I woke up with a grumble, the sun had managed to find the gap in the leaves. With a yawn and a stretch I got started with the day. After a quick trip to the bathroom I headed to the kitchen not really noticing much, just the aroma of Equestria's most wonderful drink. I went into the kitchen and found a cup. It was soon in my hooves and the warm liquid down my muzzle and throat. After a quarter of it was gone I set the cup down.

“Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!” I exclaimed before I heard chuckling. I looked over and saw Spike as the source.

“You and your mother are so alike. She just had this grumpy look until I gave her cup. Then she praised the drink and nuzzled the cup.” I giggled and imagined the sight of mother doing that.

“We're night alicorns, mornings are not our thing.”

“Kinda odd considering you were the student of the sun alicorn,” he said, causing me to wince at that. “Oh, sorry Twilight. I guess that is still sensitive?” to which I nodded.

“She was my role model, I looked up to her. Wanted to be her in a way. Then everything I thought was a lie, how can I ever trust her again? Spike I am a parasite, Star was born in this body and I was created to use it for Celestia's desires.”

“Twilight….” Spike said sadly.

“I know, I know, being too hard on myself, but what of Star? She never asked for this. She should have had a fun foalhood with her family. Instead she is trapped in her own body while someone else controls it. It's a crappy situation for all of us.”

“So, what do you want to do Twilight?” Spike asked.

I sighed, “I don't know. I don't have a solution.” After a bit of silence I asked. “Where is mother?”

“Oh she is at the ruined castle to preparing for the rebuild.”

“Well then, we should organize the library. I haven't done that yet, and this place likely needs it.”

“You got it Twilight!” So with that we spent a couple hours organizing the library until we took a break and went out for lunch, running into Rarity there.

“Darling! How are you on this fine day?”

“Pretty good Rarity, just reorganizing the library. How long has it been vacant?”

Rarity tilted her head up with a hoof on her chin thinking.

“I'd say about five years since Tome Reader retired. The library wasn’t exactly a priority for the town.”

I frowned at that. Books are important! And I heard Star chuckle.

'It’s not funny!'

That caused full out laughter,

'Oh you are adorable Sparkle.'

“You two having a conversation?” Rarity asked.

I blinked and looked at her.

“What?” I asked confused.

“You at times tilt your head like you are listening to something.” I was surprised I didn't feel the table under my jaw.

“How?” I asked, even Star was curious.

With a wave of her hoof Rarity responded,

“Darling, I am a fashionista. My work is all on the detail, so I am observant of even the littlest detail whether its clothing or ponies. And you Twilight have had my utmost attention since I learned what happened to you. You are my friend and I care dearly about you. This can't be an easy time, figuring out who you really are and your relationship with Princess Luna.”

I look down and nodded,

“You are right, it's been crazy. How do you feel about Star?”

“Haven’t talked to her to make a concrete judgment but I believe a wrong was done to her. I would like to know both of you if possible.”

I felt Star knocking on the door so to speak, wanting to speak to Rarity. I allowed it. I felt her take control and saw Rarity's eyes go wide as Star spoke.

“I would like to know you and the other girls better myself. Me and Sparkle still have things to work out but we have a basic understanding.”

Before the conversation could go further we noticed it getting dark out. Rarity and Star looked up and we saw dark clouds above the town. “What is Rainbow doing?” Star asked.

“No clue darling, it’s supposed to be a sunny day today.” Soon a rainbow streak was visible. Rarity raised a hoof. “You hoo, Rainbow Dash!” The streak slowed, then headed their way, soon resolving into Rainbow Dash hovering in front of them.

“Hey girls, what’s up?”

“The clouds. What is going on Rainbow Dash?” She raised her forehooves.

“Not my fault, this stuff is smoke and it's coming from that mountain!” pointing east.

We looked, and yes, smoke was coming from the mountain. Star frowned, and I felt her get up and excuse herself before heading for the Library. Once inside, I felt her switch so I was in control again.

“Spike, send a letter to Celestia about this. Wish we could also tell mother."

“We can,” Spike said.

I looked at him confused,

“How?” I asked.

“Before she left, your mom showed me how to use my fire breath better. Now I can message her the same way I do Celestia.”

“Oh…well let them know that we are seeing smoke coming from a mountain west of Ponyville.” Spike took out a pair of scrolls and began writing as I looked through the library, trying to find a book on this. Soon a scroll appeared which he handed to me and I read it aloud.

Dear Twilight,

Thank you for telling me. We appear to have a dragon taking a century long nap. While normally not a big deal that smoke is from their snoring and it will damage the local ecology if it goes on. I would like you and your friends to handle this.

Sincerely,

Celestia

'How dare she even ask us to do anything,' Star seethed.

'Well she is the Princess.' I countered.

'And so are we Sparkle.'

Their friends arrived, asking what was going on.

“We have a napping dragon in the mountains. The smoke is from its snoring.”

“Well what is going to be done about it?” Applejack asked. Before I could answer the door opened and mother came in.

“I got your message daughter. What was sister's response?”

“She wants me and my friends to deal with it.”

“ABSOLUTELY NOT!” roared as she stomped a hoof. “None of you have the training for this, something I will fix.” Dash zipped up to her with an angery look.

“HEY! I know martial arts!”

“Good on you Rainbow Dash, but do they train you on fighting a dragon? Where to hit it?”

“Uuuummmmm.” Dash looked uncertain and mother had a smug look on her muzzle.

“See you are not trained for this. Since you aren’t it is foalish to use the current bearers for a task the Royal Guard should be trained for." Grumbling under her breath, "That mare... I will take care of this dragon.” She then looked at me with a slight smile on her muzzle. “Daughter, I would like you to join me as I take care of this.” I was shocked to say the least.

“Why her and not us!?” Dash asked.

“Because she is an alicorn so much more durable than a mortal pony and as a princess of Equestria she will be tasked with defending it, and not just with the Elements. So will you join me my daughter?” I looked to the floor in thought. Mother did have a point, as a princess she was expected to defend her ponies.

'And it means more time with mother.~'Star chipped in. I looked up and looked at mother, who had a worried look on her face.

“I'll do it mother,” getting a smile from her.

“Then let us be off!” Mother's horn lit and soon we were in a distinctly night themed room.

“Where are we?” I asked.

“In the apartment my sister set up for me in Canterlot Castle. She had hoped I would live here with her.” She snorted and rolled her eyes. “Like that would happen, I despise this city.” I winced at that, this had been my home, and I hated to see such anger against it. I saw mother slump a bit seeing my reaction. “Twilight, most of the anti-night movements started here. They hated me because I wasn’t so easily swayed the way my sister was. Frankly I am concerned for her. While many to worship her as a goddess many are buying time to remove her and restore ‘proper' order.” That was concerning. I may not be happy with Celestia right now but I certainly didn't wish that.

'Speak for yourself Sparkle.' Star said. I ignored that.

“So are we goddesses?” I asked mother. She paused and looked at the ceiling for a minute before looking at me.

“As much as my sister and I would like to claim otherwise, yes, yes we are goddesses. We don't die of age, we have immense magical power and are the avatars of something. Me the moon, sister the Sun, Cadance love…”

“And me?”

“You Twilight, the stars. I saw the stars move without my command before the fall. And the fact you have so many astronomy books and equipment confirms to it.”

I thought on what mother just said,

“That means..my friends, my family.”

“You will watch them grow old and die while you may grow in size but not in age. My only advice is treasure the time you do have with them…and protect them. I only had a few years with your father, not the decades I had hoped for. Everyday with those you love is a gift Twilight, don't waste it.”

I nodded, desiring to change the subject.

“So why are we here since you dislike Canterlot so much?”

Mother dug through a closet as she answered.

“Because my sister build this place close to what we had at Everfree. I used it when we had a lot of treaties to look over, thus it should still have a spare set…..Huzzah!” Mother dragged out a chest which she opened to reveal black armor. Mother stripped off the regalia she wore, replacing it with the armor which a smaller black version of the Nightmare Armor.

“That looks familiar.”

Mother gave me another smirk.

“It should. After centuries of fighting, I have found the ideal armor setup.”

“The Nightmare set didn't cover as much as this though,” I said as I looked over the armor.

“Well that was a prototype armor that protected more than it seemed to. Plus your father did enjoy how it looked on me in that form.” Mother had a whimsical look on her face, and I felt Star longing for that form their mother wore at that time.

“Can you take that form again?” I asked, and mother looked surprised. “Star wants to see it again if possible.”

Mother gave a small smile,

“Yes I can, another ability to teach you my daughter. Right now that form would not be a wise choice but I promise to show you some time. I hope it won't scare you now.”

“Now that I know the true story behind it I am more curious than afraid. Does Celestia have this ability?”

Mother laughed, and it was melodious like Twilight's foalsitter Cadance.

“Oh yes, my sister is not always in cake flanks form. She likes to get information not filtered by her advisors. Now let us be off.” She again lit her horn and soon we were back outside of Ponyville. W hile Mother readied her wings, I quickly got my wings ready as well. Mother took to the air and I soon followed. It was rough for me, but mother assisted me, giving me tips that made my flight smoother.

We slowly approached the mountain the smoke was coming from, and soon found a cave, landing just outside it.

Mother looked at me and asked.

“Do you know any defensive spells?”

“My brother taught me shield spells.”

“Good, use them and watch your mother work.” She trotted in as I cast my shield before slowly following. Despite the smoke, I saw a red colored dragon that was easily the size of a house sleeping on piles of gold.

Mother walked up to its face.

“WAKE UP YOU LAZY LIZARD!” mother yelled in royal Canterlot voice. The shockwave and volume woke the dragon which glared at her with wide eyes. “Good, you are awake,” mother said cheerfully. “Now your snoring here is harmful to the ponies in the area. Take your hoard and find a new place to nap away from our ponies or any other creatures so your snoring smoke will not harm anyone.” The dragon’s response was breathing fire on mother.

“MOTHER!” I cried out. But when the flames stopped, mother was standing there unharmed and smirking at it.

“My turn.” Mother drew her sword and in a blur of speed she struck several spots on the dragon, leaving cuts, causing the dragon the roar in pain. Then mother slammed into the back of its head, making it slam onto the ground. Mother then walked atop its head from the back to its muzzle. She stabbed her sword in its muzzle, causing the dragon to flinch. “Now, you will leave our land….and leave a portion of your hoard. Perhaps that and the pain will make you remember that you could have just left peacefully.” Mother then hopped off his snout. He growled but mother simply lifted her sword, so he grabbed most of his hoard and flew out of the cave. Mother put away her sword and used her magic to make the remaining hoard disappear before I went up and hugged her.

“You had me so worried mother when he breathed fire on you.”

“Thankfully my faith in my sister's detail work was well founded, this armor is as good if not better than my old set. Sorry to worry you daughter, but even with out this armor I would survive that, it would just be painful.”

“Okay…..” I took a calming breath. “So what did you do with the hoard?”

“Ponyville now has a surplus of funds since they were the town most affected. Now, let us head home and report our victory!” Mother raised a hoof in the air and couldn't help but smile, mother could be entertaining at times.

“You had me so worried mother when he breathed fire on you.”

“Thankfully my faith in my sister's detail work was well founded, this armor is as good if not better than my old set. Sorry to worry you daughter, but even with out this armor I would survive that, it would just be painful.”

“Okay…..” I took a calming breath. “So what did you do with the hoard?”

“Ponyville now has a surplus of funds since they were the town most affected. Now, let us head home and report our victory!” Mother raised a hoof in the air and couldn't help but smile, mother could be entertaining at times.

Author's Note

thanks to Javarod for the editing of this chapter