Chapter 3

Celestia: "So how did you get all those scars?"

Moonscar: "I was rather young when it happened. If you do not mind, I do not wish to talk about such a subject."

Luna: "Did you fight a dragon!? Oh I know, you fought off a bunch of griffins! Oh no wait, you rescued someone from a huge sea monster!. O-or.."

Celestia: Luna! She isn't that strong, and from what I see those scars weren't made by any creature; judging by how they look, I would have to say a blade caused those scars. I doubt it was your master who did that to you; he doesn't seem like the kind to discipline his students in such a cruel manner, unless you say otherwise."

Moonscar: "My master has never struck me."

Luna: "(Tilts head) So how did you get those scars?"

It was a simple question or rather an innocent one coming from a sense of curiosity; Luna was young and prone to asking several questions at a time, but at some point it was a bit hard to give her an answer. As Moonscar looked into Luna's wide aqua blue eyes, Luna began stare into Moonscar's dark brown irises; it was inevitable that the young filly was not going to drop the question so easily.

Moonscar: "If you must know young princess…..I was (Ponders)...c-captured. By a band of fearsome pirates."

Luna: "(Gasps) Really!? How many!?"

Moonscar: "Oh…..about..one hundred! All mean, with black and yellow teeth, and they all smelled of rotten fish."

Luna: "(Eyes widen) Ooooooo...H-how did you escape!?"

Moonscar: "I fought my way out and jumped into the cold sea-"

Celestia: "How interesting. You must be a very good swimmer."

Moonscar: "Y-yes, I am. I also know my way around a sword, and other weapons."

Celestia: "So then why has your master asked us to train you?"

A silence fell as Moonscar looked at Celestia, unable to give an answer that wouldn't cause her shame; however, it was bound to come up sooner or later throughout her stay in the castle.

Moonscar: "I cannot perform….magic."

Celestia: "(Raises eyebrow) You cannot perform magic?"

Moonscar: "No. I am unable to cast any form of magic."

Celestia: "This must be a joke. What unicorn cannot perform magic? I mean even my sister was able to perform a simple spell at birth."

Moonscar: "I am afraid this isn't a joke. I am here to learn how to use magic from Starswirl, your teacher."

Celestia: "(Chuckles) You are a unicorn who can't perform magic?"

Moonscar: "(Folds back ears) I don't find it funny, and besides…..it is not my fault as to why I cannot cast even a simple spell."

Celestia: "You are a unicorn, magic should come easily to you from birth. Even pegasi can use magic without the use of a horn; I mean it is not like you were born an earth pony."

Moonscar: "My father was an earth pony, but that has nothing to do with my lack of improvement."

Luna: "Your father was an earth pony? Then how come you are a unicorn?"

Moonscar: "My mother was a unicorn; therefore I was born a unicorn."

Celestia: "So then why are you unable to perform like all unicorns?"

Moonscar: "I cannot say. My master has tried to help me, but it seems futile. That is why I had to learn how to defend myself without the use of magic."

'Odd, simply odd', Celestia thought; as Luna continued to ask Moonscar questions, she couldn't help but wonder about this mysterious mare. Luna was easily fooled by the elaborate stories that Moonscar told, but not Celestia; she wanted to know more, and the only way she would find out anything would be to ask about Finch Willows. She decided that she would wait until her mother and father were alone; the king and queen seemed to understand Steelwind when he mentioned Finch Willows. All her questions about Moonscar would finally be answered; all she had to do now was be patient, and wait for the right moment to ask. In the meantime, Celestia kept a close eye on Moonscar, who was busy playing and entertaining Luna, who had taken such a liking to Moonscar that she wanted her to sleep in her room for the night.

Luna: "(Tugs on hoof) You'll be sleeping in my room!"

Moonscar: "I don't think…..your parents have already made me a room-"

Luna: "But I want you to stay in my room! I want to hear more stories, and I want to know how to use a sword-"

Celestia: "Luna! Honestly, you need to control how you act around guests and subjects. She can't sleep in 'our' room; she is a commoner, and must sleep in the quarters that we have made for her."

Luna: "She is not a commoner! She is amazing!"

Moonscar: "(Looks at Luna) Your sister is right; however (Looks at Celestia) I am not a commoner, and that is due to my mother's blood."

Celestia: "You may look like a unicorn, but you are clearly an earth pony. It's only natural to see you as that since you are not able to perform magic."

Moonscar: "If you truly believe that your highness, then I see no reason in calling you my ruler."

Celestia: "I beg your pardon, but that is not for you to decide! I will eventually be your ruler no matter what you or anypony else says."

Moonscar: "Even if you do manage to take the throne; I will never bow to a ruler who does not see every subject as equal. It is because of this factor that most royals allow their subjects to suffer. If you become such a ruler, then I do not see any point in following your lead."

Celestia was outraged by how bluntly Moonscar was towards her; no one dared to talk to her parents, much less her, in such a defiant tone. As the two glared into each other eyes, hoping that somehow the other would fall dead from fright; their displeasure for one another did not go unnoticed, a few of the noble cousins looked on in the hopes of something scandalous happening.

Steelwind: "Moon! Please come here, your presence is needed."

Moonscar: "Yes master!"

Celestia: "(Whispers) This isn't over."

Moonscar: "Your right, it isn't. And that is all you and I will be agreeing on, dear princess."

Celestia face heated with embarrassment and anger; she wasn't going to let anypony, including a defective unicorn shame her in front of ponies who actually mattered. Steelwind would be gone within a few days, leaving his student all alone, and unable to pull her away when things took a turn for the worse; this would be perfect for the young royal to extract her revenge on the stubborn commoner.