The Magic of Friendship: Prologue

by Strumfreak

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life
Length: 2047

Celestia informs Luna of an event coming, which unbeknownst to everypony, will bloom with friendship

Celestia has been planning an event to bring the ponies of Equestria together, and Twilight and her friends offer their assistance in setting up the festivities, but unbeknownst to anypony, the next week of games and parties will lead the mane 6 to make friendships with 6 strangers that will become more important than any of them would ever consider.

Not so much of a one shot as an introduction to an upcoming series. More details in a blog on my page if anyone is curious. Hoping to get the first part of the series up within the next week, each story will begin and end at the same point, but from the different adventure each of the mane 6 will embark upon.
Huge thanks to Quills for proofreading, and checking the story for me first. Hope everyone enjoys the first part of The Magic of Friendship.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2012-08-23 14:24:01 UTC

Celestia's Event

          Princess Luna sat proudly on her high standing private spire, the foremost half of her body perched on the stone railings of her balcony overlooking the rest of Canterlot Castle, and the quiet dimly lit city below. She rarely had any time to relax and enjoy the night she brought to the land, and appreciated every night her sister would volunteer to perform some of her royal duties, or even raise the moon for her if she felt unable. She relished the cool breeze that accompanied the night, and watched the stars surrounding her beautiful moon. One of the many beautiful features of her night was the stars she would bring to life upon raising the moon. It was one of the things she treasured about what she could give others with her ability; while her sister only brought one star to life, she would bring millions.

Something had been different about Celestia lately though. Her sister seemed to be spending more and more time performing her royal duties, many of Luna’s royal duties, while most of the extra time- minus the meals with her sister; was spent in her own chambers. But despite carrying the weight of all these extra duties, her sister seemed very gleeful and excited lately. At first Luna had thought her sister would become stressed due to the added weight that came from performing the extra duties that she could so easily perform herself, but the mood her sister displayed in spite of this had completely negated the thought.

Luna gazed back into the sky, pondering what could be going on with her sister.

‘She does so much for me, but asks of nothing in return, and continues to do so, without so much as a hint of bother. She must be planning something, something big.’ She thought to herself, concluding it to be one of the most logical thoughts there could be, considering the aspects of her sister’s behaviour. Luna continued watching the sky, smiling as her mind crafted pictures from the patterned lights of the sky. Luna focussed on the stars, shining in a brilliant spectrum off in the distance, and wondered to herself how their brightness managed to reach a new intensity each night.

Suddenly Luna heard a knock at her door. Hopping down from the stone railings, Luna walked inside her room, and used her magic to close the balcony door, sealing the cool night breeze from her room, and bringing the flailing curtains to rest gently on the glass.

‘Who is one that would be here at such a late hour?’ Luna wondered as she approached the door.

The mystery pony knocked again. “Sister? Are you there?” Luna heard her sister gleefully inquire, mumbled through the wooden door to her chambers.

“Tia? What is the reason you have come here it this hour?” Luna asked opening the door.

“Sister, you are up all night watching the skies. Am I not allowed to visit you occasionally while you admire the night?” Celestia asked smiling.

“I suppose, come in.” Luna admitted, backing up and welcoming her sister inside.

“Actually sister, I wanted to talk to you, about your behaviour over the last few days. It has been... how should I put this? Odd, you have been taking so many extra duties at your own expense, yet you do not seem bothered by the extra tasks. If anything, you seem to be enjoying yourself.” Luna explained.

“That’s exactly what I came to talk to you about Luna. Have you noticed the sort of work I’ve been up to?” Celestia asked, still grinning, clearly excited by something.

“Well, I noticed you visiting areas of town today, but apart from your regular jobs, and meals with me, I have only seen you residing in your chambers. What is exciting you so much Tia?” Luna asked wishing to understand what was going on. Celestia giggled before answering her.

“I’ve been planning an event for some time now Luna.”

“What kind of event?” Luna asked becoming interested.

“A...competitive event.” Celestia began, ready to explain her idea.

“Year by year, many events are held to award titles to all sorts of ponies, in many different competitions. Rodeo competitions, flying competitions, magical competitions, I think the most recent one was a cooking competition of some sort held by the Apple family in Ponyville. An idea was put forth when ponies started coming from many towns asking to host their competitions in Canterlot, because it’s the only city large enough to accommodate all the competitors and those who want to watch them. We came up with a solution and I gave it my own personal touch to make sure it wasn’t all competition, we wouldn’t want there to be fights. Much planning has gone into this Luna. Tomorrow is the set up day for the first Equestrian Medley Games.” Celestia announced.

“The Equestrian Medley Games?” Luna asked, still trying to understand what was being put forth.

“Let me explain further sister. Because there are so many competitions each year all over Equestria, there are always disappointed ponies trying to boast themselves for something. The games will range from what I’ve listed already and more, and competitors, hoof picked from each town and city by their own residents, will come to Canterlot to play for first place. The winners, while making their homes’ and personal reputations more renowned for that sport, will be competing to win as many of the games possible to collect golden medallions, and the location with the most golden medallions at the end of everything will hold the victory until the next Medley, which will also be held in their town.” Celestia explained, still grinning.

“Tia, this idea may be appealing to all our subjects, but it just sounds like more work for the two of us. And what of those that aren’t victorious? What if they descend into petty squabbles with the winners? How do you plan to keep their spirits up?” Luna asked.

“Fear not Luna, I have thought all of this through already. As you know, I am against attention seeking, as it never ends well for anyone, but because the event is likely to only last a few days if we focus solely on the games, I contacted Twilight Sparkle to see if she had any ideas as to how to entertain both the competitors, and the residents of the towns. Her friend Pinkie Pie suggested a party.” Celestia explained.

“Sister, a party to entertain that many ponies would have to be enormous, would it not be better to just offer simple, say bit prizes to the losing competitors?” Luna suggested, trying to think of simpler and less costly options.

“I thought you may be opposed to the idea Luna, but here is the best part of the whole event; we don’t have to do anything to contribute to it. I have done all we need to do. We are free to relax and enjoy the competitions, and parties, because the condition of the massive event was that the residents of Canterlot, and competing towns, are to set up the festivities.” Celestia explained.

“Sister, are you sure about that? What say our subjects?” Luna asked, concerned about the work and effort that would be required of them in organising such an event.

“Don’t concern yourself with worries of their objections sister. They were very content with this idea, as were the residents of the towns I visited to notify them of the event. Twilight Sparkle and her friends offered to oversee certain parts of the setup themselves. Her friend Pinkie was quite ecstatic to oversee party preparations herself.” Celestia explained hoping her sister finally understood everything she’d told her.

“Well, it seems you really have considered every aspect of this idea. Is there really nothing required of us sister?” Luna asked trying to make sure her sister was sure their subjects were able to handle this whole event themselves.

“All we have to do is raise the sun and moon as usual sister. We get to spend most of the time enjoying the festivities together.” Celestia happily proclaimed.

Finally Luna managed a smile. Her sister had thought everything through and organised each aspect of the competition, and even finalised the small details, and making time for the two of them to spend time together while the events continued.

“I will let you enjoy the rest of your night Luna; I have one last thing to finish before preparations start tomorrow.” Celestia said, before turning towards the door.

“What’s that sister?” Luna asked curious as to what her sister left out.

“The rules and schedule for each event. I’m only organising the order of things and making sure the peace is kept, the rest of Equestria is doing the hard work. I do feel a little indolent in letting the ponies of the land do all the work, but they feel we do enough for them as it is. So I’ll be on my way then Luna. See you tomorrow morning.” Celestia finished moving closer to the door.

Still smiling, Luna returned her balcony, planning to continue her relaxed star gazing, but became concerned upon spotting a new odd colour glowing in the night sky. The stars where shining with a faint red glimmering light. No just one or two, but all of the ones in sight, through her door. They shone a similar aura onto the surface of the city, and the grounds below.

“Sister? Something... something is wrong with the sky.” Luna called out to her sister who had almost walked out completely. Celestia turned and peered through the glass door, upon noticing the colour of the sky she wasn’t as concerned as Luna, as she knew what was wrong, but that didn’t stop her from showing some concern. She gave a small sigh before she said anything else.

“Starburst must be upset again.” Celestia explained.

“Starburst? Your new protégé?” Luna asked.

“Yes sister. I’ll see if I can resolve whatever is bothering her. I would have assumed she’d be quite happy. She’s always wanted to meet Twilight since I told her about her, and she’s getting a chance tomorrow.” Celestia explained.

“Tia, be careful with her. Her magical ability is far beyond anything I’ve seen from somepony so young. To have something as large as the stars bend to your emotion could be dangerous at the best of times. Make sure you help her nurture her abilities and learn control of them.” Luna warned her sister, nervous herself about the power the filly possessed. “What was it that she did that caught your attention sister?” Luna asked

“She had a magical outburst and obliterated a classroom.” Celestia recounted. “She’s struggling to harness any magical power in her mind most of the time. It all seems to be affecting her emotions. I’m still unable to find out how she is making the stars reflect her emotion; I’m still trying to learn what some of the colours could mean. If I can help her direct the power that causes these abnormalities, she could be as advanced in magic as Twilight was at her age. Don’t worry sister; the stars should be brighter than ever over the next week and onwards.” Celestia predicted turning back to the door.

“Odd how the ones that get your attention are always the ones who destroy things isn’t it Tia?” Luna asked chuckling a little.

“The most powerful unicorns are the ones who can’t handle their power sister. If I can help them achieve full control of their magic, they can use it for good causes. Goodnight sister.” Celestia said smiling as she walked out of Luna’s chambers.

Luna walked over to the doors and opened them with her magic, propping her fore-hooves onto the stone railings, and sliding her arms onto them, she rested her chin as she looked at the red glowing stars. She took interest in the way they faded cleanly and very smoothly, back to their bright white colour, signifying Celestia had managed to solve Starburst’s problem. She had to wonder how a filly can be born with such spectacular magical ability, and found it to be a rather captivating subject to think about for the time being.