I sat in Celestia’s study, waiting for her and Luna’s reaction. They both sat across from me in silence.

After several seconds, Celestia spoke first.

“I can’t say I’m too surprised. I felt like there was something you hadn’t told us. But out of respect I didn’t pry.”

Luna nodded.

“I think I speak for both of us when I say we’re grateful for you telling us about your lineage.”

I let out a sigh of relief.

“I’m sorry I never told you.”

Celestia smiled.

“It’s alright Shade. We’re just happy you feel comfortable enough to tell us.”

Luna leaned over and whispered something to Celestia. Her smile got bigger and she nodded.

“I think you’re right Luna.”

She focused back on me.

“We think it’s only right to continue this openness. Is there anything you’ve wanted to ask us?”

My ears perked up. It had been so long since I’d thought about the topic! Suddenly all of my old questions flooded back. But I didn’t want to overwhelm them.

I narrowed it all down to one request.

“Tell me about your childhood. And becoming the Princesses.”

Celestia and Luna looked at each other and smiled. Luna was the first to speak.

“You understand that what we tell you is between us?”

I nodded vigorously.

“Of course! You two are family to me. I would never betray your trust.”

That made them both smile. Luna nudged Celestia.

“I told you he was like the little brother we always wanted.”

Celestia giggled.

“Well baby brother, let’s start from the beginning.”

I settled into my seat, ready for a story. Celestia began.

”We grew up in one of the few villages that existed in the land prior to the founding of Equestria. This was also the village that Gusty the Great lived in.”

I nodded, remembering she'd once told me about that fact.

”You mentioned her before. Had she already perfected the ascension spell by then?”

Celestial nodded.

”Gusty had spent her younger years in the pursuit. She feared more than anything that Grogar would somehow return. And she wasn't sure if anyone would be up for the task.”

Made a certain amount of sense. Celestial continued.

”So she created the spell. It gave a boost to her power and prolonged her life. What she hadn't planned on were the wings she grew.”

I shook my head.

”Wait. Wings are...a side-effect?”

Celestial nodded.

”As odd as that sounds yes. The spell has been tweaked since then as to incorporate them in a more official capacity.”

“Got it.”

“So that was the creation of the first alicorn. She lived in our village for the rest of her life. She passed after we took the thrones.”

“So she passed the spell and knowledge on to you.”

Luna nodded.

“Once she knew Equestria was in safe hooves, she decided she wasn’t needed anymore.”

I shuffled my hooves.

“I wasn’t aware alicorns could die honestly. I mean...you’ve both been alive so long I just figured...”

Celestia sighed.

“As much as everypony hopes that, we’re not immortal. The truth of the matter is that...”

She looked at Luna and they both nodded. Celestia turned back to me and continued.

“We control the flow of time within ourselves.”

I blinked several times.

“You mean...it’s a spell?!”

Celestia slowly nodded. I stammered first a few seconds before composing myself.

“I thought you said the ascension spell prolonged your life.”

“The ascension spell is actually two parts. One part increases your power. The other part prolongs life. That part has to be constantly maintained. But with the extreme power boost, it doesn’t drain you at all. If an average pony tried to use the spell they’d most likely drain their magic reserve within a few minutes.”

Luna locked eyes with me.

“Shade, you have to understand. This is one of the greatest secrets of Equestria. There are only a hoof-ful of living ponies who have ever had this knowledge.”

I collected my thoughts and spoke slowly.

“I’m not surprised. I assume every alicorn knows the spell?”

Celestia winced.

“I...haven’t told Twilight yet.”

My brow arched and Celestia sighed.

“We’ll tell her when the time is right, but it’s a terrible burden to put on a pony.”

I nodded in understanding. It made sense. Twilight would be faced with the same dilemma I’d struggled with.

“Cadance knows?”

Luna nodded.

“She does. And she’s opted not to prolong her life.”

My eyes bulged.

“Seriously?!”

Celestia nodded.

“She’s expressed her desire to not subject Shining Armor to that decision. And now that they have Flurry Heart they have a successor to protect the Empire.”

I allowed the information to sink in. That was a brave decision on her part.

”So you two grew up in the same village as Gusty.”

Celestia nodded.

“We were still young when Equestria was founded. But they realized quickly they needed a more unified leadership.”

Luna chimed in.

“That’s when Star Swirl showed up.”

Celestia chuckled.

“Yes. He was an eccentric stallion, to say the least. But the kingdoms trusted his opinion above most. So he was tasked with finding those who could lead.”

I was nearing the edge of my seat.

“And that’s when he found you?”

She shook her head.

“He came to meet Gusty actually. But when she turned down his offer, she suggested us. Once Star Swirl made his decision, Gusty took us aside and passed on her knowledge and the ascension spell. She told us we’d need to be strong for any enemies we might face.”

I nodded as I took in all this information.

“Did Star Swirl know about the process as well?”

“He was the one pony Gusty trusted to hold the information until we were old enough to use them ourselves.”

“I can only imagine that ponies were shocked to be introduced to an entirely new race.”

Luna chimed in.

“They were! But none of them could know it was possible to be like us. Star Swirl knew that nopony could ever know about the ascension. That sort of power can’t be given to just anypony. So we kept it secret for centuries.”

“So you were crowned rulers of Equestria and began your reign.”

They both nodded. I sat back in my seat.

“That tells me more about alicorns, but what were you two like back then?”

Celestia smiled.

“Honestly? We were brats.”

Luna nudged her.

“We tried to act like we were regal, but that only went so far. We were still fillies at heart.”

“And before your ascension?”

Celestia took over.

“Everypony in our village studied magic, weather, and agriculture. We thought it best to be well rounded when it came to the three races. But, as Luna mentioned, we especially excelled in magic.”

Luna giggled.

“We went around casting spells constantly. I’m sure the adults were happy when we finally left.”

That’s when it occurred to me.

“What about your parents?”

That made both of their smiles fade. They looked at each other for several seconds. Celestia finally sighed.

“All we know is that they were respected members of the community.”

“You mean they were-“

I couldn’t bring myself to finish the sentence. I didn’t want them to have to relive old memories.

A tear rolled down Celestia’s cheek

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to remember anything about them. But...the memories just aren’t there. A curse for living so long I suppose.”

Luna pulled her sister closer as Celestia wiped away tears. Luna looked to me as she stroked her sister’s mane.

“Father died before I was born. Mother shortly after we took the thrones. It was so long ago..”

I stood up and approached them. I embraced both sisters.

“I’m so sorry. If anypony can understand that emptiness I can. Even with Chrysalis alive, I felt alone and scared for so long...”

Their collective grip tightened around me for a few seconds before they released me. We all wiped tears away before I said anything.

“You two went through such a drastic change. How did you cope with being leaders at such a young age?”

A grin grew on Luna’s face.

“We didn’t. We still acted like fillies constantly.”

Celestia chuckled.

“Star Swirl didn’t realize what he’d signed up for taking us under his wing.”

Luna began laughing.

“Remember that week we kept hiding his hat?”

Celestia began laughing too.

“I’d nearly forgotten!”

They collapsed in a fit of laughter. I couldn’t help but smile at these sisters. No. My sisters.

They got under my skin regularly. And they were more immature than they let the public know. But they were the siblings I’d always wished I could have. And I thanked whatever deities were out there that they were mine. They were my family.

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