The streets of Canterlot were quiet. The only light came from a few select windows. This was perfect for the lone figure wandering the cobbled paths of the city. There was one thing that concerned her though. The moon had not risen yet. It should have been bathing the buildings in its soft light by now. Now the mare knew for sure that something was wrong. She paused to look up at the tallest shadow of the city, Canterlot Castle. As she stared at the towering palace, the sky began to grow lighter. The moon peaked out from the horizon and rose higher and higher, lighting the land of Equestria. The mare knew this should give her some comfort, but instead she felt uneasy. The moon had risen differently. And the stars weren't as bright as usual.

Mother hasn't made this night sky.

The mare drew her cloak around her and began trotting towards the castle.

-----------------------------

Celestia sat down, her breathing heavy with exhaustion. She hadn't raised the moon in centuries. And to do so after wielding the Elements only a few hours before was borderline insanity. But that was what she had done. She looked up at the moon, a tear rolling down her cheek.

"Luna..."

The sound of the throne room's door opening brought the princess momentarily out of her grief. She wiped away her tears and turned.

"Who enters?"

She nearly stopped, surprised at her voice. She had tried to use the Royal Canterlot voice, but had instead spoken in a soft, weak tone. An unfortunate reflection of her current emotions.

"Hello Celestia."

Celestia narrowed her eyes. There was a pony near the door, hidden among the shadows.

"Who are you?"

"I'm not here for introductions. I'm here to see Luna."

Shock gripped Celestia. What could she say? How could she say it?!

"She's... She's busy with her royal duties."

The pony stepped forward. "I wouldn't have taken you for a liar Celestia. Not after everything she's told me about you. I know something has happened. I just want to know what."

"I make it a habit to know who I'm speaking to when having a conversation."

The pony stepped into the light and remover her hood. She was a unicorn with a multicolored face and a blonde mane. She gave a curt nod to the princess.

"My name is Moonlight. Now where is Luna?"

"Why do you need to see my sister so badly Moonlight?"

"Because I know something is wrong."

"What makes you so sure of that?"

"She didn't raise the moon tonight."

Celestia's eyes widened. How could this pony tell the difference?

"Where is Luna? Where is my mother?!"

Celestia felt her heart skip a beat. Mother? Luna? What?!

"Your....mother?"

"Yes. My mother, Luna."

"My sister never so much as courted, let alone have a foal!"

"I'm adopted. As are all the others."

Others? Adopted? Luna had adopted children? It couldn't be! It had to be a mistake or a means of deception.

Moonlight shook her head.

"Of course you won't believe me. So why not ask Luna yourself?"

"I...I can't."

"Don't try to tell me she's off performing royal duties again. I know she's not."

"I'm sorry... I really can't."

"Can't?"

Celestia lowered her head, her voice diminished to a whisper.

"She's gone."

"Gone?!"

Moonlight was beginning to panic. She looked around the room, hoping to see Luna somewhere. And then she saw it. A burnt circle was positioned in the middle of the room. A circle large enough to contain...

"Wha.... What have you done with her?"

Celestia could feel the tears beginning to form again.

"I... I had to...."

"What did you do to her?!"

The tears came faster.

"I BANISHED HER!!"

Celestia's voice echoed through the room for several seconds before fading, leaving the two ponies in silence. Moonlight stepped closer.

"Banished? How could you banish your own sister?!"

"I didn't have a choice."

"Didn't have a- Of course you had a choice!"

"No, I didn't. Luna let herself fall to jealousy and greed. She was no longer my sister."

"Jealousy? Greed? I've never seen her show such emotions!"

"She grew mad for power."

"You're lying!"

"You know I'm not."

It was true. Moonlight knew Celestia was telling the truth.

"What happened?"

Celestia shook her head. "It's not something I can explain Moonlight." Her horn began to glow.

Moonlight felt like she was floating. It made her think of the night Luna had come to the orphanage. How they had flown off into the clouds and towards their new home. It was peaceful.

But another memory pushed itself into her vision.

Moonlight was standing in the throne room. Luna was staring at her, her eyes cold and unfeeling.

"Did you really expect me to sit idly by while they all basked in your precious light?"

"I won't let you do this Luna!"

Moonlight realized she was seeing this through Celestia's eyes. Why was she arguing with Luna?

"There can only be one princess in Equestria. And that princess is ME!!"

The room shook and windows began breaking. Moonlight stared helplessly at the scene. Why was Luna doing this?

Luna stepped back and looked up at the setting sun. She raised the moon rose and eclipsed the sun, throwing Canterlot into darkness. And then a wave of magic crashed through the room. It enveloped the princess and pulled her into the air. When the magic dissipated, a black alicorn stood in Luna's place. Moonlight didn't want to believe it, but she knew in her heart that this new alicorn was Luna.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!"

The cackling echoed through the throne room. Moonlight wanted to cover her ears, but knew it wouldn't help.

Her eyes opened and she was back in the throne room with Celestia. Tears were streaming down her face. Had she been crying during the memory?

Celestia stepped forward. "I'm sorry. I am so sorry."

"What happened to her? I've never seen her so..."

Celestia put a hoof on Moonlight's shoulder. "She became overwhelmed with jealousy. She wanted to rule Equestria herself, leaving the land in an eternal night."

"I... I never thought... She never said anything."

"I doubt she would have."

"You don't understand!"

Celestia sat down. "Then help me understand. How did you know my sister so well?"

Moonlight wiped away her tears and began her story. She began with the orphanage, how she had always wanted a family, and her doubts of ever finding parents.

"That's when it happened."

"What?"

"The song. Luna's song."

Luna's singing awoke a few of the orphans. All of them had followed her voice and had then flown off into the night with the princess. Moonlight had been one of nearly a dozen young ponies.

"She sang of a new home for us."

"Where?"

"The Garden of Shadows."

"I've never heard of such a place."

"You wouldn't have. Luna never told anypony about it except for us. A beautiful garden next to a mountain manor."

"And you all lived there?"

Moonlight smiled. "Luna adopted all of us. She became our mother. I finally had a family."

"But she didn't stay, did she?"

"No. We knew she had other responsibilities. But she visited every week."

"How old are you now?"

"I've been an adult for a number of years now."

"You've lived in hiding all this time?"

"Everything we ever needed was in the manor. And as the months passed, we discovered we spent our nights awake and the days asleep. We became nocturnal, like Luna."

"She really did it. She had always wanted to start a colony of ponies who loved the night."

"And you forbid her from doing so."

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised she went ahead anyways."

Moonlight stood up, straightening her cloak. "Thank you for telling me about Luna."

Celestia watched in confusion as the mare began to leave.

"Where are you going?"

"I must return home. The young ones will wonder where I am."

"You mean there are still young ponies?"

"Luna's been bringing them every few years. I guess they'll be the last to ever walk through the gardens."

Celestia stood and approached Moonlight. "Is there anything I can do?"

Moonlight looked up at the princess. "There is only one thing. You have to continue what my mother started."

"You expect me to bring ponies to this place?"

"Yes. And I will show you how."

The mare began walking towards the door again. Celestia followed her. "And when will this happen?"

Moonlight paused and looked up at Celestia. "Soon. But tonight, you will finally see my home. I'm taking you to Midnight Manor."