In Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle left the Golden Oka’s Tree Library all happy with Spike on her back. The unicorn intended to spend a day with her friends in the park, they arranged a picnic there. Twilight Sparkle was looking forward to seeing her friends. She started to wonder what Pinkie Pie brought in the basket, as the pink pony was in charge of bringing the food to the picnic. Upon arriving at the park, Twilight Sparkle saw all of her friends. Pinkie Pie held the basket with her mouth, Rainbow Dash was flying, Applejack was resting under a tree but wasn’t sleeping, Rarity was wearing a light yellow hat with a light pink bow and Fluttershy was sitting on the floor while scratching a hoof and the mane was covering her face. Twilight Sparkle took a step forward. “Girls! Spike and I are here!” shouted Twilight Sparkle.

All five mares looked and smiled at Twilight Sparkle and Spike. They gave a group hug. Pinkie Pie had to put the basket from her mouth on the grass in order to hug her friend. When they left the embrace, Twilight Sparkle looked at Pinkie Pie. “Pinkie, did you bring everything to the picnic?”

“Yes, Twilight.” Pinkie Pie took off the towel that covered the basket and took each food with its mane. Everypony, especially Twilight Sparkle was confused to see this, but decided to not question.

Pinkie Pie took a picnic blanket out of the basket and arranged it for the picnic. Cupcakes, lemonade, cookies, muffins, sandwich, water and apples. When Pinkie Pie finished, she sat on the towel and waited for her friends.

The confused expressions of the mares and Spike changed to smiles, they sat down and started to eat. Twilight Sparkle took an apple and bit it, Rarity looked around the scenario, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash ate a sandwich, Applejack drank water, Pinkie Pie ate a Cupcake and Spike was admiring Rarity, pink hearts were in his eyes.

Twilight Sparkle looked at his friends. “So girls, what are you been doing?”

Rarity looked at Twilight Sparkle and put a hoof on her chest while smiling happily. “Simply fabulous, dear. I created a new fashion line for dresses.”

“Me and my cute friends had a tea party,” said Fluttershy.

“I’m planning a super hyper mega best party ever in honor of our one year of friendship!” Pinkie Pie got up and started jumping happily.

“I’m picking apples for an apple pie that Granny Smith will make for me, Bic Macintosh and Apple Bloom,” said Applejack.

“I’m doing some tricks to join the Wonderbolts.” Rainbow Dash made a proud pose.

“And you, Twilight?” asked Pinkie Pie, sitting down again.

“I’m reading the new Daring Do books,” said Twilight Sparkle.

Spike suddenly felt like throwing up. All the mares looked at Spike.

“Spike? Is everything okay?” asked Fluttershy, concerned.

Spike belched a fire and a scroll appeared.

“A letter from the princess!” Twilight Sparkle took the parchment, opened it and started reading.

“My dear student, I have very bad news. Luna and I had such a fight that it resulted in Luna not considering me my sister anymore. She felt that she should also rule Equestria, but I refused because she was so young. Luna was so irritated that my sister said she was going to find a way to get me off the throne. Twilight, I need you and your friends to join me to prove to Luna that I should be the ruler of Equestria and not her. I founded The Solar Empire, and I would be very grateful if you and your friends would join me. When the six of you arrive you will have two guards: A royal guard on the left and a Lunar Guard on the right, you must go to the left to join me. I await your arrival. Signed Princess Celestia.”

Twilight Sparkle was stunned by what she read. She never imagined that Luna would be against Celestia a second time.

“Twilight, is everything okay?” asked Fluttershy, noting Twilight Sparkle’s expression.

Twilight Sparkle looked at Fluttershy. “No, Fluttershy. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna fought, resulting in them not being considered more sisters. ”

Fluttershy was startled. “Oh my ...”

“Twilight, what did Luna do to get her to be against Celestia?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Princess Luna wanted to have a chance to rule Equestria, but Princess Celestia denied it because she was too young,” said Twilight Sparkle.

“This is unfair. Princess Luna just wanted to demonstrate that she could also rule Equestria.”

Twilight Sparkle gaped at what Rainbow Dash said. “Rainbow! Aren’t you understanding? If Princess Luna ruled Equestria, she could become Nightmare Moon and cause eternal night again.”

“Twilight, Princess Luna wouldn’t become Nightmare Moon for a second time. She has changed. I can understand that she just wanted to help her sister, since Princess Celestia is all day busy,” said Fluttershy.

“I agree, Fluttershy,” said Rainbow Dash.

“I also agree. I know what Princess Celestia needs: A hyper mega party!” shouted Pinkie Pie, excited.

Twilight Sparkle’s expression didn’t waver. She couldn’t believe that Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie were next to Princess Luna and not Princess Celestia. “Fluttershy! Pinkie Pie! Rainbow Dash! Why are you three supporting Princess Luna? She was against Princess Celestia for the second time, don’t you realize the harm that Princess Luna can do to Equestria and the princess?”

Fluttershy’s ears went down. “Not wanting to be rude, but I can see that Princess Luna had good intentions when she told Princess Celestia that she wanted to rule Equestria.”

Twilight Sparkle started to get angry. “Good intentions? Good intentions?! Fluttershy, Princess Luna once became Nightmare Moon. If she was against the princess, it is a sign that she will become Nightmare Moon a second time!”

Pinkie smiled. “Silly filly, Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon because she felt that her night wasn’t appreciated not because she wanted to rule Equestria.”

“Pinkie Pie!” shouted Twilight Sparkle.

“What is it? It’s true,” said Pinkie Pie.

Twilight Sparkle looked at Rarity and Applejack. “What about you two? Are you with the princess?”

Applejack twitched her cowgirl hat while smiling. “Of course I am, sugarcube.”

“Yes, dear,” said Rarity.

Twilight Sparkle smiled. “Good. Now let’s get going. We cannot keep the princess waiting. ”

Upon reaching the Canterlot castle, the Mane six saw two guards. A royal guard on the left and a Lunar on the right.

The royal guard and Lunar guard looked at the six mares. “I believe you are the student of Princess Celestia and beside you are your friends?”

“Yes. We received the letter from the princess and we will join her,” said Twilight Sparkle, smiling.

“So, come over to where I am, and then I will show you the way to the throne room,” said the royal guard.

Twilight Sparkle looked at her friends. “Let’s go, girls.”

Rarity and Applejack followed Twilight Sparkle without a hitch. While Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy looked uncertain, they looked at the royal guard and the Lunar guard. They were supporting Luna, but should they be with their friends just because of their friendship? Or should they stand by who they were loyal to? Fluttershy was nervous and scared, Pinkie Pie was thinking and Rainbow Dash seemed more uncomfortable because she was the Element of loyalty. Rainbow Dash wanted to side with Twilight, Rarity and Applejack to demonstrate her loyalty to them, but she started to wonder if she should show loyalty only to Princess Luna, since she believed that Luna wasn’t guilty of what happened.

Twilight looked impatient. “Let’s go girls! Just walk to the left!”

Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight Sparkle with an unhappy look. Why should she follow Twilight’s orders? Twilight wasn’t a princess of Canterlot of Equestria like Luna and Celestia. The pegasus was the element of loyalty, she should be loyal to whoever she believed. If Rainbow Dash believed that Luna wasn’t to blame, then she was loyal to Princess Luna. Rainbow Dash made her decision. She was flying to the right.

Twilight Sparkle was angry. “Rainbow! How can you?!”

Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight Sparkle. “Sorry Twilight, but I believe that Luna is innocent in this story.”

Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie realized that Rainbow Dash went to the right. They looked concerned. Should they join the princess of the night despite Twilight saying that Luna is to blame for all this?

Twilight Sparkle decided to try to convince Fluttershy to join her, Rarity and Applejack. “Fluttershy, you’re the element of Kindness. You know very well who is to blame and who is innocent of it all. Don’t you remember how Nightmare Moon scared you at the Summer Sun Celebration? Luna will become Nightmare Moon again and she will torment the ponies a second time. You need to join Princess Celestia, Luna betrayed Equestria a second time. You don’t want Princess Luna to kill several ponies, do you?”

Fluttershy was unsure, she didn’t know whether to go left or right. The shy pegasus wanted to join the princess of the night because she knew that Luna wasn’t evil, just misunderstood. Although she was afraid when Luna appeared at the door with Twilight Sparkle on Nightmare Night, after that night Fluttershy realized that Luna was no longer Nightmare Moon, just a princess who wanted to be loved by the ponies, Fluttershy knew she would regret what it was going to do, but she did. Fluttershy was walking to the right, even though she was afraid of Twilight Sparkle’s reaction.

“Fluttershy! Why do you want to be with a traitor?” asked Twilight Sparkle, not happy.

Fluttershy looked to the side while the mane hid her face. “I-i really sorry about that Twilight, but I believe there is kindness in Princess Luna.”

Twilight Sparkle couldn’t believe what Fluttershy said. Twilight Sparkle thought Fluttershy would side with Celestia because she was a benevolent ruler and showed kindness to the pegasus after Fluttershy caught Philomena without asking.

Pinkie Pie was the only one left to choose a side. Pinkie Pie wanted to join Luna because she and the princess having a great time playing tricks on the other ponies. But she didn’t want to be separated from her other friends. If only she could find that puddle that clones ponies, but it would be impossible since the entrance was locked.

“Pinkie, hurry up and walk to the left!” shouted Twilight Sparkle, already impatient.

Pinkie Pie looked at Twilight Sparkle startled by the scream. She looked both ways that her friends were. Twilight Sparkle had an angry look, Rarity was looking at herself in the mirror to distract herself, Applejack was being patient, Rainbow Dash was looking at Twilight Sparkle not so happy because the unicorn was telling her best friend to not be by her side and Fluttershy was nervous which side Pinkie Pie would choose. Pinkie Pie started to think, despite Celestia being a good-natured pony, The Princess of the Sun spent most of her time busy and didn’t have sometime for fun, Luna was able to appear at Nightmare Night and had a lot of fun, despite the beginning not understanding how it worked the holiday. Pinkie Pie made her decision and went right, she could be on the dark side, but maybe it could has cookies.

Twilight Sparkle was very angry. “How dare you three stand against the princess? Luna is the villain and not Celestia!”

“I’m sorry Twilight, but I believe Luna is just somepony who is misunderstood and just wants to be loved,” said Fluttershy, sadly.

“Silly, Luna is no longer Nightmare Moon! Staying on the dark side is much better. They may have cookies,” said Pinkie Pie.

“I was loyal to the Princess, Twilight. But after Celestia didn’t let Luna rule Equestria, I realized that my loyalty should be to Luna,” said Rainbow Dash.

Twilight Sparkle was about to speak, but the royal guard interrupted her. “Let’s go. The princess is waiting for the three of you. ”

Twilight Sparkle, Rarity and Applejack followed the royal guard while Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy followed the Lunar Guard.

Celestia was waiting for Twilight Sparkle and the others. She really hoped that the six mares would have joined her. Because without the six mares together how would the Elements of Harmony work? Celestia heard the sound of a door opening, she expected to see the six mares but saw only Twilight Sparkle, Rarity and Applejack. When the three got very close, Celestia decided to ask Twilight Sparkle something, “where are the others?”

Applejack and Rarity were unsure. “Let’s say the others...”

“They joined the traitor!” shouted Twilight Sparkle, not happy and with her ears down.

Celestia was surprised. “But why did they join my sister? They should have joined me. ”

“From what I heard and understood, Rainbow joined Luna because her loyalty had changed, Fluttershy was because she believed there was kindness in Princess Luna and Pinkie Pie joined because Princess Luna was no longer Nightmare Moon and because maybe could have cookies,” said Applejack.

“I still can’t believe that the three joined Princess Luna! I bet the outfits they are going to wear will not be a little bit stylish,” said Rarity, now with a raised hoof and disgustedly imagined several ponies of the New Lunar Republic wearing a torn and light blue suit.

“And now, princess? What are we going to do?” asked Twilight Sparkle.

“I think we’ll have to do without them, Twilight,” said Celestia.

Twilight Sparkle was surprised. “But princess, me, Applejack and Rarity are friends with the other three. We can’t fight against our friends!”

“I know Twilight, but if they chose this path, I think we better respect it.”

“Princess, I don’t want to fight them,” Twilight started to cry. “They are still my friends...”

Celestia hugged Twilight Sparkle with a wing. Twilight Sparkle looked at Celestia, there were still tears in her eyes and her cheeks were wet. “Can’t we go over there and convince them to come to our side?”

“I’m sorry Twilight, I’m also surprised by this. But if we enter the location of the New Lunar Republic, they can attack us or expel us,” said Celestia.

Twilight Sparkle returned to tears. Applejack and Rarity embraced Twilight as well.

Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were being escorted by a Lunar guard to a dark blue room. In the room, there were two tapestries with the symbol of the New Lunar Republic, the left and right had accents and at the end, a stage. When he finished his job, a black-clad pony with light blue skin appeared from behind the stage curtain. Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash wondered who that hooded pony was.

“Our time has finally come… Princess Luna’s older sister has always been ruling Equestria, Princess Luna never had a chance to have a throne for her or to resolve political issues. But now, it has changed. Celestia may think that we aren’t able to fight for the throne, but we will prove that we can. Does anypony know why she rejected her idea of governing?”

“Because she think Princess Luna is evil?” a pony shouted.

“Exactly. And now we will prove that we aren’t weak and helpless. We can fight back and the Solar Empire ponies will realize that when Princess Luna gets the throne!”

Another hooded pony appeared, only he was taller than the one who made the speech.

When the pony took off the cape, everypony recognized the pony and smiled. “Princess Luna!”

Luna looked around and saw several ponies. She smiled and felt tears in her eyes when she saw the crowd of ponies. “Did you ... did you join us?”

A gray pegasus, yellow mane and bubble cutie mark replied, “Of course we joined you, princess,” the pegasus picked up a muffin and ate it.

Luna smiled at the pegasus. Luna wondered if one of the mares that saved her from Nightmare Moon was here. She looked around in search, and smiled when she saw Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie very close to the stage. Luna went down the few steps and went to the three mares. “You guys joined me!”

“Of course we joined you, Princess Luna,” said Rainbow Dash proudly.

Luna realized that Twilight Sparkle, Rarity and Applejack weren’t here. “Where are the others?”

“The others joined Princess Celestia.” Rainbow Dash ground her teeth.

“Princess Luna, what are we going to do now? Will we have a welcome party?” asked Pinkie Pie, excited.

“No Pinkie, I’m going to show the three of you what it’s like here and then you’ll have time to meet the other ponies who joined the New Lunar Republic and tomorrow the training of you three will begin,” said Luna.

Fluttershy seemed a little nervous at first, since fighting was never something she liked to do, but after listening to the speech it caught her attention, the pegasus wanted to win something instead of being shy and afraid of her own shadow.

Author's Note

In case you are confused about Pinkie Pie and Luna making pranks, it is related to the comic Friends Forever where Luna and Pinkie Pie make pranks with the ponies