//------------------------------// // Phase Six // Story: Between Day and Night // by Davesknd //------------------------------// *This Fic has been beta-read by the great ALSilvertongue. Let us all thank him* Her strength had abandoned her almost completely now. Twilight was barely aware of Celestia’s magic wrapping around her and lifting her gently from the floor. There was a flash and the softness of Celestia’s bed caressed her from below. The unicorn let out a sigh and rolled over, settling herself for sleep. A thought crossed her head and she let out a giggle. “Celestia is so pretty...” the tired pony muttered, smiling broadly. “Thank you.”Celestia replied. Twilight’s eyes shot open. This time, all parts of her body that demanded sleep simply threw their hoofs up, concluded that striking only works when the boss gives a darn about the company and went for some ATP in the cantina, allowing Twilight complete clarity. “Princess! You came with me?” the unicorn asked in shock. “I had to make sure you got to bed safely, right?” Celestia answered gently and gave Twilight’s cheek a soft nuzzle. “So... you think your princess is pretty?” the alicorn asked and traced her muzzle over her student’s cheek, coming close to her lips. “Ce-Celestia, I-” Twilight muttered, her cheeks burning brighter than the sun “You are beyond description! I could never see enough of you! You’re, you’re-”” the unicorn thought of the most romantic thing she could imagine “You are the positive end of the beauty bell curve! No, you are the lim->Infinity of beauty!” “Oh, Twilight! You are so naughty!” the princess answered with a giggle and closed in on the unicorn again. “I admit, my mind is on curves too... you have developed so well.” Celestia cooed, her eyes shining with impish glee. And before Twilight could formulate another thought, Celestia kissed her. For a moment, the unicorn’s eyes were close to popping out, just before her body relaxed and she gave into the kiss... Celestia’s soft lips were gently moving against hers, as the princess slowly climbed onto the bed. This was amazing! This had to be a dream! And it was! *Meanwhile in reality* “Oh, Twilight, you flatterer...” the sun princess giggled softly. After she had teleported the unicorn and herself to the unicorn’s bed, the smaller pony had rolled over, muttered something about Celestia being pretty and instantly fell asleep. Now the supreme ruler of Equestria was again alone with a sleeping unicorn. The princess leaned in to her student’s head and gave her a gentle nuzzle on the cheek. “Thank you for such a wonderful afternoon, my dear friend...” she whispered softly. A gentle smile formed on the unicorn’s lips. Celestia once more found herself facing conflicting emotions. Every second of her life, every moment awake or asleep had been dedicated to allow ponies like Twilight this: peaceful rest. She had done many things in ensure that in the past... she had imprisoned a legion of evil creatures in Tartarus, turned Discord into stone, cast King Sombra down into the icy pits of the north, even faced her own sister. All for ponies like Twilight. The sun princess bit her lip. She could feel her heart beat faster. Last night, when she awoke and found Twilight resting next to her, she had not been able to resist embracing her. Knowing that the smaller creature was safe and secure in her arms and feeling her calm and relaxed breathing made the princess’ heart sing. But that was not the whole reason, was it? Twilight had truly grown into a wonderful mare over time. Not just in body, but rather in mind. All the time she had spent in Ponyville, in the company of her friends had turned the awkward bookworm into a competent, sharp and witty... well... still bookworm. The sun princess couldn’t help but marvel at how much joy she felt when her student opened up and simply let go of those accursed formalities. Celestia discarded her shoe and slowly ran a hoof through the unicorn’s mane. Twilight stirred slightly and unconsciously leaned into the hoof. The battle within the solar goddess started anew. How she wanted to just slip next to Twilight and put her wing over her. Blanket her with her plumes and spend the hours in her presence. Quietly, the alicorn put her shoe back on, conjured up her sunglasses and turned to leave. While such thoughts were endlessly alluring, today, she had not earned this pleasure. As the princess left the room, she could literally feel how the joy remained with the unicorn and something else filled her. Quickly, she put on her sunglasses, headed outside into the gardens and towards the next fountain. With a blink of magic, she grabbed a large orb of water, spread her wings and headed into the sky. Far above the towers of her castle, she focused on the water until it started to boil in her grasp. After just a moment, a cloud of steam remained and after a few nudges, a nice cloud sofa hovered next to Celestia. She took a seat and looked down onto her kingdom. It was late afternoon and her subjects were about to finish their daily duties and head home. Everything seemed so peaceful. The sun princess closed one eye and looked at a beautiful building in the noble districts. She could see a few servants work late in the garden. They were probably trying to get some additional bits for this year’s hearth’s warming eve. Suddenly a giant hoof came from the heaven and stomped onto the house. “OH NO! The master’s house! Quick! Save the silver!” “And the master?” “Nah! He was a jerk anyways...” Celestia yelled, asked and answered in a mock servant-voice and slowly lowered the hoof further, just a few centimetres in front of her eye. After a few minutes of “stomping” onto buildings, the princess let out a sigh. Even a game of Perspective-Godzilla could not cheer her up right now. It was a taste. A taste that she had known for a long time and while she could sometimes avoid it, eternity meant dealing with it again and again. It was the bitter taste of defeat. Celestia was no stranger to being beaten. The thought that she could be killed didn’t even occur to her anymore. Every being capable of defeating her was at least wise enough to understand that the sun itself would die with the princess. That was why even Crysalis had simply imprisoned her. Had planned to force her to raise and lower the life-giving sphere from inside a cocoon, probably by holding her subjects hostage. But she had lost other battles before. Even the solar princess had her limits after all. Over time, she had learned to live with the fact of being immortal but not all powerful. Sometimes a pony or being would simply overpower or outsmart her and force her to swallow humiliation’s brew. Then she would look for help, plan a new strategy or look for greater power. For Celestia, defeat was never the end. At least not the end of herself. But today, she felt that she had almost lost Twilight. There were many dangerous spells in the world of Equestria, but teleportation spells were the most dangerous legal ones. They were among the last spells a scholar learned and most average unicorns never learned them at all. One needed perfect control over ones magic to not damage the magical field of the teleported. Even a small mistake could burn the participants while re-entering reality, fuse their legs with the ground or worse... When she felt Twilight resisting her grip, she almost cried out and when the pony’s hold on the sun suddenly collapsed, she expected that Twilight had lost consciousness, shattered her horn, killed her outright or much, much worse. It had taken her a few minutes to reset the sun onto its path. Much longer than it would have taken, but she had to start again twice, when she was about to let it drift and go after her friend. But she had called herself back to duty again and again. Finally, she was done and followed after Twilight, but those minutes were worse than the entire Changeling invasion. It wasn’t so much the thought of losing Twilight. She would lose Twilight, just as she had lost almost every pony she knew. Immortality’s price was eternal loss. It was the thought of losing Twilight now, on this day and long before her time had come. Time they could spend together... Celestia repeated the thought in her head and let out a groan: Again, the princess of the sun had been beaten. The one force that was even beyond Celestia had struck her and left its mark. Love! Uncaring, unforgiving and merciless as only love could be. The arrows of cupid were sharp and his aim was always true. You could walk years without love, but suddenly, it would jump you, grab you and never let you go! It was a lot like a tax collector in that regard. It was sickeningly clear now: Twilight meant more to the princess than her duty did. Of course, Celelstia would never abandon her post, but she recognized that feeling. The feeling that the sun rose for Twilight first. And she also knew that fighting it was useless. It didn’t matter if it was fired from Chrysalis jagged horn or came from within her heart, love could beat her. She had seen it before and learned to accept it. But what truly irked her was the fact that her sister had seen it before the older alicorn. Then again, Luna had access to the dreaming. Basically, she had cheated. Should Celestia really listen to Luna? “You take two days off and you are already destroying my kingdom?” a familiar voice asked from below. Celestia turned to see her sister levitating her own instant-cloud (just add magic) with her. The solar princess stuck out her tongue as Luna took place. “I call dibs on Blueblood’s mansion!” the dark sister announced. “Second day alone in court and you already want to destroy your realm?” the sun princess teased. “Only the nobles...” Luna answered with a sigh “To me it was just a few months ago when their ancestors earned their titles with bravery, smarts and valour... and now look at them.” “That bad?” “You have no idea...” the moon princess moaned and started crushing Blueblood manor. “I think I do.” Celestia answered and let out a sigh herself “They are not all bad. Just look at Fancypants and his wife.” “What a coincidence that you mention him. He actually came to court today to bring me a congratulatory card, signed by his whole staff and wished me a good rule.” Luna said with a bit of a smile. “I just wish the good ones were a bit louder...” “I do the same thing every day.” The sun princess said and looked at her realm. A few moments passed. “I do not envy you anymore, sister...” Luna said after a while “But I will still earn their love!” Celestia smiled and flapped her wing once to gently bump her cloud into Luna’s. She leaned over and nuzzled the other alicorn sisterly. “I’m happy that we are this close again.” The white princess whispered. It was true. Luna was not the enemy. And Celestia would do her best to keep it that way. “Me too.” The dreaming’s ferry mare answered with a nuzzling of her own. “Are you enjoying your free time?” “I am indeed.” The solar lady answered with a sliver of doubt. “You don’t sound completely sure. Is something the matter?” “I admit that I am feeling conflicted, sister." Celestia admitted and rested her head on the cloud. “Maybe it is time you visit the five.” Luna suggested gently. “It used to help you a lot in the past...” The alabaster regent looked at her sister in surprise. “It has been a while.” She admitted, an idea forming in her head “Maybe it is time to see them again.” “I’m always happy to inspire you, sister.” The dark lady grinned back. “Excuse me for now. This was a nice break, but there is still some governing to do.” Luna let herself fall from the cloud and soared down, back to the castle. Celestia looked after her, still slightly distressed about her newly realized emotions, but happy that she had a sister like Luna. *Later in Twilight’s room* A shriek awoke Twilight from her slumber. Groggily, the unicorn looked around and heard a muffled voice through the door. “IRON ORE? Are they crazy?” an unfamiliar voice almost yelled. “Not so loud! We bring the guests what they desire! That’s why we are royal maids! Now help me figure out where we get a lump of ore from!” another voice answered a bit softer. “Try the ground...” Twilight muttered and shook the sleep from her head. A quick glance at the clock revealed that it was about 7pm. The unicorn stood up and quickly combed the nap out of her mane. Soon, dinner would be served and she wanted to look good for Cele... “Horseapples!” the mare cussed “I wanted to plot my confession and I have nothing!” She quickly looked around. MIRROR! “Mirror Twilight!” the unicorn cried in bliss and looked straight at her reflection. “Mirror Twilight, you have to help me! I need to find a way to confess my love to Celestia!” Her reflection only moved with her. “Mirror Twilight?” the mare asked and cocked her head to the side. To her dismay, the other mare did the same. “Come on, I know that you can talk to me! I need your help!” Twilight pleaded “Pleeeeeeease!” The pleading grin from her reflection infuriated the unicorn. “WHY DO I HAVE TO TURN SANE RIGHT NOW? TALK TO ME!” she demanded from the mirror. After jumping up and down, back and forth and trying to talk backwards, since it was a mirror and it always spelled things backwards, so why not try, she was as far as before. “BUCKING MIRROR! SPEAK! TO! ME!” Twilight yelled and in the anger, a bolt of purple energy escaped her horn. The mirror distorted, as if someone had thrown a stone into a pond and suddenly, she looked into the eyes of Princess Luna. Twilight took a step backwards and a second pony appeared in the mirror. She had seen him before... when she had first come to Ponyville. “Report, Red!” the princess demanded. “Princess?” Twilight asked in surprise, but Luna didn’t seem to notice. “I managed to intercept Sweetie Belle when she ran out of the boutique, screaming fire and brimstone.” The stallion answered “Apparently, this really hot fashion designer had a stroke or something. I told her to get that one former model that works as an animal caretaker and have a look at her. Spike was the last one to find out about the incident.” There was a pause “It just occurred to me how many pretty mares are in this town.” Twilight’s eyes grew wider. What was going on? “We hope they do not distract you from your mission.” “No, princess! I even got myself help. I recruited A.B. and her friends as Cutie Mark Crusader Detectives.” Worry invaded Luna’s eyes. “Are you sure that they will not endanger your cover? And wouldn’t you appear suspicious, spending so much time with foals?” “Don’t worry. They are well known for weird plots, Applebloom is my cousin and they used to be mascots in our cult, so nobody wonders if I hang out with them.” The cult again? What were these ponies up to? “If you say so.” Luna answered with a nod “Speaking of: Autumn stopped to mention them when counting members. May we inquire why?” “They said they wanted something more adventurous. So they started some Arkham exploring thing. But honestly, I can’t see it. There just are no millennia old gods who descend from the heavens, talk via dreams and promise eternal darkness after centuries of slumber, right?” Luna cocked her head to the side. “OH! Right...” he answered after an awkward pause “Red out!” The moon princess nodded and after a few seconds, her visage disappeared. Twilight swallowed. Celestia had been worried about Luna’s behaviour and apparently, she was right! Twilight had to inform her friend that Nightmare Moon was back and she had helpers now. She had to openly uncover this sinister conspiracy and destroy the usurper now or... “Wait!” Twilight stopped herself, a painful memory from shortly before the Changeling Invasion destroying her trail of thought “I have no clues or evidence besides seeing her talk to this relative of Applejack who is in Ponyville! And he even helped out!” If she went on and accused Luna now, she could hurt the relationship between the two sisters. Worse, if she was completely off, she could possibly sever the wonderful bond she was forging with Celestia! “I have to be patient and take my time!” she concluded “I’ll keep my eyes open and look into it, but I won’t accuse anypony! It’s time to practice what I preached to Pinkie!” “That’s a great idea!” “I know!” Twilight said and stopped. Who was answering now? She found her reflection move out of order again. “Oh, now you show up!” “I was always here, silly! I don’t move, since I’m a mirror.” The mirror mare answered. “But you were not helping!” “Oh, I help all the time. Especially with seeing yourself! What other help would you need from a mirror?” “I need your opinion. I want to confess my feelings to Celestia.I love her and I want to tell her, but I’m not sure how. But I am not sure how.” Twilight admitted. The reflection grinned back at her. “A confession? That is great! About time you went straight! Or rather queer...” “Let’s not go into the details, please!” Twilight dejected “Just help me figure out how to confess.” “Hmm... how big is your crush?” “You know that!” Twilight answered with a bit of a blush. “Oh, come on. Say it! How can you tell the princess if you can’t tell me?” “I love her! I want to make her happy and see her smile every day! I want to be the one to share her joy and her pain!” Twilight admitted quietly “I love her... I love, love, love her!” The mirror mare grinned back at her. “Then you should have a nice big dinner, maybe ask a few helpful questions and tell her exactly what you feel tomorrow after breakfast. When you are well rested, your bellies are full and you both feel happy, it won’t be too difficult!” “Wouldn’t it be more romantic over dinner?” “It’s fall. Evenings are too cold and windy right now and you are going for the sun princess after all. What is more romantic that the thousand colours of the leaves and the sun turning the world golden?” the mirror mare asked with a smile. “I didn’t know my subconscious could be so romantic...” Twilight muttered. “Anyways, thank you a lot.” “No problemo!” the mirror saluted back, grinning widely. Twilight wondered again. Maybe the happy afternoon had completely overcharged her subconscious. “Anyway, I should get to dinner. See you...” she stated and turned to leave. The mirror mare looked after her for a while and let out a giggle. “Oh, Twi, Twi, Twi...” she giggled, raised a hoof and removed her horn “And I just wanted to see how you scream when the mirror talks to you.” She added and shook the wig off her head. “Now I have such insights into your heart...” Her hoof smeared away some of the purple colour on her face. “And soon I get to plan another royal wedding or at least true love party.” The mirror went back to normal as an “Okie Dokie Lokie” echoed through the room. - On her way to the royal dining room, Twilight passed two maids who were laughing maniacally as the transported a huge lump of reddish mineral. The student decided to ignore them and entered the familiar hall. “Twilight, did you rest well?” chimed a happy voice from the table. Princess Celestia had already taken place and was smiling her usual calm smile at Twilight. Her eyes were hidden behind the pair of shades and several maids and a butler were preparing the table. “I did, thank you.” The unicorn answered and went over to her seat. For a moment, the two mares just looked at each other in silence, smiling happily. The moment ended as the servants entered with a huge covered plate. Twilight wondered for a moment what the princess had ordered for supper. The plate was exceptionally large. It had to be something fancy. This was royalty after all. The servants heaved the plate onto the table and started to raise the cover from the plate. “Pizza Equestria!” the butler announced loudly and a pizza with a radius of Twilight’s forearm was revealed. The unicorn’s eyebrows rose as she beheld the masterwork. Garlic and cheese were placed to form the silhouette of Celestia’s kingdom. Spinach formed the grass land, broccoli the woods, artichokes were the mountains, tomato sauce the rivers and lakes and olives marked the cities. Even the main trade routes were there, marked by strands of corn. A fried egg on the left and a piece of tofu on the right made a very impressive sun and moon. Twilight looked over to the Princess. To her surprise, the princess seemed a bit crestfallen. “I just wanted a pizza...” she almost lamented. “I would call this a pizza!” the smaller pony offered. “Yes, but it’s almost too pretty to eat.” Celestia explained as the pizza was cut into pieces. “But it smells too good not to eat!” Twilight stressed, feeling her mouth watering. She just noticed how hungry she was. The solar princess couldn’t help but giggle. “I have to agree. But what I really meant was the fact that the kitchen has, yet again, outperformed my expectations. Even when I order something simple, they... well, at least I won’t forget how my kingdom looks like.” “The cook laments that he did not make it in exact scale.” The butler added professionally and left the two ponies to their meal. Twilight took a good look at the princess. “You have issues enjoying it.” She stated flatly. “Sometimes, I just wonder if it is because they want a raise or because they think a princess only deserves the best.” The alicorn admitted and helped herself to a piece of the northern border. “From what I heard from Shiny, it is because they think that Celestia deserves nothing but the best.” The princess looked up. “You care about all of us. And I can’t speak for everyone, but most of us care as much for you!” the unicorn stated with a smile. Suddenly she caught what she had just said and hid her blush behind a slice of the Dragon Mountains. The princess studied the floating landscape for a second, hoping in vain to see the eating unicorn’s face behind it. The comment, combined with her earlier thoughts had sent a flutter through her heart and she was not sure what to make of it. “After dinner, I want to show you something, Twilight.” She stated finally. “Oh?” the unicorn wondered aloud “May I ask what?” “You will see...” Later that evening, Twilight was following Celestia rather slowly through the gardens. The unicorn had zoned out during the dinner, imagining what her mentor could possibly show her and paid no attention to her own hunger or rather, satiation. Now she was filled up to the brink with parts of the Equestrian landscape and carrying her heavy stomach around like a very pregnant Elephant. The alicorn on the other hoof still managed to keep a spring in her step, no matter how much she had eaten. A part of Twilight wondered if Celestia had actually thought of the pocket dimension idea before her... it would explain her divine figure and... Hmm... She noted the idea as possible compliment. They saw a few gardeners, who were busy changing the colour of the leaves with their magic, but most of the staff had already headed home. The sun was on the brink of the horizon as the princess led the two to her private gardens. Twilight had fond memories of studying under her mentor here. Maybe she would show her a new spell? The thought ignited Twilight’s imagination and forced a grin on her face. Finally they stopped before what appeared to be a round hedge with a gate on the side. The unicorn had to wonder: the hedge seemed as well kept as the rest of the gardens and the gate had no lock, yet she had never paid attention to this place. It seemed to be the most boring part of Celestia’s private realm. With a flick of magic, the sun princess opened the gate and urged Twilight to follow her inside. Twilight followed and found herself facing five statues, all of them depicting ponies. She was about to ask what this was all about, when something caught her eye: Unlike the ones in the royal statue garden, these statues seemed new, as if cut fresh from the marble. Now intrigued, she scanned the area more closely and found another weird fact: between the statues was a star shaped plate on the ground. From above, it would almost resemble her cutie mark! “What is this place, princess?” the unicorn finally asked, now truly intrigued. “And we were making such good progress...” the princess said with a sigh. “Sorry, Celestia.” “You are forgiven.” Celestia answered and walked to the middle of the place. “Believe it or not, these statues were the reason for terrible turmoil, when they were first revealed.” “But why?” the unicorn asked, now truly intrigued. The statues were very well made and detailed, but neither offensive, nor explicit in any way. “And how come they are in such good condition?” Twilight’s eyes suddenly shot open “Are the really ponies who were cursed to stone? Am I next? Did I not call you Celestia often enough? NO!” The unicorn started to shake and took a few steps back “The stories are true and you can only keep your immortality by draining young ponies off their life force and leaving their marble husks behind!” tears formed in her eyes “Ce... Celestia, I am ready! If I have to lay down my life for you and this realm, I shall!” she slowly closed her eyes “Please make it quick...” Celesita’s facehoof could shatter diamonds. “That is what I get for allowing freedom of art.” She groaned “They write silly stories about me being some kind of monster and rot my pupil’s brain!” “Then why are they in such a good condition and why did they cause an outrage.” “Luna and I used a powerful spell on these statues to make them immune to the perils of time.” Celestia explained “Those statues stood in our palace in the Everfree Forest and I had them transported here when I left it behind.” “Why are they so important?” Twilight wondered again, her curiosity almost getting tangible. “These statues represent what the Elements of Harmony can become.” Celestia explained and turned to the first statue. A tired looking stallion stood there in antique looking, plate armour. He leaned on a cracked shield and held a halberd, jagged by battles, in his hoof. Twilight could even see beats of sweat on his forehead, as he faced an unseen foe. “This is Loyalty and Betrayal.” Celestia spoke gently “The forsaken vanguard holds his post into eternity, even though neither reinforcements nor relief will ever come. He does not question his orders, even though those who gave them have long forgotten him. He reminds me that once I take loyalty for granted, I have no longer earned it.” The princess turned to the next statue. A mare cupped her hoofs before her mouth and seemed to yell out loud. Only after the second glimpse did Twilight see that her ears seemed swollen and full of little bite-marks and her giant tongue was forked and sharp as a razor. “Honesty and Lies. The yelling fool tells only truth, but expects to hear nothing but truth herself. She does not question what others tell her and spreads lies without knowing or understanding, even though she means only good. She reminds me that even the honest lie, if lied to.” The next statue was of a crowned stallion that grasped an amphora from which coins seemed to flow. He held it out to let them fall freely onto the ground. But his mouth formed a twisted grin and his eyes seemed angry and sunken in. “ Generosity and Greed.” Celestia elaborated “The spoiled prince gives everything he has, but not because he loves to share, but because he wants their gratitude. He would give everything to control and possess, not caring about those he gifts. He reminds me that even the most heartfelt generosity can turn to greed, if one stops giving and starts trading.” Celestia took a few steps and pointed at the next statue. A strong stallion sat on his haunch, his body covered in cuts and wounds. He covered half of his face with a hoof, while the other half showed a happy and genuine smile. At a closer look, his wounds seemed to have the form of teeth. The stallion was literally covered in smiles! “Laughter and Pain. The broken jester laughs and laughs, no matter how deep his wounds or how devastating his torment. He never told anyone about his pain and will never do, because if he keeps laughing, the world will laugh with him. And he knows that otherwise, the world would laugh at him. He reminds me that pain can be hidden behind even the most genuine smile.” The final statue was a mare covered in flowery wreaths. At first glance, she seemed to have a happy smile and held out a hoof in friendship. But all wreaths had thorns on the outside and her hoof was prolonged into a jagged mono-claw. “Kindness and cruelty. The twisted caretaker revels in the pain she sees and the suffering that surrounds her. She has forgotten how to live without pain and how to feel with those around her. Should there ever be no suffering around, she will cause it to sate her hunger. She reminds me that one who wants to help must be able to sympathize with those he wants to help and never become numb to the pain of others.” At some point during the lecture, Twilight’s mouth had opened and she now stared at the twisted statues around her. Celestia and Luna had been the original holders of the elements and she could see why those statues had caused an outrage. Unlike Discord’s corruption, they clearly made to be a lesson for the princesses. A small knot formed in the unicorn’s stomach as she fathomed the height of this hubris, yet the sun princess kept them here in her private garden and even made sure they would be with her for eternity. “Why did you show them to me?” She finally asked. Celestia smiled gently and took a step towards the smaller pony. “Because I wanted to show you that even the great and wonderful princess Celestia cannot do without some guidance. The artist understood and gave me this wonderful present even though others called him a traitor, a lunatic and a Jotun.” “A what?” “They were forefathers of the modern trolls. But I have spent much time amongst these silent companions, thinking about my actions and plans.” Again, Twilight’s mouth hung agape. “Twilight?” The alicorn asked gently, just to be suddenly tackled and hugged fiercely. The sun princess couldn’t help but giggle softly and rubbed the back of the unicorn’s head. “If you wanted to show me your fallibility, you have... ironically... failed!” Twilight said, while still making excessive use of her new right to hug her princess. “Knowing when to ask for help and guidance makes you even more amazing!” “Oh, Twilight... come... the statues are starting to blush...” Celestia joked helplessly, desperately hoping that their marble companions were the only ones watching. The smaller pony finally let her go, a huge blush on her cheeks. As she took a few step backwards, she let out a huge yawn. “Someone is still a little tired from spell casting.” “Heh... I think I really overdid it today.” The unicorn admitted with a laugh “Maybe I should go to bed earlier today.” *I could use some time to prepare for tomorrow.* “And whose bed would that be?” Celestia asked with a wink. “MINE!” Twilight answered both much too quick and loud, now turning crimson. “And I thought Autumn would welcome you in his again.” The princess answered, hoping to smother her disappointment with a bit of humour. “HE THREW ME THROUGH THE WHOLE ROOM!” Celestia stopped for a second. “He did?” “Yes!” “Oh, goodness... maybe he should have taken a different approach on taking over and just challenged your brother to a mare-far-throwing contest.” The sun princess laughed. Twilight was about to object again, but the laughter of the princess was infectious. “Do they have to bring their own mares or do they get standardized ones?” she added, earning series of giggles from the princess. “They need to be unicorn or alicorns. Otherwise they won’t stick in the ground.” “Shiny, you do this for your kingdom! Now go out there and send that mare skywards!” “Of course Diamond Shadow is an alicorn! No, that is not a carrot with super glue!” “CHEATER! He didn’t throw her that far! You banished her to the moon!” They kept joking and laughing for a bit longer until the moon had risen. For a few moments, after the laughter had died down, the two just looked at each other. “Thank you for this wonderful day.” Celestia said, breaking the silence. “I have to thank you.” Twilight answered gently. “We’ll meet tomorrow, at breakfast?” the sun princess offered. “At breakfast.” The smaller pony confirmed. Both went to their respective rooms in silence, still thinking about each others on the way and until just before sleep claimed them.