The day passes quickly. The ponies involved with the wedding work hard to make sure everything is ready; everyone else works hard to spread the news. And at last, the big day arrives.
As Medley takes her evening flight around the valley in the early morning hours, she spots something very, very strange. Slugger walks out of the Perm Shoppe! And what's more, his hair has been braided into Princess Leia buns, pinned over each ear! She lands to get a closer look.
Medley (incredulous):
Slugger! What happened to you!
Slugger:
I don't want to talk about it!
Peeking through the window of the Perm Shoppe, the green pegasus stares in amazement. Skydancer and the rest of the smooth-hooved stallions are all there, smirking, Fifi is shrieking with laughter, and the Clydesdales are sulking in their beautiful new hair-dos. Tex has sausage curls tied up with pink ribbons. Steamer has a beehive. Quarterback has an afro. Chief has two pigtails sticking out from either side of his head. Wigwam has retained his natural hairstyle and is watching the fun with glee.
Medley:
What's going on?
Tex (furious):
Nothing!
Skydancer (grinning):
Medley! Glad to see you didn't miss the show!
Wigwam (grinning evily):
Look on the bright side, Tex--it's not a total loss. You look good with curls!
Fifi:
Tell me, how do you get that lusterous shine on your hair, Chex?
Tex:
It's Tex!
Fifi:
Can I use you for a model at my next seminar?
Tex storms out, followed by the persistant Fifi. The rest of the Clydesdales shuffle out in gloomy silence.
Quarterback (growling):
We're not going to forget this!
Bubbles (smirking):
I'm sure you'll remember every time you look in the mirror!
Quarterback glowers and stomps out.
Applejack:
Did you see Chief's face? Ha ha ha!!
Sprinkles:
And Tex looks he just stepped off of the Good Ship Lollipop!
Bubbles:
Great idea, Sky! That was a real hoot!
Moonstone:
Do you suppose they'll actually go to the wedding looking like that?
Medley:
Would someone explain to me--
Skydancer (standing):
Ahh, yes, the wedding! Sorry to leave the party so soon, but I have to get into my tux! If
you want to come along, I can explain the situation on the way, Medley.
Medley:
I thought you'd be the one responsible for this!
Skydancer (winks):
Why, Medley, you must be psychic!
Skydancer and Medley trot out the door.
Meanwhile, Parasol is besieged with helpful, curious mares.
Heart Throb:
Oh, it's so wonderful! I still can't believe you're getting married, Parasol!
Truly:
It's right out of a fairy tale!
Parasol (looking around for an escape route):
Anything to stop that prophecy . . .
Fizzy:
Gee, Parasol, you're so brave! Imagine getting married just to save Dream Valley!
Sweet Stuff:
We just want you to know that we're all behind you!
Parasol (muttering):
. . . can't be too far behind to suit me . . .
She blinks twice and disappears.
Lickety-Split:
Hmph! Leaving without so much as a goodbye!
Heart Throb (sighing romantically):
She needs to be alone with her secret sorrow . . . for no longer can she wait for the pony
of her dreams. No, Dream Valley needs her to sacrifice her happiness--
Gusty:
Heart Throb, will you please stop talking like a romance novel and get out of my way? I want
to make sure the caterers have set up!
Heart Throb:
Oh, right. Sorry.
In a different room of Dream Castle, Sunlight is getting dressed up. Skydancer and Medley provide moral support for the groom, and soon Moonstone winks into the room as well.
Sunlight:
I think I'm going to be sick.
Skydancer (arranging his bow tie):
Now, now, Sunlight, I'm sure you'll be fine . . .
Sunlight:
I'm serious! I've never been so n-nervous in my life!
Moonstone:
Well, if I were going to marry Parasol, I'd be nervous too. (under his breath) Not to
mention certifiable . . .
Medley (frowning):
Moonstone!
In a ripple of magic, Parasol appears in the room.
Parasol:
Well . . . are you ready?
Sunlight (smiling nervously):
As ready as I'll ever be.
They solemnly walk towards the Waterfall, trailed by Skydancer, Medley, and Moonstone.
As the orchestra (composed entirely of bushwoolies) practices the first strains of the wedding march, Omen wanders around the buffet set up in preparation for the reception, dodging the many ponies who have turned up for Parasol's wedding. He is obviously enjoying himself and appears to be wearing a special lizard talisman around his neck just for the occassion.
Omen (happily):
This is the first time Heart Throb's left me alone since I got here! YES!
He wanders over to the buffet, sneaking samples. He's not the only one--Butterscotch is also nibbling on the frosted cookies neatly laid out.
Omen:
Looks like there's going to be quite a turn out, doesn't it?
Butterscotch:
Well, sure! I mean, who would've thought Parasol would ever get married? Everyone
wants to see it happen! 'Course, she's only doing it because of that prophecy, they say . . .
Omen:
Well, as long as everyone's happy with the way things turned out . . . (under his breath)
I know I am . . .
Omen casually saunters towards Dream Castle as Flare and Blue Moon arrive, dressed to the nines. Flare turns his head sharply as Omen slips into Dream Castle with his knapsack over his shoulder.
Blue Moon (to Flare):
Well, aren't you coming? The wedding will be starting soon!
Flare:
I thought I saw Omen over there . . .
Blue Moon:
Flare, we're going to be late! Listen, I can hear the wedding march starting!
Flare (trotting towards the castle):
But what was he doing by Dream Castle?
Blue Moon:
Maybe--Flare! Wait for me!
She hurries after him.
Flare (cautiously glancing around the main corridor of DC):
I think he went that way.
Blue Moon (very sweetly):
Flare, "that way" is a solid wall.
Why don't we just follow our ears? He is a Clydesdale, after all. And for goodness sake,
take those sunglasses off!
The two Guardians follow the hollow echoing hoofsteps of Omen--at a safe distance, of course. Darting from doorway to doorway and hiding behind statues and fountains, they remain unseen.
Blue Moon (whispering):
Maybe you're right about Omen. Where's he going? Not to
his quarters, that's for sure!
Flare (also whispering):
He's been acting highly suspicious since he arrived!
Blue Moon (drily):
Isn't that what you said about the High Queen when she came for a
diplomatic mission a few months ago? You kept trailing her around . . . "In case she's a
clone," you said.
Flare (put out):
An innocent mistake. Anyone could have made it. (mutters)
There was no need for Eternity to note it in my file . . .
At last, Omen reaches a pair of double doors firmly sealed with nearly a dozen locks and deadbolts. The talisman around his neck glows briefly and they quietly click and slide open.
Flare (sticking his head around the corner):
He's unlocked the treasure vault!
Blue Moon (softly):
Oh no . . .
Omen disappears through the doorway and after a few minutes, Flare and Blue Moon creep towards the portal. They each crouch behind one of the double doors (which swing outward from the room), peering inside. Unaware of his audience, Omen gleefully surveys the treasures of Dream Valley--artifacts crafted of gold, silver, rubies, and sapphires. The Clydesdale laughs gleefully, running his hooves over the priceless treasures and nosing through sacks of gold coins.
Omen:
Wonders and wealth,
Jewels and joy,
Fools and dupes
Who fell for my ploy!
Singing and dancing
Will cease before long,
But too late, too little;
Their gems will be gone.
Flare and Blue Moon exchange glances of dismay.
Omen prances through the piles of treasure, stuffing anything particularly attractive into his knapsack.
Omen:
Gemstones and jade,
Treasure in troves
| Caught in the net | |
| Of lies that I wove. | Flare (softly): |
| And now off he will rove . . . | |
| Almost too easy | |
| In reaching my goal . . . | Flare (shaking his head): |
| Like thieving sweet sugar | He lacks conscience and soul. |
| Away from a foal. | Blue Moon: |
| And I'll bet he would know! | |
| Fortunes and feints, | |
| Seers and shams! | |
| All I can take, | |
| Then off on the lam! | Blue Moon: |
| And morals be damned . . . | |
| Omen closes his knapsack and prepares to leave. | |
| Omen: | |
| Gullible fools | |
| Believe any rhyme; | Flare: | |
| So why feel guilty | He's leaving this time! | Blue Moon: |
| Picking up their last dime? | We'll need help in a chime! |
The two Guardians lean into the shadows as Omen leaves, dragging a knapsack loaded with gold, gems, and other priceless items. Luckily, he is too busy straining his muscles against the bulging sack to notice Flare and Blue Moon. After Omen turns the corner of the corridor, the Guardians emerge, still stunned at the scene that just played out before them.
Blue Moon:
Wonders and wealth . . .
I can't quite believe . . .
From his first words
| He sought to deceive! | Flare (nods): |
| So that he could thieve. | |
| Why don't you follow | |
| The sticky-hooved pest | Flare (putting on his sunglasses): |
| And I'll gallop off to | Yes, I'll make the arrest! |
| The bride, groom, and guests. | Flare: |
| Just what I would suggest! |
Flare gallops after Omen as quietly as he can whilst Blue Moon hurries back to the wedding Parasol and Sunlight are just about to exchange vows.
Blue Moon:
Wait! Stop everything!
Tex (tossing the curls out of his eyes ^_~):
What is it?
Blue Moon:
Omen raided our vault! We've got to stop him before he gets away! Flare's
following him, but--
Bow-Tie:
We can help! Let's go!
Parasol (furious):
Right! Which way did he go?
No one needs to answer Parasol's question since Omen suddenly thunders into view with Flare in hot pursuit.
Flare:
You have the right to remain silent! Anything you say or do--
Omen swerves away from the wedding set up, but Parasol blinks twice, disappears, instantly reappears just in front of him . . . and sticks out a hoof.
Omen goes flying.
Blue Moon and Flare quickly secure the hapless pony, who glares at the gawking crowd of wedding guests.
Blue Moon:
Well, Mr. "Prophet", what do you have to say for yourself?
Aurora:
HA! I knew you weren't a real Mystic pony! Ha ha HA!
Omen:
Hmph!
Flare:
You'd better explain yourself, Omen, if that is your real name!
Omen (sneering):
Oh yeah? Why's that?
Sparkler:
Well, let's see . . .
Her horn crackles with lightning. Omen pales (an impressive feat for a white pony.)
Omen:
Okay, okay! I'll talk! You're right, I'm not really a Mystic pony.
Slugger:
What was with that prophecy, then?
Omen:
The power of suggestion is a force to be reckoned with . . . and I knew that everyone would go to the
wedding . . .
Blue Moon:
. . . leaving the castle unguarded.
Omen smirks and nods.
Flare (frowning):
We'll let Queen Majesty decide how to deal with you.
Blue Moon:
Right. In the meantime . . . volunteers to help take him to the dungeon?
Several ponies volunteer, eager to jail the pony who tried to swipe their treasures. Omen is taken to the castle.
Parasol:
Un-be-lievable! The nerve! If I ever get my hooves on that pony--
Fizzy:
Wow, you must be really relieved, Parasol?
Parasol frowns.
Parasol:
Relieved?
Sweet Stuff:
Yeah . . . since the prophecy was a hoax . . .
Fizzy (giggling):
You don't have to marry Sunlight after all!
Parasol (irritably):
Oh, don't be stupid! (looking at Fizzy) Although that may be asking a lot in your
case . . .
Posey:
Don't worry, Parasol, Sunlight will understand. See, he's gone already!
Parasol quickly glances around and discovers that Sunlight has indeed left.
Parasol:
Not again! What do I need for that pony, a hobble?
With an exasperated sigh, she teleports away. Sunlight has already made good progress, but after a few minutes she manages to locate him.
Parasol:
And where do you think you're going?
Sunlight (blushing):
Oh! Parasol! It's okay . . . I understand.
Parasol (lost):
Understand what?
Sunlight (shuffling his hooves):
Well, you w-were only going to marry me because of the prophecy . . . to save Dream Valley.
But since that wasn't real . . .
Parasol (sighing):
Oh, Sunlight! Don't you understand?
Sunlight looks up.
Parasol (irritated):
Well, I don't suppose you'll get it unless I spell it out for you. I love you. There!
Sunlight (unbelieving):
Really?
Parasol pauses, looking at the aqua stallion for a moment.
Parsol:
Yes. Yes, I do. So unless you really want to leave me at the altar, why don't you
come back?
Sunlight (seriously):
I would never do anything to hurt you, Parasol. You know that.
The two ponies walk slowly back to the wedding feast, leaning one Rainbow-haired head against the other. As they pause to drink from the river, Skydancer silently soars overhead, gazing downward, then spiraling up towards the darkening sky of early evening. He stretches his wings wide.
Skydancer:
Star light, star bright,
Another day has died
With prophecies and mischief
And Skydancer to guide!
Star light, star bright,
Young love is in the air!
Parasol and Sunlight--
A most unlikely pair!
Sunset settles;
Stars spangle the sky!
Our adventure's ended;
Time to say goodbye . . .
He swoops over the waterfall as Parasol and Sunlight (finally) exchange vows and kiss. The ponies cheer and throw confetti.
Skydancer:
And now a new beginning--
But we must say goodbye!
The End