A Series of Continuous Events

When they had finished both letters, they handed one of the letters to the purple drake, who burnt it away towards the Princess of the Sun, as was his ability, and handed the other letter back to the mailmare, asking her to post it headed for Canterlot. The mailmare smiled and nodded, and after accidentally bumping into the door, flew away. "Here's to hoping for the best", Eclipse thought to themselves, as they closed the door, awaiting further news from Canterlot.

In Canterlot, the rest of the afternoon at Violin's was quiet and peaceful. Light called it quits on their research for the day, and spent a while just resting and thinking, trying to clear their mind. Though their thoughts were cluttered, writing down what came to mind and talking about it with others from time to time helped immensely.

As the sun was lowering, the group was getting ready for dinner, and since everyone was at home, they all could assist in preparing the meal. Tonight on the menu were hayburgers with fresh bread and many toppings. Though there would be more preparation, everycreature was able to put their own course together.

Using their magic, Light and Banana started cutting up vegetables as Violin kept a watchful eye on the cooking patties and bread in the oven. Caff, meanwhile, grabbed a number of plates, to set on the table, and bowls, to hold the chopped toppings. Alongside these, they also grabbed cutlery and glasses, and many bottles and jars of sauce, for the table.

When the burgers were finished and the bread was baked, Banana helped Violin with placing the buns and patties on the table, where Light cut the bread and placed a bun on each plate. Everyone had many different choices of topping to put on their bun, and were able to customise their burger to their heart's desire.

Light, Banana and Caff had an easier time with their meal, using their magic and wings to hold the bun, but Violin was not so lucky, and their burger fell apart any time they tried to grab it with their hooves. Eventually, they stuck a fork in it, and were able to eat it with ease afterwards.

When they had finished their dinner, and had completed the washing up, the group sat and enjoyed each other's company with a small fire in the open hearth which Light had lit. Wanting to get to know each other a little better, as their contacts had been mostly professional for the last few days, they spoke about many things, admired each other's dreams and ambitions, and shared stories which resulted in laughter.

The group thought back to their walk in the forest, where Light told them they were free to leave and head back home. Banana asked why Light was constantly checking in on them, asking if everyone was alright and offering them the chance to head home. Light sorrowfully lowered their head and answered that it's a long and layered tale, but it laid the foundation for them to become who they are now.

The group did not push Light further, which they was grateful for, as they preferred not to, and continued with their chats. Caff asked Violin if he could tell them anything about the performance of tomorrow, but the only thing he said was that they'd have to wait and see, for what they saw when before they first met was only a sliver of the whole performance. After this wonderful revelation, they headed to bed, excited for the Gala tomorrow.

During the night, Light had a series of strange dreams. Dreams so vivid and detailed, they felt more like visions. Boom returning unexpectedly, falling out of a portal, Light turning Nirik, possibly endangering others, and a friend, dear to Boom, gone somewhere else…? They awoke in cold sweat, and before the memory of their dreams faded away, they managed to write down most of what they remembered.

Unable to continue sleeping afterwards, they decided to head out for another walk. The moon was high, the night young, and Light was able to see countless stars dotting the sky. Outside of the city, in the forest where they walked a number of times before, the view was especially beautiful, as the surrounding lights were more dispersed.. As their eyes got used to the dark, Light was able to see more and more stars, and decided to lay down in the forest and watch the sky for a while.

The area was calm and quiet, and the grass was lightly damp, which cooled the Kirin during the night. The weather had been warm and sunny, and the dew provided a lovely balance with the cooling summer air. Eventually, their mind drifted and their eyes fell shut, after which they fell back into a deep sleep.

Opening their eyes, Light came face to face with the Princess of the Night, who had entered their dreams after the strange visions they had earlier that night. Light rose clumsily, feeling light as a feather, and said with a bow: "Good evening, your Royal Highness. To what do I owe this visit? Is something amiss?" to which Luna replied:

"I'm sorry, but there is no time for formalities. We must speak, right away, for I fear grave trouble is ahead."

Rising to meet the Princess of the Night at eye level, Light looked at her with a confused gaze. They knew that the Princesses would not reach out and contact others unless in dire emergency, or, in the case of Luna entering someone's dreams, if this individual was unknowingly facing seemingly insurmountable odds.

They asked Princess Luna why they came to them, and did not go to others, for Light did not find themselves capable of fighting grave threats. They knew they had power within, found in their Nirik form, but it had been very long since they had last used their full strength, and they did not know if they would be able to control it, should they transform again.

Luna replied that the safest and quickest to reach out was through a creature's dreams, as none but the dreamer and the Princess herself could enter. The things Light saw, what they might see, and what they could find, she also witnessed. Much has occurred over the last few days, and much was still to come, even if the Kirin did not know or realise it.

Light thought back to earlier that night, the dream about themselves, holding immense power, Boom appearing out of nowhere, and fragmenting connections between friends of old… These dreams felt more detailed, vivid, real, even. Could it be that these were not dreams at all, but visions of what has not yet come to pass?

The Princess continued, stating that the Gala tomorrow held the endings of many paths, and beginnings of new ones. The conclusion of the Gala and the end of the celebration tomorrow were uncertain and unknown to them, though through the veil, Luna saw Light and their companions, near the centre of the event, as guests of the Halls, yet of more importance than they could realise.

The words of the Princess placed upon Light a heavy burden, yet also gave them a desire to resolve the challenges placed ahead of them. After mentally placing all the new information and resolutions Luna had given them neatly in a row, Light took a deep breath, and asked what their next move should be. Luna replied:

"Beware the green Unicorn, for while he is not evil, he is unpredictable and chaotic, and could be a threat to you and those around you. Look to the North and to the East. Find the young Royals and help them reconnect. They will all help lead you to more knowledge."

The Princess turned around and headed away from Light, intending to leave their dream. Light sat back down and prepared to wake up to head home, yet before this happened, Luna turned around again and said to the Kirin:

"I do not know all that you have faced, but I feel your soul feels like mine did, eons ago. There is great strength in you, but beware your own power. Do not fear it, do not let it control you, and do not try to control it. Release control and you shall succeed."

With these last words, Luna vanished, and after Light took a deep breath, they opened their eyes to find themselves back in the forest, surrounded by flowers, with the night fading away. They arose to find the sky lit in beautiful colours, as the civil dawn approached, and a new day was about to begin.

They headed back home and reached their room, where they wrote down all that the Princess had said. Today's Gala and celebration, the ending of which was not yet clear, heading to the North and East to find young Royalty, and helping them to receive their help in return. Finishing writing on the scroll, Light headed downstairs for breakfast, and thought to themselves:

"I must find the Princess of the Night at the Gala. Perhaps speaking in person will help us uncover the perils that lie ahead."

As Light was headed downstairs, they heard the sound of magic coming from the kitchen, before being startled by a loud thud on the table, shortly after which the magic faded away. Light heard sounds coming from upstairs, the thud evidently having woken up the rest of the house, and they quickly went to the kitchen to find a head home book laying on the table with a note attached to the cover.

As the others quickly ran downstairs, they found Light holding the book with their magic, reading the note, which said: ‘Here’s some “light” reading for ya. I’m on my way back, the stories in this book reminded me of your gift. Hope you find them as... interesting, as I did. - Boom’.

After Light had read the note, the group asked them what this meant, and where the book came from. Noting the magic that they heard fading away after the thud, Light said they reckoned that Boom found a way to send the book through a portal to Violin’s house. Whatever was in this book must have been important.

Turning away from the group, who started making breakfast as Light skimmed through the pages of the book, the first pages held an explanation; they were indeed a collection of tales, but written by a researcher thousands of years ago, about events that took place even further back in time. It was noted that though these tales were not by first-hoof experience, and should be taken with a grain of salt, there was an element of truth in every story.

The chapter titles were quite disturbing, with names such as ‘The Valley of Nameless Things’, ‘The Shadows of the Mountain of Fire’, ‘Battle for the Dead City’, and dozens more. Near the end of the book, they came upon another note, by Boom, saying ‘Read this one first’. The title of the chapter read: ‘The Fields of the Forgotten Folk’.

The title sent a chill down Light's spine, as it felt ever so slightly and strangely familiar. Reading through the pages, skipping over some of the more disturbing imagery, Light read some of the passages detailing the events that occurred on those fields. Battles fought, great loss of life, destruction all over, and no victors. Light closed the book and put it aside to join the others for breakfast.

The day was going to be rather busy, and their mind was already quite cluttered from their visit from the Princess, so they would have to return to the book later. Their train of thought was stopped by a knock at the door, finding the postman with a letter bound to Light. Reading the letter, which came from Twilight and Solar, it confirmed they had reached out to the Princess of the Sun, who would grant them an audience that day.

The Gala officially started around noon, but Violin had to head there earlier to help set up the podium upon which the orchestra would perform. The group offered to come along to help him and the orchestra set up the podium, allowing them to have a look around the castle, and for them to be able to wait for meeting the Princess of the Sun. Violin wholeheartedly accepted, saying that Caff's energy and Light and Banana's magic would be very much appreciated.

After the group had finished their breakfast, and had prepared their lunch, they packed their bags and headed to the Royal Palace. Light took the book that Boom had sent them and had placed it in their bag, planning to read it later after meeting with the Princess. Nearing the Palace, Light's hairs stood upright, and their body shivered, as they thought:

"Something is amiss. I don't know why, but I've got a bad feeling about this."

They shook off the feeling, heading inside with the group, thinking of questions to ask the Solar Princess, and hoping that their bad feeling passes swiftly.

Heading into the Main Hall, the group found a great number of Ponies helping with the set up of the Gala. There were chefs and cooks taking stock of ingredients for meals and , caretakers and cleaners preparing the Halls for coming guests, mechanics and electricians helping to set up the stage upon which the Royal Canterlot Orchestra, including Violin, would play.

After checking in their bags at the cloakroom, they moved towards a group of musicians who were standing to the side of the hall, to whom Violin happily waved. The Royal Orchestra was quite large, consisting of many percussion, brass, woodwind and string musicians. He introduced Banana, Caff and Light to the other musicians, with whom he had practiced often, preparing for the Gala.

The conductor recognised the Kirin and stepped forward, after which proper introductions were made. Light asked if there was need for help in any way with the setup of the stage or the Halls, to which she replied that for now, there was no need, and that the orchestra was therefore socialising in the Hall, waiting for the stage to be completed.

Finding no other way to help for the moment, Light told Caff, Banana and Violin that they would go for a walk around the Gardens before the Gala started. They accepted and went off to do their own thing; Violin started talking with the string section of the Orchestra as Banana and Caff went to the other side of the Hall to talk with the present chefs and cooks, evidently wondering if they needed any help.

Exiting the Palace, Light looked upon the Gardens of the Palace, lined with many statues and beautiful fields of exquisite flowers. Further into the Gardens was the hedge maze, which Light preferred to steer clear of. As they headed to the side of the fields, they found themselves looking upon a clearing, leading to the edge of a cliff, from whence, like in the forest, they could see much of the land.

As they were leaning on the fence, looking out towards the horizon, many thoughts raced through their mind. So many things still to discover and to study, busy days ahead of them, and possible nastiness at the Gala. Through their cluttered thoughts, they heard a gentle voice greet them from behind, joining them on their side and leaning over the fence as well. Light looked over and said "Hey Celestia, nice to see you again."

The magic that Light heard on their first walk in the forest was Celestia lowering the sun from the woods close to the Palace. After their meeting a few days ago, and finding common ground in many things, primarily their appreciation of the beauty of morning and night, Light and Celestia had met in the forest at sunrise and sunset nearly every day since.

The Solar Princess spoke with a gentle, quiet voice, making small talk with the Kirin, wondering why they had come to the Gala. Light replied that there were many reasons and many goals for that day, but the main reason was because of the invitation from Violin, one of the musicians of the orchestra, whom Celestia had met before at other festivities at the Palace.

Celestia replied that they had received a number of letters from Twilight and Solar back in Ponyville over the past few days, talking about Light and asking her for help, and she asked what these messages were for. Light replied that they, and the Ponies who joined them, have been busy finding information about a number of strange things, both in the Ponyville Library as the Royal Library of Canterlot, but so far, they had found nothing.

They continued, saying Twilight and Solar offered Light to get in touch with her, just a little while after they first met in the forest. In the mean time, they searched through many books, finding many things, and going after and new paths they found. At the moment, Light had put their research aside, and was trying to focus on the Gala of that day. Celestia asked them:

'Why didn't you ask for help before?'

'I felt it was better to discuss officially. I didn't want to make a bad first impression.'

Light replied, and continued: 'There are still many things we're trying to find. For now, I'm keeping an eye out for any trouble at the Gala, for visions I had last night, which I talked about with Princess Luna, showed a number of strange occurrences.'

After Light's words concerning visions and possible problems at the festivities of today, Celestia turned back to look towards the horizon, and to think about what to do and say next. The two fell silent, and the only sounds were the wind blowing through the trees and the faint sound of animals elsewhere in the Gardens. Each second felt like an eternity, until finally the silence was broken by Celestia, who asked Light what they planned to do next.

The Kirin replied, saying that they arrived early, hopefully to be able to help a bit with the setup before the Gala started, but since there was nothing they could do, for the moment, they decided to take some time to themselves, which is why they came to the Gardens. The Gala would officially start in a little while, and in the mean time, folks who entered the Halls early could spend their time helping with the setup, or by making small talk with others.

Ponies and creatures from all over Equestria are welcome to come to the Halls of the Palace for the celebrations. The Princesses of the Sun and Moon would be present throughout the event, though they tried to stay out of the spotlights, preferring the focus to be on the Gala, rather than themselves. Celestia would say a few words, bidding everyone welcome to the Palace, after which the Gala would start.

Wanting to avoid a situation from a number of years ago, where Celestia stood in one spot the entire evening greeting entering guests, she and Luna were still figuring out the best thing to do, whether this was retreating to their rooms or the Royal Throne Room, to wander around the Halls where the festivities took place, or to try something else, they still had not yet decided.

The Gardens were quiet and peaceful, especially before sunrise and at sunset, which allowed Celestia to calmly walk through the open fields to be able to raise and lower the sun, as Luna did the same with the moon. Though, Luna would prefer staying closer to the Palace, for her duty at night was to wander the dreams of the sleeping creatures of the land, which she was most comfortable with in a safe and familiar location.

Because there were still a number of things to be arranged before the start of the Gala, Celestia moved away from the fence and told Light they would take care of their business, but said she hoped they had a lovely time and that she hoped to see them around. Before she could fly away, Light asked her if, after the Gala, they could have time to discuss the business Light wanted to arrange with her, asking for her help with the research they were conducting.

'For now, before I head back to the Gala, I'd like to ask you if we can meet here again, after the Gala, to discuss. Though', Light continued, with genuity in their voice, 'if you'd rather not, I understand. The things my friends and I are looking for might be connected to more sinister things, and I don't want to cause any trouble, whether for you, the other Princesses, or anyone else.'

Celestia moved back towards Light and smiled, reassuring the Kirin that she'd be happy to talk with them later. Despite having met just a few days ago, the Solar Princess said she could see the Kirin's honesty, and having heard of their self-sacrifice at Eclipse's castle back in Ponyville, protecting others over themselves, she trusted them. Light smiled brightly and blushed slightly, the kind words of the Princess warming their heart and putting their mind at ease.

Celestia turned away again and started to head back to the throne room, as Light moved back towards the halls, when she suddenly stopped and told Light that, coincidentally, she received a message from Twilight & Solar that morning, which read they were planning to come to the Gala as well, and asked if they could bring a group of new friends along with them.

Light thanked the Princess and waved them goodbye, as they headed back inside, finding the Halls held more Ponies and other creatures, from Kirin to Dragon, Changeling to Griffin, and Hippogriff to Yaks too. Many creatures had come from all over to join in the celebrations, which were close to starting, as the stage for the orchestra was set up and the chefs in the kitchen were finishing up the first of a number of courses of delicacies.

Light relaxed somewhat as they moved towards Banana and Caff, who were standing just a little bit further into the halls. Greeting the two, Light said:

'Well, my friends, this will be a night to remember.'

As the Royal orchestra started playing the first of many songs of that day.

After the Royal Orchestra had taken their seats on the stage, with Violin closer to the front, near other groups of string musicians, they began the first of many orchestrations of that day under the guidance of the Conductor. Though it had been a long time since Light had last heard orchestral music, discounting the rehearsal where they first met Violin, they recognised the songs that were being played.

The first performance was of one of the best known orchestrations, by one of the most famous musicians of all the ages; Neighthoven's 5th Symphony. Every creature in the Royal Halls of the Palace stopped what they were doing and just stood and listened in awe to the wonderful performance unfurling in front of them.

After the performance, where a great applause was heard from all corners of the Halls, the Orchestra took a small break to rehydrate and to grab the next set of sheets to follow for the next piece. In the mean time, Light walked around the Halls, always keeping a passive eye out for any problems, for they still had worries in the back of their mind.

Moving towards the banquet, and finding a great variety of plant- and fungi-based meat substitutes, Light grabbed a plate and prepared a meal for themselves. As they were moving along the tables, they gently bumped into another Kirin, with dark hair and a deep blue coat. "Harvest?", Light called out, "So good to see you, it's been too long! Didn't know you were going to be at the Gala as well!"

"Hey Light! It's been a while since you set out to visit the Banana Pie Park! How was it? How have you been?" After greeting Light, back, Harvest Duran and Light filled their plates with bread, vegetables and many other things and headed to the back of the castle, to the Gardens, where they could eat their meal in peace and catch up with each other.

Finding a quiet place to eat, in one of the fields near the castle, the Kirins savoured each bite, for everything was of amazing quality. The two spoke with each other as they were eating, finding Duran had received an invitation - or rather, the whole village had. It turns out nearly every creature in the land had been invited to the Gala, with plans to house twice as many.

Light told him that they had come along with a number of others for many reasons, primarily to watch a friend in the orchestra perform many songs throughout the day. The two spoke for what felt like hours, until they finished their meals and headed back inside. As they headed back, wind started to blow as dark clouds moved in over the castle. Expecting rain and thunder, Light called out to any others in the Gardens to make them aware of the clouds.

They put away their plates as the Orchestra continued playing through a large catalogue of songs, with the orchestration currently being played being Tchaikhoofsky, if Light was not mistaken, fortunately, without the use of cannons. Throughout the rest of the afternoon toward the evening, the Gala passed without any issues, as Light tried to stay to the side of the halls, talking with Harvest and a number of other creatures, and trying not to draw any attention to themselves.

As the sun was nearing the horizon, the Princesses appeared on the stage next to the Orchestra, who completed the final song, 'Concerto in F' by Gershwhinny, as a roaring applause celebrated both the Solar and Lunar Princesses, and the Orchestra and conductor. Celestia took the spotlight and gave a speech, thanking every creature who had come to the Gala. As she was giving her speech, however Light felt the hairs on the back of their neck stand upright, fearing something was amiss.

Quickly and quietly moving to the side of the Halls, they locked eyes with Luna, who was discreetly looking around as well. As Luna called upon the guard, and Light moved closer to the stage to talk with the Princess, a strange mass of darkness opened up above the stage. The core lit up, and as a green Unicorn fell, screaming, out of the mass, Light could only think:

"Oh no, Boom. What have you done...?"