Phoenix Rebirth

Luna stood amongst the crowd, standing side by side with Twilight’s friends as ponies from all across Equestria gathered in the square. It was the fifty year annual Solar Flare, and Celestia had asked all the ponies to gather in Canterlot for the celebration, promising them a surprise the likes which they would never forget.

“Did yer sister ever tell yah what the hell this whole celebration thing was about?” Applejack asked the lunar monarch, looking around at all the gathered ponies around them.

“No she did not dear Applejack, I have been asking her for days but she…”

“Look there she is,” said Rarity.

Celestia stepped out onto the balcony, waving a patient hoof to all the ponies as they cheered. Finally after everypony quieted down, Celestia began to speak.

“My little ponies, today is the day of the fifty year annual Solar Flare, a day that has always been a symbol of growth and rebirth of things lost. In celebration of this event, I have a very special announcement, I Celestia Ordea am to be married.”

The crowd went dead silent at that point, everypony staring up at the princess in disbelief.

“I know this comes as a shock to you all,” she said, “but I assure you there is nothing to worry about. Now let me introduce you to the mare of the hour, my future bride, Princess Philomena Solair.”

There was a great flash as a large alicorn mare descended from the sky, landing next to Celestia with her great red wings spread wide. The mare was spectacularly colored, here outer feathers, her muzzle, and the ends of her legs were painted a bright orange, while the rest of her body was colored a magnificent flaming red. Her mane and tail swirled about her body, appearing like flames as they floated in their own invisible breeze. But by far her most striking feature was her cutie mark, depicting a flaming red Phoenix feather.

The mare walked up to the edge of the balcony, looking down upon the gathered throng before speaking, her voice sounding silk smooth. “Dear ponies, I know this may come as a shock to you all, but what Celestia speaks is truth. I Princess Philomena Solair have asked Celestia’s hoof in marriage, and she has accepted, much to my great pleasure.”

“But…but aren’t you the princesses pet phoenix?” somepony yelled from the crowed, soon followed by others, though they were quickly quieted by the mares outstretched hoof.

“It is true, I was once trapped in the body of a phoenix, but only because it was the only way I could survive. Before I became a phoenix, I was a pony like you all, but I was afflicted by a disease known as solar sickness. Around the thirtieth year of my life, I took a gamble for salvation, an old mare’s tale about the only cure for my affliction. It worked, but not as I intended. Instead of just curing me, it transformed and stripped me of what originally made me who I was, leaving behind an animal with a base affection for the pony who you all follow and seek guidance from.”

“Recently however, Celestia discovered a way to reverse my new affliction, and now I stand before you today, fully restored.”

The ponies around Luna and her friends cheered, stamping there hooves in approval as Celestia and Philomena shared a deep kiss. After they broke apart Philomena waved for everypony to quite down again, then cleared her voice to speak. “But that is not the only good news on this fine day we have to share, for we have something else we need to tell you. Thanks to the miracles of magic, Celestia and I have come together in ways I would have never dreamed of in my day, and in eight months time, a new royal pony shall be born into this world, for Celestia is carrying my foal.”

The sound was defining as the entire populace erupted in cheers for the couple, but in the middle of them Luna stood, one thought racing through her mind as she stared up at the couple.

“Sister, what have you done?”

* * *

Celestia sat with Philomena as another pony walked up to congratulate them, her gaze locked on the red alicorn before her. Philomena caught her staring out of the corner of her eye, thanking the kind pony and accepting his gift before turning to her lover.

“Celestia, you know you have been staring ever since we entered this throne room, people will start to think I have cast a spell on you.”

“But that’s exactly what you have done my love,” said Celestia, leaning her body against the mare as another pony came up to thank them.

“No I did not, unless this is the effects of me bedding you. Thank you by the way miss…?”

“Fleur de Lis mam, and I must say your story has touched my heart, such stories are rare in this day and age.”

“I know what you mean de…”

Suddenly the doors bust open, Luna came trotting into the room, glaring at Philomena as she moved forward.

“Everypony, leave!” she commanded, causing everypony in the room to run out the door; the last one closing the door and leaving the three alicorns inside.

“Luna, what is this…” started Celestia, only to be stopped by Philomena.

“Its ok love, I have a pretty good idea what this is about.”

Philomena rose from her seat and walked forward, beginning to circle around the room while Luna mirrored her movements.

“I suppose you’re here to test me, to see if I am what I claim to be,” asked Philomena.

“Yes,” said Luna, glaring at the mare as her norm began to glow, “You can never be too careful with changelings on the loose!”

Luna’s horn flared, but Philomena never gave her the chance to strike. Great gouts of flame rose from her mane and tail, forming into a great flaming bird and crashing into Luna, smashing her to the ground. Luna tried to get up and fight, only to have herself smashed back to the ground again by another bird of flame. Philomena waited to see if Luna would try to continue fighting, but once it was clear she was not going to fight any more, she dispelled the bird and returned her mane and tail to normal. “I am sorry Luna; I did not wish to do that to my future sister in law.”

“…And I am sorry, I had to be sure my sister was not being used like Shining had years ago.”

“I understand, now if you do not mind, I wish to take my mate to bed, for we wish to be alone. We shall leave the night to you, as is your charge.”

Luna nodded, watching as the mares left. After they left, Luna finally let the shiver run down her spine, and slowly walked to the throne, trying to ignore the flood of emotions assaulting her senses.

* * *

Philomena looked down upon the sleeping princess, breathing in deep her cent as she kept a protective wing over the mare beside her. She leaned down, nuzzling Celestia softly as she slept, smiling as the solar monarch squeaked due to the contact. Philomena was glad that she could provide Celestia this happiness, for even back before she had known of her mentor's love for her, she had always stove to make her happy in any way possible. “And no I can,” she thought, laying her head down upon the mare she now loved, letting her mind drift off to pleasant sleep.