Canterlot Wedding Part 1
Pony's Log Number 225: I always knew Twilight could pick up on trouble from a mile away, but I often wonder if our inability to keep our emotions in check is why nopony takes our concerns seriously...
It was a beautiful day in Ponyville park. A pair of butterflies flew by as the Mane seven were enjoying a nice, quiet picnic together.
"Ahh!" Rarity sighed contently, wearing a sunhat and pink neck scarf around her neck as Fluttershy was enjoying munching on some of the goodies they had brought to eat. In the distance, a familiar baby dragon was heading in their direction.
"It is gorgeous out," said Rarity, "Just gorgeous!" Fluttershy looked up and smiled in agreement.
"I know," said Mario as he sat next to Twilight and giving her a glance.
"I meant the surroundings and the sky, not Twilight, Mario," Rarity teased as Twilight rolled her eyes.
"I know, I know," Mario remarked indignantly as the others snickered to each other. Spike was continuing to run and approach them. As he got closer, Rainbow was enjoying her sandwich and Applejack slurped her drink. Spike made a leap over a small stream as he came within range of the group's picnic blanket. Twilight pulled out an apple and went to take a bite.
"Twi...light!" Spike panted as he arrived and came up to her, making the purple pony drop her apple, "...I...have...Lemme just..." Fluttershy and Rarity looked at Spike with worry as he went to take a deep breath. Spike then gave a loud belch, producing a scroll. Twilight wasted no time using her magic to pick it up and unrolled it.
"Dear Twilight and Mario," the purple pony read aloud as Mario read it quietly beside, "I am sure you are excited as I am about the upcoming wedding in Canterlot." Twilight and Mario shared puzzled looks.
"Wedding?" they both exclaimed as they looked at the others.
"I will be presiding over the ceremony, but would very much like you and your friends to help with the preparations for this wonderful occasion," Twilight continued reading aloud as the others listened attentively, "Fluttershy, I would like you and your songbird choir to provide the music."
"Oh my goodness!" Fluttershy exclaimed as she looked at the others, "What an honor!"
"Pinkie Pie, I can think of no one more qualified than you to host the reception," Twilight continued. Pinkie then did a handstand followed by a front flip and a cartwheel.
"Hip, hip, hooray!" said Pinkie excitedly as she got into Spike's face.
"Applejack, you will be in charge of the catering for the reception," said Twilight as the orange pony smiled excitedly. Rainbow Dash looked rather bored.
"Rainbow Dash-" Twilight began as the blue Pegasus yawned, "-I would very much appreciate it if you could perform a sonic rainboom as the bride and groom complete their "I do's." When Rainbow heard that, she literally stuck a fore-hoof in her mouth in shock.
"Yes!" said Rainbow excitedly as she hovered in the air and did a double hoof pump.
"Rarity, you will be responsible for designing the dresses for the bride and bridesmaids," Twilight continued. Rarity went agape as her face twitched and was suddenly teetering about as her eyes crossed. Fluttershy looked at her worried and tried to stabilize Rarity, but the marshmallow pony collapsed into her back. Fluttershy cringed at the impact, but Rarity was on her back with a wide toothy grin on her face.
"And as for you, Twilight and Mario, you two will be playing the most important role of it all," Twilight read on.
"What is it?" Mario asked curiously.
"Making sure that everything goes as planned. See you all very soon. Yours, Princess Celestia," Twilight finished and then examined the rest of the paper, "But...I don't understand. Who's getting married?"
"Good question," Mario remarked, "I mean...Mom wouldn't spring a last minute wedding on us if it was hers right? I mean...she would have said she was dating somepony. And one thing I know about Mom is that she refuses to use marriage to make peace with other rulers if you get what I mean." Twilight nodded in agreement. Spike then blinked.
"Oh wait!" said Spike as he pulled out another piece of parchment, "Uh, I was probably supposed to give you this one first."
"That would have been nice," Mario remarked annoyingly as Twilight rolled her eyes and opened it.
"Princess Celestia cordially invites you to the wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and..." Twilight gasped as she read who the other person getting married was. The others looked over her shoulder, "My brother?!"
"Wuh?" Mario said in just as much surprise.
Thought he had to admit...the name "Cadenza" sounded very familiar...
(Main theme)
While Mario recovered a few seconds later after failing to figure out why the name "Cadenza" sounded familiar to him. Poor Twilight was still in a state of shock as the others looked at her worried.
"Your brother's getting married?" said Applejack as she shook Twilight's fore-hoof, "Congratulations, Twilight!" Twilight then glared.
"Yeah, great news," said Twilight as she stomped away from the picnic blanket, "That I just got from a wedding invitation! Not from my brother, but from a piece of paper! Thanks alot, Shining Armor. I mean, really he couldn't just tell me personally?" Twilight then picked up a nearby sandwich.
"Hey, Twilight, just thought you should know I'm making a really big decision that changes everything," said Twilight in Shining Armor's voice as she used the sandwich like a puppet, "Oh never mind, you'll hear about it when you get the invitation." Twilight made faces as she imitated her brother as the rest of the group looked at her worried.
"Princess Mi Amore Cadenza," Twilight said in a mocking tone, "Who in the hoof is that?" Twilight snorted as Mario rubbed his chin.
"The name sounds familiar to me," said Mario, "But I can't put my hoof on it."
"Um, Twilight?" Fluttershy asked as she hovered over to the purple pony, "Are you okay?"
"Sorry, it's just that Shining Armor and I have always been so close," said Twilight as she took a few steps away and pointed a fore-hoof at them, "He's my B.B.B.F.F.!" There was a long silence and Twilight fore-hoofed herself.
"Big Brother Best Friend Forever?" Twilight said as a matter of fact.
"Ohhh!" said all the ponies minus Mario as they looked at each other and smiled.
"Don't feel too bad, girls," said Mario, "I didn't get that right away either the first time I heard it." Twilight just rolled her eyes.
"Before I came here and learned the importance of friendship and before I even met Mario," Twilight explained as she kept her back against the group, "Shining Armor was the only pony I ever really accepted as a friend." It was then Twilight raised a fore-hoof as a magenta bird perched on it. Twilight nuzzled it gently by the cheek before it flew away and watched a pair of butterflies as she began to sing.
[Twilight - as a young foal, she was walking down the street with a book in front of her. Since she was so busy reading, she completely missed seeing a pair of unicorns playing hopscotch nearby.]
When I was just a filly, I found it rather silly
To see how many other ponies I could meet
I had my books to read, didn't know that I would ever need
Other ponies to make my life complete
[Twilight - her younger self then bumped into a white colored stallion with a two-toned blue mane and tail. Young Twilight looked up at Shining Armor. He stared at her at first, but then gave her a friendly smile, making her younger self smile back at him happily. She began to hop around him happily as he raised his fore-legs with her. He then gave her a noogie before nuzzling her and giving her a hug.]
But there was one colt that I cared for
I knew he would be there for me
My big brother, best friend forever!
Like two peas in a pod, we did everything together
[Twilight - her younger self and Shining Armor were then flying a kite together. They exchanged smiles with each other, but young Twilight let go of her kite. Shining Armor managed to catch it before it could fly away. They are then about to eat the same apple, but Shining Armor used his magic to split the apple for them to share. He was also there to cheer Twilight on when she used her magic to lift a heavy book for the first time. Another moment was when the royal guards were saluting on a balcony. Shining Armor was standing on the ground saluting as well as young Twilight watched him. Then Shining Armor watched as Twilight, Spike, and Mario were sent off to Ponyville. Twilight's face then appeared in the sky, her eyes tearing as she continued to sing]
He taught me how to fly a kite (Best friend forever!)
We never had a single fight (We did everything together!)
We shared hopes, we shared our dreams
I miss him more than I realized
It seems...
[Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Mario]
Your big brother, best friend forever
Like two peas in a pod, you did everything together
[Twilight - two clouds appeared in the sky shaped like young Twilight and Shining Armor as they played ball together, then they lose the ball and Shining Armor went after it into the distance where the city of Canterlot could be seen. If one were to look at the city, they could see some faint looking bubble surrounding the city. Present Twilight watched the cloud as she kept singing with a sad look on her face while walking away from the group. Her friends just watch her sadly as she looked up at the sky and lowered her head. As the view pans around her 360 degrees, Shining Armor's silhouette stood behind her as Twilight let her tears fall.]
And though he's, oh, so far away
I hopes that he would stay
My big brother best friend
Forever...
Forever...
Once Twilight had finished singing, Applejack wasted no time approaching Twilight as she placed a gentle fore-hoof on Twilight's back.
"As one of your P.F.F.'s..." said Applejack as she pointed to the rest of the group. Mario just smiled as the others just look at each other blankly. Mario noticed their blank faces and face-hoofed himself.
"Pony Friends Forever..." Applejack explained bluntly.
"Ohhh!" said all the girls in agreement and smile. Mario just rolled his eyes.
"...I wanna tell you that I think your brother sounds like a real good guy," said Applejack.
"He is pretty special," said Twilight as she walked away, still feeling rather upset as she sat down and played around with a slice of cake, "I mean, they don't let just anypony be captain of the Royal Guard." Rarity made an O with her mouth in surprise as she sat down beside Twilight.
"So let me get this straight," said Rarity with a excitedly screech, "We're helping out with the wedding of not only a princess but a captain of the Royal Guard?"
"I guess we are," Twilight answered.
"Ooh, ooh, oooh!" said Rarity as she wobbled about in a woozy manner.
"Not again!" Mario remarked as he handed Twilight a pillow, which the purple pony used to set on the grass as Rarity passed out again with a wide smile again. Twilight just sat with an irritated look on her face as Rainbow and Fluttershy flew above her and Pinkie and Applejack held hooves as the four ponies just chattered excitedly about the upcoming wedding. Mario just sat next to her and put a fore-hoof on her shoulder. Twilight looked up at him as he gave her a sympathetic smile.
"You understand how I feel right now, don't you?" Twilight asked.
"More than you realize, Twi," said Mario, "Remember my big sister? She pretty much dropped all contact with me shortly after I met you and entered magic school. I wouldn't be surprised if she's married and started a family. Either way, she's moved on from me."
"Shining Armor has not moved on from me!" Twilight snapped.
"I never said he did," said Mario, "But I know what it's like when it seems that they are leaving you behind. My big sister was my best friend. We were as close as you were with Shining Armor after all. Besides, I'm sure once we get going to Canterlot, we can get some answers. Like you said, Shining Armor wouldn't just make a decision like this and keep you in the dark. Something bigger must be going on. Don't worry, Twilight, I'm on your side and I'll help you get to the bottom of this. I don't like the idea of him upsetting you like this either. He befriended me too after all, despite my...feelings for you..."
"Wait, he knew?!" Twilight exclaimed. Mario nodded.
"Hey, you girls have your girl to girl secrets after all," Mario pointed out, "So I had him to have guy to guy chats with about it. Besides, I don't have too many guys that I confide in. Big Mac isn't much of a talker after all and until we left Ponyville, I used to go to Shining Armor when I needed somepony to talk to and you were busy studying. And...I guess I wanted to know if he would approve of me..."
"And what did he say?" Twilight asked.
"Either I treat you right or he'll turn me into an earth pony the hard way," said Mario as he wearily rubbed his horn with a fore-hoof. Twilight giggled as she snuggled into his neck happily. Twilight wanted to say she loved Mario, but couldn't get her mouth to say it.
Why does admitting I love Mario have to be so hard? Twilight thought to herself.
It wasn't long before the Mane seven and Spike had gathered what they needed for the wedding and boarded the train to Canterlot.
"A sonic rainboom? At a wedding?!" said Rainbow as she and Applejack leaned their heads out of the windows, "Can you say "best wedding ever"?!" Pinkie then stuck her head out of a window with a gasp.
"Best wedding ever!" Pinkie echoed as the train entered a tunnel and reappeared from another tunnel opening higher up the mountain.
"So you all get to help with the big fancy wedding," said Spike as he stuck his head out of a window with Rarity and Fluttershy at his left and right. They both smiled as he pointed a finger at himself, "but I'm the one who gets to host the bachelor party! I have just one question. What's a bachelor party?" The other ponies just laughed, except for Twilight and Mario, as Spike, Fluttershy, and Rarity pulled their heads back inside of the train. Twilight was just sitting on the other end of the coach car, staring out of the window as Mario just sat beside her, worried about his best friend that he loved so much. Applejack then came up to them.
"Why the long face, sugarcube?" Applejack asked with concern.
"I'm just thinking about Shining Armor," said Twilight, "Ever since Mario and I moved to Ponyville, we've been seeing each other less and less. And now that he's starting a new family with this "Princess Mi Amore Ca - whatshername"..."
"Cadenza," said Mario quietly.
"Whatever!" Twilight snapped, making Mario flinch, "the point is that we'll probably never see each other."
"Welcome to the club," said Mario sadly, thinking about his sister and why "Cadenza" rang a bell to him but just couldn't make any sense of it.
"Come on, now," said Applejack, "You're his sister. He'll always make time for you."
"Couldn't seem to make time to tell me he was getting married," Twilight remarked bitterly as she pulled the blinds to her window down.
"Twilight has ever right to be upset about this," Mario added, "I'd hate to see Shining Armor do to her what my big sister did to me."
"What might that be?" Applejack asked.
"Left behind and forgotten," Mario remarked, "Like you're no longer important to them anymore." Applejack just gave them sympathetic looks as the train continued on its way to Canterlot, which was apparently surrounded by a giant bubble shaped force field. As the train arrived at the edge of the force field, it slowed down as the ponies standing guard created a way for the train to pass through the field. All the girls flinched as the barrier passed through them.
"Woah!" said Mario as he felt the barrier pass through him, "Well, that was weird..."
"We're here, We're here!" said Pinkie as the train arrived at the station, which was surrounded heavily by a large number of guards as the train came to a stop.
"Whoa, what's with all the guards?" said Rainbow as she, Applejack, and Rarity peeked out of their train car from the train car door.
"I'm sure they're just taking the necessary precautions," Rarity explained, "Royal weddings bring out the strangest ponies."
"Makes sense," said Fluttershy, "Mario is with us and he's pretty strange."
"Be quiet, Fluttershy!" Twilight snapped before Mario could retort. Mario was rather taken aback that Twilight had defended him from one of Fluttershy's sassy remarks.
"Aaaaaaaaaa-choo!" Pinkie sneezed as her sneeze sounded like a trumpet as she, Fluttershy, Twilight, and Mario hopped off of the train. Twilight still had a bitter look on her face.
"Hello there," said a male Pegasus guard in uniform as he approached the Mane Seven, "Shining Armor asked me to escort you all personally to your staying quarters so you can get started with the wedding preparations." Mario looked at the Pegasus funny until he gasped when he saw his cutie mark.
A shield with a pair of dual swords.
"Shenran? Is that you?" Mario asked in surprise. The Pegasus looked at him sternly for a second before smiling. Fluttershy literally felt her jaw drop and her cheeks turned light shade of pink.
"Hey! What's up old buddy!" Shenran exclaimed as they shared a brotherly hug. The other ponies were surprised.
"This is the infamous, Shenran?" said Rainbow in surprise, "The one Fluttershy's been gushing over and writing letters to?" Fluttershy gave a loud whimper as she tried to hide behind Rarity. She was very nervous seeing the male Pegasus stallion face to face. Shenran gently approached her.
"It's okay, Fluttershy," he said gently, "I was really nervous to meet you too. I'm glad I finally get to meet you. Will you come out so I can see you?" Shenran looked away a bit, showing his shy side for her. Fluttershy smiled, seeing that he was the Shenran she had been writing letters to and crawled out into view.
"You're beautiful," said Shenran, his cheeks turning a shade of red. Fluttershy giggled.
"You're very handsome," Fluttershy remarked. Shenran smiled back until he heard some snickering behind him. He shot the other guards a death glare as they quickly went back into passive stances again, but still smirked discreetly when he turned away.
"Right, I'm still on duty," Shenran muttered as he offered a fore-leg to escort the yellow Pegasus himself. Fluttershy wrapped one of her own fore-legs around it with a smile.
"Now, let's get going!" said Rarity, "We've got work to do!"
"And you've got a big brother to go congratulate," Applejack told Twilight with a smile.
"Yeah. Congratulate," Twilight muttered bitterly as she approached two guards, "and give him a piece of my mind." Twilight pass by two guards that quickly lifted their spears to let her pass. Everypony watched her take off with worry, both Applejack and Mario had skeptical looks on their faces.
"I...better go make sure Twilight doesn't do something she regrets," said Mario as he turned to Shenran, "Think you can escort the girls to their staying quarter and show them where everything is while I go catch up with Twilight?"
"No problem," said Shenran as he looked at Fluttershy, "No trouble at all." Fluttershy just smiled back as Mario rolled his eyes.
"Try not to run into any lampposts along the way, especially if you keep giving Flutters goo-goo eyes," Mario remarked. Shenran gave the stallion a raspberry as Mario chuckled and went to catch up with Twilight.
Up in a tower, Princess Celestia was using a telescope as she stood on the balcony to survey the area around Canterlot as Twilight continued her way towards the castle with Mario not too far behind her. For the moment, Shinning Armor, now in full uniform, was gesturing his fore-leg to give direct orders to the local guards on where they needed to go or patrol.
"I've got something to say to you, mister!" Twilight said so sternly and boldly that several guards pointed their spears at her.
"Hey, hey! Stand down you guys! You remember us?" said Mario. The guards smiled and relaxed a bit as Shining Armor looked over to them.
"Twily! Mario!" said Shining Armor excitedly as he removed his helmet and raced down the stairs to meet his little sister and Mario, whom the latter he considered a friend of the family, "Ah, I've missed you, kids. How was the train ride? I-" Shining Armor was taken aback when he offered to give Twilight a hug and she angrily pulled away from him.
"How dare you not tell me in person that you were getting married!" said Twilight angrily, "I'm your sister for pony's sake!" Twilight then turned away.
"It's not my fault!" Shining Armor replied in his defense, "Princess Celestia has requested a major increase in security. Did you and Mario see all the guards at the train station? I sent Shenran, my right hand and second-in-command, to escort you and your friends to the castle."
"Whoa, didn't know Shenran was now second-in-command," Mario replied impressed.
"Yeah, there's a big wedding coming up," said Twilight sarcastically as she walked away a bit and stared at her reflection in a puddle, "Maybe you heard about it?"
"Easy Twilight," said Mario gently, "By the look on Shining Armor's face, it's clear it wasn't intentional..."
"You can stop trying to get on his good side," said Twilight, "I think you're good enough for me and that's all that matters! You don't need his approval to be with me!"
"Good enough? Be with you?!" Shining Armor said puzzled before he blinked, "Are you two...a couple?"
"Not yet," said Mario, "but we have been dating for a while now. I've told her I love her. Twilight's still deciding how she feels."
No I haven't, I love you! But that was only in Twilight's head, but her mouth said, "Yeah...still deciding on my feelings." Twilight winced discreetly as she said that. Recently, it seemed like every time she made an excuse about her true feelings, she felt like somepony has punched her stomach. She quickly shook it off as Shining Armor walked up to her.
"Well, all in good time," said Shining Armor as he gave Mario a friendly hoof bump, "But Mario is right. This had nothing to do with the wedding. A threat has been made against Canterlot. We don't know who's responsible for it, but Princess Celestia asked that I help provide additional protection." Twilight didn't bother to look at him, but was still listening attentively.
"Pretty bold for a threat to openly state their attack," said Mario, "Need any assistance? I've actually gotten pretty good at self-defense and I've got plenty of useful items, spells, and other power-ups to help you and the rest of your troops." Shining Armor smiled.
"I'll let you know if we can use the extra help, little buddy," said Shining Armor, "First, this you two need to see." Shining Armor then lifted Twilight's chin so she could look at him before taking a step back. He then began to concentrate intensely, making his horn glow brightly as a large beam exits his horn. The beam strikes the barrier above them, making it shine and reenergizing it. Shining Armor then relaxed, but gasped as his horn gave a tweak and he wobbled a bit.
"Ouch, all that magic output must be doing a number on your head," Mario remarked, "Here, eat this." Mario then used his magic to pull out a small green leafy plant that looked like a clover. Shining Armor leaned away nervously.
"Oh, come on," said Mario annoyingly, "You know I can cook and I'm pretty good at making tasty magical treats. Now open up!" Shining Armor sighed and bravely shut his eyes as the leafy plant entered his mouth. He munched it for a few seconds before smiling.
"Mmmm...minty," Shining Armor remarked and then sighed as his headache quickly faded away, "Ooh, that is so much better! Thanks, Mario."
"Anytime," said Mario. While Twilight was still glaring at her big brother, she was inwardly relieved that Mario helped him out with his headache.
"Getting back on track," said Shining Armor as he made his way back up the stairs, "The burden of keeping Canterlot safe and secure rest squarely on my shoulders. Staying focused on the task at hand has been my top priority."
"Okay, okay, I get it," said Twilight as she, Mario, and Shining Armor made their way across a bridge, "You've got a really important job protecting all of Canterlot with a force field only you can conjure up. But still...how could you not tell me about something as big as your wedding? Am I not that important to you anymore?" Twilight placed a fore-hoof on the bridge railing and looked out into the distance. Shining Armor looked at her sympathetically.
"She's got a good point there," said Mario, "I mean how would you feel if Twilight and I were getting married and the only way you learned about it was through an invitation?" Twilight blushed at the idea, but kept her face away from them so neither could notice.
"Believe me, Mario, I get it," said Shining Armor before getting in his face, "And I'll pound you to the ground if you two ever try something like that!" In his younger days, that glare would frighten Mario dearly, but now...it still intimidated him, but he could keep his cool under Shining Armor's glare.
"I'd be more concerned about Twilight pounding you to the ground right now," said Mario calmly.
"Hey," said Shining Armor as he addressed Twilight, "You're my little sister. Of course you're important to me. But I'd understand if you didn't want to be my best mare now." Shining Armor gave her a sad look, but Mario could tell it was playful one. The older stallion was clearly trying to cheer Twilight up. The purple pony perked up as Shining Armor donned a smirk on his face.
"You want me to be your best mare?" said Twilight in surprise.
"Well...yeah," Shining Armor replied, "and Mario can be my one and only grooms-colt." Now Mario was smiling.
"Awesome!" Mario replied.
"I'd be honored!" said Twilight as she bowed before him regally as Shining Armor pulled her into a hug. Twilight accepted it...before roughly pulling away from him again.
"But I'm still pretty ticked you're marrying somepony I don't even know!" said Twilight, "When did you meet this "Princess Mi Amore Cadenza"?" Shining Armor looked at Mario.
"Don't you know who Princess Mi Amore Cadenza is?" he asked Mario as the younger colt gave him a puzzled look.
"It's sound familiar," said Mario, "but I can't..." It was then it finally clicked.
"No way..." said Mario in shock, "It's...it's my big sister?!"
"That's right," said Shinning Armor, "Twily, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza is Cadance, your old foalsitter." Twilight pondered for a second and then smiled.
"Cadance?" said Twilight as she shook her head in surprise, "As in the Cadance? As the greatest foalsitter in all the history of foalsitters?"
"You tell me," said Shining Armor with a chuckle and a light eye roll, "She was your foalsitter."
"Hey, she was mine long before she ever started foalsitting Twilight," Mario remarked.
"I just realized something," said Twilight, "if Shining Armor and your big sister are getting married..." Twilight suddenly felt rather uncomfortable about when Mario laughed.
"Cadance wasn't my real big sister," said Mario, "Remember that while I call Princess Celestia my Mom, she never adopted me. She just gave me all the motherly love she knew I needed growing up. Don't worry, Twilight. Even if your big brother and Cadance get married, the door for us is still open."
"I see," said Twilight as she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Until I met you, Twilight," said Mario, "Cadance was my only true friend. I still remember when I met her for the first time..."
Flashback
Three year old Mario was sitting alone crying heavily after what had been a very awful day at preschool daycare. He was at that age where he had just learned to talk. A young alicorn was walking down the hall. She had a pink coat and a mane and tail that had shades of dark pink, purple, and light blonde in it. Both her mane and tail had light blue ribbons tied in them. She had come to a stop when she heard the sound of the young colt crying inside. She wasted no time walking up to the colt and stroking his mane. Young Mario looked up and saw the alicorn giving him a warm smile.
"Who...who are you?" he asked softly, his eyes full of tears.
"My name is Cadance," said the alicorn, "Who are you?"
"M-m-m-mario," he said timidly, "Mario...Star...P-P-Pr...in...cess Cel...est...ia said I can call her mommy, even though she not. But...grown-ups say...I can't call her mommy. Other kids...mean to me. Call me mean names. Say...I'm...rubber-ish and...umm...what's...pity?" Young Cadance just sighed.
"Pity means that you only feel sorry for somepony," said Young Cadance.
"So...Mommy just pity me?" Young Mario asked, ready to cry again.
"Of course not," said Cadance, "And I'm sure your friends don't either." Young Mario looked at her sadly.
"I have no friends," Young Mario sobbed, "Nopony likes me...they just make fun of me...call me names..." Young Mario continued to cry when he was taken by surprise when Young Candace opened a wing and pulled him close to her for a hug.
"I'll be your friend," said Young Cadance sweetly.
"Cause you pity me?" Young Mario asked with sad eyes.
"Of course not," said Young Cadance, "because I think you're special." Young Mario, despite his teary eyes, gave her a warm smile.
End Flashback
"Cadance and I were practically inseparable in those days," Mario continued, "I always felt happier when I was with her. And she was my biggest supporters in helping me find my cutie mark. I can remember whenever I was in a play, or a competition, she was there cheering me on. Even when my efforts were naught, she encouraged me to keep trying and improve on the talents I was good at. But the biggest thing she taught me was how powerful love can be, from how there are different kinds of love and how it is important to focus on love rather than giving into anger and hate, especially with all the bullying I had to deal with. I always believed she prepared me for my role as the seventh Element of Harmony..."
"I would say she did," said Twilight, "You certainly know how to be compassionate, kind, caring, and empathetic to everypony."
"And now she's marrying your brother," said Mario before slapping his forehead, "I still can't believe I didn't recognize the name. But in my defense, Cadance never used her formal name when she was speaking to anypony and I never heard anybody else call her that either. But still...Cadance...Cadenza...duh! I'm such a dummy."
"Easy Mario," said Shining Armor, "It was an honest mistake, but now you know that my bride-to-be is somepony you both know."
"I still can't believe it!" Twilight exclaimed, "Ohmygoshohmygosh! Cadance is only the most amazing pony ever! She's beautiful, she's caring, she's kind..."
A flashback was then seen of Young Twilight in her old bedroom searching for her old Smarty Pants doll when Young Cadance walked into the room. Young Twilight wasted no time rushing over so they could share a loving hug together. Other memories included Cadance putting a band aid on Young Twilight's fore-hoof after she scratched it and then wiping away the little filly's tears. Another moment was when Cadance was pushing Young Twilight on the swing.
"I am so lucky to have you as my foalsitter!" said Young Twilight.
"I'm the one whose lucky," said Young Cadance as she continued to push Young Twilight on the swing as Twilight scoffed.
"You're a princess," said Twilight as Young Cadance rolled her eyes playfully behind her, "I'm just a regular old unicorn."
"You are anything but a regular old unicorn," said Young Cadance as she removed Young Twilight from the swing and put her down on the grass. It was then they did their special dance together.
"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake!" they sang together, "Clap your hooves and give a little shake!" The dance involved the two bouncing on their hooves, ducking down, covering both their eyes and then peeking from one eye, then clapping hooves patty-cake style, and finishing with shaking their flanks and tails. After the dance was done, they fell into their backs laughing.
"It's been so long since I've done that dance," said Mario as the flashback continued, "Remember when we used to do it together, Twilight?"
"Yeah, it's been awhile," said Twilight with a giggle. It was then Young Twilight and Young Cadance were walking down the street when the latter spotted two unicorns arguing as they sat at a table.
"I am going for a hooficure and that is that!" said the mare named Wild Fire.
"You are not going-" a stallion named Lucky Clover yelled back.
"I am! I am!" Wild Fire shouted.
"I've already paid for three this month!" Lucky Clover protested.
"I...no!" Wild Fire shouted, "My girlfriends are all getting their hooves done! And you said that onl-"
"Please, we've done this at least-" Luck Clover shouted back. Young Cadance and Young Twilight just watched the two argue. While Young Twilight looked worried, Young Cadance just smirked before she produced a red heart from her horn. She then made the heart split up into two perfect halves that floated over to the arguing couple. Just as the two halves united, the heart shinned brightly, making the couple stop arguing and smile at each other.
"Oh! Ho, ho, ho," said Lucky Clover.
"Oh, Sweetie," said Wild Fire, "You just did that face." Young Cadance just smiled proudly and walked away as Young Twilight smiled in amazement.
"How many unicorns can just spread love wherever they go?" said Twilight happily as the flashback ended.
"Indeed," said Mario, "Even as the element of love, I can't do any of the love magic that she could do."
"I only know one!" said Twilight as she looked at Shining Armor, "And you're marrying her!" Twilight then bounced about excitedly.
"You're marrying Cadance," Twilight sing-sang as she bounced around Shining Armor like she used to when she was little filly, "You're marrying Cadance." While Mario smiled at how happy Twilight looked, now it was his turn to feel upset and bitter.
"Gee thanks for telling me that you're getting married, Sis," Mario said to himself.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything important," said a voice. Twilight stopped dancing and Mario turned his head to see the very pony they had been talking about standing just a few yards away. Cadance's physical appearance was roughly the same, but taller. She now had on a gold necklace similar to the one Princess Celestia wore, a small gold crown on her head, and her hair was now fully down and slightly curled to one side of her head. She also had her own pair of gold shoes on her hooves. Mario and Twilight smiled.
"Cadance!" said Twilight excited as she and Mario stood before her.
"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and give a little shake!" Mario and Twilight danced for her together. Cadance just gave them a funny looks.
"What are you doing?" she asked bluntly.
"Cadance, it's me, Twilight!" said the purple pony.
"And me, Mario!" Mario added excitedly, "Your little bro from another Mo?"
"Bro from another Mo?" Twilight repeated annoyingly.
"She came up with it!" Mario said in his defense. Cadance just gave them both a disinterested look.
"Uh-huh," said Cadance as she simply walked past the both of them and ignoring them both. Mario was indignant as Twilight looked rather puzzled.
"Guess she did forget me completely," Mario retorted bitterly as Cadance stood before Shining Armor as he wrapped a fore-hoof around her.
"I gotta get back to my station, but Cadance will be checking in with all of you to see how things are going," said Shining Armor, "I think I speak for both of us when I say we couldn't be more excited to have you here. Right, dear?" Cadance then gave a smile that was anything but genuine or sincere. One might say it looked rather devious.
"Absolutely," said Cadance, leaving Twilight unnerved and Mario narrowing his eyes at her.
"Well, we'll let you get to it," said Shining Armor as the couple just walked off the bridge. Mario and Twilight both glared.
"Nice to see you again too, Sis," said Mario, sternly saying the last word before he and Twilight headed into the Castle kitchen. The two ponies were soon sitting on the floor fuming as Applejack was rushing frantically about the kitchen as some country music was being heard. Twilight had a notepad and pencil in her magic grip as well as Applejack was ironing out the frosting for the top layer of the wedding cake.
"Cake, check," said Applejack as Twilight bluntly marked her checklist as Applejack ran past the two ponies each time she went to show each completed item, "Ice sculpture, check. Best darn bite-size apple fritter you've ever tasted." Applejack then pulled the said pastries from the oven and shoved one each into Twilight and Mario's mouths.
"Mmm. Check," said Twilight.
"Mmm. Delicious," Mario added, both ponies feeling a little better after their free treat. Then they noticed Spike was playing with the two cake toppers.
"I do, Do you?" said Spike, trying to mimic Shinning Armor and then made his voice sound like Cadance, "I do!" He then made kissing noises with the two figurines as Twilight and Mario arrived and glared at him before the former grabbed the toppers and put them on the table. Spike just chuckled sheepishly at the two ponies kept glaring at him.
"Hiya, Princess!" said Applejack as Cadance entered the kitchen in a rather regal fashion.
"Please, call me Princess Mi Amore Cadenza," Cadance replied snootily. Twilight and Mario gave Cadance a dirty look.
"The Cadance I knew never used to make people address her by her formal name," Mario remarked to Twilight in an irritated tone.
"Hiya, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza," Applejack repeated as she bowed before the princess, "You come to check out what's on the menu for your big day?" As Applejack's back was turned, Cadance had a very irritated look on her face, which flipped into a smile as Applejack looked at her.
"I have," said Cadance in a cheerful tone that was obviously fake. Both Twilight and Mario gave her a look that pretty much said "I'm watching you!". Applejack then offered her one of the apple fritters, which Cadance ate rather quickly as she shoved the whole thing in her mouth.
"Delicious!" Cadance replied, "I love-love-love them." Cadance then gave a nervous laugh as Mario and Twilight glared.
"How much more fake can she get?" Mario whispered to Twilight, "Though I find it weird because Cadance was a big fan of apple treats. At least she used to be..."
"Aw, shucks," said Applejack, "Why don't you take a few to go?" Applejack then handed Cadance a brown goodie bag and gave a little squee. "I know how you brides can be. So busy, you forget to get a little somethin' in your belly." Cadance then took the bag by her mouth and turned to walk away. Mario and Twilight watched as Cadance headed towards the exit, and they especially took notice when Cadance threw the bag of treats into the trash can. Both ponies silently gasped as Cadance slammed the door closed.
"Did...you see what she..." Twilight stuttered, but Applejack paid her no attention.
"I'm afraid nopony is home at the moment," said Mario, giving Applejack a glare for being so clueless to their distress. Twilight just growled and stomped off with Mario not too far behind her.
Back outside, Princess Celestia was still patrolling the city from the top tower with her telescope. Some other guards were standing outside the tower where Rarity was hard at work, wearing her red glasses, as she designed and assembled the dresses for the bride and her bridesmaids.
"Oh you should have seen how she acted back there!" Twilight vented as she paced about the floor and Mario did the same behind her but in the opposite direction.
"I know right!" Mario added, "I have never seen Cadance act so fake and snooty before. She never used to behave like this! The worst part is that she brushed me off just like the other Canterlot elites used to do!"
"I don't know when she changed, but she changed!" said Twilight, ""Please call me, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza!"" Twilight didn't resist mimicking Cadance in her irritation.
"Did I hear someone say my name?" said Cadance, now standing inside the room with Minuette, Twinkleshine, and Lyra behind her. Mario was surprised to see three members of the old Canterlot group.
"Hey girls, nice to see you all...WAH! Ugh!" Mario was then sent for a loop as Rarity charged before Cadance, making Mario spin about in the air and land on his stomach.
"Your highness!" said Rarity as she bowed twice before Cadance, who looked at her unamused, "Let me just start by saying what an honor it is to play a role in such a momentous occasion." Rarity laughed nervously as Mario, who had now recovered, face-hoofed himself.
"Kiss-up," Mario muttered.
"Uh-huh," said Cadance in an unenthusiastic tone before heading over to the dresses, "Is my dress ready?"
"Yes of course," Rarity stammered as she presented her dress, which featured a blue sapphire broach on the front, lacy trimming on the top with a flowing multi-layered white skirt with gold swirl trimming on the bottom of each layer. There was also a floral headset for the wedding veil. Mario and Twilight just kept glaring at Cadance in the background. Rarity didn't notice the glares and watched as Cadance looked at the dress with a skeptical look on her face.
"I was hoping for something with more beading and a longer trim," Cadance said after a brief pause.
"Oh, yes, of course," said Rarity.
"And those should be a different color," said Cadance as she pointed at the three bridesmaid dresses.
"I think they're lovely," said Twinkleshine.
"Me too!" Minuette added.
"I love them, "said Lyra. Cadance gave the three girls dirty looks, making them cower back timidly.
"Make them a different color," Cadance said sternly. Mario then approached the still frazzled girls.
"Has Cadance been this difficult around you girls too?" he asked quietly.
"Excuse me!" Cadance snapped as she roughly shoved Mario away from the three mares, making him fall over onto his back.
"Hey, Sis! You never used to be so rough with me!" Mario protested, "I was just talking to them! There my friends!"
"I don't see why they should be friends with a lowlife like you," Cadance retorted sternly, "now stay away from them!" Mario looked hurt as the Minuette, Twinkleshine, and Lyra looked at him sadly.
"Girls!" Cadance shouted before they took off to catch up with Cadance before any of them could speak to Mario. Mario just watched them leave and felt hurt that they didn't even try to defend him. He especially felt disgusted with Cadance.
"I can't believe she said that to me," said Mario sadly, "she always said I was special and now I'm just beneath her." Twilight then arrived and helped Mario back to his hooves. She was just as upset.
"Gee, maybe her name should be "Princess Demandy-pants"," Twilight remarked.
""Dark Side Princess" is more like it," Mario remarked when he noticed that Rarity was just working and hadn't even paid any attention to what had happened.
"Let's get out of here, Twilight!" said Mario angrily, "Nopony's home." Twilight looked puzzled but then saw Rarity just working and figured out what Mario meant before following behind him.
Meanwhile, in the royal ballroom, Pinkie had just finished setting up the decorations for the wedding reception. Cadance was also there as well, with her indignant and snobbish demeanor.
"Okay let me see," said Pinkie as she popped up from behind Cadance, "We've been over the games..." Pinkie then squatted down and rolled the dice to a board game set up on the floor, which was next to a poster of pin the tail on the pony and a floral shaped piñata behind her.
"...the dances..." Pinkie continued as she headed over to the music player and started doing to the chicken dance to the song she played when she drove out the parasprites from Ponyville. Cadance just gave Pinkie a bored look.
"I think this reception is gonna be perfect!" said Pinkie with a gasp as she hopped about, "Don't you?" Pinkie gave Cadance a sheepish smile. Cadance was taken aback for a moment before she recomposed herself.
"Perfect!" said Cadance before adding sarcastically as she walked away, "If we were celebrating a six-year-old's birthday party."
"Thank you!" said Pinkie as she gasped excitedly. Neither pony noticed that Twilight and Mario had been watching them from behind one of the pillar columns, both with glares on their faces.
"Pinkie, you are such a dodo," said Mario as Twilight rolled her eyes in agreement as Mario snorted.
"Cadance said she would always be a child at heart," Mario said in an over the top before sternly saying, "Puh!" Twilight said nothing.
Later that night, Princess Luna returned from a flight outside the barrier as she landed at the tower where Princess Celestia was still on patrol.
"Rest, my sister," said Princess Luna to a clearly exhausted Princess Celestia, "As always, I will guard the night." Princess Celestia then went inside the tower. Down below near an outdoor cafe, the Mane seven and Spike were just enjoying a beverage. At least all but Mario and Twilight, who were still upset as they arrived at the table with their sodas in their magic grip.
"Bet I can guess what you're all thinking," said Twilight, "Cadance is the absolute the worst bride-to-be ever!"
"Bridezilla is a better word," Mario added in agreement. The other just looked at the two ponies agape.
"Who, me?" said Spike mimicking Cadance as he held her cake topper in his hand.
"Spike! That goes on the cake!" Applejack retorted. Spike just laughed nervously as he put the cake topper down.
"Twilight, Mario, whatever are you talking about?" said Rarity as the two ponies quietly sipped their sodas, "Cadance is an absolute gem!"
"Oh yeah, she was quite a gem when she shoved me to the floor!" Mario snapped, making Rarity lean away.
"Not only that, Rarity," said Twilight, "She was so demanding!"
"Cadance never used to be like that!" Mario added.
"Well, of course she is!" said Rarity, "Why shouldn't she expect the very best on her wedding day?" Twilight and Mario slapped a fore-hoof to their head.
"Perfection is one thing, Rarity," Mario replied, "but the standards she is asking for are so out of character. She never used to be like that!"
"Applejack," said Twilight, "did you know that after she told you how much she just "love-love-loved" your hors d'eouvres, she threw them in the trash?" Applejack was quiet for a moment.
"Aw, she probably just trying to spare my feelin's," Applejack replied.
"No, she was just being fake and totally insincere!" Twilight snapped as she crossed her fore-legs.
"Cadance never used to lie about enjoying something," said Mario, "She always championed being honest and sincere with ponies and she used to love apple treats!" The response was an awkward silence, even Rainbow gave the two ponies an eye roll.
"She did raise her voice at one of my birds during rehearsal," Fluttershy pointed out.
"See? Rude!" Twilight retorted as she crossed her fore-hooves and smiled to claim she was right.
"But he was singing really off-key," said Fluttershy as she presented the bird perched at her fore-leg. He began to sing off key, making Rainbow cringe and Twilight and Mario covered their ears.
"Pinkie Pie, you had to have noticed how Cadance treated-" Twilight had tapped her fore-hoof to get the pink ponies attention, but then saw that she and Spike were busy playing around with the cake topper, making kissing noises with them and laughing. Mario looked at the pink pony with a unamused look on his face.
"Does that surprise you?" Mario asked discreetly to Twilight's ear.
"Never mind," Twilight replied, "Rainbow Dash, you're with me and Mario, right?"
"Sorry, Twi," said Rainbow as she stretched, "Been too busy prepping for my sonic rainboom to pay much attention to the bride's bad attitude." Twilight and Mario took another sip of their drinks before growling in frustration.
"The princess is about to get married," said Rarity, "I'm sure any negative behavior she might be displaying is simply the result of nerves."
"What!?" Mario yelled angrily as he and Twilight stomped the table with both of their fore-hooves, "You call being shunned, ignored, pushed to the ground, and being called a lowlife a case of nerves? I don't think so!"
"And I'm sure it's the result of being an awful pony who doesn't deserve to even know Shining Armor, let alone marry him!" Twilight added angrily before looking at Mario, "No offense."
"Are you kidding?" said Mario, "as far as I'm concerned, the mare I called my sister is gone, replaced by some kind of snobbish witch who doesn't deserve a happy ending!" The rest of the group just gave the two ponies worried looks.
"Think you're bein' just a tiny bit possessive of your brother?" Applejack asked Twilight and then turned to Mario, "and don't you think that maybe you're letting your hurt feelings over the princess losing touch with you clouding your judgment?"
"Uh-huh," the others said in agreement.
"I am not being possessive," said Twilight angrily.
"And I'm not letting my hurt feelings cloud my judgment," Mario added in the same tone.
"and I'm not taking it out on Cadance!" said Twilight, her patience hitting its limit, "you're just all too caught up in your wedding planning to notice that maybe there shouldn't even be a wedding!" Twilight then slammed her fore-hooves on the table, making the drinks on the table spill over as she stomped away. Mario just watched Twilight walk away.
"Mario, can't you try and reason with her?" Fluttershy asked. Mario blinked before glaring at the group.
"Reason with her?" Mario retorted sternly, "She's right! You're so busy with the wedding plans that you're not even taking the time to noticed that something isn't right! I just said that Cadance, the mare I called my sister and my first best friend, hurt me! And neither of you seem to care!" Mario then turned around and panted heavily.
"I thought you all learned your lesson about taking the concerns and worried of others seriously, even if you think we're being unreasonable," said Mario bitterly, "guess I was wrong." With that, Mario curled into a ball and revved himself up and took off at a high speed down the street. The others just shared a worried look as both ponies disappeared.
Mario arrived at the location where Shining Armor had his home. He took a deep breath and lightly rapped on the door before waiting impatiently for an answer. Mario was surprised to see Cadance open the door.
"What do you want?" Cadance asked rudely. Mario gritted his teeth before taking a deep breath.
"We need to talk, Sis," said Mario calmly. Cadance just glared before snorting and letting Mario walk inside.
"So...what do you want to talk about?" Cadance asked bluntly.
"I wanna know something that has been bothering me since..." Mario began.
"Actually...can we step into that room over there," Cadance asked worried, "if this is gonna get emotional...I think we should talk in private so we don't disturb Shining Armor." Mario looked at her skeptically.
"Very well," said Mario, keep his guard up, "lead the way..." Cadance just smiled before she led Mario up the stairs toward a small room.
"After you," said Cadance as she opened the door. Mario just glared before stepping inside. Cadance followed behind him as she shut the door. The view remained just outside the closed door with their voices muffled as they spoke.
"So what is it you wanted to tell me?" Cadance demanded sternly.
"I wanna know what happened to you!" Mario asked angrily, "Since when do you behave like a snooty pony like the Canterlot elite? What happened to the kind and loving mare who befriended me when I was just a little foal? Looking for a friend who loved and supported me? The pony who helped me find my confidence?"
"That's what this is all about?" Cadance said irritably, "just because you want to relive the past and all that. Ponies change Maria..."
"Mario," the colt said darkly, irritated.
"Whatever," said Cadance, "the point is that I'm not the same pony I used to be."
"Neither am I," Mario added, "I've gotten very strong thanks to you showing me how powerful love can be..." It was then Cadance blinked and a devious smirk appeared on her face as Mario continued, "...I may have made my share of mistakes, but you don't see me getting all nasty and rude to others over it!"
"Well then," said Cadance in an overly sweet tone, "Maybe it's time I show you how much I care!"
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
THUD
A bright green glow appeared from the cracks of the doorway before it instantly disappeared.
Several minutes later, Shining Armor was in the living room trying on his wedding attire. Since he was a member of the Royal Guard, his outfit consisted of a red militant's uniform and he had just finished adding a special sash with his cutie mark on the front. He was admiring the said sash when he heard a knock on the front door.
"Twily!" said Shining Armor excitedly as he opened the door to see the purple pony standing outside and let her come in, "Your big brother's looking pretty good, don't you think?" Shining Armor then took noticed that Twilight was looking very upset.
"Huh, everything okay?" he asked concerned.
"We need to talk," said Twilight, "I think you're making a big-"
"AHEM!" said a voice as the brother and sister turned to see Cadance standing at the top of a small flight of stairs.
"Oh, uh, hi, sweetie," said Shining Armor as the pink alicorn made her way downstairs.
"She sure has a way of sneaking up on people," Twilight muttered under her breath.
"Hey, did I hear Mario stop by earlier?" Shining Armor asked.
"You...must have been hearing things," said Cadance quickly, "he hasn't been around here recently." Cadance gave a smile that Twilight knew was anything but innocent.
If you've done anything to my Mario I'm gonna...
"Could I speak to you for a moment, dear?" Cadance asked in a blunt tone, interrupting Twilight's train of thought.
"Better see what she wants," said Shining Armor as the alicorn led him into another room, but the door wasn't completely shut so Twilight could hear muffled voices while she just sitting quietly in the main room.
"Look, we need to talk," said Cadance.
"I'm here to talk," said Shining Armor calmly.
"It's about your sister, okay?" said Cadance.
"I-look, look, she's okay-" Shining Armor said in Twilight's defense.
"Just...listen to me, alright?" Cadance retorted, cutting him off, and then saw his sash, "No, no-"
"I'm listening, I'm listening," Shining Armor told her. By now, Twilight was worried as she slowly sneaked up to the door to see what was going on.
"I thought I made it perfectly clear I didn't want you to wear that," Cadance said firmly.
"This was my favorite uncle's," said Shining Armor proudly.
"And?" Cadance retorted.
"And I think I should wear it," said Shining Armor replied.
"Are you disagreeing with me?" Cadance retorted, clearly offended.
"I guess I am," Shining Armor replied back with a firm tone before he got another tweak from his horn, "Ah!" Shining Armor then rubbed his aching head.
"Oh, dear," said Cadance with concern, "Are you getting another one of your headaches?" Before Shining Armor could reply, he stumbled to the floor from the pain. Cadance wasted no time shooting a beam of green magical energy at his head, making his eye go wide and swirly.
"Gyah!" Shining Armor grunted as Twilight gasped.
"Feeling better?" Cadance asked sweetly as Shining Armor rose to his hooves.
"Mm-hmm," he grunted sheepishly. Twilight had seen enough.
"She isn't just unpleasant and rude," said Twilight, "She's downright evil!" Twilight then ran out of the house just as Shining Armor and Cadance exited the room.
"Twilight!" Shining Armor called out.
"Let her go," said Cadance dismissively as she gave Twilight a glare and then softened as she smiled and nuzzled his neck.
"Huh. It seemed like she had something else she wanted to tell me," said Shining Armor with concern.
As for Twilight, she had made a direct beeline for the castle. From the top of the tower, Luna was on patrol when she saw something running about below.
"Who goes there?" said Luna and then saw who it was, "Stay indoors, Twilight Sparkle." The purple pony didn't reply. She was in too much of a hurry for find her friends, especially when she wasn't able to locate Mario anywhere.
"Shining Armor's in real trouble!" said Twilight as she burst through the door to the room Rarity was working in, "And I can't find Mario anywhere! You have to help-" Twilight was then frozen in her tracks when she saw the rest of the girls all dressed up and talking excitedly.
"Dresses? What are you-?" Twilight asked puzzled as Fluttershy flew over to her.
"Can you believe it?" said Fluttershy as she showed off her dress, "We're gonna be Princess Mi Amore Cadenza's new bridesmaids!"
"New bridesmaids," said Twilight, "What happened to her old bridesmaids?"
"She didn't say," said Applejack in a rather dismissive tone as Rarity and Rainbow smiled, "But she did tell us that she would love-love-love it if we fill in for them."
"Seeing as we've been working so hard and everything," Rarity added.
"And you and Mario had your doubts about her," Applejack said as Twilight looked at them all in shock and disbelief.
"Told you she was an absolute gem!" said Rarity as Twilight began biting her lip seeing that nopony seemed to care about her feelings at this point.
"You sure this is what I should wear?" Rainbow asked as she bucked her hinds legs against the skirt, "Doesn't seem all that aerodynamic."
"Hmm, I'll see what I can do," said Rarity as Applejack, Pinkie, and Fluttershy just chatted excitedly with each other. Twilight just walked out of the room feeling very dejected.
"Looks like I really am on my own," Twilight said sadly to herself.
Later that night as the girls were fast asleep in their sleeping quarters, Twilight was trying to get some sleep herself. As if her worries over her brother weren't trouble enough, her dreams were now tormenting her about something else...
Dream Sequence
Twilight was rushing over to the edge of a vast platform made out of clouds.
"Twilight!" called a voice, "Twi-light!" The purple pony looked down to see Mario, hanging on the edge of a cloud for dear life and failing to climb back up.
"Help me!" Mario cried out.
"Mario!" Twilight shouted. It was then some maniacal laughter was heard as she looked back to see a familiar shadowed figure slowly approaching her. Twilight tried to move toward Mario, but her hind legs wouldn't move. She was forced to crouch down and extend a fore-leg to him.
"No...Mario..." said Twilight desperately as she tried to grab his fore-hoof, "Just...just a little bit more..." Their fore-hoofs were just inches from each other when...
"GOTCHA!" said the evil voice.
"AH!" Twilight yelped as somepony dragged her back and she looked to see Cadance smiling deviously at her.
"You're mine now!" she sneered.
"Twiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!" Mario cried out in desperation as he lost his grip and tumbled into the bottomless void below.
"Noooooooooooo!" Twilight cried out as tears pricked her eyes before she sternly turned to face the evil alicorn.
"Cadance!" Twilight shouted as the alicorn laughed manically at her...when Cadance turned into...Rainbow Dash?! Twilight gasped.
"Rainbow?!" Twilight said in shock as she was finally able to stand up and move around, unaware she was one step away from the edge of the cloud. Her shock grew as she saw both Rarity and Pinkie standing beside the blue Pegasus. All of them had devious smiles on their faces.
"You should have told him when you had the chance," Rarity said darkly.
"But now you're too late," Pinkie added in the same tone.
"You don't deserve him!" Rainbow retorted sternly before she lifted her fore-hooves and shoved Twilight right off the cloud, making her tumble into the void.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
End Dream Sequence
Twilight woke up with a start, sweating heavily from her brow and panting as she tried to calm herself down. She looked around the room before getting out of bed. Once she left the room, she quietly headed toward the castle library. After trying and failing to find a book to read, she just sat at the desk with her fore-legs crossed at a nearby reading table.
"Tomorrow, once I'm done stopping Shining Armor," said Twilight quietly to herself, "I'm gonna tell Mario how I feel. I have to...I need...to..." Exhaustion finally caught up with Twilight and she soon drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
The next morning, the practice ceremony was taking place with church organ music being heard in the background. Princess Celestia was standing at the location where she would wed the bride and groom. Shining Armor was standing at the right of Princess Celestia and there next to him was...Mario?! He had apparently showed up with Cadance earlier that morning. Mario had kept quiet for the most part, only speaking when spoken to. For the moment, the five girls were practicing walking down the aisle side by side of each other with formal smiles on their faces.
"Perfect, girls," said Princess Celestia as Rarity and Rainbow bit their lips to avoid giggling, "No need to rush. Then of course, Cadance will enter." It was then the two guards opened the double doors as Cadance stood regally in the entrance way. The classic "Wagner's Bridal Chorus" began to play as she made her way down the aisle. Shining Armor smiled as Cadance made her way up to the stallion.
"I'll say a few words, and then we'll begin with the vows," Princess Celestia continued as Cadance and Shining Armor gazed into each other's eyes, "Shining Armor, you'll get the ring from your best mare." Shining Armor turned around to see that Twilight wasn't there. Just Spike, still playing around with the cake toppers.
"Do you?" said Spike, mimicking Shining Armor's voice and then mimicked Cadance's voice, "I do!" Then one of the toppers came flying out of his hand and he noticed that everypony was looking at him.
"Hey...has anypony seen Twilight?" Shining Armor asked and then looked at Mario, "What about you little buddy?" Mario look unamused until he noticed everypony starting at him.
"Umm...I don't know," Mario answered quickly before muttering under his breath, "not like I care..."
"I'm here!" said a voice as the two double doors burst open to reveal the purple pony, "I'm not gonna stand next to her! And neither should you!" Shining Armor cringed as Cadance gave him a death glare. Mario was actually growling at Twilight.
"I'm sorry," said Shining Armor, "I...I don't know why she's acting like this."
"Maybe we should just ignore her," said Cadance.
"I heartily agree," Mario added bluntly. Twilight was stunned that Mario was now siding with Cadance, but quickly recomposed herself.
"You have to listen to me!" Twilight demanded with her head down and gritting her teeth, ready to attack anypony that stood in her way.
"Oh, goodness," said Fluttershy with concern as she flew up to Twilight, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Twilight answered definitively.
"Ya sure about that?" Applejack asked skeptically as she stood beside the purple pony. Twilight used her magic to grab her stenson hat and shoved it over the orange pony's face.
"I've something to say!" Twilight said boldly as she pointed a fore-hoof at Cadance, "She's evil!" Cadance was left shocked, Shining Armor stood protectively in front of her, Mario just rolled his eyes, and the rest of the group chatted amongst each other with concern, including the nearby guards.
"She's been horrible to my friends, she literally insulted and shunned Mario, she's obviously done something with her bridesmaids," Twilight explained as she teleported to Cadance and backed her into a wall, "and if that wasn't enough, I saw her put a spell on my brother that made his eyes go all..,." Twilight then imitated eyes rolling about in opposite directions with bells jingling in the background. Everypony watched with interest as Twilight confidently stared Cadance down. Cadance did the only thing she could do.
She began to cry.
"Why are you doing this to me?!" Cadance sobbed as she ran out of the room.
"Because you are evil!" Twilight shouted back as Cadance disappeared in tears, "Evil! And if I don't stop you, you're gonna ruin my brother's life!" Twilight just teleported to the entrance and watched Cadance leave with a smug smile on her face. Rainbow and Rarity were staring with their jaws hanging from their mouths. Twilight then happily walked away until she smacked into Shining Armor. Twilight looked up to see her brother giving her a stern look. Twilight couldn't resist smiling sheepishly since Shining Armor only gave her that look when she was in big trouble.
"You want to know why my eyes went all..." Shining Armor then made his eyes look swirly as the jingling bells was heard again before his horn tweaked again and he continued to speak, "Nuh! Because ever since I started to perform my protection spell, I've been getting terrible migraines. Cadance hasn't been casting spells on me, she's been using her magic to heal me! Especially since Mario ran out of his mint herbs!" Twilight just inhaled deeply as he walked around her and then got in her face. Twilight tried to speak, but Shining Armor cut her off.
"And she decided to replace her bridesmaids because she found out the only reason they wanted to be in the wedding was so that they could meet Canterlot royalty!" Shining Armor continued sternly as the rest of the girls and Spike watched the scene unfold with worry. Mario just had an apathetic look on his face, "and if she hasn't been on her best behavior with your friends," Shining Armor stomped his hoof angrily before continuing, "it's because with me being so busy, she's had to make all the decisions about the wedding!"
"But she was so mean to Mario," Twilight tried to explain, "I was just trying to-"
"Cadance and Mario arrived here this morning saying that all had been settled between them," said Shining Armor angrily as Mario gave Twilight a snooty look, "and Cadance's been completely stressed out because it's really important to her that our big day be perfect and Mario understands that now! Something that obviously wasn't important to you!" Shining Armor gave Twilight such a fierce glare that it made his horn tweak again, making Shining Armor gasp and rubbed his head again. Twilight tried to reach out to him, but he rejected the gesture.
"Now if you excuse me," said Shining Armor as he walked past Twilight and kept his back turned away from her, "I have to go and comfort my bride. And you can forget about being my best mare. In fact, if I were you, I wouldn't show up to the wedding at all." Twilight tried to reach out to him again, Shining Armor had already left.
"C'mon, y'all," said Applejack a couple of seconds after, "Let's go check on the princess." The five girls then made their exit, walking around Twilight and refusing to speak to her.
"I was-" Twilight tried to speak.
"You have alot to think about," said Princess Celestia sternly before walking around the purple pony and out of the room. Then Mario walked past her with his nose in the air at her.
"Mario, please..." Twilight pleaded, tears appearing from her eyes.
"I don't know why I put up with you anymore," Mario said darkly, "You insulted my sister and you ruined everything. Just stay away from me!" Twilight felt her heart break as Mario walked away, not even realizing that as Mario walked away he had a very devious smile on his face as the guards slammed the doors shut, leaving Twilight all alone.
"Maybe I was being overprotective," said Twilight sadly as she walked over to the steps where the altar would be and reclined on them on her stomach, "I could've gained a sister...but instead, I just lost a bother..." Twilight began to sing to herself.
He was my best big brother, best friend
Forever...
And now, we'll never do anything
Together...
As she sang, two cutout ponies were seen, each representing Shining Armor and Twilight. They were prancing around together happily, but then Shining Armor faded away, leaving the Twilight cut out all alone. It was then the cutout Twilight was then shattered as a pair of familiar hooves made their way toward the now crying Twilight. Cadance gently stroked the purple pony's mane, making Twilight look up at her.
"I'm sorry!" Twilight croaked as Cadance gave her a soft smile as a faint green glow flashed from her eyes.
"You will be," said Cadance deviously, making Twilight's eyes shrink as she was soon surrounded by a ring of green flames, which crackled as Twilight was then transported underneath the floor and disappeared. Cadance watched Twilight sink under the floor with an evil smirk before walking away, feeling very pleased with herself.
(To be continued...)
Things have gotten tense.
Plus Shenran has finally made his appearance. He won't be a regular character, but enough of you were hoping to see him show up so...here he is!
I quote Twilight from Forgotten Friendship when I say that in part two...
"That's when it gets goooooooooooood!"
Peace Pony Fans