Chapters It's a beautiful winter day on the week before the big Royal Christmas Parade. "Sister," says Luna as she enters the room, "we need to go look over the Royal Guard Band's practice."
"Coming," responds Celestia as she flies over and lands at Luna's side. The two then exit the main hall and go to the courtyard where they watch the Royal Guard Band practice all the Christmas music for the parade.
"Hello, Princesses," says the conductor as he turns around to face them, "glad you could make our rehearsal."
"We'd never miss it for the world," replies Luna with a smile. The conductor then turns around and begins to conduct the band. It starts with the trumpets followed by the drums then the rest of the instruments join in. As they play, Celestia and Luna bob their heads and hum along. After watching an hour of their practice, the two return to the castle where they watch the Unicorn Quartet group perform their Christmas numbers. "Wow! Both of these groups are impressive!" says Luna to her big sister. "Who else is performing in the Royal Christmas Parade?"
"We also have booked Songbird Serenade, Countess Coloratura, the Ponytones, The CMC are doing a number alongside the rest of the school foals, even Twilight, and Applejack have agreed to sing in the parade."
"Oh, goody!" responds Luna as she excitedly gets onto her back hooves and hoovers slightly in the air. She then lands back down beside her sister. "What else is going to be in the parade?"
"Well, we have several floats and balloons. We have a Santa Pony and a Mrs. Claus Pony," responds Celestia.
"What do you have in terms of the floats and balloons? You don't have a Nightmare Moon balloon do you?"
"We don't have a Nightmare Moon balloon anymore. We retired that balloon after your return. We have a balloon of Daring Do, Power Ponies, and floats of the Crystal Heart, the Apple Farm, Twilight's Castle. Heck, we even still have a Starswirl balloon we use in the parade."
"But he returned," responds Luna.
"I know, but he never comes to our Christmas event, so we use the balloon of him instead. It makes it feel like he's there, ya know."
"I guess," responds Luna. The two sisters then fly off to check on the floats and balloons.
In the storage building, the two fly in and turn on the lights. There, they are greeted by all the floats and balloons. "Wow!" says Luna, jaw dropped. "I haven't been here in ages!"
"Yeah, things have changed, a lot," responds Celestia with a small smile on her face.
"Do you remember when we hosted the first Royal Christmas Parade, all those years ago?" asks Luna turning to Celestia.
"Yes, that one was fun. It was not long after we first started ruling Equestria," responds Celestia with a smile.
Celestia then turns out and the two leave the storage building and return to the castle. Once back at the castle, the two go off into Celestia's private study where they enjoy some sister bonding time. They enjoy sandwiches, share stories from their childhood, and even sing a lullaby from their childhood together. Once they're done with their hour-long lunch, the two go and recheck on the practices of the Royal Guard Band and the Unicorn Quartet. Once they see everything is going smoothly, the two fly to Ponyville and ask Pinkie to provide the food for the festivities next week.
"Sure, I'd love to provide the food," says Pinkie with a smile. "What would you like?"
"A holiday mint chocolate cake with mint frosting topped with a Christmas tree," says Celestia, "along with cupcakes of whatever flavor you want, your famous Cheery Cherry Christmas pie, and your three cheese mac n cheese along with whatever other food and sweets you wanna make."
"Okee Dokey Loki," responds Pinkie with a giggle and a smile. "It'll be ready to go by the start of next week."
"That's great," responds Celestia with a soft sigh and a smile. She and Luna then thank Pinkie and fly out and back towards Canterlot but not before stopping by the farm and Twilight's castle.
Meanwhile, the Equestrian Thespian Troupe is busy perfecting their skit for the Royal Christmas Parade. They're doing a skit of part of their newest production: Holiday Spirit-A Christmas Love Story. They are thrilled that the princesses okayed their performance to be in the parade, so they're upping their game and using their costumes for the show. A few days later, they go to the castle and practice the skit once again for the princesses in person, and the princesses are pleased and delighted at their performance as they watch with smiles spread across the length of their faces.
"Keep up the good work," says Luna to the Equestrian Thespian Troupe. "You've got a real show stopper there."
"I agree with my sister," responds Celestia, "we can't wait to see you perform it in the Royal Christmas Parade."
"Glad you liked it," responded their leader, Jaques A'trade. He and his troupe then exit the main hall and return to their cart and head to their hotel where they soon turn in for the night.
Back at the hotel, Jaques congratulates his troupe on their stunning performance in front of the princesses. "The ponies are sure to like it considering their leaders approve and you know a princess's approval means absolutely everything." After a nice hot dinner downstairs, the mares and stallions of the troupe turn into their separate four rooms for the night where they fall fast asleep. Jaques, however, stays up and continues to practice despite his girlfriend's pleading and begging for him to turn in along with the rest of them. Around midnight, he finally falls asleep on the pull out couch in his hotel room.
Meanwhile, back at the castle, Celestia turns in for the night herself, while Luna goes up and down the halls of the castle and changes the lavender in their sconces. She sighs as she pulls each old one down and puts up each new one. "I can't wait until the parade," she sighs to herself. "I can't believe it's almost here. I'm just glad I get to be a part of it again. I really and truly am." She then finishes up and then goes to her room after dumping the old lavender in the dumpster. Once in her room, she uses her dreamwalking spell to enter the dreams of the ponies. Most of the dreams are about the upcoming parade. Others are about the ponies favorite things. As she walks through the dreams, Luna can't help but smile. Soon enough she'll be enjoying the parade right along with them and to her, that means the world.
It's finally the day before the parade. Celestia and Luna are thrilled. "I can't wait!" squeals Luna. "The parade is tomorrow!"
"And I'm excited too, dear sister," responds Celestia with a smile.
"Can I ask you one thing?" says Luna.
"Sure, what is it?" responds Celestia.
"Can I do an array of shooting stars for the parade tomorrow?"
"Sure."
"Thank you," responds Luna with a smile. "That means so much to me."
The two then go inside and enjoy tea and pancakes together. As the two sip their tea and eat their pancakes, they sit silently until they are greeted by Celestia's phoenix Philomena. "Hey Philomena," says Celestia with a smile. "Are you ready for the parade tomorrow?" The bird lets out a coo before nuzzling Celestia's neck.
"Yeah, there is a pet section in the parade this year, isn't there?" says Luna. "I forgot about that. Whose pets are going to be in it?"
"Each of the pets of the Mane Six, the mayor's two dogs, and then my beautiful Philomena," responds Celestia.
"That's great giving the animals a chance to shine," responds Luna. "I wish I had a pet for the parade."
"Well, we can go get you a pet," responds Celestia.
"Okay! Can we please?" responds Luna giddily.
"Sure," responds Celestia. The two then clean up from lunch and head off to the pet store. Once there, Luna falls head over hooves for a black kitten.
"I want that one," says Luna pointing at the black kitten.
"Okay," responds the pet store owner as he hands the kitten to the princess. Celestia then pays the stallion for the cat. The two then fly out, Luna cuddling her new kitten all the way back to the castle. A few minutes later, they arrive back at the castle where Luna finally puts the collar with the name on the kitten.
"My little Lucius," sighs Luna. "You're my precious little boy. You're gonna be in the parade tomorrow, ya know that? Ya know that?" She then pets him under the chin causing him to purr. Celestia smiles. She's glad her sister finally has a pet to call her own. She then flies off to finish up some details on the parade while Luna plays with her kitten. Everything is perfect. Tomorrow will be even moreso.
Bright and early the next morning, Celestia and Luna are both up with the sun. They then to go get into their outfits for the Royal Christmas Parade. "Oh how I love my Christmas dress and crown, the reds and greens look so good on me," sighs Celestia.
Meanwhile, in her room, Luna stands there begrudgingly as the maids put the dress on her. "I love the color of silver but I hate standing still," grumbles Luna. "Are you almost finished?"
After two hours of getting into their dresses, the two finally go out and stand on the balcony and kick off the parade. As soon as they kick it off, the pets lead the way. The first float then comes rolling through with Rara and the Ponyville Foals Chorus on it. They then begin to sing "Santa Claus is Coming To Town."
"Oh, you better watch out. You better not cry. Better not pout, I'm telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town. He's making a list and checking it twice, gonna find out who's naughty and nice. Santa Claus is coming to town. He's coming soon. He's coming to town." Rara then steps back and lets Sweetie Belle sing her solo.
"He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good. So be good for goodness sake!" Rara and the chorus then join back in.
"Oh! You better watch out! You better not cry. Better not pout. I'm telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town. Santa Claus is coming to town. Oh, yes! Santa Claus is coming to town!"
The float then continues on through the route. "And there goes the Ponyville Children's Chorus and our beloved Rara. That was a great performance," says the parade announcer named Rudolph Jingle Bell. "Now what is heading our way now?"
"Well, Rudolph," responds his fellow parade announcer, Amber Fields, "the Daring Do balloon is now flying overhead carrying the Sapphire Statue in hoof. Expect the movie adaptation of the most recent Daring Do book early next spring. Oh look, here comes the float of the original creators: Lauren Fausticorn and Bonnie Zacherlycorn."
"Wow!" responds Rudolph. "That's a stunning float that combines all four generations of the show. Pinkie, I bet, is proud." Amber lets out a giggle at this remark.
A few minutes later, the next float rolls through. On this float sits Rarity atop a giant crown. She then begins to sing her favorite Christmas song. "Christmas is a time for family. A time to show you care. It's a time to just hang out together, share laughs without a care. It's not just a day for presents. A day for family fun. We have one tradition that we love the most, Christmas smores around the fire. Christmas is a time to be with the ones we love. Never forget that ever. Spend time with those you love. Please, hear my warning, spend this Christmas with those you love."
"Wow! What a voice!" says Rudolph back down in the parade announcers' box. "It sure runs in the family and a great song with a great message too!"
The next balloon then heads down the route. It's the balloon of the Great Starswirl. "And look here comes the great balloon of Starswirl that's been in the parade since the first parade all those years ago! It's good to see the balloon in the parade despite the great wizard's return."
"I agree," responds Rudolph. "Such a great way to honor an amazing pony that helped save us from the eternal darkness under the Shadow Pony. And look this way! Here comes the Sweet Apple Acres float!"
"Indeed it does. Applejack and her brother Big Mack are going to be sharing a song with us today." The two then begin to sing.
"Our Christmases, they're traditional, a day spent with family. We eat apple cobbler together and open gifts beneath a tree. We pick our tree out by hoof and put it into place ourselves. This year, though, we've done something new and added a Pear to our table place. Family may expand and grow but our traditions we share together remain the same. We sing carols together. We bake apple cobblers together and we've started baking pear ones this year too. I'm so glad our family is expanding and our Christmases are too. Christmas is a time for family, both old and new, both found and those that have been around since the start. It's also a time to remember the family members that have already passed on. In memory of our parents, we hang a picture frame ornament of them on our tree now every year. Christmas is a time for family. We'd have it no other way. Christmas is a time to love and share the pony way. Christmas is a time to love and share the pony way."
"Wow! Such a heartfelt song! It brought me to tears. How about you Amber?" says Rudolph from the announcers' box.
"I agree. It was a song from the heart. It definitely made me remember when my father passed away before Christmas last year. Man, most relatable song today so far, I agree," responds Amber as she wipes a tear away from her eye.
"And look! Here's the Twilight's Castle float. Look at how stunning and beautiful it is and there's the princess herself atop the float alongside her closest friend Spike the dragon!" responds Rudolph. "And there she goes with her song." Twilight then begins to sing.
"When I was a little filly, I remember Christmas was I and Shining's favorite time of year, and honestly, to this day, it still is. We love the fact that we spend it together. That's one thing that's never changed. It's a traditional sister brother Christmas and we'd never have it any other way. Around Christmas time, we all go out and pick a tree together. Each of us has a special ornament that then adorns her branches. We have one from my first Christmas and then my first one in Ponyville. Cadence has one from her coronation and Shining from when he first became Captain of the guard. Flurry's ornament is from her Crystalling. Dad's is an old bingo piece. Mom's is one she got from our Neighagra Falls trip last spring. Each ornament has a story like each pony it represents. It's a great tradition and it's one that will never change. Traditions are a good thing even when it comes to holidays. Christmas is also a time to sing carols around our hearth and fireplace as we hang our stockings on the mantle, we then go and share a hug. We then go for hot cocoa and then one more family hug. Christmas is my favorite time of year. It shall always be. Christmas means the world to my brother and it means the world to me."
"Wow! What a great song about the closeness of siblings!" says Amber to Rudolph in the announcers' box.
"I agree! My sister, brother, and I do Christmas the same way every year," responds Rudolph. "We have ornaments that represent trips we have done together over the years alongside ones from our first Christmases. Such a great song with a great sentiment. And now here come the Power Ponies balloons."
The Power Ponies balloons then fly by in a nice smooth line as the ponies on the sides of the parade route ooh and ahh. These balloons have been and always will be their favorite ones in the parade. One little filly even claps her hooves together as she watches the balloons fly by atop her father's shoulders. He just smiles. The parade is his daughter's favorite time of year and he's always glad to bring her. A few minutes after those balloons pass, Songbird Serenade and her float come into view and she begins to sing. She's singing "Baby Please Come Home" with backup singers of course.
"Christmas" sing the backup singers.
"The snow's coming down," sings Songbird.
"Christmas."
"I'm watching it fall."
"Christmas."
"Lots of people around."
"Christmas."
"Baby please come home."
"Christmas."
"The churchbells in town."
"Christmas."
"All ringing in song."
"Christmas."
"Full of happy sounds."
"Christmas."
"Baby please come home." sings Songbird. "They're singing "Deck the Halls". But it's not like Christmas at all. I remember when you were here. And all the fun we had last year."
"Christmas."
"Pretty lights on the tree."
"Christmas."
"And I'm watching them shine."
"Christmas."
"You should be here with me."
"Christmas."
"Baby please come home. They're singing "Deck the Halls". Not like Christmas at all. I remember when you were here. And all the fun we had last year."
They then finish up singing the rest of the song, first backup then Songbird then back to the backup singers until the song is done. The float then continues down the parade route as the next float comes into view with the Ponytones atop it all in their Christmas red and singing happily together, Rarity and Fluttershy included. They're singing "Jingle Bell Rock".
"Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock. Jingle bells wing and jingle bells ring. Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun. Now the jingle hop has begun. Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock. Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time. Dancing and prancing in Jingle Bell Square in the frosty air. What a bright time, it's the right time. (Oh the right time) To rock the night away. Jingle bell time is a swell time to go gliding in a one horse sleigh. Giddy up jingle horse, pick up your feet, jingle around the clock. Mix and mingle in the jingling feet, That's the jingle bell, that's the jingle bell, That's the jingle bell rock! Yes, indeed, that's the jingle bell, that's the jingle bell rock!"
"Wow! Two more great performances. I loved it!" says Rudolph.
"I agree," responds Amber. "Both fantastic performances of traditional and upbeat Christmas songs. Very memorable indeed."
"And now! Here comes the Crystal Heart float with Cadence, Shining, and Flurry Heart all on board," responds Rudolph.
The float then passes by as ponies continue to cheer. Cadence smiles as she happily tosses crystal roses to all the ponies below. "This parade is fun," she giggles, "I'm glad aunty gave me a float to use for the parade this year as I've wanted to do the parade since I was a filly."
"Well," responds Shining, "I'm glad we get to be on this float together as a family." He then kisses her on the head before getting back to waving to the ponies below. The float then crosses onto the other side of the route. Once it's past, Celestia and Luna fly down from the balcony and do their performance in the sky before landing on their float. The two then use their horns to shoot fireworks and then Luna uses her magic to send shooting stars across the sky. The ponies look up awestruck. Such a fantastic performance. They can all agree to that. The royal sisters' float then passes down the route and Santa Pony and Mrs. Claus Pony come into view and laugh and giggle and wave as they toss little pieces of candy and mini candy canes to the foals in the crowd. The parade has now drawn to an end and the ponies can all agree it's the most memorable Christmas parade to date.
The End
