The Elements of Harmony inflict a harrowing—and permanently damaging—injury on Princess Luna, leaving Twilight Sparkle to pick up the pieces.

Season 1 Premiere AU
Artwork by the Inimitable Paradise-Wonder

Luna is the Princess of the Night, which is normally a job she loves...except on Hearts and Hooves Day night. Naturally, that is an evening of private nocturnal events and dreams for most ponies, and so Luna must put in overtime to make sure she assists her subjects without crossing any bounds, causing any awkwardness, or putting herself anyplace she isn't wanted.

Fortunately, Luna can at least take a break this evening to go to her favorite twenty-four hour bakery, Donut Joe's. Donut Joe is always there, no matter how late the hour, with a smile on his face, a mug of coffee for her in one hoof, and a plate of donuts for her in the other. And Luna is always happy to take a seat at the counter and talk with her new friend.

Meanwhile Donut Joe has had a special appreciation for his best night customer ever since her return over a year ago. He has always found something beautiful in the nights...and now he has found something familiar and comforting and special in Princess Luna.

Perhaps on this most romantic of evenings, a little something will come along to give these two a nudge toward each other.

(That little something ends up involving Discord, Celestia, love 'poison', and a party in Las Pegasus, by the way.)

Sequels:
Donut Nights 2: A Heartfelt Hearthswarming,
Donut Nights 3: Nightmare Night Canoodling

Twilight Sparkle. Magical prodigy. Personal student of Princess Celestia. Bearer of the Element of Magic. Princess of Friendship. Hers is easily one of the greatest destinies in Equestria.

Yes. Definitely. All predetermined. It certainly had nothing to do with any incidents she had early in her personal lessons from Celestia, nor any potent magic the Princess of the Sun kept hidden in plain sight. That would be ridiculous.

An entry in MrNumbers's Prompts and Positivity challenge.

Rated Teen for Lunar language and explicit alcohol consumption.

Some accidents are small, and some endow you with the power of a godly ruler. On the opposite end of things, you lose your wings along with your ability to move celestial bodies, and you can't tell anypony. Why, because what would they think if the princess became a librarian? It's going to be "fine". Celestia just needs to switch back with Twilight before either of their true identities are revealed. All Twilight has to do is hold down the castle, fight off scheming villains, run the country, and worst of all... deal with all the noble ponies.

Rated teen for shenanigans and some more serious parts. Takes place at the end of lesson zero. Please tear this apart with comments. I like criticism. Comment if you have issues, don't leave me with a mystery thumbs down.