Solaris had almost forgotten what rain sounded like. It came down in waves, each one drifting across the castle slowly but surely. He could feel it echoing down from the sky, sluicing across the earth. He flipped to the next page of his book with his glowing horn, getting it right on the first try.

"There you are."

He looked up towards the female voice as a dark furred alicorn mare strode inside. "My sister has been quite vocal about you." She stomped right towards Solaris. "But I am not fooled! Luna, guardian of the night, can see through such feeble deceptions."

Solaris stared in surprise at this new pony. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Luna marched up and stood nose to nose with him. "Is that so? Is it mere coincidence that you and my sister are courting?" She tapped his chest. "That you arrive with a sob story? That I have never heard of you, or this country you hail from!"

Solaris bit back some reply as he backed off. "My homeland was devastated. We were barely getting by until Discord saved us."

"Discord? You met Discord?" Luna scoffed. "That is more of an answer than I dared hope for." She turned away, just to keep on going in a full circle. "What do you truly intend with mine sister?!"

Solaris took a breath and stood up tall. "I plan to court her, if she will have me. It has been very pleasant so far."

Luna scoffed at that. "My sister can be quite naïve."

Solaris shrank back a little with guilt. "I do want her to be happy."

Luna tapped at him. "Why? Tell me plainly. They speak of you, say you don't bow to her like the others. She is not your princess, so why should you care if she is happy or not?"

Solaris winced. "I am officially her prince." He didn't look up as he said it. "It's important I take that role seriously. A ruler must put the needs of their people before themselves."

Luna stiffened, taking a slow step back. "Ah." She looked towards the rain-streaked window. "I see." She looked back at Solaris. "You do this for your ponies then?"

Solaris smiled softly at the way she phrased that. "They're not mine. I don't own them. They just trust me, and it's my job to watch over them."

Luna gazed at him a long moment. "I see." Every time she said it, the more true it felt, at least to her. "You would do well by them, and to make her happy achieves this." She sank to her haunches. "But what of your true feelings? Do you have any real care for Celestia?"

Solaris smiled up at the ceiling, almost as if he could see through it. "She is wonderful, Luna. I want to spend time with her, because she's interesting." He shook his head, bouncing his mane in place. "She's, what, an angel." An angel that also happened to be a horse, but he shoved that fact aside. "I want to get to know her better, and show her more about me. I'm courting her, not just grabbing her hand and trying to run off with it."

"She doesn't have one of those." Luna rolled her eyes, as if she had caught him in some grand mistake. "I understand the imagery you use, however. Forgive me my skepticism. I am still skeptical of your sincerity." She waved a hoof dismissively at him. "But perhaps you are worthy. At least of a chance. I would know the truth. I have spoken to your people, all smiles, each and every one of them, as if they were given a whole new chance at life, far better than they once had. What miserable place did they come from?"

Solaris smiled faintly, recalling how bad it got. "Luna, I am doing my best." He held up his hoof. "Where we came from, it was getting bad, so bad we were considering selling some to save the rest. It couldn't have gotten much worse."

Luna's eyes widened at the idea. "Truly?!" But she saw no lies in his expression. "Horrible. No wonder they are so happy to be here then. Even laboring, they move with a sincere joy. It is, hm, good to see." She regarded him curiously. "Have you taken any more lovers, or merely my sister?"

Solaris jumped in place. "What? No! Not even one! I want Celestia."

"And your squire." Luna grinned. "Oh, did you think I hadn't noticed?" She settled down into a comfy lounging position.

Solaris inclined his head. "I wasn't aware having a ward was a 'lover'. That isn't how I'd use that, oh, ew, ew! Seriously, ew."

Luna blinked, clearly confused. "What meaning are you imagining?"

Solaris recoiled at the very notion. "I am not approaching Little Pepper as anything other than a helpful mentor. Wow, the idea of doing anything with that little kid! No, thanks, no."

Luna stepped up and sniffed at him. "Hm, you smell honest." She slumped back. "Your business, not mine. If you do end up a prince, you may want to look into additional lovers."

Solaris' brows fell together. "Who might be little kids? No thanks."

Luna looked confused a moment. "Has that fallen out of fashion?" She raised to her hooves. "Excuse me. I've been away for a time. There are things that were taken for granted back then that are now seen as quite strange." She coughed into a hoof. "I act as her sister. Please don't let this reflect poorly on her."

"Oh, uh, thank you?" He shrugged a little. "That's sweet of you."

Luna scowled at him. "Watch it!"

Solaris waved his hooves in apology. "It's nice, to see a sister that really cares. She's lucky to have you."

"Hm, perhaps." Luna sighed, losing her steam in the moment. "I shall be observing you for now." She raised a hoof and poked Solaris in the chest. "But I will remember your words here." She turned and strode away purposefully.

Solaris went back to his book. He flipped to the next page absently. "Could have gone worse, I suppose." He flexed his wings slowly, trying to loosen them up. The thought struck him. "How?" He watched the wings move up and down slowly. "How do they work? Do they work? Can I fly with them?"

He wandered off towards the hallway that led outside. He knew where Celestia flew from, a big open courtyard out there. He saw ponies trotting about with baskets or books. He nodded to them as he went, stepping outside and being spattered with drops the moment he did. It was still raining quite thickly, making puddles and lakes across the ground.

Solaris wiggled his tail in place. "Okay, start running, just like..." He faltered. Just how did he take off in the first place? He came to a unsteady halt with a very equine snort. "It can't be that hard!" He turned towards a clear path and charged down the muddy path.

He tossed his head, charging at full speed. But no matter how hard he ran, he just couldn't get any air. The wind blasted him with more and more raindrops, soaking him right to his core. He didn't even see the pony ahead of him, impressive considering how large she was. They both crashed to the soft ground with a shriek from him.

"Ouch!" Celestia pulled herself up, horn glowing with magic that bid the mud to slide from her quickly. "Solaris? I didn't expect you to be here. What's wrong?"

He wasn't as fortunate as her. It seemed to cling to him and coat him. He groaned as he slowly pulled himself free. "I was trying to fly."

Celestia paused, blinking once. "In this weather? Only a professional should even attempt it." She nudged against him. "Come. I only did it because I had to, and that need has passed. You'll catch cold if you don't dry off." She stepped ahead of him, leading him onwards.

He kept pace beside her. "What was so urgent?"

"Princess Twilight is a dedicated student." She took a shortcut down a narrow hallway. "Her letters always have the most delightful inquiries, about everything from political treaties to questions of language and magic." She smiled as she spoke of Twilight. "But this one made me nervous, so I had to check something. It is of no matter now, I assure." She shook herself as she stepped inside, sending water spraying around her.

Solaris watched the water splatter against the walls and floor. "That's a good idea." He tried shaking himself, but it seemed to get stuck in his coat, like heavy rope weights dragging him down.

She directed a shining horn at him, causing the water to fall free of him. "Solaris, you have a condition." She turned to him. "It is not your fault, but only you can fix it, and I am willing to help. It is not a mark against you, as a pony. Don't feel ashamed."

Solaris colored softly. "A condition?"

Celestia shook her head. "You are an alicorn that has forgotten how to use any of their powers. Only a terribly wounding trauma, or a headwound, could cause it. The cure is the same either way. You will need to learn it anew. For some, you may remember it as you go through the steps. We can hope, but not assume."

He nodded in understanding. "Can I try?"

She inclined her head, dropping to her haunches. "Of course, and I will be at your side as you do so. I already offered magic, but it would seem you are distant from all three tribes of power. An alicorn is the meeting of the three, standing at that apex, and you are without any. That cannot be tolerated."

Solaris nodded along. "I get it. Can I just pick one?"

Celestia smiled at that. "You jest. We will only teach one at any given moment, but you have time, dear Solaris. I will show you all three. You'll feel better as you gain control over them."

He flexed his wings slowly. "How hard is flying? Does every pegasus know how?"

Celestia snorted in soft amusement. "Almost every one of them, save a few. Usually due to developmental issues that prevent it entirely. You are able, I feel confident. You just need to learn, or relearn, how."

Solaris spread out his wings, slowly lifting himself up off the ground. "Whoa!" He swung about, flapping his wings harder, as if that would get him to go the way he wanted. He crashed to the ground, but was laughing. "I did it!"

"You did." Celestia stroked over his head. "A very important first step. You flew competently. Your wings can lift you, you just have no idea what to do about it. Still, good. It means we can make progress."

Solaris cantered in place, all smiles despite his recent tumble. "I did it! No, said that. Seriously."

Celestia bumped her head to his. "I am glad to see you so emboldened. Tomorrow, we'll start for real. Be prepared to learn, Solaris."

"Princess." He raised his head high. "I will try my best!"

She smiled at that. "See you tomorrow then. I look forward to teaching you." She stepped from the room, heading off with that purposeful stride.

Author's Note

Luna! We were wondering where you were hiding.

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