glared at Zane. “Dude, did you read their minds?”

“No! No no no, I would never!” He grinned wide, his teeth shining brightly in the sunlight.

Steele didn’t take it, he stared at his friend and sighed. “Seriously Zane, that’s starting to creep me out.”

“Took you long enough. It’s only been about a decade.”

The pegasus chuckled, “Let’s go home, our parents might be a tad worried.”

“Maybe just yours, mine are used to me going out late at ni-”

Steele interrupted, “Oh, Zane.”

Zane grunted in annoyance, “What...”

“That wasn’t the only pegasus following me, so we might want to get home... quickly.”

“Alright, not a word of this to our parents.”

“I get it, I get it. We have to follow Celestia’s every word...” Steele’s ears pricked up as if he had come to a great realization. “Wait, that thought in my head earlier. Was that you?!”

Zane kept on walking without a word, but a grin was plastered to his face the whole way home.

***

“Where are they?!” Zane’s mother, Mari SparkSpur ran about her house collecting Zane’s items. Her son came through the door with Steele. She ran up to them with a distraught look, “Where have you been? I’ve been so worried! You’re leaving tomorrow!”

Zane gave a questioning grunt, “Wait, I’m leaving?”

Mari scoffed at the ponies, “You’ve been asked by Princess Celestia herself to open a new forge in Ponyville!”

Zane laughed, “Mom, you might not believe us, but we just spoke with Celestia. She didn-”

“You what?!” Mari reared her head back, “Oh my goodness, my son speaks to the princess without telling his own mother?!”

Zane lowered his eyelids, “It was an emergency.”

“An emergency? You didn’t bother to tell me?”

“No, I didn’t!” Zane yelled, “Now what’s going on?”

Mari took a scroll from atop a dresser next to her and gave it to Zane. He opened it slowly, fearing the words he would read.

Dear Sparkspur family,

The guardians of the sun and moon cordially ask you to expand your business to Ponyville as they do not have a metal works business of their own. This would also continue Zane’s education under the instruction of Princess Luna. He will meet with the Princess tomorrow morning at six o’clock for his instructions.

Your princess and friend,

Princess Celestia

Zane’s mouth was partially open for the entire letter. He rolled it back up and set the parchment on the dresser. Apparently this was his first order of training. Celestia didn’t tell him he’d be moving; this was a big surprise. He’d grown up in Canterlot all his life, what would living in the boonies be like? Well, Twilight Sparkle was there, so what could go wrong? He could learn a plethora of magic from her mind!

No, he would do it traditionally; like every other pony. He would listen to his teachers and not cheat. He had gotten past his whole life with his talent, but no more. He would work hard for Luna, and learn what he could.

Steele moved back from looking over Zane’s shoulder, “Moving to Ponyville?! Who’ll I hang out with?”

Zane looked back at him with a confidence in his eyes. “Hey, it just says to expand the business. It doesn’t say I can’t bring a friend. Plus, I think I’ll need your expertise.”

“Well Duh! You couldn’t pound that metal into shape yourself!” Steele put his hooves on his hips, head high and grinned.

Zane laughed. “Yeah yeah, don’t get too puffed up. You still need me to move everything.”

“Well not everything. I can handle the smaller stuff my self. Y’know, like plows, and stuff. Just can’t make the big stuff, like statues and whatnot without your horn.” Steele replied indignantly.

Zane chuckled. “Alright he-pony. Go pack, I’ll see you in the morning.”

Steele nodded and said his goodbyes. Zane sighed as he flung himself onto his bed. What would tomorrow bring? Did Celestia expect him to work with the great Twilight Sparkle herself? Perhaps Zane would take a peek into the princess’s mind tomorrow, just to see what was going on in the big picture.

But for now, he would dream of Ponyville.

***

The sunlight felt like it was boring through his skull as it shafted through crack in his window shutters. He turned over to face his pillow, then the memory hit him. He shot up instantly, launching out of bed. He ran out of his room to see his mother and father standing in the kitchen preparing what looked like oats and fried grass. He danced in place, talking to his parents, “Good morning mum, g’morning dad!” He ran back into his room and flung what was in his closet into a suitcase. He was going to miss his insanely large bed and table full of knick knacks he’s collected over the years... good thing he’s bringing the knick knacks so he wouldn’t miss those too. He cleared the table off with one sweep of his hoof, knocking everything into the suitcase. He wasn’t much of an organizer, that was sure.

The suit case was to the brim when he was finished. Good, only one suitcase of stuff. He trotted out of his room and past the picture of himself graduating the magic school with his older brother behind him and into the dining room to his right. The unicorn smiled, his brother hadn’t been around for a long time. His family was just starting to get over his absence about a year ago.

His home wasn’t like most ponies in Canterlot. It opened into a main hallway with doors branching off, the hall ending up in the kitchen with the dining room next to it. Most pony’s houses (especially in Canterlot) involved a single large room first, then either a staircase or a single room off to the side. Luckily, business had been booming with the Griffons building with steel and iron instead of wood.

Zane sat down at the table with his family and chowed down on the meal before him; which gave him time to think about today. What was Celestia planning with the whole Ponyville thing? Wasn’t Canterlot full of magical professors? Wouldn’t he learn more from the theorists and thinkers than from the rough n’ tumble in Ponyville? He didn’t disagree with Celestia, how could he? He just wanted something a bit more grand. It must have been the inner Canterlot in him.

He finished and lifted his suitcase into the air. His father, a gray coated dark blue maned stallion hugged him tight. “You do well to expand, alright son? I just got back from Ponyville, it’s a nice town!”

Zane smiled, “I’ll make you proud.” He turned to his mother who was about to go to tears, “Don’t worry mum, I’ll be fine on my own.”

She hugged him as well, “You probably already know this, but I love you son.”

He chuckled, “Yup, I did.”

The trip to the castle was uneventful. Steele just had to buy an apple on the way there, or else he would have “starved.” He slurped up the rest of the juice from his hooves as he hovered next to Zane. “Mm, that was good... I’m still hungry.”

Zane glared at his companion, “Then why didn’t you eat at home?!”

“Well, I wasn’t hungry then!” He folded his front legs accusingly, “Would you eat if you weren’t hungry?”

Zane shook his head, “Whatever, just don’t go complaining to the princess, alright?”
The rest of the walk was in silence as both the ponies were deep in thought. What would Ponyville be like? Were the elements of harmony as good as everypony else say they are? Steele stopped Zane from running into the castle’s gate, “Hey, we’re here.” They both looked up at the large gate in front of them, two guards to their sides. They looked at each other, then back at the gate. Steele grinned, “You ready?”

Zane nodded silently, “Yeah...”

“Don’t be such a scaredy pony!”

Zane glared at Steele again, “Don’t tempt me.” He looked up at his horn then back down at his friend. Steele merely smiled wide as the front gate opened slowly

“Welcome, Zane.” The voice of Celestia echoed through the main hall. Stained glass pictures fascinated Zane each time he walked through the castle. The latest one, of the Elements of Harmony defeating Discord was the one he stared at. Celestia walked up beside him, “Trust me, there’s a lot worse than him sealed away in stone.”

Zane looked up at Celestia with a fake smile and a drop of sweat on his head, “I can’t really imagine much worse.”

The princess smiled as Steele flew past, “Dude! Paintings in the glass! Check it out...”

Zane laughed, “You’ve never seen stained glass before?”

“I work in a metal shop, not a... glass... making place.”

Celestia laughed as Luna entered the room, “Hello Celestia.” She yawned, “Oh, hello Zane, Steele...” Her eyes bugged out as she flew a couple inches into the air, “Oh! I’m so sorry, I just woke up.” She landed and straightened herself to look as regal as possible, but the image of her buzzing around yawning was enough to make Zane laugh inwardly. “Anyway,” She continued, “as you know, I’m going to be your new teacher, Zane.” She smiled wide, her royal teeth shining in the dawn light.

Zane nodded, bowing to the floor, “I’m honored to be taught by such a learned pony.”

Luna shook her hoof in his face, “Hey hey, none of that “honored teacher” stuff. Our students are more friends than strict pupils. We teach as we go about, but this way you’ll eventually learn more than the average pony.”

“And Luna still has a bit to learn about common speaking nowadays.” Celestia added.

“Yes, actually I was hoping if you wouldn’t mind if I practiced on you. At least until we’re in public.”

Zane nodded. He knew about Luna’s speech, and he was worried about it for a moment yesterday. He didn’t know much in the way of the old proper language. He only knew just enough to get by in the poshiest of posh in Canterlot.

Celestia’s eyes grew dark and her mouth curled downwards. “With that said, about yesterday...” She walked off behind them, her voice as cold as ice. “You have to know something. Come with me.”

Zane and Steele followed like animals to the slaughter. Which was not a very welcome thought.