REGRET (Good Ending)

Last Page stared out the window of his small, cluttered room, his heart heavy with anticipation. Every day, he waited for a sign, a message, something that would confirm his acceptance into Princess Luna’s mentorship program. It had been weeks since he submitted his application, and though the logical part of him knew it could take time, the obsessive part of his mind couldn’t stop replaying the possibilities.

The sound of the mail pony’s wings cutting through the air jolted him from his thoughts. His heart leaped, but as he watched the mail pony fly past his house without stopping, his excitement deflated.

“Last Page! You’re going to be late for school again!” his father’s voice bellowed from downstairs.

“Coming!” Last Page called back, stuffing his well-worn book on Nightmare Eclipse into his saddlebags. It was a book he’d read a dozen times over, but he couldn’t bear to leave it behind. It was his connection to the figure who had inspired his dreams, the mare he wanted to understand—and maybe even emulate.

With a sigh, he slipped on his makeshift rune talisman, a small metal disc engraved with intricate symbols. It was a simple teleportation spell he had crafted himself, a necessity since his innate magic was too weak to cast it on his own.

As he trudged through the bustling streets of his town, Last Page’s mind wandered. His parents had always praised him for his intellect, but he knew it wasn’t in the way they wanted. Both were prestigious unicorns, renowned for their contributions to magical theory and literature. They had expected their son to follow in their hoofsteps, but Last Page’s struggles with innate magic had always been a point of tension.

While his magical constructs and enchanted objects were nothing short of brilliant, they were, in his parents’ eyes, a crutch—a sign of weakness. He had never told them how often he failed the innate magic tests at school or how he relied on his talismans to pass. If they knew, he feared they’d consider him a failure.

But that didn’t matter now. If Luna accepted him, none of it would. He’d finally have a chance to prove himself, to transcend his limitations, and maybe… just maybe… meet Nightmare Eclipse.

Rumors had been swirling through town ever since her return. The tales varied wildly, but they all agreed on one thing: she was back. For Last Page, this was the perfect opportunity. If Luna taught him, and if he could become strong enough, he could stand before the alicorn he had admired for so long.

The school bell rang, snapping Last Page out of his thoughts. He sat at his desk, flipping a pencil lazily with his telekinesis as the teacher droned on about something he already knew. His golden eyes flickered with boredom as he watched the pencil spin, his mind a thousand miles away.

“Blah, blah, blah,” was all he heard.

Last Page had always been ahead of his classmates when it came to academics. He aced every written test, every theoretical exam. His mind was a labyrinth of knowledge, an intricate web of magical formulas and theories. But when it came to practical, innate magic, he fell short every time.

He tried to hide his failures from his parents, forging results when necessary, but it was a constant source of anxiety. His talismans worked well enough to mask his shortcomings, but they were far from perfect.

His train of thought was interrupted by the creak of the classroom door. A mail pony stepped inside, holding a small envelope in his hooves.

“Uh, mail for Last Page?” the pegasus announced, sounding as bored as Last Page felt.

Last Page’s ears perked up, and he felt his breath catch in his throat. He rose from his seat, his hooves trembling as he walked to the front of the class. Taking the envelope, he immediately noticed the Royal Crest stamped in deep blue wax on the back.

His classmates whispered among themselves, their curiosity palpable as he returned to his seat and carefully opened the letter.

Inside was a single piece of parchment, its edges adorned with Luna’s signature midnight-blue accents. His eyes scanned the page, and he had to stop himself from audibly gasping.

"You have piqued my interest as a student. Please, come to Canterlot so we can begin Phase One."

Last Page’s heart raced as he reread the words, his hooves trembling with excitement. She chose me. She actually chose me.

For a brief moment, he wanted to scream with joy, to throw his hooves in the air and celebrate. But he forced himself to remain composed. He folded the letter carefully, tucking it into his bag, and returned to flipping his pencil, though his mind was anything but calm.

That evening, Last Page sat at the dinner table, the letter from Luna sitting beside his plate. His parents looked at him with curious expressions as he took a deep breath.

“I’ve been accepted as Princess Luna’s personal student,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady.

His mother’s eyes widened. “Luna? The Princess of the Night?”

His father raised an eyebrow. “And how exactly did this come about?”

“I applied,” Last Page replied simply, though his heart pounded in his chest.

There was a moment of silence before his mother spoke again, her tone cautious. “Well… that’s certainly unexpected, but it’s an incredible opportunity.”

His father nodded slowly. “Yes, an honor, truly. But remember, Last Page, this is a significant responsibility. You’ll need to work harder than ever to meet her expectations.”

“I know,” Last Page said, his voice firm. “And I’m ready.”

The next morning, Last Page stood on the train platform, his saddlebags packed with books, talismans, and a few personal items. The letter from Luna sat safely in his bag, a constant reminder of what lay ahead.

As the train to Canterlot arrived, he stepped aboard, his mind racing with possibilities. This was it. This was the first step toward achieving his dream.

And maybe—just maybe—he’d finally get the chance to meet Nightmare Eclipse.

Meanwhile, in Canterlot…

Luna paced her chambers, her thoughts focused on her new student. Last Page was an enigma, a stallion of great intelligence and potential, but also one with a deep obsession. She had seen the spark in his eyes when they first met, a hunger for knowledge that bordered on dangerous.

She had chosen him not only for his talents but also for the hope that she could guide him away from the darker paths he seemed so eager to explore. She knew what it was like to be consumed by ambition and bitterness, to fall into the shadow of one’s desires.

If she could help him channel his brilliance into something positive, she might prevent him from making the same mistakes she once did—and perhaps even help him understand the truth about Nightmare Eclipse.

As the moon rose that night, Luna whispered a silent prayer to herself. Let me guide him well.

Little did she know, the arrival of her new student would set in motion events that would change Equestria forever.