Chapter 4: True Love At Last

Twilight and Spike, along with their animal friends continue walking through the other side of the woods. Not one of them realize of any new visitors to these woods as of yet.

As the animals were away, Spike was picking some berries but a hoof reaches and grabs him. The Dragonyelps and backs away as Iris turn to look to see Spike getting behind her. She sees what looks like Pinkie Pie (ok you ALL already might know what she looks like so moving on) and she looks like she was in pain. Iris slowly walks to her but Spike pulls her away

"Iris, it might harm you." Spike said to Iris in concern.

"it's hurt, Spike; besides I think it won't." Iris insist otherwise. She slowly walks closer as she says, "Hello there."

It looks at her and growls but looks in her eyes and slightly calms down as she says, "You are innocent but hello to you."

"Are you hurt?"

The creature nods slowly as Iris looks to see her back right hoof caught. She says, "I would break out myself but I am really weak from lack of food and water."

Iris then gives her some berries. The mare said gently, "Spike and I have gathered many already, you can have some if you like."

The pink pony reaches her hoof out and grabs the berries carefully and gently. She eats them. After the mare is done, she then turns as Iris and spike back up and with a grunt the prisoner kicked what caught her back right hoof flying. She pants and slowly gets up on her hooves as the newcomer looks at Iris and smiles.

"Friends and my brothers call me Pinkamena." The one known as Pinkamena said. "I do know your name but you’re called Iris Crystal right?"

Iris nods as she says, "Um asking who is your brother?"

Pinkamena's ears fold as her head lowers and she sighs as she says, "He was captured by an evil being. I barely made it out alive; my brother kept them busy so I could get away."

They heard her little tale and felt sorry, mostly Spike because he felt a little guilty because he thought that she was going to harm Iris. The unicorn nuzzles her cheek and says, "Don't worry, I am sure your brother is alright and maybe you can join me and my aunts and brother if you like."

"I am a stranger, why would you let somepony like me?"

"Well after all you been through, I think you deserve time to rest up and regain your strength."

Pinkamena smiles and hugs her. Iris was lightly surprised but hugs back as they break the hug and lays on a log. Pinkamena lays down on the grass standing guard and she says in mind, 'I am surprised. 16 years and Twilight's been closer than anypony knows. The Mystic Ponies are caring for her but my senses are going off. I have a feeling that there's more than just Gilda on the search, it is the very one who took Luna's wings. I better be ready for anything."

Twilight got up and resumes singing as Spike, Pinkamena and the animal follow her. The birds sing along during this time.

Iris: I wonder,
I wonder,
I wonder why each little bird
Has a someone to sing to,
Sweet things to
A gay little love melody.
I wonder,
I wonder,
If my heart keeps singing
will my song go winging
To someone
Who'll find me
And bring back a love song to me!

Once the song is over, the group came to the meadow that is at the edge of the Everfree Forest. They saw a castle that is far away, Iris nor the animals didn't realize that it was King Night Light's castle and where Iris, AKA Twilight Sparkle, truly belongs to.

"Yeah, what a lovely view," Pinkamena said with a grin.

"I know, very lovely." Spike said awkwardly. He wonders what would happen once Iris finds out that the castle in the distance is her own; And that her "aunts" will have to take her back there today after the party is over?

"Oh dear," Iris said sadly as she goes back into the forest. Everyone follows her as she continues, "Not fair. Why must they always do this to me?"

"Hoo," Owlowiscious ask as if asking who Iris was referring to.

"Oh, now don't do that again!" Spike groans, thinking that Owlowisicous is trying to confuse them all.

"Relax, Spike. I mean Aunt Rarity, Aunt Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash." Iris explains with an annoyed sigh while sitting down. "Why, they never want me to meet anyone besides you all."

The birds chirp in sadness at this. Pinkamena said, "How awful! It isn't right for them to do that."

"Oh, I'm sure that they got a reason to do so." Spike said nervously while rubbing the back of his scales. He got to keep the true reason as to why Iris isn't allowed to meet anyone at all.

"But you want to know a secret? I fooled them. I did meet someone." Iris said to the others with a smirk, making Spike yelp in concern. Did she met someone and didn't let him in on it?

"Err, really?"

"Hoo," Owlowiscious ask Iris curiously as if wanting to ask who she did meet.

"Yeah, who is it? Come on!" Pinkamena exclaims anxiously as the Animals nods and make noises. They want to know who it is that Iris had met in secret.

"I have found somepony...he's a Prince, a handsome, sweet, wonderful....dashing Prince. His eyes are the most handsome shade of green, his coat as dark as chocolates...his mane and tail...are so perfect, and his voice is so gentle and kind..." Iris said with a lovely sigh. "Oh, it was so romantic.

"Err, so what happened" Spike ask Iris, hiding his fear. Not good. What if she met Ben already? Then the whole fuse will be blown big time!

"The usual things; we talked together and walked together. Shared secrets and all that...then, right before my prince leaves he takes me into his upper forearms and then..."

"And?!" Pinkamena ask excitedly as the animals made some more noises. Spike looks like he's going to faint at any given moment now.

"I wake up." Iris admits with a sad sigh, making the animals make noises in sadness with Pinkamena frowning. "Yes, I was dreaming."

"Oh...sorry to hear that," Spike said though he secretly wipes his brow in relief. Iris was only dreaming, she didn't meet someone in secret. That's good.

"Of course, you know what they say: when you dream more than once, it's sure to come true. But I have seen him in my dreams so many times so far."

Pinkamane and the animals look down in sadness as Spike came over to comfort Iris. If only there's some way to make her feel better. Angel turns then saw something hanging nearby: wet clothes that consist of a hat, a cloak and pair of boots, that has a size to put two ponies in. Perfect!

The bunny grabs a walnut and throws it at Owlowiscious, Winona and Gummy's head, making them yelp to get their attention. Angel comes over and motion to the clothes while explaining his idea to his animal friends as well as the red robin and the blue bird. They all love the idea; maybe Iris can be cheer up from that!

The six animals heads off, unknown to Iris, Spike, Pinkamena and the other animals, to the area behind the bushes where the wet clothes are. Now unknown to them, the owner of the clothes, Ben Mare, is nearby the same lake where he fell in earlier, trying to dry off.

Dragoking was near the lake. He lowered his head in underwater as he was searching for food. Dragoking came out, having his mouth filled with lots of fishes. He chewed on them slowly for a few times before swallowing them up.

Applejack came over to Ben, asking, "Hey, Ben. How're yew doing now?"

"Fine; the clothes were a little wet. But with some sun, they should be dried off sooner." Ben said to Applejack with a sigh. The prince then glances at his Hydragoon while shaking his head. "Somehow, Dragoking you really need to work on your brakes. I never knew how Dragon Hope handled him."

"No one knows. But Dragon Hope did rescued him when he was attacked by," Pinkie gulped while finishing, "King Sombra!"

Applejack shushed angrily, "Pinkie Pie! Don't mention 'dat name! Yew know how angry an' upset Dragoking can git." The cowpony turned to Ben while speaking to him now, glancing at what Dragoking is now doing," Are yew serious about not giving him some fishes? He's already having them now."

Ben shrugged as he admits to his friend, "I'm just giving a chance to taste them before he could starve from not having them again. Boy, was he annoying."

"Grr...." The Hydragoon growls a bit upon hearing that. Dragoking swung his tail on a pebble right at Ben's head, making him yelp a bit.

"Dragoking!" Ben scowls. Dragoking stuck his tongue at him before turning away from him. "What? You want an apology for making fun of you, you big pouty baby-poo?"

Dragoking had his eyes rolled up as he somehow said, "Wha-e-ver..."

Applejack whistled while chuckling at this scene, "Sure he loved to make fun of you."

"Okay, then... Try this pal!" The prince said with a slight smirk, having some way to get back at his pal. Ben grabbed Dragoking's neck as he wrestled with him. "You're one hard and stubborn Hydragoon I had to deal with! If it weren't for Dragon Hope, you would be lonely and lost! You feel me?!"

"Whoa! Looks like an intense fight!" Pinkie exclaims happily while keeping her focus on the sight. Not anyone spotted some animals appearing, preparing to make their move.

"Eeyup; An' Dragoking always win." Applejack admits to Pinkie in agreement,

Dragoking's neck raised up to the top of the trees while Ben continued wrestling with him.

"Come on! You wouldn't want to hurt your own owner's brother-in-?!" Ben looked down then yelped in shock, "What the?! DRAGOKING," Dragoking chuckled happily and in amusement. "Okay! Okay! Okay! You win! Put me down!"

Dragoking lowered to the ground and let Ben land. The prince took a deep breath before turning to Dragoking. Ben got licked on his face by the Hydragoon for a few times, much to his disgust. He groaned and grunted in annoyance while Applejack and Pinkie giggled happily and in amusement. That was definitely one funny sight to see!

Dragoking stopped licking Ben before he shook his body hard in getting rid of the wetness. Ben groaned, "You know that doesn't wash out!"

Dragoking chuckled in amusement. Ben smirked slyly as he threw his hoof in front of him while doing the same watery spit threw right on the Hydragoon's face. Dragoking grew in annoyance as he shook his head off. Ben, managing to wash the stuff off with the lake, begins to remember the voice. During this time, the animals make their move, taking his wet clothes.

"Hmmm, I wonder who was singing before? Could be a Siren...no, they would've absorb hatred during their singing." Ben said thoughtfully, trying to figure out what was the source of the singing. "That voice sounded too real to be in my head..."

Applejack's eyes widen in surprise as she spots the animals, causing her to call out, "Ben! Don't look now but some vermints are taking off wit' her yer clothes!" Ben then turns and looks surprised as his clothes are being taken off by the animals.

"Hey, wait! Stop, give those back! Pinkie! Why didn't your Pinkie Senses alerted me to them?"

"Goes against the script, duh," Pinkie reminds her friend while rolling her eyes. Ben groans in disbelief, his friend's randomness is still hard to get used to.

Once the animals are far away from Ben's group, they got to work. Winona and Gummy got into the boots while Owlowiscious flew off, allowing the birds to put the cloak onto him. Angel got onto the owl's hat wearing the hat. With a grin, the Animals heads off, with Gummy and Winona doing some hopping in the boots, to where Iris Crystal's at. Boy, would she be happy to see this.

Iris was still feeling sad and lonely, even with the rest of her friends trying to comfort her. Suddenly the group hears a familiar owl making noises, turning to see what it was.

"Hey, what's this?" Pinkamena ask in surprise. Iris gasps then giggles as Owlowiscious came over in the cloak that the birds are holding, with Angel on his head in the hat, with Gummy and Winona in the boots.

"Well, well, my dream prince." Iris said with an amusing giggle.

"Oh brother," Spike said while rolling his eyes a bit. He can tell that his animal pals somehow stole someone else's clothes and are using them to help cheer iris up. Of course, it worked as the mare came over, approaching while bowing.

"Your highness," Iris giggles a bit. The princess begins to hum while walking around her disguised friends. She is feeling better already! "You know, I am not supposed to talk to strangers...but we did met before."

And thus, Iris begins to dance with the 'dream prince'. Everyone watches as she begins to sing another song.

Iris: I know you
I walked with you
Once upon a dream
I know you
The gleam in your eyes
Is so familiar a-gleam

Unknown to everyone however, Ben's group arrive on the scene to recover the clothes. What they saw was Iris dancing with her "dream prince". And upon seeing her, Ben looks surprised then smiles lovingly at this filly. It's like...seeing her for the first time has enchanted her better than that of a Siren.

And I know it's true
That visions are seldom all they seem
But if I know you I know what you'll do
You'll love me at once
The way you did
Once upon a dream

As the song resumes, Iris "la-la-ed" a bit as the disguised animals kept on flying/moving to keep up with her.

But if I know you
I know what you'll do

However when Iris Crystal turn away, she fails to see Ben grabbing Owlowiscious's group out of the way. The stallion came over and replaces them with himself, dancing with Iris, unknown to her still.

You'll love me at once

Both: The way you did once

Iris stops singing and is confused. Since when does Owlowisicious sing? The mare looks alarmed as she saw the owl and the animals with him tangled in the bushed with Owlowisicious shrugging while hooing sheepishly.

Ben: Upon a dream

Iris turns and saw Ben for the first time ever, making her gasps, "Oh my!" She backs away a bit, startled. Iris now met a real stranger...and yet, for some reason, although her aunts told her not to speak to any, she felt...attracted to this newcomer for some reason.

"Oh sorry, didn't mean to scare you." Ben said calmly as he takes Iris by the hoof gently.

"Oh, it isn't that. To be honest...it's just that...well, you're..."

"A stranger?"

"Yeah, of course," Iris said nervously as she tries to leave. However, Ben held her by the hoof. He isn't going to let her get away that easily...not when the stallion has finally found her: his special somepony.

"Ah, but I am not a stranger now, am I?" Ben points out to Iris, much to her confusion. "We did meet before, remember?"

"Wait, we have; When?"

"You said so yourself: once upon a dream!"

"Huh?" Pinkie asks confused. Of course, Applejack silences her as Ben goes back to singing a familiar song to Iris.

I know you,
I walked with you
Once upon a dream.
I know you,
The gleam in your eyes
Is so familiar a gleam

Iris then smiles lovingly to Ben. She has finally found him: the stallion from her dreams. They have come true at lake. The two then dance together as the others follow.

Chorus: And I know it's true
That visions are seldom all they seem
But if I know you
I know what you'll do
You'll love me at once
The way you did
Once upon a dream

Once the song is over, the two lovers stop dancing and goes over to the meadow view, looking at the castle happily. The others enjoy the view, wanting a great time...all but one certain cowpony who looks worried.

"Uh-oh; 'Dis is not good." Applejack said with a gulp. Ben is putting his upper forearm around Iris's neck...as if the two are truly in love. And worst yet, to the Earth Pony, she is!

"What do you mean, Applejack?" Pinkie asks Pinkamena, not understanding. "Ben and that pretty Unicorn are so…cute together! Isn't love so beautiful?"

"Pinkie…unless yew've really lost your memory 'dis time, Ben's already betrothed 'ta somepony else; Princess Twilight Sparkle; Remember?"

"I know that, but still that Unicorn's ten times more beautiful than any stinking Princess--."

"Pinkie, watch what yer're saying. We don't wanna offend King Night Light or his family." Applejack interrupts Pinkie sternly. Last thing she wants is to get Twilight's family upset. "Besides…if Jack or 'de royal found out about 'dis…we can kiss our flanks goodbye an' we'll probably dance 'e Gallows Jig."

"Gallows Jig? Sounds like a really fun dance!" Pinkie exclaims, bouncing up and down, comically missing the point.

"Pinkie, what Ah meant was…is 'dat they'll hang us, or worse…behead us."

"Oh…but why would they do that to us?"

"They'd hang us because they'll most likely think 'dat we've been a bad influence on Ben's life, when in truth Ben's always been 'dis way." Applejack explains seriously to Pinkie. Sounds like exaggeration but it appears to be that way. "Or they'd behead us…because they'll think that we've been 'putting ideas into his head', when Ben's always been curious an' always had an independent mind."

"Oh…that." Pinkie said nervously. She doesn't like the sound of that at all!

"Captain Jack will even make us walk 'de plank when he finds out."

"You mean…IF…he finds out."

"Of course he's gonna--." Applejack stops, thinking as to what her friend just said, "Oh….if. If is good."

"Yeah…as long as we Pinkie Promise to keep this to ourselves; you won't tell him or Night Light and Velvet, and I won't tell them either. We will be as quiet as mice, Applejack." Pinkie said to Applejack happily. As long as no one else outside this group knows, Applejack and Pinkie's heads will be spared along with their bodies.

"Aww...what the heck; they look so cute together...though something about that colt looks very familiar. I swear that I've seen him before but where?" Spike asks puzzled. He is accepting the fact that Iris and the new guy are cute together. But who is the colt? "Hmm...."

Iris smiles as she put her head on Ben's shoulder...Twilight yelped in shock as a familiar creature appear from out of nowhere, "What- What is that thing?! Is that a Hydra?!"

Pinkie giggled happily, "Actually that's a Hydragoon. But no worry, he's friendly."

Dragoking lowered his head before Iris as he gave her a lick for three times while she giggled happily. He gave a nuzzle. Perhaps Pinkie is right. This Hydragoon is friendly.

"He likes ya." Applejack said in surprise. Although the Earth Pony was against this, she is amazed that Dragoking would warm up to this peasant pony.

Iris giggled happily, "He's friendly."

Ben smiled as he spoke to the strange pony, "Yeah, he is. And trust me, that guy can be playful and annoying, but he's a loyal and friendly to us and everyone he knows of. And as long those creeps don't mess with us, he won't take a bite on them."

"How did you find him?"

Ben sighed in sadness, not wanting to go into this story at first, "It belonged to my brother-in-law Dragon Hope. He was his pet. When I was about 17, he gave me his pet because he was on a mission."

"Yeah, he was on 'de search fer Sombra by Lord Azure Phoenix's order, but never returned." Applejack said seriously. Azure Phoenix, the Lord of Ma who was once one of Celestia's colt-friends, gave the order to his allies to find Sombra, to bring him to justice for what he did to Luna.

Pinkie sighed in sadness, "We only suspect that he died from finding him."

Ben sighed as he adds, "That's one of the reasons why my sister died in illness. She didn't believed he died. She never eats, sleeps or rests. She just stood there and wait for him. I really wonder what had happened to him when he left for Lord Azure's mission."

Pinkie shrugged while adding, "No one knows, Ben... No one knows..."

"I'm sorry." Iris said in pity and sadness. She felt upset that her new lover has love some of his family. The mare never knew her own parents either to be honest.

Ben smiles, hugging Iris while saying, "Tell me. What is your name?"

"Hmmm; oh yes, it's..."

"Ixnay, ixnay," Spike exclaims, motioning a 'stop it' sign to his friend. "Besides, we gotta go."

Iris's eyes widen in shock upon remembering something. She isn't supposed to speak to strangers! The unicorn exclaims, "No! I can't! I gotta go!"

"Sorry I didn't do much but I gotta go too!" Pinkamena exclaims with a shrug as she, Spike and Iris quickly rush off to get away from Ben's group.

"Wait, hang on!" Ben calls after Iris in alarm and worry. "When will I see you again?"

"Never...I don't think so." Iris said in hesitation. The truth is, the unicorn wants to meet her love again...but she can't! Not against her aunts' orders! They will be upset when they themselves find out about this!

"What?"

"Well...maybe someday."

"Tomorrow," Ben asks Iris hopefully. He wants so much to see this filly again, even if he himself is betrothed to one that he hasn't seen in years.

"No, how about tonight," Iris suggests hopefully to Ben. She knew that her aunts would be sleeping by then, so the mare can meet him then.

"All right. So where can I find you?"

"In the cottage in the glen."

Ben, winking at her with a smirk, spoke eagerly, "It's a date then, baby. See you there."

Iris tries her best not to blush or giggle as she, Spike and Pinkamena rush off from sight. Applejack slaps her own forehead, groaning in worry, "If Jack finds out about 'dis, we'll probably get forty lashes."

"Oh no!" Pinkie exclaims frantically. Of course, she was thinking that she'd get forty extra eyelashes on her eyes.

"What are we gonna do, y'all!”

"Oh, come on, Applejack. I was just six years old when Twilight disappeared. Besides, even if we are betrothed to each other, I doubt that she'll even remember me or worse..." Ben points out to Applejack with a deep frown. To him, Twilight probably has forgotten him after she disappeared 16 years old. Perhaps it's best to move on.

"What would be worse than Twilight not remembering you, Ben?" Pinkie asks Ben in concern.

"That she'll hate me at first glance and not want to have anything to do with me."

"But yew miss her...don't yew, Ben?" Applejack ask Ben seriously. Doesn't this prince even miss his betrothed at all?

Ben pauses to think about this, then he sighs, "You're right, Applejack. I've missed Twilight every day for the past sixteen years...but still, she'll probably hate me once we meet for real."

"And just how do you know that, Ben?" Pinkie asks Ben, wondering how her friend would even know that.

"It's common sense, Pinkie. I'll bet that she's disgusted by the idea of having marry a total stranger like me."

"Oh…that does make a bit of sense. But still, Ben…you at least got a chance to impress Twilight, once you get to know her."

"Oh, yeah right. More like she'll tell me to get lost and find some colt-hogger to spend the rest of my life with," Ben remarks with a grunt, believing the worst. "Then I'll really be the laughingstock of the family and a disgrace to my mom's name."

"Ben…Ah know 'dat yew haven't seen Twilight since she was newly born an' 'dat you barely want anything 'ta do wit' marrying her, but…'dis betrothal is the same thing as making a Pinkie Promise." Applejack explains seriously to Ben, putting an arm on his back to explain what's what. "It can't be broken, or yew will suffer 'de consequences. Besides, it's a matter of honor an' honesty, Ben."

"That's right." Pinkie said with a nod of agreement.

Ben groans a bit in disbelief and annoyance. All those ancient stuff gives him one major headache!

----------------

Fluttershy grins as she is finishing the final touches of the cake: lighting the candles on it. Of course, to call it a cake would be lying: it looks like one huge melting mess! The Pegasus pony tries her best to keep it up with a broom, trying to keep the cake itself from falling.

"I'm done. So what do you girls think?" Fluttershy ask her friends happily.

Rarity is almost done with the dress...and so is Rainbow who is looked annoyed. The dress that she's wearing looks like something out of kindergarten! No filly or mare in their right mind would wanna wear it! Rarity does better when she uses magic and so on...but if one would even look at this, one would think that the unicorn has no idea what she's doing.

Rarity turns to look at the cake, giving an awkward look. Trying not to hurt her friend's feelings, she said, "Well...got to admit. It is...well...unusual."

"Thanks. It should be straight once it's done baking." Fluttershy said with a smile, making Rainbow groans a bit. This won't work. This party will end up failing!

"And what do you think of Twilight's wonderful dress?"

"Hmm; oh yes. It's...well, not like in the book..."

"Well, I improved it a little." Rarity said with an awkward giggle. Deep in her mind, the Mystic Pony felt like she is kidding herself. This isn't like the dresses that she herself had made in the past. This is a disaster! "Perhaps I could do a few more ruffolds. What do you think, Fluttershy?"

"Well, I think so too." Fluttershy said with a meek nod, "Rainbow Dash? How about you do?"

"Oh, you want to know what I think; you really want to know?" Rainbow ask her friends dryly at first, making them nod. The mare growls then struggles like mad, ripping the dress into pieces. "I SAY ENOUGH ALREADY!"

"Rainbow," Rarity exclaims in shock. "I worked hard on that!"

"Not hard enough! Look, we all should think of Twilight and what she will say once she sees this stupid mess! Admit it, it's time we do what should've been done in the first place! I'm getting the Elements of Harmony!"

And thus, Rainbow gallops back upstairs to get the stuff. Fluttershy turns just in time to see the broom failing in keeping the cake up, causing it to melt away from the table. The yellow pony then sighs, "Oh dear. Well, I hate to be rude...but Rainbow is right."

Rarity sighs in agreement. Fluttershy is right about Rainbow being right. Who is the trio kidding? They do work better with magic. And with Twilight coming home at any given moment, perhaps it's for the best to use magic after all. This is for her 16th birthday party after all!

"Got them," Rainbow exclaims, coming down with the necklaces while smirking, "Still good as the day when we hid them away!"

"Please, be careful!" Rarity exclaims as she quickly grabs her Element of Generosity from Rainbow. The white unicorn then quickly put the Element of Kindness onto Fluttershy while speaking, "Quick, lock the doors!" Rainbow didn't waste time in using the pendant to return her own wings to herself then zip over to lock all the doors to the house. "Fluttershy, close all the windows."

Fluttershy, using her own magic to get her own wings back, flew over to the windows, closing them while shutting the curtains. Rarity, recovering her horn, continues, "Make sure every cranny is plugged. We cannot take any more chances than we are already!"

The girls quickly work on plugging every cranny to secure the house. They can't risk Nightmare Moon or any of the minions finding out what's going. Once the place is secured, Rarity sighs a bit. That should keep anyone from finding them.

"All right; Fluttershy, take care of the cake," Rarity orders Fluttershy with a nod.

"Right, and I will..." Rainbow begins to say excitedly, preparing to what she wanted. But Rarity then passes the broom to the Pegasus pony, much to her annoyance.

"You are going to clean up this mess while I make a new dress to replace the one you ruined. Well, get to work!"

"Ugh. Fine. All right, broom, bucket, mop; come on!" Rainbow exclaims as she uses her magic to bring the mentioned stuff to life. "Fussy Rarity told us to clean the mess up. Now get to it!"

The objects obey as they got to work, sweeping and mopping the place up. Rainbow wants this mess to be clean up, nice and tidy by the time that Twilight gets back.

"Now then...yes, something that will really fit a princess," Rarity said happily as she begins work on the new dress. The mare uses her magic to make a pink cloth twirl around until it looks like a sleeveless gown. Rarity smiles happily, it's good to be doing this again.

Fluttershy make the ingredients come to life with magic. She motions the book while saying, "Eggs, flour, milk. Now do what the books say. I will finish things off with candles and ribbons."

The ingredients didn't waste time as they got to work on making the cake, much successfully than Fluttershy trying to do so without magic. For the next few seconds or so, the trio were doing better than the previous attempt: making the dress, cleaning up the mess, making the cake, etc. Yeah, it looks like for a moment, it looks like nothing can ruin this.

That is until Rainbow, who is leading a broom, saw the dress, making her almost gag while groaning, "Oh man, pink?! Make it rainbow!"

Rainbow fires her magic at the dress, changing it into a rainbow color, much to Rarity's irritation. The unicorn yells out, "Rainbow! Make it pink!"

Rarity uses her magic to change the dress back to pink before going back to work. Rainbow dances a bit, having some fun then points her pendant at a piece of cloth heading to the dress while saying, "Rainbow."

The pink cloth changes into rainbow along with the dress. Rarity in annoyance once more uses her magic to change the dress back, snapping, "Pink!"

"Rainbow!"

Rainbow fires a blast in hopes to change the dress bad to rainbow, only for her to miss and hit Rairty, changing her clothes purple. This causes the Pegasus pony to snort and laughs her head off. To be honest, this is much better than changing clothes into different colors!

"Oh...it is...on." Rarity growls furiously while glaring at Rainbow. "Take this, you ruffian!"

Rarity fires a magic blast at Rainbow, changing her clothes pink. The mare yelps and yells out, "Hey! All right, you wanna fight? You got one!"

The two ponies plus goes to work: firing blasts at each other while changing colors like mad. Fluttershy of course was making the ribbons without magic while not even paying attention to the carnage at hoof here. After all, she is making the cake, not getting in the way of the duel.

Of course, the duel became a big problem, unknown to them. While the girls thought that they had secure the whole house to keep people from peeking in and finding out the truth, there's one spot in the house that they had forgotten to secure: the fireplace itself! The blazes of colors goes through it, the Mystic Ponies didn't even notice as Rarity and Rainbow kept on fighting, while Fluttershy kept on making the cake.

Now, at this moment, Gilda was flying over the Everfree Forest, looking around while frowning. She has been searching for a few minutes but there is still no sign of Twilight or those Mystic Ponies and their Dragon assistant!

"Where could that stupid Princess be?" Gilda growls in irritation while looking down to the forest, "Why did this stupid forest have to be covered with too many accursed trees?!"

A voice came from out of nowhere, startling Gilda, "Calm yourself, Gilda."

"Who's there? Who's there?"

"It's me...King Sombra."

Something appears in the sky, making some sort of form to Gilda. It is a dark gray unicorn with a black spiky mane and tail. Unlike regular unicorn horns, which match the pony's coat color and are straight and segmented, his horn is curved, smooth, sharp at the tip and it gradients from dark gray to red. He has sharp teeth with two visible fangs unlike other ponies and red irises, but most often his otherwise white eyes appear green and have a purple mist emanating from them, which disappears both times he is attacked. He wears silver armor on his legs and neck, a crown with horn-like points on his head, and a red cape that covers his flank. He is known as King Sombra, the same wicked unicorn who was responsible for Luna's turn to darkness.

"My King, it's good to see you again." Gilda said, bowing to Sombra as if in loyalty.

"So Nightmare Moon doesn't suspect your disloyalty to her and your loyalty to me, Gilda?" Sombra ask Gilda with a cruel grin. While the griffin is Nightmare Moon's spell, in reality, she is loyal only to Sombra.

"That's right, King Sombra. She doesn't...and everything is going according to plan, Your Majesty."

"Good...now...I suspect that you are looking for Princess Twilight Sparkle?"

"That's right. But this forest is so thick...I can't seem to find her." Gilda remarks with an annoyed grunt.

"Don't worry, Gilda. You shall find her...and when you do...you must report to me first. Then you can report to Nightmare Moon." Sombra said to Gilda sinisterly.

"Yes, sir."

"And make sure that Nightmare Moon doesn't disappoint me."

"You got it, boss!" The evil bird exclaims sinisterly. Sombra then began to sing along with Gilda.

Sombra: It's so so stirring
I feel like purring

Gilda: It's deeply pleasing

To be the reason

Sombra and Gilda: So many will be so sad!

Then as Gilda flew off Sombra finish the song.

Sombra: Three cheers for treachery
It feels so good to be bad!
Ha ha!

Gilda didn't go far as she notices something odd: fireworks coming out into the sky. The griffin flew down and found the cottage. As she got to the ceiling, the bird yelps as some blaze of colors almost hit her.

"Whoa! Almost blew my head off!" Gilda exclaims in surprise, yet smirks eagerly. "But I found them."

Inside, the colors wars kept on going, with magic hitting off stuff and hitting the two mares. Soon both Rarity and Rainbow fires at the same time...and hit the dress, turning it into a combination of pink and purple!

"Ugh! Now look what you did!" Rarity growls at Rainbow furiously.

"Whoa, what do you mean what I've done?!" Rainbow protests to Rainbow, even though she was the one who made the mess in the first place, "What about you?!"

"Shhh, girls, listen!" Fluttershy exclaims in alarm. The girls stop talking as they hear something: a familiar singing heading to the cottage. It didn't take long before they figure out who was singing.

"Oh man! It's Iris Crystal!"

"No more of this nonsense! Come on, we must be ready!" Rarity urges her friends. She's right, time to get ready. As Fluttershy finish lighting the candles, the white unicorn pauses then zaps her magic at the dress. "Make it pink."

Rarity rushes off quickly to hide. Rainbow frowns at the new dress color, changes it while saying, "Rainbow."

Once the color is changed, Rainbow nods as she goes into hiding while causing the utensils to stop moving. Fluttershy looks at the dress, then uses her necklace while saying, "Oh dear. This won't do. This will be better."

Fluttershy zaps the dress, changing it without the other Mystic Ponies knowing. It is now purple with some light purple and light blue hooves with blue shoulderish pads and star decorations.

"Auntie Rarity," Iris calls out from outside, while Fluttershy rush to hide with her friends. This is perfect, not a detail out of place!

Except for one that made Rarity gasped, "Ugh! Who left the mop running?!" Sure enough, there's the mop, still working with magic. Rainbow has forgotten to stop it!

"Stop, mop!" Rainbow exclaims, using her magic to cause the mop to come to a stop before falling to the ground. Phew, that was a close one!

During this time, Iris hums as she, Spike and Pinkamena came into the house, looking around. Unknown to them, Gilda was also looking in through a crack in the window. There's Twilight, the grown up mare that Nightmare Moon has been looking for all these 16 years!

"Auntie Rarity; Fluttershy; Rainbow Dash," Iris calls as she looks around the seemingly empty cottage. "Where could those three be?"

"My! This cottage is empty!" Spike exclaims, pretending not to know. "Wow, it would be weird if..."

"Hey, look!" Pinkamena exclaims, pointing at something. Iris gasps in surprise upon seeing the new dress and cake. Although the mare knew what's going on, this is a big surprise ever that's happening to her today!

"Wow!" Iris exclaims eagerly.

"Surprise," The three mares exclaims happily as they came from out of nowhere, surprising the happy mare.

"Happy Birthday, Iris," Fluttershy giggles happily. She notices Pinkamena before asking, "Who is this?"

"Oh, this is my new friend, Pinkamena!" Iris explains, smiling as she introduces her new friend who waves meekly to the "aunts". "I found her trapped in the forest and free her. Her big brother is missing so I hope you don't mind if she stays with us."

"Well, I guess so." Rainbow remarks with a shrug. Won't matter after today anyway, right?

"Hi. You must be Iris's aunts." Pinkamena said to the trio with a smile, trying not to be creepy. "Glad to meet ya!"

"Oh, everyone," Iris giggles happily as she begins hugging her "aunts" and "brother". "This day has been the best ever! Oh, wait until you meet him!"

"Wait, what?" Rarity asks startled upon hearing the last part. "Meet him"?

"Hang on. Iris Crystal!" Rainbow gasps in surprise and disbelief upon hearing that.

"Did...did you meet any strangers besides Pinkamena?! Spike, I told you to make sure she doesn't do that!"

"It isn't my fault...it just happened." Spike said to his love nervously while rubbing the back of his head.

"Oh, he is no stranger, Auntie Rarity." Iris giggles while smiling lovingly. "We met before!"

"Really," Rarity asks Iris puzzled. The mare doesn't understand about that part.

"Where did you meet him?" Rainbow asks, giving a puzzled look to her adopted niece.

"Once upon a dream," Iris said, giving out a happy sigh. She then begins singing a familiar song while dancing with Fluttershy, "I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream..."

"She's in love!" Fluttershy exclaims to her friends in surprise and amazement. She saw that look on the purple unicorn's face before: Iris is indeed in love.

"Totally awesome," Rainbow exclaims with a smile upon hearing that.

"Rainbow; It's terrible!" Rarity exclaims to Rainbow in horror. This isn't good.

"Oh, sorry."

Spike nods in agreement, looking worried as he explains, "When the King finds out about this we'll hang for treason and for 'putting ideas into her head'."

"Spike!" Rarity exclaims, making Spike yelp a bit. He just went and said that right in front of Iris!

Iris stops dancing with Fluttershy, giving the others but Pinkamena a confused look as she asks, "Why? After all, I am sixteen now."

"Right; let her marry who she wants." Pinkamena said in agreement, yet yelps upon remembering something. "Oooooh. That."

"Well, it's not that we are against you falling in love." Rarity said in hesitation, feeling guilty. Now is the time to tell the truth, though she knew that Iris would be heartbroken once it gets out.

"Oh dear; the thing is...you are already engaged." Fluttershy said meekly to Iris.

"Wait, engaged," Iris ask puzzled and confused. She wasn't aware of being engaged until now.

"Since you were born," Rainbow explains to a sigh while concerned.

"Right, to Prince Benjamin Maregilligan," Fluttershy said seriously to Iris, much to her shock and disbelief.

"Engaged?! What do you mean?! I can't be engaged! That only happens if it involves royalty and..." Iris begins to say, until Spike was forced to interrupt her.

"Iris...we aren't really your brother and aunts." Spike said sadly to Iris, much to her surprise and shock. "We're from the Mystic Realm, did you even notice the wings and horn that they now got?" Iris turns and looks surprise as she now saw the additions on her "aunts" that the mare failed to notice until now.

"That's right...and you are really a princess." Rainbow said sadly to Iris, much to her shock.

"Right, it's sad but true." Fluttershy said gloomy.

"Oh no..." Iris said as she looks stunned and disbelief upon hearing that. The unicorn is really a princess...and the Mystic Ponies didn't tell her until now?

"It's true, darling. Your real name is Twilight Sparkle, daughter of King Night Light and Queen Twilight Velvet." Rarity said with a sad sigh. "Tonight, we are taking you back home."

Gilda smirks eagerly upon hearing that. She then flew off quickly and quietly, heading back. Sombra and Nightmare Moon would love to hear this!

""No, I can't go back!" Iris, now Twilight, protests in shocked and sadness. "He's coming tonight! I promise that I would meet him and his friends here...tonight!'

"Twilight Sparkle, I'm sorry, I really am." Rarity said with a sad sigh. "But I'm afraid that you will never see that colt again."

"No! I cannot believe it! I won't!"

Twilight sobs as she gallops upstairs to her room. The Mystic Ponies look at each other sadly. This party has turned into a bad one...all because they were forced to tell the princess the truth. Twilight wanted to see that mysterious colt again and yet, the trio hasn't even seen him yet! Pinkamena sighs sadly while looking down, feeling sad for her depressed friend,

"Oh man, I thought she would be happy." Rainbow said sadly while shaking her head in regret. Perhaps the girls should've told Twilight the truth sooner.

"Now look what you've done, Rarity!" Spike exclaims furiously to Rarity, much to her shock. "You broke Twilight's heart and ruined her dreams and her birthday."

"But...but...Spike--." Rarity begins to protest. Sadly, Spike held one of his claws up in her front, not wanting to hear it.

"Talk to the claws, Rarity...because the face doesn't want to listen anymore."

"But we don't know how to speak in claw, Spike." Fluttershy said in concern and confusion at this.

"Ugh. It's a figure of speech, Fluttershy." Rainbow groans a bit while slapping her own forehead in disbelief.

"Oh dear; what a worst birthday party this turned out to be."

Twilight lies on her bed, sobbing in sadness and despair. She will soon be heading home...and will never see her true love again! Oh, what a terrible day this turned out to be!

Author's note
Poor Twilight; She found out the truth and now, the mare may never see Ben again, unaware of who he truly is. In the next chapter, Jack Silver begins making plans for the soon to be wedded couple's future with King Night Light, but when his son tells him of his determination to marry the peasant pony that he met, what will happen? Read, review and suggest.

The scene and fun fight that Ben had with Dragoking before the animals stole his clothes are a reference to 'How to Train Your Dragon 2'.

This chapter also has references to 'Hercules', 'SpongeBob SquarePants', 'All Dogs Go to Heaven 2', and the second Austin Powers film.