//------------------------------// // Chapter 28 // Story: Darkness of the Eclipse // by Silverstream233 //------------------------------// "Princess, you seem troubled. Is everything alright?" Twilight asked her early in the morning. Luna had woken up a dawn to lower the moon. "I'm not sure...now that I think about it. It seems childish," Luna admitted, staring out towards Canterlot where her sister was raising the sun. "If you'd want, you can talk to me about it. I'm pretty good with advising ponies," Twilight came over to stand beside her. "I am upset at my sister..I'm glad this sleepover happened. It wasn't only an excuse to get away from my sister at my moment, but a wonderful chance to hang out with the ponies I can call my 'friends'. I'm not sure if Princess Celestia ever considers any of her subjects as friends. But I'm not like her...I sometimes prefer to be seen as a equal among my subjects," Luna stopped, realizing how much she was talking. "I'm mostly upset at her because she cancelled out on celebrating my birthday this year," Luna's cheeks turned hot slightly as she felt embarrassed. "As I said before...it's childish. I guess I overreacted. It's not that big of a deal." "NOT that big of a deal? How can a birthday not be a big deal?" Pinkie's loud voice startled both princesses. "I mean, your birthday is that moment when you get one number older! It's like...THE BEST DAY EVER!!" Pinkie began bouncing around both of them, but despite her energy, Luna could see dark circles under her eyes. "I could totally arrange for a party for you!" She began, but she stopped, catching Twilight's eye. "That would be nice," Luna smiled, not noticing this exchange. "Your highness, may we come in?" A guard's urgent voice came from the door. Luna turned and walked a few steps towards it. "Yes, come in," Luna said. A gray unicorn in a dark blue and purple armor opens the door. "Princess Luna, your sister, Princess Celestia has arrived. She wishes to see you," The guard announces. "My sister?" Luna blinked. "Of course, I will be right out." Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash had begun waking up as well. They said a sleepy greeting to the princess. Luna cocked her head when she saw dark circles under their eyes as well. Before she could ask them why they were so tired, Thunder Hoof poked his head in. Luna turned and followed him outside, but not before she heard a loud pop coming from Twilight's room. When she got outside, she gasped at the sight. There were balloons and party decorations covering most of the houses in Ponyville. There was a huge banner with her cutie mark on it as well as "Happy birthday, Princess Luna" written in huge letters. She scanned the crowd of ponies cheering and smiling up at her until her eyes met with her sister's. Princess Celestia stood at the front of the crowd along with Twilight and her friends. "Who..who planned this party? I-" Luna was lost for words, but she could feel emotions swimming in her head. Princess Celestia stepped forward and touched her horn with Luna's. "I would never pass over on your birthday. You know that...no matter how much royal work I have, I will always find time for my little sister," She smiled down at her sister lovingly. Luna leaned in close and wrapped her hoof tightly around Celestia's neck, hugging her close. Then she turned back to the ground. One by one, ponies presented gifts to her until they were almost taller than her. However, today, Luna was relieved that not everypony in Ponyville had given her a gift. It would never have fit into her room. Among the ponies were Twilight and her friends, along with the CMC and Trixie who had arrived shortly. Twilight gave her an observation books that she had recorded her own observations and facts about the night sky into. Fluttershy gave her a beautiful painting of Canterlot at night that she had worked very hard on. The CMC had worked together to make her a dreamcatcher. Applejack gave her lots of her best baked apple pies and several barrels of cider. Discord gave her one of his Discord lamps. Although it was strange to receive a gift from a former villain,she thanked him.Rainbow Dash, to her surprise, gave her a ghost story book, but Luna noticed that she gave it to her when no one was looking except her friends. Last of all, Rarity gave her a beautiful dress. The fabric was as light as gossamer and the design on it resembled the night sky along with twinkling stars. "Come this way, and I'll help you put it on," Rarity motioned her towards the boutique. Luna carried the dress, careful not to drag any part of it on the floor as she admired it. When she came out from the boutique, she could feel all eyes trained on her in awe. "Luna, you look beautiful," Celestia's eyes were shining and there were tears in her eyes. Luna felt heat rising up her cheeks as ponies praised her. "I'm sorry I was complaining so much," Luna muttered, leaning close to her sister so only she could hear. "I would have done the same at your age," Celestia admitted. "Now, go and fetch your friends. It's my turn to give you your gift," She started walking towards the carriages. Luna quickly fetched Twilight and the others and followed her. The CMC bounced behind them, talking excitedly about going to Canterlot. There were four carriages. Rarity, Pinkie, and Fluttershy got in one while Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Twilight got in another. The Cutie mark crusaders got their own carriage. Luna climbed into the royal carriage next to her sister and the carriages took flight. She could hear the excited chatters of the ponies behind her and she longed to turn around and talk to them, but she wanted to act like a princess now, especially since Thunder Hoof was pulling the cart. The four carriages landed in the gardens and the ponies got out. The ponies working at the castle dipped their heads to the princesses as they arrived. Musical Night hurried over and walked a littles way behind Luna as she followed Celestia towards the throne room "Is the throne room fixed?" Luna stopped next to her sister. "Oh, it's much better than the old throne room, that's for sure," Her sister replied, her eyes twinkling. With those words, she opened up the throne room door. There was a collective gasps of surprise as from the ponies behind her as they saw what was inside.