"All right," Twilight said. "Since the Sombrero needs to go to the Palace, we'll go. We need somepony to escort our guest."
"Yes, you're always right. Escort me to the chambers of the beautiful Princess!"
"Wait, actually, the Princess 'quarters are the Princess' private space. And I don't think anyone can go in there at all."
"You think so... Well, okay." I followed my companions. If I can't go to the Princess, then I'll write her letters. I think she'll find time to meet me. Very soon we were in the throne room. There was only Celestia.
"Greetings, Guardians. I see you brought Sombra here. Tell me, what's the reason?"
"Actually, he wanted to come here to meet... Ahem... Someone," Twilight said, a little embarrassed.
I couldn't see how they were taking the rap for me, so I decided to take it all in my hooves. I stepped forward and shouted:
"I have come to confess my love to Princess Luna! And by the way, my name is Sombrero."
Was it me, or was Celestia surprised? Moreover, so strong that she was silent for about five minutes.
"Mr. Sombrero?! But how is that possible? After all, Sombra killed you a thousand years ago and took your throne."
"What?! He told you?! Haha, it wasn't like that at all. Actually, he was just in my body. Then he took over my mind, too. Now I'm back."
"This is so unexpected. Okay, you can stay at the Palace tonight. And, Sombrero, I will deliver your message to the Luna."
"Thank you very much, Princess Celestia."
The guards escorted us to our rooms. I lay down in my bed, but I couldn't sleep. Here it is. I'll see her soon. Ah, Princess Luna, how I love you. But you can't show up on a first date with empty hooves. We should get her some flowers. I remember she likes roses. Then I'll give them to you. But this is not enough. I need to get you something special. Some jewelry. Precisely! So, flowers, jewelry. I think that's enough for a first date. After a while, I, finally fell asleep.
"Luna, let me come in."
"A, Tia, come in of course. Did something happen? You look so strange."
"What happened? No, that's all right. Twilight and her friends and Sombra returned to Canterlot."
"With Sombra?! Is he in the Palace? But he could kill us all!"
"She can't. Maybe I was wrong. Actually, his name is Sombrero. It is quite different, the complete opposite of Sombra. And... He came for a reason. He... Wants to give you something important. I think you should find out what it is."
"Something important? Okay, I'll ask him tomorrow morning. Good night, sister."
"Good night."
Celestia left the room, and the Luna sank into thought.
Something familiar... Uh, Sombrero. I've heard that name before. But where?
Luna fell asleep without thinking.
Ah, what a beautiful morning. However, there is no time to lose. I jumped out of bed and galloped into the street in search of a flower shop and a jewelry store. Fortunately, I had enough money. Is enough. All right, so where do I find the right stores?
"Hey, what's the hurry?"
I turned my head and saw Pinkie.
"Oh, welcome. What are you doing here?"
"Well, I woke up first, looked out the window, and then I heard footsteps. Turns out it was you. So where to?"
"I need to buy something for our first date with Princess Luna. Can you help?"
"Of course! I've only been to Canterlot a few times, but I already know every stone. What can I help you?"
"Well, first you need to buy flowers. And I wanted to buy some jewelry for her."
"All clear. I'll help you with that. By the way, here it is, the flower shop." She pointed across the street.
"Oh, thank you very much."
"Go on, then, romantic."
I approached the salespony.
"Hello, may I ask how much this beautiful bouquet of roses?"
"This one? Only twenty bits."
"Then I'll take it. Thank you!"
"Come again."
"So, where do we go now?"
"Come on, it's not far."
We walked really close: about ten minutes. I went to the store and began to choose a suitable decoration. What to surprise her, what to please? Still, I decided to buy a necklace made of precious stones.
"Hello, I'd like to buy this necklace."
"Wow, it's very expensive. Worth a thousand bits."
"Bad luck, I only have a hundred. Maybe we can make a deal. For example, I'll play you something on the banjo, and you'll sell the necklace for a hundred bits."
"Hmm, well, I don't mind. However, I will only lower the price if your music is beautiful. If not, I can't help you."
"All right, I agree. So what would you like to play?"
I took out the banjo, picking a tune in my head. Here it is! I remembered my first tune I played on this banjo. I remember every pony was thrilled. I decided to play it. Gradually, the sounds of my instrument again began to meet the crowd of ponies. They listened to the melody with bated breath. She was calm, peaceful and, at the same time, a little sad.
When I finished playing, the ponies began to applaud.
"Bravo! Bravo! Absolutely delectable!" different voices were heard.
Then the salespony came up to me and, wiping a tear with his hoof, said:
"It's... Just great. For such a game, I can sell this necklace for free."
"Not worth. Not paying for this beautiful necklace would be a crime. A hundred bits, and not a bit less."
"Well, as you know."
I paid, took the necklace and went outside. Pinkie looked at me fondly.
"Uh, what?!"
"You're such a good player! It's the best music I've ever heard."
"Yeah, me and the banjo are one. Going back?"
She just nodded. We returned to the Palace, and I went straight to the throne room. And Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were already there.
I greet you, Princess. Princess Moon, I want to tell you something. Princess Celestia…
"Okay, I'll leave you alone." She left the throne room.
"Alone? What's the meaning of that?"
"Princess Luna, as soon as I was here in Canterlot, I wanted to tell you something. I'm in love with you, Princess."
I didn't know how she reacted. She just stared at me like I was her worst nightmare. Then she said:
"In love?!"
"Yes, and I thought. Perhaps we should meet?"
"Well, I don't know... it's a little harsh... I need to think about it."
"Well, I'll give you as much time as you need."
I decided to go to my bedroom. Pinky Pie was waiting for me there.
"What meeting? And again I ask: what are you doing here?"
"I just wanted to see how it went. Well, did she agree? Wedding soon?"
"No, she asked me to think. Apparently, we had to start from afar, but not so soon. However, this step has already been taken, and there is no turning back."
"So you'll wait for an answer?"
"Of course! I'll wait every day. I'll send her letters every day."
"You're an optimist, I see. If you want, I can give you some advice on how to please your beloved."
"Yeah, I'm gonna need some advice. What can you advise me?"
"Tip one: buy gifts. We love it. Advice the second: pay it much attention. If you don't, she might forget about you. Although you are unlikely to forget. And the third Council: do not hurry. We have to start small, and finally finish the wedding. That's all."
"Thank you, Pinkie Pie, I'll remember those tips."
I sat by the window and began to compose new music.
"So you'll come up with your own tunes? You're doing great."
"Really? Thank. I want to create this melody in honor of the Princess of the Luna."
I wrote the melody until the evening. All this time Pinkie was sitting close to me.
"Oh, your music is beautiful, no doubt. But I have to go." Pinkie stood up and left the room.
Celestia moved down the corridor. She was making her way to her sister's bedroom.
"Luna, can come in?'
"Yes, come in, of course," her voice was a little worried.
"Well, how did it go? I mean... With a Sombrero."
"I don't know what to do."
"Yes, I know it's a little rushed, just a Declaration of love. But you can give him a chance."
"No, it's not like that. It's just... I've met him before."
"What?! When?!"
"About a thousand years ago. Before he became a Sombra. I recognized him when he entered the throne room."
"So you've met him?"
"That's it."
"So what's the problem? If you love each other, I don't see any obstacles.…"
"There is one obstacle: I fell out of love with him. And I'm not sure if I can love him again."
"Just give him a chance. I'm sure you'll like him. I'm telling you this as a big sister."
"Oh, thanks for the support." Luna sighed. "You're right, I'll give him a chance."
"That's good."
Celestia walked out of the bedroom.
I want what's best for you, sister. I hope you'll be happy to love a Sombrero.