Jetstream had confided with Luna only an hour before. Prior to the feast Celestia had promised, Jetstream made it her duty to fetch her daughter and that of the Princess of Magic, and their new friends and bring them to attend the feast with their older siblings. She also made a brief return to Altur'Rang to fetch her regalia and don it. The crown fit oddly around her deer antler, and one of the slippers wouldn't fit her lion paw, so she placed it in her old saddlebags, along with some hygiene necessities for herself and her daughter before locating Screwball and teleporting.
As she emerged from the silver light of her magic, the first thing Jetstream noticed was the surprised the looks of not five, but seven foals standing before her. Screwball stepped forward and asked in the common tongue:
"Mom? What are you doing here? And why are you wearing those?"
"I am once more the Princess of Lightning, Screwball-fanëarel. I have to wear my regalia now. Anyway I'm here to bring you and your new friends to Canterlot. Princess Celestia is throwing a little party and wanted you all to come along. But first, why not introduce them?"
Screwball looked to the six other Crusaders and said:
"This is my mom. I told you guys about her already, so why don't you come say hi?"
"I'm Scootaloo, and Rainbow Dash is my honorary big sister!"
"Ah'm Applebloom, and Applejack is mah big sister!"
"I'm Sweetie Belle, and Rarity's my big sister, and Princess Twilight is my mentor!"
"I'm Nyx, and Princess Twilight Sparkle is my mom!"
"I'm Button Mash, but nopony in my family is big and important."
"And I'm Wildrose Dreams! My mom's cousin is married to a Changeling, and he helped Nyx's mom teach ponies about them!"
Jetstream looked at the the red filly with interest, before asking:
"Aren't you that filly Screwball likes to spend time with in Whitetail Meadows? So you're related to Zevan... interesting." Jetstream turned to her daughter with a quizzical expression.
"She is. As a matter of fact, the seven of us planned to spend the night at our clubhouse. Rose already told her parents she'd be spending the night with me, and Button told his mom too. As for the rest of us, the ponies who take care of us are all in Canterlot."
Jetstream observed the seven foals, smiled, and assumed her Alicorn form, before putting on her fourth slipper and readjusting her crown.
"Very well. I'm certain Celestia will be happy to have you all as guests. Everypony gather around, I'm going to cast a spell to take us all to the Lunar Gardens."
The foals huddled around the Princess of Lightning and a brilliant golden light shone as Jetstream recited in the Ancient Language:
"Kveykva waíse iet gata! Taune nosa eom du Sviëlt abr du Noctästi!" Lighting be my passage! Take us to the Garden of the Moon!
The divine power took hold and when the light subsided, Jetstream and her seven charges found themselves standing next to the Lunar Altar. The foals all looked around curiously, save Screwball and Nyx.
"Welcome to the Lunar Gardens. I trust your travels went smoothly?" asked Luna as she approached the group.
Button Mash and Wildrose Dreams bowed immediately, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom waved at the Lunar Princess, who responded in kind, and Nyx and Screwball stood still next to Jetstream.
"The trip was brief, Luna. Divine power is efficient and it's energy cost much lower than regular magic in this kind of situation. If your sister doesn't mind, they'll all be joining us at the feast tonight."
"I see. Very well then, you are all welcome to stay as long as you like, but try not to break anything." Luna's gaze shifted to the three original Crusaders, who all blushed and looked away nervously.
Nyx ran ahead and called to the others:
"Come on! I know plenty of spots where we could Crusade!" and the foals were gone.
Jetstream turned to Luna and said:
"I have an idea that I'm sure Tia would like to hear. Is she busy?"
The Lunar Princess shook her head.
"No. She's in the private audience chamber, most likely with her former protégé. Let's go find her."
A few minutes of silent walking later, Luna remarked:
"You look great in your regalia, Jetstream. Few were the occasions in which I saw you with it."
"Thank you. I must say it feels much more... shall we say, appropriate, for me to wear it now than it did two millennia ago. However, it doesn't fit quite right if I assume my default form. My lion's paw is too big for the slipper and my deer antler leaves little room for the crown to be placed properly. I'm surprised the bat wing has no effect on the chestpiece." Jetstream removed her crown and front-right slipper, and placed the latter in her saddlebags before assuming her default appearance, and placing her crown on her head as it as before.
Luna giggled.
"I mean no offense, Jetstream, but you look rather amusing like that. Like a misfired spell got you or something."
Jetstream smiled and nodded, as they arrived at the entrance to the private audience chamber. As Luna predicted, Celestia was present, however she was alone.
"Ah, Jetstream, Little Sister, I was wondering when I'd see the two of you." said the Solar Princess.
"As a matter of fact, Celestia, I was hoping to speak to the two of you alone for a bit."
Celestia nodded ans said:
"Guards, leave us. I wish to speak privately with Jetstream and my sister. Worry not, should anything happen I'm sure Jetstream could protect us." and the Royal Guards departed the room, closing every door and window.
Suddenly, the walls, windows and doors became coated in a thick sheet of crystal.
"What is the meaning of this?" cried Luna.
"Relax, Luna. It's only a bit of my Chaos magic. I want to make sure nopony eavesdrops on us." assured Jetstream.
"Now, what is it you wanted to tell us?" asked Celestia.
Jetstream took a breath and replied:
"Remember the old days, when we used to sing and play music together, just the three of us? I was hoping we could do that again. I've had centuries to develop my musical ability and I really want to revisit the past. I suggest that at tonight's feast we do just that."
Both of the Everfree Sisters stood there and thought for a moment.
"That would be most enjoyable indeed." agreed Celestia.
"But what will we sing? And we have no time to practice before we perform." added Luna.
"Come closer, both of you, and lower your horns. I will transfer the knowledge to you both." Jetstream replied.
The older Alicorns obliged, and a silver light enveloped the trio for a minute. When the magic subsided, Celestia stood straight and said:
"What you have in mind will touch the hearts of many, Jetstream. That much is obvious."
"I think it will help our guests understand how we felt on that unfortunate day, a thousand years ago." said Luna, Celestia nodding in agreement.
Jetstream walked to the third throne, set on Celesita's left. Two millennia prior, it had been Jetstream's throne. Now a carving of the Crystal Heart hung above the throne, indicating that it now belonged to Cadence. Next to it was an empty throne with the Element of Magic carved above it, indicating that it belonged to Twilight. Jetstream looked to the right of Luna's throne, where an empty space was present. Focusing her power, Jetstream said in the Ancient Language:
"May the Throne of Lightning rise again in this space!"
A golden light flooded the room, and when it dissipated, a fifth throne, marked with a golden lightning bolt, sat at the right of Luna's throne.
Celestia snickered.
"Way to redecorate the palace, Jetstream. Using Mother Faust's power just for a seat like that. You do realize that you have to hold Thunder Court again because you did that, right?"
Jetstream smiled and replied:
"It was a sacrifice I was willing to make. We should get going, spawning the instruments I'll need will take time."
* * *
Everypony was gathered around the long table and was eating happily while chattering with those sitting next to them. Jetstream took particular interest in Rainbow Dash and her ambition to become a Wonderbolt.
"I'm not sure if it's been recorded in the history books, but I'm actually responsible, in a way, for the Wonderbolts' existence." said the Alicorn.
"Really? That's pretty cool. You must've been a good flier if you inspired Spitfire after two thousand years." replied Rainbow, genuinely interested in hearing what Jetstream had to tell her.
"Spitfire's Wonderbolts are actually inspired by another group of talented fliers with the same name. These First Wonderbolts were themselves inspired by a group called the Archangels, who had became popular about 250 years after I retired from competitive flying. If memory serves, the original Wonderbolts were formed about three centuries ago, by a pegasus mare named Thunder Wind. I remember how intimidating it felt to once again be the center of attention after seventeen hundred years of hiding. I'm honestly surprised Celestia didn't discover me when we shook hooves after our last show."
Rainbow's eyes widened.
"Wait, you're talking as if you were a part of the original Wonderbolts. What the hay is goin' on?"
Jetstream chuckled.
"Well, the cat's out of that bag, now is it?. Dear Rainbow, I wasn't just a member of the original Wonderbolts, I founded them. Just look at the name: Wonderbolts. Bolts, Rainbow. What does lightning become in order to strike? It becomes a lightning bolt. Not to mention the name of their captain. The persona I made myself, Thunder Wind, and not to mention the fact that she looked exactly like I did when I was a pegasus, save for the cutie mark being a thundercloud rather than a book."
"No way! Why'd you guys split if you were so good?"
"Because unlike me, my former teammates, stydja unin mor'ranr, were not eternal. Our run lasted a good decade and a half, but as time went by, their bodies aged and they no longer had the endurance of their youth. As for how talented I am in flight, you witnessed it yourself at Cadence-dröttningu's wedding. We are evenly matched, Rainbow-fanëarel."
"What the hay did you call me? And that pegasus at the wedding, the one who made my Rainboom turn into rainbow lightning, that was you?"
"Fanëarel is an honorific term in the ancient language for a young mare of great promise. Also, yes, that pegasus was me. There again I'm surprised that neither Luna or Celestia discovered me that day."
As the meal went on, various ponies covered all sorts of subjects regarding Jetstream and how she kept busy for two thousand years. After the rest of the food was taken away from the table, much to the despair of a certain pink pony and demigod pegasus, Luna, Celestia, and Jetstream rose from their seats and made their way to the instruments Jetstream had summoned earlier.
"Before we continue, we'd like to tell a little story." began Celestia.
"Two millennia ago, it was often that the three of us would gather as are now, and play music together. Jetstream was our musician, and Tia and myself sang." said Luna.
"Tonight we've decided to give it another try, for old time's sake. However a fair warning: hold onto your heartstrings, they may get pulled on a lot during this song."
A/N: Click the link here to listen to the song and follow the lyrics.
-Both-
-Tia and Luna-
Fate has been cruel and order unkind-Tia-
How can I have sent you away?
The blame was my own; the punishment, yours
The harmony silent todayBut into the stillness I'll bring you a song
And I will your company keep
Till your tired eyes and my lullabies
Have carried you softly to sleep-Tia and Luna-
Fate has been cruel and order unkind-Luna-
How could you have sent me away?
I sit here and gaze into stillness alone,
The darkness and silence pervadeBut here in my prison, my thoughts they won't fade
Of power, and glory, and praise
Till your blinded eyes, can see your own lies
The stars will recount my last days-Tia-
Once did a pony who shone like the sun
Look out on her kingdom and sigh
She smiled and said, "Surely, there is no pony
So lovely and so well beloved as I"-Luna-
Once was a pony whose moon shone so bright,
The stars were in awe at its glow.
She smiled and said, "Surely, there is no pony
who'd dare be asleep through this marvelous show"-Tia-
So great was her reign and so brilliant her glory
That long was the shadow she cast
Which fell dark upon the young sister she loved
And grew only darker as days and nights passed-Luna-
Yet where were they all, her subjects she never
Caught sight of once shadows did fall
Their laughter and joy was but a hopeless dream
Which grew into nightmares as sun rays charmed all-Tia-
Lullay moon princess, goodnight sister mine
Rest now in moonlight's embrace
Bear up my lullaby, winds of the earth
Through cloud, and through sky, and through spaceCarry the peace and the coolness of night
And carry my sorrow in kind
Luna, you're loved so much more than you know
Forgive me for being so blind-Luna-
Wait now, sun princess, The night will arise
So keep not my moon in its place,
'Tia my judgement was not yours to give,
And soon now we'll both meet our fates.Carry my rage, oh you shadows of night,
And carry my sorrow in kind
Sister, your deed hurt much more than you know
The time for my vengeance is nigh-Tia-
Soon did that pony take notice that others
Did not give her sister her due
And neither had she loved her as she deserved
She watched as her sister's unhappiness grew-Luna-
The beams of another cast brightly on others,
whose love and affection it drew
And there that moon princess watched, shunned by the world,
as hate filled her heart and unhappiness grew-Tia-
But such is the way of the limelight, it sweetly
Takes hold of the mind of its host-Luna-
"Why don't they adore me?" she thought
to herself, as the other had no right to boast-Tia and Luna-
And that foolish/selfish pony did nothing to stop
The destruction of one/I who had needed her most-Tia-
Lullay moon princess, goodnight sister mine
And rest now in moonlight's embrace
Bear up my lullaby, winds of the earth
Through cloud, and through sky, and through spaceCarry the peace and the coolness of night
And carry my sorrow in kind
Luna, you're loved so much more than you know
May troubles be far from your mind
And forgive me for being so blind-Luna-
Wait now, sun princess, the night will arise
So keep not my moon in its place,
'Tia my judgement was not yours to give,
And soon now we'll both meet our fates.Carry my rage, oh you shadows of night,
And carry my sorrow in kind
Sister, your deed hurt much more than you know
May guilt plague you for your great crime
For the time of my vengeance is nigh-Tia and Luna-
The years now before us
Fearful and unknown
I never imagined
I'd face them on my ownMay these thousand winters
Swiftly pass, I pray-Tia-
I love you; I miss you
All these miles away-Luna-
My pain grows, I can't know
Are you still the same?-Tia and Luna-
May all your dreams be sweet tonight
Safe behind your veil of moonlight/sunlight
And/You know not of/my sadness, pain, nor care
And when I dream/as you dream, I'll fly away/I'll break away and meet you thereSleep...
As the music faded, the small crowd cheered through their tears.
"Thank you all most sincerely." said Celestia, before turning and tightly hugging Luna, who had begun to cry.
Jetstream stood next to the sisters and said:
" Atra du evarínya ono varda. May the stars watch over you. Have a pleasant night, everypony. Screwball, I expect a short report in the Ancient Language on what you learned about friendship by tomorrow evening."
The filly nodded and trotted off with her friends.
Jetstream turned to the Regal Sisters and joined them in their embrace.
"That was a beautiful song, Jetstream." Luna said.
"Truly, it made me think of how all three of us must've felt on the night where I banished Luna." added Celestia.
"I agree, but we must stay strong. Why don't you two head to bed, I've a few things left to tend to. Besides, ever since I acquired Chaos Magic, I find it unsafe to sleep. As a result, I enter a state of total rest, that is more than enough to recharge my brain after twenty minutes, and is good enough to last me three days before I have to use it again."
The sisters left the room, as did Jetstream, and the three of them went about their business for the night.