CHAPTER FOUR: Royal Pain
Outside a small cottage on the outskirts of Ponyville, sat a large grumpy bear. He crossed his massive paws across his chest and shook his head.
“Please Harry Bear?” Fluttershy pled. “If I don’t take it out, it will just hurt more. You’ll have a nasty toothache.”
The bear kept his mouth shut and shook his head. Fluttershy sighed as she then gave the bear an intense look. It was The Stare, Fluttershy didn’t like using it, but Harry Bear was being stubborn and she needed to get the tooth out.
Reluctantly Harry Opened his mouth and the butter yellow Pegasus reached in and took out the offending tooth. Harry Bear yelped but when he saw the tooth he hugged the mare.
“Now keep that with you when you go to sleep and the tooth fairy will give you a special treat.” Fluttershy said with a smile. Harry Bear smiled as he ambled off.
Fluttershy smiled as she went to her cottage. It was then she detected something, then she spotted a shadow. She turned around and saw him.
The Draconequus looked at Fluttershy in an awkward silence and paw and claw behind his back as he rubbed his toe in dirt. He wasn’t sure what to say, Fluttershy was his only friend and he was sure she felt betrayed. Still when the mare hugged him with a happy squeak he smiled.
“I missed you.” Fluttershy said.
“Well…I..” Discord stammered. “I… missedyoutoo.” He finished quickly as he hugged her.
Fluttershy smiled at the reformed Spirit of Chaos, then she heard a voice.
“Fluttershy?” Shooting Star called. “You home?”
“I’m right here.” Fluttershy said as she and Discord came into the unicorn’s view. Upon seeing Discord Star’s eyes went wide.
“Run!” she called as she charged up her horn.
“I assure you my dear, Fluttershy is..” Discord started but got hit by a blast of magic. “As I said..” as another blast of magic hit him. At that point Discords snapped his claws and six other Discord’s all dressed black suits with dark sunglasses tried to usher the real Discord to someplace safe.
“Oh dear, oh my.” Fluttershy whimpered.
“What’s going on here?” Rainbow Dash asked as she flew down. “I was taking a nice flight and I see Star going nuts on…wait why are there seven Discords? We never did tell Star about Discord being reformed did we?”
“No.” Fluttershy squeaked. “Star was in Manehattan when we tried to reform Discord, she doesn’t know Discord isn’t evil.”
“Cool it Star!” Rainbow cried as she tried to intervene in the fight.
“I see, I still bring out the best in ponies.” Discord muttered. Star’s attacks where annoying but not harming him in any way. He did have to hold back the urge to turn the mare into a cymbal playing monkey.
“It’s ok Dash!” Star cried she didn’t know why Dash was defending him but she assumed Discord somehow had control of them.
“You don’t understand.” Dash said as she tackled the mare. “He’s reformed! At least I think he is.”
Shooting Star opened her mouth for a retort, but in a blinding flash of light, that signaled that Celestia had arrived the words died in her mouth.
Celestia looked over the scene, her gaze went to Discord, who gave her an innocent look. “I see you neglected to tell Shooting Star of your experience with Discord.” Celestia observed. Rainbow Dash shrunk under the gaze of the Princess. “Rainbow Dash, a word please, if every pony else will wait for a few minutes.”
Slowly with her wings and ears flattened against her body the daring mare followed the Princess to an area with no pony around.
‘
Great place to tell me I’m being arrested.’ Rainbow Dash thought. ‘Aw, man there goes everything I’ve worked for.’
“I spoke with Zubera,” Celestia said. “You’ll be happy to hear that she was unable to place you with Gilda.”
“What are you going to do with Gilda?” Rainbow asked.
“Her fate is still unknown,” Celestia admitted. “She was unwilling to talk until we promised her that you would be unpunished. She still thinks of you as a friend.”
“Yeah.” Was all Rainbow said. She followed Celestia to the others feeling like a burden was lifted from her. They rejoined Discord who dismissed his secret service clones, Fluttershy and Shooting Star who were joined by Pinkie Pie.
“Please?” Pinkie begged giving Discord her best sad eyes.
With a snap of his claws Discord summoned a chocolate rain cloud. “Bon Appetite.” Discord said. As Pinkie happily jumped on the cotton candy cloud filled with chocolate.
The others watched as Celestia returned with Rainbow Dash. Shooting star watched as her stomach churned. Discord was a monster, he deserved to be locked in stone. No he deserved worse, he deserved to be dead!
“Why!” Star screamed. The others looked at Shooting Star in shock of her outburst. “He’s a monster!”
“That’s slander to mah client!” a Discord dressed in a white suit with a matching hat and a pot belly yelled. “Mah client is reformed from his life of villainy.” He looked back to the original Discord who sat on a chair dabbing his eyes with a tissue.
“Shut up!” Star raged causing Fluttershy to hide behind her mane.
With a growl Discord snapped his claws and Shooting Star turned into a grinning pony sitting and banging two symbols together.
“Discord.” Celestia sighed.
“I like her better this way.” Discord said plainly.
“I don’t” Celestia said firmly. With a sigh he turned Star back to normal.
“You don’t understand!” Star cried as the tear ran down her muzzle. “When he attacked Canterlot when he escaped last year. I was with a friend when he changed the part of the castle we stood on into pudding. I made it, but she didn’t, she hit her head on the way down. She’s in a coma now thanks to him. She won’t wake up!”
“Star.” Celestia said. “You have to forgive.”
“No I don’t!” Shooting Star declared stomping her hoof. “Don’t make me forgive this monster!”
Celestia lowered her head, she understood Star’s anger. “Very well.” Was all she said. Shooting Star stomped off leaving the others behind.
“Oh my.” Fluttershy whimpered.
“Never saw Star freak-out like that.” Rainbow muttered.
“Ill feelings die hard.” Celestia said her gaze on a sheepish Discord. “Was this the reason you wished to be stone instead of among ponies?”
Discord in a rare moment said nothing and just hung his head as Fluttershy hugged him.
“So what do we do?” Fluttershy squeaked.
“I’ll be more than happy to give that little pony her personal space.” Discord stated. He snapped his claws as several other Discords patted him on the back and offered words of encouragement.
“So what do we do about Star?” Rainbow asked.
“I fear there is nothing we can do.” Celestia said. “This is something Shooting Star needs to come to terms with on her own. I do suggest reintroducing Discord to pony society.”
“He can come with me, I gotta pick up Scootaloo to takes her to Sweet Apple Acres anyway.” Rainbow Dash offered.
“That’s the spirit!” Discord said as he was beside the cyan mare his arm around her dressed in a flight jacket and goggles. “You and me in the open skies! The wind in our hair!”
“Don’t overdo it.” Fluttershy cautioned.
The duo smiled at Fluttershy before leaving. The Pegasus smiled a minute before realizing she was left behind. “Wait for me!” she cried as she chased them. Moments later there was a pink blur as Pinkie chased after the group as well.
Celestia sighed as she watched the dust settle.
She noticed a chariot in the air and was confused, she ordered no such thing and only royalty was allowed to make such orders. When she saw a pompous blonde stallion in the chariot she held back the urge to slam her hoof into her face.
She also saw a royal blue Alicorn flying alongside the chariot.
Celestia know something was wrong, Luna rarely was out during the day unless there was an emergency.
“Oh Auntie!” Blueblood cried. “I need to tell you something, please don’t be cross, I had no choice I..”
“Just tell me.” Celestia growled growing tired of her nephews blubbering.
“I set a scrying spell in Zubera’s room,” Blueblood started though when Celestia’s eyes narrowed her paused before finding the courage to continue. “She’s plotting against you, she killed her advisor and tried to blame Gilda!”
“Tis true.” Was all Luna said.
“I’ll deal with this.” Celestia said grimly as she spread her wings. “Blueblood, this one time you did well. Luna cancel my appointments for the entire day, even my meeting with Twilight Sparkle.”
“Tis done sister.” Luna replied. “I’m sorry.”
“Not as sorry as I am.” Celestia hissed as she took off.
“What will she do?” Blueblood asked.
“What she must Blueblood.” Luna said. “Do not be fooled by her coldness, I do believe she is quite proud of you.”
Blueblood got back in the chariot and left, and Luna set about her tasks.
XXXXX
Zubera was in her guest chambers rushing to get her belongings packed. Thanks in no small part to Rainbow Dash,
Zubera’s plans had to be placed on hold. Still she knew Celestia was a soft touch so it would be foals play to fool her. Her servants looked to her who nodded before the door swung open.
“Leaving so soon?” Celestia asked the venom clear in her voice.
“Bad news from home.” Zubera started but saw Celestia shake her head.
“I know.” Celestia said her eyes narrowing. “You played me for a fool. I trusted you Zubera. Even after Golden Feather told me, after Luna told me I still gave you the benefit of a doubt. Then you tried to frame Gilda and even drag Rainbow Dash into the mess. How long did you think I would turn a blind eye?”
“For five millennia I’ve been here, I’ve ruled and watched. I knew your tricks all too well Zubera. I never expected you to do this to me, never in all my years.”
“I lied to spare you Tia.” Zubera sneered. “You rule over ponies who always fear you, even your precious Twilight Sparkle fears you.”
“No…” Celestia whispered though her head hung low and tears ran down her muzzle.
“Think of it,” Zubera continued. “Charming a whole town just to avoid disappointing you? Her paranoid fits about banishment and dungeons, she fears you! All of Equestria fears you! You portray yourself as this whole benevolent ruler. I know better. General Blackfeather sought to improve Londoon’s stance in the world, you stepped up and trapped him in stone and that’s child play to the countless number Luna slaughtered isn’t it?
“You're no kind ruler, you’re a tyrant. You want the world in your hooves so bad you can taste it.”
Celestia began to tremble, her legs shaking, she shook her head as if warding off evil thoughts. She remembered the war with the Gryphons nearly fifteen hundred years ago. She did turn General Blackfeather the leader of the army to stone and Luna spilled more than her share of blood during that awful war.
Her hooves were not clean and Celestia knew it, but she was different now than she was back then. Back then she was arrogant, she felt herself above all else, it wasn’t until the rise of Nightmare Moon that her eyes where opened.
“You know nothing.” Celestia finally said.
“I know of Morning Dew.” Zubera said with a cocky smirk. “I know how alike the two of you are.”
“No!” Celestia shouted slamming her hoof into the ground.
“Did I touch a nerve?” Zubera chided with fake sympathy. “I take it back, at least Morning Dew was honest about her ambitions, and you still feel the need to mask yours.”
Celestia rose her hoof and slammed it as hard as she could across Zubera’s skull! The gryphon crumbled to the ground. Shining Armor came running in and saw the scene.
“When she wakes up have her removed.” Celestia growled. “I will be in my chambers, if anypony enters arrest them. I am cancelling all my appointments.”
“Even..” Shining started.
“Yes.” Was all she said as she walked away.
XXXXX
In the Carousel Boutique slept a white Unicorn in a guest room provided by Rarity. Fleur De Lis enjoyed her time in Ponyville. She spent time as Sweet Apple Acres learning just how the Apple family harvested all their apples. It was hard work, Fleur offered to help but Applejack refused when she learn Fleur would use magic.
“Ain’t right ta use magic ta do this job.” Applejack told her. “We work with our hooves and are durned proud of it too.”
Fleur still remembered the words from the proud pony. She also remembered Sugarcube Corner and the energetic Pinkie Pie, how she would bounce from task to task with limitless energy.
Fleur sighed as she snuggled under her sheets, until she heard a knock on her door. She heard muffled voices, likely Rarity and her younger sister Sweetie Belle.
“Fleur darling?” Rarity asked. “Are you going to sleep the day away?”
Fleur could have sworn she heard other voices, almost like several ponies were outside her door. She noticed her door opened a crack, she was quick to activate her spell moments before a pink blur landed on her bed sending Fleur tumbling to the ground.
The door opened further and she heard a collection of gasps. Fleur looked to herself and saw nothing was covering her.
She saw the gaping faces of Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Applebloom and
Rarity let out a shrill shriek.
Horrified Fleur looked around half panicked as Rainbow Dash burst into laughter.
“You outa look at your mane!” the cyan speedster laughed.
Fleur noticed her mane was a total mess, sticking up in various places.
“Come with me! NOW!” Rarity cried as she practically shoved Fleur out of her room and into the bathroom where Rarity worked on lathering shampoo. “Never fear Fleur darling, I have a solution for that dreadful bed head. I wish you had told me you had bed head, now it makes sense why you spend so much time there in the morning.”
“My apologies.” Fleur said as she winced.
“Everything alright in there Rarity?” Applejack asked as she stood by the door with Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom. “In case ya fergot we gotta train ta meet.”
“Oh, I’ll have to meet you.” Rarity said. “You go on ahead and make sure Sweetie Belle stays out of trouble.” As she lathered Fleur’s mane with shampoo.
“Well then we’ll see ya.” Applejack said as she left with Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Applebloom and Pinkie Pie.
Twilight helped Rarity as she helped Fleur into the bathtub and proceeded to wash the soap out of her mane.
“Merci.” Fleur said thankfully. The high class mare was dried off and Rarity breathed a very relieved sigh.
“Oh, so much better.” Rarity said as she fanned herself with a hoof.
“Maybe we should catch up with the…” Twilight started but never finished as a chubby purple dragon rushed in.
“Twilight!” Spike called as he ran into the shop with a letter. “Something’s wrong! Princess Celestia is acting all weird!”
“Have you been reading my mail?” Twilight hissed.
In response Spike showed Twilight the seal. Unlike the normal seals Twilight saw this one was red. Which meant it was urgent. She took the letter in her magic grip and cleared her throat.
“Dear Twilight,
Due to circumstances beyond control, I’m forced to cancel our student teacher agreement.
Regrets Princess Celestia.
“Well that’s not so bad she only wants to cancel…. SHE WHAT?!?!”
“It’s ok darling.” Rarity cooed. “I’m sure it was sent to the wrong address.”
“I’m the only..” Spike started but stopped when Rarity kicked him. He looked at Twilight who was settling into panic mode. Her eyes started to twitch her mane was starting to come undone.
“Uh-oh.” Spike muttered.
Just then there was a form in the doorway, the form of Princess Luna. She noticed the look on Twilight’s face as well as the letter on the floor. She took the letter in her magic and read it. Her face grew worried.
“I am sure Tia doesn’t mean it.” Luna said.
“She wrote, sealed and sent something she didn’t want to?” Spike questioned. “Ow!” he said as Fleur kicked him. “Sure kick the dragon.” He grumbled.
Luna looked at Twilight who was just starring. “Twilight Sparkle.” She murmured. “Tis not your fault, Tia has been through a tough day. She wishes to be left alone, but perhaps, you can help her.”
Twilight just sat a horrified look on her face. Luna waved a hoof in front of Twilight’s face. Fleur did the same.
“Eez she broken?” Fleur asked.
“No, she gets like this sometime.” Spike sighed. “I think she needs a minute to get it all through. Um Princess Luna, now is a bad time but Star is also acting weird.”
As Luna was about to reply Fluttershy galloped in with a miniature Discord on her back.
“Hi ho Fluttershy! AWAY!” Discord cried with glee.
Fluttershy noticed Twilight who was still standing there.
“Oh dear,” Fluttershy squeaked. “What happened?”
“Celetia cancelled their student teacher arrangement!” Spike blurted earning a kick this time from Luna. “Ow!”
“I’m a bad student.” Twilight said as she fell to her haunches. “Why else would she do this? I…I tried to do everything right, to be a good pupil her best pupil!”
“Twilight,” Luna purred as she approached her fellow Alicorn. “As I said before you are not to blame for this. I fear my sister is feeling the sting of betrayal, from whom she viewed as a close and dear friend.”
“I do think our dear Celestia needs some persuasion.” Discord said with a smile on his lips, causing Luna to glare at him.
“Why my sister released you I have no concept,” Luna growled. “You shall stay away from her as well as my Student Shooting Star, you have done enough to her.”
“He’s in here!” a voiced squealed.
“Yeah now she can really show her stuff.” Another voice cheered as two colts ran in followed by a blue mare.
Twilight narrowed her eyes at the sight of the mare, a blue mare with a pale blue mane, but she knew her as.
“Trixie.” Twilight said coolly.
“The humble and apologetic Trixie is not sure why she was brought here.” Trixie said trying to assume a haughty stance, yet it was quickly deflated by the hard glares of all around. “Ok, ok, Snips and Snails dragged me here to fight that.” She pointed a hoof at Discord. “Wait…is…that?”
Discord flashed a fang filled smile at the show mare. Who promptly screamed at the sight of the chaos spirit.
“I was only being friendly.” Discord said with an offended look on his face. “You need me I’ll be redecorating Fluttershy’s home.” With an exaggerated huff he was gone.
“Oh dear.” Fluttershy fretted.
“I shall go console my student.” Luna said as she left with Spike following.
Twilight turned her gaze again to Trixie who was without her hat and cape. The show mare swallowed hard.
“Go on Trixie.” Snips prompted the Turqious colt nudging the mare.
“Yeah, tell her what you’ve been practicing.” Snails said nudging her as well.
“I..I..want to..” Trixie started then trailed off.
“Go on.” Snails encouraged.
“I want to..” she trailed off again. With a deep breath “I want to help.”
“Help?” Twilight asked cocking her head to the side assuming a pose that Rainbow Dash called her adorkable look.
“I..I know what I did to Ponyville in the past,” Trixie admitted. “I just want to help, I’m done with the whole great and powerful thing. I need to visit my mother today, but I can start tomorrow.”
Twilight and Rarity exchanged uncertain glances, Trixie had a reputation for being more trouble than she was worth. Her first time in Ponyville she publicly embarrassed Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Rarity. Her second time she imprisoned the entire town, though she was under the control of the vile Alicorn Amulet.
“Sorry Trixie but…” Twilight started.
“You can help me,” Fluttershy said. “My birds still need work and I’ll need somepony to help out around my cottage with all the animals I have staying. Some are scared of Discord, do you have a place to stay?”
“Well, no.” Trixie sighed. “The inn is full and the keeper said I couldn’t stay there even if there was a vacancy.”
“I have an extra room in my cottage.” Fluttershy said.
“You’ll really have me?” A dumbfounded Trixie asked.
“Of course.” Fluttershy replied, “All ponies make mistakes, it doesn’t make them bad ponies.”
“Well,” Rarity interrupted. “I should be going to the station.”
“Yeah,” Twilight said her cheeks blushing. “Me too.”
“I’ll be right with you.” Fluttershy said as her two friends had already started leaving. “Snips and Snails? Can you two show Trixie my cottage?” She knew she was asking a lot from the troublesome pair, but the duo often went to her cottage to observe the behavior of Fluttershy’s animal friends.
“Leave it to us!” Snips said proudly. The two colts left the shop with Trixie in tow.
XXXXX
Fluttershy looked to Fleur, who seemed to be staring into space. Fluttershy looked at the mare who blinked and looked at Fluttershy.
“Are you ok?” Fluttershy asked.
“Oui.” Fleur responded. “I felt something from her. Could we meet Madam Rarity and Twilight?”
Fluttershy nodded and the two left with Fleur careful to lock up and store her spare key in a safe place. Fluttershy had something on her mind, when Fleur first came to Ponyville she had a feeling about Gilda. She wondered if that was the same feeling with Trixie?
“What did you feel with Trixie?” Fluttershy asked.
“Much like zat Gryphon, she wants to change.” Fleur explained. “Zis time I feel a willingness to do so, but she eez very scared to do so. She eez afraid others will act like Madam Rarity and Twilight.”
“Well,” Fluttershy muttered. “When Trixie came to town, she didn’t make the best impressions. The first time she turned Rarities’ hair green, the second time she banished Twilight.”
“You opened your home to her without a second thought.” Fleur pointed out.
“Of course I did,” Fluttershy replied. “It would be awful if she was forced to stay in the street. Every pony needs some kindness, even one as misunderstood as Trixie.”
“Eez zis why ze element of kindness chose you?” Fleur questioned.
“I suppose.” Fluttershy replied, though she was uncertain. Then she heard the train whistle. “Oh dear! The train is here, we have to hurry!”
Fluttershy broke into a gallop with Fleur not too far behind.
XXXXXX
Princess Luna trotted to the library with Spike following her. She should have known that Shooting Star would object to Discord being free. After all it was due to Discord’s chaos that Shooting Star’s dear friend Night Wing was in a coma. Luna shuddered as she remember the scene in her mind.
Discord had turned the pathway the unicorn and Pegasus where fleeing on to pudding. Night Wing tried to use her wings to get the two of them to safety but Discord used his chaos magic to remove her wings making escape impossible.
It was then that Luna who was doing her best to combat Discords chaos flew in, but the damage was done. Night Wing had landed hard and hit her head upon landing. Shooting Star was ok but troubled after what happened. Night Wing has been in Canterlot Hospital in a coma ever since. Since then Shooting Star had hated Discord, something Luna tried to discourage, but in the end she couldn’t.
When Celestia decided to try to reform Discord, Luna was vocal about not doing it. In fact it was the first time since her return that the sisters had a verbal fight. It ended with Luna storming out of her sister’s chambers. Luna sighed as she approached the library door. She allowed a small smile at the fact that merely thirty minutes after the fight, she and Celestia made amends.
“Are you ok Princess?” Spike asked.
“I am Spike,” Luna replied giving the dragon a smile. “I thank you for telling me of this, you are truly a good dragon.”
“Just wish I didn’t feel so guilty about this.” Spike grumbled.
“You do this because you care Spike,” Luna assured him. “In time shooting Star will thank you, now go, I feel this would be best for me alone.”
“Good luck!” Spike said as he waddled away.
Luna took a deep breath as she pushed the door open. There on the floor was a sobbing Shooting Star. The night ruler went to her student’s side and gave her a gentle nuzzle.
“Why did you have to free that monster?” Star choked.
“Was my sister’s idea,” Luna said. “I was opposed to it, I saw what he did to you and Night Wing. That was our first heated argument since I returned from exile.”
Shooting Star look up at that, her eyes red from crying, her fur matted on her muzzle. “You fought?”
“Indeed.” Luna said as she sat down. “I fear I let my temper got the better of me, I stormed out, just like I did back… before.”
“I’m sorry Luna.” Star said nuzzling her teacher.
“Tia of course was quick to forgive me.” Luna said. “I know you hate Discord, but he has changed. Fluttershy has had an amazing impact on him. Love and tolerate Shooting Star.”
“You make it sound so simple.” Star said.
“Tia gave me the whole love and tolerate line,” Luna grumbled. “I believe that is when I shouted that she didn’t understand and stormed out.”
“I still can’t believe you two fought,” Shooting Star said. “It sounded like it was bad.”
“Touch horns with me.” Luna requested. Star obeyed as their horns glowed.
XXXXX
“Are you so willing to endanger the lives of our subjects?” Luna shouted using the full force of her royal voice.
“Luna,” Celestia sighed rubbed her hoof against her forehead. “We’ve talked about this before.”
“No you talked and dismissed me when I voiced my concerns!”
“Luna, enough, I get the point.” Celestia growled.
“I don’t think you do Tia!”
“Luna, as rulers, it is our job to lead by example. If a ruler cannot forgive, what example does she show to her subjects? Love and tolerate, my dear sister.”
“HOW DARE YOU TALK TO ME LIKE THAT!” Luna screamed. “I am not a filly anymore Tia! Stop treating me like I am a little foal! Listen to me for once!”
“I think it’s time we end this talk Luna.” Celestia said her voice flat and her glare was on her younger sister.
“What are you going to do?” Luna scoffed. “Lock me in the moon again?”
The jab struck home and Celestia hung her head. Tears ran down her muzzle as Luna just stood there, she couldn’t believe what she said to her own sister. She searched for words until Celestia spoke. Her voice laced with sadness and hurt.
“It’s time you leave sister.”
Luna stormed out but as soon as she left her sister’s chambers she burst into tears and galloped to her own.
XXXXX
“Oh Princess.” Star said as she broke contact. “I’m so sorry.”
“I never saw my sister look so hurt in my entire life.” Luna said as she hugged Star. “I feared Tia would never forgive me.”
“Did she?” Shooting Star asked. In response Luna’s horn glowed and again the two touched horns and went into her memories.
XXXXX
For the past half hour Luna just cried, she was alone in her chambers. Her servants tried to comfort her but she just told them to leave. She heard the voice of her Captain of The Night Guard Night Matron outside her chambers. She saw her door open and there stood an Ivory Alicorn.
“Why are you here sister?” Luna asked looking away.
“To check on you Lu-lu.” Celestia said as she further entered and shut the door behind her.
“I had no right to talk to you like that.” Luna sighed.
“No,” Celestia agreed. “You didn’t, it hurt quite a bit. Still we are sisters and I won’t have what happened one thousand years ago happen again. I won’t lose you again Luna.”
“Will you ever forgive me Tia?” Luna asked looking at her sister.
“Of course Lu-lu.” Celestia said as she lay down, the two nuzzled. “I’ve already done so, it’s forgotten.”
“I don’t deserve a sister as good as you.” Luna choked as she buried her muzzle in her older sister’s neck.
“Yes you do, Little Moon.” Celestia whispered as she lovingly nuzzle her sibling.
XXXXX
“She called you Little Moon?” Star asked. As she again drifted to the present. She looked at Luna who just smiled.
“Yes.” Luna said. “I must go my dear Star. We implore thou to think on this matter, and we will see thee at a later time!”
Luna was gone in an indigo flash. Star was thoughtful before she left the library. She was met by a small dragon who looked up at her.
“Spike?” Shooting Star asked.
“Are you better now?” Spike asked.
“I am.” Star smiled as she floated the dragon onto her back. “I’m sorry I went crazy.”
“Remember I’m Twilight’s assistant,” Spike bragged. “I deal with crazy on a daily basis.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Star chuckled. “Now hang on, we’re late!”
Spike grabbed hold of her yellow mane before she took off like a shot. Her longer legs carried the mare quickly with longer strides. She arrived soon with Spike on her back, she noticed a group of four fillies all dressed in red capes. Star also noticed Twilight and the others.
“Ya really think seeing the Princess is a good idea?” Applejack asked.
“Luna told me she needed somepony.” Twilight replied. “I’ve gotta do something, so I’m going.”
“Ah would go, but we’ve still got a lot ta do on the farm. I don’t got time fer another trip ta see the Princess. Sorry Twi.” Applejack replied.
“Yeah,” Rainbow said. “The others on the weather team have been on my case, Summer Sun is really the wrong time to be seen as slacking. Even though I don’t slack I’m awesome, but still. Sorry Twi.” Rainbow Dash gave a sheepish grin.
“I’ve got to teach the birds new songs and make sure Discord doesn’t turn Angel Bunny into cotton candy again.” Fluttershy squeaked.
“I’ve gotta baby sit the cake twins.” Pinkie whined. “So Mr. and Mrs. Cake can work on cakes without anypony bothering them.”
“I agreed to help.” Fleur said. “I am very sorry madam Twilight.”
“Well,” Rarity said. “I’ll go, thanks to Fleur I’m caught up, and I would love to try to cheer up the Princess.”
The lavender Alicorn gave Rarity a grateful smile as the two got on the train as their friends waved to them as they left towards Canterlot.
END CHAPTER FOUR.