<(Reader's POV)>

Twilight smiled as Rarity rushed around her, fiddling with her dress in small ways to ensure its absolute beauty. It was her first Grand Gala since becoming an Alicorn, and enlarging to the size of Celestia and Luna, she was extremely excited to enjoy the night, and hopefully not have to deal with snobbish nobles for the entirety of it.

"You look Beautiful, Twilight." Rarity said. Twilight then carefully stood up and walked over to the large standing mirror at the side of her room. She did a quick twirl, watching as her dress swayed. "It's all because of you, Rarity."

"It is your first Gala as a Princess. I made the executive decision that you should look your best." The Pearl white Unicorn walked over and gave the 9 foot Alicorn a light nudge. "Just in case." Twilight blushed at Rarity's teasing and swung her hips to bump the Unicorn Playfully.

They both walked out of the room and downstairs to where the guests were arriving. Many were in awe of Twilight's appearance, and others looked obscenely confident. It didn't take a genus, or even an idiot for that matter, to guess what they were thinking.

Once they reached the bottom of the stairs, Twilight put a hand on Rarity's back. "You go and enjoy yourself, Rarity." She said. "I promised Celestia that I would relieve her of welcoming guests once I had finished preparing." Rarity nodded and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Twilight then began walking towards the door where guests were entering. Mares were looking at her with envy, and stallions were all ogling over her, she hated that. Namely the snobbish nobles that clearly wanted to be with her for the political power it would give them.

She rolled her eyes and began descending down to where Celestia was. The Solar Monarch and High Princess was currently greeting a King and Queen from a small kingdom that was a part of Storm Empire.

The Storm Empire was the most powerful nation in the world, capable of taking on every other nation at once and still winning with strength to spare. Twilight knew how badly they had crushed the Hippogriffs when after the latter had attacked, looking for territory. Even five years after the fact, Queen Novo's execution was still as fresh as the day it happened. She didn't even dare to think about what they could do to Equestria.

They began walking up the stairs into the Ballroom. Twilight offered them a curtsy bow as they past her. Then she stood next to Celestia. "You look wonderful tonight, Twilight." The Solar Princess said. "Thanks, Princess." Celestia frowned slightly and Twilight raised a hand. "I know, force of habit, and we're in a place that demands more respect."

Celestia smiled and handed Twilight the clipboard she had been using to keep track of guests. "Thank you for doing this, Twilight. It has been a very long time since I could truly enjoy the Gala without having to worry about this." Now it was Twilight's turn to smile. "It's no trouble, Princess. I'm happy to do it."

Celestia nodded and wandered up the stairs into the Ballroom.

Twilight went on to welcome many guests, mostly nobles from different nations, namely the Storm Empire. By the time an hour went by, Twilight found that everyone on the guest list had arrived.

With a smile Twilight made for the stairs. Just before she began up them something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. Another figure was walking through the front doors, a Wolf-Alicorn, one that stood taller than even Discord himself.

Confused, Twilight looked down at her list again to ensure that she had indeed checked everyone off. She had. Yet there was somebody else walking into the Gala.

"Don't bother looking for my name, Princess Twilight." Twilight's head snapped up at the sound of the Angelic voice. The Wolf-Alicorn now stood in front of her with a gentle, yet stern, gaze. "I am not here for the Gala. I come here on a Different affair. One that dates back many years." She explained.

Twilight nodded and began to turn around to alert a guard to get Celestia, then she paused and looked back. "Who am I sending for?" She asked bashfully, fully knowing that she shouldn't have to ask that question. The new arrival just giggled slightly. "Sorry about that. Empress Opthomane Prima, Princess Twilight." She gave Twilight a curtsy bow. Twilight's eyes widened slightly, and she quickly turned to a guard posted by the door and nodded for him to get Celestia.

As the guard went off to do his assigned task, Twilight looked back at Prima. "I'm so sorry I didn't recognize you sooner your Majesty." Twilight gave a quick bow. "It is quite alright, Princess Twilight. My appearance is, greatly debated by those who have not seen me before, you are hardly the first to make such a mistake." Opthomane said gently.

Twilight cast a quick glance up the stairs. Celestia still wasn't there, so she still had some time for talking.

Twilight looked back up at Opthomane. "If you don't mind me asking, what affair are you here on?" She inquired. Opthomane looked away, a frown appearing on her face. "It concerns a debt that Equestria owes to the Storm Empire." Twilight couldn't help but be confused. "I'm not trying to question your judgment, Empress Prima." She said, "But I do believe that you are mistaken. Equestria hasn't owed any debt to other Kingdom's, or Empire's, for over a thousand years."

Twilight felt pretty confident in her statement, but that confidence quickly faded away when she saw Opthomane's expression. "I'm afraid you are the one who is mistaken, Princess Twilight." She said simply, "But I do not hold such things against you. The debt that Equestria owes is not publicly known, in fact only Celestia herself knows of it. This debt is also not Economical, and is instead from a Military angle, one which you yourself would especially not know of." Twilight retracted her earlier statement, NOW she was confused!

Before Twilight could try and make any more inquiries, a voice interrupted them. "Oh! Opthomane Prima! I wasn't expecting to see you here!" Twilight looked over as Celestia quickly descended the steps, stopping right before the Storm Empress and giving a brief bow. "Princess Celestia." Opthomane returned the gesture. "I trust that everything has been well." Celestia glanced at Twilight briefly. "Nothing that couldn't be dealt with by capable hands." She gestured to Twilight, who couldn't help but blush. "So I've heard." Opthomane stated.

<(Twilight's POV)>

Opthomane's expression the hardened into a more serious one. "I'm here to discuss Equestria's debt." She stated, "My Council is demanding that we get repaid, or else their going to start advising me to push for an actual monetary payment, which both of us know cannot happen, or else Equestria will be in economic ruin, and at risk of getting attacked and taken over." Celestia sighed. "I understand, Opthomane." Celestia turned to look at me. "Could we get some Privacy, Twilight? This must stay between us for the moment." I quickly nod and give one last bow to Opthomane before going back up into the ballroom.

Once in the ballroom I start looking around for some ponies, more specifically dragons. I quickly find them talking to Fancy Pants -whom had cleaned up his act over the last few years and is now dating Rarity- and Rarity on the other side of the room. I start making my way over to them, skillfully weaving around other creatures as I do so.

I reach them just as they finish talking to Fancy Pants and Rarity. "It's good to finally see you again, Dragon Lords." Spike and Ember, now mates, turn around upon hearing my voice. Spike immediately bursts out in a smile, pulling me into a tight hug. "It's good to see you, Twi." He says.

As he pulls back it's quite obvious he had grown again, now a whole foot taller than me and the other Princesses. Ember has also grown, now sporting a fuller physique and a height equal to mine. "It's good to see you too, Spike. I trust you've been taking good care of him, Ember. You know what will happen if you haven't been." She just rolled her eyes at my teasing.

"Of course I've been taking good care of him. Who do you think I am?" I just laugh slightly. "It's good to see you, Ember." We give each other a hug. She looks less than thrilled to be wearing the Frilly Ball Gown she currently has on, which most here don't know is actually her wedding gown, an obvious façade since Spike has already told me on multiple occasions that she secretly loves dolling herself up like this.

As we pull away Ember asks, "So, what caused Celestia to suddenly leave?" I glanced around the room, in which I found Empress Opthomane Prima and Princess Celestia sitting at a table by themselves, talking inside of a soundproofed bubble.

I look back at Ember and gently push her head in their direction. "See for yourself." I say, and almost immediately her eyes go wide at what she sees. "Opthomane Prima!" She utters quietly in her shock. "Yes. I had a similar reaction once I figured out it was her." Ember glanced at me with a raised brow. "First time seeing her?" She asked, I nodded. "Clearly not yours." She nodded as well. Spike is still wrapping his head around the fact that she's here at all.

"Did she say why she was here?" I nod. "Equestria is in Debt to the Storm Empire." I instantly raise my hand, preventing either of them from freaking out. "It's Militarily. Not Monetary. What were in debt for specifically though is still a mystery." Spike folds his arms. "Military Debt is probably worse than Monetary Debt in this case." He mutters. "It's better than Economic Ruin and fearing attack." I reply. "By the sun, what did Celestia do to earn this issue on her plate?" He muttered. I could only shrug at that, like was previously stated, I do not know yet.

It's silent for a moment before Ember speaks again. "So changing topics, to one less inherently terrifying, has my Sister-in-law had any more luck in the dating scene?" I immediately start blushing. "Not as of yet, Ember. I'm a Princess, so Ponies often get intimidated by my mere presence within a mile radius, nonetheless trying to ask anypony out, unless they're a noble unfortunately. The fact that I am a part of a minority doesn't help my search any." Spike gives me a pat on the back. "You'll find a mare to love eventually." He tells me.

Yes, I am a Lesbian. I'm not ashamed of my preferences, and I take any criticism of it in strides. Nopony is going to tell who I can and can't love, especially not those who wouldn't know a damn thing about what love is in the first place.

"Excuse me, Princess Twilight?" Speaking of somebody exactly like that. I turn around to find Blueblood. Over confident as usual as he holds his hand out to me, clearly wanting me to dance with him. Unlike myself with him. "Would you care for a Dance?" He smirks, clearly not expecting the denial he is about to face.

"I'm not interested, Blueblood. And no, I do not care for a Dance." I look away already contemplating whether or not he's trying something much worse, something he's probably already done to half the mares in this room, but Blueblood is, of course, to persistent for his own good. "Princess, I assure you will not regret it." That line alone proves that he is trying exactly that.

"Blueblood, I already told you that I'm not interested." I say, "And I'm especially not interested in getting laid, nonetheless by you. I'm not even into boys." Blueblood's demeanour changes after I say the last bit. "Seriously?! You are trying to give up this," He gestures to himself, "For a Mare?"

"You say that like there's something wrong with that." I jump at the suddenness of her appearance. Opthomane Prima is now right behind me, and I don't even have to look to know she is sporting a much harder gaze than before. "I don't know a single creature across the planet that would want to speak with you. Nonetheless do any of the things you want to do." She says.

Blueblood scowls up at her, clearly not understanding who he's talking to. "Who do you think you are?! I'm Prince Blueblood, and you should respect me." The brief silence tells me that Opthomane is rolling her eyes and probably facepalming. "Two things, Blueblood. One, the 'Prince' in your name is merely a formality, as you are Princess Celestia's Nephew. You are still a mere noble. Two, you asked who I was? Well to answer that question, I am an actual member of royalty. An Empress to be specific." Blueblood froze.

But just as quickly, his arrogance took over again. "I'm still the Highest Ranked Noble, I can do as I please." He states and steps forward, as if he intends on trying to forcefully take me with him. In response, Prima puts an arm around my waist and pulled me close to her, and a quick glance down at it tells me that her hand is glowing with a faint defensive hum.

"I recommend you leave her Alone Blueblood. I doubt the Nobles will respond well to hearing about your attempts at seducing a Princess." Blueblood just huffed, folding his arms. "They'll respond worse to hearing that you threatened me." Prima just laughed slightly, the angelic tone light, yet still extremely threatening. "This isn't a threat, Blueblood. It's a warning. Warnings aren't threats until you make them one." He growls in annoyance as he knows she is beating him on all fronts he tries to open. Prima shifts, clearly deciding to end this. "Besides, who are they going to side with? You, a mere noble that can hardly do anything without the support of others, or Me, the Storm Empress, who holds 100% of her nations political power, and can see to it that you are flattened in an instant?" Now that is a threat, yet I highly doubt anybody would dare act upon it.

Blueblood looks furious for a few moments before he notices that it's a lot more than just us looking at him. To be fair I only noticed when he noticed, but still. After a few moments like that, Blueblood turns and walks away angrily mumbling to himself all the while. A brief applause rises for Prima's handling of the situation.

"He's just mad he won't get his Nightly Sex from the Mare he wants as his sex doll." I hear Prima whisper into my ear. I can't help but laugh at that. "I highly doubt your wrong." I return. I finally turn around to properly face her. "Thanks for that. I trust that everything went well with Celestia." Prima nods. "She's having a discussion with Princess Luna at the moment, and after meeting you at the door, I thought it would be nice to have a conversation with you that isn't entirely professional. Also, I apologize for the," She pauses for a moment, rotating her hand as she thinks of what to say, "Unorthodox gesture." She says.

"It's quite alright Prima. And I'd enjoy a conversation. You can call me Twilight." I say. "Thomane." She replies. Spike then speaks from behind me. "Sorry to interrupt, but me and Ember are going to take our leave." He says. "Alright, Spike. It was good to see you again." I say. "I trust we'll work well together in the future." Thomane replies. Spike leaned in close to me, quietly whispering to me. "Don't lose contact with her too soon, Twi. She's exactly who you want." I glare at him as a blush overtakes my face. The two then begin walking away.

After they left, me and Thomane began wandering around as we continued talking. "So, I trust that life as an Alicorn has been good to you?" Thomane asked. "Yeah, although the fact that ponies treat me so much like..." I paused as I looked for the right word, "A Goddess?" Thomane inquired gently. "Yes. I don't want to be treated like something I'm not. I'm the Princess of Friendship after all, I treat people how I want to be treated, and it gets blown out of proportions." I huffed.

Me and Thomane both sat down at an unoccupied table. "I understand what you mean. Ponies always charging to your beck and call, taking things to the absolute extreme over something so little. It can become annoying, and dishearteningly so. You may begin feeling like they only care about the Royalty they see on the outside, rather than the pony who is on the inside." I found myself staring in open mouthed shock, granted only my lips had parted, and even then it was only slightly, but the words Thomane had said were more on the nose than I had ever heard before. It was incredible to say the least. But it also presented that Thomane hadn't had the same luck with friends as I've had.

"While I, thankfully, haven't had anything like that happen as of yet, you appear to have had something of the sort happen to you. At least, if you're knowledge of what I'm thinking about is anything to go by. It also serves to tell me that you once surrounded yourself with people who only wanted to be your friend so they could boost their own social status." Thomane wordlessly nodded. "Well, I hope this conversation is a nice change of pace from what you are used to." I say. "Twilight, I am happier talking to you than I have been in many, many years. Thank you for allowing me to have such a nice conversation with you tonight, as, more or less, casual acquaintances." She says. I blush in response. "The pleasure is all mine." I say.

"You know, those experiences aren't all bad. I do have one moment that stuck out as particularly funny." My head tilts on reflex, my interest piqued. "I was simply eating breakfast, nothing was wrong." I nod. "I stood up, and as I was leaving, I banged my hand on the chair I had just gotten up from." I feel confused, how is that funny. "I said ouch, as is to be expected. And here's where it's actually hilarious... The guard posted at the door proceeded to tackle the chair and beat it until there was not a single piece intact." We both start laughing. "I get blowing it out of proportions, but destroying a chair because you accidentally banged your hand on it? That is just an entirely different level of out of proportions." I managed to say through my admittedly foalish laughter.

"Do not worry about acting a little out of age, Twilight." Wow, she's really good at reading people. "We are immortal, the only ones who will know of this in... 150 Years, will be.. well, me." I smile. "Even Empresses aren't without awkward sentences." I comment cheekily. "Nobody is. It's simply a part of nature." She replies. I can only find myself impressed by how easily she is able to reply to everything. Being the oldest creature on the planet does have its perks I suppose.

"Excuse me, your Highness." We both look over at the guard now standing beside us. "Princess Celestia has requested that both of you come to speak with her and the other Princesses." He explained with cool professionalism. "Let her know that we'll be right over." Thomane says. The guard immediately nods and goes off to do the assigned task.

Thomane then lets out a breath and begins to stand. "It seems that Celestia is ready to talk. I trust that you are ready for this discussion." She's slipped back into her professional persona, but the comfort that her gaze brings is still there. That could also be the fact that she is attractive as hell talking, but who knows. "Of course I'm ready. You'll be joining us I assume." I reply. She nods. "Then I doubt it would be wise to keep them waiting any longer." I get up and start walking in their direction, Thomane reaching a place up beside me a few seconds later.

<(Thomane's POV)>

Ok... we seem to have hit it off... or, at least we're on decent, maybe even good, terms... but that still doesn't tell me how she'll react to what is coming... I hope the reaction isn't too negative.. Twilight is the nicest mare I've ever met... she'll be perfect... as long as she agrees to this...

We arrive to the table where the others are waiting. Twilight sits down and slides inwards towards Celestia, allowing for me to sit down as well. Both Princesses are tense, anxiously glancing at me and Twilight.

Celestia then casts a spell, enclosing us in a soundproof bubble and keeping this conversation private, at least for now. Letting out a breath, Celestia turns and begins to speak.

"You've been made aware that Equestria owes a debt to the Storm Empire, Twilight?" She asked. "Yes I have. The specifics of it however, are something I still have yet to learn." She said. "This Debt goes back to our time as Nightmare Moon." Luna said. "You mean when you and Celestia fought a Thousand Years ago?!" Twilight exclaimed. "Yes, Twilight." Celestia drew the youngest Alicorn's attention back. "The truth is, that battle was not as depicted in History Books, nor the Vision those Past Viewing Potions gave you when you first became an Alicorn. Opthomane Prima had a very large part in that battle, however had us hide the truth so Equestrian's wouldn't panic over the debt we owed in response." She explained.

Twilight was utterly shocked by what she had just been told. She was stammering as she tried to find the words to express herself. "Why? Why did you need to get involved?" She turned to me. "It wasn't the First Time I had gotten involved with Equestrian affairs. I was the one who trapped Discord in Stone as well, he could have posed a threat to my citizens sooner or later, so I did it free of charge that time. Nightmare Moon posed no such threat, so I imposed the debt you've heard about." I explained.

Twilight turned back to Celestia. "Why didn't you stop them with the Elements?!" She demanded, clearly unhappy at being deceived like she was. "Because Twilight, Celestia and Luna's relationship was already deteriorating by that point, more specifically Luna's was, and it prevented them from using the power of the Elements of Harmony. So they requested my help." I gently explained, allowing Twilight to simmer down slightly. "So the same thing happened on that Fateful night then? You couldn't use the Elements by yourself, like I had believed, and so you had to get Thomane to banish Luna until I came along with my friends." Celestia nodded.

Twilight looked a lot calmer now, sighing as she also seemed disappointed with how she had just acted. "I guess you don't have the same Healing Magic as the Elements then, Thomane?" Twilight asked. "I do have the same magic. But I lacked the Elements necessary to perform such a spell. It was only because Luna was filled with remorse after being on the Moon that the Elements worked for you and your friends." I explained.

Twilight let out another sigh. "Ok. That, makes a lot more sense." She whispered. "You did what you did for a reason, and I respect that. But now we have one last thing to, solve the debt we owe you." Twilight said to me. Then she paused, "That still begs the main Question, what is the Debt we owe?" It finally comes to this. I can remember the moment I made my request to Celestia. Now it's time to finally execute that request, and I'm damn nervous.

Celestia began to speak, she was anxious as well. "Twilight, what we're about to tell you... It's not what you would expect. And I didn't make you an Alicorn solely for this, but you are the one whom Thomane wishes to fulfill it now." Celestia gestures to me, and Twilight looked back at me. Celestia is getting me to do it, but that's fair, especially after everything she has done to get this together and will lose if Twilight accepts.

Twilight continues looking at me expectantly, and I remain silent for a few moments, gathering my words. She isn't impatient, and calmly waits for me, I already knew I had made the right choice, but a little extra confirmation doesn't hurt any.

"Twilight, I've been notified about you by Celestia for a very long time now. Back when the decision would've been between you, and Luna after her return. I came here under the pretense that it was to solely discuss this debt, but in truth, I was examining as I was making my decision. I thought it would take the whole night, but I knew my answer the moment I met you." I knew I was starting to drag this out, and I had to wrap this up quickly. "What I'm asking Twilight is, will you, if you are willing, be my mate?" My heart was beginning to pound now. I had never been this nervous before, yet now I had a reason to be. Twilight is about the only Girl I've ever loved, even if that is first sight and potentially shallow love, if she denies me, it would be worse than losing any battle.

Twilight is staring at me, utterly shocked by what she just heard. Rightfully so, who wouldn't be shocked by somebody they barely know asking them for their hand in marriage. I look down at the table, expectations of Rejections rapidly growing at the back of my head. So you can imagine my surprise when I felt two arms wrap around my waist.

I looked back at her to see her smiling at me. "It's certainly not what I expected my first Gala as a fully grown Alicorn Princess to go like. But after getting to know you, even if that was only 30 Minutes but who's counting, I'm more than happy to accept such an offer." My own smile crept back into view. "Thank You, Twilight. This means, so much to me."

Twilight looked down at the table for a moment before looking back up at me, "Isn't this the part where we're supposed to kiss?" She asked. I simply smiled at her, "Not necessarily, My Princess. I have a strong feeling that we'll be performing such actions with each other by the end of the night." I say, sliding a hand up to cup her cheek. "I look forward to that."

Celestia lets out a sigh. "I'm glad that worked out. I couldn't begin to explain the stress I was under." I raise a brow at the Solar Monarch. "I'm the one who was asking her, why were you stressed?" She just shrugs. Twilight then enters the conversation again. "I guess we need to tell my friends an family about this, since I'll probably have to come stay with you?" I nod in confirmation, she sighs. "Shiny's going to flip when he hears this." I raise a brow. "Metaphorically, or Literally?" Another sigh. "Probably both." She replies. "A good, yet protective brother." I state, she nods.

We all then get up, the soundproof barrier falling as we do so, we then all start walking towards where all of Twilight's friends and family are gathered. I wonder how they'll all take this news?

Author's Note

My Second Fimfiction Story. I hope you've enjoyed the first Chapter.
I also write on another Website, Wattpad.com. I also go by LegendaryGodzilla14 on there too.