Canterlot, Equestira

A snow white alicorn mare was watching the sky change from afternoon to twilight making her sigh softly as she brings forth her magic to lower the sun. Soon the sky was sparkling with the lights of the stars and the glowing orb that her sister represented. With a soft pop and a small flash of light from behind Princess Celestia, heralded the arrival of her sister Princess Luna, who moved to give her older sister a gentle nuzzle to the cheek. "Has there still been no word of your wayward student?" She finally asked breaking the silence.

Sighing Celestia shakes her head as she lowers her gaze from the wonderful starry sky to the little town of Ponyville in the valley. "No, not a single word," she replied softly.

After a few seconds of waiting for her sister to continue she prods "Certainly the spell couldn't have failed that badly?" she mentioned the disaster that only six months ago took the newest princess and her number one assistant away along with a large portion of her library.

"No, I fear she might not even be on this planet any longer, for even if she were in the depths of Tartarous I would be able to sense her." Celestia muttered as it was part of being an Alicorn, that when one grew close to another pony they would form a connection that could be felt by the alicorn anywhere around the world. And if what her sister just said was true then the day princess has been fooling herself for months with the hope that Twilight Sparkle would be found and returned to Equestria "She is alive at least that much I know."

Offering her older sister a small smile "Knowing her, she's probably made new friends and is helping them right as we speak. That mare, could befriend anything and is always willing to go through Tartarous for her friends" She smiled fondly at remembering that strong mare she had come to know in the past three years since her return. "You should be proud of her, sister. She has achieved things no pony or even group of ponies have ever come close to." Luna added hoping to raise her sister's spirits.

"Indeed I have always been proud of her, my little Twilight, I could have never been prouder of her." Celestia softly adds "Sister she is the only family I had until your return. Though I don't think she even knows just how much she means to me. I was always watching her long before her entrance exam. Every Hearthswarming eve I'd leave her a present under the tree and every birthday she would receive a present from me but didn't know it was from me. I have been watching over her since the day she was brought into this world." This last part stunned the night princess before she thought about it for a moment.

"She's your daughter in more than spirit I take it?" She slowly worded out hoping she was right only to gasp as her sister nods her head with tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Indeed, she is of my blood, though her father is gone. Killed in a skirmish with the Gryphons before I was aware I was pregnant. No one else knows that she is my child beyond her foster parents, who have been faithful servants to the crown for most of their lives. Night Light and Twilight Velvet were sworn to secrecy about where the foal named Twilight Sparkle came from." A few more tears slip past her eyes, as she takes a shuddering breath, "Though I'm sure Twilight knows she was adopted, I doubt she ever made the connection to me."

Celestia's smile turned a little bitter, "You can't imagine how happy I was when I was able to take her on as my personal student but it seems all I could be to her was Princess Celestia and every time she bowed to me, and referred to me by my title it was like a dagger through the heart. Then she ascended to being an alicorn herself and I preparing for the right moment to tell her the truth now that she wouldn't die from old age."

A soft sob escapes the older mare's lips "But before I could tell her the whole story, she was taken away from us, further than any pony has gone before. And it is unlikely she will ever return" As those words passed her lips the white mare's composure finally broke and she began to openly sob over the tragedy. Without missing a beat Luna pulled her sister into a hug to try and ease the pain of her sister.

It was at this moment that magic began to build up in front of the princesses as flames signaling dragon mail was arriving, stunned the two ancient beings as out of the green flames dropped a crystal orb. That was soon caught in Luna's blue magic before it could hit the ground. Staring at the orb the princesses recognized what it was "A memory orb?" In an instant, Celestia had gone from being held by her sister to cradling the crystalline orb crying once more those there seemed to be tears of joy.

"It's from Twilight! She's the only one who knows that spell besides Spike!" But before the elder sister could activate the orb another swirl of flames arrived and a note fell from the spell. Picking it up curious Celestia picked it up and read it.

Dear, Celestia and Luna

It's Twilight Sparkle, I am alive and I have finally gained enough ingredients to create this Memory Orb of my time here in The Commonwealth. Though I am alive, I have changed greatly due to the trials I have faced since arriving here. I must warn you that the memories within the orb are unaltered and some are very dark. I also must apologize to you, my friends, and my family, but I will not be able to return to Equestria yet. As I have learned that Spike arrived in the Commonwealth as well, and I have yet to locate him. But I will move the heavens and the earth to find my little drake to return him home safe.

I also miss you all greatly. Love,
Twilight Sparkle

The sisters stared slack-jawed at the note before their gaze moved back to the memory orb a look of dread finding its way onto Celestia's face at what horrors her little filly has had to face in this 'Commonwealth' place. Slowly the sisters moved into Celestia's chambers and nodding to the elder Luna asks "Do you wish for me to view the memories first sister?"

Shaking her head no "No, Lulu, I must see what has happened to my child in all its detail, though I would like for you to join me in viewing them so I don't have to watch them alone" Luna nods and follows her sister to her large bed they climb up and get comfortable before activating the orb.

Six Months ago, Ponyville

I look over to my number one assistant, "Spike are you ready to document the experiment?" I ask and he gives a little salute before showing the scroll and quill in his claws. "Good, Alright I'll begin to feed my magic into the spell" I feel my mana flowing up into my horn building in strength as I prepare to cast the Window spell I had been developing, a spell that would allow the caster to view into other worlds. Soon the air in the center of the room began to shimmer and shine showing that the one-way window as forming.

"Looking good Twilight," I hear Spike comment before I feel a shift in the magic and I find I am unable to stop the flow through my horn as it continues to build a wind begins to blow around the room. "Um, Twilight is that meant to happen?" he asked.

I could only stare in horror as the window bent and twisted into a portal and feeling the energies build further still I could only watch as the window became a doorway and the gusting wind knocked both Spike and I off balance and with out time to even scream I watch Spike vanish moments before I followed.

Author's Note

Hey so I'm trying something a little different, hope you enjoy. And like always feel free to point out errors and offer constructive help.

~Chief