Crowning time! I don't know the slightest thing about how Celestia and Luna became rulers -were they destined to be, no matter what? Did they do something great, gaining their alicorn status in the process? I don't know, so I went with the first option.

That said...enjoy!

…Once did a pony who shone like the sun…

"Without further delay, dear mares, stallions, foals and fillies, I am proud to present you today the Sun Princess Celestia, the Star Princess Staria, and the Moon Princess Luna! May their rule be long and peaceful! Long live the Princesses!"

"Long live the Princesses! Long live the Princesses!"

The cry rebounded off the high walls of the throne room. The three sisters stood there, tall and regal, facing the small crowd of their allies, dignitaries, guards and such.

Luna sported a smile brighter than the sun itself, and Celestia looked radiant as ever, a content, happy smile resting on her graceful features. At long last, Equestria was united under their rule. A time of peace was coming, after all the hardships they had endured; it was finally time for them to fulfil their destinies. A time for greatness, where each one of them would shine in the best way possible, a time of bliss and fulfilment. Sure, Staria knew ruling wouldn't be all sun and roses, but she was up to the challenge, with her sisters. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with, an unbreakable shield against the dark forces that once threatened to overrule them. Their ponies would never fear again; the three mares would make sure of that.

They lead the solemn procession towards the balcony, where the rest of their ponies anxiously awaited them. As soon as they appeared to the crowd below cheers and cries of happiness were heard, their names yelled in fervour towards the sun; the new monarchs stood, facing the endless crowd of cheering ponies, unicorns, Pegasus and earth ponies alike, careless of their differences…it was truly a sight to behold, a sight she would never forget. So many of them, assembled together only for their coronation…Had she ever seen so many ponies assembled together?

"Long live the Princesses! Long live the Princesses!"

The cry was echoed by maybe a thousand voices, young and old. Luna waved around frantically, with the energy of a young mare, whereas Celestia regally saluted the crowd, mindful of the way she appeared. Staria didn't even know why she bothered; the eldest always looked her best no matter what. Maybe it was a matter of boosting her ego? The thought made her chuckle. It would be so like Celestia, who loved being in charge of anything –and loved the attention it got her. To each their own guilty pleasures, she thought. If Celestia likes to be adored, so be it –heaven knows we have a right to appreciate it, today. It's our day. Let's make the most of it

Looking at her two happy sisters, she wondered how she could have ever doubted about their abilities to overcome whatever was thrown their way. Their bond was strong.

But seeing these thousands of ponies, looking up towards them three with so much joy and confidence, entrusting them with all of their fates…

Were they really deserving of so much devotion?

She wanted to say yes, but they hadn't really done anything to deserve it, had they? Fate had chosen them for a reason. Maybe it was a test, and they would have to prove themselves worthy of the crowns they now wore on their heads.

A gentle smile bloomed on her face. They would prove themselves. Besides, now was not the time to worry; she could think further on the matter tonight, as she raised the stars with…With Luna!

That's right, she suddenly realised. Tonight is Luna's first official raising of the Moon, and our first duty together as rulers of the Night. She did it for the first time yesterday…but she still has to get used to it, and I'll be there every step of the way to help her. We'll always have time for Night gazing, contrary to what she feared… This time she grinned and allowed herself to fully enjoy the moment, forgetting all about her previous doubts. As long as she had her sisters…everything would be fine.

Always.

The festivities lasted well into the day, that Celestia allowed to last longer than usual so the ponies could celebrate in daylight. But everyone had to eventually retire, and soon the sun had been lowered from the sky, allowing the Night to take her rightful place. In the darkness, fireworks were launched into the air in colourful sparks amidst laughter and smiles. Staria watched on with a tranquil happiness, gaze transfixed on the beautiful display before her. Her dark mane flew with the wind, gently rippling and giving her an almost other-worldly aura –one she would one day earn, but not quite yet. She observed their ponies with care and joy, keen ears and eyes waiting for the moment where they would all quieten in anticipation. Instead, she heard some shuffling behind her, and she caught sight of her sister in the dimly lit balcony. Staria smiled at her.

"It's almost time, Sister." She whispered, laying a gentle wing on the small alicorn's back as she approached. "Are you ready?"

"I…" Luna hesitated. "I'm scared, Sister. What if the first time was pure luck? What if I can't raise the Moon tonight? What will they think? I…What if I'm not as good as Celestia –as you?" Staria's heart ached for her sister. Gone was the happiness and the pure joy from earlier, replaced by anxiousness and fear that shouldn't be there, that shouldn't be allowed to bring her spirits down. She carefully bumped her nose against hers.

"The Moon is part of who you are, Luna. As much as the Sun is a part of Celestia, as much as the Stars are a part of me…I don't raise the Stars like Celestia raises the sun, so why should you do your duty like either Celestia or I do? Find your own way, Sister. Just trust your instincts."

Luna didn't look convinced, but she stepped forward anyway. Below, it had gone quiet; they awaited the Moon's rising, something that definitely did not help soothing Luna's troubled mind. She took a deep breath, and closed her eyes; slowly, she reached out with her magic, away from the balcony, away from the castle, further, always further, behind the forest and the hills, behind the meadows and the fields, behind the desert, always further…below the horizon. Beads of sweat appeared on Luna's forehead, and Staria worriedly wondered if she'd manage it at all, with how shaking she was. She almost reached out to steady her, but…Luna would be wounded. She needed to do this on her own.

On the horizon, the great white orb slowly rose above ground. Gasps of awe were heard from the ponies below, but luckily they did not seem to notice the celestial body was trembling, going slightly off-track at times during its unsteady rise in the Night sky. Luna had opened her eyes by now, watching it all with a slightly disappointed gaze. Inwardly, she wondered if she would ever be anything like her two sisters –Celestia had never trembled while raising the Sun! Why wasn't she as good as her? Or Staria? What was she lacking! The Moon began to fall slightly with her lack of focus, and the Moon Princess immediately rectified with a panicked expression. It was so heavy! Just how did they manage to do this everyday!?

At last when the Moon hung at her rightful place in the sky, Luna heaved a sigh of relief as cheers once more erupted beneath them. She felt someone stroke her back, and she turned around to meet her sister's proud eyes.

"You did it, Luna," she said, embracing her. "See? You had nothing to worry ab-"

"It wasn't good. I nearly knocked it out of the sky! I'm certain Celestia or you never-"

"Can I tell you a secret?"

"Huh?"

Luna's look of confusion made her laugh. Staria smiled and bent her head towards the youngest.

"Celestia also struggled in the beginning. The first time she raised the Sun…it was too close to the Earth, and she burned off a whole orchard."

"Really!?"

"Yeah! And she tried to hide it from mom by repaying the ponies with our own resources, but she noticed –and Celestia was forbidden from raising the Sun until she'd learned not to be so careless with it. It took her nearly three months of sulking and acting her best to convince her. Must be the only time I ever saw her pouting."

"Celestia? Pouting?"

"Yeah. It was hilarious! I still have the picture somewhere, if I ever need to blackmail her."

"You're so evil!"

"I know."

The thought that their perfect sister could fail at anything made the youngest laugh, and the self-imposed pressure on her shoulders decreased drastically. Luna rolled over in hysterical laughter, completely forgetting about her first clumsy experience with the Moon. She laughed and laughed until she was out of breath, and later that night, she had another fit upon greeting Celestia at breakfast. Seeing the Elder's look of utter confusion did nothing to lessen her mirth, especially when Staria refused to share the reason of her laughter, winking at her as she did so. It would remain one of her most precious memories, ever.

When her laughter finally died down, she gazed at her sister in wonder. She stood now under the sky, raising the beautiful stars one by one, until their small lights shone in perfect harmony with that of the Moon. The Alicorn looked so serene, at peace; in her element. She also noticed her sister didn't seem to be struggling at all. Luna decided to voice her thoughts.

"You make it look so easy…isn't it hard?" Staria glanced at her from the corner of her eyes, never stopping her job.

"The Stars are lighter than the Moon, little Moonbeam. It is different than raising the Moon; it'll become easier with time, don't worry. But you should go to sleep; you are exhausted."

"Not fair," she yawned. "It's my duty…to stay awake…" But her eyelids were dropping, and she suddenly became aware of exactly how exhausting the process had truly been. She felt herself being picked up, and carried away to her room. Staria's magic prepared her bed, letting her sister slip in. Luna snuggled under the covers, with a contented sigh, but reopened her eyes when she felt her sister leave her side.

Staria went back to her post by the window, her magic a white, transparent mist surrounding the top of her head. The Stars could not wait, the Night was already there. And a thousand ponies still waited to be guided by them, lost souls following the path they set in the sky towards their resting place. Luna's tired eyes slowly closed under the watchful gaze of her sister, lulled to sleep by the gentle lullaby Staria softly hummed under her breath.

Sleep in peace now, my little one, for every time you will be down, I will be there, right by your side, lifting you up to reach the sky…

For her first day as a princess, Luna fell asleep with a smile on her face, thinking things couldn't have gone better.

Of course, she couldn't imagine how things would turn out in the future.