Twilight Moon

Twilight Moon

Prologue: Liberation and Imprisonment

AN: This prologue may not make sense at first, but it will all make sense after the next chapters. Please comment and I own nothing. MLP: FIM belongs to Lauren Faust.

All across Equestria, a thunderous boom, followed by a shockwave of rainbow light. The event known as the Sonic Rainboom ripped across the country, all originating from a single point. The “old mare's tale” came from a cyan coated pegasus filly with a rainbow mane. At the same time, a cutie mark of a stormcloud with a rainbow thunderbolt appeared on her flanks.

Deep in an aging castle of the Everfree Forest, a small stone orb began to shine brilliantly.

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All throughout the land, four other ponies had mixed reactions as cutie marks appeared upon their flanks. A small orange, freckled earth pony gained a picture of three apples, a nod to her family's legacy. A tiny, timid butter yellow pegasus gained a trio of pink butterflies, showing her connection with animals. An alabaster unicorn was given an image of three small diamonds, proudly displaying her spell to find gems. And finally, a pink earth pony with a gravity-defying poofy mane earned three balloons.

In the same castle, five of the six stone orbs shone with a vibrant display of colors.

The sixth, however, had no change.

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In the shining building in Canterlot that housed Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, a bright lavender glow illuminated most of the city. Tearing through the ceiling was a giant dragon's head, and the inside was no fairer. The instructors were trapped in a magical field, keeping the levitated in the air. Where two unicorn parents once stood, now there were two potted plants. Around the room arcane lightning crackled. All centered around a tiny lavender coated filly.

The filly was surrounded by a magical aura the same shade of purple as the streak going through her sapphire blue hair. Her once violet eyes were blank white from her use of magic. Upon her flank there was no special marking present, meaning she had yet to discover her special talent.

Amidst the chaos, the young filly tried with all her might to cease the flow of magic caused by the strange explosion, but that now seemed as impossible as using her magic before it. The filly felt pure, unbridled fear as her very own magic, which weeks ago could do no more than turn a book page was preforming feats that were nearly impossible for most unicorns. Magic was ripped out of reserves she didn't know she had within her. All the while, she felt nothing; suspended by her magic. She heard none of the instructors' screams, felt no ground under her or the air around her. She felt as though she was watching the spectacle through another pony's eyes.

Finally, something cut through the barrier of magic surrounding the young unicorn- something that came in the form of a comforting hoof on her back. Turning her head, she traced the white forehoof with the gilded horseshoe to its owner: the Regent of the Sun and Moon, the benevolent ruler of Equestria, the Solar Princess Celestia.

In a flash, a thousand thoughts ripped through the young pony's mind. Most prominently, thoughts of despair and depression. I failed! I'll never get into Princess Celestia's School! I failed I failed I failed!! The young filly began to sob and cry as one more extremely powerful burst of magic was released from her. Through tearing eyes, she thought she saw Princess Celestia give a look between concern and fear.

The filly fell to the floor as she felt a powerful magic nearby and saw a strange, deep violet sparkling mist surrounding her. As she slowly felt her eyes droop, she heard a smooth, beautiful voice utter, “Hello, dear sister.”

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Ten years have passed since that fateful day. Peace once again flourished throughout Equestria, as both Celestia and Luna ruled over their subjects. Free from the influence of Nightmare Moon, Luna apologized for her actions 990 years prior and was welcomed back with open arms. The infamous “Mare in the Moon,” formation stuck with the moon, making what Luna believed to be a horrible reminder of her past sins, as well as her one recent sin.

She had inadvertently stolen the life of an innocent filly for her own gain. The very filly who Celestia had wanted to raise as her own personal pupil, was never found after that day. Even with the best scrying and tracking spells, no one, even the Solar Princess, could track her down. The unicorn filly seemed to have simply vanished. After five years, the search ended, and the filly was pronounced dead.

Now, on the eve of the day Luna was originally planned to be released, she looked around the small town of Ponyville, preparing to bring down the moon for the Summer Sun Celebration. She looked down at her subjects, smiling to herself that they wouldn't be put through the wrath of Nightmare Moon. And all thanks to a small filly whose name they would never know.

Just before dawn, Mayor Mare walked out onto her balcony, earning her the attention of the rest of Ponyville's residents. The amber earth pony cleared her throat and proudly proclaimed, “Fillies and gentlecolts, as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!” Her words were met with the cheering of the entire town. “In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year!

“And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the rulers of our land, the very ponies who give us the sun and moon each day and night, the good, the wise, the bringers of harmony to all of Equestria: the Princesses Celestia and Luna,” the mayor proclaimed as the two curtains keeping the princesses veiled opened.

Instead of the thunderous applause and cheering Luna expected, the alicorn was met with many shocked gasps and small murmurs. Luna looked to where her eldest sister should be for an answer, and quickly received one.

Standing where the Regent of the Sun should have been was a small school-aged filly. A unicorn filly with a light purple coat, a dark sapphire mane with a rose streak, and a flank devoid of a cutie mark. This was the unicorn filly that Luna had only the faintest of memories of from her time as the infamous Nightmare Moon.

The filly gave a small, cute smile before softly speaking. “Hello everypony!” She then turned her attention to the Lunar Princess. She then flashed a devious grin and said smoothly, “And hello to you as well, Princess Luna.” She said Luna's title almost sarcastically. “It's certainly been a while, hasn't it?”

At this, many of the ponies in the crowd gave their full attention to Luna. Luna cleared her throat and used one of her hooves to wipe a small tear from her left eye. “It has been a while; ten years to be exact.” She spoke calmly, holding back her emotions. In the back of her mind, she thanked her elder sister for taking time out of her schedule to teach her to talk without the olden day accent or the royal “we.” Clenching her teeth, she growled out, “Twilight Sparkle.”

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Preview of the next chapter

“I waited for ten years. TEN YEARS!”

“We searched for you, but we....”

“I'll be waiting, in the place where it all started!”

“She put a barrier around the town hall. Only I can exit it.”

“I'm sorry sister, but I fear I must kill her.”

“Ten years ago, we thought she died.”