Author's Note

Part 1 out of 3 or 4. Depends on how I divide the chapter. Thank you all for waiting and I apologize for the long wait!

7: Return to Ponyville -Part 1-

Twilight's P.O.V

Two weeks have passed since the return of the Lunarian Night as it was called now. Two weeks since Nightmare Moon and Two weeks since Twilight's life went on a rollercoaster dive.

She didn't know what she should exactly feel about everything but she knew one thing. Life at the castle became very awkward and tense.

Cadance started to show up less and less inside the castle during the day (which slightly upset Shining) and spent most of her time with Luna. All her lessons with Celestia continued but it always felt like the princess's mind was somewhere else, and oh, her sleep schedule became more abysmal than it already was.

Now she has to awaken near noon for her lessons, have a slight time for sleep before Moonrise, and then only rest after sunrise. Speaking of rest, it was time for her own to end since she heard the pitter-patter of feet on the cold marble ground.

She groaned as she lifted her head from the bed and looked at Spike just as he opened his mouth to wake her up.

“Good morning Spike,” Twilight could hear the raspiness of her voice. She really should ask Princess Luna for a bit more rest.

“Good morning Twilight! You're starting to get used to the new schedule huh?” The young drake said with a cheerful tone. Sometimes she envied her little companion.

“Just barely. My internal clock is still heavily struggling,” She sighed as she got off her bed. A shiver went through her spine as the embrace of the blanket and the soft bed were replaced by the cool palace air and the hard ground.

Twilight didn't have much to say. She simply picked up Spike and placed him on her back (much to his delight) and used her magic to help herself get ready.

Saddle bag? Check. a couple of gems for Spike? Check…and so she went as she completed her mental checklist.

It didn't take long for her to reach the princess's office…princess Celestia that is. Even though half a month had passed, the idea that there were two princesses now was still an odd one.

She reached out with her magic, and soon, a faint glow appeared on the golden ringer. 3 knocks as was customary for her. She didn't need to knock, considering her lessons were at a fixed time and that if Celestia was busy, she would have been informed earlier. Still, it was a comforting routine.

The gentle “Come in, Twilight.” Was said and heard soon after. With a smile, Twilight opened the door and bowed to the princess, she also made sure to use her magic to secure Spike. The young drake simply let out a cheerful good morning. Unbothered by the slight incline.

“Good Morning, Princess. How has your day been so far?” she said as she lifted her head, getting her first actual look at the Solar princess.

As (almost) always, the princess was presenting her calm, pristine expression accompanied by a gentle smile. Her regalia is properly on, as it should be. Her wings held by her side, just slightly lifted upwards compared to what a pegasus's wings would be when relaxed, a testament to the effort the princess puts into her appearance. Hmm, something was off.

“Good morning, Twilight, Spike,” Celestia began, Twilight recognized that as soon as she was called by name. Her tone and posture indicated that she had a lot to say, and calling her by name meant that this wasn't a student and mentor environment at the moment. Names make things personal. “The day has been as well as can be so far, though there is a matter to be discussed. I'm sorry, but your lessons will be postponed until the matter is resolved.”

Twilight couldn't help but tilt her head to the side, her left ear bent to the side. A reaction she had no control over but always took notice of. What could be of such importance? There wasn't anything going on recently as far as she knew.

“What seems to be the matter, princess? As far as I know, there isn't anything going on.” Ugh, Twilight hated the formal way of speech she had to use. She may be close to the princess, but proper mannerisms need to be used whenever the princess herself speaks formally. Much to her dismay that is.

“Well, it's concerning the other elements of Harmony, the grand galloping gala, and my sister.”

Twilight felt her blood run cold. The elements meant her friends (well, she hoped they were still friends), and the grand galloping gala meant…well, frankly, she didn't know what it meant or why it was even mentioned. No, her attention was brought to Princess Luna.

What matter would concern both her friends and the Lunar Princess? The princess may have spared them and showed no ill intent (that she knew of), but by no means were they on good terms.

Spike, on the other hoof, perked up. “The elements? Does that mean that we're visiting Ponyville again?”

That seemed to grant a chuckle from the princess. Frankly Twilight didn't find anything humorous. She might have if she wasn't fighting the panic within her.

Thankfully, she didn't zone out; the gentle hoof on her withers made sure of that (when did the princess move?).

“Yes, Spike. I'm afraid in our haste we left the other elements behind. Both the objects and the bearers I mean. I would have liked to invite them to the gala as thanks for their help and as an opportunity to discuss things discreetly.”

Twilight sensed a but coming, but she couldn't not voice her concerns and mention the wording.

“Liked? Past tense? Princess, what do you mean by that? Has something happened to them? Or did they do something to make you change your mind?”

The princess smiled, which greatly confused the young unicorn. Was it something she said?

“I'm glad to see that you still care about them my dear, but yes, Liked as in past tense. My sister refused. She wishes to head there personally to see the state of the elements and see if they are worthy of attending the Gala. While I was initially against her decision, she argued that none of them knew the proper decorum that is expected of the attendees and that inviting them and explaining later may lead to a scene or raise issues.”

Before Twilight could respond, she felt the Princess's wing gently embrace her. She swiftly leaned into the appendage and unconsciously relaxed. She also couldn't help but chuckle slightly when Spike sneezed, the feathers must have tickled his snout.

“As her…’ personal servant ’ You are expected to accompany her. I saw fit to inform you early…and I also have a request to ask you, Twilight,” Celestia said as she stepped away and started to pace around. The clanking made by her hooves made for an odd rhythm.

The princess had a clear dislike of Twilight's new status. She wished not to upset Luna but despite her best efforts to convince her sister, she couldn't change her mind.

Twilight took that moment to think. On one side, she was excited to meet the other's again and she would gain a chance to check on the status of the town. On the other, she'd be accompanying Her out of all the ponies. Faust knows that it would make for a volatile environment.

Her time to linger and think came to an end; Celestia’s deep breath took hold of her attention once again.

“I understand that my sister didn't have the most pleasant experience with the other elements, and they may be tense themselves considering everything. While your presence alone is sure to ease tensions, I'm afraid it might not be enough. So I ask you to make sure that things don't escalate between them.”

Twilight stood still, her mouth akin to that of a fish; making no sound as it opened and closed repeatedly.

How was she, out of all people, expected to stop any sort of escalation? She barely knows any of them! She knew her friends for a single day or so and the princess was closed off to anyone who wasn't Cadance! And that is without mentioning her apparent disdain for her (not that it is undeserved).

“B-But Princess, how am I supposed to do that??”

The princess simply smiled slightly. It was an understanding smile, as gentle and warm as the rising sun. “I understand that it's a difficult task Twilight. But I have faith that it won't be as hard as you think.”

She stepped closer to Twilight once again. She simply sat down on the cold floor and extended one of her wings in an open invitation. Twilight didn't even think as she accepted the invitation. The princess was a second mother to her, so such acts, no matter how improper they seemed, were normal and tended to always calm the unicorn.

“Your friends are good ponies, I do believe that if you explain the situation to them, they would wish to stray from trouble. After all, they did help in the search for my Sister while they had no obligation to.”

“Plus you have me to help! So you don't need to worry too much Twilight. Your number one assistant will help you in this assignment.”

Twilight blinked; for a faint moment, she forgot that Spike was on her back. Though his words and the princess's did bring some comfort to her.

The princess is right, she doesn't have to worry much. If things do get bad, she can take care of calming down her friends, and Spike can do his best with Princess Luna. After all, she never seemed to mind the young drake and according to him, she did hand him a gem to eat a couple of times. Although she never saw it in her time attending to the princess, she couldn't have it in her to think of Spike as a liar when it comes to such things.

She let out a soft sigh as she leaned into the princess. “I suppose it's true. They are still my friends after all, and the princess already promised not to harm them before…Okay, I made up my mind. I'll do my best Princess Celestia. You can count on me!”

She straightened her back and puffed up her chest slightly as she said that. Despite her nervousness, she was happy that the princess trusted her with such a task, there might have been a sliver of pride as well.

“I always can Twilight. Now I think it's best if you go to pack what you need and get some rest. You have a long night ahead of you.”

Twilight smiled and nuzzled the princess’s side before she headed to the door to leave. Of course, she did bow to the princess before she left. Come on Spike, we have a checklist to make and a bag to pack.”

“Aye, Aye, Captain Sparkle!” Twilight didn't need to see Spike to know that he performed a cute salute as he said that. She just hoped that things would be as easy as the princess made it out to be.

Luna's P.O.V

A dancing void, a flow, and a swirl of black dancing around her. That is what the moon princess first saw as she entered what she knew to be her dream.

She observed the world around her, only to be faced with nothing but swirls of black in different pitches. To another's eye, the darkness would have been indistinguishable; to her eyes, though, it was a flow of memories and magic.

She trotted slowly in the vast expanse, There was no floor for her to walk on, yet none was needed. She had long since stopped observing and went on her now daily walk.

She had no track of time as she walked forward. She did not wish to lament on time, not when it lost meaning to her; exile taught her so...frankly she doesn't know why she's going through this dream anymore. She's lucid and can shape her dreams so why did she not form it to be something else?

She had every opportunity to make this a memory. She could review when her mother first taught her how to fly, when her father took her to the cloud expanse at the dusk of the summer solstice, perhaps when she first met Tia…or perhaps she can view memories of her beloved again.

All of those options were viable, all of them just a thought away. Yet, she made no choice. She found herself lacking the will to do so. She wondered why but made no effort to try and figure out the answer.

It's a thing that she noticed. The idea of putting effort and dealing with the world, old or new, real or in dreams. It was odd.

Perhaps that's why she looked forward to this dream. She can just be here. Not work, not think, not feel. Just, a perpetual state of existence where she doesn't matter nor anything does. As lonely as It was, it brought an odd comfort that she had barely felt since her return…since her loving Night was gone.

An amount of time unknown yet to her has passed in the dream and reality. She felt the Moon's slow and melodic call as if it were a soft hum from a mother's lullaby.

Soon, the darkness dispelled and reality dissipated and shifted. Her eyes were open now and she was in the view of her body. It was earlier than she instructed her servant to wake her so she had time to herself.

She gently lifted her head from the bed and gazed at the sky from her window. She can feel the Moon itching to rise again, the dam that held back the flow of the night and its stars threatening to break. Yet she granted the moon no relief nor opened the dam to spare it from the dead sea. No, not yet.

Luna absent-mindedly reached out with her magic and called upon her outfit which consisted of the regalia that was recently made for her. While it shared the same colour as her previous regalia, this one was made out of obsidian rather than metal on behalf of her request. The idea of metal wrapped around her neck was no longer appealing to her.

So many things have changed in the past 2 weeks. She saw so much of the world in the dream realm in her exile, yet even that was nowhere near the true scale of change that occurred in the world. So many details the dreams have neglected to show or outright distorted thanks to the minds of living.

If Luna was honest with herself, she'd say that she found it overwhelming. But she can't do that; she might know her weaknesses, but she won't admit it. She has to keep her morale high after all.

Soon the sound of hoof steps approached. Luna took it as her cue to end her peaceful moment. She got off the bed, then with a single ruffle of her feathers. Faint silver strings formed and brought her metallic boots (she wasn't a fool, she's not wearing a boot made out of volcanic glass) just beneath her so when she stepped down from the bed, her hooves slid her boots and with only a couple of steps, she was in front of the door which started to creek open.

She watched silently as her servant flinched and almost yelped as soon as she saw her. She held back a slight smile at the sight; she might have despised the unicorn at the beginning, but she had to admit, she was lively, a source of entertainment, and extremely competent. Having a drake as her own assistant was just a favourable plus…and it was funny that her servant had an assistant of her own.

She stared patiently as Twilight Sparkle got her bearings again, bowed with a proper angle, and then addressed her as was appropriate.

“The realm of awakening re-welcomes her Royal Highness, Princess of the Night's Silver Sun, Princess Luna. Was your slumber a source of rest or ire?” Said the young unicorn with a steady voice, and a hint of pride. Most likely because she managed to figure out, and memorize the now ancient appropriate way to greet a princess.

Luna had to admit, she was both surprised and impressed the first time she heard it, she almost praised the lavender mare. Not that she didn't deserve it, far from it actually, she simply didn't wish for the young one to get lax and start slouching in her job.

Her train of thought was broken by a chipper and casual “Good Morning Princess Luna! Urm…wait, is it Sundown or Moonrise?” Coming from Spike.

She rolled her eyes before addressing them both. “And I welcome the realm of awakening back, as I welcome you Twilight Sparkle and Spike the Drake. My slumber brought satisfactory rest, you have nothing to worry about. Now rise. Also Spike, it's Moonrise to me but Sundown to Celestia, though it's not the time for that yet. We have 15 minutes left before we attend our duties.”

Twilight lifted her head out of the bow and stepped to the side so Luna could walk. She and Spike followed with no need for command, it was becoming a routine.

“Oh! Well, I suppose that makes sense.”

Luna rolled her eyes once again before she turned her attention to Twilight. She could see the unicorn get slightly nervous once Spike spoke so casually.

To calm her down, Luna went straight to talking about work rather than keeping silent. She didn't want a servant who was too nervous to work properly.

“Twilight, I will not have breakfast today. We will be heading into the town of Ponyville today after I raise the Moon. I trust that Celestia filled you in with the rest of the details correct?”

She watched the confusion spark through her eyes before surprise and understanding settled in. Twilight nodded. “Yes, Princess Celestia already informed me, I was also given ample time to rest to be in top condition tonight.”

Typical. Hm, did Celestia tell her all the details though? “Good. Though rest was unnecessary. You would have had plenty of time to sleep on the train.”

Twilight almost froze as she heard that. It turns out she was correct. Just Typical of Celestia. Twilight regained her bearings and did her best to keep her voice in check. “Train? Are we not using chariots?”

“Chariot brings too much attention. I am a new Princess to the world so attention would work against us. Even with a disguise, a chariot would still be unideal.” Luna saw no reason to berate the unicorn for her question. It might not have been the smartest question, but she couldn't fault her.

Twilight took a contemplative expression before raising an eyebrow. “With all due respect, princess, you're an Alicorn. Your presence will bring attention with or without a chariot.”

Hm, at least she thought and asked. Good. “Which is why I'll be using a magical disguise. Our matter is with the elements of Harmony, not the town and all of its people. To avoid tensions, I believe it would be better if we kept my identity hidden from the other elements as well.”

Twilight didn't like the idea; her quickened breath, hot air snort, and flinch of tail were all classic tell-tale signs. Even Spike didn't seem to like the idea

“With All due Respect Your Majesty, I… don't think that this is a good idea. I'm not sure how much they trust you personally, but lying to them will damage any amount of trust they might have, not just in you, but in me and Princess Celestia. I have journeyed with those ponies and I can testify personally of their trustworthiness. We just need to keep them calm, that's all.”

Luna hummed softly as she took a moment to ponder the suggestion. Sure, it would be safer to hide her identity from everyone and the test would be more genuine, but the elements were to be sought as allies and not as enemies.

Though before she could respond, Twilight went on and continued speaking “And if the chariots would bring too much attention, why don't we just teleport there? It might be a bit too far for me but I'm sure that you can handle such a distance.”

Luna sighed. She expected Teleportation to be mentioned, but she didn't like it. Well here on to explain even more. This is a bit tiring. “While teleportation is a valid method, it doesn't align with what I intend. While your friends are the main subject and cause of our visit, I also wish to get to know Equestria for what it is. Not with the attention and servitude befit a princess. But just as another pony in the streets. Train aligns with that even more. That, and I don't like to teleport others with me.”

“But Princ-”

Luna let out a snort in response. Twilight got the hint and softly lowered her head in apology. Luna simply urged her forward with a wing before she continued speaking.

“Now that the matter of transportation is done with, it's time to address the methods of approach. There are advantages and disadvantages to both methods. Now, while I wish to discuss the details with you and perhaps come up with a compromise, we'll have to save that for later. I have a meeting with Celestia first, and I'll have to inform Cadance of my departure too.”

Luna stopped as she said that and extended a wing in front of Twilight to have her stop as well.

She closed her eyes and focused. Soon, she connected her magic to that of the moon. She slowly and calmly tuned herself with the moon and its lullaby, coaxing it into rising with the aid of her magic. She then opened the magical dam that held back the dead sea of stars as the night embraced the world in its mesmerizing display, a fresh sight considering the plain sky. Of course, none of it was seen by them since they were inside the castle and away from any functioning window that wasn't a painting.

She suddenly turned towards Twilight and stared at her for a moment. Luna thought back to what Twilight said about knowing the ponies in Ponyville. Hmm, perhaps she might give her this task to occupy herself.

“Whether our approach will be of truth, deceit, or something in between. I would like for you to come up with an identity for myself to use as a disguise. I trust that such a task would be within your capabilities, correct?”

“wha- I-...” The unicorn mare stumbled on her words. It was slightly amusing, but it was a habit that she needed to help her fix. She would hot have her servant be a blabbering fool.

Luna raised a hoof, immediately silencing Twilight. “Twilight Sparkle, is such a task within your capabilities? Yes or no?”

Twilight gulped heavily, her breathing quickening and the tail lowering “I-I beli-”

Luna's brows furrowed slightly before she interrupted Twilight again. “Yes or No, Twilight?”

Twilight understood the point, ( well, Luna hoped that she did) and took a deep breath to steel herself as she answered. “Yes, Princess Luna.”

“Good. I'll leave you to it and see the results later,” Luna said as she opened the meeting room’s doors and entered alone before closing the doors behind her. She hoped that Twilight would come with something that she could play along with.

Twilight's P.O.V

An hour and a half has passed since Twilight was left alone to come up with a secret identity for Princess Luna. She was not having a good time; Spike, however, was having the time of his life.

“Hmm, can we make her the daughter of two rich folks who wants to escape and become a farmer? Perhaps some of the nobility? Her being a farmer fits with Applejack, her nobility will certainly grab Rarity’s attention, escaping home for a dream would totally be something that Rainbow Dash would find awesome, too! And the princess is already good with animals and I don't think that we need to do anything for Pinkie to be on board with her.”

Twilight groaned as she placed her head on the desk. This was getting nowhere. Perhaps she should have said no instead…No, she already said Yes to the princess and she has to deliver on her word.

“Spike, while admittedly your backstory has merit, it only works if we plan to deceive the girls, something that could not happen at all. And I don't see what's wrong with her being a friend of mine from school!” Honestly, was it that hard to believe? She has friends here too!

“Twilight, I'd believe that the moon is made from cheese before I'd even consider believing that.” Okay, perhaps it was that- wait, HEY!

“Spike!” The little drake had serious gall to say that to her face.

“Okay, okay! We can roll with your idea. Though I still think mine is the better one”

Twilight sighed as she tried to think for a moment. If she was being honest with herself, Spike's idea had a good base. it might have been too much at once. But she can't blame him for that, though; he was still a young dragon after all.

“Okay, how about this, A smart pony from a traditional farming family. She was a friend of mine in school, and now she has graduated. She heard that I was coming to Ponyville, which is known to be a farming town, and so she was interested in coming with me during my visit. Is that good?”

Spike hummed for a moment as he took a thinking stance. He kept going at it for a hot minute before shrugging with a smile. “Yeah, I suppose it's good.”

The lavender mare quickly wrote down all the details of the backstory and everything else they came up with. It was usually Spike's job to write but Twilight was in a bit of a hurry at the moment.

Thankfully, it wasn't long before she was done. Twilight let out a sigh of relief before nearly jumping out of her skin as she heard a knock on the door.

She went and opened the door while grumbling under her breath before freezing as she saw Princess Luna.

“Princess Luna! I see you're done with your meeting, ehehe…just in time as well” Faust, that was close, too close. “We just finished the last details. It's all written down here,” Twilight said as she handed the princess the sheet of paper.

The purple glow was replaced with silver as the princess took hold of it. Her eyes quickly scanned the text before she gave a satisfactory nod (well Twilight hoped it was out of satisfaction).

The princess's horn then suddenly shone bright; after Twilight regained her vision, her jaw almost dropped to the floor. While just a moment ago, the princess was standing in front of her, now a new pony was there.

Who stood before her was a dark carmel-coloured earth pony mare of average height. The starry celestial mane was instead replaced with a long braided mix of blondes, from bright, to Hazel and then to strawberry, with a lighter uniform blonde hue on the tail. She had small tufts on the lower parts of her legs near the hooves and she had a cutie mark of a horseshoe with a mango in the middle. The only things that were unchanged about the princess were her eyes and regalia.

“I believe this is an appropriate look is it not?” Asked the princess as if what she did was not a big deal. Even her voice was different!

Twilight was so fascinated and engrossed in what she was seeing that she didn't hear nor feel Spike falling to the ground, nor did she stop staring or answer the princess.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the princess pushing her snout with her hoof lightly to snap her out of it. She shook her head, closed her mouth, and took a moment to formulate her thoughts.

“I-..you're- I mean, it's perfect princess! How did you do that? Almost everything is different! I-I don't know what to say.”

Luna nodded with a slight smile on her face. Perhaps she was proud of the reaction Twilight gave her or perhaps it was out of amusement. Twilight didn't know and for once, didn't care.

“Good, now would you grab your belongings so we can leave? Celestia arranged for you to stay at the same library that you resided in before. Also, call me Dusk Bloom while in this form, and try to act as if we were friends if we want to sell your story correctly.”

Twilight silently nodded as she grabbed her stuff and Spike with her magic before following princ- Dusk Bloom. Perhaps this won't be so bad after all.