Location: the planet Earth.
The year: 896 New Moon (1,966 by the Modern Era equestrian calendar, and 3,038 by the calendar of the 'ones lost')
Inside the halls of an information hub and research complex, ponies carried on as they always had; conversing with one another, and studying the universe around them.
Reports from their various colonies, ships, and probe's; sent their sensor readings back to the hub, for analysis and collation.
This complex, was more ornate than most facilities were across the 'empire'. This facility specifically, had the personal favor of their empress, as well as the ponies throughout the star systems. Ponies at this time, had made homes on multiple worlds over the past couple of centuries.
Many of the busts and artwork present at the complex, were made by her very hooves & horn. Creations crafted from her memory; To keep fresh in their minds what they were searching for, there.
What they were searching for was; Her Family, her old home. Her origin.
Even as she had changed due to the many events that had befallen her, she had longed to see her mother and aunt again. To know they were well... And hoping that they would forgive her transgressions as the simple minded fragment of magic & darkness that she had begun as. Also, that they would be proud of her for becoming a princess in her own rite. Her subjects; happy and flourishing.
she had worked so very hard these many centuries.....
Believing that if her family ever needed aide, she would be there for them. Where, even the incredible distance, and lack of their awareness of her existence....would not hinder her. Ponies are always there for their families and friends, and she was no exception.
For she was now the alicorn of the Night & Stars. An alicorn of rebirth and new beginnings, Of the Dark and the Light.
Long ago, she had left the moniker 'Nightmare Moon' behind, and had adopted the name New Moon. Despite her new name, she never hid her origin from her subjects. Never hid her transgressions, her sorrow, defeats, lessons, isolation, and regrets.
'The harder the lesson, the more cherished the experience gained' she always said.
After some time had passed on Earth, when the First City had become many, a pony with an exceptional talent for writing and story crafting, had novelized the tale. That tale was eventually dramatized into an eleven-part visual performance, one that the empress (princess at the time) fully endorsed. So well detailed and received it was, that it became part of the curriculum in schooling.
Bearing it all; From the falling of a princess into despair, to the introduction of the 'ones lost' and their civilization;
it was an instant timeless-classic. One which even centuries after their passing, the ponies who performed in those roles still maintain a renewing fan following due to their performances.
Nopony today doesn't know the name Calm Shade, whom portrayed Princess Luna,
Nyxe Pool, whom was the voice and personification of 'The Nightmare',
nor Steel Blade, as the voice of 'The Benefactor'.
.....