To say that it felt like butterflies were dancing and swirling in in Twilight Sparkle's stomach would be an understatement, it would probably be more accurate to say it felt like they were slam dancing in her stomach.

The lavender alicorn looked out the window of the royal car as the scenery passed by, transitioning from the rolling green pastures, verdant hills and deep emerald forests that made up Central Equestria to the golden grasses that made up the flat plains and savannahs that made up Southeastern Equestria as the train chugged onwards to the Zebrican border.

Military camps became more and more common the further the train chugged on. Equestrian soldiers drilled in formation or trained with rifles and artillery pieces.

Right now the fate of Equestria and Zebrica were perched precariously on a knife's edge, where a mere tip just a millimeter one way or another could mean war that would bring utter ruin and devastation to both countries. Zebrica and Equestria were absolute peers politically, militarily and economically. Though the striped cousins of the ponies, more closely related in talents and skills to earth ponies, lacked the ability to project magic like unicorns or the ability to fly and directly manipulate weather like pegasi, they more than made up for it with unrivaled advancements in alchemy, geomancy, shamanism, wild magic and industrial might.

Twilight's fingers drummed nervously on her lap and seat, and she repeatedly smoothed out invisible wrinkles on her dress. She looked around the car at her friends, her parents, her brother, her sister-in-law whose pregnancy was just starting to show, and finally to the two high princesses, Celestia and Luna. The events of four months ago still played out in her mind as if they had happened just yesterday.

Twilight sat on one side of a circular table along with Cadance, Shining Armor, Celestia, Luna and a cadre of Equestrian clerks and interpreters, accompanied by Royal and Crystal guards. On the opposite side of the table sat High King of Zebrica Hatua ya Kukimbia, his wife High Queen Anga Inayong'aa, Prime Minister and Royal Seneschal Maneo Laini, and the Crown Prince Mwana Nguvu, along with a cadre of clerks and interpreters.

"For one thousand years you ruled alone, moving the sun and moon, and Zebrica said nothing.", High King Hatua ya Kukimbia spoke sternly in near perfect Ponish. He then jabbed a finger in Luna's direction. "Then when the Nightmare returned and Equestria used its super weapon, revealing the Nightmare to be your long lost sister. And when she resumed her rule by her side, Zebrica said nothing. Then the chaos-maker returned after twelve-hundred years and you ponies imprisoned it, Zebrica said nothing. When the changing ones attacked your nation's capital and you ponies banished them, Zebrica said nothing. Then the king of shadows and ice returned, bringing back with him an Equestrian city-state, and you ponies shattered him, Zebrica said nothing. But when the magic-eater escaped his bonds--"

"High King Hatua ya Kukimbia, may you live eternally, do you have a point? Or are you going to continuously say 'Zebrica said nothing' over and over?", Celestia interrupted, clearly annoyed. She placed a series of documents on the table. "Zebrica may not have spoken with words, but in its actions it has spoken very loudly. Over the last decade while you proclaim with your diplomats and sycophants that Zebrica is a peace-loving nation who wants to join the Friendship of Nations. However you send troops and build forts just opposite of our borders. You speak honey-sweet words, proclaiming peace, yet you wave a sabre at us. Do not think me a fool wearing blinders. Your actions threaten the peace and stability of half the world. I will suffer no smiles that hide daggers or sweet words meant to conceal poison here in Canterlot. Speak your truth."

Hatua ya Kukimbia grimaced slightly, then put his stately mask back on. "Very well. Between the Nightmare threatening to plunge half the world into darkness, the changing ones infiltrating and taking over your kingdom's capital, the chaos-maker threatening to turn the world inside-out, the king of shadows and ice dragging an enslaved populace back from banishment and the magic-eater destroying one-twentieth of your nation, Equestria has shown itself to be weak. Other nations are beginning to talk. How long before Griffonia, Neighpon, Saddle Arabia, Minos or the Storm Isles decide to invade?"

Luna stood up, her wings flaring wide. "Those were internal struggles! Every nation has them! Last year when Ramaset the Red declared himself Pharaoh of the province of Zegypt and launched an insurrection, threatening to cede the province, or earlier this year when Yardle the Golden declared the city-state of Ur to be sacred ground and declared a jihad against you, nations talked saying Zebrica was weak. Equestria stayed out of your internal struggles and gave assurances to the nations that border both our nations that those were simply just typical internal strifes that every nation must endure." She huffed out a hot breath. "Do not think thou canst bandy insults and petty threats against alicorns! Compared to We, thou art merely a foal learning to creep along the ground!"

Celestia laid a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Be calm, Luna."

Luna gathered herself, lowered her eyes, furled her wings and sat back down. "Many apologies. We--I am still getting used to this modern world and Our--my passions still run high sometimes."

Celestia gave a gentle, reassuring pat to her sister's shoulder, then looked the zebra king in his eyes. Luna's outburst had cost Equestria some handholds in these negotiations. Though not an ideal set of circumstances, the Princess of the Sun, Mistress of the Dawn and Lady of the Eternal Flame could still find a mutually beneficial outcome for both nations...she hoped. "Tensions run high between both of our countries, and the negotiations have been taxing on us all. In these trying times sometimes patience wears thin, and temper fray. For a year our two nations have been negotiating and no agreement has been made. During the reign of the Demon-Emperor Grogar, Zebrica came to our aide. My sister and I were but twelve and fifteen summers old respectively when we stood alongside your glorious ancestor, Chieftain Zed, may he rest eternally in power, at the Battle of the Bleeding Hill. I was personally at his right side when he landed the killing blow on the Demon-Emperor himself before succumbing to his wounds. When the Draco-Lich King Sobek the Black sent his undead army against Zebrica in the War of the Undying, Equestria came to Zebrica's aide. I was there with Zed's son, Noyaka, High King of the Red River and Supreme Chieftain of the Endless Savannahs broke the Draco-Lich's lines at the Battle of the Red Sands and allowed Rockhoof the Mighty to behead the undead beast for the first time. It was your wife's ancestor, Grey Stripe the Wise and my old mentor Starswirl the Bearded who delved the depths of the Spider Range to track down and destroy the beast's phylactery, ensuring his soul would be banished to the Outer Dark."

Celestia paused for a moment, closed her eyes for a few seconds to gather her thoughts, slowly rose and spread her wings in a regal display...it was all a carefully choreographed set of moves she had used throughout the centuries to make herself look more benevolent. "I bring just those two examples of the many times our two nations have came to each other's aide. I could name off every drought, famine, plague, necromancer, practitioner of the foul arts and monster attacks that our two nations came to each other's aide, but then we'd be sitting in this room for another year...at least. Allow me to make an offer that I hope will be beneficial to both sides. Equestria will withdraw its forces twenty-five kilometers from the border if Zebrica will do the same." She slid a set of documents across the table. "If you agree to the withdrawal of forces, Equestria offers renewed treaties of mutual defense and alliance. In return we also offer mining rights to the Rubycon Ridge, farming and settling rights on the Golden Plains, and exclusive sea lane shipping rights to Baltimare, Manehattan and Neigh Orleans."

"[These are more than generous concessions. Accept the terms and allow this time of strife to fall behind us.]", Anga Inayong'aa said to her husband in Zebrabrayan.

Hatua ya Kukimbia rubbed his chin for a moment and Celestia allowed a small grin to spread on her lips. This was the concessions that would put all this foolishness behind them, sure Equestria would lose a little land and wealthy merchants in the coastal cities would whine in her ear for a while about losing some money, but that would be far better than to hear the lamenting of spouses and foals as their loved ones came home in boxes. Those hopes were dashed when Maneo Laini, the king's prime minister and seneschal whispered in his ear and twisted his fingers in an odd pattern.

The king's eyes glazed over for a second. "Though your offer for mining, farming, settling and shipping rights are generous, you offer nothing Zebrica does not already have."

Celestia stared straight at the kings' seneschal while she listened to Hatua ya Kukimibia. Internally focusing her magic, she shifted her vision so she could focus on the auras of all in the room. Strange waves pulsed off of Maneo Laini and an odd shadow loomed over his right shoulder, tendrils came from it and surrounded the king's head. The shadow retreated and hid when it saw her looking at it. She gave a few subtle gestures to Luna in the ancient Marelympian finger-speak. 'Watch the seneschal. I believe he is using forbidden arts to play the king against us.'

Hatua ya Kukimia continued, "We will sign your treaty if you agree to one of my two counteroffers."

"Name them and if it is within my power, I will grant them.", Celestia said in a guarded tone.

The king held up one finger. "Hand over but one piece of your famous super-weapon, the Elements of Harmony."

"Unfortunately that is not within my power to do so. Each element has their own will and are bound to the Spirit of Harmony and to its wielder's soul until either they pass away or it chooses to abandon them. If another tries to use an element without being its wielder, the best one could hope for is that it does nothing.", Celestia replied.

"Plus the elements had to be returned to the Tree of Harmony to contain Discord's plunderseed vines or else they would have consumed the whole world.", Twilight replied. "Nopony can take from the tree without its consent."

"Very well.", the Zebrican king said in a conciliatory tone. He then turned to Cadance and held up a second finger. "Then I ask that Princess Mi Amore Cadenza wed herself to my son and heir apparent, Crown Prince Mwana Nguvu."

"Unfortunately that is something I cannot do.", Cadance replied. "As a princess of Equestria my oath states that it is my solemn duty to protect all the ponies of Equestria by whatever means. If I were only a princess of Equestria, then I would strongly consider it. However, I am also Empress of the Empire of Crystals and the Frozen North, the only rightful and currently living, well breathing, heir to the most ancient Empress Mi Amore, may her shards be found so she can rest among her subjects. I am also the Guardian of the Crystal Heart, Warden of Light and Keeper of Love. I cannot abandon my empire. Not only would it set a bad precedent for my subjects, it would allow sorrow and darkness to seep into the hearts of the crystal ponies. I am also marries to Prince-Consort of Equestria and Emperor-Consort of the Empire of Crystals and the Frozen North, Shining Armor. Though your son is a handsome stallion and I am quite sure he will make for a fine ruler of Zebrica one day, I am sorry, but I have to decline."

High King Hatua ya Kukimbiba quickly rose to his and slammed his fists on the table. "You alicorns speak of peace and friendship, but I see you for what you are! Snakes in the undergrowth and lions in the tall grass! You use honeyed words to poison the minds and souls of all those around! Why?! So you can steal power meant for the gods! Hear me Equestria! Rise up! Rise up! Rise up! Overthrow these tyrants who lord over as if they are gods and Zebrica will be there to come to your aide! Ninakuhukumu kwa moto wa laana![I condemn you to the fires of damnation!]"

"[Husband, have you taken leave of your senses?!]" "[Father! No! Do not do this! Do not pour poison into the wellspring of friendship!]"

"You ponies think the Sun and Moon witches are gods! They are not! They are demons in a fair guise! They have condemned you all!"

Voices from all sides of the table rose in a din as each side attempted to shout over the other. Royal, Crystal and Zebra guards moved into position, moving hands to weapons, preparing to pull their respective leaders to safety...and if necessary, fight and die for them. Ponies and zebras gestured wildly as they shouted back and forth. Guards jockeyed into position as their armor clatter on their forms. Celestia and Luna prepared spells to freeze Maneo Laini in place, but lost track of him among the clamor until he exited a door on the far side of the room.

Twilight tried to get the peace talks back on track but her voice was lost in the din. Anger swelled within her chest and she summoned the Royal Canterlot Voice. "SSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTTTOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPP!" The power of the Voice washed over all in the room, causing all gathered to sway in place, then freeze, it echoed across the city like thunder, momentarily causing everypony in Canterlot to stop in place before continuing about their business as usual.

"We came here to prevent a war, but instead of talking like civilized equines, we're trying to shout over one another and start a war!", Twilight shouted in her normal voice. "Why?! Because my sister-in-law, a mare who is already married, respectfully turned down your demands!" She slammed her fist down on the table and cracks spider webbed from the impact. Stopping what she was saying, she lifted her fist and stared at the table in shock and a little bit of shame. In her anger she had momentarily forgotten her own strength.

The High King of Zenrica glared at the lavender alicorn. "You dare! You dare! YOU D--"

"[You will be quiet now!]", High Queen Anga Inayong'aa sharply snapped at her husband. "[It is clear as the mane on my head that you have taken leave of your senses!]"

"[This is treason!]", Hatua ya Kukimbiba exclaimed angrily. "[No mare is allowed to speak to the High King in such a manner! It is clear that lavender witch has cast a spell over you!]"

"[I said you will be quiet now!]", Anga Inayong'aa snapped back. "[I am not just 'some mare'! I am the current Pharaoh of the City of Alexzebria, I am the High Shamaness of the Endless Savannahs, I am the High Priestess and current Incarnation of the Goddess Ma'at! I am not some mere mare! I am the very wellspring that the power of your throne flows from! Half of Zebrica recognizes me as their rightful ruler! If you think a still wet behind the ears alicorn can overpower my mind, then whatever malady that has been plaguing you for the last decade has finally robbed you of your common sense. I am not trying to usurp you, my beloved. But you will be quiet, either by your own volition, or...]" She raised her hand and hooked her fingers into a claw. Translucent, wispy, silvery tendrils rose from the floor and sprouted hands. "[I will personally grab your tongue!]"

With a huff the king plopped down in the chair and crossed his arms over his chest.

The queen gave a pleased smirk and dispelled the tendrils. She turned to face Twilight.

The king glared at the back of his wife and softly grumbled, "[We will tal--athththak]" A shocked look exploded on his face as a translucent silver tendril grabbed his tongue, pulling it from his mouth.

*snrk* Twilight tried and failed to suppress a snicker. The king looked silly with tongue sticking out of his mouth as a wispy tendril grasped it.

"Many much apologies to be having. My Ponish is poor.", Anga Inayong'aa said. "I must also give many much apologizing for my...uh, my...[Fuck! What's the word?] Hand, ring, promise, love?"

"Marriage? Husband?", Twilight asked.

"Ah, yes, many much appreciate! I give many much apologizings for my marriage-husband. He has had much sick for...", she held up ten fingers. "This many cycles of wet and no-wet. It get more bad when he close looking orbs. He often be awakening with fear-yell. Speeching about thing that look like pony in no-light but has big teeth like...uh...like big predator that hide in grass the color of sunlight."

"Hold on just a minute. I think I know a spell that can help us." Twilight lit her horn and with a small glimmer of light, she cast an interpretation spell. "There, that should help us understand each other better. Just speak like you normally would."

"Did you just cast a spell to teach yourself Zebrabrayan?"

"No. It's a basic interpretation matrix. The spell allows those who have it cast on them to better communicate when they don't speak the same language."

"Fascinating! You will have to teach me that some day."

"It's a simple variation off of the spell the famous unicorn philosopher and scientist Haycartes developed for reading his own coded journals because he kept forgetting the cyphers he developed."

Anga Inayong'aa tittered. "It looks like Zebrica isn't the only nation to have its own scatterbrained geniuses." She cleared her throat and slipped her diplomatic mask on. "You stopped all this unproductive shouting that would have driven our nations into war, and for that I thank you." She dipped her head to Twilight in a small bow. "I am High Queen Anga Inayong'aa, High Shamaness of the Endless Savannahs, the current Pharaoh of Alexzebria, High Priestess and current Incarnation of the Goddess Ma'at, and the Wellspring of the High Throne of Zebrica. Might I have your name?"

"Sure! It's Twilight."

"Your full name and titles please."

"Oh, um...*ahem*, Twilight Velvet Sparkle the fifth of the conjoined Twilight Clans of Manehattan and Canterlot. Third Chair Mage of the Solar Court. High Enchanter of the Lunar Court. Princess of Friendship. Banisher of Nightmare Moon. Spoiler of the Changelings. Pickler of the Ursa Minor. Viscountess of Snowflakes. Defeater of Discord Howling-at-the-Moon. Imprisoner of Lord Tirek the Betrayer. Defender of Equestria. Savior of the Humans. Slayer of Sirens...though it was Sunset who defeated the sirens and she shattered their mystical amulets. Uuuum....Duchess of the Everfree. Guardian of Ponyville. Squire of Spike, the Brave and Glorious of the Crystal Empire and the Frozen North." Twilight muttered off the titles she had named so far. "Uh...oh yeah! Personal protege of High Princess Celestia. Personal friend of High Princess Luna. And Head Supervisor of the Ponyville Winter Wrap-up. Other than a few dozen other largely ceremonial titles, I think that's about it."

Anga Inayong'aa's jaw dropped as she gaped in surprise. "Wait, you're the Twilight Sparkle?!"

"Uh...yes?"

The zebra queen placed a hand to her heart and extended it to Twilight. "Your exploits are known far and wide! Without your action, the chaos-maker and the magic-eater would have wrought much destruction upon the world. Ask any boon of me and I will make it so."

Twilight sheepishly rubbed the back of her head. "I...uh...heh...thanks...I guess? What I want is a way to prevent this stupid war from happening."

Anga Inayong'aa dipped her head in a small respectful bow. "It is good for a leader to put the needs of their subjects before their own. Now that my husband has had enough time to cool his hooves and think over what he has said..." She turned and faced the king. "[You have had time to think about what you've said and are very sorry, right?]"

Hatua ya Kukimbiba nodded his head and hummed in the affirmative.

"[Good! Now you can start by apologizing for the things you said.]" With a flick of her finger, the queen dispelled the tendril that was holding her husband's tongue.

High King Hatua ya Kukimbiba worked his jaw to get the feeling back in it. "[Why does your tendril tastes like mummia powder? You know what? Forget I asked.] *ahem* I offer innumerable apologies. My outbursts were inexcusable and I have brought much shame on myself, my household and the great nation of Zebrica. As my wife said, I have been unwell, but that is no excuse for my behavior."

"Apology accepted and all is forgiven.", Celestia said.

Hatua ya Kukimbiba nodded. "That leaves the impasse in our negotiations. Zebrica has no need for mining or farming concessions. Like Equestria, we are a wealthy and powerful nation. As for the sea lane trading concessions, the High King and his household are forbidden by Zebrican law to negotiate those without the prime minister and seneschal present...who currently appears to be absent. Then that leaves the final part to the impasse, asking for the hand of an Equestrian princess to marry my eldest son and heir apparent. My humble apologies to you, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Even Zebrica honors the sacred vows of wedlock. There are no suitable brides in Zebrican royalty as all their daughters have been promised in wedlock to other nobles and in order for my son to maintain his title, he must marry nobility. We ask Equestria to offer one of their unpromised noble mares' hand in marriage to my son."

"Do they have to be noble born or can they be noble by royal declaration?", Twilight asked.

Hatua ya Kukimbiba leaned over to his wife and the two of them whispered back and forth. "Noble birth is most preferred, but receiving nobility through other legitimate means is acceptable."

Celestia gave Twilight a concerned look and when she was about to speak up, Twilight stated, "I'll do it."

"WHAT?!", the Equestrian and Zebrican nobility around the table exclaimed at the same time.

"I said I'll do it. I'll pledge myself to your son if it'll prevent this stupid war. I wasn't born noble, but was given by official declaration of two noble titles and noble status by Princess Celestia when she declared me and crowned me Princess of Friendship and Dutchess of the Everfree, and the title Viscountess of Snowflakes by Princess Cadance. I have all of the authority, privileges and duties those titles afford."

"Do you still have your maidenhead?", Hatua ya Kukimbiba asked.

"What in the world is a maidenhead?"

"Sex, Twilight. He means are you still a virgin?", Cadance spoke up. "As if that has anything to do with anything."

"It is very important. I must know that my son is treading where none have trod before, especially commoners."

"[Oh puh-lease. I have never lied to you about how many have, how you so inelegantly put it, others have trod before. I used to sneak out of the palace and have trysts with some fieldhands just to piss father off. By the Pit! I never heard you complain once about the number of times I snuck you into my quarters and we went at it like wild weasels. If father had caught you, he'd have had you flogged until you were black, white and red all over. The high priest would have had my scalp if he knew about the time I snuck you into a confessionary cell and let you stick it up my--]"

"[Now is not the time to talk about our exploits, beloved.]"

The queen rolled her eyes. "[Just come off of it already. Those old purity traditions fell away around the same time the Orthodoxy was dismantled because too many priests were caught doing things I will not speak here with the altercolts. What about the number of times you found our son's stash of Nasty Equestrian Mares in Heat magazines? I'd rather our son be with somezebra, or in this case somepony, who at least knows a little bit of what they're doing. They can't be anywhere as wild as you and I were when we were young and had yet to commit to our arrangement of betrothal."

"If you must know, I have had sex a couple of time before...not that it's anypony's, or in the case anyzebra's, business but my own and whomever I was with.", Twilight said nonplussed

Shining Armor stuck his fingers in his ears. "La-la-la! I don't want to hear about my sister having sex! La-la-la!"

Cadance pulled her husband's fingers from his ears. "Don't go acting like a prude. Twilight is a grown mare and has the right to do with her body however she wants with whomever she wants. How many times when your parents were away did you bend me over your--"

*ahem-hem-hem-hem* Celestia loudly cleared her throat, interrupting the conversations that had drifted onto more lewd topics. "I feel we have allowed the talks to get derailed by conversations of a bawdy nature. High King Hatua ya Kukimbiba, please continue."

Hatua ya Kukimbiba cleared his throat. "Your beauty is evident and a stallion would be a fool or blind to not see that. But it takes more than beauty to wed into the royal family of Zebrica. What do you have to offer besides your beauty and your titles?"

"I have mastered all seventy-two circles of magic. I hold advanced degrees in applied magical physics, mundane physics, Equestria history of the Pre-classical and Classical Eras, History of the Classical Eras of Griffonia and Zebrica. I am a master of Equestrian alchemy and a journeypone in Zebrican alchemy. I speak four languages, other than Ponish, fluently, Neighponese, Zegyptian, Germane and Roamin. I also have a passing familiarity in twenty other languages, High-land Zebric is the most prudent in this situation. I am the third chair mage for the Solar Court. The High Enchanter of the Lunar Court. I have created five new circles of magic. And I am an alicorn." Twilight unfurled her wings to put emphasis on the last point.

Hatua ya Kukimbia held a whispered conversation with his wife. "We accept. We will draw up the paperwork and this time next week you shall be promised to my son and heir, Crown Prince Mwana Nguvu. Please ensure your parents or other family elders are in attendance so they can be compensated with the standard dowry of thirty hoofs in gold or the identical value in whatever goods they prefer."

"D-d-dowry?!"

Twilight was snapped out of her thoughts when the train's engine let out several long peals of its whistle, signalling that they were nearing the last of the checkpoints before crossing the border into Zebrica. Getting up from her seat, she retrieved the brown paper wrapped parcel that had been sent to her a few weeks ago and walked back to the lavatory to change.

Several minutes later Twilight emerged from the lavatory wearing the traditional robes of Zebrican nobility, with bold striped patterns of maroon, gold, silver and tan. To her wrists she affixed a pair of gold bangles, the traditional symbol of a Zebrican mare who was betrothed. She affixed a headdress that had the same colors and patterns as the robes to her head.

With a squeal of brakes, the train began slowing down, a four kilometer process, so that it could safely stop at the hastily constructed platform that had been built a kilometer past the border.

Twilight took the slowing period to say her goodbyes to her friends and family.

"Applejack, Ponyville's back in your family's hands now. Keep our friends' hooves firmly on the ground and their heads on straight."

"Shucks, sugarcube...*snff* Ah'll do my best. You'll always have a place tah stay at Sweet Apple Acres no matter what, e'en if'n now yer gon' be a high fallutin' zebra princess. *snff*"

"Rainb, always fly high and fast. I want to see your rainboom at my wedding."

Rainbow dash tried to reply, but instead fell to her knees as she broke down into a blubbering mess.

"Fluttershy, you've grown so much since I first met you and know that you've been a real inspiration for me."

Fluttershy said nothing as she hugged her friend tight.

"Darling, you must allow me to make a proper wedding gown for you and a striking ensemble for your husband on your wedding day."

"My wedding isn't for a year, Rarity. I will ask them though."

"They had better. I will make something so beautiful that when all the zebras look upon it, they will weep in both joy and jealousy!"

"That I am quite sure of!"

Twilight went to speak to Pinkie Pie, but found her words cut off as the pink pony squeezed the air out of her. "Pinkie...I can't breathe!", she squeaked out. Once she was released from the super-tight Pie family hug(copyright and trademark pending), she spoke to her friend, "Pinkie, never forget how to bring joy and happiness to others as you have brought to me."

"Spike, the castle is now yours. Make sure you keep everypony on the straight and narrow."

"W-will I s-see you again, T-Twilight?", the dragon asked, tears welling in his eyes.

"Of course! I wouldn't be the mare I am today without my baby brother and number one assistant."

Twilight shared a combined hug with Cadance and Shining Armor, the latter of which had his eyes clenched shut and his lips curled in to prevent himself from crying.

"Cady, Shiny, I hope to see lots of pictures of your foal when its born. Thank you for being the best BBBFF there can be! Thank you Cadance for being the best foalsitter and sister-in-law ever!"

She moved on to her parents.

"Mom, dad. I never said it enough. Thank you both for being such good parents!"

"There's no need to thank us.", Night Light said. "We knew you loved us, no matter what. Just seeing you succeed and being the best pony you can be makes us more proud than we can say."

"You just keep being the best pony you can be.", Velvet said. "But now I've got twelve quarter ton bins of spinels to figure out what to do with. I simply complemented that zebra queen on her jewelry and next thing I know there was an invoice in my name saying that there's four tons of those gems that had been delivered to a royal warehouse as a dowry."

Twilight moved to Luna. The two mares said nothing as they shared a tearful hug.

Twilight moved to Celestia. Before she could say anything, the alicorn of the Sun enveloped her in a big bear hug. "There is nothing you need to say, Twilight. Time and again you have proven yourself to myself and Equestria. You have proven yourself why you are the best of us all and have made yourself an example for everypony to follow."

Separating from the hug with her teacher and first friend, Twilight dried her eyes as the train slowed to a stop. A small contingent of guards gathered up behind her.

As the doors slid open, Rainbow shouted, "SSSSSSSTTTTTTTTOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPP!"

Twilight turned to look at her friend and was almost knocked off of her hooves when the blue pegasus glomped onto her. She was knocked flat onto her back as four more bodies joined the glomp and formed a pony pile.

After several minutes the guards were able to break up the pony pile and pull Twilight to her hooves. A blush colored her cheeks as she looked at High King Hatua ya Kukimbia, High Queen Anga Inayong'aa and Crown Prince Mwana Nguvu, accompanied by their guard.

Twilight stepped onto the platform and prostrated herself before the High King and High Queen of Zebrica. "I, Twilight Velvet Sparkle the Fifth of the conjoined Twilight Clans of Manehattan and Canterlot. Third Chair Mage of the Solar Court. High Enchanter of the Lunar Court. Princess of Friendship. Banisher of Nightmare Moon. Spoiler of the Changelings. Pickler of the Ursa Minor. Viscountess of Snowflakes. Defeater of Discord Howling-at-the-Moon. Imprisoner of Lord Tirek the Betrayer. Defender of Equestria. Savior of the Humans. Slayer of Sirens, Duchess of the Everfree, Guardian of Ponyville. Squire of Spike, the Brave and Glorious of the Crystal Empire and the Frozen North, Personal protege of High Princess Celestia. Personal friend of High Princess Luna, and Head Supervisor of the Ponyville Winter Wrap-up hereby submit myself before the High King and High Queen of Zebrica to honor my agreement of betrothal. I hope to meet your approval."

Hatua ya Kukimbia waved his hand over Twilight. "Arise and be welcomed into my household. We leave within the hour for the capitol city where you will meet your soon-to-be subject and tonight we feast. Eat well to your fill, for in the morn, you shalt depart with my wife to Alexzebria to train to be a proper noble zebra-bride. But first..." He gestured to a gurard, who in turn raised a flare gun and pointed it skyward. With a pop, hiss and crackle, a flare shot upwards, leaving a trail of green smoke in its wake, a minute later it exploded high in the air creating a large starburst of green smoke.

The Equestrian Royal Guard that accompanied Twilight fired a similar flare, only blue in color.

Moments later dozens of smoke flares of all colors exploded high in the air from military formations on both sides of the border, signalling they had seen the signals and were pulling back to the agreed upon distance.

***

Twilight, upon reaching the city with the Zebrican royal family, was transferred to a special gilded square chariot, alongside her husband-to-be, that was pulled by a pair of domesticated and specially trained rhinos.

Specially trained guards that were disguised as zebra maidens stood in the lead, much more plain chariot. They kept an eye in every direction possible as they scattered handfuls of rose petals onto the ground.

As zebras shouted, cheered, whistled, stamped their hooves, jumped up and down, waved and prostrated themselves before the betrothed royal couple, Twilight and Mwana Nguvu waved to the crowd. Zebras standing in upper story windows and on rooftops tossed garlands of flowers, which the domesticated rhinos were all too happy to munch on a few as they plodded forward, and handfuls of saffron, cinnamon and other spices. Occasionally groups of zebra foal would run up to the chariot holding necklaces beaded with amber, accompanying guards or their parents would lift the foals up and they would drape the amber beaded necklaces around the necks of the royal couple.

From a high window in the royal palace Maneo Laini glared down at the betrothed couple. Black thoughts whirled around in his head as he glared at the lavender alicorn. She dares to interfere with my plans again. No matter. Twilight Sparkle will lay at my hooves broken and begging for her life. She will know true suffering as she sees me descend the whole world into darkness. You may have bested me once, but know this, bastard princess of Equestria, your nightmares will come true.[/] As he turned away from the window, a shadowy reflection stayed in the window a moment longer. Turquoise, cat-like eyes seemed to glare down at the couple before slipping out of sight.

Author's Note

The original inspiration for this story came from me observing that there was a lot of zebra domination and zebra supremacy stories on this site where the zebras are all super hung and really great at sex, and they conquer Equestria through force and forcibly start breeding out the ponies, or that they use their superior sexual prowess to subtly conquer Equestria and start slowly breeding out the ponies. I have nothing against those types of stories and have enjoyed a few of them myself. I said to myself, "I don't really recall seeing much in the way of stories where a pony is in a much more healthy relationship with a zebra.", then I said to myself, "Why not have Twilight in a much more healthy relationship with a zebra?", then I said, "Let's make it where she agrees to an arranged marriage with a zebra noble to prevent a war.", and things started to click into place.

Though this story will feature some clop, it will not be the central focus. Any sex in this story will be told in the context of a relationship as part of a relationship.

Thank you all for reading and I hope you all enjoy.