The first thing Twilight did as she awoke was let out a long, slow curse.

"Fuck."

Twilight's head pounded like a blacksmith on an anvil and she could still taste the stale alcohol on her breath. She opened her eyes a crack and instantly let out a hiss at the fresh pain the light seared upon her senses.

'That was some night,' Twilight thought before opening her eyes again in a panic, 'Wait, what happened last night?'

The light burned her eyes once more, but she forced herself to look at her surroundings and check where she was. She was in her bedroom and she had no memory of how she got there.

"Spike?" Twilight called out, her voice came out quiet and hoarse and her throat felt like it had been rubbed raw by sandpaper all night.

'Water,' Twilight though to herself. ' I need some water.'

Twilight pushed back the cover, the effort causing her head to pulse even more and the room starting to spin. forcing her to lie back down.

"Spike!" Twilight forced herself to shout through the pain before burying her head in the pillow.

A minute passed before Twilight heard a knocking on her door.

"Twilight?" Spike called through the wood, "Did you call me?"

"Yeah, Spike," Twilight croaked. "Could you please get me a glass of water and some aspirin?"

"Sure thing, Twi," Said Spike before quickly scampering off.

Time seemed to pass at a minute per second while Twilight tried to avoid throwing up or blacking out. Eventually, Spike returned and knocked on the door once more.

"Twilight, I have the water and the aspirin, do you want me to leave it here or?"

"Actually, Spike, can you bring it here please?" Twilight groaned. "I'm not quite ready to get up and about."

"Sure thing," Spike replied before opening the door before crossing the threshold and pausing at the sight that greeted him. Twilight looked like a wreck, her hair was matted and the room reeked of sweat. "Twilight, are you okay?"

"Never better," Twilight smiled at him weakly. "Could you leave it on the nightstand?"

"Sure," said Spike, before taking a deep breath and moving into the room. He quickly placed the supplies down and retreated back to the entrance.

"Thanks, Spike," said Twilight before slowly taking a sip of water and swallowing the pill. "Is there any chance you can clear my schedule for today? I think I'm going to need to take the day slowly."

"Well, um actually Twilight," Spike clacked his claws together nervously, the sound making Twilight wince. "Richard and the rest of the girls will be due here soon."

"Really? Why?" Twilight glared at Spike, she wasn't exactly in a state for company today.

"Well, you know, the resolution of the bet?"

"Bet? What bet?" Twilight rubbed her temples trying to remember before it hit her like a tonne of bricks. "Damn, of course that's today."

Twilight quickly downed the rest of the water before moving to stand up, Spike rushing across the room to stop her.

"Twilight, slow down!" Spike yelled. "You'll hurt yourself rushing like that."

"But I need to be ready before the others get here."

"I can handle them, Twilight, just take it slow." Spike smiled painfully. "I'm sure they would rather you be safe."

Twilight dangled her hind legs over the edge of the bed and slowly transferred her weight to them, smiling to Spike as she did. "Thank you, Spike. I'll try to be as quick as I can."

Thirty minutes later, Twilight slowly entered the main hall of the palace. Her head was still pulsing, but the aspirin and a nice hot shower were starting to work wonders on her hangover. The main hall still bore the scars of the party the night before so Twilight had to make her way around the stage in the centre to reach the large round table where her friends were sitting.

"Hey Twilight!" It was Rainbow who noticed her first, waving at Twilight from her throne. "Wow, you look like you got ridden hard and put away wet. Which shouldn't be surprising, I guess."

Twilight cocked her head inquisitively as she slowly walked towards her own throne.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Oh, ignore her Twilight, she just lacks delicacy when it comes to these matters." said Rarity. "Congratulations by the way, I didn't know you had it in you."

"What are you girls talking about?" Twilight looked at them pleadingly, but was just met with smiles from Rarity; Rainbow and Pinkie, while a scowling Applejack and Fluttershy could barely meet her eye.

"You know damn well what we're talking about, Twi," spat Applejack. "How could you? Especially after ah little chat the other day?"

Twilight's eyes started filling with water at the accusations.

"Really, girls, I have no idea what you're all talking about."

"Come now, Twilight, we all saw Richard carry you out of the party and neither of you returned." said Rarity. "We all know what happened."

"Richard? Carry me out?" Twilight stared at them blankly for a few seconds before the memories came rushing back.

Images of Richard singing karaoke, Richard carrying her upstairs and then finally of throwing Richard out of her room.

Twilight felt a great amount shame as she remembered what she did to Richard, the emotion overwhelming her and forcing her to her hooves.

"I'm sorry girls," Twilight wavered on her feet. "But I need to go."

Richard sat staring at the wall, a half drunk coffee that had long since gone cold gripped in his hands. He had had another long, sleepless night. Though this time it wasn't just the heat keeping him up. In between all the tossing and turning he couldn't help but run through the last moments at the palace over and over again.

Every time he reached the part where Twilight pushed him out of her room, he couldn't help but worry that he'd permanently damaged their budding relationship. The pain in her voice when he'd refused her had been heart breaking. He'd been so confused and ashamed that he'd avoided returning to the party, instead he'd gone to the library to wait until it had finished and everyone had left before sneaking out and going home. He didn't even have the focus to read, instead he'd mindlessly stared at the same page of a random book for a couple of hours until the music had died out and he could return home safely.

He'd been doing the same for the last few hours. After fruitlessly trying to sleep, he'd gotten up after dawn and decided to shower before making himself a coffee and just sitting there. He was unaware of exactly how much time had passed, though he knew he'd had somewhere to be. The only positive of the situation is that the unrelenting heat boiling under his skin had began to lessen ever since he'd sat down.

Knock Knock Knock

Richard was roused from his stupor by a gentle knocking at the door. For a moment he considered ignoring it, but whoever it was knocked again.

Knock Knock Knock

Richard pushed him up from the sofa and walked over towards the door. Opening it up, he was ready to ask the caller to come back later, but was surprised to see Twilight standing there, looking nervously at the ground.

"Twilight? What are you doing here?" asked Richard.

"Morning, Richard," Said Twilight, still staring at the ground. "I wanted to apologize for last night."

"Apologize?" Richard was confused. "What for?"

Twilight looked up at him, her eyes wet.

"For throwing you out like I did," Twilight gulped. "I know I was drunk, but that's no excuse. I just hope you can forgive me."

"Oh, Twilight," Richard couldn't help but smile as he knelt down. "I was afraid I had done something wrong."

"You?" Twilight choked back a sob, wrapping her hooves around his neck burying her face in his chest. "Of course you didn't do anything wrong. I just hope I didn't hurt you."

"No, Twilight, you didn't hurt me." Richard reassured her, rubbing her back slowly. "I just hope you're okay. You drank an awful lot last night."

"Yes," Twilight looked up at him, her expression relaxing. "I'm okay. I have a bit of a headache, but I honestly feel much better knowing you're okay."

Seconds passed as the two just gazed at each other, enjoying their embrace before Richard realized they were in his doorway.

"Would you like to come in?" Richard asked, breaking their embrace to stand up.

"I'd love to," replied Twilight. "But the girls are waiting for us at the palace."

Richard stood there looking at Twilight confused.

"You know, for the end of the bet," elaborated Twilight.

"Ahh," Richard wanted to facepalm. "I knew there was something I was forgetting. At least that explains why the heat started to fade this morning."

"Mhmmm," Twilight confirmed with a smile. "So, shall we go?"

"I guess," said Richard. "Let me just get my keys."

Twilight waited patiently as Richard went inside and retrieved his keys to lock up. After he'd done so, she turned to lead the way, but paused and looked back over her should.

"Just a quick warning, by the way, but the girls appear to believe that we had sex last night."

Richard and Twilight entered the palace to find the others deep in heated discussion around the table, however it quickly finished as the door to the palace slammed shut and they turned to see Twilight and Richard approach.

"Here he is!" Cheered Rainbow. "The man of the hour, though I guess I can't say that for much longer."

This comment earned her a quick hoof to the side from Applejack.

"Hey?!" Rainbow exclaimed. "What was that for?"

"You know exactly what that's for," hissed Applejack before turning towards Richard and Twilight. "Hey Richard, how are you?"

"I'm good thanks, Applejack," Richard replied, offering Applejack a smile. "And I hate to burst your bubble Rainbow, but I didn't lose the bet."

"Oh come on, Richard." Rarity huffed. "You expect us to believe that you didn't do anything after carrying Twilight off up to her room like... well like a Princess."

"You don't have to believe me," Richard shrugged. "But you can ask Twilight."

The whole group looked towards Twilight who suddenly felt really self-conscious under their combined stares.

"He's telling the truth," confirmed Twilight. "He didn't try anything at all last night, in fact he was a real gentlecolt."

"See, ah told ya," said Applejack triumphantly, sharing a high five with Fluttershy.

"Not so fast," interjected Rarity. "Pinkie is the bet tsar. It's up to her if Twilight won the bet or not."

"Hmm," Pinkie hummed, approaching both Twilight and Richard with narrowed eyes, carefully inspecting both of them all over making both of them feel rather uncomfortable.

"Why do you want Twilight to win so badly, Rarity?" asked Fluttershy as Pinkie did whatever it was she was doing.

"I don't want her to win," said Rarity unconvincingly.

"Well, it's a good thing you're not the element of honesty," sighed Applejack, shaking her head.

"It's okay, Applejack," said Richard, trying to hold still as Pinkie poked and prodded him several times. "There's nothing wrong with Rarity wanting her friend to win a bet."

"Well, that's awfully nice of you to say, Richard." said Rarity. "I hope there's no hard feelings?"

"Of course not, Rarity," Richard chuckled. "Why would there be any hard feelings over you wanting me to be turned into a mare for a week?"

"That's not fair..." Rarity started to speak before Pinkie silenced her by placing her hoof on Rarity's muzzled.

"Shh," Pinkie stopped in front of Twilight and stared at her intently. "Twilight, do you promise that Richard didn't try to bed you last night?"

"Absolutely," replied Twilight. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

"Well?" asked Rarity and Rainbow at the same time looking eagerly at Pinkie.

"I believe them," announced Pinkie with a bright smile. "I declare Richard the winner. Congratulations."

Richard barely had time to feel a wave of relief at the result before he was swamped by both Applejack and Fluttershy who both seemed to be thrilled at the result.

"Just remember not to be too hard on her," whispered Fluttershy quietly into his ear as she hovered up to give him a big hug.

Richard looked over to the other members of the group to gauge their responses. Despite her best efforts, Rarity couldn't help but look disappointed in the result despite forcing a smile onto her muzzle. Twilight looked obviously nervous as she looked at him, her eyes almost seeming to plead with him to go easy on her. And Rainbow; despite being convinced Richard had lost moment ago; looked surprisingly pleased with the result as she hovered in the air with a smug smile.

"So, Richard, what are you going to make Twilight do?" asked Rainbow. "Make her wear a maids outfit and clean your house every day for a month?"

"Oh please," said Rarity. "I'm sure Richard is more of a gentlecolt than that."

"That's funny, Rare," said a smirking Applejack. "Y'all didn't think he was a gentlcolt a few minutes ago."

"Hmmm," Rarity harrumphed angrily. "There's a difference between thinking Richard would act on his desires to try and bed Twilight, a mare he clearly desires, and him abusing her with this bet."

"Well," said Twilight. "If you need time to think, I'd be more than happy to give you all the time you need."

"No need, Twilight." Richard said. "I know exactly what I want."

Twilight gulped.

"What's that?" she asked, before taking a deep breath. All six ponies looked at Richard intently as they waited for his answer.

"I would like my prize to be, for you to let me ask you out on a date."

Twilight felt a blush rise to her cheeks and her heart begin to beat rapidly at his answer. She didn't know why, but the simple act of affection shown to her by Richard made her feel more desired than she ever thought possible.

"That's it!?" yelled Rainbow dash. "You have the power to make her do literally anything and you choose to ask her out on a date. Not even make her go on a date with you, but just ask her? What kind of stupid prize is that?"

"Well, I think that's a lovely prize," said Fluttershy.

"I agree, Fluttershy," Rarity smiled. "I never had you pegged for such a romantic, Richard."

"Thanks," Richard smiled shyly at the compliment from Rarity.

"Well," Applejack nudged Richard in the back gently. "What ah ya waiting for, ask her out then."

"Actually, I was hoping I could do that a little more privately."

"Not a chance," Fluttershy pushed him forwards towards Twilight. "After this last week, I think we all deserve to see how this ends."

Richard stood his ground and looked at them pleadingly but they all shook their heads and refused to leave.

"Fine," Richard sighed and turned to face Twilight, kneeling down to look her in her eyes, he found himself mesmerized by her eyes. Those beautiful violet pools seemed to go on into eternity, and right there and then he wished he could lose himself in them forever.

"Twilight..." He started to speak but he felt his mouth go dry and he found himself without words as he suddenly felt two feet tall under her gaze. It wasn't until he felt a sharp nudge in his side that he was able to continue. "Would you do me the honour of going on a date with me?"

The whole room waited with bated breath for Twilight's response. For Richard it felt like hours had passed but it could only be seconds before Twilight opened her mouth and said.

"Yes..." her response was quiet and hoarse, but it cut through the silence like a bombshell.

All of the girls, even Rarity, cheered at them as Richard couldn't help but close the short gap and kiss her deeply. Twilight let out a 'Eep' at the sudden rush of emotions that filled her body, but didn't resist. Instead she wrapped her forelegs around his neck and lost herself in the kiss.

Breaking the kiss for air, Twilight rested her forehead on his as they both breathed heavily, she felt a sense of elation that she hadn't felt since...

Twilight shook her head, it didn't matter anymore. 'He' didn't matter anymore.

"I just have one condition," Twilight said after getting her breath back.

"Anything," said Richard, smiling like a school colt that had just gotten their first kiss.

"I get to plan the date."

The condition seemed to confuse Richard for a moment before he nodded.

"Okay, I guess things do operate a little differently here."

Twilight smiled and leaned into whisper.

"You're only just figuring that out now?" she asked rhetorically.

The six ponies and Richard sat around a table at a nearby café, happily chatting away between bites of food. After the rush of endorphin had worn off, they had decided it would be a good idea to get some breakfast and try and put the whole bet behind them.

"So, Twilight, what kind of date are you thinking off?" asked Rarity quietly, leaning over so Richard couldn't hear.

"I'm not sure, yet," replied Twilight after swallowing a bite of toast. "But I think I want to do it properly and take him somewhere fancy. I'm just not sure where to begin."

"Well, if fancy is what you want, I have some restaurant ideas you might find interesting." Rarity took a sip of water.

"I don't know, Rarity, I'm sure anywhere fancy enough for you would be booked for months." This caused Rarity to choke as she tried to avoid spitting out her water.

"Darling," Rarity said, waving away a look of concern from Twilight. "You're a Princess, no where would be too busy to give you a table. Not in Canterlot. You'd instantly make them the front page of the society pages."

Twilight looked at her perplexed.

"They're a part of the newspaper that's basically gossip for the to-do and fashionable. Trust me, if you leave it to me I guarantee you a booking wherever and whenever you want."

"That's nice, Rarity, but I actually had another favour I wanted to ask of you," Twilight blushed briefly. "I was wondering if you'd be able to make Richard a suit. As far as I'm aware he doesn't currently have one."

"Oh, as if you'd even have to ask. Just get him to come over to the boutique this afternoon and I'll get started."

"I wonder what those two are talking about?" asked Richard looking over towards Rarity and Twilight.

"Knowing Rarity, she's trying to turn your date into some hoity toity highfalutin type of affair." replied Applejack.

"I wouldn't worry about it," said Fluttershy. "I know Twilight said she wanted to plan everything, but we have to admit it's not exactly her area of expertise. When it comes to dating, I'm afraid we have to concede that Rarity is far more experienced."

"And far more connected," interjected Pinkie. "She probably knows half of Canterlot."

"You don't suppose we'd go all the way to Canterlot for our date?" asked Richard. "Isn't that a bit much?"

"For a first date with a Princess?" Applejack cocked her head at him. "Ah'm not sure how things are done back where y'all are from, but here the princesses are sorta a big deal."

"Besides, I think this will be her first real date ever." Said Pinkie, earning her a glare from both Fluttershy and Applejack. "What?"

"Wait, really?" Richard gulped nervously. "Her first date?"

"What I think Pinkie meant to say," Fluttershy placed a hoof on his shoulder. "Is that this is the first date she's ever had to plan."

"Well, I guess that's true if you count what happened between her and Flash Sentry as a date."

"Pinkie!" Applejack hissed, earning a look from both Rarity and Twilight.

"Everything all right over there?" asked Twilight, looking at them with a blush on her cheeks, making Richard more curious about what they had been discussing.

"Never better," replied Applejack before turning to Pinkie and whispering. "Ixnay about the Ashflay Entrysay."

"You know I know pig latin right?" said Richard with a smile. "So who's this Flash Sentry?"

"It doesn't matter, just somepony that Twilight once had... 'interactions' with." Fluttershy replied tactfully.

"Interactions like sex or...?" Richard asked, suddenly feel as the world had fallen from underneath him.

"Oh, nothing like that," Fluttershy assured him. "They just met a few years back and hit it off, but as far as I know it never went beyond some harmless flirting."

"Yeah," said Applejack, "Ah don't think they've even met in over a year."

"Are you sure?" Richard looked at them uncertain.

Applejack and Fluttershy shared a quick look before Rainbow who had been watching this all unfold silently spoke.

"Of course they're not sure, but does it matter?" Rainbow grabbed his face and forced him to look towards Twilight. "Look at her, she said she wanted to go on a date with you, and more importantly she wants to plan it. If she still had any feelings for Flash would she be doing any of that?"

"I don't know." replied Richard quietly.

"Of course she wouldn't," Rainbow said, "And you know it. I understand being jealous, I mean look at Twiligh,t what are the odds you'll ever meet another mare like her? But don't let something you just found out about right now ruin any chance with her."

"You're right, Rainbow," Richard took a deep breath. "I shouldn't..."

Richard was interrupted by a loud scream from Rarity.

"Twilight, your cutie mark!"

Everyone turned to look at Twilight as she looked down at her mark to see it glowing.

"Not just her mark," said Pinkie, "Look at your own."

Rarity looked down in shock to see her own mark glowing.

"Actually, girls, I think you'll find all of your marks are glowing." said Richard, causing them to all look down and notice in shock that their own marks were glowing.

"What does this mean?" asked Applejack.

"I don't know," replied Twilight. "But maybe Princess Celestia will, we should head back to the palace and write her a letter."

"Oooh!" Exclaimed Pinkie as they entered the palace. "Was that always like that?"

Pinkie pointed at the large round table which appeared to be glowing.

"No, ah don't think it was," replied Applejack. "What the hay is that?"

As they got closer, they could see that the glowing was a map of Equestria.

"Hey! Those are our cutie marks," Rainbow exclaimed as she hovered over the map and pointed at a spot where the six marks hovered over Twilight's palace.

"Wait a second, are your chairs glowing too?" asked Richard. Each of the girls turned to look at their chairs and noticed the marks on their chairs were also pulsing with light.

"Richard's right," said Fluttershy. "I wonder if we're meant to sit down."

"Well, there's only one way to find out," said Rainbow, zooming over to her thone.

"Wait..." Twilight tried to stop Rainbow, but was too late as Rainbow sat down, with no ill effect.

"Huh, that was a bust." said Rainbow, disappointedly. "I was expecting something more exciting to happen."

"Maybe we all have to sit down," suggested Rarity, before taking her place on her throne.

"Good idea," said Pinkie, leaping across the table to take her place. Applejack and Fluttershy quickly followed suit and took their places leaving Twilight and Richard the only ones standing up.

"You might want to take a step back," said Twilight affectionately, turning to Richard. "We have no idea what will happen."

Richard nodded and Twilight waited for him to move away from the circle of chairs before taking her own seat. As soon as she sat down, the chairs emitted a bright flash of light and everyone looked at the map to see what would happen.

"Hey, our marks are moving," said Twilight. "Look."

Each of the ponies stared as the marks moved from over the castle towards a spot in the middle of nowhere.

"Huh, if Ponyville is here?" Fluttershy pointed at the point of the map with the palace. "Why did our marks move over there?"

"I don't know," replied Twilight. "Maybe it want's us to follow it."

"Are you sure that's wise, Twilight?" Asked Rarity. "I mean, just following the map into the middle of nowhere."

"I have no idea," said Twilight. "But after all the stuff with the box and the castle, I've been wondering why it all appeared, maybe this was why?"

"But why now?" asked Applejack. "Ah mean the castle has been here for months, and the map has only just appeared today."

"Who knows," Twilight shrugged. "Maybe whatever it needs us for is only happening now, or maybe something disrupted the magic somehow?" Twilight couldn't help but glance at Richard.

"You think it's my fault this is appearing?" asked Richard.

"Of course not, Richard," Twilight looked at him reassuringly, "But you did appear shortly after the castle, maybe your appearance disrupted whatever the elements of harmony were trying to do."

"So, what do we do now?" interrupted Rainbow. "I mean we're going to follow the map right? Like you said, after the box and the palace, we can't just ignore this."

One by one, the girls all nodded in agreement.

"You're right, Rainbow, we can't." said Twilight.

"It looks like we may have to take a rain check on that date," said Richard as he looked down at Twilight. The two of them stood alone on the train station platform, the others having boarded moments before to give them some privacy.

"Don't worry, I'm sure I'll be back before you know it." said Twilight. "Are you sure you don't want to come?"

Richard shook his head. "The map didn't call me."

"Well, you don't have a cutie mark," chuckled Twilight. "But I'm sure it wouldn't mind it you tagged along.

"Nah, it's okay, I'd just be a liability." Richard sighed. "I don't exactly have any of the powers you girls do."

Twilight frowned before pulling Richard down for a kiss, stunning him for a moment before letting him go.

"Don't you dare say that, you may not have magic, but that doesn't mean you don't have your own gifts."

"Would you two love birds hurry up?" moaned Rainbow from one of the windows. "You're holding up the train."

"She's right," said Twilight. "We need to get going."

"Just come back safe," said Richard with a nervous smile.

"Don't worry," said Twilight, "We will. I just hope you don't get too bored with us gone."

"Bored?" Richard chuckled, "It'll be nice to have some peace and quiet for the first time in months."

Twilight laughed. "I'm sure it will be." Turning to head up onto the train, Twilight paused on the steps to turn back to Richard. Fishing through her bag she pulled out an object and presented it to him.

"A key?" he asked.

"It's for the palace," she explained, "So you can access the library if you get bored."

Richard took the key and smiled at her warmly. "Thanks."

"All aboard!" a guard pony called from further down the platform before blowing an ear piercing whistle.

"I better get on," said Twilight before stepping up and closing the door

The moment the door closed, the train let out a groan and started to move forwards. Richard stood there, watching as the train moved off, until it passed a corner and disappeared from sight.

Author's Note

Hey everyone, hopefully everyone is enjoying the story and liked the result of the bet. I have to say there's only 1.5 chapters left planned. A full final chapter and a epilogue.