Author's Note

Here is my third attempt at a story of my very own. An attempt to get the creative and energy juices flowing.

Please Enjoy! :)

Prologue: Vacation Plans

“...And our trade agreements with the hippogriffs and the yaks is proceeding well, your majesty.” An assistant pony in fancy and professional garments spoke to his princess.

Said princess was sitting on her throne with a hand holding up her head. Princess Celestia was barely paying attention to what her assistant was telling her. “Very good, what’s next on the list?” She asked but was bored beyond belief. It was taking nearly all of her mental efforts to stay awake and focused.

“Just one last topic, your majesty.” Her advisor stated, not noticing her disappointment and slightly pouting face. “Our negotiations with the dragons has hit a bit of a bump. They are refusing to let us construct a railroad system into their lands to make interactions easier.”

Celestia rubbed her eyes in irritation and annoyance. “Relay this to Princess Twilight. She has more direct contact with Dragon Lord Ember than I do.” She instructed. “She’ll be able to convince her that this could help foster not only interactions but friendships as well.”

“As you wish, your majesty.” The advisor bowed. “With that settled, all matters that require your attention are settled for the day.”

“Thank you, Picky Note.” Celestia then raised her throne, stretching her slender legs and arms. “I’ll be retiring to my chambers, my sister will handle the court when she returns from visiting Ponyville.”

“Of course. Don’t forget your majesty, you have an appointment with some business ponies first thing after raising the sun.” Picky Note reminded his overworked princess.

Celestia wanted to just groan openly but held that desire in tightly. Instead she struggled to put on a pleased and grateful face. “Thank you Picky Note, you are always so diligent in keeping my duties occupied.”

“I am only too happy to serve and be of assistance, your majesty.” Picky Note said with a naive smile and finally took his leave.

With her aid gone, Celestia finally gave a long, tired and dramatic sigh. “He does a great job in maintaining my schedule but I get the feeling he’s just trying to keep me busy with almost no time to rest!”

Celestia finally reached her bedchamber, used her magic to remove her dress, tossed it aside like a rag and just collapsed on her massive bed. “I haven’t been this busy since the Crystal Empire returned… or that time after the Storm King was defeated. Ugh! I need a vacation!” Celestia complained. “I’m actually jealous that Luna got to go to Ponyville! It can be so quiet and relaxing there, it could very well be a vacation. Not only that but she got to visit my little Spike too.” She whined.

One of her favorite aspects of visiting Ponyville, aside from catching up with her former star pupil and her friends, was visiting her son, the ever reliable and faithful dragon Spike. Adopted clearly but he is everything Celestia wanted in a son, raising him lovingly and truly as her own ever since. Sure, Twilight’s family has acted as a true family to Spike when he was growing up but Celestia and Spike had always considered each other mother and son. Every moment Celestia could have with Spike, be with Twilight and the other or alone, she cherished. Simply thinking about her little fire-starter brought a smile to Celestia’s face.

Nowadays, it’s gotten harder, if not impossible, to simply visit her son and spend some quality time with him. The last time Celestia spent any personal time with Spike was back when he was very young, she took him to her private and personal beach cottage.

Thoughts of her cottage instantly sprouted in her mind. The soothing sea, the clean and comfy beach and her luxurious cottage. Celestia remember fondly that when she last took Spike there, she taught him how to swim and simply spent time together as a family. No stressing duties, no tiring assignments, no boring paperwork… No prying eyes…

Celestia’s eyes widened after her epiphany. “That’s it!!! My beach cottage is perfect for a vacation just to relax.” The princess then, with renewed energy, bounced off her bed and began to make a plan.

“Alright, since it’s just going to be Spike and myself, Luna can handle all the major duties hear in Canterlot while I can get Twilight to cover for me in at least raising and lowering the sun.” Celestia began writing down her plans and organizing everything. “It’ll be easy to get Twilight to agree but how am I going to convince Luna? She enjoys spending time with Spike almost as much as I do. She might actually want to accompany us.”

Gaining Luna’s cooperation is going to be the first step on getting her vacation to go through. Resolving to go speak with her little sister on this matter once she returns from Ponyville and completes courtly duties, Celestia could convince her to allow this….

“Why should YOU get to have a vacation!?!” Luna practically screamed to her sister. “And with our dear nephew no less!?

Luna had just completed her duties at court and raised the moon. After removing her dress and getting her comfy night rob on, the moon princess was visited by her sister who had a request.

Suffice it to say, Luna did not like the request…

“Oh please Lulu!” Celestia practically begged. “My duties at day court have me running ragged and it’s been years since I last spent time with Spike as family.”

“And what? You think I’M not stressed out with our royal duties!? The night can just be as busy!” Luna defended with folded arms across her chest. “And don’t forget the last vacation we had. It didn’t end well for either of us…”

“Fair point.” Celestia conceded. The last vacation they took experiencing new and exciting things didn’t work out. “But dear sister, this vacation is just heading out to the beach, relaxing, and spending time with my son. It will only be a few days, a week at most.”

“What about us ‘dear sister’?” Luna questioned with a glare and a raised eyebrow. “Are we not family?”

“Of course we are Lulu! But I want this to be a mother and son vacation.” Celestia whined. “I barely even have time to spend an evening with my son. What will it take for you to cover my royal duties?”

Luna looked away for a few moments, considering what favor her sister could do for her. Almost instantly, something was brought to mind.

“(sigh) Alright sister, I’ll cover for your royal duties while you and our dear nephew are out having your vacation.” Luna answered.

“Really!?!” Celestia’s eyes widened with joy and gave her sister a big strong hug. “Oh thank you Lulu!! Your the best little sister a pony could have!!”

“On two conditions!” Luna struggled to say as her sisters strong grip made it hard to breath. But hearing this made her sister release her. “Our first condition: within the future, I would have our own vacation with our dear nephew while you cover for us.”

Celestia frowned but found the condition fair. “Alright, agreed. So long as it’s not right after my vacation with Spike. What’s the second condition?”

“You give us a slice of one of your personal cakes the bakers make for you.” Luna said in an almost challenging tone with narrowed eyes and an evil smile.

“(GASPS)” Was all Celestia could say.

Celestia was surprised that Luna had the audacity to make such a demand. Nearly everypony in Equestria knew that Celestia loved cake and most were wise enough to steer clear of her path when one is in sight. The Canterlot Castle bakers worked on making Celestia’s personal cakes as if their very lives were at stake (which largely were). Celestia wanted to refuse but weighing her options on finally getting some personal time with her son and having a relaxing vacation, she acquiesced.

“...Alright Luna.” Celestia replied rather sullenly. “You can have a slice of one of my cakes. One slice.”

“Excellent.” Luna had a smile on her face but she knew that a lot of work was waiting for her. “Since I’ll largely be taking care of both of our royal duties, are you still going to raise and lower the sun sister?”

“No, I’ll have Twilight come over and she will take care of that.” Celestia answered.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Luna questioned. “The last time she possessed either of our abilities, it looked as if the moon and sun were dancing.”

“True but she will only be in control of the sun, so the strain will not be so hard for her and you will be there to help her if such a case happens again.” Celestia explained, remembering well that her former student can get overwhelmed at times.

“Very well.” Luna lightly groaned a bit.

“She’ll also help you with anything you may need during the day.” Celestia added. “Having her help you out with all the paperwork will surely come in handy.”

“Agreed.” Luna admitted, she never did understand why Twilight loved such administrative duties. “Have you informed Princess Twilight of your vacation plans?”

“Not yet. I plan to send a letter to Twilight tomorrow after my morning duties explaining my plans for a vacation with Spike.”

Luna shrugged her shoulders. “Hopefully, she won’t fall apart without our dear nephew being their to support her.” she chuckled.

“Oh I’m sure Twilight will be fine.” Celestia stated. “Now good night sister, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Luna could only watch as Celestia teleported back to her own room. Part of the moon princess was slightly angry, if not envious, that her elder sister is going to spend some perfect quality time with her beloved nephew.

“Lucky Sun butt.” Luna grumbled as she laid in her bed.

Celestia teleported back to her room with a big smile on her face. She wanted to do somersaults but was too tired to do so. All she could do now was rest well, knowing that her vacation with her son is going to happen.

Finally laying down into her bed and closing her eyes, Celestia began to dream of her private beach and the quality time she will have with Spike.

One question continued to ask within her mind: Which one of her bikinis would Spike like during their vacation?