“Finally!” Malice exclaimed. “Finally we get to the stuff that we don’t already know.”

DJ rolled his eyes. “Look bro, we had to go through that stuff. Not everyone knows Pix’s story so it was better to be safe than sorry.”

“Still a waste of my time.”

“Oh hush, Malice. Trixie wants to hear more story. Please continue, brother.”

DJ smiled at his sister-in-law. “Thank you, Trixie. Now, where was I…”

I watched in anticipation as Canterlot grew from my view from the train. The past week was fun and all, getting to know my favorite ponies and my new big brother (still wasn’t used to being able to say that again; it felt so nice). It was also hard to believe that the magnificent city before would be my new home. Things were happening so fast and I was loving every moment of it.

The train pulled into the station after another thirty minutes and I disembarked after another couple. Once off the train, I took in a big breath and let it out, smiling from how clean the air was, compared to old New York that is. That was not a clean city, let’s leave it at that. Anyways, I headed off in a jolly trot towards the castle that dominates the skyline.

All around me, I saw ponies going about their business, many with their noses held high. I never understood why they did that, other than to feel more important about themselves. Pretty rude, don’t you think? Anyways, it didn’t take long for me to find my way through the streets of the city and was soon at the castle gates. I nodded to the guards and started walking in, only to be stopped by the guard on my right. To be honest, I felt a little miffed.

“Um… can I go in?”

“Apologies, miss, but all entrants are required to have an appointment while Day Court is in session.”

“But I need to go in there!” I pleaded. “Celestia is expecting me!”

“That is Princess Celestia to you!” he growled, causing me to flinch. “Now, I ask you once more to leave before I must--”

“Go right on in, miss,” interrupted the guard on my right. Both myself and his partner turned to him in shock. He gave me a gentle smile and urged me forward. “Go on, I’m sure the Princess will be glad to see you.” I smiled brightly at him and walked through.

“Thank you, kind sir. It is most appreciated.” I am a courteous lady, after all. As I walked by them, though I overheard the rookie guard ask to his superior,

“Why did you let that filly through?”

I heard the older stallion chuckle. “You’ll learn the ropes soon enough, rookie. But that young mare always gets a free pass, she is Celestia’s daughter, after all.”

“SHE’S WHAT?!”

I giggled a little under my breath and left the stallions to their job. I still wasn’t used to the layout to the castle, so safe to say… I got lost almost immediately. Seriously! Would it kill somepony to put some signs up, or a mag every few places? But I digress, I wandered through the castle aimlessly for a good while, finally coming up on what appeared to be an information desk. And, of course, there was the stereotypical secretary who was filing her hooves, looking absolutely bored.

“Um, excuse me, miss?”

“Hmm?” She glanced up at me for a quick second before going back to her hooves. “Sorry kid, no more petitioners today. Come back tomorrow.”

“But I need to see Celestia, it’s important.”

“No can do; not without an appointment.”

“But--”

“Look, kid” she said with a glare, “No appointment, no princess. Understood?”

“But--”

“Scram, kid. Can’t you see I’m busy?” She went right back to filing, and not the kind she probably should have been doing. I glared slightly at her and huffed, turning away and heading back into the never-ending halls of the castle. I was pretty miffed at that mare and her attitude, understandably so. It wasn’t that I was expecting recognition or anything, but at least I wanted to be treated like I existed. I was so mad that I wasn’t watching where I was going and ended up bumping right into another pony.

“Oof!” we both cried out and hit the floor. I rubbed my head, trying to ease the pain, as a I looked at who I hit. I was nearly pale at the sight of the blonde stallion in front of me.

“Ugh, who dares to touch the marvelous Prince Blue…” he stopped as he caught the sight of me, his anger turning to… was that desire? Oh boy. “Well helloo~, miss,” he said with a suave flick of his mane. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I am Prince Blue Blood, heir to the royal throne. And who might you be, my lovely flower?” He put on his best smile and all I felt was disgust. This was the same pony who had struck me across the cheek only a week prior.

I brushed away his greeting hoof with a snort. “Sorry Bluey, but we have already met and I don’t think you want to be hitting on me.”

“Have we?” he asked with innocence and a warm smile. “I don’t believe so. No, I would certainly remember a beautiful flower such as yourself. Where and when did we meet, my lovely dear?”

I rolled my eyes. “Last week in the royal kitchens when you smacked me across the face.” His face contorted in confusion, so I decided to help him out a bit. “Revert!” In a burst of gold and ruby light, I was human once again, turning my ‘suitor’ pale. “Remember me now, Bluey?”

He stammered as he tried to restore his blown mind. “I-I-I am so sorry, cousin! I didn’t know you could turn into a pony!” He turned green after a second, probably realizing what he had just been doing. “Oh Celestia, I was just courting my cousin! She may be adopted… no that’s just sick! I, I have to go, go find the facilities.” He rushed off, but stopped for just a second. “Good to see you, Berry. Farewell!”

As Blue Blood turned the corner and ran, I was left a little shellshocked. That was nothing like the stallion I had the displeasure of meeting a week ago. I actually smiled a little as I turned back into a pony and headed off. Maybe Blue Blood isn’t as bad as I thought, I thought to myself. I continued on down the halls, still as lost as ever. I soon came to a dark, navy blue door with a familiar crescent moon on it. I looked at it with curiosity and decided to knock.

The door unlocked and opened slightly, surrounded in a blue aura. “Enter,” I heard a voice say from within. I shrugged and cantered right in. I looked around the sight of a large, dark (almost like night) coloured bedroom; there were several bookshelves all around with books on astronomy and similar sciences, a huge four-poster bed with the curtains currently pulled back, and out on the balcony was a small telescope pointed out at the sky. Also out on the balcony was my new aunt, Princess Luna. She turned around at hearing me enter and smiled.

“Ah, niece, you have returned from your trip. We are pleased to see you come and visit us so soon.”

“Oh, well, um… honestly aunt Luna? I kinda wound up here by accident. Kinda got lost while wandering the castle after being told I couldn’t see my mother.”

“Oh,” she said, sounding a little depressed. Her face then twisted in confusion. “Why couldn’t you see your mother?”

“The desk girl wouldn’t let me in without an appointment,” I huffed.

Luna scowled slightly before getting up. “Well, why don’t we go see about changing that? Come along, Berry.” She trotted right out, and I followed after a moment of processing what just happened. They walked silently through the halls for a few moments before Luna spoke again. “I am sorry that you were given the runaround instead of seeing your mother, niece. She has very much missed you.”

“Really?” I asked with a happy and hopeful smile.

“Oh yes,” Luna said with a nod. “She has been speaking non stop about your performance the other night and all throughout the week she has been wanting to go and get you early to have more time with you.” She turned her head towards me with a bright smile. “You have made her so happy, Berry. Thank you for that.”

I couldn’t help the blush that burned my cheeks. “She’s made me happy, too,” I mumbled, but I’m sure she heard me. We walked in silence for a few moments before I spoke again. “Luna?”

“Yes, Pixel Berry?”

“I… I just wanted you to know that just because I found you by accident, that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you. We’re family now and I do appreciate what you are doing for me.”

Luna gave me a warm smile. “Thank you, ‘tis most appreciated. I do hope that the next time you come to my room, it will be with purpose, however.”

“Definitely!” I smiled, returning to my perky nature.

It was another ten minutes of no-longer-awkward silence when we returned to the throne room. We approached the desk and the mare behind it immediately said, “Day Court is no longer accepting petitioners unless you have an appointment. Please come back tomorrow.”

Luna scrunched her nose in irritation at the inattentive mare and cleared her throat. The mare just ignored her, focusing more on filing her hooves. Luna tried again, clearly irritating her adversary. On the third attempt, she snapped.

“What do you wa--?!” She paled when she looked up, immediately realizing she just shouted at Princess Luna herself. “Princess Luna! Oh, oh I am sooo sorry! I-I didn’t know it was you!” She went off in a blubbering rant, trying to save her hide. I was tempted to giggle a little at her, but it didn’t seem to be the appropriate time for such things. After a minute or two, Luna held up a hoof to silence the panicky mare.

“Your transgressions this day will be overlooked, just this once.” She narrowed her eyes and leaned in close to the desk mare, making her gulp. “However, should we find that you are being rude to a valued friend of the princesses again, we will not be so lenient. Understood?”

The mare swallowed hard and nodded. “Mm hm, understood your majesty. Please, go right in.”

Luna pulled back and smiled sweetly. “Thank you. Have a pleasant day, Prudent.” Luna opened the doors and I followed her, waving with a Pinkie-esque smile at Prudent. She waved back, clearly dazed from her experience. I couldn’t blame her, really. I know I wouldn’t have wanted to be on the receiving end of my aunt’s temper. Back in the throne room, I was amazed at the amount of ponies that filled the massive room when Court was in session. There had to be at least fifty in the parliament box, with another hundred petitioners standing off to the side. From what I could tell, mom only had a few more to go, with the majority just watching the proceedings, no doubt already having had their turn.

I was pulled out of my observations as Luna cleared her throat to get mom’s attention. I looked over at her amazing throne, staring in awe at how powerful she looked when surrounded by her subjects. Celestia looked over to us and smiled at Luna, then she saw me… she looked as she wanted to clap her hooves in glee and hug me until I was squished. She turned back to the ponies and declared, “I must apologize, but something has come up that needs my attention. As such, Day Court has been adjourned for the day. To those that I have yet to hear from, I do hope to see you on the morrow so we may discuss your issues.”

There were more than a few grumbles as the ponies made their way out, but it wasn’t anything too bad. Some were just wondering what kind of emergency could call Celestia away from court, more than a few throwing glances my way as they left. It did take a little while, but soon enough, the only ones in the room were Celestia, Luna and myself. Before I could even say “hi” to her, however, I was immediately enveloped in an amazing hug.

“OH!! Berry you have come home! Oh, how I have missed you so much my little one!” She kept peppering me with kisses as she talked, tickling me from the sensations.

“Hi mom,” I said back through her chest that I was still pushed into. “How’ve you been since last night?”

She picked up on my little quip there. “Hush, Berry. We spent very little time together at Miss Scratch’s establishment, so it doesn’t truly count.”

“Whatever you say,” I said with a roll of my eyes. I pulled myself up and out of her chest and then lean up and kissed her right on the cheek. “I missed you, too, mom.”

I could see tears of happiness welling up in the corners of her eyes, but she brushed them away. “Thank you, my child. Now, since I have cancelled court for the remainder of the day, how about we spend the day together? Just the three of us.”

“Three of us?” Luna parroted.

“Of course, Luna. You are as much a part of this family, why would we would not include you?”

Luna looked at Celestia in shock, turning to me with the same face. I smiled warmly at my aunt. “She’s right aunt Luna. I want to know my entire family, not just my mother. Plus, I would love to get to know everyone’s favorite princess!”

They both stared at with confusion. “‘Favorite princess’?” they parroted.

“What do you mean by that, my child?”

“Weeeelll, one Earth… Luna’s the more popular princess.”

“I… I’m what?”

“People took to you a little more than they did Celestia. Don’t get me wrong, there are Celestia fans, but everyone more or less flocked to you.”

“I’m the more popular princess,” she whispered in wonder, staring off into space. She then grinned like a filly and squealed. ...Yes, the great Princess Luna, former Empress of the Night, squealed like a school filly. She clapped her hooves giddily and then pointed one at Celestia. “HA TIA! I knew somewhere I was more popular than you! It may be a different world, but it still counts!” She then blew a raspberry at her, smiling like she just one the lottery.

Mom rolled her eyes and smiled at Luna’s playfulness. “Yes, yes, Luna. Goody for you. Now, how about we have a picnic in the garden? Sound good, Berry?”

I smiled at her. “You know what, mom? That sounds perfect.” I walked right up to her and nuzzled her chest. I felt her nuzzle my head in return. “Just perfect,” I sighed.