PROLOGUE: AN UNEXPECTED GUEST

It was practically the dead of night, and tiny beautiful specks of light decorated the night sky. There was a gentle breeze in the air, and the guards all seemed to be in a good mood. Many of the Celestial Guard were departing from their late afternoon shifts to call it a day, as the Lunar Guards were making their way out to start their lengthy night's watch. However, many nights in the beautiful land of Equestria were peaceful, so they felt they didn't have much to worry about anyhow. There were also quite a few couples out, going about midnight strolls throughout the city, while other individuals sat casually at restaurants, conversing about their daily happenings.

But entirely unaware, there was certainly something amiss about the city this night.

A lone figure remained perched atop the corner of one of the many buildings in Canterlot. She was silent, observant, as she eyed the sublime city streets below, only being patrolled by some of the Lunar Guards. The mysterious individual's face was covered, but her purple eyes shined from beneath the light of the moon, they being the only feature that stood out on her face. She slowly pulled out a picture, one that looked worn and crumpled as on it was what appeared to be, a pitch black alicorn surrounded by members of the Lunar Guard. She squinted passively, before gazing up towards the clouds. "Why's it so beautiful here?"

Another gorgeous night, as expected of her dearest sister.

Princess Celestia wore a smile of admiration as she looked up towards the blanket of stars that covered the vast landscape that was their home. She could never describe the feelings that coursed through her everytime she'd witnessed her sister raise the moon and shift the colors of the world in the blink of an eye. It amazed her to say the least, she'd always known Luna was far better at decorating the sky more so than her, and to Celestia, that was only more obvious during Luna's lengthy banishment. She just wanted to sit here for some time, gazing upward at the stars, lost in their mesmerizing yet tiny shine. "It's stunning Luna."

Princess Luna wasn't far, and she was certainly within earshot as she made her way out onto the porch where Celestia was sitting. She joined her sister, sitting at her side and looking up as well. "Why thank you sister, I'm always pleased to hear that you enjoy it hmhm." She chuckled softly, closing her eyes before looking back to Celestia with a soft smile. "It's not often you stay out here this long however, is there something on your mind that you'd like to talk about? You know I'm always here for you if you need me big sister."

Princess Celestia shook her head absently, "No, I just feel I don't spend enough time admiring the beauty of your work. I'm sure there are others out there who feel the same, especially after all that's happened." Princess Celestia glanced wearily to her right. "It feels nice to be able to stay out and enjoy the view every once in awhile, especially with you. Your sky is something I've always envied, it is far more gorgeous than when I had attempted to recreate it." She frowned suddenly, "I always knew nopony could ever do it like you, not even I."

Princess Luna blushed softly, her cheeks turning a shade of crimson as she'd looked away. "C-Come now sister! You're just being modest, there's no need to flatter me you know. I know that your daytime is just as gorgeous." She began shooing away the fellow alicorn, "Now hurry up, go get some rest! You know majority of your mornings consists of busy uptight schedules as usual."

Princess Celestia felt skeptical, hesitant. But those hesitant looks were soon followed by a disappointed sigh, and furthermore, another frown. She knew Luna was right, and although she wanted to remain out here, she knew her busy mornings would more than likely keep her preoccupied majority of tomorrow, and the days after. "You're right my dearest sibling. It seems for now I must retreat to my quarters. I guess I'll see you early tomorrow morning." She flashed Luna a gentle smile before sluggishly turning and lowering her head, making her way back deeper into the castle, soon enough, departing from the throne room and making her way back towards her quarters.

Princess Luna chuckled yet again as she glanced back at Celestia with graceful nod. "Yes, as always." She then shut the door Celestia departed from before remaining perched on the porch, watching over the city with a carefree expression.

Everything was nice and quiet, just how she liked it. She looked up at the numerous buildings out of habit, just for an extra precaution, her eyes scanning each and every one. Everything seemed fine, every tower she glanced at was empty by the looks of-, she paused. Princess Luna raised a brow as she noticed further in the distance was what appeared to be a, cowled, figure? It was just staring at her from afar. She rubbed her eyes, then looked back towards that particular building, expecting to see the mysterious figure again. Not to her displeasure however, she found there was nothing there. But the Princess was skeptical, it wasn't often she saw things, if ever. She was fairly certain there was somepony there a moment ago. "W-What?" Was she really just imagining things? Going senile after all these years? Maybe....

"Nightmare Moon."

A look of shock overcame the princess as she immediately turned to face the sudden voice, which she found oddly familiar. Without having time to think about what that mysterious trespasser just said, she found facing her would be a hooded mare based on pitch of her voice. This was certainly the cloaked individual she'd just seen, but how was that possible? The alicorn found herself feeling quite distraught due to the situation, that would mean this pony just managed to relocate from such a distance in a mere instant. Not that such things were impossible, but, it would more than likely require one who was extremely skilled in teleportation magic. So, who exactly was she? And although it wasn't the priority of the scenario, Luna felt herself growing even more offended due to the fact this mare just called her by a title she'd come to despise when she thought about it. "What is the meaning of this!? Do you realize who it is you're talking to child?"

The mare just stood there eyeing the alicorn intently, remaining silent for the time being.

Princess Celestia, who hadn't made much progress from the throne room, suddenly looked quite surprised as she turned. "Luna?" What had Luna so worked up? She was still within earshot of her sister's words, which obviously compelled the alicorn to start heading back.

It was at this point the mysterious pony smiled, cocking her head back. "Hah, of course I do. But do you realize who you're talking to?" After a moment of silence between the two, she continued with a smirk, "Hmph, of course not. But that's good, I have to say you look much easier to take down when you're like this. Actually, you're much smaller than I expected to. Must've went further back than I realized, seeing as alicorns supposedly take decades to show some form of aging. I guess these really are the early years of your despicable tyranny, a shame you won't be around to experience them." The mare's horn started to glow faintly beneath her hood, revealing she was a unicorn. "Well, how about I stop reminiscing about the good old days and cut to the chase." She glared menacingly, "This is the end for you, Nightmare Moon."

Princess Luna, a little thrown off by the whole situation just continued to look at the mare with a baffled expression, completely confused. "W-What are you going on about? I am no longer Nightmare Moon! I've changed! And you dare threaten me from within my own castle, are you that foolish? Who're you to come in here and lay such claims, to threaten me in such a manner!? I demand you cease this foolishness-"

"SISTER! MOVE!"

Princess Luna's eyes widened as she noticed standing towards the entrance of the room was Celestia. Her sister never felt the need to use her Canterlot voice so hastily, which could only mean something was amiss. It was at that moment Luna realized, as the alicorn princess ducked her head and immediately flying past her would be three transparent blue swords which'd shattered into a spectral mist upon contact with the floor. Her eyes fastened on the location with dread. This mysterious mare was actually intending to harm her?

No even worse, that was attempted murder.

This mare actually had the confidence to assault her from within her own palace and attempt to lay claim to her life all in one fell swoop? Princess Luna's rage started to boil, as she struggled to come to terms with the situation. She snarled angrily as she eyed the mare once again and her own horn shined magnificently as she was preparing for an immediate counter attack. "You dare attempt using such a cowardly method against the guardian of night herself!? You shall be dealt with accordingly!" Princess Luna flapped her wings as she rose high above the mysterious mare. "Prepare thyself mysterious assailant! For you shall not be leaving this castle in one piece! If any pieces at all!"

The hooded mare herself looked a little frustrated by the unexpected intrusion, as she glanced back at Celestia, muttering to herself. "Who is this? Solar Flare? How come she looks so different?" The mare's eyes widened as she passively leaped back, dodging a fierce spell which'd scorched the very floor with blue flame. The counter-spell from the alicorn of the night no doubt, it'd blackened the marble tiles upon impact, and with frightening ease. She looked back up towards Princess Luna, before scowling a bit, "Hmph!" She smirked once again, "That's funny talk, especially from one such as yourself, Nightmare Moon. Do you enjoy making a fool out of yourself?"

Princess Luna was furious at this point, as her bellowing rage only caused her to snap. "I HAVE TOLD YOU! I AM NO LONGER ADDRESSED, BY THAT NAME!!!" She let off another magical blast straight towards her assailant. "I AM PRINCESS LUNA! GUARDIAN OF THE NIGHT AND THE DREAMS OF MY SUBJECTS! I AM NO TYRANT! NOR AM I A VILLAIN!"

Princess Celestia raised a hoof at Luna in desperation, "Sister, wait! Do you plan to destroy the entire castle!?"

The hooded mare reacted absently however, simply raising a hoof and closing her eyes as she cast a spell of her own, muttering silent enchants. Her spell had summoned a transparent purple barrier between her and Luna, Luna's spell being utterly consumed by the mare's in a matter of seconds, then disappearing entirely. She exhaled softly before glaring back up at Princess Luna, "Is that all Nightmare Moon? Guess I should've known your tricks don't pack quite the punch they used to, pretty disappointing actually."

Princess Luna looked on in disbelief herself, no mare should've been capable of canceling out one of her spells with such ease, nopony besides her sister. She calmed down for the moment, "Just who are you? What have I done to cause you to despise me so?"

Princess Celestia looked on from behind, at a loss for words herself before she glared at the mysterious attacker, registering the situation in her mind. "It's time we unmasked this menacing pony ourselves Luna!" Then swiftly, before the hooded mare could react, Princess Celestia cast a telekinetic spell, tearing the cloak from the mystery mare's body and revealing her identity to all present in the throne room.

The mare however, simply stood there with a blank expression. It's not like it'll matter.

Princess Celestia was frozen, overwhelmed with disbelief. She immediately looked overcome with grief, confusion, and dread as she shook her head, taking a few trots forward. "T-Twilight!?" Princess Celestia exhaled heavily, as if at a loss for breath. "Twilight is that you!?"

The mysterious mare was revealed as, Twilight Sparkle? She raised a brow at Princess Celestia, What!? But how do they recognize me? I shouldn't even be born yet. Twilight's gaze fastened back on the tiled floor, as she was at a loss for words herself. Now more focused on the idea of an error in her calculations, rather than the presence of the two enemy alicorns themselves. Then, if I'm not where I thought I'd be. Then where exactly am I? Wait what? No, that's impossible, I could never mess this up, I just couldn't have! She looked to Celestia with a piercing stare, practically demanding answers. "Wait, how do you know my name!?"

Princess Luna looked just as hurt, shocked as she descended back onto the floor. "T-Twilight Sparkle!? But, why?"

Twilight then glanced back at Luna, her eyes wide with confusion as her pupils were dilated. H-Her to? Twilight glanced back and forth between the two, as for the first time since she'd arrived she appeared horribly nervous. H-How did they know who she was? How could everything go absolutely wrong in a mere instant? How did all her planning go to waste? She was immediately thrust into a situation where nothing made sense, not even for her? Nopony should've known who she was this far back in time, it wasn't possible. At that moment Twilight's eyes widened even further as she thought back to what Princess Luna had said to her just a mere moment ago.

I AM NO LONGER ADDRESSED BY THAT NAME!!!

Twilight's brows furrowed as she glanced down, as if coming to some form of realization.

Princess Luna and Celestia then began approaching the mare cautiously.

Princess Celestia looked as if she were on the verge of tears. "Twilight, please; s-stop this, tell me, what's the matter? Why're you doing this my dear student? Please tell me this is some sort of mistake. A misunderstanding. I know you would never resort to anything such as this."

Princess Luna then pointed a hoof at Twilight. "Just a moment sister! Something here isn't right, look!"

Upon closer inspection, Princess Celestia took notice of it to. This Twilight, she had no wings? She was still an ordinary unicorn? She also bore a scar on her face, and her size was significantly smaller, as if she were still in her early teens. This caused Princess Celestia to pause as she just looked at the mare in puzzlement, a changeling? No, not even Chrysalis had the potential to counter Luna's spell so easily. But even so, nor did Twilight. None of this seemed to make any sense. Princess Celestia then thought back to the spell Twilight had used to counteract Luna's, and it was at this moment a theory dawned upon her. "Time Magic?" She was silent, Could that truly be the case?

Twilight took a few trots back cautiously, now more focused on other matters.

Princess Luna looked at Twilight worriedly, "Twilight, what's happened to you? Who put you up to this?"

Twilight's eyes saddened before she lowered her head somewhat, shaking it. "Nopony put me up to anything. It seems I made a big mistake, for this really was one big misunderstanding." She raised a hoof to her head, in obvious frustration. "Does that mean I'm actually aligned with these monsters? No no no, that can't be right." She sighed as she kept her head lowered, continuing to back away, lost in her thoughts.

Princess Luna took a few more trots, proceeding ever closure to the mare. "J-Just calm down Twilight Sparkle and tell us what's happened, we cannot help you if you don't tell us what's wrong. We are your mentors, your allies, your friends. Have you forgotten?"

Twilight snapped, "We aren't, nor will we ever be friends, Nightmare Moon!"

Princess Luna looked struck once again, "N-Nightmare Moon!? Why I never- Why do you keep insisting on using that title!?"

Princess Celestia cut into the conversation with a serious look. Raising a hoof in front of Luna to block her path to this unfamiliar Twilight. "How did you manage to arrive here? Tell me how you managed to pull it off."

Twilight remained silent as she avoided eye contact with Princess Celestia.

Princess Celestia continued, "There's only one pony I know of who's ever had such mastery over time magic, and it isn't you. At such a age, such a thing shouldn't be possible, no, it isn't possible." She paused, "Unless..."

Suddenly appearing at the open doorway would be a multitude of both Lunar and Celestial guards, all with their lances and spears unsheathed as their eyes scanned across the room. "Your highness!? What's going on, what's the matter!?" But upon their arrival to the scene, many of the guards almost immediately felt horribly confused. By the looks of it, there were no enemies here, where was the threat? Wait a second, when did Princess Twilight even get here? Many of them instantly found themselves just exchanging puzzled glances to one another, unable to react, and unsure what to do, letting off awkward groans one after the other.

At this point Twilight Sparkle disappeared in a poof of violet smoke, reappearing behind Princess Luna and Princess Celestia, then dashing for the porch. Whereas she glanced back at Princess Celestia afterwords, "Let's agree that on both ends, something has gone horribly wrong. Issues I have no intention of discussing with you." She kept her gaze fastened on the Princess for some time before looking away, "Sorry..." She then climbed atop the porch, before diving off without hesitation, disappearing from sight.

Princess Celestia cried out, still with some form of that motherly worry for her precious student. "T-Twilight!" She hurried over to the porch, looking over the edge as her eyes shifted left and right, scanning the ground in paranoia. She caught sight of the mare however, retreating for the northern gates. Twilight.... She immediately looked back towards her guards as she swiped a hoof hurriedly. "Follow her!"

The guards all looked at one another questioningly before looking back at Princess Celestia, puzzled. One of the other guards spoke out, looking to his fellows for some form of agreement. "Wasn't Princess Twilight down in Ponyville, did anypony see her come in?"

The guards all began muttering "Nope" and "Not me," among each other.

Princess Celestia actually revealed a hint of rage as she stomped a hoof, speaking in her royal Canterlot voice. "Please, just do anything you can to ensure she doesn't get away entirely! Time is of the essence my loyal subjects!"

The guards then reacted with hasty salutes as they left the scene, going out to attempt capturing the retreating Twilight Sparkle.

Princess Luna made her way over to Celestia, glancing up at her questioningly. "Sister, what was that? Or, who was that?"

Princess Celestia's brow furrowed as she turned to her sister. "It was certainly Twilight Sparkle, but a little more complicated."

Princess Luna nodded plainly, "Yes, I got the hint. But why'd she act so strange? Why was she acting in such a manner? Does she not remember everything she's been through, her experiences with us? Is it some form of twisted amnesia or a curse?"

Princess Celestia looked back over the ledge of the porch, further into the city. "I don't believe that's the Twilight we know and love."

Princess Luna's eyes widened as she only looked more confused, "What?"

Princess Celestia turned back towards the exit of the throne room as she beckoned Luna over. "Come sister."

They felt they certainly had a long night ahead of them.

Meanwhile on the outskirts of Ponyville, it was a also a calm night as Princess Twilight Sparkle sat within her own personal throne room, well if one could call it that. Her eyes scanned over the pages of a particular book, as she was obviously fascinated based on her demeanor.

Spike yawned as he made his way tiredly towards a particular room, heading to bed.

Twilight glanced at him, then calling the baby dragon back over. "Oh oh Spike! Come here a sec, you've gotta check this out. It's amazing, the ponykyptrotic scenario provides an alternative to the widely accepted Big Buck theory. It suggests that, unlike the Big Buck that began from singularity, our universe is one of a pair of universes that collided. The effect of the collision resets the universe. From there, it expands for billions of light years until it contracts back to where everything began. The speed and energy of that reduction creates another massive collision and the universe is reborn. The cycle continues for infinity. Don't you see, this leads to so many possibilities!" She winked at him, "Infinite, possibilities. Isn't it interesting? Starswirl the Bearded was probably one of the few who took the initiative to look into such things as well, how disappointing." Twilight frowned heavily for a second before smiling widely back at Spike. "So what do you say Spike!?"

Spike just looked at Twilight with a raised brow, before turning back towards the bedroom sluggishly. "Uhuh, um, I think I'll pass Twilight."

Twilight watched the baby dragon depart with a disappointed look before looking back down at her book with a sigh. "Ugh, isn't there anypony out there who shares a similar interest in these things?" She pouted, before continuing to read over her book with a light frown.