Princess Skysparkle has a twin sister named Stellanova. Both of them are alicorns. Sky has always been outgoing by nature. Nova, on the other hand, was shy and socially awkward.

When Sky and Nova saved the unicorns from destruction, the unicorns made the sisters their new rulers. Over 1000 years ago, the world was ruled by Chaos and Disarray (a goat monster and a wolf monster). These tyrants sought to drain all unicorns of their energy. To survive, the unicorns literally had to form their own underground nation.

Sky and Nova's parents were Seth Appleheart and Hope Unquenchable. Seth was a ground pony; Hope was an alicorn (and the last common ancestor of all known alicorns). Hope was also part of the fight, but she initially disappeared out of cowardice. As for Seth, the unicorns never fully appreciated his role: He was the one who helped his daughters find the courage -- to take the front line for their fellow unicorns. (Historically, alicorns have seen themselves as winged unicorns.)

When they were little, Sky and Nova were very close. Sky was truly Nova's best friend. As they became teenagers, Sky's sense of popularity started to go to her head. Sky started to become very insensitive to Nova for her awkwardness and "nerdiness".

Seth and Hope eventually noticed Sky bullying her sister. Up to then, Nova had never tried to tell her parents. Perhaps she was too proud or embarrassed to ask for help. Perhaps she feared they would take Sky's side.

Although Seth and Hope never wore a crown, they carried a lot of power and influence. In her time, Hope was widely celebrated as the mother of the two Princesses. Seth himself was largely overlooked by the unicorns. Even so, in his own time, he was widely celebrated by non-unicorn creatures. Seth was the main ambassador in making friends and allies with non-unicorn creatures.

When Sky and Nova were offered a crown, their parents made them sign a simple constitution. This constitution didn't establish a formal separation of powers. However, it affirmed that a princess is to be a caring mother for her subjects -- and that her subjects may defend themselves from misuse of power.

Given Seth and Hope's influence, they could still hold their children accountable. They rebuked Sky for hurting her sister. They reminded her that Nova was one of the people who loved her most.

Seth and Hope warned Sky of the dangers of getting caught up in her own popularity. If Sky inspires people to hurt others, then she will make terrible choices of friends. She might surround herself with people who want to hurt her. Already, they could see that she was keeping close company with people they would never trust.

From then on, Sky promised never to be mean to her sister again. On the surface, Sky seemed to have made things right. Deep inside, however, Nova continued to drift further from her sister.

Nova had started to grow jealous of Sky's popularity. Once Sky changed her ways, she always tried to make Nova feel included. But deep inside, this wasn't enough to Nova. Nova didn't want to be a member of Sky's circle of friends. She wanted to lead her own.

Over the centuries, the bitterness slowly grew inside of Stellanova. Sky had no idea what was truly happening. She did observe that her sister was becoming more and more reclusive. But Sky didn't think much of it; she was confident she was making her sister feel loved.

Nova never tried opening up to her sister. Nova didn't just want to be included -- she wanted to feel equal to Sky. And sharing her feelings would make her feel vulnerable. To her, seeking help from her sister would have affirmed that her sister was superior.

432 years ago, Nova finally got sick of her sister's presence. She decided to overthrow her sister. If she did that, she thought, then she could make everyone love her instead.

Nova tried to ambush her sister in the middle of the night. But her nephew -- and her own daughter -- caught her in the act. And they did not like what they saw. Prince Endearment and Princess Teatime woke Skysparkle up. Together, these three alicorns defeated Stellanova.

The battle ended in a great blast -- blowing up the entire palace. After the dust settled, Nova was nowhere to be found.

Skysparkle never wanted to lose her sister. If Sky had her way, Nova would kiss and make up with her. Nova left behind her daughter, Princess Teatime. Teatime decided to share her mother's throne with her first cousin: Prince Endearment, Skysparkle's son.

For the last 432 years, Skysparkle has been the main ruler. The two secondary rulers have been Endearment and Teatime.

Up to now, Nova has been presumed dead. But not everyone is so sure. Over the centuries, some ponies have seen her in their dreams. Some have had nightmares playing to their deepest fears and insecurities. Others have had dreams tempting them to do evil. Some have had dreams telling them that Skysparkle was the bad guy.

Stellanova might have been autistic. In her case, however, it seems she was beyond help. As she got older, she wanted the wrong things in life. Her love for friendship warped into the desire for a cult of personality. As long as she holds the wrong attitude, she can never get better.

Art by JennieOo. Starponys and related characters (C) and (TM) M. Wayne Howell.