It is Celestia’s 5000th birthday, and the Mane Six and Luna throw her a party she will never forget
Princess Celestia’s 5000th birthday is fast approaching. The Mane Six and Luna decide to work together and throw a party for her, with many surprises that neither she nor they will ever forget.
A big thank you goes to Conicer, who made the wonderful cover art for me!
Twilight Sparkle sat bolt upright, blankets falling off her tousled purple mane. She had awoken suddenly from a deep sleep, and dreams she curiously had no recollection of. She turned and looked up at the wooden clock perched on her wall.
“Bleh, three in the morning,” she grumbled.
Twilight suddenly spun her head around - she could have sworn she saw something dark move in the corner of her eye. She cast a nervous look around her bedroom, drawing her warm, velvety blankets emblazoned with stars and moons closer to her. She had the most peculiar feeling that somepony was watching her, with friendly eyes or not she could not tell. On closer inspection, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. There were books everywhere: books on shelves, books stacked haphazardly in piles, books laid open at her writing desk amongst many scraps of parchment with abundant scribbles of notes, essays, pending letters to Princess Celestia, and the rare doodle. Considering that Twilight lived in a library, books are to be expected, but the books in her bedroom were her own personal collection, the majority of it collected during her childhood days growing up in Canterlot.
Everything seemed normal in Twilight’s room, though outside seemed to be a different affair. She suddenly noticed how unusually bright the moonlight spilling into her room was. Never being able to resist a bit of stargazing, she pulled her covers off herself and got out of bed, her hooves striking the ground with a slight clop. She crept across her room, trying to keep as quiet as possible. An abrupt snuffling sound made her stop dead. She looked around, eyes wide in alarm. She heard it again and she relaxed, it was only Spike’s snoring coming from downstairs.
“Keep it together Twi’,” she said, as her heart slowed down to its normal rate and she continued creeping to the balcony doors on the opposite side of the room. Her horn glowed an ethereal purple as she used her magic to open them. She walked outside, reared onto her hind legs, rested her forelegs on the balcony’s ledge and looked up. Twilight gasped. She had rarely seen a night as beautiful as this one. The arena of the heavens was laid out with the constellations blazing brightly and lanes of stars swirling and curling deep in the abyss. Twilight picked out her favourite constellations and star patterns: Nimbus, the pegasus with wings of stardust who brought the rains in ancient Equestrian mythology; Orion’s Hoof, the Bridle, the Draconequus. Twilight shuddered a little, remembering those dark times. Her eyes drifted to the Plough. She thought of her industrious friend Applejack, and imagined a starry version of her dragging the Plough across the skies, shouting at Big Macintosh behind her to hurry up. She smiled to herself. Finally her attention was drawn to the centrepiece of the sky, the full Moon. It was a circle of perfection; its cold silvery light seemed to emanate from it in waves. Twilight was entranced by it - this was why she loved stargazing. The grace of the heavens never ceased to captivate her. She made a mental note to congratulate Princess Luna the next time she saw her. All of this must have taken her much time and effort. Twilight gazed for a little while more, drinking in the night air and scenery, until she started shivering. A shooting star flashed across the sky as she made her way back to the warm embrace of her bed. When she rolled her blankets back over herself she smelled something.
Was that stardragon? She wondered. Such flowers were rare in Equestria and only bloomed at night; but she was too sleepy to satiate her curiosity. She rolled over, gasped at what she saw and fell backwards off the bed.
“Good evening to you too, Twilight Sparkle,” said a soft, sad voice. The Princess of the Night herself, Princess Luna, was lying casually in Twilight’s bed.
“P-p-p-p-princess!” Twilight spluttered, shocked by her sudden appearance, and the fact that there was royalty in her bed, “I’m so sorry for reacting like that!”
“Oh, that’s fine,” said Luna glumly, holding a hoof up and examining it with a bored expression, “was it presumptuous of us to expect a warmer reception?”
Twilight just stared at her, lost for words, slightly panicking that she had offended the timeless alicorn. Luna glanced at Twilight, saw her agitation, and a small smile curved her muzzle.
“Oh Twilight Sparkle!” she said, amusement evident in her voice, “Don’t take everything so seriously, we were just playing with you.”
Twilight felt relief wash over her. The Princess always had a somewhat odd sense of humour and a mysterious personality. Twilight put it down to the thousand year banishment in the Moon that her sister Celestia had punished her with. Luna was still adjusting to her newfound freedom and the world that was so different from the one she remembered.
“Oh thank goodness!” Twilight said.
Luna rose and offered the bed back to Twilight. As she got back into it, she realised where the flowery scent of stardragons was coming from.
“Was it you in my room earlier?” Twilight enquired, “I had a feeling somepony was watching me.”
“Yes, that was I. I often reside in dreams, observing and influencing them, but you woke so quickly, we were caught unawares and could not leave as fast as we would have liked.”
“I didn’t know that,” said Twilight.
“Yes, I was helping steer thy mind away from nightmares.”
“Huh,” murmured Twilight thoughtfully.
“I also saw you admiring my night,” Luna said.
“Oh yes!” she gushed, forgetting her other trails of thought, “It’s amazing!”
“Well, at least somepony appreciates the beauty of the night,” Luna said sulkily, pawing at the floor. “Most ponies don’t give it a second glance…” she seemed suddenly put out and she hung her head sadly.
“That’s not true,” Twilight said, “almost everypony loves the serenity of your nights, even if not as much as somepony like me.”
Twilight didn’t think she did a very good job of trying to cheer the Princess up.
“Maybe,” Luna said, “besides, I have another reason to visit other than discouraging bad dreams.”
“Oh?”
“Yes,” A grin flashed across her face, “and it concerns my sister.”
“Your-your sister?” Twilight was confused.
“Yes, Twilight, my dear sister.”
Twilight waited for her to explain further, but when nothing was forthcoming, she grew a little annoyed. Luna was always like this; she delighted in elusiveness and mystery, and didn’t often speak bluntly. Just as Twilight was about to speak, Luna began again.
“Twilight, what date is it today?”
“The Seventh of June,” said Twilight, completely bemused.
“And what date is it in two weeks today?”
“The Twenty-First… The Summer Sun Celebration!”
“Yes, do you happen to know what other occasion it is that day?”
Twilight was puzzled again.
“Let me help you,” smiled Luna, “what connection might my sister and the longest day of the year have?”
“Well, I know the Princess raises the Sun in public…” Twilight said slowly, “but apart from that, unless it’s her birthday or something,” she joked.
“It is her birthday,” Luna said.
“What?” said Twilight, surprised; in truth, she was expecting Luna to have said something a little more grand and impressive.
Do immortals even have birthdays?
“I say birthday,” said Luna, as if she had read Twilight’s mind, “it is more of a day to celebrate her arrival into this world. Also, this year it will be the second year since we returned and thou freed me from the Nightmare.”
“Hmmm,” said Twilight thoughtfully.
“My sister’s birthday is a fact that she prefers to keep private, because as she constantly says to me--” Luna raised her head tall and proud and in an uncanny impersonation of Celestia she said, “Now, my dear sister, you know how I dislike formal affairs as it is, imagine the number of events I would have to attend for my own birthday! No, no, I like to keep it nice and quiet.”
“But this year Twilight,” said Luna in her normal soft voice, “my sister is celebrating her five thousandth year, and we ask you to help prepare a little surprise party of her good friends and myself in the palace gardens.”
“She considers us her good friends?” said Twilight in awe.
“But of course, she speaks of you and your friends fondly and often.”
“Really?” Twilight’s eyes were very wide.
“Yes Twilight, I just told you,” Luna grumbled.
“Sorry,” said Twilight hastily, “what can we do to help organise this party?”
“We understand that your friend Pinkamena Diane Pie is quite adept at social occasions, and I’m sure your other friends’ talents will be necessary.”
“Pinkamena? Pinkie? Is that Pinkie’s real name?”
“We believe so, she never told thou of this?”
“No - can’t imagine why not,” she said, grinning, she planned to tease Pinkie about this.
“Neither can I,” said Luna, smiling.
Twilight suddenly realised how rude she had been, she never even offered the Princess anything to eat or drink!
“Princess, sorry for not asking earlier, but would you care for some tea? Or biscuits?”
“We shall decline thy generous offer, Twilight Sparkle, it is late and you need your rest.”
“You sure? I have lots of--”
“We are quite sure,” Luna cut across her, but she spoke gently. “I shall come by next week to see how you are getting on. “Farewell Twilight Sparkle, ‘til we next meet.”
And with that Luna shrank back into the shadows, and melted away into them.
Twilight awoke mid-morning the next day, to a loud crashing sound. She sat up to see a huge pile of books in the centre of the room that was speaking with a muffled voice.
“It’s cool! It’s cool! I totally meant to do that!”
“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight shouted, “What have I told you about using the door? Not the windows!”
“Pffft, doors are for chumps,” the pile of books said, “windows are where it’s at ya know?”
Twilight just sighed as a knock on her door diverted her attention.
“Er, Twilight?” came a voice, “You okay? I heard a crash and-- don’t tell me it was Dash again?”
“Yeah, sorry about that Spike,” said Rainbow, her head popping out from the pile, a book balanced on her head.
“That’s the third time this month!” Spike complained as he walked into the room.
“I can tidy it up for you if you want?” Rainbow offered.
“Nah, it’s okay, I got this,” said Spike.
“Thanks Spike; hey, Twilight, you wanna grab some breakfast at Sugar Cube Corner? I thought we could catch up, haven’t seen ya much recently.”
“I’d like that,” said Twilight, her stomach rumbling, “we can say hi to Pinkie too.”
“Hey, yeah, that’d be cool,” said Rainbow enthusiastically.
“Just give me a few minutes to make my mane look presentable,” she chuckled, looking at her tangles in the mirror behind her desk.
“Sure thing, I’ll do a few tricks while I wait.”
“Outside this time?” asked Twilight, remembering the last time Rainbow tried to perform a trick inside. It was at Applejack’s house, and she had attempted to do a barrel roll, only to end up faceplanting into an apple pie. It was an amusing memory for all, except for Rainbow herself, who hated having it brought up.
“Hey,” she said, with pretend seriousness, “shush.” Then she grinned, “See ya in a few minutes.”
She spread her cyan blue wings, and before Twilight could say anything to stop her, she bolted out of the window, leaving a multihued trail behind her. Twilight rolled her eyes.
“She’ll never change,” she said to Spike.
“Dash is Dash, and she always will be,” returned Spike, with books in his arms.
------------
Rainbow Dash soared through the air.
This was what makes life worth living, she thought. The exhilarating feel of the mild morning air over her wings, in her mane, was… well, awesome! She descended and hovered for a minute to look over Ponyville.
It was a beautiful summer’s day; there was hardly a cloud in the sky, Rainbow had made sure of that. Down below her, she could see ponies going about their daily business. In the park, Lyra and Bon-Bon were sitting on a bench - Lyra in that odd way that she did, eating a cookie. Not far from them, Fluttershy was leading a mother duck and her ducklings to the pond, talking to them very gently. Rainbow flew a little higher, trying to see Sweet Apple Acres over the tops of the buildings. It was too far to tell, but she was sure she could see a red smudge that she supposed was Big Macintosh, working hard in the fields.
“Heyyyyyy Rainbow Daaash!” came a familiar voice from near her.
“Heya Derpy, whatcha up to?” asked Rainbow.
The cross-eyed blue mare drifted lazily over to her.
“I’m delivering the mail!” said Derpy happily, one amber eye on Dash, the other seemed to be looking at a small cloud to Rainbow’s left.
“Is that why I got Cupcake Monthly instead of Young Fliers Weekly this morning?”
“Huh?” said Derpy, as she pulled out a long piece of paper from a satchel in her bag and looked at it closely, face screwed up in concentration.
“Oh muffins!” she cried, “I’m so sorry Rainbow Dash!” She hung her head.
“Hey, it’s okay,” said Rainbow, “I think I know the pony it was delivered to.”
“Y-you dooo? Oh goodie! I better be off Rainbow, I got a lot of letters to deliver.”
“Oomph!” huffed the poor blue pegasus as she flew into one of Rarity’s windows at Carousel Boutique.
“Goodness, is she alright?” asked Twilight from down below.
“Ah, you’re ready,” said Rainbow, diving and landing next to her. “She’ll be fine, don’t worry, it’s not like she damaged the town hall again is it?”
“About that: how did that get fixed when Applejack never brought any prize money home?”
“I think…” said Rainbow, thinking, “oh yeah! I thought Big Macintosh went out to Appleloosa to sell the good cider that Flimm and Flamm left behind, he gave all the profits to fix up the hall.”
“What did they do with the bad cider?”
“Dunno, buried it probably, besides, none of it compares to the real Apple family cider,” said Rainbow, licking her lips. Twilight just rolled her eyes. By the time they reached Sugar Cube Corner, they were both very hungry. They went into the shop and walked up to the counter, but nopony was there.
“Where is everypony?” asked Rainbow.
Something fell from above; it was bright pink, fell behind the counter and then immediately burst up again.
“Hey Dashie! Hey Twilight!” Pinkie said with a wide smile, “What d’ya want, what d’ya want, huh huh huh? We have loads of stuff!” she said excitedly, bouncing around them. “We got doughnuts, nonuts, ice cream, spice cream, toffee apples, coffee apples--“
“Pinkie--” Twilight began.
“Waffles, marshmallows, milkshakes, muffins, cinnamon pies, candy canes, chimmycherrys… Or is that cherrychanga? What do you think Twilight? Chimmycherry? Or cherrychanga? Chimmycherry? Or cherrychanga?”
“Pinkie--”
“OOOOH!” Pinkie squealed, “I almost forgot! CUPCAKES! Cupcakes, so sweet and tasty cupcakes, don’t be too hasty cupcakes--”
“PINKIE!” Twilight and Rainbow yelled in unison.
“Yes?” she said, disappearing and instantly reappearing at the counter.
“I would like an apple waffle and a strawberry milkshake please,” said Twilight.
“I’ll try out one of these chimmycherrys of yours Pinkie,” said Dash.
“Cherrychanga!” said Pinkie.
“Whatever, put lots of chocolate sauce on it too, and could I also have a double chocolate milkshake, with a scoop of chocolate ice cream in it?”
“Great idea Dashie! More interesting than Miss Boring Pants over there.”
“Hey!” said Twilight. “Erm, I’ll have a cupcake too… with extra sprinkles.”
“That was good Twilight!” Pinkie praised, “Soon you’ll be super-duper sprinkly like me and Rainbow!”
“Er, sure.”
Pinkie bounded around behind the counter, putting waffles in the oven, mashing up cherries like a madmare, blending chocolate milkshakes, getting out tortilla wraps.
“So, Pinkamena,” said Twilight slyly, as she and Rainbow sat at a table near the counter, “how are you?”
Pinkie stopped in the air midbounce.
“Pinkamena?” said Rainbow, confused.
“Who told you that?” asked Pinkie, still in midair, with one eyebrow raised.
“Princess Luna told me last night.”
Pinkie finally fell to the floor.
“How does she know my real name?”
“Well she is an immortal goddess Pinkie, I expect she knows more about us than we do,” said Twilight.
“It was still sneaky sneaky of her to be telling somepony my real name. But oh well! Breakfast time!”
She splattered mashed cherries all over the tortilla wrap and threw it on a frying pan.
“Back up, back up,” said Rainbow, “the Princess spoke to you last night?”
“Yes Rainbow she did; in fact, she has asked for all our help in--”
“BREAKFAST!” squealed Pinke, setting empty plates and glasses in front of them.
“Pinkie,” said Rainbow, looking at her, “there’s no food on them.”
“Sure there is, silly,” said Pinkie.
Rainbow looked down again to see her breakfast in front of her.
“What in Equestria?” said Twilight, then she remembered that this was Pinkie Pie they were dealing with.
“What does the Princess want our help in Twilight?” asked Pinkie.
“Well, you have to keep this quiet,” said Twilight.
“Gotcha, hushy hush hush,” whispered Pinkie, with a hoof over her mouth.
“In two weeks it’s Princess Celestia’s birthday.”
“She has birthdays?” said Rainbow.
“That’s what I thought, but apparently so. Luna has asked for us to organise a party for her.”
At the word party, Pinkie’s ears perked up.
“Party?! For the Princess? Oooooh, that sounds like fun Twilight!”
“Yes Pinkie, I was hoping you could help organise it.”
“Oh boy! I’m gonna throw her the bestest party in all of Equestria!”
“It won’t be a big party Pinkie,” said Twilight, “just us six and the two Princesses.”
“No problem, it’ll still be a super fun party!”
She clapped her hooves together excitedly.
“What can I do to help, Twilight?” asked Rainbow Dash.
“Hmmm, I thought you could so some kind of aerial display, perhaps you could get the Wonderbolts to join you?”
“Are you crazy?” said Rainbow, “I can’t just walk up to those guys and ask them a favour!”
“Why not?” said Pinkie, “You saved their lives remember? Surely they won’t mind doing something in return for you.”
Rainbow looked terrified at the thought, but swallowed and gulped out: “I-I’ll try.”
“Good,” said Twilight, “you’ll make a good impression as well - that just leaves AJ, Rarity and Fluttershy, what could they help with?”
“That’s easy,” said Pinkie, “Applejack can provide the cider and other applely things, Rarity can make the dresses, and Fluttershy can do the music, you know, with the animals, as long as the animals don’t all run away from her like last time…”
“Yeah, that didn’t end well,” said Rainbow, remembering the disaster of a night that was the Gala.
“Oooh, if we all work together, this will be a really great party for the Princess!” cried Twilight happily.
“Sure will,” said Rainbow, snapping up the last of her cherrychanga, “this stuff is great Pinkie, I’ll have to drop by again sometime for another. I’ll bring your copy of Cupcake Monthly too.”
“Come in anytime Dashie,” said Pinkie, “and we can play swapsies of magazines, only when there’s an open sign on the door though, otherwise you’ll be knocking like KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK and that would be silly because nopony will hear your knock knocking.”
“Sure thing Pinkie,” said Rainbow, smiling.
“Thank you for a lovely breakfast,” said Twilight, motioning to leave. She had a lot to do today.
Rainbow Dash left Twilight a short while later for her home - it was high time for her to have a nap. Twilight meanwhile started a journey to Sweet Apple Acres to visit Applejack. She took the walk easily, it was midday now, and the hot summer Sun glared down on Twilight’s head and back. Little clouds of dust rose from her hooves as she trotted along the dirt track that meandered its way to the farm. She met nopony else on the way down. Apple trees became more frequent as she got closer; she walked round a bend into a field of carrots and a little way off was Big Macintosh with two barrels over his back, each full of water, with small holes at the bottom, watering the carrots as he plodded along.
“Afternoon Miss Twilight!” he called to her, “You visitin’ mah sister?”
“Yes,” Twilight said back, “she is around right?”
“Eyyyyup! She’s round back, by the pond.” He motioned his head to the farmhouse.
“Thank you!”
Twilight picked up her pace as she walked through the farm, and then out behind it. She got to the pond, panting, hot, and sweating.
Applejack was lying down on the long, lush grass by the pond, hat over her head and with her eyes closed; she opened one of them halfway as she heard the swishing of the grass as Twilight approached.
“Well howdy there Twilight,” she said as she stretched, joints popping. “What brings ya round these parts?”
“Well…” said Twilight panting, trying to get her breath back, her purple mane wet and hanging limply against her coat. Applejack looked her over.
“Get in there girl, have a wash in that pond, be sure to get a drink too, you look mighty thirsty.”
“Eww, no way!” said Twilight, looking at the weeds in the water.
“Suit yaself, Ah guess you can use our shower, can’t have you like this all day.”
“Thanks Applejack.”
“T’aint no problem sugar cube,” she said as she got up and walked to the pond, taking a long draught of water. “’S’good stuff ya know, you sure you don’t want any?”
“I’ll pass.”
“Always the same with you la de da ponies,” she said, but giving Twilight a friendly wink.
Applejack led the purple mare round to the front door.
“Bathroom’s upstairs, first on yer left.”
“I know that,” said Twilight, snickering, “the number of times I’ve been here after all.”
“Oh, o’ course! Would you like me to get ya a drink for after?”
“Yes please!” said Twilight eagerly.
“Alrighty, I’ll be back in a jiffy.”
Applejack opened the door for Twilight, and then walked round to the side of the house to the cellar. She opened the doors and descended down the stairs into wonderfully cool air before flicking a light on to illuminate the darkness. She grabbed two bottles of her best apple juice that she reserved for her friends from a shelf and brought them up. She trotted back to the pond and sat down in the cool shade by the trunk of a nearby apple tree, leaning her back against it. She gazed over the water, watching dragonflies dance over its surface. Today was a good day.
Soon, Twilight emerged from the house, with a slightly ruffled and damp mane.
“Feel better hun’?”
“Much better, thank you Applejack.”
“Here ya go, betcha been waitin’ for this,” said the orange cowpony, offering her a bottle of apple juice, glistening with condensation.
“Er, AJ, the bottle top is still on.”
Applejack looked at the juice, then back up to Twilight.
“Don’t you ponies know how t’do anything?” she said incredulously.
She clamped her teeth to the bottle top, twisted forcefully, and then gave the now opened bottle to Twilight. She repeated with her bottle.
“Doesn’t that hurt your teeth?” asked Twilight.
“Not if ya know how ter do it right” Applejack replied, spitting out her own bottle top.
Twilight brought the bottle to her lips. She had forgotten how delicious and crisp the Apple Family juice was, and her thirst made it all the sweeter. Applejack gulped most of it down in one, she drew a hoof across her mouth and smacked her lips.
“That there’s the good stuff,” she said with content, “now Twi’, you were gonna say why you came up here in t’first place.”
Twilight was happily watching a blue butterfly flap its wings lazily around a flowerbed next to the house. She gave her head a little shake.
“Huh? Oh yes. In two weeks it is Princess Celestia’s birthday and Princess Luna wants us to organise a party for her.”
“Well I’ll gladly help in any which way ah can, what d’you want me to do?”
“Would it be alright for you to provide some cider?”
“Why sure thing Twilight,” Applejack looked around cautiously and motioned for Twilight to come closer. “Between you and me, ah can break out the zap apple cider.”
“You make zap apple cider?”
“Yup, but very few ponies know this, ah can trust you to not go telling everypony can’t I? Ah shucks, o’ course I can.”
“That sounds like an excellent idea - the Princess is fond of your zap apple jam after all.”
“Now ah didn’t know that,” said Applejack thoughtfully.
“Yeah, she stocks up on it every year.”
“I’ll have to set some aside for her next time ‘round.”
“I’m sure she’d love that,” said Twilight, stretching. “Thank you for the shower and drink AJ, but I still have much to do today, so I’m going to have to say goodbye.”
“’S’okay sugar cube, it was nice t’see you agin, I better start helping out mah brother anyhow watering them fields.”
Twilight and Applejack got up and walked out to the fields, Applejack with a barrel of water strapped to her back. Twilight bade the orange pony goodbye as they parted ways. Applejack paused in her work a little while later to see a cloud of dust with a purple splodge on the end of it in the distance. She smiled and got back to work.
----------------------
Twilight plodded back to Ponyville much more slowly this time, it was still a very hot day after all. She was on her way to Rarity’s. As she made her way there the summer heat made her mind start running on autopilot, and she gazed off into the distance with unseeing eyes which eventually drifted to Canterlot. A gear shifted in her mind, and she wondered what the two Princesses were doing right now. She became so lost in her reverie that she wasn’t looking where she was going.
“Oof!” She bumped into something and fell to the floor.
“Oh, Twilight, I’m so sorry!” Fluttershy squeaked, “Let me help you up.”
“It’s my fault Fluttershy, I wasn’t looking where I was going,” said Twilight, taking hold of Fluttershy’s outstretched hoof and getting back up.
“Were you in a hurry?” asked Fluttershy.
“No, just daydreaming, though I am a busy filly today. In fact I wanted to see you at some point. Are you free?”
“Oh yes, I’ve taken care of all my little friends for today.”
“Would you like to come to Rarity’s with me?”
“I’d like that.”
Twilight realised she was back in Ponyville already, and Rarity’s shop was just around the corner. They trotted side by side, Twilight asking Fluttershy what she had been up to today, and she happily recounted how she had been taking care of the animals in and around Ponyville.
“What have you been up to Twilight?” she asked after she’d finished.
“I’ll explain in a minute,” said Twilight.
They were at Carousel Boutique’s door now. Twilight opened it and the little bell above it tinkled.
“Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where everything is chic, unique and magnifiqu-- Oh, good afternoon girls!” said Rarity, as she turned around from a sewing machine. “What can I do for you?”
“Hello Rarity,” said Twilight, as she and Fluttershy walked up to her. “Would it be alright if you could make some dresses please?”
“But of course darling! For yourself?” Rarity asked, turning back to her sewing.
“No, for the Princesses.”
There was a loud mechanical crunching sound as Rarity’s hoof slipped and jammed the sewing machine.
“F-f-for the Princesses?” she said in horror.
“Er, yes please,” said Twilight.
“W-what if they don’t like them? I’m not sure my designs are good enough for royalty!” she cried as she tried to release the fabric caught in the machine.
“Of course they are Rarity,” said Fluttershy gently, “your dresses are the best in all of Equestria after all.”
Rarity seemed encouraged by the compliment, but she still seemed doubtful.
“I shall try my very best. My, my, these will have to be the two best dresses I’ve ever made! What’s the occasion Twilight?”
“It’s Princess Celestia’s birthday in two weeks.”
Rarity swallowed, then her face became steely.
“I shall do it.”
“Excellent,” said Twilight, “Fluttershy, I thought you could do the music?”
“Um…” said the shy yellow mare pawing the ground, “what, erm, what if it’s like last time Twilight?”
“Ohhhh, well, I’m sure it won’t be,” said Twilight cheerfully.
“Yes dear, you and your little friends just got off on the wrong hoof last time,” said Rarity.
“If- if you say so,” mumbled Fluttershy.
“Would you girls care for some tea?” asked Rarity, hoping to take Fluttershy’s mind away from the Gala.
“Ooooh, yes please,” said Fluttershy, “if it’s no trouble that is.”
“Just a small one please, I had juice at AJ’s earlier.”
“Oh did you? How is dear Applejack?” asked Rarity.
“She’s good, she was asleep around the back.”
“Was she on a break?” asked Fluttershy, “That’s not like her usually.”
“I think it’s the hot weather: nopony is really in the mood to work hard,” said Twilight.
“Why yes,” said Rarity, “you’d get all icky and sweaty if you overexert yourself in weather like this - imagine that!”
“Yes, imagine that,” said Twilight shiftily.
The three girls continued their conversation, talking about their friends’ antics and recent gossip about town. Eventually Twilight took her leave, on account of having studies to do. When she got back to her home, the Sun was low in the sky. The summer evening air was warm, and Twilight decided to work from her balcony. As she turned a page from a book titled: “The Principles of Magical Levitation,” the Sun began to set, painting the sky with fiery hues. Twilight gave it a look and smiled.
Celestia looked from her bedchambers at the Sun as it began to set over Equestria and smiled. She was in her bed after a long day holding personal audiences with many ponies, including ponies who considered themselves of great importance, but who to Celestia’s eyes were ever so boring. She recalled a pony called Lord Arlbemarch seeing her earlier in the day in the Great Hall of Canterlot Palace. He had walked up to her holding his head high and with a gold rimmed monocle on his right eye.
“Princess Celestia,” he had begun, “I come to you with a proposition, you see my wife and I have--”
Celestia had pretty much zoned out after that, occasionally stifling a yawn.
“--connections in Fillydelphia--”
She found it ironic how she couldn’t stand these mind-numbingly tedious ponies, yet it was part of her job to be surrounded by them.
“--annual profits of--”
She wondered what Twilight was up to… her dearest Twilight…
“Personally I think it would be a capital idea for me to go forth with it. What do you think Your Highness?”
Think fast! She thought to herself. She smiled warmly.
“I agree,” she said, having no idea at all what she was agreeing with, “Do keep me informed with how it goes won’t you?”
“Certainly, Your Highness,” he had said.
Celestia snapped out of her memory, grinning. If he ever did write back, at least she’d have a little extra fuel for her fires. No, she much preferred the humble ponies with humble issues to discuss, such as last week when a couple with a new-born foal asked her for advice on what to name him. He was a blood red colt with a yellow mane and after about twenty minutes’ brainstorming Celestia suggested Fire Dancer, which the parents thought was perfect. Celestia also gave the foal her blessing. They had left overjoyed and leaving Celestia with a warm fuzzy feeling in her heart.
She came back to reality again and realised it was time to set the Sun. She walked out of her glass doors to the balcony that faced to the west, where it waited for her expectantly. She closed her eyes as she connected with the great fiery orb and drew upon her great depths of magic. Her face screwed up as she pushed it below the horizon. She cut off the magic and sighed with relief.
“You’d think this would get easier after five thousand years,” she mused, turning away from the orange and pink sky as she walked back inside. She left her chambers and walked through several long, elegantly decorated corridors. She was on her way to wake up Luna so she could dictate the night; she also wanted to ask her something.
The main corridor to Luna’s chambers was dark blue in colour, with moons and stars painted onto the ceiling, and little glass instruments on stands that emitted a deep cold light. Celestia never worked out what purpose they served and knew better than to pry about Luna’s mysterious doings. Luna’s doors were made of jet black onyx and emblazoned with a marble crescent Moon slashed across them. Celestia tried to open the door but it was locked. She raised a hoof and knocked on the door, the sound echoed all around her. She called to her sister.
“Lunes, it’s time to get up!”
“I am already awake!” Luna snapped, tumbling out of her bed, having woken up suddenly to the knocking. Celestia grinned as she heard a muffled “ouch” and saw easily through her sister’s falsehood.
“You may as well come in,” said Luna, and the door glowed blue for a moment as Luna unlocked it. Still grinning, Celestia entered Luna’s room.
It was a large oval shaped room, with several different colours shot across the walls and floor in spiral formations: silvery grey, blue, midnight blue, and deepest of blacks. The ceiling was glass and showed an impressive view of the heavens. Her bed was a large, ornate four poster and Luna was standing next to it; her mane was in the transition stage between her day phase of light blue hair, to her all the more impressive night phase of flowing dark hair that sparkled with stars.
“Good evening,” said Celestia.
“That it is,” said Luna softly, looking broodingly up at the sky, then out of the window. She said almost to herself:
“Why must the flow of time never stop? Why are we all trapped by the ticking clock? Heavens dark and oceans deep, Tears of sadness from those who weep, Night to day and day to night, Why do they fear the end of light?”
There was a pause as Luna suddenly seemed to remember that Celestia was in the same room as her.
“How has your day been Celly?”
Celestia smiled at her sister’s eccentricities but then sighed and sat on Luna’s bed, it creaked slightly under her weight.
“It has been… long, to say the least.”
“Are you feeling well?” asked Luna, looking at Celestia with searching eyes. Celestia was always like this in high summer. Luna put it down to being overworked.
“Yes, I’m alright.”
“You seem tired.”
“Well, there is that.”
Luna looked at her sister apprehensively, and then said, “Let us take charge of the Day Court tomorrow - have the day off.”
“I can’t ask you to do that,” protested Celestia, “you have the Night Court to attend to already.”
“Oh please!” said Luna, chuckling, “nopony ever turns up to those things, last week I spent all night playing chess with myself, I won of course.”
Celestia remarked on Luna’s amazing ability to enjoy her own company. It was lucky that she did, the white alicorn thought, she rarely talked to anypony other than herself.
“I also have a favour to ask of you Luna,” said Celestia calmly, although she felt a little nervous at Luna’s reaction.
“What is it?” Luna asked.
“On my birthday, I would like you to raise the Sun.”
Luna looked blankly at her sister.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Raise the Sun?”
“Yes,” said Celestia patiently.
“On your birthday?”
“Yes Lunes.”
“Why?” She said shortly - there was even a subtle hint of suspicion in her voice.
“I thought you would like the opportunity: it is the day that you returned to me, and to Equestria. It also shows how much I love and trust you.”
Luna was mulling it over in her head, and decided her big sister’s intentions were innocent. Then she thought about actually raising it, it was a great responsibility after all. Then she had an idea. A most wonderful idea! She was going to make sure this was one sunrise Celestia would never forget.
“Yes!” she yelled, “Ahem; yes we will.”
“Are you absolutely sure?”
“Yes, I am honoured and touched by your offer.”
“Excellent, would you care to join me in supper? Or in your case, breakfast?”
“We would be delighted.”
They went to a small, cosy room of the Palace with much plush furniture, where they had supper/breakfast brought up to them. Celestia was lying gracefully on a long sofa, sipping a mug of hot chocolate and nibbling ginger biscuits. Luna in contrast was eagerly eating her second daffodil and daisy sandwich. They discussed trivial issues, such as the recent warm weather, and personal issues. Celestia looked on in amusement as Luna wolfed down her breakfast.
“What time is it Celly?” asked Luna after she finished her sandwiches.
“About half past ten I should think.”
“Oh goodness!” Luna yelped, splaying her wings in alarm, “The Moon needs to be raised in five minutes!”
“Don’t be late!” Celestia called, as Luna’s tail, dark and sparkling, whipped around the corner.
Celestia chuckled to herself and then yawned widely; it was high time for her to go to bed. She got up and leisurely walked back to her chambers, hearing Luna’s frantic hooves clattering in the distance.
Luna bolted down her corridor, flinging open her doors with magic, and ran to the east facing window before throwing it open and sticking her head out.
“Forgive me,” she whispered, panting, as she reached out to the Moon with her mind and concentrated hard on bringing it above the horizon. The waning gibbous floated up from behind the hills and Luna released the magic. Having got her breath back, she took a minute to survey the view. A soft breeze kissed her cheek as she looked around; to her right, southwards, was the small collection of lights that was Ponyville. She spared a thought for Twilight and her friends, and on whether this surprise party was going to be successful. She drew her head back in, still lost in her thoughts. She flicked a bedside lamp on as she retired to her bed. She wondered whether to send Twilight a letter.
Where would I begin? She thought to herself. We are not good at being what they call “normal” and “friendly.” But there was no harm in trying after all.
But how to address Twilight? Loyal subject? Too formal. Dear friend? Too much. She settled on loyal friend. She levitated a scroll of parchment, a bottle of ink, and a large black quill towards her and began to write.
My loyal friend, Twilight Sparkle,
We hope you are well and that thou hast begun preparations for my sister’s party. I have complete faith in you to make this a birthday worth remembering. I write to you in the hope that you might be able to attend the sunrise on her birthday, we promise that it will be worth it. I shall visit you in six days to see how you are getting on.
Your humble Princess, Luna
She reread what she had written and was pleased. Her horn lit up and the letter glowed. It spun around in the air then disappeared with a small pop.
“Now what do I do?” Luna said to herself. After a few minutes pondering she decided to go for a flight. She walked outside, spread her dark wings and took off into the night.
----------------------
Celestia closed her doors. She trotted wearily to her bed and lay down on it, pulling her silken sheets over her, getting warm and cosy. She sat up suddenly as she remembered. She ought to write to Twilight before she forgot. She levitated a scroll of parchment, a bottle of ink, and a large white quill towards her and began to write.
My most faithful student, Twilight Sparkle,
I have a request of you, would you and your friends be able to attend the sunrise on the morning of the Summer Sun Celebration? For you see that this year I am granting the honour of raising the Sun to dear Luna, and I know how much it would mean to her for you to bear witness to such a special moment. I hope you and your friends are all well. I look forward to seeing you soon my dear.
Your mentor and friend, Celestia
Her horn glowed as she sent the letter. Finally she rested her head on her feather pillow and closed her tired eyes.
--------------------
There came a gentle tapping from Twilight’s bedroom door; the purple mare’s eyes screwed up and she rolled over in her sleep. The knocking got louder, and still Twilight remained asleep.
“Er, Twilight?” said Spike from behind the door, “Twilight, there’s two letters for you!”
Twilight woke up.
“Huh, wassat?” she mumbled sleepily.
“Two letters,” said Spike.
“At this hour?” What did the Princess want at this time?
“Yup, can I come in?”
“Yeah, sure,” said Twilight, waking up a little more.
Spike opened her door and walked into the room, carrying two short scrolls.
“Two of them?”
“Yeah, I did say,” said Spike.
“Oh.”
Twilight magicked the scrolls over to her, unfurled them and read them.
“My, my, it seems that the two princesses have completely different motives here,” she chuckled, “Luna seems to have a trick up her sleeve, she’s hiding something I’m sure of it, and Princess Celestia just wants us to be there. I wonder what’s going on.”
She decided that she would just ask Luna the next time she saw her. But for now she would write a reply confirming that they would all indeed be there.
“Thank you Spike for bringing these up, but it’s late now.”
“Goodnight Twilight,” he said. Twilight looked fondly at the assiduous little dragon.
“Hey, come here,”
“What?”
Twilight reached out her forehooves and hugged him. He seemed taken aback for a second, but then returned the hug.
“Thanks Twilight. Goodnight,” he said, smiling.
“G’night Spike,” she mumbled, lying down in her bed again and drifting back to sleep, slipping into a dream about her and Celestia.
--------------------
Luna had landed in a small glade next to a stream; she was laying on her back, lost amid a sea of stardragons, her favourite flower. She was deep in thought, as she often was, thinking about stars, time, the weariness of the world… and pudding. She stared into eternity with her brilliant turquoise eyes, and the stars stared back at her, winking. Her horn glowed softly. The stars all shimmered with the power for a second. A huge, dark blue band of light began to grow in the sky and Luna moulded it into an s-shape. Then she created a green band and wove it alongside the blue one. She continued in this fashion until the sky abounded with great undulating waves of light. She rolled over, sitting up and admiring her work with a sad smile. Then her smile became a grimace and she struck a hoof to the ground in anger.
“Why did I even bother?!” she yelled to the darkness. “Nopony is ever going to notice this! They never notice!” she added bitterly.
Her horn glowed brightly and she swung her head, undoing all her work. She sat with her head bowed. Eventually she raised it, and a single silver tear fell from her eyes onto a stardragon, causing its star shaped petals to glisten in the light of the Moon. She took several long breaths to calm herself down, just like Celestia had advised when she got angry. Sometimes, her loneliness and isolation got the better of her; what brought her joy also brought her much pain on occasion. She loved her solitude from the rest of Equestria, and the freedom to do anything she wished without fear of judgement because, well, who was there to judge her? But she could not deny in her heart that she was alone; alone in a world that didn’t care. That’s how she saw it at least. Nopony understood, not even her sister, who tried her hardest. Luna eventually calmed back down into her normal, thoughtful mood and stared back up to the sky, thinking of pudding.
Rainbow Dash woke up at lunchtime the next day in her fluffy cloud bed. She groaned, rolled over lazily and fell out of it, with a muffled thump onto the floor. The blue pegasus stretched her wings and twisted her back, eliciting several loud popping sounds and a satisfied sigh. Her stomach growled loudly as she trudged to her bathroom to get herself ready for the day.
As she sat preening her wings, having showered under a grey raincloud, she reminded herself of the day’s events: she had a meeting with the Weather Team at two o’clock, and was visiting Applejack for dinner at half past seven - she also knew she had something else to do, but she couldn’t put her hoof on what it was. Right now, her hunger was at the forefront of her mind. She was never much of a cook, and never dared cook when she had guests over for fear of poisoning them. So she decided she’d grab something to eat from Cloudsdale before her meeting at the Weather Factory.
What do I want? She wondered as she took off out of her window, even though she had a perfectly good door. I could sure go for a pizza right now, yeah, pizza sounds good. Her mind wandered while she flew towards the great cloud city in the sky; she was not looking forward to her meeting at all, all that boring talking! Although dinner with Applejack was something to look forward to at least, she was in the mood for something with apples in it. She put on an extra burst of speed as she approached Cloudsdale and flitted around the great towers of clouds to her favourite pizza restaurant near the centre of the city. She landed in the city centre, next to a large water fountain in the shape of the city’s founder: the pegasus, Cloud Chaser. For such a huge statue to be suspended in the clouds, and to rest on the cloud itself, the unicorns had had to work their magic on it to make it very light. She turned away from the fountain and walked down a street to the restaurant she wanted.
Some time later Rainbow Dash walked out, full of pineapple pizza. She trotted at a laid back pace up towards the Weather Factory. She looked at the ponies around her; some were doing a day’s shopping, some were hurriedly rushing to where they were supposed to be. Rainbow noticed a wavy pink tail behind a cart, and then the pegasus it belonged to raised her head up.
“Hey! Fluttershy!” Rainbow yelled.
The yellow mare yelped and nearly jumped out of her hooves in shock.
“Oh, h-hello Rainbow Dash,” she said softly.
“What’re you doing up here? You’re normally stuck to the ground with all your lil’ critters.”
“Yes, but today is the day of the month that I buy food and treats for them, and Ponyville doesn’t have everything I need. Angel Bunny loves rainbow sticks, but Cloudsdale is the only place I can find them.”
“Oh cool, I love rainbow sticks too,” said Dash happily.
“Would you like one? I have lots.”
“Thanks ‘Shy, but I just had a big lunch,” she suddenly realised just how long she had taken with that. “Er, Fluttershy, what time is it?”
“Um, about five to two I think.”
“Oh horseapples! Sorry, I gotta run, I have to be with the Weather Team in five minutes, see ya Fluttershy!”
“Bye Rainbow –” but the multi-coloured mare was already gone. Fluttershy sighed and continued with her shopping.
Rainbow flew swiftly up to the Weather Factory at the top of Cloudsdale, speeding through the golden archway and into the entrance hall. She landed hard and ran up to the reception.
“Hey,” she panted to a silver pegasus, “d’you know where the… where the Weather Team committee meeting is today?”
“Er,” the pegasus said, flipping through his notebook. “Level four, in the Hall of Storms.”
“That’s an odd place to hold it isn’t it?”
“The Rainbow Suite was accidentally double booked.”
Rainbow groaned, but made her way up to the fourth level. She opened the door and was greeted by a low rumble of thunder; she looked up above her to see that the ceiling was made of dark thunderclouds looming ominously over a large, wooden, grey table with wing-backed chairs. Around the table were six other pegasi looking at her, each being the head of various aspects of the Weather Factory.
“You’re late, Rainbow Dash,” said Starshine, a golden yellow stallion with an orange mane who was sitting at the head of the table.
“Yeah, sorry about that,” said Rainbow, pulling up a chair. “Lost track of time and stuff.”
“Now we’re all here - to business,” said Starshine importantly. “We need to schedule the weather for next week.”
“Why am I even here?” asked Ice Beam sullenly, a very pale blue mare, “It’s high summer!”
“Because it’s procedure,” said Starshine, “as we agreed last week, this week has been very hot and sunny, which has done the Apple family’s apples a world of good from what Rainbow has told me.”
“Yup, they’re coming along nicely now,” said Rainbow.
“But the fields are starting to dry out, so next week we need to schedule a good heavy downpour. Thunder, Cirrus, Imber, you three need to take charge of creating a thunderstorm for the day after tomorrow.”
The three ponies he addressed nodded in unison.
“What about me?” asked a turquoise stallion named Aeroph, “Is this gonna be a windless thunderstorm or something?”
“Forgive me Aeroph,” Starshine said, “yes, put some gusts in, from the… southwest sound good?”
“Yes sir,” he replied.
“Excellent. Rainbow Dash, I want you to-- Rainbow Dash?”
Rainbow was sitting in her chair with glasses on and at first glance, she appeared to be awake. But Starshine got up and trotted over to her, and removed the glasses with eyes drawn on. She was fast asleep.
“Rainbow Dash,” he said irritably, prodding her. She jerked awake.
“I was just resting my eyes!”
“Uh huh, well, after this storm you will need to make a rainbow for us.”
“When?”
“The day after tomorrow.”
“No sweat, I can do that,” said Rainbow airily as a drop of water fell onto her muzzle. It began to rain in the hall.
“Imber, can’t you do something about this rain?” asked Starshine.
“No sir, these rooms have minds of their own you know.”
“Fine," he grumbled, "you’re all dismissed, we covered most things anyway.”
“Sweet!” said Rainbow hurrying to the door. As she left the Weather Factory she looked up to see two young colts racing each other in the air. Racing, fast, flying. Rainbow stopped dead, suddenly remembering what else she was supposed to do.
She was supposed to ask the Wonderbolts to fly with her today.
“Oh no. Oh no no no no no no! What do I do?” Rainbow asked herself, dancing nervously on her hooves. “Come on, you’re the Dash, you’re not afraid of anything! You can talk to those guys - you have before, and you can again.”
She managed to talk herself into feeling more confident. She knew where Spitfire lived at least, on the outskirts of Cloudsdale. Rainbow walked with little enthusiasm in the direction of Spitfire’s house. Once she arrived at the front door of the large fluffy house, she took several deep calming breaths and knocked on the door.
“Oh, hey there Rainbow Dash,” said Spitfire.
Rainbow thought she looked very odd without her Wonderbolt outfit on. Her coat was butterscotch yellow, which contrasted well with her fiery mane. She glanced at Spitfire’s cutie mark, a lightning bolt with flames rising from it. Rainbow supressed various thoughts that were flying through her mind at the sight of her.
Spitfire saw Rainbow looking at her flank and smiled. It’s the same with every fan, she thought to herself.
“My face is up here,” said the Wonderbolt, grinning.
“Oh gosh!” Rainbow blushed, “Hey- hey there Spitfire.”
Spitfire giggled at the look of panic on the blue mare’s face.
“What brings you round here? Come on in.”
Rainbow walked awkwardly into her hallway. There were trophies and medals everywhere. Rainbow was proud of her own award collection, but it was put to shame here. She stood with her mouth open in awe. Spitfire chuckled.
“Yeah, there’s a fair few of them,” she smiled at the technicolour pegasus.
“Sure is… anyway, um, I really need a favour off you guys, ya know, if that’s okay.”
She could have passed for Fluttershy with how quietly she mumbled the last part.
“Oh?” said Spitfire curiously, “Well, we’re happy to help Rainbow, you know, after you saved our lives, and Soarin’s apple pie of course - I guess we owe you one.”
Rainbow felt a knot in her stomach unwind, and an injection of confidence filled her.
“Well, on the Summer Sun Celebration, I thought I would perform, like, an aerial show, and I had a really awesome idea that we could fly from the direction of the Sun when it rises and I do a sonic rainboom with you guys either side of me - would that be cool?” She said all this very fast.
“Wow, that sounds amazing Rainbow!”
Rainbow glowed at the compliment.
“A very neat idea, and I would be honoured to perform for the two princesses,” she continued. “I’m sure Soarin’ will too, provided there’s some pie for him.”
“How is Soarin’?” asked Rainbow, maintaining the conversation.
“He’s good, he’s good: he’s out giving flying safety lessons today at the schools in town. Hey, d’you want something to drink?”
“Yes please!” said Dash more eagerly than she intended. She had just been offered a drink from one of her heroes after all.
“What would you like?”
“Whatever you’ve got going is fine with me.”
“Sure thing, have a seat.”
Spitfire led Rainbow to her living room, and then made her way to the kitchen. Rainbow settled herself down on a sofa and looked around. There were more medals and trophies, but also a surprising number of books on shelves around the room. Spitfire also seemed to be subscribed to every flying magazine Equestria had to offer. Rainbow saw the newest edition of Young Fliers Weekly on top of a large pile stacked haphazardly on a coffee table. She picked it up and began to read.
Spitfire meanwhile was pressing oranges and lemons in her kitchen.
Rainbow’s a pretty cool gal, she thought, as she reached up to a cupboard looking for sugar and fizzy water, I should probably make more of an effort to get to know her, I mean, it looks very likely she’ll join us one day.
Spitfire and Rainbow enjoyed the afternoon together. Spitfire regaled Dash with various stories from her days being a Wonderbolt, and in turn, Rainbow told tales of adventures with her friends. In the early evening, Rainbow had to leave on account of visiting Applejack.
“I’ve had a great afternoon, thanks Spitfire,” said Rainbow at Spitfire’s door.
“It was my pleasure Rainbow, take care now!”
“You too!” called Rainbow as she took off, and with a last fleeting look at Spitfire, she dived down, in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres.
Twilight Sparkle was pacing about her room. As she passed the windows, the light from the waning half Moon outside danced across her face; she had been waiting for Princess Luna for hours.
“Where can she be?” said Twilight worriedly to nopony in particular.
“Ah don’t know sugar cube, but she ain’t here - that’s fer sure.”
“AJ! Where did you come from?”
“Ah thought I’d come visit ya Twi’.”
“So did I,” said a soft voice from Twilight’s window.
Twilight jumped.
“I’m sorry,” said Fluttershy through the glass, “did I startle you?”
What’s going on? Thought Twilight, My friends never visit me at this hour, not without good reason anyway.
Twilight closed her eyes for a second and when she opened them, she wasn’t in her bedroom anymore. She wasn’t even in Ponyville: she was in Canterlot, at the Grand Galloping Gala, standing next to Princess Celestia, who was looking straight ahead, not acknowledging that a purple unicorn had just suddenly appeared at her side. Twilight was completely dumbfounded.
“Er, Princess?”
“Yes, Twilight Sparkle?” said the Princess, not looking at her.
“What’s-- what’s going on?”
“Whatever do you mean Twilight?”
“I was just at home, and now I’m here.”
“Why, you know that isn’t possible Twilight, teleportation over such distances is beyond your abilities,” she said bluntly.
Twilight was greatly stung at the harshness of the Princess’ statement.
“Perhaps you should get some rest, Twilight,” said Celestia, still not looking at her.
Twilight was hurt and confused as to why her tutor, the mentor whom she idolised so much, was acting so coldly towards her.
“Princess.”
No response.
Twilight nuzzled her lovingly - nothing. Tears began to well up in her eyes: this wasn’t the Princess, it couldn’t be. She looked to her left and then to her right, feeling increasingly panicky. As she looked left again, somepony was there who wasn’t before.
Luna.
“Princess!” called Twilight, “What’s going on?”
“Wake up Twilight,” said Luna.
“What?”
“Wake up.”
“I am awake.”
“Twilight, wake up.”
Twilight opened her eyes. She was lying on her balcony, with her head pressed into a book, and Luna nuzzling her.
“Wake up.”
“Whaaa?”
“You fell asleep Twilight,” said Luna.
Twilight looked up at Luna and saw the half Moon behind her.
“What time is it?” she asked.
“It is eleven o’clock in the evening."
“Oh goodness!”
“Spike!” called Luna, “Is it ready yet?”
“Yup, I’m bringing it out now.”
Spike walked backwards through the doors to the balcony, carrying a tea set with him.
“We assume you would enjoy some tea?”
“Oh yes, thank you Luna.”
The alicorn levitated the teapot and poured out two cups of tea. Twilight added a lump of sugar and milk to hers, whereas Luna was content with just tea. The purple mare looked at her, wondering what she was thinking about. She knew it was pointless to even guess, Luna was so incredibly elusive like that. Eventually, she turned her head towards Twilight and she smiled.
“How are the preparations coming along?” she asked.
Twilight set down her teacup.
“They are going very well so far: Applejack has the drinks ready, Pinkie has many cakes and snacks, Fluttershy is gaining confidence in being friendly with the animals this time, and Rarity has been very stressed recently, making a dress for Princess Celestia.” Twilight deliberately neglected to mention that Rarity was making Luna a dress too. “Rainbow tells me she has a plan, and I am making sure everything runs smoothly.”
“It all sounds very good and well organised Twilight, I knew you’d be able to do it,” said Luna happily.
“You said in your letter that you promised that the sunrise next week will be worth it,” said Twilight, “forgive me if I’m wrong, but it sounds like you have quite a surprise lined up for Princess Celestia.”
Luna grinned mischievously.
“Your vigilance never ceases to amaze me Twilight,” said Luna, “though the nature of my surprise we shall not disclose.”
Twilight wondered what the Princess had in mind but reminded herself again that reading Luna’s mind was like reading a brick wall.
“We are certain you will all enjoy it a lot,” Luna continued, “though forgive me, I have not asked: how are you?”
“I’m alright; I’ve been busy recently with my studies and organising, so I haven’t been able to spend as much time with my friends as I’d have liked, but apart from that, everything’s great. Um, how are you and your sister?”
“Celestia is as well as ever, though she has been working herself too hard recently in my opinion - and we have been ever so bored recently. Barely anypony attends Night Court anymore, so I have had to entertain myself; influencing dreams is a particular favourite of mine,” she grinned slyly.
“How do you do that?” asked Twilight curiously.
“With the dreams? We have a unique connection to the dream world, and as such anypony who enters it, we can enter their dreams, view them, and even control them if we wish.”
“That’s fascinating,” said Twilight, “I’ve never heard of such abilities - there are no books at all on the subject.”
“That’s because I alone have the ability, and being imprisoned on the Moon didn’t make me an easy subject to study,” she said with bitter undertones.
“Sorry,” Twilight murmured.
Luna looked at Twilight, and her face softened.
“Oh Twilight, it is not your fault. The blame rests with me and me alone.” She gazed at the Moon, Twilight saw it reflected in her large eyes. Luna sighed.
“I never really expressed my gratitude to you Twilight. We owe you our freedom from the Nightmare, without you, I would be in darkness eternal.”
Twilight shifted where she sat, blushing slightly from the praise Luna was giving her; she was only really accustomed to being commended by Celestia.
“It wasn’t just me though, my friends all helped too.”
“But you were the only pony who knew of my return were you not?”
“Well, I guess I wa--”
Twilight was cut short: Luna had pulled her into a hug. For the Princess of the Night, she was a lot warmer than Twilight expected. Twilight hugged her back, as she inhaled, she smelled stardragon again.
“Thank you, Twilight Sparkle,” whispered Luna, "thank you so much."
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.
Celestia woke early the next morning, very early, after the best night’s sleep she’d had for a long time. She looked at her clock, it was four in the morning. The Sun was to rise in three quarters of an hour.
“Happy birthday, Celestia,” she mumbled, as she magically pulled the bed sheets off herself.
If she felt old yesterday, it was nothing to how old she felt now. Five entire millennia. Nearly two million days - and she felt tired, not because her sleep wasn’t good, far from it. It was high summer, which meant Day Court ran eighteen hours a day. She felt overworked. She was quite glad that Luna was running Day Court today, or so she thought. Luna herself had no intention of doing such a thing.
--------------
Twilight Sparkle and her friends were standing outside the Great Hall’s huge marble doors, which were shut. The eastern horizon had a pale blue tinge to it.
“It’s odd,” remarked Twilight, “they’re not usually shut.”
She cautiously pushed the doors open and had to supress a giggle. At the end of the hall was a dark blue alicorn, slumped on the throne, fast asleep, her light blue mane ruffled.
“Come on girls,” she said chuckling, as she entered the hall and made her way to Luna. Twilight nudged her gently, while the other five ponies hung back, afraid to wake the Princess.
“Um, Princess Luna, it’s time to get up,” said Twilight.
Luna’s eyes opened half way.
“Oh my, how long were we asleep?”
“Well, it’s not long till sunrise,” said Twilight.
“All night!” yelped Luna, “Oh well, nothing can be done, I will just have to endure a sleeping pattern of some confusion for the next few days,” she grumbled. “Anyway, it’s nice to see you all here,” she smiled down at them.
“Is there anywhere we can put all this ‘ere stuff Princess?” asked Applejack.
“Allow me,” said Luna, her horn lighting up; all their luggage disappeared with a pop.
“They are hidden in my quarters,” said Luna.
“Why thank ya kindly Princess.”
“We should go to welcome my sister,” said Luna.
They made their way up to Celestia’s chambers, their hooves echoing loudly off the walls.
“Do you think she noticed her dress?” asked Rarity nervously to Fluttershy.
“I don’t think so, or if she did, she’s doing an awfully good job of hiding it.”
“Good, I think.”
Luna knocked on Celestia’s door.
“Celly! Are you awake?”
The door clicked as it unlocked. They all filed in. Celestia was standing regally by her window, the solar wind billowing her mane as always, she smiled widely at them, and when she and Twilight met eyes, her smile grew even wider.
“Happy birthday!” they all chorused at once.
Celestia looked at Luna, then back to the Mane Six.
“Lunes, did you tell them--”
“Yes I did,” said Luna, “Your friends at least deserve to know when your birthday is, Celly,”
Twilight skipped up to Celestia. The Princess lowered her head and hugged Twilight.
“Happy birthday Princess,” she whispered.
“Thank you, my faithful student, it’s wonderful to see you again my dear,” she said lowly in Twilight’s ear. She brought her head up and looked to the others; they all bowed, with the exception of Luna.
“Princess,” said Rainbow nervously, “sorry but I gotta fly, I have some things that need doing real quick.”
“Of course, Rainbow Dash. You will return later I trust?”
“Yeah, I’ll be there for the sunrise,” she grinned and left.
---------------
Rainbow trotted out of the room. She briskly walked to the Great Hall and out of the marble doors. Unfurling her wings she shot into the sky, heading towards the Palace gardens. In the dim light she had trouble making out the ground below, but she eventually saw two dark blobs on the ground and descended towards them. She landed with a flurry of dust around her.
“Morning boys,” she said to them smoothly.
“Hey!” said Spitfire indignantly as Soarin’ giggled.
“We ready to put Operation Awesome into effect?”
“You betcha!” said Spitfire.
“Will there be pie?” asked Soarin’.
“Yes, Soarin’,” said Rainbow, rolling her eyes.
-------------
Princess Celestia led them all to her balcony. Twilight and her friends were surprised to hear a sudden, overwhelming roar of cheers from the gardens below. Fluttershy’s ears shrank back from the noise and she shut her eyes tight.
“Where did they all come from?” said Twilight, astonished.
“I like to keep them out until after I wake up, they do like to make a racket don’t they?”
“That they do,” said Luna, looking slightly nervously down at the crowd, “Celly, how long before sunrise?”
“Five minutes.”
“Right.”
Celestia raised a hoof and silence descended.
“My little ponies!” said Celestia in the Royal Canterlot Voice. It was not a harsh voice like Luna’s, in fact, it was just like her normal voice, amplified many times. “I warmly welcome you all to this year’s Summer Sun Celebration!”
Much clapping of hooves on the ground and cheering ensued.
“But this year is very special, for today, with my blessing, Princess Luna shall be honoured with the raising of the Sun,” she looked fondly at her sister.
Murmurs ran through the crowd.
“Luna?”
“Why Luna?”
“What if it’s like Nightmare Moon again?”
“My feet hurt.”
“I choose her, because I love and trust her completely,” said Celestia, with a powerful undertone of finality that quelled the suspicious muttering at once.
Luna meanwhile just grinned - she was getting excited now.
“The Summer Sun Celebration is a time when we--” Celestia continued…
--------
Rainbow Dash, Spitfire and Soarin’ had finished warming up: they were ready.
“This is a very complicated plan Rainbow,” said Spitfire. “When do we take off?”
“In exactly twenty seconds.”
“And when does the Sun rise?”
“In three minutes, forty two seconds.”
“And by your calculations, the Rainboom will happen as soon as the Sun is up?”
“Yup.”
“As long as you’re confident, I believe in you.” She kicked Soarin’s hindquarters. His mind had wandered.
“Uh yeah, Rainbow, I believe in you too!” he said sincerely.
A great bubble of pride and confidence welled up in her.
“Let’s do this! Three! Two! One! GO!”
All three shot from the ground like bullets, flying as fast as their wings could take them, to the Palace.
-------
“Forgive me, this old mare likes to ramble on,” said Celestia apologetically after she had finished her speech. “It is time for the Sun to rise, on this, the longest day of the year!”
Luna stepped forward modestly to much clapping of hooves.
“Thank you everypony!” she shouted loudly, not using her Canterlot Voice because she knew it was intimidating.
She bowed her head and shut her eyes tight: this was going to require all her power and expertise.
---------
Rainbow Dash looked to either side of her as she tore through the sky, Spitfire and Soarin’ were at her sides. It was time. She accelerated hard, and so did they. She could feel the distinctive resistance of the air in front of her, bending the forces of nature was no mean feat after all. Her forehooves started to feel hot, everything was a blur, the Palace was racing towards them - this was her moment! A curious silence filled the air around her as it started to tingle and spark brightly.
---------
Luna tensed up, and lifted her graceful head slowly, her horn blazing for everypony to see. Celestia looked on with intense pride. The Sun rose from the eastern edges of the world. Luna’s surprise was hidden in its golden glare. The Moon. The newest Moon. Luna used all her formidable strength to raise the Moon as well at the same time, unbeknownst to everypony, even her sister, until it began to cover the Sun’s face.
“The Moon!” cried Twilight.
Celestia’s jaw dropped openly.
BOOM!
An explosion of colour erupted in the sky, Rainbow Dash seeming to fly out of the Sun, the Wonderbolts lightning trails behind her.
Twilight, hit by sudden inspiration, directed a powerful beam of magic at the heart of the Rainboom and it magically incorporated itself into the sky as the last vestige of sunlight disappeared behind the Moon. Everypony was in stunned silence at the spectacle.
The solar winds of the corona were a myriad of colours, billowing slowly and serenely from the dark orb low in the sky, the colours mixing elegantly. Lightning sparks radiated from the eclipse, yet they were as distant from Equestria as the Sun itself. The spectrum was cast over the entirety of the heavens, clouds were contrasted with dark shadows, and every so often, a distant crackling thunder of unimaginable power broke the heavy silence. The world had a profound sense of unreality, beautiful and dreamlike. After five minutes, the Moon began to fall behind the Sun’s pace, and a golden beam poured from behind it. For maybe a second, the corona lingered, turned to gold, with silver clouds and platinum lightning. Then it was gone, leaving a slither of the crescent Sun in its wake as the Moon gave way for a new day to begin.
Um, this is a side note, um, if that's alright with you. I am gonna give credit here to Varanus' story Composure for inspiring me to use the idea of a solar eclipse. Read that fanfiction by the way, it's absolutely amazing.
Luna stared dumbfounded, eyes wide as dinner plates.
“I-I did not expect that to happen,” she stammered weakly, her hooves unstable and shaky. She turned to her sister, and they locked eyes.
“Happy birthday,” she mouthed.
Celestia couldn’t take any more and tears fell freely from her eyes as she walked towards Luna and gave her a loving hug. There were no words, there was no need; Celestia expressed everything she wanted to in that hug. By the time they broke apart, the crowd seemed to have recovered from the shock. There came a deafening roar from down below. The two Princesses raised their hooves in acknowledgement and the noise just became louder. Fluttershy had completely lost her head, screaming and hollering louder than anypony. Rainbow Dash and the Wonderbolts landed next to her, panting loudly, utterly speechless and exhausted.
Eventually, Princess Celestia raised a hoof again, and relative quiet descended.
“Well,” she said breathlessly to the crowd, “that was certainly… unexpected. You have all just witnessed something unprecedented in Equestrian history, the likes of which have never been seen before, and are unlikely to ever be seen again.”
Thunderous cheers came from the crowd.
“I thank you all once again for coming, I am moved and humbled by your enthusiasm today, thank you.”
With that, she turned and led the way back into the Palace. The others followed, except Soarin’ and Spitfire, who left, Soarin’ with a pie that Applejack had prepared for him at Rainbow’s request.
Once she was back inside her room, Celestia turned to them.
“I don’t know what to say. Did you all plan that?” she asked them warmly.
“Not that!” said Luna, “I planned the eclipse, but we had no idea Rainbow Dash was planning to do that.”
“Twilight? How about that extraordinary magic you just performed?” said Celestia, turning her head to her.
Twilight glowed at her praise.
“I don’t know where that came from, the idea just came to me and the magic did itself.”
“Very interesting,” mused Celestia, “you have always been a mare of mystery Twilight Sparkle.”
Luna coughed loudly from a corner.
“Though not as much as a certain somepony,” Celestia chuckled.
“Er, Princess?” said Applejack, “Is there any chance we could get summat to eat? I don’ know ‘bout you gals but ah’m mighty hungry.” There were nods all round, including Celestia herself.
“Yes, I guess we could all do with a bite to eat couldn’t we, after all that excitement?”
-------------
Celestia was so incredibly happy, sitting in the small cosy room of the Palace.
Twilight, Luna and Fluttershy were sitting around the coffee table, with a large pot of tea, and much toast and crumpets, discussing small talk. Applejack and Rarity were on one sofa, bickering on how to correctly prepare the scones they were making. Rarity couldn’t remember whether the jam went on first or the cream, an order Applejack thought was entirely irrelevant. Rainbow Dash had collapsed on the floor in front of the fireplace and nodded off, while Pinkie Pie was batting Rainbow’s tail left and right in amusement, occasionally drawing upon a slice of cake that came from nowhere.
Celestia herself was lying on her usual sofa, observing the scene. Her mind was reeling. She had never seen anything quite like that eclipse before - and she had seen a lot. She had seen a supernova that lit the night up like day; a gift from Luna for her one thousandth birthday, so long ago. She had seen all the towns and cities flare up across Equestria, entire forests grow out of nothing; she had seen ponies enter the world, their entire lives unfold, and watched them leave. She had seen the Ice Towers of the most northern extremes of Equestria in their full glory; great, thin, spiralling powder blue cathedrals of ice and snow. Celestia had always enjoyed the way they sparkled in the sun, and how the light glittered off them - how they glowed with a pale distant auroral light at night. Unfortunately they were no more, she had been there at their demise thousands of years ago when Discord first assaulted Equestria; his power was monstrous back then, far greater than his feeble machinations of chaos the second time around. Celestia remembered how she and Luna had fought to subdue him, to no avail: he constantly slipped through their grasps and wreaked havoc, melting and boiling those beautiful towers.
She must have looked spaced out because when she finally snapped back to reality, Luna was right in front of her, her tongue sticking out and her eyes crossed comically. Pinkie Pie was giggling hysterically behind her.
“Back with us Celly?” Luna asked playfully.
“Yes, I was just-- remembering some things.”
“Well stop it, because you look ever so silly with such a vacant expression.”
Celestia gave an embarrassed little grin.
“Be nice to the birthday girl,” she said.
“Okay,” Luna’s horn glowed, and a pile of oddly shaped presents appeared in the corner of the room, all wrapped up, which they hadn’t been before.
“What are these?” asked Celestia, knowing the answer.
“Presents!” said Luna gleefully.
“Oh this is wonderful!”
She normally only got one present from Luna.
“Open mine! Open mine!” said Pinkie excitedly.
She was pointing to a large pink box with red ribbons. The Princess brought it to her with magic and opened the box neatly. There was a very large and many tiered cake inside it, seven in fact, each with a different coloured frosting, making the cake a--
“RAINBOW CAKE!” yelled Pinkie.
Celestia noticed that the cake was much bigger than the box it came in. She was puzzled, but was distracted by her next gift.
“Fer you Princess, I’ve heard that you’re mighty fond o’ this,” said Applejack, with a little difficulty, as she had the handle of a hamper of zap apple jam clamped in her mouth.
“I certainly do love your family’s jam, I suspect a certain somepony let that slip?” said Celestia grinning at Twilight, “Thank you Applejack.”
Fluttershy had another hamper in her mouth.
“Um, I got this for you Princess; I hope that you like it… although it’s fine if you don’t, but I hope you do.”
Celestia lifted the cloth off the hamper, and saw lots of pots of different types of honey.
Celestia chuckled, Fluttershy looked nervously at her.
“This is a coincidence: when I have toast, my favourite things to put on them are honey and zap apple jam.”
“R-really?” said Fluttershy hopefully, a smile on her face.
“Why yes, thank you for the gift Fluttershy.”
The yellow mare blushed.
Rarity meanwhile looked terrified and was hyperventilating in the corner as she lifted her dresses up with magic. Luna looked surprised when one of them stopped in front of her.
“Is this… for me?” she asked.
“Y-yes,” stammered the white unicorn.
The dresses were spectacular. Celestia’s was pale gold that melted to sky blue at its trailing end. It was elegant in its simplicity, intricate in detail. Swirls of pale white thread curled across it, like clouds in a summer afternoon. The entire dress seemed to shimmer subtlety whenever it was moved, like it was an illusion. Luna’s dress was as equally well made. It was of darkest black that faded to dark blue around the edges. Twilight noticed that shooting stars had been enchanted to flit across the fabric and stars sparkled serenely upon it.
“Rarity, how did you do this?” asked Twilight, astonished. “This is powerful magic!”
“I won’t lie and say it was easy, it was a lot of hard work, and it took many attempts, but I would only be satisfied with the best for you both.”
“Thank you for these, Rarity,” said Luna, “they are really something.”
“They are absolutely beautiful,” said Celestia.
Rarity held her head up high, proud that both goddesses approved of her work. Twilight was standing behind her with her huge, veiled canvas. Celestia looked curiously at Twilight. The purple mare would normally be shuffling her hooves nervously and her left ear would be twitching in anticipation. However, the purple unicorn appeared unusually calm as she looked at her beloved teacher. Inside, Twilight was wondering what had possessed her to do this, trying not to let her fear show.
Oh no! What if she doesn’t like it? I’ll ruin her birthday! She’ll hate me forever if I do that, I can’t show her this, I can’t, I can’t, I can’t…
Celestia chuckled as Twilight’s ear finally started twitching nervously.
Aaaarrrggghhh! Why is she laughing? Does she think it’ll be bad…?
Celestia gave the petrified pony a reassuring smile as she got up and pulled off the covering with her mouth instead of using magic. It fell from her muzzle and onto the still sleeping Rainbow Dash as she gaped at what Twilight had painted. It was an extraordinarily detailed watercolour painting of a stormy ocean at night. Celestia herself was at the forefront of the artwork, rearing on her hind legs, lit by an electric blue bolt of lightning that cast her features into sharp relief, a fierce glint in her eyes. A great wave, frozen in time had just crashed behind her, throwing water high into the air. At the top, the black rainclouds melted into a crystal clear night sky with swirling galaxies, vibrant stars and a thin crescent Moon. The entire painting seemed to emanate a mysterious magic.
“Twilight, I--” Celestia began.
“You hate it, I knew it!” she wailed, throwing herself at the ground, waking Rainbow up.
“Hey, what’s the deal-- woah,” she said, looking at the painting.
“Twilight,” Celestia began again, “this is astounding!”
“Huh?”
“This artwork is amongst the most highly skilled I’ve ever seen!”
Twilight's ears perked up and she rose to her hooves.
“Well, I learnt from the best,” said Twilight, fondly looking up at Celestia, “and I wanted it to be perfect.”
The alicorn remembered encouraging Twilight’s creative side while she was a filly in Canterlot, for she was far too academic and Celestia decided giving Twilight a creative outlet would do her good.
“And it is my dear, I can’t think of anything that could make it better. May I ask how long you spent on this?”
“Er, about four months. It was originally just a gift for you, but I have been spending a lot of time recently to get it ready for today."
“Twilight, you shouldn’t have! But all the same, this is stunning.”
“Thank you!” said Twilight, moving towards her.
“No, thank you Twilight Sparkle,” she said as she lowered her head for Twilight, “my faithful student.”
“Come on everypony!” squealed Pinkie as she bounced down the Palace corridors without a care in the world. It was early evening, and she just couldn’t wait any longer for the party. The pink pony sprang her way to the entrance of the gardens and disappeared. There was nothing unusual to be seen there, which was very un-Pinkie. She suddenly popped her head out of a shrub.
“Fluttershy, can you help me with the other one?”
Fluttershy looked confusedly at Pinkie, wondering what she was talking about - and then she saw the party cannon hidden in the shrub. She looked at her friends for help. Applejack picked up on the yellow mare’s fear.
“Uh, Pinkie, perhaps ah should help out instead?”
“Sure, you know how to work it right?”
“Yer buck ‘em right?”
“Yup yup yup!” she said excitedly.
“And where exactly is t’other one?” asked Applejack, looking around.
“It’s over there.” She pointed to a topiary bush shaped like a phoenix with her tail. Applejack trotted over to the cannon.
Celestia looked on, guessing at was about to happen.
“You ready AJ?”
“Yes ma’am!”
“Three! Two! One!”
BANG!
There was an explosion of sound as a huge green and blue marquee made of plush fabric shot out of one cannon, as well as a turntable and records for Fluttershy to play along with her animal friends. From the other came many streamers that decorated the marquee, along with several tables covered in snacks and sweets.
“Very efficient Pinkie,” remarked Rarity.
“Thanks Rarity, it took me ages to stuff all those goodies in there.”
“Is this a party for me?” asked Celestia, surprised yet again at the lengths her friends had gone to for her today.
“Yuppers! Do you like it Princess?”
“Very much so,” said Celestia, smiling.
Fluttershy noticed that there were no animals around; she suspected they had all been scared off by the party cannons. The others entered the marquee, marvelling at Pinkie’s work, Applejack pushing her cart full of cider. Fluttershy hung back to wander around the gardens, looking for the animals that she didn’t exactly get along with at the Gala. Around her were periwinkle blue flowers that nodded languidly in the warm breeze of the evening, and old and new trees, boughs heavy with summer laziness. She could hear nothing other than the distant chatter of the party. She tiptoed very quietly and cautiously amongst the trees, until she saw a bluejay in one of the dappled branches of a silver birch. Fluttershy froze. She didn’t dare move for fear of frightening it away. It cocked its head at her, considering her. A bead of sweat formed on Fluttershy’s brow as she waited, and waited, neither party moving. Eventually her patience ran out and she tentatively moved her front left hoof forward. The bird stayed where it was. With a little more confidence she moved her right hoof forward too. It flitted away and disappeared behind the trees. Fluttershy stomped the ground in frustration, then took some deep calming breaths.
“Well done,” a voice whispered softly in her ear. Fluttershy didn’t even jump, the voice was so gentle. She turned to see Celestia standing before her.
“Well done?”
“Yes my dear: you kept your self-control.”
“I-I guess I did, but he still flew away from me.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” she said, raising her white head and looking up at the branch.
The bluejay was back, along with several other brightly coloured birds. Celestia sang a short, sweet melody to them and they fluttered down to her.
“Now my friends,” she said to them, “this is Fluttershy, and she has been eager to meet you all for a very long time - go now and spread the word to all the other creatures here.”
They nodded to her and flew away.
“They’ll come to the party soon enough, I’m sure of it. Speaking of which, we best be getting back, they’ll start wondering where we are.”
------------------------
When they got back, Celestia went for a slice of the rainbow cake that Pinkie had brought down. She was pleased to discover that the cake had zap apple jam filling inside it. Fluttershy, meanwhile, took her place at the record player. She rifled through the records and picked out a bouncy electronic beat.
“Oooh! This is one of my favourites!” squealed Pinkie, getting up and dragging Rainbow, who happened to be closest to her, into the middle of the dance floor at the centre of the party pavilion.
“But-but I haven’t had any cider yet!” cried Rainbow, looking longingly at a nearby mug.
“Here you go!” said Pinkie, pulling a tankard from thin air. Rainbow looked at the undulation of the colourful surface, and drank deep. It was sweet. Very sweet, with a strong appley flavour and bubbles that tickled her tongue and the roof of her mouth delightfully.
“Hey AJ! This stuff’s great!” she yelled across the room as she set her tankard down to dance enthusiastically with Pinkie.
“Well thank ya kindly sugar cube!” she called back. She was sitting at a table with Twilight. “So then he said, ‘Ah know what ah’m doin’ AJ,’ not lookin’ where he’s going, and fell rough and tumble into the cellar!” she finished, laughing.
“Goodness, was your brother alright?” asked Twilight.
“O’ course he was, he’s made of strong stuff.”
“Well, as long as he wasn’t hurt,” said Twilight, chuckling, “and Rainbow’s right, this cider is delicious.”
“We make it differently from ordinary cider,” said Applejack casually, knowing that Twilight would be interested.
“Really? How so?”
“Well, firs’ thing is, you gotta read the apples bedtime stories before they get pressed…”
Rarity meanwhile was avidly discussing how she made her dress to Celestia.
“All hoof stitched of course.”
“I can tell. Tell me, how did you get the gold to blend to blue?”
“Well…”
“Has anypony seen Luna?” asked Twilight, to Rarity and the Sun Princess.
“Not that I recall,” said Rarity.
“She said something to me about ‘fresh air’ around fifteen minutes ago. Why, Twilight?”
“Oh, I was just wondering where she was.”
“Have a look at the statue of the dolphin: she’s always really liked that.”
“I will, thank you Princess.”
Twilight slunk away from the party; it was warm and dusky outside, though enough light remained for Twilight to see perfectly easily. She made her way past tall linear hedges and flowerbeds to the dolphin statue, working purely on memories from her childhood. She passed the iron grey statue of Discord, his face still frozen in shock. She paused for a second, smiling grimly. Celestia had told her some dreadful tales of his former power in times long past; she shuddered and then pressed on. She came to a circular clearing, where the large statue of a leaping dolphin resided in the centre. Luna was sitting on the top of it, head bowed, her coat blending into the deep blue sky. She seemed deep in thought.
“Princess?” said Twilight tentatively.
Luna heard her, though it was as if the voice came from very far away, so deep was her reverie. After a few moments she raised her head and looked down towards Twilight.
“Yes, Twilight Sparkle?” She looked glumly at Twilight.
“Erm, are you alright?”
Luna looked up thoughtfully at the stars that were beginning to appear. Then without moving she beckoned.
“Come up here Twilight.”
Twilight screwed up her eyes and disappeared with a flash, to reappear almost instantly at Luna’s side. She was disorientated and bumped into the blue alicorn.
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
She was still looking at the stars; Twilight saw them reflected in her blue-green eyes. She seemed troubled.
“What’s the matter Princess?”
Luna seemed uncomfortable and nervous. Not like her usual stoic and composed self at all. A gear clicked in Twilight’s head.
“Is it the party?”
She nodded.
“We are used to being by oneself for days on end Twilight Sparkle. I am not accustomed to such social interactions, and am not feeling the “fun” one apparently is supposed to feel.”
“Luna, I completely understand.”
“You do?”
“Of course: before I moved to Ponyville, I had no friends. I can remember going to parties and being as unfamiliar with them as you are now.” She smiled warmly at Luna. “And some ponies just don’t enjoy parties as much as other ponies - if it makes you feel any better, I am such a pony.”
“Really?”
“Why yes, parties are alright and it’s great to have fun with friends, but they tire me out a lot and keep me from my studies.”
Luna smiled at Twilight’s studiousness. She took a deep, calming breath.
“I’ll get you some cider when we get back, that always helps,” said Twilight.
They sat a little while together in silence, looking at the stars. Luna’s horn started glowing blue. Twilight wondered what she was doing.
“Luna, what are you—”
“Watch.”
Twilight looked up: nothing was happening. Then suddenly, ropes of blue light began to form from the aether, green ones snaking alongside them. When the Princess had finished she looked at Twilight, her face unfathomable.
Twilight marvelled at the sight before her eyes, a river of light stretched across the sky.
“Do you like it?” asked Luna.
“It’s so beautiful!” she exclaimed, “I’ve never seen anything like this!”
“Few ponies have,” she grumbled.
“Did you just make this for me?”
“Yes, Twilight.”
“Thank you. It’s so wonderful!” She nuzzled the Princess. Luna smiled.
“It was our pleasure. Come, we should get back; they’ll be wondering where we are.”
Luna grinned and spread her great wings. She leapt from the top of the statue and glided down gracefully to the ground. Twilight teleported to her side and they made their way back to the party together.
Celestia poked her head out of the pavilion; Luna and Twilight had been gone a while now, she wasn’t worried about them, but she did miss their company. Something in the sky caught her attention, she looked up, smiled and drew her head back in. Fluttershy smiled at her from across the room, she was playing slower music now, and conducting an orchestra of birds with a look of pure delight on her butterscotch face.
Celestia looked around as she peeled a banana with her magic and started eating it. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were slow dancing together, surprisingly gracefully to Celestia’s eyes. She smiled: she thought they looked cute, and made a mental note to ask Twilight what was going on between those two sometime. She was sure they had disappeared for a short while earlier, before Twilight and Luna left. Rarity and Pinkie were sitting down a short distance from Celestia, taking a short break. It was always a sign of a good party if even the pink party pony got worn out by it every so often. As Pinkie and Rarity got up to talk to Fluttershy, the entrance of the tent ruffled as Twilight and Luna returned. Celestia trotted over to them, levitating two mugs of cider as she went.
“Ah, girls, I was beginning to think you left us for more concupiscent activities,” said Celestia slyly to them. Twilight’s face flushed bright red, but Luna was far too used to her sister’s teasing to care.
“Play nice Celly,” she said, in a slightly bored voice, “you’re embarrassing her.”
Celestia looked at Twilight’s face.
“Sorry Twilight,” she said sincerely, though a shadow of a grin remained on her face, “you have been gone long though.” She handed them a mug each, full of zap apple cider. Luna sniffed it tentatively, then sipped. Her eyes lit up and she drank some more.
“Yes, Luna and I were talking at the dolphin statue.”
“Quite understandable, it seems as though you have helped calm her nerves well,” she said, looking at Luna, who was eagerly lapping up her cider. The white alicorn laughed.
“What?” asked Luna.
“Nothing Lunes,” she said gently.
Fluttershy picked up a new record to put on the player: it was a waltz. A fitting last song she thought. She turned to the birds around her.
“Is everyone ready?” she asked kindly. The birds around her nodded in unison.
“Excellent - a one, a two, a one, two, three…”
Celestia looked towards Luna as the song came on, a plan formulating in her head.
“Do you remember this one Luna?”
“Huh?” She was about to take a huge bite of cake, but paused, ears perking up, listening.
“All those long years ago? On every Hearth’s Warming Eve? When we used to dance together?”
Luna actually paid attention to what was being played. It was like flying back through time, to those ancient days, thousands of years ago.
“Yes,” she said distantly, “yes, we do. My, that was so long ago.”
“Would you care to join me?”
“But of course, sister.”
Celestia and Luna took to the dance floor, as Applejack and Rainbow retired. The goddess alicorns rose on their hind legs and pressed their forehooves together as they started to dance. The others gathered around Fluttershy as they watched, Pinkie prepared with a big bag of popcorn.
Their dancing was complex and graceful, and transcended any dancing a mortal pony could ever hope to achieve. Celestia decided to use magic to lower the huge tent and cast it to one side, so that Celestia and Luna were dancing under starlight. Luna’s mane sparkled like the sky above, while Celestia’s mane glowed faintly in a similar fashion to the aurora above. Five of the six ponies watching looked up at the sky in awe. Twilight meanwhile was looking curiously at the Princesses’ horns. Celestia’s was shining with golden light, and Luna’s was silver. As they continued to dance, more as one soul in two bodies than two separate ponies, orbs of gold and silver light left the horns and ascended high into the sky, very high. Right up to the aurorae itself, and melting into their own glowing metallic bands of light. As the song came to an end, the Princesses looked up, apparently unaware of the spectacle they had performed. The others hurried over to them. Teal eyes met magenta, both welling up with tears. They embraced each other tightly.
“You have no idea how much I’ve missed that,” murmured Celestia and Luna at the same time. They both chuckled, wiping their eyes.
“What happened?” asked Twilight, “How did you do that?”
“The mysteries of magic are lost even unto us, Twilight Sparkle,” said Luna solemnly and importantly.
“Don’t mind her,” said Celestia, “It is because we both command cosmic entities, and in much the same way as the eclipse was magical because of the Sun and Moon’s interaction, so were we then in our dance.”
“Ah’ll never understand what them three go on about,” muttered Applejack to Rainbow, looking at Celestia, Luna and Twilight.
“S’magic, duh!”
Rarity got a picnic blanket and unfurled it on the grass before them. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy brought over some more cake, while Applejack and Rainbow got some more cider. Celestia decided to lie on her back, looking up at the sky; the others followed suit, snuggling up to one another as they gazed up, chatting idly, eating and drinking in sublime happiness, and generally unwinding. The evening was warm and calm, much like the atmosphere between all the ponies, all revelling in the strong bonds of friendship they shared.
Twilight was next to Celestia, and as they both looked up at the heavens, Celestia said:
“Thank you for today Twilight Sparkle, it has been the best birthday I can remember.”
Twilight felt pride rush up inside her at the praise, which meant so much coming from her Princess, her mentor, her friend.
“It’s the least I could do, it’s been quite an eventful day hasn’t it?”
“It has Twilight, the best day I’ve had in a long, long time.”
“I’m so glad to hear that,” said Twilight contentedly, nuzzling up to her, “happy birthday Princess.”
“Thank you so much,” whispered Celestia, nuzzling her in return, eyes closed in simple joy, “my faithful student.”
The End
A huge thank you for everypony who read this. And an extra special thank you for those who enjoyed it! <3
Thank you Alex and Reevsie for your support, feedback and myriad corrections. <3
