//------------------------------//
// A unicorn walks into a bar... 
// Story: Midnight Train 
// by Drax99 
//------------------------------//


For a smile they can share the night,
It goes on and on, and on, and on...

 
Nervously she checked her outfit one last time, going over both the physical and magical changes to her appearance, before pushing the door open with a hoof and stepping inside. The first thing that she noticed was the noise, as a forlorn song played from the jukebox in the corner. She remembered when they were the latest in technology; a natural evolution from the old gramophones and record players of days past. Now a pony could listen to one of hundreds of songs recorded onto magical crystals for the cost of a few bits.
 
The next thing that assaulted her was the smell. Cheap wine, and even cheaper perfume permeated the air of the dive, barely masking the scent of sweat and shame that underlay everything. It was the smell of lost hope, desperation, and loose morals. It was almost enough to make her turn tail and bolt from the place.
 
Why not, nopony had seen her? Not that they would recognize her under the powerful enchantments she had used to disguise herself. Gone were the slender wings, regal stature, and even her purple coat. Even her cutie mark was temporarily changed into a simple white star. Scanning the room, she quickly spotted the restrooms, and made a beeline toward the open door under a sign bearing a rather crude image of a lifted tail. She scrunched her muzzle in distaste as she ducked inside, closing the door and muffling the music from the bar.
 
Walking up to the only intact mirror, she glared at the stranger looking back at her. A greenish unicorn with a sickly yellow mane peered nervously from the frame, looking as if she were going to be sick. Indeed, the smell of urine and other substances were strong enough to make most ponies ill, but it was shame and nerves that caused her current distress.
 
“Come on Twilight, you can do this. Just order a few drinks, chat with the nice ponies at the bar, and try to relax.” The mare in the mirror didn't look as if she was buying the pep talk, as she swallowed nervously. She thought back on the reason she was here, closing her eyes and letting her hammering heart slow.
 



 
“C’mon Twilight. You haven't been out of the castle in years. You need to move on with your life. Hell, you need to get a life!” The large purple dragon rumbled from his place, sprawled across one of the crystal thrones set around the large table. “It’s been what, ten years since AJ passed?”
 
“Twelve.” The alicorn responded tersely, refusing to even meet his gaze.
 
“Yeah, twelve years since the last of your friends passed away. You haven't once tried to make another friend, or even leave the damn castle. Some Princess of Friendship you are!” He threw his claws in the air, yelling to the ceiling. Above them a virtual snowstorm of crystals hung like a waterfall from the roots of the old tree above.
 
“You wanna know what they are calling you now? Princess of Loneliness.” He sighed, letting his head flop back over the arm of the chair. “Even Discord stopped asking how you were doing. And don’t get me started on all the letters that Princess Celestia keeps sending!”
 
“I’m sorry, Spike. I’m just not ready to be hurt again.” The Princess of Purple sighed, looking away.
 
“No! I’m not going to let you keep doing this to yourself. You need friends. You need loved ones. Hell, you need to get laid!” Rolling forward the dragon smashed a fist on the table.
 
“Spike! That was uncalled for, and none your damn business!” cheeks burning brightly, the pony retorted hotly, raising her voice for the first time.
 
“Oh please. I am your only friend, and practically your brother. Some things need to be said, and there’s nopony else to say them, so I will.” Grinning sadistically, the large drake leaned forward for the kill. “Besides, I hear you in the shower.”
 
“Auuugh! Shut up!” leaping to her hooves, Twilight ignited her horn and launched a large chunk of loose crystal from a nearby fixture at the dragon. With a smirk, he caught it deftly from the air, and took a large bite.
 
With a satisfied smile, he slowly chewed his prize before replying, “You know I’m right.”
 
With a final stomp of her hoof, Twilight stormed out of the hall, leaving a smug dragon behind.
 



 
Taking one last look at herself, she sighed heavily. Spike was right. She really did need to move forward with her life. She needed friends. She needed love. And she really did need to get laid. It did wonders for Spike, since he had started courting Dragon Lord Ember. He had put on an amazing growth spurt, and had quickly grown to be one of the most powerful dragons of the realm, as both Consort to the Dragon Lord, and Ambassador to Equestria.
 
Meanwhile, Twilight was finding tabloids asking if she was still alive, after the tragic passing of the last Bearer of Harmony, and her friend, Applejack. She had become a recluse, shut away, and not even talking to her former mentor, Princess Celestia.
 
Only Spike, her surrogate brother, and last remaining friend, had the gall to force her from her shell and refused to leave her side. So now here she was, disguised, trying to find a one night stand, or if she was lucky, a new friend. A really skanky, questionable friend.
 
Exiting the sanctuary of the little filly’s room, she scanned the dank bar again, noticing this time the denizens of the dive. There were several stallions in one corner, holding either a drinking contest, or a poker game. The piles of glasses and chips made it hard to tell which. At the bar were a few loners, hunched over their drinks, as if contemplating trying to crawl into the glass. The bartender leaned against the bar, looking bored as he nodded to a mare in a rather scandalous outfit who seemed to be telling a story. A griffon hen seemed more to be hunting something in the bar, scanning the room as she leaned against the jukebox. The spiked leather she wore made her even more intimidating, as she guarded her latest “kill”. Nopony else seemed to be interested in fighting her to change the song on the machine, which was now playing some angry song that sounded like two diamond dogs fighting over a drum set.
 
Taking one more deep breath of the stagnant air, Twilight braced herself, shaking her shoulders out and striding up to the bar. Climbing onto a stool, she nodded to the bartender. The mare he was listening to peered curiously at Twilight, before leaning in to whisper in his ear. She noticed idly that the bartender was a unicorn, while the mare was a pegasus. Granted, it was hard to tell with the saddle and corset she was wearing, which seemed to blend into her wings. Or were they tied in place?
 
The bartender nodded and smiled, not taking his eyes off the newcomer, before making his way down the bar to the disguised princess.
 
“Yer new. Name’s Connor. Welcome to the Pink Pony. Wat kin ah git ye.” He muttered in a deep brogue, bringing to mind the hill ponies of the Trottish highlands she had studied as a young mare.
 
Blinking nervously, Twilight stammered, “Oh ah... What’s on tap?”
 
“Pint o stout it is.” The earth pony spit out, grinning. The gaps in his teeth matched the scars on his muzzle, telling a tale of many fights, not all of them victorious. He turned and trotted away before she could answer, and almost as quickly returned with a mug of dark froth. “Two bits.” he growled, softening his tone with another gapped smile.
 
“Oh, yes. Of course.” Pulling out her purse, she levitated out a large golden coin, before her concentration was interrupted by a large hoof slapping the coin to the bar.
 
“At tut-tut! Ye crazy? Ye dun come inna place like dis with dat kinna coin!” The bartender leaned in, scanning the room nervously. He leaned in close, causing the mare to back away nervously. “Ye copper?” he hissed in her ear.
 
“W-what?” Twilight stammered.
 
“Brass? Guard? Bloddy noble? Who else got coin like dat?” he leaned back, and the coin had disappeared. “Damn Canterlot tourist more like, gonna git kilt iffen ye not careful.”
 
“No, no I’m just umm... a maid? Fr-from the castle. The princess pays well, but I don’t get out much.” Thinking furiously, the disguised mare lied.
 
“Hah! A recluse maid fer a recluse princess. How fittin’.” the bartender guffawed. “Well lassie, ye jes bought yeself a night o’ drinks. Jes keep dat purse close, an yer pretty head straight.” Grinning down the bar at the barfly, who was curiously looking at them with a raised brow. “Enless ye not straight, and wanna lil fun.” Chuckling, the stallion ambled away and into a door behind the bar.
 
“What?” Twilight asked the seat next to her, blinking confusedly.
 
After getting no answer from the empty seat, she sighed and turned back to her mug. She noticed the creamy foam had settled to a black body with a solid looking head. Ghostly waves of caramel continued to cascade in the inky depths as the beer continued to settle, making it look more like a living thing than a drink. Inhaling deeply, she sensed the smell of yeast and bread, with the undertones of something burned, like an old, wet campfire. Shrugging, she raised the mug to her lips, and carefully took a sip. As the foam clung to her lip like marshmallow on a cup of cocoa, the deep taste of bitter stout washed over her tongue. Her eyes grew wide  as her body became alive with the experience, and she quickly put the mug down.
 
“Wow!” the faux unicorn exclaimed and she caught her breath. It was like the best black coffee had gotten shitfaced drunk, and then made sweet, sweet love to a box of dark chocolate.
 
“I know, right?” A voice said next to her, startling the princess from her beer-bourne nirvana. “He brews it himself, out back. Says he gets the grain from back home, wherever that is.” The pegasus mare was suddenly in the previously empty seat, and uncomfortably close to the disguised mare.
 
“Um, hi?” She squeaked out, nervously.
 
“Hello yourself, gorgeous. Name is Solar Wind, but friends call me Sunny.” Holding out a hoof, she introduced herself. “And you are?”
 
Shyly, Twilight took the hoof, giving it a quick shake before retreating. “Umm, Dusk Shine.”
 
“Ooh, dark and mysterious. I like it.” The winged mare chuckled. Her voice was velvety and deep, holding a sure confidence, and dripping honey. Up close, she looked every bit as she sounded, with a sleek light grey coat, and yellow mane, streaked with orange. Her outfit looked to be made of actual leather, and would be at just as at home on the bar’s resident griffon. And yet where the hybrid’s gear made her intimidating, the pegasus mare looked soft and alluring.
 
Blushing furiously, Twilight leaned away. “It’s just, a name. Ya know?”
 
“Oh I think we have a shy one here, don't we?” chuckling throatily, Sunny leaned away, giving the flustered mare more space. “I know just the thing to deal with that!”
 
“Hey Connor! Get yer hillbilly ass out here!” turning to the bar, she yelled surprisingly loud.
 
“Auch! Quiet ye bloddy wench!” came the irate reply. “Ah told ye before, me clan are not hillbillies. We are proud Highland Ponies!”
 
“Yeah, yeah. Don't get your dress in a twist.” the mare shot back. Twilight’s mouth fell open at the casual insults being tossed about.
 
Coming out from his hiding spot, the stallion slammed his hooves on the bar as he scowled at the wayward patron. “Blasted mare, it’s not a dress, issa Kilt! An ah only wear it on special occasions!”
 
Leaning forward, the pegasus planted a kiss squarely on the bartender’s lips, stopping his rant, and rendering him paralyzed as his brain seemed to come to a crashing halt. With a giggle, the mare leaned back, and enjoyed her hoofwork.
 
“You sure are cute when you’re angry.” She teased with a laugh.
 
Shaking his head as his brain rebooted, he quietly retorted, “And yer slutty when yer drunk...”
 
“Oh, is that a complaint?” she challenged.
 
“Not at all lass, not at all.” With a goofy grin, the bartender sat down.
 
“So, dear Connor, I will be needing the bottle.”
 
“The bottle?” Looking suddenly nervous, the bartender scratched his head. “Wot bloddy bottle?”
 
“Don’t play coy with me. You know exactly what I mean.” Eyes narrowed, Sunny leaned forward onto the bar.
 
“Oh fine, all right. Kin ah at least look at it a bit first?” he pleaded, sounding like a petulant colt.
 
“Honey, you can stick it in your ass when I’m done, for all I care.” She retorted flatly.
 
Twilight, who was trying to take another drink of her beer found her timing to be poor as she sprayed the bar and started to choke upon hearing this. Sunny leaned over and patted her on the back as she choked, while the bartender slumped off sullenly, muttering to himself.
 
“You alright there, honey?” she cooed. “Don’t let our banter throw you off. We go way back. My daddy owned this bar, and left it to his family. I’ve known him since he was a little colt. He’s like the little brother I never had. Or wanted.” She finished with a smirk.
 
“Bu-but you kissed him!” Twilight sputtered, indignantly.
 
“Oh yea! The fastest way to shut a colt up is to give them what they all want.” Giggling she planted a kiss on Twilight’s cheek, causing her to freeze. “Works on mares too.” she finished, huskily, before leaning back with a smirk.
 
Before Twilight could formulate a response, the bartender returned carrying a small wooden crate. He carefully blew the dust off, and pried the lid open, before reverently removing the bottle packed carefully inside.
 
“Ahh yes, there we are.” Sunny said in hushed tones. “The last known bottle of Lunar Bloodwine. Hoof crafted by Luna herself, from the extinct Tenebrous Grapes grown in her private garden. It comes from the last batch crafted during the short reign of the Nightmare Republic, shortly before she went mad and turned into Nightmare Moon.”
 
“What! That’s impossible!” Twilight sputtered, before lowering her voice. “That’s not possible. According to the royal archives, every drop was destroyed after the rebellion. And besides, even if it was real, it would be worth several fortunes! It belongs in a museum, not in some dusty crate in a dive bar!”
 
“Oi lass! Be not disrespectin’ the bottle! It’s been in my family for generations, and I can assure you it’s real. Twas a gift from the Princess herself.” Connor growled.
 
“But how?” the unicorn asked.
 
“If it makes you happy, we can donate the bottle after we are done.” Sunny replied with a smile.
 
“Dear Celestia! You’re gonna DRINK it?” Twilight yelled, getting angry glares from the rest of the bar.
 
“Of course not, my dear Dusk.” Twilight relaxed a moment. “We are going to drink it. Together.” This made the false unicorn almost faint.
 
Giving a pop, the cork was liberated with a wing, as three glasses were placed on the bar. Three measured drams of liquid were dispensed, looking more like congealed shadow than any wine Twilight had ever seen. What little light was in the bar seemed to bleed away as if being hungrily absorbed by the fluid.
 
“Wait for it...” Sunny muttered, as Twilight reached forward to take one of the glasses. She pulled her hoof back as if burned, and looked at the pegasus in confusion. The sudden silence made itself known, as the disguised mare realized that all eyes were now on them, expectantly. Even the jukebox has stopped playing, as if reverently holding its breath.
 
After a moment of stillness, there was a flash, like a camera going off, and the three glasses were transformed into pools of silvery light. Instead of inky blackness, the wine now shimmered like the full moon on a clear lake. The silence was shattered as everyone in the bar cheered, and the music returned. Within moments, the bar was back to it’s normal self, except for three glowing goblets now waiting on the bar.
 
“And that’s how you know it’s real!” Sunny replied with a grin.
 
“Amazing! The oxygen in the air must form a reaction to the latent magic and compounds in the wine to create luminescence! The archives don't mention anything about this!” The former librarian gushed. Suddenly she looked up and blushed at the appraising looks her companions were giving her. “I mean, ummm... It glows!”
 
Both the bartender and the barfly chucked at this, each taking a glass. Someone could be heard muttering “Adorkable” from somewhere in the bar, although she couldn't tell from where. Twilight hesitantly took the glass in her magic, and lifted it before her face, expectantly.
 
“To new friends, and old drinks!” Sunny quipped with a grin, holding her glass with a wing.
 
“Aye, I’ll drink to that!” Connor replied, and all three tapped glasses in toast.
 
As the liquid touched her lips, the scent hit her like a bag of sand. Rich, heady, sweet like a thick cordial, and yet somehow dry and cleansing. The taste as it swam across her tongue was like licking a battery made of pure sunlight, as every receptor in her tongue fought for control, sending her head into a spin. There was salt, sweetness, the acid tang of fresh citrus, and the mellow bitterness of good chocolate. Even a bit of spicy burn, which was quickly drowned in the soothing coolness of fresh well water.
 
Before she knew it, the glass was empty and she was gasping for air. She was fairly certain that her seat was now wet, and she blushed harder in embarrassment.
 
“Luna’s fucking teats, that was amazing!” Twilight gasped, before clapping her hooves over her muzzle in shock. The other two were just smirking at her, glasses still mostly full, as she felt her cheeks begin to burn even brighter. “I’m sorry!”
 
“Hah! Lass, dun worry. Iffen I was wearin me kilt, it wouldn't be fitten meh right now.” With a guffaw, the bartender tapped glasses with the pegasus and downed the rest.
 
“Yes, well.” Sunny started, “It certainly hits you in all the right spots.” Giggling, she emptied her own glass. “That being said, how about me and you take this somewhere a bit more private?”
 
“Oi! Why you always stealin me customers?” the bartender cried.
 
“Oh quiet you old goat. She just paid you a week’s profits. Now go wipe down a table or something while we have a little girl time.” Sunny snapped, sticking her tongue out at him. As she walked away, she wiggled her rump at the unicorn, and raised an eyebrow. “Coming Dusk?”
 
Brain still shorted out from the overstimulation of the last few moments, Twilight just nodded mutely, sliding off the stool and following. She was up a flight of stairs and entering a room before she even realized what she was doing.
 
“Wait, where are we?” She gasped as she entered the room. The glass in her magical grip slipped and was caught by a deft wing as her concentration faltered. As she looked around, she had the feeling she had once again stepped through a familiar mirror into another world.
 
From the dark squalor of the bar, she had been transported into a realm of grandiose, yet homely wonder. The room was of normal size, and yet the bright cleanliness contrasted with the rest of the dive. Candles and lamps fought back the night, as bright sunlit colors adorned the chamber. Flowers and curtains in rich hues gave everything a warm glow, set off by the impeccably glowing white walls. Signs of loving care were everywhere, from the faded photos of unknown ponies on the wall, to the hoof-stitched pillows on the well-worn, yet pristine sofa. The doorway to the next room gave glimpses of equally inviting comforts, as the pristine white sheets of an opulent bed peeked through the portal.
 
“What were you expecting, a crappy ratnest of an apartment?” Raising a critical brow, the pegasus mare softened the barb with a smile. “My daddy gave up the bar, but he left me enough to be comfortable.”
 
“Oh, I’m sorry!” Twilight stammered. “I didn't mean to be rude. It’s just, after the way the bar looks...”
 
“Yea, it’s a shithole, I’m not gonna lie. But it’s comfortable, and nobody expects much from me there. You’d be surprised how much of a comfort that can be.”
 
“Oh, I can totally relate to that.” The unicorn muttered. This got another raised eyebrow, but no further comment from her host.
 
“So! Shall we relax a bit? Seems like we could both use a bit of peace, and a bit more of this amazing stress reliever!” Sunny grinned as she flopped onto the overstuffed couch. She sank into the yielding surface with a sigh, and began pouring fresh glasses of luminous intoxicant.
 
Sliding into place next to her newest companion, Twilight lifted the glowing glass to her lips and smiled. “Yes, that would be very nice.”
 
As the warmth of the wine suffused her body, the princess of friendship began to relax, and finally let her guard down. The warm nuzzles and giggles of her hostess ignited a longing she had long denied herself, and she found her logical mind giving way to her emotional body as she leaned against the warm hide of the pegasus next to her. Maybe she would regret it, but for now, she was just enjoying the moment, and it felt good.
 
“Dusk? Are you feeling okay?” Playfully, Sunny nuzzled the greenish fur of her companion’s neck.
 
Realizing that she had been amorously nibbling on the other mare, Twilight shot up suddenly, burning with embarrassment. “Oh, I’m so sorry! I didn't mean, that is I think I did mean. Oh Celestia, the alcohol is going straight to my head! I just...”
 
She was quickly silence from her panicked stammering with a kiss, first freezing in shock, and then melting into it as soft wings slowly embraced her.
 
Finally breaking free with a gasp, the pegasus looked lovingly into her eyes with a smile. “There is nothing to apologize for. We are both grown mares, and I’m sure we both want the same thing.” Pulling back, she trailed a wing along her lover’s flank, eliciting a shiver and a whimper. “However, as comfortable as this old couch is, I believe my bed would be a bit more accommodating.”
 
“Oh? OH!” Twilight blinked as her brain partially rebooted. With a smile, she finished her glass of wine, and followed the other mare into the bedroom, grinning foolishly as music began to play from an old record player inside.
 
With a grin, Sunny stepped away from the machine, shedding her leather tack with a few movements of her supple wings. She slid across the sheets as if on a cloud, and smiled seductively at her new paramour.
 
“Aduhwhazzuh?” Twilight stammered, as she froze in the doorway.
 
“That is adorkably cute, but it’s not polite to keep a mare waiting.” Sunny quipped, batting her eyes.
 
With a stupid grin, Twilight trotted across the room...
 

*****ERROR. VIDEO FEED LOST*****
 


 



 
“Oh wow, I didn't even know I could bend that way!” Twilight panted, heart racing. “I mean, I took a few yoga classes, and my friend Pinkie...” Quickly she stammered to a halt as her brain caught up to her mouth.
 
Seemingly unaware of the change in mood, Sunny grinned and rolled onto her back to peer at her companion. “Yes, you were rather enthusiastic. And loud...” Giggling, she snuggled against the unicorn.
 
Blushing, Twilight looked away. “Yes, well so were you! All I had to do is nibble those wings of yours, and I thought there was a windigo in the room with me!”
 
“I can’t help it, pegasus wings are sensitive!” rolling over, the flier draped one of the aforementioned wings across her friend’s withers, and slowly traced a line with a feather. “Where did you ever learn to do that, anyway?”
 
Coughing nervously, the princess leaned into the caress with a smile. “Yes well, I had a few pegasai friends, and one of them... taught me. Um.”
 
Suddenly she choked, as the memories of her friends came back unbidden. The words of her companion went unheard as her eyes gazed into the past, and tears began to unleash themselves. Parties with Pinkie, harvests with Applejack, caring for animals with Fluttershy, trying on so many dresses with Rarity. And then there were the lessons with Rainbow Dash. The flying lessons, the preening lessons, the soft caresses, and the encouraging nuzzles. Even the trips to visit Sunset Shimmer, and the lessons she passed on to Starlight Glimmer.
 
All gone. All faded away into memory. So many lost, and so many years past alone. Finally the dam broke, and she collapsed against the confused mare nearest her, bawling her eyes out like a lonely foal.
 
“All my friends, gone forever. Oh Celestia, how I miss them!” The mare next to her stiffened momentarily, before spreading her wing farther and pulling her into a loving embrace. She murmured soothing noises into the distraught mare’s mane, as she comforted her.
 
“Wh-what can I do? H-h-how d-do I keep going on without them?” Stammering like a filly, she cried out as her breathing hitched. “I just miss them so much!”
 
“My dear sweet Twilight, I know how it feels. The entire world seems so empty, and the pain seems unbearable. However life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone.” beneath her, the faux unicorn stiffened, and her crying suddenly stopped. “The longer we live, the more chances we are given. Chances at love, chances at loss. It’s what we do with those chances that matters.” Slowly the tear streaked princess pulled away, a look of horror on her face. Undaunted, the pegasus continued, “We must always remember our old friends, and embrace our new friends, and always, always move forward.”
 
“Who are you?” Twilight asked, accusingly. Slowly she slid from under the comforting wing of her newfound companion, and began backing her way off the bed. “Who the hay are you, and how do you know my name?!” He voice cracked awkwardly as it rose to a panicked scream.
 
“Why Twilight, I thought you knew? You even said my name a few moments ago.” The grey mare stepped off the bed, color bleeding from her coat like dripping paint as she grew in size. Within a few steps she had lost her grey coat and yellowish mane, gaining a pristine white and multi-colored one in their place. Upon her head sprouted a perfect horn, far larger than any unicorn could boast. It was the eyes, full of confusion and compassion that broke Twilight’s mind.
 
“Oh Celestia... You’re Princess Celestia!” She gasped in hushed tones, before the beautifully embroidered rug came up to meet her face.
 



 
“Twilight! Wake up, Twilight!” the voice echoed in her head.
 
“Ugh... Please Spike, gimme five more minutes! Just tell whoever it is to come back later.” She muttered, pulling the feathery blanket tighter around her head.
 
Wait. Blankets don't have feathers.
 
“Gaaah!” With a yell, the Princess of Friendship bolted upright. Her own wings shot out in alarm, as she looked around the room wildly, finally settling on the mass of white before her. As her sleep-filled eyes focused, she made out the other colors, and finally the worried face of her former mentor, Princess Celestia. She also became aware that she had her wings extended, and the blind spot in the middle of her vision was distinctly purple.
 
“Oh no.” She scrambled back, taking stock of her surroundings, finding that she was once again in the comfortable bed of the pegasus mare she had met in the bar. Met in the bar, and then followed upstairs and then they... And once again her brain came to a screeching halt.
 
“My dear, poor Twilight Sparkle, I am so sorry. I thought you knew who I was, just as surely as I knew you the moment you entered the room downstairs.” Sighing deeply, she looked away. “So long I had hoped that you would come to me, at the very least as a friend. I was so overjoyed that you had finally arrived, that I never questioned it. I welcomed it with open hooves.
 
“But, but... You are. And then we. And then I. And then we! Did we?” The purple princess stammered, her eye beginning to twitch.
 
“Yes, we did, and it was wonderful. It was everything I always hoped it would be.” With a warm smile, the Sun Princess leaned forward and pulled her former student into a hug.
 
“It was? You did? I-I-I... What the buck?” Twilight continued to twitch and stammer brokenly.
 
“It’s okay. I always hoped you would seek me out, ever since your ascension, but I knew your friends would always come first in your life.” Sighing, the larger mare rested her head on the smaller one’s head. “I kept trying to write to you, but you never wrote back. I knew you only needed more time, and that you would come around when you were ready.”
 
“I honestly never knew. I never knew you felt about me that way, or that you would be here.” Pulling away from the embrace, the younger princess turned to face the older. “How did you know I would be here?”
 
“I didn't.” Celestia answered, matter-of-factly.
 
“Then how?”
 
“Oh, I come to the bar every week. I’ve been doing this for hundreds of years, as a way to blow off steam and get away from all the stress at the palace.” Shrugging, the princess lit her horn, and shimmered into the form of the grey pegasus barfly.
 
“So, you come to the bar and what? Get drunk? Flirt with ponies?” Twilight scratched her head, still coming to terms with the concept of the Immortal Sun Goddess in a bar.
 
Chuckling huskily, the winged mare shook her head. “Oh ho ho, I do far more than flirt. I may be a princess, but I am still a pony, and every pony has needs.” She shook a hoof at the stunned alicorn, “I just need to keep them private.”
 
“Luna’s teats, you’re a fraggin bar slut!?” Twilight burst out.
 
“Language, please, Twilight! And keep my sister out of this. She has her own life, and we both keep our own secrets.” Celestia scolded.
 
“Oh by the makers, what kind of nightmare is this, and why can’t I wake up?”
 
“Oh trust me, if this was a nightmare, Luna would have interrupted by now, and no doubt wearing something far more scandalous!” the grey mare scoffed. With a flash, she dropped her disguise and resumed her normal form.
 
“Now, is it really so shocking to find out I am a real pony, with real needs and desires? And do you put me in such high regard that you cannot believe I would ever want your company?” frowning, she leaned forward to look more closely at her former student, “Or do you hold yourself in such low regard that you feel you are beneath me?” Raising an eyebrow, she pierced the other mare with her gaze.
 
“Umm, maybe both?” Swallowing nervously, Twilight shrank from the gaze.
 
Sighing, the larger mare leaned forward and swept the lesser into a wing hug. “My darling Twilight. I have loved you since the moment I saw you as a little filly trying her best to pass our entrance exam. You were like a daughter to me at first, and then as you grew into a mare, you were like the shining star I could never touch. When you ascended, I saw only beautiful mare that I longed to be close to. I knew that it would only be a matter of time before you saw me as the same.”
 
Twilight only stared ahead in shock as she felt the tears fall onto her coat, and soak into her mane. It was only then that she understood. Her friends, her loved ones, all would grow old and leave her. Only her brother, a dragon who would love as long as she stood by her side, or so she had thought. Now finally, here was somepony just as lonely as her, who would never grow old and leave her, and who loved her.
 
Loved her.
 
For the second time in the night, the dam of emotions broke and she started to sob. She cried for the loss of her friends, the loneliness, the love, the joy, and the sadness. Cried on, cried for the years. Cried for the laughter, and cried for the tears. But for the first time in far too long, she didn't cry alone.
 
“So I have to ask,” Sniffling, the solar princess turned her student’s face to meet hers. “Twilight Sparkle, will you be my special somepony?”
 
“Do you have any idea how corny that sounds?” Twilight asked, wiping tears from her own eyes.
 
“I’m not hearing a noo?” Celestia sang.
 
“Yes! Yes of course I will!” Throwing her hooves around her teacher’s neck, she dug her nose into her gently waving mane. Part of her mind calmly noted how much it tickled, while the rest of her brain frantically pronked around in a circle shouting “Yesyesyesyesyes!”
 
The tender moment was momentarily interrupted by a dark flash, and both mares froze before turning to see what had appeared.
 
“Huzzah! Sister! I have grown bored of the stallions I have found about the palace, and decided to take you up on your offer to... Oh.” Freezing, the dark Princess of the Night stared wide eyed. Dressed in full tack and bridle, made of black leather and adorned with silver buckles, Luna stood frozen like a deer in headlights. Complimenting the outfit was a finely detailed black and silver saddle. What was most noticeable, however, was the rather large strap on phallus, and the long black leather whip held in her dark magic.
 
“Twilight Sparkle! I did not expect thee!” Luna yelped in surprize.
 
“Princess Luna?” Twilight answered, confused.
 
“Luna...” Celestia growled, menacingly.
 
“Wrongroomgottago!” the dark princess sputtered, before disappearing in another dark flash.
 
“One of these days, Luna...” Celestia growled under her breath. “One of these days, POW! Zoom! Straight to the moon!” Coughing nervously, she turned to her companion. “Errm, again.”
 
Twilight just giggled uproariously, and threw her hooves around her lover’s neck, drawing her down into a passionate kiss.