Chapters Chapter 1- The lesson begins
The navy blue filly Unicorn stared up into the midnight blue eyes of her Alicorn teacher, fidgeting nervously as she examined the research paper that had been turned in.
“Not much is known of her, but it is believed Princess Luna once had a sister by the name of Celestia…Interesting.”
Princess Luna sat on her throne, thinking about it in the moonlight. Her blessed moon shined brightly down onto the crown that graced her brow. It was a strange crown; partially melted, and patches of it had black scorch marks. The gem in the center was long gone; all in all, it resembled trash, and yet Luna refused to take it off.
She sat quietly upon the golden throne; the proud ruler of not just Canterlot, but Equestria itself. Under her tutelage, the country had quietly grown and evolved, to become the most desired to live in, in the whole of Equus. The sun never shone in Equus, though ponies never even noticed. Nopony noticed nopony that is, but Princess Luna.
Luna spoke softly to her young charge.
“Tell me, my faithful student, how did you come by this information?”
Luna chuckled as Twilight slowly pulled forth a book from her saddlebag; a book written by none other than the Princess herself. Of course she would find it in a book, why am I so surprised?
“Come with me, there is something I wish to show you.”
Slowly, as Luna staggered to her hooves, her fearsome appearance was fully revealed.
The Alicorn’s body was a sight to behold. She was missing a wing, and half of the fur on her face and barrel was missing. Apparently, it had been incinerated, if the blackened, pitted flesh was anything to go by. When asked about it, the Princess would just reply.
“Trophies of freedom.”
Afterward, she would refuse to comment further. She also had vehemently refused medical attention whenever a subject had offered.
“Leave it. I don’t want it to heal. I don’t want to forget.”
Twilight watched in awe as the oldest being on Equus rose from her throne. Above her in the luminescent glow of moonlight, hung a tattered and frayed banner.
The banner’s age was indeterminable; believed to once have been a vibrant navy blue and the distinct outline of two alicorns, one black, and one white could be discerned by one staring intensely at it. Faded rusty red letters declared in a strange dripping style: For Everfree!
The Alicorn slowly and purposefully walked alongside her student, down the corridors of the Royal Wing of the Castle of the Two Sisters.
The castle from which she ruled was in disrepair; a large chunk of the throne room was in ruins. There was no rubble but the edges of the hole appeared to have been melted by an intense blast; the stone twisted and distorted from an assumed searing wave of heat.
She refused to have it rebuilt. When asked why, she just gave a sad smile, replying.
“Let the Two Sisters stand in pieces, as a reminder to all of what it cost being ever free.”
She knew they spoke behind her back, claiming she was crazy; there had never been two sisters, so why name the castle in such a fashion? Regardless, she refused to change the name. It didn’t matter if they understood or not. As long as she didn’t forget, that was all that mattered.
“Tell me, my faithful student, how many Celestial bodies are there?”
“Just one, Princess.”
“And that would be…?”
“The moon, Princess Luna.”
“Very good, Twilight- the moon...Oh, here we are.”
Twilight looked at her teacher in confusion, why stop here? The two had stopped in front of a bare stone wall on the side of the corridor, just opposite of a strangely placed stained glass window depicting some creature, though it was too dark for Twilight to make out.
The Princess, however, had closed her eyes as her horn glowed with the mystical power of the moon. Apparently deep in concentration, Luna seemed to be muttering some inaudible incantation under her breath.
Though at first Twilight attempted to discern the words, she gave up upon realizing that they were of a language she had never learned; Old Ponish. The ancient language hadn’t been spoken since before Equestria was founded.
Instead, she turned to look at the strange glass window. As Luna’s whispers continued, the moon’s light slowly drifted onto and began radiating through the stained glass. Before Twilight’s eyes, the darkened figure within the glass grew lighter and lighter in tone until a pure white Alicorn mare was revealed, smiling down at them, causing the light to hit the stone wall.
Moving closer to the window revealed the Alicorn had a mane that resembled the aurora, Its cutie mark seemed to be something Twilight had never known, and it was clearly wearing the same crown Luna now wore; though it wasn’t melted and boasted a massive sunstone in the center and cast in rich shiny gold.
Once fully enveloped in the moonbeams an open archway formed in the stone bricks, behind which sat a set of stone stairs, leading up towards the rafters. Peering upward at the spiraling stairs, Twilight noticed much to her surprise, she was unable to see where the stairs ended. They went up so high, they seemed to vanish into the aether.
“Quickly now, Twilight. And pay attention, this is your lesson for the day. I will be expecting at least 2 rolls of parchment on the topic in my hooves by tomorrow.”
Swiftly, she followed behind as Luna began to ascend the stairs, speaking to her in what Twilight affectionately referred to as her “lecture” voice. Pulling a quill and parchment from her bag with her magic, Twilight started taking notes, as the stairway wound ever-upward.
“Before Equestria was founded by me, before Canterlot, there was the Everfree. No, not the forest of the same name, but a small village of Alicornborn.
If you recall from your studies, The original practitioners of magic; the Alicornborn were primitive and unpolished when compared to the likes of today’s spellcasters, but most certainly paved the way for the likes of Starswirl the Bearded and Clover the Clever. You must remember that the Alicornborn and the Alicorn before you are two very different beings. While born with the features of an Alicorn, they sorely lacked the magical potential of an Ascended. On the other hoof, the ascension to Alicorn was granted to those whose unique abilities changed the world in a significant way, by the powers that be.
I originated from the quaint little village though I was no Alicorn. No, I was born a Unicorn. Now you are probably wondering why I am telling you this when you just wrote a 10 scroll report on my origin. That’s very simple-”
Luna paused to sharply inhale as though the very idea of what she was about to say caused her untold pain.
“I was not the only one. I was one of two; twins born to be ‘chosen ones’ as the village called us. We were very different, my sister and I. She had a gentle warmth about her, always willing to see the good in others. While I raised the moon, she would lower the sun-
“Um, Princess Luna? What’s a sun?”
Stopping halfway up the steps, Luna turned to see the curious, eager face of Twilight. She gave a sad smile and told her.
“The sun was a Celestial body like the moon, Twilight. A ball of blessed fire, of unimaginable size. While the moon slept, there was this thing called daybreak, during which Celestia would raise the sun and the world would be filled with the light of the sun. At the end of the day, she would lower it and I would raise my moon to caress the creatures of the land in its gentle calm for the night’s rest.
To understand what day was, picture nighttime, but brighter and the air was warmer. My sister lovingly embraced her duty to raise and lower the sun. She loved to spend mornings enveloped in the rays of the golden sun as its light flooded the land, bathing all in its warmth.”
As Luna spoke, a single tear fell as the memories flooded back. The only response; the furious scribbling of quill on parchment as Twilight took notes. Turning, Luna once more started up the winding stairs, with Twilight hot on her hooves.
“Around the time of our 5th birthday, a horrible shift began across the land. A creature of unfathomably destructive power began sewing discourse across the land, destroying any semblance of harmony. Discord was loose. A being that was born of the chaos itself; delighting in wreaking havoc regardless of the outcome.
Everything from storms of chocolate rain, destroying crops to mountains made of rubber ducks, creating avalanches and crushing all in their wake. His power was no joke, though to him life itself was. Over the years, one by one, the free nations of Equus fell to the tyrant. Creatures surrendered their will, accepting Discord or perished in horribly comical fashions. That is until one remained; the village of Everfree.
It happened at our cutieceanera, our 15th birthday. Our village fell to the horrible onslaught of Discord’s chaos. It was a complete massacre. A simple village, we had no protection wards to defy his power and in the aftermath, only my sister and I remained; having been hidden from his sight by our guardians. It was that day, my sister declared war on Discord.”
***
The ground was littered with 50 pineapples, the exact number of village inhabitants, aside from the two sisters. Celestia stared in silence at the carnage; huts were covered in boiling honey, while the sky above was a maelstrom of cotton candy clouds from which frogs fell. The whipping wind, though icy, smelled of sulfur.
“Where is everypony, ‘Tia? What’s with all these pineapples?”
“They’re gone, Luna.”
“Gone?”
The words were spoken in a soulless, destroyed tone. Luna had never seen her sister in such pain. It was as though the normally warm and gentle Unicorn had just had her heart ripped out.
“Yes, Luna, gone.”
Looking down at a pineapple that sported the same necklace worn by the village chieftain, Celestia’s eyes narrowed in sudden hatred. As she slammed down her hoof, Luna watched as her inner fire ignited. Celestia roared out loud, in a voice that echoed her resolve across the land. The shout heard ‘round Equus. The beginning of the end.
“We’re all that’s left. And I swear by The Harmony itself, Discord will pay for what he’s done to Everfree!”
***
“We set out immediately, with my sister leading the charge. We knew alone we would stand no chance, so we sought allies to mount a rebellion. Though it was easier said than done. We were eager, full of fire and vinegar, but horribly green in our endeavor.
It was slow going at first, no matter where we went, we found it impossible to convince the populace to join us; neither of us could perform our Celestial duty while Discord had control.
Neither the moon nor the sun could rise or set, it was utter chaos, and nopony believed we could deliver on freeing them. That is until my sister showed the world he wasn’t untouchable.
News of horrible new powers rising rode upon the whispers of the wind. I’m not being metaphorical here, by the way, the news quite literally was spoken by the wind. In an eerie whisper, the wind told everypony of two creatures by the names of King Sombra and Queen Chrysalis; born of Discord’s ever-growing chaos.
To the East, King Sombra had laid siege to the Crystal Empire, dethroning its current ruler. To the west, Queen Chrysalis had established a hive of soul-sucking insect-like equine monstrosities known as Changelings and they were ravaging the countryside.”
Pausing, Luna turned to see Twilight furiously scribbling diligently, and a rare smile of pride shown on her face as she addressed her.
“Pop quiz, what made a Changeling so dangerous, Twilight?”
Taken by surprise, she struggled to answer the sudden question, nearly losing her magical grip on her parchment and quill in the process.
“Oh, er-um, according to the history books, Changelings were imbued with the power to mimic other lifeforms, by transforming into a perfect copy, but what made them truly terrifying was their ability to then use all abilities and skills of said creature. Once the imitation was complete, the Changeling would then seek to eliminate the original by devouring them.
Specifically, they tortured the individual until they went completely insane before eating the poor soul. Only then was the victim deemed ‘seasoned’ enough to physically consume. After eating them, they would then permanently imitate the creature, living their life and luring loved ones into the grip of the hive to be devoured by their brethren.”
Luna nodded approvingly.
“Good. I’m glad to see those tutoring sessions with Advisor Shimmer have been paying off. That is correct, now let’s see what you’ve learned from the royalty of the Crystal Empire. Tell me, Twilight, what do you know of the late King Sombra?”
“Princess Glimmer told me that King Sombra had been a Unicorn that controlled the shadows and fears of others. During the siege, he is believed to have used others' fears to control them to do his bidding, by way of magical masks?”
“Very good. How is Princess Glimmer by the way?”
Twilight grinned.
“Oh, she is doing wonderful! And she told me to tell you that she is looking forward to midnight tea time with you tomorrow night, mo- er- Princess Luna.”
Luna's face was stern, causing Twilight to backtrack quickly, but as quick as her frown appeared, it vanished, and Luna lectured her hapless student.
“Do try to remember we are at school, my child. Honorifics only, until classes end for the night. You know better.”
“Yes, Princess Luna.”
“Good girl, Twilight. And how wonderful, I’ll have the chef put on some herbal Dragonfruit Darjeeling. And of course, you will be attending; you are old enough now, after all. Now back to your lesson, King Sombra, though his reign was over quickly, was not to be taken lightly, and as it was just my sister and me, Celestia came up with a plan-”
***
“Okay, so we go in there and blast him to smithereens.”
***
A faintly amused smile played on Luna’s lips at the memory as she turned and once more started up the staircase, with Twilight on her hooves.
“-It was pretty much what you would think an angry Unicorn would come up with.”
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Chapter 2- Crystals, tears, and firespitters
“My sister, though not often given to such compulsive thoughts, had sadly been too angry to think clearly. You must remember, though we were technically mares when we were thrust into this situation, we were lost. No more mares than scared fillies bravely whistling in the dark. Immature and without a clue. However, that’s when I remembered what the castle of the Crystal Empire was made of.”
***
“Tia, that’s a great plan and all, but what if we paid a visit to the Dragonlands, instead?”
Celestia seemed surprised by this and momentarily forgot her anger, to ask her sister.
“Why would we do that Luna?”
Luna’s eyes shone with a glint of malicious mischief.
“That castle is made of Sparkle Stone, isn’t it?”
Celestia blinked as she slowly put the idea together. She grinned as the realization dawned on her.
“That is so evil, Luna. Let’s do it!”
***
The Princess paused before a map on the wall of the stairway. The markings on the map showed the route the sisters had taken. She turned to the furiously scribbling Twilight, gesturing towards the faded parchment on the wall..
“Dragons. We decided to recruit the Dragons, for there is nothing a dragon loves more than devouring gemstones. And there is no more desirable gemstone for the firespitters than Sparkle Stone, of which the entire Crystal Castle was constructed. We had just one issue: Dragons hated Ponies, more specifically, the magic-using Unicorns. Or at least back then, they did.”
“They hated Unicorns? Why? Why would any creature hate us, m-Princess Luna?”
Luna noticed the fearful tears in her daughter’s eyes and smiled warmly as she told her.
“You need to remember Twilight, that the world was a very different place. Though the Kingdoms of Equus have long since buried any animosity and we exist now in Harmony, it was not always that way. Even before Discord, Harmony hung by a thread between the races. The simplest altercation could spark a lifetime of distrust, as it was between the Dragons and Unicorns.
“But why?”
“The Dragons are extremely fond of physical pursuits. And one of their greatest pastimes is an activity known as lava boarding. Immune to fire, their thick scaly hides allowed them to ride down lava flows using slabs of rocks. And many centuries before I was even born, the Unicorns attempted the sport as well at an outing.
The problem was the Unicorns out of fear coated themselves in fire-resistant magic to prevent the lava from touching them, much to the anger of the Dragons. As stated before Twilight, Dragons are very proud of their physical prowess, and because they don’t need magic to perform lava boarding, they felt no race should. Insults became refusal to back down, which in turn became distrust and that led to fights, and finally, war.”
A distant look appeared in the regal Princess’s eyes as she spoke, a long-dead excitement resurfacing in her voice.
“It was a strange and wild world, the fires of youth fueling our emotions, but there was nopony more feral than Celestia. My sister had a fiery, untamed passion to make friends with every creature and partake in all life had to offer. Anything and everything, she wanted to try it all. And it was that burning reckless desire that saved our flanks in the Dragonlands; surrounded by Dragons we were almost certainly doomed. Magic has no effect on their thick scaly hides, after all. All hope was lost, and then…”
***
Luna and Celestia stood in the middle of a circle, surrounded on all sides by dozens of Dragons; all of which didn’t look too happy to see the two Unicorns. Panicked, Luna shouted at her sister.
“Tia! What do we do?”
Celestia stood quietly as the Dragons closed in before a glint appeared in her eyes.
“Hey, wanna have a lava board race?”
Her words carried a warmth about them and the entire badlands fell silent as she asked the question. Dumbfounded, the Dragons stopped moving and stared at her in surprise. Likewise, Luna stared at her sister incredulously.
As the Dragons stood there, exchanging confused glances, Luna frantically whispered.
“Celestia, now is not the time! They’re going to kill us.”
Celestia had a strange fire in her eyes as she just stood there, grinning. Luna recognized that expression, her sister had a plan. Sighing in defeat, Luna knew there would be no talking her out of it. Luna resigned herself to see how it played out.
Within seconds, a loud grunt and snarl filled the air, with teenage Dragons being shoved out of the way as a massive female Dragon made her way to the front. She stood leagues over the two Unicorns, her hide bearing the scars and wounds of countless fights, Luna felt her heart drop, this was a brood mother. She snarled at Celestia, her rancid breath blasting the hapless Unicorn in the face.
“What would a Unicorn know of lava boarding, whelp?”
Undaunted, Celestia eagerly spent 15 minutes explaining how growing up, Luna and her would sneak away from village duties to watch the teenage Dragons surfing the lava flows, and how she always wanted to try it.
“And what, you gonna cover yourself with some anti-fire magic when it gets too hot for you?”
Before Celestia could respond, the brood mother turned to shout at the crowd of Dragons.
“We’ve all seen it before. They come here and disrespect our customs by using magic because the lava’s too hot for ‘em. Scared prissy magic-users afraid of a little fire!”
As the crowd cheered in a frenzy at these words, a fierce glint appeared in Celestia’s eyes.
***
“Those Dragons thought that because she was a Unicorn she would panic seeing the lava, like so many before her. There was one thing, however, those Dragons never counted on.”
Twilight looked at Princess curiously as Luna gently ran her hoof over the tattered map, reminiscing.
“What was that, Princess Luna?”
Luna’s eyes shone faintly with the glow of youth that she had once possessed.
“My sister’s soul burned hotter than the sun she commanded. Headstrong and stubborn, when my sister wanted to accomplish something, she would do so. Whether it was impossible or not, she would do it, no matter the extremes required. Celestia wanted to lava board with those Dragons, and nothing was going to stop her, not even her ability to use magic.”
***
“I won’t use it.”
Turning to her, amidst the roars of “Go home, Unicorn!” the brood mother snarled.
“Excuse me?”
“My magic. I won’t use it.”
The words were barely a whisper and yet, a hush fell over the shouting dragons, as they were uttered. Eyeing her warily, the brood mother spoke to her in a dismissive tone.
“Bold words, but how do we know you’ll be able to keep them? That, when surrounded by roaring hot lava, you won’t use magic because nocreature can see you?”
Luna watched as Celestia stayed silent for a moment as she considered this. Then her horn glowed, and a strange metallic ring, forged of black iron and engraved with glowing runes appeared. As this ring slid down her horn, the female Dragon growled.
“What are you doing?”
Celestia grinned as the ring settled around the base of her horn, pulsing with a deep golden light.
“I told you, I won’t use my magic and I meant it. This ring prevents the wearer from using magic until it is removed. It cannot be removed by the user or by magical means as well.”
“And what if you fall in the lava?”
“I’ll die.”
Celestia’s answer was calm and was heard across the crowd of Dragons, showing her determination. A murmur of begrudging respect for her resolve slowly rippled through the crowd. Luna couldn’t believe it as she stared at the sea of Dragon faces; Celestia was winning them over. Even the brood mother crossed her arms with a slight smile of approval on her lips. After a moment of thought, she announced her gruff verdict.
“Alright then, magic-user. You got moxie, fine. We’ll give you your race. Darg, get your scaly flank over here!”
“Huh?”
One of the teenage Dragons slowly approached and shouted out.
“What?”
The brood mother, however, was not amused.
“Don’t you what me, you scaly nuisance! Get your board and get out on the flow. Now!”
“But mom-”
“Don’t you dare argue with me. I hatched your hide into this world and I can easily take you back out of it! Get goin’. And not another word. Got it?”
Silently, the male dragon nodded and headed towards the nearby ridge. Meanwhile, turning back to Celestia, the brood mother addressed her.
“You’ve shown you got the passion, now let’s see you back it up. Win, and we’ll let you tell us why you are trespassing our lands. Lose, and you both are going for a dip in the lava pool. Let’s go.”
Minutes later, Luna winced as the heat of the boiling magma singed her nostrils, the harsh scent of sulfur in the air. Sharpened Dragon’s claws were placed firmly against her throat as she watched her fearless sister.
Celestia inhaled the burning air as she stood on the edge of the lava flow, the thermals whipping her pink mane to and fro. Below her, the lava boiled and popped. She grinned and looked at the muscular Dragon beside her as he held a slab of pure obsidian, sharpened and shaped to resemble a diamond-like board.
“This is so awesome! Now what?”
Darg stared at her for a moment before growling at her.
“You need to go make your board.”
Before Celestia could say a word, the brood mother, who seemed to have possibly warmed up to Celestia, roared at the hapless Dragon.
“You get your worthless hide over to that rock face and break her off a chunk. She’s a pony, there is no way she-”
Celestia smiled sweetly as she interrupted the brood mother’s tirade.
“Oh, that is quite alright. I can do it.”
Looking at the unruly teenager, Celestia inquired as innocently and warmly as could be.
“Darg was it? Could you point me to the correct rocks to use?”
A curious look appeared on his face as he pointed at a pile of solid black volcanic glass, muttering.
“Over there, but it can be a pain to break, so I’ll-”
Celestia trotted over to the rocky outcropping and examined it for a moment, before laughing.
“No, no. That wouldn’t be fair to have somecreature else make my board, would it? All Dragons make their own. Am I wrong?”
Darg seemed surprised and stammered.
“Well, no but U-unicorns aren’t very strong and you aren’t exactly muscular as you are fat-”
*Crack*
His words were interrupted as Celestia pulled back her hind leg and tensed the muscles in her thick thighs. The sinew of raw muscle glinted in the light moments before she slammed it directly into the side, resulting in a loud thunderous cracking sound, and a chunk of obsidian broke loose. Every Dragon’s maw fell open in disbelief as the slab, easily weighing a hundred pounds or more, crashed to the ground. She turned and in her sweetest voice said.
“Did you say something?”
***
“My sister was larger than most Unicorns of her age. Built more for strength than speed, her body was far from the wiry frame normally seen in our kind, Twilight. Her flank was rather large and her barrel was a bit wider than most. Naturally, many assumed she was fat, but actually, that extra weight was raw muscle.”
Princess Luna chuckled lightly.
“Celestia was never one to rely on her magic for things and preferred to do things with her own hooves. While growing up, she was more about physical pursuits, than those requiring a magical touch. Though not nearly as strong as an Earthpony, Celestia could easily hold her own in a fight. She would always carry objects on her back rather than by levitation. I still remember waking up, only to see her coming back from her morning 5k run. I miss those moments. The smile on her face as the sunlight streamed down...”
A haunted look graced the Princess’s face as she realized Twilight, having stopped her frantic note-taking, was still there, listening.
“Ahem- I-I think we should call it there for the day, my daughter, class dismissed.”
Tears streamed down Luna’s face, unbidden, as Twilight stood there, concern on her face.
“Mom are you o-”
Wiping a hoof across her eyes, Luna interrupted her daughter with an abrupt tone.
“I said class is over Twilight, why don’t you go see if Mrs. Shimmer has something for you to do?”
***
“-She started crying, Moonglow, and then sent me to help you!”
“Oh, I see. Twilight, what was the name of the tome again?”
Moonglow Shimmer, Royal Advisor to the Lunar Princess, stood on a ladder perusing a shelf of magical tomes within the Royal Library. A Unicorn mare, her fur was coal dust black, with a mane and tail of gunmetal blue and silver highlights. On her flank, a full moon, split into gibbous halves; one white waxing and one gunmetal blue waning made up her cutie mark.
Below her, stood the navy blue unicorn, Twilight Celestial Solstice, standing on tiptoe to peer up at her with a worried expression, levitating a magical scroll that listed an assortment of things to get. Looking at the scroll, Twilight read off the fifth thing on the list of nearly forty items.
“Care and Maintenance of Magical Artifacts by Clover the Clever. What should I do about mom? I don’t want her to be sad!”
Moonglow brushed her hooves across the backings of the tomes, muttering to herself as she read the titles.
“Let's see…”Magical Hexes, The Complete Guide of Botanical Maladies, The Seven Magics of Equus, ah..here it is!”
Pulling a thick volume off the shelf, Moonglow blew on it, sending dust everywhere. Coughing, she fanned the dust away and read the gold embossed title.
“Care and Maintenance of Magical Artifacts by Clover the Clever. Perfect.”
Climbing down and stepping off the ladder, Moonglow appeared to ignore Twilight as she quickly trotted over to the door, where she passed the tome to an Earthpony stallion who seemed overly grateful to receive it.
The stallion wore a saddle with an assortment of handyman tools within. On his brow, he wore a pair of engineering goggles and his mane was unkempt and frayed.
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Shimmer, you are a lifesaver!”
With a gentle smile, Moonglow responded in a soothing, yet strict voice.
“It’s my pleasure. Do make sure that the observatory telescope is back up and running by midnight, you know how her majesty enjoys staring at the stars.”
“Oh, yes ma’am.”
Without another word to the stallion, The Royal Advisor started down the hallway calling behind her tersely.
“Come, Twilight. Don’t dawdle.”
***
Walking down the Threshold of the Royal Throne Room, Moonglow stopped suddenly, almost causing Twilight to crash into her. The mare slowly gestured her hoof out in a sweeping motion; pointing it at the dozen or so stained glass windows on either side. Each one depicted Princess Luna performing some great deed or legendary feat. Her voice was strangely soft and thoughtful.
“Your mother has spent the past 10,000 years working to improve the lives of all. From uniting the races to vanquishing the monsters that once graced the land, there is not a creature in Equus who has not heard of her name. Each of these was generously gifted to her, by the many races of the world, as a thank you.”
Pausing, Moonglow shook her head sadly, as she continued.
“From the Dragons to the Griffons, not one creature in this world hasn’t heard of the deeds she’s accomplished. And even so, she feels empty, as though missing one thing to make her whole again.”
“Celestia?”
“Oh, she told you about that mare, did she?”
“Did you know her?”
As though thinking it over, Moonglow stayed silent for a moment before responding.
“I’ve heard the memories of Princess Luna, about another Alicorn, her sister performing amazing feats. Or rather a mare she believes did those things. There is no record of such a pony ever existing. In the library, you can find countless records of your mother’s accomplishments. Records of Starswirl the Bearded and his and Clover the Clever’s research into magic. You can find volumes of a journal recorded by Darg; now known as Torch, the 102nd Dragonlord, detailing the habits and life of the Dragons. Even eyewitness accounts of Discord, Chrysalis, and Sombra. But you’ll never find any on ‘Celestia’.”
“Oh. Then is mom lying?”
Her words; careful and measured, Moonglow answered her.
“Young heir, I don’t think your mother is lying; to her, this Celestia is very real and existed, but you have to remember, your mother has been fighting for millennia to better this world. Her majesty’s mind has been under intense and impossible to fathom stress. It’s only natural her majesty would develop some form of coping mechanism. Perhaps even an imaginary sister, to justify the acts she’s been forced to perform.”
Seeing the crestfallen face of Twilight, Moonglow added quickly.
“Then again, that was before my time, wasn’t it, little one? As the only still-living survivor from that war, perhaps Princess Luna knows something we don’t. After all, history is full of unsolved mysteries. I still remember interviewing Clover about a monstrosity of dark magic known as Grogar. And even though she fought hoof-to-hoof with him, there were still details she couldn’t remember.”
Clover the Clever, that’s impossible, isn’t it? Twilight blinked in disbelief. Clover the Clever had lived thousands of years ago. Confused, and shocked she blurted out.
“Just how old are you?”
Chuckling, the youthful-looking mare replied with a playful wink.
“A tale for another night, I’m afraid. A mare must have her secrets, after all. Now, what do you say we go and check on the chef’s progress with the Dragon Fruit tea? I’ll bet if you ask nicely, he’ll even have some freshly baked cookies, just for you.”
Excited at the prospect of fresh cookies, Twilight raced towards the kitchens with Moonglow keeping pace, the moon’s light filtering down through the colorful stained glass.
Chapter 3- A family emergency, icy thorns
“Hey, kiddo, ready to spend a day with your big sister?”
Twilight Celestial Solstice stared up into the dark golden eyes of Starburst Nova, excitement written on the young filly’s face. The stallion’s fur was the same earthen gray as a cloud’s reflection on the lagoon in the endless night. His mane; having the same silvery sheen as the crescent moon with a mix of dark earthy gray highlights. On his flank was the image of a star exploding outward with a shimmering radiance. He wore a pair of crescent-shaped spectacles, which rested upon a soft light gray patch of fur. Around his midriff, he wore a cloak of woven moonlight, spell crafted by Twilight’s sister, his wife, and the current ruler of the Crystal Empire; Princess Starlight Glimmer.
The Alicorn Stallion chuckled lightly as Twilight eagerly patted the saddlebag on her back in response. The travel bag was packed with all sorts of necessities; snacks, books, a worn-out plushy with a single button for an eye, crayons, parchment, a quill, and many more amenities.
“Prepared for everything, aren’t you?”
“Yep.”
Behind Twilight stood Moonglow Shimmer, who spoke directly to Starburst in a grateful tone.
“Thank you so much for agreeing to take her for a couple of nights. We really do appreciate it.”
Nodding, Twilight’s brother-in-law looked the kindly old advisor in the eyes, lightly remarking.
“It’s our pleasure, Moonglow, and Starlight is always excited to spend this night with her little sister. Besides, every creature needs some downtime eventually, even somepony as powerful as Princess Luna. How is her majesty doing, by the way?”
Moonglow smiled sweetly.
“Asleep. She was given a powerful herbal draught, made of stardust and lavender to calm her nerves. I’ve alerted the head chef and he has his staff preparing her favorite meal. A top pair of masseuses; sisters from Ponyville’s renowned spa, await to help soothe her stress as well. She has quite the midnight hour of pampering ahead of her. A few nights of rest and relaxation, I’m sure we both can agree, she has well earned.”
Starburst nodded.
“I can’t imagine the immense weight she has been bearing to have suffered such a meltdown.”
Twilight anxiously looked around as the adults above her talked. A filly who had just received her cutie mark, not one moon ago, Twilight was completely unaware of what they were discussing. It wasn’t often she saw her sister outside her role as a teacher and Princess. The only thing she had been informed of, was that she was going to be spending an entire week’s worth of nights with Starlight. No school, no lessons; just a week with her sister.
Impatiently, she began to sway and goof around, pawing her hoof at the ground, eager to get going. She just wanted to go play with her big sister, why were the grown-ups taking so long? C’mon let’s go, I wanna see Starlight!
Seeing the antsy antics of the young filly, Starburst laughed.
“I guess we better head out. Starlight is waiting after all and somepony is eager to get going.”
As the two said goodbye, Starburst turned to walk away, before stopping after a few steps. Calling back, he addressed Moonglow.
“Please keep us informed on her Highness’s condition. And if she needs anything, and I mean anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. We will do whatever we can to help her recover. Come on, Twilight. Starlight’s waiting.”
***
Sitting on her throne, Starlight sat lost in thought of earlier events. Standing before the throne and arguing with each other, two ponies stood, though she wasn’t really listening to their issues; her mind elsewhere. Ugh, these two again. Bicker, bicker, all they do. Could this night go any slower? I do hope mom is doing better. I’ll be sure to give her a hug next time I see her. That reminds me, I must make sure the chef has that fizzy juice ready for Twilight. Where is Starburst anyway? A bolt of wayward Unicorn magic slammed into the cushion of her chair, barely missing her ear and catching her attention immediately.
“Enough!”
The Alicorn Princess boasted a rich Denim Blue fur with her mane being a soothing Aegean Blue, matching the tips of her Denim Blue feathers. Each individual feather’s tip on both wings having been painted delicately to match her mane and tail, Starlight made a fearsome sight when she spread her wings to their full width. On her flank was the renowned symbol of a falling star with sparkles in it’s trail. With her eyes a deep glowing seafoam green, like her sister, none dared argue with any decision she might make, including the two before her currently.
Standing on her hind hooves, Starlight spread her wings, an angry glare locked onto the two unfortunates. Her words boomed throughout the entirety of the castle, and she held back none of her ire.
“I’ve had enough of you two bickering and fighting in my throne room. No more. Understood?”
The Earthpony with a green pear-shaped cutie mark pointed to the unicorn with a green apple-shaped cutie mark.
“But your majesty-”
“I don’t care. If that had hit me, I would have vaporized you two on the spot. Every single moon, you two are in here bickering over who can grow what crops. And I've had it. I may possess immortality but even I don’t have time for the same nonsense every single time. There are far more important matters that require my attention.”
Standing there in stunned silence, the two stood staring open-mouthed at the fierce ruler as she let them have it.
“Now for the last time, you will split the land in half. He gets half and you get half. That way he can grow his pears and you can grow your apples. This matter is settled. Get out. Now.”
“But-”
“Guards!”
A pair of armored pegasi guards approached the two, spears drawn. Settling back down into her throne, and ruffling her feathers in annoyance, Princess Starlight calmly, yet clearly irate gave them their orders.
“This audience is over, please escort these two to the gates.”
The guards looked at each other, and both grinned. The one on the left reached out a muscle-bound forehoof to reach for the Earthpony, and seeing he stood no chance against her, the pony calmly turned and began to walk away. The Unicorn was another story.
Grabbed swiftly in the Aegean-furred forearm of the guard on the right, the Unicorn must have gotten over her shock because she fired a retaliatory bolt of magic, point-blank at the Pegasus’s face.
The blast hit the anti-magic crystalline helmet, knocking it from the mare’s head, revealing a mane of many colors. Divided into various sections of soft, dull, dark, and deep blue hues, the Pegasus’s dyed mane displayed the colors of an icy aurora above the mountains at night. It seemed to flutter in the night’s air, draping itself wildly over the breastplate adorning her barrel. The front of the plate displayed the coveted Star of Night pattern, only worn by the Captain of Starlight’s Royal Guard.
Time itself seemed to stop as the helmet clattered to the floor and a small bead of crimson began threading itself down the guard’s muzzle. The Unicorn had just long enough to see the glare of two glowing silver eyes, before a beefy hoof slammed into the side of her head, knocking out the offender.
Taking notice of the injury, the Princess called out to her.
“Captain Shard, your face-”
“It’s nothing, ma’am.”
Her voice was slightly raspy, with a soft undertone. Taking a deep breath, Captain Aurora Shard calmly and effortlessly swung the limp form of the Unicorn over her back, heading towards the entrance to the Throne Room. Her subordinate flew a few wingbeats right behind her, leading the stallion, stunned at what he had witnessed.
As the massive Sparkle Stone doors were flung open and the malcontents tossed bodily through, a tiny blur of a navy blue shot past the guards, and headed straight for the gilded silver throne. A look of surprise crossed the Guard Captain’s weathered face, and as she turned to call out, she was greeted with the sight of a rather amused-looking Starlight.
“There she is!”
Fluttering her wings as she leaped from her throne, Princess Glimmer approached the little blur as it came to an abrupt stop just before the throne, revealing the form of a very excited and energetic, navy blue filly.
Landing just before the young Unicorn, Starlight smiled warmly at her and held out a single hoof. Still, flabbergasted, the guards watched as a fast-paced singsong game of pattycake began between the two.
“Moonlight, moonlight,
Stars shining on the lake,
Stamp your hooves,
And do a little shake!”~
The game ended with Starlight using one wing to pull the filly towards her in a fierce hug. Captain Shard, still nonplussed at the sight, turned with a start, as a deep, warm, bass-filled voice spoke up behind her.
“It’s fine, Aurora, she’s with me.”
Instantly her head was lowered in a submissive bow as she addressed the speaker.
“Lord Nova!”
Immediately, Aurora found her muzzle being raised to peer into the kindly golden eyes of the Prince of the Crystal Empire.
“Enough of that, Aurora. You know I’m not all that keen on such formalities. What happened to your face?”
Grinning, the Captain raised a hoof to the now steadily streaming wound as a small pool gathered around Starburst’s hooves.
“That Unicorn took a potshot at me, sire, nothing serious.”
Staring at the visible hole in Aurora’s face, Starburst narrowed his eyes sternly.
“Uh-huh, nothing serious? And for the thousandth time, please just use my name.”
Lowering her hoof, Aurora stared at the rich crimson that now covered the surface.
“It’s just a scratch. And no can do, Princess Starlight has made it clear you are to be addressed by honorifics at all times, Prince Starburst.”
“Medic.”
The abrupt single-word response took Aurora by surprise.
“Sire?”
Again, Starburst repeated the command.
Med-ic-al Ward. Now.”
Now startled, Aurora started protesting heavily.
I’m fine si-”
Starburst was having none of it, as he interrupted her excuses.
“Not another word, Aurora, head to the Medical Ward. Now. Get that looked at and don’t you dare return to your post, until that wound is healed. That is an order from your Prince!”
Shocked at the prospect of being made to leave her post, Aurora’s wings drooped to the floor and she quietly walked out the massive crystalline doors. Starburst looked at the other guard and sighed.
“I appreciate her work ethic, but that is one stubborn mare.”
Standing just short of Aurora’s height, with Sanguine-toned fur, and her wing-tips a burnished auburn, the other guard wore a full set of anti-magic armor, though around her barrel she wore an armored skirt rather than a solid breastplate. A cutie mark of three large roses, with black, thorny stems could be seen, each colored a brick red. Her mane was tied in a ponytail but consisted of obsidian-hued hair, with highlights of deep crimson purposely dyed into it. Likewise, her tail possessed the same colors and had a ruby bead tying it off. The Sanguine-furred mare laughed, her glowing eyes, like two rubies shining in a dark cave, her voice extremely soft and silky.
“Oh, don’t I know it, sire, but that’s why we pair so well together.”
“How long have you two been married anyway, Rosethorn?”
Rosethorn Evertree, wife of Captain Aurora Shard, and Commander of Starlight’s Personal Crystal Guard looked thoughtful as Starburst observed the countless scars peeking through the spaces in her crystal mail; All of which she proudly touted from her many years of service.
“25 years, as of next month, sire.”
"Oh wow, I remember Starlight and mine's 25th; that was nearly 400 years ago. Do you have any special plans?"
While the two talked, Starlight sat on the carpet of the throne room, fiercely hugging her little sister, her mind going over what happened just hours ago.
***
“Lady Starlight, please come in.”
As Princess Starlight and Starburst enjoyed some alone time, a portal appeared over the queen’s bed; upon which both lay, enjoying each other’s company. Still slightly out of breath, she called out to the familiar voice.
“Moonglow, what, hah, is it? Is every, hah, everything okay?”
“I regret to inform you, your mother has suffered a depressive episode.”
“What?”
Ceasing affections with Starburst at once, Starlight sat up in her bed to listen, as Moonglow told her what happened.
“Since tucking Twilight in, your mother has been sobbing into my lap and chugging cheap boxed cider. I think this may be related to that staircase again.”
Starlight nodded, her mother had been trying to ascend that staircase for thousands of years. Every time, she would break down into depression and become inconsolable.
“What do you need from me?”
“I was wondering if you could spend a few nights with Twilight, while your mother takes some time to herself to recover. Perhaps a week-long vacation of rest and relaxation. I think ruling without a break for thousands of years has gotten to her, and I’m worried.”
Placing a hoof under her chin, Starlight rustled her feathers in thought. Slowly, she voiced her thoughts out loud.
“A week is a long time for me to leave the throne. But mom getting a vacation sounds wonderful. Hmm-”
Pausing, she looked pointedly at the clearly still-flustered Starburst, who was instinctively rustling his feathers out of frustration.
“If only there were some loving and amazing stallion that could take my place, while I spent some time with my younger sister. If only such a stallion who cared for me very much would do such a thing. You wouldn’t happen to know of one like that would you, honey?”
Starburst rolled his eyes and laughed.
“Of course, I can do that for you, dear.”
Grinning, Starlight turned towards the portal once more.
“Alright it’s settled. Though, who will stand in for mother during her vacation?”
Moonglow Shimmer’s eyes glowed brightly as she spoke sweetly.
“I think you and I both know how capable I am to fulfill such a role, 'Little Starry'.”
Thinking back to her childhood, Starlight shivered slightly.
“Just don’t be too hard on the poor souls.”
Fangs glinting in the radiating moonlight, Moonglow responded gently.
“If they behave, I won’t have to discipline them, will I?”
***
Starlight smiled down at her little sister and gently nuzzled her. For the next week, she would be caring for Twilight, while her husband minded the throne and handled all disputes.
“I have so many fun things planned for us.”
That’s right, everything is fine. Twilight's too young to understand anyway. Look at her, so excited without care. Mom just needs some time to herself. She'll be okay. Let’s just get through this week. Everything will be fine.
“Now who’s ready for a trip to the fairgrounds?”
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Chapter 5- The Wendigo's scorn, Tartarus's warmth
At a table near the rollercoaster, Princess Starlight and Dragonlord Cinder listened, slack-jawed, as Twilight told them about her dream. As she finished, Cinder gave a low whistle.
“That’s some power you got there, no wonder you knew me.”
Starlight, who had silently been sipping a Crystal Mimosa during the explanation, looked a bit troubled as she spoke up.
“It’s known as Clairvoyance, or rather, the ability to foresee the future. And it’s not common, even amidst magic users.”
Cinder looked a bit surprised.
“Why are you sounding so glum about it? Isn’t it wonderful?”
Putting down the empty crystal goblet, Starlight looked miserable.
“No. Well yes, it is great and has its uses, but it’s because of who is believed to have been the only being to ever possess such magic, that concerns me.”
“And who was that?”
“You never knew her, because she never existed, or perhaps she did.”
Twilight’s eyes grew wide.
“You don’t mean-”
“Yeah, Twilight. Celestia, mom’s supposed sister, is the only creature ever speculated to have possessed the ability to predict the future.”
“But Moonglow said-”
Twilight froze mid-sentence, causing Starlight and Cinder to look at her. The young filly’s eyes rolled upwards as she fell backward; completely oblivious to the world around her. Starlight’s eyes went wide as she hurriedly spread her wings to catch Twilight’s swooning form.
“Twilight! Twilight, speak to me, Cinder get a medic!”
***
Starlight sat watching the sky, sitting next to Cinder, her hoof laying snug in Cinder’s claws. Glancing up at the never-ending brilliance of the moon, she commented lightly.
“I don’t see why you’re so concerned, so what, your sister has a unique power; shouldn’t that be a happy occasion? Your royal line is now even more remarkable, isn’t it?”
There were tears in Starlight’s eyes as she shook her head.
“We never wanted her to know. We never wanted her to feel different, that we loved her any less, that she didn’t belong. Especially with it having been destroyed.”
Cinder helplessly stared at her, confused as could be.
“What are you talking about Starlight?”
“Twelve years ago, mom and I found a filly amidst the wreckage of the spot Celestia is said to have perished. A small pure white filly that possessed a pink mane; a unicorn with a rather unique cutie mark. Mom called it a sun-”
***
Opening her eyes, a startled Twilight found her snout inches away from another, with a warm, soothing brown fur with purplish-red shimmering overtones and eyes with irises like two discs of freshly poured smelted copper.
“How is she, Mrs. Charity?”
The mare turned to reply to Starlight, who had been rushing over with the Crystal Castle EMTs, a look of panic on the Princess’s face. As she turned her head to respond to Starlight, Twilight saw the gleam of a solid platinum hoop earring, offset with a moonstone, glowing electric blue in the moonlight. The mane of the mare was the same copper hue as her eyes and was perfectly coiffed without a hair out of place. The warmth in her eyes faded as she spoke to the Princess, her tone sharp and chilling, like a blizzard on a frozen tundra.
“She is fine, Princess.”
“Thank you for staying with her while-”
Turning away from Starlight, who went silent immediately, the mare stared deep into Twilight’s eyes, those copper irises igniting once more and her tone suddenly changing from the icy edge of cold steel to the comforting sensation of a campfire’s warmth.
“When’s the last time you ate, young heir?”
A bit unsettled with how close the mare’s face was to hers, and sporting a blush for reasons she couldn’t understand, Twilight squeaked out an answer.
“Last night.”
“Early night, Midnight, or Late Night?”
“Midnight”
Nodding, the mare turned towards an adolescent mare by her side, who had a fashionable saddlebag on her back, and sported the same sparkling, crystalized fur color. The mane, however, was a moonlit silver, and her eyes shone like the blue moon.
“Moonstone, go talk to Mrs. Blaze about needing a ‘druid’s candy bar’, if she shakes her head no, just tell her my name. Take 7 platinum bits, which should cover the cost of expedience. I want it here in five minutes. Go.”
Not waiting for a response, the mare turned to Starlight as the EMTs examined Twilight. Her eyes were as cold as the darkest abyss, her voice just as unsettling.
“Low blood sugar.”
Staring silently at the mare, Starlight seemed completely to have lost the ability to speak, meekly nodding in response. Meanwhile, off to the side, Twilight watched as Moonstone gestured towards the Kirin, who watched her carefully. Not a single word was actually spoken but the Kirin seemed to hear her just fine and shook her head. Gesturing at the mare, Moonstone pulled a business card from her saddlebag and gave it to the Kirin. After a moment, a bright smile graced the Kirin’s face, as though overjoyed. Her face resumed the passive expression once more before she calmly nodded.
Twilight watched in complete enthrallment as the Kirin’s horn glowed and fruits and nuts, as well as a jar of shimmering, golden honey, appeared. Moving quicker than Twilight’s eyes could follow, the Kirin’s magic sliced the strange fruits and dried them, grated the exotic nuts, and carefully fused them together, coating the resulting bar with dripping crystal clear honey, before presenting it to Moonstone. Quickly and somewhat forcibly presenting the platinum bits to the Kirin, who kept refusing them, the adolescent rushed back over, profusely apologizing.
“Sorry I took so long, mom, she kept refusing payment.”
With a rare glint of tenderness in her eyes, the mare gave a soft chuckle.
“That’s Autumn for you. Just like always. Now about the candy-”
Before the sentence could be finished, Moonstone had already presented the treat to her. The second it touched her hooves, the mare turned back to Twilight, her voice soft and encouraging.
“Eat this, it will help, I promise.”
Taking the bar from her, Twilight watched as she stood up, turned to her daughter, and said simply.
“Let’s go, Moonstone, we’re done here.”
Before leaving, she gave a curt nod to Starlight and Cinder addressing them with a voice of sheer cold.
“Princess. Dragonlord.”
Receiving timid nods in response, the two then left.
Completely in disbelief at what happened, Twilight nibbled the sweet treat as instructed for a moment before asking her sister.
“Sis, who was that?”
Starlight, still too shaken to speak, looked helplessly at Cinder, who stepped in.
“Her name is Infernal Charity, the other one is her daughter; Moonstone Coronet. The two of them are the owners of Infernal Inc. and the richest ponies on Equus. Every country uses their products and every square hoof-length of land in the Crystal Empire belongs to Charity; including your sister’s castle and this fairground.”
“But why was she so rude to Starlight?”
“Because she was conceived by the Wendigos themselves-”
“No, she wasn’t, sheesh Cinder.”
Finally finding her voice, and clearly trying not to laugh, Starlight spoke up.
“She has her reasons, nothing to worry about. Infernal can be a bit...intense, but as you may have noticed she has a warm spot for fillies and colts.”
Cinder rolled her eyes.
“You are way too lenient on her for such actions.”
The ghost of a knowing smile appeared on Starlight’s lips.
“Perhaps, but you cannot deny she has never once failed to help when the Crystal Empire needed it most. Anyway, Twilight, you had me worried, how are you feeling?”
Looking down, Twilight realized she had already eaten half the fruit and nut bar, and a surge of energy was coursing through her. Blinking, she found herself thinking about what she had seen. Twelve years ago, mom and sis found a filly amidst the wreckage of the spot Celestia is said to have perished. Just over 15 years old, Twilight couldn't help but wonder. It can’t be me, could it ?
Forcing a smile, she put those nagging thoughts aside. There would be time to solve that riddle later. Maybe Moonglow knows. She knows everything. I’ll ask her.
“I’m fine Starlight. I feel much better now. Just a little woozy. Wait...So, she is the daughter of the Wendigos? How does that-”
Starlight smacked her face with her own hoof in exasperation.
“She isn’t! Well, she is, but not exactly. It’s complicated. You should ask Moonglow to learn more about her.”
Twilight, slightly confused, asked her big sister.
“Why?”
Starlight gave a small chuckle, as Cinder interjected.
“Because those two are sisters, Twilight.”
Chapter 6- More than just a title- Part 1
The rest of the night was uneventful. Twilight met dozens of dignitaries, most of which seemed amused and excited when told she was Luna’s heir.
“Those are some big horseshoes to fill.”
“I fought alongside your mother during the Tartarus Incursion, you look just like she did; a bit smaller, though. A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Twilight.”
“Princess Luna’s child? I expect we can see you perform some amazing feats then, after all, she did the impossible back in her heyday.”
“I’ll never forget the time she befriended the Wendigos during the Blizzard felt around Equus.”
“A true honor, young heir.”
The week flew by rather rapidly, almost like a whirlwind of fun activities. Twilight spent time with her sister; the two held tea parties or colored together. During the late-night, both Twilight and Starlight found themselves being read to by Starburst as they ate cookies and drank fresh cider and fizzy juice.
The week had been so much fun, but in what felt like no time, Twilight found herself sitting before the golden throne of the Lunar Princess, staring once more into her mother’s unclouded eyes. Smiling down at her daughter, Princess Luna spoke softly to her.
“Mrs. Shimmer has requested your help, so for tonight, you are to assist her as she requires. Your lessons will resume tomorrow night. Off you go now.”
***
Moonglow Shimmer was snout deep in a thick book, with strange symbols electroplated in gold leaf on the cover and spine. Her eyes lit up as her keen hearing picked up the stifled hoofsteps of a small pony. Without raising her head, Moonglow addressed the intruder.
“There you are, young heir.”
“Aw, how did you know it was me?”
Moonglow turned away from her reading to look at the young Unicorn. Twilight, seeing her reading, had attempted to sneak up on her and surprise her. Chuckling, Moonglow’s horn glowed, pulling Twilight over to her and into a warm hug.
“Don’t feel too bad, Twilight; your sister used to try that all the time.”
Moonglow’s eyes sparkled with amusement as Twilight lowered her head in dismay.
“Oh don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll manage it one day.”
Looking hopeful, Twilight asked her.
“Did Starlight ever succeed?”
Gently nuzzling Twilight, Moonglow whispered softly.
“Not. Even. Once.”
“Darn.”
Slowly rising, in an oddly fluid motion, Moonglow gave a chuckle.
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll relish the challenge like she once did. Now then, as to why I called for you. As you may have noticed, this is not the normal room in which we would meet.”
At once her horn glowed brightly, and the room’s torches ignited with an emerald flame revealing the massive room to be completely empty.
“No, this is a special room, one I made just for you-”
Instantly rows upon rows of empty cherrywood bookshelves sprung up from nowhere.
“with empty shelves to be filled-”
Suddenly stacks upon stacks of books of all sizes and languages, from everywhere piled up in front of Twilight’s awestruck form.
“And a story of its own to be penned-”
Gesturing to the wide expanse of empty shelves, the Royal Advisor stated with just a hint of pride.
“Every Princess forges her own tale, and that tale is conveyed by the rows in which her library keeps. What she values most, what she dreams of, all of it is told through how her books are organized. Millenia ago, your mother wrote her tale; what was, what is, and what would be, under my watchful eyes.”
Twilight watched in fascination, as Moonglow then gestured to the books, as they rose off the floor and swirled around her. There was evident joy in Moonglow’s voice as she exclaimed.
“Books of every subject, books of every origin, every language, many you’ve never known. Books from years-long forgotten, books from ages to be. Wisdom killed for, wisdom lost to time. Many legends have been written amidst the pages of these covers. Tonight you, young heir, will write your own legend amidst these shelves.”
Twilight picked up one of the books as they stacked before her.
“But Moonglow, I’m not a princess yet.”
The emerald flames in the wall torches glinted off the fangs of Moonglow, as she grinned at the comment.
“Neither was your mother when our kind first encountered her.”
“Wait, what...Your kind? The Crystal Ponies?”
“Did your mother ever tell you how we met?”
“No.”
Moonglow’s eyes shimmered with an odd light. Her next words seemed lost for a moment, as though an echo of the distant past.
“Would you like me to?”
Twilight froze as she stared into the eternally gentle gaze of the Royal Advisor as her eyes shone suddenly, with a fierce, chilling intensity. Her throat tightened, her mouth had gone dry. What is this? All around her, a cold feeling filled the air and permeated every one of her bones. She wanted to know, to say yes, but try as she might, she couldn’t utter a single sound. Just like Starlight at the fairgrounds, all she could do was just give a timid nod.
The air grew unbearably cold, as snow began to form, swirling up from the ground. Like a raging, blindingly white whirlwind, the snow whirled around Twilight, taking away her breath as the temperature fell. Looking down, Twilight watched in shock as the ground slowly vanished; quickly being replaced by the roaring blizzard.
Unable to even utter a scream, Twilight frantically glanced at Moonglow, who had started glowing brightly. In complete disbelief, Twilight watched as the coal dust black faded away revealing an almost ethereal form beneath.
A wispy, ghost-like mare stood before her, though her features were perfectly displayed. The horn of the Unicorn was no longer visible. Her eyes held no color, her body and mane, and tail as well, but her face showed that same gentle, fang-filled smile Twilight had known for ages.
As the majestic creature stood towering over her, Twilight happened to look around. The two were no longer in the library, but standing in a vast expanse of snow, with bone-chilling winds howling across the landscape. All around, ponies lay, encased in ice, ice that would never melt. Looking widely around, Twilight saw the horrified expressions forever frozen on the hapless faces of the unfortunates. As her teeth chattered uncontrollably, she somehow found her voice once more.
“Wh-where are we?”
In response, Moonglow silently pointed behind her, causing Twilight to whirl around and gasp. The massive form of the Two Sisters had been reduced to the balcony window barely jutting from the snowy hill they now stood on. It was then Moonglow began to speak, and as she spoke a scene appeared and played out to her narration of events.
“Not where, but when. It was just a dozen or so years after Discord’s defeat when we, the Wendigos, were summoned to your world by an outbreak of strife and dissonance. With Discord dethroned, a power vacuum had begun. and with Princess Luna, the one who destroyed him with the full weight of the moon, refusing to take the throne, the many species of Equus were vying for the right.
War broke out amidst the once-proud wavers of the Everfree Banner. Anger, hatred, sadness; our daily bread, beckoned us and so we decided to feast-”
Twilight watched as, amidst the frozen victims, two creatures appeared, shivering and shaking, yet standing against the biting cold, staring up at the sky; hopeless desperation in their eyes.
“And feast, we did.”
***
“Y-you really think this will work?”
The speaker, a dragon of medium build, bundled the ragged cloak about him. His breathing was labored and his flame breath barely a sputter. The cold was unbearable, and he could feel his veins turning to ice as he spoke. At this rate, it wouldn’t be much longer till the ice creeping up his leg, would encase him like the others.
“I haven’t the f-foggiest, Darg.”
The Alicorn mare that stood beside him wore no garment having draped it around her dragon companion. On her hide, the visible sight of frostbite forming on the surface could be seen. Her teeth were chattering, and she struggled to keep her hoofing. Still, she refused to just lie down in the snow, despite how every fiber of her being was demanding it. With the last vestiges of her strength, she took a deep breath and let loose everything she had. The roar of sound thundered across the landscape.
“Listen. To. Me!”
The sheer shockwave generated shattered the ice encasing ponies throughout the barren expanse. Most incredible, however, was how the spectral creatures circling above took notice and stopped in their tracks.
“Please, I beg of you, tell me. Why must we die? What is it you want from us?”
High above, the creatures stared down at her. Looking at the others, and seemingly being urged on by them, one of the nightmarish creatures majestically descended towards the mare. It was inconceivable, it was impossible, but Luna’s pleas of desperation had reached the ears of the Wendigos.
“Why have you disrupted our feast?”
“Y-your feast?”
Luna was completely nonplussed as the mare before she gestured at the landscape. Her words were sinister, almost maliciously gleeful.
“Hatred. greed. wrath and envy, deceit and deception, look around you, never has such a delicious banquet been so prepared. That is why we are here, to enjoy the meal you so graciously prepared, Alicorn.”
“I prepared?”
Once more gesturing at the snowy landscape, the Windigo spoke, her voice like the roaring blizzard that encompassed the landscape; unrelentingly cold.
“Can you not see it? The delicious pain and suffering, the nightmarish agony? It swirls around you and calls to us. Such an outpouring of emotion to even where surely you ponies can see it. It covers the landscape and devours any in its wake. Never before has such a tempting banquet been placed before us.”
“Swirling arou-”
Luna froze mid-sentence. Wait, what did she just say? The shock of realization washed over her, and her body no longer felt the biting cold.
“You didn’t cause this storm?”
The mare stared incredulously at Luna.
“We did no such thing. This is not our doing. We just followed the scent of food. You ponies created this perfect storm. You brought winter’s wrath upon yourselves. Not us, Alicorn.”
“But-”
Luna stared hopelessly at the wasteland of snow; the once terrifying forest of the Everfree, crushed by the tons of magical snow and ice. All around, the ice climbed and crept over the newly freed ponies, as they set about yelling at each other, freezing them solid once more.
“What caused it?”
***
Moonglow paused in her narrative, causing the scene to freeze momentarily. Twilight looked over at her only to see her eyes soften, if only momentarily as she mused.
“My mother was never one for warmth or understanding. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps she truly did care, nocreature really knows. Even though I was but a filly, I recall much of that moment, but neither I nor my sister ever truly grasped what overtook our mother. Mayhaps she saw something, others had missed. Whatever the case-”
***
The Windigo mare stared silently at Luna for a moment before sniffing at the air and licking the fallen snow. Her voice, still as harsh on the ears and just as brutal as the Northern Winds.
“This scent and taste are of one origin.”
Luna blinked; stunned by the comment.
“What do you mean?”
Scuffing her hoof, and looking uncomfortable as though the very idea of answering any of her questions made her sick, the mare responded.
“Both the scent in the air, and the materialized emotion all around us, came from the same source. A single argument, get it? Ugh...stupid Alicorn.”
“You don’t like Alicorns?”
“I don’t like you.”
“Me? I don't even know you! What did I do?”
The eyes of the mare narrowed in fury.
“Oh yes, the once 15-year-old Alicorn who led the heroic charge of the For Everfree army, what could such a little filly possibly have done to the Wendigos?”
The wind picked up and swirled violently around the two, separating them from the sight of others. Harsh and cold, the wind tore around the two, and yet was nowhere near as painful as the Wendigo’s tone.
“Well, child, let me tell you. Look up. Those are my children-”
Looking up, Luna saw the forms of two tiny Wendigos, watching the two below them, little tears in the eyes of one. The other, slightly larger than the first, meanwhile gently nuzzled the little one as though comforting it.
“They are the last remaining Wendigos of a tribe of 30, all because of you and your cowardice.”
“Cowardice, how dare-”
The mare caused Luna to close her mouth immediately, by stamping her cloven hooves in rage. Her eyes were as frigid as the Arctic Waters of Equus and pierced Luna's very soul like a steel dagger.
“No. Now is not the time for you to talk, Alicorn. You will listen, or you will perish. Now hold thee tongue and open thy ears. You might learn something, little filly."
Chapter 7- More than just a title- Part 2
Standing in the middle of a vast snowy wasteland, Luna stood shivering. The frigid winds of a mind-numbing blizzard ravaged the once-thriving Everfree Forest. To her left, the frozen forms of hundreds of ponies; Unicorns, Earthponies, and Pegasi. To her right, the form of Darg, the Dragonlord known as Torch, stood completely encased in ice; a look of mortified terror frozen on his face. And in front of her, a mare; a Wendigo, with a bone to pick. With the very breath stolen from her lips, Luna could only listen, as the mare angrily explained the horrific fate of her kind that Luna had never known.
“We Wendigos are very nomadic; we have no territory, no place to call our own. We roam the skies, usually out of sight of Equus’s inhabitants, simply put: we always go where the food is.
Unlike you gentle Ponies-”
Gesturing a hoof at Luna, the mare then turned to point at the ice-clad Darg.
“Or the mighty Dragons, or the many other Creatures of this world. Wendigos don’t feed on material sustenance. We eat the emotional outpourings of others. Your happiness, your fear. Your pain, your joy. We lovingly devour them all. Unfortunately, Wen…”
Lowering her head, the mare scuffed her hoof as if embarrassed. Her words were seemingly morose in nature and her eyes softening slightly.
“Wendigos don’t adapt well to new, abrupt sources of food. Discord’s rule was long and horrid. The food was plentiful, but far from satisfying. Malice, discontent, jealousy, wrath. Not really a filling notion amongst you ponies, if i recall correctly; well, to tell the truth, it holds very little nutrients for our young and is rarely filling for grown Wendigos as well-”
The mare's voice cracked slightly as a sudden tremor rocked her gaunt, almost wiry form. Shaking slightly, the mare recovered and continued as though nothing happened, but Luna couldn’t help feeling something was wrong; she couldn’t put her hoof on just what, though.
“When Discord fell, the food changed drastically. , not only was it succulent, a little went a long way. Our entire herd could live for days, on just a few morsels each. Harmony was truly a blessed emotion. Thankfully, we were prepared for such a shift as the elder had been observing the conflict and preparing us...all for what...was to come-”
The Wendigos barrel heaved in and out, as though struggling for breath. Was Luna imagining things, or was the mare having trouble speaking?
“And then...the...ngrh...the elder passed onto the next realm and her daughter became the new chieftess.”
Pausing, the Wendigo clenched her teeth.
“At first it was smooth headwinds; the harmony was plentiful and our tribe prosperous. Then it happened without warning, the food changed. I tried to mitigate the sudden discrepancy; maybe If we slowly weaned off the harmony, the sudden surge of disharmony wouldn’t...but it was too late and it just went so wrong. There wasn’t enough Harmony to go around suddenly, and the dissension remained toxic...to...usurghhh!”
Staggering, the mare stubbornly slammed her hoof down, her hide far paler than before.
“A...meeting was convened, each adult forewent their rations, all remaining Harmony was given to the children. I watched them wither...and then they were gone, one by one until just I remained. I was left with so many children and newborns.”
Luna stared in horrid fascination as the Wendigos hooves seemed to slowly fade into nothing. A solitary tear slowly drifted down the mare’s face.
“The newborns went first, there just wasn’t any milk for them. I couldn’t eat and they were so hungry...and they...those screams for mother’s milk that could never come...Those horrible screams...and then the children, I, there just wasn’t enough, there wasn’t enough.”
Turning her head to stare icily into Luna’s eyes, the mare’s voice held no anger, just sorrow.
“And then there’s you, the catalyst to our demise. ‘I have no intention of being your leader. My part in this is over. My village is avenged, after all.’ Do those words ring a bell, Alicorn?”
Luna’s eyes went wide. That? That was what this was all about?
The Wendigo gave a morbid chuckle as her legs slowly dissipated into the wind.
“A simple statement, and were it uttered by any other, it most certainly wouldn’t have had this impact. But it wasn’t just some pony, was it? No, it was you. You, who united all the tribes of Equus under a single banner; a single goal.
You, who had the trust of millions to lead. You, who told your followers that since your goal was accomplished, there was nothing more. You, who broke their hearts. And you, who in three sentences, doomed the entirety of Equus.”
Luna opened her mouth to speak, only to be immediately shut down by the icy cold attitude of the dying Wendigo before her.
“Shut up and listen! I don’t have much longer in this world and you will hear what I have to say Alicorn!”
Luna closed her mouth, watching as the Wendigo’s torso began dissipating, her final words would remain etched forever within the mind of what would become the celebrated Lunar Princess.
“Every creature has to do things we don’t want to. We never wanted to be in charge, or we never wanted to get involved in another’s drama. Sometimes it isn’t up to us, though. Our destiny which we strive for, isn’t what we planned, what we desired. I was your age, Alicorn, I was 15 when all of a sudden, I, completely new to marehood, was thrust into protecting my species. I never asked for it. I never wanted it.
But I bit my tongue and planted my hooves; I did what had to be done. I gave it my all, because though I hated it, they needed me. Destiny is a fickle thing, we strive for one goal but sometimes our actions lead us to heights we never sought to climb. Responsibilities we abhor. And yet there are those who require us to take up the mantle; not because we deign to do so, but because it supports them.
Not everypony can be a leader, not everypony can answer such a call. To lead masses that have no direction, no understanding of what to do. The problem is, they still need a leader. Left to their own devices, they descend into chaos.”
As the mare completely vanished into thin air, Luna could hear one final sentence, swirling in the cold air, as well as a shrill whistle.
“You didn’t want this, but only you can do what needs to be done.”
***
The scene faded, as Moonglow spoke to Twilight.
“After mother gave that final whistle, a summons, my sister Infernal and I were introduced to your mother. Almost as if a spell had been cast, your mother’s disposition had changed; with her remaining wing spread, she declared herself the ruler of Equestria, and should any wish to challenge that right, she would bury them there and then, that the fighting was to cease immediately.”
Twilight gave a low whistle.
“Oh, wow.”
Moving images formed all around her, depicting Luna’s many heroics, including the legendary Tartarus Incursion; demons and unholy creatures breaching the crack some heretics had formed. Twilight watched as Luna went berserk, unleashing everything she had to destroy the aberrations and seal the massive fissure.
“No way!”
Moonglow grinned, her fangs glinting in the flames of the library sconces.
“That moment had changed your mother forever. Since that day, few have tried to overthrow her, but for those that did, well...She refused to relinquish her role as Princess; that title, given to her by her followers. As she put it,
“No unworthy being will be permitted to lead my creatures.”
She took her responsibility as ruler seriously, and though she will never admit it, with great pride. But she didn’t sit on her laurels, that throne is merely for show. Any place where war or conflict broke out between nations, she was there, to end it.
Were you to ask any creature across the world of the most powerful magic-user to ever exist; not a single one will hesitate to declare Luna’s name.”
Twilight’s legs began to quiver as she watched the unbridled intensity of her mother.
“You aren’t kidding, she, she sure is something.”
Moonglow nodded, responding in a silky voice.
“She sure is.”
“Hold on! You knew mom back then?”
Once again, Moonglow nodded.
“I did, indeed. I’ve been in her service for more than 9,000 years, Twilight.”
Twilight suddenly seemed excited.
“Then you must know Dad!”
Pausing for a moment, Moonglow gave a small nod before saying hesitantly.
“We’ve...met.”
Failing to notice how uncomfortable Moonglow had become, Twilight eagerly begged of her.
“Please can you tell me about him?”
After staying silent for a moment, Moonglow gave a small smile. She knew this day would come eventually, just as it had with Starlight hundreds of years ago. Slowly, she raised her left forehoof. Twilight blinked in disbelief at the shiny metallic band glinting in the torchlight.
The platinum band coiled with woven silver, shone brightly, a brilliant moonstone embedded in the middle for all the world to see, but that’s not what caught her eye.
There on the moonstone, glowing a bright blue was a magical engraving of the Royal Seal. Moonglow’s eyes shone brightly, like two glowing orbs, as the illusion of her Pony form once more materialized.
“I suppose I can, after all, I know him better than anypony.”
Staring at it, Twilight was at a loss for words. That band looked exactly like the one her mother wore; her wedding band.
“Who...Who are you?”
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Chapter 8- When blood isn't thicker than water- Part 1
“I’m your father, Twilight.”
Twilight’s heart skipped a beat. The calm answer had been spoken so simply, so matter of factly, and with such ease that Twilight began shouting in shock, demanding answers.
“What? How is that even possible?”
Knowing Twilight was not normally given to hysterics, Moonglow sighed and rolled her eyes at the reaction.
“Twilight…”
“I mean, you’re a mare and mom’s a mare…”
“Twilight…”
“Are you saying we were constructed of pure magic? I get the love thing, but how were you even able to conceive? I mean, you don’t even have a…”
Moonglow stamped her hoof and raised her voice, causing the rafters to shake with her the annoyance conveyed within.
“Twilight! Silence!”
“Missus Moonglow, we heard shouting, is everything okay?”
Turning to see, who had so informally addressed her, Moonglow’s face lit up with a smile. There in the doorway were two rather small ponies.
Twins, the stallion and mare, were no more than two-thirds the height of a full-grown Pegasus and boasted a brilliant sheen of charcoal gray fur. The eyes of both had cat’s-eye pupils, no iris, and a curious golden cornea. On their backs were two leathery wings, not unlike those of a bat.
Both guards were Batponies. Instinctually voracious hunters, the Batponies had one major difference that separated them from the rest of the pony population; they were flesh-eaters.
Easily mistaken for fillies, the two full-grown Batponies were well known for their abundance of energy, and determination to prove themselves, and both seemed carefree and very docile. That is unless an issue should arise.
Were you to ask any of the other Midnight Guard what the scariest thing they’ve witnessed was, all would recall the times they watched as Bloodletter and Fanged Lily took care of trespassers and unruly guests, bare-hoofed and fangs extended.
A few thousand years had passed since Moonglow and Luna had discovered the small colony of feral Batponies; nesting amidst some rather treacherous caves within the Dragonlands. The Dragons had expressed extreme reluctance to go into the said cave and only after hatchlings and brood mothers went missing, did they beseech Luna and Moonglow to help them find them. After a few rather harrowing incidents, as well as casualties, a treaty of sorts was brokered between the Lunar Princess and the Batponies. Now, they happily blend in with the rest of society, some even enlisting in the royal guards of Canterlot and the Crystal Empire.
Though many creatures of Equestria were naturally wary of the Batpony’s feeding habits, Moonglow found them absolutely adorable.
In her eyes, the peculiar creatures resembled furry little cats; both in personality traits and their habits, they were always poking around and investigating every random object. Even though now civilized, those mannerisms still persisted, and Moonglow found them endlessly amusing. Pointing a hoof at the pile of books, she calmly told them.
“Everything is fine. There was no shouting, the young heir here just knocked over this pile of books.”
As a crestfallen look appeared on the two Batponies' faces, their ears lay down in distress. Moonglow couldn’t help but feel her icy heart melt at the sight. Look at those poor dears, they were so looking forward to a hunt, weren’t they?
Unable to hide a smile at the sight, Moonglow watched as they dejectedly scuffed a hoof against the stone floor, now that hunting food was no longer an option.
“However, I am quite pleased with your concern for me. Tell you what, why don’t you go pay a visit to the chef on duty? Tell them Advisor Moonglow says you are to get an extra portion of fresh chicken tonight.”
Twilight watched as delight filled the faces of the two before a strange almost-humming noise could be heard coming from them. Whispering to Moonglow, she asked her in confusion.
“What is that noise?”
Moonglow chuckled as the Batponies ran off in excitement.
“Purring.”
In disbelief, Twilight blinked in surprise and responded mockingly.
“They can purr? What, are they like cats or something?”
Giggling for a moment, Moonglow nodded.
“Yes, yes they are.”
“Well, that’s interesting.”
Narrowing her eyes, Moonglow turned back to Twilight, a serious look on her face.
“Indeed, now then, about our earlier discussion. If you promise not to yell anymore, I’ll explain myself to you. Now have a seat.”
Sighing, Moonglow used her magic to make a glass of Apple Juice for Twilight, and a cup of fresh tea for herself.
“When I met your mother, I was only 8 years old, though she was in her early 20’s. I was originally employed as a serf of sorts; making her bed, dusting...you get the idea. Wendigo’s like me, we can easily live forever, that is if given a proper food supply, and your mother’s harmony was more than adequate for mine and my sister’s growth.”
Taking a sip from her cup as Twilight noisily slurped her juice through a straw, Moonglow chuckled lightly as she recalled the first time.
“It happened about 2000 years after that fateful night. Your mother had a horrible nightmare and broke down in tears. I found her amidst tear-soaked sheets, curled up and crying for her sister. And upon lighting a flame in the fireplace, I sat next to her and gently laid her onto my lap, comforting her and whispering soft reassurances. One thing led to another and before I knew what was going on, she ended up under me.”
“So you and mom…How?”
Looking slightly uncomfortable, Moonglow broke eye contact with Twilight and looked away.
“Wendigos are mares. Our entire species are nothing but mares and have always been so. However, when we devour an excess of passionate emotions from those close to us, we...Wendigos go through a sort of transformation, becoming equipped for both mare and stallion roles, though only for that moment of intimacy.”
Twilight looked curious.
“Both mare and stallion?”
Clearly flustered at the topic, Moonglow muttered.
“It ensures both wendigos can bear young with an almost certain chance of conception.”
“So, you actually had a…”
Her face a bright red of embarrassment, Moonglow hurriedly replied in a slightly raised voice.
“Yes, yes I had...one! And yes it was a very...surreal experience.”
Twilight raised an eyebrow.
“And you and mom…did you know...that?”
Covering her snout in her hooves, as she lay her head on the table, Moonglow weakly replied.
“Yes…”
“Wow. Wait, does that mean Starlight is actually part…”
Nodding, Moonglow said softly.
“Yes, your sister is half-Wendigo. And before you ask, yes. Infernal is in fact, her Aunt.”
“I see...Hold on, if Starlight is part Wendigo, then she would have that high rate of conception, why haven’t she and Starburst had a foal of their own yet?”
Giving a mischievous wink, Moonglow simply responded.
“That would depend on which one is on top, Twilight.”
Puzzled, Twilight tilted her head.
“I don’t understand. Why would being on top matt...er...oh. Huh. That... So anyway, you and mom...and then my sister was born...and now she...and you...This is a bit much to take in all at once.”
Giggling like a school filly, Moonglow retorted.
“I’m sure Starburst says the same quite often.”
Snorting into her apple juice, Twilight cleared her throat.
“Hrmph...That’s horrible Mom...Dad? Um…”
“You may call me whatever you wish, Twilight. I won’t love you any less.”
“So, erm...dad? I always wanted a dad. Anyway, you mentioned my sister...but what about me? Am I a Wendigo, too?”
At these words, Moonglow fell silent, a scarily grim look on her face. Fiercely, she gripped her cup of tea with both hooves, as she thought to herself how to answer. Luna and I agreed she was our daughter, that she was no less important than Starlight. How can I tell her? Should I tell her? What should I say? Maybe-
“Um, Dad, your glass.”
Blinking, Moonglow looked at her hooves, startled to see that in her fierce contemplation the glass holding her tea had been completely shattered, and the liquid now drenched her hooves. Buck it all! I’ve never lied to my children and I refuse to start now.
“You, Twilight are many things, an amazing scholar, a prodigal spellcaster, a proud member of the Royal Family, and my wonderful daughter, but I’m sorry to say, you are not part Wendigo. Twilight, you are adopted.”
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Chapter 9- When blood isn't thicker than water- Part 2
“Twilight, you’re adopted.”
Twilight’s eyes were hooded over as Moonglow made her revelation. She sat there, betraying no emotion, in complete silence. Finally, after several awkward minutes, she spoke; her voice flat, expressionless.
“We better get back to today’s assignment.”
Reaching out her hoof, Moonglow tried to talk to her.
“Twilight-”
Her words fell on deaf ears as Twilight stood up and slowly stepped towards the pile of books. She carried on, paying no mind to Moonglow’s efforts. Her tone; empty and soulless, like her eyes.
“So a bookcase, huh?”
“Twilight-”
Not even bothering to look at the books on the floor, Twilight began throwing the books haphazardly onto the shelves, not bothering to organize or even out the spines.
Growing concerned, Moonglow’s voice took on an increasingly frantic tone.
“Twilight...?”
“Twilight?”
“Twilight!”
Twilight’s head drooped as she stood motionless, the book held by her magic, almost as if frozen in time. She seemed lost in thought for a moment, and then the silence was broken. With a guttural screech, akin to the sound of Tartarus’s gates scraping open, Twilight turned and hurled the book at Moonglow with all her might. And then another. And another still.
Moonglow stood there in shock at the outburst, as the book sailed through the air, passing right through her. The second one, slammed into her, however. And the third. And the fourth.
As a Wendigo, she could make her body as tangible and as corporeal as she desired. After the first book went through her, she saw the tears stinging Twilight’s eyes and with grim determination, Moonglow resolved to weather the storm of her anger, pain, and confusion.
As the books flew, fast and furious, Moonglow took the full brunt of the impact, watching as Twilight slowly lost the ability to hold back her tears. As the dam broke and the tears streamed down Twilight’s face, Moonglow took blow after blow, lost in thoughts of her own.I can’t blame her for the outburst. Everything she knew was false. She’s still our daughter though. I don’t care where she came from or who she was before. we raised her, we taught her. She is our daughter, and she will know it by the time this is over. If this is what it takes, so be it.
Moonglow’s left eye twitched in annoyance as another book slammed into her muzzle. It didn’t hurt all that much, as the Wendigo had toned her very slender form for literal millennia; her physical hide easily comparable to the hardness of diamond. However, though she barely felt it, and though she welcomed her daughter getting her angst out of her system, she was still very much annoyed at the books being thrown about.
Much like her wife, Moonglow lived with a philosophy of everything has a place and not a hair out of place. Right now her compulsive urges to gather up and store the books on the shelves were rising within her. Her eyes flashed between her natural pale colorless and silver, tinged with an unearthly red glow.
Realizing she was losing control, she desperately fought with herself to calm down to remember her breathing techniques. But it was no use, she was fighting a losing battle and slowly her ire rose more and more, with each thrown book, Moonglow’s body began to quake with silent rage. The air around her crackled with electricity and just as she reached the breaking point and was about to let loose an earthshattering roar, the books stopped flying at her.
Taking advantage of the sudden ceasing of projectiles to focus her mind, Moonglow closed her eyes and slowed her breathing to allow deeper breaths, counting them as she did so. One, Two, Three...Ten. Breathing a sigh of relief, and feeling more like her normally placid and calm self, Moonglow gave a sheepish smile. That was close. Using her own magic she lifted every thrown book at once, almost effortlessly, piling them back into the same stack as before. Luna would have completely reamed me if I destroyed the castle...Well, destroyed it again.
Able to breathe once more, Moonglow glanced at her daughter, and for the first time in thousands of years, she didn’t have a clue what to do. Twilight was standing there, with tears flowing down her face. Having run out of books to throw, she had completely broken down. And as Moonglow watched her daughter cry, her heart completely shattered. She wanted to help her, to console her, and yet she had no words.
Without a word, she walked over to and wrapped a hoof around Twilight, who tried to shove her away. Moonglow only tightened her embrace, pulling her daughter closer to her midriff and whispered to her.
“You are my daughter, Twilight.”
Twilight whimpered.
“No, I’m not. I'm not even Twilight!”
Moonglow’s eyes glowed a bright red as she furiously hugged Twilight.
“Yes, you are. You are my daughter, and my world, Twilight. I raised you. I tucked you in on those cold nights. I cooked your meals. And I taught you magic and appreciation for literature. You are my daughter, and I will personally tear any creature limb from limb for stating otherwise.”
“But if you love me so much, why didn’t you tell me?”
The question cut like a knife. Why hadn’t they simply told her? Moonglow sat on her haunches and let out a sigh of distress. Her words were a bit sorrowful as she stated.
“If only it had been that easy. We didn’t want you to feel out of place like you didn’t belong like you weren’t...one of us. From your fur color to your eye color, to your name, to your place in the family, even your mane and tail color; we only wanted you to feel like one of us.”
The words struck a chord in Twilight’s mind as her eyes grew wider and wider, still.My fur color? That filly from my vision...was it me? I have to know. I don’t want to know. But I have to know the truth! Was that me? Am I-
“Celestia?”
The single word, murmured by Twilight, was picked up by Moonglow’s keen hearing. Her mind was instantly awhirl with a storm of thoughts. Should I tell her? Is it the right time? What will happen if I do? Will she be able to handle it?
As she stood there, silently hugging Twilight tightly, Moonglow’s calculating mind ran through every possibility of millions of outcomes and came to the conclusion that very few resulted in a negative outburst. Now is the time, there will never be a better moment.
Glancing down at her daughter, Moonglow took a deep breath and closed her eyes, saying a prayer to the only deity she truly worshipped, for the strength she so desired for this conversation she had never wanted to have. By my Luna’s grace, may moonlight guide my heart.
Her eyes snapping open, Moonglow let go of Twilight and took a step back. Twilight, in surprise, ceased crying immediately and stared confusedly at Moonglow. As she did so, however, Moonglow’s eyes glowed with the same colorless light as in her Wendigo form. Completely in shock, Twilight flailed about as she felt her body wrapped in a magical aura and lifted into the air. That’s when she heard the voice of Moonglow reach her ears and her flailing ceased as she listened to the words being spoken.
“Long ago, an Alicorn sacrificed herself to save the world-”
The navy blue of Twilight’s fur slowly rippled, dissolving and causing Twilight to stare in disbelief as she watched her navy blue hooves became pure white, along with the rest of her fur. Still, Moonglow continued.
“From her ashes, a little filly arose, possessing long-forgotten magic.”
Twilight’s obsidian mane glowed and shimmered, shifting to a lovely bubblegum pink, soon followed by her tail. Twilight’s eyes grew wide at the sight of the pink hair dangling in front of her; her eyes shifting from artificial seafoam green to the brilliant, natural amethyst she possessed.
“And that little filly was found by a mother and her child who had gone to visit the site, that same site from which that mother’s sister had vanished-”
Twilight, startled by everything taking place, quickly glanced at her cutie mark. What she saw though, wasn’t the stars that had been. Now a strange orb of gold and yellow graced her flank. Twilight had never seen anything like it. What is that? Though it seemed oddly familiar, she couldn’t recall where she had seen it.
“And that mother found, and with the help of her partner, adopted that filly; both determined to make sure she never felt out of place. And so they raised her as their own.”
Twilight felt her hooves slowly lowered back to the ground, and still a little startled, heard Moonglow say.
“That Alicorn’s name was Celestia, and you, my daughter, are that filly.”
Twilight stumbled, unable to focus on maintaining her balance as her mind tried desperately to absorb and understand this newfound knowledge. With a little squeak of dismay, she woozily fell to the floor of the library; Moonglow swiftly rushing to her side.
Twilight lay there stunned unable to fully understand, she now had so many questions, and staring at the strange orb of golden on her flank, only gotten so few answers.
She hadn’t known anything about herself. Who was she? Twilight or Celestia? Was Luna her mother or her sister? What was this strange design on her flank? Why did it feel so alien yet so familiar? Why was this kept from her? And lost in these thoughts, she was startled to see Moonglow, or was it her father, reaching out a hoof to her from above.
“I imagine you want to know why we gave you such an illusion, and why we didn’t just tell you. Well Twilight, if you come with me, your mother, Luna, will explain everything. It is time, my daughter, for you know who you really are.”
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Chapter 10- When blood isn't thicker than water- Part 3
Luna watched in silence as Moonglow and Twilight slowly approached her. As her Midnight blue eyes surveyed her daughter, she instantly knew what was about to happen. That pink mane and tail, those irises, and that cutie mark and fur color. There was no mistaking it; Twilight already knew. However, as she watched them approach, it became obvious to her the mood was far too tense to even begin the conversation.
With a twinkle in her eye, Luna got an idea. Acknowledging her daughter with the dismissive shake of her head, and trying her best not to laugh or smile, she spoke in a disappointed tone.
“My, my, daughter of mine. Twilight, am I to take this display of yours as some sort of teenage rebellion?”
Completely caught off guard, Twilight began stammering.
“M-mommy? I, no, I-I- I mean-”
Luna gave a dramatic sigh.
“Pink mane, and tail? Amethyst contacts? And to top it all off, a cutie mark of a golden yellow sun on pure white fur. So what is it you’re after, Twilight? More dessert? A later bedtime? Maybe less homework? Or perhaps…”
Her eyes narrowed and her tone became completely serious before continuing, her one wing flaring out.
“You’d like to know more about the circumstances of your adoption?”
Smiling lovingly as Twilight let out a squeak of surprise, Luna gestured with her wing.
“Come here, Twilight. Give mommy a hug, and I’ll tell you all about it.”
Standing off to the side, Moonglow’s eyes shined with admiration for her wife, as Twilight ran towards Luna wailing out loud. An effect only Luna had ever had on the filly.
“Mom-my!”
Smiling sweetly, Luna used her only wing to wrap her daughter tightly in a hug, whispering soothingly to her, as she dried Twilight’s eyes with her wingtip.
“It’s alright, Twilight, I’m here for you. No more tears. Smile for mommy.”
Looking up at Moonglow, Luna asked pointedly.
“I take it you’re responsible for this, my dear?”
Merely bowing her head in submission, Moonglow said nothing much to Luna’s amusement. Chuckling lightly, she tickled Twilight’s chin with her wingtip.
“That’s fine. After all, it is time you know. You, my daughter…”
Raising Twilight’s chin up to look into her eyes, Luna continued.
“...Are not my sister, Celestia.”
You say that... Twilight amethyst eyes shined in the moonlight as Luna continued. But if I am that filly then...
“That is her fur color, and yes, those are her eyes. That is also her cutie mark, her mane, and tail, but you are not her. And never could be.”
Gently scritching the ears of her daughter, causing Twilight to giggle at the sensation, Luna said softly.
“You do not possess her memories, her experiences, or her knowledge. You have been raised in an entirely different world and environment. You may possess her body, Twilight, but you are not my sister.”
Does that mean I really am me? As Twilight pondered this, Luna continued.
“As to how you came to be, my daughter…Look behind you.”
Luna’s horn glowed brightly, and Twilight turned around to be greeted by a massive orb of golden yellow, orange, and red fire in the center of the throne room. Her eyes wide, and watering in sheer wonder at the sight, Twilight felt strange. Like she had felt the warmth radiating from it, from somewhere before. But though it seemed familiar, it was completely alien to her. What is that? Mesmerized, she reached out a hoof to touch it, only to have her hoof smacked away by Luna. Twilight whimpered and sucked her hoof, as Luna lectured her gently.
“Don’t touch. Just listen. This, Twilight, is a scaled recreation of my sister’s sun. Though the original was incomprehensibly larger, this is what it was, a massive flaming ball of fire, that brought light to the world. While this is not the real sun and is only my memory of that time brought to life, it is still far too hot for you to touch.”
Twilight continued sucking on her stinging hoof, as she continued staring in wonder at the orb. That’s what a sun is? It’s so pretty. Huh? Before her eyes, the orb shrank down and rose up into the air high above them, while underneath it three figures could be seen materializing; two alicorns, one white and one navy blue, and a strange creature, unlike anything, Twilight had ever seen. And as Luna spoke, Twilight could have sworn its eyes blinked in the moonlight.
“I had foolishly charged in, ignoring my sister’s orders and gotten myself-”
Twilight blinked as the air seemed to shimmer, and her mother’s words became muted before stopping completely. Looking wildly around, Twilight realized she was no longer in the throne room. Instead, she was in a small room, watching herself as she reached down over the edge of a platform shouting at somepony.
***
“Come on Mom! Just one more stair. You can do it! Take my hoof!”
Reaching down, Twilight grabbed onto and pulled her mother with all her might, heaving her onto the platform with assistance from her magic. Panting from exhaustion, Twilight stood on all fours, while Luna lay on the wooden floor. Looking up, Twilight stared at a strange ball of glowing energy hovering in the center of the small space.
“Mom, what is that?”
Struggling to her hooves, Luna turned to what her daughter was pointing at, before reaching out a hoof to touch it. The orb sparked and a bright, blinding glow filled the entire platform. As the light faded, Luna’s mouth fell open in shock, and Twilight couldn’t believe it.
There, standing before them, was an Alicorn the same height as Princess Luna. With a hide of pure white fur, her mane and tail billowed with the colors of the aurora, and on her flank was the same glowing sun, that rested on Twilight’s own. The mare greeted them in a soft, warm, and tender voice.
“It’s good to see you again, little sister. I’ve been waiting for you.”
That’s when a male’s, almost whimsical, voice chimed in from behind them.
“We both have, Lulu.”
***
The scene faded and Twilight found herself in the throne room once more, listening to Luna’s explanation.
“-captured by Discord. And he proceeded to hold me hostage; threatening my life, should my sister not call off this ‘farce’, as he called it.”
Twilight found it incredibly hard to focus on her mother’s explanation. What did I just see? She thought about the scene she had just witnessed. That was no dream, it was too vivid; Too real. So what was it then? A vision? Another vision of the future? Still, oblivious to this Luna continued.
“That’s when my sister, when Celestia, put her plan into action. Convincing Discord to let her take my place, she became bound as I had been-”
Twilight didn’t understand, as she struggled to listen, her thoughts on that vision. What if it was? Was it a message? A warning?
“However, my sister cleverly covered her horn with her hooves, preventing any indication of her magic being used once bound by the chaotic being.”
Should I tell mom? It did involve her, after all. I have to say something!
The images changed, now with Celestia in Discord’s grasp as he taunted her and Luna watched on as a massive shield appeared, encasing Discord and Celestia and the orb above them as it slowly drew nearer to the ground.
“I’ll never forget what happened next. Discord was completely distracted and teasing and taunting my sister, she completely took him by surprise when he asked her if she had any last words. Celestia just laughed and shouted, ‘For Everfree!’, as she brought the sun crashing down on them both; having condensed it until it was far too small for its own mass. And that’s when-”
But what exactly would I tell her? I don’t really get it myself. That had to have been Celestia, but how, why, and who was that other voice?
Luna’s horn glowed brightly, causing The orb to come crashing down from the rafters, covering up, and exploded upon impact with the two.
“-She detonated the sun, obliterating both of them in a blast of the fiery inferno. That should have been the end of it, but Discord had a trick of his own. With his last moments, he used his reality-bending powers, to make everypony, but me, forget my sister ever existed. Still, Celestia’s sacrifice brought an end to that horrible and bloody war.”
The images vanished and were replaced by two Alicorns, one being her mother and the other being her sister, walking through the woods by an overgrown crater. This captured Twilight’s complete attention, her thoughts interrupted by a yearning to hear Luna’s description of what happened.
“Literally many thousands of years later, I had wed Moonglow, and together we had our own foal, and in time, she too had grown and wed. Starlight and I had gone for a walk one day, happening past the very spot Celestia had perished. And that’s when we found you.”
Both Alicorns vanished and an image of Twilight appeared. Exactly as she was now; white fur, pink mane and tail, and a sun emblazoned upon her flank.
“For all the world, you looked just like Celestia, and for merely a moment I thought you might have been. And then you tried to speak. Except, you couldn’t. You weren’t able to say a single coherent word, instead, you made noises; like a foal would and instantly breaking my heart.”
The images changed to reveal Princess Luna gently rocking the little Twilight, who was cooing gently in her hooves; the Alicorn dwarfing the filly considerably in size.
“I have never felt a more wondrous pain; you were not my sister, but a little filly without a family. When you made those adorable little noises, it soon became apparent; you, my daughter, were a blank slate. No memories, no skills, no magic. And immediately I scooped you up, to take you home and show you off to Moonglow. Unfortunately, that was also when we realized something together.”
Moonglow stepped forward and spoke up.
“There was no possible way for you to realize your destiny. That sun on your flank; that unique cutie mark has a destiny of its own, yet, there was no sun for you to raise. That’s when I suggested we utilize some Wendigo magic. My kind’s illusions have more than just a visual effect; by using them we can essentially cover up and change the physical and magical properties of the object beneath. Our illusions become reality until they are removed. And this includes your cutie mark.”
Twilight blinked in complete surprise at this revelation as Luna continued speaking once more.
“Together, Moonglow and I designed your new form; not to conceal it from you, but to make you part of our family. We did this to help you be more comfortable and to have a chance to live the life you deserved to live. Your own destiny, your own path, your own way to shine. You were our daughter, never anything less or otherwise, Twilight. And even now, you are still my daughter.”
Twilight began to cry as Luna’s words, her mother’s words, confirmed her absolute conviction in Twilight’s place in the family. Tears of joy streamed down Twilight’s face, and upon seeing this, Luna immediately scooped her up with a levitating spell, pulling her close and gently nuzzling her. Twilight meanwhile could only squeal out, giggling, happily.
“Mommy!”
Luna smiled and gingerly tickled Twilight’s chin with her feathery wingtip.
“That’s my Twilight.”
That’s when Twilight suddenly remembered her vision. That place...What did I say? One more stair...Could it be?
Looking up into her mother’s soothing eyes, Twilight spoke to her.
“Mommy? What do you say we climb that staircase, again?”
The Princess saw a determined fire in her daughter’s amethyst eyes and she inquired.
“Twilight? What makes you say that?”
Taking a deep breath, her little filly tried to explain.
“I saw something. A vision. A vision of the future, I think.”
In the stunned silence that followed, Moonglow chimed in, her words tinged with curiosity.
“Twilight, what did you see?”
Smiling, Twilight, remembered the platform with the orb. The Mare Alicorn, with her mane of many colors, and her regal stature. She replied.
“Somepony waiting for Mommy.”
Chapter 11: Just five more steps- Part 1
The Princess’s hooves felt heavier and heavier as she passed the old map; the farthest she had been up the strange spiral staircase. Was it her imagination or was it getting harder to climb with each step?
Exhaling, Luna watched a chilling mist form. The air seemed to be getting thinner, colder with each stair she climbed. Her chest ached and ahead of her, she watched Twilight climbing with little to no effort; yet, she felt like her insides were turning to ice.
Just when she thought she couldn’t take another step, Twilight would turn around and shout encouragement, almost as though she could feel her mother’s pain. But why was it so painful, just climbing these stairs?
Collapsing to her knees under the sheer, unexplainable pressure of the stairwell and throwing her head back, Luna looked up. How much further? We’ve been climbing for hours. How many more stai-
Her thoughts were interrupted by her surprise. Just five. There were only five left to climb, but these seemed different. No longer in a spiral, the five stairs led straight up, to a platform that hovered just beyond her sight.
Smiling grimly, Luna’s horn glowed. Five stairs? Child’s play. Surely she could fly past them with ease. Using her magic to form a temporary second wing, she started to rise off the stone platform she had lain on; only to come crashing down, her magic completely neutralized. She heard a soft whisper in her ears, an almost whimsical one, like that of a chiding parent.
“There are no shortcuts here. You must climb the stairs.”
I think that’s enough, for now. After all, I’ve already climbed higher than I have before. Turning around to head back down, Luna’s eyes went wide with fear; the winding stairwell was gone. There was no way down. Frantically she backed up in fright, her hooves knocking a pebbled from the platform she stood on, just as a silken, mocking female’s voice reached her ears.
“What’s the matter, Princess? Is the great Luna truly unable to climb the stairs?”
That voice. It couldn’t be. Whirling around, Luna saw her leaning against the stairway upwards; Queen Chrysalis. But we buried you. I buried your body, myself. How?
The Changeling Queen just laughed as she crossed her hooves; watching Luna get into a fighting stance.
“You would rather fight me again, than be at peace, Princess?”
What is she talking about? What is this? Luna’s thoughts ran wild as she braced herself for a hit, that never came. Instead, the laughter stopped, and Chrysalis spoke to her, in the same smarmy, mocking voice she remembered.
“Surely after everything I put you through, this is nothing. Or have you forgotten being entangled in my web? Imprisoned within my hive? My torturing you up until your sister set you free? Don’t you owe it to her to move forward?”
At that moment a strange, yet also familiar male’s unmistakably flamboyant voice, chimed in.
“Oh please, sister. Can you not see how afraid she is of your mere shadow? Nopony knows better than I, that mare can’t see past her own fear. Face it, she’ll never be able to climb that stairway.”
The shadowy spectral figure of a black Unicorn stallion clad in a regal red attire appeared on the opposite side of the five stairs. His eyes glowed with an acidic bright green and the stallion wore a sharp, fanged smile. Luna swore she felt her heart stop as a familiar wave of creeping terror crashed down upon her. Sombra? Not him! But I watched him...die.I know I did!
A look of disgust appeared on the late Changeling Queen’s face; as though the very idea of being addressed by Sombra as ‘Sister’ made her want to wretch. In an almost elegantly disdainful tone, she retorted.
“Well if she doesn’t have the will to move forward, and she has no way to undo what’s been done, perhaps…”
She paused, her tone shifted to a tender, alluring yet, somehow dripping with absolute malice, as she turned to stare coldly into Luna’s eyes. Carving her words into Luna’s very soul.
“She should just be done with it all, and join us.”
Join them? What is she- With her legs quivering like gelatin, Luna shouted out in confusion.
“But I killed you both-”
Pointing a hoof at Sombra, who merely grinned hungrily at her, Luna roared.
“I watched your head tumble from your body and you-”
Chrysalis remained motionless, as Luna turned to point at her.
“I drove you one hundred meters through the solid earth!”
As Sombra burst out laughing, Chrysalis merely snickered before replying.
“Yes, Princess. We know.”
Luna felt a lump in her throat. She could feel her skin crawl, her hackles stood up in sheer terror, yet, she couldn’t look away.
“You can’t mean for me to...I won’t…”
Chrysalis taunted her, in that silky, tender tone.
“And why not? If you want to torture yourself with such agony for eternity, why not put an end to your immortality here and now, by your own hoof?”
Licking her fangs, the Changeling Queen beckoned her with a single hoof.
“Come. Join me, it gets lonely here in Tartarus, and I’ll gladly rip you...and tear you for eternity. I’ll break you with that deliciously excruciating never-ending pain you so desire. After all, you know how adept I am at torture, little Alicorn. Your screams will echo throughout Tartarus forever, without cease. A cacophony of anguish for the ages. And you won’t be alone anymore.”
Luna took a step towards Chrysalis, her mind screaming at her to stop, that it wasn’t true, but her heart knew it was. She was alone. Alone to stew in her misery. What about her supporters? Her followers, surely they-
Chrysalis laughed at the haunted look on Luna’s face, while Sombra chimed in.
“They talk behind your flank, you know. They whisper when you aren’t looking. Crazy, psycho, unstable. They call you all these names. A mare making up history to feel better about the massacres of her past. A horrible monster of unbridled power, with no control. They say you enjoy it. That you made up Celestia to justify the wanton destruction. You aren’t a heroine to them. Just a wild animal that could pounce at any moment. They follow you out of fear, nopony cares about you.”
Chrysalis nodded as she added.
“Look at the great and powerful Nightmare of Legend, all alone in her personal dystopia. You sacrificed a wing, you sacrificed your very being, your own desires and goals, and for what? For those, you command to snicker and guffaw as they discuss what a crackpot you really are. Or have you forgotten, Crazy Loony; the Alicorn who believes in a non-existent sister, a raging lunatic who breaks down in tears, unfit to rule!”
Luna’s eyes watered as her pain displayed itself across her face; the tears welling in her eyes, now flowing, unabated down her muzzle. Shattered and disoriented, she once more started towards Chrysalis’s outstretched hoof, the latter whispering encouragingly to her.
“Only a few more steps. You won’t be alone anymore. They don’t deserve you-”
The Changeling began salivating as Luna reached out.
“Nopony can hurt you like I can; as I did. I’ll make sure you’ll never be lonely again. Take my hoof and it will all be over.”
Luna continued reaching out for the hoof; she no longer saw, she no longer felt. She just wanted it to be over, for the pain to end. Besides, she thought, nopony cares anyway. Just mere centimeters from touching the hoof, Luna felt something slam into her flank startling her and causing her hoof to miss Chrysalis’s, falling forward and crashing to the ground.
Whipping around her head in surprise, Luna saw the anguish-filled face of Twilight as she pushed on her flank again as Twilight screamed at her. Over and over, in desperation, Twilight shouted at her, as she gave everything she had to make her mother move forward.
“You…”
*Slam*
“Are not…”
*Slam*
“Alone!”
Again and again, she slammed into her mother, to no avail. Neither Chrysalis nor Sombra tried to stop her, instead merely sharing a look of what could only be described as sorrow-filled. It was gut-wrenching to watch. The tears on Twilight’s face coursed down, unabashed, and unabated. And yet, Luna didn’t move. Not one inch. A voice behind Twilight caused her to freeze.
“You won’t be able to reach her, at least not like that, Twilight.”
That voice, soft and gentle, tender and all too familiar. Turning, her eyes beheld a strange sight. Startled, Twilight fell on her flank. There before her stood her mother, except she looked very different.
The Alicorn possessed both wings, wearing a crown of sparkling silver. Her navy blue fur was fully intact, and what really startled Twilight was that the Alicorn was smiling. Her mother rarely ever smiled. Yet, in all ways, this Alicorn looked exactly like her mother, complete with her lunar celestial cutie mark; a younger, happier version.
“What do you mean? A-and who are you?”
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Chapter 4- A princess's affairs at the Faire
“Oh, wow!”
On the outskirts of the Crystal Empire, Twilight and Princess Starlight had stood for the past 6 minutes, staring at an empty patch of land. Now, however, as the moondial struck the midnight hour, Twilight watched, as a massive fairgrounds shimmered into sight. As if by magic, a Ferris wheel, carousel, rollercoaster, and many more rides appeared.
As Starlight gestured for Twilight to follow, countless stands; minigames, and food materialized along the now winding pathway. An especially upbeat musical melody blasted from no discernable source, while many portals began to materialize across the grounds, from which stepped creatures from all over Equus.
“Welcome, little sister, to the 74,924th Moonlight Faire!”
A large plume of fire erupted from a roasted food stand, as a Dragoness, standing just taller than Starlight, graciously took the order of a Griffon chick. Next to the young griffon, stood a very ornately dressed male Griffon, watching with a smile as the Dragoness passed the roasted fish to the eager child. Instead of just taking it, however, both the child and the Dragoness exchanged formal bows as well as very pronounced ‘thank yous’, and ‘come again’.
Over by the Ferris wheel, a regal-looking mare, who wore a headdress, as was custom of the Pharaohs of Saddle Arabia, was selling horn-woven tapestries and outfits native to her kind. Though the sign said 5 bits, she seemed to be paid mostly in rubies and sapphires as well as gold bars by the adults.
Even stranger, perhaps, was a prim-looking Kirin who stood silently within a booth that advertised ‘face-painting for the youngsters’. She never spoke a word, but skillfully painted the faces of the many excited children from all walks. Meanwhile, the parents and guardians read from prepared lists; during which she nodded or shook her head in confirmation or denial to their questions; all of which were deliberately worded to be answered ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
Taking in the immense splendor of her surroundings, Twilight watched as two dragonlings ran towards her, shouting.
“Oh my Luna! It’s Starbrite! Starbrite can we get an autograph?”
In confusion, Twilight looked around to see who they were talking about, and her eyes went wide with surprise. Standing beside her, where her sister had been was a large, furry, overly exaggerated Alicorn mascot, goofily waving at the two dragonlings.
Confused, Twilight watched in silence as the silver and gold clad mascot, leaned down and horn-aglow, scribbled an autograph in a small notebook passed to her. The dragonlings excitedly looked at it and one gave her folded parchments that were tied in a red string and stamped with a wax seal.
The strange mascot seemed to stare at the unraveled parchments for a moment before nodding, and Twilight heard her sister’s voice.
“Always happy to meet fans. And, yes, I think that can be arranged. Where’s your mommy little ones?”
Starting towards the Dragoness that they pointed to, ‘Starbrite’ called back to Twilight.“Come on sis, we got some business to attend to.”
Still confused as to where her sister had gone, Twilight decided to follow the strangely colorful mascot as it trotted and cantered towards the Dragon’s food booth. As she approached the stand she noticed some very peculiar details about the female dragon.
Standing 2 hoof-lengths taller than Princess Luna, the Dragoness towered above Twilight. Her scales were a rich midnight blue. Her thick tail snaked about the claws on her feet; each painted deep obsidian. The underbelly of the massive reptilian was an almost-polished silver which glinted in the moonlight On her well-toned shoulders, her thighs, and her neck was silver crescents that gleamed in the dark; tribal markings, though they appear to have been seared into her flesh.
As the moonlight struck her fearsome form, Twilight could just make out under each marking a band of 2 golden rings rested upon her wrists, ankle, and neck. The claws of her arms mirrored the ones on her feet, while on the base of her tail rested a cuff of golden brilliance. Her crimson eyes gave a merciless stare as she watched the two approach her.
Without warning, as Starbrite and Twilight came to a stop in front of her, the Dragoness reared back her head and spread her wings of midnight blue with silver inlay, letting loose a plume of emerald fire with an azure blue outline. This startled Twilight, causing her to whimper, immediately causing the dragoness to try and calm her.
“Hey, kid, it’s alright. No need to be afraid.”
Taking a closer look at Twilight, she inquired.
Who are you, anyway? Don’t think I’ve seen you here before.”
Still scared, Twilight attempted to hide behind the furry mascot beside her, whose head was glowing. The head of Starbrite lifted up to reveal Starlight’s face as she shook her mane to loosely fall about her.
“She’s with me, Lizardbreath.”
“You!”
The ghost of a smile appeared on Starlight’s face moments before she was tackled by the dragon. Twilight watched in stunned shock as the two wrestled, both clearly using their max strength, and snarling, both out for blood.
All around the fairgrounds, patrons stopped to watch the spectacle as the two thrashed upon the ground, some even calling support or bets on their favorite to win. For the next few minutes, Princess Starlight and Cinder desperately fought to pin the other.
“You can do it Cinder, rip her head off!”
“Not a chance, give me 4 gold ingots on Starlight. Easy money.”
The kids, much to Twilight’s surprise, began cheering. What was going on?
Finally, after a few furious minutes of snarling, biting, and clawing, Starlight sat on top of Cinder, the massive dragon pinned beneath the Alicorn’s flank as she lay, arm pinned behind her back.
“Alright, I give.”
Hopping off, Starlight flicked her mane and chuckled, reaching out a hoof.
“Still not strong enough to take me, Cinder.”
Graciously accepting her hoof, Dragonlord Cinder, slowly rose and dusted herself off.
“One day I will beat you, you fat pony. I swear it.”
Starlight hugged her with a grin.
“I’m sure you will. And hey, my flank isn’t that large.”
Grinning, Cinder returned the hug, causing Starlight’s wings to unfurl on their own from the shock of Cinder’s firm grasp, and stiffen as a rather rapid blush flushed both her cheeks.
“Nah, it’s just big enough to enjoy, just like always.”
Releasing her grip with a slight squeeze, Cinder glanced over at Twilight; who was still staring at her, looking at her nervously.
“So she’s with you? Finally had a foal of your own?”
Chuckling, as the embarrassment faded from her face, Starlight folded her wings with a little ruffle of amusement.
“No, that’s my little sister. Cinder, this is Twilight. Twilight, this is my best friend, Cinder, Dragonlord; Empress of the Dragonlands.”
Cinder watched in surprise as Twilight’s expression went from wary to utterly excited; jumping around Twilight eagerly shouted.
“You’re that Cinder? Oh. My. Mommy! It’s so cool to meet you!”
“You know me?”
Twilight reached her mouth into the saddlebag on her side and withdrew a special-looking book, bound with a sea serpents’ tanned leather preserved with beeswax.
“The only dragoness to ever compete and win the gladiatorial gauntlet required to become the Dragonlord. I’ve read your tale so many times! Can I have your autograph?”
Turning to look at Starlight in disbelief, Cinder found the Alicorn struggling not to laugh.
“She enjoys reading about the legendary fights of old, so I gave that to her for her twelfth birthday.”
Turning to look at Twilight once more, Cinder smiled.
“You can read Dragonia?”
Looking thoughtful for a moment, Twilight gave her an honest answer.
“Not fluently, the scratch and claw marks can be a bit confusing sometimes. But the more I was able to read, the more I wanted to read, and with Moonglow’s help, I can read most of it rather easily.”
Looking quite impressed, Cinder tapped her claws thoughtfully on her chin.
“You are quite the odd one. Not many ponies can understand dragon speak, let alone read Dragonia. Tell me, what about my tale interests you most?”
Twilight’s horn glowed brightly and the book flew open as she squealed with excitement while tapping the page.
“Tomorrow's my first bout. I’m scared, but I can’t let them see it. They tower over me, they are far more muscular, but I want it more than any of them. I won’t falter, I won’t lose. I will claim my place; my throne.
That raw determination to accomplish the nearly impossible goal. That drive, it’s so exciting!”
Nodding, Cinder glanced towards Starlight as she spoke to Twilight.
“So you like the idea of impossible odds, but the iron will to stand against them, huh? Tell me, has Starlight ever told you how she got those Alicorn wings of hers?”
“What? She wasn’t born an Alicorn?”
Scoffing, Cinder retorted.
“Of course not, she was a Unicorn like-”
At that moment, Starlight interjected, her voice filled with desperation.
“Hey Twilight, did you know mom came up with the idea for this fair?”
The distraction worked like a charm; eager to hear about their mom’s exploits, Twilight instantly took the bait.
“Really?”
Cinder stared at Starlight for a moment before realization sunk in. As she stared at her friend Cinder noticed the hurt in her eyes. Still haven’t forgiven yourself, have you? Immediately she chimed in too.
“Really. Legend has it, it all happened at a meeting of the tribes one moon. It is said that one dignitary spoke about how boring the get-togethers were. Jokingly, your mother asked well in that case, why not just throw a fair. Though it is believed to have been in jest, surprisingly the idea was unanimously accepted, and once attempted, the dignitaries claimed that it was much better and easier to relax during trade negotiations. And-”
Wrapping a comforting claw around Starlight, Cinder finished explaining. At that moment Twilight saw the pain in her sister’s eyes.
“That is how the Moonlight Faire began. Hey Twilight, do you mind if I talk to Starlight alone? We do have business to attend to after all, between our kingdoms.”
“Starlight are you o-”
***
Twilight awoke with a start, as sweat dripped down her face. What was that? She could recall her dream crystal clear, like no other. Prince Starburst, the throne room, that dragon, the fair, her sister, and that look of pain in her eyes. It was all vivid in her mind. But what did it mean? Suddenly, a light knocking was heard on her bedroom door. Moonglow’s voice could be heard crisp and clear.
“Twilight, I need you to gather up a travel bag. You’ll be spending the week with your big sister. Prince Starburst is on his way to get you.”
