10 2/3 years later – Canterlot, Residential District; 7:15am

It was a sunny warm August day, and today was a very special day because it was the Summer Sun Celebration – known as the longest day to date annually – and in honor of Celestia. On this day a randomized town or city will be picked to host the celebration, with of course her highness visiting to set the sun on midnight today. The lucky town to be picked was a small and recently new – not new new, but recent enough to be called a town – called Ponyville; the town itself had simple thatch roofed homes and was situated near the Everfree Forest, just close to the base of Mt Canterlot, just a couple of kilometers away.

Now while the celebration was to be set at Ponyville, that didn’t stop other towns from also setting up for the celebration, with many photographers to take pictures of the princess raising the sun, and many news station recording live of the sun’s setting and soon rise. However, the main focus of all this hub-bub was situated on one particular mare, who had her snout deep in a particular ancient book. The book itself spoke of a legend of an evil mare, and retelling how this mare wanted to have the night be eternal and was known as Nightmare Moon, and would be only be called as myth… but this mare has other ideas of such of pony.

This mare was nopony but Twilight Sparkle – pupil to Princess Celestia, bookworm, and your average shut-in – was plastered with a worried look as she gazed deeply onto the book, until a familiar baby dragon came entering her study room with a gift in claw. Of course Twilight didn’t care to notice and spooked poor Spike, causing him to drop the gift; Spike then found himself levitated to Twilight, the two touching snouts with each other.

“Spike! Do you realized what I found out!?” shouted Twilight, making Spike flinch from the close contact.

“Uhhhh… The party for-”

Before Spike could finish, Twilight dropped him and continued to rant. “I found out that Nightmare Moon will return tonight! We need to warn the princess, stat!”

Spike gave an incredulous look before standing back up, with as best a calm look he can. “Twilight, we should relax, today is our break; also, today is Moondancer’s birthday party, we should go,” said Spike.

“But this is more important, ponies could get hurt if we don’t warn somepony! Now write this letter to the princess, and repeat what I need to say.” Spike sighed and grabbed some parchment and an inked quill; writing down what Twilight had told him to sent to Celestia, Spike breathed in and unleashed a torrent of green flame. The ashes of the scroll went out an open window and flew to Canterlot Castle, the two waited for a while only for Spike to look sick, causing him to barf out a puff of flame and a scroll.

The scroll was levitated to Twilight and read what the scroll’s contents in a quick fashion. “Do not worry… Go to Ponyville… and check preparations and… Ignore what you know about Nighmare Moon!”

“See, even the princess agrees with me!”

“But why would the princess won’t listen to me… she always listens to me… And it says here I should make friends – I have tons of friends,” said Twilight.

“Your brother doesn’t count, and all the friends you made here you barely see while I still do.”

“What about Uncle Zenny?”

Spike gave flat look and began to laugh hysterically, but after Twilight didn’t join him gave a serious look. “Wait, your serious? Twilight, Uncle Zen is worse than you when it comes to being a shut-in; he’s been a shut-in for centuries, you only stay in your study for weeks, but at least you need to eat and get some fresh air. Zen can research for months and not feel a sweat-”

“Uncle Zenny can’t sweat,” said Twilight, stating it like a fact.

“My point,” said Spike, continuing on, “is that he is a good example when it comes to friends… Come on, let’s go do this than worry than some old prophecy.”

Twilight thought about this than gazed at the letter and the list that came with it; sighing in defeat, Twilight rolled up the scroll, grabbed some books detailing the Elements of Harmony, and Nightmare Moon, and a saddlebag and went to exit her home. Spike clamored onto her back, and the two exited to the train station.

Canterlot Castle, Celestia’s Room; 7:30am

Celestia gazed through a telescope on her balcony and saw her student with Spike on her, as they entered the train to Ponyville. Watching the train leave the station, the princess went back inside and went through some papers on her study – the papers in question talked about various things relating to the city, the nobles, other cities, and the upcoming Summer Sun Celebration – but none were important to what was to come soon. The princess gazed at a photo faced to the ground on the ledge of her fireplace; the frame looked old, centuries old and surprising looked intact.

Levitating the photo stand up, Celestia gazed at a picture of her when she was younger… and smiling dark furred filly that tried climbing up Celestia when she still had her mane pink than its current colors. The filly in question didn’t had a cutiemark and her mane was dark blue, as was the rest of her body was too. They smiled – a foalish smile – together as sisters would… but days like those would be taken from her… and today was the day of her return, and she had everything planned.

But not all planned go as they should; not looking at a corner of the room but knowing something hid in the shadows of that particular room. Not even turning around and gazing at the slowly dying embers of her fireplace, Celestia spoke to nothing in her room.

“I want you to follow Twilight and Spike; make sure they’re fine and those who would become the Elements of Harmony are too… I know that you’ll do either way, but this is something that we both know if not done correctly, the lives of many will never be the same… So it is alright for you deny this command; if something were to happen, get as many you can out of Canterlot and retreat to the south, you might have a surviving chance if you do so,” said Celestia, the shadows behind her stirring. “Will you do this… Royal Assassin Zen?”

From the shadows something shifted and almost part as if a door, and stepping out was an armored biped from foot to head. The helm he wore had five points, two on top and two on the sides that looked like horns and pointed to the back while the fifth looked like a dull beak at the bottom. The helmet itself had a smooth glass-like surface that was a grayish color, and had two orbs to the sides that represented eyes; both orbs stared in a glaring look, but didn’t hold any form of hate, but rather something… else.

Zen didn’t move as his cloak swayed from no wind in the room, and the signature weapon strapped to his back glinted from no light, but managed to be seen in the darkness. With practiced but sudden motions, Zen did his version of a bow to her highness – his upper body bent, one arm around his waist, the other on his back with both hands clenched to a fists and his head lowered to face the ground.

“I never had let my gaze from watching Twilight – never since I met that young filly, and nor will I ever do so,” said Zen, the promise holding ever shred of seriousness to it.

I can always count on you Zen. “Good; for now I don’t want your position to be known to any of the residents. I also don’t want you to harm or approach Nightmare Moon or find out if something has occurred to me. Watch Twilight, Spike, and the future bearers of the elements, and only – and ONLY – intervene when the situation becomes dire… And promise… promise me you won’t to anything reckless or life-threatening.”

Zen seemed to meld back into the shadow and said one final thing before leaving. “I won’t try to kill anyone...”

After Zen left, Celestia spoke to the emptiness of the room, now alone. “Idiot… I was referring to you,” said Celestia, a small smile gracing her muzzle.

Meanwhile on the train to Ponyville – Canterlot to Ponyville Train; 8:00am

It was five more minutes until the train from Canterlot would arrive to Ponyville; Twilight sat beside Spike on an empty train cart, the two not speaking as Twilight studied the books she brought with her while Spike sat, swinging his legs as they dangled off the seat. “Hey, what do you think this Ponyville place will be like, I never been anywhere outside of Canterlot before you know,” said Spike, excited.

“Huh, yeah neither did I Spike,” said Twilight, invested in her reading. Spike noticed Twilight’s quick response, and saw she was snout deep into a book titled, Relics of Old; this wasn’t the first time Twilight didn’t bother to listen when it came to books and her studying, but he tries to remind her to listen when speaking to someone else.

“Anyway, how about we talk about what we need to do once we get there, the princess did send for something, right?”

Twilight immediately closed the book and looked at Spike with a glint in her, before pulling out a list and hoofing it to Spike. “Well we have tons of things to do – we need to see the one managing food, the local weather-pony, the pony handling decorations, the pony handling music, and more. The princess even also gave us a place to stay; she said we can use the old library as our new home… I still don’t know why she wants me to make friends though, I got you,” said Twilight, the idea not big in her brain.

“Well, I think its a perfect idea, come on, the train is nearing the station let’s get going.” Just as Spike said, the train came to a slowing crawl and came upon the station. The duo and various other ponies and species stepped out of the train, just as others boarded it too. The two began to make their way to town by crossing a bridge when they encountered their first denizen of the town, a pink mare that bounce with each movement.

After the two decided to say hello – Spike suggesting it, and Twilight engaging – Twilight approached the bouncy mare. “Ummm, hello,” said Twilight, awkwardly. It was that moment when the mare suddenly rose in mid-air in an impossible few seconds and bolted into a puff of dust. Her distant form could be seen running off as she left a cloud of dust in her wake; Twilight and Spike watched the weird mare running off before the two looked at one another.

“Guess she had something to do,” said Spike.

Twilight sighed and decided to go see these other ponies she needed to see for the festivities. Let’s get this over with, I have a feeling this day isn’t going to be any ordinary sort of day.

As she slowly left the area, from the shadows of a nearby house a shadowy creature made of a living darkness, watched her with eyes of pure white that glowed. The shadow creature gazed at the pair before melding back into darkness, the atmosphere near it going back to normal as if nothing happened.

Several hours later – Ponyville; 8:00pm

Twilight has finally finished with the list and headed to her new abode, Golden Oaks Library; the library was just situated across the train station, making it the perfect area to not only see the train station but to reach it for the more earlier train arrivals. She was haggard to the bone while Spike seemed to enjoy the experience, especially with the posh unicorn called Rarity, who has been having a happy grin on his face.

I’m soooo tired, I just want to go to sleep. Twilight reached the library’s door and swung it open to only see pure darkness; reaching for any light switch, the lights came on and was met face first with the same pink mare, and for the whole library to be stock full of ponies with a banner saying, “Welcome to Ponyvilly” on it.

“Hiya! I noticed you were new to pony and I always make a party for anypony new! Name’s Pinkie Pie, but you can call me Pinkie!” said Pinkie, her snout still touching Twilight’s.

Before Twilight could speak, the bouncy mare went off to speak to the rest of the party-ponies; deciding not to bother with anypony, she went straight for the drink stand. Reaching for a red bottle of something, she poured herself a cup when Pinkie returned with the other mares she met before. She continued to ignore her and drink the beverage when an extreme heat came to her, and in a burst of flames – literally – she ran up the stairs. The rest of the mares and Spike watched her leave until Spike checked the red bottle.

“Hot sauce?”

Pinkie decided to pour the sauce on a cupcake, and ate it with no adverse effects. “Bwaht? Uifs gud!” said Pinkie, her voice muffled.

After a few hours, Twilight tried to muffle the sound downstairs, when Spike opened the door to check on her. “Hey Twilight, you sure you don’t want to join us, its a blast down here,” said Spike, wearing a lamb head.

“I’m… fine Spike… Enjoy yourself,” said Twilight, her head slightly poking out from the pillow.

Spike looked at her a little longer before shrugging and going back downstairs; the noise only got louder and shook the library a few times. Twilight removed the pillow and gazed at the moon with the face of the Mare in the Moon on it.

Ohhh… I just know something bad is going to happen… I just do… I hope nothing horrible happens.

Off in the distance outside of Twilight’s home, watching her from the window she gazed from, Zen watched on top the roof of the town hall; his enhanced zoom allowing him to get a better look at her a the building she resided in. Since he melded perfectly in the dark, not only the glow of the moon reflecting but rather absorbing any form of light on him, to make him near unseen unless allowing himself to be seen or from the eyes of a very perspective being.

Zen returned to his normal sight but still gazed at where Twilight was, his orbs never blinking as the shadows made from the moon, writhed and moved like leaves in the wind. Standing up and facing his sight toward the night sky, as it was lit with stars, he spoke his intimidating voice, echoing toward the empty streets.

“Spread out, and inhabit every shadow. If you find any activity to occur, report to me at the castle ruins with the rest… and remember to not be seen – either by the inhabitants or ‘her’,” said Zen. Like awaiting for a response, the shadows suddenly burst forth and moved like slithering snakes as they scaled walls, streets, roofs, and the very air. This left Zen without a shadow as if he never had one in the first place, before he himself vacated the premises to his given rendezvous spot.

After the party – Ponyville; 11:50pm

Ponies began to leave the party and their homes as they headed to Town Hall for the awaited Summer Sun Celebration to begin. They reached the building and entered as they all awaited and conversed with one another until the arrival of their monarch. Twilight entered herself with Spike as they too waited with other ponies; she saw Applejack and Pinkie standing among the crowd, Rainbow flapping in the air just like other pegasi, Fluttershy with her songbirds for the music, and Rarity at the balcony that Celestia would come from.

Everything was going just as planned… but one strong itch could be felt from Twilight, and that itched grew stronger the longer she gazed at the moon. Something’s going to happen… Something will…

After several minutes, the bell rung to signify it being midnight and that moment, the moon flashed and the Mare on the Moon, vanished. The mayor, Mayor Mare came to announce the festivities to begin and signified the coming of Celestia to raise the sun. Several seconds later, nopony came out and many ponies began to worry, and while the mayor tried her best to calm them, Rarity came out. “She’s not here,” said Rarity, equally shocked.

A loud gasp later, and suddenly a billow of smoke started to appear from the balcony opposite of Rarity’s, as many ponies stared at the growing dark fog when a dark blue alicorn came wearing dark armor and cat-like eyes. Her teeth were sharp, and that smile only brought misery with every waking step she took; her gaze moved through the crowd with a predator glint in them. This caused several ponies to faint and scamper in fear, while some like Rainbow rose up with questions of where the princess was, and they would be answered.

“Hello my fellow subjects, it is good to see your sun-loving faces once more; for your true ruler has returned, Nightmare Moon!” said Nightmare Moon with an evil laugh.

Many did not knew who this was but Twilight knew who she was and wasn’t afraid to say what she wanted to say. “It is you, your actually here!”

“I see that not all has forgotten, and I can also sense a pupil of student when I see one.”

“I won’t let you bring eternal darkness to Equestria or the world, I’ll stop you and use the Elements of Harmony if need be!”

“Hahahahahahahahah; just come and try, but none shall stop me, or my eternal night!” With that, the laughter continued and Twilight left the hall to the library, followed by five other mares.

Whilst this occurred, a shadowy creature watched from the rafters, and slipped away to the Everfree Forest, as more of it’s kind also vanished to the ancient forest.

Everfree Forest, Pathway to Castle Ruins; 12:15pm

After traversing through the forest with much speed they could, the six mares made it through several problems that required each of their skills and might; from the darkness, Zen watched each of these trials and while not assisting but did anything to aide them. For example, keeping the other nasty creatures from attacking like the Timberwolves, Cockatrices, Hydras, Cragodiles, and much more. While one Manticore got through, that problem fixed itself – the butterscotch pegasus was not to be trifled with – and while the one incident with the trees was odd, they gotten through again – the pink one was odd…

Once getting across the bridge, Zen continued to watch the show – Twilight found the elements, encountered Nightmare Moon, used the elements, the elements connecting with her and the other five mares, they used the elements on Nightmare Mon, and finally freed Luna from her path of hate and misery – to the finale. The group exclaimed in victory when Celestia teleported in a dramatic fashion; the appearance made Rarity sqweed in happiness, nearly peeing herself – Applejack made a comment about that, and caused her to pout in frustration.

The alabaster alicorn approached her younger half, but as she tried to shy away, Celestia hugged her with her wings and the two embraced a sisterly love. The six mares – now calling themselves the Mane Six – did various reactions with Rainbow while not blanching did a shrug but was happy that they were together.

Celestia continued her hug but unlike everypony who didn’t notice, saw the dark figure in cloaked shadow vanish away. A small sad frown came to her face before she continued to nuzzle her returned sister.

Don’t worry Zen, I promise to introduce Lulu to you too… She is our sister after all, and should meet her older brother.

One week after Luna’s Return – Canterlot Castle, Outside the doors to the Western Wing; 10:00am

A week, it has been a week of her return and yet… Luna has barely done anything, not in the sense of staying in her tower; she has made some friends with a few of the guard and castle staff. Since her week in Canterlot, a few ponies have gotten to better know her, with the first few of course being the captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor, a notable noble called Fancy Pants and his fiancee Fleur de Lis, and even her own captains of the Lunar Guard – one for the thestrals and another for the ponies – Captains Orion Belt and Cat Vision. While being introduced these notable figures, her problems started to begin… when she first met the thestrals and found out she had her own guard.

She visited the Lunar Guard and while she saw the various ponies, when she met the captain of the thestrals, she was ecstatic and wanted to properly introduce and gain their full loyalty to her… things went wrong that point on. While they didn’t listen to her per-say… the thestrals of the guard seemed… distant from her, especially for beings who also like her dwell in the night more often than naught. While the equestrians of the Lunar Guard have followed her loyally and too have their own interests with the night, they seem to do so out of respect for her being Celestia’s sister, her being an alicorn and princess… but thestrals… seem to follow out of tolerance alone.

They don’t hate nor loathe her but rather don’t trust her, and while this has harmed her ego, Luna only believes because the thestrals have never known her before or after her banishment as they were never discovered but only five hundred years both after her banishment and before her return. Deciding to look for answers, she approached her sister and when she started talking to her about her recent escapade with some of the Lunar Guard thestrals, Celestia decided to show Luna something.

The pair trotted down, approaching the Western Wing; the first things that Celestia told her was to never visit or even teleport at this part of the castle, but was allowed everywhere else. It was an odd request – or rather demand – but she did so… so today of days Celestia changed her mind and wanted to show her sister something in the old part of the castle. Luna herself has saw the doors to the wing, and while they weren’t old old, but did show some age from five centuries ago, did always saw a pair of thestral guards standing there, changing shifts during the morning, afternoon, evening, and midnight hours; thestrals are nocturnal beings, so seeing up at the morning and afternoon was odd, but they seemed okay with this but of course one guard would rest while the other awake but both were vigilant at the sound of any movement, sound, or magical disturbances of any kind due to their kind having a keen sense for magic.

“Sister, why’s thou now bring us here? Is something hidden within thine walls?” asked Luna, with her old speech.

“Luna, remember we don’t use that form of speak anymore,” said Celestia, smiling from her sister’s talking.

“We, I mean… I am sorry; I am still use to this way of speaking… But back to my previous question. Why are we here, is something kept here that not even I am allowed to see, and why is it guarded only by the thestrals… Does it have to do with why the thestrals aren’t trusting toward me?” asked Luna, each question making her curiosity grow.

“A little; the thestrals aren’t faithful to me either,” said Celestia, as if the idea was fine.

“WHAT!? Then why do they follow you, and why don’t they simply break your orders and simply do what they wish? Is this why they do not respect me, and only bow out of… TOLERANCE!” shouted Luna, her anger peaking.

“Now now Luna, the thestrals may not show said respect, but while tolerance is a correct word… There is a reason why, as the thestrals follow another...”

Luna wanted to ask some more questions but they finally neared the doors guarded by two thestral guards. Once the guards saw them and recognized Luna, the didn’t cross their spears to block them but did momentarily step to the path of the doors. While Luna was offended, Celestia knew this was simply protocol as nopony on the upper brass mentioned Luna having access here.

“I’m sorry your highness, but Princess Luna can’t be allowed here. She has to wait while you make your visit,” said the guard to the right with practiced ease.

“WHAT!?”

Celestia calmed Luna and spoke to the guard in question. “It is fine, Luna is here to meet… you know who. I believe it is time they meet and… that this secrecy to be done with.”

The guards both recognized what this meant; with some thought they stepped back, before doing something odd. The guard to the left did some knocks and waited a few seconds when a strange cold enveloped everypony, as if some strange entity wrapped itself upon them. Recognizing the feeling – except for Luna who shivered and is unlike any cold, even more so than the moon – spoke to nopony in sight, still facing the closed doors.

“Sir, you have guests… and… today’s the day; its time.”

The feeling vanished and the doors opened on their own, the two Lunar Guards bowed and instead of continuing to stand in their post, left without a word. This made Luna tilt her head, watching them leave even though they should have some time still to stand on guard. Deciding to not question, Luna followed behind Celestia until the two doors behind them closed ominously; the feeling of dread came upon Luna but noticed some things.

The hall they were in while clean, had that sense of age to it – the windows were tinted black, and were reinforced so breaking them with magic or crashing to them would do nothing but cause a scrape or crack it but not shatter it, other things were several large portraits of some ponies and a few other non-ponies too. Each one had a name, and many were unfamiliar to the lunar princess but some recognizable, especially the equestrians, some being in the Royal Guard centuries ago.

They met another pair of doors and entered into a similar hall with several doors and a spiral staircase at the far end of the hall. They went pass some doors until stopping at one called, the living room; before Celestia entered said room, she turned to face Luna with a smile, but a weary one as if she waited for this day to come… it worried Luna deeply. What could be behind this door… Who was this pony that only the thestrals may follow… Does Tia know about all of this?

“Luna… there is something you must know… after your banishment, I couldn’t have the heart to find another to fix the deep pain I had when you were banished… but I did meet somepony… or rather somebody, five centuries ago,” said Celestia, her eyes seeming to water.

No… it can’t be…

“Sister… you found… a lover… and made them immortal? That… I… so… …you finally replaced me, hmmm… I’m not surprised; the many years may had made it difficult for me, but you never easy either… To rule alone and be alone must also be as painful just as mine was, so I’ll try my best to respect your choices, and this stallion you met...”

Celestia had a shocked look – whether because Luna was so accepting or something else – but smiled. “I’m happy your very accepting, but do not assume he is my lover… or a pony.”

Luna became more confused but Celestia simply opened the door and directed her to enter. “How about we meet him, and see for yourself,” said Celestia. Entering inside, Luna looked around and saw the shelves of books, the window to overlook Canterlot, the couch, armchair, fireplace, and even the study desk which was accompanied by various photos around the room that decorated with the carpeted floor and chandelier on top.

The room seemed cozy than the bare halls she was in; Luna heard the door closed but after several seconds noticed one key detail – Celestia was standing in front of her since they entered… so who closed the door?

“So… We finally meet Luna.”

The voice, it dripped with different words Luna could describe it with, but three came up immediately; cold, empty… void. Turning whilst backing up from the voice, she saw nothing but darkness… but something shifted in the shadows. Stepping out, was an armored biped with the strange helmet ever before seen, and had two orbs that created a glaring effect, but the intimidation didn’t stop there – this armored being wielded a katana that reached to his thighs, and would or rather can cut through her cleanly.

“Who are you!?” Luna tried her best to stand her ground, and expected her sister to do so too. Celestia stood there with a waiting expression on her, as if what was happening had to happen.

Why is she standing there… unless… Was this her plan, to replace me with this… thing!? Am… was I only brought back, only to be sent away only this time permanently… is this my fate. To be forgotten, and never cared for.

This momentary lapse in thought costed her; Zen approached Luna, and while she flinched from his sudden closeness, was stopped short when he grasped her withers with one hand. She waited for him to crush her with his clawed gauntlets, to await the laughter from her sister and tell her she was nothing… it didn’t come, and what was said changed everything.

“I may already have Celestia as my little sister, but I think having a younger one like you has made my life the more meaningful,” said Zen, his voice cold but held a tinge of warmth.

Luna continued to stare, but did not move a muscle, watching, listening… The centuries in the moon have hardened Luna’s heart, making her grow distant, and while she has gotten back with her sister, a small barrier was still there, making their relationship just that… and nothing more… That same barrier was being shattered… a bridge being remade.

“I know what you are about to hear is confusing… and hard to grasp… but I promise that just as I been there for our sister, that I will do so for you,” said Zen. Wrapping Luna in a hug, his armor while cold didn’t bother the lunar princess, only making the gesture all the more meaningful. “Just as my love for her is genuine, so is the love and care I have for you is too. My name is Zen – I am your older brother, and I promise to not be the family you need… but the family you deserve. I hope I become everything you want and more… sister.”

The words were heard… and the tears flowed; Luna heart pang with the hidden pain she held back, all the regret a mistakes she made… it flowed… and she held on tight to the one close to her, and sunk deeper into that embrace. Luna began to bawl as she wept for the years of pain, the years of loneliness… the years of being separated from her loved ones. Celestia soon joined in, and the three hugged away the pain and suffering, and became a family; Luna… now had a family… and it was one she never wanted to lose, ever again.

Author's Notes:

This chapter was actually going to be longer, but I didn't want to add what occur in the S1 episodes one and two - only the moments that counted - that and not over extend things unless necessary. The ending was a bit troubling, but I think a simple yet happy point was appropriate.

The next chapter; Luna visits Zen and he retells her some of his past, and the friends he made... and lost.

Thoughts:
Celestia
Twilight
Luna