I found myself sitting there in the Canterlot Public Library. I was away from the others as I usually liked to be, as they proved of no interest to me. My mind was set, so I couldn't afford focus beyond my intent. My hoof was to my chin as I thought about my sister.
Who is she? Why, Twilight Sparkle of course. I had never thought that in all of my dreams that I would be related to someone of such monumental influence in Equestria and perhaps even beyond. I find myself still perplexed, even though my discovery of my true heritage was too long ago to quantify at the moment. How didn't I know of my heritage previously? I was an Orphan. But alas, it is time to write.
My horn glows a shade of iridescent blue as I opened up a blank latter and readied my pen. For a few moments I hesitated as if drumming up what exactly to write. I already knew what I was going to write, but yet I found myself hesitating. It felt like I was walking off of a cliff. What would await me at the bottom? There is only one way to find out.
When crossing boundaries of this significance there is no way to return to my previous state. I could simply go anonymously for the rest of my days. But no, that is not what I was going to do. I was going to make a stand and carve a line in the sand, to say to myself - that I would finally make a difference in matters I do not fully understand.
As if watching someone else's thoughts take over, the cap of the pen popped off with a click. The pen solidly struck the paper, and thus I began to write.
"Dear Twilight Sparkle,
There are many things in this world that come as mysteries. Our world is a constant flow of events changing from one to the next. It cares not about our principles or our platitudes. Like a sail one can set out into the flow and steer your own course.
Who am I? Well this will definitely come of a surprise to you but I am your older sister. I prefer to go by Magnolia, however my real name is Moonlight Sparkle. Our parents never told you the truth about me, nor about many other things. For one, our parents are liars. They abandoned me at an orphanage when I was a filly, too young to remember the circumstances. I never knew where I had come from, nor did I know why I was here.
Of course, I was too young to talk at the time to realize my situation. I have three names, actually. The one given to me by the Orphanage was Magenta Star. My time at the Orphanage was difficult. I was quite frankly abused by the other foals. I was never as social as they were, to put it lightly. Not many were sympathetic to my pleas. You know what I did? I came up with a plan. One day, I would never be beholden to anybody.
Times were different back then. I know that in your youth, you were born of prodigy! You had the opportunity to be the student of Celestia. You are the most lucky pony in this entire world. What do you have to show for it? You are a Princess now, you can do all you wish. You had better think about what you are going to do with yourself now, or at least be thinking. Now isn't the time to fall into idle complacency.
For all of the times that you had in your youth, studying under Celestia's watchful wing - Did you ever truly think outside the box? I am not talking about mathematical or magical problems, hypothetical solutions, or anything else of the sort. I am referring to your perception of reality.
I would regularly sneak out of the Orphanage at night and get the layout of Canterlot fully in my memory. I knew every single nook and cranny in the entire city before you were born. Nobody was to guide me, as I had no parents. Nobody would come and even glance at me with the faintest bit of interest in adopting me. You know what? I'm glad they never did. No matter how bad things were or could ever be, I knew that within my heart that I would see myself through.
The years passed. Most of the foals alongside me had been adopted. I had made a few friends but seldomly would they remain at my side for long. Most of them had gotten their cutie marks, but despite being a few years older than they were, I hadn't gotten mine. I was teased a lot for it. Even the caretakers would poke fun at me for not having my cutie mark.
One day I had enough. I packed my things and left. I knew of Canterlot, but what was beyond? I walked all the way out of the city and for days I walked aimlessly. I didn't know where I was going, really. But soon enough I came across a field of flowers directly across from Ponyville. Magnolia flowers, exactly. Their smell was so sweet and the sky was so blue, for once I actually felt at ease and at peace. I realized that this feeling...I could make it last a lifetime or do my damn best and die trying.
I declared from that point onward that I would be free. I would be free from whatever bullshit the world could throw at me, and nobody would stand in my way to realizing my own independence. That is when I got my cutie mark, and although still to this day, I have no idea what it actually is, I know what it means to me. Perhaps you can help me with that.
I struggled on my own for the longest time. I had to learn to gather food and do various lines of work for other ponies who needed it. I've worked on farms, mines, you name it. I was never particularly skilled in anything, really. I was good with my hooves and getting physical labor done. Something unicorns often never do, but I always did. I was always an outlier in whatever I did.
Eventually I worked up enough to travel across the world and see various sites on my own independently. I honed my skills in outdoorsmanship, navigation, camping, logging, and the like. While I held various positions in lines of work throughout the years, I never stuck around for long. I was even offered some high positions given my qualifications, but that wasn't something I wanted to hold myself to. Obligations to me are a form of slavery. I am not the dog. I am the wolf.
Now, in my late 20's I had gained a newfound desire - Magic. By that time my only skills with magic were ones that I would combine with physical labor. Such as lifting heavy objects, moving carts, cutting wood with multiple saws? at once, that sort of thing. I realized I wanted to do something to further my independence.
You see Twilight, your school of magic restricted you from many types of magic. What do I practice for the most part? Shadow Magic. It isn't Dark Magic of any kind and that's the misconception. What matters though, is that I was able to get my hooves on some Dark Magic texts by...acquiring them through various means.
Once I acquired them I began to study in depth. Read intently. I was an avid reader to pass the time, so I was able to delve into the details with ease and enrich myself with the details. See, I know it runs in the family. I've seen your library. Maybe I've already been there myself?
Once I had fully mastered Shadow Magic, I set out into the Appleoosan Mountains. I prefer a nomadic lifestyle, as it makes it hard to keep all your items with you. So I decided to settle down in one of the caves in the mountains. Using my magic, I was able to furnish the cave into my home. I built my own library, along with other various things you normally wouldn't find in a cave.
Where am I getting at with all of this? If you couldn't tell already, I've done this all on my own. I thrived within harsh conditions that many, such as yourself have shied away from all of your life. This is how I've learned. Adversity is a character building exercise and yet so many turn away from it. Those that do are weak, frail, and hollow. They are sheep. No wonder why they get hunted by the wolf so much?
I know you have friends, Twilight. That's great. But what about you? What do you pursue? What do you stand for? These are questions you probably haven't answered yet. You should take time for yourself and think. On top of that, I'd like you to go to our parents for me. Ask about what happened with me. Ask why they left me, abandoned?
I'm coming, Twilight. I'll be in Ponyville in the next few days, so that gives you plenty of time to consider what I have asked of you. Think of it as your...homework. You better be there or I am going to find you. After all, when the wolf is after it's prey, it won't relent until it gets what it wants. I want us to meet in person. We have a lot more discuss...
Yours Decadently,
- Moonlight "Magnolia" Sparkle.
It had been exhausting to write that much on the paper. It had to be done, though. I would soon complete an overview of what I had written. I smirked under my breathe at some of the things I had said. I folded the letter into the envelope and filled out the address information. With a stamp being placed on the upper right, the envelope was complete.
I walked to the post office and proceeded through the various details. The letter was now out of my hands and now it belonged to fate. I was confident and self assured in what I had written.
Would fate deliver?