A train pulled up to the Canterlot train station a little after noon. Ponies of all kind began to exit the cart and went their separate ways.

After most of them were gone, only a small group of passengers were left. This group was the Mane 6, Spike, Ember, Starlight, Trixie, and Match. The group's pets were staying at Fluttershy's cottage where Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle agreed to check on them daily. Trixie had been invited by the princesses a couple of days before their trip with a ticket to the Gala. After that, Twilight invited her to join them on their trip to show Ember around Canterlot.

Rainbow Dash looked to Twilight and asked, "Where is he Twilight? I thought he was supposed to be here when we arrived."

Twilight looked to her friend and said, "Be a little patient Rainbow. He may be a pegasus but he's not as fast as you or Soarin'."

"Hey Twilight!"

They all turned to find a small group of castle guards arrive. The leading guard pulled his helmet off to reveal a brilliant gamboge coat along with a mane that was two tones of sapphire. "Sorry we're late. We had a small problem with a purse thief."

Twilight smiled and walked up to the guard to peck his lips. "It's okay Flash. You've got to do what you've got to do."

Not long after Twilight's third trip to the mirror world, Twilight had another encounter with Flash Sentry of their world. Instead of walking away from him this time, Twilight decided to actually speak to him and find out if he was any different from the Flash she met in the mirror world and to see if any feelings would develop. To her relief and surprise, it didn't take long for a spark to develop between the two. The two decide to start as friends and soon began dating not long after Twilight's trip to the Dragon Lands. Their relationship has done nothing but get stronger.

After the rest of the rest of the Mane 6 greeted Flash, Twilight decided it was time to introduce him to Ember. "Flash? This is Dragon Lord Princess Ember of the Dragon Lands and her personal guard and adviser, Match. Ember? Match? This is one of the top Royal Guards of Canterlot and my coltfriend, Flash Sentry."

Match shook hands with the guard as he said, "From one guard to another, it's nice to meet you Flash."

"Likewise Match. Maybe you and I can share some information to compare the Dragon Lands' guards with those here in Canerlot."

"Sounds great."

The pegasus then shook hands with Ember only to feel she had a pretty strong grip. Ember watched as the guard shook a little pain of his hand. "Sorry. Sometimes I don't know my own strength."

"It's okay Princess Ember. I always expected a princess of dragons to be pretty strong."

With the introductions out of the way, the guards gathered the mares' luggage and they all began their walk to Canterlot Castle. However, on their way, they soon heard a small growling sound which led to all eyes being on Ember, who blushed and smiled in embarrassment. "Sorry. It was a long trip and I haven't eaten since breakfast."

"That's okay Princess Ember. Hey Twilight, why don't I have these guys take your luggage to the castle? All of your rooms have been set up. And while they're doing that, we can all get some lunch. We're not too far Joe's Donut. Plus it's almost time for my lunch shift so I think we could all use something to eat."

"That's a great idea Flash. Guards? Is that okay with you."

The two guards nodded to them as the first said, "No problem Princess Twilight. We'll get your stuff to the castle. Enjoy some good food."

The two guards continued to the castle while the rest of the group made their way to the donut shop. They walked inside to see Pony Joe cleaning his counter when he saw the group. "Twilight Sparkle! It's been a while since I saw you and your friends here. If I had to guess, you all are here for the Grand Galloping Gala tomorrow."

"Right on the spot Joe. But right now, we could use something to eat. Do you mind making a lot for us?"

"That depends, does Spike plan on eating out the whole store again?"

Everypony, besides Match and Ember, snickered at the store owner's joke as Spike groaned, "That was one time dude!"

Match looked to Applejack and asked, "What's he talking about?"

"A few years ago, during our first Gala together as friends, the night turned out to be a little dull for Spike here, so he decided to come here to chow down on as many donuts as his stomach could hold."

Ember snickered as Spike sighed, "A guy does a little emotional eating and he can't live it down."

"I'm just messing with you Spike. Now what can I get you all?"

Rarity said, "How about six donuts for each of us with what you usually have?"

"Alright. Just give me a few minutes and I'll be right out."

As Joe made his way into the kitchen, the group decided to take a seat in the booths while Flash, Twilight, Spike, and Ember sat beside the counter.

After a few minutes, the ponies and dragons were happily enjoying their meals. Especially Ember and Match with these being their first donuts. Ember smiled to her drakefriend and fellow princess. "I gotta say, I understand why guys enjoy these."

Match then spoke himself, "I agree. I've never had anything this sweet."

Spike then noticed a sign sitting on the counter. "Hey Pony Joe? What's this about?"

"I have a little competition going on. I did a little deal with some of stores around here to where anypony who can complete a trial of eating at least thirty donuts can have something made from any of the stores here in Canterlot. The fee is fifteen bits."

Spike grinned as he said, "That's all? I could do that easily in my sleep."

Flash smirked at the dragon and asked, "You willing to put your money where your mouth is?"

"Is that a challenge Sentry?"

"You bet it is. Fifty bits says you can't reach thirty donuts. Every additional gets ten bits."

Match said, "I'm in on that. But since I don't have bits, I'll bet thirty of the gems I brought from Dragon Lands, and I'll throw in one gem for every addition donut."

Spike smirked as he shook hands with both of them before throwing a bag of fifteen bits on to the counter. "You two have a bet. Hey Pony Joe! Bring me a plate forty donuts! I'm taking that little challenge of yours!"

"You got it Spike!"

Twilight grinned at Flash and Match as she said, "I hope you two are ready to pay up. Spike has the biggest stomach I've ever seen and I've seen him eat plenty of donuts way past thirty."

Joe brought out the plate and began digging in. He just sat there calmly taking in as many donuts while taking a few drinks of milk. Flash and Match soon began to worry when Spike came closer and closer to going past thirty donuts.

To their horror, not only did Spike reach the required amount for the prize, he also finished the extra ten. Spike smirked at the two and held out his hand. "Pay up you two."

The two groaned as Flash handed over the promised bits while Match did the same with the promised gems. Twilight smiled as she said, "I warned you two. Spike has stomach like a bottomless pit."

Joe smiled as he handed him a small gift card. "That's your prize Spike. Just show that to any one of the stores of your choosing and you're allowed to have any item for free. But it only has one use so choose wisely."

Twilight said, "Thanks Pony Joe. I guess we'll see you later."

With that, the group left the shop and began making their way to the castle while also showing Ember around the town. On their way, Rarity showed Ember her Canterlot Boutique. When she saw the building, a thought crossed Ember's mind. She whispered into something Rarity's ear which caused her to grin. "Oh that wouldn't be any trouble at all darling! We could do that right now!"

Rainbow Dash asked, "What's going on?"

Rarity smiled to Twilight and said, "Ember requested a certain something for me to make while we're here to go with her dress tomorrow night. It will take a while to make so why don't the rest of you head off to the castle and we'll be at the castle by dinner time."

Applejack asked, "Ya'll sure you don't want some help?"

Ember said, "No. I'd rather wait until you all saw it tomorrow."

Spike said, "Okay, then we'll see you guys later."

With that, most of the group continued their way to the castle while Ember and Rarity entered the Canterlot Boutique where they found Rarity's manager, Sassy Saddles. "Ah, Ms. Rarity. Good to see you again. And who might this be?"

"It's good to see you again too Sassy Saddles. This is Princess Ember: Dragon Lord of the Dragon Lands. Ember? This is my manager of Canterlot Boutique, Sassy Saddles."

"Good to meet you Ms. Saddles."

The unicorn shook the dragoness claw as she said, "The pleasure is all mine Princess Ember."

"Please. Call me Ember. You're a friend of Rarity's so you're a friend of mine now."

"Very well. So what can I do for you Ms. Ember?"

Rarity spoke for the dragoness, "Ember will be attending the Gala tomorrow and would like something additional to go with her dress."

"What kind of addition?"

Rarity whispered it into her assistant's ear and caused her to grin just like Rarity did at first. "That would be perfect for the Gala. Especially if she's here for diplomatic reasons. It would be a great sign for the Princesses!"

"That's what I instantly thought. Now while I don't have her dress with us, I can make a projection of it from how I remember it with my horn. I believe that would be enough for us to make this addition."

"I agree. Let's get to work."

Meanwhile back at Canterlot Castle, everypony had settled in and were relaxing outside in the garden. Everpony were enjoying themselves until suddenly they felt something raining on to them. However they noticed it wasn't rain. Match licked some of the liquid off of his claw. "Chocolate pudding? Even in your land, is that possible?"

Twilight sighed as she said, "No it's not. Unless there's a certain friend of ours around to agitate us sometimes."

"Oh come now Twilight. I'm not that bad. I just like a little fun before I make my appearance."

With a flash, the rain was gone and there stood a creature the ponies knew all too well, but was a mystery to Match. "Who or what is that?"

Pinkie answered for the group, "This is Discord, the spirit of chaos. He was once our enemy, but thanks to Fluttershy, he became reformed and a new friend for us."

Fluttershy continued for her pink friend, "Discord? This is our new friend Match. He is the personal adviser and guard for Princess Ember who is here on a trip to negotiate a peace between ponies and dragons."

In a flash, a diplomatic suit appeared on Discord as he said, "So a social and business trip? Best of both types."

Starlight asked, "So what are you doing in Canterlot?"

"Why the Gala of course. Celestia thought I could spice up the little get together like I did a couple of years ago."

Twilight had to bring up one subject, "Will we expect another visit from the Smooze?"

"No. You won't have to worry this time. Anyways, ta ta for now. I must go and prepare for tomorrow. See you then."

With that, Discord disappeared in a flash while everypony waved bye to him. Once he was gone however, something caught Spike's eye and caused him to groan. "Oh no. I was hoping Ember wouldn't him for a while longer."

Twilight looked to him with a confused face. "Come on Spike. Discord's not that bad. I'm sure Ember will get along just fine like the rest of us."

"I don't mean Discord. I mean him!" Spike pointed in the direction he was looking so everypony could see what was making Spike upset. They also groaned when they saw the maids and butlers being given a hard time by a certain, obnoxious unicorn.

Flash spoke for everypony. "You have a right to be worried Spike. Everypony knows Prince Blueblood doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut."

Twilight noticed Spike gripped the ground as hard as he could. "Easy Spike. You know Blueblood might be at dinner, but that's no reason to lose control of your anger."

The drake took a deep breath before relaxing. "Alright Twilight. But if he runs his mouth too much at dinner, I can't make any promises."

A few hours later everypony found themselves sitting in the dinning room where Rarity and Ember walked in. Twilight asked, "Everything go okay you two?"

"Why of course darling. When you see what Ember has added to her dress, you will absolutely adore it."

Celestia smiled as the dragoness sat beside her adopted son until she heard a voice she knew all too well. "Sorry I'm late sister. Pip and I had some errands to run."

Everypony turned to see Princess Luna walk in with her personal nightguard, Pipsqueak.

When Pipsqueak became turned seventeen, he decided to join the royal guard and after a couple of years of hard work, Pipsqueak became the princess's personal guard. As time went by, the two became closer to the point where Pipsqueak worked up the courage to ask the princess out.

To his relief, Luna happily accepted and the two having been dating for a whole year now and couldn't be happier.

Flash and Pipsqueak were invited to dine with them and sat beside their respected marefriends as everypony waited for the course of berry salads and hay, with some of the food being made with gems for Match, Ember, and Spike.

Luna and Celestia looked to Ember as Celestia spoke, "I'm glad you could make it Ember. This will be very beneficial in bringing peace between our races."

"I'm happy to help both of our kind Princess Celestia. There are somethings my followers require that only ponies provide and from what Twilight mentioned, it looks the same thing vice versa."

"Well if you ask me, it's a complete waste of time to even attempt peace with dragons."

Everypony turned to see Prince Blueblood take his seat at the table and continued speaking, "First Twilight becomes royalty without even deserving it followed by dating that useless guard, then Princess Luna starts dating that filthy Trottingham stallion..."

As everypony became frustrated by the prince running his mouth, Twilight noticed Spike began to bend the tip of his fork while also inhaling and exhaling at a rapid pace. "Spike?"

"And now Auntie, you're pointlessly trying to negotiate a peace between mindless creatures like dragons by asking their pointless Dragon Lord to come to the Gala. If you ask me, it's a waste of time. Dragons are mindless creatures who only care for themselves and have absolutely nothing to offer us ponies except causing nothing but trouble."

Twilight and Ember flinched a little as Spike slammed his hands on the table. "That's it!"

Spike shot up from his seat and walked to Blueblood who continued ranting until the drake grabbed him by the horn and yanked him out of his seat to drag him to the wall. "Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow."

The drake slammed him to the wall and held him against the wall by his horn and scared the unicorn with a strong glare. "I swear! If you weren't my mother's nephew and I promised her that even when I became old enough that I wouldn't kill you... I would kill you!"

"And believe me, nopony appreciates that more-."

"Shut up! I don't want to hear another word out of you for rest of the dinner. Do you understand me?"

Blueblood only gave a small whimper before Spike slammed his head to the wall again. "I said do you understand me!?"

The scared prince could only stutter before he yelped when Spike raised his fist. "Ah! Remember the promise to Auntie!"

Spike threw his fist only for it to go into the wall beside Blueblood. He let the unicorn's horn go to reveal some noticeable grip marks were on it as the drake began taking deep breaths. "Sit down. Stay quiet for the rest of the meal."

"Okay."

Blueblood quickly sat down and shut his mouth. Spike rubbed his fist as he retook his place in between Twilight and Ember before looking to his adopted sister, "Is it wrong that that felt good?"

Twilight looked over to the nervous prince before smiling at the drake, "No. I wouldn't say it is."

Spike then blushed as he felt his dragonessfriend peck his cheek. "That's for standing up for me and your friends."

"No problem."

"Dinner is served!" The chef said as he brought out the food and set it out for everypony to dig in. Ember and Match enjoyed the special meals with gems studded for them as Ember looked to Celestia. "Thanks for throwing some gems in with our food Princess. I hope it wasn't too much trouble."

Celestia smiled and said, "It was no trouble at all. It was an act of friendship."

Everypony/drake enjoyed their food until it was time for everyone to turn in. Wanting to avoid angering Spike again, Blueblood was the first to make it out of the room causing everypony to chuckle.

Celestia said, "It was nice to have a dinner with all of you, but now I believe it's time for us all to get some sleep. You all need your rest for the Gala."

With that everypony headed to their rooms, (or in the case of Twilight and Flash or Spike and Ember, one room).

Meanwhile, not too far outside of the castle, the dark magic from the outskirts of the Crystal Empire came to the garden of the castle. 'In order to find a way to revive my old body, it will require a host body or two. But what?'

It turned to see the garden held stone statues of a manticore, a gargoyle, and a minatour. 'Those will be perfect until I can find a better host.' It then split into to three and entered the statues. 'It will take a while for complete control of these structures to be acquired. But by tomorrow, I'll attack the princesses and use their bodies to revive mine.'

Author's Note

By the way, whoever can tell me the correct movie I that scene between Spike and Blueblood was based from will get a hint on what the plan of the dark magic is. I will announce the answer on the next chapter. Here's a hint, it's a Pixar movie.