Despite Sombra's vehement protests, he eventually conceded upon Twilight's polite request and promptly left, throwing a glare at Celestia over his shoulder before closing the door behind him. Even after a thousand years, there was still bad blood between the two. What could've happened to make them hate each other so much? After five minutes had passed, Princess Celestia cleared her throat. "Twilight, there's a sensitive matter that my sister and I wished to speak to you about. I asked Sombra to leave because this concerns him, but mostly you and with him in the room, I wouldn't have been able to get in a word."

She paused and then continued: "You see, after Luna visited you, she entered Sombra's dream and found out something. You see, it would appear that you and Sombra...are soulmates."

"We're what?!" Twilight's head jerked around to glance at the door before turning back to the Royal Sisters.

"'Tis true, Twilight. Thou and him are bound by fate, decreed by destiny to be together," Luna replied as though she'd rehearsed it. "I didn't want to believe it at first, but it would make sense no other way."

"Princess Celestia, is this true?"

The white alicorn stared somewhat guiltily at Twilight. "It...it would appear so. It's rare but it's been known to happen. When two ponies encounter their soulmates, they dream of them and this dream always has a recurring image or theme. In your case, you both dreamt of you wearing a blue dress and a crystal tiara. The more time passes by, the stronger the connection and thus the more powerful the dreams. It won't be long before you actually start sharing the exact same dreams."

Twilight searched their faces but found not a single trace of humor. "You're serious."

Celestia nodded. "Twilight, did you dream of Sombra recently?"

"Yes. We were dancing in a ballroom when this shadowy figure appeared and spoke to me. It said that I shouldn't be with him, that he can't change and that I should forget about it. Why do you ask?"

This time Luna spoke up. "Celestia and I entered Sombra's dream to find him dancing with you in a ballroom. There was also a shadowy figure and it too told Sombra that you would never care for him."

"That's...improbable."

For whatever reason, despite the crazy things that happened to her and her friends, Twilight was unwilling to accept this. That she and Sombra had some sort of oneirological connection due to being predestined lovers was something that went against her ordered and purely scientific mind. And yet a part of her wished it to be true, urging her to believe it and have faith in the princesses' testimonies. Besides, they wouldn't lie to her, right?

"This is a lot to take in."

"I know, Twilight," Celestia stated softly. "But if it is, then maybe there's hope that you can reform Sombra, melt his icy heart and free the Crystal Empire from his tyranny. If he really does care for you, then maybe he can find the one thing he's been denied time after time: love."

"But I..." Did Twilight love Sombra? She admitted to finding him attractive and that he was actually nice to be around once you got to know him. He treated her nice and seemed to value her on a level that didn't correlate with just her looks. Sombra had potential for coltfriend material and she did care about him as more than just a friend. "I'm not entirely sure how I feel about him. Besides, how are you so sure that he even feels that way about me?"

"I was once in love with Sombra and he with me. Never once did he ever look at me the way that he looks at you."

Luna added, "I've walked into thousands of dreams and seen thousands of fantasies. Dreams are the untampered window to the soul and his speaks of adoration for you and you alone."

It was a lot to consider but Twilight trusted the two and besides, she was a creature of evidence and it pointed to Sombra having a change of heart due to her presence. "I'll try. I might be able to contact you again if Sombra lets me. Please tell my friends and family that I'm alright. They've all worried about me enough as it is."

"We will. Good luck, Twilight."

"Fare thee well, Twilight. Keep thy wits and courage about ye."

The image faded and the Black Bead was once more just a seemingly ordinary crystal ball. Twilight took a minute to compose herself before leaving the Hidden Gallery, finding a nervously pacing Sombra awaiting her arrival. He glanced up and seemed relieved to see her once more. Okay Twilight, you can do this. He just turns out to be your selected-by-destiny special somepony so, yeah, no pressure there. She took a deep breath. One, two, three...

"There you are! So what did Celestia want this time?"

"Er, Sombra? Could I ask you for something?"

Sombra took one of Twilight's hooves. "Of course you can! If it's within my power, I'm willing to grant you anything."

"Then...would it be possible to throw a crystal faire for the kingdom?"

The umbrum's smile vanished. "A crystal faire? Whatever for?"

Twilight bit her lip. She wanted to show the Crystal Empire that Sombra had changed and to show him how to treat his subjects with kindness and respect. Once he sees how good it feels, perhaps he'll lift their spirits and end their misery. Then they won't see him as a tyrant anymore and then he'll know what it feels like to be accepted. But she couldn't tell him that. Think brain, think! "I want to celebrate our upcoming wedding. After all, isn't it some sort of tradition to throw a public celebration in the event of a royal wedding?" She further added to the lie by wrapping her good forearm around one of his and leaning her head on his shoulder. "I want them to share in our happiness."

"Wait a minute! You...actually want...to marry me?" He stared at her incredulously, his demeanor that of a small child being told that he could have a whole cake to himself.

"Yes, I do. Sombra, you've been so kind to me and I-I care about you. A lot. I don't love you but I certainly could one day, if we got to know each other better. Besides, I said I would, didn't I?" It pained Twilight to have to lie to him about wanting marriage but there was also an element of truth to her words. She really did care about him and, with more time and trust-building, she could maybe one day come to love him. If they really were soulmates, then it was entirely plausible. Not to mention the fact that her heart was beating wildly from being in such close contact with him.

Twilight found her lungs nearly crushed by Sombra's sudden embrace, his forelegs wrapped tightly around her chest and beneath her forelegs. "Twilight, you have no idea how happy you've just made me! I know it's too soon for love but the fact that you said that you could maybe love me gives me hope. Alright, I'll make the announcement momentarily. How does tomorrow sound? It's not too short notice, is it?"

"No, not all," Twilight managed through the hug and Sombra, realizing his mistake, relinquished his hold and gently set her down on the floor. The smoldering gaze he was giving her made the heat in her legs reappear and she quickly found herself wishing for one of Rarity's fainting couches. Why does he have to look at me like that?! Before Twilight had time to answer herself, she was abruptly dragged by the hoof by a giddy and bouncing Sombra.

"Come my innamorata, we have many preparations to attend to! Oh, I'm so happy I could explode!"

What have I done?

Author's Note

So what do you think of Twilight's plan? Is it manipulative or do you think that she's doing the right thing?

Whew! Looks like Celestia and Luna are on the Twibra ship!