//------------------------------// // Chapter 17: Queens for a Day // Story: MLP G5 Sunset: Tell Your Tale: Season 1 // by JesusG0987 //------------------------------// Chapter 17: Queens for a Day It was a sunny day in Zephyr Heights as Pipp popped her head off from behind a bush in front of the royal castle. She yelped before she ducked down and hid beside her friends and sister as the Mane 6 were all hiding behind a bush. Pipp gives off an exciting smile. “Oh. My. Glitter!” She said excitedly as she turned to her friends. “This is going to be the best surprise ever!” She sang the last word in excitement, stating that she and her friends are in Zephyr Heights for a surprise they’ve planned. They then heard rolling sounds as something was coming. “Here she comes.” Zipp whispered to her friends with a smile before turning to Thunder, who is next to a batch of fireworks beside him. “Thunder. Light them up.” She said to the Pegasus Guard Stallion, who saluted her in response. “3. 2. 1!” The Mane 6 counted down in excitement as they got out of the bush in “Happy Mares Day!” They called out with a strike of pose, apparently it’s Mare’s Day in Equestria, which is another word as Mother’s Day in the Human World Sunset was in, and since Sunny doesn’t have parents anymore, Izzy been on her own, and Hitch, well it’s hard to tell with that guy, and Sunset is basically on her own and from ancient Equestrian times, the Mane 6 decided to help Zipp and Pipp to make a surprise for their mother, Queen Haven, a Mare’s Day surprise in Zephyr Heights. The Mane 6 then gave out a surprise look in seeing not Queen Haven, but Fif, who is pulling a fruit cart, and a Pegasus Stallion next to her as they looked at the group in confusion. “Fifi?” Sunset asks in confusion and shock, not the pony they wanted to surprise. The fireworks were set off behind them, Thunder not knowing they got the wrong pony, went off behind them. Fifi and her partner give an awed expression with an ‘ooohh.’ as they see the fireworks. “Look. You’re missing the fireworks!” Fifi said to the group with an awed smile, not knowing that they set it up. Sunset was the first to speak. “The fireworks were actually us, Fifi.” She spoke first, the group ended their pose, seeing that their plan to surprise Queen Haven for Mare’s Day was a bust. Pipp groans before she speaks. “We thought you were the queen.” She said, thought that their mother was coming this way, not Fifi and her fruit seller partner. Fifi gives a short laugh before speaking. “Imagine that. Me. The queen.” She said to her partner with a smirk, finding it funny, while picturing herself as the queen. Fifi’s partner gets the joke as he playfully bow to her. “Well, hello your majesty.” He said with a playfull smile as they walked past the Mane 6 with a chuckle at their own joke. Once Fifi and her partner walk past them, Zipp is the first to speak with a frown. “And now we’ve completely wasted the fireworks. Ugh. I knew this would happen.” She said, stating that they wasted the fireworks for nothing and also know very well that their mother might not show to see their surprise for her compared to how busy she is since she is the queen of Zephry Heights. Sunny then came to Zipp’s side and spoke up. “Zipp, you don't need fireworks to show the queen how much you care about her.” She assured her, saying that Zipp doesn’t have to wrok that hard to show their mother how much they care for her. “Sunny’s right, Zipp. Queen Haven really does care if she lets you have your own life as a detective and being with us from the start of our adventure when we brought the three tribes together and for you to make your own decisions.” Sunset added, while remembering the time where Queen Haven respects her daughters’ choices and wishes on letting them be who they want them to be. Izzy then got between the three ponies as she turned to Zipp. “Which is great, 'cause now you don't have any fireworks!” She said, and then realizes that it came out wrong as she gives a nervous laugh. “Yaaaay…” She said weakly, with a sheepish smile. Sunset then shot Izzy a look. “Izzy. I told you once, and I’ll say it again. Stop saying the negative side of things if things don't go well. Think before you speak.” She said to Izzy, since she sometimes says things without even thinking about them when a plan doesn’t go well for them, which reminded her so much of Pinkie Pie when she does it, too much like Pinkie from the look of things. Izzy gave off a nervous chuckle again as she spoke. “Sorry. Old habits die hard for me.” She apologizes to Sunset and Zipp, and really needs to learn to think before she acts, which is hard for a unicorn like herself. Hitch sees that they are getting off topic as they went back to the whole ‘no-Queen Haven-thing.’ “Maybe Queen Haven is just running late.” He suggested to his friends, seeing that Queen Haven must be laten if she isn’t here now. Zipp frowns, knowing her mother way too well. “No. I know exactly where she is.” She said to them, knowing where her mother is if she isn’t here now. “What's next on the royal to-do list, Zoom?” Queen Haven asks her Royal Guard, Zoom, on what is the next thing she needs to do today, and she’s been very busy today. Queen Haven and Zoom are in the throne room, which Haven is surrounded by a bunch of paperwork that she needs to do and other queen duties that she needs to get done, which explains why she didn’t want to meet her daughters to see the surprise they’ve planned for her. “Well, we are running a bit late, your Majesty.” Zoom said to Queen Haven while checking the to-do list pad she is holding. “But for item eighty-one, you were supposed to—” She tries to explain, but that's when Queen Haven remembered something. Queen Haven then gasps as she completely forgot about what she needs to do on that item. “Meet my daughters in the royal square!” She said in shock, completely forgotten about that part since she is so busy. The royal gates then burst open with a thud, showing the Mane 6 coming in, with Pipp and Zipp having scowling looks to their mother, upset that their mother didn’t show up while the rest of their friends just smiled sheepishly at this outcome. Queen Haven saw her daughters’ looks as she sweat a bit.  “Oh, dear.” She said to herself, seeing this coming for not showing up as she stood from her throne and gave off a nervous smile at her daughters as they and their friends walked towards her. “Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise.” She said nervously to her daughters, who are still looking at her with upset looks as she laughs nervously, seeing that her daughters are upset of her being late. Zipp then spoke to their mother first. “You were supposed to meet us in the square. I even made an appointment with Zoom this time!” She shouted out, while also pointing out an appointment she made with Zoom, who is covering herself with the to-do list pad she is holding, clearly forgetting about that as well. Pipp then spoke up next. “Being a no-show is, like, totally harsh, Mother!” She pointed out as Haven continued to hear her daughters’ words, sad that she upset them. “And on Mares' Day?! Rude!” She shouted out, seeing that a no-show is too harsh for somepony like her and upset as well since she is a famous livestreamer, fashion stylish, and singer to the ponies around her.  Queen Haven closed her eyes a bit before she spoke to them. “I know! I'm so sorry I've let you down! And on this special day!” She apologized to her two daughters with a guilty tone, not wanting to upset them and letting them down for not showing. Pipp and Zipp feel bad for their mother, don’t like seeing her sad as Queen Haven continues with a sigh. “Believe me, there's nothing I'd like more than to take a break from being queen.” She came up to her daughters and gave them a forgiving hug, stating that she wants to take a break from all her queen work as well. ”But there's just too much to do.” She pointed out that there’s too many things to even take a break now, barely having time to even have one or to spend time with her daughters. Sunset gets what Queen Haven is saying as she speaks to her friends. “She’s right, guys. Queen Haven is the Queen of Zephyr Heights, which is no different compared to a Princess like Princess Celestia when she used to rule all of Equestria back in my time.” She said to them, remembering the time when Celestia used to be ruler of all of Equestria when she was her number one student and when Twilight helped her see the power of friendship while also making amends with Celesita after the Memory Stone incident. “What did Princess Celesita do during her time, Sunset?” Sunny asks, wanting to know what Celesita has done during her time. “From what I remember, besides her friendship teachings and other things, it’s pretty overwhelming at times and pretty boring.” Sunset stated, while remembering what Celestia did on her time besides the teachings she had been doing. “Like meetings and decrees and meetings about decrees and decrees about the meetings…. The list goes on from here. So I say pretty boring, overworked and not enough time for excitement.” She told them with a chuckle, remembering what Celestia was doing after her teachings with Sunset while also geting back to royal duties. “Wow. That is overwhelming and boring. That’s pretty sad.” Sunny commented, glad that she adn Sunset don’t have the work of a princess when they became Alicorns, but they do find problems to help ponies in need. Zipp then thought about what her mother said and what Sunset said that being a ruler is never easy, and then an idea popped into her head as she gave a smile. “Then why don't we give you a break?” She said to their mother as she and Pipp break off the hug as Queen Haven looked at elderest daughter with a curious look along with Pipp. “We'll do all of your queenly duties for the rest of the day.” She said to their mother, stating that she, her young sister, along with their friends, will do Queen Haven’s queen duties for the day to let her take a break. The Mane 6 see where Zipp is going with this as they smiled and shook their heads in agreement, seeing that this is the Mare’s Day gift that the sisters will do for their mother. Queen Haven gave Zipp an amusing smile. “Really? You want to be queen?” She asks, finding it amusing that Zipp, along with her sister and friends, will do her queen duties for the day since she doesn’t want to be queen before, but finding it grateful that her daughters and their friends will do her duties so she can take a day off. “Come on, Mom. How hard can it be?” Zipp asks with a scoff with a smile, seeing her mother many times on her queen duties in the past, seeing it not hard as it be as she and Pipp smiled at this idea for their mother. Queen Haven then put a hoof to her chin, thinking over Zipp's proposal, she thought for a moment before she gave a smile and sparkles in her eyes, finding Zipp’s idea great. Queen Haven then zip straight next to Zoom. “Okay then! Zoom will make sure you have everything you need!” She said quickly to them, saying that Zoom will help the Mane 6 with the duties while also making sure to check the to-do list as well as Queen Haven zoom straight to the door. “Good luck!” She waves to her daughters and their friends as she closes the door, ready to start her break from the queen while her daughters adn their friends will do it for her to take a break. Zoom looked on a bit before saluting to Queen Haven when she left with a smile. “Of course, your Majesty!” She called out to the queen while scrolling through her to-do list pad. “Ordering the royal to-do list now!” She said while sending the royal to-do list to Zipp to know what they need to do. Zipp’s phone starts beeping. Zipp picks it up and sees the many messages popping up on her phone, all of them are the royal to-do list. The messages then keep going on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on, let's just say there’s alot of messages popping up. The rest of the Mane 6 looked at Zipp’s phone, seeing more messages popping up after the other. Pipp then gives a nervous smile as she speaks first. “That's not…” She clears her throat as she continues “...so bad.” She said, hoping that it’s enough already. But then as Pipp jinxes them, the beeping speeds up as even more messages of the to-do list pops up, which surprise Mane 6 with the amount of things they need to do. “Oof.” Zipp cringes, never realizing all the work their mother has to do on her queen duties while also surprised with the amount of messages on the list. Izzy then spoke out while looking at the messages. “Would you look at that? It just keeps going and going and going and going and going and going…” She said to the group while circling around Zipp, who is having a nervous breakdown over this much work, starting to rethink what her mother does on queen duties. Sunset then covered Izzy’s mouth, seeing Zipp’s breakdown and Izzy stating how much it keeps going. “Izzy. We get the picture. Plus, you're making Zipp nervous.” She pointed out while showing the Nervous Zipp. Izzy then nodded while getting the hint as Sunset let go of her mouth as Pipp spoke up. “This'll be... f-fun. Right?” Pipp nervously asks her friends with a forceful smile, even a little nervousl about the list. The beeping stops, meaning that they got the entire list now as the Mane 6 gives nervous expressions of this big list. “This is going to be harder than we thought.” Sunset said, now knowing how Celesita, Luna and Twilight feel when they have royal duties, and now understanding why Twilight was having breakdowns with the whole princess title and next ruler of Equestria thing when she told her the time when Celesita and Luna left the Original Mane 6 incharge of Canterlot while the two Royal Sisters went to take their vacation break. A little bit later, Zoom leads the Mane 6 to a door while helping them follow the list in order. “Item eighty-two – the newborn foal's portrait.” Zoom told them as she opened the door, revealing six young foals pegasi on a couch bench, “Awwww!” The Mane 6 all cooed at the adorableness of the foals infront fo them, with sparkle in  their eyes, finding them really cute. The pegasi foals then start giggling as they hop up and down, starting to get hype up. The Mane 6 then starts gaspsing, knowing very well that hype up foals can be very trickey to calm down or to get them to hold still, they split up to try and catch the foals. “Wh—? H-Hey! Get back here!” Zipp called out to one of the foals, trying to get it to stand still for the portrait. Sunny jumps on tryingto catch one of the foals that is flying, grunting with effort to try and catch it. Pipp is having the same results as she grunts with effort while jumping to try and catch one of the foals as well. And then, not paying attention, the two foals get in between Sunny and Pipp, flying out of their path as Sunny and Pipp crash into each other, Sunny is lying on top of Pipp who both have annoying looks on their faces as the two foals giggle at them. Zipp growls as she and her sister are flying, trying to catch one of the foals, really getting frustrated. Sunny screams as one of the foals grabbed one of her ears and tugging it as she ran around Sunset is having trouble catching up to a foal who is running around as she gives chase. Hitch is then being dragged by the two foals who are dragging him from his rear legs as he paws at the floor. “I'll be... right... behind... you!” He grunted, while saying he’ll catch up to them if he can get the foals who are dragging his legs undercontrol. A little bit later, the Mane 6 finally got the foals undercontrol as they set them back on the couch to take their picture as the foals giggle as the Mane 6 stood behind them while Hitch is holding one, who is a little irritated to him. The camera clicks as it takes the picture, which shows the Mane 6 having trouble with the foals again, one of them that Htich was holding is on his mane which made Hitch panic, while Izzy is smiling, finding it fun while Pipp is posing in her picture. The next picture shows Hitch, who is wearing makeup from the foal that he was holding, with a sad expression as the foal laughs at him, finding it funny as Hitch got a ponytail on top of his mane, lipstick and cheek pink on his cheeks with eyeliner. And then the last picture shows Pipp having a selfie with her Pippsqueaks followers. Even in queen duties, Pipp still has time to take pictures and keep posted with her followers. A little bit later after the whole foals portrait fiasco thing, Zoom then led the Mane 6 to a playground where ponies are taking pictures of the Mane 6 who are behind a ribbon in front of them between them and the crowd.  “Item ninety-seven – the grand opening of the royal playground.” Zoom instructed them through the list, telling them what they needed to do next. Zipp laughs, actually feeling relief about this part of the list. “This'll be easy.” She said to her friends, actually feeling glad to have the easy part. Zipp then grabs the giant scissors and tries to snip the ribbon, but it isn’t cutting. Zipp kept trying but somehow it still won’t cut as she struggles. Pipp came to her sister’s side as they snipped the scissors together, but for some reason, it still won’t cut the ribbon. Izzy then came to them and grabbed the scissors. She then snips it with a grunt, but the ribbon still won’t cut. “Huh?” She asks herself, usually when she cuts something it works, but for some reason it’s not as she starts grunting as she keeps trying to cut the ribbon. Sunny came to Izzy's side as the two ponies worked together to try to cut the ribbon, but the scissors still won’t cut it, literally. Flare, among the crowd, saw this. “Uh, this is hard to watch.” She said to herself and a Pegasus friend beside her. Even she finds it sad that the ribbon can’t seem to be cut by the scissors. Sunny and Izzy both continue to try and cut the ribbon, Sunny and Izzy both start sweating while Izzy grunts in frustration. “Must... cut... ribbon!” She said in frustration and determination. Sunny then starts to tear up from this whole. “Just go on without us!” She cried out, really can’t take it anymore. Sunset then came up infront of them and grabbed the scissors. “How hard is it to cut a ribbon?!” She retorically asks as she tries to cut the ribbon, but it still won’t cut. She tried and tried again until she had enough. “Aaaahh! Forget it!” She yelled out while tossing the scissors back into the case and used her magic to bring up sharper scissors and cut the ribbon. Leaving the crowd to cheer while the Mane 6 sighs in relief as this whole thing is finally over. “Thanks, Sunset. Seriously, that was getting on our last nerves. Luck is not on our side, Huh.” Zipp spoke up. “Well, if things don’t go along as we planned, try and try again. Or in this case, find another way around.” Sunset added. “C’mon. We got other things on the list to do. And hope it’s not as hard as it is.” She finished as the group walked off to their next part of the list. And then a picture shows Zipp getting a public speech with reporters microphones in front of her. Zipp looked nervous about the whole thing, since she is never one with this many ponies looking at her, while Pipp is taking pictures of the whole thing behind her while also livestreaming it. And then the next picture shows Zipp and Pipp helping with the construction plans to the construction ponies, but mostly Zipp helping out since Pipp is taking selfies of the whole thing. And then the next picture shows Hitch leading the ponies in a fashion order while keeping them in line for something while leading them in order. The next picture shows Sunset who is showing the royal garden to the ponies that she is leading that bring joy expressions to the ponies. And then a little bit later, Zipp and Pipp are in Zephyr Heights Hospital to pay a visit to an injured Pegasus Staillion, who is all bandaged up from head to hooves as the cameras are taking pictures or broadcasting live to the three ponies. Pipp then places a comforting hoof to the stallion, gently not to hurt him. But then Pipp dropped her phone when she tried to take a selfie as it landed on one of the stallion’s legs, causing it to crack a bit but really hurt. The Pegasus Stallion patient screams in pain while the pictures are taken as Pipp feels guilty about it while Zipp tries to calm the patient down. Zipp is then digging a whole to plant a new plant on the ground as she uses a shovel to dig a hole for it. The cameras took pictures of her as Zipp smiles, actually getting the easy part for once. Pipp then clears throat to get her sister’s attention. Once Zipp turns around, she sees Pipp’s got dirt on her head from her shoveling while holding the plant they need to plant. The picture then showed Pipp throwing dirt on Zipp playfully as it showed Zipp laughing at Pipp’s payback, finding it quite funny and fun at the same time In the throne room, Pipp and Zipp are doing the paperworks their mother has to do at a fast paste. Pipp and Zipp sweats in effort to get the papers done as they write like crazy. The papers they’ve finished were then placed on a wagon that Sunny and Hitch brought to hoal the finished papers while Sunset carried as many as she could in her magic as she, Sunny and Hitch headed straight for the door. But then, Izzy showed up with another load of papers as she came through the door, but about to hit the three ponies about to take the papers out. “Whoa!” Hitch cried out as he, Sunny and Sunset stopped after seeing Izzy. “Look out!” Sunny cried out. “Izzy! Slow down!” Sunset called out. Izzy then sees her friends and realizes that she is going to crash into them. “Yikes!” She cried out as she skied but too fast to even stop as she crashed into her three freinds, which resulted in all the papers scattered with the four ponies dazed on impact. Pipp and Zipp saw this as they looked with wide and tired eyes, now they have to get the papers organized to see which is finished and which is not as Pipp groans in frustration. Sunset was the first to snap out of her dazes as she shook her head and saw the mess they made. “It’s okay, ponies. I can fix this.” She assured to them, working her magic to get the mixed up papers and got them orgainze to the unfished ones and the finished ones and place them back in place. “There. I orgainze the papers to show the finished ones on Sunny’s and Hitch’s cart while also putting the unfinished ones on Izzy’s since she came in with another load.” She said to the group and sighs in relief. “Thanks again, Sunset. Man. I’m starting to realize that royal duties are harder than they are.” Zipp said, relieved that she and her friends don’t have to orgainze the papers, but now starting to see how their mother deals with this. “I’m starting to relate.” Sunset muttered in agreement, now starting to know how Celestia feels on her royal duties back in the day. A little bit later, again, Queen Haven is then alone in the dinner room, feeling lonely and wondering how her daughters and their friends are doing. “I do hope everything's okay.” She said to herself, hoping that her daughters and friends are doing okay with her royal duties they’ve been doing for her. And then she hears the door open as Queen Haven turns and sees that the Mane 6 has arrived, looking really tired from the duties but glad that it’s done. “We did it!” Zipp called out with an exhausting smile. “We're late for dinner, but we made it!” She added, relieved that the royal duties are now done and is really tired about it. “And how did it go?” Queen Haven asks them with a smile, wondering how they feel with her royal duties. The Mane 6 then spoke out how they felt about it as Hitch called out first. “A newborn foal gave me a shiner!” He pointed to the shiner makeover on his left eye from the newborn foal fiasco. “Being queen is much harder than it looks!” Sunny groans, while now realizing how hard it is to be a queen. “I’m starting to realize how Celestia feels when she does her royal duties! It’s hard and tiring! No wonder she was strict from time to time!” Sunset called out how she felt about the duties, now understanding how Celestia feels when she is doing royal duties. No wonder Celesita needed a vacation with her sister, Luna, when they worked hard for a thousand years.   “Look at all this dirt in my mane!” Pipp cried out while pointing to the dirt that is still on her mane. “I'll never use scissors again!” Izzy cried out, now not wanting to use scissors after many tries to cut the ribbon really threw her over the edge. Queen Haven placed a hoove over her mouth, seeing them so tired and overworked with her duties really drove them overworked. Zipp then spoke out. “The truth is there were six of us. We didn't even come close to finishing the royal to-do list.” She admitted on behalf of her and her friends, saying that they couldn’t completely finish the to-do list, even with six of them working together. Zipp then came next to her mother as she smiled at her daughter. “I can't believe you do that every day.” She added, now knowing how their mother feels when she does her duties and how being queen can be so hard. Pipp then came up next to their mother on the other side. “Yeah, I think we were the ones being harsh earlier. Sunset was right about you and how royalty can be hard working. You are super-amazing.” She added while also giving their mother a hug, now understanding how Queen Haven handles her work while also seeing how great she is. Queen Haven smiled at her daughtes words as she placed a hoof on Pipp’s shoulders. “That means a lot, Pipp. Thank you.” She thanked both of her daughters as she clapped her hooves together. Then suddenly after the clap, the doors open as Thunder and Zoom come with a cart of food as they place the food on the dinner table. The Mane 6 gasps in amazement at the feast before them. Zipp turned to her mother with a smile adn sparkles in her eyes, seeing her mother prepared for any outcome. “You think of everything.” She said in amazement as Queen Haven nodded her head with a smile. Knowing very well that after the hard work the Mane 6 have gone through, they deserve it and for something to repay them for her having a break from her royal duties. “Now, everypony, dig in!” Queen Haven announced it to Mane 6 with a smile. The Mane 6 and Queen Haven are then digging in on their food as they chat with each other while enjoying their well deserved feast. Zipp then sees the pictures she and her family have taken over the years and sees Zoom placing the new edition to it, the picture where the Mane 6 are having trouble with the newborn foals. Zoom placed the picture on the wall with a smile, and then too out her pad and check off the last thing on the to-do list, puting up the new picture frame, now completing the entire list and ended the royal duties of the day. Some time later, Sunset was then looking at the sunset at the top of Crystal Brighthouse in the view. Sunset decided to have some alone time while watching the sunset, Mare’s Day was one of the days she would spend with Celestia, seeing a mother side of her that she and her have some time together. Sunset sighs. “Even though you are not here, Happy Mares Day, Celesita. I know that you may not be around or if you are at all, I still miss you along with Twilight and the girls. And now I know how you feel about royal duties.” She chuckled at that part. “But, sometimes I just wished I could get to see you one last time. Or anypony that I knew for that matter.” She said to herself, speaking through Celestia through the sun that she onced controlled, knowing that Celestia will always be remembered by her, through the sun that shines above the world. “We may never see each other in person, but I know that you are still watching over me. As your sun shines on Equestria. At least that part still hasn’t changed along with the moon your sister Luna onced controlled.” She said while having tears falling from her eyes, having flashbacks on how she and Celestia used to get along before she went rogue and traveled to the human world before making amends with her mentor. “I just wanted to say this, wherever you are, I know you are still with me along with the others and proud of who I have become now, and what you see in me, Celestia. Happy Mares Day.” She finished as she continued to watch the sunset. And then a moment later, Sunny came up to Sunset, with a present she was carrying. “Sunset.” Sunny called out to her. Sunset turned her head and saw Sunny. “Hi Sunny. Nice to see you up here.” She said happily. “Back at ya. What are you doing up here by the way, Sunset?” Sunny asks, curious on why Sunset would be up here. Sunset sighs before she speaks. “Oh. Just watching the sunset while having some thoughts on how proud Princess Celestia would be if she saw how much we did for Equestria.” She answered Sunny’s questions as she continued to look at the sunset. Sunny then gets what Sunset’s is saying, knowing the stories of Celestia and how she was a mentor to Sunset before Twilight came, Sunny placed a hoof on Sunset’s shoulder in comfort. “You missed her, right?” She asks while knowing what Sunset is going through. Sunset then spoke after a few seconds. “Everyday, I keep seeing the sun move. Celestia used to do this before she passed the throne to Twilight. And everytime I watch the sky and sun move, I remember Celestia and Twilight. And while you already know Twilight, Celestia was like a mother figure for me before I went to the human world. We used to play games, she taught me these friendship lessons before Twilight did, we played pranks at the time, which is funny.” She chuckled. “And we are always there for each other when we are down. But after being in this new era of Equestria and how noponies have seen alicorns before you and me became one ourselves, and how Twilight and everypony I knew became legends, I’m not sure Celestia is even around anymore or if she is, I just don’t know. The sun is what reminds me of her, it was a part of her for a thousand years before giving the crown to Twilight. And that’s what makes me feel down about it.” She sighs sadly as she closes her eyes, fighting back the tears. Sunny then gave her mentor/sister figure a hug. Feeling sympathy for her for being the only pony of ancient Equestria left and to not have anypony in blood or old friends by her side anymore. “It’s okay, Sunset. You have me and the others with you now. And you help us become a family together if you haven’t shown up and rebuild Twilight’s legacy. And if they were here, they would be proud of you for rebuilding that legacy.” Sunny said in a calm and comforting tone while hugging the distraught mare, glad that Sunset is with them and keeping Twilight’s legacy alive. Sunset hugs Sunny back, sniffing as she gives a warm smile. Sunset then opens her eyes and sees the wrapped up gift. “What’s that, Sunny?” She asks her as the two ponies broke the hug. Sunny smiled as Sunset noticed the gift. “A present for you, Sunset. From me and the others.” She said while giving the present to Sunset. Sunset was curious about Sunny’s gift to her, she holds the present and then unwraps it as she sees a picture of her, Sunny and the others huddled together, after their first adventure, they take a group photo after they restored magic and brought the three tribes together. “Sunny. This is for me.” Sunset asks with a little happy voice with tears coming out. “It sure is. Even though you aren’t related to us, you have been looking out for us and teaching us the ways of friendship. And you have brought us together to be one big family, Sunset. You are the best mare this family could ask for.” Sunny said with a smile of joy on behalf of her and their friends, seeing Sunset as part of the family and helping them be that family together, Sunset starts to have tears of joy as she smiles and hugs Sunny, who hugs the mare back. “Thank you, Sunny. You and the others are really something.” She said quietly as she sniffed with joy. Sunny smiled back at her. “Happy Mares Day, Sunset.” She said calmly to her. They then heard a thud, the two ponies turned and saw the rest of their friends watching with a smile, they came up to them as they hugged Sunset, who is still being hugged by Sunny, in a group hug. Happy to be one happy family together as Sunset gives off a nostalgic smile of nostalgia, reminding her of her days of group hugs with her old friends. Above them, they are unknowingly being watched by two spirits, and those two spirits are Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight, they give smiles at the group of ponies, and are giving smiles at Sunset, glad to see her happy in this new era of Equestria she is in. “Sunset will always have friends to comfort her. No matter where or when she goes.” Spirit Celestia said to Twilight who smiled back at her. “And she has the pony who has seen in her like you have seen in me, Celestia.” Spirit Twilight commented. Spirit Celestia smiled fondly at what Twilight said to her. “I do miss the times I spent with her, Twilight. But I am happy she has someponies to look after and carry on the legacy of the magic of friendship. There are many things that will come at them, but I am confident that when they are together, nothing can break their friendship, even those that are long gone.” She added, while smiling proudly at Sunset, who she and the girls walked back inside the brighthouse to turn in for the night. “Like how me and my friends onced did. And I know they will keep the magic of friendship alive.” Spirit Twilight said in confidence, knowing that Sunset and her friends will go through anything that throws at them, with Sunset to guide them with the friendship lessons she learned from Twilight to pass on to the new generation. “And I know Sunset and her friends will succeed.” She finished with a smile. Spirit Twilight and Celestia smiled at each other before they faded away, but know that they will watch over Sunset and the new generation of ponies, and will watch over no matter what as the magic of friendship grows. End of Chapter 17.