I will protect you

by Questionable Brony

Rating: teen
Tags: Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Other, Nightmare Moon, Twilight Sparkle, Main 6
Length: 5483

Nyx travels back in time. A little too far, but nothing she can't handle.

How far would you go to protect those dear to you?

Would you risk your own health?

Would you risk others getting involved?

Would you risk someone fading into non-existence by going back in time?

I know I do. And I will not fail AGAIN!

[Picture Source]

Nyx is an OC from Pen Stroke from his story Past Sins. (Add link later)

Published 2015-07-01 07:00:02 UTC
Last updated 2015-09-13 16:17:58 UTC

I am not Nightmare Moon

Twilight groaned as she slowly regained consciousness. "Did it...work?" she asked.

"In a matter of speaking."

Twilight jumped on her hooves, looking around frantically. She didn't recognize that voice, plus all of her friends were still unconscious from the magical overload. She found the source of the voice in the corner of a room and her eyes went wide. "What? No! Why didn't the elements work?!" she exclaimed.

"They did work." Nightmare Moon replied, walking up to the unicorn. "Well actually that's not correct." she said, putting a hoof under her chin. "You see, the elements only work on those who are truly corrupted or creatures of chaos."

"H-huh? B-but...you did something to the princess! You brought eternal night!"

Nightmare Moon giggled. Giggled of all things. "Don't worry. I didn't banish Celestia to the sun or anything. Actually, she's still in Canterlot, only a little...immobile. As for me, let's just say, when I was a filly I was part of the drama club in my school." Nightmare's horn lit up and Twilight prepared herself to cast a shield around herself and her friends. But the magic beam of destruction never came. Instead the blue glow surrounded Nightmare Moon and then dispersed into a bright flash of light.

Twilight's eyes took a few seconds to readjust themselves to the darkness and when they did, they found a slightly different mare in front of her. She had the same coat as nightmare moon and the same eyes, but her mane color was different. It was lilac and also it was ethereal, like Twilight had only seen by princess Celestia so far. The cutie mark was also different. Instead of a moon, there was a blue shield.

"My true name is Nyx, Twilight."

"Nyx" came even closer to Twilight, who instinctively took a few steps back from the large alicorn. Nyx' expression turned to one of sadness and hurt, confusing the unicorn even more than she already was. However that expression soon vanished leaving one that was filled with hope.

"But you, I get it! You're trying to trick me, aren't you?" Twilight shouted with narrowed eyes, hoping to not give away that at the moment she was downright terrified.

"And why would I do that?" Nyx asked. "The elements didn't work on me and I'm fairly certain that at the moment my magic is stronger than you. Listen to me, I am not here to bring eternal night."

"Then what was that about earlier? In Ponyville, I mean...why hasn't the sun risen?!" Twilight exclaimed, frantically hoping she could buy enough time, so they would all wake up. Maybe they just had to try again? Maybe now that the elements were all reassembled, they could use their full potential.

"Simple. I needed to lead you to the Elements of Harmony, so Equestria would be protected from foes that might want to destroy harmony."

"What?"

"As for the sun...(urrgh, why do I feel like a little filly again and am about to get grounded?) I...might or might not have put Celestia under a sleeping spell, when she was distracted." Nyx told the Element of Magic sheepishly. For Twilight that was enough evidence that Nightmare Moon or Nyx as she liked to call herself apparently was up to something bigger and just didn't reveal her entire hoof so far.

Nyx took in a deep breath and looked determined down at the unicorn, causing said unicorn to gulp in fear. "There's not much time left." Nyx' horn lit up again and her magical aura surrounded Twilight. Letting out a shriek, Twilight tried to break free from Nyx' magic, but her own magic was suppressed by the dark alicorn, who levitated Celestia's student towards herself.

"Wh-what are you doing?! Let go of me!!" Twilight panicked. Although she knew better, she still tried to break free by twisting and turning her body. However, a moment later she found herself not only magically restrained, but also physically, namely a bone crushing hug. Twilight's cheeks flushed, when she felt Nyx nuzzling her.

"Don't worry." Nyx whispered. "I'm going to protect you, no matter what." And with those words, Nyx touched Twilight's horn with her own. The lavender colored unicorn feared the worst, when she felt Nyx soothing magic floating through her body.

Th-this must be her plan! She's going to hypnotize me in order to get close to the princess and then...oh no! She probably wants the power of the Elements of Harmony for herself. She would be unstoppable if she-

"Done."

"Huh?"

Nyx released Twilight from her hug, causing Twilight to land uncomfortably on her rump. she was surprised to see Nyx teary eyed, yet her lips formed a small smile.

"W-what did you do?" Celestia's student asked more curious than scared by this point. She didn't feel any different and neither did her magic. Was it a trap? A spell that would activate itself later or worked over time?

"Don't worry mom. I haven't done anything bad to you and neither will the spell do any bad to Equestria or any of its citizens. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

"...what." Twilight deadpanned to what was clearly a children's promise. She was beginning to suspect that she was dreaming or landed in the wrong story. Or both.

"It's a Pinkie Promise. And you never break a Pinkie Promise or else you lose your friends."

"FOREEEEVEEEEEEERRR!" *thud* Pinkie's head hit the floor again, leaving a downright terrified alicorn and a Twilight Sparkle, who experienced the biggest headache ever since her entrance exam.

"I'm sure I was thorough with the sleeping spell." Nyx said carefully. Clearing her throat she turned her attention back to Twilight, but was distracted again, this time by the sun suddenly rising on the horizon. Hope filled Twilight's heart upon seeing the display, while Nyx frowned.

"I guess this is it." she mumbled. "I hoped we would have more time to talk." Nyx gave Twilight a quick surprise hug, to which Twilight was too stunned to do anything against it.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Because I love you, mom."

Questions answered, but more remain

Author's Note

If you're not happy with this chapter, your fault. You wanted quick answers, I produced quick answers. At least I now have an idea how Nyx isn't staying in the dungeon for the rest of the story. Oh and odn't expect any more answers anytime soon, 'kay? I felt generous today.

Looking for an editor by the way. I know one already offered, but I always like to have multiple suggestions.

Questions answered, but more remain

"W-w-what did you just call me?!" Twilight stuttered, stumbling a few steps back.

Nyx just realized what she blurted out herself and mentally slapped herself. Stupid Nyx! Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid! What were you thinking?! Oh hey, you're my adoptive mother, but I messed around with time and now-

Her own train of thoughts were interrupted by the old glass windows shattering. Instinctively Nyx put a shield around herself and everypony else, but it turned out to be an unnecessary precaution. For the one who actually broke the window made sure that the shards only fell slowly to the ground without hurting anypony.

Right in front of the two ponies was princess Celestia, gracefully landing on the old stone and she was pissed. Her eyes were glowing white of power and narrowed at the sight of Nyx, the air heated up a good deal and her hair seemed to flicker a flame every now and then. Twilight had never seen her mentor in this state and was downright terrified of the sight in front of her.

"NIGHTMARE!" Celestia's voice boomed through the entire castle, causing the old building to shake a little. "Get away from my student this instant!"

Nyx narrowed her eyes at the sun goddess, knowing one wrong move would end up with her being incinerated. Carefully Nyx distanced herself from Twilight, trying not to get close to any of the other element bearers. However, she made a wrong move in getting closer to Celestia. The sun deity was on edge and had her own stun spell prepared. Nyx couldn't raise her shield fast enough and was hit straight in the chest.

"Gagh!"

The spell was so strong, her vision turned black before she even hit the ground.

"Twilight, are you alright?" Princess Celestia quickly was in front of her student, checking the unicorn from head to tow, like a mother worried about her child.

"Y-yes princess, I'm fine. Just a little...exhausted from the night." Twilight replied, leaning into the hug the princess was offering her. Twilight would have loved to stay like this for a while, but it seemed as if the sleeping spell Nyx put onto the others was wearing off, since they all started groaning and getting up.

"What happened? Did it work?" Rainbow asked, getting airborne immediately. "Holy-! Princess!" Immediately she got back to the ground and bowed. The others let out each individual gasps, before copying the cyan mare. Pinkie Pie ended up hitting her face on the floor.

Celestia regained her regal posture and positioned herself so that Twilight would stand next to her. "Please rise my little ponies. I see you were able to collect the elements of harmony." It was just then that they each noticed a necklace around their necks, except for Twilight who's element was a crown for some reason.

"Oh my."

"Oh dear."

"Awesome!"

"Look at mine! Look at mine!"

"Well, ah'll be."

Everypony was distracted with their new accessory, until Pinkie Pie notice Nyx lying unconscious in the room. "Is that black snooty? She looks different somehow. Oh, she dyed her mane!!"

Immediately everypony's attention turned towards the black alicorn. "Guess she couldn't take our pure awesomeness after all." Rainbow boasted, putting her hooves on her hips, while being mid-air.

"It wasn't our doing Rainbow Dash."

"Huh? What do you mean Twilight?" Everyone's gazes shifted towards the lavender unicorn.

"Yeah, what do you mean?" Pinkie Pie suddenly stood in the middle of all of them. "She was all like MUHAHAHAH and we were like Ah, ah, ah, ah and then we were like pfush! Zaap! And she was like NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!" Pinkie made multiple movements, too quick for anypony to catch up with her. Twilight decided to ignore the weirdness of her friend for the time being.

"Perhaps you could all explain what happened up until now." Celestia suggested.

"Of course Princess. You see, it all started in the town hall..."

Twilight proceeded onto telling Princess Celestia of the trials in the Everfree Forest, the confrontation of Nightmare Moon, who then turned out to be an alicorn named Nyx. She also explained what Nyx told her, even though it wasn't really much and what she had done to Twilight. Alarmed Celestia immediately proceeded into using every kind of scanning spell that was at her disposal. To her relief she found "broken" traces of magic. Broken magic was simply another term for a failed spell, because from the inner eye of a unicorn or alicorn in this case the spell structure looked like broken glass.

"Is there anything you have to add Twilight?" Celestia asked her student.

"Well...this...won't make any sense and too be honest I think I didn't understand her correctly, but...when I asked her why she did all this, she answered..." Twilight blushed "she said:..."Because I love you, mom.""

"WHAT?!"

"You have a daughter?!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, zooming in on Twilight's face.

"What? No! I don't even have a coltfriend!" the unicorn retaliated. "I must have misheard her! There's no way that can be true!"

"Yeah, that would be pretty messed up." Rainbow Dash commented, rubbing the back of her head.

"I think we all agree that you simply misheard her." Celestia stated. "There's also something I need to confess to all of you." she closed her eyes. "I'm sure you're all aware about the story of Nightmare Moon and recently learned that the story was true." She looked down at Twilight. "I seemingly ignored all your warnings, because I knew only the Elements of Harmony could possibly safe my sister from the Nightmare that had possessed her. Or at least I thought."

"You thought, your highness?" Rarity asked carefully, her head low.

Celestia nodded. "My plan was weakening my sister-"

"YOUR SISTER?!"

"Of course!" Twilight facehoofed. "It all makes sense. Two alicorns are at the beginning of the story and at the end there is only one."

"Yes, in any event, as I was saying, I planned on weakening my sister, by forcing her to banish me to the sun. She wouldn't be able to do much afterwards. I knew Twilight would be able to make friends and find the Elements of Harmony. I'm sorry for using all of you, for such selfish desire."

"Ah, shucks princess." Applejack waved off. "Family always comes first in the Apple Family. Ah understand. Ah'd have probably done the same, were ah in your horseshoes."

"It was nothing I couldn't handle." Rainbow Dash boasted.

"I made a new friend!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

"I fully understand your highness and I feel honored for the trust you put into us." Rarity bowed politely.

"Umm...I...agree with everypony." Fluttershy said timidly.

Celestia stood proud in front of the five ponies. "Thank you. All of you."

"But...I hate to kill the mood, but what happened to your sister?" Twilight asked.

"I already told you that I thought the elements were the only thing that could save her. Well, I was wrong." Celestia looked over to Luna. "When the face on the moon disappeared, I expected Luna, my sister, to appear any moment in my chambers. But instead I was hit with a powerful stun spell, after I was distracted by one of the servants bringing me a "present"."

The cake. Twilight thought dryly.

"I wasn't unconscious, I simply wasn't able to move. And then this mare appeared in my chambers, together with Luna in her magical grasp."

"She didn't do anything to your sister, did she?" Twilight asked.

"Well if she did, she's gonna get the bucking of her life!" Rainbow punched her hoof into the other hoof.

"Seconded sugercube."

"No, no, she didn't do anything to Luna as in...a bad thing." Celestia shook her head. "Luna...she wasn't Nightmare Moon anymore. Somehow this mare returned Luna to her normal state without the elements. She...tucked her into my bed and then resumed the form of Nightmare Moon herself, making me belief she was indeed the Nightmare. She put a sleeping spell on me before leaving for Ponyville I assume. The rest you know better than I do."

Everyone looked over to Nyx again. "Princess, is it true that the elements only work on those who are 'evil'?" Twilight asked.

"Honestly Twilight, I do not know much about the Elements. They have always been a mystery, but the one thing you stated is true. The Elements you see have somehow a consciousness of herself and can sense those who are 'evil'. If they truly spared her, than she had only good intentions in her doing, although at this point they're still questionable."

"So, Princess Luna is alright?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, exhausted but healthy as ever. In fact, I think my little sister has been naughty again and didn't listen to her older sister, when she said to her to stay in the castle, did she?"

Princess Luna

Author's Note

What a filler. I had no fun writing this chapter, but I fucking need it to establish the story! Maaaaaaaan, am I glad to have gotten over this. Bring on the dislikes, as I'm sure they're coming! Although, here and there a like would be nice? Please??? Pretty please???:applecry:

Princess Luna

Luna slowly came out of her hiding spot and the six new Elements of Harmony looked at her in awe. She was just as tall Celestia, had a dark blue coat and the same eye color as Nyx, only without the serpent like pupils, but normal ones. Her mane shimmered in a blue ethereal light and if you looked carefully, you could see little stars popping up every now and then. She didn't wear any royal attire, which didn't mean she wasn't beautiful. However there was something that stuck out immediately. Her stride was a little wobbly and although it was well hidden, everypony could see from her expression that she was exhausted.

Celestia immediately walked towards her sister and carefully supported her. "Everypony, I would like you to meet my sister: Princess Luna."

Immediately everyone bowed towards their new princess.

"'Tis a pleasure to meet thee, Elements of Harmony. Please excuse...our poor state."

Celestia rolled her eyes. "And that's exactly why I wanted you to stay in bed." she whispered into her sister's ear.

"Forgive us...sister, but there's something we need to tell thee...about this mare." she pointed shakily at Nyx. Celestia pressed her hoof down again. "Alright, if you have to."

Everypony focused on the Princess of Night, as she took a deep breath.

"Princess" Twilight spoke up "excuse me for speaking out of line, but you really need your rest. We can listen to whatever you have to say after you're all rested up."

Luna smiled weakly. "We thank thee, Bearer of Magic, yet 'tis too important to wait. The mare...she saved us...from the Nightmare...back on the moon..." Luna sat down, not being able to stand on her hooves any longer.

"WHAT?!" Almost immediately everyone exclaimed. The element bearers were ready to bombard the princess with questions, but a stern look from Celestia immediately shut them up before they even spoke.

"How sister?" Celestia asked on behalf of everypony else.

"We...do not remember well, sister. She just was there. Like she...teleported, yet we could not sense her magic. Tis was like she was there already before us. And when we finally noticed her she....she used a spell. We're sorry, but from there we do not remember anything. Next...we woke up and we were...in thy chambers..."

"Hmm..." Celestia shook her head. I can think about this later. Luna needs her rest. "So, what you want to say is that her intentions are genuine. Very well Luna, I understand why you wanted to tell us this, but you need your rest. Flying all the way here must have really taken it out of you."

"We're...*yawn*...fine..."

Celestia quickly caught her sister, as the dark mare slumped over. "Yes, I can see that." the princess of the sun murmured to herself.

"Princess, what should we do?" Twilight asked. Celestia looked down at her faithful student. Things had gotten slightly out of control this night and now she had to improvise. Her sister needed to get her rest and a medical checkup and then there was the issue with the other mare, Nyx.

She turned towards the cyan pegasus, who bore the Element of Loyalty. "Do you think you can quickly fly back to Ponyville and fetch the guards currently stationed there?"

Rainbow's face brightened up at the question. She flew up to the princess and gave a quick salute. "Consider it done, princess!" she exclaimed, before taking off towards Ponyville.

"Sister..."

"You really should rest now, Luna." the older sister advised sternly. She placed herself and her sister on the ground, putting one of her white wings over the younger princess. Even at this position she didn't need to look up, in order to look directly into her little ponies' eyes. "You should rest as well, as much as it is possible here. You had an eventful night after all."

"Ah reckon, we might as well do as ya say, yer highness." Applejack agreed, suppressing a yawn. Fluttershy just nodded and made it herself as comfortable as possible. Rarity hesitated and firstly cleaned up a section of the floor and dusted off an old cushion, she got from another room. Pinkie Pie didn't feel like resting up and just looked around a little, humming a tune every once in a while.

Twilight didn't feel like resting up either. Instead she walked over to the alicorn with the shield cutie mark. It seemed Celestia's spell had worn out, yet Nyx was fast asleep. Despite everything the alicorn had done, Twilight felt she could at least make it somewhat comfortable for the mare. With her magic she brought Nyx out of the awkward position she was in. This all caused Nyx to stir and move her head a little, unconsciously.

Everypony's attention was at Twilight and the other alicorn. Said alicorn was moaning and mumbling in her sleep.

"Mom..." Everypony's ears perked up. "I wish the night could last forever..."

Everypony present tensed up, especially Celestia, which in return caused Luna to groan, since her "pillow" all of the sudden became very uncomfortable. Twilight was frozen in place, torn between running towards her mentor and carefully sneaking towards her.

"...so we could stargaze together, forever...." Nyx turned her head around and tried to lay it somehow comfortable on her forelegs.

Twilight looked over to Celestia, silently asking her what to do now. Celestia herself looked over to Nyx and then back to Twilight. She shook her head, but filed the little statement away for later.

Rainbow Dash eventually returned with a group of royal guards, two of them were carrying a chariot. Later Rainbow would complain about how slow those guys had been. Luna in the meantime had woken up and was now standing next to Celestia, close enough for the taller mare to support her if necessary. Nyx in the meantime was still asleep and flying in mid-air via Celestia-magic-airlines. (No guarantee for safe landings, but sunburns)

"Princess Celestia!" Lieutenant Clear Skies stepped forward and knelt down towards the sun princess, keeping an eye on the other two alicorns. "I-if you allow me the question your highness...who...are the other two alicorns?"

Celestia bore her usual smile, not showing any emotion. "This here, is my sister lieutenant. May I introduce Princess Luna, co-ruler of Equestria."

That took the guards...off guard. They were ready to bombard Celestia with questions, but the sun deity raised her hoof, indicating for the guards to stay silent.

"I know you must have a lot of questions, but please, safe them for later. For now my sister needs medical attention and lots of rest. As for this mare," she floated Nyx into the chariot "please see to it that she gets a room in the Ponyville hospital and have two guards outside her doors at all times. Tell me immediately when she wakes up."

"U-understood princess." The guards saluted to their orders and the lieutenant walked to princess Luna. "If you would follow me...princess. Unfortunately we only brought one chariot, so..."

Luna waved off. "'Tis not a problem, sir guard. Lead on."

The guard saluted and escorted her towards the chariot. Stepping inside Luna made sure not to accidentally step on Nyx. Before the chariot took off Celestia walked up towards Luna and nuzzled her sister. "I'm sorry. I hoped we would be able to spend more time together by now."

"Do not fret sister. We're sure we can handle a few more hours of separation. And please, we can see it in your eyes that thou doubt this mares intentions. Please reconsider and do not be too harsh in her punishment."

Celestia couldn't help but giggle. "My memories must be failing me. As far as I remember, you were always the careful one and I was the enthusiastic one, when it came to strangers...and everything else."

The sisters shared a smile and hugged each other, before the chariot took off. Celestia stared after the chariot, as it grew smaller and smaller into the distance, until it was nothing more than a black spot in the sky. Celestia was barely able to resist the urge to fly after them. After all, she and her guards still had to bring six more ponies back to Ponyville.

Backstory

Author's Note

I may have rushed it here and there. Also, I'm glad I finally had the time to upload this. Give me your criticism, I'm sure I have earned it a lot this time.

Backstory

Nyx groaned as she woke up from the stun spell. On hindsight, she should have seen this one coming. Looking around, she found herself in a hospital room, one for a single pony. The window's blinds where down.

Better than waking up in a cell, I guess. she thought to herself.

It was about then that Celestia entered the room, her gaze immediately falling onto the other alicorn.

"I see you're finally awake." the princess stated, closing the door behind her with her magic.

Nyx closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath and opening them again. "I thought you would be holding a speech in front of your subjects or catching up with your sister or something."

Celestia ignored the comment and stepped towards the bed the alicorn was lying in. Nyx made it herself a little more comfortable for both by getting off the bed and walking around it, her blue eyes never leaving the magenta ones of the princess.

"How do you feel?" Celestia continued.

"Just fine, considering all things." Nyx replied in a neutral tone.

Celestia kept her gaze as well. "You leave me quite in the predicament. I could easily brand you as the Nightmare, given a second chance to redeem herself."

"Huh? Did you read my mind? That's exactly what I was going to offer." Nyx replied.

"Why would you do this?" Celestia asked. "You're an complete enigma. Another alicorn would have been noticed immediately, yet I have never heard of you. You do have some similarities to Nightmare Moon, but I can tell you are not her."

"Can you now?" Nyx chuckled to herself. "Whatever, I can answer at least one of your questions. You have never heard about me. In case you haven't noticed, I am fairly good with disguising myself." The darker alicorn showed what she meant, by using a spell, which turned her into the little unicorn filly, her mother disguised her shortly after she was born.

"Impressive." Celestia stated.

"Thank you." Nyx replied turning back. "The rest, I'll keep to myself. Until I see it fit to reveal the rest about myself."

Celestia shook her. "Given what you have done for me and my sister I can hardly tell you to do otherwise. However, before we go back on topic, I have one more question." Celestia stepped closer. "What kind of spell did you cast on my student?"

"Oh this? Just a little protection on her and her Element. But you already knew that didn't you?" Nyx smiled innocently.

Celestia nodded. "Yes, when I tried levitating it, it simply didn't work. Again, a most impressive work."

"Thank you. I figured we should keep the Elements of Harmony secure. Even I can't use my magic on them anymore. If you allow it, I can cast the spell on the rest of them as well."

"Later." Celestia waved off.

I can't belief she hasn't figured out the other spell I cast. Well, I won't complain.

"Now, back to the matter at hoof, I have a proposal of my own."

Nyx raised an eyebrow, but listened.

"Since the original story is hard to belief for the common pony, we'll say it like this: you tried to free my sister, which at least is partially true, tried to free her from the Nightmare, but ultimately were overwhelmed and possessed yourself. The Elements of Harmony freed you-"

"-and we have the perfect fairy tale." Nyx finished for Celestia. "You're giving me a lot of leniency with that story. Why's that?"

Celestia took her time before giving an answer. "Because, despite your unconventional ways" Nyx resisted the urge to laugh. She was surprised, when she was pulled into a tight hug by the princess "you gave me my family back."

"..." Nyx stayed silent until Celestia finally broke the hug.

"In any event, I think it is high time we introduce you to the populace. Properly this time."

Nyx rolled her eyes. "Fine. But since you're not taking me into custody or anything, don't expect me to join the government or take any kind of position. I'll leave the paperwork and nobles to you."

The hospital hallway was unusually empty, but Nyx noted the two guards standing on the other end with Luna of all ponies. She thought the night princess still needed to recover.

Upon seeing the two alicorns, Luna and the guards approached the duo. The time traveler noted that Luna didn't seem upset at all, but kept her neutral gaze. Still, Nyx had more than enough experience with her pseudo mother to see the little signs to notice that she was still exhausted from everything. Her steps weren't as precise as usual, she slightly lost balance that one time and a couple of other hints.

"Lady Nyx. Our last encounter was...not so pleasant. We hope thou will allow us another chance."

Nyx bowed her head. "It is not a problem Princess Luna. It's me who should apologize for your not so pleasant separation from the Nightmare and my rather rude behavior afterwards."

"Nonsense." Luna waved off. "Thou saved not only us, but all of Equestria from..." Luna trailed off at that. "Thou also reawakened the Elements of Harmony, though thy method...it reminds us a lot of what our sister would do."

Nyx nodded. "I have kept myself hidden from the world." she looked back at her wings. "I was never interested in any politics or having any kind of political power. So for the most part of my life I kept myself hidden" she demonstrated this by turning into a unicorn for a few seconds "and after a certain amount of time I would move to another place, resume a new disguise and live on. Out of boredom, I started researching history. Eventually I found some rather interesting things, like that there once was an empire made of crystal and that this land once had two princesses."

"I see." Celestia positioned herself next to her sister. "Out of curiosity, what are you planning from now that your true identity is out?"

"I think I will stay in Ponyville for now, make up for the little scare I gave them. Plus, it's the only place aside from Canterlot I have yet to live. Aside from the frozen north, but there is nothing." At the moment at least.

"Hmm, are you sure you want to stay here?" Celestia asked.

"I am sure. I have heard quite enough about the ponies in Canterlot and I'd rather not deal with some paparazzo on my tail."

"Well, for now you'll have to endure the press."

"Yeah, let's just get this over with."

Outside the hospital, the press was already waiting impatiently. A podium had been built up overnight for Celestia to stand on. The cameras immediately started to flicker as the three alicorns walked out of the hospital, clearly irritating Luna as she wasn't used to them. Nyx was surprised Luna didn't use her royal canterlot voice in order to stop them.

At least they stopped, once Celestia was positioned behind the podium.

"My little ponies, I thank you for your patience. I'll get right to the point. I am sure you have all heard about the legend of the mare of the moon. Truth to be told, it is not a legend."

Murmured could be heard, but Celestia silenced them by raising her hoof. "I know this might come to a shock to you all, but I ask you to wait for your questions, until my sister recovered. For you see, unaware to all of us, for a long time another alicorn has been living among us, hidden by her magic."

Again murmurs and again the raised hoof. It just showed how much those ponies respected their sun princess.

"Not wanting to be the center of the attention, she used various disguises throughout her lifetime and lived a fairly normal life. Up until today that is. You see, she discovered that my sister was possessed by Nightmare Moon and decided to help her, by purging the spirit from my sisters body. Unfortunately, it backlashed. Instead of my sister, Nyx now was possessed by Nightmare Moon and was about to bring Eternal Night, if it wouldn't have been for six mares to stop Nightmare Moon once and for all."

Nyx finally spotted her mother and her friends standing in the crowd or in Rainbow's case, hovering above them. They all tensed up once Celestia mentioned them.

Well, at least I'm not the only who has to endure this. Oh, I can't wait for this to end and live a regular crazy life in Ponyville again.