(Bat) A Feeling Of Joy - 1

>Day Day Before The Longest Day In Equestria in Equestria.

>Tomorrow marks the day of the one-thousand-three-hundredth Summer Sun Celebration.
>Everyp0ny has been working as hard as they could.
>Princess Celestia was going to be there, of course.
>But you had also heard that Princess Twilight Sparkle and Princess Luna would also make an appearance.
>Princess Luna.
>Maybe you'd get to talk to her.
>Maybe she'd ask you to serve in her Night Guard!
>You smile as wide as you can, the butterflies in your stomach rampage.
>"Uh... Speck? Are you alright?"
>You look up at him, your hooves covering your mouth.
>You answer him with the faintest whisper.
"Princess Luna is coming to P0nyville."
>You screech and flail your front hooves against his leg.
>Anon begins walking away from you.
>P0nies begin to stare.
>Some even giggle at your display.
>You've been so much happier since you and Anon started appearing in public together.
>Many of the p0nies that liked him stopped acting so apprehensive around you.
>And many of the p0nies were acting friendly toward you.
>It's only been a month since you met Anon, and your life has taken a turn for the better.
>He makes you feel so happy.

>You look up at the clock tower in the center of town.
>11AM.
>You wonder when the princesses were supposed to get into town.
>Probably later in the day.
>You shrug and gallop in the direction Anon went.
>Passing Sugarcube Corner, you ask Mr. Eccles Cake which way Anon went.
>He grumbles and points you toward the library.
>Anon told you once that Mr. Cake wasn't fond of many p0nies.
>You never took anything Mr. Cake said or did to heart.
>You start towards the library, wishing several p0nies a good morning as you pass them.
>It's nice, not being hated or feared.
>You push the door to the library open as soon as you arrive.
>The librarian looks at you, clearly startled.
>She rectifies this by smiling warmly at you and pointing towards the Magic wing.
>You don't think she's ever seen you without Anon nearby.
>That was probably how she knew you were looking for him.
>You thank her with a smile and walk into the Magic wing.
>Anon is sitting at a small table near the back corner of the room.
>And he's sitting with Princess Twilight Sparkle.
>You hide behind a bookshelf, watching and listening to them.
>"So, you found her lurking around your house in the middle of the night, and you just took her in?"
>Anon nods.
>Are they talking about you?
>You try to sneak closer, but trip and knock over a small shelf stacked with books.
>Good job Speck.
>You blew your cover.
>Anon groans as Twilight giggles.
>"Speck."
>You approach the two of them and look up at Anon.
>He reaches for you.
>You flinch.
>He places a hand on your head and ruffles your mane.
>"So this is the infamous Speck? It's a pleasure to meet you."
>She extends a hoof.
>You nervously take it.
>One of the princesses is talking to you.
>And now she's shaking your hoof.
>"My name is Princess Twilight Sparkle, but you can call me Twilight."

>She's nice.
>Her smile is warm.
>And her voice is as soothing as any mother's could be.
>You guess that goes along with being a princess.
>You look over at Anon.
>He's reading a book about the Summer Sun Celebration.
>Twilight lets go of your hoof and turns back to Anon.
>Anon sets the book down.
>"So you've been a princess for three-hundred years?"
>"Give or take."
>He scratches his head.
>"And this Celebration is to celebrate the sun?"
>She nods.
>"And it started thirteen-hundred years ago to celebrate to fall of Nightmare Moon."
>"Right."
>"And Nightmare Moon was Princess Luna."
>Your ears perk at Princess Luna's name.
>You remember hearing stories of her corruption and her fall as Luna, and her rise and fall as Nightmare Moon.
>You pipe up before Anon can say anything else.
"Is Princess Luna coming to the celebration?"
>Your outburst catches Twilight and Anon off guard.
>Twilight giggles.
>Anon goes back to his book.
>"Why, yes. Yes, she is."
>You feel your heart sink and your stomach flip.
>She's going to be here.
>THE Princess of the Night.
>"If you'd like, I could introduce you to her."
>You have no reaction to this.
>You have no face to express how overjoyed you are.
>You sit there.
>You do nothing.
>Anon puts his head in his hands and whispers.
>"Here we go."
>Twilight looks over at him.
>A low screeching begins to sound throughout the room.
>"What is that?"
>Anon holds a finger up, signalling Twilight to wait.
>Your [spoiler]screeching intensifies[/spoiler].
>Twilight has no time to react to you leaping across the table at her.
>You grab her into the tightest hug you can.
"OhLunaIcan'tbelievethisishappeningyou'rethebestPrincessTwilight."

>You might get diabetes if you hang around this little bat p0ny any longer.
>Twilight looks up at you as she lay on the floor.
>Speck binds her in an overzealous hug.
>"Help... me..."
>You look away from Twilight, a smile slowly creeping across your face.
"Speck, get off of her. I don't think that's any way to treat royalty, no matter how casual they're being."
>You can feel the room get hotter from the intensity of Speck's blush.
>"I'msorryI'msorryI'msorry. I'm soooo sorry."
>"It's quite fine, Speck. You remind me of a certain friend of mine from a long time ago."
>Her friends.
>That must have been hard.
>This library was her home once.
>And this town was where she lived, so long ago.
>You've read the stories of how she became an Alicorn.
>You've read all about her coronation and everything she went through.
>But you've never once read anything about how she reacted to her friends' passings.
>You can't even fathom that feeling.
>You living forever, while everyone you know and love passes before your eyes.
>Her friends, her parents, her brother.
>Speck climbs into your lap, waking you from your musings.
>You smile and stroke her mane and give a little scratch behind her ear.
>"You two are lucky to have each other."
>Twilight smiles at you.

>Her horn starts to glow.
>A small scroll materializes in front of her.
>She sighs and opens the scroll.
>She reads over it and turns back to you and Speck.
>"Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are about to be at the banquet to celebrate the Apple family."
>Yeah, you remember reading something about the Apples.
>You've never talked to any of them at length.
>They seemed like an alright bunch.
>You read that they were the ones who founded P0nyville about four hundred years ago.
>And that one of Twilight's friends was a part of that family.
>Speck was already out the door of the library.
>Twilight stood at the door that led back into the lobby.
>"Anon, are you coming?"
>You should stop thinking.
>It tends to distract you.
>It warps your sense of time.
>You stand and follow Twilight out.
>Speck is already outside zipping around the sky with excitement.
>She's about to meet two more princesses today.
>One of which is her hero, you guess.
"Hey Twilight."
>She looks up at you, giving a small "hm?" in response.
"Aren't there four princesses in total?"
>She nods.
>"Yes, but Princess Cadance doesn't normally show up to these Celebrations. They coincide with another festival they have in the Crystal Empire."
>You nod your head and continue walking with her.
>Speck flies circles around you.
>Twilight has a very nostalgic look on her face.
>"She's an amazing p0ny, Anon. You must feel absolutely blessed to have her as a friend."
>You catch Speck in mid-air as she tries to pass you.
>You hug her tightly as she screeches from the surprise of being captured.
"I feel more than blessed, Twilight."
>Speck escapes your grasp and flies off.

"She makes me feel happy."
>Twilight d'awws.
>"Somep0ny's got a crush."
>You stare at her.
>You stare deep into her immortal soul.
>You stare so deep, that you can see everything she's ever been through.
>You can feel everything she's ever felt.
>And she can feel everything you've ever felt.
>Your stare could erode anything in the world into its final stages of existence.
>You could crumble mountains with this stare.
>Twilight starts giggling.
>"Oh, I'm just teasing you, Anon."
>Small horse, please.
>Your heart is failing you.
>"We should hurry, though. The banquet might start without us."
>You highly doubt that.
>Why would they start a banquet without a princess that pretty much grew up in this town?
>Let alone a princess that was friends with the family that founded it.
>She starts to gallop away.
>You're quick to follow her.
>Your thoughts can be put on the back burner.
>Speck notices you running, catches up to you, and hovers at your side.
>The two of you come to a halt next to Twilight as she sits in front of a very large building.
>It has a carousel theme to it.
"The Carousel Opera House?"
>Twilight nods.
>"Despite everyp0ny's differences. We were all the best of friends."
>She sighs.
>"Rarity was never able to bring herself to leave P0nyville."
>The three of you step inside.
>It's very posh in here.
>It makes you feel under dressed.
>Jeans, t-shirt, over-shirt.
>Nah, you always look good.
>"Rarity's dresses were eventually made popular, and sold by the hundred in Canterlot."
>Twilight leads you and Speck to the dining hall.
>"She made quite the fortune, and together with the efforts of Applejack and the Apple Family, they expanded P0nyville."
>You stand outside the door, Twilight continues her story.
>"Eventually, Rarity tore down her boutique and erected this Opera hall. I believe her great-great-grand-daughter is in charge of it now."
>Twilight must have kept in touch with all of her friends' descendants.
>It makes you wonder if Twilight ever had any children of her own.
>Or if her brother did.
>Wasn't he married to Princess Cadance?
>You can't recall, but if that was the case, it would make sense that Twilight was the only living member of her close family.
>Twilight enters the dining hall.
>You and Speck follow.
>A large room opens in front of you, two long tables sit side by side.
>Princess Celestia sits at the head of one.
>Princess Luna heads the other.
>There have to be at least fifty ponies here.
>And judging by their cutiemarks, over half are Apples.
>There is no grand announcement of Twilight's arrival.
>Simply a nod from the Princess of the Sun and the Princess of the Night.
>They regard you in the same manner.
>You return the gesture.

>You met Celestia and Luna during your first few days of being in Equestria.
>They both insisted that you move to P0nyville and befriend the citizens.
>You did a horrible job of that.
>But they never minded it, as long as you didn't cause trouble.
>And you never did.
>Twilight takes a seat by Celestia.
>You and Speck take a seat by Luna.
>Speck can't contain herself, and she's doing her best not to embarrass herself.
>You won't give that very long to happen.
>"Good afternoon, Anonymous. How are you doing?"
>You shrug and take a sip of water that a waiter had brought you.
"Not bad."
>Luna looks to Speck.
>She smiles.
>Speck awkwardly smiles back.
>You smell spaghetti.
>"So, little bat p0ny. How did you come to meet Anon?"
>Speck taps her hooves together.
>You can see she's sweating.
>"I, uh... He... he found me in his... his bushes."
>Luna laughs heartily and places a hoof on Speck's shoulder.
>One of the waiters places a plate of spaghetti in front of you.
>That would explain the smell.
>Speck tenses up momentarily before relaxing completely.
>Any sign of her being nervous has faded.
>"Please, little p0ny. There is no need to feel so uneasy around me."
>Luna takes her hoof away.
>Speck grins at Luna.
>You lean over and whisper in Luna's ear.
"What was that?"
>"What was what?"
"She was just acting like a scared puppy."
>Luna chuckles.
>"The bat p0nies are my children, in a way. I am the Princess of the Night, and they are the Children of the Night."
>She looks to Speck.
>"And I consider myself to be their guide, and their mother. No matter if they drink blood, or if they eat fruit."
>Speck blushes, and Luna speaks up once again.
>"Wherever they hang, and no matter how batty they are."
>She boops Speck on the nose.
>Your head is already in your hands.
>The floodgates are opening.
>There's nothing you can do to stop it.
>Et tu, Luna?
>Speck's face lights up.
>She grins at you.
>You can't see it, but you can feel it.
>"I didn't know you liked puns, Princess! Anon loves puns!"
>You groan.
>"Hey, Anon, why don't you turn that frown upside down? You can't just hang around at a banquet feeling like a damp cave."
>Luna giggles at this.
>You turn around and tap Twilight on the shoulder.
>Her and Celestia turn to you.
"Do either one of you have a gun? Or a spell to make me deaf? Or better yet, just kill me?"
>They shake their heads and stifle a giggle.

>Luna takes a sip of her apple cider.
>"Anon, you haven't touched your spaghetti."
>Yeah you lost your appetite around when that first pun left Luna's mouth.
"Yeah, I guess I just had a big breakfast."
>"He's able to go an entire day with almost no food to go on."
>You stare at Speck, trying to find the pun in her sentence.
>She looks at you and smiles.
>"No?"
"No."
>She snickers.
>Luna also snickers.
>Something just happened and you have no idea what.
>This makes you uncomfortable.
>You pick up your glass of water and your plate of spaghetti and move to the other table.
>You'll sit with Twilight and Celestia.
>At least they don't act crazy.

>You and your hero, Princess Luna, are having fun throwing puns and jokes at each other.
>She says it's been a long time since she's seen any of her bat p0nies.
>She hasn't even visited Hollow Shades within the past hundred years or so.
>You find that sad.
>You're the first bat p0ny she's seen in so long.
>It's been almost three years since you saw one.
>Luna's laughter dies down as she sees you frowning.
>"Does something trouble you, dear Speck?"
>You nod a little bit.
>"Pray, do tell."
>You look across the table, past Twilight, and stare at Anon.
"Are angels real?"
>Luna looks away from you, her mouth slightly open.
>She sighs and shakes her head, offering you a small smile.
>"Some p0nies believe they are. Why do you ask?"
>You rub a hoof along your neck.
"My mom used to tell me stories about them. And I figured, since you've been around so long, maybe you knew?"
>Luna chuckles a little and casts a glance over a Celestia.
>"I'm not completely sure, Speck. I believe they did, at one point. Some p0nies say they still walk among us, though."
>She turns back to face you.
>"Maybe you'll meet one, someday."
>You smile threatens to rip you face in half.
>You can't contain the happiness you feel from Luna's words.
>She giggles lightly before excusing herself.

>You are now Anon.
>Luna and Celestia have been discussing the need to prepare for the ceremony for about half an hour now.
>Twilight excused herself from the banquet a short while earlier.
>The two remaining princesses excuse themselves, and the hall dies down.
>The banquet itself wasn't too bad.
>The food was good, the p0nies were nice.
>You met a good portion of the Apple family.
>Good, honest p0nies.
>You'll have to pay them a visit sometime.
>You look across the table.
>Speck is still sitting in the same spot, eating her fruit salad.
>You go and sit beside her.
>She smiles at you.
>It's a very small smile.
>But you can tell there's something on her mind.
"We should probably go to the ceremony."
>She nods and finishes up her fruit.
>She leans against you as the two of you head out of the opera house.
>She's acting weird, but you choose to ignore it.
>The rest of the day is going to be fun.
>You look up at the clock tower.
>2PM.
>Plenty of time to partake in festivities.
>Speck leads you off deeper into the town to go play some of the games that were already set up.

>Time flies, you and her help set more booths and events up.
>You see neither hide nor tail of the three princesses for the rest of the day.
>Speck starts to get tired around when the clock tower chimes 10PM.
>You figure it would be a good idea to get some rest before the festival really begins.
>You and your bat p0ny head back home to get some rest.