Chapter 2: My first duties alone

"Its alright, Princess Luna. You've been crying too much already. Now, you must raise the sun" Twilight said, looking at a clock in my new room. She kept hugging me, still trying to calm me down.

Then, Cadence chimed in with "Please, Luna. It's time to let go". I held my head up, my hooves off my eyes. i used one of my other hoof to wipe the last tear from my right eye. I pushed them both away from me and i hopped from the bed to the floor. I went out to the balcony, the stars shining bright like diamonds and crystals. I started to flap my wings, going up slowly.  I flied off the balcony, soaring up to the skies till i look like I'm in front of the moon. I took a deep breath, my horn glowed blue, the moon starting to go down swiftly. After the moon has fully set, i raise the sun, its figure reminding me of Celestia and how she used to do it.

I flied back to the balcony, the 2 already gone from my room. I went in my room, using my magic to put the crown i was wearing down and take my other crown, then putting on the new hoof shoes and the necklace thing i wear. I quickly brushed my mane and went out the door. 2 Pegasi guards escorted me to the Throne Room, all the guards along the way acting like statues like always. When we finally arrived at the throne room, i sat down at the spot where Celestia used to sit, doing her duties there. I let out a slight sigh when i remembered this while i try to get a comfortable position on the throne.

" What's the first order of business this morning?" I asked, my personal secretary (which i didn't know i had, until now) coming over to me, looking at the little clipboard she's holding. She looks really organized with that coat she's wearing, especially with the glasses on.

"That would be....a meeting with....the owner of  'Sunshine Flowers' Flower shop, which is in an hour, Your highness" She said, giving a small nod at the end, fixing her glasses after that.

"Great, can i at least get a little breakfast please? Ask the cook to get me a piece of apple pie and peppermint tea while i wait for the owner of that flower shop to come" I asked, my secretary scribbling on my order and tearing the paper off. She trotted to a maid, which is apparently, Dusty, the closest pony maid to the throne room at the hour. Then, my secretary trotted back near my throne while Dusty went to see the cook in the kitchen.

A Unicorn pony maid carried a tray in her magic, the tray carrying a piece of apple pie on a fine plate with a cup of warm peppermint tea. "Here you go your highness..." She gently put the tray in front of me, doing a bow and going back to her previous spot. I took a bite out of the apple pie, smells and tastes delicious. Then, i took a sip of the tea, relaxing for the mind. I finished my breakfast rather quickly and neatly. Right after a maid took it away, the herald shouted loud and clear "Introducing, The Owner of the 'Sunshine Flowers' Flower shop, Mrs. Flora Galora!". The doors opened, a rather light pink Pegasus wearing glasses coming in. She trotted to me, stopping a few hooves in front of the Throne.

"Your Highness, it is a pleasure to be able to meet you" She said, giving a bow.

"Welcome to the Palace, Ms. Galora, First of all, I would like to thank you for the flower arrangements for my dear sister's burial" I said, giving a kind and loving smile to the middle-aged Pegasus.

"Your Welcome, Princess Luna. I'm having a bit of a busy schedule today, so I'll make this a bit quick. I would like to ask how many and what kind of flowers you need for the Palace interior decoration" She said

"Oh, I would only like some 20 pots of Blue Roses, 10 pots of Dandelions and 10 pots of Calla Lilies" I answered back

"Alright, Your highness. Second, How much plants would you like grown in the surrounding streets of this town for it's decoration?" She asked again, my first answer noted in her head.

"Id only like some trees and a few flowers colored like my dear sister's mane...before she died" I answered, holding 1 tear back, not showing any grief or gloom on my face

"Of course your royal highness, Last, I would like to ask if you would like to arrange a gala some time soon so i could work out the flower preparation first"

"No, no galas at the time or on the plans. That is all, isn't it?"

"Alright Princess Luna, thank you for being able to discuss these this morning" She gave me a glad smile, bowing. Then she turned around and trotted towards the door to leave.

"What's after this, My Secretary?" I asked, my personal secretary looking over to her little clipboard.

"There will be a visit to the Griffin Kingdom, and after that there's a dinner with the rest of the Mane 6, Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor" She stated, giving me the full schedule. Wow, i thought that my schedule would be full today, Turns out that's that.

"When is the carriage ready for the visit to the Griffin Kingdom?" I asked, the secretary looking at her clipboard again.

"It should be ready in half an hour your highness. In the meantime, you may take a small stroll in the Palace Gardens" She answered. I stood up and nodded at her, turning to leave the Throne Room and head to the Palace Gardens. As i walk through the nearly silent and empty halls of this castle, i look at glass caricatures, each of them resembling a special moment in the history of Equestria. I saw the caricature with me and Celestia when we turned Discord to stone, the one when Shining Armor married sweet Cadence, and when Twilight and her friends used the elements of harmony to save the tree.

I finally arrived at the gardens, seeing all the different kinds of plants around. I took a small breather and trotted to one of the dandelion patches, each of them blooming as if Spring is here even though it's Summer. I bend down to smell the flowers, everyone of them having a soothing scent. Ah...The smell reminds me when i was a little filly, playing in the fields..., i thought. The sound of sweet, sweet chirps of small birds entering my ear. I trotted around the garden, looking at every flower in the garden. Half an hour passed soon enough, but it felt like 10 minutes to me. A guard came and told me "Your Highness, the carriage is ready. We must go now to stay on schedule". I turned around and followed the guard to the entrance, where the carriage is waiting.

Another guard opened the carriage door, letting me inside. I sat down at the cushion seat, my personal secretary seating on a seat next to mine. "All ready, your highness?" A Pegasi guard said. "Yes, we may take flight now" I said, each of the Pegasi guards, 8 in total, nodding in agreement. The 4 Pegasi guards who are going to get the carriage flying took one last quick check on the straps, just to make sure. After that, all 8 of the Pegasi guards started to trot towards the a cliff point, then going with a gallop quickly. When we almost reached the cliff, all 8 of  them opened their wings and started flapping, my secretary giving a push with her hoof onto the lever in front of her, 2 supportive mechanical wings going out of the side of the carriage. Soon enough, we all hovered, even the carriage, taking a turn in the air and flying to the Griffin Kingdom.

My Kingdom...All of this isn't my work....it's Celestia's...I just need to get better at ruling this land...

I'm kind of excited to see the Griffin Kingdom, Celestia never took me there. I wonder how it's like...

I sighed and looked at the marvelous scenery, the sun still bringing it's warm rays of light. The flight is going very well, all smooth.

My secretary still working on some more duties, who i guess is for another day, the guards concentrating on the way and their surroundings, in case there are any threat. Me? I'm just sitting around, getting entertained with the scenery.

2 Hours and 30 Minutes later....

"Your Highness, we will be arriving soon" My secretary said, looking back at her clipboard after that. The clouds were a bit dark, and i could see a castle that's destroyed, crushed and torn apart. It's like its not even a kingdom anymore, maybe they should change it to 'Griffin Forests' instead of 'Griffin Kingdom'. The skies were dark, but we still flied on. I start to get the feeling something bad is about to happen. That's when we heard a loud screech, a figure with wings and sharp claws and paws can be seen in the clouds once in a while. Suddenly, a griffin rushed out of the air, heading for me. A guard noticed this and lunged in front of me, him getting the impact instead.

Both of them plunged down, the griffin putting up a fight. The pony guard kicked the griffin with his front hoof, unfortunately, the Griffin used its claws to create a deep slash on the guard's eye and right wing. I gasped seeing this scene, rushing out of the carriage and using my magic to get the Griffin away, far away from us. I took the brave wounded guard on my back, saying "We must go back to the Palace now! I don't want any more ponies hurt. Turn back around!", my voice clearly said it.

"But your highness, it'll be a long way back" A guard said

I shook my head and my horn glowed blue. Then, i said "I'll teleport us back then...". The light of my horn surrounded us after i said that. In a blink on an eye, we were at the front of the Palace.

I took the wounded guard to the Guard's Quarters, the guards following me behind, while my secretary rushed inside.

Who knows where shes going? All i care now is getting this guard to full health.

We arrived at the Clinic at the Quarters, the guards taking the wounded guard from me, carrying him in while I'm told by them to stay out and carry on with my duties. It was time to raise the moon and set the sun, so i flied to the skies and did that.

I stayed there for a while...

Alright, maybe an hour and 30 minutes

That's when i remembered i have dinner with the Mane 6, Cadence and Shining Armor. I flied down and galloped to the Dining Room, realizing they might have already started. Turns out I'm right, they have started by the time i opened the door.

I guess they are that hungry by now

"Oh, Princess Luna. You're here! We thought you were busy" Twilight Said, giving a grin at me.

"I was, Twilight. now, what to eat for dinner?"  I said. Dear Celestia, I'm Hungry....

I trotted to the table with a smile, sitting down at a chair. The food at the table looks delicious, really delicious right now. I took a bite of the Salad Surprise, which i guess, is a salad made from the mix of vegetables and fruits. Hm....fresh produce...delicious

"So, have y'all got coltfriends yet?" Applejack said, taking a bite out of the apple pie

"Um, not really. I have no colts or stallions in mind" Twilight said, a light blush starting to show on her cheeks

"Oh! I have one! His name is Rain Glitter, I love his name!" Pinkie said, giving a big smile

"I'm still trying to get Fancy Pants to be my coltfriend, Oh that dazzling stallion is so Fancy!" Rarity said, proud of herself

"I still got Soarin, and i could've never asked for more" Dash said, still looking cool as usual

"I got my Cadence to be here with me, forever..." Shining said, smiling at Cadence

"I don't really want a colt as my coltfriend, i just want him too be my friend" Fluttershy said, looking down at her plate

"What about you, Luna? You must have some fine stallion sweeping you off your hooves" Cadence asked, all of them then turning their heads, looking at me

"I don't know any stallions or colts that have swept me off my hooves, no pony ever did, actually" I said, a flat face emotion on my face like always. All of them sighed in disappointment.

"Princess Luna, you gotta have a colt that you have feelings for" Pinkie said, crossing her hooves in front of her chest

"I guess not now, Pinkie Pie. After dinner, I'm heading out to the Everfree forest to think and get some alone time with the darkness" I said, taking another bite of the Salad Surprise after that. We chatted and chatted with each other till we were done. The bearers of the elements bid farewell and went home. With Cadence, Twilight and Shining Armor already in their rooms and doing their duties, i flied outside, and headed for the Everfree forest.