That's right. It's time for another chapter. So soon, I know. But I have decided that I want to finish to my two MLP stories before the new season starts. I don't know if that will happen, but I'm going to try. Try being the key word here. Anyway, thanks goes out to Matthais Unidostres… though I'm not sure if you like the story or not… sorry. My thanks also go out to all those that took their time to read. See you all next chapter.

Chapter Fourteen

Star Filled Night

Twilight tossed and turned in her bed. Her head was still buzzing with all that she learned. So many spells she didn't know even existed. It was almost too much for her to take in. Good thing she had plenty of scrolls. She only able to practice a few, but what she could do was amazing. Her favorite by far was the Squeaky Clean spell. She hadn't quite mastered it yet, but at least the bottom floor of the library was waxed to perfection.

She pulled her pillow over her head to make sure no more thoughts would trickle in. It didn't help… no matter what Pinkie said. Stuffing it back underneath her head, Twilight let out a frustrated sigh. Her mind was just too busy with all she learned. Too focused and motivated to sleep, Twilight quietly snuck from her bed. She checked to make sure that she hadn't disrupted Spike. He was still snoozing contently in his bed. Not much could wake a sleeping baby dragon… save for the smell of pancakes… or gems. She pulled his blanket up and made sure that it was tucked in nice and tight. Spike stirred a little, but only snuggled with his blanket. She smiled as she headed for the stairs. Looking over at the extra bed, she checked to see that Trinity was still fast asleep. To her surprise, Trinity wasn't in the bed.

Gingerly she descended the stairs. There was not a sound to be heard, other than her own hooves. She came to the first floor, but didn't see Trinity anywhere. Twilight thought for a moment. She didn't hear her get up or leave. Surely she wouldn't have left in the middle of the night. Trinity had to be somewhere in the library, but where?

"Hoo hoo?" Twilight heard the faint hooting of Owlowiscious coming from the balcony.

"I suppose that is a good point my little friend," a voice quietly giggled.

Twilight tip toed up the stairs to the balcony. She peaked out the semi open doors to see Trinity sitting with a blanket wrapped around her. Owlowiscious was perched nearby. They both were looking up into the sky, possibly admiring the Moon or stars.

"Ah… Twilight," Trinny didn't even look back, "I'm sorry if I woke you."

"You didn't," Twilight came out onto the balcony, "I couldn't sleep. My mind wouldn't stop thinking. All the spells and possibilities…," she sighed contently, "I just want to burn the midnight oil and keep at it."

Trinny giggled, "You were always a studious student Twilight."

"Thank you," she accepted the compliment.

"But even a studious student know when they need some sleep," Trinny raised her brow, "Especially when they've already had a busy day."

"Oh… well… you know…," she blushed.

"But if your mind is still willing to learn," Trinny looked back up to the sky, "I suppose I have a few lessons left…"

"Really?" Twilight instantly sat down next to her, "What kind of lessons? Are they about theories regarding matter transfiguration spells? Or maybe we can delve a little deeper into your Cold Spell… that will be so perfect for a hot summer day," she thought of all the warm drinks she had to endure over the years, "What lesson will it be? Oh… I should get some quills, ink and paper," she ran for the door.

She was just about to reach them when she popped back to where she came from. Looking up, she could see that Trinny's horn was glowing with her red magic.

"Tell me Twilight," Trinny set her upright, "What do the Stars represent?"

"I know this," she made several books about astrology appear, "Stars form constellations which refer to mythical figures and…," the books suddenly disappeared.

"Books are well and good," Trinny smirked, "But they tell what others think. Not what you think. Now," she looked back up at the sky, "What do Stars represent?"

Twilight wasn't sure how to answer. She always used books or scrolls to reference her answers. A question was to test the knowledge that was gained by reading and studying. But Trinny didn't seem interested in a book answer. She wanted something more.

"Well…," Twilight thought, "I guess stars are… they are bright because… um… stars are pretty?" she laughed nervously.

Trinny chuckled, "Having a hard time my dear?"

"I… I didn't fail… Did I?" Twilight felt a pit form in her stomach.

She chuckled once more, "There are no grades here my dear. This is merely for your knowledge."

"So I should be taking notes!" Twilight ran for the door again, but was popped back to where she started, "Or maybe I should stay here and listen?"

Trinny nodded her head, "They are hope. Born from the hearts of every little filly and colt. They help guide us when the darkness seems to strong. They are the little light that burn inside of us and lets us know never to give up. Now," she looked to Twilight, "What does the Moon represent?"

Twilight bit her lip, "Umm… Princess Luna?"

"That is true. The Moon is a symbol of Princess Luna," Trinny had to admit, "But it is something more. The Moon represents dreams. Dreams allow us to see many possibilities and know that opportunity is everywhere. They make hope stronger and brighter. Then that leaves us with one last celestial body."

"The sun?" Twilight answered cautiously.

"That is correct," Trinny seemed please, "And what does it represent?"

Twilight's mind went instantly to thoughts of Princess Celestia. She was the one who rose and set the sun. She guided it along its journey through the sky until the moon was ready to light the way. Her mind went through everything that she had learned in regards to the sun, but nothing seemed quite right. Suddenly she remembered the day that she saw Princess Celestia raise the sun. The brilliance of the light nearly blinding her, but also opening her eyes to the wonders of magic. The feeling of knowing what she wanted to devote herself to magic and learn anything she could. For her, the sun meant...

"It means inspiration," Twilight proudly stated.

"That is correct my dear!" Trinny applauded, "The Sun is truly inspiration. Inspiration allows us to realize our dreams. It is the brightest of lights, but like the setting Sun we often lose sight of it. It is the same with dreams… with the Moon. When things get hard and the darkness falls upon us, the Sun and the Moon may not be able to be seen," she looked to the stars once more, "But we always have hope… we always have the Stars… They never leave the sky. They watch over us and preserve what we have always held in our hearts," she sighed.

"Wow…," Twilight was impressed, "How did you learn all that?"

Trinny laughed, "I learned it through the journey I have taken," she gently smiled, "The best lessons in life are learned through doing. Wouldn't you agree?"

Twilight was somewhat conflicted on that matter. It was true that she had learned much from all her books and difficult lessons, but what good were they if she didn't use them. There was also the fact that there were many things that she learned by doing rather than reading. Both felt important. How could she choose one or the other?

Trinny must have read her thoughts, "I'm not asking you to choose. All I'm saying is that some lessons are best left to life and others from books. One is not more important over the other, but," she smiled, "if I had to pick one, I would pick the one were the lessons last a lifetime."

Twilight yawned, "That's a good lesson in its self."

"Looks like some pony is getting sleepy," Trinny chortled.

"No, no," Twilight insisted, "I could stay up all night. I'm not the least tire...," she could feel her eyes growing heavy.

"Oh really?" Trinny started to hum a sweet little lullaby.

The melody entered Twilight's ears; such a soothing song. She tried to keep her head up, but it was losing the battle with gravity. Her eyes felt like heavy sandbags were tied to them. Her mind stopped buzzing about and felt groggy and sluggish. Soon her legs slid from under her.

"Goodnight Twilight," she could feel Trinny wrapping the blanket around her.

"Good... Night...," Twilight mumbled as she fell into a deep slumber.

Twilight didn't know how long she had been asleep. Slowly she opened her eyes. No longer was she on the balcony, but in the middle of Ponyville. Shooting up, Twilight wondered how she got there. There was not a single pony to be seen. She tried to call out, but her voice had left her. Looking around, there was an eerie glow to the land. It wasn't quite day and it wasn't quite night. She started to look to the sky. The sun and the moon overlapped one another. It was something that she had never seen before; the two have never touched… not in all known history.

"Are you afraid little mare?" a deep voice filled her ears, "Afraid of the shadow in the sun? Ha ha ha ha!"

She looked around, but there was no pony there. The laughter continued and it shook her to her heart. Finally she looked down. Her shadow was no longer hers. It was elongated and bore a pair of amber eyes. Twilight tried to step away from the shadow, but it followed her wherever she went.

"Afraid of your own shadow?" it laughed, "How pathetic. Soon your world will be darkness… soon there will only be fear… starting with YOU!" the shadow leap at her.

Twilight shot up in bed. Her heart was nearly pounding out of her chest. Her breaths out of control, but eventually she was able to breathe normally. Looking around, she could see that she was in her bedroom. Everything appeared normal. The sun was in the sky and the moon was nowhere to seen. She checked to make sure that her shadow was her own and that it wasn't laughing menacingly at her. It was her own and no laughter could be heard.

She breathed a sigh of relief, "that was one crazy dream…"

"Morning Twilight," Spike popped up from the stairs.

"Oh no," she pulled the covers up to her eyes, "I'm still sleeping. Spike's up before me!"

"Ha ha," he rolled his eyes, "Very funny. Though I am surprised that you're still in bed," Spike scratched his head.

"I was just having a dream," she shuttered at the thought of it, "Where's Trinny?" she noticed that the bed across from her was made.

"She left already. She said that she had a lot to do," he explained, "and she didn't want to disturb you. Something about you needing the sleep," he tried to remember what she said exactly.

"Sorry I didn't get to say goodbye," Twilight hopped out of bed, "I was going to make breakfast for every pony."

"She already did," Spike held out a muffin, "Trinny made me a mixed gem muffin," a little drool leaked from the corner of his mouth, "Oh," he quickly wiped it away, "And she made you pancakes… that's what woke me up this morning," he giggled to himself.

Twilight smiled, "Really. How nice."

"She wanted to make sure you had a good start to the day and," he tried to remember the rest, "Don't work or study too hard. Have fun and… Oh! She's see us at the schoolyard at two for the rest of the story."

Twilight smiled, "Thanks Trinny."