Perhaps there is more to Luna's transformation into Nightmare Moon then we thought. Twilight will soon learn why.
There is a reason Luna was hurt that nopony honored her beautiful night and magnificent moon that caused her dark transfromation. But no pony today has ever said why. When Twilight's curiosity gets the best of her, it is up to Luna to fill in the gaps that Equestrian historians left out.
Twilight had just watched Luna's moon raise once again while she was spending a night at the Canterlot Palace. They had just finished with a gathering of the Griffon Kingdom and Cloudsdale. Now, it was time to retire to her chambers. As she made her way up, she expected to see Luna to be heading in a similar direction, but when she did see her, Luna did the exact opposite.
She was heading for another part of the castle. Well, at first, Twilight felt she shouldn't impose, but what would Luna be doing at this hour? Not night court, unless somepony had called a meeting, and that was in another direction in the castle. Finally curiosity got the better of her, and she pursued Luna, but quietly. Luna soon came to a set of doors within the castle that Twilight had never scouted before. She knew when she was a filly there were parts of the castle that were off limits to her when she was under Celestia's tutelage. But this was not a set of doors she was familiar with, nor had she ever been told she was not allowed to intrude. Luna had soon opened the doors and said, "You can come out now. No need to hide Twilight," Luna urged her.
Twilight was shocked. Luna knew she had been there the entire time? She soon stepped out to reveal herself to the Princess of Night. "Hello dear. I had sensed your magical presence as I made my way down here. That, and your hoofsteps are not as quiet as you think," Luna pointed out.
Twilight scratched the back of her neck with her hoof as she blushed with a goofy smile. "No need to feel embarrassed dear. I knew you were curious about something, and well, I believe it is time that you knew about something that no pony has told or shown you. Not even my sister," Luna said.
"Oh, I, was I intruding on a bit of private time?" Twilight asked.
"Well yes and no. I mean, I've never led anypony to this room I had added before, but I never restricted anypony from entering, and well, this is something you need to see, to help you understand some things. About me... and about yourself," Luna replied.
"Just follow me through here, and all will be explained," Luna said.
Twilight was a little uneasy, but, knowing Luna was a mare who could be trusted, she followed her fellow princess into the chamber. The doors soon shut behind them, and Luna illuminated the room with light from the tip of her horn and Twilight soon followed suit. Luna then lit candles with her magic to light up the room dimly. There, Twilight saw what appeared to be something similar to a meditating area, like she had seen many of her peers and teachers use, while at magic school.
Luna soon laid on the bed in the middle of the room and Twilight joined her. "Now Twilight, what I am about to do is have us enter a very special kind of dream state. A way to see what happened in the past. In a past known to only a hoofful of ponies, including myself, Celestia, and Discord," Luna stated.
Twilight nodded, "Alright I am ready." Twilight replied.
Soon Twilight and Luna closed their eyes and Luna cast a spell that sent them into the realm of dreams. What Twilight saw next amazed her. The place was gleaming with starlight in the sky, but much more complex then anything Twilight saw in the night skies of Equestria. There were stars that clustered into galaxies and the sun shined dimmer, but still bright enough, and ponies were playing around, having fun. "Where are we?" Twilight asked Luna, who stood right next to her.
"Believe it or not, we are on the Moon. We are looking at the final days of peace of what was once my domain of rule. While my sister watched over the ponies of Equestria, I had my own charges to look after, here on the Moon itself," Luna said.
"Wait, ponies actually lived on the Moon?" Twilight asked in shock.
"Yes, have you noticed that there are some ponies back in Equestria that have pupils that are more narrow than the round ones that you usually see?" Luna questioned.
"You're talking about the ones who are usually out at night?" Twilight pondered.
"Yes, I know most call them Bat Ponies, but the reason they have different eyes and wings, was because of where they lived, or at least where their ancestors lived. The Moon was a very different environment, so I had blessed the ponies with the tools they would need to live here. Granted much was very similar to Equestria, but the fact it was darker on the Moon, they needed the proper vision, and the winds here were much weaker then Equestria's, so feathered wings for most pegasi was an issue. I did not have much problem since I could easily adjust my wings for the conditions of both realms, but to help my charges cope with the Moon's conditions, I gifted them with their special wings, were they of pegasi origin. These traits were passed on to their descendants. I ruled the moon with peace and prosperity for a long time, and allowed ponies from both realms to visit each other, since I went between realms to visit my sister, and she, the same for me. This day was especially joyful to everypony. A miracle had happened some months prior," Luna stated.
"What happened?" Twilight asked in anticipation.
"I was with foal," Luna said.
Twilight gasped. She had not known of any descendants spawning from Luna herself. "I was so happy that I was to have a little one to help lead my charges into a more prosperous future in a few days. But it was not to be," Luna stated.
"Why?" Twilight inquired.
Their session was interrupted as Celestia awoke them from their dream trance. "Luna, I am so sorry to intrude, but you and Twilight have been here since Night began, and it is time for us to raise and lower our respected pieces of the heavens," Celestia informed her sister.
"Of course sister. I do apologize Twilight, but our small session here will be on recess til tonight. I must see to the heavens for now," Luna said.
"I understand Princess Luna," Twilight said.
She let the sisters take their leave, but what she had seen, even though it answered some questions she might have asked in the future, now she was left with even more questions from the session that had happened, and hopefully more would be answered tonight. Even though it felt like she had been awake in the dream, she felt very well rested, and got up to see what she could help with as she watched her mentor's sun rise into the sky, and Luna's beautiful moon lower. She couldn't understand why, but she always had a fascination with the moon, even when she was a filly still in the stages of being stable trained.
Meanwhile, Celestia spoke with her sister. "Are you sure tonight is the best time sister? Are you sure she's ready to know?" Celestia asked.
"I do sister. She will find out one way or another, and I feel this is the best way to let her find out," Luna answered.
"Alright, but if you need help, don't be afraid ask," Celestia nuzzled her sister.
"I'll keep that in mind Tia. Now, don't you have day court to attend to?" Luna teased.
"You're coming too Lulu. I'm not dealing with the snotty nobles alone again. 1000 years of that was enough," Celestia joked.
The two sisters had a laugh as they went to meet with Twilight and make their way to the throne room.
The day went on as normal. Snotty nobles failing to persuade the Princesses of Day, Night and Friendship to approve of their selfish gains. Helping Equestria's subjects with what guidance they could offer, breakfast, lunch and dinner as normal, and of course, the raising and setting of the respected parts of heaven.
As Luna finished raising her moon she trotted towards the meditation chamber where Twilight was waiting for her. "Are you ready to hear more of the forgotten history Twilight?" Luna asked.
"Indeed I am. There's so many questions I have since our last session, but I know more will be revealed through the dreamscape we will go into," Twilight answered.
"Indeed. Guards, keep a keen eye. I saw my nephew Blueblood snooping about, and there are things I'd like him to not intrude on at the moment," Luna commanded.
"We shall not fail you, your majesty," Lt. Dark Feather, a black furred Lunar Guard, saluted.
Soon Luna and Twilight stepped into the chamber, and sat down where they had been the night before. Luna, after having the room dimmly lit with the candles, cast her dreamscape spell once more. Soon, she and Twilight were back on the moon where they had left off. "So, we're at the part where I had told you I was with foal right?" Luna pondered.
"Yes. Out of curiosity, was Princess Celestia excited?" Twilight inquired.
"Oh, indeed. She could not wait to be an aunt. She told me she would spoil my foal rotten, not that I'd blame her. Our alicorn race was very few, and I knew that my child was going to be of such origin. I know that you think that Alicorn ascendancy is achieved by accomplishing a great deed, much like our niece Cadence, but there are others who are born into our race, like the case of my sister and I," Luna said.
"Oh, so, wait, who were your parents?" Twilight prodded.
"Gaia, mother of all beings and Equestria itself, and Terra, the father of all, unfortunately, they can not take pony form and are one with the elements both of Equestria, and the Moon. We had a few sibings along the way, but my sister and I were the only two alicorns to spawn from our parents. I'm sure you've read about the story of our brother Pyro," Luna snickered, "He was, shall we say, a fiery little tike."
Luna and Twilight laughed. "But I am getting away from the story here. As I had said before, the expectations I had for my little one and I would never be. For a few days after this day of piece, we were attacked, by one my sister and I had trusted very closely. Sombra, the King of the Crystal Empire in the frozen north. When we had first met, he was a kind, and understanding ruler. However, we had discovered too late that he had gotten his hooves on forbidden magic in spell books we had never touched. We do not know what drove him to attack my realm, but he showed no mercy. I did what I could to save my charges, but I soon realized that my magic alone was not enough, and with my pregnancy, it left me vulnerable. Celestia had received my distress call and was able to help, but we knew we couldn't stay. Some of my bravest warriors stayed behind to allow me to escape. I can never forget the heroism I saw in their eyes. That was the last time I ever physically saw their faces, but I still remember them to this day. Especially Night Shade, my b-beloved," Luna stuttered, as a few tears were shed.
Twilight was shocked. Luna had mate, but now he was gone. No thanks to the evil of King Sombra. Luna composed herself, and continued, "When we made it back to the Castle my sister and I grew up in, I soon realized it was time for my little one to come into the world."
The two watched in their dream form, as Luna's past self delivered her foal. When Twilight saw the foal, her eyes' pupils became no bigger then the end of a pin, and her jaw dropped so low, it almost seemed it was about to hit the ground. Luna smiled, "Yes, Twilight, the little one that I brought into the world was you," Luna stated.
She looked at Luna, but was unable to utter words. "I know, I know, this is all very overwhelming, but I had to tell you. If I had let you find out any other way, I don't think you would have taken it too well, but understand this. The reason we hid your identity was because we wanted to protect you. And you'll understand why if you let me show you," Luna explained.
Twilight regained her own composure and used her sister-in-law's breathing technique. "Alright, continue," Twilight gestured.
"Alright, it wasn't long after your birth that I insisted that we bring Sombra to justice, but I had found out that more was going on than what I had initially known. Sombra had also joined forces with Discord, who's chaotic magic was not to be taken lightly. Not only that, Tirek had entered the frey as well, and well, you know how everything went and how we had defeated all three forces. I still thank the elements for that. Anyways, after many months of calm serenity in Equestria, things began to start and take a turn for the worst. While my realm was damaged beyond repair, I was happy that most of my charges were able to make it out. But I still felt responsible for the ones who risked their lives to save us. You of course kept my spirits going with your little magic antics," Luna acknowledged.
Twilight blushed, "Was I really that bad?"
"No. Worse. You were a Nightmare. Pun intended," Luna giggled.
Twilight laughed as well. "But even with you around, I felt there was something missing. I soon suggested to Celestia that we should build a monument to the brave souls that had saved me and my charges. Celestia was honestly all for it, and thought there should be some other brave souls that deserved remembrance, and I had not quarrel with that. But of course, like today, we had nobles who wanted to dictate this otherwise. Since we had to put it to vote, most at the time were against the idea, feeling it was a waste of time to have something built to remember ponies that had been living in another realm of Equestria's heavens, or even those who were of another generation that wasn't even around. This of course got on my nerves a bit. I kept my head level best I could, but it was hard when they kept bringing the matter up, after the votes had stopped the memorial from being built. But this was not enough to push me over the edge, mind you. I'm sure you may have thought this caused me to turn to my darker form, am I right?" Luna inquired.
"Well, I did a little bit, but knowing you since your return, it does seem that this would not be what pushed you over the edge, but was probably a promising factor to the coming transformation," Twilight said.
"Indeed. As the months pressed on, I also began to notice something else. Ponies began to treat my charges with inexcusable behavior. They started to call them vulgar names, treated them as second rate citizens, even a few had been hurt physically for their appearance. This is where rage had consumed me, and I had lost my power to wield the elements. I had become so blind with hatred for those who had treated my charges wrongly, and well, you know what happened next," Luna finished.
Twilight was now seeing how it all fit. Luna hadn't become Nightmare Moon out of jealousy for her sister being praised by their subjects. She had become Nightmare Moon for a just reason. Anypony who had gone through what, well, what Twilight's mother had gone through, would no doubt behave similarly. Soon the dreamscape ended as only an hour had past, compared to yesterday. "L-Luna, I mean, mother, I am so sorry," Twilight said.
"Don't be, none of it was your fault, in fact it is because of you, we are able to have this conversation. And I can never thank you enough for setting me free," Luna gestured.
"But, there's something I don't understand..... how is it, I don't remember anything for over the last 1000 years?" Twilight asked.
"Ah, that part I left out. Sorry. From what I had gathered from my sister, not long after my banishment, Celestia had to figure out what was needed with you. She couldn't just give you up on the spot, you were her niece. But she couldn't exactly hide you either and raise you at the same time. I believe that there were some nobles that feared that the Daughter of the Night might follow in her mother's hoofsteps. So, Celestia had agreed with nobles that she trusted to have you put into a sort of chryostasus, that would last about til about a little more then a decade from my return," Luna stated.
"Ah, that would explain why I was still a kid when I started to retain my memories about 16 years ago when I was 4," Twilight said.
"Yep," Luna nodded.
"But, how were you able to hide my wings til that one day?" Twilight asked.
"Well, Celestia had a hoof in that one. I believe she cast a series of spells that, one, kept mention of your existence out of history books for safety, another to take away your wings, and even another to keep your magic under control til due time. But your magic was more the even Tia could have anticipated, and only a fraction had been displayed at your entrance exam. And yes, I have a way of seeing some of your great feats you made in my absence and I couldn't be a prouder mother. We were finally able to unlock your power only over 2 years ago, and there's great potential you have yet to tap into. Gaia almighty, I think you may be more powerful then your own aunt. Just don't get any ideas," Luna warned.
"I would never," Twilight joked.
They laughed and soon Luna said, "I'm just happy that I finally have my daughter back."
The two shared a hug, then, they heard a little knock on the door. Luna opened it to reveal a cute little bat pony alicorn, with fur similar to Luna's and silver mane, who's face was peaking in. "Moon Dust?! I thought you were asleep an hour ago. What's wrong?" Luna asked motherly.
"I had a bad dweam. Da big night monstew wanted to gets me," Moon Dust complained as he approached his family.
"Aww, well, why don't you sleep with Mama tonight. Ooh, or better yet, how about big sister Twily," Luna said.
"Hey, mom, that's not fair I," Twilight was cut short as little hooves tackled her, knocking a little wind out of her.
"Twiwy!" Moon Dust Exclaimed.
Twilight looked at her, well, her little brother as she layed on her back with him on top. He had been adopted into the family after Luna had found him trying to live on the streets and starving, too afraid to go to an orphanage because of stories he had heard, which were false, but he had not known that. As Twilight looked at Moon Dust, he made his cute little face that, not even the most robust stallion could resist being given a cuteness attack, "Aww, how can I say no to that little face," Twilight said as she ruffled her little brother's mane.
"Yippie!" Moon Dust cheered.
He soon took the smarty pants doll Twilight had given him when he first arrived and climbed onto his sister's back. They soon made their way to the Lunar part of the castle, which, ironically enough had Twilight's visiting quarters right next to her mother's. There would be more to happen tomorrow, but for now, the family rested.