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// Bubblegum's Story Time- "Everyone Deserves to Smile, Princess" 
// Story: What the Future May Hold 
// by DougtheLoremaster 
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Celestia walked towards her, the sound of her hooves thundering in Luna's mind. Her thoughts were going crazy; no what have I done? Celestia, no! How could I..my own sister? Her eyes grew wide with terror as that night played out once more before her, completely unable to prevent the events of that night. Tears slowly dripped down her muzzle, she was about to scream when a soft white wing enveloped her. "Happy birthday my dear sister," came the warm voice of Celestia. "Sister I am so sorry! I couldn't-", Luna started in complete terror.
Luna sniffed as the solar mare embraced her in a warm but firm hug whispering, "let it be my dear sister, the past is just that. I am as much to blame as you were, let us celebrate the present and look forward to the coming years, together."
-in the theater-
Luna heard the sounds of sobbing beside her and turned to see Bubblegum blubbering into a bag of popcorn, "it's so beautiful *MUNCH*. Shaking her head in amusement she noticed tears streamed down her own face as well, though not for the same reason as in her memories.
Meanwhile up north
Starshine shivered. Not from the cold but from the sight before her eyes. Bones littered a desolate landscape. Winds swept through it and the smell of sulfur emanated from cracks in the dry, ash-covered ground. This isn't right she thought, isn't this where the mountain of fire where the dragons lived was? She could have sworn her studies had said just that. Turning to ask her mom, she noticed Celestia had trotted over to a small stone and had lowered her head, whispering "You protected her, you were loyal to the end...thank you, Spike."
Spike, Starshine thought, who is Spike? Wait, could it be General Spike? The mate of Dragonlord Ember? Her mind flashed back to her studies. General Spike was originally the Ambassador for Ponyville. Under directions from Twilight herself, Spike had gone to the Dragonlands to help foster the comradery between the equines and the dragons. Wait but, wasn't that all just a legend? Sure her mom had stated Twilight was real but if that was true then why was there nothing here now but ash and bones? She was pretty sure she had read about an enormous mountain, after all. "we must get moving Starshine. We've much ground to cover and...much to see," Celestia's voice cut through Starshine's thoughts. Shaking her head she spoke, "okay mom!" The two once again began their journey northward.
-back in the dreamscape theatre-
Luna watched as the scene played out on the giant screen, tears silently drifting down her muzzle. Pinkie Pie had pushed Princess Celestia and herself onto the dance floor. As the spotlight fell upon the two, they stared at each other in shock for but a moment. "It is a party, after all, dear sister." Celestia's warm calm voice carried over to Luna, across the now silent dancefloor. Then without warning, she shouted, "So let's dance!" 
That night, Luna observed not Princess Celestia but her sister Tia as Celestia let drop the regality of her title and let her mane down. Unceremoniously raising a hoof towards Vinyl Scratch, Luna shouted, "LET US KICK IT!" As the record needle fell once more, the dance floor pulsed with lights of many colors as the two alicorns danced with laughter. Celestia giggled, "this is so exhilarating Luna!"
"Indeed my sister it is the most delightful to let the mane drop and enjoy the festivities," Luna spoke in her royal Canterlot dialect. Celestia smiled and said softly, "It is, however, I was referring to seeing you smile again." Luna stopped dancing as her eyes widened, out of the corner of her eye she spied Pinkie Pie laughing by the punch bowl."We-I need some of the refreshing fruit drink," Luna shouted and ran towards the punch bowl and the fluffy pink earth pony.
Pinkie Pie watched as the lunar princess galloped towards her and giggled. "YOU-I mean-you why did you...do this for me?" Luna nearly roared in her face. Ever undaunted, Pinkie smiled up at the shocked alicorn. She spoke, though not in her usual hyperactive manner, "I told you, everyone needs a smile, princess. Your past, your actions, the only pony who still holds those against you, is you. The ponies of Ponyville, the residents of Canterlot, and even your own sister, none of them, none of us are holding a grudge for what you did. You are the royal princess of the night, your gift of dream walking, your control of the nighttime, they can be a blessing. Your gift doesn't have to be a curse. Please stop torturing yourself, enjoy life for what it is."
Luna stood there for a moment and thought about what the pink one had said. It really was that simple, wasn't it? All the pain and torment she felt, it truly was her being hard on herself. It is time I just let it go, though never forget the lessons learned from it. As she smiled at this thought she leaned down and giving Pinkie a warm hug and whispered, "thank you, my pink friend."
-in the dreamscape-
The dreamscape brightened as the film ended. Tears fell like rain down Luna's face. Oh, how she missed her pink friend. It was inevitable that time would separate them but why did she have to go at such a young age? It was then she heard a familiar giggling and a familiar female voice say with a laugh, "I remember that wasn't that an amazing night?"
Luna's eyes widened as she turned her head and saw not Bubblegum who had been there, but none other than Pinkie Pie. "Pinkie, but aren't you-," she began before being interrupted."I may be gone, but you should know better than to assume I would ever miss a fun party, princess," Pinkie responded with a wink. Luna laughed at the ridiculousness of it all. She had watched her friend being laid to rest two thousand years ago. Yet, here she sat face to face with her long lost friend. "I know that look, Dark Snooty," Pinkie Pie's laughter at the joking nickname was loud, but then dropped to a serious tone, "what is on your mind?"
Luna shouted, anger in her voice, "why did you leave me?" Pinkie's hair deflated to indicate the seriousness of her words before she said quietly, "it was bigger than you or I, princess. Had there been any other solution any possible way the seven of us could have come home that night, believe me, we would have done that. You and Princess Celestia may be immortal but for the good of Ponyville and Equestria; we did what had to be done."
Luna's eyes softened, "I know, I've always known you had no choice, I just miss you" Pinkie Pie booped her on the nose, "Oh don't you dare get all weepy on me during my only chance to talk to you, do me a favor."
Luna said, "what could I possibly -" she began before a now fluffy maned Pinkie Pie interjected, "smile for me. Not just now, but every day. Whatever you are doing, where ever you find yourself, smile. Your smile keeps my memory alive and spreads joy to the tiny fillies and colts. That is all I ask and all I ever wanted for you. Haven't you cried long enough? Grieving is fine, but if you truly ever considered me a friend, smile."
Luna couldn't believe this was happening! However, ridiculous as it was; a spectral form of her best friend trying to get her smile, it was truly just like Pinkie Pie. She smiled as the tears stopped flowing and she spoke closing her eyes, "you are right, after all, Pinkie, you always had a way of making ponies smile."
"Um, Princess Luna?" Luna's eyes snapped open as not Pinkie Pie but a young colt's voice reached her ears. Bubblegum sat in the seat once more, Pinkie Pie nowhere in sight. "are you okay? Who were you talking to?" Luna grinned sheepishly as she mentally thanked her friend. "An old friend, Bubblegum, an old friend."
Bubblegum smiled up at her, "that's awesome! Oh and thanks for the story, it really cheered me up! Pinkie Pie sure was amazing wasn't she?" With that, the blue colt started towards the dreamscape door saying, "it's time for me to wake up, thanks for keeping me company." As he opened the door and stepped through, Luna swore she heard a familiar voice say, "I had a blast, princess." 
Now alone in the dreamscape, Luna grinned with a genuine smile muttering, "still the best party pony." She slowly rose from the theatre chair and headed towards the exit, looking forward to the morning sun for the first time in many years.