“So Celly” said Solaris “Do you think this planned reunion is a good idea?”
“I confess I had my doubts to begin with, but when you see how much it means to our prized students, how can I say no?”
“I share your views. Did Twilight show you a lovely snow scene she had painted with the young colts and fillies playing together?”
“Yes, I am guessing that Dusk did one too?”
“Indeed. That sold it for me; an opportunity for them to experience another side to themselves and enjoy each other’s company.”
“There are a couple of individuals I remain a little concerned about, however” commented Celestia sounding a warning tone.
“Ah yes, the dressmakers” he concurred “I still remember them calling for my blessing in love. Ordinarily that would have been quite sweet, but under the circumstances it was somewhat disturbing.”
They found that they had drawn in to each other and stopped their discussion to watch their prized students finally pull back from each other, both wiping the remaining tears from their eyes, still holding hooves.
“I think that is a friendship that will last” said Solaris with evident pride in his voice.
“Oh, I agree Solly, and I wouldn’t ever want to cut them off from each other, although I confess I’m not so sure how some of the others will react.”
“No, but we must give them the benefit of the doubt, wouldn’t you say?”
Instead of an answer, he felt another tender nuzzle from the mare by his side.
Too soon, it would all have to come to an end and Celestia, recognising that time could easily run away with them, got down to business by outlining her aspirations and concerns for the forthcoming visit. The two leaders quickly reached an accord and agreed on a party, firming up the protocols to be observed, along with the events and additional activities that could be offered to the two groups of friends.
With outline agreement secured on every aspect of the visit, Solaris walked slowly over to retrieve the other stallion in the room and direct him to say his goodbyes, Dusk reluctantly agreeing although it was clear he was very happy in the company of his female counterpart. The preliminary visit had gone well, and all could part secure in the knowledge that there was no reason why the much awaited party shouldn’t go ahead, provided everypony behaved, of course.
Dusk gave a gracious farewell to his hostess and was the first to set hoof back in his own world, casting a fond eye back to Twilight as he entered the portal and passed through. Finally, Solaris acknowledged regretfully that he too must go and followed the lilac Prince back to the world where he ruled the day.
Twilight watched as Celestia and Solaris closed down the magic portal and the image shimmered once more, settling to present the true reflection of a white mare with her mane of serene blues, greens and purples.
“Well Twilight?” she asked.
“That was incredible! Prince Solaris is amazing and it was so nice to see my brother again too!”
Celestia listened with a smile on her face as her fellow Princess gushed a stream of superlatives in trying to do justice to what she had just experienced. Once her momentum had died down enough for Celestia to get a word in, she reminded Twilight of the promise she had made to keep the magical properties of the mirror secret. Soon enough, if all went to plan, a number of ponies would be travelling through this magic portal, but its actual operation would have to remain a closely guarded secret between six of them on each side of the interdimensional void.
Celestia then went on to explain the arrangements that the two leaders had made. They had agreed that because Solaris had accommodated the mares during their first unintended visit, the female orientated world would host the reunion and lay on a large spread in this castle. This was to be considered the first of many visits to each other and both leaders thought it best to see how the dynamic between the opposite gender selves evolved.
Whilst future visits could perhaps be expanded give the individual ponies an opportunity to show their other selves round their respective areas of interest, there was nothing to be gained by running straight into personality issues that could see ponies in fights or eloping together, either option of which would see the privilege of further meetings being revoked permanently. There were to be two exceptions however, firstly the two cyan pegasi would be allowed to perform together over an unpopulated area as flying was what they both lived for, and secondly, the colts and fillies would be allowed to play together outside the castle in the snow, just as the two prized students had painted.
Further, both leaders had agreed to stay with the mixed party to keep a watchful eye over their male and female subjects respectively and each leave their siblings in charge in their own worlds to handle any issues that may come up.
Twilight nodded vigorously at everything she was told.
It was really going to go ahead!
***
Dusk returned to Ponyville in a flurry of excitement and rapidly convened a meeting with the nine other friends who were hoping to make the journey.
“So guys, and for the sake of this exercise that includes you too Spines” he smiled at his loyal assistant who blushed and looked up at him coyly “I have great news, but you have to keep this among ourselves, OK?”
All nodded their agreement, expectant as to what their librarian friend was going to say next.
“I have had a meeting this morning with some pretty important ponies and I can confirm that our visit is on!”
There was cheering all round and the younger members sat in rapt attention with their eyes as wide as saucers.
“OK, the plan is we go to their world for an afternoon, but we stay in their castle where there’s going to be a big party with a banquet for us. For obvious reasons, they don’t want us being seen, but the colts may be able to go outside and play in the snow with the fillies …”
There was a squeal of excitement from the CMCs.
“… under supervision, and, get this, Blitz, you and Rainbow can go do some flying together!”
Blitz shouted his enthusiasm and punched the air with excitement “Oh yeah!Oh yeah!Oh yeah!”
“I’ve really got to emphasise, guys, that we have to be on our best behaviour; that means no fighting, no running away, and definitely no more blessings for relationships, or worse ...”
Elusive flushed bright red at the last statement retorting “Oh Dusk, I do resent that …”
“Because” continued the librarian “this has the potential to be the first of many more visits; but only if we all behave, got it?”
More cheers and whoops from the audience erupted and only began to subside when Dusk spotted a forehoof raised.
“Yes, Silver Bell?”
“Who were the important ponies you met with today?”
The room fell silent.
“Prince Solaris, Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight Sparkle.”
There were gasps all round.
“You mean to say they’ve come to visit us already?” asked Elusive, incredulous.
“No. Prince Solaris and I went to their world instead.”
The matter-of-factness of such a mind blowing statement caught everypony present off guard.
“Sorry Dusk, did you just say you’d been to their world this morning? asked AJ, struggling to get to grips with what had been said.
“Yes, yes I have; but only as a preparatory visit.”
“Is Princess Celestia as beautiful as I think she is?” asked Silver.
“More so; much more so. She is at least as beautiful as Solaris is handsome, and she is really nice too, you’ll love her.”
Silver let out a decidedly unmasculine squee and immediately went bright red, clapping his forehooves over his muzzle, but he need not have worried about his outburst; nopony minded, as they were all blown away with what Dusk had just told them. He had actually been there, and back!
“Oh, and one more thing; Twilight sends her love to all of you and says she’s looking forward to meeting up.”
“When is this all going to happen?” asked AJ.
“Can you do tomorrow morning?”
The room went silent.
Then there was another loud cheer.
Tomorrow!
Elusive put a forehoof up to his eyes and fell backwards to be caught by Butterscotch.
After all these years, it was finally happening.