The Conjuration Wizard

The castle grounds at twilight was a canvas of shifting shadows, the last vestiges of sunlight fading as the moon began its ascent. The cool evening air held a stillness that seemed to magnify every sound — the rustle of leaves, the distant clink of armor, the soft murmur of those who had gathered to watch.

In the early hours of dusk, the sparring grounds occasionally drew a small audience. The curious, the dutiful, and the ambitious — castle staff, a few Solar Guards on break, and the occasional noble hoping to curry favor with one of the princesses. They lingered for a time, perhaps entertained by the sight of the human trying to match Princess Luna in combat. But they always left before long, their interest waning, their duties calling, or simply too tired to witness another inevitable defeat.

It did not matter to me why they came or why they left, just that they left. Because that is when the real training begins. When the prying eyes were gone, leaving only Luna, Aldin, and I in the moonlit sparring grounds.

In our dance of wooden practice swords, I always tried to keep pace with her. I always fell short.

It wasn’t for lack of effort. I pushed myself with every ounce of will I could muster, but Luna was simply too much — faster, stronger, her movements a blur even when she held back. And she always held back. She tempered her power, giving me the space to learn, to improve, rather than reducing me to a mere punching bag.

The moon hung low in the sky, casting a pale light over the sparring grounds. The shadows danced around us, flickering in time with the sharp, ringing clash of our practice swords. Luna’s magic held her blade with effortless precision, its movements controlled and deliberate, yet never reaching beyond what her physical form could achieve. She had imposed this handicap on herself to give me a fighting chance, but even then, it felt like I was battling a force of nature.

My breathing was ragged, my muscles protesting with every swing of my sword. Sweat dripped down my brow, stinging my eyes, but I kept my focus on Luna, refusing to yield. She moved with a grace and fluidity that seemed almost otherworldly, her dark mane flowing like a river of stars as she parried my attacks with ease.

“Your form has improved, Sebastian,” Luna said, her voice calm and measured, though there was a glint of something in her eyes — something like pride, or perhaps amusement. “But you still telegraph your movements. I can see your intentions before you act upon them.”

I gritted my teeth, trying to mask the frustration that threatened to surface. She was right of course. Every strike and feint I attempted was proof of it. With each swing of my practice sword I was met with counter after counter. The gap between us was so significant that it felt as though she could read me like a book.

“Thanks for the tip,” I muttered as I began circling her. I was searching in vain for an opening that I knew would never show. Although my body screamed out in protest, I refused to let that stop me from trying. I needed to find a way through her guard.

Luna’s smile was subtle, nearly playful. It was as if she was toying with me. “You have the spirit, Sebastian. I’ll give you that, but spirit alone does not win battles.”

I lunged forward, aiming a quick strike at her side, hoping to catch her off guard. But she moved with lightning speed, her practice sword meeting mine with a sharp crack that reverberated through the air. The force of her block sent a jolt up my arm, nearly knocking my weapon from my grip.

“Too slow,” she said almost teasingly.

The words stung. Not because they were meant to wound my pride or ego, but because they were true. I couldn’t hope to keep up with Luna. Not in speed, not in strength, and certainly not in skill. But I wouldn’t back down. Not yet.

I pivoted on my heel, swinging my sword in a wide arc, hoping to catch her off balance. Luna sidestepped effortlessly, her blade coming up to tap my shoulder with a quick, controlled strike. It wasn’t a hard hit — just enough to let me know she could have ended the fight right there if she wanted to.

“Focus, Sebastian,” Luna’s voice was firm, yet there was a note of something else in it — concern, perhaps? “You can not afford to be reckless.”

I nodded.

Swallowing down the frustration that bubbled up within me, I forced myself to refocus on the task at hand. Luna was teaching me to improve. I knew that of course. But there was something else in her tone, a subtle edge that I couldn’t quite place an edge that I never heard before. As though she didn’t want me to fail. As though she needed me to succeed.

We continued our dance, the sounds of our swords clashing filling the night air. Luna was relentless in her swordplay. Her strikes were coming faster now. Each swing of her blade pushed me ever closer to my limits. I could feel my strength beginning to wane as my movements were beginning to grow ever sluggish. But I was nowhere near close to wanting to stop.

There was something exhilarating about this. Fighting against an opponent who was so far above me that really got my blood flowing.

A part of me wondered if Luna was enjoying this like I am. There was a fire in her eyes that I had never seen before. A focus that bordered upon the obsessive. The way she moved, the way her eyes latched onto my own. It was as though she was pouring all of her stresses, her worries, into this moment of limited violence.

Luna’s sword whipped out and caught me well off my guard. The blow rang true and the impact knocked the wind out of me. I stumbled back thoroughly stunned and barely managing to keep my footing. She didn’t press her advantage. Instead, Luna stepped back and granted me a moment of reprieve.

I was panting heavily with my chest heaving with the effort of standing. I looked up, and found myself caught in her gaze. Her expression was absent of gloating or smugness. Just a calm, steady look that spoke of control — both over herself and over our fight. And yet, I could almost see something in her eyes. Something was there just beneath the surface of that calm exterior. I just couldn't quite put my finger on it.

“That will be enough for tonight,” Luna said finally, lowering her practice sword. Her tone was gentle, but there was an unspoken finality to it. “You have done well, but you must know when to rest.”

I nodded. I was simply too exhausted to argue. My limbs felt heavier than they should, and my breaths were coming in shallow gasps. I knew I was beaten. Although the sting of defeat was present there was a certain satisfaction I found in this loss. I had pushed myself, and though I had failed to land a single hit on her, I had learned, grown some hopefully. That was worth something.

Luna dismissed her practice sword with a flick of her magic, the blade disappearing into the ether as if it had never existed. She stepped closer to me, her expression softening as she looked me over, as if assessing the damage.

“You are improving, Sebastian,” she said quietly, her eyes locking onto mine. “But do not push yourself too hard. There is no shame in pacing oneself.”

I smiled wryly, brushing the sweat from my brow. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Her gaze lingered affixed to me. I could see the shadow of worry there. It was fleeting, but it left me wondering. Before I could dwell on it, Luna’s expression shifted back to the playful calm I had grown accustomed to.

“I’m going to fetch some water. Care to join me?”

Luna nodded, falling into step beside me as we walked toward the small pavilion at the edge of the sparring grounds. The heat I had built up from our sparring was slowly being choked out from the cooling night air. I watched her from the corner of my eye. She carried herself with the same poise and control I had seen near the end of our bout. But there was a contentment about her that was new. She was satisfied.

“You’ve really good at this, you know,” I broke the silence as we reached the pavilion. I scooped up a ladle and filled a cup with water, handing it off to Luna before taking one for myself. “I mean, I know you’re a princess and all, so you got that alicorn boost going on. But you are an amazing fighter.”

Luna accepted the cup with a nod, a small smile playing on her lips. “It is not just a matter of skill, Sebastian. It is discipline, patience, and a willingness to learn from every encounter. I see those same qualities in you as well.”

I took a long pull, letting the cool water soothe my parched ass throat. “You're a good teacher, Luna. I never expected to learn so much.”

She seemed to mull over my words, her expression thoughtful. “It is… gratifying to know that my efforts are appreciated.” There was a brief pause before she added, “And that you have stayed.”

“Why wouldn’t I?" I frowned slightly, not entirely sure what she meant. "I mean, it’s not like I have anything better to do.”

Her eyes shifted away from me. She seemed to find something out in the night as better to look at. “Many would have given up. They would have chosen an easier path.”

There was something in her tone. A intensity of sorts that made me feel like there was more she wasn’t saying, some hidden layer of meaning I couldn't catch on to. I thought about asking, but the moment passed.

“You are more resilient than most,” she said, approval coating her voice.

I shrugged. A bit flustered by the praise. “Or just too stubborn to know when to quit.”

Luna’s smile widened at that and it seemed to lift her mood some. “Stubbornness can be a virtue, in moderation of course.”

A moment of silence fell upon us. Through the branches of some nearby trees outside the boundaries of the sparring ground, came the breeze. Moonlight from her moon graced the pavilion with a gentle glow. Long shadows stretched out across the ground, painting us in an almost monochrome light.

Luna’s voice broke the stillness. “I often wonder, Sebastian, what drives you to push yourself so hard. You are not like the warriors of old, those who sought glory and conquest. Your heart is different.”

That took me by surprise. I did not expect the moment to turn towards this. I began to respond with some terrible joke, but I stopped myself when my mind registered the earnestness that inlaid her words.

I took a moment, and turned my eyes toward the night sky. Naturally, my gaze became drawn to the moon as I gave my reply, "I want to be strong. Strong enough to protect those I care about. Back on Earth stories tend to follow a pattern. A villain rises, some tragedy occurs that needs to be overcome. And, well, back on Earth I used to be one of those who spun the stories. But now it almost feels like I'm living in one."

Luna’s gaze never left mine, her eyes dark and reflective as if absorbing every word. I continued, feeling the weight of my thoughts unraveling.

“This world, Equis… it’s so different from Earth. But at the same time it’s like all those stories I love. There’s magic, the possibility of danger, and—” I stopped. I wasn't sure if I should say it, but I found myself almost eager to share my thoughts with her. “And there is always a chance that something could go wrong. I want to be ready for that, to be strong enough to face whatever goes wrong. With my magic I feel that I can be strong enough that I don’t lose anyone.”

A small silence settled between us, the kind that felt heavier than spoken words. Luna’s expression softened at my words. There was something in her eyes, the fleeting shadow of… was it fear? But, it vanished as quickly as it had appeared, and was quickly replaced by her usual calm demeanor.

“Equis is a world of many possibilities, both wonderful and perilous,” she said, her voice gentle. “But strength alone is not always the answer. It is important, yes, but so is understanding, compassion, and the willingness to rely on others.”

I looked down at my hands. Calluses had begun forming from countless hours of training. “I know that. Or at least I’m trying to. But, it’s hard not to feel like I should handle everything myself. Sometimes I feel like I have to be the one who’s ready for when the time comes.”

Luna stepped closer, her presence warm in the cool night air. “You are not alone, Sebastian. You have me, and others who care for you. We have already agreed to be there for each other, have we not?”

I nodded in agreement. From deep in my core, arose a strange mixture of comfort and something that felt odd, but not unwelcomed. There was something about the way she said 'me' that felt almost possessive. I pushed the thought down and away. It must have been more exhausted than I first thought.

“I know,” I said, meeting her gaze again. “And I’m grateful for that. Really, I am. I just… sometimes it’s hard to let go of that need to be ready for anything.”

Luna’s expression remained soft, but there was an intensity in her eyes that made my breath catch for a moment. “You must remember, Sebastian, that readiness is not only about strength. It is also about trust. Trust in those around you and trust in yourself. You are stronger than you realize. Strong in the ways that may not seem apparent.”

I smiled a little, appreciating her words more than I could express. “Thanks, Luna. I’ll try to remember that.”

Bringing my cup to my lips, I pulled deep until my thirst was adequately quenched. Setting down my now empty cup beside the ladle, we stood there for a few moments more. The silence between us more comfortable now than before.

“So,” Luna’s voice broke the stillness again, but this time her tone was laced with mischief. “Do you remember what you said to me the other night? When you were very, very drunk?”

I hesitated, the memory blurred but not entirely lost. I scratched at the side of my head, trying to piece together the fragmented recollections. “I… vaguely remember some things. Why? What did I say?”

A playful grin spread across her face. “Oh, you were quite the charmer, my dear apprentice. You called me the ‘goddess of the night’ — quite the compliment coming from you.”

Heat rushed to my face, my cheeks deciding to betray me. “Did I really say that?”

“Yes, you did,” she confirmed, her smile widening with amusement. “You also told me I was really nice and smart, that I smelled good, and that I was, quote, ‘really pretty. Like, really pretty.’”

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. “Oh no… I was that drunk...”

“Indeed,” Luna replied, her tone teasing but still gentle. “You also mentioned that I was amazing, had a shiny mane, and beautiful eyes. Quite the list of compliments.”

Peeking at her through my fingers, I couldn’t shake off the lingering embarrassment. “Well, I guess alcohol makes me honest…”

Luna’s smile softened, a warmth in her eyes that put me a bit more at ease. “I appreciate your honesty, Sebastian. It’s one of your more endearing qualities.”

“Endearing, huh?” I said, lowering my hands and managing a sheepish smile. “I suppose there are worse things to be known for.”

"Honesty is a good trait, but that's not all you said."

I braced myself, curiosity and apprehension mixing in my chest. "Oh no… what else did I say?"

"You told me that you wanted to make me proud," she continued. Her voice dipping into a more tender tone. "And you have, you know."

Pride surged within me at her words, but I couldn’t help but chuckle. "I must have been really hammered to get that sappy."

"Perhaps," Luna teased, her voice laced with amusement, "or perhaps you were simply letting your true feelings show."

I shrugged, a lopsided grin sat upon my lips. "Could be. But I’m much more composed tonight."

Luna's mischief turned to curiosity. She tilted her head slightly, the moonlight catching the delicate strands of her mane as it flowed on its ethereal winds. I couldn't help but wonder what those strands felt like. "In that case, my dear apprentice, why don’t you show me how your magic is progressing? I’m curious to see how far your magic has come."

Aldin hooted softly from his perch on a nearby branch, his large amber eyes reflecting the moonlight. I could feel his excitement through our bond, Aldin enjoyed watching me throw magic around almost as much as I enjoyed casting.

“Alright,” I said, nodding as I turned to face the sparring grounds. A row of pony-shaped target dummies stood in the distance, their lifeless forms waiting to bear the brunt of my spells. “Let’s start with something simple.”

I extended my hand, focusing on the ground beneath my feet. The air around us seemed to hum with latent energy as I began to speak the necessary incantations and made the arcane motions with my right hand. I envisioned the spell in my mind — a Stone Discus, sharp and unyielding. The earth trembled slightly as the ground responded to my will, and with a sharp motion of my hand, a disc of solid stone rose from the earth.

The discus hovered in the air for a moment, suspended by my magic. With a flick of my wrist, I sent it hurtling toward the nearest target dummy. The stone spun rapidly, whistling through the night air before it collided with a dummy’s neck. The impact was brutal and my aim was true, the force of the discus decapitating the target in one clean motion. The dummy’s head tumbled to the ground with a dull thud, leaving the headless target swaying slightly in the aftermath.

Aldin flapped his wings, letting out an excited hoot as he watched the dummy lose its head. I could feel his pride, his satisfaction.

Note to self: Aldin is a fan of decapitations.

Luna, however, remained silent, her gaze intense as she studied the fallen dummy. She stepped closer, her hoofsteps soft against the grass, and I could see a flicker of something akin to surprise in her eyes. “Impressive, Sebastian. The precision, the control… most combat mages require years to reach this level of aptitude without it being their special talent.”

“Thanks,” I replied, trying to mask the joy that spread through my chest at her praise. “I suppose we could chalk it up to the differences in our magic?”

I turned my attention back to the decapitated dummy, its headless form still standing, though now it served as the perfect target for my next spell. The incantation for Scorching Ray flowed from my lips like molten lava, and I felt the heat building in my hand, gathering in the palm of my hand.

With one swift motion, I extended my hand and unleashed a searing beam of fire. The scorching ray streaked through the night air, carving a blazing trail before slamming into the dummy's chest. The impact was instantaneous — the torso erupted in flames, the straw and cloth consumed within seconds. Intense heat washed over me as the fire ravaged the target, leaving behind a charred, smoldering ruin.

Aldin let out another hoot, this one filled with an almost gleeful satisfaction. I could feel his exhilaration through our link.

Decapitation and immolation. Maybe Aldin just likes it when I destroy stuff?

Luna approached the burning dummy, her expression thoughtful as she watched the flames dance. The firelight danced in her eyes. After a moment, she turned to me, a smile gracing her lips. “Your magic is truly something to behold, Sebastian. There’s a strength within you that grows with each passing day.”

I could feel the flush of pride in my chest, but I forced myself to remain humble. Can’t let the power go to my head, inflated egos tend to lead to hubris. “What can I say? I have the best teacher,” I said, meeting her gaze.

She chuckled softly, the sound warm and genuine. “Perhaps. But it is your own free will and spirit that have brought you this far. I can only provide guidance. You must walk the path.”

I smiled. I found myself surprised at just how much her words meant to me. But before I could ponder further, I noticed a slight shift in her expression. Her attention drifted upward, toward the star-filled sky. She took up a thoughtful expression. As if some memory had surfaced unbidden, one that brought with it a cocktail of emotions.

“Sebastian,” Luna began, her voice almost hesitant, “do you remember what else you said to me when you were inebriated?”

I furrowed my brow. Trying my hardest to recall the haze that was that night. The night was a blur of fragmented conversation and fleeting moments of clarity. “I think… I think I might have mentioned something about wanting to do something fun with you? Stargazing, I think it was?”

Luna’s lips curled into a gentle smile, and she nodded. “Yes, you did. You suggested we go stargazing… or explore the castle, whichever I preferred.”

Aldin hooted quietly, as if urging me to agree. I couldn’t help but smile at that hazy memory. In spite of the embarrassment that came with it. “Well, I'm still for stargazing if you're offering.”

Luna’s eyes lit up with a spark of enthusiasm that warmed my heart. “Stargazing it is, then.”

Aldin fluttered to a nearby branch, his wings rustling softly as he found a comfortable perch. I watched him settle down, feeling a flicker of excitement within our bond. He was eager about something.

“Come,” Luna said, her voice soft but carrying a certain command. She led the way to a small clearing at the edge of the sparring grounds. There the grass grew thick and soft underfoot. It was the perfect spot for stargazing.

I followed her lead an odd mixture of nervousness and anticipation rising in my core. It was all so confusing, this was all just a friendly stargazing session after all. As we reached the clearing, Luna lowered herself onto the grass, her graceful form folding effortlessly. She looked up at me with a smile, her eyes reflecting the stars above. “Lie down beside me, Sebastian. The view is better from here.”

I hesitated for only a moment before joining her. I took up a spot beside her on the grass. The cool blades of grass felt oh so refreshing against my skin. I the earth was firm beneath me as I laid back and took in the open sky above us.

"Equis' night has so many more stars than Earth's," I said not even trying to hide my awe.

The night sky on Equis was different from anything I had known on Earth. The constellations were unfamiliar and far more abundant, their patterns foreign and wonderful. I felt like this was the first time I had ever truly seen the stars. Each pinprick of starlight felt like some sort of mystery waiting to be unraveled. I was fortunate to have someone who happened to know so much about them nearby.

Luna shifted beside me, her presence a comforting warmth in the cool night air. She pointed a hoof toward the sky, her voice soft and filled with a quiet joy. “Let me show you.”

I turned my head slightly to watch her, my gaze following the direction of her hoof. She pointed to a cluster of stars that formed a delicate, branching pattern. “That,” Luna began, “is the Tree of Harmony. It’s one of the most well known and revered constellations in Equestrian lore. It symbolizes balance and unity.”

I stared up at the constellations. I tried my best to take in their intricate designs. The stars pulsed with a gentle light, as if they were alive with the very same magic that flowed through Equis. “It’s beautiful,” I said as a sense of true awe wash over me.

Luna smiled at me, as it seemed that my words pleased her. “It is. The Tree of Harmony represents the harmony between all living beings. The constellation is a representation of that balance. It is a guiding light for those who seek to maintain peace and order.”

As she spoke, I felt a sense of connection to the land I had come to exist in. The constellations above seemed to tell stories that were woven into the very fabric of Equestria, stories that Luna knew by heart.

As Luna continued, her hoof moved slightly closer to me, her presence more tangible. “The stars have always been a comfort to me,” she admitted. “During my time on the moon, I was alone. The stars were my only companions then. I would speak to them, name them, and find solace in their light.”

My heart ached at those words. I very much disliked the idea of Luna experiencing loneliness. She rarely if ever spoke of her time on the moon, but I could tell it was not a pleasant time. That thought in this moment gave me an overwhelming desire to reach out to her. To let her know that I wouldn't let her slip into loneliness again.

But I was unsure of how or if I even could bridge that gap between us. Instead I focused on the stars in the sky above us. I tried to imagine what it must have been like for her to sit there on the moon with only these stars as company.

“The stars must have meant everything to you."

“They did,” Luna replied, her voice steady but tinged with emotion. “And they still do. But now, I no longer have to watch them alone.”

Luna continued to point out the various different constellations. Her voice took on a level of passion that I never heard before. I was captivated by the way she spoke of each constellation. A certain familiarity filled her voice. The Navigator, a guiding light for travelers; the Dreamweaver, known for bringing sweet dreams to those who slept under its light.

As Luna shared her knowledge of the stars, I noticed how she spoke of them. She spoke of the stars if each star held a piece of her heart. The more she spoke, the more I felt like I was seeing a side of her that she kept hidden. A side that was gentle, nurturing, and full of love for the night sky that was only hers.

“The Dreamweaver,” she murmured, her gaze fixed on the delicate pattern of stars above us. “It is said that those who gaze upon it will have their wishes granted in their dreams. The Dreamweaver is one of my favorites.”

Her words hung in the air between us, and I found myself staring at the constellation she had pointed out. The stars seemed to shimmer with a faint glow, as if they were whispering secrets only Luna could hear.

“It’s… amazing. All of this. It feels like the stars are alive.”

“They are, in a way,” Luna replied, her voice soft. “Every star has a story. Every star holds in it a memory of the past. They watch over us, guiding us, and reminding us of the balance that must be maintained. That is why I cherish them so.”

Her words resonated with something deep within me. I found myself shifting closer to her. Her presence was comforting, and and the more I felt it the more I desired for more. The feathers of her wings almost tickled as they swept across my skin. I could feel the soft brush of her wing as it subtly, almost imperceptibly, touched my side. It was like a tiny slice of heaven.

“Sebastian,” Luna said suddenly, her voice pulling me from my thoughts. “Have you ever felt… truly at peace? As if, in that moment, everything in the world was exactly as it should be?”

I blinked. Her question had caught me off guard. I thought for a moment, considering her words and what I should say back. “I’m not sure, but… if I ever have, I think it might be now.”

Luna turned her gaze from the stars to me with an unreadable expression set on her face. For a moment, we simply stared at each other. I could feel my heart beating faster, a foreign heat began to bubble up, through my chest, and throughout me. There was something about being here with her. Beside her under the vast expanse of her stars, that made me feel… happy. If that was even the right word for this. Like this was where I was meant to be.

Aldin hooted softly from his perch, the sound reminded me of his presence. I couldn’t help but smile. He was as at ease as I was, and through our link, I could feel his joy at being here with us.

“Stargazing,” Luna murmured, her voice thoughtful. “It is a simple pleasure, yet it brings such peace. Perhaps… we could make it a regular occurrence?”

I felt a strange flutter in my chest at her words. A new sensation I couldn’t quite name that felt almost addicting. “I’d like that,” I replied, my voice steady despite the unfamiliar feeling trying to throw a haze over my mind. “It’s nice. Being here with you.”

Luna’s eyes softened, and for a moment, I thought I saw something like relief flicker across her features. “Yes,” she said quietly. “It is.”

The world around us faded into obscurity as we laid side by side. The stars above twinkled brighter as we watched on. A comforting silence enveloped us then.

Luna shifted closer to me. Her wing brushed gently against my side. This time the touch was firmer, and more deliberate. My smile widened, and I leaned into it.

Some voice in the back of my mind questioned it all. Why did I feel so at ease with her? Why is this all so... perfect?

But those questions slipped into the void at Luna's presence. How could I ask those questions when there was the beauty of Luna's night sky to indulge in? Or the peace that had settled over us like some kind of warm blanket?

I allowed myself to truly enjoy the moment. I forgot about becoming stronger. I let go of my need to be ready. I dissolved my fears in the Luna's presence.

As the stars above shone their light for us to see, I could not help but think that maybe — just maybe — this was what true happiness felt like.