And the Queen of Rock and Roll
“Sister, for the last time, no. The suit does not make your butt look big.”
“Pardon my skepticism, dear sister. You are known to be rather sarcastic at times. What about my bust?”
‘What about your bust?”
“Well, does it look big?”
“If you are seeking flattery, you will get none from me.”
Luna stood across the room from Celestia who was getting prepared for something she had yet to tell her about. It made Luna very cross to be kept out of the loop, and so, tried again to obtain the truth.
“Why, exactly, are you so formal? I don’t recall you having a male in your life that suggests that you should dress so provocatively.”
“It isn’t for a man,” she answered. “And it isn't provocative”
“I’d appreciate you more if you answered my question,” said Luna annoyedly.
“You’ll understand in just a moment,” said Celestia, retrieving a hat from a rack a few feet away. She turned to her sister and gave herself a twirl. “So?”
“You look magnificent, I must say,” said Luna. “However, I fail to realize how this answers my question.”
“Let me give you a little quiz in Pop,” said Celestia with a smile.
“I assume you are referring to a pop quiz?” asked Luna. “If it leads me to my answer, I will ace your test.”
“No, Luna. A quiz on the subject of Pop music,” said Celestia with a small laugh. “It’s a simple question, actually. Who do you suppose I resemble?” Luna was silent for a moment, looking at her sister’s appearance. A white suit, a black dress shirt underneath. White heels, a white fedora with a purple ribbon and a single white glove on her right hand.
“I haven’t a clue,” said Luna. “Am I meant to know?”
“Honestly, Luna,” said Celestia with a look of disappointment. “You never cease to amaze me with your outdated sense in most everything.”
“W-Whose sense is outdated?!” exclaimed Luna in embarrassment. “And besides, I was banished for many years. I think that is reason enough for my ignorance.” Celestia chuckled.
“I suppose so,” Celestia responded. “I assume you’ve at least heard of Michael Jackson?”
“That one fellow?” said Luna. “Hasn’t he been gone for a few years now?”
“Precisely,” confirmed Celestia. “That is one of the reasons I decided to dress as him.”
“Are you doing this for fun?” asked Luna. “Or, maybe for a gathering of sorts?”
“Right again,” said Celestia. “Luna, could you tell me what today is?”
“How could I forget?” asked Luna. “It is Nightmare Night. I have received quite a few bits of candy so far.”
“Congratulations. This year, I have decided to partake in the tradition of dressing up in costume and traveling to a party hosted by Pinkie Pie. You know? The baker?”
“The one among Twilight’s friends?” asked Luna. “It is peculiar that you’d decide to attend a party in Ponyville rather than a ball in Canterlot.”
“You know how… uneventful I find those parties,” said Celestia adjusting her coat.
“I can only hope you return sober in the morning and not befuddle your work and personal pleasures,” said Luna, turning away and exiting her sister’s room. “Goodnight to you.”
“Hold on, Luna,” said Celestia. “I would like to propose something more to you.”
“Please do hurry,” said Luna. “I grow weary of this conversation.”
“It is a simple task, really,” continued Celestia. “Won’t you accompany me tonight?”
“Me?” asked Luna. “I don’t understand why I would accompany you.”
“You are my sister, and fellow ruling princess—”
“But also quite unknowledgeable in the affairs of Michael Jackson.”
“It isn’t necessary to be,” explained Celestia. Luna recognized Celestia’s face. She was about to plead with her. “Just being dressed in costume will be adequate.”
“I find the dressing up to be quite childish,” said Luna. “If someone of important stature was to see me dressed up, what would they think?”
“Maybe that a princess is having a little fun with her sister?” asked Celestia. “Besides, the only person that is of important stature in Ponyville is Twilight. You know she would never hold something like this against you.”
“I still feel out of my element,” said Luna. “Who, or what would I dress up as?” Celestia put on an almost devilish grin.
“Relax, my dear sister,” she said, taking her by the shoulders and leading her deeper into her room. “I have just the outfit planned…”
“I have never been more embarrassed in my life.”
“You exaggerate.”
“I’d much rather go back home, Celestia. I do not want to be seen like this.”
“Think about how happy the children will be when they see the very princess they admire on such a day in person.”
“In this?”
“I think you look fine. Now, let’s not dilly-dally here. The party awaits us inside.”
The night air blew cool and calm, the sky ablaze with varying colors in celebration of the woman, Nightmare Moon. She was, of course, long gone, but the people of the world still felt the need to celebrate her as if she was a ruling terror.
“If I get so much as one wrong look, I will personally blame you, sister,” threatened Luna. Celestia couldn’t help but smile.
“I will take full responsibility if someone was to make fun of you,” said Celestia. She walked forwards and pushed open the door to the establishment—Sugarcube Corner—in which the party was being held.
As soon as the door was opened, everyone turned towards it. Thousands of people seemed to be here, contrary to its smaller appearance on the outside. It took both Celestia and Luna by surprise. While they marveled at the space inside of the building, the thousands of people marveled their appearances.
“Princess Celestia?” asked a particular woman. She ushered her way through the crowd and met up with the two princesses. “Ah, it is you! Why are you here?”
“Twilight!” said Celestia in greeting. They exchanged a friendly hug. “I came with the same purpose as everyone else. To enjoy myself.”
“But Luna’s here too. Who’s going to watch the castle?” asked Twilight.
“If you concern yourself with the trivial, you’ll never be able to live,” said Celestia. “Anyway, how do you like my costume?”
“It’s amazing. I never actually realized how much you look like Micheal Jackson until now,” she said. “And Luna! You look amazing as well! Who knew you made such a good Elvis?”
“I don’t,” said Luna, adjusting the wig she had on as she did so many times on the way here. She was dressed in a white, sparkly shirt and corresponding pants. Her hair was bunched up into a wig of slick, black hair. “I should’ve known you’d agree with my sister, however.”
“Come now, Luna,” said Celestia, placing a hand on her shoulder. “It’s a party. Why not have some fun?”
“I will, sister,” said Luna. “Twilight, please lead me to the refreshments. Preferably the non-alcoholic ones.”
"There are children here, so there is no alcohol present," said Twilight. "There is apple cider, however." Luna nodded and followed Twilight. As she watched her sister leave with Twilight, Celestia turned to the rest of the people in the building.
Celestia made her way through the crowd, searching for one person in particular. She found her at the far side of the stadium-sized store, behind a glass panel that showed off cupcakes and pies, among other sweets. Pinkie Pie was spraying an unhealthy amount of whip cream into her mouth when Celestia approached.
“Greetings, Pinkie Pie,” said Celestia with a smirk. “I have a request that you may be able to fulfill.”
‘Sure thing, Princess!” said Pinkie, still consuming fatal amounts of whip cream. She gulped down some and retrieved a new can from seemingly nowhere. “So, what is it?”
“Can you tell me where I can find a place above everyone else? Someplace where everyone can see me clearly?” she said. “And I’ll need a microphone as well.”
“Roger that!” she yelled, jumping down from her chair. She walked over to the edge of the counter and clicked a large red button. The very floor Celestia and Pinkie were standing on was raised high into the air. While it was rising, Pinkie tapped Celestia on the shoulder and handed her a mic.
“One more thing, Pinkie,” said Celestia. She whispered into Pinkie’s ear her request, making Pinkie nearly jump in excitement.
“Really?”
“Yes,” confirmed Celestia. “Can you?”
“Absolutely!” Pinkie pressed another button which flipped the glass counter upside-down, revealing a large stereo system already manned by a woman with blue hair, and heavily tinted glasses. She put on a record and a familiar tune started playing. Celestia turned to the masses and started to sing into the mic to the music.
Luna was busy drinking apple cider when her sister was lifted into the air. She watched in near silence as the silvery mistress rose a few dozen feet into the air.
“Twilight,” said Luna, addressing the woman next to her. “I remember asking you to show me to the non-alcoholic drinks.”
“I did,” said Twilight. “I already told you there is no alcohol here.”
“Well, I must be inebriated,” said Luna. “I’m starting to see things. For example, how can my sister be hoisted into the air so?”
“Well, she’s standing on an elevating platform, most likely,” said Twilight. “Why? I have no idea.” It was only when the music reached her ears that Luna understood what her sister was attempting to do.
“She can’t seriously be performing here,” said Luna. Celestia made eye contact with Luna before beginning to sing along to the music.
“Oh! I love this song!” said Twilight. She started doing a certain flicking motion with her entire body, which Luna could only identify as Twilight’s dancing mechanic. “You know? Michael Jackson’s ‘Black or White’?”
“I do know one thing,” said Luna, placing her drink down. “She must be stopped before she makes a complete and utter fool of herself. I will return shortly, Twilight.”
“W-Wait!” called Twilight. “You shouldn’t leave your drink unattended at a party this big! What if someone was to try to assassinate you?”
“My apologies for making such a careless mistake,” said Luna, walking back over to her drink. And pushed it closer to Twilight. “Please watch this for me.”
“B-But what if I have to leave for any reason?”
“Take it with you,” answered Luna.
“Even in the bathroom?”
“Yes.”
“The bathroom isn’t exactly the… most pristine place at a party to keep a drink.”
“Then don’t visit it,” said Luna. “Anyway, I’ve no time to lose.” Luna turned and started making her way to Celestia.
When she reached the base of the lifting mechanism, the song was almost over. She looked around for any kind of reverse switch. After seeing none, she deduced that the switch was up with Celestia. Luckily, the song already finished and the platform started to descend. Once Celestia was in view, Luna gave her a very stern look.
“What seems to be the matter, sister?” asked Celestia.
“What do you think you are doing?” asked Luna. “What are people going to think if they see their princess, the most powerful being in Equestria, performing songs at a less than respectable establishment such as this?” She turned to Pinkie. “Er… no offense.”
“None taken, princess!”
“They’re probably going to think I do a good Michael Jackson impression,” answered Celestia. “On the subject of Michael Jackson, what did you think of my performance?”
“It was very thrilling,” said Luna sarcastically.
“Thrilling?” asked Celestia. “Is that a request?”
“Sister, what are you—”
“You heard the princess, Pinkie,” said Celestia. The platform ascended once again, this time, Luna going with them.
“Just what are you trying to do?” asked Luna. “What did I request?”
“Will you perform with me?” asked Celestia with an outstretched hand.
“Me, performing?” asked Luna with a chuckle. “It isn’t something I’d ever dream of. However, you still haven’t answered my—”
Then the music started playing. Pinkie tapped Luna on the shoulder and handed her a microphone.
“What, exactly, am I supposed to do?” said Luna away from the mic. “I haven’t sung anything in years! That, and I don't want to sing.”
“Just relax,” said Celestia. “Look there,” Celestia pointed at a large screen across from them Luna had trouble believing was actually there beforehand.
“What does that large screen do?” asked Luna.
“It shows lyrics,” explained Celestia. “If you get stuck, just consult it.”
“Why am I even speaking to you like this! I came up here to tell you—”
Celestia drowned her out in her powerful voice, taking Luna off guard. She turned and gazed at the screen with intensity. The words were scrolling white for a few seconds before changing to a darker blue color on a light background. Luna gulped and began to shout the words she saw into the mic.
Apparently, the crowd loved it. Celestia knew that she reverted back to her royal voice when she was placed under pressure and gave her the louder parts of the song. Celestia turned back to Pinkie who gave her her a thumbs up. When she finished and the song was playing on its own, she walked over to her sister and tapped her on the shoulder.
“Luna! Let us continued together!” she exclaimed. Luna sighed and looked at the words, the color changing to gray. Luna wanted to complain, and she wanted to go home even more, but Luna smiled at Celestia, for the thought excited her.
“Fine...” said Luna. "But only one song."
“I can’t believe I let myself get caught up.”
“It’s not that big of a deal, Luna—”
“The sun rising was four hours past scheduled, sister!”
“There’s a bright side to all of this, though.”
“Well, that’s surprising considering the sun isn’t up yet!”
“I mean metaphorically, Luna.”
The two sisters sat in the throne room of their castle, squabbling between each other. They’d returned to the castle after hearing the word that the castle guard started to assume they were abducted. They stormed Pinkie’s party, arresting anyone that looked suspicious. Afterward, when they were both able to comprehend the night, they made their announcement that no one tried to abduct them, and all were set free.
“Humor me, Celestia,” said Luna. “What, exactly, is the bright side in all of this? What good came from disorganization and chaos?”
“Well, it was fun,” said Celestia.
“It was fun?” asked Luna in disbelief. “I’ve never heard a more ludicrous excuse in my life!”
“I wouldn’t necessarily call it an excuse, Luna,” said Celestia, as calm as ever. “Besides, while you were there singing with me, dancing with me, you seemed like you were indeed having just as much, if not more fun than I was. Don’t you remember covering ‘How Great Thou Art’?” Luna was taken back in embarrassment.
“And I will find a suitable punishment for my actions later, but for now—”
“No punishment will be necessary, my dear Luna,” assured Celestia. “For you have done nothing wrong. Nothing is wrong with having a bit of fun in times of need. Tell me, Luna. Before last night, when was the last time you smiled?”
“How in Equestria am I supposed to remember that?”
“Well, I do,” said Celestia. “Because I smile every day when I greet you, Luna. Not because I’m forced to, or simply out of habit. It’s because somehow, it relieves some stress. It is similar to the stress you are always feeling and that I hoped to alleviate tonight.”
“Is that why you asked me to accompany you?” asked Luna.
“Most precisely,” answered Celestia. Luna took in a large breath and sighed. She gave her sister the smile that she asked for.
“I guess that I could smile a little more if it is requested,” said Luna with a clear of the throat. “Now, onto more pressing matters.”
“Such as?”
“Just when are you going to remove that costume?”
“Ah, this?” said Celestia tugging at her coat. “I think it’s grown on me. I will make it part of my normal wardrobe. Maybe I will attend a few meetings in it.”
“As long as you do not break into random song, I will be fine with that,” said Luna. “But even now? When we are at ease?”
“Of course,” said Celestia ascending from her throne. “I must practice my dance moves If I am to be prepared for next Nightmare Night.”
“You cannot be serious,” said Luna with a shake of the head. “Fine. Do as you wish.”
“Thank you,” she said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I will get some breakfast and coffee before our first meeting.” Celestia faced the thrones and started moonwalking out of the large room, closing the door only after disappearing from sight. Luna sighed once again.
“What am I to do with you, sister?”
Author's Note
Thanks for reading Queen of Pop! I was spurred on by this absolutely amazing picture of Celestia to write this fic. I hope you liked it. I certainly did.
