“Considering all that's happened, this festival has been quite the success. Very well done, if I do say so myself,” Rarity said as she walked close beside Applejack through the dark streets of Canterlot.

“Honestly, I’m just glad it’s over. It’ll be nice going back to the farm and letting things cool down a bit.”

"That does sound good," Fluttershy said with a yawn. "Um, where do we go next?"

“We're gonna turn right up ahead near that lamp- I mean left,” Spike called out from where he perched on Fluttershy’s back. “Then we just go up these stairs. If you want you can just drop me off, I can walk the rest of the way myself.”

“It’s fine, Spike. We don’t mind walking with you,” Fluttershy said, smiling back at him as the three ponies turned towards the elegant spiraling staircase.

Halfway up, Rarity paused on the steps as Pinkie Pie's voice sang out clear and loud on the mike, as the electronic dance music continued its steady beat.

“Really, I don’t know where she gets so much energy from."

“Same with Rainbow Dash,” Applejack said. “She’s still partying with the pirate crew. Glad those two are sharing a room.”

“Knowing Rainbow Dash, she’ll pass out as soon as she gets back to her room,” Fluttershy said with a little sound somewhere between a sigh and a giggle as they came to the top landing.

“Here we are, home sweet home," Rarity said as Spike hopped down from Fluttershy's back.

“Thanks! And Applejack, don’t forget you’re helping with pancakes in the morning.”

“You bet!” Applejack said with a grin.

“Actually, Spike,” Fluttershy said, crouching down towards him. “Could you do us a favor and check to make sure Twilight is ok.”

“Good idea,” Rarity said. “She did disappear earlier at the party. Poor thing, she’s had quite a stressful day.”

“Sure thing, just give me one sec,” Spike said, slipping through the door and gazing around, before popping his head back. “Yep, I see her. All good! Although, huh…”

“What?”

“Something looked funny... wait here,” he said and went into the room, leaving the three ponies outside waiting.

“I hope she’s all right,” Fluttershy said. “What if she’s crying? Or if she’s still upset?”

“She’s probably just too pooped out to spend the whole night partying. Not all of us can be Pinkie Pie.”

“Ooh, Spike!” Fluttershy said in a hushed voice as he stepped back through the door with a strange look on his face. “Was everything ok? She isn’t still upset, right?”

“No, nothing like that. It’s just that, um, Twilight has a guest over and I don’t really know what to do.”

“A guest?” Rarity repeated and looked to the others who were just as confused.

“Is it Cadence?” Fluttershy asked.

“Her old pal Moondancer?” Applejack said.

“Oh! Do you mean a coltfriend?” Rarity said, prancing in place with a broad grin.

“You, uh, might want to take a look for yourselves...”

They snuck into the moonlit room, meandering through papers and furniture until they came to the bed and Rarity had to shove her hoof to her mouth to prevent a squeal of delight, which then fizzled to a strange questioning, ‘urrhm?’

Twilight Sparkle was in her bed sound asleep, and curled around her was Tempest Shadow.

“What do we do?” Spike whispered.

There were vague noncommittal noises and a nervous scuffing of hooves.

"I have so many questions," Applejack said.

Then Tempest flicked her bright eyes open and all of them visibly stiffened, Fluttershy almost squeaking in alarm. But the dark purple pony didn’t move an inch, just blinked and looked up at them. They gaped back, standing frozen as if painted in a tableau. Twilight shifted with a faint sigh and everyone looked to her, but she didn’t wake, merely curled closer to the other pony.

Tempest glanced at her from the corner of her eye, and her features softened almost imperceptibly. Then her sharp green eyes lifted to the group as before, wordlessly asking what they might do. Or perhaps silently daring them to just try and do something.

No one moved as a nearby clock counted out the time. Then Applejack took a deep breath and leaned backward, and the others looked to see what she might do. She met Tempest gaze for gaze, and after a pause she smiled at her. Then she looked to her friends and gave a slight toss of her head towards the door before stepping away. The other ponies soon followed, Fluttershy flitting to the door with both hooves clasped over a broad smile.

That only left a little purple dragon standing before Tempest with a furrowed brow. Then he jabbed a claw at her.

“You do anything to hurt her and you deal with me, got it?”

Tempest stared, then gave a vague hint of a nod. Spike hesitated, the angry glare replaced with a confused frown.

“Come along, Spike, let’s give them some peace,” Rarity said softly, shepherding him towards the door. “You can stay with us for the night.”

But before she left, the white unicorn paused and looked back at Tempest, meeting her eyes and seemed to be examining her. Then she smiled and gave a short nod before closing the door softly behind her.

Once again they were alone in the dark room, and Tempest let her shoulders relax as she watched the door for a few extra moments, but it stayed firmly shut. Tempest thought she might have heard a noise that sounded like 'squee' but wasn't sure what that actually meant. Twilight sighed beside her, stretching out a leg. She was smiling, even in sleep.

Tempest leaned forward and gently nuzzled against her forehead. Then she heard a faint hum as Twilight snuggled closer.

“Mmm, night Tempest.”

She paused and stared as the smaller pony stilled, then began to snore. Tempest smiled, and lay her head down.

“Good night, Twilight.”

Author's Notes:

Friendship is a weird and funny thing...
Just wanted to write a little extra scene, mostly so we know where Spike goes to sleep for the night (and I just think their reactions would be pretty funny). I imagine they wouldn't be used to Twilight being so snuggly- much less Tempest.

Thanks again for reading!