> Sisterly Bonds Run Deep > by Night--Mist > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The Truth Comes Out > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. > The Reaction and Forgiveness > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "What!" Screamed the rainbow maned pegasus and the lavender unicorn. "Believe me when I say, I never wanted to keep this a secret from either of you," Celestia replied trying to hold back her tears. "If this is some kind of prank it's not cool Princess," Rainbow Dash yelled in anger. "Rainbow Dash I promise this is no prank," the alicorn of day states. "Why do you bring this to our attention now, why didn't you tell us before?" Celestia's prized pupil asked. "I wanted to, but it was too dangerous, please, just listen," Celestia pleaded. "I think we've both heard enough," the tomboy pegasus said. "Rainbow Dash please," the white Alicorn said. "So you just gave us away to total strangers without even telling us who we truly were when we were old enough to remember, and you didn't even keep us together at the very least?" Twilight asked. "Please just listen girls," Celestia tried to reason with them. "How could you do that to us? Were we not cool enough to hang with our own mother? Was there something wrong with us? Why would you give us away like that?" the cyan mare asked, feeling as hurt as her friend/sister. "I never wanted to, really, I would have k....",Celestia said before Twilight cut her off. "No, we've heard the last of this, and to think, Rainbow Dash and I thought we were something special, when all this time you were just covering your tracks just to make us feel like we weren't the outcasts you made us," Twilight bellowed before bursting out of the throne room. "Not cool, not cool at all," the rainbow princess said, flying off after her sister. "Girls wait!" Celestia yelled after them before the trone room door slammed shut behind the two mares. "Let them go sister, they need to sort things out, they'll come around like we did. Thou remember how we reacted when thou told us," Luna said. Celestia hung her head in defeat and said, "That was different sister, I fear they won't talk to me ever again now." "Sister if they truly choose to never talk to you again, then they do not realize what you did for them. But if they're anything like their mother we know they will wish to seek the full truth of your actions. We're sure they'll have many questions only they're mother can answer," The Princess of the night assured her elder sister. Princess Celestia felt devastated and tears rolled down her cheeks as Luna nuzzles her to comfort her. Meanwhile In the labyrinth of the Canterlot Gardens, Rainbow Dash and Twilight sat together crying and feeling their heads spin at the news they had just heard. For hours and hours they voiced the pain their new found mother had given them, feeling more betrayed then ever before. "Why, why would she do that to us? Why would she give us away and then wait sixteen years to tells us who we are? What was she expecting to gain?" Twilight asked her rainbow maned sister as she cried. "I have no clue, but that just pisses me off. If she knew she couldn't keep us, why did she bother having us? We didn't ask to be born, we just were, but did we get a say if we could stay with her, noooo, she just cast us aside. And what about our dad, I didn't hear anything about him, he probably wants nothing to do with us," Rainbow Dash stated trying to hold back her own tears. "It just doesn't make sense, I don't understand why she would just let the truth be known now instead of sooner. What was wrong with that, I mean what was wrong then that's not wrong now?" the lavender princess dictated. "I don't know, but why didn't Luna seem surprised? It's like she already knew. Was she there the whole time and just played as Nightmare Moon? Cause if that's true, that means the elements really did nothing to her, and she played us for fools as well as Celestia," Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "I thought I knew the Princess well, but it feels like I..... I don't know her at all. I trusted her, and all this time she never even let me know I was her daughter or that I had a sister, now I see why I never really connected with my parents, and my adopted brother, well, at least he gave me some joy, but," Twilight stopped mid-sentence as she fell to the ground crying into her hooves. Rainbow Dash laid down beside her and wrapped a hoof around her shoulder. "I know the feeling sis. You know now I see why I was so ready to always ready to jump into action with you, guess our sisterly bond runs deep and we didn't even know it," the cyan sister of Twilight pointed out as she started to lighten the mood. Twilight started to wipe away her tears as she replied, "Yeah, and I'm glad we found each other and many questions have been answered, but even more remain. Now that I think about it, Celestia probably had more to tell us about this, and I guess the least we can do is go back and listen, but I'm still mad at her for this. She should have told us sooner." "I know, but you're right it's the least we can do," Rainbow Dash said. "*sniff* Maybe we were a little too quick to judge, I was so hurt to hear about this, I didn't even stop to think how she felt to tell us the truth she hid for so long," Twilight said. "Mmm, maybe your right, but I may take a while to think about what she did once I hear the story, she's probably got more bad news to make us more hurt," Rainbow Dash said. "We'll just have to find out, we need to hear the whole truth, even if it hurts, we don't know the whole story yet, maybe there some light in this darkness we've found ourselves in," Twilight mentioned. Rainbow Dash shrugged and replied, "I don't know, but I'll give it a shot, for my sister at the very least." "That's the loyal Rainbow Dash I know, now let's get going and hear what she has to say," Twilight said. Soon both mares made their way back into the throne room and came before the Princesses once more. "Have you come back to say your peace and leave or to listen to my story?" Celestia asked. "We have come to listen, we still have many questions left unanswered about this new discovery of our lineage," Twilight replied "Also, we'd like to know, how long have you known about this Princess Luna?" Rainbow Dash said. "We, I mean I, forgive me, I'm still getting used to the way of talking in the modern sense, anyways I have known for only a few days, and I will admit I was rather shocked I had two nieces who saved me from my dark form and I thank you all the more for what you did for me," Luna told them as they sigh in relief they were not played as fools when defeating Nightmare Moon. "Well, your welcome, and I don't know if I'll get used to the fact were related, but we are here to hear the whole truth of what happened. We know we need to know that much," Twilight cut in. "Alright, now I understand that both of you are hurt by finding out that you are royalty, but there are reasons why I had made my decisions, and if you would just sit down and listen, I will let you why, that is all I ask, I do not seek forgiveness from you right now, but I had to let you know before more damage was done," Celestia negotiated with her daughters. Twilight and Rainbow Dash sighed, then Twilight said, "Alright, but don't be surprised if we leave after this." Celestia saw the disappointment in her daughter's eyes and knew that she felt she was not as special as she really was. "I'm truly sorry for what I did, but this is why it happened. Eighteen years, about two years before the two of you were born, I met a certain somepony, a pegasus. Your father's name was Flaming Sword. He was a brave strong pegasus and one of our best soldiers, and as you already guessed, I fell in love and started to see him more often. Many ponies found it to be romantic for us to be dating. Your father would always tell me about his adventures in the guard and made himself noticed by his superiors. He had a navy blue coat and a mane and tale, that if you were at a distance, you would swear it was on fire, but it also had a blue stripe that ran down it, so you can see where you got your pink stripe in your mane Twilight. He also was one of the fastest pegasus in all Equestria, so you got your speed from him Rainbow Dash. Now after many months of dating, I wished to be courted to him as he did to me. But the corrupt politicians at the time wanted to make sure we would not take our relationship further and wanted to make it official that a commoner, even a member of the guard, could not court nobility unless he was ranked as an officer, giving him the status of nobility. I voted against such a law, for I loved your father, but many politicians claimed heresy, and wanted to strip me of my crown. We kept meeting in secret, but knew a time would come when politicians would find out and we agreed to stop seeing each other, but not before your father told me he would help make thing right. Your father vowed one day he would be able to help regain what we had lost and went off to find whatever way he could to promote himself to officer to make it so the poloticians would not have an argument against our relationship. We agreed not to talk to each other so that the politicians would have a hard time viewing his progress, only sending letters every so often to know what was going on with one another. It wasn't until a two months after he left, I realized I was carrying the two of you. I knew it would be easy enough to hide the fact I was with foal, but I knew something had to be done to ensure your safety, even if it was something that I would never want to do. I fortunately had some staff members who would be able to keep my pregnancy a secret as well as your birth for they were true close friends. The day the two of you were born, I didn't want to give you up, for you were two of the cutest little alicorns I had laid eyes on," the Princess of day said before she was cut off. "Wow, wow, wow, wow, hold on, Alicorns?" the rainbow maned princess asked. "Um, I don't have wings and Rainbow Dash doesn't have a horn your majesty," the element bearer of magic stated. "I know, I am going to explain why that is. As I was saying, even though I did not want to give you up, I knew your lives would be endangered if I kept you with me. The politicians of the time would have claimed even further heresy if they knew and would have loved nothing more then to vote me out of the throne to take over power, as well as sentence you both to banishment from the castle for life and your titles as princesses stripped. Even though I could easily oppose them and possibly convince the other ponies at the time to not turn against me, I feared they would do anything to take you away from me if I let you stay with me. I could not let that occur and I had to make sure you stayed safe, and that meant that I would have to keep you a good distance from the castle so they would not be suspicious. One day I found a spell that would be able to suppress your magical energy, which required a great deal of magic to work and even more to undo. Another spell was found that would hide your physical identities, and was more then easy enough to cast, but once I cast the second spell though, I was met with an even greater challenge. You, Twilight, kept your horn but lost your wings, and Rainbow Dash, you were the exact opposite. It left me at a stalemate, I couldn't keep you both together no matter which path I were to choose at the time. If I had you both live with a unicorn family, many of my subjects would have seen it odd to have a unicorn family raising a pegasus, for Canterlot was not keen on mixing pony races at the time, the same would have gone for me sending both off you to live in Cloudsdale to live with a pegasus family, plus, ponies would wonder how a baby unicorn could walk on clouds without falling right through it and no knowledge of spells to keep her there. The transformation spell could be reversed easily, but I would be met with the same results if I were to cast it again, so I was left with no other choice then to separate you. As you know, I sent you, Twilight, to live with some of my good friends and distant mortal blood relations, the Sparkles and their son, hence your last name as you already know my daughter. And you know of course, Rainbow Dash, that I sent you to live with a former Wonderbolt and his wife. I watched the two of you grow from afar as I did my best to fix the mistakes of the politicians who were soon voted out of office and even some were put into exile not long after you were sent to live with your adopted families, for some had gone too far in their exploits for power and other ponies saw a tyranny coming if they remained in office, which made me more then happy to send them away. The reason I had not done so before hoof was because I had very little to go on to convince other ponies of their treachery, but soon many slipped up and I either threw them in prison or had them exiled if it was so wished by the ponies of our kingdom. The seats replaced with new politicians who at first I was unsure of, but grew to trust in time. I wanted so much to bring you girls back to me and tell you the truth when you were little, but of course fate changed when the threat of Nightmare Moon grew near. I had no idea what the evil would do if it knew the lineage the two of you bared, so I had to keep it secret still. As you grew, both of you amazed me with the abilities you had that made me feel my own magic would be dwarfed by my young daughters, and I'm proud to admit it that Sonic Rainboom you displayed Rainbow Dash, put my sister's and my own to shame," Celestia said and she blushed. The rainbow maned princess's jaw dropped at her mother's last statement. "You both have made Sonic Rainbooms?" she asked. "Mmhm," Luna replied as she nodded. Rainbow Dash nearly fainted to know she carried on a family trait. "Well, to finish my story, there was a law passed two days ago that nobles may court any stallion or mare they deem worthy, be they of noble or of common blood, and any children who are a result of past courtships in secret shall be given their noble status and keep it as well as future foals on the way with no repercussions or claims of heresy, since the poloticians noticed many nobles beginning to have feelings for the common folk. Course a day later, your father finally sent a letter saying he gained his nobility already and is coming home," Celestia stated. "He's still alive?" the lavender mare asked in amazement nothing had happened to her father. "Yes Twilight, now I understand you've been hurt to find out your lineage, and will not force you to call me your mother or to take on your roles as princesses, I just hope that someday you'll find it in your hearts to forgive me," the white alicorn said, and her head once more looked down in regret. Rainbow Dash and Twilight look at each other and were both thinking they gave their mother more then enough grief with their earlier outbursts and nodded to each other before trotting towards their birth mother. "Princess, er, mom, wow that will take some getting used to, anyways, we forgive you for what happened, we understand now what you did was to protect us, not to make us feel like we didn't belong, and for that, we should be grateful," the possible princess of magic or princess of the night stars said as she nervously nuzzled her mother who nuzzled her back. "Yeah, I mean, it would so not be cool of us to hate you for looking out for us, even if it felt uncool to let us go to begin with," Rainbow Dash adds feeling a bit less comfortable of being cuddly at this point. "Just like that, you forgive me, after so many years of keeping my distance from your true identities?" Celestia asked, surprised at the way her daughters changed their minds so quickly. The two young sisters nodded and Twilight replied, "I'll have to get used to flying though, haven't ever used wings I didn't even know I had." "Oh yeah, well you don't have a bunch of new spells to learn, sis," Rainbow Dash fired back. "Hey, learning magic's easy, once you get the hang of simple spells," the purple maned mare stated as she smirked at her sister. "Well flying's a breeze," the cyan alicorn replied. "You just make it look so easy," Twilight responded. "I make everything look easy," Rainbow Dash boasted before adding, "But seriously, it ain't that hard." Celestia chuckled then politely interrupted, "I'm sure the two of you can help each other out in the area's that you need work on." "Well, aside from that fact, what do we tell our friends, I mean, this changes a lot of things and they will want to know about us," Twilight stated to her mother. "I know and we'll find the best way to let them know of your heritage. But for now, we need to inform the castle of your identity," the alicorn mother replied as she started to walk towards the throne room doors. "Um, aren't you forgetting something pri, er, mom?" Rainbow Dash implied as she looks at her head and her sister looks at her back. "Oh, hmhm, silly me," Celestia said before she reversed the spell to let their missing alicorn parts reappear. Soon the the reversal spell revealed Twilight's wings and Rainbow Dash's horn. They also noticed that they had grown to almost as tall as their aunt Luna, who towered them by a few inches. Rainbow Dash had longer wings and Twilight's were the same length as her sisters. Their horns also were longer then a normal unicorns. "Well I gotta say, It's gonna be awsome to have a new flying buddy," the rainbow princess exclaimed. "Yeah, and it will be great to have somepony to practice spells with, once your up to speed of course sis. Nice wing span by the way," Twilight said. "So you noticed, and you don't look too bad yourself sis, boy it still feels weird calling you that," Rainbow Dash replied. "I know, but the more we call each other sister and, well, Celestia mom, then we'll find it easier as time goes by," Twilight assured her sister. "I know, it's just weird still," Rainbow Dash stated. "Well, I know it will take some getting used to, but I also know the two of you will do your best to embrace it," celestia said with hope in her eyse. "We sure hope so your hi, I mean, mom," Twilight said, before she facehoofed herself. "Now let us head out and inform everypony in the castle so they don't think somethings off and then have a nice family meal together ," Celestia finished. "Sounds good to me, I'm starving," replied Rainbow Dash. "Me too," Twilight added. "Me three," Luna said to let the family have a laugh. They soon head out the door to let the castle staff and guards know of what transpired and the two young princesses awaited the arrival of their father and had many more questions now that they were princesses. > The Danger Grows > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As the Princesses informed their subjects in the castle of the lineage of Twilight and Rainbow Dash. Some of the guards, who were mostly officers, knew already, as did a certain Captain of the Royal Guard and Alicorn of Love. Twilight wasn't the least bit surprised and thought it must have been hard for her 'brother' and foalsitter/cousin to have kept it secret. Once those who were unaware of the two mares lineage were brought up to speed, all five princesses, including Cadence, sat in the dining room to have a nice family meal. It was ironic that Rainbow and Twilight shared the same taste buds of a daisy-daffodil sandwich. As they took a bite of their meals, a thought entered Twilight's head. After she swallowed, Twilight asked, "Cele, er, mom, I know that you were looking out for us due to the fact of corrupt politics and and the threat of Nightmare Moon, but I have to ask, were there any other enemies or dangers that may have put Rainbow and I at even greater risk had our identities been made known when we were little?" Celestia was taken a bit off guard by this question, instantly clearing her throat after taking too big of a sip from her glass of cider (this is the non-alcoholic kind). "You know, you actually bring up a fine question my daughter. I really never thought of any outside threats that may have put at risk. I was so wrapped up with the fear of the politicians and Nightmare Moon's return, I didn't stop to think about that. I do know once we do make your true identities public, that danger will still lurk, but you are much older and have the means to defend yourselves against it. Still one danger, now that I think about it, is an age old enemy that fell into myth. You may have heard about the myth in your daily schooling. His name is," Celestia said before Luna cut in. "No sister, don't say his name, he was once a family member," Luna said. "Wow, wait, we have another relative?" Twilight asked in shock. "Yes, and even I dare not speak his name. Not many ponies know he actually exists anymore for we tried to erase any knowledge we could to make it so he was nothing more then myth. He used to have a different name, but the darkness consumed him so much we had to change it. He... he was once our brother," Luna said. "Wow, we have an uncle too, whoda thunk it?" Rainbow retorted. "What was his name? No more secrets, please?" Twilight pleaded. "Yes, this is even one story you didn't even inform me of, I think we have waited long enough that we should all know," Cadence said. Celestia sighed, "Sister, we've kept too many secrets hidden, and they have a point. I can't just leave them to wonder now that they know they're alicorns." "I know, but, it's just so hard to think about what he did," Luna said. "I know," Celestia said. "Okay, look, we won't have a mental breakdown on this one, cause it seems you definitely had a good reason to keep him secret, and same was true for us, even though we didn't take it to well, but we would like to know who he is," Twilight said. "Well, maybe we should take this up to our resting chambers. Too many ears around who don't need to know about this yet," Celestia said. They all nodded in agreement and soon finished their meals to head back to the princesses resting chambers. Once there, they laid down to listen in. "Alright. Now it pains me to say this, but your uncle's name is... Deimos, alicorn of Terror. Far before my sister fell to the darkness, or before Discords reign of chaos, he was subdued to the dark forces and before long was striking fear into every pony of the age. We knew we had to do something to stop him, but the fact that he was our brother made it all the more harder to go against him. It took every last amount of our care for the citizens of Equestria to convince us that we had to stop him. Using our combined strength in our magic, we were able to send him deep into Tarturus, closely guarded by our father, Terra. Our mother, Gaia was both relieved and saddened her own son had to be cast into the deep, but it was the only way we could stop him at the time. Had we been given more time to act, we could have saved him, and given him back his true form," Celestia said. "Wow, what was his other name, before he was taken by darkness?" Rainbow asked. "Tyr, alicorn of wisdom and courage. Before he turned to darkness, ponies would go to him for guidance when they needed it," Celestia said. "Back up for a moment, you said if you had more time you could have saved him from the darkness. How, exactly?" Twilight asked. "Our mother spoke of a force even more powerful then the elements of harmony. Though my sister and I were never able to find it after Discord had taken over," Luna said. "What was this force called?" Cadence asked. "It's known as the Amulets of Purity. They were forged by the great unicorn masters of old, and even our parents did not know where they resided. It is said they only reveal their powers if the ponies wearing them are to use their combined powers for ones of goodness. There are also many test ponies must pass in order to find the lair to obtain them. We tried to find it, but once Discord took over, our journey came to a halt," Celestia said. "Why didn't you try to find it after you stopped Discord?" Twilight asked. "We had talked about it for a while, but it seemed the citizens of Equestria needed us more then we thought and we took our place on the throne to watch over them," Celestia replied, sounding a bit uneasy. Twilight noticed this and asked, "Pri, horse feathers, mom, what has you so worked up? You seem on edge all of the sudden." "It's just a thought occured to me. The return of Nightmare Moon was not by chance. All though I am grateful to have my sister back, I feel an unforeseen force, aside from the stars aided her escape. I think that the force was our brother's own dark magic. This can only mean one thing. He's breaking free, and our father can only do so much," Celestia. "Well, looks like we need to help out our gramps," Rainbow said. "Too right cousin," Cadence said. Twilight giggled at the fact she called Rainbow cousin, even though it was true. Then another thought hit her and thinking before she spoke she then said, "Mom, you said Amulets of Purity. That means there is more then one." "Yes, and?" Celestia asked, wondering what her daugter was getting at. "Well, exactly how many are there?" Twilight asked. "I am not sure, that part of the legend remains a mystery, even for Luna and I. Our parents weren't even sure how many themselves. It is said that their location was somewhere far south of here. I know I have been to many far places, but that is one area I have not yet visited, nor has Luna. Why do you ask?" Celestia asked. "Well, if our uncle does break free, we can't be sure the Elements of Harmony will stop him. We may need the amulets," Twilight stated. "She does have a good point sister," Luna said. Celestia sighed, "I know, but I just got my daughters back, I don't want to let them go." Twilight replied, "Well, you might gain your brother back if we find the amulets." "Well, I can't have you girls go it alone," Celestia said. "I'll go with them," Cadence offered. "I was certain you would niece, but that's not what I meant," Celestia informed them. "Don't tell me we need the guards to come with us," Rainbow said. "No, they would only get in the way of this mission and hamper your progress, granted all of them are fine fighters," Celestia said. "Well then who?" Twilight said. "Your going to need a unicorn who is a master of forging items in the south. Ironically enough, that's where most live. every forger down there has been taught a certain language. A language the great unicorn masters of anctient time spoke. They will need to guide you through these obstacles, for the written language is foreign, even to me. They do speak the common tongue, but they are taught to translate the script. You will need to find one on your journey," Celestia said. "Okay, but what about Shining Armor? I know we aren't brother sister related, but I know for a fact, he will not let me or Cadence go without him," Twilight said. "Hard to argue with you there. I'll have to ask his second in command to take charge when you take off, but for now, we need to find a way to tell your friends in Ponyville about your new lineage, plus there's the need of unlocking your alicorn powers again. We'll come up with a plan and have you leave in two weeks. This way we can spend time together and get the word out about what has happened, plus some time to see your father. If all goes well, we can have this mission ready and complete within days after it starts," Celestia said. "Hopefully," Twilight and Rainbow said together. Soon the family got onto other subjects that needed their attention, such as the four other mares in Ponyville and how they needed it be known of what was happening.