Chapters A Secret That Was Meant To Be Hidden
"And you can return to Ponyville whenever you want." A tall white alicorn smiled. Her beautiful, pastel coloured mane swaying and sparkling as she and another alicorn trotted through a grand hall.
"Thank you, Celestia. But I think I will stay in Canterlot for a day or two." The younger alicorn replied, gazing at the stained glass. She lived here before. And for so long. It was her second home, and Celestia was almost her mother. Taking care of her like Twilight was her own.
"Okay, Twilight. Afterall, this was like your home." Celestia chuckled, remembering a memory of following the little purple filly around the castle as she skipped around with books in her face. The princess of the sun remembered lifting up- with her aura- guards, maids, plant pots and various other items out of the way as the filly continued to read.
"Yes. It was." Twilight nervously smiled. A sliver of fear wrapping around her mind, making her panic.
The sun goddess walked through the corridors, followed by her youngest student, niece, and now third ruler- Princess Twilight Sparkle. The sun shinned through the stained glass, and onto the ponies walking past.
"Is everything alright?" Celestia asked, concerned for her student.
"Yes! Why wouldn't everything be okay? I mean, I am Equestria's newest princess. Princess Twilight Sparkle!" Twilight huffed, fluttering her newly made wings.
"Oh, Twilight. You worry so much. Take each day slowly." The great alicorn advised, her voice soft and soothing to the other alicorn.
"I know, Princess." The violet mare sighed, relaxing slightly at the sound of her mentor's voice. Celestia always had a beautiful voice. It was always so relaxing to the Princess speak, sing or even laugh. Others may have thought of her voice to be regal and strong, but Twilight, it was always soft and sweet.
"Maybe, if I leave you alone for awhile, you can take a walk around the castle. To clear your head." Celestia smiled again, her musk rose eyes glittering.
"Yeah, that might work." Twilight breathed in and smiled along with her teacher.
"And, I've had the Archives room refurbished." Princess Celestia smirked, knowing how to the younger alicorn would react.
Twilight's weak smile, grew. Grew into a grin, bigger than the moon.
"Go on then. Princess Twilight." Celestia giggled, and turned to look out the window, staring at the luscious, and magical land of Equestria. That she helped created. "I'll be with you soon. I just need to run some errands."
She turned to face Twilight, her student, but all she saw was a trail of dust and a small purple dot. She watched the little pony gallop of as she trotted away, sighing sadly to herself.
~~~~~~
"Oh sweet mother of Celestia!! It's-it's...beautiful." Twilight gawped at the the newly decorated room of various scrolls. Glancing at the new wallpaper, and the new bookcases. The engravings of swirls and delicate curls on the dark wood of the bookcases.
"There's the history of old Equestria!" She squealed as she pranced around. "And...and...the 100 ways to make...oh, whoops. This is a foal's art book." Twilight flipped the book open, glancing at the squiggles inside. "And, it's my old art book. Brings back so many memories. Using Celestia's make-up as a subsitute to paint is not, a good idea." Twilight laughed hysterically, and threw the book across the room. Hoping that it would end up in the bin
Unfortunately, it didn't.
The bulky book flew into a bookcase behind Twilight. It creaking and groaning. Numerous books fell of the shelves, and the cabinet swayed forward, and back.A small box began to slide to the edge as the bookcase swayed dangerously forwards.
The purple alicorn quickly turned around at the sound of falling books, and attempted to stop the old, object on top of the bookcase, from falling, and smashing to the floor.
But she was too late.
~~~~~~
"Oh, dear." She muttered.
A small, old, brown chest with gold rims, was upon the floor. Chips of dark wood surrounded the box. Parts of the gold from the decoration, were now dented. And half of the lid was snapped off the hinges. Twilight stared at the box, biting her lip, when she heard the sound of trotting hooves.
"Celestia! Oh fiddle-sticks! I better get the box away!" She panicked.
Twilight quickly clicked the lid back on, and levitated it into the air, trying to reach the top of bookcase. Flapping her wings in a random flutter in order to reach higher.
"Twilight, I-" Celestia began as she walked in, making Twilight yelp.
"AH!"
Twilight lost her magical grip on the chest and it fell to the floor, again,hitting the floor with and smash. Shattering as it made contact with the ground.
This time, it completely broke off.
The lid broke in half, the gold plating flying off, the body of the chest collapsed, with the splinters everywhere across the floor.
Celestia stared at the now wrecked chest, staring at the shattered piece of wood.
Twilight fluttered her wings at her sides, looking down at her hooves in disappointment.
"I-I-I'm so s-s-sorry." She croaked.
But Celestia said nothing, she just stared. A lifetime of memories flooded her mind. Her horn lit up with a golden aura, as did a small object underneath the ruins. Her tears streamed down her prismatic white cheeks as she lifted up the item. An image of a little filly danced around in her head, making more of her tears fall.
"Princess?" Twilight edged towards her mentor, feeling greatly guilty for making the goddess cry. "I'm sorry." She apologised.
"Oh, Twilight, dear. You have no need to fret." Tears flowed freely from her eyes, staining her white fur. She hadn't cried like this since she sent her dear sister to the her exile, and since the grey day another part of her went away.
"But, Celestia, you're crying." Twilight pointed out.
At an instance, the door bolted shut and the blinds flew down. Twilight squeaked in shock at the sudden darkness. She walked around trying to find her teacher or at least some light.
"Celestia?" She whispered as the elder princess's horn began to glow. Twilight stared at the golden light as she trotted closer towards it.
"Twilight. There is something, something that has broken my heart. Something, I haven't told anypony." The slender white alicorn sat down, and Twilight followed.
The object Celestia was holding, was a small silver tiara studded with rosy rubies. It glittered as the golden light of Celestia's horn glowed. Twilight gazed at the small tiara, staring at the beautiful detail. However, it was too small to belong to any adult, or any filly or colt.
"Is that yours? From when you were younger?" Twilight questioned.
"No. It's my daughter's." Celestia whispered, making her cry again.
Twilight's eyes widened with shocked and her mouth hung wide.
"Daughter?" She squeaked. "You have a daughter?" This was news to her. Very big, new news.
"Yes. Many, many years ago, when ponies came looking for new land, they came to me, to ask for permission. To create a town called Hoofson Town. But the mayor, who was lovely gentle pony, came to me one night. He was a lovely blue pegasus pony, with red, orange and purple hair." Celestia sniffed. "He admitted to me his love, and so did I. He was my world. He may have been an ordinary pony, but he was a special ordinary. I loved him so dearly. And we shared our love one night too."
Twilight blushed before speaking. "But, I thought alicorns were infertile."
"When an alicorn loves somepony dearly, I mean, they love them a lot , they become infertile. But for them only. Alicorns will only find one special somepony in their whole life. It's curse, really." Celestia explained through her sniffles.
"What happened to him?"
"I never knew. He went to Gryphon Islands to send a message,as a few of his ponies from his town were being taken by the griffins. But something happened on his way back." More tears poured out of Celestia's eyes. She breathed heavily as her cries turned into full blown sobs. "They-they-they only found his bag and a few feathers. That's all they found of my Mist Zipper!"
Twilight moved closer to the princess and hugged her tight as she wailed.
"I never got to tell him that I was pregnant. He never knew." She cried, holding Twilight. "I put her tiara in here because I didn't want to be reminded of the memories. It pains me too much."
"I'm sure, wherever he is, he's looking down onto you and your daughter. I'm sure he is proud of you both." Twilight soothed, in attempt to calm the princess down.
"He won't." Celestia retreated from the hug, wiping the remains of tears away. "I gave my child away. My beautiful child."
"Why?" The younger mare gasped.
"The courts wouldn't allow a child in the palace. Even when I begged. I'm the Princess of Equestria, I raise the sun. And I wasn't allowed to raise my own. Just because they thought it would be distracting."
"Heartless jerks." Twilight muttered.
"And, thanks to you Twilight, my daughter is closer to me than ever." Celestia smiled through her tears.
"What?"
"My daughter's name is Iris Unquam Offendas." Celestia sniffed.
"Sorry Princess, I don't know anypony called that."
"I'm sure you do Twilight. It's Latin."
"Latin? Hmmm... Iris Unquam Offendas. Unquam Offendas means dash. And Iris means rainbow. Iris Unquam Offendas means Rainbow...Dash. Rainbow Dash? Rainbow Dash is your daughter?" Twilight's head exploded. She had so many questions, but her head was so jumbled right now. Her best friend was a princess. Princess Celestia's daughter!! She couldn't believe it.
"Yes."
"B-but she doesn't have a horn." Twilight croaked, shaking her head madly.
"And you never had wings till two days ago." Celestia snorted in reply.
"You mean...she will just suddenly grow a horn."
"Her physcial will change on her 21st birthday."
"Does she know that you are her mother?" The princess of magic kept asking frantically, grabbing the other alicorn's attention.
"No."
"Her 21st birthday? That's tomorrow!" Twilight's mind flipped around at this new information.
"Indeed."
"And she will be in here."
"Yes...wait, what?"
"Rainbow and the others are bringing the party here." Twilight explained.
Celestia grinned, her eyes finally lighting up with the care and passion it had before.
"Thank you Twilight. You truly are a great princess. Thank you so much!"
The blinds flashed open and the door opened.
Twilight squinted until her eyes got used to the light. She looked around for Celestia, to find she was already gone.
"This is going to be one hectic birthday present for Rainbow." Twilight sang as she trotted away.
A Secret That Was Meant To Be Hidden
"Omigosh! I can't believe it's your birthday, Dashie!"
"Yes, Pinkie. I know it's my birthday. You've repeated it for the past ten minutes!!" Rainbow huffed.
"Yes darling, I agree with Rainbow. As soon as we stepped hoof on the train, you haven't, I do put it politely, shut your trap!"
"I know, Rarity! But it's been soooooooo exciting!! Twilight is now a princess and Rainbow is now 21 years old!"
"21, eh? Tha youngest out of all of us!"
"Yes, Applejack, I know that!" Rainbow moaned as she stared out the window.
"Darling, is everything okay?"
"Yeah. Why wouldn't it be? I'm happy. I mean, I'm now 21 years older."
"Well, you're going to be really happy when you get your presents!!" Pinkie bounced up and down, causing the carriage to rock.
"Oh, um, Pinkie Pie, can you please stop that, if you don't mind?" Fluttershy squeaked.
"Don't you worry, Fluttershy! You Auntie Pinkie is here!" The pink pony patted the rose hair of the pegasus.
"But, Pinkie, I'm a year ol-oh, never mind."
"Rainbow, is there anything you need to tell us?" Rarity asked.
"Yes! I mean no."
"Rainbow?"
"I know what will cheer you up! A card from your family! My family at the rock farm always send me a card and some rocks!"
Tears formed in Rainbow's eyes, but she instantly wiped them away.
"I mean, nothing is better than knowing that your family love you."
Rainbow, who was now staring out the window, had her wings drooping by her side and her ears lowered.
"And them sending you lots of hugs and kisses on your special day."
"Please Pinkie. Please be quiet." Rarity whispered.
The four mares watched as tears fell from the vibrant pegasus' eyes.
"Dashie."
"Rainbow, please tell us wha's wrong." Applejack pleaded.
"I'm fine." She said quickly. Not making eye contact with anypony.
"Rainbow, are ya sure ya'll okay?"
"Yes dear. You seem very upset."
"I-I-I don't know."
Fluttershy walked over and hugged the crying mare.
"I don't have a family."
"What do you mean, Dashie?"
"I'm an orphan. Never had a mother or father. And I was always abused by the owners of the orphanage. Always hit, thrown about, had my wings clipped and broken, there was even one time when one of the staff tried to rape me."
The others gasped in shock.
"Did he?"
Rivers of tears now fell down her cheeks.
"Aw, sugarcube, why didn't ya tell us before?"
"You never asked."
"Dashie, don't be upset." Pinkie hugged Rainbow.
"I'm fine Pinkie."
Pinkie looked at her friend and wiped her tears with her own hoof.
"It's your birthday. Enjoy it while you can." She smiled.
Rainbow hugged Pinkie Pie tightly.
"Thank you. Thank you for being my friend."
The train suddenly stopped. Flinging the standing ponies all over the floor.
They all looked up at each other before laughing, filling the carriage with joy.
But as they got up and left out the door, no-pony realised that Rainbow's coat was now paler than usual.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Four mares and an alicorn yelled.
Rainbow's grinned.
"Thanks guys!"
Yellow and pink streamers hung from the ceiling, confetti coated the floor and the tables, food flooded the table, and a giant cake stood in the middle.
While the others danced around the hall, Twilight trotted over to Rainbow.
"Why, hello, Princess Twilight." Rainbow said as she attempted to put on her poshest voice.
"And a hearty hello to you to. Enjoying your birthday?"
"Pinkie made it! Who wouldn't?"
Twilight laughed.
"Yeah, I agree."
She sniffed the air.
"Are you drunk?"
"Hey! Four bottles of *hic* doesn't coun' as bein' drunk!" She slurred.
She stared at Rainbow, before realising that her physical appearance was already changing.
Her coat was alot more whiter, her hair was slightly longer and looked more glittery and her wings were larger.
Twilight knew what was going to happen. And it was going to happen soon. She must tell Celestia.
"I must tell Celestia!"
"Err, Rainbow?"
"That's my name, don't wear it out!" She smirked.
"I've got to P-"
"Princess Celestia. Yeah, whatever. *hic* You go an do ya princessy stuff!"
"Are you going to be okay? Must of the others have gone to sleep upstairs. I mean, look at Pinkie! She is physically falling asleep."
They both looked at the crazy pink pony who was dancing and asleep at the same time.
"Yeeeeah, I might hit the stack." Rainbow began to fly to the castle guest rooms. "I guess, I'll go with tha girls."
"Wait!"
"Huh?"
"Celestia has reserved you a room."
Rainbow's eyes lit up.
"A whole room? Aww, yeah!" And she zoomed off.
"I'm gonna..." Rainbow was unable to finish her sentence as she flopped onto the 'queen' sized bed asleep.
"Shh. I think she's asleep."
"Yes, thank you so much Twilight!"
"When does it start?"
"Midnight."
"That's a minute from now."
The white alicorn walked over to the sleeping pegasus, and stroked her bright hair.
"Oh my beautiful one, you will soon be with me."
Light began to radiate off the tips off Rainbow.
The tips of her wings, hair, hooves and eyelashes began to glow with white light.
"It's starting."
They stared as little twinkles of light span around Rainbow's head. But the sparks mainly span around an area of her head as if there was a horn there.
Then, the magic really begun.
A light blue glow began to shine.
Soon, Rainbow Dash was completely engulfed by the glow.
"We should wait till tomorrow, Princess."
"Okay." Celestia leant forward and kissed Rainbow's forehead. "Sleep well, Iris."
A Secret That Was Meant To Be Hidden
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
An ear piercing scream filled the whole of Canterlot castle.
Twilight and Celestia ran up the stairs and through the corridors.
"Are you sure it was her?"
"It's got be!" Celestia panted as she climbed up the last step.
"It could be Rarity."
Celestia gave a disapproving look at Twilight.
"She is very dramatic."
"I know. But I can recognise her voice."
They approached the doors of Rainbow's room. They both cautiously knock on the door.
"Ah! Wh-Who is it?"
"It's me Twilight. And Celestia."
"Ummmm....I'm busy at the moment."
"Rainbow, we heard you scream."
"I-I-There-ummm. Just a minute."
Celestia hovered over a box, like before but bigger.
Twilight had a hint of what was in there, but reluctantly asked,
"What's in there?"
"You'll see."
The door creaked open.
But no-pony was beside it.
However, Twilight noticed a rosey aura around the handle.
Celestia closed the door, and called out.
"Rainbow?"
"I'm...errr..."
"Rainbow, you can come out."
"No, I can't."
"Rainbow Dash. We know."
"Know what?" Rainbow asked nervously from wherever she was.
"Just come out."
A cupboard door opened.
"Please don't freak out."
"We won't."
Rainbow Dash rised from her hiding spot.
Her coat was pearly white, with cyan blue at the end of her feathers, ears, hooves and now, horn. Her hair was now longer and glittered more, like Celestia's. She was also as tall as Twilight now, instead of being at nose level. Her usually circular eyes were now more feminie. Like Rarity's, but wider with longer eyelashes.
"Woah!"
"I don't know what happened. I just woke up like this. And I know it's not from the hangover. Otherwise, it wouldn't feel so real." Rainbow panicked.
"Calm down Rainbow." Celestia soothed.
"How can I calm down?"
Twilight looked at Celestia.
"Listen Rainbow. There is something we have to tell you. Something that will change your life forever. And-"
But, Celestia couldn't hold her excitement any more.
"I'm your mother Rainbow!" She blurted out.
Rainbow froze.
"What?" She muttered.
"You are my daughter."
Rainbow burst out laughing.
Twilight and Celestia shared a look of confusion.
"Why are laughing?"
"You're kidding me. You're kidding, right?"
The two alicorns shook their heads.
"So, this ain't a joke?"
They shook their heads again.
"I-er--I-WHAT?!" Rainbow yelled before tackling Celestia.
"Rainbow!"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I'M YOUR DAUGHTER?!" She screamed as she strangled the Princess.
"You are my daughter, Rainbow! My child!" Celestia spluttered.
Twilight used her magic to dragged the new alicorn off.
"Why? Why?" Rainbow cried.
"It wasn't my choice to give you up."
"B-B-But, you're a princess. Ruler of Equestria." Rainbow croaked.
"The Lords wouldn't allow me. I tried what I could to keep you. But not even I could change their minds."
"What about the orphanage?"
"What about it?" Celestia was confused.
"Why dump me in the lowest one?"
"I left you in Cloudsdale's top orphanage. I even asked the owners to send me updates about you."
"Well, I was dumped in a grubby place with the most horrible ponies."
"Well, at least we're together now." Celestia hugged Rainbow.
But Rainbow pushed her away.
"Rainbow? What's wrong?"
"After all this time, I had somepony. I had somepony to love me and care for me."
Celestia saw that tears streamed down the young mare's face.
"All I ever wanted was a family. Parents, sisters, brothers, grandparents. My mother was the Solar Princess. And I didn't even know it."
"Oh Rainbow. I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what? It wasn't your fault they beat. Or locked me in the boiler cupboard.. Or-or-or...raped me."
"WHAT?!"
"Oh my gosh! I didn't know."
Rainbow hugged Celestia.
"Please. Please. If you really are my mother, please, don't leave me."
Celestia was shocked from the news. She sat down along with Rainbow.
"I will never leave you again."
The elder alicorn muzzled her young daughter.
But she also began crying.
"I'm sorry, that I left you in the first place. I'm sorry that I couldn't find you. I'm sorry that they violated you."
"I love you. I love you...mom."
Twilight smiled at the scene before her. She felt warm and happy inside.
"Twilight, please can you pass that brush over there and the hair clips?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah sure." Twilight turnered towards the small box that Celestia left by the door. She opened the box, and hovered out two glimmering ruby hair clips, and a ruby encrusted brush.
She handed the clips and brush to her mentor.
"Thank you." Celestia said calmly as she began to brush Iris's hair.
"You can sit next us, Twilight. We won't bite."
Twilight breathed a sigh of relief, and trotted over.
Feeling less awkard she sat next to Rainbow, and held the clips Celestia asked for.
Celestia gently brushed the prismatic hair.
It glimmered as she brushed the knots out of her daughters hair.
Rainbow smiled at Twilight.
"Seems like we need another coronation."
Rainbow giggled.
"Wait, is Rainbow Dash even my real name?"
"In a way, yes."
"What do you mean?" Rainbow turned her head.
"When you were born, I called you Rainbow Dash, but as a princess, I translated it to Latin. Now keep still."
"And that is?"
"Iris Unquam Offendas." Twilight piped up as she passed Celestia the final hair clip.
"There."
Twilight and Celestia gazed at Rainbow, whose hair was neater and shining brightly. It was also tied up loosely with rubey red gems at her mane and tail.
"Oh my beautiful girl!" Celestia stood up and walked towards the exit.
"Where are you going?"
"Like Twilight said, we've got another coronation to get ready. I'll see you later, Iris." Celestia opened the door and four ponies tumbled down.
"Errr, hey, Princess Celestia?"
"Girls? What are you doing here?"
"OMIGOSH!" Pinkie jumped up and ran towards Rainbow. "Omigosh! Omigosh! I thought it was a joke but here you are! We sooo need another alicorn party!"
"We heard Rainbow screamin' an saw ya walkin' inta her room." Applejack smiled nervously in hope that she wouldn't get banished.
"And then we listened in." Rarity blushed.
"So, Rainbow really is your daughter?" Fluttershy squeaked.
Celestia gave a warm hearted smile and helped the girls up.
"Well, you heard everything." And she skipped out.
A Secret That Was Meant To Be Hidden
"Are you ready, Iris?"
"I don't know."
Twilight stood by the Grand Hall doors, with Rainbow Dash, or now, Princess Iris Unquam Offendas.
Iris was shaking from nerves. She was Celestia's daughter. Long lost daughter.
"Are you still there?" Twilight shook a hoof in-front of her friend's face, unsure what she was thinking.
"I don't know?"
"Iris, is there anything you want to tell me?"
The white alicorn sighed as she gave up hiding her feelings.
"I'm not sure if I'm ready for this."
"I'm listening."
"I mean, it's happening so fast. First, I'm a wannabe Wonderbolt, now I'm a princess. But of what?"
"Ummm...."
"Celestia is princess of the sun, Luna is princess of the moon, Cadence is princess of love, and you are the princess of magic. But what am I?" Iris stressed.
"You'll find out soon." Twilight placed a hoof on Iris's shoulder as she reassured her.
"Psst. Are two ready?"
They both nodded to the the unicorn mare dressed in golden armour.
"Good."
"Now, to you, all ponies of Equestria, I welcome you somepony special." Celestia announced. "As you all know, we had a recent coronation welcoming my faithful student as the new princess of magic. But today, we are welcoming the return of my daughter. Princess Iris Unquam Offendas!"
The hall erupted as the sound of hooves filled the room.
The doors opened, and a purple alicorn walked down the isle. And behind her, a very nervous white alicorn, wearing silver diamond shoes, followed her friend.
All ponies gazed at the new alicorn.
Squinting at the highly recognisable rainbow hair and lightning cutiemark.
Iris stopped in-front of her mother as Twilight skipped to the side, next to the girls.
"Iris, or Rainbow Dash, my daughter, I regretted leaving you but now, you are with me once more." The sun goddesshovered over a silver tiara with diamonds and pearls encrusted on the loops. Rubies were placed on the tips of the loops, matching Iris's eyes.
"I glad to let you in my life again."
Iris's breathing became jagged. She felt her heart struggling to beat. Beads of sweat trickled down her fore-head.
"I now crown you, Princess Iris Unquam Offendas."
Celestia gently placed the small tiara on her daughter's head.
But as soon as it was on her head, the young alicorn jumped up.
"Iris?"
"I-I-I-I can't do this." She croaked.
"But, you now part of the Equestrian royal family. You are now a princess."
"I-I-I don't know if I want to be a Princess." She looked over to the her friends, who were giving concerned looks to Iris.
She then looked up to Celestia, who's now rose coloured eyes began to fill with tears.
"I'm so sorry." She whispered before turning around and running out of the hall. Leaving a distraught mother and a confused crowd behind.
Princess Luna saw that Celestia was stuck for what to do, so she stepped in-front of her sister.
"Calm down everypony!" She boomed towards the murmuring crowd. "All will be sorted...soon. But, while you are here, help yourselves to the refreshments, and the gardens." She sheepishly smiled in hope that the crowd will listen.
The ponies reluctanty nodded and dispersed to different points of the hall and gardens.
Twilight slowly trotted over to her mentor.
"Celestia?"
"What did I do wrong?" She muttered.
"Don't worry, we'll see to her." Rarity said as she skipped past.
"Yeah! Dashie needs some cheering up!" Pinkie bounced behind Rarity.
"Please, girls, I don't want to lose my little girl again."
They all nodded as they left the hall.
"Don't worry, Tia. Have faith in them." Luna led her sister to the delicious treats on the tables. "Please Tia. Be strong for Iris. I'm shocked about all this but I guess she is...just...."
"...So scared. She must be. That's why she ran off."
"Tha doesn' sound like Rainbow."
"Of course not, Applejack. But she is now a princess. A royal. She's different."
"No!" Twilight yelled as she halted the girls. "She is not different."
"But-"
"No buts! She is not any different from before!" Twilight yelled. "She maybe physically different but she is the same Rainbow Dash that is determined, hard-working and loyal. The same Rainbow Dash that loves to fly." The purple alicorn looked over to her friends. "The same Rainbow Dash that loves all of us."
The sun shined through the coloured window, lighting up the smiles of the mares.
KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.
"Iris!"
Silence.
KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.
"Iris? Are you okay?"
Silence burnt the ears of the mares in front of the door, as they waited for a reply.
"What do we do, Twilight?"
Twilight rolled her eyes as she lit up her horn.
CLICK.
The door creaked open.
"Oh, yea. Magic." Pinkie giggled.
"Iris? Iris, are you in here?"
"Dashie? Ooo! She's good at playing hide and seek."
"But Pinkie, she-"
"Just be quiet, Applejack, dear. It's Pinkie remember." Rarity hushed.
Fluttershy raised her ears, and was brought to a stop.
"She's probably not in here. Come on girls."
"Wait!" The butterscotch pegasus yelled out to her friends, before they left the bedroom.
"What is it Fluttershy?"
"Listen."
They quietened, and let silence over rule them.
"Did you hear that?"
"Ah sure did!"
"But where did it come from?"
"Up there!" A pink hoof shot up into the air.
"Don't be silly, darling. She's not on the ceiling." Rarity scoffed.
"No, Pinkie is right."
"What?"
"She may not be on the ceiling, but she might be on the roof."
"But how do we get up there?" Fluttershy whispered.
"Seriously. Sometimes, you really are dependant on my magic." Twilight smirked before lighting up the room with her aura.
"Iris?"
"Sshhh! There she is." Rarity pointed to the white figure.
Iris sat on the tiles of the roof, of Canterlot Castle. Her hair was ratty and knotted, with the ruby red clips tangled within her snarled rainbow hair.
Tears stained her prismatic pearl white cheeks. And her deep rose eyes were glowing red as they ached from the amount of tears that they produced.
"Iris."
Celestia's daughter sniffed. "Please. I'm not Iris."
"Well then. Rainbow, are you okay?"
"And I'm not Rainbow either."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know anymore!" Rivers of tears poured from her gem like eyes.
The girls carefully sat next to the distressed princess.
"Tell us what's wrong."
Iris just looked over to her friends, who in return, gave comforting smiles.
Her blue tinted horn gave a rose glow.
She hovered the small crown off of her head.
"This, is what's wrong."
"That doesn't make sense, dear. A cro-."
"Hang on." Twilight interupted her unicorn friend. "You don't want to be a princess, do you?"
Iris shook her head.
"Never did. But now this has happened, I don't know what to think anymore."
"I know somepony who helped me when I was worried about being a princess. She told me to take each day slowly."
"I-I-I....I try. But the more I think about it, it makes more upset and confused than before."
"Wha do ya mean?" Applejack asked as she held on to the tiles for dear life. She hates being up so high.
"I mean, why couldn't she find me sooner? Why just leave me?"
"I'm sure she had a good answer."
"Yea, she was so busy, she forgot about me."
"Aww, Dashie. Don't be sad."
"Don't call me Dashie. Or Rainbow Dash. I'm not her anymore."
Twilight understood straight away what she meant.
"Of course you are. You are no different from before."
"But I am! Can't you see! I'm not the Rainbow Dash that flies around Sweet Apple Arces hoping to get attention. I'm not the same Rainbow Dash that save Rarity and the Wonderbolts from near death!" Iris yelled as tears flowed freely from her eyes.
"Yes, but," Twilight used her hoof to wipe her friend's tears. "You are the same Rainbow Dash that performed the legendary Sonic Rainboom. The same Rainbow Dash that loves adrenaline and freedom. The same Rainbow Dash that is loyal to all the ponies she loves."
Iris smiled.
"When I became a princess, I was scared and worried. But then I realised that I had friends. Friends that would be there for at every corner."
"No matter what, darling, we're here for you." Rarity soothed.
"But first, I'm sure Celestia would want to see you. She was pretty upset when you ran off."
Iris smiled.
"Thank you girls. Thank you for being my friends."
She stood up and shook her aching wings. She then carefully walked up to th edge, smiling to her frinds. She then fell forwards.
The girls watched as half way down, she opened her wings and glided gracefully to Celestia's balcony.
"Twi! Can we go now? Ah'm gettin' dizzy from standin' ere." Applejack wailed.
Twilight giggled before teleporting back inside the castle.
A Secret That Was Meant To Be Hidden
"Please sister! Let me in!!"
"You're an alicorn! Let yourself in!"
"Tia! You know I can't!!"
Luna stood frustratedly outside the sun goddess's room.
"Please Tia! Don't do this to yourself!"
"I'm worthless!"
"No, you're not."
"I'm pathetic!"
"Celestia!!"
"I threw my sister to the moon, without helping her."
"It was necessary! I was a danger to everypony!"
"I get off with somepony younger than me! I mean, come on! He was 25, and I was over 1021!" Celestia wailed from inside the room.
"Yes, but, you found somepony who loved you for you. And you had a wonderful child."
"And I gave her away!! I'm horrible!!"
"You are not."
"Who knows what happened when she was young!"
"Please Tia. Let me in." Luna slouched to the floor.
"She was raped Luna! Raped!"
"I know."
"How?"
"One night, I felt somepony having troubles and nightmares. It turned out to be Rainbow Dash. I then saw her dream. It was awful. The poor pony. She was so young and he was so brutal."
The wailing got louder.
Luna put her head in her hooves.
"Tia. Wallowing in your bed, is not going to help. Tia, please." Luna begged.
The sound of hooves echoed throughout the castle.
Luna, however, still had her head down.
The sound got closer and stopped next to Luna.
"Princess Celestia is unavaliable at the moment." She mumbled.
"I'm sure she just needs somepony to comfort her."
Princess Luna looked up to see Iris.
"R-R-Rainbow D-D-Dash?" Luna stuttered as she looked at her new niece.
Luna hadn't really had a chance to look at Iris earlier.
She stared at her big rose eyes.
"Luna?"
"You definitely have your mother's eyes."
Iris cocked her head to the side.
"How? Celestia's are lighter."
"I mean, you have the same fire in your eyes. You have the same confidence and kindness. And the same loyalty." Luna said calmly as she stood up. "Even though she wasn't the Element of Loyalty one thousand years ago, she is still loyal to everypony she cares for. And she cares for you deeply."
Iris smiled, before she ran up to Luna, and hugging her.
Luna was knocked down by the power of the hug. But she still returned it.
"Thank you Luna."
"Your welcome."
"Or shall I say, Auntie Luna!" Iris giggled.
"That makes me sound old."
"You are!"
The two alicorns burst out laughing.
The door unlocked, but the ponies outside didn't hear over the sound of laughter.
Celestia looked down onto her daughter and sister.
And they both looked up.
"Celestia!"
"Mother!"
The grand alicorn smiled gently.
Luna reached out her fore-leg in hope that her sister would help her up.
Celestia cautiously put out her hoof.
But no sooner had she touched Luna's hoof, she was dragged down into the pile of ponies.
She glared at Luna who was howling with laughter.
Celestia laughed nervously. She then began to giggle and snort.
After awhile of laughing, running around the corridors and plain messing around, the three princesses settled down.
"I'm sorry. For running off." Iris admitted quietly.
"It's okay." Celestia soothed. "You were nervous. I understand."
"I'm sure anypony would do the same if they suddenly became royalty." Luna said as she picked the leaves and twigs out of her flowing mane.
"I was just....just so scared. I didn't know what to think."
"It's alright." Celestia nuzzled her daughter.
"It's not alright. I'm not a very loyal daughter am I?" Iris turned away.
"Of course you are. You came back."
"Sure." The rainbow alicorn rolled her eyes. "Wait!"
"Hnnn-ah! Ow. What is it?" The guardian of the night rubbed her sore head from the pulling of her hair.
"What is my talent? Is it still flying?"
"Hmmm. How about we see what you can do?"
"But...I don't know any magic?"
"Of course you do." A voice called.
The three princesses turned to see Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie and Rarity.
Iris was dumbstruck.
"Earlier, you opened the door. With your magic." Twilight stood next to Luna.
"I-I-I did? How? I just thought of opening the door."
"Exactly."
"Oookaaay." Iris said uneasily.
"How about this? Don't think at all, darling. Just let it come to you." Rarity added.
"Hmm." Iris stood up.
She closed her eyes.
Her blue tinted horn began glow magenta. Rainbow sparkles began to swirl around her horn.
She opened out her now largened wings as a surge of magic blasted out.
Iris opened her eyes, but they were now pure white light.
The mares looked up into the sky and watched the rainbow and rose aura swirl through the sky.
They watched as the whole of Equestria brightened.
The glow around Iris ceased but the land remained bright.
Iris collapsed to the floor, coughing and panting.
"Oh my! Are you okay?" Fluttershy asked worryingly.
"I *cough* am fine. Just *cough* tired."
Celestia held her daughter close.
"Don't worry. It was your first time at magic. You will feel drained for awhile."
Iris cleared her throat. "So, what did I do?"
"Well, you supply the magic and colour for Equestria."
"Eh?" She cocked her head to the side.
"Equestria depends on a magic supply. Especially unicorns. Alicorns don't however. Me and Luna usually supply it, but now, we have a princess to supply Equestria with magic and colour."
"So, I'm the Princess of-"
"Colour and magic."
"But I thought Twilight's talent is magic."
"It is."
"Whatever." She shook her head. She couldn't be bothered anymore. Her head hurt.
Celestia turned around and hovered the small tiara over.
"I now, crown thee, Princess Iris Unquam Offendas." She placed the glimmering tiara on her daugter's head. "And when I and Luna die, You and Twilight will be the new rulers of this peaceful land. With you raising the sun and Twilight raising the moon. And both of you will bear the Elements when your friends pass over."
"So, me and Twi, will live forever. And watch our friends die." Iris gulped.
"Don' worry sugarcube. It's a long time before any of us pass on."
"Yeah! Don't worry about that yet Dashie!" Pinkie bounced around everypony.
Iris smiled.
"I'm going to be the coolest princess ever!"
She tried to stand up but her legs buckled underneath her.
"Ouch."
Pinkie contiued to bounce around, but she gasped as she got closer to Iris.
"What?"
"Your cutiemark!"
"What about it?"
Everypony looked towards Iris's flank.
Instead of her usual cloud with a tri-coloured lightning bolt.
It was a curvey lightning bolt with all colours of the rainbow, and a swirl of sparkles around it. A cloud was also above it but now in the shape of Celestia's cutiemark.
"Riiiight!"
"Seems that your orignal cutiemark was only half of it."
"But my talent was flying."
"What happened when you really got your cutiemark?"
"I perform a Sonic Rainboom."
"That Sonic Rainbow did what you had done only a couple of minutes ago. It rejuvenated Equestria. But since you weren't a full alicorn, you only got half of your cutimark."
Iris put her head into her hooves.
"My head hurts."
The girls giggled.
"I'm just gonna..." Iris was unavailable to finish her sentence as she fell asleep on Celestia.
"Awwww."
"I ain't surprised. I feel asleep as soon as I raised the moon." Princess Luna stood up. "And speaking of moons, it's time for night." Luna yawned. "Darn, it's catching."
A Secret That Was Meant To Be Hidden
Over 1000 years have past since the coronation of both Princess Twilight Sparkle and Iris Unquam Offendas. Over 500 years have past since the tragic deaths of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Over 950 years have passed since the passing on of the original bearers of The Elements of Harmony.
"Iris? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine Twilight."
"Then why are you crying?"
A white alicorn with flowing rainbow hair stood on the balcony of Canterlot Castle, overlooking the magical land of Equestria. She wore a ruby encrusted silver necklace, tall vine like silver shoes- topped with rubies- and on her head was a large silver tiara with rubies also on the tips.
"I'm worried, Iris. You can tell me what's wrong."
"Nothing is wrong!" Iris snapped.
Princess Twilight stepped back.
She was still her lavender self, but now, her hooves, horn and flank were now deep blue. Her hair was also flowing, but it had swirls and sparkles like galaxies and stars. She had her jewellery too, however, they were gold with pink 5-point stars instead of rubies.
"Listen, I'm sure that the awesome and cool Rainbow Dash doesn't cry."
"She does. She always had. She had a way of hiding her emotions."
"If it's about Celestia and Luna, you are not alone. I'm upset too." Twilight placed her hoof on her friend's shoulder.
"It was my fault they died."
"No it wasn't."
"It was. And now because of me, there is chance of war breaking out." Iris stared out towards Ponyville. She smiled as she remembered everything that happened there.
Twilight also looked at Ponyville.
"Still as lovely as ever."
"Yes."
"Listen Iris, I know you think it's your fault, but wasn't. Celestia arrested and executed him because he violated you, and other fillies."
"And because of that, a rebellion started."
"Yes." Twilight sighed. "And after five hundred years, they finally killed them."
"They killed my mother, Luna, Cadence, your brother and their children."
"I know. Poor Splendente Amore and Armatura Di Cuori." Twilight shook her head.
"I loved playing with Denty and Tura Di. Twilight?"
"Yea."
"I miss the girls."
"So do I. So do I."
"I miss playing pranks with Pinkie and seeing her smile all the time. I miss Fluttershy's soft voice and caring nature. I miss Rarity's uptight attutide and frilliness. I miss Applejack's stubbornness and honesty. I also miss Scootaloo. I never got to see her cutiemark." She croaked.
"They are still with us, Iris."
The sun princess nodded.
"I have Applejack's honesty, and Rarity's generousity. And you have Pinkie's laughter and Fluttershy's kindness."
"I miss Celestia and Luna."
"Me too."
"Princesses! Princesses!" A white unicorn in golden armour ran up to the alicorns. "The rebels! They have surrendered! They have signed the peace treaty!"
"Thank you, sir. Dismiss."
The stallion guard nodded frantically before running back.
The two goddesses looked at each before grinning madly, and then jumping around.
"The girls, Celestia and Luna would be proud!"
Iris stepped forward once again.
Her horn glowed brilliant rose. Rainbow sparkles twirled aroud her horn.
Iris looked at Twilight.
"Come on. We can do this, together."
Twilight smiled as her horn began to glow with a pink aura.
They both closed their eyes and crossed their horns.
"For Celestia. For Luna. For Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and everypony else."
"For..." Twilight began.
"Equestria!" They both said in unision.
They opened their eyes, revealing pure white light.
A rainbow with shimmering rose and pink, shot up into the sky.
Equestria glowed from Canterlot to Fillydelpha. From Manehatten to The Crystal Empire.
Everypony below watched at the lights from the grand castle, and shivered as the felt warm from the light.
"All hail Princess Iris and Princess Twilight!" Everypony cheered.
The glow began to disperse. The rainbow began to disappear faintly.
The two alicorns sat on the balcony.
Both panting and coughing.
"I*cough* still don't understand *cough* how you still do that." Twillight croaked.
"I dunno *cough* either."
The lavender mare looked outwards again.
"Iris. Look." She pointed to the sky.
In the sky, very faintly, was five mares and two alicorns. They all smiled at the new princesses.
"We are happy for you both, Twilight Sparkle and Iris." Luna called.
"Yeah! Dashie and Twi are great princesses!" Pinkie bounced up and down.
"We are proud of ya both." Applejack took off her hat and held it to her chest.
"Of course, darlings. We couldn't be happier." Rarity wiped her tears from her deep sapphire eyes.
"Woo-Hoo! You rock! Yay!" Cheered Fluttershy.
Celestia smiled at the alicorns below her.
"I'm so proud of you both. My faithful student and my lovely daughter. I couldn't be more happy for you. We all love you."
"We love you too!" The mares waved as the figures blew away into the wind. "We love you too."
"Goodbye mother." Iris whispered.
"Goodbye Rainbow Dash."
