Canterlot’s Royal Orchestra filled the castle gardens with their finest songs, entertaining the capital high-class citizens until the main event beginning. An indescribable variety of flowers exhaled delightful perfumes in different parts of the garden while mares and stallions; aristocrats, factories owners and nobles related with the royal family chatted and enjoyed a fancy private party in that exclusive path.

Waiters trotted up and down with their muzzles in the air and their eyes open just enough not to bump into the guests. Silver trays adorned with different kinds of jewelry were floating in the air, surrounded by a billowing aura as unicorns walked by its side or they rested perfectly still on top of earth ponies head while they offered others some appetizers and beverage.

The wild-life roamed free around the bunches and trees, curious about that unusual noise and lights and considerable number of ponies in the place. Foals played tag and hide-and-seek in the labyrinth close to the sculptures; some pegasi guards patrolled above, making sure nopony got lost.

On another part of the town, in front of the castle specifically, a festival occurred with tents selling food and souvenirs and others with games for the ponies to play.

The royal guard parade had place few hours before, then the ponies had the whole night to enjoy themselves. The main point where the food tents set place was warm by the many ovens working at the same time, producing cakes, pies, sandwiches, snacks, kebabs, hayburgers and several types of apple treats which were popular among ponies since… well, since ever.

Moving to the games, most of the foals were concentrated playing skee ball game, water cannon, cover the spot, trying to get a goldfish in a bucket with small fishing rods or just begging their parents for extra bits for the roller coaster or the giant wheel.

Of course, some problems popped up here and there. A young filly lost from their parents or some teenagers overdrinking apple cider, nothing the guard patrols couldn’t handle.

But even having a great time in the parties, may it be on the streets or at the royal gardens; there was another reason for all those ponies to be there.

It was the night before the Summer Sun Celebration and Canterlot was the chosen city that year. In the meanwhile, inside the castle thick walls, servants ran up and down to make sure everything was perfect; since the capital was hosting the event, the royal family home would open its door for free visitation, therefore everything had to be impeccable. On the highest floors the four princesses were in four separated rooms surrounded by Equestria best stylists, manestylers and makeup specialists checking every detail before their presentation.

“OH-Oh my goodness! Please, forgive me your majesty! I swear I didn’t mean, I- I --” The youngest mare taking care of Celestia makeup widened her eyes in shock and stepped back when she blurred the alicorn eyelashes. She was even more frightened when all the others employees gasped and stand where they were, interrupting their activities to see what happened. Their trays, brushes and pieces of cloth were dropped as the world seemed to freeze for a second.

The powerful sun monarch glanced in the mirror and saw an almost imperceptible blur above her left eye. Looking back at the young unicorn Celestia chuckled and said calmly. “Don’t worry about this, you are doing a great job.” Noticing the pony was still panicked Celestia stroke her mane and smiled to her. “You are a very talented pony; don’t let a small mistake get you. Look at you, you are the youngest pony here and was chosen from thousands of candidates. Relax, everything is fine.” The years certainly change most of the things, but Celestia kindness and humility to her subjects isn’t one of them.

The unicorn wiped her tears and straightened her pose, smiling back to her leader. “Thank you so much, you highness. Here, let me fix that.” She levitated a brush and with a quick move Celestia makeup was perfect.

On the next room Princess Luna was clearly annoyed by standing in the same position for several, long hours, especially in the time she should be watching over everypony’s dreams. Skipping her duties wasn’t ever an easy task for Luna considering how much she liked and was used to them, no matter how many centuries she was up to those.

Nonetheless, her serenity and usual wise composure allowed the night ruler to keep her pose straight and the subordinate ponies working on her clothes and mane to do their job, even though the urges to fly down to the festival and buy some hot cakes were increasing as more hours ran.

“Is this really necessary? I mean, this festival happen every year. No need to make this such a big… Deal! Ouch!” Luna pulled her head as a mare groomed her hair on an unnecessarily painful way. Some new tendency in Manehattan the manestylers convinced her to try. Luna grumbled something and waved her hoof to room next to her. “Why are all of us included in this anyway? Isn’t her special day and all?”

“I honestly thought you would be happy to participate.” A stallion on her left raised an eyebrow.

He had been Luna’s assistant for the past months and her personal friend as well, been one of the few ponies she felt really comfortable within presence. At first sight it was surprising Luna pick a way too young stallion for such a responsibility, but they shared a long time bond that included serious insomnia issues and late night conversations in the Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns cafeteria. “Also you always talk about how much you like when ponies enjoy the night and everyone seems to be having a great time.” He said moving closer to a window and observing the festival.

“I know, it’s just… I wish we could be doing something funnier than this!” Luna grumbled annoyed.

“We? Are you asking me out or something, your majesty?” He smiled mischievously.

“I-I…” Princess Luna felt her face getting hot and avoided looks with him for a moment, but finally grumbled with a smile. “Silly!” Luna slapped her assistant nape with a wing as he passed by, wringing a chuckle from both parts. The alicorn shook her head and whispered, making sure nopony but herself was listening. “Maybe one day.”

Moving ahead Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, Cadence for short, was the first of them to be properly dressed and to have her make up done. She was left alone in her room after the castle employees left for a deserved rest.

Her mane was shaking due to the breeze coming through the window as she enjoyed the view until somepony touched her. Cadence twisted her head and smiled to her daughter.

“You look great, mom.” Flurry Heart smiled warmly, getting a set with Cadence at the window and enjoying the chilling wind.

“Thanks, sweetheart. Are you sure you don’t want to join us? There’s still time to find you a dress and some make up.” The caring mother answered straightening a specially rebel hair lock on her foal’s head.

“No, I just don’t fell ready yet. And with all the work in the Crystal Empire, today is my only chance to… You know.” The younger princess looked down before Cadence pulled up her chin and smile with tenderness.

“I understand, dear. I… Understand.” Cadence sighed and pulls her daughter into a hug. The act is involuntary, but Flurry Heart hugs her mom and snuggle her looking for some comfort. They stand there for a moment, enjoying each other company and warmth.

“Alright, it’s almost time. Why don’t you go first and, once we are done, I’ll meet you there? I know how important it is to you.” Cadence kissed Flurry’s forehead and the younger princess smiled before leaving the room.

And in the last room was Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship, leaned forward while twin stallions tied her mane and a mare chose the earrings that best matched her dress.

“How have you been recently, your highness?” The mare asks, pushing away a pair of ruby earrings and looking for sapphires.

“Uh… What?” Twilight snapped out of a trance she didn’t know she was in. A sudden move of her head and the princess cowered as the stallions complained seeing their work ruined. Her eyes were static on the closest window until that moment and unlike Celestia who was calming the ponies who did something wrong, Luna chatting with her assistant and Cadence enjoying her daughter’s company, Twilight was pretty quiet during the whole night, her mind floating somewhere else and she didn’t hear the mare’s question.

“How have you been recently?” She repeated, glad to find the right jewelry.

“Um… fine. I’m doing fine.” The purple alicorn sighed. “Why are you asking?”

“Well, I know it’s not my business, but I was the one covering the bags under your eyes and, don’t get me wrong, you do sound tired.” She said in a motherly tone, interrupting her duty for a moment to look Twilight in the eyes and give her a timid smile.

The mare was right, Twilight had clear signals of insomnia hid under layers of lavender makeup and her voice was rather hoarse. Her eyes were bloodshot and she yawned occasionally during the prepares for the festival. She had a reason for that, of course. A reason she had been keeping to herself and her closest ones for years. It wasn’t something the princess wanted to hide, it’s just… personal.

“I… I don’t -- ” She stopped when someone knocked on the door. It opened and Celestia walked inside, all the ponies bowed in reverence.

“It’s time, Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia said in her usual elegant tone, making a reverence to her subjects and for Twilight.

Twilight sighed and nodded, thanking the ponies for their hard work and meeting the other three on the corridor, and they walked together, in silence.

(…)

“She’s looking at you, dude. I’m serious. No, not now… Now! Look!” A royal guard standing close to the castle gates whispered to another stallion.

The other guard moved his head and saw a young pegasi mare discretely looking at him. “Are you sure? I mean, she’s pretty, but… should I talk to her? What if she says ‘no’ and all the others make fun of me?”

“Come on! Girls love guys in armors! Why not use it in our favor?” The first stallion took off his helmet and winked to the group of young mares, making them giggle and look away. “See? What did I tell you?”

“I don’t know. At school, every time I tried to talk to a mare she just-- ”

“LOOK! UP THERE!” A light-brown pony shouted among the crowd and pointed to a balcony on castle main tower.

In a blink of an eye the large mass was cheering excitedly as the four princesses walked into view. Colts and fillies jumped on their parents backs and waved to the alicorns, pegasi flew higher to see them better, the most sensitive mares cried and young stallions threw flowers the closest they could to the beautiful princesses.

They allowed their subjects to celebrate for some moments, but they still had a job to do. Celestia raised her right foreleg and; as fast as it started, the crowd noise and cheers stopped. Everypony was silent, mares and stallions, foals of all ages standing together, waiting to the incoming show. It was said this year the Summer Sun Celebration would be BIG, but no one expected to see all the four royal mares side by side.

Without a word Celestia looked at Luna and nodded. The Princess of the Night took a deep breath and her horn started to glow.

Like magic the moon started to move along with the stars, at the same time all pony standing there felt their hearts beating faster. The world could be heard moving and the energy of all ponies became one, like their heartbeats. Cadence’s magic joined the action and an amazing bright aurora crossed the skies.

The crowd was now one; one heart, one energy, one tear of commotion and amazement running down each pony’s face. The first lights of the day weren’t seen yet when dozens of fireworks exploded coloring the skies, a gasp in unison was heard before the large mass of ponies exploded too in screams of dazzle. The next to join them was Twilight whose magic was used in the fireworks, making its sparkles shine in different colors and fly among the ponies watching. Those lights were enchanted with different spells, displaying a beautiful light show for the ponies to see and appreciate. Seeing their subjects below, the smiles and tears on their faces, feeling their energy, Twilight smiled for the first time in a long while. She was still the Princess of Friendship after all, and moments like that, seeing ponies enjoying themselves, surely gave her a special feeling.

Finally, when the first sun shines were seen in horizon, Celestia jumped from the balcony, followed by the three other princesses and, frozen like a statue in the air, she raised the sun, warming up everypony coats and making the summer official.

When the four of them landed back on the balcony, the crowd was more frenetic than ever. Everypony was crying, foals hugging their parents, the Royal Guard soldiers pressed their hooves over their chests in respect and admiration while holding back tears.

“Nice work, girls.” Celestia sighed. “Nice work.”

(…)

The doors would be open soon and the castle would be filled by thousands of curious ponies who had never seen that place before, except for the rare pictures taken and some paintings displayed in museums.

Four alicorns walked in silence down a hallway, until they go for their respective ways.

“I’ll be receiving the guests in the main hall when the doors open, but there’s still time for a short breakfast. Is anypony else coming?” Celestia invited.

“After this week, all I need is my bed. I’ll meet you girls later.” Luna yawned and walked toward her bedroom.

“Watch out for nightmares.” Celestia teased smirking.

“Hush, sis.” Luna flapped her wings and turned in the end of the corridor.

Celestia knew exactly what Cadence and Twilight had planned, no matter how tired they were they always did the same thing every time they went to the castle.

“You’re free to join me in the kitchen later, if you want, of course.” Her voice tone was serious and respectful as she bowed the two remaining princesses and walked away.

Cadence and Twilight were in silence for a while, their hearts being crushed as they thought about their incoming activities.

“Is… Flurry Heart there?” Twilight broke the silence. She didn’t dare to look at her sister-in-law who nodded painfully.

“Yes. She goes there every time we come to Canterlot.” The pink pony whispered. Her voice been taken by agony and her mind by memories. “It’s a beautiful spot. Calm, quiet…” Cadence broke down in tears. Twilight stoke her mane while holding her in an embrace, but remained in silence. “I miss him. So much!” Cadence spoke between sobs.

“How long has it been?” Twilight asked, still not looking at her friend whose eyes were shut and dropping tears.

“Over a century.” She sobbed, her cry slowly decreasing and her breach becoming deep and paused.

Twilight comforted her friend, they shared the same pain after all. “Shhh, it’s alright.” Twilight comforted Cadence, holding her close into a hug and rubbing her back softly.

After a while Cadence recomposed herself. “Flurry Heart is waiting for me. Would you like to join us?” She looked Twilight in the eyes, both them were bloodshot.

“I will. Later. I need to…”

“I know. I understand. Love you, Twi.” Cadence smiled and turned around.

“C-Cadence.” Twilight called. She turned to see her. “T-Tell Shining Armor I said ‘hi’.”

Cadence smiled and nodded, a hurt, broken smile, before she finally walks away.

Twilight stood there even after Cadence was gone. She took some deep breaths, trying to put her mind on place and organize her thoughts. Her eyes looked at the red carpet, adorned with golden details on the edges and her body shivering occasionally. Physically she was there, but her mind was far away. In her memories she could hear the laughs, remember the stories lived together and flavor the meals they enjoyed in each other company.

Taking another deep breath she moved forwards, down the hallway, turning left in its end, the second right and then third left, leading to a dead end. She stood up in front of two large, tall wooden doors. With her magic the doors were unlocked and pushed open, then closed and locked again when Twilight entered. There was a long room with colored stained glasses all over the walls. They told her story, their story.

How they defeated Nightmare Moon so many years ago and also the first time they worked together. Twilight smiled as she brought back their walk through the forest, seeking for the elements of harmony, facing all the challenges and finally realizing who and what they were.

The changeling attack at Canterlot on her brother’s wedding, when Queen Chrysalis almost destroyed the whole city. But yes, thanks to them, things ended up perfectly.

The battle against Tirek, Starlight’s reform, Starswirls return, the school of friendship… Memories.

In the end was her favorite spot. The spot where she could stand for hours and don’t fell time pass. A strange mix of joy and sadness sent a chill down Twilight’s body every time she walked in that chamber. Her chamber. Their chamber. She wasn’t in a hurry; taking slow, calm steps and enjoying each memory coming to her head. Once she got to the end she looked upwards. Twilight gulped down and sighed. Five large stained glass windows displaying them. From left to right: Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. Silent tear drops fall on the polished floor. “Over a century.” Cadence’s voice echoed in her head. Had it been so long since her brother’s gone? It wasn’t a long time interval between him and them. Twilight forced her gaze up and shivering even more when facing the paintings straightly.

Has it been so long?

Author's Note

So this is my first story here and I hope you guys like it :)
Constructive critics and tips are more than welcome and please forgive any grammar mistake, my english is not perfect. Enjoy :D