The only chapter
A thick layer of snow covered the land of Equestria as ponies of all kinds were busy preparing for the Hearth's Warming Eve.
Princess Celestia walked slowly through the Canterlot’s palace - this time of year was always one of her favorites - reminding her of the unification and all the good fortune it brought to her subjects.
“Excellent, keep up the good work,” she said with a smile to the ponies setting up the decoration in the throne room.
Watching through the window of one of the palace towers, she saw ponies going hastily with their business, everyone was busy trying to keep up with their tight holiday schedules, but Celestia knew that in the end - this day will turn out to be one of the most harmonious and peaceful days of the year - as always.
She could already see the happy faces of all ponies around her - that is, all except one. For some reason, ever since her return from the moon - Luna was always reluctant this time of year - her sad face contrasting with the happiness of the holidays.
Celestia arrived at her sister’s chambers and knocked on the door. “Please come in,” Luna said with her deep voice. “Ah, Tia what can I do for you, my dear sister?”
“I should be the one asking that question,” Celestia responded with a sad voice. “For the past few days you haven't left your chambers Lulu - care to tell me what's wrong?"
Luna slowly got up from the bed she was resting on and walked to the nearby window. “Nothing is wrong,” she said with an indifferent voice. “I’m fine, trust me.”
Celestia calmly approached her sister and looked into her cyan eyes. “I don’t understand Lulu... Every year it’s the same thing - everypony is celebrating, but you seem to be depressed.”
“I just… don’t feel like celebrating Tia…" Luna turned away from her sister and started to stare out the window. "I don’t know why…”
Luna’s words wiped the remains of a smile from Celestia’s face - she knew something was wrong, but she also knew that if her sister didn’t want to talk, then any attempt to force her would only cause her to lock up even more.
“OK Lulu, if you don’t want to tell me that’s fine,” she said with a hint of disappointment, “but please don’t forget about the spectacle this evening - it’s our duty to be there.”
“Don’t worry sister - I remember,” Luna responded without turning to Celestia - her voice still sounded indifferent. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I would like to rest a little - monitoring the dreamland was very exhausting today.”
Celestia nodded and quickly left the room - her mind was still occupied by her sister’s behavior.
***
The sun was shining above the horizon and sound of waves splashing onto nearby rocks filled the air. A single spread blanket stood out on the sandy beach. “Aahhh this is what I call relaxing,” said Gastovski as he closed his eyes and lied down bathing in the sun rays, as moderately strong sea wind was blowing at his body.
Suddenly, a shadow of somebody blocked the light - making James shiver a little. “Hey, wha… Luna?” he said with a confused voice, after seeing the blue alicorn hovering above his body, “that’s a pleasant surprise - although if you could move a little to the left, I would appreciate it.”
“I apologize, I didn’t mean to block the sun,” she responded calmly and landed next to Gastovski’s blanket. “I see you put my teachings to good use.”
“I’m glad you like it - but of course, this is nothing compared to what you can do with the dreamland,” he said with a smile expecting some reaction from the Princess of the Night, but there was none. “Uh-oh, I don’t like what I’m seeing…”
“What do you mean?”
Gastovski sat up and put away his sunglasses. “Hmm staring at the ground, indifferent voice and no smile - my grumpiness detector tells me that something is bothering my favorite princess,” he said with a smile, “It's Celestia again isn't it? Just tell me, and I’m gonna give her the piece of my mind...”
“And end up in the dungeon again?”
“Please... A month in Canterlot’s dungeon to see that expression on her face? It was totally worth it!” James said with a grin.
Recalling the recent hilarious ‘t-shirt scandal’ finally managed to put a smile on Luna’s face, if only for a moment. “I am afraid this time it’s not her… I don’t feel like celebrating Hearth's Warming and-”
“Oh, don’t tell me,” James interrupted with an annoyed voice, “Twilight and the rest are bugging me about this - ever since I told them, I don’t feel like celebrating either…”
“I see… we will just have to go through it, I guess...” Luna said with a sad voice.
James struck a thinking pose. “Hmm, you know... I actually planned something to cheer me up, I was planning to do it alone, but perhaps you should join me - I think it will brighten up your day as well.”
“Alas, I cannot. I am expected at the annual Hearth's Warming Eve festival in Canterlot…" Luna shook her head in annoyance, "even if I don't like it - it’s my duty.”
"If you come with me, you'll still be performing your duty - and for the crowd that will sincerely appreciate it," James answered calmly. "Wanna learn more?" Luna put a curious look on her face and nodded in agreement.
***
Princess Celestia was nervously pacing around her room, the sun was about to set behind the horizon, and Luna was nowhere to be found. Dark thoughts were flooding her mind - did something happen to her sister? Was she kidnapped? Or was she simply hiding somewhere? “Luna, where are you…”
Suddenly she heard a knock on her door, and a second later one of the guards nervously stepped inside her room. “Did you find her?” Celestia asked without further ado, while at the same time lowering the sun.
The guard answered with frightened voice, “I’m afraid not, your highness - we are still looking, but-”
“I don’t want excuses soldier!” Celestia interrupted angrily. “She might be hurt or worse… redouble your efforts!”
All of a sudden the moon rose up to its place in the sky, filling the night with a light glow. “So you are fine after all, my dear sister…” she shook her head in anger and turned to the confused guard. “Call off the search; I will deal with the matter personally!”
“Yes, your highness… but shouldn’t you be getting ready for the festival?”
“Yes… but this takes precedence - please pass a message to Princess Twilight Sparkle; tell her I might be late and that they should start without me.”
“Yes, your majesty!” the guard responded with a bit of confidence and quickly left the chamber.
Celestia went to the balcony outside the room, at this altitude - the cold wind was blowing strongly, painfully hitting her body - but she didn’t care. She just stood there as her horn turned to the color of gold. “Ponyville…?” she said to herself as the search spell started to pinpoint her sister’s whereabouts. “What would you do in Ponyville Lulu? And what could be more important than attending the festival tonight?”
Seconds later she was in the air - following the direction her horn was pointing at…
***
Celestia was flying for more than an hour following her magic, normally this would be no problem - but this time the winter’s weather was against her - freezing air was tearing at her face like shards of glass, ice packets were forming on her fur. It was almost like if some invisible force was trying to stop her from finding her sister - but it only fueled her anger. “Luna… you better have a very good explanation why I have to suffer through all this…”
Finally, she landed next to a large, modest building at the edge of Ponyville - since it was night, and the house was poorly lit she didn’t recognize the place. Celestia knocked at the battered door and waited. At this point she couldn’t feel her hooves or wings, her fur was covered in ice and snow, and she was shaking from cold.
Soon, some mare glanced through the door slot. “Yes? How can I… your highness?!” the confused pony immediately opened the door and let Celestia inside. “It’s… an honor! Please forgive us for the state of the place, but we weren’t expecting anypony,” she said nervously.
“It’s alright, I am… is princess Luna here?” Celestia asked with a confused voice - she still didn’t know where she was.
“Oh yes! She and captain Gastovski have been here for the last-”
“GASTOVSKI…” Celestia interrupted with an angry voice, “I should have known! Take me to them!”
The mare gave her a confused look and began to guide her through the building. Celestia didn’t say another word, all she could think of at the moment was 'what did that human come up with this time.'
After a minute they arrived at the door leading to the large hall. “They are both in there your highness,” said the mare. Celestia was ready to barge in and give both her sister and Gastovski the piece of her mind, but then she heard something she did not expect - laughter, children’s laughter to be exact. Instead of tearing down the door down, she gently opened it and quietly walked inside - then she hid behind one of the room’s pillars and started observing.
What she saw was confusing. Luna was there all right, sitting on a throne-like chair, wearing white, red jacket and pants with a broad buckled belt, a matching hat, and black boots. A huge white beard covered her muzzle. To her right stood the figure wearing a green hat, matching pants, and white, green tights - both figures were surrounded by foals.
Celestia bit her lip to refrain from laughing, both Luna and Gastovski looked ridiculous - but the children seemed to enjoy it. Only then she finally realized that the building she was in, was Ponyville's orphanage.
“Ho ho ho!” Luna said with cheerful voice while using her magic to levitate a foal to her lap. “What is your name child?”
“Snow Lotus.”
“And were you a good foal this year?”
“Um… more or less…” the child responded nervously.
“She hit me last week!” some kid shouted from the crowd.
“Is it true?” ‘Santa’ asked politely and Snow Lotus nodded shamefully. “Well, this wasn’t a very nice thing to do, was it? But Santa is in a forgiving mood today,” Luna turned to the crowd “Do you forgive Snow Lotus for what she did?” she asked calmly.
“I… I guess,” responded the same voice as before.
Luna put a smile on her face. “Good! If your friend forgives you then so shall I,” she said as she levitated one of the presents to the foal on her lap. “Remember this, children - forgiveness is very important! We all make mistakes.”
“Even the princesses?” Snow Lotus - who was still sitting on Luna’s lap - asked calmly.
“My dear child… especially the princesses,” Luna responded with a sad voice, “you would be surprised how many mistakes we… I mean ‘they’ do. Fortunately, Princess Celestia was merciful enough to forgive her sister - even if she didn't deserve it.”
“Lulu… how can you say that? I thought you left those thoughts far behind you…” Celestia said to herself quietly.
Seeing that the situation was getting a little tense, James turned to ‘Santa’ and imitating silly elvish voice said, “Uh, boss - I think that was the last present,” some foals giggled, and the atmosphere quickly returned to cheerful again.
“Right! Santa must go now,” as Luna got up the foals started to grumble. “Don’t be sad my children. Remember, be forgiving and nice to each other and, who knows - maybe Santa will visit you again next year. Would you like that?”
This time children unanimously shouted ‘YES!’ - putting a big smile on Luna’s face. Celestia who was still watching from behind the pillar smiled as well.
“Farewell my dear children, and enjoy your presents!” Luna waved her hoof and a second later, both her and James teleported from the room - Celestia quickly followed.
***
Luna and Gastovski ended up a few kilometers from the orphanage, not far from the Everfree forest. In the meantime the winter wind died down - the ragged clouds gave way to the stars above.
James turned to Luna and asked calmly, “So, how was it?
Luna responded with a cheerful voice, “It was... FUN! Silly, but… FUN!”
Suddenly a bright light interrupted their conversation, as Celestia teleported in - a few meters away. “Uh-oh… something tells me this will be the opposite of fun,” James commented with the hint of irony.
Celestia approached them deadpan. “Luna… why didn’t you tell me what you were planning? I was worried something happened to you.”
Luna turned to her sister with a shameful expression on her face, she looked like a kid that did something wrong and was now explaining it to her parent. “I am sorry Tia… but there was no time… We didn’t exactly plan this silly endeavor.”
“Hey, hold on! If you want to blame somebody - then blame me,” James interrupted with an angry voice. “I asked Luna not to tell you. I knew you would try to stop her and all I wanted was for her to be happy today.”
Celestia was stunned for a moment; she knew the captain was right - also she realized that a minute ago Luna was happy, and now that happiness was replaced by sadness. “I… understand - but next time just leave me a note or something, OK?”
Luna turned to her sister with an uncertain look on her face. “You mean… you are not mad?”
“Lulu… I saw how happy you were back there - and how happy children were - I have no idea what’s with the outfit and all but... If that makes you happy then how can I be mad?” Celestia hugged her sister gently - they both enjoyed the embrace. “One thing I don’t understand, however - you weren’t exactly thrilled to go to the Canterlot’s Hearth's Warming festival, and yet - here you seemed to enjoy wearing this silly outfit and playing that… ‘Santa.’ How can that be?”
“I better leave you two alone-” James said softly but was interrupted by Luna right away.
“No, please stay, captain - you won’t hear anything you don’t already know...”
Sad expression again spread over Luna’s face, as she sighed heavily. “The year I returned from my exile, I was looking forward to finally spend Hearth's Warming with you and others… but then I heard somepony talking that the Nightmare Moon 'incident', was the closest Equestria ever came to destroy the peace unification brought to ponies.”
“Lulu-”
“No Tia! We both know they were right! No matter how much I wish they weren’t…” a tear began to form in Luna’s eye. “That’s why I feel uneasy - the festival always reminds me of what I almost destroyed…”
“That’s why we came here - instead of dwelling on the past, I tried to show you, that you should focus on doing good things from now on,” James said calmly. “Luna… you are the product of your past, but you don’t have to be the prisoner of it.”
“For once Lulu, I completely agree with the captain… we all have our past, and we all make mistakes - but what’s done is done,” Celestia put a hoof on Luna’s back and added calmly. “If not attending the festival will make you happy, then so be it.”
For a moment silence filled the air, only the light rustle of the frozen branches could be heard - finally Luna got up. “No… I... I think I would like to attend - the foals who are performing on stage are counting on me as well,” she responded calmly, and Celestia nodded with a smile. “What about you, captain? Care to join us?”
“Nah, I celebrated enough for one day - perhaps next year.”
Both alicorns nodded - Luna quickly stripped her Santa costume then she and Celestia were off to Canterlot’s festival.
***
The birds were chirping on the nearby tree, and the mild wind rustled the leaves. The sun was over the horizon of the dreamland, emanating pleasant warmth. “Forest this time?” Luna asked the resting James.
“Oh, hi Luna, yeah forest - it's peaceful and soothing,” he responded calmly. “How was the festival?”
“We arrived in the middle of the play - it was nice, but I mostly enjoyed meeting the young actors afterward,” Luna responded with a smile. “I would like to show you something - if you are willing?”
James got up with a curious look on his face. “Sure.”
A second, later the slumberland was filled with the dreams of the foals from the orphanage - all pleasant - some even included ‘Santa’ and his hilarious ‘elf’ helper. “I monitored these children for many moons, but I never saw their dreams so… peaceful.”
“Um… did I really looked like that - in that elf outfit?”
Luna smiled widely. “Yes.”
“Next time some villains invade Equestria - remind me to put that thing on again,” Gastovski responded with amused voice, “they will laugh themselves to death.”
“I will try to remember,” Luna responded and they both burst into laughter, imagining the look on bad guy’s face.
Finally, after a minute or two James responded with contented voice, “Well, I don’t know about you - but for me, this is the best Christmas ever,” she nodded in agreement, and they both started monitoring the dreams of foals again - enjoying the moment.