After their trip to Ponyville, Twilight started to test Trixie to see how magically talented she is so far. While her education was lack luster, she does have a magic related Cutie Mark, so there has to be something. Trixie now officially moved into the library, to some ponies annoyance.
Twilight realized Trixie has a knack for illusion magic, not just show pony magic. They started with refining Trixie's levitation magic. While all Unicorns know the basics needed for day to day use, more fine levitation or heavier weights need training. Multiple objects at once as well.
After accessing Trixie, they met up with Twilight's friends. Minuette and Lyra were the least bothered by the Ursa incident, while the rest was still a bit unsure about her. But as Twilight told them she teaches Trixie, they relaxed.
"Okay, what are you all planning for Nightmare Night?", asked Rainbow. "We all know that AJ's busy with catering and providing apples for the apple fishing, but the rest? Wait, I know what Rares is doing! Using her costume to advertise her dresses!"
"I... I'm not! I enjoy the festivities with my sister.", replied Rarity offended. "What about you, scaring the kids?"
"Well, someone has to replace Nightmare Moon as the scare.", replied Rainbow Dash with a mischievous grin.
"Princess Luna will come to Ponyville for the holiday. She wants to avoid Canterlot...", revealed Twilight, to her friend's surprise. "Princess Luna apparently is not well liked yet, especially by the nobles. Which are the majority in Canterlot."
"Mm, leaving the capital because of the nobles is so relatable.", chimed Minuette in, Lyra agreed. "The first Nightmare Night with the princess back. That will be something, girls."
"Drama?", asked Lyra.
"Princess Celestia wants me to help the ponies warm up to her. And Luna to the ponies. And starting to reform the holiday." explained Twilight unsure. "I have no idea how to reform a holiday. Doesn't that happen naturally over a long period of time?"
"Mm... maybe instead of Nightmare Moon being what fuels the holiday, maybe Luna can.", proposed Minuette. "Princess Luna must have experienced a lot a thousand years ago. Maybe she can share these and these stories are what fuels the holiday."
"Oh? I thought you say to use the holiday as a warning to avoid creating another Nightmare Moon.", said Lyra.
"That could be seen as insulting to the princess.", said Fluttershy's weak voice.
"Flutters' right, Minuette's first idea is what we should do.", agreed Rainbow Dash.
"Shouldn't we let Twilight decide? The princess tasked her.", said Spike.
"Honestly, isn't it a bit much for just Twily? I mean, she is her student, but...", said Rarity. Minuette, Lyra and Trixie tried not to burst into laughter. Especially Trixie. It may be much for a student, to reform a whole holiday, but Twilight is a princess, up to the task.
Spike then sneezed out a letter for Twilight. She read it and said unimpressed, "Oh, my yearly invites..."
"More than normal.", pointed Minuette out. "Eleven... twelve... thirteen invites for the Galloping Gala. You normally only receive seven, six for our group and Spike."
The group looked at the tickets in disbelief. Tickets for the gala are highly desired. But equally hard to get. And there lay a dozen in front of Twilight. Lyra said laughing, "I think that broke them, Twi."
"Girls, Twilight's the princess's student, she always receives tickets, as well as her parents, brother, friends, meaning you, too.", explained Minuette, "I would say we send Moony's, Twinkle's and Lemon their tickets?"
"On it!", said Spike.
"I wonder if Crowley attends this year, now that Princess Luna is back.", wondered Twilight.
"On the other hand, Crowley is so used not to go.", pointed Lyra out. "Which I very relatable..."
"Who rejects going to the Gala?!", asked Rarity offended.
"Oh, Twilight and our group often did.", said Minuette. "Twilight only attended because she kinda had to. Moony only came if Twilight did."
"We never really enjoy the Gala.", said Twilight, "It is so stiff." She saw how disturbed Rarity was. "But this year we all go!"
"Mm, I need to check if my dress is still good to go.", said Lyra.
"Didn't your brother steal it and gave it to his girlfriend?", reminded her Minuette.
"Oh Celestia, right! I forgot.", she answered, frustrated remembering that lovesick idiot's treason. She then looked to Rarity, "Hey Rarity, how much would a dress of yours cost?"
"Nothing dear! I make you one for free! All of you!", said Rarity.
"Mm, I'm not gonna reject a free dress.", said Trixie.
"Oh great, we walk advertisements for Rarity.", said Rainbow.
"And that is bad because?", asked Apple Jack. "We get a dress and we support our friend. What is your issue?"
"Being all dolled up.", replied Rainbow.
"Oh dear, I would make one based on your wishes.", informed her Rarity. "Any ideas?"
"Simple, I don't want to stand out.", said Fluttershy.
"Colorful and cool.", said Rainbow.
"Something purple like my eyes.", was Trixie's input, "And shimmering."
"Mm, as long as it matches my necklace, I don't care.", said Twilight.
"You plan to wear your daily necklace? Nothing different for such an event?" asked Rarity, surprised by Twilight's choice.
"Twilight only has that one necklace.", said Minuette. "It would be weird if she wears a different one."
Twilight was practicing with Trixie a few days later, when Rarity came in with a few designs on paper and fabrics carried by her blue aura. Her sudden appearance made Trixie drop all the books she was levitating. One book landed on Princess Celestia's reply about Minuette's idea, she agrees with it.
"Twilight! I have a few designs based on your necklace.", she said, showing Twilight the designs. She then the chaos she created. "Oh! Oh my! Let me help you!" She then helped Trixie to pick up the books. As she carried a dozen books past a table, she saw Radiant Twilight's necklace. Far more going on than Twilight's sapphire necklace, this one was golden and featured pink tourmaline, rivaling the raspberry pink of the streak in her mane. "Didn't Minuette say you only have one necklace?"
"Oh, that one... I just got it a few days ago. An aunt died..."
"Oh... why don't you wear it? It would be such a change fitting the occasion.", said Rarity. "I already have an idea to match these pretty tourmaline's."
"Scratch it, I am not going to wear it.", said Twilight. "I know you see it as weird that I wear the same necklace each day, but this is just how I roll. And that one…" She doesn't want to dumb her family drama on Rarity, especially now that she is busy with a dozen dresses.
"I see, but won't it make your aunt happy for a part of her to attend the gala?", countered Rarity.
"Considering that this part of the family is banned from the castle and the gala...", chimed Spike in.
"Rarity, no. I'm not going to wear it to the gala.", said Twilight.
"Mm, fine..." She then took the designs from Twilight. "Let me rework these!" She then left.
"Mm, I got the feeling Rarity will design a dress that works with both necklaces to convince you to wear Radiant's necklace.", stated Trixie.
"This is why I want to tell them. Instead of risking a stupid argument, I just want to explain Rarity why I can't wear the necklace. Why I have to keep rocking the sapphire one."
Trixie then asked, "Despite the glamour, does the history of the necklace bother you?"
"Yes... would you want to wear such a dramatic piece of jewelry, from a person who hated you in living times?"
"She did give it to you."
"But then assumed I rejected them as I couldn't wear it.", countered Twilight.
"Mm... maybe... I have an idea!", said Trixie. "Glamour! What if one of us puts a glamour on the necklace to make it looks like Radiant's necklace!"
"That is a good idea!", agreed her teacher. "But the necklace itself is enchanted. Enchanted objects tend to reject such spells working on them to avoid interference with their own enchantment."
"Do you wanna try?" asked Trixie. "They tend to, but doesn't that mean they sometimes work?"
"Mm... sure." Trixie collected her magic in her horn, before a laser hit Twilight's sapphire necklace, turning it into her aunt's piece. "Now we only need to see how long the spell lasts and if the magical necklace rejects further magic applied to it."
The next day, Twilight and her friends were at Rarity's to see her dresses. Rarity's sister was so jealous when she discovered they all got tickets for the Grant Galloping Gala. "Oh, Sweetie Belle, you're too young for it anyway." reasoned Rarity. "Maybe in a few years you can go."
Like Trixie proposed – who got a very starry dress in a light purple hue – Twilight's dress can go with both necklaces, but it is clearly aimed to be worn with the gold one. Twilight just thanked her, knowing full well that she will just apply a glamour to the jewelry.
Soon they arrived in front of the castle, where they met Moondancer – wearing a simple dark purple dress – Twinkleshine who was just walking silver and Lemon Hearts, who was the most under-dressed for Rarity, with her simple raspberry dress. These mares really don't bother with the gala, a real culture shock for Rarity.
"Oh, you don't wear the sapphire necklace?", asked Moondancer surprised as she saw Twilight. She could feel Moondancer's hidden question, 'How aren't your wings showing?'
Rarity then saw it, too. "Oh, you're wearing a different necklace, finally."
Twilight just rolled her eyes. "It is just a necklace, Rarity."
Walking in, they spotted Twilight's family, Twilight Velvet, Night Light and Shining Armour, as well as Princess Cadence. She was accompanied by Soaring Thoughts. He instantly approached Trixie and told her the queen of Roam promises betterment for Unicorns and apologizes for the whole country.
When Soaring Thought left, Twilight's parents were also wondering about her necklace. So was Princess Celestia when she greeted them.
"Princess, where is your sister?", asked Twilight. "This is the first Galloping Gala after her return after all."
"That is what I told her, but she doesn't want to... this is exactly why the population didn't warm up to her yet.", said Celestia. "Twilight, please follow me." Twilight did as she was told and followed the Princess to a more private corner. "Your necklace, Twilight, why don't your wings show?"
"This is the necklace, just with a glamour. You see, Rarity took issue that I would wear my daily necklace to this. She then found Radiant Twilight's necklace and had the idea that I should wear that one.", explained Twilight. "To avoid an unnecessary argument, Trixie cast a glamour on it." She then sighed. "This is why I want to tell them, I could just tell Rarity why the necklace is so important to me."
"I know, Twilight, but there is a good reason why you can't just yet.", said Celestia. "I promise you, one day you can tell them. Before your official debut even. Apropos... as you already met Soaring Thought, did you see the other ponies of Roam?"
"Yes. I saw Cadence introducing Shining to her family.", said Twilight, "Is her official debut today?" She didn't mention how redundant it is,considering she dropped her cover at the summer sun celebration.
"Yes! When the fire works start.", clarified Celestia. She then saw Night Light coming up to them. "Night Light?"
"Twilight! Come! They are here!", said Night Light, as if anyone would have an idea what he means.
"Night Light, context please.", demanded Celestia from her Astronomer.
"Ah, Velvet's family is here! Despite being banned from attending! They somehow got their hooves on tickets and are now arguing with Velvet!", explained Night Light. "They demand the necklace back." He lowered his ears.
Twilight sighed and followed her father. Velvet and her sisters already attracted the attention from the crowd of the gala. Rarity stood near Velvet, she doesn't understand why they want the necklace back. Twilight and Night Light then came, standing besides Velvet. Twilight would like to spread a wing protectively in front of Velvet, but her necklace – and Celestia – says no.
"Oh, there is the necklace thief. And wearing it at that. Give it back.", demanded a pale purple coated Unicorn mare – Twilight Amethyst, Velvet's older sister – and Baroness of a small part of land north of Canterlot.
Velvet stepped in front of her sister, "My daughter isn't a thief! Not only is it her part of the inheritance Radiant left, she already gave it to her in her living times! Twilight is no thief!"
"But she isn't part of the family! Radiant had in her will written only family can have a part of the inheritance! Something you dunderhead apparently doesn't understand. Stop making yourself for that orphan you found strong.", argued Amethyst.
"Then why did Radiant give the necklace to Twilight five years ago? She seemed to accept Twilight as family.", pointed Velvet out while her husband tried to find a way to defuse the situation or at least get the attention away from them.
He decided to ask, quite loudly, "Amethyst, how are you even here? Aren't you banned from the castle and the gala?"
"Oh, shut up you puny Baronet.", chimed Twilight Veil in. She was Velvet's younger sister and a close copy of Amethyst. "But if you want to know, we got the tickets from friends who couldn't attend."
"Don't talk like that to my husband, Veil! Also, he is a Viscount, higher than you, Baroness of petty.", said Velvet, not liking how her sister talks to her love. "Radiant gave the necklace to my daughter, this is my last word."
"Radiant may have given it to your charity case, but she never wore it, so she rejected Radiant and us by association, she even gave it back.", countered Amethyst.
"Yeah, after you decided to lower yourself into threatening a child!", snapped Velvet at her sister. That got the masses muttering and gossiping. Velvet saw how her sister looked around nervously, knowing full well their scene may have destroyed her and Veil's social standing. Velvet couldn't care less about them. "Amethyst, why are you so petty to a child?"
"I'm not petty!", yelled Amethyst. She muttered, "It is bad enough that she goes by our family name even if she isn't family."
"You sound like it, Twilight Amethyst.", said Princess Celestia, as she walked to them.
Amethyst and Veil took a step back as they saw Princess Celestia. "P-Princess Celestia!", said Amethyst in respect and fear. She never stood in front of the sun goddess herself. "W-We just want to take back what is rightfully ours."
"Twilight Amethyst, I made the laws of this land, I know for a fact that this necklace now belongs to my personal Student, Twilight Sparkle.", said the princess.
"I don't mind to give it back.", said Twilight. Rarity besides her was ripped out of her mind space, she felt as if she was sucked into a telenovela.
"Twilight, you don't have to.", said the Princess.
"But I don't want to argue because of a worthless necklace either.", countered her student. A hidden jab at Celestia, as this is a similar issue she has with Rarity at the moment.
"Worthless! Oh, you-" Amethyst was interrupted as the tourmaline necklace turned to sapphire. She then materialized the real tourmaline necklace and floated it to Amethyst. She took the necklace and took a step back.
Celestia sighed. "Amethyst, you and your family – bare your sister Velvet and her husband and son – have been banned from the castle and Gala for harassing my student repeatedly. To that, you committed inheritance fraud.", she said loudly. "You said Radiant Twilight gifted the necklace to my student while alive, yet it is also seen as her part of the inheritance. It can't be seen as inheritance. Which reminds me, what did Radiant state in her will? Exactly, that is?"
"Every family member should receive something, her money being split under her daughters.", said Veil.
"Did the will say that adopted children don't count?", asked the Princess.
"Uh, no, but..."
"So, fraud.", said Celestia. "Leave the castle. You will hear from my legal representatives. Don't make this worse for you, unless you want your noble status taken from you."
Veil, Amethyst and their relatives left the castle, the eyes of the nobles on them. One orange maned unicorn filly tried to blend into the background, embarrassed by her family. Their social standing is now more dead than the victims of the tree disease.
Rarity saw between Twilight and the Princess. She then saw that Twilight was trying to soothe her mother. She heard her whisper, "Don't think I don't consider you family just because I gave Radiant's necklace away."
Princess Celestia spread her wings and said, "Nothing to see here! Continue with the gala, everyone!" No one wanted to argue, but Amethyst and her family continued to be the gossip of the night.
After a while, Twilight's parents got approached by Cadence's parents. Twilight walked to her friends. While the Canterlot gang said something about Amethyst being crazy – they now realized how her wings didn't show – Rarity said, "I now understand why you didn't want to wear the tourmaline necklace. I am sorry for pushing you into wearing it."
"No, Rarity, I have to apologize for just not explaining why I can't wear it.", replied Twilight. "Now, let's enjoy the gala."
Then she got introduced to Cadence's parents, her sister and two brothers, all of them are Pegasi. Cadence's mother said, "No wonder that Cady spends so much time in Equestria, if she has a boyfriend and a nice pseudo-sister here!"
"Actually, there is a second reason for that.", said Cadence.
"Oh? That is?", asked her father.
"Well..." She glowed up, revealing her long, sharp horn. Now she was the one pulling all the attention to herself. Cadence explained sheepishly, "I ascended to an Alicorn a few, uh, years ago... and Celestia adopted me as her niece." She said the last part very fast, so that her parents struggled to follow. "I am now the Princess of Love. Haven't you heard about the summer sun celebration? Or did only the news about Luna outshine me?"
Now the new, now revealed – well, confirmed – hidden princess of Equestria was the topic of the night. Not that Amethyst's antics have been forgotten, they just have been overshadowed by more positive news.
Not all people believed Quill Snap's article, considering how foggy the information about the events in the old castle were. Celestia didn't really say much about Cadence after that.
After all attention had been on Cadence, Celestia paid her sister a visit. "Lulu, why weren't you at the Gala? You missed Cadence's debut... and uh, a family feud."
"I see no point in attending. The ponies still see me as Nightmare Moon – I've read about that Holiday you call Nightmare Night – and you know very well what day today is, sister.", said Luna, looking at the night sky. She was working on some star signs. "Why did you decide to establish this gala on Aurora's birthday?"
"You answered it yourself, because it is Aurora's birthday. I don't want her to be forgotten.", explained her sister.
"Oh, that's why Nightmare Night exists.", said Luna darkly.
"No, that is what the Winter Moon Celebration is for. I did not establish the Nightmare Night, the nobles of old did. I tried to change and influence it, but I failed, I am sorry.", said Celestia.
"If you say so... Is Twilight and her friends here?", asked Luna.
"Yes, why do you ask?", answered Celestia. "Albeit she is not in the gala itself, she and her friends are in one of the gardens, escaping the attention."
"What attention?"
"Remember that I mentioned a family feud?" Celestia told her about the argument going down between Twilight Velvet, Twilight Amethyst and Twilight Sparkle. "Huh, I just realized now Twilight's grandmother took the naming tradition very serious. I could never imagine to have two daughters with the same name."
"Albeit the lack of creativity fits you, sister. Seriously, you named your phoenix Philomena?"
"The name isn't than creatively bankrupt!"