What she had always wanted was to be loved and liked by the people as a princess; this would make her feel that being a princess was a meaningful thing.
Nightmare Moon had simply expressed her demands in the most extreme way, and as it turned out, that was an extremely poor choice.
"That's not entirely your fault, I can feel it."
Knowing that Princess Luna was just a poor pony driven mad by work, Aurora could empathize with her regarding the overtime culture, especially since Princess Luna was volunteering to work overtime.
Aurora already liked Princess Luna, and now she liked her even more.
"Every pony in Equestria should be grateful for the contributions of the princesses. I know you are a very self-respecting princess... but I think you should allow some ponies to care about you a little more."
Princess Luna only wanted to gain the understanding of the ponies, never thinking that she could receive their care. Perhaps not expecting Aurora to say this, Princess Luna was stunned for a moment and couldn't come back to her senses.
"She is quite right."
At this moment, the light of dawn shone through the dilapidated windows, symbolizing the return of the sun to the sky of Equestria.
Having regained her freedom, Celestia completed the day's replacement of the sun and moon for the Summer Sun Celebration. This should be the last time she controlled the moon after a thousand years of independently changing the sun and moon.
At this moment, Celestia was in a good mood. She looked with gratification at the Six Fillies wearing the new elements of harmony, and then turned her gaze to her sister, whom she hadn't seen for a thousand years.
She really hadn't seen Princess Luna in this form for a long time, making her eyes start to sting uncontrollably.
"Princess Celestia."
Although she had just been secretly teasing her teacher in her heart, on the surface, she was still a good student who respected her mentor.
Seeing Celestia appear, Aurora, following etiquette, bowed along with the other Six Fillies to The Grand Princess.
However, Princess Luna couldn't help but take two steps back.
The suppression of bloodline, coupled with a thousand years of wasted time and sediment, in such an occasion, the newly 'bleached' Princess Luna could not help but show timidity, not knowing how to face her sister.
Knowing that Princess Luna had already learned enough lessons on the path of corruption, Celestia's tone could not help but become gentler.
"Just as Flying Light said, your transformation into Nightmare Moon should not be entirely blamed on your own willfulness. As your sister, I also have an unshirkable responsibility."
Celestia lowered her head slightly and slowly approached Princess Luna, her eyes filled with a longing and affection that other ponies had never seen before.
"I'm sorry, Princess Luna. I never had the chance to say this to you. Back then, I failed to notice that your heart was on the verge of collapse, and I ignored your demands. I have regretted it all these years."
"Are you willing to forgive me and come back to continue protecting the country with me?"
"Tia... is that really what you think? I thought you would hate me..."
Next was the time for the royal sisters to have a private conversation. Aurora quietly left the spot and returned to Twilight Sparkle and the others.
Having experienced the loss and recovery, Twilight Sparkle couldn't wait to touch Aurora all over; heaven knows how scared this poor, anxious pony had been by Nightmare Moon's strange words.
"I thought I would never see you again!"
Confirming that Aurora was fine except for being a bit tired, Twilight Sparkle heaved a sigh of relief, but tears streamed down uncontrollably, and she wouldn't let go of Second Senior Sister.
Twilight Sparkle was just like Princess Luna; putting aside the responsibilities imposed on them from the outside, they were actually just little sisters who needed their sisters' love.
Aurora didn't know what happened while she was fast asleep; why did Twilight seem to have such a great sense of impending death, as if she had already thought about what to engrave on her tombstone?
But there was no point in dwelling on what had already happened; it was more important to comfort the little junior sister first.
Aurora patted Twilight Sparkle's back while straightening the Element of Magic crown on her head.
"I'm fine, that's all in the past. You did very well; I believed that the six of you would definitely be able to do it."
The other five ponies also surrounded the sisters, enjoying this peaceful moment after the disaster.
"Aurora, did you see us using the elements of harmony? This is the coolest thing I've done since performing the Sonic Rainboom! Can you believe it? We actually saved Equestria!"
"Isn't that right! But the aim might need more practice. Using this thing for the first time, we almost hit Aurora too."
"That said... but if possible, I really hope we never have to use the elements of harmony again..."
"Rarity, why are you still distracted at a time like this?"
"I am not distracted, but admiring the ancient paintings here. Celestia above! Aurora Darling, you are right, there really are wild treasures here; I should have come here earlier!"
At this moment, a great force suddenly tightened around them all, making all the ponies feel like they couldn't breathe.
"Oh no! Friends! At this super super super important moment, you still have the leisure to chat here?!"
Although that keyword wasn't spoken out loud, Pinkie Pie's violently trembling pupils already foreshadowed everything.
It was still early, the Summer Sun Celebration had just begun, the royal sisters returned to Equestria, Aurora was safe and sound, and there were six beautiful friendship trinkets.
Being able to hold it in without taking off on the spot, Pinkie Pie felt that she had already learned the essence of composure from Aurora.
As if, she couldn't learn it at all!
"I must spread this good news right now! Otherwise I will explode!"
As soon as she finished speaking, accompanied by a loud bang from nowhere, Pinkie Pie inexplicably disappeared from the spot.
Before they had time to worry about Pinkie Pie's whereabouts, they saw that pink curly-haired pony had already turned into a figure that left dust in her wake, quickly disappearing into the depths of the forest path.
Pinkie Pie was still as impatient as ever, but that was just the Pinkie Pie they knew.
The commotion created by the ponies also attracted the attention of the royal sisters, who were catching up not far away. They had just finished chatting and didn't feel disturbed.
After reuniting, they had plenty of time to make up for the lost time.
The legend of Nightmare Moon was now officially a legend; there would be no more Nightmare Moon in the future. This crisis event came to an end amidst the laughter of the ponies, and next would be a wonderful celebration banquet.
It was the Happy Ending that Aurora liked.
Aurora, returning to Ponyville with the other ponies, looked back one last time before leaving at the fragments of armor belonging to Nightmare Moon scattered all over the hall.
It was a pity that there was no Nightmare Magic left on them; they were just a pile of scrap metal that would gradually rust, otherwise they would at least have had some research value.
Aurora withdrew her gaze and quickly caught up with the ponies who had walked a distance ahead.
In her tightened backpack, a bright royal blue helmet, the only item here that still had some value, had been pocketed by her long before the other ponies had noticed.
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