Twilight, laying in bed, felt the sun's rays hit her int he eyes, provoking an unwelcome wake-up. Rubbing her eyes, she looked around blearily in a half asleep daze. Looking down, she saw a large lump of red that she instantly knew as Big Macintosh, leaning down she gave him a quick nuzzle on the neck. As she was leaning in, he suddenly grinned and grabbed her.

With a surprised yelp that turned into amused giggles, they rolled on the bed, fighting for dominance. Stopping on their sides, they both looked into each others eyes, only, Twilight frowned when she recognized the look of fear in his.

"Big Mac," she said lightly putting a hoof to his cheek. "Come on, what's wrong? I know that look."

"Ah-ah'm just afraid. that's all." He admitted. "Ah'm afraid of losin' ya."

She sighed and snuggled closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder. Laying there for a second, she felt him wrap a hoof around her, followed by a few droplets of something wet on her shoulder. Reaching back, she rubbed his back comfortably as he silently cried.

"It's alright, I'm not going anywhere, not now at least." She said. "As long as you keep me in your heart, I'll never be away. Does that make you feel any better?"

"Eenope." He sniffed. "C-Come on, ah'm sure ya want some breakfast, right?"

"Sure." She said. "Just do me a favor and wipe those tears away."

He snorted in amusement and did as she asked. She got up, stretching out like a cat, a few noticeable cracks catching Big Macintosh's attention. Getting off, she was about to go to the restroom by the door when Spike came in, a small smile on his face as he held two golden tickets in his claw.

"Spike? What are those?" She asked taking them from him. "These are for the opera in Canterlot. Why...?" She trailed off as she looked at him, a few tears visible on his smiling face. "Celestia?" She asked feeling some well up in her own eyes.

"And Luna." He replied. "They wanted to give you a good day before tomorrow. Just you, and him." He said nodding towards Macintosh who had been making a stealthy march towards the bathroom.

"Tell them thank you." She said giving him a hug. "This means a lot. Now you get away from that door!" She said turning to Macintosh. "I was going there first."

Macintosh, stopped and sat by the door. She went in and stuck her tongue out playfully at him, she shut the door. Looking over at Spike, he merely shrugged.

"Wanna use the one in my room?" He asked.

"Eeyup."

As they both left, Twilight was busy in the bathroom. Taking her ear away, she went to the sink and looked in her reflection. Her once flashy eyes now just glowed dully in the light, her mane was a bit dingy, and her teeth had yellowed slightly. Glancing at the shower, she slowly looked back over at the door with a raised eyebrow.

"It wouldn't hurt to get tidied up." She said. "It might be my last date."

Macintosh

He was staring at one the lush bathrooms that were in the castle. A wide tower, a spotless sink, a thankfully spotless toilet, a red rug, multiple hygiene products lining the inside of the shower and sink. Looking on the wall next to the door, he looked over the black tuxedo that Spike hadn't put there.

"Well, might as well." He said. "Granny's gonna have a fit if she doesn't get me in a tux."

Thirty minutes later

Big Mac, adjusting his bow-tie for the tenth time, sat in front of Twilight's bathroom. He had heard the water to the shower turn off ten minutes ago, and now, he was waiting for her to come out after the water to the faucet had turned off. Glancing over at Spike, he saw the small drake snickering at him, snorting Spike looked up and gave a cheeky smile.

"What?" He asked.

"You're gonna be speechless when you see her in the dress me and Rarity made." He said. "I'm just imagining your face right now."

Rolling his eyes, he looked back at the door, it finally opened in a burst of steam. What he saw come out, made Spike look on reflex.

"I take it you like the new look?" Twilight asked.

She was wearing a dark purple dress that exposed her chest slightly, the end of the dress was cut going up from the back of her hooves to her side where it left plenty of room for her wings to take up the empty space. On her neck she wore a small gold necklace with a green amethyst cut into the shape of a diamond. And her mane had been done up somehow to fall over her face in two bands while the rest was in a bun.

"If you're wondering how I got my mane like this, I just used a bit of changeling magic." She said. "So, are you ready, sir Macintosh?" She teased making the blush on his cheeks light up with embarrassment.

"E-Eeyup." He stuttered. "Would ya care to join me to see the opera?" He asked giving a wobbly smile.

"Only if you can walk there, jelly legs." She said with a smirk. "Spike," she said. "Why don't you go take a shower. I can still see sand and flakes of... Is that iron?" She said peering down at him.

He quickly scurried into the bathroom; glancing at Big Macintosh, she stuck out a hoof with he kindly took and wrapped his fore-leg around hers. Exiting the guest room, they silently made their way down the hall.

They passed guards, Shining Armor who narrowed his eyes at his sisters date, Camo And Soul Song who were lounging at the entrance to the castle, and finally outside where, to their surprise, a chariot was waiting. Getting in, the two pegasai clad in white armor took off without a bump.

"This was unexpected," Twilight muttered glancing out of the window from the side. "It's welcome, but just unexpected. And something else... I can't quite find the right word for it."

"Different?" He said giving her a smile which she slightly winced as she saw the gaping hole in the row of his pearly whites.

"Does that hurt?" She asked tapping her own teeth for emphasis. "I can still see a little bump where I hit you."

"A little sore, that's all." He replied shrugging. "Where do ya suppose we're goin' anyhow? 'Cause these tickets say the opera starts in two hours. That's a might bit long."

"But not unwelcome." She said. "This is our treat, and we should make the best of it." She said crossing over so she could sit with him.

He smiled and wrapped a hoof around her shoulder, bringing her closer. She sighed and laid her head on his good shoulder, keeping it there so she could look up into his eyes. Sitting there for who knows how long, she slowly began to lean up while he tilted his head down. Their lips were barely touching when the chariot shook and they realized they had stopped. Both of them groaning from the interruption, stepped out from their ride and gazed around.

"Ma'am," the guards said saluting. "We shall be waiting for you here. The princesses wanted you to have this, sir."

The one on the left pulled out a small saddle, etched with black lining on the front before making Big Macintosh's cutie mark and on the inside that, Twilight's cutie mark. He took it and noticed the slight bulge it had, looking inside he saw it was filled with bits.

"Huh, that's a lot of bits." Twilight said looking over his shoulder. "So, we have two hours to kill and with what looks like at least two-hundred bits. How does dinner sound?"

"Sounds fine. Just as long as another yellow-bellied hog don't show up." He said making her laugh.

"Might we recommend Le Celseto's?" The guard on the right said. "You do have an invitation. Just go down the street and make a left, you can't miss it."

Twilight gave a curt nod to the guards, Macintosh also did before going up to Twilight's side. As they went along, the canterlot elite were staring at the couple with what could be described as disgust, which, Big Mac cut off with a sharp glare that even made a few stallions shrink away visibly.

They traveled up the street, turned the corner, and were met with first was the sight of a large building with the name the guards had given written in cursive, the second noticeable thing was the large line of ponies, all of them with their noses raised so high Big mac got slugged in the shoulder when he made a joke about fly's.

Going up to the second line with a sign that said reservations, the other ponies scoffed at them before the pale mint Earth pony nodded in confirmation and led them in. Looking back, they saw the surprised and enraged faces of the other ponies. Shrugging it off, they followed the pony into a candle lit room with plush purple chairs, a magic created roof that looked like the night sky, a orchestra was playing a slow song on the stage in front of the tables, and on theirs there sat a vase with a rose.

Pulling out her chair, she smiled and sat. Pushing her in, he got into his own and the waiter, a dark red stallion with a yellow mane and teeth that were almost as white as Celestia's coat, came over with a small smile, not a disgusted sneer like many of the other staff.

"Madam, monsieur," he spoke. "May I interest you in any beverages?"

"Water, please." They both said. "With some lemon." Twilight said while Big mac ordered a glass with a slice of a Granny Smith.

The waiter, nodding at the request pulled out two menu's from the pocket on his side, set them on the table, bowed and then left. They picked up their menu's and were instantly met with with a variety of different meals. Twilight, picking a light celery soup with a side of caramelized carrots, put hers down as the waiter came back. She hoofed hers to him and he nodded as he set their drinks down.

"I'm guessing the couple would care to order now?" He asked pulling out a note-pad and pencil.

"Yes, I'll have the celery soup with the caramelized carrots, please." Twilight said with a pleasant smile.

"Would you care for any pepper in your soup?" He asked glancing over at her.

"No thank you, just the soup is fine."

He nodded before looking over to Big Macintosh, who, had simply given up and picked a random item off the menu. His choice, made the unicorn straighten a bit before shakily nodding.

"R-Right away!" He said. "Celestia help you, my dear stallion." The waiter said before shakily making his way to the kitchens.

As he left, they were left in with only themselves and the music playing by the orchestra. Looking around, Twilight began to count the stars on the ceiling, when, one of the last voices she wanted to hear much less expect to hear in the city, made himself known.

Turning around in her seat, she saw Blueblood arguing with another part of the staff over her being allowed in such a refined establishment. Big Mac, hearing it too was glaring at the white unicorn as he dragged the slightly annoyed waiter towards them. Twilight, turning her nose up at him as he approached, faced her date again and sipped lightly from her drink.

"Will you not do anything?" Blueblood demanded angrily. "You have a changeling, a vile thing of vermin that is even lower than any commoner, dining in your establishment! And you all are just letting that... That thing! And that hillbilly set their grimy hooves in here! I demand you escort them out at once!"

"Excuse me?" Twilight said turning to him. "The only vermin here is you Blueblood. And you need to keep your voice down, it is not proper to scream like a filly while inside a restaurant as refined as this." She said in a calm voice that made the unicorn even angrier.

"How dare you speak to me that way!" He yelled. "I am Prince Blueblood, and I will-"

"Be thrown out from the ceiling if you do not leave us to dine in peace." Twilight said narrowing her eyes.

"I am a direct descendent of Princess Celestia herself! I have the blood of a goddess running through my veins! And I will not be told what to do, nor will I be threatened by a bug such as yourself." He growled. "Now, do I need to have security throw you out, or will I have to do it?" he asked with a sudden wave of courage.

"Are you threatening me?" Twilight asked with a hint of sarcastic surprise in her voice.

"And I will again if I must." He said before reaching out with a hoof to jab her in the chest. "Now, make yourself scarce just like what little-"

He was cut off as he felt his windpipe constrict. Looking in down with wide, fearful eyes, he saw Big Macintosh glaring at him with everything he had while he held the unicorn off the ground with a hoof. Big Macintosh was holding Blueblood by the collar of his own tuxedo, making the stallion shake like a fish caught in a bears mouth, and the comparison in his mind wasn't very far off.

"Ya listen hear ya no good, yellow-bellied, cowardly, mareish, over pampered piece of hogwash," Big Mac said letting Blueblood down enough to where they were eye level. "If ya want'a fight, then ya fight me, not ma'h marefirend. Got it?"

Blueblood merely snorted, gritting his teeth. Big Mac, dropping him to the floor, turned while Blueblood was rubbing his abused neck.

"If it is a fight you desire, then I shall fight you. If it is the only means of showing a whelp like you your place, which is below me." He said with an air of authority. "Now turn and fight, commoner."

Big Mac, feeling his blood boil, turned to face the unicorn. He, lifted his chin, and grinned as he tapped a hoof to it. Blueblood, smirking, raised one of his manicured hooves and lashed out. Big mac chuckled a little as he felt something similar to a feather hit him, while Blueblood was cradling his hoof.

"Let me show ya what hard work can do." Big Mac said raising one of his own hooves.

Blueblood only had time to let out a small whimper before he was sent rolling back by the punch Big Macintosh gave him. Finally stopping, Blueblood was still, breathing and with a black eye and cut on his lip from rug burn, but he was still alive. Turning to the waiter Blueblood had dragged over, Big Macintosh splayed his ears back.

"Sorry 'bout that." Macintosh apologized. "Ah guess since ah just ruffed up one of your customers, ah'll just let ma'hself out."

"Sorry? Why you have no need for such a thing." The waiter replied graciously. "You and your date are welcome back here anytime, just as long as you can keep that nuisance out of here. Good day to you both, if you would excuse me, I've got to throw him out onto the street, where he belongs."

As he left, Big Mac cleared his throat as he sat down. Looking over at his date, he saw her grinning.

"That was very sweet of you," she said. "Defending me like that. And I will admit even I've wanted to bloody his nose ever since the gala." She said making him smile slightly.

"Eeyup." Macintosh nodded. "Foods here it seems." He noticed as the waiter came back with two trays of steaming food.

Setting down Twilight's soup first, he put the carrots to the side so they wouldn't spill off the table. Visibly gulping, he set down Macintosh's food; a black plate with a bundle of spinach, coated in a light poppy seed dressing, and laying atop it all was a bright red strip of something.

Sniffing his food, he put a hoof up to his nose as a coughing fit overtook him. Wiping his eyes, he reached down and picked up a fork. Twilight, sipping form a spoon, watched in slight worry as he took off a piece of spinach with a piece of the red strip. As he was putting it to his lips, her mind suddenly clicked as to what the red mystery food was, but it was too late as he had already began chewing.

His eyes began to water, soaking his cheeks in tears as he fought the inferno in his mouth. Grinding his teeth, that only worsened the effect of the ghost pepper as the seeds were ground up. He had removed his bot-tie and loosed his shirt collar, but not before he swallowed and grabbed his glass, drinking deeply from it he finished it off in seconds before he suddenly gripped his stomach. With widened eyes, Twilight pointed towards the bathroom and he galloped to it, tears running down his cheeks and chin.

Putting a worried hoof to her mouth, she called over another waiter and ordered a glass of milk along with some ice. He nodded and quickly went to get it. As he left, Twilight, barely able to hear above any of the ponies present, could just faintly hear Big Macintosh in the bathroom.

After the waiter came back, left the drink and ice, she turned around when she heard the door to the restroom open. Looking at him as he sat back down, she noticed how much he shook, along with his wet eyes, he looked clearly miserable. Taking the glass of milk, he sipped from it before getting some relief that made him smile slightly.

"Ah don't think ah'll be eatin' that particular part of the food." He said moving the pepper to the side. "Sorry 'bout that."

"You don't have anything to be sorry about," she said. "Are you feeling any better? Does ice cream sound good? I know this great little shop where they make it right in the back."

"Twilight, ah don't want to worry ya or anything, but ah can't feel ma'h face." He said giving a pitiful wheeze. "Ah'm... Not that hungry anymore."

She nodded before sipping her her soup some more, before putting the spoon down and looking down at the cold liquid. Calling the waiter over, he quickly came over, a worried expression towards Big Macintosh.

"Is there anything I can get you?" He asked. "Something light on the stomach to drink? Maybe a cold dessert?"

"No, no," Twilight said. "We'll just take the check. I don't think Macintosh knew exactly what he ate was, until it was to late."

He nodded and, quickly writing down the check, put it on the table and left. Twilight, taking the twenty five bits from Big Mac, set them down and helped him up. Feeling him still shaking against her, she put a hoof over his shoulder and slowly made their way to the front of the restaurant, where, much to Twilight's dislike the prince had woken up and was arguing with the unicorn.

As they passed the doors, he caught sight of the two and marched over, red-faced from either anger or embarrassment.

"Hah!" He laughed seeing Big mac. "It serves you right! A commoner eating what is only made for-"

Twilight, narrowing her eyes set Big mac down and delivered a punch straight to the prince's nose. He fell back, groaning as blood leaked out form between his hooves. Looking up at Twilight with one eye, the other one swelled shut, he looked away and got up attempting to walk away in shame with only three legs.

Going back to Big Macintosh, she helped him up but he stood on his own again, albeit his head was slightly lower than when he'd stand up straight.

"So, that killed at least thirty minutes. So that leaves us with an hour and a half to explore. Is there anything you want to do?" She asked putting a hoof on his good shoulder. "Are you reconsidering the ice cream?"

He merely nodded, not wanting to move any part of his mouth. Looking at her, he saw her put his bow-tie back on and straighten his shirt. Breathing in through his nose, he gave her a smile which she returned.

"Come on, lets go get some ice cream to cool off the fire pit of a mouth of yours."

They both began walking again, the silence this time for personal safety in Big Mac's case. They went down the street, passed a few shops that Twilight had stopped to peer into but found nothing of interest, getting Big Mac a drink of water that helped to only set his mouth on fire again. Panicking, Twilight rushed him the rest of the way, the twists and turn all a blur to them as they raced towards the ice cream shop.

Skidding around a corner, Twilight looked at the circle of buildings and recognized the small, cream colored shop where a few foals and parents were sitting under umbrellas. Quickly galloping to the entrance, he went in first and held the door as she entered, both of them hit with a breeze of frigid air.

The inside was just like any other ice cream shop; pristine, a messy counter where you picked your own toppings, friendly staff behind the counter, and generally smiles on all the ponies or any other creature that went in. Going up to the counter, the mare behind the register didn't bat an eye towards the couple.

"Welcome to the Frozen North. How may I help you?" The mare asked.

"Could I get a vanilla cone?" Twilight asked. "A large please."

The mare nodded and they watched as she quickly filled a large cone with the creamy, frozen soft-serve that Big Mac needed.

Going to the counter, Twilight had set the bits down by the time the ice cream was ready. Thanking the mare and quickly taking it, she gave it to Big mac who happily just took half of it off the cone. Hearing a relieved groan from him, he ate the half he had swallowed and licked his lips.

"Ah never thought ah'd like dessert this much before." He said. "Do ya wanna eat this?" He asked offering her the rest of it.

"Sure, the cone is the best part." She said taking the cone. "Why does this taste even more sugary than normal?" She asked herself as she took another lick.

They made their way out, enjoying the scenery around the small circle of shops and other buildings. Ht warm sun shining brightly above them, giving the city around them a golden glow.

Twilight, stopping to look in one store, suddenly started to head quickly to the entrance. Big Mac, looking up at the sign, only shook his head in amusement as he followed her shortly after into 'Quick Reads book emporium'.

Going inside, he saw her browsing the history section, a book already floating next to her. Looking over at the green pegasus behind the counter, he was reading a small tome himself.

Going up to her, he looked over her shoulder at the book she was holding. A old, brown hardback, with the words 'Pre-Equestria' written on the front in red letters.

"Hey, Twilight," he said making her cast a glance at him before returning to the shelves. "When's the opera? And where?"

She stopped and slowly slid the book back into place, she turned to him and opened her mouth to reply, but no sound came out. Grabbing him by the hoof, she paid for the book she already had, took him back outside and they were suddenly power-trotting to the opera house.

Going from pony to pony, some of them actually being rather nice to the two, they were finally going on the right track. Galloping down the cobblestone paths, and slowing down when they were entering congested streets, they had finally reached the opera house, and just as the performance was about to begin.

Panting, they both went up to the pastel unicorn who, upon seeing them, snorted and spoke to them without looking.

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that the performance is about to begin. And I severely doubt either of you could afford-"

"Just shut up and take the tickets." Twilight said pulling out the two, golden tickets.

Upon seeing them his eyes widened, and reading over them, he swallowed a lump in his throat and nodded.

"R-Right, follow me to the royal seating." He said ushering them in quickly.

Quickly going through the yellow painted halls, the paintings of famous singers staring at them as they made their way up stairs, around a bend and up another flight, they arrived at a pair of mahogany doors with a silver alicorn on each side. He opened them and the couple suddenly found themselves standing two stories above the stage, where, the red curtain was just being drawn back.

As they sat on the two massive red pillows, Twilight brushed a lock of her mane out of her eyes and smiled over at him.

"Who do you think is singing?" She asked. "The tickets say it's a 'surprise' guest perfo-"

Big Mac, looking down with complete shock written on his face, had put a hoof over her mouth and turned her head to the stage. Once she saw who was down there her muffled words stopped, and her jaw dropped as she joined the silence that had taken over the room.

Princess Celestia, dressed in a plain, red chili-pepper colored dress stepped onto stage, her eyes shifting around the crowd before focusing on the couple above. She smiled and nodded towards them before she quietly began to sing, her voice, easily beating any other, were starting to bring a few tears to the ponies in the crowd.

Twilight, leaning against Big Macintosh, put her head on his shoulder and he put his leg around her. Looking up at him, she breathed in slowly, small tears working their way in the corners of her eyes.

"Big Mac, can you promise me something?" She asked, her voice slightly strained.

"Eeyup." He replied, tearing his eyes away from Celestia to look down at her.

"If... If things don't go right tomorrow, then promise me," she closed her eyes as a few tears escaped. "Promise me you'll always love me."

"Twilight, ya know ah'll always love ya." He said giving her a kiss on the head. "Now hush, this is our time. Ah don't wanna ruin it with all these tears."

She sniffed, nodded, and looked back at Celestia, who, was rising in pitch as she began to sing.

Author's Notes:

Twilight deserves this. Just this one treat before having to fight an over-powered Chrysalis.