- Written by Jeremy Whitley, Art by Brenda Hickey, Coloring by Heather Breckel
Sunburst next opts to read the legend of Mistmane, but a spell cast on the book by Star Swirl forces him to read it in the beauty of the Canterlot gardens.
Mistmane, as she is traveling the world, comes upon a construction site, finding that Star Swirl had order a giant castle to be built for the two Princesses. The construction ponies are having problems as their work seems to be undone each night when they leave each night. Mistmane, having an idea what is going on, offers to guard the castle site for the night.
During that night, young Luna comes by, first accusing her of slowing down the construction work. However, Mistmane assures her she knows who is doing it, and shows her that the animals of the local forests are wrecking the havoc. Luna is initially frightened of the angry critters, but Mistmane tells her to relax and pay attention to what the animals are doing. Through Mistmane's guidance, Luna comes to see that the animals are fearful that the huge castle will ruin their forests, costing them their homes and destroying the beauty of the forests. As Mistmane quitely disappears, Luna drafts out a new design for the castle, one that respects the forests and enhances their beauty, which the animals appear to agree to. Luna presents this to Star Swirl the next day, and construction on the new castle begins, eventually becoming what is known as Canterlot, incorporating the various gardens to help provide more homes for the animals. Mistmane is pleased with the results, and affirms from the animals that they promise not to get in the way again.
As Sunburst finishes the book, he thinks he catches sight of Mistmane in the gardens, but she disappears before he can confirm.
Tropes:
- Animal Talk: Mistmane can do this, and teaches Luna the same. It's noted as not being based on speech, but in the ability to read body language and think more deeply about context.
- Continuity Nod: The original design for Canterlot looks a lot like the Palace of the Unicorns and the Castle of the Two Sisters, that both predated it. And again like Issue 1 Luna and Celestia both use their younger designs.
- Holding Back the Phlebotinum: It's noticeable that despite being a unicorn with a very prominent horn, Mistmane never uses her magic. She even holds off from using telekinesis, preferring to manipulate objects with her own hooves.
- Miles Gloriosus: Luna talks big and repeatedly uses her status as Princess to intimidate, but the moment it looks like she has a fight on her hooves she ends up a quivering mess spitting increasingly lame threats.
- Perception Filter: It's uncertain if it's by magical means or if she's just easy to overlook, but Mistmane easily sneaks up on teams of guards and Luna completely forgets to mention her involvement at first.
- Princess Classic: Star Swirl initially tries to set up Canterlot Castle as a fortress fit for The Emperor, simply because he believes that would be the best way to keep the sisters safe and their reign secure. Luna's new, Mistmane-inspired design for Canterlot and the tone of their rule instead moves far more in this direction, and Star Swirl realizes the love and support this would win would keep them far safer than any fortress.
