She was supposed to spend one thousand years on the moon. To be fair, Nightmare Moon did just that, but starting the five hundred year mark, she managed to tread Equestria as a type of ghost. She discovered to could project her soul, or a piece of it, onto Equus. With each passing year, she could spend longer in Equestria. With each passing year, her form became lesser abstract. With each passing year, she could interact with the world more. With each passing year, she knew Celestia will have a hard time handling her return. Albeit, she never dared... or bothered, to spy on Celestia.
One day, still over a decade from her return, she flew over Canterlot. Like always she was not visible. So was any sign that Equestria has a sister of the night. Everything is decorated with celestial imagery. While flying over a few houses and gardens, she saw a little foal sitting alone in a garden. This won't be weird, if it wasn't late evening, nearly night. But the child was aware, starring into the night.
At least Celestia didn't touch her night sky in the last millennia, even if the same arrangement of stars gets boring after so long. Not that anyone pays attention to it. Only Nightmare Moon and this filly do. Very curious. Turning invisible, she flew down, descending without a sound.
Nightmare Moon landed behind the filly whose eyes still stared to the moon. She child didn't seem to be afraid of the night as she isn't running into the safety of her family's house. The filly had a lavender coat, her mane was dark blue like ink, decorated with two strait streaks, one purple and one pink. Beautiful colors. Nightmare Moon, while observing Equestria and beyond, came to the realization that dark coat and mane colors were dying out in Equestria. Especially dark coats. But this filly at least had a dark mane. The foal was also a unicorn without a Cutie Mark.
Nightmare Moon heard the noise of a door opening behind her. Turning around, she saw a colt exiting the house. He was also a unicorn. And an explanation for the foal's beautiful mane. Dark blue mane, blue coat, but no pastel blue. And a scythe moon Cutie Mark. What a surprise. And golden eyes, like stars. Nightmare Moon has to admit, that is one handsome stallion.
“Twili, enough star sighting for tonight. Go to bed, you have school tomorrow.”, said the colt. “You can watch tomorrow evening, longer even. Overmorrow is a Saturday.”
“But mommy said there will be shooting stars.”, argued 'Twili'. Nightmare Moon is sure this is just a nickname. Albeit, considering some naming trends the last few decades. Eh, could be worse. Parents these days pick names for cute baby's, not future adults.
“Ah, I see. Well, I can't say she's wrong.”, replied the stallion. “I can't say my wife's an inaccurate astronomer.”
“What about my work?”, asked a mare walking out. At first Nightmare Moon assumed she had a white coat, but no, she's just a very, very pale gray. In other words, not exact the beauty ideal of this era. Only coats like Celestia's are desired, part of the reasons why dark ones die out in Equestria. Coat bleaching being a trend, a trend far from healthy.
The mare's mane was a rather pale purple with white streaks, no light gray, real white, and light blue eyes. Dark purple stars on her flank. She wears her age with pride. Nightmare Moon had to wonder, is she the foal's grandmother.
“Mommy! I haven't seen the shooting stars yet!”, said the foal.
The mare sighed. “Of course. Okay, but as soon as they are over, go to bed.”
“I stay with her, Twilight.”, said the stallion.
'Hm, someone decided to be parents late.', thought Nightmare Moon. Better late than never.
“Okay, Night Light.”, agreed his wife. She then returned to the house. “I for my part go to bad.-” Twilight Velvet yawned. “-Not to bed just yet, I still have to do accurate astronomer work to do.”
Night Light sat down besides his daughter. The stars then started to fall down. His daughter followed them each with her eyes. Nightmare Moon silently sat besides them. It felt so surreal that someone appreciated her nights.
“Daddy, can I become an astronomer like you and mommy?”, asked the child. Nightmare Moon was quite surprised, but satisfied with that question. Fresh blood to study the nights, especially when she returns. And overhauls that sky of boredom. Well, better than whatever her sister may produce if she dares.
Night Light was also surprised by that question. And he honestly had no idea what to answer. Astronomers aren't exactly well paid or high in demand. He isn't sure if they are still in demand when his daughter grows up. The only reason why he and his wife can life so comfortably and have a save retirement is their ancestral wealth. Which won't last for generations. They are just minor nobility. Major nobility gets richer, while minor nobility don't get richer. They have no lands that generate money, no taxes they receive. And only very limited options to marry up and even that isn't worth it. But he can't tell a child that. Not yet.
“Twilight, why copy your old parents?”, asked Night Light in an attempt to gently change her mind. “Don't you want to find your own path in life? Continue it as a hobby, little Twinkle.”
“No, I want to be an astronomer.”, said Twilight.
'The child already knows what she wants.'
“Well, you have time to decide.”, said her father. “Now, it is bed time.”
The two unicorns walked into the house and lights dimmed.
…
Nightmare couldn't put on a hoof onto why she was so intrigued by the filly, but she continued to watch her, especially when little Twilight was enjoying the night sky. Maybe this is why, Nightmare Moon is basking in someone adoring her night. The last time she really saw a pony enjoying her night was centuries ago, when a Pegasus flew though her nights.
One night, not day, night, Twilight was again watching the sky. Her brother was babysitting her. The cold was real white, blue eyed and his mane was two shades of blue. Unlike his sister, he seems to take his own path. The kid wants to be a royal guard, serving Celestia. Nightmare Moon only spied on Twilight as her brother was irrelevant at best and annoying at worst.
The colt didn't pay that much attention to his sister, not that she minds. She could watch as long as she wants. Albeit he did come into the yard, a book and plate with cookies floating after him. He placed in front of his sister.
“A fairy tale book I found. I am sure you'll like the story I marked!”, said her brother, “When our parents return, don't tell them about the cookies, okay?”
“Of course, Shining! And thank you.”
With that, he left into the room. Twilight opened the book, her horn lighting the pages. Her magic was white, a sign she has yet to find her passion, her spark, she has yet to earn her Cutie Mark. Magic neither light or dark, pure innocence. Her brother marked it with a bookmark depicting the constellation of the bowing foal.
“The tale of the two sisters, guardians of the sun and the moon.”, read the filly.
'And he calls that a fairy tale? I am offended. Let's see how much this book gets wrong.', thought the empress of the night. She silently snatched a cookie. She may not need to eat in that form, but she still has a sweet tooth after nearly a millennium.
“Many centuries ago, Equestria was ruled by two sisters. Princess Celestia, mistress of the sun and Princess Luna, empress of the moon. Two princesses?” The filly was confused. Two princesses. “What happened to the moon princess? Wait, Shiny said fairy tale, is this real?”
'Oh, I am real, little Twilight.'
“The two princesses ruled together for many years. Celestia the day, Luna the night.”, she read. Turning the page, she saw a drawing of two alicorns. One white with pink mane and tail, and a blue one. “Oh, this is Princess Luna? She is pretty.”
'That was when I had pale blue hair. You need to see me now.' Nightmare Moon snatched a cookie. Twilight noted a cookie vanishing, but she decided to ignore it. The story about the moon princess was more interesting than a cookie. Especially when she has ten left. No, nine. Weird, but whatever. “I am surprised that art piece hadn't been lost in time.”
“What was that?”, asked Twilight. Nightmare Moon froze, she spoke out loud.
“Spooky... Where was I? Ah. Over the years, Luna became jealous. The ponies played at day time, but slept though her nights. She felt as if she wasn't really appreciated. Luna felt that she was ignored, while her sister was adored.”
'That is fairly accurate.' She snatched another cookie. 'I am surprised, but relieved?'
“Over time, she allowed darkness into her heart. This darkened her magic, turning her into Nightmare Moon! She attempted to overthrow Celestia, to create an eternal night.”, read Twilight. “Celestia was heart broken,” - Nightmare Moon doubted that. - “But she had to summon the elements of harmony. Generosity, Honesty, Loyalty, laughter – I can't believe that is an element – kindness and magic and used them to banish Luna onto the moon. Legends say the mare in the moon is Nightmare Moon, the cursed form of Princess Luna. Whoa, I hope Shiny and I never argue like that.”
'I am not cursed, your book is wrong.' She was about to fetch another cookie, making her hoof tangible and visible for a split second. But something slammed onto her hoof, jumping her, forcing her to become visible to Twilight.
“Ah, a cookie thief.”, said Twilight. “Knew it.”
“Aren't you afraid of me?”, asked Nightmare Moon.
“No. Just annoyed, to took my cookies.”, replied Twilight, “Who are you?”
“I am the one you just read about, Nightmare Moon.”, she introduced herself to the filly. Said filly still wasn't scared.
“You're Princess Luna?!”
“I used to be Luna, now I am Nightmare Moon.”
Twilight looked to the moon. “Aren't you supposed to be stuck on there?” She took a closer look. “The mare in the moon is gone!”
“Well, I am here. I figured out how to project my soul onto Equus.”, explained Nightmare Moon. “You see a magical hologram essentially.”
“Wow! Doesn't that mean you're super powerful?”, asked Twilight. “That is so cool! How much of the story is true?”
“Surprisingly much, I admit. Besides that Celestia was heart broken. That mare is a lot, but not that.”, said Nightmare Moon. “Now, little filly, now I have a question. Why do you spend so much time under my sky?”
“It is relaxing. And the night time is the only time my eyes don't hurt.”, explained Twilight. “The days are so bright, I constantly have an, um, what did the doctor call it? Ah, sensory overload? But only on my eyes.”
“Oh, that seems to be quite the obstacle in daily life.”, replied the myth. “You know, when I was still Luna, I had a similar problem. I developed a spell, essentially a magical pair of sun glasses, but invisible and color accurate. Why aren't you wearing sun glasses?”
“I don't want to. I don't want to see though a filter. And wearing then in winter... I am already enough of a joke in my school.”, explained Twilight.
“I see. Let me show you the spell.” Nightmare Moon wasn't sure what prompted her to help that filly. Maybe that they both can't really work in day time, or that she wants to thank the filly for liking her nights. Or liking her. Before she turned, her Night court was empty for decades. This filly is the first one to appreciate her night. Not counting the Pegasus, he credited Celestia with it.
After applying the spell, Twilight's purple eyes took a darker shade.
“You will see a difference tomorrow.”, spoke Nightmare Moon. “I think you need to go to bed now, young one. I'll visit you again, tomorrow.”
“Really?”, asked Twilight excitingly.
“Yes, I want to tell you the true story of Celestia and Luna.”
…
The next morning, it took Twilight until she was on the way to her school to notice that the sun's light didn't bother her as much as it should. Without the wrong colors a pair of sun glasses at that! The next evening, she met the empress of the moon again. Nightmare Moon told twilight her version of the story. It wasn't much different from the book, partly because Nightmare Moon kept it filly-friendly to not traumatize her first loyal follower when she returns fully, she just portrayed Celestia in a worse light. Simple as that. After that, Nightmare Moon gave Twilight a scroll, it contained the spell for the sight.
In other words, Nightmare Moon taught Twilight to use magic. Unbeknownst to her, she created a spark in Twilight.
Following this, Twilight started to study anything magic she could get her hooves on. This hadn't gone unnoticed by her family. While the parents were surprised, they were relieved. Unlike astronomers, mages can be well paid, especially if she keeps up her eagerness to learn. So Twilight Velvet and Night Light encouraged and supported her. Shining Armor was a bit disappointed, he wanted to push her to following his foot steps. But mage is okay, he guessed.
Nightmare Moon also supported this eagerness. In fact, she taught Twilight a spell or two. Or ten. Well, everything a foal her age can handle, and isn't dark magic. So it came her parents decided she will try the entrance exam for Princess Celestia's school. Twilight was excited. That was until she considered if her mentor would be okay with that. Considering her mentor is none other than Nightmare Moon, that chance is low.
To her surprise, Nightmare Moon was okay with this. The mare of the moon had a plan. One she didn't tell Twilight of. Well, it wasn't a real plan to begin with. It was more that she just prepared to take a chance. If Twilight manages to become Celestia's personal pupil, she could hurt Celestia so much closer. Maybe her apprentice, when older, can 'prepare' Celestia for Nightmare Moon's return. And when she is back, she has her second in command ready. One Celestia would teach herself. Celestia would build her own fall. But she didn't tell Twilight that. She just said this is an opportunity to gain more knowledge.
…
The day of the exam was there. Her brother was in his own school, so it was just her parents accompanying her. She felt to some extent insecure. She was one of the few try outs without a Cutie Mark. But she was the only one taught by Princess Luna! Or Nightmare Moon as she wants to be called.
“Twili, did you sleep enough? Your eyes seem darker.”, asked her mother.
Twilight wondered if she over-applied the spell. “No? I slept surprisingly well.” After centuries, Nightmare Moon dipped into her dream based arts.
The truth is, her parents are more nervous than she is. To be fair, Twilight wasn't aware of the saying, 'A Cutie Mark is an unofficial requirement to be enrolled in the princesses academy.”
Soon it was Twilight's turn to impress the examiners. 'If I can satisfy Princess Luna, than I can impress these examiners.' If there is one thing Twilight had learned in her months with Nightmare Moon, than that the mare of the moon has astronomical standards. She can't imagine how the other sister's standards are.
Twilight's task was to hatch a dragon egg. She charged her horn with her magic, her innocent white magic. Her parents were watching, so were the examiners. And Nightmare Moon. She stood, albeit invisible, behind Twilight. The filly's magic latched onto the egg. At first nothing was happening. Her parents worried, Nightmare Moon considered to connect her magic pool with Twilight, to help her a bit.
Then, a rainbow flashed past a window. It's presence pained Nightmare Moon, who left into a shadow. Twilight had a different reaction. Her magic flashed, and a far stronger beam flowed into the egg. Twilight's eyes flashed and a magic wave radiated from her. The egg hatched. But that was not all. Objects floated around the room. The moon suddenly started to rise.
'By the Umbra Queen, what is going on with my moon? Neither I or Celestia pull on it.' Nightmare Moon was not the only one to be confused by the moon. Celestia came in the room. Nightmare Moon retreated even more in the shadows and lowered her presence on Equus. The parents Sparkle and the examiners were surprised by the arrival of the princess and bowed accordingly.
Twilight didn't notice her at first, as she was busy to freeze the bewitched room. The room was as if time stopped. Nightmare Moon was impressed, but also worried. Seriously, what is pulling on her domain? It can't be Twilight, can it?'
Twilight returned the objects to their places. The examiners and princess Celestia were watching her regaining control over her magic. Her parents just worried about the princess, who as of now, looked quite calm. Twilight turned around and bowed the instant she saw the princess.
“I-I am sorry, Princess Celestia.”, she apologized.
“No need to apologize, little one. I... I am impressed with your magic prowess. Not only did you hatch the dragon, but you also regained the control over the floating objects, quite fast at that.”, said the princess. “And you moved the moon up.”
“I did what?!”
“She did what?!”, asked her parents. The three Sparkles looked out of the windows. In fact, the moon was covering the sun. Then the princess proceeded to move it back down.
“That you managed to pull the moon is the most impressive piece of magic any filly showcased in this exam!”
Hearing the princesses opinion and high praise, the examiners refrained from complaining. One of them asked, “My princess, does that mean Twilight Sparkle will enroll in your school?”
“Not exactly.”, replied Celestia. “I want to make Twilight my personal student. I just can't ignore someone who moved an astral body.” Twilight Velvet tried not to hyperventilate. “Especially when seeing your very moon related cutie mark.”
“My what?” She really had something on her flank. It was a full moon in silver, overlaid with an ink blue scythe moon. The double moon was surrounded by six stars. Two white, two purple and two pink ones. Three, one of each color down left forming a triangle, and the other three right on the top of the moons, also forming a triangle. The most highest star, a pink one, was bigger than the others and was actually two stars overlaid. The partly covered star was ink blue, it's spikes peaking out from the big pink star. Cutie Marks this detailed rarely have light meanings.
“Now, I want to discuss your schooling and the dragon's care with you and your parents. Please follow me, Family Sparkle.”, spoke the princess.
With them leaving the room, they left one bamboozled Nightmare Moon and three very bamboozled examiners.
“The other children will have a high bar to reach.” The other two nod.
…
The following weeks were used to get used to the other princess. Who was quite surprised to learn of her student's 'sun allergy'. But this isn't exactly something Celestia focused on. She was more focused on how by the stars this filly managed to move the moon! Only she and Luna are supposed to be able to do that.
“I wonder if Twilight can move the sun as well.”, wondered Celestia.
'At this point, it'll be more surprising if she can't.', replied Nightmare Moon silently.
Celestia spend her now even more limited down time with research. Unbeknownst to her, her sister was watching her research attempts. Well, when she wasn't teaching Twilight in secret. One day while spying Celestia, she saw her apprentice's parents visiting the princess.
“Ah! Are you here to visit Twilight?”, asked Celestia.
“Now, your highness, we are here to ask you something.”, explained Night Light.
His wife continued with sorrow in her voice, “Now that you have Twilight in the castle, will you take her back?”
To say that Nightmare Moon had no idea what these two were talking about would be the understatement of the century. 'What the stars are these two on?'
Celestia wasn't sure what to answer, but for other reasons. “I think you understand me wrong. At this point, I am unsure if I tell her the truth.”
“But isn't there a risk she discovers her origin anyway? At some point she will wonder how she managed to move the moon.”, said Twilight Velvet.
“I know. Like I said, I am not sure. For now, the narrative continues that you are her parents.”, said the princess. “Is there something else you worry about?”
“Yes, our extended family starts to openly exclude her. They won't hide she is adopted.”, explained Night Light. “I worry this will hurt her massively... especially if she has contact with her biological mother, who hides it.”
“I... see.”
“Don't get us wrong, we are still honored you trust us with your daughter-” 'Her what?!' “, but won't it be better if, at some point, you tell her the truth?”, said Night Light. His wife hopes Celestia will be forgiving, that her husband tells her how to parent her child. “A-And honestly, I doubt this 'hiding alicorn wings' spell isn't healthy.” He took a deep breath.
“I... can't argue that. I don't know what to do now.”
'Me too, sister, me too.', thought Nightmare Moon. 'So, little Twilight is my niece? That explains the moon thing.'
After the parents left, Celestia was left alone. She was in thought. “Maybe if... if the magic decided to make a replacement for Luna? Someone to control the moon, to balance me out? Would explain why she has no father.”
'Damn, magic is naughty.'
Nightmare Moon left. Her apprentice is her niece, potentially a replacement send by magic itself and is lied to. No biggie. She can use that to keep her loyal, and reform her as Celestia's replacement. That... is a plan. A plan to work on for the next century. But now, she has to break that glamour. Her niece needs to spread her wings. And cause her sister a panic attack.
Author's Note
The ending is inspired by Star Wars, that Anakin has no father. A theory i that the force made him.
