Dawn's new day.

“Wow you two look amazing.” I couldn’t take my eyes off of Twilight or Applejack. They, along with Cheerilee, Velvet, and the Apple herd moms had just stepped into the waiting room, from various changing areas.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac and Night Light were both waiting with me but Mac was focused entirely on Cheerilee while Night focused on Velvet.

“Couldn’t have said it better myself Mac.” Night Light smiled at his wife.

All four of them blushed and took the compliments while Mac and I both earned some affectionate nuzzles.

“And what about us colts?” Forest Breeze asked. She was flanked by her two partners who gave her an eye roll then a kiss on each cheek.

I playfully waved her off with a hoof. “Mom you dam and Pear always look good.”

She puffed up proudly then noticed my joking tone which earned me a flick to the ear with her wing. “Such a charmer.” She rolled her eyes as I rubbed my ear. Night light had slowly stepped over to his wife and planted a kiss on her cheek.

“Well I think so.” Twilight mumbled under her breath.

“Oh there’s my little Twi… oh my, you look adorable.” Velvet rushed across the room to get a better look at her daughter after breaking from her husband’s distraction. She was followed by Night Light who pulled out a camera.

“We have to get a few pictures for the scrap book.” He proudly waved around the camera held in his magic.

“Oh dang, why didn’t I think of that.” My dam whined. “Mind getting a few of us Night?”

“Of course not.” He flashed a smile. “I would be happy to get photos of such lovely mares.” This earned him a tail slap from Velvet while the Apple herd giggled.

“No, bad.” Was all Velvet said to get her husband behaving again. He then proceeded to get a few of each of us together then in various groups. “By the way has any pony seen Shining Armor or Cadence?”

“Oh Shiny~.” Cadence practically sang from the other side of the bathroom door. “I think I could use some help from my loyal personal royal guard~.”

Shining Armor gulped. He had promised Princess Celestia that they would be on time for the Gala this year, unlike last year where he was dragged on a surprise date. “Coming Candy.” When he made it into the bathroom and found his mare soaking in the tub he knew right then and there that they wouldn’t make it on time, if at all.

“I need some help.” Cadence pouted and beckoned him over with a wing. This was not the Cadence fit for public viewing but the one reserved for the stallion who shared a Soulmate song with her.

Besides, she had grown tired of the ‘nobles’ that showed up each year and would much rather spend the night as the princess of love, not the princess of pandering. “Wash my mane?”

Shining was out of his armor and Into the tub faster than any sane stallion could have moved. He knew he was the luckiest stallion in all of Equestria even if he was getting chewed out by the solar Princess later.

Apple Bloom woke up and looked around for her mothers. None of them were in the daycare room that contained herself along with a dozen other foals of the castle staff. She thought about breaking out to go look for them but instead happily cried out when she spotted somedrake familiar, “Spike!”

She walked over and nuzzled the sleeping dragon before laying against his side. She really like his smooth warm scales.

“Looks like Mrs. Pear was right.” Apple Bloom heard a warm voice speak. She was too tired from all the excitement caused by traveling with her family today to really pay attention. She liked adventuring with them. “Put the two next to each other and we won’t have to worry.”

“Now if only that was true for the other foals.” Another voice sighed as a foal began crying and they both went to go check on their charges.

“Alright you two are you ready?” Celestia looked down at Twilight and I. We were both standing at one of her sides.

We both gave a nervous nod as we stood waiting at the main balcony doors that led into the ballroom.

“Then let’s get the introductions over with. Imago, I will of course introduce you next as a surprise.” Celestia looked back at her with a smile. Imago nodded back confidently. I still can’t believe we have come this far. Oh the other hives may not like this but buck them. It’s not like I’ve had contact with any other hives in years anyway.

“I can’t wait.” Imago buzzed her wings in excitement.

Celestia regained her composure then threw open the doors with her magic. The three of us strode out to look over the gala that had just started, I couldn’t help but fidget a bit nervously under Celestia’s wing.

Celestia began to speak in the Royal Canterlot Voice as soon as the crowd turned their attention on us.

”Mares and gentle stallions. Tonight I have some very special ponies to introduce to you all. First is Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia raised her wing to reveal Twilight.
“This young filly managed to hatch a dragon egg thought to long be beyond saving by the professors at my school for gifted unicorns. This feat has earned her a place as my direct student as many of you learned when it was first announced.” There was some polite applause and photos taken by reporters as Twilight stepped forward and bowed a bit.

“Next we have my other Student who has yet to be introduced.” She raised the wing I was under.
”This is Balanced Dawn, while we are not yet ready to publicly reveal his magical achievement it was no less impressive than hatching a dragon egg and he has more than earned his place under my tutelage.” I received the same polite applause and photos along with some confusion about my status. The reporters looked more interested as they took notes on their pads.

They are probably a bit surprised a colt got the position. I also took a bow and stepped back.

Celestia quickly cleared her throat before the guests or reporters could lose focus. Most of them probably thought she was done with her introductions so all of them became interested at who was coming out next when they refocused on her.

“Finally, my last introduction for the night is some creature close to my heart. Some of you may have heard rumors of me taking a consort and I can happily confirm those rumors are true. Allow me to introduce Princess Imago of the Changelings.” Instead of applause there were gasps and more photo flashes than either Twilight or I received combined.

“Hello everypony it is nice to meet you all.” As Imago spoke in a more relaxed manner the crowd just watched without quite knowing how to act. “As Tia, excuse me Princess Celestia introduced I am Princess Imago of the newly formed Canterlot Changeling hive. For those of you who do not know, we are a race of pony hybrids that come from another country. We spread love and share in positive emotions as our primary magical food source.” I listened intently as Imago spun her tale. The reporters immediately went wild with questions and even some of the noblemares joined in.

Celestia whispered down to Twilight and I as Imago worked the crowd. “Why don’t you two go join your parents at the party.” She used her wings to usher us toward the door as she returned to helping Imago answer questions.

“Well that was intense.” Twilight took a deep breath as we walked the halls to the main level.

“Yeah. It was nice Imago took most of the attention from us.” I may have been comfortable with most things but attention from crowds wasn’t one of them. Granted I’m not as bad as Fluttershy.

“Yeah but now we won’t get to hang out with either of them all night.” Twilight’s ears drooped in disappointment.

She wasn’t wrong. Both of them would be swarmed by reporters and nobles alike all evening.

“But you still have me.” I bumped her side and she perked right back up.

“Well howdy you two. That was some announcement by the Princess .” Applejack gave us both friendly nuzzles as we joined our families. “I can’t believe you never told us she was dating a different creature.”

“Yeah, it’s hard to imagine her dating at all.” Pear chimed in. “Not that it matters if it’s another creature.”

Applejack bent under her mothers stink eye. “I didn’t mean it like that. Nothing wrong with other creatures finding love with a pony.”

“Good.” Pear nodded and thought about the young zebra that had recently moved into the nearby forest and was worried about how the town would receive her.

“And what an interesting creature she is.” Velvet hummed not hearing the last part of the mother daughter exchange. Her creative writing juices were already flowing. She may have primarily preformed editing work for writers as her source of income, but she liked to publish her own foal books on the side.

I tuned out the conversation as I noticed an odd situation across the room. Cadence and Shining armor had finally showed up. The odd part was while Shining looked happy, if a bit exhausted, Cadence was Practically glowing.

Oh… I covered my mouth with a hoof when I noticed what had happened as they walked over to our table.

“Twilight.” Cadence and Twilight did their dance, earning plenty of looks in the process. “You look so cute dressed up.”

“Thanks Cadence.” Twilight beamed at her friend and foal sitter. “Where were you and Shiny?” All the adults at the table looked a bit nervous at how she would answer.

“Oh you know. I needed help getting ready.” Cadence smiled.

Twilight nodded. “Makes sense. He is your guard after all.”

Applejack leaned over and whispered in my ear. “She knows they’re together right?”

“Noope.” We both laughed a bit as the two talked. This was going to be a fun night.