//------------------------------// // The Rise of the Solar Princess // Story: The Mechanical Angel of Equestria // by Sacred Sky Heart //------------------------------// It has been surprisingly fifty years since my arrival. Celestia and Luna received word three days ago that Starswirl disappeared along with the other five Pillars of Equestria, though I will say I didn't get along with the old buzzard. Sadly it was not like that between me and the other Pillars. The ones I felt I could console to if I needed was Mistmane or Somnambula. They were also the only ponies I told my true origins to. The expression they gave at first told me they didn't exactly believe it, but then Mist did a dive into my mind (with my permission) to discover I wasn't being hysterical. I asked them to not share this with Starswirl or the others, and they promised. Still, losing Starswirl meant apparently the sun and moon would need extra unicorns to move. This was one of the first surprises I came across while living in Equestria. Apparently magic was used to move such heavenly bodies, which still shocked me when Starswirl and Luna moved the moon into place. While yes the young alicorn had a connection to the celestial orb of night, she was clearly struggling still when I arrived. Apparently her mark on her flank represented her connection. Celestia I asked as I was curious as to how she didn't have a mark yet on her flank like Luna or other ponies, but I didn't pry as it seemed to be a topic that led to a little discouragement in herself. Now, it has been three days after the Pillars had vanished, and Luna was struggling to raise the sun. The moon was already set, as her cutie mark I believe they called them symbolized her connection to it. Walking by with Celestia, we see Luna panting and heaving out of exhaustion from over using her magic. "Luna!" Celestia cried and rushed over to her alicorn sister. Though she was only a unicorn when I met her, she became an alicorn a year after I arrived thanks to a spell of Starswirl's. That led to a mess with the nobles a bit, and I did not enjoy listening to complaints about how Equestria was to be ruled by two children. Though I did agree with some nobles at the time, Celestia and Luna proved to be capable by being there for their subjects. "C-Celestia? W-we are sorry, sister..." Replied Luna, for some reason adopting an old style kind of accent. Celestia shook her head, a small smile crossing her face. "Fret not, young sister. I'll do what I can." Celestia looked to me with pleading eyes. "Please, Sir Zero. Take my sister to her chambers at once..." Though I would rather stay to ensure her safety, I could tell Luna was barely able to move. Walking over with metallic steps along the marble stone floor, I kneel before picking up the young alicorn in my arms. "As you wish, milady Celestia. Just be careful and don't be reckless." She'd only giggle, as I knew she was always reckless in such situations. "No promises, my dear guardian." I could only chuckle in response, soon turning and taking off to the upper levels of the castle. It wasn't hard to find Luna's balcony to her room as her moon cutie mark basically took the whole floor of it. Upon landing though, the young alicorn was fighting a bit to get up. "Rest now, Princess. You have suffered from overusing your magic." I coaxed the princess of night. She sighed and looked to me with sadness. "We have failed at thou own duty, Sir Zero. We aren't fit to wear thine crown..." She uttered sadly, as I could see tears welling in her eyes. Just seeing one of my first friends about to cry was unnerving, and inside I wished I knew how to help comfort someone in these situations. Unfortunately, I never truly got into situations like this as I tended to avoid them as much as possible. Heck, I think I never truly had best friends before coming to Equestria. With a sigh, I start to pet the lunar princess on the head, occasionally scratching behind her ears. This at least got her to giggle and relax, knowing someone cared for her well-being. "I would not say you are a failure, milady. More like you learned an invaluable lesson. Can you say what that is?" I ask Luna, wishing to know if she caught what I was saying. Her aquamarine eyes would look to me in confusion, soon widening in realization. "We attempted to do thy task alone!" She recalled, which I nod in agreement. "Yes. If something seems too much, it would be more wise to request aide for such strenuous tasks." I conclude. Luna stares at me, like I'm not who I am. I guess I could understand that as I never gave such advice often, which led me to scratching my cheek bashfully. "Too much wisdom, milady?" I chuckle as I could practically feel my face guard burn in embarrassment. While Luna would have spoken, the outside suddenly began to brighten up, the sun rising without Luna's aide. This was enough to startle the night princess to go and check what was going on, as I would help her back to the patio I picked her up from. Once at the open space, we see Celestia, her horn ablaze in a golden aura as her flank shined in a bright light that blinded even my alternate visions for helping me see in many situations. "Sister!?" Cried Luna, unable to see and worried for Celestia's safety. But the worry was unneeded, as the light soon dimmed and revealed the older sister standing tall, her horn slowly disengaging in its magic. When our vision returns to normal, we stare in awe as the sun revealed every detail. Celestia turned to us, confused at our expressions as if we saw a ghost. "Is something amiss, Luna? ...Sir Zero?" She'd ask, clearly unaware of what we were looking at. However, her gaze turns to Luna as her younger sister would soon smile with glee and shout. "Dear sister... Thou cutie mark has appeared!"