When Celestia had announced she was abdicating the throne, there had nearly been panic in the streets. Careful planning and preparation on the parts of the princess and Royal guard were the only things that prevented a total catastrophe. The newspapers were flying off the shelves with the Princesses, Celestia and Cadenza, on all of the front pages. Rumors flew thick and fast about what had happened on what was now being called ‘The Longest Night’, but no one could find any reliable information about what had actually occurred. As it became clear that Celestia’s absence would not change the day-to-day operations of the equestrian government though, the air of nervousness began to die down and life returned to normal.

The Elements went back to their homes, families, and businesses. Twilight moved into the Ponyville library to be closer to her new friends, and the events of the Longest Night became a topic only actively discussed by conspiracy theorists.

Two days after Celestia had officially retired she had announced that she was going to settle down somewhere unspecified for a quiet retirement. She promised that trusted individuals would know how to contact her in the case of an emergency and that she would continue to manage the solar cycle, but would not be making any public appearances. When she had finished speaking, she charged up a teleport spell and vanished.

No one had seen her since.

Cheerilee looked out the window at the construction that was going on at the Ponyville Schoolhouse and smiled happily. The town had finally grown enough that the Crown had decided it needed more than a single-room schoolhouse to teach in. Plans had been drawn up for a school that could adequately teach the fillies and colts of Ponyville, and the work was well underway. Cheerilee had been put in charge of hiring more staff, and she was currently interviewing applicants for teaching positions that would be required for the expanded school.

She looked up as a white unicorn with a bright pink mane and a smiling sun cutie mark entered her office. “Hello, my name is Sunny Skies.” The unicorn said.

“Hello, Ms. Skies,” Cheerilee said brightly. “Please sit down and tell me about yourself.”

Sunny Skies sat down and began talking. “I’ve been a professor at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns for several years, but my true passion has always been teaching children. My sister wanted to move out of the city and we decided that Ponyville was a good place to live. She heard you were looking for new teachers when she came in to register her daughter for classes and told me, so I decided to apply. –”

When the interview had concluded Cheerilee smiled. “You certainly seem very qualified. I’d be very surprised if you didn’t get the job.” she said as Sunny stood up.

Sunny Skies thanked her and walked out of her office with a spring in her step.

It’s nice to see a pony with a real passion for teaching, working with her will be a pleasure. Cheerilee thought as she began working on her lesson plans for the next semester.

In the Ponyville Library, Twilight Sparkle was dictating a letter.

“– hoping to hear from you soon, Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle” She finished. The princess had been gone for over a month now and Twilight missed her terribly. Worse, she hadn’t gotten any replies to her letters, and she was getting worried.

“Alright Spike, send it off. Pinkie is throwing a party for some new ponies moving into Ponyville, and she wants us to be there to welcome them.” She said.

Spike blew out a puff of green fire and they watched as it burned the letter and flew out the window. “I certainly wouldn’t want to be late to one of Pinkie’s parties!” he replied, heading toward the library's entrance.

Twilight laughed, putting the issue of the letters out of her mind as they opened the door and trotted out into the streets of Ponyville. “So, who are these new Ponies anyway?” Spike asked.

“Pinkie said that they were two unicorns and a pegasus, but she didn't mention their names.”

As Twilight and Spike turned the corner and the party came into sight, they saw the guests of honor were being introduced enthusiastically by Pinkie. “This is Sunny Skies and Luna! They just moved here from Canterlot.” Pinkie announced. The pure white unicorn was tall, with a bright pink mane and tail, and smiling sun cutie mark. She looked happy and relaxed, smiling at the ponies that were looking toward her and her family. Luna was shorter than her sister. The azure pegasus looked somewhat nervous and had a darker blue mane and tail and a crescent moon cutie mark.

Twilight stopped walking as Pinkie said. “And this is Moonbeam!” pointing to the little black filly that sat between them, looking excited about the party. The filly’s coat was pitch black, with a midnight blue mane and tail, and lacked a cutie mark.

“What’s wrong? Why did you stop?” Spike asked, breaking Twilight out of her surprised stillness.

“Nothing’s wrong Spike.” She said, beaming as her worries melted away. “I just got distracted by a thought I had.”

“Let’s get going then!” Spike said. “We don’t want to be late to the party after all.”

The smile didn't leave Twilight's face as she resumed walking. As she entered the field the party was being held in, she looked towards where Sunny Skies sat, and Twilight saw her teacher wink cheekily at her.

Now I know why Celestia didn’t reply to my letters. She wanted to surprise me! Twilight laughed to herself, joining in the fun.

Twilight was as happy as she could be. Everything was going to be just perfect.

Author's Note

So, everyone has a happy ending. Celestia has her sister back, Luna is surrounded by ponies who love her, Moonbeam has her mother, and Pinkie gets to throw a party, which makes everypony happy.

We also now know why, after 1000 years of peace, monsters, demons, and ancient evils all decide that now is a good time to wake up. Twilight should have known better than to taunt Murphy like that.