The two ponies stood on opposite ends of the courtyard. The terrain was not as open or rough as the field Star Strider had trained the battalions in earlier, but it was good enough. They faced each other at the ends of their makeshift ring.

“The rules shall remain as those from earlier: knock the other down. Anything is on the table for defeating each other, but let’s try not to ruin the yard, yes? Reconstitution spells aren’t the most fun thing to cast.”

Luna laughed heartily. “That depends entirely on you! If you spend the whole fight dodging my attacks, they’ll crash into your room!” Star Strider laughed back.

“Very well. Let us commence on the chirp of the next bird!”

They stood silently locking onto each other. Both poised regally yet ferociously. A band of intensity dominated the air of the courtyard as they observed the other, trying to read what the first move would be. He won’t move first, based on everything I’ve seen, so that leaves me to make a decisive move. The silence grew louder as not a soul was in sight for the combat about to happen.

Suddenly, a small bird sitting on a branch high above the yard let out a shrill and short note. The fighters’ eyes went wide as they realized it was on. Luna quickly took off and swooped directly above Star Strider, attempting to ram him into the ground. He turned his body to move away so that she would miss him and land painfully. She corrected for this as she adjusted her wings to a sharp turn straight into him. She clearly caught him off guard but was unable to topple her opponent. He let out an HUMPH as she pushed him back. He slowly regained control of the momentum by wrapping his right hoof around her head and grappling her torso, attempting to pin her. She struggled enough to create room for her horn to glow. Where he expected a blast, he was met with empty arms as she teleported directly behind him. He realized what she was doing and ducked before her hind legs kicked right where his head had been.

“Ah, come now! Surely you can do better princess! Centuries of combat for this display? Show me your strength!” He antagonized her loudly as he rolled to his left and swept her legs. She almost fell but managed to use her falling momentum in tandem with her wings and spin mid-air to land on her hooves again. She let out a huff and took off again. He’s trying to get me to slip. She had watched him egg on his opponents all day with the same tactic. She would not fall for it so easily. She cast an aura around him that entrapped him in a dome of blue magic. It began to shrink and push him into the ground. He knelt under its size, closed his eyes, and spoke a single word. “Oppnar.” The dome shattered in a great display of blue flakes. He shot his eyes open as Luna capitalized on his position. She pinned up against his shoulders with her hooves and wrestled him backwards. As she did, she cast a spell to tie his hind legs together. Even with these hinderances, he stood far longer than Luna expected. She pushed back hard, flipped upside down and kicked him right in the chest. He let out a large breath of air and fell backwards. I did it! I got him down! She floated for a moment, only to see his left hoof begin glowing. As he fell backwards, he reached behind himself and touched it to the ground. He suddenly sprung up into the air, stretched his legs and broke the magical binding on them, and dove right at Luna. She moved barely in time, but he clipped her wing. Damn it! Pain shot through her left side as she spiraled toward the ground. She managed to roll and spring back into a fighting position. Now my flying is out of the question. Star Strider whipped around without breaking step and cast a dart of energy right at her. She countered with her own and their beams met in the middle creating a small yet brilliant explosion. They paused for a moment, as both fighters breathed heavily. Luna could feel the sweat pouring down her neck and forehead. She wiped her brow and resumed her stance as he did the same.

“I must say princess, this is the best fight I’ve had in quite some time.”

“Glad I could liven up your day. But please, call me Luna when we’re together.” She flashed him a smile which he returned with a furrowed brow.

“Very well Luna, time to end this.” He stamped a glowing hoof into the ground and roots shot up around her. She sliced through them with a lance of energy and charged him. As she did, she cast an almost invisible spell that changed the dirt he stood on to ice. At the last second, she sprung forward and switched to kicking with her hind legs again. He caught her with his forearms but failed to notice his ground slipping. Before he could stop himself, he toppled again. Luna acted quickly and this time used her magic to hog-tie the stallion as he crashed into the ground. She leapt on top him to ensure he was pinned. With her final move, she had won. She had just overpowered the most powerful pony who ever lived! He let out a laugh as her hoof was pushing his face into the ground. She was panting and sweating from everywhere imaginable. She quickly released her spells on him and stood back.

“Sorry, I did not mean to hold you there so long. I just… got caught in the moment I suppose.”

“Indeed, my dear.” He stood and brushed his face and legs off. He gave a mighty shake of his mane and dust flew out, creating a sort of cosmic background to him. Luna couldn’t believe that after all that, he still looked so handsome. “You fought well. Making me tap into my magic is not something anyone has done in a long time. Well, relatively speaking of course.” He flashed her another grin. She blushed at the praise.

“No, truly it was not as good as it seemed. I-i-i- only overcame you because I was sneaky about it. Not a very honorable tactic is it.” Star Strider shook his head and rested a hoof on her back.

“Quite the opposite, Luna. In fact, you demonstrated restraint, honor, brilliance, and a mind for tactics. Your magic was hardly your leading force. You had many tools at your disposal, and you used them all. It takes a true warrior to humble themselves enough to use even the simplest of tools they have.” She blushed even harder.

“Sure, but you did not tap into your full strength. I haven’t seen oral magic like that in years and it was just a simple shatter spell. Not even spoken in old ponish! What kind of language was it?”

He brushed his mane off with his hoof and stretched his legs. “It was my home dialect. An old language I presume is lost to pony records. I may be the last one to speak it. If you care to learn, I would be glad to try and teach it. It always breaks my heart to see art be lost.”

Luna found herself rubbing her wing and kicking her legs out to stretch them. I must have pulled something with those strikes. She focused her attention back on Star Strider. “I would love to learn it; language and art are some of my favorite things to know.” She looked around the courtyard, which miraculously only had a few burn marks on the occasional dirt patch to bear witness to the fight that had happened. “I’m impressed we didn’t destroy the windows with all the power in that fight.” She remarked as she inspected the trees to make sure they stood tall.

“Well, it takes a master of themselves to restrain when necessary. Overbearing force is not always the right answer to a fight.” He rubbed his front leg and drew up a bit of blood from a cut he had suffered. “Oh dear, looks like a bit of gravel could not stay out of the fight.” Luna turned back to him and saw his injury.

“Please! Let me heal you I am so sorry! I never meant to cause any serious harm!” He laughed and held her at a hoof away.

“That is quite alright. It is merely a scratch. We would be wise to remember the small cuts so when we experience the painful ones, we have a grasp of what pain is. Plus, scars build character.” He let out a jaunty laugh and began walking out away from the courtyard. “It seems we are both in need of a good cleaning and a long rest. Say we shall meet again tomorrow and review more techniques? You are an amazing fighter, but there is always more to learn.” She bounded after him, giddish with excitement from the night.

“I would love to! But only if you’re not tired. You can’t just fight all day and then all night, it will drain you too much.” He sauntered towards his room.

“Do not worry over me, my dear, I can handle my needs. You, on the other hoof, best start lowering the moon lest your sister becomes annoyed once more.” He pointed to the sky where the sun was already peaking up. Damn it again, maybe I should just let her do all the raising for the next few months. But before she could turn back to speak with him, his door was already closing, and she heard the water running. She shook her mane and sighed softly. That was the best night I’ve had in a long time she thought as she turned and trotted away to attend to her duties.

Unbeknownst to the two ponies who spent the night fighting, a lavender pony watched from her guest room above the courtyard. Interest and jealously strung through her as she watched the princess of the night quip and practice with the most powerful magic user Equestria had ever seen. And the most attractive, smart, and possibly only one who could be an immortal stallion too. She longed to be learning from Star Strider the way the guards did, the way her idol did, the way Luna did. Twilight pushed her feelings down as the sun was rising. “I shouldn’t feel this jealous over a pony who yelled at me the first time we met. Both did that actually!” She spun around and walked to her stack of scrolls on the desk. Spike stirred from his rest and looked at Twilight angrily sorting her scrolls again.

“Aw, c’mon, what happened this time to get your feathers in a twist?” He yawned and stretched his claws out as he made his way over to her.

“Nothing, Spike. I’m just really stressed about this whole Lichen thing and a mysterious and super powerful pony just wandering the halls of Canterlot with the highest access of security. That’s all!” Spike scratched his head and raised a finger.

“Uh, Twilight, didn’t you help bring him back? Not only that but wanted to? I don’t think it’s very fair to get mad at him for you bringing him back.” Twilight huffed in contempt but slowed her mind and heeded Spike’s words.

“You’re right, Spike. I haven’t even given him a chance. I guess I’m just worried that this will put a damper on not only my plans for inheriting the throne, but the sisters’ for retiring. I’m hoping that Starswirl’s old master turns out to make life easier and not harder.” Spike patted her back reassuringly.

“I’m sure he’s gonna make your job a million times easier, what with his protection spells and training that is. Hey! I wonder if he’d teach me to be an awesome warrior too! I mean, I know he’s got a thing with dragons, but I’m the coolest one there is!” Twilight rolled her eyes and smiled.

“Oh Spike, I’m sure you will get plenty of training when we go meet with him and observe his courses. But for now, would you help me get my report ready for the princesses? I want to make sure it’s perfect for their viewing.” Spike groaned and began to pull the blackboard over to the desk to review again.

Hours went by when Twilight and Spike finally entered the throne room with Celestia on her throne, Luna barely awake on hers, and Starswirl and Star Strider at the base off to their left. She pulled out a long scroll as Spike flipped the board over to show a map of Ponyville with certain locations marked off.

“These are all the magical wells we have marked down for observation. I have some of the town’s finest unicorns switching shifts day and night over them. The Everfree forest is under close observation by a team hoof-picked by Starswirl. After the castle of the two sisters was transformed into the student’s ‘clubhouse’, the forest has calmed exponentially. But any threats that loom in there, we’ll know before they so much as breath in the direction of Ponyville. The only odd report comes from the dragon lord Ember, as she said she observed a lot of smaller pony camps being set up on the outskirts of known cities.”

Star Strider shifted at the mention of the dragon queen, likely remembering all the trouble his people suffered at the hands of those ages’ past. Twilight noticed and generated an idea.

“Star Strider, I have an idea that involves you even more if you’re up for it. Since the Lichen poses a threat to all creatures, would you consider a training course for the other kingdoms to enroll in as well?” She looked back at Spike and winked. He gave her a thumbs up in response.

“I— Would, but it will take me some time and reflection to come to terms with teaching them. I must be clear of mind if I teach those I once considered enemies lest I fall prey to petty trickery or contempt for my own students. Give me a week’s time to prepare a course outline, select instructors, and reflect on my emotions.” Twilight nodded to him. She looked down at the floor and crossed her front legs in an awkward display.

“I know it may be a bit much to ask, but would you consider giving Spike here a few starter lessons? Just to test out how it might go and prepare him a little better just in case.” Star Strider looked at the small green and purple dragon who bared a large smile with his hands behind his back.

“I… suppose I could start with him. He may yet provide me with familiarity for the next students. But he is young, are you sure he is up for the ordeal?”

“Absolutely. Spike has been in more than his fair share of battles. He even saved the crystal empire and the started the changeling transformations! But just to be safe, I should probably watch the sessions, so he doesn’t get too enthralled with fighting.”

“Aww Twilight come on! I’m strong enough to go my own! You don’t have to keep babying me especially now that I’ve got my wings.”

But Twilight was hardly paying attention to him. Another idea had sprung up in her mind. “Actually, Star Strider, would you be interested in spending the next week in my castle at Ponyville and being a guest speaker for the diverse students at my school of friendship? It’d be a great way for you to get familiar with the more open-minded creatures and their leaders who are due for a visit next week!” Luna sat up at this, looking awake for the first time the whole session.

“No!” the whole room turned eyes on her. “I mean, he needs to continue his training with the royal guards! He’s hardly through the unicorn divisions and has yet to even meet with the pegasi!” Celestia crossed a hoof over her sister’s chest.

“I believe that Luna does have a good point. Perhaps it is too soon for him to abandon his post here in the castle, but we may be able to arrange for another week?” Twilight erased her chalk board and drew up a calendar. She filled every day with precise times of classes and left room for resting periods.

“Actually, if he keeps his current schedule, he would be able to meet with all division heads, run a demonstration block for the first session, and give his curriculum to the respective captains. He’d be through the divisions by the end of this week with a few days to pack and move over!” Luna grimaced at the suggestion, letting her own desire cloud her judgement.

“I think he’d be better off taking his time here and visiting your school a little later. Perhaps your students can come sit in on his demonstrations here? A sort of field trip?” Twilight scoffed at her.

“You really think that convincing the guardians of a bunch of creatures at a Friendship School to let their kids come watch a bunch of soldiers fight all day would go over well? Yea, good luck with that!”

Star Strider walked in between them. “Princesses, enough. My decision is my own, sway me as you like but I will do what I must. Twilight, I will teach the creatures of the earth, all who are willing, the ways of defense. As for your school, give me until I have settled the guard here into a regimental training that does not require my focused attention. I will do my best to be quick with it, but I need to ensure they are receiving proper training before I loose the reins of the horse that is combat.” Luna sat back in her throne, relieved that he would be staying longer. But Star Strider turned to her as well. “Princess Luna, while I appreciate your vigor for the training that occurs in these walls, I trust you will not lose sight of the importance of preparing all of Equestria for the possible threat? Let not your own emotions cloud what is best for the population at large. Both ideas have merit, and I will mull them over. Thank you for your input.”

Twilight smirked at Luna as though she had the final word. Celestia glanced between the two princesses with a look of annoyance as though they had both been acting like fillies.

“Quite so. Twilight, thank you for the report. You are welcome to stay in Canterlot as long as you need. Please ensure that Spike’s lessons do not interfere with Star Strider’s current schedule. The sooner the regiments are ready, the sooner he can get to your school. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a few department heads to meet with for the day. If you will kindly vacate the room, I would be most grateful.”

Twilight bowed in embarrassment. “Yes of course Celestia, we will be on our way.” She and spike turned and walked away. Luna felt the heat inside her dissipate as she left. Why did I get so heated at my friend? I’m better than that. She caught Star Strider’s eyes as he arched an eyebrow at her as though to ask what in Equestria happened there? She shook her head and stood up to go to her room and try to sleep. Star Strider followed her out with Starswirl, but none of them spoke. The two took a turn that led them to the exit of the castle and out towards the training fields. Idiot Luna scolded herself all the way to her bed for acting like such a child in front of everypony.

Author's Note

For any curious, I chose Swedish to be Star Strider's 'ancient language'. Swedish is my parent language and I figured It'd be nice to throw it in somewhere.