Heaven on Earth

Chapter 2: Disposition to Be Married

In Queen Celestia's throne room, the rainbow-haired, pink skinned queen of Canterlot laid her hands upon her lap as she sat upon her marvelous golden throne. Beside her, her deep purple-haired sister Luna sat, tapping her foot.

On Celestia's left was Shining Armor, a royal-blue haired prince and guard who never once stepped out of line. He too, was quite impatient for the manner at which he had been called.

"I told her to be here." The prince/guard rolled his eyes with a thick sigh,

"And she should be arriving any moment now." Luna smiled. "But you, Shining Armor, know better than any of us here that she's most likely in her lab creating something new."

"I suppose." Shining Armor opened his mouth to continue when at the far end of the room, the doors burst open.

Purple heels clicked as a girl with dark blue hair (with noticeable fuchsia and purple streaks) tied up in a bun, purple eyes, and lavender skin darted into the room, hurriedly shoving her glasses up her face. At her heels ran a purple dog with green ears. She was trying not to trip over the dog as she skidded to a halt.

This crazy dasher was none other than Princess Twilight Sparkle (not to be confused for another princess Twilight Sparkle a possible dimension away), adopted daughter of Queen Celestia.

"Sorry.....I'm late," she puffed and huffed, forcing air into her lungs. "My device....needed....recalibration."

"It is quite fine, Twilight." Celestia smiled before rising. "You understand that the Friendship Ball is tonight, correct?"

"Yes," Twilight answered.

"But tonight, this ball will be different. For tonight, Twilight, you'll begin courtship," Celestia smiled.

"Excuse me?" Both Shining Armor and Twilight asked.

"Isn't she a little young? She's only fifteen and a half," Shining Armor protested.

"As I know. But as a princess of Canterlot and the princess of friendship, it is important that her legacy live on," Celestia rebutted.

"But I'm already married to my textbooks," Twilight joked. This got Shining Armor to snicker and Luna to chuckle. They had always theorized that Twilight would marry her textbooks.

"Oh, Twilight. You and Sunset are so much alike." Celestia sat back down. "Now be sensible. I want you to keep an eye out for potential husbands at the ball tonight."

"There's Flash Sentry," Luna suggested. "He comes from a very noble family. He's a talented singer and guitarist. He's also polite and enthusiastic. He'll pull out of your shell without any issues."

"Or Timber Spruce," Celestia added. "He's a little shy, but truly knows the land."

"I've said it for the longest time, your majesties. My future husband is out there." Twilight folded her purple skirt in her hands. "I just haven't found him yet. Marriage is an honor I haven't dreamed of."

"An honor?" Shining Armor laughed. "Oh, little sister, if I weren't your brother, I'd have thought your mind ran off again."

"Well, I'm going to encourage you, Twilight, to try and keep your eyes on the men that come to the Friendship Ball tonight. And look well on Timber and Flash -- I'm sure they'd love to be your prince," Celestia smiled.

"I'll look, but I can't guarantee I'll have a husband." Twilight shrugged. "Heck, if I get lucky, maybe I'll take both of them."

"Ah, only one, Twily," Shining Armor chuckled cautiously. "You know polygamy is illegal here."

"I know, I know." Twilight sighed. "I'll keep my eyes open."

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Twilight closed her bedroom door and flopped down on the pink comforter. The wind drifted in lazily through her open balcony doors, bringing in the warmth and the bustle of Canterlot.

Marriage? So soon?

Twilight sighed again. Just because she'd be turning sixteen soon didn't mean she had to be married. Heck, none of her friends were.

Speaking of......

Knock knock!

"Enter!" Twilight called.

In came all of Twilight's friends. First was Sunset Shimmer, Twilight's bestie. Next came Rainbow Dash. Then Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy.

"How was the meeting?" Sunset asked.

In response, Twilight buried her face in her pillow with a groan.

"Hey, come on." Sunset removed the pillow. "It wasn't so bad, was it?"

"Oh, sure, if you count being pressured to marry as a good thing," Twilight snorted sarcastically.

"Ooh!" Rarity and Pinkie Pie both squealed, the numerous thoughts of a wedding swirling in their minds.

"Hold your horses, Rarity and Pinkie, I can see your wheels spinning faster than a runaway wagon train," Applejack warned. "Now Twilight, surely it can't be so bad, right?"

"Applejack, she sort of insisted I marry!" Twilight moaned. "And she's already got two guys picked out!" A slight flush rose over her cheeks. "And while I wouldn't mind either guy, it's just.....I'm not ready."

"And that's okay, Twilight. We understand." Rainbow Dash slapped a hand on Twilight's back.

"Yes, well, unfortunately, the queen's word is law." Rarity flipped her hair over her shoulder. "So it's not like you have a massive say in their eyes."

"Who is she hooking you up with?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Timber Spruce and Flash Sentry," Twilight responded. "And I like Timber and I guess Flash is okay. But I'm just not ready to be married."

"Awww," Pinkie Pie groaned.

"Well, did she say you had to have a husband by the time the ball is over?" Applejack asked.

"Well, no," Twilight sighed. "But it's implied that I find someone." She sat up and meandered out to her balcony, resting her forearms on the cool concrete surface.

"Can I offer a suggestion?" Fluttershy asked.

"Sure," a dejected Twilight grunted.

"Um, what if you went to the ball and let yourself be surprised by the guys you meet?" Fluttershy asked. "I read somewhere once that sometimes lovers meet by a surprise chance. You never know unless you try, right?"

"I guess." Twilight straightened and adjusted her glasses. "Okay, I'll try it."

"That's the spirit, Twilight." Sunset wrapped an arm around her bestie's shoulders. "Keep your eyes open for other guys, but at the same time, flirt a little with Timber and Flash to keep Queen Celestia off your back."

Twilight burst out laughing at this. "Well, that's one way of saying it."

"Who knows, Twilight?" Rainbow Dash shrugged. "Maybe the guy that's yours will be at the Friendship Ball."

"Like Fluttershy said, I'll keep my eyes open. But I won't do anything without Celestia's permission." Twilight crossed her arms over her chest. "Now, Rarity, let's see if we can squeeze me into that ballroom dress."

Rarity pulled out a pair of scissors, a needle, and thread. "Darling, I thought you'd never ask."