Waking up to the sun blaring in my eyes is always an interesting experience, especially when I was supposed to be underground. Remembering what happened before I awoke I opened my eyes to take stock of my situation. Looking around I found myself still in my lab area, but it is no longer underground as the ceiling is no longer there, and everything had been colored in various shades of rainbow.
Turning my attention to myself I find myself relatively uninjured, yet largely drained physically. Surprisingly I wasn’t feeling any strain on my magic even after shielding myself from the blast so I start to slowly climb my way out as the doors are probably blocked. I almost fall a couple times as my control over my magic is strained due to my weariness but I eventually get near the top when I start hearing voices.
“Over hear girls, I can see where the explosion came from.” I recognize Twilight’s voice as I heave myself over the edge of the hole and start panting from my exertions. The gathered ponies gasp when they see crawl out of the pit and collapse onto my side. I can hear some of them approach me quickly so I say the first thing that comes to mind. “I need to try that again, but maybe with a little less kaboom.” I roll over so that I can see the approaching forms of Twilight and her five friends, as well as Selene and the Crusaders.
“Try that again? Are you crazy? What did you even do, the magic around here is going crazy?” Twilight seems to be a bit panicked about what happened though gets pushed aside by Rarity. “And what happened to your coat? And your tails?” I shake my head at her priorities but look to see what she was talking about. I chuckle wearily at the rainbow colors all over my fur but then do a double take when I see my tails.
“Huh, I got my third one again, must have happened during the explosion of concentrated magic. It would explain why I feel overly energized even after shielding myself from the blast. Oh and to answer your question Twilight, I was working on a new kind of firework when it accidentally went off.” All the ponies present just look at me like I’m crazy before Rainbow Dash speaks up. “Whoa whoa whoa, that light show was just from some fireworks? What in the world did you use to cause that much damage? I could feel the shockwave from it all the way over at Sweet Apple Acres.”
I see a couple of the others nod to confirm this as I glance around. “Well not much beyond some of the normal things in fireworks… and some liquid rainbow… and poison joke… and overloading it with magic.” I let out a little grin at them as I list off the last three things though Twilight brings a hoof up to her eyes at the third one before she comments. “Really? And you didn’t think overloading some unstable substances with magic would be a bad idea?”
I just snort at her comment about it being a bad idea. “No more than traveling through time to tell yourself not to panic, or enchanting a doll with forbidden magic. Besides how else would I find out if it’s a bad idea without blowing something up?” A couple of the other laugh as Twilight blushes at the incidents I mentioned while Applejack puts her two bits into the conversation.
“Well we really don’t need anypony else causing damage around here, we already have to worry about Rainbow Dash crashing into ponies after a failed trick, (Hey!) Derpy knocking buildings down, as well as these three causing trouble.” She points towards the Crusaders as the look down into the pit, oblivious to what is being said about them. “Well at least there is still less chance of me doing that much damage since I made sure that my lab here was as far from town as possible as well as sealed off so only I can get in. I really don’t want to see those three get ahold of a load of dangerous fireworks, they’d probably level half the town.”
This brings various responses to the gathered pony’s faces, from worried to amused, and I turn my attention to the three as I catch sight of something odd. I notice that as Sweetie Belle sits near the pit that her horn is starting to spark more and more and she rubs her head occasionally. I see Selene nearby as well, and thinking back to what Twilight said when they all arrived I realize that there might be a problem in the making. Before I can say anything though there is a loud popping sound from Selene, as of something breaking, and the illusion on her and her choker fade away, causing the gathered ponies to gasp at her appearance.
I sigh and shake my head at the situation and try to forestall any panic by first getting her out of the way so I can speak with the others. “Selene, why don’t you and the Crusaders head back to the manor and get out one of the pies from the pantry to share?” She looks at me oddly as she hasn’t noticed the illusion around her is gone yet but makes her way back to the house with the Crusaders following at a slower pace, their faces a mix between confusion on what happened and happiness at the thought of pie.
Twilight and her friends just watch the four leave in various states of shock, though I notice Fluttershy looks more to be confused and Pinkie is just being Pinkie. As I let out another sigh Twilight whips her head around to me and tries to say something yet she seems to be having trouble forming words in her confusion and surprise so I cut her off. “Well this wasn’t the way I wanted you all to find out about this but since it has I’ll explain over at the library. I will say two things before we head over there though; no she isn’t Nightmare Moon; and no Princess Celestia doesn’t know; and she doesn’t need to know until Selene is ready.”
At that I walk towards the library with the others following when they realize that I am ignoring any further questions. I can hear Twilight give a huff of annoyance when she notices this and I catch her glaring at me out of the corner of my eye. I could have said something more, but I was still tired from focusing so much magic at once that I was more focused on keeping upright.
Arriving at the library I make my way to a convenient cushion and flop down atop it and wait for everyone to settle down. This takes a while as Pinkie decided to raid the kitchen before I started with the help of Rainbow Dash. Once they brought the food and drinks out and found places to be seated I started in on the explanation.
“I guess I should start at the beginning of when I found out about Selene, and please try not to interrupt with random questions.” I say the last part while looking at Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash, the first trying to look innocent and the second looking a tad offended. “I first found her out in the old castle ruins in the Everfree Forest. I originally went there looking for something to help deal with that problem in the manor when I first arrived since there was no information to be found in this library.”
Twilight perks up a bit at this as she realizes what I mean. “Wait, you mean there is actually a library in the castle still?” I just nod to her and continue before she can sidetrack the story. “Yes, and with a few spells I was able to find what I needed. Of course the first time using the spell I knocked myself out and found that all the food I brought with me was stolen and I caught my first glimpse of Selene.”
There are various reactions to this part though I’d guess Twilight is focused more on the spell part. “Eventually she started to talk to me and I eventually learned how she was terrified of you six and the princesses, though she called them her sisters at first.” This gets a gasp out of all of them as it in a way would confirm who they thought she was.
“The thing is she had no memories of anything before the night you six were at the castle, even though she did have some knowledge of things she shouldn’t have had. Later on I stumbled onto where she was living at the time accidentally where I learned most of this about her. Over time she started to trust me more and more and eventually, after knocking myself out after casting another spell, she finally showed herself to me.”
Applejack speaks up at this point. “Ya really seem to knock yourself out often enough; maybe we should be worrying about ya more than what damage ya can do to the town.” This gets a laugh out of them all and even I join in as I had started noticing that trend with this story. “Yeah, well at least it’s usually only me getting hurt unlike when a certain pegasus flies around crashing into others (Hey!).” Once everyone calms down from another round of laughter I continue.
“Anyways once she revealed herself I eventually was able to talk her into moving in with me since it would be less likely for her to be found at the manor with someone to protect her than alone in the castle. Of course Pinkie Pie had to go and mess up those plans right away by scaring her half to death as soon as we got there.” I shoot a look at the pink party pony as she tries to look innocent when everyone turns to look at her.
“Wait, you mean Pinkie Pie knew about her since you brought her into your home and didn’t tell anyone or throw a party?” Twilight seems really surprised about this and considering the pony in question she would be. “Well I was able to convince her to hold off for a while, and Selene shivering in terror under my furniture also helped as well. She did eventually throw a small party for her and the Crusaders when she had settled in more.”
This earns a few headshakes as Pinkie Pie and small party usually don’t fit together that well. “Using the choker you saw on her when it broke I created an illusion to hide who she was while I worked on her fear of all of you. I’m pretty sure it overloaded after the accident I had out there since it flooded the area with magic I believe. Considering what Twilight sensed when it happened and Sweetie Belle’s reaction to being near the pit I’m pretty sure that is what happened at least.”
Rarity looks up at this with a worried look. “What do you mean Sweetie Belle’s reaction? What was happening to her?” She looks to be about to begin panicking before I reassure her. “Well she was rubbing her head as if she had a headache and her horn was shooting off sparks. I should have been completely drained of magic after shielding myself from the explosion but I had more energy when I woke up afterwards yet my physical strength was drained. With how young and untrained she was I think her body was overflowing with energy from the area and was leaking out. Getting her away from the area would have helped her there.”
Rarity looks relieved about this though I saw a look in Twilight’s eyes when I reminded her of the explosion. “I’m pretty sure she is fine around most of you now with her disguise as she wasn’t panicking when you all walked up; and she has actually been enjoying the letters she has been exchanging with Princess Luna lately so I’m hoping she can actually be herself around here soon.”
Twilight had been taking a drink at that moment and ended up spraying it all over the place. Once she caught her breathe and stopped talking she blurted out. “Wait, you mean Princess Luna already knew about her and hasn’t done anything?!” I laugh a bit at her reaction which earns me a dirty look. “Yes she has, since she came for those books after I woke up from saving Scootaloo. Selene returned earlier than expected that day and when she saw the princess ran screaming to hide in her room.”
There are a few odd looks at this while I continue. “At that point I told Princess Luna what I knew and suspected at the time. No she wasn’t Nightmare Moon as the princess had already accepted being her. Selene seems to have been formed from Princess Luna’s magic and whatever else the Elements of Harmony stripped from her and purified. It’s the only theory I have that fits since nobody knows what all the Elements can do, and the fact that Selene’s memories start at that point and why she has some of the knowledge she does. So really she is a completely new filly born from Princess Luna and the Elements and not Nightmare Moon.”
As I finish they all huddle up to converse as I rest my voice and snack on some of the nearby food. There seems to be a bit of arguing between them all, though they are quiet enough that I can’t quite make out what they are saying. Considering how long they had known II was pretty sure what side Pinkie and Fluttershy were on, but I was unclear on the others though I would be willing to bet that Twilight wanted to contact her teacher. Thinking over things I did get an idea that caused me to chuckle and I probably wouldn’t have a chance to use it again later.
“You know; if Selene knew the whole story I wonder if she would want to call all six of you Daddy.” The six mares freeze as I say this and slowly turn towards me with Applejack responding first. “What in tarnation is that supposed to mean?” I let out a chuckle at the looks on their faces which earns me a glare from the farmer.
“Well I did say that Selene was formed from Princess Luna’s body and magic, which technically makes her the mother. Since that is the case, wouldn’t the other part that created her be the father, meaning the Elements of Harmony and you six?” They all stare at me blankly until all of a sudden Rarity and Rainbow Dash both collapse as they faint. I just start laughing at all their reactions as Twilight looks to be going into panic mode, Pinkie is planning a party, and Fluttershy is taking care of the two collapsed ponies. Through all this Applejack just gives me such a look which causes me to laugh even harder as she shakes her head and tries to help her friends.
It takes a while for all of them to calm down from that as well as for me to stop laughing. Twilight is the first to come up with something to say. “Despite what you have told us you haven’t said why you didn’t want Princess Celestia to know about Selene.” I just give her a little look as I remember my first meeting with the princess. “Considering what happened when she first found out about me I think you could probably guess why. I’m hoping to set up a way to know Selene on what she is and not what she looks like and the letters she sent to Luna should help there, as well as any you may want to prepare that don’t mention what Selene is. Really your reaction to her doesn’t make much sense as it shows how little you trust the Elements of Harmony.”
The last bit seems to confuse her as well as most of the others. “What do you mean by that? Of course we trust them otherwise we wouldn’t be using them on the things we have before.” I just shake my head at them as I rise up and prepare to leave. “If you trust them that much, then why were you about to panic over Selene’s look as if she was a threat when the Elements should have already taken care of Nightmare Moon? Now excuse me but I should really go and check on Selene as she probably has noticed that the illusion over her is gone and is probably panicking again. That and the Crusaders are alone with her and probably stuck my furniture to the ceiling again.”
As I leave I hear the sound of the door upstairs opening and Spike’s voice. “So what did I miss?” I just shake my head at how he can sleep through anything as I make my way home, hoping that things aren’t too bad there.
As I near I see the Crusaders leaving with Selene waving them off, her choker still on at the time. The three seem to be in good cheer but I still whisper to them about keeping Selene’s look a secret as I head inside with her. Once the door is closed I turn to Selene and get a good look at her jewelry before I finally speak. “So, did you even notice that your choker broke while everyone was gathered earlier?”
Selene just cocks her head to the side at my words before her eyes widen in fear as she turns her head to look at her now feathered wings. Her breathing rapidly increases before her eyes roll up into her head as she collapses to the ground unconscious. I just shake my head as I carry her up to her room, wondering where Umbra took off to.