In an Alternate Reality, Luna rules Equestria alone. The only surviving Alicorn in the Discordian Conflict 10,000 years ago, in which both Celestia and Discord were erased from history. Nightmare moon never happened. There is no mane 6, there are no elements of Harmony. The Changelings are extinct, Sombra destroyed, and the sun never shines. What even is a sun? The inhabitants have never heard of such a thing. Luna has never forgotten and now she endeavors to teach the future ruler of Equestria what exactly perfect harmony costs.
Chapters (11)
So is this the Twilight we all know and love? Very different circumstances obviously, but this does sound like her. And I'm guessing that Princess Glimmer is Starlight.
All I got really. Love where this is going.
10873091
I'm afraid Twilight Sparkle the actual character never happened. Nightlight and Velvet never met at Celestia's university because Celestia never opened the "School for gifted Unicorns".
This Twilight is Luna's flesh and blood daughter who was named Twilight as a reminder of her sister. Full name is Twilight Celestial Solstice. And because cadence never became an alicorn by way of Celestia, a new ruler was chosen for the crystal empire. Because Celestia never opened the school, Sunburst and Glimmy were never separated and both went to university, with Glimmer earning top marks in magical studies. As a result, she was able to rebuild the crystal empire and was elevated to alicorn by luna. And don't worry a mini-series is already planned for short stories delving into individual character's lives and the reasons for which they have their positions. Examples are shimmer, glimmer, and others.
This alt-universe is one I have been planning for years and it hinges on "The want of a nail". I do hope you'll stick around, thank you for the support
Advisor Shimmer and Princess Glimmer eh?
I read your comment about Starlight (and this Twilight) but it sounds like Sunset might've been a student of Luna, but didn't ascend and got the next best thing, being Luna's personal advisor.
I"d be happy to read mor about her and Starlight.
10873254
You got it exactly. Shimmer never grew jealous of Celestia. And because of that, she threw herself into her studies with real vigor. Princess Luna took notice and took her under her...one wing. As she went through her apprenticeship, she came to realize being a ruler was less about being in power and more about doing what's best for the populace. As her maturity reached it's peak she chose to assist Luna instead of seek her throne; opting instead to be a mentor towards her kid and provide advice for Luna, earning the greatest respect from the Princess.
10873247
I got that Twilight as we know and love her doesn't exist. I'm just wondering if this version of her looks like the canon character (she does in my mind for some reason. But that's could just be me :) Or it's just her name that is the same, and the rest is new.
10873281
Oh. Well, she is a unicorn and is fascinated by books as well. Her fur is Navy blue with midnight blue "socks" about her hooves. She possesses midnight blue freckles on her cheeks with eyes of seafoam green irises. Her cutie mark has a semblance of the shine of the north star, while her mane and tail are reflections of her mother's but being too young to properly possess the actual night sky, are a translucent midnight blue with faint glints and twinkles of the night stars.
I hope that helps~
10873260
I just realized, because no one but Luna knows what a sun is, Shimmer would have a different first name, (yet maybe still have the yin-yang sun cutie mark?)
10873296
Time will tell. A mini-series is already planned for short stories delving into individual character's lives and the reasons for which they have their positions. Examples are shimmer, glimmer, and others. For now, this answer will have to wait.
10873306
Indeed. In any case, interesting start! I'll definitely be watching this!
10873319
<3
Or, if that doesn't work, give him a death by a thousand horn pokes!
Jokes aside, love the alternate universe so much~ Without Celestia and Discord, so many will change, and yet this story still feels kinda familiar with the canon universe. I wanna see more :3
10876743
<3
Doug, you... you cliffhanging... horse. It was getting good!
I did not expect Shimmer to have that much depth. Definitely comes off as a mare that's wise, caring, even motherly, but mysterious. Maybe since everything is about the night, it'll be some kind of theme? I do like how she and Twilight discussed the history of Celesia and whether Luna is a reliable source, since I've been looking into history a bit too, and knows a little bit about how someone researches history.
Oh, and since you talked about making a story about the life in this universe, I kinda dig how Twilight is fully raised by royalty. Hoping to see the mare known as 'Glimmer' soon
I'll let you off with the cliffhanger this time
. Royal Advisor Moonglow Shimmer's debut made me picture a kind mare that soothes me down like staring into the night sky with stars~ Would love to see her more 
10879433
<3, you are the reason I do those cliffhangers hun. Just for your reaction.
Jokes aside, this tale is far from done. This universe is vast...consider this tale an introduction to some of the heavyweights; each to have their own tale in this universe, no spoilers but I can say you'll love it.
Ooh, I like this version of Shimmer, like a night-themed Sunset Shimmer. And I guess that answers my previous question
And I just love how smug Celestia is, yet not arrogantly so. Just a sweet, confident mare who wants to play fair yet not be underestimated.
It's sweet yet tragic that Luna misses her so much.
10879835
<3, if you enjoy shimmer you'll love what i've done with glimmer.
10879978
Indeed, I see she didn't get a name change, but we'll see about her look.
I would imagine the equivalent of Sunburst has a different name and look as well, much like Shimmer.
10880592
I love how in touch you are with this work. You got it 100%, keep in mind no sun, means no bright and vibrant colors. Though I do think Starlight's character will still surprise you, not just in look.
10880715
Well, as you said, if you keep in mind that there's no sun, everything solar-related (or lack thereof) falls into place.
Say there's a pegasus in the main timeline called Sunny Skies, they're gone or fly under a different name. (Granted, I've seen on some fanfics that name is Celestia's disguise's alias)
10880730
The only canon Sunny Skies I know is from Rainbow Roadtrip and is a Unicorn Stallion with sky blue fur. Do you have a reference?
For more reference; a lot of characters have either changed or simply never existed. For example: Shining Armor was never born because velvet never met nightlight at Celestia's school of gifted Unicorns. Likewise Cadence never was born as she was Celestia's niece canon but Celestia never existed in this one, so her mother likely never existed as well.
Fluttershy never fell from Cloudsdale, Rainbow Dash never performed the sonic Rainboom because no wonderbolts as established by celestia.
these are just a few examples, though there will be plenty of cameos throughout the series, many will just not be mentioned, only those that have an impact.
10880733
Oh right, I forgot about him.
I was just speaking hypothetically about the pegasus 'cause, you know, weather related name.
(And the fanfics I read with Celestia using "Sunny Skies" as an alias would've been written before Rainbow Roadtrip.)
10880739
Many names have changed but some haven't, just the origin and look of well-known characters, I tried to factor in that even though the exact character we know and love may not be born, a version of them can still exist just in completely different circumstances. So shining may not exist as you know him, but technically he does exist as an entirely new version, slight tweaks to coloring or powers will be very common.
I do hope you enjoy what I have planned. Equestria was never quite depicted like this, from what my test readers have told me when I pitched the idea on Discord. Familiar and yet, not at all.
10880744
Well I'm definitely interested in reading more!
What about Cadence?
10884162
I've already answered this question.
a lot of characters have either changed or simply never existed. For example: Shining Armor was never born because velvet never met nightlight at Celestia's school of gifted Unicorns. Likewise Cadence never was born as she was Celestia's niece canon but Celestia never existed in this one, so her mother likely never existed as well.
Fluttershy never fell from Cloudsdale, Rainbow Dash never performed the sonic Rainboom because no wonderbolts as established by celestia.
these are just a few examples, though there will be plenty of cameos throughout the series, many will just not be mentioned, only those that have an impact.
D'aww! Sister bonding time!
"Little Starry" would imply Moonglow is older than Starlight, and by a significant amount it seems.
And yeesh, even in an alternate timeline the Apples and the Pears are still fighting. Some things never change
10884311
Well if you recall, in Canon Celestia gave the apples the land for sweet Apple acres. That never happened, so instead of settling down, they continued to hunt for the land of their own that they could use and it seems they wandered just far enough to find the crystal empire. Likewise, brightmac and pearbutter never happened, so aj ab and bigmac were never born. The feud was never settled.
Moonglow is many times over Starlight's elder, with only Princess Luna being older.
Under no circumstances, do not click any shady links, my dear readers. I will continue to delete them as bots post them.
10884512
Not that you have to spoil it (and please don't take this literally), but I can't wait to find out just how Moonglow, a mere unicorn (albeit a powerful and knowledgeable one) is older than a couple of alicorns.
10884584
<3 no major spoilers have been given.I promise. Nothing that can't be figured out from established chapters has been revealed. As for her age? That will only be answered in her story later on. The hints, however, are there for you to piece together in the meantime.
Oh, this keeps getting better! Moonglow is a wendigo (turned pony, I guess?) Would certainly explain her age.
10915407
Glad you are enjoying it. Wendigos are good at illusions as well as other ancient magics. More to be revealed soon, I hope you stick around~
10915433
Ah that explains it. Indeed, I shall!
Woah
10942526
I take it, you are intrigued?
10942528
Indeed, once again, that was unexpected.
Yeah I figured there was some magic going on to conceive Luna's children (or at least one of them). Though, I guess they couldn't pull that trick a second time.
Good questions! Is she a reincarnation? She doesn't seem to have Celestia's memories.
continue please
11011214
Funny you should say that... Part one of the final two chapters is up, Enjoy!
And now is the actual long wait
im going to punch myself if you actually sent the new chapter in a week no more
im still waiting for a new chapter im preety sure you said after this is the final one
11074809
I very much appreciate that, yes it will be the final chapter, and unfortunately my mind is still working through how best to convey its message. I appreciate the patience and I ask that you wait just a little longer.
11074827
alright then im gonna go read some depressing luna content