//------------------------------//
// Episode 18: Amending Fences Part Two 
// Story: The Pony Guard (Season 5) 
// by MXCDarkHorse2020 
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Episode 18:

Amending Fences Part Two


“Fuli?!” 

“Sassy?! Sally?!”

Fuli was left no time to react as she is left stunned stiff as the two girls she never thought she’d see again charged and tackled her for a hug.

“Oh it’s so good to see you again!”

“I know right! It’s been like forever!”

Fuli however didn’t react in the slightest as she looked on like she was staring into deep space.

“Fuli?”

“Yoohoo!” Sally waved her paw in her still stunned face. “Fuli? You there?”

“Fuli?”

“Everything okay?”

Both Kion and Twilight asked who’s voices ended up snapping her out of her froze state of shock before shaking her head to respond.

“Um, yeah, I…” She looks on at the two girls once more with nothing but neutral feelings for them at the moment. “…wow.” The girls along everyone else look in very concerned of what is going through her mind right now given that she is left speechless and doesn’t have a good nor bad opinion upon this sudden reunion. “I’m…I’m sorry. It’s just I wasn’t expecting to see you both at all is all.”

“I know right!” Sally happily exclaimed while oblivious that Fuli’s tone implied that she isn’t thrilled to see her or Sassy at all. “To think that we spent quite some time traveling outside of the Pride Lands before coming back hoping to find you only to have to travel through a magical portal leading us to a world where ponies along with other magical creatures here all sing Kumbaya just to finally find you, Fuli.”

“Come on, Fuli. The least you can do is say something about how excited you are to see us.” Sally implored of her expecting a happy reunion near and far since the last time they saw each other.

Fuli still had objections about it as she commented with a look of disgust and contempt. “I could if I wanted to. But truthfully I can’t and do you know why? Because of what happened the last time we saw each other. And with all honesty I’m not really expected about seeing you both at all.” She further frowned. “In other words…no, I am not interested in a reunion party with you both. You both need to leave.” She turned her back on them much to their shocked surprise.

“What?”

“But Fuli…”

“I mean it!” She abruptly stated with her back still turned. “If anyone else wants to have you for company feel free, but with me…that’s not going to happen. Ever.”

“Why?”

“What did we do?”

“You know why.” She firmly stated before turning to face them and march up to them with a stern look. “Constantly fighting each other and driving one of my old friends away who by the way I’ve never get to see again because of you both.”

“But that was a long time.”

“And we’ve really changed since then.”

“Please…”

“…don’t kick us out.”

“We’ve traveled away from the Pride Lands all this time…”

“…constantly on the move, place to place, every day and night.”

“Every day and night?”

“Yes.”

“Are you both sure?”

“Yes.”

Fuli calmed herself down enough while the others watch on a little unnerved by the cheetah’s sudden hostility before relenting to their request by listening to her own heart.

“Since you’ve had a long journey here, you may stick around.”

Both girls smiled in gratitude in response to their former friend’s obliging to their wishes to stay around to try to get the new her friends more.

“Oh thank you, Fuli.”

“And I know we can work being good friends again…”

“I said you both can stay.” Fuli cut them off mid-sentence still stern. “That doesn’t make you both my friends.”

Both girls can only look on like they have been smacked in the face with the window while Twilight, Kion, Pinkie, Spike, and Bunga look on speechlessly at seeing this side of their friend.

Sure, it was normal for her to be irritable and a little stuck-up at times but what they were seeing was downright cold and disdainful attitude towards them. Clearly, she is still taking what happened in the past pretty hard.

“It’s late, so we will rest up in the castle for the night.” She said before leaving and turning her back on the two cheetahs so she can retire there until morning all while completely ignoring the sadden and crestfallen pair behind.

“Whoa.”

“Geez.”

Both Bunga and Pinkie were the first comment quickly understanding the grave seriousness of the situation.

“I don’t know what to tell you both, but from the looks of it, you sure messed up.”

“Good thing I didn’t make party plans for a reunion. That sure would have been awkward not to mention a waste of cake.”

“We know.” Sally commented knowing full well it’s the truth.

“And we don’t blame her. We really messed up back then.” Sassy added in agreement.

“Always constantly arguing with each other, annoying both Fuli and her old friend to heck and back, to the point we made said cheetah run away to never be seen again.” Sally added with heavy remorse. “And that was a long time ago, too.”

“And Fuli is still upset over it.” Sassy added in the same tone. “She clearly wants nothing to do with us.”

“Can’t argue with that.”

“Nope.”

“Or maybe not.” Kion suggested otherwise. “Maybe she needs a good night’s rest to calm down after getting over her sudden shock of seeing you in a very long time. After all we just went through a very long day of repairing someone’s friendship with one another. So maybe this could be a good time to properly adjust before moving to go all in on the reunion.”

“You really think so.” Sally asked hopeful that it is a case of her being tired and grouchy.

“I know so.”

The look on Twilight’s eyes as she recalled something from her past in magic kindergarten seems to suggest otherwise but decided now was not the time or the place for it.

“Does that mean…” Pinkie equally hopeful started to say.

“…not yet.” Twilight shook her head knowing exactly what she is going to do. “Not until everything is all resolved.”

“Okay.” Pinkie complied but not without showing some disappointment at not being able to put together a reunion party along with putting her party cannon to good use once more.

Spike was quick to pat her on the back. “You’ll know when.” He said with a smile before yawning himself. “Anyways, I think now is a good time to go to bed because boy my scales are sore, so good night.”

He walked off ahead before Twilight moved on ahead to join him but not without having this word of advice for the two girls. “Just try not to push her too much, because there might deep emotion buried deep within that emotionless exterior.”

“Huh?”

“What?”

Both girls were left confused of what she meant by that.

“Please refrain from pushing too hard in trying to befriend her.” She simplified it for their sake.

“Oh! Of course!”

“Now I get it! Got it!”

They both realized as they both beamed up much to the eye-rolling annoyance of the alicorn princess before calling it a night herself along with everyone else.

Hopefully this will all be water under the bridge they were standing near by the time Celestia’s sun rises to the sky, but of course some things are easier said than done, especially when there is more to the story that meets the eye.





The next morning, Celestia’s sun rose to the sky where Luna’s flowers bloomed across the hallways hanging on the potted plants placed on the pedestals on the side of the room.

Said sisters, are inside the dining room where the eldest sister is currently making breakfast while the younger sister is currently sitting at the table drinking coffee since she was up tending to other ponies dreams last night.

While working her magic on the stove Celestia silently hoped to herself that her sister Luna would be able to take the time to enjoy her cooking as she hardly gets through breakfast without crashing out at the first serving. 

At the same time, Luna wished pancake breakfast wouldn’t have come at an inopportune time for her. Preferably when she is not getting off dealing with other ponies and Pride Landers dreams overnight and trying just barely to appease her sister since she never prepares them on days she is not needed to stay up overnight. And that’s not accounting for Celestia not taking the time to properly admire the flowers she placed out throughout the hallways every night.

For both sisters it is certainly a bit of struggle for them to completely adjust to being on good terms with one another after being separated from each other when one sister is banished to the moon for a thousand years. Like it is a catastrophe just waiting to happen again should either one of them or the both of them hit a breaking point with one another.

Luckily for the two of them they both have a distraction laid out for them when some of their close friends and guests who have been residing in the castle for the past few nights are coming over to join them for breakfast this morning. For the new guests that have just arrived, their taste buds are certainly going to be in for a treat today.

“Good morning, Celestia, Luna.” Twilight happily greeted first.

“Good morning, Twilight.”

Both sisters greeted though the latter was wearier than the cheerful greeting the former gave.

“Late night.” Twilight said to the tired princess.

“Yes. Third straight late night in a row.” She said while rubbing her head rather exhausted and trying hard to resist falling asleep on the table.

“Oh.” Twilight said with sympathy. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

At that moment, Celestia had finished up her cooking at placed a hearty serving of pancakes on the table fitting for a big happy family to enjoy.

“Banzai!” Bunga yelled out before leaping onto the table alongside Spike before they each chowed down on their tables the very second they spotted them served and ready to eat.

Both Twilight and Kion could only shake their heads in response to their on the table antics as they watched them engorge themselves until their belly’s bloated after having eaten every available pancake.

“BURP!”

“Excuse us!”

While Luna just groaned and slammed her face into the table in exhaustion, Celestia simply giggled in amusement along with Twilight and Kion before moving to assure her it’s all okay.

“Don’t worry Luna, there’s plenty more where that came from.”

“And we’ll help make sure both Spike and Bunga don’t get too carried away any further.” Kion further assured before he and Twilight moved to levitate the two away from the table and onto nearby baby baskets where a couple of trash cans are standing by for them in case they need them.

As Celestia excused herself so she can get more pancakes prepared, the three cheetahs were next to enter the room with Sassy and Sally the first to enter with Fuli slow to enter after them still due to the latter’s sour feelings towards the former pair.

Both Sassy and Sally were giggling with each other as they both moved to get seated at the table with Pinkie Pie hopping alongside them so she can run her mouth with them. And judging from the tired look on Fuli’s eyes they must have been going on at it all night.

“So you mean to tell us that you actually used honey to trap bees that were swarming all over that one elephant?” Sally asked.

“Yep.”

“And Bunga ate them all?”

“Yep. And I’m sure you have guessed it, I created a honey trap for bees. Pretty ironic, huh?”

“So creative!”

“And clever!”

The three girls all laughed together as Celestia served each of them a good serving of pancakes for each of them to enjoy.

“Mmm. Those look good.”

“Are you kidding?! They’re more than good!”

“They’re great!”

The three girls shared as they all got into eating right away.

“Dig in.” Celestia happily said to them as Fuli makes her way to the nearby coffee machine so she can help herself to cup of coffee.

“Good morning, Fuli.” Kion greeted while eating his breakfast alongside Twilight.

“Good morning.” She replied without even a glance back at her friend as her cup of coffee begins brewing.

“Everything okay?” Twilight asked upon noticing her making herself coffee.

“Yep.”

“Even when you’re helping yourself to a cup of coffee?” Twilight asked feeling pretty concerned upon seeing Fuli like this.

“Which you hardly drink?” Kion added equally concerned.

Fuli still pressed forward with it just when the machine produced her a hot cup of black coffee in her mug. “Yep.”

“Fuli…” Celestia moved to try to encourage her against it. “…there’s plenty of juice to wake yourself up with instead of having something you’re still a little young for.”

“Princess Celestia, while I appreciate the offer and with all due respect, for once I need coffee. The two cheetahs who were supposed to be sleeping in the room next door to mine kept me up all night while constantly chatting with Pinkie Pie.” She moved to take a sip of it before moving to sit down next to Princess Luna who looked on with pity at the rough night she just had.

“Did we just…” Sally asked before being cut off by Fuli accompanied with a cranky frown directed at the three girls.

“Yep.”

“Really? Well I guess that explains why that one reptile chased us off that one time while we were chatting the other day.”

“Are you sure that wasn’t him trying to eat us just because he was being mean?” Sassy asked her partner.

“Could be but to be fair we did wake him up.”

“Right…Oops.” Fuli narrowed her tired glare at the girls who sheepishly look on for they accidentally caused.

“Sorry.” Both girls said to Fuli who is barely keeping herself from falling asleep at the table.

Sassy then moved to shout it in her ear. “I said we were sorry!”

“AAH!” She screamed after being startled there.

Already fully irritated she moves to stand up from her seat while taking a plate of pancakes along with her cup of coffee with her as she left the dining room but not without giving Princess Celestia a bow of respect. “I’m sorry but, I’m afraid I’m going to have to take my breakfast to go. That said kindly do not interrupt me while try to catch up on sleep that is of course if you both can take a hint when you see it.” She said the last part with one more frown directed at the two cheetahs before taking her leave.

Princess Luna also equally tired moved to excuse herself from the table so she can follow after Fuli. “Me too.” She said after finishing up her coffee. “I can’t keep myself awake anymore.” She moved to leave the dining room much to Celestia’s sadden disappointment since she had just served her a stack of pancakes (to which Luna levitated along with a pot of coffee to take with her).

After Fuli had left, Sally and Sassy were quick to plant their faces onto the table (more accurately into the pancake platters) in shame after their latest screw-up.

“Dang it.”

“Not again.”

Sally then glared at Sassy. “You just had to shout in her ear didn’t you?!”

“Well you were the one who insisted that we’d invite Pinkie into our dorms for the night so we can chat with one of her friends!” Sassy snapped back defensively.

Sally caught herself before it could devolve into another petty squabble as she buried one of her paws in her face accompanied with a heavy sigh. “Yes I did and I can’t deny it. And neither can you. Point is we both messed up and you can’t deny it even if you wanted to.”

Sassy’s anger dissipated at that moment as the truth in her words sunk in and cut her deep inside instantly regretting her foolish attitude of nearly instigating another fight between them. Because of it now they are both at strike one and strike two in regards to trying to make amends with Fuli. Without realizing it they still kept messing up their attempts to make things right with her up until now.

“You’re right, Sally.”

“It’ll be okay…” Twilight attempted to assure the girls. “…though maybe you girls should steer clear of her up until she’s well-rested…which could take up to eight hours. Ten actually after she is done with breakfast.”

“Which gives you plenty of time to figure out how can try to make it up to her…” Kion added. “…as long you don’t try to rush things along.”

“Kion’s right, girls.” Celestia agreed in a gentle tone. “While Fuli has been known to strive for patience she still has her moments where trying to rush things along don’t work wonders for her.”

“So what can we do until then?” Sally asked unsure of how they can properly reconcile with Fuli without messing things up again.

“Hmm…” Celestia tapped a hoof on her chin as she gave it some good thought before coming up with a solution. “…how about you girls spend the rest of the day with me? I think I might know a couple of delegates who would be entertained and thrilled to see a couple of international guests talk about your travels from here to the other world.”

Both girls shrugged in response.

“Sure.”

“Why not? I mean it’s not like we have anything better to do.”

“You can say that again.” Kion commented before noticing both Bunga and Spike hurling inside the provided trash cans due to the sudden stomach aches being too much for them. “Because it looks like Twilight and I will have our paws and hooves full in taking care of our friends.”

“And judging from the looks on them, it might take up the considerable amount of that time frame.” Twilight added as he moved and gently place her hoof on Spike. “Easy there, Spike. You’re going to be okay.”

“Ugh, I hope so. And I hope I never put myself in this position again.”

“Me too. When will we learn?”

The two groaned as their faces literally turned green.

“Um between you two…” Twilight said with an honest tone. “…Spike more so than you.” Bunga pouted. “Sorry, but it’s true.”

“Fair enough.”

Both Twilight and Kion proceeded to guide them to their rooms so they can nurse them back to health leaving the elder alicorn princess alone with both cheetahs to resume their pancake breakfast.

“So girls…” Celestia said as she sipped her tea before digging into her own homemade creation. “…tell me about yourselves.”

“Sure.”

“Okay.”

The two complied before moving to talk to the princess heart to heart while the princess listens attentively.





At the same time, Luna is doing the same with Fuli over pancakes and coffee.

“I suppose you’re wondering why I’m not very fond of those two cheetahs you just met huh?” Fuli asked while cutting up small bite sizes bits of pancake.

“I’m open to listening if you are willing to talk about it.” She replied while eating up her pancakes.

“Well I guess it’s a good thing we have plenty of pancakes and coffee to talk over about it.

“Indeed.”

Both Sassy and Sally talked it over with Celestia at the same time Fuli talked it over with Luna over breakfast to the point they finished up every drop and bite by the time they were done telling their respective alicorn princesses the story of how it all came to be. And suffice to say, the same went for both Celestia and Luna vice versa as they both talked to them about their relationship with one another ever since Nightmare Moon’s return. Both parties had the same surprised reactions after hearing one another’s story but both had differing reactions given that said cheetah’s have striking similarities with their respective alicorn’s.

“And that’s what happened.” The three cheetahs all said at the exact same time in separate rooms.

“Oh my.”

“Goodness.”

The sisters uttered in reaction to the story.

“Yep.”

“I know right.”

The cheetahs replied feeling good that said alicorns understand them.

“I mean I get why they want to be able to reconnect with me but at the same time I can’t find it in my heart to be able to. Not after what their constant bickering cost me.” Fuli explained to Luna.

“Indeed it is very hard, dear Fuli. Lonely for a happy cheetah to walk down a pathway without friendly love.” Fuli’s eyes looked down feeling it is more than that but was deep down not about to get all emotional about it right now.

“It is. Up until I met Kion and the rest of the Lion Guard I never had wanted to make another friend without wanting to suffer heartbreak like that ever again.” The cheetah said with the strong urge not to cry already the deep cracks in her heart. “And now they have finally found me and have already gotten on my nerves in a span of eight hours.”

“I see.” Luna sipped the last of her coffee as she moved to gather up their empty dishes and cups so she can move to they take them back to the kitchen so they can get cleaned up. “Well since I’m about to go to sleep since I need it after a very long exhausting night of tending to other ponies and Pride Landers dreams…” But then she thought to herself. “…actually, would you like some company while you sleep too, Fuli? I’ve got plenty of room in my dorm to accommodate another guest.”

“Sure. Whatever guarantees myself a much needed rest. Especially considering that both Sally and Sassy just managed to non-stop talk their mouths all night.”

“Okay then.” She said as they moved to walked out the room they were currently in before walking across the hallways together. “My dorm is straight down the hallway right towards the throne room on the left so go on ahead towards the entrance which is my cutie mark and I’ll meet you there.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

When the two reached the dining room entrance the two briefly went their separate ways.

At the same time, Celestia is discussing her thoughts on what Sassy and Sally told her which was essentially the same thing Fuli told her just minutes ago.

“I mean I understand why Fuli is upset with us but I really wish she could just let it all go so we can become friends once again.”

“Yeah! It’s like a part of her is still living in the past. I mean what more does she need in order to move past all of this?”

Celestia equally understanding of what she is told compared to Luna though more so towards both chatty cheetahs given that she relates to them even more much like Fuli with Luna.

“Well, like I said before give your friend some time to rest before you try to reapproach her. And then you can try to properly apologize to her for what you did back then.” Celestia advised. “Knowing Fuli, as long as you show of how sincere you are with what you did back then, she is sure to accept your apology.”

“Even after breaking her heart?” Sally asked.

“Absolutely.” She nodded with great certainty while not quite picking up the slight hint that when Sally asked that it wasn’t quite the reaffirmation she was looking for as if they did more than hurt Fuli as a friend.

“Great!” Sassy remarked with 100% satisfaction before moving to gather up their dishes so she can take them in to the kitchen so they can get cleaned.

At that moment Luna walked inside the dining room while bypassing her sister as she moved to do the same.

“Oh here…” Sassy quickly moved to snatch the plates with her tail. “…allow me, your highness.”

“Oh.” Luna was highly surprised with how sudden and insistent she was about wanting to do it. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome!”

Normally the night monarch wouldn’t mind doing the dishes herself but considering of how tired she is right now, it’s one less thing to worry about before going off so she and Fuli can finally go to sleep for the next eight hours. All while ignoring her sister due to said sleep deprivation much to the elder sister’s further disappointment as she was hoping she could take the time to further bond with her herself.

If only Celestia could understand Luna more as much as Luna could understand her sister in return.

At the same time, Twilight who is tending to Spike at the same time Kion is tending to Bunga in the similar fashion happened to witness and eavesdrop their conversation to know full well of both sides of the story. And given the very somber and understanding look on her face, she probably has a great and full understanding of the story. Especially considering that Fuli recalled this to her once at her first slumber party.

“Everything good Twilight?” Kion asked.

“Yep.” She nodded in reassurance.

“Anything we can do about all of this?” Kion further asked referring to Fuli’s current friendship problem.

“For now, no. Eight hours from now we can check up on them as long as we don’t interfere unless it is absolutely necessary.”

Kion remembering of how irritated Fuli felt when he thought it was a good idea to invite her to a family ‘hunt’ together to the point he very nearly broke off her friendship with him and the rest of the Lion Guard wisely took the princess’s advice to heart.

“Okay, Twilight. Let’s hope for the best till then.”

“Let’s.” 

The two agreed before heading back inside so they can continue nursing both Spike and Bunga who are both still sporting sickly green faces and still looked like they were going to throw up.

Knowing of how strained friendships work nowadays there are sure to be some hurdles for them to tackle together but one thing’s for sure is that everything will all work out in the end. And as long as that happens, that’s what really matters.





Eight hours later…both Luna and Fuli emerged from the former’s bedroom looking much more relaxed and well-rested then they did before. And they both looked much more calm and cool likewise than before their much needed rest.

“Ugh…” Fuli said as she stretched out her legs and back. “…wow! I feel better already!”

“Me too, Fuli.” Luna said in agreement with a relived smile on her face. “One good thing about not having to deal with royal duties during every other day of the week.” She then notices the nearby lavender flowers she placed on the many potted plants through the hallways before moving to take a good whiff of them after flying up to the higher placed ones hanging from the ceiling. “Ah, still fresh and lavender scented.” She then moved to take down the pot of flowers she was just sniffing before floating back down so she get Fuli to get a good whiff of the flowers herself.

After indulging in the princess’s request as she got to sniff the freshly scented flowers herself and much to her own astonishment, the lavender flowers actually smell wonderfully to her. It gives her a royal tranquil feeling of relaxation that she spent the last eight hours getting settled into during the day.

“Wow!” She remarked feeling further rejuvenated. “Very flourish.”

“Indeed.” Luna nodded and smiled pleased to hear someone else approves of it. “Lavender's calming scent is known to aid dreamers in achieving a restorative sleep.”

“I wonder if that’s how Twilight is able to sleep well at night even on her bad days.” She thought to herself before speaking her mind while sniffing the flowers once more. “Still, that's so thoughtful!”

“I try my best to make sure the ponies in this castle sleep peacefully.”

Just then they heard nearby doors open just when Celestia emerged with two diplomats along with both Sassy and Sally all giggling and laughing along the way.

“And so, then I said, "Touring? More like 'boring'!" One of the dignitary ponies commented.

“Really?” Sassy remarked like it is a joke. “That is so on point! I mean talk about pouring on flair to the eclairs. Am I right?”

“No, no, no, Sassy. Eclairs have cream inside of them so if anything I think they are feeling more creamed afterwards.”

Princess Celestia laughed alongside them along with the other ponies who found it equally funny. “Oh, Sally, Sassy, you both really are a couple of cards!”

Luna can only look on aside and sigh in disappointment as her sister barely paid any attention to the flowers she had prepped up the night before along with both cheetahs walking alongside her. “But as always, my sister is too busy having fun with dignitary ponies to acknowledge anything I do. Hmph!”

Luna can only shake her head in disgust before being quick to follow after the night monarch as she could never have seen much more interesting parallels to relate herself to her along with more hidden dynamic in her failed friendship with the girls in question. To her, it was like looking in a mirror in regards to both sisters as much as herself with the dynamic duo. And she is not the only one who sees it.

Unbeknownst to both parties, both Kion and Twilight were listening and watching from afar while peeking their heads from the nearby hallway corner and they both managed to hear and fully comprehend the full scope of the problem.

“Hevi Kabisa!” Kion remarked in shock.

“I know.” Twilight agreed. “Not only do we have one friendship problem that involves trying to mend fences between a friend and a pair of former friends in front of us, but two. And one is both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna themselves.”

“Yep. With one cheetah to another seeing eye to eye to with different sisters.” Kion added looking uneasy with what he just saw.

“Uh-huh.” Twilight replied feeling equally unsure of how to approach this herself. 

“I guess the question now is how can we touch upon without both princesses getting into a world-threatening screaming and magic throwing match?”

It took her a minute before coming up with a quick and good idea of a solution to potentially resolve the matter. “A little smooth talking over dinner tonight. That way Luna won’t be too sleep deprived to fully hear her sister out.”

Kion liked the idea already. “Yeah! And if they hear out each other by then there should be nothing for them get all mad at each other over past grudges and feelings hurt back then.”

“Mmm-hmm. A perfect opportunity for well-rested and well fed ponies and cheetahs alike to talk things over, so that by the time they’re done talking things through, what happened back then is all water under the bridge. Shouldn’t be too hard should it?”

“Can’t otherwise, no.”

“Then it’s settled. Dinner tonight to appease two friendships in one sitting.”

“Like killing two birds with one stone?” Spike asked from behind the pair alongside Bunga who are both starting to feel better from their sudden stomach aches from earlier.

“Similar idea but no blood involved.”

“Right, right.”

“That makes sense.”

“Exactly.” Twilight nodded.

“Can I help cook?” Spike asked to which Twilight nodded in response to his request. “Yes!” He pumped his fist up in triumphant. “I can’t wait to make my famous jewel cake!”

“As long as it doesn’t involve trying to get jewels from the royal treasury.” Twilight sternly warned them as she eyed Bunga trying to sneak away with one of her special jewel crown. “Or valuables right out of my room.”

“What me?” Bunga tried playing it off like a joke. “Come on! You know me! I would never do a thing like that! Honest!” To prove his he quickly tossed the crown back inside which ended up crashing through her room’s window.

“My leg!” One guard pony screamed.

Twilight raised an eyebrow at him unconvinced alongside Kion who looked on expectantly at his friend.

“Eh, heh…” Bunga nervously chuckled before giving up before moving to fix the mess he created. “…right. Fix the window and fix the pony’s leg. No wait…” He realized. “…strike that! Reverse it.”

He quickly ran off ahead to do so while Kion followed after him to make sure he sees to it that he does while Twilight and Spike head on back to the kitchen so they can take a turn in preparing tonight’s dinner that’ll appease their friends and help them make amends with one another.





A few hours later the whole party that gathered for breakfast all gathered for dinner prepared to them courtesy of the young alicorn princess herself.

Thanks to Spike to assist her with the cooking, Twilight was able to prepare for everyone a dish that they would all enjoy. Mashed potatoes with optional chicken gravy with mixed vegetables, and golden roasted turkey.

“Wow.” Fuli was the first to remark her amazed delight at what she just put in her mouth. “Who knew that every princess can cook?”

“Well I’m sure if Beshte were here he would say..."Like my dad always said, don't knock it till you try it.""

“Right. Of course.”

“I know. I almost feel bad eating this.” 

“It's adorable.”

Both Sally and Sassy commented their liking of the princess’s dish to which Twilight shook her head in response to their flattery.

“Like I said, and much like my mentor taught me, I enjoy doing this on a good day.” She then stood up as she walked by everyone as she continued. “That said, I know we started off today on the wrong hoofs and paws but I’m sure none of us meant to hurt each other the way we did.” The three cheetahs and two alicorn sisters looked on in confusion. “I mean we’re all friends here so what do you say we settle this for good?”

“You mean duke it out?” Fuli asked while both Sally and Sassy look on frightened at the idea given her role in the Lion and Pony Guard.

“No, no, no. Just the opposite. And by that I mean let’s talk over it.”

“And not just three of you…” Kion added as he turned to both Celestia and Luna. “…but also you two.”

“Excuse me?”

“I beg your pardon?”

Both sisters spoke simultaneously at that moment looking on quite incredulous at the thought.

“Because judging from what we heard and saw from your interactions with Fuli, Sassy, and Sally respectively we think you're accidentally hurting each other's feelings without realizing it. I mean Princess Celestia, does it bother you that Luna never notices the wonderful breakfasts that you prepare for her?”

“Uh... Y-Yes. It does.” She admitted.

Kion then turned to both Sally and Sassy. “And doesn’t it bother you two that Fuli never gives you a chance to hear you out so that you both can say I’m sorry?”

“Yes, it does.”

“Very much, actually.”

The two cheetahs admitted though addressed cheetah looked on offended in response to said claim.

“Excuse me?!”

“Fuli, it isn’t personal. It’s just looking at things from a neutral standpoint.” Twilight quickly assured before continuing. “I mean I do get it why it bothers you that both girls no offense but…” She quickly added in their direction “…tend to constantly talk without considering other’s feeling along the way.”

“Takes a few minutes let alone a few seconds for the ball of yarn to start unraveling.”

Both girls gasped in excitement when they saw an actual ball of yarn appear in her paw before said cheetah tossed it to them and started quickly playing and gossiping about it like there is no tomorrow. All while Fuli looks on unimpressed and stoic about it.

With her point made, Kion decided it was best to move things along before they could start to go south. “Princess Luna, tell Celestia how you feel about the fact that she never acknowledges the work you put into lining the hallway with lavender every night.”

“I... Well, I... I-It's not the best feeling.” She honestly admitted before turning to her sister in a rather begrudging manner. “I'm sorry I never noticed that you make fruit faces on pancakes…” She then spoke trying to speak from her heart as she continued. “…, but nights are long for me. You might be a morning pony, but I am half-asleep.”

Celestia however got offended in return. “You think I don't get tired? I'm exhausted! Oh, I apologize for not noticing flowers in a wall sconce. But by the time I get to retire for the night, I can barely see straight! Even so, I still make an effort to smile!” She even sports a forced smile to show her pearly white teeth to make a point.

Luna wasn’t convinced herself as she scoffed. “Like smiling is so hard.”

“Now, now, I'm sure that's not what Princess Luna meant to say.” Twilight calmly tried to interject seeing the boiling tension that was starting to get out of control.

“Is that what exhausts you? Smiling and being adored by everypony?”

“And you have it so much worse, do you?! You've spent your evenings flitting around giving ponies lovely dreams!” She said the last part in a rather mimicking tone. “Oh, it sounds just awful!”

“Okay!” Kion tried to assert himself in between them to get both sisters to calm down.  “I know you’re both upset, but let’s just calm down. So just take a deep breath...”

Luna however levitated both him and Twilight aside so she can yell in her sister’s face.

“Don't presume to know what it is like to govern the dream realm!”

“And yet you know exactly what it's like to be me?!” Celestia yelled back much to everyone’s unnerved discomfort. “Oh, please!”

Seeing that there is no talking them down, everyone decided it was wise to quietly tiptoe their way out of the dining room while the two sister’s shouting match dragged on well into the night and on into the morning with both Spike and Bunga who were about to stroll in with the promised jewel cake wisely backing away so they can eat it in the kitchen before climbing their way out throughout the windows and up to the nearby hallways leading up to their bedrooms. 





Even though the Royal Guards were fully aware of what was happening inside that room, not one of them dared to try calm the raging alicorns down.

“Should one of us go inside and try to stop them!” One guard fearfully asked the other.

“I don’t think so.” The other guard fearfully replied.

“You’re not turning me into a mashed potato!” Another guard fearfully stated.

“Neither one of you have any siblings. Fighting is all part of the healing process.”

“Well it’s a good thing Princess Twilight ensured that we got ear plugs and placed separate bubbles over our dorms and the castle itself to keep everyone else from being drawn to this private dispute.” Another guard commented in relief.

“Yep.” Another guard nodded in agreement before they all walked off so they relax for the rest of the night.





By the time it is time for the sun to rise, the Guard staying over along with the cheetahs had all waken up in time to see not only for Celestia’s sun to rise but also…

BOOM!

…Came from inside the dining room.

“What was that?!”

“I don’t know!”

Both Kion and Twilight shared as they rushed back on over to the dining room and were the first to burst inside to see a sight that had their jaws dropping in horror and their blood dropping cold…

“Holy Simba!”

“Oh my Celestia and Luna!”

“What’s going on?!”

“What happened?!”

Both Bunga and Fuli asked when they saw the shocking sight in front of them before gasped together upon seeing it themselves along with both Sassy and Sally.

“Whoa!”

“What is this?!”

“It’s like Freaky Friday expect on a Tuesday!” Sally remarked upon witnessing it.

“Expect it’s not bodies that are switched but markings.” Sassy added as the sight in front them is true to their claims.

…their cutie marks have indeed been switched and it is something that no one would ever have imagined to happen in all of their life’s.

“Well it looks this day just got interesting.” Fuli commented while just imagining the potential catastrophe between the two sisters already.





“Indeed it has…” Scar’s voice commented as he watched the scene with his magic from the Outlands Volcano. “…for me.”





Just after processing what had happened, Twilight nearly fainted before being quickly caught by both Kion and Spike just before she could hit her head on the floor while Sassy did the same with Sally.

Fuli could only look with a disapproving look at the two cheetahs while Kion was quick to support Twilight up on her hooves.

“Great. Two swapped cutie marks and two Rarity-like fainting dramas!”

“Fuli, now is not the time for that…” Kion scolded before moving to tend to the princess. 

“Twilight, it’s okay, I got you.” Spike further assured.

“Uhh…what…” She said as she started to regain consciousness while finding herself focusing on the sight that caused her to faint. “…Princess Celestia. Princess Luna. What…have you both done?!” She asked as she moved to get a closer look at the switched cutie marks.

“Oh, nothing, Twilight.” Celestia falsely assured. “We’re just finally hashing things out with each other, isn’t that right, Luna?”

Luna nodded in agreement in the same forced tone. “Of course! After spending the last eight hours shouting and arguing with one another we decided it was best that we know for ourselves what it is like to be one another for the day for a change.”

“What do you mean?!”

“We mean that in order to know what it is like being each other that we should take over each other’s roles for today.” Luna explained with Twilight still looking on wide-eyed and stunned. She sighed irritably before clarifying. “I take over the daytime royal duties while Celestia takes over the nighttime duties.”

Seeing the distress on the poor pony’s face had Kion step forward to try to speak his mind about it while staying to her side to ensure she doesn’t faint without support. “With all due respect Princesses Celestia and Luna, are you both sure that’s really the best course of action? Especially considering that you both have been up all night and haven’t been thinking straight?”

“Of course we’re sure!” Luna sharply stated to which Kion reeled back in shock because of how sudden it came. “If I am to understand my sister I should for once fill her shoes.”

“Um, technically they’re slippers..”

“…so it should be “I should for once fill her slippers.”"

Both Bunga and Sassy felt the need to comment before being quickly jabbed in the ribs by both Fuli and Sally.

“Ow!”

“What was that for?!”

“Now is not the time to correct her!” Fuli scolded while directing their attention to the two angrily glaring alicorn princesses in front of them. “Unless you both want to be sent to the moon!”

Upon seeing said look had both wisely shutting up now even donning zippers to their mouths (courtesy of Pinkie Pie).

“As I was saying…” Kion started to say before Twilight found the courage and composure to speak her mind on the matter.

“Look! We understand that you’re upset with each other but Celestial, Luna, please reconsider this hasty decision! You’ve went through this once before! And if it happens again, who knows what will happen.”

“Relax, Twilight.” Celestia said to assure her otherwise. “It’s only for today and it’s just a little switcheroo.” Said Princess wasn’t convinced. “I promise you…” she moved to place a wing on her back. “…we’ll be fine. But if it helps you can stand by our side to help assist us with our temporary duties.”

Twilight sighed deciding it was best to accept their decision since it is perfectly clear they are both committed to this already. “That I can do. And since I too have daily responsibilities to the throne today, I’ll help you out with yours Princess Luna.” She then turned to the others. “Any of you want to tag along?”

“Sure!” Fuli said quick to seize the opportunity to get away from both Sally and Sassy for the rest of the day to the point she ignored the sadden look on their faces. “Let’s do this!”





With the decision set, Twilight, Spike, and Fuli walked ahead alongside the night monarch ready to carry out the daytime duties Celestia does every day.

At the same time both Sally and Sassy are left downcast once more at the continuing cold shoulder Fuli is giving them. Clearly whatever happened back then has the cheetah still holding a grudge against them. A very, very, deep and resentful grudge.

“I guess we’ll be going with Princess Celestia..” Sassy then said before walking off in the opposite direction.

“If that’s all right with you?” Sally politely added out of courtesy towards the sun monarch.

“Of course.” She kindly accepted having them by her side before turning to Kion. “Well since I’m going to be working overnight, I’m going to turn myself and the girls in till the night.”

With that Celestia took her leave alongside Sassy and Sally leaving both Kion and Bunga alone together.

After unzipping his mouth Bunga popped the question. “What should we do?”

“Honestly at this point, there’s not much we can do other than watch over Princess Luna to make sure she is okay. ” Was all Kion can say about all of this. “I think I’m going to join up with her just to be sure she’s got this.”

“Good idea.” Bunga decided to head in the opposite direction. “I guess now is a good time to see how Pinkie is doing in coming with the post-crisis aversion party.”

“No time like now.” Kion said.

“True that.”





With that, they went their separate ways all while Scar continued to observe from the comforts of his lair in the Outlands Volcano.

“Truer words have never been spoken.” Scar commented with a chuckle with Starlight and Ushari standing before his fiery appearance.

“And you obviously want these boiling tensions to continue.” Starlight figured.

“Correct, Starlight because should their tempers be tested to the point of a volcanic-like eruption it could give us the perfect opportunity to rise to power. Power that’ll allow us to change Equestria and the Pride Lands to our liking.”

“Yesss. Of course.” Ushari liked the idea already. “So Scar, how do you want to handle this?”

“Obviously we can’t be seen nor can we make a move on them right now since I’m still not up to full power at this time. So we must be stealthy about this like before. That said Starlight…” He said in her direction. “…refrain from overdoing it on the magic this time. I want Twilight to be able catch on at the right time in this matter.”

“Okay.” She accepted his order while visibly making her disappointment clear.

“Just keep planting the seeds, one by one.” He gently instructed. “You‘ll know when.” He then turned to Ushari. “As for you Ushari, you have the honor of carrying out the other part of my plan.” He magically had a doctor’s coat his size along with a medical kit which in addition to the expected supplies it also has empty tubes along with needles, tranquilizer serum, and syringes. He then disappeared and reappeared wearing a doctor’s disguise. “For which you’ll have my help in.”

“Are you sure, Scar?” Ushari asked looking uncertain if that’s a good idea especially if eyes from the Lion and Pony Guard along with the Royal Family are looking in Starlight’s role in the matter. “Maybe it’s better if i do this myself?”

Scar remained firm in the matter. “I do this alongside you. If this is to be pulled off perfectly then you’re going to need my help here.”

Ushari nodded in respect to his decision. “Of course.”

With that settled, they all huddled up as Scar discusses of how to pull this off so they can all walk out of there having benefited from the situation and without being discovered. And knowing Scar, he sure knows of how to do it.





Later on that day, Twilight along with both Kion and Fuli proceeded to look over the list of royal duties that Princess Luna is going to do instead of her sister. The list itself is quite large and judging from the dark blue alicorn’s reaction it was bigger than she actually expected it to be.

“Everything all good, Luna?”

“Not too much for you to handle?”

Both Twilight and Kion asked before proceeding with the first of many tasks today.

“Fear not. Tis is nothing that I shall not be able to handle.” She assured in her old ponyish before turning to the royal advisor. “Proceed with the royal court session.”

Not one to question her order, Spike moved to open up the double doors to allow the ponies to enter who all find themselves surprised to see Luna instead of Celestia, along with the cutie mark too.

Luna quickly stepped forward on the royal throne to assure everyone before they could get worried about what was happening right in front of them. "Don't worry my fellow ponies, my sister and I have agreed to this and I can assure you, I am more than capable of handling of her duties in her place. So carry on as usual and treat me like you would treat Celestia like any another day so…”  She briefly but quietly yawned to herself. “…dismissed.”

Everyone all obeyed and respected her wishes without further questions before the princess herself turned to her fellow prince and princess as they went over the list again. During which Luna took the time to chuckle to herself. “This should be easy.” She mentally thought in her head before moving to press forward with it.

“Wanna bet she’ll hit a bump in the run before the end of the day?” Fuli whispered to Twilight.

“Yep. Four orders of hayburgers and fries that’ll she crack halfway into the day.”

“Deal.” They shook on it before following at the night monarch to assist and advise her to the best of their ability.

The day carried on as usual thanks to the both young prince and princess backing her up every step of the way while Luna herself is starting to find that her sister’s daily daytime duties are as easy as she initially thought it would be. Court sessions lasted longer than she expected. She had multiple store openings, a royal rose contest where she presides over it as its judge, along with many, many public appearances to boot, all while smiling and waving when in public. Given that was she going through with it all with very little sleep it was proving to be quite difficult considering that there is no wiggle room for her take a brief nap through it all. But she managed to preserve through it much to Kion, Twilight, along with the royal guard’s relief as they were on edge whether ponies were going to start a riot over it.

Around noon, came a photo shoot for a school fundraiser where Luna had to give another good smile for the press. She stood alongside the fillies on the stairs in front of the school entrance with another bright smile. But by then, the constant pressure and her constantly smiling at every second even when in private has already taken its toll on her, even more so due to her sleep deprivation kicking in.

Upon sensing this Twilight and Kion gestured her to relax her smile to the point she is not showing her teeth until the few seconds before the photo is taken.

“It’s okay.”

“You got this.”

She relaxed her smile per both the prince and princesses advice when thanks to a soothing music than rang through her ears along with a ill-timed wake-up courtesy of another disturbing voice had her smile turn into a frown just when the camera flashed.

Luckily for her, Fuli was quick to swoop with her super speed to get the princess to force herself to smile to ensure no one noticed that and thanks to both Kion and Twilight quickly intercepting the papers before it could be public to the press, the potential crisis has been averted...for now.

At the same time the hidden Starlight Glimmer chuckled to herself before teleporting away before she could be discovered.





But even still at lunchtime the issue at hoof is still brought to her attention when her advisors showed her picture that the camera caught when it flashed.

Luna read the headline and had immediate guilt inside of her. "Princess Disapproves of School Fundraiser". Immediately she apologized. "But…I…I don’t understand! One moment I try to relax it before the photo shoot and then suddenly I briefly fall asleep and end up scowling like this! How did this happen?!”

“Because you’re exhausted from constantly trying to smile and wave to everyone 24/7, that’s why.” Twilight calmly explained. 

Luna can only rest her arms on the table and bury her hooves into her face in shame that she allowed that to happen. “Oh, why did we have to have that all-night argument! Than none of that would have happened!”

“It’s okay.” Kion tried to get her to calm down. “It’s not the end of the world. I’m sure if we talk to the teachers we can arrange a photo re-shoot to ensure that the fundraiser is a success.”

“That is when you’re well-rested of course by then.” Fuli added.

Luna raised her arm from the table as she still had a hoof on her head like she is going to pass out from all of the stress of her sister’s daily duties. “Okay. Good.” For a second she briefly thought to herself wondering how Celestia managed all of the royal duties 24/7 for a thousand years before moving to regain her composure before deciding to move on with the rest of the day. “Now…what’s next on the agenda after lunch?”

“Well…” Fuli started just when Twilight levitated her schedule right towards her. “…still a way’s to go here.”

"What?!” Luna gasped as she seized control of the schedule and scrolled down through the list of duties that haven’t been checked off yet. “Oh dear…” She moved to place a forehead on her head before falling back to pass out.

Luckily for her Fuli quickly rushed over to catch her chair and her still in it before she could hit her head on the ground.

Five minutes later, Luna started to come too as her eyes slowly opened up to see the worried faces from Twilight, Kion, and Fuli all gathered around her as they make sure she is still okay.

“Luna?!... Princess Luna?! Are you okay?!" Kion spoke to her in an urgent manner.

"Huh? O-oh...Yes, Kion. Wha…what happened?!” She muttered as she managed to pick herself up on her hooves.

“You were unconscious. You passed out five minutes ago.” Fuli explained as she moved to assist her into ensuring she doesn’t stumble and fall backwards again. “Good thing I was there to catch you otherwise the press would sure have a field day upon learning that one of the princesses is in the hospital due to sudden stress.”

“At least that’s one good thing.” Luna moaned as her frown at the school photo-shoot is still fresh in her mind. “As for those poor fillies and their fundraiser, I wish I could say otherwise.”

“It’ll be okay.” Fuli quickly assured. “Twilight will talk to the teachers and get that re-do scheduled and Kion will make sure the other delegates will treat you with the same respect they would give you as if Celestia were here.”

“In the meantime…” Kion added as he presented her a plate of food while Twilight handed her a cup of coffee along with the pot itself. “…let’s take this time to relax, eat some food, and have some coffee while you still can because we still got half the day left.”

“Okay…” She conceded as she took a deep breath and did as her friends advised her to.





After taking the time to manage a cold shower during her lunch hour, Kion and Twilight did as they promised and managed to arrange for a re-do on the photo shoot along with giving Luna the time she needs to mentally prepare for the second half of the day. With all things considered, she cannot afford any more bad publicity.

During which, Fuli took the time to try to speak out to her heart-to-heart with her.

“Doing okay?” Fuli asked as she moved to hand Luna a towel just outside the royal bathroom.

“Yes Fuli, even with all things considered.” Deep down she wishes none of this had even happened even with her friends ensuring that no damage has been done during her time filling in for her sister.

“You’re not still stewing over the botched photo shoot?”

“A little. Yes.” She replied as she stepped out of the shower to dry herself off. “Those fillies worked really hard to want to raise enough money for this field trip they were looking forward. But now the only thing they’ll have to look forward is how my inability to smile at the right moment cost them that.”

“Well…I mean…you didn’t completely ruin it. The fundraiser didn’t end today so you still have a second chance to make it right later this week. And I’m sure Celestia didn’t have it any easier. In fact, I’m sure she has fumbled a few photo shoots here and there.”

“Doubt it since she managed to run an entire kingdom on her own for a thousand years.”

“Okay, yes she did. But it still wasn’t easy in fact I’ll bet a stack of pancakes that Celestia has had trouble managing other ponies’ dreams after a very long day.”

“You really want bet on that considering you just lost your earlier bet with Twilight?”

“That’s not the point!” She sharply stated before taking a deep breath so she can calmly get Luna to understand what she meant by that. “I mean the point is, your sister is far from perfect. Deep down that smile she puts on every day is really a nice pony who deep down has had grief and regret of having banish her own sister to the moon because of a little dispute that got out of hoof. Deep down she wished every single day that she could have gone back to that moment and tried her hardest to reconcile with you because she really missed you every single day back then until your return.” She then looked on solemnly. “Maybe a little love allowed into your heart is what you really need to truly look on the bright side of things even when they look bad.”

“Hmm…” Luna’s stern expression softened up as she donned her crown, necklace, and slippers before stepping out of the bathroom to see eye to eye with the cheetah. “…I suppose you’re right. And I suppose you would feel the same way if you were in Sally and Sassy’s paw prints would you?”

Fuli gave it some good thought thinking that maybe she was being too harsh on the girls but at the same time can’t find it in her heart to forgive and forget. “Maybe, if I had reason to forgive them.”

“Fair enough.” They moved on forward together so they can carry out the rest of the daytime duties to the crown. “Anyways, we should get this over with.”

“Let’s.”





The two walked on back to the throne room where both Kion and Twilight were waiting for them where they plan on sitting in on these meetings so they can help Luna out. With what had just happened earlier, she really could use some help going forward.

With the prince and princesses seated, both Fuli and Spike moved to open the double doors so the delegates can move to meet with the night princess herself. Although they have been informed of the temporary change, they couldn’t help but feel off about it, especially upon seeing the dark circles and exhausted eye bags on her face.

"Greetings." The night alicorn rose up on her hooves. "If you all would kindly line up one by one, I’ll be more that happy to hear you out and try to resolve your issues to the best of my ability. So shall we begin?”

“If you sure this is something you can manage, princess.” Fancy Pants replied rather hesitantly.

The delegates formed a line where their concerns were addressed one by one with high hopes that Princess Luna would be able to solve them.

Luna, for her part, did her best to concentrate and pay attention. But even after the talk with Fuli she still couldn’t keep her mind off of the school children from Las Pegasus. Upon seeing this had Spike write the addressed issues all down while Twilight and Kion moved to step in on her behalf in order to resolve them.

Then came one delegate who unlike the rest who looked on unsure and uneasy of asking so much of Princess Luna when she is clearly and visibly exhausted from being up for the last 24 hours had a rather rude attitude when stepped forward with his issues at hoof. A timberwolf issue. To which Luna was quick to say. 

“Fear not, because I can surely tell you that THERE ARE NO TIMBERWOLVES IN THE WHITETAIL WOODS!" She then gasped and quickly covered her mouth as she realized that she'd unintentionally slipped into her Royal Canterlot Voice. “Umm, I mean…” She then corrected and said in her normal tone. “…no. There are no timberwolves. You can tell your fellow ponies that they have nothing to worry about. Okay."

“Okay.” He then turned and left without another word.

The dark blue alicorn can only sink to her sister’s throne in shame for that outburst as her eyes having great trouble staying awake no matter how much coffee she drinks. At this point she is just desperate to see to that enough time passed that so she can call it a day. But there’s still a lot of time left to burn before that can happen.

“I’m sorry, Twilight.” Luna apologized. “But I couldn't stop thinking about those poor students. Normally, I have all the time in solitude I need to work through my problems at my own pace.”

“Well your sister doesn't get that luxury.” She said before proposing an idea. “And since you’re feeling out of sorts I think I’ll help out a little more because I’m sure these two are really about to go at it.

Said ponies are both Mayor Cream Cheese and Mayor Baltimare and they both looked pretty heated at one another. 

”The princess will definitely side with me!”

“Please see reason, Mayor Cream Cheese! I'm telling you, Baltimare...”

Both ponies argued at the same time they spoke together much to the discomfort of the other delegates.

“Yeah this is going to be ugly.” One delegate commented grateful that he didn’t give Luna a hard time when addressing his issues.

“Oh yeah.” Another delegate agreed.

“Both Baltimare and Cream Cheese haven’t been this upset since…”

“…the last time we saw them.”

Two more delegates added as they prepared to watch the agonizing dispute be settled…after a good chunk of the day which is more or less what the night monarch truly needed.

“Glad that's settled.” Mayor Baltimare said now pleased.

Mayor Cream Cheese chuckled in agreement. “And it only took three hours.”

“That got heated, didn't it?”

“Still on for golf?”

“Oh, absolutely.”

Hours continued to slowly tick away as the poor and exhausted princess is  beginning to realize she is not her sister in that matter nor did she find it as easy as she originally expected. 

Deep down she began to feel that if this is what Celestia had to put up with on a daily basis, then maybe she could find it in her heart to forgive for not seeing her floral decorations to which admittedly were placed in areas that would be hard to see at first glance. And yet despite that, she still managed to find time every morning to make breakfast to which she barely took the time to show appreciation for that, instead ignoring it and going straight to bed. By then it was clear that she does owe her sister an apology after all of this is over.





At last, the end of the daytime shift came and the delegates all left to go home for the day.

But for Princess Luna, she was left completely spent after putting up with 24 hours of straight-up hard work both night and day. Never before did she ever feel this way but at least she had enough energy to lower the sun when it was time for it to set. 

“Congratulations.”

“You made it to the end of the day.”

Both Kion and Twilight complimented.

“Oh, great.” Luna said with a deep yawn. “Now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to just turn in for the rest of the night. Good night Nion, Fulay, Twinight.” She then walked off ahead with barely open eyes on towards her quarters so she can get some much-needed rest with Fuli quick to join her so she can make it there without any injuries. At the same time, Scar wearing his doctor disguise tiptoed his way after her with a needle and vial held delicately in his coat pocket while both Shupavu and Njano both watch and monitor their progress unnoticed up on the walls and through the pots of lavender flowers on the high hooks.

Just seconds after she had retired her sister Princess Celestia came trotting out alongside both Sally and Sassy. Because they managed to sleep through the day Celestia was much more energetic compared to Luna on par with the two cheetahs 24/7.

"Ah." Sassy yawned as she fully woke herself up. "Wow! That felt great! I don’t I have ever slept that comfortable before in my life.”

“Sassy, we’ve that comfortable almost every other day. It’s nothing new.” Sally returned to give a reality check to her.

“I know, but those beds are so fluffy and comfortable. How could you do better than that?”

“True. True.” Sally commented in agreement.

”Anyways…” Celestia then said turning to both the prince and princess. “…now that I’m awake and well. Where's Luna?"

"She turned herself in for the night.” Twilight explained to Celestia.

“She had a very long and rough day." Kion added.

"Really?" Celestia commented with concern, before finding herself snickering. "Well it seems my duties were harder than she expected it to be. Oh well.” She shrugged seeing that her sister paid the price for biting off more than she could chew. “Now it’s my turn to handle her royal duties for tonight, which I‘m quite sure and I can handle for one night.”

“Of course you can.” Sassy was quick to support that claim. “I mean watching over other ponies dreams? How hard can it be?”

Twilight wearily sighed as Kion was quick to speak up. “If Luna had it really tough today, then I’m sure the answer is very hard.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You’ll find out.” Kion said before yawning himself and heading on towards his royal bedroom for the night. “I’m going to turn in for the night.”

“Me too!” Spike yawned in agreement.

But before doing so Kion quickly turned back to the lavender coated princess with one more thing to say. “Oh and Twilight…please try not to stay up too late.”

“I’ll try.” Twilight said as if to say “I can’t make any promises on that.”

"You can be sure of that. Both you and Luna." Ushari sinisterly said in her direction as he stealthy pursed her with a needle and empty vial in his coils.





In no time at all the moon was raised into the night sky, to which the sun princess smiled at her own success. "Moon raised right on schedule," She told herself with pride as she then turned to Twilight. "Now then, Twilight, why don't you and I..."

But no sooner that she did so, Twilight had fallen asleep on the balcony next to her former mentor with her snores within her hearing range.

Celestia then sighed before using her magic to tuck her in her bed mentally wishing that she could have stayed up so they take the night to talk together. But of course she had to remind herself she was never a night pony with the sole exceptions of her having nightmares and dealing with frightening storms.

“Just like old times.” Celestia commented to herself to which both cheetahs heard from nearby.

“Is that so?” Sally asked looking intrigued. “You and Twilight have a special bond together?”

“Yes.” Celestia smiled warmly in return. “I’ve known her since she was a filly enrolling in my school of magic. From the very moment she showed great potential with magic I’ve taken her on as my student, my prized and most faithful pupil and protégé. Over the years I’ve watched her grow stronger and more powerful with every passing day with great pride of how well she was starting out to be. Sure she has her flaws but deep down she is a pony with a big heart who wants nothing more to excel in life. To me, it was like raising a daughter I never had before.”

“Wow.”

“That’s deep.”

The cheetahs commented clearly amazed with learning the hidden depths behind it.

“I know.”

“I only wish the same could be said about us and Fuli.” Sally personally commented hoping that is not a futile wish to ask for in life. “I mean I know now what did was wrong but I still can’t but my claw on what exactly we did to hurt her back then other than causing her to lose a friend to spend time with?”

“Well…” Celestia wasn’t sure of how to answer that right now. “…maybe someday, first thing in the morning if lucky.”

Deep down Celestia wished she could stand by Twilight’s side and watch over her, but she had to remind herself a deal is a deal, she had to tend to Luna's royal duties and ad to leave her former prized pupil to rest on her own. Before Celestia left her bedroom though, she made sure to re-examine the checklist Twilight and Spike had given her before setting out to carry them out.

"Okay, everypony’s asleep which means now it’s time to enter the dream realm." Stepping out onto the balcony that got her a good scope of the whole city down below, Celestia noticed that all of the lights in the houses below were switching off. At that moment every single light was now black and dim meaning she can now get started and enter the dream realm.

"Okay…good.” She said out loud and quickly realized. "Oh, you're talking to yourself, princess. But... there's no one else to talk to out here!" 

“Expect us.” Sassy commented from right beside her along Sally.

“Oh, right.” Celestia sheepishly returned. “Sometimes I can quite silly. Anyways, I can talk to ponies in their dreams so this should be doable."

Lighting up her horn with ease, Princess Celestia used her magic to enter the dream realm alongside Sally and Sassy. There various bubbles floated around them, each representing and showcasing the dream of a different pony. 

Just after the three had disappeared, Ushari wearing his doctor coat quickly slithered out of the room with a vial of Twilight's blood. Upon exiting the room he is finds Scar waiting for him with two more blood vials in his possession along with Starlight, Shupavu, and Njano so he can group teleport themselves out of here.





A few in particular caught her eye: Applejack was dreaming of herself as a foal under her parent’s care. Discord (interestingly) was dreaming about having a pillow fight with The Smooze in a normal well-behaved fashion. Princess Cadence dreaming of herself along with a small figure being DJ’s, wearing matching black shades and sitting atop a turntable as Cadence bobbed her head to the beat of the music. And Gummy appeared to be dreaming of himself as a king, perched atop a pile of gold and holding a royal scepter in his mouth.

Even though it has been so long, it all brings back memories for the sun princess herself while at the same time the cheetahs were looking on at the fascinating and interesting things everyone’s dreaming about with so many questions to ask about it if they could. But their real focus was the dream of Fuli and the male cheetah that was once here in the Pride Lands both looking in each other's eyes while racing side by side together like they are the perfect cheetahs for each other. Thicker than water. Stronger than glue. Like peanut butter and chocolate together forever. It was like true love at first sight for them which sadly was crushed long ago due to their friends petty disputes with one another.

Upon seeing that sight had both cheetahs looking on with a regretful realization and great guilt surfacing up on their remorse-filled faces as their insensitive actions towards Fuli both past and present without realizing it cost her that wonderful feeling and paved way to her current attitude that only softened when she befriended Kion and the Lion Guard and then later Twilight and the Pony Guard.

"This is great! Now I just need to help ponies with their nightmares. And they're not actually real so that shouldn't be a problem!" She boasted to herself before realizing once more. "Oh, you're talking to yourself again, princess. 

"You sure are!" Sassy was quick to remark. "If other ponies and lions hear you talking like that they will think you're crazy."

"Thanks for the tip." Sally sarcastically remarked finding it to be completely unnecessary.

"What?" Sassy briefly looked at her confused. "No, I wasn't talking about you."

Suddenly before it could devolve into an brief argument, Celestia heard a scream of fright. Knowing who’s scream that was she quickly rushed over to the source of said pony now having a bad dream. And since she was the only one who could access the dream realm it was her responsibility to help said pony out to which she quickly did without hesitation. Instantly she leaped into action, heading towards the source ready to tackle it head on.





Said pony suffering a bad dream turned out to be Twilight, who was screaming as she appeared to falling down an endless hole. All the while pancake faces not unlike the ones Princess Celestia had made yesterday were staring at her, repeating over and over again, "I care." in a way that sounded more menacing in the dream than it had ever sounded than originally. She continued to fall downwards, until she finally landed on a bed of lavender flowers. But it was only momentarily when she fell through the flowers as if they were the surface of a deep body of water.

When she truly stopped falling, Twilight found herself staring an angry Kion who is showing absolute fury in her direction as evident by the gritting teeth he is currently sporting.

“You lied to me Twilight! Not only did you put everyone’s lives in danger but you also betrayed us all!”

“But…no…Kion. I didn’t! It wasn’t like that! You don’t understand!” She desperately pleaded. But his mind was resolute in the matter for he had already turned his back on her. “Please! No! Kion!...” She screamed as tears streamed from her face along with seeing the horrible sight of her friends and loved ones plummeting to their fiery demise into a pit of lava courtesy of none other than Scar.

“Sisi Ni Sawa, Twilight!” He laughed madly before quickly moving to backhand her away from the volcano and towards a stream of flowing lava while relishing at the sight of her screaming to her demise.

From there Princess Celestia had seen enough as she entered her dream and landed in front of Twilight, changing the environment to the throne room of Canterlot. 

"Twilight!" She exclaimed with motherly comfort. "It's okay, you’re safe now! It was all just a bad dream!"

But even seeing a loving figure right in front of her had Twilight continuing her sobbing... "None of this was supposed to happen! When I set up this get together at dinner last night, it was only meant to help both you and Luna bond more, and the same for Fuli along both Sally and Sassy, not further drive you all apart.“

“What are you talking about?”

“How did you ruin a friendship that has already been fractured?”

Both cheetahs asked like they really don’t understand why.

She further cried in devastation. “If you and Princess Luna can't see why you need each other then..." She gulped as she trailed off when...

"Then I am back!" A familiar voice cackled as the past and familiar figure suddenly appeared before them after literally ripping a hole in the dream fabric. Someone that no one would ever expect to see again. "At last, free again!" Nightmare Moon declared with a devilish grin.

Celestia threw up a wing and a force field to shield Twilight, Sally, and Sassy. "Don’t worry Twilight!" She assured her former student. "I know how to handle Nightmare Moon!"

But just then a voice that sounded like Celestia called out from the shadows. "Is that so? I think the more accurate question to ask is can you handle the likes of me?!" Said figure emerged from the shadows and revealed herself as an exact look-alike of Princess Celestia but with a fiery red and orange mane, tail, and décor, and looked more like a copy of Nightmare Moon.

Princess Celestia reeled back in surprise as her eyes widen in horror at the very sight. "No, it can't be!"

“What?”

“How?”

Both Sally and Sassy breathlessly uttered equally horrified.





The evil Celestia cackled in response as she approached her good counterpart. "Oh it is, Celestia! And I assure you all it’s very, very real. I mean if Princess Luna can turn into Nightmare Moon, you can absolutely turn into me, Daybreaker. The better, stronger, and if I'm being completely honest, much prettier version of you."

Sassy felt the need to beg to differ. “Um, no offense but how is becoming evil make you better than before let alone prettier. I mean shouldn’t evil turn you into being ugly? I mean hello? What you really need to do is…”

“SILENCE!” She shouted as Sassy finds herself scorched and burned by Daybreaker’s fiery magic much to Twilight, Sally, and Celestia’s horror.

“Is it hot in here or what…” Sassy uttered before falling back and passing out.

“Sassy!” Sally cried out before turning to the fiery alicorn feeling furious herself for that unjustified attack. “You fiend! You hurt my friend. You’re not a princess you’re a bully and a liar!”

“Oh is that right?!” Daybreaker returned with false modesty.  “I’m sorry here…” She offered. “…let me help you see clearly!” She suddenly flashed a bright blinding light in her direction sent directly in her eyes.

“MY EYES!” She screamed while covering them with her paws and falling backwards with the inability to see due to its powerful glare. “THEY’RE BURNING!”

“That’s right! Because I’m burning hot with beauty just like yours truly.” Daybreaker tauntingly remarked in her good counterpart’s direction which proved to be more than enough to enrage her good counterpart to spurring to action while Twilight tends to both Sally and Sassy.

“Enough! You will cease your attack now and so will you Nightmare Moon. I defeated you once and I can do it again!” She firmly and furiously declared.

Daybreaker scoffed in response to her defiance. "Ha! You don’t have the power to defeat me! Not as long you keep holding on to the very idea of allowing kindness into your heart and allowing yourself others to hold yourself down from your true potential. You don't need anypony. You can do whatever you want. And all you have to do is get rid of anypony who stands in your way!” With enough said on her part she then turned her attention to Nightmare Moon and quickly hurled a massive fireball which sent her flying backwards upon impact. But being her equal Nightmare Moon was quick to recover from it. "I never should've banished you, oh sister of mine. I should've destroyed you when I had the chance!"

“And so should I when I had that chance!” Nightmare bitterly returned. “Instead of spending the last thousand years of my life constantly staying in your shadow! You overrated, overacting ham! In fact, while we’re at why don’t you give it a REST!” She shouted fiery an ice blue burst of magic right at her which struck her in the chest and knocked her downwards similar to how she did the same to the actual Celestia a thousand years ago. “Your resistance is impressive, but pointless! You cannot withstand my superior powers forever! Unless of course you plan on smiling me to smithereens! Even you my sister, are zero compared to me!”

Now infuriated by Luna’s evil alter-ego, Daybreaker roared as she charged head on towards Nightmare Moon where they proceeded to trade blasts of magic with one another where the two proved to be evenly matched as neither one of them gained the edge on one another.

Princess Celestia moved and tried in vain to break up the fight between the two evil alicorns to no avail despite briefly separating them. Much like with Twilight just now they didn't even acknowledge her.

"Ugh, so much black. We get it, you're upset," Daybreaker sarcastically remarked. "You know what I think, I think you could really use some SUN!" She proceeded to fire off another magic blast in Nightmare Moon's direction once more.

All while this was happening Twilight continued bury her teary-eyed face in her hooves with great shame upon seeing what could happen is starting to become a reality before her very eyes while Celestia herself is unsure of how to handle this but she knows for a fact that she is on her own given that she has Luna’s powers right now not her own. Speaking of which…

At the same time, Princess Luna for once is having her own dream during the night. One that is certainly giving her quite some trouble sleeping comfortably tonight and it involves a certain group of children from Las Pegasus chanting with pointed hoofs in her direction.

"That smile's too wide. It's obviously a lie."

When Luna was able to turn herself around she found herself face to face with the children, all of them looking at her very, very sadly to make her feel even more guilty that she already is right now.

"Princess, why don't you want us to go on our field trip? Don't you want us to be happy?" The filly who Luna stood next to her sadly asked 

"I don't!" Luna innocently protested and then gasped in horror when she saw two of her front teeth fall out! She quickly corrected herself even more of her teeth started to fall out even more. "I mean, no! It was an accident! I would never ever dream of doing anything hurtful towards you all and I’m not a dream killer!”

But the children weren’t convinced for they continued to circle around her and further chanted. "That smile's too wide. It's obviously a lie."

Suddenly and much to her relief she saw her own sister Princess Celestia appear before her. She quickly hugged her upon seeing her having dropped their most recent quarrel entirely. "Celestia, oh, I'm so glad to see you right now!" Instantly she was pulled through the mirror and into Twilight's dream (all while regaining all of her teeth in the process). Instantly, Luna was able to see what was happening and going on in her mind upon seeing the devastated and sobbing mare with both the knocked out cheetahs by her side. “Is this…”

“I’m afraid so, sister.” Celestia regretfully nodded in reply. “It’s Twilight’s Sparkle’s. She’s afraid this is what will and is going to happen if we continue to fight."

"If you don't fix this soon, it could have grave consequences in Twilight’s psyche. Consequences that’ll leave permanent damage to her psyche that not even a simple act of kindness or any element from the magic of friendship can heal." Luna could only advise her sister.

“But how?! My magic just isn’t powerful enough do it, mine’s nothing compared to yours here.” Celestia cried as she confessed. “I was wrong! Your job is incredibly hard! You have to battle nightmares and work in the darkness and do it all alone!"

“Like I too had it any easier.” Luna in returned as she too confessed. "I walked in a day in your shoes and all I thought you had to do was smile and be adored all the time…but I was wrong too. There is so much more to it than that." Luna confessed in reply. "It takes so much composure not to put up with all of that 24/7 for a thousand years." Then she changed the subject back to the nightmare in front of them. "But even still I can't help you here if I wanted too…” She gestured to the sun cutie mark on her flank. “I still have your magic, remember. It won't work in the dream realm. It has to be you to put end to this once and for all."

“I can’t.” Her sister cried in defeat.

The night princess shook her head and pressed a hoof to her sister's chest. "You can. Trust yourself much like I trust you now. There you’ll find and have the strength you need in order to defeat her." She then observed as Daybreaker appeared to have landed a decisive and injuring blow to Nightmare Moon, leaving the evil dark coated alicorn on the floor and struggling just to get to her hooves. “Good luck!”

“Now!” Daybreaker triumphantly declared as she worked up her magic to deliver the final blow. “Insolent peasent! Prepare to DIE!”

“Celestia! Luna! NO!” Twilight screamed with the memory of her nearly killing her brother replaying in her mind just looking at it.

But just as Daybreaker fired off a blast of magic and Nightmare Moon countered with a blast of her own, Celestia stepped between the two and used her wings to block the powerful beams just before they could connect. 

“Enough!” Celestia declared with her voice echoing across the dream. Said voice managed to wake up both Sally and Sassy just when they began regaining their senses. “This fight is over!”

“You don’t have the power to destroy me, Celestia!” Daybreaker defiantly hissed back. “I'm everything you've ever wanted to be!"

"No, you are not! You are not real." Celestia defiantly and firmly stated to her evil counterpart. "And you will never exist again!" She then used her wings to push the magic blasts back towards the evil alicorns thus causing them to vanquish in a golden flash of light.

“NO! NOOOOOOOOO!” Daybreaker furiously screamed. “The power of good is a curse, Celestia! You’ll see! SISI NI SAWAAA!"

Exhausted but triumphant, the sun princess collapsed on the floor of the dream throne room. Her younger sister smiled and cheered while kneeling down at her eye level. "You did it! Well done, sister. And I got to say, that’s quite impressive for a first timer after so many years outside the dream realm."

"Only because you were here to help me, Luna," The day alicorn sighed thinking little about her victory. "I don't know how you do this and every night."

“It just takes practice.” Luna humbly replied before asking. “So, um, did you...talk to yourself?"

Celestia looked aside as she admitted. "Um a little, Yes...do you?"

“Yep.” Luna nodded.

At that moment Twilight finally lifted her head and opened her eyes to see the sight of both sisters hugging each other warmly. "Is this really happening... real?" She worryingly asked out loud. "Or is this all a dream?"

The two sisters both turned to her with Luna being the first to speak. "This is indeed a dream, Twilight Sparkle and everything is all right now. You’ll wake up and see that everyone is safe and unharmed. But one thing is for sure, what you are seeing in regards to us, it is all indeed real."

Celestia then added pegging the big question on their minds. "But if you honestly saw how badly strained our relationship was, why didn't you tell us, Twilight?” 

Ashamed, Twilight tried her hardest to look at her former mentor in the eyes as she confessed. "I'm so sorry, I didn’t mean for all of this to happen, really!" She apologized. "It’s just…” She had to calm herself down before continuing. “Ever since I was a filly I've looked up to you. You guided me and given me knowledge and advice and friendship even when I was at a low point in my life back when I was starting off as one of your students back in magic kindergarten. After seeing what happened to you both a thousand years ago along with what happened to me recently. I wanted nothing more than to try to peacefully resolve it before history could repeat. I know what I did was wrong. I should have told you both the truth but after seeing you both fight the other day convinced myself that none of my efforts would work. So I thought to myself that the best way was to handle this quietly so that by the end of the day it’s like it all never happened. But we all saw how that turned out as things instead got out of control."

Celestia softly but sternly sighed. "You had good intentions Twilight, but you should know by now that the truth is always better than a well-meant lie. I mean yes, we do fight ever now and then, but it’s a part of life. Relationships whether between a friend or a lover is nothing without honesty. Even I’m not perfect, I’ve broken plenty of times. If you had just told us right from the start, then this whole mess could have been avoided and we won’t have gone through the whole swapped roles and cutie marks."

“I…I will try.” Twilight said as she wiped off the last of her tears away before looking at both sisters in the eyes. “Can you at least forgive me?”

“Of course, dear Twilight.” Luna gently replied with a warm smile. “How could we not?”

“Well…” Sassy tried to say before being interrupted with a paw to her mouth courtesy of Sally.

“…don’t answer that.”

The three alicorns all got together for a group hug together as the sun began to rise in the walking world just when Twilight’s dream finally came to a peaceful end.





In a flash of light Princess Celestia, Sally, and Sassy all found themselves back in the real world, feeling rather groggy and exhausted. 

“Ooh… what a night.”

“I know. And just like that here is the sunrise.”

Both cheetahs commented after the whole experience.

“Couldn’t have said it any better.” Celestia commented in agreement.

Just then Princess Luna along with Fuli, Twilight, and Kion all came to greet them.

“Welcome back, dear sister." She warmly smiled. "I know you had a long night, so I thought I'd return the favor and make breakfast for you to enjoy." She then offered up a plate of rather stale and crusty looking pancakes.

Celestia reluctantly took a bite from the offered stack. Truthfully they were really bad, but she forced herself to swallow them and smile as she told her sister. "They're... delicious."

Luna saw through the ruse immediately and laughed. "I know that face. What did you just talk to Twilight just recently?" And then she added. "They're not delicious at all, are they? I know you have to put on a face and pretend to be interested in what those stuffy delegates have to say day in and day out, but you don't have to do it for me."

The sun princess smiled as she then admitted. "In that case, these are terrible," She tossed the bad pancakes over the balcony along with the plate which shattered upon landing on the ground. "I’ll teach you first thing tomorrow morning on how make them, that is of course when I’m well rested."

“I can wait until then.” Luna replied very accepting of her wishes.

“Me too.” Fuli said in agreement before turning to both cheetahs.  “However, I do have something that needs to be said now before you both retire for the night.” She took a deep calming breath before continuing. “Sally, Sassy, I’m sorry for the way I acted towards you both ever since you found me. I was so distraught over losing a friend that I could never find it in my heart to forgive you both for driving him away and refused to believe that you both were truly sincere and regretful for what happened back then. So, can you both at least try to forgive me? I’ll understand if you say no.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Of course we forgive you!”

“Really?”

“Heck yeah!” Sassy firmly assured. “What kind of friends would that make us?”

“Pretty lousy friends, I guess.”

“Oh, stop!” Sassy laughed it off along with Sally taking great humor in Fuli’s sass-back.

“That said we too would like to apologize for how insensitive we were back then. Up until now we never understood why you truly were upset with us. If only we had realized that sooner we would have chased after him or better yet stopped our needless quarrelling before that could even happen. Then you never would have lost the potential love of your life.”

“What?” Fuli blinked in surprise with her cheeks turning pink. “I never told you both that?!” She then mentally cursed herself upon realizing what she just said.

“You didn’t.” Sally turned to the sun princess. “Thanks to a trip to the dream realm, we figured it out from there.”

“And truth be told, Fuli, we didn’t spend all of that time away from the Pride Lands just to live the life of tourism, but part of was trying to find him and apologize for driving him away from us.” Sassy added as the recalled their travelling journeys together. “We looked every possible area he might of ran off too, but found no trace no whiff of him.”

Sally then spoke next. “That said we’re really sorry for breaking your heart back then. If only we had taken the time to fully understand that before it even began none of this would have happened.”

“Sassy…” Fuli spoke to get her stop talking before she could go on and on with her apology. “…it’s okay. We were all young back then, and you both didn’t know. Not everyone at that age can be expected to know any better.” She then sighed. “But is still painful knowing that he is long gone.”

“Maybe, maybe not.” Sassy optimistically said otherwise. “Maybe you’ll find him someday and who knows maybe you’ll reunite with your one true love again.”

Fuli’s cheeks then turned red. “Sassy!”

“Come on, Fuli.” Sassy gave her a friendly nudge. “No offense, you know full well that you are not going to find another cheetah like him in a hundred years.”

“Trust us on this one…” Luna chimed in. “…we know. We looked.”

Fuli then turned back to the girls. “In the meantime at least I know you girls both tried for me and that’s the thought that counts.”

The three friends now fully having their friendship rekindled got together for a warm group hug for the first time in years to which all three cheetahs kindly returned the embrace with one another much to the delight and proud smiles of their friends standing before them watching on with Twilight even shedding tears of joy at the sight just when the alicorn sisters cutie marks returned to normal.

“Well said, Fuli.” Luna complimented and then yawned. “And since I got a rescheduled photo shoot with the children of Las Pegasus coming up, I’m going to get some much needed rest before that happens. After I did promise myself that I would never disappoint them again." She flew off just seconds after she and Celestia had their cuties marks return to normal.

“And I’ve got my daily royal duties to attend to.” Celestia said as she blinked with tired eyes. “Twilight, Kion, would you both kindly assist with me with my schedule and in case if I start to fall asleep on the job?”

“Of course, Princess Celestia.”

“Be more than happy to.”

“Thank you, both.”

As Kion walked by the princess’s side along with the cheetahs, Twilight ran off ahead so she can fetch the schedule along with another pot of coffee since it’s pretty clear that Celestia’s day has only just begun.

As she was making her way to do so, she then pondered of what she witnessed and felt back then and couldn’t fully understand what was really happening back there. But she knew for certain that it was no accident that it just happened on it’s on. For she correctly knows somehow this is Scar’s doing.





Speaking of said lion/alicorn…

“Well done, Ushari, Starlight, and skinks.” He commended upon possessing the blood vials in his magical grasp.

“But we didn’t get to break up their friendship back there.” Starlight complained. “We were so close!”

“I know.” Scar calmly understood her frustration. “But you know we couldn’t more about it even if we wanted to.”

“I know. But why did we go through with all of that anyways? It’s like we came back with nothing.”

“Not true, Starlight. And that’s because…” Scar showed her the vials they’ve obtained during their secret visit there. “…with the power and magic inside of them these will prove to be the gateway to many victories to come and you know what’s coming next?” He showed her the visual of the purple alicorn princess puzzled and pondering in thought with what happened the last 24 hours.

“I’ll give you a hint…” Njano interjected. “…it’s something very, very, bad.”

“And it involves lots and lots of fire.” Shupuavu added sinisterly while eyeing the lava pit in front of them.

Starlight took one good look at it before smiling wickedly upon remembering what is soon to come for her arch-enemy and its right around the corner. “Yes. Yes I do.”

“Well said, Starlight.” Ushari said in agreement.

“Great.” Scar nodded in satisfaction as he eyes the many tired eyes around both kingdoms along with the peacefully sleeping Princess Luna. “And all that is left now is to let everyone have a good night’s sleep before the big day. A day where it all started for me.” He eyed the room where the whole war started, the place where he made his appearance well known to the public and to the Royal Family along with the Lion and Pony Guard for the very first time. “A day that’ll soon end for Twilight…” He then chuckled to himself as he sported an evil smirk as the days toward D-Day are now counting down, one by one…