"The first thing you should know is about the opening ceremony." Said twilight. She sat next to me in the luxury car of the train to canterlot. All my bags and stuff were packed and I had said goodbye to my mother and sister and friends, I was ready to start college now, and better yet, at the hero's academy. "Hey listen..." She said drawing my attention back, I had been dozing off a little.
"Sorry..." I said suddenly.
"The first thing you should know is the entrance ceremony." She said. "As you know the hero's academy is a place to train strong adventurers, but not anypony can get in. You have to pass a test, and even then inside, you're graded on your skills and abilities. There's an arena in the school where they hold fights and competitions. At any point somepony can issue you to a duel and it's taken as a grade." She said.
"Cool..." I said listening carefully.
"They have dorms, so you'll be able to live on campus... But you're not even sure to get in yet... You still have to pass the tests." She said.
"So what is the test?" I asked.
"It's random each year..." She said, "I used to be they would have fights, and the winners would be allowed in, but that was proven to be greatly unfair, but they do have a freshman tournament shortly after the year begins in late august." She said.
"So they decide who's going to get in before school starts..." I said checking to make sure I understand.
"Exactly." She said. "Something else you should know, is that you shouldn't be overwhelmed by the other students." She said. "Students aren't allowed to fight on campus unless they authorized a duel and are fighting within the arena with supervision of an instructor." She said. "And the school has a lot of direct training, so expect to spend a lot of time in the arena fighting."
"The other students?" I asked.
"Sometimes... But they do have monsters that they capture and have others fight." She said. "And they like to keep records on the students, so they can track their capabilities, so they know what to do so that they challenge them, but don't put them in any serious danger. And of course, they've got a well trained medical staff... But most students don't get hurt in the arena anyway." She said.
"How come?" I asked.
"They have you wear a circlet on your head which creates a barrier around you, which reflects your vitality." She said. "It absorbs any damage, and will effect you like it would if you took any real damage." She said. "For example... if an attack would normally have cut off a limb or something, you would lose control of those limbs." She said. "And while it does deflect most of the pain, you'll still be able to feel the attacks when they hit you." She said. "The circles glow when they're working, and when they stop glowing, that means you would have died normally and the fight is over."
"So it's a fight simulation pretty much..." I said.
"Precisely." She said. This whole school sounds amazing. I'm seriously excited, and we're almost at canterlot now. The large city could be see from out of our window. If I remember correctly from the few times that I traveled here, there should be a tunnel before we get there. It should take about another ten minutes.
"So... Am I going to have to worry about paying and funds?" I asked.
"Nope... The princess said she would sponsor you... So you're getting a royal scholarship." She said.
"REALLY!?" I said excitedly smiling brightly. "The princess!?" I said even more excitedly. I've never met the princess before. Well... I've seen her, but I've never really met her before. "Will I be able to meet her?" I asked. Twilight giggled.
"Well... Of course... You are going to be staying with us in the castle." She said.
"In the castle!?" I said. This whole things just keeps getting better. I feel like royalty. Living in a castle, meeting the princess... And going to a prestigious school for hero's on a royal scholarship. "This is amazing... But... Why is the princess being so nice to me?" I asked.
"Because she believes in your potential." She said smiling at me. Twilight looked back out the window just as the train had made its way into the tunnel and the outside world went dark. She walked over and sat down beside me. Her attitude changed, instead of being her scholarly self, she felt more...relatable. She gets like this whenever she starts reminiscing about my dad. She looked at me and she gave me a loving smile.
"Are you remembering my dad?" I asked.
"Sorry... I can't help it sometimes..." She said smiling. "You know... Your dad was very good friends with the princess..." She said. "Did you know they got into a fight once and completely destroyed canterlot castle?" She asked. I remember reading that in my fathers journal.
"Yeah... I read it in my fathers journal..." I said.
"You know, it's an absolute miracle that he was able to create that." She said. "Those pages are full of his memories, he took all of his thoughts and memories and created that journal from him... Keeping that it pretty much like having him with you." She said. "And his necklace too... That's a valuable moments of him... Keep it close to you always." She said pointing to the necklace I was wearing. I always wear this thing. I make sure never to leave my house without it.
"Thanks twilight..." I said. "I promise I'll train as hard as I can this next month and become even stronger than I was before." I said with determination. Twilight just smiled and looked back out the window as the train left the tunnel. It wasn't long after that we found ourselves in canterlot. When we got there, there were guards who happily took our bags and we made our way to the castle. When we got there I could barely contain my excitement. We were standing in the main lobby as the guards took our luggage elsewhere, but I didn't bother with that, I was too excited. The castle was so much bigger than I thought. We started to make our way up the large staircase and at the top where two ponies, both looming tall and with a regal presence. You didn't need to tell me that they were the princesses celestia and Luna. Once we met them at the top of the stairs I dropped to my knees and bowed out of respect.
"Hello princess..." Said twilight.
"Hello my faithful student..." Said celestia as they gave each other a hug. The princesses voice was calming and tender. She had a loving, motherly demeanor about her. She gave of the feeling that all of her subjects where her children instead. Princess Luna gave of a calm demeanor and a happy attitude.
"Hello twilight..." She said smiling.
"Hello princess Luna." Said twilight smiling. They both bowed to each other. But the. They turned to me and I froze. I couldn't say anything, and all I could do was stare in awe at celestia and Luna's beauty.
"You must be dawn..." Said celestia walking up to me. I subconsciously dropped to me knees. She giggled a bit and kept smiling. "You don't need to bow... You're father was a very good friend of mine, and I owe him more than I can give."
"I owe your father a lot too... We all do." Said Luna. "He was a noble stallion who's saved many others, the least we can do in his name is help you along your journey."
"We don't doubt your power... But you need to train first." Said twilight walking over.
"There no doubt that your fathers power runs through your blood... I can feel it. You carry a very heroic aura, just like his." Said celestia.
"Do you really think so?" I asked.
"Of course..." Added Luna.
"Twilight has been tracking your progress in magic, and it has been coming along well... Well enough that you shouldn't have to worry about it so much... But you lack in other departments." Said celestia.
"Like what?" I asked trying to sound as thankful and sincere as I could.
"First, you'll be working with me on your battle strategy." Said Luna stepping forward. "I'll show you how to calm your mind, and move with the flow of the universe." Said Luna. "In fact... That's what we're going to do today... There's still plenty of time in the day... So you'll be working with me until the sun sets."
"Right now?" I asked.
"You'll be training constantly while your here..." Said celestia. "This isn't an invitation to relax in the castle." She said. "Can you handle it?"
"Of course..." I said. "I'm willing to out in all of my effort into training." I said confidently.
"Okay... Then follow me." Said Luna walking off to a door to the side of the second level. I followed her and twilight and celestia stayed behind and started to talk. I followed Luna out the door and over to a long hallway. The right side of the hallway was made completely out of glass and was overlooking the outside. Outside of the hallways was a large garden. The large hallway emptied out to an overhang above us with pillars keeping it up making it possible to walk out into the garden. I followed her and she brought me out into the garden. We stopped in a small clearing right by a large and mighty oak tree.
"So...what are we going to be training?" I asked.
"First thing is first... We're going to train you in the flow of the universe." She said.
"The...flow...of the... Universe?" I said trying to understand what she meant.
"In order to do this you must turn into a flowing rive..." She said closing her eyes and standing still. "A rive flows gently, and water is never broken or cut by anything in its way...it simply moves out of the way." She said. "You must entrust your heart to the flow... And dodge my attacks." She said using her magic to suddenly summon a wooden staff. She also used her magic to move over a blindfold. Without even knowing it she had slipped it over my eyes and I could no longer see.
"Hey... Why the blindfold?" I asked.
"At first you cannot see the flow if you see the world..." She said. "Feel with your heart... And dodge." She said and then she grew silent. I couldn't even hear her moving anymore. I didn't know where she was. Everything was quiet and I could feel the wind blowing on my face. And suddenly something hit me on the head and I let out a surprised yelp.
"Ow!" I said.
"Feel the flow and dodge..." Said Luna, her voice from behind me. When did she even get behind me? I calmed myself again, and tried to calm down, but I was afraid of getting hit again. "Don't be afraid." She said. I let out a deep sigh and tried to nerve myself, but I got hit on my head again.
"Ouch!" I said again rubbing my head. "You don't have to hit me so hard..." I said.
"You have to feel the flow. Let your body sway, let the flow of the earth take over your heart." She said. I calmed myself down and concentrated. I tried to drown out my feeling, and I think I was starting to understand what she was saying. And I felt something, from the side. I tried moving out of the way of it, but it still hit me on the head.
"Ooowwww..." I said, that one really hurt.
"Good... You're starting to feel it." She said. "But don't move out of the way... The key is to let the flow of the earth move you instead." She said. I tried over and over again, and she kept hitting me. I could just barely feel it, but I couldn't move out of the way. It was getting late now, and my head was throbbing, and bruised. This whole thing is going to give me brain damage.
"Can we please stop?" I asked.
"Not until the sun sets..." She said. "This time I'm going to strike you as hard as I can... If you don't dodge it... It's going to hurt." She said. I got scared. I tried calming myself, but just waiting for it to happen was killing me. I tried calming myself. I tried to be as calm as I could. I settled my nerves, and suddenly I felt something. It wasn't any kind of flow, but I felt a beating. A heavy beating in my chest, it was my heart. This feeling is unlike anything I've ever felt before... It felt... Good, like it was natural. I felt like I could do anything now, and with that I started to sink into a strange darkness now.
My heart beat, and with its pulse I could see something. All around me were ripples and waves. My body started to sway like I was underwater. I felt something all around me. I way the ripples starting to move around me. It was Luna, running circles around me. She was disturbing whatever kind of flow was around me. Is this what she was talking about? Is this is, I feel like I'm in water. Everything seems to move so slowly. Then suddenly the flow changed and I felt her starting to move towards me. She moved towards me, but I felt the waves of her movements and let them push me away, like a wave pushing back my body. I moved out of the way and she hit the ground, but moved back. Every time she went to attack it was like she was disturbing the flow, moving me around me. I was like a small object in the ocean, and every time the current changed the movements and the waves would just simply push me out of the way. I let the flow move my body, I felt like I wasn't even moving.
"Amazing... You've figured it out." She said. "Now... Attack me." She said. "Follow the flow, and attack." She said moving back towards me. I felt completely calm, and as she attacked I let the flow move me out of the way. I felt like I was untouchable. This is amazing, she can't even touch me. She swung again and I moved out of the way and found myself to her side. I felt the flow moving towards her and I followed it as I let my back hooves lift up and I bucked towards her. I felt myself make contact and suddenly her presence was gone. I got distracted and everything seemed to fade. I lifted up my blindfold, now seeing the world, and the sun was just starting to set. I looked over and saw Luna lying in the ground away from me with the staff she used flown apart form her. I had kicked her, but just how hard did I hit her?
"Oh god... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..." I said apologetically rushing over to her. She picked herself up and then started to laugh.
"Amazing... You were able to understand something like that in such a short time... You really are your father daughter." She said.
"Y-you're not mad that I hit you?" I asked.
"Well... I did ask you to." She said getting back on her hooves.
"I'm sorry..." I said.
"Don't be... That was beautiful..." She said smiling. "If you keep yourself calm like that, and entrust yourself to the flow of the earth, then you'll be untouchable. And if you follow that flow you'll be able to do a great amount of damage to your enemies." She said. "You'll be able to move towards opening and weak spots on your enemies, but it's not easy getting there. The flow will keep you moving away, but if you move yourself towards a current moving towards your enemy, it will lead you to a powerful attack." She said.
"I still don't completely understand... But I think I know how to do it." I said.
"We'll be some more training tomorrow... But you should get some rest... I'll see if one of the maids can't get you some ice for your head." She said smiling.
"Yes please..." I said rubbing my head.
Some time passed. And the guards showed me to my room, which is huge. I laid on the super comfortable bed with an ice pack resting on my head. The room as large, with big windows on the wall to my right, across from the door. The bed rests on the right side of the room, facing inside. To the left, across from the bed, there are walls lined with bookshelves filled with books that I haven't had the time to look over. There's a gap in the bookshelves where there's a work desk with a cushion to sit on. All of my luggage is on the other side of the bed, still unpacked. There's not much though, since I normally don't wear clothes, but my mom sent some with me anyway. It's mostly just stuff like my toothbrush and some other toiletries.
On the wall to my right with the windows, which are decorated with large blue curtains that are blocking out the light from outside, there's a door leading to the balcony. The door is a glass door, also with curtain to keep out the light, which I have closed because I like my curtains closed. This place is so big, I barely even know my way around. I'll need to be escorted around for a little while, but I'm sure in a few days I'll have a broad understanding of the castles layout. I laid back In my bed as there was a sudden knocking on my door. It must be twilight, I thought as I walked over to the door. I opened it up, expecting to see twilight, but I was confused when I saw a stallion standing there smiling. He had a white coat with long blonde and silky hair. He was wearing a neckerchief and he smiled when he looked at me. He was a unicorn, and he had deep blue eyes.
"Uhm... Who are you?" I asked.
"My apologies for intruding..." He said giving me a slight bow. "My name is prince blueblood." He said. A prince... I know him, well... Not personally. He's celestias nephew, and is supposedly a very popular pony amongst the royal culture. "I caught wind that the daughter of Equestrias most Nobel hero was here training to enter the hero's academy and I thought I would offer her my good luck." He said talking my hoof and giving it a small kiss. I shyly pulled my hoof back and let out a nervous smile.
"Heh... Uh... Thanks." I said. "It's uh... Nice to meet you." Even though he's royalty I don't really feel like bowing, in fact I kinda want him to leave. He may be acting nicely, but his presence is a bit overpowering and was making me uncomfortable. "So... Is that all?" I asked.
"I thought that I could show you around the castle..." He said stepping out of the way for me. I didn't want to go with him, but I felt like I have to now. I don't like being rude, and I have a hard time telling ponies 'no'.
"Uhm... Sure... I guess." I said making my way out of the room. I felt his eyes on me, and it almost made me shiver. He used his magic to close the door to the bedroom and I followed him down the hall. I tried to stay behind him, but he kept right by my side.
"So as you know canterlot is the most prestigious city in all of Equestria, and of all of it the castle is by far the most elegant building here, though I've been told that the academy is quite a thrilling sight as well." He said ranting on. "Surely being the daughter of the famous crimson blast, you must be a wealthy Nobel here in canterlot for sure. You must have a large house with many maids and servants catering to you at all hours of the day."
"Actually I live in ponyville with my mother..." I said. "I have to do some of the chores there, and our house isn't that big." I said. "It's a little bigger than most, but it's not a mansion."
"Oh... " he said, "well you must lead a very humble life then, but surely you have all sorts of riches and gold stashed away somewhere."
"We ended up donating all of the treasures my dad found when we knew he wasn't going to come back." I said. "We're not that rich, and the only reason I'm even able to attend the hero's academy is because the princess is giving me a scholarship to go." I added. "But my dad's study is full of unique artifacts and enchanted items that he's come across in his journeys."
"It sounds hard living in such a way." He said.
"Not if your used to it..." I said quietly under my breath. He probably didn't even hear what I said.
"You know, a pony with such Nobel blood should be living a life of luxury here in canterlot." He said. I don't really have a reason to hate this guy yet, but every time he talks I can feel a small part of myself dying inside. Mom said that dad hated snobby rich ponies... It's good to know that I really am his daughter in that sense. "I know I ask of much, but would you like to have a small drink with me?" He asked as he stopped In front of a doorway leading to a place that looked like a lounge. It was dimly lit with candles and there were places for ponies to sit down and socialize. It must be a room used for when there are lots of guests at the castle. Already I could see a small table with wine glasses and a bucket of ice holding a bottle of red wine.
"Uhm... Sorry, but I'm not old enough to drink yet." I said. "I'm only 18..."
"It's only a small drink, I'm not asking that you drink the whole bottle." He said letting out an annoying and haughty laugh.
"I'd really rather not." I said.
"Then share a non alcoholic drink with me at least?" He asked.
"Uh... Sure." Like I said before, I'm not good at telling others 'no'. So I joined him in the room for a drink. He had a glass of wine while I just drank a glass of cola. I quietly sipped my cola and he sipped from his wine. He was talking about something stupid, but I finally found a way to tune him out. After hearing him talk before I've been able to analyze his speech patterns and I know when to say yes, or no, or when to respond. That's something I learned from scootaloo. She's a master of talking to guys without even hearing what they say. She may swing the other way, but that doesn't stop guys from trying to hit on her when she go's to the bars with her girlfriend. Thinking about her makes me wonder what she's doing right now and how mom is doing. I bet she's lonely... But she still has scootaloo, but I can imagine it being hard on her. It's a good thing she has a lot of great friends like applejack, and fluttershy, and rarity. And pinkie pie...who always shows up to my birthday parties and works at sugar cube corner. Just thinking about home is already making me homesick and I haven't even been gone for more than a day. This next month is going to be hard.
And then if I do get into the academy, I'll have to live on campus because the commute would take too long. If I do get in I'll make it a point to go and visit mom in the gap between the entrance exams and the day that school does actually start. I let out a sigh as blue blood continues to go about his babbling. I shake the nostalgic thoughts from my head and concentrate on finding a way of ditching blue blood. But I can't think of any way I can, I really am bad at saying no. Suddenly there's a flash and I feel the room get cold for a moment. Suddenly a path of ice shoots out and blueblood is now frozen solid with a look of surprise on his face. The sudden occurrence makes me jump back and let out a surprised yelp. I quickly looked over to see that the source of the ice magic was from a very familiar pony... Snowbelle. She walked over and just let out a sigh when she looked at blueblood.
"You really are hopeless...you know that?" She said.
"Me?" I asked.
"Oh... No... Not you, you're very important, I was talking about him..." She said moving her head towards blueblood now a frozen statue. "He's a hopeless romantic... And a serious snob... You shouldn't talk to him anymore." She said. "He does anything he can to get whatever he wants."
"But what does he want?" I asked.
"You... Probably." She said.
"M-me?" I asked confused as to why.
"May not know it, but you're much more popular than you think." Said snowbelle. "And it's all because of your father. Everypony knows that he had a daughter, and now they're expecting you to live up to his name and become as powerful as he was." She said. "In fact there are many ponies out there who think you're already at his level... But that's absurd. While you are getting stronger, it will take you years before you reach his level."
"I know that... But what do you mean blueblood wanted me?" I asked.
"Think about it... If he were to make the you, the heir to the crimson name, his wife... The popularity would be endless." She said. "Don't let him do that... Besides...you're too young for that kind of stuff."
"I know... I only just turned 18..." I said. "Plus he's like... What? Fifty?" I asked.
"Forty eight actually..." She said. "He's good at hiding his age, I'll give him that." She muttered as she pushed the large ice sculpture that used to be blueblood. It tipped over and the ice around him shattered and he laid on the ground shivering. "Get out of here..." Said snowbelle. Although he seemed to be frozen stiff he had no trouble in getting up and bolting out the door. His pathetic actions made me laugh a bit.
"Thanks snowbelle." I said smiling.
"Don't worry about it..." She said. "Just make sure to train hard and pass the entrance exams."
"Are you here to help me train?" I asked.
"Unfortunately no... I've got to head out in a few days to the crystal empire for some important business... But I've already taught you how to use water and ice magic. All you have left is to let yourself be a little creative and use it in your own way." She said smiling.
"Thanks you again..." I said as we walked out of the room.
"Don't worry about it... I have complete confidence that you'll pass..." She said smiling. "Now, you should get some rest, I've got a few things I need to take care of."
"Bye snowbelle..." I said waving goodbye as I stopped and let her keep moving forward. She looked back with a smile and waved back to me. I turned around and started to make my way back to my room. I think I can remember which way it was. I started making my way down the hallways making sure to find which way was right, and after a little while I came to a hallway which looked incredibly similar. This must be it. I walked down until I came to a room which I was completely sure was mine. I walked over and opened up the door to the room and walked in to see a pony standing in the room. I now see that this was the wrong room. The pony had dark blue fur and hair that seemed to shine like a bright star. I also noticed that he had a horn on his head.
"Oh my god I'm sorry I thought this was my room." I said bowing to him in embarrassment and apology. "Hey wait..." I said noticing a set of bags next to the bed. "This is my room!" I said. "What are you doing in my room!?" I asked him now turning the tides of embarrassment to him.
"Oh...are you dawn... I was looking for you." He said. Oh god, not another one. "I wanted to say hi and welcome you to canterlot, but when I got here you were gone, I thought about looking for you, but your room had a nice smell to it so I ended up wandering in." He said.
"My room... Smelt nice?" I asked. Great this ones a freak too... How come all of the ponies in this castle are screwed up in the head?
"Yeah... Like strawberries and mango..." He said. He took another sniff in the air. "Hey... Are you wearing perfume?" He asked.
"Uh...no." I said.
"Maybe the shampoo you use?" He asked walking over to me and taking another sniff as I entered the room.
"I haven't showered since yesterday... And my shampoo is vanilla scented." I said.
"Hmm... Maybe it's your natural smell?" He said.
"Uhm... I don't think so." I said. "Maybe it's just something the maids used to clean the rooms?" I asked. I took a sniff, but I couldn't smell anything. I smelt clean linen, but that smells nothing like strawberries and mango.
"Are you sure?" He asked leaning into me and sniffing my hair. I quickly jumped back... This guy is seriously one weird colt. "It's definitely coming from you..." He said.
"What the fuck... You can't just smell others like that... Get out of my room!" I said getting mad now.
"Sorry... My names daystar... You must be dawn...it's nice to meet you, I'll be seeing you sometime later, welcome to canterlot, have fun, good luck on your entrance exam, train hard, bye." He said shooting out a million things at once in the few brief seconds it took him to walk past me, out the door, and close it behind him. Prince blue blood was a freak, but that guy was in his own league. I lifted up my front leg and gave myself a sniff.
"Oh god... I definitely don't smell like strawberries and mango." I said to myself. It's a good thing that this room comes with its own private bathroom with a shower. I let out a sigh and started to unpack some of my things. I headed into the bathroom with my soap and shampoo and hopped into the shower. After washing up in the bathroom and cleaning myself up I got out, dried myself off, and then went right to bed. It didn't take me long to doze off right after getting into the bed which was extremely soft and comfortable. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep thinking about what I'll be doing the next day. And I could keep myself from thinking about getting into the academy.
I just hope the ponies there aren't as weird as the ones in the castle...