It was the hottest day of the year. Everywhere you’d look, there’d be ponies seeking refuge under the umbrage of the largest of trees, ice cold drinks kept in close reach at all times, and activity kept to a minimum level of “lazy sloth”. Even Princess Celestia had to confound her beloved sun for its summer ways. Even if it was really the fault of the weather schedule. Resting in the shade of the Castle Gardens, surrounded by lush foliage and overheating servants attempting to keep the princess cool, she had to wonder what Luna was doing. The Lunar Princess, when not going through over-the-top adventures through all of Equestria, spent her days holed up in her room. While that room was known for being dark and quiet throughout the day, Celestia felt a twinge of envy that her sister was better conditioned for the midsummer heat then she, her sister was at least not cooking like the citizens of Winniepeg were at this very moment. It was at least 30˚C over there!
She turned her attention to the fountain situated in the middle of the courtyard, and for a moment considered diving into the water, although her conscience on her right shoulder argued that the very notion would be demeaning and kind of gross. Then a small bit of movement to the left of the fountain caught her attention. It was Luna, saddlebags hitched over her spine, trotting towards the castle gate. The Princess of the Sun got up, and went to greet her dear sister.
“Good afternoon Luna! Rather lukewarm midday, isn’t it?” She purred, and Luna froze, as if caught in the act of thievery. Then her muscles relaxed, then turned to her sister.
“Hi Tia, I was about to head to Ponyville.” The younger princess smiled.
Celestia narrowed her eyes. Something was up. She breathed out and hoped for the very opposite of what she was expecting. “What for?”
Luna answered the question with ease. “I was going to see Twilight. She sent me a letter asking for a thorough environmental description of the Frozen North. She wants to take her friends there to explore.” Celestia’s suspicion disappeared without second thought, and her gaze softened to match. It sounded like something Twilight would do. The last excuse Luna had made up was that an outbreak of rabid armadillos had surfaced in the town.
“Alright then. But make sure you’re home for dinnertime. We’re having trifle for dessert!” Celestia called as Luna took off, her excitement for the English dessert apparent as she spoke the last sentence. As she turned to retreat into the cool of her throne room, her suspicion began to rise again. It was the exact day, which happened four times every year, where Luna would ask to have a sleepover. While such a social event would have been often brushed aside as a meager childish get-together, ever since Pinkie Pie found a portal that opened four times a year (which she dubbed the “Plot-hole Portal” for no other reason than “it sounds right”), Luna had been fishing new friends out of that portal and bringing them to Canterlot. She found they understood her, and were kind and gentle towards her. Although, none have been exactly normal, or mind you, docile.
The last sleepover Luna had, she had engaged in a pillow fight with Cthulhu. The time before that, she played board games with King Kong. And the time before that, she’d performed pranks with Godzilla. After the incident with Medusa, Celestia had managed to ban Lunar Sleepovers, as the young princess herself called them, from being planned. Only now Luna tried to arrange the events behind Celestia’s back, the only thing keeping Canterlot together being the truth that Celestia took extreme watch during that time, as well as monitored all of Luna’s words. As the Solar Princess finally came to rest upon her throne, and lifted a glass of strawberry smoothie to her lips, a disturbance was made, and a guard came rushing in. Her smoothie now sprawled all over the fine carpet, Celestia tried to keep a calm head.
“What is it?” Celestia inquired. The guard bowed low, and lifted his head.
“You have visitors from Las Pegasus, ambassadors in fact. They’d like to discuss something about the economy.” And in walked two pegasi of impressive stature. The stallion had a greased back ebony mane, bearing a collared tux that complemented his snowy white coat, and stared at the princess with lime eyes. The mare bore a curled cobalt mane, and was furred in the lightest of pink, although her clothing was incongruous. She was fashioned in a white robe that looked as if it had just been thrown on five minutes before, her violet eyes gazing at the floor in clear embarrassment for the lack of proper dress for such an occasion.
“Pardon us your Majesty for the interruption. I do hope we haven’t disturbed you, but we feel this conversation is of the outmost importance.” The mare announced. Celestia ordered someone to clean up the smoothie, and all staff left the room. The three stared at each other for a while, until the stallion spoke up.
“You’re Majesty, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Wealthy Share, and my colleague is Pearl Nascent, and we have come with a proposition.” The princess cocked her eyebrow.
“Do tell.”
“We run a small-scale bank system running through Las Pegasus and a tiny portion of Cloudsdale, and feel it would immensely improve the economy if one was placed here. New job opportunities will arise for the citizens of Canterlot, and a new bit distribution and safekeeping system will be introduced into Canterlot. We feel it would aid your already terrific city.” Celestia was impressed. The city’s previous sort-of-bank was destroyed when the Changelings had invaded Canterlot, and she felt the citizens needed the inclusion of a bit protection system.
“Capital idea! Could you narrow down funds you require?” Celestia announced. Pearl Nascent smiled.
“No funds are required. As we already stated, we run a bank business, and banks bring a great income of bits to our workers, so no extra is needed. Although, tomorrow morning at nine, we request a tour of Canterlot so we can chose a place to establish the bank.” She explained. The Princess of the Sun agreed, the ambassadors took their leave, and the countdown began. {21 HOURS UNTIL AMBASSADORS ARRIVE}
{16 HOURS UNTIL AMBASSADORS ARRIVE} The streets of Canterlot in the process of being cleaned, decorations being set up, and citizens picking out their attire for when the ambassadors arrived, the entire city was preparing for the tour. Everypony was excited for the possible addition for a new bank, and Celestia was more than happy that her citizens could benefit so much from something so small. As she gazed out across the commotion, she spotted two things that were out of place. There in the middle of the castle grounds, making a straight beeline for the castle entrance cantered Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, envelopes held carefully in their teeth. Celestia’s mind went straight back to that morning, when she encountered Luna at the gates. She remembered being so lost in the summer heat that she didn’t even consider that Luna would be setting up another sleepover, even when the signs were completely apparent. In a complete and utter state of panic, she flew to the two at full speed, coming to a sharp halt in front of them.
“Hi Princess Celestia! Is there a party going on? I see decorations and shininess and fancy stuff! Usually that leads to party!” Pinkie Pie greeted quintessential to her usual demeanor, dropping the envelope as she spoke using the mouth she was carrying it in. Celestia picked it up using her magic, opened it, and read the letter inside.
You are invited to Princess Luna’s Super Sleepover Extravaganza!
Come at 17:00 and meet our special guest from another universe
Have the time of your life!
-Princess Luna
Celestia lifted her head from the parchment. Her left eye twitched once. Twice.
Oh no. No no no, not now! Any other time but now! The Sun Princess thought in terror, and made a dead straight beeline for Luna’s bedroom.
“Uh, Princess? You ok? You don’t look so good.” Rainbow Dash commented on the princess’s panicked state as the two followed. She ignored the comment and kept running. Finally, she made it to Luna’s bedroom. She calmed her breathing for a moment to lean her ear to the door to listen for explosions, fire, and/or shattering glass. All she heard was Luna’s muffled voice.
“Oh, hey! You led us to Luna’s room! Thanks princess!” Pinkie Pie chirped, and proceeded to open the door.
“No wait don’t-” Was all Celestia could manage to say before the door was swung wide open.
“Good evening, Tia! Did you come to meet our new friend?”
Mother of Me.