War has irreparably changed us.
For a time, such a concept was completely unknown. Life was defined by enrichment and progress, and war was merely a word we heard about in archives and records. However, when war is brought to you, you are forced to fight back. To abandon your culture and past, all for the sake of survival. War forces the worst out of us all, forces us to do ghastly and unspeakable things. In our seemingly endless crusade, I have made decisions that are worthy of being called deplorable. We, as a whole, are guilty of the atrocities of war. It is here, in this place, that I now ask the question – how can we truly say we are just in our cause? How can we speak of the ideals of freedom when we are just as guilty?
War may have been brought to us, yet we still perpetrate it. To that end, our past, our lives, our legacy, is that of war. And it is my single, greatest regret.
----
- Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters
Circa One Thousand Years Ago
At the top of the highest castle balcony, Princess Luna surveyed the expanse of empty land before her with half-lidded eyes and a despondent frown. Time and again she and her beloved sister would raise and lower the sun and the moon. Time and again she would see the ponies revel in the day, yet slumber during her marvelous night.
"Tis' not fair...", Luna quietly lamented with a gentle sigh. "And yet, tis' a necessary sacrifice...perchance someday the ponies of this land shall value my dream."
As much as she wanted the night to be appreciated, Luna also understood its significance. Without the night, the world would quickly grow weary without rest, and without the day, life could not be sustained. Luna understood this all too well, and yet could not help but feel a quiet sadness in her heart. She would always tell herself, "It was a necessary sacrifice". As she stared into the deep, twinkling blackness of the night sky, she felt a presence behind her. Standing from her kneeling position, Luna was met by her sister, Princess Celestia. She met her gaze with a slightly puzzled expression, creasing her brow and idly tilting her head to one side.
"Dear sister, what bringeth you out of yon bedchambers? Tis' much too soon for dawn."
Celestia responded with a deep concern in her eyes. "Dost' thou sense an ill air about?"
Brought out of her reverie, Luna turned her head up and squinted, taking a more careful look at the night sky. After a moment's time, her expression matched her sister's.
"Yes...yes I do."
Luna closed her eyes as her horn glowed a light shade of black. After another moment's passing, her eyes snapped open, becoming wide as her pupils contracted. Spreading her wings, she yelled out loud with panic in her voice, "I must hastily awaken the royal guard, we are invaded!"
Luna flew off the balcony and down the castle walls with enough fervor to create a small cyclone of wind behind, leaving a bewildered Celestia in her wake. Trotting to the edge of the balcony, she watched Luna throw the double doors open with her magic and fly inside without stopping, feeling the beat of her heart begin to quicken.
"Sister, what dost thou see that I do not...?"
Celestia knew her sister understood the night much more that she did. She knew such panic would not be unwarranted, and knowing that her sister was in such a state of mind did not sit well with her. Determined to better understand this mysterious situation, Celestia searched the skies herself, looking for anything that seemed out of place, her eyes darting between every star and nebula in the sky. After a few minutes had passed, she spotted two flickering bodies of light that seemed unnatural. No, they were unnatural. As if they were not stars at all, but...
"...the invaders sister speaks of!"
Celestia watched these strange aberrations break off from one another, one veering off to the southeast, and the other staying its course above the castle, becoming larger and brighter with every passing second. Reading the writing on the wall, she flew inside the balcony doors with the same ferocity as her sister and barred it shut, levitating a wooden beam into place with her magic. Determined to get an explanation from her sister, she flew down the spiral staircase made her way to the main atrium on the ground floor, meeting up with Luna and a very mobilized royal guard in waiting.
"Brace thyself dear sister, the invaders come!"
Despite not fully understanding the situation, Celestia would not doubt Luna's word in the least. However, nopony within the castle walls could be prepared for what came next. The Princesses and the royal guard only managed to see it for a brief moment before it made landfall...a beige, metallic behemoth that seemed larger than the greatest mountain, streaking past the windows at an unimaginable speed. As it crashed into the valley below, the impact shook the plateau the castle stood upon, and smashed the windows of the lower floors, blasting dust and debris everywhere. A bang like a volcanic eruption rang in the heads of everypony inside, and the earth beneath their hooves cracked and broke, causing it to become uneven and unstable. The guards immediately formed a protective barrier around the Princesses with their magic, struggling to hold their ground and not move an inch. It would be another five agonizing minutes until Celestia ordered them to stand down with a wave of her hoof. With the danger averted for now, the guards broke formation and unlocked the castle doors. The white alicorn looked to her sister, who looked back with a knowing nod. They knew what came next without even having to discuss it. They needed to investigate this unknown monstrosity from the sky immediately.
----
"Tis' a vessel from the heavens..."
Celestia approached the alien structure one step at a time, her mind shocked and unable to form words. She could feel the intense heat from the impact, and was aghast by both it's sheer size and power, as it had cleaved a shallow, but immeasurably massive cavern into the cliffside. She felt Luna come up beside her, resting a hoof on her shoulder. Celestia spoke to her sister without looking away, "Dear sister, thou spoke of invaders. Wouldst be right to assume they lie within this vessel?"
Luna stared evenly at the monstrosity before her, raising an eyebrow in confusion. "I do not know...I had sensed many interlopers bearing down upon us from the stars, yet now I feel nothing. Me thinks they perished in the crash?"
Her words weren't comforting enough to dispel her worried expression. She looked to her sister and replied, "Tis' possible. But we shant tempt fate." She turned to face her soldiers, pointing a commanding hoof in their direction and announcing, "ROYAL CANTERLOT GUARD, WE SHALL CONSTUCT A MAGICAL BARRIER AND SEAL THIS CAVERN. WE KNOW NOT THE DANGERS THAT LIE WITHIN THIS METAL BEHEMOTH, SO EQUESTRIA MUST BE PROTECTED FROM IT BEFORE DISASTER BEFALLS US."
The guardsman saluted and replied in unison, "At once, your highness!"
As the royal guard galloped off to gather materials, Celestia suddenly gasped and unconsciously jerked in place. She turned to Luna with panic in her voice, "Oh, sister! There art be a second vessel from the stars! We must...hurry southeast and...!"
Leaning to one side, she stumbled and nearly collapsed, only to fall onto Luna's backside. Seeing the tiredness in her eyes, the smaller alicorn replied with concern in her voice, "Sister, thine domain be yon daylight. Thou art too weary to entertain such thoughts."
Allowing her sister to collect herself and stand again, Luna placed her right hoof on her cheek and smiled warmly. "Fret not, dear sister. T'would be best for I to depart southeast and seal the second behemoth. Mine night is still young."
Celestia nodded in agreement, matching her smile as well. "Verily. I shall remain to construct the seal here. Have safe passage, dear sister."
Luna lovingly nuzzled her head against Celestia's chin before she flew off towards the castle. As she waited for the guard's return, she sighed and turned to face the colossal vessel once again, this time with determination in her eyes.
"It is no coincidence thy craft from the stars now lay beneath this castle. I forgive any benevolent beings that may lie within for mine transgressions, but thou art still dangerous to this world. Equestria is simply not ready for what you may be."
----
"But why!? Why canst thou understand my dream!?"
Princess Celestia stood bewildered before Luna, her eyes filled with hurt and confusion. It was only one month ago that they had first seen the vessels from the stars on this same balcony, one month that they had sealed them away to never be opened. They were obligated to oversee the gates, to prevent any mishaps in their design, or to allow anypony outside of the castle to discover their existence. However, over the past few weeks since, Luna had become increasingly aggressive and jealous over their duties as keepers of the sun and the moon. It was as if she had completely forgotten about the danger sitting just underneath their noses. Now it had culminated in this very moment, as Luna had refused to lower the moon and allow the dawn to come.
Celestia pleaded with her sister, "Please, stop this! Thou art understand what will happen without mine daylight!"
Luna gave her a cold, pained look, as tears flowed freely from her eyes. She retorted slowly, "I care no longer. For countless years, I had watched silently, painfully...I had watched Equestria dance and frolick in yon daylight, whilst mine night is ignored. Well then...no longer. Mine dream is a dream no longer."
It was then that Celestia first sensed it. A malevolent power that she had never sensed before, crushing and suffocating her, coming from the one pony that she valued most. Pure black energy surged forth from Luna's body, her eyes glowing a bright, hot white.
"If Equestria cannot see my dream...then I will show them a nightmare!"
Stomping a single hoof down, the black energies swirled around Luna, completely enveloping her. Forming into a sphere, coils of darkness spewed forth from it, tearing the balcony and surrounding area apart, cutting and dragging themselves across stone and marble until only half the room remained. Jumping backwards to avoid the coils, Celestia's eyes remained on her sister, never looking away. What she saw afterward however, would forever be seared into her memory. The sphere formed itself into wings, wings that suddenly spread outward to their full length, showering her sight with jet black feathers, revealing the being underneath...a being that was no longer Princess Luna. Clad in dark, silver armor with a mane and tail that resembled a cold nebula, the creature that was her sister stared her down with malice in her eyes, and spite in her smile.
"Remember this night, dear sister! T'was the night that became everlasting! For I, am Nightmare Moon!"
In that very moment, Princess Celestia could feel nothing but grief and dread. It was as if her heart had frozen over in a sheet of ice, leaving behind a dull, heavy sting in her chest. It was only a month ago that she had felt her sister's loving embrace, her warm cheek against her own. But now, jealousy and turned her into a monster. She barely noticed the royal guard mobilize around her, attempting to subdue Nightmare Moon. She barely noticed them being batted away like gnats, or hearing the creature's heartless cackle. In her heart and mind, only two truths were evident. Her sister was gone from this world, and the only one who could stop the monster known as Nightmare Moon, was herself.
----
- Present Day, shortly after the Royal Canterlot Wedding Party
Canterlot observation tower
"It was the most heartwrenching moment of my life. I felt as though I had not only failed Luna as a sister, but as a friend as well."
Twilight Sparkle stood behind her teacher with rapt attention, barely registering the fact that her left hindquarter had gone to sleep almost an hour ago. She hadn't even the desire to interject or ask anything, her normally inquisitive nature suppressed. Feeling her throat go dry, she swallowed, just now realizing how enraptured she was.
Princess Celestia continued with melancholy, "Perhaps that is the reason the elements of harmony lost their luster for a time. Even with all my power and influence, I could not heal my heart..."
She turned to face her student, her eyes widening slightly at seeing her current state and the face she was making. "Oh! I'm terribly sorry Twilight, I hadn't meant to upset you with this story so soon after the wedding."
The purple unicorn grinned and closed her eyes. “No, it's alright Princess. You wouldn't of told me if you didn't think it was necessary.” She opened her eyes, “Besides, we all know how the story ends.”
Celestia returned her smile at hearing this. Twilight continued, "What you needed to tell me about was the sealed gates, right?"
“Yes...Queen Chrysalis' attack on Canterlot reminded me of old worries.” Her expression became more pensive as her mouth fell back into a frown. “And judging from the look on your face, you've pieced together the rest of the story?”
Twilight nodded. "Mhm. I've always wondered why Canterlot was moved to the mountainside from its place in the Everfree Forest. It's so you could keep an eye on both sealed gates, right?"
Celestia smiled widely again. "I've always liked that sharp mind of yours."
Twilight tapped a hoof to her chin momentarily, looking away in thought. "As a matter of fact...it also explains the reason why the Everfree Forest exists in the first place. You must of forbade anypony from interacting with that part of land, so it would develop on its own. And ponies don't go in there because of all the danger and mystery surrounding it. It's the perfect natural defense!"
Celestia nodded as well. "That's precisely the truth. Now Twilight, can you tell me the reason why I am telling you of the sealed gates?"
She was currently used to getting all of her assumptions correct so far, that she lowered her head and looked away after hearing her last question. Not having any sort of answer, she asked, "Well...no. Why are you telling me, Princess?"
Celestia sighed softly, trotting over to a window overlooking the garden where the party was. "Humility, Twilight Sparkle. When Queen Chrysalis defeated me, I was not just reminded of my failure to protect my beloved sister, I was reminded that I am only one pony. And I'm certainly not perfect."
Twilight galloped up to Celestia's side like a flash of lightning. "That's not true! You're loving, and kind, and you've always been there for everypony! What Chrysalis did, i-it's not your fault!"
Celestia smiled softly and ran a hoof through Twilight's mane while looking her in the eyes. "What I mean is, I can only do so much. Being humble is something only the greatest of hearts can do." She took a moment to levitate the golden tiara off of her head, looking deeply into the jewel at its center. As she did this, Twilight saw a certain weariness in her eyes that she had never noticed before. "I have been watching over Equestria for such a long time. I have witnessed civilizations rise and fall, alliances forged and broken. But most importantly, I've seen the love and harmony that holds us all together. So, I do what one mare in my position can do. As both a benevolent monarch, and a kind nurturer. To know your limits, to know what is within your power, to know that there is no absolute perfection in life, is to know humility, Twilight Sparkle. Which brings me to why I summoned you here."
Celestia looked into Twilight's eyes with a seriousness that she had never seen. She attempted to look back with the same intensity, but couldn't hide how nervous she was feeling. "I want you to help me look after the gate in the Everfree Forest. Tell your friends what I have told you here, but nopony else. If the gate is disturbed for any reason, you must immediately notify me or Princess Luna." Celestia closed her eyes and put her tiara back on. "Those two gates represent my greatest fears. The fear that whatever lies inside of those vessels, can destroy Equestria in the blink of an eye." Celestia looked back to Twilight. "You and your friends have protected our home from the greatest of threats. I know I can trust you."
Twilight faltered, stuttering a few words and looking away for but a second, but regained her bearings quickly, standing upright and sticking her chest out. "You...you have my word, Princess. I promise I won't let you down."
Bowing to Celestia, Twilight left the observatory to return to her guest room at the castle. As she trotted down the spiral staircase, she took some time to reflect on what she had just experienced. Twilight had seen the Princess' serious side before when Discord escaped confinement, but never like this. Keeping watch over an ancient gate seemed simple enough, but after she saw Celestia in such a state, it intimidated her immensely. Was the power behind the gates really that great and terrifying? Despite her promise to the princess, was she really able to keep it? Slowing to a halt midway on the staircase, Twilight quickly shook off such doubt, instead turning her angst into ingenuity, thinking of ways she could personally keep tabs on the Everfree Forest. She chuckled to herself, "I mean it's not like anypony's just going to waltz into the extremely dangerous, absolutely mysterious, scare-the-pants-off-you Everfree Forest anytime soon, right?"
----
- Ponyville, Literally three days later
"Uhm, are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Course it is! Ah've been 'round the place enough, it's like ah know it like the back of mah hoof!"
"Uh...yeah. JUST in case your memory decides takes a vacation, I've got a compass, a water canteen, some signal flares, marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate bars, a tent..."
"Wait, are we camping or just exploring?"
"I figured we should be prepared for anything!"
"You wanna go camping, don't you?"
"Looks like it t'me."
"H-hey! Knock it off! Why don't you tell me what's in your bag then!?"
"Weeell...some textbooks, a ruler, a pen and pencil, and-"
"Isn't that just yer schoolbag?"
"I, uh...kinda forgot to do my homework for the weekend."
"Ugh, never mind! Please tell me you're prepared!"
"Sure are! Ah've got some rope, lightbulbs, a featherduster, a blanket..."
"Did you just rummage through your closet or something?"
"Well, yeah. Ah'm pretty sure we're gonna need this stuff."
"Not feeling confident right now fearless leader."
"Me neither..."
"Oh, don't git yer apples in a bunch, we'll be fine girls! And it's durin' the daytime, so we can't possibly get lost! Are ya with me or not!?"
"Ready as I'll ever be!"
"Uhm...ok! I'm ready! Let's go!"
"CUTIE MARK CRUSADER EVERFREE FOREST EXPLORERS, YAAAY!"