A Total Eclipse of Their Hearts

“A Total Eclipse of Their Hearts”

Chapter 4:
“A Majestic Sunrise”

The alicorn sailed through the cool night skies of Equestria. Now that she had returned, Luna needed to implement the next phase of her plan. She knew if she didn’t handle David’s arrival with care, it could cause quite a problem.

He continued holding on to her neck making sure not to hold too tightly. His eyes darted about trying to take in the sights of the new setting. Sadly the shroud of night obscured the major details of the land. Still he couldn’t be more excited. David’s worst fear of having to say “good-bye” to Luna never came to pass. Regardless of what would happen next he was just glad to be with her.

“So where are we heading to first?” He called out to Luna.

The pony continued flapping her wings. She looked back and replied, “Well I can’t take you to Canterlot just yet. For now we’re going to Ponyville. I have a good friend there.”

David thought back and recalled some of what Luna had told him about her world. In particular he remembered her mentioning someone in a place called Ponyville. “You wouldn’t happen to be talking about that unicorn…Twilight, uh Sparkle was it?” He inquired.

“Yes,” Luna replied. “We’re going to stop by her place. Twilight has always wanted to meet a human. I’m sure she’ll help us. Just make sure you cloak yourself in that dark bed sheet once we land.” The alicorn kept her course true as they continued their flight. Her head looked back again as she remembered one more detail. “Oh, you may need to walk on all fours till we get inside Twilight’s home. Ponyville rarely gets visited by many friendly bipeds.”

David felt a momentary rush of panic. While Luna made him feel wanted, her precautions left him wondering just how welcome a human would be in Equestria. Still he had no reason to doubt her. And at least this unicorn they were going to see had a desire to meet a human. He certainly hoped he’d live up to her expectations.

The shadow of a sizable town appeared just off in the distance. There were a few lights lit in several of the buildings. It was too dark to make out any real details of the town.

Luna noticed David wasn’t saying anything. This worried her a little. “David are you okay dear?” She asked.

“Yeah. I’m fine. I’m just a little nervous about how the others will react to me. I hope the ponies don’t end up hating humans. Because I really don’t want to be staring down an angry mob waiting to be lynched,” he responded.

Luna smiled. “Oh David, there’s no need to fear. I won’t let anything happen to you. Besides humans haven’t set foot on our world for centuries. These ponies have never even seen a human. All they know about your kind comes mostly from legends in old text books,” she explained.

David patted her head and smiled. “I trust you my love. I just hope you’ll pardon my foolish fears.”

“They are quite understandable,” she called back. “Now hang on. We’re almost to Ponyville. Luna began slowing her approach. She locked her wings and began gliding on the gentle air currents. Slowly she began descending toward the darkened ground below. The alicorn landed them a little ways past the tree library. She trotted over to a small group of large bushes. There, David dismounted and took out the dark bed sheet. “It’s just a short walk to Twilight’s place,” Luna announced. She pointed a hoof over at the large solitary tree.

“Okay. But do I have to walk on all-fours already?” He asked.

She shook her head. “No, just keep low and drop to all fours if somepony passes by. Thankfully the hour is late. We should be okay,” Luna remarked. She checked the area and saw no sign of anypony. The two cautiously made their way toward the library.

It had been another disappointing day for the search efforts. Twilight had sent her friends home to get some rest. She and Spike were alone in the library. The dragon had fallen asleep while keeping his unicorn friend company. She put Spike to bed and returned to the study. Sadly Twilight still couldn’t sleep. Since the searches began, she literally stayed up nights until her body hit its limit and she’d eventually pass out. Tonight was no different. The lavender unicorn was resting on one of her plush cushions. Despite her concern for the missing princess, she figured there was little to be gained by worrying endlessly. To get her mind off the matter, she continued reading her book “The History of Humans in Equestria”. It was a welcome distraction and she still couldn’t help but be so fascinated by human kind. Twilight had read over three-quarters of the book. Now that she was nearly done with it, she began savoring what remained of its pages. The pony often did this when she was enjoying a really good read. Savoring helped make the story seem to last just a little longer. Periodically she’d lower the book to look around. A hot cup of mint tea sat on the small wooden table beside her. She decided to take a little break from her book. Twilight engaged a spoon and lightly stirred the contents of her cup. She then floated it over to her lips taking a short sip. Mint tea always helped to calm her nerves or settle her stomach if she ate something that hadn’t agreed with her.

She set the cup down and sighed. It still was depressing that after almost a week of searching, Luna was no where to be found. What’s more, the combined efforts of nearly all of Equestria began to wonder where they could search anymore. That was when the unicorn noticed a firm yet elegant knock at her front door. Her face became puzzled as she asked aloud, “I wonder who that could be at this hour?” She figured the only way to find out was to walk over to the door. Leaving her cushion she made her way to the front door. She looked through the spyglass and saw the silhouette of a pony standing there. Carefully she opened the door with her magic. Light from the unicorn’s home illuminated the pony. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open as she gazed upon her visitor. “Princess Luna?” She gasped.

Luna smiled at her pony friend. “Yes Twilight Sparkle. It’s me,” she replied. “May my friend and I come in?” She asked politely.

Twilight nodded getting a hold of herself. “Of course you may,” the unicorn replied bidding them to enter. Luna entered followed closely by her cloaked companion. Twilight studied the covered individual and placed a hoof on her chin. “Excuse me princess…uh I mean Luna. But why is your friend covered by a bed sheet?”

Luna looked back at Twilight. “Please close the door,” the princess requested.

The unicorn did so. She was growing more and more curious about Luna’s mysterious friend. “So just who is the pony under the sheet?

Luna smiled. She knew meeting her friend was really going to make the unicorn’s day. “Well first off this is David and he is not a pony,” answered the princess.

Twilight’s eyes widened with intrigue. “Not a pony? Then –”

The alicorn smiled at her pony friend. Her horn began to glow blue. “Twilight your fondest dream is about to come true!” Declared Luna.

“Huh?” Twilight watched as Luna removed the bed sheet from her friend. The covering dropped to the floor revealing David. The unicorn stared for a while. It didn’t take her long to realize what her friend was. His appearance matched illustrations from her book. “Oh my gosh…is he a…a…human?” The princess nodded. Twilight’s mouth hung open and her pupils enlarged. Her eyes dropped to the floor and scanned David from toe to head. His clothing was different from the pictures in her book, but it really didn’t matter. She was finally meeting a human! This was beyond thrilling. The lavender pony then began walking lightly around him looking him over. To anypony she’d have seemed like a filly on Hearth’s Warming morning.

The human kept a close eye on the unicorn. He found it odd that she seemed so incredibly fascinated by him. David looked over at Luna. “Why is she doing this?” He asked.

Luna placed a hoof over her mouth and giggled. “You’ll have to excuse Twilight. She’s a very inquisitive unicorn,” said Luna smiling.

Twilight suddenly realized her actions might be a little bothersome to the human. She stepped back staying clear of his personal space. The unicorn blushed lightly realizing she may have gotten carried away. “Sorry about that. I hope I didn’t offend you…David was it?” She inquired.

He chuckled and was touched by her apology. “That’s quite okay. No harm done Twilight. Luna told me you’ve always wanted to meet a human. I suspect it’s only natural for you to be excited,” David supposed.

The unicorn’s tail stood straight up. She realized she was forgetting her manners. “Oh I’ve been rude. Would you two care to have a seat?” Twilight asked pointing a hoof toward the living room.

David smiled and looked at his host. “Thank you Twilight. That’d be nice. After the flight here, I’m sure Luna could use a rest,” he remarked. Twilight smiled proud that she seemed to be making a good impression on him. “After you my dear,” Twilight heard David speak. She saw him place a hand affectionately on the princess’s shoulder as they walked over to the sofa. There the two sat down together. This display puzzled the unicorn. What was going on between the two of them?

For now she figured the explanation would have to wait. Remaining a good host had to stay Twilight’s first priority. “Would either of you care for some tea?” She asked. They both looked over at Twilight and nodded. “Okay,” she replied in a chipper voice. The pony trotted out to the kitchen and prepared a pot of tea and gathered some cups and utensils. Using her magic she placed the teapot, cups, saucers, spoons and sugar bowl on a fancy serving tray. As she encompassed the tray with her magic, she still wondered if there was something going on between them. Though the very notion seemed ludicrous. Then she began to wonder if some humans were just overly friendly. It seemed to be the only explanation that made sense. Twilight returned to her guests accompanied by the floating tray and its contents. Luna and David greeted her return with warming smiles. Twilight closed her eyes and smiled back trotting over to the coffee table. There she carefully set down the tray. Using her magic she filled the three cups with freshly steeped mint tea. “I hope mint tea is okay,” Twilight said offering them each a cup and saucer.

“It’s fine,” replied David taking the items from the unicorn.

“Mint Tea will do nicely,” added Luna. She surprised Twilight. Instead of using her magic to grip the cup and saucer, the princess used her hooves.

David placed a spoon of sugar in his tea and then lightly stirred the contents. Looking over at his lady, he asked, “Would you like some sugar Luna?”

The alicorn smiled grandly at him. “Yes please. One spoon full will do. Thank you,” she replied graciously.

He smiled at her as he thoughtfully dumped the sugar in her tea and then offered her a spoon to stir the contents. Twilight’s guests each took a sip of their tea. The unicorn on the other hand had already prepped her tea and left it set on the table. At the moment she was too excited to drink. In fact she was so excited that she didn’t even notice David’s lack of reaction to her magic. Focusing her attention on them, Twilight said, “So how did you two end up meeting and where have you been all this time Luna?”

The princess set her cup down on the coffee table. Taking a deep breath she answered, “It’s a long story Twilight. I…agh.” Luna flinched slightly. She began to feel a cramp in her left wing.

David turned his head and looked at her with eyes mounting with concern. “Are you okay Luna?”

“Yeah, I think it’s just a muscle cramp in my wing. Could you check it for me, please,” she responded appearing to be in a fair degree of discomfort.

He placed his cup on the table. Then he moved closer to the princess. Her wing was out stretched awaiting his examination. Softly he placed his hands on her wing. He immediately felt the appendage twitching. David began massage the wing being extremely gentle. “Is there any pain or is it just a little tight from the spasm?” David asked.

Twilight looked at them both curiously. She had no idea what was going on or why they both seemed so comfortable around each other. Still it warmed the unicorn’s heart to see the human express so much concern for Luna. Twilight couldn’t help but smile.

Luna sighed quietly under the effects of his ministrations. “There isn’t really any pain, it just felt tight and very uncomfortable,” the alicorn mentioned.

He continued lightly applying pressure to the twitching wing muscles. They gradually began to ease their spasm. “This should do the trick. It must have been a side effect of the flight. After being grounded, I wouldn’t be surprised it you get some light cramping every now and then,” David explained. The spasm had ceased and he removed his hands. “How is it now?”

Luna cautiously moved the wing and noticed the cramps had passed. She smiled contently. “You did it. Thank you my love,” she replied forgetting herself.

Twilight’s eyes widened. Her Love?! She thought. “Luna why did you just call David “my love”?” The lavender unicorn placed an inquisitive hoof on her chin as she awaited a reply.

The princess sighed and then smiled. She was about to tell Twilight the whole story anyway, now was as good a time as any. “Well Twilight allow me to explain. First off I met David a short while after I left you the other night,” Luna began. The alicorn collected her thoughts as she prepared to divulge her tale. “Instead of returning to Canterlot, I went for a flight. I needed to clear my mind. As I flew I encountered a stranger portal. I ended up getting pulled through. On the other side I found myself in a different world, which I later learned was Earth.”

“Earth!” Gasped Twilight butting in. “That’s the human’s home world!”

Luna nodded and continued, “It is. However, at the time I didn’t know it was Earth. I was curious about my new setting, but felt tired. So I decided to return to the gateway, but a tail wind kicked up and caused me to partly crash into a tree. Laying on the ground I discovered I was injured. Soon after I was discovered by a human, who turned out to be David here.” Luna patted him lightly on the shoulder. After taking a deep breath she resumed. “David was amazed when he discovered I could speak, but his primary concern was for my wellbeing. He took me to his home and has spent the past nine days nursing me back to health.”

The princess paused again to catch her breath. Twilight looked at her funny and took the opportunity to ask, “Why did you need be nursed back to health? Couldn’t you have healed yourself with your magic?”

The bluish purple alicorn lightly hung her head. “Unlike Celestia, I am not very good at healing magic. I mostly know powerful offensive spells and augmentation magic that can buffer abilities for a time. While I know some healing spells, my skill with them is very limited. It certainly couldn’t have healed the wounds I suffered,” remarked Luna.

“Oh. I didn’t know that. I guess I assumed since my mentor has such skillful healing magic, that being her sister you would as well,” Twilight explained placing a nervous hoof behind her head.

Luna smiled and lightly shook her head. “It’s all right Twilight. You didn’t know. As for the rest of the story, well as time went on David and I began to bond. A few days ago we discovered a love had formed between us. He is unlike anyone I’ve ever met. But that’s what’s happened since my disappearance,” She said concluding her tale.

Twilight smiled placing her hooves together and resting her right cheek on them. “Aww that such a sweet story. So David you really love Luna then?”

David moved closer to Luna and placed an arm affectionately around her. He gazed into the alicorn’s Teal eyes and answered Twilight, “Yes. I love her with all my heart. She’s very dear to me.”

“David,” whispered Luna.

The unicorn continued to smile. “That’s sweet. But hey why did you come here first anyway? I’d think you’d want to go see your sister. The princess has been worried sick about you Luna,” noted Twilight.

Princess Luna lightly bit her lower lip. “That’s the thing Twilight. I want to go to my sister, but I’m not sure how she’ll react to David. I came here first because you expressed a strong desire to meet a human. That and you are my friend,” she answered.

“Well I’m glad you thought about me. But you really should see your sister. I know!” Expressed Twilight raising her right hoof. “Why don’t I wake Spike and send her a letter.”

“No,” replied Luna shaking her head. “Let the little dragon sleep. We’ll pay my sister a visit in the morning. And I hate to impose, but could we rest here tonight?”

“Of course you may. It’s no problem,” Twilight replied stifling a yawn. To her amazement she was getting extremely sleepy. Knowing that Luna was no longer missing banished the worry from her mind and allowed her to finally relax.

Luna let out a yawn as well. The flight had taken a lot out of her. She looked at Twilight and smiled. “Thank you Twilight. Tomorrow I’ll take David, and we’ll go see my sister at first light,” she announced.

“All right. That sounds good. I have a guest bed in my loft upstairs. And David, you can rest on the sofa. Let me get you a blanket and some pillows,” yawned Twilight as she walked over to a nearby closet. Using her magic she removed a large cover and two plush white pillows. She placed them on the one end of the couch. “There you are.”

“Thank you Twilight,” he replied politely.

The unicorn smiled at him as Luna accompanied her up to the loft. The alicorn was nearly halfway up the stairs when she turned around and walked back down to David. He smiled at her and she did the same. Luna gave him a hug and tender kiss on the lips. “Rest well David,” she expressed.

“You too my princess,” he responded. Luna rejoined Twilight on the steps and went to the loft. David returned to the living room and closed the adjoining door. There he made himself comfortable and sat down on the sofa. He lay there just staring up at the wooden ceiling.

Luna rested on the bed and covered her body with the sheets. Though she had only slept with David twice, it seemed odd not sharing a bed with him that night. She recalled telling him that was to be expected upon their return to Equestria. Though that fact hardly brought her any comfort.

Twilight was already covered up and resting in her bed. She would have enjoyed talking more with David and Luna, but the unicorn found herself far too tired to stay awake any longer.

A few hours had passed since the library fell silent. Darkness filled the air blanketing the interior with its alluring shroud. Luna had fallen asleep and for a time rested soundly, but it was not to last. Her dreams soon began to fill with troubling images. There were two distinct paths her dream began to follow. First she dreamt the ponies were hogging David assaulting him with endless questions and trying to do their best to make friends with him. While at face value it seemed harmless, she could tell her human friend wasn’t welcoming the unwanted attention. Then every time they thought they were alone somepony would appear and begin asking a series of annoying questions. The alicorn began tossing and turning restlessly in response to these disturbing images. Her breathing had become faster and a troubled sweat began to form on her brow. Still she remained asleep. Then her dream changed. For a time it had calmed filling her with a gentle sense of serenity. Luna sighed seeing she was back with David. The two were alone in her bedroom at Canterlot Castle. All seemed well. The two were just cuddling and sharing a few tender kisses. Then the door to her room flew open. Celestia barged in with a detachment of guards. An angry look encompassed her sister’s face. Luna didn’t know what was going to happen. Celestia flung a hoof forward signaling the guards to advance on them. The guards surrounding the bed, brandishing their spears. They commanded the younger princess to turn over the human. Panic possessed Luna. She wasn’t going to let them take her David. She placed herself before him ready to do anything in her power to protect him. But when she went to use her magic, nothing happened. Luna looked up and saw her sister’s horn glow a fierce orange. David was surrounded by a matching glow. Celestia yanked him forcefully form the bed and moved him away from Luna. The elder princess had the guards chain David and take him away. The alicorn went to pursue her beloved, but was stopped by her sister. Luna cried out in her dream reaching a hoof toward David. Then suddenly everything went dark. She roused from her slumber and discovered she was in bed.

The princess panted heavily. It was only another nightmare. Though it was the worst one yet. Luna sat up gasping softly for air. Slowly her breathing calmed. Glancing across the foot of her bed she saw Twilight was still resting soundly. She sighed, grateful that her restlessness hadn’t disturbed her host. Suddenly Luna began to think about David. Just like the other night, a need to see him took hold of her. Quietly she got out of bed and crept downstairs. Her hoof beats were quiet since she had taken off her royal footwear. Checking behind her, she only heard the quiet breathing of Twilight as she slept on. Luna sighed softly as she walked to the door. She slowly opened it and made her way into the living room, shutting it behind her.

The alicorn walked cautiously over to the sofa. To her surprise there were no sleep sounds coming from David. Then she found out why. The pony saw him seated upright on the middle of the sofa. The princess crept over to him minding her step. He looked up at saw her moving toward him. “Luna,” he whispered softly.

“What’s wrong? Can’t you sleep my dear?” She asked momentarily ignoring her own worries.

He sighed. “Yeah. My mind won’t silence. It keeps racing with a thousand thoughts. I can’t help but wonder how tomorrow will go. Will the ponies accept me as you and Twilight have? Or will it all go south,” he wondered keeping his voice low.

“I’m sure it will go fine,” she said knowing it was a lie. Then she shook her head. “No, I’m lying through my teeth.”

“Why? And are you here because you can’t sleep either?” He asked curiously.

She nodded. “Yeah. I’m worried too. I keep having nightmares about the ponies monopolizing your time and worst of all, my sister breaking us apart and locking you away in chains. In my heart I doubt she’ll do that, but still sometimes I’m not so sure about her,” Luna confessed.

David could sense her tension. It was quite similar to the other night when she paid him a late night visit. He patted the sofa inviting her to sit down. Luna joined him and sighed. Her lover placed his arms tenderly around her and sighed as well. “Come here Luna my love,” he whispered. “Somehow it’s going to be okay. Hopefully our imaginations are just getting carried away.”

“Yeah,” she replied quietly. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” He asked slightly raising the tone of his voice.

“Here I am being a burden to you again,” she stated.

David held her tighter and rested his cheek against her soft mane. “You’re not a burden to me Luna. I love you. If these are some hurdles that block our path, then we’ll face them together,” he declared running his hand along her back tenderly.

She sighed feeling a sense of easement wash over her. Luna placed her hooves around him and ran the right one along his back. “I love you too David. And you’re right! We’ll meet the challenges together.”

“Well said my love. Now come on, why don’t we lie down and get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a big day.” Luna nodded affirmatively as she temporarily withdrew her hooves. Though it was a little cramped, the two managed to share the couch. David lay along the back and Luna was partially on top of him but she still had a decent portion of cushion to rest along. Their heads sank gently into the pillows. This time she used her magic and was the one to cover them. They snuggled close. After sharing a brief tender kiss, they soon relaxed enough and fell asleep.

__________________________________

The Moon had nearly completed its trek across the sky. Soon it would need to be lowered making way for the sun to dawn, giving birth to a new day. Princess Celestia stood on the throne room balcony of Canterlot Castle. She craned her head upward gazing at the Moon. Her lengthy elegant mane fluttered in the gentle night air. It saddened the alicorn that soon the tenth day of Luna’s absence would begin. After so much searching there had still been no trace of the missing princess.

After looking around the balcony a wave of nostalgia struck the princess. Celestia thought back to the time when she and Luna were very young. She fondly began to recall how they both succeeded in moving the celestial bodies for the first time. Luna lowered the moon and she raised the sun. This allowed them to enact a plan that defeated the evil gargoyle Grelgin, a loyal henchmen of Ghastaloom. That was also the time they each had earned their cutie marks. It was a joyous time. Starswirl the Bearded began their training and before long they took on the roles of ushering in day and night.

Celestia turned her head back and looked at her cutie mark. The elegant sun symbol seemed to almost shimmer in the moonlight. The alicorn sighed heavily as she glanced back at the moon. She knew it was time to end the night. As she continued staring at the moon, she could almost imagine seeing Luna soaring in the sky using her magic to set the moon. The princess did a double take. Blinking her eyes she looked closely and saw a pony flying high in the sky just below the moon. “Luna?” She gasped.

It was indeed Luna. The younger princess used her power and set the moon as she had done so many times before. Once the moon vanished under the horizon, she flapped her wings and made her way to the throne room balcony. Luna saw her sister standing there. Celestia could hardly believe her eyes. Her little sister was flying right toward her, but something seemed off. Luna’s appearance had changed and there was what appeared to be a strange creature seated on her back. Though for some reason the creature seemed familiar to the elder princess.

Luna touched down gracefully. Her passenger dismounted and stood beside her. Celestia walked up to her sister looking on incredulously. “Luna, it is you,” she expressed.

“Hello sister. I’m back,” answered the bluish purple alicorn.

Tears began trailing down the alicorn’s face. Princess Celestia rushed over and hugged her sister. “Luna! I’ve been so worried about you! Where have you been?” Cried her big sister.

Luna hugged Celestia back. “I’m so sorry I worried you. And it’s a long story. After I visited Twilight the other night, I went for a flight. Along the way I was pulled into a portal that took me to Earth of all places,” the younger alicorn explained.

“Earth!?” Gasped Celestia drying her eyes. She then looked closer at the creature and made the connection. “Is this a human?”

Luna nodded. “Why yes. This is David. After I ended up on Earth I was caught in violent tail wind and ended up crashing. He found me and nursed me back to health,” explained the princess.

The elder alicorn looked at David. She smiled at him. “You took care of my dear sister and watched over her?” She asked him.

“Why yes your highness,” David replied respectfully. “I had the honor of caring for your sister.” He smiled grandly at the regal pony.

The princess walked over to him and gave him a big hug. “Thank you David,” Celestia expressed happily. “I’m glad there are still kind-hearted humans out there.” She backed away from David and smiled at him and her sister.

Luna stood close to her human friend and let out a long sigh. David chuckled softly at her, but he too felt a sense of relief. Princess Celestia didn’t seem like she was planning on calling the guards to have him thrown in the dungeon after all.

The pearl white alicorn couldn’t help but be curious by their actions. This prompted her to ask, “Why the long sigh dear sister?”

The younger princess felt a little nervous as she answered, “Well, I wasn’t sure how you were going to react. There hasn’t been a human in our world for centuries. I know father had banished them all. Plus the banishment was never rescinded, so I feared you’d be angry with me for bringing him here.”

Celestia’s face softened. She slowly trotted up to her sibling and nuzzled her gently. “Have no fear Luna. I am not upset with you. In fact over the many centuries, I’ve often questioned father’s harsh decision. While it did preserve our kind. I still can’t help but wonder what that act deprived us of? You and I both know most humans were very loving to us ponies,” the princess explained gazing out over the balcony.

A smile formed on Luna’s face. She was glad to hear her sister wasn’t against humans. “I’m glad to hear you say that Celestia.” Luna sighed and looked over at David. She shared the smile with him and he smiled back. The princess moved closer to her beloved. The loving man placed his left arm around her and sighed.

“Luna,” he uttered softly lightly stroking her velvety fur.

Celestia froze for a moment and raised her brow. She noticed the two became silent. Turning around she saw them standing close together. The princess also noticed the human’s hand resting tenderly along her sister’s back. The white alicorn blinked a few times. “Is there something else you should tell me Luna?” Celestia asked.

Luna felt her cheeks turn flush as she placed a nervous hoof behind her head. “Uh…I,” she stammered.

David smiled. “I’ll field this one Luna,” he replied. “Your highness, while Luna was under my care, a bond began forming between us. And now that bond has grown stronger and become an amazing love.”

The elder princess looked at him and then over at her sister. “Luna. Is this true? Have you fallen in love with him?” She asked filling with intrigue.

The younger alicorn turned her head away and nodded trying to conceal the depth of her blushing. “Yes,” she replied. Luna raised her head to look back at her sister. “I love David!”

Celestia smiled and stretched her wings gracefully. “Luna, that’s wonderful. I thought you seemed happier. While you were nervous a little bit ago, I still felt there was something different about you,” the princess expressed with delight.

Luna’s face really perked up. Her fears had been allayed. “So you’re okay with this?” Celestia nodded. “Thank you big sister!” Luna cheered.

“You’re quite welcome. Besides I’d be foolish to take away anything that would make you so happy. I wonder if this love is what caused your appearance to change?” Celestia noted taking a long look at her sister.

Luna’s eyes widened. “You noticed my look has changed too?”

“Why yes dear sister. You appear now as you did following your cleansing from the Elements of Harmony. Though I can only image why,” Celestia replied.

“I thought it might have been do to my exposure on the Earth. But do you really think it’s because I’m in love?” Luna asked quizzically.

The elder alicorn presented herself proudly and responded, “Well it’s hard to say. But it certainly could stand to reason. Now if you’ll both excuse me, I had best raise the sun lest the new day start late. And no pony would want that.”

Luna shook her head. “No they wouldn’t.”

David’s face lit up. Luna had told him about her sister’s duty of raising and lowering the sun. He was eager to bear witness to this event. “Oh wow, so I’m going to see you start the new day!”

Celestia smiled from his enthusiasm. “Yes David. I’ll make sure to throw in some extra special colors in honor of your arrival,” remarked the Princess.

“I’m honored,” he replied.

Celestia placed a hoof to her mouth as she softly giggled. “Well I’d best be off. Oh would you two care to join me for breakfast when I get back?”

“Sure we would, right Luna?” Asked David gazing affectionately at his beloved pony.

Her smile grew and she closed her eyes. “Of course!” She replied.

“Great. I’ll be back in a few minutes!” Called Celestia. The alicorn spread her majestic wings and rose up into the air. She flew off toward the horizon. Her horn illuminated a brilliant shade of orange. The princess took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She soared into the air in an arch pattern.

David moved closer to Luna. His arm remained lovingly around her. He began lightly running his fingers through her mane. She sighed and rested her head against him. The human’s heart was overflowing with joy. One of David’s solemnest wishes was to watch the sun rise with a special lady, and with Luna by his side it seemed grander than his heart’s fondest desire. Their eyes met and said more than words ever could. She just knew watching the sunrise was something special he wanted them to share together. It brought the same warmth to her heart that David always seemed willing to give to her.

The lovers cast their eyes aloft looking to the dawn. Slowly the sky began to change. The fiery colors of the sun began lighting the sky. Soon the glowing orb’s top shown over the horizon. The colors started to swirl into a heavenly mix of reds, oranges and yellows. Gradually the sun ascended into the sky basking Canterlot in its warming rays.

David and Luna remained standing there side by side absorbing the serenity of the moment. Then as they continued monitoring the sky, the couple saw the princess return. Celestia landed gracefully greeting them both with a delighted smile.

“What do you think?” She asked them.

“Beautiful…absolutely beautiful!” David gasped still taking in the site of the rising sun.

“One of your best yet big sister!” Luna commented ecstatically.

The elder princess smiled at them both. “I’m glad you two enjoyed it. Now what do you say we go to breakfast?” She suggested.

“Sounds great,” replied David.

“It does indeed,” added Luna. The three departed the balcony and began making their way to the royal dining hall.