A Family From The Moon

by GhostCreator

Rating: everyone
Tags: Alternate Universe, Twilight Sparkle, Main 6, Nightmare Moon, Princess Luna, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Adventure, Princess Celestia, Slice of Life
Length: 41933

Nightmare Moon was banishen to the moon by Celestia, but no one could predicted a little suprise left by love.

Luna after years of abuse was banished to the Moon by her sister- Celestia. There she started planning her revenge, but drawbacks and unexpected problems are bound to appear. The biggest problem and at the same time her only light in her whole life was her newly-born daughter - Twilight Sparkle.

Proofread by Feroso

Published 2020-12-13 14:10:01 UTC
Last updated 2024-07-08 06:21:53 UTC

1 On the Moon

Author's Note

This is my first story ever, so don't expect something extraordinary.
I'm not good in writing long, sorry.

PS. English isn't my first language, so i want to apologize for avery mistake i will make in the future.

1 On the Moon

Right After banishment. Moon.

The Moon doesn't have an atmosphere or plants, the only things to view was the cosmos, Equus, and sometimes the Sun. But it wasn't empty. There was somepony on its surface. Her name was Luna.

Princess Luna was upset, She slowly trotted back and forth. Her once beautiful dark blue coat was covered in Moondust, not that she minded. She had more serious problems.

I only wanted to be acknowledged for my night. Was it too much? She thought. Even you, my dear sister didn't praise my night. I spent an hour every night to create a masterpiece, yet nothing. No thank you, No 'Good work!' Only fear.

Even my husband was feared by our subjects. Now it's gone. She sat on the cold surface of the Moon. I miss y...

poke

What was that? Luna glanced around, but she didn't see anything. Am I going mad or did my sister send somepony else here? With this in mind she walked around, carefully inspecting every corner, but she didn't find any clues. She didn't like it. Somepony or something poked her without her noticing. This couldn't be possible, she was an alicorn with tremendous amounts of magic.

The next few days were spent constantly on edge. She inspected the Moon in every possible way, yet nothing new showed up.

Maybe it was my imagination?

She decided to lie down for a while. There was a nice spot with a view of Equus, yet something was wrong. Her favorite way of resting was uncomfortable.

Strange... On Equus I had no problems, so why now?

She inspected her body and found nothing attached to her. While doing that she saw her stomach, it was big, much bigger than before.

"What?!"

Then she felt it, a weak poke from inside. She hadn't registered it before, but she was pregnant. The implications of this situation fell upon her immediately.

She was a mother! Immeasurable happiness grew in her heart, she was no longer alone. She had somepony with her on the Moon.

Wait. "The Moon doesn't have an atmosphere!" Luna shouted with growing realization.

Alicorns can survive nearly everywhere. It didn't matter if it is a volcano or deep space. They’re some of the most powerful beings on the planet. However, like any other creature they can be killed, but it is incredibly difficult.

On the other hoof, it couldn't be said about unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies. They needed food, oxygen, and other things. Things that Luna didn't have, and had no way to making.

Only alicorn foals could survive here, but it's not possible. Nopony has given birth to an alicorn. To become an alicorn you must earn it, this was common knowledge.

Still Luna was not ready to give up, her child needed her. She would fight the whole world if necessary.

"I will take care of you, I promise" Luna whispered.

Her time was running out. It's been nearly four months since she discovered her pregnancy. She could feel the time of birth was near.

She wasn't ready.

She tried everything. She tried making a bubble with oxygen inside, while she could create a bubble she couldn't create oxygen. Creating anything from magic was extremely difficult and required an enormous amount of magic power and Luna didn't have enough because of the Elements and their effects. Then she tried gathering anything that could help her. She caught many comets and asteroids it didn't require much power, unfortunately it didn't give her much though.

Every day she tried to find a way to save her foal, but she couldn't do anything.

She even tried talking with her sister. For a whole month, she cried, pleaded, shouted, and begged for some sort of reply, still her sister was silent.

With each passing day, she was slowly losing hope.

The time had come, Luna was giving birth to her daughter.

On one hoof, she was so happy. She could be a mother, and she wouldn't be alone anymore. She would have somepony to look after and talk to. She’d have a family.

On the other hand, she was terrified. Her daughter was coming and she wasn't prepared. Everything failed. The last resort was a spell, which she was casting, it would allow the pony to breathe. Casting any magic while giving birth was extremely hard, but she was desperate to gain any additional time to avoid the unavoidable.

"Waaaaahhhhhh.."

That was the last push,her daughter came into the world.

But fate is cruel in the same moment, Luna's magic dispersed. Every creature has a limit even the most powerful don't have infinite power. And if you're casting nonstop for a month, while pregnant, your reserves will dry up.

"No, nononono NO NO NOOOO!" She shouted with all her strength.
She tried to cast the spell again, only to see the fading glow of her horn. Her daughter was dead.

WHY? Why does this have to happen to me? What I have done to deserve this? I only wanted happiness, and now... I've lost everything..... I lost my husband and now my daughter. Tears fell from her eyes. She was broken.

When we started ruling many years ago there was my sister, who promised me that everything would be alright. And now I'm on the Moon, banished by her. If it wasn't for her I would still have my family. If not her I would be happy... with these thoughts she cried.

"Sister, I swear on my name and my power you wi.."

"waaaaaaaaaaaaa" The quiet sound broke the silence. Luna spun around and her heart burst with joy. In front of her was a small purple foal. But the biggest surprise was her appearance. She was an Alicorn, with a small lavender horn and two big wings on both sides. Her eyes were closed with small tears falling from them.

”What?” This took Luna by surprise. There was never a documented birth of an alicorn. This had never happened before today. When she went to look closer, something shone in her daughter's hooves. There she saw it, the Element of Magic. The same which helped them with Sombra, the one that her sister wielded to imprison Discord. The very same that sent her here. One of the six most powerful artifacts known on Equus. Nopony knows the true limits of its power.

Why is it here in my daughter's hooves? How is it here? Only my sister could use it. So how is it here? Did my sister send it here? Or it is a grand scheme to keep me here? But if it is a grand scheme where is my sister? And why it is glowing? Many more questions swirled in Luna's head while she drew closer and saw a faint rim of magic enveloping the filly, it seemed to protect her.

"Shhhhh. Mommy's here. Don't cry, everything's alright" Luna carefully took her daughter off the ground and started swinging her gently. At this moment the foal opened her beautiful, lavender eyes. Luna already knew what name to give her daughter. It was a beautiful name for a special child.

"Welcome Twilight Sparkle".

2 The life on the Moon

Moon

"Twilight where are you ?" Luna asked but heard no response. It's been almost 3 years after she gave birth to her daughter. During this time she grew quite a bit. The moon affected how she grew greatly, but not in the sense you would expect. While the Moon couldn't offer a lot, she got quite creative. This or she would've gone crazy. She always would find something to do. Usually, it was playing hide and seek like now.

"Twilight, you can't hide from your mother. I will find you -" Luna yelled while her mind thought about how good her daughter was in this particular game."- eventually" Luna's ears suddenly caught a new sound, little giggles from behind.

Aha! Slowly the princess trotted to where she suspected to find her daughter. A few steps later and Luna found Twilight curled near the edge of a crater.

Even though she was nearly 3 years old, she looked one and a half. Her body was unnaturally small along with her wings and horn. Fortunately, nothing was wrong with her horn. She didn't like it at all, but she couldn't do anything. This was probably caused by the lack of proper food and the conditions of the Moon, conditions which she couldn't change even if she wanted. She was still very weak after the fight with her sister and giving birth to her daughter. So the most she could do at the moment was take care of Twilight. Luckily, she wasn't alone in this.

Floating near her daughter suspended in her magic was The Element of Magic. From the first moment she could use her magic, she brought it everywhere with her. Between them was some sort of bond. While Twilight keeps the Element in her magic, the gem surrounds her in a faint glow protecting her. Luna tried many times to hide the Element unsuccessfully. Somehow twilight always found it no matter where she would hide it. Luna even tried sending it into space, only to find it again next to her daughter. After this, she gave up.

"I found you!" Luna shouted and mercilessly started tickling. The laugh-filled air was music to her ears, even if she didn't have anypony else to share this moment with she was happy.

4 years have passed for Luna and Twilight. In this time Luna started teaching her daughter some magic. She couldn't do much, still disempowered after an accident like she started calling it. But for Twilight it didn't matter. She showed an understanding of magic much better than any filly she knew. The most difficult magic was instantly understood by her. Luna couldn't believe it, but eventually she accepted it and started teaching much more powerful and even dangerous techniques. Like now her daughter was practicing creating enchants on Moondust.

"Twilight! where are you? You know I'm not angry if you can't do a spell correctly." The constant fear of failure was the biggest problem for the young filly, even if completely illogical.

"I'm here mom!" The voice from the east answered. Luna trotted over and saw her daughter.

"Don't you have some spells to practice?" Luna asked while sitting down next to the pony.

"Yes just... I wanted to watch the stars, mom" She whispered, not even looking at her mother. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course Twilight, you know you can ask me whatever you want." Luna said while a small smile appeared on her face.

"Ok" Twilight turned to Luna and asked. "Why are the stars crying?" Her big eyes focused on the princess.

"What" Luna didn't know what to think. Stars weren't alive, they couldn't cry. "What do you mean? Stars can't cry. They’re not like us."

"But mom they’re crying so loud! They’re hurt. They need my help. Can we help them?" Twilight asked with tears in her eyes.

"They need help? But why? How can we help the... wait? Why do they need you?" Luna didn't like it. She just discovered that stars could cry and they needed her daughter's help. "How you can help them?"

"I-I don't know. They’re screaming to guide them somewhere.’’ Twilight said, "Mommy tell me what to do!"

"Eeehh... we don't know. It never happened before." This was the strangest situation Luna has ever been. What to do? I don't know if it is true or my daughter is hallucinating. Maybe...no This won't work. Or.. no I'm not that powerful. That spell.. no!. I don't know! "Twilight can you try to do what they are telling you?" Maybe Twilight could do something that I can’t do, but she’s only a child. "I can't hear them. Only you can, so hope for them lies with you. If you think you can do something do it."

"Ok, mommy" Twilight said, focusing her magic. Her horn came to life, creating lavender sparks. Luna looked to the stars. What she saw, took her breath away. One by one the stars gleamed and started moving together with Twilight. Faster and faster. It looked like nothing that Luna saw. It was such a wonderful show that Luna didn’t notice an hour had passed. When it was over Luna took a glance at her daughter and she froze, on her flank was a six-pointed star.

"Twilight! You received your cutie mark! And it seems your special talent is stars!'' Luna was thrilled. Her daughter discovered what her talent was.

"Not stars"

"What? But if not stars, what?" Luna asked."

"Magic."

"What type of magic, dear daughter?"

''Magic. All magic"

7 years before the 1000th Summer Sun Celebration.

Twilight grew to be a beautiful mare with potent magic. Even though the Moon couldn't offer much she found her ways. Her favorite game was hide and seek and guessing games. It was a simple game with implied rules. Mother would describe something from Equus and Twilight would create an illusion of it. The more fitting the illusion to reality the better.

"Of course, any game of non-stop repeats would get boring. In between games and studying Twilight exercised. It was the best activity to pass the time. Because of it Twilight was not only clever and knowledgeable but fit too.

Luna couldn't imagine a better daughter. She was everything she could wish for. But there was one thing that was constantly worrying her. She could feel that the time of her return was near. What will happen will decide the fate of the world.

Before the 1000th Summer Sun Celebration

"Twilight can you come here for the moment?" The voice of her mother brought Twilight from her exercise. She slowly settled down from her flying course. It was hard because of the lack of an atmosphere. It forced her to use more powerful beats of her wings combined with her magic.

"Of course mother. What do you need?" Twilight asked with curiosity. It was uncommon for her mother.

"You remember what I told you about Celestia, my fight and why we are on The Moon" When Twilight nodded, Luna continued "Excellent. The time of our return is near, and we want to immediately confront Celestia to get the throne after we return. To do this we need to strategize to eliminate our enemies, so we ask you to help us"

"I think that confrontation isn't the right choice." Luna's jaw hit the ground.

"What?! She deserves punishment. She banished us to the Moon for a thousand years. You can't be serious!"

"I didn't mean it like that! What I meant is we shouldn’t fight with her immediately, but plan carefully what to do so we will know what to expect."

"You’re serious? Please she’s weaker than me. Yeah, it’s true that she’s older than me, but I nearly won with her the first time,"
"That's the point," The confused look on Luna’s face told Twilight that she didn't understand.
"You almost won, I'm sure by now she’s prepared for us with at least a few backup plans if we win. What more she might take into account the lack of magic, so she will be more careful. The first time you had followers, surprise, and power. Now you don't have anything. And seriously why immediately fight? It’s better to know the battlefield before the fight."

"So what do you recommend great tactician?" Luna said with a smirk. She knew that what Twilight said was right, but she wasn't pleased by it.

"Simple, I will come to Equus a few weeks before the right time and see what I can do."

"What?! No! What if something happened while I’m still here? I can't lose you like I lost my love. I won’t allow it!"

"Mother it’s the only logical conclusion. No one knows me, not even Celestia. Plus I'm powerful. I'm more than ready to do this." Luna was fuming. Her most precious daughter wanted to go to Equus alone without her. She only knew what she told her. She’s never seen anything on Equus. "Please, mother." Twilight used the most powerful weapon against any mother. Pleading combined with big eyes. It was super effective. Also, Luna knew, that like her she was stubborn.

"Very well you can go, but promise me that you’ll be careful" Every mother cares about her child and Luna was no exception.
"Thank you, mother. I promise I’ll look after myself." With this, their thoughts focused on different matters.

The time of goodbye.

"So it’s time. Only a few weeks to the celebration. You’re sure about this, Twilight?" Luna's eyes were welling with tears. After all, she wouldn’t see her daughter’s first experience on Equus.

"Of course. I’ll see you again." Twilight hugged her mother. After a few moments she let it go and her adventure began.

Author's Note

Ok, I really have no idea how to write like Luna should talk, so... sorry.

Interlude- A diary from the Moon

Author's Note

What you're going to read are notes and some explanations about life on the Moon. Sometimes Luna will be writing, sometimes Twilight. I'm sure somebody would ask "Where they could write it down?" Well, take it with pinch of salt. It is more what that could write if they could. Or maybe they wrote it on the rocks on the Moon. Idk.

Just in case. Luna didn't make earlier statues because she was too weak and didn't show Twilight.

2 Element of Magic. Idk if it is a she or he. So I just write he.

Interlude- A diary from the Moon

"How life can change a pony, we never know when our lives can make a 180." I said. It was just a few months after my fight and assassination. I still couldn't believe it, so much has happened.

First, my own subjects started to hate me and my night. I don't remember exactly when it started, just one day I received a letter demanding that I give my sister unconditional reign over Equestria. I thought it was a joke, But it was only the beginning.

Similar letters came a lot more often. I tried to talk to my sister only to be completely ignored. Day after day I tried, even while we ate. She said that it could wait after the meal, but after that, she just left without batting an eye. Even if I tried to talk to her afterward she’d say she had something more important to take care of and I’m pretty sure it was nothing. I tried after Day Court with the same effect. Supper? Same. Leisure time? She didn't want to talk about work. Making laws? Same.

This had been happening for over 40 years. Yet I still thought I could trust her.

Then the persecutions started. I never had many followers, only a few here and there. Most were rescued by me personally, but even this was too much for the Sun followers. They killed them and destroyed any businesses they had. Obviously, anytime I found one I immediately sentenced them to prison. I thought it was enough.

How wrong I was.

The deaths didn’t stop. With each passing year, it got worse. My sister completely ignored what was happening. In the end, only a small number of ponies living with me in my part of the castle were safe.

I tried to save them, but everything failed. Somepony was releasing Sun followers and overwriting my decision. I couldn't do anything.

In this depressing time, I found love. Dark Heart. Contrary to his name he was a nice and true gentlecolt. He helped me face every new day and guard me in the night. Soon he was a Capitan of my guard, Not because he was my somepony, but because he deserved it. He was tough and wise. One in a million.

Two years later we get married. I sent an invitation to my sister, but she didn't come. I stopped seeing her. I wasn't appreciated anywhere in Equestria, in the land I helped build. I became only a parasite to my holy sister. Whispers about how I was not good enough to live in my castle with the most amazing pony could be heard everywhere.

I didn't listen to them. I focused on my life. After I stopped caring I found that I had a lot of time in my hooves. I focused on my magic and my Aerlic form. It was the first time in a long time when I was happy, if just for a while.

Then he was killed and everything changed.

I looked at my daughter in my hooves. She’s sleeping peacefully holding the Element of Magic. She looks so cute. I’d never thought that one day I would have a daughter, but here she is.

"I’ll protect you my little Twilight."

A year after her birth, Twilight grew to be a very energetic filly. On the Moon, there isn’t a lot of things to do. Fortunately, Hide and Seek is a game she adores, and she is quite good at it.

"You can't hide from me, Twilight! I will find you" Sooner or later I added in my head. The moon has an ample amount of craters, but it doesn't have many places to hide. Yet here she is a bright filly somehow succeeding.

I could spend days searching for her, not that I don't have time. I have too much time really. Normally fillies would return when they get hungry but here? Nope. The longest game of Hide and Seek took maybe a month?

Something flickered in the distance. I knew what it was. The only source of light except for horns and the sun. I slowly inched closer not wanting to be seen.

Light’s coming from a small crater. I look inside and there she is.

"Gotcha!" I shouted and watched Twilight in my hooves. "This time I was better." I love playing with my daughter. "And now my reward." I lowered my head to her tummy and started to blow. Twilight started to wriggle in laughter still holding Magic.

"Mommy!" The Element of Magic is being held in her tiny hooves. At first glance, anypony could tell something was there. It was the first thing she lifted with her magic. She always knew where it was. I saw multiple times when Magic was shimmering in sync with her breathing while she was sleeping.

Magic her only friend, her only toy here, the only thing except for us. So it was completely natural for it to be with her, or maybe there’s something more. I wish I knew, but I'm just happy that my daughter is healthy.

"Mommy, mommy Magic want too" I smiled at her.

"Of course sweety."

Eight years have passed since her birth and I'm worried. When I was on Equss I saw countless mothers and children. I even took care of a few so I know when something isn’t right. Normally mothers have support from their husbands and family. They could ask for assistance, take their child to the doctor to check up on them, or just give them something to eat to help them.

Here, I'm alone and I can't do anything to help my daughter.

She isn't growing properly. She’s an alicorn, but it doesn't mean everything is always fine.

She is currently eight years old but she looks one year old.

It’s probably caused by a lack of food. While we can survive on our magic alone, food, water, and others things help to heal us and grow like any other creature. In all my wisdom I should expect some problems. She’s a special case.

Of course, I tried to do something, but creating in my state is a big problem. In fact, using magic is very problematic for me still. At least the wound is healing nicely.

"Mom, what are you doing?" Twilight saw me once when I tried to create some food for her.

"Oh, I'm trying some magic." I didn't want to lose my concentration, so I didn't turn to Twilight. It seemed that curiosity took over and she looked at what I was creating. "What is it, mother?" She asked innocently.

"I hope a carrot." I was still focused so I replied absentminded.

"Carrot? What’s that?" Surprised from question, I lost my concentration and looked at her.

"This is food." As the words flew out of my mouth I realized that I never told her what food is."Food, my daughter, is something that you eat to replenish your energy and helps you grow. Normal ponies can't survive without food."

"So they can't survive without carrots?" I giggled. She always found a way to make me laugh.

"No Twilight. They have many, many different foods. Like apples, bananas, bread, and so much more. They can create true masterpieces using different ingredients, I was always fond of pie." I looked at Twilight. She seemed lost in her world trying to process new information. Then she looked at the not-finished carrot and I saw a familiar glint.

"Twilight!" I yelped just a little too late, she had already jumped at the carrot and started eating it. Immediately started spurting dust from her mouth.

"Pfffff. Bleh! Bleh!"I couldn't hold in my laughter. "Food is not good."

"Twilight, I didn't finish it. It’s still mostly orange colored moon dust. I'm still not powerful enough to do it yet." I said. "I can show you later how to do it, but fro now come here." I extended my wing over her. "Time for sleep"

"But mom! I'm not... sleepy...." She soon fell asleep. It always worked. My head lowered near my daughter and sleep soon took over.

Sixteen years have passed since Twilight's birth. She finally grew, even if she looked six she was still a mare.

I have been preparing for her celebration the whole day. I set up a table made of moon rocks, smoothed the surface, and tried to make a gift. I took a big rock from one of the many craters and slowly formed it. My magic was slowly returning, so I could finally use telekinesis.

I created small statues of me and Twilight. I hope she’ll like them.

I still remember birthdays on Equss. I had 3-foot cakes, many presents from my guards and music. We celebrated whole nights. The only pony missing at the time was my sister Celestia.

No. No sister. Simply Princess Celestia. Sisters help each other in time of need. They don't try to kill each other. They don't try to steal each other's fame or position. They stick together no matter what.

I don't have a sister.

I can only hope that my daughter will experience a real party someday. With real family and friends that aren’t still. Banished with only her mother to accompany her, without friends and only memories of lifeless landscapes.

"Mom?" Came the voice from behind. I turned around.

"Happy birthday, Twilight!" I shouted while embracing her in a tight hug.

"You didn't need to do this."

"Twilight, I'm your mother. Of course, I needed to do this. This is your sixteenth birthday. You are now an adult. I have even a present for you." I replied and showed her her gift. She smiled.

"Thank you!" Truly mothers will do anything for their children.

"Now time for your celebration."

I’ve been here for almost 500 years. Quite some time, don't you agree? After I became an adult, years became a blur to me. Nothing seemed interesting.

I started advanced training like my mother likes to call it, to help me prepare for Equus and what may wait there. Training consists of every possible exercise Luna could think of. Lower gravitation was compensated for by increasing mass via magic, Mom showed me this spell. Then push-ups, running, fighting with my mother, and flying lessons. Even with lower gravity flying is hard because of the low air density. I have to use my magic constantly to keep myself in the air, thrown rocks by my mom doesn't help.

She had enough magic now to teach me some more advanced spells, and to rescue me from beneath rocks. I like the spells a lot. I feel like it’s second nature to me. Even Luna agrees, she thinks it may be connected to Magic.

The Element of Magic, my oldest friend. I feel connected to him. I don't know how or why I just know. I always know where he is no matter the distance like he’s part of me.

I was born on the Moon but I want to know the taste of true life on Equus. I know it won’t be easy, but I think is worth it. Mother told me about her adventures and places on Equus. I hope they’re still there.

The spell keeping us here is weakening. I think in 500 more years we’ll be free.

I can only hope for a bright future.

My daughter is on Equus…My daughter is on Equus completely alone! She could be killed or captured by Celestia. I knew it was a bad idea. How much has Equestria changed in 1000 years? Maybe Celestia knew about Twilight? If so is Twilight even still alive? She could need help and I'm here stuck for a few more days.

No. Keep yourself together, Luna. You trained her well. She can look after herself. She’s a grown mare, She’s powerful. You saw her training her magic, even you would have problems going against her.

But magic isn’t everything. Celestia could’ve invented something to easily kill alicorns or found a powerful source of magic. The possibilities are endless. And Twilight is alone. No amount of training could prepare anypony for a living situation.

But she’s a clever mare. You knew her well, she can handle it. The possibility of her being discovered is practically nonexistent. Only a few ponies knew about my wedding and nopony else knew about me being pregnant.

This wait is killing me!

I looked at Equus.

Twilight please be safe.

4 First days

Somewhere in Everfree Forest
(Twilight)

After saying goodbye to my mother, I released the spell that should take me to the surface of Equus. Unlike my mother, I didn't know any place by sight so I was aiming for some small village. No towns with lots of lights, because it seemed too easy to be spotted. Even then with the speed of my traveling spell, it took some time. In the end, I landed in a strange place.

Everywhere around me were tall brown things with something green on top, they were motionless. I remembered Luna telling me about the flora and animals. If I remember correctly it was a tree. It looked safe but better safe than sorry. I don't know if Celestia saw anything and already started preparing a hunt for me.

I had no idea where I should go, so I just went forward. Maybe I'll find somepony or at least some sign to explain where I am. After a few minutes, I encountered some green things covering the ground- grass? They were funny to touch and had a faint smell. Interesting. There's so much food, but where are predators?

Growl

I spun around to see two big green lights in the bush, they were moving. I heard something big coming for me. When it finally left the bush I got a closer look at it. Such a strange animal. Its whole body was covered in the same material as the trees. It was almost as big as me if not bigger. I didn't want to fight it, so I started backing away. It seemed fate had a different idea because I heard another growl from behind me.

There were two more creatures. I was surrounded by them. Note to myself: strange tree-creature hunts in herds. Luckily they were not prepared for prey with wings. I flapped my wings twice and I was already high in the sky, leaving a surprised opponent. Too much power, but thanks to that I was able to locate the nearest village. The next hour was spent trying to fly in that direction. I was experienced in flying in no atmosphere conditions, not on Equus. Eh, I’ll train later.

I landed and walked, still carefully looking for trouble. Fortunately, nothing more came across my path. Eventually I reached some sort of field with trees planted in rows, just as the sun rose. My first time with somepony else is here. I only hope that everything will go smoothly.

Before Twilight got out from the forest she cast an illusion on her wings. An alicorn from the forest would cause massive rumors, which Twilight didn't want. For more security, she added to the illusion don't-notice-me spell and a protection spell. Then she walked out.

Rows after rows of trees. Big, small, brown, and yellow, every shape and size. And every single one was covered in red, oval things. Maybe they were apples. While watching the scenery a new sound reached her ears. It sounded like somepony was hitting something. Time to see who it was.

An orange-colored pony with a brown hat on her head stood near buckets full of fruits. It was obvious that she was working hard. She looked like somepony who’d be nice and could be trusted. Well, you only live once.

"Good morning, my name is Twilight Sparkle, and ..." She was interrupted by an orange pony shaking her hoof violently.

"Well, howdy-doo, Miss Twilight, a pleasure makin' your acquaintance. I'm Applejack. We here at Sweet Apple Acres sure do like makin' new friends! " Twilight wasn't prepared for a reaction like that. Not to mention how eager she was to dislocate her whole hoof.

"Friends? Actually, I—" Twilight realized that this pony no longer was shaking her hoof. She stopped, embarrassed.

"So, what can I do you for?" Applejack said, trying to hide her smile. She knew that her hoof-shake was a bit too much for some ponies.

"Oh! Well, I just need directions to the nearest library and I’ll be on my way." Libraries should have plenty of information for me.

"If you’re goin' to Golden Oak Library you should go to the town center and you’ll see a big tree, you can't miss it! So where are you from? I didn't see you earlier." The orange pony taking a closer look at Twilight.

"Umm.." I completely forgot to think of some sort of backstory. I just can't appear out of nowhere and it not bring attention.
And if I just start lying I’ll soon lose my own story. Think Twilight, what to do? If I can't lie and can't say true maybe something between? This should be good. "I'm a traveler from a far-off place who just came across this village."

"Really, but where’s your luggage? You must have some things with you. It’s pretty dangerous, especially in the forest! It’s home to some freaky creatures like Timberwolves." Applejack said with a worried look.

"Timberwolves?" Twilight couldn't remember any beings from the tales from her mother.

"You didn't know? They’re living plants in the shape of wolves, dirty varmints. You can't kill them, only slow them down temporarily, sugar cube."

"Oh, so that's what everypony calls them. Unfortunately, I already met them. But thanks for your good intentions. I’ll be on my way now, thanks" Twilight tried to walk away only to discover that she couldn't.

"Now hold on, sugar cube! I can't let you go without checking you for any injuries. And it seems that you don't have anything on you so you’ll be our guests." Twilight wanted to argue, but she found couldn’t. She was being dragged by the tail by the farmer pony.
If my mom saw me she’d die from laughter. I have to make sure that she never learns of this. Her mind wandered while she was dragged to the house.

"Granny! We have a guest!" Applejack shouted while entering the house. "She was attacked by Timberwolves and doesn't have a place to stay. Oh, she doesn't have money either." The only pony she could be referring to was a green-colored pony with a scarf on her neck. "Oh. She’s asleep. I’ll tell her later about you. Now to get you something to eat." With those words, Applejack trotted to the kitchen while Twilight sat on a simple wooden chair near the big red table. The inside of the house looked nice and cozy. Everything was clean but showed signs of constant use. While Twilight was examining the house and thinking about what to do next, Applejack returned with a round orange object.

"Here you go miss, apple pie from the apple family. Bon Appetit! " Twilight was intrigued by this food. She had never eaten before, there wasn’t even any water to be found. "If you want more, it’s in the kitchen. I need to finish the harvest. See ya!"

Twilight was left alone with the big apple pie. She didn't know how to start eating it. She shrugged and cut a piece using her magic. Then she levitated to her mouth and took a bite.

It was divine. Crunchy on the surface and soft inside. The taste was perfect too. She didn't know what taste it was, but she didn't care. She inhaled it before she could register what she was doing.

"Whoa, I’ve never seen somepony that hungry" A young voice brought Twilight back to Equus. It came from a yellow-colored pony with red hair wearing a red bow on top of her head. "I'm Applebloom and you?"

"Twilight, Twilight Sparkle, and well... I had never eaten something as tasty as this." Twilight said while levitating another pie from the kitchen. A filly wanted to say more but was interrupted by shouting "Applebloom did you finish your homework from school? And please don't interrupt somepony else while they are eating."

"I will Applejack!" The filly shouted. Then she murmured under her nose. "I hate math."

"Why?" Twilight loved mathematics and couldn't understand that somepony could hate it. "It’s a beautiful subject!"

"Are you kidding? I’ll never understand it, and it’s not like I need it anyway." Applebloom said. In her voice, Twilight heard frustration.

"Well, maybe I can help you?" Twilight had never taught another pony. She was anxious to try it. I'm interested in how different mathematics is from what Luna taught me.

"Really? And what can you do?" The filly asked with suspicion.

"You’ll never know if you don't try. Let's find out ok?" After the filly nodded, Twilight said "Ok show me what’s hard for you"

Teaching Applebloom took more time than Twilight expected, but it was worth it. Her math problems were easy to correct and even more fun to exercise. Twilight liked teaching her and found out what she knew was more than advanced. In the end, she showed the filly that math was everywhere all the time. They were so loud that they woke up Granny Smith, but after she saw how much fun Twilight and Applebloom were having she decided to leave while smirking under her nose.

When Twilight finished teaching it was time for dinner. Alicorns in disguise don't mind another delicious pie. Also, she received apple juice made fresh from harvested apples this morning. While eating Applebloom explained what Twilight taught her, and they were fascinated. They asked if she could come by sometime and help her in school since they were busy with harvesting apples. She didn't mind, but she needed a place to stay and she couldn't abuse their hospitability.

"There’s a vacancy for a librarian in Golden Oak Library and since you would come there anyway way not become a librarian. Even temporarily I think they’d be very grateful. They’ve had problems finding somepony to fill this job."

With this information and acquired hope for a better tomorrow Twilight headed to Townhall. Maybe it wouldn't be so hard to find the needed information and make some friends. The next instance was heading right to her. It was a pink pony with a poofy mane. She looked happy and nice.

"Hi. My name is" Twilight couldn't finish her sentence when this pony gasped and sped off somewhere, vanishing instantly. "Well, there go my hopes."

5 Library

After a close encounter of the third kind with the pink-maned pony Twilight headed to the library. She wanted to see the place before deciding if she should stay there and become a librarian even if it's for a short period.

Ponyville is a quiet town with friendly ponies or it at least looks like it. The lavender mare didn't trust anypony yet. They could be spies discretely working for Princess. Funny. I think of them as bad guys, but probably in their eyes, I'm a bad guy. While complaining about her fate she was observing the town. The streets were clean and normal looking if this is how normal streets looked. Twilight didn't have any examples to compare to. This was the first town in her life. In truth, she didn't know how to act. She started to hyperventilate. Deep breaths Twilight, just go to the library and everything will be fine, calm yourself. She breathed in and out, in and out.

After a few minutes, she came across the library. From her mother's stories, she expected a normal building with bricks and wood. Even with the descriptions from Applejack. What she saw was completely different, It was a library and a tree! The whole library was the tree? The door was located in the middle of the trunk, windows were spread across the whole tree. And it seemed alive without any problems.

While she was admiring the building, she entered through the door. Inside the library were simple bookshelves filled with books, a few tables, and chairs. On the right were stairs to the next floor and underneath them was another door, probably to the basement. There was only one thing that ruined the whole image.

The MESS

The whole library was covered in books strewn everywhere, there was even a book on the ceiling. How it ended up there Twilight had no idea. You couldn't lay a hoof anywhere because of the scattered books. This sight alone would discourage anypony from coming in. But there was something worse. Much, much worse than this mess.

The smell. It's like something died here. Twilight needed to leave immediately or she would vomit on the spot. How could anypony allow this? Luna imparted that books were rare magnificent things with great significance to society. Maybe they were no longer that rare. Twilight didn't know and didn't care. She had to do something about this.

First, she gathered books in piles from the floor, careful not to damage them. The hardest to recover was the book from the ceiling. She spent half an hour trying to detach it. She already knew the system that the books should be ordered from Luna, even if it took a couple of tries to pull it out from the ceiling.

Then she started cleaning them and putting them in their right places. One by one the library started to look much better. By the end of this task, Twilight was satisfied with her work.

"Oh my, the library never looked this clean! You're really good." Said the new voice from the entrance to the library. It belonged to a grey-yellow mare with a gray mane. "What's your name young miss?"

Well I didn't expect this. Wait... I'm not that young! I'm older than you and I look better too. "My name is Twilight Sparkle and I just came to read some books. But when I saw the state the library was in I couldn't stop myself from cleaning it."

"Oh, it’s nice to see somepony who can appreciate the value of knowledge. Nowadays only a few visit the library” I wonder why “But I fear this is futile." What?!

"But why? It didn't take too long to clean it. And if somepony can peek inside from time to time I'm certain it would be much better."

"That's true, but this is a small town and everypony has their own problem and chores to do. They don't have time to look after it. Especially me."

"You? And who are you?" She doesn't look that important.

"I'm Mayor Mare, the mayor of this little town" Buck my guess "Returning to the topic. We don't have a librarian because nopony seems interested"

"Well I'm interested and I don't have a house" Maybe this’ll be easier than I thought.

"Really?! That's wonderful" The old-looking pony was inches from Twilight's face, grinning evilly. "It’ll solve our problem with the library! Don't move. I’ll return shortly with the contract then you’ll be our new librarian." With this, the mare sped off through the door leaving the stunned pony behind. That was too easy. And why do I feel like I was tricked into this? Twilight wondered if she should just vanish and never return because like her mother said 'if something seems too easy, look closer' and ‘if it’s too good to be true it must have a hidden agenda.’

"I'm back." It looked like pony wasn't running but teleporting. It was highly suspicious. In her hoof, she held a scroll "You just have to sign in a few places and this will be your new home!" Twilight wasn't persuaded.

"What's the catch?" A glimpse of fear was visible in the Mayor's eyes.

"There isn't any catch. You only need to sign. It’s that simple" Twilight didn't move from her spot.

"I'm waiting for your explanation and I won’t sign without it!" The older pony's smile faltered and vanished.

"Very well" In her voice, Twilight heard resignation and sadness. "This place is our only library but like I said earlier no pony wants to look after it. I tried many times to find somepony but to no effect. I don't have the time or patience to take care of it. And when you appeared it was perfect like you were a godsend for just me and my problem. I even sent a letter to the princess but she said she’ll take care of it later. Now you know all of it. Please be our new librarian!" She pleaded, in her eyes visible despair. Twilight felt uneasy. On the the one hoof, she really needed somepony for this work. What a coincidence. But on the other hoof, watching Celestia. She couldn't miss it.

"Ok, ok I’ll just sign it." She suddenly found herself at a table with a 20-inch contract. She signed it quickly. The next moment was spent reviewing each part of the contract. Twilight asked for a small number of bits since she didn't have any. After taking care of a few additional things she was ready to end their conversation. "Since we have that behind us allow me to accommodate myself here." With this said Twilight trotted over to see her new home.

"Ok, bye. And thank you."

Twilight was coming to like her new home. It was pretty decent with a basement and a few additional rooms for her only. Yet it was still a public building with an accessible main room with books for everypony. It could be a problem but it was an advantage too. She could read any book any time she wanted and nopony would doubt her innocence.

When she finished, it was high time for something to eat and she saw a stand with food to eat. She already checked her new kitchen and sadly, she didn't find anything edible. She needed supplies to live here since it wasn't the moon but Equus.

She prepared herself and left on her trip of finding new adventures in finding food. She was cheerful and felt something that she couldn’t place. It was the feeling of having something on her own. On the moon, she didn't have a home or any stuff. Her mother owned the Moon and the only thing that she could call only her was The Element of Magic nothing more. Here, on Equus, She had responsibilities. It was refreshing for nearly 1000 years.

Nothing could ruin her good day.

whack
Splat

Why on Equus does fate hate me? And how can there be mud if it didn't rain for the whole day?! She thought with her face in mud and somepony on her back. Good thing that she renewed her spell on her wings.

"Uh, 'scuse me?" A voice from above said.

"Nng." Twilight tried to say something, but mud didn't give up.

"Lemme help you." With this, something pulled her from mud, but she was still covered in it. She hoped that it would be over, however it was not her day. She was showered with water from the cloud.

"Oops, I guess I overdid it. Um, uh, how about this? My very own patented Rain-Blow Dry! No no. Don't thank me. You're quite welcome. " The blue pony said confidently, only to burst out laughing.

"What?" Twilight couldn't decide if taking revenge in the shape of ruining her mane or cursing her to only walk on the ground.

"Nothing, but your mane... Let's just say it is now 20 percent cooler." The grin on the blue-colored pegasus was telling something different.

"I think not. Anyway now I need a mane cut. Do you know where I can get it?" Today was not her day.

"Yeah, look for Carousel Boutique, and the name’s Rainbow Dash." With that, she flew to the sky. Well, it was an interesting meeting.

6 Party!

Author's Note

Well, one week break.
Anyway, good reading.
Oh, one more, new story is coming [;

6 Party!

Carousel Boutique, what a strange name. Twilight was looking for said building. The last encounter left her with a messed up mane. She had to do something about it. She could always use her magic to do it, but it risks. The fashion from a thousand years ago wasn't a good choice, so she needed to know the newest trends.

Some snickers could be heard around her but nothing else, maybe it was common for this to happen? Twilight didn't know. She still needed to do some shopping after getting her mane fixed.

Ah! There it is! The round building with wide windows and dummies? Let's get it over with.

She opened the door, the quiet sound of a bell jingled.

"I'm coming!" The new voice said.

While Twilight was waiting for this pony she checked around inside. It was a nice place with some dummies wearing clothes in all shapes and colors. It wasn't perfect but who could say it wasn't a place for art?

''Welcome to the Carousel Boutique what...'' The previous voice reappeared. It belonged to a white unicorn with a purple mane. Twilight went to greet her but the unicorn interrupted her. "Oh my stars, darling! Whatever happened to your coiffure?!" Coiffure? What the buck is that?

"What do you mean?"

"I have never seen something so gross as that!" She said while pointing at Twilight’s mane.

"Oh! You mean my mane. Yeah, that's why I'm here. I met a pegasus named Rainbow Dash and she gave it to me. I heard that you could help me." This was getting crazier and crazier.

"Of course darling. But first I need to serve my friend." At this exact moment, Twilight saw a buttery pegasus in the shop.
She looked like she didn't want to be here with her. In her eyes blinked fear and shyness.

"Fluttershy I got your delivery. Could you wait here and I’ll bring it ." The fashion mare disappeared behind one of her doors. Twilight and Fluttershy? were left alone.

"Um hi? Fluttershy right?" Twilight wanted to interrupt the strange silence that fell upon them.

"hi" It was so quiet that Twilight didn't hear.

"Could you repeat that?"

"hi"

"Um right," Twilight replied but didn't move her eyes from the pegasus, she carefully examined her. A bright pink mane covered one eye. On her flank were three pink shapes. "Is this how butterflies look?" Twilight's mouth was faster than her brain, which was pretty rare. That was blunt. She mentally facehoofeed herself.

"Um.. yes?" Came the quiet reply.

"Ohh, sorry. I’ve never seen butterflies before." This is getting more and more awkward. Her sight went to the ground, she thought everything was said but Fluttershy surprised her.

"You haven't seen butterflies before? Why?" Came the question. What to answer?

"Well, I'm from afar and simply there weren't any." The situation was becoming more and more dangerous. Who would believe her that she hadn't seen butterflies! Luna told her many times that they were everywhere!

"Well, I can show you some" This one was something that Twilight didn't expect. She expected surprise, suspiciousness but not kindness.

"I would be honored!" This was perfect she could learn about animals on the first hoof. Before anything more could be said the white mare returned.

"Here you go Fluttershy and see you next week!" While the yellow pegasus left the store she turned to the disguised alicorn. "Now I can finally do something with you." The way she said it made Twilight shiver.

Uh? I think this is going to be bad

Twilight was wrong. It wasn't bad.

It was worse.

It all started with simply cutting her mane. Twilight swore to never torture her enemies like this. Cutting, trimming, then washing, and repeat. She must learn fast nowadays or she wouldn’t last a week with her.

Midway through her tortures, Twilight thought to talk with the pony. Turns out her name was Rarity, she was a fashionista and a strange pony but that was nothing new. Maybe even good compared to her.

Then came clothes. When Rarity learned that she didn't have much and was earlier attacked by a timberwolf she dedicated herself to make some clothes for her.

It could be the end for her illusion, but rejecting her offer wouldn't be clever either and it’s too good to miss. Twilight didn't like it. With no escape at all, she had an ultimatum. She could temporarily seal her pegasus magic.

The only problem was that it was dangerous. When she would seal her pegasus magic her wings would disappear. She wouldn’t have to worry about her illusion, but in urgent situations, she couldn’t use them right away either. Unsealing can't be done instantly nor right after sealing. Anypony must wait a few hours afterwards, but it was still better than being exposed.

It was strange not being able to feel her wings at her side.

Unfortunately or fortunately Rarity didn't give Twilight a moment to complain about her life. Twilight found herself being overwhelmed by the unicorn's question.

Where was she from? It was the hardest to answer. In the end, she said that she was from Moonigrad, hoping that it would be sufficient.

One more good thing came from this. The old castle of two sisters. It was the previous capital of Equestria, but now it was Canterlot. What happened no one knows, but the same no many creatures were visiting so it was possible that some books with information could be saved. It was a big step for Twilight if everything went right.

In the end, Twilight left with a promise from Rarity about new clothes and a new purpose for the next few days. She didn't notice when it became so late and still she needed to do shopping! Grumbling she bought something fast and went to her home.

Finally, it is over! I'm so tired. Even my training on the Moon wasn't so exhausting. Twilight wanted to turn on the light but something stopped her. Uh?

"Suprise!" Many ponies shouted inside the library. It looked like half the Ponyville came to here.

"Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie, and I threw this party just for you! Were you surprised? Were ya? Were ya? Huh huh huh?" The pink pony said to Twilight. Or tried, because there wasn't Twilight in the door.

"Huh? I thought that Twilight was here a moment ago. Where she is?" She started looking for a lavender mare. She searched a bathroom, bedroom, attic, basement, royal bedroom, roof, ceiling, and every cupboard. She wanted to continue before Rarity stopped her.

"Pinkie! She left. "

"What?! Why? Maybe she forgot something or she is so happy that she doesn't know what to tell us. Oh! Maybe she is preparing for her own party!" Knowing Pinkie she could be talking 36/8. To this day jury doesn't know how it is possible. But before anypony could do something Pinkie left the party in search of her new friend.

With Twilight.

Twilight was running. Everything was going smoothly before this attack in her home. She knew it was too good to be true. Celestia must know that she was there. Probably by now the whole garrison of her army is on her tail. It was no longer safe here for her. But how she knew? She didn't do any mistakes. She was normal. Maybe that was it she was too normal? This town was crazy and she didn't belong here.

For now, she needed a safe place to think and unsealed her magic. Everfree forest was the only place.

She still remembered her meeting with the local fauna, Which wasn't so long ago.

"Ok, that's will be a good distance." She could see any light from town. The only sound coming was the distance growing of timberwolves and other creatures living in the forest. With this, she started the procedure. It was slow but steady. Now any moment and she could...

"Whatcha doing?" Came the voice. Twilight spun around, forgetting her spell. Next to her was the same pink pony with a fluffy mane. She tried to back away, but a magical backslash from her unfinished spell caused her to stop. She lost control of her magic. In the last attempt, she teleported the second pony far away before something could happen to her.

Then her magic went wild she knew no more.

7 Slowing down

"Ugh, where am I?" Twilight opened her eyes and blinked blinded by the bright sun. "What happened?" This isn't my home. She was on the white bed covered by a nice and warm blanket. Next to her was a small table with a vase full of flowers and a small note. Huh? Who left it here? She lifted it to get a better view of the text.

See you soon!

I should be happy that somepony left it for me but I can't shake the feeling like something big is coming.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a new pony coming through the door. "Oh! You’re up already. I must say you gave us a nice scare when you flared. Sweet Celestia, it was seen by everypony in the town. But back to the topic. How are you feeling?"

"Um.. good. I guess Ms..."

"You’re the new librarian, right? In that case nice to meet you! I'm nurse Redheart." The white mare answered with a smile.

"Nice to meet you too! Could you tell me what happened? The last that I remember is coming to my home." The events were still fuzzy and Twilight couldn't tell what was true and what was her imagination.

"Like always Pinkie prepared for the new pony, in this case, you- a welcoming party but you just run away! Knowing Pinkie, she caught up with you pretty quickly, and then... I don't know. There was a big bam and then searching for you. I still need to check the other patients so if that is everything I’ll go." With that explanation, Twilight sensed the question and slowly nodded. Seeing this the nurse left the room. Now I remember! This was a party? Nice to know. So.. I'm not exposed, that's a relief. But how I will explain this to the town? Before she could continue her thoughts, she heard a knock at the door.

"Come in!" She shouted. The door opened and she saw four ponies come through. What is Fluttershy doing here?

"How are you feelin' sugarcube?" The first was Applejack to ask.

"I'm guessing fine" An awkward smile appeared on her face. "But what are you all doing here?"

"You think we wouldn’t visit you? Ha! You made the biggest explosion I have ever seen! It was so cool!" Before Rainbow Dash could say something more, she was forced to the floor by a rope."What we wanted to say is that it was unexpected and even when you are new here you cared about us." Applejack said.

"Care? But how?" Twilight was confused when she helped them?

"You don't remember? You teleported Pinkie before the explosion. "This time it was Rarity who answered. "But that was nothing! I did it from pure reflex nothing more" Twilight protested.

"Yuppers! And it was amazing!" Came sudden voice from the left side.

"AHHH!" Twilight leaped into the air from surprise and stuck into the ceiling. She cast an eye on the pink, smiling pony standing next to her bed. She could swear she wasn't there a moment ago.

"Umm. Pinkie could you slow down for a bit? I don't think Twilight appreciates your surprises." Rarity said still staring at the stuck-in-the-celling pony. "Okie Doki!" Came the reply from the strange pony. "You can come down now." Twilight hesitated for few seconds, but ultimately let it go.

"We are sorry for Pinkie. She is... not normal" Rarity searched for a said pony, only to spot her looking at a vase. "We don't know how she is doing it, but to get back on topic. We are sorry for what happened and we want to inform you that your party will be moved to tomorrow. This is ok with you?"

"Umm, Could I... not have a party?" The room became so quiet that you could hear a fly. "What?!"

"How could you not want a party!!" Twilight finds herself facing a pink face too close.

"Well I'm not a social type of pony and I like quiet. And judging by your party there, it wasn’t in my style."

"Wait, wait, wait... You sounded like you didn't have a party ever."

"Yeah..." The surprised faces of them told her it was not normal. Before anypony could speak, Twilight continued. "Please, don't ask. I have a reason, why and I don't want to talk about it." For a few seconds, minutes nopony moved, frozen from shock.

"How?! Any parents should at least throw one party for their child. This is unacceptable. How my pinkie-sense didn't tell me this. This is super-duper important. You are like 20 years old! 20 years without a party, gifts, funny games, and moments."

"Pinkie."

"I need to do something. I will make the best party ever! With balloons, cakes, presents, funny games! No! That wasn't enough!"

"Pinkie..." Twilight tried again, without success.

"But first I will have a few words with your parents! How they could! Party is an important thing! Maybe your mother couldn't because of your father? I heard there are abused families by a male. Twilight, I will make sure everything is alright. Nopony can hurt others without consequences from Pinkie! I will..."

"DON'T YOU DARE TALKING LIKE THAT ABOUT MY FATHER! HE DIED PROTECTING MY MOTHER AND ME!" Twilight shouted with enough force to knock them from their hooves. It was going too fast, she wasn't prepared for it. She started crying. Mother did everything in her power and they dare to talk about her like that.

"Darling... We didn't know. We..."

"Leave." Twilight didn't meet their eyes. She kept crying in the bed in the hospital, while others left. She cried for hours, but even the deepest well can become empty and she still needed to be strong for her mother.

The next day she was signed out from the hospital. She came to her home and started reading. She could be well trained in old magic but she didn't know anything about present magic. The ponies from earlier left her in peace so she could focus on her mission.

The day flew by, Twilight finished reading books about magic and started reading about other stuff. She had time to calm down and rethink on what to do. She visited the Castle of the Two Sisters. She found it in ruin, big news for anypony who didn't know what Everfree Forest is. After she returned to the library she exercised for a bit. While on the Moon she constantly trained, to the point of obsession. Who could blame her, when it was one of the few things a pony could do there. Fortunately, her magic didn't suffer from the magic flare so she could place a few spells on the library. Better safe than sorry.

On the third day, she received knocking on the door. It was strange since It was a public library. Anypony could enter without knocking. When she opened it she was treated with five familiar faces. She thought that they were here to apologize. She wasn't wrong. The next few hours were spent explaining a few things about her. Not too much like she was the daughter of the famous Nightmare Moon, but enough to satisfy their curiosity. The atmosphere kept getting better and better with each passing minute. While they were preparing to leave one sentence made Twilight froze.

"You are our friend silly!"

This one sentence made Twilight feel good. Maybe she could have somepony to share her secrets with, but not now. It was still too early, but soon. At the end of these days, Twilight slept better than ever.

The following day she visited Fluttershy. Twilight knew various animals by name, but she never saw them personally. She even helped Fluttershy take care of some of them. It was relaxing. When asked if she had a pet, she explained that she never thought about it. She promised to think about it.

Unfortunately, her new daily exercise didn't go unnoticed by two ponies. At first, they couldn’t believe how fast she was. But it was nothing that a good race could fix. Twilight gained some insight into how much power ponies have, and she was very powerful compared to them. She needed to be careful.

In one word, everything was going smoothly.

Until... a week and a half before Summer Celebration.

ten days before Summer Celebration

Fate can be cruel. Twilight was slowly getting accustomed in Ponyville and now this?!? Is this some sort of joke? Every other pony was thrilled at the news. After hearing it, she apologized for a moment, explaining that she needed a moment for herself, and left.

Why here? What was she planning? This can't be a coincidence! I found a place to hide with my mother and when everything was going according to plan she is going to host here, of all places, her cursed celebration.

When she complained about her life she instinctually headed to Everfree Forest.

I can't do anything. If I try, she might discover me! But.. maybe... Not everything is lost. Like in the book: the darkest place is under the candle. I need only to keep quiet and everything will be fine.

She failed to notice a sound coming from before her. It was a very soft whisper from a hurt being. Only then it came through Twilight's rambling What is that? The closer she got the louder whimper became. Soon she could see what produced this sound.

It was a bird, for sure. But for all the knowledge she had, she couldn't remember any which had dark blue feathers and a red beak. It was small. It was laying on the ground with a terrible wound on its wing. Poor creature. You don't look too dangerous. Maybe those wolves attacked you? She tried to come closer but seeing this, the creature whimper trying to run away, unsuccessfully.

”Shhh. I won't harm you.” She lit her horn and cast a healing spell, from her mother's teaching. It was quite good since she upgraded this a little, it had useful effects. The bird stopped struggling and trying to run away.

"Where is your family, little bird?"

"Who"

"Your family. Like dad and mom"

"Who"

"You can only say this right?"

"Who"

"Don't matter." Twilight came closer, lifted poor bird, and lay on her back."All right! I will take care of you, little guy or girl?" From its look, she deduced it was second."I will call you...Star, since I like stars"

With a newly acquired companion, she returned to her home. Then she tried to find anything about her new pet, but she didn't succeed. The next choice was Fluttershy, but unfortunately, it was the same. She had no idea what type of bird she was but promised to help her taking care of her.

The following days become blurp. Twilight didn't have much free time while helping for the Summer celebration, healing her companion, and preparing for her mother.

Even if she was tired she was happy and it was the most important.

Author's Note

I'm alive!
... yet.

8 Summer Sun Celebration

8 Summer Sun Celebration

The day of Summer Sun Celebration

Today was the day. The 1000th celebration of Celestia beating Luna. Exactly 1000 years ago Twilight's mother was sent to the Moon after the battle with Princess Celestia. Even if you’re immortal it’s a long time, especially alone on a cold desolate moon.

Twilight couldn't keep her composure, she wanted to jump and scream with joy. This was the day when she would see her mother again after weeks! Fortunately, her friends thought she was happy because of the Celebration, not something different.

But first, she needed to help to prepare for this cursed Celebration. She was assigned to overlook Celebration since she’s new and was good at organizing things She made a checklist and took some snacks for later. Everything was going smoothly until he arrived.

Applejack was collecting additional apples for apple pies, while Twilight was counting the number of different foods that will be served at the Celebration. Granny Smith was in the kitchen since she was too old for hard work, even if she insisted she was. Applebloom helped Big Mac and the rest with preparing other things. In other words, everything was normal for the Apple Family.

Then he came.

He was a white-colored station with a red mane. He was probably between thirty and forty years. On his flank was a picture of a chest filled with gold, diamonds, and other valuable gems. From his posture and how he was looking at others, you could tell he was from nobility who doing nothing. Let's hope that I'm wrong. Twilight from the start didn't like this pony, but her mother taught her not to judge a book by its cover. So when he was near she decided to greet him.

"Welcome, sir! What can we do for you?" Twilight greeted him in her warm voice. "This is Sweet Apple Acres?" He said in a bored tone. "Yes, we are currently preparing for the Summer Sun Celebration so if you need something you need to wait until we are done." He stopped listening after confirmation and just went to the farm, without a word. Not a very nice stallion. Twilight returned to her work.

An hour later she said farewell to the Apple Family and went to Fluttershy to check the music. There shouldn't be much problem of a with the music. The last time I checked Fluttershy had made good progress. She was in good mood, the encounter with the stallion already forgotten. Nothing could ruin her mood.

"Speak louder you lowly peasant!" Or something could. It went from the place where Fluttershy was training her birds for the Celebration. Judging from the voice it wasn't a nice situation. Twilight sped up a bit.

The view which greeted her wasn't nice either. The station from earlier was standing next to Fluttershy, who was curled and visibly shaking. It was obvious that something wasn't right.

"Hey! What's going on here?" Twilight's voice interrupting them. "It’s not your concern. It's between me and this pegasus and you better leave before..." He said in a threatening voice. For any other pony, it would be enough to think twice, but Twilight wasn't an ordinary pony.

"Or what? You’ll shout at me? Please. You’re harassing my friends here. I don't know what happened, but I will not stand idly when my friends need me. Moreover, last time I checked threatening others was punishable by law, so you better stop when you can." Twilight said while standing between the pony and Fluttershy, with no intention of leaving. Luna taught her to always protect others no matter what, especially when they could become her future subjects.

"Listen here, you little peasant. You have no idea who I am. I'm Sunchaser from Platinum House, a personal student of Princess Celestia and I'm here to oversee the preparation for the celebration for our beloved Princess. This pegasus- " Sunchaser shot an angry look at Fluttershy. "- was planning to train birds for the celebration, when Princess needs the best, not some common birds. And if you want to interrupt my work you will face consequences."

"Actually, Fluttershy is the best for preparing the music for celebration so don't you dare shout at her. What's more I'm overseeing the preparation and nothing seems out of order so leave. If the princess wanted something more she would order." Thankfully she was already angry or they would hear the venom in her voice when she said the ruler's name. "Now I believe it is high time for you to leave." With this, she teleported the stallion out of her sight.

She took a deep breath and asked Fluttershy. "Are you alright?" Even if she knew her friends for only a few weeks she cared deeply about them and Fluttershy was always the shyest and weak of them all. "T-thank you. " She was still shaking, but at least she didn't run. "I think you should take a little break to compose yourself." Twilight helped her stand and took her to her home near the Everfree Forest. The biggest shock had passed, but she was still scared. Unfortunately, Twilight couldn't spend the rest of the day with Fluttershy, she still needed to do her chores.

"I must be going. Sorry that I couldn’t stay longer but the world won’t waiting for anypony." With a silent acknowledgment from the pegasus, Twilight continued with her work. The closer the night the more excited she was. Who wouldn't? Today at midnight she would again see her mother. She just needed to survive this today.

The rest went smoothly. She reported to the mayor and went to her home/library. Once inside, she made a big cup of delicious hot chocolate. Now she just needed to wait, nothing could go wrong.

Or could it?

While relaxing reading one of many books, she heard something at her front door. The library was closed for the Celebration, so nopony should come this late. As she trotted to open the door, she glanced at a window. It was started to rain. Somepony was knocking at her door the louder the closer she got to the point of nearly knocking it from the frame.

"I'm coming! I'm coming! There’s no need to be so loud." She opened the door and immediately she wished that she didn't do it. Sunchaser- the same pony who shouted at Fluttershy, was standing in front of her.

"Yes? What do you want?" Be calm, Twilight. Maybe he’s lost. She thought wistfully. Yet she still had her calm voice. At least I can train my cold composure for later.

"Is this Golden Oak Library?" He said in a voice full of arrogance.

"Yes?" Twilight answered. I don't like where it is going.

"Excellent! Now, step aside. I want to see my new living place." Without waiting for anything, he tried to step inside. He was stopped by a purple shield in front of the door. "What new living place? It’s my home and if you want to borrow a book you need to come tomorrow." The situation was unheard-of. Why he thinks he could simply walk inside somepony's house with this lame excuse?

"Listen. This isn’t your home and I don't care what happens to you. Even if Princess Celestia personally told you to stay here she didn't mention anypony else. Now leave." He said while gesturing to someone. Two fully armored ponies came from the shadows. "Or else..."

"No." At this response, guards step closer and lift something. It was a small object with strange buttons. Twilight didn't even have time to completely tell what it was when they touched her shield with it instantly breaking it. "WHAT!?" How it is possible?! My shield is nearly indestructible! The shock caused her to freeze up and allowed the two ponies to catch and throw her from the library. How they did it? The simple thought swirl in her head. While they holding her she noticed a similar object and many more in one satchel, this could be useful. She snatched some without alerting the guards. They’re so arrogant that they couldn’t imagine that somepony could steal something from under their noses.

They threw her out in the rain. Only then she fully realized her situation and shot inside again. "I'm not going so easily." She stated ready to fight. Sunchaser was already inside and didn't pay much attention to them. "By the order of the Crown, you must leave. It’s private property." Said the left guard.

"Yes, Me I'm Ponyville's librarian! I signed a contract with Mayor."

"It doesn't matter. Princess Celestia can overrule any contract signed by any other Mayor in any other city. Now leave or we will have to arrest you." Sunchase was back and watching this scene with a big grin plastered on his face. He seemed like when others were in trouble. I don't think they could contain me against my will even if a full legion was here, but that would raise suspicions. I can't allow that. Especially now that my mom will soon be here. "I will be back and I will have my home back." Twilight said while opening the door with her magic. Of course, it wasn't everything she was doing. She had a few things she needed to take and she didn't think that he could allow her.

"Can I take my things with me?" Before any guard could answer it was Sunchaser who replied. "There isn't anything that’s yours and I will not waste money for a commoner like you." That confirmed her assumption. Thankfully, this conversation gave her enough time to secretly move them without them noticing.

Twilight eyed him and left. It was still raining, so under the nearest roof she summoned her things. All her money, a few important books, those things from the guards, and most importantly the Element of Magic. They probably couldn't even touch it but better safe than sorry. What now? I'm homeless again. Mother’s still is on the Moon. She thought about what to do next. Maybe one of my friends could help me? With a bit of luck maybe I could persuade them to help me and my mother. The closest is Rarity. I only hope I can stay with her for the Celebration.

With this, she trotted to her target. She’s only been in Ponyville for a few weeks, but she already liked her new home. The inhabitants of this village were very nice.

Rarity owned a small shop in Ponyville that specialized in making suits and dresses, usually fancy. When Twilight arrived lights were still on, fortunately. She knocked a few times and waited.

And waited.

When nopony answered she knocked again. This time the doors was opened by a young filly. She saw her earlier walking around the village numerous times.

"Hello. The shop is closed and Rarity isn't receiving any orders. Please come back later, preferably tomorrow." Then she tried to close the door. But before she could do it, Twilight stopped her. "This isn't about clothes and I need to talk with Rarity. Please" A big smile was on her face with puppy eyes." Eh, ok. Wait here." Twilight complied. Something could be heard further in and then Rarity showed up.

"Twilight!" Rarity looked surprised. Well, what sane pony would come to shop at the time like this. "What are you doing here? I thought you’d be in your home preparing for the Celebration."

"I’ll answer your questions, but I can enter? I'm not made of sugar, but rain isn’t pleasant in the middle of the night."

"Oh! Of course! Where are my manners? Sweetie could you make some tea for my friend, Twilight" When the younger pony left. Rarity continued. "So?"

"I was kicked from the library "Twilight was pretty attached to the library. It was the only place besides the moon that she could call home.

"What? But how? The mayor shouldn't kick you. You were perfect for the job."

"It wasn't the mayor" At question look from Rarity, she continued. "Earlier today a new stallion came from Canterlot to oversee preparations beside me. I met him with Fluttershy and he wasn't nice. Fluttershy was trembling after meeting him but returning to the main topic. A few minutes ago he came to my library and when I opened the door he told me that it’s now his library and ordered two guards to kick me out!" Twilight's voice grew and Rarity could sense anger within it. "I couldn’t bring anything with me. And what’s worse he said that it was perfectly legal since the Crown can override any contract how they pleased." She looked at Rarity.

"Tell me is his name Sunchaser?" Rarity asked calmly.

"Yes, how did you know?"

"He terrorized half of Ponyville and our friends. We were going to meet up with Applejack, but Fluttershy didn't show up. Now I know why. But why are you here?"

"Well, I thought I could stay here with you for a while. I don't have any other place and I'm short on bits. Plus it was the closest in this weather." Twilight looked at Rarity with a hopeful look.

"Of course darling, that’s what friends are for to help each other." Twilight was relieved she could safely wait for now. While they were preparing space for Twilight to sleep no one noticed the disappearing shape from the Moon.

The time has come. The last of the enchantments keeping Luna on the Moon vanished freeing her again. Her strength is back in full and basking in her full form. She was excited to see how the world changed while she was banished. She couldn’t waste any time though, her main priority was her daughter.

She flew to her old castle, hoping to find a trace of her daughter. But when she finally found it it was in ruin and surrender by a deep, dark forest. It looked like nopony had been here for a long time. Why they abandoned it, she didn't know, but they had to move somewhere else. She flew higher and saw a city on the side of the mountain. It was mainly white and gold architecture that simply shouted Praise Celestia. The biggest monument of her glory she could make.

While she thought about what to do next she spotted something descending from this city. A chariot pulled by two stallions with the last pony Luna wanted to see, her sister Celestia. She had no idea what she was planning, or doing, or even why she left her castle. She must’ve felt the magic break from her prison, even though the lack of a face on the Moon was a big sign.

She decided to follow her as a mist. Turning to mist was one of the many abilities connected with the night. With this, it’s easier to sneak up on anypony. With Celestia heading to a small town near the forest with the ruined castle. Coincidence? she thought.

Her sister stopped near the village and went to the forest. It was already suspicious, but without risk, there is no gain. This turned out not to be a great idea. A few minutes later she lost her. She found her in a nice, open glade. She strained to see what she was doing.

"We meet again, Nightmare Moon." Celestia turned to face her. How did she know?

"It seems our little trick didn't work on thou." Luna circled her in the open glade. She knew that a fight was inevitable.

"I only have one warning for you. It will end today." With that, Celestia attacked with a magic blast. Night alicorn countered with her own beam of darkness while conducting shields against solar power. Solar power was the main form of attack from her sister, it’s effective and difficult to counter.

Seeing that her blast did nothing Celestia decided to use brute force. She attempted to kick Luna while using magic to blind her. Luna simply jumped away from her.

"Celestia don't play with us!" I couldn’t believe that she thought that’d work. I took in my magic from the nearest tree and using it as a sword she went to hit the solar pony. It was destroyed easily by Celestia's kick. This wouldn’t be an easy fight. Nearly two minutes later Luna found an opening. Thanks to her daughter she learned to cast more concealed traps. And Celestia finally stepped on one. It was a simple skid trap, but effective. With this Luna used all her magic and shot Celesta through the forest. She flew to where she crashed while she was trying to get up. She seized her in her magic and blocked her magic. She won.

"You win." Celestia said. What? "Do what you want." She won, but something wasn't right. Celestia was known for her schemes. She even earned herself the title Mastermind. It couldn’t be so easy. She hesitated and it seemed Celesta noticed. "Luna, keep fighting!" What's her game? Is she encouraging me to fight? She always has a back-up plan when something goes wrong..... with this she understood. It was all planned, her being alone in the forest and losing, even her sending me to the moon to drain my magic to make me weak! I’d be vulnerable and easy to kill. I'm not safe here!

"Nightmare..." Before she could finish her sentence Luna hit her hard in the head, making her world spin. She used it to teleport far away. She could risk leaving her daughter alone, even if she would make Celestia pay. Her daughter was the most important.

The fight still left her weaker, but still, she had plenty of strange to fight for later. Now she must find her daughter. Think Luna, where she would go? She could risk appearing in big cities since they were always well-guarded in her times. Maybe a smaller village? She saw one while flying after Celestia. It was a good start.

Celestia should be here at any moment.

"...it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria..." Congratulations Celestia, you did it. Everypony thinks that you are perfect. They celebrate even my mother's night, thinking it is yours. You always wanted glory. The family was nothing to you? Twilight was in an even worse mood than before. She couldn't stand this praise to Celestia. The bringer of harmony, that’s rich. The only thing she brought was pain. But since she ruled alone, no pony could stand against her, I guess.

"...Princess Celestia!" Mayor Mare shouted, but nopony showed up. Ponies began to think something wasn't right. Twilight too, but for other reasons. If her mother somehow met Celestia it could go poorly. She didn't want that.

"I'm sorry my little ponies for being late. Something came up, but now we can celebrate!" There she was, Celestia, standing on a balcony in her full glory. But something wasn't right, there was a strange mist surrounding her. It usually means illusions or something like that. For any normal pony seeing through it would be an impossible feat, but Twilight was nothing, but ordinary. She was trained by the master of illusions since dreams and illusions were relatively close, plus it was magic of course. So Twilight saw what she didn't want to show. What she saw startled her. She was beaten pretty badly, with bruises all over her body, and a few cuts. It was clear she was in a fight. There weren't many creatures able to hurt alicorns that old. It could mean only one, she fought her mother. She grew worried about her. Twilight, deep breaths. You won’t help her if you lose your cool. First I need a base operation then I will plan what to do next.

"Twilight darling, come we will ask her Highness if she could return your home." Rarity said and began to move towards the Princess. Twilight joined her.

"Princess, could we take a moment of your time?" Rarity said with great respect. Twilight nearly sighed hearing it, but she stopped herself thankfully.

"Yes, my little ponies" I'm not her little pony!

"I'm Rarity and this is my friend Twilight, we have a question about the library" Celestia eyed them carefully. Thankfully, Twilight still had her magic sealed. She’s pretty sure she could see through many illusions. Still, she didn't like this look she gave her when she saw her cutie mark. What are you planning?

"In this case, you should ask the Mayor not me. I will call her." Before Rarity could interrupt her she summoned Mayor.

"Yes, your highness?" She bowed before Celestia. "What can I do for you?"

"These two ponies have a question for you."

"I'm sorry for my boldness but it was you who we want. You see.." She was again interrupted.

"Ah. Princess nice to see you again. I hope that the Celebration is to your liking. I did everything I could, even if some ponies weren't helpful" It was him again, Sunchaser.

"Now hold one darn minute! We weren't helpful?! It was you who offended us!" Came the sudden voice of multiple ponies. In the front were her friends- Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and even Fluttershy hiding behind Applejack. But before it could escalate even further Celestia spoke.

"Please. everypony needs to calm down. I will deal with every one of you, but first were these two mares." She looked at us. "So what is the problem."

"So you see your highness, my friend is from afar and..."

"Can I have my home back?" Twilight couldn’t stand it. Celestia blinked.

"Pardon me?"

"Today Sunchaser came to my home and kicked me out, telling me that it was ordered by the Crown. So I'm asking can I have it back?" The sudden silence came upon the crowd. Everypony was looking at her.

"WHAT!?" In a small town like this everyone knows everyone. She became popular after her accident.

"Princess, why did you do that?" Came the question from many ponies.

"I didn't do that, he was supposed to stay in Golden Oak Library."

"That had been my home for a few weeks already." Princess Celestia looked puzzled.

"But I thought that it was empty."

"It was, your highness." Came the reply from the Mayor. "But a few weeks ago Twilight started living there. I already sent you a copy of the agreement signed by her."

"Well in that case I can move you to a new home?"

"Why I can't live in the library? I've already accustomed myself there!" Why she is reluctant to this idea?

"Yes Princess, why? Twilight is a good pony and Chaser is bad! He's so mean to everypony! We don't want him here! Twilight is so helpful and a good organizer in the library!" Pinkie asked. It was clear that Celestia couldn't find any argument against this. Well, at least I'll have a nice show.

"Very well, Twilight can return to being Ponyville's librarian. Now some pony else..." She was swarmed with demands and explanations. This allowed Twilight to leave without anypony noticing her. Well, anypony, but one. Rainbow Dash saw her sneaking out the door. "Where's she going" She followed her outside.

Twilight ran into the forest. She thought of some sort of signal for her mother. Something which could allow her to locate Twilight if she wasn't killed or captured. What could work? In her absent mind, she looked up into the starry sky. "Night today is really beautiful and the stars shone so brightly... That's It!" She gathered her magic to cast a simple illusion in the sky. For any pony, it could be meaningless, but not for Luna. Now she just had to wait.

A half-hour later she still was waiting. This isn't good! What could've happened? Was she killed, or worse captured and tortured?! If then where would she hold her? I don't know today's garrison! I would have to find a steady good-paying job and hire mercenaries, but even then they wouldn't stand a chance against an alicorn. Maybe I should act like a good maid in her castle and find out where she's holding her. It's risky, but I could find something useful. Still...

"Twilight..." Came the voice from her left.

"Mom!" She sprung and flew blindly into bushes. She hit something dark and fluffy. "You're alright!"

"Of course, I am, why wouldn't I be?" She was smiling, she was reunited with her daughter.

"I saw a beaten Celestia and I thought that you lost."

"Hey! I'm not so old to lose to her!" This caused the younger mare to giggle. "Anyway, How was your time? Is everything ok? You're not hurt? You said you saw Celestia, which means she was near you. And where have your wings?" Luna said worriedly. Like any mother, she cared about Twilight.

"One, it was good. I made some friends and found a place to stay and work. Two, no I'm not hurt. Third, I sealed my alicorn magic to not alarm anyone. I can unlock it any moment."

"Good." Luna hugged her. "I missed you so much for these few weeks."

"I missed you too, mommy!"

Unknown to the family one blue pegasus was near them. She followed Twilight interested in why she left.

"What are you doing here, Twilight?" This was strange even for her. Maybe she's a spy? Working for some evil force to dethrone Celestia? She was itching for a fight. She was getting ready to confront Twilight when she heard a voice.

"Mom!" She forgot she was a traveler! It seemed she was waiting for her mother. What was I thinking Twilight's not some sort of evil alicorn of Nightmare Moon. With this, she decided to give Twilight some space and returned to Ponyville. How would have history shifted if she decided to listen longer, no pony knows.

Author's Note

Trying old eques, long way ahead.
Sorry for not publishing much, but I wanted this chapter to be good.

9 Hiding

Everfree Forest
Summer Sun Celebration

The rays of light shot through the leaves of the forest. Anypony could be fooled if he didn't know it was Everfree Forest, one of the most dangerous places in Equestria. So it was strange seeing two ponies coming through the forest if somepony would be brave enough to enter there first. The first pony was a big black alicorn with a flowing, shining, dark blue mane. On her head rested a helmed and she wore four horseshoes. On her chest was beautiful and scary armor with the imprinted symbol of the moon. Her pupils were like snakes and she had bat-like wings. She was known in Equestria as Nightmare Moon, a foals eater, one of the legends from tales. She was powerful and feared by many. But for the second pony, she was something else. For Twilight Sparkle, young princess, the bearer of Element of Magic, she was the most important pony. Nightmare Moon was her mother. She knew her by her true name- Princess Luna.

"So what happened while we were on the Moon?" Asked the bigger alicorn, interrupting the silence in the forest. She wasn't a very patient pony, especially when it comes to seeing her daughter, the last true member of her family.

"A lot! I'm still wrapping my head about today's knowledge! They have a whole new area of magic! The number of spells for healing is more than double before... you know. And book! Why you didn't tell me they are so good!? They have books for anything, agriculture, magic, history, fashion, bio..." Twilight was interrupted by a hoof hitting her head. "Hey! What was that?!"

"We asked if thou are alright! Thou know how we were worried?" Luna hugged her daughter tightly. "We were worried that Celestia caught thou! We couldn't bear the thoughts of losing thou too! Like thou father..." For anypony else, the face of Nightmare could be scary, but at that moment, Twilight could see only worry for her. She sighed.

"I know mother. I missed you too, but we will have time for a proper family reunion when we will be in my new home."

"Wery well, but thou must tell us more later." They could hear the sound of ponies talking and having fun. The Summer Sun Celebration was in full swing, so many more were still celebrating. It seemed nopony notice the lack of the face on the Moon. They were happy, unaware of the monster from the tale for foals."What they are doing?" Twilight knew what her mother asked about, but she didn't want to answer now.

"I will explain later, now we can't have you walking in open in your Aerilic form. They will recognize you instantly, so you need to let it go." Twilight looked at Luna. She was right. Even from only an old, dusty tale everypony could recognize Nightmare Moon. The only solution was to return to her normal form. Not many ponies, specifically only Twilight, knew that alicorns could have two forms. One "normal" form where they were slightly more powerful compared to their Aerilic form. Usually, they were slightly bigger and have wings than before ascension. But it changes in their second form. In second their power source is connected to their represented responsibilities. For example, Luna pulls power from the Moon itself. Luna discovered it while she was fighting in her many battles. However, she had never told her sister about this. Not that she didn't try, she was just ignored. But she didn't hide it from the public, she used it many times in the past. When Twilight was born she thought her it, but her daughter still had problems with transformation.

"Are thou sure?" With the nod from her daughter, she reverted to her old form. The armor she wore disappeared and her dark coat turned to dark blue. Now she was only slightly larger than a normal unicorn. "Good, but you still need to hide your wings. If I'm right nowadays there are only two alicorns and any news will raise questions." Twilight said. Seeing questioning look she exhaled. "Later" Luna didn't like it. So much changed since she interacted with anypony other than her daughter. It will be hard to fit again.

Princess lit her horn and her wings vanished. She lost few more centimeters and her coat became a little paler.

"Well, it must be enough. True be told it strange seeing you like this." She pondered for while and then shook her head. "Not important. Now come with me I will show you my new home." They came out from the forest. The celebration was still going. The air was filled with laughter and the sound of chatting. Something that Twilight was already similar to. Maybe, just maybe everything will be alright after all.

"Once more! You can go it!" Shouted Luna at Twilight to encourage her. They were deep in the Everfree Forest. Deeper than ever before. A few days earlier the family founded this spot far from any unwanted eyes. It was big enough to do practically any exercise necessary to keep in form alicorn. And it was a nice break from a normal day.

After Celebration Twilight introduced her mother as Nighteye to her friends. They didn't have any issue with the new pony living in the library. Mayor Mare was surprised a little but ultimately agreed. She even offered to help Luna in search of a new job. The only problem was Pinkie Pie.

"Oh my gosh! You are Twilight mother! Nice to meet you! What do you like? I like a cherry cupcake. They are so delicious! Especially with newly made cream with sprinkles. Where had you been? Twilight didn't want to talk about her family, maybe you can tell us something. What do you like doing? I'm sure it is baking. Everypony loves backing. Oh, what types of games would you like at your party? Maybe pin the tail? Never mind I will think of something. Now have this moon pie." With this she disappeared like she appeared, leaving stunned Luna behind. Who was this mare and how she knew that I like moon pie? She shook her head.Better one. How she made it? Only my chef knew of this recipe because only I was eating it a long time ago. She noted to keep an eye for the energetic mare. Even consulting with her daughter didn't help her.

After this Luna and Twilight settled down to discuss what to do next. Princess Celestia knew that Luna was somewhere free and knowing her she would do everything to catch her. In her research Twilight didn't find any clue about what happened to the Therstal. They seemed to vanish completely and utterly without any trance.

This wasn't good.

Sunchaser was still around. Even after most of the pony folks express hatred towards him, Celestia still decided to leave him be. Why Celestia was keeping him in Ponyville was beyond Twilight, but she must have a good reason. Something was not right, but she didn't know what. Next pony to the list of tracking.

But the biggest surprise was when Luna saw Star.

"This is Star. Say hi to my mother." Twilight gestured towards the bird. The response was usually "Who" Purple pony smiled. She becomes accustomed to the little fellow. What she found amazingly cute was her place of sleeping. It didn't matter where she would sleep Star was always near her.

Luna carefully studied her. She circled carefully examining every feather on her body. For Twilight it was unusual. Why her mother was so interested in her pet and companion.

"Twilight could you tell me where you found her?" Finally, Luna asked.

"In Everfree forest. She was alone and hurt. I heard her and since then took care of her." Twilight didn't like where it was going.

"I was afraid of it." Princess of the night frown. "And any of your friends didn't know anything?" At a nod, she explained. " Before my banishment, there were few species of very rare and powerful animals. Ursars, Watchers, Night Owls, and many more, but one kind stood out from them all. When all of them were somehow connected to the night and powerful, the last had the most useful ability. They were called Amugs. They have the ability to adapt." Seeing the confused face of Twilight Luna explained in greater detail."While others could change fast enough they could change even their magic. They could create a special bond with other species. Both partners shared magic and how long even one was alive other could be killed." At this statement, Twilight's jaw fell. She could believe it.

"Yes, that's true. Yes, I saw once how it was possible. The last with the bond died peacefully in his sleep with his partner. Because of this, they were heavily hunted. Her feathers were excellent for ingredient in any potions. You must know that you can't force this bond or you will face grave consequences. "

"Wow, they seemed extremely overpowered, but why they are not well known. I asked Fluttershy about her, but she didn't know anything." The need for knowledge was showing in her eyes. This world was so much more interesting than Moon.

"For a very simple reason. They are antisocial. They tend to stick with others of their kind. What I told you is practically everything known about them." She paused. "Just as us." At this news, Twilight smiled.

"Well, it seems an excellent opportunity for science! Maybe we could find others" Twilight patted her pet.

"I'm afraid that is not possible."

"What do you mean?" Her voice trembled.

"While they are antisocial towards others species, they are extremely protective towards their kind, especially young." Luna's face expressed only sadness. "Only hundred was known to live before my banishment. It seems that now it is only one."

From that moment Twilight solemnly swore to protect little Star. To give her everything she would need. Ultimately she was just like them, alone and in a dangerous world. They both train, read and sleep. Twilight was on nine clouds to study Star and expand her knowledge.

"Excellent Twilight you got this!" Now the family was training. Who knows when that should need this? Twilight had attached to her legs and wings big pieces of stone while fighting with her mother. This was exhausted, but very productive.
For magic, She had to train alone. She already exceeded her mother in a few kinds of magic, so she could train her anymore.

"I think it will be enough for today, the sun is rising and you need to open the library." Luna was more powerful at night so she didn't need much sleep, night vision was included. For Twilight the bond with Star gave her permanent night vision in darkness and better vision in a day. Quiet confident.

While Twilight was heading towards the library, Luna was lowering her Moon. Since she was free she would allow her sister to command her Moon. The only regret was that no pony could praise her for her work, but it was irrelevant. the most important was her daughter.

Only if she knew.

"Come on! The monsters await!" Shouted the orange, pegasus filly to her two companions.

"Scootaloo I don't think it is a good idea." came the voice from a white unicorn."It's getting dark and in Everfree Forest lives many dangerous monsters, like that zebra!"

"Oh, don't be a chicken, Sweetie Belle! We must catch at least one if we want our cutie marks. It would be easy." Scootaloo exclaimed."And what better time we could choose than night?"

"I don't know, maybe day?" Said yellow, earth pony."Mah family is very careful when it comes to this cursed forest."

"So how we could get our cutie marks in the monster hunt in your opinion, Applebloom?" Asked Scootaloo.

"None? I don't want a cutie mark like this." Said Applebloom

"A agree with Applebloom. It isn't safe. We could be eaten or petrified, or worse we could become silent!" The Sweetie Belle shivered.

"How to become silent is worse than be dead?" Deadpan Applebloom.

"Oh, you see, when you are dead you..." Started a white unicorn.

"I found something!" Shouted pegasus."I hope it isn't timberwolf." An orange filly said.

"So what it is?" Asked Sweetie Belle.

"I don't know, but something shines here." The three fillies slowly looked beyond bushes. And what they saw caused them to froze.

"It this...."

"Nightmare Moon?!" Shouted the trio in unison. They knew very well the legend of the mare from the Moon. Practically everypony knew it.

"But it is impossible she is just the legend from the old filly book. Mah grandma read this legend to me many times. She shouldn't be here!" Said the terrified filly.

"But she is and she is doing something!" Scootaloo noticed. It was true. The dark alicorn's horn was alight. They looked around to see what she was doing, but nothing was different.

"Maybe she is just practicing?" Scootaloo exclaimed. She didn't want to admit that while she wasn't scared of monsters from Everfree, Nightmare was a different matter.

"It is possible. What do you think Sweetie Belle?" Whispered AppleBloom. But she didn't receive an answer."Sweetie?" They looked at her friend. She was looking at something in the sky. They followed her eyes. At this moment they noticed that Moon setting, while near-transparent magic was coating it. The same magic as Nightmare Moon.

"She is lowering Moon" Said Applebloom in disbelief.

They watched this magical spectacle. Even if it was the work of a creature from nightmares it was beautiful. They could look away. Finally, Moon vanished. They wake up from their trance.

"We... should leave... now" Scootaloo whispered and slowly not to make a sound turned around and left with her friend. They needed to tell their sisters and Rainbow Dash.

"Nightmare Moon? This is an only old tale. You must assume things" Applejack said.

"But sister, we are telling the truth! In the Everfree Forest was Mare from the Moon! And she was commanding Moon. You must believe me!" Applebloom begged her sister.

"Applebloom, I didn't say that I don't believe you, I just think you saw something else and you blew it up" Filly wanted to add something but farmer pony wasn't done. "I'm sure it was nothing, sugarcube. Now work won't do itself." She trotted to the barn. Applebloom stood there, not knowing what to do. After a few moments, she went to her friends.

"So nopony believes us?" Applebloom asked.

"My sister wasn't even paying attention. She was in the zone. You have bigger chances talking with the wall." Said Sweetie Belle.

"I exclaimed what happened in the forest to Rainbow Dash, but she thinks that I made it up! I even tried Royal Guards and nothings. Only 'Yeah great!'" Pounted Scootaloo.

"So what we will do?" The trio sat in deep thinking. Nopony wanted to believe them. They were alone.

"Well, if nopony wants to help us, we must take it in our hoofs!"Said Scootaloo with determination.

"So... You want to fight with Nightmare Moon"

"Well... maybe not fight... for now, but we must show them that she is real. But how to do it?"

"Maybe we could find something in the library?"Proposed Sweetie."Good idea" Before Scootaloo could acknowledge her objection two friends were already on their way to the Gold Oak Library. So without a choice, she galloped after them. If anypony else it was it would cause quite a rumor but Cutie Marks Crusaders were always running somewhere. It was the usual view.

Finally, they arrived at their destination.

"Oh! Hello! What can I do for you?" They were greeted by Twilight. But it all fell on deaf ears.

"No time! We are searching for information about Nightmare Moon." They were so absorbed by their little task that they didn't notice shock on Twilight's face. "We must stop her before she caused Eternal night!" At this Twilight yoinked the books from them using her magic.

"Wait, wait. Why you think she wants to cause Eternal nigh. And more important why you think that she is real?" Twilight asked.

"We saw her in Everfree Forest last night when we were hunting monsters. She was commanding the Moon! We tried to tell our sisters but they don't want to believe us. So we took this matter in our hooves. Do you have a book describing how to defeat an evil alicorn?" The young eyes were locked on the librarian. They were using their secret technic. Puppy eyes.
It was super effective on normal ponies.

"Sorry, but no. Alicorns are extremely powerful beings. You don't stand a chance against one. But I don't think you saw one." The fillies were puzzled. "Everfree forest is a magical environment with unknown numbers of creatures living there. You could have seen an illusion created by one of the creatures. Even if it is true, which isn't, I can't give you any information on how to defeat alicorn."

"Why not?" Scootaloo asked.

"Simple if you had this knowledge you could kill anypony else. And it wouldn't please your sisters and your idol too Scootaloo" Exclaimed Twilight.

"But..."

"No but! Just forget about it. I'm sure it was nothing important." Twilight lightly kicked them from the library."If you want to know anything else you are welcome." When she watched the fillies trotting to their homes she closed her doors.

This isn't good.

Author's Note

Sorry for not writing so long. I had exams and simply not enough time to think about it. Now when it is almost over I can focus on it.

10 Searching

Canterlot.

Canterlot, the capital of Equestria stood proudly on the side of the mountain. Beautiful, white buildings sprout from the ground everywhere. Ponies living there lead a peaceful and good life. Why they wouldn't? Princess Celestia lived there. They didn't need to worry. She would protect them from any harm. Of course, there were some issues like nobility. Proud arrogant ponies that see only their noses, not caring about others. Fortunately, they were kept in check by Princess.

So everypony was happy.

Well, nearly everypony.

Inside one of many rooms in Canterlot Castle sat pony. She was completely absorbed in books. The topics of books varied from purification magic to sealing magic. Yet she didn't find a solution to her problem.

"Aunty Celestia, can I come?" Came the voice from behind a closed door. It was a warm and nice voice, belonged to a good-hearted, young alicorn with a pink coat.

"Of course Cadence, you may enter." Replied Celestia. The door opened and alicorn entered.

"Aunty, what is happening?" Her voice was filled with worry. She was watching older alicorn with concern. She was usually stoic and calm. But lately, something has changed. There was more nervousness in her move and talk.

"A lot dear niece and not always good." She looked at Cadence. "You remember when I told you about a monster Nightmare Moon? "

"Yes, but how it is related?" The princess of Love narrowed her eyebrows."It is an only old legend."

"It is not a legend, my dear niece." Younger alicorn froze.

"Over one thousand years ago I banished her to the Moon. For thousand years she was unable to return, but a few weeks ago she returned."

"She returned!? But how you can be so sure about it?" Asked Cadence.

"I already fought with her and lost."Answered Celestia.

"But shouldn't we had already had Eternal Night like in legends?" Came the shaking voice.

"That's why I am surprised." After a while, she continued."I planned to use Sunchaser to gather the only power able to heal her, Elements of Harmony. To make it easier for him I had to fight her and I did. She beat me, but when I thought she would banish me to the Sun, she ran away.

From that moment I didn't hear anything. I had spies in every corner in Equestria, but she didn't show up in any place where she could gain followers. Not even a single long night after she beat me! It's strange. I'm worried that something could happen to her."

"What? Why? I thought she is evil." Cadence sat next to Celestia and spread her wing over elder Alicorn. "Should we be more worried about how to contain her than if she is okay?"

"She wasn't always evil." She signed."Before she was known as Princess Luna, the Bringer of the Night. We were sisters, founders of the Equestria. We ruled together for many years in happiness. Or I thought. I was blind to her suffering. Our subjects started hating her and loving me. I refused to believe it for so long. For so long that she was finally corrupted and she killed my elite guards. Only one was enough alive to deliver news and then died." By the time Celestia started crying. "I wanted to help her, but I was powerless. She was winning and to rescue our subject I banished her by using Elements of Harmony." Cadence stared dumbfounded. One evening she was informed that she had another aunt and that aunt is going to destroy the world. It was a bit too much for her."I hoped that Elements could bring her back from her corruption. Now I don't know what to do."Celestia was openly crying. Seeing this Cadence tried to calm her.

"Aunty, everything will be alright. Breath in, breath out. We WILL rescue her, but we need a plan."Cadence allowed Celestia to cry a little longer. She kept it inside very long."Don't give up. I'm sure she is waiting for you."

"Thank you, niece."

"So what's the plan?" Asked Cadence.

"First we need to locate her. She was always better in spells and war, so you must be careful. Try listenings to rumors, maybe we will be lucky. " Celestia wrote a plan on the piece of paper.

"Shouldn't we use Royal Guards?" Younger Alicorn thought aloud."I'm sure they would be much more successful"

"That's not a good idea. While I'm sure they are adequate they tend to gossip too much, which could raise a panic."Exclaimed Celestia.

"Very well and what you will do?"Asked Cadence.

"Suncheser failed to gather Elements. What more, now they will never trust him, so I need to find another Bearer of Magic. Luckily I maybe have somepony. In Ponyville I met a purple unicorn with a starburst cutie mark. The same as an Element of Magic. What more she seems to be already friends with other Bearers. It can't be a coincidence."

"Are you sure? We don't know her. "

"Cadence, now we don't have much choice. We must try everything that we can. I will test her. From that point, I will decide."

"So somepony saw me?" Asked Luna in her disguise. She sat inside her daughter's home, the Golden Oak Libary in Ponyville. The morning was busy, because of three fillies that decide to fight with 'evil' alicorn.

"Yes, three fillies came here in the morning. I believe their names were Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom. Two of them are sisters to Rarity and Applejack, the last is orphan. Fortunately for us, no pony seems to believe them. However, they already told guards about it. Now it is only a matter of time before Celestia will come investigating." Luna sighed. She knew it was unavoidable. She only hoped to had more time before it would happen.

"Eh. At least they saw me in Everfree Forest not here. We need to find a better place to create a hideout. I need to visit the old castle too. There should be still some things from my ruling. If we are lucky maybe some magic and history books. Celestia could move capital in one day."

"About it." Luna looked at her daughter. "I found a cave deeper in the forest. It is practically invisible from the sky. with a little magic, it could be a good place. Still, we need to know how magic developed in thousand years. Knowing what your opponent has is a step closer to victory."

"We will worry about it later. For now, I'm just happy that I can enjoy this time with you."Luna smiled. After losing her husband she didn't think that she could smile again. Until her daughter came.

"I'm happy too, mom. But we still need to prepare." Luna faltered. She knew it too well.

"You made a checklist." Twilight smiled.

"Yep!" Luna groaned.

A few hours passed since the planning and library was back in a normal state. Twilight alone in the library reading a book.

"Hi, Twilight! What are you reading!?" Twilight bolted from the spot. She spun around to meet a smiling pink face.

"Pinkie! I told you that I don't like it when you show up from nowhere without informing me beforehoofe! You remember what happened last time, right?" For Twilight Pinkie was more enigma than the future itself. She tried everything and still she could find nothing. It could be helpful while dealing with Celestia.

"Yep!" Twilight had deja vu. "What are you going as for Nightmare Night?" She asked while jumping like a kangaroo.

"Nightmare Night?" Twilight repeated.

"You know. It is the best night of the year. You dress up as one of your favorite ponies. Or a dragon, or yaks, or even evil alicorn of the night who wants to bring Eternal Nigh because she felt betrayed by her subjects. So in the first attempt, she was beaten by her sister, but she isn't finished. She returned many years later. Only a group of friends can stop her. Oh! maybe one of them would like cupcakes. You know with frostbites. They are my favorite. I like others too, but my dentist says that It is not healthy. Pffff, just look at me. I'm healthy and good. Maybe alicorns like them too? It would be so funny if I knew one. I would give her my super special with double frosting XXL cupcake with a surprise. She would be so happy. Hmmm, maybe I could dress up as a cupcake. Everyone could taste me! It would be edible. But to make one I would need so many ingredients and Mrs. Cake and Mr. Cake weren't very happy last time. So would choose my other costume. So what is your costume?"

Twilight officially gave up. She was done. Pinkie was impossible. She learned that while dealing with this unnatural being with unexplainable abilities you are doomed.

"Pinkie slows down I haven't understood anything since word know. And no, First know. So please repeat it." Twilight pleased.

"Nightmare Night is a time of the year when you can dress up like somepony else and gather sweets. Everypony can do it and it super funny. Ponyville usually decides to make a special decoration like a bat's scary maze or something different." Pinkie exclaimed in one breath. How?

"Okay, Pinkie. So when it is?" Interesting. I didn't find anything about it. Maybe I should read Celebration and Feast?

"In the next three days!" Twilight's smile vanished. Nightmare Night had the same date as Star Day, her favorite celebration. She wouldn't miss it for anything in the world.

"I'm sorry Pinkie, but I must refuse." Pinkie stopped bouncing.

"What? Why? It is the bestest holiday in the world."

"Maybe, but I have something and I can't participate in this." Twilight explained.

"But, but.." the many of Pinkie Pie straightened. "I know but It is personal so please don't take it personally." The doors to the library opened and a green unicorn entered.

"Now if it everything, I must take care of new quest/client. See you soon." While Twilight was helping the new pony one thought was in her mind.

Celestia took even her only holiday.

Author's Note

Hey guys, should I rewrite the first chapter? I could write more about life on the Moon. What do you think?

About Celebration you will learn later.

What is your opinion about my story?

11 Star Day

"Everything ready Twilight?" Luna asked. Today was Nightmare Night. Both ponies didn't like this particular holiday. Who would like a holiday celebrating their banishment?

"Yep, everything is ready, mom!" Shouted Twilight." We had food, including your favorite pie from Sugarcube Corner, plenty of drinks and sweets for anypony who want." She crossed another item from the list. Everything was going smoothly.

Star Day. A holiday taking place simultaneously as Nightmare Night, but while Nightmare was focusing on sweets and scaring, Star Day was about family and hope. It was the only celebration that wasn't completely for Celestia.

"Twilight!" Came the shout from below. The library was still open, in a few hours Twilight could close it. Some ponies were still searching for some scary stories for Nightmare Night.

"I'm coming!" Answered Twilight. She put her list on the nearby table and went to greet newcomers. She saw Applejack wearing a strange outfit resembling a lion and Rainbow Dash in disguise of her favorite Wonderbolt - Spitfire.

"Twilight, Nightmare Night is starting! Come fast or you will miss all the treats" Rainbow Dash was really excited. She couldn't stand in one place or more specifically hover in one place.

"Twilight, why ya not ready?" They eyed Twilight curiously. Normally anypony would be already ready for Nightmare Night. Who would miss so many sweets?

"Sorry, but I have other plans for tonight. So if you want to go you can. I won't participate in Nightmare Night."

"You must be joking!" Rainbow Dash flew in Twilight's face."It is the best holiday! What would be more important than a full belly of chocolates and lollipops."

"Family." Twilight deadpanned. Rainbow Dash flinched.

"You got the point."

"If ya sure sugarcube then ah can't argue with ya. See ya" After that, they left.

Nightmare Night a holiday where my mother is pictured as a child-eating monster, why wouldn't I celebrate? Twilight signed. "They probably are more concerned about sweets than Nightmare Moon, but still..." She closed the door to the library and turn off the lights downstairs and went up.

"Who were they?" Asked Luna.

"Applejack and Rainbow Dash. They wanted me to join them, but I refused." She looked around and failed to spot her mother."Where are you?"

"On the balcony" Came the voice from the balcony.

"You started without me? " Twilight trotted to the balcony and sitting Luna. She was surrounded by blankets and various food. Few candles were lifted, giving a cozy atmosphere.

"I just prepared everything to be perfect, no need to be jealous." Then she lighted her horn. At the top of her horn grew a bubble. It became bigger and bigger until it surrounded Luna, Twilight, and a balcony. The sounds from below vanished, they only could hear a faint whisper of wind. "Now we can start."

Twilight came closer to her mother and sat beside her. Older alicorn used her magic to move one of the blankets and cover Twilight.

"Thanks" Luna smiled.

The stars of the night
are beautiful tonight
they are mirrors of hope
so don't fall from the slope
have faith in tomorrow
and if needed
face twice in the row
the greed of the world

Both mother and daughter sang this little song. It wasn't one of the best, maybe not even good, but it didn't matter to them. Twilight grew to celebrate and listening to this song. It was more than just a song. It was part of who she was and is. A being hoping for a better future. Not allowing the world to break her and facing any obstacle.

For Luna, it was the only song known to her about her night describing it as good, not bad. Before banishment, her night was feared and hated. There were countless songs about a beautiful and safe day, as a fearful and dangerous night. This holiday was known only for the small group that was close to Luna- her servants and guards.

Both alicorns could spend hours sitting and watching stars, as they spent on the Moon. Not being interrupted by anypony.

Or being...

"Hiya!" Somepony shouted behind them.

"Gha!" Both mares sprang to their hooves reading their horn to fire. Fortunately, it was Twilight who first recognized pinky pony.

"Pinkie Pie! What are you doing here?!" Twilight shouted in a demanding voice.

"My Pinkie sense is tickling and tickling meant that somepony I knew has a party. And I was collecting sweeties so I wasn't at this party. So there was a party without me and that was impossible. So I told to myself 'Somepony is celebrating without me it is unacceptable!' So I decided to start searching. Only you weren't with us so I decided to check everypony. Hey, you knew that Bon Bon is a secret agent? But this is a secret. Oh and I gather so many drops. When I was walking nearby the library I decided to check on you too. So what are you doing?" Said Pinkie.

Twilight and Luna were still trying to proceed with what just happened so it took some time.

"Hallo Equestria to Twilight" A pink hoof flew before frozen ponies unfreezing them.

"Sorry Pinkie, but we still aren't accustomed to your umm... special way to speak."

"Not many are!" Cheerfully replied Pinkie. "That's why it is so good."

"Okay... Anyway, we don't have a party, we are just celebrating one holiday." Twilight explained.

"A holiday at the same time as Nightmare Night? I didn't know it! What it is named? Do you have enough cakes? Oh, maybe you just pranking others with..." A blue glow caught her lips and forcefully shut her up.

"Sorry for it but thou talk too fast for us. As for the holiday. It is old and not well known. " Luna exhaled. The reality came back to her and her smile disappeared." In fact, I think we are the last who remember it." A pinky pony could hear the sadness in her friend's mother's voice. She knew sadness.

"Why is that?" She asked.

"As I said, it is an old holiday over thousand years old and ponies prefer sweet and treats to this. And some other things"Like this celebration was created by what they thought was monster.

"Can I join?" Came the unexpected question, which caused both ponies to stare at her.

"Why?" Asked surprised Luna. "It is only an old celebration which we only remember. I'm sure you would prefer to eat a whole bunch of drops and chocolates from other ponies."

At this Pinkie Pie looked at her eyes. She saw sadness and loneliness from a mare that lost a lot. These eyes were old but hardened by life. "Silly, it doesn't matter how many chocolates I could eat but about fun. And you are not having fun, so I want to help you. And the only way to do this is to join you." She said with a smile.

Luna was dumbstruck with Twilight. Before her banishment, there was nopony who would willingly join her excluding the ones who already were. This celebration, her holiday was hated by many and avoided by even more. And this pony wanted to join her because she saw her sadness. Her smile was infectious.

"Of course you can, I will be delighted."

"Okie Doki!" Together they sat on the balcony. Twilight on the right of Luna and Pinkie on the left."Since I don't know about this, could you please tell me more, please, please?" Luna giggled, you couldn't be angry at her.

"Of course, what do you want to know?"

"Everything! When it started, where. Why is it so special for you two? What is a special cake for this? Oh, maybe I could bake it the next time!"

"You can, but from the beginning. This holiday was celebrated mainly by the army. Ponies while going to battles and war didn't have this chance to go and collects sweeties." Started Luna.

"Awww that so sad, but Equestria wasn't in a war for thousand years." Interrupted Pinkie.

"Mother already told you that it was old. Don't interrupt the story then you will know." With the nod, Luna continued.

They called it Star Day, because of the stars on this night. While Nightmare Night focused on sweets and fun this holiday was about hope." Seeing that Pinkie wanted to add something she explained."I'm sure you wanted to say that it is just like Hearthswarming, but no. While ponies gather together and spent time together with families on Star Day they spent time with anypony or any creatures they could find. Then they were preparing something to eat and wait for stars to come out. Together they sat and watched stars while hoping."

"Hoping about what?"

"About anything you want. For one it could be a happy life for others to find love. There wasn't any limitation. And if you hoped very hard and your heart was pure you would see a falling star signaling that your hopes were very close."

"Awww that so sweet." The three ponies looked at the night sky full of stars."You know what, we don't have many holidays about the night."

"Yes, I know" Luna and Twilight agreed with the note of sadness. Together they spent a beautiful time. Laugh isn't great when you smile alone. Only with others does it become something more. After Star Day when everything was done and Twilight was reading for sleep she just remembered something.

"Bon Bon it a secret agent?!"

Author's Note

1.Still not good enough to write Applejack.

I'm not so good with rhythms, but I'm trying my best.

Have I wrote the disguised name for Luna?

Sorry for the long break I was on vacation.

12 The show must go on

"Where we are going, mother?"

It was Saturday an hour after the sunset. Twilight and Luna were traveling the whole day. Where? Twilight didn't know, but her mother said that it was important. That's why they prepared a day before and make sure to notice Twilight's friends. She told them that they have something important to do in their old home. She didn't want to lie to her friends. It didn't feel right. All of them showed her kindness and generosity, yet they could tell them the truth. It would be too dangerous, but not for them they could escape. No. It was dangerous for them. Twilight didn't know when she started to think like that, but she could feel that something wasn't right. That lying wasn't good.

They were currently flying over a big city. If Twilight remembered correctly it was Manehattan. "We are going to one of my old places before my... banishment." The memory of loss was still fresh in Luna's mind even after thousand years. "I hope to find something which could help us."

"Could you be more specific?"

"No" Answered Luna.

Coated in camouflage spells they passed the city and soon saw a mountain. Twilight thought that they would fly over but Luna lowered her flight. She followed her.

"Somewhere here should be an entrance to one of the old outposts." Luna started carefully searching through the forest beneath the mountain. After a few minutes, she stopped near a rock.

"A rock? "

"Not a rock Twilight. Look closer." Luna encouraged. Twilight trotted closer and peered at a rock.

"It's not a rock, It's... steel!?" Gasped Twilight.

"Very good. This steel was formed in the shape and size of a big rock. I personally put many spells to deceive anypony who could think otherwise. Only powerful beings and with good magic sight can see that it is something more than rock."

"But why rock? It would be much easier to build a hut" Said Twilight.

"That's true but the rock is a much less obvious choice isn't it?" She lit her horn. "And before you ask how I know which rocks are which. Let's just say I know my outposts very well." The rock moved, showing a wide staircase disappearing in the darkness. "Come."

They lit their horns and went inside. This place was built with defense in mind. Each room has two doors, one to enter and one to leave in the case of attack. The doorframes were narrow with big and thick doors. Easily to lock and defend. Or they were. Now they were ruined shadows of their past. Twilight still could sense some magic in them but it was weak after all this time. Two mares walked past a kitchen, few bedrooms, magazines which you still could see wood and clothes piling inside.

"Here we are." They entered a room with iron and steel items.

"Armory" Twilight said.

"Excellent Twilight!"

"But it was a thousand years! Everything must be useless." Exclaimed Twilight.

"Well, when you are mostly correct we are not here for anything iron-like or even weapon, but I guess it could be counted as a weapon for you." With a smile, the princess of the night removed some brick from the back of the room exposing what was inside.

"BOOKS!" Before Luna could add another word, Twilight appeared inside.

"I thought some presents are due to being banished to the Moon, so I decided to make a small surprise for you." Twilight didn't acknowledge it. "Plus it could help us stay safe, even I can't know everything, and thousand years is a long time to forget some things."She looked at her daughter hiding in books. "So what do you think?"

She didn't receive any response.

"Twilight?" She nervously asked.

"Books!"

"Good Faust, I think I made a mistake." She used her magic to make Twilight listen. "Choose a few we must return somehow still. You have 5 hours." the moment she releases her daughter she immediately jumped at her books.

On the first hoof, we will probably have too many books to carry. I saw how she loved books she looked at how happy Twilight was. Currently trying to decide which book was more important and reading two others, smiling all the way.On the other hoof I can't say no to her. When she is happy I'm too.

It took much more time than five hours to take everything that Twilight want. Even then it was much. Twilight felt happy. She just received a late birthday gift which she was very thankful for. She had a mother and she was free, but how long?

Her aunt wanted her mother dead. They had nopony who could help them. When they were walking through the streets they have been surrounded by potential enemies. They couldn't sleep without worry. They didn't know when they would need to run. Every day was at the same time a miracle and torture. A miracle that they are alive and healthy and torture that they can lose it within minutes.

"What thou thinking, dear daughter?" The simple question pulled out Twilight from her thinking.

"You are returning to old dialect, dear mother" Twilight shot an answer to her mother. Still, Luna wasn't so easily sidetracked. At her questioning glance, she continued."I'm thinking about the situation."

"What about it?"

"We are alone. We can't trust anypony and if somepony discovered our secret we would be killed." She signed. "It's.... hard."

"I know, Twilight. I know." The rest of the journey was spent in silence.

The books were hidden in their hideout before they returned to Ponyville. It was a nice break from playing the role in Twilight's opinion.

Now, the only thing left is to return to normality, even if it isn't normal. Twilight thought to herself.And this sentence is completely incorrect.

"Gangway! Comin' through!" The sudden sound interrupted her overthinking.

"Augh! Snips, Snails! What's goin' on?" Twilight asked.

" Wha, haven't you heard?" Shouted Snails. " There's a new unicorn in town!"

"Yeah! They say that she's got more magical powers than any other unicorn ever!"Added Snips.More magical powers than any other unicorn? Okay... that is suspicious. Twilight thought.

"Well, we can't miss it then." Said Luna."We have just to leave our things at the home. After it, we would love to see it." Two colts run to the show, while Luna and Twilight went home.

"Okey left your things on your bed and books hide in a safe place for now."

"We are going to see her?" Asked worried Twilight.

"Of course." Replied her mother."I don't think she is really powerful, or we would already know. I think she is a showmare. It is usually well-known practice to boast."

"Oh"

"You don't have to worry, Twilight." Luna hugged her daughter."You still are learning your way through pony society so it may be confusing."

"Said the alicorn banished for thousand years." Smirked Twilight. Luna laughter.

"Point taken." She stood up and start leaving."Come on!"

Before that came to show it was well in full swing. Many ponies came to watch a performance. Such a show was a rare occasion in such a small town.

After a few minutes of pushing through the crowd, they finally saw the scene and Twilight's friends. In a different state than they expected.

"Twilight! You are finally here! You need to show this buffon true magic!" Yelled Rainbow Dash.

"She is a big meanie and she must learn her place!" Shouted Pinkie, while trying to bring her to the stage. She nearly succeeded but Twilight freed herself.

"Wait! I just came here! At least explain what is going on."

"Anypony else wants to challenge a Great and Powerful Trixie!" Came the voice from the podium. 'Great and Powerful' I see somepony has problems with ego.

"We will show you the true magic!" Replied Rainbow Dash.Talk about ego.

"This mare came here proclaiming to be the most powerful unicorn ever." Explained Applejack."We tried to show her that it isn't good to boast about herself, but..."

"she was better?" Finished Twilight. Rainbow Dash wanted to add something but she was interrupted.

"I see there is another unicorn who wants to challenge a Great and Powerful Trixie on her stage." Trixie was eyeing purple alicorn in disguise carefully."If so come here and let the audience decide!"

She has real problems with ego and she just wishes for somepony else to show her place. Twilight thought. But showing my skills and power is just asking for trouble. Especially since she seems to be traveling showmare. News travels fast that way.

"I don't think that would be necessary. I just got here and I didn't know what is happening. I would like to apologize for my friends' behavior."

"I see that you are too scared to face Great and Powerful Trixie, who vanquished the dreaded Ursa major!" Behind the showmare, the fireworks exploded and the spectacle continued.

"Twilight what are you doing?" Demanded Rainbow Dash.

"Watching the show" She replied in a quieter tone. "She is a showmare, it is her job to boast." She glanced at Trixie."Even if she has a problem with ego"

"If she has so big ego then you should show them and humiliate her. ... A bit."

"Says the mare who constantly boasts about being the faster pegasus."

"Hey! It's true."

"But it is beside the point."

"So you will not do anythin'?"Asked Applejack.

"No. How would you react if somepony came to your orchard and tried to show how to 'proper' harvest apples?"

"Point taken" After this show went somewhat normal. Not counting constantly boasting coming from the stage and remarks from blue pegasus.

"So what do you think of your first show Twilight?" the show ended without much issue from any of Twilight's friends. What was a surprise considering Rainbow Dash's ego.

"It was quite good, I guess? Trixie had a few good tricks in her hat, but her boasting... If she only stopped putting herself so high it could be much better." pointed Twilight.

"I know what you mean. I've watched many magic shows-" Twilight eyed her mother"- ok maybe a few, but they usually focused on making the audience shocked with their skills, not openly challenging them." Luna smiled. "Even then I missed such simple activities." Her daughter giggled. For anypony other, it could be meaningless, but for them, being exiled from Equestria for thousand years was something good, or in Twilight case something new.

Still, this couldn't explain why she was so lost in thoughts. Luna, as her mother, immediately noticed it.

"What are you thinking?" Starling her daughter.

"Well, you remember how This showmare mentioned Ursa Major?" She asked with a sheepish smile.

"Let me guess you want to know more." She knew her daughter quite well and it was obvious."Well, let's see what we can find in the books since a lot could be discovered about them in my absence, and then I will tell what I know."

Twilight enjoyed learning from her mother. She had immersive knowledge about spells and battles which now that ever were needed. And about writing it down? Well, she was doing it mostly to help her remember it. And if she couldn't ask her mother she could read it again in the future.

"... that's why they are so rare. Additionally, their favorite food is honey from Mountian bees. I think it was the best source of sugar in the winter. They stand out because of their immersive size and effect of magic. Even the most powerful unicorns would find themselves unable to affect them without using all of their magic. In the beginning, it could be hard to... "

The sudden roar interrupted her speech to the displeasure of Twilight and the small relief of Star. Both ponies immediately rushed to see what creatures could make that noise. And of course, it was Ursa minor.

"Well, at least it isn't Ursa major, but I feel like fate is playing a game with us." Commented Luna. Currently, the creature was on the outskirts of Ponyville, but who could know when it will change. The citizens of Poonyville were in mass panic, running in circles without purpose. For a town located such close to Everfree they are unprepared for anything.

Seeing a blue blur passing through town Twilight yelled."Rainbow Dash!" Probably deafening anypony who was too close to her. Note to myself: do not use Royal Voice. "Do you know what is happening?" Asked when pegasus finally came closer.

"Some colts decided to test The Great and Powerful Trixie by enraging Ursa Major." Exclaimed Rainbow Dash."How they thought that it was a good idea is beyond me." This caused gathered ponies to shake their heads.

"Well good news is that isn't Ursa Major but Minor. Bad news, if we can't do anything fast her mother would come." Seeing her friend's mood change from enraged to somewhere relaxed to worried she added."We need to evacuate ponies, I will take care of Minor."

"I don't know Twilight. I know that..."Pegasus started but was interrupted by Luna.

"We don't have time for this just do it!"

"Of course Nighteye!" Rainbow Dash zoomed to helping other ponies.

"What are you planning?" Luna whispered to her daughter. She was worried, she already lost her husband she didn't want to risk her daughter.

"She is just a baby and she seems cranky. I will try to put her again to sleep." She flashed a reassuring smile to her mother. "Don't worry I can take care of that." Then she galloped to stop this problem.

"I'm sure of that, but it will without question bring unwanted attention." On the first hand, she was proud of her daughter that she was trying to help others. On the other, she could only pray that it wouldn't come back to bite them later.

To do this I would need an immersive amount of magic. She thought while running to face Ursa Minor.But if I use too much I could release my alicorn magic and everypony would know it immediately.

She came to stop just in front of the big bear. It seemed that it didn't cause too much destruction. She could see some broken fences and minor scratches on a few houses. Nothing major, not counting something looking like a car with the roof, but she would later investigate it. A few ponies and Trixie got past her.

Fewer ponies to see me.

She started casting her magic. First, she needed to calm the baby down. Easier said than done. She used the wind to create coming music then to prevent the bear from making more destruction she caught it in her magic. She could feel Ursa's magic fighting with her.Mother didn't lie when she said they have high resistance to magic. And it is just baby. I don't want to meet her parents.

Moreover, she could feel her magic wanting to go. Currently, she was using only her unicorn magic, anything else could be suspicious. It was the battle of what was more powerful her magic or her will.

Remembering that there was an unused water tower she decided it would be a good bottle for the baby and filled it with milk from the nearest barn. I hope Applejack won't be angry about this.

She then gave a bottle to the baby and levitated it back to her cave. The path it left was easily trackable.

After it was done, Twilight relaxed. Ponyville was safe.At least for now. Who knows what the future will bring.

After the danger was averted ponies began to repair the damage. As Twilight saw it wasn't too much. Fences were was replaced and a few scratched on houses painted anew.

However, one pony wasn't so lucky. In all this mess Trixie's home was destroyed. She had lived and traveled with her wagon, but unfortunately, it was the first thing Ursa destroyed.

Twilight felt bad for her. Her home, her belongings, and money were gone. Sure she boast a lot but, It wasn't her fault for this. She came closer.

"Do you need help?" Asked Twilight. Trixie was sitting in front of her destroyed wagon back to the purple pony. When she turned to face her, it was evident that she cried.

"No! The great and Powerful Trixie doesn't need your help" It seems that even now she was sticking to her title. Twilight hasn't had much experience in interacting with other ponies, but she knew when the pony was alone. Her time with her mother on the Moon daughter her it. She started repairing her wagon without saying a word.

"Why?" Came the unexpected question. Twilight stopped her work and faced Trixie."Why are you helping Trixie." In truth, Twilight didn't know why. It will bring the attention of others to her, but she could feel it is right.

"Because you need help, there is something more to add?" After this silence fell upon them and soon Trixie started helping her. Soon her wagon was mostly repaired and her belongings recovered. Nearly all her money was found.

Unseen by the two of them another pony was watching them. With a bright pink coat and two wings sticking to her side was a pegasus mare. She was hiding in a nearby bush fascinated by the conversation Twilight had with showmare.

"Aunty will want to hear about it."

Author's Note

Well, I'm back.
Sorry for the delay. I have a lot of work and no time.
And before anyone would ask. No, I don't ship Twilight and Trixie. I just did it for later chapters.

13 The mastermind

Author's Note

Sorry for the biggggg break but I had exams and I lost track of time.

Anyway, does someone know a good editor or is willing to help me with grammar?
I'm become a bit rusty with grammar because of my break so sorry inadvance.

13 The mastermind

Twilight didn't know what to do. The hall she was walking in was enormous. Polished marble sounded underneath her hooves. On the right and left were stained glasses picturing some of the important histories of the ponykind. And this everything was engraved in gold. Because of this, the castle had a specific feeling. Somepony would even say heavenly.

But it still belonged to her.

Her legs were shaking slightly. Who knew what she wanted from her. Maybe she knew who she was. This would be very bad. But how? She sealed her magic so nopony would be able to discover her. Furthermore, she was an average pony. Sure, she had beaten Ursa Major, but it could be explained by pure luck, right? Maybe she was skeptical about her so she decided to test her somehow?

Her heart run another marathon, while she tried to think of something that she did, and how to explain it. If everything went wrong she would need a way to escape too. Unfortunately for her, she didn't have the time for that.

"The princess would see you now." Said the royal guard allowing Twilight to enter the throne room.

The doors slowly opened showing what was inside.

Twilight gulped and walked inside. And everything started with a letter.

Twilight read many books with unexpected twists and turns but she never thought that it will happen to her.

Just like in those fantasy books, it was a sunny day. Twilight was spending time with her five friends, or more precisely having a picnic with them. For others, it was something normal, but for her, it was something more. Raised on The Moon only with her mother this simple activity was magical.

Well, until mail mare showed up.

"Letter for Twilight!" She announced while dusting herself from the earth she gathered when she landed. She wasn't alone too.

"Thank you Dizzy." thanked Twilight taking the letter in her magic. The hooves were occupied with dust and Dizzy.

"Oh! Who sent this letter Twilight?" Asked Pinkie, still bouncing. How she could eat anything like this, nopony know. I don't know anypony enough for this. Twilight shrugged and absentmindedly read aloud the letter without noticing the Royal seal.

As she read aloud her mod started dropping.

It was a royal invitation to meet Princess Celestia in her castle.

In short Princess Celestia learned of her little adventure with Ursa Minor and wanted to thank her. The meeting will take place Wednesday at noon at the Royal Palace. For her outstanding loyalty to other ponies and bravery, she will be rewarded. With what she didn't know. she didn't even know if she will be rewarded.

"Ohhh! You were invited to Canterlot to meet with Princess." Exclaimed Rarity."Darling, you don't know how jealous I'm. To talk with Princess in her own Castle!" And you don't know how I'm jealous now of you who isn't going to meet her.

"Ah thought that anypony could talk with Princess." Noticed Applejack.

"Ah yes, but it is not the same as a personal meeting. This shows that you are something more than normal ponies" daydreamed Rarity.

"Ah sorry?"Said puzzled Applejack. But it was too late Rarity was already deep in her fantasy world.

"The chance to talk privately with the most important pony in the whole world. The prestige is immersive. You can see the castle and the lives of the nobles. " She daydreamed. "Maybe even her personal chamber."

"Ok, we lost her." Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. Rarity would comment but true to the word of pegasus she was really absorbed in her world.

"Nevertheless, It is a big privilege, sugarcube" Admitted Applejack."Not every day somepony can tame Ursa Minor."

Twilight sat there surrounded by her friends, which normally would feel good, but at this moment she could swear she was surrendered by Timberwolfs. And it was visible in her face and posture. She was in a deep hole with no way out.

"Um... are you feeling alright Twilight?" Asked Fluttershy.

"Oh? Y-yes I'm alright" She practically shouted these words."It's just a meeting with a Princess. In her own castle. With most guards... and nobles!" She added hurriedly.While you are a daughter of the most hated villain.

"Don't worry Twilight!" Exclaimed Pinkie Pie."It will be okay. I know what will help you. A big hug."

While Twilight's friends were occupied in the hug, with forcefully brought Rarity to reality, She could stop worrying.

When she crossed the door a warm voice greeted her.

"Hello, I was waiting for you." Seating in the middle of the room was a white alicorn drinking from an expensive-looking cup. "You can seat, I have prepared a nice cushion for you." She pointed to a big pillow lying on the ground in front of her.

Twilight looked around. She was in a normal room, at least for the castle. Some mirrors were hanging on the opposite wall, next to dressers and wardrobes. A big bed was on the left of the Celestia and a few chests probably for personal stuff.

She didn't know what sort of spells this chamber was protected, but before she entered a castle she cast a fast spell. For anyone other, it would seem normal, but the castle was practically coated in numerous spells. So it goes without saying that this room had to have powerful magic on it.

"O-of c-course" Twilight barely responded and cautiously sat down.

"You don't have to be so nervous little one, I'm not going to eat you." Celestia said, trying to light up a little atmosphere.No, but you can kill me and my mother. Seeing as it didn't work princess continued.

"I called you because I heard you defeated an Ursa Major."

"Wel-l, It's not true" Twilight responded. At a questioning glance, she explained the circumstances of that day.

"Oh, I see" She started but stopped. It was as she tried to formulate the next sentence."I will be honest with you."She looked at Twilight." I would probably count everypony who could do what you did on my hooves, including keeping your cool. And all of them are well-trained and old ponies." She took a sip from her cup."You have a true gift, a gift which should be properly used."

Yeah, I have. I'm too a daughter of your sister which you nearly killed and an alicorn of magic. So it should be no surprise. But the question is what are you planning. Mom wanted me against your little schemes

"That's why I decided to make you my personal student" She finished both her sentence and Twilight's hope.

"WHAT?"

"I know this is a big surprise for you, but it is a big opportunity for you too. You would have access to many books and teachers specializing in magic. Your talent will grow here without limits, so what will you choose?" One Twilight had to admit, Celestia knew how to bait a pony.

"C-can I have some time to think?" Twilight asked."N-not that it isn't great, it just I have a mother and... I want to talk to her too. If that's okay with you" She hastily added. For many Celesta would seem like it would hurt but something was telling Twilight that she didn't like it.

"Of course not. You have time to the next month. After this time I will come personally to Ponyville for the answer." It was obvious that this meeting came to the end.

"That's all my little pony you can go and see you soon."

Twilight stand up and left the castle, but her mind was completely elsewhere. It all could be summarised in one word.

HORSEAPPLES

Luna was on her way to raise her Moon in the Everfree forest like every night and every morning. It was a pain in the ass but it was necessary. It was a normal day for the most wanted villain while she tried to perform her duties.

Well, that's it before she heard some screams and growl from somewhere within the forest.

"What was that? Rarely normal pony would go to the forest this deep." She said under her breath as she decided to check. Every newcomer is a danger to her and her daughter.

Thanks to her colors she wasn't easily spotted on a dark night like this so she could watch the show.

A pink unicorn was running away from a pack of Timberwolfs. Luna could see that she was injured and more than frightened. Spell after spell was cast by a unicorn to tried scared the wolfs, but they knew when their prey was weak. The night alicorn was still impressed with the amount the magic this unicorn had, it was more than she should have.

Luna battles within herself to pressure her or abandon her. On the scale were her and her daughter's lives and this pony's life. But finally, she decided to help.Me and my weak heart.

She reached just in time to saw as the unicorn reached the edge of the ravine. Unfortunately, she didn't have good night vision and made one step too far. With a cry, she fell over and the timber wolfs were just reaching with their jaws when a beam struck them at the sides. Luna landed next to a lying unicorn, protecting her from the danger.

Luna and the animals from the forest had a few encounters and they fast learned that at night they should pick a fight with her, especially when they were tired. So they decided to abandon their prey. It was not worth it.

Seeing as the predators were retreating she focused on the unicorn. She was surprised that she was still alive and conscious after the fall. Just barely but it was enough to transport her to the nearest hospital. As for seeing Nightmare Moon? Who would believe a unicorn which just returned from death's bed AND Everfree Forest?

But as she lifted her with her magic she felt something odd. A spell was placed on the unicorn.

It wasn't an ordinary spell, it was too powerful. It was why she felt it when she decided to pick her up.
She cast the cancellation spell and what she saw changed everything.

A horn AND wings.

14 Exchange

"No!"

In all honesty, Twilight should have seen this coming. Her visit to Canterlot Castle wasn't a downright failure, far from it, she was still alive, free, and, more concerning, invited to study in Canterlot. Study as a personal student of her majesty Princess Celestia. And that's where the shoe pinches.

"But it could help us immersively! Nopony would suspect that Princess Celestia's precious student is working for you. Like they say: The darkest place is under the candle! " She argued.

Just after her meeting, she wanted to outright decline it. Working under the nose of one of the most powerful and influential ponies in the world? There was so much to go wrong. In fact, she couldn't believe that she just left easily. They didn't check her background? She was sure that the pony, from who knows where suddenly showing up and doing heroic acts just ask for questions. Was Celestia that desperate? It was risky. If she would be discovered by any chance she would spend the rest of her life in prison, at the best, and considering that she was an alicorn that was a long life.

But prons were more persuasive. Twilight would have access to the biggest and the most advanced magic knowledge in Equestria. Furthermore while studying she would be able to spy on Celestia much easier than before. She could counter any of her plans before they could do any harm to her or her mother.

But still...

"No means No! Twilight. I already lost my husband and I'm not ready to lose you too. There are just too many ways to go bad." Luna argued with her daughter. "We don't know so many things about the world now and nothing about Celestia and what she is capable of."

"That just proves my point!" Twilight remarked. "That way we could gather valuable intelligence for the future. And then I would be less suspicious in her list."

"And if she somehow discovered who you truly are? What then? Do you think it would be easy to escape that Tartarus? " Twilight's brow furrowed. That was true. If she was discovered it would be nearly impossible to escape with Celestia and her guards on her tail. Well, at least Celestia. The guards were laughable at best. The only advantages they had were their weapons and trinkets, like their magic suppression rings. They were already useless since she had stolen some and learned how to disable them.

"Well that's true, but we can't just hide forever. Somepony will eventually find out and then what? This is a miracle that Celestia is keeping this secret. Who knows why."

"There is too much happening in such a short amount of time, Twilight. It can't be a coincidence." Luna explained. Smaller alicorn only raised a brow.

"You said that something more happened." Twilight pointed out. Her mother blinked.

"Oh, right. I didn't tell you about her." Twilight concentrated, there was something more, and judging by her mother's tone not so good.

"I found another alicorn when I traveled through the forest."

"Another Alicorn?" Twilight was genuinely surprised. They were sure that only Celestia was the only other alicorn beside them. This changed a lot.

"She seems much younger than you and for sure she didn't get any training. I spotted her when she was running from timberwolves injured. She didn't know a way and fell down the ravine. No normal pony would wish to explore this forest so I came closer. That was when I noticed a powerful illusion spell on her." Luna finished bringing her daughter to the topic.

"So another alicorn without training and survival knowledge or she would be in that situation. That means that she was used to or at least lived without the need to gain that type of knowledge. But why would she enter Everfree forest? It is obvious that she wasn't ready for it."

"Maybe she had a mission there?" Luna proposed.

"It is highly probable. But more important. Did she see you?" questioned Twilight.

"I think so" Admitted Luna."That's why I locked her in our hideout."

"Our hideout isn't prepared for captured alicorn and we can't just release her. Nopony would believe foals but alicorn? We would have guards within hours here searching for you." Twilight signed. "At least she isn't trained so she shouldn't be able to escape easily."

"But in the same matter, it could be good that we captured her."

"What do you mean?" Luna asked, not liking where it could go.

"We have a possible trade card if something goes wrong with my plan." She smirked. Luna's eyes immediately narrowed her eyes.

"No!"

"Oh come on!"

It took a whole night to convince her mother to let her study under Celestia. It didn't come without some rules too. She had to write at least one 'report' per week and if she didn't Luna would immediately come for her. She would also bring her pet with her under the illusion of an owl. This should bring so much attention to her.

As for alicorn. She would be locked until she wouldn't pose a danger of relieving their home.

Cadence stirred. The last thing she remembered was her run from timberwolves. She of course knew of the dangers of the Everfree forest but she thought that she could deal with them without problems. This bit her quite nicely.

She opened her eyes. She was in some sort of cave. It was illuminated with a few candles spread through the room. They were pinned to walls or standing on crates.

And it would be pretty much everything.

There wasn't a door from what she could see. The walls and floor were bare with little pebbles lying everywhere. The only relatively normal homely furniture was a table near her.

She tried to stand up, but the sound of metal stopped her next movements.

She looked behind her and her only healthy leg was shackled in a chain. What's more, where she had injuries she had newly done bandages. Where am I?

"I see that thou are awakened." Cadence's head snapped to the source of the new voice, and she instantly regretted getting up from bed.

Nightmare Moon.

"What's your name?" Her voice wasn't malicious or angry. There was only a little bit of interest and caution. This wasn't something that felt right coming from her.

"W-what? How did..." Came her unsteady and unfinished question.

"I spotted you when you were running from timberwolves. " Even if her voice wasn't outright frightening her whole body was. "It would seem that nopony taught you the art of fighting." She started circling her like a shark preparing to take a bite. A monotonous sound of horseshoes hitting rock spread through the cave. Cadence could swear that her eyes were penetrating her very soul. Never leaving her even for a second. While she was doing it, a short burst of magic was checking the chains and her bandages. Making sure that she couldn't escape.

"W-what do you want to do with me?" Even her voice was wounded. Uncertain and quiet like she didn't want to provoke a predator to attack.

"For now?" She looked into her eyes. They weren't cold, but enormous intelligence and countless ages of wisdom shone through them."For now nothing. Later we will see."

Author's Note

Still, I have problems with grammar, but I hope this time is better.
Thanks for any advice and correction in advance!
Have a nice day!

15 A little peak in the lives of Sisters

Life wasn't exactly how Luna imagined, but it could be worse.

Her daughter was in Canterlot studying under her sister, Princess Celestia. A sister who tried to kill her and banished her to the Moon for a thousand years. A sister with the main army, well weak army, but nevertheless army, on every her command near her. A sister who doesn't care for her sister at all.

A sister who could do anything to her daughter before she could do anything.

But Twilight was quite stubborn. She took it after her husband, and most of all, smart. She should be able to take care of herself. She was an alicorn with a lot of knowledge, possessing one of the most powerful artifacts known to ponykind, the Element of Magic.

Yet she couldn't stop worrying. She was her mother, after all, it was practically her main job.

Of course, she couldn't just abandon other things. She still needed to maintain the library in the absence of her daughter. Mayor Mare understands that nopony would decline a Princess. Or she hoped it would bring more ponies to the town, seeing as practically no pony important gained the eyes of the Highest Authority. It just begged questions and for sure someponies were too curious for their own good.

But the job wasn't that bad. If it was a big city, she would have a problem, but Ponyville was a small town, a barely outgrown village. More ponies came to take and gossip than to borrow books. Even then, it was a rare occurrence.

So she had plenty of time for her own purpose.

They still held cadence in their hideout. She placed several spells in case she tried to do something, but for now, she wasn't causing any trouble. She was regularly checking on her and slowly making it more like a true prison.

What is more interesting is that she hasn't said even one word. For all the time she had when Luna was with her, she retreated to the corner of the cell and carefully watched her. Not even good morning or 'die demon!' it was quiet ... interesting? If she could use this word.

She didn't try interrogating her. It wouldn't do much in her opinion. Of course, she knew this alicorn wasn't trained and she would break really fast, but it wasn't really worth it. If she was very loyal to Celestia, she would say anything just to mislead her or to make her happy. The best course of action was to wait. It was like preparing a good wine. You need time and everything would come at the right moment.

Besides, she was a good bargain chip if they caught her daughter, so it was pointless trying to lessen her worth.

There was one more thing to mention. Or Five.

Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack would constantly come and ask how Twilight was doing in Canterlot. They would stop sometimes for tea, gossip about how fast Twilight will read the whole Canterlot Library or when they would see her again. Another time, they would help her with something if she needed it.

It was kinda nice knowing that someponies care about them. That they have a place that they could call home. Even if it was only temporary or until they were discovered. She only hoped that this bond will survive the test of time.

Everything was going according to plan. Twilight Sparkle was studying under her in her castle and nopony was the wiser. It was a shame that Sunchaser failed in practically everything she had ever hoped, but at least he showed her a good replacement.

Twilight Sparkle is an exceptionally powerful unicorn with a six-pointed star as a cutie mark. She befriended five mares that, by her calculation, represent five known Elements of Harmony. She had a natural talent for magic and incredible intellect.

The only issue was her past. She told her she was traveling with her mother from far-away countries and that bore many questions. If they constantly traveled, then why she didn't hear about them earlier? If they lived somewhere and then move here, what convinced them to do so? There were so many questions without answers. But because of her problems with other rulers, she couldn't check it very well. Never look a gift horse in the mouth. Especially since that day, when her relationships with other rulers become strained. Dragons were getting bolder and zebras were still waiting for Luna.

Luna.

Her heart still ached, even after all this time. That day, thousands of years ago, showed her so much. So much pain, and her sister's tears. So much sadness that she missed. It is true that she wasn't the best sister to her, focusing on anything but her. And when she was gone, she learned. She lost a pony that could support her no matter what. A pony that helped built this country from the ground.

Without her, the relationship with others crumbled. It took her all her knowledge of half-trues and politics to keep dragons from attacking them. Zebras stopped trading with them and left Equestria. Even now, Equestria is barely holding without her.

That's why she needed to do everything to rescue her sister from this Nightmare. To show her she loves her.

Back to the topic, Twilight currently was saying in the west tower of the castle. It was a special tower, prepared especially for her students. Many spells were placed by her to allow peace of mind, body, and soul of the inhabitant and allow her to spy sometimes. She couldn't just trust that everything was going perfectly. She learned this lesson with Sunset.

Her newest student loves books. She was always eager to learn more. Always reading more than was needed. It was kinda cute. She found her with the nose in the book on many accounts. Moreover, she had the patience of a politician.

And she needed it when dealing with nobles.

From the moment she decided that Twilight would become her student, the nobles become restless. How a commoner could be better than them. They were chosen from the rest of Equestria and everypony should be thankful for it. When they graced somepony with their presence, they would become offended if nopony would be honored. Anypony who climbed where they should be, the nobles would correct it.

Dealing with them was a nightmare.

Unfortunately, she could just deal with them. It would cause a big backslash and that was the last thing she wanted now.

And since Cadence vanished, she had even more to deal with. It could be a coincidence. Just after she sent her to find anything about Nightmare, she disappeared. It wasn't that simple to kidnap alicorn and most would leave her alone knowing she was connected with Celestia.

She didn't know what the future might hold, but she had hope.

Author's Note

A little view of Sisters before the main action.
I hope you like it!

16 The silence before the storm

Author's Note

Some late Happy New Year's wishes and happy reading.

16 The silence before the storm

It was interesting living with her aunt even if she didn't deserve to call her that.

Most days were the same. Wake up, prepare yourself, and come to a meal with the princess. This was a very interesting part of the day. Even if she tried to eat in peace princess would find some excuse to eat with her or just talk. She sure could talk about anything but the most irritating was the fact that she desperately wanted to become close to her. Who in the right mind would talk about his or her obsession with cakes on their first meal? Well, maybe not first but in the first ten. But here she had to give her some credit she intertwine it with other facts about this city.

It was shown that she was an experienced politician.

The only rescue Twilight had was an excuse to study and read a book. Because of this, she was constantly on full alert. Not many would stay silent to good-natured-and-probably-not-important small talks from the nice princess. It was quite an effective strategy, for sure. Make somepony talk and listen closely. It was a matter of time before they said something that they shouldn't.

Then she had lessons with the princess about magic or with another professor teaching at her school. It wasn't as good as she hoped. Nearly half of them were born and raised nobles from the city and they despise everypony who wasn't noble. They criticize her whenever they could even if they make mistakes, gave impossible tasks, and then complain that she didn't do them. They had no shame in showing their 'superiority' of the 'high-born' over the common folks.

Twilight was sure that if faced with worthy foes nobles would faint from pure fear.

But not everything was bad. Because of their difficult tasks and not wanting to anger the princess they hide what they were doing quite well. She could focus on improving faster without alerting Celestia. Besides, not all nobles were that bad. Fancy Pant was a good pony with a good heart.

At least she thought.

After a few weeks, she learned that Celestia knew what was happening. She, like everypony else, wasn't happy about nobles. Their neverending clashes about their precious families and fortunes prevented many of the reforms needed for ponies. From their schemes nopony was safe. That's why the sun alicorn was monitoring them. Trying to stop their plans before they could ruin everything.

This was funny because she was the only one responsible for this mess. She was the one and only princess who created them in the first place. Luna was against it from the start, but knowing Celestia she didn't listen to her.

Back to the topic, after lessons, she had dinner and free time to do what she wanted. To escape the nobles she often chooses the library. Somehow nobles didn't like visiting it. She could study in peace.

And spy on others.

She tried to spy on Celestia in the first week but, she had too much time to erect her defensive and contr-measures to spying. Probably not in so small amount thanks to nobles. So she moved to others. While Celestia was no-touch no-know, others were free games. Armory, military structures, and tactics, captain and vice-captain and their families. They had practically no measures to repel alicorns. Sure for normal ponies that would have problems but for Twilight? It was nothing.

So whenever she had a chance or/ and time she would use it to gather whatever she could to survive if it went wrong. Some technics developed after Luna's banished to fight, improved magic in some disciplines, or just general knowledge of how the world changed in 1000 years. Everything was priceless.

Still, some things kept her uneasy in the nights. First was her nature. She was the daughter of the night princess. She was much better accustomed to the night that day. In Ponyville she could nap when a day was slow in turns with her mother. Here? A full day of activities under the watchful eyes of the Princess, she was sure she was watched by her, and no time for a nap. She was quite groggy because of it and it wasn't helping with connections.

Another was Celestia. Every moment she could discover her and the game was over. Luna was too far away to help and many guards would make it difficult to lose Celestia.

The last was the forbidden section of the library.

So many books with forbidden knowledge just asking for her to read them. The wisdom of the times past. Knowledge so dangerous that Celestia forbade ponies without special permission to even enter. Maybe some time manipulation spells created by Starswirl The Bearded. Or dark magic so dangerous that it could rival the infamous King Sombra. Or even better a spell to turn normal unicorns into alicorns. Well maybe the last was too extravagant but it was interesting how this Cadenza become an alicorn.

Nevertheless, it was heaven to Twilight closed behind the doors and guarded with Celestia's guards. What happened to make her put some many ponies to patrol just it?

What's worse she could just enter it even if she was Celestia's Student. Only Celestia could freely pass that door, and any attempt made by anypony else was soon thwarted.

The whole building was coated in multiple spells, some to paralyze the enemy and others just to monitor them. It was probably the second most protected place in Canterlot after Celestia's chamber. Still, she was sure that truly dangerous spells were kept hidden by Celestia in a special, not known to the public, place but it was the best for now. Furthermore, it should be more updated to the current times than what she had so she would kill two birds with one stone.

She still needed to enter first to study what was inside.

Or maybe not.

And who could know that it would be thanks to Celestia's nephew Blueblood?

It was about seven days ago when she had one particularly strange lesson about dark magic or in better terms how dangerous it was. Whole three hours of listening to what would happen to the pony if he tried dark magic. Sure, dark magic is dangerous to untrained unicorns, but for alicorns specializing in magic and trained for nearly a thousand years? It was more like a different flavor of cookie than you would normally eat.

While she was contemplating her decision about becoming Princess Celestia's student she run into him.

"You really don't look where you are going." She already has the unpleasure of meeting him earlier, but today she had a bad day. She stood up and turn back, without even biting an eye.

"The same goes for you, it seems. I would recommend looking somewhere else than your nose." How easy it is to enrage a noble? Talk back to him.

"You, commoners, don't have a place in this castle" He didn't like her response but was too stupid to find a proper retort."I don't know what Princess sees in you."

"I will guess not you." Retorted Twilight.

"You better watch your mouth, you beggar." Twilight turned around to look at him.

"That's all, what you can say to me? Please 'common folks' have a better vocabulary than you. You should visit them sometime. And I'm not talking about just traveling through them, it doesn't count"

"Well, you are the best example of them, penniless, worthless. Even your father couldn't stand you and your mother." Twilight was a very patient pony and normally would be easily angered, but he crossed the line.

"My father died protecting my mother before I was born! Don't you dare talk about him that way!" She stepped closer to him, with her horn ablaze.

"Sure, sure keep telling yourself that. Your mother probably just cheated on him and then run away." It was too much.

Her spell hit him straight in the chest, making him see the stars. While he was recovering from the assault, she kicked him in the ribs. "You made a mistake!"

But before she could do anything else, guards, alarmed by shouts, came to the rescue. A shield was erected, separating both Twilight and Blueblood. Guards seeing her unharmed with a lying prince on the ground concluded that she was the responsible one for this.

"Stop you two!" Even the captain of the guards, Shining Armor came to see, what was happening.

"You are going to pay for this" Blueblood was not in the best shape, even after that short fight. Blood poured from a cut lip and had a big bruise under his eye.

"I can fight you whenever you want" Came the answer from Twilight.

"Ha! I will never step to your level. My acquaintances will take care of you. You will see"

"Hey! You two, stop before you will said something you will regret later!" Interrupted captain."You Blueblood will be taken to the infirmary, and you, Twilight." He looked at her."Princess wants to have a word with you." Two guards surrender her and let her to the Throne room.

And it goes keeping a low profile, but at least he deserved it. The silence followed Twilight to Celestia, but when she thought about what she could do better next time interacted with him she came up with an idea for the forbidden library.

She just needed time.

And time she had.

Princess Cadence didn't know how long she was there. She could see the light of day and she had no idea how much time passed between meals brought by Nightmare. There wasn't a clock indicating the hour or a magic spell telling her time, since she had a magic inhibitor.

Besides that, it was okay.

The proper bed was moved to her cell after a few nights in an improvised sleeping bag. It was a hoove-made bed with few cushions. enough for comfortable sleeping. Homemade meals were good and nutritious and served probably in the same amount of time. There wasn't any poison or drugs added as far as she could tell. Her previous injuries were cured and she was kept in good condition.

Still, she was a prisoner of the dangerous Nightmare Moon.

Speaking of the devil, she just arrived here with the next portion of food. Truly, they haven't spoken much since her waking up here. She waited, scared that she would do something to her, but it never came. No torturing, no sacring, no nothing.

She was bored out of her mind.

"What are you planning to do with me now?" Asked Cadence. Nightmare Moon put her food on the table next to her bed, before replaying.

"Still nothing" And like it was all she turned around preparing to leave.

"Like Tartarus nothing!" Shouted pink pony. She finally exploded. her curiosity and boredom won against fear. "You kept me here for Celestia know how long, treated my wound, and even fed me nice meals. I would say that you are changeling if I have felt you feeding on me, but there is nothing. What is your game? Why are you planning to conquer the world and cast eternal night on us all!? I'm dying here from fear and you just go on like nothing is wrong." She took a breath. "Just why" She pleaded."Just why are you doing it?"

"Why?" She answered. "Why I would want to live?" Nightmare looked in her eyes."Why would I hide before my hunters and haters? You just said that you fear me to the point of dying. Then let me ask you what I should do?" This caused quite shock to the smaller princess.

"What?" She blinked, not understanding the question."I-i don't understand." Nightmare Moon turned her eyes to the cell.

"Everypony is afraid of me, they despite me. I'm portrayed as a monster who eats fillies if they don't behave. There is nothing that I did to deserve a second chance in their eyes. So I'm asking you what should I do?"

"Well, you tried to cast eternal night to the world..." She started but was soon interrupted.

"And who said that? Did I ever say that or it was Celestia? And before you say that it can't be proved, I already had a chance to do it and yet I didn't." She let her word sink in.

"But, Celestia wouldn't..."

"What? Wouldn't lie? Please, she lied more times than it should be possible. She had no shame when it came to getting what she wanted. "

"That's not true! Celestia would never do that. You attacked her first that night!" This caused an unexpected response from Nightmare. She started laughing.

"Me? Attacking her first?" She abruptly stopped laughing and looked at her with a serious face. "I was the first who was assaulted by her guards and then when they couldn't finish their job she came. Fully prepared to battle me and not even listening to wherever I was saying. That night I lost more than anypony should and it was mostly thanks to her." She barely controlled her anger and it was shown."So you better stay far away from it, because you don't know the truth."

"B-but I can't she is my aunt" She whispered, trembling from fear."A-and I'm still your prisoner."

"And that's why you are lucky. You are my safety card in case something goes wrong. So like I said earlier, nothing for now, but if something happens then I can trade you with Celestia for something." She started to leave."You are more valuable to me well and alive." She then stopped and exhaled. "Besides, alicorns are rare and it would be a shame to hurt innocent." She said it like it was inadvertently.

Nightmare Moon left Cadence to her questions.

And she had a lot of them. Some she could answer no matter how hard she tried.

17 Cracks in the rock part 1

Days flew past Twilight like a speeding pegasus. Days turned to weeks and weeks to months with the same routine. Learning consumed most of her daytime, but the night was still hers. She acclimated to being active during the day.

But she still missed her friends. And her mother.

She started writing to them more often. Usually asking what changed and how life was treating them. Canterlot wasn't her home, it was the place of the sun and Celestia. She didn't belong here, but she still needed to play her role.

Speaking of her role. Celestia started to give her more and more time one on one and more magic books. She could feel that the pressure was growing and something will happen. What will, she didn't know. The unexpected visits from Celestia and additional lessons were beginning to be a big nuisance. Thankfully before that happens she gained access to the forbidden library. The method wasn't as good as a free pass, but it was enough. Who knew that her little accident with Blueblood was the answer she was searching for?

As for her punishment? Celestia found a bizarre, or maybe strange answer to this.

Every day exactly after dinner she would lecture Twilight about the importance of good manners while walking in the garden.
Nobles threw a fit when they heard what punishment Celestia have her, but who would listen to them anyway. But Twilight knew that Celestia had ulterior motives, and judging by her moves she wanted to become close to her.

Like it will happen anytime soon.

Today's lesson was in a specific place in the garden. Royal Garden was separated into several areas, most of them were closed to visitors, and only a few were open 24/7. And Celestia chose areas with statues. The statues were ranging from big to small, from unicorns to even centaurs and sphinxes. For others, they were an interesting attraction, but Twilight knew the truth. She still remembered her mother's stories about the creatures they represented. They represented every villain and creature defeated by 'Harmony'.

Which meant they were all defeated by Her Highness Celestia 'alone'.

And they weren't alone.

A school trip from Ponyville was with them. They were on cloud nine when they saw Celestia. Twilight couldn't help herself from chuckling seeing small fillies bombarding Alicorn with questions. They were relentless. Every answer brought two more questions. some even tried to climb her as some sort of mountain to conquer. A ruler of Equestria was reduced to a mere toy for small ponies.

Thankfully, for Celestia at least, she excused herself explaining that she had things to do. The trip proceeded to find their next target. And seeing the lack of guards they have made themself known already.

"Now, since any obstacles are out we can proceed with your lesson" Declared Celestia, after fillies left. "Where we ended our last lesson?"

"On good manners while dealing with egoistical nobles." Answered Twilight."Very good! Nobles can be compared to cats. They will fight for their rights, but do nothing when they don't need to. Furthermore...." Celestia continues talking about different topics completely unrelated to the original purpose of this punishment. And Alicorn in disguise hadn't had a slighted idea why she was doing it. If I compared it to something a would say she is rambling as an old mare, which lost her reasoning.

"I'm sorry?" A voice interrupted them. A small colt was standing near them. If Twilight remembered correctly he was on a trip from Ponyville. "I'm lost. Can you help me?" He looked up with her eyes wide open. The strongest weapon was used, known to small children- puppy eyes of cuteness. It was very effective on Celestia. Well, on Twilight too.

"Of course, we will help you!" Celestia spread her wing over the young colt."Now where you last have seen your friends?" Celestia, Twilight and followed a colt into the garden. Twilight could swear that this smart colt become 'lost' on purpose in order to be with the ruler of Equestria longer. Ah, young ones, they are full of energy and always in trouble. Twilight shook her head and then blinked. I sounded like my mom.

"There they are!" Shouted happily colt. They weren't searching for even 2 minutes. It only reinforced her previous suspicion.

"Thank you, your Highness. He always gets lost on our trips." The teacher and caretaker- Cheerilee said while bowing. "I'm sure that Your Highness is very busy and..."

"Hey! That's not fair" Interrupted another voice. It belonged to a white unicorn filly, Rarity's sister." He had more time with Princess! I'm pretty sure that he got lost on purpose."

"That's not true!" Replied colt. "I just saw something interesting and the next moment you were all gone."

"So it is our fault for your disappearance?" The teacher stepped between two ponies."Stop this. It is not his fault that..." She tried to stop this, but it was fruitless."She is right!" This time it was Applejack's sister. "You can't just ask Princess for help, she is a very busy pony."

"Well, my main purpose is to help other ponies..." Celestia tried to help. Only to get a face full of hopeful looks from young ponies. "So you will help us all?" They replied as one.

"Well, maybe not now and not all, but..." Started Princess. "Why not?" Asked Scootaloo.

"Yeah! Why not? You already helped one of us, so why not all of us?"Somepony from back said.

It started to reassemble a battle between grown-ups and children. Each side getting louder and louder with fewer arguments. In truth, it looked like no one was winning this quiet sudden shouting match. Twilight decided to not participate in this. For one it is pointless to argue with colts and fillies. When they become obsessed with something it is hard to change their minds. Especially for Sweety, Scootaloo, and Applebloom.

Crack

Maybe because Twilight wasn't particularly enrolled in what was happening in front of her that she heard that. And maybe because she was a few good feet away from them, that she heard it.

She looked around, there was nopony else with them, not even the guards, which was very strange. With this big commotion at least someponies would be interested in what was happening.

Soon the sound repeated itself. After a while, Twilight located the source.

It was coming from Discord's statue.

Discord- a spirit of chaos and disharmony, defeated by Celestia and Luna over Thousand years ago.It had to be quite a busy year. He was trapped in stone by Elements for his regime.

Crack

This time it was much louder and Twilight could see cracks on the surface spreading like a snake on an otherwise smooth stone.

"Why are you craking? It doesn't make sense." As she said it a large piece of stone fell off revealing a yellow claw. Her eyes went wide. The conclusion of what was happening wasn't good. She would be that stupid to put him here, right? She begged herself. She wasted no time to inform Celestia.

"Princess!" Twilight galloped to the sun Alicorn.

"Not now Twilight" Answered Celestia without waiting an eye on her."I'm busy."

"Discord is freeing himself!" This caused a reaction.

"WHAT!?" But it was too little too late.

"I'M BACK!"

Author's Note

There you go, as promised a new chapter.

Next will be in one and halt month.

Have a nice reading.

PS. Sorry for the mistakes in spelling. This chapter was done in fast mode.

18 Cracks in the rock part 2

Discord stretched his mismatched parts, popping and rearranging them to his satisfaction. He was floating above Celestia, teasing her to do something.

"Ahh, how nice to finally move from your spot, don't you think, Celestia?" He glared at her. "But it seems that you are still the same." He reached behind her, surprising her by taking a very similar dol to her."Still princess, still ruling, still almighty." He tossed it away."How boring!" He let out a yawn, emphasizing his boredom.

"Enough, Discord! I don't know how you escaped, but you won't be free for ..." Before she could utter another word, Discord zipped her mouth. She tried using her magic to undo his spell, but she found it harder than she thought.

"Like always the same talk and same story. You really should work on your manners" She was sending death stares in his direction, thought it was pointless. The chaos brought the attention of a few guards stationed nearby. " Besides, I just freed myself! I think I'm entitled to have some fun. " He snapped his claw and the floor became soap, trees giant lollipops, and hedges nets full of fishes. Guards couldn't react in time and began slipping across them like miniature carts. Some even landed in the nets. "We have quite the haul!" Laughed Discord, but was interrupted by a blast in his face.

"If you don't stop with me asking nicely, then you leave me with no choice." A freed from her zipped mouth Celestia finally decided to officially face him.

"Oh? But if we would start to battle here what would happen to these little fillies behind..." Discord looked behind Celestia and expected to see a teacher and her class hiding behind Celestia, with Celestia following him. Only to see nothing behind her. "...you?" He finished, quite perplexed about where they could have gone. Only to look a little bit further.

There was Twilight quietly ushering the missing ponies from the garden, and judging by the distance she started soon after she was freed.

"That is something new."Usually, ponies would scream, cry, hide behind things or other ponies and even some tried to fight him. But to just leave silently? That was something that the great lord of chaos had never experienced before.

"Well, where were we?" Asked Celestia, preparing her magic. "Ah, yes. Putting you back to stone!"

The battle just started.

"Ok, you should be far enough to be somewhat safe but you all should return to your homes ASAP." Insisted Twilight. Who knows how far Discord magic can reach? She successfully, or forcefully, moved the class away from the incoming battle.
"Discord is temporarily focused on Celestia, but if the books I have read are right it shouldn't take long before he would get bored of her." She informed taking into account the looks of files, colts, and their teacher.

Surprisingly, the younger ponies seem less scared and more fascinated about the danger. She even had to preventsome of the more curious fillies from sneaking out to watch the fight. Why they are so fascinated by everything that can hurt them? Then she remembered that she too was such a curious brat when she was younger and often ran away from her mother. Moon wasn't very interesting after a few years. Note to yourself, apologies to mother.

"Is Princess going to win?" The question asked by Cheerliee interrupted her inside debate. She was visibly disturbed by today's event.

Twilight visibly signed.

"It will be hard, but what we need to do is get out of their way." It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't true too. Last time Celestia and Luna needed Elements to defeat him. Without them and alone she didn't have a high chance of winning.

If there was a chance, to begin with.

"Princess will never lose!" An orange pegasus filly shouted. "She is the strongest in all of Equestria!" The reaffirming voices accompanied her belief."Yeah!" "Sha can command the sun. he is nothing!" They really believe that Celestia can do anything and she can't do evil. They were very eager to go back and observe Celestia.

"Maybe you are right" She couldn't allow them to get back to the garden and if they decided not to follow their teacher now it would potentially cause them harm. "But if you want for her to win she needs to focus on her task. You would want somepony to interrupt you when you are concentrated, right?" She hoped that it would be enough to convince them. Some of them were already getting bored. That's getting silly now.

"...I guess..." Admitted filly. Twilight smiled, hoping it would be enough to convince them to listen to their teacher.

"Well, well, well" Some voice from nowhere interrupted their little conversation. They tried locating the source but there was none"I'm so sorry to interrupt such a touching moment"Conuined voice", but you have picked my interest" There was a bang and Discord appeared in a shower of confetti.

Standing in mid-air wearing a mismatched suit, matching his disfigured parts was the lord of chaos. Judging by the lack of battle sound Celestia was preoccupied with something. "I must say that Celestia is still spoilsport. No fun at all" He drank the cup of tea and threw the tea behind him creating a colorful explosion. Twilight using his little rambling turned her head to the teacher and said.

"Go!" And then went back on Discord. I have picked his interest, I hope that it isn't what I think he meant"What do you want?" Gathering her resolves Twilight asked. Discord looked at her.

"What do I want?" He asked her like it was something well known."Well, Miss Celestia's student I want a little bit of fun" His spreading smile was telling something else. She didn't like it any bit, so just in case she started preparing her magic."I was turned to stone for thousands of years, everyone would want to meet others after all this time." He snapped his claw canceling her magic. "Without any interruptions."

"Discord!"

The being that name described turned his head to the possible source of this voice. "It seems Celestia freed herself. But it doesn't matter she will play my game. Back to the topic of our wonderful conversation why I wouldn't..." He turned his head back only to see the lack of a purple unicorn. The second time she used his focus time against him.

He smiled. He liked her even more.

"Oh we will have such a wonderful time" He vanished starting his little game of chaos.

In the meantime, Twilight was galloping through the city as far from Discord as she could. Simultaneously calling for Star as she needed to send her mother a message. She was never far from her but chaos wasn't helping them. Finally Twilight spotted her near the park trying to find her in the ever-changing chaotic playground.

"Star!" She shouted bringing the attention of her pet to her. She soon flew to her and landed on her outstretched hoof. She was visibly shaken. Not she only.

"I need to send my mother a message and I'm pretty sure Discord would allow normal magic to work. Can I count on you?"

"Who!"

"Good!" She tied a little letter to her claw. She didn't have much more time. "Go, and don't worry about me."

With this Star flew away.

Twilight was tracking her movements before she could no longer see her, the she turned. "Now let's see how annoying I can be" The best way, from her mother's stories, to battle against Discord is to make him eat his own words.

Not literally. Otherwise, it doesn't help.

Something wasn't right.

The day started like any other but there was something in the air that just made her uneasy.

At least more than normal.

It didn't stop after breakfast. It didn't stop after dinner. No. It was like it built up even more. She couldn't help but worry about her daughter.

She was planning how to upgrade the temporary prison for Cadence when she heard banging on the window.

"Huh?" She looked around trying to locate the window. Soon she located it and a creature responsible for noise.

"Star? What are you doing here?" It was agreed that she would only show up at night to avoid suspicions and deliver messages since she was supposed to be in Canterlot."Come here fast" She opened the windows to let the bird inside. Then she checked if anypony saw her. When she confirmed nothing was out of the ordinary she closed the window.

"Ok, what brings you here my little friend?" As to answer her question she raised one of her legs. Only then Luna saw that there was a small letter tied to it. "That's not good" She soon untied the letter and saw its contents. There was only one sentence built with three words.

Discord is free.

WHAT? There wasn't anything extraordinary in Ponyville, but if her daughter was right it was only a matter of time before he would go here. She needed to act quickly. Elements of Harmony were gone safe the Element of Magic, so she needed to find something else.

Thousands of years ago, only after Celestia and I found Elements we were able to seal him. How we can stop him now?
She shook her head.There is no point thinking about it now. I had to do something. And there is still Cadence and Celestia.

She had a little time to decide. Discord is an unpredictable being, doing whatever he wants. Twilight could be uncovered anytime soon or he could as well make her alicornation his doings. But one thing for sure he could be left alone.

It seems that I had to meet Celestia again. She gathered a few things to help her in the incoming battle. But I will be prepared this time.

With this in mind, she left the library and galloped to the Everfree.

Author's Note

Another chapter.
Probably next will be the final battle between Twilight and Discord. Or not. I have so much to show.
I'm sorry for not updating this but life is hard. (;
Next should ( but I'm not promising anything) be somewhere in two weeks.
See ya!
ps. Grammar checked by Grammarly and chat gp in a test.
let me know if everything is alright

19 Cracks in the rock part 3

After a few hours Twilight could finally say one thing about Discord.

He was a jerk.

He was a master at chaos magic, she could admit. But beyond that? Nothing more than a bully with a new target to play with. Constantly teasing, treating others like toys and never admitting to anything. Anypony would hate him. He was completely disintegrating any plan, harmony, or order that was before his appearance.

But it, in itself, wouldn't present much harm to others. Some chocolate raining, or a floor made from soap, wouldn't harm too much anypony. The problem arose after.

The chaos he left after his play was much more dangerous. His magic would slowly dissolve creating dangerous and unstable structures, beings, and many more. Furthermore, she had read about creatures that were created after he left. One of the less harmful ones was the Poison Joke. A beautiful flower, that is until you touched it, then it would play a joke on you, any joke. There was one accident where an unfortunate pony could leave his home, or more precisely he became his home. He was scared of flowers for the rest of his life.

And there was one more thing she needed to take into account. She hasn't seen him angry. But if he is that dangerous when happy then how much worse would the world suffer if he was angry? Twilight let her mind wander while she was running through a triangle, twisted corridor that once belonged to Canterlot Castle.

"Come on Twilight! Let's play more!" Shouted Discord, while chasing her in remade castle. Well, at least my magic works on his creations to some extent. With this thought she avoided Spirit of Chaos once again.

As Luna raced to the hideout chaos magic slowly spread through Ponyville and Everfree Forest. In the beginning, it was small. Some pink clouds raining chocolate drops, or animals dancing. But as time passed the world became unrecognisable.

Now she had to fight to even move forward.

Thankfully, once she entered the forest and vanished from view, she could spread her wings and speed up. But still, there was a question what to do?

Discord was without question a problem. Not only how to defeat him, but it is even wise to face him in the first place. With his magic and his understanding of her, he could see through her disguise and reveal her to everypony, if she decided to confront him in her disguise.

Of course, she can confront him without it, but then everypony would know that she was real, and the witch hunt would start as soon as the issue with Discord is over.

And considering all the lies Celestia spread through the kingdom, she wouldn't be seen as a savior but as a monster.

Monster.

It's a word that many used to describe her. She hated this word. She hated being considered one. Even now she should call any being a monster.

Not even Discord.

She knew better than anypony that pain.

But she couldn't do anything about it now. She could only try to protect herself and her daughter.

Finally, she reached her hideout. The area around was already transformed by magic and unrecognisable even by her, but inside was still the same. If she hadn't left a magic mark and traveled there many times, she wouldn't find it. And that would be a big problem considering that she had collected and prepared a few things just for a similar fight. So all she needed to do was collect them.

"Nightmare?" Luna jumped starled. She looked at the source of the voice.

Cadence stared at her with an eyebrow raised. It had been a long time since she was imprisoned here, and she got used to seeing her. "What are you doing?" Even then Cadence still didn't like talking to her. Luna temporarily focused on Cadence.

"Something." She didn't have time to explain. However, Cadence present presented a problem. She was an alicorn and a prisoner of her. She could be crushed if enchantments would hold against chaos magic. Or she would be found by Discord and without her magic she would become a plaything for him. Still would be very dangerous knowing that a fight between alicorns would amuse him very much. Or she would leave after everything is over informing Celestia about this hideout.

However, she couldn't just release her. She was her bargaining chip in case Twilight was discovered.

"What?" Cadence was disturbed by Luna's continuous stare. But if we fail to stop Discord it wouldn't mean anything. Finally Luna signed and asked. "Do you know how to fight?"

"Um..." Cadence was visibly surprised by this question." A little. Why?"

Without answering, she opened the door to her cell. Cadence didn't like that one bit, but before she could voice her displeasure, Luna removed inhibitions rings from her horn.

"What?" She was very surprised by her behavior.

"Come with me." Demanded Luna. "And this isn't a suggestion or request." Without further ado, she turned to leave.

Princess of Love was standing there stunned. She was being freed or prepared to be killed? But if so then why don't do it here, or at least keep rings on her to prevent her from fighting or escaping? What she should do?

Standing here won't help me. She finally decided and followed her captor outside. At least it could be worse.

How wrong she was.

As soon as she saw the light of day she wished she stayed inside. Outside was chaos. It could be described otherwise. Before she even could comprehend what she was seeing Nightmare surrendered her with her magic and pulled.

Just in time to avoid being flattened by a big rabbit with horns and wings.

"Don't just stand there!" Shouted Nightmare Moon while grappling with a four-arm pig. "This is all doing of Discord, we need to stop him.

Why it is happening to me? Lamented Cadence.

Meanwhile Twilight was hanging by her tail from the ceiling with Celestia.

"Beautiful view don't you think? "

The said ceiling wasn't supported by anything and was more a plot for them to hang up than a real thing. Made by Discord to allow them to see what happened to their home. Underneath them was what once was Canterlot Castle now a bizarre park of strange things. Maze stretching up to the sky, a lake where looking at it reassembled letter w, or guards running around wearing destroyed suits resembling bears, rabbits, and a fox? Further was even worse many things gained legs and started running or/ and chasing ponies.

"You won't get away with this!" Twilight rolled her eyes, she had heard this phrase too much lately from Celestia. She focused on undying her restraints with her. Thankfully Discord didn't restrict their magic.

"Celestia you are getting bored." Sighted Discord. "Look around you. There is nothing that you can do to stop me. A lone alicorn with one unicorn trying to save the world. Tsk. Tsk. So cliché." He snapped his claw teleporting them next to him.

"You don't even have your little gems since you banished your sister."

"What?" Both Celestia and Twilight were surprised.

"What what? You didn't think that I didn't know what happened that day? Oh, Celestia such a lovely job you did in casting out your sister." He smiled reminiscing about that time.

"How do you know it?"Celestia asked surprised." You were already petrified!"

He bopped her in the nose." Yes, I was, but it didn't interrupt me in watching others you know?" He teleported them back. "Oh and what a day it was!" He proudly stated. "You battled her so willingly, so vigorously. You never allowed her any chance to rest." He snapped his claw again. With a little bit of glitter, he suddenly was holding a little figure of Nightmare Moon. "Such a shame that it didn't last longer." He signed like it was something he could watch all day long.

But then he scratched his chin with his foot. "But you know what is the best in all of this?"

"I don't care what you think Discord" Celestia tried to play uninterested, but her trembling betrayed her. Discord wasn't very disturbed by her act.

"The history swapped your places."

"What?" It was the only thing that escaped Celesta's mouth because quite simply she didn't know how to replay. Swapped your places? What it could mean? Does that mean that Celesta was supposed to be banished or what?

But before she could comprehend this fact, Twilight decided that was good a good moment to free herself and Celestia.

"Oh you are no fun, Twilight" His tail reshaped itself to resemble a claw and then snapped. Twilight and Celestia were surrounded by his magic. But it didn't stop Twilight from trying.

"You can try however you want, but you should know..."Discord proclaimed but was interrupted by his magic being dispelled.

He frowned and snapped his claw again"Ok you were lucky twice but..." Twiligth freed herself again.

He again surrounded them in his magic."The third time's a charm" Twilight freed herself.Spirit's eye twitched.

He caught her.

She escaped.

He caught her.

She escaped.

He caught her.

She escaped.

"Grahhhh!"Discord's head exploded in flash of light. After this, he reached his arm to where his head was and produced new one. "How are you doing this?"

Discord adding have enough of this game, used his paw and cough Twilight.

"Now let's see how you are able to resist my magic." He grinned.

His magic flew from his eyes and mouth creating small cloud. After said cloud reached the size of Twilight it flew at her. Alicorn in disguise tried to move about the way but couldn't. She even tried to hold her breath, but she could forever.

Finally, she breathed in a bit.

The cough she received was the biggest in her life. This was nightmare. She knew it was mistake. This was the worst thing ever.

"I have never smelled more rotten breath! Brush your teeth sometimes!" She was dying.

"What?" Discord breathed some onto nearby relatively normal plants. Trying to see if his breath really was that bad.

Plants immediately withered.

"Could you puff -cough- this away?! It's literally -cought- killing me! You monster!"

"Ok, ok jeez" Swapping his fingers the cloud vanished. Twilight could take a breath of relieve.

Discord was not amused. "I find it insulting. Just to let you know, I couldn't brush my teeth when I was petrified." He shook his head." Back to the topic." Twilight floated in front of him and he started looking her up.

"Hmm, it is interesting." He stopped as in deep thoughts." It seems that Magic is strong in you. But it shouldn't without the rest." This didn't escape the Celestia's notice.

"Twilight! Elements, weapon against Discord, are..." But before she could finish Discord took her mouth.

"You always want to spoil my fun." He was spinning her mouth like a toy." It seems that I can't keep your dear student-" He stroked her chin with free law."- so let's play a game" He snapped his claw and Twilight vanished."Let's how fast she can get here to hear what you wanted to say." His smile twisted into evil grin." In the meantime, we have time to ourselves. Don't you agree, dear Celestia?"

And he received a blow to his head. Who interrupted him again.

"Long time no see Discord" Came the darker voice. Discord dusted himself of and turned around.

"Welcome back, Lulu" He looked at second newcomer." And Princess Cadence. How nice of you to come, but I am busy already with Celestia. Can't you wait a ..." He was interrupted again with a blast of magic from Nightmare. "It seems not"

He flew up and started gathering his magic.

"Then Let's play"

Author's Note

Another one! And longer too!
I should make next chapter next week but no promises!

20 Cracks in the rock finale

Twilight found herself in the middle of Ponyville.

How did she know it was Ponyville?

Not far away from her was her library now sporting two big, wooden legs and a cowboy hat. It seemed like it was playing poker with Pinkie's alligator, which now was as big as her library and wearing a suit. It was missing a few branches, a door, and two windows which now laid with a few other things next to Pinkie's pet. Jumping around them was Sugar Corner frisking and barking happily.

Note to herself, after everything is over check if something is missing in the library, and if so then check Sugar Corner. But she didn't have time to worry about her library, she had much more important matters- she had to find a way to defeat Discord.

To do this she needed to find the only known thing that had ever worked on him- The Elements of Harmony, but she had only one, her Magic, and she didn't know where she could find the rest. It was said that Elements are connected.

Maybe I can use my Element as a tracking device to find others.

With this in mind, she galloped through the town to find them and tried to avoid the surrounding chaos.

Luna knew that fighting Discord was a bad idea, but she didn't have much choice.

Sure she could run away with Twilight, but it would not work for long. Lord of Chaos was too powerful to hide endlessly. For him normal magic was like a toy, he could do everything he ever wanted with it. The only thing he ever cared about was his amusement and unfortunately for Luna, she was one of the best for him. The being that was somewhat immune to his magic while could not harm him too much. It was a perfect doll to play with in his eyes.

Furthermore, even if they successfully run away and hide, what type of life it would be? A constant fear of being discovered, not living between your own species, knowing that it is only a matter of time before the place that you are currently in would become a new playground for him.

Luna would not wish this upon her daughter, so she would make sure that it would come to be. Even if she had to suffer because of it.

But the fight wasn't ideal either.

For normal pony Discord wasn't well known. He was a being erased from history. A creature that only a few researchers could remember on top of his head and even less describe how he looks.

As for Nightmare Moon?

She was a monster from a fairy tale. A true monster given shape, eater of colts and fillies on a dark night. Who wouldn't know this tale if every mother repeated this story to their children to make them behave? There was even a celebration created to placate her to keep her away from towns and cities. Sure now it was mostly a funny way to collect sweets, but who knows how it came to be?

Moreover, Luna was easily spotted on a sunny day, so naturally became the center of attention. The fight didn't help her either, with the chaos everywhere ponies could easily mistake the fight against Discord with them fighting against her.

In conclusion, dark alicorn became in their eyes the perpetrator of the attack and they came to unanimous decision.

Luna needed to rest even for a short while, her breath was shallow and her legs were shaking. The fight was much more tiring than she anticipated, she should have exercised more.

She landed in one of many streets in Canterlot, empty since ponies hide in their homes, but even then she didn't let her guard down, she cast a barrier just in case.

As she rested a unicorn with a red coat showed himself leaving one of the houses near where Luna landed. His horn was lit but no spell was being cast as it looked like he was using telekinetics on something. He approached her with a determined look not saying a word until he was near her.

"You are Nightmare Moon." It sounded more like a statement than a question with a hint of anger beneath.

"That's how you all described me." She answered honestly, which resulted in silence.

As she contemplated what he wanted from her she heard new sounds around her. These were ponies leaving their homes and slowly but surely surrounding her. Many of them were carrying their magic knives, rollers, chairs, or even whole tables with them. They didn't look happy.

"Nightmare!" The first pony who spoke to her, shouted, acting as a leader of the group."We had enough of your terror, we won't allow you to continue anymore!" With this everypony prepared themself to attack her." Attack!"

The array of numerous things flew at Luna but bounced harmlessly off her shield. The quantity was quite large but not enough to be a danger to her, they needed few more powerful mages to even dent her barrier, but they believed they were enough for her weakened state. How foolish.

"Hmmm, how interesting." Discord which chose this moment to show his present, rested on top of a nearby building. Well, maybe the word rested was wrong for the thing he was doing. He currently was sunbathing in a dark swimsuit while the chocolate was raining on his head, sipping colors from the building with a straw."Hated by ponies you are trying to protect" He took another sip, while those who noticed him started cheering for him"How pitifully, dear Luna. How long it will take for you to finally understand that they will always hate you."

"You are mistaken." Her horn flared up, knocking away attacking ponies."I understood long ago that there is no place for me in their hearts."She broke pieces of a nearby building, preparing to fire on Discord.

"Then why are you fighting for them?" He asked surprised.

Luna only smiled. "Who said that I'm fighting for them?" And the battle started anew.

Twilight was currently busy battling through the Everfree Forest together with her friends.

How did she get to this point?

While she tried to find some quiet place to make a tracking spell for Elements she was knocked over by Rainbow Dash. She tried to be a hero and was battling the chaotic weather without any idea how even to proceed. In the end, she was caught by chocolate rain and she landed on Twilight.

Applejack together with Rarity was raining from a colony of dancing bunnies. This view didn't help the fact that both of them looked like they ran through a clown shop. At the end of this charade was Fluttershy trying to convince bunnies to return to their homes and promising carrots.

She didn't know when and how Pinkie Pie joined them but considering who she was she didn't dare to ask for her sanity, no matter how little she still had.

After they all gathered she explained that this all was caused by Discord and only Elements of Harmony could stop him. She said that she didn't know where that was.

Then Pinkie Pie produced a Guide to the Elements of Harmony.

She could feel her eye twitching and she really tried not to scream from the absurdity of this situation.Deep breath, deep breath. She repeater to herself. She didn't have time for a nervous breakdown. They weren't even anywhere near a library or anything that could be considered a place for books.

After they learned that the last known place for Elements of Harmony to be seen was A Castle of Royal Sister they head to the Everfree Forest.

Back to the present.

"So even Everfree could stop completely this chaotic magic, huh" Noticed Applejack and it was true. The edge of the forest couldn't be distinguished from the rest of the country. However the deeper they went the more natural, considering it was Everfree Forest to begin with, it looked. Because of that, they couldn't know how it could react to their present.

"Better be prepared for everything." Warned Twilight." This mix of magic could be very unstable and we don't know how animals and whatever lived here were changed by it and how it affected their behavior." The monsters living in the forest were very dangerous to ponies to begin with now with unstable magic they could spell disaster if not cautious.

"No monster is too dangerous for the hero, Rainbow Dash." Procalimed said pony.

"Please Rainbow, don't jinx it." Replayed Applejack.

However, they didn't encounter any animals and then entered the ruined castle peacefully.

"Huh? Anypony feeling that something should happen, or it is only me?" Asked Applejack. "No not only you, it was boring." Answered Rainbow Dash.

"Oh, hush you." Twilight silenced them."We don't know where Elements could be so we should split and search the rooms. If anyone spots something, shout." She declared and the rest went searching.

While it was true that she didn't know where Elements could be she had a good guess where they could be. There were many rooms and corners in this old castle but only one room wasn't searched by her and her mother. This room was sealed by powerful magic and there was an alarm system in case somepony went inside. Because of this, they could just barge in that day, but now? There was a high possibility that the pony who created this was too busy with the chaos outside to even check this place. Moreover, the enchants could become unusable by the powerful magic now spread through the kingdom.

As she navigated through the castle she prepared herself for the worst.

Thankfully it wasn't needed.

The doors to the room reassembled noodles more than wood, so she could easily slip through.

The room inside was enormous, remaining her of a dance hall in the castle, but now empty. The light was sipping through many windows, some completely destroyed, some still picturing moments from history. Twilight could recognize some of them from her mother's stories, the founding of Equestria, the first defeat of Discord, and many more. The floor was made from marble in different shades, but it wasn't caused by different stones, but by things that once laid upon said stone. From square shades she could piece the layout of carpets, furniture, and other things, now long gone.

This room had been beautiful a long time ago, but now it was only a shadow of its former glory.

The most fascinating piece was standing in the center of the hall. The monument is reminiscent of an upside-down chandelier holding five stone balls, each picturing a gem.

Could they be?

She activated her magic and levitated five orbs to her while checking if they really were the Elements they were looking for.

"So these are the Elements of Harmony." Somepony said behind her causing her to jump to the ceiling. When she looked back she was met with the faces of Pinkie Pie and the rest of her friends.

"Wha... how are you all here?"

"My Pinkie sense told me!"Singed Pinkie Pie. Twilight decided that she had enough on her plate to not question her.

"It seems so, but why are they stones?" Wondered Twilight.

"Maybe they are in some sort of dormant state, waiting until awakened by the bearers"

"It makes sense." Said Twilight."Thanks."

"You're welcome" A voice answered while big yellow claw snatched orbs. The mane 6 followed it to see a familiar face to Twilight."And I wondered where have you been?"

"Discord!"

"Why are you here?!"Demanded Twilight.

"Simple Twilight."He bumped her nose."I got bored and decided to check on you." He snapped his tail rearranging the room to his liking. Seeing this Twilight didn't give up."But even if I would you still would lose."

Twilight didn't wait for him to finish, she teleported herself on top of Elements and there one to her friends. "It isn't nice to interrupt somebody" He wanted to snap his fingers again, but a blow to his face didn't allow him.

"Girls, get them!" She shouted while preventing Discord from focusing on other ponies. Her friends encouraged by her bravery finally had taken action.

Each one had instinctually taken place in the battle. Applejack together with Rainbow Dash was mainly focused on retrieving stones from his grasp, while Rarity acted as a stand-by guardian, controlling if her friends didn't make mistakes and if so help them. Fluttershy was keeping herself outside of the main battle, she wasn't good at fighting, and she was more like an additional distraction.

But nothing would be possible if not for Twilight. Every time Discord used his magic she would counter it freeing her friends and allowing them to fight more. Of course, the ability to counter his magic didn't go undetected by Discord.

"How are you doing this?" Demanded Lord of Chaos. "You could do this well in Canterlot!" Disguised alicorn only smirked. "Who said that I was fighting with full power then?" This statement caused deja vu for Discord, but he could remember where she heard something similar.

"This is pointless, you can't win against chaos!" Shouted Discord while receiving a kick from Applejack."You are only six mares, you can't do anything to me!"

"This is true, but it doesn't mean that we shouldn't try." Answered cowboy-pony while stealing an Element from him. "Twilight said that these orbs can defeat you and we believe her."

"What? You just believed her?" He started to play seriously."You don't even know her well!"

"We may don't know her long but she is our friend. She earned our respect and our friendship." As she spoke one of the orbs started shining. "She may know more than she wants to share, but it's ok, everypony has secrets. We will stand with her."

"She is a loyal friend, so why I should be loyal too to her? She didn't leave any of us, so we won't leave her!" Rainbow Dash proudly stated."No matter what you throw at us we won't give up!" Another orb started shining.

"Sometimes the best gift you can give is a little of your time, a few seconds to listen to others, a minute to chat." Proclaimed Rarity." Friends need to be generous to maintain their friendship, it is not possible to grow anything by only taking." Twilight noticed the third orb shining. Her friends were beares and she was thankful that she could trust them a little more but at the same time the only dangers awaited them.

"You can't laugh alone, silly."Pinkie said with a smile."The best smile is with a friend, it is the biggest and the longest smile you will ever know!" As to her belief, an orb shined like it was laughing.

"A little kindness is in every creature, no matter if big or small."Quietly whispered Fluttershy."You don't need to be brave to show it to others, everyone is different."

Discord raged."Oh, bu hu. You still need the last Element and I'm not telling you."He crossed his arms."Without it you can parade with the rest all you want but it is still my victory."

"It is?" Questioned Twilight. As Discord looked at her with raised eyebrow she summoned her Element.

"Oh, come on!"

"Girls, together!" As the last remaining piece was summoned, the stone orbs shattered relieving the shard of Elements. Twilight's horn shone bright multicolored light slowly connecting her with her friends. The shards combined themself creating on their respectful beares necklaces and on a twilight head a crown.

Twilight managed to say something before they fired at Discord." This is the end of this battle. Together with my friends, because friendship is magic!"

A rainbow flew from them enveloping Discord and turning him back to stone. When it was finished it spread through the world marking a new age to come.

Mane 6 was slowly lowered to the floor after this ordeal. The dangers have passed, and they succeded. With adrenaline still in their veins it took a few moments for them to fully realize what happened.

"We won." But when they did they were overjoyed."Ha! Did you see that? We totally kicked his flanks!" Rainbow Dash could not contain his excitement. While Dash was more focused on battle, Rarity and Fluttershy admired their new necklaces.

"I must say that they are fabulous! the shape and colors are just perfect!"

"Oh yes, I must agree."

"I must say that this day was really something. "Said Applejack to Twilight." Friendship is magic, right Twilight?" She winked.

"You are right," the purple unicorn said while giggling. She was happy that it was over and she wasn't discovered.

Crack

"What was that?" Rarity and Pinkie Pie said simultaneously. Small stones started falling from the ceiling, cracks started appearing on the walls. The room was falling apart.

"Run!" Ordered Twilight but before they could leave the door out was blocked by a falling stone. The remaining magic was keeping this room, but Discord's magic replaced it, so now there wasn't anything keeping it in shape.

"Dash, look for the exit!" Disguised alicorn hoped that there was another door."On it!" But before she could even move a large stone hit her in the wings. Twilight caught her, before she could hit a floor, and brought her together with the rest. She cast a shield over them, but without her releasing her alicorn form it could not hold for long. There were many rooms above them if everything fell apart they could be buried alive.

She could feel her seal weakening from her overusing her magic. It wasn't possible to forcefully seal their magic, but it was possible if they were remaining on their own. Now she could revert to her true state at any moment.

"Twilight we need a plan and now!" Shouten nervously Applejack.

She could reveal herself and save her friends but then they would know and the question would follow. She looked at their scared faces and decided.

From her back a pair of wings sprouted, she grew a little and the glow of her horn became much brighter. "Twilight!?" The transformation didn't go unnoticed by her friends, but she didn't have time to explain now. "Hold on!" She used her wings to draw them closer and then teleported out.

Just in time before they could be buried beneath.

Author's Note

The final of Discord and the last chapter for a while, probably.
The next semester is starting and I won't have time to write.
See you in a few months. But it isn't goodbye just see you later.

21 Afterparty

A cracking sound spread through the library, and soon Twilight and her friends teleported inside. They were battered and bruised but alive and kicking. Only Rainbow sustained a more serious injury that for now prevented her from flying, but it was minor.

However,the purple alicorn didn't have time to worry about them first. She closed all the blinds and checked the doors of her home. Next, she renewed her protection and privacy spell since they were destroyed in Discord's rampage, and she couldn't allow anypony else to know what was going on inside.

Only then did she direct her focus on the rest of the ponies inside. They were still a little dizzy after teleporting. She couldn't blame them; it was sudden and probably none of them had teleported before. She kept a large stash of medicine and bandages hidden in her home, spread through many stashes. I don't think I need to explain why.

She used them to apply first aid on her bruised friends while she thought about what to do next.

"I see stars!" Pinkie somehow was uninjured and hopping around without care in the world.

"I can see them too, sugarcube." Applejack was probably the most affected by teleport." I think I have a concussion since I see Twilight with wings."The farm pony said while lying on the floor.

"Not only you, darling" Admitted Rarity.

"I can see them too." Said Fluttershy first and then Rainbow Dash.

Twilight didn't hide her wings after teleporting, since she was too tired after that big teleport from Everfree and the damage was already done. Her friends saw her. Now she needed to minimize the damage.

"Is everypony alright now?" Alicorn asked after she finished taking care of them.

"I think we are ok." Murmured the butter-colored pegasus qiuetly.

"Good." After the confirmation, Twilight signed with relief. The speedster was already checking how far her wing was hurt and if she could fly with it bandaged. Pinkie was still hoping everywhere and the rest was starting to rise from the ground. Unfortunately, Twilight could not allow them a moment of rest. She lit her horn and soon unleashed a restraining spell on her friends.

"Twilight! Why can't we move?" Applejack was the first to voice her question of all ponies.

"Sorry girls, but you can't leave before you promise me that you won't tell anypony or any creature about what happened." She said seriously. "It is non-negotiable"

"We trusted you!" Screamed blue pegasus. "I thought you were our friends."

"I know, and I still think of all of you as my friends, but you must understand that what we did and what you all saw is very dangerous. " Twilight said sadly.

"What do you mean dangerous?" Only Fluttershy was still listening to her while others were more occupied trying to escape.

"There is a reason why I didn't tell anypony who or what I am. This knowledge could possibly get you killed..." She averted her eyes and finished "...or your family. " As soon the words left her mouth, the others stopped what they were doing.

"What?" Applejack had the strongest bonds with her family and losing them was not an option.

"I can't explain much or I risk getting you in an even bigger danger. "She sighed." Not like you aren't already since becoming Bearers of the Elements." She cast a glance at the necklaces on her friends' necks. "I should hide them too before anypony notices them missing. Back to the topic. While I appreciate that you consider me or considered me as a friend, knowing what you know is very dangerous. There are many ponies who, if they found out that you know an alicorn that isn't known wouldn't stop at anything to know more. And before any of you question why I wouldn't tell Celestia about it, let's say that she has more blood on her hooves than you know, and I don't want to add my blood too. So I beg you don't ask any more questions and never mention what happened." Begged Twilight."Even better, just forget that this day ever happened."

Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Applejack were visibly disturbed by this news. Their expression ranged from disbelief and shock to rage and fear. It was hard to guess what exactly they were thinking but one look at Twilight showed them that she was serious and there was no room for discussion.

"Very well, let's just Pinkie promise and be done with this." Conceded blue pegasus. Despite the tension, the alicorn smiled weakly.

"A Pinkie promise won't cut it here. While I know that it is a big and serious promise-"She added hastily, seeing Pinkie readying herself to say something." - my life and yours depend on it, so we will use Starswirls Promis."

"Starswirls Promis?" Questioned Rarity.

"Promis created by famous Starswirl to make sure that both sides will keep it. Only by consent from both sides, it is possible to nullify it. Furthermore, your own magic will keep you in check to make sure that you won't break the deal. "

"So are you ready?"

Her friends looked at each other and, one by one, repeated after Twilight the promise. After each promise, magic swirled around them, and they could feel that it was in effect.

"Thank you and I'm sorry that you had to do it. I will hide Elements and we will return to everyday life like nothing happened." She took necklaces from them and made them vanish, not even showing where she hid them." Once again, sorry ... for everything." As they were leaving, she bid the farewell.

But the trust was damaged, and Rainbow Dash smelled secrets.

After everything was done, Twilight collapsed where she stood. Her friends became bearers of the Elements, which meant they believed her, and she instantly betrayed them.

She wasn't feeling well.

Meanwhile, in a Canterlot, the repairs were already in full swing. The damage was substantial, and whole streets were unrecognized with many buildings too dangerous to live in again. Thankfully, no pony lost their life, but the experience of this day would haunt them for the rest of their life. Especially since they never experienced something like this. They were normal, peaceful ponies, unprepared for this.

Celestia oversaw the work from her balcony, while her mind was busy reviewing the day. After the fight ended abruptly with an unexpected rainbow wave, she wanted to see who caused it, because she knew what it was. For others, it was a nice rainbow, and that was it, but for her, it was a signal that Elements were back. Unfortunately, she was swarmed with work to rebuild the destroyed capital. Next, the nobility crept out from their hiding spots to demand explanations and assurance from her.

Sometimes I regret that we decided to establish nobility.

"Celestia, do you have a moment?" Said the familiar voice behind the door to her room. Without waiting for a replay, Cadence peeked inside.

"Sure, what's the matter?"

"I need to talk to you about the last few weeks." Celestia, sensing bigger talk, showed the younger alicorn to sit beside her. "I presume it is about your investigation into where Nightmare Monn could be hiding. " She brought her tea and shared it with her. "So, what have you found."

"Well, it's not so much what I found as what found me."She said awkwardly, while Celestia raised an eyebrow. "Nightmare took me as a prisoner."

Celestia spat her tea.

"What?! But you look just fine and even participated in the fight with Discord!" Shouted Sun Alicorn.

"You can believe me or not, but she somehow... wanted it? Or at least, wanted me fighting with Discord"

It was something big to take it without doubt for Celestia. "Can you please start from the beginning?"

So, she started, explaining how she heard a rumor that Nightmare Moon was seen inside the Everfree forest by little fillies. Without better leads, she found herself traveling through it. However, when she tried to return, she discovered that she didn't know how, and then she was attacked by a pack of Timberwolves. They chased after her for hours and when finally thought that she lost them she fell off a cliff. She lost consciousness, and when she woke up, she was a prisoner of her.

"It had to be a shock to be awakened like that" Commented Celestia.

"Yeah, it was." Admitted Cadence."I had no idea what she was going to do with me since my disguise was off when I woke up, so I thought she was going to interrogate me."

"It was a fair assumption"

"But she didn't, she even bandaged my body, gave me something to eat, and then left."

"She left?" Asked a surprised Celestia.

"She left." Confirmed Cadence."The next few weeks it was the same routine: wake up, eat, and pass the time. Sometimes she would bring to my cell some furniture since it was barren at the beginning. No question, no threats, no nothing. To be honest I was going crazy from boredom. " Celestia couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Finally I snapped and asked her what she was going to do with me." There she stopped, trying to remember all the details.

"And?"

"She answered: nothing. I was a bargaining chip, a safety measure in case something happened."

"What exactly could happen?" Delved Celestia.

"I don't know, she didn't say. Days passed and nothing else was said, until today. She came visibly in a rush, and after a quick thought she freed me. Only after we left the cave I did understand that something big was happening."

"Do you have an idea where this cave could be?" Questioned Celestia.

"Probably in Everfree forest, but I don't know where exactly, Discord disordered the terrain too much to recognize."

"And Everfree is too big to just discover it by chance." She sighed." Now we need to focus on repairing and calming the ponies, they will want to know what happened. And Nightmare..."

"She didn't seem like an evil tyrant." Declared Cadence.

"You are right, but she did kill many ponies before her banishment." She massaged her head. "I'm starting to get a headache. Let's reschedule our meeting for later." Cadence looked at her, deep in thought. Is Nightmare really evil? What is her goal? Was she telling the truth? So many questions and no answer.

"Very well."She stood up, and after wishing goodnight, she left.

"Everything will be alright, Twilight" Said Luna, while comforting her daughter.

As she returned from Canterlot, she spotted her daughter lying on the floor in their home. She immediately came to her, worrying that something terrible had happened. She wasn't far from the truth.

Twilight together with five other ponies, defeated Discord and became the bearers of Elements of Harmony, and it was ok. Unfortunately, after the battle, she was forced to release her seal on her magic to save her friends from dying. While she was successful, she needed to make sure that they would not tell anypony about what happened, so she went against them and forced them to promise it.

They didn't like it at all.

After it was done and they were gone the full impact of what happened finally hit her. She made true friends and immediately betrayed them. They probably won't trust her like before.

And it hurt her a lot.

After a few hours, Twilight finally fell asleep. Today's day wasn't the best but they were alive.

She hoped that the future would be better.

Author's Note

Grammar checked with grammarly and chatgp.
Let me know if something is wrong.