Princess Celestia stood among the throng of many ponies that had congregated in the Canterlot ballroom.  She was dressed in, much to her slight chagrin, a white flowing ball gown.  Her mane had been styled in an elegant wave and she wore a crown that was more suited for a royal atop her head.  She glanced at Luna who wore a black variation of her current attire and sighed as she searched for her mother and father.  Her search caused many on lookers to separate to allow her room; her pinkish rose mane seemed to glow in the candle light as she continued to look for them.  She stopped when she realized something important; she was never IN Canterlot when she was younger and never once set a hoof into its halls due to the fact it had not yet been built in her youth.

When Celestia realized the gravity of the situation she sighed and reverted back to her regular form.  She glanced around at the now empty and dimly lit ballroom with slight annoyance and sadness.  When she arrived at a set of doors that would lead to the balcony she hesitated, her gaze traveled backward for a mere moment and saw a spectral version of what had been before.  The princess then shook her head and walked to the balcony and stared at the scene before her.  She was standing in the same hall her captain of the guard and her niece once stood upon during that unforgettable day.  The strange thing was that she stood there and saw guests in attendance and she was in the center aisle.  She looked down and saw herself in a white and gold wedding gown that complemented her perfectly, her mane and tail had been weaved with gold thread and styled into an elegant and proper manner that caused oo’s and ahh’s to emanate from the guests.

Celestia smiled as she walked in silence down the aisle and approached the podium.  When she arrived however she realized something else was amiss, the groom was nowhere to be found.  Upon realizing this, the entire world and her new appearance shattered like glass and the only thing that survived was a lone section of floor she now stood upon.  She looked into the darkness as it crept up on her; she summoned forth light from her horn and pushed it back with all her might and it worked.  The darkness however was only deterred and seeped forward once again as Celestia repeated her action and the same result happened.  Eventually she felt her strength waning as the darkness seeped up her legs and slithered along her body like that of serpents.  She soon felt coldness envelop her as the darkness seeped into her very being and froze her as still as a statue.  The Princess opened her mouth to yell, but she was abruptly silenced by the darkness as it consumed her.

*

Celestia then sat straight up in bed and gasped as she glanced around her dark room, her large bed was a mess from her most likely tossing and turning.  She looked to her clock and noticed the time was upon her to raise the sun.  The solar princess rose from her resting place and donned her usual adornments and proceeded to the balcony she and Luna used for the occasion.  When she arrived outside she found that Luna AND Cadence were waiting for her.  Word of Cadence coming for a weekly visit had reached Celestia a fort-night ago and she accepted.

Cadence noticed her Aunt was a little shaken for some reason, “Is something wrong?”

Celestia shook her head slowly, “Just had a bad nightmare.”

Luna was concerned, “This has been the fourth “Just a bad nightmare” this month. I am worried sister; this cannot be good for your health.”

Celestia gave a reassuring smile, “I assure you I’m fine.”

Celestia then pointed her horn to the horizon as it flashed gold; she then spread her wings and slowly tilted her head.  Cadence and Luna stared onward as the familiar orb of fire and light ascended to the sky with radiance and beauty that could only be reflected by the monarch that represented it with such grace.  Both alicorns glanced at Celestia as she turned to leave inside to eat her morning meal and noticed a tired look in her eye, one they had never seen before.  Soon after Celestia’s departure, Luna and Cadence followed her into the dining hall as all three sat and began to slowly eat their meal.  Celestia munched in silence as both niece and aunt exchanged glances in silence.

Luna finally broke the silence, “Sister, tell us of these nightmares you’ve been having.”

Celestia sighed, “It’s nothing to be concerned about.”

Cadence voiced her disagreement immediately, “That’s not the case. We all know when an alicorn has a recurring dream; it’s a vision that is trying to tell you something important.”  

Celestia nodded slowly, “I have come to that conclusion as well, but the dream is always changing.”

Luna leaned forward slightly, “Well tell us then, has there been a recurring element to them?”

Celestia placed her utensil down, “Well there is one thing, I always arrive at the celebration hall and it’s made for a wedding…” she trailed off.

Cadence leaned forward, “And?”

Celestia shook her head, “There is always a bride and no groom.”

It pained the princess to lie to her own family, but she felt slight shame and loathing at the fact that it was always her who was left with nopony to call her own.

Cadence thought on this for a moment, “It might be that you feel slight regret over the fact that The Changeling Queen defeated you and you felt responsible for what might have transpired.”

Luna nodded with a smile, “And it’s probably telling you to let go of the past.”

Celestia nodded, “Of course.”

All three alicorns then sat in silence and continued their meal until their plates were clean.  Celestia casually mentioned she was going for a stroll in the statue garden and would return later, which was accepted by the other alicorns without suspicion.  Luna and Cadence ventured to the Canterlot library for some calm reading, soon both of them were in comfy spots in the reading area and were content with the literary works they had both chosen.  

After an hour of reading, Cadence looked over at Luna, “Depressed.”

Luna looked up, “Hm?”

Cadence repeated herself, “Do you think she’s depressed?”

Luna gave a slight nod as she turned a page, “I have had my suspicions, why?”

Cadence stood up, “Well for one, she rarely talks the way she used to. She seems to be more aloof in some regards and she doesn’t seem to be getting much sleep lately.”

Luna slowly put her book down, “You have a point.”

Cadence tapped her chin in thought, “Maybe…”

Luna stood up, “What?”

A light bulb went off in Cadence’s head, “Maybe she needs a reminder that we’re here for her.”

Luna nodded slowly, “Intriguing, continue.”

Cadence slowly paced, “We should organize a party…No! A Ball!”

Luna smiled, “Well we’ve never really had an actual party here unless it was a traditional celebration. I like the sound of it.”

Cadence knocked her front hooves together, “Then it’s decided, I’ll start sending out invitations immediately.”

Luna turned to the door, “I’ll organize the event and placements.”

Cadence cocked an eyebrow, “By yourself?”

Luna grinned, “You say it as though I can’t handle it,” she then pointed out, “And who are you going to invite?”

Cadence smiled, “Other royals and guest of high ranking caliber.”

Luna tilted her head with a smug expression, “And who are those?”

Cadence got a little flustered, “I’m working on it!”

*

The days that followed were agonizingly slow leading up to the ball.  Invitations were sent all over the kingdom and beyond to the specific ponies specified or just in general.  Attendance was not necessarily mandatory, but it was appreciated.  Soon the clock tolled for the night of the celebration and soon all three alicorns were getting ready.  Celestia had been informed of the party a few days In advance much to her general surprise and over all annoyance at the fact it had popped in out of nowhere.  She never really wore that much in terms of dresses but she thought a nice change of pace would be nice.  She donned a white ball gown that sparkled silver when it hit the light a certain way, it was courtesy of the unicorn Rarity who was also attending the party.  She said the rest of her friends were busy and apologised on their behalf.  Celestia was disappointed her student Twilight would not be attending but readied herself none the less.  When she finished she wore her mane in a slightly curled cascade and managed to weave her tiara into it perfectly to hold mane from obscuring her face.  She had also managed to rid herself of the tired look that had plagued her that month and left for the dance.

Luna was wearing a black dress with azure highlights and Cadance wore a more down to earth version of her wedding dress that was a silvery white with gold highlights upon it.  Celestia walked out to join the party and at the insistence of her sister began to mingle.  She had chatted with other ponies before but tonight she didn’t feel up to it as much but yielded to her sisters insisting.  Soon Celestia saw Rarity conversing with some high society unicorns and approached her.

Rarity politely shooed the conversation goers away when the Princess approached, “Princess, you look great.”

Celestia smiled, “Thank you, I always admire the love and care you put into all your pieces.”

Rarity smiled as well, “Thank you, but this one was exceptionally hard for you see- Princess Celestia?”

Celestia had lost her attention with the unicorn when she spotted a most peculiar sight near the back of the ball room.  Standing there was an odd pony to say the least; he resembled a full grown alicorn like her down to the muzzle which was smoother looking and the fact he had no horn.  What set him apart was the fact that his wings were slightly larger and folded close to his body to the point that one would not be able to tell unless they looked closer.  His coat was snow white and his mane sat atop his head in an alluring and elegant manner.  It was blond and seemed to narrow at the back of his head into a bit of a strip which hung off to the side; it also had a dark indigo streak in it.  His tail was the same in colour and it seemed to be in a rough feather shape with the same streak.  His cutie mark was that of a gold disc shaped labyrinth that was surmounted by a crown.  What he wore was even stranger, it seemed to be a cape made of white fur of some kind with bone like plates on the shoulders with an elevated bone collar.  Underneath that he seemed to be wearing a grey robe like gentlecolt shirt that was open at the front revealing a golden medallion of some form, it also seemed to have a secondary cape made of the same grey cloth underneath the fur cape.  

The stallion turned its head slightly to chat to another stallion and revealed from the angle that its eyes were bordered by pencil thin black lines that gave them a strong yet mysterious presence.  And it seemed one eye was light blue and the other was dark brown.  The stallion noticed the princess staring and glanced her way after he took a sip of red wine from a cup resting on one of his hooves.  Rarity followed the Princess’s stare and widened her eyes in wonderment.

Rarity looked at the Princess whose attention returned to the unicorn, “Who is that,” she bit her lower lip, “Tall pale stallion?”

Celestia was intrigued and confused as well, “I’m not sure, I’ve never seen him before.”

A cultured voice with the accent of those from places such as Trottingham interrupted them, “You wouldn’t by chance be speaking as though I wasn’t here would you?”

Both Rarity and Celestia looked to find The Stallion staring at them with an amused look, “I am truly sorry if I startled you my dears.”

Rarity shook her head blushing, “Not at all.”

Celestia nodded, “Indeed. I apologise for me staring.”

The Stallion half smiled, “You’re forgiven.”

Celestia smiled, “I am Princess Celestia of Equestria, and you are?”

The Stallion lifted her front hoof and pecked it, “I am Jareth, Sovereign of the Kingdom of Labyrinth.”

Rarity was amazed, “You’re a King?!”

Jareth chuckled, “You speak as though you don’t believe me.”

Rarity regained herself, “Well it’s just that…,” she eyed his clothes.

Jareth took notice, “Ah yes, these are of the finest make back in my home.  If I am not mistaken, you are Miss Rarity of Ponyville correct?”

Rarity blushed again, “You’ve heard of me?”

Jareth nodded, “Indeed, I hear you like jewels and gemstones.”

Rarity waved it off, “Oh no, I merely use them in my Boutique for special orders.”

Jareth pouted, “Such a shame,” he raised his right hoof and a crystal orb formed in his hoof much to the amazement of both magic users, “I was going to give you this as a token of civility.”

Rarity, other ponies and the three alicorns stared in amazement, “What is that?”

Jareth then began to contact juggle using his front hoof and leg, “It’s a crystal nothing more,” he then quickly switched it between his other hoof and back again in a fluid like motion, “But if you turn it this way and look into it, it will show you your dreams.”

He tossed it at Rarity and it spun on a perfect axis on the tip of her horn before plopping into her hoof, “That’s impossible…”

Jareth shook his head with the same grin, “You assume that if ponies have no horns that they can’t use magic? Well I assure you that is not the case here.”

Jareth glanced at the clock as a waltz began to play, “It seems my time here is almost over.  It’s nothing against you Princess, I merely popped in to enjoy the festivities but I am afraid I have an urgent political matter to attend to in my Kingdom.”

Celestia nodded, “I understand.”

Jareth winked at her as the music fully started and he extended a hoof, “I do however have enough time for one dance, may I have the pleasure?”

Celestia blushed a deep red but nodded as she and Jareth began to slowly dance to the music.  As she danced with the strange king, the world itself seemed to fall down around her and all she could hear was music.  Jareth’s eyes gazed into hers and seemingly beyond as they continued their silent dance.  Jareth was transfixed by the mare’s very presence, her eyes peaceful and her voice, exotic.  After what seemed like seconds the song ended and Jareth bid the Princess a farewell and departed.  Rarity however chased after him and wanted to ask what material his cape was made of only to come into an empty entrance hall that he JUST entered a second before her.  Rarity looked up at a noise and saw a barn owl perched on a window ledge; it then flew off into the night.