My Take on Princess Celestia's Past

[GreyScholar 1,584]

Little is know of Celestia's and her sister's early years. All the regal alicorn has revealed is snippets. Little snippets... The old castle that housed the royal princesses before the days of Discord... and the days before the Times of Trouble. A time when her parents watched the creation of the three races bonded by the fire of friendship.

 

Much speculation has arisen concerning the whereabouts of her parents. Some scholars say they were imprisoned by the chaotic Discord, but other say they sacrificed themselves to give their daughters a chance to defeat him. Either way, it was up to Celestia to begin the search for the artifacts that would allow them to defeat such a terrifying foe.

 

Celestia continued to smile in the face of adversity, hoping to keep everypony's spirits high. She cared for the suffering, but gave a false hope that the sisters could fix the damage that was done. As the sisters continued to fight, they inched closer and closer to the Elements of Harmony. But Discord wasn't through with them. He began to sink his claws by tempting Princess Celestia to rule with him, side by side. Even though Celestia admitted that it would be easier to give in, her love for her sister and the suffering ponies drove her to refuse his offer.

 

With a laugh, the draconequus left. They cackled, saying that there was more than one way to sway Celestia. Celestia felt a growing fear, worried that Discord had reached Luna. Those fears were not realized and the two sisters reached the Elements of Harmony to turn Discord into stone. The two sisters knew that much had to be done to restore order to a land knowing chaos for so long, but they knew that peace would rule the world once they did so.

 

As time went on as the princesses helped Equestria to grow and she built relations with other nations, even coming to help the Crystal Empire that had fallen prey to a shadowy and dark king that had enslaved the ponies there.

 

Celestia realized quickly that King Sombra was both powerful and cunning, having guarded his rule from those that would seek to take it and again she found herself separated from her sister. Once finding the way to her foe and to Luna she found her sister troubled though she would not say why. Rousing her sister to action Celestia turned to King Sombra with the Elements of Harmony as she and her sister used them against the dark tyrant.

 

Yet as he turned to shadow and found himself about to be imprisoned in ice he placed a curse on what he considered his and much to Celestia horror she found the Crystal Empire and the ponies that lived there disappear completely. The princess was heartbroken, considering herself a failure as Luna tried to comfort her, eventually the royal sisters returning to Equestria.

 

Time went on and Celestia found ponies wanting more and more of her time and attention. She could not help but feel pleased with her subjects praise as she found herself gain confidence and assurance…at first not noticing her sister grow more and more distant and unhappy. Eventually though she did notice something was off, as some darkness had seemed to come over Luna.

 

Celestia promised herself countless times to speak with her sister, to find time in which to spend with Luna but she soon found that was a lie as something kept coming up and she was forced to put aside such thoughts as she focused on her subjects. She would realize too late though how neglecting her sister would bring about the greatest threat Equestria had ever faced… and bring her so much sorrow.

 

It happened so quickly, Celestia was just not prepared. She realized that her sister was refusing to lower the moon and when she confronted Luna on this she could tell something was offer. Her sister, something was off, her eyes and her voice… it was as if she was seeing two before her. Celestia found her sister would not allow the day to come, that she would force ponies to see the beauty of her night forever more.

 

Horrified Celestia asked if her sister knew what she said, that if Equestria did not have the day everything would grow cold and wither. Her sister did not seem to care, and no amount of reasoning or promises would help. With tears in her eyes Celestia saw her sister, her greatest friend and the one she loved with all her heart, change and become one calling herself Nightmare Moon.

 

When Celestia called her sister’s name the mare before her only laughed, saying Luna was hers now and that she was to address her as Nightmare Moon. The princess realized this was not her sister, that this Nightmare Moon was somepony or something else. Getting knocked back by the force of the attack, finding herself ripped with great pain Celestia as she took a step back.

 

Again, she tried to reach her sister, pleading for her to say something to show she was still in there somewhere but only the mare of darkness replied with a sneer. Celestia told herself she couldn’t attack Nightmare Moon, fearing she could hurt Luna or worse. Feeling another attack Celestia realized she was experiencing a different kind of pain, one within her own heart as she realized how badly she had failed.

 

With sorrow moving into her heart Celestia knew what she had to do, that the enemy before her was too powerful. With speed Celestia went to where the Elements of Harmony were kept, taking them with her magic as Nightmare Moon burst into the room of the castle. Once more Celestia faced the mare before her, once more she tried to reach her sister saying she didn’t want to do this.

 

Once more Celestia was attacked, black energy hitting into her chest as she tried to activate the Elements of Harmony but found them resistant as she was not bonded to all of them. Growing tired, her wounds beginning to overtake as she fell to the ground, Celestia thought of her sister and her subjects. She loved her sister and she didn’t want to have to do this but her subjects needed her, so she pleaded in her heart for the Elements to respond to her need,

 

Feeling power move through her, Celestia opened her eyes with light shining through them and stood. The Elements of Harmony activated, and the rainbow of light moved around her so that she could save her subjects. The attack moved over Nightmare Moon as she cried out, anger and defiance as she tried to say that she wouldn’t be defeated.

 

Her eyes closed for a moment before Celestia looked around wondering what had happened, with surprising and mounting worry she looked around for her sister thinking that she should have been released from the darkness that had taken her over but instead she found no pony. Looking up she saw the moon looked different, and with her heart breaking she realized that the Elements of Harmony had put Nightmare Moon inside the moon. That her sister was up there…

 

It was said that Celestia’s cry could be heard across Equestria as she called her sister’s name up to the moon and in desperation looked for the gems that were the Elements of Harmony but found they were now stone. No matter how much power she tried to force through them they would not change or respond before finally Celestia moved to the ground in exhaustion next to the cold stones around her.

 

Once Celestia was able, she stood and moved the Elements back onto their pedestal but found one was missing. With sorrow in her heart she ran, as quickly and as far as she could from where she had fought, the conflict having caused the castle to be deserted. Finally Celestia slowed, uncertain what to do. She wanted to run and hide, get as far as she could and cry, but she knew her subjects would be afraid and confused… they needed her.

 

It was then that Celestia did what she must to calm her subjects, raising the sun and forming a gathering to tell them everything was fine. When asked on her sister Celestia hung her head before saying only a half true that Nightmare Moon had taken her. With that she said that she would take the duties of the night in memory of her sister and that she would keep Equestria safe.

 

Yet Celestia was not satisfied and spent what time she could when looking for a way of gaining her sister back and found an oracle that told her the prophesy that said Nightmare Moon would freed in 1000 years, the stars aiding in her escape but new wielders must be found to use the Elements of Harmony so as to save her sister.

 

A new castle was build and with it Canterlot grew around it, many more cities growing across Equestria as Celestia watched and guided ponies. Forming a mask, the princess hide her true self and became the ruler her little ponies needed and expected. She decided she must act perfectly, speak perfectly, be perfectly calm, never falter, never let her subjects see her cry. She had to be ready to counter every possible intrigue and threat, to keep hope alive in the hearts of her subject even when she felt there was so much to fear.

 

Yet in her private chambers, during the night when her little ponies slept she could allow her emotions to show though softly. Looking up at the moon she would often sing a lullaby she did not even know if her sister heard, bearing her heart to the night as she spoke of her guilt and loneliness. She wanted her sister back, and she would do whatever it took to help save her from the darkness she was lost to… even if she must search a thousand years for the ponies that could save her.

 

Years went by and Celestia allowed very few ponies to get too close to her heart but all that did were important to her, it pained her when they pass on. Students, advisers, friends, so many ponies yet none came close to truly understanding her as an aura of awe and mystery begin to surround her. Ponies respected her, loved her, and unnecessarily at times even feared displeasing her but few really knew her.

 

It was only years from when Nightmare Moon would return and Celestia had begin to secretly worry a bit that she would be able to find six ponies that could activate the Elements of Harmony. To her relief the sign that things could still work out came from something that had not been seen for a very long time, that of a pegasus creating a sonic rainboom. With it came the strong sense of a magical connection being formed between ponies and the head of a dragon comeing through the tower of the school.

 

Moving quickly Celestia came to the class where a strong energy was coming from and the princess saw a young purple filly having lost control of unicorn powers. Two ponies having already been transformed by the effects and others in the air as Celestia softly placed her hoof on the filly's shoulder. Looking into her eyes calmly Celestia saw the magic calm and the filly come to the ground and everything went back to to the way it should.

 

Twilight, as was her name was, apologized and seemed afraid she had done something wrong but Celestia explained that was not the cause. Sensing something within the filly she offered for her to be the princess's student. At first little Twilight could not believe what she was hearing but with the clear support of her parents agreed in glee. It was then that Celestia pointed to the filly's cutiemark and showed Twilight she had gained her cutie mark.

 

During the years to come Celestia would search out the other ponies Twilight may have connected with, and worked it so that they would all come to live in Ponyville in very subtle ways. Once the day had come Celestia was glad to find Twilight had found and read the book she had placed for her, how her student showed proper concern of what was to come. Yet instead of admitting the truth of the matter Celestia charged Twilight with the duties of making sure all was ready for the Summer Sun Celebration in Ponyville.

 

After setting what she could into motion on her plan Celestia waited, knowing what would come on Nightmare Moon's return and that she would need to trust in her student to make the friends she needed. Celestia would hope despite her fears that Twilight would be able to activate the Elements of Harmony and save her sister when she could not.

 

With such Celestia was ready for what was to come...

Edited August 21, 2013 by EquestrianScholar

[repsol rave 2,963]

this... this is actually very believable. 

the entire story could be canon if you ask me. very interesting. tough you don't seem to have adressed the changelings in this. i know they have little in common with the princess, but chrysalis did want some kind of revenge on celestia, so i think they could be in there somewhere too.

i tend to believe that the changelings where normal ponies first, and where the first to stand up against their chaotic king discord.

however, when they raise up against ther king, discord placed a curse on them. making them into changelings forever.

after this was over and the sisters ascended to the throne, chrysalis came towards celestia to change her and her people back. but celestia refused. she had a nation to run after all. this is where chrysalis developed their hate towards the royal family.

but that's just my headcanon

[GreyScholar 1,584]

this... this is actually very believable. 

the entire story could be canon if you ask me. very interesting. tough you don't seem to have adressed the changelings in this. i know they have little in common with the princess, but chrysalis did want some kind of revenge on celestia, so i think they could be in there somewhere too.

i tend to believe that the changelings where normal ponies first, and where the first to stand up against their chaotic king discord.

however, when they raise up against ther king, discord placed a curse on them. making them into changelings forever.

after this was over and the sisters ascended to the throne, chrysalis came towards celestia to change her and her people back. but celestia refused. she had a nation to run after all. this is where chrysalis developed their hate towards the royal family.

but that's just my headcanon

Thank you, this is actually going to be the backstory for my Princess Celestia application when it comes to the Equestria World Project.

 

Also the reason for not going into the changlings is because it was already so long and I let it off where the tv series starts. Anything I do add in on the changlings would be my own guess on what, if any, connection Queen Chrysalis and the changlings may have with Equestria or even what may be known about them by Celestia.

Edited August 21, 2013 by EquestrianScholar

[Scootalove 10,692]

That is a very canon story. You basically told the story of Celestia, and probably the beginning of her origin. I really do believe this.

[GreyScholar 1,584]

That is a very canon story. You basically told the story of Celestia, and probably the beginning of her origin. I really do believe this.

Thank you my goal was to have it be believable, positive, and emotional... to show that Celestia is a good pony though not a perfect pony.

[Inactive01 5,299]

You have me to thank for editing all this for you! It was SO TIRING! By the way, I finished editing the second half of the backstory for you.

 

And yes. When I read the story, everything was so believable, so kudos to you

[GreyScholar 1,584]

You have me to thank for editing all this for you! It was SO TIRING! By the way, I finished editing the second half of the backstory for you.

 

And yes. When I read the story, everything was so believable, so kudos to you

Well no one has seen the second half your edits yet. I still need to put it all together, the above is what I gave you to work on.

 

I am thankful for your help though. Now I just need to put together how I'm going to express Princess Celestia's personality.

 

 

Scootalove

Repsol Rave

Here is the update for the second half, tell me what you think:

 

-------------------------------

As time passed the princesses helped Equestria grow through diplomatic relations, even aiding the Crystal Empire, a kingdom that fell prey to shadowy tyrant by the name of King Sombra. Celestia quickly realized in her trials that he was both powerful and cunning and was again separated from his sister. Celestia fought her way to King Sombra and Luna. She roused her sister to action and used the Elements of Harmony to defeat him.

 

However all was not well. Not only was Princess Luna unwilling to speak of her troubles, King Sombra had also planted a curse on the Crystal Empire as he was just becoming imprisoned in ice. He had the Crystal Empire disappeared from the face of Equestria for 1000 years, leaving the princess heartbroken. Luna tried to comfort her, but to no avail as the Royal Sisters returned to Equestria in sorrow.

 

As time passed, Equestria desired more of the day and less of the night. Princess Celestia was inwardly pleased with her subject's praise, but she noticed an increasingly distant and unhappy Luna, one who felt a darkness envelop her very soul... Celestia promised herself frequently to speak with her sister, but she could never do so because her subjects continued to seek her attention. It would be too late when she realized the dire consequences of her neglect towards her sister...

 

It happened so quickly, and Celestia was unprepared. Her sister refused to lower the moon, but her voice... her eyes... something was off. It was as if Celestia was seeing two before her. To make matters worse, her sister would refuse to allow the day to arrive, forcing her subjects to see the beauty of her night for eternity. It a was a moment that pierced Celestia in the heart. She knew the consequences of her actions, her tears welling up as her best friend had transformed into a monster... Nightmare Moon...

 

Celestia was horrified at what her sister had just said. She didn't even care about the consequences of those words executed! She repeatedly called out her sister's name in pain and suffering, but time and time again, only sneers and cackles were given as a reply. She continued to insist on being addressed as Nightmare Moon, leaving Celestia to realize that this clearly was not her sister, but rather somepony else... Celestia's tears continued to swell as she could only witness her best friend transform into a monster... Celestia could not possibly attack Nightmare Moon! What if her sister would be hurt by her attacks?! Attacks of all kinds were unleashed from the fury of Nightmare Moon and Celestia could not handle them. She writhed in pain from her attacks, her sorrow continuing to build...

 

The enemy was simply too powerful. Celestia knew what she had to do... she had no choice. With speed, Celestia traversed to the resting place of the Elements of Harmony. She took them with her magic just as Nightmare Moon burst into the room. She pleaded once more in an attempt to reach her sister, but it could not be done.

 

She didn't want to do this, but she had no choice. In an attempt to activate the Elements of Harmony, she was attacked once more, the black energy pounding her chest... Celestia's pains overtook her... she fell to the ground... She thought of her sister and her subjecs... she didn't want to do this, but she had to... She pleaded from her heart for the Elements of Harmony to respond...

 

Suddenly, Celestia opened her eyes with light shining through them. The Elements of Harmony were activated, and a rainbow of light twirled furiously around her, forming an inescapable attack for Nightmare Moon. Nightmare Moon cried out in anger and defiance as she tried to call out her resilience and determination...

 

Celestia's eyes closed for a moment before she looked around... What had just happened? Was Luna released from her darkness? Where was she? Celestia could not find Luna anywhere! When she looked up, the moon was shaped differently... at that moment, she knew... they... they had imprisoned her sister on the Moon...

 

It was said that Celestia's cry could be heard all across Equestria as she called out for Luna in desperation. She looked everywhere for the Elements of Harmony, but they had become stone! No matter the power though, she could not make them respond as she thudded on the ground in exhaustion and next to the stones...

 

Celestia placed the Elements back onto the pedestal once she was able, but found that one was missing! With sorrow, Celestia ran as quickly and as far away from the castle as she could... the conflict caused the castle to be deserted. Celestia finally slowed, uncertain on what to do next. She just wanted to run, hide, and cry, but she knew her subjects were afraid and confused... They needed her!

 

It was then that Celestia rose the sun and gathered the ponies to tell them that everything was fine. When the ponies asked about Luna however, Celestia could only give the half truth as she hung her head. She only said that Nightmare Moon had taken her and as a result she would oversee the duties of the night for Equestria's safety and Luna's memory.

 

But Celestia was not satisfied. She wanted to have her sister back. She found an oracle that prophesied that Nightmare would be freed in 1000 years. The stars would aid her escape, but the new wielders of the Elements of Harmony needed to be found to save her sister.

 

A new castle was soon built and with it Canterlot grew. Many new cities spurt from the ground and prospered as Celestia continued to watch and guide. In this rule, Celestia had to create a facade. She had to be perfect in everything, from action to speech. On top of that, she had to be perfectly calm, never faltering, and never sorrowing. She had to be prepared to counter ever possible intrigue and threat to keep her subjects' hopes alive, even when all seemed doubtful for her.

 

In her private chambers however, she allowed her emotions to pour. She sung a lullaby looking up at the moon, unsure as to whether her sister heard... Her guilt and loneliness poured out to the night sky... She wanted her sister back, and would do whatever it took to do so... even if it took a thousand years to find those ponies who would save her...

 

Time continued to pass. Few could ever get close to her, but when she found somepony important, it pained her whenever they passed on. So many ponies knew her, but no one came close to truly understanding her as an aura of awe and mystery. Ponies had all sorts of feelings towards her, but few ever really knew her...

 

Time was almost up. In just a few years, Nightmare Moon would return. She still had to find the 6 ponies who could activate the Elements of Harmony. However, a Sonic Rainboom changed all that. It hadn't been performed in centuries, and with it came a strong magical connection that appeared in the form of 6 ponies and the head of a dragon plopping his head through her school's tower.

 

Moving quickly, Celestia arrived to see a strong energy emanating from a young purple filly having lost control of her unicorn powers. The effects were there: pony transformation, pony levitation, and a giant dragon. Celestia softly placed her hoof onto the filly's hoof, resulting in a calming of the magic and the dropping of the filly onto the ground.

 

Twilight, her name, apologized in fear of wrongdoing, but Celestia quickly explained that it wasn't her doing. She knew this filly was different, offering to her the apprenticeship of her life. All Twilight could do was stare in disbelief, but her parents, in full gleeful agreement, encouraged Twilight to accept. It was then that Celestia pointed at the filly's newly formed cutiemark, showing that Twilight had gained her cutie mark.

 

In the years to come, Celestia would search out the other ponies who were possibly connected with Twilight in some way. In very subtle ways, she would lead them to Ponyville, so that once the day had come, Celestia was ready. Celestia was pleased when she saw Twilight reading a book she placed for her and the concern she expressed. Yet, instead of admitting the truth of the matter, Celestia charged Twilight with the task of checking for the readiness of the Summer Sun Celebration in Ponyville.

 

After seeing her plan move in fully swing, Celestia waited, knowing that what would come on Nightmare Moon's return. She had to trust her student to make all the friends she needed. Deep down, she had to hope that despite her fears, Twilight would activate the Elements of Harmony and succeed where she had failed...

 

Now... Celestia was ready for what was to come.

 

Edited August 23, 2013 by EquestrianScholar