//------------------------------// // Pudding and Trains // Story: An Unexpected Party // by Gallifrey //------------------------------// An Unexpected Party by Gallifrey Chapter Eight Pudding and Trains Celestia was sitting in Canterlot Courtyard, looking out at her fiery sunset. Tomorrow was a huge day in her life. She was going to be five thousand years old. She felt ancient, despite her youthful looks and health. She had seen thousands of ponies burst into the world, full of life, and seen equally as many taken by the hand of death. She had witnessed all manner of surprising events unfold, and yet the world never ceased to amaze her. She was so deep in thought that she did not hear a certain blue alicorn walking stealthily to her side. “Boo,” whispered Luna. Celestia jolted in alarm. “Don’t do that Luna!” she said, embarrassed that she had lost her composure. “Teehee, am I not allowed to experience fun?” Celestia grumbled in reply. “Why the long face sister?” said Luna, sitting down next to her, laughing inwardly at her little joke, “You’re the birthday girl tomorrow after all.” “That’s just it: I feel so old.” “But why should you? I am just as old as you are and I do not feel old.” “Perhaps it is just our separate natures,” said Celestia ponderously, “the Sun races across the sky every day, yet the Moon takes a month to complete its cycle.” “Hmmm, I agree, I also tend to be more subtle about things than you are.” Luna teased. “And what does that mean?” said Celestia frowning, but in a good natured tone. “Dreams are tantalisingly fragile and ambiguous things that drift through our minds. Darkness is a fickle entity that lurks in the shadow of the night and in the deep places of the world, and I am the Lonely Goddess who commands its intricacies; whereas you have thy blazing Sun, and are the face of the monarchy, while I stand, quite fittingly, in the public shadow.” Celestia couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Luna was off on her playful little rants again. “Oh Lunes.” Celestia brought her ivory head down and nuzzled her sister lovingly. “I got you an apple pie for your breakfast, by the way,” said Celestia, “I hope you like it.” Luna’s eyes sparkled. “You did? How did thou know I wanted one?” “When I woke you up this evening, you were muttering something about pudding.” Luna blushed. “Yes, I have been thinking of pudding a lot recently.” “Any reason why?” “Yes, I like pudding Celly.” Celestia chuckled. “Oh my dear Luna, you always surprise me.” She yawned widely. “Oh, pardon me. It seems that my bed is calling me - and the throne calls you Luna, Night Court awaits.” “Urgh! Do I have to?” she asked as they got up. Celestia looked sternly at her. “Fine!” she moaned, as they started walking to Celestia’s chambers. “I’ll make sure to send you pleasant dreams tonight Celly, and I’ll ensure you get some good sleep: you have a long day tomorrow.” “Not that long really; I’m not doing much, and you are raising the Sun after all.” Hold your tongue! Luna inwardly scolded herself, she looked at Celestia, but she didn’t seem to suspect anything. “Oh yes, but I will still do it for you,” said Luna with a poker face that only Celestia herself could best. “Thank you Luna.” They were at Celestia’s doors. “Goodnight, big sister,” said Luna, kissing Celestia’s cheek. “Goodnight Lunes,” she returned the kiss. Luna made her way back to the Great Hall slowly, stopping to pick up Celestia’s gift of apple pie on the way down. She sat on the throne with a bored expression, munching on her pie. Her horn lit up with blue light as she channelled magic into Celestia’s sleep. When she was finished with both magic and pie she yawned. “I’m going to need a nap if I’m going to stay up all day tomorrow.” She looked around the hall; she was the only pony in there. She decided that it wouldn’t even matter much if somepony did find her asleep. She closed her eyes and fell into her own world of dreams. ------------------- At Ponyville rail station, Applejack was pacing up and down the platform waiting for her friends. “Where in tarnation are those gals?” she said impatiently. It was ten to twelve, and the midnight train to Canterlot was due in ten minutes. A pony wearing a saddlebag and carrying a torch peeked her head cautiously around the station building. “Oh, evenin’ Fluttershy,” said Applejack cheerily. “Er, why you got a torch fer?” “I’m-- I’m scared of the dark.” It took Applejack some effort not to roll her eyes. “Whatcha got for the Princess?” she asked, eyeing Fluttershy’s bag. “I got her the best honey I could find,” said Fluttershy, “I asked the bees near my house very nicely if they would like to make honey for the Princess, and they made more than I could fit in my bag. Um, what have you got her Applejack?” “Why, ah got her some zap apple jam!” she said, nodding to the cart further down the platform, “Twi’ said ter me that she liked it and such, also got all the cider in there too.” “Did somepony say cider?” said Rainbow, fluttering down from the air. “It’s not all fer you Rainbow!” said Applejack warningly. “Yeah, because I got so much at the opening of cider season,” said Rainbow sarcastically. “Um, girls?” whispered Fluttershy. “For your information, ah got zap apple cider here,” Applejack said slyly, “best cider in all of Equestria.” “It-- it is?” said Rainbow. “Yes, and it’s fer everypony.” “Alright! I get your point.” “Girls?” said Fluttershy. “Yes, sugar cube?” “Um,” Fluttershy turned around and pointed with her hoof. Pinkie Pie was slowly pushing three large objects onto the station platform. “Pinkie Pie! What in th’ hay is that?” exclaimed Applejack. “Well!” said Pinkie Pie from behind Applejack, who whirled around. “I got a big box of goodies and surprises for the Princess, and I got two partyriffic Pinkie-Pie-approved PARTY CANNONS!” “Why do you need two?” asked Rainbow. “Duh! For double the fun!” said Pinkie smiling, back pushing the cannons and box forward. “Let us help you,” said Fluttershy, grabbing a cannon and pushing it further onto the platform. Rainbow helped Fluttershy while Applejack took the other cannon. Twilight and Rarity arrived together just as the train came into view. Rarity had insisted Twilight protect her precious dresses in a magical bubble to keep them from harm. Twilight was levitating both the bubble and a large canvas shrouded with a sheet. “Is that your gift for the Princess, Twilight?” said Fluttershy. “Why yes it is, though I want her to be the first to see it.” “How is all this going to fit on the train?” asked Rarity, looking at everypony’s stuff. “We’ll find a way,” said Applejack. It was lucky that nopony else was on the entire train, so they could put all their things in one carriage and have another carriage all for themselves. Being a night train, there were beds instead of seats, so the girls could get some sleep before they reached Canterlot. Very comfy beds too, thought Twilight as she sank into one. Rarity had brought a large flask of hot chocolate with her, and she shared it out amongst her friends. They discussed the next day together, collectively hoping that Celestia would love it, and other friendly matters. After they finished their cocoa, Twilight dimmed the lights with her magic. “Goodnight girls,” she said contentedly, snuggling up to her pillow. “G’night,” said Applejack. “Um, goodnight,” came a whisper from Fluttershy’s direction. “Goodnight dears,” said Rarity. “Night,” said Rainbow. “GOODNIGHT EVERYPONY!” yelled Pinkie Pie.