As Twilight, Spike, Nia, and Simone walked over towards Ponyville Park, Spike kept looking at Simone and Nia, who were currently, apart from having Nia's head nestled in Simone's neck, were taking in the sights of their new home.

"What's wrong, Spike?" Twilight asked. Spike motioned to the couple, and Twilight nodded with a slight eye roll.

"Spike, it's alright. They're in love, they get to act like that." she chastised. "Besides, I don't mind."

By the time they had reached the park, Twilight's friends were waiting for them, kept busy by their usual antics. That is…

Until Pinkie Pie saw them approaching, and gave the two of them a very excited smile.

====

"My head…" Simone groaned as he stood up with Nia's help. "What happened?"

"Miss Pinkie decided to welcome you, as she said." Nia said. "You fell and hit your head."

"Oh…" Simon sighed, looking at Pinkie, who was speaking with Twilight. "Is she okay?"

"Twilight says she overreacted, which is apparently common, but she didn't mean for you to "pass out"." Nia smiled.

"It's fine." Simone said as they approached. "Pinkie?"

Pinkie looked at them while scratching the back of her head.

"Sorry…" she said. "I tend to get over-excited when somepony new shows up."

"It's fine." Simone said as everypony else sat down. "So, any...pony else I should know?"

As the introductions went around, Spike sat down next to Twilight with a sigh as he admired Rarity speak with Nia. That is, until he felt a letter come to him. He produced a scroll from his flame, and looked at it once before poking Twilight in the side.

"What's…" Twilight said. Then, she saw the scroll.

"Oh, Tartarus." she cursed. The others looked at her with surprise.

"Language, Twi." Applejack said. "What's wrong?"

"Apparently Celestia needs us in Canterlot." she said. "Blueblood decided to inform nearly every noble in the blasted city that Nia was here. And now they're tearing Celestia apart for more information."

"That's….not good." Simon said, pulling Nia close. "For what reason?"

"I don't know." Twilight sighed. "And Celestia says Blueblood has the entire city up in arms. We should probably get going."

"You can say that again." Spike said. "And I think Celestia had that in mind."

A Solar Chariot descended, and with it came Celestia.

"Twilight, you got my letter?" she asked. "Good, let's go."

Simone and Nia were whisked aboard with everypony else, and they soared towards Canterlot.

====

"Why now?" Nia asked with a slightly sad tone.

"I'm afraid Blueblood notified nearly everypony in the Equestrian Parliament of your presence, Nia." Celestia said. "And I bet the jewelry stores are seeing record sales as of now."

Everyone except Simone and Nia groaned.

"What?" Simone said. Then, it clicked.

"Bastards." he swore. "Are they honestly…"

"Yes." Celestia sighed. "They're already discussing candidates for marriage. Though I made it clear she was already engaged. They didn't care."

Simon fingered his Spiral Drill, which was in his jacket pocket, and he made sure his Katana was with him. Nia moved closer to him, and he wrapped his arms around her.

"Nia, I won't let any of them touch you in the slightest. I swear." he growled. Nia merely nodded, still scared of what was in store.

"We're here." Celestia sighed. To nearly everypony's disgust, a large crowd of nobles and other ponies were standing at the castle gates, waiting for them. As soon as the Chariot landed, they surged forward…

Only for Celestia to fire a searing bolt of flame at the ground, scorching a line into the earth.

"If anypony, no matter their status, crosses this line, it will be the last step they ever take." she said. "That is final."

The crowd moved back, Blueblood and several other nobles coming forward, each bearing a velvet box. Nia tried to hold Simone back, as he was shaking from rage.

"Ah, Princess Nia?" Blueblood said. "Do make your choice."

Nia didn't respond, as she was too frightened to speak.

"No one?" Blueblood asked again. "Then it'll be me."

He reached for her hungrily, Nia recoiling in fright…

====

"YOU BASTARD! GET AWAY FROM HER!"

Simon, without his knowledge, cloaked his fist in Spiral energy, glowing with brilliant green and red flame. He then slammed it straight into Blueblood's jaw with all the strength he could muster. The blow alone would've been painful enough…

Except the Punch was so powerful, not only did it send a massive energy shockwave out that cracked the stone beneath Simon…

It also sent Blueblood flying straight through the castle wall, sending stone and masonry everywhere possible. The crowd then recoiled and surged back, nearly everypony falling down from the shock of Simon's action. As Solar Guards pulled Blueblood to his hooves, Simon nodded to Twilight, who held Nia back as he walked forward. Blueblood looked like he had been trampled by a freight train going as fast as Rainbow Dash could even fly. His jaw was certainly broken, and a massive burn lay on his cheek. He tried to stumble away, only for Simon to grab him by the collar.

"You bastard." he swore. "I told you once, and I will tell you again. Stay the hell away from my Fiance'!"

Simon's voice grew with every word he spoke, frightening the Prince even more.

"All of you!" he yelled with sheer fury. "Listen up! Nia is NOT getting married to any of you! That's because she's already engaged!"

Simon held up his ring, and the nobles gasped, passed out, or both. The other ponies present whispered among themselves.

"That bastard there is lucky I didn't kill him!" Simon roared. He was about to speak further when Celestia fired a beam of light into the sky.

"Enough!" she yelled in the Royal Canterlot Voice. "Simon, that will suffice."

Simon breathed in deeply and walked back towards Nia, and he gently embraced her.

"I'm sorry." he murmured. "I lost my temper…"

"It's okay." Nia replied, stroking his back. "You protected me. You kept your promise."

They turned to watch Celestia walk forward to address the crowd.

"You all disappoint me." she said. "I made it exceptionally clear that Nia was engaged to Simon. All of you chose ignored me and tried to steal her away, a completely despicable act. Frankly, though Simon's use of force was not necessary…"

Simon looked away in guilt, tightening his embrace with Nia.

"....It was, however, thoroughly justified." she finished. "I would like a good reason why I should not expel you all from my presence, right here and now."

The nobles, who had jostled for Nia's hoof, were silent in their shame and guilt.

"As I suspected." Celestia finished. "I am thoroughly disappointed in all of you. If any of you wish to debate this further, they can take it up with me. Return to your business."

Celestia sighed before continuing.
"Twilight?"

"Yes?" she replied.

"Take Simon and Nia inside to my office." she said. "Let's get them away from the crowd, who is unworthy of their presence."

"Right." Twilight said. As the Elements and Spike brought Nia and Simone through the crowd to the door, a few Solar Guards approached and led them away to safety. As soon as the doors shut and they were all out of sight, Celestia turned to Blueblood, who was being healed by Solar Guard medics.

"We will have words regarding your actions...in private. I would advise praying for mercy, because I will have none." Celestia growled as she left Blueblood, who promptly passed out.

====

Author's Note

Update!

Next time-Simon and Nia deal with the fallout, and Celestia takes a stand.