> Long Live the Queen
>  by Balancer
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Long Live the Queen


Rose Bud walked into lecture hall A of Celestia’s University for Gifted Unicorns, full of trepidation. Today she would be starting a history paper and had one Professor ‘Dusty’ Tomb as course coordinator, the subject being the civil war and Her Majesty the Queen’s rise to power. She had always enjoyed that portion of history at school (she even played some period authentic ARLARP in her free time) but she held no doubts that Ol ‘Dusty’ would somehow make her favorite time period seem duller than the complete scholars guide to rock farming.

She had just finished setting up her recorder and opened a link to the infoweb, when an icon appeared in her peripheral vision indicating she had a message.


Looking forward to the lecture. So fun -.-


The ID tag indicated it came from Ice, a cute unicorn that usually sat three rows back from her; she turned round to face him and waved. As she opened a tab to reply the doors to the lecture room opened and the familiar wrinkled shape of ‘Dusty’ par walked part shuffled into the room to the desk set up the front. He smiled as he gazed around the room with half focused eyes, licking his lips in an absent minded way. 'Dusty' was something of particularity in the modern age, having decided many years ago that he wouldn't undergo any additional cosmetic rejuve treatments, opting to age and eventually die via old age.

He touched a screen built into the desk, as it lit up the crest of the university appeared in the air, hovering just above the center. At the same time the wall behind him lit up as welcome sign appeared with the date of the history period they would be studying underneath it, data scrolled along the students peripheral vision as their VPA's registered the influx of new data.

The professor cleared his throat, checked that the mike woven into his coat collar was synced to the podium and started to speak. “Students today we will cover a period of history that everyone in this room should know. This particular period is undoubtedly one of the most fundamental times in Equestrian history, it being of course pivotal to the course of our modern lives.” 

He stopped to take a breath. “The period of 1004 to 1028 is often quoted by many historians to be incredibly critical to the rise of our Queen and the empire. She herself has said on many occasions that without those unique conditions she would have never taken control of the Equestrian throne and we would still be under the rule of a Diarchy.” 

The old pony looked up from his desk where he had pulled up a list of quick notes he was using for his lecture. Some of the students were tapping onto screens projected from their tables taking a couple of notes, most were just watching the wall behind the Professor, letting there VPA's recorded every word for later analysis.

“Today we the periods we will be covering will include the Celestia riots, the invasions and the event commonly referred to as the Ascension of Nightmares. After that we will look at the Noble civil wars, called so because of the large number of Noble houses who rebelled not because it was in any way noble, with exception to Prince Shinning Armor of course.” The Professor chuckled at his little joke. “The farmer’s movement, also know as the White Apple front, lead by the then former Elements of Harmony and lastly the Retribution, all of course in later lectures.” 

“Before we begin I would like to take the time to make a couple of announcements. Firstly for the duration of this paper it is advised that you use the recommended data-texts in your revision, you will find a list of texts in your inbox after the lecture. Secondly I will not be taking you for the duration of this paper.”

Rose Bud blinked in shock, the Professor turning down a lecture was unheard of.

“Instead you will have a special guest speaker; one who I am happy to admit has far higher qualifications than myself to talk about history.”

Rose Bud was beginning to freak out, it was one thing for the Professor to turn down a lecture but another entirely for him to actually admit inferiority to any living pony.

“Without further ado it is my delight to welcome your new speaker, Ladies and Gentlestallions I introduce…on second thought I would rather that she introduce herself. You may come in whenever you wish.” He called out the door.

Rose Bud didn’t recall seeing anybody on the way in and no AR avatar was materializing so he hadn't outsourced the lecture somewhere else, maybe the old coot had finally lost his marbles. A quick glance around the room confirmed that most of the other students had come to the same conclusion and were discussing it among themselves.

Then the discussion dropped faster than a unicorn as the speaker entered the room.

She must have been using a cloaking spell in the hall way, Rose Bud thought.

The speaker shuffled a stack of paper notes, something nobody used now days. Well almost no pony.

A deep feminine voice addressed the room. “Greetings everypony I hope you will not find my taking of this class too disturbing, we have much to cover.”

With eyes of darkest purple Queen Sparkle surveyed the room and smiled.

> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia was in yet another meeting with the noble houses, each one clamoring for her attention. As usual they all had some kind of project or scheme they wanted her to endorse, some law they wanted to her to approve and others they wanted her to veto. Each and every single one of benefit to themselves or harmful to others, and no thought given to the ‘lesser’ ponies they hurt, with the very very rare exception of course. 

She couldn’t get a word in edgewise anymore, let alone hear herself think, among the rabble shouting at her and at each other. Not a single one of them had any respect for her, that was the problem, she could recall days when they would be bowing at her hooves and treating her as a goddess. Heck they would have sooner thrown themselves off a cliff than dare to demand anything from her. It was her fault, she mused, she had been the one to encourage that they be proactive in their management, that they be able to openly voice their opinions without fear of defenestration. When they got their brains around that it had been all downhill from there.

She hadn't noticed it until it was too late, and when she did there was nothing she could do about it. Of course at first she had been happy that her little ponies were now independent, it was just that she wished they would show her a bit more respect. With Luna’s return she had hoped to split the court in half as soon as her sister had gotten her head around the fact that it wasn't acceptable to defenestrate annoying nobles and as soon as the nobles had stopped bitching about the new princess.

Which-with the way both parties were acting-was not going to happen any time soon.

Releasing a sigh she rubbed her temple with her hoof, none of the nobles gathered paid much attention given that they had broken out into another shouting match. 

‘Oh well not much longer too go.’ She thought as she called upon the mighty, unfathomable, mystical connection she had to the sun to check the time. ‘Only……..e-ei-eight hours and forty minutes….’ Each meeting was nine hours long….she had been here for twenty minutes. Twenty minutes. Tweeennntttyyy minutes. She blinked, blinked again and stood up.

The room hushed, mostly, as Celestia began to address them.

“My little ponies, I call this meeting to a close.” With a flash of her horn the nobles found themselves picked up off the ground, many started shouting and struggle some simply watched.

Celestia stamped her hoof on the ground, a shockwave rippled from it silencing the court. “The court will be closed tomorrow, it will be closed the day after that and the day after that. It is high time I did something I should have done years ago and with the return of my sister it is something I can now do.”

Many or the nobles gulped as the solar Princess narrowed her eyes and smiled. “ Lords and Ladies I am taking a vacation, Luna is in charge.”

One of the suspended noble raised his voice. “But what about the country, you can’t just abandon us to your barbarian of a sister.”

Another noble raised his voice as well. “I agree it would be most unseemly of you, if you wish a vacation we can arrange a couple of weeks at a nice tropical island retreat.”

Seeing a chance to get in the princess’s good books many of the nobles started shouting out offers for the weary princess to stay at their own vistas and estates.

The princess chuckled. “I don’t think you quite grasp what I meant by vacation. For you two weeks might be sufficient, but as an immortal with a thousand years of stress to dispose of. I would say that ohh...ten maybe even twenty years would be sufficient.” She surveyed the shocked expressions on the nobles’ faces, with a burst of magic she sent them flying out the doors and maybe one or two of the more annoying ones through a window. 

She turned to her shocked personal secretary. “Tell Luna I’m taking a sabbatical, I going to go off the grid for a few years. Tell her to give my love Philomena.”

She waved her hoof in front of the pony for a few seconds, no response. Sighing, she conjured a scroll quickly wrote down a missive saying she would be taking a few years for herself and to give her love to Philomena. Impaling the note on her secretary’s horn she smiled and with a flash of light disappeared.

She reappeared in her room and sat down at her desk to write the last two letters she would ever write for a few good years at least. One to Luna and one to Twilight, she spent a few minutes sitting deciding in what to write before she began, not wanting to screw it up. Not so much with Luna, the intervening years for her would seem short and they had discussed this before so this would not come to much of a shock for her sister, what she was worried about was Twilight. For her twenty years was a long time and this would be the last thing she would ever be able to say to her favorite student for some time. She sat at her desk and judged her words carefully and slowly began to write. 

When they were done and sent off on their way, she closed her eyes, summoned her magic...and opened them to a new horizon.
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Twilight was enjoying the fresh air as she helped set up her friends weekly picnic, the girls (and Spike) were placing various foods on the mat beneath them when a Scroll popped into existence above her horn.

The girls stopped what they were doing as Twilight picked it up. “It’s a letter from the Princess.”

Applejack placed the basket of apple treats she had brought on the ground to speak. “Last time this happened we found out you had a brother and that he was getting married, wonder what it’s going to be this time.”

Rainbow grinned. “Ten bits says it’s a sister.”

Applejack spat on her hoof and held it out Rainbow quickly copied the gesture. “Deal.” The two ponies said in unison.
Twilight rolled her eyes at her friends and began to read the scroll out loud as she unwound it.

My most faithful student Twilight

“Hehe pay up sugar cube.”

I am writing to inform you that I am taking a vacation, and as such will be gone for at the least twenty years. My sister Luna will be taking my place as ruler and I have no doubts that she will do fine however she can be a bit stubborn at times and will need a friend to talk to in coming days. I know this may come as a shock, but please know that I am in dire need of this. I have spent a thousand years reshaping and running a country, Twilight and I need a brake otherwise I fear may come to start resenting the ponies I love. I take this vacation now partly because previously with my sister gone there would have been no clear figure head for ponies to take leadership from, and so I kept my burdens to myself and painted a pretty mask for my subjects to see. You are one of the few ponies I have truly called friend, and one of the few who have seen beneath that mask to the tired mare warily trudging on. But with Luna returned to me and to Equestria she can take the throne, and I can finally truly rest for the first time in a thousand years. I had hoped that I would be able to have gotten her more acquainted to modern life and to spend more time with you before I decided to leave but I need this too much. To say that she has had trouble adjusting completely would be an understatement, but at least she has adjusted to modern linguistics and has succeed in talking in -relatively- modern Equestrian (she still insists on using that blasted royal We). 

My leaving is not just about relieving myself from built up stress though, if it were things would be infinitely more simple. No my leaving is also about you, my most wonderful student. I have guided and shaped you into becoming the wonderful mare you are today, of that I have no regrets, the time I have spent at your side has been worth every second. But I can only teach you so much Twilight and my continued presence is only stiffing you. You may argue that I am doing no such thing, after all you don't need me to learn from a book, but only knowledge comes from books Twilight. Wisdom comes from life, as you know by now, and it is wisdom that I wish to teach you. You have to live and experience life, make mistakes and pick your self up again Twilight, if it's one thing you posses it is an indomitable spirit. Your life up to this point has been spent under my watchful gaze my dearest one, and up to this point you needed it. But you have grown so much, you are so much more than who you used to be, and trust me when I say that you are less than what you will be. I know that inside you is the seed for somepony magnificent and it has been my most honored privilege to tend to you and watch you blossom, but in order for you to continue growing you must leave my shadow. Your friends have begun to help you there but so long as I am around you will never truly let go. And this is the other half of my reason to leave, with myself gone both you will be forced to adapt and grow as pony. This may sound cruel to you now, but in time you will understand why and thank me for this, there may very well be times when it doesn't seem like it but trust me you will. 

Lastly I wish you to know that you are under no obligation to become a permanent part of Luna's retinue, I know that you have your own life and it would be rude of me to order you to leave it behind. But you have been raised in the royal courts since you were a foal; you have intimate knowledge of how politics work even if you never involved yourself. But most importantly you have the most optimistic view of the world I have ever known, you are modest and polite even when you could have exploit your status and achievements at court to gain power. I know deep in my soul that you only have Equestria’s best wishes at heart. And it is because of this that I ask you this as your friend to please advise Luna whenever she needs it. She may have the power, but she needs a helping hoof to correct her course every now and then. You are my most faithful, my most talented student and there is no other pony I trust more with this task. 

I want you to know that I have always been so proud of you and have always held a special place in my heart for you ever since you were a filly. I look forward to meet you again, I am sure the mare you will become will be fantastic.

Your eternally proud mentor,
With love,
Celestia.
P.S I expect to see some foals by the time I get back

Twilight reread the letter, shocked at what she had just read. She looked up from the letter, one thing on her mind as the full implications began to dawn on her.
What?
> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The group was silent as their friend furiously re-read the letter over and over, shocked at the abruptness of it, their picnic momentarily forgotten.

Twilight lowered the letter and looked at her friends. “This has to be some kind of joke right?” She asked in a wavering voice. “Princess Celestia likes a good joke every now and then… right?”

Rarity leaned over and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “I don’t think this is a joke Twilight.”

Twilight’s bottom lip trembled. “But-but she left without saying good bye.”

Rarity levitated the letter up to her face whilst the rest of their friends came closer to give their friend a hug. Twilight took a couple of deep breaths as her friends hugged her tightly she looked over at Rarity who was reading the letter for herself.
“What do you suppose it means when she said it would be rude of her to ask you to leave?” Rarity looked at Twilight as the rest of their friends released her.

Twilight wiped her eyes with the back of her hoof, blinking away forming tears. “She was probably wanting me to move back to Canterlot so that I could be closer to Princess Luna I guess.”

The others gasped and Pinkie tackled Twilight in a bear hug. “You can’t move away Twilight, you’re one of my extra super special ultra-mega bestestest friends in the whole wide world.” Rainbow and Applejack quickly rushed forward and set to work prying Pinkie off their friend in a valiant effort to save her from Pinkie induced strangulation.

Spike opened his mouth to chip in but was cut off as a tell-tale burp of an incoming letter forced its way out followed by a trail of green smoke that condensed into a scroll bearing the Lunar crest. His scales turned a tinge of green as he failed to suppress the urge to gag. He picked up the scroll just as Pinkie, Rainbow and Applejack sprung backwards in a heap leaving a gasping Twilight lying on her back. 

Twilight waited for her breath to come back to her before picking up the scroll. She quietly prayed that Luna would be able to shed some light on what was going on as she quickly unwrapped the scroll and read the contents out loud to her friends.

Twilight Sparkle, it appears that Celestia has finally taken a well-deserved vacation. Because of this We are to be the sole ruler of Equestria until she returns and as such We will require sound and respectable counsel in coming days to help Our subjects adapt to the change. Celestia has highly recommended you for this role and We could think of no pony better suited. We are sending a carriage to collect you this noon to discuss your future position.
And now I must go remember how to lower the sun.


Your friend,
Princess Luna.

P.S You are welcome to bring the other element bearers, they will be undoubtedly important to your decision.

Twilight took a deep breath to steady her nerves as she rolled up the scroll; looked at her friends as she sat down. She opened her mouth to speak but couldn't think of anything to say. The others sat down next to her, enveloping her in a group hug. They stayed that way, just letting their mutual closeness reassure each other that everything was going to be fine.
Eventually it was Applejack who broke away from the group hug first and she walked over to the pair of saddle bags she had brought with her, she reached down into one of them and pulled out an apple pie. 

She placed it on the mat and began dividing the pie up. “My Pappy always used to say that pie was good for thinking things over. ‘Trust the pie Jackie’ he would say.” She pushed a slice over to Twilight with a smile.  “I guess right now, we could all use a slice.”

Twilight accepted the slice with a smile, and as she began to eat surrounded by loving friends with the comforting warmth of the midday sun gently brushing her coat, she couldn't help but think that maybe everything would be all right.
--------------------------------------------------------------

As Twilight watched the girls pack up the remains of the picnic she couldn't help but ponder Celestia's  message to her. She always had a plan for everything, a scheme in the background or a plot in the wings, just up and leaving, thrusting responsibility onto her student wasn't like her.. 

She was brought back to reality when Spike tapped his claw on her nose; she shook her head and blinked a couple of times. “Sorry, lost in thought.”

Spike rolled his eyes. “As Rainbow was saying; where do you want to meet later for the carriage?”

Twilight pursed her lips momentarily in thought. “Princess Luna will be sending the carriage to collect me, which means that it will be going to the library…so the library is where we should meet up.”

The rest of the group nodded and said their good-byes for time being, each promising to be there when the carriage arrived. Waving good-bye, Twilight set off towards home, Spike clutching the scrolls as he sat on her back.

As they strolled through the peaceful township Twilight couldn't help but admire how the ponies around her went on with their daily lives, blissfully unaware of the political shit storm that was brewing in Canterlot. 

She strongly suspected that even her friends didn’t know how bad things were going to get in the capital. They couldn’t be blamed for not knowing; after all they were rural ponies, peasants, at heart, even Rarity and her dreams of aristocracy. They didn’t know how complicated and fragile the games of politics that nobles engaged in were.

Twilight's blood ran cold as a thought reared its self in her mind. 

With their only limiting factor removed, the nobles were going to go berserk. They had only followed Celestia because she held the power to cancel their little schemes and because of a deeply ingrained sense of tradition. With Celestia gone and Luna occupying the throne the game had changed and Nobles did not like change.

They wouldn’t respect Luna enough to listen to her advice or her verdicts, nor would Luna be subtle or patient enough to play them at their own game. The only way Luna would be able to enforce her rule would be through force and shows of power.

It could only end in disaster, for both Luna and the country.

Unless, unless somepony could play both the Princess and the nobles whilst keeping the balance between them. Somepony that had been trained in the methods of the royal court but was unbiased in her opinions, willing to serve the country without abusing their power, a pony that was respected by all and held vast amounts of influence but was modest and humble at the same time…a pony like her.

Twilight let out a squeal of joy at figuring out the reasoning behind her mentor’s request. She hurried the rest of the distance home in a mad rush, energized with a sense of purpose. She had been entrusted with a pivotal role in maintaining the well-being of the nation, any questions she had could be answered later with the Princess.

Twilight was so deeply engrossed in thought that she only realized she had reached her destination when she received a face full of door. 

“Told you to watch out.” Her assistant quipped from behind her as he dismounted. Twilight simply rubbed her nose as she pushed the door open with her magic. Twilight checked the clock as she walked into the room, just over three hours till Luna’s carriage arrived. 

“Twilight, why don't you go relax.” Spike said as he jumped from her back.

“Spike, don’t be silly, I’m fine.” She replied with a wave of her hoof.

Spike place a hand on her leg and Twilight looked down at him. “Twilight….” He didn’t need to finish the sentence. Nodding slightly Twilight gave a slight sigh.

"You know me to well don't you?"

"Like a book." He replied.

Smiling, Twilight wrapped her other foreleg around her de-facto little brother and squeezed lightly before releasing, Spike following suit.

Spike walked away to go send a couple of letters as Twilight walked up to her balcony and looked out over the bustling township as it went about it’s business under the midday sun. From her vantage point she could take in the sounds and smells of the market, the sound of laughter as fillies ran through the streets and off in the distance visible on a clear day the rainbow mists of the Winsome falls.

She inhaled and held the air in her lungs before releasing, taking in the warmth of the sun on her coat.
Dear Princess Celestia, she thought, I miss you already.
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Twilight and her friends (plus Spike) watched as the large carriage descended from the sky, pulled by six of the unmistakable Night Guard. As they touched down one of them detached himself from the harness and opened the door for them to enter, giving them a bow as they boarded. 

As they rose up into the sky and the carriage began to move towards Canterlot, everypony aboard looked back to Ponyville to catch a last glimpse of their home before it disappeared into the distance. Everypony except Twilight Sparkle, who was deep in concentration as her mind shifted gears into a set long unused.

The carriage ride was long; the conversation between the passengers was mostly centered around what the Princess was going to do, what she was going to say and whether or not Twilight would accept. The unicorn in question kept strangely quiet whenever the conversation turned to the subject of her choice, staying quiet no matter how her friends tried to persuade her to talk.

Eventually the carriage arrived over Canterlot as night began to descend; the sparkling lights of the city illuminated the magnificent white and gold walls of the palace as they swooped down to the large courtyard. An area clearly marked as the landing zone by the large number of attendees in white and gold livery had been prepared for them. As the carriage touched down the servants rushed forward and formed a row on either side of the door, bowing as it was opened and the passengers disembarked.

Applejack whistled as she took in the sight. "Woh never had this kind of a welcome before."

The group waited as a servant wearing black and purple livery walked down the impromptu aisle to greet the new arrivals. He bowed as he approached; focusing only on Twilight as he spoke.

“Madam it is a relief to see you home where you belong once more. Under more…calm…situations I would be honored to escort you to your estate that you might rest after such an arduous journey. However I must please ask you to proceed this way proceed this way, the Princess is expecting you in the Gold Hall.” With another bow that was obviously meant for Twilight he turned and began to walk away into the palace.

Twilight seemed un-phased by the servant’s behavior; however her friends were stunned by his indifference to their presence. As they began to walk after the servant, flanked by the other attendees, Rainbow flew up beside Twilight.
“Hey Twi what’s with the escort and the cold shoulder from fancy smanshcy pants?”

Twilight looked to her friend with a sheepish expression. “The servants are assigned to me to keep the…uh…commoners away from us. As for the cold shoulder; he’s a royal page, they don’t address anyone not a part of the noblesse.”

“Well that’s just….wait you’re a noble?”

Rarity appeared beside Twilight in a flash, shunting Rainbow aside. “Twilight, you’re of the nobility and you didn't tell me! For shame, just think on all the functions we've missed out on, all the connections I…I mean we could have made.”

Twilight sighed. “That’s just it Rarity, I didn't tell you because I don't like to get involved with all” She gestured to their escort. “this. The peace and quiet of Ponyville was much more preferable. I didn't have to think so much.”

Rarity gave a pout and looked at her friend skeptically. “Come now Twilight, things can’t be that bad.”

Twilight just shook her head. “Trust me Rarity; you don’t know anything about the nobility.”

Rarity scoffed. “Oh Twilight please, I think I know just a teensy bit more about being a lady than you. No offence intended, but you are neither the most social nor cultured of ponies.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow in annoyance. “Oh really? Rarity I think you are in need of a demonstration.”

Twilight nodded her head and coughed slightly, one of the escorts looked at her.

“Is there something you require madam?”

Twilight gave a smile and spoke, however her voice and mannerisms were more cultured and refined than what they normally were. “Why yes my companion and I are so terribly parched, and well if isn’t too much of an inconvenience could we trouble you for a glass of water?” She bit her bottom lip slightly and looked away shyly from the servant who, despite turning an impressive shade of red, managed to keep a somewhat level voice.

“Yes certainly madam, it is on its way.” He then broke away from the formation, the others reforming to compensate for his departure.

Twilight then turned to Rarity and giggled at the shocked expression she wore. “Oh Rarity, darling whatever is the matter?” 
The group began laughing as Rarity made spluttering noises before fainting, one of the servants swooping in and catching her on his back. As the laughing died down the servant that had left to get the water returned balancing two cups on a dish on his back, Twilight thanked him and levitated the glasses towards her.

Grinning mischievously she moved the glasses over her unconscious friend and inverted them, spilling the ice-cold water over her and the servant supporting her. Rarity gasped and threw herself from the servant’s back; the servant himself simply blinked and re-joined his position in the formation.

After the group had stopped laughing and Twilight had apologized to the servant, who gave a curt nod, they set off once more. Twilight looked at the décor around her, the warm orange and pristine white bringing back fond memories of talks with the Princess.

I won’t let you down Princess I promise Twilight thought to herself. 

Eventually the group came to hall way guarded by two gold-plated pegasai, the décor beyond them was a rich gold and purple. The group came to a stop and the escort left, leaving only the black and purple dressed servant, the guard on the left approached them called out to the servant. “You who approach the Golden Halls announce yourself.”

The servant bowed. “Sirs I humbly introduce Lady Twilight Sparkle of the house Illumine.”

The Royal Guard nodded in confirmation. “Welcome milady.”

Twilight gave an uncomfortable smile to the Guard and quickly trotted past him, the rest of the girls went to follow her only for the Guards to bar them.

“What the hay?” Applejack called out, causing Twilight to turn around.

“Sirs, it’s okay they’re with me.” 

The guard that hadn’t spoken before shook his head. “I’m sorry milady but I cannot allow commoners past this point, tis law.”

"What the buck guys! If had noticed we're like national hero's!" Rainbow shouted as tried to push past the guards.

Twilight’s eyes widened in recognition and she slapped a hoof to her forehead.  
“Oh how could I have forgotten, these parts of the Palace are barred to the commoners and non-ponies.” 
Come on Twilight you can't afford to be making stupid mistakes.

“You are allowed a personal servant into the halls madam.” The guard offered upon seeing the look on Twilight's face. ”But regrettably, you are only allowed one.”

Twilight looked at her friends and groaned. “Uhhhhh, it’s just like the gala ticket all over again.” Except Princess Celestia isn’t here to solve it. “I guess I can only take one of you girls in.”

Applejack shrugged. “Ah don’t mind being left behind, give me a chance to do some late night sightseeing, maybe visit some of those famous clubs the brochures keep yapping on about. Sides I wouldn’t feel mighty comfortable with those froufrou ponies anyhow.” 

“Yeah, don’t think those stuffy powder faces could take my awesomeness. I’ll join AJ.” Rainbow added.

“If you don’t mind Twilight I would love to go see the Canterlot nocturnal petting zoo, so umm I would like to go with Applejack…if that’s okay.” Fluttershy squeaked from behind Applejack.

Pinkie tapped her chin. “Hmmmmmm, I’ll have the banana Sunday with extra Sunday.” Having made up her mind the pink pony reached behind her and pulled out a banana split which she devoured in a single bite, bowl and all, the room looked at her in disbelief. 

Twilight raised a hoof. “Where did you-“

“Inventory quick select.”

“But that makes…”Twilight was about to complete her sentence when she remembered who she was taking to. “Never mind, what do you want to do?”

Pinkie giggled. “You’re so silly sometimes Twilight, its night time and you know what that means… dungeon crawling!”

“……Okay, have fun I guess? What about you Rarity?”

“Oh I would love to take this occasion to visit some of the fashion hot spots if you don’t mind, after all fashion never sleeps. Besides why not take Spikey wikey?”

Spike shook his head. “Won’t work, the nobles will allow a commoner in if she is attached to another noble, but under no circumstance is a non-pony allowed into their private section. Unless they happen to be ambassadors or other high ranking creatures, then they fall head over hooves to make them comfortable.”

Rarity stepped forward. “Then I’ll join you Twilight, Princess knows you’ll need a pony with some style and fashion sense in there with you.”

Twilight smiled. “Thanks Rarity, I’d like that.”

The Guards parted to allow the white unicorn through, the pair waved to their friends as the group left to explore the city everypony agreeing to meet at Donut Joe’s.

Twilight walked down the hall way with Rarity beside her, the hall way was richly decorated with heavy purple cloths embroidered in gold thread. Twilight could tell by the way Rarity’s eyes roamed the walls that she was entranced.

“Beautiful isn’t it.” She said as she nudged her friend, Rarity gave a sigh in acknowledgement.

“Yes it is….” She said breathily.

The sounds of talking and light ballroom music could be heard from the end of the hallway. Before they came to the end of the hallway Twilight froze, a sign that she was in intense thought.

Rarity looked to her friend concerned. “What is it?”

“I’m not prepared for this.”

“Twilight you are the most accomplish-“

Twilight interrupted her friend with a hoof wave. “Not that kind of not prepared Rarity, this is my first appearance in the Halls in over eight years. I’m not prepared physically, I can’t believe I am about to ask this but did you bring your make up gear with you?”

Rarity blinked. “Well yes in my bags but not on me no, why ever do you need it?”

“Drat….okay I know a place we can go to get some stuff, hold on.”

“What?” Rarity had barely got the word out of her mouth when Twilight lit her horn and teleported them away.
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Rarity blinked and examined the change of scenery. They had gone from the overt grandeur Halls to what was obviously a bedroom, a very nice bedroom. Set up against the wall furthest from the large double doors was a grand, four poster bed. On the ground next to it was what looked to be a dog bed but twice the size with a pillow and sheets. Against another wall was a wooden study desk piled high with notes and books, all neatly arranged. Not far from the desk was another set of doors much smaller than the pair behind Rarity. On the wall with the windows was a set of curtains drawn back to reveal a balcony, on the balcony was a telescope.

“Twilight, where are we?” Rarity asked as Twilight moved to the pair of smaller doors.

Twilight paused before throwing open the doors with a push of magic, revealing a massive walk in closet complete with vanity and row upon row of dresses, hats and hoofwear. “My room.”

Rarity gasped both from the shock of what her friend had said and the contents of the closet, she resisted the urge to rush forward and try on clothes. “Your room?”

Twilight looked at the stack of paper and books on the desk. “Nice to see things the way I left them.”

“Twilight, how high up in the nobility are your parents?” Rarity asked as she looked around the room. 

Twilight simply shrugged. “High enough.” 

Rarity gave Twilight a questioning look at her evasive answer and shook her head. “So why are we here Twilight, are we not supposed to be meeting with the Princess?”

Twilight shook her head. “This is the first time I’ve appeared in court since I arrived in Ponyville. I have to make a good impression otherwise the Nobility will think I’ve gone, no offense, native. I can’t help Princess Luna if I can’t talk to the Noblesse.”

Rarity stopped and slowly turned her head to look directly into Twilight’s eyes. “So you have already made up your mind I see.”

Twilight eyes widened in shock as she realized her mistake, she stammered for a bit before looking away. “Yeah…” She slowly scuffed the ground with a fore hoof.

Rarity giggled. “Pinkie won’t like that.”

“You’re not mad?” Twilight asked confused as she looked at her friend with a raised eyebrow.

Rarity gave a flick of her mane putting on a dignified expression. “A little annoyed that you decided to do this without consulting me first, yes, but you are going to be the most important pony next to the Princess by taking this position.”

Twilight raised the other eyebrow in surprise, Rarity smirked back at her. “Come now dear, I may be from a small town but I am not stupid. By becoming the advisor to the Princess your opinion will be the most important one in the entire court the entire Nobility will be clamoring for your attention. But you already knew that didn’t you.”

Twilight sighed. “Yeah, I did.”

“Then let us get you dressed for the occasion, you have an appointment to keep” Rarity shot Twilight a grin. “milady.” 
Twilight rolled her eyes and smiled

Rarity looked over the selection of dresses, her eyes widened and she felt her knees go weak as she recognized some of the brands. “A Triple Stich limited Summer Collection, three dresses from the Amour Winter Collection, an original from the Les Jardins Du Paradis! They only made ten….. Twilight dear some of these are worth a fortune, however did you get them?!”

“It seems my father has kept my wardrobe up to date.”

“Up to date…Twilight you could buy a house on the cost of some of these alone!”

“Only the best for my princess.” A deep male voice sounded from behind the pair, they spun around with a gasp, Twilight recognizing the voice instantly.

“Dad!” She cried and ran over hugged the light blue stallion.

He chuckled heartily as he nuzzled Twilight fondly. “The front door too good for you?”

Twilight blushed. “Oh sorry, kind of in a rush I thought you would be over at the Halls.”

Nightlight shook his head. “No that’s more your mother’s scene now, she’s over there at the moment I decided to stay and hold the fort. I assume this is something to do with Princess Celestia’s sudden vacation I presume?”

“Yeah, Princess Luna asked me to be her personal advisor.”

Nightlight's face broke into a huge grin at the news. “And you came here to get dressed for the occasion, wouldn’t do for the others to think you’ve gone native.”

“Exactly.”

Nightlight winked at his daughter whilst still wearing the grin. “And who is this mare you’ve brought into our house at this time of the night, something you want to tell me?”

Rarity turned a shade of red and Twilight started spluttering. “Dad! This is my friend Rarity, were just friends.”

“Really? The way I saw she was sizing your flank up when I came in told another story.”

“She’s a tailor! She was sizing me up for…you’re joking again aren't you.”

He simply grinned at her. “So this is the Rarity you've written so much to us about.” He walked over to the white unicorn and offered a hoof, which she accepted daintily. “It is an honor to finally met you, my dear.”

Rarity curtsied. “It is an honor to meet you as well, Twilight is rather secretive about her past, I had no idea that she was even Nobility till a few minutes ago.”

“Really?” Nightlight gave his daughter a stern look, Twilight looked up the ceiling whistling a tune.

“Not a peep, milord.”

”Nightlight my dear, just Nightlight to my daughter’s friends.”

“Well I am certain the others will be equally as pleased to meet you as well.”

“Others, I assume you mean the other element bearers?”

“Naturally, we’re set to stay at a local hotel.”

Nightlight rang a bell that was on one of the bedside tables. “This won’t do, not at all; I won’t have friends of my daughters staying at some two bit a night hotel.” A tall grey pony with a jet black mane and wearing a neat butler suit walked into the room, nearly causing Rarity to swoon. “Sebastian somewhere in the city are four friends of my daughter and Spike, find them and bring them here for lodging.”

“Certainly sir.” The pony neatly spun on his hooves and walked out of the room.

Rarity looked after him, or more precisely his flank. “But he doesn’t even know what they look like? How will he be able to find them in the whole of Canterlot?”

Twilight shrugged. “He is one hell of a butler.” Nightlight nodded sagely along with her. 

“But that doesn't explain anything.”

Both Twilight and Nightlight looked at her intensely. “One hell of a butler.” They said in unison.

Rarity stepped back slightly. “…..Let’s get you that dress shall we?” 
--------------------

Five minutes later….

“Twilight you look gorgeous.” Nightlight beamed at his daughter as she twirled around in front of him. “Rarity my dear you do wonderful work.”

Rarity blushed as she patted the dress she had chosen for herself. “You are to kind sir, all I did was chose an outfit from what was available. If anything I should congratulate you on having such excellent fashion taste.”

“Hahaha then you would have to give thanks to my wife; she was the one who picked the clothing. How do like it Twilly?”
Twilight couldn't take her eyes off her reflection as she spun around. Rarity had chosen a simple purple dress with darker purple embroidery in the shape of flowers along the hem. On her hooves were delicate sliver shoes and an amethyst hung from a sliver chain around her neck along with two small teardrops shaped earrings of the same stone. The overall effect was....marvelous.

“Mother sure does know what looks good.” She said with a grin as she pulled away from the mirror.

Nightlight gave a chuckle. “That she does, she also knows what's expensive. I also doubt she would want you to be standing around here when you have somewhere to be.”

Twilight gave her dad a quick hug and peck on the cheek. “Thank you for everything Dad, see you when we get back.”
Rarity gave Nightlight a small wave before standing beside Twilight, the pair disappearing in a flash of purple light.

Nightlight looked the space his daughter had been and smiled. “Good luck girls.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Twilight and her ‘personal servant’ walked into the large atrium at the end of the halls. Rarity was awestruck at both the décor and the guests present. The room was a large circle with doorways leading to other parts of the Halls. A raised platform occupied the center of the large room, on the platform was a band playing a classical piece. The walls and the arches that supported the roof looked to be made of solid gold and inscribed high on each wall in flowing silver was the crest of the Equestrian monarchy, two unicorns bowing, their horns crossing, before a sun and moon. The guests appeared to be organized in no particular order, with groups of ponies walking about talking. Sometimes one pony would be surrounded be others who listened to them talk, the group eagerly agreeing with the lead pony.

As Twilight and Rarity walked through the crowd some ponies would walk up them and comment on Twilight’s dress or try to initiate a conversation only to be ignored. Twilight walked through the crowd with an expression of calm disinterest that dissuaded all but the most arrogant of nobles to approach her, Rarity may have been part of the scenery for all the attention she received, much to her frustration.

Twilight pushed past the throngs of nobles towards a large gathering of ponies in the center of the room, Prince Blueblood standing tall amongst them. The crowd parted to allow Twilight through, Rarity following close behind.

Blueblood was the first to look their way, his eyes widening at the sight of Twilight a small smile played on his features. “Twilight Sparkle as I live and breathe, is that you? It has been a while hasn't it.” His voice was empty of the overflowing arrogance and snobbery Rarity recalled. “You look as marvelous as when we first meet. One wonders if you are still as flexible?” Twilight blushed as Blueblood gave her a grin and picked up one of her hooves in his and kissed it.

Twilight opened her mouth to reply when Rarity’s hoof sailed across her vision and slapped Blueblood across the check. The crowd gasped as Rarity pushed between Blueblood and her friend.

Blueblood’s eyes widened in recognition. “You! The mare from the gala!”

Rarity gritted her teeth. “How dare you talk to Twilight in such a way you ruffian!” Twilight placed a hoof on Rarity’s shoulder to get her to calm down. ”No Twilight I’ll not stand as this scoundrel dares to sully your honour with, with innuendos!”

Twilight gave Blueblood an apologetic smile as she clamped a hoof over Rarity’s mouth. “I am terribly sorry for my servant’s outburst Blueblood, I don’t know what came over her.” 

Blueblood waved a hoof. “No no it’s quite all right, I understand, you aren’t to blame for the outburst of jealous servant.” He turned to speak to the crowd. “We danced at the gala some time ago, poor dear must still be infatuated with me.” He turned back top Twilight who was giving a very stern look to a furious Rarity. “But please see that you control your help, we would hate to have another such incident.”

Twilight nodded. “Thank you for your understanding, I would love to have you over for lunch at the family estate tomorrow if you are not too busy.”

Blueblood bowed. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Please give my regards to Aunty Luna when you see her, she was asking for you. I believe that she was waiting in the Royal wing.”

Twilight gave him one last smile before dragging Rarity away and down the hallway to the Royal wing.

“What the hell were you thinking?!” She said in hushed tones. “Slapping Blueblood, calling him a scoundrel, accusing him of sullying my honour. Are you trying to sabotage my standing?” Twilight eased pressure off Rarities mouth.

Rarity was confused by her friend’s actions but was still furious with her. “Twilight I don’t know what you are on about or what's gotten into you, but how dare you lecture me when you didn’t even come to my defence. I don’t understand why you would simply sit back and insult you like that?“ She snapped back.

“Rarity, Blueblood wasn’t insulting me. He was complementing me, we……we used to…” Twilight scratched the back of her head in embarrassment.

Rarity gaped. “….you and him…” Twilight nodded slowly. “But…..how? When? He’s a selfish, misogynistic jerk, what could the two of you possibly have in common?”

Twilight relaxed her hold on her friend and let her go with a sigh. “We had a...dalliance a couple of years before I moved to Ponyville. He isn’t anything like how he acted at the gala Rarity, he’s actually quite charming and respectful to ponies he likes.”

Rarity scoffed. “And the way he treated you, treated me out there was respectful. Why didn’t you say anything?”

Twilight rubbed her forehead. “Most of that was for show, if he had apologised to you in public, if I had stuck up for a commoner in front of the others what would that have done for our standings?”

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “So by shifting the blame to me and by inviting him to lunch somehow makes things all better?”

“By inviting him to lunch I was offering him an apology for the incident, and because he accepted it showed the others that there was no hard feelings.”

Rarity scowled. “And shifting the blame to me.”

Twilight looked at the floor in shame. “Well by shifting the blame to you it removed the scandal from myself and Blueblood.”

Rarity huffed in annoyance. “And what about my reputation Twilight? Do you know what this will do to my reputation?”

“It will do absolutely nothing. You don’t have a reputation amongst the elite, those ponies out there don’t even know that you exist.” Twilight said with a wince in her voice.

Rarity was taken back. “What?! I’ll have you know that I am well respected seamstress, I have many important clients from the Canterlot elite requesting my dresses.”

Twilight’s face was a look of guilt. “Rarity….I don’t know how to tell you this but…most of the nobles that purchase your dresses are….well they’re small fry. Some don’t even have enough standing to enter the Halls without an invitation from a more important house.” She looked away from her friend. 

Rarity sat on her haunches, a lock of shock on her face. “Is…is that true….all the work….I’ve put in over the last eight years has been…….for nothing….” She looked at Twilight with a look of desperation. “What about Fancy Pants? He liked me, he covered for me at your birthday. That has to count for something right?”

Twilight shook her head slowly. “I’m sorry Rarity but you all ponies should know how trends work.”

Rarity looked away on the verge of tears; Twilight put a comforting hoof around her friends shoulders only to be shocked as Rarity started to chuckle. Rarity wiped the tears from her face as she looked at her friend. “I suppose I shall have to apologies to Blueblood tomorrow.” Rarity said with a fake grimace.

Twilight smiled. “Well as long as you don’t assault him I am sure we can call things even.” Twilight looked at her friend with concern. “Are you okay? I’m sorry I said those things, I should have kept my muzzle shut.”

Rarity shook her head. “No no, I’m the one who should be apologizing. I let my ego get the best of me. Besides I suppose I needed to be reminded that I still have a ways to go before I’m the toast of the town.”

“No Rarity I’m the one who should be apologising, I forgot that even though you act like a lady, you aren’t familiar with the subtleties of court.”

“No Twilight, I insist that you accept my apology. If I hadn’t lost control of my anger then we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

Twilight chuckled. “Fine, but on one condition.”

“What?”

“That you accept my apology for not being a good friend.”

Rarity flicked her mane. “Oh well I suppose I can live with those conditions, so long as I get access to that glorious wardrobe of yours.”

Twilight laughed. “Deal, I suppose we shouldn’t keep the Princess waiting any longer.”

Rarity laughed with her friend. “No I suppose we shouldn’t.” 

Twilight led Rarity down the hallway. “Rarity we are entering the Royal wing, this is a private room for the Princesses.”
Rarity nodded and the pair stepped into the room, the Royal wing was decorated in flowing purple curtains, the room a notable because it was completely empty save for Princess Luna who was pouring some tea, two of her personal guard were standing either side of her.

The night Princess saw the pair and smiled. “Lady Sparkle, Miss Rarity you have come at last.” She gestured for the pair to sit opposite her as she poured them a cup of tea.

Twilight and Rarity bowed as the sat. “Princess Luna.”

Luna laughed. “It is good see you again Lady Sparkle, I apologize for not addressing you by title the last time we meet.”
Twilight waved a hoof dismissively. “No need to apologize Princess.”

Luna took a sip of her drink as she prepared to drink; Twilight and Rarity took the opportunity to make themselves more comfortable. “We apologize for calling you here on such short notice. But We must have an answer sooner rather than later, and it is in Our belief that such an offer as We will make should be delivered in pony rather than through correspondence.” 
Luna took a moment to think about what she was going to say next.

“Lady Sparkle, We understand that your friends mean the world to you. To ask that you leave them and take up residence again in Canterlot is not a request that We take lightly.” Luna paused to gather her thoughts.

“But in the coming days and years We will need the guidance of one who is schooled in the ways of the court. We have had no great love of the nobility and there two faced nature. We can say with utmost surety that the feeling is mutual. Because of this Celestia has deemed it wise that for the duration of her vacation that We be advised in our judgment, least the conflict between ourselves and the courts spell calamity for the nation as a whole. She has suggested that you be the one to advise us, and We are a in mind to agree with her.”

Luna looked deep into Twilight’s eyes. “You have proven to be pure of heart and intent; you wield the element of magic, the keystone of harmony. It is undoubted in my mind that you would give sound advice and consul. Because of this I ask you, nay, humbly request that you accept the position here in Canterlot as my personal advisor. I will give you some time to make your decision of course.” Her gaze flashed over to Rarity. “I trust that you will need to discuss this with the other element bearers and your assistant. When you have decided, and if chose to stay here, then we will discuss terms for your employ that we both think are fair. I can only ask that you think long and hard over this, it is a very important decision that should not be taken lightly.”

“Actually I have already made up my mind Princess; I wish to stay here and help.”

Luna blinked. “This is most…unexpected.” She turned to Rarity. “Do you approve of this?”

Rarity nodded. “I trust Twilight completely; I know that this isn’t a choice she would be making on a whim.”

“And what of the others, do they agree as you do?”

Rarity and Twilight shared a look. “Ahh you haven’t told them.”

Rarity shook her head. “No.”

Luna looked back to Twilight. “Are you certain that this is what you want to do? It will mean that you will be separated from your friends, you will only be able to see them sparingly, if at all, for long periods of time. This is not decision to be made lightly or with haste. ”

Twilight nodded. “Yes I know, but even though it means I will be away from Ponyville and separated from the best friends a pony could ever hope for, I know in my heart that this is the right thing to do.”

Luna was surprised. “Why?”

“By keeping the nobles in line and keeping you from making decisions you would regret; I can help Equestria for the better.” A look of determination came over Twilight. “It would be irresponsible of me to leave you to fend for yourself and I could not look at myself in the mirror if I were to endanger the future of Equestria because of a selfish desire to stay with my friends.”

Luna chuckled. “Endanger the future of Equestria? Have you so little confidence in my abilities?”

Twilight blanched. “Oh um not that you wouldn’t do a fine job by yourself, it’s just that ahhhh-“

Luna cut her off with a wave of her hoof and a small laugh. “Relax Lady Sparkle, I jest I jest. I am aware that you meant no ill will by your comment. Well We can see that you are indeed passionate about this, my sister was indeed correct when she said you would be perfect for the position.”

Twilight glowed at the praise from her mentor. “Thank you Princess.”

Princess Luna smiled and stood. “I look forward to working with you in the future Lady Sparkle.”

Twilight rose from the cushion, Rarity standing along with her. “Thank you Princess I promise to do my best. Please excuse us Princess but we must be off, I hope we can arrange terms at a later date.”

“Of course, enjoy the rest of your night.”
Twilight and Rarity walked back through the main room towards a group, Twilight leaned close to her friend. “Rarity, before we go there’s somepony I want you to meet.”

Twilight walked up behind a white and purple mare and tapped her on the shoulder. The mare spun around, her eyes widening when she saw Twilight. “Twilight!” She cried as she pulled her in for a hug. 

“Hello Mother, it has been some time has not?” Twilight said as she kissed her mother on the check.

Twilight Velvet led Twilight Sparkle and Rarity away from the crowds towards a private table where she gave her daughter a hug. “Oh Twilight dear it is good see you.” She released Twilight and gave Rarity a hug. “And this would be your friend Rarity.”

Rarity gave a small bow before she sat down. “I most certainly am milady.”

Velvet smiled. “And well cultured too? I am impressed, though from what I have read about her I should not be surprised. My dear, please call me Twilight.” Rarity looked over to Twilight Sparkle, Twilight Velvet followed her gaze and let out a small sigh. “I suppose that could get rather confusing hmmmm? Call me Velvet instead then.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “How did you-?”

Velvet smirked. “Know who she was? Your father sent a courier dear, really shame on you for not bringing her here sooner.” Twilight coughed into her hoof and looked at the band as her mother gave her a stern look. Velvet rolled her eyes and sighed as she called a waiter over.

“I’m sure you two must be famished from your trip here, I suppose you would like something to eat?”

Rarity examined a menu that the waiter had passed to her, her eyes nearly popping out of her head as she saw the prices. “By Celestia’s golden beard! Ma'am there is no way I could accept a gift like this.”

Velvet chuckled. “Gift? No my dear this is simply lunch, I can see by your dress that Sparkle has already given you a gift.”

“Sparkle?”

Twilight leaned over to her friend. “We use the second half of our names to distinguish between us.”

“Ahh, well that should be easy enough to get used to.”

Velvet chuckled. “I hope you do, now please order something, you aren’t the only ones who haven’t eaten all night.”

Twilight ordered and Rarity (though reluctantly) followed suit, the waiter placed a bottle of wine before he left. Velvet poured the three of them a glass and raised hers to make a toast. “To good health.” Twilight and Rarity raised their glasses to acknowledge the toast before taking a drink.

The trio made small talk as the waiter brought the food, Rarity couldn’t help but be amazed as she tried the food. The tastes seemed to dance around on her tongue, a symphony of flavors that continued to echo along her taste buds long after she had swallowed her mouthful. “By the Sun and Moon this is good.” Velvet simply grinned as she watched Rarity devour the meal with gusto.

Twilight nudged Rarity with an elbow, Rarity as looked up from her meal Twilight gave a small shake of her head and proceeded to eat daintily. Rarity blushed as realized her excessive enjoyment of the meal had resulted in a lowering of her table manners. The rest of the meal proceeded without incident and as the waiter cleared the last of the plates away Rarity slumped into her chair, a content look on her face matching the one on Twilight’s face.

Velvet smiled. “I take it that the two of you enjoyed your meal.”

“I forgot how good the royal chefs were, I think I’m going to enjoy being home.” Twilight took a sip from her glass as she smiled vapidly.

Velvet raised an eyebrow. “Being home?”

“Mmmmm yeah, Princess Luna asked me to be her advisor while Celestia is on vacation, I said yes.”

Velvet’s other eyebrow shot up as her faced turned into a look of surprise, she jumped up from the table and with a cry of joy started jumping around in a circle. “Yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes.”

Twilight looked at the crowd of nobles staring at them. “Ummmm mum.”

Velvet stopped bouncing and looked around at the crowd, her checks turning red in embarrassment. “Errrr come on dears lets go.” She said as she quickly trotted for the door.

Rarity looked quizzically at Twilight who shrugged her shoulders and went after her mother. As the trio walked out of the main room and into the hallway Velvet lit her horn and teleported the three of them. They reappeared outside a large mansion surrounded by a tall fence, built onto the mansion was a tall tower made of stone, peeking out from the balcony was telescope. Rarity was astounded by the magnificence of the mansion and its surrounding grounds. “Twilight, are we where I think we are?”

Velvet gave Twilight a hug. “Welcome home Twilly, it’s good to have you back.” Twilight returned the hug. 

“It’s good to be home mother.”

Mother and daughter broke away and started walking towards the front doors, Rarity stared at the building for a few more moments before rushing to catch up. 
> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The lights in the foyer burned dimly as Twilight gave her mother one last hug before Velvet retired upstairs with her husband. 

“Are you sure you don’t want to meet the girls, Mother?”

Velvet shook her head. “I’m sure I will have plenty of opportunities in the future. Besides you should take this night to celebrate your new position. Go have fun out in town; celebrate with your friends, your father and I will 
cover the expenses.”

“Mada-Velvet…That is indeed generous of you but surely it wouldn’t be polite of us to use your money for such as trivial 
thing as a night out?”

“Rarity darling, one of these days you will have to learn to not look the gift horse in the mouth.”

Before Rarity could respond, mother and daughter hugged and said goodnight, Velvet then trotted up the stairs, giving Twilight one last smile before she disappeared. 

Shaking her head slightly, Rarity followed Twilight as one of the families servants opened a set of large wooden doors and walked into what she figured to be some form of stateroom. Inside were the forms of their friends all nestled comfortably into the large seats placed around the room, except Pinkie who was roasting a marshmallow in the large fireplace in the far left wall. They looked towards the door to see who had entered and smiled seeing the faces of their friends, Twilight and Rarity smiled back as they took a seat in the room. 

“Where’s Spike?” Twilight asked as she looked around the room.

“Oh that butler of yours, Sebastian I think his name was, put him to bed.” Fluttershy said as she blushed slightly.

“Oh that was nice of him I’ll have to be sure to thank him later, how did you girls enjoy Canterlot?” Twilight asked.

“Oh it was nice, got to take a look at some nightclubs before that Sebastian found us.” Applejack said, blushing slightly as 
well before continuing. “After that we were led back here, and boy howdy do those servants of yours know how to make a mare feel comfortable Twilight.”

“So how did things go with the princess?” Fluttershy asked as she turned around in her seat to face Twilight.

Twilight and Rarity shared a look before Twilight turned back to their friends who looked to her with eager faces and spoke. 

“Girls I have something to tell you.” She shifted nervously in her seat. “Princess Luna as you know asked me to be her royal advisor and, well, I’ve accepted.”

The room was silent as the news settled in, the eager faces slowly turned to looks of confusion. “Without asking us what we thought about it first?”  Applejack asked hurtfully. “Is that why you were acting so weird on the chariot ride?”

“Yeah, I guess I had already made up mind then.” Twilight rubbed her foreleg. “On the way home from the picnic I had, I don’t know, a revelation I suppose? The princess has asked me to do this, trusts me to do this, I can’t let her down.”

“Soooo what does that mean? Are you going to be living in Canterlot now?” Rainbow asked as she scratched her head absently. 

“Well…yeah it does.” Twilight answered, the room went quite the only sound being the soft crackle of the flames.

“But what about us?” Pinkie said in a quiet voice.

Rainbow reached across and draped a hoof over her friend. “You have a good reason for this right Twi?”

Twilight looked around the room. “Yeah, I do.”

“Go on then darling.” Rarity said as she placed an encouraging hoof on her friends shoulder.

Twilight took a deep breath. “This position, it’s not just about me, about us, it’s about everypony. Princess Celestia has gone away for a long time girls and as much as things are okay for the time being, believe me it is not going stay this way."Twilight was quiet for a bit, trying to find the right words.

"Celestia has ruled Equestria for a thousand years girls; a lot of our habits, beliefs, and even way of life all stem from her. And now she has gone away and left Princess Luna in charge and for all her virtues, Princess Luna is still very much a temporal fish out of water.” 

“The Nobles…everything they are has been built on the backs of tradition, tradition mostly upheld by Princess Celestia, sadly the reason why many grudgingly support her. With Princess Luna thing are...different, not only do many of them view her as some sort of barbarian because of her archaic methods and mannerisms, but she herself does not particularly like them. Trust me girls, there are more than few Nobles that would make both the Princess’ and our lives very stressful. Simply because they can.” Twilight paused to let the impact of her words sink in.

Applejack scowled. "So just cause the princess decides to leave they think they do what ever the want to us? I don't know Twilight, hard to believe anypony could be so petty."

"You would be amazed at how petty some of us can be AJ." Twilight said in small voice before taking a deep breath to steady herself.

“Girls, I love all of you I really do. Each and every one of you has helped me to grow and I would sooner die than imagine a life without you, but Princess Celestia has asked me to do this for her, this is what she has been grooming me for. She taught me that self-sacrifice is one of the best traits a leader can hope to achieve and even though it hurts me to do this, I couldn’t live with myself if I put my own happiness above everypony else’s.”

Twilight looked deep into each of her friends’ eyes. "Believe me you girls are the most important ponies in my life and I would not trade you for the world. But I would willing trade myself for it.” Her piece said Twilight bowed her head awaiting her friends’ judgement.

Silence descended once more upon the room, heavy with possibility, exerting a pressure on the listeners to say something, anything. Thoughts tumbled around and around in their heads, questions and accusations seethed, writhed seeking release.

“Is it worth it?” Applejack asked in a quiet stern voice.

Twilight raised her head and nodded once. “Yes.” They held a gaze, sharing an unspoken communication that accumulated in a slight nod from the orange mare. 

“Alright, I trust that you know what you’re doing.” The tension drained out of the room as Applejack reached over to Twilight and gave her a hug. “Make us proud sugar cube.” 

Twilight released a sigh before smiling to the group. “Well I guess there’s only one thing left to do.” They all looked at her quizzically. 

“Going away party!” Shrieked Pinkie Pie. "Aaaannnnddd scene change!"
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Twilight winced as the morning light jerkily stumbled its way into position, a migraine flaring across her senses, she slowly opened her eyes the light reveling that she was in her bedroom. She rose from the bed to look around, stopping when she registered a weight around her barrel and the warm breath of another pony on the nape of her neck. She gently rotated in her sheet to come face to face with a stallion she had never seen before.

Certainly one way to great the morning. Twilight thought as she registered a slight poking in her side.

Twilight sat there for a moment as the facts seeped into her hungover morning fogged brain. She took the time to examine the strange pony. He was a pleasantly attractive unicorn with a light blue coat and light brown mane that was tousled in a variety of curls that framed his face giving him an almost boyish look.

Seconds past before everything clicked causing Twilight to roll on her back. How much did I drink last night? The movement startled the stallion awake, who took a few bleary looks around before looking over to Twilight. 

A couple of peaceful moments passed (allowing Twilight to look get look at his eyes, she noted that they were a lovely shade of teal) before he sprang from the bed with a startled cry.

“Twi-Twilight Sparkle?” He asked somewhat fearfully. “Oh um...good morning?”

Twilight replied with a yelp of her own. “Who are you? Oh gods above did I, we?”

The stallion nodded sheepishly. “From what I can recall…yes.”

Twilight groaned. “What was I thinking last night? I thought I stopped bring home strange stallions years ago!”

The stallion in question raised an eyebrow. “I take it you don’t recall much of last night then.”

“Uggh sorry, just this isn’t the most optimal way to start the day.”

“Waking up to beautiful mare is always a good one in my books.” The stallion said with a grin.

Cute and charming. Twilight pleasantly thought to herself. “Bet you say that to all the mares.” She replied with a grin as she slipped into sexy Twilight mode. 

The stallion blushed and rubbed the back of his head. “Well only the pretty ones.”

A pregnant silence descended over the room as the two unicorns eyed each other up. Twilight rolled out of bed and blew her mane out of her eyes. “So who are you?”

Wonder if I should be concerned I said that so casually? She thought to herself. 

“Scribblemind of House Volumen Custodes.” He reiterated in a rehearsed manner before wincing slightly. “Wow that’s deeply ingrained.” 

Twilight giggled and sat on the end of her bed, Scribblemind followed suit. “Yeah, I know how it is. So what do you do Scribblemind?”

“Well I dabble a bit in writing, mostly until the Guards accept my enrollment.”

“You want to join the Guard?”

“Key word being want; my parents would rather I practice my word play rather than sword play.”

“Oh I’m sorry to hear that, so what have you written?”

“Nothing big, I mostly write under a pen name but I doubt you’ve heard of me.”

“You’d be surprised at who I’ve read; I am…was a librarian.” Twilight grimaced as she corrected herself.

“Something wrong?”

“No, just remembering something, but no changing the subject. Book titles, now.”

Scribblemind chuckled slightly. “Well if I had to list my favourite three novels I’ve written I suppose I would go with Stalliongrad: 2033, Consider Nocturne and the Phoenix of Roan.”

Twilight froze momentarily. “But that would mean…oh very clever smart flank there is no way your Songbird.”

Scribblemind grinned and lit his horn, the parchment and quill from the study desk floated over. After a brief flourish of the pen he handed the paper over to Twilight who scanned the page her eyes going wide. A book appeared next to her in a flash, the cover revealing it to be a limited edition of Consider Nocturne. She flicked over the title page revealing that it had been signed by the author, a signature that was perfectly copied on the page she was now holding.

“You’re Songbird, THE Songbird! The way you paint the world your characters inhabit, its breathtakingly beautiful,” She was looking at the stallion opposite her with a look that bordered on worship. “Oh my gods I love your works, I have every book in the Star Glass series to date at the library….well I used to anyway.”

“You’ve heard of me?” He asked with a huge grin. 

“Heard of you? Heard of you!  You’re one of the most elusive and widely celebrated authors of the modern literary world!”

The stallion chuckled to himself before rising from the bed. “Wow, I never thought I would see the day when the great Twilight Sparkle herself would confess to being a fan of my works.” 

Scribblemind eyed the clock on the wall. “Listen I would love to stay here but I probably should head home before my family starts a forming a search party, prized author and goldmine that I am. But if you’re going to be staying in Canterlot long before you go back to Ponyville look me up, I would love to grab a coffee sometime.”

Twilight smiled. “I’ll be sure to hole you to that some time.”

“Looking forward to it.” The pair shook hooves and Scribblemind headed for the door.
And that ladies and gentlestallions is how the upper class do things.

As her new friend left the room Twilight opened the doors to her bathroom and turned on the shower.
Something tells me I need this.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applejack and Rainbow Dash sat at the large dining room table, the Pegasus had her forelegs crossed over her eyes whilst the earth pony dug into the large breakfast splayed out in front of her. Rainbow groaned. “Do you have to chew so loudly AJ?”

The earth pony chuckled. “Serves you right, drinking so much last night.”

“You drank three times as much as me and I’m the one with the hangover? There are no gods.” Rainbow groaned.

“Earth pony constitution Dashie, should have learned that by now….”

The conversation trailed off as Scribblemind walked through one of the doors, prompting the two ponies to look up from their respective positions. “Oh ah sorry, kind of lost.” He said with a sheepish smile.

“Door at the end of the hallway sir, turn left and you will find the exit.” The stallion spun around to find the tall grey form of the head butler standing behind him, a tray hold a pot of coffee and a pot of tea as well as some cups balanced on his back.

“How di…Thank you.” Sebastian stepped aside to allow the other stallion past.

Applejack turned to her friend “Twilight must be awake.” She said with a smile.

Rainbow rubbed her face and smiled as well. “Didn’t take Twilight for that kind of mare, good to see her having some fun for once.”

Sebastian walked over to the table placing the tray down as he went. “Oh contraire, Madam has been known to bring home stallions before. Though not without taste, or in abundance, but certainly she never has had to go without company when she wishes it.” He poured a coffee and slid the cup and saucer over to Rainbow Dash.

Applejack raised an eyebrow as she chewed a mouthful of eggs. “Really? I’ve always thought that our Twilight was…you know…”

“A virgin.” Rainbow Dash stated bluntly before sipping her coffee, Applejack glared at her. “What it’s true, heheh Rarity owes me ten bits now.”

Sebastian finished placing the last of the cups and set about collecting Applejack’s empty plates. “Not at all, daughter of a high house prodigy of Celestia, mistress has never been without suitors. How much do you know of the mistress’ life before she left Canterlot? If you do not mind me asking.”

Applejack pushed away one plate as she reached for another. “To be honest Twi has always been kind of quiet ‘bout her life back here. We didn’t even know she was nobility until a few days ago.”

“Really? Surely mistress must have told you something.”

The mares at the table shared a look. “Actually we don’t know much about Twilight pre Ponyville at all, we only found out she had a brother when we received the invite to his wedding and we all know how important he is to her.” Rainbow stated as she nursed her coffee. “Actually now that you mention it, there’s a lot about Twilight’s history we don’t know.”

Sebastian raised an eyebrow before shrugging. “I suppose Madam has her reasons for secrecy.”

“You mean you’re not going to fill us in?”

“Madam has her reasons.” The stallion repeated as he walked out of the room.

Applejack and Rainbow looked at each other for a moment before they grinned. “Twenty bits says she’s had a threesome.” 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight stepped out of the shower, a few drips of water pattered on the floor as she lit her horn ,the water on her evaporating in cloud of steam. Humming to herself she brushed her teeth she reviewed the events of the previous night.

Let’s see, after getting dressed up we left the house, went to a new club….danced had some drinks, more drinks danced more drink, meet Scribblemind danced and that’s it. Well at least it ended in a happy ending. She grinned to herself as she put away her toothbrush and picked up the floss.

So what have got scheduled for today, Lunch with Blueblood at one, hopefully I can show Rar that he’s not that bad he could be a big help….have to make arrangements with Luna send some letters to mayor mare and the postal service. Postal service….oh shit Spike doesn’t know.

Twilight put the floss in the waste bin and looked in the mirror.

How am I going to break it to him, he’s made so many new friends in Ponyville and it’s been good for him to interact with other kids (well he is seventeen but mentally they’re on the same level) it wouldn’t be fair to make him move with me. I suppose the sooner I talk to him the sooner I...we can decide what to do.
….Isn’t Spike’s bed next to mine at home….

She rushed form the bathroom and looked over to where Spikes bed usually sat, after a few frantic moments of searching she found it underneath the bed presumably where it had been kicked. Spike was fast asleep curled up in ball. She breathed a sigh of relief as she patted him on the head. “At least dragons are deep sleepers’ aye buddy.”

Spike simply carried on sleeping. “Oh Rarity, I’ll save you from the strawberry snow cone monster.” He mumbled.

Twilight sighed “I suppose I can let you sleep a bit longer, no sense in doing this right now.” She gave him peck on his forehead before walking out of the room. She was walking down the hallway when one of the doors opened and Fluttershy walked out.

“Good morning Shy.”

Fluttershy mumbled a reply and fell in step alongside her. “How’s your head Twilight?’

“Sore a bit fuzzy but nothing a good breakfast and magic can’t solve. Yourself?”

“Oh a little I um didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“Sorry to hear that, was the bed uncomfortable?”

“Yeah something like that…uncomfortable.” Fluttershy looked at Twilight sheepishly.

“I’ll be sure to have the staff take a look at your bed last night, who knows could be a pea under your mattress aye princess.” She said jokingly.

Fluttershy chuckled quietly. “I would invest in thicker walls personally.”

Twilight mirrored Fluttershy’s chuckle uneasily. “So you heard that.”

The Pegasus simply gave Twilight a small smile. “Let’s just say I may have heard something.”

“You’re not embarrassed?”

“Should I be?”

“Well I would have thought that you would have been a little more…you know…being you and all.”

“Well it’s not like you’re stranger, and besides a healthy and active sex life is a perfectly natural thing. I’m just happy you 
finally got to enjoy yourself, you hardly ever have fun back home.”

Twilight grinned. “Well Ponyville doesn’t exactly tailor to my tastes.”

“Oh? You have tastes?”

“Obviously, a high born noble like I could never be seen consorting with the common folk now could she.” Twilight said in her fancy voice, taking a moment to strike a pose as Fluttershy giggled.

Aaaand question successfully deflected, huzzah!

Giggling to themselves Twilight and Fluttershy continued walking, soon coming to the dining room. As they entered Twilight poured herself a cup of tea with her magic and with a good morning to Applejack and Rainbow, they sat down. 

Over the course of the next half hour Rarity wandered into the room, taking a seat as she did, joining in the aimless chatter. 

Occasionally servants would wander in taking orders and collecting empty plates and cutlery with efficiency. 

“So what has everypony got planned for today?” Twilight asked.

“Well we were going to take a look around Canterlot in the daytime, maybe get some souvenirs for the farm. After that me and RD were going to head back to Ponyville, she could only get coverage for a couple of days and I need to get back.”

“Yeah sorry to bail on ya Twi.”

“Don’t worry about it girls, I understand. What about the rest of you?”

“Well...if you don’t mind I’d like to join Applejack and Rainbow Dash when they go home. All my animal friends must be so worried without me.” 

“Oh, sure thing Fluttershy you don’t need to ask me for permission. Rarity?”

“Well the boutique will be fine for a few days and Sweetie is with our parents for the week so I can afford to stay a couple more days…that’s if your parents will be willing to have me that is.”

“Rarity they would be honoured I’m sure. Just wondering has anypony seen Pinkie this morning?”

The mares shook their heads, Applejack scratched her head, puzzled. “Can’t say that I have.”

“Hmmm.” Twilight turned her head slightly as the head butler walked through the doors. “Perfect timing, Sebastian did Pinkie return home with us.”

“Yes madam, however she shortly left after Miss Dash was put to bed. You had retired to your room with Master Scribblemind and Miss Rarity, Miss Fluttershy and Miss Applejack had procured use of the winery.”

“Did she leave a message or something?”

“Other than an offhand remark she left a small note.” Sebastian reached into a pocket on his coat and pulled out a tiny piece of paper that he handed to Twilight.

Twilight accepted the note and opened it in the same motion before reading it aloud. "Hey girls don't worry bout your aunty Pinks, just got word of some old party cats in town, will probably be late coming back. See you in the morning, Pinky. Huh, what was the remark she said as she left Sebastian?” Twilight said as she took a sip of tea.

“See you later tater, got an itch I’ve been dying to scratch. She was rather cheerful as she left. Do you wish for me to locate her?”

“Immediately.”

Sebastian tilted his head slightly and walked out of the room.

Fluttershy leaned over the table. “Twi do you think something happened to Pinkie? Leaving in that late at night isn’t like her.”

“Darling this is Pinkie Pie we’re talking about nothing bad could possible happen to her.”

“Yeah but you’ve got to admit this is strange even for her Rar, girl may be a few apples short of full basket but she ain’t empty.” Applejack leaned back in her chair with a worried expression on her face.

“I don’t know AJ, I know Pinks and while this is a bit strange I’m sure she’s fine.”

“Well I’m sure we can ask her when Sebastian finds her…and speak of the devil.”

“And he shall appear mistress.”

Twilight smiled as Sebastian walked into the room with Pinkie in tow. “I know you’re good but this just might be a new record.”

“As much as I would like to take credit I must confess Miss Pie was already on the premises when I found her.”

“Hey girls.” Pinkie said as she bounced her way over to the table.

“Pinkie where were you? Darn it girl we were beginning to get worried over here.”

“Oh you know visiting some old friends, boy can those ponies party!”

“Ah didn’t know you had friends in Canterlot.” Applejack leaned back in her seat.

“Come on AJ, this is Pinkie we’re talking about. I would be surprised if she didn’t.” Rainbow draped a fore leg over Pinkie and pulled her close, giving her a noogie.

"But if you were at a party why did you not come get us? That’s not like you dear?” Rarity said as she dipped a cup of tea.

“Trust me Rarity, this was a whole new level of party.” Pinkie said with a grin. “I don’t think you could have handled it.” Pinkie gasped and rushed over to her unicorn friend, wrapping her in a constricting hug. “Ohmygosh you would have exploded…twice! Rarity you have to Pinkie promise me you’ll practise proper party procedure and party responsible with a certified personal party professional.”

Rarity gasped for air and breathily promised she would as the rest of the table laughed at their antics and settled down for some quiet chatter among friends while they finished breakfast. Once everypony had stopped eating and the final set of dishes had been cleared from the table Twilight checked the clock.

Ten to nine, leaves me just under three hours before Blueblood arrives at one. Plenty of time to mail Mayor Mare and make arrangements with the post office, then I should begin preliminary arrangements with Luna. Will finalize those tomorrow, have to remember to ask Blue for a run down on who to look out for, who’s up and coming and on their way out. Should also take the time to speak to Fancy Pants.

“Hey egghead!”

Twilight flinched and shook her head. “Sorry Rainbow, caught up in my thinking.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.” The speedster said with a raised eyebrow.

Twilight raised an eyebrow in return. “Bubble wrap was originally designed to be used as a wall paper.”

Rainbow looked slightly confused before she shrugged her shoulders. “Me, AJ and Shy were about to head into town so we will probably see you before we leave.” The other two ponies had already gotten up and were saying their good byes.

“Oh okay girls, I’ll see you later.” Twilight waved them goodbye as they walked out of the room.

Once their friends had left Pinkie leaned forward with a coy smile on her face. “Soooo Twilight…”

“Yes Pinkie?”

Pinkie just continued grinning. “How’d it go last night?”

Twilight blushed a little. “Oh it was umm good.”

A smaller version of Pinkie’s grin played itself over Rarity’s features. “Oh, come now Twilight, the way you and he acting last night…I would say you had a bit more than a good time.”

“Rarity!” Twilight yelped, a mortified look on her face.

“What? We’re all friends here, come on spill I want all the details.”

“We can’t Rarity, we only have a teen rating.” Pinkie said as she looked off into space before snapping back to Twilight.

“Teen? Pinkie were all adults here.” Rarity gave Pinkie a questioning look as the pink mare smiled inanely back at her. 

Twilight looked at both of her friends before shaking her head. “Sorry Rarity, all I’m going to say is it was good.” Probably would help if I could remember most of it. She though inwardly as Rarity pouted momentarily. “So Pinkie who were these friends of yours, they sound like a lot of fun.”

“Oh just a few ponies from way back in my wilder days that really know how to party hardy.” Pinkie looked around the room in a comical fashion and leans over the table. “We usually stay up past bedtime and listen to loud music.” She whispers, somewhat, quietly.

“Way back?” Rarity asks as she raises an eyebrow. “Since when did you have wild years?”

“Don’t be silly Rarity, it’s not like I went straight from my dusty old rock farm to Ponyville. I did spend a couple of years bouncing around meeting new friends and having lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of super-duper fun parties. They were soooo spectacularific especially that one time involving Princess Celestia, Vinyl Scratch and a whooole lot of special punch.” 

Rarity turned to Twilight who just shrugged. “Pinkie darling, that’s…interesting, I didn’t know the Princess went to those kinds of…parties.” Rarity cringed slightly as she got the gist of the kinds of parties Pinkie was describing, usually the kind with flashing lights, unbearably tacky music at incomprehensible volumes where everypony was either drunk, high or engaged in bedroom activities…usually all three at once. “I didn’t know they had them in Canterlot."

“There’s always a party Rarity you just have to know where to look.” Pinkie said sagely.

“Well I’m sure the Princess knew what she was doing…though you could never catch a proper lady at such an uncouth convention.” Rarity pulled a dignified pose.

Twilight looked over at Pinkie who was smiling right back at her, a knowing grin on her face. Twilight returned the grin. 

“Well…” Rarity blinked in shock.

“Twilight, you-“She was cut off as Pinkie interrupted.

“You’d be surprised at what the rich get up to behind closed doors.” Pinkie said as Twilight blushed.

“Well I can’t say for sure what they do now, but Blueblood used to through some really…crazy parties.”

Tilting her head slightly, Rarity looked at her friend in shock. “I wouldn’t have thought that sort of thing was your scene…you being you know...back then an you being...well you know...you.”

“You mean a socially isolated bookworm?”

“Well, yes I suppose. Not that I’m arguing with you darling, it’s just I’m having a hard time imagining you and Blueblood…” Rarity pulled a face like she had bitten into something sour.

Both Twilight and Pinkie giggled at their friend. “Well I can honestly say that Blueblood while he isn’t exactly the most chivalrous pony can be quite the gentlestallion when he wants to be.”

Rarity sat back in her chair a smile on her face. “I’ll believe it when I see it Twilight, after the abysmal way he treated me at the gala he’s got a lot of work to do before he’s in my good books.  And what about those rumours I hear about him, apparently he can be a bit eager with the ladies?”

Twilight giggled. “Rarity I know what rumours you’re talking about and I want you to trust me on this. Blueblood may take your kiss and anything else your willing to give but he would never, and let me repeat, never hurt you. If anything he abhors it’s that kind of behaviour, those kind of rumours are usually started by jealous mares and angry coltfriends.”

Rarity waved a hoof. “It’s okay darling I never put much stock in them, I just wanted to get your opinion on them.”

As Twilight and Rarity continued with their conversation, Pinkie took a glance at the clock, staring vacantly with the hand ticking away. “Hmmm.” She reached into her mane and pulled out a small glass orb, as she cradled it in her hooves it filled with a red mist.

“Now what did I forget this time?” She mumbled as she put the orb back in her mane tapping her chin in thought. “Oh I know!” She shouted, stunning the other two mares as she pulled a roll of parchment from seemingly nowhere.

“Um Pinkie what are you-“Twilight began to aske before she was cut off.

“Shhh, I’m checking my journal.” Pinkie scrunched up her face, holding the parchment up close to her face. “Let’s see, yes, uh huh, yes, brought the acid yesterday and the laser sharks should be delivered on Monday hmmm, oh here it is!” Pinkie exclaimed before she ate the parchment. “Well girls I’ve got to go and tie up a few lose ends before the pigs catch me.”

“Uhhhhh.” Both Twilight and Rarity droned.

Twilight was the first to snap out of it. “So you’re going?” She asked her brain finished piecing the important pieces of information from Pinkie’s antics.

“You’ll be leaving as well darling?” Rarity asked a step behind Twilight.

“Don’t worry, I won’t be long I just have to pick up a few tine tiny ingredients for your super-secret going away present.” Pinkie gave a big smile, obvious to the fact she had just told Twilight about her ‘secret’ present, hugged Twilight tightly. 

“Besides, I’m sure you’ve got a whole lot of super-duper important thingies to take care of yourself Twilight.”

“Okay Pinkie, hope you have fun.”

Pinkie snorted in laughter. “Oh silly Twilight I always have fun.” She continued laughing as she walked out of the room. “Silly Twilight.”

“I suppose it’s just you and me Rarity. Unless you have something to do at the last minute as well.”

“No nothing that I can think of.” Rarity said as she inspected her hoof. “What are we going to do now?”

“Well I have to get a few things written up then make a visit to Princess Luna to discuss terms. I doubt you would be interested in either chore. We do have lunch here with Prince Blueblood at one, I assume you’ll be joining us?”

“Of course, I suppose I could find a way to entertain myself till then. Your closet seems to be the first place to start.” Rarity said with a grin. “Say Twilight, where is Spikey? I would have thought he would be up with you?”

“Oh, him…”

“Something wrong?”

“No…well it’s just I don’t know how to tell him…”

“Have you spoken at all since yesterday?”

“No, he was still asleep this morning.”

“Twilight dear you will have to tell him soon.”

“Yes yes I know that, it’s just I’ve never seen him so happy. He’s finally made real friends in Ponyville and I don’t want to rip him away from that.” Twilight rubbed her forehead as the begging of a migraine stirred up.

“I see.” 

“It’s just this was my choice to make, but he didn’t have a say in it and it’s his life too I’m affecting.” Twilight rubbed her forelegs like she was ashamed. “I guess I kind of forgot that, it’s just that for so long I’ve been making decisions and expecting him to just go along with it…”

“And you’re wondering if maybe you’re stretching his trust a bit far with this.” Rarity leaned back into her seat, hooves crossed in front of her.

“Yeah.”

“So what are you going to do?”

Twilight exhaled loudly. “I don’t know.”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Lady Sparkle whilst We are most pleased that you have decided to accept our proposal We think We a have reached the limit of paperwork for today. We will resume this tomorrow.” The Princess of the Night said as Twilight packed up the piles of notes and work contracts she had drafted. “We will be happy to provide all the conditions you have applied for and look forward to a prosperous reign with you at our side.” Luna extended a hoof that Twilight shook.

“I can’t wait to start Princess.” Twilight said with a smile. At least the workload will stop me thinking about Princess Celestia and keep me busy.

“Pleased to hear it.” Luna replied as she walked Twilight to the door.

Twilight quickly bowed and left, walking out of the royal section back into the Gold Halls. As she wandered through the mob, taking time to smile and share a few greetings Twilight looked at one of the ornate clocks hanging from the walls.

Ten to one, good, plenty of time to get prepared, hope Rarity hasn’t been too bored.

Excusing herself from a crowd of lesser nobles that had built up around her, not unlike some fish schools are wont to do, 
Twilight teleported back to her room. As she reappeared with a pop the first thing she noticed was Rarity passed out on her bed, dresses everywhere and Spike fanning her with a large hat.

“Do I want to know?” Twilight said as she walked past and inspected a couple of dresses as she put her notes away.

Spike kept up his fanning. “Not particularly.”

Hmm maybe green one, no no I want something with flair, hmmm possibly...

“What do you think Spike?” Twilight asked as she held a dress up.

Spike looked up. “Umm yeah, I guess it looks good? What’s the occasion?”

“Blueblood’s coming around for lunch at one.” Twilight said as she discards the dress and picks another from a pile Rarity had made. “How was your nap?”

“Good, it was nice of you to let me have a proper sleep in for once and it was great to have the guys making me breakfast again. Can’t say I won’t be missing Sebastian we go home though.” Spike shudders. “Guy’s plain creepy.”

“Well if you think so low of me Master Spike perhaps I will refrain from letting you treat yourself to the Mistress’s jewellery box.” Sebastian said from the door way.

Spike jumped up from the bed, the sudden movement triggering Rarity to wake up. “Gahhh?!” Both pony and dragon said as 
Spike tumbled onto the ground. “See Twilight, he just sneaks up on you.” 

Ignoring the dragonling Sebastian walked forward, gave Twilight a small bow before selecting a dress. “Miss Rarity and I chose this for your evening attire madam. Will you be requiring anything before Prince Blueblood arrives?”

“Thank you Sebastian, no I will not just see that the tables are set.”

“Outside patio, or indoors ma’am?”

Twilight glanced out the window to check the weather. “It’s a nice day so I think outside would be delightful.”

Sebastian gave her a small bow, “Ma’am.” and walked away.

Rarity rose from the bed, somewhat shaky. “Sorry Twilight dear, I don’t know what came over me.” She said with a blush as 
she watched the head butler leave.

Twilight smiled. “It’s okay, he tends to have that effect on ponies.”

Rarity coughed. “I don’t know what you’re on about Twilight.”

Giving a small giggle in response she walked to her bathroom to get changed Twilight couldn’t help but feel a little bit of dread. If Sebastian hadn’t entered when he did she would have had to lie to Spike about going home. Sighing she leaned against the mirror, letting the cool glass leach the heat from her face as she thought about what she was going to do with Spike.

Curse me and my stupid idealism, why didn’t I think about him before!!!

She berated the selfishness of her actions. How dare she make life altering choices without considering Spike, guy never even had a say in the matter! But at the same time she knew why she had acted like she did. She hardly ever considered Spike, her birthday party, her Gala plans even her choice in rutting spots were all evidence to the fact. Okay she may have been stone dead drunk last night, and boy had she felt it in the morning, but that didn’t excuse the fact she had done…it… practically on top of him. 

Twilight shuddered to think what would have happened had he woken up. Probably scar him for life poor guy.

It was like what she had said to Rarity that morning, she had been making choices for so long and expecting him to follow, trusting that his dog like devotion to her would keep her at his side. But the game had changed, the circumstances had changed, she wasn’t the only one who had found friends.

Isn’t this a fine mess you’ve got yourself into this time Twilight.

A knocking sound came from the door jarring her from her thought. “Hey Twilight It doesn’t take that long to get changed you okay in there?” Spike’s voice called out to her.

“I’m fine, don’t worry about me.” She called out as she hurriedly changed clothes and opened the door, causing Spike to tumble in as he had been leaning against it.

“Could’ve given me a bit of warning.” He grumbled as he picked himself up. 

Yeah, suppose I could have...

Rolling her eyes as she stepped over him Twilight noticed Rarity had gotten changed into a dress of her own. “Hope you weren’t too bored on your own Rarity.”

“Oh I managed to find a way to pass the time.” Rarity responded in an airy tone. “Do you like the dress Sebastian and myself picked out for you?”

Twilight preformed a little twirl. “You did fantastically.”

“So,” Rarity said as she examined herself in the mirror “you said he was a gentle colt, mind explaining why he acts so boorishly all the time then.”

“Mostly because it drives away gold digging mares.” Twilight responded with a shrug. “Spike,” she called out, “could you go tell Sebastian to put out a bottle of Dom. Romane Conti 997.”

“Do I have too?” Spike said as Twilight sighed and magically reached into box next to her bed, pulling out a sapphire shard. 
Spike narrowed his eyes and Twilight grinned. “Oh that’s underhooved, hitting a dragon where it hurts.”

Twilight tossed him the shard which he caught as he walked out the door. “Whaaat?” She said as Rarity gave her a flat stare.

“When are you going to sit down with him Twilight?”

“I’m going to do it soon.” Twilight said as she took a half step backwards. “….Stop it stop it; fine I’ll talk to him tonight, you’ve been taking lessons from Fluttershy haven’t you.”

Rarity simply flicked her mane over her shoulder and walked out the door. “Let’s go great our guest, he should be arriving soon I take it.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blueblood knocked on the door of the Sparkle family estate, thinking back to the last time he had seen Twilight. It was only a week before the summer sun celebration, he smiled fondly at the memory.

Blueblood lay in the bed watching as Twilight fixed herself up. “You okay? You seem distracted...well more so than usual.” 

Twilight looked over her shoulder and raised an eyebrow.

“It’s nothing just some research I’m doing in my spare time.”

“The Mare in the Moon legend again?” Twilight scowled at his remark. “Come on Twilight, it’s a dusty old mare’s tale…”

“And why then does it mention Celestia’s sister-“

“Who was proclaimed dead a thousand years ago when the cutie pox killed three fifths of the population-“

“That doesn’t make any sense!” Twilight shouted. “Gah I’m sorry Blue I don’t mean to snap but I know there is something 
more to this and I need to find out.”

Blueblood shrugged. “And the filly scouts are behind the crop circles along with Slendermare and Old mare who’s missing her rusty horseshoe. Wooooo~” Blueblood got up close to Twilight waving his hooves above his head as Twilight stared blankly at him before sighing and cracking a small grin.

“I’ll see you next week for our next meeting.” Twilight said as she gave him a wink before walking out the door.

Blueblood smiled as she left, the good things in life were always worth the wait.

She had never come back, Blueblood sighed as the memory played it’s self in his mind. It wasn’t until she had left that Blueblood realized how much he missed her, in the weeks that followed he had toyed with moving to Ponyville damn the dirt and the uncouth commoners. But he had duties to attend to and he had stayed put, sometimes she would write him a letter every now and again. And while he never really got over her he managed to function without her.

“Sir, the madams' are waiting for you, will you becoming in?” A voice broke through his revere, he turned to see one of the family’s butlers.

“Ah yes, lead on.” He said, embarrassed to have been caught absent minded by the help.

As he was led through the hallways he couldn’t help but recall the moments he had spent a foal running around here playing solider with Shining Armor. He usually played the villain while Shining played the hero, thinking back on it even as colt Shining always had that sentimental streak in him that made him so good at his job. He had always counted himself lucky to have Shining as one of his few friends.

Blueblood smiled, if anypony out there deserved his blessings it was that one.

Well aren't we felling nostalgic today.

He was still smiling when he arrived at his destination where Rarity and Twilight were chatting amiably; even though both mares were beautiful, his eyes were only for Twilight.

As he approached he gave a small cough to get their attention. “Greetings to you both, I hope I am not intruding on anything.” 

“Blueblood, glad you could join us.” Twilight said as the stallion took a seat.

“Twilight I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Miss Rarity I hope you can forgive me for that little show last night.”

Rarity gave her mane a slight flick. “Well I didn’t enjoy it but Twilight has been telling me about you and I am willing to put the past behind me.”

“Yes, the past. Miss Rarity I would like to offer my most humble apologies for that night at the Gala, I acted most unbecoming of a Gentlestallon.”

Rarity snorted. “Most unbecoming; you used me as meat shield to stop your coat getting dirty, Prince I think you were far more than unbecoming, you were down right beastly.”

Blueblood winced. “Yes and for that I do apologise most sincerely, had I known you were close friends with Twilight I would have shown a much more gracious night.”

“Whether I was friends with Twilight or not should have never been an issue, you should have never of treated me like that in the first place!” Rarity took a deep breath to calm herself. “I am sorry for that outburst Prince, I will endeavour to control myself in the future.”

“No no you have a point; I should have never been so cruel to you that night, truth be told I was hoping you would take the rather strong hints that I wasn’t interested but you proved to be most persistent.”

“If you didn’t want my company all you had to do was say so.” Rarity massaged her temples.

“As Twilight told me rather strongly in her letters.” Blueblood grimaced. “I believe the exact words you used were ‘I don’t know what drove you to act in such a manner but the way you have treated one of my closest friends makes me sick to my core, it is clear that this time apart has changed you for the worse and If I never see you again it would be too soon.’ It was definitely one of your more emotional letters.”

Twilight gives Blueblood a shrug. “You acted like jerk to one of my best friends, you should have been glad I didn’t tell Princess Celestia about it.”

“Oh she found out on her own, had some very strong words for me.” Blueblood pours himself a glass of wine as Twilight winces.

“Twilight; if you were so mad with him then why are you acting so friendly together now?” Rarity asked, slightly confused.

Twilight poured herself a small glass of wine. “Well to be honest it was a few of years ago now and even through letters he does have away with words.”

Blueblood took a sip of his wine a smirk on his face. “You could say I have a silver tongue.”

“Well that’s all fine and dandy,” Rarity said “but why did you act so horrendously at the Gala in the first place.”

Blueblood’s face lost it’s smirk. “I was hoping you would go away.”

“But why?” Rarity asked.

“It’s not important Miss Rarity, just know that I feel ashamed for the way I treated you and hope you accept my sincere apologies.

“As I said I am willing to put the past behind us Prince, so long as you refrain from using me a shield and treat Twilight here with utmost respect we will be the best of friends.”

“I am glad to hear that Miss Rarity, so Twilight how did the meeting with Aunty Luna go? I trust you sorted everything you need for when you move back?” Blueblood asked.

“Mostly, everything has been drafted up just need to present her with a final copy tomorrow for her to sigh and I’ll officially be her primary advisor.” Twilight said with a smile. 

“Who’s primary what now?” A voice from the door way asked. The occupants at the table all turned around to see Spike and one of the house staff walking towards them.

The maid gave a curtsey. “Forgive me madam, I tried to keep him away from the lunch as you requested but he wanted to talk to you about taking some gems from the Lord and Lady’s collection for…personal use.”

“Yeah, but what’s this about advisors Twilight?” Spike asked confused.

Twilight sighed and got up from the table, dismissing the maid with a gesture. “Sorry to cut into our lunch Blueblood but I have something to do.” Walking over to Spike she looked at the dragonling. “Would you mind coming for a walk Spike, I need to talk with you about something.”

Spike looked up at Twilight with an uneasy feeling. “What’s going on Twilight?” He asked as the pair walked off into the garden.

Rarity and Blueblood watched them go. “I take it she hasn’t told him.” Blueblood said in a quiet voice.

“No, poor Spike he’s going to be crushed.”

Blueblood was quiet for a moment. “So my sources say you’re a tailor, and not a half bad one at that.”

“Not half bad? I’ll have you know I design only the most fashionable dresses and evening wear in Ponyville.” Rarity said, pride in her voice.

“Ah and how is that going for you?”

“Very well thank you very much.” Rarity said snippily before pausing. “However...”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow, he knew that tone. He usually heard it when ponies wanted something from him. “Have you had an idea?”

“Well my business could use a sponsor, somepony to bring some attention to my brand if you get my drift.”

“I thought you said you were doing well.” 

“Oh but one can always use all the endorsement one can get her hooves on, and I believe you owe me this at least.”

Blueblood chuckled. “Yes I do, very well what have you got in mind. From what I understand you specialize in dresses and last time I checked I do not look good in one, well I look good in anything but let’s keep that to ourselves shall we.” He winked at Rarity.

Rarity just ignored it and continued on. “That may be the case but I’m sure your many marefriends would look better in one of mine.”

“Ahh I see, I endorse your dress line to my female following and they in turn spread your name amongst their friends which in turn is spread further and further,” Blueblood smiled, “clever Miss Rarity very clever maybe you might have a future in this business after all.” He raised his glass in a toast.

Rarity raised hers as well. “It is the least you can do for me after all.” She said with a smile.

Blueblood tilted his head in acknowledgement before drinking his wine. As he poured himself another glass Rarity asked him a question. “So what is it with you and Twilight?”

“What do you mean?” 

“Don’t play coy with me Prince, I want to know everything.”

“We are just friends Miss Rarity that is all.” Rarity gave Blueblood a flat look that made the hairs on the back of his neck rise. 

“Last time I checked Twilight didn’t have friends before she came to us.”

Blueblood paused , thinking for a moment. “Correct she didn’t have friends, not in the conventional sense at least. If anything I was more like an acquaintance who's company she enjoyed."

“Who happened to slept with her on occasion.” Rarity said in a flat voice.

Blueblood narrowed his eyes. “Just what are you implying Miss Rarity?”

“Nothing Prince I am merely trying to understand how a socially isolated bookworm like Twilight could ever call a social butterfly such as yourself something as intimate as lover, something I still struggle to believe as she has never mentioned you at all for the past three years.”

Blueblood sighed and swirled his wine around in his cup, watching it. "No, she wouldn't would she." He said more to himself than anything else.

Rarity was confused by the effect of her words on the prince. “Prince Blueblood, are you okay?”

Blueblood didn’t reply for time, he just sat looking out at the garden. “We used to say we were seeing each other out of convenience, mutually physical and intellectual attraction she used to call it. I would see other mares of course, and I have no doubt that Twilight was doing the same, she always was rather sought after."

Rarity said nothing as she let the prince talk at his own pace.

"She was always so...formal, not in a rude way mind you very professional like. She had this rule you see about mixing her personal life, had everything filed away; personal, pleasure, scholarly pursuits all of in nice and separated no mess no fuss." Blueblood pauses before smirking, "I of course was given a little bit of leeway given my already close association with her brother."

"You are friends with Shining Armor?" Rarity asks incredulously.

"Yes, is there something wrong with that?" Blueblood asks in an annoyed tone.

"No I wouldn't have thought a pony like yourself would have gotten along well with someone like Shining Armor, that's all." Rarity says as she lifts her glass.

"You're not alone in that, more than one has expressed similar opinions."

Blueblood pauses momentarily lost in thought. "He always was head strong even as a colt."

Reclining in her chair Rarity gives a him a flat look. "Now why don't I find that surprising."

"I know shocking," Blueblood deadpans, "besides I suppose it was having Sir Killjoy around that took me so long to make a move on Twilight."

"Indeed I can see how that would complicate matters. If you don't mind my inquiring," Blueblood shakes his hoof in a dismissive gesture, "but what exactly do you see in Twilight?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well you can have any mare you wish," Blueblood raises an eyebrow "nearly any mare you wish." Rarity corrects with mild annoyance. "And I don't mean to sound cruel but Twilight isn't anything special to look at."

Blueblood smiles. "Ah Miss Rarity if you believe that then perhaps you should rethink your choice in career."

Rarity raised an eyebrow but Blueblood simply chuckled. "I think I'll leave that topic for later, such things are best discussed after many drinks in the company of good friends after all."

"Oh well don't let me make you feel uncomfortable my Prince." She says with a flick of her mane.

"Relax Miss Rarity, another bottle of wine and I shall be able to find even your company acceptable." Blueblood responds a smirk on his face.

Rarity narrows her eyebrows as she gives a small smile. "I think I share your sentiments."

Blueblood grins as he takes a drink and looks out over the garden. "I wonder how Twilight is going with Spike."

"I don't know, Twilight moving back is a really big thing for all of us." Rarity follows his gaze. "I just hope she knows what she's doing here."

"I hope so too." Blueblood says as he nurses his glass if wine. "But this is Twilight Sparkle we are talking about, if any mare knows what she's doing it's that one."

"Indeed, I just hope Spike won't be too upset. Celestia knows he's made his own fair share of friends in Ponyville."

"Not surprising, he always was a friendly chap. In fact I remember when-" Blueblood pauses, rising from his chair. 

Walking towards the pair of unicorns was Twilight, Spike riding on her back as he held onto her neck tightly, a smile on her face.
> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Her world slowed as she walked over to her little brother. “Would you mind coming for a walk Spike, I need to talk with you about something.” Twilight said as she gestured that she wanted him to follow her.

Spike looked up at Twilight with an uneasy feeling. “What’s going on Twilight?” He said as he followed her.

Twilight didn’t say anything as she led him away from the patio and out into the estate's garden, Spike followed along quietly.

When they were out of sight from the house Twilight sighed and walked over to a nearby bench of crafted marble. “Spike, could you please sit with me for a moment?” she asked him.

“You've accepted her offer." Spike asked as he sat down, though he already knew the answer.

“Yeah.” She said as she looked out across her families' garden.

“This is about you staying in Canterlot isn’t it?”  He said.

"Yeah, it is.” Twilight said as she nodded in reply.

“You’re concerned about telling me we’re moving back to Canterlot right?” Spike asked, leaning back on the bench as he looked up at the sky.

"Something like that.” Twilight said, a look of mild surprise on her face.
Spike smirked as he watched a pair of birds dancing in the air. “Don’t look so shocked, I know you better than anypony.”

“I guess you do.” Twilight said, a trace of pride in her tone.

“So why are we here Twilight?”

“I want…I want to offer you something.” Twilight said hesitantly.

"Go on.” Spike said as he slowly raised an eye scale.

“I’ve been doing some thinking Spike, and though I’m moving up here that’s doesn’t necessarily mean you have to as well.”

“What are you saying?” Spike's smirk faded as he replied.

“I know you’ve made friends in Ponyville Spike.”

“Twilight….”

“Which is why I think it would be better for you to stay there instead of moving with me.”

"I, I…wow.” He sat in silence for a moment. "That's...wow, really...really taken me by surprise there."

“Is that something you’d like Spike?” Twilight asked cautiously as she turned her head to look at him.

“I…I don’t know, I mean staying with my friends would be great but I just can’t leave you.” Spike looked up at Twilight confused.

Twilight wrapped a foreleg around the small dragonling in a hug. “Oh I know Spike I really do.”

“Why?” He asked as he furrowed his brow. "I could help you a lot up here."

“I know you could Spike, but this time it isn’t about what’s best for me.” Twilight said. 

“Remember what happened after me and the girls defeated Nightmare Moon?”

“Yeah Celestia said you were going to return to Canterlot….oh.”

"Now you get it.” Twilight smiled as Spike followed her train of thought.

"You didn’t want to go so Celestia let you stay.” Spike frowned.

“The Princess knew how much I loved my friends even though we had only just met, I know you love your friends as well Spike. I know you don’t want to go.” Twilight smiled as she looked down at him.

"This is pretty heavy Twilight." Spike said as he pushed himself away from Twilight.

"Yeah I know."

"There has got to be more to this than what you're telling me." Spike looked over at Twilight who retained her normal posture, the only thing betraying that the words had any effect was a slight narrowing of her eyes.

There was a subtle difference in the air as the two locked gazes.

"Of course," Twilight said as she looked away, for all intents and purposes seeming like she was admiring the scenery of the garden's statues and hedges. "But do you really want to know?" She said without looking his way.

Spike looked away from her as a silence descended between them. The summer birds tweeted from perches atop the stone figures, their cheerful song at odds with the tense atmosphere.

"I don't know if I do Twilight." Spike said suddenly.

"You have to believe me Spike, this is best, for the both of us." She said as she looked back at him, a sincere expression on her face.

"And what makes you think that?" Spike said, snapping at her.

"I just do Spike, you'll just have to trust me."

"You’re not exactly giving me much to work with here." He said tersely.

"I know, but do you trust me Spike?" She asked.

"Yeah, I do. But that doesn't mean I like it." He said. "I'll go, if that's what you think is best."

"Thanks." She says as she smiles at him. "You're taking this better than I thought you would."

"Oh I'm crying inside don't you worry." Spike replies as he rolls his eyes. "Twilight, I'm trusting you big time here."

"I know." Twilight nods solemnly. "Besides, I'll visit when I can and I'll send you a letter every week."

"I’ll hold you to that that." Spike replies with a smile.

The pair were silent for a short time while the tense atmosphere evaporated as fast as it appeared.

“You know you should talk to them before they leave.” Spike said as he folded his claws across his lap.

“I already spent last night saying good bye to them.” Twilight said as she returned her gaze to the garden.

“You know what I mean Twilight.”

A frown momentarily appeared on Twilight’s face. “Where do I begin though?”

Spike shrugs. “From the beginning is usually a good idea.” The pair of them share a smile at his joke.

“We should go back.” Twilight says as she stands, stretching her legs.

“I suppose so.” Spike agrees as he takes his regular place on her back.

The walk back to the house was mostly silent with only singing of the birds floating through the air. Twilight looked around the garden, remembering snippets from her childhood, preparing herself to talk to her friends. She had never had much free time as a filly, her mother had always pushed her, taking her to classes and private tutors in an effort to drill what it meant to be a noble into her.

Twilight didn’t hold it against her, it was normal for noble born children to be drilled in the ways of court, her mother had simply raised her the way she herself had been raised. The only reason she had gotten as much free time as a filly was because of her father, Twilight smiled as she recalled her cherished memories of playing out here in gardens with her father and brother.

As she walked Twilight couldn’t help as her thoughts strayed to the less than pleasurable moments of her childhood, which sadly she noted formed the majority. She guessed that if she had the fortune to have been raised in a ‘normal’ setting like her friends then she would probably have ended up with severe mental issues not that it would have probably done much. Princess knows that sociopathic tendencies are the norm among the nobility, Twilight knew that she herself had the capacity to exhibit similar tendencies.

Twilight smiled as she rounded a corner coming into view of her family house, I suppose that went better than expected, she thought to herself. Spike really is more mature than I give him credit for, he’s certainly smarter, though that’s not surprising.

Blueblood and Rarity wave to them from their place on the patio as they walk towards them. 

“So how did it go Twilight?” Blueblood calls out to them as they walk up the step onto the polished wood of patio.

“Perfectly fine, nothing we couldn’t talk over. Right Twilight?” Spike said as he released his grip from Twilight’s neck.

Twilight smiled as Spike dismounted. “How about you go and help yourself to my jewel stash, I need to talk Rarity and Blueblood for a bit.”

Rarity looked at the scene in a state of a slight confusion as Spike said goodbye to her and Blueblood, making sure to give her a bow before he left.

“Umm Twilight, what was that?” She asked.

“It seems that I under estimated him.” Twilight said as she took her seat back at the table.

“Indeed, and what did you discuss? If you don’t mind my asking.” Blueblood says as he sits back down.

“Well we talked about my new position, and about what that means for him.” Twilight looked over to Rarity. “We’ve decided that he’s going to be leaving with you when you go back to 
Ponyville, I was hoping that you would be the one to take him in.”

Rarity leaned back in her chair shocked. “Oh…This is rather sudden, I mean I would be honored darling of course. But…are you sure Twilight?”

Twilight nodded her head. “Of course, we decided that it would be best for everypony, and I will be writing and visiting when I have the chance.”

“I suppose if you both think it is for the best, I can honestly say though that I thought this would be more…”

“Angsty?” Blueblood offered as he tipped his glass back.

Rarity shot him a glare. “Well for lack of better term yes, especially from the way you were reacting earlier.”

Twilight shrugged. “You know me Rarity, I always get myself worked up over nothing.” She gave a small chuckle as Blueblood rolled his eyes.

“I guess so…” Rarity replied, sounding slightly unsure.

Blueblood cleared his throat with a cough as he spied a trio of maids approaching with meal dishes. “I do hate to interrupt but perhaps we have enough of business for now, lunch appears to have arrived.”

Twilight and Rarity looked up in time to see the maids place the dishes before them then with a small bow departed.

“Blueblood is right Rarity, let’s just enjoy a nice meal on a sunny day. After all there’s plenty of time to talk later when the girls get back.” Twilight gave her a smile before turning her attention to her own meal.

Let’s hope things go smoothly. 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Twilight watched from the balcony overlooking the front door as her friends walked through the door from their shopping spree, she smiled as the sounds of their conversation wafted up to her ears.

“…wdy! That sure did take longer than I thought.” The sound of Applejack’s distinctive accent easily identified her voice.

“Hey! Blocks are hard to get over.” And the nonsensical topic identified Pinkie Pie.

Twilight chuckled to herself as she walked down the stairs. “How was your trip?” She called out.

Her friends waved and smiled back at her. “All good sugar cube.” Applejack called back. “We picked you up a little somethimmmggh.”

“No, she’s not supposed to know yet!” Pinkie said as put one of her hooves in Applejack’s mouth.

Applejack rolled her eyes as she spit out the hoof. “Yeah, we also picked up some trinkets for the folks back in Ponyville.”

Rainbow hovered in the slightly as she looked around. “Where’s Rare? Thought she’d be with you?”

“Hmm? Oh she’s just upstairs with Spike talking over the housing arrangements, she’ll be along shortly.” Twilight replied as she finished walking down the stairs.

Her friends looked at each other slightly confused. “Huh?” Rainbow said as she scratch the side of her head. “Housing arrangements?”

“Yeah, Spike will be going back to Ponyville with Rarity.” Twilight replied, holding up a hoof to silence her friends. “I know, shocking, but if you’ll follow me into the sitting room I’ll answer your questions.”

As she led the group into the well-furnished room her friends looked back at each other with concerned expressions on their faces. “Okay?” Rainbow replied as she hovered after her.

“I know it might be a bit shocking that I’ve decide to let Spike return to Ponyville girls…” 
Twilight started as she ushered everypony into their seats.

“Um why?” Rainbow asked as she sat down.

Twilight looked around the room. “Maybe should wait till Rarity gets here. I’d like to only have to explain this once.”

The rest of the ponies looked at each other and shrugged. “Alright Twilight.” Applejack said as she relaxed into her chair.

The room went quiet as everyone sat in the chairs, Pinkie nervously fidgeting as she tried to sit still.

*Tick* *Tick* *Tick*

“I can’t take it!” Pinkie cries as she flips her chair.

“Um weren’t you siting in that?” Fluttershy asks as she leans over.

Ignoring her Pinkie rears up and places her hooves on either side of her face. “I can’t live like this I need to be busy!”

“It’s only been three seconds sugar cube.” Applejack said.

“We need to be patient, I’m sure Rarity will be finishing right about now.” Twilight says as she watches Pinkie rush around the room.

“Patience is for wimps!” Pinkie declares as she zips past the door just as it opens, letting 
Rarity walk through as butler shows her in.

“Sorry to be late dears,” She said as she took a seat. “Spike’s upstairs still,  we won’t have to worry about him walking in on us.”

“Thanks Rarity.” Twilight replies. “Pinkie you might want to sit down.”

Pinkie abruptly stops in her tracks next to Fluttershy, sitting on a conveniently placed chair as she does so.

“Umm where did you get that chair?” Fluttershy asks.

“It was always here, duh.” Pinkie states as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Shhh Twilight’s about to start talking.”

“I…Really Pinkie?” Twilight asks, momentarily perplexed before shaking it off. “Now that we are all here I can answer your question Rainbow.”

“Go right ahead.” Rainbow says as she leans forward in her chair.

All right here goes nothing.

“Girls I hope you don’t take this the wrong way when I say this but…It is about politics.” Twilight states. “With Spike out of the picture here in Canterlot it gives me room to operate freely while still keeping him close enough that I don’t have to go out my way to contact him.”

“Twilight I won’t pretend that I understand what kind of business your lot get up too, but isn’t Spike being sent back with us a bit...you know…drastic?” Applejack says.

“I too must confess that it seems slightly over the top as well dear.” Rarity pipes in.

“I can see how you would think that, but there are things that I’ll have to do in the coming weeks to build up my position that I’d rather he were not exposed to.”

“Like what?” Fluttershy asked. “Do you mean sex?”

Twilight coughed a little, startled at the forwardness her normally quite friend was showing. “Well yes for one, but that’s not the only concern. Blackmail will probably be a big part of it, and frankly some of the Ponies I’m going to be forced to associate with I’d prefer Spike not to meet.”

“That don’t sound too good Twilight. Surely no pony could be that bad.” Pinkie tilts her head to the side as she speaks.

“Trust me Pinkie they can be.” Twilight replies.

“You’ve been saying that an awful lot Twilight, I’m not saying we don’t trust you but I can’t say I’m comfortable with it.” Applejack speaks up.

Twilight sighs. “I can understand that AJ. Let me ask you something, how many members of your family you trust to help you at the drop of a hat?”

Applejack raises an eyebrow. “Well all of them, Apples stick together through and through.” She says with a touch of pride in her voice.

“I know, now guess how many of mine I trust.” Twilight asks.

“Ah don’t know,” Applejack rubs the back of her head. “I’d have to say family’s family right so you’d help them no matter what right?”

“Wrong, out of my entire family, uncles, aunts and cousins included I only trust two of them to help me no matter the cost. My brother and my father.”
“Wait what about your mother.” Rainbow interjects.

“Don’t get me wrong Rainbow, we love each other and by Noblesse standards we have a very close relationship. But her priority is the reputation of the house and if I did something that damaged our reputation she wouldn’t hesitate in dropping me faster than Rarity switches fashions.” Twilight shrugs, watching her friends’ reactions.

“Dropping…you mean disowning? To her own daughter?” Applejack asked, astounded.”

“That’s not all, while she’s not as ruthless as other mothers there no real getting around the fact that I’m now competition for her as the court face of the house.” Twilight adds.

“Hold up, explain that please Twilight.” Applejack replies.

“Certainly, the court face is the most popular member of a house in the courts. Such a pony holds high standing not only in the courts but also within the house, this is because their popularity allows them to influence the attitude of other Nobles in relation to members of their own house and vice versa. My mother and I have never clashed over this since I never liked to involve myself in the courts directly, but since a big part of my new position will require me to be Luna’s representative amongst the Nobles chances are I will become the new court face of my house.” Twilight explains in a scholarly fashion.

“So what, your mum’s going to get mad because you’re more popular?” Rainbow asks, Twilight’s ear twitching slightly at the causal term her friend used to describe her mother.

“Not quite, it’s more about her losing power and influence. I fully expect her to try to hold onto it for as long as she can, it can be a rather complicated process, but it’s only a matter of time until it slips away from her and she knows it."

Applejack leaned back in her chair with a shocked expression on her face. "Wow Twi I didn't know that things were so complicated up here, and just in your own family."

"Indeed darling, if you can't trust your own mother completely then I have to agree that this is no place for a young dragon like Spike."

Pinkie jumped out of her seat, a look of excitement on her face. "This means we need a hooray-Spike's-coming-home-not-that-he-ever-left party!"

"I suppose you will need to through little Spike one of those." A voice from the doorway sounded.

The ponies in the room turned to see Twilight Velvet walk into the room, followed by some of the house staff.

"Sorry for the intrusion Daughter but Lord Wool Shear is paying us a visit and I require the room." Velvet said as she began directing the help.

Twilight rose, gesturing to her friends to do the same. "Of course Mother, girls I believe the cigar room my father uses is free so if you'll follow me."

"Actually Daughter I believe Lord Wool Shear requested that he take tea with your Father in there, Sebastian in cleaning it as we speak." Velvet gave Twilight a smile as she spoke. "I believe the patio is free though."

Twilight smiles back and gave a small bow as she lead her friends out of the room. As they went out of earshot of Twilights mother Pinkie grumbled something under breath.

"What's that Pinks?" Rainbow asked.

"Her smile, it wasn't real." Pinkie replied. "It wasn't real."

"So?" Fluttershy muttered quietly. "Maybe she was just being polite."

"Uh uh Flutters, I know smiles and that was not a nice smile."

"That's how things operate up here girls, poison hidden by charming smiles and fancy words." Twilight said flatly, her voice expertly neutral. "You can see why I don't want Spike up here."

"I can see that Twilight, I'm just starting to worry about you." Applejack said as she walked beside her.

Turning briefly to glance at the orange mare Twilight smiled. "Don't worry about me AJ, I'll be fine. As long as Princess Luna supports me there's nothing to be afraid of."

"I suppose so, just promise us you'll take care." Applejack said as the turned a corner and opened a set of doors that lead outside.

"I promise, cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." Twilight said, performing the actions as she did.

Pinkie nodded sagely. "A wise choice." She said as she stroked a fake white beard that trailed along the ground, her eyebrows covered by two equally fake bushy white eyebrows.

The group giggled for a moment, ignoring the question of where she got the disguise. The mod evaporating in a cloud of laughter.

That went better than expected, seems to be the theme of the day.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Days after Celestia’s departure

A sharp whistle blew through the warm afternoon air, signaling that the train to Ponyville was making its final checks. Twilight, Spike, Rarity and her parents we gathered at the station to see the rest of their friends off.

“Are you sure you have to leave so soon?” Twilight Velvet asked as she hugged Fluttershy.

"Oh um well yes." The timid Pegasus mumbled.

“Hopefully we will have the honor of having you some time in the near future for a visit. You are welcome at any time.” Nightlight said as he shook Applejack’s hoof.

“Well you’re always welcome at the farm your lordship.” Applejack replied.
Nightlight smirked. “I may just take you up on that.”

“Oooohhhhhhhh Twilight~” Everypony turned to look over to Pinkie who was holding a small box. “Surprise!”

Twilight chuckled. “What’s this?” She said with a smile. "A gift, how unexpected."

“Surprise going away present, so you won’t forget us.” Pinkie said as Twilight took the box out of her hooves.

“As if Twilight would forget us aye egghead.” Rainbow said as she gave the unicorn smile.

“We all chipped in.” Fluttershy smiled as hovered over to Twilight’s side.

Twilight looked around before opening the box…to reveal another-much smaller-box. “Pinkie’s idea?” She asked as everypony chuckled and nodded. “Alright,” She said as she levitated the small box into the air as she discarded the large one “let’s see what we have got here.”

Twilight removed the lid slowly to reveal a bracelet nestled in red silk, as she picked it up she could see the outer side was inlayed in color coordinated crystal with each of her friends cutie marks. On the inner layer a message was inscribed. Always with you, no matter what. It was the single most beautiful piece of jewelry she had ever seen.
Twilight gasped, speechless as she slipped it in place. “Do you like it Twilight?” Fluttershy asked.

“Girls this is… I don’t even have words to describe how wonderful this is.” She said as she wrapped as many of her friends as she could reach in a hug.

“Awww you don’t have to say anything sugar cube.” Applejack said as she gave Twilight a pat on the shoulder.

“Final call for Ponyville, final call for Ponyville!” A shout rang out over the station.

“Looks we’ve got to be going Twi, sorry we couldn’t stay longer. But don’t worry we’ll all find the time to come up sometime.” Rainbow said as she floated up into the air before banking in the direction of the train.

“Bye Twilight.” Fluttershy said before following Rainbow.

“Cya Twilight, don’t do anything the readers wouldn’t like.” Pinkie said as she cheerily
bounced away leaving a slightly confused Twilight.

“Looks like this is it, be seeing you round partner.” Applejack said as she shook Twilight’s hoof. “Rarity, Spike, be see you soon.” The farm pony tilted her hat at Twilight’s parents one last time before joining the others on the train.

Twilight, Spike and Rarity stood on the platform waved good bye to their friends as the train began to pull away, the four mares hanging out of the window as Applejack shouted something back at them.

“You make us proud, you hear Twilight?” Applejack bellowed as the train pulled away.

Twilight smiled. I will, wait and see.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 Days after Celestia’s departure

Twilight sat in her private study as the nighttime wind blew softly through the double doors she had left open to vent the day’s heat.

I know Princess Luna's been having some trouble with the sun bit this is ridiculous!

The unicorn was reading an old book, one from Princesses Luna’s private collection, which she was taking notes from.

“What’s that there?” A voice from the door way said.

Twilight looked up to see her father walking towards her, two cold glasses of ice tea in his magical grasp.

“Brought you an Ice tea, I thought you might be awake, heavens know I can't sleep in this humidity.” Nightlight said as he handed the cup over, pulling up a chair as he did so.

“Thanks Dad, how is Mother doing with Spike?” Twilight asked, a smile on her face as she gratefully accepted the cool glass.

“Very good, she’s reading the little tike a bedtime story as we speak.” Nightlight smiled. “I’m going to miss him, having the little guy around these past couple of days has been fun."

“Yeah,” Twilight said, a sigh in her voice. “I’m going to miss him too.”
Nightlight sat for a moment. “Twilight-“He started to say before being cut off.

“Dad if this is about Spike, please, don’t.” Twilight snapped with a shake of her head. “I’m sorry but I’ve already had a talk with Rarity and the girls about this, you know just as well as I do why I'm sending him back.”

Nightlight sighed. “Twilight, I love you but I know what you told your friends. I know also what you told them was two parts truth one part lie of omission.”

The family patriarch shook his head for a moment. “You know I sometimes have trouble understanding you Twilly, I don’t know if it’s because you’re so much smarter than I am or if it’s because I let your mother have a bigger say in your development. But I don’t understand.”

“I have to do this Dad.”

“That’s what your Mother said, is this to do with the Peers?” Nightlight gave his daughter a stern look.

“Yes, no, sort of, you wouldn’t understand.” Twilight said rapidly.

Nightlight rubbed the bridged of his nose. “I know I might not be the best at court, Princess knows I’ve worked hard all these years to at least look presentable for your mother. I know that with me being common born I’m not privy to all those subtle mannerisms that you and your mother have to deal with every day. I just don’t understand why you’re throwing away everything that matters to fit in with a group of ponies you don’t even like just because it would possibly increase the chances of them helping you, I thought I raised you better.”

Twilight winced at the comment before reaching out and placing a hoof over her father’s. “Dad, you are wonderful and amazing and there is no way I would even be half as grounded as I am today is it weren’t for you. But I need you to believe me when I say I’m not throwing them away.”

Nightlight exhaled a breath. “Then help me understand Twilly, help your poor, dirt tracking, son of a,” Nightlight quickly stopped and looked around comically for any other signs of life before continuing “whore father understand what’s going through that amazing brain of yours.”

Twilight smiled at her father’s antics. “Dad if Mother heard you talking like that...”She whispered.

“I know, why do think I looked around first?” He whispered back.

Removing her hoof from her father's Twilight shook her head. "You're right dad, it is more than just protecting Spike."

"What is it about Twilight, I promise I won't be mad whatever it is. I'm married to your harpy mother if you recall."

Twilight looked up at the roof, studying the wood carvings engraved there as she thought. "I suppose so...Spike is going because his presence here would be seen as a stain on me."

"I thought so." Nightlight exhaled as he ran a hoof through his mane before rising from his seat, taking his glass of tea with him. "Twilly, no matter what you have to do I want you me to promise me something."

"What's that dad?"

"Don't become like her." Nightlight said as he walked out the door. "I would've thought Celestia taught you better."

Twilight watched as her father walked away before wordlessly turning back to her work. You and me both dad, you and me both
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Come in!" Rarity called as a knock sounded from her door. "Oh! Blueblood, I thought you would have left by now."

"I think not Miss Rarity, it has been some time since I last had the pleasure of Twilight's company."  Blueblood says as he saunters into the room.  "I don't plan to waste what time I have."

"And yet here you are, Prince. Not getting scandalous ideas are we?"

Blueblood frowned slightly. "Sleep with one of Twilight's friends? No my dear not even I am so base, my visit is purely friendly."

"Go on, you still haven't explained what you are doing in my room at this time of night, staff might talk." Rarity said with a smile, sitting by a large mirror as she arranged curlers to hold her hair in place.

Blueblood smiled right back. "And I recall you letting me in, a stallion could get the wrong idea, looking as ravishing as you do."

"My my, are you flirting with me Prince? Not helping your case." Rarity smirked at him.

"Take it as far as you will Miss Rarity, it will be all you receive from me."

"See that it is, so what brings you to my door."

"Twilight is busy with some paperwork, so I decided now is a good as a time as any to reveal my condition for our little business arrangement." Blueblood smirked playfully.

Rarity raised an eyebrow. "Careful, those words could easily be taken out of context."

Blueblood chuckled. "My apologies Miss Rarity, what I mean is that if you are serious about making a name among the peers then I am here to offer my services as a...coach of sorts."

"Coach? Whatever for?" Rarity asked as she turned slightly to face her guest.

"Mannerisms my dear, your farm friend would be familiar with the saying, you can’t teach a pig to square dance but you can make it look pretty."

“I beg your pardon.” Rarity asked in a cold voice as she rose slightly from her chair.
Blueblood responded with a shrug, ignoring the icy glare. “Sit down Miss Rarity, before you do something embarrassing.”

Halting slightly before gracefully sliding back into her seat, her hooves clutching the edges of the table tightly, Rarity pursed her lips as she bit back a remark. “Please elaborate, Prince.” She said, putting a cold emphasis on the final word.

If he noticed her demeanor Blueblood didn’t give any outward expression. “Certainly Miss Rarity, you seem to be somewhat perturbed so I’ll make this blunt. For all your training and elocution lessons you are nothing more than a well behaved commoner.”

Grinding her teeth together Rarity straightened in her chair. “Be careful Prince, you’re push them limits of how behaved this commoner can be.”

“And that’s why you, at this moment, are unfit for the nobility.” Blueblood smiled. “But don’t worry, I can change that. All you need is a slight adjustment in outlook, that’s all.”

"I...am not sure whether to be outraged or confused."

"Neither would be best, you are a remarkable and well-spoken young lady, it is easy to see however that you are of common blood. I wish to change that."

Stopping her preparations to give the Prince an impromptu colonoscopy, Rarity gingerly put down her hair brush. "You have my interest, and my ire, but may I ask why?"

"Well I won't deny that it is in part for Twilight, but truthfully my motives are somewhat selfish. I will not deny you have impressed me in this short time, I wish to see how far you may go. Call it morbid curiosity if nothing else." Blueblood shrugged as he gave Rarity a grin.

“What exactly is so wrong with my manners that just screams my lowly status hmm?”

“On the surface not much, mostly small things like your deference to higher status.”

“Isn’t deference expected?” Rarity asked.

“Only of commoners and sycophants.” Blueblood said casually. “If you want to be the pony everypony knows you have to act like they already do. Also your emotions are too volatile, if you want to make it you’ll have to learn to ignore shots at your birth status.”

“Thank you for the advice Prince, I’ll be sure to sleep on it.” Rarity said making a gesture for Blueblood to show himself out.

“A pity, Twilight thinks highly of you Miss Rarity. I simply want to see her happy, your success would please her immensely.”

“I am going to make it Blueblood, all I need is for you to open the door, and I can take it from there.” Rarity smiled coldly at him. “After all you won’t do anything to sabotage me that would make Twilight sad.”

Blueblood sighed. “Miss Rarity what I do matters little, I can assure you that unless you conduct yourself in a satisfactory manner you will waste this opportunity as well.”

“As well? What are you on about?”

“Twilight’s birthday, specifically one when you managed to destroy Lord Fancy Pants’ charity ball.”

“Pardon me but how was that an opportunity?” Rarity asked as she raised an eyebrow.

“Any attention is good attention Miss Rarity, you had the attention of the Nobility, the connections through Lady Twilight Sparkle and Lord Fancy Pants and the privilege of a royal presence if need it.” Blueblood inspected his hoof, acting as if the conversation was boring him.

“B-but I didn’t know that Twilight was Nobility at the time and the Princess would have been far too busy.” Rarity spluttered.
“Twilight is a very important pony Miss Rarity, all Nobility know her and as such react to her presence, any Noble would spot it. And you are forgetting Equestria has two Princesses, Aunty Luna would’ve loved to spend time with her subjects given that she had nothing but spare time, and it’s not like with Aunty Celestia around she had much to do officially.”

“Oh I forgot about Princess Luna…” Rarity mumbled.

“Don’t be too hard on yourself, you’re not the only one.” Blueblood shrugs.

“But I fail to see what this has to do with the way I conduct myself.”

“This is why you need my help. Being a Noble…it’s not just about how you act, it’s about how you think it’s a state of mind. The only thing separating a sycophant from a commoner is who his ancestors were, the only thing separating a commoner from Nobility is a lack of ambition.”

“I, I think I understand-” Rarity began.

“No you don’t.” Blueblood coughing into his hoof. “Sorry, Miss Rarity being a noble is more than just a confidence trick, it involves being able to plot and scheme. Being able to do whatever it takes to see your ambitions succeed no matter who you have to burn to get there.”

“Oh, I…I’m not sure what to say to that Prince.” Rarity looked away from Blueblood.

“I know what you think about Nobility Rarity,” Blueblood said softly “it’s the ideal of Nobility, the mask we put on for the world to see. The truth…the truth is ugly Rarity, we are bad ponies all of us. If you give us the chance we will manipulate you, make you commit yourself full to your dream then rip it out from under your hooves.”

Rarity leaned away from Blueblood slightly, his smile gone from his face. “You’re starting to scare me.”

“Good, I don’t know what kind of fairy dream you live in down their but if you want to continue with this it’s time you woke up. First rule, trust no one, you have no friends up here.” Blueblood looked her in the eye as he walked towards her. “Don’t count on her help Rarity, Twilight has her own priorities, I can open the door for you but once you cross that threshold...”

Rarity swallowed only to mind her mouth had gone dry. “I can do it.” She said as she returned the gaze.

“Not yet, but you’ve got the drive. I’ll make a lady out of you yet, how does a weekly session sound, Fridays good?” Blueblood said, his grin back.

Rarity nodded as he pulled back and walked out of the room, clutching as her chest as she released a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding Rarity couldn’t help but think what she gotten herself into.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight looks up from her study as the door creaks open for a second time that night.

"I did as you asked." Blueblood says, a swagger in his step as he walks into the room.

"You didn’t go too hard on her?" Twilight says as she scan the page in front of her.

"Pardon?"

"I know you like to ham it up when you get the chance."

"Well I wouldn't say I went easy on her. And for you information I went for the serious angle." Blueblood grinned as he walked over to her. "Your friend has ambition though I’ll give you that, I still think you’re setting her up for a fall."

“I would prefer that she doesn’t come near Canterlot in the first place.” The page she was holding rips as her eyebrow twitches. “But she it’s her dream and I won’t stand in her way.”

“But you won’t help her either.” Blueblood says as he places a hoof on her shoulder.

“You know why it’s a bad move, if I make her famous every favor I ask for makes me weaker, every use of my influence for personal means away from the House will damage me, every use of my royal connection dilutes its meaning, sets precedence and I can’t waste it on something as trivial as a dream.”

“I know Twilly, but it’s her dream you know how much it means to her.”

“Her dream is to be important Blue, the talk of the upper class. We both know that it takes more than moxie to make it here, it takes cold thinking and an almost sociopathic disregard for others.” Grinning slightly as she turned a page Twilight placed a hoof over Blueblood’s. “However Rarity isn’t the yapping lapdog I first thought she was, she’s strong enough Blue. If I didn’t think she was ready I wouldn’t let her do this.”

Blueblood was silent for a moment. “Your friend isn’t like us Twilly, I can tell her how to act, I can show her what it means to be a Peer and I can even help her from the sidelines but your friend is exactly the wrong type of pony to make it up here without serious support.”

"She may not be as ruthless as the rest of you, I agree she’ll have trouble with that. But she has the rest of the girls behind her, and it’s not like I won’t be there for support and advice. I just can’t guide her dice like you want me to.”

“She’s going to be used Twilight, they will suck her dry if you don’t do something.” Blueblood says softly only to raise an eyebrow as Twilight chuckles.

“You say that like you think I’m going to through my friend to the wolves Blue. I said I can’t guide her dice, I never said anything about guiding who she plays against, there’s a difference between opening doors for her and breaking other’s windows as a warning. Besides I think you are going to be pleasantly surprised with what a little generosity accomplishes." Twilight smiles as she flips a page.

"Well I trust your word for it, I know what a little generosity could do for me right now." Blueblood says as he leans over and nibbles on Twilight's ear.

"He he, as much as I would love to Blue." Twilight giggles as he moves down to her neck. "I do need to get through these notes before bed."

Blueblood flicked his eyes up. "The compliance and regulatory policy act of primary income bracket tax corporate entities, very light reading"

Twilight giggled as he moved under her chin. "Stop stop! Ha ha ha, you bastard!”

Blueblood grinned as he wrapped his hooves around her waist, and with a flash of light appeared on the bed in her room. "You need a study break."

Twilight turned as he positioned her on her back. "I see you remember where my room is."

Blueblood grinned as he kissed her neck again. "How could I forget, I learned teleportation just so I could sneak you away from Captain Buzz kill."
Twilight grinned back at him, gasping and arching her back as he moved lower over her barrel. "Sweet Celestia, I forgot how good you were."

"Well I-"Blueblood was cut off as Twilight pulled him up and kissed him.

"Shut up." She said, a fire in her eyes.

Blueblood grinned back at her, giving her a fierce kiss as he pushes her onto her back before moving lower, Twilight groaned in ecstasy as a smile spread across her face.

Oh Princess yes!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Days after Celestia’s departure

The sky was overcast and grey as the Ponyville train whistle split the air with a shriek. The wind whipped throughout the terminal as a small group of ponies walked along it

"So I've made arrangements with Prince Blueblood, he'll be coming down weekly." Rarity said as her scarf whipped behind her, a slightly troubled look briefly flickering across her face.

"Good, I'll give him some treats for Sweetie belle and the girls." Twilight gave her friend a smile. "Tell Sweetie to keep practicing with those books I gave her, she'll be casting in no time."

"Will do Twilight, I’m sure she’ll love them.”

"And Spike." Twilight turned to the dragon that had been walking beside her. "I promise I'll write you every week, no every day."

"Weekly will be enough Twilight, just promise me you'll take care of yourself and take a break every once in a while." Spike gave Twilight's leg a quick hug.

"I think I can manage that." Twilight smiled briefly.

Rarity leaned over and gave Twilight a squeeze. "I'm going to miss you Twilight. Take care of yourself."

"I will Rare." Twilight said, smiling sadly as her friend boarded the train. "Spike, take care of them for me."

"You can count on me Twi." Spike said as he returned her smile. "Before I go, promise me something?"

"Anything."

"Don't become something you’re not Twilight." Spike tapped the bracelet she wore on her hoof. "Don't let them make you forget what you are."

A tear rolled down Twilight's cheek as she nodded. "I'll miss you, all of you."

The train whistle screeched as the cold wind ripped through the station. "Last call for Ponyville!" A hoarse voice called out. "Last call for Ponyville!"

Wordless Twilight watched as Spike boarded the train, she waved as he turned to look at her one last time before the trains' whistle split the air for the last time and it began it's slow but purposeful journey.

The cold wind burned her cheeks as Twilight turned and walked away. Her tears at odds with the determined expression that rested on her face.

Time to get to work.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 months after Celestia’s departure

Twilight watched lazily as ponies twirled across the dance floor from her position on the balcony, a mask held in front of her face by magic restricting her view to two small slits. “An enchanting sight don’t you think?” She said to her companion.

“A rather pretty one yes, I hear the choreographer is from Zebrica. Spent ten years among the natives learning their war dances for inspiration.” A black and gold mask next to her hummed.

Twilight smiled beneath her mask. “The Zebra’s culture is a fascinating one indeed.” She said as she looked over to her companion.

The owner of the mask was a rather tall and slightly overweight stallion, curls of jade mane rolling down his neck. “I think so too Lady Sparkle, what fascinate me more is why you would want to speak to a simple business holder like me.”

A small giggle shook her shoulders as Twilight watched the dancers sail across the floor. “I think simple might be an understatement Lord Thread. Owning the largest supplier of water to the frontier lands as well as monopoly on fresh produce coming out of them is hardly a small feat.”

“Well Celestia did always say modesty was a virtue.”

“Indeed she did, what is your take on the current bills passing their way through the house.”

“Which ones do mean, so many come through I hardly keep track.”

“The ones you have a stake of course, namely Lord Fancy’s bill for open land access that’s about to go before a vote and your bill for a tighter taxation laws on produce that is about to pass.” Twilight said.

“Oh? What of them? I suppose you want me to back Lord Fancy’s latest bleeding heart crusade.”

“I would like that yes.”

“And what about my bill, what do want there?” The large stallion said as turned to regard Twilight.

“I want you to remove the penalty for non-affiliated producers.”

“And what would you do for me if I were to do these things?” Thread asked, the idea of having a favor from Lady Sparkle being a very tempting one.

“At first I was open to backing your other push for a hostile merge with one of your rivals, StonePure.”

Thread’s eyebrows raised under his mask, StonePure controlled a large market of the grain industry on the frontier. If he controlled that his company would sextuple in worth over night. “That sounds very agreeable for both of us.”

“I believe you misheard me.” Twilight looked over to the far end of the theater and brushed a curl of her mane behind her ear. “I said at first, I since have come up with a better deal that I think reflects what somepony of your worth deserves.”

Thread smiled. “Well it is humbling that you think so highly of me….what is this?” He asks as Twilight produces a sheet of papers from the air with magic.
“The first is your bill with the changes I think it needs, the other is a legal document that transfers full ownership and authority of your companies to me.” Twilight says without looking him.

“What the hell! Who do you think you are?” Thread roars as he stands bolt upright in his seat before a purple aura forces him back into his seat roughly.

“You will sit and you will listen Lord Thread because when I am about to tell you something important. You see I know you and your cronies have been spreading rumors about my friend Rarity, that she was very ‘generous’ with some marketing executives tonight night. Yes I know about it already, and no that’s not my main point.”

Twilight stops looking at the play to look over to where she had pinned the fat stallion to his chair. “I went digging to find some dirt on you Thread, something to fight back with. So I talked to some old friends of Shinning’s in the guard who pointed me in the direction of some very interesting case files. I did some talking, cut some deals and it turns out one of us a taste for young colts hmmm.”

Thread’s eye bug out of his skull as he realizes what she’s talking about. “You-you can’t have…not in a night…”

Smiling coldly beneath her mask Twilight chuckles as she produces a stack of photographs. “I’m a clever pony Thread, but it doesn’t take a clever pony to realize you shouldn’t leave photographs. You are going to sign these documents, or else the Guards are going to get some interesting mail in the morning.”

“I-I…fine, give me those papers.” Thread grunts.

Releasing the stallion Twilight floats the papers and hands him a quill and ink. “You co-operation is appreciated.”

Giving her a black look Thread finishes printing his signature. “There it’s done.” He says as a rises to leave.

“Oh one more thing before you go.” Twilight says as looks over the signatures. 
“What.” The stallion grunts, the distaste dripping from his voice.

Twilight’s smile stretches across her face beneath her mask. “These are copies.”

As his eyebrows shoot up his face Thread turn to open the door and flee only to find a pair of stern faced Royal Guards waiting for him on the other side.

“Gentle stallions, I believe this pony here has some free accommodation he would like to move into.”

Spinning around to face her as he is pinned to the ground by the guards Thread yells at Twilight. “You bitch, do you know who you are messing with. My friends will have you for this!”

“I could have asked you the same thing.” She says with a shrugging of her shoulders before turning to face the door as a Guard with stripes across his pauldrons walks through the door. “Fancy seeing you here Sergeant Flint, how are the wife and colt, Button was it?”

The Guard sergeant smiles. “Very good Twilight, surprised you remembered me at the station, we only met once at the Captain’s weeding. Take this scum away lads.” He barks to the two ponies keeping the struggling former noble on the ground. “And mind those stairs, they can be quit slippery and I’m sure your colts wouldn’t want their dads to break any legs.”

The two guards look at each other as they nod, and lift the stallion off the ground, Twilight watches as he’s shoved out the door. “I trust they aren’t going to do anything to him.”

Sergeant Flint shrugs his shoulders as he follows them. “As far as I’m aware he fell down those stairs, four or five times.”

Twilight chuckles as she turns back to watch the ballet move into its second act.

I think I’ll leave that last part out my letter to Spike tonight.

The sound of hoof steps draws her attention causing Twilight to turn to look over her shoulder. Standing the doorway was the masked figure of her mother, her mane visible behind her.

“Hello Mother.” Twilight says as she turn back to the show. 
“Daughter.” Velvet says as she takes the empty seat next to her. “Everything went to plan then?”

“Of course…and thanks.” Twilight smiles beneath her mask.

“Whatever for Daughter.”

A chuckle fills the air as Twilight’s shoulders shake. “You know exactly what for. If you hadn’t pointed me towards Thread’s misdoings Rarity would’ve had to deal with a scandal she didn’t commit.”

“Haven’t you heard Daughter? No pony commits scandal, it is all just slander.” Velvet jokes as she watches the ponies below spin. “And you don’t need to thank me dear, I’m just glad you made an old mare feel useful.”

“Thank you anyway, I know selling out Thread will earn you enemies.”

This time it was Velvet’s turn to chuckle. “Those fools? Don’t worry about me Daughter, it’s not like they can do anymore to me than what you have already done.”

Twilight’s ears dropped slightly. “I guess, it’s not like you’ve got many supporters left.”

Velvet leaned over and placed a hoof on her daughters shoulder. “I am not sour about it…okay I might be slightly frustrated by my decline but I want you to know I do not hold it against you. After all how can I be mad when it was me that trained you? If anything I’m proud of you, you are finally becoming who you were born to be.”

“Thanks Mother.” Reaching up to remove her mask in order to wipe away her tears Twilight sniffed slightly. “We don’t tell each other this enough but…I love you.”

Removing her mask as well Velvet leans over and kisses Twilight on the forehead. “I love you too Twilly.”

As they replaced their masks to continue watching the show Twilight smiled. “Nice to see you are caving in so easily.”

“Ha-ha, don’t think I’m out of the game just yet Daughter.” Velvet said with laugh.

As the dancer spun their circles beneath them both mother and daughter were pictures of grace and poise, and even though their faces were obscured by masks each knew the other was smiling.