"Is this everything Princess?" Twilight asked as she read over the scroll.
"Twilight...how many times must I say it? You are my equal now. Simply Celestia is enough." the elder Alicorn said with a smile.
"Sorry...its a hard habit to break Prin—Celestia...I'm still new to this..." the newly appointed princess mumbled sheepishly, her wings twitching absentmindedly. Celestia gave her former student a knowing smile as she sat beside her.
"There is something else isn't there Twilight?" Celestia asked softly, her student..ahem..former student, nodding.
"I've actually been meaning to ask...Why 'Princess'? You've taken care of everypony in Equestria for centuries and yet you only have the title of Princess." Twilight rambled, never looking up at her former teacher. Celestia sighed.
"I knew this day would come. When a pony would wonder about the titles of canterlot. Twilight Sparkle...there was once a queen among us...but...no...that doesn't do her justice. Come with me Twilight. There is much to talk about." Celestia said softly. Twilight watched as Celestia walked away, quickly rolling up the scroll with her list of duties and chasing after her.
"where are we going Pr—Celestia?" Twilight asked, barely catching herself.
"The Forbidden Archives." Celestia said simply. Twilights eyes widened for a moment. She had never been allowed to even look at the gate that led into that massive hall.
"But..." Twilight began, not sure what to say.
"The answers are within there Twilight. Scrolls telling the real story of Equestria. Things that have never been brought to light among the common ponyfolk. The only ones aware of its contents are myself, Luna, and Cadence...though she was not there for the majority of it...she has experienced much...as have you Twilight. I think it is only fair that you know the truth." Celestia explained, standing before the massive enchanted gate. Slowly her eyes began to glow, massive runes appearing before the gate and shifting like a gigantic puzzle.
Twilight barely had a chance to memorize a pattern before Celestia had moved onto the next, flying through the puzzles as if they were nothing. In a matter of moments the final lock was opened and the gate unlocked. Celestia pulled it open with a gentle flick of her magic before turning to Twilight.
"I must admit Twilight...beyond this gate...are many things that I am not proud of...and I hope you do not see me any differently after discovering the truth." Celestia said sadly. Twilight was shocked. Was the truth of Equestria's past really so horrible? What could Celestia have done that would change her thoughts of her? She shook her head, staring into Celestia's eyes.
"Cadence read through all of this didn't she?" She asked softly, Celestia answering with a nod. Twilight smiled.
"Then there is nothing to worry about. She loves you just as much as I do." Twilight said, blushing as the words left her mouth.
"I-I meant as friends! T-The love friends share..." Twilight began to ramble, stopping as Celestia giggled quietly.
"It is quite alright Twilight. I suggest you begin with this one...if you have any questions feel free to ask." Celestia said, holding a scroll before her in her magic. Twilight gingerly took it, placing it in her saddlebags next to her list of duties.
"Be careful with that scroll Twilight. It is enchanted. Only you or a Princess can open or read it. Make sure you are in a safe place and alone when you read it. If anypony else touches it...and it will burst into flames." Celestia explained, turning to leave.
"I must attend to my duties Twilight. I trust you know what to do?" She asked. Twilight nodded.
"Yes Princess, I mean...Celestia."
The scroll had begun to burn a hole in Twilights saddlebag, nagging at the back of her mind as she attended to the few duties currently expected of her as a newly appointed Princess. She only had a few things left on her list, simple things such as selecting members of each royal guard to begin her own Guard, setting up a training schedule, having new armor made for them, and recruiting ponies into her guard.
That wasn't all, but it was the most important of her list. Luna had been reluctant to allow any of her guard to leave, deciding on two of her most trusted and loyal veterans and several rookies to watch after Twilight.
"As the newest addition to the Royal family, you must be well looked after Twilight Sparkle. Therefore we are trusting you with these, our finest guards. Once you are ready we will free them of the enchantments that bind them to us." Luna had said to her.
"What do you mean ready? what Enchantments?" Twilight asked. Luna only smiled.
"You will learn soon enough Twilight Sparkle..." she had answered softly, leaving her with the cryptic message. Now Twilight sat alone in her new room, surprised by how massive it was. A large circular bed sat in the center of a gargantuan rug that took up the lowered center of the room which sat in a 'bowl' shaped by the carpeted stairs around it.
What amazed her even further was that the carpet was stitched with her cutiemark as the main pattern.The walls matched her lavender coat and the curtains her mane, made of the finest silk and blowing lazily in the mid-afternoon breeze.
On one half of the room an entire wall was lined with bookshelves, only half filled with her personal collection, and on the other side a long couch and several chairs in what Twilight liked to call her 'comfort zone', which was more of a large area for her to relax with a good book and read the days worries away.
Beyond an arched doorway sat a large bath, built into the floor with a magical fountain constantly filling it with fresh spring water, kept at a comfortable temperature at all times. Through another doorway was her personal study, quills and parchment neatly stacked along with reference books and several of her own hoof-written spellbooks. She was most proud of those tomes., having poured years of magical study into them.
The young alicorn sighed, laying on her stomach among the satin sheets and thick comforter of her bedspread, digging through her saddlebag for the scroll and biting her lip as she held it in her hoof.
"Untold secrets of all of Equestria sitting in my hoof and I'm too scared to even open it...maybe I don't need to know..." Twilight thought aloud, twirling the scroll idly in her magic. The looks on the Princess' faces had been worrying.
It didn't seem like they were afraid of her learning the truth, more like the feared how she would take it, that they feared for her. Could Equestria's history really be so horrible? Now that the question sat in her mind she had to know. She grabbed the scroll in her hooves, freezing as she heard a knock at her doors.
"Princess Twilight! You have guests." the guard called out to her. Twilight swore under her breath, quickly tucking the Scroll away.
"Send them in!" she called back, smiling as her friends entered. Rainbow whistled as she flew around above them.
"Whoa, nice place Twi. Guess theres some perks to bein' a Princess huh?" she teased.
"Its a lot more than I expected really..." she admitted.
"Its simply marvelous Darling. I must say I am...slightly jealous..." Rarity mumbled as she looked around.
"HA! Slightly? Rare ya'll were practically in pieces 'bout this whole thing. Couldn't decide whether t' be happy fer her or be upset that she got this fancy place t' herself. Ah fer one am happy fer ya Twi, though its gonna be mighty different without ya bein' in Ponyville." Applejack said with a smile.
"Well, if all goes well I'll actually be returning to Ponyville. Celestia wants to change the library into a small castle...I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with the idea yet...but...I would need more space." Twilight muttered, spreading her wings as an example. Rainbow whistled, landing nearby.
"Now thats a wingspan." she said with a slight blush, all eyes turning to her. The pegasus quickly cleared her throat.
"For an egghead." she mumbled, taking a seat. Applejack only raised an eyebrow at the pegasus before turning back to Twilight.
"Ah'm not sure what t' think 'bout havin' a big ol' castle in our little town. But ah'm sure if it had ya'll in it than everythin' would be fine. Ponies could come t' ya fer help like they do with th' Princess here." Applejack pointed out. Twilight shrugged.
"Ponies could already do that when the Library was still just a Library. And I enjoyed that. I guess I'm just not ready to have a bunch of ponies bowing to me and calling me 'Princess' all the time. I'm just glad you girls can still be yourselves around me." Twilight sighed, her wings giving an irritated twitch and knocking over her saddlebag. She gasped, quickly reaching for the scroll and sighing with relief. Her friends all stared as the Alicorn seemed to cling to the scroll for dear life.
"Whats so important about that scroll?" Rainbow asked, trying to get a peek at it.
"Its something Celestia gave me..." she said, every pony in the room raising an eyebrow.
"Its not what you think! Its just documents I swear!" Twilight explained with a blush.
"Documents huh? Then you probably wouldn't mind us taking a peek would ya?" Rainbow asked teasingly.
"Actually...its..sort of...enchanted. Only a Princess can open it, or read it. Celestia gave it to me from the Forbidden Section of the Canterlot Archives." The Alicorn looked down at the scroll in her hooves.
"I haven't opened it yet...I'm honestly a bit scared of what might be inside..." She admitted.
"I'm sure its nothing too horrible Twilight. Otherwise the Princess wouldn't have given it to you." Fluttershy said quietly.
"No...I'm sure its just as horrible as I think..." Twilight said, tucking the scroll away.
"So thats it? You just aren't going to read it? C'mon Twi! Live a little!" Rainbow groaned, jabbing Twilights ribs with a hoof. Twilight glared at her, receiving a sheepish smile in return.
"Ok Dashie, thats enough." Pinkie mumbled quietly, pulling Rainbow Dash away and out into the hallway.
"Is...she ok?" Twilight asked.
"Um...Its nothing Dear. Rainbow is just...adjusting. We all are. Its such a big change, I mean...You're a Princess now! It must be so exciting!" Rarity smiled, happy she beat Applejack to the punch. The farmer was a terrible liar.
"Its a little exciting I guess. But I wouldn't be here without all of you, it was because of you girls that I figured out that spell. All of our adventures together and all that we've been through. Without that...I'd still just be Twilight Sparkle, that nerdy mare running a Library." She sighed, realizing just how much she missed being that nerdy mare. It was a comfortable life, despite the Villain of the month that she had to somehow defeat. Life as a Princess was so...different. She blinked, reaching for the scroll once more.
"I must admit Twilight...beyond this gate...are many things that I am not proud of...and I hope you do not see me any differently after discovering the truth." Celestia's words filled her thoughts. Could the scroll hold the truth of how Celestia came into power? Secrets of the battle against Nightmare Moon, untold to anypony?
"Girls...I need to be alone...Celestia said I would need to be alone and safe when I read this...I'm not asking you to leave...maybe just stand guard until I finish." Twilight suggested, smiling as they nodded.
"Jus' call if ya need us sugarcube." Applejack said with a tip of her hat, stepping outside and quickly followed by Fluttershy and Rarity. She waited a moment before opening the scroll, locking each window with a light flick of magic. It seemed like so little was needed now, even before it hadn't taken much, but she barely had to even think about it now. It scared her.
Was Celestia scared too? Twilight blinked as the thought hit her. She had never really thought about it before, but just how HAD Celestia become a Princess? Had she just been born as one? As the almighty, all-knowing goddess of Equestria? It just didn't seem to make sense. She needed answers, and she was going to get them. Twilight slowly opened the scroll, yelling in surprise as the room filled with light.
"Heh, way to go Lulu. I bet someday you'll even break my flight record. Well, maybe." Storm Bolt teased the young Alicorn.
"WOW! You really think so?!" Luna asked excitedly, giggling as the pegasus commander ruffled her mane.
"I know ya will.
Twilight felt tears sting her eyes as the image faded away, gasping as another filled her minds eye.
Celestia struggled, biting her lip as she focused her magic, the sun slowly, almost painfully making its way over the horizon. Finally it reached its peak and she let go, panting heavily from the effort. A taller, more mature Alicorn, her coat white and her longflowing golden mane shining with the might of the sun itself stood next to the bubblegum maned Alicorn.
"You are trying too hard sister. You have to feel it, be a part of it. You do not pull it, you guide it. It will pull you, but you must remain firm and stand tall against it. Let it pull itself to you sister." She said to her, nuzzling her gently.
"I'm trying sister...it is not as easy as you make it sound, or as easy as you make it look..." Celestia fumed.
"I know sister, but in time you'll learn it is easier than you are making it." the elder sister teased.
"a-a Sister?" Twilight thought aloud, gasping as once again she was hit with a vision.
"Come on Celly, don't be such a party pooper! Just one?" Discord asked, bottom lip stuck out and wobbling. Celestia caved in and sighed, grabbing a water balloon in her magic and dropping it over the balcony onto an unsuspecting Storm Bolt.
Both Alicorn and Draconequus broke into a fit of laughter as the Commander of the guard yelled at them, making a quick getaway before Storm Bolt could give chase. Celestia sighed as her fit of laughter died down, nuzzling Discords cheek.
"You were right, it was fun." She said with a small smile, causing Discord to blush slightly.
"This can't be happening..." Twilight mumbled, closing the scroll and panting slightly. There had been so much happening at once, she could only see bits and pieces of it. But what she had seen only brought about more questions. Celestia had an elder sister that taught her how to raise the sun, but where was she now? Who was she? Why had she never been mentioned before?
On top of that...Celestia had been in a relationship with Discord of all creatures. Had anyone else been aware of it? They seemed so young in her vision, Celestia's mane wasn't even the one she knew now. It had just been like every other pony, hanging from her head in long flowing locks of pink.
Luna had appeared to be just a young filly, with a short cut light blue mane clinging to her head in just the cutest of ways. Just how much of Equestria's History was unknown? It was too much to take in. She needed answers. She looked down at the scroll again, taking a deep breath as she opened it once more.
A sigh escaped the young Alicorns' lips as she raised the sun from her balcony. There had been no word yet from her mother of her ongoing 'condition'. She had to admit, deep down she was disapointed. All this time Solaria had thought she would be the Mare of the Sun.
Her longflowing mane matching the Celestial body she controlled so easily. But fate had other plans. Her mother had been in the care of Canterlots best for the past few hours, having gone into labor early in the night. She had known a foal would be born to replace her, and she would proudly teach the young one to control their magic and to guide the now Rising Sun on its path each day.
But she had been surprised to hear that another foal was going to be born as well. At this news she had thought the unicorns had meant Twins, but no. It would be one on this day, and another in the future. The signs were clear. The Birth of the Royal Sisters had begun.
Twilight felt dizzy from the rush of new information. Solaria. That had been the Elder siblings name.
"So she was the Princess of the Sun? And she taught Celestia..." Twilight smiled, thinking of her lessons with Celestia and wondering if her Sister had the same mothering way of teaching. Again her thoughts dove within the contents of the scroll, the vision returning to her.
"Princess Solaria, you can come inside now." a pastel green unicorn called out to her softly. She nodded as she entered her mothers room, finding her laying in bed, red mane somewhat dishelveled and all over the place really. Though she wore a smile as she cradled a small foal in her hooves.
"Say hello to your big sister Celestia..." Queen Faust cooed quietly. Solaria sat beside her mother, smiling at the yawning form of her younger sister.
"She's beautiful mother." Solaria said softly, brushing a hoof through her sisters bubblegum pink mane. The foal giggled, grabbing her hoof and wrapping her mouth around it, coating her shoe in slobber. Solaria sighed to herself, earning a giggle from her mother.
"Now now Celestia, we don't eat those." She said playfully, Celestia pouting a little as Solaria pulled away.
"So...is it true mother?" Solaria asked quietly. The Queen sighed, giving a small nod to her daughter.
"Yes. Its as Fate said. She will be the new Regent of the Sun and in three years time we shall have our Regent of the Moon." She answered, cradling the now sleeping form of Celestia.
"I must admit mother...I'm dissappointed I could not fulfill the role myself." Solaria spoke up.
"Sadly it was not to be...Even though it comes to you with such ease, you are simply just not bound to it as a Sun Princess should be. Now you are only guiding it, but these two fillies will be bound in the eternal pull of both Sun and Moon. I only hope the duty is not too great for them." Queen Faust said, worry lacing her words and wrinkling her brow.
"I will help them mother, you know this." Solaria said as she stood, proud and tall. Her mother smiled.
"I know Solaria. I'm counting on you."
Again Twilight pulled free of the scrolls magical grip, trying to come to terms with what she had seen. She couldn't help but smile as a feeling of warmth and belonging overtook her. They had seemed so happy, even if Solaria had been upset that she couldn't fill the role as the Princess of the Sun.
The strongest emotion she felt was happiness, and Celestia had been such a cute filly, she couldn't help but giggle as she remembered her nibbling on her sisters shoe. To think that the Princess had done such things, she seemed just like any other pony. Twilight blinked as she came to the realization that Celestia WAS like any other pony. The only thing that made her different was that she was a Princess, and bound to the Sun by powerful magic. Twilight sighed to herself.
"The more I learn...the more I want to know." She mumbled. She shook her head and looked back at the scroll. It hadn't been at all what she had imagined. Within this little scroll was Celestia's past, her lifestory. And she had trusted Twilight with it. The mare was stunned. Princess Celestia, ruler of all, had entrusted her entire past to her. It was an overwhelming feeling, one she couldn't even begin to describe.
"I need some air.." she muttered, tucking the scroll away and standing. She stretched her wings a bit as she walked towards the door, making sure to put on her Tiara and chestplate, emblazoned with her cutiemark and gems placed at each point of the star to represent each Element of Harmony.
"Just tell her Dashie! You can't keep it all bottled up forever you know! Cause then it'll just build up an build up until you explode! And thats bad." Pinkies muffled voice came from past the door.
"Honestly Rainbow, you should speak up before one of us does it for you." Rarity said in turn. She heard Rainbow Dash panicking slightly, pressing her ear to the door. Was it right for her to spy on her friends conversation like this?
She didn't have a chance to think of an answer as the door fell open, Twilight quickly righting herself before they noticed she was prying and walking out of her room.
"Have a good read?" Applejack asked, the others falling silent.
"Well...sort of...I just needed some fresh air is all. I'm...a bit shocked from what I've seen." Twilight explained, taking a seat.
"Well don't leave us in suspense darling." Rarity prodded. Twilight bit her lip.
"I don't know if I can even tell any of you. Celestia said it was for a Princess only. I mean...well..." Twilight lowered her head, blinking in surprise as a hoof rested on her shoulder. She turned to find Princess Luna wearing a small smile.
"Twilight Sparkle. I take it you have already begun reading through my sisters tome?" She asked, Twilight nodding slightly.
"And it seems to me your friends are curious as to its contents. I believe it would be best if you shared your knowledge with them. They are, after all, the Elements of Harmony." Luna said with a smile, though Twilight noticed a small tear in the Alicorns eye.
"If you say so Luna..." Twilight turned back to her friends as Luna sat with them, placing a ward of silence around them to keep away prying eyes and ears.
"Celestia wasn't the first choice for Regent of the Sun. She had an elder sister by the name of..."
"Solaria..." Luna interrupted, sniffling quietly. All eyes turned to the Alicorn Princess as she shook with quiet sobs.
"Princess, are ya alright?" Applejack asked comfortingly.
"Y-Yes Applejack. I will be fine. Some memories are best left forgotton, but others can never be left behind. Solaria was the Eldest among us. She taught us, protected us, and showed us the way of the world. In the end she gave everything to save us...But I will leave that to you Twilight Sparkle." Luna's horn was surrounded by an eerie glow which quickly snaked its way from pony to pony, leaving each with a chill running up their spines.
"Your friends can now view my sisters tome. I ask you not to abuse this gift. They deserve to know as do you Twilight, but no other is to hear of this, am I understood?" Luna asked in a demanding tone. Twilight and her friends nodded quickly and Luna smiled.
"Good...I must be on my way..." Luna dismissed herself, casting one look back at the group and smiling as she saw images of her own friends faces sitting there. It was almost as if she was a little filly again. Finally she turned the corner and vanished from sight, leaving Twilight to make a decision.
"Sooo...we gonna read this thing or not?" Rainbow asked.
"Thats just it Rainbow. Its not a scroll you read. When I opened it...it showed me a vision of Celestia and Luna's past." Twilight explained.
"Its a Memory Scroll." Pinkie said quietly. All eyes latched onto the pink earth pony.
"Its an incredibly powerful form of magic that works on its own. The Princess probably didn't realize it was being written until it was revealed to her." Pinkie continued her explanation.
"Pinkie...how would you know any of that? You're an earth pony." Twilight pointed out. Pinkie Pie scuffed her hoof against the ground for a moment.
"Magic is a powerful thing Twilight. The highest of nobles in Canterlot have the most powerful magic in their bloodline. But not all of those with powerful magics in their system are of noble blood." The mare said quietly.
"Pinks, jus' what in th' hay are ya sayin?" Applejack asked.
"You should read it Twilight." Pinkie said softly, ignoring Applejacks question.
"No...we should read it together. But somepony will have to stand guard while we are distracted by i-ahhh!" Twilight screamed as two guards appeared beside her. They were Luna's Veteran Guard that had been given the task of watching over her.
"We shall stand guard Milady." they said together. Twilight chuckled nervously.
"Um...thank you...we'll call if we need anything..." Twilight said, both guards nodding as the six mares entered the room and sat. Twilight grabbed the scroll in her magic, holding it in front of them for all to see.
"Ready girls?" Twilight asked, waiting until they nodded to pull the scroll open once more, All six mares being dragged into the memories held within.
The young alicorn filly pouted as her crown fell over her eyes, causing her mane to fall into her face as well, earning a giggle from her elder sisters, Solaria and Astra.
"Here, let me fix that for you." the younger of the two, Astra, said quietly, adjusting the crown atop the youngest sisters head.
"I thill don't thee why we hathe to do thith." Celestia lisped in annoyance.
"The Draconaquui are considered gods in their homeland and very might as well be. If we can make peace with them sister, then it will extend as far as Equestrias' borders and beyond. It will strengthen our kingdom as well as theirs." Solaria explained. Celestia sighed and gave a nod, falling in line between her sisters as they walked to the grand hall.
Awaiting them were creatures that frigthened the youngest sister. She couldn't make heads or tails of them, especially since their heads were so different from their tails! The eldest of them however, a scraggly beard coaxing its way down from his chin and resting against his chest, turned with a smile and hugged Solaria.
"Ah my dear, its so good to see you again." he said happily as she returned the embrace.
"And you as well Fate. I trust the trip was enjoyable?" Solaria asked.
"Well there was no lack of excitement, thanks to this little one." Fate replied, tugging on a the ear of a young draconaquus beside him.
"I said I was sorry!" he whined.
"I suppose Destiny chose Discord as your name for a reason. Hopefully it doesn't play out as I believe it will." Fate muttered. Discord rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, glancing over at Celestia, who did her best to smile as her sisters had told her to do. Though Discord only turned away with a loud 'hmph', making her think she had done something wrong.
"Now then, I trust your mother will be out to see us soon? It wasn't easy talking the others into these peace talks you know." Fate said with a wink. Knowing the old trickster, he had probably told them their 'Fate' depended on these talks, as was the gift of each Draconaquus. Their lives were bound to their namesake titles.
Fate could foresee the future and the fate of any creature in the world, Destiny used her talent to discover the names of the newborn Draconaquui, so that their destiny and role in the world could be known. She was a bit at ends, having mothered Discord and knowing what the world had in store for him.
It was heartbreaking to say the least. But every role needed someone to fulfill it. She only hoped her young one wouldn't bring about too much chaos into the world. Just enough to keep the balance in check.
"She will be joining us shortly. As you well know she is currently with child." Astra pointed out, earning a smile and a nod.
"yes yes. The Mare of Dreams is to join us a week from today. Surely you all must be excited." he turned to them, earning half-smiles.
"Hm, I understand you two had high hopes, but do not be so downtrodden. You still share a vital role in Equestrias future. Its your Fate." he said with a wink, both Alicorns smiling and falling into a fit of giggles. Celestia was confused though. What did he mean by Mare of dreams? The young princess eeped as Fate bent down to look at her.
"And here we have our newest Princess. Don't you think that crown is a bit big for her?" he asked Solaria, blinking as Celestia hid behind her sister.
"I'm not THAT scary am I?" He asked, Astra giggling quietly.
"Well you sure scared us the first time you came to foalsit." She pointed out.
"I take pride in my appearance you know." he mumbled, pretending the remark was hurtful.
"Ok dear, thats enough, we have more pressing matters to tend to today." Destiny said quietly.
"Yes, you're right. We have to convince these idiots that Queen Faust only means to help us. Though perhaps we should leave the young ones to mingle while we speak. What do you think Discord?" he asked of his son.
"Do I have to?" he grumbled
"Well you could always go stay with Chance and test your luck..." Fate said slowly, Discord instantly zipping over to celestia and standing beside her.
"Alright! Alright! I'll go with the Princess, geez." he mumbled, crossing his arms angrily.
"Don't try anything funny with our sister." Astra said quietly to him, nodding to a pair of guards.
"Come along Princess." Storm Bolt said quietly, wearing a smile as she guided Celestia and Discord towards the gardens and out of the way of the peace talks.
"So...you're a princess..." Discord said slowly as they walked.
"Yeth" Celestia said, blushing as Discord fell over in a fit of laughter.
"HAHAHAHA! Oh wow, now thats just hilarious." he said, wiping away a tear. As it struck the ground, a plant grew, launching a pie at the back of Storm Bolts head. The pegasus paused, flaring her wings and spinning to glare at Discord, only to find he had run off, dragging Celestia with him.
"Oh buck today..." the mare swore under her breath, chasing after the young princess.
"Thop! we're gonna get in trouble!" Celestia yelled as Discord dragged her along.
"Thats why i'm running!" he yelled back, ducking around a corner and appearing back in the gardens. Storm slid around the corner, blinking as she found no trace of Princess or Draconaquus. Discord panted slightly, finally releasing his grip on Celestia.
"Wow, that wath really imprethith! I can't do magic too well yet..." Celestia said sadly, hanging her head. Discord held out his claw and smiled.
"Well maybe I can teach you. Whats your name?" he asked softly. She smiled, placing her hoof in his claw.
"Thelethia." she lisped, blushing as Discord chuckled quietly.
"Aww she was so adorable!" Fluttershy cooed quietly.
"Hold up, this isn't making any sense. Celestia and Discord were buddy buddy as kids? How in the hay did they end up enemies?" Rainbow asked.
"I don't know Dash. But the answers are here." Twilight said.
"I think...I think they were a couple." Twilight explained, a heavy silence falling over the room.
"WHAT?! You mean those two were all mushy and stuff? oh gross..." Rainbow looked like she was going to be sick.
"Well I think its romantic. The beautiful princess whisked away by a magnificent beast." Rarity said, awestruck by her own imagination.
"Alright, snap out o' it you two." Applejack mumbled. "Lets get this show back on th' road."
Celestia watched as her sisters paced back and forth. It had been a week since the peace talks and as Fate had predicted, their mother had gone into labor.
"Will she make it?" Astra asked quietly so Celestia wouldn't hear.
"Yes. Of that i'm sure." Fate said quietly "But I cannot be sure what the future holds for them, other than what I have already told you."
"That will have to do..." Solaria added quietly. Discord sat cross legged, juggling a few flowers in his magical grip to distract Celestia, though the filly barely noticed, watching the double doors for any sign of her mother.
"Come on Celly, you can't keep worryin about it. She's gonna be fine and you'll have a little sister to play with!" Discord said, trying to cheer her up.
"She looked like she was in a lot of pain...what if...what if something happenth to her?" celestia asked, slipping back into her lisp as worry overtook her. Discord sighed and stood, flipping upside down and hovering in the air, crossing his legs once more, a small smirk on his face as celestia giggled.
It was a little trick that always got under her skin, no matter how upset she was. The two had learned much about one another in the past week, both were slowly becoming skilled pranksters, though a certain commander wasn't too happy about their bonding.
Fate was all too happy the two were getting along, it had helped to further boost his argument that peace needed to be made among Draconaquui and Ponies. Today would be the deciding factor however, when Faust recovered. The thoughts of all gathered were broken as a loud cry filled the room. A unicorn poked her head out, a bit worse for wear and smiled.
"You can come in now everypony, but please, try and be quiet, the queen is very tired." she said, holding the door open for each of them to enter. Fate smiled, using his tail as a chair and taking a seat next to the bed.
"I trust all went well?" he asked softly, recieving a nod and a smile as an answer.
"May I?" he asked, his eyes softening as Queen Faust placed the delicate package in his paw and claw. He cradled the newborn foal gently, chuckling as she giggled and reached up towards him.
"Her name...is Luna." Faust said weakly.
"Princess Luna, you have big things in your future little one. I hope i'll be around long enough to see it. OW!" he yelled out in surprise as the filly tugged on his beard, earning a shared laugh among the room. Celestia climbed into her mothers bed, nuzzling her gently.
"Are you ok momma?" she asked softly.
"I'm fine dear, here, say hello to your baby sister." She said quietly as Fate handed the foal back to her.
"Oh wow...I get to be a big sister?" she asked, her mother nodding and smiling as her daughter held out her hooves.
"Can I hold her?" she asked quietly.
"Of course dear, just be careful, keep her head up." her mother coached her, a warm glow filling the room as Celestia held her baby sister. Their eyes met and they smiled at one another. Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, Astra and Solaria whispered amongst themselves.
"Do you feel it sister?" Astra asked.
"I do...I'm losing touch with it already. It seems we have much work to do if they are to be ready." Solaria whispered back. The two nodded, joining the others as Celestia cradled her sister.
"Alright everypony, the Queen needs her sleep, Doctors orders." the unicorn rushed them out of the room, Discord chuckling at Celestia.
"heh, you looked kinda cute holdin her like that." he teased, earning a blush as Celestia bumped her flank into his side.
"hehe, you think i'm cute." she teased back, smiling as he blushed. Ahead of them the elder sisters smiled.
"Should we really be watching this?" Fluttershy asked.
"Yea...it does seem like its gettin pretty personal and she's still only a kid in this thing." Rainbow Dash added.
"You don't have to keep watching. But I intend to finish this." Twilight said.
"I can't just sit here, knowing what I know now, and simply leave it at that. In only a week they became so close to one another. Discord wouldn't have been sealed away for YEARs on top of YEARS. And on top of that, his people were making peace with Equestria. So where are they now?" Twilight asked.
"You have a point dear. But even so, there are some things we shouldn't pry into." Rarity added.
"We aren't prying, Celestia herself gave me this. If she didn't want me to know she wouldn't have given it to me. Are you girls with me?" Twilight asked. They all looked at each other and nodded.
"Alright Twilight, we'll stay."
"LUNA NO!" Astra screamed as the youngest Royal sibling leapt off a nearby rooftop, wings flapping wildly as she tried to take flight and plummeted towards the ground. A yellow blur snatched the Alicorn out of the air as she screamed, lightly setting her on the ground.
Though the terrified filly continued to shriek until she felt a hoof ruffling her mane. Luna looked up to see Commander Storm Bolt smiling down at her.
"You should be more careful Princess." Storm chuckled.
"Did you see me!? I almost flew!" Luna yelled excitedly, causing Storm to laugh again as Astra ran up to them.
"Almost isn't what I'd call it Lulu. You nearly scared Princess Astra to death. Good thing I caught ya when I did." Storm commented, quickly calming Astra before she threw a fit, Luna was already hiding behind the Commander, not wanting to suffer the wrath of her elder sister.
"Luna, you could've been hurt..." Astra began to scold her, pausing as she saw the terrified expression on her younger sisters face.
"Auntie caught me though!" the filly yelled, still clinging to Storms' hind leg.
"Yes, and what if she hadn't been here to catch you? What if she had been away on a mission for mother?" Astra asked.
"But she wasn't! She's always watching over me, unlike you!" Luna yelled, running off into the gardens. Storm Bolt sighed, bowing her head.
"I'm so sorry Princess..." the commander apologized
"No...Its not your fault...I shouldn't be so hard on her...its just..." Astra sighed, shaking her head.
"You should go after her Princess. Despite how she's actin...she cares for you more than ya know. She wants to be like you, to so easily raise the moon and bring smiles to Equestria." Storm said with a smile.
Astra bit her lip and nodded, walking through a tall archway, the cutiemarks of the royal family embedded within it, starting at the top center with Queen Fausts, with Solaria and Celestia to the left and Astra and Luna to the right.
Astra found her sister sitting under a small apple tree, head hung low as she drew circles in the dirt with her hoof. Astra smiled, sitting beside the filly Princess and draping a wing over her.
"Luna...I'm sorry...I know I'm hard on you sometimes, but I only want whats best for you...I guess you just need to find out whats best on your own. But...I really do care sis. I don't want to see you get hurt...Tell you what, I'll teach you how to fly, how does that sound?" Astra asked with a smile. Luna only rolled her eyes.
"I thought you didn't have time to teach me sister" she almost spat, the elder sister flinching slightly at the remark.
"I didn't Luna...BUt thats not fair to you. So I'll just have to make time." she said with a smile. Luna looked at her over her shoulder.
"You mean it?" she asked quietly, Astra nodding quickly and gasping as the young princess tackled her, wrapping her small hooves around her.
"OH thank you! thank you! thank you!" Luna repeated as she nuzzled her sister. Astra giggled quietly.
"Ok, ok, calm down Luna. Lets start with the basics..."
"It doesn't make any sense..." Twilight said out of nowhere.
"What do ya mean sugarcube?" Applejack asked, hopelessly confused by the comment as were the rest of her friends. Twilight began to pace back and forth, her wings twitching irritably.
"Two loving caring sisters, a wonderful mother, a blossoming peace between two races. Where did it all go?" Twilight asked as she turned to her friends.
"Well we know Discord was their enemy at some point, we know Luna became Nightmare Moon sometime after that." Rarity started to list off.
"BUt according to all the history tomes I've read those events didn't come to pass until well after Luna and Celestia had matured into Full-Alicorns." Twilight began to ramble. Rainbow rolled her eyes, placing her hooves on Twilights shoulders.
"Get a grip egghead! You said it yourself, all the answers are here right?" Rainbow said calmly.
"y-Yes. You're right...I was just..." Twilight attempted to continue
"Getting a bit impatient?" Rainbow asked, finishing her sentance. Twilight nodded and sighed as she sat down.
"I can't help it Dash. All I have is questions and no answers and everytime I find an answer it only brings more questions. I can't stand having unanswered questions..." Twilight mumbled.
"Yea, I kinda figured egghead." Rainbow chuckled. Twilight smiled, laughing softly.
"Thanks Rainbow." the Alicorn sighed, turning back to the scroll.
"I think thats enough for today girls...tomorrow is a big day and we should all get some rest." Twilight said, turning to find that the others had already left, leaving only her and Rainbow Dash in the room. Twilight blinked in surprise and yawned, stretching out her wings and wincing a little.
"You ok?" Rainbow asked quickly.
"um...Yea, Just a bit sore." Twilight explained sheepishly. Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow, looking at the Alicorns' wings.
"When was the last time you preened those things Twi?" the pegasus asked.
"Well...I haven't...I tried! I really did, but it hurt..." Twilight stopped as Rainbow put a hoof against her lips and chuckled.
"I get it egghead, you didn't do it right cause you tried usin a book right?" she asked, her friend answering with a nod.
"Why not ask Princess Celestia to teach you?" she asked, unable to hold back a laugh as Twilights eyes almost jumped out of her head.
"I couldn't ask her that!" Twilight shrieked. Rainbow bit her lip, scuffing her hoof against the ground.
"Well...maybe...I could show you?" Rainbow suggested. Twilight glanced over at her, then back at her wings.
"Well...they do need it..." Twilight said slowly.
"And its just a favor between friends, nothing weird or anything!" Rainbow added quickly. Twilight giggled and smiled before laying down on her stomach, sticking out her sore wings slowly. Rainbow gulped and shook herself.
"Ok Rainbow Dash, I trust you." she said softly, blushing as the pegasus walked over to her. Rainbow Dash stood over Twilight, gently grabbing a stray feather in her teeth, setting it back into place.
Twilight bit her lip, expecting pain and felt...nothing. Bit by bit Rainbow continued, smoothing out loose feathers and plucking out any broken ones. Twilight squirmed and bit her lip as butterflies danced in her stomach, unable to take anymore as a soft moan parted her lips.
Silence fell over them as Rainbow Dash paused, a feather between her teeth and her cyan cheeks flushed red. Twilight buried her head in her hooves, attempting to hide the red covering her own cheeks.
"I...I should...uh..." Rainbow stammered, the feather still in her teeth.
"Please don't stop Dash..." Twilight mumbled into her hooves. Rainbow Dash hesitated for a moment before continuing, meanwhile, outside the door, four mares giggled amongst themselves.
"They really are similar, aren't they?" Celestia asked.
"Yes sister. Perhaps we should take another look?" Luna proposed.
"It wouldn't hurt to check I suppose. Though do you really think Rainbow Dash is descendant of Storm Bolt?" The elder sister questioned. She had to admit, the pegasus reminded her very much of their old caretaker.
"I am most certain of it sister. But those are things for another time. The night as young and I have much work to do. I shall see you in the morning sister." Luna said, bidding her farewell as she took off into the night. Celestia meanwhile took another glance at her student, grabbing the curtains in her magic and gently pulling them shut to allow her some privacy.
"I didn't think things would move this fast. Perhaps we should stop them?" Rarity asked
"Heck no! Ya'll know how Rainbow Dash is. Twi's got a good head on her shoulders, if'n she wants Dash t' slow down she'll make her. But uh...we better skedaddle 'fore they notice us." Applejack said, glancing over her shoulder at a hiccuping Pinkie Pie.
"An get Pinks a glass o' water." She chuckled, nudging the pink mare down the hall. Back inside the room Rainbow nudged one last feather into place, grinning at her work.
"HA, there we go, last one Twi." she said softly. She stepped back slowly, watching as Twilight flexed her wings, her eyes wide.
"Oh...wow. Thats...amazing Rainbow!" she cheered as she stood, stretching out her wings slowly.
"I don't know how to thank you."
"Eh don't sweat it egghead, but really...you need to take better care of your wings Twi." Rainbow fussed. Twilight sighed as she sat down, looking over her shoulder at her freshly preened wings.
"Mind teaching me how?"
