To Her Most Regal Eminence Princess Luna Starlight Ruler of the Nocturnal Sky Over Equestria,

I'm very glad that your memories of your mother are good ones, it makes me feel a lot better about talking to you about her. Though I know it's not what you'd like to hear, I hope that someday you might allow somepony else to be the one to be the one to comfort you. You have done much that you should hold your head high for, even if it takes another to support your chin and make you see the sky.

I wish I could take credit for bringing you back, but it was as much the others as it was me, and we didn't even know it was possible to save you. All we wanted was to rescue Princess Celestia and return the day, thus saving our lives. However, it does make me happy to finally get to know the real you. If you ever need support, please allow me to be there for you.

I guess that I could see where you're coming from in that you wish to be known for who you are, and not some title. It took me a few years in fact to stop wanting to hide behind Princess Celestia every time some noble address me as "Celestia's Favored Student" or something similar. It takes a little to get used to being addressed by a title.

The best way to choose either of those paths, is to lean on your friends and those around you. I am honored that you would consider me for such and important and valued position, but there are others that would be far better for defending you. I can do feats of magic that others cannot, however I am not trained to predict or counter threats. I do see the real you, as much as one pony can see another. In our case it seems that I see you through the filter of these letters however, and from what I can tell, you are a wonderful filly that wants to make amends.

Princess Celestia wouldn't consider this unimportant Luna, please do not ever consider anything troubling you so. I believe that if you did bring her in on the problems you face, that it will bring you closer together. Give it time and you will find that anything is possible if you do the best with what you have been given.

Well beyond the stickers, a simple dress could hide your cutie marks, and there are many who wear dresses casually. I can't think of any examples off the top of my head, but I'm sure if I asked Rarity she could give me examples, and then offer me a complete wardrobe. If I were to suggest anything, I would suggest Marelin's Fifth Transfiguration spell. It is the most successful in full-body transformations.

The 'unshorn fetlocks' issue isn't as important in this day and age, however I suppose it might just be an evolution in tastes overtime. I'm rather glad that it is, since there have been more than once that I'd forgotten about grooming those regularly, especially when I was in the middle of a good book, or some important bit of research. I actually found it a bit cute that you were being so honest about a matter like that. Sorry, don't know why I wrote that to be honest, but it's what I really feel. I'm sure that the awkwardness will pass, and you will feel right at home in this strange new world you find yourself in.

Yes, Big Macintosh, or Big Mac, is Applejack's older brother, and was worried about her running off like she had. Their connection to the life forces of Equestria is nothing short of magical, I have observed them doing things that I couldn't copy with magic. Their magic is that of life and growth, and it is very subtle. As opposed to Pinkie's wish I think is able to bend the very fabric of reality, but she also has a natural talent for reading others that is near magical in and of itself. Her 'Pinkie Sense' alone could fill an entire dissertation, and possible a in-dept book if I were to really study the matter.

I have reviewed the article, and showed it to my friends who all agree that it's hard to imagine her being the same pony who had left Ponyville after the disaster with the Ursa Minor. I must admit that I have wondered often if it wouldn't be better for me to seek lodging elsewhere, but my friends are here and I cannot imagine life without them now. If she does perform at the circus, I would be very interested in seeing it, and I promise to protect you from the scary clowns with my mighty mime powers.

I think that maybe it would be best to give Dash the address, if you don't mind. I know she was a rather close friend of Gilda's and that the way they parted wasn't for the best. She may not realize this, as I had to have it pointed out to me by Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie; but the way Gilda was acting is a very textbook case of a crush. They all agreed that it might be in Dash and Gilda's best interest to keep our suspicions private for now.

I believe I could tell you under the full influence of Applejack's element that I believe being your best friend would be more of an honor than any other title could offer. Though maybe anti-clown protectorate would be more important for you.

I know all too well what it's like to have some outside power taking over and causing you to do things you wouldn't dream of doing normally. More than once has magic overwhelmed me in times of great stress and need, allowing me to do things that I couldn't have even hoped to accomplish mere seconds prior. One such example is when I levitated the entire west tower trying to find a ball that had rolled into high grass beside it.

In my defense, I was really young, and it was a ball that Princess Celestia herself had given me to practice my levitation control and manipulation. Well that, and it was a really pretty shade of purple that matched my coat. I thought she had gotten it especially for me, but apparently she had commissioned a few dozen identical balls in case one got lost. I had to write several letters of apology to the ponies that were in the tower at the time, explaining what had happened. Thankfully it was fairly empty, but due to the damage it needed to be rebuilt.

I think I tried hiding under my bed for a month after that every time somepony asked to talk with me, it was not one of my finer hours. And... that was one of those embarrassing moments you were talking about, wasn't it? But I guess looking back I can actually get a laugh out of it. I guess if you really wanted, I could spend some time thinking up some more stories to share.

I have to admit that it's hard to imagine either of you two as little fillies, even if my brain knows that you both must have been such at one time. The image of a little filly with Celestia's coloring sitting in a tiny pond of water with a lily-pad on her face is so hard for me to comprehend. I can tell what I'm picturing, but some part of it won't let me believe it's really seeing that. It's just so cute though, I wish I could paint it on a canvas or something.

Considering that I've been something of a mother to him, I can't really blame his tastes for being a little bit off-norm. But he is my favorite assistant and sometimes I find myself wondering if he would ever call me 'mom'. I know it's silly, but I just can't help but see him as part of my family. I think in part it's the limited pickings of the dating pool of eligible colts. Even if their tastes ran towards the fillies, I think that many of the local ones are likely to leave as early as they can to make their fortunes elsewhere.

Huh... I suppose that Marelin's Fifth Transfiguration spell would have the power to overcome Spike's natural magical resistance.. I will have to consider this carefully.

That sounds like something that Pinkie would do, though usually she uses streamers instead. I'm sure if you ask her, and offer to buy her a batch of the royal bakery's prize cupcakes she would be more than willing to deploy every step on the diagram she sent you. Could I ask to see them? And maybe that picture she included as well? I admit I am rather curious as to what you told me about.

Please tell me you are joking about my old stand being a landmark, that's just too embarrassing to even think as happening. Yes, please have some other Filly Scout use it, since I can no longer do so. From what I remember of it, the stand was little more than some boards of wood and painted on lettering. If they want to improve, they're more than welcome to since I know that not every filly would like something so plain. Oh wait, there was that spot where I spilled pain on my hoof and didn't realize it until it left a mark on the sign.

Still it's rather embarrassing that they're taking such care of the stand with nopony using it, please extend my best wishes to any Filly Scout that ends up using it. I wonder what it would be like to see the fillies when they see it. Maybe you could tell me when they come? I would really appreciate it.

I decided to wait until this morning to write back to you, so I could comment on the show you gave us last night. It was simply amazing, and the young fillies we were with watched in rapt attention and pure awe as the hundreds of trails of light flashed across the sky. I took a chance during one of the lulls you gave us to look at the others, and noticed something that warmed my heart. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were settled in on the backs of their older 'sisters'. I marked it that way since Scootaloo doesn't have a sister in our group, however Rainbow Dash seems to have zipped into that role with a sonic rainboom. A role she seemed to enjoy fulfilling with the enthusiasm that she gives to everything else. All three of them were sitting and watching the night's sky with this look of pure innocence and enjoyment, mirrored nearly identically by their older sisters.

Oh, I wish I had a camera that could have captured their expressions. I fear that the words I offer in explanation could not do it justice. The light glimmered in their eyes, reflecting the view before them as their mouths hung open slightly in awe and wonder. It seemed like their very breaths were stilled as they dared not break the silent reverence that was being paid to the magnificence we were bearing witness to.

I can only hope that the reception at the grand showing was fitting to the majestic performance you gave to us, else it would be a shame to have done so little for something so amazing. I hope that it was enjoyable for you and those watching with you up in Canterlot as it was for us down in Ponyville.

I'm very glad that you doubt I could knowingly hurt another pony, but it's so easy to do so without meaning that I fear I'll do so without even realizing it. I guess I need somepony else to help me keep my eyes open, huh? One that knows more about interpersonal relationships. I doubt that I would be worth such an extravagant display. I hope that I can notice the smaller signs long before it comes to that, even if I doubt it.

I suppose that sums me up in a kind way, not that I would reject them outright if they performed some flashy display like you had mentioned, but I feel that sometimes the simplest things in life are the most enjoyable. I think I'd rather curl up int the hooves of the one I love sharing a good book, than go out for dinner and dancing. If that makes any sense.

With Pinkie Pie, there is no coincidences. She has this way about her that seems to bend reality to what she thinks it should be, not the way it really is. Something like that foreign story of the unknown alicorn and her companions which included a Time-traveler, and ESPer, and an alien. The name escapes me right now, but I'm sure that the royal library still has a copy somewhere.

But a pajama party is fun, and I will have to get back to you on whether or not Pinkie is influencing the suggestion or not.

I would ask that you simply call me Twilight, please. The only title that I would consider requesting is that of your friend. I do not need any titles or honors beyond that, all my dreams and wishes from fillyhood came true the day your sister took me in as her personal pupil. All, save the dream of being a bride, but I'm sure that will come eventually. One day some pony will take my hoof in theirs and ask me to be theirs forevermore. So I suppose that my one wish, is that I wish to know more about you Luna Starlight, let me see the true filly that I saved from herself those months ago. That is all I ask of you.

We seem to mention Pinkie quite a lot in these letters, but I suppose that is because she is a very interesting and animated pony in her own right. I have taken some time to do a preliminary investigation into the reality benders that you mentioned. There are a few key points that I would agree with in regards to her, but also I cannot agree to all of them so I will have to go with a maybe at this point. It is possible that she is a bender, but I cannot say for certain. I will however take in those precautions you noted with full seriousness, having experienced a brush with insanity when I tried to understand what made her tick once. Never again.

Though I suppose I should continue reading about them, since they seem to be interesting to say the least, and very relevant to dealing with Pinkie. If for no other reason, than she has similar enough capabilities to make me realize that she could very well be a bender without knowing it. Unfortunately, the writers seem to be repeating themselves more and more recently.

About warning others about the way Nightmare Moon corrupts a pony, I would suggest possibly writing up a tell-all novel or starting with a pamphlet or a few news articles and broadcasts. It might not reach everypony, but hopefully enough will come to understand the dangers and set up ways for others to help their friends and neighbors to know what to look out for, and more importantly, how to prevent it. Would that help you to feel better? To warn the other ponies about what could happen to them? If it were me, I think being able to save even a single pony would be enough for me.

I'm certain that the nature of ponykind's longing for a little more night has not changed, in fact I would nearly guarantee that with the invention of nightclubs and bars have no doubt increased the desire for many ponies to enjoy the night even more. I know that more than once I have found myself leaving the library well past hours, only to find myself drawn into one of the nightclubs on the main streets of Canterlot. I did not stay long, but from what I could observe, they were always fairly packed with ponies. If you'd like I could try to write up a listing of a few of the nightclubs that I particularly enjoyed.

One in particular was the Blue Mare, which seemed to have a filly only clientele from what I could see. It was a rather dimly lit place, but the drinks were good and cheap. All the ponies I met there were very friendly, in fact the waitstaff insisted on taking my picture and hanging it on the wall behind the bar. They wouldn't tell me what it was for, but I bet it's probably still there.

I have suggested as much to Applejack and Rarity, as well as Scootaloo's parents, but they seemed rather hesitant about signing them up. Something about being expressly forbidden from ever joining the Filly Scouts again.

They apparently tried, and after binding the scout leaders in a series of complex knots, they managed to set fire to a pot of water, coat an entire kitchen in cookie dough, and eat three bags of chocolate chips. I'm not entirely surprised that they only got their knot tying badges before getting kicked out.

Yes, remaining calm and collected even when the world is falling apart around you. I dearly wish that I could claim to possess that trait, but I have gone to pieces over things like a parasprite invasion and destruction of Ponyville mere minutes before Princess Celestia came for a visit. A mere nothing next to dragons, Ursa Minors, and manticores, but for some reason far more terrifying to me. Whenever it comes to Princess Celestia, I only want her to see me as her perfect student, and then if the situation falls to pieces I'm not far behind.

Princess Celestia almost fell asleep at an event of that magnitude? I admit that I find it rather hard to believe, but I'm willing to believe you. From how you're describing it, it sounds like a magnificent event, I fail to understand how I could have missed such. I suppose then that it may be true that the Gala has changed, and became a more formal affair. The nobles and the rich do enjoy showing that they are different than the 'common pony' and make things boring and stuffy in doing so.

Wait, you have a nephew? Then the prince title is real? I thought those gossip columnist were maki- wait a minute, that Blueblood is your nephew? Oh, I have to tell Rarity to avoid him. I don't know how, but I feel that we have avoided crushing a fillyhood dream just now. Just for argument's sake, would there be any of your relatives that you would suggest for Rarity to seek out?

Before you letter arrived, I asked the other girls if they would mind sitting at the main table during the primary banquet, and most of them agreed without reservation. Applejack would like to know what type of foods they will be serving, as she had intended to make some sales for Sweet Apple Acres' while at the Gala.

Even if she could only set up a small stand somewhere in the grounds, I believe that it would be greatly beneficial to getting her name out. I asked her for a inventory of what she intends to bring and have forwarded it along to see if you could send it along to the ponies in charge of food preparations. That way they can figure out the best location to hose her. I understand if this is an imposition, but I'm hoping this makes it easier for Applejack's plans to work out.

It looks like we shall be giving Applejack a crash course in etiquette, that is Rarity and myself. I think that my quick and dirty rules will suffice. When in doubt, go with what was served first and keep an eye out to see what the other ponies are eating. I have to admit that I'm rather surprised that we haven't been invited to more formal events. I suppose with us being in Ponyville it would make it a little more difficult to schedule events with us.

I just thought of something. There have been many considerably famous ponies that came through Ponyville over my time here, and while nopony said anything about this being different, I can't help but wonder if our fame didn't help in that respect. After all, Ponyville is a rather quiet town that is a bit out of the way for most routes.

Yeah, I guess I do find it difficult to relax about her visits. I just want her to be impressed with me, and how I'm managing on my own. I will have to talk with Princess Celestia about that someday. Maybe you can give me advice about how I should manage that.

I'm sure that Fluttershy would love the guided tour, but she is a very shy pony so I hope those two will understand if she doesn't talk to them too much. I'd recommend letting them know that she'll open up more around the animals than them, and to give her some space until she's ready. If Spike hadn't been with me, I don't think I would have heard her speak at all until we were on the trail to defeat Nightmare Moon. In a way, I can't seem to link the two of you together as the same pony, I hope you understand.

Pinkie agreed to set up a small party for us to celebrate my birthday at Pony Joe's doughnut shop. Apparently Spike mentioned that it was one of my favorite shops in Canterlot, and that we were regular customers. She asked me to dragon-mail the invitations for both you and Princess Celestia, so I have attached yours with this letter. I will be sending Princess Celestia an update on my lessons in Friendship later today, so I will attach hers to that.

The others have all agreed to stay a couple extra days, especially Pinkie Pie. She seemed to want to dig up embarrassing facts about my past or something. I guess I don't tell many tales of my life before I came to Ponyville to the others, and they've known each other for years to all their stories are known to them.

Oh, Spike asked me to send along his best, since we've been increasing his gem intake since we started sending letters to each other. I traded some magical enchantments on a few dresses that Rarity was working on for a chest full of Spike's favorite gemstones. Every time I send or recieve a private correspondence, I've been giving him a gemstone as a treat. Hopefully this will help him gain that weight the doctors are concerned about him lacking.

The alternative is to increase his protein intake, and I'm worried what the ponies will think about that if they see him. I hope I'm doing enough to keep him healthy.

Speaking of which, it's about breakfast time and I want to surprise him with haycakes and I'm thinking of adding some crushed rubies into his.

Your friend,
Twilight Sparkle

AN: The voting from Chapter 10 is now closed, thanks to all that voted. Result will be announced when the finale is posted.

Fanart can be found linked to at http : / fav . me / d41yqi9