Another Sun Rises

I woke up the next morning bright and early, took a shower, brushed my teeth, and did my mane, combing slowly over it, loving how it bounced around me. I was making my way through the room and ran through the castle to the outside into the courtyard. I then threw my wings out and flew upwards as high as I could possibly go as I used my newfound magic to raise the sun. I watched as the massive orange ball soared overhead. I saw Princess Celestia making her way out of the castle and heading towards me with a surprised look as the sun rose overhead. She couldn’t help but snicker seeing me and said, “Well, you beat me again.”

“Early bird catches the worm!” I chirped back. Making everypony in the gardens snicker as I waved a hoof, flew back to my room, and started to pack. I took out a few dresses I got for myself, some tiaras, my books, journals, and a bunch of other little Knick knacks. After everything is packed. I just flew back down through the halls and headed towards the throne room. There, I met the princess of the sun, came up to her, and said, “So you’re all ready to move to Ponyville?”

“Yes, I wish to be with Twilight and her friends. I just want to get to know them better, and I feel that while you're still the princess of the sun, I don’t want to steal your job.”

“Of course, and I admire you for making this decision on your own. I just want to know I will be here if you need me.”

Princess Luna then slowly trotted forward. My heart fluttered seeing her and realizing how much she had as she came over and hugged me, “I’m going to miss you dearly.”

“I will to Princess Luna. Thank you for all your help and please visit me during the night at anytime.”

"I will, take care of yourself."

Princess Celestia then came over and threw us both in the inner embrace of her wings, and we held each other, it made me blush to be a part of these two ancient duos, but they were through my time as Princess Celestia, I had got to know them beyond the godlike visage they project to the populace. At the end of the day, they were both imperfect. They had a ton of flaws dealing with their own insecurities and problems like anypony else. As weird as it sounds, being Princess Celestia’s twin, I feel more like their younger sibling, a fledgling alicorn born into my new role to take over as the princess of the sun one day. It was an honor to be given this responsibility, and I bowed and said, “Thank you both for giving me a chance to be my true self.”

I bowed and slowly trotted down the hall and before I left the palace I turned around and saw tears in the princess' eyes. They were truly going to miss me, and I almost hesitated to leave, but I knew that, like Twilight, I had to live my life and see all it had to offer before I settled into my role as a princess. But I swore a vow I would visit often and try to learn as much as possible before Princess Celestia officially retired. I then slowly descended the palace steps, and there I came upon two royal guards hitched to a charity. The two blushed upon noticing me, and I smirked, waving my tail in their faces and throwing it out a little seductively as I went onto the chariot and asked, “So are we not going or what?”

“Yes, princess,” The two then exclaimed as they set off into the air and then they went to Ponyville and there as they landed into the middle of Ponyville and came upon Golden Oaks Library, Twilight appeared, “so your Twilight’s assistant, correct?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

She looked me over, seeming to be suspicious of me. “Well, luckily, the Golden Oaks Library has an extra room. Though I do use it as a guest bedroom.”

“I apologize; I’ll find a place for myself soon. Princess Celestia insisted on us booking together…though we are princesses, you think we should have a castle.”

“I know, right? I would totally love a castle.”

“Well, It’s not like a castle will appear magically out of nowhere.”

The two giggled as Twilight slowly closed the door, and a magical bubble appeared around us. I got a little nervous, turning to see her just giving me a suspicious look on her face as she said, " So you were Princess Celestia for a year?”

I paused, being a bit stunned, and turned and said, “How did you know?”

“I’m her best pupil, and there are few who could notice the smaller details, but it was pretty clear to me that she wasn’t acting like herself. I thought it might’ve been Queen Chrysalis taken over, and she’s been kidnapped. But if that was the case, we should’ve seen an invasion of some sort by now, so that left me with one conclusion!”

Twilight then threw a hoof in the air and exclaimed, “She used some advanced magic to make a doppelganger, and there would be few ponies she would trust with such a task. Assistants like Quill Feather popped into my mind…but that would be too conspicuous. But a royal guard? A pony who doesn’t stand out but has a clean record? And one that so happened to be on a yearlong secret mission? I figured it was easy to learn who it was…North Star.”

My cheeks turned a deeper shade of red, and I stepped back a bit. I had to admit I was rather impressed and asked, " How did you figure that out?”

“My brother still has his connections in the royal guard.”

“Well, um, ya got me. Now what?”

“Nothing, I just was, well…surprised, is all. I don't know why Princess Celestia would entrust you with all ponies, but I must admit you did a great job as her, and I’m happy to have known you already…but I assume this has to be a secret.”

“Yes, for obvious reasons.”

Twilight’s face was now turning red, and started to sweat, “well um…that’s going to be abit of a problem.”

Before she could elaborate, Pinkie Pie burst through the doors, and I was thrown back into the library, slamming into a couple of bookshelves. I lay there rubbing a hoof over my head as the pink party pony shouted, “Good morning, Morning Star!”

I got up, flexing my wings as my cheeks flushed a bit. I waved a hoof and replied, “Hello, um…Pinkie Pie.”

“Oh, you know my name!?”

I squeaked and then replied, “Oh no, you're rather popular and well-known.”

“Really? Huh? Anyways, do you like cake! I assume you like cake being Princess Celestia’s apprentice. So I booked us, Sugarcube Corner, for your welcome to Ponyville party!”

“Oh, of course! I should’ve expected that,” I growled through my teeth, a bit annoyed but overall excited as Pinkie Pie pushed me out the door with Twilight casually trotting by.

At Sugarcube Corner there weren’t a lot of ponies there thankfully I was still relatively “new” to the princess scene and not many ponies knew me yet leaving mainly just Twilight and her friends. I tried some games like “pin the tail on the pony” , bobbing for apples, and dancing. But after all that I sat down to eat cake with them. I couldn’t help but gorge a bit, having samples of all kinds and savoring the many flavors and types of cake before me.

That was when I noticed Pinkie Pie looking at me rather suspiciously and replied, “So…how long have you been Princess Celestia’s apprentice?”

“For about a year.”

Most of the ponies were taken aback by what I just said, and Rarity was the one who cried, “A year!? A whole year!?”

I sat there with a smile and said, “Yes, it was quite an experience.”

Rainbow Dash snickered and added, “That’s quite a long time! Say you weren’t at the Summer Sun Festival?”

“Of course I was! It was so much fun!” Then Pinkie cried, “And you and I were having that cake-eating context, and I won!”

“Yeah, I was trying, but that last cake—“ I then paused, and many of Twilight’s friends all started casually looking away. My cheeks flushed, realizing what I was saying.

Pinkie Pie exclaimed, “I knew it! You were Princess Celestia! Rainbow Dash, you owe me fifty bits!”

“Buck! Seriously!?” Rainbow Dash grumbled while hoofing a bag of bits to Pinkie.

“Shhh!” I cried out and looked around, trying to make sure no one else had overheard what I said.

Rarity threw a hoof rather casually. “Oh hush, well know, darling.”

I was still completely flabbergasted by how everypony here knew I was Princess Celestia for the past year. I shouted, “You all knew!”

Everypony just gave each other nervous glances, and others gave awkward coughs.

Rainbow Dash threw her hooves in the air and said, “Of course, Pinkie Pie figured it out first, then she told Twilight, and then Twilight told me.”

Fluttershy nodded and added, “Yes, I figured it out after Rainbow Dash talked to me.”

I felt stupid for letting my big secret out so quickly, so I slumped in my seat and cried, “Oh, my Faust! This is nuts!”

Rarity laughed and said, “Come now! A new upcoming princess and you think I wouldn’t know about it, please, darling. Now, come on, darling, let’s get you all cleaned up! I bet a spa date will make you right as rain, even if you’re not Princess Celestia.”

I was getting over the fact that all of Twilight's friends knew my big secret as I got up and said, “Well, you have the point there. I could go for a preening and a hooficu-"

Before I could finish this time, Rarity was the one shoving me out the door. At this point, I didn’t even try fighting, as I was too overwhelmed with everything that was happening.

It didn’t take long for us to get to the Spa, and there, I got set up with the rest of my friends by Aloe and Lotus Blossom. Once there, I was given the full pamper treatment, from the massages to the preening; my hooves and horn were manicured, and I savored every second of it as the two sisters did such an excellent job, and I felt so relaxed afterward. Then they finished me off by applying a mud mask and setting me down in a massive hot bath with the rest of the mares. We were all just relaxing together, and Fluttershy asked me, “So, you were the one who saved Philomenia?”

“Yes, I did,”

“And the one who helped me make a new beautiful dress?”

“Yes.”

Applejack crossed her hooves, “let me get this straight, you did a story hour for foals with Twilight, had flying lessons with Rainbow Dash, had a cake-eating contest with Pinkie Pie, saved Philomenia, and had a spa date with Fluttershy, and you forgot all about me!? Why didn’t I get a field trip with the fake Princess Celestia?”

I was not expecting that and saw that everypony had turned their attention to me as I threw my hoves across my chest and then said, “Well, it wasn’t intentional; I was busy running an entire kingdom! It’s not like I had to spend time with hundreds of thousands of other ponies in Equestria!”

Applejack seemed less peeved about being left out but she still had a pout on her face as she said, “well, I guess you owe me?”

“Guess I do. What do you want to do together?"

Applejack shrugged, then suggested, “I don’t know, buck apples, make an apple pie I just want to do something with you!"

I was growing intrigued by the prospect of making an apple pie and decided it would make the most sense. “I…I wouldn’t mind making an apple pie? That sounds like fun!”

“I’m surprised you still have an appetite after that cake-eating contest earlier.”

“I didn’t say anything about eating it; I just want to make apple pie.” The mare snickered.

“It’s settled! We’re making a pie with the fake princess!”

“Are you going to keep calling me that!”

This got a laugh from the others, and she sighed, seeing that “fake princess” was going to be her nickname. So I sat back and relaxed in the hot tub, allowing the bath salts and suds to overwhelm me. I just took that moment to forget about my problems and the new stress from becoming a princess slowly ebbing away.

Later that afternoon, I followed Applejack to her family home, and we got to work making the apple pie. We got out all the ingredients and got to work on the pie, making the dough and the filling. It was a lot of fun, especially as we were putting it in the oven.

Apple Bloom burst into the kitchen shouting, “Oh my gosh, it’s Princess Morning Star!”

My cheeks turned a bright red, and I replied, “Please just call me Morning Star.”

“Oh, come on! You’re a princess, and not only that, Princess Celestia’s apprentice, you have to tell me all about her!”

I sighed and then tried to keep up with the filly, who was asking me hundreds of questions about being the new princess of the sun, about Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Despite it being rather annoying, I had to admit it was engaging, and I admired how inquisitive the little filly was.

Eventually, Applejack saw I was quite overwhelmed and said, “Alright, leave the new princess of the sun alone. How about you go catch up on your chores?”

“Right, well, see ya around the new princess!” She chirped and then jumped off, and then bounced away. Then Granny Smith came over, and she gave me this odd look and said, “So uh, you’re the new princess I’ve been hearin’ about?”

“Yes…”

“Well, if you’re lookin’ for somepony to date, my Big Mac is quite available.”

Applejack got irritated and snapped, “Granny! Don’t be tryin’ to play matchmaker.”

“What!? He’s single and quite strong. I'm sure if ya was looking for a stallion, you couldn’t find a better match, but if you're into mares, Applejack here is quite the catch herself.”

“Ok, that’s enough of the Granny,” Applejack said, then started pushing the old mare out the backdoor. Just then, Big Mac trotted over with a subtle blush on his cheeks. I paused to see him for the first time; he was quite handsome and strong. I then whispered, “So, uh, your Big Mac?”

“Ey’yup.”

“Well, I have to say, um…are you uh…what I’m trying to say is it’s nice to meet you.”

“You as well.”

The stallion then quickly ran off, his pink blush now enveloping his face. As Applejack and I took the pie out of the oven and set it by the windowsill to cool, the orange-coated farm mare came up to me and said, “So were you just hitting on my brother back there?”

I paused and then stuttered, “What!? No, I was just saying hi! I don’t have a crush on him or anything; we just met!”

“Sure, well, don’t take my granny too seriously. She's just worried she’ll kick the bucket before seeing us have grand foals.”

“I'm sure me being a princess didn’t help her pressure me to get with him as well.”

This got a laugh from both of them and then she said, “Well, in any case, thanks for putting up with my family; they can be quite the handful.”

“No, they’re lovely; I must admit it’s something I wish I had growing up when I was an only child.”

“Well, you’re welcome to come over any time.”

“Thanks, and I am sorry for not hanging out with you while I was Princess Celestia. It wasn't my intention at all.”

Applejack laughed and nudged me, “I was just pulling your tail. Don't take everything so seriously.”

“Right, sorry.”

“Anywho, I have some chores to do before the sun goes down. Why not get to know my brother more while I’m out?”

“Wh…wait!? I’m not ready!”

Once again, Applejack was pushing me out the door and towards her brother.

I was shaking all over, coming up to that big red stallion. I mean, I wondered if we would be able to get along. Seeing him now casually taking the last of the apples to the barn to be barreled made me shiver all over. I then casually flapped my wings as I came up to him and asked, “Um hello.”

He turned towards me and got that dopey smile plastered on his face as he said, “Uh, hello, um…”

“Morning Star.”

“Right, Princess Morning Star.”

“Oh, you can just call me Morning Star. I’m not a princess yet, more like a princess in training.”

The stallion shrugged and said, “Alright.” He then went back to hoisting the buckets of apples and dumping them into the barrels, and then I came by and asked, “Do you need help?”

“Ey’nope.”

“But would you mind if I help anyway?”

He paused, shook his head and said, “Ey’nope.”

I then went by him and continued to help dump apples into the various barrels with my magic and helped to secure the tops. We worked in silence until the moon rose. I wiped the sweat from my brow and said, “Well, I think that’s all of them.”

“Ey’yup.”

“So, um, do you want to go inside and eat some pie and cider? I really wouldn’t mind getting to know you more.”

“Ey’yup.”

I then followed him to the kitchen, unable to keep my gaze off of him, loving how, despite him not being very talkative, there was a sense of humility around him that attracted me to him, and it was unlike anything I’d felt before. I wondered if this is what ponies think of that phrase “love at first sight,” and I wondered if he could be my “special somepony,” but I didn’t want to rush anything or scare him off. So maybe I’ll ask him if he’s attracted to me and if he wants to go on a date to play it safe. We then made our way to the kitchen, and Applejack set up plates of apple pie for me and her family. Then we ate and talked for quite a while, with me answering the dozens of questions that Apple Bloom had for me and dodging Granny Smith’s embarrassing and awkward questions about Princess Celestia and Luna. Eventually, Applejack was able to get the rest of her family out of the kitchen, leaving me and Big Mac. He just gave me that cute subtle smile and asked, “So, uh…you’re staying the night?”

“Well, I wasn’t planning to, but it’s getting late.”

“Ey’yup.”

My heart was fluttering in my chest, and I just had to get it off my chest at this point. “And well, before I go, I should tell you…I was a stallion before and am a mare now. Is that OK with you?”

He was a bit surprised but shook his head and said, “Ey’nope.”

I gave a sigh of relief, but there was one more question I had to ask before leaving: “I heard that the Hamburgers here are really good. Would you want to go out for lunch with me?”

Big Mac paused as he gulped down his tankard of Cider and said, “Ey’yup.”

I squealed, bouncing up, “ok, how about we meet up here at noon…I wouldn’t know where to go.”

He let out a chuckle, then gave a nod, “Ey’yup!”

“Great! See you tomorrow!” I chirped and skipped off out of the kitchen and headed to the doors and towards Golden Oaks Library. I just fluttered along with this cheerful smile on my face, being so ecstatic. Not only was Big Mac ok with me being trans, but he was willing to go on a date with me! Also, Applejack’s family was excellent; I just loved hanging out with them! I then came to Golden Oaks, and Twilight turned towards me and said, “So how was Applejack?”

“How was it? It was amazing! Hanging out with her family was so much fun! We first baked an apple pie! Apple Bloom wanted to know everything about being a princess, though a lot of it was boring. I did my best to make it sound fun then. Granny Smith is very, um…blunt, which is the best way to describe her. But Big Mac, oh my gosh, he’s so sweet and kind, and we’re going on a date tomorrow.”

Twilight was rather astounded and then said, “Wow, that’s a lot. I'm glad you liked hanging out with them. I do apologize for Pinkie Pie and Rarity. I should’ve warned you about them.”

“Oh, there’s no need to be sorry. I love all your friends, and today was so much fun! And I did so much! I am so happy to move down to Ponyville and see what this town has to offer.”

“That’s wonderful to hear. I’m happy you're finding yourself being so comfortable,” Twilight replied. She then escorted me to my new bedroom, which was already set up with a fluffy, quaint bed, my vanity table already set up with my makeup kit, and a closet filled with the dresses I had brought with me.

“The royal guards that escorted you here set it up while you were out,”

“Well, I will have to thank them and give them both big tips!” I cried as I flopped onto my bed and pulled up under the covers.

“Goodnight, Morning Star, see ya in the morning!”

“Yeah, you too!” I giggled, and then, with a flick of a horn, Twilight was gone, and the door was closed. I lay there in my bed, staring up at the ceiling, and thought about my new life. I really could not wait to see how things would turn out tomorrow.