>How long ago were the batp0nies created?
>How long ago did they fight for their Princess?
>How long ago did this war start?
>These questions have been long-answered.
>Those answers, long-lost and long-forgotten.
>Lightning strikes in the distance as the tears of the sky fall over the dark land.
>My eyes lock with one of my dear sister's guards, one with an eyepatch.
>As much hostility as he shows me, my eyes plead nothing but forgiveness and love.
>Sunshine Smiles.
>His brother stands beside him.
>Frolicsome Meadowlark.
>My dear sister's favorite guards.
>Her back is turned as the two batp0nies stand between us.
>I try to stand, but falter and lean against a large granite statue.
>And how ironic it is, that the very statue I lean against is the foe my dear sister and I imprisoned so long ago.
>That devilish trickster, Discord.
>She speaks, but I do not hear her.
>All that I know is that I must retrieve my mother's artifacts, lest I perish in this battle.
>Her crown lies just in front of Sunshine, but I dare not tear my eyes from his.
>The very most I dare to do is continue pleading with him.
>Please, dear Sunshine.
>I need that crown, or all of Equestria may perish.
>This is not my sister, this is not your princess.
>My lips part as I dare to speak.
"Please."
>And with that one word, a tear finds its way down his cheek.
>Meadowlark turns to his brother and gives the faintest, slightest nod.
>"Princess. I am so terribly sorry, for what I am about to do."
>I swallow hard as the monster that has taken my sister's form turns her head to Sunshine.
>"She is not your Princess, child. She is my enemy, and she is a traitor to this great land."
>Meadowlark dares to turn and face the monster.
>"Nay, my liege. My brother doest not speak of the Princess of the Sun."
>The sound of metal scraping across stone fills the room.
>A sound so distinct, that it is heard over the thunder and the rain.
>"I speak of you."
>With a flick of my horn and a grasp of my telekinetic magic, the crown settles itself atop my head.
>Its power surges through my very core, and the world turns a blinding white.
>The screams of a dark and wicked monster fill my ears before utter silence deafens me.
>Sunshine and Meadowlark stand with their backs to me.
>I follow their gaze.
>There, high in the sky, early in the night, hangs my dear sister's moon.
>And imprinted on that moon is the silhouette of the monster she became.
>It will serve as a fine reminder to her regime.
>But more importantly, it will serve as a reminder to me and my weakness.
>My neglect.
>My ignorance.
>"Sunshine. Brother."
>The sobbing batp0ny looks to his brother.
>Meadowlark slams his helmet to the ground and embraces the younger of the pair.
>"'Tis not our fault. 'T'would not have been a world to live in."
>"Nay, brother! 'T'was Her Majesty's dream!"
"Nay, Children of the Night. It was a nightmare. And it was of nop0ny's fault but my own."
>A tear falls from my eye as I stand weakly.
>I approach them, to which they allow me to lean upon them.
>The three of us gaze at the moon in sorrowful thought.
>"Dearest Princess. Whatever punishment you will allow us will not be great enou-"
"Nay, little p0ny. Your punishments will be... appropriate."
>They both nod and smile weakly.
>This tears at my heart, as I never wished to punish anyp0ny.
>I simply wanted my sister back.
"Gather your legion. Gather every batp0ny you know. Gather them in the forest east of the Mountain of the Sky."
>Their whimpers catch my ears.
>"The forest betwixt the mountains, Princess?"
"Yes, Sunshine. I will await you there."
>"Yes, Princess."
>They bow and start to fly off into the storm.
>Meadowlark halts his brother and turns to you.
>"And what of you, Princess? What of the castle, and the royal city?"
>I look at my surroundings and smile softly.
"In light of recent events, I believe a new start will be necessary. Would a city that overlooks all of Equestria not be a bad idea?"
>"Nay, Princess. 'T'would be an excellent idea. But-"
"Go. This palace is lost and there is much work to be done. I will meet you and your brothers and sisters in the forest in a fortnight."
>"Aye, Princess."
>They fly off as I venture into the ruined castle.
>There is naught for me here, but there is something that I must leave behind.
>Levitating the crown off of my head, I approach a very large monument.
>The Monument of the Elements of Harmony.
>As the crown floats from my grasp, the gemstones inlaid break apart and infuse themselves into the orbs on the monument.
>In time, there may be need for them.
>And they will be kept safe here.
>The crown itself, with its golden color, and that large pink star rising from its front-center shines in the moonlight.
>I charge my horn and zap it with a spell.
>A spell that will not allow its use without the other five elements.
>And a spell that will not allow one single p0ny to use all six elements.
"I fear the power of whomever you obey."

>The sky shines brightly as my glorious sun casts its light over all of Equestria.
>It has been two weeks since that fateful battle with the monster that took my sister.
>The forest around the old palace has grown wildly without p0nies to keep it in check.
>However, the new city that I had ordered to be built is looking quite amazing.
>I will call it Canterlot.
>And I will rule my land in peace and harmony from the heights of the Mountain of the Sky.
>My wartorn land is already starting to look like it did when my sister and I ruled peacefully together.
>I must thank the earth p0nies for that.
>The pegasi and the unicorns are busy building the new royal city and castle.
>I look to my left and smile softly at the large granite statue that had braced me during my battle.
"What do you think? I believe Equestria will be quite harmonious for hundreds of years to come."
>As I stand and begin my journey off of the castle's future grounds, I flick my tail under the statue's chin.
"Too bad you won't be here to enjoy it, Discord."
>It has always been fun, taunting that effigy of a long-defeated foe.
>Luna had been too brisk in defeating him during that battle.
>I wanted it to last just a little bit longer, just for the banter.
>"Princess!"
>I look to the source of the voice as it catches my ears.
"Yes, Briskwind?"
>"A messenger from Nightmare Moon's regime has requested your presence!"
>Ah, of course.
>Today was the day I need to discuss the batp0nies' punishment.
>Rather, tonight.
>Or... maybe now?
"Do they request me at this instant?"
>"Yes, Princess."
"Then I will return as soon as my business is finished."
>I trotted away, but soon found myself taking to the sky.
>I flew east-ward, finding a large forest tucked between two mountain ranges as my destination.
>Sunshine and Meadowlark greet me as I land in the forest.
>Their shrill screeches sound throughout the trees.
>Hundreds more answer in return.
>And among the trees, I see hundreds of pairs of slitted eyes staring upon my form.
"I am not here to hurt any of you. I wish for all of you to come into the open, so that I may see my newest subjects."
>Hoofsteps sound as many little batp0nies emerge from behind trees and from the undergrowth of the forest.
>Meadowlark and Sunshine bow to me, which leads every single one of the others to do the same.
>I look upon each and every one of them individually.
>Nearly all of them have saturated almost-gray coats.
>All of them have tufted ears and bat wings.
>And suddenly, it dawned on me.
>I was not witness to the creation of their race, because they were not created.
>They were corrupted.
>Nightmare Moon's insurgence had been supported and followed by a large amount of pegasi, but very few earth ponies and unicorns.
>I recognized some of their cutie marks.
>And I recognized them all the same.
>My children of the skies, corrupted by the same evil that corrupted my sister.
>I could not help but cry, and so I openly did.
"I... I fear that I may not be able to change any of you back."
>Those words are all I can choke out before I felt my limbs collapse beneath me.
>In that moment, I realized my sister was truly lost to me, just as these p0nies were lost to their own families.
>"Princess. If it is deemed appropriate, our punishment may be these forms. And may our descendants be punished just as well!"
>I shake my head and scream at that p0ny, my cheeks burning with anger.
"Nay! Do not curse your forms, for they are a gift to you! Celebrate this. Celebrate what my sister has given you!"
>The tears that fall down my cheeks burn with the heat of a thousand suns.
"Please, little p0nies. Celebrate my sister, while I can not."
>Sunshine presses a hoof to my cheek.
>The smile he offers despite the tears in his eyes are enough to move my heart.
>"We will celebrate her, in all of her glory. We will remember her as she was, before she was a Nightmare."
>Meadowlark nods and smiles.
>"We will celebrate her during the winter solstice, just as we know all of the others will celebrate you and your sun on the summer solstice."
"You always were the smartest p0ny I knew, Meadowlark. That is an excellent idea."
>All of the batp0nies cheer and hug one another.
>I raise a hoof to silence them all.
"Your punishment..."
>A collective whines sounds throughout the forest.
>I swallow hard as the tears continue down my cheeks.
"Your punishment will be to live in this forest and these mountains until the day of my sister's return."
>"But our families!"
>"Our homes!"
>"Princess, I..."
"Make your homes in the trees and in the caves of the mountains. These forests have a bounty of fruit that the rest of Equestria knows nothing of."
>I smile softly.
"No outside p0nies will bother you, for I hereby announce that this forest is cursed and off-limits to anyp0ny."
>Beckoning Sunshine and Meadowlark to follow me, I begin my departure from the forest.
>"Princess, is this not a cruel punishment?"
"Nay, Sunshine. I believe it is a fine punishment. The infant race of batp0nies will share their banishment with their creator."
>"But, Princess! What of Princess Luna? We will be long gone upon her return!"
>I stop in my tracks and press a hoof to my lips.
"I want you two to lead this race into prosperity. I will grant you a gift of longevity for aiding me in Nightmare Moon's final hours. I know it was not easy, and I would not wish my dear sister's heart to be shattered when she returns."
>My horn glows in preparation for a spell that will allow their life-span to extend for a thousand years.
"Do you accept?"
>"Yes, Princess. 'Tis more of a curse, in my opinion, but 'twill be a fitting punishment for our traitorous act."
>I touch my horn to Meadowlark's forehead, his body glowing in resonance with the spell.
"And you, Sunshine?"
>"For Luna. I do."

>The years pass by, and slowly but surely, the days start to feel shorter.
>Five hundred years have passed since my sister's banishment.
>Every night, I look up at her moon and cry.
>I miss her more than anything.
>Tonight is the night of the five-hundred Merry Moon Memorial, in honor of my sister.
>I smile softly as hundreds of floating lanterns rise from the forest that contains Hollow Shades, and all of those batp0nies.
>As those hundreds of lanters float toward the sky, toward the moon, a dozen or so bat ponies carrying large sacks fly upward, out of the forest.
>Their destination is the top of the mountain, just like every year.
>They offer letters, drawings, gifts, and an abundance of other little treats for my dear sister.
>The top of the mountain has become somewhat of a sacred place for them.
>Many of their young must travel to the top of the mountain and stay for a day on the day that they mature into an adult.
>They have become such a curious, well-developed race in the five hundred years that they have lived in that forest.
>I supposed I should meet them at the top of the mountain, just as I do every year.
>My wings spread and carry me up to the top of the mountain.
>I am met immediately by Sunshine, Meadowlark, and ten other batp0nies.
>The two oldest batp0nies haven't aged a day since you... cursed them, as they wished to call it.
>And it is a curse.
>Loved ones come and go in the blink of an eye.
>The only p0nies you can hold close are others with this curse.
>But the batp0nies' banishment will not be over for another five hundred years.
"Sunshine, Meadowlark. How nice to see you again."
>"Likewise, Princess. A pleasure to see you once more."
>"It's the five-hundredth Merry Moon Memorial, Princess. We brought the usual tributes to Princess Luna."
"Yes, I can see that! I see you've also brought quite the entourage of friends."
>I smiled at the new p0nies.
>"Tonight is, coincidentally, one of their birthdays. Nectar, step forth."
>A young mare, not much older than Luna was when she ascended to Princesshood, steps forward.
>A dark crescent moon adorns her blue-gray flank.
>Two foggy eyes stare forward, but don't look at anything in particular.
>Her long dull-yellow mane lays on her shoulder in a thick braid.
"Hello, little one."
>"H-hello, miss."
>The young mare was almost surprised to hear me giggle.
"Nectar, was it? My name is Princess Celestia. Will you be spending the day on the top of this mountain?"
>"Y-yes, Princess! Today's my eighteenth birthday, so it's a right of passage, I guess."
"Well, I'm sure Sunshine and Meadowlark can make a small exception. Do you think they'd mind it if I took you to Canterlot for a little while?"
>"We can't allow that, Princess. That would violate our banishment from Equestria."
"Hollow Shades is part of Equestria, Meadowlark."
>"He meant that it would violate the terms of our banishment that we would not leave the forest."
"You leave the forest every year to come here. And so do the rest of the batp0nies on their eighteenth birthday."
>"What if somep0ny from Canterlot saw her?"
>I stomped my hooves into the snow that covered the mountain.
"She will be in no such danger! I merely wish for her to accompany me to my sister's bedchamber as I drop off your tributes."
>"Very well, Princess."
>Sunshine and Meadowlark bow to me and turn away.
>"Come, children. Nectar will be find, and we must return to the celebration."
>I did not notice some of the looks the children gave me.
>They were looks of malice, but I merely noted that as their distaste for me banishing their Princess.
>Sunshine and Meadowlark are the only p0nies to remember those events.
>I'm sure they were stretching the truth a little bit for theatrical effect.
>Especially Sunshine, as he was always much more carefree and silly than his older brother.
>A sigh escapes my muzzle as I pick the bags up in my magic grip.
"Come little one. Climb upon my back and I will take you into Canterlot."
>I knew that she couldn't see, and judging by the lack of scars near her eyes, it was a birth-defect.
>It is sad, but I can do nothing about it.
>I dare not tamper with another p0nies life, not for lack of caring, but for fear that all of my little p0nies will want to be perfect and free of weakness.
>The batp0ny upon my back smiles wide as I carry her down to my city.
>The bright lights illuminate the buildings and streets as the night crowd goes about their business.
>As for me, I fly down to the castle.
>More specifically, to one of the large turrets I had built to be Luna's new bedchamber for when she returns from her banishment.
>Stepping inside, I try my best not to immediately burst into tears as I look upon the thousands upon thousands of crayon drawings and letters that adorn the walls.
>Each one of them is from a batp0ny in Hollow Shades, delivered on the night of the Merry Moon Memorial.
>I smiled as I opened the bags and withdrew letter after letter, picture after picture, and trinket after trinket.
>The batp0nies, even after five hundred years, still loved their Princess of the Night enough to give her all of these heartwarming presents.
>Just as I do every night I look at the moon, and even moreso every year in the winter solstice, I cry.
>I cry for my sister, and my lost little p0nies that were taken from me by that evil Nightmare.
>I cry because the children of the night are happy, despite their punishment and exile.
>"Princess? Why are you crying?"
>The mare touched a hoof to my cheek after waving it around for a moment.
"I'm crying because I miss my sister."
>"She'll be back, someday. Right?"
>A smile draws across my lips as I hug the batmare.
"Yes. Someday."
>She helps me hang the new drawings on the walls, sort the letters, and place the trinkets gently in a large chest.
>This room will be filled to the brim by the time Luna returns.
>I will definitely have to move all of this into a special Archive, just for her.
>"Miss 'Tia?"
>My ears twitch at that name.
>I turn and look at that little batp0ny, but all I see is Luna.
>She smiles up at me, and I move closer to her.
>She gasps softly as I squeeze her into an embrace and sob openly.
>Even the sunshine can be blocked by rainclouds.

>Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, months into years.
>Those years turned to decades, which turned to centuries.
>Some number of years ago, I found myself smiling much more genuinely.
>A little filly named Twilight came into my life.
>I sent her to a small town called P0nyville earlier today.
>I hope she makes some friends while she makes sure the preparations for the one-thousandth Summer Sun Celebration were in order.
>I want Luna to feel welcome when she returns from her banishment today.
>Yes, after one thousand long and sad years, my dearest sister will return to me.
>While I go about my business, I whistle a lullaby that mother used to sing to me and Luna as children.
>Ah, I must begin preparations to travel to P0nyville.
>Luna will be teleported there, and I have already sent for Sunshine and Meadowlark to meet us just after the celebration.
>She will be positively excited to see her two best friends once more.
>"Dearest Sister."
>My ears perk at the sound as a wide smile threatens to tear my cheeks asunder.
"Luna, my sister! You have retu-"
>No p0ny stands in my bedchamber with me.
>Not my servants.
>Not Philomena.
>Not Luna.
>I shake my head as I turn to the large, decorated windows.
>The dark silhouette of a p0ny stands just past the glass.
>A flowing, ethereal mane adorns her head.
"Luna!"
>My glee once again overtook my heart.
>Oh, how exciting it is to gaze once more upon my sister's form!
>I throw the windows open and step out onto the balcony, my eyes glued shut from the large smile that adheres to my face.
"Luna... How wonderful it is to see you again!"
>"Yes, Celestia! How wonderful, indeed!"
>That voice is not my sister's.
>But I can not react fast enough to once more subdue the nightmare.
>Her physical manifestation drops into a cloud of purple smoke that immediately launches itself in the direction of P0nyville.
>Nightmare Moon had glimpsed into my heart, and new exactly who to target.
>I could not let Twilight Sparkle get involved in my mess!
>Alas, I find that I can not move.
>All of my fears, in this moment, are realized.
>Luna is gone for good, never to return to me.
>The elements of harmony are locked away in the old palace.
>And worst of all, the only p0ny to bring light into my life was now in danger.
>And I can not move.
>This is not caused by a spell, nor a curse.
>This is my fear, tearing at my heart and my mind.
>I find myself sobbing for a time that feels like an instant.
>The sun will not rise to my call, my magic is useless.
>All of Equestria is in danger, and I am helpless.
>All that I have done, all that I have prepared for, gone.
>It will be undone and I can not fight.
>Nay.
>I will not let you destroy all that I have created without a fight.
>My teeth clench as I stand.
>Equestria will not fall without its Princess tonight.
>The world around me warps as I teleport to the old palace.
>What I see completely amazes me.
>My mother's crown sits atop my most prized student's head.
>And surrounding her are five little p0nies, each wearing necklaces adorned with the Elements of Harmony.
"How..."
>My whispers and presence go unheard as I rush to the small blue p0ny lying alone.
"Luna! My sister, please rise. Please stand!"
>"C-Celestia?"
>Her eyes widen as she recognizes me.
>After one thousand years, my dearest sister still recognizes my visage.
"Oh Luna, how I've missed you so!"
>"Sister, I'm so sorry!"
>Our embrace would last for a life time if Twilight Sparkle did not speak up.
>"Princess? Is this... Princess Luna?"
"Yes, my faithful student. Yes it is."
>The eight of us walk back to P0nyville.
>Twilight Sparkle and her friends do not speak to me nor Luna.
>They merely whisper amongst themselves.
>My tears, my joyful and cheerful tears, roll down my cheeks as my little sister walks beside me.
"I have two very special p0nies that I'm sure you will love to meet, dear sister."
>"I... I'm not sure that there will be any p0nies that will want to see me, sister. Not after what I have done."
"Nay, Luna. These two will be more than thrilled to see you."
>But as we walked into P0nyville, we were met with nothing but a parade and procession.
>Sunshine and Meadowlark are nowhere to be seen.
>Twilight Sparkle and her friends gather in a large group hug as they beg for my student to be allowed to stay.
>I will allow Twilight Sparkle to stay in this town with her new friends.
>If these six little p0nies can control the Elements of Harmony and do what I could not, they will need the power of friendship to do more that I can not.
>Those are thoughts for another day, though.
>I need to take Luna to see Sunshine and Meadowlark.
"Come, Luna. We have business to take care of."
>"But, sister. The celebration!"
"There are more important things to take care of at this moment."
>She climbs upon my back as per my request, and I take to the skies, flying as quickly as I can.
>She spreads her wings as I fly, giggling as the winds tickle her feathers.
>It is enough to melt my heart.
>Her warm tears of joy trickled onto my neck as she hugged me tight.
>"Sister? Where are we going?"
"A small, hidden town in the forest east of Canterlot."
>"What's Canterlot?"
>I nod in the direction of the Mountain of the Sky.
"The new royal city. It overlooks all of Equestria, and is much better suited to rule from."
>"Will there be a place for me there?"
"Yes, Luna. There has always, and will always be a place for you by my side."
>I begin my descent into the forest with my little sister upon my back.
>The town of Hollow Shades is completely empty.
>There are no batp0nies in the trees, or on their 
>Not a single light, not a single batp0ny, and not even the call of any of the creatures of the forest.
>"Sister? What is this?"
>I furrowed my brow as I noticed a small flyer pinned to the ground by a rock.
>Upon freeing it from its prison, I read its message.
>"Dear Princess,
>We will be in the clearing that you first left us in.
>Regards,"
>The last bit is smudged.
>I find that to be a good thing, as I am sure Sunshine wrote this letter, and I would not have wanted Luna's surprise revealed so soon.
>"Who are we looking for, 'Tia?"
>A lump forms in my throat as I hear that name.
>It has been five-hundred years since I last heard that name.
"We're looking for a few friends, Lulu."
>Luna hops off of my back and trots beside me as I start toward the clearing where I expect the batp0nies to be gathered.
>I can feel their eyes tracking us as we trot through the forest.
>I can tell that Luna feels it too, but she is much more apprehensive than I am.
>That is to be expected.
>After all, I am dragging her through a dark forest shortly after her return home.
>"Princess?"
>The rough, familiar voice of one very ancient batp0ny catches my ear.
>"Luna!"
>A second voice follows as two batp0nies rush out of the trees.
>Sunshine tackles my sister, his exhilaration and excitement incredibly apparent in his laughter.
>Meadowlark follows his brother as all three of those little p0nies roll in the grass.
>Their tears of joy rip at my heart as I feel my sister has truly been welcomed home.
>"Meadowlark! Sunshine! How are you two still alive?!"
>They both look up at me, their ears turning backwards.
>"It was part of our punishment for betraying you, Princess."
>"Princess Celestia gave us a gift of an extended life. Just so we could see you again."
>Luna's eyes catch my own, but I look away immediately.
>"Sister, why would you allow them to suffer so?"
"It was their decision well above my own, Luna. I offered it and they accepted."
>She stands, toppling both of her long-lost friends off of her as she approaches me.
>The fury on her face frightens me as her eyes lock with mine.
>"A thousand years? You've made them suffer for a thousand years? For helping you defeat that Nightmare?"
>Her hooves slam against my chest as she shouts.
>"You've made the only two p0nies in the entire world that mean anything to me, my only two best friends, suffer a millennium. Why? Because you couldn't do what a simple unicorn and her friends could?"
"Luna..."
>The tears that cascade from her eyes tear my heart apart.
>"No! Why couldn't you have done what that unicorn did?"
"Because, Luna. I had lost my only friend to that Nightmare."
>Sunshine places a hoof on Luna's shoulder.
>"There is no one to blame, Princess. It was a dark time, full of desperation."
>"He's right, Princess. We did what we had to, and we accepted the punishment that we deserved."
>She shakes her head and looks to the ground.
>"Why would you do that?"
>Sunshine hugs Luna close to him and smiles.
>"Where would our favorite Princess be without her two best guards?"
>Well, isn't that just rude.
>I'm standing right here, and I am the one who gave them that gift.
>"Aye, Sunshine's right. We took this as punishment because we wanted to see you again."
>Luna hugs me around the neck and sniffles softly, her tears wetting my coat.
>"I'm so sorry, 'Tia."
>I return her embrace and squeeze her as tight as I can.
"It's alright, Lulu. Everything's going to be okay."
>After a moment of thought, I remember the Archive with all of the letters and pictures from the batp0nies.
>I still have to show those to Luna.
"Sunshine, Meadowlark. It has been a pleasure to see you once more, but Luna and I must return to Canterlot. I have some things I need to show her."
>"But, 'Tia! I want to stay with them a little longer. Can you show me later? Maybe tonight?"
>I smile softly and nod.
"Yes, of course. My apologies, sister, I understand. Sunshine? Meadowlark? Will you two show her to the castle when she is finished here?"
>"Yes Princess Celestia. We will gladly return her to you."
>They bow to me before I depart.
>I am sure the rest of the batp0nies that still hide amongst the trees will come to love their Princess of the Night.
>And I am sure that Luna will come to love her Children of the Night.
>I spread my wings as I take to the sky, and as those three child-like p0nies scamper off into the woods.
>All is right in Equestria, and I have my student and her friends to thank for their heroism.