Long ago, in the great and bountiful land of Equestria, there were two sisters of immense power and wisdom. All ponies across the land, earth pony, pegasus and unicorn alike looked to them for guidance, for leadership and for inspiration.

The eldest sister raised the sun, watching over the land in the light of day, and was known throughout as being fair and gentle. Kindness and compassion were her words and deeds, and to the ponies of Equestria, she was as beloved a figure as they could have ever hoped for.

The younger sister though? She raised the moon, and watched over the dark times of the night. While the elder was gentle, she was direct. Action over words was her path in life, and those who served her knew it well. Though perhaps not as loved as her elder sibling, she was nevertheless admired, respected, and perhaps even feared.

For a time, they ruled together, each having equal voice, and Equestria prospered over their joint guidance. But, as with all good things, this too came to an end. So different were they, so split their ways of ruling, that soon conflict emerged between them. While both believed that theirs was the true way for their people, neither would accept the ways of the other, even loving each other as they did.

Arguments arose time and again, and it became clear that their shared stewardship of Equestria could not last under such bitterness. Eventually, their divisions came to their inevitable end, and the younger sister chose to split entirely from her elder. Many followed, and while it broke the elder's heart to see it happen, she nevertheless did nothing as her sister and her followers left Equestria.

Many years have passed since that day, and while the ponies of our land know that the elder sister rules them well, those who did not stay, those who followed the younger, they are still out there, beyond the places where Equestrians will not go. Will they return? Will the two peoples become one again? Nopony can say. But even so, after a thousand years, the ponies of the moon have become more akin to legend than history.

But, as any with wisdom can tell you...even legends can come back one day.

A lavender hoof gently closed the pages of the large book in her lap, and as Twilight's horn lit up, she carefully set her glasses aside for the time being. Instead, and after putting the book itself away, she turned her attention once more to the one before her. A young drake, snuggled cosily in the confines of his bed, looking up to her with wide eyes.

"Is that story true, Mom? Is there really another Princess out there?"

The unicorn mare giggled slightly, reaching forward and giving a loving pat to the top of his head.

"Who can say, Spike? Who can say? It was a very long time ago, and if such a thing truly did happen...well...I suppose it'll be quite a day if we find out."

Spike nodded to this, looking up to his elder with a smile.

"Thank you for the story."

Smiling, Twilight leaned forward, planting a tender kiss upon his forehead.

"You're welcome, Spike. Now, try and get some sleep. You and I have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow."

Spike nodded, getting himself even more comfortable in his bed, much to Twilight's amusement. Turning, she moved closer to the still-burning candle on Spike's bedside table, giving a brief puff out of her mouth, blowing the tiny flame out. Though dark, she knew her way well through the room, and was soon at the door of the place. Briefly, she looked over her shoulder, seeing her young charge smiling back to her, to which she could not help but reciprocate.

"Goodnight, Spike."

"Goodnight, Mom," he replied.

And with that, the mare closed the door behind herself, taking this moment of solitude to let out a deep sigh. When the moment had passed, however, she took in her new surroundings, the pristine and immaculately-kept library. A massive window stood nearby, gazing out at not only the rest of Canterlot, but also the nearby palace. Even at night, they were both marvels to behold, and as Twilight trotted over, she mused in her situation.

"Okay...now...she'll arrive there tomorrow at..."

But she didn't get the chance to finish, as just then, there was a relatively quiet knocking at her door. While taken aback by this, Twilight soon composed herself, walking over to the thing and using her magic to open it up. When she did, she smiled once more, as she now stared into a familiar bespectacled face.

"Ah, Moondancer. Nice to see you."

The other mare nodded, smiling back and adjusting her glasses slightly.

"You too, Twilight. Sorry for getting to you so late."

But Twilight raised a hoof, stopping her.

"Think nothing of it. Spike's already in bed, so I don't have anything going on right now."

Nodding, Moondancer looked down to her hoof, before offering her friend what she held within it; a small parchment.

"Well, I got all those names you needed."

Smiling in appreciation, Twilight took what was offered, unrolling it and giving the contents of the parchment a quick glance.

"So...this is everypony I need to talk to when me and Spike get there?"

Again, Moondancer nodded.

"Yep. With any luck, they'll have already sorted out most of what you need to look over when you get there."

Looking up from the paper, Twilight gave the other mare a warm smile.

"Thank you, Moondancer."

A thoughtful look crossed her face.

"You know...if you want to come along...?"

But this time, it was Moondancer's turn to raise a hoof, chuckling slightly as she did so.

"Oh no! This is your task, remember? You're the Princess' apprentice, so you should be the one to overlook all of this. I'm just happy to stay here and keep on studying for our exams."

A smirk crossed her face after saying that.

"Besides, like Minuette said, who better than Twilight Sparkle to organize the Summer Sun Celebration?"

Twilight rolled her eyes to that.

"Oh please, Moondancer! It's not as if this party is going to be the end of the world if I'm not there."