Princess Luna was known for taking the night by herself. Sure, she had the entire bat pony army to back her up in dire circumstances, but for the Princess of the night, who really needed help? She was named Luna for ponies sake, or at least, that’s what she told herself.
No, that was all wrong. Luna truly was lonely. Even with the beauty of the stars shining out above her. It was all so empty at some point, even if she did once tell a filly to “Always look to the sky and you’ll find comfort.”
Today would be different though. For weeks she had read over and over books that she received from Fluttershy. So for the first time, Luna too could feel the comfort of having a living companion by her side to rule over the night. One that could show unconditional love and listen to her stories with full attention. For tonight was the night Luna would finally get a pet.
“I think I know what I want.” Luna muttered to herself as she held up three books. Each one was dedicated to different animals that has appealed to her. While a dog seemed like the perfect option at first, she hated traveling by the ground. So she dropped the book and looked to the next.
“Maybe this?” Cats also seemed good at first, but despite all those cute kitten videos that Equestria Daily seemed to spew all over the news page… They were… Cruel. Step near it? Scratch. Sneeze beside it? Hiss. Just want to fall asleep on your comfortable as fudge bed? Those sheets do not belong to you.
Thus came the final book. Birds seemed almost like the most obvious choice from the get go for someone with wings. They can follow you around without worry and they’re so small that if needed they won’t weigh you down when tired. “I got it!” Luna squealed with pure joy before flipping through the pages.
Only there was one problem that soon became clear. The pet type was figured out, but what type of bird would she want? Luna plopped down on her bed and began flipping through the pages, “This is hard…” She muttered.
“Maybe something that thrives in the night?” Luna first told herself. That brought in the glorious owl. A fierce predator of the night that could also follow her sleep schedule. But then she saw the part about killing mice and covered her nose. “Oh Celestia no!”
As Luna brought her blanket over her wings, the door behind her creaked open. “What is wrong, dear sister?” Celestia asked with concern. The morning would soon be upon them, so it made sense that she would be up.
“Celestia…” Luna sighed. “If I was a bird what do you think i’d be?” She gazed at her sister with wide eyes as if trying to read the Alicorn’s mind.
“What would you be? Uh…” Celestia seemed baffled by the question, “A… Parrot.” Luna looked shocked by the answer.
“Why a parrot?” Her eyebrow raised.
“You’re small and like to mimic me.” Celestia replied bluntly.
“Do not!” Luna growled.
“Oh really?” Celestia snickered, “Whose idea was it to start eating pancakes in the morning to be just like her “big and pretty sister”, hmm?”
Rolling her eyes Luna leaped out of her bed, “Whatever, I’m going to head to Fluttershy’s after I lower the moon and figure it out.” Heading off to the balcony Luna leaned over and looked out. Deep down she felt worried, perhaps she wasn't meant to connect with a pet at all.
The cottage to no surprise was quiet. Fluttershy was known for her silent nature despite having hundreds of animals living at this one spot. Knocking on the door Luna patiently waited but was concerned by who opened it. Discord stared in awe by the princess, “Oh why, hello Moon Butt.” He smirked.
Shoving him off to the side Luna stepped in, “Oh Fluttershy, where are you?” She tried to speak kindly but found it hard with the nuisance behind her.
“Oh i’m sorry!” Fluttershy stepped out of one of the rooms and bowed, “I actually forgot you were coming!” She gave a shy smile.
“It’s fine.” Luna smiled back, “But I think I have it narrowed down to what I want!” He wings spread out.
“And that is…?” Fluttershy tilted her head as she waited on the response.
Luna however just stood there as if lost, “Oh!” Dropping her satchel she dug around for the book on birds. “Just a moment!”
Discord and Fluttershy stood with curiosity as the Princess appeared completely out of her league. Everything in the bag seemed to be a total mess as star stickers and what looked like fragments of a muffin fell onto the floor. “Here it is!” The alicorn finally took the book out and opened it.
Fluttershy took her wing and wiped off the crumbs that were smeared on the page, “A… Budgie? You want a tiny wittle adorable Budgie!” The pegasus was filled with pure joy. “Oh oh! This way!” Quickly she flew off into the farthest room, leaving Luna to watch.
“You should follow her you know.” Discord whispered. Grunting, Luna trotted away.
The room was filled with feathers and nests. A melodic chirping seemed to flow around as Luna entered and felt an odd sense of comfort wrap around her. “This room sounds so…”
“Peaceful?” Turning around Fluttershy had her wings spread out, upon them were five budgies each. The small parrots chirped happily as they looked at the Princess.
“They’re so much more adorable than I imagined.” Luna spoke admiring the small birds. I find it hard to choose a single one though, which one would you think suits me?”
Fluttershy lifted her hoof and let the single blue one in the bunch hop down. “Well, I believe this one would match your colors if that’s what you want? He also loves to sing at night.” The budgie had sky blue feathers on his lower half and snow white feathers at the top. Small little paint splatters of black sat where the colors divided.
“That’s perfect!” Luna tried to keep her voice down but couldn’t help her joy. Placing her hoof beside Fluttershy’s, the bird leaped onto it. Suddenly it burst into a small melody which in an instant melted the Princess’ heart.
“I think he likes you.” Fluttershy smiled, “He’s all yours if you’ll take him, that is, if you even have a name.”
Luna took a moment to admire the bird as it sang, “How about… Moontalon?” She looked to Fluttershy who had an abnormally large smile.
“Perfect!” Fluttershy spoke louder than the Princess had ever heard, which in the process startled the other budgies and caused them to fly to the window. “Oops….” She covered her mouth with a wing and blushed. “My apologies…”
When the two began to leave the room Fluttershy grabbed a small bird cage, “You’ll need this, Moontalon will want a spot to sleep during the day.” Placing it down Luna held her hoof out and left the Budgie hop onto the perch inside.
“Thank you so much.” The alicorn bowed graciously before picking up the cage and skipping out of the cottage. As she left Fluttershy walked over and closed the door behind her.
Discord on the other hand leaned back on the couch and crossed his arms, “Are you done? I thought we were supposed to be watching a movie.”
Booping his nose she smiled, “You know animals are important, besides, the poor budgie wanted a friend and I think this will all work out.”
When the night finally came around Luna sat up in her bed and yawned. Knowing how tired she was Celestia had risen the moon herself. As the light peered into the small room Luna hopped down and pulled open the curtains she had and turned around. Within the small cage which was resting on her bedside table was the bird.
Stepping over it tweeted at her gleefully which left Luna with a peaceful smile as she opened the cage and spread her wing out. “Ready to watch over the night, Moontalon?”
The budgie tweeted once more before hopping up the princess’ wing and made its way up to her head where it nested in her bangs. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Going back to the balcony Luna got up on the fencing and looked down, “I always wanted to do this, I hope you can keep up!” Leaping off she spread her wings and flew into the moonlight. Behind her the budgie followed closely as it played in the stars which seemed to follow behind the alicorn like small ribbons.
As the two frollicked and played in the night sky, Celestia sat outside her window with Philomena on her wing. “I am glad she finally found a friend.” leaning her head against the phoenix she smiled.
For now the nights won’t be lonely.
