1.
The night is cold. Equestria is at peace. The guardsponies who stand on the parapets are, essentially, a relic of older times. Where once stood dozens of stallions now stands but one. At the moment, his name is Bronze Plate: a shy guardspony, ill suited to real combat. It is fortuitous, then, that no nation seeks to destroy Equestria; at least, not at the moment.
As Bronze Plate shivers in the darkness, a pony approaches him. When he notices it, he jumps back a full body's-length, then stammers his script: "Halt! Who goes there?"
"It's me, Bronze. Rivet."
"Oh, thank the Sun! I was wondering when you'd show up."
"I'm actually early. Were you really that bored?"
"No!" shouts Bronze, a bit too loudly. "It's just... it's really cold out here."
"So? You're a pegasus, aren't you? I thought you didn't feel cold."
It's not that. I felt a cold blast of wind, and you know what that means..."
"The Ghost?" Rivet laughs. "Tell me you don't believe that ridiculous rumor."
"Hey! The Ghost is real! Blue says he knows a guy who knows a guy..."
"The Ghost is just a myth to scare new recruits!"
As they argue, they catch the attention of Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guard, who is out performing his late-night rounds. He hurries across the walls, afraid there may be an issue. Rivet sees his arrival, beginning his salute as Shining Armor nears. "Captain Armor, sir!" he calls out. Bronze turns to look, quickly standing to attention as well.
"At ease," Captain Armor says. "What's going on?"
"I-I was just leaving," Bronze Plate says.
"We were arguing about the Ghost, sir," Rivet adds with an eye roll.
"Private Plate. You know there is no Ghost, correct?"
"Y-yes, of course, sir." There is no conviction in his voice. "Dismissed, sir?"
"Dismissed," says the captain, and Bronze Plate flees.
There is a quiet moment between them, then Rivet says with a sigh, "Truth be told, sir, I was merely trying to ease Private Plate's mind. I'm not so sure the Ghost isn't real, myself."
"My sister has read every book on monsters and creatures," says Shining Armor, "and not a mention of ghosts anywhere."
"From what I've heard, it's not just any ghost..." Rivet gulps, his mouth dry. "It's the Night Mare."
"The Night Mare?" Shining Armor groans. "The old spook to scare fillies and colts on Night Mare Night?"
"The same!" Rivet's eyes grow wide, and he waves his hooves wildly. "With sharp, great fangs, and dragon eyes, and her helmet of blackest night!" At Shining Armor's look, he hastens to add, "At any rate, that's what I've heard."
Shining Armor shakes his head. "Lieutenant Rivet, I've walked these walls plenty of times. There is no Night Mare Moon, and there is no Ghost!"
As he says this, a sudden thunderclap bursts through the night. Both ponies jump, and Rivet begins to look about fearfully. "What was that?"
"I'm sure it was nothing. Some pegasus playing a prank on the skeleton crew, I'm sure," replies Shining Armor.
"D-d-d-don't be so s-s-sure," says Rivet. His teeth chattering, he points behind his captain's head. He turns and looks, and in that instant his worst fears are confirmed. There is a Ghost, and it stands -- or floats -- right by them!
"It can't be!" cries Captain Armor.
"What should we do, sir?" asks Rivet.
Shining Armor musters up his courage, then calls out, "Who are you, and what do you want?"
There is no response. He tries again, "I am Shining Armor, Her Majesty's Second-in-Command. What do you want with Canterlot?"
Rivet, sufficiently anxious, panics and fires a magical spell at the Ghost. The bolt passes through without an effect. The Ghost begins to whisper something, but it is lost to the pounding wind.
Shining has finally, truly become afraid. He shouts, "Just... just leave us alone, Ghost! Don't make me call Celestia!" He realizes as he says this how foolish it sounds, but surprisingly, it has an effect. The Ghost scowls, then begins to fly dark circles around the two frightened ponies. It continues its whispering, and this time, they hear its words.
To their relief, the sun begins to rise. The Ghost hisses, then vanishes into the sunlight. The two ponies stand still, looking at each other as if to confirm that both had seen the truth. Rivet says it first, haltingly. "The Ghost is real."
"It is," says the captain.
"Did you hear what it said?"
"Two words. Just two words."
"But what do they mean?"
"'The Sister.' 'The Sister.'"
2.
At the hooves of Celestia, Twilight learns. Every day after lunch, she is excused from class for a special lesson with the Princess. Twilight's condition demands that she learn control and release, lest her magic become monstrously wild again. It is during one of these lessons that an interruption comes.
Celestia responds, her voice like silk, "I am terribly sorry, but Court is not in session."
"But you asked me to come, Aunty!"
"Ah, of course, Mi Amore. Please, come in."
Both Celestia and Twilight recognize the voice: it is Cadance, Celestia's adopted niece and Twilight's previous foalsitter. Even now, they maintain a close friendship despite their ages.
Cadance asks of her aunt, "What did you need, Aunt Celestia?"
Celestia smiles, but it is not one of happy news. "I have an important mission for you. I'll need you to act as ambassador for a few weeks. The griffins wish to reevaluate our treaty."
"A few weeks? But Aunty, Shining and I--"
"Must be apart for a while." Celestia shakes her head. "I know how true love can be."
"And little Twily too..." She turns to Twilight, her face revealing every emotion.
"Do you really have to go?" says Twilight. Her eyes begin to glisten with tears.
"If the Princess says so, then yeah, I do," she replies. She sees Twilight's downcast face and adds, "Try not to go to pieces without me, all right?"
"All right," says Twilight. She sniffles, just once, before giving Cadance a hug.
"I'll need to speak with you later to ready you for your mission," Celestia continues.
"Then why did you call me now when you could have just called me then?" Cadance asks.
"To say goodbye to Twilight, of course."
Cadance smiles. "Thank you, Aunty. You always know the right tricks."
Celestia nods her head, almost imperceptibly. "Thank you, Cadenza. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a lesson to finish."
"Of course, Aunty." She bows, then leaves the room.
Celestia turns to her faithful student. "Now, where were we?"
"Hypnopompic magical emanations?" Twilight recites without a stutter.
"I believe I had just finished that. What's next?"
"Nothing, Princess. That's the last thing for today."
"Then I believe you may take the rest of our time together to do what you like."
Twilight grins widely, throwing herself into a big hug. "Thank you so much!"
"It's nothing, my faithful student."
Nestled close to the Princess, Twilight murmurs, "I love you."
Celestia's smile fades. She knows full well exactly what Twilight means. A thousand second-guesses and regrets fly through her mind before she carefully pushes Twilight away. "Twilight," she says slowly, gingerly, "I appreciate the sentiment. Please don't ever say that again."
Completely nonplussed, Twilight has nothing to say. It is another knock at the door that saves them. Celestia calls out, "Who is it?"
"Captain Armor, Your Highness, with an urgent report."
"Please come in, Captain." Celestia opens the door, and Shining Armor rushes in.
"Twilight!" he says, stopping himself. "I forgot you had lessons right now."
"It's all right, BBBFF. We just finished."
"Your report, Captain?" Celestia asks casually.
Shining Armor blushes, then stands to attention. "Last night, at 0530 hours, Lieutenant Rivet and I observed a... phenomenon. Since then, I have been interviewing the other guardsponies in order to obtain more information about said phenomenon. From what I've gathered, the evidence is, well, insurmountable." He pauses, then says quickly, "Your Highness, there's a ghost on the east parapet."
Celestia almost laughs, but the serious face on Shining Armor demands a response. "Very well. What did you find out?"
"Over 31 ponies report seeing misty, terrifying images in that area. Of them, 26 were able to positively identify the Ghost as Night Mare Moon. Only Rivet and I heard it speak." He turns to Twilight. "I think it wants to talk to you, Twily."
"Absolutely not." Celestia stamps her hoof. "We cannot put her in danger."
"But Princess," says Twilight, "what if it needs me to go home?"
"I don't want to risk it. Twilight, promise me you won't speak to this 'Ghost.'"
"...No. You said you don't love me!" With that, Twilight runs from the throne room, crying helplessly.
Shining Armor's stare could cut through metal. "Permission to speak freely, Your Majesty?"
"I said nothing of the sort, Shining Armor." Her composure melts to a soft frown. "She has begun to take to me like a newborn duck. I am not her mother, and I do not want her to think of me as such. I... tried to let her down gently."
"I understand, Your Majesty." Shining Armor breaks out in a goofy smile. "In fact, I remember when I, too, was enamoured with you." He pauses in thought. "Though not in quite the same way."
Celestia laughs, then says, "Dismissed, Captain." As he leaves, she suddenly recalls something. "Oh, Captain?"
"Yes, Your Majesty?" he says, stopping at the door.
"What was it the Ghost said that made you so sure it needed to talk to Twilight?"
He thinks for a moment, then shudders. "It flew right up to my ear and spoke to me. '...Sister. The Sister.'"
"...Thank you. Dismissed." Once Captain Armor has left the room, she sighs. "Luna... so it is you. What are you doing?"
3.
Cadance returns to the throne room later in the evening. Celestia is there, now with Spike, who has grown up quite a bit in the last few years. As Cadance enters, Celestia smiles. "Good evening, Cadenza," she says. "Are you prepared for your trip?"
"Yes, Aunty," Cadance replies. "I said my goodbyes to Shining Armor and packed my things. I hope it won't be long."
"As it turns out, the griffins sent me a letter not long after you left. It seems they'll only need you for a week or so."
"That's good news," says Cadance. "I'd hate to stay any longer than I absolutely have to."
"Now you know all the proper decorum in the Griffin chief's company, yes?"
"Of course I do," Cadance replies. "That's basically my job at this point."
"Remember, griffins eat meat, so don't be offended if they offer you some. Politely but firmly refuse."
"I know, Aunty."
"And don't bow until the Chief does, but make sure you bow lower than him."
"Of course, Aunty."
"And his title is either 'Chief,' 'Warlord,' or 'Mighty One.' Don't ever call him 'Prince' or 'sir.'"
"Yes, Aunty!" Cadance cries out. "I know! I've covered this front and back a dozen times! I did perfectly fine on the last five missions you sent me on, and I'll be fine for the next five, too!"
"I'm sorry, Cadenza. I know you will be. It just puts me at ease to know you understand."
"Are you going to have to remind Twilight every time you send her off on princess missions?" Cadance says with a smirk.
"Twilight..." Celestia murmurs. She no longer seems to be looking at Cadance, but at the door or beyond, out of focus.
"Is something the matter?" Cadance asks.
Celestia regains her thoughts. "Not at all. I'm sure it will be resolved when you get back."
It is here that Spike decides to speak up for the first time. "But you were just telling me that Twilight resents you because you won't be her mother!"
Cadance seems shocked. "Is this true?"
Celestia sighs. "Yes, it is. I didn't want you to be worried about it. As I said, I'm sure it will all be better when you come back."
"Well, maybe I shouldn't go..."
"That would be a great dishonor to the Griffin chief, Cadenza." Celestia softens. "I know you're worried. I promise, she'll be right as rain before you get back."
"I don't know..." Cadance turns worriedly back and forth between door and aunt.
"Cadance." Celestia's tone is firm, though it loses none of its regal control. "Please."
Cadance stands to attention. "As you wish." She bows stiffly and leaves.
With this issue gone, Celestia turns to her dragon charge. Spike grins, knowing full well he's in hot water. "Oops?"
Celestia merely asks him, "Tell me about what Twilight does with her friends."
"Err... On Tuesdays and Thursdays, she hangs out with Cadance, and Shining Armor likes to take her out to--"
"Other than those two, Spike."
"She doesn't have any other friends, Princess," Spike says. "She says it's not worth the effort."
"Ah. That explains it, then."
"R-really?"
"Of course. She simply needs other ponies to interact with. Right now, I'm the only pony she interacts with that she hasn't known since childhood."
"Then what do you suggest we do?"
"There must be someone she would spend time with." Celestia thinks for a moment. "What about the Heartstrings girl?"
"Lyra? Well, they had a project together a couple of years ago. So I guess they did interact at one point..."
"She'll do. Spike, do you think you could arrange a meeting between her and Twilight?"
"You can count on me!" Spike salutes, and Celestia laughs at his silly gesture. But she quickly sobers up.
"...Spike. Do you think Twilight will be okay?"
"Of course she will, Princess! I'm sure she's just confused. She'll figure everything out soon."
"I just can't shake the feeling that she'll make a grave mistake before then..."
4.
In the dead of night, Shining Armor carefully helps his sister up the stairs to the outer walls of Canterlot. The night is particularly windy, whipping their manes ceaselessly. Twilight's scarf threatens to come off, but she magicks it tighter.
Shining Armor tries to break the heavy mood. "Now Twilight. I know you're terrified of Night Mare Moon. I'll be right here if you get scared," he jokes.
"I'm not afraid!" Twilight replies.
"Oh really? 'Cuz I remember that one year when Mom dressed up as her, and you wouldn't come out from under the covers!"
"I was 6!" she shouts.
Shining Armor laughs. "I know, Twily. Just messing around. What's in the saddlebags?"
Twilight opens her bags and riffles through them. "I brought all the ghostbusting essentials! This is a flashlight set to shine sunlight; this is a piece of silver shaped like the sun; I didn't know what a proton pack was, so I brought my chemistry set; this is water blessed by Princess Celestia--"
"Celestia doesn't bless water anymore, does she?"
"Well, no..." Twilight blushes. "I took this from the pool Celestia walks by. That should work, right?"
"Go on." Shining Armor smiles at his sister's continued overpreparedness.
"Here's some salt, to keep it away from us, and a clove of garlic--"
"That's vampires!"
"Shut up!" Twilight pouts.
"Don't worry, Twily," Shining Armor remarks. "So far, the Ghost has been harmless. And if anything goes wrong, I'll be here to help, right?"
"I've got to do this alone, BBBFF. Celestia's counting on me, and if I do this, maybe she'll love me!"
"But Celestia already... ugh, nevermind." Shining realizes that Twilight will never figure it out from another person. But Twilight is not one to hold a grudge; she will forget soon enough, and she and the Princess will be on good terms again. At least, that's what Shining Armor hopes.
The night darkens, and the weather worsens. Twilight dutifully jots it down in her Scientist's Notebook (more of a diary, really). As Shining Armor predicted, she has forgotten her previous grievances for the moment. In the face of scientific discovery, she has her childlike joy back. Shining can hear her muttering, something along the lines of, "... though Phantomus, uh, Ghostius has yet to appear, it has already..."
He lets her playact a paranormal investigator for a few minutes. He, however, is constantly on guard. They arrive by the outpost of Summerset, a stern pegasus knight. He salutes his Captain, but notices Twilight. "Captain Armor," he asks, "is that your sister?"
"Just out for a stroll with my LSBFF," says Shining Armor.
"LSBFF?"
"It's... you know what, forget it."
"I'm under orders from Celestia not to let her up here," Summerset says.
"Don't worry, we won't be up here long."
"I don't care how long you're up here, I'm telling you...!"
As the two argue, Twilight turns towards one of the walls, eagerly watching as the clouds coalesce. There before her is the image of Night Mare Moon. Twilight's body is stone-still, but her pen continues to write her thoughts:
At last, P. Ghostius has appeared. It seemed like such a mysterious, impossible presence before. I had maintained skepticism at first, but now... Now I know there is more on this planet than I could have ever imagined!
The Ghost nears Twilight. It smiles, baring its fangs, and whispers: "Come."
It floats away from the wall, and Twilight takes a single step forward. Summerset looks her way for the first time, and he just about loses it. "Miss Sparkle, step away from the wall, now!"
Shining Armor turns as well, and his eyes widen. "Twily! What are you doing?"
She looks back, but she smiles. "Trust me. I'll be okay." With that, she takes another step and falls from the wall. Both Shining and Summerset run to catch her, but she has mysteriously vanished.
Shining looks down, worried. "What in Equestria is going on here?"
"I don't know, sir," Summerset replies. "She's gone!"
"There's something wrong about this whole thing, I just know it," Shining Armor says.
"I am so getting fired," Summerset replies.
5.
Twilight lands with a soft thump in a grassy meadow. She had expected to land on the other side of the wall, all drab and dark as the grounds inside, but instead, she finds the field awash in silver. The flowers and trees glow with fairy light, and the air is speckled with motes of amber light. It is like a dream come true.
Twilight walks amid this ethereal wonderland for a moment or two. The path she is following ends, and Night Mare Moon is standing there, looking at her. There is no malice in its gaze; rather, it looks at her almost tenderly. Twilight is confused at first, but it is the Night Mare who breaks the silence. "Come closer, my dear," it coos.
"Not until you tell me what you want," Twilight replies, wary.
"Is it this form? I apologize. I've been forced to wear this for so long, I forget at times that it is not who I am." The Night Mare stoops down, head low, before her body turns a soft white and shrinks. When the light fades, she is a pale blue alicorn, not much taller than Twilight, and she looks sad, contrite.
Twilight is surprised at first, but she is aware this could be a trick. "You still haven't told me why you brought me here," she says.
"Patience, Twilight. Should you not first ask who I truly am?"
Twilight sighs. "All right then. Who are you?"
"I am the Mistress of Night. I am she who moves the moon and governs the stars. I am the rose of dusk and the blossom of dawn. I am death and rebirth, waxing and waning." She pulls herself up to her fullest height. "I am Selene, and I am the true Queen of Equestria."
Twilight's mouth falls agape. Her thoughts whir in hyperdrive, unable to process this. The only thing she can think to say in response is, "But Equestria's never had a Queen. Only a Princess."
Selene frowns. "Ah, yes. We must talk about her." Selene's magic sparks, and flames begin to dance around the clearing. "The Pretender. The Hateful Eclipse. The Blinding Light. Celestia." She composes herself, and the flames disappear. "I know what many think of her, including you, Twilight, but she is not who she seems. She is a perfect liar, a mare of one thousand faces, and she is not the rightful ruler of Equestria."
"I... I don't understand. How could this be?"
"I'm very sorry, my dear. I know you are confused. Celestia is wily; she had my name erased from every document to keep ponies from remembering me. This will take much explanation, much re-learning for you to understand. I will need to fill in all of the gaps where my presence is lost. Listen well, Twilight Sparkle. This is the truth.
"A long time ago, the three Founders came together and discovered the Fire of Friendship, but they were lost, uncertain. They needed a leader, so I came to them. I guided them with my glorious moon. Even by night, it was beautiful as this sun. I saved them from those who would threaten them. I turned Discord to stone. I tore Lord Sombra from his physical form. But as the years went by and my people lived in an epoch of prosperity, there was one pony who grew jealous of my people's love."
"Celestia," Twilight breathes.
"Precisely. She was called something else before, but such details are unimportant. She aspired to usurp me, so she snuck into the castle one night while my servants rested. She carried with her a bright purple gem, extremely rare, which could drain magical power."
Twilight's eyes light up. "I think I've seen that gem! It's in her... her..."
"Peytral, yes." Selene smiles, but quickly returns to the story. "That mare used that crystal to steal my powers, and as if that were not enough, she imprisoned me in the moon which had once nourished me. And so I remain, locked away in the moon forever, while Celestia uses my power to steal the credit!"
Watching Selene rage, Twilight comes close to tears. "I'm sorry... I didn't know. I thought Celestia was a good Princess."
Selene notices that Twilight is upset, and she checks her temper. "You couldn't have known. She has fooled you all, riding on my laurels as she has. But mark my words. She will fail, sooner rather than later, and I will not be able to save you."
"What should I do?" Twilight asks.
"I am weak, trapped within the moon. Creating this image is the full extent of my current ability. I need you to free me. I do not know how, or even if it is possible. All I know is this: 'When the stars align,' I shall be free once more. If you can do this, I will defeat Celestia, regain my magic, and rule Equestria once more. For now, do what you can. I will try to keep in contact. Do you understand?"
"...Yes. I understand."
"You will serve me well, Twilight Sparkle," says Selene. "I pray for your success. I bid you goodnight."
"Goodnight," Twilight says. She closes her eyes; when she opens them, she is back atop the wall, safe and sound.
Shining Armor runs up to her and holds her close. "Twily, you're okay!" Twilight, however, is cold and does not react to her brother's embrace. He asks her, "What happened? What did the Night Mare say to you?"
Twilight looks at her brother. She no longer sees him as her BBBFF, but as a loyal agent of Celestia, the Pretender. It hurts her to say it, but she says, "I... can't tell you."
Shining Armor is confused, but he doesn't push the issue. What he does say is, "Promise me you'll tell me when you're ready?"
"I promise."
"All right then. Now let's get inside. I'm starting to catch a cold."
Both Shining Armor and Twilight return to the warmth of the castle inside. But as Summerset remains outside, he hears a sound echoing out from the distance. The sound of laughter.