It all started when Moonwatcher was instructed by Her Majesty, Nightmare Moon, to test the wards in the dungeons. Many a foolish unicorn thinks a single spell is enough to try and stop her reign, and wards are there to keep their magic in check.

However, Moonwatcher was instructed to test all of the dungeons, including the deepest one. The deepest dungeon is Her Majesty’s most secure and hidden away. I did not know who or what was kept there, as I have never been there, but Her Majesty insisted Moonwatcher venture down to it.

Moonwatcher returned to me, frantic. It took a moment for whatever shock she was in to wear off enough for her to be coherent. “Another alicorn!” she said. “Down in the deepest dungeon!”

I was confused. I was not aware of any other alicorns but Her Majesty. Surely there could be no other. But Moonwatcher was insistent. She had reported the wards in the alicorn’s dungeon were the strongest and most elaborate she had ever seen. Such spellwork had to have been there for a reason.

I was hesitant at first, but I trust Moonwatcher. She is almost as knowledgeable as spells as I am, from self-tutoring alone. So, I gathered my wits and ventured down into the deepest dungeon myself.

Moonwatcher was right.

There was another alicorn down here. She seemed as old as Her Majesty, but alabaster white. What once might have been a pink mane is faded and drooping—I know Her Majesty’s mane and tail flow like a nebula, but this one’s magic was restricted. And her eyes… They had been magenta once, but they too were faded and dull.

A lack of magic is not what caused that.

“What is thine name?” I asked her.

She lifted her head from the floor. “Celestia,” was her hoarse reply. Her head fell back down, ears drooping.

It was obvious I wouldn’t get much out of her, so I made my way back up to the library. I informed Moonwatcher and the others of the alicorn and her name. Moonwatcher and I began frantically searching every historical archive we could. Every account, every book, every scroll. But we found nothing.

Her Majesty keeps her most treasured documents in a vault, not far from her personal chambers. It is well-guarded, and not even I, her student, have seen inside of it. I know of it only because I have seen the door, and Her Majesty has retrieved spellbooks from it before. If there is any trace of this Celestia, it is most likely in there.

Gala Star got to thinking on the name “Celestia.” Her memory isn’t perfect, but she believes she has heard that name before. The older members of her family love to tell stories, and she believes that is where she heard the name, but she would have to inquire to be certain.

As we cannot risk accessing Her Majesty’s vault, we have agreed the best course of action is to inquire with the Apple Family Clan about Celestia. To not draw attention to ourselves, I shall venture out alone and meet Gala Star there.

Now all I need is to concoct a cover story…

Author's Note

"Have thou heard of Celestia? I'm afraid our history lessons are quite... restricted."