In the narrow alleys of Canterlot, Twilight, a dreamy orphan, grows up hidden in the shadows of the mighty Sun Empress Celestia. Through a series of surprising events, Twilight suddenly finds herself in the role of Celestia's personal apprentice. However, with this new position also come strange dreams that haunt her at night, and the monarch's behavior towards her becomes increasingly enigmatic and atypical.
Twilight's life takes a dramatic turn when she looks behind Celestia's carefully maintained facade. While rummaging through forbidden archives, she discovers censored documents that not only reveal the truth about her past but also Celestia's secret plans for the fate of the world. Caught between loyalty to Celestia and the urge to find her own identity, Twilight must decide how far she is willing to go to uncover the truth and avert the impending doom.
Every lover of a strong and clever Twilight will get their money's worth here. There are some very dark, but also very sweet scenes.
I appreciate any help, feedback, and criticism.
Why does the cover art have a small red square in it?
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Oh, that's a null object, that shouldn't be visible at all, but only served as a help for me when creating it. Thank you for pointing it out to me, I will remove it right away.
If you need help with cover art might I suggest checking out Art For Fanfiction and their Commissions area to find artists and see styles and prices.
11015018
Thank you, did not know that there is such a group here. Then I'll look for a suitable artist and in the course of the year to update the cover art. ^^
Great beginning, hope to see next chapter. Good job
wow, i literally started crying.......
It is known when there may be an update?
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good job
Wow that was unexpected after being away for so long.
Ooo
O ooo ooooo
Live
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Glad to see you are happy
Can you at least tell us if it will have a good ending or bad one?
11836109
Where would the fun be?
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You monster!
Well written. I'm going to give this one a follow.
I guess there was a different story here. I'm confused
11836365
Same story, just rewritten a bit and one chapter taken down because it's being rewritten.
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11836128
It has neither a drama nor a tragedy tag. Assuming Bluntie did tag his story properly, that's your answer right there
Oh this is intriguing
This is interesting, I thought I came across this story in the past during late 2023 sometime during December or early 2024 during January, yet it says the chapter was released in February 2024, was it re-uploaded? I haven't bothered reading the story since I saw the prologue and was like "nope, I can sense bad stuff happening here, I'm out" but then after reading 800+ stories across the site, I became bored, and so decided to finally read this story that I came across more than around 20 times.
Also if this story has a bad ending I'm gonna be upset, it's already bad enough Twilight dies in the first chapter, and the worst bit is that it leaves off with a cliffhanger indicating that all the following chapters will be in the past instead of the present or future.
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I recently rewrote the prologue and am currently rewriting the first chapter. Yes, you're right, it continues in the past. In fact, Twilight is the protagonist of this story and the prologue is set chronologically at the end of the story (the rest of the story is chronological). The story will have other tragic and dark parts, but is overall lighter in tone. This is not a tragedy. And I promise the ending is not as dark as you might think
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Well one thing that does catch my attention however is that this story in the Allicorn section of the group "Badass Twilight = Total Domination".
I also found it in the "Allicorn Twilight" group.
With this knowledge, I'm very, VERY curious on what is going to happen throughout this story.
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Although I did change a few things after the revision. I'll have to check whether the groups and folders still apply. 
But yes, the total domination group and the alicorn group are justified.
Yes, the groups spoil the plot a little.
Twilight is going to Celestia's school for gifted unicorns, is she?
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Also does Twilight become an Alicorn before or after she dies. (Assuming she gets reserected or something after she dies from the first chapter because I highly doubt the story ends with Twilight dying, and if it does, well, that's horrible writing.)
Also how come whenever there's a story where Twilight is an orphan she gets bullied? There is one story where Celestia adopts Twilight after she took the exam and hatched the dragon and it mentions Twilight got bullied, only difference was someone was actually defending her which was one of the workers at the orphanage.
Actually now that I think about it, this might be the only other story where Twilight gets bullied at an orphanage.
Most stories doesn't go into much detail about what happened at the orphanage with Twilight.
In fact all stories actually start off with Twilight being in an orphanage for 1 chapter and than she instantly gets adopted around age 5-12.
Oh yeah, I also checked "Twilight of the Royal Family" group and the chances of Twilight getting adopted by Celestia is low, either the Author hasn't added there story to the group or it doesn't happen.
So if she does get adopted, I am absolutely unsure who it is. But I'll keep checking for hints on what the plot of this story is about.
To be honest this is kinda fun finding out what's going to happen to the story before it actually happens. Of course I'm not gonna spoil it for anyone else, unless of course people want me to. (With spoilers of course)
Oh and another thing, I'm also glad your keeping the chapters under 2000 words, makes me motivated to read more because I don't like to read stories where Twilight dies with each chapter being an infuriating 10,000 words each. It's also the reason why im trying to figure out if Twilight does become an Alicorn and if Twilight does in fact gets revived because Twilight is my favorite fictional character not just from the show but from the entire Internet therefore I don't like knowing that Twilight is going to die to begin with.
Also great chapter.
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Yes Twilight is on her way to Celestia's school... I don't think I'm spoiling anything for anyone by admitting this now.
Whether Twilight becomes an alicorn before or after her death you'll probably only see in the course of the story. I'm already annoyed that everyone knows she's going to be an alicorn because I put the story in the group...
You have to let me make a few revelations.
I must briefly mention that the orphanage and Silver play a role in more than just the first chapter.
I won't tell you yet whether Twilight will be adopted and by whom.
But I don't think I even knew about the "Twilight of the Royal Family" group... so...
And make up as many theories as you like. I like to do that when I read other people's stories.
And Twilight is also my favorite character. One of the reasons why I write a story with her as the main character. It can happen that the chapters get a bit longer in the future, I usually try to set the chapter boundaries sensibly so that they fit the narrative.
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Oh I'll make a ton of theories, I make theories for alot of incomplete stories like these, especially ones that are interesting.
Though I do have one quastion, does this story take place in a Alt universe or a different timeline? For example did everything from the show happen up to the point where Twilight was born? Because it mentioned Twilight was in the orphanage for 6 years and her age is 6 which either means her parents died or they abandoned her and just put her in an orphanage.
But I'm also curious if Shining Armor or Cadance exists, if they don't exist than that means this story takes place in a Alt universe.
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different universe fits better. Shining Armor and Cadance exist, but are slightly different from the ones in the show. Cadance is not an alicorn and Shining is not related to Twilight.
11876364
Hmm
Either means Shining Armor was born in a different family or Twilight's parents aren't Nightlight and Twilight Velvet which could explain why she looks different in the story cover. Although cutie mark is still the same so I'm going to guess everything at the exam plays out the same.
Wait.... Twilight dies at 18. Twilight's cutie mark is the element of magic. If she's 18 and is the element of magic and is dead than that means.... Who's going to stop Nightmare Moon? Or discord? WAIT A MINUTE! Unless they don't exist? Or maybe they don't come back at around the time they do in the show, unless Twilight wasn't born 18 years before the Summer Sun Celebration and was born before than.
Well at this point I'm never going to run out of theories, well until the story ends but I doubt that will be anytime soon. I think I just got myself more motivated to read this story!
Though I do have theories how Twilight dies in the first place and where she died, but not enough evidence to know I atleast have a 70% chance of being correct, so I won't say anything yet.
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Some of the things you mentioned in the comment are actually important details, even if I won't tell you why or which ones exactly.
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Oh I do know something else that may or may not make you just as upset as me knowing Twilight becoming an Alicorn.
I've noticed that in the "Badass Twilight = Total Domination" group, your story is under the sections "good," "pissed," and "evil". I actually just found this out after posting my last reply.
With this information I'm going to guess Twilight does not become the personal student of Celestia and if it does things are not going to be all that great.
Oh and I also saw the story under the section "Misguided/Redemption" which probably confirms some of my earlier theories I haven't said earlier but I'm still not over 70% sure.
But with this information I'm going to guess something happens later on in the story (most likely the next couple of chapters) that causes Twilight to become "evil" but eventually "good". And my theory is that it probably starts at the exam of Celestia's school for gifted unicorns, if it hasn't happened already with whatever happens in the next chapter.
To be honest I am not that excited for the next chapter, mainly because I kinda already know what's going to be happening in a bad way, probably some bullying. Hopefully the other chapters are better but if my theories are correct, well.. Twilight is going to have a horrible life, worst than her life at the orphanage.
Although I don't see why Celestia wouldn't take Twilight as her student, considering if her cutie mark is the element of magic, Celestia would be desperate getting her sister back and Twilight's cutie mark would already seal the destiny that Twilight is in fact going to be bearing the element of magic and would be the only one of 6 who could bring Luna back.
Plus if the 6 pointed starburst has the 5 white smaller stars surrounding it, that also means her destiny is with the other element bearer's.
The more I'm typing, the less I'm unsure if my theory is correct because now that I think about it there would be no absolute reason why Celestia wouldn't take Twilight as her student if her cutie mark was the element of magic.
Which would mean something doesn't happen until later on in the story.... Hmmm. Damn, now I'm confused. The only explanation I could think of is either 1.) Twilight does not get her cutie mark at the exam but later in time or 2.) Twilight does become the student of Celestia but certain events Happen in time causing her to be "evil". But I don't know how that would be possible since being the student of Princess Celestia would basically be the best thing to happen to her. Unless it's Celestia herself that's the problem...
Wait, if this story is in other groups besides groups feature Twilight, I wonder what would happen if I searched other groups that doesn't involve Twilight. More research!
(Edit: I didn't find anything) I'm starting to wish you could see every group a story is in, it would make me so happy and my life so much easier just to find out what happens in this story.
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I have to admit, the "evil" folder doesn't fit at all anymore (as I said, I've revised the story a lot). But good and pissed still fit very well.
You're right, the next chapters will be a bit darker. Chapter 3 will be a bit more exciting. Chapter 4 then becomes the entrance exam, which in this story consists of several parts.
I don't think Twilight's life will be quite as bad as you imagine, but a peaceful life looks different. You might want to read the description of the story again. I also revised and adapted it today.
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Oh...
That actually explains a lot, and now I see the first chapter in a different light. And with this information I think I might have found out where Twilight has died.
99% sure that its at Canterlot, 80% sure that its within the castle, 75% sure it's within the dungeons. And Celestia might have something to do with her death or something else entirely.
Also does these strange dreams involve Nightmares Moon since I just saw her being added to the tags?
Also is her biological mother Nightmare Moon/Luna?
Also with chapter 3 being exciting, I'm probably not gonna read chapter 2 until chapter 3 comes out. But knowing me I'm probably gonna read it anyways.
Curse my over curious brain.
Well twilight has it rough in this au, very curious about how we get from here to the prologue
Somehow I got this weird feeling that in the end either she didn't die or died but got better 🤔
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Well if you know as much as I do, you would probably think that is the case.
In fact the more I find out about this story, which groups this story is in and the sections in those groups, the more I believe this to be the case.
I'm gonna go with second option.
Also for the Author, when is next chapter? Because I'm a little worried. And considering that it was said the next chapter would be released the day after the last chapter was released, I have a lot of patience, which is good because I would probably be a little upset.
That's probably an understatement.
Any update on the next chapter?
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Everything is slightly delayed. I've been ill for a week now and haven't really gotten around to writing. The next chapter is finished, but because it is closely related to chapter 3, I really wanted to have both finished before I publish (otherwise I might change chapter 2 afterwards and that would be a shame). But don't worry, I'm sure I'll be able to finish it this week.
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Well, it all depends. If she survives then either by her own failsafe or by a quirk of being an Alicorn (e.g. in case of death, simply manifest a new body, regenerate, etc.)
11886634
Alright, also you should keep everyone updated posting blog posts, that's kinda why they are there. Lots of Authors don't and then people who have been reading the story wonder when the next chapter to the story is going to be added.
11886648
Now this one I'm completely unsure, but I would have to go with the second option slightly more as it would be more likely.
However there are other options, It could be simple resurrection. Maybe someone else saves her? Or she somehow saves herself.
Also if she did make a failsafe, I'm pretty sure that's just overkill as it would mean she just invented immortality. Not like I would be complaining.