A soft growl emerged from the massive box. It was larger than even Princess Celestia, which few creatures were, but she had bagged it.

Not that she had meant to. Daring Do tipped her head. "Who woulda thought you'd fall for the old candy bait..." She gave the box a push and it wheeled along on small rollers installed underneath it.

The guards at the castle nodded to her as she passed. She wasn't a true 'regular' of the palace, but she'd been seen enough times to be allowed forward. She also knew the way and wheeled her bounty into the throne room, where the two diarchs of the land sat in their regal splendor.

Luna tilted her head down at the adventurer and the box she brought forward with little squeaks of its wheels. "What is this? Is this a danger to the kingdom you've brought for proper disposal?"

A little squeak came from the box even as Daring Do moved around it. "I don't think this thing is much a threat to anypony. I found this creature far into the unknown lands to the west. It seems... mostly harmless, but I thought you two would know best how to handle it."

Celestia raised a brow. "Surely it would have been better left in its native environment?"

Luna shook her head. "Our menagerie is of some repute. If you think it would please us, let us see it. I can scarcely see a hint of it in that crate. It can breathe, we hope?"

Daring hopped up onto the box in a leap of some dexterity and a powerful flap of her wings. "As you command, Princess of the Night." She grabbed a knot of metal in her teeth and pulled with a tremendous heave, sliding up the side of the box and revealing the darkness within.

The guards snapped to attention, weapons at the ready.

Emerging from the dark came the immense quivering nose of what seemed to be a mammal. It was pinkish red and soon followed by a brown snout and immense ears. To say nothing of its jutting two red horns. The creature was about a quarter larger than even Celestia, but gazed at them both without malice in its eyes.

It looked left and right at the either of them before it reared up on its hind legs, making the guards practically panic.

Luna was not so easily intimidated. She rose from her throne and returned the gesture, rising to her full height, even if it didn't match the creatures. "Greetings, strange one. Aren't you an impressive specimen... of whatever you are."

It charged. Its great rabbit-like feet propelled it forward before the stunned guards could even move. It struck!

Luna found herself in the embrace of the creature that was cuddling her like she was its lost toy. "Release me this instant!" she commanded, and it didn't respond besides to squeeze her tightly with happy noises as it did so.

Daring Do tilted her head. "I told you, it seems harmless."

Celestia snickered into a hoof. "I do believe it's damaging my sister's dignity."

Luna glared at her sister. "You wouldn't have that smirk on your face if it was holding you."

Celestia shook her head. "Don't begrudge it. It clearly favors you."

Even as Luna squirmed, Daring tipped her hat and moved to depart. Her gift had been accepted, and she didn't need to be there for whatever came after. She had other business to tend to.

The creature looked up as a spear poked it. One of the guards had dared approach. "Release the Princess!"

It reached out with one paw-like hand, the other holding Luna firmly. The guard tried to jump out of the way, and did, the first time. The second wasn't as fortunate and he was plucked from the ground to be held against the creature a moment before it turned its two captives to face each other.

It pressed Luna's snout against the guard's as if pantomiming them kissing.

Celestia howled with laughter, unable to contain herself even as the guard went a deep shade of red. Luna had a deep scowl on her face, thoroughly unamused.

The laughter caught its attention. It gently placed the guard aside and pat it on the head like a favored pet, then stepped towards the cackling sun princess. The laughing came to an abrupt halt as she was plucked up and hugged close. He had both princesses, snuggling each in an arm as he made the most delighted noises, clearly finding their bodies quite pleasant to hug.

The pressure grew intense and Celestia squawked as she squirmed, trying to fight her way to freedom. Luna looked to her sister with a deadpan face. "You deserve this and you know it. Now you know how it feels."

She reached up and nudged the creature. "Now, you've had your fun. Put me down. Please."

As if that was indeed the magic word, the creature set Luna down gently and nodded at her.

Luna smiled. "So you can be reasoned with." She ruffled her wings as she tried to compose herself. "Can you speak?"

Celestia thrashed and kicked in the air, getting nowhere. "Get it off! It's, mmf, very strong!" She was laboring for breath from the merciless hug of love she was receiving.

Luna waved a hoof lightly. "Now now, it clearly favors you." Her smirk of vindication was wicked indeed, watching her sister suffer as she had done moments before. "Besides, it's not that tight. You aren't weaker than I am, sister dear?"

The creature lifted Celestia up suddenly, her rear high in the air, and her nose an inch from the rabbit-like creatures own. It brought her down just that precious inch to bump noses in a friendly nuzzle.

Celestia ventured a little smile. "You are a... friendly whatever you are."

Luna nodded in agreement. "I'm afraid it cannot be simply added to the garden. Imagine the shrieks from guests when it came to greet them."

Celestia gave a soft noise of thought even as she was brought in for a fresh round of hugs. "It certainly doesn't seem to mean any harm, but, yes, it would cause quite some dismay if we allowed it to greet guests. Relatedly, what does it eat?" Her magic reached up, brushing of its powerful jaws and sharp teeth. It felt more like that of a carnivore than a normal hare or rabbit. Celestia shivered faintly, realizing she was in the loving grasp of a hunter.

Luna approached and set a hoof on its belly. "Enough, please set her down."

It gently set Celestia beside her sister.

Luna smiled. "You like being spoken to politely." It nodded. "And you do understand me." It nodded. "Very well, then I will claim you as my own." It made a querying little noise. "Not as a slave, I assure. I accept responsibility for you. I will feed and house you. Your well-being will be my responsibility. Is this acceptable?"

Celestia put a hoof between them. "Hold your horses, sister." She looked at the large creature that had become under their care. "Do you wish to go home?"

The creature blinked at them with those large eyes before it leaned in, going to all fours and sniffing at Celestia, then Luna before it gave Luna a big lick across the cheek.

Luna quirked a smile. "We think it has declared its wishes clearly." Her eyes darted down. "And we should call it a 'he'."

Celestia blinked, a little snort escaping her. "Are you certain you're ready for this, Luna?"

Luna waved a hoof dismissively. "Spoken to frankly and with respect, he responds admirably. Like ourselves, he simply wishes to be treated properly." She turned away from both, to the guards. "Prepare a room adjacent to the gardens for our new guest and see that it is stocked with both vegetables and meat. Watch carefully f--"

Her words were cut off as the beast stepped over her and hugged her from above. Was he? She went a scarlet, but nothing more untoward than a full-body hug followed, pressing her back securely to his front in an affectionate display.

Luna let out a sigh of relief. "Watch what he eats and tailor what is offered."

Celestia snickered softly at the display. "You've said you were jealous of Philomena before, Luna. It appears you have a mythic creature of your own, and I should imagine he will try your patience at least as well as Philomena does for my own at times."

As if summoned with the utterance, a phoenix soared into the room and landed squarely on Celestia's head before leaning over the front of her and looking at her upside down. "Yes, you," spoke Celestia with a smile. "Such companions require a great deal of care and patience, but I think the effort is more than worth it."

Author's Notes:

Did you like it? It's an episode of cuteness!

If you find any typos, hug them until they squeal.