A Night with the Princesses

Pacing back and forth, back and forth, Princess Celestia felt stress and eagerness run through her mind, her heart pounding in her chest. It was her favorite time of the year, she only thanked the fact she was able to endure the wait; cursing under her breath how it seems to become more and more unbearable every year. The sudden bursting of her chamber doors roused the alicorn from her thoughts. Thankfully, it was only Princess Luna, and from the look on her face, she had good news.

“So, were you able to procure it?” Celestia asked, her breathy words betrayed her desperation. “I don’t know how much more I can stand this.”

“We were able to not only procure a much more remote location than last time.” Princess Luna answered, her words only brought relief to her ailing sister. “But we are also proud to say there will be even more assistance than last year.”

“That is wonderful!” Celestia almost cheered, hugging her sister. “I’ve been waiting for this all year and I cannot bear the thought of holding it off any longer. When can we leave?”

“Within the hour.” Luna replied, hugging Celestia back. “It was difficult to procure the assistance, but they were more than eager. It is only a matter of time. For us, we can simply transport ourselves. The assistance requires travel time.”

“Very good.” Celestia smiled warmly, her body slowly feeling some degree of relief from her burning. “Let us be off as soon as we can.”

The small airship ride was short but even that didn’t feel fast enough. Within a few hours, both Luna and Celestia sailed to a remote island far off the coast of Equestrian borders, but out of the territory of their neighboring countries. It was a private, uncharted land that only the Alicorn Sisters, and those they trusted knew of. Even the work ponies that flew the ship, as well as the guards, were paid a near fortune for their silence alone.

“How much longer?” Celestia whined, squirming in her seat; her appearance almost the opposite of her usual regal posture. She appeared more like an impatient child. “You said this wouldn’t take too long.”

“Soon sister.” Luna replied, trying to maintain her composure, but she shook a little as she was afflicted the same as Celestia. “I wanted to be sure everything was kept hidden. I even had Twilight handle most of the planning.”

“Twilight? Perfect, I was almost worried there for a second.” Celestia sighed in relief. “That also reminds me, what about that young colt from last Nightmare Night? What was his name? Punky? Pipply?”

“Pipsqueak.” Luna calmly corrected, levitating a glass of sparkling apple cider to her lips. “I figured because of who you invited, I felt it was only fair i can bring my own favorite.”

“Just don’t spoiled the colt.” Celestia smirked, licking her lips a little before chucking down a large stein mug of hard cider. A blush ran across her face, followed by a cute hiccup as she wiped the last bits of cider from her mouth with her hoof. “I mean I’m sure Twilight has handled everything, but that doesn’t mean I won’t want to have something small and sweet. He just looked so excited to be with you.”

“Patience sister.” Luna commented, finishing her glass and calmly placing it down. “All will be revealed soon enough.” Igniting her horn, Luna looked outward, seeing the sky and vast sea as far as her eyes could see, with only what appeared to be a small island coming into view. “It appears we have arrived.”

“It’s about time.” Celestia said, getting up from her seat, her burning feeling not subsiding no matter how much she drank. “Guards, prepare the barrier.”

“Yes Princess!” Cried the voices of numerous Royal Guards.

Igniting all of their horns, the Royal Guards extended their magic and erected a large, spherical barrier around the airship. Within moments, the ship shook, as if it was flying through a small storm, yet there was no wind. It was an invisible force, an extra feat of protection around the island to prevent anyone or anything magical related to enter. Only a sturdy defensive spell, crafted before entering this force could stand to make it through. But with the island being uncharted, and the force being undetectable and invisible, it was unlikely, to near impossible that anypony could make the proper defensive preparations. Ensuring that they and the children would be safe during their time in island.

Once out of the force, the barrier dissipated and the ship steadied, steering down towards the island. From a distance, this island looked to be a small, mountain sized chunk of land with no signs of life or resources. But this was all a rouse, a trick of the eye. The stoney terrain hid, through a simple optical illusion, a massive facility. It was like a more reinforced castle that lay amidst the rock and stone. Built into the very mountain, the castle was one of many of the Princesses’ darker and hidden secrets, secrets that they would go to great lengths to hide.

“Ahh, finally!” Celestia smiled, excited that she didn’t have to wait much longer. Followed by the sight of another, much larger airship that seemed to have already landed hours ago only made her smile widen from ear to ear. “I must remember to reward Twilight for all her help.”

“Maybe she would like to get involved this time.” Luna suggested, getting up to join her sister. “Rather than simply watch and study like last time.”

“I’ll suggest it to her.” Celestia replied, walking out of the room, the sight of the saluting Guards only made the feeling escalate. “Thank you all for doing this like always.” The Guards gave no response, their silence was of course a sign of their trust, they speak only if commanded to. “Because I am feeling extra generous this time, I have arranged even more of your “reward” not only back in Canterlot, but of course below deck. You can enjoy yourselves to the fullest there and when you return to Equestria, you can savor the rest of your reward.”

The interior of the castle was nothing like the exterior, nor was it even close to recognizable when compared to the Canterlot Castle, as well as the Castle of Friendship, and even the older Crystal Empire Castle and Castle of the Two Sisters. Walking through the large and long hallway, both Celestia and Luna’s eyes looked upon the various relics and art that lined the walls. Ancient vases, pots, and sculptures from the times of antiquity; as well as brightly colored, well stitched tapestries and displayed wall paintings. But these artifacts were far different than what the Princesses had donated to numerous museums across Equestria. They were one of a kind, ancient relics and pieces that dated back to before the time of the Three Tribe.

“Ah Princesses.” Called a voice that could only have belonged to Twilight Sparkle echoed from the end of the hall. Standing before a massive, metal door, stood Twilight; a checklist floating in front of her with a quill. “You’re just in time. I was just going over my twenty third count of the foals.”

“Very good, and how do they look?” Celestia asked, eager to get to the fun as soon as possible. “The trip here as made me quite insatiable.”

“Shouldn’t take much longer.” Twilight replied, showing the rather long list of filly and colt names; as well as from where in Equestria they came from. “I also did as you requested Princess Luna and brought the specific foals, they are playing in the room with the others.”

“Ah, most excellent Twilight Sparkle.” Luna nodded her head, her composure much more controlled than her sister’s. “Where did you bring the foals from?”

“All around really.” Twilight replied, naming some of the locations. “We have many from Ponyville, Manehatten, Las Pegasus, Appleloosa, and even Couldsdale to name a few of them. The parents have of course signed all the proper consent forms and documentation. They were excited of the offer to send their kids off to spend a week long retreat with the Princesses, No need to worry about complaints, as all paperwork has been signed. Provided the foals return home as fine as they were when they left.”

“We will not be having any repeats of last time.” Luna replied, turning her glare at Celestia. “Right sister? I do not wish to see more of the Treasury emptied because you threw safety to the wind. Thankfully the foal only had a sore hip, but it could’ve been much worse.”

“I promise nothing too crazy will happen.” Celestia replied, not even looking Luna in the eyes as she spoke. “But anyways, with all that done, are we set to begin?”

“Oh course Princess.” Twilight replied, igniting her horn to slowly open the massive door.

As the door opened itself, Celestia and Luna took in the sight of what looked to be dozens, if not nearly a hundred fillies and colts playing in what appeared to be a massive playroom. While Celestia and Luna walked into the room, Twilight nodded her head at a nearby guard, a subtle signal to lock the doors. As the doors began to close, Twilight made her way inside, knowing those doors were not going to open again anytime soon.