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// 7 Handing Over the Reins 
// Story: Like Sister, Like Student 
// by Bronyxy 
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Unaware of the responsibilities racing up to meet her the next day, Nyx enjoyed an evening that began with decorating the night sky, followed by dream walking duties and finally aerobatics punctuated once again by a midnight feast under the night time decor in the dining room inspired by Princess Luna.

To Nyx, it was all fresh and exciting, but to Luna it was her final check of the filly’s potential. By the rising of the sun tomorrow morning, she would have to be sure that she would be capable of doing it all by herself. Admittedly, she hadn’t shown Nyx the dark side of her work, but she had at least transferred sufficient knowledge to keep Equestria running along smoothly in her absence for the next week, and she couldn’t really hope for much more than that.

Nyx revelled in the artistic side of Luna’s responsibilities and created a collage of friends’ cutie marks across the night sky, making sure always to do Twilight’s six point star first. Luna had thought hard about the location from where Nyx should continue to perform her dream walking duties and settled finally on maintaining her access to her study, although she had been careful to hide away and magically seal all but the most benign of artefacts and texts.

Luna had also made arrangements with the guards to ensure that her wishes were not misunderstood, including briefing them that her protégé may want to bring a certain lilac pony as a guest. She was hoping that Nyx would resist the temptation as she had kept the study secret from anypony for hundreds of years, but if she couldn’t, then she didn’t want any accidents arising that might result in Twilight ending up with a spear in her back. Such headlines, she knew, would not play out favourably.

Nyx was having a marvellous time and Luna had become quite relaxed in both her artistic ability and her judgement, which was mature beyond her years – probably some vestige of the responsibility she had felt when she had ruled Equestria before Luna had stripped her of her powers.

All too soon, night was over, and the happy pair raced through the dark sky to their rendezvous on the Royal balcony. As expected, two alicorns were there to greet them, silhouetted against the light escaping from the dining room. The filly’s hooves had barely touched the ground when she ran over to her mother to show her the cutie marks of her and her friends etched into the night sky.

Luna landed close behind, catching the eye of her sister and giving a silent nod that the Sun Princess reciprocated. Celestia knew this meant that Nyx had met up to Luna’s expectations and that she was content to leave her in charge.

Once Twilight had been conducted around the latest additions to the night sky, she gave a gentle cough and Nyx followed her eyes that were looking directly up at the moon.
“Oh, err … right Mom …” said the filly apologetically.
“That’s OK, Nyx” replied Twilight, “It’s been great admiring your artwork in the night sky, but Equestria is waiting for us to begin their day.”
Nyx returned a sheepish grin and then adopted her pose, focusing on the moon and talking to it gently through her magic as she had been taught. Everypony present marvelled at how smoothly she bade the silvery orb to its sleep, especially considering how random her first attempts had been only two nights ago.

The filly turned as she caught the delicate waft of supper that hung temptingly on the air and both she and her mother heard her tummy rumble.
“OK Nyx” said Twilight “Hold on just a fraction longer and we’ll be good to go.”
The lilac mare stepped up and reached over the horizon, finding to her delight that the sun was ready to rise and summoned it effortlessly into the sky.

She turned to see the Royal Sisters stood side by side, both extending silent respect for the duties they had seen performed in front of them, then all four joined up for some bonhomie over their choices of breakfast and supper respectively.

“Twilight” began Celestia, “As you know, Luna and I have forestalled our visit until such time as we knew that you and Nyx were capable of fulfilling our roles in our absence. We both believe that we now have complete confidence in the pair of you to administer Equestria in our absence and as a consequence will be leaving this morning.”

“I understand, your Highness” said Twilight.
“I don’t” Nyx chipped in, “What’s going on?”
“Nyx” said Luna, focusing her with the undivided attention of her hypnotic teal eyes, “My Sister and I are going out of town for a few days and may not be able to fulfil all the duties that are expected of us, so you are to be the honorary Princess of the Night.”
“You’ve been deputised!” joined in Celestia.
“But … me? … wait ... really?”

“A toast to Nyx” cheered Luna, raising her glass, “Princess of the Night!”
The filly accepted the acclamation from the three alicorn Princesses with a wide smile of delight and once the hubbub had died down, she asked, “Does this have anything to do with the rumours I heard about Princess Cadence?”
The three mares looked at each other, then Celestia leaned over and whispered conspiratorially, “A Lady never reveals her secrets”, giving Nyx a sly wink.
“You mustn’t tell anypony” interjected Twilight quickly.
“Cross my heart, hope to fly …” incanted the filly.

Once the meal was over, the Royal Sisters retired to prepare for their journey, leaving Nyx still reeling from the responsibility she had been entrusted. She moved closer to Twilight and gave her a nuzzle, more for her own benefit than for her mother’s.
“You’ll still be around, won’t you Mom?” she asked seeking reassurance, “You know, just in case …”
“Of course I will, Nyx” said Twilight forming a happy smile.
The filly tucked her muzzle in gently and smiled in the comfort and security that her mother offered.

Nyx was starting to feel tired after a busy night, but forced herself to stay awake so that she could be there to say goodbye to the Royal Sisters when they departed. After about an hour, a page came to find Twilight and Nyx, advising them that Celestia and Luna were ready to leave. He led them down to where a Royal chariot was waiting. This was one of the largest chariots at Celestia’s disposal, a sturdy looking vehicle drawn by four pegasi. In readiness next to them was a regular sized chariot where two ‘advisers’ sat waiting. These two ponies would be accompanying the Princesses and sitting with them during discussions with the Diamond Dogs, appearing to assist with negotiations, but as the two most adept members of an unpublicised elite special force, would be there to act as bodyguards if the Princesses got in trouble.

Celestia stepped out of the castle in her full regalia with Luna behind, looking just as regal and imposing as her sister. Something about their characters seemed to have changed with the businesslike look they adopted, each radiating a confidence and regality that intimidated with the merest glance. 
Nyx fought the urge to want to hide behind her mother, telling herself that these two ponies were still the same ones she had supper with only an hour ago, but Twilight could see through the external appearance to the ponies beneath and stepped forward without a second thought to give each a hug and wish them well. Nyx followed with a degree more reticence and aimed first for Luna, the pony whom she had most in common with.

Sensing the filly’s nervousness, Luna waited until Nyx had made eye contact, then scrunched up her nose into a funny face and made her laugh. With the ice broken, the two alicorns hugged, Luna bending down to give her protégé a kiss on her head. Nyx gave Celestia a hug too and then withdrew to her mother’s side as the Royal Sisters entered their chariot and took off followed closely by the second chariot containing their two advisers.

“Didn’t Princess Luna look beautiful?” sighed Nyx to her mother.
“Yes, they both did” replied Twilight, “I’m sure they’re going to make quite an impression when they arrive.”
Nyx yawned deeply.
“And you” said the lilac pony, “Need to get your beauty sleep if you’re going to remember everything Luna’s taught you tonight.”
“Yes, Mom” replied the filly, turning to enter the Castle. Then she stopped and turned to face Twilight, rushing back to give her a big hug too.
“Love you Mom” she said.
“Love you too Nyx. See you at breakfast this evening.”