Chapters Twilight’s eyes shot open whit a gasp. She was on a bed she didn’t recognize. She tried getting up but her body betrayed her. Her legs were weak and they wobbled and shook when she tried to get up. Something told her to look at her back, she had a strange feeling that something was missing but she didn’t recall what, in fact she didn’t recall anything.
The door to the room was gently pushed opened, Twilight felt like she had jumped but her body did not move. She followed weakly the mare in front of her, a grey unicorn mare with three stars as her cutie mark walked in with a bowl of food. She looked at Twilight. She brought the bowl to her bedside table and helped her up.
"Are you alright?" The gray unicorn asked.
"Y-yes, we believe so. Where are we?" Twilight asked.
The grey unicorn looked at her, a bit confused at first. "You’re in Canterlot."
Twilight brought a hoof to her chin. "We do not remember having heard of such a town."
The unicorn’s jaw dropped to the floor. "How have you not heard of Canterlot! It’s Equestria’s capitol for Celestia’s sake!"
Twilight’s ears perked up at the mention of Celestia. "Pardon, but could thou repeat that name again?"
"Celestia?"
"That name sounds familiar, but we do not remember..." Twilight tried to recall were she had heard the name but nothing came to mind.
"Well of course it’s familiar! She’s our Princess! She and Princes Cadenza." The gray unicorn grew more curious
"Cadenza...My apologies but I don’t recall a Cadenza."
The unicorn hummed she looked at Twilight with a curious look, then she remembered something.
"I’ll be right back."
She left the room and left Twilight alone to her thoughts. Twilight was confused about a lot of things and she had lots of questions to ask her. But then she stopped at a question she didn’t know why it was in her mind: Who am I? She knew who she was, she was... She started to panic when she didn’t remember her name.
She looked around as she felt a dryness in her throat. A glass of water sat on the table near her. She didn’t recognize the material but it didn’t matter, she chugged the the water in one gulp and placed the glass back. Oh, how good it felt.
The door opened once again and the unicorn entered again. In her magic grip was a golden plaque.
"You had this when we found you, then we brought you to our home."
Twilight’s magic grip desperately reached out for the plaque, looking for something to remind her of who she was. She read it.
'My little star, Twilight Capella Sparkle '
"I-Is that our name?" Twilight looked at the gray unicorn. "Twilight Capella Sparkle...Yes! That is it! Our name is Twilight Capella Sparkle!"
The unicorn hummed again, she sat down on a chair next to the bed and spoke. "Do you remember anything about your past? Parents? Home?"
Twilight tried to remember but nothing came up. "I fear that nothing. We do not remember anything..."
"Im afraid you may have amnesia or something similar to that." The gray unicorn then held the soup in her magical grip and gave it to Twilight. "Eat up!"
———————•———————
That night Twilight looked out from the window, she had managed to gather enough energy to stand up and walk. She looked out on the moon, she felt sad but didn’t know why. Then like a vision, she saw the last moments of consciousness before she woke up. She stared in confusion at the moon, she had seen how the mare came to be, but didn’t know anything else.
She walked out in silence, sneaking around wasn’t a problem for her. She slid out side the house. Canterlot was a concept new for her, a lot of wealthy people walking around the streets and although it was night, a large amount of buildings had their lights on. Twilight wandered for a bit without loosing her sense of direction. She looked at the buildings that were higher up. She saw a castle that hanged from the side of the mountain like the city. For some reason a feeling of anger lit up inside her, she tore her gaze from the castle and continued walking near it. Eventually, she found a building outside the castle that had a light on.
She went up to one of the guards at the entrance.
"Pardon, does thou know what this building is?"
The guards looked at each other before one of them answered. "Yes ma’am these are the Canterlot Archives, but I’m afraid that entrance is only permitted to a few ponies."
Twilight couldn’t help but ask. "Like who? Pardon but we are new to the city."
"Like the Princess, her scholars and her personal protégé." The guard’s tone was annoyed.
"We see..." Twilight’s horn began to glow as if she were to lift something up. The guards did not pay it much attention. "Sleep." Her tone was commanding and the guards found themselves falling to the ground asleep.
Twilight invited herself into the archives and walked through the hallways. She soon found herself in front of another double doors. There were also two guards who supposed that the guards at the front gates had led her in. They opened the doors to her, she nodded as a thank you and went in.
She entered the part of the archives were she had seen the light before and looked around. There were loads of books and papers. She wanted to look for information about the moon and why there was a pony. She decided to ask whoever was using the candle.
She took a few turns before arriving at the row from where the light radiated. She saw a yellow unicorn mare with an orange and red mane and a sun cutie mark. She approached her.
"Um...Our apologies but, we are looking for a book regarding the mare on the moon and we were wondering if thou could show us were we can find it?"
The unicorn turned around, with a small smile on her face, she was obviously tired but she didn’t want it to show. "Well, in all honesty I’m researching the same thing, I was assigned it by Princess Celestia." She lifted a book with her magic. "I believe this book should help you with the origin story, but apart from that I haven’t found anything."
"Thank you anyways miss..."
"Sunset Shimmer, b-but you don’t have to call me miss, it makes me feel old! And you are...?"
"Twilight Capella Sparkle." She lowered her head in a small bow in instinct.
"Wow? Three names? That privilege is saved for the closest nobility to the crown! Wait...don’t tell me you’re a noble."
Twilight couldn’t help but feel irritated at that comment but she didn’t know why, she should’ve been happy to be called something close to royalty. She let out a slight chuckle.
"We’re afraid not, or rather we do not remember, he have amnesia."
"Oh! Sorry I didn’t mean to bring it up..."
"It does not matter. In any case thank thou for thy time." She grabbed the book and quickly turned the pages. She found the one she was looking for but before she could concentrate she was interrupted by Sunset Shimmer.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"Why do you talk in old Equestrian?"
"We do not get what thou means, this is how we’ve always spoken."
"You’re weird Twilight, I hope I see you around."
"...likewise"
And with a yawn Sunset was gone, Twilight started reading, and at once she noticed a familiar alicorn in a drawing, then in another a familiar moon and sun cutie marks and then, she saw it, her last memories depicted in a drawing. That made her remember most of her life, her aunt, her being an alicorn, their castle, her mother... and the moon. She lit up her horn and disappeared in a teleportation spell, various emotions flashed in her mind, sadness, bravery... and of course her new found anger of Celestia.
The Summer Sun Celebration?
Twilight walked throughout Canterlot once more, her brilliant mind was taking in information to help her form a better view of society. She again found herself near the castle and what she learned was the school for gifted unicorns. She also learnt that the pony she had met, Sunset Shimmer, was the so called 'protégé' of her beloved aunt.
She kept on walking, her head held up high, just like her mother had taught her. She heard a certain unicorn calling after her.
"Twilight!" The familiar voice called out from the other side of the street causing more than a couple of ponies look their way.
"Speak of the devil and it’ll come searching thou." She murmured under her breath. She then put on her best smile. "Sunset Shimmer?"
Sunset sped up to meet her, Twilight, although having somehow lost her wings, was still slightly taller than a normal unicorn of her age that Sunset had to look up at her. On Sunset’s back was a little baby dragon.
"Good morning Twilight, did you find out what you needed?" Sunset asked.
"Good day Sunset Shimmer, yes we did find what we were looking for, although it left us with even more questions." Twilight answered not tearing her gaze away from the road at any moment.
"Well, me and Spike are going to the archives to do some extra research. If you want you can join us."
"Spike is...the little dragon?" Twilight finally looked back to the dragon.
"Yes he’s-" Sunset was interrupted by Spike.
"I’m Spike, her number one assistant!" The little dragon’s face filled with pride.
Twilight hummed. "Interesting... Anyways, we’ll be happy to join thou in thy search for knowledge. We are quite good with History ourselves."
"Really? So I’ll assume you got your memories back?" Sunset asked.
"Yes, although only memories. We have no knowledge about...Let us say... Insignificant things like, what day it is, when’s the longest day in the year or even what year it is."
"Wait, you don’t know about the Summer Sun Celebration-?!" Spike what cut off by a newspaper rolled up and held by a light blue aura hitting the back of his head. "-Ow!"
Twilight also looked at the dragon, only a hint of anger in her composure. But then her smile turned to one of amusement and she couldn’t help but chuckle at the dragon’s weakness.
"What Spike was trying to say was, the longest day of the year is the Summer Sun Celebration! Speaking of which...The thousandth Summer Sun Celebration is coming up in a few days! I believe It’ll be in a town called Ponyville." Sunset brought up a hoof to her chin thinking.
"We see...But doesn’t that mean that Nightmare Moon shall return in a few nights?"
Sunset sighed in defeat. "I tried telling Princess Celestia...But she just called it an old filly story."
"WHAT?!" Twilight’s epic composure taught to her by Luna and Celestia faltered for a moment. Anger was present in the powerful shout, and it shook the windows of various buildings. She took in a deep breath to calm herself before continuing in a much calmer and lower tone. "Our apologies we do not know what came over us." She cleared her throat and looked back at her two companions with a reassuring smile. "How should we put it? Look at our cutie-marks, what does thou think they mean?"
"W-Well mine is magic, or at least that’s what P-Princess Celestia t-told me." She was clearly shaken by the shout. She examined Twilight’s cutie-mark a little closer. "Yours could be magic as well, considering as the symbol of magic, the six-pointed star, is at the middle and...I guess something to do with astronomy if you count the multiple little stars. Why is it important?"
"Almost, ours is magic but we also have a connection with the stars, they can send us messages through dreams."
Oh and much more if it weren’t for that witch of an aunt we have.
"And they’re telling you that she’ll return?" Sunset grew more and more concerned. "Spike take a letter to the Princess."
"Are you sure Sunset? You know she’s really busy with the preparations and we shouldn’t, no offense Twinkle...err-"
"Twilight" Sunset helped him.
"Twilight, trust a prophecy coming from somepony we just met! I don’t want to worry the Princess." Finished Spike.
Twilight internally laughed at the dragon’s and Sunset’s 'naïveté'. If she had her wings they would know better than to question her abilities.
Sunset sighed and looked at Twilight. "How sure are you?"
"Well...We’re somewhat sure however, we do not wish for the princess to be informed of us nor be worried for a prophecy that even we are trying to debunk." Twilight couldn’t help but smile at the fact that the pieces of her plan were falling into place.
"Okay then... don’t send a letter to the Princess."
The few blocks left to arrive at the archives were made in silence. Until Twilight broke it.
"Could thou tell me about about the Summer Sun Celebration?"
"Oh sure! The Summer Sun Celebration is in commemoration to the defeat of Nightmare Moon, but many ponies have forgotten the meaning and just take it as ‘Princess Celestia raises the sun on the longest day of the year'. So every year she picks out a place to celebrate it and there’s a little ceremony. Honestly It’s my favorite holiday."
She made a holiday...Of the day she banished her own SISTER and almost 'killed' her NIECE?! Clearly, alicorns too can grow senil.
"Interesting...Anyways we believe we are here." She pointed at the archives.
The three of them made their way over to the front door. After a little negotiation with the guards, Sunset managed to convince them to let Twilight in. After Sunset spoke with the archivist, they made their way towards the row were Sunset had been the night prior. Twilight was surprised yet disappointed at how distracted Celestia’s 'protégé' was.
They settled into some cushions. Sunset was looking over the books individually, but Twilight wouldn’t have it. "What book are thou searching for?"
"Nothing specific, just something that might have information about the mare in the moon."
Twilight’s horn flicked to life, she first overpowered Sunsets’s magic grip on the books she was holding and put them back. Sunset looked at her with a puzzled expression, she opened her mouth to complain but Twilight lifted her hoof and shook her head so that she remained silenced.
Twilight then picked up every single book with her magic, and made a little train. She passed each book in front of her face, the books she found might help them she placed them on the ground and those who didn’t, she re-shelved them perfectly. In the end, a small pile of books laid in front of Sunset and a lone book laid in front her.
Sunset Shimmer watched the spectacle. Her jaw fell to the floor as Twilight finished in ten seconds. She looked over to see Spike had a similar expression. She coughed into her hoof before starting reading.
Twilight looked at her book. ‘Heroes and Quests a Thousand Years Ago." If she wanted to find out the fait of her 'uncle' Starswirl, she’d find it there. And, if Celestia somehow didn’t censor it, she would find herself in the book. She opened table of contents and turned the page to that of Starswirl and started reading.
Twilight paced around the room, provided to her by Mrs.Velvet and Mr.Nightlight. She was thinking, calculating probabilities and making backup plans. She then stopped to look out the window, two days had passed, and the next day she needed to get to Ponyville. What bothered her most was that the stars supposed to aid her mother’s return weren’t moving.
She pondered it for a moment, just a couple years prior to her mother’s imprisonment, she was chosen by them to be their mistress and she knew all of them and their names. Then after some moments, it finally hit her.
The Elements, they distorted our connection with the stars. So they may have been unmoving for a long time.
She brought a hoof to her chin.
If we were put to sleep by the 'death' of the Elements' shockwave... That means we were released because the enchantment started to loose power and had to concentrate on keeping my mother locked away.
Twilight’s face lit up in realization.
If the grip on us is loosening, we could at one point access our powers that have been locked away... Then we could wake up the stars have them lend power to mother... in order for her to break thy enchantment and return!
Twilight was giddy, she normally had problems sleeping at night but now, she wouldn’t be able to sleep. But then was the problem of her mother wanting to over throw her aunt. Was she furious at her aunt? Yes. Did she want her mother to kill her? No. She somehow then needed to convince her mother not to kill Celestia and not to bring forth eternal night.
Twilight sighed, she was going to have a long day the next morning, might as well try to get some rest. She climbed onto the bed and laid there awake. She decided to check if her theory was true. Since she was little, Luna had taught her how to imagine her magic pool.
She closed her eyes and imagined a pool. She jumped in looking for the bottom, she swam down and saw what she was looking for, a net, splitting the pool at a quarter, meaning that she hadn’t fully unloaded her unicorn magic and that her pegasus and earth pony magic was yet to be unlocked. She examined the net closer, she wasn’t able to tear it or even open a hole in it, but she could feel it weakening every second that passed.
She swam back up and returned to her physical body. She thought for a moment, the Elements were weakening so if she hacked and slashed repeatedly at the net, it would weaken significantly and allow her to access her power but, it would probably disrupt the balance in magic and could alert Celestia prematurely and she would probably find a way to stop her.
She pushed the thoughts aside, if she didn’t, she would stay up all night and without her alicorn endurance she wouldn’t be in top shape for her mother’s arrival.
That morning, Twilight woke up bright and early along side the sun. She took a shower, this time she didn’t mess up like the days prior, it was new technology but she caught on pretty quickly. She finished packing her stuff, which was not much, her plaque, a sword handle and a cloak. According to Mr.Night Light, she had been carrying those items. Well at least her dear aunt didn’t leave her without something to cover her from the cold.
She made her way down and found Mrs.Velvet was also awake. She went over to speak with her.
"Mrs.Velvet, we are great full for thy amazing hospitality, but we’re afraid we now must leave. We shall come back as soon as we can to repay you. Thank you once again, we are forever in your dept." she bowed her head slightly in thanks. Of course she didn’t bow completely seeing as she was technically still royalty.
Mrs. Velvet was a little taken back, she hadn’t expected her to leave so soon. "Are you sure you have everything you need? We are more than happy to have you here."
"Oh no no no no! We couldn’t possibly think of inconveniencing thou more than we already ha-"
Twilight was interrupted by a knock at the door. Suddenly a deep voice called out from the door.
"Mom? It’s me Shining!"
Twilight heard the voice and attributed it to a grown stallion. She didn’t want to assume anything but she could probably link the unused and furnished room as his. She had to fight back a snort as she assumed that this grown stallion still lived with his parents.
Mrs.Velvet hurried over to the door to open it. A strong-build white unicorn stallion with a blue mane and light blue streaks running through it walked in. They hugged, and Twilight stood awkwardly at a side not wanting to be rude.
Twilight looked back at the stallion, he was wearing guard armor but it wasn’t like the rest. No Twilight was sure he had to be a high rank member. But that didn’t bother her, after all she was part of the highest rank, equal to Celestia and Luna, she-.
In stepped a pink mare, she was a bit taller than Twilight. But what bothered her most was that she was an alicorn, a princess... And her ‘replacement'. Celestia had the audacity to replace not only her, but her mother as well with that?! Twilight could see she wasn’t a fighter like them, she could feel she wasn’t skilled at magic like them, and she could tell by the way her wings hung lower that she wasn’t the fastest flyer...And it infuriated her.
She kept a calm exterior but her insides were blazing with a rage that would put the hottest fire in Tarterus to shame. She took a deep breath that threw a pool of metaphorical water on her rage. Again she stood around awkwardly until the greetings were over and the stallion noticed her.
"Um mom? Who is she?"
Velvet went to speak but was caught off by Twilight.
"Twilight Capella Sparkle." She bowed her her head slightly. "Please to meet thy acquaintance, sir..." Twilight’s voice trailed off seeking for an answer.
"Shining Armour, Captain of the Royal Guard." He nodded. He also attempted to look intimidating, of course a maneuver that only worked on his guards, none of the mares present paid him much mind.
"Oh! Twilight, allow me to present you Princess Cadenza." Velvet gestured towards Cadence.
"Princess Cadenza, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you." Twilight bowed a bit lower but she made sure to stop halfway implying that they were equals.
"Likewise Twilight." Cadence gave her an innocent smile.
Twilight cleared her throat before speaking. "We’re afraid we will need to cut this conversation short. We must leave at once if we do not want to miss the chariot. Once again Mrs.Velvet thank thou for thy hospitality." Twilight left without allowing them to say anything else and made her way over to Canterlot Castle were Sunset Shimmer waited for her. She put on her cloak and strapped her sword coaster around her barrel, she then put the handle into the coaster. And with that she was ready and determined to bring her mother back.
Twilight looked down, green hills adorned the landscape, a harsh contrast with the mountain were Canterlot stood. The chariot was being pulled by four royal guards. Next to her were a unicorn that, as she saw it, liked to play as Celestia’s pet and a baby dragon, who’s weakness could make a foal laugh.
The town wasn’t far from Canterlot at all, they arrived in about 15 minutes. It was small and had dirt roads, the houses were small and the same save for three and the town hall. The three houses were a cloud house, hanging around the outskirts of town, a dessert looking house near the market place and a big building of to one side of the town hall.
The guards slowed down and landed near a big oak tree that at first looked like a normal tree but then it resembled a house. The mares and the dragon got off, while Twilight took a look around town and spotted the Everfree, Sunset talked with the guards.
"Thank you gentlecolts."
The guards saluted before the head guard spoke up. "No problem miss Shimmer! We’ll get your stuff settled into the Library as requested by Princess Celestia and them we’ll head off to the town hall in case you need us."
"Ok, thank you again and I hope you enjoy the celebration."
Sunset waved goodbye at them before joining Twilight, who had spaced out and was trying to imagine her magic pool. Sunset waved a hoof in front of her face but she did not react.
"Twilight?..." Sunset said in a low voice but to no avail. "Twilight?..." she said in a normal tone but still nothing. "Twilight!" She was now screaming at the mare’s face. Twilight was taken out of her daze without flinching, and gave to sign to be back to the world apart from her gaze switching over to Sunset.
"What does thou require?" Twilight finally asked
"I-I need your help, if we divide the list we’ll be done much more faster." Sunset replied shying away from the stare.
"Very well, Spike could thou instruct us of our duties?" Twilight relented, she really wanted to see the old castle and what noble she would have to ki- convince to leave.
"Okay so," Spike pulled out a check list and began reading. "Food, weather, decorations and music"
"That’s it?" Asked Twilight. "We thought it would be more, seeing as this is the one thousandth... celebration..."
The word 'celebration' did not seat well with her, especially seeing what it was celebrating. Her mouth formed into the most subtle of frowns that went unnoticed.
"Well yes, but the Princesses have always liked simple things." Sunset retorted but Twilight ignored her.
"Unimportant." Twilight took the checklist and once again read her options. "We shall take the weather and the decorations."
"Okay then that leaves us with music and food, this shouldn’t take long!" Sunset said to Spike then turned over to look at Twilight. "We’ll meet at the Library later."
"Of course." Twilight nodded and then headed on her way over to the town hall where the list said was the ceremony.
On her way, without anyone else to talk to, she again started spacing out thinking.
If Sunset Shimmer’s information is valid and Ponyville is in fact around...600 meters away from the beginning of the Everfree, and our castle was around another 600 meters inwards...That would mean that the castle is about 1.2 Kilometers away. That is inside my reach of teleportation and...Telekinetic Speech spells.
She stopped for a moment as if remembering something. She looked over to the Everfree with curiosity.
Could...Could Pyre be...? No he wouldn’t stay and wait for us would he?
Twilight decided to test it, she and the princesses , except for Cadence, had a special connection with the Everfree through the three of harmony. Twilight could feel her connection with the stars growing stronger, and they were light years away, she figured her connection with the Everfree had to already be restored.
She made her way and sat down on a bench that had shadow provided by a nearby tree. She closed her eyes and extended her awareness towards the Everfree. It weaved through the branches, gradually getting weaker but closer to the tree. It finally entered it’s cave and with the last bit of strength it hung onto the tree. The tree did it’s job and provided it’s connection with the forest to Twilight’s awareness.
Twilight could now see every leaf, feel any animal and hear any water or streams running. She then got to work locating an specific bird. She searched around for a while until...
"Huzzah!" She screamed as her awareness returned to her body. She lit up her horn, thankfully Pyre was close enough to the castle to be in her telekinetic speech spell. She sent up her spell and waited until she felt a connection.
"Phaeton Pyre, my dearest friend, it is I, Twilight Capella Sparkle. We are currently to the north of our castle and wish very dearly to speak with thou after so long."
There was a long silence, eventually, Twilight got out of his head. She was now thankful that Starswirl had her learn magic theory so she could combine spells.
Suddenly a loud majestic screech was heard all over Ponyville. Twilight looked up, above the tree line of the Everfree, came down a red, orange and yellow bird. He left a trail of red sparks behind him. He looked around trying to locate his mistress that had called for him. She stepped away from the bench and came into view standing in the middle of the street. She extended her hoof it the air and waited. Soon enough the bird recognized her and flew towards her. Her flew in circles around her before settling in her raised for-hoof. She nuzzled him and he returned the favor.
"It had been indeed a while hasn’t it Pyre?"
The bird nodded and nuzzled her again. She giggled before moving her for-hoof over to her back. Pyre got the memo and hopped onto her back, making sure he didn’t hurt her with his un-honed claws. He then used his wings to poke at the her sides where her wings used to be.
"It’s a long story but do not worry, we shall get them back soon if everything goes well. But for now thou must accompany us. Do not attack anypony who wrongs me unless told to, we must remain unrecognized as royalty for our plan to rid mother of the moon to succeed." Twilight also made sure to add a little reassuring nod.
They walked together, well more like she walked and he just rode on her back, through the streets of Ponyville. They walked next to a mud puddle careful not to get her cloak dirty. Suddenly, a light blue blur flew by, her honed instinct kick into action and she created a shield around her and Phaeton. All the mud from the puddle sprung up and hit the shield, slowly coming down.
Twilight undid the shield and the remaining mud fell to the ground revealing a light blue pegasus mare with a rainbow mane flying in front of them.
"That was actually pretty awesome! You’ve gotta teach me how to do that sometime!" The pegasus spoke.
"Very flattering but we’re afraid we must be on our way. Does thou know a certain...Rainbow Dash perhaps?" Twilight thought she already knew the answer.
"Oh, you know about me?" She cockily put a hoof to her chest. "I’m not surprised, so tell me what have you heard about me?"
"We heard thou was supposed to keep the sky cleared instead of laying around doing nothing." Twilight knew how to handle ponies like her pretty well.
Rainbow Dash took it as the insult that it was and retorted the best way she could. "I’ll have you know that I can clear the sky in ten seconds flat."
"Oh? We don’t believe you. Mind proving us wrong?" Twilight asked kindly trying to hide her loosing her patience.
Rainbow dashed away throwing herself and bucking the clouds out of existence. She zigzagged from cloud to cloud kicking and punching. As promised ten seconds later every cloud in the sky was cleared. The pegasus flew back down proud of herself.
"See? Ten seconds flat!"
"Very good, We’re glad thou has actually done her job." Twilight started walking away. "Now, if thou excuse us we shall be on our way, we are very busy and will no longer inconvenience you."
The pegasus flew over to her side. "You’re weird, I hope we can hang out sometime-. Whoa! What kind of bird is that?!"
"He’s a phoenix." Twilight responded, she wanted to wrap a defensive wing around him but then she remembered she no-longer had them. She sighed and kept walking, the town hall was now a few steps away. She continued to walk, ignoring the pegasus eyeing her poor bird that was trying to resist the urge to wing-slap the pegasus. She entered the town hall.
The decorations were going great, there were ribbons and flowers adorning the columns, tables with with drinks and beverages and more. There was a white unicorn with a purple mane who was changing ribbons.
"No, no, no, oh Faust no, no-"
"Pardon me, We’re here to-"
"Just a moment darling, I’m in the zone." The white unicorn interrupted back. "No...Yes! Ah perfect." She adjusted the ribbon on one of the columns near the stage. "What were you saying-?" The mare looked over at Twilight and let out a gasp. "Darling?! What are you wearing?!"
"Does thou mean my cloak? We have to admit it’s not my best-" Twilight was again interrupted by the unicorn.
"Oh, no, no, no! This will not do!"
The unicorn then grabbed Twilight with her magic, and galloped over to her boutique. She started measuring Twilight. Twilight was a pro at standing still for measurements, having to wear multiple gowns for any ceremonies she needed to attend to as a princess.
"Um pardon but, what is this for?" Twilight asked.
"For your new cloak of course!" The white unicorn answered as if it were common knowledge.
"Thank you miss..." Twilight’s voice trailed off realizing she didn’t remember the mare’s name.
"Oh! Where are my manners! My name is Rarity."
"It’s a pleasure to meet you miss Rarity, Our name is Twilight Capella Sparkle. Well, we thank you miss Rarity, but we’re afraid we don’t have many bits to repay thy kindness."
"It’s free of charge, besides I already finished the decorations."
They continued to talk all the evening, Twilight was surprised that someone in that town had a sense of class, but of course didn’t express it. She actually felt more at home with Rarity but she still wished she could get some alone time.
Eventually, Rarity got up, she looked towards Twilight and said. "Well we should get going, Pinky is throwing a party at the Library for the Celebration and you don’t want to be late."
"Oh, why of course!" Twilight responded, she needed to go to the Library anyway. So she and her new self proclaimed friend walked over to the Library.
Author's Note
Hello! Hope you are thus far enjoying the story. I must admit, the name I found for Twilight’s phoenix isn’t very catchy. I took it from one of the greek titan of the sun’s (Helios) sons. This name is up for debate and I will allow it to change. Leave suggestions in the comments, just know that the offer expires tomorrow. The catch is that it MUST start with a 'P' and must sound at least a bit badass.
Thank you!
"C’mon Twi! Loosen up! It’s a party after all!"
A pink earth pony with a bubble gum mane jumped around the sitting mare. The mare groaned, she really did not like so much noise and chaos around her, kind of reminded her of her mother’s and auntie’s defeat of Discord. She sighed and got up, she needed to be alone for this to work.
She turned and walked towards the stairs. Once she put a hoof down she felt something quickly fly-by her and she also felt slightly lighter.
"Whoa it’s pretty heavy! What is it?" Rainbow Dash asked examining the sword handle Twilight had been carrying. "Hey Twi, why doesn’t it have a blade?" The rainbow pegasus grabbed the handle with her front hooves a started swinging it around as if it had a blade.
"Return it this instant! " Twilight yelled in the Royal Canterlot Voice shaking the whole library and shocking most of the guests. Twilight took the opportunity to to snatch it away with her magic. She placed it back inside her coaster, she cleared her throat and said with a much lower voice. "Thou shall not touch this sword ever again."
"Um...Twilight? Where are you going?" Sunset cautiously asked.
"To get fresh air, we art not to be disturbed. Phaeton Pyre, attend us." The phoenix who was busy eating a cupcake at the desserts table, quickly flew over to her side, hovering next to her.
Twilight walked up the stairs, Sunset had told her where everything was so she knew were the balcony was. She passed through the bedroom and stepped out into the balcony. She sighed and took a long big breath of fresh air. The phoenix who was now sitting on her back tapped his claws against it, seemingly a bit irritated by her behavior.
"Oh give us a break Pyre! Thou knows we don’t appreciate parties like thou does." She ungraciously let herself fall on her flank onto the floor with a small 'thump'. Causing the bird to lift up out of shock before softly landing on the ground next to her.
Pyre looked at her curiously, as if to ask 'What are we here for?'.
"Our internal clock says the sun should rise in few minutes, so, we do not have much time."
Pyre turned his head to one side in confusion before realizing what she meant. He nodded and using his wing he saluted. He then took position on the railing, ready for the show he knew was coming.
Twilight gave him one of her only sincere smiles of the day. She looked at the horizon, then at the moon and then at the stars...her stars. It was now she notice how much happier they looked, they knew it was time for their mistress to return.
Celestia looked on from her chariot at the moon and the stars. They were as always. She couldn’t help but let a tear escape her unnoticed by the guards pulling the chariot. She was really hoping this prophecy to be true but the only one who could paint the sky was locked away somewhere along side her mother. She sighed, in a few minutes she would have to raise the sun on her only hopes for everything to go back to normal
The chariot closed into Ponyville quickly, it was pulled by six guards and behind them were six other guards tasked with guarding the Princess at all times. The buildings were becoming bigger and bigger and she could see the preparations had gone well, her student was the best option for the job even though anything currently apparent was done by Twilight.
The chariot, now was almost flying over Ponyville, the guards had started to slow down. Celestia looked up one last time to check, and what she saw made her eyes widen.
Twilight sat in complete silence, nothing disturbing her. She was again visiting her magic pool, this time she could feel the urge of the magic bellow the net to come out. It had all gone according to plan. Twilight was nervous but she knew she had to do it.
Twilight jumped into her pool. She took longer than expected swimming down her unicorn magic. It was deeper, the net had sunk a bit deeper, allowing Twilight to access all of her unicorn magic. But she didn’t have time for that and she knew it. She then launched at the net with all her force, and it broke.
Outside her mind, a light escaped her chest and she started to levitate. The light started to circle her, in the form of a cocoon encasing her body in a blinding light.
Back inside her mind, Twilight now had wings, she had unlocked her pegasus magic. She now used her wings to propel her forward at higher speeds. If she wanted to ascend, she would need to trash at the following net with as much force as possible. She flew through the water until the net was in sight. She lowered her horn to aim at the center and to reduce resistance. And with one last mental shout she tore through the last net. The water around her seamed to clear. She knew what hat happened and exited her mind.
Her consciousness re-entered her body and she opened her eyes to witness the light finish to engulf her. The light shot out wards and she was slowly lowered to the ground. She flared out her wings and opened her eyes. She scanned herself.
'Alicorn wings? Check. Longer horn? Check. Longer stature? Already had it. Connection with my stars?...Time to find out.
She quickly glanced at Pyre, he was doing his best at a bow, she never taught him how, but she appreciated it. She nuzzled him with a giddy giggle. It was time.
She stood on the edge of the balcony. She took a big breath, and lit up her horn. She fully reconnected with her stars. Twilight searched for the northern star, the guardian star, and woke it up.
"Thy mistress of the night has returned, wake now from thy slumber so that thou are able to show thy beauty to our world!" Twilight said in a low voice as not to startle it.
The star suddenly shone brighter and brighter, happily twinkling at the return of her mistress. Then, awoke Capella the star Twilight shared her name with, and the one who was named the star of magic. Capella was Twilight’s second in command when it came to stars and it shone the brightest. Capella woke up each and every star and they all celebrated her return with glee, lighting up the sky like never before.
At that moment, Twilight saw Celestia’s carriage fly above the Library. She smiled as she saw Celestia’s shocked expression.
'Oh our dear Auntie... We’re not done yet. '
"Our dearest stars! Oh how lovely it is to see thou all again, shining so brightly just for us! We have one request for thou, Capella, thou and three others shall lend thy power and might, to free our mother from the shackles of the Elements and bring her back from the moon!"
As the last words were spoken, four stars started to move in the moon. They let out a massive blinding light and the unicorn that was etched into the moon disappeared and with it, something that resembled a comet fell from the heavens and landed somewhere in the Everfree.
Twilight put on her cloak to hide her wings and re-adjusted her coaster. She motioned at Pyre to ride on her back and winked at the stars.
Twilight made it down the stairs, she had a much happier expression. She walked through the ponies, making her way towards the door.
"Come! Unless thou wishest to miss the Ceremony!" Twilight was excited to see Celestia’s look of shock at her return.
Everyone rushed over to the door and started pouring out, in the end the five mares she had met at the party, Sunset Shimmer and Spike remained. She looked over to them and smiled, but this time she couldn’t hide her mischievous look. She walked out without saying anything.
She galloped across Ponyville to get a front row view of when her aunt as she failed to lower the moon since her mistress was back. She slowed down, the Town Hall was now right in front of her and inside was destiny.
She walked in, and heard the sounds of hoof steps behind her, probably Sunset and the others. She made herself comfortable and waited patiently.
Finally, after around five minutes or so, enough time for Rarity and Fluttershy to take positions, the town’s mayor came up to the stage.
"Fillies and gentelcolts! As mayor of Ponyville it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration."
The ponies erupted in cheers and the mayor waited for them to quiet down.
"In just a few moments, out town will witness the magic of the sunrise and celebrate the longest day of the year! And now, it is my great honor, to introduce to you, the ruler of our land, the good the wise, the bringer of night and day... Princess Celestia!"
The birds started their chorus, and Rarity lifted the curtains where Celestia was to reveal...Nothing. The ponies gasped and the birds singing faltered. Rarity went to check up on the Princess, she came back moments later with a worried expression.
"She’s gone!" She exclaimed.
Twilight could feel every inch in her body beginning to fill with guilt. She looked over to Pyre who was also beginning to worry. In her mind she started thinking of possible reasons as to why Celestia wasn’t there. They all ended in one thing, she went looking for Princess Luna at the first place she’d go, 'The Castle of the Three Royals'.
Twilight turned around and galloped out, it was only noticed by Sunset and the rest. Rarity was coming down the stairs and Fluttershy had already flown down to join them. Rainbow went after her. And all Twilight could think about was.
'Sweet Faust, what have we done?! Mother will kill her '
Author's Note
Huzzah! I got another chapter done! the other chapters were the calm before the storm because now...Horse-dung goes down.
Twilight was running, the Everfree was so close to her, she could already feel the Tree of Harmony’s energy radiating, it was calling for help, and she knew why. Flashes of lights were hardly visible from all the foliage but Twilight’s senses were so alert, she saw them as if they were flashing in her face.
She was about to tear off her cloak to fly over to the her old castle but she suddenly felt something hit her.
Rainbow Dash tackled the mare and pinned her to the ground. Twilight was shocked, if it weren’t for the lights distracting her, she would’ve shot Rainbow a stunning spell. Hoof-steps followed, they were galloping at full speed. Twilight searched and separated the walking vibrations, five mares. Twilight knew who they were but she truly didn’t want for it to be them.
She struggled to get up without her Earth-Pony magic, that would be too obvious, but every time she tried Rainbow pushed her down harder.
"What did you do with our Princess?!" Rainbow shouted at her, the venom in her voice wasn’t hidden at all. "Are you a spy?!"
"Rainbow!" Sunset interrupted. "She isn’t a spy! But she sure does know something right Twilight?"
Twilight stayed silent. She used this opportunity to teleport away, only a few feet. She needed the strength for the fight so she couldn’t teleport in. She turned over to the Everfree to start galloping again, before a flash of red sparkle appeared in front her.
Sunset had teleported to her. She put a hoof to Twilight’s chest attempting to stop her. Twilight glared at Sunset who stared back, the message was clear,'tell us what is going on.'. She let the others catch up and then she spoke.
"Thy Princess is in great peril. We art trying to save her but thou are preventing us." Twilight’s voice was cold and accusing.
"Well we’re coming too right y'all?" Applejack spoke up. "If it’s for our Princess, Ah’ll do anything!" She looked towards the Everfree with determination.
The other mares except for Rainbow cheered. "Yeah!"
"I don’t trust her." Rainbow said coldly looking directly at Twilight’s eyes.
Twilight knew that the only way to loose them was to be brutally honest with them.
"Neither do we. With all our honesty we do not trust thou can help. We will face the threat alone and thou shalt not follow us. We must get going if we wishest to save thy precious Princess." Twilight started walking only to be caught again.
"What makes you better than us?! You can’t possibly think of going in there alone and at night!" Rainbow recovered from her shock first and flew next to Twilight and Pyre.
Twilight said nothing and as if to answer her question, puller out her sword handle.
"That?! That thing will protect you?!" Rainbow snickered, containing her laughter only because it was a dangerous situation.
Twilight glared daggers at her, the with her horn she casted an activation spell as well as her telekinesis. Small light blue balls of light seemed to appear out of nowhere. They danced around the handle, when the saw an opening the went into the swirls and circles of the handle. The light then expanded, creating a blade of 'moon steel'.All that in a matter of seconds.
She put her sword into the coaster and looked at Rainbow. The pegasus was dumbfounded, her jaw fell to the floor processing what had just happened. Twilight looked back to the others, they all had shocked expression on their faces. Twilight groaned.
"We does not have time nor patience for this."
She galloped into the Everfree, following the trail her awareness had traveled when searching for Pyre. She was tapping into her Earth-Pony magic out of nerves, the leaves of the trees around her were falling off from them with every step she took. The branches on her way broke and flattened, at the moment her hooves touched the ground.
"Pyre!" Twilight called. "We need that thou search ahead and report on the fight!"
Pyre simply nodded with determination before flying faster than ever before. Twilight kept running, she was now reaching the cliffs before the castle. Twilight was stunned, for a moment she stopped.
The place across the cliffs wad supposed to be their capitol, it was supposed to be a prosperous cities, with enormous houses and trade centers, with a cloud extension similar to Cloudsdale and enormous temples in their honor...Well her aunt’s honor...Instead, nothing was left, apart from a few occasional ruins of the stronger structures and temples.
Twilight was on the verge of tears, everything she once knew was gone, and she knew it, her aunt had betrayed her and her mother, her mother had gone mad, her tales lost, her honor lost as well, her city reduced to rubble and he few friends she once had long dead. At least she still had Pyre she thought.
She shook her head to get out of the shock. She needed to focus, she needed to save her family even though she thought she had lost them, they deserved to be given a chance.
Twilight resumed her running, she weaved trough the narrow paths, ready just in case she slipped to take off her cloak and fly. The ground under her rumbled, as if ten ponies were to suddenly jump on it.
She focused ahead and what she would need to face, her mother and aunt. She took deep calming breaths. She could do this. She had faced dragons, centaurs, changelings and worst, the enemy she always seemed to loose to... Her mother’s tickle attack...
Twilight laughed at her mind and what it had come up with. She sometimes thought it had a consciousness of it’s own.
Suddenly she heard loud screaming from behind her snapping her away from her thoughts. She looked back to see four mares falling.
'FOALS! CANT THEY UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF NO?! They must’ve stepped onto the weakened ground I left behind. '
Twilight didn’t have time to react. Her body moved on her own, she tore off her cloak tossing it aside not caring where. She opened her wings and jumped the edge. Her horn lit up, and her wings allowed her to glide, she grabbed all six mares, even the pegasi, with her magic grip fighting so hard the urge to throw them herself. She landed gracefully on the ground, she took the mares and harshly put them down. They all fell on their flanks and Twilight glared at them.
"What were thou thinking?! We ordered you NOT to follow yet thou did and now, thou have put not only thy lives at risks but you precious sun Princess’s too! " Twilight scolded furiously, her wings unintentionally flaring upwards. The Royal Canterlot voice echoed through the canyon.
The mares all stared confused out off their minds. Rainbow was looking at her wings, she was still processing what they meant. But before she could ask anything, Sunset became the voice of all of them.
"Twilight...Are you an...Alicorn?"
Twilight took a moment before realizing what she had just done. She growled at her own stupidity.
"Indeed we are. Now return to Ponyville, we shalt take care of this situation." Twilight said with a cold tone, hurrying to prepare herself to take off.
"No!" Rainbow and Sunset shouted in unison. They both looked at each other and spoke the universal stare language between them. Sunset nodded and let Rainbow take the lead.
"Who are you to give US orders?! We would never take orders from anypony except for Princess Celestia!" Rainbow pointed an accusatory hoof at Twilight.
It didn’t have the wanted effect, and Twilight seemed to grow angrier if it was possible at that point, any more and she might’ve actually thrown Rainbow against the ground instead. She turned back around to face both mares who shrunk under her glare. She stomped a hoof on the ground with so much force that the canyon’s walls shook.
Twilight then lifted Rainbow with her magic so that they were eye to eye and she couldn’t escape.
"We, art Twilight Capella Sparkle... Mistress of the Stars, Protector of Equestria, Third Alicorn Princess...Daughter of the second Alicorn Princess, Luna, the Mistress of the Moon and Dreams...-" Twilight hesitated a bit before laying it out. "Biological neice to the first Alicorn Princess, Celestia, mistress of the sun! "
She waited a bit for the realization to hit the others. Fear and regret became present for the first time on Rainbow’s face. But before she could apologize Twilight interrupted.
"Thou art not to speak towards us, the way thou had spoken ever again! Thou WILL respect us and our mother. We shalt save thy Princess of the sun, but she shalt have to answer for her crimes. Thou will go to Ponyville, were thou will be safe. "
That said, Twilight let go of her grip on Rainbow causing to her fall onto the ground. Twilight took off leaving the mares to their thoughts. Honestly she hated having to do that, she hated having tho throw her titles at them but she really didn’t have a choice.
The lights in the distance got stronger, she now recognized the magic. Her mother’s teal lasers. If she flew any faster, she might not be able to fight, normally she could but she had just re-ascended and it wasn’t really strain-less.
Twilight against was to her thoughts. If the Elements were still somehow alive, her aunt would certainly use them again. She had overpowered them before but know she had 'Rest', her sword, with her.
The sword handle was adorned with swirls and circles representing the stars. It wasn’t surprising that her former mentor and 'uncle' had gifted her the sword on her first adventure. The circles were filled with carvings of different kinds, spell circles, it allowed Twilight to use powerful spells just by channeling an activation spell through the right ones.
Using 'Rest', she could channel an additional shield, attack and absorbing spells at the same time, giving them the hopeful edge. But then came the problem of her mother. What if she was complaining overtook by Nightmare Moon? Could Twilight even get through to her? Would Twilight have to fight her?
She couldn’t fight her mother, much less in that power-boosted form. Luna had taught her how to fight, use swords, tactics... Luna knew everything about the young alicorn’s style.
Twilight decided not to dwell on it. She was getting closer and pulled out 'Rest' with her magical grip.
'Well, here goes nothing '
The castle was an interesting sight, guards had only just began arriving, some of them looking shocked at the battle that was taking place in the skies. The castle was in ruins, it was overgrown and plants and animals seemed to call it home.
Some guards noticed the in-coming alicorn and readied themselves. They had already seen a random alicorn come around and attack their Princesses, they weren’t taking chances. The pegasi took flight, ready to intercept the alicorn and keep her in range of the unicorn’s magic.
Normally, their mere presence was enough for a pony to run away, but not for her. Their little intimidation trick didn’t work on the closest thing to a warriot-princess Equestria had. The pegasus readied themselves for the fight.
Twilight looked at them with pity, they weren’t deserving of the punishment she was about to inflict, they were just guards. She hovered in the air for a few seconds before lifting her sword in a defensive position.
The guards took them as a sing of a fight and lunged towards her, some had spears in their mouths, and all of them wore golden armor.
Twilight focused on the spears, they were looking for their target but she would not give it to them. Twilight blocked the spear with her sword pushing it aside, then she lodged her sword in the spear head and flung it upwards causing the spear to go flying.
The other guards were fast approaching, but had no weapons. Twilight focused more on the other two guards throwing themselves at her. She blocked the first, again lodging the sword in the spearhead, she guided the spear to intertwine with the second and send both stallions falling to the ground.
Some guards deserted the formation out of fear or to help the their fallen comrades (pun intended). The rest continued their charge, Twilight create a ball similar to a shield with her magic and threw it towards the first guard of the formation. The ball made made contact with the guard’s chest plate sending him backwards into his friends who all lost control and due to their armor, fell to the ground.
Twilight then took a moment to check were her family was fighting. She frantically looked around, until she heard a loud boom from the throne room. Twilight flew over and through a huge hole the roof, saw her mother.
Twilight wanted so bad to go and hug her tight but stopped herself. That wasn’t her mother, Luna was caring, ruthless but caring anyways, she enjoyed having fun and sparring, she enjoyed playing pranks on her sister and nobles and enjoyed protecting dreams... But what she saw was a monster, ready to do anything to get what she wanted. And she could not allow it, she was going to save her mother.
Nightmare Moon was on top Celestia, she had ab unsettling smile but her eyes had a slimmer of sadness. She readied a beam at Celestia, who seemed to have accepted her fate.
Twilight couldn’t allow that she flew down faster than ever before, she activated a spell on her sword, ‘Shield'. Twilight stood in front of Celestia just before Nightmare Moon unleashed her killing spell. Twilight blocked the spell, it was strong and caused her to sly back a bit. Her sword absorbed as much power as it could. Then when it was almost at it’s limit, Twilight unleashed a reflection spell as well as a shooting spell. The magic exited her sword and made another hole on the roof.
Nightmare Moon was at first confused, then she saw Twilight. Her eyes widened in surprise, she was a loss for words but didn’t need to speak any. Twilight took the lead.
"Mother, please we beg thou, put an end to this madness..." Twilight was on the verge of tears but kept herself as strong as possible.
"Daughter...H-How could..." Nightmare Moons voice trailed away, her voice was hurt. Then she scowled. "How could thou turn against us?! We raised thou! We are thy flesh and blood! How can thou side with a traitor who is blinded by the praise of her sun-loving subjects?!" She lifted her own sword ready to deliver a devastating blow.
Twilight was taken back. She lifted her sword in defense and used her wings to support her block.
"Mother please! We do not wish to fight thou...We love thou!" Twilight tried.
That only seemed to anger her for a reason, Twilight took it as an opportunity to cease her struggling and duck before the momentum made the sword complete the blow. She jumped back to avoid the next attack and blocked the next one.
Twilight did her best to think of a plan. She dodged and blocked everything she could, she started to get small cuts on her body where magic barely missed her. She then had an idea.
Twilight quickly rolled dodging the next attack then she got back on her hooves and galloped towards Nightmare Moon. Nightmare Moon in response, moved her sword to where Twilight was going to strike, she changed the position to horizontal, waiting for Twilight to hit it.
Instead, Twilight slid at the last moment, barely missing the sword. She then made a pretty big cut on Nightmare Moon’s sides. The Nightmare screamed in pain, and it broke Twilight’s heart. Luckily the wound didn’t regenerate immediately as Twilight feared, her mother hadn’t yet fully turned.
Twilight lifted her sword in time for the next blow. She also infused it with an 'reflection' spell. The physical damage the sword would’ve gotten, turned into magic which caused a small explosion next to them, sending Nightmare Moon out of balance.
Twilight cautiously approached her mother but it was obvious she hadn’t changed. Nightmare Moon launched at Twilight pinning her to the ground blasting the air out her lungs. Twilight gasped for air as she stared into Nightmare Moon’s eyes, they were cold but still had the small spark of sadness, in fact it had grown a little.
"Mama..." Twilight started. "Why art thou doing this?...please stop it... Thou is hurting everypony."
Nightmare Moon blinked, for a moment her eyes were back to normal but then she blinked again and the were back to being dragon slits. Twilight now knew she could reach her. She teleported away, she needed to lure her away from the injured Celestia.
Nightmare Moon took the bait. She started galloping where Twilight was and slammed against her. Twilight crashed through the castle walls and started to fall. She opened her wings and took to the skies before hitting the ground. She weaved and dodged Nightmare’s magic beams, sending a few her way as well.
Then she remembered.
'The Elements! '
She dodged her way over to the relics room. Inside she found the six mares she had told to flee. They were all watching the battle before. One of them, Sunset, had found the Elements and was doing something to them, mumbling about a spark. They all looked at the battered Twilight with horror, her body was filled with cuts and bruises, her mane was a mess, her coat was sweaty and stained from the blood of all her cuts.
She rushed over to the Elements before Nightmare Moon could enter. She picked them up with her magic, she needed to revive them... But how?
Nightmare Moon came crashing through a window, Twilight teleported both her and the mares away, and back to the throne room.
She then went over to Celestia and helped her up before teleporting all of them away, to a secret tunnel she had created when she was a filly.
The room was dark and completely dark. Twilight lit her horn to create some light. She saw a torch hanging from a wall, just were she had left it. She then lit the torch with magic and the room was incased in a yellow-ish light.
She panted from the exertion of teleporting eight ponies at the same time. All of the mares had fallen down, recovering from the two teleports. Twilight’s knees trembled, her body was catching up to the injuries of her fight and her strength was running low.
Her legs gave out and she collapsed, if it weren’t for Celestia helping support her she would’ve fallen hard on the ground.
Twilight looked at Celestia directly in her eyes, she didn’t hate her anymore, she couldn’t, she was the only family she had currently left. She looked back at the Elements, stone...they were all stone. All her hopes of saving her mother was lost, she fell on her flank and hugged Celestia, tears starting to stream down her face. Celestia sat down and hugged her back, draping a wing around her.
"We-...I’m...so, so, so sorry..." Twilight mumbled into Celestia’s coat.
Celestia smiled comfortingly.
"Oh my little star, you have nothing to apologize for! In fact..." Celestia saddened. "I’m the one who needs to apologize to you." Celestia tighten the hug bringing Twilight closer, she started silently crying as well. "I-I missed you so much! Both you and Luna..."
"Auntie...I-I failed...I failed Equestria, mother...and you." Twilight’s ears dropped and her wings drooped to the ground. "I wasn’t strong enough to save mom... And now... Look at where we are... In a room, taking refuge from family who wants to destroy us...Could you ever forgive me?!"
Celestia nuzzled her niece. "You don’t need to apologize...I am to blame here... I thought... That my student and a special group of mares could wields the Elements and foolishly bet all of Equestria on them..." They both turned to look at the six mares.
They were staring at the scene dumbfounded. No one had ever seen the Princess cry and yet, there she was, with a biological niece over her sister. Then the mares realized what Celestia had meant. They were supposed to wield the Elements, yet they couldn’t awaken them. They looked away in shame, Sunset especially shrunk upon the sad look of the two alicorns her world was being tore apart.
"I’m truly sorry to all of you, I put you all in danger... I’m sorry Sunset, I raised you on false motivation, and for that..." Celestia’s voice stuck in her throats, she couldn’t bare to see her student’s distraught face any longer and started sobbing into Twilight’s coat.
The next day, Twilight woke up first. She was thinking about the events of the night prior. She didn’t know if it was day or night, knowing herself and her complete inability to wake up early, she assumed that her aunt somehow had found a way to lift the sun. She sighed and stretched like a cat her joints popped and her whole body ached.
Reluctantly she struggled up onto her hooves. The night before took a huge toll on her. She started walking around the room.
It was a square room, it was carved into the ground and was supported by stone bricks. She looked around, six mares were asleep next to her, as well as a little baby dragon. She didn’t remember teleporting the dragon but maybe Celestia had. The lavender carpet she had adorned the room with was pretty intact, seeing as the chamber could only be accessed by teleporting so nothing had entered to damage it. The room had two doorways on either sides, opposite to each other, and the carpet led to them in a 'T' shape.
She noticed that one of the halls had it’s torches lit and decided to investigate. She walked through the hall, memories of the halls and rooms washed through her head. At the end was a place she didn’t want to go in, but she pushed through, knowing that inside would be her aunt.
She took a deep breath and opened the doors. Celestia jumped a bit at the sudden entrance. She looked at Twilight smiling.
"I didn’t know you had built this place, it’s amazing! No wonder you never had..." Celestia’s voice trailed off. "I-I didn’t mean-"
She was cut off by Twilight lifting a hoof to silence her. "It’s ok...I wish I could apologize to them but..." She shook her head clearing her thoughts. "It’s all in the past. Let’s not dwell on it"
She looked around the room, everything was the same as she left it. The rug continued up the dais where stood a large crescent shaped marble table, behind it were six marble thrones. The middle one was bigger than the rest, carved into it was Twilight’s cutie mark. The rest were divided, two at the right side and three at the left side.
"D-Do you think they’re...?" Twilight began.
"Alive?" Celestia finished and Twilight nodded. "I’m sure, their constellations are still there."
Twilight nodded relieved and smile crept up her face. "I must find them...No... I need to find them and set things right."
She stomped her hoof to make her point clear. A spark lit up in her eyes and she felt something weird. She then noticed that the Element of Magic floated in front of her along with her previous crown. They got closer until they merged together, the Element became the crown jewel. Twilight took the crown and placed it upon her head. She looked up at Celestia who smiled proudly.
"I believe that settles it." Celestia nodded to Twilight.
"Before I leave, I’ll find you a source of water and open a way for fresh air to come in."
In that moment Pyre came flying in accompanied by Phelomena and Spike, they were all playing together. Twilight smiled.
"Pyre? Would you stay behind and make sure everypony is okay?" Twilight asked with a sad smile. "It might be a while until I’m back."
"Where are you going?"
She heard some voices coming from the doors she smiled, it was the six mares she had met.
"To get my Star Council and my mother back."
Author's Note
I did IT it’s finished! But don’t worry, there WILL be a sequel!!
Celestia fell trough the roof in a free fall. She landed near a stone structure, it had five gems on each of the arms and had a rock in the form of a sphere in the middle. Suddenly she was woken up by the sound of hooves.
"Mom?!" A young voice called out.
Soon enough a young mare came galloping in. She was a lavender coated alicorn with a dark blue mane with a pink and a purple stripes. She came into the room and saw Celestia on the floor.
"Auntie?" She slowly approached her aunt that was trying to get up.
Celestia looked at her with a mix of sadness, pain, fear and a bit of happiness. Suddenly a loud mad laugh rang throughout the castle. They both looked up to see Nightmare Moon flying down from the hole in the room.
"Mom?..." She extended a hoof towards Nightmare Moon. "No...Stop this please! Don’t hurt auntie 'Tia"
"Twilight?" Nightmare Moon’s expression turned to surprise. "Y-You’re supposed to be asleep." She walked over to her.
For every step she took Twilight took one back her ears folded against her back in fear. Nightmare Moon noticed her daughter’s reactions and stopped. For a while the stood still looking at each other. Nightmare Moon’s pupils changed from dragon slits into her normal circular pupils.
"I-I..." Nightmare Moon started.
Suddenly, Twilight saw in the corner of her eye a bright flash of light. Nightmare’s eyes turned back to slits. They both looked over to see Celestia had gathered the Elements and was prepared to attack.
"Wait-" Twilight screamed.
Nightmare took off with a powerful wing flap followed closely by Celestia. Twilight flew after them. The battle changed it’s course multiple timed, Celestia was on the defensive at times but then sometimes changed to the offensive.
At one moment both off them prepared a magic beam. Celestia gathered the power from the Elements and started overpowering her sister. Twilight flew to her mother’s side and charged a beam of her own. She shot it along side her mother to keep the Elements at bay but they did not yield. They kept pushing until the beam was about to touch the two alicorn’s horns. Nightmare seeing no way out pushed her daughter out of the way in time for the beam to send her to the moon.
Twilight lost balance and fell backwards in time to see the beam hit her mother and continue flying until it hit the moon, but in that moment, the shockwave the Elements let out after they lost their power hit her. Her eyes began to close as she fell from the sky, her last sight being that of her mother in the moon.
Poor 'uncle' Starswirl, he now must stay trapped inside limbo for eternity-
The sound of gagging snapped Twilight out of her line of thought and her reading. She looked up in time to see Spike cough out flames that later reshaped into a scroll. It fell down in front of Twilight, she picked it up with her magic to hand it to Sunset when she noticed the seal that her aunt used.
We see, old habits die hard. That was always her favorite seal.
She handed it over to Sunset. "A letter from the princess we presume?"
"Yup!" She unrolled the parchment and read it rather quickly. She hummed before setting it down. "Say, Twilight...Do you by chance live in Canterlot?"
"Mmm. Not that we recall, we’re enjoying Ms. Velvet’s hospitality yes, but as soon as we get enough bits we will be departing." Twilight said not taking her eyes away from the book she was reading as she searched the table of contents for something.
"Do you live close to Ponyville?" Sunset asked again.
"We do not know where this 'Ponyville' is situated. Perhaps thou can shed some light upon it?"
"It’s north of the Everfree Forest. About maybe 600 meters away..."
Twilight’s ears perked up. If her mother came back anywhere it might as well be at their old castle. She could tell where this was going, but she needed confirmation. "Then, yes Ponyville is certainly closer to our home than Canterlot. Why does thou ask?"
"Well, Princess Celestia asked me if I wanted to check the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. And maybe I can ask her for you to come with me to Ponyville... You’d be closer to home and it’ll be a free ride!"
Twilight hated the fact that she needed to ask Celestia for help, but if she didn’t, she wouldn’t be able to be present for her mother’s return. "That would be most wonderful! Although we do not wish to inconvenience you... And the princess."
The trap is set, but will she take the bait?
"That is no problem at all, please, any friend of mine is a friend of her’s. Besides, the chariots are made to hold two ponies."
Check Mate.
"We’ll if thou thinks so, we suppose we can accompany thou in thy assignment. We’re very great full for thy kindness. When do we depart?"
"We’ll be leaving in three days if everything goes well with the mayor."
"Great then, we shall see you there. We must go now, we have some 'business' to attend to before we depart." Twilight re-shelved the book she was reading before giving a small bow of the head and teleporting away.
