Twilight’s Love Volume One: It Begins

The rest of the training went smoothly as the weeks progressed. Rainbow made a startling transformation. She was still the same brash Rainbow Dash all knew, but around family and especially Twilight, she blossomed into a genteel and refined lady. Twilight had to admit to Rainbow this side of Rainbow was quite arousing. So much so there were times Rainbow didn’t have the dress all the way off before Twilight was all over her.

Rainbow was liking this!

Princesses Celestia and Luna also were truly moved by Rainbow’s transformation. Rainbow wasn’t wearing dresses every day, but she took time to put on some makeup and perfume for her love. Twilight would dress up on those days as well, they made quite the pair.

However this did entice several of the stallions to come over to Rainbow and Twilight at break times and ask if they were available for dinner.

At one of the class breaks, Twilight and Rainbow were going to the lunchroom to get a snack when two ponies approached them.

“Hey girls,” said a large green Pegasus stallion, he had a yellow Earth Pony at his side. “Rock Crusher and I are free for dinner. We’d really like it if you’d allow us to take you out tonight.”

“I’m sorry to hear that…” Twilight paused.

“Rain Bringer,” said the Pegasus in introduction.

“Sorry to hear that, Rain Bringer,” said Rainbow, “but I’m afraid Twilight and I have plans.”

“Oh, are your coltfriends in town?” asked Rock Crusher.

“We don’t have coltfriends,” said Twilight, she was about to laugh, but she controlled it. “But Rainbow and I have plans.”

“Come on,” said Rock Crusher, “why can’t you let us take you out. Or at least have a late drink?”

“Would it be too much to ask?” asked Rain Bringer. “We really don’t like to take no for an answer without a very good reason.”

“It’s like this,” said Rainbow, who turned to Twilight and the two exchanged a passionate and long kiss.

When they broke the kiss, the boys were gone.

The two lovers laughed long.

But whenever they saw them around campus, the boys tried to avert their eyes and not look embarrassed.

It wasn’t the only attempt, a lot of stallions hearts were broken after that, Rainbow was almost enjoying it. But she always stuck close to Twilight. It made it harder for the stallions to be insistent when Rainbow would turn and kiss Twilight.

The next week passed much as the first. Rainbow was getting very comfortable with all the Sparkles, especially Cadence. A friendship was blooming between them which almost matched Cadence’s attachment to Twilight.

The second Weekend wasn’t as involved as the first. Rainbow and Twilight spent all Saturday at a park just outside of Canterlot with the rest of the Sparkles. They brought a picnic lunch and just had fun being with family.

Sunday they took in a hoofball game, Twilight wasn’t into it, but Rainbow wanted to go. It made a little bit of (good natured) rivalry within the family because it was the Crystal Empire Crystals vs. Canterlot Knights. To make things worse, Rainbow was cheering with Cadence for the Crystal Empire while, Twilight’s father made Twilight cheer for Canterlot. Whether she intended to or not, Twilight got into the game, and by the end Twilight was trying to out yell Rainbow.

It might have been a family dividing event had it not ended in a tie.

As the conferences continued, it would’ve been hard for anypony who had known Rainbow from the past to have even recognized her. Rainbow was attentive, studious and focused on the work.

It even shocked Twilight at first, but Rainbow told her lover she wanted to be the kind of pony who didn’t look out of place at Twilight’s side. Twilight told her it wasn’t necessary, but she appreciated the effort.

On the last Wednesday afternoon, Twilight was called to see Princess Celestia during a break in the class.

“Twilight, because of my responsibility to you, I’m afraid I’m going to have to test yours and Rainbow’s love. Don’t worry,” said the princess with a chuckle. “nopony is going to the moon.”

“I’m always available for you,” said Twilight, “and I’ll always do my best.”

“I know that,” said Celestia with a warm smile. “Do you know where we are?”

“Isn’t this your Crown Jewels vault?”

“It is,” said the princess, “Luna and I’ve collect these over a multitude of pony lifetimes. Please follow me in.”

The door opened and Twilight was led into rooms with display case after display case. Celestia’s horn glowed and the protective fields which protected the precious items for when tourist were allowed in, disappeared.

Some of the items, Twilight recognized like Celestia and Luna’s Crowns of State. Also there were magical gems such as Meadowbrook’s ‘Eye of Far Seeing’. There were others which were more or less mementos. But all looked valuable. At the back of the room were some very old pieces. One, a diamond ring sat on a pedestal; it looked like a ring Rarity would sell everything, including her soul to own. The ring was of the Pegasus design, made to go on the fingerlike structure at the end of the wing.

Gems like rubies, emeralds and sapphires were common stones in Equestria. They’re beautiful and make fine jewelry and decorations. But with the exceptions of special ones like fire rubies, all were not of much monetary worth. But for no good explanation, diamonds were rare and so, very valuable. Even Rarity, with her special talent, had unearthed very few diamonds in the past.

“This ring was given to me by Commander Hurricane, the last Queen of the Pegasus Tribe.”

“Ooh, pretty!” remarked Twilight.

“Yes it’s very beautiful,” said Celestia with a smile, she always appreciated Twilight’s almost childlike wonder of things. “If I had a son, and that son was in love and needed to have a ring for his bride, I would give him this.”

Twilight gazed admiringly at the ring.

Celestia’s golden aura encased the ring and it floated to Twilight. Twilight just looked confused.

“I want you to keep this safe and secret for me...

Not even Rainbow is to know that you have it.” Said the princess with a smile, “consider that as part of the test. I’m not asking you to be deceitful or to lie to your love. Call this a favor for me. You’ll know when I’ll want you to reveal it.”

Twilight and Rainbow were having lunch with the princesses and Shining Armor during the day. And they were going to Twilight’s parents in the evenings. Rainbow loved the family interactions. When they went back to their tower, they took an hour to study and then would take an hour to read. Rainbow wouldn’t let Twilight see what she was reading and told her if she truly loved her, she’d trust her.

The only odd thing to happen, during the last week, was when Twilight started to notice the equipment stored on the very high shelves often looked like it had been moved. Twilight mentioned it to Rainbow, she said she thought maybe the cleaning staff was coming by and dusting.

Rainbow had quickly become quite good at the new paperwork techniques. Twilight wondered if the ‘dumb act’ was just Rainbow’s old ways of trying to look cool. But with her being in love with an intelligent pony and giving in to the girly side, it was now okay to show she wasn’t some ‘dumb mare’.

She even slipped up and displayed her knowledge when Twilight and Night Light were playing chess and Rainbow told Twilight she’d made a bad move and:

‘Dad will have you mate in two.’

Rainbow’s prediction was spot on, Twilight was dumbfounded.

In the evenings, the family would talk of the day’s activities and what Night Light was up to in his job. But there was about an hour or two every evening Cadence and Rainbow would excuse themselves to go into Shining’s room away from the rest of the family.

The last few days, both mares would come back to the family all smiles. Twilight would ask what they were up to but Cadence told Twilight it was a Pegasus thing and she didn’t want to make it a Royal Command for Twilight to be patient.

It was Thursday evening; the next day was the final test to see if the ponies had understood all the information. Twilight had little doubt Rainbow would pass without any issues.

Tonight, when Rainbow and Cadence went back to Shining’s old room, Twilight Velvet went also.

Twilight the younger wasn’t a paranoid pony, but she had the oddest feeling they were talking about herself. But she went ahead and finished the dishes and tried not to think about it. She also was wondering what the princess was talking about when she said she was going to test them. Did she have to be worried? What if she failed?

And why exactly did Celestia give her the ring.

Back in Shining’s old room, Rainbow and Cadence were finishing up. Twilight Velvet just watched and smiled.

“Very good Rainbow,” said Cadence, “I think you have it. Just remember to use this often or you could lose it. You’ll be surprised but you’ll find now you’re mastering this, it’ll be easier to learn other skills.”

Then as they were finishing up, Twilight Velvet said she had something for Rainbow.

“Rainbow,” said the motherly pony, “I want to give you something. Something personal and something I’d only give to family.”

Twilight Velvet levitated it to Rainbow. Rainbow held out a hoof and it settled on it.

“It’s beautiful, mom.” Said Rainbow, “but I can’t accept this, it’s too valuable.”

“Rainbow,” said Twilight Velvet, “this is my first, Night Light has given me newer ones on special wedding anniversaries. Now it’s my hope you’ll use it.”

“I don’t think I could use it, it’s for a Unicorn...”

Rainbow stopped and realized what she’d just said.

“Are you saying what I think you are saying?”

Twilight Velvet and Cadence both looked at Rainbow with large smiles on their faces. Then an identical smile started to grow on Rainbow’s face.

“I’ll hold it for you for now, ” said Cadence levitating the object to herself, “you’ll know when to use it.”

It was Friday afternoon; the test for certification was easier than most of the class thought. There was a nice lunch/reception with a lot of cakes and other goodies. After followed the final gathering for final words and acknowledgements.

Rainbow and Twilight were so excited to be going back to Ponyville to tell all their friends about their good news. Twilight’s mom had suggested the two wear nice dresses so when they got to Ponyville their good news would be much more fun if they both looked stunning.

Princess Celestia spoke on the stage a quick thanks for all who attended and appreciated them for taking time out of their busy lives to be there. Then she turned things over to Raven and left the stage.

On the stage in front of the gathered ponies, Raven walked out levitating a small table with a box of certificates.

“Thank you everypony,” said Raven, “it was the other instructors and my pleasure to teach you this new method. It’s our hope you’ll go back to your jobs and teach those under you this new method as well.

Now, as I call out your names, please come forward to receive your certification credentials and then exit out to the left. Thank you again for coming.

Alfalfa, Apple Tree, Bluebell...”

The names went on alphabetically, by first name for those with more than one name, it was apparent when they came to the R’s and the T’s, two names were missing.

“Willow, Yellow Daisy, Zodiac.”

With the last name called out, and the last recipient had left the room, Raven smiled as she glanced at the two. Then she levitated the table and left the stage. Twilight and Rainbow just looked puzzled at each other across the row which divided then; they’d been sitting in alphabetical order.

After a moment of being in the room alone, Princesses Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Shining Armor walked into the room just in front of the stage. From the back of the room came Night Light and Twilight Velvet.

The two lovers weren’t sure what to think. Then Princess Celestia spoke up.

“I’m afraid there were two participants who’re needing to have an additional test administered. It’s an oral examination so please come up here.”

Twilight and Rainbow walked up and stood in front of the princess.

“I’ve spoken with the ponies gathered because it was important to agree on which of you are the more dominant personality, so I adjusted the test to facilitate this.”

Celestia looked at the two intently, although it almost appeared a smile was trying to show on her face. The gathered family also was trying not to smile; Twilight Velvet did have a tear on her cheek.

“Are you two ready? Be warned, once done there’s no backing out and this will affect your lives forever!” Said the princess ominously.

Rainbow and Twilight looked at each other and then at the princess and nodded their understanding and consent.

“Good, Rainbow, take Twilight’s right hoof with your right hoof,” Rainbow did this, “I’ll start with you, Rainbow Dash...

“Rainbow Dash...”

There was a moment’s pause.

“Do you take Twilight Sparkle to be your wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”

Rainbow was in shock, the same shock showed on Twilight’s face. It was apparent what Twilight’s family had been hinting at. From the look on Twilight’s face, it was apparent everypony, save herself and Twilight, were in on it.

“I do,” Rainbow said with tears welling in her eyes.

“Twilight Sparkle, do you take Rainbow Dash to be your wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”

“I do Your Highness, I truly do!”

“Please levitate the rings to me.” Said Celestia.

Twilight produced a ring like Rainbow had only seen in books, Cadence held out a ring. It looked strangely like her mother’s wedding ring. Twilight looked over to where her mother was standing. Twilight Velvet nodded her head. Twilight’s aura started to appear around the ring Cadence was holding, but Cadence covered the ring.

Celestia spoke up;

“No Twilight, if Rainbow truly loves you, it’s something she must do for herself.

This is the test.”

Twilight was concerned, was Celestia again trying to make sure Rainbow and herself were kept apart? If so it was more cruel than what Rainbow had told her about the ordeal Celestia had put her lover through.

But then she noticed no other pony, not even Rainbow looked concerned.

Twilight then saw Rainbow’s eyes glowing with a red/yellow/blue shifting light. She looked over at Cadence and the ring.

A red/yellow/blue aura encased the ring and it floated to Celestia.

“Well done Rainbow Dash!” said Celestia.

Celestia’s golden magic aura took the rings, they vanished and then appeared on the proper bride.

“In the name of the Crown” said Celestia. “And Our Regal Self. We declare you wed.”

“What We join together,” said Celestia, “let no pony sunder.”

“You may kiss your Bride.”

“May I be the first to introduce Mrs. Rainbow and Mrs. Twilight Dash.” Said the princess with a smile.

Twilight was overjoyed at the name, she hadn’t even thought anything like it would ever happen. But now it sounded oh so right.

Rainbow was just as ecstatic. She’d found true love with a pony who’d been there with her for years. Never had Rainbow thought of marriage, she was happy just to be with Twilight. But now she found in her heart that this is what she truly wanted, for that partnership to be made complete and permanent.

The princesses and Twilight’s family closed in on them. There were hugs and kisses from all.