Chapter 1: Humble Beginings
You must be wondering, "who is this mysterious mare who just appeared on the internet?" Well, allow me to explain. My name is Aura Bliss and I am an unicorn learning under Princess Luna. I have been studying with her since I was a little filly. I innitaly wanted to be in Celestia's school, but that Twilight Sparkle was before me, and for a while, Celestia wouldn't take in anymore unicorns, but Luna saw my potential and started to teach me instead. She taught me single-hoofedly. I am now a full grown mare, and the Twilight is a Princess now too. Enough about Twilight, she probably deserved the Princess-ship anyway. However, I have lived in Canterlot since I started to learn with Luna, before that, I lived on the outskirts of Ponyville, almost in the Everfree forest. I don't mind, as a filly, I loved to go in there on my own, even though my parents hated it. I was never in danger though, I always went straight to the zebra's hut who lived there, her name was Zecora. She would never let me get hurt. Nowadays, I am busy with studying magic and plenty of other things. Not to toot my own horn, but I am amazing at magic. Luna has told me many times that I am better than most unicorns she has seen. I should give you a little more information about me, I was born February 17, 1993, so Luna will no longer be my mentor in four months, when I am 21. I also have a personal assistant, he's a ten-year-old dragon named Ember. His body is red and his spines are orange spines. His birthday is October 10th.
Enough about me, today is special, today is the day when my parents visit me again in Canterlot. They don't visit often, simply because it is expensive to take a train all the way to Canterlot from Ponyville for two, so I am going to make it special. Maybe I could take them to the hedge maze? Maybe convince Princess Luna to give them a full tour of the castle? No, I could take them to the statues in the garden. I'm sure they would like that. I must have looked upset, because Ember shook me.
"What?" I asked drowsily.
"Are you okay?" Ember questioned.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just can't wait to see my parents." I answered and used my magic to organize the desk I was at, books to read on the right, books I have read on the left, and papers that I am working on at the top. I gently set my quill and ink to the side.
"Oh, that's today?" Ember asked with surprise. I nodded.
"Yes Ember, and they will be here soon, so we should head off to the train station." I said and made a quick scan of my room to make sure everything was in order, which it was. Ember climbed onto my back and I walked to the train station. I walked slowly to the train station; I lived fairly close to it, and I had time. We got to the train station as my parents train was arriving. I Immediatly found them and gave them a warm smile.
"Welcome back to Canterlot, Mom and Dad." I said happily.
"Aura! My you are growing up so fast!" My mother said.
"Mom, I have been done growing for a while, I'll be 21 in four months." I said slightly annoyed.
"Shooting Star, give Aura some privacy." My father said. "She's a grown mare now."
"But..." My mom started.
"She is taking care of a young dragon, she is more than mature." My father convinced my mother. She finally gave in.
"You're right, Star Dust." My mother gave in.
"Well, shall we go to the gardens?" I asked. Ember stood on my back and leaned on my head.
"That would be ideal." Ember said. My parents giggled.
"Sure, lead the way." My father said. Ember sat back down on my back.
"That reminds me, after all these years, you haven't meet Princess Luna, have you?" I asked and turns to my parents. The both shook their head. "Now would be a great time to meet her, wouldn't you say?" I offered.
"Sure." They answered in unison. I smiled and trotted to the castle.
"Aura, we need to tell you something." My mother said suddenly.
"Hmm?" I responded.
"We are moving to Saddle Arabia because we have gotten a chance to continue our studies on the starsamd to teach foals there." My dad informed.
"I understand." I said.
"We are giving you the old family house." My dad said. I smiled.
"Thanks." I said.
"It's the least we can do." My mother said. At that point, we completed the walk in silence until we got to the castle. I tried to walk right in.
"I am here to speak to Promcess Luna." I Informed.
"Not with them." One of the guards said.
"They are my parents, you can trust them." I tried to reason.
"Sorry, they don't have clearance to pass." The guard said strictly. I sighed and leaned my head back, where I saw Shining Armor, the captain of the guard, standing on the wall.
"Shining Armor, buddy, can you tell your guards to let my parents through?" I shouted.
"Sorry Aura Bliss, but I can't let them through." Shining Armor concluded.
"We don't have to meet her." My mother offered. I shook my head.
"No, I'll get you in." I said. "Ember, stay here with my parents, I'll be back soon." I said and returned to the guards. "It's just me now, can I pass?" I asked. The guards stepped aside and I proudly walked in. I started to go to the throne room. I was startled by Discord looking at me.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Aura Bliss, was it?" Discord apologized. I gave him a smile and tried not to be afraid of him. After all, he did discord me... And that was a very dark spot in my life.
"Yes, Sir, it is Aura Bliss, and no need to apologize." I smiled.
"Are you going to Princess Luna?" He asked me.
"Yes, yes I am." I said nervously.
"Oh that case, would you mind if I could walk with you? I've been lonely since I returned to Canterlot after Fluttershy reformed me." Discord offered. I nodded.
"Sure, you are more than welcome to." I said. Discord gave me a quick smile as we started again for the throne room. The walk was awkward and silent, it was more unnerving than anythg else. Every once in a while, Discord would look at my cutie mark or my face, as if he was looking for something. He obviously didn't find it, since he stopped well before we got to the throne room. Before we reached it, he stopped, which made me stop along with him.
"I appreciate the company, Aura Bliss." Discord said warmly. "But I must part with you now." Discord said and teleported away. I ignored whatever Discord did and proudly walked into the throne room, that only contained Luna.
"Princess!" I said happily, very relieved to see her.
"Aura! Why are you here?" Princess Luna asked.
"My parents are in town, have time to meet them finally?" I asked. Luna frowned.
"I'm sorry, my sister and I really busy today, and I only just sat down for a moment." Princess Luna explained.
"I understand." I sighed and started to walk back. Luna started to walk away in another way. I quickly turned back to her.
"Princess, wait!" I shouted after her. I saw Luna tense up, but she quickly calmed down.
"Yes?" She asked.
"My parents are moving to Saddle Arabia and won't be able to visit again. If you take the time, I will help you catch up on duties." I offered. Luna fully turned to me.
"Are you sure?" Luna asked.
"I'm sure, I'll even help you raise the moon tonight." I offered. Luna looked worried.
"Fine, so what are you going to do with your parents, I know you always go do something with them each time they visit." Luna asked.
"We are going to the gardens." I answered. Luna smiled.
"You wouldn't mind if I joined you? Right?" Luna wondered.
"It would be an honor if you joined us, Princess." I said and we walked sided by side to return to my parents and Ember.
"Aura, are you sure you can help with the moon? It takes an awful lot of magic to raise the moon, and before me, many unicorns put the moon up, and it really took it out of them." Luna worried.
"Princess, you of all ponies, should know that I'll be fine. Let me start the rise, then you can finish it." I offered.
"I don't know..." Luna said. "I just don't want you to hurt yourself."
"Please? Please please please please?" I begged. Luna sighed.
"Fine, but only start it, nothing else." Luna ordered.
"Thank you Princess! I won't fail you!" I near shouted.
"You never have before, Aura Bliss, I'm sure you can start the moon rise, but please, you must never tamper with the moon again. No matter what. Nightmare forces can, and have, come from the moon. That is how I became Nightmare Moon so long ago." Luna explained carefully.
"Nightmare forces are worse than dark magic, correct?" I asked.
"Much worse. I only had a minor case of the nightmare forces in me, but there were ponies much worse than I was, the worst dark magic can do to a pony is Sombra." Luna said. I remembered the tales of the elements of harmony destroying Sombra.
"One more question, Luna." I said quietly. Luna didn't mind that I just called her by her name, we were on really good terms.
"Yes?" She questioned.
"Why did you agree to help Twilight become an alicorn?" I asked.
"Truth is, I didn't want her to be an alicorn. She had to be taught how to be a friend, and other ponies just understand friendship like Cadence understands love. She did not deserve the Princess title, but Celestia wanted Twilight because she was the element of magic, and that was the only reason. I had to listen to my older sister, or who knows what would happen. I was not happy about Celestia's choice, but like I said, I had to pretend that I was watching how she acted. If she tried to talk to me, I ignored her. I told Celestia she was ready after her and her friends returned from the Crystal Empire the second time. So Celestia sent Star Swirl the Bearded's unfinished spell book to Twilight. Somehow she managed to mess that up. Anyway, Twilight fixed the problem that would not exist if she wasn't so careless, and somehow my sister saw that she was good enough. All I could do was put a smile on my face and pretend I was happy for her." Luna explained. We were walking slow, so we had time for that long winded explanation.
"I don't know what to say, Luna." I muttered, but perked up as I saw my parents and Ember. My parents were bowing, while Ember ran past the guards and climbed onto my back.
"Hello, Ember. Good to see you again." Luna said to Ember. Luna pushed past the guards and I followed.
"And you two must be Aura's parents, it's a pleasure to finally meet you." Luna said cheerily. My up parents stood to their feet. I quickly walked to my parents, who were shaking in panic.
"Say something." I whispered
"Uh, I don't, I never... Princess..." My mother stammered. Luna let out a slight giggle.
"Is something wrong, Princess?" My father asked.
"It's nothing, we just got off on the wrong hoof." Luna said. "I am Luna." Luna said.
"My name is Star Dust, and this is my wife Shooting Star, Princess." My father explained, as my mother was still in shock to see the princess and she introduced herself as Luna.
"So what do you two do for a living?" Luna asked.
"W...we are.. Are ast...astrologists." My mother stammered. Luna smiled.
"So you study my stars?" Luna questioned.
"Yes we do! We met because of them." My father said with a smile.
"Could you let us in on some on your secrets?" My mother asked excitedly. Luna smiled.
"My little secret." Luna joked.
"I understand." My mother sighed.
"So I hear you are going to move to Saddle Arabia." Luna said to change the subject.
"Yes! We were offered to study out there and we were offered to teach the foals there." My mother explained.
"Wonderful! I love to hear the my stars are going to be taught somewhere." Luna said. Ember sighed loudly and stood on my back while leaning on my head again.
"Can we please go to the garden now?" Ember asked. I slightly bucked my hind legs, which knocked Ember off balance. He quickly regained balance and acted as if nothing happened, and that made everypony laugh.
"Well, let's get going on that note." I said. Ember pushed himself up on my head.
"Princess Luna, can I ride on your back while you fly?" Ember asked. Luna kneeled down and Ember jumped off my back and onto her's.
"We'll meet you there." Luna said and opened her wings. Ember grabbed hold onto Luna.
"Sounds like a plan." I said. Luna took off quickly. My parents watched as Luna flew to the garden. "Come on, I'll race you." I insisted and took off running. My parents followed me. When we were almost at the garden, my father pulled ahead of me. I didn't have time to pull ahead to a charged an aura on my horn and teleported into the garden. I turned to face my parents who were out of breath.
"Aura!" My mother scolded. I smiled.
"What?" I asked, letting my aura go.
"You can't..." My father started, but began to laugh, which made my mother and I laugh. After a minute of this, we got each other to stop laughing and I showed them to the statue garden, where Luna and Ember were waiting.
"Welcome, Star Dust and Shooting Star, to the royal gardens!" Luna said.
"Mom, Dad, Ember, why don't you go roam, meet back here at moon rise." I offered. They went off to look at the flowers and whatever the garden has to offer.
"Aren't you going to enjoy the garden too?" Luna asked.
"I already am, Princess." I said with a smile.
"Alright." Luna responded. "I'll be back later for the moon rise, okay?" Luna asked.
"Okay, sounds like a plan." I responded. Luna went to a whole different part of the garden. I was left alone in the statue garden. I looked at all the elegant statues of ponies and birds, but stopping infront of the pedastal where Discord was posed before he was reformed. A new draconquus statue was posed. I sat in front of it and admired it. It was a new statue, and it was the first time I had seen it. I looked at it closer, I recognized it. It was... It was...
"Do you recognize me, my dear?" A very familiar voice said. I thought for a mere second. My eyes widened as I realized who it was. I turned to face the mysterious voice.
"Discord!" I nearly yelled.
"Yes, it is me, Discord." He said.
"I'm so sorry, Discord, you startled me." I apologized.
"It's no problem, Aura Bliss. I still like a little chaos in my life." Discord said.
"You can take the Discord out of the chaos, but you can't take the chaos out of the Discord." I joked nervously. Discord actually laughed a bit at my bad joke.
"Listen, Aura, your a good girl. So why don't we talk, draconquus to unicorn?" Discord offered.
"Sure." I said Discord snapped his fingers and teleported to the top of the draconquus statue and wrapped his body around the head. "What do you want to talk about?"
"Well, we didn't really talk earlier, so, I hear that you are leaving Canterlot soon." Discord said and flew back down.
"That's true, I'll be leaving in four months." I answered.
"Such a shame we didn't get to know each other better." Discord sighed.
"It is a shame." I agreed.
"Come, let's see what magic you can do." Discord said. "Try to keep up." He dared. Discord teleported to the top of a gazebo, and I joined him with a teleportation spell. He snapped his fingers and a bird turned into a flying orange. I did the same to another bird. I quickly turned the birds back while Discord gave himself a mustache. I gave one to myself. Discord flew to a cloud and laid down. I casted a cloud walking spell and teleported to the cloud. Discord swan dived off the cloud and used his chaos magic to make the ground liquid. Discord was swimming around for a while before he got out and dried himself off with a towel that came from nowhere. I teleported down to him. Discord ran through the garden, changing random animals to other things and I changed it back. Discord ran to a dead end and pulled out a locked box. He turned to me and held it out, I almost ran into it, but I teleported back a few feet so I could stop.
"What's this?" I asked.
"It's a magically locked box." Discord said.
"And you can't open it because..." I questioned.
"My magic does not come from my horn, and these locks require a horn to open it. And the princesses won't open it for me. They simply don't have enough time, could you do it?" Discord asked. I inserted my horn and casted the lock breaking spell. The box popped open and a pendant was revealed. It was a finely cut ruby in a circle with a gold trim and a gold chain.
"What's that?" I asked.
"A gift for a pony." Discord answered. I didn't bother with asking for who.
"Aura Bliss!" I heard Luna yell.
"I gotta go, I'll see you later Discord!" I quickly said.
"Aura, please meet me at the draconquus statue at sun down tomorrow, we can talk then." Discord asked.
"Sure!" I said and hurried off to Luna. "Coming Luna!" I yelled after her. I found Luna sitting in the gazebo.
"There you are, are you ready?" Luna asked.
"Yeah, I'm ready." I said and got ready to cast a spell.
"Just focas on lifting the moon, like you are levitating an object, but on a much larger scale." Luna explained. At this point, my parents and Ember were returning. I took a deep breath and took my stance. I produced a few layers of aura to move the moon, but to no luck. I let the spells go and panted while sweating. Luna lifted the moon with out effort.
"I'm sorry." I said softly with a tear in my eye.
"Don't worry, Aura Bliss, it is very hard for one unicorn to lift the sun or moon. In the mean time, you guys get home and sleep, Aura, please come in early tomorrow so you can help me with my duties." Luna reminded me. I nodded and began to lead the way home, using my magic to put Ember on my back, because he was almost asleep. I showed my parents to their bed and I went to my own room.
"Good Night, Ember." I whispered as I put him in his bed. I crawled into my own bed and slipped into a sleep filled with Discord dreams.