The royals returned to Yakyakistan to spend the night. The yaks were overjoyed to have their snow princess back. Snow Pea proudly told them that she destroyed the Umbrum and Sunset conjured up a screen to prove it. The yaks held a feast in Snow Pea’s honor as well as Hope’s and Luna’s for their return. Of course, the royals had to return the Earth Bracelets to the yaks so they would be safely hidden again. Just before the royals went to sleep, Discord sent out notes for the rest of family to find when they woke up again so they wouldn’t worry.
Snow Pea awoke to soft rustling and found that Luna was slowly stepping out of the lodge. She decided to follow her great-aunt and see what was going on.
She was surprised when Luna turned to face her and said, “Hello, Snow Pea.”
Snowy gasped, “Oh, Aunt Luna! I thought you wouldn’t notice that I was here.”
Luna chuckled, “I can always tell when my nieces and nephews are behind me. Besides, your cutie mark gave you away.” Snow Pea giggled and then Luna said, “Congratulations on such an accomplishment. We shall have a cuteceanera with the family. But first, would you like to see me lower the moon?”
“Oh, yes! I’d love that.”
“Then let’s go.” The princesses made their way to a lookout post and then Luna said, “All right, Snow Pea. Are you ready?”
“Yep!”
Luna’s horn then glowed blue and the moon lowered in the sky. As it sunk into the horizon, Luna whispered, “Gratias lunam et stellas. Thank you, my dear moon and brilliant stars for…quite an eventful night.” She and Snow Pea both chuckled until the moon vanished completely. Luna then turned to her niece and said, “Wait for it.”
Snow Pea waited with anticipation for the dawn, and to her delight, the sun rose into the sky. It was so majestic for Snow Pea to witness her great-aunt lower the moon to make way for the dawn. Now she wanted to see Luna raise the moon at night.
Snowy cried, “That was awesome, Aunt Luna!”
Luna playfully asked, “Which part? The moon lowering or the sun rising?”
“All of it! It was so cool!”
Luna chuckled, “I’m glad you liked it all, Snow Pea.”
Just then, they heard a groan below them and saw Discord coming out of the lodge in his nightclothes. He rubbed his eyes and groaned, “Can you turn the sunlight down? It’s hurting my eyes.”
Hope then emerged from the lodge and rubbed her eyes as well. She said, “I think it’s been too long since we’ve seen the sun.”
Luna and Snow Pea chuckled at that.
Shining Armor and Cadance waited at the dais just after they received a strange note. It read:
Don’t worry. We’re A-okay. You were all under a sleeping curse and the moon stayed in the sky. Naturally, we went on a quest to fix everything and sent the others to the Everfree Castle. If we’re not here by the time you wake up, we will be here shortly.
See ya!
Discord and family
P.S. There’s somepony you’re definitely going to want to see.
The couple was confused by this, but then decided to wait at the dais. When they got there, they were shocked to see that the Crystal Heart had disappeared.
Shining Armor muttered under his breath, “I hope everything is okay like Discord said.”
Suddenly, a crystal guard rushed to the dais and said, “Your Highnesses, a team of yaks is headed this way with a sledded caravan!”
Moments later, a team of yaks appeared from the horizon and pulled the caravan all the way to the dais. When they stopped, one yak said, “Distinguished Majesties, we bring you members of family.”
Just then, the fillies jumped out of the wagon and cried, “Aunt Cadance! Uncle Shiny!”
The couple embraced the fillies as Cadance chuckled, “Girls! Thank goodness you’re all right! What happened while we were all asleep?”
Screwball said, “Well, it’s kind of a long story.”
A voice then came from the wagon, “One best told over a nice cup of tea.”
At that moment, Discord climbed out of the wagon and Spike, Sunset, and Pip followed suit.
Shining Armor asked, “Well, what I want to know is what happened to the Crystal Heart.”
Luna then emerged from the wagon, “I believe there’s a pony who can tell you that.”
To Cadance and Shining Armor’s surprise, a crystal pony stepped out from the wagon and pulled the Crystal Heart from a burlap bag.
Cadance gasped, “You’re…Radiant Hope!”
Hope chuckled, “Yep.” She used her magic to put the Crystal Heart back in its place. The Heart spun and a burst of light followed as confirmation of being secure.
Shining Armor said, “All right. Tell us everything.”
In the foyer of the Crystal Palace, the royals who had been on the adventure told them everything. Hope told them about what happened to her and how she finally became free of the darkness. Shining Armor, Cadance, and Skyla were all surprised when Snow Pea showed them her cutie mark. Skyla embraced her while Skyla’s parents congratulated Snowy.
Cadance then asked, “Hope, you’re the heir to the throne. What should we do?”
Hope said, “Well, here’s the thing. I’m thinking about stepping down from princesshood.”
Everyone was shocked to hear this, especially Discord. He sputtered, “But-but you can’t give up the throne just because Cadance and Shining Armor are ruling the Crystal Empire!”
Hope explained, “It’s not that. I think these two are the right rulers for the kingdom. I never felt like I could be a princess. All I wanted was to be free to do what I loved most. I have a gift for healing, and being a princess will keep me too busy to help other ponies.”
Shining then asked, “So you want to be a doctor, then?”
“Well, basically. I bet it’ll really help a lot of ponies out there. I could travel the land when needed and make house calls if necessary. Being a princess is an honorable position, but I think it’ll be too much for me. Besides, I wouldn’t mind a little adventure now and then.”
Discord sniffled, “Oh, Hope, what a sweet thing to say.” He then asked the royal couple, “So, what do you think?”
Cadance and Shining Armor looked at each other and nodded. The pink alicorn then said, “We think it’s a wonderful idea.”
Shining Armor proclaimed, “From this day forth, you are an official physician in our royal court.”
Hope smiled, “Thank you! Thank you both! I’d be honored to be a royal doctor.”
Apple Jewel then asked, “But what about the Water Necklace?”
Before Hope could answer, Cadance said, “I think it’s in good hooves.”
Hope asked, “But what about the kelpies? What will they think?”
The alicorn replied, “They might agree with me. I’m sure it’s in capable hooves. We could throw in an extra spell to keep it from being stolen.”
Luna agreed, “My daughter’s right. And besides, the necklace is powerful magic. Somepony has to protect it. And that pony is you.”
Hope said, “Well, if you insist.”
Cadance suggested, “We can talk to the kelpies if you like.”
“I think that would be wonderful.”
The Everfree royals arrived in Canterlot to wait for the others. After they had awakened, Zecora told them everything she knew about what had happened. They then found that they had received a note from Discord telling them to go to Canterlot and wait there. Celestia and Sombra were anxiously waiting as well since they had received a note saying that Luna was all right.
Rainbow Dash said, “Have we really been asleep for that long?”
Twilight said, “That’s what Zecora told us.”
Celestia said, “Since I was under the sleeping curse, the sun never came up. We have to assume it was just one night.”
Scootaloo added, “One very long night.”
Just then, a guard entered the throne room and said, “Your Highnesses, the other royals have returned.”
He then stepped aside and let the group of family members enter the room.
Apple Bloom cried as she raced into Pip’s arms, “Pip! I thought I lost ya!”
Pip chuckled, “Oh, come now, Bloom. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
Fluttershy hugged her husband and daughter and said, “Thank goodness you both are all right! I would’ve been worried sick about you!”
Screwball said, “But I bet you had sweet dreams to keep you happy, right?”
Discord retorted, “Well, I experienced a nightmare about you and Mommy abandoning me!”
Fluttershy gasped, “What?”
Discord explained, “Long story.”
Applejack embraced her husband and daughter as she said, “You two must’ve had a hay of an adventure while we were all asleep.”
Spike chuckled, “Yep.”
Apple Jewel agreed, “And we can’t wait to tell you about it!”
Celestia and Luna embraced and the elder sister said, “I’m glad you’re back safely, sister.”
Luna nodded, “I am as well, Celie.”
Sunset and Twilight hugged each other as Twilight said, “I’m so glad you’re okay, Sun-Sun. I’m surprised you and Snow Pea were able to get the jewelry off.”
Sunset shrugged, “Well, it’s been quite an adventure, Twi-Twi.”
The twins both laughed at that.
Snow Pea got into a group hug with her family. She said, “I’m so happy you’re all okay, guys! I was so worried about you.”
Button – who had just arrived from Marendelle – asked Snow Pea, “So what was it like being on a quest?”
Snowy answered, “It was exciting, that’s for sure. I learned to accept my powers and something exciting happened.”
LB asked, “What?”
Snowy smiled, “Well, I want to show everypony.”
LB then shouted at the top of her lungs, “Hey, everypony! Snow Pea wants to show you something!”
Snow Pea blushed furiously as all eyes turned to the family. Sweetie Belle chuckled, “I don’t think Snow Pea meant it in that way.”
Snowy said, “That’s okay, Mom. Besides, I think you’re all going to like it.”
She used her magic to take off the cloth that had covered her flank. Everypony who didn’t know gasped in amazement when they saw her cutie mark.
Skater exclaimed, “Lucky!”
Whirl Wind said, “Wicked!”
Starling said, “That’s so cool!”
Celestia smiled, “Yes, we are all very happy you got your cutie mark, Snow Pea. We’re all proud of you.”
Snow Pea said, “Thank you.”
Discord said, “And now there’s one more pony I’m sure you’ll be surprised to see.” He called into the double doors, “Come on in!”
When Radiant Hope stepped into the room, everypony stared at her with a pregnant pause. Hope broke the silence, “Hi, everypony.”
Celestia and Sombra rushed to her and cried, “Hope!”
Sombra asked, “Is it really you?”
Hope nodded, “Yes, dear friend. It’s me.”
Celestia asked, “What happened to you?”
Hope answered, “I think we need to go to the foyer so all of us can explain.”
When everyone had gathered into the foyer, Hope and the royals that went on the quest told the family everything.
After Hope had finished telling her story, Sombra shook his head and said, “Oh, Hope…I didn’t know you endured so much. I didn’t know that you loved me. I am sorry I added to your pain.”
Celestia said, “And I am sorry as well. Please forgive us.”
Hope said, “Well…It wasn’t really your fault. I know you two are a happier couple than Sombra and I would’ve been. He made a good choice. I didn’t. It didn’t really matter to me whether or not Sombra and I would’ve been together. All I wanted was for my friends to be happy.”
Celestia said, “Yet you sacrificed your own happiness to the point of turning evil.”
“I know. It was really stupid of me to trust the sirens in the first place.”
Sombra comforted, “You just wanted to get away from misery. That’s all.”
Hope said, “Yes, but now I know that I shouldn’t run away from my problems.”
Sombra chuckled, “Then I guess we’re in the same boat.”
“What?”
“You see, a long time ago, I was cursed by a changeling queen to have darkness within me. I stayed away from my family to keep them safe. It wasn’t until Discord and most of my sons-in-law convinced me to save my daughters. When I went to save my girls, they told me how much they loved me and hence broke the curse.”
“I think the same thing happened to me when I took the blow for Discord. I valued my friendship, but I had forgotten that as Belladonna.”
Discord admitted while in garbage man attire and holding a trash bag labeled ‘Hope’s Friendship’, “Well, I’m pretty much to blame by dumping it away…” He dumped the trash bag in a wastebasket before continuing, “…before I got turned into stone.”
Hope turned to Discord and asked, “So you wanna be friends again?”
Discord shook her hoof as he said, “Let’s.”
Sombra asked, “I have a question. Why didn’t you tell me you were friends with Discord?”
Discord put his hands on his hips and asked, “Yeah. Why?”
Hope explained, “Well, I thought that Sombra wouldn’t like Discord if he saw him with me.”
Sombra said, “Oh, Hope, I always judge ponies and creatures by their actions, not their appearances. If you had told me about Discord before he began wreaking chaos, things would’ve turned out completely different.”
Screwball then pointed out, “But then Mommy and Daddy wouldn’t have met and I wouldn’t have been born!”
Her grandfather chuckled, “You make a good point, Screwball.”
Hope added, “And if I didn’t meet the Sirens that night, things would’ve been different, too.”
Discord said, “So either way, we could’ve avoided this plot.”
All the royals laughed at this.
*Several months later*
FWOOSH!
“No.”
FWOOSH!
“No.”
FWOOSH!
“Not right.”
FWOOSH!
“Too classy.”
FWOOSH!
“Too wild.”
FWOOSH!
“Aah! Too creepy!”
Roller Blade groaned, “Come on, Snow Pea. Make a cake topper already!”
Snow Pea said, “Okay, okay. I think I’ve got it!” She concentrated her magic on the Nightmare Moon cake topper and morphed the ice into the shape on a crescent moon with Princess Luna sitting on the lower curve of the moon.
She smiled, “There! Perfect!”
Just then, her mother, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom walked over to the table and Sweetie asked, “So how’s it going over here?”
Roller Blade said, “Snow Pea finally made a cake topper for the cake.”
Snowy asked, “So, do you like it?”
AB said, “Well, I think Luna’s gonna love it.”
A voice then said, “Hmm…It still needs something.”
The ponies turned in surprise to see Princess Luna. She wore a shimmering white gown to reflect the moon she raised and lowered each night.
The ponies stood in awe of her until Roller Blade exclaimed, “Aunt Luna, you look amazing!”
Luna smiled, “Thank you.” The alicorn then said, “Snow Pea, will you…” She then whispered the rest in Snowy’s ear.
Snowy gasped in excitement and asked Luna, “You mean it?”
Luna nodded, “Of course.”
Snow Pea happily morphed the ice again and this time, it took on the shapes of Luna and Snow Pea.
Snow Pea hugged her great-aunt and said, “Thank you, Aunt Luna! Thank you!”
Luna chuckled, “You’re welcome. Besides, it would be more fitting if we celebrated your wintery powers as well.”
It was early in the morning and the royals were making last-minute preparations for the Winter Moon Festival, which was held in Ponyville this year. The smaller royal children built snow castles with the Ponyville children, Rainbow Dash and her family hung the twinkling lights, and Rarity supervised clothing the tables with constellation sheets. Applejack and Apple Bloom heated the hot apple cider and set down the apple turnovers while Flash and Spike prepared the mooncakes and chocolate fountains.
Spike tried to dip his finger in a fountain, but Applejack chastised him, “Honey, no dipping your finger in the chocolate fountain!”
Spike whined, “But it looks so delicious!”
Flash pushed him away from the fountain as he said, “I got an idea. How about we get the Tarax Hippo costume ready?”
Spike sighed, “Looks like I’ll be it again this year.” He then muttered, “Though I’m not looking forward to the garlic smell.”
In another area of the field, Fluttershy, Discord, and Screwball were releasing Ug Bugs into the air.
Discord kept shooing them from his head and grunted, “Dearest, why should there be Ug Bugs every year? Couldn’t we do – I don’t know – fireflies or something?”
Screwball giggled, “Daddy, fireflies don’t like the cold.”
“Well, I don’t like the cold!” Discord shook as he wrapped his arms around himself, “It freezes my tail.”
Fluttershy chuckled as she flew up to meet him face-to-face, “Don’t worry, honey. I’m sure some hot chocolate will warm you right up.”
Discord melted under her sweet caress, something he feared he might never feel again when he thought she was gone. He tempted her, “You know, I think some of your kisses will set me on fire.”
Fluttershy giggled, “Oh, you…” Discord grabbed her and turned her before leaning in for a kiss.
Screwball turned her head away and muttered, “Just don’t look, Screwy. Just don’t look.”
Twilight then came up to Flash and said, “So is everything ready?”
Flash replied, “As ready as we’ll ever be.”
Sunset then walked up to them and said, “Well, we’re still expecting a cake from Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich said they were bringing it.”
Flash said, “Wait. Don’t we already have a cake over there?” He then gestured to the cake on the table with the ice cake topper Snow Pea made.
Twilight put a hoof to her chin and said, “You’re right. That does seem a bit odd. I wonder…”
A high-pitched voice squealed, “Twiiillligght!”
The trio turned to see the party couple with Shining Armor, Cadance, and Skyla. They were followed by the Cakes, who were hauling a big box behind them. Twilight and Flash soon noticed how the party couple looked a bit shaky…with excitement.
Sunset said, “Whoa, what’s got you two so revved up?”
Both Cheese and Pinkie whined when they glanced at each other. Cheese then said, “We’ve been working on a surprise.”
Pinkie then blurted out, “But we have to wait till the festival starts!”
Both Flash and Twilight asked, “What?”
The party couple then said, “See ya!” They then dashed off at lightning speed.
It wasn’t long before the festival started. Everypony gathered for the occasion. They honored Princess Luna and, on the dark blue alicorn’s behalf, her great-niece Snow Pea. Snow Pea felt like she truly belonged in this moment. She thought that most everything about the festival was meant just for her and Aunt Luna. Suddenly, a sleigh abruptly arrived. The royals were shocked to see Radiant Hope on it…with Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Starlight Glimmer!
Discord embraced Hope and said, “Hope, you came! I was wondering if you got my letter.”
Hope chuckled, “I did. I’m sorry it took me so long. I wanted to invite some friends.”
Scootaloo asked in disbelief, “’Friends’?”
Hope smiled, “Yes, Scootaloo. They’ve changed, just as I have. I would like for you to give these three a second chance.”
This presented Sunset a chance to talk to Starlight one-on-one on a personal level. Starlight may have raised her, but Sunset didn’t truly know her at all. When she read her former guardian’s diaries, she felt like Starlight needed another chance. However, Starlight couldn’t know that her diaries had been read, so Sunset had to be careful.
The amber unicorn stepped forward and said, “I’ll give Starlight a chance.”
Starlight was surprised by this. She then managed to say, “But…I thought you hated me for locking you away.”
Sunset shrugged, “Well…I don’t think locking you up was any better. Let’s be friends, Starlight. I forgive you for all those years. Will you accept my offer?”
Starlight’s eyes began leaking tears as a smile spread across her face. She then hugged Sunset and said, “Yes, Sunset! I do! Thank you!”
The crowd clapped at the happy moment. Now it was Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon’s turn. The pair came face-to-face with the adopted princesses, but Diamond Tiara found it hard to get the words out.
She said, “Well, um…We, uh…You didn’t…Umm…”
Silver Spoon then spoke for her, “What she means to say is that we have seen the error of our ways and that we would like to humbly apologize for our actions on Marendelle.”
Diamond Tiara interjected, “I’ll do the apologizing, Silver Spoon.” She paused and then nervously chuckled, “Eh-heh-heh. Sorry. I mean, thanks for helping, Silver Spoon, but I think that I should apologize for us.” She turned to the trio and rubbed the back of her head, tittering, “I’m sorry. I’m just so new at being nice.”
DT then sighed, “Look, I almost did horrible things to you. I almost forced Button to marry me. Can either of you forgive me?”
Button, being gracious, nodded and said, “I forgive you.” He turned to the trio and said, “What about you, girls?”
The three princesses turned to each other and Apple Bloom said, “I say we give them a chance. Whaddya say?”
Sweetie Belle nodded, “We should.”
The two of them looked at Scootaloo. She let out a small sigh, “Okay. I’ll give it a shot.”
DT and Silver Spoon both asked with hope, “So that means you will?”
The adopted princesses faced the pair and said in unison, “Yes. We forgive you.”
DT cheered, “All right!”
She then embraced Sweetie Belle while Silver Spoon embraced Scoots and AB.
Diamond Tiara then said, “First, I want to say something I never said on Marendelle.” She extended a hoof and said, “Congratulations on winning the contest…and Button Mash’s heart. You were the right mare for him.”
Sweetie then shook her hoof and said, “Thank you. I’m sure you’ll find somepony you’ll love, too.”
“That is, if I can work on my social skills.”
The crowd chuckled at that.
About half an hour had passed before Shining Armor and Cadance went up to a platform and tapped the microphone to get the ponies’ attention.
When the crowd’s attention was diverted to the couple, Shining Armor said, “Thank you, one and all, for coming to the Winter Moon Festival this year.”
Cadance then said, “It is a special time of year for my mother, and I want to take the time to tell her how much I appreciate her and love her despite all the times I’ve been difficult.”
The crowd chuckled at that.
Cadance continued, “Mother, I know how much work it was to raise me. Believe me, I’m facing those same hurdles with Skyla. But somehow…” She gave Shining Armor a smirk before continuing, “…I think Aunt Celestia might give me advice about raising two.”
Both Luna and Twilight cried out, “Two?!”
Shining Armor said, “That’s right…”
When the box behind them collapsed to reveal a yellow, pink, and blue cake, the couple shouted out, “We’re having a baby!”
Just then, Pinkie and Cheese lost total control and started shouting out, “A baby! It’s a baby! Another baby!”
The party couple continued to bounce around as Luna hugged her daughter and Twilight embraced Shining Armor. The crowd erupted into cheers at the joyous news.
The festival continued throughout the day until it was dusk. The ponies remained quiet with anticipation while Luna prepared to raise the moon. Celestia lowered the sun and every pony held their breath as Luna’s horn began to glow…
It was so beautiful in Snow Pea’s eyes. True, she did get a chance to see Luna raising the moon before Snowy had to leave for Marendelle, but this felt special to her. It was because the ponies at the festival were lucky enough to see Luna raising the moon with their own eyes.
She could relate to Luna in so many ways. They had a love for snow, they weren’t exactly social butterflies, and they had so much beauty to offer with their gifts. Now Snow Pea knew who she wanted to be like when she grew up: her Grandma Tia, her mother, her Aunt Twilight, her Aunt Sunset…and her Aunt Luna.
When the ponies cheered at the sight of the moon rising, Discord lifted Snow Pea up and said, “Okay, Snow Pea. Blow!”
This always followed the traditional rising of the moon. Luna would often blow the giant bukkehorn to celebrate. But this year, that honor fell unto Snow Pea. But before she could blow into the bukkehorn, she let out a sneeze. That sneeze created a giant snowball that blew out of the bukkehorn and into the air.
The adults were stunned while the kids cried out, “Whoa!”
Discord set Snowy on the ground as he said, “Hang on. I got this!” He then flashed into the air and telekinetically pulled the snowball towards him.
Snow Pea gasped while Sunset cried, “Discord, wait!”
Discord then conjured up a tennis racket and swung it, saying, “Serve’s up!”
When he hit the snowball, masses of snowflakes fell onto the crowd and the snowy field. The ponies all laughed and jumped in the freshly-fallen snow. The kids looked all around for Discord until they saw an oddly-shaped snowman with four limbs on the ground.
Screwball chuckled as Discord shook the snow off his head, “You’re the awesomest dad in the world!”
Fire Spark added, “And the most amazing uncle.”
Discord smiled, “Aww…” The snow melted with his heart at the nice things the kids said about him. He spread his arms and said, “Group hug!”
The kids all jumped into his arms and embraced him. It was truly a beautiful night for the Winter Moon Festival...and no one could’ve been happier.