It had been a very long road for Shine over the past year, not to mention one with a lot of twists and turns, but the rewards had been nothing less than bountiful. He had his Cutie Mark, his little sister by his side, the friendship and acceptance of the entire royal family, and ultimately, the heart of the beloved Princess Celestia. As Big Red would say after a great harvest season, it had been a good year.

However, there still remained one hurdle for Shine to overcome. And that hurdle was in the form of a small azure-feathered ringlet he had hidden in his dresser.

When he was a young colt, his father had always told him of a famous marital tradition that ran through his family, in which the stallion Pegasi would have a special ring forged with one of their feathers and they would give it to the one they wish to spend eternity with. It was a tradition worth following in Shine's book, so by pulling a few strings and calling in a few favors with his friends back in Dodge Junction, and by sneakily hiding it in with the package that he and Blueblood got back from the Diamond Dogs, he had received the ring that he intended on giving to the mare of his dreams... Celestia.

He also knew the time and place of which he plan to give his proposal: The Grand Galloping Gala. He even had a ticket for the event, granted to him by Celestia without a second thought. He was aware that the Gala was not one of Celestia's favorite events (at least, not till Twilight and her friends arrived to liven it up), but he intended to make this Gala memorable, for both her and himself.

Unfortunately, there was one slight detail he had yet to figure out... how he was going to propose to her. Shine had been racking his head for ideas about the right way to do it for the last couple of weeks. However, the right idea eluded him to tonight, the night of the Gala.

Celestia's sun was setting on that momentous night, as the Gala was an hour away from commencing. Shine was in his room getting ready. He was not one to, as his friends back home would put it, gussying himself up, but given how big of an event it was, he wanted to dress the part.

He wore a blue tuxedo with a white shirt underneath, and his usually unkempt hair was combed over. His family's necklace was still around his neck, the silver glinting in the light. At the moment, he was busy trying to tie a black bow tie, all the while humming a familiar tune...

"At the gala, in the moonlight, with the most beautiful mare of all. Tonight the night, will the one true night, where I will take her aside and proudly say..." Shine hummed to himself, but stopped in frustration as he glared at the bow tie, "Come on, you blasted thing, why won't you tie?"

"Need a hoof, bro?"

Shine looked behind him to find Mist, wearing a small purple gown, just lying on his bed.

"Come on, sis, I think I can tie my own-"

But before Shine could finish, Mist simply flew up to him and within seconds, the bow tie was expertly knotted and placed firmly on Shine's neck.

"Tie." Shine finished, blushing in embarrassment. "Well, I just got ya halfway there."

"Right." Mist smirked, "I can't believe that tonight is the night you're going to pro-"

"Keep it down, Mist." Shine covered Mist's mouth, "The point of this night is to surprise Celestia."

"Sorry, Shine, but I was so psyched when you showed me the ring." Mist whispered giddily.

"I can understand that, Mist." Shine nodded, as he pulled out a leather box from his tuxedo's pocket and open it to show the special ring, "Tonight is going to be the best night ever... for both her... and me."

"Ooh, I am so happy for you, Shine." Mist smiled, "So... have you decided on how you were going to propose to her?"

"Well...not exactly." Shine admitted, "I'm hoping that the opportunity will present itself tonight."

"Quick question…if you and Celestia do get married… will that make me a princess by being related to you?" Mist asked.

"I'm not sure." Shine admitted. "Maybe it'll make you a duchess, or a dame... whatever that is."

"Well, I guess that's better then nothing." Mist shrugged.

There was a knock at the door, and Celestia's voice filtered through.

"Shine? Mist?" She asked. "Are you ready?"

"J-just a sec!" Shine yelped, hastily putting the box back in his pocket.

The door opened, and Celestia entered the room. She was wearing her formal attire, the kind she usually reserved for coronations and the like.

"Wow." Shine sighed. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you, Shine." Celestia smiled. "And you look very handsome."

"What about me?" Mist twirled.

"You look wonderful, Mist." Celestia chuckled.

"Thanks." Mist giggled.

"Now, we must get down to the foyer." Celestia noted.

"What's the rush?" Shine asked. "The Gala hasn't started yet."

"True." Celestia nodded. "But we must be ready for when those doors open. There'll be so many ponies coming in, we're liable to get squashed underhoof."

"That sounds enjoyable." Mist said sarcastically.

"It can be a problem." Celestia nodded. "But we just have to take it in stride."

Shine, Celestia and Mist gathered downstairs, joining Luna, Gothic, Constell and Blueblood. Blueblood gave Shine a curt nod (Coming from him, it was quite a friendly greeting). Soon after, the doors opened.

"Here we go..." Shine muttered.

A veritable sea of ponies entered the castle. Several made a beeline for Celestia and Luna, while others made their way to the ballroom. Shine politely dodged and sidestepped the oncoming hoard. Once the flow had petered out, he realized he had lost Celestia.

"Celestia? Celestia?!" Shine called, before groaning to himself. 'Great. Just great. Five seconds in and you lose the mare. I better find her before the end of tonight.'

As Shine searched for Celestia, he bumped into another pony.

"Whoa there, pardner." The mare said.

"Sorry." Shine apologised. He did a double-take. He had seen the mare and her partner before, in one of Celestia's photos. "Applejack and Caramel, right?"

"Right." Caramel nodded.

"Ain't surprised you know us." Applejack smiled. "Havin' a princess for a girlfriend keeps ya well-informed, huh?"

"Always a pleasure to meet a fellow farmer." Shine smiled. "I was a cherry bucker back at Dodge Junction myself."

"At Miss Cherry's Jubilee's ranch, right?" Applejack asked. "Ah worked there fer a spell years back. How is Miss Jubilee?"

"She's doing great." Shine nodded.

The band started playing a new song.

"They're playin' our song, beautiful." Caramel noted. "Shall we?"

"We shall." Applejack chuckled. "Nice meetin' ya, Shine."

"Same to you." Shine waved.

As Applejack and Caramel danced, Shine continued his search. A flash of white on his peripheral vision drew his attention, but it was not who he thought it was, instead it was Rarity, alongside her husband, Orion.

"Oh, pardon me, I thought you were someone else." Shine apologized.

"Ah, Shine Paladin, we meet at last!" Rarity declared.

"Lovely to meet you." Orion added, stepping beside Rarity.

"And you, too." Shine replied.

"So how absolutely marvelous to meet the lover of the princess herself. The papers simply haven't done you justice." Rarity mused, as she circled around Shine, "You look really handsome in that tuxedo, and that silver necklace brings out your eyes like none other!"

"Really?" Shine asked, as he held up his necklace, "Well, thanks, it was my father."

"So, Mr. Paladin, how have you been enjoying your residence here at the castle?"

"It's okay." Shine declared. "Everypony's been real nice to me."

"Everypony, you say?" Rarity cast a glare at Blueblood, who was chatting with a trio of mares. "Even him?"

"Well, not at first." Shine admitted. "But he's an okay stallion, once you get to know him."

"I'll believe that when I see it." Rarity snorted.

"I'd love to stay and chat, but I'm looking for somepony." Shine declared. "If you'll excuse me…"

"Of course, go right ahead." Orion stepped aside.

Shine kept on his search, but was stopped by a pink blur moving in front of him.

"Hi there!" Pinkie Pie screeched.

"Aah!" Shine gasped, jumping back in shock. He had heard of Pinkie's exuberance, but nothing could have prepared to experience it firsthoof.

"You're Shine Paladin!" She pointed.

"Uh…yes?" Shine answered with uncertainty.

Pinkie's husband, Cherry Fizzy, moved in uncomfortably close, staring at Shine.

"Yep." He nodded. "It's definitely him."

"Oh, it's so good to meet you!" Pinkie yelped. "If we weren't already at a party, I'd throw a 'nice to meet you, Shine' party!"

"That's... nice." Shine said awkwardly.

"Oh, only the very best for the lover boy of the most beloved, most venerated, most everything-good princess of Equestria! I had read lots and lots about you, but they never told me what a real cutie you were. If I weren't madly in love with Cherry here, I would date you in a heartbeat!" Pinkie chattered.

"Uh…thanks?" Shine replied.

"Ooh, look, sweetie!" Cherry Fizzy pointed at the buffet table. "Chocolate éclairs!"

"Oh, yeah!" Pinkie squealed. "See you later, Shine!"

Pinkie and Cherry dashed over to the table and messily devoured the éclairs.

"Yikes, that was the weirdest conversation I had ever had…" Shine declared.

Shine decided to step outside, both for some air, and in hopes Celestia had done the same. As he stepped into the gardens, he came upon a peculiar sight; Two Pegasi sitting in a tree, surrounded by birds.

"Oh, hello." Fluttershy waved. "Don't mind us. We're just feeding the birds."

"I won't." Shine nodded, before recognizing her. "Hey, you're Fluttershy, right?"

"Oh… uh, yes…" Fluttershy answered meekly. "You must be the Shine Paladin everypony was talking about." She gives a warm smile, "Nice to meet you. This is my husband, Forrest."

"How do you do." Forrest nodded.

"How do you do yourself." Shine nodded in reply.

Suddenly, two colorful streaks blew through the air, upsetting the birds.

"Whoa!" Shine gasped, nearly stumbling backwards.

"Hey, watch it!" Forrest yelled.

The two streaks slowed, becoming Rainbow Dash and her husband, Thunder Clap.

"Whoops." Rainbow shrugged. "Our bad."

"Yeah, me and my wife were just racing." Thunder agreed.

Rainbow noticed Shine.

"Well, who do we have here? The famous fly boy dating our Princess." Rainbow smirked.

"The name's Shine." Shine introduced himself. "It is rather nice to meet a once prestigious member of the Wonderbolts."

"Gee, thanks!" Rainbow nodded. "It was fun for a little while, but I soon realized that I don't need to be a part of an awesome team to be awesome myself!"

"'Sides, she's already awesome in my books." Thunder nuzzled Rainbow.

As he saw the two Pegasus together, he felt a bit of warmness inside, hoping that if things go as planned tonight, that would be him and Celestia.

"So, Shine, would you care to join me and my lady in flight?" Thunder offered.

"Can't, sorry." Shine shook his head. "I'm looking for somepony."

"Suit yourself." Rainbow smirked, as she and Thunder took off again.

"Good luck, Shine." Fluttershy waved.

Shine went back inside. Once there, he saw a familiar sight; Twilight Sparkle and Flash Sentry.

"Hey, guys!" He called.

"Hi, Shine." Twilight waved.

"Something wrong, buddy?" Flash asked. "You look a little flushed."

"It's the lighting. You wouldn't happen to know where Celestia is, would you?" Shine asked.

"She's right over there." Twilight pointed.

Celestia was indeed there, in a corner of the room. Not wanting to wait another second, Shine marched forward resolutely.

Celestia quickly noticed her coltfriend as he approached swiftly.

"Oh, Shine, there you are, I was wondering where you had gotten off to." Celestia smiled.

"Celestia, there's something I have to ask you." He declared.

"What is it, Shine?" Celestia asked.

Shine gulped as he let out a deep breath. This was now or never.

"Now, I've never been much at making speeches. Even so in crowded places," Shine admitted. "But I will say that this past year with you has been the happiest of my life. You had given me everything I could ever hope for and done so much that I cannot repay. There is only one thing that could make me happier than I am now…"

Shine kneeled down on one knee, simultaneously pulling out the box, as he revealed the blue-feathered winged ring.

"Princess Celestia of Equestria, could you do me the honor of becoming Missus Paladin?" Shine continued.

The whole room went quiet. The band froze mid-song. Celestia stood stalk-still, stunned.

She wasn't the only one, as Luna, Twilight, Mist, and Blueblood witnessed the proposal more closely.

"Oh my…" Luna gasped.

"Is that what I think it is?" Twilight questioned.

"An engagement ring?" Blueblood asked himself, "But how…when…" Then it hit him, as Blueblood gave a small chuckle, "That clever little sneak."

"Ohmygosh, ohmygosh…" Mist whispered quickly, being the only one who knew of Shine's plans.

Celestia's shocked expression lingered… but soon dissolved into a smile with warm tears.

"Shine, I would love nothing more than to be your wife." She declared.

The whole room cheered as Celestia lowered her head to let Shine put the ring on her horn. Rainbow and Thunder, who had just returned, cheered the loudest, while Fluttershy managed a modest 'yay'. However, their joy was nothing compared to Mist.

"WOO-HOO!!" Mist cheered. "I'm gettin' a big sister!"

"Congratulations, sister…" Luna silently applauded, giving a prideful smile.

"At least I can now say that I didn't almost die for a piece of pastry." Blueblood smirked.

"Did someone say pastry?" Pinkie chipped in.

In front of everypony, Shine and Celestia shared a loving kiss. While many ponies had said something in such a vein before, for them the Gala truly was the best night ever.