The Royal Family Reunion

Canterlot central hospital 3 months later

It was late afternoon, when the hospital front doors slid open, as Celestia and Luna walked out of the hospital, with a healthy Nightmare beside them.

"Ahh it's good to be out at last." Nightmare said as she stretched her neck and back with several pops being heard.

"Didn't they let you move around Nightmare, you act like you haven't moved in days." Celestia said looking up at Nightmare as she stood up to her full height.

"They did but, they said I couldn't push myself to much, so I didn't get to move as much as I wanted too. But I am just glad to be discharged early." Nightmare said stretching her wings to their full length, doing a few flaps to test them.

"I'm just glad your better, so shall we be on our way." Luna said smiling, glad to see her sister happy and healthy.

"Yep let's get back home, night court well be starting in a few hours and I need to be briefed on what been happening in the last 1200 years. We've got a lot of work to do but I am just glad to be back with you two." Nightmare said as she warped a large blue tinted black wing around each of her sisters in a hug, like she did with them long ago.

"And we wouldn't have it any other way right LuLu?" Celestia said smiling as she leaned into the hug.

"Indeed Tia." Luna said smiling as well, and the three sisters teleported to Canterlot castle, ready to face the future together.

It was a warm and sunny afternoon in Ponyville as everypony was going about their own business, the Ponyville weather team was fixing shade cover for the town, with a rainbow trail zipping through the sky.

All the while Twilight was rummaging through her books leaving stacks all over the golden oaks library.

"Twilight do you really think that now is the best time to look for a book, Pinky is going to be here any minute to go to Fluttershy's cottage, what are you looking for anyway?" Spike asked as he picked up another stack of books Twilight had made.

"I am looking for that book, the one on gardening Fluttershy was looking for yesterday. I can't seem to find it, ahh found it! Twilight said holding a light green book with "101 ways to make healthy garden soil." in her aura.

"What does she need that for?" Spike asked, raising an scaly eyebrow upon seeing the book.

"She said she wants to improve the soil in her vegetable garden, she's expanding the size of her garden to have more space to plant more stuff for Angel and the others animals to have more to eat." Twilight said as she put the book in her saddle bag.

Suddenly the libraries front doors burst open, with Pinky pie bouncing in like a pogo stick.

"Heya Twilight you ready to go Fluttershy's yet, I've got these super duper tasty mini strawberry cheesecakes for us and the animal to try, oh I know that Angel and the rest will love them!" Pinky Pie said bouncing around Twilight.

"Hey Pinky and yes I am just about ready to go, finally found that book Fluttershy wanted, so ready?"Twilight said as she put the book in her saddle bag.

"Yeparony let's-

*Belch!*

Just as they were about to head out the door Spike was holding a scroll with Celestia's after he burped out green flames.

"A letter from Princess Celestia, wonder what it could be."Twilight thought as she picked up the scroll in magic, her curiosity growing as she read the letter.

[iDear Twilight

"I hope this letter finds you at a good time, Me and Luna well be celebrating the recovery of a pony that is very much dear to us on Friday at 5:00 p.m, she is as close as family to us and has recently been released from the hospital.

Her name is Moony , she has been all over Equestria and beyond, she has a lot in common with you and your friends, she likes books, sports, animals and fashion. I am sad to say she doesn't have many friends, but she is wonderful to be around.

After hearing about you and your friends and what you've done since your time in Ponyville from me and Luna, she would like to meet you all.

I would be delight if you and your friends could come visit us and meet her, it would be best if you come at around 4:30 p.m at Canterlot castle, I'm sure you all well get along well, I hope to see you all soon."

Sincerely Your teacher Princess Celestia.

P.S : "She can be a little shy around others."

Twilight read the letter scanning the letter with focus about this pony that was apparently so close to Princess Celestia and Luna that she had never even heard of before.

"Who could this be?" Twilight asked perplexed as she finished reading.

"What does it say Twily?" Pinky asked as she bounced over to Twilight.

"Princess Celestia is inviting me and the girls to come to Canterlot and meet a close friend of theirs. From the sound of it they recently got out of the hospital, the date for it is this Friday at 4:30. I'll have to see if the others can come if their not too busy. " Twilight said as she put the letter in her saddle bag.

"Oh, sounds like fun why don't you take the strawberry cakes and book to Fluttershy and I'll tell the rest of the girls and met up with you at Fluttershy's place in a few, sound good?" Pinky asked bouncing with excitement.

" Sounds like a plan see you and the girls there, Spike you want to come?" Twilight asked heading out the door with Pinky.

"Sure better than picking up books all day." Spike said as he stretched his back after moving another stack of books.

After Pinky left the library she was humming as she hopped through Ponyville, she spotted Rainbow talking to Appalejack as they left the Sweet tooth bakery.

"I told you these apple muffins would be good AJ." Rainbow said as she took a bite out of her muffin.

"Well they an't Sweet apple acres but them Appleoosa apples are pretty good too, I should try making some apple muffins next time to sell." Appalejack said as she finished her muffin.

"Heya two whatcha doing?" Pinky asked popping in front of them.

"Nothing just got done with weather work for the week and got some muffins, something up Pinky?" Rainbow asked, taking another bite of her muffin.

"Twilight got a letter from Princess Celestia that sounded important, and she was wondering if you want to meet up at Fluttershy's place to talk to about it." Pinky said bouncing excitedly in place.

"I just got off of work so I'm free what about you AJ." Rainbow said finishing her muffin.

"Chores are done for the day so I reckon I can, just got to tell big Mac then I'll be over in a jiffy see ya then." Applejack said waving to friends as she headed back home.

"Great see ya there! Said Pinky zooming off to the Carasol boutique.

*ring* "Rarity you in here!" Pinky called out as the store bell rang.

"Be there in a minute Pinky." Rarity said from the back of the store.

The Carasol boutique was filled with mannequins dressed in many clothes of a variety of styles with pieces of clothes on others left unfinished that Rarity was working on.

Rarity came from the back of the store, carrying a glittering deep purple scarf for one of her orders in her aura as she walked in the display room.

"Hello Pinky it's good to see you but our weekly lunch isn't till next Wednesday, has something happened darling?" Rarity asked as Pinky gave her a huge, little did pinky know that Rarity was blushing for a moment during the hug.

"Oh, yes something did happen, Twilight got a letter from Princess Celestia and wants us to meet up at Fluttershy's, I came to see if you want to come, they'll be strawberry cheesecake." Pinky said wiggling her eyebrows with a playful tone.

"Well today business has been rather slow and that does sound delightful, let me close up shop and we can be on our way." Said Rarity as she used her magic to move the clothes, mannequins, design drawings in a whirlwind of motion as she put everything in its place.

"Alright we can get going." Rarity said putting up the last of her stuff.

"Wowza that was fast, that's got to be the third most quickest clean up I've ever seen." Pinky said amazed at Rarity's speed.

"I always try to be as organized as possible with materials, just as Twilight is with books." Rarity said smiling with confidence.

"Oh it's so nice to have you all here, would any of you like some herbal tea?" Said Fluttershy balancing a tea set with a hoof and wing.

"Thank you Fluttershy." Twilight said as she took a tea cup and and a slice of cake for herself.

"So Twi what's this about a letter from Princess Celestia you want to chat about? " Applejack said as Fluttershy poured their tea.

"Well Princess Celestia sent me a letter inviting us all to Canterlot to visit them at the castle, and there's this pony that is a close friend of her and Luna's. Her name is Moony, she sounds like a professional explorer the way Princess Celestia talked about her."

She mentioned that Moony has been in the hospital for sometime and recently got discharged and they want us to meet them." Twilight said as she brought out the letter and passed it around.

"Oh my, I'm glad she's feeling better." Fluttershy said as she poured her tea.

"Well she sounds like a nice pony, I would certainly like to meet a friend of the Princess's, when does she say to visit?" Rarity said taking a sip of her tea.

"She says she would like us to be their at 4: 30 p.m, but it's strange? Twilight said as she looked at the letter again.

"What is it darling? " Rarity asked as she took a slice of strawberry cheesecake.

"What I can't figure out is why so late in the day?" Twilight asked taking a sip of her tea

"The Princesses schedule could be busy, or this Moony could be planning to go back home soon, that might explain the odd time." Rarity said looking at the letter again. " They may even be a bat pony, so that would mean this is pretty early for them." Rarity said looking over the words.

"Well can everypony come or is anypony to busy?" Twilight asked looking at her friends.

"Sure I can the Cakes well be out of town with the kids visiting some family." Said Pinky eating two slices of the Cakes she brought.

"I'll have to run it by Granny Smith, but I can come, apple bucking season won't be for another month." Applejack said with a shrug.

"Yay I can come, she sounds pretty cool."said Rainbow stretching out her wings.

"Sure but I'll have to check to make sure Angle will have enough food before I can go". Fluttershy said as she put some honey in her tea.

"I can take care of Angle and the others while you all gone to Canterlot." Said Spike eating a cake.

"Alright then we'll met up at Ponyville station on Friday at around 3:15 sound good." Twilight said as she looked to her friends .

She was met with nods and agreements from the others as she began to write a letter to the princess.

Dear Princess Celestia

"Me and my friends would be glad to come and see you and Luna, and would be delighted to meet your friend Moony.

She sounds like a nice pony, me and my friends would like to meet her and well be leaving Ponyville will arrive at Canterlot station at around 4:30 see you soon."

Your faithful student Twilight Sparkle.

As the train pulled into Canterlot station in the mountain city of Canterlot with the the sun shining light yellow light on the ancient mountain side city.

As the doors opened Twilight and her friends step out onto the Canterlot train station, filled with activity of ponies coming and going.

"Ah Canterlot always looks lovely during this time of the day during summer." Rarity said admiring the sun's glow off of the mountains.

"It sure does, so Twilight do we head straight to Canterlot castle? Asked Fluttershy worried that they were arriving unannounced.

"Yeah we head straight there since Princess Celestia and Luna have invented us, the guards and staff well be expecting us so theirs no problem." Twilight said reassuring her friend.

"Well that's good to hear I wonder how long this Moony is going to be here, she sounds like an exciting character. Are you sure you haven't heard of her before Twilight?" Rarity asked looking over to Twilight.

"Not at all, which has had me wondering who is she, where has she been this whole time, why was she in the hospital, and why does she want to meet us all of a sudden? " Twilight asked, looking to each of her friends.

" She probably wants to meet us because we're awesome and because we go on amazing adventures. Who wouldn't want hear about cool stuff like that Twi! " Rainbow said confident as she flew over and landed in front of the group.

"Well what are we waiting for let's mozy on over there already!" Pinky said bouncing in the air with a big smile.

As Twilight and her friends got closer to the towering white and gold castle that was Canterlot castle they saw a group of fifteen armed royal guards at the security check point in front of the doors. They stopped as one of the guards, a large light blue stallion unicorn wearing a decorated helmet of a lieutenant approached them. "Twilight Sparkle and company I presume? The guard said with a deep gruff voice.

"Yes mister?" Twilight asked a little nervous at the guards voice.

"Keen Sight ma'am, okay you and your friends are to go through the doors behind us and a member of the castle staff well meet you in the castle front lobby. They will take you to the Princesses." Said the guard pointing to the large golden doors of the castle.

As Keen sight approached the doors with Twilight and her friends behind him, he flared his horn with magic and on command the large golden castle doors opened for them as they walked to the castle.

As they entered the castle they saw a lavish and large reception hall leading to a lobby with luxury chairs, coaches, and decorated wooden furniture, with several servants walking around cleaning the castle.

"Ahem, Twilight Sparkle and friends?" asked a light Carmel pony with a butter cream mane, wearing a maid uniform.

"Yes we are, Princess Celestia and Luna invited us." Said Twilight wondering how she missed a pony approached them.

" Yes, the Princesses are waiting in the royal garden having tea, now follow me." Said the maid as she began to lead them through the castle.

After some time they arrived at the entryway to the gardens, they were greeted by Princess Celestia walking up to them showing her usual smile. "Here they are Princess Celestia your student Twilight Sparkle and her friends, have a good time in the garden." Said the maid with a short bow.

"Thank you Malzy." Celestia said thanking Malzy as she smiled as she saw Twilight and the others

"Your welcome Princess Celestia." Malzy said with a smile as she bowed before she turned to leave.

"Princess Celestia it's so good to see you." Twilight said walking up and hugging Celestia.

"Hello Twilight now are you and your friends doing?" Celestia happily returning the hug, lingering for a few moments.

"Me and Luna are back in the corner where the rose bushes are with Moony, she is eager to meet you all." Celestia said breaking the hug and walking down a path into the garden.

"So this Moony, how do you and Princess Luna know her Princess Celestia, if you don't mind me asking." Rarity with a hint of curiosity in her voice.

"Not at all, she is dear to me and Luna and we have known her since we were little. In fact she practically raised me and Luna. She has been there for us in both good and bad times, she is very dear to us." Celestia said smiling as they walked into the garden.

"Wait when you and Luna were little, raised you and Luna, how is that possible?!" Twilight asked, feeling utterly confused, her friends were feeling just as confused the as her.

"Well to tell you all the truth you've all have met her before, though I wish your first meeting with her was under better circumstances. But that is why I invited you and your friends here to meet her and get to know the real Moony, or as you all know her better as, Nightmare Moon." Celestia said as they saw a table come into view.

Luna was sitting and talking to a much bigger and familiar blue tinted black alicorn. As Twilight and her friends came to a halt, they stood there stunned at what they were seeing. Here was Nightmare Moon, talking to Luna, in the castle gardens, having tea and snacks.

Without her helmet and armour, they could see the family resemblance, Nightmare looked like a older more mature looking version of Luna, and was 1/3rd taller than Celestia.

She was wearing her royal regalia, it was similar to Luna's but was made of pale blue silver and had slight differences in the designs.

A second later Nightmare looked to them, noticing them for the first time since they arrived.

"Hello there, you must be Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow dash, Rarity, Appalejack, Fluttershy, and Pinky pie right? " Nightmare asked as she greeted the stunned six.

" I thought I recognized you all from back then." Nightmare said as she remembered the fuzzy images from before getting hit with the elements of harmony.

"I would like to thank-

"NIGHTMARE'S BACK?!!! Nightmare was suddenly interrupted, by the sudden yelling of a panicked Twilight.

"We don't have the elements!" Twilight yelled as she powered her horn to attack.

"Eeep! Fluttershy screamed diving behind Rarity's tail for cover.

"Bring it on Nightmare!" Rainbow said as she flew at Nightmare.

" Well so much for that. " Nightmare thought, wishing she didn't half expect this to happen.

Nightmare reacted on instinct, turning her body ethereal just before a magic blast went through her chest and right after that, Rainbow zoomed through her head.

"Wait, stop she isn't trying to bring eternal night!" Luna said afraid they might get hurt, but Twilight and the others were to focused and too panicked to listen.

"I mean no harm just listen-

Suddenly Pinky popped fro.out of nowhere in front of Nightmare with her party cannon.

"where did that come from?" Nightmare thought as she turned into her mist form as a blast of confetti and cake batter phased through her harmlessly.

"I got her!"Yelled Applejack as she threw her rope around Nightmare's neck, pulling on her hard with the rope.

Nightmare just stood there, staring at Applejack, with a " Are you kidding me? " look on her face.

"What in tarnation?! " Applejack said, unable to move Nightmare an inch as she used all her strength to pull.

"What's this pony made out of, its like trying to move a mountain! "Appalejack thought just before Nightmare cut the rope with a feather on her wing, "Ugh! " went Applejack falling on her rump with a thud.

From behind her Nightmare could hear Rainbow flying at her, Nightmare decided to turn into her mist form just before the impact.

As she passed through, Nightmare grabbed Rainbow in her magic and held her in front of her after she reformed her body. " Listen I am trying to- Nightmare tried to explain but was, interrupted once more.

"We need to get the elements!" Yelled Twilight, clearly in full panic mode as she flared her horn with magic, causing it to spark with purple energy as she tried to teleport the elements to them.

"LISTEN TO ME!!" Nightmare yelled, her voice echoed through the garden as she grabbed all six of them with the her ethereal mane and sat them down in front of her.

"I am trying to thank you for saving me! " Nightmare said annoyed as she leaned down to look them in the face.

"Huh?! " Yelled six very confused ponies.