//------------------------------// // Putting On A Good Show // Story: Why Did I Choose to be Trixie? // by Mike the Red //------------------------------// "So, Mike, what's her name?" asked my mom. The little filly was sighing softly, a big grin still plastered on her face. "Her name's Marina, and you might wanna be careful about her wings -- they're quite sensitive to touch," I cautioned. Almost as if to emphasize my point, she flared her wings straight out, startling my mom. "What'd she do that for?" "Um, well, mom -- it's like this. My wings are the same way if you stroke them in the right place -- it's actually -- um, an erogenous zone for those of us who have wings," I said, grinning sheepishly. "So, Mike, if I were to rub your wings the same way ..." "Most likely, yes, that would happen. I would certainly hope you would refrain from doing that to me, as it might be seen as an improper familiarity with Royalty. There's only one or two mares I would willingly let touch my wings like that, mom." "So you said something about raising and lowering the sun?" asked my dad. "Amethyst, why not show them you can do that?" Twilight mused. "Is Luna around?" I replied with a question. At hearing her name mentioned, the indigo Alicorn entered the throne room. Stunned by the appearance of two humans, she trotted slowly over to me. "Amethyst, We are curious to know --" "Luna, these are my parents," I stated, gesturing to my mom and dad with my right fore-hoof. "Mom, Dad, this is Princess Luna -- Princess of the Night, Lunar Regent, Diarch of Equestria." "She's very pretty," my dad blurted out. Mom glared at him. "We thank you for the compliment, um, Amethyst? What are your parents' names?" "My dad's name is Stan, and my mom's name is Martha." "It is a pleasure to meet ones of such stature! We appreciate what you have done for us by providing such a capable pony," the indigo Alicorn smiled. "Luna, I believe it is time for me to lower the Sun. I would like to have my parents watch me perform this action, as I am sure they would be interested in watching you raise your Moon and set the stars in the sky," I offered, smiling warmly. "It would be Our pleasure to show your parents Our magic in action," Luna stated, offering a polite smile. "Mom, Dad, I will escort you to Celestia's balcony, where she normally performs the act of raising and lowering her Sun. Since she's away on vacation, I act in her stead," I stated matter-of-factly. "Please follow me, it's just a short walk." Luna trotted beside me as my parents followed us to Celestia's bedchamber. "Marvelous decorations, Mike -- what were all those stained glass windows in the Throne Room?" asked my dad. "Those illustrate events of critical import in Equestria's history -- quite a few have been added recently with not only my ascension but Twilight's as well. There are those which depict the Elements of Harmony defeating Discord, Nightmare Moon, King Sombra, as well as the defeat of Queen Chrysalis," I explained. "I would like to spend more time looking at them. They are utterly amazing!" my dad marveled. "Mike, did you say, 'ascension'?" asked my mom. "What does that mean?" "As I was saying earlier, at one time, I was a unicorn, much like Twilight had been, and Trixie still is. It was when Trixie and I were to be wed that Queen Chrysalis interfered with our wedding and the Elements of Harmony were used to banish her -- but because I was standing next to her, I too was enveloped in the harmonic magic of the Elements, which transformed me into an Alicorn. I was then given instruction on how to perform my new duties," I explained. We arrived in front of the huge double-door entry to Celestia's private bedchamber, each door bearing a very large sigil in the form of her cutie marks. "If Princess Luna is the Princess of the Night, then this Celestia is supposed to be the Princess of the Day?" my dad asked. "That is correct," Luna stated flatly, before opening the doors with her magic. My parents were astonished by the opulent luxury of the bedchamber, easily covering 1600 square feet by itself. They marveled at the huge bed, a mirror which ran the entire length and height of the wall behind the bed, over-sized closets, and all of the other accoutrements adorning the walls. I trotted towards the balcony, but my parents continued to stand in stunned silence. "Mom, Dad, this way, please," I said, trying to stifle a giggle or two. "I know Celestia's bedchamber is perhaps a bit over-decorated, but this is her preference. Please step out here onto the balcony, I would like for you to watch this." My parents slowly walked out onto the balcony and I watched their jaws drop when they got a good view of the panorama. "Wow," was about all they could say. I chuckled at their reaction. "Yeah, that was MY first impression as well! I've gotten used to it now, but it's still quite a breathtaking view, isn't it?" I smiled. "Very," my dad replied in his astonishment. "Okay, it's time," I stated, placing my forehooves against the railing at the edge of the balcony. I stood on my hind legs, bracing my weight against the rail and lit my horn. I reached out with my magic to find the Sun and enveloped the massive orb with my aura and gently lowered it below the horizon. The day's light faded into blackness, my horn being the only immediate source of illumination. "Why's it so dark?" my dad asked. "Luna must raise her Moon in order for there to be some light source during the night," I stated. "I was trained on how to do that as well, though I don't think she would appreciate me doing her job for her right now." "Indeed you are quite correct, Amethyst. We shall raise Our Moon now," she stated almost ostentatiously as she lit her horn and gently raised the Moon. "We shall now place the stars in the night sky, if you are so inclined as to watch." My parents watched in wonder as the Lunar Princess illuminated the dark sky with bright white dots, arranging them into the constellations with which she was familiar. I never spent much time memorizing those constellations, as they were alien to my knowledge. "Amethyst, We must ask you to closely observe Our placement of these constellations -- We have seen your work in this matter, and it displeases Us to see you treat Our stars with such disregard as to their proper placement." "You have my sincerest apologies, Luna," I stated with reverence. "Please, just pay attention. 'Tis but a small matter, but it means a great deal to Us." "What did he do with the stars?" my dad asked. "He placed them at random intervals and in no particular alignment. We were away on a short vacation and Amethyst represented both Celestia and myself while we were both away. Upon Our return, We noticed the lackadaisical attempt to place the stars in the night sky," the Lunar Princess replied. "Perhaps he was too busy trying to do both your jobs," my mom offered. Luna paused in thought for a moment. "We understand that perhaps We expected too much of him so soon. He is still a fledgling Prince, though he has been performing his duties quite admirably for one so new to his station. Amethyst, We apologize for being too harsh upon thee." "I humbly accept your apology, Luna, and I also offer you mine," I stated reverently. She smiled upon hearing this. "You have raised him well and are to be commended, Stan and Martha," Luna said and smiled warmly at my parents. "Where's Marina?" my mom asked. "I believe she is with Twilight," I replied. "Most likely she is being reunited with her mother -- speaking of whom, I believe I should return to her bedside and see how she is doing."