Familiar Skies: Part 1

Some weeks later, Stellar Flare was sorting through the morning mail. She was desperately hoping for a letter from her daughter- no matter how many months she went without finding one... she never lost hope of eventually receiving one. If she didn't have Sunburst to look after, she would drop everything and take a train out to Canterlot to visit. Sunset couldn't avoid her mother if they were face-to-face.

Her heart leapt in her chest when she saw an envelope addressed from Canterlot Castle- and stamped with the Queen's official sign! Stellar grinned ear-to-ear and tore open the letter, not wanting to waste another moment. Her smile grew from one of motherly joy to one of motherly pride! Stellar clapped her hooves together and quickly stood from her seat at the kitchen table.

FINALLY! Her boy had been recognized to be as talented as his sister! (Something Stellar always knew, but until now, had no way of proving) He hadn't even earned his cutiemark yet- and here he was, receiving an official summons by the Queen! Stellar gripped the table as she stood. Her head was reeling from such great news. She was just as proud as the day she learned her own daughter was the private student of Celestia.

To think- BOTH of her children were offered such glorious opportunities!

"It's not fair!" Sunburst cried out, covering his head in his hoofs in a duck-and-cover fashion.

Starlight Glimmer, who'd only just come over to play with Sunburst, was... confused, to say the least. She gave her friend a curious look and sat on the floor beside him.

"Uh... what's not fair?" She asked hesitantly.

Starlight wasn't sure she wanted an answer. She'd come over to play games and have fun! Not... whatever this was. But Sunburst was her friend, and he had always asked her what was wrong whenever she felt sad.

Sunburst lifted his head, his mane ruffled from his hooves pinning it down. Starlight giggled at the sight, and quickly stifled her laugh, feeling embarrassed for him. Sunburst ignored her and sat up.

"I have to go do some stupid... school thing." He answered, glaring at the floor in front of them.

"I have to go to school too!" Starlight chuckled, poking Sunburst playfully. "I mean, I don't like school either, but we'll be toge-"

"That's not what I meant!" Sunburst interrupted. He turned his gaze to Starlight, looking more defeated than mad.

"I-I mean-" He continued, "I have to go where my sister went... I'm gonna be really far away... from you..." Sunburst trailed off, looking down at the floor again.

Starlight blinked and sat quietly, processing. After a moment, she nudged him again.

"So... are you... Are you going away forever?" She asked, tears threatening to fall.

Sunburst didn't reply, simply shrugging, still staring at the floor. Starlight lip quivered, and she felt that crying was inevitable. She just didn't want Sunburst to see.

"I-I have to go home now." Starlight said, her voice cracking slightly.

"But we can still play-" Sunburst started, and was interrupted by Starlight standing and galloping out of his family's living room.

Starlight galloped past Sunburst's mother, who was carrying a tray of snacks towards the area she'd just fled from. Stellar Flare stumbled slightly as the small purple foal ran past her and out the front door.

"Hmph! Odd girl." Stellar mused.

Just as the sun was setting over Sire's Hollow, Starlight's father returned from work. Firelight rested his coat on a nearby chair as he walked through the entrance way of his home and into the kitchen. He jumped slightly, hearing a sound echo down from the hall of his home.

"Hello?" He asked, fearfully holding up a wooden spoon with his magic.

Sneaking his way towards the hallway, he held the spoon up higher, as though it would protect him from any on-coming attacks.The door at the end of the hall opened, and Firelight stood taller, trying his best to look intimidating. Starlight stepped out from the room and gave him a curious look.

"What're you doing?" She asked, eyeing the wooden spoon her dad was still holding up.

Firelight breathed a sigh of relief and lowered the spoon.

"Oh good, it's just you." He chuckled, walking back towards the kitchen.

"Yeah... who else would it be?" Starlight replied, half-whispering the last part.

Whether Firelight heard her sarcastic comment or not, he didn't to respond. Setting the spoon back in its spot in the kitchen, he looked at Starlight over his shoulder.

"Well, now what are YOU doing here alone?" Firelight asked, pulling two mugs down from a high-up shelf. "You're supposed to be at Sunbursts, aren't you?"

Starlight took in a deep sigh and pulled out a chair from the kitchen table.

"Yeah... I know." She muttered, folding her hooves over and resting her head on them.

"It's just- honey-bun, I don't want you being at home alone; it isn't very safe, you know!" Firelight continued, digging around a cabinet in search of hot cocoa mix and marshmallows. When he finally found them, he let out a small "Aha!"

"I knooow..." Starlight replied, rolling her head to the side.

Firelight set a pot to boil, and finally turned to face Starlight. He was just about to make another point, about safety and trust... but after looking at Starlight a moment longer, he decided to put off that mini-lecture... for now.

He pulled out a chair across from Starlight and sat down. He too folded his hooves over and rested his head on them, lowering himself to look Starlight in the eyes.

"What's wrong sweet-pea?" He asked.

Starlight glanced away for a moment, and he could see the reluctance in her gaze. But, after a moment, her pale blue eyes returned to him, and she sighed before answering.

"Sunbursts going away... FAR away." She breathed, her eyes glued to the brightly colored tablecloth beneath her head.

"Oh." Firelight replied. He couldn't remember if Stellar or Sunspot had mentioned anything about moving... then again, he hadn't had a full conversation with either of them in recent memory.

"Are Sunburst and his parents moving away?" Firelight asked.

"No." Starlight mumbled, pulling her hooves in closer.

"So... where is Sunburst going?" He asked again, hoping the next response would be more conclusive.

Starlight hesitated for a moment, and when she finally did respond, she began to cry as her words tumbled out.

"He's- He's going to that school thing his sister went to- he's going far, FAR away! I'm never gonna see him ever again!" Starlight cried, hiding her face behind her hooves.

Firelight leaned across the table, his heart shattering at the sight of his daughter crying. He brushed a hoof over her mane and began soothing her cries.

"Hey, whoa, it's okay! It's okay, Starlight." Firelight replied calmly.

Starlight lifted her head up to him, and her light purple coat had been stained by her tears. Firelight looked at her for a moment longer and breathed a deep sigh.

"... It'll be alright Starlight, I promise."

The next morning, Firelight was barely awake, and incredibly worried. He'd been up most of the night, watching over Starlight, and contemplating what to do. He sat in their small, cozy living room, mulling over possible solutions to this dilemma.

Starlight's only real friend was Sunburst... but maybe she could make new friends...? She wasn't the best at socializing with the other foals, Firelight had noticed that much. But perhaps there were others out there who could understand her like Sunburst did... Firelight desperately hoped there were.

He held his head in his hooves and quietly sipped at his lukewarm mug of coffee. Maybe he could ask Sunburst's parents if he REALLY needed to go this school year. This apprenticeship- or whatever it was- could probably wait until next year, or later... right?

Firelight shook his head, verbally responding to his own thought.

"No, Stellar would kill me for even suggesting that."

The metal flap of the front door's mail slot clinking open ripped Firelight from his thoughts. He looked up and saw a small pile of envelopes be pushed through the door and fall to the floor. Firelight took one final sip of his coffee, then stood and trotted over to the door.

He was barely paying attention to the mail as he flipped through the envelopes. His mind had returned to "dad-fix-it" mode. He flipped through the pile and was about to set them down on a nearby shelf, and then paused.

He lifted them back up to his face with a spark of magic and flipped through them again, going in reverse order. One envelope in particular was far larger than the others, and had a stamp seal on the front. Checking the address, he was surprised to see that it had been sent from Canterlot.

Without thinking, he dropped the other letters in his grip and walked with the letter to where he'd been sitting. He quickly flicked on a lamp and sat back down in his armchair. As he slowly peeled back the wax stamp, it hit Firelight where he'd seen that symbol before.

Years back, when Stellar and Sunspot's older daughter had been accepted into the School for Gifted Unicorns, Stellar had been flaunting the acceptance letter for weeks- including the envelop it had been sent it.

"Stamped by Queen Celestia herself!" Is what she'd said. Stellar had made sure everypony in Sire's Hollow knew what her daughter had achieved.

Firelight was hesitant as he opened the envelope and paused for just a moment, staring at the folded paper inside. Was this something similar for his daughter? Or even the same offer? Did he want that for Starlight?

The unopened letter stared back at him, not judging nor pushing, simply waiting to be opened.

"Fine." He muttered, relenting and pulling the folded paper from it's sleeve. Even in the dim morning light, he could see the several lines of dark ink, contrasted against the pale white paper.

Firelight's eyes skimmed over the page at first, only catching a few stray words as he scanned the page. He started back at the top and began reading, slowly and carefully. After reading and re-reading, he slowly lowered the letter back down. He set it on a side table, and lifted a hoof to his head.

His daughter's problems had just been taken care of... but he now held a dilemma of his own.

The high-up city of Canterlot was beginning to experience fall weather sooner than the rest of Equestria. The days were beginning to grow shorter, and the tips of leaves were changing from luscious greens to shades of gold and red. The changing seasons also brought about a sharp, chilly breeze, particularly towards the evening time.

And on this evening, a bitterly cold breeze rolled its way through one of Canterlot's many neighborhoods. The breeze blew down the streets, and rolled over two sisters who were making their way home. Moondancer, and her elder sister shuddered at the sudden chilly breeze, both regretting not bringing a scarf or jacket.

"C-C'mon, we're almost there." Her sister stuttered.

Together, mare and foal began trotting faster down the sidewalk, motivated to return to the warm sanctuary of their home. Just as they arrived at the gate of their yard, her sister stopped and pulled open their mailbox with her magic. Moondancer stomped a small hoof in protest, looking up at her sister in annoyance.

"Nooo! It's cold- let's go inside!" Moondancer squeaked, her tiny voice doing its best to sound demanding.

Her sister rolled her eyes and pulled out the several envelopes stuffed into the mailbox. She held them up with her magic and waved them at Moondancer.

"There- done." She commented, continuing to the gate and opening it, letting Moondancer rush ahead of her to the front door.

Moondancer's sister took her time walking up to the door and unlocking it, rolling her eyes every time Moondancer stomped her tiny hooves in protest. Finally, the door opened and Moondancer dashed inside, happy to be out of the cold. She excitedly ran to the nearest lamp and prodded it with her hoof, trying to turn it on.

When she was unsuccessful at doing so, Moondancer gave a pleading look to her older sister. Her sister rolled her eyes and set down the mail she'd been looking over. Using her horn, she flicked the light on and returned her attention to the stack of envelopes and thin packages. Moondancer hopped up onto a nearby ottoman and wobbled on the overly-stuffed cushion. If she were any smaller, she'd have sunk into the cushion and disappeared entirely.

"You make it look so easy." Moondancer commented, glancing back at the lamp. She marveled at it for a moment- how the light glowed through the brightly colored lamp shade, bringing life to the scene of stars and clouds it portrayed. She heard a "humph" from her sister's direction, and then a reply.

"You'll learn it someday, kid. And besides, turning on a lamp is not some great feat." Her sister replied.

She was about to continue her train of thought when she paused and held up one particular envelope above the rest. It had the royal crest stamped on it's front. She flipped over the envelope several times, wondering what to do with it. Better wait until their father returned, she thought.

"What're you looking at?" Moondancer asked. She'd moved from her seat on the ottoman to standing beside her sister, standing on her hind-legs to see above the table-top. She could only barely see the stacks of papers from her spot.

"Nothing." Her sister replied. "C'mon, let's get cleaned up before Dad gets home."

"Twilight, sweetheart! Could you come in here?" Velvet called, her words echoing through their home.

Twilight only mildly reacted to the call, setting down the books she'd been reading. Since her failed exam, Twilight had found it hard to read about magic and spells anymore. The only literature she found herself enjoying was stories and fairy tales. They at least provided an outlet for her to escape to.

She considered ignoring her mother's call altogether. Her father and mother had been encouraging her not to give up- to "keep trying" at magic. Their words had fallen on deaf ears. If Twilight couldn't be taught by the greatest magic teachers out there- she didn't see the point in trying.

"Twilight?" Velvet called again, her voice sounding closer.

Twilight sighed and stood up from her seat in her window. The late afternoon sun had been warming her coat, and now that she'd left its light, she felt the coolness of the rest of her room.

Twilight trotted out of her room and down the hall and stairs. Her parents were sitting in their pseudo library room- which was really just a living room with several bookshelves lining the walls. They called it their own "library" for fun.

Twilight slowed her trot as she entered the living room. Her parents were... smiling? Well, more grinning, ear-to-ear kind of smile. They smiled a lot, or at least a lot as Twilight saw it. But THIS grin was more one that was only seen on special occasions, like when her brother had been accepted into the Canterlot Guarding Academy.

She continued into the living room and jumped onto their couch. She kept eyeing her parents suspiciously. Just as any other foal would do in her circumstance... Twilight decided voice her main concern.

"...Am I in trouble?" She asked. She didn't have any real reason to ask this, but her parents' behavior was... slightly off-putting.

Their grins slipped as they chuckled, Velvet waving a hoof as if she'd just heard a hilarious joke.

"No! No Twilight, it's alright." Night Light laughed. As he laughed, the paper he was holding crinkled slightly, bringing it to Twilight's attention.

"No, nothing like that." Velvet replied, sitting down next to Twilight on the couch. She lifted a hoof and brushed it over her daughter's mane.

"It's actually wonderful news." Night Light continued, lifting up the paper with his magic and floating it over to Twilight. He held it in midair for a moment, allowing Twilight to scan it over. It was written at a higher reading level than she understood. But it looked important.

As she read down, she felt her heart jump at seeing the signature. This paper had been written by Queen Celestia- it was signed by her! Had she been re-considered for her magic school?!

Twilight shot her eyes up to her mother, pointing at the paper with enthusiasm.

"W-what is that? Am I going to her school?!" Twilight squealed.

Velvet chuckled again, more softly this time. "No, sweetie, it's not that. It's something better, actually."

Twilight's eyebrow twitched, and she gave her mother a curious look. "What could be better than that?"

Night Light floated the paper back to himself, and held it in his hooves as he responded.

"Well, kid, this paper here says that you've been chosen for..." He lifted the paper up to his eyes and squinted slightly. "An exclusive apprenticeship under the guidance of Queen Celestia, and her consultants."

Twilight blinked, still somewhat confused.

"It means, Twilight, that you're going to be training under Queen Celestia and whatever teachers she chooses. Instead of being in a classroom, you and a few other chosen foals are going to be taught by her!" Velvet said, her previous proud grin returning as she spoke.

Twilight sat, starry-eyed, her mind reeling from this news. She'd failed- she hadn't passed her test, and yet- here it was! The most amazing offer she'd ever been given!

...Was it real?

Twilight looked to her mother, then her father, excitement and anticipation bubbling up inside her.

"I'm- I'm awake, right? This is real- it's not a dream?" She asked, feeling so overjoyed- she'd swear she could fly.

Night Light and Velvet smiled, and laughed lightly.

"You're right, kid- it's all a dream!" Night Light laughed.

"How dare you!" Velvet replied, grabbing a throw pillow from the couch and playfully tossing it at Night Light. He laughed harder at that.

"You're not dreaming Twilight; this is real." Velvet reached a hoof over and pulled her daughter into a hug. Twilight squeezed her back, ecstatic over what she'd just heard.

"When can I go- when do I start?!" Twilight asked, letting go of her mother's grasp.

"When the next school year begins." Velvet replied.

"So in um..." Twilight stared at the floor, trying desperately to remember when the school year was set to start.

"Three weeks." Velvet commented.

"Oh! Yeah, three weeks!" Twilight replied, as if she'd just been on the verge of the same answer.

"Three weeks. Three weeks..." She trailed off, losing herself in thoughts of what the future would hold.

Sunset Shimmer stood in front of two large wooden doors that led into the foyer of the Castle. Not unlike several months back, when she'd first been appointed Celestia's advisor, she was... uneasy about what stood on the other side. Though this time, for very different reasons.

Sunset had tried not to let on how unsure she was of Celestia's whole... project. She'd thought it was just something Celestia felt guilted into doing, after receiving her supposed vision. But when Sunset finalized the letters and saw them off, she realized how serious Celestia was taking this idea of hers.

Sure, it was probably important that Celestia find a new personal student. It made sense- Sunset was no longer in that position; she'd been promoted. But FOUR students- and all at once- it didn't make sense.

Until Celestia brought up that Sunset was to be an additional teacher to these students. Now Sunset had personal stakes in this whole affair. Truthfully, she didn't hate the idea of being a teacher... but she wasn't sure she had the... patience for it.

But, if Celestia truly saw them playing a part in saving Equestria again, and if Celestia truly trusted Sunset like she said she did... Then it wouldn't hurt to give it a try. After all, Sunset had been taught by the wisest magical wielder in all of Equestria. SURELY she was capable of passing that knowledge and talent down to newer generations.

She hoped she was, anyway.

"Are you ready, Sunset?" Celestia asked.

Sunset blinked, returning to reality from the deep well of her thoughts.

"Um, yeah. I am, I am ready." She replied, lighting her horn with magic, and pushing open the large wooden doors.

She and Celestia walked out and nodded to the ponies gathered in the foyer. Of course, there was one thing that bothered Sunset greatly about this whole arrangement.

Before either mare could get a word out, a small, bright orange colt bolted to Sunset and wrapped his hooves around her leg. Sunset grunted, and looked down at her younger brother, grimacing slightly. For some reason Sunset couldn't fathom... her brother had been chosen by Celestia.

And that meant having to see her mother.

"Sunburst, really!" Stellar Flare yelped, rushing over to her two children. She quickly pulled Sunburst back from Sunset and nodded nervously at Celestia.

"We're in the presence of ROYALTY- we need to have good manors!" She hissed, pulling Sunburst as she walked back to where her husband stood.

"But it's-" Sunburst started, before Stellar cupped a hoof over his mouth.

"I am SO sorry your majesty!" Stellar winced, glancing at Celestia nervously.

Celestia smiled, laughing faintly as she replied. "That's quite alright, I can understand his excitement."

With that, Celestia queued Sunset to begin their opening remarks.

"As I can understand the excitement all of you must be feeling. You are being presented with an amazing opportunity. Under my guidance, and the guidance of my faithful advisor," Celestia lifted a wing and unfolded it beside Sunset.

Sunset lifted a nervous hoof and waved to the gathered families, smiling slightly.

"Your children will learn to wield the magic inside them and be faithful in their studies and work. It is in them that the future of Equestria lies." Celestia remarked, her voice strong and passionate as she spoke.

Sunset cleared her throat and stepped forward. "There is no greater honor for us than to teach, train, and guide your children into becoming the powerful ponies that they have the potential to be."

The gathered parents clapped their hooves, and Sunset spotted tears in the corners of some parents' eyes. As she suspected, though, there were none in her own parents. They were not the senti-mental type, especially not her mother. Instead, her mother wore the same, over-joyous beam of pride that Sunset had seen often enough to know the trouble it came with.

"We will give you time to say your goodbyes. The student's luggage will be brought in by Castle staff. If you wish to send letters, please leave your addresses with me before you leave." Sunset called out, making sure she made eye-contact as she over viewed the room.

With that, each parent looked to their own child and began speaking to them. It touched Sunset to see how the parents spoke to their children, their expressions soft and compassionate. The mild joy Sunset received from this was quickly extinguished, when she saw her mother approaching her again.

"Mom." Sunset sighed.

"Advisor!" Stellar chirped, lifting a hoof to admire the sash and broach Sunset wore. "I didn't know you were PROMOTED!"

Sunset slowly pushed her mother's hoof away and breathed deeply, trying her best to ignore the urge to speak her true inner thoughts.

"Yeah, Mom. I'm her advisor. It's not that big of a deal." Sunset mused, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.

"NOT a big deal? Ha! I beg to differ!" Stellar chortled, brushing at her own pale blue sash. "Why didn't you write to me about it- when did this even happen? Last time I heard from you, you were still just her student!"

"It- Does it really matter, Mom?" Sunset huffed. "I mean- this is about Sunburst- not me, right? Let's just be proud of him, okay?"

Stellar lifted her eyebrows, and Sunset saw her contemplate whether she would let that slide. Stellar turned and looked back at Sunburst and Sunspot. From the distance, neither could hear their conversation, though both could tell they were happily talking.

"Hmph." Stellar relented, and turned back to Sunset. "Fine. But I expect you AND your brother to write to me once a week, EVERY week, alright?"

Sunset caught herself before she cold roll her eyes. She leaned her head back and uttered, "Okay."

Stellar seemed to take that as a final answer.

"Good, good." Stellar commented. She hesitated for a moment, lifted her leg, then drew it back down.

"Well... I suppose your father and I should be heading back. It's quite the trip back to Sire's Hollow." With that, Stellar began to walk away. She stopped after a few steps and turned back to Sunset.

Sunset met her mother's eyes, and for just a moment, glimpsed a mare who was vulnerable... or at least capable of it. Then, just as quickly, that mare vanished, and her mother as she knew her took her place.

"Take care of your brother- and don't give him special treatment just because he's related to you. It's vital he learns the importance of hard work." Stellar said, lifting her head high as she spoke.

Sunset simply nodded, hoping that would be enough to satiate her mother. It was.

Stellar nodded back, and smiled as she returned to her husband and her son. Sunset watched as Stellar gave Sunburst an exasperating hug. She swore he turned purple for a second from the force of the hug.

Before long, the parents all filed out of the foyer and were guided back to a set of carriages by the castle guards. Sunset and Celestia now stood before the four chosen students. It was awkward for Sunset, and she figured it would be that way for quite some time. Aside from her brother, she hadn't spent much time around foals... she really didn't know what to expect from them.

They each looked at Sunset and Celestia with wide, curious eyes. They were so small, and none had their cutiemarks yet. Their innocent stance reminded Sunset of her own test at Celestia's school all those years ago. Sunset wondered if she'd looked like them, innocent, small, and curious of the world around her.

Slowly, another thought began to enter. SHE was responsible for them, for their training and their minds. SHE was to teach and guide them in their magic... and their future lives. If Celestia's vision was true, they were to be the answer to Nightmare Moon's return.

Sunset had quite the task laid out before her.