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// Prompt #279: Hers Is The Night 
// Story: Ponywatching 
// by ThunderTempest 
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The throne room in Canterlot Castle was largely empty. Only Celestia, Shining Armor and Cadance stood by the currently unoccupied throne. The whole room was bathed in the oranges and blues of a long, gentle twilight, and this was not without purpose.

In Celestia’s telekinetic grip were two weapons. The first was a gold-plated spear, the head of which was nearly the length of a normal pony’s leg by itself, as it curved back along the shaft of the weapon, forming two bladed edges. The second was a scythe, of sorts. The shaft of the weapon connected to the center of a crescent of steel. Both the outer and the inner curve of the weapon had been brought to almost absurdly sharp edges, and the castle armourer had spent the entire day polishing it.

At Celestia’s nod, Shining Armor and Cadance’s horns lit up, and they pulled open the doors of the throne room. On the other side, Princess Luna stood, her starry mane and tail shifting in the same unseen breeze that carried Celestia’s. Luna strode towards Celestia, the giant doors swinging shut behind her. Her hooves beat out a regular cadence on the marble floor, and once she was half way across the room, Luna stopped.

Celestia then started to walk towards Luna, the two weapons held firm in her magic, and Cadance and Shining Armor following half a pace behind. The two sisters met in the centre of the throne room, and once more, Celestia nodded to Shining Armor.

“Luna, are you prepared to once more take up the mantle of Princess of The Night?” he said.

“We are prepared,” said Luna.

“And are you ready to once more take command of Selene, and all the responsibility that it entails?” asked Shining Armor.

“We are,” replied Luna.

“And will you take up Umbra, should the need to defend Equestria yourself arise?”

“We will,” said Luna. Shining Armor looked up at Celestia, and he nodded. Celestia moved the scythe Umbra forward, until it hung between her and Luna. Luna reached out and grabbed the weapon with her own magic, Celestia’s golden glow giving way to a deep blue shimmer. Luna moved the weapon, her weapon until it hovered just behind her.

“We are the Princess of The Night, The Guide of A Thousand Stars, She Who Walks With Phobos and Deimos,” declared Luna, “the night is once more, ours.”

Luna’s magic reached out, beyond Equestria, and grasped Selene. Outside, oranges and yellows began to give way to darker and darker shades of blue. With a final heave, Luna brought the moon into the sky. The stars glittered and glimmered as the last of the sun’s light was chased from the sky by the encroaching night.

Inside the throne room, Shining Armor, Cadance and Celestia bowed before Luna, each saying the same thing.

“All Hail Princess Luna, Ruler of Equestria, and Princess of the Night.”

Once Luna had given the command to rise, Cadance and Shining Armor excused themselves, leaving just Celestia and Luna alone.

“We found that rather pointless,” grumbled Luna, giving her scythe a few test swings, “we have been raising the moon for the past week.”

“It’s about the ceremony, Luna. It’s a good way to re-introduce yourself to the ponies of Equestria, and you’ll be seeing a fair bit of Captain Armor and Cadance. It is best they get used to you and the idea that your voice holds as much weight as mine does sooner, rather than later.”

“Still,” said Luna, letting Umbra rest on her back.

“Don’t worry, Luna. I’ll keep your official appearances to the minimum for a while. But you should begin introducing yourself to the palace staff, at least.”

“We shall,” said Luna, walking up to the throne, and looking back at Celestia for permission. Celestia nodded, and Luna sat down.

“And sister,” said Luna, “it is good to be together again.”

“Yes, it is. Goodnight, Luna,” said Celestia, exiting the throne room.

“Good night, Celestia,” said Luna, as the doors closed.