After 100 moons of training, it was the day of truth: The Celestial Raise.
‘As per tradition’, Father said, ‘The royal celestial child will raise either the sun or the moon, signifying glory and proving their place as a ruler of Equestia! And you, my dear Celestia, will be the shining star in the night sky!”
The way he said “night sky” made me feel uncomfortable, as if he is trying to say, “The sun needs to bring some real beauty to that dark sky”. I was about to speak up, but Celestia slowly shook her head. “Don’t.”, her eyes said. The four of us went out into the balcony to begin the ceremony.
The air was still yet festive. Ponies from all over Equestria came to witness Celestia raise the sun for the first time. Celestia took her place, Father and Mama between us. I looked around and wished that I could have my ceremony at the same time as my sister, but Father was so stubborn when it came to tradition. Mama must have seen me upset. “Don’t you worry, sweetheart. Remember, you get your chance at dusk.” That made me feel better.
I looked across to Celestia, expecting to see a filly with head held high. But instead, I saw a pony who looks like she is about to have a heart attack. She was shaking like she was trying to contain an earthquake.
‘Pss...Tia…..Tia!’ I signaled to Celestia behind my parents.
She looked at me, eyes filled with horror. ‘What…?’ she whispered back to me.
‘You alright?’
‘Yeah...maybe...not really! Look at all those ponies! What if I can’t do it?!’
‘Tia! Snap out of it! I’ve seen you practice, and you are amazing. You’re a natural at this. Just take a deep breathe and do it!’
‘Celestia! Luna! Enough.’ Father sayed, turning back with eyes narrowing.
I looked over at Celestia again. She still seemed a bit nervous, but with less of an earthquake effect. She took a deep breathe. Her body stoped shaking almost instantly. She looked right at me.
‘Thanks’ she mouthed at me.
I nodded my head. ‘Good luck.’ I mouthed back.
The trumpets blew, and the crowd silenced themselves. Father stepped forward and began.
‘Citizens of Equestia! Welcome to this momentous occasion. Today, only moments before dawn, my daughter, Princess Celestia of Equestria, will raise the sun to begin the day.
My wife, Queen Tenebris, will do the honors of lowering the moon, making way for the shining light of the sun! Princess Celestia…’ Fathers turned to Celestia,’ ...please step forward.’
Celestia, looking as calm as she possibly could, walked up to the front of the balcony.
Mama and Celestia took their places. Slowly, the moon started to set. Celestia controlled all her magic into her horn, and surely, the sun started to move. The crowd went wild as the light hit the shadowed land. Celestia didn’t look at them. Her only concern looked to be getting the sun high enough. Everything seemed to be going according to plan. She spread her wings, preparing to fly up to complete the raise. The sun continued to rise, but Celestia was still on the ground. She should have been in the air by then!
‘Are you alright?’ I tried to ask as quietly as possible.
‘Can’t…fly…!’ she says, her voice as scared as ever.
I looked at Father, disappointment and shame written all over his face. I can’t let Tia fail at a time like this!, I thought, she has worked too hard for this to happen!
I took a step into the shadows without Father noticing. I mustered up as much magic as I could. Then, my horn began to glow. I pointed it at Celestia, and thankfully, she was lifted off the ground. Holding a filly my size was not too much of a challenge, but it was no walk in the park either.
Finally, Celestia spread her wings. I cut off the magic, watching her complete the ceremony. Inches before the sun reaches it’s place, Tia’s entire body lit up, even brighter than the body she was lifting. Everypony shaded their eyes. Once the extra light disappeared, we were exposed to what it hid. On her once spotless flank laid a picture of the sun, and we all knew what that meant.
Celestia got her cutie mark!
The crowd was in awe, cheering harder than ever before! Celestia, however, didn’t seem to notice. With her last bit on energy and one final push, the sun was finally in the sky. Celestia lowered herself, collapsing on the ground the moment she hit it. I ran up to give her a hug, but Mama stopped me. She gestures to the crowd, and I got the message: Let her have this moment.
The crowd of ponies stomped and roared for longer than I thought! After some news ponies come to talk to Father and Celestia, she trotted over to me. I ran to her, giving her a hug so big that even the sun would choke from it.
‘That was AMAZING, Tia! I mean, WOW! The crowd loved it!’ I said, still in awe.
‘I am still shocked myself.’ she said, catching her breathe, ‘By the way, thanks for levitating me. Who knows what would have happened if you hadn’t! You are the best!’
‘I know! But on more important matters’, I pointed to her flank, ‘You finally got your---’
We looked at each other in excitement.
Celestia began the countdown, ‘Three...two...one…’
‘CUTIE MARK!!!’ we said in unison!
The two of us rambled on about her new cutie mark. Then Celesia had an idea.
‘Wait...I got my cutie mark by raising the sun. So that means that you might get your by raising the moon tonight!’
‘You think?’
‘Positive! It makes sense.’
My grin widened even further. Maybe tonight will be my chance to shine! I decided to relax for the rest of the day, conserving my strength for tonight’s ceremony. Mama gave me some extra tips for raising the moon and I was ready. Now all there was to do was wait. And wait. And wait.