It was the morning after Shining Armor had found what he had thought was a Changeling infiltrator disguised as his younger sister wandering around Canterlot. After contacting his wife back in the Crystal Empire and learning that Twilight was still there, and no she wasn’t a changeling, and yes I am sure about that, and yes I’m sure I’m sure, and dang it Shiny why are you asking these questions, and what do you mean you don’t know if you can tell me, I’m your wife, he had brought the now very confusing matter to the attention of the Princess, who had asked Professor Spell Circle of Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns to investigate the matter. The impossible pony who both looked like and acted like his sister had been placed in a guest room in the castle and placed under heavy guard, but she was still sleeping off her depletion.
Shining was currently in another room in the castle, seated around a table with Celestia and her personal student/champion Sunset Shimmer, an orange unicorn mare with a red and yellow mane and tail and a similarly colored sun for her cutie mark, waiting for Spell Circle to arrive with her report. The room felt uncomfortably quiet to Shining Armor, and he didn’t know Sunset well enough on a personal level to feel comfortable trying to make small talk with her in front of Celestia, and making small talk with the Princess without the support of Cadence, even if she was his aunt-in-law now, filled him with existential dread.
So when the silence finally broke when Spell Circle, a unicorn mare whose dark blue coat and bright cerulean mane and tail had begun to dull with age and whose flank bore a cutie mark of a series of geometric shapes inscribed in circle symbolizing her skill at ritual magic, opened the door he couldn't help but breathe out a small sigh of release. Deific in-laws and their crazy powerful students were one thing, but reports and facts and plans he could talk about.
Spell Circle nodded at the others present as she set down the saddlebags she had been carrying by the open seat at the table and set down. She then pulled a folder stuffed with paper from her saddlebags using her magic and placed it on the table in front of her. “I apologize for my lateness, the…investigatee I guess we can call her woke up recently and I wanted to question her and learn what story she has for her appearance.”
Celestia nodded her head. “It’s perfectly all right Professor Spell Circle. I must admit to my own curiosity on what her tale could be. Would you mind sharing it with us before you begin you report?”
Spell Circle fidgeted with the folder lying in front of her before speaking, which Shining Armor found curious. His impression of the professor from the few times he had met her before was of a mare who would rather say things and deal with, or more likely just ignore, the consequences of what she said. Finally she spoke. “Well, its a bit silly. Actually its pretty much crazy. You see, she claims to have come from another world where she was your student after passing through a giant, near invisible, dome of energy which she protected herself from by throwing up as many wards as she could manage. After regaining consciousness she decided to come to Canterlot in the hopes of receiving your help in returning to her own world."
Silence filled the room for a brief moment until Sunset broke out laughing. She quickly stopped when she noticed everypony staring at her. “What? That story is insane. Who's ever heard of traveling between universes? She’s probably just a golem or a caballunculus(*) or something of that ilk. Not one with a particularly smart, or perhaps sane, creator if that's the cover story it’s set to give.”
Spell Circle harrumphed. “Well I did say it was crazy.”
Sunset snarked back. “No, that story is a lot more than crazy. Its patently insane.”
Shining Armor just groaned. He had never seen this happen before, but he had heard the tales. According to rumor(1) the two had a tendency to bicker back and forth over things they actually agreed on. The disagreements always seemed to actually be on how the other said something.
Thankfully, Celestia raised a hoof, forestalling further banter between the two. “While it is indeed an unlikely story, I know for a fact that there are ways to travel between worlds. Though I have never heard of the manner just described. Still, there are things in this world that even I do not know of. And as for the idea of her being a construct, I believe the Professor's investigation should give us some insight into that possibility. Professor, if you would be so kind as to present your report at this time?”
“Of course Princess.” Spell Circle coughed, clearing her throat before continuing. “I began my investigation by looking into the reported casting of Clover’s Zone of Truth.”
Spell Circle paused to pull out some papers from the folder lying in front of her. She glanced through them briefly before passing one to each of the other three seated ponies. Spell Circle continued, “According to those present, the mare in question cast a spell which produced a red wave of light that dispelled all illusions that it touched. Both Sergeant Spyglass and Prince Armor identified the spell as Clover’s Zone of Truth. With a special talent for uncovering the truth and extensive training in anti-illusion spells, Spyglass is uniquely well suited for identifying that spell. Prince Armor has also received extensive magical training, and it is likely that he to would know the spell if he saw it cast. Furthermore, investigations carried out on the residual thaumic signature of the spell are consistent with what one would expect from a casting of the spell in question, the copies of the results of that investigation are on the papers I just passed to you. From this evidence, I would conclude that the spell cast was indeed Clover’s Zone of Truth.”
Shining didn’t bother reading the report. He had been there when the spell was cast and he knew enough about the theory behind Clover’s Zone of Truth to be sure that it was indeed the spell that had been cast.
Celestia and Sunset, on the other hoof, hadn’t been there, and so looked over their copies of the report with great interest. After a bit, the two nodded their agreement to Spell Circle’s claim.
Seeing their agreement, Spell Circle continued. “The casting of Clover’s Zone of Truth, coupled with magical scans of the subject raise some problems with the theories of her being a construct. While the effects of the spell itself do not rule out being a construct since constructs can be crafted to look like ponies without resorting to illusion magic, the energy requirement certainly due. A golem could be built with the kind of magical reserves necessary, but she definitely is not a golem since she has fully functioning biological systems and a naturally refilling mana pool. While the lack of both could be hidden with illusions, they obviously haven't since Clover’s Zone of Truth was cast. A caballunculus is theoretically possible but the creation of such creature with the magical capabilities needed to cast Clover’s Zone of Truth is beyond even the combined resources of the whole of Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. I would venture to say that only a full blood Alicorn could succeed, and Celestia obviously didn’t make her, otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation, and Nightmare Moon had no time to engage in such an endeavor upon her return from the moon. With all the evidence against her being a construct I can’t see any alternative to her being an actual pony who somehow looks exactly like Twilight Sparkle.”
“Furthermore,” Spell Circle continued speaking as she slid another sheaf of papers from her folder, “I noticed one other thing while I was examining her. There was residue from a massive amount defensive wards and shields that matched the ones she claimed to have put up before travelling through the alleged dome. The remnants were in line with what one would expect of such wards being torn apart by overwhelming force. Given the quantity and complexity of what spells I was able to definitively confirm as being there, to say nothing of all the ones whose fragments were too decayed to be identified, I can’t think of anything that could have torn them apart so easily.” She then passed copies of her report on the spell residue around the table. “Some of the ones I was able to identify are high security clearance military grade spells.”
Shining looked over the paper with interest. He recognized most of the spells on the list, he had even invented some of them. It was certainly impressive. He didn't think that even with his talent for casting wards and shields he could have pulled of all of these. Tartarus, the only ponies he knew of who could were Celestia and Sunset Shimmer.
After giving the other three some time to review the report, Spell Circle continued. “And though I am loath to bring in such subjective things as personal opinion into the matter, she does act quite like Twilight Sparkle did when I taught her and she appeared to recognize me personally, which Prince Armor’s report also indicated. In the light of all my evidence, and the lack of any other possible theory, I am forced to side with the investigatee’s story, despite how unlikely it sounds. ”
Sunset raised an eyebrow, “You actually think that she was telling the truth about being from another world? Didn't we just discuss the fact that the very idea of that is absurd?”
Shining chuckled. “Actually only you and Spell Circle said that, and Spell Circle seems to believe it anyway. I on the other hoof didn't say anything, and Celestia mentioned that it was a possibility. I think it makes more sense than her being a caballunculus, she was too spot on to how my sister sounds and would have acted in the situation. Especially considering Spell Circle’s claim that nopony could have made one so powerful.”
“Actually no, the caballunculus still stands as a possibility.” Celestia sighed. “Sadly, there are groups in this world who could pull of such a feat. A circle of Zebra shamans with their innate talent for the required ritual magic might be able to do so, as well as some of the more powerful dragon clans, or perhaps a large enough collection of Tirek cultists. Even the changeling queen might be capable of doing so, assuming that she had enough access to enough love. Why any of those groups would want to create a caballunculus modeled after Twilight Sparkle and give it such an incredulous back-story to follow is another matter, but the point stands that it could be done. Discord of course would have both the power and the motive but he is safely sealed in his castle”
Spell Circle gasped. "Discord, as in Discord-Discord, is ACTUALLY the statue sitting in the middle of the gardens? I always thought it was a mere representation. Doesn't that seem unsafe?"
Sunset answered calmly. "Its fine. There are passive wards to prevent anyone from approaching, so he cant gain any power from a nearby localized source of chaos."
Celestia sighed again and massaged her temple with a hoof. “Anyway to get back on track, those are the only two theories that we have. The information about the ward remnants, while interesting, does not prove anything. There is, however, a way to determine the case for or against her being from another world. If she was in fact my student in her home world, than she should have access to information that I have only ever shared with ponies whom I trust beyond all others.”
Celestia rose from her seat and walked to the rooms door. After opening, she stuck her head out into the hallway and asked one of ever-present guards to fetch their guest so that they could ask her some questions. Then she closed the door at sat back down at the table. “And now we wait.”
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A few minutes later, the door creaked open and Twilight nervously shuffled inside. While they had been waiting, the rooms occupants had arranged themselves around the table so that instead of sitting in a circle they were now all in a position where they could all see the pony who was the reason for this meeting without turning their heads around. She scanned the room, looking at the four ponies waiting on her. Shining noticed that her gaze lingered on Sunset longer than the rest of them. He figured that if her claim of being from another world was true, she would never have met Sunset before now, so naturally she would be the most interesting pony in the room
“Please, take a seat.” Celestia spoke to Twilight, her tone as calm as ever.
Twilight’s gaze snapped right back to Celestia before bowed briefly and made her way to the waiting empty chair. After she had sat down she nervously asked. “You, ah, wanted to ask me some questions?”
Celestia nodded lightly in affirmation. “Indeed. Professor Spell Circle investigated your claim of being from another world, but was not able to confirm nor disprove it. Since you have claimed to be the student of your world’s version of myself, I would ask you to tell us something that you could have only learned in that position. Something that nopony in this world would have anyway of knowing if they were not in my strictest confidence.”
Twilight’s whole face lit up, completely losing its previous nervousness. Shining recognized it as the look his sister got whenever she was presented with a particularly interesting problem. “Actually, I have just the thing. I thought this might get asked, I mean, I realized that showing that I know things I otherwise couldn't would be a good way to make my case, that, umm, never mind. I guess I’m still a bit nervous. Hehe.”
Twilight took a deep breath and then continued. “I know the true identity of Nightmare Moon.” She then grinned sheepishly.
Shining raised an eyebrow. Then he looked at Celestia to gauge her reaction. Due to marrying her niece, Shining new Celestia better than many ponies would ever dream of. Though at times it terrified him, now it let him notice the carefully concealed look of shock on her face. He raised his other eyebrow. Nightmare Moon’s real identity? What could that even mean, and why did Celestia seem so surprised.
“Please, go, go on. I suppose that is long past time the rest of you knew the truth anyway.”
Before Shining could process that piece of information, Twilight continued. “Nightmare Moon is actually your sister, Princess Luna. In my world, when Nightmare Moon’s prison broke on the Summer Sun celebration and she tried to bring about eternal night, five of my friends and I found the Elements of Harmony and used them to defeat her, and in doing so freed Princess Luna.”
Shining’s mouth dropped wide open in shock. Nightmare Moon was Celestia’s sister? What the Tartarus. Princess Celestia’s sister was currently imprisoned below Canterlot and before that had been stuck in the moon for a thousand years? If this was true how was the Princess even functioning with the knowledge that her sister had tried to kill everything on the planet. If his sister had ever tried to do such a thing, well, he didn’t know what he’d do.
As he recovered enough to look at the other ponies in the room, he was relieved to notice that Spell Circle and Sunset Shimmer looked at least as surprised as her felt. As for Celestia, her face was wet with softly flowing tears.
“So your story is true. Only the elders of the thestral clans know the truth about my sister. And there is nothing on this planet that could force them to reveal their secret.”
Well wow. Shining Armor was so shocked that he couldn't even think of a good enough swear(2). And from the looks of it Spell Circle and Sunset felt the same.
Sunset was the first to recover from shock. “But Princess, why was I never told of this? I could have helped you! I could have tried to find these Elements of Harmony things!” Her voice started to become soft and sad. “I could have done something! I would have done anything! Anything to try and help you!”
Celestia smiled softly at her student, her eyes filled with both regret and thankfulness. “I know my most faithful student. I am sorry. I, I just could never bring myself to speak of the matter to anypony. I feared that if I said it out loud the pain of losing my little sister to the Nightmare would become fresh again, and I was not confident of my ability to face that pain.”
Twilight spoke softly. “If its any consolation, I didn't learn the truth until after we had freed Luna. And, um, Princess, maybe I could gather the Elements of Harmony and this worlds versions of my friends and try to use them to free your sister? I mean, I made friends with them once, surely I can do it again.”
Celestia smiled, “Thank you, I don’t think you know how much that would mean to me.” She chuckled lightly. “Well, I suppose out of anypony, you actually would know, wouldn't you.”
“I’m going with her.” The entire room turned to look at Shining. “What? Even if she is from another world, she still is my little sister. No way I’m letting her go out on some dangerous quest all on her own.”
Celestia looked at him appreciatively. “Truly you are a most loyal sibling Shining Armor, Twilight is a lucky mare to have you as a brother, that you would care for her even if she is from another world entirely. Though you may want to take at least one more pony with you. Preferably one who is already at least somewhat aware of the situation.”
Spell Circle spoke for the first time since Twilight had revealed the truth about Nightmare Moon. “Don't look at me. I am far too old to go gallivanting around on some quest. Besides, I need to get get a drink to help lubricate my brain to the fact that our Princess’s sister is the one who tried to bring about eternal night and is apparently possessed or something.”
Shining chuckled. “I’ll go and ask Lieutenant Shake Spear. He was the commanding officer of the gaurdhouse that I brought Twilight to.” He turned toward his sister. “Uh, sorry about that.”
She grinned back at him. “Don’t worry. You were just doing your job after all. I know how you can get about changelings. Well, I know how my Shining Armor can get about them, and I guess you're the same way.”
“I wish you luck Twilight and Shining Armor. And I thank you.” Celestia then turned toward Sunset. “Come my student, I believe I owe you some explanations.”
Sunset respectfully nodded, and the two walked out the door and headed down the corridor to Celestia’s private quarters.
After they had left Spell Circle shook her head wearily. “This was certainly not the way I was expecting my day to go.” She paused briefly, considering her next words. “Well, see you two latter. I’m off go deal with my confusion by getting roaring drunk.”
Before Shining could speak she cut him off with a raised hoof. “Don’t worry Prince Armor, even though she didn’t say so, I know that Celestia wants this kept quiet for now. I won't get that drunk.” She then gathered her papers into her saddle bags, put them on, and left the room, leaving Twilight and Shining Armor alone.
There was an awkward silence, until Shining worked up the nerve so speak. “Soooo, you’re an alternate version of my sister from another world. Can’t say I was ever expected that to happen.”
Twilight grinned back nervously. “I can’t say I ever expected to travel to another world and meet an alternate version of my brother.”
Shining laughed. Even if she was from another world, this Twilight had the same dry sense of humor as his actual sister. “So where are we off to anyway? The badlands? Zebrica? No, I bet its Saddle Arabia, all sorts of ancient artifacts buried in the sands there.”
“Hehe, nothing so exotic, though rather more dangerous. The Elements are in the Everfree Forest.”
“Seriously? No wonder Celestia suggested we bring along another pony.”
“Oh, its not that bad. I’ve gotten pretty good at navigating the place.” A sly grin crept onto Twilight’s face. “And besides, I know a Zebra.” With that Twilight began making her way toward the door.
Shining just followed and shook his head as he muttered to himself. “Geeze, how many times has she gone in there that she feels confident about navigating it?” Then, realizing what his sister’s last sentence had actually said, he asked aloud. “Wait, how do you know a Zebra? You've only been in this world for a couple of days! And how does that even help us?”
Twilight looked back over her flank at him and grinned. “~You’ll see!~” She singsonged back at him.
*. Caballunculus: from the ancient Aetherean(A) word for ‘little pony’. The term was originally used to describe any artificially created equine life form, the first of which were very small in size. The process was later refined to allow for artificially created full size ponies. The creation of such a creature is banned in Equestria and most other civilized countries due to the unethical requirements such as ritual sacrifice the involved rituals entail.
A. Aetherean: the ancient unicorn language from before the Endless Winter and the events of Hearth’s Warming. It alone of the three ancient Pony languages is used today, though only in the academia portions of the science and magic communities.
1. The Canterlot rumor mill is amazingly quick and even more amazingly thorough. Thanks to it, gaurdsponies often knew their orders before they had actually managed to trickle down the chain of command(B) and more than a few mares had learned of an upcoming proposal long before the event actually happened. Thankfully for Shining his father had been kind enough to warn him of this.
B. The military's attempts to use this to its advantage has sadly been in vain.
2. He was a member of the Royal Guard after all.
What! No I’m not going to say any, they are far too dirty for a story kids can read.