Chapter 4

Nothing Will Ever Be Quite the Same After Today

Two weeks had passed since the last demon attack, which put everypony on edge. It meant one of two things: they had given up, which was highly unlikely, or were preparing for an incredibly large onslaught.

Rainbow Dash had moved into Storm's home, preferring to be close in case an emergency evacuation took place, among other reasons. The both of them considered this to be the next step in their relationship.

"I'll be back later," Rainbow Dash said as she trotted out the door. "Pinkie said she had something she needs to show me." With that, the mare left. She flew to Sugarcube Corner, where Pinkie was excitedly bouncing around.

"Jeez, what's got you so happy?' Dash asked.

"I'm planning a crazy-big party in the town hall, and I need clouds inside!"

"Why?" Dash inquired.

"Don't ask! Just put some clouds in the town hall! Pretty-please?" Pinkie fluttered her eyes for emphasis.

"Fine. I'll get the clouds." Rainbow flew off the gather the clouds. She had learned by now that pretty much everything strange Pinkie does works out in the end, so she just did as she asked, not wanting to know what they were for.

«{[()]}»

Seven hours later, Pinkie's party was about the start. Nopony actually knew what it was for, just that everypony in Ponyville was coming. Pinkie might be strange, but there's no denying that she throws amazing parties regardless of the occasion. Celestia, she could make a funeral fun.

Rainbow Dash had placed the clouds on the ceiling, and Twilight was arranging them in a pattern with a little magic. Pinkie still hadn't told anypony what it was for. Twilight was even just following Pinkie's instructions.

"Can't you just tell us?" Fluttershy asked.

"Nope! It's gotta be surprise!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"Come on," Applejack urged.

"I can't tell you!"

"Girls, I imagine that we'll find out shortly," Rarity said in her usual eloquent tone. "There's always a reason for surprise."

"I'm just as lost as everypony else," Dash stated. "I even asked Storm, he doesn't know, and he can read minds."

Pinkie broke into a grin, and galloped away.

"What was that all about?" Twilight wondered.

"Hay if Ah know," Applejack stated.

Pinkie trotted up on stage, and spoke into a microphone. "We're here for a lot of reasons! First off, congratulations to Raining on her foal!"

The audience stomped their hooves on the ground in applause. Everything was grounds for celebration in this town. Raining blushed a bit.

"Rainbow, we have a special guest here for you! Spitfire, come on up! You too, Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie exclaimed. Rainbow couldn't believe her ears. Spitfire was here. In Ponyville.

The two ventured onto the stage, and Rainbow could barely contain her excitement. "Spitfire!" She squeaked.

"I talked to Storm," Spitfire. "He reminded me of what we truly look for when we recruit new Wonderbolts. We don't just look for the speed, but the heart. I should've just put you on the team back at training camp when you saved five ponies, but I didn't. So, as of today, Rainbow Dash is an official member of the Wonderbolts. Here you go, champ." Spitfire pulled a uniform from her saddlebags, and laid it on the ground.

Rainbow was in disbelief. She couldn't speak, only stare in awe at her new uniform.

"See you next sunday for practice, rookie," Spitfire said, and flew back into the crowd.

"Now that that's taken care of, we're moving on the main event!" Pinkie stepped down, and Storm stepped onto the stage.

"You got me into the Wonderbolts!" Rainbow exclaimed, and then embraced Storm.

"Wrong. You got yourself into the Wonderbolts. Nopony's as fast as you."

Rainbow broke of. "Thanks."

"Rainbow, three and a half months ago, I asked you out on our first date, right?" Storm confirmed.

"Yeah?"

"Well, now I think it's time for something else. I don't want to date you anymore."

Rainbow's eyes filled with tears. "What? Why?" The crowd was also in awe of his words.

"Let me finish. I don't want date you. I love you more than anything else, and I want to be with you, now and forever. Rainbow Dash, will you marry me?"

Rainbow's eyes still had tears in them, but these were a different kind. Tears of joy. "Nothing would make me happier."

The two pressed their lips together in a kiss, then separated. The audience all had smiles on their faces, as this was a special day. It had been one long expected by all, of course. They were perfect for eachother.

"I have to plan the wedding!" Pinkie exclaimed, and dashed out the door.

"I forgot to tell her that I already planned it," Storm said. "I knew you wouldn't say no, so I went ahead and set everything up. Celestia agreed to let us get married in Canterlot chapel."

By now, everypony knew that the ego and bravado Rainbow always had was a kind of mask, covering her inner self, so she saw no reason to hide her opinions on the matter. "Wow, I love having royal connections."

"You might have the location set up," Rarity said from behind them. "But you don't have the attire. I'll make you the most splendid dress I've ever made!"

"I need a suit," Storm said.

"That too!" Rarity galloped off to begin her new ventures in design.

Storm and Rainbow stepped down from the stage, and into the crowd. Literally nothing could ruin this moment.

«{[()]}»

One month had passed since the day Storm had proposed to Rainbow Dash, and the wedding was on. It would have been sooner, but Rarity really took her time with the clothing.

Storm was getting dressed in his suit, a pure white tux with a red bowtie. He had insisted upon the bowtie. Twilight had taken it upon herself to invite pretty much everypony they knew as close friends, as she was practically Rainbow Dash's sister. They were extremely close, and all of the bearer's family members would be there, except for Pinkie's. They weren't very close.

Shining armor had been selected as Best Colt, as Storm knew no other Stallion besides Macintosh, and he wasn't very enthralled with the idea. Besides, they had become good friends over the last few months. Storm regularly visited the Crystal Empire, and they went drinking every now and then.

As his clothing was on, and the Conduit surveyed himself in the mirror. He had fought some of the most terrifying things in existence with complete courage, but he was more nervous now than he had been his whole life. Marriage is stressful.

"Stop freaking out," Shining said. "Your wedding can't go worse than my own, and it turned out alright. Something tells me the Changelings won't try again."

"Thanks. Well, I'll be off. Got a wedding to." With that, he left the room, and proceeded into the chapel.

«{[()]}»

Rainbow Dash was in her own room with the rest of the Bearers, as well as Cadence. She was panicking slightly. She may not have really been the egotistical pony most thought her to be, but she was still usually more confident than this. It was similar to her reactions to going on right before the 'Best Young Flyers' competition. She wore her gala dress, extended to fit the occasion.

"Feeling alright, darling?" Rarity asked.

"Couldn't be further from alright," Rainbow said. "Lots of nerves."

"Just remember my wedding!" Cadence urged. "This couldn't possibly go worse!"

"Now that's something Ah could get behind," Applejack agreed.

"I have to get the birds ready," Fluttershy muttered, and slipped out the door.

"This is so EXCITING!" Pinkie shouted.

"I have to admit," Twilight said, "I'm a bit jealous. You've got the only immortal stallion in Equestria, and we're pretty much stuck."

"Thanks," Rainbow Dash said with a sigh. "Okay. Here we go." She pushed open the door, and slowly walked up to the closed doors of the chapel.

"Wait!" Rarity exclaimed. "One last touch!" She levitated her tiara from the Best Young Flyers win onto the bride's head.

"Thanks." The doors were thrown open, revealing a scene not unlike the last wedding they'd been to. Sweetie, Applebloom, and Scootaloo skipped down the aisle, scattering flowers as they went. Fluttershy got the bird choir going, and they sang their tune. Storm was standing at the end of the aisle, grinning like crazy.

Rainbow took her first few tentative steps, and then the next few. Soon, she reached the end of the path, and stood facing her soon-to-be husband.

Celestia herself was doing the ceremony. "We are gathered here today to honor the union of two very well-known ponies. At least, by those here. Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty and the only pony to ever achieve a Sonic Rainboom, and Storm Shadows, the simple Pegasus that moved to Ponyville only months ago. Nopony here has ever seen a match like these two, and we know it."

Neither of them were paying attention, lost in each other's eyes. A hundred thoughts a minute ran through their heads, all about their future.

"Storm Shadows, do you-" Celestia cut herself off. A horrible aura had filled the air, but only a few felt it. Scootaloo, Storm, and the bearers turned their heads upward to try and pinpoint the source.

"Really?" Rainbow Dash muttered. "Today?"

A solid black flash of light exploded in the air above the crowd, and the thing causing it was revealed.

Tanner.

He hovered above the crowd, surveying its members. His eyes came to rest on Storm.

"Well well, would you look at this? Brad's gone and fallen in love with a pony!" He burst out laughing, but only left most of the crowd confused. Only nine of them actually recognized the bastard. "Oh, you didn't! You erased everything!"

Storm's eyes narrowed. "Tanner, don't you even think about it. Nopony deserves to remember what you put them through."

"Guess what? I thought about it. And guess what magic is?" He pointed a hand to toward the crowd. "Thought." Several beams of magic shot from his hand, and hit the foreheads of each and every pony in the crowd. The ones who had kept their memories were unaffected, but those who hadn't were horribly traumatized. The beam returned the lost memories, and all of them fell to the ground in tears. It was too much to take in all at once, especially for the the younger ponies.

Tanner simply waited for them to recover. He laughed the whole time.

The first one to recover was, not surprisingly, Shining Armor. He looked up at the human hovering in air above him, and it hit him. "Sweet Celestia, it's Tanner! The human warbringer!"

"Ding ding!" Tanner shouted in sadistic joy. "How're the memoried treating you?"

"You bastard!"

The rest of the crowd began to slowly get back up, and look at the man before them.

"Then I suppose you know who I am?" Storm asked. All of them shook their heads. Storm sighed. "I did better with the disguise than I thought. Rainbow, sorry. I have to fight this one."

"I know. I'll be right here when you get back," Rainbow replied.

"And you know I'll be back. All of you, maybe this will help you figure it out." A thick white fog enveloped him, spinning around and around. Then a burst of light shot the fog away, revealing the stallion's Human form. He once more wore his white clothing, and his form was crackling with energy.

All of them were in too much shock to answer. Their whole world had changed in just seconds, so you can't really blame them.

"Looks like we've got ourselves a party!" Tanner exclaimed. "First, I'll just ruin a few things!" He waved his hand, and the other three Elementals appeared in the room. They stood next to Scootaloo, wondering what was going on, until they looked up. "Just add a hiding ward," A black aura enveloped the foals, then disappeared, "And off they go!"

The four were teleported away.

"WHERE'D YOU SEND THEM?!" Storm demanded of him.

"They'll make their way back. For now, they're on a little trip, and I can do this!" He raised his hands upward, and the roof was ripped off by an incredibly large demon. It was just a large version of Tanner. "This is one of the best demons in Tartarus, about our level! If you can best it, I won't level Equestria!"

Storm scowled. He knew the man very well could follow through on his threats.

"Bye now!" Tanner disappeared.

"Everypony run!" Storm commanded, and got as he asked. Everypony ran from the hall, but the bearers stayed. "I knew you guys would stay. If I give the signal, blast him with the Elements." As if on cue, the Elements appeared on their respective bearers. "This'll only take a second."

The large Tanner threw back his head, let out an evil laugh, and brought his fist down on the Conduit. Storm gathered his strength for a counter. You see, a Conduit's strength isn't just magic. He can use that magic to increase his physical abilities exponentially.

The mighty fist collided with Storm, but he simply braced himself and stopped it. The demon looked confused as he drew back his arm.

"Wrong move, dumbass," Storm mocked. Large white wings appeared on his back, and he lifted into the sky. He hovered at eye level of the demon. He extended a hand, and a ball of energy formed at his fingertips. "Look, there's one thing you need to know about me, if you can talk. I'm the most powerful thing in existence, if what Tanner said is true. I'm basically a God in Pegasus form. But when I'm like this, I'm that much stronger. I have more control."

The ball of energy instantly grew to a size equal to that of the monster's head.

"And you ruined my wedding day. That makes me angry."

The ball grew more so.

"I've said this a few times before, but I'll repeat it again."

The ball got even bigger.

"You never make a fully realized Conduit mad."

The ball shot forward at incredible speeds, a mass of pure energy capable of destroying Canterlot if the energy wero to be released. The demon; however, had a different idea.

It opened it's mouth, and swallowed the ball whole. It's jaw unhinged like a snake, but it just ate it.

"Nothing should have been able to take that!" Storm exclaimed.

Normally, when a giant moves, it's movements seem slow to smaller creatures, but it moved with speed equivalent to Storm's. It punched Storm downwards, right back into the chapel. Storm was moving too fast, and was unable to slow down. He collided with the hard floor, and broke where he landed.

Rainbow Dash immediately got to his side. She placed hoof against his neck to take a pulse, but felt nothing. She waited for a few seconds, and finally felt the little thump of a pulse.

She breathed a sigh of relief, and surveyed his body for injuries. He was barely breathing, and probably wouldn't last much longer. His arms and legs had broken on impact, as well as most of his ribs.

Storm opened his eyes, using his last bits of consciousness. "Rainbow?"

"Yes?" The mare replied.

"I can't feel my legs."

The mare's eyes watered a bit. The impact had broken his spine. He could heal it, but it would take months. He wouldn't be able to fight the demon, or kill Tanner. Again.

"Storm?" Rainbow asked, but her groom had passed out. She looked up at the grinning demon, tears in her eyes. She spread her wings, and took of. Her progress was hindered by Applejack biting on her tail.

"Hold up there!" Applejack ordered. "Ya'll can't fight this thing," She said through closed teeth.

"Let me go!" Rainbow demanded.

"No can do, sugarcube."

Rainbow's eyes narrowed. She set her hooves on the ground, and looked at Storm. He had regained consciousness, but was fading fast.

"Then I guess I have no choice," Rainbow said. "Storm, I hope you'll forgive me for lying all through our relationship." She spread her wings once more, and prepared for takeoff. Applejack jumped at her, but collided with nothing.

Rainbow had teleported.

She looked at the astonished looks of her friends and husband, and smiled. She lifted into the air, and zoomed upwards into the Demon's jaw. It's head was knocked backwards at the force of attack, and it looked at her in surprise. Just minutes ago, Rainbow Dash had little to no power. Now, it was rising at incredible speeds.

Rainbow stared daggers at her opponent. "You've just made the biggest mistake of the last few seconds of your life." She planted her hooves on invisible ground, and concentrated her attack. "RAINBOW BLITZ!"

A gigantic rainbow-colored beam of magic shot from the air in front of her, and struck the demon's face. It faded, revealing it's decapitated form. It's body fell, and a crack opened up in the ground, swallowed it up, and closed. Rainbow flew back to the ground, and landed in front of her amazed friends.

"Rainbow," Storm said weakly. "You're a... Conduit?"

"Yeah. Sorry I didn't tell anypony, but my Mom told me not to," Rainbow supplied.

"Why?" Storm asked. He had already knitted the bones, and was working on the spine. He had reverted to his Pegasus form.

"I'm not like you. Your god relatives span more years than I can count, but my mom's a goddess. I'm the daughter of-"

"A very angry mother," A voice said from behind them all. There stood a mare sporting the same colors as Rainbow Dash, but with an irate look on her face.

"Mom, I saved the city! Doesn't that count for anything?" Rainbow Dash complained.

"You're too powerful to use them! We only let Storm use them because he worked for it! You had them handed to you!" The mare scolded.

"Wait, Rokon told me about you," Storm said. "He said you're a bitch."

"Why that- I'll kill him when he regenerates!"

"You're the only goddess with an Equestrian-style name! You're-"

"Lightdancer, yes. I'm the goddess of light and life, gave life to the land, blah blah blah. I've heard it all before," The mare said.

"Let her go," Storm requested.

"What?! I specifically told her not to use her power until I trained her, and she did it anyway!"

"If it weren't for her, I'd be dead," Storm said.

"And the rest of Equestria," Rainbow muttered.

"Point taken. And you!" She faced Storm. "Is it lost in your generation to ask a lady's mother for her hand?"

"She said she didn't have parents," Storm defended.

Lightdancer looked appalled. "You told him I didn't exist?!"

"You told me not to tell anypony I was a goddess' daughter!" Rainbow exclaimed.

"Oh, right." Lightdancer blushed.

"Can somepony help me up?" Storm asked, but got no reply.

Lightdancer simply continued on. "You better treat my daughter right!"

"Help me!" Storm shouted.

"I swear I'll castrate you with a cactus if you so much as flirt with another mare!" Lightdancer exclaimed.

"Fine, I'll do it myself!" Storm lifted himself into the air with a little magic, and set himself on the ground. A magical aura enveloped his lower half, and he manipulated it to walk.

"Sorry," Rainbow apologized.

"And another thing!" Lightdancer tried to add.

"Get out of here!" Rainbow shouted, and the goddess disappeared.

"So, what do we do now?" Storm wondered out loud.

"I have an idea," Celestia said. She stepped forward. "Storm Shadows, do you take Rainbow Dash to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

The couple smiled, torn wedding getups and all. "I do," Storm replied.

"And do you, Rainbow Dash, take Storm Shadows to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

She smiled. "I do."

"Then you are wed. You may kiss the bride," Celestia said.

The two edged closer, and their lips touched. The kiss lasted for a whole minute, then they separated.

The two became one this day.