I trotted down the hall and nodded at the guards as I passed them. It all seemed like a good day, once you took stock: court had been light and easy, the Diarchs were due back in a few days, and Sunshine’s morning sickness seemed to be abating.
I saw the doors to my quarters, and felt a smile growing. I bounced up and pushed the door open with a hoof. My horn was still tender, though it was superficially healed over. I still wore the crystalline cast on it most of the time. It helped ease the discomfort, for the most part.
Sunshine looked up as I entered, her yellow mane swirling as she set the brush she was using down. “You seem in a pleasant mood,” she noted, standing and coming over to nuzzle me.
“Court was swift and soon we can head home,” I said, relishing the feel of her warm tan coat. I gave her a swift peck on her cheek before moving to remove my regalia for the day. “And now it’s just you and me and all the nothing we want to do.”
A knock on the door sounded, making me turn as a pigtailed pony stuck her head in. “Am I interrupting?” she asked.
“Of course not, Sandy,” Sunshine said, smiling brightly. “Did you have any luck?”
The pony came in, a small box perched on her back. “It took a bit of looking, but I found what you were looking for.” She sat the box down on the coffee table, and ran a hoof along one of her pigtails. “It’s weird not having more ponies wanting mineral cakes. I’m sure they’re tasty.”
Sunshine wasn’t listening as she opened the box and pulled a small, grayish pastry and took a bite out, eyes closing in bliss. She tilted her head at me curiously, offering me a cake from the box.
“Would you like one?”
Something started prodding me in the side, and suddenly I opened my eyes to see Sunshine standing over me slightly, a smile on her face and a cream puff in her aura. “Morning, sleepyhead,” she smiled, her blue coat shining in the late afternoon light. “Would you like a cream puff? Pinkie sent a dozen up.”
I rolled over and sat up. “I’d love one,” I said, glancing out the window to see where the sun was. “But I have to get ready to lower the sun.” I glanced at the regalia on the stand nearby. “Would you mind?” I asked.
My wife smiled and lifted my crown and settled it just behind my horn. “You know,” she whispered as she picked up my chain of office. “This is supposed to be the last time you lower the sun. Do you mind if I come and watch?”
I looked at her, a smile forming. “I don’t see why not,” I said, slipping a wing over her. “It’s not exactly all that impressive, though.”
She pushed into my side.
“I think it’ll be spectacular.”
Twilight smiled at me as I stepped out onto the balcony and stepped over.
“Ready for this, Sunset?” she asked, giving Sunshine a hug with a wing.
“I’ve been ready since the first day,” I grumped. “But I will admit, I might miss this.”
Fluttershy stepped out, head down low. “I hope I’m not intruding.”
“Not at all,” Twilight said, moving to rub noses with her. “You’re just on time.”
“Oh?” Sunshine asked. “For what?”
“I wanted to see Twilight raise the moon,” the Pegasus whispered. “If it’s not too much trouble.”
“Not at all,” I said. “It’s why Sunshine is here.”
“Oh?”
Sunshine nodded. “I wanted to see it once.”
I stepped forward, taking a place next to Twilight, glancing at her. “Shall we?”
She closed her eyes and spread her wings. I followed suit, and felt for the strand in the back of my mind that connected me to the sun. As I took hold of it, I felt strangely warm, and I heard Sunshine gasp slightly. I felt the urge to spread my wings even wider and lift my forehooves. I saw in my mind’s eye the sun slowly moving towards the horizon. As I dropped down, I glanced over at Twilight and saw her hovering in the air, wings splayed and her forelegs held to either side. Her horn held a soft blue glow underneath her usual raspberry hue and the sight of the moon rising behind her gave her a majestic look. As she landed, I felt Sunshine press up against me.
“That was breathtaking,” she breathed, nuzzling me. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Fluttershy resting forehead to forehead with Twilight. I smiled and tilted my head to rest against hers. As the warmth from our bond slid through me, I sighed gently.
“Well, that was fun while it lasted,” I breathed softly.
“And some rather fine form,” I heard Celestia say from behind us. Turning, I saw her and Luna standing there, soft smiles on both of their faces. Fluttershy and Sunshine immediately dipped their heads in a shallow bow.
“It just felt right, this time.” Twilight said as the sound of wings fluttering came to my ears. I saw Philomena alight with Thea and what looked like a nightwing along with her.
Celestia nodded. “It is a somewhat uplifting feeling at times.” She ruffled her wings. “I must thank you, Sunset, Twilight,” she said. “I’m sure your time wasn’t easy, and for that I am sorry.”
I shrugged. “It could have been much worse,” I said. “Blueblood could have come to court every day.”
We all shared a laugh at that.
If you want, I could set his mane on fire, Philomena said while examining her left wing primaries.
“Philomena,” Celestia said with a warning tone.
Fine, fine. Forget I said anything.
“So,” Fluttershy said softly. “What are the other two Phoenixes here for?”
“By holding one of the thrones,” Luna said. “Twilight and Sunset have been given the opportunity to take one as a familiar.”
“They will mostly be couriers and will accompany you on the rare occasions you must travel outside Equestria,” Celestia continued. “Thea has taken a liking to you, Sunset, and Astra has volunteered to be Twilights, if you wish them to be so.”
I glanced at Twilight, then at the red-orange Phoenix on the railing. She looked like she was fluffing herself up a little, showing off her plumage.
“Oh, this is so amazing!” Twilight started off, rambling to herself. “I wonder if there is a book in the library about nightwing physiology. I hope Owlowisciousgets along well with her…”
I tuned her out as I traded stares with the bird that had been close to me most of the journey.
“You peck me again, and you’re fired,” I said to Thea.
I had the impression that she was smiling through it all.