Another Sun Rises

It was the big event, the one that I dreaded throughout the year; it was time for the Grand Galloping Gala. I tried ignoring it for the past few months, but as the date drew near, I became more nervous about showing myself at such a massive event; it started to bug me in ways I didn’t fully understand, and I became more self-conscious about my looks, I cut back on fatty foods, I went out. I exercised more, going out and flying with Rainbow Dash more often. But as the day arrived, I wasn’t feeling any better about myself standing in front of a mirror seriously in a fix as I tried on the dress I should be wearing to the gala and felt unimpressed, to say the least. It was fine being an autumn orange with little suns accenting the fabric, and I had to admit it was a lovely design. I could see why the Princess wore it so often, but I needed a new outfit that spoke to her more. One that even the actual Princess Celestia would love. That’s when I knew there was one pony who could help: Rarity. I removed the dress and then went straight to my assistant, who was neck deep with ponies going about the planning for the Gala this evening.

“Quill Feather.”

“Yes, princess.”

“Is everything going well?”

The brown-coated pegasus was gulping down a cup of coffee as she was signing documents and said, “Oh yes, just last-minute decorations and last-minute changes.”

“Well, I have a favor to ask: Could you continue leading the planning? I realize my wardrobe has gone quite stale, and I am looking for a new dress.”

“New dress!? We can easily fetch the finest seamstress in Canterlot though getting a rush order this late might prove difficult. Faust knows so many other ponies are doing the same.”

“No, that won’t be necessary. I know only one pony who can help me, and she lives in Ponyville.”

“You’re talking about Rarity?”

I started to get excited and exclaimed, “Of course! Who else is better at making a perfect dress!”

I then fluttered up and looked around to see a bunch of ponies staring, and I quickly went back down, blushing a little.

“Well, I never thought to see you so excited for a new dress before?”

“I apologize. Rarity is well known for being creative in her work, so if I’m being honest, I do not know how this will turn out but am looking forward to being surprised."

Quill Feather then started pushing my flank out the door as she cried, “Well, go on! The Gala is tonight, and if you want a new dress, you must go now!”

“Of course!”

I then took off, not even waiting for my guards to escort me as I flew off from Canterlot and headed towards Ponyville. I spent an hour flying until I arrived at Carousel Boutique. I held my head high, trying to look as regal as possible, then strolled to her door and knocked. Then, a little white-coated mare with a beautiful corkscrew purple mane popped her head out and turned her gaze up at me. The mare was somewhat astounded. I was there and then cried, “Princess Celestia!? What are you doing here!?”

“I apologize, Rarity; I know this is last minute, but may I come in for a moment?”

“Of course! There’s no need to ask darling!"

I then slowly trotted into her boutique and feeling abit sheepish and said, “I apologize. I was just trying to be polite.”

I then slowly trotted through the boutique, a bit embarrassed as I was used to being in a mare’s body. However, being surrounded by so many outfits made for mares made me feel comfortable, and it was odd. I, however, sucked down whatever masculine pride I had and said, “Rarity, I need a favor; I need a new dress for the gala as I feel my wardrobe is getting rather stale.”

The mare’s eyes widened as she squealed, “Oh my Faust, are you seriously asking me for a new dress!?”

I nodded politely and said, “I need something bold, something different.”

Rarity tapped a hoof to her chin. “I see; then we shall get to work immediately!”

The fashionista then started taking my measurements, taking a measuring tape and having it go over my body, from my sides to measuring my wingspan, circling it, and composing my rear, making my cheeks flush pink. It felt so awkward having that measuring tape wrap around parts of my body. I was still feeling self-conscious about my body and my weight. I was somewhat worried my weird tall frame would prove to difficult for even Rarity. But the fashionista said, “Well, now I have your measurements. Let's try some samples.”

"You have some in my size?"

"Of course darling! I've been planning to make dresses for you and your sister for sometime!" She then led me by the hoof to a podium and there I tried on several premade dresses, some too frilly or poofy and others too fancy or dull. We spent several hours going through them, but nothing really caught my eye or felt me. I did enjoy trying on so many different outfits. As time passed, I began to worry that maybe I was the problem and I was here wasting Rarity’s time. At that moment I was standing in front of a mirror and looking at this adorable sun-yellow dress on me. I liked it a lot as it wasn't too fun-fru and was relatively straightforward, being a bright, colorful yellow with poofy sleeves on my shoulders and some white fabric sewn around the edges, making them pop out. It was basic something that needed to be worked on, but I could tell it was a start to something beautiful.

Rarity came over, eyeing me and having me do poses at different angles. She tapped a hoof to her chin and said, “Hmmm, it looks good, but maybe we should try something else.”

“Like what? Haven’t we tried everything you have?”

“Well, maybe we could add something more unique to your gown.”

I was curious to hear what she said next, and I asked, “Please go on?”

Rarity trotted over and asked, “What if we tried some bows in your mane? I'm sure it would go well with your dress.”

My cheeks flushed pink, and I replied, “Well, that is certainly one way.”

“Maybe we can try emblazing the fabric with big, beautiful suns made of rubies and gemstones embroidered in the fabric. It will make it more pronounced!"

I gave nods, loving the ideas coming from Rarity, and whispered, “That can work? Though not too much, I don’t want to be a walking disco ball.”

Rarity went to a sketchpad and started to draw, “Of course, darling, maybe just enough to grab any pony’s attention; maybe you can accent the end of the skirt with phoenix feathers! What do you think?”

The fashionista had me look at the sketch. It was absolutely captivating, with how the dress seemed to form against my body, the massive sun emblazoned on the chest, and the skirt covered in beautiful fluffy phoenix feathers. I touched a hoof to my chest feeling my heart skip a beat and whispered, “It’s beautiful. Can you please complete this in time for the gala?”

Rarity gave a long-winded sigh and threw a hoof over her mane, then said, “We could, but I would need help. Could you get some phoenix feathers from Philomena?”

“She is molting; I can zip by my room, get them, and be back in an hour.”

"Ok, darling, I'll get started working on the gown while you're out."

I ran outside, threw my wings out, flew off into the air, and flew straight back to my castle, squealing like a school filly as I couldn’t wait to see how this dress turned out.

When I returned, Rarity and I spent hours working on the dress. I couldn’t work a sewing machine to save my life, so I mainly worked on helping her accent the dress as she stitched it up. It was late in the afternoon, but it was finally finished. She helped slip it on me, and it flowed over my body. Wearing it was perfect; the gem-encrusted suns glittered and shined in the sunlight but didn’t overtake the outfit and paired well with the flowing skirt of the light orange and red feathers. My mane and tail were now covered in yellow and orange bows, and my sleeves were more pronounced with light rainbow fabric instead of white.

Rarity even helped me with my makeup, with my eyeliner making my eyes more pronounced, a soft pink lipstick, and a slight blush on my cheeks. I was utterly astounded at how beautiful I looked as I said, “Rarity, you are the best fashion designer in Equestria.”

The mare got rather giddy as she flew up and clopped her hooves in joy. “Oh, thank you! Please do tell everypony about it! Maybe even show it off after the gala!?”

“Of course! Rest assured, I will be purchasing my outfits from you from now on.”

Rarity gave several excited nods and squealed, “Thank you! I will do my best to acquire anything you need, however it’s getting late! We better get to the gala!”

I turned to see the sun setting outside and cried out, “I completely lost track of time! I have to make it back before my sister raises the moon!”

“Well, hold on, let me get my gown!”

Rarity went upstairs and changed into her gala gown, a beautiful light red and yellow fabric adorned with gems and a maroon-colored sash around her neck. Despite it being one she had worn before, I couldn’t help but admire how absolutely unique and beautiful in every way. I levitated the mare onto my back and whispered, “I’ll fly slowly.”

“Yes please Just fly slow, ok? I just got my mane done,” the fashionista cried as I trotted outside, threw out my wings, chuckling to myself, and joked, "Sure thing, one Sonic Rainboom coming up!"

"you wouldn't da-aaare!"

I threw my wings, flew up into the air, and soared into the sky with Rarity clinging to my neck for dear life, but as soon as I started to let a breeze carry us, she stopped cowering and scowled, "Oh!? Rainbow Dash is teaching you bad habits, isn't she!?"

"You are mistaken; I learned about pranks from my sister long before Rainbow Dash."

I then continued to fly above the clouds with the setting sun in the distance. It was quite the sight to behold as I threw my head, letting the wind blow through my mane. I had to admit flying was something I was going to miss, turning back to my old self definitely.

After an hour of travel, we eventually made it right outside the castle. The two of us then trotted towards the white stone walls with guards outside, looking rather panicked. One stallion, a grey-coated one, ran up and saluted as he exclaimed, “Princess! Where have you been? I've been ordering my soldiers to look for you. We thought you were kidnapped again!”

I snorted abit in anger, then snapped, “Of course, I wasn’t kidnapped. Didn’t my assistant tell you I was out getting a new gown for the gala!?”

“Well, we..um, she was busy and…” He slammed a hoof into his face, “apologizes, princess, we should have asked her for assistance.”

“Of course, you should have now. Let’s get a move on! We have a gala to attend!”

We continued towards the Castle entrance and whispered one last “thank you” to Rarity before watching her strut onto the dance floor. I stood outside with my head held up high, trying to look as regal as possible. I greeted ponies as they passed. Many complimented my new gown, making me blush and giddy. This went on for several hours as the moon rose, and the Gala was now in full swing, hearing the classical music wafting over me. I then turned to see Rarity coming back as she asked. “So, how are you feeling?”

I threw out my wings and cried, “I feel amazing! This dress feels rather good, and it looks absolutely amazing!” I exclaimed as I twirled about in my new gown. Rarity was relatively happy as I was going down the aisle with ponies in either direction and just looking at me with surprise as I once again resumed my regality.

Rarity turned over, nudged me, and said, “Well darling since most guests are here now, why don’t you show off your new dress on the dance floor?”

I couldn’t help but agree with the fashionista, so I threw out my wings and said, “You are absolutely right! I think I shall!” I then trotted towards the ballroom, and now I could feel everypony’s gaze on me. I could hear them whisper, making me feel even more self-conscious than I had ever been in the past month. But I kept my calm and continued to present my confidence. I then came upon my sister Luna, who was wearing a gown as beautiful as mine. Her's was this dark blue and black bold mix that swirled around her like the night sky encrusted with tiny crushed silver gems to look like twinkling stars. Her mane swirled around her in a braid with beautiful silver cords; I couldn’t take my gaze off her as the mare’s eyes pierced her chest. My cheeks flushed red as I trotted over and took out a hoof. She took it, and then we danced, swaying to the beat of the music together, twirling about and showing the rest of the pompous fools in the room how it's done. The dance was unlike anything I could describe as magical and beautiful, with the two of us embracing our “sisterly love” despite not genuinely being sisters.

The look on every pony's other faces was perfect, seeing them all just sitting there gawking in complete awe. There was a round of applause as the dance concluded, and the two princesses bowed. We then went to a table for a meal and sat together, enjoying some cake and snacking on the hordervous. After our dance, the Gala started to die, with many taking their leave and only a few ponies staying to continue dancing.

Afterward, the two of us trotted out into the gardens, taking a trot among the dozens of other ponies out and about as we went to the edge of the castle courtyard. We then laid down together to look up at the stars and see them glitter in the night sky with the moon shining bright overhead. I placed my head next to hers, and then we talked for a few hours about our day or night in her case. I looked up, realizing that almost a year had passed since I had taken this position as a princess and that I would be back to an average stallion named North Star in a few weeks. I looked back at Luna and whispered, “Thank you for all the help this year. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you.”

“I was happy to help, and trust me, you have done an amazing job being a princess.”

“Thank you for that. It means a lot.”

“It won’t be long until you are a stallion again. Will you miss all of this? Being a princess and all?”

I looked down at my new beautiful gown, hugging it with my wigs, and sighed, “I don’t know…I think it’s about time I return to being myself, but maybe…”

My face slowly turned bright red, and I added, “Maybe I should ask if I could stay as a mare.”

Luna blinked, surprised, “are you sure?”

“Well, it’s just…I can’t help but feel it is so natural, and I think deep down the Princess knew I was thinking about changing my gender.”

“If that is what you desire I am sure we can make that happen, and I hope you know that regardless of your decision to stay as a stallion or change into a mare, you will always have a place here.”

“Thank you, Princess Luna.”

The two lay next to each other as the evening continued, with the glowing stars above illuminating the ground. Then, I started to feel drowsy, maybe from all the flying earlier or the general excitement over my new dress. Regardless, lying down next to my sister and feeling her embrace made me feel relatively comfortable. I gave a yawn and nuzzled her as I slowly fell into a deep sleep.