The next night, Starfall Eve…
“I dunno, Zecora… you really think that would work?” Spike says as he fidgets, trying not to blush.
“What I have said should not surprise, for it is not just me that sees that sparkle in your eyes.” Zecora smiles then nods to Rarity in the distance.
“I’ve wanted to give her another gift for the longest time and when I found this diamond, I just knew it was meant for her. But… you really think she’d come with me to the lake?”
“It is the perfect night, little Spike… face your fear and you will see, whether or not that pony is your destiny.” She finishes with a smile then a wink.
Spike takes a deep breath, trying to gain some courage. “You’re right! Thanks Zecora, you’re the best!” He gives the zebra a quick hug then turns and takes off running right into Twilight. “Oops, sorry, Twi… kinda in a hurry!”
“Oh, hey, Spike… I was just looking for...” She begins then stops as he moves passed her, heading over to Rarity. “…Oh, nevermind.“ She sighs. “Well, there’s no getting through to him tonight… that’s for sure.”
“That is most probably true, for that little dragon has given himself much to do.” Zecora nods then smiles. “Hello, Twilight.”
“Hi Zecora… Um, don’t mind me. I’m just trying to find a place to hide.” She points a hoof in the distance where a blue pony is performing magic amidst a large round of applause. “Somehow, Trixie got an invitation…. And she’s putting on a show near the big bonfire over there. It’s, uh, probably best if I avoid that area completely.”
“Hello Twilight and hello Zecora, are you two enjoying the festival?” Mayor Mare smiles happily but flinches and looks upwards as overhead Derpy and Rainbow Dash zip by, Dash shouting something about going the wrong way.
“Um… up till now? It’s been really nice…. But, I have a feeling I should go help.” She turns then realizes Dash just flew in the direction she’s wanted to avoid. “Or, maybe I’ll just stay here and hope for the best.”
In the distance a tent collapses followed by a muffled shout, “my bad!”
Mayor Mare rubs a temple with her hoof. “Oh that Derpy, she manages to find trouble no matter where she goes.”
Twilight gives a strained laugh. “She means well… I think.”
Above, the soft flapping of wings makes Twilight turn just as Princess Celestia lands near her.
Zecora and Mayor Mare both bow. “Your highness!”
“Princess! Twilight bows quickly then gives Celestia a hug. “I hadn’t seen you; I was worried you and Luna wouldn’t make it.”
“Hello, my student. And Mayor Mare, Zecora. You all look lovely.” Celestia gives a curtly bow in return. “I need to borrow Twilight for a moment.”
“Oh by all means!” Mayor Mare says followed by a gentle nod from Zecora.
Celestia and Twilight begin to walk, heading away from the crowds enjoying festival.
“It’s odd… I almost feel as if I should be writing this in a letter to be sent to you.” Celestia looks at Twilight half smiling, her expression turning unusually solemn. “I’ve kept a secret from you, Twilight.” Sighing deeply, she turns to look at the crowd of ponies playing games, talking and looking up at the beautiful night sky.
Twilight’s pulse quickens. “I don’t… I don’t know what you mean, Princess? What’s this all about?”
Celestia blinks slowly then glances at her student. “Over a thousand years ago… On a beautiful night - much like tonight - I had discovered the truth about Nightmare Moon and what she had done. I believe you know a part of this story from the Mare in the Moon, tale…” She pauses, looking at Twilight’s reaction.
“I... I do, but I haven’t read it since we defeated her, and Luna became, well… became herself, again.”
Celestia pauses to think, something obviously troubling her.
“Princess… is everything okay with Luna?”
“Oh? Oh yes, of course… Luna is very much my sister again, thanks to you and your friends. The truth is, Twilight, there’s an important part of the Mare in the Moon tale that few know about. It’s part of another tale called the Starborn Soldier, I believe you read it for the first time when you visited the castle recently?
“Um, yes… that was the horrible story of the guard who turned on Canterlot and then was imprisoned eternally for their crime.” Twilight tilts her head, thinking about the story. “It didn’t exactly have a happy ending.”
Celestia shakes her head once. “The guard wasn’t imprisoned… not exactly anyways. She was, in fact, exiled.” She takes a breath, suddenly haunted by the event. “Exiled under her own magic and a sentence she chose for herself.”
“Princess, I don’t understand… what does this have to do with Luna? And why tell me about this all of a sudden?”
“Because tonight… this guard’s sentence comes to an end. Luna and I wish to bring her back.”
Twilight looks at Celestia speechless, her jaw wide open.
“I can see you disapprove…”
“Um… well, no… well, actually, yes!” Twilight shakes her head trying to make sense of it. “You want to bring her back, at the festival?”
Celestia sighs and for a moment fights back tears. “Her world was torn apart during her last Starfall Festival… and since then, the world has healed much. I think returning to a place with so much happiness… it’s exactly what she needs.”
“But… Princess, is it safe?”
“Her emotions controlled her, much like they did my sister… but I am hoping that, over time, her anger has faded.”
“And you wanted us to have the Elements of Harmony on hand, just in case…”
Celestia smiles. “Just… in case.”
Twilight paces in a circle, then tugs at her mane. “I don’t know…”
Celestia smiles at her student. “There's no need to worry. Go have fun, Twilight. It may not seem like it now, but in the end, you’ll know what to do.”
Pinkie spots Twilight and Celestia and happily bounces over to them. “Hey, they’re about to sing a bunch of hymns and everypony wants to do it as a group! Do you guys wanna join in? Do ya, do ya?”
Twilight looks at Celestia then to Pinkie and back once again. “I’m not sure… this might be a bad idea, Pinkie.”
“What… singing? But I love to sing.” Pinkie’s shoulders slump. “They seem like they'd be such pretty songs, too.”
“No no, not the music… The Starfall Festival. Everything.” Twilight waves a hoof at the crowd then shakes her head, half from confusion and half from feeling like she’s done something horribly wrong. “I think it never should’ve happened.”
“Twilight.” Celestia begins then leans down and hugs her student gently. “Please don’t worry so much. Just go have some fun. Pinkie... Luna and I would be delighted to join in.” She smiles softly then spreads her wings and gently lifts herself into the air. “Just give me a moment to find her.”
“Oh um, when I last saw her, I think she was playing games over in the park.” Pinkie points a hoof.
Celestia nods then takes flight, sailing over the crowds then vanishing in the distance.
“Have fun? Is she serious?” Twilight looks at the ground, kicking a small rock with a hoof. “After telling me about all this… just go have fun, everything will be fine… Hey, wait a sec!” She stands straight up; an idea bringing her to full attention. “What if that’s it… what if it’s not too late? Maybe we can get everypony to go home, pretend this never happened!” She looks at Pinkie, frantic.
Pinkie scratches her head, puzzled. “So if we pretend the festival never happened, whatever is supposed to happen, won’t… because to us, nothing ever happened.” She blinks then looks up tapping a hoof to her chin. “I dunno, I’m kinda doubting this plan, Twilight.”
Twilight lets out a long, deep, sigh. “Fiiiiiiine. We’ll just go with it.”
“Ooookey dokey!” Pinkie, gives a huge smile. “Ooh, they’re back already! So I guess it’s tiiiiime!” She sings, her voice hitting a note that could almost break glass.