It was so noisy. The guards were all bustling about helping the servants with the New Year's party. Frankly, I didn't see the point in celebrating this holiday. It was just the passing of another year, wasn't it? Sure, the fireworks were pretty and resolutions were good to make, but really...I didn't know why people made such a big deal about this day.

I was walking back to the library, with Spike beside me chattering on about how I would be missing out on the fun if I skipped the party and just stayed in the library reading. I effectively ignored him, focusing on my book. The hallway was a bit crowded, but I swerved in between the rushing bodies easily. I was used to this. Eventually, Spike gave up, deciding to just walk beside me silently while staring out of the windows.

Okay, I should be about three quarters of the way to the library now. Just a bit more and I would have some peace and quiet. I carried on walking, listening to my own footsteps on the floor. Well, I would have continued doing so if my arms didn't suddenly lower themselves, leaving me to stare at the floor. I looked up, raising an eyebrow at the tall figure in front of me. "Princess?" She hadn't given me any lessons today, since it was New Year's Eve and she was busy with preparations for the party. Why was she here now?

"I thought that you'd be here, Twilight Sparkle. Why aren't you at the party with everypony else?" Princess Celestia asked, her flowing white dress brushing against the floor as she walked closer to me. Her golden sandals clicked against the floor as she went, and I quickly stopped myself from staring too openly. She always entranced me (and everypony else) with her beauty.

"I don't see the point in attending, Princess. Excuse me, but I'm almost finished with this book, and I want to read the next one in the series in the libra-" I was promptly silenced by the Princess' finger moving up to her lips, a cue for me to stay quiet. I bookmarked the page I was on, looking up to make eye contact with her.

The Princess smiled behind her finger, lowering it and extending her other hand to me. Her gold bangle shone in the moonlight, her multicolored hair shimmering similarly. "You should enjoy New Year's Day with everyone else, child, not yourself." she stated, keeping her hand in place. I stared at her for a while before finally realizing that she wanted me to take her hand. I did so hesitantly, and she tugged me gently to a nearby window. The sky was pitch-black, and the white buildings of Canterlot looked even more grand in the pale moonlight. I looked at the Princess questioningly, wondering what she wanted to show me. "No. Don't look away from the window." I followed her orders, looking back to the sky.

It certainly was beautiful. Did she want me to see the fireworks? "Princess, I already saw the fireworks last ye-" I was silenced again, this time by her finger pressing against my own lips. I sighed in resignation. Oh, well. As if on cue, Spike cried out excitedly at the window next to us.

"Guys, look, the fireworks!"

I looked up, blinking rapidly when the first red-gold firework went off in the sky. Wow, it was so bright. Almost like the sun. I heard many other gasps from down below and nearby. One of the gasps was mine. "Oh, wow. I never looked at the fireworks properly before." I said, smiling widely. I could almost see the Princess smile in return, her hand on my shoulder. "Is this what everyone looks forward to, Princess?"

"Yes and no, Twilight Sparkle. The real thing they wait for...is simply starting anew with the new year."

As she said her last word, an especially bright firework went off, and we were bathed in its' glow. Starting anew, huh...?