Author's Notes:

I sadly lost an editor whilst working on this chapter and chapter six, so please notify me if anything is incorrect.

Sorry about the distance in chapter updates. I have been backed up in life work and had to get that squared away first.

Also! I big shout out thank you to :iconMehWasAlreadyTaken: They went through every previous chapter I posted and blast edited it. O.O I was stunned, elated, and very surprised by the gesture. it is appreciated.

“Are you going to say anything to her?”

“Why should I be the one to say it?”

“Because you noticed it!”

“Just because my eyes saw it doesn't mean my mouth should speak it, it's rude.”

Twilight groaned and stopped walking, making Rarity and Rainbow Dash halt just behind her.

“What is it girls? What did you see?” Rainbow grimaced and looked at Rarity with an expression of expectancy. Rarity scowled,

“Oh fine,” Walking around to stand in front of Twilight, Rarity gently patted the purple mare's shoulder,

“Nothing too bothersome, just, well you seem to have this expression about you… it's not like you, darling.” Twilight slowly lifted her head, and as she did Rarity took a step back, and then another.

“An expression of what, exactly?” Rarity gulped and laughed nervously,

“Ahahah! Y-yes um, well you...you like like you want to er--kill somepony? Yes, that...a-and considering how you just came out of the graveyard, we felt it um… necessary to... ask what happened?” she looked to Dash for confirmation,who nodded and landed next to Rarity.

“Yep, we wanted to know that.” Twilight's expression didn't soften, in fact, it might have gotten worse.

“I don't want to kill anypony Rarity,” Rarity and Dash both sighed in relief.

“I just want to incinerate a book.”

They both blinked.

As Twilight walked towards the train station, her horn kept at goring point, Rarity gulped, looking at the ground.

“Well...I think we just got our answer...Are you scared? Because I most certainly am.” Beside her, Rainbow Dash folded her wings and decided to walk.

“It's a dark day if Twilight Sparkle wants to destroy a book...” Rarity nodded,

“I find I should agree, ever since we left the cemetery she's had that expression and won't talk about what transpired within it, it's driving me mad with curiosity.” Rainbow shrugged as the trio rounded a street corner and found themselves nearing the train platform.

“I don't think I’m too curious to find out what happened now, but I'm sure she'll tell us eventually.” Rarity merely nodded as they caught up with Twilight.

Canterlot Castle

“She went back to Ponyville? But she just got here!”

Celestia sat perplexed just inside her open bedroom doorway. In front of her stood the three guards she'd sent to find Twilight. On her left, Luna stood with an inquisitive gaze,

“Did she leave details as to why she left with such haste?” The guards shook their heads.

“Sorry ma'am, we were unable to find out, if you like we can have a messenger get a hold of her, would you--” Celestia lifted a hoof, halting further speech, she then continued to lift her hoof until it was messaging her temple.

“N-no it's quite alright, thank you for your help, you may go.”

The guards saluted in unison and backed out. Once the doors were closed, Luna watched as her sister flopped unceremoniously onto her bed, belly up.

“Well...that certainly wasn't what I expected to hear, why would she leave so suddenly?” Luna meandered over and lay down next to the flustered alicorn, placing a wing over her sister. Celestia graciously accepted the touch.

“We are not sure sister, but she had her reasons and they are probably logical ones.” Celestia stared up at the ceiling, her eyes following the design of painted clouds in random directions.

“I guess you're right, she does not really do sporadic things unless they are important...”

“...Or if she wants her mother's blood.” Celestia sat up suddenly and smacked Luna in the shoulder with her hoof.

“That is not funny!” Luna giggled nevertheless and retracted her wing from her sister's belly.

“Tis quite humorous actually, we were informed you almost killed your Doctor with a fountain pen.” Celestia huffed and folded her front legs, looking away.

“He was talking about classified information and had no right to—wait...how did you hear of that!?” Luna giggled harder as Celestia's cheeks reddened and filled with air.

“We hmm mhmhm, we are sorry sister, but it is quite well known around the castle as of now. But if thee must know, we had two night guards hidden in the ceiling rafters to make sure no ill will came to thee.” She giggled harder, and Celestia splayed her ears back.

“What is so funny?”

Luna smiled coyly, poking her sister's chest with a silver shoe.

“Thou has greatly lowered the punishment for high treason sister...”

Celestia blanched. Luna snickered and leaned closer.

“We thought it quite humorous that giving one's enemy a 'raspberry' is now equal to planetary banishment.” Before she could laugh further Celestia tackled her sister into the throw pillows.

“Oh is that so? Well how's about I give you a proper raspberry sister?” Luna squeaked and laughed, grabbing a pillow and boffing her sister in the face with it. Celestia leaned back in mock shock.

“Y-you would assault your dear sister? “ Luna smirked and before Celestia could react, she flipped them over, making Luna the top pony.

Celestia squirmed and giggled.

“Let me go!” Luna laughed and pinned the white mare's wings down against the bed,

“Neigh! We shall show thee true punishment for treason...” Celestia blinked in confusion.

“And what would that be Lulu?”

“A lunar loogie.”

Celestia 's expression plummeted into despair.

“N-no, Luna I forbid it. Let me up. Now.” Luna continued to grin and started to regurgitate flem.

Celestia panicked.

“Luna don't! D-don't you dare missy!” flailing helplessly she found she couldn't move much due to her wings being held. She whimpered as Luna let the glob slowly lower itself down towards her face.

Celestia tried to teleport but Luna was faster, and she countered the spell with her own. Celestia whimpered louder and flailed harder.

“NO! LUNA! Get—errg!—GET OFF ME!” Luna chuckled and let the saliva extend further, forcing Celestia to lean her head back into the bed pillows.

“Rethithtance ith futhile Thithter.”

It was now an inch from her cheek, Celestia screamed.

“LUNA I SWEAR TO FAUST ABOVE IF THAT TOUCHES MY FACE YOU ARE HISTORY!” Luna smirked and suddenly sucked the glop back up into her mouth. Beneath her, Celestia was panting, her hair was a mess and her cheeks were flushed. Leaning down, Luna nuzzled into her sister.

“We already are, sister..we already are.”

A frustrated grumble was her only answer.

From there the sister's simply lay there, waiting. Celestia eventually fell asleep and Luna had to go raise her celestial charge. Looking back, Luna giggled as she beheld all that was her sister's majestic form, slumped sideways, wings askew, leg twitching, clutching a pillow in her forehooves, and mumbling gibberish as she began to nuzzle into it lightly.

“Sleep well, my sister, all will hopefully be well soon.”

Exiting her sister's room to the outside balcony, She opened her wings and took flight, aiming for her tower balcony. Considering how close it was to Celestia's, the flight was short and simple. Once there she alighted on the cool stone and shivered lightly, the wind had felt really good on her coat, and it was the first element she'd embraced upon getting her body back from the Nightmare.

Flight was a good thing for her as well, it gave her freedom she had long missed. On many nights she would fly around the castle, watching the lights of the surrounding city vanish, only to be replaced by neon signs and glow sticks wrapped around ponies necks and legs. Tonight however, she felt no urge to spread her wings more, and instead trotted to the edge of her balcony. Her eyes scanned the horizon for anything out of place. When nothing revealed itself she lifted her head to the moon, just now peeking over the distance Canterhorn mountain range.

Rearing up to place her hooves on the ledge, she grinned playfully.

“Look at you, trying to hide from us are you? HA!” she chuckled and lit her horn, gently nudging the celestial body into the sky. The smile stayed on her face as moonbeams jumped out across the sky like spotlights. The light brought her worries to a halt for the time being, and she could finally breathe and enjoy herself.

It did not last long though, and her thoughts came rushing back like a tidal wave.

With everything as it is, Celestia is going to be rather busy placating Twilight's emotional trauma. This means I'll have to take up a more permanent mantle on the marble guillotine. Perhaps it would be a good idea to get my own throne now...Luna hummed, and turned her eyes on Ponyville.

For several sparse seconds, she remained like that. The small village's lights were like a brightly burning candle in the darkness, allowing travelers to see it from miles, or a curious princess like herself. Her mind once again found itself empty of any thoughts, and she was able to fully let go of the day's events. Then, just as she was preparing to leave she spotted the train near Ponyville, it was departing the station.

Her eyes watched it's path, and then she smiled.

“With any luck, Twilight will be on that train, and our Sister's worries relieved.” Exiting her balcony, Luna made for her doors, and passed through them. On either side of her, a guard fell into place. Both of them were bat ponies, one on her right was female, and on her left, a male.

The female's name was Reverent Wake, she was the perky, curious, and adventurous type. She was hand picked by Luna for her social skills and information. Reverent, or Rev, for short, had literally leaped at the chance to teach Princess Luna the modern lingo and way of life in Equestria.

For this, Luna was gratefully making leaps and bounds in her knowledge gaps. Currently, Rev had a bit of a bounce to her step, showing she was eager to begin the night's processions. Luna looked to her left, and noticed her second personal guard.

While he was well known for his combat prowess and strength, Luminary Star was actually chosen by Luna to be her go to colt for legal affairs. When she'd inquired as to why he chose such a field of knowledge, he'd explained,

“So I can actually read Miranda Rights to ponies who deserve to know them.” It had taken only a week for him to get her caught up to speed on court legalities that Celestia had either missed or left out. In general, he'd gone to college to become a court attorney, but when he did less than was acceptable, he became a guard, and kept the legal knowledge on the back burner in case it was ever needed.

And boy did it come in handy sometimes. While the elite ponies of Canterlot thought it odd, many times Luna would call Luminary up next to her to inquire about something or another, and he always came through. As the trio walked Luna slowed in her pace and set her eyes on the pair.

“How does our guard fair this night hmm? Anything of interest to share?” Reverent smirked and looked up at Luna.

“Not really, Lumy got startled by a spider while on the way to your chambers.”

Luna slanted her gaze to the colt to find his cheeks flushed but his face firm as he stared ahead, after a second or two of silence he noticed the alicorn's eyes upon him. He coughed into a hoof gruffly.

“Twas a big spider, ma'am...” Rev giggled, and leaned closer to Luna, who lowered her head to listen.

“”It was a baby star spider, no bigger than a crumb.” Luna frowned faintly and brought her head back up. She was hoping for something more interesting to say the least.

“Ah, well then, assuming nothing else exciting went on, I suppose I'll need to go over the night's schedule, is my scribe Lustrous Quill still out of commission?” at her guard's simultaneous nod she frowned.

“Pray thee tell us, what befell our scribe? She is not usually one to gain illness.” Rev spoke up first, waggling a hoof.

“Oh nothing too bad, one of her herd mates failed to inform her that a family reunion was coming around, and she was basically caught unawares that it was quite soon. She packed pretty quick too, was out the gates in an hour or so for the train station.”

Luna let her frown dissipate.

“At least we are not too busy then, otherwise one of you would be swamped by predatory elite ponies...or spiders.”

Both mares giggled as a visible shiver ran up Luminary's neck and he bristled. He paused to wave his hooves in the air at them.

“It was a big spider okay!”

Luna put a shod hoof on his shoulder, making him look up at her with a sour expression.

“You're both incredibly cruel you know that?” She smirked.

“We assure you “Lumy” we do it in jest alone.” her smile increased in size when the colt's left eye twitched at the self imposed nickname.

“Yeah, sure your Highness.” By the time the alicorn stopped giggling, they had reached the throne room back entrance. Pushing it open, Luna entered and walked over to the throne. After making her cushion appear she sat and rapped the gavel against the dais and then sighed.

“Court is now in—“ Her words halted as the doors opened and a familiar griffon stepped into the hall. Luna grinned from ear to ear.

“DAWNCLAW!”

The griffon jumped visibly, flared his wings open and slammed his back into the now closed doors. His feathers puffed as he snapped his gaze up to her.

“Y-yes Ma'am!?”

He looked adorable with his feathers ruffled.

She stifled a giggle, and waved him over with a hoof. Once within normal talking distance Dawnclaw sat in front of the dais and tried to relax. He wasn't expecting to be shouted at when only halfway across the threshold of the throne room entrance, needless to say he wasn't sure if the smile Luna now wore was out of glee for his arrival, or something more...sinister.

“We are most pleased by your appearance Dawnclaw, please calm thyself, thou are not in trouble.” Luna relaxed her expression and lay down on her cushion watching the griffon slowly breathe more regularly. Once he was at ease, she spoke.

“We have called for the castle smith to appraise your sword and get it properly cleaned and prepared for thee. They have yet to show up, and so while we wait, Tell us, hast thou been enjoying thy stay?”

Dawnclaw blushed faintly, and nodded.

“Yes, I have your Highness. I took a walk around and got a map so as not to get lost. The gardens are rather beautiful this time of year.”

Luna nodded.

“That they are, did thee have any trouble with meals? We are aware of a griffon's eating habits.”

Dawn shook his head, albeit he did frown.

“N-no, although they weren't very happy about the requests I made, when I told them my rank though, they got right to it...”

Luna smirked, she had expected the outcome would be as much, the castle staff wouldn't lift a finger to help anyone unless that being had status of some sort, and that fact alone drove Luna mad with irritation.

Back in our day they would be flogged on the rump for such snobbish behavior... Luna giggled while imagining the wretched 'prince' blueblood bent over and being whacked right in the--

“Er—princess?”

Luna blinked and noticed Dawnclaw was rubbing an arm and looked quite uncertain of himself.

“Hmm? Oh! Pardon my laugh Dawnclaw, it was not aimed at thee.”

He nodded and sighed.

“S-so what do I do while we wait for the smith?” Luna thought for a moment.

“Has thou ever played poker?”

Dawnclaw was yet again surprised, but nodded, and Luna smiled. Magicking a deck and chips from thin air. Behind her, Luminary groaned and ran a hoof down his face. Reverent whooped and bolted forward to stand next to Dawnclaw, who seemed confused.

“Er...I take it you three do this often?” Luna nodded with an air of haughtiness about her.

“We, the princess of the night, are now on recess from the grueling pains of commoner court. If we are needed we shall be playing poker in our meeting room, come Dawnclaw, we go!”

Before the griffon could even muster a reply, there was a burst of magic and the three vanished.

By the end of the night Dawnclaw found out just how interesting being in the night guard would be.

He was still terrible at poker, however, and was bit-less by the time the castle smith arrived.

Canterlot housing district.

House Sparkle/Armor/Aurora

Twilight rapped her hoof against the solid double doors that stood as entry to her old home. It was a lavish district, and so the houses were quite nice in design. Rarity was practically gushing with compliments about the home, and they hadn’t even made it off the porch.

“You never told me your parents had a house in this area of town, Twilight. I feel kind of left out really, I know your family was well known but you failed to mention how well off they were!”

Rarity said all of this while darting back and forth across the patio, admiring, complimenting, and gasping in surprise. Twilight rolled her eyes. It was a home, it housed their family sure, but that was it.

“So, why did you never show me this place dear? It's positively glowing with beauty and grace.” Twilight looked to see Rarity standing next to her with an inquisitive look.

“Because I don't care about this place. It's just a house, Rarity.” Twilight sat down and watched as her friend sputtered and then gaped at her. Quite a normal reaction to such a statement considering it was Rarity.

“J-Just a—This house is a three story pillared home of perfection Twilight! Why it's textures, The walkway, the outer design, Victorian inspiration at it's best!” Rarity sighed in her usual dreamy way, missing the exaggerated gagging that Twilight had given as a reply.

Their theatrics were brought to a halt by the door creaking open just a crack. Twilight watched as a pony servant peeked out at them before closing the door and unlocking more than one lock. That surprised Twilight. She remembered their house only had the standard lock system, or at least the last time she'd been by here it had.

When it opened partially, Twilight was surprised again to see that the mare was wearing leather armor instead of the work outfit she normally wore... Something was wrong. The servant eyed them both for a moment before bowing and sliding her hoof over her chest.

“Miss Sparkle, please enter.”

Twilight looked at Rarity, and the servant followed her gaze, before frowning.

“She must stay outside, Night Light's orders Miss.” Twilight raised a brow at that.

“Night Light's orders? My dad is not a guard, Frosty Leaves. Let us both in.”

The mare didn't move. In fact, she leveled a glare at Twilight. For as long as Twilight knew her, Frosty had never been firm with her. She had always been kind and gentle, soft words and gentle advice.

The mare standing before her was NOT the Frosty she'd known as a foal.

“Only you are permitted within the premises, Miss Sparkle.”

Twilight was about to retort when a hoof touched her shoulder, and she looked over to find Rarity shaking her head.

“If this is a personal situation, then I have no right stepping in on it, darling. It would be rude of me to transgress on family matters, I'll wait for you out here. I assume the porch isn't off limits to guests?” Rarity angled her question at Frosty, who merely nodded.

“The porch is acceptable for guests,yes. Miss Sparkle, please come inside.”

The door was opened fully, allowing her to enter. Twilight gave one last glance to Rarity, who merely smiled falsely and disappeared from view.

The moment the door closed, Twilight glared right back at Frosty. She was indeed wearing battle ready leather armor, and a short sword on her hip. On her hooves were a pair of iron shoes, each one equipped with a spike at the front. Altogether Frosty Leaves looked ready for war, instead of waiting for guests, and that was at the forefront of Twilight's mind at the moment.

“What is going on Frosty? Why are you being so cold? And Why in Celestia's name are you wearing that outfit?” Frosty neither answered the questions or acknowledged that she had been spoken to, instead, she walked past Twilight and up the stairs.

“Your father wishes to speak with you, Miss Sparkle. He is currently in his office chambers.” Twilight growled and stomped a hoof, making Frosty stop and look back down at her.

“That’s another thing, you've never called me 'Miss Sparkle' before, it was always by my first name or my nickname 'Twily'. What's gotten into you!?”

Frosty simply stared at her for a moment in silence before continuing up the stairs.

“I am ordered to title any remaining female house patrons of your home “Miss”. Considering you're the only one around it is my duty to do so.”

Twilight bristled.

“Okay sure, and what about the armor and sword? You're not a guard, you're a housemaid!”

Twilight had started following Frosty up the steps when the mare halted rather sharply. Twilight had to splay her front legs out to keep from smacking her snout into Frosty's posterior. Looking up Twilight found one of the most intimidating glares that she'd ever seen the mare show leveled at her.

“You know nothing of who I am.”

Twilight's heart dropped, this couldn't be the mare who had watched after her for her foal hood. Frosty's glare intensified as she slowly turned around and spoke firmly, her voice crisp and sharp.

“The only reason I am being minutely respectful to you, miss Twilight Sparkle, is because I was ordered to do so. Do not DARE assume you know me, or anything about me. You’ve NEVER known me, so I advise you remain silent and follow--”

“Frosty!”

Both Twilight and Frosty visibly flinched, as the voice carried out over the stair balcony. Twilight looked up and saw her father, Night Light, standing at the head of the stairs, glaring at...both of them? She honestly couldn't tell.

Frosty looked like she wanted to retort, but kept silent and continued up the steps until she was standing next to the stallion.

“My apologies, Sir...” Twilight stayed where she was, shocked too much to do anything.

First off, she was right, whoever was impersonating Frosty was very bad at it. Secondly, who ever had switched with the mare, was obviously a soldier. Thirdly, and by far the most importantly, was that her father, Night Light, looked nothing like he normally did.

Leather armor, a golden helm, a rapier at his side, and a royal pendant of the sun hung around his neck.

Yup Twilight had lost it.

Sitting down she simply closed her mouth and nodded.

“Well that's it then, its the cemetery all over again. I've lost my mind to Discord and he's playing tricks on me. That's the only logical explanation I can come up with.”

She pointed a hoof at Frosty.

“You're obviously a terrible impersonator of the Frosty I was raised by,” Twilight's hoof then swiveled to point at Night Light, ignoring the look of confusion on Frosty's face.

“And you must be her commander, I really don't know what spell you cast but you really do look like my dad...huh, I gotta hand it to that cheeky serpent, he's very good at dark humor.” Twilight stood and smiled, raising her voice to the ceiling above.

“Very funny Discord, let me out now, I don't find this funny!”

“Twilight.”

“You even got the house to correct proportions, nicely done, you've got an ounce of architecture in your body...somewhere, probably near your elbow...”

“Twilight!”

Said mare lowered her head to the Imposter dad, and sneered, walking forward her voice directed at the obliviously dumbfounded stallion.

“Oooh you even sound like him, nice try Discord, but my Dad was not, is not, and never will be, a guard.” She poked his chest plate, making Frosty lift her hoof slightly off the floor defensively. Night Light looked down at her hoof and then back to the younger mare. With a sigh, he rolled his eyes and walked back towards the study,

“Come on Frosty, she won't believe either one of us are real until she comes to that conclusion herself. Twilight,” He made eye contact with her and smiled. For the briefest moment Twilight felt that familiar feeling she got when she was home.

She felt safe.

She felt safe because of that smile he was giving her. Her father had always been a beacon of power, yet a web of warmth for her. She could run in fear to him and he'd be there to wash them away. She could come to him in determination, and he'd steer her on to the path of success.

In short, he was her armor...ironic how he was now actually wearing some and she didn't trust him.

“We'll be in my study if you feel like joining us, Twily.” With that, he vanished from view into his room. Twilight sat there for several seconds, merely lost as what to think...was he an imposter? Was Frosty really not who Twilight thought she was? Was rarity still on the porch? How many more secrets could she handle before her horn split from pure concentrated curiosity?

She took two deep breaths, lifted her hoof to her chest, and let it swing out before her, breathing out as she did so. Doing this three more times she found herself slowly reigning in all the crazy thoughts and and irritations from the day's events and then letting them go. As she lowered her hoof to the floor, she remembered a saying her teacher, Celestia, had used often when seeing her student would get too flustered over projects.

Answers are never easy to find, Twilight, they must be fought for. This is why knowledge is just as sharp as any sword or spear, it can penetrated what you believe in, and make it brittle and susceptible to doubt. Find the answers, and then find their facts...

Twilight stood without any trepidation.

“Find the answers, then their facts...Only then can the truth come forth and shield you. Thank you Celestia, I needed that.”

Walking up the remaining steps, she entered the study room and wasn't actually surprised to find Night Light sitting in his usual arm chair near the window that overlooked the mountain side and nearby hills that led off towards Ponyville. Standing just inside the doorway was Frosty, who momentarily frowned at her but then nodded and refocused her eyes on the doorway.

The room was largely comprised of overly stuffed book shelves, rustic carpets, large vases with rare potted plants, and two desks, one cluttered with paperwork and a couple oddities, and the other clean and orderly.

Twilight Velvet's desk.

Twilight walked over and ran her hoof over the smooth polished dark wood, her mood suddenly melancholy.

“I miss her, dad....” Night Light angled his head over, watching as Twilight's head drooped and she kissed the wood gently.

“As do I Twily, as do I.”

Twilight moved over to the seat across from her father and sat rather gruffly. Her posture was slouched and her head was drooped, her bangs covering her eyes.

Silence pervaded for the next few breaths, until Twilight spoke.

“What is going on, dad?” Night Light levitated his tea cup up to his lips and drank a good amount before setting it down and leaning forward in his chair, the buckles of his armor clinking lightly.

“Before I answer that particular question, I need to know something. Did Velvet get the book to you? Do you have it?”

Twilight looked up slowly, glaring at her father, her hooves digging into the cushion beneath her.

“You knew about that?”

Light nodded.

“We both planned it Twilight, it was the only way we could verify that you could know the truth.”

Twilight frowned.

“Know what truth?” Nightlight sighed and leaned back into his chair, silently looking out the window with a sorrowful look.

“So that's it then, you haven't read the book yet...Actually it makes sense considering you'd come to talk with me if you haven't.” Twilight leaned forward.

“What is so damn important about it that I have to read the whole thing? It's just a tome about our family history!”

With a zap of magic Twilight opened a small portal and the book floated out onto her lap. She'd thought of the dimensional item spell not two years ago, and it had served its purpose well enough. She could bring anything from scrolls and ink, to a set of medium sized books with her anywhere she went.

Flipping the book open she began to scan the pages for anything she could find that would be noteworthy. Night Light watched, sipping his tea quietly, while Frosty left the room, only to return a few short moments later with a new hot pot of the liquid. When she had poured him another cup she simply set the teapot on the desk, and sat next to Night Light, watching Twilight as well.

It was rather unnerving but Twilight did her best to ignore it.

As she read through each page, she came to know a little more about the houses and their history. While it was fascinating to know that three of her family lines were closely linked to that of other houses, and that that they even had two honorary griffons in the family, Twilight couldn't help but wonder why there was so much to do about their family line.

Twilight paused and sat up, looking at her father with her usual determined expression, he made contact, but the normal spark, the one she always saw when she was younger was not present. Twilight felt her worry grow.

“While I'm reading this, would you both tell me why there is so much cloak and dagger about this situation? So much in fact that Daring Do herself could write a novel off it?”

Night Light chuckled, and sipped his tea, letting Frosty answer for him.

“Miss Sparkle, one does not simply commit high treason in broad daylight.” Twilight quirked an eyebrow and looked up from the tome.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Frosty frowned and looked at Night Light, who merely waved a hoof, seemingly intent to drink the entire cup's contents agonizingly slowly. Frosty rolled her eyes and stood, walking to stand just before the window. Twilight watched as Frosty's posture went from rigid to relaxed. The mare seemed sad? Her ears were down, her shoulders rolled forward, tail and mane drooped somewhat, and although she could bore through solid rock with her eyes the way they were, they still held a soft feel to them.

“You stated earlier, that I was an imposter, that I couldn't possibly be the same Frosty you knew as a foal. Simply put that is true.”

Twilight went to stand, intent on clarifying why that was, but her father stayed her speech with a hoof, and a firm gaze.

“Let her finish Twilight, she has wanted to say this to you for a long time, do not ruin the moment with arguing.”

Reluctantly she remained seated. Frosty gave a small smile as thanks to Night Light and continued.

“It is true, but only partially. I was a different pony from the one you see now. Almost twenty years ago, I was a soldier in the royal regiment of Celestia's castle. I was to put it lightly, one of Celestia's personal guards at the time. My partner and I watched her door day in and day out, 24/7. If we got breaks at all, it was because Her Grace gave them to us with the intent of having a little alone time.”

Frosty took a moment to compose herself, but barely hid the shiver that ran down her body.

“In truth Miss Sparkle, I have never been a maid in your home. I have always been, and always will be a soldier of the guard. With circumstances as they are, I was finally able to drop the act and be as I normally am.”

She chuckled, and then her ears drooped and she looked to the floor as if in shame.

Twilight felt slightly lost by that, and remained silent. The sound of her father pouring more tea and sighing brought the two mares out of their stupor. Night Light brought the cup to his lips and then paused. His eyes said he was tired, old, and weary from the throes of life, but he soon blinked and the look was replaced with one of determination.

He pointed to the book.

“Read it Twilight, You must find out the truth for yourself.”

Twilight faltered, her gaze once more found its way to the tome at her feet. Why was some dusty book so important that her father had kept a soldier in their home to protect her? What was going on?

Her magic reached out and flipped open the book to her maker, a red feather given to her by Philomena.

With a heavy sigh, she continued reading.

As the pages wound further in, Twilight learned several interesting things. Firstly, House Sparkle was the master house of magic. However, her house had also fought for the esteemed title of Celestial Guide. It was a house dedicated to having each generation play advisor to Celestia and Luna. While this was a great title to uphold, it didn’t make sense. Her family were very knowledgeable yes, but they weren’t very well known for their connections to the crown. They weren’t even a main house!

Secondly, Twilight found that her family line had never made connections with the crystal empire and it’s previous national boundaries. When she looked for a reason, she found a startling discovery.

In the time of the two sisters, Celestia and Luna, A great terror arose known as King Elictus. This King was brutal in the ways he commanded his people. Any crime was punishable by death, or worse. As his infamy grew, Elictus set his eyes on a country just within his reach of conquest, The Crystal Empire. With no one to oppose him, he took over the Crystal Empire completely by numbers and sheer force. It was upon this day he named his house, House Umbra, the heir to the crystal throne. Many years passed and the two sisters fought him and his armies, but before he could defeat the alicorn sisters, he vanished under unknown circumstances and was never heard or seen again.

In the wake of his father’s disappearance, the young prince and eldest son of King Elictus rose up to claim the throne. He brought with him the ceasefire of the war, and under the watchful eye of the alicorn sisters, brought the kingdom to a new height and power, that of which it had never been seen before.

His Name was King Sombra, an extraordinary Mage,, and a close friend of Celestia and Luna. While records may dispute what Sombra truly intended with his peace treaty with Equestria, it is well known that he was a great ruler, and a master of crystal magic.

Sombra still remains in rule and has shown great promise, but rumors spread that he has grown a little too close to her royal highness, Princess Celestia. New records are required to continue…

Twilight leaned back and looked up at her father, who had just started his third cup of tea and had sent Frosty to retrieve more. He raised a brow when he saw her staring at him.

“Something catch your eye Twily?” He frowned slightly, and Twilight nodded.

“Sombra was one of Celestia’s students….wasn’t he?” Her voice came out hushed and mumbled. Night Light paused and levitated the book over. He read the script, blinked, and then shrugged.

“Who is to say? Perhaps they were lovers.” He chuckled when Twilight turned red and looked away.

“Oh come now, Twilight. That is a completely reasonable thing for me to assume. It says that they were close, doesn’t that sound rather like your situation with Celestia?”

Twilight coughed and spluttered. Her words came forth but refused to jump out and be heard. It took several moments for her to calm down and face her father without looking like a tomato.

“Celestia and I are student and teacher. Nothing more!”

Night Light kept his frown and levitated the book back.

“Hmmm, are you sure? You should really keep reading.” As the book landed back in her lap, she leveled a confused glare his way.

“…Y-yes, I am.”

Again delving into the confines of the book she ignored anything with Sombra, finding that she couldn’t fully be sure she wanted to know the truth of her teacher’s relationship with the dark unicorn. As she read on she noticed how names became sparse, and histories dwindled down, until she was left looking at the back index tree of her family line. It was here her father stopped her with a gentle tap of his tea cup, he used to always do that to get her to pay attention. It produced this ring that she always found irritating.

“Daaad, I hate it when you do that!” He chuckled.

“Well boo hoo for you because it works in prying you out.”

Night Light stood and moved over to the couch next to Twilight, laying down so close that his side was touching hers. It was comforting to have him so close, but the expression he gave her was not. Night Light had rarely ever gotten overly serious with her. She could scarcely remember a time when he’d scolded her over a bad grade in school, but it wasn’t to be mean, she’d known that.

Now she was an adult, and she knew he was serious. To emphasis it, he put his hoof around her neck and brought her into a hug. His voice held at a firm but loving tone.

“From here on, I want you to know two things, Twilight.” He withdrew and smiled genuinely at her, and for some reason Twilight felt she was about to lose something precious. Something she’d had all her life. She could see it in his eyes. He was scared for her, and she knew not why.

“No matter what you read next, Twilight Velvet, myself, and Shining Armor all love you so so much. We will always love you, and never think for a second that you can’t come to us for help okay? You can even go to Frosty, she’ll be moving back to the castle after this week is over, but she wants you to know she cares too.”

From beside her father’s hair, Twilight noted how even with her soldier like form and her armor, Frosty was frowning and her eyes were glossy. She nodded to Twilight and rubbed at one of her eyes, but said nothing.

Twilight was now worried, whatever this secret was, it was bigger than her. Bigger than all three of them. She wasn’t so sure she wanted to know now.

Ignorance is bliss, they say, but you’re not ignorant are you?

Twilight felt her determination rise just a smidgen.

No… No I’m not. I can weather this… I hope.

After her father dislodged himself, she continued reading.

The first parts of the family tree were quite weird, being written in ancient Equestrian and sometimes in other languages all together. But the closer she got to the end, the more she started taking note of names she recognized.

Fluer de Lise is related to House Armor, interesting…

Rarity has a slight connection to House Aurora, but it dates back hundreds of years so its hardly accurate…

One of my great uncles is a bat pony? How’d that happen?

The more she read names, the more she realized how small this world was. Even odder was that these last few pages were obviously new, and enchanted. At least within the last two hundred years or so. They showed her great Grandmother Sparkle, and her Uncle Shield. From there it gave way to several splits, one of which was her family.

There was Twilight Velvet’s mother, and her husband, and then beneath that was Night Light and her recently deceased mother, the book even said if they were dead or not!

And then there was Shining Armor and Cadance….

And…. And then….

…
…
…

The page had stopped.

Twilight blinked, Where was she? Where was her name? She read back up the line, re-reading the names until Cadance…
Something was wrong. Twilight looked up and found both Frosty and Night Light looking at her solemnly. Night Light urged her on with a gentle nudge of his nose on her shoulder.

“Go on, to the very end, Twily.”

Twilight swallowed and nervously turned the remaining two pages until she got to the end and a medium sized envelope came into view. It was yellowish with age and had been hastily stapled to the inner binding. In large, bold red letters stamped on the front it read:

Twilight slowly tore it open and pulled out three slips of paperwork. The first one was simply a military form registering the documents as legal originals, and recognizing all the known names present upon it’s creation. Among these names was her own, but that had to be wrong, she couldn’t have been there! She’d never seen this envelope or it’s contents before! Discarding it to the side she opened the second one and read its secrets. As she did, her lips slowly parted as her jaw began to drop in horror.

It was a Birth certificate…. Her birth certificate.

But it was all wrong!

It had her name as the foal born, that was correct, the date was correct too and where she’d been born. However, that was where the correct pieces ended, and then spiraled into the weird.

Where her Father’s name should have said Night Light, it was blotched out with black ink.

Where her mother’s name should have said Twilight Velvet….

Everything around Twilight slowed to a crawl. She could see Night Light next to her, speaking and shaking her gently, but no words met her ears. She saw him point at Frosty who then stepped out of the room quickly. None of that mattered now, it was pointless to her, everything meant nothing, and nothing meant nothing….

Without warning, Twilight scooped up the envelope, the three documents, and the book, and teleported out of the room.

She had a princess to talk to.