At the stroke of noon, the open bar began serving drinks and a far more festive atmosphere descended upon the hall. This was a social mixer after all, held for the benefit of the press. Ponies began to dance with one another. Aided by alcohol, new friendships formed. New working relationships were forged.

Princess Celestia was pleased with how things were turning out. The press were getting a chance to see Gosling as she saw Gosling—a fun loving, good natured fellow, a pony with an incredible zest for life. The pony she was falling in love with. The pony she hoped to start a family with.

At the moment, Gosling was dancing with his mother, and Sleet was still glaring at her son. While he had been forgiven, Sleet was not about to let her son off of the hook just yet. Princess Celestia found that she admired Sleet, the mare had held her son to a standard, she had pushed Gosling towards greatness, her love and dedication had refined Gosling into something exceptional.

Twilight Sparkle was dancing with her father, a side by side step dance. Night Light was a fantastic dancer… Twilight on the other hoof… not so much. Her movements were slow and uncoordinated. Twilight’s talents were found elsewhere. As Celestia stood watching, Twilight Velvet came over and joined the side by side step dance. In moments, she fell into a well timed rhythm with her husband.

For a moment, Celestia became lost in the past, everything blurred together, both Night Light and Twilight Velvet’s foalhoods were a part of her present, and her present was the past for other ponies. She could see them as clear as day, when both of them were students in her school. Even then, Twilight Velvet and Night Light wished to change the world. As foals, they had come together with a plan to make the world a better place, and had teamed up so as to improve their chances. Celestia had mentored them both. Both of them had been so bright eyed and eager. For Celestia, it seemed like only a few days ago, but it had been years. She had been there for Night Light when he began to notice little fillies and it had come to his attention that his foalhood friend, his best friend, Twilight Velvet, was a filly.

Celestia had counseled him, offering him encouragement, offering him suggestions on what to say, how to act, how to be a gentlepony. She had been there when Twilight Velvet had begun to notice colts—and Night Light was a colt worth noticing. Under Celestia’s nurturing and guidance, love had bloomed, early love, but it had taken root and grown strong.

Now, Celestia’s efforts were paying dividends. Shining Armor, their firstborn, was now Cadance’s devoted husband. He was a quiet, effective ruler that didn’t get the recognition that he deserved. Twilight, their second foal… what could be said about Twilight that hadn’t been said already?

Gosling and Sleet had joined the line dance with Twilight and her parents. Celestia sighed, feeling a warmth blossoming in her heart. Extended family. Gosling and Sleet would soon find themselves pulled in completely, much in the way that Blueblood and Raven had been pulled in.

“Princess Celestia… er, Your Majesty?”

Turning her head, Celestia responded in a kind voice, even though she hated formal titles. “Yes, my little pony?”

The reporter was a unicorn mare, young, and she looked terrified. “Um, I was curious if you knew about this morning’s headlines…” the mare’s voice trailed off into a fearful squeak. She gulped and her throat bulged as she swallowed. “And if so, I was wondering if you had anything to say about it.”

The muscles in Celestia’s jaw tensed and the tendons in her neck went tight. Her reaction escaped her before she had a chance to rein it in. “I have spoken with my assistant, Raven and she has given me a brief summary.” Celestia’s eyes narrowed as she looked down at the nervous mare. “I am sickened and disgusted by the slander printed in the papers. The ponies who have taken part in this heinous act will all be held accountable, mark my words.”

“S-s-s-so the C-c-c-c-crown will be t-t-t-taking action against the p-p-press?” the mare asked, stammering from fear and nervousness.

Celestia gave her next answer some careful deliberation. “Yes. This is not something We take lightly. We do not like to interfere with the press, as We do not wish to abuse Our authority, but things have gone too far. There will be a reckoning. Feel free to quote Us on that.”

At the word ‘reckoning,’ the mare’s ears went limp and hung at the sides of her face. “Your Majesty, I would do nothing to antagonise you, never!” The mare’s voice was squeaky. “I cannot believe what my fellow reporters have done.” She shook her head and took a step back from Princess Celestia. “I apologise on behalf of my fellow reporters!”

Turning tail, the mare took off, lickety split, leaving Celestia standing alone. As the mare ran towards the bar, Luna, who looked half awake and sleepy, came over to her sister’s side.

“That will cause quite a panic,” Luna said to her sister.

“Good.” Celestia’s lips pressed into a thin, straight line.

“Thou art doing this for love, not for the sake of justice—”

“Don’t start with me, Luna.”

“You misunderstand me,” Luna said, taking a step closer to her sister. “You should do this for love. For too long, you have been too far removed from matters of the heart. I think sometimes you forget what motivates so many of our little ponies. Sometimes, logic and reason should be cast aside, and hot blooded passion should be given free rein. Ne’erdowells should be terrified of a mare whose heart has been trampled. Teach them to fear, dearest Sister of mine.”

Tilting her head to one side, Celestia regarded her sister. Luna had the outward appearance of utter calm, but fury could be seen burning in her eyes like two embers left to smoulder among the ashes.

“I have already sent mine agents to fetch Skyfire Flash.”

“Wardens?” Celestia asked in a low voice muted by magic.

“Of course,” Luna replied. “Do you wish to deal with her when she arrives as our guest?”

Celestia understood that much hinged upon her answer. She did not reply right away, but stood in thought. As much as she wanted to confront Skyfire Flash, she knew it was a bad idea. Little ponies could melt if she became too angry, and that little filly had done something vile. Celestia swallowed and felt her mouth go dry. “Have Blueblood deal with her. I trust that he will do his job. He’ll scare her a bit and shake her up, but he will not harm her. He can be trusted to deal with this in the right way.” Celestia paused for a moment, then added, “Keep Raven away from her at all costs.”

“Sister?” Luna’s eyes narrowed with worry.

“Raven will hurt her. She’s fuming. Gosling is her protégé—”

“He is?” Luna asked, cutting in on her sister’s words. “So much happens during the day…”

“He is,” Celestia replied as she nodded, looking her sister in the eye.

“I shall endeavour to keep Raven away from our guest when she arrives.” Luna’s lips pressed together and protruded in a duck-billed pout. “Raven is the most reliable of little ponies, but her temper is a cause for concern. She becomes most unreasonable when she feels slighted or wronged.”

“Everypony has their faults.” Celestia lifted her head and looked over at Gosling, who was hamming it up for the press as he danced. “Come dear Sister, and dance with me.” Turning about, Celestia wrapped a wing around Luna’s neck and pulled her sister close.

The two sisters really were as different as night and day. Where Celestia was serene and delicate, Luna was exuberant and careless. Where Celestia was quiet, Luna was noisy. But there were similarities to be seen between the two sisters. The two sisters step danced, remaining on four legs. They moved with an eerie familiarity of one another.

Strutting, Gosling approached the sisters, his wings flared out from his sides. He wasn’t wearing his helmet, but he was still wearing his armor. He moved with all of the cocky assurance of youth, the brazen confidence that he could do no wrong.

“Ladies,” Gosling said as he approached, bowing his head down. “Might I ask one of you for a dance? I seek a mare that has aged like fine, fiery whiskey.” Gosling’s eyebrow arched. “Let’s face it, I’m too pretty to refuse. Check out my wingspan!” Grinning, Gosling presented himself, extending his wings once more in a dazzling display, waggling his primaries in a most inviting manner. Much could be said about Gosling, but he knew how to work those wings of his.

Giggling, Celestia started to respond, Gosling was sometimes a bit too funny for his own good, but as Celestia opened her mouth, the impetuous colt pulled Luna away, herding her along with his wings. Stunned, Celestia watched them go. Gosling moved with the confident grace of a gentlepony, leading Luna along, and keeping a respectful distance, mindful of Luna’s personal space. Flashbulbs popped as the two of them danced.

Seeing the smile upon her sister’s face, Celestia felt her heart melting. All Luna wanted was some attention. It wasn’t much to ask for, not really, and right now, with Gosling, Luna was the center of attention. The look of unabashed happiness upon Luna’s face brought tears to Celestia’s eyes. The band picked up the rhythm a bit, but not too much, and to Celestia’s ears, it sounded almost like a waltz.

She watched as Cadance flitted around the room, a social butterfly, and no doubt, with Cadance present, many dancers were feeling the first amorous sparks of infatuation. These events almost always caused a few marriages and new relationships.

Spike was now dancing with Twilight, the little dragon was clumsy, but didn’t seem to care. It was obvious to anypony watching that Spike and Twilight were enjoying themselves. Night Light and Twilight Velvet were dancing neck to neck with one another, their eyes closed as they pressed together.

Hearing the purposeful clattering of hooves that indicated a pony in a hurry, Celestia turned her head and saw Raven. The mare was visibly upset, her glasses were askew, and her mane was mussed. Had Raven been crying? Celestia felt a twinge of worry and moved to intercept.

Raven came to a halt near Gosling, who now stood at attention. The colt, his face stern and serious, stared straight ahead as Raven addressed him, and a worried look could be seen upon Luna’s face as Celestia approached.

“Private Gosling, I hate to disturb your revelry, but I need you to deliver this.” Raven held up a wooden scroll tube in front of Gosling’s face. “You are to deliver this at once. You are not to talk to anypony along the way for any reason, nor are you to speak to anypony on the way back. Two guards will be sent with you to escort you for your own protection.”

Coming to a halt, Celestia’s worry grew. Something had happened, that much was certain, and Raven wasn’t trusting the various means of magical communication, such as dragonfire candles, because those communications could be intercepted by clever unicorns. Raven was trembling and her heaving sides revealed her emotional distress.

The instructions to avoid speaking to anypony were to keep Gosling from finding out what had taken place in the papers, that much was obvious, but something else was up. Celestia noticed more guards taking positions around the doorway. She lifted her head high, her neck going long and straight, and her head swiveled around as she tried to read the situation.

“I shall go at once,” Gosling said. He waited for Raven to place the scroll into the compartment on his armor, then hurried off to fetch his helmet.

Celestia watched him go, her heart leaping up in her throat. She moved to be with him as he stood beside the table, putting on his helmet. Leaning her head down so that she could speak to him at eye level, Celestia said, “Private Gosling, stay safe. Perform your task and then return to me at once.”

“As you command, Heart’s Dearest,” Gosling replied as he cinched his helmet strap.

Then, he was gone. He hurried to the door, leaving Celestia standing there, her sense of worry growing. She saw not two, but four guards surround him, they turned the corner as a group, and then he was, gone, out of her line of sight.

“Princess Celestia, I need to speak to you in private,” Raven said in a wavering voice.

There was a bright flash of light as Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Raven all vanished at once. A second later, Princess Twilight Sparkle was gone, then Shining Armor blinked out of existence, and after waving good bye, Princess Cadance vanished as well.

The reporters left in the hall stood in stunned silence, wondering what had just taken place, and only Prince Blueblood was left to entertain them.

Author's Notes:

Excuse me while I hang from this cliff over here...