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Nearly a month had passed since Cielo's mysterious recovery and everything was seemingly normal once more, Celestia's feathers had all grown back within the first few days of her using regenerative magic and she could now move her wings just fine without showing any visible pain. The damage was still there and would not be healed anytime soon but unless she put strain on her wings nopony would ever even notice anything out of place with her. Luna and Cielo seemed to grow closer with each passing day after his return, gone were his cleaning duties and his title was restored by princess Luna. Now his only task was to just keep her company and that was no task at all in his eyes. The closer the two became the more Luna started to open up to Cielo soon expressing her true feeling toward her sister, how she felt repressed and really just wanted an escape; to be treated like an equal and to be free like any other mare.

Soon after Luna shared a plan to achieve her goals with Cielo; Luna wanted to see Equestria once more, something she felt her sister would not allow. Though Luna changed her ways there was still a large portion of ponies that feared her, sure Luna could be short tempered at times but she was not a princess to be feared by the public; she was kind, gentle and caring princess. After hearing all of this Cielo did something he never thought he'd have to do, Cielo stopped reporting to princess Celestia. Celestia put up with this for a little while but began to keep a closer eye on Luna when she was with Cielo. What Celestia saw concerned her, Celestia would often see Luna giving Cielo a little nuzzle or hear Luna talking to him an a rather playful tone, the more Celestia watched the more she suspected her sister was falling in love with Cielo.

Unsure of what more to do Celestia kept a watchful eye on Cielo and Luna the best she could, upon the arrival of princess Cadance Celestia approached Cadance and asked her to aid her in keeping an eye on Cielo and Luna. Cadance agreed but did so more for her own curiosity as to how Luna and Cielo acted around one another, after a few days of keeping out of sight and tailing Luna and Cielo princess Cadance felt she had the answer Celestia sought.

A few days later the door to Luna's chambers creaks open as she slumbers peacefully, each time she rested her head Luna was able to once more sleep soundly with Cielo back at her side. The first few days upon his return were rough but sure enough just knowing he was there for her should she need him helped Luna push back Nightmare Moon's grip on her dreams once more.

Closing the door softly Cielo made his way to the side of Luna's bed, leaning in he gently nuzzled under her chin. "Princess~ it's time to wake~" Cielo called out in a soft voice.

Luna let out a little moan slowly opening her eyes as Cielo lifted his head back up and smiled, Luna jumped a little before realizing who the stallion before her was. Since she slept during the day she kept her room nice and dark making it easier for her to sleep. "You scared me Cielo" Luna grumbled dropping her head back down to the pillow "Just a bit more we require more time"

Cielo rolled his eyes with a slight grin and walked over to Luna's window, pulling the shades back Cielo let in a stream of light that caused Luna to throw a little tantrum and cover her head up with her blankets. With no other choice Cielo walked over to Luna's bed side, took her blankets in his mouth and pulled them off her revealing a rather irritated mare. "Princess you must get up now or you'll be late ushering in the night, you can come back and rest a bit more after if you need to but you must get up now!" Cielo protested in an apologetic tone not eager to get on Luna's bad side. "I'm sorry princess Luna I'm just trying to help"

Stretching a bit Luna willed herself to climb out of bed all be it very slowly "Kindly fetch our armor" Luna said to Cielo in a stern voice making it sound like an order.

"Are we back to speaking to ourselves in the third pony?" Cielo asked softly as he went to fetch her armor as requested.

Luna corrected herself realizing she might be sounding a little rude to Cielo for no good reason, "Sorry, I meant would you please fetch me my armor Cielo. I did not mean to sound rude, I'm just a bit sleepy still"

Cielo walked back to with her armor in mouth setting it down before her and bowing his head, "no need to apologies to me princess Luna" Cielo said softly.

Using her magic Luna began to put on her armor, shoes first, followed by her neck piece then crown "But if I'm to speak like this to you then perhaps you would also do as I asked of you and just call me Luna~" She said in a teasing tone causing Cielo to blush a little.

Looking back up at her Cielo smile "Yes Luna forgive me, addressing you so casually will take a little getting used to but I will give it my best to not forget again"

With a smile Luna went to her window and gazed outside at the setting sun "Cielo, do you think it wise of me to have called a conference... I mean I want this but is it right?" Luna inquired questioning her decision. "I mean what if I mess something up..."

Cielo walked to Luna's side and looked out the window with her "right or wrong I cannot say Luna, I am not you so I can only imagine how you feel but I don't think you would be doing this if you felt it was not right" Cielo let out a little sigh and smiled as he looked over at Luna. "Even if you mess something up who cares, that's part of life Luna. You can't let fear stand in your way or you might regret it down the road, there will always be what ifs that pester you around every corner. The fact you chose to dedicate yourself to seeking an answer is sure to yield a better outcome than simply pondering over what could be. If things don't go as planned I'll still be right by your side to help you through it and together we'll find a new path, the old saying when one door closes another opens is still around for a reason you know"

Luna looked over at Cielo listening to every word, though she felt he might have been overplaying it a bit she was still taken by the kindness of his gesture to comfort her. Leaning down Cielo's heart skipped a beat as Luna gently nuzzled his cheek. "Thank you~" She whispered softly to the young stallion leaving him love-struck for a moment. With a little giggle Luna walked pasted the stunned stallion having to order Cielo to follow her just to snap him back to reality. Leaving her chambers Luna walked down the castle corridors and to the outer exterior of the castle near the garden. Cielo stopped as Luna neared the stairs to the altar causing Luna to look back at him and stop as well "Do you care to join me Cielo?"

Cielo looked at Luna as though she had proposed some asinine plan to him "Really!? I mean... you'd let me go to the altar with you?"

"I know it's not an offer you might have expected to leave my lips but yes Cielo that is what I meant" Luna replied with a slight blush. "It has been some time sense anypony has joined Celestia or I during a raising of the sun or moon, due to the amount of concentration it requires of us we are left rather venerable during and for a few seconds afterwards" Luna explained "But I trust you Cielo and I'm not sure I would have made it this far without you helping me along, I wouldn't feel right if I did not offer you the chance to join me in ushering in this important night"

Cielo stood speechless for a moment while Luna waited patiently for his reply "Luna... yes, yes I would love to join you! Thank you for offering me the chance to bear witness to such a sight, I am truly, Truly honored!" Cielo replied enthusiastically bowing his head.

"Then come alone~" Luna reapplied in a slightly flirty tone as she started to make her way up the stone steps to the altar. Cielo quickly followed her excited and a little nervous at the same time, to be given such an honor would give anypony butterflies in there stomach. It took them a few minutes to walk up all the steps and reach the top of the altar, based on the very edge of the mountain Cielo looked down over the ledge at the ground below. Spending most of his time inside the castle as of late it was easy to forget just how high up Canterlot sat. "Please stand over there Cielo" Luna asked pointing to one of the pillars, "The circle must be cleared during the raising"

Cielo looked down and realized that Luna and him were in the center of the altar, a perfect circle carve out of marble ran through the rest of the stone. "Sorry" Cielo quickly apologized and left Luna's side, walking over next to the pillar Cielo turned to face Luna once more waiting in anticipation.

"You're the first pony aside from my sister I have allowed up here with me you know" Luna looked over at Cielo with a slight blush admitting in her own way she was a tad bit nervous. Cielo bowed his head and thanked Luna once more for her kindness and generosity, letting out a little sigh Luna smiled a bit and turned her focus forward. Closing her eyes Luna stretched her wings a little to help her relax as her horn began to glow a soft blue. Suddenly marking started to appear throughout the altar surrounding Luna, a slight breeze kicked up generating from the circle itself. Luna's eyes shot open at the exact moment all the markings connected and a strong magical aura surrounded her, Luna's eyes were now a solid white, piercing and intimidating. Lowering her head the aura became stronger and brighter, her wings shot open causing the breeze being generated to pick up even more. Cielo looked on in awe watching the events taking place before his eyes; it took him a moment to realize it was growing darker. Cielo turned his gaze from Luna in time to see the sun disappear completely; looking in the opposite direction the moon was being raise from the horizon higher and higher into the sky, stars could soon be seen as the only light now cast on the land was that of the moon's soft glow. Watching closely the moon started to darken, turning from a bright yellowish glow to a deep pinkish, darkening more and more until the moon itself was crimson.

Cielo looked back at Luna in time to see the aura begin to fade away, the breeze died down completely and Luna's eyes started to return to normal. Within seconds only Luna's horn remained glowing but that too soon ended, "That was awesome!" Cielo exclaimed, it took him a moment to notice Luna was panting rather heavily. "Luna?" Cielo took a step towards her "Are you okay?"

Luna looked over to Cielo and smiled a bit nodding "Like I said... Celestia and I are vulnerable during and for a few moments after..." Luna panted. "It takes quite a bit of magic to raise the moon or sun when done this way"

Seeing as Luna was now done Cielo entered the circle once more. "I don't understand, I have seen Celestia raise the Moon before when I was in ponyville and she did it with little effort while in town"

"That can be done yes but in order to do that she would have already come to this altar and poured her magic into it" Luna explained finally catching her breath. "Once that has been done the sun or moon can be raised from anywhere however only IF the magic required to do so was given prior to the event"

"I never knew it was so complicated or how much energy it took... that's amazing" Cielo looked back up at the moon. "A crimson moon, it's quite beautiful"

"Thank you" Luna Looked up at her work with a prideful smile. "For me it symbolizes a new beginning and change thought each pony may find their own meaning behind it one thing I can be sure of is it will get everypony talking and that's good, I want them eager to learn about what I have to say"

"Well then my dear princess of the night we should not linger, allow me to escort you back to your chambers so you may ready yourself for tonight's agenda~" Cielo said playfully causing Luna to give him a little shove.

"Stop acting like a goofball" Luna blushed a little and smiled at Cielo addressing her as dear. Cielo chuckled a bit seeing Luna smile at his poor attempt at flattery knowing full well he was being foolish. Luna lost her smile after a moment becoming a bit more somber. "You don't have to do this you know" She said unexpectedly with a little sigh looking in Cielo's direction. "Go to the conference with me, I know you and my sister have a history together and the two of you seemed close at one point... won't this put you at odds?"

Cielo looked up at the stars with a little smile "It might but I made a promise to stand by your side didn't I?" Cielo looked over at Luna letting his eyes meet with hers, "I want to be there with you Luna that's my choice, I choose to stay at your side because I enjoy being around you. I want to be there if you need me for anything no matter what that may be and if that means your sister and I must be at odds then so be it but who knows, maybe Celestia will shock you and be open to your idea" Cielo knew that would not be the case but hoping never hurt, chances are Celestia was already crossed with him for not reporting to her as he was supposed to. "My place is at your side for as long as you'll allow me to remain"

Luna almost teared up as Cielo spoke; it had been some time since anypony was willing to stand by her like that. In a way Luna was reminded in that moment how Celestia and her use to be before Luna lost herself to jealousy and disperse allowing her hatred to give birth to Nightmare Moon. Turning her body to face Cielo she wrapped her hooves around him before he had a chance to react "Thank you for being there for me" Luna said softly closing her eyes and holding Cielo in a tender and loving embrace.

Cielo close his eyes and let himself be immersed in the moment, his ear resting gently against Luna's chest allowing him to hear the soft rhythmic sound of her heart beating. The tender moment was broken up by a loud clearing of Celestia's throat. Both Luna and Cielo's eyes shot opened to see a rather annoyed Celestia glaring at the both of them, Luna quickly let Cielo go rather embarrassed she was caught showing such affection to a stallion by her sister.

"Cielo... A word please" Celestia requested sounding annoyed, much to her's and Cielo's surprised Luna stepped forward and opened her wing blocking Cielo's path as if guarding him from Celestia.

"And just what would thou need with OUR guard?" Luna questioned Celestia in her own annoyed and snarky tone.

This irritated Celestia even more, taking a step forward she was now only a muzzles length away from her sister Luna "if THOU must know I simply need him to look over the security detail for YOUR big speech, he has other tasks aside from babysitting you!"

"How dare you... you!" Luna was now seething with anger.

Seeing this Cielo quickly stepped in hoping to avoid a fight between the two sisters. "No problem" Cielo quickly chimed peeking out from beneath Luna's wing having lifted it up a bit with his hoof. "That should take no time at all if you're okay with it Luna" Cielo asked walking past her wing. "I am your guard after all regardless if that bothers you princess Celestia" Cielo looked up at Celestia who was not amuse one bit at his remark.

"Cielo are you sure you're okay with going?" Luna asked looking almost worried for him.

"I'm sure Luna it won't take long, infact I can promise I'll be back before you're ready to leave your room to give your speech" Cielo reassured Luna.

Folding her wing back to her side Luna snorted angrily at Celestia before walking past her "Fine but don't be late Cielo" she demanded.

"On my word Luna I'll be on time" Cielo replied feeling a bit relieved a full blown fight was avoided. Celestia and Cielo made their way down the steps following Luna all the way back into the castle, the sisters parted ways when the hall split Celestia heading right while Luna headed left. Once Luna was out of earshot Cielo spoke up once more "Babysitting? That was a poor choice of wording; the whole situation could have gone better"

Celestia shot Cielo a glare but remained silent during the walk back to her chambers, upon reaching her chambers Celestia screamed at the two guards posted there ordering them to leave much to Cielo's shock. The two guards took off like scared little fillies bolting as quickly as they could out of Celestia's sight. Celestia stormed into her room with Cielo close behind, surprisingly Cielo was not nervous at all even though he should have been with Celestia as angry as she was. Celestia walked over near her fireplace and sat down as Cielo close the door "Why have you not reported to me in weeks Cielo?" Celestia asked in a clam but notably still angry voice.

"Well to be honest ma'am I have nothing I can tell you at this point in time and that's why I have yet to report in" Cielo started to walk over towards Celestia as he spoke.

"Nothing you CAN report?" Celestia questioned "as in you have something you could report but have not for some reason, let me guess, it has something to do about Luna's big announcement tonight right?"

"Correct" Cielo sat down next to Celestia and watched the flames of the fire dance atop the burning logs. "You are not too good at hiding your emotions Celestia and me telling you what I know would jeopardize all that we have worked for. Luna is doing better is she not? No nightmares, she's less agitated and making better and better decisions. This is what you wanted right? Your little sister healthy again" Cielo continued. "Even if I did tell you and you were able to keep yourself from confronting Luna about it she would still know somepony tipped you off your reaction to the announcement... I don't get why you're so mad"

Celestia stared into the fire for a moment with Cielo "Jeopardize all that we have worked for huh...?" Celestia asked causing Cielo to look over at her, turning her head Celestia eyes narrowed "And at what point did I order you to chase after my sisters heart... care to explain that part of the plan to me Cielo..." Celestia asked in an angry and harsh tone glaring at Cielo demanding a response.