//------------------------------// // The Winter Moon Celebration // Story: The Destiny of Luna // by first-flakes-of-snow //------------------------------// Luna wriggled in her seat gleefully, bubbling with excitement. She could barely contain the eagerness contained within her; she would practically burst if it didn't start soon. The young filly beamed at her two elder sisters who returned the smile. The middle sister, Princess Chrysalis, was a peach coloured alicorn with a long, straight dark violet mane. She owned a pair of glittering green eyes; if Luna was brighter, she would have said that they were like a thousand precious emeralds basking in the sunlight. But Luna was not very bright, so she thought them like the green green grass that covered the kingdom. Chrysalis’ cutie mark was a rose with the petals in the shape of hearts. The rose represented how she used her magic to make plants grow, flowers, grass, trees, everything! The hearts represented how she did it with love. The eldest sister, Celestia, was said to be blessed with heavenly beauty since birth. Luna didn't know if that was true or not, but her sister was indeed one of the most beautiful ponies that she had ever seen. Her fur was a snow white, which reflected off the sun, making her seem like an angel. Her light pink mane was incredibly long, so long that it nearly trailed on the ground, and it waved in the breeze when she walked. Her cutie mark was of a shining sun. Luna didn't want to look at ‘Tia’s flank much, but it seemed to glisten when you looked at it. Luna didn't feel that she matched the regal beauty of either of her sisters. While her sisters both had light fur, like angels or fairies, Luna had a dark blue fur colour, almost as dark as the night sky. While Chryssi’ and ‘Tia both had long, shimmering manes, Luna had a short, simple blue mane that she wasn't proud of. The night filly made a silent vow to herself to grow her hair long. There was one thing Luna was proud of- Her Cutie Mark! She had raised the moon for a while now, but only with help, last week was the first time she had raised the moon alone (although mother did the stars)! Everyone in the family was proud of her and now they were having a celebration to honor her! Luna turned in her seat to stare at her cutie mark. It was the night sky, patterned with the silver moon and stars (although mother did the stars). The more Luna stared at the pattern on her flank, the more she realized that that one image represented her future of raising the moon, protecting the night, it was her desti- “Luna! I know you're happy with your cutie mark, but please don't shove your rear end in my face!” Luna blushed and sat down in her seat. She had indeed accidentally shoved her behind into Chrysalis’ face while admiring her cutie mark. The middle alicorn chuckled and placed her hoof over her sister's shoulders. “Excited about the celebration?” “Yes. I've been waiting for forever!” Celestia interrupted her sister's conversation with a shrill cry. “It's starting!” Luna and Chrysalis eagerly paused their conversation to witness the incredible event. Slowly, their mother stepped in front of her subjects. Immediately a great cheer erupted from the crowd and mother raised a hoof to silence them. Mother was, without a doubt, the most beautiful alicorn that ever lived. She had long crimson hair that flowed with the wind, her large wings and white fur made her look like a graceful swan and her gleaming eyes glanced onto her daughters with a broad smile. “My subjects,” she began “It is my greatest joy to fully begin,” she paused to use her powerful wings to gently fly into the air. “The Winter Moon Celebration!” Immediately there was a stamping of hooves from the ponies down below. The queen again raised a hoof to silence them. “Every year to now, I myself have begun the celebration. But now,” she glanced at her children with fondness. “My daughters will begin the ceremony!” There was a loud ’oooh’ from her subjects, but they slowly became silent as the ceremony began. The queen landed next to her three daughters. She smiled at Chrysalis. “You first, sweetie!” Chryssi’ nodded and rose into the air. She flew higher and higher until she was directly above the ponies beneath. She then closed her eyes and her horn was covered in a magic aura. Instantly, the flowers and plants began to close, bending forward as they slept. They did not die, but simply rested until summer. The fire coloured leaves fell off the trees leaving the trees quite bare and new flowers began to grow, Snowdrops. They instantly rose from the ground and bloomed, covering the ground. There were so many that, from Luna's point of view, they looked just like snow. The ponies below sighed and smiled, some shivered, but all admired the beauty. As soon as Chryssi’ sat down, Celestia spread her wings and flew into the sky. The air was chilly and windy, but Tia was not put off. As she rose, the bright sun slowly slid down from the sky, out of view. The sky was covered in darkness. Luna smiled as Celestia returned to her seat. This was her moment now. Flapping her tiny wings, she propelled herself into the air. Steading herself and trying not to look down, she closed her eyes and raised her hooves. Immediately the silver-white moon rose into the sky, its silvery light flooding the darkness. (Mother raised the stars afterwards) The ponies from the small foals to the large stallions fell silent as they stared at the small filly aglow with the moon's light. Occasionally a simple sentence came from the ponies below. “She's so cute!!” “I wonder how she raises the moon, it must be so difficult!” “Is she a princess mommy? Will I be a princess too?” When the moon was highest in the sky, Luna landed next to her sisters, who embraced her tightly. As her mother continued the ceremony, Luna couldn't help but feel an immense joy. In her heart she sensed that life was only going to continue to get better and she would live the peaceful life of a princess, raising the moon every night. “Yes.” Luna thought as she looked at the glistening moon. “It can only get better from here!”