Chapter 89: Expectations

"Remember, Luna. You've been entrusted as his guardian. And to honor the request that has been bestowed upon you." said Windu.

"I understand," said the woman as she looked at the object in her arms.

A small bundle was shown as a face was shown. It belonged to a baby as they were sleeping after crying nonstop for 30 minutes. The Jedi Master put her hand on its hand as it gazed at the cheek of the small thing.

"A teacher, entrusted you are. More importantly, a mother you are now," spoke Yoda.

"He is your responsibility, and we have full faith that you will know what's best for him. You have full control of his future," spoke Windu.

"I promise to keep him on the straight path. After all, I learned from the best," smiled Luna as she looked at Yoda, as the small Jedi smiled back. The Jedi Master then looked back at the baby in her arms as it coughed and began to cry loudly.

"I promise to keep you safe... my son," spoke Luna softly to the baby as it continued to cry before everything faded to white.

Luna opened her eyes as she recalled that memory. The Jedi Master was in her quarters as she was looking out her window. She looked at her nightstand at the many pictures she had collected over the years. Each one depicted a part of her life as she cared for her student.

At the same time, Celestia was also reminiscing. The Jedi Master thought back to a memory from her past.

(Flashback)

"Sister, you need to let it go," said Luna.

"But Sunset..."

"Is gone. Accept it. As Master Yoda always says, Jedi do not form attachments. You can always get a new apprentice." said Luna to her older sibling.

"Lulu..." spoke Celestia as she couldn't believe what her own sister was saying.

"I'm just calling it as I see it. Now, hurry up. Master Yoda wants you there with him to assign the new Padawans their masters." said Luna as she left.

"Sunset... please..." muttered Celestia as she had her student's lightsaber as it was the only thing she had left.

Celestia exited her room once she made herself look presentable. The Jedi Master walked as she made her way to where Yoda was. Both Jedi Masters were going to tell the latest class of Padawans who their new master would be that they would be learning from. The pair stood before the class as Yoda began to speak. Soon the assignments began; during that time, Celestia noticed a familiar strand of hair among the sea of kids. Once the crowd disbursed, Celestia now had a clearer view of who it was as it belonged to a girl. But not just any girl; it was the same girl she had brought to the Jedi Temple years ago during her crash landing on Equis.

Soon the only one left in the classroom was the girl as Yoda approached.

"Step forward, young Padawan," instructed Yoda as the girl stood before the small Jedi. "Intelligent you are, yet intelligence alone does not determine everything."

"I understand, Master," said a young Twilight.

"Still, with more training, a powerful Jedi you will become," said Yoda as he circled Twilight as he was doing his final evaluations on who the girl's teacher would be.

"I'm always willing to study hard. I want to know all there is about the Force and the Jedi," spoke Twilight.

"Curiosity, a danger it is. Hunger leads to power, power leads to hate, and hate leads to the Dark Side of the Force. Understand this, do you?" asked Yoda as he sensed that Twilight's ambitions and knowledge-hungry could be a factor in her falling to the dark side.

"Yes, Master," nodded the girl.

"Good. Your teacher to train you. She is..."

"It's me!" interrupted Celestia as she didn't let Yoda finish speaking.

The small Jedi was surprised at seeing his student interrupt him as Celestia approached the young Twilight. The girl looked at the woman before her as she knew how well-renowned Celestia was as one of the top Jedi next to Yoda himself. The woman pressed her fingers to Twilight's forehead as the Jedi Master peeked into the girl's mind for a moment.

"I will be your teacher, Twilight," spoke Celestia as she removed her fingers.

"Huh?" said Twilight as she was still taken aback.

"You have a very special gift. I don't think I've ever come across someone with your raw abilities," stated Celestia.

"Huh?" said the girl, still trying to register her as Celestia's new apprentice.

"But you need to learn to tame these abilities through focused study," said the woman.

"Huh?" said Twilight.

"Twilight Sparkle, I'd like to make you my own personal protégé," said Celestia as she bent down to the girl's level and looked directly at her. "Well?"

"YES!" shouted Twilight as she leaped into the air with the biggest excitement in her life. She landed and hugged Celestia as the Jedi Master didn't expect that; she returned the embrace from the small girl as Celestia looked at Yoda, who simply shook his head.

"Disobeyed me, you have! Without my permission, taking this girl as your Padawan learner, I do not!" shouted Yoda as he paced back and forth in front of Celestia, who was on a knee.

"I have seen into Twilight's mind, I know what she is capable of, and I'm the only one who can bring out her full potential," said Celestia to her master.

"Grave danger, I fear, in her training. Forget not, you were the one who brought her. Sunset, she is not!" stated Yoda as he knew why Celestia did what she did.

"This has nothing to do with Sunset," said Celestia, as that was a half-truth. "I do believe Twilight is capable of being a powerful Jedi. But only I have the power to bring it out. She needs me, Master. Besides, I recall what you said to Luna and me when we were your apprentices. To trust our instincts."

"Instincts, this is not! Defiance I sense in you," said Yoda, as he knew how Celestia acted when she was a teenager. The Grand Jedi Master sighed as he looked at his former student. "Sunset is gone, accept it, Celestia. Replace her, you cannot. But move on, you must." The small Jedi Master began to walk away as the door opened when he stopped to address Celestia. "Train the girl, but mindful you are. Pray the Dark Side, succumb to it, she does not. Your apprentice, Twilight, will be."

"I promise you, my Master," said Celestia as she gave her word to her former mentor that she would guide Twilight on the right path.

Yoda exited the room as the doors closed behind him. Celestia was left by herself as she looked at her hand.

"I promise; I will not make the same mistake with Twilight," muttered the Jedi Master to herself.

(End of Flashback)

Celestia was looking at the sun as it shined brightly. The Jedi Master sighed as a small tear could be shown falling down her cheek. At that moment, Luna and Celestia lifted their heads to look forward with determined expressions.

"I will not fail my student!" said both in unison.

Each was shown exiting a room as they began to walk. Each Jedi Master walked through the halls as they made themselves look presentable. Both turned a corner as they came face to face, almost as if they knew they would run into each other. Both sisters glared at the other as they held their expressions, not so much as batting a wink.

"Lulu!"

"Tia!"

The two sisters held their glare at the other as they both turned at the same moment and began to walk side by side, unintentionally, toward their destination.


Storm was shown lying on the ground near the base of the tree in the courtyard. The boy had his hands behind his back as he stared at the clouds. Given what his latest adventure had him do, the boy needed some alone time to clear his head.

"You know, I never realized how much I took the quietness for granted. In times like these, I can breathe, relax, and try not to worry about things."

"You're not the only one," said Twilight.

The girl was shown lying above the boy on her side as she was propped up by her elbow. Given their latest adventure from Mortis, the pair wanted to soak in the quiet before their next mission, which they heard would be very dangerous. At the moment, they simply wanted to relax. The teens were looking at the clouds as they began to play a game, saying what they looked like as the girl giggled at her partner's descriptions.

"Say, Storm? I got something to tell you," said the girl.

"What is it?" asked the boy.

He soon felt his head move as Twilight changed to a sitting kneeling position with the boy's head in her lap. Storm looked up at the girl as she held her hands onto his head.

"So, you know how my brother is set to marry Cadance?"

"Yeah..." responded Storm with slight hesitation in his voice.

"Well, they contacted me and told me the date. They said I could bring some guests for the ceremony. I already asked the girls if they wanted to come, and they're in. So... um... do you... want to come with me, I mean use, as well?" asked the girl as she turned a bit red.

"Let me ask you this: are your parents gonna be happy to see me?" said Storm, giving Twilight a smug, upside-down look.

"Well... I'm sure they wouldn't mind seeing as it's my brother and Cadance's big day," chuckled Twilight.

"In other words, you haven't told them that you're bringing me," Storm said as he could tell what the princess was saying.

"Um,... y-y... yes," said the girl as she looked away.

"After the amount of time I've spent with you, Sparky. Seems I learned how to understand nerd," mocked Storm.

"Don't call me that!" said the girl, turning back to her partner with her face still red. "Look, are you gonna come with me or not?"

"If it stops your pouting, then fine," smiled Storm as the princess stuck her tongue out at her partner.

The girl then began to stroke the boy's forehead, and the smile returned to her face. Twilight lowered her head as she was directly above Storm's face.

"Thank you. For saving me, my Jedi Knight," said Twilight as she placed her forehead on Storm's.

"It's my duty, princess," responded Storm.

The pair closed their eyes and sighed as they kept having their foreheads touch each other. The two teens were enjoying the other as it brought them a sense of comfort and warmth.

"Storm!"

"Twilight!"

The pair removed their foreheads from each other as Storm lifted his head. The teens saw their masters charging ahead as they didn't seem to be happy. The sisters saw their students and their little display of affection when they entered the courtyard.

"Master!" said Twilight.

"Luna," replied Storm.

Both Jedi Masters approached their apprentices and stuck their arms out. Luna pulled Storm away from Twilight as she began to drag him by his collar. Celestia grabbed Twilight's arm and began dragging the girl away from her partner as they headed in another direction.

"Come along, Storm! You need to focus!" stated Luna as she wanted to get her student away from Twilight.

"Master?"

"Not now, Twilight! You're late for your lesson!" growled Celestia as she looked ahead.

The princess turned her head to see her partner being taken away by Luna as his feet dragged along the ground. Storm merely shrugged as he waved goodbye to the girl. Twilight sighed blissfully as she waved goodbye with a sort of lovesick smile.


Once they were separated, Luna immediately began to throw her student into some serious training so that he could forget about Twilight.

"Begin!" shouted Luna.

A room of darkness was shown. Soon a single light was shown as it shined down on Storm. The boy stood there with a blindfold as he stood perfectly still. A blaster shot was heard as the boy turned on his lightsaber and deflected the shots. Another shot was fired as the boy turned in that direction and deflected it. Soon approaching the small light were several clones as they all surrounded the boy. They began to open fire on the Jedi Knight as Storm trusted his instincts.

The boy was doing an exercise that Luna had him do since she returned from the arena battle on Geonosis. Seeing how unprepared most of the Jedi were that died in that fight, the woman knew what she had to do to up her student's training and survival instincts. Storm was listening to the advice that Luna told him when doing this exercise, and that was not to use his eyesight but to trust in the Force and let it guide him.

The Jedi Knight was now spinning and turning much faster than the stun shots fired from the clones as he disappeared and reappeared in the blink of an eye. He soon spun in the air horizontally as the clones tracked him and continued the fire. Even while hanging in the air, Storm deflected all the shots as he landed.

"Enough!" shouted Luna as her hand was shown.

The lights came back on, and they revealed the clones standing there. They each pulled back their blasters and stood at attention. Luna stepped forward as Storm reached up behind him. He removed the blindfold as he blinked and looked at Luna, who stood before her student.

"Excellent work, Sark. You and your men are dismissed," said Luna.

"Thank you, General. Alright, men, let's go!" said the clone commander as he began leading the squad of clones as they left the Jedi alone.

"Well?" asked Storm with a smile.

"You've mastered it. Good," said Luna, as she could see her student had no problem with the exercise. "Now, onto your next lesson."

The Jedi Master snapped her fingers as the room began to change. Pillars were forming as targets also appeared, as other objects were filled.

"It's time to show me what you bring to the table. Using actions, not words," said Luna to her student as she walked to the center of the room with the boy looking at her. The Jedi Master stuck her hand out as the pendant Twilight gave Storm flew from his neck and into her hand.

"Luna!" said Storm as he was afraid of what his teacher might do with the gift Twilight gave him.

"Even now, Twilight. You are distracting my student. You are misguiding him!" thought Luna as she looked at the pendant as growled. The Jedi Master could see that even the small thing was making Storm think of Twilight.

"Three minutes. You have three minutes to try and take your precious pendant from me. If you want to prove you have what it takes to get to the level and become one step closer to realizing your destiny under my guidance, you will take this pendant back. If you fail, I will destroy this thing." stated Luna with a stern expression on her face.

"Luna?" said Storm with some hesitation.

"I'll take no offensive measures during this time, and you're welcome to attack me in any manner you desire. Don't concern yourself with what happens to the room. The only thing that will be stressed is to avoid the targets during the skirmish; otherwise, you will fail." said Luna as she held Storm's pendant up high. "Just come and get it!"

Storm merely took a stance as he began to do what Luna said. The boy got into a position and took off. He had a strategy in mind; however, Luna saw through it as she was playing catch with Storm's personal belonging.

"An approach from the front, but it's merely a feint and a failed grab," foretold Luna.

The Jedi Master spoke the truth as Storm ran; he looked to grab the pendant but instead leaped into the air to grab it as Luna moved her hand out of the way. Storm was shocked by what he saw as Luna perfectly called out what he was going for. She then continued to foresee Storm's other movements.

"And then another jump attack, to no avail," said Luna.

Once again, Storm turned to jump as Luna saw it and moved her hand out of his reach.

"I can see everything, Storm," stated Luna.

I have to do something. Maybe if I just keep trying moves...

Storm slid to a halt as he landed and turned. The boy then lunged forward with his hand out as he looked to grab his pendant, to which Luna merely sidestepped. The boy kept trying to reach for it, but Luna merely sidestepped out of his way without so much as batting an eye. Storm leaped and did a quick handstand as he recovered. The boy quickly grabbed a satchel from the nearby table and tossed it at Luna. The Jedi Knight was hoping he could distract Luna as he lunged forward.

The satchel collided with one of the pillars; Storm's hand came down on it as Luna disappeared from his sight. In reality, the Jedi Master saw his plan and moved quickly to the side as she stood a few meters next to her apprentice.

"Is that all you've got?" taunted Luna as she was starting to get disappointed with her son. "I thought you were attempting to show me your usefulness. This is a waste of time."

"Shut up!" shouted Storm at his teacher as he tried again and grabbed his pendant as Luna merely avoided him with ease.

"One minute passes. He backs up briefly. And appears nervous." said Luna as she literally was detailing what Storm was doing in front of her. "Finally, understanding that he can't overcome my foresight."

Storm was sweating as water ran down his face from exhaustion and fear.

It doesn't matter how many moves I try. She's one step ahead! There's gotta be a way.

"I had high expectations for you. Until now," stated Luna as Storm gasped at what he was hearing. "You have the power to become a powerful Jedi, but you're mediocre. Meanwhile, the Dark Side of the Force is getting restless, and destruction is creeping closer. A pity. Maybe I chose wrong after all."

"What are you saying?" said Storm at what Luna spoke of.

At that moment, the door to the balcony above opened, and in came someone rushing.

"Don't get me wrong, I do love and respect you, Storm. But based on your recent behavior and actions, I wonder why I chose you. How can you succeed me when you're too busy being distracted by someone else?!" yelled Luna as she had had enough of Storm's relationship with the princess.

Storm heard Luna's response as the boy took it all in with a concerned look.

I guess I never really thought about it, but of course, there were candidates before me. Others who Luna would have chosen to be her apprentice. But if so, why didn't she tell me before?

"You think you have time to stand there frozen? Or are you just getting tired and running out of ideas? Cause let me tell you, Storm, I've had enough of your bullshit with Twilight!" yelled Luna. "I thought you could be great; I thought you could be better. That you would succeed as my heir and take my place when the time came for me to step down from the council. But I could see I was wrong. You're not worthy of being my successor. As it turns out, it was a waste of time. As such, I cannot acknowledge you!"

Storm started to break down at hearing the words Luna was saying to him. For the Jedi Master, she was done playing around with Storm. He wasn't improving, he wasn't showing that he was ready to be a leader, but most importantly, she felt he wasn't going to be the Jedi she thought him to be. At that moment, Storm closed his eyes as it looked like tears were about to form. Just as the boy was about to cry since he was a baby, he heard something.

"Don't listen to her, Storm!"

The boy opened his eyes, and on the observation deck was Twilight.

"You can do this!" said Twilight.

"Stay out of this, princess!" growled Luna to herself as she despised that Twilight couldn't stay away from her student.

"Twilight!" yelled Celestia as she managed to track down her apprentice. "You are not to be here!"

Celestia grabbed Twilight's arms as she forcefully began to pull the girl back and out of the room. Twilight tried to fight back against Celestia for the first time as she tried to free herself. She managed to slip free for a second as she ran to the balcony.

"Don't give up, Storm. I know you can do it! You have what it takes!" shouted the princess, encouraging her partner to not give up and accept defeat.

"Leave him alone, Twilight!" shouted Celestia as she put her hand over Twilight's mouth and began to drag the girl back.

"Storm!" shouted Twilight as she freed her mouth from Celestia's hand.

The Jedi Master was about to drag Twilight out of the room when something happened. Storm began to make his move.

Twilight's right. I must remember Luna's words when she took me on as her apprentice.

Storm quickly closed his eyes and recalled Luna's words when he started his journey.

"Take the torch!" echoed Luna's words.

Storm opened his eyes and began to get into a position as he spread his feet.

I have to keep fighting. I'll go beyond, so she can't react even if she can foresee my movements. I can't just let her reject me now. Not after everything I've been through!

Storm began to take off as the power of his Force jump made a breeze blow through the room. The boy was shown on a pillar in a crouching position as he prepared his plan.

You chose me, Luna. You wanted me to be your heir.

"I'm going to take that pendant from you. I swear. I will make you acknowledge me, Luna!" shouted Storm as he began to move.

The boy's voice got to Celestia and Twilight as the Jedi Master was almost out the door when they stopped. They began to watch for what was played between Luna and her student.

Storm was now bouncing around the room and off the pillars as he was zigging and zagging. Luna simply stood in the center as all around her, the boy was zooming in the blink of an eye like a bullet ricocheting around the room. The Jedi Knight tried to move as fast as possible to confuse Luna and throw off her vision. The Jedi Master simply closed her eyes as she stood there.

If Luna can predict my every movement, let's see how far into the future she can see. My best bet is to make many different moves as quickly as possible so she won't have any time to think.

Storm began to pick up the pace as he was now moving faster than one could blink.

If I fail now, it's like admitting she was right!

Storm was shown quickly appeared behind Luna as he leaped toward her hand, holding his pendant. Luna sensed it; even with her eyes closed, she saw Storm's plan and moved her hand out at the last second as Storm came down and crotched next to her.

"Attempting to do my jumping style. However, it's a cheap ass mimic of what I do," said Luna as she downplayed her student's abilities.

Storm growled as he jumped back.

"I can see what you'll do wherever you go," said Luna as she spun nonchalantly and avoided four quick lunges from Storm as she foretold when he would appear. "In case you're interested, two minutes from now, you'll be slumped on the floor without the pendant and will be a disappointment."

Storm lunged again as Luna took two steps to the left to avoid him. The Jedi Master brought her hand down and patted his head as time resumed, and he missed. Storm kept picking up the pace as he went faster, but Luna still avoided them.

"You've looked unsure since this trial began. Fear and indecision are luxuries that a Jedi Master cannot afford," said Luna as she shared some words of wisdom for all to hear. Storm took off as he bounced among the room again, with Luna continuing to speak.

"Someone who understands that will always act with vision and purpose. You must've been told this countless times, but now, when your training's being put to the test, you choke. You said you would make me acknowledge you, but the more I see, the more convinced I become that you will ultimately fail!" stated Luna as she leaned way back to avoid an attempt by Storm.

"She said I can do it!" shouted Storm as he landed on a pillar and was about to jump.

"Who said that? One of your little friends?" shouted Luna in a disrespectful tone.

Storm pushed off as he leaped forward at the Jedi Master and shouted, "The person who I consider my mother!"

At that moment, Luna opened her eyes and gasped at what she heard. Storm addressing her as his mother. Storm was shown zooming by Luna in slow motion as he landed on the floor and quickly grabbed a nearby table as time resumed when he swung it, sending the papers on it flying in Luna's face.

"Sorry! But you did say not to worry about the room, right?" stated Storm as Luna put an arm in front of her face.

She can see what I'll do wherever I go. Why did she word it that way? What exactly is Luna seeing? Everything that's going to happen? Or only the actions of a specific target: me. Time to test my theory!

Storm continued throwing more stuff in Luna's line of sight, as even if she closed her eyes to concentrate, she would still have trouble figuring out where Storm was among that mess.

I'll scatter objects at random. If I'm her sole target, then her foresight won't be able to reach them.

Luna was now in a direct position as her back was turned, and Storm was behind her. The boy lunged with his hand out as he had a clear shot at grabbing his pendant.

Luna. I'm not giving up now. Or ever!

"Whether you like it or not, I am your successor!" shouted Storm as he was but seconds away from grabbing his pendant with both hands out.

Celestia and Twilight watched this as they leaned forward a bit to see what would happen. Luna was still distracted by the object that she didn't see Storm about to grab the object in her hands. And then, it happened. Just as Storm was about to zoom by, Luna quickly to her left and avoided Storm's lunge attempt as the boy zipped by with her back facing him.

"That doesn't alter what I see!" said Luna as she foresaw Storm's attempt and managed to move out of the way.

"Not yet!" countered Storm.

The boy then looked in front of him as he was seconds away from colliding with a pillar. The Jedi Knight was moving too fast as he hit face-first into the pillar and slumped to the floor.

"Storm!?" shouted Twilight as she wanted to jump down and check on her partner, but Celestia held her by her arm tightly as the Jedi Master was hurting the girl.

"I'm... not done," grunted Storm.

"It's over," spoke Luna as she turned to face her student and opened her eyes.

"No... it's not!" replied Storm.

"Three minutes have passed."

"What?" said Storm as true to Luna's words, she was right.

"You're my apprentice? It beggars belief. You devised only a single plan, and it failed spectacularly. Leaving you worn out." stated Luna as she lifted her leg to kick Storm away; the boy landed on his back, and he grunted.

The Jedi Master looked at the pendant in her hand. Luna began to lift her hand up as she was about to destroy it to get rid of the attachment her student had with it. Just then, Storm began to speak as he got to his hands and knees.

"I... didn't botch this test because I'm tired."

"Then what happened?" asked Luna.

"I realized I was about to step on a target," said Storm as it panned upwards to show the pillar where the boy collided as above it was a target.

The boy could have avoided crashing into the pillar, but that would have required shifting his weight and having his feet touch the target, and he would lose automatically. Luna heard that, and she too looked up at where Storm collided as there was the target.

Don't tell me.

The Jedi Master then began to look around the room. There were footprints from Storm's footwear when he jumped around. However, the biggest thing was that despite the many footprints that lay about, there wasn't a single one on any of the targets.

He was in constant motion, yet he managed to avoid every target in the room? Even emotionally off-balance from my provocations, he formulated a strategy to defeat me and remained aware of his surroundings.

Luna's mouth was shown as a small grin appeared on her face. Twilight and Celestia also looked around the room and saw the same thing Luna saw. The princess broke free from Celestia's grip and jumped down. The girl rushed over to where Storm was as she wanted to check up on him.

"Twilight..." muttered Celestia as she shook her head at how the girl rushed to be by her partner's side.

The princess held Storm as she pulled the boy into her chest. She pulled out a healing stim and injected it into the teen as he started to gain back some vitality. Storm smiled at Twilight as the girl hugged her partner; the boy returned the gesture. The pair were kneeling and hugging one another, despite their masters in the same room, and were growling at the site.

Luna loomed over them as her shadow shined down on the pair who broke up their embrace. The Jedi put her hand to her head and let out a stressful sigh as she glared at the pair, especially Twilight. Luna then tossed the pendant to the ground in front of the teens. She then began to leave as the scowl remained on her face.

Storm grabbed his pendant and put it back around his neck. Twilight smiled at the boy when Celestia appeared.

"I told you to not interfere. Come on!" stated Celestia as she grabbed Twilight's arm again.

The princess was lifted to her feet as Twilight's hand slipped from Storm's grip. The girl was now being led away as Celestia made sure to have Twilight walk in front of her to avoid trying to escape. The princess turned her head to see Storm as she waved with a smile. Celestia immediately put her hand down and turned her face forward as she didn't want Twilight looking at Storm, lest she get any ideas.

Storm waved and returned the gesture. The pair soon left as Storm got up. He then looked in his right hand as there was a small piece of paper. The boy unfolded it as something was written on it.

"Once we're done with our next set of missions, we'll sneak out and leave. Hope you're down for it. XOXO, Twilight."

"Oh, Sparky. How did an adorkable girl like you get to be so mischievous? It's really cute." Storm smiled as he liked how the princess was willing to break some rules just for them to sneak away together.

Author's Note: Another test from Luna to see if Storm is ready. And of course, the small exercise she had him do to do a little foreshadowing on what will happen near the end of the war. Not to mention, some more flashbacks to when each were being assigned to Celestia and Luna as their apprentices. And the biggest thing is that we're about to return back to Twilight's world as a certain wedding is about to take place. As always leave a review expressing your thoughts.