"Fleas?!" Prince Blueblood nearly fainted. "This can't be! I just... I... I'm not feeling well..." He leaned against the table for support.

Good thing he's an idiot! Luna thought. Only Blueblood would believe that fleas had bitten him, then climbed onto his head. Scratch that. There was no way even he could fall for such an absurd explanation. As long as he humoured her, however, Luna didn't care. The important thing was that he didn't suspect the truth. Let him assume she was a crazy mare for all it mattered.

"Quickly, go to the royal physician!" Lunar rushed him away. Just get lost, you idiot! Go get yourself groomed, or something!

"Of course, auntie Luna," Blueblood replied as he arched a skeptical brow. He opened his mouth to say something, then froze. No words came out. The deathly glare Luna gave him was enough to destroy any word. "At once, Auntie." At least that's one good thing about this stupid Gala! Luna thought. Nopony would dare ruin "my big night."

Where are you, Puff? Luna directed her attention to the hors d'oeuvre table. A trail of disturbed hors d'oeuvres and tipped plates showed exactly where the kitten had been. Good thing it wasn't his nature to be careful or subtle about anything. However, one question continued to bother the Princess: why was Puff running away from her? Usually the kitten would do anything in his power to get close to her. At times it almost felt as if she were the pet. Tonight, for some reason, he was doing the exact opposite, purposefully avoiding her. Did I do something to upset him? Was leaving him alone too cruel? I knew I should had left Fluttershy in the room with him! Or at least Philomena! The Princess stomped on the floor loudly.

"Why, hello, Luna!" The most annoying of voices said. "Fancy finding you here."

Great, just great! I'm stuck with him again. "What do you want, Discord?" The alicorn hissed.

"Wow, that's cold!" The draconequus shivered. Large chunks of ice formed all over his torso to prove his point. "And I thought my dear friend, who couldn't possibly have a pet, would at least hear me out. Well," he shrugged, as pieces of ice fell off him and onto the ground, "I guess I was wrong."

"Please, tell me." Luna glared at him. I really don't have time for this!

"So glad you asked!" Discord's smile became as large as the moon. "Your quaint little party is fine and all, but I was thinking of adding a little something for poomth. Know what I mean?" He nudged her conspiratorially with his elbow. "Nothing says party louder than hard cider."

"Uh-huh." The Princess wasn't paying attention. Her focus was solely on the table. She just saw a few dishes move on their own.

"Naturally, if anypony under a hundred tries to drink, the cider would turn into water." Discord went on. "We are responsible adults, after all and—"

"Yes, great! Do that!" Luna shoved him aside. Please let me be wrong! Her eyes stared intensely at the crystal water pyramid. A glass budged, then another, and another. Before her very eyes, the kitten appeared, fully visible and climbing towards the top. "No!" the alicorn shouted and leapt in Puff's direction.

The kitten turned around, looked at her with its large cyan eyes, then simply jumped off, turning invisible in mid air. Damn it, Puff! Can't you be still for one second? Well, of course you can't, but must you attract attention to yourself? This isn't the dreamscape! Here you can get hurt!

"Is anything the matter, Princess?" a concerned voice asked. It was Twilight Sparkle. "Is the Gala not as good as you hoped? Did I forget something? Is anything the matter with the food? I know I should have asked for your preference, but since it was to be the same as the Grand Galloping Gala, I thought..." Her lower lip trembled slightly.

Oh, not you too! At this rate she was never going to catch Puff.

"The Gala is perfect, Twilight Sparkle!" Luna quickly grabbed the top glass of the pyramid. "Huzzah! A toast to celebrate your hard work in making this event the best Gala ever!" The sound of clapping of hooves came from the other side of the hall. Groaning, Luna looked at the source — it was Celestia.

Seriously, Sis?! Can you stop being the ever-supportive sister for one moment? I'm not ten anymore! Stomping filled the hall once more, much to Luna's annoyance. And of course everypony else would join in! If you do something then it must be good!

Luna slowly descended back to the floor. On the outside she appeared calm, pleased even. Deep inside, however, she was a bundle of fear and rage. A series of stupid antics and unfortunate accidents made her lose sight of Puff, and that made her want to bring a host of storm clouds into the hall. Let me see what Celestia and her rabble think of that!

In the opposite end of the hall, Fluttershy was doing her best to continue the search. Her inept approach only infuriated Luna more. For twenty full seconds the alicorn observed as. the yellow pegasus timidly look around the hooves of ponies in the off chance of stumbling upon Puff. Luna just didn't see the point. There was no way Fluttershy could find Puff using this method! At best she'd just scare him away!

That's it! I can't bear this anymore! Luna turned away. Watching Fluttershy was like walking a tightrope while drunk — the desire to jump and get it over with was greater than reaching the end successfully. The way you're acting, Fluttershy, you might get stepped upon. As if hearing her, the pegasus turned towards Luna and waved through the crowd.

Please, Fluttershy... Luna felt like facehoofing. There's no need to to pretend we don't know each other. The waving didn't stop, on the contrary it intensified.

Fluttershyyyy. Luna snorted. The meek pony probably meant well, but now was the worst possible time. Luna's nerves were already stretched thin, and any additional monkeyshines only made the situation worse! If you really want to say something, just come here and say it! Don't go waving about as if I'm some mindless... Suddenly, it dawned upon her. Fluttershy wasn't waving, she was pointing... pointing at something behind the Princess... something that happened to be—

Puff! The alicorn briskly turned around. Moments of warm relief preceded heart stopping terror, as Luna spotted the kitten... on top of a musician’s head. It was just sitting there, eagerly trying to catch the top of the cello’s scroll, despite the musician's attempts to the contrary. Puff, you bad kitten! Luna leapt over the hors d'oeuvre table. You are so getting punished! Just let me catch you and you'll spend a week locked in my room! And no joining me to work!

The kitten made a step forward, messing up the musician's perfect mane. To her credit, the mare merely leaned her head slightly to the back, not missing a note. Sensing the change in environment, the kitten froze still. Focusing on the cello's scroll, it lowered its head, waved its tail and pounced forward.

"Meow!" It meowed victoriously, instants before it was grabbed in mid air.

"Got you!" Luna said in semi-whisper. The cellist continued playing, as if nothing had happened. "What do you think you are doing?" The Princess hissed quietly at the kitten. "You do not run around just like that! You do not climb food tables or ponies without permission! Do you understand me?!"

The kitten looked at her in utter confusion, then meowed and licked her on the muzzle. Oooh, no! No you don't! You're not getting off so easily this time! Discretely, Luna looked around. Fortunately, the majority of ponies were too busy with their hiring gossip to notice a thing. The only one aware of Puff's existence was the musician and she seemed rather pleased to have it out of her mane.

"Look, I know you are bored," Luna whispered in a softer tone. "But you can't just—"

"Why, if it isn't Moona *hic*," Discord suddenly appeared, wrapping a paw round Luna. The action was so sudden and shocking that the Princess didn't even consider blasting him with a bolt of magic. "Thish ish a very... *hic* very... you... sho nice to me!"

"Discord!" The alicorn pushed him off of her. The draconequus looked in bad shape. "Are you drunk?" You are a total mess!

"Very." The draconequus smiled widely, then leaned on Luna with his full weight. The kitten tried to take advantage to take another bite of Discord, but the Princess promptly pulled it away.

"You were fine just a few minutes ago!" the alicorn snapped. "How could you get so drunk in a few minutes?!"

"Pinkie *hic* Pie!" Discord waved a paw towards the ceiling. "Challenged me to a shider drinking competition. I *hic* shaid I'd show her... who can... do that thing..." He gesticulated, searching for the correct word.

"Drink?" Luna suggested with a level expression.

"Drink!" Discord snapped his finger causing an elephant to appear in the middle of the room. "Guesh I showed her! Eh?" He nudged her. This time the kitten managed to bite him in the process, only to be pulled away by Luna again.

"Discord, you—"

"Why, hello there, beautiful!" The draconequus slithered off the Princess, moving next to the cellist. "And what ish your name?"

"Err." The musician blinked. Tolerating kittens on her head was one thing, yet having to deal with a drunken draconequus was more than anypony had bargained for. "Octavia," she said in a sharp Trottingham accent. "Octavia Melody."

"Octavia," Discord repeated slowly. "Let me tell you shomething!" And I made this thing my guest of honour? Luna winced. The only reason she didn't facehoof was because she was trying to keep the kitten hidden. "You're too good for that cello! *hic*" The draconequus continued, causing the cellist to blush. "Come with me! I'll take you through Equestria! *hic* And all the other places too!"

"Discord." This was quite more than Luna was prepared to stomach. "This is hardly the time or place! Besides! You can't even keep a kitten in check, let alone—"

"Bah!" The draconequus snapped his fingers. Instantly the kitten disappeared from Luna's hooves. A second finger snap and the entire hall was filled with multicoloured balloons.

"Discord!" The Princes grafted at the empty air, as if somehow that would bring Puff back. "You idiot! What did you do?!" Her horn flashed white hot with magic.

"Now, now, *hic* Lulu." Discord shook a claw. "One kitten — one problem. No kitten — no problem. Beshides, it won't bother you in a balloon."

The draconequus might have added something else, but Luna wasn't listening. Instead she had leaped into the air and was flying through the balloons as fast as she could. If anything happens to Puff, I'll...! The alicorn grit her teeth. There were too many balloons. Finding Puff would be like finding a needle in a haystack.

"Meow." A faint sound came from below. Puff? Luna blinked. The kitten seemed close. Discord, you polkadot! Of course he'd pull something like this! The fiend was probably not even drunk, just putting on an act to have some fun. "Meow." The sound came again. There was no mistaking it.

Gently, Luna flew back down. There was no point in making a bigger scene than she had already. In her eyes, the Gala was already a huge disaster, like every other before it. No surprises there. The event was doomed to fail from the start. To be honest, she didn't even remember why she had gone along with it in the first place. It was obvious that Discord couldn't be trusted. Anyway, back to the matter at hoof. This time, when I get Puff, I'll—

"Silver Spoon?" Luna's eyes widened in surprise. What was the filly doing here? And why was there a kitten on her head?

"Your Highness!" A mare nearby bowed, urging the filly to do the same. And you are Silver Standard. I remember you from the nightmare. "Thank you so much for helping us!" The pony quickly began, before Luna could manage a reply. "Without you I don't know what would had happened to my family! I had been putting off my problems for so long that I... let me just thank you for everything!"

"It's all right." Luna smiled. it was always nice to have someone appreciate her work. A pity she couldn't just say that. Because of her sister even now she had to be regal and mysterious. "It was you and your daughter that resolved your issues. I merely showed you what path to take."

"Thank you for the kitten, Princess!" Silver Spoon beamed. "Mom got it for me just as you said! Her name is Ingot. Isn't she cute?"

"Indeed, she very much is." The alicorn gently scratched the kitten behind the ear. The little thing just purred, rubbing its head against Luna's hoof. It was definitely cute, and far better behaved than Puff. There were no traces of scars on the filly's ears, her mane didn't have a hair out of place, not to mention that Ingot hadn't budged from her position the entire time. Of course, every other kitten would be well behaved! Luna grumbled internally.

"All the ponies at school are, like, really envious." Silver Spoon smiled. "Especially after they learned that Ingot is a Northern Silver and has a family tree going back three hundred years! Do you have a pet, Princess?"

The question caught Luna off guard. One moment she was playing with this extremely well behaved kitten, the next, she felt shivers run through her entire body.

"Why do you ask?" The Princess looked at the filly defensively. Calm down. It's a normal question. Every filly her age would want to know something like that.

"Well, you had a kitten in the dream," Silver Spoon said. Curses! She remembers! "Also, Princess Celestia has a pet, so—"

"Dear, let us not waste any more of the Princess' time," Silver Standard said softly adding an unspoken don’t embarrass me. "Her Highness must be quite busy. Remember, this is her special Gala, and there are many other ponies she needs to talk to."

"Yes, Mother." The filly pouted. "Sorry, Princess Luna."

"That is quite all right, my little pony." Argh, that phrase! "I am glad for you and your mother, but there indeed are a few things I must take care of. It was a pleasure seeing you. And remember to wash Ingot's paws and ears regularly. I suspect she wouldn't approve of baths, so use a moist piece of cloth."

Both filly and her mother gaped. Hey, Celestia isn't the only pony who knows things! I'm a Princess too! Luna thought, as she moved away. Why was it that ponies were so surprised when they learned she knew something about everyday life. It wasn't like she had a host of servants that followed her around. Anyway, she had to get back to finding Puff. If I were a kitten trapped in a balloon, what would I do? the alicorn mused. Try to get out, probably, but how? Knowing discord, he probably had strengthened the balloons, to be impervious to claws and teeth. The only remaining option was to direct the balloon towards something sharp, or—

"Meow! Meow!" A new series of meows came, this time from above.

Or attract enough attention to have somepony pop the balloon for you! Obviously, Puff was sneaky as ever. Even in this noise it was inevitable somepony would notice sooner or later, and that meant Celestia would too.

"Hear me, my little ponies!" Luna bellowed in the Royal Canterlot voice. She had to act fast. "To make the night even more special, I propose this exciting new fun! Pop the balloons that our guest of honour has graciously created—" she glanced at Discord. The stupid draconequus was paying her no attention, still explaining something to the unfortunate cellist, whose face had turned bright red. "—to ensure our amusement." I'll deal with you later, snake! "Let the popping begin!"

The announcement was met with hesitation. For the most part, the guests just looked at one another, uncertain what to do. None dared to humiliate themselves in doing something as unrefined at such an important event. Even Celestia just sat on her cushion, looking at her sister expectantly. Great, Tia. The one time I need you to be proactive and you don't do anything!

"Discord," Luna said loudly. "Surely you would like to participate in such an amusing event?" The draconequus just waved a paw, completely disinterested. Luna gnashed her teeth. "Surely as my guest of honour you will take part in this?" Meanwhile, the mewing intensified. At this rate even Luna's use of the Royal Canterlot voice wouldn't keep it hidden for long.

A displeased groan followed. Discord turned around, with the grumpiness of a filly forced to eat lemons, glared at the Princess. He then demonstratively crossed his forelimbs and went back to his conversation with Octavia. Luna felt her blood boil. Oh, you didn’t just do that! Her nostrils flared. If it was war he wanted, he was going to get it! And not the jokey type of war he was used to. Luna intended to go full Nightmare Moon on him the moment this charade was over. Actually, why wait?

"Umm, Princess?" Somepony tugged her mane gently. "I... Umm..."

"What is it, Fluttershy?" Luna briskly turned around, causing the pegasus to cower in fear once more. Damn it. Why do I always lash out at her? She's the only pony that has actually helped me search for Puff.

"Hey!" An angry Rainbow Dash flew between Luna and Fluttershy. "Don't frighten her like that!"

"Rainbow Dash?" Why do I have a bad feeling about this?

"I, umm... I asked Rainbow for help," Fluttershy squeaked. You what?! Nopony was supposed to know about Puff! Twenty minutes into the start of this stupid Gala, and already two have seen it! "Please, don't be send me to the moon!"

"Fluttershy, I... Wait, what?" Luna blinked. Where did that come from?

"Rainbow promised to help," Fluttershy said apologetically. Tears were gathering in the edges of her eyes. "And... and I know she'll keep the secret." Oh, Fluttershy. Luna smiled. Once again, I'd be lost without you.

"Element of Loyalty here!" Rainbow Dash said proudly "I'll help you find your," she snickered, "kitten." Very mature, Dash. Luna snorted. "I have just to find it, right? No mushy stuff or anything?"

"Just find it," Luna deadpanned. As if you could handle Puff. "I'll take care of—"

"Sister!" A loud voice filled the hall. "A word with you, if you please." Everypony froze.

Oh, damn it! She used "please". She only uses please when she's upset. Luna glanced at the hall below. Celestia was standing a short distance away, waiting patiently. There wasn't a trace of a smile on her face. Rather, her eyebrows had moved down in an untypical frown. Luna swallowed.

"Rainbow Dash," Luna said loudly, "you and Fluttershy may start your competition. Remember, it is not about the number of balloons you pop, but popping the right one." And for stars sake, don't let Sis find out what you are up to!

Rainbow tilted to the side, confused. Clearly the pegasus was not one for subtle hints. Alas, Luna couldn't go into further explanations. From this point on, it was up to Fluttershy to conduct the Puff-search. Meanwhile... I really have to be careful. No snapping at Sis, no bursts of rage, just a normal annoying talk between two adult alicorns. That and lots of sarcasm...

"I see you added games and balloons to your Gala," Celestia said, once Luna had joined her.

"Yes." The younger sister nodded. She wasn't able to think of any convincing lie, so was keeping it short. With the corner of her eye, she noticed Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash start flying about the balloons.

"Maybe I should add some to my Gala, as well." Celestia stated.

"Might be nice." This is the most awkward conversation ever.

"You aren't still thinking about him, are you?" The question felt like a shard of quartz hidden in a slice of chocolate mousse.

"Huh?" Luna took a step back. What?! How did we get back to this topic? "Please, not this again." Annoyance crept in her voice despite her best attempts. "How many times must I tell you? I've been over him for centuries. Before you banished me to the moon, even!"

Celestia just sighed. Ouch, that came out really bad.

"Look, Sis, I'm really fine." It was a lie, but one Celestia needed to hear, apparently. "Just look around. The Gala is great. Hundreds of ponies came to see me. The hall is full of balloons, for stars' sake!"

"If you say so." Celestia looked away. There we go — passive-aggressive already. "Please, walk with me a bit."

"You want us to go outside during my Gala?" Actually that wasn't a bad idea. With Celestia out of the hall, Fluttershy and Rainbow could find the kitten and safely take it somewhere without her sister noticing, it was perfect.

"Of course not," Celestia said stiffly. "I meant walk towards your throne."

"Oh..." Great. Just great!

"About our quarrel, I didn't want it to happen." Celestia didn't look her in the eye, as she spoke. Instead she just went on forward, walking in her usual regal fashion. Her voice, however, was but a whisper. "There was no reason for me to go to your chambers. Truth is, I used the bucket as an excuse."

You don't say. Luna rolled her eyes. I never would have guessed.

"I just wanted to check on you." Ponies bowed and moved out of the way, as the two sisters made their way to the key place of the hall, Luna's mind was split. On the one side, she was trying to keep a discreet eye on the kitten search, on the other — her conversation with Celestia had taken a rather serious turn. "I know you are keeping secrets from me, Sister," the Sun Princess said.

"Oh?" Venturing in dangerous waters. Maybe I should just tell her? So what if she gives me the silent treatment for a few months.

"And it hurts me." The sadness of centuries was buried in that single phrase. Luna had no idea how to react. How could anypony react to this? "Do you think I can't tell? Do you think I don't feel when you are hurting? I am your sister, Lulu. I might run a kingdom, have students, exchange scrolls with my protege, but I am your sister! I never wanted to hurt you."

"I..." Damn it, Sis! This is supposed to happen in private! Why do you force me to react in front of everypony! Is this another of your lessons? Tough love and all that? "It's nothing, really." She tried to brush it casually away. "I know you always take care of me. It's just that sometimes I need my space, you know."

"Time, space, peace of mind." Celestia shook her head. "You always say you need those, yet they never make you feel any better. Even when you seem all right for a few days, you get back to destroying your room and sleeping on storm clouds outside the palace."

Luna had rarely seen her sister open up so much to her. Tia was always caring, true, but the last time something similar had happened was after the Elements of Harmony had brought Luna back from her nightmare state. Then, just as now, they had been nothing more than two ponies, accepting everything about each other. Surely she would understand about Puff. She'd probably laugh, even. How stupid have I been! Luna sighed. She should have told Celestia about the aether kitten the moment it had appeared. There was absolutely nothing to be ashamed of!

"Tia, I..." Luna began. She was seconds away from freeing herself from the monster she had made this secret to be. No more pretending, no more hiding, no more bad acting and absurd explanations. She only had to say it.

"Meow!" A loud sound broke Luna's train of thought. Above her, the moonlight kitten was plunging down, eyes set on its target. Its paws were reaching forward, claws visible.

"Puff, no!" Luna managed to shout, yet far too late. The kitten landed on the white alicorn's wing, sinking its teeth in a vicious attempt to pluck off a feather. No! Stars please, no! Luna felt her wings cover her face in fear and shame. She hadn't done this since she was a filly, yet now she felt just as helpless, watching her pet bite a feather off her sister's wing, then triumphantly leap to the floor, prize in mouth.

"Luna?!" Celestia asked in shock. Luna's entire world came crashing down.

"Look, it's just..." Why now, you stupid Puff?! Just a few more minutes, a few more seconds even and everything would have been fine!

"Is this yours?" The Sun Princess asked, as a wave of disapproving gasps filled the hall.

"I can explain..." Luna tried desperately to come up with something. He bit off her wing feather. No creature has ever come close to biting off one of Tia's feathers! When I almost did she was so furious with me, I feared she'd kick me into a pulp!

"Mew mew meow!" The kitten proclaimed happily, still gnawing on the feather.

"Nightmare Mew?" Celestia looked at it accusingly, then back at Luna. "Care to explain?"

Damn it! I didn't want this to happen! "It's mine, okay?" Luna shouted trying to hide tears of rage and shame. "It's mine! I kept it hidden in the place for days! I created it!" The secret, that she had kept bottled up, now urged to get out in all its embarrassing details. Worst of all, Luna no longer cared. She didn't care about anything! "You heard me right! I created it with my magic, when I flared up the moon to be as bright as your sun! You think I did it a few times per month? There were times I did it every second day! I just covered the sky with clouds so you wouldn't notice!"

The gasps were replaced by silence.

"And you think that's all?" Luna was in a state of rage. "I never liked your fancy phrases and stiff behaviour! I just did it because that's what you expected of me! I, the perfect little sister that is a clone of yourself! And will you stop constantly going on about my ex?! We had something once, it didn't last very long. I've moved beyond it ages ago. No need you reminding me of it. It's just annoying! When have I questioned your love life? For once will you just let me do something without suffocating me with your light?!"

There! It is done now! Luna was breathing heavily. She didn't didn't expect her outburst to be so long or violent. Some of the things she said she'd been keeping inside for over a millennium. Now they were in the open for anypony to hear.

Celestia didn't say a word. She just looked at her sister in a completely emotionless fashion, then turned around and calmly started her way towards the nearest corridor.

What... what just happened? Luna couldn't believe what she had done. Expecting a fierce exchange of words, she had lashed out first. The only thing she managed to achieve with that, however, was to push her sister away. She had pushed Celestia away. Luna had been so certain there would be a fight, that she didn't even consider her sister might not want one.

"Tia..." the dark alicorn managed to say. She wanted to add that she wanted her sister to come back, that she wanted them to forget all this and just live like normal ponies. None of those words came out. Celestia paused for a moment, then, without looking back, continued out of the hall.

What have I done? I banished my own sister! Luna stomped on the floor with rage. I might have as well sent her to the moon! How long would it be before they talked again? How long before her sister trusts her?

"Mew mewa?" The kitten climbed upon her hoof. Celestia's feather was still dangling from his mouth.

"You," Luna said bitterly, pushing it away. "It all happened because of you! If you had just remained in the stupid room, everything would have been fine! I would have told my sister about you and I wouldn't have to keep this stupid secret any more! But you had to bite off one of her feathers!" She snorted angrily. "Now I've lost her!" Storm clouds formed, filling the hall. "And it's all because of you! I really wish that you never came to exist!"

"Well, if that's all you want." Discord appeared out of nowhere and snapped his fingers. The kitten dissolved in a flash of light, leaving the feather to float slowly to the ground. Luna's heart stopped. No! I didn't mean that! I didn't really mean that, I was just upset and... "No need to thank me," the draconequus grumbled, massaging his temples. "Now, if you please just stop shouting. I have a killer headache."

Luna felt she didn't belong in this world anymore. Moments ago she had distanced her sister, and now she had lost Puff forever...

Author's Notes:

Special thanks to -TGM- for helping out with this chapter. :)