Son of the Sun

...What is it you desire most, Nicholas?

To be like you, Princess. Somepony others look to for protection.

...A hero.

Nick was being held by Princess Luna currently as she wiggled a hoof at him playfully, remarking in a quiet, hushed tone, "You have no idea what's in store for you."

A lump was soon in his throat at that, which he quickly gulped down before even she noticed.

Princess Celestia was now...fully hammered, eyes each waiting their turn patiently before having their own lengthy blink.

Luna noticed the maid was standing around, simply bored as she held the wine bottle in her hooves.

Princess Luna grinned as her horn pulsed, slowly tipping the wine bottle that the maid barely cared for.

In one quick instance, all the remaining liquor soaked its way onto Celestia's back and front.

The Princess of the Night smirked as she whispered once more, "Look, this is my favorite part."

Without his permission, Nick was immediately held out to view the scene unfold.

Celestia had gasped as she was now covered in alcohol, getting up to flick it from her fur.

Literal growling ensued from the solar royal, glaring down at the maid by her side.

The maid, for her part, was apologizing on her knees, hooves cupped over her head as she rationalized, "P-princess, I didn't mean to do it. It...just slipped from my grasp, I swear."

Celestia jumped onto her throne, hooves standing on it as she thrust her head skyward.

The maid got only glimpses of the piercing gaze of her eyes, which held only fury for the begging mare.

Celestia stated simply as her horn lit up for a second, "You're fired."

Almost instantly, the poor girl's body erupted in actual flames, her screams faintly heard as her body crisped and burned from the intense heat.

Celestia didn't care to wait for the mare to drop dead before she walked towards the exit.

The mare spasmed around for a couple moments before her body gave into the fire, collapsing to the floor as the flames expired with her.

Nick saw the whole thing. When he was done, he was sat on Luna's back, who now had a bit of pep in her step.

Luna asked to deliberately upset her now-sober sister, "You smell awful. Shall I run you a bath? Or, skip that part for the mane-cradling as the contents of thine stomach shower a nearby stall?"

Celestia snorted out a puff of smoke, demanding, "Keep it up. We'll see how you smell after a taste of my blazing Sun."

Luna chuckled to herself as she addressed the foal riding her backside, "Your mother just killed a pony. Aren't you proud?"

Celestia was now off to draw herself a bath, commenting on the brought-up subject, "He should be."

Nick kept low at the expectation he be proud of her.

Luna, against Nick's wishes, prodded the topic further, "Well, he doesn't look it."

Celestia glanced back at Nick, who tried his best to seem asleep.

She was fooled, it seems.

"What are you even talking about, you dream-diving nitwit? He's taking a damn nap," Celestia quietly declared to her sister in an only-irked tone.

Luna raised an eyebrow as she felt him curl up onto her lightly bouncing back, guessing, "Hm. Perhaps he is tuckered out."

...

No words were exchanged. No goodbyes.

One moment the rhythmic beat of royal hooves paced forth, seemingly on path to a bath.

But, after awhile, the clatter of hooves to carpet disbursed until only one remained.

Nick opened his eyes as the trip abruptly ended, believing he had been riding Luna this entire time. When he was proven wrong by the mane of a multitude of colors and white body color, he tried to act asleep once more.

...I never did figure out Teleportation spells.

Celestia gave him a passing look as she could have swore she detected him breathe heavily whilst she fumbled with the lock.

Lock undone, she past through the door, closed it, locked it back up, and cast a magic spell apparently.

Sighing, Celestia set him into her bed, kissed the top of his white spiked mane, then appeared to depart for her bathroom.

Nick sighed in relief himself, amazed that had worked.

His vision returned as his fright for his life dwindled.

Nick wondered if he should try escaping, or simply go to sleep.

The bed was of a soft velvet, sheets softer than a shepherd's flock. The sheets were consuming him in a warm embrace. The area around him peaceful, undisturbed aside the tip-tap of a bath running in the other room.

He spread out his foal hooves to stretch, but didn't dare release from the motion. Not as if he were forced to. This blanket so nourishing to his aching mind and body after days' torture, he saw no reason to do much of anything now.

He was scared. Tired. A tiny bit hopeful.

Maybe he'd escape out to find the secrets of bringing his twin back? Maybe they'd then run off from this place of doubt and uncertainty?

Maybe...

Snore.

...

Minutes later -- or what felt as though minutes later -- he was spurred awake.

Smelling of hints of cherries and strawberries, Celestia had had her bath, opening the covers to slide herself in.

Nick whimpered at the jostling from slumber.

Celestia simply laughed to herself, levitating him into her chest as he seemed barely aware of his surroundings, "You're adorable, Kin."

He wasn't even bothered by her calling him that damn name, nor being pressed into the fur of a pony he didn't know what to make of anymore.

Celestia cooed to him, "Oh? Seems my colt's going to meet my sister in the realm of dreams. Finally. Because...I know you weren't asleep when she asked that question."

Nick's heart skipped a beat, but he just pretended to half-hear her.

Celestia pressed her lips into his ear, "Just like now."

Nick couldn't take it anymore, giving up the trick as he lifted his face to greet her's.

She smiled with an air of victory, "Oh, Kindle. You aren't the kind for subtlety. Never were, never will be."

She forcibly snuggled him into her chest once more as she told her charge, "But, tomorrow's your birthday. And, by then, I'm certain you'll make me a proud mother."