Homecoming and A Royal Audience
On the walk back to the traveling circus, Night explained the very bizarre dream she had experienced along with greater details of what she had been and what she believed she had become.
Once they had arrived at the circus, they met up with Trixie's family and it after a painfully long silence Presto started the ball rolling.
"Welcome back, Night," Presto said.
"Thank you, Presto," she replied just as awkwardly.
Abbie stepped forward and hugged Night.
"Thank you, Miss Night! Thank you for making the bad dreams go away. When I went back to sleep, there were no more monsters!"
Delores also gave Night a hug.
"We all know the story of Nightmare Moon. Who would have imagined that she could have turned back from the path of destruction."
"Last night I was on the final step of that path, with one hoof over the edge of the abyss. I almost didn't make it back. But I am Night, not Nightmare Moon," Night said.
"We're glad you did, Night," Trixie said with a smile.
"That goes double for me!" Mobius said, trying to pose in a sophisticated manner. "And before you ask, Night, I already asked myself the question from yesterday and the answer now truly is 'yes, definitely."
When the trail of wagons camped for the night, Trixie took Night to see the seer again, something Night wasn't looking forward to after the last visit. Sunset Dawn smiled at them as they entered her cart.
"Your aspect is different than it was just yesterday, girl," she said to Night.
"I am different. Last night Nightmare Moon was destroyed."
The old mare leaned forward and took Night's head in her hooves. "Show me what you really are!"
This time no cloud of darkness appeared, no manifestation of Nightmare Moon. Instead the image of a pony appeared in the air and it remained for a few moments. Sunset released her and the image faded.
"You are indeed a different person, child. Welcome," she said with a big smile.
That evening, as she slept on a cushion on the floor of Trixie's cart, Night felt sleep approaching and she had mixed emotions. Was she truly free of the specter of Nightmare Moon, or was last night just a single reprieve?
When she slipped away into the dream world she first became aware of the light of dawn as she found herself in Ponyville. There in front of her were the former Elements of Chaos, now fully transformed into the Elements of Harmony. There was Celestia and Luna and all the residents of Ponyville out to welcome her.
She smiled. She was finally free and sighed, enjoying sleep for the first time. She hoped reality held something like her dream.
In the early hours of the morning, Night and Trixie both watched from their cart as Ponyville came into view. Neither looked forward to whatever awaited them here. The long trail of wagons stopped on the outskirts of town and began setting up.
"Girls, you just need to relax," Presto told his daughter and Night. "Things will be fine. We'll put on a show that will knock their horseshoes off!"
Night heard a gasp from Delores and turned to look and gasped as well at what she saw. There in the distance was Celestia herself, looking around and speaking to various stunned ponies. Shortly she looked in their direction and she smiled and walked toward them.
"Easy girls," Presto said as she approached and he bowed. "Greetings, your exalted majesty, how can we be of assistance?" He said, putting himself between the girls and Celestia. The others quickly followed suit, bowing, all except Abbie, who was too awestruck to move; she just stared up at Celestia with eyes wide and mouth open.
"Greetings and salutations to you all," Celestia said. "Please rise, my friends."
"To what do we owe the honor of your visit, your majesty?" Presto asked.
"I wish to speak to your daughter and to Nightmare Moon for a little while. Our business will be resolved in short measure and they'll be back in time to join you for the opening festivities," she said with a smile.
Night saw the quizzical and almost defiant look on Presto's face as his eyes met Celestia's.
"You have my word, Presto Cadabra, as ruler of Equestria, that no harm shall befall either of them."
"So be it, but I will hold you to that," he warned.
A large form flew over and slammed into the ground.
"What is the meaning of... oh, Celestia! Forgive me, your majesty," Lady Queenlion said meekly, bowing.
"Greetings, Lady Queenlion. It has been a long time. Thank you for allowing Trixie to rejoin her family in your circus. Maybe they aren't the only ones who have changed perhaps? When the season's over, why not pay a visit to Canterlot and we can catch up on old times."
"You'll let me come back?" she asked in amazement.
"Yes. You and your circus are welcome to return to Canterlot."
"Thank you, your majesty."
"If you will excuse me, Lady Queenlion, I have additional matters to tend to. We can talk more when you visit Canterlot," she said with a smile.
"Of course, your majesty. Thank you," she said and backed away. When the griffin saw Trixie she smiled widely as she walked past.
Celestia turned and looked down with kindness at Trixie and Night as she stood there.
Night stood and watched, still unsure of all this. She met Celestia's gaze, then looked around at the sky, the circus, the sun, the people she had met in circus and then back to Celestia, recalling that terrifying night in the forest when they'd last met.
Celestia saw her unease and turned away.
"Walk with me, please."
Trixie and Night walked beside her.
"You need not be afraid, Trixie," Celestia chuckled. "I did not come here to smite you. The two of you have been on my mind as of late, and I am glad things worked out so well. The lessons life teaches us aren't easy or pleasant at times, but I think people are better for having learned them."
Celestia led them to a royal tent that had been assembled on the edge of the circus itself. They entered and there they met Princess Luna, sitting on a large cushion. Celestia sat beside her and wrapped a wing around her sister. Night noted that Luna closed her eyes and turned away when she entered.
Celestia gestured for Trixie and Night to sit on cushions in front of them.
"Princess Luna," Trixie said in reverence and bowed.
A teapot and four cups appeared; the tea poured itself and a cup moved to each of them. Trixie took hers and sipped, still apparently very nervous. Night did likewise, still not sure what to feel.
Celestia viewed them silently for a few moments, then smiled.
"I am glad that you are both here. Trixie, I want to thank you," she said.
"You, thank me?" Trixie asked, incredulous.
"I was aware of what transpired here in Ponyville and I did feel some obligation to address those events. I much prefer letting people learn from their mistakes rather than forcing a harsh lesson on them, and I am glad that you did learn from your mistakes. I did not feel the need to take any direct action against you, and the lessons you learned were important ones—ones that someone else I knew of needed to learn and I realized you would be the ideal teacher for her."
Night nodded her head.
"So, it was all planned."
"Mostly, but not all," Celestia said. "I was not aware of the crisis in Clocksburro at the time, but I must say you both are to be praised for your heroic actions there. And I thank you, Great and Powerful Trixie, for befriending Nightmare Moon, for teaching her the magic of friendship.
Night smiled as she saw Trixie's smile.
"Thank you, your Majesty," Trixie said, bowing deeply, then turned to Night, her earlier fears now wiped away at having been praised by the princess.
"That being said, there was still the issue of the events here in Ponyville," Celestia said and Trixie's smile quickly faded. "I discussed those events with the ponies involved and while some were a bit reluctant to overlook things, they agreed to let bygones be bygones. So, you are 'off the hook' as they said, Trixie."
Night saw Trixie nearly slump down in relief, but a dark thought occurred to her.
"How much of these events was planned? Trixie, were you in on it from the start, just trying to be my friend to earn a pardon?" She saw the hurt in Trixie's face and immediately regretted saying it.
"Night, I had no idea!" Trixie exclaimed.
"Nightmare Moon, you do her a disservice," Celestia chided. "While I may have watched and planned, none of what happened was deception. All was sincere and for the ultimate benefit of the two of you."
Night looked down, feeling ashamed.
"I am sorry, Trixie. Forgive me."
Trixie's smile returned.
"It's okay, Night. I think I can understand why you'd feel that way, but you are my friend. My best friend."
Night managed a smile.
"And you are my… best friend as well." It felt surprisingly good to her to be able to say it.
"Trixie," Celestia said, "You may return to your family now. There is more that Luna and I need to discuss with Nightmare Moon. There will be an informal, but private, gathering at Sugarcube Corner shortly. I do hope you can attend."
"Of course, your majesties," she said, bowing to both before leaving.
"Excellent. Speak to the guard and he'll show you the way."