“Please give me another chance!” Moonstone begged, hooves pressed together as though in prayer.
 
Her teacher, Mrs. Bookworm, sighed sadly and pushed her glasses up. “I’m sorry Miss Lulamoon-Pie, but I simply cannot overlook your steady decline since arriving here. You’ve gone from Bs and Cs to Ds and Fs, you’re constantly late in the morning, you disturb other students with your late night antics and…well, need I mention the incident on Nightmare Night?”
 
“But-but, it’s Nightmare Night Mrs. Bookworm! It’s supposed to be dark! And it was the one time I though my talent for night stuff could come in handy!”
 
“Yes Miss Lulamoon-Pie, but ponies still need to be able to see where they are going! You practically blotted out the moon. Folks were terrified.”
 
Moonstone slumped back in her chair. They were expelling her. Four moons into her time at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns and she was being kicked out. All the effort her mommies had put into getting her here was wasted. They were gonna be so sad. She was so sad! She had tried so hard…
 
“I’m sorry this has to happen Miss Lulamoon-Pie.” Mrs. Bookworm turned briefly to step away from her desk. “But have you heard the expression every cloud has a silver- oh for Celestia’s sake, not again!”
 
Moonstone had vanished. Not into nothing, however. In her place was a little patch of pure darkness, like a misplaced shadow. It was a trick she had learned to get out of uncomfortable situations. It was about the only thing she could manage to do in the daytime. It was her safe space. Can’t see me, can’t hurt me. But from the dark, little whimpers and sniffles could be heard.
 
“Please come back Miss Lullamoon-Pie,” Mrs Bookworm sighed, “It’s not polite to just disappear, no matter how sad you are.”
 
No response. Just more crying.
 
“Well, just don’t sneak out of the room.” The teacher opened her office door. “Somepony very special is here to talk to you.”
 
From her veil of shadows, Moonstone closed her eyes. She didn’t care who was coming to try and make her feel better. She was a failure, couldn’t cast a simple spell under the sun. Might as well get used to rotating rocks from field to field, because that was all she was good for.
 
“My, my, what a powerful shroud of night. And it’s still light out too.”
 
Moonstones eyes shot open at that voice. She remembered it from the time her mommies took her to the Winter Moon Celebration. Princess Luna was looking down on her with a gentle smile. Wow, she was a lot bigger here than on the stage, and her mane was so sparky.
 
“Y-you can s-see me?” The filly asked, wiping her eyes.
 
“It takes a much stronger spell to deceive the eyes of the night, though it was a very good attempt. I imagine to all others, you are naught but a shadow.”
 
Moonstone smiled a little at that. It was the first time in forever that somepony was praising her magic.
 
“Would you mind coming out so we can speak properly?” The question was gentle, motherly; not an order, but rather a suggestion.
 
Moonstone nodded and dissolved the shadow. Blinking in the light, she slowly got out of her chair and dropped into a bow before the Princess of the Night.
 
“You don’t have to do that Moonstone.” Luna tilted her face up with her hoof. “I am not here as your princess. I am here to offer you an opportunity that my sister’s school could not. A chance to fully harness your unique talents.”
 
“T-t-talents?” The filly could hardly speak. The princess was touching her! She’d never wash her chin again!
 
“Oh Miss Moonstone,” Luna chuckled. “Many years I have waited for a for a gift like yours to appear.”
 
“I predicted the princess could make you her magic grand vizier!” Mrs. Bookworm chimed in proudly.
 
“A what?” Moonstone asked.
 
“Vizier my dear. It means advisor, council but for now, it will mean apprentice or student,” The mare smiled.
 
“Really?” Moonstones eyes were as big as soup bowls. “I’m gonna be your student Princess Luna?”
 
“Yes, dear child.” The alicorn nodded. “All the signs were there in the letters your teacher wrote and from what I’ve observed the past month.”
 
“Wait.” Moonstone scrunched up her brow. “Mrs. Bookworm wrote to you? And you’ve been watching me for a whole month.”
 
“Correct little parrot.” Mrs. Bookworm teased good-naturedly. “After the Nightmare Night incident, I wrote at once to the princess, told her of you in advance. You have great power, Miss Lulamoon-Pie, we just don’t have the means to teach you here. I was trying to tell you before you…well …disappeared.”
 
Moonstone blushed.
 
“It’s okay, little one.” Luna’s voice was so soothing. “I had hoped to find a prodigy someday, but most ponies are more inclined towards the day. We are diurnal creatures after all. But all your incredible potential comes out at night. With a talent like yours dear there is a definite chance if you work as you should, you’ll be making good. So, what do you say Moonstone? Would like to be my personal, and only, student of the night?”
 
The filly couldn’t articulate the words she wanted to say. She was stunned, yet ecstatic beyond coherent thought. All she could do was nod vigorously.
 
“Wonderful!” The joy in Luna’s voice was very loud. “As soon as we’ve approved this with your parents, you will begin your studies with me. As there is no school for the night, you’d be moved to a guest room in the palace so we can have the space and privacy we need without disturbing others. Would that be okay?”
 
Again, Moonstone could only nod. Both older mares couldn’t help but chuckle.
 
“Well, that went quite well.” Mrs. Bookworm said cheerfully. “You are dismissed from class the next few days as we make the final preparations. Take some time to relax and take it all in.”
 
“Yes Mrs. Bookworm.” Moonstone croaked out. “And thank you so much, Princess Luna.”
 
Luna nodded and gave her a wink. “You’re dismissed, dear. Go breathe for a while. You look like you need to.”
 
On shaky hooves, Moonstone rose and trotted weakly out the door. She roamed the halls without seeing them or the ponies she nearly collided with. Things only became clear when she collapsed into her bed in the dormitory. Her mind was whirling.
 
Did that really just happen? She thought. Have I actually understood? This weird quirk I’ve tried to repress or hide is a talent that would help me with the princess if I make good?
 
A huge smile slowly spread across her face. With quiet squeal, Moonstone seized her stuffed rabbit Presto in her forelegs and hugged it tight. So I’ll make good!