Friendship's Touch

Chapter 2

The day of the Lunar festival had finally arrived, and Ponyville was bustling with activity as everypony took part in the activities and eagerly anticipated the evening’s events.  Twilight walked amongst the many ponies that were attending customers at their stalls; such as Bon Bon’s confectionery stand that she had gladly set up beside the Cakes’ baked goods stand and Applejack’s apple and cider stand; the girls had spent all the day before helping the Apples prepare the cider like they did when they were competing against the Flim Flam Brothers.  Granny Smith had even brought some Zap Apple Jam out of storage for the festival.  Doctor Whooves was selling some fine clocks next to Lyra, who had taken some instruments from her shop and put them for sale in the next stand over, in addition to offering her luthier services.  Her skills were on perfect display earlier as Pinkie Pie’s sister Octavia had brought her Cello to her for an emergency repair.

The music for the daytime was being provided by Vinyl Scratch, the thumping of her speakers heard clearly from her set up at town hall, while Octavia’s band would provide more relaxed and classical music as night fell and Luna put her Night Weaving skills on display.  There were rides set up in the field to the town’s northern side, along with a hayride, compliments of the Apples. Even now, Big Mac was pulling some foals around while Cheerilee took care of the tickets for him.

The happy couple had been one of the major things that had changed, aside from Ponyville’s newest resident in the short year since the royal wedding and changeling attack. The Apples had expanded the farm and added another field, as well as getting into the applesauce business, which the ponies in town couldn’t get enough of. The last time Twilight had visited with Applejack she and Big Macintosh had just finished putting in a new, larger cellar.  The job had taken a bit longer than was normal for the Apples since Big Mac and Cheerilee had become a serious couple after the incident last Hearts and Hooves Day. Consequently the event also taught Twilight to be very cautious when the Crusaders took an interest in a particular book from then on. But it all seemed to work out for the best after all, and when Big Mac wasn’t working on the farm he spent his time with Cheerilee, who herself had found a new favorite pastime bucking apples with the Apple Family. They did learn that she had more strength than she let on when she managed to clear a tree with only two kicks, which normally would have taken any of the other girls, aside from Rainbow Dash, a few more kicks than that when they assisted with the harvest.

She could see that Pinkie Pie and Rarity had clearly been busy, what with the decorations and other festive arrangements scattered around town. Even now Rarity could be seen tying a bow to a lamp post as Twilight walked up to her.

“Good afternoon Rarity, the decorations look lovely,” Twilight said, smiling to the white unicorn.

“Why thank you, Twilight.  I had to struggle to get Pinkie Pie to accept that this occasion is as formal as it is fun, and not to just throw her tacky party decorations around.  This is Princess Luna’s first Lunar Festival in over a thousand years! So the setting and mood have to be just right for such an occasion,” Rarity said as she finished tying the bow and turned to face Twilight.

“Well, keep up the good work.” Twilight politely smiled, unable to come up with anything to counter Rarity’s speech. In reality the festival wasn’t as formal as Rarity thought it was, but she thought that was an argument that was best left alone.

Twilight began to walk towards the Mayor before hearing Rarity scream behind her.

“Pinkie! What did you do to the Princess’ statue? Take that party hat and those ridiculous glasses off of there this instant!” Rarity shouted, eliciting an eye roll from Twilight as she continued on. She listened to the fussy unicorn until she finally was drowned out by the noise of the other festival goers somewhere around Vinyl’s music booth.

Ponies from far and wide had turned out to the festival.  Twilight could see some residents of Appleloosa as well as the more refined ponies from Canterlot and Manehatten.  She had to giggle a bit as the Canterlot and Manehatten ponies looked completely out of their element in Ponyville, some even looking panicked as if they expected the locals to start doing things like the stallions having a spitting and belching contest while the mares mud wrestled.  As Twilight arrived at the Mayor’s side she spotted the large dais with two large, comfy looking cushions that would accommodate the Princesses once the festival really got into gear.  The plan involved Princess Celestia finishing up her court business, and arriving just before sundown to discreetly lower the sun, which would then be Luna’s cue to start her Night Weaving.  Once all was finished, the two sisters would sit on the dais and enjoy the rest of the evening amongst their ponies, perhaps even taking part in some of the festivities.

“Good afternoon Mayor, how’s everything going?” Twilight asked with a friendly smile.

“Oh, quite well Twilight! We had to keep a few trouble making colts from putting whoopee cushions and other prank items under the Princess’ dais, but overall not too bad.” The Mayor replied with a shake of her head.  It seemed that she had taken to guarding the daisies to prevent that from happening anymore.

“Well the Ponyvillians and Appleloosans are having fun at least,” Twilight said, spotting Derpy eating cotton candy with her daughter Dinky.

“Yes, I’m afraid we’re just too wild for those city ponies” The Mayor snickered  “it’s a shame some ponies are incapable of having a little wild fun.”

Twilight giggled herself before spotting Zecora walking through the crowd, some saltwater taffy that she had purchased from Bon Bon in her hoof. Twilight smiled and began to make her way over.

“Well, have a good time Mayor, and good luck,” she said pointing to the dais as she spotted two colts sneaking up to it, bringing it to the Mayor’s attention.

“You too Twilight,” she said as she rushed off to shoo the colts away.

“Hello Zecora, enjoying the festival?” she asked as she caught up to the Zebra.

“Ah, good afternoon Twilight my friend. Indeed, this is the most fun I’ve ever spent!” she said with a pleased grin.

“Are you staying for Luna’s Night Weaving?” she asked as she took some taffy that Zecora offered.

“Indeed, it has been a long time since the last Lunar Festival occurred, I wouldn’t miss this event for the world,” she replied, her earrings jingling a bit as her head bounced with what looked to be excitement, though with her it was hard to tell.

“Well that’s good,” Twilight smiled back.  The bell on the clock tower began to chime six o’clock as Octavia’s band began to play. She looked with excitement back towards the dais. “I’ll see you later Zecora. Perhaps Friday for tea?” she asked as she turned to head back.

“That would be very good Twilight, I hope you enjoy your night!” Zecora called as Twilight bolted away from her excitedly.

As Twilight approached the cushion reserved for Princess Celestia a bright flash erupted and was soon replaced by Princess Celestia’s elegant form.  Beside her, two more flashes erupted as two unicorn guards appeared beside her; one adorned in the golden armor of Celestia’s personal guard, the other dressed in the light and dark blues of Luna’s own guard.  With Luna in Ponyville and insisting that she was well protected by the Elements of Harmony, the Moon Guard had reluctantly taken to guarding Celestia along with the Sun Guard.

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight exclaimed as she hopped excitedly up to her mentor, raising her head up to nuzzle her chest.

“Good evening Twilight, my most faithful student!” Celestia smiled happily as she lowered herself to nuzzle the side of Twilight’s neck, in turn making it easier for Twilight to do the same.

“I’m so glad you could make it,” Twilight said as she settled in at the Princess’ side.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Would you and your friends like to join me for the Night Weaving? It’ll be like when we sat out on my balcony looking up at the stars when you were a filly,” she asked her as she took her seat upon the cushion.

“I would love that!” Twilight bounced with excitement, causing the Princess to smile with amusement.

“Why don’t you go gather them while I get some more seats for you all?” Celestia smiled.

“Ok!” Twilight beamed and hopped down from the dais, taking off in the direction of Applejack’s stand first.

The Princess watched her go with a delighted smile. She then asked the two guards if they could locate the mayor and have some more cushions brought over, assuring them she would be fine alone for a few minutes. While they reluctantly set off, the same two colts that the Mayor had chased away moments before; a unicorn and an earth pony, slowly snuck up behind her. The unicorn floated a small firecracker towards the dais while the other carried a match in his mouth. After the unicorn placed the firecracker behind the Princess, the earth pony struck the match against his own hoof.  He slowly moved the match to the fuse while suppressing some snickers, when they were suddenly both doused with water. They looked up in surprise to see a large bucket suspended over their heads with magic, and the Princess looking at them with a serious expression and a raised eyebrow.  They nervously smiled at her before she finally smiled back, leaning down to their level.

“I think that’s about enough of that.” She said before grabbing their bag of joke items with her magic from the earth pony and looking in it, a particular item catching her interest. She pulled out a can of ‘peanuts’ and smiled a bit mischievously.

“Why don’t you go offer the Mayor some peanuts?” She suggested with a wink to the two as she gave them their bag back.

They smiled happily and bowed to the Princess before zipping off in search of the mayor.  She chuckled a bit, telling herself that she’d have to mention it to the mayor that it was her idea when they next spoke.  The two had been friends for a long time, even before the mayor took office.  They were always teasing or joking with each other during their meetings, and she was sure that the mayor would have something good to get back at her the next time.

As Twilight made her way through the festival she kept a watchful eye for her friends. She initially thought of inviting just her friends the Elements, but then she thought about it more. Zecora was her friend as well, and she was sure the princess would like her company. So after finding Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack, she decided she would look for Zecora while trying to find Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. Being old friends as the two were, she was sure to find them together, and knowing Rainbow, they would be doing something she liked.

The crowd suddenly looked to the sky as Octavia and her band played an adventurous classical number.  The Wonderbolts appeared from the direction of Sweet Apple Acres, using the property as a staging and take off area. The full team of 11 seemed to be out, five of them doing intricate stunts involving some complicated twists, turns, and rolls while the other six carried another pony on their backs.  Twilight remembered Rainbow mentioning these other ponies as the Royal Equestrian Golden Ponies, a team of six unicorns and six earth ponies that were members of the Sun and Moon Guards. They would be carried on the backs of some of the Wonderbolts, then parachute to the ground while doing stunts of their own along the way.  The thing that nopony else knew about the team was that they were an elite unit of the Royal Guards that answered directly to only two ponies, Princess Celestia and Twilight’s brother, Shining Armor. They used the demonstrations to practice their parachuting skills; which in the unlikely event that a war broke out, they would use to parachute behind enemy lines to carry out clandestine operations.

The crowd looked with awe as the Golden Ponies leapt from the backs of the Wonderbolts carrying them, plummeting to the ground while doing some twists and turns of their own.  After reaching a certain height they all gathered together, locking hooves and forming a ring while the Wonderbolts flew up through the ring and broke off either to the left or right. As the Wonderbolts flew through the ring, smoke of varying colors began to stream from the back ankles of the Golden Ponies as their ring fell to the ground. After a few minutes of falling they all broke the ring and deployed their parachutes, performing a series of other complicated twists and turns before finally setting down one at a time on a target that was set up in town square, the Wonderbolts landing behind them to the cheers of the crowd.

The band then began to play calmer music, signaling the end of the show as the crowd walked over to speak with the two teams, some seeking pictures while others went after autographs. Twilight caught site of Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy amongst the crowd and headed over to them.

“Hello Rainbow Dash, hi Fluttershy,” Twilight said, falling into step beside Fluttershy.

“Oh, hello Twilight,” Fluttershy said in her usual soft tone; even despite her new assertiveness, she was still the same old Fluttershy.

“Hey Twilight, did you see the show? So Awesome!” Rainbow shouted pumping a hoof in the air.

“It was very nice. They are some brave ponies, I would be scared of being in the sky if I was a unicorn or earth pony”  Fluttershy said as she looked ahead to the assembled teams, who were already mobbed by the crowd  “Oh my, I don’t think we’ll get to see them Rainbow Dash.” She said taking a shy step backward.

“Yeah you may be right,” Rainbow said as she tried to find a way through the crowd, trying but failing to shove some ponies aside. She looked up to see the sky clear but she was sure she would give the other pegasi the same idea if she tried to fly over the crowd.

“Well, I’m sure they’ll head over to the Princess when they’re done here, and she’s invited us to sit with her for the Night Weaving,” Twilight told them, giving Rainbow a nudge in the side to get her attention.

“Sounds great Twilight, but are you sure you don’t mind us all there? I know you and the Princess are close, I figure you’d like to spend time alone with her,” Rainbow Dash asked with a raise of her brow.

“Oh of course I’m ok with it. We spend a lot of time together when she comes to visit Luna and I,” Twilight assured her, waving a hoof dismissively in front of herself “Actually, have you guys seen Zecora? I wanted to invite her too,” she asked looking into the crowd for the Zebra, though she dismissed it since she was sure Zecora didn’t like crowds save for Ponyville when there wasn’t some kind of celebration going on.

“I think she was over by Bon Bon’s stand, buying some more taffy to take back home with her,” Fluttershy said.

“Thanks, I’ll go look there then. I’ll see you again at the dais?” she asked turning back to them.

“Sure,” The pegasi both said in unison, chuckling to each other after realizing what they did.

Twilight giggled and turned to head towards Bon Bon’s stand, as she passed by the other stands it looked as if everypony else had closed up for the night, so that they could find a spot for the show. She finally arrived at Bon Bon’s stand and saw Zecora placing a couple bags of taffy in her saddlebags.  As she turned around she smiled when she spotted Twilight.

“It is good to see you again Twilight. I did not expect to see you again tonight.” Zecora nodded to her.

“Princess Celestia offered for everypony to join her for the Night Weaving. Would you like to join us?” Twilight asked her.

“At this offer, I am elated. But I’m afraid the Princess and I are not acquainted.” Zecora told her with a shrug.

“That’s alright, I’m sure she’d love to meet you. You are my friend too after all, and she did invite my friends, after all.” Twilight said, placing a hoof on her shoulder.

“Then I would love to spend some time with you, for you are my dear friend too.” Zecora replied with a warm smile. The two shared a laugh as they set off for the dais.

The two arrived at the dais as the sun sank below the horizon, bathing the town in darkness. To cut down on light pollution tonight every city in Equestria had all lights off save for the most important which were dimmed. As Twilight looked up at the dais she saw Rainbow Dash sure enough talking to Spitfire and Soarin, the team leaders of the Wonderbolts. Fluttershy was next to her talking to an unknown earth pony who she had figured to be the team leader of the Golden Ponies.  Twilight had to chuckle a bit as it seemed Fluttershy had taken an interest in the male. All of her other friends were gathered around the Princess on their own cushions, the Cutie Mark Crusaders on the backs of their respective sisters; even Scootaloo got a seat on Rainbow’s back, which made Twilight smile for the filly. She urged Zecora forward with a motion of her head and walked up to the Princess.

“Twilight, I am glad you made it back. Is this Zecora?” Celestia asked as she brought her gaze to the zebra.

“Indeed I am, and I was glad to get Twilight’s request.  It is an honor to meet you Princess.” Zecora bowed to the Princess, her nose touching the dais beneath her.

“And it is good to make your acquaintance. I’ve heard many wonderful things about you.” The Princess smiled. “Perhaps on one of my trips to Ponyville I could stop by and say hello,” Celestia said as she fluffed her wings out a bit.

“I would love the pleasure of your company in my home, I will be sure to prepare some tea for your arrival is known,” Zecora nodded as she rose up to her hooves.

“Oh Zecora I don’t see a seat for you. Give me a moment and I’ll go get one for you,” Twilight said, turning to step off the dais.

“Why don’t you give her yours Twilight? You can join me on mine.” The Princess smiled, receiving a beaming smile from her student.

“Really?” Twilight bounced, getting a nod from the Princess.

As Twilight all but bounded up onto the dais Princess Celestia moved over to allow her on the cushion. After Twilight had nestled herself against her side and everypony else took their seats, they turned their attention to the sky.

Luna stood on a stage situated on the hill just outside the town, where everypony had been on the night of the meteor shower. She threw back the hood of her cloak, which Rarity had made extra special for the occasion. She slowly raised her hooves up to the sky, with a light blue glow surrounding her horn, the moon began rising over the eastern hills.

As the orchestra began to slowly play an old mysterious tune, the likes of which had not been heard in a long time. As the music started, a guest singer by the name of Gael took the stage. She was a teal unicorn, with a long, well kept emerald green mane and tail. She was known as a descendant of the unicorns, known as the Éires, who lived long ago in the area that was now Manehatten. As the full moon continued to rise she started to sing along with the music in the old language of her ancestors.

E môr henion i dhú

Luna next raised her horn to the sky, the light blue aura of her magic that had been surrounding it before suddenly began to creep over her whole graceful body.  As she focused every ounce of her magic into the Night Weaving, the moon slowly began to rise higher into the sky, and was soon joined by the Milky Way as it faded into a bright milky streak that stretched from horizon to horizon.

Ely siriar, êl síla

One by one, more stars began to wink into existence, until the sky was full of them. The constellations Leo, Draco, and Canis Major formed around the moon. As Luna moved her hooves the shapes seemed to dance around the moon as the other stars in the sky twinkled in a pattern.

Ai! Aníron, Undómiel

In the middle of the sky, just above the Milky Way, a comet appeared, its long tail stretching far behind it as meteors began to streak across the sky.

Tiro! Êl eria e môr

As Twilight watched this beautiful display, her eyes suddenly began to wander, almost as if drawn by her senses as they picked up a powerful magical essence, much like what Princess Celestia and Luna gave off. There, standing off by Big Mac, was a black and chocolate colored pegasus stallion, about as large as Luna with wings to match. His mane was well groomed, reaching down to his back with a chocolate and gray pattern that matched his long tail. He wore a dark brown explorer’s vest and his cutie mark was that of mountain peaks.  As he looked up at the sky, a small light green unicorn mare, about Twilight’s own size, stood looking at Big Mac as he watched the Night Weaving. She wore the same style vest as the stallion, but in a dark purple. She had a braided strawberry and red mane and tail, with the cutie mark of, a globe? Twilight had never seen such a cutie mark as far as she knew.

What really drew her attention though was the powerful magic coming from the unicorn as her horn gave off a soft gray glow.  Twilight tried to focus on the magic for a second. She was using a scanning spell?  Twilight wasn’t sure of the exact name since she hadn’t fully studied the spell yet. But it was the same type of spell unicorn doctors would use to check out a patient, or a scientist would use to learn an object’s composition. But this unicorn was using it for something else. Twilight couldn’t be certain, but it was almost as if the unicorn was studying the latent magic within Big Mac’s body, which all Earth Ponies had, that made them so good at growing things and handling animals.

I 'lir en ê luitha 'uren

A flash from a particularly bright meteor drew Twilight’s attention away for a brief second. But when she looked back to the strange ponies, they were gone.  She shook it off and drew her attention back to the sky, nestling closer to Princess Celestia and feeling a bit creeped out by the strangers she had just seen.  She was calmed however by a kiss on the forehead from the Princess who then turned her eyes to the sky to admire her sister’s work.

Ai! Aníron...

As the last words faded away, an Aurora formed in the sky as a band of alternating blues, greens, reds, and oranges.  The constellations had stopped dancing around the moon and remained still, following it as it slowly continued its trip across the sky.  Luna stood on all hooves on the stage with a wide smile, her chest rising and falling a bit heavily as she caught her breath.  It was exhausting, but it was worth it as the mesmerized crowd began to applaud.  Soon everypony, even the ponies that had been laying down, were on their hooves giving her a standing ovation, complete with whistles and cheers.  She made her way down to the smaller stage and held up a hoof towards the band and Gael, who took a bow.  Luna then bowed herself, before making her way through the crowd as the band began to play a more upbeat song, and a space was cleared for everypony to dance. The game booths then started up as ponies filtered over to play them, while other ponies were just content to stay in their places and look up at the sky. Couples like Cheerilee and Big Mac, who were themselves cuddling on a blanket beside the Apple booth, shared their own tender moments beneath the stars while the stargazing groups delighted in all the wonderful opportunities to study Luna had given them.

Luna stepped up to the dais and took her seat to the cheering and applauding of all her closest friends, a blush hidden beneath her dark fur.

“Well done sister. That was the best Night Weaving I’ve seen in a thousand years,” Celestia said with a smile her sister.

“That was really pretty Princess Luna.” Fluttershy smiled.

“You did amazing Luna.” Applejack complemented, patting her on the hoof lightly.

“That..was..Awesome!” Rainbow squealed raising a hoof into the air.

“I must say, that was quite the lovely display,” Rarity said with her eyes sparkling.

“That was amazing! Did you guys see the meteors flying around like 'whoosh' and the way that one just exploded with a big kaboom!” Pinkie sputtered, as she hopped and bounced up and down much to the ire of Scootaloo and Applebloom who covered their ears.

“Thank you sister, thank you all. It felt so great to do that after all these years,” Luna beamed in delight.

Cheerilee and Big Mac approached the dais with happy smiles before coming to a stop before it and looked up at the fillies.

“Applebloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, let’s go. It’s time to go home,” Big Mac said as the girls poked their heads up.

“Aw come on Big Mac, do ah hafta? AJ?” Applebloom looked to her sister for sympathy.

“Nope, sorry Applebloom but it’s time fer fillies ta be in bed,” Applejack said with a shake of her head.

“Yes, run along Sweetie Belle,” Rarity added receiving a groan of disappointment from her sister.

“You’ll let me stay, won’t you Rainbow Dash?” asked a hopeful Scootaloo, with her best pleading grin.

Rainbow Dash looked with some confusion as to why the little pegasus would be asking her permission to do anything. But considering the amount of time and attention Scootaloo paid her, it only seemed natural that she would become her guradian of sorts as well as her idol. Finally, Rainbow Dash smiled, causing Scootaloo to lean forward with excitement, before shaking her head.

“Sorry kiddo, you can’t very well grow up to be the best like me if you’re tired all the time. The best always need to get plenty of rest.” Rainbow Dash stuck her chest out proudly.

“Well then if that’s the case. With all the sleepin’ you do RD, you should be even better than ol’ Spitfire there.” AJ quipped, receiving a dirty look from Rainbow Dash and a chuckle from Spitfire.

The fillies hugged their sisters and their friends goodnight before hopping down from the dais and following after Big Mac and Cheerilee.  After checking in on Granny Smith at the booth they continued to Cheerilee’s house, where they would part with a kiss, before Big Mac and the fillies continued on to the farm.  After watching them all go, Princess Celestia turned to the others and smiled.

“So who would like to go partake in the festivities? Luna?” she asked with a smile.

“Sure.” Luna grinned after a moment of thought.

The girls all cheered in response, before hopping down from the dais and waiting for their friends; even Zecora was joining in, as were Spitfire, Soarin, and Freefall, the stallion that Fluttershy had been talking to. The other girls, and even the Princesses, noticed with amusement that Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy took great delight that the stallions were joining them.  With much laughing and playful nudging, the two royal sisters, and their friends, headed off into the crowd to participate in a little fun without a care in the world that night beneath the glow of Luna’s night sky.