Author's Note: We have reached the midpoint of our adventure. I've had a lot of fun writing the story- in fact, it's one of the only creative mediums I've been doing for pleasure, being ridden on by homework and stuff.

In an effort to give myself more time to make the final chapters the best they can be, I've decided to place a midpoint filler to lead us into the second half of this story.

So far, we've met mysterious characters, fought for our favorite ponies, questioned alliances, and ventured into mysterious new worlds. We fond out that a war had taken place between the Sacred Forest and Equestria- will the prince finally heal these scars?

I can't believe it's almost over- three more chapters, two fillers, and an epilogue on the life of Prince Drain, and Luna's prophesy for Twilight's future... I hope it's worth the ride! Thanks to everyone who's read the story- I hope you keep enjoying it!

Midpoint

"The Beautiful Sunset"

Celestia licked the ice cream with all the grace she could muster. Drain watched her taste it and looked down at his own bowl.

The two had reserved a spot in a famous restaurant in Canterlot to celebrate Drain's birthday. Of course, a larger celebration would have been planned if it weren't Drain's request that the day not be noted. Instead, Celestia invited him to a dinner for two.

Most of the food on the table was foreign to the prince. He had a hard time swallowing some of the exaggeratedly sweet dishes, and now he was faced with, believe it or not, a cold dessert.

Celestia giggled. Drain's teeth chattered after taking a bite from the ice cream. He reared his head up, blushing.

A waiter approached the table. "Would you like me to remove the treat, sir?"

Drain shook his head. "No, it's quite savory. I just need to find the correct method for consuming it."

The waiter cleared his throat. "Sir, you need to lick it. Her majesty seems to have started."

"Lick it? Like, lapping water?"

"Lapping? I'm afraid I don't quite understand."

Celestia popped her head in between the two. "I think the prince would benefit from a demonstration, if you don't mind."

The waiter turned red. "Excuse me?"

Celestia nudged Drain's bowl to him.

The waiter shook. "Er, like this, your majesty." He stuck his tongue out and slid it over the treat. "Please pardon my… tongue."

Celestia laughed. "He's all right. Maybe you can bring him a spoon, instead?"

The waiter turned redder still. He quickly left for the utensil.

Drain turned to Celestia. "Why didn't you ask for that in the first place?"

"Just a bit of fun."

"I see." The prince stared into the ice cream. "I'm happy you brought me here."

"I'm happy you came."

Celestia took another lick of her ice cream. Her mane shimmered in the dull, red lights.

Drain stared at her. His eyes gleaned her, adjusting to every detail on her face. He wanted to smile, but his nerves prevented him.

"Celestia, I have a question I'd like to ask you."

"Yes?"

Drain fumbled with his words.

The waiter returned with the spoon. Drain quickly plopped a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth. He gagged at the sugar surplus.

"You sure were anxious to taste that ice cream," Celestia mocked.

Drain swallowed. "It's… delicious."

Celestia turned towards Drain, getting a little closer to him. "Are you happy to be here?" He moved her head towards him.

"I've already expressed my gratitude for the meal."

"Not in this restaurant, Drain."

"Oh, well, Equestria is definitely a special place."

"Here, with me."

An awkward smile split through Drain's face. He composed himself, arranging his complexion. He tried to control his voice. "Why would you ask that?"

"Well, I was just… curious."

"Curious?" Drain faced Celestia.

"I wanted to-" Celestia blushed.

Drain smiled. "To what?"

Celestia recoiled. Drain urged her to reply.

"To… I wanted to see if you would… kiss me."

Drain tilted his head. "Kiss you? I mustn't."

"Why not?"

Drain stirred the dessert in the bowl. "I am here on business."

"Yes, on business of your own. You left your country's business at the castle."

"I did not. That's why I wanted to ask a question."

Celestia took a relaxed pose. "Well, you know what you have to do to have it answered."

Drain sighed. He nodded. Celestia closed her eyes.

The princess shot back when she felt a wet, cold sponge filed against her muzzle.

"You licked me!"

Drain shrugged. "You told me to."

"I told you to kiss me, not lick me!"

Drain's voice was playful. "Well, you've obviously never tangled with a Forest Chevalier."

Celestia smiled. "I'm going to ask your assistant if that's really how it's done. Or else, you owe me one."

The prince chuckled. He tensed up. "Celestia, I've been meaning to ask something of you."

"Anything."

"Celsestia," Drain's throat dried out. "I… had some ideas for making Equestria a better place, uh, for us unicorns."

"Really, how so?"

"We have a form of magic that, well, allows people to levitate certain objects without using horns. I mean, many unicorns are forced into the role of servant because other people can't fend for themselves."

"Good idea," Celestia lapped up some of the melted dessert. "Any other ideas?"

Drain cleared his throat. "Well, the reason I came was to try and amend our countries' attitudes towards each other… and maybe even reconnect."

"Yes."

"Yet, the mirror that used to bridge our planes is sealed. As you know, you're the one who sealed it on this side, and your magic is the only one that can undo the seal."

Celestia shook her head. "No, Drain. I'm not going to make that mistake again."

"Well, not now, I mean, in the future?"

"No." Celestia's charm left her. "Drain, I gathered that you hoped to establish representation and trade, not immigration into my country. That mirror brought me more pain and devastation than you could know. I'm not ready to let the unicorns roam freely as they once did… especially since the many dark things that have happened, I don't think I'll ever run the risk."

A silence passed between them.

Drain nuzzled Celestia. "My country has only brought you pain?"

Celestia smiled again. "Well, it brought me you."

Drain laughed. "Am I painful?"

"Are you?"

Drain's eyes flared. He grinned. "I can be."