When Princess Luna woke up, she consulted with Doctor Stable more before being released. After ensuring the entire hospital staff understood the meaning of confidentiality, the Princess of the Night stepped into her carriage piloted by her Loyal Night Sentinels. Princess Luna ordered them to the local spa and observed the ponies below preparing decorations for the town. When the ponies spotted her flying overhead, their speed seemed to increase. While she was pleased they no longer fled from her, she was disappointed they still seemed to fear her in some manner.
”I guess it shall be long before I earn the same praise as my sister.”
Sighing, Princess Luna looked at the spa coming into view. Refreshing herself and preparing her image would do her good. It would also give her time to relax before appearing to her subjects later in the night.
”I must get my mind off of Konrad. He may be gone, but I cannot let my sadness hold sway over me. I still have Apple Bloom and young Pipsqueak to see later.”
Remembering her favorite admirers, Princess Luna smiled to herself. She knew the night would be a better one. If she kept her composure, Princess Luna would earn the love and admiration of her pony subjects. However, she required a small indulgence at the local spa. Once the carriage landed, several ponies nearby worked hard to decorate their respective houses and shops. Those that were close enough bowed down with nervous smiles on their faces.
While the town warmed up a bit at the end of last year’s celebration, the memories of Princess Luna’s Royal Canterlot voice and anger remained in their memories. Annoyed at the ponies’ display of fear, Princess Luna remembered some advice her sister had given a few months ago.
”If you are frustrated when they cower, simply smile and wave. You’ll be surprised at how effective it can calm our subjects.”
Following her sister’s advice, Princess Luna smiled and waved to the ponies bowing before her. Noticing their Princess smile, the ponies slowly arose with looks of uncertainty on their faces as Luna observed the decorations behind them. While not yet complete, the decorations were rather impressive, with the construction of the Spider Toss almost complete. Remembering how she enjoyed the game last year, Princess Luna smiled as she praised the ponies.
“Your progress in setting up my favorite game is most pleasing to me! Please continue; I look forward to indulging in the game later tonight.”
After receiving praise from their Princess, the ponies smiled and sighed, relieved that she was not angered. Not wanting to hold up their progress or delay using the spa, Princess Luna waved once before entering the spa leaving the Sentinels to post outside. The spa’s atmosphere was very relaxing as Luna listened to the calming music. Even the smell of the spa was pleasant, with the scent of fresh flowers and something else she could not identify.
Looking over at the counter, Princess Luna noticed a blue mare with a pink mane and tail wearing a sweatband looking at a mail-order catalog of candles.
”My sister said I should indulge myself more often. Perhaps choosing the spa was healthier than a piece of cake.”
“Good Morrow, fair employee of this establishment! We would like to see what services thou provide.”
Despite changing her speech to the modern Equestrian way, old habits were hard to eliminate. She mentally scolded herself for not using the current speaking practice but smiled at the mare who had finally noticed her. The mare’s eyes widened when she identified the customer before her after setting the catalog down. The spa employee pressed a desk bell, summoning another pony. Another mare came around the corner, looking very similar to the mare at the counter, with swapped coat, mane, and tail colors.
Luna suspected the mares might be related as the two stood next to each other. Both mares took a bow before speaking,
“Good morning Princess! I am Aloe, and this is my sister Lotus.”
The mare next to her beamed a smile as Luna before Aloe asked,
“How may we help...you today...”
Both of the Spa Sisters immediately noticed the state of Luna’s appearance. They were dismayed at the sight of dirt on Luna’s coat, singed wings, and her mane and tail having a dull shine. Never in their life had they seen a mare in such a messy appearance, especially Royalty.
“Oh no! What happened to you!?”
“This cannot stand at all!”
Rolling her eyes, Princess Luna replied,
“No, it can’t. That is why we are here. And we would prefer not to speakest of the reason...it is most personal.”
“Don’t worry, your highness! We can assure you’re in capable hooves.” beamed Aloe.
“No doubt, but we would rather be in capable hands...” said Luna thinking of Konrad.
“Pardon?” asked Lotus.
Snapping out of thought with a slight blush, Luna asked,
“Sorry, we think of...never mind. May we ask what services thou provide?”
With enthusiasm, Lotus began to recite all the services of their spa.
“Oh! We provide everything, your highness! We provide a wide variety of services including Baths, Saunas, Massages-”
Luna blushed slightly, remembering Konrad’s hands working her when Aloe mentioned the word massage. The feeling was very pleasurable, and she planned to ask him to do it again. To her, it was heaven, and if he were alive and had chosen her, the thought of a more extended and uninhibited massage would be pure bliss for her.
”No doubt it would have led me to “rewarding” him with something special in return...”
“- We also have a new”
“You had us at bath and massage. We would like to receive these services. In fact...we wish to receive it all.”
“Everything, your highness?” asked Lotus.
”To Tartarus with it! I deserve this; I need this. It’s better to unwind and relax before tonight. I must look my best after all...if only he could see me shine tonight...”
Looking at each other with excitement, the Spa sisters lightly hoof stomped in happiness before directing Princess Luna to a nearby room,
“Right this way, your highness, we’ll get the bath ready for you.”
“Oh, and before we forget, we just received a special type of shampoo. It’s nothing but the best, and it will bring out the sparkles of your mane and tail.”
”Bring out my natural sparkles? Nothing but my happiness can do such a thing...again, if only he were here.”
“We would likest that indeed.”
Hoof stomping with happiness, the Spa Sisters, led Princess Luna to the bathroom, eager to help bring out the beauty of a Princess. When the treatment was over, a glamorous Princess of the Night would be ready to shine bright.
Apple Bloom woke up to the sound of knocking on her bedroom door, with the feeling of depression still holding her soul firm in its grasp. Holding back a few tears, Apple Bloom asked,
“Who is it?”
With a slightly muffled reply, Apple Bloom could hear the voice of her grandmother reply,
“It’s me, deary. We need to talk about this bad jam you’re in.”
“I don’t wanna talk about it!” cried Apple Bloom. “I want my friend back!”
Burying her head back in her pillow, Apple Bloom let out more tears of sorrow with the thought of Konrad vanishing in a flash of light. She knew what the Elements of Harmony were supposed to do, but after hearing how Konrad had perished, she couldn’t help but feel anger.
”Why would they hurt him? Elements of Harmony, my patootie!”
Feeling the hoof of her grandmother on her shoulder, Apple Bloom looked up to see the sight of Granny Smith. The elderly mare gave Apple Bloom a sympathetic before saying,
“I’m sorry about your friend deary. He sounds like he was a good feller.”
Sitting upright on her bed, Apple Bloom wiped away a tear, doing her best not to break down in front of her grandmother.
“Yes, he was. He saved my life and made me feel safe. He...”
Looking at the green bandana, the memory of Konrad giving her the gift made her smile briefly before breaking into tears. As Apple Bloom cried, Granny Smith brought her granddaughter closer and hugged her firmly, rocking her back and forth.
“There there, my youngin’. Everything will be fine.”
“N-no, it won’t! He was going to play games with me and share candy later. Now I can’t do that with him! I want my friend back! It’s all Applejack’s fault.”
“Now listen here, deary; Applejack didn’t mean for any of that to happen. How do you think she feels about all this?”
Sniffing and letting out a few tears, Apple Bloom contemplated her grandmother’s question.
“Not good, I suppose.”
Pointing a hoof towards the door, Granny Smith continued,
“She’s crying her heart out as we speak. Your sister was afraid for you and thought he was the one who hurt you.”
Holding a hoof to Apple Bloom’s mouth, cutting off her impending interruption, Granny Smith continued,
“I know what you’re going to say; he didn’t do that to you, but Applejack didn’t know. What happened was an accident, Apple Bloom. Your sister loves you very much. You have a right to be mad, but please don’t hate her. We’re a family, and we shouldn’t lose each other. Losing your parents was already too much for us, especially Applejack.”
While Apple Bloom was too young to remember her parents, Applejack and Big Macintosh were old enough to remember. Granny Smith closed her eyes, remembering their parents, doing her best to hold back a tear but failing to do so.
“Please forgive your sister; she didn’t mean to hurt your friend. How would you feel if the same thing happened but the other way around?”
Contemplating her question, Apple Bloom nodded and replied,
“I would be sad Applejack wouldn’t love me anymore.”
“Now you understand my youngin?”
Wiping a few tears away from her face, Apple Bloom nodded. Hugging Granny Smith, Apple Bloom got up from her bed and headed towards the doorway.
“I think I’ll talk to Applejack now. I don’t wanna lose anypony else, especially my family.”
As Apple Bloom made her way downstairs with the intent of comforting her sister, Granny Smith looked at the dirty military bandana left on the bed. Picking it up with her hoof, the elderly mare gave it a once over before saying,
“Thank you for saving my granddaughter. My family will always be grateful for you, and...oh dear! This needs a good cleaning.”
Intent on preserving the memory of Apple Bloom’s human savior, Granny Smith threw the dirty cloth on her back and headed downstairs to clean it.
Mayor Mare had a busy day indeed overseeing the preparations for Nightmare Night. The town’s elected leader had just concluded her unexpected meeting with Princess Celestia regarding their visit and the stationing of the Guards around town. While most of them had left earlier in the day, roughly two dozen remained, with one half belonging to Princess Celestia and the other half Princess Luna. The Mayor had received a rather interesting rundown of last night’s events, giving her a severe case of the chills.
While it was comforting to know that the undead threat had been dealt with, the fact that such creatures existed in the first place was unsettling. The Guards’ purpose was to provide security if a surviving Blood Hoof sought revenge upon the town. With the powerful Princesses, the Elements of Harmony bearers, and the Royal Guard in the city, the Mayor sighed in relief. Ponyville would be safe from any threat, and the Mayor could enjoy the night’s celebration. Clearing her desk of the finished paperwork, the mare noticed something on the wall.
It was the contestant registration sheet for the costume contest.
“Ah, just one more thing to copy, file, and prepare for later. I wonder who has signed up...”
Walking over to the sheet, the mare reached for it before the door suddenly opened, revealing a panicking Lyra Heartstrings,
“Did I miss it?! Is it too late to sign up?!”
”Oh dear, Miss Heartstrings, your tardiness never ceases to amaze me.!”
Sighing, Mayor Mare answered,
“I was just about to finalize and close the sign-up sheet Miss Heartstrings. Please add your name; I’d like to leave and prepare my costume.”
Standing on her hindlegs, Lyra clumsily walked over to the sheet with a beaming smile. Mayor Mare looked at the Mint Unicorn with confusion on her face, unable to wonder if she was walking in such a manner.
“What is the name of Equestria are you doing, Miss Heartstrings?”
Balancing herself with her forelegs, Lyra used her magic to lift a quill nearby. After breathing a sigh of relief, Lyra turned to the Mayor and answered,
“Oh, nothing, just getting ready for my act, that’s all.”
”Oh, she will try woo-ing the crowd with something more than her costume to win the contest. Why does everypony think such a thing will work?”
“Miss Heartstrings, this is a costume contest, not a talent show. You can’t use music or anything else to sway the audience to vote for you.”
“But it’s crucial that I do! Everypony won’t understand unless I explain and give them a little something extra!
Rolling her eyes, the Mayor wasn’t surprised by the mint unicorn’s actions. Lyra had a tendency and reputation in town for being a bit obsessive with her creative works of music. Whether it was her music or art, she was eager to show almost everypony how great it was. While some of her works were entertaining and considered attractive, not everypony responded with praise or interest. When Lyra noticed this, she often took it as a personal offense or perceived them as “haters.”
”Some ponies cannot handle criticism, I suppose.”
“Miss Heartstrings, if I allowed such an act, everypony will do the same, and the contest will drag on longer than it should. I would also be accused of giving you an unfair advantage. You are not the only pony that wants the prize money. And if you need such an act to explain your costume, it probably isn’t a good one.”
”What type of costume could it possibly be that she needs an act for it? I have a bad feeling about this.”
The mint unicorn grabbed the Mayor and began to shake her about dramatically, pleading with all her heart.
“PLEASE! It’s going to be EPIC!”
“But-”
“EPIC!”
”She’s a mad mare! I got to get out of here!”
“Fine, just stop shaking me!”
Letting the Mayor free, Lyra beamed happily while jumping up and down, similar to Pinkie Pie going about the town as she usually did. With a rumble from her stomach and a clock nearby chiming for closing time, Mayor Mare took the opportunity to shove the appeased unicorn out of her office.
“Out Miss Heartstrings! Don’t be late! If you are, I will disqualify you!”
“Oh, I wouldn’t miss it for the world! Say, did you know that humans-”
”Oh no, not her latest craze again!”
SLAM!
Closing the door and sighing in relief, the Mayor began to walk over to the registration sheet on the wall while hearing a muffled voice from the other side of the door.
“Hater.”
Rolling her eyes, the Mayor pulled the registration sheet down and finalized the list for the event. Satisfied that there was nothing else left to do, the Mayor took her copy of the list and closed the office for the day. Relieved to be done with work, the Mayor made her way home, eager to eat dinner and put on her favorite costume. The Mayor giggled, thinking about what ridiculous costume Lyra would wear.
”Dressed as a human? I’d like to see her pull that one off.”