Star Dust - Chapter 3

Star Dust

Chapter 3

The Celebration

The morning had started well for Twilight, unless you count her usual nervous breakdown moment from almost packing everything she needed, or at least hoped she needed. She then quickly ate her breakfast, before double-checking her checklist, making sure that everything was in order, and would be once they returned.

Then with a hurry, she and Spike soon found themselves at the Ponyville's train station, but none of her friends weren't there yet, which made Twilight worry even more. “Ooooh...” she moaned, impatiently waiting.

But thankfully that was short lived as Rarity was first to arrive. Overly packed as expected. And Spike was the one who was going to carry them all, which he didn't mind. Much. After her, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy arrived together. After them came Applejack and lastly, Rainbow Dash, much to the cyan pegasi's own distaste

“I can't believe I came last!” She complained. And it lasted most of the train travel.

After a long train travel, they finally reached their destination: Canterlot. And Twilight could already see that Rarity was getting really excited, while she herself was getting more nervous. Her heart was beating bit faster. And it started beating even faster when she spotted two Royal Guards.

“Twilight Sparkle?” One of the guards, a unicorn, asked.

“Yes,” Twilight responded.

“Captain Armor has requested us to escort you and your friends to you dormitories.” The second Guard then spoke, a unicorn as well. “If you kindly follow us.”

“Yes of course,” Twilight said, quickly glancing at her friends, who were still right behind her.

They followed the guards, while many a citizen of Canterlot gave them quick glances. Which made a few of them, Fluttershy especially, nervous. But they soon reached their destination at the Canterlot Castle and what seemed to be their dormitories.

“Enjoy your stay,” the two guards said as they finally reached the dormitories.

When they opened the door, they were greeted by heavy Hearth's Warming Eve decorations all around the main hallway and a giant Hearth's Warming Eve tree with many bright lights and decorations on it. “Oooh pretty and shiny!” Pinkie commented while examining the room.

“Well of course it is,” Rarity said, replying to what Pinkie had said as she walked deeper inside. “This is a personal Canterlot Royal Dormitories after all,” Rarity shortly explained, hardly containing the mirth in her voice. No one said anything after that as they all started looking around, trying to see what kind of place they would be staying.

“Wow, I can't believe that we got all separate rooms!” Rainbow said as she exited her room. “And they are just so big!” She said. “This is just SO awesome!” She exclaimed quietly. “I could totally live here if I'm ever going to be with the Wonderbolts!”

Twilight had to agree that it was really nice. They all had separate rooms, one big round hall with a nice kitchen and warm fireplace. Twilight then glanced at the clock. Making sure that they still had time to prepare for the Winter Solstice Celebration.

“Five more hours...” Twilight counted. “That's good.”

“Alright girls!” She then called her friends but then turned behind when she heard a small cough. “And Spike.” She said smiling. “We still have good amount of time left, so let us make sure that we have everything we need for Princess Luna's celebration.”

“You don't have to tell me twice Twilight!” Rarity replied excitedly as she quickly walked from her room. Caring her make up box with her magic.

“Me neither!” Pinkie Pie then said.


The next hours went by rather quickly for Twilight and her friends as they unpacked and then started preparing for the Winter Solstice Celebration. And after refreshing themselves from the shower and putting on their dresses, they were ready.

Soon they found themselves inside the Canterlot Castle's Grand Hall and it like the last time they visited it, it was filled with various and also important ponies all across Equestria. Although they could see at least few griffins were also at the Celebration.

None of the guests paid any attention when six more ponies and one baby dragon stepped inside and joined them.

For a while they simply walked around the Grand Hall, not sure what to do as nopony seemed to be interested in talking to them. “Rarity!” A suddenly call then stopped them and everypony could see Rarity shake a bit as she recognized the voice.

“Fancy Pants!” She said, sounding shocked. She hadn't expected to meet him here. Although she had had hopes, but she never imagined that she would be able to meet him directly here!

“Well, isn't this a nice little reunion,” Fancy Pants commented as he stepped right next to Rarity. “Tell me Rarity, how has your business been doing in Ponyville?” He asked.

“Oh, well uuh...” Rarity found herself pretty speechless for some reason. But then again this was Fancy Pants, an important client of hers and an important figure in Canterlot. “It's... it's...”

“Rarity's been doing real good Mr. Pants.” Applejack then cut in when it seemed like Rarity's mouth didn't cooperate with her. To which Rarity gave Applejack rather nasty glare to which Applejack little uncomfortably shook off.

“I'm glad to hear that.” Fancy smiled. “And it is also good to see all of your friends too Rarity,” he said, while looking at Twilight and the others. “Tell, when was it last we met?”

“I think that was at my brother’s wedding Mr. Pants,” Twilight replied. “Although it was a short encounter.”

“Ah yes!” Fancy Pants exclaimed happily. “Now I remember! And there is no need for formalities miss Twilight,” he then said. “After all we are all friends here, aren't we?” Fancy then let out a small, amused chuckle.

“Y-yes...” Rarity stuttered slightly. She still felt uncomfortable of addressing Fancy Pants like everyday citizen, while he was, but that might not look good for either her or him. As many would not like the fact that a “common” unicorn from a small town is addressing a high noble like this. But she swallowed those thoughts the best she could and tried to act natural as possible.

“So, uuh, Fancy...” Rarity tried to start different conversation. “Might I ask where Fleur is?” She asked. “Since she isn't with you.” She then quickly added.

“No need to worry Rarity.” Fancy chuckled. “She is close by. Last time I saw her, she was talking with Princess Mi Amore Cadenza,” he said. “Uh, but why would you like to-?”

“Is Candence here!?” Twilight suddenly asked little loudly, interrupting Fancy Pants and Rarity. Who was giving Twilight a bit shocked/upset look. “Sorry...” she quickly apologized.

“Don't worry about it miss Twilight you didn't do anything wrong,” Fancy Pants said to Twilight with a comforting tone. “And yes, yes Princess Cadence is here. Did you really think Princess Celestia wouldn't invite her own niece for this kind of celebration?” He asked in an amused tone. To that, Twilight couldn't help but blush and give the larger unicorn a small nervous grin.

“Why would you ask?”

“Well, because I haven't seen her or my brother since the wedding.” Twilight explained. Now composed herself from her previous state. “And I was hoping that I could catch up with them at some point,” she explained.

“I see...” Fancy smiled. “Well, I really hope you get the chance.”

Then without any kind of warning, the lights started slowly dimming and only few spotlights were positioned right at a large stage at the end of the Grand Hall. And on the stage stood two alicorns. Both of them dressed up, to which the whole Hall was filled with various gaps.

Princess Celestia was wearing wearing a brightly yellow colored dress which was also slightly had the same kind of coloring like her mane right at the back of the dress. And right over where her Cutie Mark usually was, was a larger version of her Cutie Mark placed on the dress.

Her usual Royal Jewelry Garments were bit bigger than usually. Her usual collar was covering more of her chest and neck area's, while the hoofshoes were slightly longer, but with much bigger diamonds and her collar also had more diamonds on it. Even her crown had gotten bigger.

And Princess Luna was no exception. Although, unlike Celestia, her dress wasn't as fancy as her older sister’s. It was dark blue colored, which was covered with many, many small diamonds that seemed to resemble the stars. Or was it a spell that made the little stars on her dress? Twilight couldn't fully tell.

And just like Celestia, Princess Luna had larger version of her Cutie Mark right over her own Cutie Mark which seemed to glow it's own light. But unlike Celestia, Luna still wore the same Royal Garments Twilight had seen. But even with more simpler outfit, she still stood out like Celestia as it almost looked like she was dressed in the night sky itself.

Twilight suddenly heard illegible mumbling right behind, and as she turned to look, she already knew who it was. And she was right. Rarity was gazing, or rather, eating the Princess's dresses with her eyes while her mouth was hanging wide open.

And Twilight could swear she saw small drop of drool on the edge of Rarity's lips.

“Uh Rarity, sugarcube, you OK there?” Applejack asked, waving her hooves in front of the fashion ponies eyes.

“Huh wha- what is happening?” Rarity blinked when Applejack's hooves waiving right in front of her eyes. She then noticed the looks her friends were giving her. “I- I guess I must have zoned out for a moment...” she almost muttered nervously, trying to shrug off the tension around her.

“Hehe, yeah,” Rainbow Dash snickered. “But I think you were more like drooling over those dresses!” Rainbow then let out a quick laugh, to which Rarity's blush went deeper red as she bite her lower lip from embarrassment. And probably trying to hold any comebacks that might embarrass her even more.

But whatever bickering might have started was halted when Princess Celestia began to talk. “It is a great pleasure of me and my dear sister Luna, to see that so many of you have decided to join us on this important event,” Celestia declared, earning many applauds from the crowd. “But I think I should let my little sister to say something as this is her night,” she added, taking few steps back.

The now nervous Princess of the Night took the few steps forward, while what looked like trying mentally to prepare for her part. “I...” everyone in the hall could see that Princess Luna was struggling with her words. “I truly don't know what to say...” she then turned to Celestia, as if asking for help who simply gave her a nod and a nudge with her hoof that told her to go on.

“It is a pleasure of mine to see so many ponies here for this celebration,” Luna said, still having unsureness in her tone. “I really hope that all of you will enjoy your time in here.” After rather uncomfortable silence, at least for Luna, she broke the silence. ”That is all.”

The Hall quickly filled with various murmurs sounding somewhere between confused and disappointed, as many had different ideas of Princess Luna's speech.

“Well then!” Celestia then walked beside Luna, while calming down the crowd. “I believe it is time to begin the celebration,” she said, opening her large wings then taking a big leap upwards. Her horn starting slowly glowing.

“Let the Winter Solstice celebration begin!” with those words, Celestia's horn was glowing brightly as the sun, which already was slightly setting, started lowering even further, following Celestia's own descent. All the guests gasped in awe at this sight. To them, it almost looked like a second sun was descending inside the hall. Even though they've seen this so many times, it still looked almost amazing to them.

This event gave Twilight flood of flashbacks from the past when she still lived in Canterlot. The countless times when she watched as Celestia either raised or lowered the sun. And it was always the same way. Raise like the sun, and lower like the sun. It was just amazingly beautiful to watch as Celestia's and the suns movements were exactly the same. “And now my dear sister...” Celestia said as she was halfway from the ground, while also breaking Twilight’s trail of thought. And now Twilight could feel her heart actually beat slightly faster. She never had actually seen Princess Luna raising the night sky and the moon, and now she was enthusiastic to see if it was somewhat different from Celestia's.

Princess Luna took a quick breath before closing her eyes and started concentrating as Celestia's hooves touched the stage. Slowly her horn started glowing it's blue color and slowly, the sky started darkening and soon stars started to appear, like someone out there was lighting up candles. Princess Luna's wings then opened up and her horn started glowing even brighter.

Then they saw the moon rising. And now Princess Luna's horn was shining even more brightly as the moon slowly raised itself with the help of Luna to the sky which was already filled with stars. Now it truly looked like Princess Luna had dressed herself with the night sky itself!

And soon. It was over. The moon shone on the sky, it's light descending to the ground, making the snow outside glow like diamonds. The entire hall stayed quiet. No one dared to say anything. But Princess Luna quickly broke the silence.

“Let the celebration continue!” She used her Royal Canterlot voice to snap out everybody, which of course was really efficient with a few startled yelps from the crowd. With that, the lights returned to the hall and everyone seemed to return to the way they were before the Princesses arrived. But now they were talking about the event that had happened few moments ago.

Twilight watched as the two Princesses left the stage while the band got on the stage next, preparing their instruments and soon, Twilight and her friends sort of found themselves being by themselves. Fancy Pants had to leave when his wife Fleur came and said that there were some griffons wanted to meet him.

Rainbow Dash was getting really impatient. First she tried to pass her boredom talking with Applejack about the stuck up Royalists much to and probably on purpose, Rarity's annoyance. But that didn't last really long. “Say Twilight, what was that about me being with the Wonderbolts in this 'celebration'?” Rainbow almost spanned.

But Twilight didn't hear her as she was much more concentrated on most of the noble ponies around them whose conversation wasn't exactly what she had expected.

“I have to say that Princess Luna's performance wasn't that spectacular compared to Princess Celestia's.”

“Yes, I have to say that I was expecting bit different from the Night Princess.”

“I was hoping something the same as Celestia's, like every year.”

And it went on and on. And Twilight didn't like it. It looked like most of these “nobles” didn't understand the amazing use of magic and concentration Luna had shown.

“This seriously sucks...” Rainbow said out loud, trying to get Twilight's attention, but was so far failing at it. “Seriously, why are we here again?” She asked, this time a bit loudly. But still didn't get Twilight's attention.

“We're here because Princess Celestia asked us to and because we agreed to Rainbow,” Applejack said, poking her hoof to Rainbow's chest. She then turned her attention to Twilight.

“Well, I'm regretting it now...” Rainbow muttered. “I still haven't been able to be with the Wonderbolts like Twilight said.”

“She did say that it wasn't completely sure if they can be with ya,” Applejack said back in defensive tone. “And besides, ya can't always have what ya want anyway.”

“Ugh!” Rainbow groaned loudly. This was getting nowhere, it was slowly, or had become, just like at the Gala two years ago. No time with Wonderbolts, trying to show them how much of a Wonderbolt material she was! No time with-

“Hey girls!” Pinkie Pie's calling voice cut through Rainbow's and Twilight's thoughts and they all turned their heads at the direction of the voice. “You should totally taste this soda! It's reaaaaally delicious!” she exclaimed happily, sinking her glass into the bowl, while Fluttershy stood beside her, wearing rather uncomfortable look.

“Pinkie, don't you think are acting a bit... uuuh... well, the other ponies might not like the way you act,” Fluttershy said. Quietly though, but not so quietly as Pinkie seemed to hear what she said.

“What there is not to like?” She asked, giving Fluttershy a questionable shrug. “This is a celebration which also meeeeeeans: A PARTY!” Pinkie then gulped the drink with slightly loud gulp, making most of the guests looking at them with annoyed and irritated looks. “Why can't anypony have even little lighten up a bit and have FUN!?”

“I say that I have to agree with her,” a voice spoke behind Pinkie, who seemed to have frozen when noticing the slightly shocked looks of her friends. “But still, I believe that this is bit more of a 'controlled' celebration,” Princess Celestia said, wearing the same sweet and understandable smile on her face.

“Princess!” Twilight said cheerfully when realizing her teacher had joined her and her friends, even if it wasn't exactly the way she had planned. “It's good to see you!”

“It's good to see you too Twilight,” Celestia said. Then turned her attention towards the five other mares. “And it is also good to see your friends as well.” she nodded at them, who all in turn returned with either a slight or a long bow. “I'm so glad that you could come here, and I'm also sure that Luna will appreciate it as well.” Celestia then explained.

“Please, your highness it's nothing really,” Rarity replied.

“Say Twilight, I don't think you and your friends could be with Luna for a little while?” Celestia then asked, waving her head behind her where the six mares first time noticed the rather quiet looking Princess Luna. “There is something she wishes to show you all,” she said, but her voice was more directed at Luna than Twilight and her friends.

“Y-yes...” Luna replied quickly, realizing that her older sister had already brought her up. “If you would kindly follow me,” Luna instructed. The Princess then started leading them, much to Twilight's surprise, away from the hall, towards the outside.

Twilight started feeling herself quite nervous when almost everypony in the hall looked at them while she and her friends followed the Princess of the Night. Many of them wore surprised and even outraged expressions as someone like them could get an private audience with one of the Princesses.

“Tell me what did you thought about my... 'performance' of raising the moon and bringing forth the night?” Luna suddenly asked them.

“Oh, it certainly was... uuh...” Rarity halted when she tried to find the right words. “Different from Princess Celestia's...” she then finally said.

“Yeah...” Applejack said right after Rarity. “What she said...” they both then got a small glare from Twilight which told them to not to say a word. Fluttershy, Pinkie and Rainbow decided to stay quiet when noticing the look Twilight gave.

Twilight then turned to Princess Luna with a apologetic look. “I'm sorry Princess,” she said.

“There is no need Twilight Sparkle,” Luna said in a slightly saddened tone. Twilight's and all of her friends perked up on this moment, all of them afraid that they had somehow offended the Princess and couldn't be forgiven. “I think I know what your friends meant,” she continued.

“Really?” Twilight asked cautiously.

“Yes,” Luna replied. “It is because of my sister’s way of raising and lowering the sun. It is something completely different from my own way...” she almost muttered. This almost reminded Luna about her past. “Everypony is always expecting me to do something just like my sister. And that is why I mostly don't like raising or lowering the moon in public...”

“I'm really sorry Princess,” Twilight apologized again.

“There is no need for that Twilight,” Luna said. Not sounding so down as she had moments ago. The Princess then stopped as they had reached the doors that would lead to outside. Out in the cold.

Fluttershy then took few brave steps towards the Princess. “Excuse me Princess Luna, but uuum... don't we need some kind of protection from the cold?”

“There is no need for that Fluttershy.” Luna said answered casually. Her horn then starting to glow. “I'm casting a spell that will keep us warm long enough for me to show what I want all of you six to see,” she explained as her magic left her horn, wrapping itself around them.

For a moment all six of them could feel as the dark blue magical bindings wrapped themselves around them, and then almost as if melting into their bodies. For a moment they felt the warm presence they provided, but it soon left. As if it was never there. But Twilight could tell that they still wore the spell.

“Now, let us go,” Luna said, her horn activating again and the doors opened, leading them to the snowy gardens. The moon shined brightly on sky, illuminating the snow, making it look like the garden had been covered by a sheets of small diamonds.

And just as expected, the cold weather didn't have any affects on them, but they still could feel it in a way, but it was like nothing to them. “If you all would kindly look up at the sky,” Luna then said, after making sure that all six mares were here and the doors were closed so no one would come to interrupt them. But then again, Celestia was taking care of that.

She then again started channeling her magic. For a while, she collected much magic as she could muster. It wasn't really a feat. And soon she felt that she was ready. She then glanced at Twilight and her friends seeing that they were eyeing the night sky as she had asked. She then let out of her magic and watched as the rainbow colored stream was released from her horn. She watched with a slight proud look as her northern lights started to lighten up.

Twilight and her friends watched as the northern lights took over the skies with excitement, but that started turning into a slight disappointment as it almost looked like this was what the Princess had wanted them to see. But then something started happening.

The colors separated from each others. Each color flying it's own pattern. It was almost like watching something kind of dance. They could easily distinguish colors of lavender, yellow, pink, white, cyan and orange. All of them doing their own 'dance'. There was breath of awe emanating from the six friends.

The yellow and white had delicate and much more softer moves from the other ones. They made simple turns and swirls all carefully and taking their time. Making certain white and yellow pony blush a bit.

But unlike them, the cyan and orange were much more aggressive and daring. Making it look like they almost always crashing into each other. The two that resembled the same colors let out an embarrassed laugh.

The pink one was much more... different from the others. Way too fast and was almost in every place. Almost moving like a bolt of lighting, completely unexpected. to which a certain pink pony giggled loudly and heartwarmingly.

And finally the lavender. Which moved just the same style as the yellow and white. With almost the same grace and delicacy, but still moved bit more braver. Like cyan and orange, but unlike the pink one, it moved with much more accurately and coordinated. To which the same colored unicorn smiled.

But then, one more color appeared out of nowhere. Unlike the other colors, this was much more darker and duller kind of a really dark purple colored. But still could be distinguished from the sky. It started expanding, almost as if eating up the much brighter colors.

There was a sharp inhale, coming from a certain yellow pegasi who had warped both of her hooves around her pink friend, who seemed to bit try to make her ease her grip on her.

As this went on, the brighter colors started moving towards each other, slowly but certainly as they were being adsorbed by the darker color. And soon, they collided with each other, creating a small moment of a bright flash.

When the flash was gone, the darker color was no longer the dark, dull as before. But now a bright, but still slightly dark blue and it was suddenly joined by much brighter and bit darker color of yellow. Finally, all the colors joined back together, adding the two other colors with them, turning back to their original form. And soon disappeared.

For a while, none of them could say anything. What they had seen was just something none of them had ever imagined. And Luna took this a good sign, she now felt even prouder of her work. The look of awe on their face told her enough. It made her heart actually beat slightly faster from happiness.

“This,” Luna then said, breaking the silence and pointing at the sky where the amazing light show had taken place couple moments ago, “was what I wanted to show you.” She then turned to the six mares. “My appreciation of freeing me and reuniting me with my dear sister.” She then shortly examined their looks again, which haven't much changed. “I hope you are satisfied with my appreciation.”

Luna waited for their response. But none didn't seem to come and she was now afraid that she had probably overdone it. But then...

“That- that was...” Twilight seemed to be lost in words. “I don't think I know what to say...”

“Well I certainly know,” Rainbow said with a smug smirk on her face. “And that was just AWESOME!”

“No! It was 20% Cooler-Awesome!” Pinkie Pie suddenly bursted.

“Yeah, can't say anything else but Ah really liked what Ah saw,” Applejack chuckled, to which Rarity and Fluttershy replied with a nod.

Luna couldn't help but laugh at this. This made her feel slightly better, like a small burden lifted from her shoulders, knowing that her work had been appreciated by Twilight and her friends. “Thank you.” Luna then said, letting out a small sigh.

“Yer most welcome Princess,” Applejack said lightheartedly. And soon her five other friends followed suit, giving their own thank you's for Luna, who felt even more proud of herself.

“But I believe it is our time to return back inside,” Luna then said. “The night is still young. And this celebration isn't over just yet.”

“Aaaaw come on!” Rainbow moaned. “That place way too lame and boring for my taste....” she complained. Earning really nasty glare from Rarity, but Rainbow just shrugged it off since she knew that Rarity wouldn't do anything about it.

“Tell me about!” Pinkie then complained. “I thought this was going to be like a great party! With balloon animals, cake, cupcakes and animal balloons! But no! All we had has been just talky-talktalktalk!” she complained. “But the cake and the drinks have been great!” That earned few giggles from the group.

“Fear not Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie,” Luna said reassuringly. “There is only few more hours left,” she told to Rainbow, which received another pained groan from the cyan pegasus and pink earth pony who just wanted this celebration to be over already. Luna and others simply laughed at the two ponies discomfort.

“Maybe next time I might call on you Miss Pie to prepare the next Winter Solstice Celebration,” Luna said in an amused tone.

“REALLY!?” Pinkie asked, her body starting to shake a bit from the sudden excitement.

“Maybe. After all, you did really well for the wedding of Shining Armor and Cadence,” Luna replied. “And it seems like this is going to be an annual celebration...” Luna said, this time sounding a bit down.

“What you mean Luna?” Twilight asked, while also realizing that this time she used the Princess's name instead of her title. But Luna didn't seem to correct her, so she was probably okay with it.

“Truth to be told, I never really wanted this to be turned into a celebration...” Luna admitted dejectedly. “The only reason why this celebration is being held today is because Celestia's insisted strongly about it.” She explained. “I never really wanted to have any kinds of celebrations for my night.”

Twilight could see where this was going. And she somewhat understood what Princess Luna was going through, especially after seeing how many of the nobles had acted in this celebration. But that didn't meant that she should give up. It seemed like Princess Luna was just getting tired of being unappreciated. And she wanted to show Princess that there was still hope for her.

“I think you shouldn't give up just yet Princess,” Twilight said, trying to sound convincing, and so far in her opinion she was doing good.

“What are saying Twilight Sparkle?” Luna queried, a slight curiosity creeping in her voice.

“What I'm saying you shouldn't just stop and give up now,” Twilight said encouragingly. “It has been only two years since your return and I don't think everypony has gotten used to it.” she explained, trying to make the Princess see her view. “If you would just wait just longer, maybe things can be different.”

Luna pondered at what Twilight had just said. Would it be like that? It would seem like it. After all, when she had heard that many ponies were interested in the stars, moon and their positions. Even about them. And then there were various tales of many romantic evenings under the moon and stars. It had given her renewed hope, but that was just slightly.

But there were still many who didn't appreciate or cared for night as she had hoped. And tonight had been no exception. In fact it had more just proved her theory and thoughts. But now that she thought about it, maybe they all needed time. After all Celestia had taken care of her duties while she was gone.

But she doubted that she treated the night same way as with the day. And many ponies had thought that Luna's night sky and moon raising would something majestic and bright like her older sisters, but it was different. She never really liked the idea of showing off like Celestia. But then again, the day worked differently than night.

Maybe Twilight was right. After all, she still had time to wait. But these things weren't to be thought about now. Right now she wanted to focus on today. After all, the night was still young and she wanted to spent the time with Twilight and her friends, wanting to know bit more about themselves.