Chapters The last vestiges of the setting sun disappeared over the horizon, the copper hues giving way to a dusty purple scattered with the occasional glitter of a faraway star. The distant skyline stood silhouetted against a velvety sky, the golden dusk enveloped by the twilight sky.
A figure stood still in the dark shadows of an alleyway, patiently waiting for the masses of local citizens in front of her destination to dwindle.
The mysterious pony cradled a small bundle, curled with it's tail between its forelegs, snoring faintly.
As the mare looked upon the double story estate, she brought out a notebook from the dresses of her coat, checking the address of House Sparkle once more. It was a family of minor nobility, they had a colt of five years old and were well respected among the nobility as astronomers preferring to be known for their own deeds rather than achievements of their ancestors.
They would be a perfect family for her foal.
The anonymous mare held the precious parcel close to her chest one last time, tucking a slip of paper between the warm blankets, 'Twilight Sparkle ', and dropping a kiss under the foal's horn, disrupting her silky navy mane with her two unique streaks of pink and purple, staining her blanket with tears.
"I'm so sorry..."
Upon the close contact, the lavender foal shuffled slightly, before opening her eyes to reveal bright, magenta orbs similar to her mother's, she gave a small giggle, reaching out to the one pony she loved most.
To her obvious confusion, her caretaker looked away, choking on a sob before levitating her to the doormat in front of the intimidating, green wooden door, stepping away from her and leaving a trail of liquid behind her shivering body.
"I- I love you..."
As the alabaster mare took the second step away from her foal, her little filly let out a adorable whine, one of innocence and confusion, expecting her beloved mother to turn tail and surprise her, but no such thing happened, the mare, reaching the end of the street and about to turn the corner, was stopped by a heart shattering wail, one of pure sadness and misery.
Hearing this, the white mare let her tears collect into a puddle beneath her, sparing one last look at her distressed foal, her hood fell to reveal a long, spiraling horn and a ethereal, multicolored mane, she galloped around the corner, leaving part of her heart in shambles.
======================================== oOo ========================================
"Honey! Can you check the door? I think I heard something!" Twilight Velvet called to her husband while being preoccupied with feeding her colt, Shining Armour.
"On it sweetie!" Night Light trotted towards the front of their house, turning the handle in his blue aura.
Swinging the emerald green door open, he was met with... Nothing.
"It was just those pranksters next door again Velv-" The stallion was interrupted by a small whimper.
As he looked down at his hooves, he noticed a small blanket. Tugging on it, he revealed...
"Great Celestia!" He picked up a lavender foal, navy mane parted by a small violet horn, beautiful, shimmering magenta eyes producing tears streaming down her muzzle, trembling and reaching towards the end of their street longingly, as if searching for something.
"Velvet! I think you need to see this honey!" Night Light called, trying desperately to calm down the troubled filly to no avail, her violet orbs darting all around, still reaching out to the alleyway directly opposite them, whispering frantic cries of "Mama! Mama!"
"What is it Nigh-" The silver mare's words caught in her throat as she saw the trembling ball of fur in her husband's telekinesis, not even acknowledging the 'Clop, Clop' of Shining Armour's hooves following his mother.
The mare hurried towards her husband and regarded the small filly with a pitying gaze.
"Twilight." The small colt stated, oblivious to the glares he was receiving from both his parents.
"Shining Armour! It is very disrespectful to call your mother by her first name!" Night Light scolded his son.
Eyes widening in surprise, Shining quickly backtracked, "No no no, I meant her name!" before pointing to the slip of paper on the front porch with the two words written on it and wet with tears.
"Twilight Sparkle " Velvet read. "Looks like we've got a new member of our family, We'll complete the adoption process tomorrow." Finishing with an air of joy and shutting the front door behind them.
They neglected to see the mare shivering and watching the exchange in the alleyway across from their home, who was gone in a flash of teleportation, leaving behind her only child.
Stumbling back into her library, sleep weighing on her like a ton of bricks and body aching, Twilight Sparkle, the newest addition to royalty, slumped onto her bed, exhausted by the evening’s experience as she briefly noted the new feathery appendages as she blissfully drifted off into her well deserved rest.
===================================== oOo =====================================
Momentarily thrown by the blinding light seeping into the library as Twilight finished Starswirl’s spell, she winced and shut her eyes, attempting to shield herself from the radiance,
Eventually deciding it was safe to take a peek at the after effects of the spell, her eyes grew to the size of dinner plates as she took in the sight before her. She was facing a beautiful myriad of colours ranging from light turquoise to navy blue, with a canopy of brightly shining stars, lighting up the sky.
"Congratulations Twilight, I knew you could do it" A voice from behind her said, swiveling around, Twilight was met with one of the most influential people of her life, Princess Celestia.
They walked together across the star laden path, gazing in wonder at the walls portraying all her adventures and accidents since moving to Ponyville as Celestia sang a melodic ballad.
Reaching the end of her song, Princess Celestia fixed Twilight with a proud smile. Twilight felt her body blazing with a new power, as she studied some of it, the pink blob of pure magic wrapped itself around Twilight, making a pink bubble around her and living her to the air, before power coursed through her lavender body and basked Equestria in a brilliant light, Twilight's cutiemark lighting up the sky.
Descending down onto the rocky path of Ponyville, light radiated from her body as Twilight Sparkle slowly stood up.
"Twiligh? Is that you?" Applejack called over uncertainly at the lavender pony covered in stars. Not replying, said lavender pony revealed her navy blue mane with a pink and purple streak, confirming her identity.
Twilight spread her new wings and heard the crowd collectively gasp, before her friends made it over, complementing and admiring the newest addition to their friend.
Twilight blinked as the memory came to an end, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Tis quite an achievement Twilight Sparkle."
Turning around quickly, Equestria's newest alicorn was met with a proud smile on the dark navy body she had come to known as Princess Luna. Startled at her sudden appearance, Twilight dove into a low, respectable bow.
"Nay, Twilight Sparkle, thou needest not bow in front us, we art of equal power now!" Luna's pleased grin was met with a friendly, yet hesitant smile.
"Princess Luna! Wh-" Twilight was cut off by a hoof as Princess Luna interrupted "Please, Twilight Sparkle, Call us Luna."
The lavender alicorn paused for a moment, as though contemplating this order, "Yes Pr- Luna, If I may ask, What are you doing here?" Twilight tilted her head to the side staring up at the larger alicorn.
"Thou art in a dream Twilight Sparkle, We have come to invitest thou to Canterot for a few days tomorrow before thy coronation, a chariot will be outside in the morn." Luna finished, sporting a reluctant smile, hoping Twilight, her first friend, would accept the invitation.
"Of course Pri- Luna! I would be honoured!" The new alicorn happily flashed a grin, allowing the Princess of the Night to breathe a sigh of relief contentedly at her acceptance.
"Huzzah! Then we shall see thou soon! We must go now Twilight Sparkle, thou art waking up!"
===================================== oOo =====================================
As Twilight slowly drifted into the land of consciousness, she sat up excitedly, glancing out of her window at the parked chariot at the front of Golden Oaks Library.
"SPIKE! Wake up!" Twilight nudged the green and purple ball wedged in his basket, gently snoring. "SPIKE! Your comics are in danger!"
This statement caused the young drake to bolt up into a sitting position, mouth agape and eyes adjusting to the bright light. "Huh? Wha- MY COMICS?" The baby dragon, Spike, mumbles incoherently.
"Come on Spike! Pack your things, we're visiting Canterlot for a few weeks!" Twilight claimed contentedly as she made her way downstairs and into the bathroom.
An hour later, The pair were packed and ready to board the chariot pulled by stoic Night Guards, "Books? Check. Toothbrush? Check. Spike's comics? Check. Basket? Check. Parchment and Quill? Check. Gems for Spike? Check. Dress? Check. Spike? Definite check!"
Tucking her trusty checklist securely into her saddlebag, Twilight made her way out of the library, flipping the sign from 'Open!' to 'Closed.' Then boarding the dark sapphire chariot with Spike by her side.
===================================== oOo =====================================
Twilight quickly penned a note to each of the girls 'I'm visiting Canterlot for a few weeks, Be back soon! -Twilight Sparkle'
"Spike? Send these to the girls please!" Barely flinching when the emerald dragonfire enveloped the slips of parchment still held in her levitation..
===================================== oOo =====================================
An hour later, the chariot plunged down to earth in a arched, graceful movement, landing in a dignified manner right beside the towering image of Princess Celestia, who was smiling serenely at the disembarking passengers, her magenta eyes twinkling with joy seeing her Most Faithful Student.
"Princess Celestia! How good to see you!" Twilight Sparkle greeted without hesitation before launching into a deep bow along with Spike, waiting for the command allowing her to stand once more.
The Regent of the Sun maintained her regal mask from a millennium worth of practice, but her heart broke when she heard Twilight so formal and distant, she had hoped that now, since they were technically of equal standing, Twilight would come to see her as a friend, but it seemed they would always just have a mentor student relationship.
She recalled briefly when her little student was just a filly, new to the castle and often homesick, where she would often come to Celestia for love and support, sometimes sharing a bed under her Princess' protective wing. But alas, as she grew up, Twilight had come to acknowledge her social standing, keeping a respectable distance between them.
Princess Celestia found she rather enjoyed the times where she could act as a mother figure for the little bundle of lavender fur, and was hoping to regain some of these moments now that Twilight would no doubt be spending more time at the castle as Equestria's newest princess.
Her mind wondered to a distant memory of Twilight as a filly, the precious bundle wrapped in Celestia's wing, as she hummed a soft lullaby...
===================================== oOo =====================================
Propped up against a velvet cushion, Princess Celestia, who was studying the book of intricate laws, 'The Complete Copy of Equestian Laws by Politics Pawn' First edition, Book III, flicked her ears up upon noticing the gentle "Clop, Clop" of small, hurried, yet hesitant hoofsteps getting louder with each moment, until they stopped, signifying the pony had reached their destination. A quick knock confirmed Celestia's suspicions as she called out "Enter!"
The door cracked open to reveal a slightly disheveled lavender filly sporting a navy blue mane with an indigo and pink stripe, her fur matted and wet with tears as she stepped into the luxurious chambers.
"Pr-Princess?" She questioned hesitantly, as the sovereign's heart broke at the sight.
"Twilight! What's the matter?" I asked in a calm, soothing manner before lifting my elegant wings and patted the spot beside me invitingly.
Twilight Sparkle slowly made her made her way under my wing, which wrapped itself around her tiny, shivering body. The Regent of the Sun waited patiently for the little filly to speak up, when she finally did, it wasn't in the usual cheerful, optimistic tone, it was in a fearful, strangled voice.
"I- I had a n- nightmare.." Princess Celestia knew that Twilight was young to be living by herself in a big empty castle, but she hadn't realized she had nightmares often.
"It's okay, It was just a nightmare" I assured her, putting on a soft, compassionate tone in an attempt to calm her.
As she quieted down she looked up at be with those deep magenta eyes, filled to the brim with tears as she asked tentatively, "Could...Could you sing me a song? Mommy hums to me when I can't sleep..." Gazing up hopefully into the kind, sympathetic eyes.
The Princess of the Sun smiled softly as the agreed and hummed a soft lullaby, watching as the rise and fall of her precious student's chest slowed, Twilight drifting into a nice dream, accompanied by the beautiful lullaby she found strangely familiar
===================================== oOo =====================================
"P- Princess?" A timid voice spoke up, snapping Celestia out of her trance.
Only then did Princess Celestia notice her student and the drake were still in their bows, waiting for her order to rise.
"Oh Rise My Faithful Student! I apologize, I was... thinking" Celestia put on a welcoming smile for the pony whom she loved like a daughter.
"Thank you Princess," Twilight replied, her eyes were filled with relief, but quickly turning into concern for her beloved mentor as she saw her flinch at her words, hurt flashing across her eyes for a moment, barely noticeable by anypony but the sharp eyed alicorn standing next to her.
"Is everything alright Princess?" Twilight finally spoke up as they neared the castle, noticing once again the slight agitated shuffle of Celsetia's wings.
"Everything is fine my dear student." The monarch replied dismissively, before instantly regretting it when she saw the smaller alicorn looking away. "It's just I had hoped that since we were now equal, you would come to see me as a friend, instead of just your princess" Celestia admitted softly.
Twilight jerked her head back to her mentor, surprised, yet relieved she could still salvage the situation, "Of course you're my friend Ce-Celestia! I'm sorry, I was just too used to calling you 'Princess'" The newest alicorn apologized sincerely, sending a beaming smile to her friend, receiving a grateful one in return.
===================================== oOo =====================================
Entering the dining room, the pair of alicorns giggled at the sight of Princess Luna with her face in a plate of pancakes, sleeping contentedly amongst the tower of whipped cream.
"I'll be over there having a few words with the chef about our meal later today, could you try wake up Luna for me please?" Celestia smirked as Twilight quickly turned to her, mouth agape and speechless, before shooting her a 'you'll pay for this' look.
'What am I even supposed to do? I can't just yell at a princess no matter what social standing I am!" Twilight was hyperventilating now, looking from the sleeping Luna, the snug looking Celestia, and the Sous Chef, who was pointedly averting her gaze.
"I normally just bite her..." Celestia put on a thoughtful frown, savoring the look of complete horror overtaking her.
"What! Are you crazy?" She snapped, "I can't just bite a princ--" Twilight suddenly stopped her lecture, upon noticing who it was she had just snapped at, turning back at her mentor, she was rambling out apologies in rapid succession, including suggestions for her punishment, but instantly stopping when she heard the white alicorn's melodic chuckle, smiling up meekly at her mentor,
"There is no need to apologize Twilight, She won't mind if you just topple over her chair..." A devious grin playing on Celestia's face as she made the suggestion, she left to speak to the sous chef at the other side of the table, where she could still observe as the amusing events played out.
Twilight started by gently nudging her friend, shaking her ever so delicately in an desperate attempt. She tried to restrain herself from scowling at Celestia who was wearing an amused grin. Calling out her name, softly so as not to startle Luna, Twilight was running out of options when her mind drifted to how she woke Spike up this morning.
The Princess of the Sun looked curiously at Twilight to see how she would accomplish this seemingly impossible task, she knew for a fact her student would not dare raise her voice or wake her with any type of physical method, and was interested in her intelligent student's idea when her eyes suddenly lit up with understanding.
She watched as Twilight reached out with her head to reach Luna's ear, she wouldn't really nibble her, right? Celestia's suspicions were confirmed as she noticed Twilight's lips moving.
Straining her ears, she heard a single statement before her little sister's eyes snapped open, and sat bolted straight up in her padded seat.
Nightmare NIght is cancelled this year.
Startled, Luna wipes her face devoid of cream and turns around to shout at her annoying sist- "Twilight Sparkle?"
"It's good to see you Pr- Luna." Twilight smiled genuinely, "Sorry for interrupting you sleep, but you were..." She paused, snickering slightly while a light blush tinted Luna's cheeks at the reminder of her position.
"Tis good to see thou too my friend, It has been so long! We cannot believe Tia did not inform us of thy arrival" Before embracing Twilight in a hug.
===================================== oOo =====================================
As they ate their breakfast, the three alicorns made respectable talk, Luna gazing at the daily newspaper, occasionally reading a title aloud for all to hear, Celestia and Twilight talking about their respective lives, letting out a chuckle from time to time.
Celestia was stunned by the close friendship her sister had developed with her student, she did not expect to see such a contrast between her greeting and Luna's upon first seeing Twilight.
The Regent of the Sun was aware Luna considered Twilight to be her first friend, from when she comforted her on Nightmare Night, and the nights spent together stargazing together also bought them together, but that was barely a year ago, whereas she had known Twilight since she was a filly, yet her student still felt the urge to bow before her as a greeting.
===================================== oOo =====================================
With breakfast out of the way, Luna retired to her quarters, leaving Celestia and Twilight to figure out the schedule for the day.
"Would you like to come to court with me? It would benefit you greatly now that you yourself are a princess too, not to mention your input will be very helpful in solving tricky cases, I imagine you are familiar with the laws?" Celestia offered hopefully, striving to get to know her faithful student better.
"Sounds great! Thank you for the offer, I look forward to spending more time with you, Pr- Celestia." Twilight replied, shooting a grateful grin to Celestia as a thank you, her bright eyes shimmered with delight at the prospect of holding court with the one she had come to know as her second mother.
Princess Celestia felt her heart warm at Twilight's words and the fact she made an effort to use her name without a title. Her eyes reflected the joy she felt as she locked her gaze onto the wide magenta eyes so like her own.
===================================== oOo =====================================
"C-Call in the first petitioner!" Twilight called tentatively, glancing back at her mentor, secluded from the view of petioners, who gave her student an encouraging smile, "Don't worry, If you need me, I'll be right here"
Celestia knew some of the nobles could be prissy and stuck up, and they would disapprove of a child of lower nobility becoming higher in power than them, but nobody could harm Twilight in any way, not while she was here. Either way, the worst nobles often ask for private audiences instead of attending court.
"Announcing, Prince Blueblood!"
Then again, Celestia was not immune to being wrong after all...
"Welcome to Morning Court Prince Blueblood, What may I d-" Twilight's cheerful welcome was cut short by Prince Blueblood making show of tutting and rolling his eyes.
"I am here to speak to a princess, who can tell me who a filthy commoner like her is doing on the throne?"
He either did not seem to notice the room go unusually quiet at his harsh wording, or didn't care. Everyone was staring cautiously at Princess Celestia, who was bristling at the lack of respect shown to her prized pupil, in fact, the only pony looking remarkably serene was Twilight Sparkle herself, who was waiting patiently for the snug prince to finish his rant.
Just as Celestia was about to intervene, she noticed Twilight seemed to not take his accusations to heart, she even seemed amused. Satisfied Twilight was not affected, the white alicorn relaxed her stance, bu continued to stare down at her dear 'nephew' with obvious distaste.
Blueblood looked up with an arrogant grin, prepared to mock the low class unicorn as she broke into tears, but to his confusion, she was staring intently at him, but showed no sign of anger.
"Prince Blueblood, Thank you for taking the time to bring your... passionate speech to court today. As much as I have enjoyed your... performance, Please show yourself to the doors now before I will be required to use force.
"Wh-WHAT? You- YOU HAVE NO RIGHT! This is unacceptable behavior! I am royalty! I demand to see a princess!" He growled, he knew his Auntie Celestia would stand on his side and banish this worthless mare!
"You're looking at one." Twilight calmly stated, flaring her wings for him to see as he sputtered, looking at the council for support, who all looked away pointedly.
Celestia could no longer hide her amusement at her pupil's easy win. Who knew the innocent lavender alicorn was so skilled in politics?
===================================== oOo =====================================
The rest of court passed rather successfully, To the surprise to the once disapproving nobles, nopony had left the court room unhappy, aside from Blueblood, Twilight had miraculously managed to work out a compromise solving both sides of the problem every time, and even succeeding in several issues Celestia had never managed to resolve despite the noble houses arguing for decades.
To say Celestia was proud was a definite understatement, she had never imagined somebody could be so talented in maneuvering words and solving problems and was definitely planning on inviting her to more court sessions, if not for her, then for herself.
With the promise of more time spent together the following day, the alabaster and lavender alicorns parted ways to reach the study and dining hall respectively.
Author's Note
Hello, I don't really know how to write stories so bear with me here! I wanted to have my take on Twilight unraveling secrets of her origin, so here it is! I'm experimenting with things like, where to end a chapter and speech!
This story is inspired In the Sun's Shadow, By Polaris501
Joining Luna in the dining hall for dinner while Princess Celestia went to an emergency meeting held by the council, Twilight recounted her first court, and Luna was hysterical after hearing about how Blueblood was dealt with, "Guess we won't be seeing him around for a while..." Twilight mischievously remarked, as Luna burst into a fresh wave of giggles on the other side of the table.
Finishing their meals, Luna spoke up, " "Would thou likest to stargaze with us outside in the gardens tonight?" Luna asked hopefully. Beaming, Twilight replied "I would be honored to! It's been too long since we did that!" Pointing at a small pavilion near the edge of the gardens, "I'll go get my astronomy books and my telescope, meet there in fifteen minutes?" suggested Twilight with a giddy grin, upon seeing Luna's small nod and smile, she bolted off towards her chambers, eager to get started on mapping constellations as soon as possible.
======================================== oOo ========================================
Trotting excitedly up to the towering pavilion with the intricate golden patterns and glass roof, Twilight Sparkle made for the darker alicorn sitting near a large telescope, adjusting it and cleaning with a small silk cloth.
"Pr- uh, Luna!" The lavender alicorn exclaimed, levitating a few dozen books, scrolls and quills beside her, "Made it on time!"
"Twilight! Thou art here! Shall we start with our constellation of Ursa Major?" Princess Luna suggested, thrilled to find somepony who saw her artwork in all of its glory.
Taking out her empty scrolls and a few books, the newest addition to royalty scrambled to find her seat besides her companion, gazing at the billions of twinkling stars, all desperate for attention, before mapping out each star down to the finest detail with the Princess of the Night.
======================================== oOo ========================================
Just as the exhausted Goddess of the Sun was about to tumble into bed, she heard a soft voice, it's owner unmistakable.
Curious, Celestia trotted towards the open balcony door, the sounds of subdued chatter from underneath her chambers could be distinctly heard.
Looking behind the gold barrier, the eldest alicorn was met with two familiar figures laying on their stomachs and watched as her sister wrapped a large, friendly wing around the smaller alicorn, who could be heard giggling and now curled into a ball fast asleep, before laying her head on her forelegs and straying into her own slumber.
The intimate gesture reminded Celestia of her own experiences with the mare as an adorable filly, often seen tucked into her wing at night.
Glancing back to the two ponies she cared about most in this world, the Solar Diarch remembered a time where her little lavender unicorn would never be afraid of being too informal with royalty, whether it be asking for a flight on her back or hugging her in public.
It seemed that as she grew up, Twilight also grew apart from her mentor, starting with little details after troubles with the nobles in court...
======================================== oOo ========================================
After an eventful court of teaching her personal student the inner workings of Equestrian Politics, Celestia was spending time in the Royal Gardens with said student.
"Tia?"
Celestia smiled at the affectionate name the filly often referred to her as, "Yes Twilight?"
The violet unicorn wrinkled her muzzle in confusion, "Can I call you Tia?" She asked inquisitively, gears in her head turning quickly as she contemplated how to put her predicament into words.
The alabaster alicorn had not expected this question, "Of course my dear, why ever would you think otherwise?"
Levitating a daisy sandwich towards herself with a violet aura, Twilight replied with an air of confusion, "It's just the mean ponies in court always tell their own fillies to scold me at magic school for saying it, they always call you 'Your Highness' or something else ridiculously fancy like that!"
Celestia's features darkened, "Please don't worry Twilight, don't listen to them." as she spat the last word, but immediately softening her expression seeing her student shy away at her tone.
'I'm sorry about the nobles, I'll be needing to have a few words with them." Plastering a playful grin on her face, the white alicorn suggested teasingly, "Now, How about a quick game of... Tag, You're it!" Lightly booping her protege on the muzzle and sprinting off behind a statue.
======================================== oOo ========================================
But a mere few weeks later, Twilight came back to the castle late, stained with tears and covered with cuts and bruises, not responding to the concerned guards who weren't used to seeing the curious young filly upset.
======================================= oOo ========================================
As soon as the Solar Monarch was informed by a worried guard, she quickly suspended court, hurrying off to her student's wing of the castle.
Dispelling the weak privacy spells Twilight had attempted to put up with ease, Celestia trotted into the room, breath catching in her chest at the sight, the violet filly was curled into a ball at the corner of the room, wincing in pain.
Making her presence known, she expected her beloved protege to leap into her arms and provide an explanation for all her injuries, but instead, as she neared, Twilight hopped up, shivering and diving into a deep bow, trying to hide her wounds.
"Y-Your H-Highness!" Stammered Twilight, supporting herself on her left foreleg, which was surprisingly free of injury. "Uh, H-How may I h- help you?"
"Twilight!" The tall and majestic alicorn exclaimed, baffled by the formality her student showed. "What happened to you?" But as she reached over with a hoof to hold the filly she deeply cared about, said filly flinched and shied away, causing Celestia's heart to break.
"N- Nothing important Ti— uh, your m-majesty, just t-tripped on the stairs!" Twilight silently scolding herself for her slip up in addressing the princess.
Princess Celestia was hurt. Twilight was never good at hiding the truth, nor had she ever done it to Celestia, so how in the Sun's name had she truly acquired those injuries? During school too! Nopony else had gotten hurt there, certainly no complaints from the noble parents of the stu— Students?
The white alicorn had heard of the other students' growing envy of her little unicorn's position, and had often thrown verbal assaults around before Celestia had pried the truth from her beloved protege, but to physically harm her? No... they wouldn't...
"Twilight?" The taller mare dropped her regal mask, her expression replaced by one of encouragement and worry, "Was it the other students?" Princess Celestia reached forward, cradling her surrogate daughter with her soft wings, enveloping her in a golden aura, sending healing magic into her frail body and ignoring her quiet whimpering.
"N- No!" The violet filly shouted far too quickly, betraying the truth. "Uh I meant o- of course not your majesty" hurriedly correcting herself, but the wise ruler already knew the answer before she spoke, merely unwilling to believe it.
That night, Twilight had slept peacefully under her mentor's warm, protective wing after said mentor managed to gently force her to reveal the full story, telling her of how the other fillies and colts had reprimanded her on her lack of formality with the Princess, proceeding to attack and threaten her with the social standing of their houses.
======================================== oOo ========================================
Even after the related noble houses had faced the infinite wrath of the Sun Goddess, Celestia had never again heard her little Twilight call her anything more endearing that just 'Princess'
The lone alicorn on the balcony sighed deeply, cursing her student's polite facade, she would give anything to see her Twilight bound into her room, full of boundless energy, not bothering to knock, just to recount her day...
Glancing back down at the pavilion, she saw the reassuring sight of her Twilight underneath a navy blue blanket, and beside her was undoubtedly Lu... Luna? Where did she go?
"What, pray tell, art thou doing?" A familiar voice full of barely concealed amusement radiated from behind her.
"L- Luna! What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be with... uh doing something important?" The usually composed alicorn stammering her question.
How long has she been there?
How had she known I was watching?
The Sun Princess cringed at her sister's raised eyebrow and sighed, "Just reminiscing sister..." she admitted.
"Reminiscing?" The darker alicorn followed her sister's gaze and smiling slightly, reminding herself how grateful she is to have a friend so innocent and loyal, and who appreciated the night as much as her, "Reminiscing for Twilight?" confused at Celestia's vague answer.
"Of when she was a filly, in the palace." Celestia confirmed, "She was so open you know, never regarding me as a ruler, but as a playmate"
Luna stared at the white alicorn incredulously, "Twilight saw thou as a playmate? Thy student begins hyperventilating each time thou claim thou wishes to spend time together, hath thou seen her stack of waste paper? Tis full of drafts for thy letters!"
Celestia winced at her protege's behaviors being listed down by her sister, 'how had she changed so much right under my muzzle without me realizing it?' as she felt a pang of guilt hit her.
"She wasn't always like that!" Retorted the Sun Diarch, ignoring Luna's arching brow, "She used to call me Tia and ask for me to carry her on the way to Pony Joe's for pony's sake!"
Luna held her mouth agape, "A-art thou sure we art referring to the same Twilight Sparkle?" She was shocked, not even her niece, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, dared to call Celestia 'Tia ', "But what happened?"
"The nobles happened..." Grumbled Celestia, putting a hoof in her sister's mouth before she could ask anymore about the subject,
"I think you had better ask Twilight herself if you want answers, just be careful while breaching the subject." advised the elder alicorn before sticking a yawn, "If you'll excuse me, I'm off to bed." before trotting off in the direction of her chambers.
'Nobles? What happened to you Twilight Sparkle? What were you like before? ' Thoughts raced around Luna's mind, before she settled for a determined scowl, "We shall get to the bottom of this!" Proclaimed the Mistress of the Night before letting a small smile creep back over her features upon glancing at the lavender alicorn once more as she, too, retreated into her rooms.
======================================== oOo ========================================
Twilight stumbled into the dining hall for breakfast after awakening outside in the pavilion and returning to her old tower briefly to clean herself up, she was a princess now, and she was expected to maintain her public image after all.
She approached the pristine table, where she was met with a warm greeting from the royal sister.
"Good morning Twilight, did you sleep well?"
"Good morning Princess Celestia, Yes I did, thank you." Twilight murmured without thinking, nothing would register in her mind until she got her morning coffee.
The lavender alicorn took her seat besides the Alicorn of the Sun, gratefully accepting some fruit and coffee when Celestia levitated the third plate over to her.
"Anything planned today Princess?" Questioned Twilight after gulping down her coffee, feeling more awake.
"There will be a griffon delegate from the north after breakfast, If you wish, you may join me since Luna has already left for her chambers, I'm sure the meeting would be much more bearable with you there." Celestia gave Twilight an inviting smile, which she returned eagerly.
"Thank you so much Princess! If it wouldn't cause any trouble, that would be great!" Exclaimed Twilight excitedly, reaching up and nuzzling her mentor as an open display of appreciation.
Celestia first froze at the contact, before returning her nuzzle. She would have never been this affectionate before, maybe she was finally getting used to being an equal?
"Of course Twilight" The Solar Diarch replied with a warm smile upon finishing her meal along with Twilight as they made their way towards the throne room.
======================================== oOo ========================================
Author's Note
I feel as if this chapter is just a filler, it doesn't really explain or resolve anything.
I tried to portray the history between Twilight and the Nobles, but rereading this chapter, I felt this was rushed and maybe I should have added a scene with Blueblood (Specifically) in the present instead of a memory with random nobleponies.
This chapter is definitely not up to standard, and I'll try harder in the next chapter.
Celestia watched as her student shuffled nervously in her seat beside her, occasionally glancing at the wide doors leading to the study and rereading the trade agreements.
They were waiting for the griffon delegate to arrive for their negotiations, a perfect time to introduce Equestria's fourth alicorn princess.
While Princess Celestia, having done this countless times before, sat in her seat sipping her tea and looking completely calm, Twilight was staring at the thick pile of documents she had been rereading for the past hour repeatedly, muttering to herself and her eyes darting across the page rapidly, stressed and anxious.
"A ten percent tariff... fifty hundred bits... north of Griffonstone... coal... valuable resources... Oh! This is bad! What if I can't memorize these in time! I'll just embarrass myself! What if I embarrass Princess Celestia? She'll hate me forever! What if I start a war? Oh gosh, nonono! It should be safe to stay silent right? Right, I'll just let the Princess do all the talking! But what if he asks me a question? Or worse, my opinion?"
Twilight buried her face in her forehooves, "This is going to be a disaster..."
Celestia frowned at the lavender alicorn's distressed state, she was no stranger to 'Twilighting', as Spike had called it, but her agitation did no favors for her nerves, if anything, it seemed to make her more frazzled.
She lent towards her, wrapping a wide wing around Twilight and stroked her side with a feather soothingly. The newest princess stiffened at first, but then she melted into the embrace, sighing, "Sorry Prin- Uh I mean Celestia, I just... don't want to disappoint you..."
The Regent of the Sun smiled, happy her student still remembered her request to use her name despite the tense circumstances, "Twilight, I'm so proud of you, you know that. Nothing as silly as this will change it." Twilight felt some of her tension ebb away as she relaxed in the wall of feathers, "You're going to do just fine, you'll see. I believe in you."
"Thank you Pr- Celestia, I really appreciate it." Twilight gave the alabaster pony her first smile since entering the room, and it was quickly returned.
“Of course Twilight." The two stayed in that position for a while, breaking apart only when a sharp knock resounded from the study doors, drawing them out of their thoughts and onto the negotiation at hoof.
"You may enter." Celestia called softly, parting from their hug regretfully, it wasn't often she was allowed to show her affection for Twilight, and she had hoped it would have lasted longer than it did, but alas, her duties of a ruler would always come first.
The door swung open to reveal a tall griffon, he had dark brown fur and piercing yellow eyes, sharp talons and a shiny beak. He bowed respectfully upon entering and received a polite nod from the Princess of the Sun.
"Your Highness," He greeted cordially, "An honor to make your acquaintance Princess Celestia, and your young apprentice as well, it has been a while since we have last met.
Celestia nudged the mare beside her discretely, inviting her to speak.
"It's a pleasure to see you again Sir Whitetail, how have you been?" Twilight welcomed him kindly, wearing a smile despite the subtle, nervous flicks of her tail, escaping the notice of all but Celestia.
"Very well thank you, the griffon economy is thri--" Whitetail started at a leisurely pace, before suddenly, his jaw dropped and he exclaimed, "--Heavens above! Are those wings? "
Twilight started at the abrupt increase of volume as Celestia stared at the delegate, clearly amused, before she confirmed with an air of practiced serenity, "You are correct, Princess Twilight Sparkle has ascended into the alicorn race, and as of her coronation tomorrow, a member of Equestrian royalty."
"I-- Oh--" The griffon was at a loss of words, "C-Congratulations, I can think of none more worthy than a multiple time savior of Equestria." He finished warmly, gaining more confidence as he spoke.
A light blush tinted Twilight's cheeks as she thanked Whitetail, “Th-Thank you!” before coughing into a hoof, clearly embarrassed, and turning to address Celestia, "So... Trade routes?"
Both griffon and white alicorn nodded, Whitetail bought out a thin map and laid it flat on the table.
The ambassador cleared his throat, pointing to a large cave within the griffon borders “Now, from here, we import coal to your...”
Twilight stretched her wings out and arched her back, finally collapsing into her chair as the door closed behind Sir Whitetail.
“That wasn’t as horrible as I thought it was going to be.”
Celestia just chuckled, “You did very well, my student.” After a few moments of calm silence, she glanced at the old grandfather clock, “Lunch?” and made for the exit with her companion’s nod of agreement, the lavender alicorn trailing dutifully behind her,
“Is there anything you would like to do Twilight?”
The smaller mare hummed, “We could always go on a walk like we used to! Uh- If you don’t have anything else more important to do, that is...”
’Who am I kidding, of course the Princess of Equestria has better things to do than to just hang out with me, besides, I’ve already taken a load of her time already...’
“I’m sorry, I should just leave you to your princessy duties, I know you have lots to do and I—”
The Solar Regent cut her off with a wing and an eye roll, “Oh hush, you know I would put everything on hold if it would mean more time with you.”
Twilight blushed, opening her mouth to say something but was interrupted by Raven Inkwell trotting up to the two alicorns while mumbling under her breath and wearing a frown.
“Your Highnesses,” The seneschal bowed at a respectable distance and rose upon seeing Celestia’s polite nod.
“Princess Celestia,” Raven addressed the taller of the two, “Prince Blueblood demands an audience with you immediately”
The alabaster mare arched a brow, “Did he specify what he wished to talk to me about?”
Raven Inkwell grimaced and shot a glance at Twilight, who was hanging on to every word she said, “He, uh— Prince Blueblood wishes to discuss the...” She coughed awkwardly behind a hoof and looked away, “The undeserving purple ruffian who stole his Aunty’s throne...”
The air in the general vicinity heated immediately as Princess Celestia clenched her jaw, Twilight leaning away from her mentor instinctively.
“May I see my dear nephew?”
The Princess’ seneschal, not used to seeing the calm and collected princess so enraged, trembled for a second before answering hastily, “O-Of course Princess, please follow me.”
Celestia took a step after her aide, only to stop abruptly and turn to her student. Twilight held a trace of fear in her eyes, although unlike Raven, she had full confidence that her Princess would never harm her or anypony else.
“I apologize Twilight, I must address this issue , how about I come find you after and we can spend some time together later?” The ivory mare’s features softened at Twilight’s nod, “Why don’t you go have some lunch, and maybe prepare yourself for tomorrow?”
With a last parting smile, Celestia turned tail and stormed after Raven Inkwell, leaving behind the newest princess, assessing her surroundings, and making her way over to the dining hall once more.
In the hallway leading up to her destination, Twilight swerved abruptly to avoid bumping into the Lunar Princess, instead knocking over a potted plant narrowly saved from its shattered fate by a desperate burst of magenta telekinesis.
The diarch was engrossed in a thick book with the grand title, 'The Complete Copy of Equestian Laws by Politics Pawn' First edition, Book I , emblazoned onto the front in an elaborate, golden script.
“Oh! I’m so sorry Princess! I should have looked at where I was going and I...”
Luna reluctantly took her eyes off the page and the familiar, rambling alicorn before her came into focus, “Be calm Twilight Sparkle, tis fine.” She waved a hoof dismissively.
The lavender mare slapped a hoof to her disobedient jaw. Twilight was about to excuse herself when her sharp gaze caught onto the title of the book still suspended in Luna’s aura.
“Is that ‘TCCEL’ Book I , Princess?”
“Hm?” The navy diarch fixed her friend with a confused expression, having dragged her eyes from her manual once more, “Thou art correct?”
Twilight bit her lip, “I don’t mean to question you Princess, but” she was met with a stern look at the way she addressed her, “—Uh, Luna, but are you aware that Book I —has been outdated by for more than three decades? I remember Princess Celestia—” again, Luna gave her an eyeroll, “—Ugh, C-Celestia read Book III a few years ago when I was a filly at the castle and said it was much more simplified and organised.”
“Really?” The Princess of the Night’s features brightened considerably, “Thankest our moon and stars! This book was much too complicated for our liking, we cannot even remember all this information, Tia hath made too many useless laws during the time of our exile!”
The younger alicorn smiled, “I would be more than happy to go to the library and find it for you Prin- Luna. If it hasn’t been cleaned out already, we could go to my personal room there too, I’m sure I can find some of my own notes for you!”
Princess Luna beamed and teleported her book away with a flash of magic as she wrapped a wing around her friend, who tensed up upon contact but then relaxed in the sidelong hug, “Thank thou so much my friend, t’would be greatly appreciated!”
“Anytime P- Luna!”
The two turned back, tracing a path to the Royal Library, Twilight’s lunch all but forgotten.
“So where is thy ro—” Luna's question was cut off by a gentle purple hoof to her muzzle.
“Shh! We’re in a library Princ— uh Luna!”
The Lunar Princess nodded apologetically as she followed her friend to the end of a bookshelf where they were met with a small oak door.
Twilight searched the books to the right of her door, and Luna gaped as she finally plucked out a blue leather bound novel, turning it over to uncover the key tucked securely underneath.
“Was this really necessary Twilight?”
“I was just a filly, and I thought it was entirely necessary at the time...” the smaller mare blushed as she swiftly slid the key into the tiny keyhole and turned, swinging it open to reveal a small, cozy room.
There was a basic bed beside a window and a sturdy desk with a thick pile of old research notes and a red quill on top. The walls all had bookshelves before them, filled with organised books, tomes, novels and scrolls covered with a thin layer of dust.
The door closed softly behind them and Twilight bought out two large velvet beanbags, setting them on a thick rug before them. She gestured to the room, “You’re free to explore my room Pr- Luna, you don’t have to put the books back when you’re done, I can do that later. I’m going to see if I have my politics notes for you, alright?”
Luna nodded gratefully, she noticed that, other than the dust, the room was incredibly well organised, the shelves were sorted by genre, alphabetical order, and subject matter, not a single quill was out of place and the scrolls were tightly rolled.
“Why do thine servents not clean thy room, Twilight?”
Twilight returned, accompanied by a heavy pile of paper with small, foalish, writing on each page.
“Well that’s actually sort of my fault,” The lavender alicorn placed the stack of notes on the ground beside her friend’s beanbag, “When I was small, I used to stay up all night to do my assignments— “ She gestured offhandedly to the bed, “Hence my bed. In the morning, I wanted my notes and books to be out for a final check over instead of tucked away by maids so I asked for nopony to clean my room, I did it myself.
The Lunar Diarch smiled appreciatively, reaching for Twilight’s scrolls, “Thine room is very neat, especially for a filly.”
Twilight rubbed the base of her neck, “Hehe, thank you Prin- Luna, but it really isn't that organised...” She made for the door, and at her friend’s questioning gaze, she explained, “I’ll get you ‘TCCEL III’ from the library, I don’t think I have a copy of it here.”
Luna nodded and as the door slammed shut, she realized she forgot to ask for parchment or quills.
She turned to the desk and grabbed a quill before looking into the inkwell. As she suspected, it was dry from under use. ‘Where would ink be?’ Luna turned to the bureau's drawers, pulling open the top one in her search.
Instead of what she was looking for, Luna was met with several rolled posters with a small heart emblazoned on each one. Her curiosity piqued, she reached for the one closest to her. ’I’m sure Twilight won’t mind...’
The Princess of the Night gaped as she rolled it open, she was met with vibrant pictures and paragraphs describing events and scenes with her and a familiar stallion. “My BBBFF, Shiny and I” Luna echoed the large words at the top, ‘Captain Shining Armor? Oh! Her brother!’
Luna giggled at the picture of Shining face first in a pond with his sister rolling around on the ground, bursting with laughter at his unamused expression. Each photograph had the two siblings in an activity together, both happy and affectionate.”
She rolled the scroll up and replaced it with the next. Unrolling the new poster, Luna gasped. She saw dozens of pictures surrounding a filly Twilight and her mentor , Princess Celestia. She was shocked, her sister looked nothing like the regal, serious diarch nowadays, the Celestia in the pictures looked silly, free, unburdened.
The top left photo depicted the Princess lying on her back, mane dirtying, spread out around her and laughing as she held a giggling Twilight up in the air, arms frailing and tail thrashing.
Another showed the two with ice cream matting both of their muzzles and Twilight perched on her teachers back, a cone held in her telekinesis with Celestia stuffing her strawberry scoop into her mouth.
The next shot was situated in the very room where Luna was. Celestia’s crown was sitting lopsided on Twilight’s head, who was sprawled out across tomes with her newest book fort towering over her, the mare herself was lying down with her hooves bent under her, she pursed her lips in a desperate attempt to put an end to her laughter to no avail.
Princess Luna scanned over the texts and images rapidly, trying to make sense of her discovery. Finally, her gaze landed on the emboldened quill work at the top of the poster, “My sort of Second Mommy, Tia and me”
Her jaw dropped.
‘So it was true then! She used to call her Tia! ‘Second Mommy?’ They were that close? They did look very affectionate from the photos... What happened then? Though close, they are hardly the same now! Sister said something about nobles! Maybe a fight? A disag—’
Thump.
Luna spun around hastily and came face to face with a gaping Twilight, 'The Complete Copy of Equestian Laws by Politics Pawn' First edition, Book III lying forgotten on the floor where her magic had spluttered out.
The lavender alicorn’s pupils were the size of pinpricks, her mouth working uselessly and trying to form words.
She was trembling from horn to hoof, pale all over as her body emanated a familiar emotion, one that had been directed at her often but one that Luna couldn’t pinpoint exactly. Was it resentment? Did she hate the princess for intruding on her privacy? No . Was it anger? Was Luna about to face the brunt of fury from the Element of Magic? No, not that either.
Fear.
Fear, but it wasn’t directed at Luna, at least not fully. Her gaze was locked onto the floating poster, still unraveled and its memories free for the world to see.
“Twilight Sparkle!” The Lunar Diarch stuttered, “W-We are s—”
An uncontrolled magenta aura wrestled for control over the poster violently, Luna releasing it from her grip instinctively.
It flew over to Twilight, who snatched it up with a hoof and bought it to her chest, the pressure crinkling the scroll in the middle.
“I-I—“ The smaller alicorn’s voice faltered, dying out as she backed away, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes, “I-I’ll be back!” She rushed out, leaving nothing but a few shimmering tears falling under the weight of gravity in her absence.
“Wait Twilight!” Luna exclaimed, hurriedly drawing her body out of her shell shocked state, “We art sorry!”
But the mare in question had already barricaded herself in a spare study room, sobbing and letting her tears dampen the poster from her fillyhood.
Author's Note
20/07/2020: or b) twist these chapters into a new story plot.
a) By this, I mean the story may undergo an entire rewrite, I feel as if it stretches itself thin over too many plot lines, and thus creating plot holes , instead of focusing on a single problem.
b) I’m not sure if many of you caught onto the implications, but this story was supposed to be about Celestia being Twilight’s biological mother, but from there, new ideas just developed and bought the focus away from there. If I can’t create a suitable rewrite, I may consider using parts of existing chapters to write a story of them rekindling their bond as close friends or even as surrogate mother and daughter, with all of the little details which are unneeded in the present storyline, such as the nobles and Blueblood, included as well.
I’m sorry for disappointing eager readers, I know many of you were waiting for the next chapter to come out and I received several PMs asking me for teasers and such.
Again, I apologise for the inconvenience.
(This is on a blog post as well as on the Author’s notes last chapter)
20/07/2020: or b) twist these chapters into a new story plot.
a) By this, I mean the story may undergo an entire rewrite, I feel as if it stretches itself thin over too many plot lines, and thus creating plot holes , instead of focusing on a single problem.
b) I’m not sure if many of you caught onto the implications, but this story was supposed to be about Celestia being Twilight’s biological mother, but from there, new ideas just developed and bought the focus away from there. If I can’t create a suitable rewrite, I may consider using parts of existing chapters to write a story of them rekindling their bond as close friends or even as surrogate mother and daughter, with all of the little details which are unneeded in the present storyline, such as the nobles and Blueblood, included as well.
I’m sorry for disappointing eager readers, I know many of you were waiting for the next chapter to come out and I received several PMs asking me for teasers and such.
Again, I apologise for the inconvenience.