friendship brunch

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Twilight paced around the throne room. She felt herself getting even more nervous than before. This was a long time coming, but it still amazed her how they were able to accept it, and now they just might have to experience the same event, but she did have hope. However, there was still doubt in her mind that something was going to go wrong. Her long and flowing hair moved almost as fast as she paced, as she waited to see if her worst fear was coming true. Then, as if the world had frozen over and no longer was there a single noise to be heard, Twilight found Spike, who was panting for breath. He held on to a piece of the wall as he tried moving to Twilight, hoping that what he said wouldn’t cause too much distress.

“Spike! Please tell me, are they gone!” Twilight said, praying that it wasn’t true.

“Twilight… yes, but just know that it wasn’t your fault! You did everything you could, we just have to accept that,” Spike said, hoping that his calm words would work to make her stop freaking out.

“But how can we have brunch without the essential berries for almost half of the portion!!!” Twilight said, tears streaming down her eyes. However, she took a deep breath and began to plan “ Maybe there is something we can do for a substitute. Oh, why did we have to make a fruit salad last night instead of a normal one like always! This is what I get for being spontaneous! Spike, is there any way that we can change our menu before our friends get here?”

“I’m afraid not. See, that is another thing I forgot to tell you. They’re already here,” Spike said, moving his claw to the back of his scales and laughing nervously.

“WHAT! You tell me this now! Okay calm down Twilight, no need to panic, this is not going to end up like last time, all you need is to breathe like how Cadence taught you.” She began to take a deep breath and looked at Spike once more. “Is everything ready for preparation?”

“Yes, everything is placed where they need to be.”

“Perfect, and have they all been assigned?”

“Nope, they wanted to come and meet you in the throne room before, I guess because they hate waiting for you to arrive,” Spike said, flying to the door, only to be slammed in by a yellow blur, as the others formed in.

“Lil’ Cheese get back here!” A bright Pink and completely crazed pony came out and held onto her equally hyperactive son.

“Sorry Twilight, I guess the little scamper here just couldn’t wait to see his Auntie,”

“Oh, I don’t mind, after all, it seems like he was just excited, sounds like somepony else I know when we met,”

All at once, the quiet throne room was bombarded with friends and family, all saying hello and hugging Twilight as if they hadn’t seen her in ages. First to squeeze her were her friends that had, admittedly, seen her only a few weeks ago, they all smiled thoughtfully and gave Twilight the longest embrace of the entire affair. After they left to talk with their own spouse, who also had made it, where the three ponies that she had always trusted with a lot of her responsibilities. Starlight, Trixie, and Sunburst decided against a hug but instead indicated a conversation.

“And here Trixie thought she would outgrow you, but Trixie has been wrong before,”

“Thank you, Trixie? Twilight said, moving towards Starlight, “I hope the school is well, is half the semester already over?”

“Yup! And as far as I can see, they all are learning so much! I will admit it still feels different without you there, but thankfully I have my vice principal to get me through it,”

“Aw shucks, you really shouldn’t include me,” Sunburst said, blushing from embarrassment, “All I really do is give you ideas and help out with events and work out conflicts and… uh, okay so maybe a little praise is worth it,” Everypony laughed as the trio began to move along. Twilight looked around and noticed a certain Alicorn came up and greeted her.

“It has been too long Twilight! We really need to have a day just for us!” Cadence said, as her husband and daughter came up as well.

“Auntie Twilight! Auntie Twilight!” A small filly ran up to Twilight's leg, she had all the resemblance of both her father, but more of her mother “Look how big I grew!”

“I can see that Flurry Heart, it seems like only yesterday I was baffled at the sight of you!”

“And guess what, mommy says that when I am older I can go to the School of Friendship!”

“Really? I would have thought you already knew about friendship? What with your father always talking about me and my adventures?” Twilight said, pulling a cocky smirk at her brother.

“I have nothing to say when I get home! And every time I hear from you it’s always “We saved this, or we stopped that” I don’t have those stories to tell so I just go ahead and say yours. You should be thanking me, now Flurryheart looks up to you as some kind of role model.”

“I guess that is something worthy of gratitude, thank you BBBFF,” Twilight said, using her old title that she had forgotten long ago.

She didn’t even have time before she heard two older voices calling for her, and she smiled brightly at the two ponies who started it all. Her parents.

“Mom, Dad, I am so glad you could make it. How has everything been?” Twilight asked, hugging her parents and wishing that she could see them more often.

“Oh Twilight we have so much to discuss, but let’s wait until we all sit down at the table, are the placements going to be the same?” Velvet said.

“No, this time I want everypony to sit where they want. I kind of went backward a bit the first time, so this time I wanted to do it right,”

“And there won’t be any hot tea there, right?” Nightlight said, still having memories of the last brunch.

“Nope, there is only going to be ice cold juice and some room temperature water, I even played it safe and didn’t do any grape juice unless specifically asked by ponies. There isn’t going to be any spills on my watch,” Twilight said, reassuring her parents as she, too, began to have flashbacks to that awful day.

“Glad to hear it, but remember that this is a brunch and we are here to have fun! We don’t need any ponies watching us while we eat to make sure everything is perfect, right?” Velvet said as she and her husband laughed hard enough to close their eyes. However, Twilight laughed more nervous than playful, as she grabbed Spike who was in conversation with Rarity.

“Go tell the guards to leave the dining hall, now!” Twilight whispered, shoving Spike out of the way. He had meant to protest but decided that it would be better just to obey and wait until the brunch was over so she wouldn’t be so stressed.

After her parents left, Twilight found herself alone, noticing that the others were talking to each other, and she smiled wholeheartedly. However, the only ponies that Twilight had hoped to see were her own mentors, yet they were nowhere to be seen. Twilight looked around, wondering if she had just lost them, but they were nowhere to be found.

“Um, Cadence? Are Celestia and Luna coming?” Twilight asked, walking around and noticing that Cadence could probably have information about the former Princesses.

“Well I know they were talking about this brunch, but I thought they would be here with the rest of us, I am sure they will be here soon though,”

Twilight then grew nervous, the two didn’t show up at first the last time. Sure, Twilight would understand that she couldn’t keep everyone waiting for much longer, but the deja vu that she felt was struggling. However, she knew dwelling on it would not work, so she let it go. She finally was able to break free from the celebration and moved in front of everyone.

“Thank you all for coming! I can honestly say that, after the last time, I did not expect you all to show up, but I am grateful nonetheless, I am sure that all of you have so many stories to tell, as do I, but I would like us to begin the Friendship Brunch by directing our attention in the kitchen.”

Everypony moved on as Twilight led them to the royal kitchen. It was decorated into a nice fall setting. Different ingredients hung around large counter tables with different colored leaves that were displayed out around and picked from the leaves out in the Royal Garden. Window curtains were sprung open to let in a large amount of light which made everything perfectly bright. And since the weather was perfect, some of the windows were opened to let in a nice breeze. The counters held all of the essentials that one would need when they are trying to cook a perfect brunch. And soon Twilight was in the front with a clipboard in her hooves, as she looked back to all the ponies to give them their specific orders.

“Okay, I made a list of ponies to do specific tasks so we all can work on something. I believe since Pinkie Pie is having to look over her baby, she can join the table placement group, which will also have Cadence and Flurry Heart. That means that I want you, mother, along with Fluttershy and Trixie to start making drinks for everypony. Dad, I want you, Shining Armor, and Rainbow Dash all to work out the eggs, sandwiches, and other demands that everypony may want. Me Rarity and Starlight will handle the pancakes and other baked goods. I also want Applejack, Sunburst, and Spike to manage the berry situation, Spike will inform you I am sure. After that, we can all sit down and eat everything! You have your stations, now let’s make this the best brunch in the world!

Immediately everypony began their work, some went out of the room while others began to contemplate and plan out the amounts of ingredients they will need for everypony. Twilight looked around and smiled, she felt way happier than when she tried this the first time.

***

“Spike, I think I want to host a brunch,” Twilight said. Scrolling through a book of luncheons and finding the morning lunch column interesting.

“Why? Is that some traditional thing?” Spike said, standing near Twilight like any other trustworthy adviser would do.

“I just think it would be nice, you know? I haven’t seen much of anypony other than my friends. And with my new idea, it just seems like a nice way to inform my friends and catch up with everypony,”

“And what book should I blame for this time?” Spike said, knowing that the real reason was that a book said it was necessary to accomplish.

“I found it here in, Topical Luncheons For Friends and High Tea! It says here that the most intimate of luncheons can either be a simple high tea, or a large brunch and considering tea is not my forte, I would much rather try and make a brunch,”

“But you have chefs to cook for you, can’t you just order for them to make the food, and all you would have to do is relax and enjoy yourself,”

“Does it say I hire the chefs to cook the brunch I am hosting? No, it doesn’t.” Twilight said, rising her book up to her face, and avoiding the look on Spike’s face that told her he knew better. She sighed, “Okay, look. The whole...ordering ponies around, I just don’t feel comfortable with it yet. You can say what you want, but I just feel like it would be better if I gave them a free day rather than delegate. After all, it will be nice getting back to my roots and making something for myself and others,”

“Yeah it was you who cooked for others,” Spike muttered under his breath, before returning to his full volume, “I guess I can’t stop you. But please just make sure that there will be gem-related foods at this thing? I don’t want to keep on eating like a pony for the rest of my life, it has been ages since I tasted a good emerald,”

“Not to worry Spike, everything you want at this brunch will be made… because you're going to help me!”

“Woah, Woah, Woah! I didn’t agree to that! This is your own thing, I don’t want to be a part of it,” Spike said, crossing his arms, refusing to associate with what will most assuredly be a disaster.

“Oh come on, Spike! It will be just like old times. When I was merely just a small and curious little unicorn, with the most trustworthy and incredible number one assistant,” Twilight said, grabbing Spike's large chest and crushing him against her face. “I will even let you lick the gem muffin batter like we did when you were younger!”

After a bit more contemplation, Spike nodded, “Okay, but only because of the gem batter. I don’t want to take credit in everything else,”

“Oh, you’re so modest Spike! Come on, to the kitchen, away!” Twilight said, galloping off in the direction of the kitchen, as Spike slammed a claw to his forehead, “Celestia help us”.

***

“Spike don’t put that there! Wait until I… Oh gosh, where are the eggs! We didn’t run out already did we!” Twilight said, frantically running around the kitchen. “Spike, be sure when our guests arrive they are taken immediately to the dining hall! I don’t want anypony standing for too long, especially when Celestia and Luna arrive, they all will be tired and hungry so we need to make sure the food is out pronto! GO!”

“Uh, Twilight? It’s seven in the morning. Nopony is going to be here until at least ten, we have time,”

Twilight then began to put a tray in the oven, so stressed that she wasn’t sure whether it was muffins or pancakes, “Does that matter! Somepony could be early, or they forgot and we need to send them their invitation or worse…”

“Twilight!” Spike grabbed Twilight who began to struggle. “Look at yourself! This is not the Princess of Equestria! Do you really want everypony to see you like this? I say we tell the royal chefs to prepare the rest of the brunch, and we go sit down and relax for a moment,”

“Yes… yes, you’re right Spike.” Twilight said, now looking back and noticing the mess that she was making. There were tons and tons of ingredients slathered around the entire kitchen, she had some dirty pans that were being reused for different items. One fraction of what she has made lay restless and most likely cold on a carrier tray. She then looked at herself, or more specifically, the puddle of water right next to her. Her hair was as frazzled as it usually is when she is beyond the amount of stress, and her eyes were bloodshot from the excitement she felt being independent and making breakfast for 16 people. 16! How foolish could she have been! There was a moment when she could at best cook for only her family, and that was just three ponies! Oh, but now…

“Or at least you would be if of course I didn’t already send the chefs home and tell them to take the day off…”

Spike remained silent as his eyes raised in surprise. “How are you the leader of Equestria?”

“I know, I know! But I was excited about finally making something for everypony just like how Celestia used to host her own parties”

“Celestia had others to do the important stuff!” Spike then huffed out his anger and began to calm down, “ You know this is why your sleep deprivation mixed with cider drinking caused me to go into therapy! Okay… we can solve this. I think if we get some help we can probably-”

“No. I told you I wanted to do this with you only, it will be fun, friendly, and give us a chance to get back into our happy younger selves!” Twilight said, her voice rising in anger and stress.

Spike then groaned. “Okay! Okay, whatever you want to do, just so long as I get my gem muffins, and when we are through you are getting a long night of sleep with no amount of cider anywhere understood!”

“Thank you, and I understand. Right now I need you to start frying a few things with your fire while I go set the table. I promise that everything will be fine when everypony gets here, Spike,”

“I sure hope so, because after this you are never cooking for the castle again,”

Twilight smiled and began laughing. She ran up to her royal adviser and hugged him sharply. It hurt like crazy, but Spike knew that she needed this hug. He was going to make sure it lasted enough to calm her down.

“From now on how about I cook, and you make the drinks for everypony. Then when they get here you can take them to the table, and I will place everything where it needs to be.”

“Okay… okay that sounds good. Thank you so much for going along with this. I just know it will be great. You really are my number one,” Twilight said, taking a deep breath and leaving the room.

“Number one,” Spike said, with a proud smile. Even to this day, he always felt cocky when Twilight praised him. However, that look of confidence left him as soon as he saw what environment he was working in. “Thanks, Sparkle,” He said sarcastically, before clearing away all of the dirty dishes that had been forgotten, and lighting the stove burners with his fire.

***

Everypony that was invited to Twilight’s brunch waited outside in excitement. They were anxious to see how well Twilight was doing. Her invitation was very abrupt and didn’t make much sense, which only meant that she was either rushing to send urgent information or was very passionate about it. All of which made everypony put on a supporting face since they all knew Twilight was meant to go overboard in her ‘experiments’.

“Do you think we should have brought something?” Cadence asked as her husband was trying to find their daughter up in the sky.

“Huh? Did you say something?” Shining Armor said, taking his eyes off the sky for a moment and looking back to his wife.

“Nevermind. Where is Flurry Heart?”

“Well she went for a fly, so I am watching to see when she gets down,”

“I might have to go up there then before we eat,”

“No need, here she comes,”

“Mama! Did you see me! I went up so high!” a filly Flurryheart said as she tried her landing. It was rough, but she did well for her age. She then came up to her father and nuzzled him like a loving young daughter.

“Yes I did Dear, and you were incredible, I am glad that our little lessons are finally paying off,”

“Where’s Auntie Twilight? I ‘anna see her!”

“She should be here any minute, though it is strange that she isn’t on time. Twilight usually is the best at punctuality,”

“The stress of raising a country probably is throwing her off, I know more than anyone how easy it is to stop a good schedule,” Nightlight said.

“Oh I do hope that our daughter is not too stressed, I haven’t seen her since the coronation, and would love to meet her before I am withered to dust,” Velvet said.

“I am sure Twilight is just making sure that everything is in place, there is no need to rush perfection,” Rarity said, joining the conversation as the other Mane six do as well.

“Well she better hurry up, I skipped breakfast and am starving!” Rainbow said, holding her stomach to display her dismay.

“Ah told ya to eat an apple before comin’ here! Y'all never listen do ya?” Applejack said as the two bickered.

“Hi everypony!” a pink pony said. Everypony stopped what they were doing as they looked at the bright pastel pony. However, it was not just her they were looking at, but the tiny morsel that she held.

“Pinkie Pie! You had your child!” Rarity said as she spoke everyone's thoughts.

“I know right! I still can’t believe I just popped him out of me nearly 4 hours ago!.”

“It was harrowing, and it seemed like the little tike just didn’t want to come yet, but thankfully we both sang a song and he came right out!” Cheese Sandwich said as he carried a yellow cot with tons of materials that were overflowing inside. Enough to where one might wonder where the baby would be if he were in the baby cot.

Everypony decided against the image of what Cheese had said, as Cadence decided to change the subject, “But, why bring him here? I would think after having a child you would want some alone time to rest,” Cadence said, remembering her own pregnancy and the days of bed rest needed.

“Have you met me? After this little guy came out it was like new energy came about me! This little guy has already had a small party from the Cake’s and a meet n greet with the whole town! He can’t get enough of everypony! I just hope I can surprise Twilight!”

Just as Pinkie had said those words did the large door open. Everypony stared down at the ajar door and waited until they finally saw the new Princess of Equestria. And they did.

However, what one might have assumed to be the grand and gracious Princess as they did with Celestia and Luna, everypony saw a tired and overworked pony with way too much to handle. She still kept her gracious demeanor, but there were bags in her eyes that would be obvious even to a blind pony. She had been awake all night planning and hoping for this entire event to be perfect, that she completely skipped sleep. This might not have been so bad, as she had skipped her sleeping more than once when she was younger, but now she has the entirety of Equestria to look after, and that is straining to one mare. Of course, if she hadn't told her servants to take the day off like a benefactor then it would have been easier, but the damage was done, and it could be seen. However, everypony decided against the obvious and celebrated, finally seeing their best friend/family member.

Hugs and kisses were thrown around the opening of the door as Twilight blessed everypony that entered. She said hello to everypony and felt her head getting much better as she saw all of her loved ones.

“Twilight it has been so long! Look at you! Why I do believe you have grown a few feet since we last saw you!” Rarity said, admiring Twilights’ growth spurt.

“Thank you Rarity, I still am unable to understand it all. Celestia and Luna say that it was the magic they gave me when they mixed their crowns together. However, I am not complaining, I can’t wait to see them! Speaking of which, are they here yet?”

“I am afraid they’re running late, but I bet they’ll be here shortly,” Cadence said.

“Oh…” Twilight said, already feeling the stress coming back to her as her plan began to unravel, “Well, no need worrying, we can all still have a great time! Oh, it’s been so long, I can’t wait to see how everypony is-”

“Twilight! Notice anything different!” Pinkie Pie said, holding up her small child in the side view of Twilight, who was looking at everypony else and their own conversations.

“I’m sorry Pinkie what is it you-” She stopped abruptly, now staring at a young pale yellow foal. Her jaw fell largely, as she tried to remember when Pinkie said she was due.

“Huh-buh… I- Holy Celestia! You had your child! And I missed it…”

“Yessiree! And he already has his own sense! Can you believe it? Me, a mother already!”

“But I thought you weren’t due for another two weeks!”

“What can I say? It is my child, and along with Cheese’s unnatural impatience, it was bound to happen!”

“Oh, Pinkie Pie I am so happy for you! What did you decide to name him?”

“Well we have it down to two names, would you like to do the honors dear?” Pinkie Pie said looking at her husband.

“Already on it honey-pie!” Cheese said, grabbing a large board out of nowhere and a thin baton to point out what appears on the screen. He then raised himself on two legs and proceed to press a small button that was connected to a slide projector, “Here is where we have our first name, Gouda Von Rhubarb (which I chose because I wanted him to be a poet) and our second is Lil Cheese, mostly because Pinkie likes the name…”

“And I want him to sound like a rapper! I mean, think about it! Mommy and me would be super fun when me, Lil Cheese, and my boombox send in our sick beats. Unlike whatever the hay you want him to be,” Pinkie Pie said in defense.

“I think Gouda Von Rhubarb is a nice name for a poet, which I believe he will be,” The two bickered as Twilight suddenly felt uncomfortable. However, most of her thoughts were centered around how she missed her own friends' labor. She assumed
that everypony else had seen it as well, which only made her want this brunch even more, so she can finally be there for everypony instead of missing out on their normal lives.

“Hey, Twi!” A rainbow-maned pony said, hovering around Twilight until she was face to face, “Where’s the grub? I’m starving!”

“Well Rainbow Dash, it’s nice to see you again, and if you want to start out with food then you can follow me, I already set the table and everything, once everypony has sat down then we all can eat,”

Everypony followed suit, and they were presented with a nice autumn setting in the dining hall. The fall leaves that were displayed around the room were textured nicely, and with a few windows opened to let in the cool air, it was a perfect setting. Everypony gasped in amazement at how grand everything was, however, there was a definite smear of rushness, especially how the cutlery was displayed. Skewed plates and silverware were surrounding the table, but no pony would have said anything, the only ponies that could even notice how the silverware was all wrong were the ponies of etiquette, but they said nothing as well.

“Oh Twilight it all looks so lovely, I bet everything will be wonderful,” Fluttershy said, after many moments of her silent bides. She also looked a tad worried, as if there was some nervous news that needed to be said, but she was unsure of how to word it.

“Thank you Fluttershy, I really tried my best. By the way, where’s Discord? I thought he would have made it,”
Fluttershy then flinched, but it was quickly replaced with a calming smile, “Um, actually he is-”

“Right over here!” a loud booming voice then appeared out of nowhere into Twilights ears, “So sorry I am late, but I just couldn’t resist the thought of a surprise visit to our dear Princess of Friendship,”

“Discord, glad you could make it,” Twilight said, rubbing her ears.

“Yes, I thought you weren’t going to make it because of the… thing that needed to be done?” Fluttershy said, giving Discord a scornful glare, which caused him to sweat.

“Oh,” Discord said, moving his arm to the back of his head, “Well I suppose this was way more important than a certain thing that I totally am getting done with,”

“Uh-huh,”

An awkward silence then began to fill the room as everypony felt the tension between the two creatures. It was a long enough silence that everypony wondered if the other should talk first. However Twilight had been in enough council meetings to know when enough silence is enough.

“Okay then! I suppose since almost everypony is here, then we can all take a seat!” Everypony then began to walk to the table and sit down, however, Twilight had noticed a specific setting near it. Her friends all sat near one section of the table, while her family another. One might not care to worry about this, however, this was Twilight, and her mind had begun to create certain images of her family being interrupted by her friends, and feeling offended. The book she read said that if possible, there should be a complete consistency of equality among guests, which meant that in order for her to not run into any problems, she needed to change the seating.

“Rainbow, I need you to change where you're sitting with my dad,” Twilight said.

“What? Why?” Rainbow asked.

“Please, I just think it would be better to not insulate any placements on the table,”

“But I just sat down! Why would I-”

“Just do what Twilight says and suck it up!” Applejack said, forcing her rainbow maned friend out of her seat, “She’s already workin’ hard enough and doesn’t need you complainin’, so just work with her on this,”

“Thank you, AJ,”

Rainbow moved to where Twilight's father sat and grumbled some more. Not just angry because she had to move her seat. But who she had to move from.

“I also need Pinkie Pie to move where Cadence is and Rarity to trade places two spots ahead from her. That should work,”

“Twilight, it’s not that I am in any way complaining, but why exactly change the seating? I thought we were all doing fine,” Cadence said carefully, to make sure not to offend Twilight.

“I suppose I want this to be a “friendship brunch” not a “lets-all-sit-with-who-we-are-comfortable-with brunch”. I just want to make sure everypony gets the chance to talk with each other.

“Darling you have nothing to worry about! These are your friends and family, we would never be offended in any way. Nonetheless, I shall comply with your demand, so as to make you happy,”

“Thank you. I know this all may seem backward, but thankfully I know that now there will be no need for me to freak out and I can finally-”

“Twilight, I need you for a moment,” Spike said, coming from the door to the hall and beckoning Twilight to come out, in which she heeded, but with hesitance.

“Um, sorry everypony, just… talk amongst yourselves for now,” Twilight then reached the door to the halls and looked at Spike. “What is it? Is something wrong?”

“Uh… you could say that,” Spike said, looking back at his left.

Twilight groaned at the thought of leaving everypony when they just sat down, “Okay, let me take care of it,” she entered the hall again, pulling out her best reassuring smile. “I have to take care of something for a moment, but I assure you it is all under control!”

“Well…” Spike said before Twilight slapped her hoof to his mouth.

“Yep! Complete and utter control”

Everypony saw the two leave and began to wonder what exactly was making Twilight act so upside down.

“So what’s the verdict? Anything on fire? Have we run out of an item?”

“Uh, No… but- well you just have to come and see for yourself,”

Spike led Twilight to the kitchen, wherein they both saw floating ingredients and utensils high in the air. Baffling the two immensely.

“Wha- what is this!? How is this happening? I’m not doing this, there’s no way I am. Unless I subconsciously am-Spike are my horn glowing!”

“No Twilight, this is the problem! I was trying to make some gem muffins when suddenly the spoon levitated out of my grasp, after that everything else began to as well. You think we have a ghost or something?”

“I don’t know! I thought this was going to be some sort of simple brunch but now this is turning into some sort of phantom search! Can anything else go-!”

“Twilight I think you’ve lived long enough to know saying that will only do whatever it means so keep your mouth shut!” Spike said, closing Twilight's mouth, causing her tongue to be bitten, and her face to sour.

“Well I guess we should find out what exactly is happening... and by we I mean you.”

“I had a guess, but I’ll get on it. Just know that the drinks are finished so you can survive on them,” Spike said, grabbing a broom and holding it like a warrior, “Let’s go bust us a ghost,”

“Cut the theatrics and get on it,” Twilight said, taking the tray back into the Dining Room.

***
“Hey Twi, are we eatin' anytime soon?” Applejack said, feeling her stomach crunch up with hunger, “Mah stomach’s rumblin’ more than an earthquake shakin' down in a rodeo,”

“Yeah, I haven’t eaten anything for the last 10 hours! My body has a quick digestion period that needs to be filled every 8 hours!”

“Now, now, we must forgive our dear purple princess. After all, she probably has some big and important business that requires secrecy and nobody else could know except a superior and gracious friend,” Discord said, quickly coming up to Twilight out of thin air. Holding her shoulders and ignoring her blatant annoyance, “It could be the most shocking information that we all will eventually need to know, but why not prod on and enlist our guesses in the head just for a few minutes,” And soon he was back in his chair, paw and claw folded neatly, with eyes like an angel. Fluttershy, who sat next to him, gave a calm glare, with a raised eyebrow. He smiled along with her as if it was all a childish game.

“R-right,” Twilight said, starting to wonder if there was more than Discord meant with his sentence, “Anyway, the food is a bit delayed, but we have refreshments!” Twilight brought in the small refreshment tray, consisting of teapots, pitchers, and an assortment of cups. She brought the teapot in the middle of the table, and the pitchers around the ends, every placement had a teacup and a regular glass for water and other liquids.

Everypony graciously took part in gathering their drinks, some took from the pitchers while others the pots, and some waited until they were given the chance to take what they needed. After everyone had gotten their refreshments, Twilight sat down in her seat and looked around. So far so good, she thought, but didn’t keep her hopes up too high, with today being the way it is, she expected something to go wrong any second.

Her mind told her to watch and observe every ponies' reaction, and perhaps listen in if they were talking negatively. That would give her a signal that she needed to fix something. Her ears picked up on some of the conversations, but it was hard since everypony had some stories to tell.

“Oh, that must be dreadful! How in the world did you and Trixie ever manage to get back without fighting with each other!” Rarity said, aghast of such a tale.

“Oh we did, and believe me it still haunts me how she can use her horn for much more than stage magic. But in the end, we decided that friendship is better than a grudge so we talked it out and are back to our happy and… somewhat sane, selves,”

“To think, me and my friends have gone on such long journeys before, and we fought for nearly a few minutes.”

“Well me and Trixie aren’t exactly your average everyday acquaintances, we tend to fight a lot actually. But for some reason, it always helps us out to be even stronger friends. One time it got to a point where Maud had to be involved, but thankfully her kind and melancholic tone helped us to see our differences and reason with them. It has been a while since we saw her and Mudbrier, they finally were able to take a moment and enjoy their honeymoon, off near all of the terrains in the Rocky Hills and muddy bogs. I can’t believe they already got married!”

It seemed like it was going good, but before she could listen in on another, it seemed as if Rarity had some news for her.

“Oh, Twilight, do I have some grand news!” Rarity said, already going into her gossip mode, “ You all remember that hospitalized filly that sent me a letter telling me how much she loved fashion and saw me as a role model yes?”

She nodded as Twilight remembered and read the letter Rarity described. It was a nice surprise when everypony found out about it. Overtime Rarity had gained fame through her many boutiques, but never had she received any sort of letter from a fan. It caused her to get excited, and after Twilight found the hospital in Canterlot where the filly was staying at, she and the other mane six then proceeded to take a trip and visit her. The look on both the filly and Rarity was a sight many would have loved to see. The filly showed immense joy from the view of a famous pony, and for Rarity it was a face of more generosity than any she had pulled before. They talked for hours about different methods for sewing and other techniques that one might use when making dresses. Rarity could almost see herself in the small pony, which is why she proposed for the filly to come to her whenever she feels ready to take a career in fashion.

“Well, she finally has checked out and asked me if I would be willing to hire her as an apprentice! Naturally I agreed, but
there were still some questions I needed to ask, there was also the issue of her family. However, just as of yesterday I got the confirmation and she will be moving in pronto! I must say I am quite excited. With Sweetie Belle gone on her own and working on her own projects, my humble abode has been ruthfully quiet. However I feel with this mare’s help, I can acquire the fantastic charisma I used to have,”

“That’s wonderful Rarity! I know you have been hoping for somepony to stay with you,” Twilight said, happy that her friend was reverting back to her confident and loving self.

“Thank you Twilight, and I do agree that it will be quite nice not waking up and expecting silence. The only perk about that was no burnt juice I had to clean up!” Everypony erupted in laughter at the memories of when Rarity’s sister was younger and more innocent.

Seeing that the conversation was moving more towards Rarity's new fashion line, Twilight felt it right to go on and continue her mission

“And then Twilight and I went home, thankful that we were able to tie that terrifying war between the families over. I was just glad that the animal friends were able to convince them, otherwise I don’t think Twilight or I could have solved the problem,” she heard Fluttershy say.

“Trixie had an experience with the Hooffields and the McColts once,” Trixie said, her face turning a shade darker. “It was… not the best Trixie could have been,”

“Oh I’m sure it wasn’t that bad, what happened?”

“Well I was trying my best to move as far away from Ponyville as I could after the second time I was... defeated, and it led me to a village that had waged war on one another. Trixie… then proceeded to take advantage of the war to gain some belongings, and food, and… other things,.”

“What exactly do you mean by that?” Velvet asked, wondering (and worrying) about how much use Trixie had while undergoing a “war”.

“Well, Trixie told one family that she would help them out if they gave her some things, and then went over to the next to do the same. Of those demands were food, some appliances… and a date”

Both Fluttershy and Velvet had bulged out their eyes, while Trixie hid in her hair and blushed of embarrassment as she painfully tried to explain her motives. “Trixie was lonely! It had been too long… she was just trying… we didn’t even…. I mean he tried but… Trixie is not making this any better,”

“Oh my, but what happened when you left? Did the Hooffields and McColts even care?” Fluttershy asked.

“Well, did anypony mention anything about a traitor when you went there?”

“I don’t think so,”

“Then you have your answer,” Trixie said, almost sounding as if she was hurt a bit.

The conversation drifted into another topic, and Twilight smiled and tuned in to another conversation that was happening.

“And then Spitfire said I was the best candidate, and offered me the position to recruit a new set of wonderbolts!” Rainbow Dash said, obviously finishing a story that led her to a victory.

“Wow, I can’t believe how far you’ve come since I first met you as ‘just Twilight’s friend’” Shining Armor said in awe.

“And to think, this was all because you house-sat for her cats?” Nightlight said, wondering if he were able to gain some promotion if he proposed to do a favor for his own boss at the library.

“Well Spitfire always did care for her possessions, which is why when I volunteered, she took it as a test to see if I was ready to take on a team,” Rainbow said, with much pride.

“From a group of cats?” Shining Armor asked, unable to see how cats would be equivalent to starting a military flying force.

“Well they are Spitfire’s cats aren’t they?” Rainbow said, “I couldn’t get one break from those menaces! All throughout the weekend, it was claws and scratches! I was lucky enough to escape with my life!”

“I can understand that! Cats are nothing but demons sent in from Tartarus!” Nightlight said, remembering a not-so-pleasant memory he had with a feline.

“Awe come on, what about Aunt Sunbeam’s cat? He was nice,” Shining Armor said.

“To you maybe, but I never liked him. He always looked at me with those beady yellow eyes!”

“Uh… right, anyway. I was thankful that the house-sitting was over, and now I think I never would have become Captain of the Wonderbolts without the hard task,”

Everypony seemed to be in high spirits, but that still didn’t cause her mind to wander into positivity just yet, because she still had to figure out what to do with Spike, and who knows where that will go! No, she thought, just relax and don’t think about how much time is being wasted because the kitchens are not as up to date as they used to be, relax, relax, RELAX!

However, her mind was given leave of her worries as somepony began speaking to her. “Ah know it may seem off today for ya, but we all are havin’ a mighty fine time just bein’ here together, it’ll all run smoothly ah just know it.” Applejack whispered, obviously seeing the fear Twilight was showing.

“Thanks, AJ. I guess I just got carried away. Usually, I keep a better mind than this,”

“What the hay are you talkin’ ‘about? Half the time I see you ya’ll are frettin’ an runnin’ like a child who got lost in the desert! Why I’ve seen you go crazy over some of the simplest of things! An let me tell ya, ya’ll have been much worse than ya are today,”

Despite the harsh words, Twilight felt immensely calm and breathed in a breath of relief. Applejack was right, there have been way worse times than this that Twilight had gone incredibly out of sorts, but thankfully her friends always were able to keep her level-headed before she went too far. As long as they were with her, then she would be fine.

“Thanks, AJ, I can always count on you to calm me down,”

“Nothin’ to it Twi, you just need some time to calm down an’ breath it out,”

“I will… by the way, how is your family doing? I hear from Starlight that the CMC are applying to teach part-time at the school,”

“Why they sure are! You can’t tell how proud ah am that they are finally gettin’ somewhere with work. The small jobs they have are fine, but this will really help out with the farm. Considerin’ Grannies position right now,” Applejack said, lowering her tone near the end.

“She’s still not doing so well?”

“No… but I suppose we ain’t surprised, she is older now, an' we all have accepted that she won’t live forever,”

“Even still, it must be hard knowing that she’s… well,”

“Twilight, mah family an I have already talked about this once, and I don’ feel comfortable talkin’ about it right now,”

“Of course, I understand,” Twilight said, wishing for somepony to change the subject. Fortunately, her wish had been granted.

“Oh, Twilight you must hear this hilarious story your father just told, go ahead sir we’re all ears,”

“Okay Miss , but it isn’t that grand. I was walking down to work when I thought I found a pair of ponies in trouble, they were standing in fear over something towering over them. I didn’t know why they were just standing instead of running away, but it could have been anything really. Anyway, I rushed up to them to ask why they were so frightened, and then I saw a huge bucket above them. I thought it was some kind of dangerous liquid that could melt a pony, and thus thought that these ponies needed saving! So I pushed them out of the way before the bucket was poured. Well you wouldn’t believe my surprise when the “dangerous liquid actually turned out to be-”

Before he could distinguish what was meant to be said next, a teapot sprang up above Nightlight’s head. Everypony looked at it in confusion, until it was tipped to the side and a gush of hot tea was poured down, however it moved a few inches forward and ran down near his lower regions. Causing his mind to be wired, and scream out in a harrowing tone.

a burst of laughter had filled the area, a lone alicorn began giggling and snickering. Everypony looked at Flurryheart in a daze, unable to even muster a word to her, but all feel angry at her misbehaved actions.

“Flurryheart! That is not princess-like! You hurt a poor stallion trying to tell a tale! Apologize now!” Cadence said, holding Flurry up to the stallion's face, where she sat there impassive.

“I sorry,” Flurryheart said with such faked despair that everypony knew she did not mean it, all except for the parents of the little troublemaker.

“Thank you very much. I am so sorry Nightlight, if I were paying more attention to her, then maybe your story wouldn’t have been interrupted.”

“I am fine Cadence, you have nothing to worry about, it was just a little pain,” Nightlight said, though showing signs that made his words less comforting.

“You know, this reminds me of a time when Lil’ Cheese and I were playing the banjo!” Pinkie Pie said, all heads now annoyingly turning towards her.

“I think it would be better to save that story for another moment Pinkie Pie,” Fluttershy said, saving everypony from their own insults.

“Anyway… what was in that bucket dad?” Twilight said, moving the conversation along.

“Oh, yes… the bucket,” Nightlight said, hesitant from his wound. “Well, it turns out that bucket I thought contained some sort of dangerous substance was actually-”

“Twilight… do you have another moment?” Spike said, coming from the door, looking disheveled.

With a noticeable groan from her throat, Twilight brought herself up, wishing that whatever problem rose again would be fast so she could finally enjoy the company she had invited. “Spike, you better have a good reason for this, it has nearly been an hour since everypony arrived and I don’t want any more delays!”

“Then you’ll be glad to know what I am telling you… sort of,” Spike said, as Twilight then noticed his hands were hiding behind his back.

“What exactly do you mean?” She said, raising her eyes back up to his face.

“Well there’s good news and bad news… the good news is that I finally caught the problem!” Spike said, raising whatever was behind his back, revealing a small furry black blob. It hissed as it was raised to Twilight's eyes, who screamed back. Gaining a closer look, she discovered the creature had the shape of a rat, but with a small snout, large teeth, and a patterned tile. It made a small hiss as its mouth opened to reveal a long thin sliver of a tongue.

Twilight pushed her hoof to her mouth before any form of vomit could reach her. “Do I even want to know the bad news?”

“That… is an excellent question,” Spike said, his pride leaving him. “You see, I spent the entire time capturing this Torniter, that I had no time to make the rest of the food,”

Ah yes, that is why it looks so strange. Twilight remembered reading a book about magical pests that can roam around in certain parts of the world. However, when the piece of Torniters came about, it was mentioned that they prefer to live in dense areas in the dark rather than in daylight. Which only added to the mystery of why it was here rather than its natural habitat. She realized that perhaps instead of focusing her attention on what kind of creature was roaming about in the kitchen, she should have paid more attention to the rest of the predicament Spike mentioned.

“Right… well are you able to start everything up again?”

“Yes, but everything will take a while, you wouldn’t believe the trouble it takes to capture one of these things!”

“I’ll believe your heroic story later, right now I need you to get back in that kitchen while I figure something out to get rid of what is becoming a dis-,’”

It was too late for Spike not to notice Twilight’s slip-up. The anger in his face was breaching, and she hoped it wouldn’t be too loud for anypony to notice.

“You mean you think this is a disaster too! Why in the world are you still trying to carry on like this? Won’t it be easier to get a little bit of help from them?” Thankfully he whispered, but the anger never left, “You are the Princess of Equestria now,
and I can’t be the one to carry on the problems you feel you have, I did my part and now I am done. I think it's time you stepped in the ring and figured this out,” throwing away his apron in her face, Spike moved past and out into the corridors.

“Spike wait! Spike! Please I know you are upset but I promise everything will get better!” But Spike never came back, Twilight sat her body down, wondering if telling everypony of her dilemma. No, I want them to enjoy themselves, they don’t deserve to carry on the weight I have.

Against the best option, Twilight tightened the apron on herself and proceeded to enter the dining hall.

***

“Are you sure you believe we shouldn't have brought something?” A dark-coated princess said as she flew above the clouds towards her former home. The mare began to ponder over her own inquisition as the castle came into better view. Her dark starry mane hiding her face in contemplation.

“Luna, I have told you a million times, the invite said not to bring anything for it will be provided. I leave no doubt in my mind that Twilight has lied to us,” The larger and lighter of the duo said, her pastel-colored mane tied up into a braided ponytail.

“Even still, it was very abrupt, just yesterday we were relaxing in our retirement when suddenly a familiar appearance of an invitation to our old castle was breached. No RSVPs or anything of the like, what if we were unable to go? Wouldn’t the newest princess of Equestria be saddened if the both of us were engaged in something that (and only for hypothetical purposes) would possibly be more important?”

“You are just mad that you weren’t able to beat the world record of shuffle boarding against me.”

“I never said anything of the like! But in the case of importance then you should know that one more turn and I would have gotten a higher score,”

The two princesses arrived near the castle doors. Unlike everyone, they decided to open the doors themselves, which required the both of them because the giant monsters could never be opened just by a simple push. It was surely a workout. Once they entered, the whole castle was silent, just as it had been the years the two lived in it. The memories were flooding.

“Do you feel it?” Luna said, knowing that her sister most definitely did.

“Absolutely, maybe we could go for a walk around the castle, for old times sake.”

“I agree, Sister, but we should meet everypony first don’t you think?”

“I’m sure they can spare a few minutes,”

“That seems impertinent, does it not?”

“Surely Twilight knows we are running late. So if I know my student, she has kept them waiting for a long time while she figures out what disaster has gone wrong, and when she sees us all will be well because she looks highly towards us. I say we let her figure this problem out for about 10 minutes and set a course for where we want to go until our last destination at the dining hall, short and simple. Now then are you coming along or am I going to have to walk down memory lane myself?”

Luna did contemplate, but she knew in her heart that this castle meant more to her than anything. She learned here, she was loved here, and she had friends here, why not take a few minutes of her time to look back on those good memories?

“Very well, I am sure Twilight knows what she is doing by now,”

***

“I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I AM DOING RIGHT NOW!” Twilight said in a frenzy. She mushed her way through the rest of the brunch, but she knew that everything was falling apart the more she worked. All of the food she was preparing was half-baked. The desserts were starting to flatten. And even some of the berries they had just picked out in the morning were rotting. It was a complete and utter catastrophe. And she only had herself to blame.

It wasn’t until the last plate of food came onto the tray that Twilight pushed the carts with her magic half-heartedly. She knew that nopony would enjoy the actual food. But knowing her friends and family, they would appreciate the hard work. All the praise would go to her, but none to spike, who worked even harder. And all she did was yell at him. Twilight stopped for a second. She probably knew it was too late, but looking around she noticed a bowl full of emeralds and ruby batter were still out. Perhaps if she planned it correctly, she could find Spike and give him an apology muffin. Something that could tell him she was sorry and wanted him to come back. It was a long shot but it was still a shot.

Twilight ran through the recipe in her head, and put the muffins in the oven, she just had to wait a few more minutes and they would be done. She could try to find Spike and apologize to him first, then when they make up Twilight can go back to the dining hall apologize for the long delay, the food, and her lack of presence, and they all can enjoy the company of each other. It was a perfect plan. Which meant that everything could go wrong.

Muffins are done and warm, it was time to find her adviser. Which admittedly could take longer than predicted, since the Canterlot Castle was way bigger than her Ponyville castle. But it didn’t matter, what she needed to do now was find Spike, the rest could wait… or at least she thought.

***

“Ummm… does anypony know where Twilight went?” Fluttershy said, being the first to speak the minds of everyone else.

“I think she has something to figure out. What I don’t get is why we still haven’t eaten! I mean, this is supposed to be a brunch right, not an early dinner! By the time I eat, the foods going to be cold too, maybe we should just leave and-”

“And Twilight is relyin' on us to stay here an’ keep her sanity from dropping below zero! Sure the foods not here yet but that doesn’t matter, she worked mighty hard on this an’ all you’re doin’ is complainin'! I don’t understand why you can’t just be happy with what yer blessed with!”

“Because maybe I want more! Did you ever think of that!?” Rainbow Dash said, rising from her seat and banging onto the table.

Tension was rising between the two mares, and everypony started feeling a tad bit uncomfortable, all except for Discord, who sprung up a bag of popcorn. “Ooh, a lovers quarrel! I always did appreciate the drama between all of you,” he said, flicking a piece of popcorn into his mouth, and producing the bag to Fluttershy, who denied it with a stern glare.

“Oh don’t tell me you're angry as well,”

“I’m not angry, I am hurt! Did you even go to them! Because so help me if I hear that you didn’t and I have to do something for you again then we may as well just skip it,” Fluttershy said, folding her arms as tears came upon her eyes.

“What… what do y'all mean?” Applejack said meekly, wishing to hear the sentence again, just so she can understand Rainbow’s internal conflicts.

“Skip it? Skip it! After all I did for you! After all those nights we talked and I listened and contemplated! You’re just going to throw it all away because of something I may or may not have done! Are you mad!” Discord said, eyes ablaze with fire as steam came out of his ears.

“Is it just me or are there some skeletons that are starting to come out of the closet?” Rarity whispered to Pinkie Pie, who was blatantly playing with her child and ignoring the soap opera happening a few feet from her.

“What skeletons? It’s not Nightmare Night?” Pinkie asked as the question came into her head.

“I’m not just going to sit here and pretend like what we are is nothing! You know it and so do I, so why are you trying to hide it!” Rainbow Dash said, flying up to her face and pointing a sharp hoof to Applejack’s chest

“‘Cause maybe ah don’t want it! I can accept you stayin’ with me, but this is too fast! What will mah family say? Ponies don’t generally look at this with standardized praise,”

“Who cares what they think?”

“They are mah family an’ I ain’t goin’ anywhere without em’!”

The whole scene was becoming a frenzy and causing a whole lot of fear in a little infant. A small whimper was beginning to arise in the little colt's throat. Alarming Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich to look at each other with fear.

“Oh, poodles! Cheesy get the cart, maybe his bobby will calm him down?” Pinkie Pie said in a frantic tone. More than one might expect from a mother.

“You know that won’t work! We need to figure something out fast before he -” but it was too late. The blast of sound waves coming from the small child caused everypony to cover their ears. The baby waled and scrambled in Pinkie’s grasp, as her husband came back in. Objects flying everywhere. “I’ve got everything he would ever want!”

The new parents began displaying each object in hopes that their child would calm down, meanwhile, all the others removed their limbs from their ears.

“We should help them,” Twilight Velvet said, alerting her husband as they both came up to help.

“Mommy, was I ever wike dis?” little Flurry Heart said, wishing she was far away from the little imp of a pony.

“You shouldn’t worry dear, you were never like this… I would even go to say you were farther from this than ever!” Cadence said, misdemeaning her little slip.

“Oh good,” Flurry Heart said, not taking the little insult her mother did not mean to give (consciously).

“Oh where is Twilight, she would know what to do,” Rarity said.

“Forget Twilight! We need hands-on parenting right now!” Shining Armor said, panicking at the memories of cries being given to at every known second.

“Discord, maybe you could-”

“Oh now I am being given a gentle tone! Only when you need me right?”

“Discord can we do this later, right now Pinkie Pie needs our help,”

“No! In fact, let the little brat cry to death for all I care,”

“HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT!” Fluttershy said in a furious rage.

Meanwhile, during all of this, Rarity stayed near the table. Unsure of what to do. But absolutely wishing that she were somewhere else. However, along with Rarity, Starlight, Trixie, and Sunburst were simply watching everyone without a care in the world.

“Aren’t you all going to fight about something too?” Rarity asked.

“Nah, we usually don’t hide any of our feelings, it’s why we usually fight on random occasions,” Starlight said.

“Trixie will never keep a secret from a friend,”

“We all have dark secrets, we just feel it is better to talk about them before we get caught. It’s better that way and more personal.”

“Hmm,” Rarity said, almost finding the idea perfect. Perhaps when Twilight came back, they would all be able to discuss these secrets and live better lives together.

***

“Sister, I do believe I heard a large noise happening in the Dining Hall, perhaps we should investigate, it sounds like they are in need of help,” the dark Princess Luna said, turning around a corner near the halls to find her sister looking for a specific room.

“Luna when having you not heard a large noise in this castle? I swear sometimes you get too paranoid about some things. Besides, if it is a problem then we do not have to deal with it. For now, I just hope it’s still here,” Celestia said, raising Luna’s suspicion for why she wanted to roam the castle in the first place.

“And what is this this ‘it’ you speak of? You seem quite enthralled by it,”

“Something I’ve been meaning to get for a friend, a relic of some kind,”

“Sister, we have thousands upon millions of relics in one room alone! What is so important about this one?”

“This one, dear sister, is special to my friend, and I’ve been meaning to get it recently, I just did not know when I would be able to… just until today that is,”

“Oh, I do love how helpful you are being towards your 'friend', ” Luna said, sarcastically knowing that Celestia’s friend was most likely the two of them.

“You know me too well Sister,” Celestia said, losing the facade, knowing it would be a waste of time, “There’s something I dreamed about a few nights ago, and I wanted to see if it still is here,”

“Alright, but then we must go back and find out what all of the commotions is about in the dining hall,”

“Very well, Luna. We are not far I am sure it is-”

The two retired princesses stopped short when they heard a large sob coming from the hall, Celestia looked to Luna wondering perhaps if what Luna heard before indeed was important.

They quickly went towards the noise, all the way to a single hallway, adorned with glass windows of the history the pony heroines Celestia and Luna adore even still. However, their focus was instead on the lone dragon, sitting close to the window of his own, smaller self, holding onto the ebullient heart from the Crystal Empire. Cheerful and proud, a contrast to his form now: hunched and broken.

Luna was the first to step up, “Young Spike, why do you sit by your lonesome and weep? Has something happened?”
As soon as the voice was spoken, Spike looked up to Luna with surprise that she was actually here, but finding no reason to question why now. She was offering comfort, and that was all he needed.

“Me and Twilight had a fight, and I stormed off like a little child! I still am acting like one, sitting here and crying, but she doesn’t listen to me! Even when she assigned me as her “royal advisor” she still denies my say and does whatever she wants! And I can’t do anything about it because she is my superior! I don’t understand why-”

“Spike! Calm down.” Luna said, panic running through her veins as the memory of her past came back, “What you are saying sounds familiar. And do not say what I think you are, because I know how you are feeling. However, instead of dwelling on this like me, you should go tell Twilight about your feelings. If you do, then she can understand and you two can work out an agreement. Please, do what we never were able to,”

Celestia could sense the pain and panic in Luna’s tone, and she could only offer her hoof as a sole amenity. “She is correct Spike, Luna and I had our differing opinions, but instead of talking about them, we decided to ignore the problem. And history can tell you the rest,”

“But Twilight won’t listen now! I think most of what to blame is stress, but I warned her that this could happen, and yet she still went on her own instincts, and is hurting from all the work she is doing. Everypony now is sad and hungry, and I knew it was going to be that way! How would you feel if that happened to you?” Spike said, however looking towards Celestia instead of Luna, causing both alicorns to raise their faces in surprise.

“Well, Spike, Luna was indeed very stubborn and kept to herself most of the time. Which meant that she did most things her own way, even when I needed her to do other things. I have been in your case before, perhaps not as much as Luna, but there were times when I felt neglected. In your case, most likely what I would have done is gone to Star Swirl, who gave me his own advice, which nowadays may not have been great advice. But what I would do now is go calmly and talk. Despite your feelings, it is the best course of action. If she does not listen, then find some ponies that will. The others are your friends too, Spike. If they saw how distraught you are right now, they would drop everything to help you out.”

Spike sniffed and smiled thoughtfully, “You really think so?”

“That is the one advantage I never had Spike. When Celestia and I fought, I had nopony to turn to, even when I tried everypony wanted to make an excuse and run away to Celestia, but you have an array of friends you will talk to you, and I bet even if you went now they would aid you,”

There was a short pause of silence, before Spike stood up, with a confident smile. “You're right, I have others who will listen, and maybe we can intervene and talk to Twilight together, they would want to help her as much as I do, I’ll go now, do you want to come with me? I bet Twilight would feel better if she saw you two,”

“We appreciate the offer, Spike, but there is something that we have to find first, but do not be afraid to tell everypony we are here, there doesn’t need to be a surprise when we go in,”

“Okay, I’ll see you later!” Spike said, now with new enthusiasm. He turned from the hallway and left the two alicorns alone.

“Well, at least he is feeling better, now then, where were we,” Celestia said, returning to her small quest.

“Celestia… do you think if we ever were given better leadership, then things would have changed?”

The larger alicorn stopped, knowing the question was eating up the shorter’s brain, and it was a question that she had been meaning to ask long before the pep talks to Spike.

“It would take all the lying in the world to say yes, Sister. Even if Starswirl decided to change his guidance, the same fate would happen. I know most of the reasons for our fights were because of my arrogance, and your jealousy, we mustn’t deny that fact.”

Celestia kept walking, hoping that they would not go into a long-winded discussion that would distract them. She needed to find her target, and then hopefully she and Luna will be able to reminisce over the object. After all, it was possibly the most special relic that Celestia ever was given.

***

Spike tried walking back towards the dining hall where he heard some large arguments that seemed to be everywhere. Talking with Twilight's retired mentors helped him out with his problems, he knew why so many ponies looked to them for personal help, they really were as wise as their age. However, that didn’t sate his anger any less. He may have been thankful for the motivational talk he was given, but there were still so many more problems that he was too tired to obsess about. The food, Twilight, and now the suspicion over Celestia and Luna. He wouldn’t mention anything yet, since he felt that this whole event would need some kind of good entrance. And for a short second in his brain, he wanted to laugh at the possibility of the two arriving at the most inopportune time. Which probably, knowing today, will happen. And he bet himself a day's worth of chores for it.

However, that was just the small of his mind, the rest was how he was going to handle Twilight without yelling at her face. It wasn’t that he was incapable of doing so, but it seemed like it was exactly what she deserved. He told her, no… warned her not to go overboard. Did he know she would do that anyway? Absolutely. It was Twilight, everypony expected her to go overboard. However, he did not predict the effects of his own torture through it all. She dragged him into this mess and left him to do all of the hard things that she was causing. He felt the pressures of justice needed to be brought out. And he was sure that his friends would see it that way. But he knew the other side of the gemstone. Twilight needed him after all the other servants left. He felt like that was the worst decision she could have made, and hoped that this taught her a lesson about delegation, which hurtfully, she already had learned.

He stopped in the hallway, and felt that pang of anger breached out once more, but quickly remembered Luna’s words. Sighing, he just looked at the wall. Plain and beige colored, the mood he remembered he needed to feel. At least in order to talk with Twilight with a sane mind. If he thought about this wall, this plain and beige colored wall, it would help.

Unbeknownst to him, Twilight was walking down a hallway identical to his own, she carried the tray of muffins with her aura of magic and a worried expression. Spike may not want anything to do with her, and if that was the case then she could just say sorry and let him work out his anger on his own. He was no longer a baby dragon, needing his princess to deal with his emotions. That in itself was one of the secret reasons that Twilight wanted this brunch to be made, so she and Spike can do something together. Ever since taking the throne, Twilight and Spike could no longer find those small moments they loved to spend together. Reading one book, each chapter being spoken by the two, talking about different genres of books they loved, speaking and acting out their favorite book scenes. A lot of book activities, Twilight realized.

However, there were fewer times for those now that she was Princess, and when she found her book on luncheons, it said to make sure spending time with family was kept at a maximum. The most important part she was trying to keep together. Ironically, this was also the part that was falling apart the most, but she didn’t know how apart since she was not in the dining hall yet.

Twilight stopped for a moment, staring at the wall. The plain, beige wall. She knew that feeling was going to be needed in order to talk with Spike. Plain and kept together, there will be no tears given, nor will any voices break, she will be the fully corporate princess. Telling what she needed to get done, and hoping that her argument was convincing enough. Just as she did when she tried for the debate club.

Turning the corner, Twilight went headstrong, determined to find her target and apologize with the most vigor. However, she hadn’t expected to find her ambition right then. And it seemed as if such ambition was surprised to see her as well.

“Hi,” Spike said, breaking the ice before the silence got awkward.

“Hey,” Twilight responded, her entire argumentative image gone once she was given a curveball. Now it really was like the debate club.

More silence followed. As if their entire pep ups were accounted to nothing. However, when Spike had eyed Twilight, he noticed there was a sense of worry in both her face and her tone. She seemed apprehensive to talk to him, and since he had been living with Twilight all his life, Spike knew that when Twilight was apprehensive, she had been thinking to no end about some way to fix things. While before he worried about her tendency to overthink things too much, now that she was trying to think of a way to fix something with him, it was kindful and caring to think that she was worried enough about their friendship, no matter how inconsiderate that sounded now, it was giving him hope that perhaps he could accept any apology she gave out.

“Well, since there seems to be no way around this, I think it’s fair that I apologize first, and then we can settle some things,” Twilight said, her calm exterior returning. However, her voice was still uncertain of the strong desire she wished to have.

“Very well then,” Spike said, not leaving any apprehension in his voice, obviously feeling more confident from the unexpected occurrence.

Twilight sighed, preparing herself, doing her best to keep her calm composure, “Look, you were right- are right. I was way over my head to think I could do this by myself. And adding you to it was even worse because all of the burdens was brought down to you as well. The only reason I have to explain myself is that I wanted us to go back to those wonderful memories of the past. Everything is changing now that I am a princess of Equestria, and I feel so tired of it. For once I wanted to just feel like my old self and have a little fun. Does that make me a bad pony? It might, and I would not blame you for thinking as such. But just this once could you please forgive me and accept that I am doing my best with the situation? I understand you are angry, and I will not do anything at all to convince you otherwise, but if you can find it in your heart to forgive, then I will do everything in my power to make sure that you are satisfied.”

Spike stood in silence. She apologized just fine, and he did find it interesting of her fear of change, which would explain how rash she was feeling towards this brunch. However, her emotions aside, she still was burning up her sympathy to make it seem as if he was being too much of a victim. He was still unsure of whether or not to actually forgive her. However, he knew that he was going to need the smallest push to accept it.

Seeing his response was faltering, Twilight decided for one last motivation. So she presented the gem muffins in her purple aura and smiled the best she could. No mention of anything. Just some muffins and a hopeful smile. Normally she would try her best to explain how she got the muffins, but she knew Spike well enough that he needed no explanation. He knew exactly who made those muffins. And it was exactly what he needed to be convinced. That was how Spike was, he could handle a speech about how sorry one might be, but actually making a gesture, that was different. And it was all he needed.

A smile was brought out on his face, as he grabbed one muffin, and bit into it with determination. However, immediately after, he spat it out, causing Twilight to panic. “Oh no, what did I do! Did I overstuff the muffins with gems? Did I underbake them? Did I overbake them? Oh Spike I wanted to believe that I did something right for once but I guess all I really am good for is just smiling and being pretty and-”

“Twilight!” Spike said, holding her steady so she wouldn’t continue overreacting, “I just took too big of a bite,” he started laughing at Twilight’s behavior. If she was trying to go back to the good ‘ole days, then right now was the perfect moment. Twilight, freaking out over something extremely small, while he does his best to calm the situation down, which in turn makes her think she has calmed down herself. It was all coming back. Twilight joined in the laughter and soon the hallways were alight with the joyous occasion.

“Oh, Spike, this is what I’ve been wanting to feel!” Twilight said, wiping away her tears. “I’ve missed this, this happiness, we used to do this a lot. But, now that I am ruling Equestria, I feel less of this. I was hoping this brunch would help me feel like not everything is changing. However, I fear more is happening than I would like to see. From our friends, our family, even you! It just makes me want to see them all forever, instead of just a few invites,”

“Is that why you wanted to form the ECF? So you can see all your friends again? Because it would probably excite them a whole lot! Besides, if they knew how you felt, then I bet they would all drop everything to help you,” Spike said, combining his own pep up with memories from another who gave him the right kind of confidence.

“Yes, Spike. I just wanted to find a perfect way to tell them all. So I was searching in the library to see how to form Councles when I found the luncheon book. I looked it over and decided it would be easier to get everypony together to tell them about it! I already have the paperwork, all they have to do is sign the forms and the ECF will be complete,”

“That sounds like you Twilight, but we can’t tell them just sitting here, come on… I have a feeling that they all are ready for you to -”

“Oh my gosh! How could I forget! Oh, and I bet everything is cold and stale by now. Spike, do you think you might be able to -”

“Say no more Twilight, me and my fire are completely prepared for any food that has been made,” Spike said, spraying out a small puff of green fire, making a large smile for Twilight, who jumped on him with such a large embrace. Spike knew that he didn’t need to say anything, he just accepted the hug and returned it.

“Come on, I just hope that they aren’t mad at me,”

“Twilight, if I know your friends, they are probably just hungry,”

***

If only Spike were to know.

Not only are Twilight’s friends starving, they also are arguing like bickering siblings. Almost everypony (except for Rarity, who was still sitting alone, feeling uncomfortable but keeping a small smile while holding onto her cup of water) was fighting with another. Fluttershy and Discord had gotten even fierier when the mention of her parents was involved, and Rainbow Dash and Applejack were almost about to physically get involved, which was not unusual for them both. The rest were doing their best figuring out how to calm down Pinkie Pie’s small infant, who still was wailing and screaming, but not as loud as his first outburst. That was not saying much, however, since he still was firing out blasts of cries against almost anything that was in his view.

“Has he eaten anything?” Cadence said, holding a small rattle in her magical pink aura.

“I fed him everything I could! He’s practically got a party going on in his little tummy! What about his bobby? Where did it go?” Pinkie Pie said, rocking the baby back and forth, almost too forcefully.

“Dear, you're going to make him throw up his food, and then we’ll have a new problem on our hooves!” Cheese Sandwich said, his eyes growing extremely tired, not daring to look away from his child and wife in case something were to happen.

“Well what do you suggest!? It’s not like anything we do is working, so why not entice us further with your incredible ideas! I think we all would like to hear them,”

The two started bickering at large amounts, causing the baby more distress, which in turn also caused more crying. Since nopony wanted any more tears, the two couples decided to immediately intervene.

“Stop it! Fighting is only making this worse! No amount of toys or food is making this child happy. We need to consider the inevitable and finally check the diaper,” Twilight Velvet said, receiving worried looks throughout the entire group.

“But the last time we checked, the nurse had to put on a gas mask!”

“I really don’t think it has to come to that,”

“No! He’s just tired, I am sure of it!”

“Not when we are about to eat,”

The excuses just kept on coming. However, everypony knew it was time to face the music, or at least what was under the music. And instead of music, it was more like mere screaming. Looking around, seeing who would be a volunteer, but finding no takers.

“Alright, let’s do the best method of decision making,” Shining Armor said, holding his hoof and singing a small tune, pointing to each pony at every word, until finally, he landed on himself, and immediately began again. This went on for at least three other times before Cadence was fed up with it.

“Shining, go now!” She said in a hard and orderly voice. Shining Armor gulped loudly as Pinkie Pie gave her child, and crossed her hooves on her chest, a common gesture to give prayer to someone who may as well already be dead.

Putting the child on a hard surface, Shining Armor carefully tried taking away the diaper, one little strap at a time. He was just about to lift the diaper from the child when a large voice stopped him.

“Wait!” Cheese Sandwich said, pushing everypony else to the other side of the room, in case there might be some explosion, they all coward away and shook with fear. Once again trying to lift the diaper, Shining Armor pushed the smallest bit but was finding it difficult since the child was still crying. Just a little bit more, and then he could hold his breath while dealing with the highly induced specimen that seemed to never stop wailing. He only moved the diaper a few mere inches, and it was starting to get intense. He kept going, pushing, and lifting that diaper, hoping that when it finally came off he could be quick enough to change it. Some more small movements. Smaller, smaller, smaller…

“Oh, Would you just get on with it!” Pinkie Pie said, her frustration reaching its maximum level. However, she was not the only one feeling as such, and soon Cadence put her pink magic at work and completely took the diaper of the screaming infant.

What could be said? It was the reason he was crying. And now everypony (possibly beyond just the dining hall) could figure that out. All hooves that were flinging around at each other were now on their noses. The smell was so strong one might think of passing out, but couldn’t because the smell also was unable to tie you into anything else.

“Dear dark clouds above! What in the world has that kid been eating Pinkie?” Rainbow Dash said, regretting even opening her mouth.

“Nothing but the good stuff. Some cupcakes, chocolate milk, an entire bowl of chili powdered donuts,”

Everypony groaned immediately when the word Chili was mentioned. It was, after all, Pinkie Pie’s child.

“Oh gosh, the smell is horrible!” Fluttershy said, her entire anger forgotten, and instead replaced with horrible disgust.

“And to think, I’ve seen a T-Rex eat 40 chilidogs, but it compares nothing to this!” Discord said, snapping his fingers, which caused a large black mask with goggled eyes and an incredibly long, slanted nose running down to the bottom of his chin.

Everypony still did their best to try and miss the smell, but all were failing incredibly. All except for Trixie, who looked around uncomfortably. Starlight noticed this and began to wonder how in the world Trixie was able to sustain the horrible smell.

“Why aren’t you disgusted?” She said through gritted teeth and covered nasal.

“I suppose it is all of those smoke bombs Trixie has used over the years. I’ve gotten so used to it that my sense of smell has completely been shot,”

Taking an annoying glance, Starlight looked over towards everypony else. Her senses were starting to fade, and she did the only thing before feeling as if she should pass out. Magic away the problem.

“Okay, clearly we have suffered enough,” her horn ignited, and in a flash, the whole room immediately was cleared of any bad smell.

“You couldn’t have done that in the first place?” Rainbow Dash said, enjoying the fresh air she was finally being given.

“It was kind of hard to figure out when the fumes in here were killing each brain cell I possessed,”

“It doesn’t matter! The smell is over, and we can all just sit down and relax, we have fought enough, and now it is time to stay still, think over our words, and figure out how best to fix them!” Rarity said, her voice rising to a stern motherly tone, as everypony did exactly as she said.

The awkward silence was terribly noticed, and no amount of noise was made except for the smallest sounds of ticks or taps from the table. Nopony looked at each other, but all were thinking. Some of the things they said that might have hurt somepony, and how to apologize, some who didn’t get a chance to say what they wanted, and tried to think of a way to better explain their feelings. Pinkie Pie mostly thought of how cool it would be if whipped cream could somehow be inside of a pie rather than on top. And others were merely just trying to forget the silence and banter on their own.

However, all thinking was lost when the doors opened up, and a proud Dragon with a much better-looking Alicorn Princess walked in, carrying all the food they could.

“We’ve got the goods!” Spike said, watching everypony look at them with the utmost happiness. Finally, their bellies would be full.

Seeing Twilight, everypony’s mood immediately shifted. Oh sure, they still had a few things to say, but now that they were going to get some good food, then things would run a whole lot smoother.

The food was passed onto the table by Twilight. Who smiled brightly at the amazing looks of appreciation her friends were giving. The food was probably not going to be the best, she knew that the reason they probably looked so happy is because of their growing hunger.

The food left almost after it arrived, with everypony silent as their appetite was sated. Finally after nothing more than slight tinks of a fork on a plate. Twilight was not as famished as the others, so she finished way earlier than her friends. Looking around at their faces, all stuffed with the food she and Spike both gave their entire effort and worth. Even though she noticed some plates were not as empty as others, it was still nice knowing that, after all of the drama she and Spike went through, finally they were given the fair praise that was needed. And now she felt it was time to give them the information this whole brunch was meant to be for.

“If I may,” Twilight said, raising herself upwards, informing everypony to her direction. “I know that we have had some setbacks, and I wholeheartedly apologize for them,”

“Nothin’ doin’ Twi, we know how busy it must be bein’ a princess an’ all that,”

“Thank you, AJ, but that is the reason why I called you all here. Change is a lot to handle, and it is harder when one has to deal with their own. From what I have heard from you, home has been full of change that we all are experiencing. However, I am starting to notice how little of that change we are experiencing together. Your lives are growing, Rarity with your new apprentice, Pinkie Pie with her new child, and I fear as if I am missing it all due to my own responsibilities. Now does that mean I resent them? No, I have full faith in myself to properly deal with my duties. However, I seem to be working with a nonstop endeavor, and thus I do not have a lot of time for my own affairs, nor my purpose as Princess of Friendship.

“Twilight, what exactly are you trying to tell us?” Rainbow Dash said, doing her best to stay patient, but knowing that if there were any sort of information needing to be told, then it would be best to just say it.

Twilight sighed, Dash was right, no need for a grand speech, just say what needs to be said, “There comes a time in everypony’s life when they have something important to tell, something that will probably be a big change, and we all will hope to adapt to it pretty soon, so it is best to just say it now rather than later, so I would like to say-”

“Discord and I are getting married!” A sudden shy outburst came out from the side of the table, the attention now reverting towards Fluttershy instead, who started blushing with embarrassment right after.

“What?” Rarity said, breaking the silence that resonated throughout the table with a question that everypony seemed to be wondering.

“Wait, when did this happen?” Starlight asked, also asking a question most were wondering.

“Hold on! Before the questions arise I get to say something as well,” Discord said, moving his arms at full length to stop all of the chatter. Then, he cleared his throat while calmly taking a deep breath, “ARE YOU SERIOUS! I have been doing my best! Keeping this a secret from them because you wanted me to tell first!”

“I wanted you to tell my parents first! To ask for their blessing! I don’t understand why you can’t do just that simple task!”

“Because what if they say no, huh? Do you really think your parents want to see you marrying some misshapen form that could turn their house into cheddar cheese!?”

“My parents will understand that you make me happy! They wouldn't want to ruin what makes me happy, and they don’t think you're misshapen, they see you the same way that I do,”

“What? Ugly and incapable of feeling,”

“No! Kind, hard-working, and willing to try for the things he loves,” Fluttershy began to evoke a heartwarming smile, the one that always seemed to calm the draconequus down.

“Do you really believe that is how they will see me?”

“I think the only way to know that is to ask them yourself,” she took his one lion's paw and put it on her face, another satisfying effect that she had on him.

“Well then, what am I doing here? I shall be your knight and take on the task, so sorry to miss the announcement but I doubt it will change anything I am looking for! sayonary!” And in a large snapping flash, Discord was absent. Leaving nothing but a few twinkling sparkles that drifted over Fluttershy’s head, which caused a small, adorable giggle to escape her. However, her smile disappeared when she noticed all of her friends were staring with wide eyes.

“Oh! I’m so sorry, you all must be so confused right now,” She said, squeeing and letting out a large blush.

“Well, your conversation definitely told us a few things, but when exactly did this all begin?” Starlight said, her question hoping to be answered this time.

“Um… well, you know how we both have been dating, in a way,”

“Yes,” they all responded.

“Uh, well sometimes he comes over for our tea talks and we discuss serious (and sometimes nonsense) topics. Recently the image of marriage had been brought up by him, and I guess in some way we talked our way into getting married. He proposed traditionally a week ago, and I said yes, but told him he needed to get my parents' blessing before we start planning. He’s been really worried about how they will react, but always put his own insecurities to reason. I guess it wasn’t until I finally spoke up and said something that he felt that he could finally do it. I’m sorry it took so long to tell you girls, but I would hope that when we do start planning you will all try and help me,”

“Absolutely!” Applejack said, “Y'all are gonna have to get used to us bein’ right near ya at all times, ‘cause we will all be near ya like an egg to a momma bird. All I can say now is congratulations! Everypony deserves a chance to get on settlin’ with the one they love, to Fluttershy and her newfound happiness!”

All cups were raised and congratulating Fluttershy, who blushed of both embarrassment and happiness, she knew that they all would feel happy for her, but it still was nerve-wracking to think of the criticism they may have thought. Discord was reformed, but she knew her friends were still apprehensive over whether or not he was still good. Even though she had her doubts multiple times, her love was still overpowering overall. And with the help of her friends, she knew this could be a great wedding yet to come.

“I have never been happier for you Fluttershy, but this is exactly as I was saying. While you all are experiencing changes, I feel as if the exciting and happy moments are being missed because we all are too busy. Not only that, but there have been multiple occasions where I have needed to handle conflicts that would require not only me but all of you! Problems from other ponies, in any place, where they need the power of friendship. Kindness, Honesty, Generosity, Loyalty, Laughter, were all handed to you from the elements. I always knew you all were important to the ponies the map called, but it seems as if everypony I meet needs all of you. Just as much as we need each other. Because we all love each other to pieces, which is why-”

“Some more than others,” a small raspy voice said, not enjoying the speech being given, and losing her patience within every word spoken.

“Oh no, not now! Rainbow!” Applejack said, knowing exactly what was on the flyer's mind, but definitely not wanting to talk about it in front of her friends.

“Why not! It’s not like I’ll have a chance later, so why not get it out in the open! Guess what everypony!”

“Rainbow no!”

“I’ve got my own announcement that I think everyone should know!”

“Sweet apple crisps,” Applejack whispered.

“I LOVE this mare! I don’t know how or when, but all I know is when she and her family decided to let me move in, I was head over heels in love! And you know what? She loves me too! But she is just scared that her friends and her family won’t accept her for it! Which is complete bull! So there! You all know now! So what are you gonna say? Because if you say anything bad about her then I’ll pummel you to the ground and we can fight like dragons ‘kay!”

Everypony stayed silently still, however not many with expressions of surprise or confusion, in fact, nopony really looked as if they were shocked at all by this revelation, the only ponies who were bewildered by the looks were the very ponies who were announcing their love.

“What? Why aren’t you guys gasping and looking surprised like with Fluttershy?”

“With all due, Rainbow, I thought you two were already dating?” Rarity said as everypony nodded their heads.

“I mean, it was clear there was some fire going on between you two from the day Rainbow got evicted and had to move in with the Apples.I didn’t think there was anything to worry about though. You two do rank as the next highest couple in Ponyville, next to Lyra and Bon Bon of course. In fact, I would have thought by now you two would have tied the knot just like Fluttershy and Discord.” Starlight said, displaying a chart in her aura of magic. The chart upon reading was titled “Greatest ships of all time (according to Starlight and whoever decides against her is stupid *cough* like Trixie) and there the two were, both together with a golden star marked “ Perfect for each other”, and just as she said Lyra and BonBon were up there just above them. There were others as well, but the most notable one on the bottom seemed to be Twilight and Trixie with a red-faced pony, angry, and marked as “Completely wrong and desperate if ever to happen”.

“Really? Desperate? Trixie is going to have to remember that when we go out to the bar and you harass the bartender-oh look at that Twilight is speaking,” Trixie said, giving attention to Twilight before Starlight blasted her against the wall.

“Applejack, you don’t need to be concerned what your family thinks, if we all knew about how you two felt about each other, then I’m sure they will too, but if not then please don’t think you can’t, they have every right to know just as much as we would if we didn’t. But more importantly, you need to tell the one pony who might not be here for too long. I just say that because you might feel guilty if you didn’t and just wasted time. We all love you AJ, so don’t think this will change how we feel about you, okay?”

Applejack stayed silent for a long while, she was thinking hard about what to do, but with a deep breath in, she finally could muster up her courage. “Ah love you Rainbow. Yes, you all knew it, but I didn’t, and knowin’ that y’all care enough about me and my choices, then that makes me as plum as a peach. Thanks, y’all, and thank you Rainbow, for helpin’ me see my true feelin’s all along,”

It may not have been a grand speech, but a lot of heart went into it, which provided Rainbow Dash to hug her best friend, and now her new love. Everypony awed, while a few, who did not know them too well, still smiled. Finally, the two separated, and the entire attention was given to Twilight.

“Well, we certainly have heard a lot haven’t we, but I think we need to direct our attention to the first announcement that I was trying to say. So I think we all have a lot of things going on and we want to-” While Twilights speech was once again carrying out. The whole table was having a hard time listening again. Some ponies did pay attention, but others were finding their eyes darting to other places just to find something that might grab their attention more. Flurry Heart, for example, decided that playing with her food sounded more fun than listening to Twilight talk before possibly getting interrupted again. She found it fun moving her pancakes and breaking them apart and using the syrup pint to represent the blood of her victim.

“Oh no!” she whispered, pretending to speak for the pancake, “I am being maliciously malled by an adorable princess filly who will think I am delicious! HELP ME!”

“Flurry Heart! Twilight is trying to make an announcement, pay attention,” Cadence whispered to her troubled daughter. Hoping they were not making too much of a ruckus.

“But mommy! The pancake was being bad, so he has to be stripped of his flesh, that’s what the book daddy reads to me says,” Flurry Heart said, her childlike innocence trying to con out of another bad deed.

“I knew I should have been the one in charge of bedtime,” Cadence said, her hooves lightly touching her head. She was starting to get a headache from this day. “No matter, give me the syrup and listen.” Cadence used her aura of magic to tug away the syrup, but Flurry Heart was giving her struggle.

“No!” she said, forcing the pint to come back to her.

“Flurry, I said give it,”

“No!”

A tug of war came about the two ponies, pulling the pint to each of their sides, but Cadence had eventually lost her aura and the syrup flew towards Flurry Heart, covering her whole side, however, the loss of her mother aura pushed her so far on the table, that her pancake flung to the opposite side of her, landing on Rainbow Dash’s side.

“Ow,” she whispered, looking to see what hit her, noticing it was a pancake, “Who threw that?” she asked, looking in the direction the pancake hit her, but finding a tiny pony pointing to a bigger pink one.

“Oh yeah Pinkie? Do you think this is a game? Well then, eat this!” Rainbow said, removing her own syrupy pancake and throwing it towards Pinkie Pie. It didn’t land on her face, but just barely skipped her, leaving a small trail of syrup around her cheek. Her eyebrows narrowed, and her tongue licked the syrup off. Whoever threw that was going to pay.

Giggling was heard in front of Pinkie Pie, and she noticed Rainbow Dash sniggering. So, she was the culprit.

“Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie said, not afraid to interrupt Twilight’s speech. This was a serious matter. “Why did you throw a pancake at me?”

“You did what now?” Applejack asked, confusion and anger rising in her.

“We - I… It’s only because she threw one at me!” Dash said in defense.

“Did not!” Pinkie Pie said, feeling as if arguing was going nowhere, “But I am throwing this one!” a sudden pancake was flung in the air. However, instead of hitting her target, it went askew and hit a few feet away from Rainbow, which would be Applejack.

“Alright, I was going to argue with Rainbow, but an Apple doesn’t back down in a fight!” Applejack got up from her chair and banged her hoof on her plate, causing berries of all kinds to fly in the air, before they hit the table and a few ponies.

In a frenzy, a food fight was beginning. The breakfast items were all going into the air, and some ponies who did not want to fight, could not deny once they were hit. Soon a pastry from Rarity hit Trixie, and there were no apologies given.

“Normally, Trixie is able to do many things. But the one thing Trixie is unable to do, is to stop a food fight! AAAAAAH” She suddenly picked up her plate in her magic, and Rarity went underneath the table, but instead Trixie threw her plate onto Starlight, Causing it to shatter.

“Hey! What did you do that for!” Starlight said, food and all amounts of liquid running down her face.

“Trixie finds you to be a worthy opponent for these sorts of things. Unless you would like to ally and we face off these idiots together?”

Starlight smiled at the idea, “Well Sunburst?” She asked, looking towards her nervous friend.

“What is happening right now?”

“Good enough for me! Let’s do this!” Their plates went to everypony around the table.

Suddenly the castle doors to the dining hall opened up and in came the two ponies Twilight had been waiting for.

“Hello everypony! So sorry we are late, I had to grab something and Luna took forever in the bathroom,”

“I did not! You still won’t tell me what it is you found,” Luna said, her head coming inside.

“Something very dear to my heart,” Celestia argued, before realizing nobody knew they were here.

The food fight was still occurring, but a sudden pancake was flung too high, and hit Celestia, going through her horn.

Everything stopped abruptly. The food that was in some ponies' hooves was in standstill. The only pony making any noise was Luna, who was doing her hardest not to laugh at the ridiculous scene her Sister was in. All was silent, even Celestia did not dare to speak yet. She just removed the pancake, with a large confused look on her face.

However, that silence was broken by a small sob from the end of the table. All eyes were on that sob because the pony doing it was the host of this entire brunch. Twilight wailed out, the stress of the day, her speech being interrupted so many times, and now a food fight being caused because she just couldn’t get her words straight. Spike was right all along, this was just one big disaster.

Everypony looked around. The food was everywhere! In the walls, in ponies’ manes, tails, everywhere! The guilt was strong, and the only ponies they could blame were themselves. Spike ran up to Twilight, giving her a comforting claw. She wanted to feel better, but it wasn’t working. Following his example, the other Elements of Harmony stepped up and gave Twilight a large group hug. And soon the others followed in as well.

“I’m sorry everypony,” Twilight said, “I thought I could make this brunch to see all of you, but instead I caused mass chaos. I read this book on luncheons and wanted to follow it to tell you all about my announcement, but I took it too far and tried to do everything myself! Which caused me and Spike to have an argument, you all felt so hungry and angry, and even when the food did come out, it was so mediocre that a rat wouldn’t have eaten it! This whole disaster is my fault! I never should have tried to do things on my own. I just thought that, now that I’m the Princess of Equestria, I needed to work on things by myself, and instead I just ruined it. Can you all forgive me?’

What would have been a kind-hearted speech Rarity was to give, was an outburst by a flash of white, and a large draconequus started laughing enthusiastically. “They said yes! I just told them how much I loved you and wanted to take care of you and they said I could have their blessing! So, where’s my fiance? I think this wedding will be full of- '' Discord snapped his fingers wearing a dark blue tuxedo with a bright yellow bowtie with red polka dots before he noticed the scene before him, and his new fiance staring daggers at him.

“I’ve come at a bad time haven’t I?” Discord said, removing his clothes and teleporting next to Fluttershy, “What precisely did I miss? And why do you have blueberries in your mane?”

“I’ll explain later, right now we need to talk to Twilight, and you coming in at random times does not make her feel- “ but before Fluttershy could reprimand Discord any longer, a small chuckle was heard. It was a good sign.

That chuckling turned to laughter and the laughter into large howls of amusement. Everypony decided to join in then, and what used to be a group of tearful ponies trying their best to cheer up a pony, now was them cheering themselves up. The two Alicorn’s who had been waiting by the door stepped up next to all the other ponies and laughed with them. But the laughter died out in some time, and Twilight could just imagine what she would look like to all of them.

“Twilight, what was it that made you laugh so hard?” Shining Armor said, doing his best to calm his own giggles down.

“EVERYTHING!” Twilight said, but with a smile on her face, “I guess the stress of the day got to me, and all that crying just made me realize how silly all of this is! I know you guys probably worried about me, but that just makes things so much better! I love all of you and I don’t need to worry about the changes happening in everypony’s life! All I need from you is the love you give me every day! And Discord! That Tux with that tie!? You really know how to cheer up a pony, even when you don’t actually try!”

“Uh, thank you, I suppose?” Discord said, surprised the Princess of Equestria complimented him on his chaos. Not only that but Twilight Sparkle complimenting him on his chaos! She certainly had grown.

“Twilight, you needn’t worry about what anypony thinks of you like a Princess! Celestia and Luna would never have given you the position if they didn’t think you were ready!” Rarity said, looking to the two sisters, who nodded their heads.

“Twilight, never feel as if you should do things on your own, you have a staff to take care of you. And Spike is there to help you as well, that is what they are for! What they're hired to do! Do not be afraid to have something done for yourself, but know that others are just as capable of doing it themselves as you are,” Celestia said, looking at Twilight and seeing so much of herself in the young Alicorn Princess.

“Indeed, that is what I did for most of the time I was Princess of the Night, never wanting anyone to take care of me, however when things grew too much, I knew I had to do what is right and learn to delegate with my staff. You may not feel comfortable with it now, but you will, trust me,” Luna said, also seeing herself in Twilight, and wishing to give her advice.

“Thank you Celestia, Luna. If only you two were here to help me when I needed advice on doing Princess things,”

“Well Twilight, we are only a short flight away. If you can take the time we would love to have you visit us in our retirement home!” Celestia said, looking at Luna, who also nodded her head.

“You mean it? Because I have so many questions! What am I supposed to tell a pony who has a lesser problem than others needing to be taken care of right away? And what about the serving staff telling me they are going to cook a meal I don’t really like? Oh, and I really need to know if I can date-”

“Twilight! Why not write down some important questions, and come over when you can to ask them. We promise to answer all of your questions the best we can but don’t ask them all at once. Understand,”

Only a nod was the response the former Princesses got, but it was good enough for them, the two hugged the one, and Twilight could already feel the stress of the day leaving her, but there was still one problem needing to be solved. “I suppose you all feel pretty messy huh?”

Everypony did indeed feel as if they were sticky, slimy, and all other forms of dirty. They did try and make excuses, saying that it was not that bad, but most couldn’t deny they felt pretty gross.

“Well, the lavatory is open to anypony, you all could wash up, and go home. This whole ordeal was a pretty big flop, but I hope we can do something like this again sometime?”

It was quite sad how Twilight worked her hardest to get them the brunch she wanted, and nobody could blame her for being as stressed as she was. However, to just leave with a sour note was not something friends and family did.

“I have a better idea,” Pinkie Pie said, holding onto her child as a lightbulb appeared on her head, held by her husband before she took it off and stashed it away. “Thanks for the temporary lightbulb idea hun,”

“Any time dear!”

***

Twilight looked around to see all of her loved ones cooking, baking, squishing fruit, and twirling batter. Everypony had one job to do and they all were doing so well. Twilight was surprised by how ideal and organized Pinkie Pie’s idea was. Having not only herself but all her guest helping out with the brunch, it was perfect.

Ponies were talking to each other, smiles were everywhere, and through it all, Twilight finally felt relaxed.

After all the food was produced, everypony went back into the dining hall, where the placements on the table before were given new life as individual items brought out the lovely fall weather, from the aforementioned leaves were instead spread out on the floor, and even more of them, as well as hay bales in the corner, and large pumpkins to give atmosphere to the room, also there were smaller pumpkins that seemed to be painted on. Courtesy of Lil’ Cheese and his wonderful artistic skills, Pinkie said. It all looked so much better and less formal than before. It was perfect.

No assignments of seating were presented, everypony sat right where they wanted, and soon enough all were happily eating their share of the work they poured themselves into. It was delicious! Perhaps it was because the former works left them more to be desired, but everypony felt like they had gone beyond hard work to make it this good! Stories were thrown about, all giving each other the time they needed to speak out their story and give so much laughter.

Finally, Twilight felt it a good time to finally speak the news she had been wanting ever since she read her book.

“Friends, family, loved ones of all. I could get into some grand speech about how nice it is to see you all, and how grateful I am to have you all here, or how I always miss you guys. But let’s be honest, I don’t think I have enough energy for another food fight,” everypony laughed at her little quip, so it was a good sign she should move on, “So I’m going to get to the point. Will the Elements of Harmony please stand?”

All the ponies stood, not exactly sure why they needed attention, but finding the suspense enjoyable. “You five ponies have been through everything with me, and I do not mean to exaggerate! But lately, I’ve noticed how different things have been without you all here. Not only have I missed you, but many ponies I meet on a daily basis try and ask about all of you. I may be the Princess of Equestria, but you guys helped me get to that point, so you deserve as much praise as I do. Not only that, but you ponies also were able to solve friendship problems without me, which means you have as much power as I do when it comes to the magic of friendship throughout the world! And that is why I hereby, as Princess of Equestria, do attest that from here on out, there will be counsel. A counsel of friendship! We would meet once every month and discuss certain problems that are going around, and try to fix them. You all have proven time and time again that friendship prevails. And it wasn’t just me who worked to fix those problems, it was all of you! I ask that you all be a
part of it, so we can continue to spread friendship throughout the world and beyond. So, what do you say?”

The silence was given as a response. Nopony really knew what to say, which did indeed start to worry Twilight. She wondered if her point was clear enough, or if she was too vague. Perhaps that speech she had memorized was meant to be given!

“Aw yeah! That sounds awesome! Count me in!” Rainbow Dash said, flying up to Twilight and giving her a big hug. That seemed to break the tension completely. All the others came up to give her a big hug as well, telling her all the great ideas they had for the counsel. Others clapped, some cheered. It was a nice scene.

"That sounds like such a lovely idea Twilight," Fluttershy said, looking around, and noticing Discord giving her a strange look. "What is it?"

"Oh, it's nothing, I'm sure you wouldn't want to hear about it anyway," Discord said, his head moving so far from her face, in a dramatic pose that obviously was meaning he wanted to tell his news.

"Oh please, master of chaos, bring me the news you know of so my aching curiosity can finally rest in peace," Fluttershy said, in a mocking sarcastic tone.

"you know you could be a little more subtle. Nonetheless, it shall be clear to you that I knew of this news all along. And you didn't even guess what is was!"

"Wait, you knew? How?"

"yes, I would like to know how such a big secret could be given out since I only told my trustworthy advisore," Twilight said, angrily glancing at Spike, who decided that the ceiling was looking quite nice at the moment. Perhaps she wasn't the only one who could be stressed out over something.

"It wasn't hard, it just so happened that Spike here let out the little secret on our grand quests of Ogres and Oubliettes. Being the master of manipulat- I mean curiosity, I was able to get the little imp to tell me everything, but I had made an Ogres Oath not to tell,"

Twilight once again looked at Spike, who did his best to avoid her glance, "what? He was going to blab about Smarity!"

"Who said my name?" Rarity asked, finding it odd that the whole table started laughing at her confusion.

"Okay, okay, I understand why you know now, and that's great, but let's get back to the actual topic at hoof. Twilight I have a question: while this sounds like such a nice idea! Ae you sure you can handle it? I don’t mean to say that I think you can’t! It’s just you already have so many other royal duties to worry about, but we wouldn’t want you to add this on if it’s just going to work you harder.” Fluttershy said, causing the others to think for a moment before they decide to completely be a part of twilights counsel.

“I appreciate your concern Fluttershy, but I won’t need to worry about that because I will have you girls! Every time I am with you I feel like I can do anything! It wouldn’t be adding to my duties, it would be breaking from all the others! Doing what I love to do best. Solving friendship problems with my best friends in the whole world.

Many ‘awwes’ went around and another tight group hug was given. Before everypony decided to break off and return to their seats.

“Well, I think it’s as dandy as an apple fallin’ right into my basket, Twi. I think it would be an honor for us to join,”

“Thank you, AJ! Thank you all! That is all I have to say, thank you! All of you helped me out today, and if there was a way to do this again, I would, but - “

“Then why don’t we?” Cadence said, eliciting an idea.

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked as others nodded.

“What I mean is, what if once a year we all gather in the castle for a get-together and catch up on things. Just like this!”

Everypony seemed to be on board with the idea, however, Twilight was unusually quiet.

“Twilight, are you alright, dear?” Rarity asked.

“Well, yes, but… I mean, are you all sure you would want to do this again? I would have thought that after today, you would just want to forget about the whole brunch!”

“Oh Twilight, please, despite everything this was the most fun we’ve had in a long time,” Starlight said, noticing the others nodding as well. “Yeah it was a complete disaster at the start, but by the time we all worked together, it was the most fun me and everypony else ever had! Of course, we would want to experience that again! What about you?”

“Oh… well it would be fun to see you all at least once a year… and I know you all are excited because of the big news, but what if something like before happens again?”

“Then we’ll get through it like we always do. It’s kinda our thing,” Rainbow Dash said, feeling confident she had won the argument.

Twilight breathed in. Rainbow was right. No matter how many problems she or the others face, in the end, they will make it out together. “Okay, let’s do it!”

The party exclaimed cheers all around. And Twilight immediately felt better. More conversations were beginning to spring up. However, Twilight decided instead to just watch her friends and family talk instead of engaging. She loved seeing how happy everypony was and knowing that she was going to see these happy faces every year was enticing.

Looking over at Spike sitting right next to her, she started to wink in his direction, an action that seemed odd at first, but he understood the layers to it, so he proceeded to repeat the process. The two laughed and raised their glasses. As the others did as well, soon cheers were thrown for everything. Love, family, but most of all… friendship.

The Golden Girls Theme Song Extended

***
"Well, that indeed was an interesting time," Luna said, as the two returned to their apartment at their retirement home.

"I Quite agree, Sister. However, it is nice to see Twilight starting to open up about her worries. I always feared she wouldn't be able to rely on anyone but herself when she was just my student," Celestia said, finding their sofa couch inside and relaxing onto it.

"My, how the times have changed,"

"Indeed, sometimes I still see myself as that young and boastful filly from before. Ready to take on any duties I might have as Princess of Equestria. Along with my dear sister to accompany me on any quests,"

Luna smiled, "You always were ready for adventure, even when we had finished one thing, you wanted to move right into the next, I wish I could have had that courage,"

Celestia turned from the couch to Luna, noticing a stark disappointment on her face. She knew what she meant, it was hard enough being called the "lesser Princess" back then, but what hurt her most of all was her inability to fight back. It was a dark time for them then, but now that she had returned, Luna became more and more confident in who she was supposed to be, and never relied on any darkness to help her be strong.

"Luna, I have something to show you, a piece of history that I will always cherish, and I want you to see it,"

"Yes, of course, your little curiosity trip to the castle. You never did inform me over what it was you found, even when you had it, you made sure I was incapable of eyeing such an item, it must be quite the relic. Perhaps one from the ponies of yore? They always did like showering us with expensive pieces of golden treasures, or perhaps Starswirl and his enormous collection of things in his secret compartment?"

"Neither, what this is is more valuable than anything I've ever bought or was brought from," Celestia said, removing a piece of parchment from her wings and displaying it to Luna. It made her gasp in surprise. How could she have remembered that? Why did she keep it after all these years?

What was such a grand piece of the past, presented as a drawing made by Luna herself, or as the parchment would say LuLu. In the drawing were two ponies, both raising the sun and the moon, one pony was bright white with flowing pink hair, the other dark blue with short lighter blue hair, both without any marks upon their flanks, representing their mission to their respected orbs of power.

"You still have this? after all these years?" Luna said, her shocked face still being made.

"I never got rid of it. It was such a nice gesture from you, I remember you wouldn't let me see it until you were done, and I couldn't believe it when it was given to me."

"It isn't even my greatest piece,"

"However, it still had more heart than I ever will see from any top artist at the time."

"Celestia, this is the most childish thing you ever could keep... and I love it,"

The two alicorns hugged each other, smiles upon their faces as the happy memories came up in them. Celestia took a painted murel on the wall that had been curtosy of the retirement home, pinned it to the wall and reveled in the painting. She would get a frame for it soon, but for now it could hang there just like it did all those years ago in her room. The two looked at the picture, giving their memories wide varieties. They had been through a lot, but this little antique was what brought it all back.

Coming up next: Years Of Yore ( might take me three years, who knows... I for sure don't! ;)

Author's Notes:

Can you believe I made this for the 10th anniversary of MLP: FIM? Would you also believe I started this in November of last year (2020)? Would you also believe that I am just such a lazy bum that I left this story for about 2 or 3 months because I just couldn't stop watching things on youtube? The last one is yes... yes you would because that is just life. Sigh.

Anywhoosles, I kind of botched this one up, to be honest, I had an idea, wrote it out, but just didn't think it was that good by the end. Maybe I am wrong, but by the time I was close to the end, I really just decided the heck with it, I want this to be done. Hopefully, I didn't disappoint anyone! Wouldn't be surprised if I did. But as the song said (because I just had to, I really did) thank you all for being a friend and reading this. I want to say I love you all but some may get the wrong idea! So instead I'm a gonna say ... (bum bum bum bum) Thank you for being a frieeeennnd (bum bum bum bum) givin' me a chance & readin' till the end (bum bum bum bum) the heart is there, but I don't think it was there enough. (BUM BUM BUM) and if you say sorry, well then I won't accept it anytime soon, you can see, I did this just for you and me, and I know it's not that bad in the end, but thank you for being a frrieeeeend (DAHHH, BAH DAH DAH, DAH BAHHHH)

I'm so sorry you had to see that, I'm such a goober

Also yes, I am typing up another story already, but believe me... it's a gonna take a while.