"Luna?" Celestia asked, making her way through a group of ponies to a small competition in the middle. "Can I, uh, pull you aside for a second?"

   "Sure, I guess," Luna replied, wedging herself out of a pickle barrel she had been trying to sit in. They took off through the night to the Whisper Tree. The Whisper Tree was a tree grown for revealing secrets, because each one of its immense, sturdy, thick fruits could hold up to five ponies (or two princesses) and were totally soundproof.

   Celestia shut the door after her sister, and both shifted around a bit, trying not to touch each other. After a few moments, Celestia spoke. "You do know what the moon does to ponies, right?" Celestia asked.

   "Yeah, yeah, uh, of course I do... um... yes?" Luna replied unsurely. Celestia raised an eyebrow. Luna sighed. "No, I don't know what effect the moon has on ponies," Luna said softly.

   Celestia groaned, and covered her face with her right hoof. "It... boosts emotions. Like if you're happy, you're really happy, and if you're sad, youre... really sad, etcetera. That's why we usually keep he moon at the same distance throughout the year, and even on full moons it can get pretty hectic. And what did you do? Ya threw up a huge moon, just to impress your friends."

   Seeing the expression on Luna's face, Celestia felt compelled to smile. "I mean, I suppose it couldn't hurt just one night a year. But be caref-" Too late. Luna was already flying back to the party, a huge grin on her face. Celestia rubbed her forehead. She was going to need extra security tonight.*

   The six friends had been unfortunately been dissolved in the crowd, and the group, well, it... didn't exist anymore. Pinkie Pie was left at a cotton candy vendor, Applejack was abandoned in a crowd, Rarity had met up with Fluttershy, but nopony else, and Rainbow Dash and Twilight were together still at the dart booth.

   "Fluttershy?" Rarity asked. "Is that you? Darling, I simply can't see you over this awful crowd! Help me, please!" she cried above the noise. Fluttershy could hear Rarity's voice, and was able to pull her out of the crowd (but just barely). "Thank you, Fluttershy," Rarity said when they were both safely situated on the ground.

   "No problem," Fluttershy said, walking alongside Rarity. "Um, where are you going in such a hurry?"

   "Well, I'm going to go find Twilight," Rarity replied.

   "Rainbow Dash is with her, right?" Fluttershy asked, trying it keep up with Rarity.

   "Well, yes of c- waaaaait... do you miss her?" Rarity smiled and slowed down.

   "It - it was just a question, I didn't really say-"

   "You do, right? Oh, that's so sweet! You long for the companionship of your love, who was hidden from you in this rambunctious festival crowd!" Rarity looked positively joyful.

   "Well, um, that was kinda rude -"

   "Oh, it's just so romantic! I could write a story about it - nay, two stories! Two stories and a poem!" Rarity's eyes sparkled.

   Fluttershy drew herself to full height (it made her feel more confident). "I'd rather you not, thank you," she said sternly.'"Why are you obsessing over us?"

   "Obsessing? No, I just love the romance of it -"

   "Well, it may have been easier on us if you'd just be confused like the others were!" Fluttershy was rather angry now.

   "Oh, I'm very sorry, I didn't mean to insult anypony... I apologize," Rarity said finally, looking down at the ground.

   At this, Fluttershy became regretful of what she'd said, and leaned her head against Rarity's as they continued walking. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have had such an outburst. I mean, it, uh... it is kind of romantic, isnt it?" They continued laughing and talking until they reached the dart booth.

   Applejack looked around, and couldn't see any sign... of, really, anypony. So she figured she was done with the others for now, and turned to head back to the Apple Family's booth. On the way there, though, she saw a streak of neon pink. "Uh... hey! Pinkie? Is that you? Ah'm kinda lost in th' crowd over here..."

   Pinkie jumped when somepony mentioned her name (she was pretty deep in thought), but turned around to see Applejack behind her. "Oh, hi, Applejack!" Pinkie shouted over the music and voices. She rushed over to her, making her way through tons of candy-colored ponies.

   Applejack caught her as she tripped and nearly fell to the floor. "Gee, ah'm glad ta see you, Pinkie!" Applejack said, helping the fellow earth pony off of the tiled ground. "Took quite a tumble there, didn't cha?" Applejack laughed. Pinkie stood and shook herself off.

   She offered Applejack a little stick of cotton candy; she was carrying, like, six or seven. Applejack accepted it. "Thanks, Pinkie. How'd we get separated? This crowd ain't nothing compared to the Sugar Rush festival in Saddlesburg last year."

   "There was a what?"

   "A Sugar Rush festival, that, uh, celebrates sugar."

   At this, Pinkie's eyes widened. "I wanna go! I wanna go!" she cried, bouncing up and down insanely quickly. applejack put a hoof on her shoulder.

   "Okay, then, Pinkie, ah'll try ta find the details fer this year," Applejack said, calming the pink pony down. "Jist, uh... whah don't we try to find th' other four?" They set off walking towards the dart booth.

   Meanwhile, in the Hall of Justice...

   "Hey, guys!" Rainbow Dash said, being the first to notice Rarity and Fluttershy walking up behind them. "Where'd you guys go?"

   "Well, I was with Applejack and Pinkie, but I lost them somewhere by the cotton candy booth."

   "And she just happened to find me, almost being carried away by the crowd!" Rarity added.

   "Which cotton candy booth?" Rainbow asked.

   "The one to the East."

   "Oh." Dash put down the dart and walked over to Fluttershy. "You wanna play darts?" she asked.

   Twilight out down the dart she was holding, too, and stepped away. "I need to talk to Rarity for a minute anyways," she said, walking over to the white unicorn. Dash and Fluttershy looked at each other and walked over to the darts.

   Twilight stood next to Rarity, watching the pair playing darts together from behind. Dash was winning, as she did with Twilight, but she was taking it easier on Fluttershy, who was having a hard time grasping the darts. Every once it a while, one of them said something and the two pegusi giggled, continuing to the best of their ability to throw the remaining darts.

   Twilight turned to Rarity. "I never really imagined this happening... I mean, two of my best friends... just... I don't know."

   Rarity turned back. "I never really thought that would happen to Rainbow Dash, but I always rather thought...I mean, er, I just couldn't imagine Fluttershy with a - a colt," she stumbled through her thought. She let out a small, nervous chuckle, and became embarrassed at the look on Twilight's face.

   "You mean you actually think about the love lives of your friends?" She rolled her eyes and threw her forelegs into the air. "I mean, what the hell, Rarity?!"

   "I don't know, I just... I've never been in any kind of... relationship with anypony before. And just seeing what they have, it warms my heart, but it - makes me feel rather jealous, actually," Rarity replied. She didn't really know why she was saying what was on her mind. She wasn't really the type of pony to do that. But, she always felt like she could talk to Twilight. After all, Twilight was her best friend.

   Twilight replied, "I mean, you know me, heh; I've never really taken the time to be with anypony either. But I couldn't do what they're doing. Especially with a friend like that. It would just be too uncomfortable."

   "Personally, I've been trying for years to find the right colt, but he just hasn't come up yet. I still have my youth for another good ten or twelve years, but again, I'm just so upset that I can't find the right pony for me."

   "Well, tell me when you do, and then ask whether he has a brother."

   The two unicorns erupted into laughter, which even then was nearly indistinct above the noise of the festival around them. Then they heard Rainbow Dash say, "Hey, AJ! Hi, Pinkie! Where'd you guys go?"