As two ponys left the courtroom, each dressed like they were going to a fancy ball and wearing a tux and top hat and the other wearing a sparkling red dress, Luna sighed as she sat on her throne. Ever since the incident that was Cozy Glow happened and left her at a much younger age, and her sister at an even smaller size than she was now, the responsibilities of the sisters had almost completely flip-flopped. As the setting sun tinted the throne room orange it was a reminder of the major change that the castle had also faced, the doors were only open from the evening to Dawn. While her sister was the princess of the sun and would fulfill her duties during the day, Luna was the opposite and did her activities during the nighttime. That now was more than traveling the dreamscape and helping ponies with their nightmares, but also organizing events, signing contracts, and practically everything else that her sister was doing beforehand.
The ponies of course were nervous about the changes that were happening as well. Equestria had been ruled under Luna’s sister for thousands of years, so it was understandable why people would be hesitant to accept this new leadership and way of life. But there was no way that they would all be able to continue with the old way of life after she became ruler. Luna existed in the night and shadows, she couldn’t be up all night and all day, it would be the death of her. But thankfully the ponies seemed to be taking these changes in stride without too much complaint, though Luna definitely was hearing a fair amount of it still.
“And I believe that is everyone,” Luna said as she looked to her side at a much smaller thrown that was beside her own. Once upon a time, there was a black thrown with a moon and stars carved into it, but now there was a white and yellow thrown with a sun carved into it with a couple of clouds. The throne she currently sat on was once carved with a more regal sun made with gold plates. But now the throne was made of dark brown wood with purple padding on it and a crescent moon made of obsidian on it. But sitting on the throne beside her own was a filly with a pure white flank and with pink mane tied in a braid. Sitting in front of the filly was a coloring book that had different animals and creatures of Equestria, a few different crayons were hovering around the girl covered in a yellow glow, and two of the crayons scribbling on the page, coloring a dragon purple and green.
“That was really good, Luna.” Luna’s sister Celestia praised, which might have been weird hearing from someone so young, but it wasn’t too long ago that their positions were switched and it was Luna watching her sister make the calls and decisions on things that happened. “You’re getting better at dealing with these meetings.”
“Thanks, sister,” Luna said as she got up and stretched, unfurling her wings to give them a stretch as well. She wasn’t used to all this sitting and not doing anything besides listening to the complaints of the citizens for so many hours on end. “It has been a bit of a challenge to get accustomed to this new way of life, hasn’t it?” She asked the little filly.
“Indeed it has.” Celestia agreed though she didn’t look exactly sad about the current situation as she continued to scribble on the picture before her. The little girl's tongue stuck out as she focused on the childish picture of the dragon. “And…. finished!” She said before the book was covered in the golden light and used her magic to hold the picture in front of Luna. “Tadah!” She cheered, a proud smile across her face.
“Well, maybe more challenge for some than for others.” Luna said with an eye roll before looking at the picture and giving a small smile, “You’ve captured Spike's essence very well. Perhaps he and Twilight would like to have it.” She said looking at her sister, who bounced her head from side to side, though not looking thrilled with the idea. “Or… I can place it on the fridge with the others.” She said.
“Yeah!” Celestia cheered, jumping up on her hooves and excitedly nodding her head, before coughing and sitting down, her cheeks tinting red as she collected herself. “Er… Yeah, that sounds like it would be a good idea, the chefs seem to like them. Probably because it gives them a break at looking at something other than their cookbooks.”
“Yes,” Luna agreed, the coloring book soon glowing with a dark blue aura as the older girl carefully tore the page out of the book and started to walk towards the large purple and golden doors to the hallway, Celestia following close beside her. “I imagine seeing something other than food is most refreshing, especially when you can’t eat the pictures.”
“Well, you could.” Her sister pointed out, “Though I doubt that the pictures would be as yummy as the actual product. Plus we would have to buy new cookbooks all the time.” She said, sticking her tongue out as they walked down the hallway. The stained glass windows tinted the hallway every color of the rainbow as the setting sun hit it making what would have been a boring hallway with some art hanging on the wall and the occasional plant look like a magical portal, and the place where the two ponies ended up was probably the most magical place in the entire caste. A large kitchen with a dozen stoves, sinks, fridges, and scores of brass pots and pans. But the size of the place wasn’t what made the room magical, neither was the fact unicorns were using magic to carry crates and boxes around. It was the heavenly aroma that was coming from the ovens and stoves that each had some sort of food in it. From lasagna, cookies, cakes, pasta, grilled cheese, and dozens of other kinds of food that were cooking. It made both of the Alicorn’s tummies let out a soft grrrrr.
“I always forget how yummy it smells in here,” Celestia said, disappearing in a yellow flash just to appear in her sister's back. Making the black and blue alicorn’s back sag slightly from the newly added weight.
“Yes, it is quite a lovely fragrance in here,” Luna said, not flinching as her sister appeared on her back, already knowing what the filly was planning, and dodged around the different cooks as she got to the line of white fridges lined up against the wall. There were already a dozen childishly colored pictures that Celestia had made. One of a green pegasus, a crudely drawn picture of a three-headed black dog breathing fire, and even a picture of Luna and Celestia with long snouts, huge smiles, and tiny wings. “Let's see here, which magnet to use?” Luna mused as she looked at the practically brand-new magnets that had been bought for the Sun Princess’ pictures. “Maybe we should use the changeling one today?” Luna suggested, using her magic to hold up a magnet of a lime green bug-like horse creature.
“Nu-uh!” Celestia said, rushing up the older Alicorn’s back, poking her head through her sister's flowing dark blue hair, and looking at the available magnets, “The rainbow!” She chirped, jumping on her sister as if she was on a trampoline.
“I should have guessed,” Luna said with a chuckle as she put the changeling magnet back and replaced it with a magnet that looked like a rainbow going from one cloud to another and used it to keep the girl’s picture in place.
“Ok, everypony!” The little Alicorn announced as she turned around on her sister’s back to face the chefs. “We’ve dropped off another picture! Enjoy it and thank you for your hard work!” She told them, all the chefs pausing and even clapping their hooves together for the princess, making her bow. “I will take this as payment though!” Celestia said as her horn started to glow and a cookie shaped like a lily with white fluffy frosting on it floated to her and before Luna could stop her sister she took a big bite out of the sweet treat.
“Celestia, you know no sugary treats before bedtime.” The older girl said, not taking the filly treat away from her as she walked out of the kitchen and started to head to Celestia's room. But if her sister felt guilty about her casual rule-breaking it was well hidden behind chipmunk cheeks filled with the cookie. Which once was a huge room with a large bed, different pictures of her with other leaders, and a desk to write letters. But now it was more akin to what a little kid would have.
A small bed in the corner that had guard rails up, a pink blanket and large fluffy pillows, and some stuffed animals. The floor was covered with a bright yellow carpet and toys were scattered all over the place, building blocks, dolls, stuffed animals, and other toys made it so Luna had to watch where she was stepping. She had told her sister that she needed to clean up her toys whenever she was done playing with them, But it seemed to have gone over as well as telling a Griffin they needed to share. So her horn gleamed and all the toys started to go where they were supposed to as she passed them and got to a dresser.
“Aw come on, Luna.” Celestia huffed as she jumped off her sister's back, her cheeks puffed out, “It’s not even that late and I’m not even tired!” She insisted as she stomped her hoof. But if the older Alicorn believed what her sister said she either didn’t show it or didn’t care as she opened up the girl’s dresser and pulled out a pair of PJs. A pink pair of footie PJs that had the symbol of the sun and little tiaras on it.
“You say that, sister, but we both know you will be out in a matter of time, and I need to get ready to do my nightly rounds.” She said, not giving in, even when the filly stopped pouting and looked up with watery puppy dog eyes. “Nice try.” She assured the girl, putting her on the head before using her magic to make the PJs appear on the girl. “There now you’re ready for bed.” She said as Celestia puffed her cheeks out once more, clearly not pleased with how this part of the evening was going.
“But I don’t wanna go to bed!” The princess huffed as she sat down, crossed her hooves, and turned her head as if that was going to make it impossible for the older girl to move her. This was proven wrong as Luna’s horn glowed once more and she lifted the tiny princess up moved her to the bed and tucked her in.
“I know but everypony has to go to bed at some point,” Luna said, moving a stuffed bunny underneath her sister's arm. “And besides if you’re a good girl and go to bed, you might have a surprise guest tomorrow.” She hinted at her sisters and watched the girl's eyes grow wide with excitement. “But I’m not gonna say who it will be, and the sooner you go to sleep, the sooner it’ll be morning and you’ll get to see who it is.” She said.
“Oh, ok, well then…” Celestia said before closing her eyes and starting to snore, making snoring noises with her mouth, making Luna shake her head in amusement as she turned to leave her sister. The older girl had been calling on babysitters to watch over the little girl since Luna herself was fast asleep by the time her sister was up. She had called in favors with Cadence and Shining Armor, Spike, and Starlight, but she had managed to get a hold of Sunset Shimmer, her sister's old student, and figured that would be a pleasant surprise for both of them.
“Ok, goodnight, sister.” She said leaving the room and gently shutting the door before sighing as she went to the nearest window. At this point the sky was dark and the stars were starting to peak out, meaning the dream realm was opening up and Luna’s night had only just started.
Author's Note
Hope you all enjoy the story! Comments, critiques, and criticism is always welcome ^^
