A Celestial Night.
The day ended. Pinkie Pie's party was no small cheap party, as some foals or fillies would witness in school. This one was one of her best parties yet. As the evening dawned the party goers started to dwindle. Most of the guests left first. Rarity was the first of the Element-Bearers to leave. "I'm sorry Your majesty's" She said as she bowed to both Luna and Celestia. "I must leave now to get my beauty sleep." She looked as if she were to trot off without saying anymore but she spoke a few words before leaving. "Princes Luna Dear, you must must must come to my Boutique tomorrow, We can go to the spa and get your mane done" She told the Princess before trotting off towards the Carosell Boutique. Celestia nudged Luna. "You better invite me too" She joked.
Time passed. Fluttershy went home next, knowing that a certain bunny would make her life making breakfast completely dreadful. "I...Um..." Fluttershy, looked at the Princess who was a threat to her... No All of Equestria earlier that day. Celestia helped the Doe-eyed Pegasi out. "Have to go care for your animals, go ahead Fluttershy, you may leave" Fluttershy bowed at the two sisters hooves before running off in the direction of her cottage. Luna looked at Celestia, Celestia Sighed. "Well she is called Flutter Shy for a reason" Celestia reasoned, trying to keep Luna's mood up. It obviously did not help.
Apple Jack Trotted on over to the Princess. "Howdy" She said " Aye Think its time for me to hit the hay" She said before bowing and leaving to Sweet Apple Acres. "Remember to stop by anytime for fresh apples" She called out almost as if it were natural.
Rainbow Dash, obviously the opposite of Fluttershy flew right up to the Princesses, did a High-Wing and flew off, leaving a trail of rainbow behind her. Pinkie Pie sighed. "I guess that means that the Welcome-Back-Princess-Luna party is over" She reluctantly admitted. "Well there's always the After Party-Party, But that can wait for tomorrow." Princess Luna held back another sigh and a facehoof when Celestia merely rolled her eyes. Pinkie Pie did not catch it.
Twilight Sparkle was the only one left. She had sent Spike home early. "Princess Celestia" She cried outloud in joy. "I can finally speak to you without anypony around here." She addressed to both the Princesses. "Oh I have so much to ask but so little time, the sun should be going down in less then an hour, its best to get home before then" Celestia nodded. "Remember to send me a letter every time you learn about friendship." She added in. "Will do" The tired Lavender pony said before sheepishly trudging on to the Library.
This would be a long night for Luna.
Without the access Friendship Express Luna and Celestia's only way to get back to the Castle was to fly. The guards who took the day shift were retiring and the night ones did not know of their beloved Goddesses whereabouts. This was the first time Luna would fly since she was turned back into her present self. Turned back into the true form of the Glorious Night Keeper.
Or was she fully turned back yet?
Luna jumped, spreading her magnificent wings which shone in the light, it was as if they were precious gems. She gave them a careful flap and started to move them more vigorously. Celestia got up to her side. "Sister, I am here if you need help." Luna looked at Celestia. "Thou does not need help." She stated, trying to regain her strength as Lunar Princess. Celestia let her sister fly on her own. "Should we?" She said starting to get higher. Luna nodded, confident she could make it all the way to Canterlot.
Now for a Pegasi it would have taken hours, perhaps considering the lots of breaks in between flying. For an alicorn, one hour at most, with their glorious powerful body shape and wing dynamics. Luna, However was in no shape to be flying over thirty minutes straight. The NightMare Infection had weakened her far enough to sap half the strength out of her sleek body. Celestia started to take the lead, PonyVille must have been a mile away after five minutes of flying. Luna gasped she knew that having the NightMare Infection in her for a thousand years may have effected something. She couldn't put her hoof on what though.
Celestia noticed the change in Luna's flying as her sisters flaps became less and less powerful. It was the time they saw ManeHatten when Celestia gave orders of taking a break. 20 Minutes into flying and already tired out. "I told Thou..." Luna said between gasps of air "That I do not need a rest". "Really Sister?" Celestia asked as she started to wander off into the streets of Manehatten. Luna gasped again before following Celestia. Celestia led Luna to a small grocery store. She walked over to a chest full of ice. The chest bared various drinks, most of them citrus related. Celestia Magiked an orange juice container out of the chest and proceeded to the check-out with it. She dropped the bottle onto the counter and rung the service bell with a hoof.
A pony appeared, he seemed to be almost old enough to be classified as a senior, he looked around blindly, as he remembered he misplaced his glasses. He took one look at the Princess, wiped his eyes and then called out "Orange Twist. Come here this instant." Another pony, a younger one came out. He had a slice of orange on his flank. He was behind the counter, too short to see over when standing on four legs. "Yes Grandpa?" he asked the older one. "Where are my glasses I think I am seeing things."
The younger colt shifted his weight onto his two hind legs as he hoisted his eyesight over the counter. His eyes widened as surprise as he saw the two princesses before him. He quickly Bowed to the two of them. Luna looked over at Celestia. "Don't worry Luna, they do this all the time. The colt saw the orange juice on the counter. "Is this your's?" He asked. Celestia nodded. "Don't worry about paying, its your's free."
Luna and Celestia walked out of the store, Luna taking huge gulps out of the container. "Thank you Tia" Luna said between gulps. Celestia shrugged. "So 'Tia why do they do that thing?" Luna asked her. "When ponies see royalty they freak out and try to accommodate us. Especially in informal events such as now." As they walked down the street an orange maned pony appeared waving to Celestia. It must have been one of Apple Jacks family, as she heard Apple Jack's Cutiemark story before and what other pony would exit their cozy warm building to greet a Princess. Celestia thought, but then realized that Luna was getting the same reaction on the other side of the street.
By the time ponies stopped waving Celestia asked Luna "Are you ready?" Luna shrugged. "I still feel like I have no energy Tia!" Celestia stopped. "Do you think I would torture you by making you fly all the way back. Remember I did teach Twilight Sparkle how to control her magic." Luna stared at Celestia, confused. "Of course I would not make you do such thing."
Celestia's horn started to light up in a pink aura.
