Wishes, Dreams, and Parties

                                            A Happy Luna fanfic, by El_Bronio

Twilight Sparkle looked through the lens of her telescope one final time.  For hours, she had stood on a hill just outside of Ponyville, tracking the progress of a comet through the Bridle constellation, and now, her observations were almost done.  Even though it was nearly four in the morning, even though the late autumn night was cold, she was still able to smile.  Looking at the stars and charting their progress had always been one of her favorite ways to spend time.  Carefully, she levitated a pen, and took down her last notes.

“I can say that was a job well done.” she said to herself, “Although…”  Twilight Sparkle’s voice drifted off as she looked up at the night sky, this time with her own eyes.  “It really is beautiful tonight.” she began speaking again as her magic lifted up the telescope.  “And that reminds me that I haven’t heard anything about Princess Luna in a long time.  I wish I knew how she was doing.  Even if it was just a letter, I’d like to hear from her.”

Twilight Sparkle then shook her head.  Without saying anything more, she disassembled the telescope, and put the pieces back into their case.  She floated her saddle bag on, and stowed the telescope case into it.  She looked up at the sky again, and, smiling even wider than before, turned to head back home.

It didn’t take her long to reach the Ponyville Library.  As she closed the door, she heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

“Spike, is that you.” she asked.

“Morning, Twilight,” Spike said as he came into view.  Twilight could immediately see that he held a letter in one hand.  “This just came through a minute ago.  I was in middle of a really good dream too.” Spike rubbed his eyes with his other hand.

“A letter?  At this time of night?  It has to be important.”  The letter glowed as Twilight Sparkle pulled it out of Spike’s hand.  Twilight eyed the seal.  It was the standard royal seal that Princess Celestia used, but the wax was a dark blue, with small patches of white.  In fact, it reminded Twilight Sparkle of the sky she had just been looking at.  Curious, she unrolled the scroll, and held it in midair as she read aloud.

“To my beloved subject,” Twilight Sparkle read.  “That’s not the way these usually begin.”

“Yeah, I haven’t ever heard of the Princess starting a letter like that.” Spike said.

Twilight Sparkle cleared her throat, and continued to read, “I hope you don’t mind, but I overheard your wish to know about my disposition.  Even though it has been some time since I last saw you and your friends, I have often thought about all of you, and I would very much like to show my gratitude for all that you have done for me.  I have prepared a modest celebration to help show a small part of my appreciation for you.  If it is not inconvenient, please gather your friends outside of your home tomorrow at dusk.  I will have transportation provided for you.  Sincerely, Princess Luna of Equestria.”

“Wow,” Spike said, “you’ve just been invited to a party by Princess Luna.”

“I guess so.  This letter seems really formal though.  And that opening line about overhearing me, I just said that as I was coming back.  There wasn’t anypony around to hear me.”  Twilight Sparkle replied.

“She did hear you, somehow.  Anyway, are you going or not?”

“Well, if the party is for us, then it would be rude not to attend.  Besides, I’m sure Pinkie Pie will jump at the chance to have another party.  It’s been a whole three days since the last one” Twilight Sparkle said.

“Yeah, the ‘Sweetie Belle grabbed Opal before she ran out the door’ party.  I think maybe Pinkie’s getting a little desperate for excuses.” Spike said.

“It’s decided then.  Tomorrow, I’ll go visit everyone and show them the letter.” Twilight Sparkle let out a tremendous yawn. “But first, it’s time for bed. “

Spike yawned as well.  “That’s just what I was going to say.  Goodnight.” he turned and headed back upstairs.

“A party with Princess Luna.  That’s the last thing I expected.” Twilight Sparkle mused as she climbed up the stairs to her bedroom.

The next morning, Twilight Sparkle got off to late start, since she slept in very late, but by noon she was out of the library, and making the rounds to her friend’s homes.  First, the Carousel Boutique, then Sugar Cube Corner, the Sweet Apple Acres farm, and Fluttershy’s cottage, where Rainbow Dash claimed to be on break.  At each stop, Twilight Sparkle explained the letter, and extended Princess Luna’s invitation to her friends.  By the time she had finished, the day was nearly over.  Twilight Sparkle had just enough time to get back to the library, and put her appearance in order before the sun began to set.

When she exited the library, Twilight Sparkle found her friends gathered in front of the door, waiting for the dusk.  "So," Apple Jack began, “do you reckon there’ll be a carriage or something like that?”

“I don’t know what to expect,” Twilight Sparkle answered, “the letter just said that, ‘transportation will be provided.’ It didn’t give any details.”

“I do wish that the Princess had given us a little more warning.  I was barely able to pull myself together in time.” Rarity tossed her head back, shaking her mane to emphasize the point.

“Rarity, you look fine.  If this was some formal thing, she would’ve told us so.” Rainbow Dash said.

“I wonder what kind of party it’ll be.  I bet there’ll be games.  And dancing.  No party is complete without dancing.  Going to a party without dancing is like eating a cupcake without any frosting.  Or sprinkles.  What kind of a cupcake would that be?  Not a very delicious kind, that‘s for sure.” Pinkie Pie actually began jumping up and down as she spoke.

Fluttershy seemed like she wanted to say something, but before she could, a strong wind began to blow.  Twilight Sparkle leaned forward to hear her, but the wind grew stronger.  Then, Twilight Sparkle’s vision began to blur, and she felt the ground drop out from beneath her hooves.  Then, she landed on solid ground, as if she had missed a step when going downstairs in the morning.  She shook her head, and saw that she was no longer in Ponyville.

She was standing in a corridor of some kind.  The floor was polished marble.  As Twilight Sparkle adjusted herself, she saw that she was, in fact, standing on a red carpet that ran the length of the hallway.  The walls were carved stone, with windows cut into them to show the night sky.  The hallway was lined with stylized statues of ponies, each on its own pedestal, and made from different materials.  The one closest to Twilight Sparkle depicted an Alicorn rearing up, and seemed to be made of silver.

“Welcome, welcome to you all.” a familiar voice said.  Twilight Sparkle looked to her side and saw Princess Luna herself.  Hurriedly, Twilight bowed, bringing her head low.  Around her, the other ponies were doing the same.  “Please,” Luna said, “you don’t need to do that.  After all, tonight the six of you are the guests of honor.  I should be the one bowing to you.”

“Princess Luna!” Twilight Sparkle said, “you can’t bow to us!  You’re royalty, and we, we’re…”

“You and your friends are the reason I am even here tonight to celebrate.  You don’t have to call me Princess either.  In fact, I would prefer it is you just said, ‘Luna.’  Now, with that settled, shall we enter the party?” Luna watched as each of her guests stood up, and then pointed to the end of the corridor.  A large door stood there, covered with intricate carvings of the sun and the moon rising over Equestria.  Twilight Sparkle recognized several representations of mythological figures, although there were even more that she couldn’t identify.

Before Twilight Sparkle could think any further on that, a tall earth pony with a pale blue coat approached Luna.  “Shall I announce our guests for the evening, my lady?” he asked, in a sonorous voice.

“And, who might you be?” Rarity asked the stallion.

“My name is Clarion Call.  I am Her Majesty’s personal herald.” he answered.

Luna laughed.  “I didn’t want to bother my sister, so I had my own retinue prepare for this evening.  They were even able to renovate this tower in record time.”

“Um, Princess, I mean, Luna, just where are we anyway?” Twilight Sparkle asked.        

“It has changed quite a bit since you were last here.  This castle is the former capital.”

“You mean the one in Everfree Forest, the one where we…confronted Nightmare Moon?” Twilight cringed as soon as she said it.  She hadn’t really meant to say it so bluntly.

Luna smiled even wider, “It’s the very same.  I thought it would be appropriate, since this is where I had my second chance.  And I had that because of all of you.” Luna opened her wings, and swept them in an arc, taking in all six ponies.  “It’s the perfect place to celebrate my freedom…and for me to convey my thanks to you.”  She then nodded to Clarion Call.

He walked down the corridor, and pushed open the doors with his front hooves.  Inside was a vast room, with a high domed ceiling, and a raised Dais near toward the rear.  The carpet extended across the floor, all the way to a table that sat on the dais, set for seven diners.  The walls were hung with various tapestries, depicting scenes out of Equestria’s ancient history, similar to the engravings on the doors.  What was most noticeable though, was the number of ponies inside.  Dozens of them were inside the room, waiting.  Some held platters of food balanced on their backs.  Others carried bottles of champagne.  Twilight counted at least six holding instruments at the ready, and there were three behind a polished wood bar, readying the taps.

Clarion call took in a deep breath, and called out, “Her Royal Majesty, Princess Luna, of Equestria, ruler of the night and summoner of the moon!”  The ponies inside let out a collective cheer.

Clarion prepared to make another announcement.  “And her majesty’s guests, the Elements of Harmony!” At this, the ponies began to applaud, stomping their hooves on the ground.  “Would you like for me to announce you individually?” Clarion Call asked.

Eyeing Fluttershy, who had gone completely pale under her coat, Applejack said, “I think that’s plenty.  Why don’t we sit on down?”

Clarion Call nodded to another stallion, this one a unicorn with a pale grey color.  The new attendant let them forward, towards the sole table in the room.  Once they were seated around the table, Luna looked at the faces of her guests, and laughed.  “It’s just a little pomp and circumstance.  After all, I think you are all very important ponies.”

“These are all your servants?” Twilight Sparkle asked.

“Each one of them was crafted by me.  They were my companions when I was on the moon, and since my return, they have served me as faithfully as ever.” Luna said.

“You made them? Like just…pop!” Rainbow Dash brought her hooves together with a thunk.

“Not quite like that.  It’s more like, crafting a puppet.  Ponies are very complicated things you know.” Luna said.

“I don’t mean to interrupt, but I just have to ask, if you made them, then are they alive?” Rarity leaned forward, and spoke in a quiet voice.

“Why don’t you answer that question, Moon Dust?” Luna spoke to the stallion that had walked them to the table, and was now standing a slightly behind her.

“We are indeed alive, Miss Rarity.  We have the same dreams and hopes that any other pony would.  And of course, we are grateful to our lady for giving us life.  If you could become her friends, the first new ones she has had for over a thousand years, then we would be overjoyed, to say the least.” Moon Dust answered.

“You didn’t have to say all that.  Now I’m embarrassed.” Luna was blushing, but she was also still smiling as well.

“Perhaps I overstepped my place.  But it is just the truth, my lady.”

Rainbow Dash swung her hoof through the air.  “So, these guys are kind of like the Shadowbolts?  I thought there was something familiar about all these ponies”

“All of my creations have a certain resemblance.” Luna said, “and regarding the Shadowbolts, I must say that your loyalty to your friends did impress me, even at the time.”

For a moment, complete silence descended on the table.  Twilight Sparkle was the first to break it.

“Forgive me for asking, but do you mean that you remember when you were Nightmare Moon?” she asked.

Luna looked downward.  “All thousand years.  I started to craft these servants as companions, and as tools.  I especially remember the various obstacles I put into your way.”

Before Luna could continue, Fluttershy made a tiny noise.

“I’m sorry, did you say something?” Luna glanced at Fluttershy.

Again, Fluttershy mumbled, eyes firmly fixed on her place setting.

“It’s alright sugar cube.  If you have a question, you can go ahead and ask.” Applejack said to her.

Fluttershy looked up, and asked Luna, “Then, you’re the one who hurt that manticore?”

“I did.  It is my responsibility, and I apologize for it.” Luna replied.

“But, but you don’t want to do things like that anymore, right?” Fluttershy was practically hiding her face behind her wings.

“I will discuss that later on.  For now, why don’t we talk about pleasant things, appropriate for dinner?” Luna said.

“Wow, that didn’t come out as creepy or scary or anything likes that, at all!” Pinkie Pie said.

“I…I want to…” Luna began to stammer.

“It’s just Pinkie Pie’s idea of being reassurin’.  She don’t mean no harm by it.” Applejack said.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t say anything bad about you, Princess…I mean, Luna.  After all, you went and organized this party just for us.  Anypony who could do that isn’t a meanie at all.” Pinkie Pie added.

“Yes.  Thank you both.  Why don’t we start dinner now?” Luna asked.

Moon Dust stepped forward again.  “For tonight, we have prepared a selection of traditional recipes.  They may be different from modern fodder, but we hope that you will find them pleasing.”  As he finished speaking, four unicorns bowed, and levitated silver platters onto the table.  The seven ponies began to eat.

Rarity spoke again, “I understand that you and your sister used to live in this castle?”

“We did.  It was the center of Equestrian government in older times.  This tower is located in my section of the castle.” Luna answered.

“Courtly life must have been so different back then.” Rarity said.

“There were differences, but it is still rather boring.”

Rainbow Dash spoke, “Didn’t like it, huh?”

Rarity glared at Rainbow Dash.

“Hey, don’t look at me like that.  It’s just a regular question.  Unlike you, Miss, ‘Are they alive?’

Rarity lifted her head into the air.  “My manners are normally impeccable.  I was just overwhelmed by curiosity for a moment.  Surely, as a fellow artisan, you understand, don’t you?” Rarity turned to Luna as she spoke.

“I brought you here so that I could learn more about you, and so that you could learn more about me.  The question did not offer any offense.” Luna said.

“Speaking of which, you do seem to know quite a bit about us.” Twilight Sparkle said.

“Well, besides my own inquiries, Celestia sometimes reads me excerpts from your letters.  She says they will help me understand the modern world more.” Luna looked directly at Twilight Sparkle.

“Oh, those letters.  If you like, then I can write directly to you as well.  That might be more…” twilight Sparkle replied.

“That would please me very much.” Luna said.

“We could take turns writing to you!” Pinkie Pie interrupted.  “Or even better, we could start up a Luna Fan club.  Ponies from everywhere around could send you letters.  And pictures! And…”

“A fan club?  That’s a little too much, right now.” Luna said, “I would rather that they admire my night sky, more than anything else.  But if you want to write me letters, that would make me very happy.”

“Is there anything else that makes you all happy? Like say, throwing parties?” Pinkie Pie leaned forward to look Luna in the eyes.

“Well…since you asked, I do dance on occasion.” Luna answered.

“Ohhh, dancing’s the best! Especially at a party like this!  Why don’t we start dancing?”

Luna chuckled.  “Why not?  She raised her voice, “Music!  We must have music!”

The ponies that held instruments had been waiting for this command.  They immediately struck up a tune, which Twilight Sparkle recognized at Beehooven’s string quartet eight, a favorite of her teacher’s.

The unicorn servants cleared away the food, and Pinkie Pie jumped up to headed to dance floor, soon followed by the others.  Rainbow Dash noticed a familiar face in the crowd, and split off.

“You guys!  I knew you’d show up again.” she said to a mare wearing a dark black flight suit.

“Best flyers in the Everfree Forest, that’s us.  Good to see you again, Rainbow Dash.” the captain of the Shadowbolts was flanked by her teammates, who looked at Rainbow Dash, but didn’t say anything.

“We got off on the wrong hoof last time.  Let me introduce myself.  I’m Morningstar.” the mare held out her hoof for a shake.  Rainbow Dash looked at it, and then shook it.

“You’re not still all…evil and stuff right?” she asked.

“We don’t have any reason to tempt you now.  There is something I want from you though.” Morningstar answered.

“Oh yeah, what’s that?” Rainbow Dash puffed up her chest.

“A race!  When I heard that you pulled of a Sonic Rainboom, I knew I had to challenge you.”

“You’re on!  Just name the place.” Rainbow Dash said.

Morningstar nodded towards one of the upper windows.  “How about from there, around the towers, over the Everfree, and back.  I’ll have one of my boys here give us a count down.”

“You've got yourself a race!” Rainbow Dash jumped into the air, and spread her.  Morningstar followed, and the two of them hovered over to the window.

The other Shadowbolts began to count at the same time, “Three…two…one…go!”  Rainbow Dash and Morningstar shot off through the window.

Meanwhile, Pinkie Pie and Applejack were already on the dance floor.  Rarity paused, and a large unicorn stallion with a black coat approached her.  “Miss Rarity,” he began, “may I have the honor of your first dance?”

“Aren’t we a gentlecolt?  Since you asked so nicely, I suppose I must say yes.” Rarity offered her leg to the stallion, and he led her onto the dance floor.

Fluttershy hesitated at the edge of the floor.  Luna came up behind her. “You would rather not dance?” she asked

“Dancing’s just a little, in front of all these ponies, it’s kind of embarrassing.” Fluttershy answered.

“If you would prefer, I do have a garden of night blooming flowers.  It is very peaceful there.”

“If that wouldn’t be any trouble…”

“Flowers are there to be appreciated.  I’ll have an attendant escort you.” Luna glanced at one of the ponies that was milling around.  This one was a very slender mare with a pale white coat.  “Fragrance is my royal gardener.  She’d be delighted to show you her first work with genuine flowers.”

“Oh, that would be lovely.” Fluttershy answered.  The mare called Fragrance silently moved to Fluttershy’s side, and began to lead her out of the room.

Twilight Sparkle had heard the conversation, and approached Luna.

“This seems very reminiscent of the Grand Galloping Gala.” Twilight Sparkle said.

“Well, you gave me a second chance.  It’s is only right that I give you the same.  I wasn’t able to greet ponies all night, but I did see how exciting you and your friends made it”  Luna’s smile was small, but very clear.

“Applejack isn’t selling anything, though.” Twilight Sparkle said.

“I might ask her to cater another royal event.  There are so many of those, one should go with an apple theme.” Luna replied.

“Just make sure it isn’t during the bucking…I mean, the harvest season.  She’s very busy then.

“I won’t,” Luna said, “but before I attend to any of that business, first I need to ask you a question, Twilight Sparkle, my sister’s faithful student.” Suddenly, Twilight Sparkle felt her stomach turn.  She didn’t know what Luna meant by that, but she didn’t think it would be good.

“Recently, since you used the Elements of Harmony, have you been having unusual dreams?”

“Unusual?  Haha, in what way?” Twilight found herself unable to look Luna in the eye.

“Dreams where you’re flying, perhaps very, very high up in the sky.  So high up, that you shouldn’t be able to breath, but you can regardless.”

Twilight Sparkle answered, “Everypony has flying dreams.  Even Pegasus ponies dream about being able to fly to impossible places, or without wings, or…”

Luna held up one hoof to stop Twilight Sparkle.  “You can’t deceive me.  I know dreams, and lies.  They are in my domain.  Wishes are too.  That’s how I heard that you wanted to know what happened to me.  As soon as you made that wish, looking at my starry sky, I knew about your desire.”

Twilight Sparkle gulped.  “I’ve been dreaming that I could fly.  That I could go past the clouds, and then the sky starts to turn dark, and I can see all of Equestria beneath me.  I look down at it, and I can see myself, but not like I am now.”

“You see yourself.  Yourself if you were like my sister.”

“Yes, as an Alicorn.”

Luna laughed.  “I’m surprised you know that word.  Big sister hates that word.  When the royal researchers coined it, she nearly threw a fit.  She loathes anything that sets her apart from other ponies.  She’s really discouraged its use.  You shouldn’t say it around her.”

“Yes, Princess, I understand.” Twilight Sparkle said.

“Don’t start calling me, ‘Princess,’ again.  You do need to talk to her about these dreams of yours though.  She can tell you more than I can.” Luna said, her smile growing wider.

“I’ll…mention it to her.” Twilight Sparkle turned away from Luna.  “Maybe it’s time that we started dancing too.  Pinkie Pie certainly looks like she’s having fun.”

“I agree.  I haven’t had a chance to dance in such a long time.” Luna answered.

The pair of them moved towards the dance floor.

Outside, Fluttershy was enjoying the flowers.  Fragrance either couldn’t, or wouldn’t talk, but she showed Fluttershy the various groups of blossoms, all of them carefully arranged in plots of earth scattered around the stone courtyard.  Overhead, there was a tremendous whoosh, and Fluttershy looked up to see two contrails streak by overhead.  The rainbow colored one seemed to be in the lead, but just barely.  They shot towards the tower, and came to an abrupt halt at one of the windows, seeming to melt back into pony shapes.

“Oh, I’m sorry.  You have a very wonderful garden here, and I like it a lot, but I think I need to get back to my friends now.  They’ll be wondering where I went.”  Fluttershy said to Fragrance.  The mare just nodded, and waved one hoof goodbye.

Rainbow Dash flew in through the window, and did a midair loop-de-loop.  “That was an awesome race.  You were a real challenge.  Nothing I couldn’t handle though.” Morningstar followed after Rainbow Dash, and started descending.

“You definitely live up to your reputation.  Next time though, I’ll be the winner.”

“Looking forward to it.” Rainbow Dash grinned as she landed.

Pinkie Pie danced up to Luna and Twilight Sparkle.  “Hi you two.  I was wondering if you were ever gonna come and dance.”

Luna kept an eye on the doorway.  When Fluttershy entered, she spoke, “If you could just give me one moment, Pinkie Pie, there’s something that I would like to say first.”

“Ohhh, a speech.  Okie-doki loki.”

“Thank you.”  Luna headed to the dais, which had been cleared of the table, and had a microphone stand set up.  One of the attendants tapped it with a hoof, causing a slight whine of feedback.  The attendant bowed, and backed away, making room for Luna in front of the microphone.  “Good evening, everypony.  As you know, our guests tonight are here because of a great service that they have rendered to me.  If a friend is someone who will help you, without expecting anything in return, than Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash are my truest friends.  They selflessly risked everything in order to bring me the gift of their friendship, and for that, I can never sufficiently thank them.  In order to show even a small part of my gratitude to them, I would like to show you something special.  The projector, please.”

The lights in the room dimmed, and a white screen was lowered out of the ceiling.  A group of servants wheeled in a slide projector, and began to plug it in.

“What, she’s going to give us a slideshow?” Rainbow Dash walked over to Applejack, who had stopped dancing for the moment.

“She said she would talk about being Nightmare Moon later.  I wonder if this is related?” twilight Sparkle said, to no one in particular.

With a click, the projector activated.  A picture appeared on the screen.  It was of Luna, sitting in a garden, pointing to something off frame.   However, it was the image in the foreground that commanded everypony’s attention.  Slightly off-center, Princess Celestia stood, wearing and elaborate maid outfit.  She was wearing an apron, frilly skirt, and black leggings on her rear legs.  She was even holding a feather duster in her mouth.  The room fell into complete silence.  Suddenly Luna began to guffaw.  She held a hoof up to her mouth, but couldn’t stop.  She burst out laughing.  The servants stayed quiet, but then, Pinkie Pie began to laugh too.  Soon, Rainbow Dash was laughing, and the other guests of honor were laughing so hard, they started to cry.

“You…should…see the look on your faces!” Luna was gasping for breath in between the words.

“You got us good!  I really thought you were gonna make a big speech and everything!” Pinkie Pie rolled on the ground, doubled up.

Even Twilight Sparkle couldn’t help but chuckle, “How did you get this picture?”

“Big sister lost a bet, and had to be a maid for a day.” Luna managed to bring herself under control.

“That must have been some bet.” Rainbow Dash was holding her sides, and tears were streaming down her face.

“Little things like that keep life interesting.” Luna sprung of the dais and trotted back over to the others.

“Indeed, little sister, that is quite a hilarious prank.” a regal voice said.

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight Sparkle cried out.

Standing in the entranceway, Celestia folded her wings to her side.  Every pony, except for Luna fell to their knees.  

“I thought you were busy tonight!” Luna yelled.  Celestia entered the room, and began to walk towards the quickly emptying dance floor.

“I was, but I thought I would make time for one of my dear sister’s parties.  It’s so rare that you hold one of them.” she said.

“Well, I’m glad you could make it.  We weren’t expecting you at all.” Luna stood still.

Celestia reached the dance floor, and kept walking, only stopping once she was directly in front of the screen.  “I didn’t know there were any pictures of that.  I have to say; black is not my color at all.”

Rarity let out a muffled breath.

“It’s much more suitable for you, little sister.” Celestia reared up, and her horn began to glow.

“Oh no, oh no no no no no,” Twilight Sparkle said.

A maid costume appeared in a flash of white light.  It floated in front of Luna.  Celestia appraised it carefully, and then said, “Next time, little sister, you’re going to lose the bet.  And I know you won’t object if I take pictures of my adorable sister in costume” Celestia began to laugh.  It was much more restrained than Luna’s had been, but then, Luna joined in.  “Please my little ponies stand up.  It must be terrible uncomfortable on that hard floor.

Twilight Sparkle looked up.  “You mean…you’re not mad Princess?”

“Of course not.  Compared to some of the pranks that Luna used to pull, this is nothing.  Isn’t it?” Celestia turned around, and nuzzled her sister.

“Well, I am a little out of practice.  Next time, I’ll do much worse.” Luna said.

“I’m sure you will.” Celestia said, “but first, isn’t there something you wanted to say?”

“Well, if I have to.  Ahem.” Luna cleared her throat, “As I was saying before I was interrupted, the six of you did more than just defeat Nightmare Moon.  You also showed me the strength of honesty, kindness, laughter, generosity, loyalty, and most of all, friendship.  As Nightmare Moon, I couldn’t appreciate those things.  But with your help, I was able to overcome the jealousy and hatred that led to my transformation.  You defeated Nightmare Moon, but even more impressive, you brought Princess Luna back from a very dark and lonely place.  I regained everything that I had lost a thousand years ago, and even more, since now, I know…I know that even I can have friends.” by the time she finished speaking, Luna’s face was stained with tears.

“Oh, Luna,” Twilight Sparkle ran up to her, “please don’t cry.”

“I didn’t think I would be able to ever be accepted by normal ponies, not after what I’ve done.  But all of you have been so wonderful.  Thank you!” Luna threw her front legs around Twilight Sparkle’s neck.

“Group hug!” Pinkie yelled as she embraced both of them.

“Luna, are you crying out of joy?” Celestia asked.

Luna sniffled, “I don’t know.  I've never done that before.”

Applejack pushed Rainbow Dash forward.  “She did say, ‘Group hug’ you know.”

“Geez.  Fine, if you’re gonna be that way about it.” Rainbow Dash joined in, followed by AppleJack.

“I guess that just leaves you and me.” Rarity said to Fluttershy.

“I don’t know; that actually looks kind of nice.” Fluttershy answered.

“Well, I will if you will.”

“O-Okay.” Fluttershy and Rarity added to the pile.

Princess Celestia bent her head down, and nuzzled Luna again.  “I’m so glad for you.”

The servants, who had maintained their silence, burst into cheers and applause.

“Enough, enough.”  Luna shrugged the others off.  “I do have some royal dignity to maintain.  Now, I believe that I still haven’t gotten to dance, and keeping a princess from her dancing is a terrible crime.”

Pinkie Pie reared onto her hind legs, “I’ll show you the best dance ever!  I bet the Pony Pokie didn’t even exist way back when.”

Twilight Sparkle moved beside Celestia.  “Princess, there’s something that we need to discuss.”

“Yes, I know.  But for tonight, why don’t we just enjoy what we have, and leave those other things behind for a while?”

“In that case, do you dance?”

“I’ve danced a few times.”

Twilight Sparkle smiled, “Well then, why don’t we go out there, and dance?”

And they did.