A Royal chariot drawn by two white pegasi descended at the main entrance to the hive and Celestia was carried out to be loaded aboard, accompanied by one of her most trusted teachers from her school. After having secured the vacated hive, the guards withdrew; pegasi flying in formation while the earth ponies and unicorns waited for the train. Although some of the more sensitive unicorns in nearby Ponyville had sensed something happening, the inhabitants were mostly unaware of the dramatic struggle that had played out on their doorstep.
Pinkie Pie had finally gotten wind that there was a new pony in town and was busily pulling together a belated welcome party for Chocolate, but before any of that could happen, Twilight extended an invitation for her to catch some rest and recover at the Golden Oak library.
Spike kept the library respectfully quiet during the day, even by library standards, and it wasn’t until evening that the two mares awoke.
“Hey, Chocolate” greeted Twilight warmly “Come have a look at the moon.”
Intrigued as to why the moon should warrant such interest, she walked over to a window and saw a new shadow had been formed, that depicting the head of a changeling.
“Takes me back to when there was the head of a unicorn on the moon instead” said her guest.
“Oh, yes” said Twilight with a wistful twinkle in her eye “I know all about that little incident, trust me!”
***
The party was one of Pinkie’s finest, everypony eager to find out not only about their new arrival, but also her role in having saved Equestria from the recent changeling threat.
“All I did was trip over a fence, honest!” she would say, but this modesty just endeared her further.
Rarity had returned from Canterlot with the CMCs and Chocolate demonstrated her talent for getting on with the fillies, earning the respect of big sisters, and honorary big sister alike.
As the evening drew on, there was a knock at the door and two ponies stood silhouetted against the moonlight, the revellers stopping abruptly when they saw the large white alicorn and her slightly smaller dark blue sister enter.
“Good evening everypony” announced Luna “We are delighted to be here and join your celebrations.”
Everypony was stunned, and immediately stopped what they were doing to kneel down in front of the two most powerful ponies in Equestria. Occasionally, they may have seen Celestia come to town on a Royal visit, but coming to an informal party was unheard of, and to compound matters, Luna was with her, and she was barely ever seen in public outside of Nightmare Night.
“Please be upstanding” said Luna “We do not intend to stop your celebrations but add to them.”
“News of the changeling conspiracy has travelled quickly “said Celestia “Along with word of three ponies here tonight, without whom such a positive outcome could not have been achieved. Do we have Applejack, Big Macintosh and Hot Chocolate here please?”
The three ponies tentatively stepped forward to receive personal thanks from both Princesses and then a Royal aide opened a box within which were three golden medallions each on a dark blue and white ribbon trimmed with gold and silver, representing the personal accolade from the two Princesses.
“On behalf of the grateful ponies of Equestria” announced Celestia “Please would you accept this award for having played your part in defeating the changeling invasion.”
Big Mac got shy and tried to hide his face as it went even redder than usual and AJ responded with an eloquent “Eeyup!” while Chocolate tried to suppress a giggle and snorted loudly, raising a hearty laugh among everypony present.
With medals awarded, Celestia asked if she may have a glass of punch before she left and Luna joined in too, the two sisters mingling informally with everypony present until late. As the evening drew to a close on Pinkie’s best party ever, Luna looked to her sister to confirm she was ready to depart and leave the ponies to get to their beds.
“That was a good evening” observed Celestia “I don’t know anything about the background of this Hot Chocolate, but I am so glad she arrived when she did. Speaking of whom, did you ever find out the significance of her cutie mark?”
“No Sister, ‘tis a question I did not ask, but I believe she will be lodging with the Apple family for a while, so we may learn more through your student’s friendship reports.”
As they turned to leave, she shot Celestia an enquiring glance.
“Sister, there was a particularly extravagant looking chocolate gateau I saw on the way in and had been rather looking forward to a slice. Dost thou know anything of the disappearance of the entire cake?” accused Luna reverting to her olden tongue for emphasis.
“I honestly have no idea what you are talking about” said Celestia, eyes swivelling in any direction other than her sister and licking the chocolate surreptitiously off her lips.