Twilight tapped her hoof against the side of the carriage while staring out the window into the dark tunnel beyond. There wasn't much to see, given that they were currently traveling into the Canterhorn, at a relatively slow pace. There was only the odd smattering of young adults accompanied by their parents and their school backs. That, and a few nobles like her, who were taking carriages to their destinations rather than trotting the whole way.

The tunnel itself was lit by magical golden torches that burned along the walls at regular intervals. Between which sat either a statue of some ancient and important figure or a bench for those who needed a break. There was even the odd vendor with a selection of food or drink that could be seen through the window, though they were rare.

“I know your sad that Cadence and Shining Armor aren't joining you on the drive there, but you’ll see them very soon,” commented a voice.

Twilight turned to see her mother smiling gently across from her, the older mare joined by Twilight's father, Night Light. The other female had on a light brown cloak clasped about her throat by a broach made up of three tightly grouped golden stars. Her mane was a mix of white, and light purple, while her fur was a very light grey, with the only other color being the teal of her eyes.

“Why I wouldn't be surprised if they were waiting for you at school,” offered Night Light.

The male wore a brown shirt over which he had on a green vest that bore the seal of the royal observatory over his heart. Like his wife and daughter, he too was a unicorn, and though his coloration was a little different than the others. Sporting light blue fur, plus a mane and tail that were a few shades darker of the same color, he also had bright, golden eyes.

His cutie mark was visible unlike his wife’s, which she displayed on her broach, while he revealed for the world to see. Which was a sharp, golden crescent moon that within held a second moon that was far smaller than the first. Twilight herself had a similar space-related mark, though hers was of a single star surrounded by six others.

“I know,” Twilight muttered. “It's just my first year, so I thought they would come with me.”

Night Light hummed thoughtfully. “Your brother did leave rather early, but I’m sure it's nothing. Cadence has a lot of responsibility riding on her shoulders so he probably just wanted to help her.”

“I know all about the kind of help my brother gives Cadence,” Twilight Sparkle muttered.

“Hey now. That's perfectly natural,” Twilight Velvet replied. “Especially when two ponies love each other as much as Shining Armor loves Cadence.”

Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’m quite aware of that mother. I am an adult you know.”

“I know dear. It's just, your only barely eighteen,” Twilight Velvet explained. “I know you’ve had some… intense study sessions with your old study buddy Moon Dancer, but you are still inexperienced.”

Twilight Sparkle blanched. “Please tell me you are joking.”

“I’m afraid you two got rather loud more than a few times,” Night Light answered. “It's nothing to be ashamed about, you know. Why when your mother really gets into it I scream like a little girl.”

“Augh, please make it stop,” Twilight Sparkle groaned, her hooves going to her ears.

“I think we’ve embarrassed the poor dear enough,” Twilight Velvet cautioned. “My point is that this isn't like high school anymore. This is Celestia’s school for the gifted. There are going to be a lot of ponies older than you hear and you can't let them take advantage of you.”

“You definitely won't be selected as one of Celestia’s chosen then,” cautioned Night Light.

“I know, I know,” Twilight Sparkle complained. “You must always be in control of your surroundings. I’ve read every last book on the subject and am confident that I’ll be able to be selected. I have the best grades after all.”

“Your test scores were amazing, but this is an entirely different game Twilight,” cautioned the older mare. “You not only have to be smart, and strong but you also need to have the confidence to back it up.”

“Plus you have to be personable,” Night Light added. “There is a reason Cadence has won so many of the grand galloping games in the past.”

“Yeah but this is her last year before graduating, so I have plenty of time to observe her and replicate her success,” Twilight Sparkle exclaimed.

“Don't be too confident my dear,” Twilight Velvet warned. “You need to be able to win more than one of the contests, and no offense but I don't believe as though you could win the test of persuasion.”

“I know I couldn't win the Game of Shadows or the test of persuasion, but I could probably win the Duel of Strength, and possibly the Contest of Power,” Twilight Sparkle retorted.

“Possible,” Night Light agreed. “Though I wouldn't bet on it. You are a first year, and there are people out there who have been trying since you were still finishing high school.”

Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes. “That won't be a problem. Celestia has Cadence, so even if I managed to become one of the princesses' students, I wouldn't be chosen to participate.”

“I still don't see why you won't even consider siding with Luna,” Night Light exclaimed. “I know she is the more secretive of the two sisters, but she is every bit as strong as Celestia.”

Twilight Velvet elbowed her husband. “Quit it with your pro-Luna propaganda. Our daughter has chosen Celestia, so you just have to accept that.”

“Well just consider it, okay?” Night Light pressed. “I know Luna has a bit of a bad rap in the public, but hey, you would be a shoe-in to become her chosen.”

“Not happening,” Twilight Sparkle stated. “I want to join the house that Sunset Shimmer did, and become just as strong as her.”

“Now that was a mare,” Night Light muttered huskily. “Strong, powerful, intelligent, and possessed with enough vigor to make any more or stallion jealous.”

“Watch it, husband,” Twilight Velvet warned. “Or I may start to believe that you are cheating on me.”

Night Light laughed aloud. “Sunset Shimmer is off in the borderlands, too young, and let's be frank. Out of my league.”

“I don't know. If you started using that dark makeup you always wore back in school I bet you could catch her eye,” Twilight Velvet remarked, bumping her hip against the stallion’s.

“Why would I want to do that, when I’ve already captured yours?” Night Light retorted.

Twilight Sparkle cleared her throat. “We get it. You two have a great marriage now could you resist the urge to screw like rabbits until after you’ve dropped me off.”

Twilight Velvet chuckled and tugged her cloak a little tighter about her body, hiding the bulge which had nearly become visible.

“Sorry dear,” muttered the older mare. “But you know how it is for mares like us.”

“I am well aware,” Twilight Sparkle muttered.

Night Light cleared his throat. “Getting back on topic. You do know that Sunset Shimmer was chosen for the games in her first year. If you really want to follow in her hoofsteps, then you should be ready to do the same.”

Twilight Sparkle scoffed. “That was a different time and a different school. Back then chrysalis was poised to win the games, and take over the school, but things are different now. Sombra, Luna, and Celestia all have powerful chosen, while Chrysalis has lost her own game to Cadence for several years in a row.”

“Still,” Night Light began, waggling a hoof at the young pony across from him. “Anything is possible at the school for the gifted.”

Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes. “I don't know why you guys keep hitting on this. Cadence has aced the Duel of Strength and the Test of Persuasion so many times that it's a foregone conclusion.”

“Were just trying to get you excited for school, is all. Isn't that right Nighty?” Twilight Velvet prompted.

“Of course,” Night Light agreed.

“Well, you don't need to worry about that. If there is one thing I enjoy, it's learning and I intend to do a lot of that this year,” Twilight Sparkle exclaimed.

“Do try to make a few friends, and maybe a few with benefits,” Twilight Velvet replied in a low tone. “A mare has needs, you know and this is the perfect place to find someone to help you with that.”

“We would know,” Night Light added with a wink.

Twilight Sparkle groaned. “Yes, yes. I’ll try to do… that. But I will be focusing on my studies first and foremost.”

“Well so long as you remember to take your medication. You wouldn't want to have any more episodes,” Twilight Velvet cautioned.

“Mooom, I haven't had a flare in months!” Twilight Sparkle hissed.

“Your mother is just worried about you dear. We both are,” Night Light added.

“Just tell me you have your pills on you,” Twilight Velvet exclaimed.

Twilight Sparkle relaxed slightly and patted the bags next to her. “I’ve got them right here, along with everything else I’ve included on that list I submitted to you.”

“Are you sure that was a list and not a short novel?” Twilight Velvet teased. “Seriously, that thing was longer than some of the stories I’ve edited.”

“Our daughter is just being thorough,” Night Light interjected. “This is her first year out living on her own, and she wanted to be prepared. Isn't that right?”

Twilight Sparkle nodded eagerly. “Exactly. I just wanted to be ready for anything.”

“Well at least you’ve tested the bounds of your holding spell, that's for sure,” Twilight Velvet added, patting the saddlebags sitting next to her daughter. “I’m still quite impressed by your rune work by the way. That was quite masterful.”

“Thank you,” Twilight Sparkle replied, blushing slightly.

“Oh, I think we’re almost there,” Night Light warned.

“Really? Let me see!” Twilight Sparkle shouted, clambering between her parents in order to peer through the narrow window behind the driver.

The unicorn didn't even hear the laughter coming from her mother or father. Twilight Sparkle was too busy staring out at the school which would be her home for the year. Her gaze immediately latched onto the immense pillar which dominated the enormous underground cavern.

Large enough to fit a good fourth of Canterlot city, the massive open space could also contain the tallest tower ever built. Though even then, it would have been dwarfed by the huge spire which sprouted from the very center of the cave. So tall was the great structure that it reached the very ceiling that looked as though it were a mile up.

Twilight knew it wasn't actually that tall, but it was hard not to feel that way as she gazed skyward. Her gaze crawled across the many balconies and windows so numerous that Twilight doubted she could count them all. Each one marked another classroom or area dedicated to teaching the hundreds of students that would be attending.

The various creatures were not all going to stay within the sleek, white pillar that was the spire of night. Those who belonged to Luna’s house would find accommodation in one of the many hollowed-out stalactites that hung down from the roof. Which itself looked like the night sky, the many gems embedded in it dazzling brilliantly with their own inner light.

Those not devoted to the night would find accommodations elsewhere, like those who swore allegiance to Chrysalis. They would find themselves housed within the hive cluster, which was a strange, organic spire that rose in the south. Next to which stood the crystal castle that served as the home of Sombra’s devotees, its many imposing towers looming over the surrounding landscape.

Unlike Celestia’s marble garden, which lay to Twilight's left, its four spires linked by thick stone walls. In the center, Twilight knew lay Celestia’s famed garden, though she had yet to see it for herself. That was on the long list of things to see, but she would need to drop her things off in the year one spire first. Even then she would need to attend the choosing ceremony, and go through the arduous task of admittance before she could get to that point.

“Here we are,” Night Light proclaimed, patting Twilight Sparkle’s leg. “You can get out and see it all for yourself now.”

Twilight Sparkle nodded mutely, hopped down, grabbed her bags, and leaped out of the carriage. The second all four of her hooves landed on the long silver road which connected Canterlot to the school, another wave of awe crashed over the unicorn. Again she marveled at the towering school that would soon be her home, the hustle, and bustle of her fellow students all but forgotten.

“Are you going to give us a hug goodbye, or are you just going to keep staring up at your school?” asked Twilight Velvet.

Twilight Sparkle turned and immediately wrapped her forehooves around her mother. “Thank you so much for sending me here.”

“It's no problem at all, dear,” Twilight Velvet replied, squeezing her daughter briefly before releasing her.

Allowing the young unicorn mare to hug her father just as tightly.

“We wouldn't stand in the way of your dream after all,” Night Light added, squishing the young mare tightly.

“I promise I’ll make you proud,” Twilight Sparkle declared, stepping back from her parents.

“You already have,” Twilight Velvet declared.

“Now go on,” Night Light urged. “And don't forget, if you get lost-”

“Talk to one of the dragon golems. I know,” Twilight replied, waving at her parents. “I’ll see you in a month!”

With that, the unicorn mare trotted away, joining the flood of other ponies and creatures all trotting for the large central pillar. Leaving the two parents to watch their daughter slowly vanish from sight, becoming all but invisible amidst the crowd. Though they lost sight of her quickly, they remained quiet, and unmoving for several minutes before Night Light sniffed.

“They grow up so fast,” he murmured.

“I know dear,” Twilight Velvet murmured, pulling her husband in for a tight hug.

“Do you think she’ll be okay?” Night Light whispered.

“I think she’ll be just fine,” Twilight Velvet exclaimed. “Besides, she has Shining Armor, and Cadence there with her. At least for this year anyway.”

“True,” Night Light agreed. “What now?”

“Now? I fuck that sweet ass of yours all the way back home. Then maybe we can think about making another kid,” Twilight Velvet declared, flashing the stallion a smirk and revealing the throbbing erection hidden just beneath her thin cloak. “How does that sound?”

“Perfect,” purred Night Light.

Author's Note

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