A New Eclipse

Luna:

I'm still trying to figure out why Celestia wants me to go to this celebration. We've not celebrated my birth since the Nightmare Moon incident, and besides. It's not worth celebrating without him here. I still remember the way he used to wake me up on the morning of my birth. He would know when I just woke up and came crashing through my bedroom door with a breakfast he prepared.

Happy hundredth and twenty sixth birthday Lulu, you still look sixteen. Eat up, I got lots planned.

Oh how I miss those days. What I miss the most is when we would sing 'Children Of The Night' together. Oh well, can't dwell on the past, that just hurts me more. Still, I would give up my immortality to see him again. Just one day with him.

I shook my head. No point thinking such things. I might as well rest up for the party tomorrow, the element of laughter and Discord are the ones planning it, so I'll need all my energy to make it through that. I walked to my balcony that overlooked Canterlot, I spotted something on a nearby cliff, a dark figure was staring at me with glowing white eyes. I rubbed my eyes and looked back, the figure was gone. I must be seeing things, I walked to my bed and rested my head on my pillow.

Tomorrow I'm going to find out why Tia wants me to attend so badly. Knowing her, she's got something planned.

The next day

Cadence:

I still can't believe I get to see uncle Eclipse again, it's been years since he found me in that forest. I remember it like it was yesterday.

Thirty six years ago

I was at school, it was just like any other day really. I got up and had my breakfast, said good morning to my mother and headed to school. It was the usual, the boys were playing hoofball and the girls were all in there groups chatting about make up and boys. There was a young colt sitting outside the group of jocks, and a filly sitting alone by a tree. I walked over to her to say hello. She was a blue pegasus with brown and yellow hair.

"Hey there KP, what's up?" She looked startled by my sudden appearance.

"Oh, hey Cadenza, I was just thinking." I sat down beside her and she looked away.

"About what?" She looked to the colt sitting alone.

"I was thinking about FireFang." She blushed and looked away. I knew what she meant, I saw FireFang quickly look at KP and quickly turn away. I smiled.

"I could go put in a good word in for you." She opened her eyes and they widened, she stared at me with disbelief.

"Y-y-you would d-do that?" I walked over to Fire and tapped his shoulder, he jumped and turned to face me. Little did I know I was being watched by a shadowy figure in the trees.

"Oh, hey there Cadenza, how's it going?" I smiled and helped him up.

"Not much, what are you doing?"

"Oh, just thinking about somepony." I nudged him in the shoulder.

"Who's the lucky mare?" I asked teasingly. He blushed and shuffled his hooves.

"KP." I pulled him closer.

"You know, KP said she likes you." His face filled with hope.

"Really?" I nodded.

"Well, what are you waiting for, go ask her out already." He gulped and nervously trotted over to her. From what I could see, he greeted her and sat in front of her, they both looked at each other nervously. He then said something causing her to wrap her hooves around him yelling 'yesyesyesyesyes'. I watched them walk away together when a flash of light came from beside me, I had gotten my cutie mark. It was a blue crystal heart. After the teacher asked me to explain how I got my mark she let me out of school early in celebration.

I took a walk in a nearby forest, I came to a clearing and sat down. I looked around and saw the clearing was a perfect heart shape, talk about coincidence. I heard a rustling in the trees.

"What's a cute little filly like you doing out here?" A voice came from the trees, a large black pony with a flowing orange mane jumped from the top of one. "Hey there." I jumped a little, he was the tallest pony I had ever seen. He had wings and a horn, which surprised me. Only princess Celestia had wings and a horn.

"Who are you?" He chuckled.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Eclipse, who might you be?" I looked at him suspiciously.

"I'm Cadenza, but my family calls me Cadence." He gave a short bow.

"Pleasure to meet you Cadenza." He looked down at me. "So, what brings you to this part of the forest?"

"I was let out of school early because I got my cutie mark." He smiled.

"Well then congrats. How'd you get it?" I explained how I set up my friends and he hung on every word.

"Sounds like you got a great talent there. Your parents are going to be proud." I smiled and thanked him. He lay down under the shade of the trees.

"Eclipse, where are you from, cus you look like a prince to me." He smiled.

"That's because I am a prince." I gasped.

"Then why are you here, why are you not with Celestia?" He sighed and looked to the sky.

"Some stuff happened, I got lost for a long time, and when I found my way back here, I wasn't needed. There is something that I need to do before I return to the throne." I looked at him with confusion.

"What do you have to do?"

"I have to find someone, someone who has done very bad things to the ponies of Equestria." He turned to me and ruffled my mane. "But don't you worry about it. You should probably go back home kid, it's getting late." He started to fly away. "Oh, and don't tell anyone you saw me alright?" I nodded and he flew away into the clouds, leaving a note and a whistle behind.

If you need to talk just come here and blow this whistle, I'll be there as soon as possible. If I'm to busy, the whistle will glow green.

I flew out of the forest and went home. After that day I saw Eclipse many times and eventually we became so close hecalled me his niece. We did lots of fun things, like fishing, flying, board games and talking. He also took me camping a few times. Over the years I started to open up more to him. I eventually started calling him my uncle, when I said it for the first time he was speechless but then fell on his back laughing.

One day, after I stopped a few couples from arguing, I walked to our usual meeting spot. Eclipse had a serious look on his face. "What's wrong Eclipse?" He looked down at me.

"You're ready."

"Ready for what?" He closed his eyes and shot a ray of magic at me, when I opened my eyes I was on a floor made of stars and was surrounded by mist and stars. Eclipse appeared behind me. He showed me different points of my life, explained that he'd been teaching me the importance of love and friendship for a reason. He told me that I had created a new magic, the magic of love. A bright light came from my head and wings. When the light died down, I put a hoof to my head to shake off the dizziness. But when I touched my forehead I felt something there, I had a horn. Eclipse walked over to me and bowed.

"Behold, the princess of love." I was speechless, I was sweating all over, I had no idea what was going on. He laughed at my confusion. He told me that someone had big plans for me and that he helped speed up the process. Apparently it was my destiny to become a princess and spread my love magic around Equestria.

"I have to tell you something important Cadence."

"What is it?" He sighed and wrapped a wing around me.

"Now that you're an alicorn, Celestia will know and will seek you out. This means I can no longer visit you until my job is done." My ears fell when I heard him say this.

"What?" I said quietly.

"I can't let Celestia know I'm back in Equestria until I find the villain that I've been hunting for these past few years. It's complicated but, do you know about the events of Nightmare Moon?" I nodded. "I was there, I helped Celestia banish Nightmare Moon, and got banished by accident. I was sent to a place that connected all of the different universes and had to find a gateway back to this world. But when I got back I ran into someone from my past. He has done a lot of evil things to Equestria and to my family, and I'm not about to let him cause more destruction. Do you understand?" I thought for a moment and nodded. "Good, now I just want you to know I love you Cadence. Now don't tell anyone you saw me ok?" I nodded with tears in my eyes, he brought me in for a huge fatherly hug with tears in his eyes. "Be a good girl for Celestia Ok. Remember that your uncle loves you, and is proud of you." I buried my head into his chest and sobbed.

We pulled away and he dried my tears. He gave me a kiss on my forehead and ruffled my mane. "Take care Cadenza." He shot up through the the sky, leaving a pink rose behind. I smiled and headed home to find a carriage outside my house.

"He was right." I said to myself.

The day of the royal wedding

After Chrysalis was defeated, I was getting ready for the ceremony when I heard something tap my window. When I opened the blinds I saw a pink rose on my windowsill, a cloud of black mist entered and materialised into a shadowy figure at the corner of the room. When the mist faded I saw the face of my uncle, giving a soft smile. I was almost in tears, I was murmuring as memories of my childhood came rushing back. "Eclipse?"

"The one and only." He opened his forelegs and I rushed to his embrace, tears in my eyes. I buried my face into his chest and he wrapped his wings around me.

"Why are you here, don't you have a villain to catch?" He lifted my head to face him.

"Did you really think I wasn't going to see my niece on her wedding day?" He pulled away from my embrace and spun his hoof around. "Go on, give me a twirl." I smiled and spun around in my wedding dress, he smiled. "You look beautiful Cadence." He looked all around me. "Look how big you've grown, you're the almost as big as me." I looked at him and smiled. "Although your dress is missing something." He picked up the rose from the window and placed it in my mane. "There perfect." He looked to a clock above the door. "You should get going, don't wanna keep the lucky stallion waiting." He was about to leave when I placed a hoof on his leg.

"Wait." He looked at me with a confused look. "When will I get to see you again?" He sighed and turned to face me.

"I don't know Cadence, I was lucky enough to be able to see you today. I could be done next week or in thirty years. I just don't know." He looked away for a moment then faced me with a smile. "But I'm so proud of you Cadence, you found yourself a great husband. And you won't have to worry about the changelings coming back." He hugged me. "I love you. Look out for me when you greet the citizens of Canterlot, I'll be on the left mountain." He faded into mist and flew away, leaving a note behind saying. "Congrats on your special day."

I knew I wouldn't be seeing him for awhile. When Shining Armour and I looked out at Canterlot I saw him on the mountain covered by shadows. He waved at me and turned his attention to the other mountain, black mist was emitting from it, Eclipse shot towards it leaving me and my husband to ourselves. I haven't seen him since.

Well, tonight he's making his official return to Equestria, and I'll get to see him again and he'll get to see our daughter. I wonder how he will react.

The party

Eclipse:

I was standing on the roof of the tallest tower in the city. I was watching over the party taking place in the plaza, I will say that I was surprised that Luna even agreed to be part of the celebration, it was sure to remind her of past events. I look back on my childhood with Luna. Was I really that big of a goofball back then. I chuckle to myself.

I looked down at the party. All the ponies were having a great time.

"Well enough of that."

Celestia:

The party was amazing, I knew I could trust Discord and Pinkie with the preparations. There was a giant ice sculpture of a crescent moon, the food was to die for and there were four DJs this time, as recommended by Twilight. Although I noticed Vinyl giving the green DJ dirty looks from time to time. Luna was being wished a happy birthday by many of the Canterlot elites, and I could tell she wasn't enjoying it. I walked over to her and placed a wing around her. "Is something wrong sister?" She sighed and faced me.

"It's just not the same Tia." I nuzzled her gently.

"I know you miss him Luna, I do to. I'm sure he's out there somewhere wishing you a happy birthday. He wouldn't want you to get upset over him." She looked close to tears.

"I-I just, miss him so much!" I hugged her and thought for a moment.

"Why don't you go find Pinkie, she always knows how to cheer ponies up." She wiped a tear from her cheek and nodded. She headed over to the Pie family and I walked to where Shining, Cadance, Twilight and Discord were talking. "How is everypony doing?" Twilight turned to me and smiled.

"The party is amazing, you really outdid yourself Discord."

"I can't take all the credit, Pinkie put in just as much effort." He leaned over to me. "Tia, look up there." He pointed to a large storm cloud heading towards their location. "I think it's time." I nodded and headed over to Luna.

"Luna, you look like you could use some alone time. Why don't you go inside and wait in the throne room." She looked at me suspiciously.

"You're planning something aren't you?" I shook my head and she walked inside. Once I knew she could not see the outside I looked up to the cloud. It was right overhead.

"I don't remember the weather team scheduling a storm today." Yelled Rainbow Dash. I looked to the centre of the plaza and saw a black liquid seeping through the cracks and forming a perfect circle. Two bright lights flew upwards, one shaped like the sun, the other like the moon. They morphed together and created the shape of an eclipse. Lightning from the storm struck the liquid and the wind picked up. The liquid started to swirl and morphed into a large pony covered in shadow, it's eyes without pupils and glowing white.

The figure stared down at the mane six. Many of the Canterlot elite were shaking with fear, the mane six cowering before the creature. Discord tried to contain his laughter but failed, causing the shadows around the figure who was now laughing as well faded away, revealing my long lost friend.

"BAHAHAHAHAHA, YOU SHOULD SEE THE LOOKS ON YOUR FACES!!" Eclipse exclaimed while clutching his stomach from laughing to hard. "WAS I REALLY THAT SCARY? HAHAHAHAHA!!!" Discord ceased his laughing and walked up to him.

"BROTHER!!!" They both shouted in unison before hugging each other still laughing. The mane six and the rest of the ponies were all VERY confused. I walked over to greet my friend. I couldn't hold back my joyful tears.

"Eclipse." I said with a sob. He released Discord and faced me.

"Hey there Tia, it's been a long time."

"Yes, yes it has." We embraced each other while the rest of the ponies watched in amazement. "Where have you been all these years you klutz?" He laughed and released me.

"I'd rather not kill the mood." I nodded in understanding. We turned to the six confused mares and the stuttering background ponies.

"My little ponies, it is my great pleasure to introduce you all to my long lost friend, Prince Eclipse!!!" The ponies gasped, whispering to each other trying to make sense of what was happening. "Eclipse once ruled beside Luna and I, and he is now returning to the throne after a thousand years." The mane six recomposed themselves. Twilight was the first to speak up.

"Well, my name is Twilight Sparkle. It is a pleasure to meet you Prince Eclipse. And to finally see you in person." He raised an eyebrow at Twilight.

"What do you mean, I saw you spying on me last night. Had to bring your sleepy flank back to your hotel." This caused the other girls to giggle while Twilight blushed. "And I know who you are, I gave you my journal after all." He turned his attention to Applejack.

"Howdy there Eclipse, t'names Applejack, pleased to make yer acquaintance." He smiled and shook her hoof.

"Likewise Applejack." He turned to Rainbow Dash.

"Hey there, names Rainbow Dash, and I'm the fastest flyer in Equestria." He smirked.

"Well then, I'll have to race you sometime." She nodded and flew to her husbands side. The next pony walked closer.

"Hello there kind sir, my name is Rarity. And I must say you look dashing." He took her hoof in his and kissed it.

"I could say the same about you, m'lady." He said teasingly. She giggled and returned to her family. The next pony was Fluttershy.

"Hello again Mr Eclipse." He smiled and embraced her.

"Hello Mrs Fluttershy. I trust you slept well." She nodded and flew to Discord. Pinkie was missing. Eclipse had a blank expression on his face and rolled his eyes, he reached under his wing and pulled out Pinkie. "Gonna need to try harder than that to try to suprise me." Pinkie puffed her cheeks and he placed her on the ground. "And who might you be?" She looked back at him with a smile.

"Oh, I'm Pinkie Pie, and I like to make ponies smile."

"Is that so?" He looked at the six mares and then to me. "The elements chose wisely." I nodded and embraced him again, he wrapped his wings around me and kissed my forehead. I was letting out small tears.

"We've missed you so much Eclipse."

"I know. I know." He cooed. He dried my tears and looked over to Cadence. He looked to Shining and gave him a salute. "Captain." He returned the gesture.

"Your highness." He walked to Cadence who was close to tears.

"How's my favourite niece doing these days?" She rushed to embrace him and buried her face in his chest. He began stroking her mane. "It's ok Cadence, I'm here now. And this time I'm staying. I promise." I could only tilt my head in confusion. "I hear you've been taking care of the crystal empire, you've made me so proud Cadence. And what's this I hear about a daughter?" She looked to him and smiled, she walked towards the crowd and urged a young mare to walk closer. The mare walked cautiously towards him. "Hello there." Cadence introduced the two and they chatted for awhile until she asked a question that I had swimming in my head.

"How do you know my mother?" He looked at me nervously and turned to Cadence.

"I think your mother should tell you later, it's kind of a touchy story." He looked at me and I was giving him a look that said You have some explaining to do. He caught my drift and chuckled nervously. "Anyway, it was great to finally meet my great niece." He patted her head and hugged Cadence. "I think we should catch up later." She nodded and went back to partying. He walked to me and placed his hoof on my mouth before I had a chance to speak. "I told you I didn't want to kill the mood. I'll explain later, right now we have to talk about Luna." I knew he had his reasons for not talking about how he knew Cadence, but that's what bothers me about him. He always does things and leaves me in the dark about it until after everything had blown over. But he was right, we had to discuss the situation regarding Luna and how she would react.

"Eclipse, Twilight and Discord, please follow me." They all nodded and followed me into the castle. "Eclipse I wanted to talk to you about how you will reunite with Luna." He smirked.

"You have something planned." I whispered into his ear. "I like what your thinking. But seems kinda dramatic don't you think."

"Says the pony who just made an extremely dramatic entrance. He chuckled and continued walking.

"I assume you have my old chamber ready?" I nodded. "You actually kept it preserved?" I nodded again. "Even the fireplace?"

"Everything is as you left it." He smiled and turned to talk to Discord. I let them be, they had a lot of catching up to do.

But he is right though. My plan is rather dramatic.