//------------------------------//
// The Final Test 
// Story: Celestia Didn't Know (Luna Is Her Mother) 
// by Mockingbirb 
//------------------------------//

In an open field outside Ponyville, chosen because it had no high-value, dangerously flammable buildings nearby, eight ponies stood in a circle, facing each other. 

"Does everypony have her Element ready?" Luna asked.

The six Element Bearers nodded and agreed. Twilight Sparkle said, "I guess this test should be harmless? But it sure is different from what we're used to."

Pinkie hopped up and down with excitement. "After using these on baddies so many times, I'm happy we get to use these on a goodie for once! This should be really fun! I've already planned several different parties, depending on how this turns out!"

Celestia looked quizzically at the pink mare. "Several different?"

"Sure! The so happy you finally know who your mother is party! The so sorry your sister lied to you in the most elaborate prank ever and you don't think it's funny party! The your sister played an elaborate prank on you and you DO think it's funny party! And parties for several other outcomes, too!"

Celestia turned towards Twilight. "Should I ask?"

Twilight shrugged. "It's Pinkie. Everything she does, she probably has a good reason for? But getting a full explanation is so exhausting, it probably isn't worth it."

Luna said, "Does everypony understand the plan?"

Rarity cleared her throat. "You, Luna, claim that residual magic from a divorce settlement is still clouding your sister's mind, and blocking her memories of nearly everything from a thousand years ago. You also say the Elements of Harmony would restore your sister's memory."

Luna shrugged. "Close enough. The main thing is to use the Elements on Celestia."

Applejack eyed Luna suspiciously. "And you're SURE this can't hurt her?"

Celestia interjected, "Don't worry, Applejack, I'll be fine. Let's just do this, and then we can enjoy the...whatever kind of party we'll have afterwards."

Pinkie crowed, "I made fifteen different cakes, with different messages on them!" Her element started to glow.

Seeing Pinkie's element warming up, the other Bearers energized their elements too. After a spectacular sound and light show, ending with beams of powerful magic striking Celestia right in the face, the field became calm and silent.

Rainbow Dash looked around. "Nothing exploded! I don't know whether to be glad, or disappointed."

Fluttershy said, "Hush."

After a minute of silence, Celestia calmly said, "I remember everything."

Luna smiled. "You do? I am so happy!" 

Luna moved to hug the Sun Princess, but Celestia dodged.

In a stern voice, Celestia scolded, "Mom, you are not getting off that easy! I remember everything! The time you missed my five hundred and twentieth birthday party! The time you abandoned dad and me for six months, to run away with those circus acrobats!"

"But they were so flexible!" Luna pleaded.

"The time you had an affair with Discord!"

"After so many years of marriage, you get tired of every day being so predictable and boring. YOU marry somepony for a few thousand years, see how you like it."

"The time you passed a law behind our backs, saying whenever a deer comes near any town, it has to wear a big red false nose and a clown wig!"

Luna laughed. "But it was so funny! And the clown wig industry needed the help."

"It's no wonder father divorced you!"

"Well, that stuffy old coot shouldn't have neglected his wife to spend years studying for law school! What pony in their right mind wants to be a lawyer anyway? And takes all the mind control magic electives? Somepony who's up to no good, that's who!"

Celestia and Luna kept bickering, while Fluttershy asked the other ponies a question. "Do you think we need to use the Elements again? I'm not sure the first time worked right."

Rarity shrugged. "They aren't killing anypony. They're just having a...frank discussion. Working through some issues. It's probably healthy. And if it gets too bad, we should be able to hear the explosions even if we're in Ponyville, so we'll know to come back here."

Twilight scratched her head. "So THAT'S why Pinkie wanted to do this in a deserted field away from town."

Pinkie grimaced. "That, and I didn't want anypony in town to have to hear all this yelling close up. Scenarios two, nine, twelve, and thirteen all get pretty noisy."

Rarity raised a hoof to her forehood. "All this shouting is giving me a headache. Pinkie, I hope whatever party you've planned includes plenty of wine. I could use some."

Pinkie grinned. "Let's go back to town and find out!" She led the way back to Ponyville, as the Bearers followed. Behind them, the princess' argument kept the countryside unpeaceful and unquiet. But there weren't any large explosions, so it was probably okay.




Author's Note

Hi Mom! MockingBirb lost the Mother's Day card again!*

I thought, this is a good day for a sweet, gentle little comedy piece, about motherhood and the benefits of Equestrian legal reform.

"Arachnography" is TOO a real subject! In Equestria, in my headcanon for this one story. It has something to do with spiders and writing or drawing, obviously. 

There was a time when somepony could hardly consider herself educated if she didn't know how to write a properly illustrated letter to the Star Spider Empire, using at least two out of three major art styles.

As usual, my author's note is directly after my 1000+ words of story, in a place where it will be included even if you download this story from fimfiction.net as a text file.

*I'm in the Southern Hemisphere right now, so Mother's Day is shifted by six months.