Princess Twilight Sparkle's School of Friendship is a wonderful place.
It's a large building that casts a great shadow at every time of day. Partially engraved in the side of a mountain, many of its halls are naturally dark and cave-like. It has palpable age to it, with many stories engraved in its tired old walls and not all of them pleasant. Winding passageways, layered floors, and a troubling lack of guiding signs make navigating its interior a daunting and too-often frightening task.
But the school is a wonderful place.
During the day, it's filled with laughter, song, and a sense of community. Creatures from the world over with no connection to anything nearby get along perfectly. Tales are told, dances are held, joy is felt. The festivities are near endless, and so is the learning that occurs. The bonds that are forged. The love and light that emanates so strongly. During the day, Princess Twilight Sparkle's School of Friendship is a sight to behold.
Luster Dawn trudges through the darkened halls, a spiteful snarl grasping her muzzle. She pays no mind to the worn, cheery decorations in favor of glaring at the dusty floor. She ignores the bright colors and only sees the dim light hiding them. She focuses on the events of the past, feeling anger and sadness rise in equal measure. She looks around and observes the decrepit state of things without catching how glorious they are beneath.
Luster Dawn navigates the old, half-carved building with ease. She never so much as glances at where she's going or checks to see if she's on the right path. Luster knows the route; she's walked it many times before.
After some minutes of winding through the carved-out portion, Luster emerges into the built, manufactured section towards the front of the school. She has come through to the other side, but refuses to see it. Luster Dawn has such a brilliant mind with so much untapped potential. She's holding herself back.
This gifted unicorn exits her old school through its front entrance. She tramples through the overgrown yard, never once glancing up as she grumbles under her breath. The night sky twinkles above her, its splendor unseen. Distantly, Twilight's old castle can be made out, still bordering Ponyville and keeping vigilant watch over its residents. Those glittering crystal spires go unnoticed. Luster Dawn's eyes remain glued to the ground as she keeps walking.
Princess Twilight's old crystal castle is a wonderful place. Though its halls are now as vacant as Luster's teary eyes, the building retains all of its splendor. Through the years, it served perfectly as a place of growth and belonging. A gift, it brought joy and confidence to its recipient and still continues as a reminder to this day.
The castle has not worn. It has withstood the test of time with dogged perseverance. No dust lines its halls, no cracks ever appear on its walls, not a blemish to be found even all these years since being left empty. Twilight's old castle is a wondrous gift. It stands as a beacon to all who see it.
Luster Dawn does not see it; she still hasn't looked up yet. Still, she begins to head in its direction, crossing empty fields and weaving through scraggly trees. Luster is running on nothing but instinct, but that's okay. She's going the right way.
Luster's journey comes to a brief halt as her horn bumps into something. She stumbles back, rubbing it gingerly as she finally looks up. Somehow, she has arrived at the Castle of Friendship's front doors. She finds this odd, since she doesn't recall walking the distance or ascending the short stairway, but here she is.
With nothing better to do, the pony reaches up a hoof and knocks. The door feels heavy under her touch. Her hesitant strikes are turned into booming rumbles thanks to the crystal's resonance. She tilts her head curiously and waits, though she doesn't know what for. The castle is empty, has been for years.
After pausing outside the doors for some time and collecting her thoughts, Luster shrugs to herself and pushes against them. They swing open, slowly, but welcomingly. The interior seems inviting, like it's beckoning her inside. This castle is friendly to its guests and always will be. None who enter are shunned. All who make the journey are welcome.
Luster Dawn trots inside. A faint hint of curiosity sneaks onto her face, overpowering the anger and sadness even for just a moment. Slowly, gradually, she begins to notice things. She sees how the sheen of the walls has yet to fade. She feels the crispness of the crystal under her hooves, as fresh as the day it was grown. No dust has collected here. There is not a speck of grime anywhere. She was expecting cobwebs, but what she has discovered is so much nicer than that.
"Luster Dawn..."
The mare jolts, hearing her name whispered like a breath on the wind. She spins in place, but finds nothing. Hesitantly, she follows the voice and is led to a spiral staircase. It is enormous, hundreds of steps leading up into blackness, with no end in sight.
After much deliberation, Luster begins to ascend.
The path is rough. Immediately, she falters and almost grinds to a halt. Even while pushing through, shoving herself against the ground to keep climbing, the pain never eases. Luster starts hyperventilating, feeling attacks on all sides. She has come so far, but feels so hopeless. There appears to be no stop to this battle, no respite from her woes.
The staircase is long, grinding, miserable. Luster Dawn has never felt more alone in her life. It has become so dark now that she cannot see anything. There is no silver lining to cheer her up. She feels as though everything is lost.
But Luster Dawn presses on.
She continues upward, through the dark, through the misery, through her pain, through it all. She continues, despite not knowing why she should bother. Up she marches, determination coating her very being. She stumbles, bumps, and pushes to the top and suddenly the steps disappear. Suddenly, Luster is in a large room with a tall, vaulted ceiling and the staircase is behind her and her struggling was worth it and she's made it to the top.
Luster Dawn falls to the floor in awe as she looks up. Why?
I am here, at the top of this spire. I have been waiting, calling for her to come meet me. I am so happy she's here now, so proud of her accomplishments. I love Luster Dawn deeply. It brings me great joy to see her here.
"Luster Dawn," I greet her, my voice warm and resonant. She stumbles and glances around wildly, seeing nothing but an empty chamber. She feels my presence, however, and that is enough for now.
"W-who are you?! Where--!" Luster spins in place, her eyes sweeping the barren room she's found herself in. The staircase she came from has disappeared, replaced by a large window that both showcases a sleeping Ponyville and allows the night sky to shine in. I cause the room to warm, eliminating the chill she hadn't realized she was feeling and somewhat calming her troubled mind.
"You don't recognize me?" My voice has a teasing quality, as though I'm a childhood friend she hasn't seen in a few years. This is, after all, essentially our relationship.
"I--wait... " She pauses, her fear and indignation morphing into recognition and... well... even more indignation. "Harmony?! That was you calling me back there!" For a brief moment, the mare's face is lifted with joy. Then her frown returns and anger blossoms in her heart. "Why did you stop speaking to me? Why start again? Why now?!" I smile at this, though I know she cannot yet see it. This pony has never once stopped asking questions, not even on this, the hardest day of her life.
"My beloved Luster Dawn; it was not I who left you behind, but you who abandoned me." Luster jolts at this, but rather than lash out, she bows her head and contemplates. Deep in her heart, she knows my words are true. Though I can accomplish many things, lying is not one of them.
Luster begins to feel guilty and suddenly her despair is surging back. I wish to quell it with all my heart, but there are words that must be said first. I know how sorry she feels, but she has yet to learn that I've already forgiven her.
"I have called you, Luster. I thank you for answering." The mare jolts again, shaking her head as her brilliant mind digests this information. She looks around again in vain, then her indignation again resurges. I continue before she can speak out. "I have brought you here to fulfill my most grand of missions. You are one of my elect, Luster. I have great need of you."
My heart aches for her as she sits heavily. She is confused, troubled by my message, but even more so by herself. Luster has seen better days, but she's here. She's still striving.
"... me?" She asks, her voice small and timid. "Why me, of all creatures? You saw how badly I screwed up!" Her tone rises as she paces the room, glaring at various corners in hopes of eventually finding my face. "I am not the right pony for whatever you're about to ask. I--I can't..." Her mood swings are rapid and dramatic, but it has been a long time since we've interacted. Far too long. "I can't do anything right. I'm sorry, Harmony. I can't help you."
Still, my heart aches. Poor, gifted Luster Dawn has been through so much and come so far, only to break down at the very end. I stride forward until I'm right in front of the weeping pony. She glances up, only to stare through me and out the window, where a glorious night sky still shines. I reach forward and grasp her shoulders, then gently pull her into a hug. My embrace is warm, relieving, loving, and she all but melts into it.
"Oh, Luster Dawn," I coo, rubbing her shaking back as she sobs into my chest. "I'm so proud of you." She wails, clutching onto me as heaving shivers wrack her body. I am beginning to materialize for her, though she hasn't noticed yet. "Just let it all out. You're here. You're safe."
I wait patiently with her for much time. When the sobs lessen, I start to softly sing. She joins in once she's regained control of her breath, humming along while I continue to rub her back. She knows this song well. It used to be one of her favorites, back when the two of us were closer. I'm glad she remembers it.
In time, her pain recedes and I cease my ministrations. With a light touch on her chin, I guide Luster's gaze up into my eyes. "Luster, you know who I am," she nods, taking in my appearance with renewed awe, "but do you recall what I am?" She thinks for a moment, then frowns and shakes her head, chin still held in my gentle grasp. Luster Dawn is afraid--of giving a wrong answer, of incurring my wrath, of losing what comfort she has. I smile an invitation and pull her in close again. Immediately, her fear lessens. "Go on, Luster. Just give it a try." Hesitant, she coughs once and obeys.
"You are the guiding force that shapes everycreature's fate. You are the embodiment of our virtues as a society. You represent oneness, unity, strength. You're..." Luster grimaces, her next word taking much effort to produce. Once I make a prompting noise, she finally spits it out: "... friendship." My smile only grows, as does my joy. Luster knows what I am almost as well as she did all those years ago.
"All wonderful answers, Luster. Only, I hope I can be your friend as well." The mare blushes at this, ducking her head and nodding. "You did miss one thing, too."
Here, I release Luster and take several steps away. I flare my wings, framed perfectly in the window and proudly proclaim:
"I am Light."
Luster Dawn feels the power and truth in such a statement. I smile brightly, knowing she feels me stronger now than ever before. "You are not the first I've called and you won't be the last. Tell me, Luster," I sweep a wing towards the window, stepping away while it shifts and swirls with colors until settling on one image. "What do you see?"
The unicorn hums thoughtfully as she strides a bit closer. I settle myself right behind, ready to support at a moment's notice.
"This looks like a foreign city. Is it... New Griffonstone?" I nod, still smiling at the brilliant mare before me. She smiles back and does a little dance, at the end of which the picture changes.
"What about here?" Again, Luster thinks for a moment, but the answer comes to her soon enough.
"That's the changeling hive! Been there a few times." I know this, having been with her the whole way, if distant. Luster is so happy for herself; she loves answering correctly and gaining approval.
"One more," I say, gesturing to the window. This time, she's stumped for a good while before muttering her answer.
"... Klugetown." I grin at her and nod while she pumps a hoof in victory. My next question takes much less time, since she catches on so fast.
"What do those pictures have in common?" Luster is beginning to grow in confidence already, which brings me great joy. She contemplates my question as the window returns to normal. I am patient. I gaze out at Ponyville and Canterlot in the distance, smiling at the thought of all my little ponies. Turning my face skyward, I appreciate the array of stars this night has brought. They inspire awe, even to me. My loyal friend Luna does great work, even in her much-earned retirement.
"They... they were all dark?" Luster Dawn's answer is little more than an educated guess, but that's okay. She'll learn with time. I turn back around and nod at her, beaming. she smiles back, unsure, but still glad. I'm so glad she's here.
"The griffons knew my ways briefly, but their traditions are old and their instincts guide them to greed." The window returns to a still image of Griffonia's capital. At night, it's practically invisible with no lights on, while a cloud cover of pollutants blocks the sky from view as well. "The changelings remade their entire way of life, throwing away everything they knew to follow me. Still, they grow lax, and numerous tensions cause them to begin to forget me." Similar to New Griffonstone, the Hive is dark at night. However, there are still a few lights within, shining out into the darkness like fading threads of a treasured garment.
"And Klugetown?" Luster's curiosity simply will not rest. I love an inquiring mind and readily supply answers to those who listen.
"The residents of Klugetown have never known me. They spend their lives far from my presence and are miserable because of it." The window is completely black, but it's showing a picture of the place I'm describing. It's a wonder, really, how Luster Dawn named this place correctly on the first try. She knows it's the only city on Equus that could possibly be so black.
"Harmony, I..." Luster's mood begins to fall as I gaze at her, intent on listening. "It just, it seems like there's no hope for these places. These people, they..." She lights her horn and takes control of the window, flipping through the pictures and various others I've taken on my travels. "We reached the griffons and the changelings already! But now they just decide to ditch you and go back? And Klugetown, well," Luster sniffles a bit. I walk around and rest a wing across her shoulders. "We've tried so, so many times. It's hopeless!"
I wait as she composes herself, then answer back in the softest tone possible.
"Did you not leave me as well, Luster?" She jumps at the reminder, wiping her face with a fetlock. "Yet, here you are. You followed my voice and my calling. You are my chosen. Just as I believe in you, I also believe in all the people in every city you call 'hopeless'." Luster Dawn mulls this over as I turn, guiding her to a staircase that appeared behind us. This one isn't dark, nor large. "Come, I want to show you something."
I motion Luster to ascend first. After a slight pause, she does so. I am behind her every step of the way.
We emerge onto the roof of Twilight's old castle and immediately my guest lets out a gasp. All the way up here, at the very tip of the tallest spire, we can see for many miles all around. What strikes Luster Dawn immediately are all the lights. Ponyville is well-lit and clearly visible, but so is Canterlot, Cloudsdale, Appleloosa, Dodge City, and in the far distance, we can just barely make out Manehattan.
"You are not alone in your calling, Luster. There are people all around you who will support you in times of need." I gesture down at all the light, but it's frankly unnecessary; the unicorn is already staring down and around in total awe. "So long as my light remains, no situation is hopeless. I'm still here, aren't I?"
She doesn't answer. Only a few hours ago, Luster Dawn was moping through the streets and various locations from her past, only seeing darkness and failure. Now, her eyes are opened and she can see just how wrong she was to lose hope. In her place, I'd be speechless, too. "I will not rest until the whole world feels the power of friendship. I won't sleep until everyone feels loved and seen for who they are. This is what it means to spread my light; show every face you meet the joy you feel and the love they need."
By now, clouds have formed ahead of us. I prance right up onto them, undeterred, then look back at Luster. At this point I give her the chance--the choice--to follow. She observes me standing on the cloud, then glances back at the staircase we'd taken to get here. Luster deliberates, one final time.
Then, she decides to trust me and takes a step forward.
Her hooves touch the cloud, then depress it slightly. As she walks on, it holds her weight and begins to rise. Fearful, she squeaks and grabs onto my shoulder until the ascent comes to an end.
"You can open your eyes, Luster."
She does. What she sees is beautiful beyond words. It's the night sky again, but seen at this altitude it's an entirely new experience.
With a jolt, Luster whips her head around and stares in shock at the two feathery wings on her back. They flutter and twitch as though waving hello, then she turns to me with wide eyes.
"I need you, Luster Dawn." Leaning down, I rest my chin on her head, narrowly dodging a rather pointy horn. "I call on you to carry my light to all nations, kindreds, and people. Do you accept?"
Princess Luster Dawn no longer has need of deliberation. She trusts me with all her heart. She still has so much to learn, but all will come in due time. She won't be alone in her journey. There are others, so many others in all walks of life, ready to help in this great mission. There are even more who sleep, unaware of their potential to serve, that will soon receive the opportunity to do so. Silently, I urge all who may be listening to join in the work, no matter who or what or how they may be.
"Yes, Harmony."
I know her message will reach someone. Perhaps that someone will, like her, accept my call to action. All I ask from my carriers is to spread joy, love, and friendship through any means possible, small and simple they may be.
"Then go."
Princess Luster Dawn spreads her newfound wings and shoots off. Soon she appears as nothing but another star in the sky to me. I know where she is, though; she carries my light, and I hold her in my heart.
I will be with her.
