//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Darkness of our Hearts // by thenamelessauthor //------------------------------// Third Person’s PoV. The sun was hadn’t risen yet. And Wataru Kamijo was currently leaning against the wall of the train station’s building; with his eyes closed and hidden under his fedora; his ears covered with dark red earphones, with thirteen white colored tickets resting in his left hand as on his right rested a black rucksack filled with some of his world’s technology, which he managed to retrieve the previous night after talking with Twilight. “Okay,” he started as he looked at the tickets in his hand, “Me, Twilight, Pinkie, Applejack, Apple Bloom, Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Fluttershy, Octavia and Vinyl.” He numbered as he pointed at each ticket as he said each name, “I wonder how those two got dragged in anyways. Maybe they joined in the show and we watchers didn’t see that part, but... meh.” He shrugged before the smile of a trickster flickered for a moment in his face as he sent a brief glance at the clock’s station, before sighing in annoyance, “5.37? I wonder when they are showing up. ” He glanced for a brief moment at the clock again. “WHAT?! 5.36?! ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME, TIME!!” he roared at the clock in anger. Three hours later... “Okay, if everything is going just as planned, then Wataru has already bought the tickets and fell for the clock-going-backwards prank too. Check!” Twilight Sparkle voiced with a proud smile as she ticked an item in her checklist, “Once again, kudos to you girls. Now... thanking the girls for the prank mentioned in previous item, check!” “Why did we prank him again? It doesn’t make sense... doing it now, I mean.” Rainbow Dash asked at her friend. “Do you want me to be honest? I felt like asking you to do that for some reason...” she shrugged, “I know it sounds weird but...” “Don’t worry! I’m sure Wataru is laughing out loud right now!” Pinkie jumped with joy before whispering in Twilight’s right ear, “He is not.” The mare pondered the possibilities for a moment before going a small shudder. “Anyways, we are going one at a time so-“ “Miss Sparkle...” “Um?” Twilight suddenly stopped as she looked around the room. “That was weird.” “Is something wrong, darling?” Rarity asked with concern. “Did somepony call me ‘Miss Sparkle’?” the mare asked aloud as she keep looking around the room before shrugging off, passing the event as her own imagination. “What was I saying again?” “Are you okay, pal?” Vinyl asked, raising an eyebrow at the librarian, “You look kinda pale, pal. Yet your coat IS kinda pale, pal, so...” “Could you cut it out with the ‘pal’ thing already? It is getting on my nerves!” Rainbow Dash asked. “Would you stop being a show-off if I asked you to stop being a show-off, pal?” Vinyl countered with a smart counter as she gave her ‘fatal counter’ grin. Twilight groaned in annoyance before preparing a teleportation spell. Everypony was gone instantly. “Whoa...” Twilight gasped as she appeared before the station’s entrance, the effects of mental tiredness that caused the spell, absent, “What the- How did I do that?” she asked as she looked at all of her friends. “Teleporting eleven ponies with a single spell? That’s impressive, ain’t it?” she looked at Wataru, and saw him holding the broken parts of a clock, that he saved his jacket’s pockets, “How did you do that?” “Was it yours the voice that called me ‘Miss Sparkle’?” the mare asked confused. For a brief moment that the lavender coated unicorn noticed, the teenager’s eyes widened in shock before he put on a neutral face. “Weird voice? Maybe...” he smiled, but Twilight realised it was a worried smile, not a mischievous one. “...Okay,” Rainbow Dash voiced as she step away from the teenager, “What time does the train leave again?” “I bought them for 9.00 A.M.” he voiced as he looked at the tickets, “Does anypony know the time? Because the clock is kinda broken and-” “8.56, pal.” DJ-Pon3 answered him. “Okay then! Let’s go!” Wataru’s PoV. “Hazama: Win.” The voice of Chiza Sato came from my PSP. “I don’t get it. Why did you memorize every moment that Terumi did?” Izanagi asked confused as he stood by my side, invisible to everypony but me. ‘I don’t know... Why don’t you take a guess?’ I mentally asked him as I looked at my notebook and checked the Naruto’s wikia and several fanfictions of the same manga. “A Sonic Rainboom?” I heard Rainbow Dash ask to herself as she and Applejack had their heads stuck out of two adjacent windows, “In a wedding? Can you say ‘best wedding ever’?” Pinkie put her head out from the next one up before taking a deep breath and screaming, “BEST WEDDING EVER!!” “You aren’t thinking about recreating his fighting style, now do you?” ‘Not only that, but I plan on learn EVERY fanmade-technique or ‘jutsu’ from Naruto so I can recreate them.’ “YOU ARE INSANE!!” ‘Why do you say that? In theory, I can do the ‘Banbutsu Sozo [Creation of All Things]’, the ‘Banbutsu Hakai [Destruction of All Things]’, and the ‘Banbutsu Henge [Transformation of All Things]’, the last two being original creations from the fanfiction ‘It's Rikudou Hiraishin to You!’, written by e7cg13, thanks to my Reality Warping skills.’ Izanagi sighed as he facepalmed, “YOU. ARE. SO. GETTING SUED.” ‘They have to find me first.’ “So you all get to help with the big fancy wedding-“ Spike started as he stuck out of one of the windows, standing between Fluttershy and Rarity, “but I’m the one who gets to host the bachelor party! I have just one question- what’s a bachelor party?” “And Trollestia strikes again…” I sighed as everypony but Twilight and Spike laughed as said now confused baby backed off, ‘I wonder how she would do against Yuki Terumi or Glados.’ “The Multiverse would explode with the insane level of trolling.” Izanagi voiced with a shudder, “Let’s pray such thing never takes place.” “Why the long face, sugar cube?” Applejack asked to the lavender coated unicorn that was staring morosely out a window on the other side, well away from the others but me. I was in the seat next to her, in case you were wondering. “I’m just thinking about Shining Armor.” Twilight replied, “Ever since 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 Cal-what’s-her-name, we’ll probably never see each other.” “Come on now.” Applejack smiled, “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 replied bitterly as she magically pulled down the window’s shade and the train chugged along. I looked outside the window, and saw the bridge from the show, where the checkpoint had been set up and staffed by five unicorn guards, rather than the original two, holding spears crossed to block the path, as a few feet beyond said checkpoint was the smooth expanse of the pink bubble that enclosed Canterlot. “We’re here! We’re here!” Pinkie cried and jumped with excitement as the guards moved their spears aside, letting the train pass through the barrier, the pink energy washing over all of us, but I simply shrugged off the unsettling feeling. I kept looking, and glanced at the roof the Canterlot station, where six guards stood watch as I saved back all of my stuff to my rucksack. “This is weird. There are more guards than shown in the episode.” ‘That’s because I wasn’t in the show.’ “What? Are you suggesting that Celestia doesn’t trust you?” ‘What other reason could there be?’ As I stood up and walked towards the exit, the train came to a halt and Rainbow peeked out, looking at all the guards stationed in the station. “Whoa!” she gasped, “What’s with all the guards?” she asked as Rarity and Applejack did the same. “I’m sure they’re just taking the necessary precautions.” Rarity answered her. “The necessary ones, the unnecessary ones, and the ‘parrot-paranoid ones’.” I deadpanned. “True, but royal weddings do bring out the strangest ponies.” The Generous Unicorn voiced as we walked out of the train, before a shuddery inhalation drawed the trio’s worried gaze and we turned towards the source- Pinkie, standing in the doorway let go a sneeze that ejected a burst of confetti and streamers from her nose. “Yeah, us.” I sweatdropped as the pink coated earth pony trotted out cheerfully with Fluttershy close behind her as Twilight stood at the doorway. “Now let’s get going!” Rarity quickly voiced, “We’ve got work to do!” “And you’ve got a big brother to go congratulate.” Applejack told to Twilight. “Yeah. Congratulate...” she replied very snarky as she step off and two guards uncrossed their spears to let her by with a smile, “...and then give him a piece of my mind.” She added, her words wiping the smiles off the guards’ faces and stamp worry across those of the other ponies. I sighed, before turning towards the other Elements of Harmony, “I guess I’m gonna watch over her and see she doesn’t do anything foolish.” “Come on, we are talking about Twilight here.” Rainbow Dash told me. “True. We are talking about a pissed off Twilight here.” I countered at her as I followed the unicorn. After a few minutes of walking after Twilight, I looked at Celestia, peering throught a telescope on a tower’s uppermost balcony to survey the city. “GET SOME SEGURITY CAMERAS, YOU MULE!!” Izanagi cried at her before bursting into laughter. “Izanagi! Shut up!” I told him off as I found with my sight an irritated Twilight on the move across a well-guarded courtyard. “Come on! It’s not like she can hear me...” the Persona replied as I glanced once again at the goddess, who was glaring behind me, right where Izanagi stood, in annoyance. “I... wouldn’t believe that, dude.” I voiced before I walked away with my arms closed nervously, however, I smirked as I saw a white unicorn in a shining gold-trimmed violet armour and helmet saluted at his troops as they stood atop a wall of Canterlot Castle, all of them except the spear-carriers returning the gesture and moving out. “I’ve got something to say to you, mister!” Twilight cried upset as I finally reached her, the mare ignoring my very presence. ‘Spears were brandished over the wall as the Shining leaned out. He smiled warmly and removed his helmet, prompting mild surprise and a lowering of spears by his subordinates.’ “You are insane, dude. I don’t think anyone else has memorized ALL of that guy’s transcripts.” “Twilie!” Shining Armor cried with joy as he galloped down the steps to her, before looking at me. “And...” “Wataru. Wataru Kamijo.” I told him with a smile. Celestia mustn't have told him of me. “Yeah, sorry.” He replied as he scratched the back of his head sheepishly before turning towards Twilight once again. “Ah! I’ve missed you, kid. How was the train ride?” he asked as he extended one of his hooves, trying to reach the mare, “I-“and he was cut down mid sentence as his sister back away from him. “How you bloody dare to not tell me in person that you were getting married!” Twilight cried at him, “I’m your sister, for pony’s sake!” Shining Armor lowered in head in sadness before raising it again, “It’s... not my fault. Princess Celestia has requested a major increase in security. Didn’t you see all the guards at the train station?” he asked, however, I noticed the HATEFULL glare Twilight sent him. “She didn’t. Was too upset at you to notice.” ‘Shut up!’ “Yeah!” Twilight replied at her brother as she trot away from him sourly, “There’s this big bloody wedding coming up. Maybe you heard about it?” “It has nothing to do with the wedding.” Shining Armor told her as he crossed to her, “A threat has been made against Canterlot.” At this, the filly’s eyes softened a bit, “We don’t know who’s responsible for it, but Princess Celestia asked that I help provide additional protection.” He added as he lifted her chin. “Yeah, that and to keep you away from the BARCHELOR PARTY as well!” Izanagi cried in his ear, but causing no effect on the colt. “This, you need to see.” Shining told Twilight, oblivious to the scream. He took a step back to put himself well in the clear before squeezing his eyes shut and beginning to concentrate fiercely. His horn responded with a glow and a sudden flare of light causing Twilight to shield her eyes from the intensity as he aimed the appendage straight up. A beam of energy lanced towards the top of the force field surrounding Canter lot, causing the entire surface to pulse briefly with light when it hit. As the lavender coated unicorn watched with amazement, the white coated one winded down the spell before wincing, putting a hoof to his temple, the spell obviously having taken quite a bit out of him. “Damn... watching it in first person is completely different to watching it from the TV.” My persona gasped as he looked to the field and Shining regained his composure. ‘Indeed...’ “The burden of keeping Canter lot safe and secure rests squarely on my shoulders.” He told us as he trot up steps and we followed him in silence, “Staying focused on the task at hand has been my top priority.” He added, causing Twilight to think for a second or two. “Damn... you must be really tired, Shining Armor.” I told him as I sent him a smile. Shining chuckled, “You don’t have the slightest idea, and don't go all formal on me. Just call me Shining.” “Okay, okay, I get it.” Twilight voiced as she hustled to catch up on the bridge we currently stood. “You’ve got a really important job protecting all of Canter lot 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?” “Hey. You’re my little sister. Of course you’re important to me.” He told her before smiling slyly, “But I’d understand if you didn’t want to be my best mare now.” “You want me to be your best mare?” Twilight asked him him, smiling. “Well, yeah.” “I-I’d be honoured.” She bowed as they shared a quick hug, making me smile warmly, before the lavender coated unicorn broke it with an irritated glare and a hoof poked into his chest, “But I’m still pretty ticked you’re marrying somepony I don’t know! When did you even meet this Princess Mi Amore Cadanza?” I chuckled a bit as Shining answered, “Twilie, Princess Mi Amore Cadenze is Cadence. Your old foal-sitter.” Twilight looked at him in surprise and growing excitement. “Cadence? As in the Cadence? As in the greatest foal-sitter in all the history of foal-sitters?!” “You tell me.” Both me and Shining answered her with a smile, “She was your foal-sitter.” “How did you-“ “Guessed by the way she described her.” I quickly answered. “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh!” Twilight gasped, “Cadence is only the most amazing pony ever. She’s beautiful... she’s caring... she’s kind...” “Dammit... she makes it sounds like she has a CRUSH on her foal-sitter!” ‘Another commentary of those, and I blow you head from the inside.' “How many unicorns can just spread love wherever they go? I only know of one...” “And it’s not a unicorn. Hey! She is the Princess of Love? Because I'm sure she is always 'horn'-y... if you know what I-” The persona added before he fell to the floor, headless for some reason. “And you’re marrying her!” Twilight smiled as she turned towards Shining and started to bounce around him as she singsang, “You’re marrying Cadence, you’re marrying Cadence!” I smiled at the colt, “I would say you got her back.” Twilight’s ‘small’ celebration suddenly took her a short distance away, until she stopped in front of the ‘actual Cadance’, her mouth drawn into a frown. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything important.” ‘Cadence’ rolled her eyes impatiently, causing me to growl menacingly. “Cadance!” Twilight jumped in front of the alicorn as she went into their old bit. “Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!” “What are you doing?” ‘Cadence’ asked her in annoyance, causing Twilight to deflate before straighten up with a smile. “Cadence, it’s me! Twilight!” “Uh-huh.” The alicorn voiced as she step ahead towards Shining Armor. “I’ve gotta get back to my station, but Cadence will be checking in with all of you to see how things are going. I think I speak for both of us when I saw we couldn’t be more excited to have you all here.” Shining smiled at Twilight and me, “Right, dear?” ‘Cadence’ smiled nastily at Twilight without Shining Armor realising it, “Absolutely.” Both I and Twilight flinched at the venomous tone of this single word. “Well...” Shining sighed in relief, “...we’ll let you get to it.” The couple walked away, as Twilight stared wonderingly after them. “Come on, Twilight. Let’s go.” I told her before turning away from there. Five or six hours later... I smiled as I looked at the tinted deep purple night sky, thanks to the force field. A few moments later, I saw a tiny figure flying down from the full moon as the barrier opened briefly to let it enter. “Is that a bird? A plane? No, it’s the Lunar Princess!” I facepalmed as Luna was gliding down toward Celestia’s lookout. “Rest, my sister.” She voiced as she landed besides her sister, “As always, I will guard the night.” She added before taking the place in the telescope. “Bet I can guess what you’re all thinking.” Twilight voiced happily as she joined us all in the cafe with her own drink, “Cadence is the absolute worst bride-to-be EVER.” The lavender coated unicorn added as she let her drink rest in the table, six pairs of eyes snapping wide open at her judgement. “Who, me?” Spike asked in a high voice as he pulled out a Cadence figurine. “Spike!” Applejack told him off, “That goes on the cake!” The baby dragon gave a sheepish laugh at that as he tossed the figurine down. “Twilight, whatever are you talking about? Cadence is an absolute gem.” Rarity asked with worry. “Rarity, she was so demanding!” “Well, of course she was! Why shouldn’t she expect the very best on her wedding day?” Rarity reasoned, causing Twilight to fume for a moment before shifting gears. “Applejack, did you know that after she told you how much she just love-love-loved your hors d’oeuvres, she threw them in the trash?” “Aw, she was probably just tryin’ to spare my feelin’s.” The Honest Earth Pony smiled. “No, she was just being fake and totally insincere!” Twi voiced slightly fed up. An awkward silence fell into the place, and it was quickly broken by Fluttershy. “She did raise her voice at one of my birds during rehearsal.” “See?” she asked as she crossed her forelegs with a smirk, “Rude!” “But he was singing really off-key.” The Kind Pegasus added as she lifted a bird on her foreleg moments before it produced a couple of tuneless squawks that forced Twilight to cover her ears, set Rainbow Dash’s teeth on edge, and drew a little of blood from my ears. And yes, I have VERY sensitive ears. “Pinkie Pie, you had to have noticed how Cadence treated-“ Twilight started before being cut down by a loud smack of lips, made by previously mentioned earth pony and Spike, that were playing with the wedding cake figurines, “Never mind. Rainbow Dash, you’re with me, right?” “Sorry, Twi.” The Loyal Pegasus apologised as she picked at a hoof and flexed her wings, “Been too busy prepping for my Sonic Rainboom to pay much attention to bride’s bad attitude.” Twilight snarled through her teeth and set her drink down as Rarity moved over to comfort her, “The Princess is about to get married. I’m sure any negative behaviour she might be displaying is simple the result of nerves.” “And I’m sure it’s the result of her being an awful pony who doesn’t deserve to even know Shining Armor, let alone marry him!” Twilight cried as she slammed her front hooves onto the table hard enough to nearly tip her glass. “Think maybe you’re bein’ just a tiny bit possessive of your brother?” Applejack asked her. “Uh-huh.” “Mmm-hmm.” “I am not being possessive, and I am not taking it out on Cadence! You’re all just too caught up in your wedding planning to notice that maybe there shouldn’t even be a bloody wedding!” she cried before pounding the table with enough force to upset every glass on it. I sighed as she left, leaving the mares and dragon to trade a round of thoroughly bewildered stares, “She is right.” “What?” “Let’ me explain this from the beginning. Although I shouldn’t know it, I know that Cadenze used to be Twilight’s foal-sitter and they loved each other. However, the Cadenze she met today is incredibly different to the one she knew. It makes me even wonder if the Cadenze we meet today is the same Cadenze Twilight knew.” “Wataru, I think you are exaggerating.” Rarity told me. I flared my Genjitsuseigan at them, drawing several gasps out of them, “With these eyes, I can see the truth.” I told them as I pointed at my right eye, “And I know what is truly taking place here, however, I can’t tell you for I am forbidden to do so or else something bad will happen. What I ask you all is to STAY with Twilight, or else I will be VERY disappointed of you all. However, knowing you all, you WILL NOT hear, so nevermind.” With that I turned around, “I catch you all later. I’m going to the hotel...” Three hours later. I sighed to myself once as, once again; I threw my PSP to the floor and lost to Mu-12 for the fifty time. “Nice lie you managed at the cafe. A shame it will not work, right? I have checked already, Chrysalis bought them with the ‘New bridesmaid’ tactic.” Izanagi commented. “Shut it, Izanagi.” I told him as I reviewed all of Hazama’s movements in my mind. “What is it, dude? You have been quite... quiet lately.” “I have been thinking about what G-Man told me.” “Oh, really? And?” “It doesn’t matter what I do, he will involve Equestria in a way or another.” I told him, “And I don’t want to bring suffering to these lands!” “Look... I understand how you feel, but there’s nothing you can do about it. I have been pondering his words as well...” “And?” “There is a small chance that Chrysalis is being manipulated by someone else.” “What?! Are you sure?!” “Indeed. Remember that part where he said ‘After all, they say that the blood of the puppeteer tastes… far better than the wood-made body of one of his puppets…’?” “Dude, if that’s the case, then Chrysalis is a victim. But who could be behind this? Celestia?” I snorted. “Look, I’m just telling you what I think. You know how it is, small chances will happen and big chances will not.” I looked back at my PSP and started to play once again, “I know… and I know some other stuff I’m afraid, like that someone might die in the wedding. And it will be either the true culprit… or me.” The next day... We all stood within the ‘hosting room’ within Canterlot Castle, doing the wedding rehearsal. Celestia and Shining Armor stood on a raised dais at the end of the hall, Spike standing on a lower step while holding a small pillow with the wedding rings as I stood behind the goddess and the groom and Twilight’s friends, advancing slowly up the aisle with a smile in their faces. “Perfect, girls. No need to rush.” Celestia complimented them, Rainbow and Rarity trading a silent giggle as they stopped, “Then, of course, Cadence will enter.” At this, everyone looked expectantly towards the main door and the two guards stationed at them. They swung open under the magic of the two unicorn guards on duty here to reveal Chrysalis, disguised as Cadance obviously, smiling warmly as she made the stately way along the aisle, the bridesmaids having moved to Celestia’s right and taken places pne the dais’ steps and the music shifted into ‘Here Come the Bride’ “I’ll say a few words, and then we’ll begin with the vows.” Celestia continued as the ‘couple’ crossed their horns lovingly, “Shining Armor, you’ll get the ring from you best mare. The mentioned colt looked over his shoulder, and surprise registered on the couple’s faces as they saw the empty patch of floor to Celestia’s left as the music stopped. “Do you?” Spike asked with a deep voice as he played with the figurines once again, before changing to a high voice, “I do!” “Hey, Wataru?” Shining asked me, “...have you seen Twilight?” “Well...” I started nervously before the sounds of a doorknob turning under magic control echoed, the doors opening revealing Twilight herself. “Being unable to do anything yet... must hurt, right?” ‘You have no idea, mate.’ “I’m here!” Twilight cried as she advanced a few steps, “I’m not gonna stand next to her, and neither should you!” Shining grimaced before turning to Cadence, “I’m sorry. I... I don’t why she’s acting like this.” “Maybe we should just ignore her.” Cadence told him testily. “You have to listen to me!” Twilight gritted her teeth as Fluttershy moved to her. “Oh, goodness! Are you okay?” “I’m fine.” “You sure about that?” Applejack asked her with worry. There was a quick burst of magic that pulled the Honest Earth Pony’s cowboy hat off and shoved it into her face hard enough to bulldoze her away. “I’ve got something to say!” Twilight stroke ahead, everypony but Rainbow Dash looking uneasily after her. “She’s evil!” she claimed as she pointed at Cadence, causing Shining Armor to step in front of his ‘betrothed’ and a round of bewildered reactions from the lavender coated filly’s friends and even the guards. I kept a neutral face, and I fell Celestia’s suspicious glance over me. “She’s been horrible to my friends...” in the blink of an eye, she teleported behind Cadence, “...she obviously done something to her bridesmaids... and if that wasn’t enough, I saw her put a spell that made his eyes go all...” and finished that accusation by letting her eyes spin in their sockets while her tongue lolls out the side of her mouth- an obvious imitation of Shining’s dazed response to the enchantment Cadence laid on him the night before. Everyone looked at Twilight like if she had gone insane, especially Celestia. Cadence had barely enough time to blush and grin before Twilight get back in her face. And then the ‘alicorn’ reacted by falling apart into a crying mess. “WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?!” she cried as she galloped away with an excellent faked sob. “Because you’re bloody evil!” the lavender coated unicorn cried as she teleported to stay behind the bride as she busted out the door, “Evil! And if I don’t stop you, you’re gonna ruin my brother’s life!” “You know? She shouldn’t have smiled as she did all of this.” ‘Exactly what I thought when I saw the chapter for the first time.’ Twilight trotted back into the hall, only to run flat into Shining, causing her to tumble backward to the carpet. “You want to know why my eyes went all...” Shining started as he let said eyes spin for a moment before wincing as a fresh bolt of pain lanced through his head, “Because ever since I started having to perform my protection spell, I’ve been getting terrible migraines. Cadence hasn’t been casting spells on me... she’s been using her magic to heal me! And she decided to replace her bridesmaids because she found out the only reason they wanted to be in the wedding was so they could meet Canterlot royalty! And if she hasn’t been on her best behaviour with your friends... IT’S BECAUSE WITH ME BEING SO BUSY, SHE’S HAD TO MAKE ALL THE DECISIONS ABOUT THE WEDDING!!” “I... I was just trying to-“ “SHE’S COMPLETELY STRESSED OUT BECAUSE IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT TO HER THAT OUR BIG DAY BE PERFECT!! SOMETHING THAT OBVIOUSLY WASN’T IMPORTANT TO YOU!!” Shining Armor’s indignant glowering was cut off by yet another twinge. Twilight extended a tentative hoof, but he backed off once he got his wits settled. “Now... if you’ll excuse me- I have to go and comfort my bride. AND YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT BEING MY BEST MARE!” the colt finished as he left before turning back towards his sister, “In fact, if I were you... I wouldn’t show up to the wedding at all.” Twilight dropped back to her haunches and aimed a helpless glance back towards the other, their face displayed varied degrees of disgust, horror and shock. “Come on, y’ all. Let’s go check on the Princess.” Applejack voiced as the girls walked past her, all twelve eyes resolutely away from Twilight’s direction, last to leave being me or Celestia. “I... I was-“ “You have a lot to think about.” Celestia hissed at her icily as she left the room with the royal guards, causing tears to start welling up in her saddened purple eyes. “Maybe I was being overprotective.” I slowly walked towards the filly, “Twilight... you-“ “Wataru! Watch out!” Huh?! ... “You lost... human.” Third Person’s PoV. Wataru felt to the floor, a dagger piercing his heart, before his body was devoured by a matching ring of red flames from the floor before turning into a hemispherical shield that began to sink into the carpet, taking the human with him. Meanwhile, Twilight Sparkle, walked back towards the dais, and lied down in the steps, oblivious to what was taking place. “I could’ve gained a sister. But instead...” She whispered to herself, her voice breaking, “...I’ve just lost a brother...” “He was my Big Brother Best Friend Forever...” The lavender coated filly sang as her eyes teared up and the figurines of herself and her brother appeared and pranced happily around each other before Shining disappeared. “And now we’ll never do anything together.” She finished as she sob uncontrollably, her little avatar dropping despondently to its haunches before it was crushed into a fine powder. Twilight suddenly raised her head as she felt a gentle stroking on her mane and looked at ‘Cadence’, who was smiling warmly at her. “I’m sorry!” the Magical Unicorn cried desperately. “You will be.” Cadence whispered at her as she caressed her victims face slowly as another ring of fire like the one that took Wataru, sink with her as well. “Well done, my precious doll.” A dark reverberating undertone voice whispered into the fake Cadence’s ears, her true green eyes empty of any emotion now. “Thank you, your highness.” The disguised queen bowed to the empty space before her in a monotone voice. “Remind me to... recompensate properly you once this is all over, okay?” a pillar of red fire burst into existence before the fake alicorn as the voice revealed itself. The being had two pairs of tattered, insect-like wings colored with a very weak red tint, hole-pocket gray-black limbs, a gouged, half-decayed black horn shining, giving off a metallic feeling, covered in blood. It had long, lank, ragged gray-red mane, a middle sized crown at an angle on the back of its head, a truly dark grey coat, two sadistic and perverse reptilian green eyes, and a set of deadly sharp fangs. A gaunt long-legged, winged unicorn colt, the end of his mane and tail as pockmarked as its legs and horn, his back marked with a saddle-shaped patch of red exoskeleton and a greyish band of skin encircling his belly. “I will your highness.” The ‘alicorn’ repeated in the same monotone voice. “Very well... without the Element of Magic or that nasty thing out of our way, our plan will definitely be quite the success indeed.” “May I, your humble subject, ask where you have sent the unicorn?” “Of course, my dear. The unicorn was sent to the caves beneath Canterlot.” the Royal Changeling chuckled darkly, “Let’s hope that she gets to kill the True Cadence.” The Queen’s eyes betrayed no emotion at the revelation. “Thank you, our highness, King Relius. It makes me truly happy that you share this piece of information with a meaningless cockroach like me...” “Cockroach? Oh, don’t overestimate yourself like that! You are less than a cockroach! You are... a cocksucker, at least. Nothing but a lifeless doll used to quench my desires.” The King smiled disgustingly before turning around. “Continue with your job, and if you fail... well, of course you won’t fail. You have no other choice, my dear.” And with that, he left in another burst of flames, laughing evilly.