//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Dream Sparkle // by Silent Strider //------------------------------// After making sure Luna was recovered and releasing her from the isolation bubble, Fluttershy waved goodbye from her cottage door. Luna gave Fluttershy a grateful nod before turning and leaving for the library on foot. Being stuck in her isolation bubble for a week gave Luna time aplenty to think, time enough to realize how close to causing one of the largest disasters in the last millenium she had come. As much as she hated to admit it, only Discord’s quick thinking prevented both him and Celestia from contracting the same magic-suppressing disease she had fallen to; if that misfortune had happened, Equestria would have suffered a full week of blistering heat as the sun refused to set, heat that could cause permanent damage to the forests and fields. Perhaps the unicorns from Celestia’s college could recover and perform the old rituals that unicorns used before Luna and Celestia started moving Moon and Sun, but that was far from certain. The library came into view, and Luna steeled her resolve. She would accept her punishment, whatever it was, with the dignity of a princess. She knocked on the door, which immediately opened in a flash of light. Inside she saw Celestia, Discord, and Twilight, but… Wait, a traditional Canterlot high court? This doesn’t make sense, I’m not being judged. Celestia, from the judge seat, shot an irritated glance at Discord, who was seated at the prosecution table. “This is not the time or place for your antics, Discord. Dissolve this farce before I do so myself, together with our previous agreement.” Discord snapped his fingers, making the library return to its usual shape. “Have I ever told how much a spoilsport you are?” With the sweetest of smiles, Celestia answered: “This week, nine times.” She turned to the back of the room, where Luna only now noticed a familiar white unicorn and a cerulean earth pony in a black and white dress. “Rarity, Photo Finish, would you mind waiting outside a bit? We have something private to discuss. It will only take a few minutes, then we can go back to planning now that everyone involved is here.” The two ponies bowed, Rarity speaking for both. “Of course, your highness.” As soon as they were alone in the library Celestia nodded to Twilight. Twilight’s horn flashed; Luna recognized the spell as a soundproofing shield. “Now that we are alone, let’s drop the formalities. Luna, are you willing to honor our previous agreement?” Head held high, Luna answered with as firm a voice as she could. “Of course, sister.” “Very well. Your penance will take place here in Ponyville. For the next week you will be staying with Twilight. She suggested that you use that time to better prepare her in case she ever needs to assume your dream duties again, as well as recovering the old rituals for moving the sun and moon, in case they are ever needed; I find that a sound proposition.” “I agree.” “Also,“ Celestia frowned, “I don’t want to ever see this kind of reckless pranking again. You and Discord can have your dispute, but unless you want me to take part, you will keep it to safe pranks that don’t harm each other and don’t put the country at risk.” Luna gulped. Discord raised an eyebrow, and soon after Luna felt a twitch in her mane; a small replica of Discord had just appeared in it, reaching for her ear. “What is this about?” Luna considered not answering, but Discord did prevent a catastrophe; he deserved the warning. “I once got in a pranking war with Celestia; she even let me hire a couple dozen ponies, the best pranksters I could find, to ‘make things fair’, as she put it herself. And she still easily won. She’s more ruthless than a troll when pursuing her pranks, my sister.” Celestia rolled her eyes. “Are we done divulging embarrassing family moments?” “Sorry, sister.” “Now, for your penance -” Discord jumped at the chance to explain. “Oh, you will love it.” He put his arm around Twilight. “At the start I was stumped by Celestia’s restrictions, but then Twilight here had a fabulous idea!” Twilight looked at Luna and winced. “Sorry, the only other workable idea was for you to be his maid for the week.” Mimicking Twilight’s tone, Discord continued. “She said, ‘why not use this chance to change the princess image for the better?’ So, I naturally thought about those lovely dresses you wear on formal occasions, and how it would improve your image to be so well dressed for a whole week.” Luna suppressed a groan. “So my penance is to use formal dresses for the week. Very well.” “Not so fast, princess. Where is the fun in that? You need to show your fine taste around, and you also need variety, of course. so…” Discord snapped his fingers; seven dress drawings appeared behind him, and in each the model’s mane and tail were styled in a different way. “One dress per day. You will do a little photo session each morning - open to the public, of course - and keep using the dress the rest of the day. And did I mention that each dress calls for a different mane and coat color? Why, the first one just begs for the most lovable pink coat!”