I've been waiting for you

I've been waiting for you
by neorenamon

After breakfast, the collective Princesses plus one made their way towards the center of town. Ponies actually stopped to stare at the two Princess Twilights while a reasonable excuse was formulated to explain things. It was lucky that a passerby, and Derpy Hooves, of all ponies, came up with the excuse for them. Celestia was wearing her knew elegant cloak covering herself from her neck down to her coronets (ankles).

"Don't you know April Foals isn't until tomorrow?" she asked as she looked at Celestia's rainbow mane and tail as well as the two Twilight Sparkles.

"They decided to start a day early!" offered Spike, "So everypony can get in on the 'Guess which Twilight is the Real Twilight Competition'! Don't you think they look so much alike?!"

"Wow," she replied, "That's amazing! I can't tell them apart at all!"

"Yes," agreed Celestia, "There will be an award and a modest bit payment to the pony who decides correctly first at the ceremony tomorrow... over at Ghastly Gorge!"

"Ghastly Gorge?" asked Derpy, her lazy eye wobbling more than usual.

"Well, it won't actually be IN Ghastly Gorge, of course," she replied evenly, "but there will be special events involving the Gorge and there will be places along the rim where you can sit and watch! It should be quite exciting!"

"That sure sounds exciting."

"But what if other pegasi or griffons want in on the action?" asked one of the Twilights as she whispered in Celestia's ear.

"Who in Equestria can even match Dash's speed?"

"Lightning Dust," she replied calmly.

"Well, what are the chances that she'll show up just for that?"

They continued to walk without further comment. The flow of ponies grew as more and more made their way towards the center of town, even those who weren't normally morning ponies.

"With only two choices," offered Luna, "Wouldn't there be a 50 percent chance of a correct guess?"

"Oh, I'm sure Twilight can conjure a 'few more of herself' by then," replied Celestia evenly.

One of the Twilights nodded.

"I hope Trixie isn't just smoke and mirrors," said the other Twilight, "I'm starting to feel bored."

"Ah," said Spike, "That sure sounds like a sign she's..."

"Actually," said the first Twilight, "I'm starting to feel a bit bored myself."

"Oh..."

As they drew closer to the town's center, they soon began to see a large wooden structure that they could have sworn wasn't there just the night before. It was quite large with a towering spire at the center, and a shining golden crescent moon atop it. They could just see the suggestion of speakers just behind the facade of the tower if they squinted and stared for just a little bit. As the last of the buildings stopped blocking their view, the could see that the whole structure was over an open stage where one could see it from almost every direction at once, unless one's view was blocked by one of the six support columns around the edges of the circular stage.

They could see Trixie walking in circles about the stage as a silver bullet microphone floated in front of her nose.

"Welcome citizens of Ponyville!!" she called out from the speakers, "Today, the Awesome and Rockin' Trixie is here just for YOU!! With the help of DJ Pon3, this will be an event to remember!!"

As she finished, the center of the stage rose up to form a circular stand with DJ Pon3 and her gear at the center of it.

"Well this is a switch," grumbled one of the Twilights.

"I've taught you to be charitable," replied Celestia as her rainbow mane waved in the breeze.

"You're right. Sorry."

"We all make... misjudgements... now and then."

Trixie pranced about the stage as she worked the growing crowd into a frenzy. The she paused for a few seconds as she put a hoof up to her ear.

"The Awesome and Rockin' Trixie has just been informed that we have four Princesses here with us today! Everypony please let them come up to the stage!"

The crowd looked about until the spotted Celestia and the others, and began to part before them. They formed a corridor as the group made there way towards the stage. Trixie blinked, stared, and rubbed her eyes as she tried to figure out how or why she was sing double Twilights.

"Please!" said Trixie, "Come up so everypony can see you!"

A ramp seemed to stick out from the platform in their direction as a red carpet rolled down its length.

"Could she know we were coming?" asked the other Twilight.

"And prepare all this in one night?" asked Spike, "That seems like it's not possible."

"Just play along," said Celestia evenly as she began to walk up the ramp.

"I see that April Foal's Day has come a little early this year!" announced Trixie.

The mic floated over to Celestia's mouth as she said, "Yes, it has! We have some special events planned for tomorrow at the edge of Ghastly Gorge! I know it's short notice, but we hope many of you can make it there tomorrow for the events we've planned for the afternoon! If you arrive early, there will be picnics and plenty to drink for all of you!"

The crowd gasped quietly at the mention of Ghastly Gorge.

"How can we get that all set up by tomorrow?" asked one of the Twilights.

"I know ponies who know ponies," whispered Celestia back to her ear.

The growing cheers of the crowd began to drown out small talk between them.

"Now now!" said Trixie, "Calm down! The show will begin shortly!"

A platform seemed to break loose from the ceiling and float down away from the gathered ponies.

"Why don't you Princesses and friends go up to the VIP Platform and you can be seen while you enjoy the show?!"

The crowd cheered as they mounted the platform and floated up to the upper level platform as the sides opened up and exposed it to everyone around the stage.

"Hmm... I wonder what this show will amount to?" asked one of the Twilights.

Spike shrugged.

"Now Ponyville!" called Trixie, "Let the Eternal Night begin!"

"What?" asked Luna. She seemed visibly disturbed at Trixie's statement.

A shimmering dome descended the crescent golden moon that covered the entire plaza. The dome glowed and vanished as everything about them changed from day to night. Even the sun was replaced with the crescent glow of the Moon. The twinkling stars could be seen all around it.

"Fear not!" called Trixie, "It's only Eternal Night right here in the Plaza! Step outside and the warm day shall greet you all again! It's just... A MAGIC TRICK!"

The ponies all around clopped their hooves together in approval. Then the spire came to life as lights of all colors began to show from it in all directions. Doors opened near the top to reveal a mirrored ball that burst forth with beans of light of all colors.

"Wow, a nighttime show in the middle of the day," mused Spike, "That is kinda cool."

"NO!" shouted Luna, "THIS ISN'T RIGHT!" Tears flowed from her eyes as she suddenly bolted for away from the platform. She streaked over the crowed as she vanished through the edge of the nighttime illusion.

"Go after her," said Celestia somewhat quietly to one of the Twilights, "You know I can't fly over a crowd like this."

She nodded as she flew off after Luna.

"We apologize for the abrupt departures!" called Celestia to the crowd, "But some very important Royal Business has come up, and unfortunately Luna and Twilight had to leave immediately! Luna and Twilight send their regrets that they couldn't remain with you for the entire event!"

"Isn't it wonderful how the Princesses put the business of Equestria ahead of their own selfish pleasure?!" called Trixie.

The crowd cheered even more loudly.

"Selfish pleasure?" grumbled Spike, "That was sure a slap to the kisser hidden in a silk glove."

"Now it's time for DJ Pon3 to cut the first groove!"

"Does anypony actually say that anymore?"
...

Twilight glanced back at the shimmering dome that formed the night illusion as she chased after Luna. It reminded her of the force bubble Trixie used under the influence of the Alicorn Amulet to seal her out of Ponyville except this one was all black as well from shutting out the light of the sun. She looked back ahead to see that she was catching up with Luna as her tears fell from her face down to the homes and streets below them. There were not many ponies left to look up and stare as they flew overhead.

"Luna!" she called, "Please tell me what's wrong!"

Even though she was gaining, they had already passed the limits of Ponyville and were well on their way to the Everfree Forest. They would be over the forest by the time she had caught up. It seemed like Luna couldn't hear her calls. She wondered if Luna could even see clearly through her tear-filled eyes.

A nine-headed hydra emerged from the woods right ahead of Luna. Twilight had to take a chance that Luna would keep flying straight, so she risked a barrage of magic bolts at them. She struck each head more than once, making them all duck for cover back down beneath the tree-top level.

Then she finally caught up as she called, "Luna! Stop! You have to listen to me!"

Luna had to pull up when she flew right in front of her.

"Luna!" she pleaded, "We need to talk!"

Looking about quickly, she spotted Zecora's hut.

"Follow me down to Zecora's hut!"

She turned to fly down, and saw Luna follow in spite of her flowing tears. Stepping up to the door after landing, she lightly knocked with one hoof.

Zecora seemed slightly surprised as she opened the door.

"This best not be some April Foal's tests, as I was not expecting guests..." offered Zecora, "And perhaps I should need to know what has upset Princess Luna so..."

"I think it has something to do with how the Awesome and Rockin' Trixie kind of rubbed Luna's past in her face."

"Then please come inside with me, for I can calm her with some tea." She stepped back as the two followed her in.

Twlight stayed closed to Luna, the two of them neck hugging each other as Luna erupted into full blown wailing. Zecora stepped into the back of her main room as she began gathering herbs and leaves to steep into some tea.

"I'm... so... sorry..." sobbed Luna as she cried on Twilight, "It... was... just... too... painful... to... remember..."

"It's all right," cooed Twilight, "It will all be just fine..."

"But... big sister... she has to... make up... for me again," she sobbed.

Twilight used her foreleg to rub Luna's back.

"She forgave you for Nightmare Moon's trespass," she said softly, "She forgave you years ago. The people of Equestria have forgiven you as well. They are happy that you've come back to us all as Princess of the Moon. No one fears the night anymore... well, not as much... and places like Los Pegasus are all but shrines to the night. They love the night now, and they love you."

"Thank you," sniffed Luna as she calmed down.

Zecora walked over bearing a cup of tea and a teacup plate in her mouth. Twilight's horn glowed as the cup glowed, and floated over to Luna's mouth. She gingerly sipped at the tea.

"I do not wish to be a bore, but perhaps I can hear some more?"

"Oh, the Awesome and Rockin' Trixie set up a show at the center of Ponyville," said Twilight softly, "and as part of the show, she set up a dome over the Ponyville Plaza where everything looks like night. Then she called out for the beginning of an Eternal Night... even thought it was just inside the dome, I fear her callous comments have wounded poor Luna's soul."

"Now perhaps I can see, but what made you come here to me?"

"Luna just flew off in a random direction, and I guess that brought us straight over here... other than that little hydra attack."

"I begin to fear that my hearing might lack, but did you just say 'Hydra attack'?"

Twilight nodded. "I drove it away before it became a threat," she said, "and without anything more than superficial damage."

"Nightmare Moon has taken her toll upon Luna's very soul. In time I believe all wounds should heal, but the amount of time requires a great deal."

Luna continued to calm down as she sipped the tea.

"This may well count as irony deep, as I shall give Luna medicine to sleep."

Twilight nodded as Zecora went off to mix some medicine. Luna's crying slowly stopped by the time Zecora returned.

As Zecora returned with a prepared bag of medicine, she commented, "Surely my eyes deceive me, as rainbow hues do I see?"

Twilight looked herself over, as she couldn't imagine Zecora was talking to Luna, and realized that the ends of her tail and her mane where turning rainbow patterned, just like Rainbow Dash, but only the last inch or so.

"Maybe I really am Rainbow Dash," she muttered as she looked at herself.

"Is there another one of you? Is there something I should do?"

"It seems unlikely," she replied, "Discord turned Rainbow Dash into an exact copy of Princess Twilight Sparkle, and he somehow muddled out thoughts, minds, goals and ambitions in the process."

"Discord is a trouble maker. Not much of a responsibility taker."

Twilight and Luna both nodded.

"Maybe you'll feel better when Pinkie Pie throws her surprise party for us," suggested Twilight.

"If this party should be a surprise to you, then how do you know as you do?"

"Oh, no one told us," replied Twilight with a grin, "but my charts about Pinkie Pie behavior tell me that there's a 99.94% chance that Pinkie will throw another surprise party for us tonight... mainly because she can. Would you like to come? I'm sure that Pinkie Pie would love to have you there as well."

"I am not busy as I can tell, so I shall drop by for a spell."

"Great!" said Twilight, "Maybe I can show everyone my new nighttime stunt that sure to get me into the Wonderbolts!"

Zecora and Luna both blinked at her.

"Well... ah... maybe we should start back to Ponyville..." she said awkwardly, "It might be best... to... uh... go straight back to the Golden Oak Library... I can fly by and tell Celestia that you aren't... feeling well or something..."

Luna nodded.

"Hopefully it shall be a delight when I see you both tonight."

"That did calm me so much," said Luna as Twilight floated the cup back towards Zecora.

"I like to do what I can do when I do to help you."