//------------------------------//
// New ways to help 
// Story: Two worlds colliding 
// by TalkingToMyself 
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Chapter 7:  New ways to help

Luna flew back to the hospital to find most the things already been taken care off. Some unicorns had arrived and helped get out the equipment from the broken building while other ponies gathered carts and wagons to transport everything to the castle. Luna thanked them all for their contribution and their hard work and with the promise to see them all at the castle, she flew off to the next building. 

By now the royal guard had arrived and managed to get clear out the streets leading up to the Royal Castle. The smaller alleys slowly emptied as more and more ponies found their way to these streets, but still there was more than enough for an alicorn princess to do. Luna helped moving debris from buildings away, helped ponies who ended up trapped in their houses and those who got hurt. To her biggest relief, the last group of ponies was by far the smallest as the worst she'd seen was a broken wing and a pony who had been knocked out by a small piece of stone hitting his head. Considering all that happened, Luna silently gave her thanks to the sun, moon and all the stars there had been no casualties. 

Of course, the earthquakes had been minor at first and only increased their strength with time which gave everypony enough time to get outside. And even when the quakes had been at full force, thanks to Sunset Shimmer's help they didn't last too long. And it was more than lucky as well that Canterlot had been the center of quakes with four alicorn princesses present for a summit who could react immediately. Luna sighed as she flew to the next gathering of ponies who needed help.
They turned out to be merchants who tried to get their supplies to the castle as a contribution. Luna nodded and quickly took hold of the baskets and kegs with her magic, taking them to the castle. As she flew off, she heard the merchants talk.
“Well, let's get to it everypony. Don't forget: There are still ponies out there who need help, all our help.”
Luna blinked as she recognized those words as her own, spoken to only a couple of ponies in the castle. Apparently they must have been spread by the guards. She was even more surprised when she flew over another group on their way to the castle and actually heard them cheering and talking about her.
“See? The Princess is working hard too, so keeping going. Remember: Keep helping each other and come to the castle!”
Luna smiled from the remain of her flight and quickly delivered the goods to the royal staff who would take them into the throne room where most ponies ended up by now. 

She was about to head into town for the third time when she heard some soft sobbing. She turned around and saw a green unicorn colt, hiding behind the stairs to the main entrance and fighting back his tears. She landed softly next to him and asked in her gentle voice
“Hello, young one. What troubles you so much you're giving in to sadness?”
The colt looked up surprised and opened his eyes wide when he saw a princess standing there.
“Princess Luna! I thought you were sleeping during the day.”
Luna couldn't help but chuckle at this and smiled
“It's true that I'm a mare who works at night, young colt, but today I'm helping everypony recover from what happened. Now tell me, what's your name and what caused those tears?”
The colt sniffled as he tried to explain, he was still very young and didn't even have his cutie mark yet.
“I'm Emerald Shine... I was walking through the market with Dad when the ground started shaking and things fell down from the roofs. Everypony was running around and screamed and I lost Daddy. I walked around looking for him but then I noticed I didn't know which street I was anymore. There was more shaking and somepony pushed me and others into the open so nothing could fall on us. And a unicorn made a shield around us too. When it was all over, I went looking  for Mommy and Daddy again but I couldn't see them. But then someone said everypony was going to the castle and I thought I'd see Mommy and Daddy there but now I've been waiting so long and... and... they're not coming.”
The colt broke into tears again and Luna wrapped her hooves around him.
“Shh. It's okay Emerald Shine. You're parents are most likely still in the markets looking for you. When you get lost, it's usually the best to stay where you are and wait for your parents to find you.”
The small unicorn calmed down again and looked up at Luna
“I just want to see Mommy and Daddy..”
Luna nodded and flapped her wings to fly up the stairs with the colt still in her hooves
“And you will. I give you my word as the Princess of the Night.”
She set down the colt next to the royal guard at the stairs and looked him in the eyes.
“You must wait here for now, Emerald Shine. I shall find your parents and send them here. I promise.”
The tiny colt looked up at the royal guard who winked at him, then turned back to the hovering alicorn
“Thank you Princess Luna! You're the best!” 
Luna smiled and with a powerful flap of her wings sent herself higher into the air and towards the markets. 

As she expected, most of the alleys were empty by now but she could still see ponies here and there, using the last hour of daylight they had today. Luna's ears perked up when she heard a call and found a light blue pegasus mare circling over the streets
“Emerald! Emerald! Where are you? Emerald!”
The princess smiled and quickly flew over to the mare
“You're looking for a colt named Emerald Shine?”
The peagus looked up surprised but her eyes shone when she heard that name.
“Yes, my son! I've been looking everywhere but I couldn't find him. Princess Luna, have you seen him?”
Luna nodded and smiled reassuringly
“He followed the ponies to the castle. He is waiting for you at the main entrance, the royal guard is watching him.”
The mare sighed in relief and even shed a few tears.
“Oh thank the stars! Princess Luna, thank you so much for finding my sun. Now I need to tell my husband, he's searching inside the destroyed buildings still and...”
“No! You go to your son right way, I shall find your husband and sent him after you. Just tell me where I can find him.”
The mare looked even more grateful and quickly gave Luna directions before flying to the castle. 

Luna made her way to a destroyed house to find some ponies trying to clear out the entrance, one of them an indigo unicorn who tried to move a giant boulder with his bare hooves. The princess landed next to the ponies and they all turned towards her.
“Princess! We tried everything but we can't move that rock. There might still be ponies inside.”
Luna closed her eyes and called forth her magic once again, moving the boulder aside to reveal an empty room behind it. The indigo unicorn cried out in despair but Luna walked to him and put a hoof on his shoulder.
“You son is fine. Your wife is already on her way to him and Emerald is waiting for you at the castle.”
The stallion turned around, confused at first but ended up thanking the princess enthusiastically before heading to meet his family.
Luna turned to the remaining ponies once more
“Please, I'm sure this isn't the only foal that's gone missing. Ponies are searching for their families and friends all over the city. Make your way to the castle but don't leave anypony behind. Help each other find their loved ones and make sure nopony is missing.”
The ponies nodded and bowed to their princess before going to the castle, checking every building they passed for more ponies. 

Luna was working her way through the outskirts of Canterlot when she noticed a purple alicorn flying towards her. She flew up again to meet Twilight Sparkle midway.
“Princess Luna! I've been looking for you! I just spoke the royal guard, it seems they searched all the streets by now and got everypony in their way to the castle. The throne room is full of ponies and as far as I know, the last missing ones where found by now. And just in time.”
Luna nodded and looked at the sun and knew she had to rise the moon in a few minutes
“Those are wonderful news, Twilight Sparkle. I've just passed the last group of ponies that was still looking around and sent them their way. I guess they will have to make it in the moonlight then. But tell me, how is Sunset Shimmer.”
The young alicorn frowned and sighed.
“She's still mourning. She lost the connection she shares with her human friends when she made sure the barrier between worlds was properly sealed. I don't know if she'll ever be able to return to them.”
Luna sighed as well and nodded
“Comforting her is all we may be able to do tonight. After all she did for us, the least we can do is look for a new way to this world. Only time can tell if we shall succeed.” 
The Princess of Friendship nodded sadly, then she took a deep breath like Cadence taught her and focused on the troubles ahead once more
“I'll find the last group and teleport them to the castle with my magic. It's way faster and more safe than to walk through streets filled with debris at night.”
Luna nodded at this
“Very well, Twilight Sparkle. I will finish my search before I rise the moon, I shall see you in the throne room right after I did so.”
The alicorn nodded and flew done into the streets.

Luna watched her disappear between the houses, then flew up high and looped around the town one last time. She couldn't see or hear anypony, so she flew to the center of town and focused her magic. She had used it a lot today and flew around far more than she used to, she could feel the exhaustion of a long and eventful day. But raising the moon was so natural to her, she could manage it without any problems at all. With a smile watched the full moon rise from the horizon and shine its light to the silent City. 

She had done everything she could to help today, though she knew it was only a small step in her atonement. She had to make up for not only her sins as Nightmare Moon, but also for neglecting her duties in the dream realm for a thousand years. She never allowed herself anything less than being there for as many ponies as possible during their darkest nightmares. While this gave her the chance for personal contact with them, most ponies barely even remembered her visits when they woke up in the morning. 
She scowled at those thoughts, since she was not doing her duties for appreciation. Not anymore. Though she had to admit she was not unhappy with flying out in the daylight and letting the ponies see her as she helped. It was very different than her usual silent support she gave from the shadows of dreams, but the way she had been able to inspire her subjects in this new way to help turned out to be very satisfying in its own. 
With on last look at the full moon she turned and made her way back to the castle as promised.

Luna didn't enter the Royal Castle through the main doors but instead landed on a balcony in her personal wing. This was her preferred way to get in and out without being noticed and the doors were always open. A risk perhaps, but one she was willing to take for the convenience of privacy. The passed the doors to her personal chambers and walked along the hallway towards the main castle. They were empty as usual, the only ponies around at night were a few selected guards anyways but by her order they had joined in helping the ponies so Luna wasn't surprised to find their posts abandoned. 
She passed a lot of more empty rooms. Meeting rooms, offices, chambers for maids and guards, even a dining room and a ball room. Luna had little use of those since she preferred her doing her tasks at night by herself. She barely had any staff dedicated purely to her at that matter. A single maid would clean her room briefly each morning before she went to bed, when she was hungry she'd go to the kitchen herself, and political meetings or audiences were handled by her sister at day. She frowned as she passed a few doors she didn't even knew what was behind them since she never bothered to enter. Probably some more offices for the secretaries she declined to employ.
Walking in from her wings had another appeal to her as she could slip into the throne room through a side entrance this way as well. With most of the ponies looking at her sister, it allowed her to take in everything without being noticed, unless she wanted to.
Her steps were slow tonight, heavy from exhaustion. She hadn't held back during the spell of Sunset Shimmer and whatever magic was left had been burned out by her deeds in the city. She still had her night tasks ahead of her, luckily they relied on a different source of strength so she would be able to perform, even if tired. She opened the final door, hearing the ponies gathered behind it talking but also the scents of dinner. Perhaps something to eat would put her in better spirits before taking on her nightly guard.

When she stepped through the doors her eyes opened wide in surprise. Literally the whole room was filled with ponies of all tribes, blankets and improvised beds covered the floor and members of the royal staff had to move carefully to not step on anyponys tail or wings as they handed out food from big bowls. Yet that was not what surprised Luna.
Immediately all heads turned to her and she was greeted with smiling faces and cheers. She slowly walked towards the thrones where the other princesses had already gathered, meeting all the smiles towards her with an insecure smile herself and some bows of her head. It's been one thing talking to the small groups of ponies in the city but having the attention of nearly all of Canterlot at once was a very humbling experience to her. She envied her sister who not only had this nearly every day, but could also handle it far better than herself.

Those feelings didn't last too long though as a group of fillies and colts gathered around her and droned out all other cheers with their voices, asking small and apparently unimportant questions or simply staring at her and calling her name over and over.
Luna smiled and spread her wings softly as she stepped forward, smiling at each of them and listening carefully at each question, taking them as serious as she did any adult pony. She found out shortly after her reformation that the youngest of the ponies seemed to be fascinated and impressed by her a lot more than adults, and she smiled as she could see so much potential in each of them and did her best to nurture it as best as she could.

Her exchange was quickly interrupted though by a green ball of happiness who turned out to be Emerald Shine pouncing her and clinging on her neck. She chuckled as she held the colt close while his parents approached and found herself hugged twice more with matching happiness.
“Thank you so much Princess Luna! Thank you for bringing us back together!”
Luna smiled and squeezed the colt gently before setting him back into his mother's embrace, then bowed her head deeply to the three ponies
“It was my honor to help you! I'm happy I could contribute to your family's unison.”

The family bowed as well and the colts and fillies scurried of to their parents and caretakers as well, clearing a path for Luna to the three princesses. She could hear mumbles, ponies telling each other how they saw her in town all day helping where she could. Celestia had stepped down from the podium and met her sister halfway. Luna could tell from the smile on her sisters face she had talked to Sunset Shimmer and all had been well. They shared a hug, each one wrapping a hoof and a wing around the other
“Welcome back, Luna.”
“It's good to be back, sister.”
Luna's ear perked up as she heard somepony d'aww behind her but she simply smiled and follow her sister to the front of the room, taking their places between the other princesses, Cadence a her side and Twilight Sparkle next to her mentor.

Celestia nodded to them and Cadence stepped forward and spoke to the now watching crowd
“Everypony, please listen for a moment. I know you all worked very hard today and went through a lot after the earthquakes happened. I don't want to go into details before we know everything, but I want to share some good news with you:
Despite the destruction in town, there have been no casualties today. No pony went missing or was left behind, thanks to all your help.”
Relieved murmurs spread through the room and Cadence continued
“Canterlot Hospital is right now operating within the guests wing of this castle. If you have any injuries or similar, you can go there for help. Furthermore, I have been able to exchange letters with the towns of Cloudsdale, Ponyville and Manehatten, as well as the Crystal Empire. They have not witnessed any quakes or natural disasters today. As far as we know, only Ponyville noticed some rumbling, since it's the closest to Canterlot. If you have friends or family outside of town, this means you no longer have to worry, everypony is safe.”
This time the ponies were more enthusiastic and as Cadence stepped back, Celestia took her place
“My little ponies, we are all very proud of you and what you've accomplished today. During a crises you've shown respect and compassion for each other and helped each other, not thinking about tribes, social standings or profession. Today, we all worked as one towards harmony.”
Twilight stood next to Celestia and added
“And now we're all here together, united in friendship, everyone of us. Tonight, we all share our food, comfort and beds together as friends.”
Twilight and Celestia turned around and smiled at Luna who had been silent until now. She realized she was given the last words of the Princesses as the Princess of the Night.
She stepped forwards and the mumbling stopped again as everyponys attention rested on her. She smiled and picked up where Twilight had stopped
“My friends! Now you can enjoy your well deserved rest in the peacefulness of the night. May your slumbers be gentle and kind tonight and may we all not remember this night as the night of great misery, but as a night where we all spent together in friendship and harmony!”

The ponies cheered loudly and all four princesses bowed their heads before they stood together and decided how to go on from hereon.
Luna was the first to speak
“Sister! I'm glad you're feeling like yourself again. How is Sunset Shimmer?”
“It was just as you said, Luna. It was the first step and it had to be done before I could really start to move on. Sadly Sunset still doesn't feel up to leaving that room and facing anypony yet. I promised to stay with her tonight, but I'd feel better if I knew you were there as well.”
Luna nodded
“Of course! I still didn't get a chance to thank her properly for saving us.”
Twilight smiled and giggled
“I promised her the same! If you're in too Cadence, it's almost like a Princess slumber party.”
Cadence smiled as well and nodded, but with a sigh
“I'll join you as soon as I figure out a few last things. Even with all the rooms of the guest wing, there's not enough room for everypony. Some will have to sleep in the hallways or even in the gardens I'm afraid.”
Luna ears perked up at this and she addressed the Princess of the Crystal Empire
“Cadence, there are rooms I literally never use in my wings. Take the ponies there, take all the space you need.”
Cadence turned around surprised at that
“Are you sure, Princess Luna?”
Luna frowned at the mentioning of her title. Despite her being older than the pink alicorn, Cadence had spent her fair share of years in royal business, either assisting Celestia during Luna's banishment or as ruler of the Crystal Empire. Therefore, Luna always considered them as equals while Cadence still treated her like an elder.
“I insist. As much as I cherish my privacy, these ponies need a proper place to rest far more, Princess Cadence.”
The pink alicorn blushed a little and nodded
“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to doubt you, Luna. With your rooms, things we be much easier. I get them prepared and then meet with you and Sunset?”
Luna nodded, appeased by Cadence' apology and smiled again, trying to clear up the tension again
“Princess slumber party it is, then.”
Twilight looked between the two and went on with Luna's joke.
“I don't think Sunset had any dinner yet. I'll get her something and catch up to you. Can't have a sleepover without snacks after all.”
The purple alicorn gave an awkward laugh and vanished in a flash of her magic. Cadence flew over the crowd to the door Luna had come from, announcing the additional rooms and leading ponies into the hallway.

Celestia and Luna nodded to each other and stepped down from the podium again. One sister heading left, the other right, the two alicorns walked between the improvised bed and small groups of ponies, checking one last time if anypony needed help before they'd retire. 
Luna was quickly surrounded by a group of fillies again who begged her for a story of what happened.
As she consoled them for the following day, she heard a voice calling out from the back of the room
“Princess! What happened to the unicorn who saved us all with her spell?”
Another voice joined in
“How is Sunset Shimmer?”
That name send excited whispers through the room again, many ponies still remembered her as a former student of Celestia. Luna turned around to look at her sister only to find her giving her benevolent smile to the ponies
“Sunset Shimmer carried the burden to save not only one, but two worlds today. And even though she performed this feat flawlessly, it took a great toll of out her. She's resting right now but be assured she's under our personal care. My sister and I will go look after her ourselves tonight.”
More mumbles went through the crowds but most ponies nodded, especially those who had seen Sunset's spell earlier. The tall alicorn smiled at Luna and she nodded affirmatively before they both slowly made their way to the main doors leaving the throne room together.