Cadance, Rarity and Pinkie were laying off to the side, talking about fabrics and decorations. Rarity was talking about ideas for dresses for the next Grand Galloping Gala and Pinkie was talking about ideas for the next party she was going to throw.

Twilight walked over to them and sat down. During a lull in the conversation, she spoke up. “Pinkie, I know you threw two large parties recently, but I have a request.”

“Really?”

Cadance, Rarity and Twilight looked at Pinkie to find her practically vibrating in place as she looked at Twilight, excitement clear on her face.

Twilight giggled and nodded “Celestia wants a slumber party and I want you to make sure she gets one. Those attending are all of the ponies present.” She paused “Yes, you girls are all invited.”

“You got it, Twilight!” Pinkie shouted before she paused “When will it be?”

Twilight looked over at Celestia as she walked over to them. “Celestia?”

Celestia smiled “Tomorrow is Monday, the last day of Artemis’ vacation. We’ll have it tomorrow night. That will be a good way to end his vacation before he has to get back to work.”

Cadance, Twilight, Rarity and Pinkie nodded.

Twilight looked around “Where’s Fluttershy?”

Then, she saw her off to the side, looking up into the branches of a tree and walked over. “Fluttershy? Is something wrong?”

Fluttershy let out a squeak and looked at Twilight in surprise.

“I’m sorry,” Twilight said with a smile “I didn’t mean to scare you”

“D-don’t worry, Twilight. It’s alright.” Fluttershy stammered “I was just watching the birds. We don’t have this species around Ponyville and they are really interesting to watch.”

“Oh, OK. I’m sorry I interrupted you. I’ll let you get back to your bird watching.” Twilight replied

She walked back to Celestia, Cadance, Rarity and Pinkie. She lay down next to Cadance and turned to watch the wrestling match. I’m not sure who I’m supposed to root for, my brother, my friends or the pony I’m in love with. Thankfully, nopony asked her who she was cheering for. The wrestling went on for quite a long time, mainly because Rainbow refused to quit and would not accept defeat.

Twilight was beginning to think that she should call an end to the match before anypony got hurt. Before she could think on it any further, it was over. The winners were, of course, Shining Armor and Artemis.

Rainbow and Applejack were panting as they walked over and lay down next to Pinkie and Rarity. Fluttershy walked over and joined the group.

Shining Armor and Artemis walked over and stopped, looking down at Cadance and Twilight. Twilight looked at Cadance for a moment before giggling and scooting over to make room for Shining Armor to lay next to his wife. She felt a sudden weight against her side and looked over as Artemis lay down next to her. Smiling, she snuggled closer to his side as he draped a wing over her.

Suddenly, Twilight looked up. “Where’s Spike?”

Celestia burst out laughing “Pony Joe’s Donut Shop!”

Artemis was about to ask when Twilight fell against him, laughing. “Twilight?”

She shook her head, still laughing “His favorite shop in Canterlot.”

They all looked up at a noise to find Spike walking over, carrying three boxes of a dozen donuts. “I got snacks for everypony!” he announced. He paused as Twilight gave him a look. “What? They were on sale!”

He stared in confusion as Twilight, who had been standing up to help him, fell back against Artemis.

She was laughing even harder this time but managed to gasp out a question. “How many of them are gem encrusted?”

Spike smiled sheepishly “A dozen”

At that, everypony laughed, even Artemis.

As Spike walked up to the group, he sniffed a couple of times and stopped in confusion. A movement caught his attention and he looked over to find Celestia gesturing for him to come over to her side.

The group looked over to see her smiling. “I want my donut first, before the rest of you attack everything.”

They all laughed as Spike walked over to her and opened two of the boxes.

“Is something wrong, Spike?” Celestia asked quietly, pretending to examine the donuts.

“I got five of Twilight’s favorite flavor as a peace offering. Her heat was supposed to start last week.” Spike whispered “The odd thing is, she doesn’t smell or act like she’s in heat. What’s going on? Is she OK?”

Celestia whispered back “I noticed that, too. I think she’s pregnant and doesn’t know it yet. Do not say anything about it to anypony at all, in case we’re wrong and she’s just running late due to all of the recent stress.” Raising her head, she spoke louder. “I’m going to take one of these chocolate glazed donuts.”

Spike raised his eyebrows before raising his voice as well. “But that’s for Twilight! You can’t have it!”

“You got five of them!” Celestia retorted

“So? They’re her favorite! She had a stressful week and I was trying to be nice!”

The fake argument stopped there as they heard laughter and both turned to find Twilight laying against a decidedly amused Artemis. She was laughing so hard, she couldn’t even speak. After calming down a little, she smiled “Thank you, Spike. Celestia, you can have one. The rest are mine.” She shook her head and went back to laughing.

“Well done” Celestia whispered to Spike as she took her donut.

“Thanks. Don’t worry, I’ll keep it a secret” Spike whispered back before raising his voice “You’d better thank Twilight, princess. She almost never shares her donuts!”

Pinkie giggled “Especially not her favorite! I took one once and she threatened to turn me into a bird!” She paused, tapping her chin with a hoof. “Or maybe that’s because she had just woke up and I also took her coffee.”

Cadance also laughed “I bet it was because of the coffee! She doesn’t drink it all of the time but, when she does, watch out!”

Twilight had been about to take a bite of the first of her donuts, when she paused.

“Twilight?” asked Shining Armor “Oh, I get it. You want some coffee now, right?”

Oh no! Thought Celestia and Spike

Twilight shook her head “Hot chocolate”

Nopony noticed as Celestia and Spike each breathed out a sigh of relief.

“Don’t worry, Twilight. I’ll ask a guard to send for some.” Responded Celestia

“Thanks” Twilight replied

Shining Armor looked at Twilight “Since when were you a big hot chocolate fan?”

Twilight let herself lean a little further into Artemis’ side and shrugged “I drank a lot of it last winter and grew fond of it.”

A few minutes later, Silver Shadow and Midnight Fang walked into the courtyard and over to Twilight.

“Here you are, princess. One hot chocolate.” Silver Shadow said as Midnight Fang set a tray in front of Twilight.

“Thank you?” Twilight said, confused “I thought your shift started at moonrise. It’s not that time already, is it?”

Before the guards could answer, Celestia and Artemis felt the pull of the sun and moon.

Artemis shook his head, just as surprised “Apparently it is.”

Celestia lit her horn and lowered the sun.

Twilight tried to stand, or at least move off of Artemis so that he could. She was surprised as he tightened his wing around her, lit his horn and raised the moon. Another flash of his magic put the stars in the sky.

She sighed and settled back against him as she looked up at the stars for a few moments before turning to her hot chocolate and donuts. Using her magic, she lifted one of the donuts and took a large bite. As she chewed, she went back to looking up at the stars. She missed the looks on everypony’s faces because she was focused on the stars.

The look on Artemis’ face was one of pure joy. Celestia’s expression was also one of complete happiness, but for a different reason. Look how happy he is. Just because she is cuddled up to his side and watching his stars. Everypony else chose and ate their donuts. They watched as she ate the rest of her donuts and drank the hot chocolate, not even bothering to turn her gaze from the stars.

Celestia finished her donut, stood and smiled. “Twilight and Artemis, stay out here as long as you want. The later you two stay up, the longer you’ll sleep tomorrow. I want you two up for as much of the slumber party tomorrow as possible. The rest of us are going to bed.”

“Slumber Party?” Artemis asked, looking up at his sister.

Twilight finally tore her gaze from the stars and giggled “Celestia decided that she wants the slumber party tomorrow night. She said she wants the last night of your vacation to be a good one, before you have to go back to work.”

Artemis shook his head and smiled “Good night, sister. Sleep well.” He paused and chuckled “You realize that you are going to have to take an afternoon nap tomorrow if you want to be awake long enough yourself, right?”

Celestia paused “I didn’t think about that, but you’re right.” She laughed “Good Night, little brother.” She nuzzled Artemis “Good Night, little sister.” She nuzzled Twilight

Everypony else called their good nights as they walked into the castle and to their rooms.

For almost half an hour, Twilight and Artemis lay where they were and just watched the stars. Twilight suddenly got an idea and looked at Artemis. “Can we get closer?” She nodded to the stars.

Silver Shadow and Midnight Fang looked at her, confused. Before they could ask, Artemis’ face lit up and he nodded.

They both stood and spread their wings. The Night Guards quickly did the same. The four of them took flight, heading towards Artemis’ tower, before climbing higher into the night sky.

Twilight chose a couple of clouds and landed on the larger of the two. Artemis landed next to her and lay down, pulling her down with him so that she was laying against his side. They both looked up at the stars.

Silver Shadow and Midnight Fang landed on the other cloud and looked up as well. Immediately, they both gasped.

“How in Equestria have I never done this before?!” Midnight Fang exclaimed “This is amazing!”

Silver Shadow shook his head “I don’t know. I do, however, know that I am definitely doing this again. This is incredible!”

Twilight giggled, causing them to look over at her. “This is my new favorite way to stargaze, for obvious reasons. Artemis and I did this after dinner when we had that date in Canterlot last week.”

Artemis smiled and nuzzled her “What made you think of this in the first place?”

Twilight giggled again and returned his nuzzle. “Rainbow has been helping me improve my flying. We usually focus on my endurance in the air, as well as my speed. One day, after a rather tough lesson a month or so ago, I fell asleep on the cloud that I was resting on. I didn’t wake up until well after sunset. As soon as I woke up, I looked up and saw this.”

Artemis laughed “How long did you stay out there?”

Twilight blushed “I fell asleep again after a few hours, still on the cloud and didn’t wake again until sunrise. That night, I slept among the stars.”

She heard Artemis’ sharp gasp and looked up at him, only to be pulled into a tight hug.

“T-thank you, Twilight. I didn’t know anypony else did that.”

She returned his hug before sighing a little. “I wish I could do that more often. However, the ponies of Ponyville tend to panic a bit if I disappear for too long without telling them or sleep somewhere other than my castle. They think it means that something is wrong.” She shook her head “I’ve only slept among the stars that one time.”

Artemis chuckled, understanding what she meant. “I think my sister would also panic, given the last week or so.” He paused in thought “In fact, I bet we can only get away with staying up here for another twenty minutes or so.”

Twilight let out another sigh “We’d better not tempt it. I don’t want to cause any alarms.”

Artemis also sighed “You’re right. We should head back.”

They both stood, spread their wings and took flight. Silver Shadow and Midnight Fang followed them. The four of them landed on the balcony to Artemis’ room and walked inside.

Silver Shadow and Midnight Fang walked through Artemis’ room and out into the hallway, closing the door behind them.

Artemis and Twilight looked at each other for a moment and shrugged before they walked over to his bed and lay down under the covers.

For a long time, they just lay there, side by side. Neither of them moved or said anything. Artemis felt a calm overtake him, simply happy to have her by his side.

Eventually, he rolled onto his back. As soon as she noticed this, Twilight scooted closer and lay her head on his chest. He smiled and wrapped his hooves around her.

She sighed and nuzzled him before snuggling closer and closing her eyes. Roughly thirty minutes later, feeling safe in his embrace, she allowed herself to fall asleep.

Artemis noticed that she had fallen asleep and sighed happily as he gently nuzzled her before turning his gaze towards the windows, watching the stars. He lay like this for about an hour before he fell asleep to the sound of her gentle breathing.

Twilight opened her eyes to find herself standing on a grassy field that was in the middle of a forest. At the edges of the field, just before the trees started, were flowers, of every color imaginable. Looking up, she saw an opening in the trees, granting her perfect view of the night sky.

“Incredible!” she breathed

“Thank you”

She turned with a smile, recognizing the voice, and watched as Artemis materialized in front of her.

He smiled at her as he walked over to her, before laying down on the grass.

She returned his smile as she stepped closer and lay next to him, snuggling close. She let out a sigh of happiness as she felt him drape a wing over her. “Did you want to talk about something?”

He nuzzled her before shaking his head “No, I just wanted to spend time with you.”

Before either of them could say anything further, their surroundings changed. Suddenly, they found themselves in what could only be described as outer space. Twilight looked around to find stars everywhere, even below them. She looked at Artemis and saw that he was just as confused.

“You didn’t do this?”

He shook his head

“What about you, Night?” she asked, knowing he could hear her.

“I had no part in this. Be careful, both of you. Call if you need me.”

Artemis and Twilight sensed the presences of two new beings. They were still far off, but obviously coming closer. Twilight was nervous but Artemis smiled.

“I forgot that it’s that time again. I guess it has been a few months since I last saw them.”

Twilight turned to look at him “What do you mean? Seen who?”

“Two very important ponies in my life that are no longer alive." He answered, smiling "When they died, I placed their spirits in my night sky as stars. Once every three months or so, their combined power builds to a point where they are able to travel to visit me for a night, in my dreams.”

Twilight started to stand. “Do you want me to go back to my own dream, so that you can spend time with them?” She squeaked in surprise when he pulled her back down against him.

“No.” He replied, shaking his head “I'm glad that you're here for this because I want you to meet them.”

She settled against his side again. “If you’re sure.”

Nodding, he nuzzled her before both of them turned towards the approaching ponies.

As they got closer, Twilight could see that they were both alicorns. One was a mare with a white coat and a light blue mane and tail. Her mane and tail reminded Twilight of the blue in Celestia’s mane and tail. The other pony was a stallion. His coat was a very deep shade of blue, even darker than Artemis. His mane and tail were only a few shades away from being called pitch black with a dark blue stripe running through them.

The mare walked over and nuzzled Artemis. “It's been a long time, Artemis.” She gave Twilight a curious glance, and nodded her greeting, before walking back to the stallion. This is the first time that he's brought somepony other than his sister to one of our visits. This mare is obviously special to him. She hid a smile. Perhaps he's finally found somepony to settle down with.

The visiting stallion walked over next. He nuzzled Artemis as well before returning to the mare’s side. He nuzzled her before whispering. “I never thought he would fall for a unicorn, he always preferred those with wings.”

Smiling, Artemis withdrew his wing. Then he and Twilight stood.

Both visiting alicorns gasped when they noticed the wings at Twilight’s sides.

Shocked, the mare whispered "S-she's an alicorn."

Eyes wide, the stallion nodded. However, before he could say anything, both of them looked up when Artemis cleared his throat.

Artemis nuzzled his mare. “Twilight, I would like you to meet my parents. My mother, Sundance, and my father, Midnight Armor." He smiled at his parents. "Mother, Father, this is Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship.”

Eyes wide, Sundance and Midnight Armor stared at Twilight.

Twilight shifted uncomfortably under their combined gaze. “Are you sure you want me here for this, Artemis? You only get to see them four times a year. Surely, you have a lot to tell them. Much has happened in the last week, let alone three months.”

“Yes, I'm sure." Artemis replied "As I said, I want you to meet them.” He laughed “Besides, I already met your parents. It’s your turn to meet mine.”

Twilight laughed as well. “Yes, but my parents are both unicorns. My brother is as well. In fact, I was also a unicorn until three years ago when Celestia tested me and allowed me to ascend."

Sundance suppressed a gasp. "Look at her coat." She whispered to her husband. "It's lavender. I-if she used to be a unicorn . . . do you think she's that unicorn?"

Eyes wide, Midnight Armor quietly replied "I-I'm not sure. However, she does have the same name as the unicorn who saved his soul."

Sundance and Midnight Armor returned their attention to their son's conversation.

"How would you feel if you suddenly had to face two alicorns for permission to court me?” Twilight asked

Artemis laughed harder. “Your parents were bad enough, Twilight. Besides, I also had to face Spike and your friends.”

“What?" Twilight asked, clearly surprised "When did this happen?”

“When you were talking to the Aloe sisters about our spa treatment the other day." Artemis answered, still laughing "Spike told me that I had better not hurt the mare that he considers to be his mother, big sister and best friend. As for the rest of your friends, let’s just say that I hope I never have to go against your fellow Element Bearers. Applejack promised to buck me into next week, Rainbow vowed to hit me repeatedly with lightening and Fluttershy said she’d send her animals after me if I hurt you. Even Celestia got in on the act, telling me that I had better take care of her former Faithful Student.”

Twilight laughed again “I should have expected that." She tilted her head. "However, Celestia’s reaction surprises me. I thought she’d be more concerned about me hurting you.”

Artemis shook his head again. “She practically raised you, so she knows that you’d never do that.”

Both of them looked up when Sundance and Midnight Armor stepped forward.

“Wait a moment, Artemis." Sundance said, speaking slowly "You said that this is Twilight Sparkle? As in the pony that you told us was responsible for saving your soul?”

“You said “fellow Element Bearers”, Artemis?” Midnight Armor repeated That will tell me if this mare is who I think she is.

Twilight stared up at them for a moment. I think they're even taller than Celestia. Taking a deep breath, she turned to Midnight Armor. “I'm the current bearer of the Element of Magic. My friends are the bearers of the other Elements of Harmony.”

Midnight Armor gasped I-I was right . . . This is the mare who saved Artemis' soul. He was pulled from his thoughts when Twilight kept speaking.

“Spike is a dragon that I hatched years ago, when I was just a filly. Ever since, I have been raising him the best I can.”

Sundance's eyes widened. S-she hatched a dragon egg . . . when she was a foal?! She shook herself from her shock as Twilight turned to her.

“I didn’t know that was what I was doing at the time." Twilight explained "Regardless, I did end up protecting his soul.”

Sundance and Midnight Armor stared at her in shock. Both of them were about to say something, but they paused when they heard something they didn't expect. They, and Twilight, turned to see that Artemis was chuckling.

Seeing that he had their attention, Artemis created a large sphere of magic next to him. "Mother, Father, there are a couple of things that I think you should see."

Curious, Sundance and Midnight Armor nodded. They looked on as their son showed them some of what had happened in the last week.

Sundance shook her head. I can't believe Artemis was captured because he tried to help a foal. She glanced at her husband to see that he was shaking his head as well.

Sundance and Midnight Armor gasped in horror when they heard what the attacker planned to do with the rope. Their eyes widened when Twilight, and her friends, suddenly teleported to their son's side.

Midnight Armor's eyes widened even further when he saw the way that Twilight protected the ponies around her. What kind of defensive technique is that?!

Sundance gasped when Twilight and her friends began to glow. What kind of power are they using?! Her eyes widened even further when she heard Twilight's explanation. T-the Spirits of the Elements of Harmony come when those mares call for them?!

Sundance and Midnight Armor watched Twilight use the Element of Magic to remove the rope before sharing some of her magic with him. Both of them suddenly sat down as they were overwhelmed with relief.

"H-he could have died." Sundance said softly

Midnight Armor silently nodded as he watched Twilight apprehend the attacker before taking him to Celestia.

Sundance stared at Twilight for several minutes before glancing at her son. “Y-you certainly picked a good one, Artemis.”

Artemis was about to respond, but paused when his father's horn began to glow. Twilight's eyes widened when she found herself caught in a field of magic that was the same color as Midnight Armor's coat. Midnight Armor pulled the smaller mare closer before placing her in front of himself and his wife. Twilight gasped in surprise when both of them pulled her into a hug.

"T-thank you, Twilight." Sundance whispered "Thank you for saving my son."

Twilight was about to respond, but let out another gasp of surprise when Midnight Armor tightened his grip. Sundance and Midnight Armor finally released her a little over a minute later.

As soon as they did, Artemis levitated her to his side. Then he lay down, placed her next to him and spread a wing over her. “I know, Mother. Trust me, I know.”

Sundance lay down opposite of them. “Normally, Midnight and I would ask you several questions to discover your intention with our son, Twilight. However, you have proven that with your actions. Instead, I only ask that you do not hurt him.”

Twilight smiled “Don’t worry, I won’t.”

“Good” replied Midnight Armor as he lay next to his wife. “I trust I don’t have to ask you to take care of our son?”

Artemis laughed and, before Twilight could reply, said “Not likely! There is no way that I can repay her for all that she has already done for me.”

“Well then, welcome to the family, Twilight.” Sundance said before she smiled mischievously in a way that immediately reminded Twilight of Celestia. Midnight Armor and Sundance looked at each other and smiled. “So, when can we expect grandfoals?”

Artemis stared at his mother in shock.

“That’s where Celestia gets it from.” Twilight groaned “Artemis and I have only been courting for a week. Even so, Celestia spent a good portion of yesterday afternoon, and again in the evening, asking us the same thing and trying to convince us to go along with it. She wants a niece or nephew from us, now.”

Midnight Armor laughed “That’s my girl.”

Next Chapter: Chapter 31 Estimated time remaining: 32 Hours