//------------------------------//
// A Special Suprise 
// Story: Celestia and Luna's Day off 
// by SummerGem 
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Celestia sat comfortably at the dinning room table with some hot coffee. A spread of delicious breakfast foods that included her sister's favorite pancakes covered the wooden table. She had put in more effort than usual, because today was going to be special. She looked up from her coffee to see Luna slowly enter the room with a haggard look on her face.

"Good morning Luna."

"Morning sister," Luna mumbled. She sat down then started to nibble at some pineapple pancakes. "So why have you invited me to breakfast today? You know I'm not a morning pony."

"I have something special planned today," Celestia responded. "Here, this should help wake you up." She floated a small cup of brown liquid toward Luna who took a cautious sip, then immediately spat it out. She quickly took a sip of water to get the foul taste out of her mouth.

"It's bitter! What- what is this?" Luna sputtered. 

"It's called coffee," Celestia replied. "I had some shipped from Saddle Arabia sent here just for the occasion. Here, I find that this helps with the taste." A few sugar cubes floated toward Luna; who added it and took another sip.

"You're right. I could get used to this. Now you said you had something special planned for today?"

"We're taking a trip outside of Canterlot today. No guards, no advisors, just the two of us."

Luna looked at Celestia with surprise. "What about all of your duties? Forgive me for saying so, but after having spent a day in your place I know how busy you are. There's no time for the two of us to take a trip. But let's say we could. Where in Equestria would we go?"

"Don't worry about the lack of time. I cleared out my schedule then had one of my assistants fill in for me today. As to where we are going you'll see when we get there." Celestia rose from the table. "Shall we be off?"

Luna nodded and they left the castle. When they were outside in the courtyard Celestia said, "Now since it's just the two of us we're going to fly there. Think you can manage?"

"Of course. I'm... wide awake now," Luna replied with a look of surprise. "This is because of the coffee I take it?" Celestia merely flashed a sly grin as she took off. Luna followed closely behind. The trip passed in mostly silence. The landscape gradually changed beneath them as they traveled. As they left Canterlot, they traversed the vast plain next to the city, and finally arrived at the vast Everfree Forest.

"We're here I take it?" called out Luna. Celestia merely shook her head and gestured toward a crumbling structure in the distance. Our old castle? wondered Luna. Why in the wide world of Equestria would she take us here? They landed in front of the castle entrance. "Right, it looks like we're here. Now would you mind telling me why you've brought me here?"

"Actually, this isn't where I wanted to take you," replied Celestia." We still have a little ways to go. She headed inside the castle ruins and called out, "this way." 

Ugh, if this is one of her pranks again, thought Luna as she followed her sister into the castle. They did help keep the mood around the castle light, but she was still sore about the one involving Philomena and a pitcher of water. As they passed through the castle ruins; Luna noticed some familiar sites like the old library and the Hall of Hooves lined with ancient pony armor. Eventually, they arrived in the old throne room. 

Both thrones silently sat at the top of the staircase. Above the two thrones hung the banners of the sun and moon. Celestia stopped in front of the staircase, then faced Luna. "Now that we're here, I can tell you why I brought you here. You remember when Starlight visited us a few weeks ago and told us the map had sent her here?"

"How could I forget?" Luna smiled. "She was something else. Switching our cutie marks, and forcing us to take each others place for the day was quite the ordeal. It was worth it in the end, since it helped us grow closer. Your job was a lot more demanding than I thought it would be."

"So was yours. I still can't figure out how you manage to guard the dream realm night after night."

"Hard work and determination. Plus, I got used to it after a while."

"Afterwards, I started to think about the simpler times from when we were fillies ourselves. So I decided to arrange this trip so that we could reminisce about them." Celestia's face grew pensive. "Remember the day when Starswirl told us that the both of us were going to protect and rule over this land?"

"Like it was yesterday. That expression of shock on your face! You looked ready to fall over! I couldn't stop laughing!"

"Yes, well, that didn't last long. As I recall, your expression turned pretty sour when he told us all the studying we would have to do to get ready."

"Hey," retorted Luna. "Unlike you, I never was one for sitting still and studying in a class room. That's why I used that illusion spell to slip out of class."

"You did, and as I recall, he wasn't fooled for a second. Didn't he end up having to drag you back in kicking and screaming?" 

"He did, and I never attempted anything like that again. Although, I wasn't the only one to pull a stunt like that. Didn't you try to yank his chair from beneath him as he sat down one time?" 

"Yes, and I almost got him to. I didn't get caught, since he never did figure out who it was. I never was able to successfully prank him. Starswirl was always too clever to fall for them, but it definitely didn't stop me from trying." Celestia decided to change topics. "Do you remember when this castle was finished?"

"I do. And I also recall all of those hidden passages. Especially a certain slide beneath my throne."

"Oh yes, I remember. We used those to play hide and seek. And as I recall, you used them to scare the representatives from the other tribes when I gave them a tour of the castle."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I was sick that day remember?" Luna had an unconvincing look of innocence on her face.

"Sure you were." A frown appeared on Celestia's face. "When did we change sister? Was it the day we got our cutie marks?"

"It was. I remember it like it was yesterday. Starswirl and the other unicorns had exhausted their magic moving the sun and the moon. I just couldn't bear the sight. So I raised the sun with my magic. I just acted on instinct. I could feel the heat and light from the sun rejuvenating me as I did so. When I finished, there was my cutie mark. How was it for you?"

"It was a similar experience. Except, I felt a cool and refreshing sensation coming from the moon. It felt like a fall breeze. Starswirl had told us that we had the potential to do this. Looks like he was correct."

They continued to reminisce with one another for another few hours. They sat side as they did. Day and night. Sun and moon. Together as one. Eventually, Celestia broke off the conversation. "It's getting late. We should get back. Luna rose as if to go back the way they came, but Celestia stopped her. "No. I have a different idea in mind. Do you remember Starswirl's lesson on teleportation?"

"I do. Why would you..." Luna's eyes widened as she understood. "Both of us?" Celestia nodded. "How? I'm not as good at it as you."

"Don't worry," Celestia reassured her. "We'll do this together. I'll guide us, and you can give me the energy needed. Think you can do that?" Luna nodded in response. They both lowered their heads until the tips of their horns touched. Both horns began to glow, and they vanished in a brief flash of yellow mixed with blue. A short moment later, they reappeared in the dinning hall.

Celestia grinned at Luna. "Well, I rather enjoyed our day off. Perhaps we should do this again some time?"

"Indeed. It was fun." Luna returned the smile. "Perhaps... one moon from now?"

"One moon it is. Now, I need to go make sure my attendant has taken care of all of my duties. Then I'll retire for the night."

"And I need to catch a few hours of sleep before I start my duties for the night. Although I'm not sure if that will be enough. If only I had something that could help keep me awake," Luna lamented, looking straight at Celestia.

Celestia grinned. "I'm not sure if such a thing- oh wait. Want some coffee?"