Hear ye Hear ye, The wedding of Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight Sparkle shall be held...
Celestia and Twilight are getting married. It'll be the most wonderful day in either of their lives. If only there weren't all those trials Twilight had to complete... Whoops? Sorry about that, Twi! Pre reading by Jumbled Thought, Adren, ZOMG and Shiny Third place winner Seventh bimonthly Twilestia contest Contest
A small white unicorn with a pink mane lifted her hoof to knock on a door, then paused, placing it back on the ground. She tried again, with the same result, and began to pace in front of the three-story family home.
Take a deep breath. You can do this. There is no way that what is about to happen could be anywhere near as bad as what you’re imagining.
She took a deep breath before lifting her right hoof for the third time, and finally knocked.
After a few moments, a platinum unicorn mare opened the door with an inviting smile. “Yes? May I help you?”
The smaller smiled a touch nervously. “Good evening. Sorry to bother you, but I’m a friend of your daughter. I was hoping to speak with you and your husband about her?”
The platinum mare blinked before frowning. “A friend of my daughter?” This hadn’t been the first time some pony had come to her with a similar claim; she was certain this pink-maned mare wouldn’t be the last. It was rather easy to get rid of them, though. All it ever took was just a few quick questions.
“Funny, I’ve never seen you before. I don’t believe my daughter has ever mentioned you either. How long have you been friends?”
“Oh, Twilight and I have known one another for a very long time. If you allow me to come in, I promise everything will make sense.” The white mare smiled hopefully. “Please, Mrs. Velvet, if you aren’t happy with my explanation, you may ask me to leave and I swear to never return.”
Twilight Velvet frowned, but opened the door enough to allow the younger mare inside. “May I take your cloak?”
The white unicorn blinked, then looked at her dark blue cloak. “Oh, um, actually, if you’d allow me, may I keep it with me please? I will of course remove it, but this cloak belongs to my sister, and she can be quite the trickster. Her cloaks tend to turn into temporary animals such as bats if left unsupervised.”
Velvet shivered at the mention of bats and nodded, showing the white mare to the cloakroom where she would be able to borrow a saddle bag to carry the cloak within. She carefully slipped it off and folded it neatly before sliding it into the borrowed bag. With it gone though, her cutie mark could be seen for the first time: a very familiar sun that rested on her flanks.
Velvet gasped. “Pr-Princess Celestia?”
Princess Celestia smiled, subconsciously biting her bottom lip. “Please forgive the deception, Lady Velvet. I would prefer the entirety of Canterlot not knowing I was here. As such, the easiest way to accomplish this was to disguise myself.”
Her horn glowed and slowly her body grew back into its normal proportions. Large wings flared from her sides as she gave them a welcome stretch, but she folded them back in soon after. She turned to see Twilight Velvet prostrated on the floor, and sighed. Why is it no matter how close I am to any pony they all do this?
“Lady Velvet, please rise. I came to speak with you on equal terms. Look—I am not even wearing my regalia. I beg of you, treat me as any normal mare when I am like this. Because I… oh dear, this is difficult... I have a most un-princessly question to ask you and your husband. Is he home?”
Twilight Velvet climbed to her trembling hooves. “Yes, Your Highness, I mean Celestia. Night Light is upstairs, gazing at the night sky as usual. I swear he and Twilight can’t keep their noses out of it for a single night… n-not that your day isn’t perfect! I mean, the sunshine is wonderful!”
Celestia smiled. “I quite enjoy stargazing as well, sometimes with Luna and sometimes with Twilight. In fact, Twilight is the reason I came here. If you would be so kind as to summon your husband, while I prepare us some refreshment…?”
“Oh! Oh, yes, Celestia—everything is in the same spot. I’ll be right back with Night... well, maybe not right back. You know how obsessed Twilight can be with her studies, and she gets that from her father.”
Celestia simply grinned and both mares laughed before separating. Twilight Velvet climbed the stairs while Celestia trotted to the kitchen and set about preparing tea. As she waited for the kettle to boil, she looked around the kitchen. While most families preferred to keep their photos in albums or on the walls, it seemed Velvet was quite fond of putting them up all over the house, keeping the more sensitive ones out of high traffic areas.
Celestia scanned the pictures. These must be ones Twilight sent her. Her eyes stopped on a particular photo of herself, passed out on her back, with Twilight laying against her as if she was a giant pillow and reading a book. Celestia snorted, a small blush covering her cheeks; she hadn’t even been aware that such a picture had been taken.
Tearing her eyes from the photos, she began to dig through the cupboards, searching for the cookies which surely must be there. Once located, she arranged several onto a small plate and carried everything into the living room, where she sat on a large cushion to wait.
It wasn’t long until she heard hooves on the stairs. She smiled at the two ponies that entered the room. “Good evening, Mister Light. How are the stars tonight?”
Night Light paused before bowing his head. “They are spectacular, Princess. Your sister must be the greatest artist Equestria has ever known.”
“I quite agree. Even when we were foals, her artistic ability made all of my paintings resemble mere stick figures.”
Night Light chuckled. “Oh, yes. I quite understand what you mean, Princess. I myself have very little artistic talent.” He poured three cups of tea and added sugar to his own. “Now, my wife told me you wish to talk about Twilight?”
Celestia mixed a large spoon of sugar into her cup of tea and took a sip. “Yes, yes I did. It’s very important, too. I.. oh dear, this is harder than I ever dreamed.”
Twilight Velvet glanced at Night Light, both of them raising a single eyebrow.
“Is this about her taking over the stars for Princess Luna?” Night Light asked, setting down his tea cup. “If it is, we aren’t surprised, what with how much our Twilight has always adored the night sky. Of course, it will be difficult finding time to see her since in all likelihood she’ll be awake during the night, much like our dear Princess Luna.”
Celestia smirked. “Actually, Luna is in the midst of a switch to a diurnal schedule, so she’ll be ruling alongside me in reality, not just in word. Also, Twilight is the Princess of Friendship, so she will be far too busy with that to also handle the stars.” She took a sip of tea, the saucer rattling a little in her aura.
“Well then, what is it? Twilight didn't—” Velvet started to breathe heavily, clutching her chest “— she didn’t fa-fail did she? Oh no, she did! Night Light, Twilight failed some grand, pivotal test!”
Both ponies stared up at Celestia with a very familiar frantic look, which she recalled having graced her former student’s face quite often.
Well, I guess it makes sense she inherited that.
“Oh no! I promise, she failed nothing. I simply wanted to ask you a question regarding her and I.”
Celestia licked her lips waiting for them to settle back down, their full attention on her as she took a deep breath. “As you are well aware, Twilight and I have been dating for some time now, though we have attempted to keep that knowledge private. However, now that Twilight is a princess, I feel that we should be able to take the next step in our relationship.”
She knelt before them, eyes closed. “I, Celestia Everfree, ask your permission to make your daughter, Twilight Sparkle, my bride.” She opened her eyes and looked up at her marefriend's parents.
After a few moments, Twilight Velvet beamed at Night Light. “You owe me twenty bits.”
Celestia blinked cocking her head as Night Light grumbled gathering the bits from his wallet “I-I am not certain I understand?”
Velvet took the bits with a smile. “Oh, nothing to worry about, Celestia. Just an old bet between my husband and I. Of course you have our permission! Just, don’t wait until the day before to tell Shining Armor—no matter how much Twilight may want revenge for that.”
Celestia blinked then nodded. “Of course. Thank you, thank you both, Lady Velvet, Lord Night Light.”
Night Light laid his hoof on Celestia’s with a firm look. “Just make our little filly happy. Thats all I ask.”
“That I can promise I will always do.”
Celestia bowed her head, calm on the outside, yet prancing like a filly on the inside. Now all I have to do is ask Twilight!
In the dying vespers of a warm Sunday afternoon, the sun gently kissed the horizon, setting the Canterlot sky alight with a reddish-gold flame. Celestia reclined back, sipping a glass of Marossa Valley’s finest vintage wine. A smile covered her muzzle; the idea of Twilight suggesting a simple picnic dinner hadn’t been as thought out as she had hoped, thus it was a simple affair with sandwiches, salad, and some fruit.
Still, Celestia thought, there’s nothing wrong with adding a little something special.
Not that Twilight noticed. Her lavender cheeks were flushed a deep pink, not only from the glass of wine she had consumed, but also from finally being able to spend time with Celestia in a romantic setting. For more than the few fleeting seconds of a stolen kiss in the hallway, anyway.
Celestia closed her eyes, relaxing in peace as Twilight’s animated, and slightly tipsy, voice gushed about her friends and the other ponies of Ponyville.
“And of course, with Pound and Pumpkin starting to potty train, it has just been.” Twilight took a sip of her wine and paused “Tia?” Twilight crept closer to her marefriend, lying on the blanket next to her. “You know if I’m rambling, there are ways to shut me up.”
“Oh? Perhaps you should demonstrate some such ways, my dear Twilight?” Celestia smiled, a single eye glancing at the sun’s position. Almost time. Just a few more minutes, Helios… this has to be perfect.
Twilight grinned. “Of course, my princess. It is my extreme pleasure and duty to obey your every word.” With that, she captured Celestia’s lips in a tender kiss.
Celestia’s eyes slowly closed as she let out a happy sigh for the few moments the kiss lasted. A tiny ‘ding’ went off in her mind, and she gently pulled away. “Look at the sky, love.”
As Twilight focused on the sky, Celestia fiddled in the picnic basket, searching for a special something hidden within, even as she slowly set the sun. In its wake, it left the darkened sky a cooler, relaxing tint of purple and indigo. Just like her beautiful mane.
“Twilight: the time when sun and stars connect.”
Celestia met Twilight’s gaze, eyes shimmering as Luna brought forth night’s first stars. “I have so much to thank you for, Twilight, things I doubt I’ll ever fully be able to tell you, but there is one thing I especially want to say. Twilight, I...”
“What is it?” Twilight nuzzled Celestia’s neck below her chin. “It’s a beautiful night for a beautiful mare to tell her partner beautiful things.”
Celestia paused, heart hammering in her chest. This is it, Celestia. Time to admit your feelings… for both our sakes.
“Twilight, I am an old mare—ancient even, to be truthful. Ah, ah—” She kissed Twilight’s nose to forestall her marefriend’s stammering objections “—shhh. Just listen, my Twilight. I have been alive for so very long, and like all ponies, I too have desired love.
“My first love was so, so long ago. Even still, I remember her: a unicorn mare named Star Light. She had a remarkable talent for astronomy, so it’s no surprise we met through Luna. We hit it off fairly quickly. I wished to marry her, but... back then, things were different. So we had to be content with simply spending time with each other, even if the law back then would never have officially allowed anything more serious. Of course, I have since changed that law, but I dared not try so soon after becoming a Princess of Equestria.
“Soon, I began to notice something strange about Luna and myself. The ponies around us were growing, aging, while we remained the same. Stagnant. Never was this more obvious than when I was with my beloved.”
Celestia shut her eyes and swallowed hard. “She died an old, old mare, happy and content, even as I stood beside her looking like her own daughter, and not her lover. When I told her that, she simply giggled, laid a hoof on my own, and made me promise her something. Something very important.”
“Wh-what did she make you promise her, Celestia?” Twilight asked. As she met those gorgeous pink eyes, never before had her ageless lover looked so old. It frightened her.
“She made me promise... that I would love again. By then, she had realized that Luna and I were destined for a different life than other ponies. I promised her I would take another love, Twilight,and I swear I tried, I really did,but every time I saw a pretty mare who made me feel something, my mind would go ‘tick, tock, tick, tock,’ and every time I would force myself to walk away.
“Until you, Twilight.” Celestia pulled her student in close and squeezed. “When I took you as my student, I simply thought that you were an adorable,if overpowered,filly. I never had any idea I’d come to desire you as anything more,and I didn’t for a long time... until I saw you, fully grown with the Tiara of Magic perched on your head, having returned my little sister to my side after what had felt like an eternity of heartache.
“At that moment I fell so deeply in love with you that I thought my heart might shatter if I was not careful. But even with you, all I could hear was the clock’s relentless ticking, and so I attempted to distance myself from you by keeping you in Ponyville. I was certain we would grow farther apart, and… I am so sorry for that. Yet here we are, in spite of that.
“Then, as if the Elements of Harmony meant for us to be together all along, I was able to help you ascend… and the clock ticked its last tock as we became frozen in time together. Now there is nothing keeping me from you anymore—and there never will be.”
With her horn alight again, Celestia released Twilight and held out the small box. This is it!
“Twilight Abigail Sparkle… will you marry me?”
Twilight blinked. She opened her mouth, closed it again, opened it again, staring up at Celestia. “Ma… m-marry you?”
Celestia nodded, her cheeks blazing like her sun. “... I even got you a ring,” she squeaked out.
It had taken some time to create, but Celestia was proud of it. Melted and forged within the sun itself, and cooled on the moon, the band was gold with her and Twilight’s cutie marks inscribed upon it. Small, flawless diamond chips made up five smaller stars, while a purple amethyst was cut into the larger star. Celestia’s own sun was a beautiful yellow citrine.
How does she do this to me? So many years I’ve lived, and she effortlessly makes me feel like a nervous, twitchy school filly all over again. “It’s really pretty, and I, um... well, I was hoping I could put it on you and—”
Before she could blink, Celestia eeped, landing on her back as Twilight threw herself at her.
“Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! Of course I’ll marry you! I love you, Celestia!” She planted her muzzle into Celestia’s chest and kissed her neck repeatedly.
Celestia stared down at her new fiancee and smiled. As she wrapped her wings around Twilight and held her tight, the gold ring levitated up to Twilight’s horn.
Twilight glanced up as she felt the ring slide onto her horn, and kissed Celestia’s cheek. “It’s perfect.” She smiled, curling up into Celestia’s chest. “I’m so glad we’ll have the time to plan our wedding and enjoy this.”
Celestia nodded, her heart a-flutter, peppering Twilight’s face with butterfly kisses. “Of course, my beautiful Twilight. We have all the time in the world together. There’s no rush. Let’s just relax and take our time…”
“What do you mean, ‘we have to be married in one week’?”
“Huh?” Luna looked up from her book, her legs kicking up and down across Celestia’s bed as she flipped the pages idly.
“I said, what do you mean we have to be married in a week?” Celestia asked, staring down at Luna. “How can you not understand the impact of your words?”
“I thought you knew this, Tia.” Luna smiled mischievously. “I mean, you were the one that came up with this idea when I started dating all those gentlecolts in past times.”
“Yes, but those laws were created to protect you, not me. What were the chances of my falling in love like you seemed to do every other day? I just wanted to make sure that you were safe.” Celestia's ears pinned back. “I only ever wanted to protect you, Lulu. I couldn’t stand to see you hurt in such a regular fashion.”
Luna closed her book and sat up, gazing at Celestia's panicked expression. “I know you were trying to protect me, Tia. Now I’m trying to do the same. It’s not that I don’t trust Twilight Sparkle. I just want to make sure that you’ll both be happy. Besides, this gives me a chance to tease my older sister a bit for being so protective. I may as well take advantage of it.”
Celestia groaned while Luna giggled. “What are the chances of us repealing this law in the next… Oh, let’s say five minutes?”
Luna tapped a hoof to her chin. “Hmmm... about as likely as our nephew donating his fortune to charity?”
Celestia groaned, closed her eyes, and rubbed under her horn.
Luna snorted as Celestia let her head fall onto the bed. “Oh, Tia, relax. I have a perfectly good reason for not wanting to change the law for Twilight Sparkle and yourself.”
“You have a reason,” came Celestia’s muffled voice through her blankets. “Would you care to tell me what this ‘perfectly good’ reasoning is?”
“But of course, my dear sister! Simply put, if I were to absolve the law now after having it down on the books for over one thousand years, the nobles would riot. They would—rightfully, I should add—accuse you of favoritism and begin to question Twilight’s ascension even more than they already have.”
Celestia looked up to see Luna softly smiling down at her before nuzzling into her neck.
“I know it’s difficult to see right now, Tia, but it must be this way so that you and Twilight can be happy without having to do something drastic.”
Celestia returned the embrace, rubbing her cheek against Luna’s neck. “I know. You’re right.” She drew back and shook her head. “It has been so long since I penned that damned law. I regretfully have forgotten what it consists of, other than the one week from engagement to matrimony.”
Luna’s horn began to glow as a thin book lifted from the bed and floated in front of Celestia. “Once you made your intentions to ask Twilight for her hoof in marriage clear, I went searching for the entirety of the law—and here it is—” Luna opened the book to a specific page “—now let’s see. ‘Marriage involving an alicorn princess: In the event of a Princess asking for and/or being asked for her hoof in marriage, three trials must be arranged before the ceremony can commence. Trial one consists of an extensive background check of the affiance’.”
She frowned at that. “You, er, might want to warn Twilight that one is coming. I remember what a background check revealed about one of my beloved... it wasn’t exactly pleasant. Moving on, trial two states she ‘must walk through fire, to prove her devotion’ to you. ‘Without using a spell’.”
Luna glanced up at Celestia, who had found something of great interest to examine on the ceiling. “Really, Tia? Walk through fire? Really!”
“It was the poetry of the statement. I did not think that any pony would really be forced to do it!” Celestia mumbled, her ears pinned back and a slight flush coloring her cheeks.
“Be that as it may, it’s written here, so Twilight will have to do it… Next time you create a law, think with more than your heart, sister?”
Celestia nodded as she watched Luna simply stare at the thin book. “So, what is the third trial? It can’t be that bad… can it?”
Luna glanced up and shook her head slowly as if Celestia were a creature which she had never encountered before. “Celestia, werest thou intoxicated or otherwise inebriated when thou penned this law?”
“What do you mean, Luna?” Celestia frowned. She hadn’t had more than a few glasses of wine in... Oh my, how long had it been? And the idea of being high? She couldn’t even envision it.
Luna raised an eyebrow. “You really have no idea, do you? Yes, I know that you wrote this over a thousand years ago, but really, you have no idea whatsoever. You wrote this as the third trial, didn’t you?”
Celestia smiled a bit nervously. “If I said no, would that be a bad thing?”
Luna looked at Celestia and shook her head sadly. “You truly are clueless, aren’t you? For the third trial, Twilight will have to spend a day as you.”
Celestia stared at Luna, her eyes wide with her mouth falling open. “Luna, I’m really starting to wonder if I might in fact have been been drunk or high. How in Equestria is that even supposed to work?”
Luna shrugged as she flipped through the thin book. “There appears to be a spell here. Obviously, you had a plan when you wrote this, sister, and it is my duty as Co-regent of Equestria to fulfill every word.”
Celestia covered her head with her forehooves and groaned. “Why must you choose now of all times to be a normal little sister, Luna?”
Luna giggled at Celestia's muffled whine. “Well, my dear Tia, it’s not like I had the opportunity to do so a thousand years ago. Most of the time you were too busy trying to rule all by yourself that it seemed like you had your head up your… Well, anyway. let’s just consider this me making up for lost time in one go.” Luna nuzzled against Celestia's head. “You’ll give me this won’t you, big sis?”
Celestia lifted her head and gazed into Luna's eyes before frowning.
Luna's ears pinned back against her head. “Is there nothing I can do? Please, Tia, don’t be angry at me.” She moved her head closer to look Celestia straight in the eyes.
Celestia watched Luna become more panic-stricken as the moments passed. When she felt that Luna had learned her lesson, she leaned forward and flicked the tip of her tongue over Luna’s nose; Luna pulled back quickly, her muzzle scrunching.
Celestia laughed at her sister's expression. “Oh, Lulu, you’re just so easy. Sometimes there’s nothing we can really do about the law, at least not this time. Though I do hope that we can endeavor to change it before you fall for a young colt or filly. After all, the poor thing’s going to go through a wreck of nerves anyway, falling in love with the Princess of the Night. The least that I—as your big sister—can do is make sure that they won’t have to go through an extensive background check as well.”
Luna sputtered a bit, then shook her head. “I hate that you made your point. So here’s how it’s going to go: Twilight has three trials that she must complete before you may take her for your bride. Exactly one week remains from four hours ago in which she has to perform these three trials. I suggest that we find a pony to complete the background check during this time. That way, she won't be so anxious when she finds out about it, since she will have already finished the other two trials. I also suggest that you hire a wedding planner, and an expert seamstress to create a beautiful wedding dress in less than a week.”
Celestia’s ears perked as she heard the fern rustle in the corner. “Luna, did you hear—”
Celestia was unable to finish her sentence; a pink earth pony burst out from the fern. Celestia and Luna both jumped back, their wings flaring.
Pinkie Pie danced in place, her whole body radiating excitement. “I heard somepony say wedding! Who’s getting married? Why wasn’t I told? Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me!"
Celestia glanced down at Luna who was just staring at the vibrating Pinkie. “Well, Luna, you did suggest that we should hire a wedding planner. I truly don't think there is any other pony in Equestria that is as capable—or at least, enthusiastic—as Pinkie Pie is here.”
Luna blinked a couple of times, then nodded. “Y-you may be correct, sister.”
Celestia let her wings fold back against her sides. “Pinkie Pie, I am not entirely certain how you got here. Twilight says that I should just ignore it, that it’s just Pinkie being Pinkie. I suppose I should believe her. After all, what kind of fiancé would I be if I didn’t believe my future wife?"
For a long moment, Pinkie Pie didn't move at all. If Celestia didn’t know any better, she would have thought she’d accidentally broken the pink earth pony; then, all at once, Pinkie leapt into the air with a burst of confetti, her mane and tail seeming even more fluffed up and curly than usual. After her long hangtime in the air—during which Luna began searching for invisible wings—Pinkie landed back down on the floor.
"Oh my goodness, you mean that you and Twilight are getting married? I knew that you two were dating, and I knew I wasn’t supposed to know, but I still knew the third time that Twilight didn’t answer her door, I decided to follow along after you, and you two make such a cute couple with her curled up to you while reading a book as you just happily watch the sky! Did you ask her or did she ask you? It’s very important for the party planner to know who the groom is, after all, so how long do I have to plan this wedding date? Is it going to be super-quick like Princess Cadance's was? Oh, I hope we don’t have to deal with the changelings again. They really ruined everything last time."
Celestia watched, stunned, as Pinkie Pie bounced around and quickly asked several different questions, all seemingly without needing to breathe. She looked at Luna who just shrugged.
“Must be just ‘Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie,’ as your dear fiancé says.”
Celestia gently placed a hoof on Pinkie’s muzzle. “Yes, Pinkie. Twilight and I are getting married. I asked her, so I guess that would make me the groom. No, I do very much hope that the changelings will not be involved this time, and if I have any say in it, I wish to never see them again. As for how long you have to plan the wedding... because of a foolish law I wrote over a millennium ago, you have exactly seven days as of four hours ago.”
Pinkie stared at Celestia open-mouthed once Celestia had removed her hoof. “Wowee, only a week to plan out a giant royal wedding that has to be absolutely perfect? I’ll have to cancel all my other engagements. This is going to need my full attention!”
With that, Pinkie reached into her mane and pulled out a small green alligator. “Gummy, cancel all my other engagements. This is priority numero uno!” Pinkies stared down at her pet, which stared up at her and blinked a couple of times. Pinkie beamed down at him—Celestia assumed it was a ‘he’—and nodded.
“Yes, exactly!” She picked him up and stuck him back in her mane before smiling up at Princess Celestia. “Don't worry, Princess, you can count on me. This wedding is going to be just superrific!”
Celestia blinked just once, then all of a sudden Pinkie Pie had vanished. She turned to Luna, who was just looking around the room. "Did you…?"
Luna shook her head. “No, and neither did you if you value your sanity. Now as we were discussing earlier, which of the trials do you plan on having Twilight complete first?”
Celestia sighed, running a hoof through her mane before sitting down and placing her head between her hooves. “I don’t know, Luna. Are you sure that this is all one hundred percent necessary for Twilight and I to be married?”
Luna clicked her tongue a few times, then finally shrugged. “Of course, its entirely possible that this is all for naught, but consider this, Tia—what if one of the nobles were to discover this law, ancient as it is? Nobles such as our dear nephew Blueblood.”
Celestias head shot up, her pink eyes wide. “I... had not even considered the possibility... that would be just like him to do so. You remember the fuss he put up when Twilight became an alicorn to begin with. He swore up and down that I was exhibiting favoritism and that if any pony was to be made an alicorn, it should be him. On the faint chance of him finding out, I could never do that to Twilight…”
She nodded. “Very well. The law shall go forward as it is written. Since Twilight and I have kept our relationship mostly secret, I would like to deviate away from the numbered trials just a bit. I agree with you that it would be best for the background check to begin immediately.”
Luna closed her eyes briefly. “That leaves trials two and three. I would see to them both myself, however—” she opened her eyes“—number two on the list is for Twilight to prove her love by walking through fire. The problem is, there’s supposed to be an audience for this—several witnesses need to confirm that she used no spell walking through the fire.”
Celestia gasped, and then groaned. “Witnesses… why did I specify witnesses?” She rubbed the base of her horn and sighed. “In that case, I would prefer to wait until a little later in the week so we have a chance to announce our engagement to the public.”
Luna mimicked Celestia’s gesture as she grimaced. “You realize what that means then, don’t you?” she asked, throwing worry Celestia’s way.
Celestia nodded. ”It means that I really, sincerely hope I have a slow court tomorrow, because I’m about to throw Twilight to the hounds.”
Twilight blinked her eyes sleepily as she looked up at her new fiancé and soon-to-be sister-in-law. She shook her head with a little yawn. “Sorry, Tia. I wasn't expecting you to call me so soon. Is something wrong?” She cocked her head as Celestia bit her lip.
Twilight bit her own lip, a small whimper escaping. “Did I do something wrong? I’m so sorry! Did I break a really important rule about being engaged? Please, how can I make it up to you?”
Unwilling to see her fiancé worrying for another second, Celestia wrapped her large white wings around Twilight's shaking form. “No, my sweet Twilight, it's not your fault at all. This is my fault—a foolish mistake I made over a millennium ago.”
Twilight gulped, snuggling into Celestia's chest. "A mistake? Are you promised to another? A-are we going to have to break up? I don't want that, Tia. I don't want to have to leave you.”
Celestia nuzzled the top of Twilight’s head. “I swear to you, my love, that one thing you will never have to fear is our separation. I love you as much as I love my own sun. No, we won't have to separate and there is no other pony that I am promised to. You must understand. Many years ago, many noble stallions were trying to gain my favor. They felt that the easiest way to do this was through my sister, so they tried to woo her into marriage.
“The fact is that several came far too close for my own comfort, so to protect her and myself, I wrote the law of how marriage must proceed between an Alicorn Princess and her beloved. I never thought in a million years that I myself would fall in love and that it would not be with a pony trying to take advantage of me, so I never canceled the law. Please forgive me?”
Twilight chewed her lip a bit. “A law to marry a Princess? I’ve never even heard of such a thing. But I understand your reasoning for wanting one, especially if Luna’s virtue was at stake. How complex is this law?”
Luna's horn lit up as she levitated the slim book over to Twilight. “Here, you will find the entirety of the law that Celestia wrote so very long ago. I encourage you to read it carefully.”
Twilight took the book within her own magic and cuddled up to Celestia. She opened it and began reading; it didn't take long for her eyebrow to begin twitching, either. Within a few minutes, she had finished the section in its entirety and was just staring at the final page. Finally, she allowed the book to close and looked up at her beloved.
“Celestia... I love you with all my heart, but I must ask you something.”
Celestia smiled, albeit a bit nervously with her ears pinned back. “Yes, my Twilight. Anything.”
Twilight looked straight into Celestia’s eyes… and unloaded.
“What in Equestria were you drinking when you created this law? Calling it convoluted would be kind! We have to be married in exactly a week from the moment you asked me to marry you? How could anypony even plan that big of a wedding in less than a week?”
“Don't worry, Twilight, I got this!” Pinkie grinned before leaping back into the fern.
“Huh?” Twilight looked around the room. “Was that...?”
Celestia nodded. “Somehow she heard Luna and I speaking about needing a wedding planner all the way from Ponyville. Do you have any idea how she appeared from out of my bedroom fern?”
Twilight simply shook her head. “I don’t even question it anymore, Tia. Honestly, I could spend the rest of eternity studying Pinkie Pie and I still don't think I’d understand her. Now back to this law. It seems that the one week thing isn't too big of a deal since Pinkie Pie is in charge of planning, but how deep does this background check go?” She couldn't help her voice squeaking just a little bit at the idea of somepony dipping too deep into her closet of skeletons.
Celestia stroked Twilight’s cheek. “Twilight, trust me—you’re better off not thinking about it. The only pony that will ever see it will be myself, and I do promise it will never be released to anypony else. Not even you, Luna.”
Twilight looked up to see Luna standing behind Celestia with her tongue stuck out. She giggled at the gesture; it wasn't often that she saw the sisters tease each other like this, though it made Twilight smile every time that she observed it. She hoped that once she and Celestia were married, she would be witness to it far more often.
“All right.” She breathed in and out deeply. “So you don’t want me to worry about the background check. There are still two more trials. I’m pretty sure I can figure out how to walk through fire without using the spell now that I’m an alicorn, but I don’t understand how it is even possible for me to spend a day as you. I mean, body-swapping spells don't even exist… Do they?”
Celestia glanced away. “They do in fact exist, Twilight, although they are held within the deepest part of the restricted archives—farther than even Sunset Shimmer dared to go. Many times I’ve thought to destroy the scroll containing the spell to eliminate the chances of somepony discovering that was a simple spell they could use to take my or Luna's spot... our bodies, even. Who would believe somepony that was spouting that they were in fact the Princess?”Celestia shook her head. “But destroying any magic seems such a waste to me, and there could come a time when any spell might be potentially useful, so, like many others, I keep the spell hidden from all but my sight.”
Twilight cocked her head. “Until now?”
Celestia nodded. “Yes. The least I can do before casting this spell upon us is to share it with you. After all, if I can’t trust you with the spell, I could never hope to trust you with my heart, and you know that you already rule over that.”
Twilight blushed while pawing at the floor with her forehoof. “I feel the same way, Tia.”
There was a flash of gold light and a large book appeared in front of Twilight.
“Go on, my dear. I have nothing to hide from you.” Celestia nuzzled Twilight's neck.
Twilight nodded and opened the book. She quickly became absorbed in the many different banned spells that the book contained. It even included the idea that it was possible to turn a pony into a manticore against their will, and that wasn’t even among the worst spells. Twilight shivered; she immediately understood why Celestia had chosen to keep this book under such lock and key.
She quickly glanced at the rest of the spells until she found the body swap one. In the back of her mind, Twilight wondered what had happened to the pony that had written this book, but after glancing at Celestia’s face, she promised herself she would never allow the question to exit her lips. She didn’t want to know the answer.
As she began to read the spell for the body swap she frowned, then looked up at Celestia. “This spell it so simple that any unicorn with rudimentary magic knowledge would be able to cast it without a problem. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if a foal just discovering their cutie mark would be able to cast it.”
All at once, Celestia seemed older than Twilight it ever seen her before. ”You're not wrong, my dear—and therein lies its danger. The reasoning behind my having to lock away this book was for far more than just a body swap spell, but that is a story from a long time ago, and one I do not wish to get into now. Forgive me just this one secret, my love.”
Twilight closed her eyes in thought before smiling. “Just this once, Tia. Now, let’s cast this spell!”
Luna's eyes widened. “Wait, don’t cast the spell yet. Celestia, you do realize that you’re going to have to go through every trial as well. Don't you?”
Celestia's ear twitched. “What are you talking about, Luna? The law only pertains to the fiancé of an Alicorn Prin… Princess. Oh.”
Twilight blinked twice as Celestia and Luna frowned at each other. “What, what is it? I don’t understand. What didn’t you notice, Tia?”
Celestia smiled nervously down at Twilight. “Well, the wording when I wrote this... I never dreamed that there would be any other Princesses other than Luna and myself, so the law is a bit…”
“What my foalish sister means,” Luna interjected, “is that the law is written in such a way that it states she also must endure the trials.” She tried to keep a serious expression on her face, before a grin cracked and she fell over laughing.
Celestia rolled her eyes at Luna, clutching her belly and tears running down her face. “Yes, Luna, it’s all very funny—but the point remains that because of my wording, I have to join Twilight in her trials.”
Twilight frowned. Her ear flicked as she tapped her chin. “Hmmm.”
Celestia glared at Luna—still laughing her flank off—before looking over to Twilight, deep in thought. “Twilight? What is it?”
Twilight sighed before gently taking the law book from Luna’s grip. “Something just occurred to me. If we both must pass these trials, since I’m also an alicorn Princess... did Shining Armor have to as well?”
“Actually, Twilight, I have a confession to make.” Celestia stared at the floor, her face flushed. “Your brother was allowed to marry my niece the traditional way because… I completely forgot this law even existed.”
“Allow me to explain,” Luna said, interrupting Twilight’s protest. “At the time, as you know, we had high suspicion of an imminent attack on Canterlot. That situation seemed more important than digging into the archives for a law that even I only vaguely recalled. Since we knew we were going to be attacked, the nobles agreed to a stance of extraneous circumstances. So they were allowed to marry without following the law.” Luna shrugged.
Twilight snorted. “Yes, well… that’s still not fair. If we have to do this, then there is no reason that they shouldn’t as well, even after the fact now that the danger has long passed. What use is a law if it’s just going to be ignored—particularly a law that might only see one further use in all of time?”
She shot a wink to Luna, who rolled her eyes.
“Believe me, Twilight Sparkle. The situational irony is not lost on me.”
Celestia gave Luna a soft whack with her wing. “That’s enough, Luna. Yes, it’s all very problematic, but it can’t be helped. I can’t have a normal pony do my background check, so I hope you’ve got a free day or two.”
Luna groaned as she got back to her hooves. “All right, Tia, all right. So are you casting the spell now?”
Twilight and Celestia glanced down at the spell book, lying on the floor between them. “No reason to delay, I suppose. We had better to do it now, and then wait until after to announce our engagement.” Celestia opened her bedroom door with a small pulse of magic. “Honed Edge, would you kindly fetch Kibitz then report back here immediately?”
The pegasus guard gave a sharp salute before taking to wing.
Celestia closed the door and smiled down at Twilight before leaning down and lightly pressing their lips together. Twilight whimpered as she tried to deepen the kiss, just to have Celestia pull back.
“If you could choose one friend to know that you and I switched bodies, my Twilight, who would it be?” Celestia wrapped a soft wing around Twilight’s back, offering support. It seemed she acted too quickly because as soon as she had asked the question Twilight nuzzled into her side with a sigh.
“There’s no need for me to do a pros-and-cons list in this case, Tia. There’s only one I’d trust with that information who isn’t already in this room. I’d like Spike to know.”
Celestia smiled. “Of course, Twilight. I could think of no other that you would trust as much.” She closed her eyes for a few moments, her horn glowing. A ball of gold energy materialized in front of them, revealing a curled-up, fast asleep baby dragon. He yawned and stretched his body.
“Huh? Twilight? Where in Equestria are we this time?” Spike blinked his eyes a few times and yawned before glancing up. He immediately jumped up and out of bed, and bowed. “Princess Celestia! Princess Luna! Sorry, I didn't realize you were here too.”
Celestia smiled before nuzzling him. “Spike, how many times do I need to remind you that you’re family?”
Spike blushed a little, but quickly recovered and nodded. “Sorry. Sometimes I guess I just forget. So, what's going on? You and Twilight... didn't have a fight or anything, did you?” He looked up wringing his claws. “Did you bring me here to mediate? I mean, there has to be a reason, right?”
Twilight giggled before wrapping her wings around Spike and nuzzling into his neck. “Actually, Spike, it’s pretty close to the opposite. Earlier this evening, Celestia asked me to marry her, and I said ‘yes.’ Now just hold on a minute—” Spike jumped into the air, whooping before Twilight caught him in her stasis magic and set him down “—unfortunately, it seems there is a law when it comes to alicorn Princesses and marriage. And that’s part of our problem.”
“Problem? Oh no!” Spike chewed his claws until shavings littered the floor. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Calm down, Spike,” Twilight said, pulling him into a hug. “It’s not too terrible. Just listen a moment. It was drafted with the intention of protecting Celestia and Luna—mostly Luna—should either of them wish to be married at any point, but because of its specific wording, it applies to Cadance and myself as well. So Celestia and I must each undergo three trials before we can be legally wed. One of the biggest trials is that we must spend a day as each other. Celestia asked me who I trusted to know what was going on. I didn't even have to think before I chose you.”
Spike just stared up at Celestia and Twilight for a few moments, blinking. Finally, he shook his head. “You mean that after you cast whatever spell this is, you’ll be Princess Celestia, and Princess Celestia will be you? Whoa! For how long?”
Celestia smiled. “Only twenty four hours. At that point, no matter where we are or what we are doing, we will return to our normal selves. But you must understand, Spike—this has to be kept secret. I trust the situation explains itself?”
Spike stood up straight and squared his shoulders. “I understand, Princess. You can count on me!”
Celestia smiled. “I never had any doubt, Spike.” Her ear flicked as a knocking came from the door. “Ah, our other witness has arrived. Please come in, Kibitz.”
The door opened, revealing an older unicorn stallion who trotted inside. He took a pocket watch out of his pocket and stared at it, as if expecting the time to say something other than what it did. “Your Highness, I take my job as Royal Timekeeper very seriously, but truly, do you have to pick the middle of the night to have uncertainties that need my assistance? In fact, why are you even awake? You know that if you don’t get to sleep at a normal time you’re just useless in the morning.”
He seemed to freeze in thought before glancing up at Princess Celestia. “You and your sister... aren’t planning on trading shifts again, are you? Not that I dislike the younger Princess, no, not at all—it’s just she’s simply not used to your time schedule, what with being awake mainly at night. Although it has been wonderful to see you awake more during the day, Princess Luna.”
While Luna nodded, Celestia chuckled, remembering the day that Luna had taken her spot ruling over the day. She would have to take Twilight to her ultrasecret spa some time. Maybe after they returned from their honeymoon.
“Have no fear, my loyal timekeep. Luna is not ruling the day tomorrow. In fact, for all intents and purposes, you may as well treat it as a normal day. In fact I beg of you, please do.”
Kibitz lifted a delicate eyebrow at Celestia’s wording. “Treating a day as normal ‘for all intents and purposes’ is much different than a day simply being normal, Your Highness. What trickery have you planned, Princess of the Sun?”
Luna—fighting to control her laughter—floated the law book over to Kibitz. “This should answer any and all questions that may arise.”
Kibitz slowly paged through the thin volume. Once he had finished, his eyes went straight to Princess Celestia. “If I’m reading this correctly, this law was created to protect both you and Princess Luna from stallions that would mean to harm you, particularly ones who sought to draw close through means of marriage. I assume that, with delusions of power, several stallions asked for Princess Luna’s hoof long ago?”
At the princesses’ nods, Kibitz sighed. “Therefore, I also assume that you were not in your right mind when you wrote out this law, Princess Celestia. Were you?”
Celestia fidgeted before releasing a small whine; no longer could she pretend. “You’re right, Kibitz. I was not in my right mind when I wrote this law. I had had far too much to drink that night, and my heart was hurting as I watched yet another stallion attempting to court Luna without love on his mind, only power. I simply wrote down three things that I thought would be most impossible unless love was truly on somepony’s mind.
“Although, having reread it now, I see where I made my most fundamental flaw. It is only with good graces that this spell lasts twenty-four hours. Imagine if it did not wear off. A pony that did not love Luna... they wouldn’t be willing to return to their own body, and who would believe my sister if she were in the body of another? This is why—not only for the nobles’ benefit, but for my own—I have asked for witnesses here tonight. You, Kibitz, are to be my witness, and Spike, Twilight has chosen you to be hers.”
Kibitz close his eyes momentarily before pulling out a small book and paging through it, a quill held in his magic.
Celestia cocked her head; that wasn't the reaction she had imagined. "Kibitz, what are you doing?”
Kibitz didn't even look up from his work. “Well, Princess, right now I’m reorganizing your schedule as to fit your wedding into the next seven days, and then I’m going to have to reorganize the next month, as I assume that you and the Princess Twilight wish to have a honeymoon somewhere other than Canterlot. I’m afraid that I can’t reorganize everything to fit before the seventh day.”
He paused, quill still at the ready, and looked up through his bushy eyebrows. “Could you possibly have your wedding in four days rather than seven? If we do it that way, you can leave on your honeymoon immediately, and not have to worry so much about the ambassadors that are supposed to be coming in three weeks. Truly, it works best for everyone. In fact, I’m certain that I can have the fourth day fully cleared for the wedding without a hitch.”
Celestia, Luna, Twilight, and Spike all stared at Kibitz with their mouths open; all were amazed at how he could treat the most important wedding since Cadance and Shining Armor’s like nothing more than a normal appointment. It truly was mind boggling.
Celestia shook herself first and cleared her throat. “Well, you were certainly the right choice for Royal Timekeep all those years ago.” She looked towards Twilight. “Twilight, be honest with me. Do you think that Pinkie can plan the wedding in only four days?”
Twilight chewed her lip for a few moments before nodding. “If anypony is capable of planning a wedding in only four days, it’s definitely Pinkie Pie.”
Pinkie Pie looked up from what she was doing with wide eyes. “Itchy tail, ear flick, eye flutter…” She gasped and sat bolt upright, throwing Gummy out of her mane into the air. “Princess Celestia needs her and Twilight’s wedding planned super-duper-fast! Well, they can count on me, or my name’s not Pinkamena Diane Pie: Party Planner Extraordinaire!”
Gummy landed back in her mane.
“Gummy!” Pinkie looked up through her curls to meet his eyes. “Where’s my secret weapon?”
The baby alligator just blinked lazily a few times.
“Excellent work! Thank you.” Pinkie zipped out of her room towards the kitchen; she returned a second later, holding a thermos, and quickly gulped its contents. Her eyes lit up with an unnatural light before she giggled and went right back to what she was doing.
Twilight shivered. “Why do I have a bad feeling right now?”
Luna shrugged. “Personally, I believe it’s something that just comes with being a Princess of Equestria. We get feelings of dread quite often—you get used to it.” Luna stretched for a few moments before taking the spellbook back into her magic. “I think we have stalled long enough. Now that the wedding date is certain, we have only four days to complete the three trials rather than a full seven. With that, I need the witnesses to sign this non-disclosure form. Normal legal mumbo-jumbo—trust me, you don't want to tell anypony.”
Both Kibitz and Spike scratched their names onto the form. Together, they stood back as far away from Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight as they could.
Luna opened the spell book to the right page and read the verse silently to herself. Her eyes began to glow an unnatural white until she slammed the book closed and aimed her horn between Celestia and Twilight.
A dark-blue bolt of power slammed into both of them, knocking them to the ground. The room lit with a blinding flash...
Twilight groaned as she opened her eyes and rolled onto her back, finding herself looking straight up. “Urgh. Did anypony get the number of that chariot?”
She blinked as she listened to her own voice. It didn’t sound quite right. She lifted her right hoof and gazed at the white fur that now covered it. “Oh my. Harmony, it worked.” Slowly she sat up on her haunches and looked around.
“Wow, everything just looks so much smaller.” She closed her eyes and took a small, calming breath; she looked down when she felt a small hoof resting on her side.
Celestia smiled up at her fiancé. She had expected her to panic when she realized that she was actually in Celestia’s body, but once again, Twilight had surprised her. She had to admit that being so much smaller was an adjustment, but it was only for twenty-four hours and she could easily handle that.
Smiling up at Twilight, she gently touched her side. “Twilight, are you all right? I know it’s a bit of a shock to the system, but I’m right here.”
Twilight placed her own hoof on top of Celestia’s. “I know you are. Thank you.” She looked over to Luna, who was sending the book back to the forbidden archives with a small spell. “So what happens now?”
Luna stretched until her back cracked. “Now? I think it is time for Twilight Sparkle and Spike to return to Ponyville. You and I need to get some sleep before it’s time to cycle our respective celestial bodies, so give your beloved a kiss before I send them back to their own beds.”
Twilight blinked before looking down at Celestia, who simply smiled up at her. She bent down as if to kiss Celestia’s lips, but stopped just before touching. “Is something wrong with Luna? Has she forgotten about the spell?"
Celestia paused for a moment. “It may be a defense of the spell that those that witness it cannot speak of it. Only those who were actually switched can.” She brushed her lips against Twilight's before giving her a gentle nuzzle. “I know you can do this, Twilight. I have every confidence in you. Spike and I will be back tomorrow evening, I promise. For now, adieu my love. Sleep well.”
Twilight smiled a bit nervously. “You too. I love you.”
Celestia gave Twilight a beaming grin before she and Spike vanished in a flash of dark-blue energy.
Luna shook her head as Kibitz exited the room mumbling about the deprivation of his well-deserved sleep yet again. “Somehow I knew that spell wasn't going to work, Tia,” she said upon Kibitz’s departure. “I mean, the idea of it is just preposterous—ponies switching bodies is like something out of a fantasy novel. Oh well, that only leaves two trials that must be completed. I was thinking of hiring Far Seer to do Twilight Sparkle’s background check. He is a pony that you trust quite a bit, is he not?”
Twilight closed her eyes, struggling to keep calm. You can do this. It’s only for twenty-four hours. Just act like when you did as a little filly—you pretended to be Celestia all the time.
“Of course he is,” Twilight said with confidence. “I think that he’s the best choice for this. I assume that you’ll be doing my own background check?”
Luna grinned as she trotted toward Celestia’s door. “Who else would be able to find out everything about you, Tia? Don’t worry—I won't embarrass you too much.” She winked and smirked. “Sleep well, sister. I shall see you at dawn.”
Twilight watched as Luna left the room. She listening as the door clicked shut, and let out a heavy sigh before looking around the room. The subject had never been approached, but Twilight was fairly certain that she would be moving in with Celestia once they were married. After all, it wasn’t as if Princess Celestia could move to Ponyville with her now, was it?
She let out a dainty yawn before climbing into ‘her’ large bed. She pulled the golden sheets up over her head, the lights in the room dimming as if knowing their mistress wished for sleep. She closed her eyes with the comforting thought that she and Celestia would figure it out together.
Twilight's eyes shot open; a thousand alarm clocks were going off in her head all at once. Oh, sweet Cel… Luna, is this what it’s like for Celestia every morning if she’s late for sunrise?
She made to step out of bed, but forgot about her larger frame. Consequently, she misjudged her balance and fell face-first onto the carpet.
“Ow…” Carefully she pulled herself up to a sitting position and lifted a hoof to her muzzle. She whimpered for a couple of seconds before finally shaking it off. Come on, Twilight. You’ve got twenty-four hours as your fiancé. Don’t hurt her anymore than you need to, which is hopefully not at all.
She looked around the room before spotting Celestia's regalia. Slowly and carefully she slid on one gilded slipper at a time. After that she lifted the peytral over her head and snapped it into place. Finally, she went to lift the crown from where it sat on the vanity; but as she went to lift it, her horn sparked and her magic failed.
Twilight took a deep breath to calm herself. Relax, Twilight. You aren't stealing Celestia’s crown. You just have to wear for today. Once she’s back in Canterlot, you can give it right back to her. Just breathe.
After performing her relaxation technique that Cadance had taught her, Twilight once again reached for the crown. This time her magic didn’t fail, and the crown lowered itself gently on top of her head.
Twilight turned to leave the room when her reflection caught her attention. Staring at the image of her fiancé was slightly unnerving; to see Celestia’s reflection respond every time that Twilight made a move made her shiver. Oh I am so glad this spell is on a timer.
She forced herself away from the mirror and opened the door. Standing there, waiting and ready to knock was Kibitz, a cup of coffee floating before him.
“Your morning coffee, Princess. Black as the night with five sugars, as always.”
Twilight took the offered cup in her own golden aura and smiled. "Good morning, Kibitz. What is on the schedule today?” She took a small sip, slightly surprised at the sugar content. She would never have expected Celestia to enjoy her coffee the same way that she did.
Kibitz unraveled a long scroll and gave it a cursory glance. “Well, Your Highness, we have the sunrise occurring in exactly ten point five minutes, after which you have an hour free for breakfast with Princess Luna, as you have repeatedly asked for. Once breakfast is concluded, you are expected in the throne room to hold court from eight am until two pm. Your afternoon meal is scheduled for two-fifteen pm. At three pm, you’re expected at the School for Gifted Unicorns to observe the newest entrance exams. Just make certain they proceed as normal. The exams should be completed by no later than five pm, after which you'll be meeting your sister again for dinner preparations at five-thirty. Your fiancé, Twilight Sparkle, is due to arrive at exactly five-forty-five pm to join you and your sister, at which point dinner should be ready to serve. Finally, you are scheduled to set the Sun at six-thirty pm, the usual two-minute increment later than yesterday. After sunset, your time is your own. I advise taking no more than four hours, so as to be asleep no later than ten-thirty pm.”
Kibitz cleared his throat and squinted up at her as his scroll retracted into itself. “Any questions, Your Highness?”
Twilight shook her head, sipping her coffee. “Thank you, Kibitz. That will be all.”
She followed Kibitz to the balcony where Luna and Celestia performed their duties from. Upon arriving at the glass door, Twilight handed her half-drunk coffee back to Kibitz with a smile before opening the door. She walked out onto the balcony to join Luna, already waiting.
“Good morning, Luna. Did you sleep well?” She bent her neck down and gave Luna a small nuzzle.
Luna returned the nuzzle with a smile. “Like a foal, big sister. The night was peaceful—hardly any nightmares to battle.” She stuck her tongue out. “Well, after all that law business, anyway. I don’t understand how we even thought it was possible for you and Twilight Sparkle to trade bodies. It really is like something out of a foal’s story. Anyway, we have the non-disclosure agreement, so that should be enough for the nobles.”
Luna then locked eyes on the Moon, her horn glowing with dark-blue energy. Slowly, she knelt so that her horn was pressed against the balcony floor.
Twilight watched in wonder as the Moon slowly lowered with Luna’s reverence to it. The last time Twilight had raised the Sun, it had been in a panic. Despite seeing the annual Summer Sun Celebration, she had never borne witness to the ceremony that Luna undertook every day, but it made sense to show the Sun and Moon equal respect.
All right, Luna started with her horn up and then knelt down to lower the Moon. So to raise the Sun, I should probably start with my horn against the floor.
She took a deep breath before lowering her horn to touch against the floor. She shivered from the touch of cold against her horn before lighting it up and reaching for the Sun. Once she felt she had a firm grip on it, she slowly stood until her horn was pointed into the sky. She opened her eyes to see the Sun rising over the horizon, and breathed a sigh of relief.
Luna smiled before stretching out her wings and cracking her back. “Well done as always, sister. Now let us get some breakfast—I believe the kitchen is serving waffles today.” She licked her lips. “Oooh, waffles oozing with maple syrup…” Luna quickly trotted back inside, heading straight for the royal dining area.
Twilight followed after her once she recovered her coffee from Kibitz with a grateful nod. She smiled as she rushed after Luna, catching up fairly easily. Both nodded to the twin guards who stood outside, and waited until they had opened the doors for them. Once inside, Luna scampered onto her own cushions and licked her lips again at the table full of waffles, eggs, and other breakfast treats. She quickly served herself a little bit of everything and then covered it with maple syrup. She then stabbed her fork into the gooey mess.
“Come to Mama, you tasty little tidbit, you.”
It took all of Twilight’s willpower not to explode with laughter. She settled more gently into her own cushions, watching as Luna went slightly insane with tackling her breakfast. She also served herself a little bit of everything, but kept the hot syrup to only the waffles. Taking delicate bites, she unfolded the waiting newspaper that was on the table at her spot.
Let’s see... the weather today is supposed to be sunny with slight cloud coverage... Princess Celestia was seen proposing to Princess Twilight Sparkle last night… Oh, horseapples.
“Luna? We have a small problem.”
Luna glanced up, her cheeks filled with breakfast. She swallowed hard as she saw the picture on the front of the newspaper. “Don't worry about this too much, Tia. After all, you are marrying Twilight in only four days, counting today. You’re going to have to announce it either today or tomorrow anyway.”
She quickly finished off her meal, then stood up. “I'll see you at lunch. Unfortunately, I have much to do in regards to your background check. I’m afraid I missed... rather a lot of your life.” With a slight pause, she vanished in a flash of blue.
Twilight pulled the newspaper back up and quietly finished her meal. Delicious on her tongue only moments ago, breakfast settled into her stomach like a lump of cold steel.
All right, so court wasn’t as bad as I feared. It’s been about three hours now, and I’ve handled a few fairly mundane cases. In fact, it was almost relaxing, Twilight decided. She would consider asking Celestia if she could take over court once or twice a week. After they were married, of course.
“Announcing His Royal Highness, Prince Blueblood.”
So much for relaxing.
Twilight took a deep breath before smiling down at Celestia’s nephew. All throughout her foalhood, she and Blueblood had clashed horns, and she had a sinking feeling that he was here because of that newspaper article.
“Please approached the throne, my beloved nephew. What ails you today?”
“Auntie, I just saw the most horrible thing in the Canterlot Gazette,” came his oily, drawling voice. “You simply must punish the ponies responsible for this fabrication, nay, this vile distortion of your image!”
Blueblood held up the newspaper in question, which had the front image circled in red. “I have already been to the newspaper’s office, but they refused to print a retraction until you have stated once and for all that it is a forgery. They said that the pony they obtained the picture from was very trustworthy.”
Twilight looked at the front of the newspaper with a small smile. It had been taken at the perfect moment: right as she had pounced on Celestia and cried out ‘yes!’ She would have to find out who the pony credited with taking it was, as she would be forever be in his debt.
“Beloved nephew, there is no reason for me to request a retraction of this article—”
“But, Auntie,” Blueblood objected, “this article is accusing you of being a filly-fooler! The idea that you would choose to be with a mare rather than a stallion—it’s beyond idiotic, an attempt to smear your good name. Come now, just write the retraction order and I shall deliver it myself on your behalf.” Blueblood floated over a quill and parchment to Twilight.
Twilight sighed, pushing the anger down; it would do neither her nor Celestia any favors. "Blueblood, there is nothing to retract... because it’s completely true. The proposal did take place last night, and on this coming Thursday, Princess Twilight Sparkle and I will be legally wed.” She smiled and floated the parchment and quill back to him.
The entire court gasped. All murmurs and whispers ceased; Blueblood just stood there, gaping. One could have cut the air with a Royal Guard’s halberd.
“Auntie... you can’t believe that she wants to marry you, can you? It’s not love she feels for you.” Blueblood lifted his head and turned up his nose. “Hmph. She simply wants more power. I knew it was a mistake when you made her an alicorn. You’ve given her a thirst for power! She always was a selfish little foal.”
Twilight closed her eyes for a moment, pushing the anger down even further before opening them again, and looking that royal scumbag straight in his eyes.
“Listen to me well, Blueblood, and all present here today,” Twilight began. “It was not Princess Twilight Sparkle who proposed to Princess Celestia Everfree. Nay, it was quite the opposite—had Twilight simply desired power or status, would she not have been the one to make the first move? That fact alone derails your argument right now.”
“B-but, Aunt Celestia, she—”
“You are my nephew, Blueblood,” Twilight cut in, “and I want you to be at my wedding. But I will not permit you entry if you intend to undermine my special day—a day I have waited many thousands of years for. Do you, and everypony else, understand me?”
Blueblood seemed to shrink under Twilight's gaze before finally taking in a deep breath. “You truly... love her, Auntie?”
Twilight smiled. “With all my heart, I do.”
Blueblood nodded before smiling. “I… suppose... I can get used to her for you, Auntie.”
Twilight opened a wing, gesturing Blueblood to come forward. He slowly trotted into her embrace and nuzzled against her chest, and in that split-second, Twilight understood why Celestia cared so much about the stubborn stallion. “So will I see you at my wedding?”
“Auntie. I wouldn't miss it.”
Lunch was probably the most sedate part of Twilight’s day: a simple meal of hay burgers and hay fries. Although Luna was present, she wasn’t much company as she had her muzzle deep within a very thick book; Twilight assumed this had something to do with Celestia’s background check. She had to admit, she was looking forward to reading that, however she was not as thrilled about the idea of Celestia reading hers…
As Twilight took another bite of her hay burger, green sparkles appeared in front of her. Twilight cocked her head, but slowly opened the scroll to reveal a letter from Celestia.
My dearest Twilight,
It appears we have already been found out. Imagine my surprise as Spike brought me the Foal Free Press this morning, and there on the front page was a most beautiful picture of my proposal to you. We truly must find out the name of the pony that took that picture, as I want that negative for our own collection. There’s even a chance he was able to take others.
This should come as no surprise, but your friends are all aware of our coming nuptials. Rarity has already demanded the right to make both of our wedding dresses. Luckily for both of us, it seems that she already has our measurements, so we don’t need to endure hours of standing still. However, she has locked herself in her boutique, stating that neither you nor I are allowed to see the dresses until the wedding. I do hope she doesn’t strain herself too hard.
Applejack has already said that she and Pinkie Pie will be catering, and once I am myself again, I’ll see about getting another caterer, just in case. Rainbow Dash has already promised, and I quote, ‘the ultimate sonic rainboom to end all sonic rainbooms’ to celebrate, and dear Fluttershy is eager to once again utilise her bird choir.
Other than that, it’s been a perfectly normal day here in Ponyville. I miss you and can’t wait to see you this evening.
Love, Celestia.
Twilight smiled as she folded the scroll and sent it to where she kept the rest of her and Celestia’s correspondence. She returned to her hay burger, which she only had a few minutes left to eat before she was due at the School for Gifted Unicorns.
This day could not have gone any better, quite honestly. I could get used to this…
Twilight stretched her wings out and popped her neck. She had been watching the entrance exams for a good hour or so. Ten ponies had already endured the final test—six had passed—though so far the testing had been relatively calm.
She glanced over at the stallion sitting next to her. “So, who’s next, Sir Arpeggio?”
Arpeggio looked down at the scroll in front of him. “Let’s see… ah, a six-year-old filly named Eclipse. She’s already performed well enough on her written exam to have been accepted into the school. This practical test should be nothing but a formality to her.”
Twilight smiled. She had found out a couple years after her final exam that she would also have been accepted into Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns even if she had failed in hatching the Spike's egg.
She watched as the door opened and a dark-green filly poked her head inside. Slowly she made her way into the center of the room, strands of her dark-blue mane falling into her eyes. Her colour scheme made Twilight think of the ocean along Manehattan’s coast.
Arpeggio smiled down at the young pony. “All right, Eclipse. Whenever you’re ready, I want you to close your eyes and just release your magic.”
Eclipse gulped, but inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. After a few moments of concentration, her horn began to spark with red energy. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she focused with all her might, determined not to fail. With a gasp, her eyes shot open, glowing white, and a ring of fire surrounded her, blocking her from view.
Twilight quickly stood up; she recognized the glowing white eyes and what it could mean. Her own eyes grew in horror as the flames started licking Eclipse’s coat. Without thinking of her own safety, she ran, her horn glowing to grab the filly from the ring of fire.
As she held Eclipse to her body, she noticed that while the fire was hot, it wasn't burning her. An illusion? But she’s so young!
Eclipse let out a small cry as Princess Celestia herself appeared to be cradling her. Her eyes reverted to their normal sky-blue color, and she trembled. “I’m so sorry!” she cried. “I didn’t mean to…”
But Twilight looked to where the fire had burned itself out, and knew what she needed to do.
“You are an extraordinary little filly, Eclipse, and very gifted,” she said as she ran a hoof through the filly’s mane. “But a wild and untamed power like yours needs to be guided by somepony who understands it.”
Eclipse stared up at her with eyes that could contain the Marediterranean Sea. “I don't think I understand…”
Twilight gently set her on the floor.
“I think my former student is ready for her first student.” She beamed at the filly. “Eclipse, how would you like to be Princess Twilight Sparkle’s personal protégé?”
Eclipse stared in shock up at her princess. “Me, Princess T-Twilight Sparkle's p-personal student? Yes! Oh, yes! Thank you, Princess Celestia!”
Twilight’s smile widened. As Eclipse bounced in place, she couldn’t help but recall a fond memory; it was almost like watching herself when she was accepted as Princess Celestia’s personal student, although Eclipse seemed just a little more restrained.
It was then she noticed something, and cocked her head. Something new had graced Eclipse’s tiny little flank.
“Eclipse, just one more thing.”
“Huh?”
Twilight silently pointed at her flank. When Eclipse turned to look, she gasped: it was a black star encircled by a white one, with bits of flame tonguing off from each point. “My cutie mark!”
Twilight waited for just a few moments while Eclipse jumped around the room giggling. She knew what was about to happen, and was ready for it; Eclipse’s eyes began to close, and she finally passed out on the floor. Twilight shook her head and lifted the exhausted filly onto her back, then approached the other testers, who looked amongst themselves and then toward her.
“With all due respect, Your Highness,” Top Marks, head stallion of the judging committee started, “are you certain about this? That was obviously dark magic young Eclipse exhibited. Under our usual code, she’s too dangerous to have in the normal school.”
Twilight glanced at the little pony curled up on her back, her tiny chest rising and falling with every breath as she slept happy and safe.
“I think all she needs is a good teacher... and lots of love.”
“Your Highness, I’m sorry—did something happen during young Eclipse’s exam?” The young mare waiting in the entrance hall set down her magazine and bowed deeply to Twilight. She glanced up at her charge, who was curled up asleep on Twilight’s back. “Is she all right?”
Twilight nodded. “Everything is fine, Miss…?”
“Sweet Heart, Your Highness. I was told that Eclipse did very well on her written exam. Normally one of our foals could never dream of attending this school, but young Eclipse received a small inheritance to pay for her tuition, and… well, she’s so gifted that we wanted to give her the chance.” Sweet Heart smiled fondly at the sleeping filly.
“About that, Miss Heart,” Twilight started. “Despite her outstanding entrance scores, and her absolutely stellar practical results… Eclipse will not be attending the School for Gifted Unicorns.”
“She… she won’t?” Sweet Heart’s mane and tail went limp. “The poor dear… may I ask why, Your Highness? She’s the most talented filly we’ve ever housed. Is it her status?”
Twilight shook her head. “Be at peace, dear Sweet Heart. Eclipse may not be attending my School… however, she will be taking her tuition from a far more personal source.”
“Princess?”
Twilight lifted a gilded hoof to her barrel. “Lady Sweet Heart, Eclipse will be placed under the care and guidance of my own former student… Princess Twilight Sparkle.”
Sweet Heart’s mouth fell open, her rosy mane returning to full volume. “P-Princess Twilight? Eclipse, her personal p-protégé? Oh my! Th-that’s wonderful!” She skipped in place. “We all knew Eclipse was going to do great things, but being a student to the Princess of Friendship? That is so far beyond anything we could have hoped.”
Sweet Heart settled herself and bowed. “Er, Y-Your Highness… dare I ask… this morning’s Gazette?”
Twilight smiled and nodded. “It’s all true, my little pony.”
Sweet Heart beamed. “I’m so happy for you, Princess. Oh, but back on track—” she pulled out a briefcase from under her seat in the lobby “—I do have some paperwork for you to sign regarding Eclipse’s lodging… pardon me for appearing to have foregone conclusions, but I did have rather high hopes… anyway, I hope you are planning to keep her at the palace?” She blushed. “I understand it’s a lot to ask, but… it’s just that, with our responsibilities, I can’t promise that any of our staff could take the time to escort Eclipse to the palace for daily lessons.”
Twilight lifted an eyebrow. “You know that I could arrange an escort for her myself, Lady Sweet Heart. Is that the only reason?”
Sweet Heart stuttered for a second before finding her tongue. “W-well, to be perfectly honest, Princess… I think she deserves more than to live in an orphanage.”
Twilight smiled, signing Celestia’s name on the residency forms. “And so she does. No need to worry, my little pony—Eclipse will always have a home at the palace.”
Sweet Heart whooshed out a sigh before nodding and adding her own signature to the form. With both scrawls freshly inked, she tucked it into her briefcase which she then levitated into her saddlebag. She hesitated for a moment, and then extracted another folder from within.
“Your Highness… I know that you and Her Highness, Twilight Sparkle are only recently engaged… and this is extremely early days yet, but… Eclipse is available for immediate adoption. This is her file. Perhaps you might both like to look it over?” She held it out, the form shaking lightly.
Twilight took the folder in her own magic. “Taking Eclipse on as a personal student and giving her palace lodgings is one thing. But adoption is another thing entirely.” She glanced back as Eclipse sighed in her sleep. “But I can promise that we will at least discuss it.”
Sweet Heart nodded, closing her saddlebag and bowing again before turning to walk away. “That is all I can ask for, Your Highness.”
Twilight glanced up at the time, chewing her lip. Vaguely she recalled sleeping for almost a day after her flare as a filly, and being hungry as a full-grown stallion when she woke up. Should I wake her now to eat dinner and then let her go back to sleep? Or should I let her sleep until morning and make sure she has a giant breakfast prepared for her?
Twilight nudged Eclipse softly with her nose and smiled as Eclipse continued to sleep. “Well it seems that decision has been made for me. Sleep tight, Eclipse.”
Twilight slowly crept out of the room and smiled at the young mare outside. She was a new recruit who Twilight had found in—in her mind—the most boring position: overlooking the palace gardens. Even though there was nothing to watch or guard, she was alert, and sensed Twilight’s arrival before she was even in view.
“Your Highness, is she still asleep?” the unicorn asked quietly.
“Yes, Starshine she is. And she should remain asleep until tomorrow morning. However if she does awaken, will you bring her to me? I’ll be attending dinner with my sister and my fiancé for the next hour or so, but after that I’ll be in my room for the remainder of the evening—excepting the sunset.” Twilight smiled as she stretched her wings out.
“You can count on me, Your Highness! Enjoy your dinner.” Starshine beamed before saluting and taking her spot next to Eclipse’s door. “I shall guard Eclipse with my life.”
Twilight settled into her cushions with a gentle sigh. She looked over at Luna, who continued to peruse the same large book she had been muzzle-deep in during lunch.
“Luna. Have you moved since lunch?”
Luna blinked as she looked up from the book and blinked a few times. “Huh? is lunch over already?”
Twilight blinked, resisting the urge to facehoof; instead she just shook her head and chuckled. “Lunch has been over for hours now, Lulu. It’s dinner time now.”
Luna stared between the thick book and the dining room clock before snapping the book shut. “Oookay, that’s time enough spent on your biography for today then! Pray tell, sister, how has your day been?”
Twilight yawned, laying her forehead on the table. “Long, very long. Can we talk about it when T-Twilight and Spike arrive?”
Luna shrugged, her horn glowing. After a few moments of concentration, Celestia and Spike appeared, their eyes swirling.
Twilight groaned. “I didn’t mean right now, sister. Twilight and Spike could have easily flown here, or I could have sent a chariot to pick them up.”
Luna shrugged and rang a small crystal bell. “Faster this way. Missed lunch. Hungry. Background check.”
While Twilight snorted with suppressed laughter, a light-blue mare entered the room and bowed. “Yes, Your Highnesses?”
“We are ready for dinner, now, thank you.” Luna flashed a grin at the serving mare who nodded quickly.
“But of course, Your Highness. Gems for Lord Spike?” she asked.
Spike grinned and rubbed his claws together, licking his lips. “You betcha! I’d never ever say no to a good bowl of gems!”
The serving mare nodded and bowed again to everypony before galloping back into the kitchen.
Luna stretched her wings and popped her neck. “Urgh, what a day! So, how was everyone else’s?” She smiled down at Spike, who was taking in the Sister’s personal dining room. “Spike, let us start with you. Anything exciting?”
Spike lifted a claw, paused, and then shrugged. “Eh. After the article in the Foal Free Press came out, I spent most of the day keeping the Ponyrazzi away from Twilight since one, she was adamant about wanting to reorganize the library, and two, wait until she and Princess Celestia would be able to answer all the questions together. You know, reporters really need to learn what ‘no comment’ means.”
Luna and Twilight snorted, each disguising their outbursts as a cough.
“It continues to astound me that ponies cannot grasp the meaning of a simple word,” Luna remarked. “Unless its meaning has become so obfuscated in one thousand years?”
At the expected shake of her sister’s head she nodded firmly. “I didn’t think so. So, Twilight—” she turned to the smaller princess “—you spent most of the day organizing the library?”
Luna blinked as Twilight continued to look outside.
“Twilight Sparkle?” Luna frowned as she watched Celestia nudge Twilight.
“Huh? Oh, I’m sorry, Luna. It has been a rather long day. What did you want to know?” Celestia smiled in a manner which she hoped seemed Twilight enough.
“I asked how your day went, Twilight. You seem a bit… dazed? is that an appropriate word?”
“‘Flustered’ would probably fit, sister,” Twilight said. “All those reporters must have been taxing on her. I’m honestly surprised I myself did not receive so much attention.”
Celestia closed her eyes. “You have no idea…”
“Twilight! Twilight! Wake up! We have a problem!”
Celestia blinked a few times as she felt small, clawed hands tugging at her hoof. For a split second, she was certain she had been captured, and began gathering energy until she realized exactly where she was—and who was tugging at her hoof.
“Huh? What is it, Spike? The Sun is barely up yet…” Celestia lifted a foreleg over her eyes. How odd to actually be awake after the sun.
“You and Princess Celestia are on the front page, Twi!” Spike climbed onto Celestia’s bed, the newspaper curled under his arm.
Celestia sat up carefully, rubbing her eyes. “That’s not so unusual. What’s the big deal this… time… oh.”
Celestia stared at the picture: taken right after she proposed to Twilight, the ring still being held within her golden aura.
As if on cue, loud knocks sounded from the palace doors. Her ears pinned back.
“All right, Spike, here’s the deal. I’m going to be in the library all day. The only ponies you let in are our friends. If a reporter comes by, just say ‘no comment’ or ‘The princesses will discuss this once they are together.’ Okay?”
Spike saluted and headed downstairs while Celestia rubbed the base of her horn. This is going to be a nightmare…
“It… it was a busy day,” Celestia spoke when she snapped out of her reverie and noticed all eyes on her. “I spent most of it in the library trying to get work done, but I must have had at least ten reporters try to break in.” Not to mention trying to figure out Twilight’s filing system. I love you dearly, Twily, but sometimes your mind puzzles me.
Luna frowned at that. “Twilight, I think for your safety that it may be best for you and Spike to stay at the palace until you and Celestia are safely married.”
Celestia considered the suggestion. Well, I would feel better having Twilight here, plus it’d give us time together… She glanced up at Twilight, who gave the barest of nods. Celestia turned back to Luna with a smile. “Yes, I think we’ll do that. Thank you so much for the invitation!”
Luna sighed before turning her gaze to her sister. “Well, Tia, how was your day?”
Just as Twilight opened her mouth to speak, the dining room door opened; four platters were set before them, the stainless steel domes lifted with a quick burst of magic to reveal three curry dishes and a platter of amethysts.
Twilight licked her lips as the spices flowed up into her nose. She lifted a mouthful and—without any fanfare—shoved it into her mouth, her eyes closing in rapture at the taste.
“Your day, Tia? Or should we leave you with your curry?” Luna smirked.
Twilight’s own stomach rumbled, but she kept her composure even as she watched ‘herself’ dig in like a ravenous timberwolf. “Oh! My day. Right. Well, court was fairly benign, although Blueblood did come in demanding that I correct the slander from that article.”
Luna rolled her eyes. “Oh, nephew. Sometimes I’m unsure whether to hug you or hurt you. What happened then?”
“I simply told him the truth.” Twilight blew on the end of her spoon before raising it to her lips. Gods, this curry is amazing! “He’ll be at the wedding, and he swore he would not cause a fuss.”
She smiled at the thankful look that crossed over Celestia’s face.
“After court,” she continued, “I went to the School to observe the newest little ponies as they took their practical entrance exams. Most fortunately so, because—”
There was a soft knock on the door.
“Enter,” Luna called, “but be quick about it.”
Starshine opened the door. Standing beside her was a very sleepy-but-sad looking Eclipse, her sky-blue eyes rimmed red.
“See, there she is, Miss Eclipse. I told you she wouldn’t just leave you.” Starshine smiled at Twilight nervously. “I heard her crying from my post outside the door. I can hardly blame her—she awoke alone and in a foreign place.”
Twilight nodded and slowly walked over to the little filly—her mane and tail rumpled from sleep—and smiled gently. “I’m sorry for leaving you, Eclipse. Normally, little fillies like yourself who flare so spectacularly sleep for much longer.”
Eclipse sniffled before rubbing her cheek against Twilight’s leg and following her back to the table “...Princess?”
Twilight glanced down as Eclipse curled up into a small ball. “Yes, Eclipse, what is it?” She watched as Eclipse’s mouth formed words and lowered her head to hear more easily.
“Can I stay here next to you… I’m still sleepy but I don’t wanna be alone…”
Twilight smiled and stroked her head with a single pinion. “Of course. Starshine, would you join the other two guards outside? Eclipse is fine here.”
She watched as Starshine saluted before leaving the room. She looked up to see Luna and Celestia staring at the curled-up filly. “As I was saying: it was a good thing I attended today, because Eclipse here had quite the flare-up. She created an illusion of fire, to be exact. Very realistic—hot to the touch, even. She’s a very bright little filly. She passed the written exam with flying colors, but Top Marks would have rejected her from the curriculum… because her flare came from dark magic.”
The others gasped, spoons floating in place before their mouths.
“So I asked her if she’d like to be m-your personal student, dear Twilight. With my guidence of course.”
Celestia smiled at Twilight before looking back down at Eclipse. Oh, isn’t she adorable? She looks just a little like Twilight, too…
“Is there something else, Tia? I mean, I love the idea of having my own student, even though I am a bit nervous…”
“Well, yes, there is more to this. It seems Eclipse lived at Canterlot Orphanage, so she’s going to be living here at the palace.”
Twilight cocked her head at Celestia, the question in her eyes obvious. Celestia just shook her head; it was too soon, adorable though she was.
“I do hope you’ll allow me to assist in her lessons as well,” Luna stated quietly. “After letting myself fall to dark magic, I can help her understand things to watch out for. She reminds me of myself, somewhat.”
“Of course, Luna. I wouldn’t dream of keeping you away from her.” Twilight smiled before returning to her meal, every so often glancing down at the dark little sleeping ball of fluff.
The rest of the night passed by quickly, with Twilight and Celestia filling out paperwork together. Eclipse lay on a cushion between them. Twilight left just long enough to set the sun before returning to the small office.
“So, this is nice, Tia. Can we do this more often?”
Celestia looked up from reading over a budget proposal. “Hmmm, you are enjoying this? But it’s just normal paperwork.”
Twilight laid her cheek onto the top of Celestia’s head. “Sure, but you know me, Tia—I enjoy things like this. Always have. And doesn’t having both of us here doing it make it nicer? I mean, we could even cuddle between proposals!”
Celestia chuckled. “Only you could find paperwork romantic, Twily.”
At Twilight’s hurt expression, she licked the tip of her nose. “And that is one of the many reasons I love you so much. You are one of the most unique ponies I have ever met.”
Twilight smiled and snuggled into Celestia before kissing her muzzle.
A flash of light covered them.
Celestia blinked once before pulling back to see a very short purple mare smiling up at her. “Well, that was an interesting experience.”
Twilight nodded, rubbing her numb lips with the tip of her tongue. “Did you have to make me eat so much curry, Tia? I’m a bit sensitive to spices like that.”
“You mean it did work?”
Twilight and Celestia looked up as Luna gaped in the doorway. “I… I can’t believe it. You had Tia down pat today, Twilight. I must admit, I am both impressed and slightly disturbed.”
Twilight shrugged before yawning and glancing at Eclipse. “I think the little one has the right idea, Tia.” She lifted Eclipse onto her back. “We should get some sleep. All three of us.”
Celestia looked at her remaining paperwork and nodded. “Indeed. Please excuse us for the night, sister. We shall rise at dawn.”
“As you wish.” Luna paced into the room and nuzzled them both before departing. “Peaceful dreams to the three of you.”
“Come on then, let’s get you into bed, Eclipse,” Twilight whispered as she carefully carried her out of the study and into Celestia’s room. Climbing into the bed, she settled Eclipse next to her. Not long after, Celestia climbed in behind and wrapped a large white wing over both of them.
Celestia was certain that they had set a record for the fastest-planned wedding. It had only been four days since she had proposed to Twilight, and already she was in a small room being fussed over by Luna and Cadance. She sighed, holding her wings up and out.
“Surely I can dress myself. Shouldn’t at least one of you be with Twilight?”
Cadance grinned as she assisted Luna with pulling Celestia’s wedding dress down over her hind legs. “I attempted to get into Twilight’s dressing room a little while ago and was forcibly ejected by her friend Rarity. Something about not letting any alicorn see Twilight before the perfect moment. She must believe we have telepathy or something.” Cadance shrugged and blew a stray lock of pink hair from her eyes.
Celestia chuckled, shaking her head. The morning after she and Twilight had switched back, a press conference had been arranged; Twilight had hesitantly suggested that they take the chance since all those reporters would be there documenting everything to prepare for the second trial.
Speaking of which… After having a few hours to work closely with Eclipse, Twilight was certain she’d be able to hold the illusion of a line of flickering flames hot enough to keep other ponies from coming too close. It had worked like a charm; when somepony had objected to the idea of the virginal Princess Celestia settling into marriage—and with a mare of all ponies—Twilight was able to prove she’d do anything to be with her fiancé.
As a high wall of fire appeared, separating the two princesses from one another, Twilight walked through it without hesitation. With all eyes on her, nopony thought to check the little dark filly who stood beside Spike and Luna. Her horn may have been glowing but it would have been impossible for such a foal to be responsible for such flames. Right?
Celestia smirked in remembrance. Not enough of her dear little ponies read Sherclop Holmes it seemed. The flames had licked against Twilight’s coat but did not even scorch her fur. Slowly she walked until she was gazing up at Celestia from the other side, embers dropping from each feather.
By Harmony’s grace, Celestia thought in that moment. Twilight has never been sexier to me than in that moment.
She shook her head as Luna’s voice dragged her back to the present. “What was that, Luna?”
“I was asking if you were at all surprised by what Twilight Sparkle’s background check revealed?”
Luna chuckled as she ran a brush through Celestia’s slightly tangled mane. Just because it was mostly magical, did not mean that their manes did not tangle. In fact, Celestia’s seemed to do so on regular intervals.
Celestia blushed as she remembered receiving Twilight’s background check yesterday afternoon. It had been fairly thick, around sixty pages roughly. Most everything within were the things she expected to find: her birth record, grades, and spells she had mastered. One thing Celestia had never thought she’d see was a juvenile detention file.
Celestia had stared at it for a few moments before glancing at Far Sight, waiting to be dismissed. “I think you may have gotten confused, Far Sight. This was supposed to be a background check for my fiancé, Twilight Sparkle.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I am aware,” the stallion stated bluntly.
“Then, why is there a juvenile detention record within it?” Celestia found herself having to take a few deep breaths, as she tried not to stare him down.
“Well, Your Highness, I suggest you may need to read it for the answer to that question.” Far Seer shrugged.
Celestia had quickly read the file growing rather irritated that some pony had made such a foalish mistake… when suddenly the record made perfect sense. And had answered one of the questions she had wondered for many years.
“I wondered why she started using the Royal Archives so much…”
According to the police report, ten-year-old Twilight Sparkle had been caught trying to break into the Canterlot Public Library wearing a black leotard, and a library book held in her mouth. Young Twilight had explained that she hadn’t realized the book was overdue until the library had closed for the night, and as it was a Friday night, the library would not open again until Monday morning. Fearful of being four days tardy, Twilight sought to return it the only way she could.
While the first pony did not want to book the young filly, feeling such a response was understandable being who she was. However, as the library was a government building, his hooves were tied, and Twilight spent the night in custody. At her hearing the next morning, she was told she was banned from the public library for one year. After losing control of herself in the courtroom at that news, she was found in contempt of court and spent another night in juvenile detention.
Celestia resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the memory. “Let’s just say it was… eye-opening, and we’ll leave it at that.”
It turned out there wasn’t much in her own several-hundred-page background check that Twilight hadn’t already known. However, Celestia was quite certain she would never get over the embarrassment of Twilight discovering she slept with a stuffed pony for well over four thousand years.
Darn it, Luna. There are some things you don’t put in a background check…
Finally, though the trials were all over, in just a few minutes they would be entering the hall from opposite sides to walk down the aisle. Blueblood would be escorting her, while Night Light was escorting Twilight.
Celestia sighed with contentment. Just a few more minutes is all that’s left… what could go wrong?
Blueblood poked his head in after knocking twice and smiled “Auntie, you look breathtaking.”
This was the Blueblood that so many ponies missed out on knowing. Celestia walked over and kissed her nephew’s cheek. “And you look very handsome yourself nephew. Is it time?” She forced her nerves down as she saw him nod.
“Luna you better get to your seat and Cadance?”
“Relax Auntie, nopony will dare speak again the Princess of Love marrying you. See you out there.” With that stated Cadance vanished in a burst of sparkles.
“Alright… let's do this! I’m getting married!” Celestia took her bouquet and left the room leaning against Blueblood as they waited. After a few more seconds the first bars of Wagner’s Bridal Chorus could be heard.
“Now or never Auntie…” Blueblood smiled and led Celestia out into the packed throne room. Flashbulbs went off all around them but Celestia’s eyes locked onto the most beautiful mare she had ever seen who had entered at the same moment she had. Twilight was being guided by her father and anypony could see the pride on Nightlight’s face. Soon both mares were staring at each other as they stood in front of Princess Cadance silence reigned as even the cameras ceased.
“And who gives these mares,” Cadance asked her voice easily heard as Nightlight smiled. “Her mother and I.”
“Equestria herself,” Blueblood answered firmly as he kissed his Aunt’s cheek and took his seat while Nightlight hugged first Twilight and then Celestia. “Take care of my little filly…” he whispered as Celestia bent her head down.
“For the rest of my life, I swear” Celestia answered just as quietly.
Nightlight nodded and took his seat beside his wife and son who had a box of kleenex ready knowing how much he was going to cry.
“Welcome ponies to the wedding of Princess Celestia of Equestria and Princess Twilight Sparkle. If any have reason to object speak now or forever hold your peace.”
Celestia found herself holding her breath just knowing that somepony was going to say something and ruin her perfect day. When to her surprise nothing happened. Nopony spoke up, no attack happened, she wasn’t even kidnapped by some bipedal being to cross through a weird gate.
“Princess Twilight has prepared her vows.” Cadance smiled as music began playing and Twilight took a deep breath and focused on Celestia.
“A pony who offered to guide me To make me what I didn’t know I could be A pony there to take my hoof Take me in, let me live under her roof A pony who when I felt fear Would be near Always to dry my tears In short, the perfect pony That’s the pony that you are to me
A pony who would always listen Who would send me to sleep with a kiss and A pony who sat at my bed Every night and sang for me until I slept A pony full of so much care Who sent me out there So I’d be my own mare In short, the perfect pony That’s the pony that you are to me
And now we’re both standing here After coming such a long way And now we’re both standing here To make a promise for all of our coming days All I really want to say That I’ll be by your side That’s I’ll be with you every day And you’ll be with me every night.”
Celestia swallowed hard as the words just came to her and she sang.
“A pony who is there for you Not afraid to step forward and defend you A pony who’s not afraid To fool around with you and not care what they say A pony who sees not a princess But not any less Who sees in you just the best A pony working to be perfect too That’s what I want to be for you
And now we’re both standing here After coming such a long way And now we’re both standing here To make a promise for all of our coming days All I hope that you’ll say That you’ll be by my side That’s I’ll be with you every day And you’ll be with me every night”
Both Twilight and Celestia looked into each other’s eyes and sang in harmony.
“And now I can clearly see When I look at what lies ahead Everything that is to come yet That we’ll face it in harmony
And now we’re both standing here After coming such a long way And now we’re both standing here To make a promise for all of our coming days All that’s left for us to say That we’ll be by each other’s side That’s I’ll be with you every day And you’ll be with me every night”
To their surprise, the final verse came from all around them.
Now we’re all standing here “After coming such a long way Now we’re all standing here To give our blessing to your coming days Everypony here can see The warmth and the light Of you two in harmony Every day and every night.”
Cadance smiled as the music died off. ‘That really says it all, doesn’t it? With the power invested in me, as the Princess of the Crystal Empire, and as the Alicorn of Love, I now pronounce you: Mare and Wife! You may kiss—oh…”
Cadance blushed as Twilight gave a small growl before pressing her lips firmly against Celestia’s in a deep passionate kiss. Several seconds passed before they pulled back.
Cadance grinned. “Couldn’t wait, eh, Twily?”
“You have no idea, Cadance. You have no idea.” Twilight smiled before kissing her wife again. “My wife…”
Celestia nodded, ignoring the cheering audience. “Yours forever.”
“May I present for the very first time Princesses Celestia and Twilight Sparkle Everfree!” Cadance announced to jubilant cheers and hoof stomping.
“And now let's party!” Pinkie cried out as everypony followed the married couple to the gardens where quite the reception would happen. Much to the shock of the elite it would be a real party. The cider was flowing as ponies danced too much and ate just as much. It was a Pinkie-planned party after all. A few hours later though the party was winding down as a quite sloshed Twilight grabbed the mic after whispering to the band who began to play.
“This is to my beloved wife!”
“When the night is over When the moonlight's gone When the clouds move onward And the storm dies down When my dear white Princess Awakens from her rest And my mind's in limbo And my mane’s a mess
Will you mind when I snore? My dear, my dear Give me five minutes more? My dear, my dear Will you walk out ahead? My dear, my dear, my dear Or stay with me in bed?
You might find yourself lonely That's what I never said I’m not a morning pony I might be an hour late
Will you mind when I snore? My dear, my dear Give me five minutes more? My dear, my dear Will you walk out ahead? My dear, my dear, my dear Or stay with me in bed?”
The remains of the party at this time were only Twilight’s friends her parents and of course her brother and sister-in-law. Luna and surprising to some even Blueblood. Little Eclipse was still up with Spike the two dancing together still in their wedding finery having been the ring bearer and flower filly. Blueblood went to Rarity and grinned motioning to them to dance as Celestia grabbed her own mic.
“I appreciate your honesty And hope you won't be shocked But as Luna once told me I sleep like a Diamond Dog
When I hug you too tight My dear, my dear Steal your blanket at night My dear, my dear Kick and shove you out of bed My dear, my dear, my dear The morn’ won't seem so baaad”
Twilight winced as she sang out. “It can't be all that bad…” Celestia winked. “You'll regret saying thaat.” Pinkie giggled as she sang out “Let’s get you a new bed!”
That last bit caused Twilight and Celestia to double over laughing. Soon the party would be over and Celestia would fall asleep with Twilight cuddled to her body. Her beloved wife.
