Luster Dawn woke up on a very special day, one that she’d very much been looking forward too these past couple weeks. Hearts and Hooves Day, the day that revolved around couples and love. She was in her bedroom in the Castle of Friendship, her home since she’d been a filly as her mother Starlight Glimmer served as its stewardess and Headmare of the nearby school once Princess Twilight moved to Canterlot and took her place as the ruler of Equestria.
Now Luster herself was a princess, the new Princess of Friendship. It had certainly been an interesting few months after she moved back to Ponyville from spending most of her time in Canterlot. She’d faced monsters, brainwashed guards, and finally the dreaded Grogar who had been behind the attacks. She’d become an alicorn after absorbing a fatal amount of dark magic and turning it back against him after purifying it. The resulting counterattack destroyed him, she’d been reborn as an alicorn, and things had been peaceful ever since. But Luster knew that that could change any day now. More villains could just as they had in Princess Twilight’s time. At least the villains Grogar brought back as well as Grogar himself were gone now, hopefully to never return. But seeing as a certain villain… King Sombra… had been brought back from the dead twice, Luster didn’t want to get her hopes up too high. But who would ever want to resurrect Grogar?
Luster soon put those worries out of her mind. He wasn’t coming back, and neither were the other villains. At least not today. She could just focus on enjoying herself with her friends, family, and most of all her special somepony. Luster got up and took a shower in the nearby bathroom. She combed her mane and hesitated before she could put it in her preferred style of a ponytail. Maybe she should do something different today since it was all about romance? Hearts and Hooves Day was a special time for couples. She decided to discard the ponytail in her mane for today and let it flow freely, of course, not like Princess Twilight’s mane which flowed with or without wind and sparkled. She combed it so that looked neat at least and looked at her princess crown. She was expected to look her best and while like Princess Twilight she preferred to only wore it at ceremonial occasions, this could count as it was a holiday, and one she was going to preside over with her mother at least for a brief time.
She shrugged and levitated her crown on her head. Princess Luster Dawn, that was her title now. She flapped her wings that she’d taken some time getting used to after defeating Grogar. They’d perhaps proved to be a harder foe to conquer, though he had been far scarier. She still had nightmares of him brainwashing her and making her fight her own mother, or draining fillies lifeforces. But she’d stopped him, and he’d never return.
Luster joined her family for breakfast in the dining room. Her mother Starlight smiled at her as she entered the room, along with her father Sunburst and Aunt/Godmare Trixie Lulamoon.
"There's my little Princess!" Sunburst exclaimed noticing her wearing her crown. "Literally now!"
Luster blushed. "Yes, I'm a princess Dad!"
"And a Princess about to spend Hearts and Hooves Day with her fast and furious coltfriend," Trixie remarked. "What's it gonna be? Hayburgers for lunch like he likes?"
Luster giggled. "We had a little something planned."
Starlight looked at her sternly. "You're not gonna... you know?"
Luster blushed bright red at the unspoken term. "No! We're not ready for that yet, Mom!"
"Good, cause I'm not ready to be a grandmare yet!" Starlight said.
"We sure look it though!" Trixie remarked. "I mean we all look older than some of our parents did at our ages!"
"Eh, every generation ages a little different I guess," Sunburst shrugged.
Suddenly a large draconeques appeared in a flash of light. “Or someone overlooked that detail in favor of making you look older!” Discord said.
He then made a number of little lights appears.
“I’ve been looking into some alternate universes and timelines! And in the future of one of them there are these crystals that actually contain a message from Twilight… showing her in her old form! As if she never turned as big as Celestia! What kind of world is that?” Discord exclaimed showing a picture of a set of three crystals and projecting an image of Twilght in her former form. “Whoever creates these worlds needs to keep their lore straight!”
With another snap of his fingers he was gone as quickly as he came. Starlight shrugged.
“Well, who knows the future will bring in this world and others?” she asked. “I wonder if any of those bad timelines I created with Twilight are still functioning in their own way?”
“Let’s just live in the world we live in now and enjoy our Hearts and Hooves Day dear,” Sunburst said.
“I agree! Let’s have our selves a great and powerful holiday full of love!” Trixie spoke. “Besides, its Luster’s first time with this holiday!”
They ate their breakfast and then headed out to see the decorations around town. Heart shaped banners covered Ponyville for the couples themed holiday.
All around her, Luster saw couples her age and older like her parents, or even older. There were even some a little younger in the form of foals just experiencing their very first crushes. She hadn't been focused on romance for a long time until her walls came down when Princess Twilight took her back to Ponyville with her friends and she made her own.
"Hi Luster!" an enthusiastic voice called out.
Luster looked and saw a blue Kirin approaching. She smiled at River Song, her best friend in her group of four friends that she'd made upon returning here with open eyes.
"Hi River!" Luster greeted with a smile.
"Made you a card!" River said pulling out a blue heart shaped card. "I know I'm not your special somepony... or special some Kirin I guess it would be if we were dating! But I still love you as a friend!"
Luster blushed. "Ah thanks River!"
She looked at the card and saw it read To Luster with a River of Love.
"Aww," Luster said. "I'll have to make you and the others one!"
"Good thing your dear sister River came prepared with just the batch for you!" River said pulling out a stack of pink cards adored with yellow flowers that matched Luster's coat and mane.
"Thanks!" Luster said taking one of them and conjuring a feather pen from her room.
She quickly wrote one for River after thinking a moment on what she wanted to write. I look forward to walking along the River of Friendship when I get at Dawn every morning."
River smiled and the two friends hugged each other. "You're just as pretty as the sunrise Luster! I'm sure Gallop feels the same way."
Luster smiled again. "Oh, stop it River! You're making me blush!"
“Looks like Gallop has a rival then!” Trixie joked to Starlight and Sunburst who giggled.
"Well, I better get these cards to the others!" River said taking her blue cards and walking off. "Love you friend! Happy Hearts and Hooves Day!"
"Happy Hearts and Hooves Day!" Luster replied with a wave.
She took the cards River gave her and quickly a message to each of her friends.
“Yelena… you are the best Yak Friend I could ever hope for!” Luster said before writing it on the card. “Love Luster!”
She continued with the cards.
“Georgia, I treasure our friendship greatly and consider myself the richest pony because of it!”
“Gallop, you ran straight into my heart! I love you with all of it!”
“Aww!” Starlight smiled at that one. “That’s sweet Luster but we really need to get to the Town Hall!”
“Oh right!” Luster exclaimed.
They made it there just in time. All of Ponyville was gathered for the community announcement. Luster saw Princess Twilight’s friends, at least a few of them. Fluttershy and Discord, Pinkie Pie and her son Lil Cheese (who looked rather like a filly thanks to his long eyelashes). Unfortunately they were not able to share the holiday with Pinkie’s husband Cheese Sandwitch as he’d been among the ponies and other creatures lost during the battle with Grogar. But Pinkie had decided to focus on loving her son for the day in order to honor their family. Big Mac and Sugar Belle, as well as Lyra and Bonbon were also present with the latter having a scar over her eye from the battle. Many other couples were there as well, even some consisting of mixed species like Yona and Sandbar.
“Happy Hearts and Hooves Day!” Starlight said. “I know that we had a difficult time last year with Grogar emerging! But his defeat showed that friendship and love always prevail! Now, my daughter Princess Luster Dawn would like to say a few words!”
Luster blushed as she stepped forward and faced the crowd. She gritted her teeth in a forced grin.
“Well… uh… Happy Hearts and Hooves Day everypony… and every other creature!”
She was clumsy, she knew it. She’d faced Grogar and become a princess only to discover an even more terrifying foe. The foe of nerves, having to face large crowds and address them as a leader.
She felt a hoof on her shoulder and saw… him. Her coltfriend. Gallop J. Fry, a light-yellow Earth Pony with an orange-brownish mane, and a cutie mark of a burger. He wore a green suit, the same one he’d worn at the Grand Galloping Gala when they’d gotten together.
“Gallop!” she exclaimed, turning redder.
“It's okay Luster, just take a deep breath,” he said. “I’m right by your side.”
She then saw River, Yelena, and Georgia step forward as well. She smiled. Her friends were here, and she had nothing to worry about as long as that was the case.
"Glad of it," Luster said. "Oh, and I made these for you guys!"
She levitated out the cards then turned back to the crowd. “Let the light of love and friendship be your guide where you go! It was that light that helped us through all the difficult times both recent and in the past! We may have lost many ponies we loved, but they’d want us to carry on and never forget to love!”
There was a moment of silence and Luster was afraid she’d failed, but then Pinkie Pie clapped her hooves.
“Well said Luster Dawn! Well said!” Pinkie said.
“Yeah!” many ponies cheered.
Gallop then landed a kiss on Luster’s cheek and she smiled at him.
“You wore your suit from the gala,” she noted.
“Figured I should where something at least,” he said. “After all, I’m dating the new Princess of Friendship now.”
Luster looked down, seeing she wasn’t wearing a dress.
“Maybe I should go get my Gala dress!” she said. “Oh wait, it doesn’t have slips for my wings. Maybe I should get those added on!”
“No no no!” Starlight said as her daughter spoke. “You are fine just the way you are! No need to dress up if you don’t want to.”
“But if you want…” Rarity suddenly came forward with a smile, wearing a red coat instead of the usual purple one she’d taken to wearing in the recent years. “There is no harm in it. I can even whip something up for you right now if you wish my fellow element of generosity.”
Luster smiled. She’d come to embody not just the element of magic but generosity as well in her group of friends. Though magic was her usual shown gift.
“Thank you Rarity,” Luster said. “I think I’ll take you up on that though.”
Rarity led Luster to her boutique that had been rebuilt after the fire in Ponyville… which Luster herself had caused when Grogar brainwashed her. She soon gave Luster a red dress with a heart broch on the chest and gold lacing.
“There you are dear, I had it specially made for you,” the aging unicorn said.
“That’s very nice of you,” Luster said as she pulled out her bits to pay. “Keep the change.”
Rarity smiled. “Always the generous tipper I see! But please, don’t think you have to repay me for burning my boutique! I bear you no ill will darling! You were under Grogar’s spell and the insurance more then covered it!”
Luster looked down, the horrible memory of her brief time serving the Father of Monsters going through her mind. “I know, but it's always polite to include a tip! I’ll never forget what he made me do… or almost do. But I know it wasn’t my fault. Just consider it a friendly tip Miss Rarity.”
Rarity smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Luster. Now you go enjoy your date with your special somepony!”
Luster nodded back and headed out. Her friends and family had waited outside the boutique. She emerged and saw Gallop’s eyes widen.
“Hey handsome,” she said batting her eye lashes.
“Hey sweetpeach,” he said uttering the name he sometimes called her as peaches were often pink.
He then offered her his hoof. “Shall we?”
“We shall,” she took it and the two of them walked off hoof in hoof to enjoy day.
They headed to the Hayburger, which was Gallop’s favorite place to eat. He ran a delivery cart as well that sold Hayburgers, but thought these were even better in his eyes… or mouth.
They soon had their food served and Gallop moaned in delight as he took his first bite. “Mmm, just like the first time I tried one! I loved it so much and wanted to make my own, so I had my mom teach me.”
“And then you got your cutie mark!” Luster said, knowing the story that he’d told her a while back after they’d started dating.
“Yep!” Gallop grinned. “Fast and tasty! Of course, the next monster that we face will get a taste of my hooves! Things have been way too quiet ever since we defeated Grogar!”
Luster nodded. “A part of me feels a bit bored, but I don’t want anypony to be put in danger when a villain attacks.”
“Well, we’ll just enjoy ourselves no matter what comes I’m sure!” Gallop said.
She smiled, knowing that would be the case. “Nothing wrong with peace even if it can be boring at times. Besides we can always go on another trip around Equestria to liven things up. We only saw a few things that other time.”
“Sounds good to me!” Gallop agreed. “Where you want to go next?”
“We’ll have to think about that,” Luster said. “But whatever happens, I’m glad I have you and the others by my side.”
They ate their food and then walked outside with full stomachs.
“Ah that hit the spot,” Luster said rubbing her tummy.
“Yeah,” Gallop agreed. “Always love a hayburger! But there’s one thing I love more! You!”
“Aww!” Luster exclaimed with red cheeks.
They looked into each other’s eyes, gold into green. Then their eyes closed and they leaned forward, their lips touching, and their hearts beating rapidly. They’d have a long and happy life together and face whatever might come.
Author's Note
Okay, here is another little one shot from the Successor Verse. I wanted to do a valentine’s day one I think last year but never got around to it, along with a Haloween/ Nightmare Night one shot. But hopefully that will change this year and I have thought of making a follow up series or two that will feature more adventures from Luster Dawn and her friends, maybe even an alternate G5 story that follows my headcanon timeline here, with an alternate version of Opaline, Sunny Starscout, and the others. But we'll see. I've already bitten off quite a bit more then I can chew and would probably have to wait till I'm down to just working on one other story which would probably take a while. But we’ll see.
