Sombra, Cadence, Twilight, Spike, Lone, and their two guests, Coco Pommel and Hot Steel, made their way to the palace dining room. "So, if I may ask," Steel said, "what are the cooks serving tonight?"

"A mix of normal Equestrian meals and some traditional Crystal Empire ones," Sombra said, "which, on our side, includes some meats."

"Yes, I read up on that on my way here," Steel said. "Much as I dislike the prospect of eating meat, I think, given you can't plant a lot up here, most ponies would be okay with it."

"Well, that's good," Lone said, "seeing as how our diet consists mostly of meat."

"Then why is it your teeth are more like a ponies, instead of a predator's?" Coco asked.

"Evolution," Twilight said. "Crystal ponies and Equestrian ponies all come from the same common ancestor, ours just evolved to eat meat and some plants."

"That makes sense," Steel said. "It is a shame many ponies these days believe that Celestia created ponies out of nothing when there is no scientific proof for it, or even magical proof."

"I know I believed that when I was a filly in Canterlot," Twilight said. "And she didn't even try to discount those rumors."

"She didn't with me, either," Cadence said. "I'm actually beginning to wonder as to the real reason she sent Luna to the moon, and that potion you drank simply showed you what you needed, not what was the truth."

"We can discuss that later, my dears," Sombra said as the group arrived at the doors to the dining room. "Now, it is time to eat."

With that, he opened the doors, and the group made their way to seats.

Sombra and Cadence sat at the head of the table, Twilight sitting on their left, Spike next to her. Lone sat on their right.

As drinks were brought in, Sombra said, "I do hope you'll forgive us, but I think it would be best to wait until some of out other guests have arrived."

"Of course, your majesty," Steel said. "If I may ask, who will be joining us?"

"The other Elements of Harmony, hopefully," Cadence said. "Them, as well as my sister in law and the former captain of the Canterlot guard, which is to say my husband before my memories were restored."

"Well, this is going to be interesting," Steel whispered to himself as he took his seat on the other end of the table.

They did not have to wait long for the first guests, Chrysalis and Shining, to walk in, the two holding hands.

"Well, that's interesting," Cadence said with a raised eyebrow.

"That it is," Twilight said as Chrysalis took her seat next to Spike, Shining sitting across from the changeling queen. "So, when did this happen?" she asked Chrysalis

"Just before we got here," Shining replied. "She brought me out of the crying fit I'd been in since, well, you know, and I guess we just let our barriers down."

"Well, Shining, I'm happy for you," Cadence said. "You too, Chrysi. You both deserve something nice after Celestia messed up all our lives."

"Thanks Cadence," Shining said, still looking at his new marefriend.

Up next to arrive was, much to Twilight's displeasure, was Rainbow and Rarity. They took seats closer to Coco, who instantly struck up a conversation with Rarity, and Steel, avoiding Twilight's gaze and snarl.

"So, Coco my dear, what have you been up to," Rarity asked Coco.

"Oh, not much," she said. "My business is doing well," she smiled. "Ironically enough, Suri's my assistant now."

"Oh, as much as she should be put in jail for her theft, I od hope you're treating her well."

"As much as I risk," Coco said, putting a hand on her forehead. "I'm afraid that if I give her too much to do, she'll screw me over and we'll be back to square one from when I met you, Rarity."

"Well, if you ever need help," Rarity said, "you know how to reach me and the others."

"Thanks, Rarity," Coco said. "Hello, Rainbow. How are you?"

"I'm doing fine," Rainbow said, smiling. "Especially as how I have the most awesome pony in the world as my marefriend. Well, next to me, that is." This got a chuckle from both fashion mares.

"Oh, Rainbow," Rarity said. "That is just so charming."

"Well, it is me, Rares," Rainbow said. "What'd you expect?"

"Oh, I don't know, maybe awesome?" This got a chuckle from the cyan pegasus.

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Well, I'm glad the two of you are doing well," Coco said before sighing. "I just wish I could find my special somepony."

"I'm certain you will in time, darling," Rarity said. "It's only a matter of time."

"But that's just it. I think I found them, but I'm not certain."

"Why's that," Rarity said as a waiter gave her a cup of tea and she took a small sip.

"Because, well, I kinda have feelings, strong feelings, for Suri."

Rarity spit out the drink, getting literally the attention of everyone else at the table. "What?"

"I'm just as surprised," Coco said. "I started to feel for her a few weeks ago after I helped her after she dropped some boxes. I just haven't had the courage to see if she has the same feelings, or at least is willing to give it a chance."

"I say go for it," Rainbow said. "If she says yes, then good for both of you, especially if it works out. If not, at least the two of you will have become closer. If she says no outright, then she's not right for you."

This got a look of surprise from Rarity. "Darling, why do you sound like a relationship councilor?"

Rainbow shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe because of you, Rares," she said, getting a chuckle from Rarity and a small groan from Twilight, which went unnoticed.

Just after this, the next group to arrive was Breaker, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Doughnut, the four of them sitting close to Twilight and those next to her.

"Ah, Breaker, Doughnut," Sombra said, "it is good to see you again."

"Hello, your highness," Breaker said as he and the others sat down. "Good to see the both of you as well."

"Breaker, how many times must we tell you," Cadence said, "you and the others don't need to call us by any special titles. You are Twilight's friends, after all."

"Force of habit from before, Cadence," Doughnut said. "Sorry."

"It's alright, Doughnut," she said with a smile. "Fluttershy, Applejack, how are you two doing?"

"We're doin' just fine, Princess," Applejack said, and Cadence didn't bother to correct her terminology with 'Princess'.

Fluttershy simply nodded in agreement, holding Doughnut's hand, which didn't go unnoticed by the pink alicorn.

"So, I assume you two are together," Cadence asked.

"Yep," Doughnut said. "Breaker and Applejack are, too."

"Doughnut, this is why the rest of us don't share secrets with you," Breaker said. "You can't keep them, or you're just plain terrible at it."

"Or he likes to do it to see our reactions," Twilight said with a smile. "He did it a lot before the war."

"Well, to be fair, if you guys want it kept secret, don't share it, or advertise."

"You did the same," Breaker said.

Doughnut opened his mouth to retort, but then shut it. "Touche," he said, which caused him, Twilight, Breaker, and Lone to laugh at the old memories.

"You know, Lone, you've been quiet since we got here," Twilight said, a hint of worry in her voice. "What's going on in there?"

"Nothing," he said in a somber mood. "Just think about missing friends." Aside from Azure Shadow, the six of them had lost quite a few friends in the first war, a thousand years ago, and many of them came to dinner with Twilight, Sombra, and Cadence when they were invited.

"Oh," Twilight said, also becoming somber. "Well, at least we're going to be able to avenge them, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess," Lone said with a small smile as Flitter arrived.

"Hey, guys," she said.

"Hey, Flitter," Breaker said. "I thought you'd be gone, doing your usual shit."

"Did you forget what her job is?" Cadence asked.

"Yeah, I am her personal trainer," Flitter said. "Of course I'd be here." She got a devilish smirk. "Plus, King Sombra and I do have a side agreement."

Applejack nearly spit out her own drink. "What? Princess, did ya hear her jus' now?!"

Cadence, with a smile of all things on her face, nodded and said, "Yeah. Even before the war, Sombra and I knew that we wouldn't always be able to satisfy one another, and, probably because of evolution, that's the way with most crystal pony couples, so we passed a law that couples could cheat on one another, but only if their other knew of it and was okay with it."

"So y'all are okay with infidelity?" Applejack asked in shock.

"Just about," Twilight said, putting her own opinion in this. "It's rare, but it's still there." She shrugged. "And besides Equestria's gender ratio is even more skewed than the Empire's, so they can't exactly take the moral high ground."

"But isn't Flitter your age, Twilight?"

"No, I'm in my late thirties," Flitter said.

"And besides, I'm certain Celestia's done it with stallions over the years, and she's over five thousand years old," Twilight said.

"She's right, AJ," Spike said. "We both know that."

"Besides, nothing saying we have to do that," Breaker said, kissing Applejack on the cheek. "And I'm happy with just you, AJ."

"Thanks, Break," Applejack said. "I needed to hear that."

"That's why I'm here for ya, babe."

The others arrived in small groups from there, each arrival marked by their own interesting conversations. Thirty minutes after the first group arrived, everypony had arrived, and the food was served.

"It looks delicious, your highnesses," Steel said as he saw his own meal, which was a simple salad accompanying a daisy and hay sandwich with some mayonnaise, pickles, and cheese on it. He took a bite, and his taste buds nearly exploded from the flavor. "This is the best thing I've ever tasted!"

"I am glad you think so, sir," the chef said. "I make only the best meals for when the royal couple, or couples, in this case," this got a few chuckles, "are having guests, regardless of the reason."

The others who hadn't had a meal prepared in the palace took bites of their own food. I thank every single deity that ever existed Pinkie's food didn't have any sugar in it. All of their eyes widened at the amazing flavors that bombarded their taste buds, and some nearly fainted from it.

Needless to say, they finished quickly. The only ones to show restraint was Twilight, Cadence, Chrysalis, Sombra, Twilight's original group of friends, and Spike.

They took their time to savor each bite, which was how the food was meant to be eaten. "Ah, delicious as always, Knife," Twilight said.

"Thank you, Ma'am," he said with a bow before returning to the kitchen.

With that, the rest of the dinner passed in silence, permeated only by some burps from those who had eaten quickly.

When everyone was done, Steel got up and said, "Well, your highnesses, I thank you for the meal, but I must leave. My family is expecting me to return as soon as possible, and my son wants me to bring him back a souvenir."

"Of course, Steel," Cadence said. "I do hope that you and the rest of Stalliongrad will ally with us."

"I'll recommend it to the mayor," Steel said. "Good day," he said with a bow of the head, then left.

"I have to go as well," Coco said as she got up, "and I'll give mine to the mayor as well." With that, the light tan mare got up and left, leaving the Elements, the royal couple(s), and Twilight's original group of friends.

"Well, it is getting late," Cadence said. "Rooms have been made ready for everyone." With that, she and her husband got up and made their way to the door. "We'll see you all tomorrow."

"Same here," Twilight said, and she, followed shortly by he others, left and made their way to their respective rooms.

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