Luna and Falling Star walked side by side on their way back to the castle. After her sisters coronation, she didn't really want to return, she did not wish to be surrounded by ponies singing praise to her sister who had never in her life wanted for a single little thing, when she had to struggle to get even a glance from their parents! She blinked in shock at that thought as it drifted through her mind. It scared her, it made her fearful of herself. Falling Star, ever the observant one, took notice of the subtle pause of Luna's walk as she collected her thoughts and shoved them aside. He leaned his head close to hers.
"Luna?" He spoke softly so that no other pony would hear "Luna, are you alright? Is something the matter?" He asked his friend.
Luna's forced a smile and shook her head "no, no I'm alright Falling Star. Everything's fine." She answered as her left ear twitches as she spoke.
The colts gentle face turned stern "why are you lying to me Luna? I'm your friend, don't you trust me?" The hurt tone in her friend’s voice pained her.
Her wings drooped slightly as she answered "I do trust you Star, almost as much as I trust Tia but" she looked to the clear bright sky Celestia had made "I don't want to worry anypony, so please Star, just let it go. I'll be fine like I always have been." She looked back to her dear friend "I just do not wish to be around all the celebrations right now"
Falling Star smiled and playfully ruffled Luna's mane with a hoof "then try not to be so uptight Luna" he said with a smile. “As future captain of the royal guard, I order you to cheer up!” he barked out the order.
Luna burst out laughing and trotted past him “Captain!?” she laughed as she turned to face him “I am Luna, Princess of the Night! You have no place to order me around Star” she smiled softly “But, you have cheered me up so I am thankful that” Luna looked up in thought “hmm so I suppose I could allow you to order me, just this once” she smiled again.
Falling Star joyously hopped from hoof to hoof and spread his wings “Then we fly my Princess! Fly out and find adventure!” Luna laughed and followed him as he ran down the street and took flight after him. With whoops of glee they soared steadily towards the city walls. As they neared them they flew up into the clouds to hide from the guards that kept watch from the battlements.
Once they were far from the wall they dove down. Surrounding Galloponaus for miles on all sides was a lush and healthy forest that shielded the city and the ponies that called it home. Luna had always been fascinated by the forest, but her parents had always kept her curiosity at bay. But where were they now? Basking in the light of their precious first born. There were those thoughts again. She shut her eyes tightly ‘Silence brain! I love them all! Let me be happy!’ she thought as they walked along side by side through the summer forest. Soon the trees opened up into a sun warmed clearing. In the centre of the clearing was a crystal clear pond full of lilies. The trees around the clearing seemed to glow with other worldly light and filled with song from that same world. Luna walked forward and gazed about the clearing. “Never in my life did I ever think I would see one, let alone a whole flock” Luna whispered softly.
Falling Star moved up next to the star struck moon princess “Luna, what are these, birds?” he asked as he ruffled his feathers.
Luna shook her head “Not just birds, anything but.” She gestured to the birds around them with her wings. “These are the guardians of Equestias fire. Phoenix’s, Falling Star, we are in the company of Phoenix’s!”
The phoenix’s seemed to take notice of the two ponies as one of them; the one who seemed to be their leader flew towards them in a blaze of fire. Falling Star panicked and dove to the ground, hiding under his wings and forehooves. Luna was about to do the same when one of Starswirls lessons came rushing back to her.
‘Phoenix’s, my young princesses are great and noble birds, and fiercely loyal. They are liable to set any and all whom are foolish enough to threaten their flock to the torch. But one can earn their favour, through respect and civility’
Luna gritted her teeth and bowed low before the mighty fire bird. The phoenix slowed to a stop before the Princess and let out a soft cry. “My name is Luna, Princess of Equestria, regent of the Moon” she glanced about and noted how the remaining phoenixes were gazing almost lovingly up at the sun. She smiled “My sister was the one who raised the sun that you are all so enjoying” this seemed to quell the remaining rage in the phoenix and Luna rose to great its fiery eyes. “Star” Luna said through gritted teeth “Get up, you insult him” Falling Star scrambled to him feet and bowed. “Great Master of Fire, it would do me a great honour if in Celestia’s name, you allowed me and my friend the honour of flying with you” the phoenix took a moment to consider this before sang out. At its call the flock took flight, their leader looked to the two ponies and nodded before flying up.
“Come on Falling Star! This is a once in a life time opportunity!” the princess cheered as she took flight after the flock, soon after her friend joined her and the two fly hard to catch up. The sun was setting and the birds seemed to be wishing it off. They flew slow rings around the great orb leaving wispy trails of fire behind them. As they flew their leader sang out a soft song. “Praise for the Sun Princess” Luna said softly as they flew. As the sun set and the moon took its place the Phoenix’s flew slowly to the clearing followed by the ponies. Luna landed softly at first but stumbled a few feet. She winced as she folded her wings uncomfortably at her side. Falling Star rushed to her side but she brushed him off “I’m fine Star, just tired” she said as she watched the leader swooped through a tree before landing in front of her.
He cawed softly as he placed a small bundle of orange and red feathers at her hooves. “A gift?” Luna asked. The phoenix cawed again, “For the Sun.” she bowed “I understand” at her words the bird took flight, followed swiftly by his flock and they vanished into the night.
Falling Star was awed “That was the single most amazing thing I have ever done!” he exclaimed with glee as he soared up “Come on Luna we must be returning now” he looked down and saw that she was tucking the now chirping bundle under a wing “Luna, what in the Kings name are you doing? We should be flying back now right?” he asked as she started walking into the forest.
“I can’t Star” she replied “my wings are too sore, I would never make it back.” She sounded bitter but Falling Star didn’t seem to notice. “Hey Star, since I have to walk, be my eyes. I can’t see the city walls through these tree so please, lead me home now.” She asked.
Her friend nodded “As you wish”
It was hours before the city gates came into view and when they did panicked shouts called from them “It’s the Princess! Alert the Queen, we’ve found the Princess!” she heard guard calls as the gates were opened for her. She entered alone having sent Falling Star, unwilling, away knowing the trouble that would fall on him if it were known that he had been with her. A carriage was called and soon she was being whisked back to the castle.
When she arrived she saw her family waiting. Her Mother was in tears, more then likely caused by worry over her youngest daughter. Celestia stood next to their mother with a confused look on her face, and behind them both stood her father, looking disappointed as ever. That was what bothered her most, her father glaring at her. She looked down as she approached her family Celestia and her mother rush to her and wrapped her in a hug. “Luna, I was so worried about you! Where did you run off to!? And Why!?” he mother demanded through her tears.
Luna squirmed away from them and backed up, looking down “I’m sorry Mother.” From under her wing came a soft chirping.
Celestia tilted her head “Sister? What’s that under your wing dear sister?” she asked as she circled her sister.
“Oh… She is actually the reason that I was gone so long. I wanted to get you a gift Tia, so” she moved her wing to reveal the tiny, chirping baby phoenix she carried.
The queens jaw dropped as she starred at the bird “Luna, how in the world did you manage to obtain that?” she asked in shock.
Luna raised her chin proudly “HER name is Philomena, and I gained the favour of her Father, the leader of a phoenix flock.” She explained as she turned to her sister “For the glory of the sun, that is why he grants you his daughter Tia.”
Celestia hugged her sister tightly and took Philomena from her. “Thank you Lulu, thank you so very much.”
The moment the two parted the King stepped forward “LUNA!” his voice boomed out.
Luna leaped in fright “Yes father?” she asked nervously.
“Come with me, now!” he said as he turned and walked inside.
Luna’s ears pinned back as she followed her father slowly “Yes father.” The two walked slowly towards a part of the castle that Luna had never seen.