The snow fell on the Wintertime Market as families in Canterlot scurried to and fro to ensure they completed their shopping in time for Hearths Warming. Colts and fillies ran through the snow, cavorting and screaming in delight as they played in a wintry wonderland, waiting for the festival to come. Young lovers walked in unison, their eyes mostly on one another as they enjoyed their first holiday time together, and a hopeful portent of their potential lives together. In the distance, a small band played traditional Hearths Warming music for the crowd, while a group of choirponies also practiced for their turn.

Yes, it was a beautiful, wonderful – magical – Hearths Warming yuletide to come. And right now, to the denizens of Canterlot, there was no finer time, no greater thing than to enjoy the celebration in the air.

Too bad one of them did not agree with that statement. He sat at a bar, taking a swig from a drink. He was in his late twenties, an earth pony with a silvery gray coat and two-toned gray mane; both served to bring out the glitter in his red eyes. Normally, there was a friendly, mischievous twinkle in those eyes. Not today, however – and probably not for a long time to come.

“Grampus,” he said to the bartender, “gimme another drink.”

The old, scruffy black-and-white bartenderstallion that looked as though he’d been the bartender since before there was a bar – or a Canterlot to host the bar – shook his head, speaking in the thick brogue of his native Barnstable Island accent: “Not tonight, laddie – y’ve already a few too many.” The regulars at the bar said that Grampus had been named due to his similar coloring to the mythical killer whale, though to those who angered the barkeep, the name was probably just a mispronunciation of grumps.

“Look, I’m a stallion who’s having one harridelle of a Yuletide, okay?” the younger male said as he looked scornfully at Grampus. “I’m busy drowning my sorrows, so pass me another shot and help me get with the drowning!”

“Och, I might be inclined t’ do so otherwise,” Gramps admitted, “but the lassie behind ye might have a bit o’ another thing or two ‘bout that.” Grampus picked up a nearby glass, wiped it, gave a kind nod to the pair, and went off to serve the other patrons at the bar.

“There you are,” a soft female voice sighed behind him. “Do you know how long I’ve been looking for you? We were supposed to meet Mom hours ago and…oh Celestia do you smell like a distillery.”

“Brewery,” the stallion corrected. “Cider’s made in a brewery. Now, I could switch to a distilled drink if you want.”

The mare’s eyes narrowed. “Or,” she said in a firm, disciplined tone, “I could just give you an order to get off that seat and on your feet, Sergeant.”

“You could, Cornet, ma’am,” the stallion replied, “but we’re both off-duty and not in uniform.”

She finally sighed. “Look, Silver…I know you’re hurting right now.”

“Then let me hurt in peace, Goldie,” he said curtly.

“No. You’re my little brother, Silver, and I want to help – everypony does. Don’t shut us out. Not now, especially not this time of year, when you should be around family.”

“Family.” He said the word as though it were an epithet. “You know, I had so hoped to…to….”

“Let’s not talk about that, little brother,” she said, putting a wing around his withers to console him. “Let’s just get going, get you sobered up, and meet Mom like we’re supposed to.”

“It wasn’t supposed to end like this,” he said to nopony in particular. “It wasn’t supposed to end at all. Did you know that I had planned t—”

“Sssh.” Carefully, Golden Sun reached around and embraced her younger brother Silversteel just as he started to silently weep. She could feel his hot tears soaking her coat, and part of her wanted to cry with him, but she couldn’t – she needed to be strong for him. He’d lost something very precious to him in the past few days, and while the tears would tear him to bits, they would be the start of washing away his pain. She only hoped that their older brother, Diamondplate, was able to get a hold of their mutual friend, Shining Armor, to see what had gone wrong and what could be done – if anything – to rectify the situation.

That way, everypony could have answers as to why on the Hearths Warming holiday that Silversteel had planned to propose to his longtime fillyfriend Derpy Hooves and introduce her adopted foals to his family…he was now mourning the sudden and inexplicable end of that relationship.

“Are you sure this is what you want, Derpy?” Seated in the home of the postmaster of Ponyville – well, technically both her home and the post office – Cadance sipped from a mug of mulled cider and looked at her friend. “You were so happy together. I don’t understand why.”

Derpy was so silent and still that she actually had both eyes transfixed on the alicorn. It was an improvement; she’d been crying very hard earlier and Cadance had just let her friend bawl into her chest for the longest time. “It’s hard to explain,” she began.

“I’m the Avatar of Love, remember?” Cadance reminded her. “I can deal with hard.”

Derpy suddenly asked, “Where’s Shining?” Any other mare probably would’ve felt slighted by that sudden statement, but Cadance knew her husband and Derpy were foalhood friends and had a very filial relationship. The fact that she asked was likely more out of concern for current events rather than anything else.

“Shining’s dealing with the remainder of the jaculus issue.” It had been a freak instance two weeks ago – hundreds of thousands of jaculi had torn into communities bordering the northern end of the Everfree Forest. The infestation was believed to be a side-effect of the changeling invasion from years ago; changelings were known to keep the vicious, hyper-aggressive winged snakes as pets and sentries for their hives. But eventually they multiplied enough that they’d burst through into the populated areas, and despite being reptiles, they had an unnatural ability to survive in year-round weather. “But what’s that got to do wi—”

“Do you remember my friend Raspberry Scone?” the pegasus asked the princess. “She married one of Silver’s friends, a nice but goofy stallion named Pumpkin Cheesecake. He was one of the guardsponies killed during the changeling invasion of Canterlot.” Derpy’s voice was soft, hushed and so very unlike herself.

“I’m sorry – I didn’t know.” A stab went right to Cadance’s heart; the invasion had been a co-opting of her wedding to Shining and even though a rushed ceremony the week after improved morale and brought her to as close to a dream wedding as she could have, she never knew there was still a dark side to it all – Shining never told her. Worse, she’d never told him of the nightmares she’d had of her time in captivity, nightmares that her aunt Luna had helped her to deal with.

“It wasn’t your fault; it was that changeling queen’s,” Derpy reminded her. “Anyway, Sconey had a foal with Pumpkin, and was resigned to just raising her filly alone when she met another guard, guy by the name of Quickwing. They were getting serious, when he was injured in the jaculus infestation in Berryville. She kinda lost it, and…. I talked to my friend Castor Oil – he’s the doctor there. She’s going to be fine, but Quick’s injuries gave her nightmares and spooked her completely. And it made me think about the guardspony I’m dating.

“I love Silver. Almost since the day we first met. He was there for me through thick and thin. My foals – Sparkler and Dinky – he’s a father to them, and he’s helped them to forget about the monsters that were their birth parents. I know he was on the verge of asking for my hoof – Mama said that Silver and Papa went out for a day a couple of weeks ago, just to ‘talk about stallionfolk stuff’. But then I think about Sconey’s situation and….” Derpy wrapped her wings around herself, shivering.

Cadance picked up on it immediately; she’d had a few of those same fears herself. “You don’t want to be a widow,” the romance alicorn stated.

Derpy sadly nodded. “The Guard…they’re being used more and more, lately. Shining’s safe, because he’s in a command position, but Silver…he’s turned down promotion after promotion because he wants to be there with his troops, protecting them.” She took a quick drink from her cup, then set it down. “I thought after the incident with the diamond dogs, that he’d be convinced to take that promotion to warrant officer. But he turned it down again, said there were other ponies far more qualified.” Her voice was a reedy whisper as she added, “He’d had two broken ribs from the fighting with the diamond dogs, and when they lost contact with his unit, I stayed up all night, terrified. What if I’d lost him? What if I never saw him again? And how would Sparkler and Dinky react? How could I tell them that their father’s never coming home again?”

“Have you discussed this with him?”

Derpy nodded. “Caramel even offered him the position of senior sheriff’s deputy if Silver wanted to resign from the Guard. But…that’s his life, what his cutie mark is telling him – he was born to be a soldier, and I can’t take that from him. And if it were just him and I…I would take the risk. But it’s not just me and him, it’s me, him and my fillies, and they’ve already lost one father, one that never loved them. I won’t let them lose another – especially one that loves them more than anything in this world, even if it means I have to tear out my own heart. Even if it means I’m a coward.”

“Derpy, you’re not—”

Tearstained golden eyes looked up at Cadance. “Am I wrong? Is it wrong to protect my foals’ happiness over my own?” The tears started again and it was all Cadance could do to console her heartbroken friend. For better or worse, Derpy had made her choice, the worst possible decision for all the right reasons, and knowing the other mare as well as she did, the romance alicorn knew it would be a decision that would haunt Derpy for the rest of her life.

“This is the. Worst. Possible. Thing!”

Applejack rolled her eyes, then looked at a stagehand. “Yup, there sh’ goes again.”

“How could you not tell me, Fluttershy?” Rarity was somewhere between flabbergasted and miffed. If she’d had a fainting couch on-hand, she definitely would have used it. “You mean to tell me you’ve and…. He and…. That is….”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Yeah, Rarity – even Twilight noticed Fluttershy and Big Mac have been dating for a while.” The speedster pegasus nudged her fellow pegasus with her wing. “Wanna tell her how long you’ve been an item?”

Fluttershy tried to hide behind her mane, then realized that wouldn’t work. In actuality, she had nowhere really to run at all. “Oh, I don’t want to inconvenience anyone by telling them about when he asked me out, but I could if you want…that is, if it’s okay with you.”

“Yeah! Spill it! Tell your favorite Pinkie everything!” the pink party pony shouted as she cavorted around the room with glee. “This’ll give me plenty of time to plan my ‘Fluttershy and Mac are Dating!’ party! Woo hoo!”

“Uh, girls, could we get back on topic here?” Twilight Sparkle said as she poked her head out from the script.

“Shucks, Twi, Ah dunno why yer so worried ‘bout th’ Hearths Warmin’ Eve play. ‘Tain’t really different from all th’ other times we did it.”

“Um, that’s because we’re not the ones doing it this year?” the lavender unicorn reminded her. “Remember, we’re still on-duty in case of more jaculus problems.”

“As if any old flying snake is going to outdo the Coolest Flyer in Equestria!” At Rainbow’s boast, Applejack merely rolled her eyes again; at this rate, she might as well keep them in the top of her skull, she decided.

Rarity grabbed Fluttershy, all but dragging her to a corner of the backstage area. “Now tell me all about it and don’t leave out a single detail!” she instructed.

Meanwhile, Twilight looked around and nodded as things went back to semi-normal. She had a number of things to accomplish still with her parts in the play, even though they’d been greatly reduced from what they’d been in years past. Since the first year they’d performed their roles, ponies enjoyed seeing the Knights Elemental as the major stars of the Hearths Warming Eve play. But this year, due to all the crises, they’d had to take a step back and let others shine in the roles. It worked out for the best, anyway; their recent investitures as members of the Royal Family and nobility left a lot less time to be, well, normal ponies.

“Excuse me, your grace?” a voice said to Twilight, as a hoof tapped her on the shoulder.

Twilight turned and saw an older earth pony in her mid-fifties or so standing there. Even though this was just rehearsal, she was holding a script for the few lines spoken by Lady Mascarpone, Chancellor Puddinghead’s wife – it was a small but pivotal role. Her well-coiffed mane was a swirl of brown and tan, while her chestnut colored coat brought out her violet eyes and enhanced the small golden pendant she wore. If anything, Twilight noticed that the mare seemed to be cut from a similar cloth as Rarity. “Yes, can I help you…uh….”

“Lady Sandalwood, Baroness Salerno, if it pleases your grace.” The older mare quickly curtsied.

“Please, just ‘Twilight’ is fine,” she insisted. “I’m not one for titles. Anyway, what can I do for you?”

Sandalwood smiled slightly as she sighed in relief; the mare was nervous as it was, but being in the presence of…well, the six mares who were now considered the sisters of her majesty herself…that could freak anypony out. “I was wondering, your gra…I mean, Twilight, if this version of the play is correct. I don’t remember anything of Lady Mascarpone.”

Twilight smiled, drawing from her authority. “Well, I happened to be in Trottingham earlier this year doing some research and, well, you know about how each town seems to draw from regional customs about what happened? According to the Mummers Play – that’s what they call the play in that part of Equestria – Lady Mascarpone had a much larger role in her husband’s dealings rather than just being a background pony. I thought it’d be a nice variation on our version, and thankfully her majesty agreed.” Twilight flashed a smile. “If you’re nervous about playing the part, I’m sure there’s nothing to be worried about. I’ll admit I was nervous when I first played Clover the Clever years ago.”

Sandalwood’s mouth soured into a line. “Actually, I’m more worried about my daughter making it in time for practice. She’s the one who’s playing Private Pansy this year an—”

“Oh, yeah! Golden Sun!” Rainbow called out from the other side of the room. “I met her the other day. Good flyer. Not as good as yours truly, but for a guardsmare? She’s alright.”

“I was wondering if you’d seen her? Last time I saw her, she went out for an errand, but she didn’t say why,” Sandalwood said.

“Hey, I can go looking if you want,” Rainbow offered. “Bored otherwise.”

“No, yer stayin’ right here t’ help me wit’ the settin’ up of the stage,” Applejack insisted, readying a lasso she intended to use to haul up some of the stage pieces. While Rainbow could have easily made them weightless, the bulk of some parts required a helping hoof, and with most of the rest of the stage crew involved with other parts, it left them to do so.

“Pinkie? Are you busy?”

“Can’t right now!” the party pony said as she inexplicably stared at a nearby wall. “I’m trying to figure out what’s on the next chapter of the story!”

“‘Next chapter’?” Sandalwood asked.

“That’s Pinkie being Pinkie,” Twilight assured the older mare.

Rarity and Fluttershy then approached. “Twilight, Fluttershy and I were about to step out to get some drinks and snacks for the crew. Perhaps if you describe her, we might be able to look out for her.”

“I’d be more than happy to be of help,” Fluttershy said, a soft smile on her face.

“Thank you, my ladies,” Sandalwood said, curtseying to the two duchesses.

“Please, think nothing of it. And just like Twilight, please, just call me Rarity,” the white unicorn said, smiling.

“And you can call me Fluttershy, if that’s what you want,” the pegasus said.

Sandalwood nodded, feeling much more at ease now. When she was first offered the part, she’d balked, not wanting much to do with the royal family if only because of the multiple unsavory times she’d had to deal with Prince Blueblood – a problematic situation, as he was one of her biggest clients. A shame that his father, Prince Campion, was in ill health; Sandalwood’s husband Silver Hammer had been the elder prince’s defense attaché while he was hale and the son clearly did not have the royal demeanor that his father did.

In any case, when the Knights Elemental offered to help with this year’s play, she worried. When the announcement came over the summer that they had become members of the royal family, all bonded in sisterhood with the princesses, her panic increased tenfold. But it turned out to be for naught; the young mares before her turned out to be as kind and sweet as her own darling foals – or, if rumor had it, her soon-to-be daughter-in-law.

Sandalwood smiled to herself. Soon her youngest would tie the knot and start his own family – or continue Derpy’s, since she’d already adopted foals.

This was going to be a wonderful Hearths Warming!

Just outside the bar, Silver decided his stomach no longer wanted to hold all the alcohol he’d just consumed. Or lunch. Or breakfast. Or what he’d had to eat for the prior day, for that matter. Goldie wrinkled her nose at the acrid blast of stomach acid being expelled. “Well, if nothing else you’ll feel better after this,” she drawled.

With his evacuation completed, he staggered over to a nearby crate. Gasping for breath, he looked at his sister and said, “Just leave me, Goldie. I really don’t want to deal with things right now, okay?”

“No, it’s not okay!” she told him. “I’m not going to let you drink yourself stupid just because your idiot of a fillyfriend dumped you!” She patted him on the back. “Look, you’re not going through anything that you didn’t go through with Exotic Beauty, right?”

“I didn’t want to marry Exotic,” Silver snarled. “I didn’t tell Exotic’s adopted foals that I’d always be there for them, be the father they need!”

Her smile fell. “I know, bro, I know. And I wish I knew what’s going through Derpy’s mind – I always thought she was a sensible gal. Are you sure you two are Splitsville, or is this just some ‘time-apart’ thing?”

“I know that look in her eyes – or rather, the one she couldn’t give me,” he said, staring into the distance. “The only time she never looks at anyone is when she’s deeply ashamed of something, because she gets sensitive about her eyes.” The stinging in the tear ducts started once more. “She couldn’t look at me when she said it was over. That’s what hurts most of all – if she did, I’d know this was all my damn fault somehow. But she didn’t and now I have no idea what’s going on.”

“Look, someone will talk some sense into her, I’m sure,” Goldie said.

“Yeah, probably either Shines or Cadance,” he commented.

Goldie whistled appreciatively, then flashed him a smile. “Look, stallion, you have the Avatar of Love as one of your friends – if there’s a mare to go bat for you, I don’t know who better!” She then dropped to her haunches, looking him face to face, taking care not to step in his mess. “Silver, I’m not going to lie. I know it hurts, I know it does. And I know that every day you hold onto that engagement bracelet you got Derpy it’s burning a hole in your soul. And I don’t know why she did what she did or if it will ever make sense, and I don’t know the full story since I’m not there.

“But I want you to know something: I love you, little brother. So does our big brother and his family, and our parents. And your friends do too, and I’m sure even Derpy does, though you probably don’t want to hear that right now.” She tapped him on the chest. “You are a wonderful stallion, charming and debonair, and the kinda looks that’ll drive the mares mad. And someday, you’ll look on this as a growing experience. You might not see that now, but it is, I promise.” She embraced him again and said, “And I’ll always be here for you.”

He gave her a bleary-eyed look. “Thanks, sis.”

“Hey, isn’t that what big sisters are for?” she chuckled.

Rarity walked along the main thoroughfare, a twinkle in her eyes and a smile on her face as she looked at the Hearths Warming decorations. The scene reminded her that she still had time to do all her shopping for gifts, though it was going to be hard to figure out what to get for Sweetie Belle, since she’d just started her tutelage at the Mage Academy.

Carrying the drink caddies in her telekinesis, she quickly looked over at Fluttershy, who had the snack trays from Pony Joe’s expertly balanced on her wings. “It’s a beautiful night,” she said to her old friend.

Fluttershy nodded. “I wonder how Mac is doing. I…” the pegasus suddenly blushed, “…miss having him here with me,” she admitted.

The fashionista gave her sister royal a warm smile. “You two are perfect for each other, you know that? No offense to dear Cheerilee, but I never really saw them as a couple. I’m glad that you and he have found love together.” She sighed wistfully. “Now if only I could find my own special somepony.”

“I’m sure someone just right will come into your life,” Fluttershy insisted.

“Perhaps, though thankfully I’m no longer as blind as I was when I thought that disgrace of a stallion Blueblood was worth my time. I was a flighty-headed mare back then, filled with fantasies and ponytales in my head, and I got exactly what I deserved,” Rarity mused. “Now all I want is for some charming stallion – not necessarily a prince! – to sweep me off my hooves and make my heart go all a-flutter.”

“I’m sure he’ll come someday,” Fluttershy assured Rarity. “After all, if Rainbow and Soarin’ can f—”

Rarity blinked. “Wait – Rainbow’s seeing somepony?”

“You didn’t know?”

The look on Rarity’s face was crestfallen. This was the worst possible Hearths Warming ever!

A swirl of a soft breeze hit the ground and blew powdered snow into the nighttime air. The snowflakes glittered in the lamplight of the evening, spraying a shower of sparkles everywhere.

“Oh, look! Diamond dust!” Fluttershy said. “Quick, make a wish!” When Rarity looked at Fluttershy in confusion, she said, “It’s a Cloudsdale Hearths Warming tradition that when there’s diamond dust during the Yuletide, if you wish with all your heart, Princess Celestia will make your dreams come true.”

“You do know I could just ask Celestia directly,” Rarity deadpanned. When Fluttershy gave an insistent look, Rarity gave in, and following Fluttershy’s motions, clapped her forehooves together, closed her eyes and wished: This is probably just going to be a fruitless endeavor, but if it’s real, Celestia, dear, would you mind introducing me to my future husband? In response, the dust picked up, and briefly swirled around them, as if by magic. Is this real? Am I to meet my special somepony? Rarity wondered. She held her breath, unable to believe this was happening.

At last, the dust went away, revealing a bar across the street. Standing there was a couple. The mare, a pegasus, looked as though she was chastising her earth pony beau. The stallion looked, Rarity had to admit, roguishly charming. Unfortunately, he was apparently drunk off his plot and involved with somepony.

Gee, thanks, Celestia, Rarity grumbled silently. I think next time I’ll just ask you in-pony – or maybe I’ll ask Luna instead. My luck can’t get any worse.

“Um, isn’t that Sandalwood’s daughter, Golden Sun?” Fluttershy asked. “She does fit the description.”

“Yes, she does,” Rarity replied, “but I’m sure Miss Sun has better taste in stallions than some drunken lummox vomiting outside a saloon. Well, these drinks and snacks won’t stay warm forever, so let’s get going.”

“I think he’s looking at you, Rarity.”

She huffed. “So he’s a cad as well? Poor mare.”

“Hey, Silver,” Goldie asked. “You okay?” She waved a hoof in front of his face, wondering what had suddenly caught his attention. She then turned to his line of sight, watching as two extraordinarily beautiful mares walked past. “Well, looks like somepony’s still got a heartbeat,” she murmured to herself. “See, things are already looking up, Silver.”

Silver said nothing. He just gazed as the white angel moving by, escorted by the cute-but-not-his-style pegasus. He’d never felt like this before. He found himself so enraptured by the beautiful unicorn on the other side of the street, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Part of him felt guilty for that; in some ways, it was a betrayal for his injured-but-still-present love for Derpy. But he then remembered a phrase his father once told him: the perfect flower for the perfect bee. It was apparently a saying from his father’s old hometown, referring to the reaction you got when you met your true love. Not one you gradually fell for in a lesser relationship, but the one you were destined to be with forever.

Could my relationship with Derpy have been just as a precursor to meeting her? he wondered in his alcohol-soaked mind. It made no sense at all. And it’d probably make even less sense when he sobered up.

Who is she?

He would get his answer three days later. As the audience crowded into the theater to prepare for the play, Silver went to find where the rest of his family sat; as his mother and sister were both in the play, they had priority seats in the front rows. Walking through the central aisle, he thought he swore he saw Derpy for just a second, but knew that to be impossible: she’d probably chosen to either stay in Ponyville after everything, or maybe head to her parents’ house. All things considered, he hoped it was the latter: Sparkler and Dinky could use a positive male role model in their lives right now and Derpy’s father was a great stallion.

Listen to me – I already sound like an ex-husband, he thought morosely, one that was never wed to begin with. But if that was the case, at least he was the kind that cared about his kids and ex. Last he’d heard, neither Bottle Rocket nor Oriental Blossom had said one word about their foals since custody was removed years ago, and even though they’d probably be out on parole soon, the chances of them coming back into the fillies’ lives were probably nil and for the better.

He brushed the whole thing out of his mind. He wasn’t going to do himself any favors beating himself up further, he knew. Besides, he had two nephews who needed him around for the holidays as is.

Finally, he arrived at the row, and saw his family there. “Uncle Silver!” two young colts squealed, even as two adults gave him broad smiles.

“Heya, kiddos!” he said, bending down as they ran into his forelegs for a hug. “You guys are getting so big!” Holding them tight, he then looked at his brother and sister-in-law. “Dimes, Lavender.”

“Dad decided to sit backstage with Mom so she gets over her jitters,” Diamondplate said to his younger brother as he gave him an even glance. “Shines sent me a note. Sorry to hear about what happened.”

Lavender Blue nodded. “And I know it sounds dumb, but we’re always here for you if you need us, Silver.”

“Thanks, but I’ll be fine,” he lied as he took a seat next to Diamondplate. The empty seat next to him, though actually meant for his father and not anyone else, felt too symbolic for the hole in his life right now, a sad reminder that the world had left him dour and gray – well, grayer than his normal coat color, in any case.

Meanwhile, Lavender’s eyes slid up towards the box in the opera house specifically for the princesses and their retinue. “That’s odd,” the mare said in a hushed tone. “Isn’t it normal for somepony in the Royal Family to be in attendance for the annual play?”

Diamondplate nodded; being a friend of Shining Armor’s gave him a few unique insights into how the Royal Family worked. “Well, from what I know, Princess Celestia is on a state visit in Inari, Princess Luna is mediating the peace negotiations between Jagultapec and Oceloteztlan. As for the lesser royals, Prince Blueblood never attends these, Shines and Cadance are visiting hospitals in the jaculus-afflicted areas, and the other minor princes and princesses are attending their own local plays as usual.” A thought came across the stallion’s face. “I wonder if they left the patronage to the newest royals in the family.”

“Sssh! The lights just dimmed,” Lavender said, reaching over and caressing her husband’s face with a tender hoof. As the room darkened, a spotlight fell upon the stage, and a young unicorn mare dressed in regal finery came out, soon flanked by five other mares. The room fell silent as the spotlight settled on the sextet onstage. The unicorn mare in front, dressed in a midnight-blue gown and silver tiara, looked on at the audience before her, and with a soft smile, began speaking.

Diamondplate grinned as he whispered, “Hey, Silver, you know what? Maybe you can get Shines to introduce you to his sister afterwards – she’s the one onstage speaking right now, and I hear she’s single and probably up for the position of Vicemagus of the Mage Academy. What do you think?”

Silversteel didn’t answer him. He wasn’t paying attention to much of what was going on the stage at all…until his eyes suddenly settled on the unicorn mare in the baby-blue satin nightgown and tiara, standing behind and to the right of the one speaking. It was her. He had no idea who she was, but somehow, he knew it had to be her – he could feel it in a way that…well, he hoped no one was paying too much attention to him at the moment.

Yeah, and why not just forget about Derpy while you’re at it? his conscience chided him. Have you no sense of decency? The war of emotions started to build up within him again and he shrank back into his chair, glad that everyone around him was completely enraptured by the play that had just started. It let him deal with the very separate drama that was going on in his head.

Meanwhile, the six returned backstage from their brief stage appearance. “That was a wonderful and moving speech, Twilight,” Rarity told her fellow unicorn as they moved out of the way of the actors and stagehooves. “‘On behalf of my sisters and I, we would like to welcome you to this most glorious of festivals,’” the unicorn repeated. “To be called family was very touching.”

Twilight blushed. “Well, Celestia did teach me a bit about public speaking,” she began, “and I thought it wa—”

“Hey, if we’re all sisters now, then who’s the big sister?” Pinkie interrupted with her usual lack of tact. “Is it Fluttershy, ‘cause she’s oldest? Or you, because you’re our leader, or…waitaminit, Fluttershy’s not the oldest, Celestia is! What about her, huh?”

“Pinkie, dear, I don’t think that’s really as important as the fact that we’re all family,” Rarity replied warmly. “As it is, are we still planning to have the New Year’s Ball, or will that need to be cancelled due to Celestia and Luna’s absences?”

Twilight shook her head. “Luna insisted that we should hold the ball and host it ourselves if they can’t make it back,” Twilight told her. “She feels it’s important to thank the ponies who worked so hard on the play, so we can’t let her down.”

“Of course we’re not gonna let Luna down!” Rainbow insisted. “Besides, I have my date already set, and we’re going to be the coolest couple in Canterlot!”

“Whee! I’m gonna see if Pokey’s free for the night! He promised to take me dancing!” Pinkie announced.

“I thought he was dating Trixie Lulamoon?” Fluttershy inquired.

“Then I’ll ask Caramel!”

“He married Wind Whistler last year, remember?”

“Time Turner?”

“Moved to Manehattan four months ago.”

“Lucky?”

“I think he’s dating Cheerilee now.”

Pinkie pouted. “Well…maybe I can get Thunderlane to take me.” She gave a fillyish grin as she added, “He owes me a favor anyway!”

“That’s good. In any case, it’ll be nice to have Mac by my side,” Fluttershy sighed dreamily.

“Yup, y’ got it bad, Fluttershy,” Applejack teased softly. Applejack then looked at Twilight and Rarity. “Looks like we’re goin’ t’ be dateless that night, Ah reckon.”

Twilight shook her head. “I don’t have time to date, anyway. I have to make sure that I have everything perfect for the ball. Admittedly, I’ve never run one before, but at least I’ve got a little over a week to plan it.”

Rarity nodded. “Of course, I’ll help out as well.”

“Me too!” Pinkie shouted.

“Nope – y’ three lucky gals get t’ be th’ ones with yer dates – so plan fer that,” Applejack insisted. “Leave th’ rest t’ us, ‘kay?”

“Twilight?” Sandalwood approached them, still in her costume as Lady Mascarpone, and escorted by her husband, Baron Silver Hammer. “Did I understand you needed some assistance with planning a ball? I’ve planned a few at our country estate, and I would be more than happy to assist you in planning this one.”

Silver Hammer nodded. “My wife’s good at this kind of thing, ladies. You should take her up on her offer.”

“We’d appreciate all the help you can offer, Sandalwood,” Twilight said to the older mare with a smile.

“I might even be able to arrange for some escorts for you three,” she added. “My daughter’s squadron is here, and there are plenty of eligible bachelors….” Three young mares suddenly looked at each other and rolled their eyes in unison; mothers, even when it wasn’t their own, always seemed to want to play matchmaker.

“Ah…Ah’ll go see if Ah c’n find mah own, if’n ya don’ mind,” Applejack said hesitantly. “Maybe Noteworthy.”

Rarity looked at the farmmare. “Wait – I didn’t think you liked him.”

“Ah don’t,” Applejack insisted. “But Ah’ll take mah chances.”

“Twily, dear, this is beautiful! I’m so proud of you!” Twilight Velvet resisted the urge to reach up and pinch her daughter’s cheeks – she was her little filly, after all. At her side, Night Light said nothing, wanting to spare his daughter any further mortification.

Twilight blushed. “Thanks, Mom, but the girls and I couldn’t have done it without Baroness Sandalwood – she played Lady Mascarpone in the play and she’s been an invaluable help to me in planning this.”

Velvet perked up at that. “Sandy’s here?” When Twilight gave her a questioning look, Velvet smiled fondly. “She and I were roomies together our freshpony year at Royal Canterlot University. I think that when we went there, your father was planning to ask one of us out – fortunately for you, he chose wisely,” she said with a wink.

“I’m sure she’d be happy to see you again,” Twilight offered.

Night Light looked around. “So, where are your brothers?” he asked.

“Not sure, but they are here,” Twilight responded.

Cadance, standing right next to Twilight, took over from there. “Well, Shining’s inspecting the troops, since he wants to make sure that they look good in their uniforms before they arrive.” She gave her father-in-law a wink and said as an aside, “Lots of eligible single ponies here, so he’s kinda making sure they look perfect so they have a chance. As for Spike, I think he was busy hanging out with his friends. I can go get them, if you’d like.”

“No, that’s quite okay,” Velvet said. “You two are busy as is and Night and I can find the boys once we finish catching up with Sandy. If I see your friends, Twily, I’ll be sure to give them my congratulations as well – you all have done a wonderful job.”

“Well, if you’d like, I can introduce you later to Rainbow’s parents. Rainbow Strike and Firefly just happened to be in town, so she asked them to come.”

“That would be nice,” Night mused. “Somepony else who understands the trials of raising a Knight Elemental.” When Twilight gave her father a bemused glance, he chuckled and added, “It was worth it, sweetie. Always worth it.”

Meanwhile, standing outside on a nearby veranda, fifteen rows of guardsponies stood in their finest dress uniforms, while the Captain of the Guard, Prince Consort Shining Armor, accompanied by Lt. Diamondplate and Cornet Golden Sun, addressed the assembly.

“Let me make this absolutely clear,” the unicorn prince told the formation. “While I want you to enjoy yourselves and have a good time, I don’t want any drinking, gambling or the usual stuff – if you really need to do so, please head back to the barracks, okay? Plus, while there are a lot of single and eligible stallions and mares for those interested, have the courtesy to take them back home or at least to a hotel room. If I have to explain to my wife and her aunts why someone ‘borrowed’ one of the bedchambers here, I’m not going to be very amused. Is that clear?”

“Crystal, sir!” the ponies spoke as one.

“Dismissed!” he said sharply. “Have fun, ponies.” As the assembly broke up, he turned to his friends. “Dee, Goldie, it’s good to see you guys.”

Goldie briefly hugged her friend and senior officer with her wings. “Good to see you’re okay. Looks like married life agrees with you.” Pointing a wing at her older brother, she added, “It does for this big lug.”

“Yeah, life with Cady’s just bliss,” he admitted. “Now that things in Empire City are normalizing, we can come back to Canterlot on a regular basis. Her majesty’s already looking to appoint a new governor-general to replace Cadance, so we can get back to all the normal stuff in our lives.”

“You mean like your backstabbing buddy,” Goldie hissed slightly. Watching her brother go through over a week of grief had done wonders for Goldie’s increasing dislike of his former fillyfriend.

Shining waved his forehooves in dismissal. “Look, I don’t know what happened, but I know this: Derpy loves Silver and whatever reason she had for pulling the plug on their relationship? It must’ve been huge. I know right now that she’s miserable as Tartarus and whatever happens, she’ll come to her senses.”

“Well, I hope so, Shines,” Diamondplate said. “When Silver introduced me to her last year, I thought she was a great gal. And I know both Lavender and Mom were looking forward to a summer wedding. Maybe there’s still hope.”

“Well, if not….” The look on Goldie’s eyes was positively wicked. “One of the gals in my squadron? Tiger Lily? She’s had her eye on him for a while and I just might let slip some, ahem, ‘tactical information’ regarding Silver’s revised relationship status.”

Both stallions looked at the mare with discomfiture. Shining said, “You wouldn’t,” in a deadpan tone while Diamondplate drolled, “Why am I not surprised?”

“Look, you guys take care of Silver your way, and I’ll take care of him mine. We all care about him, it’s just – well, one way or another, my plan ensures he’s up with a willing pegasus gal. It’s just a matter of what color coat it is that’s the question.”

“Stallion, you look bummed,” a mare said to Silversteel.

“Yeah, look, I really didn’t want to come to this, but my Mom was part of the play and the rest of my family’s here, and…look, I’m just having a hard time right now, okay? Personal reasons, Crystalline.”

She looked at him and understood. “Not going to pry, Silver, but I hope it works out for you. When my gal left me, I was bummed forever until I met my current fillyfriend. But, hey, ya ever need someone to chat with, come pester me. Always willing to lend a hoof for a friend.”

“Thanks, Crys,” he said, giving her a weak smile and patting her on the withers. “You go have fun with Strawberry and tell her I said hi. I’ll deal with this myself.”

“If you’re sure….”

“Sure, I’m sure. Trust me, I’m sure – I have the Captain and my brother and sister hovering over me like Commander Hurricane at war.” As she nodded and went back into the building, he decided he was going to go lean against the balcony railing and look at the view for a while. Maybe it would take his mind off things. Maybe he’d be able to foc…

That’s Ponyville in the distance, isn’t it?

…maybe not.

Rarity sighed as she leaned on the veranda just outside the main portion of the ballroom, nursing a flute of champagne. Things were not working out well for her. At Sandalwood’s suggestion, she accepted a date from a viscount, Timorous Heart, who turned out to be…well, timorous. Weak and nebbish, he eventually decided to call it an early night – “early night” defined as 8:30, just when the ball had gotten started!

And now, from where she stood, she saw Applejack in the distance, flirting with Noteworthy, a stallion she claimed not to like. In truth, the jazz player was somewhat of a rogue, but he usually traveled in different circles – possibly some not-quite-savory ones – than Applejack, who wasn’t the most worldly when it came to stallions. Rarity loved her friend and fellow sister royal dearly, but she feared the musician would take advantage of her if she wasn’t careful.

I almost wish somepony would take advantage of me at this rate, she mused to herself.

“Rarity?” She turned around and noticed Spike standing there, looking handsome in his suit. Older now than when they’d first met, she’d noted he was growing up to be a fine young drake…and that he’d gotten over his colthood crush on her.

“Well, hello, Spike,” she said, flashing him a smile. “Enjoying the ball?”

He shook his head. “No, not really. The girls were trying to get me to dance with them, but I’m not into that kinda stuff. Then suddenly this bratty filly named Funtasia decides that she likes me and wants to marry me, go figure. Bloomie’s keeping her occupied, and Scoots and Sweetie suggested I hide out here until they can get her mind off ‘being married to a margrave’.”

“Well, the title suits you, Margrave Palomino,” she teased, though in truth, he deserved it. When they’d received titles from Celestia, Luna felt that the younger ones deserved some measure of recognition as well and bestowed lesser, though by no means any less worthy, titles to Spike and the former Cutie Mark Crusaders. For the things that they’d accomplished was beyond that of anypony their age – and in truth, even many adults as well.

“Yeah, yeah. Besides, I’m looking for my brother, anyway – just got a flamefax for him and I thought I saw him here earlier.”

“No, I’ve been the only one here all night.” At least, since my date stood me up.

He saw the look on her face and asked, “Is everything okay?”

“No, no it isn’t, but you shouldn’t worry about me, Spike.”

“Of course I worry about you, Rarity – a drake always worries about the first gal who stole his heart.” His little comment was so cute, it made her smile warmly.

“I see Shining’s been rubbing off on you again – you can’t have picked that up from your sister.”

“Wouldja believe it was Cadence who suggested the line?” he laughed. “But seriously, are you sure?”

She looked at the young drake. Maybe if she were Sweetie Belle’s age, she wondered, she could enjoy that bygone sense of puppy love with him. But she was older than him, and he was more like a brother to her than anything else – more so now due to the royal family ties. “Thank you very much for your concern. Very gallant of you.”

“Oh Spikey-Wikey!” an off-pitched voice called out from within. “Now where did my dreamboat of a dragon go?”

“Oh great, it’s her,” he groaned. “Look, I gotta go, Rarity. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

“I’ll be here,” she sighed, as she took another drink from her champagne and watched the young drake rush off. A few minutes later she watched as a rather chubby young earth pony with lilac coat and orange-and-white mane done up in a garish manestyle rushed past, calling out for her “sugarboo”. Rarity didn’t know whether to laugh or cry; even Spike, albeit unwanted, had more of a romantic life than she had.

I may as well join Twilight in the spinsters’ club…though with my luck, she’ll probably end up marrying a guard or something and I’ll be all alone.

“Hey Silver, you got a moment?” Silver looked up and saw Shining Armor standing there, looking at him with concern.

“Look, Shines, I already got it from both Dimes and Goldie. I don’t need it from you, as well.”

“I’m not here to say anything about that,” the prince told his friend. “What I am here to tell you is that, effective immediately, you are being promoted to cornet.” When Silver glared at him, Shining explained, “Look, I can appreciate that you think there are plenty of other ponies more qualified for command status than you are, and your loyalty to the troops is noted. But the Guard is getting busier and busier lately, and I need officers I can count on in order to lead troops.”

“You’re doing it for her, aren’t you?” he said, blankly. “No thanks.”

“No, I’m doing it because Equestria needs you, not because Derpy asked me,” Shining responded sharply. “My job is to serve her majesty, regardless of my feelings or any relationship that stands. Princess Celestia may be my wife’s aunt, but before that she was my sovereign. And right now, that takes preference.”

“Fine, you win,” Silver said, a little harsher than he intended. He was still having a hard time trying to wrap his mind around the fact that Shining’s actions had nothing to do with his current problems. “861st Cohort in Oatmaha needs a commander, right? I’ll take that.”

Shining shook his head. “Nope, I already detailed Graysmoke to take command there. What I want you to do is take the 18th Headquarters Garrison here in Canterlot.”

“A desk job?” Silver gasped. “Are you buckin’ kidding me?”

“In case you haven’t forgotten, the 18th is our anti-changeling specialty cohort,” Shining pointed out. “We only designated it a Headquarters Garrison for extra funding purposes.”

Silver shrugged. Turning to look back at the vista in the distance, he commented, “Well, if that’s the case, then, sure, I’ll do it. I suppose I could use the change of pa….” His words suddenly trailed off into silence, his voice suddenly failing him.

Shining took notice immediately. “Something wrong, Silver?” A second later, he followed the stallion’s line of sight to what he was looking at. “Oh,” he said, chuckling, as he noticed the unicorn sitting on the edge, somehow looking both sultry and fragile at the same time, as if she were a painting by Mareté. “Never did quite get how she does that.”

“She’s…beautiful,” Silver said, his eyes not moving. He’d seen her twice before and each time, there had been something about her that grabbed his attention and refused to let go. Now, as he saw her, framed by moonlight and in a deep violet ballgown, her pristine coat and mane kissed by the moonlight, she appeared as if she’d been created by Luna’s light itself. A vision of loveliness that seemed only to exist in his eyes. “Who…?”

“I can introduce you if you want,” Shining offered. “Rarity’s a friend of mine.”

“Rarity?” The moment he said the name, it was like nectar on his tongue, honey for his lips, sweeter than any wine. “Her name is Rarity?”

“Rarity, Duchess Lipizzan, Knight Elemental of Generosity. The Princess has asked her to head up the newly-created Arts and Sciences Ministry, though I don’t know if she’s accepted. But I know Rarity well enough to guess that she probably will. It suits her talents.”

She’s beautiful…unspeakably beautiful. Silver suddenly felt as though he’d never be able to take his eyes off her lest he be swallowed up by her presence. “I-I, uh….” he stuttered before blurting out, “Yes. Buck yes. You want me to take that rank and job, Shines? Yes, I want to meet her.”

Wow…you’ve got it bad, Silver, Shining noted and suddenly wondered if it was a good idea to introduce them. Rarity was a friend after all and the least thing he needed to do was to put her on the spot by a guy just coming off a brutal breakup the way Silver was.

“Let me go see if she’s busy,” he said, diplomatically, “and then I’ll see about introducing you two. I’ll be right back.” As he reentered the party, he saw Goldie standing there. “He accepted the post,” he told her. “Of course, this means you’ll have to take the promotion to ensign now.”

“Gladly,” she told him. “How’d you agree to get him to take it?”

Shining grinned. “Well, I have to call in a favor from a friend of mine to pull it off, but it’ll be worth it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go take care of that, then mingle with the guests a bit more before Cady and Twily get on my case.” And with that, he went off to go make his rounds.

Golden Sun stood there, wondering what her friend was up to, but before she could go ask Silver, she ran into a familiar young dragon, looking winded as he said, “I hope she’s not going to chase me around the entire palace!”

“Hey, you’re Shines’ kid brother, aren’t you?” she asked.

“Yeah. Actually, I was looking for him. Got something to pass over to him…well, actually it’s meant to go to a stallion named Silversteel, but it was sent via him.”

“Well, I think he went to go look for Cadance,” Golden Sun replied. “But I know Silversteel – I can deliver the note if you want.”

“I dunno….” Spike said delicately. “No offense, but it was sent flamefax, so it’s probably important to give to him fir—”

“Ooooooh sugarboo!” a filly’s cloyingly sweet voice echoed through the nearby portico.

“On second thought – here!” Spike thrust the note into Goldie’s left wing and then immediately scampered off, shouting, “If she asks – you didn’t see me!” The pegasus then watched as the drake scampered off into the distance, followed closely by a chubby filly who apparently had some designs on him and was followed in turn by a trio of teenaged mares, either trying to corral the filly or save the drake.

I probably don’t want to know the answer, Goldie thought to herself as she unfurled her wing to get a look at the letter she’d been given to pass to her brother. The letter was in two parts: a cover letter for Shining Armor, and an additional envelope, addressed to Silver. The moment she saw the hoofwriting on the cover letter, her eyes narrowed in anger.

Shining,
I need your help. I’ve made a horrible mistake. I’m at my parents right now, because I needed the support, and today something happened that made me realize how badly I’ve screwed up. Dinky looked at me and said, ‘When’s Daddy coming back?’ Sparkler looked at me and while she didn’t say anything, her eyes said everything that needed to be said.

I’ve made a terrible mistake. Tonight I realized I didn’t simply break up with my coltfriend – I separated my foals from the father they deserve. My parents haven’t said anything, but I can see it in their eyes, and while Autumn and Ditzy aren’t here, I get the feeling for a change she’d be higher on the mother of the year scale than I’d be.

If he’ll take me back, please – I need your help to make this right! I’ve enclosed a letter for Silver. Please give it to him and tell him how sorry I am and that I want him back so much. The letter basically says the same thing, but…with a few other things that are a tad more intimate. I’m sure you understand.

Thanks – you’re the best friend a mare could have.
- Derpy

Oh, no, you harridelle – you’re not going to screw with his head again! Placing the letters on the floor, Goldie placed a hoof on it, then turned said hoof as fast as she could. Instantly there were sparks and smoke, and both burst into flames courtesy of her fire magic – a “solar flare”, her special talent.

You had your chance, Derpy, the pegasus thought grimly, but I love my little brother too much to see anypony use him like a dishrag. He deserves somepony better. Quickly flicking her wings, she blew the burning remains over the edge of the balcony, sending it off the mountainside before anyone smelled the smoke. Looking around, she was glad to see that nopony had seen any of it.

The more I think about it, the more I’m sure that I’m going to be having a chat with Tiger about this, she mused to herself. Tiger, I believe you just hit the jackpot.

“You’re a vision of loveliness tonight.”

Rarity never took her eyes off the moon, but instead said, “A lady could be easily charmed by such words, good sir.”

“Sorry, Rarity, I’m not doing that dance,” Shining told her. “What’re you doing out here all alone?” he asked as he approached where she sat.

“I’ve had a dreadful night,” she said, draining her flute of champagne. “My date stood me up. Me! Meanwhile, Applejack’s canoodling with a jazz musician she barely knows, Fluttershy and Mac are a serious item, Soarin’ and Rainbow just departed for his place, and I think I saw Pinkie walking down there in the garden with Thunderlane…or maybe they were cavorting – with Pinkie, you can never really tell.” The look in the mare’s eyes was downtrodden, Shining noted, and she was morose – not dramatic in her usual way, but melancholy in a manner he’d never seen her before in the years since they’d met.

“Shining,” she suddenly asked him, “am I beautiful? Am I worth being loved? Could you love somepony like me?” He gave her a sudden shell-shocked look and she realized what she said. “That’s meant to be hypothetical, sorry,” she apologized, blushing. “I suppose I’m asking you because I have no older brother of my own, and Twilight once said an older brother can always be relied on for the truth.”

“I appreciate the confidence.” He gave her a sincere smile, as he said, “Speaking from an objective point of view, yes, you are beautiful and I don’t know why anypony would even consider bailing on a date with you – and had I been around to see it, I would have had words with him on that.”

“The word of a prince usually does have an effect, I’ve noticed,” she replied.

“Well, I try not to throw that kind of weight around, to be honest. However, I do know somepony who could give you a more subjective opinion, if you’re interested.”

She hopped off the railing, walked over to him and took the second champagne flute he brought, taking his drink. “Do tell.”

He pointed to the other balcony. “One of my junior officers, a cornet by the name of Silversteel, took one look at you and…I think he’s a bit, shall we say, ‘smitten’.”

Rarity arched a delicate eyebrow. “Smitten?” But just as quickly, she deflated. “Shining, you’re a sweetheart, and I appreciate the flattery, I really do. But you don’t have to invent fabrications for my sake.”

“I’m not,” he said. “But you captivated him. I’ve known Silver for years now and I’ve never seen him like that before. Plus, you should know I wouldn’t lie to you.”

“I suppose not.” She sighed. “Shining, I’m just…I’m just feeling down right now and I’m probably not the best pony to be around at the moment, certainly not at my best. But if he’d like to meet me, perhaps we could do brunch tomorrow morning? I’ll be in town for a couple more days before I return home.”

“I can arrange it. We can either eat here at the palace or head somewhere else.”

“I’ll leave it to you then,” she said. “I think I’m just going to retire for the evening.” Leaning up on her tiptoes, she gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you. I suppose I should be jealous that Twilight has such a wonderful brother.”

“Well, aren’t we all family now?” he told her. Her reply was merely a soft, touching smile that said more than she ever could verbalize. And with that, Rarity walked off towards her room within the palace. Shining continued to watch her walk off until she was far enough for him to say to nopony in particular, “I know you were worried too.”

“I was.” Cadance stepped out from where she’d been standing. While she hadn’t intended to spy on them, she’d felt Rarity’s anguish all night – it was part of her nature as the Avatar of Love. “Will she be okay?”

He nodded. “I’ll have Twily check on her in the morning before brunch. Honestly, as long as we’ve known them? I’ve never seen her like this.”

“I’m not surprised, love. Out of all the girls, she’s always been the one who’s the most romantically-inclined, and now that they’re all getting into relationships and she’s not…I can empathize with her feelings.”

“How so?”

“Well, I almost lost you to that monster,” she answered.

He gave her a loving kiss. “You’ll never have to worry about that. We defeated Chrysalis, and I promise you’ll never have to live a day without me, Cady.”

Author's Notes:

Hi, and welcome to a story that I'd been planning to write for a while, but didn't think about it until now. You all wanted to know what Rarity was like before she became the pony that she is in AAG, and here we go. For chronology's sake, the story is set a few years after the end of Polarity (and yes, I know I still have to finish that, but you already know how that ends.)

Also before anyone asks, yes, the titles come from song lyrics.