Twilight bolted upright with a gasp. Panting, she looked around and at herself frantically. She sighed and plopped back down, that dream was so surreal. She had no idea how to describe it. She was a shadow, darkness in the night sky over Canterlot. She felt so alone and hurt and like there was nothing but fear and contempt for her, like nobody loved her. She thought about this dream, turned it around a million and one times in her head to analyze it and again bolted upright with a gasp.

Cliche as it may be, it must have been the night beckoning like Luna had said. She needed to talk to Celestia, and seeing as she was staying in Canterlot for the week to observe the courts again they were having breakfast together along with Luna.

At the dining hall, Celestia and Luna both noticed how uneasy she was. but they waited until Twilight spoke. They had both learned by now that she was probably trying to figure out how to say what she wanted to say.

“Oh to hell with trying to dance around it…” The girl sighed and turned Celestia. The minor vulgarity surprised Luna a little bit, but Celestia seemed to almost giggle at it. “I hadn’t really realized it until recently, but I think I’ve reached the limit of what my current studies can give me, I’m even sitting in court to learn politics that I already know.” She continued. Luna was curious, but Celestia seemed to know where this was going.

“What would you suggest then?” The Princess asked. “There are many fine mentors at the university, if that’s what you want. I guess my teachings have gone a bit stale after so long, perhaps a more adventurous mentor than a Princess in her palace would suit you better at this point in your life.” She continued happily. Twilight gave a half-smile.

“Actually, Princess, I wanted to apprentice under Princess Luna now…” She said. Luna gaped, utterly surprised, and would have dropped her fork had she been using it at that time. Celestia blinked a few times, also surprised.

“You told her about the Catacombs, didn’t you?” The solar Princess said knowingly to Luna.

“The Catacombs?” Twilight asked. Luna regained her composure and quickly answered.

“The Catacombs is what we call the other half of the library, the final resting place for knowledge that dies…” She answered.

“Oh, I see. Princess, she did tell me of it last night but that’s not the reason I’m requesting this. Half of the reasoning I can’t really make sense of myself. I’ve spent my entire life in the day, but now I can hear the night beckoning. Now I know that without hesitation, I should answer.” Twilight explained. Luna had no idea how to react, and Celestia saw this. She giggled lightly as she stood.

“Well then, I suppose you do need more than what I can teach you. I hereby release you from my apprenticeship, on the grounds that you have become a master in what I have taught you, and give my blessing to you and your new Apprentice, Luna.” The Princess said happily. She started towards the throne room to start her duties, but she stopped halfway there and turned around with a serious face.

“Luna, make sure she knows what she’s just gotten herself into and make sure she is prepared.” She said and left without waiting for a response. Luna would have nodded, but she was still shocked. Twilight was getting a little worried, and as she stood to make sure her new mentor was alright she was surprised as the Princess was on her feet and holding her in a soft embrace in a flash.

“Princess?” Twilight asked, concerned a bit. Luna put her at arms length and wiped her eyes, which had watered up, and smiled wide.

“I’m sorry, I’ve never had an apprentice before… I’ve heard and seen how close you are to my sister, are we going to be that close now?” She asked. Twilight was a little surprised, she had never seen Luna show this much… emotion before. It was a little humbling.

“Well, Princess, that depends on you really… I don’t think we could ever be close like I am with Celestia, but that’s because she practically raised me after my parents died and Shining joined the guard. But that doesn’t mean we won’t have the chance to make something just as powerful.” Twilight answered. Luna gave a happy laughed and stepped away from Twilight, holding her hand behind her back with a little bit of embarrassment.

“Sorry about that, I don’t often let emotions take over…” She said, looking at the floor. Twilight smiled.

“It happens, I’ve had much worse. So, what did Celestia mean about what I’ve gotten myself into?” Twilight asked. Luna was about to speak, but two servants entered and began clearing the table, greeting the two.

“Walk with me, dear.” She simply said after a moment of thought and started walking. Twilight followed and recognized where they were going as the astronamy tower, where she stayed. Luna noticed this. “I know when you and my sister wanted a bit of privacy you would retire to her quarters, but I’m afraid I wouldn’t be comfortable letting another other than one of my night guards or Celestia enter… at least for now.” She continued as they entered the tower and continued onto the balcony.

“I understand.” Twilight said with a smile. Luna smiled back and they looked out onto the early morning sun, towards Ponyville.

“Are you aware, Twilight Sparkle, that I only hold my court once a week?” Luna asked. Twilight nodded. It was common knowledge. “And are you aware that I do not attend every one of my courts, often missing multiple nights in a row?” She continued. Twilight nodded again. “Are you aware of the reason for this, and why I am not often seen in the Palace?” She finished.

“Well, I assume the spacing out of the Night Court is due to the fact that there aren’t all that many cases, and I always assumed your abscences were for personal duties or one of the duties I don’t know that you have.” Twilight explained. Luna leaned onto the railing of the balcony.

“The first part is mostly correct, and you are right that I am absent frequently due to my duties, but now those duties will extend to you as my apprentice. Way back when Apprentices were more servants than students, and it became tradition to refer to your master as such or as ‘Mistress’, though that tradition is terribly outdated…” Luna started and found herself diverging from the question.

“I am aware of the traditions… um, all of them…” Twilight said, trailing off and blushing slightly at the end. Luna gave her a knowing glance.

“I won’t be forcing any of the old traditions on you, especially the ones you’re thinking of, but there are some that will make it easier for the both of us. We will have to figure that out as we go, but for now; my duties.” She started, Twilight sighed in relief. “My duties are vast and vary greatly, but to sum it all up you could say I do all of the dirty work. While there aren’t any assassinations and wars to plan anymore, there are still very real needs and threats out there that need to be dealt with.” Luna continued.

“Wait, there used to be assassinations?” Twilight asked. Luna nodded.

“Obviously we won’t be doing any of that in his day and age, but let’s just say you’ll be needing to know how to fend for yourself. My Night Guard and I are Celestia’s right hand and sword, while her Royal Guard is her shield. Now, there is far more that our duties entail beyond violence. We learn, we seal evil, we are diplomats, we negotiate peace, we take part in or assist in subterfuge; anything that needs to be done.” Luna went on. Twilight was both fascinated, excited and incredibly nervous. She wasn’t unsure, though.

“I’ve seen records in the locked sections in the Canterlot Archives, I’ve seen some things that I didn’t really believe… but now that you say them I realize that some things have to be done… I had no idea you were the one doing them, though.” Twilight said, more to herself really.

“Back then, things were very different. Now, though, such drastic actions are usually avoided. I’ll be heading to the Dragonlands soon, to negotiate a few different issues we’ve been having with the Dragons. I’d ask you to join, but the way is incredibly dangerous and I don’t think you’re ready for so sudden a change of pace.” Luna said with a bit of a somber tone.

“With all due respect, I think I can handle myself.” Twilight said with confidence. Luna chuckled and put a hand on her shoulder.

“I’m sure you can, but I’m afraid I can’t allow you to come with me this time. We’re going to have to start your studies first and get you used to the kind of things we’ll be doing.” She said. Twilight was intrigued and a little apprehensive about that.

“Well then, where should I start?” The girl asked. Luna smiled and turned towards the door.

“I know you return to Ponyville tomorrow morning, when the sun goes down meet me in front of the Canterlot Library when the sun sets and we’ll start you on your studies.” The Princess said as she reached the door. She looked back at Twilight with a smile. “This apprenticeship will not be easy, and it may change you… I just hope you’re strong enough to maintain who you are through it all.” She continued. She left, leaving Twilight even more apprehensive than before.

“I suppose I’ll be finding out what that means soon…” She said to herself, turning to look back towards Ponyville out of the balcony again. Next Chapter: 2: Catacombs Estimated time remaining: 7 Minutes