Short Shorts

by Coranth

108. A Mystery Performance at the Grand Galloping Gala (You Brighten My Day/Songfic) (Restored)

At this year's Grand Galloping Gala, the stage was set for two performers, neither of whom had been identified or named; they were mysteries and the crowd of Noble and Common Ponies in attendance was getting anxious. Finally the lights dimmed, leaving a single spotlight on stage... and it was then that a pure white, pink-maned pony stepped forward from the darkness... a pony all knew well. Noble and Common Pony gasped as one. "Princess Celestia!" cried Twilight Sparkle from her front row seat, for it was indeed the First Princess of Equestria, but without her regalia and her mane its natural pink. The audience quietened; not a single pony drew breath, as the beautiful Alicorn began to sing:

"The whispers in the morning of lovers sleeping tight
Are rolling by like thunder now as I look in your eyes
I hold on to your body and feel each move you make
Your voice is warm and tender
A love that I could not forsake"

Then another spotlight lit the stage as Daniel, utterly entranced, came out and moved toward his beloved mare. Celestia hugged him gently as she sang the first chorus.

"'Cause I am your lady
And you are my man
Whenever you reach for me
I'll do all that I can"

Celestia knelt and gazed up at Daniel, her expression heartfelt as she began the next verse...

"Lost is how I'm feeling
Lying in your arms
When the world outside's too much to take
That all ends when I'm with you"

The Princess Pony turned sadly away, gazing far into the distance...

"Even though there may be times
It seems I'm far away
But never wonder where I am
'Cause I am always by your side"

That was it; unattached and single mares swooned and fainted, whilst stallion-mare couples gazed into each other's eyes or held each other close; Daniel and Celestia didn't care, the Princess had turned back to look at Daniel and now they had eyes only for each other...

"'Cause I am your lady
And you are my man
Whenever you reach for me
I'll do all that I can
We're heading for something
Somewhere I've never been
Sometimes I am frightened
But I'm ready to learn
'Bout the power of love"

Celestia pressed her head gently against Daniel's chest, listening to his heart as she sang,

"The sound of your heart beating
Made it clear suddenly
The feeling that I can't go on
Is light years away
'Cause I'm your lady
And you are my man
Whenever you reach for me
I'm gonna do all that I can
We're heading for something
Somewhere I've never been
Sometimes I am frightened
But I'm ready to learn
'Bout the power of love..."

By the time the song was ended, there wasn't a dry eye in the room; everypony was in tears, even the guardsponies, though they tried to hide it behind a mask of stoicism. The night's performance, however, wasn't done; as Celestia's song finished, the Princess released Daniel from her embrace and then he began to sing unto his beloved mare:

"When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be."

Utterly overcome with emotion, Celestia wept silently; she stumbled then collapsed unto her side on the stage floor; but even as she fell, Daniel caught her, carried her, fell with her. He would bear her, hold her, carry her - forever - without question, without any hesitation. Celestia could do nothing but lay there in his lap, her head cradled in his arms as she cried and cried and cried. Petting her, stroking her, holding her ever so gently, the human man continued, and completed the special song for his special mare.

"There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
You raise me up... To more than I can be."

Through the music, powerful magic was worked that night - the magic of purest love - and all were overcome by it; so much so that all had to exit the Royal Palace and take a stroll through the gardens for a time, even Celestia and Daniel, and together they sat beneath a great Oak Tree where they gazed up, misty eyed, at beloved Luna's moon.