"Well it's getting late, and we have business to attend to in Canterlot, before the summer sun celebration begins next week. I trust you girls will be in attendance." Said Princess Celestia standing and giving each of the six pony best friends hugs.

"Of course we'll be there Princess. We wouldn’t miss it for the world." Said Twilight returning the hug when it was her turn.

"Excellent, Well then girls. Be safe, and keep Rainbow and Pinkie out of trouble." Said the Princess of the sun. Turning to leave. Her sister following behind her.

"You know Tia. I really do get such good feelings about those six." Said Luna looking back at the hospital as the two alicorns took off.

"So do I Luna. So do I. I'm so glad that Twilight found such great friends, and in turn that they found her.

An enduring friendship
Chapter 4
Rainbow’s release, the summer sun celebration

Six days later. Ponyville urgent care.

“Carefully.” Said the doctor as two orderlies cut the stitches off of the two ponies. One doing Pinkie’s tongue, The other Rainbow’s cutie marks.

“Now this may sting.” Said the orderlies to the girls. As they began to pull the cut stitches away from the healed flesh. Both Rainbow and Pinkie winced at they did so. Pinkie more however. Being that the area was a much more sensitive one then Rainbow’s.

“It would seem that your tongue could have used more time to heal, Miss Pie.” Said the doctor looking over the organ, but as long as you don’t talk too much or too fast, then it should be fine.” Said the doctor. Looking at Pinkie’s charts.

“Talk too much or too fast. Just great the two things Pinkie does the most.” Said Rainbow looking over at her friend, and giving her a warm smile.

“With the doctor’s permission. I know some medical magic; maybe i can help Pinkie’s tongue to heal the rest of the way?” Suggested Twilight looking at the doctor for his reaction.

“You are the Princess student, I’m certain you’ll do a fine job. Yes you have my permission.” Said the doctor nodding.

“Now on to you Rainbow dash.” Said the doctor walking over to Rainbow. A nurse following him with a tub of plaster and some bandages.

“I want to have you in casts for the next couple of weeks, Okay. Just to insure your back hoofs don’t get worse.” Explained the doctor, as the nurse wrapped Rainbow’s back legs in the bandages, and put them in the plaster. Another bringing out a wheelchair.

“Oh no!” Said the blue Pegasus. Pointing at the wheelchair as the orderlies kept her from falling down, as she stood in the tub of plaster. “If i can’t walk out of here on my own, then I’m not leaving at all.” Finished Rainbow her arms now acrossed her chest.

“Rainbow, if you’re not in a wheelchair then the casts will break, and they will have been pointless. I know how you feel. You’re a proud young lady, and rightfully so, but you cannot allow your pride it get it the way of your path to recovery.” Said the Doctor firmly.

“Come on Rainbow. No need of causing a fuss. Now let’s go put your wonderbolt’s uniform on. You don’t want every pony staring at your injuries, now do you.” Said Applejack helping the Pegasus into the wheelchair, and taking her back into her room.

Outside Ten minutes later.

“Oh Rainbow, It looks so wonderful on you.” Said Spitfire. Coming up and hugging the Pegasus. Spitfire had come down from Canterlot with Soarin, to see Rainbow out of the hospital. “With the way you look in that uniform, I kind of wish that you could of became a true wonderbolt.” Said Spitfire Face hoofing when she seen the damage her words had caused.

“Ya me too.” Said Rainbow beginning to cry.

“Now Rainbow. Come on now cheer up. Let’s go get us something sweet from Sugarcube corner. “

Ya Okay.” Agreed the Pegasus. Smiling a little.

Sugarcube corner ten minutes later.

“Oh Rainbow. I’m so sorry this happened to you.” Said Mr.’s Cake hugging Rainbow and giving her one of the Pegasus’s favorite treats. A blueberry muffin with rainbow icing.

“So you guys have stopped selling cupcakes huh?” Asked Twilight when she noticed that there were no more cupcakes in any of the display cases.

“Oh good heavens yes.” Answered Mr. Cake continuing to sweep the floor. “After we found out what had happened. We threw every single cupcake away, then the royal investigation team came in and cleaned up the basement, all of Pinkamena’s victim’s bodies have been buried, and the families came, and gave them all a funeral. Most of the families wanted Pinkie to be punished, but as Princess Luna was there to witness Pinkamena’s banishment. Princess Celestia wouldn’t hear of it.” He finished as he put the pan and broom away.

“We’re just so glad that you and Pinkie are safe Rainbow, and now we can start putting this horrible mess behind us.” Said Mr.’s Pie Hugging Pinkie, and heading back behind the counter. Leaving the group to eat their food.

Rainbow’s cloud house. An hour later

“Be ready to catch her if she falls Fluttershy. Yelled out Twilight as Rainbow stepped out of the hot air balloon, and touched her feet down on the cloud that soon would be back in Cloudsdale where it belonged.

“Right.” Yelled back Fluttershy a couple of seconds after it was too late.

“It would seem that even without your wings, you can still walk on clouds Rainbow.” Laughed Pinkie bouncing out of the basket after her. Twilight having cast the walking on clouds for three days spell on everyone but Rainbow and Fluttershy again.

“Well I’m just glad that some things are going to stay the same for Rainbow.” Said Rarity following after the other two.

“You sure about this Rainbow? You don’t have to do this you know.” Said one of the movers. That would be moving the cloud back to Cloudsdale.

“ Yes i'm sure. It’d be too much of a hassle to have to use the balloon just to get up and down from Ponyville, nah if i can’t fly then i might as well live on the ground with the others.” Said Rainbow hugging the mover who was an old friend from summer flight camp. “Now then girls let’s hop to it, everything has to go.”

Twilight’s Library a few hours later

“Princess Luna, What are you doing here?” Asked Twilight as her and the others entered the library to decide what Rainbow was going to do until she found a new place to stay.

“We are hearest to invite thee all to stay at Canterlot castle.” Said Luna in the royal Canterlot voice “If’st not all of thou then at least Rainbow and Pinkie.” Finished Luna

“But why Princess?” Asked Pinkie confused. Luna returned to her normal voice.

“It would seem that even though my sister has ordered them to leave you alone, and to simply forgive and forget. Some of the families of the ponies Pinkamena killed are still after you, So Tia and i agreed that it would be safest for you in Canterlot. Where we could keep an eye on you and since Rainbow needs a place to stay. Tia’s not going to take no for an answer from you as well Rainbow.”

“Of course as i said all of you are welcome to come to the castle, and stay with me and Tia, It gets lonely in that big old castle with only each other and the guards for company, But as i said. It’s your choice. We do understand you have your own lives to attend to." Explained Princess Luna “But you’ll have to come up to Canterlot anyways, being your coming to the summer sun celebration. Are you not?” Asked Luna.

“Yes princess we’ll be coming to the summer sun celebration, and we’d be happy to stay with you and Princess Celestia. Until everything blows over. Right girls?” Asked Twilight turning to the others

“I don’t have any dress orders or anything, so yes I’d love to stay at the castle again.” Said Rarity bowing to Princess Luna.

“I’m sure Big Mac and Granny smith can deal with things while I’m gone. Yes I’ll come too” Said Applejack also with a polite bow.

“I don’t really want to leave my animals, but i don’t want to be all alone, so yes I’ll come as well. I’m sure Angel can take care of things for me while I’m gone. “Said Fluttershy the last to answer, and bow to the princess.

“Excellent!” Cheered Luna “Tia will be overjoyed. “Finished Luna as she opened the door, and led the others over to her chariot, and they took off to get the Pony’s things, and let their families, and in the case of Pinkie guardians know. However things didn’t go well with Apple bloom and Sweetie belle.

“Aww, Sis why can’t i come too.” Whined Applebloom, as Applejack came in to collect her things, and tell Big Mac and Granny Smith what was going on.

“Because Applebloom. Rainbow doesn’t need a bunch of fillies jumping up and down around her. Asking a bunch of questions that she nor Pinkie are ready to answer yet, besides what happened to Rainbow is something you don’t need to see until she’s fully healed now scoot.” Said Applejack as she headed out to door.

“But Rarity.” Whined Sweetie Belle as Rarity gather up some thread and fabric, and other things she wanted. “Why can’t i go you’ve gotten to see the castle so many times now? When is it going to be my turn?”

“When Princess Celestia decides to invite you Sweetie Belle, Now hush Rainbow is going to need time to heal before you can see her, The way she looks now is simply dreadful, and it’s not something a filly you age needs to be seeing, now good bye.” Explained Rarity heading out the door.

Back in Luna’s chariot

“Princess, Can we stop by Scootaloo’s house, before we go?” Asked Rainbow.

“Why whatever for Rainbow?” Asked Luna confused.

“I think Scoot needs to see what happened to me, before she has a chance to just sneak into wherever it is i am, and sees what Pinkamena did to me.” Explained Rainbow messing with the wheels of her chair.

“I understand Rainbow.” Said Princess Luna nodding.

Scootaloo’s house a couple minutes later

“Coming.” Said Scootaloo’s mother coming to the door.

“Hi, umm is Scootaloo home?” Asked Rainbow when it was opened and Scootaloo’s mom greeted her.

“Yes, she is.” Said The Orange Pegasus “Please keep it as pleasant as possible Rainbow.” Continued the Pegasus. “I may agree that this is the best way to do it, but i still don’t want her to be scarred by this.” She finished opening the door to Scootaloo’s room

“Hey Rainbow dash.” Squealed Scootaloo when she saw who it was. “Did ya finally get into the wonderbolts; is that the surprise you were talking about with my mom? Why are you in a wheelchair?” Asked Scootaloo noticing the uniform the Pegasus was wearing, but also that her hero was sitting in a wheelchair.

“No i didn’t scoot, and i never will. I know it’s going to be hard, but try not to scream.” Said Rainbow dash taking of her wonderbolts uniform, and the bandages off of the stubs.

“Your wings. “Cried out Scootaloo when she noticed the blood stained stubs, and casts on Rainbow’s legs. “So this is why you’ve been gone, so long. This is why everyponies been talking about you, and Pinkie. Because she cut off your wings.” Cried Scootaloo collapsing on her bed, and sobbing.

“Yes scoot, but listen. Pinkie is better now, okay. She’s not going to hurt anypony anymore okay, but listen Scoot when you get up, and flying, and finally find your cutie mark, just make sure you never take them for granted okay. I loved flying, and i always assumed i was going to be able to fly, but now that I’m not able to anymore, I’d give anything to have that back, so just make sure you take nothing for granted, and live each day like it’s your last, because if not for the others, that day would have been my last day.” Said Rainbow putting her wonderbolts uniform back on. Along with her bandages, giving the Pegasus a hug, and wheeling out of the room.

“I’ll be a wonderbolt someday Rainbow. I’ll do it for you. I promise.” Yelled out Scootaloo as Rainbow began to shut the door.

“I’ll be rooting for you someday then Scoot, make sure you knock em dead.” Said Rainbow closing the door and smiling.

The grand Canterlot Castle five hours later.

“Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie pie, Applejack, and Fluttershy. How wonderful it is to have you here. I do hope you will enjoy yourselves while you are here. Now my servants will show you to your rooms."

Twenty minutes later after everypony seen their room.

“Not again sister! That’s not fair! I swear if this game had a moon level I’d do the same thing to you!” Whined a child sized Luna staring back at her sister, as her pony died having jumped into the sun that Celestia had magically controlled to fly into Luna’s character on super pony brothers 3.

“Oh now come on Luna, it was just a little joke.” Said Celestia hugging her sister.

“Hey Princess Luna ever seen this game.” Said Pinkie pulling out a gold disk a popping it into the game system. “It’s about a hero who has to save the world from a imp who’s stolen a magical mask, and is using it to cause the moon to crash into it in three days.” Laughed Pinkie in Luna’s ear. “Get Princess Celestia to play it and you can get back at her.” Giggled the pink earth pony.

“Oh that is a splendid idea Pinkie.” Whispered Luna back. “Oh Sister, how about we play this game.” Giggled Luna as she handed Celestia the controller.

Ten Minutes later

“Luna! You tricked me!” Screamed Celestia as the fire surrounded the pony hero, and a voice laughed, and on the screen it said “You’ve met with a terrible fate, haven’t you?”

“All’s fair in love and war, dear sister.” Laughed Luna dodging the pillow that was tossed at her. Running away. “Besides you did it to me.”

“That was different.” Claimed Celestia as she chased after her younger sister.

“Oh yeah prove it.” Taunted Luna chucking the pillow back at Celestia, but it hit Twilight Instead.

“Pillow fight!” Cheered out the Purple unicorn, before all descended into chaos.

Sunrise the next morning.

“Hear ye Hear ye, The Princess approaches.” Announced out one of the Guards, as Princess Celestia rose into the sky. Her horn glowing as the beautiful early morning sun followed her up into the sky as she ascended. The Sunrise was complete. Thus began the longest day of the summer.

“All hail our wonderful Princess Celestia.” Said the guard as everypony cheered and bowed before there Princess, bathed in the early morning light.

Five minutes later.

The princess stood at the podium and looked all around at her subject. “I have two announcements to make today.” Said Princess Celestia “Would Princess Luna of Equestria, and Rainbow Dash of Ponyville please join me here on stage. “I Princess Celestia of Equestria do hereby decree that the following two days will become Equestrian holidays, first from this day forth. The twelfth day of this the month of June. Nine days before the summer sun celebration. Will from now on be known as the day of the Shining Rainbow.”

“To honor those whose lives were lost in the Cupcakes killings and to honor their only survivor. Rainbow Dash of Ponyville.” Rainbow bowed before Princess Celestia as she put a metal around Rainbow’s neck and gave her a hug. “No one knows how much pain you’re going through. I hope you’ll be able to find a way to continue on showing such bravery even without your wings.” Said Celestia

“Thank you Princess.” Said Rainbow looking down at her metal tears streaming from her face.

“Second from this day forth. The twenty first day of the month of October shall from now on be known as the Harvest Moon Celebration. In witch Princess Luna of Equestria shall bring fourth the moon, and we shall celebrate the autumn solstice, and the beautiful harvest moon. It has been one year ago today that Princess Luna has returned to us, and on this day the Summer Sun Celebration. I hereby decree that Luna’s place by my side be reinstated completely. She is now as she should have always been joint ruler of Equestria.”

A scribe came forward to Princess Celestia having written down what she had said, and once she had signed it. The scribe proclaimed

“So it is written, and so it shall be. All hail Princess Celestia, all hail Princess Luna!” The crowd’s cheers were deafening, as Princess Luna bowed before the people, and a crown matching Princess Celestia’s was placed on her head, just above the horn.

“Would Princess Luna please address her people?” Said Celestia moving from the Podium, and making room for Luna. “Remember hun, No royal Canterlot voice, we don’t use it anymore okay.” Whispered Celestia in Luna’s ear, and hugging her.

“I don’t know what to say.” Said Luna her voice thick with tears. “It’s been a thousand years since I’ve addressed this land as it’s princess. I’m so happy that my sister has seen fit to reestablish my power. I swear i shall do my best, and never ever let the darkness into my heart again. Before i stand down though i need to address one more person. Would Pinkie Pie of Ponyville. Please come up to the stage, and join Rainbow Dash.” Said Princess Luna looking at the pink earth pony in the crowd.

Once Pinkie had joined them Luna continued. “I need to address something towards everypony in the crowd, especially the ones coming here from Ponyville. As everypony in the crowd is aware of by now Pinkie Pie is the one who was committing the murders now known as the cupcake killings, but i implore you to forgive her, for she too let the darkness into her heart.”

“A darkness known as Pinkamena, and just as it was Nightmare moon, and not me who tried to cover this land in an everlasting night. It was Pinkamena, and not Pinkie Pie who was committing those atrocities, so please as your Princess i am begging you to forgive Pinkie. Yes it hurts i know it. The pain we feel at the loss of a loved one is great, and the rage we feel towards the one who took their life from them is just as great, But Pinkie is not that person, and she does not deserve the hate that those of you who lost loved ones in the cupcake killings are feeling, so please let go of your hate, and try to forget.”

“No I’m not saying to forget your loved ones, not at all. More so asking you to forget the hate that you are feeling because of it. The murderer had been punished, and justice has been done, thank you.” Said Luna stepping down from the podium, and hugging Pinkie. Who was sobbing uncontrollably.

“Thank you so much Luna!” Sobbed Pinkie soaking Luna’s mane in her tears.

“It’s alright Pinkie. You didn’t do anything wrong, and i just wanted to let everypony know, because even though they did two totally different things. I know what it is like to carry in your heart the sins of an alter ego.” Soothed Luna rubbing the pink earth ponies back. “Maybe now together we can heal. You and I.”