The Canterlot Wedding celebrations had finally passed over. Nopony was injured the invasion of the Changelings and Princess Celestia had gotten over her experience trapped in Queens Chrysalis cocoon and returned to ruling over Equestria alongside he sister, Princess Luna.
Most of the mane 6 surprisingly however had headed back to Ponyville. There were however good reasons for their absence. Applejack had promised Big Macintosh and Granny Smith she’d return with Applebloom as soon as possible to continue Apple bucking. Fluttershy had to make sure that all her animals were alright. Angel Bunny had promised her he’d after the place, but she didn’t always trust him. Rainbow Dash had no choice but to go back, being the chief weather Pegasus for Ponyville. She had also promised Scottaloo’s parents that she’d return her as soon as possible. Rarity meanwhile daren’t stay any longer then she’d have to, especially with Sweetie Belle constantly trying to “help” her. As for Pinkie Pie, her shoulder was aching so that meant Gummy had ended up in the bath again. Despite his harmlessness, Mr and Mrs. Cake were uneasy about Gummy being around the twins.
Only Twilight and Spike had remained in Canterlot to collect a few souvenirs. The two were trotting through the market square talking about the previous days. “Sometimes Spike,” said Twilight, “I think trouble just follows us around.”
“Well to be fair Twi,” began Spike, “you do know Princess Celestia, you and your friends can control the Elements of Harmony, and, you know Pinkie Pie. She’s just made of weird stuff.”
“You do provide a point there Spike,” conceded Twilight.
“You know, I think I might ask Rarity to marry me.” Spike began to day dream about his own wedding to Rarity. Twilight loved Spike dearly, but knew in her mind that it was more likely that Princess Luna would turn back into Nightmare moon, Discord returning, and both teaming up with Gilda, Trixie, the Diamond Dogs, The Flim Flam brothers and Queen Chrysalis and taking over Equestria with a Parasprite army.
‘Maybe trouble really does follow us everywhere’ Twilight thought to herself.
“Twilight?”
“Yeah Spike.”
“Have you ever been in love?”
Twilight thought to herself for a moment. “Well Spike, that really depends on how you would define love,” she responded. She herself didn’t really know how to define love itself. She knew of several definitions, but each one different from the other.
“I mean like how your brother loves Princess Cadence,” responded Spike.
“Oh, you mean love as in, you’d want to spend the rest of your life together.” Twilight thought again for a moment. “I wouldn’t say I’ve ever been ‘in’ love,” said Twilight putting extra emphasis on the in. “OK I’ve had a few flings in my time but, never in Love. I’m far too busy in my studies to even consider a long time relationship.”
“What do you mean flings,” asked Spike. Twilight just giggled a little. She just loved Spike’s little confusion spells. “Ah,” she said quickly before Spike got another word in, “just the shop I needed.”
It was a jewellery stall with many jewels and diamonds. What drew Twilight’s attention most off all though were the precious stones covered with a locked glass casing in the middle. After spending a couple years with Rarity, jewels and diamonds like these and no big shock. Precious stones however were even harder to come by and only a few select unicorns could actually find them. The perfect souvenir for her and her friends. “Excuse me,” she called hoping to gain the vender’s attention.
He eventually came out the back. He was a yellow unicorn with a brown mane and a cutie mark showing a Diamond, a Ruby and a precious stone in the shape of a triangle. “Ah Miss Twilight Sparkle,” he said.
Twilight was taken aback. “I’m do apologise but, do I know you?”
“Unlikely,” he responded. “However I have heard of you.”
“Really.”
“Well of course. You’ve saved equestrian a number of times. I’m surprised you don’t harassed in the streets with the papers. So what brings you to my store? I’m Diamond Miner by the way.”
“Well Mr. Miner,” began Twilight, “I’m looking for some souvenirs for my friends. They’ve already returned to Ponyville.”
“Of course. After the recent events I would retire as soon as possible.”
“Quite. Well I noticed you had some precious stones for sale and I was hoping if I can by some of them for my friends.”
“Of course. Any you have in mind.”
Twilight looked down at the stones. 6 did catch her eyes. One was a light purple like the highlights in her hair. Another white with what looks like blue veins circling around it. Another a blue with a pink dot on the top. Another a simple a similar shade to Fluttershy’s mane. Another was a cyan blue one with a white streak circling it. The final one her eyes were glued on was red with several green sparkles circling into to one point. “I’ll take these 6,” she said pointing at each one with her hoof.
“Excellent choice Miss Sparkle,” said Diamond. “That’ll be 900 bits.”
“900 BITS,” exclaimed Twilight causing several ponies to look at her.
“Well, they are precious stones,” pointed out Diamond. “Tell you what, seeing as it is you, I’ll reduce the price. 700 bits.”
Twilight thought about this. This was for her friends after all and he had reduced the price by 200 bits still... “How about 650?”
Diamond breathed through his teeth. “I can go as low as 680. I can’t go lower than that.”
Twilight still pondered over this. Spike nudged her side. “Come on Twi, it’s a good deal. Take it already.”
Twilight breathed out. “You’ve got a deal Diamond.”
Diamond held out his hoof and Twilight shook it. “Pleasure doing business with you.”
The stones were placed in a bag and Twilight and Spike headed towards Canterlot station for the next train to Ponyville.