Of all the great architectural masterpieces that dotted the world, few compared to the beauty of the cliff-hanging palace of Canterlot. A gift to the Celestia princess ages ago by the great dragon architects of the south for conquering Nightmare Moon during the apocalyptic Long Night. It was both a sign of praise by the world’s subjects and a remembrance to grief to the Sun Goddess about losing her younger sister for a millennia. But with that time past, the burden of grief was void.
Throughout the many beautiful chambers, one of the most beautiful was the private study. A collection of books dating back to the times of the old gods of all the world’s races that were both among them today and lost to existence by the tests of time.There were whole bookcases devoted to literature covered in foreign script, as well as holy texts. Scientific and Arcane studies covered another, along with local novels and poetry. It was an extensive compilation, but not overbearing, at least for a princess with all the time in the world to pour over them.
In a room which was designed for peace and tranquility, there was only stress and worry inside the heart of the room’s single occupant. The white alicorn of radiant beauty was sitting at one of the many artistically-carved redwood desks with her head face down in a book, and her forelegs covering her eyes. Because despite the fact that today was absolutely gorgeous, Celestia’s mind was full of storm clouds that only spoke of doom.
Today, of all days, would be the day, she would tell them. At least, that’s what she told herself three months ago. Now though, she didn’t know what to make of it. The guilt laid on her like a heavy burden that would be only more painful once she decided to remove it. The question was now, how long would that pain last?
She picked her head up, only to look down at the book she had on the table. It wasn’t much of a book, really, but rather an album. And album from cover to cover focused on two fillies very dear to her heart. In it were pictures of them growing up, and newspaper headlines covering their amazing accomplishments. Every time she looked at it, it made her heart flutter with pride and joy. But soon after would always come the crushing defeat of knowing she was not there to celebrate with them.
Nor was their father...
She buried her face in the album again.
But who am I to suddenly drop on the both of them that I’ve been lying to them their whole life? She challenged herself for the eightieth time this morning.
Who am I to continue lying to them about who they really are? She argued back against her conscious. It made her think back to a time not too long ago, at least, not by her standards.
Another day of Flight School had just ended, as Celestia could tell by the ear-damaging bell. Celestia had just finished her paper work and knew that a certain little filly was getting out of school. The castle staff had just informed her that the last student was preparing to take her test. They didn't know that certain pony was somepony Celestia knew. As She proceeded to make her way to the exams to tell every student know that there will be other opportunities if they do not make it this time. she was just outside the exam tower when she heard a loud boom. 'A Sonic Rainboom, she actally did it.' Celestia thought and within a few moments of seeing the sonic rainboom she then saw flashes of light from the exam tower and a dragon's head erupt through the roof. 'I hope that's who I think it is.' she asked herself. She flies in and sees one of two fillies she knew and cared about dearly, and she went to calm the scared little pony.
She wanted to tell both of them so many years ago about the truth, but she had to keep her distance for their own good and it tore her apart. She felt there was little hope of the outcome she wanted once she told them, but they needed to know the truth, for this secret could not stay hidden from them and they would find the truth eventually. Soon she heard hoof steps coming and knew all too well of who it must be. Her sister Princess Luna, who steps through the doors and says, "Sister, it's almost time. They have had the letter sent, and should be here shortly. I apologize for my unacceptable behavior four days ago Cele."
"No little sister, you were in the right to react like that, and I know you are as eager and as nervous as I am to let them know of the truth. They can't have the secret held from them anymore and should have the decision know more then ever of what path they will choose. I pray they choose wisely," Celestia comments.
"Like I have said before big sister, if they are anything like a certain pony I know, they will make the right choice, and it may take time, just don't keep it from them, or it will only hurt them more later on," Luna informed her sister.
Celestia nodded and soon the two royal sisters made their way to the throne room to await the arrival of the two mares they needed to see.
Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash and the others were having a great time during an afternoon picnic as they talk about all that has happened since Nightmare Moon's defeat. Rarity went on about her latest fashion design, Pinkie Pie told them about a new cupcake recipe she was working on, plus some random things and Applejack told them how she was preparing for the Zap Apple harvest. Soon they heard the running footsteps of Spike approaching. "Well Spike seems to be in a mighty big hurry," Applejack said as they saw him on a hill in the distance.
"Oh, poor darling probably wanted to join us," Rarity said.
"Hehe, it's funny, but, I guess cute to watch him in a hurry," Rainbow Dash said.
"Twilight, Rainbow Dash," Spike called out.
"Huh," Twilight and Rainbow Dash said in unison.
Soon Spike reached them and was out of breath. "Calm down Spike, breath," Twilight said.
"Yeah, what's the rush kid?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I....have a.....message," he takes a big gasp, " It's for you and RD," Spike said.
He hands Twilight the message and she opens it with her magic. Just before she can read it though Pinkie Pie's entire body shakes uncontrollably. "Uh oh, looks like there's gonna be a really big doozy. I've never shaken that much before," Pinkie Pie exclaimed.
Rainbow Dash and Twilight look at each other uncertain at this. Soon Twilight starts to read, "My dearest Twilight and Rainbow Dash, I have urgent news that will affect both of you and must ask you come to the palace at once. I also must ask you come alone, for this is a private matter only meant to be discussed with the two of you. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but this is very important, I have two royal passes for the two of you to board the next train," Twilight pauses and pulls out the two passes, then continues, "which should be ready to leave in half an hour at 2:00 p.m. by the time you receive this letter. I ask that you make haste. I would have arranged for a carriage to bring you, but it would have made many of my subjects far too suspicious. I await your arrival in Canterlot. Your peaceful ruler and mentor, Princess Celestia."
"Wait, what time is it now?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Pinkie Pie held out her watch. "It is 1:40 p.m. better get going," Pinkie said
"I'm not even going to guess where she got that," Twilight said to Rainbow Dash.
"Well let’s get going Twilight," Spike added in.
"Sorry Spike, but the letter asked for Rainbow Dash and I to come alone, which I do find a tad odd, she never leaves the rest of you girls out of the loop unless it's just me," Twilight said.
"But what do I do while you're gone?" Spike asked.
"Well I was going to go gem hunting again. You're welcome to join me, little Spikey-Wikey," Rarity said in a babyish tone at the end.
Spike blushed at her nickname she gave him and said, "As long as we don't go near Diamond Dog territory again."
"Oh, I couldn't agree more," Rarity said.
"Well, we'll see the rest of you later, or we'll be late to catch our train," Twilight pointed out.
"See ya everypony," Rainbow Dash added.
Their friends wave as the two mares make for the train and head to Canterlot, trying to come up with conclusions as to why Celestia only wanted to see the two of them, but they met a dead end at every theory that seemed logical. Soon about two hours after they boarded the express train, the train comes to a halt at Canterlot Station, as the two friends get off the train they see a group of guards standing before them. "Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash?" one of the pegasus guards asked.
"Yes that's us sir," Twilight replied.
"What's going on here?" Rainbow Dash asked Twilight, who shrugs in return.
"Follow us please, we must escort you to the castle at once," the pegasus guard said in a demanding tone.
Twilight and Rainbow Dash looked at each other wondering why they were being given an escort. Soon they made their way to the throne room where they see Princess Celestia and Princess Luna waiting for them. "Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash are here to see you, as you requested, your highness," the pegasus guard said.
"Thank you Silver Sword, you and your fellow guards may leave now," Celestia replied.
"As you wish, your highness," Silver Sword said.
Soon the guards leave the room and Twilight asked, "Princess Celestia, may I ask why we were summoned? If this has something to do with the elements, I don't see why the rest of our friends did not come."
"Yeah and what was with the escorts? We never needed them before, your majesty," Rainbow Dash pointed out.
"Well, I apologize for the mystery of why I have summoned you here, and I suppose the guards were a bit much, but I needed to ensure your safety," Celestia said.
"I don't see any need of it your highness, we have made no enemies aside from ones that can't return," Twilight exclaimed.
"One can never be too careful my.... faithful student," Celestia assured her.
Twilight was a bit thrown off by the princess's pause, but then said, "I suppose not, but getting back on subject, what was the reason we have been summoned, Princess?"
"Well, I am trying to find the best way to ease into this," Celestia said.
"Sister, are you certain you can do this?" Luna asked.
"Yes, they need to know," Celestia replied.
"Know what? We don't understand," Rainbow Dash interrupted.
"Alright this should be an easy way to start it off, Rainbow Dash, do you remember when you made your Sonic Rainboom?" Celestia asked.
"Of course I do, I could never forget," Rainbow Dash replied.
"Well the same day, Twilight was taking her entrance exam to enter my school," Celestia said.
"Wait, that was the unexplained sound I heard and rainbow I saw in the sky, Rainbow Dash, I think I owe my cutie mark to you, oh, um sorry for interrupting Princess," Twilight said in apologetic tone.
"Quite alright Twilight, I was expecting that outburst, and you're only partially right Twilight," Celestia said.
"Okay, please continue Princess," Twilight replied as she wonders what Celestia says by partially right.
"Alright, now, Rainbow Dash you remember the very next day I came to congratulate you for it?" Celestia asked.
"Yes, you caught me by surprise that day, especially when you nuzzled me, Princess. I was the talk of Cloudsdale for a month or so," Rainbow Dash said.
"Alright, well Twilight do you also remember when you were able to make your first Levitation spell when lifting a very heavy object?" Celestia asked again.
"Yes, you told me how proud you were of me and you nuzzled me after I had finished the spell. It was a very touching moment," Twilight pointed out.
"Do you both also remember how often I met with each of you as the two of you grew up?" Celestia asked.
"Um, I do remember you coming to visit me often to talk, but never with Twilight, Princess," Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"I do remember you would put time aside for me while I was living in the castle, aside from the times you had to take off to Cloudsdale, but now I think I see why you went there," Twilight pointed out.
"What are you getting at with this Princess? I mean, I'm curious about why you’re bringing these memories up," Rainbow Dash said with a hurried tone.
"Well, did you ever notice that when either of you were in trouble, one would help the other out, more then you helped your other friends out?" Celestia asked.
"Come to think of it, you have gotten me out of more scrambles then I dare to count Rainbow Dash, more than anypony else done," Twilight said.
"Yeah, well now that I think about it, you did get me out of one too many sticky situations in the past, and that's more than the rest of my friends have done in the time I have been friends with them," Rainbow Dash added.
"There is a reason for all of this. Why I have spent so much time with the two of you in the past, why you both have your cutie marks, and why you both have helped each other out so much more compared to the rest of your friends," Celestia said.
"What is it Princess?" Rainbow dash asked.
"Yes, we are growing a little anxious of why we are here," Twilight added.
"I summoned you here to let you know the truth," Celestia said.
"What truth your highness?" Twilight asked with anticipation in her voice.
Celestia lowers her head and her ears fall back as she said, "Know that once I tell you, I will understand your reaction, and if you never wish to speak to me again, but I have to tell you, before more damage is done, and I'll explain why what happened, happened."
Twilight and Rainbow Dash looked at each other and felt worried at why Celestia thought they would hate her. "Princess, what have you been keeping secret that you would even think we would not talk to you?" Twilight asked.
"Yeah, I mean, after all that time your sister spent as Nightmare Moon, no offense your highness," Rainbow Dash said.
"None taken," Luna replied.
"We still forgave her and welcomed her back into Equestria, with a few bumps in the road," Rainbow Dash admitted, being as nice as she could.
"It's just so hard to admit this and has pained me for so long to keep it secret, but, the two of are...are," Celestia said, as she couldn't finish her sentence and she starts to tear up.
"We are what, your highness?" Twilight asked, really worried now.
"Well...You're my daughters..... I-I am your mother," Celestia replied with sadness in her voice.