2.6

Cadance paced through the observatory hastily. A few months had passed since she started foal-sitting Twilight Sparkle and she loved her even more than she did when she started. She had become fixated on magic, whenever they weren’t playing make-believe or other games, Twilight was constantly asking Cadance questions about magic. She herself had actually begun brushing up on the finer points of magic because of Twilight’s insatiable appetite for knowledge.

Twilight’s dream was to get into a magic school so that she could learn even more. Her parents had found a school in New Colt City, but Twilight wanted to stay in Canterlot. Cadance had become so in touch with the filly that she went to Celestia to take her up on her offer and let her into her private school for gifted unicorns.

“But I’m not lying, I know what I saw. Her brother saw, I saw, some random colts saw it…” Cadance persisted.

Celestia had been skeptical of Cadance’s story but it had gone on long enough, she was ready to submit.

“Fine I shall allow it despite not having any prior training. I’m just afraid that the young filly will be sorely out of her league. They’ll be using terminology that she’s never heard before and I just don’t want to see such ambition squandered,” Celestia admitted.

“She’s a special unicorn, you’ll see,” Cadance assured her.

“If you say so, I’ll trust you,” Celestia replied, approvingly, “Here is an acceptance letter.”

Several days later, Twilight stood in an empty classroom in front of four testers for Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. Today she was taking an entrance exam for her new school and her nerves had not settled. Cadance had prepared her as much as she could, but Twilight knew the importance of the exam and wasn’t sure if she was truly prepared for what they were going to throw at her.

“It took some time, but I finally convinced Celestia to let you into the school,” Cadance explained, pushing Twilight on a swing.

“I can’t believe you actually did that for me,” Twilight said, shining, “I’m so lucky to have you as my foal-sitter!”

“I’m the one who’s lucky Twilight,” she replied.

Twilight was flustered and laughed it off.

“You’re a princess,” Twilight said, feeling unworthy, “I’m just a regular old unicorn.”

“You are anything but a regular old unicorn!” Cadance encouraged.

Twilight thought of their “Sunshine, Sunshine” dance that Cadance taught her that same day and felt a little better. She looked up at the testers with a blank face, awaiting the exam. Her parents were over at the side of the room motioning for her to smile for the testers. Twilight’s nerves reset and she awkwardly smiled up at them. From a door to her left, a stallion rolled a cart with an egg on top of it out in front of her. Twilight had never seen one before, but recognized that it was a dragon’s egg.

She giggled nervously at it. She had to somehow hatch the egg.

“Well, Mrs. Sparkle?” one of the testers impatiently prodded.

Twilight began to try every bit of magic she knew but the pressure of the testers was clouding her mind and she just couldn’t get herself together. Desperately she tried flailing around from every angle without any real attempt to use magic. Completely oblivious the comments they gave her, her mind and heart raced and raced. Those testers were watching her every move and judging her on more than just talent.

Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns were the main pool for which royal attendants and magicians were selected, so poise and presentation were also important too.

This was her one chance at making her dream come true, but she was getting test anxiety and failing hard. Refusing to give up, she thought of Cadance one last time and cleared her mind. She focused and remembered her reading and practice. For a second she could feel the magic flow through her, but just as she thought she was going to hatch it, she psyched herself out and fell flat on her face. She wanted to cry. She let down her parents, Cadance and herself and nothing would make it right.

“I’m sorry I wasted your time,” she said, defeated.

Behind her in the distance sounded an explosion that shook the room and her soul, tapping into an unknown reservoir of magic previously unknown to her. She was about to rise to power. Twilight’s horn glowed and she shot an impressive beam at the egg spontaneously and out hatched a small dragon with purple scales and green spikes. In a moment of disbelief, Twilight hung there in mid-air dazzled by the magic, but in a crack of light, magic that she never felt before, coursed through her and filled every fiber of her body to the point of agony.

She could feel it inside her mind, body and soul, and for a moment she could see what was to come for her. She discharged as much magic as she could for the temporary relief it gave her. Every second though, it built and built pushing her closer to what felt like would be a supernova. Around her she saw her parents turn into plants, she levitated all the tester ponies and aged the hatchling dragon hundreds of years, bursting through the ceiling from the artificial growth. She couldn’t control it and was terrified of destroying herself and everything around her.

Celestia walked up to the small filly, suppressing the field of magic and returning Twilight to consciousness. Twilight looked up, confused and terrified. Celestia had her doubts, but now they were all cast aside. She looked upon her and felt a dire need to connect with her. Celestia knew of the charm and love that Cadance boasted about so much now.

“Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia addressed.

“Oh I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to—“ replied the filly, embarrassed and afraid.

“You have a very special gift. I don’t think I’ve ever come across a unicorn with your raw abilities,” Celestia explained.

“Huh…?” Twilight was confused by the princess’s lack of anger despite the fact that she just tore a hole in her roof.

“But you need to learn to tame these abilities through focused study,” Celestia criticized

“Huh?!” Twilight was now confused about the princess’s demeanor and what she was saying. It hadn’t all registered because Twilight was still a little hazy from the magical surge.

“Twilight Sparkle, I’d like to make you my own personal protégé here at the school,” Celestia offered, motioning to the semi-destroyed room.

“HUH?!” Twilight got that last part and couldn’t believe the offer.

“Well,” Princess Celestia asked rhetorically.

Twilight looked at her parents who were watching in disbelief, enthusiastically cheering their daughter on.

“YES!!!” Twilight cheered happily.

“One more thing,” the princess interrupted. Twilight had not even finished her cheer yet.

“More?!” She was starting to get worn out by all these unbelievable events that were moving to sculpt her life.

Celestia pointed at her fresh new cutie mark on her flank. The best day ever just got better.

Later Cadance had come over to hear about the story. Cadance was soon loved by the rest of the Sparkle family and now would come over regularly, even when Twilight didn’t need foal-sitting. Unfortunately she was unable to come to the exam to support Twilight because of other royal duties.

“Unbelievable,” Cadance inquired, “You heard an explosion and then you could cast the spell?”

Twilight and Cadance were off in the backyard on a quilt looking up at the stars.

“It was crazy. I’m nervous though. Being the princess’s personal protégé can’t be easy.”

“I’m so proud of you Twilight. For any other pony I’m sure it would be hard, but you’ll make it look like a walk in the park. You’re a star student in the most prestigious school in Equestria and you’re the personal favourite of not one, but two Princesses of Canterlot! Still think you’re just some regular old unicorn?” Cadance said turning over and tickling her.

Shining Armor Walked in on their tickle fight, both of them were laughing hysterically.

“Hey, what are you two up too?” he asked.

“Just tickle fighting!” Twilight cried out from Cadance’s attack.

“Sounds great. Just wanted to let you know how proud I am of you,” he said.

Cadance let up on Twilight so they could talk.

“Thanks BBBFF,” Twilight replied, heartfelt, “How are the Canterlot Cadets going?”

“They’re going alright. They are considering me, but there are a lot of other good stallions who might get in ahead of me,” he sat down nest to them and laid back to stare up at the stars too.

“You’re a natural guard Shining Armor. I still remember that day you saved me,” Cadance said dreamily, “I’ll put in a good word for you.”

“Yeah I remember that too… Well part of it… The good parts at least,” he said flustered, “But no thanks Cadance, I want to become a royal guard all on my own merits. Appreciate it though.”

The three of them stared up into the sky, watching the stars twinkle, unknown the great destinies that lay before them. They pointed out constellations to each other and told stories back and forth sharing stories, feelings and memories. Next Chapter: 2.7 Estimated time remaining: 35 Minutes