The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow across the bustling city of Canterlot. In the quiet solitude of the royal gardens, Luster Dawn, the newest addition to the line of alicorn princesses, felt anything but tranquil. Her hooves tapped an anxious rhythm against the stone path as she pondered the weight of her new title. The air had the sweet scent of blooming roses, yet she couldn't appreciate their beauty as her mind raced with thoughts of the challenges that lay ahead.
Her sharp ears perked up at the sound of approaching footsteps. It was Twilight Sparkle, her mentor, who had once been a beacon of wisdom and stability in the face of adversity. The former ruler looked weary, her eyes filled with a gravity that Luster had never seen before. "Your Highness," Twilight said, her voice solemn. "The situation is dire. The creature from Tartarus grows stronger by the day, and we must act swiftly to contain it."
Luster nodded, her mane fluttering in the evening breeze. "I know," she said, her voice tight with determination. "Tell me what I must do."
Twilight's gaze softened. "The crystals," she began, "each embody the purest form of our kind's magic. They hold the power to create a barrier that can shield us from this creature's influence, but the cost is immense. The creation of these crystals will require a sacrifice none of us are eager to make."
Luster felt a knot tighten in her stomach. "What sacrifice?" she asked, already dreading the answer.
Twilight took a deep breath, her horn glowing softly. "The crystals need to be imbued with the life essence of those who embody the three pony tribes. We—Celestia, Luna, and I—have agreed to be the ones to give it."
Luster's eyes widened in shock. "What does that mean?"
"It means," Twilight said gently, "that we will give up our immortality to ensure Equestria's survival."
The words hung heavy in the air, the gravity of the situation sinking into Luster's heart like a lead weight. Her mentor's willingness to make such a sacrifice was both humbling and terrifying. "But what of me?" she asked, her voice trembling. "How can I lead without your guidance?"
Twilight placed a comforting hoof on Luster's shoulder. "You have grown more than you realize, my dear. Your courage and intelligence will see you through. The crystals will be your shield, and you will be Equestria's light."
The creation of the crystals was an arduous process that spanned several moons. The three former princesses, their bodies weakening with each day, worked tirelessly alongside the best crafters and mages in the land. The air grew thick with the potent scent of magic as they shaped the crystals, each pulsing with the distinct essence of their creators. Twilight's crystal shimmered with a soft glow of knowledge, Celestia's with a warm, comforting light, and Luna's with the mysterious allure of the night.
The day of the ceremony arrived, and the gardens were transformed into a hallowed space, adorned with the glow of thousands of candles that flickered like stars in the night sky. The citizens of Equestria gathered, their faces a mix of hope and fear. Luster Dawn felt the weight of their expectations pressing down upon her, their whispers echoing in her ears. Yet, she stood tall, her pride refusing to buckle under the pressure.
As the former princesses took their places before the crystals, Luna's eyes met hers, filled with a silent understanding. Luster's chest tightened with an emotion she couldn't quite name. Was it fear for her friends' fates, or was it a hint of anger that they were leaving her to bear this burden alone?
The ceremony began with a somber melody played by a choir of pegasus musicians. Each note resonated within Luster's soul, a poignant reminder of the price of power. Twilight spoke the ancient incantation, her voice steady despite her weakened state. The crystals pulsed with new life, drawing in the essence of the three alicorns.
As the magic surged through them, the crystals grew in size and brilliance, casting an aura that washed over the gardens. Luster watched in awe as Twilight's horn blazed with a light so intense it was almost blinding, her body convulsing with the strain of the transfer. Celestia's and Luna's horns followed suit, their magic melding with Twilight's to complete the triad. The crystals, now fully formed, stood as tall as the alicorns themselves, a symbol of hope in the face of the encroaching darkness.
The crowd held its collective breath as the three princesses stepped back, their eyes closed, their bodies trembling with the effort of their sacrifice. When they opened them again, Luster saw the truth of what had been given—the spark of immortality had dimmed in Twilight's eyes, and a hint of age had crept into Celestia's once eternal visage. Luna looked at her sisters, her gaze filled with a solemn acceptance of what was to come.
A hush fell over the garden as the crystals pulsed with a final burst of energy. The former rulers looked at their creation with a mix of pride and sorrow. They turned to Luster, each one offering her a small smile filled with hope and a silent plea for her to be worthy of their trust.
The transfer was complete. The crystals stood before them, a tangible representation of their love for Equestria, a shield that would protect their subjects from the shadow that loomed. Luster approached the trio, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I will not fail you," she vowed, her voice firm and unwavering.
The three alicorns stepped aside, their strength visibly diminished. Twilight spoke, her voice now frail and trembling. "The crystals are yours to wield, Luster Dawn. Use them wisely, and let them be a beacon of hope for our people."
Luster nodded, her throat tight with emotion. She couldn't fathom the depth of their sacrifice, yet she knew she had to be worthy of it. As the crowd dispersed and the reality of her new role set in, she approached the crystals, feeling their power humming beneath her hooves. Each one resonated with a different aspect of her soul: Twilight's crystal whispered of knowledge and strategy, Celestia's of compassion and leadership, and Luna's of the untamed power of the night.
The first few weeks of her reign were a blur of diplomacy and preparation. Luster worked tirelessly to understand the intricacies of ruling a kingdom and the delicate balance of power required to keep it together. Yet, the specter of the creature from Tartarus loomed large, casting a shadow over every decision she made. Her dreams were haunted by visions of its destruction and the anguished cries of her fallen friends.
One evening, as Luster sat in the quiet solitude of the royal library, surrounded by the whispers of ancient tomes, she stumbled upon a prophecy that spoke of an alicorn with a heart of gold, whose reign would bring either prosperity or despair to Equestria. Her heart raced as she read the cryptic words, the weight of destiny pressing down on her. Was she the alicorn the prophecy spoke of? Was her pride a weapon to be wielded or a flaw to be exploited?
Doubts began to creep into her mind like shadows in the moonless night. What if she wasn't ready for this responsibility? What if she failed her mentors and the very land they had entrusted to her? The crystals, now mounted in the throne room, seemed to watch her, their silent vigil a constant reminder of the sacrifice made on her behalf.
Luster pushed herself harder, poring over scrolls and books deep into the night, seeking any insight or wisdom that could help her lead her people through the impending storm. Her nights grew longer, her days more exhausting, but she was determined to be the queen Equestria needed. Yet, no matter how much she learned, the fear remained, a persistent thorn in her side.
The first to fall was her childhood companion, a pegasus named Whisper Wind. His disappearance was sudden and without explanation, leaving only a torn letter fluttering in the breeze outside the castle gates. His family and friends were devastated, and Luster felt a pang of guilt for not being able to protect him. The next was Terra Stone, an earth pony whose strength and loyalty had been unshakeable. Her village was found in ruins, Terra's body never to be seen again.
With each loss, the weight on Luster's shoulders grew heavier. The laughter in the castle halls grew quieter, replaced by whispers of fear and uncertainty. Her closest confidants, once a source of comfort, now avoided her gaze, as if afraid of what the future might hold for them. The crystals in the throne room called to her, their pulsing light a stark reminder of the burden she now bore alone.
Shira, the kind-hearted kirin, was the last thread of hope in the tapestry of Luster's shattered world. Despite her own fears and insecurities, she had remained a constant presence, her gentle nature a balm to Luster's troubled soul. Yet, even Shira could not escape the relentless grip of the malevolent force.
" Hey Luster " Shira called her friend over the halls. Luster Dawn looked over her shoulder, and gently smiled. " Oh hi, Shira, how are you? ", kirin smiled back, but her expresion quckly changed to curiousity and she asks " i'm good, but have been working on the documents all night along?.. ". Alicorns smile fade away, as she turned away, " you know this is my duty, as a princess, i have no one to do it for me. "
" I can help you do it! " said Shira with a flick of hope, " i'm your friend, you can count on me ", Luster looked at the kirin with wide eyes opened " but that will take the whole night to do, you don't have to push yourself so hard for me. " but Shira resisten, and Luster finaly accepted her offer to help.
Just in time, Luster Dawn rises the moon. As Shira is watching by that process with awe. "Wow..that so pretty..." Shira whispeared. Luster heard it, and in response gently smiled back. "Now, let's get right to the documents" said pink alicorn, making a sarcastic grimace. "Uhm, soooo..your work is just sorting out the documents. Like, putting all important papers that i checked and written into the one file, or reading whats writen on it for me, or... just bring me new feathers or more ink.", Luster told it to her friend, while brushing her hair. Kirin nodded happily, and started to pull out the documents for Luster Dawn.
Hours passed, as Luster with Shira was doing their jobs, the pink alicorn didn't noticed how much documents she had checked with help of friend. "*Yawn* ok..last file left...", Lusters eyelinds are getting heavier. Shira looked at her with worring glace and warned her, "hey, i think you should take a small break right now. What if you sight some documents wrong." Luster looked at the kirin with fatigue and dissatisfaction. Raising her eyebrows, she said with a sacrastic tone, "In all this time, I have never filled out a single document incorrectly!"
"No, no! You NEED to take a break, because if you were able to guess right many times, it doesn't mean you'll be lucky next time." Shira said with concern for her friend, her eys are full of pity. She, like no one else, she knew how Luster felt. Alicorn sighed, and still decided to listen to Shira."*sigh* well, okay, let's rest. Only if I fall asleep, wake me up, okay?"
Shira smiled happily, "Oh, we are not gonna rest in the castle, we are gonna do it in the garden!"
"Garden??", with curiousity asked Luster Dawn. "Yeah, garden!! In there you don't have to fall asleep." Despite the fact that Luster was too lazy to go somewhere outside the castle, she still could use some fresh air. She agreed. The alicorn spread her wings and, pointing to her back, said "climb." Shira looked at her in surprise, but still slowly climbed onto her back. Luster opened the window and flew out with a flapping of her wings. Shira closed her eyes tightly and held the alicorn's neck in a death grip. But still, she opened one eye and looked at the sky. The bright moon illuminated the dark azure sky, and it was no longer so scary.
" Luster, please, let's get down as soon as possible...". Luster squinting her eyes from the wind, she said, "Don't be afraid, we're already going down." They smoothly descended onto the green grass of the royal garden. The fragrance of flowers was immediately felt. Shira climbed off her friend's back, her legs were shaking. "Let's just teleport next time.. ?", Luster said in a slightly cheerful voice, "I'm sorry, I just stayed so long in the castle that I didn't think about teleportation at first."
"Well, have you at least warmed up?" Kirin asked Luster Dawn with relief. She straightened her back with a crunch and nodded. "I don't feel sleepy anymore" said Luster rubbing her eyes. Kirin gently smiled gently, and putted her hoof on alicorns shoulder, " see? You don't have to get stuck on the same thing. Sometimes you need to be able to let go of something and occupy yourself with something else."
Afted a hour of spending time in the garden, they teleported back to the castle. Luster never felt so fresh before. She did all her work alone, while Shira slept in front of the fireplace.
"Luster, wake up!" Shira's voice pierced through the thick curtain of darkness that had enveloped Luster's mind. For a brief moment, she forgot where she was, the cold stone walls of the castle room a stark reminder of the reality she had been trying to escape. "It's morning," Shira's gentle voice continued, "You have duties to attend to, remember?"
Luster groaned and opened her eyes to the sight of her friend's concerned gaze. Shira's horn glowed softly, casting a warm light into the space. "I know," she murmured, her voice thick with the weight of unshed tears. "I just don't have the strength anymore."
Shira nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. She knew all too well the pain of losing everyone you cared about. "But you are not alone," she reminded her, placing a comforting hoof on Luster's shoulder. "I am here, and together, we will get through this."
The two friends made their way to the castle's grand hall, where the day's duties awaited them. The once-bustling space now echoed with the silence of absence, a haunting reminder of the vibrant lives that had been lost. Luster felt the heaviness in her chest grow with each step she took, her wings drooping slightly from the burden of her grief.
Shira led Luster to the throne, now a symbol of a responsibility she never wanted. "You must address the kingdom," she said firmly. "They need to know you are still here for them, that hope is not lost."
Luster took a deep breath and ascended the steps, her hooves echoing through the hall. She looked out at the small gathering of ponies, their faces a mix of fear and sadness. "My dear subjects," she began, her voice wavering, "I know the recent events have cast a shadow over Equestria. I, too, am mourning the loss of my friends, but I cannot let their sacrifice be in vain."
Shira watched from the side, her heart aching for her friend. She knew that Luster's words were sincere, but the pain in her eyes was undeniable. As Luster continued, she spoke of rebuilding, of finding peace, and of the strength that lay within each of them. The ponies began to murmur among themselves, their expressions changing from despair to determination.
After the address, Shira and Luster retreated to the solace of the castle's library, surrounded by the silent wisdom of ancient tomes. "You're a natural leader, Luster," Shira said, her voice filled with admiration. "Our friends would be proud of you."
Luster's eyes searched the shelves, lingering on the spots where her friends' favorite books used to be. "They were the ones who had the true wisdom," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm just trying to keep their legacy alive."
Shira nodded solemnly. "And you're doing a great job," she reassured. "But you can't do it all by yourself. You need to take care of yourself, too."
The following days saw Luster and Shira working tirelessly to restore order and hope to the kingdom. They attended council meetings, strategized with the Royal Guard, and visited the townsfolk, sharing comforting words and listening to their concerns. The bond between them grew stronger with each passing moment, as Shira helped Luster navigate the treacherous waters of leadership in a time of crisis.
One evening, as they sat in the castle gardens, the tension between them grew palpable. "I know you're hurting, Luster," Shira said gently, "but you can't ignore your feelings forever. You need to grieve."
Luster sighed, plucking at a petal of a wilted flower. "What's the point?" she asked, her voice filled with defeat. "They're all gone. What difference does it make?"
Shira looked at her friend with a gentle gaze. "The difference is that you're still here," she said. "And you can still make a difference. You can still find happiness, even in the darkest of times." She paused, her eyes reflecting the soft glow of the setting sun. "I miss them too, Luster. But we can't let their memories be consumed by the shadow of their absence. We have to honor them by living, by loving, by making new connections."
"So, you just trying to forget about them by replacing them with new fruends..?" Luster asked, searching Shiras eyes. The accusation hung in the air, sharp and raw. "No matter how hard you trying to understand me, you eventually fails. Compaire your nature and mine, i am an alicorn, and you..." she suddenly stoped, waited a second and finaly said, "you still have an eventuall ending..."
Shira's smile froze on her face, her eyes wide with horror. "What do you mean, Luster?" she stuttered.
Luster's gaze remained unblinking, her voice cold and distant. "It's the truth, Shira. I'm an alicorn. Immortality is part of my nature. But for you, it's different. You will age, grow old, and one day..." she trailed off, the unspoken words hanging heavily between them.
Shira swallowed hard, the fear in her eyes unmistakable. She had never allowed herself to consider the stark reality of her mortality compared to her alicorn friend's endless existence. "But, but friendship isn't about that!" she protested, her voice trembling as she tried to maintain her composure. "Friendship is about love, support, and being there for one another. It's not about... about watching each other die!"
Luster didn't response. She just stares at the ground without showing any emotion.
Shira looked shocked. She quickly finds an excuse to leave the garden and Luster, "uhm...i think its getting cold outside...i should go inside already..." she fakes a yawn and leaves the garden.
Luster remained seated on the bench, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and pain. The words she had spoken hung in the air like a dark cloud, casting a shadow over their friendship. She stared at the ground, her eyes tracing the patterns in the cobblestone, trying to ignore the ache in her heart. The garden, once a place of tranquility, now seemed to mock her with its vibrant life and colors, a stark contrast to the emptiness she felt within.
Shira, meanwhile, had retreated to her room, her own fears and insecurities bubbling to the surface. The realization that she would one day leave Luster behind was a bitter pill to swallow, and she wasn't sure how to face her friend with the truth of what she had felt.
The next day, she knocked on the door to Luster's chambers with a forced smile plastered on her face. "Good morning, Luster!" she called out cheerfully. "Ready to tackle the day?"
Luster's groan was muffled by the thick door. "Just a moment," she called back, her voice strained. Shira waited, her hoof tapping anxiously on the cold stone floor. When the door finally creaked open, she saw the exhaustion etched on Luster's features. "Are you okay?" she asked, her smile slipping a little.
Luster nodded, trying to hide the sadness in her eyes. "I'll be fine," she assured, though her tone lacked conviction. "Let's go get some breakfast."
In the kitchen, the smell of freshly baked muffins filled the air, but neither of them felt much like eating. Shira's smile never wavered, though it was clear she was worried about Luster. "I found a place," she began, her voice tentative, "It's a... special place. I think it could help you, Luster."
Luster raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued despite her fatigue. "What kind of place?" she asked, taking a sip of the tea that had been set out for her.
Shira's eyes darted to the side, avoiding Luster's gaze. "It's just somewhere I think you'll find... helpful," she replied evasively.
Luster studied her friend for a moment before nodding. "Alright," she said, her voice laced with a hint of skepticism. "Lead the way."
They made their way through the castle halls, their hooves clipping against the cold stone floor. The morning light streamed in through the windows, painting patterns on the walls that seemed to dance and shift with their movement. It was a stark contrast to the heavy silence that filled the air between them.
Upon arriving at the "special place," Luster's eyes widened in surprise as she recognized the familiar layout of a hospital. The white walls and the faint smell of antiseptic brought back memories of past visits, none of which were particularly pleasant. She turned to Shira, her eyes searching for an explanation.
"What is this?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Shira's eyes were filled with a mix of apology and hope. "It's a place where you can talk, Luster. A place to heal."
Luster's hooves felt heavy as she followed Shira into the hospital. She had never been one for sharing her feelings, preferring to keep them bottled up inside. But the pain of losing her friends was a wound that refused to heal, and she knew she couldn't bear it alone anymore.
The therapist's office was simple and welcoming, with a plush chair for Luster and a smaller one for Shira. The doctor, a wise old earth pony named Dr. Soul, greeted them with a gentle smile. "Good morning, Your Highness," she said, her eyes kind and understanding. "Shira has told me a bit about what you're going through."
Luster's eyes narrowed as she took in the surroundings, the walls adorned with diplomas and certificates that spoke of the doctor's expertise. "What is this, Shira?" she demanded, her voice laced with suspicion.
Shira took a deep breath before speaking, her eyes never leaving Luster's. "It's a hospital, Luster. I think talking to someone might help you."
Luster's eyes widened further, the realization of what this place represented dawning on her. "Why would I need to be here?" she snapped, her horn glowing faintly with agitation.
Shira looked at her with a mix of regret and hope. "Because sometimes, talking to someone who understands can help," she said softly. "Please, Luster. For me."
Luster hesitated, then nodded stiffly, entering the room and taking a seat. The therapist, Dr. Soul, waited patiently as Luster composed herself, her horn dimming to a mere flicker. "Thank you for coming, Your Highness," she said, her voice soothing. "I know this can be uncomfortable, but I assure you, I'm here to help."
Shira hovered by the door, looking apologetic. "I'll wait outside," she murmured, giving Luster one last encouraging nod before closing the door behind her.
Luster's gaze followed the doctor's gesture to the plush chair. She sat down slowly, her wings folding around her like a protective shield. Dr. Soul's eyes remained kind as she pulled out a notepad and quill. "How have you been feeling since the... incident?" she asked gently.
The alicorn took a deep breath, the weight of her grief pressing down on her chest. "I've been... empty," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know how to fill this void they left behind."
Dr. Soul nodded, her expression empathetic. "Grief can be a powerful force, especially when you've lost so much," she said, her voice as soothing as a lullaby. "But it's important to remember that you're not alone. Shira cares for you deeply, and she brought you here because she wants to help you find a way to cope."
Luster's gaze remained fixed on the floor, her hooves fidgeting. "I don't know what to say," she murmured. "How do I explain this pain?"
Dr. Soul leaned forward slightly, her eyes never leaving Luster's. "You don't have to explain it, my dear," she said soothingly. "You just have to let it out. Give it a voice, so it doesn't consume you."
But Luster couldn't shake off the feeling of anger that bubbled within her. She felt like a child denied her favorite toy, her hooves balled into tight fists. How could Shira do this to her? Bring her to a place where she would have to lay bare her soul to a stranger? It felt like a betrayal, a humiliation. She glanced up at the doctor, her eyes flashing with resentment. "How could she?" she muttered, more to herself than to Dr. Soul. "How could she think this is what I need?"
The therapist nodded sagely. "It's okay to feel anger," she said gently. "Anger is a part of the grieving process. It's your way of processing what you've lost, of trying to make sense of a senseless world."
But Luster's anger didn't dissipate. She felt it swell within her, threatening to spill over. "This isn't what I need," she insisted, her voice growing louder. "I don't need to sit here and talk about feelings. I need to be out there, fixing things!"
Her horn flashed, and with a surge of telekinetic power, she sent the chair she was sitting on skidding across the floor. Dr. Soul's eyes widened in surprise, but she remained calm. "Luster," she said, her tone firm but gentle, "running from your feelings won't solve anything. They will only fester and grow stronger."
But Luster was beyond listening. With a snarl, she teleported herself out of the room and back to the castle, leaving a stunned Shira and Dr. Soul in her wake. She landed in the grand hall, her hooves striking the marble with a resounding crack that echoed through the emptiness. She couldn't believe Shira had brought her here, had exposed her like this. The betrayal burned hot in her chest, mixing with the ever-present pain of her loss.
Shira, her heart racing, followed Luster back to the castle. She knew Luster needed help, but she had hoped it wouldn't come to this. The halls felt colder than ever as she raced through them, calling out her friend's name. The silence was deafening, each hoofbeat a painful reminder of her failure.
Finally, she reached the grand hall, the same place where they had held so many joyous gatherings. Now, it was a tomb, a testament to the tragedy that had befallen them. She took a moment to catch her breath, her chest heaving with the effort of holding back tears.
Shira knew she couldn't leave things like this. She had to find Luster and explain, to apologize for pushing her too hard. She knew her intentions were good, but the alicorn's reaction was more than she could bear. "Luster!" she called out, her voice echoing through the emptiness. She started her search, her hooves echoing off the cold marble floors as she trotted through the halls.
The castle had never felt so vast and so empty. Each room she passed was a stark reminder of the friends they had lost, their laughter and whispers now replaced by the deafening silence. Her heart ached with every step, but she pushed on, driven by her concern for her alicorn friend.
Finally, she reached the last chamber, the doors to Luster's working palace standing tall before her. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the confrontation she knew was coming. As she pushed the doors open, she found Luster, her horn aglow with magic, engrossed in a pile of parchments and scrolls. The sight of her friend, so determined yet so clearly in pain, made Shira's heart clench.
"Ah, finally, I found you," she said, her voice trembling with a mix of relief and fear. Luster looked up, her eyes cold and distant. "What do you want?" she snapped, the anger from their earlier encounter still simmering.
Shira took a deep breath, stepping into the room and closing the door behind her. "I... I just wanted to talk," she stuttered, her heart racing. "I'm sorry about the hospital. I didn't mean to upset you."
Luster's horn dimmed, her eyes flashing with anger. "Talking to some stranger won't bring them back!" she spat. "I have duties to perform, a kingdom to lead! I don't have time for... for this!"
Shira felt the sting of each word, her eyes filling with unshed tears. She knew Luster was hurting, but she hadn't expected this kind of reaction. "But Luster, please," she pleaded, taking a tentative step forward. "You can't just ignore your pain forever."
"GET OUT!" Luster's voice boomed through the chamber, her horn flaring with magic. The papers on the desk fluttered in the sudden gust of power, and Shira took a step back, her eyes wide with shock.
"But Luster, I just want to help," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"I order you to LEAVE ME ALONE." Luster's voice was cold steel, slicing through the air.
Shira took one last pleading look at her friend, her heart breaking with every beat. She knew she had crossed a line, but she had only wanted to help. With a heavy sigh, she turned on her heel and exited the room, her hooves clicking a sad tune on the marble floor. As the door closed, the weight of their argument seemed to press down on her, making each step heavier than the last.
Luster watched her go, her anger slowly giving way to guilt. She knew Shira had only been trying to help, that her intentions were pure. But the thought of sharing her pain, of admitting her weakness, was more than she could bear. Her eyes fell to the scrolls before her, the words blurring as unshed tears threatened to spill.
For hours, she worked in silence, her horn casting an eerie glow in the otherwise dark room. The weight of her solitude was a heavy burden, one she had never felt before her friends' passing. Her hooves moved with mechanical precision, signing decrees and reviewing reports, but her heart remained cold and hollow.
Shira came back to her chamber. She felt as if the walls were closing in on her, suffocating her with the reality of her own mortality and the distance that had grown between her and Luster. The room was cold and dark, mirroring the emptiness in her heart. She threw herself onto the bed, her body wracked with sobs. She felt the guilt overhelming her. How dumb can she be to belive that all Lusters problems she could swipe like a dust of a shelf. How could she be so naive to think that bringing her to the hospital would magically heal her friend? She couldn't help but cry unstoppably.
On the next day, Luster decided to apologize to Shira. She knocked on the kirins door. With creack door opened, Shira with red from crying eyes looked out. Alicorn sighed and said, "Shira, i - im so sorry for the yesterday...", she said quitly, feeling the guilt running down her spine. Shira smiled, "no, you.. shouldn't apologizing. Im the one wrong here...". Luster took a breath, and walked in Shiras room. "I'm really sorry for my behaviour, i just- i can't controll my anger sometimes. I think it comes from the time when i got accepted to the school of talented unicorn..." alicorn stoped, her mind is overhelmed with memories from that day.
23 years back... Young Luster Dawn with her parents walking through the grand and rich halls of the school. With intress she glares at the doors of classrooms, portraits of great wizards who gradueted from this school, and photos of teachers in this school.
She walked in the grand and big classroom, teachers that will testing her, waiting for Luster by sitting on the very top of the row. The glares at little Luster more strickly, not like teachers from ordinary school, they watched her every move, as she stands in the middle of the hall, smiling nerveously.
Then, a stallion came from the other room. He was moving a cart containing a cocktrace egg. He drove the cart up to Luster and left. One of the judges sternly said, "You need to use magic to speed up the growth processes in the egg for the cocktrace to hatch."
Luster with wide eyes looked at the egg, as she trying so hard to hatch cocktrace out of this egg. Her turning red, her horn is dimming with sparks, but nothing is working. The judge looked at the time on her clock, looked at Luster and at the egg, and said "the time is running out, be faster. If you feel you can't pass the exam, youre free to leave."
Luster, when she heard those words, wanted to cry. The egg did not wanted to hatch, but then something happened...
She strained even harder. The egg began to crack, Luster's parents, seeing this, began to smile, had she really succeeded? The cracks on the egg grew even more, but nothing hatched from the egg, it just broke. Luster, her parents and the judge looked on in shock as the egg it simply broke, and the contents of this egg flowed into the cart with hay. The judges looked at Luster with a menacing look, it was clear in their eyes it's clear that they were driving them out of the hall. Luster Dan wanted to cry, but completely different feelings began to take possession of her, namely anger. Anger at the judges, at herself and at the situation. She killed an unhatched creature, and at the same time everyone blamed her for it. She couldn't control her feelings and directed a beam of her magic at the egg. The remains of the egg flew up, levitating above the cart, they shone with a bright light like the sun. When the glow ended, a whole, as if untouched, cocktrace egg lay in the cart. The judges looked at everything that was happening in amazement, and Princess Twilight Sparkle flew into the light emanating from the huge windows of the building. The judge told everything that they saw, and she, going up to Luster, put her hoof on her shoulder and pointed to her side, on which a cutie mark appeared in the form of a dawn. So she became the princess's student.
Luster snaped back to the reality, she looked at Shira and said, "as i remember myself, my anger always been righteous, I don't remember being angry just like that... but, now i feel righteous anger again. And it's directed at me." Luster Dawn looked at the floor with regret and guilt. The kirin smiled, reaching her friends eyes. "Thats okay. I already forgave you. I should apologize too for not talking to you about such things." Shiras eyes became wet, like she is gonna cry. Luster noticed that and askes is shes okay, the kirin is just really happy that everything is okay now, and their conflict is resolved.
One fateful night, the castle walls tremble as the shadow of the creature from Tartarus loomed over Canterlot. The once vibrant halls were cast into darkness, the air thick with the stench of dread. Luster and Shira huddled together, their hearts pounding in unison as they heard the thunderous hooves approaching.
Shira's eyes widened with fear, but she remained steadfast beside Luster, her courage bolstered by the alicorn's strength. "We have to get out of here," she whispered urgently, her voice barely audible over the din of destruction.
They bolted down the corridor, their hooves echoing on the marble floors. The castle, once a bastion of joy and friendship, had become a prison of dread. Each shadow seemed to hide the malicious entity, waiting to claim its next victim. The air grew colder as the scent of dark magic grew stronger.
Shira, ever the gentle soul, urged Luster on, her eyes wide with terror. But she didn't waver, her loyalty unshaken. Suddenly, a figure in black emerged from the shadows, casting a spell so vile it seemed to snuff out the very essence of life. Shira's body convulsed, and with a final, anguished cry, she collapsed, her eyes bulging with the unbearable force of the dark magic. Luster's world shattered into a million pieces as she watched her closest companion fall, the light in her eyes extinguished forever.
The figure in black loomed over Luster, its malicious intent unmistakable. She felt a surge of anger and grief, a fiery determination to avenge her friend. But as the creature reared to strike, her memories grew fuzzy, the horror of the moment too much to bear. All she could see was the twisted, lifeless visage of Shira, a vision that would haunt her dreams for eternity. Her mind desperately tried to piece together what happened next, but the trauma had buried it deep, a self-imposed shield against the unspeakable.
She didn't even apologized to Shira for all horrible things she said to her. "I was the teribble friend...", only this one thought was spinning in her head.
The castle felt like a tomb, its once-cheerful corridors now silent and eerie. Luster's hooves clicked against the cold stone floor as she moved through the shadows, her eyes searching for any sign of life. The crystals in the throne room called to her, a beacon of hope in the suffocating darkness. But their light seemed dimmer without the warmth of her friends' spirits beside her.
Her thoughts raced as she approached the throne. The weight of the crystals' power was palpable, and she knew that the time had come to wield them. The creature's influence had claimed too much of Equestria, and she could no longer stand by idly. With trembling hooves, she touched the crystals, feeling their energy surge through her body, filling her with the essence of her mentors' sacrifices.
The crystals began to glow brighter, their light piercing the shadows that had consumed the room. A fierce determination burned within her as she chanted the ancient incantation, her voice resonating with the combined wisdom and strength of Twilight, Celestia, and Luna. The air crackled with magic as the crystals hummed in response, their power melding with hers to form a protective barrier around the castle.