//------------------------------// // Bye Bye, Twilight // Story: When the Sun Sets // by Deep //------------------------------// It was like the sirens for an air raid had just gone off; every staff member of the royal palace was scrambling on the hallways with lightning speed and bumped into each other with the wall as their next point of impact. They all shook with a worried look that had to be seen to be believed and only ran faster as every second ticked away. "Minutes, everypony!" a maid yelled out holding five stacks of plates on top of each other, "That's all we got, move it!" In the middle of the mess of ponies and in front of the entrance to the palace stood Princess Celestia with a look of anxiety even worse than the rest's. She didn't shake or clench her teeth like the others but the fear inside her was obvious to all. Twilight Sparkle stood beside her in a custom designed dress looking nervous as well but also with a halfly formed frown. She gazed outside the window beside them at the night sky in silence while her mentor kept her eyes on the entrance doors like they were about to explode open any second. Twilight turned to the her, saying with her head down in a saddened tone, "Princess..." "Not now, Twilight," Celestia said, keeping her eyes glued in front, "My apologizes, but the Griffin ambassador has already arrived... It is only a matter of seconds before he reaches here." She jerked her head to Twilight's direction. "Twilight, you remember the instructions I gave you on how to behave?" "Yes, Princess... I remember... But-." "Good..." Celestia went back to facing the doors, "I cannot overstate how important this meeting is... If all goes well it will mean great things for the future of Equestria and our relations with the Griffins. I apologize but I will listen to what you have to say when this is finished. Now keep your head up... looking one's guest in the eye is crucial for a welcoming first impression." Twilight picked up her head, but still frowned, "Understood... Princess" Why couldn't Sunset Shimmer be invited too? ............................................................. A shadow watched the Princess and her protégé. Far off in a corner, through the swarm of panicking ponies, stood Sunset Shimmer keeping an eye on the duo with an evil smile. She stood in a dark closet and watched through the space left from the slightly opened door. The space couldn't have been more than a centimeter in width, but it was all that was needed. She chuckled with a menacing tone, "Time to get what's coming to you Twilight ol' buddy... I did a little research on this Griffin ambassador and his wife, and trust me, you can't make this any easier for me." She turned to her side where a glass vial filled with a clear liquid sat next to her. She picked it up and opened it with her magic and drank the liquid inside to the last drop. An instant later her body began disappearing until it was gone. Gotta love the potions department! Sunset Shimmer slowly opened the door and used her magic to make sure it wouldn't creak. Her magic now had no glow. She put a magical field over her hooves to lesson the noise from her steps and began walking to the Princess and Twilight, stopping once she was a hall away. The doors to the palace began opening. "Remember your training, Twilight," Celestia said. Once open they revealed a valet, and behind him the Griffin ambassador and his wife. The ambassador was of old age, not senior citizen but above middle age, and had the look of royalty on him which was complimented by his fine black suit and near sparkling red tie. His wife wore a flowing white dress and also had the look of a Griffin that had only known luxury, especially on her face which was packed with make up and an obvious plastic surgery. Her most striking feature though was her gold necklace which held a sky blue jewel in the center that was the size of a pebble. It reflected the moonlight in colorful sparkles. "Greetings," Celestia said in an even more princess-like voice, "Welcome to the royal palace. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Majestic. This is my protégé, Twilight Sparkle." "Hello," Twilight bowed, "It's a pleasure to meet you." Majestic laughed, "No need to bow young one..." He turned to the Princess, "Good to meet you too... I've certainly had quite the experience since I got here. This valet of yours has given me the best tour I could of asked for!" The valet nodded and left the scene. Celestia nodded back, "As I expected of him." "Aren't you forgetting someone, dear...?" the wife said. Majestic laughed, "My apologies.... This is my wife, Radiance." Twilight stared at Radiance's necklace with both eyes wide open, "That is a beautiful necklace." "Why thank you!" Radiance said, putting a claw over her chest, "This is no ordinary jewel... it is an heirloom that has been in my family since we have existed. I received it on my grandmother's death bed as her final wish before departing." She paused and stared at the jewel looking emotional. "I'm so sorry for your loss," Twilight said. "My condolences as well," Celestia said, "Now then, let's walk to the banquet hall, shall we? I have quite the dinner planned for us." The four of them began walking through the palace with Sunset Shimmer following them, always just a few steps away. Celestia walked beside Majestic, saying, "I trust that you are as enthusiastic about this trade deal as I?" "Of course!" Majestic said, "The Griffins have always been close with Equestria... It's a surprise this wasn't discussed earlier." Celestia laughed, "Agreed... I do hope all goes well. Once the fine details are sorted out this will usher in a new age for relations between our two cultures." "And not to mention the benefit it will give to our economies," Majestic said. As they continued together behind them walked Twilight and Radiance who walked side by side. "I've actually heard quite a bit about you," Radiance said. "About what I did to get here, right?" Twilight said. Radiance nodded, "I do hope for a bright future for you... a being with your potential is quite a rarity indeed. How are you enjoying your new home in the palace?" The two continued their conversation and followed the route to the banquet hall. Sunset Shimmer remained behind them and matched every one of their hoofsteps with her own. She followed them as the doors to the banquet hall opened and entered in just a few inches behind her targets. The hall had a rectangular table in the middle with dining cloth and chairs that surpassed the quality of anything else in the palace. A dozen waiters stood on the far side of the room, standing tall with a friendly yet professional smile. The doors closed and the four guests of honor took their seats on the table. Celestia and Twilight sat beside each other facing the two Griffins with Twilight in front of Radiance and the Princess in front of the ambassador. Sunset Shimmer tiptoed to a few feet away from them. "What kind of a feast do you have prepared for tonight, Celestia?" Radiance said. "You tell me," Celestia said. The waiters went into the kitchen and came out with plate after plate, dish after dish of the finest food royalty could afford. They set it on the table and left afterwhich the four sitting down began to dive in and enjoy their banquet. "Would it be too much to ask for your chef as part of the deal?" Majestic said, laughing in between bites. Sunset Shimmer smirked, Now to make my move... and scanned around the room. The waiters were too busy either picking up or delivering dishes and the four were completely into their endless meals. Sunset Shimmer quickly powered up her horn and used her magic to throw Radiance's current dish as she was eating onto the floor, shattering it. The food spilled all over Radiance's dress. She screamed, "What in the world?!" and looked at her dress in horror, "Someone explain this at once!" The other three froze. "I did not do that; what is going on?!" As she continued reacting in horror to the spill, Sunset Shimmer concentrated to her fullest and carefully cut Radiance's family jewel from her necklace and moved it across the table from underneath towards Twilight. "I'm so sorry," Celestia said, looking worried, "Ponies, have this cleaned up at once!" An army of staff members ran into the room and began the clean up. A waiter even came in with a replacement to the lost dish and food. As everypony at the table was drawn into the drama Sunset Shimmer slowly lifted Twilight's dress and placed the jewel into it. She then crossed her hooves and waited. Twilight hadn't noticed. Sunset Shimmer sighed and took a few steps back. And now it begins... Radiance calmed down, "I do say... either that plate had a mind of its own or this palace is haunted." "Agreed..." Majestic looked around with suspicion, "That was quite weird indeed." "I can assure you neither is true," Celestia said, "It was just an unfortunate accident, that's all. I do apologize for your dress however." "This dress was of great value... but it can be replaced," Radiance said with a grumpy tone, "As long as the next meal is not the same as the last." "Dear..." Majestic said, "Did your jewel drop along with your food?" Radiance looked down, "What?! Where did it go?!" and jumped out. "No... No... No! It can't be missing! No!" She began looking for it underneath the table, on top of the table and even in the chandelier. She shot around in every direction. "Just calm down..." Majestic said, "It has to be here somewhere." Celestia spoke up, "Yes... I can have-." "No! I can't lose this... My grandma... No!" Her hysteria continued for another minute until she suddenly froze and then glared at Twilight. "The plate... a unicorn like you could have easily done that." "Radiance, pl-," Celestia said, before getting cut off. Radiance walked towards the filly, "You have been eyeing my jewel ever since I reached here... The commotion from my ruined meal is all you would've needed... Where is it?! Where are you hiding it?!" she screamed right in Twilight's face. "Tell me!" Celestia got up, "Radiance, stop this at once! I can assure you that Twilight did not steal anything!" "Then you won't mind if I inspect her dress..." Radiance began tearing through the filly's dress as Twilight screamed, making sure to inspect every thread and fiber. A second later she pulled out the jewel leaving the others still with shock, most of all Twilight. Majestic began glaring. Sunset Shimmer squeed internally to the point of euphoria, Here it comes! "W-What..?" Twilight said, shaking her head, "No... It really wasn't me... really! I have no clue how it c-could've gotten there. Princess... you believe me?" "I knew it!" Radiance yelled an inch away from the filly, "How dare you! Do you have any idea what meaning this has to me?!" Twilight choked back a tear, "Bu-." "Silence! Not another word from you! First you destroy my dress and then you have the audacity to steal from me!" Sunset Shimmer held back her laughter but found her stomach cramping. The pain was so, so worth it. Radiance turned to the Princess, "Celestia, punish her at once! I want to see it happen, no promises!" Twilight began crying. "I said quiet! Celestia, execute her! Do it!" Majestic slammed the table and got up, "I've had enough of this! Radiance, control yourself! And we're leaving this so called meeting!" Twilight cried while repeating to herself, "I didn't do it... I didn't do it... I didn't do it..." Majestic stormed out of the room with his wife right behind him. Celestia chased after them, "Please, do not let this taint the negotiations!" "Negotiations? Ha!" Majestic walked away faster, "If your own student behaves in such a manner how can I possibly allow my kingdom to do business with the rest of your kind... Your kingdom may be beautiful but if this is how you conduct yourself then I want no part in it... Consider the deal off!" "No, please... I can assure you-." "Nothing! Good day!" And with that the two Griffins left the palace and slammed the door shut. Celestia frowned at first but then glared with such an intensity that she looked like a completely different pony. She walked back to the banquet hall where Twilight was still repeating to herself. "Twilight, go to your room," Celestia said in an unrecognizably angry tone. Twilight choked up from her tears, "Please, Princess... It really wasn't-." "Twilight! I order you to report to your room at once!" Twilight got up and left without saying another word. Sunset Shimmer watched with a smile so high that it cramped her cheeks, Bye bye, Twilight...