Simon and Nia, accompanied by the Elements, sat back down on the grassy knoll and relaxed. Twilight produced a picnic basket, and Rarity set out the blanket.

"You feeling any better, Simon?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah, a lot better." Simon said as Nia leaned on his shoulder. "As if I'd let anything or anyone keep us apart, Nia."

"Of course." Nia replied, kissing his cheek. "And I'll do the same."

"Aww…" Rarity said. "You're so perfect together."

Simon and Nia nodded, and Twilight, while admiring the romantic scene, opened the basket and smiled.

"Eat up." she said. A glint appeared in Simon's eyes, as if he was expecting this moment for a long time.

====

"Geez, Simon." Pinkie said. "You're eating like a maniac."

"Sorry." he murmured. "I'm just really hungry. I can't remember the last time I ate."

"Still, you should slow down. You might choke." Nia said, who was eating at a more refined pace. Simon nodded, slightly embarrassed, and slowed his pace.

"Much better." Nia smiled approvingly. After about forty-five minutes of eating and small talk, the basket and blanket were packed up.

"So, seeing as it's late…" Twilight said. "I'll see you all in the morning."

"Alright." Simon said. "You awake, Nia?"

"Barely…" she sighed, her eyes fluttering. Simon gently supported her with his shoulder, and they followed Twilight to her castle.

====

As Twilight settled the couple into a guest bedroom, she smiled, bade them goodnight, and left. That left the two of them alone, and they settled into the crystalline, four poster bed. Simon left his jacket in the closet, climbed into bed, and soon Nia was settled against his chest, humming a faint tune. It reminded Simon of a quiet, soothing voice wishing him to sleep.

"What are you singing?" he asked sleepily.

"Just a lullaby." she murmured. "Every night when I was young, I sung it to myself to help me sleep. Father wasn't exactly kind that way towards me."

"I see." Simon said, yawning. "Nia...I love you."

"I love you, too." she replied. She gave him one last look of care and comfort before she closed her eyes and her breathing deepened. Simon kissed her on the forehead, before he too fell into slumber.

====

The sun rose into the sky, and the birds began to sing, perched in the trees. And in Simon and Nia's room, they slowly woke up. Nia kissed Simon, and brushed the dust out of her eyes.

"Morning." she whispered.

"Morning, Nia." he replied. "You sleep well?"

"Better than I ever have." Nia smiled. "Come on, let's get up. We can't spend the entire day in bed."

"I agree." Simon said. They slowly got up, and Simon put on his jacket. Heading downstairs, they found Twilight and Spike making breakfast.

"Morning!" Spike waved.

"Good morning." Simon said. "What's for breakfast?"

"I wasn't sure, so I made a variety of foods." Twilight said. "I figured since you were once human, you might have your own tastes."

Simon and Nia nodded, seeing her logic.

"Anyway, I've got my royal duties to take care of today, so Spike will show you around town." Twilight said. "And Rarity wants to see you both at some point. She said something about new clothing for you two."

"Thanks." Simon said. As they dove into their plates of eggs and other breakfast foods, Simon smiled brightly, knowing that it was their first full day of their new life.

====

Once Twilight was settled into her paperwork, Spike began the tour of Ponyville. From what Nia and Simon could tell, the town itself was moderately sized and populated. The one problem was that everypony they passed bowed to them.

"I'm never going to get used to this." Simon murmured.

"You're not alone." Spike said. "Twilight hated all the bowing the first few months she was a Princess. She learned to tolerate it eventually."

"Good news, then." Simon rolled his eyes. "Nia, how are you holding up?"

"It's so strange." she said. "It seems so quiet around here. Is it normally like this, Spike?"

"Not exactly." Spike shrugged. "I mean, there's always some monster or evil villain out to take over the world, and they always start here. I mean, it's completely stupid, but that's how it is."

"Quite odd." Nia said.

"Eh, not entirely." Spike said again. "Normally Twilight and everypony else handles it. I'm usually on the sidelines."

"You seem pretty heroic yourself, Spike." Simon said. "Despite what you say."

"Thanks." Spike said. "Anyway, there's a place I need to show you, one that just opened up."

"What's that?" Nia asked.

====

"What is this place?" Simon said, eyeing the sign of the building in front of them. It seemed like a bookshop, only instead of tomes, the materials inside seemed to be much thinner.

""Ponyville House of Comics." Spike said. "My home away from home."

As they entered, a bearded stallion called out from the counter.

"Spike, my favorite customer! How have you been, man?" he said. "I've just gotten my hands on Power Ponies Number 46 for ya!"

"I'm doing great, Mug!!" Spike said. "Feel free to look around, you two."

"Hey, the new royals!" the stallion said. "Browse around, see what you like! And if you do like it, keep it! On the house for a limited time!!"

"Thanks." Simon said. As it turned out, the House of Comics was quite expansive. A large alcove stuffed with sack chairs and couches lay in the back, perfect for relaxing. Eventually, Simon and Nia settled down, each with a stack of comics.

"These are nice." Nia said, turning the page of one. "The art style is unique, though."

"Yeah, comics take some getting used to." Spike said, coming in. "Trust me, there was this one time that we all got sucked into one. Like, we became the characters."

"That's certainly odd." Nia said.

"Eh, it all worked out fine." Spike said. "I made a mental note never to visit that particular store again. Anyway, see anything you like?"

"This one's not that bad." Simon said, holding up a comic portraying a pony in white armor and shaped like a howling wolf.

"Ah, Whiteout Wolf!" Spike said. "He's one of the newer heroes. Haven't read much of him, but I've heard good things. Like what you see so far?"

"Yep." Nia said. "It's so nice here."

"It is." Spike shrugged. "On some days here, its busy as can be, but on days like this, it's quieter than the old library."

"What happened?" Simon asked.

"Eh, it got destroyed by Lord Tirek." Spike said. "Long story. Basic version is that he tried to drain all the magic from Equestria. Twilight and everypony else defeated him, though."

"He sounds horrible." Nia said.

"Yeah, he was the definition of evil villain." Spike sighed. "Let's get off the subject, though. It's not something I like to talk about."

As the three of them continued to read, in the distance, a train was approaching from the Crystal Empire.

Author's Note

Update!