All of it weighed heavily on me, and my legs shook as though they would collapse at any second. My mind whirled, entangled with grief, rage, and terror. Despite everything she had given up for me, I found myself entangled in the very magic she had tried to run off.

It was only when I felt the warmth of Sunset's presence beneath me that I realized she was getting closer. Her warm coat served as a stabilizing influence in the midst of my emotional tempest as her ponytail gently brushed against mine. I looked into her wide, turquoise eyes, which were full of support and understanding. Sunset remained silent because she didn't have to speak. Her unspoken gesture spoke a lot.

Celestia broke the silence with a soft smile. She glanced between Sunset and me, her face displaying a mixture of interest and pity. "You said he was only your friend, Sunset Shimmer,” Celestia began, her voice warm but teasing. “Perhaps he is something more?”

In sharp contrast to her golden coat, Sunset's face flushed a vivid pink. As she attempted to respond, she stumbled and stumbled over her own words. . “I-I mean… no! I mean, yes! I mean, he’s a friend, but not… I mean, we’re close, but not in that way!”

I felt my own cheeks burn, the awkward tension between us a momentary distraction from the gravity of the situation. “Sunset’s just been helping me adjust to all this ,,My mother is Queen of another Realm stuff". She’s been, uh… very supportive.”

Twilight Sparkle interrupted with a firm but gentle tone after Celestia laughed gently and her knowing glance lingered for a second. "We don't now have the luxury of giving you two chances to work this out, as much as I would love to. There are more threats besides Umbra. The sirens you mentioned before, Sunset, may have something to do with the disharmony you've observed in the human race. We may be able to figure out what's happening if we can learn more about them."

“And that information,” Twilight continued, turning to Celestia with a hopeful expression, “might be in the Royal Library. Princess Celestia, if you allow us access, we can—”

“Come with me,” Celestia interrupted Her smile softened as she looked at me, then at Sunset. “I will personally assist my former student and her… coltfriend. This matter is as important to me as it is to you.”

“He’s not my—! I mean, we’re not—!”

“Thank you, Princess,” I interrupted, saving Sunset from more humiliation. Even though my hooves still felt weak under me, I made an effort to stand tall. “We appreciate your help.”

Celestia inclined her head gracefully, her mane flowing like liquid sunlight. “Then let us not waste any more time.”

Celestia turned and took the lead, her majestic aura engulfing the room. Twilight trotted eagerly at her side, her excitement restrained by the gravity of the situation, while Luna trailed behind, her face somber.

After exchanging glances, Sunset and I fell into step behind them. As we strolled, her shoulder touched mine, and her presence gave me a brief sense of comfort.

The castle's magnificent and imposing halls, with their marble flooring and tall columns that reverberated with our hoofsteps, loomed before us. Stained-glass windows let in golden light, which created vibrant patterns on the floor. . Each window depicted a piece of Equestria’s history, victories over ancient evils, the rise of harmony, and moments of unity.

As we passed a window with Celestia and Luna using beams of light to seal away a dark, shadowy pony, I couldn't help but feel uneasy. A terrifying reminder of the dangers that existed in this world. It was like the glass figure's eyes followed my movement.

My gaze then strayed to Princess Celestia this time, her flowing mane glistened like a living aurora as she moved slightly ahead. Even though she exuded royalty, there was a maternal tenderness to her steps. Even though I was as tall as Princess Luna, I couldn't help but feel insignificant in her presence.

Curiosity bit me, and I blurted out before I could stop myself, “Why doesn’t it bother you that I’m… like you? I mean, an alicorn. Isn't that a big thing here?”

Celestia turned her head slightly, her gaze soft and understanding. “What do you mean?”

The weight of everyone's eyes on me caused me to fumble over what I was saying. “Sunset told me that alicorns are rare, that they only come to be if someone does something big. Something important. I don’t even know how to use magic or these… these things on my back.” I flexed my new wings awkwardly, earning a small chuckle from Sunset. “It doesn’t make sense for me to be like this.”

Celestia reduced her speed so I could overtake her. Her gentle eyes found mine, and I experienced an unexplainable sensation of security there. “Do not doubt yourself,” she said gently. “We suspected you wouldn’t be an ordinary pony when you crossed the portal, given your lineage. But being an alicorn is no mere accident. It signifies greatness within you, potential yet untapped, but very real.”

“But I haven’t done anything big. I haven’t earned this. That horn and wings are not mine, this form belong to my mom, i dont have anything to add to it.”

She stopped, placing a hoof lightly on my shoulder. “You may not see it now, but you’ve already done something big. Even without understanding it, you’ve brought harmony to those around you. Your form reflects that truth, even if you can’t yet see it for yourself yet.”

Though they left me with more questions than answers, her comments were like a salve for my troubled thoughts. “Thank you”

Then something hit me, and I cocked my head in interest. “Wait… princesses? Has there never been a prince before?”

Luna and Celestia looked at each other for a moment, and Celestia smiled thoughtfully. “Not that I know of, you are the first male alicorn.”

That revelation hit me like a bolt of lightning. “The first?”

I turned to face Twilight and Sunset, who both gave me reassuring smiles. Sunset teasingly said, "I guess that makes you even more special."

My face flushed, and I couldn’t tell if it was from embarrassment or something else. “No pressure, right?”

Twilight laughed, and we started to move again. My uneasiness returned as we got closer to the Royal Library's imposing double doors. The sight of enormous shelves crammed with antiquated books and scrolls, their contents bursting with untold wisdom, was breathtaking.

With a creak, the doors opened to reveal the spacious inside. Twilight, Sunset, Luna, Celestia, and I were the only ones that went in, leaving the rest to stand guard. With the subtle aroma of parchment and ink permeating the air, the library's peaceful silence seemed almost sacred.

Luna spoke softly, her voice reverberating in the vast space. “If there is information about the sirens or the Umbra, it will be here. Let us waste no time.”

Twilight nodded eagerly, her eyes already scanning the rows of books. “I’ll start with the section on magical anomalies.”

Celestia gestured to another aisle. “I will check historical accounts of major magical disruptions.”

Sunset looked at me, her expression both supportive and expectant. “Stick with me,” she said. “We’ll figure this out together.”

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “Alright, i'll just sit here'

As I mentioned, I sat there feeling completely out of place as the others focused intently and precisely on their work. In a matter of seconds, Celestia and Luna glanced through centuries' worth of information as they moved with practiced elegance through the library, their magic removing old books and scrolls from the shelves. Ever the scholar, Twilight had already piled a little mound of books in her area and was turning the pages more quickly than I could keep up.

The same was true at sunset, when she mumbled under her breath while cross-referencing passages and levitating volumes around herself, her horn shining faintly. I was simply sitting there, trying not to feel like a worthless lump in the meantime.

I looked at the title of a book that was on the floor close to me. The Tale of the Pony of Shadows. Something about it intrigued me, and it seemed sinister. Perhaps I could contribute by doing something, anything, rather than sitting around doing nothing.

"Alright," I muttered to myself. "Let’s give this magic thing a shot."

I concentrated on the book, visualizing it rising from the ground.In a dim swirl of colors that resembled a cosmic nebula, my horn flickered. I was shocked when the book moved a little on the floor. I muttered, "Okay, not bad," with a glimmer of pride.

Encouraged, I attempted to visualize my hand catching it and raising it. Light burst from my horn—and then, with an audible pop, the book compressed into a tiny 1mm cube.

"Oops," I said, blinking in horror.

Sunset’s head snapped up, and she looked at me with a mixture of disbelief and irritation. "Do you know how old these books are?"

Celestia’s voice echoed from behind a nearby shelf. "Older than me and Lu—" she started, but her words were cut off as my horn began glowing again, this time without my control.

"Uh, wha-?" My body lifted off the ground as if an invisible force had grabbed me, my hooves flailing in the air. "What the fuck is happening?! OW!" I yelped as I was unceremoniously dropped back onto the floor.

The smooth stone beneath me started to dissolve into an ethereal mist, and the ground started to shimmer. Everyone looked as a glowing mark, a beautiful representation of a nebula swirling with stars and cosmic light took its place.

Celestia stepped closer, her eyes wide with awe. "That... that's your mother’s cutie mark,"

With my heart thumping in my chest, I stared at the mark. The symbol's light seemed to interact with the energy still whirling about my horn, and it pulsed gently, as if it were alive.

"Why would it show here?"

Celestia took a moment to respond. Her face was unreadable; she stared at the mark as though she were attempting to decipher its meaning. "This library holds more than just knowledge.It is a place of deep magic, connected to Equestria’s very essence.Your magic—must have awakened something within it."

"Yeah," I muttered, glancing at the cube that used to be a book. "But my magic could be a little less destrucive."

Luna placed a hoof on my shoulder, her touch grounding me. "This is not destruction, it is discovery. Your magic is powerful, perhaps even more so than we anticipated. But it is a part of you, and with time, you will learn to wield it with grace."

As Luna's words trailed off, the nebula mark's original location in the mist started to change once more. It opened slowly, revealing a spiral staircase that led down into the unknown. The library's ethereal light made the staircases appear old, carved from glittering stone that shimmered subtly. A weird energy seemed to pulse from the depths below as the air grew colder.

I stared at the opening.Everypony else turned their eyes to me, clearly expecting me to lead the way.

"What?" I stammered, backing up a step. "There’s no way I’m going down there. That... looks terrifying."

Sunset came closer to me. "Hey," she said softly, "You don’t have to do this alone. We’re with you."

Celestia came to my other side, her presence radiating calm. "She’s right"

Even if their words gave me some comfort, my worry persisted. I nodded and took a trembling breath.At Celestia's request, Twilight and Luna remained behind to carry on gathering information about the sirens. As I walked carefully down the steps, Sunset and Celestia stood on either side of me.

We entered a large hall via a staircase, with a ceiling so high above us that it appeared to vanish into the night. As we passed, the torches that lined the walls erupted into flames, each one burning a distinct color. Greens, reds, blues, and even colors I couldn't identify flowed about us, creating a kaleidoscope of light.

There was a pedestal at the far end of the hall. A big old book, bound in tattered leather, lay on it. Intricate patterns of stars and whirling galaxies covered its surface, and a lock in the middle of it was softly shimmering golden.

Staring at the book, I came to a halt. I took a step back out of reflex because my knees felt weak. I can’t do this,"

"Yes, you can," Sunset said firmly.Her eyes were warm and steady. "You’ve already come this far. You’ve got this."

Celestia nodded in agreement. "This book is connected to you, just as it was to your mother. You are the key to unlocking its secrets."

I paused, staring at the illuminated lock. . "But... I don’t even know how to use magic properly," I said. "What if I mess it up? What if—"

Sunset cut me off. "You won’t. Trust yourself.Okay, here’s what you do. Think about something that makes you happy—something that brings you peace. Then touch the lock with your horn."

"That’s it?" I asked skeptically.

"It’s the simplest explanation I could come up with," Sunset said with a shrug. "Foals probably have a better understanding of magic than you do, but hey, you're learning as we go."

"Great. No pressure, then." I took a deep breath and moved forward. As I got closer, the pedestal seemed to hum with electricity, and my horn started to dimly shine in imitation of the lock's light. I closed my eyes and tried to find a happy memory to concentrate on as sunny said.

The kiss on Sunset Cheeck was the first image that sprang to mind. I felt a peaceful thrill as I recalled how warm and near she was, and how time seemed to freeze in that moment.

But nothing happened when I pressed my horn against the lock.

"You need more " Celestia’s voice said gently from behind me. "Think of everything that brings you happiness. Let it fill you."

Squeezing my eyes shut, I nodded and dug further into my memory. Even when I doubted myself, I considered supporting Sunset and sticking up for her when she needed someone. I recalled our embraces and how she supported me when uncertainty or fear overcame me. I remembered her laugh, her smile, and the fact that she had faith in me even when I had no faith in myself.

The warmth of those memories began to build inside me, spreading from my chest to the very tips of my wings.

More came to me, including times when I was in touch with my new friends and felt supported, accepted, and like I belonged. I thought on the joy I experienced upon seeing their friendship and their constant belief that things might get better.

The radiance surrounding my horn intensified, its hues intensifying and pulsing like a live nebula. The pedestal started to hum more loudly, matching the energy that was growing within of me.

Finally, I felt the lock shift beneath my horn. The golden light enveloped the book, and with a soft click, the lock unlatched and dissolved into stardust.

I opened my eyes to see Sunset and Celestia observing me.Celestia smile was a mix of pride and playfulness. The way her shoulders trembled just enough revealed who she was, even if she had hidden her muzzle under one of her big, elegant wings. She was trying not to laugh.

Confused, I looked at Sunset. As though to protect herself from something, or perhaps from me, she was resting on her forehooves with her face concealed. Her body language conveyed embarrassment as her ears twitched a little.

"What?" I asked, looking between them "Why are you two acting like this?"

Her cheeks turned a deep pink when the sunset peaked through her hooves. With a quiet grunt, she buried her face once again.

I tilted my head back toward the pedestal, a knot of dread starting to grow as I tried to think of what might have triggered their reactions. I saw it at that moment.

The memories I had summoned to open the lock—the images of joy, connection, and hope—they were floating above us like an aurora borealis. Each memory shimmered and danced in the air, glowing with colors that blended and shifted like liquid light.

The kiss I’d given Sunset was there, vivid and alive, the soft warmth of that moment captured in radiant hues of gold and pink.

The times I’d stood by her, defending her, were painted in streaks of deep blue and violet, like the calm before a storm.

The embraces we’d shared, the times we’d comforted each other, glowed in warm, gentle greens and oranges, like a hearth on a cold night.

Every memory was so vivid and emotional that it seemed as if the very core of my joy had been imprinted on the atmosphere. Almost every recollection, every luminous thread of light, had sunset at its core.

"Oh," I managed to say, my voice barely a whisper. "Oh, shit."

I turned back to Celestia. "Princess Celestia, I—"

She held up a hoof, silencing me gently."You don’t need to finish. All I’ll say is this, I wish you both happiness and hope you’ll always shine like this." She chuckled softly, her laughter sounded like the tinkling of bells.

When Sunset eventually revealed her face, she gave me a shy yet loving glance. "You really had to think of all that to open the book?"

"I mean..." I rubbed the back of my head with a hoof, glancing at the glowing memories still swirling above us. "I thought about other stuff too."

Sunset raised an eyebrow." I'm sure you did."

Celestia moved closer to the book, her horn blazing as she gingerly removed it from the pedestal before I could sink any more. "I'll take a look, if that’s all right." Smiling warmly and comfortingly at me.

"I mean... if we don’t want it accidentally destroyed, I should probably leave it to you," I said with an awkward laugh.

Celestia's eyes crinkled with real warmth as she chuckled softly. She muttered, "Noted," as the book remained motionless in her enchanted aura.

Celestia cautiously shifted her focus to the book as the memories above us started to dim, their light fading like morning mist. Slowly, she opened it, the old pages turning with a gentle crackle.

Sunset and I watched closely as Celestia's demeanor changed from one of wonder to intense focus. She appeared even more regal and intelligent when the light from the nearby flames reflected in her eyes. As she read aloud, her voice was calm but tinged with passion, and she let out a long breath while quivering a little.

"If you are reading this, I am long gone.I have either failed or perished in another world. But if you’ve found this, know that I did what I had to do for the sake of Equestria and all other realms."

"I found a way to stop the Umbra, but it came at a cost, a cost i must pay to let the pace rule. The only way to destroy him... is to absorb him."

Like an impending thunder cloud, the words hung heavy in the air. As I attempted to take in what she was saying, I felt my breath catch and my chest tighten. Even though Sunset's face was pale with fright, her hoof touched mine and grounded me.

Celestia hesitated, briefly shutting her eyes, and then went on. Her tone softened, with a hint of grief and incredulity.

"I will make my body his prison, a vessel to hold his darkness. Pure evil, bound within me, where he can do no harm. He will not escape from me but i will not escape from him neither."

As Sunset's breath caught next to mine, I sensed my own feelings ebbing away. She... she sacrificed herself." The words tasted bitter on my tongue.

Celestia resumed, speaking hardly more than a whisper now, as though raising her voice would ruin the moment.

"There will be consequences for this. His evil will corrupt my soul, and my body will no longer be mine.There is no other option. I can't let him ruin everything that we value.It will shorten my life and require me to fight every day for my body, I will take on the challenge of becoming the shield that protects Equestria."

A rhyme followed, written with careful precision, as if each word carried the weight of her resolve

"Darkness seeks to claim the light,
But I shall bind it in my might.
Evil’s shadow, black and grim,
Shall find its end when bound within me.
My light may fade,my body break,
But for this world,it's the risk I’ll take.
Let love endure, let hope remain,
Though I will be lost to endless pain."

Except for the little crackle of the torches, the room was quiet. The old stone walls changed color with each flicker, as though the weight of the revelation we were witnessing was causing them to come to life as well. Before she turned the delicate page, Celestia's hoof paused and shook a little. In the silence, the sound of the paper rustling was nearly deafening.

Her countenance wavered between shock and grief as her eyes became wide as she processed the words. She finally started reading aloud, her voice wavering but determined, after taking a steadying breath.

"Princess Celestia and Luna, im sorry i have to leave you. Its's the only way, the only thing i can do to protect you both. I always thought about you like my own foals. And to my children, if you are reading this... you have already discovered the truth of who you really are."

My heart was beating in time with the rhythm of her words, and I could feel my chest constricting. After a moment of hesitation and a forceful swallow, Celestia went on.

I have always known I would have two sons. Twins. One will provide the goodness and brightness that I possess, the purity that Equestria sorely lacks. In order to defend this world, I took on the role of Umbra, while the other will bear the darkness. . To my son who carries the shadow, know this: you are not destined to be like him. You are not him."

She paused, dropping the book for a time as though the weight of Galaxia's words were too much for her to handle, and her voice broke slightly on the final word. Sunset approached me, her shoulder grazing mine, silently encouraging me.

"I will do everything in my power to nurture you, my dark child, to guide you away from the path he would want for you. You will not walk alone. Together, you and your brother are the balance Equestria will need. Together, you can accomplish what I cannot—what I may not live to see."

A faint rhyme followed, simple but achingly poignant:

"Two stars born of cosmic tide,
One of shadow, one of light
Together bound, their fate as one,
The moon and stars, eclipsing sun.
Though paths may stray, their hearts shall meet,
And harmony’s will be complete."

As Celestia gazed up from the page, her eyes sparkling with agony and wonder, a single tear slipped down her face and her voice trembled. She looked at me, the intensity of her sorrow briefly shattering her regal bearing.

"This... this is beyond anything I ever found of her plan," she whispered.

I couldn't, so I didn't answer. My throat tightened, and tears that I would not let fall clouded my eyes.

Celestia took a long breath and continued, her voice becoming more subdued, almost respectful.

"I'll flee to an other realm, one where magic is weak and the shadow would have less power. I stupidly believed that my sons would never have to know where they came from. However, if you are reading this, you are here because fate has brought you together. I sincerely apologize for the burdens I was unable to shield you from, my darling children. "

The air was heavy with grief and unsaid concerns, and the room felt impossible. As she read the last few lines, Celestia's voice faltered, their lyricism resonating like a forgotten tune.

"If ever my light seems faint, my stars,
Look within—your strength will mend the scars.
Through trials grim, your hearts shall shine,
Forever entwined by fate’s design.
Know this, my sons, my love transcends,
All realms, all time—it never ends."*

The words hung in the air, like the final notes of a symphony, their impact reverberating in my very soul. Celestia closed the book slowly, clutching it to her chest as if holding onto a fragment of Galaxia herself.

My legs shook as I sank to the ground, finally letting the tears fall. Galaxia's sacrifice, her love, and her belief in me were both heartbreaking and inspiring. "How do I live up to that? How do I honor her when I don’t even know where to begin?"

Celestia lowered her head to meet my gaze as she knelt next to me. "You begin by remembering who you are, You are her son. You carry her light and her strength—and you are not alone."

I turned to face Sunset, who gave me a firm nod while maintaining a stern attitude despite the tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm with you, every step of the way."

As though Galaxia herself were reaching out to remind us of her existence, the flames flickered, their light creating shifting patterns on the walls. The weight was still heavy on my shoulders, but it was no longer too much to bear as I slowly straightened.

I experienced the tiniest glimmer of optimism amidst the sorrow for the first time. Time and location had not affected Galaxia's devotion, and now it was up to me, up to us,to continue her legacy.

Celestia kept the book close to her as we turned to leave the hall, her eyes resting on the mark on the floor. "She may be gone, but her light will never fade."

Celestia's words, "Her light will never fade," became louder with each reverberation, echoing in my consciousness like the chime of a far-off bell. The entire force of their meaning reached me as they became ingrained in my heart, causing me to stumble backward and gasp for air.

"If I’m the half that’s her good," I whispered, barely audible, "then... my brother was the Umbra half."

The insight pierced my being, intense and relentless. Even when I tightened my jaw, the dam inside of me had already broken. My voice increased, more broken and louder."He didn’t deserve it! It should’ve been me! He should’ve been the better half—he deserved better!"

Now, as I collapsed on the chilly stone floor, hot, uncontrollable tears streamed down my face. At my sides, my wings quivered, each feather weighed down by remorse and sorrow."He died... because I was reckless." My voice cracked, and I buried my face in my hooves, the anguish overtaking me. "He died because of me."

Sunset drew nearer, her wings gently folding about my quivering body, her warmth pressing upon me. At first, she held me without saying anything, her touch a silent comfort in the midst of the storm roaring inside my heart.

Although her presence was helpful, my guilt still weighed heavily. It threatened to submerge me as it pressed down on me like an unending tide. With my voice weak and stifled, I was unable to control the words that were escaping my lips."He was the better one—he always was. I... I failed him. And now he’s gone because I couldn’t—because I didn’t—"

Celestia stepped forward, her demeanor a blend of sympathy and solid resolve, her presence powerful yet soft. Her horn gave off a gentle golden glow that seemed to warm the chilly air around us as she lowered down to eye level with me.

"Stop," she spoke gently, her authority cut through my racing mind. Her eyes met mine, unwavering and steadfast. "You carry a weight that is not yours to bear."

"How can you say that? He... he shouldn’t have had to carry the darkness. He shouldn’t have had to suffer for what I—"

"Listen to me," Celestia interrupted, her tone firmer now. "I do not know the circumstances of your brother’s passing. I do not know what choices were made or what fate unfolded. But what I do know—what I know—is that no matter what, he would not want this for you. No brother, no matter his burdens, would want his sibling to drown in guilt and sorrow."

Her words were a lifeline, but I was still sinking. I shook my head again, the tears coming faster. "But I failed him... I should have—"

"No, your mother saw something extraordinary in both of you. She saw balance. Harmony. You and your brother were two halves of a greater whole, yes, but that does not make one half better than the other. Your worth, your light, does not diminish his, just as his darkness did not diminish you."

Her words crept into the crevices of my broken heart as I stared at her, breathing laboriously.

Celestia went on, her tone gentler but no less determined. "If your brother carried the weight of the Umbra, then he did so because he had a strength few could imagine. And if he loved you, and I am certain he did, he would want you to honor him not with guilt, but with love. He would want you to live, to thrive, to carry forward the best of what he was, just as you carry the best of your mother."

Her words had a profound effect on me, and I was momentarily unable to speak. The anguish was still searing and intense, but the guilt that had devoured me started to change, its edges becoming softer.

As though addressing the shattered fragments of my soul directly, Celestia drew in closer and spoke in a whisper. "Your mother would feel the same. She loved both of you with all her heart. She saw the extraordinary beings you both were, and she believed in your strength. That strength is not in perfection or in never making mistakes—it is in rising, even when you feel broken. It is in loving, even when it hurts."

Sunset's warmth and silent power anchored me as she wrapped her arms around me. "She’s right," Sunset whispered, her voice shaky but sure. "Your mom, your brother... they’d want you to be happy. They’d want you to live for them, not crumble under the weight of what you think you should’ve done."

The sting of the tears subsided, but they continued. I glanced at Celestia, whose eyes were unblinking and filled with such deep compassion that it almost made me want to fall apart again. I then turned to face Sunset, who had unshed tears in her eyes but only love and faith in me.

"I... I don’t know if I can," I admitted, my voice small and raw.

Celestia smiled, a faint, bittersweet curve of her lips. "You don’t have to do it all at once. Healing takes time. But you are not alone, and you are stronger than you think."

I nodded, the burden in my breast no longer oppressive but yet heavy. Amidst the ancient stone and flickering torchlight, we sat there, and I felt the tiniest flicker of hope.

Author's Note

The Chapters are a little shorter now i want to put more effort into quality than than to make it longer, i had this idea of mother of oc from the begging of the fanfic, i could finnally show what i had in mind. But i can give you a little spoiler that not all. Have fun reading, last time i put so much emotion in a chapter was when sunset was screaming to oc that he deserves to live.