DOOM: Ancient Past

Twilight and Shining Armor stood together in the attic. Their eyes widened at the sight of an old photo held before them in Twilight’s magic. The image had faded and its edges were blurry with age but it was unmistakably a photograph of two alicorns. It depicted a young Celestia and Luna standing close together, with their matching crowns placed atop their heads.

Twilight could see that there was someone else in the picture too, they stood behind the two sisters but their face was obscured by shadow. Though Twilight couldn’t see their faces, she found them to be clad in armor. Armor that both she and Shining didn’t recognize or see before. But said armor was not what made Twilight and Shining paused.

As her eyes roamed across the image, they caught sight of two foals sitting on the armored figure’s broad shoulders. A baby girl and boy… They looked to have been around twelve months old. They also appeared to have identical eyes like hers and her brother. Which adds another mystery to Twilight’s current questions… What’s going on here? Is that us as foals? What era was this picture taken? Why is Celestia and Luna in this photo? Who’s the creature standing behind them?

She shook off the thought and brought her attention back to the photo. As much as it piqued Twilight’s curiosity, she still wanted to believe that what she was seeing was simply coincidence. If the foals in the photo are their ancestors then why aren’t they part of Equestria’s old history? There should’ve been some books that mentioned them, but there was nothing about this. Twilight really wanted to believe for a fact that Luna and Celestia are not her or her brother’s parents; but she had a hard time doing so.

It can’t be true. She told herself, shaking her head.

And even if it was, then why was this kept from her—from her brother?! Her mind raced with unanswered questions. Her heart ached as it hurt from not knowing the answer. She hated being left out like this, especially knowing that everything she thought about her parents that raised her and her brother was a lie. Everything. But she refused to let herself get angry at them. She would accept whatever the truth was. If that meant that Celestia and Luna were actually her mothers then it meant that they loved her enough to keep it hidden from her. And Twilight would try and understand, she would try her hardest to accept it.

“Twily?” A monotone voice came from next to her.

Twilight snapped from her thoughts and turned her gaze towards Shining Armor. Though his expression was calm, he spoke slowly and deliberately as if he was trying to contain himself. A vein popped out at his temple as he clenched his jaw together.

Twilight slightly lowered her head. Striped bangs casting an impenetrable shadow over her eyes, she motioned her head towards the ladder leading down into the hallway. “Let’s go...” She muttered quietly. Without waiting for Shining Armor to respond, she started heading down the ladder.

The staircase below them creaked and groaned as she descended. With each step, she felt the ground shift underneath her hooves, but she did not slow her pace and continued down until she reached the landing of the long carpeted hallway. She entered, ignoring the sound of the ceiling door shutting behind her. After hearing footsteps echo from the bottom of the staircase, Twilight knew that Shining Armor followed her lead and stayed silent. For now.

They walked silently for only a few minutes, Twilight occasionally glancing at Shining Armor, who stared straight ahead as if lost in deep thought. The silence was eventually broken when her number one assistant, Spike the dragon, and her student Starlight Glimmer, who had climbed up the stairs. The duo approached them with smiles on their faces but neither Twilight nor Shining Armor returned their enthusiasm.

“Oh Twilight, there you are!” Spike chirped happily as the duo approached. “You’re not gonna believe this, but me and Starlight just found…” He trailed off, taking note of how tense Twilight seemed to be. “Uh, what’s wrong?”

Twilight continued onward, her ears perked but otherwise ignoring his question. When Spike tried to ask Shining Armor, however, the unicorn did not respond, only following alongside Twilight silently as he watched her walk. Once again, Twilight ignored them both, focusing intently upon walking. She wanted nothing more than to get answers. Answers that she and Shining desperately needed to know.

Twilight and Shining reached down the end of the stairs, turning right and entering a family room where their parents Velvet and Night Light sat on the couch. The couple chuckled lightly as they turn a page on their family book.

“Oh, look how cute he was back then,” Velvet giggled playfully. “He was so adorable during those days.”

Night Light nodded in agreement. “That he was dear, I will say.” She smiled affectionately at the memories he shared of her wife and son. “Same could be said to our little princess, she was always…” He trailed off, noticing Twilight and Shining Armor standing before them. Velvet looked up at her husband, noticing his reaction. She followed his stare, only to meet Shining’s eyes. Velvet’s smile fell immediately, replaced with bewilderment.

“Twilight? Shining? What’s wrong?” Velvet asked.

Twilight did not reply. Instead, she marched up to her mother, her body stiff and rigid and her head bowed in submission. With the photo still in her magical grasp, she levitated it towards both Night Light and Velvet’s faces.

Night Light gasped audibly when he realized what the item in Twilight’s magic was. Twilight’s magic faded as Velvet grabbed onto the photo as well, holding it to her view. She smothered a gasp as her vision blurred with tears and shock; though she did not let it affect the way she handled the photo. Night Light took notice of this and gave his wife’s knee a gentle squeeze. “Velvet…”

She nodded wordlessly as she wiped away her tears, still staring intensely at the image.

In response to her actions, Twilight finally opened her mouth, her hooves twitching with rage. “How long… How long has this been in existence?” She seethed through grit teeth. “Who took this?” She demanded, pointing angrily at the photo in Velvet’s hooves. “Why was this kept from us!?” She yelled, anger coursing through her form.

Velvet flinched, her gaze snapping over to her daughter in surprise. “Twilight, Shining, please try to understand.” She pleaded.

“Understand what exactly, mom?” Shining Armor questioned angrily. “That everything we thought was a bull-face lie and all that we’ve been through in our childhood with you two was also a lie? That it was all an act?!”

“No Shining! Yes, you’re right, we’re not your parents. But you are still our children… and we love you.” Velvet quickly interrupted him before he could continue. She took a breath and continued speaking before she could be interrupted once again. “I understand that you’re upset, but please hear me out first.”

The unicorn mare waited patiently for her children to calm themselves and regain their composure.

Velvet inhaled sharply as she readjusted herself on the couch. “I want you two to know that I knew a day like this would come when you would learn the truth,” She began. She looked between the pair and continued, “but I never thought that day would come so soon. But more than that! I want you two to know that all those times we’ve spent together, as a family, they were real. Not an act.”

Twilight glanced to the floor. “Celestia and Luna,” she uttered, her voice laced with confusion and pain. “They’re our real parents, aren’t they?”

Both Velvet and Night Light nodded in confirmation.

Twilight’s brow furrowed as her emotions grew stronger. All this time she thought that Velvet and Night Light were her parents. They gave her and her brother the best life any child could ever have. But now, after what she learned, she didn’t know what to feel.

Princess Luna hummed down the long, carpeted hallway of Canterlot Castle. “I’ll be honest, this is not what I expected when I heard that somepony wanted to talk to you, sister. I thought it would be another talk about politics but a marriage proposal instead.” Luna commented.

Princess Celestia and Luna were currently walking through the hallways of the castle, passing by stained glass windows depicting the stories of the past in history classes. Though some ponies could recall most of them, her and Luna remembered every single one.

“Well, don’t worry too much Luna. I’ve already handled it.” Celestia remarked. “We should rather focus on our plans for the next Grand Galloping Gala. I’m still waiting for…” Celestia trailed off suddenly when a sudden flash of magenta blinded her and a group of familiar ponies appeared an instant.

Celestia felt a smile spread across her face as she recognized them. Applejack, Rarity, Spike, Starlight Glimmer, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Princess Cadance with Flurry in her arms. Twilight and Shining Armor were also there and they all gathered before Celestia and Luna. Celestia and Luna looked at Twilight and Shining. Both of them blinked, noticing how angry they looked.

“Twilight?” Celestia inquired. “Is everything okay?”

Shining clenched his teeth together tightly as he glared at the ground. His horn lit up as he levitated the photo towards the princesses. Celestia lit up her own horn, grasping said photo in her magic and bringing it to her and Luna’s view. They gasped slightly at the sight of the photo in the Celestia’s magic, looking down at its familiarity. All sorts of expressions chased one another across their faces, going from shocked, to confused, to surprised, to concerned.

“Shining and I found it in our attic…” Twilight explained, trailing off as she glanced down at the ground. “When we found it I didn’t want to believe it, at first. That was, until I saw both me and my brother as…foals.”

Silence hung thick in the air as Twilight, Shining Armor, Spike, Starlight, and Fluttershy looked up at the princesses in complete silence. Twilight’s gaze flickered back and forth between Celestia and Luna as they exchanged worried glances among each other.

“Awkward.” Pinkie Pie whispered to Fluttershy.

“Not gonna lie, I was kinda surprised myself when I saw the photo. Like wow.” Rainbow Dash spoke up.

“Eeyup,” Applejack agreed. “That’s definitely a new twist. Never saw one comin’.”

Luna stared at Shining Armor before shifting her gaze to Twilight, who remained silent and unresponsive throughout the whole ordeal.

“How much do you know?” Luna asked hesitantly. Shining Armor looked at her.

“Well, we know that the two of you are our parents.” He answered.

“Oh dear,” Celestia breathed. She frowned deeply. “Twilight, Shining Armor, I know this isn’t the best way for you to find out.”

“This is the worst way for us to find out!” Twilight shot back quickly, her tone rising slightly. “No offense Princess, but this is the absolute worst possible way for us to find out!”

The princesses glanced at one another for a second before returning their attention to Twilight.

Twilight lowered her head in shame. “I’m sorry…it’s just, I was—”

Celestia cut Twilight short. “It's alright Twilight, we understand completely,” she stated softly. She walked up to Twilight, raising one hoof to cup her chin and gently lifting her head to make eye contact. “It’s a lot to take in I’m sure.” She said.

Luna stepped up to Celestia’s side. “This secret…wasn’t easy to carry, this is true,” she stated, glancing between Twilight and Shining. “We can’t imagine what you two must be feeling right now.”

Shining stood by Twilight’s side and gazed at Luna. “Then, let me say something,” he said. The unicorn gestured at the photograph and added, “This is all without context?” He clarified.

Celestia and Luna glanced at each other before nodding.

“If you wish to know the truth, we will tell you everything,” Celestia assured the Twilight and Shining Armor.

“Yes,” Luna agreed. “Everything we know…and nothing more.”

“But not here.” Celestia rolled her body around, looking at Twilight and Shining over her shoulder. “Come.” With that she turned around and started leading the other ponies away.

It seemed like a long walk to reach their destination. The castle’s hallway had been quiet. The only twelve inhabitants seemed to be the twelve of them as they made their way out of the long hall, following the path passing the princesses rooms, past the stained glass, quickly approaching another long hallway.

The air had felt thick between them. None of them had spoken since they had started walking. The only sounds they heard were their hoofsteps.

“We’re here.” Luna announced, pausing and staring at the wall alongside Celestia. The group stopped, gazing upon the marble wall with bewilderment.

There was no door. Just a simple dead end to nowhere.

“Uh, aunty,” Cadance spoke. “Are you sure this where we’re supposed to go?” She asked. Neither Celestia nor Luna responded.

Every-pony watched as Celestia walked close to the wall. Right hoof raised up to touch it. As she did so, her hoof came into contact and her eyes closed. Slowly, a faint blue glow began to emanate from the wall, slowly building up. A soft humming filled the room and each second the volume increased. Forming on the center of the wall there was a bright red sigil. After a few moments, the humming stopped. When the last bit of energy disappeared, the wall faded back into it’s original state.

Silence fell onto them and Celestia’s shoulders dropped. She backed up to stand by Luna’s side as they both watched a large circular door roll to the side revealing half of a stone path which led into darkness.

Celestia and Luna continued forward into the doorway as everyone else followed closely behind. Once inside they took a moment to look around. Ancient paintings adorned the walls along with statues and various old weapons that neither Twilight nor brother and friends have ever seen before.

“Where are we?” Shining Armor asked, glancing at Celestia.

“The entrance to the old Canterlot ruins.” Luna replied simply.

Cobblestones crunched under their feet as they carefully navigated their way towards the middle of the ruins. It wasn’t long until Twilight noticed a large statue placed against the far wall. She narrowed her eyes as she approached it.

Her eyes blinked in shock and she examined the statue closer. This statue was huge, about six foot tall, and stood on two legs. It’s … She paused. She wasn’t sure what it was, actually. It looked almost like an adolescent dragon, or maybe a minotaur. She bit her lip, noticing how wrong the proportions looked. It was thicker, for one, with stockier legs. She ran her eyes over the flat surface of the armor it wore. The same armor the figure in the photo was wearing.

Twilight leaned close and saw how battered and worn it looked. Lighter patches across the statue's chest and arms had signs of deep damage as if something slashed it brutally. Her eyes darted from one part of the armor to another then slid upward, past the strange weapon, past the strange runes carved into the armored shoulders, and settled on the helm that concealed its head.

Twilight stared into the stone visor of the helmet with wonderment. Her ears twitched curiously as she observed its strange structure.

Twilight blinked, sensing a familiar presence. She tore her gaze away and glanced at Luna and Celestia, who were currently looking down at her. They both gave her a small smile. They two by the rest of the group with Shining Armor next to Twilight with Cadance and Spike next to him.

Twilight turned her gaze back at the statue. “Who is this? I’ve seen through books of many knights through ancient Equestrian history but I’ve never seen this armor like this before.”

Luna and Celestia shared a glance between themselves before turning to Twilight again and looking at the helmet as well.

“This is a Night Sentinel,” Luna began calmly. “an elite warrior caste of the Argenta, an ancient order of knights sworn to protect both their people and the Wraiths, who trained and served alongside the legendary avenger.” Her ears dropped down at the mention of the legendary avenger. “As for who he is…he’s our husband.” She concluded.

Twilight and Shining Armor’s eyes widened. Slowly turning their gaze towards Celestia and Luna with a look of utter disbelief.

Celestia closed her eyes. “He’s your father.” She confirmed with a nod of her head, opening her eyes and looking intently at the statue. “He had many titles that were feared by all of his enemies. The Unchained Predator, the Beast, the Hellwalker. But one title trampled over all three of them; the Doom Slayer.”

Everyone remained silent for a few moments after those words left Celestia’s mouth.

“Doom Slayer?” Shining Armor muttered in surprise.

“But to those who knew him personally, his name was William J. Blazkowicz the fourth,” Luna informed them, still not making eye contact. “He fought valiantly alongside our father for a very long time during the great war ten-thousand years ago.” Her ears drooped sadly. “At that time, my sister and I lived in an era where friendship and harmony didn’t exist.” Luna said.

“We,” Celestia nodded, closing her eyes, “lived in dark times before peace came.” She opened her eyes, meeting the eyes of the others. “As me and Luna grew through our childhood, the more unnatural the world became. Goblins roamed through the forest, wave after wave of Orcs attacked villages, and Demons reign terror across Equestria. War and destruction seemed to spread from one end of the continent to the other.” She shifted uncomfortably. “And even though we tried to unite the three factions under the banner of peace, they rejected us and cast us out.”

The room fell silent once more. Everypony exchanged looks, listening carefully to the story they were told. They were unable to believe what they had been told and yet, everypony believed them. How could they not?

After a moment of silence, Celestia continued speaking. “I was twenty-one at the time, Luna was eighteen. Our father’s kingdom was attacked by legions of Orcs that invaded the city.” Her eyes narrowed and she shook her head. “Thirty lives of innocents were slaughtered within the walls. No mercy was given. Not even to the foals. They were hunted down and slain.”

The image of Flurry dying flashed across Cadance’s mind. Causing her to instinctively bring her sleeping foal closer to her chest and her heart clenched painfully.

Starlight gestures her hoof over to the statue. “I still don’t see how he got involved in all of this.” She stated in puzzlement.

“It was during the second wave. Me, Luna, and many other royal knights did what we could to drive the Orcs back but it was hard work,” Celestia explained, glancing at the statue one more time as if remembering something. “The battle was indeed tough, intense. We lost over half our numbers, outnumbered and running low on energy to keep fighting. We thought that would be the end of us.”

Twilight stepped forward. “Didn’t you have help coming?” She inquired. Celestia and Luna smiled fondly at her question.

“Oh yes,” Luna confirmed. “We did. But not one we were expecting.”