Quietly, Twilight's eyes shifted back and forth across the room. She couldn't bring her mind to truly understand the scenario, the purple pony usually was quite quick to bring her thoughts together, to think out rationally. Yet, there her father was, watching the photos she was given by her mentor set ablaze.

"Just...a fling?" Twilight whispered, she approached quietly, the fire warmed her coat. She exhaled quietly, as the last bit of the photo turned to ash. She repressed the anger boiling in her heart. But, it could just be a fling, she shouldn't make a big deal out of anything. Nightlight oddly didn't turn his gaze.

"She is nopony important." His low tone made Twilight for once feel uncomfortable in her father's presence, she felt herself freeze in time, trying to comprehend the situation. She had her theories, but none of them seemed to match up with what she was taught. "..." She opened her jaw to speak, but nothing but a peep came out.

She approached her father and finally managed to say, "... Do I have a sibling I don't know about?" She had hoped such a crucial family member hadn't been hidden, and by the mare in the photo, she seemingly is an alicorn. Which was odd, Celestia was the only alicorn. She chuckled quietly at one of the photos as her mind got sidetracked.

One of them, the mare was much younger, probably just in her mid-teens. It reminded her of the awkward years she had gone through, yes, the mare in the photo had the biggest and most appreciative smile she's come into contact seeing. The braces were clear but fit her. Unlike her starry mane in later photos, it was a light blue, and quite not-flowy. It reminded her of Celestia's prime.

"... No. I told you she was nobody important, okay, Twili?" Her father said in a stern voice, which she hadn't heard since she was a foal. "You are much too young to dig that far into my past anyhow." His ears flattened, Twilight Velvet watched agape, unaware of what to say.

"Too young? Dad, I'm a grown mare. If it didn't have to do with me, then Celestia wouldn't have told me about it!... I'm sorry I don't mean to shout. Please, just talk to me." She put a hoof quickly to her chest, the most pleading look formed in the unicorn's eyes like she was desperate for the answers that had been eating at her since she heard that something was being hidden from her. Though, her father's angry look filled her with regret.

His eyes pierced into her rather sensitive soul, not anypony could bring her to a halt with one look. Her parents and Celestia seemed to take those few, she paused. "Do you not understand?! Use that bright mind of yours to bring to the conclusion it's NOT of your concern. I don't care if you're eighty-nine, you don't NEED to know. Now, sweetie, go read a book and your mom will make dinner." His tone shifted from obviously agitated to a stern calmness, Twilight's jaw quickly opened. Once again her throat refused to bring a word out.

"..." She stared. Never had her father looked at her like that, with such hate in his eyes? There seemed to be a hidden passion and sorrow behind it, like a stone wall being held up. But she could feel herself cowardly sit and shrink a bit at her father's piercing and unblinking gaze. Her heart was BEATING against her chest repeatedly. "Dad, I---... I just need a moment to be alone. A hug would be nice, though. I really am stressed out--" Her words were alarmed by his painful yet aggressive expression.

"You're JUST like her." His tone dripped with anger, her eyes widened quietly. Her? She reached a hoof out.

"...who...?" The faintest whisper somehow escaped the lips of Twilight. Nightlight's portrait was alit by the burning fire, he silently stared down, not a blink. The night that swept over the land now seemed to be even darker, the atmosphere so cold and unwelcoming, even though she sought her parents to bring her that warmth.

"You never appreciate what you HAVE! You have to cry, and you always need to close yourself away. Why don't you consider how I feel?" Nightlight said in a bitter tone. Twilight's mouth seemed to go agape once again, her ears flattened quietly, she tried to speak. A voice within her told her to apologize, to run, to never bring it up. But something told her that mare was of importance.

A box found itself by Nightlight, she curiously peered inside. The dust gathered over the years seemed to show vastly, the dust suddenly found itself in her nostrils, a low sneeze came from her. Yet, she looked down at the many papers and photos, she had never seen this in her home before? Her eyes widened quietly as she took the top paper, most likely the newest of the old. Her father stared bitterly, a force prevented him from snatching it away, it wouldn't tell her anything anyhow.

"...I... "

Her eyes roamed over it, a letter to her father.

'I should've told you what you meant to me.'
'I'm sorry I wasn't a good friend, can you please come to visit? I'll keep all my promises. I'll even get you that book you so wanted... Well, I already did, but you didn't invite me to your Birthday.

I heard that you got that little matching heart tattoo we got when we were younger. I hadn't even really had a clue as to what I was doing, haha! Really, in my sister's eyes, I shouldn't even have had a tattoo. Um, how's Twilight Velvet?

You got married last week, didn't you? Yes. I would've loved to see you. I know it was a teenage thing, but you were a great friend. It was us, against everyone.

Look, I know I promised to leave you alone, but I got a surprise for you. She'll love to see you, you can visit her anytime you want! Even if she's the reason...why you left. I can't do this alone, Nighty. Celestia doesn't know, I'm scared, I don't want to be in the shadows but I thought you'd be here with me.

As a friend. You wouldn't have to love me, you never had to, but can you love the foal? She wants to know where you are, she's so young.

We all make mistakes, and I know I did. It'd be amazing for you to visit, and we can go to the old hangout. You can meet her. You can't cut her out of your life.

I know you're scared, but I'll take care of her, you can just be there. I hope you come.

- Princess Luna.

Twilight's eyes went wide, she tilted her head. "Dad, you left a mare and her foal?" She whispered that quietly, she hadn't even fully processed the whole letter. She couldn't believe it, her father seemed brave, but maybe he truly was just a scared young colt. Though, the mare who calls herself 'Luna' seemed so scared.

"I didn't leave the foal." He huffed with a trace of bitterness in his tone, yet his voice cracked in the slightest. That was it, that was when it clicked. A thousand rocks and realizations got slung at her, and it made her freeze in time. His eyes met her's, no words were exchanged.

Yet quietly, she pulled a photo out from the box and stared at the photo of the one who calls herself Luna. A beautiful mare, who had a subtle smile. Her heart's pounding came to a cease, and yet as the realization hit, the more the tears swelled in her eyes. It couldn't be.

Softly, Twilight Velvet gradually placed a hoof on her daughter's shoulder. Twilight stood in time, yet suddenly her heart acted before her mind. She felt herself melt into Twilight Velvet, her cries echoed off the walls a bit. It caught the attention of her own elder brother and that of her dragon companion. They stared in utter confusion, yet acted upon instinct, automatically rushing to Twilight's side, hugging her, which only granted more tears.

"...You'll always be my mom." Twilight stared up at Twilight Velvet, the mare seemed in utter shock, but a soft smile played on her lips, which made Twilight's tears cease in the slightest. It was the only reaction she knew, all her life had been a lie, yet it hadn't. It had not affected her, she loved her mother and father all the same. Yet... "I want to meet her."

Yes, she wanted to know her biological mother, that's the only conclusion her mind to come to. Yet, she still couldn't believe it. She woke up today not expecting the actions and realizations her mind had now been burdened with. She was lost in her own little world, which only made the utter glare of her father unaware to her. That's why the sudden yelling made her almost jump in Twilight Velvet's hooves, "You are not going anywhere!"

"Dad, I'm a grown mare! For the last time." She snorted up more tears, her voice was weak, she seemed to be yelling yet her shock had not numbed in the slightest. Yet the photos and single letter brought a connection to this new mare, and nothing would stop her from what her heart craved. "...please...daddy..."

"Fine, you may see her." Well, that was sudden. Twilight finally met the gaze of her father, and she seemed satisfied and pleased. Everyone in the room was pleasantly shocked, even Twilight Velvet, she had never objected to the idea, she just was so afraid that she would lose her daughter. Now, she knew it wasn't true. Twilight gave a hug to her dad, and grabbed her saddlebags.

She had packed them quickly, so eager to get up and go. She carefully handled her brush in the bag, some small foods, and other trivial things. Yet, as she finally stepped out slowly into the light yet gentle rain, she gave a small wave to both of her parents. Though the gaze of her father made her heart stopped, she stood on the road, Spike had gradually followed her out. He wouldn't leave her.

"So..where is she?" Twilight said eagerly, hoping for the mare to not be a long journey away. Nightlight stared, his eyes lowered quietly. He saw only but Luna in his daughter, and it brought back a wave of utter anger in him, he didn't understand why. But, suddenly it all boiled up into his way of revenge.

"On the moon." Twilight's voice left her as the rain heavied all of a sudden. "Do not come back." SLAM. The slamming of the door made her physically jump back, what? Again, her shock resurfaced beyond her eagerness, as if on cue, a thunderstruck a tree nearby. She was physically shaking, it was instinct reaction to have tears swell. Her hair dripped as her head lowered.

"..." All she wanted was to see her mom. Her hair dripped, her heart swelled quietly, she just sat in the rain for many hours at a time. Hoping for the warm embrace of her mother to come to save her, yet nothing. The tears blended in with the rain, and for once, she felt at a loss.

Author's Note

oof. mean nightlight, what a grumpy mean dude he is. poor twili, well i hope you liked the chapter.