A New Hero

by Alex The Lone Wolf

A Canterlot Wedding : Part One

Episode 51 – A Canterlot Wedding : Part One

Today felt strange for some reason. I was conscious, but I hadn't opened my eyes yet. For some time, I thought a little while my eyes remained closed. Then, I began hearing some soft voices around me, even a few giggles.

"Wait until he wakes up!"

"Hehe! I can't wait! Either he wakes up or I wake him up!"

"Calm down, Pinkie…"

"I can't! I'm just so excited!"

I made some soft mumbling sounds.

"Look! I think he's waking up!"

"Oh boy! Oh boy!"

I slowly began opening my eyes. My vision was a bit blurry, but as I opened them more, it cleared up. There I saw all the girls: Twilight, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy.

"SURPRISE!" They all exclaimed, startling and causing me to jolt in bed. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

"…what…?" I questioned, a bit confused as I looked at all of them smile brightly at me. Pinkie was holding a birthday cake that said Happy Birthday Alex!

"It's your birthday, Alex!" Twilight announced cheerfully.

"My birthday…?" I responded, even forgetting my own birthday for a moment there.

"Yep! I remember it exactly!" Pinkie Pie answered.

"But…how did you girls know…? I don't think I ever even mentioned it to you all before…"

"Darling, you know Pinkie Pie." Rarity responded. "She mysteriously figures out every pony's birthday somehow."

"Yep!" Pinkie exclaimed. "Come on! Get up so we can party!"

"Pinkie…" Twilight faced her. "It's Alex's birthday. Let him choose what he wants to do." Her response caused Pinkie to frown a bit.

"Yeah, Alex!" Applejack included. "What do ya wanna do?"

"Hm…" I thought about it a little and faced them, smiling a bit. "A picnic sounds nice…"

Pinkie Pie managed to smile a bit. "I guess I can work with that."

After I got out of bed, the girls and I fixed up a picnic basket with a variety of foods in there. As they finished the finishing touches to the picnic basket, Pinkie came up to me with the birthday cake still on her hooves. "Come on, Alex! Make a birthday wish before the candles go out!"

I chuckled lightly. "Alright…" I closed my eyes and began thinking of a wish I've been thinking for a while now… When I finished thinking about it and making it a wish, I opened my eyes and blew out the candles. Afterwards, the girls cheered and clapped their hooves.

"Go ahead and put that in the basket, Pinkie." Twilight recommended. "We can eat it at the picnic."

"Okie Dokie Lokie!" She answered and stuck it in there.

Next, we began walking to the picnic site as Fluttershy walked by my side and offered me a birthday kiss, which I gladly accepted.

We picked a perfect spot in the park for our picnic. The area was covered in green. Different colored flowers populated the ground. Nearby, there was a stream of water. The girls and I began setting up the picnic basket, along with the other foods and drinks. There was water and tea for the drinks. For the food, we had, of course, the cake, sandwiches, fruits, and other sweets. Rarity, however, came with us wearing a yellow sunhat and a pink little scarf around her neck. She grabbed a piece of cake while Rainbow Dash grabbed a sandwich. Each of us had a glass of water while Pinkie Pie was pouring some tea for herself.

I looked around me to see the beautiful scenery that was perfect for this amazing day. I could see a couple of butterflies, pink and sunny yellow, parade past us as the girls began enjoying their food. I sat nearby Twilight and Fluttershy with the picnic basket near me. Rarity was by Fluttershy. Pinkie Pie was across the picnic blanket from me, sitting next to Rarity. Rainbow Dash was across Rarity and was sitting by Applejack, who was across Fluttershy and by Twilight.

"Ahh!" Rarity expressed out loud. "It is gorgeous out." She spoke as she looked around, gazing at our surroundings. "Just gorgeous!"

"The feeling's mutual right here, Rarity." I responded as I looked around as well.

I could see Rainbow Dash enjoying her sandwich that was filled with cheese and many vegetables. Applejack responded with a slurp of her water as she lay down. I took a slice of the cake and began eating it delightfully. "Great cake, Pinkie Pie!" I commented, facing towards her.

"Thanks!" She replied cheerfully and closed her eyes, smiling.

Twilight smiled as well and picked out an apple from the basket with her magic. She was just about to eat it until we suddenly heard rapid running footsteps heading towards us, catching all of our attention and causing Twilight to drop the apple and look ahead.

"Twi... light!" Spike came out of nowhere, exclaiming as he was out of breath. "...I... have..." He stopped and bent over, trying to regain his breath. "…lemme just..." He took in deep breaths and suddenly burped out a letter.

Twilight grabbed the letter and began reading it with a smile. "Dear Twilight, I am sure you are as excited as I am about the upcoming wedding in Canterlot." She gasped and looked at us with a confused expression. "Wedding?" Nonetheless, she smirked lightly and continued reading. I was pretty shocked about it as well. I wonder who's getting married… "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. Fluttershy, I would like you and your songbird choir to provide the music."

"Oh my goodness!" Fluttershy exclaimed softly and looked towards me, causing me to smile. "What an honor!"

"Pinkie Pie, I can think of no one more qualified than you to host the reception."

"Hip, hip, hooray!" Pinkie cheered, doing a cartwheel which flipped over a tea cup and a plate of cake, also creating a dent on the main cake as well.

"Applejack, you will be in charge of the catering for the reception." Twilight read as she fixed the flipped over items and even the dent on the cake.

"Well, color me pleased as punch!" Applejack responded as she held a hoof in front of her chest. However, I noticed Rainbow Dash wear a bored expression on her face.

"Rainbow Dash," Rainbow yawned, showing how uninterested she was in this project. "...I would very much appreciate it if you could perform a sonic rainboom as the bride and groom complete their I do's."

She suddenly changed her expression, cheering and flying upwards in the air. "Yes!"

"Rarity, you will be responsible for designing the dresses for the bride and her bridesmaids."

Rarity widened her eyes in shock. "Princess Celestia wants me to- She broke down into gibberish nonsense. "...wedding dress? For a Canterlot wedding..." She began looking woozy…in a good way. Fluttershy tried to help her, but she was moving too much. "I, ah, ooh, oooh!" She feel backwards on the grass, allowing her sunhat to fall off as she released a huge grin.

"Alex, there is something I'd like to speak with you in private." Twilight read, catching my attention. "Please meet me in the Canterlot Watchtower." She looked up from the paper at me to return a confused expression, but I could only return a shrug, not knowing what the Princess was talking about either. "And as for you, Twilight, you will be playing the most important role of all: Making sure that everything goes as planned. See you all very soon. Yours, Princess Celestia." She looked up and turned the paper around from backwards to sideways, checking to see if there was anymore. "But... I don't understand. Who's getting married?" She asked.

"Oh, wait!" Spike released, widening his eyes. "Uh, I was probably supposed to give you this one first." He turned around and pulled out another letter. Twilight looked back in slight annoyance and grabbed the letter with her magic, causing us to all peak and listen carefully for what she had to say.

"Princess Celestia cordially invites you to the wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and..." She looked up and gasped. "My brother?" She exclaimed.

I was about to immediately question about her brother, since I never knew she had one, but Spike intervened again, laughing a little nervously. "Oh, and this one…heh…" He held out the letter, a little embarrassingly.

Twilight rolled her eyes and grabbed the letter with her magic, still feeling shocked about the last one. She read it for a moment. "Oh…Alex…this one's for you…"

"What does it say?" I asked, becoming concerned, but picking out an apple from the basket.

Twilight began reading it. "Dear Alex, I am very pleased to announce that Starlight will be visiting Canterlot as the upcoming wedding takes place." I instantly widened my eyes in shock and dropped the apple I was carrying on my hoof. "I am sure it'll be great catching up, considering that you two must have not seen each other in so long. Have fun! Princess Celestia."

I could only sit there as I remained highly shock. "…who…?" I barely whispered.

Twilight looked back at the paper, focusing her eyes on the words. "Starlight."

After that name was repeated, I immediately and suddenly began feeling weak and faint, as well as light headed. Then, my eyes lifted upwards and I involuntary fell to the ground, passing out.

I felt my body being shook lightly.

"Alex…Alex…"

"Wha…huh…?" I mumbled, placing my hoof on my head and sitting up. "What happened?"

"Dude, you just passed out." Rainbow Dash answered me.

"Yes, darling." Rarity added. "Just like me except it was more in terror."

"…is everything alright?" Fluttershy asked, keeping her hooves on me.

I sighed and stared at the picnic blanket. "I don't know…" Looks like the first birthday I'm celebrating may be ruined again by the one and only.

Despite what just happened, Applejack walked over to the still stunned Twilight. "Your brother's getting married?" Applejack asked and then picked up her hoof with both of her own hooves to shake it. "Congratulations, Twilight, that's great news!"

Twilight returned an annoyed expression and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, great news." She responded sarcastically and walked off. "That I just got from a wedding invitation! Not from my brother, but from a piece of paper! Thanks a lot, Shining Armor." She pointed towards Canterlot. "I mean, really, he couldn't tell me personally?" She grabbed a sandwich that had two olives on top with her magic and made it look like it was talking, deepening her voice to represent her brother's. "Hey, Twilight, just thought you should know I'm making a really big decision that changes everything. Oh, nevermind, you'll hear about it when you get the invitation." The girls exchanged worried looks with each other. Twilight returned to her normal voice. "Princess Mi Amore Cadenza? Who in the hoof is that?" She exclaimed, snorting angrily.

"Um, Twilight? Are you okay?" Fluttershy asked, holding out a hoof to her.

"Sorry," She apologized, walking away. "It's just that Shining Armor and I have always been so close. He's my B.B.B.F.F!" The other girls responded with questioning looks. Twilight looked back annoyingly and then back at us, explaining. "Big Brother Best Friend Forever?"

"Ohhh!"

"Before I came here and learned the importance of friendship, Shining Armor was the only pony I really accepted as a friend." One of the birds flying past us landed on Twilight's hoof. She nuzzled it compassionately and allowed it to fly away. She began walking as she looked back at us, singing. "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

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

He taught me how to fly a kite (Best friend forever!)

We never had a single fight (We did everything together!)

We shared our hopes, we shared our dreams

I miss him more than I realized

It seems..." She released a few tears, causing me to feel emotional as well.

"Your big brother, best friend forever" The rest of the girls sang along.

"Like two peas in a pod, you did everything together"

"And though he's, oh, so far away" Twilight continued.

"I hoped that he would stay" she began walking, causing Fluttershy to share glances with me while the other girls exchanged the same expression. After, we looked back at her in worriment.

"My big brother best friend

Forever...

Forever..." She stared out into the sky and lowered her head, releasing another tear.

Applejack walked over to her and placed a hoof on her comfortingly. "As one of your P.F.F.'s..." Applejack received questioning looks as well. "Pony Friends Forever..." She answered, causing the girls to exclaim in understanding the abbreviation. "... I wanna tell you that I think your brother sounds like a real good guy."

"He is pretty special." She responded, walking back to the picnic area and sitting by her piece of cake as she flipped it lightly. "I mean, they don't let just anypony be Captain of the Royal Guard."

"So let me get this straight." Rarity quickly rushed over to Twilight. "We're helping out with the wedding of not only a princess, but a Captain of the Royal Guard?"

"I guess we are..." Twilight replied in a saddened yet annoyed expression as well.

"Ooh, ooh, oooh!" Rarity began joyfully fainting again, causing Twilight to pull out a pillow with her magic and place it behind Rarity before she fell to the ground. As everypony returned excited chatter, Fluttershy flying around with Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie holding hooves with Applejack, I could only remain there near Twilight and look at her with gloomy eyes and a frown on my face.

I understand how you feel Twilight… I have my own share of problems…

Keeping her annoyed look, her eyes shifted over to me and immediately became concerned ones. "Alex, what's wrong? You're supposed to be happy… It's your birthday and even Princess Celestia said that Starlight will be at Canterlot during the wedding, whoever she is…"

I groaned. "Ugh… Never mind that…" I shook my head. "What about you? I never heard you mention about a brother before…"

"Oh…" She rubbed her head a little. "…Remember when you caught me crying some time back…?"

"Yeah…?"

"Well…I was crying because my brother had sent me a letter from the royal guard… He told me everything was well and he hoped I was having a good time in Ponyville…and you know…other stuff…" She sighed. "I was sad after that letter because I missed him so much..."

"Oh…that's why…"

Twilight was about to ask me another question, but Rainbow Dash suddenly intervened. "What are you guys doing? Come on! We have to get to Canterlot right away!"

Twilight returned an irritated expression. "Rainbow, we haven't even finished the picnic yet. It wouldn't be fair to Alex."

"I don't really mind…" I responded, feeling my mind plagued already. "But I guess we can finish up a bit to fill up our stomachs…"

Twilight looked at me in a concerning matter. I could only stare at the picnic blanket in silence as the other girls continued to eat in excitement and chatter about the upcoming wedding in Canterlot.

When we finished the picnic, we wrapped it up and placed the picnic basket away in order to prepare for our train ride to Canterlot. I tried to eat something, but the thought of the horrible disaster that might occur continued to corrupt my mind, making my hunger and appetite disappear.

We waited for our train to arrive in the train station. As I continued to wait patiently in silence, as the other girls continued to chatter excitedly, I heard a flapping of wings near me. Derpy landed by me and smiled. "Hi, Alex." She noticed my expression. "Is something wrong?" She asked, frowning and flapping her ears down.

Remembering how she doesn't know about my personal problems, I shook my head and tried to pull out a smile. "I'm fine. What are you doing here?"

She then smiled brightly and hugged me. "Happy Birthday!"

I managed to feel better for a moment, chuckling lightly. "Thank you, Derpy."

"Are you going on the train to Canterlot too?" She asked, pulling away.

"Yeah…We all got invited to a wedding."

"Me too! The Captain of the Royal Guard and a Princess are getting married! I can't wait!" She giggled a bit and noticed Fluttershy. "Hi, Fluttershy!"

Fluttershy was startled a bit but turned her head to see Derpy. "Hi." She waved.

"I'm sure everything's alright after that whole…um…you know…"

Fluttershy giggled a bit and shook her head. "Don't worry. Everything's fine."

Derpy smiled brightly and nodded.

We finally heard the train arrive as the sounds of wheels braking pierced the surrounding peace. Derpy boarded along with us, staying in our car. She looked out the window and stared out at the open, letting the wind blow threw her mane. Pinkie Pie and Applejack sat on one of the seats, looking out the window. Rarity and Spike were on the other side, along with Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy was on the seat opposite of Rarity, Spike, and Rainbow, looking out the window as well with soft excitement. I lay on the seat in the way back. Twilight joined me across the other side of the train, looking out the window and resting her left foreleg on the windowsill. The left part of her cheek and chin were resting on her left hoof as she looked out in thought.

Usually, I would have been comforting her at such a time, but I was in trouble myself. I was stuck deep in thought as I couldn't stop thinking of what could happen… I was actually growing scared a bit…but why…? Why should I be scared…? I sighed lightly, staring at the seat as I continued to lay on it.

"A sonic rainboom? At a wedding? Can you say 'best wedding ever'!" I heard Rainbow Dash exclaim in excitement.

"Best wedding ever!" Pinkie Pie screamed in joy as we passed through a dark tunnel in the train.

"So you all get to help with the big fancy wedding," Spike spoke. "But I'm the one who gets to host the bachelor party! I have just one question. What's a bachelor party?"

This caused the all the girls except Twilight to giggle and laugh.

After a moment, I heard Applejack's voice behind me. "Why the long face, sugarcube?"

"I'm just thinking about Shining Armor." Twilight answered, crossing her forelegs and resting her head on them. "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-whatshername', we'll probably never see each other."

"Come on, now. 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 grabbed the window cover with her magic and angrily slid it down.

Applejack sighed and turned towards me. "Alex? You awake?"

"Hm?" I answered, glancing towards her.

"Alex?" She walked towards me and sat down by me. "Is there something up with you too?" She questioned with a frown.

"Why do you ask that?"

"Because it's your birthday. You should be all over the place with joy, but instead you're lying down here as if you're depressed or somethin'."

I sighed. "Unfortunately, Applejack, I'm not filled with joy right now…" I looked up and out the window. "…not with Starlight coming to Canterlot."

"If you don't mind me askin'," Applejack responded. "Who's this 'Starlight' pony anyway?"

I remained silent for a moment, shifting my eyes around. Finally, I opened my eyes, ready to speak up. "Starlight's… my sister…"

Her eyes widened. "You mean the one…"

"Yes…" I answered frankly. "The one from my past."

"Oh, gosh…I'm so sorry, Alex…but that shouldn't stop you from celebrating your birthday… You can't let one little pony ruin your special day."

I scoffed. "Heh. Well, she always finds her way to ruin every single one of my days."

"Alex…" She placed a hoof on my shoulder. "If she tries to bother you…we'll be there to support and protect you, alright?"

I turned my head over to her, a bit surprised. "…really?"

She nodded, confidently. "Yes. You're our friend, and we'll do anythin' to make you happy."

I managed to smile a bit. "…thanks, Applejack."

She smiled as well and patted my back. "You deserve it. Now, come on. Try to enjoy your birthday." She turned around and began heading back to the others, but stopped and glanced over to me. "Do you mind if I tell the others about Starlight bein' your sister?" She asked.

"No." I shook my head. "Just don't tell them in a way that will make them worried."

She nodded. "Gotcha." Afterwards, she began returning back.

"We're here, we're here!" I heard Pinkie Pie exclaim almost immediately after.

When a few seconds passed, a pink wall of magic passed through us, surprising me a little. …What was that…? Finally, I heard the train stop. We all headed to the exit of the train and looked out to see a large amount of guards waiting outside with motionless expressions. "Whoa, what's with all the guards?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I'm sure they're just taking the necessary precautions." Rarity explained. "Royal weddings do bring out the strangest ponies."

"Aaaaaaaaa— Pinkie sneezed, releasing confetti from out her nose and proving Rarity's point exactly. Afterwards, she just walked off happily.

"Now let's get going, we've got work to do!" Rarity announced as Fluttershy boarded off as well. Derpy and I followed.

"And you've got a big brother to go congratulate." Applejack reminded Twilight, who was still on the train.

"Yeah. Congratulate. And then give him a piece of my mind." Twilight answered, still showing that irritated mood she's been having. She walked past the guards that were guarding one section of the place. The other girls responded with confused looks.

"Well…I guess we better get started on those tasks the Princess wanted us to fulfill." I announced, breaking the awkward silence.

"Right…" Rainbow Dash replied. "Come on, guys." She began leaving as everypony followed to their other stations.

Before leaving, Fluttershy turned to see me. "You're going to meet with the Princess, right?" She asked. I returned a nod. She nodded as well and placed a kiss on my lips. "I'll see you later then, sweetie."

"See you later." I responded, giving her a quick hug and waving as she flew off. I turned to Derpy who was still standing by me. "Sorry, I have to go see the Princess. See you later?"

Derpy nodded. "Of course! Good luck!"

"Thanks." I waved and looked up, seeing the Canterlot Watchtower Princess Celestia was talking about. As Derpy flew off, I could see Princess Celestia looking through a telescope for some reason. That reminds me… why is there a huge magic bubble around Canterlot? I decided to put these questions on hold until I met up with the Princess.

When I finally arrived at the Canterlot Watchtower, I could still see Princess Celestia looking through the telescope. Her eyes were narrowed in determination and seriousness, much the opposite than her face usually contained. I slowly approached her and called out her name. "…Princess Celestia…?"

She pulled away from the telescope and turned around to see me. "Oh, Alex. I'm glad you're here."

"Mm-hm. You said you wanted to speak to me about something in private. What was it?"

She sighed and closed her eyes. "You may have noticed a higher increase in security around Canterlot, haven't you?"

"Yeah…I heard it was about the wedding…"

She shook her head. "Unfortunately, it has nothing to do with the wedding…"

"What…? What do you mean?" I asked, becoming concerned now.

"A threat has been made against Canterlot…and we don't know who's responsible for it. That's why I asked Shining Armor, Twilight's brother, to provide additional protection. Come with me." She turned around and gestured me to follow her out on the balcony. "Do you see that magic bubble around the town?"

"Yeah. What about it?"

"Watch closely." I turned my attention from her towards the magic bubble. Suddenly, I saw something being shot upwards towards the bubble. It looked to be some magic and it combined with the bubble, reinforcing the protection. I widened my eyes a bit. "That was Shining Armor's protection spell. If it wasn't for it, we'd probably be much more vulnerable and probably have to cancel the wedding."

"Oh…that reminds me… Who is this Princess Mi Amore Cadenza Twilight's brother is marrying anyway?"

"She's my niece."

"Your niece…?"

"Yes!" Princess Celestia managed to smile warmly now. "Why don't you go meet her and Shining Armor? I'm sure you'll like them…"

"Oh. Alright… but what about the task you wanted to assign me?"

"Right, that. I just wanted to let you know about the threat we're dealing with, and if you see or feel anything suspicious, let me know, or tell Princess Luna if you feel something during the night. I just want you to be aware and not let your whole guard down. Otherwise, enjoy the wedding and feel free to help the others with their tasks."

"Okay. I'll keep an eye out. Thank you, Princess Celestia." I bowed and began walking out.

"One more thing." Princess Celestia announced.

"Hm?" I glanced back.

"Starlight may be arriving a little late, so I don't think she is here yet." I released a hidden sigh of relief. "But, don't worry; she'll be here before the day is completely over."

I nodded. "Thanks…I'll keep that I mind."

Obviously, Princess Celestia didn't know the issues I had between my family and me. I never really did tell her the situation between us, only that I felt that nopony wanted me. Hm…she probably would have tried to look for them herself, but I'm pretty sure that her royal duties, along with having no clue of where they could be, did not allow her to do so. It was actually better for her not to try to reach them because…well…chaos would have probably broken loose. Now, she thinks that Starlight actually cares about me and wants to see me because we haven't seen each other in so long. That's why the Princess is excited for our meeting. I wonder how Princess Celestia figured out about Starlight and how she is my sister? That's what I find strange. Maybe it was… I sighed mentally. Anyway, I can't tell Princess Celestia about the truth of Starlight and why I don't want to see her. That'll distract her from her royal duties and it especially won't be good since there is apparently a threat in Canterlot… I'll just have to suck it up, possibly my pride, and see what happens…

"Alex, are you alright?" Princess Celestia asked me, snapping me out of my trance.

"Oh, yeah…" I shook my head lightly and rubbed it a bit. "I'll go find Shining Armor now."

"He should be at the main Royal Guard quarters."

I nodded. "Thanks. I'll see you later Princess."

She nodded as well. "See you soon, Alex."

I walked out of the Canterlot Watchtower and began heading towards the direction of the Royal Guard quarters.

"How many unicorns can just spread love wherever they go?" I heard Twilight when I arrived, catching my attention. "I only know of one! And you're marrying her!" I entered a bridge, where I saw Twilight with another familiar pony, who must have been her brother. She was jumping around while announcing in a singsong voice. "You're marrying Cadence, you're marrying Cadence!" Twilight bounced towards me, opening her eyes. "Oh, Alex! Hey!"

"Hey, Twilight." I looked past her to see her brother. "Is this your brother?" I asked.

"Yeah!" She looked towards him. "Shining Armor, this is Alex. Alex, this is Shining Armor." She introduced us.

"Hey." He observed me, holding out his hoof, but then he stopped suddenly. "Wait a minute… Haven't I seen you around before?"

I analyzed him and rubbed my chin. "I could ask you the same thing…"

He thought as well and then suddenly clapped his hoof. "Dude! I bumped into you a while back!"

His response clicked in me and I immediately remembered who he was. "Oh, yeah!"

"Alex? Shining Armor? You two have met before?"

"Yeah!" Shining Armor responded. "We bumped into each other." He chuckled a bit. "I remembered him asking if I was like the other snooty ponies."

I chuckled as well. "Right." I faced Twilight. "I saw him that time I visited Canterlot with Rarity, remember?" I faced back at Shining Armor. "I never knew he was your brother…"

"You said you were looking for a gift for a friend?" He questioned.

"Yeah. I was looking for a gift for Twilight for her birthday."

"Wow!" Shining Armor expressed. "This really is all amazing. Y'know, Twilight really has told me so much about you in her letters actually. It's really all overwhelming to know what an amazing pony you are."

I chuckled a little in embarrassment. "Thanks."

"No really! To know that you are one of the Elements of Harmony as well? That's awesome!" He waved his front hooves in joy.

"Well, you're the one who's Captain of the Royal Guard."

We all began laughing, having a joyous moment until we were suddenly interrupted.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything important." A pony that appeared near us ironically announced…rather rude…

I turned around to see a pink pony, basically having the same coat as Pinkie. She wore a golden necklace, and her mane consisted of a variety of colors. She also wore a tiara on her head. The most important features I discovered were that she had both a horn and wings… Hm…

"Cadence!" Twilight announced and rushed over to her. "Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" She shook her behind, apparently doing some secret greeting or such.

Cadence observed her for a moment. "What are you doing?" She asked with an expression of confusion and a hint of disgust.

Twilight frowned a bit, but quickly regained her smile, turning back around. "Cadence, it's me, Twilight!"

"Uh-huh." She merely and uninterestedly returned, walking past Twilight and me, not even sparing a word to me. I slightly narrowed my eyes. Well…she doesn't seem all that friendly like Shining Armor… Nonetheless, she grinned as she walked towards Shining Armor, who placed a hoof around her and grinned as well.

"I've gotta get back to my station," Shining Armor announced. "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 say we couldn't be more excited to have you guys here. Right, dear?"

"Absolutely." She returned a narrowed look directly at us, actually bringing some chills up in my spine.

Twilight returned a confused look.

"Well, we'll let you get to it." Shining Armor stated and began walking away with…Cadence…

Twilight sighed and began walking away as well. I noticed this and quickly walked to her side. "You know her?" I asked.

"Yeah…" She answered. "She used to be my foalsitter when I was little. Now, she acts like she doesn't even remember me and she doesn't seem as friendly as she was before…"

"Huh…" I commented and looked back to the front of where I was walking. "Sorry, Twilight… I don't know what to say… I've never met her before."

Twilight could only return a heavy sigh that had a little anger inside. "Whatever, Alex. Let's just go check up on Applejack."

"Alright…" I responded, looking at her with some concern as she led me towards the next destination.

When we entered the kitchen, we could see several ponies creating the desserts for the wedding. Applejack spotted us and walked up to us. "Hiya, Alex. Hey Twilight."

Twilight didn't respond, so I decided to reply instead. "Hey, Applejack." I answered, releasing a small smile.

"You feeling better, Alex?" She asked.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that." At least until Starlight comes into town…

"Well, I'm just putting the finishing touches on these beauties." She directed towards the desserts she was making. "Twilight, mind checking off on the things I finished?"

"Sure…" She answered a little angrily and sat near a pillar with crossed forelegs. She held the notepad and a pencil with her magic.

Applejack then began running and finished what she had to do while I continued to feel concerned for Twilight. I took a seat next to her. Applejack had climbed up a ladder near a huge cake and finished placing some frosting, which decorated the hearts that surrounded the layers. "Cake, check." She announced, making Twilight check off on that item as she retained the same mood. Applejack ran towards another direction. She chiseled on some sculpture, which seemed to be a huge heart. "Ice sculpture, check." Twilight checked that off. Applejack ran over to the oven and pulled out a tray of desserts. "Best darn bitesize apple fritter you ever tasted..." She grabbed one of them and forced them in our mouths with her hooves.

"Mmm." Twilight moaned happily, changing her mood instantly as she checked off on that as well. "Check." She spoke with her cheeks full.

"Great fritters, Applejack." I responded, chewing and swallowing it. "It's amazing."

She crossed her legs and closed her eyes, almost seeming to be a bow. "Why, thank you, Alex."

I smiled and began hearing some noises near us, catching our attention towards a counter. "I do. Do you? I do!" Twilight and I stood up and walked over to the counter to see Spike making some kissing noises with the figures that were supposed to be on the cake. Twilight narrowed her eyes and grabbed them with her magic, taking them from his claws and placing them on the space near him. He nervously laughed.

We then heard the door open and Applejack's voice.

"Hiya, Princess!"

We looked back to see Cadence walking in the kitchen with a bored expression on her face. "Please, call me Princess Mi Amore Cadenza." She answered as the other ponies bowed, which also caused Twilight to roll her eyes and look at me with anger again.

"Hiya, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza." Applejack repeated with the correction as the princess had looked at her with annoyance. However, when Applejack looked up to see her, she quickly changed the expression to a fake excited one. "You come to check out what's on the menu for your big day?"

"I have!" She replied in artificial excitement, but quickly returned to her annoyed expression when Applejack turned around. Twilight noted every action she made.

Applejack grabbed the tray of her amazing apple fritters and turned around to present them to the princess. Cadence grabbed one with her magic and took a bite. As she did, I noticed something strange. Huh..I've never see a horn glow green before… As she chewed, she finally swallowed and chuckled a little in a nervous manner. "Delicious! I love, love, love them." She laughed nervously.

"Aw, shucks. Why don't you take a few to go?" Applejack asked, presenting her with a bag of them, giving a little squee. Cadence looked back in regret. Nonetheless, she looked towards the bag and grabbed it with her magic, holding it with her teeth. "I know how you brides can be. So busy, you forget to get a little somethin' in your belly." When Cadence reached the door, she merely threw it in the trash can and walked off, slamming the doors behind her.

Twilight gasped. "Did... you see what she..." She directed towards me.

"I did…" I answered, narrowing my eyes in irritation.

Twilight faced Applejack. "Applejack, did you see what she di—

"Sorry Twi." Applejack responded, taking out several more treats out of the oven. "I'm a little busy now. We'll talk later, okay?"

"But…"

I placed a hoof on Twilight. "Forget about it… let's go check on Rarity."

She sighed and agreed.

When we arrived at the suite Rarity was creating the dresses in, Twilight couldn't help but talk about the little scene we just witnessed earlier.

"I can't believe it, Alex! I can't believe that she did that!" She faced Rarity who was too busy working on the dresses. "Oh Rarity, you should have seen how she acted back there. I don't know when she changed, but she changed!"

"Twilight… I understand how you're feeling, and I don't exactly approve what she did either, but there's nothing much we can do about it…"

"Ugh!" She yelled in frustration. "She's just so annoying! I mean, really, 'Please, call me Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.'" She mocked her.

"Did I hear someone say my name?" We ironically heard her come in. She was followed by three more mares, whom must be the bridesmaids.

"Your highness!" Rarity announced, quickly rushing over to her. "Let me just start by saying what an honor it is to play a role in such a momentous occasion." She bowed and laughed nervously.

"A-ha." She responded unenthusiastically, walking over to her dress as Twilight watched the scene with the same annoyed expression on her face. "Is my dress ready?"

"Uh…e…" Rarity stammered, walking over to the dress. "Yes, of course. Um, I've been working on it ever since I was given the assignment, and I think you'll be pleased with the results! Mmm!" She grinned brightly as Cadence observed it with a rather different point of view. I thought the dress was lovely, as all the other products from Rarity were.

"I was hoping for something with more beading and a longer train." She commented, walking off as Rarity brought out a notepad and began making some notes.

"Oh, yes, of course."

"And those should be a different color." Cadence pointed out, directing towards the bridesmaids' dresses.

"I think they're lovely." The unicorn in the middle of the group commented.

"Me too!" The earth pony added.

"I love them." The aqua-colored unicorn with the heartstrings for a cutie mark included.

Cadence suddenly looked at them scoldingly, surprising and causing me to widen my eyes. Cadence's reaction caused them to quickly disengage eye contact and look around nervously. "Make them a different color." She ordered and then walked off with her bridesmaids.

"Gee, maybe her name should be 'Princess Demandy-pants.'" Twilight expressed and began walking out, highly annoyed.

Before I sat up to follow Twilight, I looked at Rarity and gave my opinion. "I think they're wonderful, Rarity…but I guess you have to do what the princess wants, huh?"

"Looks that way, Alex… I'll see you later."

"See you…" I sat up and began following Twilight.

Twilight eventually led me towards the party hall, which was used for the Grand Galloping Gala and Twilight's birthday, in silence. The party hall was decorated with fun accessories, such as balloons and streamers. It seemed that Cadence had already arrived there before us as we saw her discussing some things with Pinkie Pie. Twilight gasped and quickly took me behind a pillar.

"Twilight, what are you—

"Shh!" She shushed me and looked back at the discussion with Cadence and Pinkie.

"Okay, let me see." Pinkie began excitedly. "We've been over the games..." She rushed towards a nearby game board and rattled the dice in her hooves, smiling brightly as they landed on the board. I also noticed a "pin the tail on the pony" poster near the wall. She returned a very bright smile, even sticking out her tongue in excitement. She hopped near Cadence. "...the dances..." She began doing, which I think was, the chicken dance near a music player that seemed to be playing the polka from the parasprite infestation… Pinkie stuck out her tongue again and bounced happily in front of Cadence. "I think this reception is gonna be perfect! Don't you?"

"Perfect!" Cadence responded cheerfully. "...if we were celebrating a six-year-old's birthday party." She added with the usual tone she contained as she walked off.

Pinkie gasped. "Thank you!" She answered cheerfully, taking it the wrong way by what she meant…

As I looked at Twilight's expression on her face, I could only observe the narrowed irritated eyes she had as she stared at Cadence walk away.

"Come on, Twilight…" I whispered, patting her a bit. "Let's get out of here…"

When we walked outside, we were surprised to see that it was already night. Pinkie Pie hopped from inside the party hall to where we were standing. "Hi, guys!" She greeted warmly, continuing to bounce past us.

"Pinkie, where are you going?" I asked.

"Oh! The girls and I were going to meet up for a drink. Come on!" She waved her hoof to gesture us to follow her and continued bouncing.

I looked at Twilight and used my head to gesture her to come along. She merely sighed and walked with her head lowered. I could only returned a frown and worried eyes as she walked by me, following me as I followed Pinkie to where the girls were meeting up.

When we arrived, I looked at the Canterlot Watchtower to see Princess Celestia tiredly looking through the telescope. Princess Luna flew through the magic shield and stood by her sister. I assumed she told her to rest, as Princess Luna guarded the night. Then, I looked back in the direction we were walking towards. We saw them sitting at the table near the doors of the building by them. They all sat on the pillows with their drinks, even Spike, who sat on three pillows to reach the table. Twilight and I walked inside the building to order and receive our drinks, walking back outside towards the table after.

"Bet I can guess what you're all thinking!" Twilight announced cheerfully as we began to sit at the table. "Cadence is the absolute worst bride-to-be ever." She emphasized, placing her drink on the table which grabbed the attention of the others as I sat near her and Fluttershy.

"Who, me?" Spike asked in a high voice, controlling the Cadence figure that's supposed to be on the cake.

"Spike!" Applejack exclaimed. "That goes on the cake."

Spike laughed nervously and placed the piece on the table.

"Twilight, whatever are you talking about?" Rarity asked as Twilight sipped her drink. "Cadence is an absolute gem!"

Twilight opened her eyes and pushed away the drink in order to respond to Rarity. "Rarity, she was so demanding!"

"Well of course she is! Why shouldn't she expect the very best on her wedding day?"

Twilight furrowed her eyebrows and placed a hoof to her forehead, sighing. After, she looked towards Applejack. "Applejack, 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?"

"Aw, she was probably just trying to spare my feelin's." Applejack responded and began sipping her drink as well.

"No, she was just being fake, and totally insincere!"

Fluttershy lowered her head and slightly looked around in thought. "She did raise her voice at one of my birds during rehearsal."

"See? Rude!" Twilight pointed out.

"But... he was singing really off-key." She responded, bringing out the bird which began singing terribly off-key, causing us to place our hooves on our ears.

"Even if he was singing badly," I added. "I don't think she should have raised her voice at him… there are other proper ways of teaching…"

"Exactly!" Twilight stretched her hoof. "I mean, Pinkie Pie, you had to have noticed how Cadence treated—

She was interrupted when we saw Pinkie Pie and Spike making kissing noises as they played with the figures that are supposed to be on the cake. They continued to laugh as they had fun.

"Never mind." Twilight rolled her eyes and rested her head on the table in a frustrated manner. "Rainbow Dash," Twilight lifted her head. "You're with me, right?"

"Sorry Twi." Rainbow answered, rubbing her muscles and stretching her wings. "Been too busy prepping for my sonic rainboom to pay much attention to the bride's bad attitude."

"Alex." Twilight placed her hooves on me. "Please tell me you're with me."

"Well… I have to admit, I don't completely condone Cadence's actions. I mean…they could have been a lot nicer but…" I shrugged. "What can you do about it?"

Twilight responded with an angry growl.

"The princess is about to get married." Rarity tried to reason with her, placing her hoof on her. "I'm sure any negative behavior she might be displaying is simply the result of nerves."

Twilight stood up and slammed her hoof on the table, causing her purple drink to jump slightly above the table. "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!" She answered, emphasizing with her hooves and slamming them back down again.

Before I could try to calm Twilight down, Applejack decided to fill in for me and create the wrong move. "Think maybe you're being just a tiny bit possessive of your brother?"

To make things worse, the rest of the girls agreed. "Uh-huh."

"I am not being possessive, and I am not taking it out on Cadence!" Twilight responded angrily. "You're all just too caught up in your wedding planning to notice that maybe there shouldn't even- she slammed her hoof harshly on the table, causing all the drinks on the table to jump upwards in the air and splatter everywhere. -be a wedding!" Her actions had startled and surprised us. She turned around and began storming away from us.

I sighed and frowned, looking back at the other girls. "I'll go talk to her…" Then, I pulled my hooves away from the table and began walking after Twilight. "Twilight." I called her name after reaching some distance away from the other girls. "Twilight…" She stopped and sighed, turning around to face me. "I know how you're feeling now…but…you just need to calm down and think about this for a moment… I know how you feel about Cadence…"

"Listen, Alex…I just need to talk to my brother right now…" She added, forming a more saddened look now.

"But…"

"Please…Just let me go talk to my brother…"

I sighed and nodded lightly. "Alright…"

"Thanks…" She responded and continued walking off.

I remained standing there for a moment as I stared at her walk off. After, I turned around and sat down at a nearby table, placing my hooves on it. "I hope she somehow finds a way to work this out…" I spoke quietly under my breath.

Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice behind me. "Why did you do it…?"

I formed a confused expression on my face and began turning my head to face this pony. "What…?"

"Why did you run away…?" I fully turned around to become immediately startled. I jumped, causing the table to shake as I placed my hooves on it in shock. There, I saw grayish blue pony, who actually was just a bit smaller than me. She had a long mane that seemed to match the color of her coat. Her mane also created a bang across her face, covering her right eye. Her eyes were the same color as her coat as well, but with a greater touch in blue, although, I was only able to see her left eye as she stared intensely at me. I noticed her cutie mark on her flank. There lay a microphone. I could only stare in shock as she formed a smirk across her face. "Hello, little brother."

I tried to speak, but I couldn't… I was too speechless… My mouth could only remain agape as I tried to think of what words to say… I completely forgot that she was supposed to arrive late today… but I had been completely distracted with the whole situation with Cadence. I could feel my mouth shake and quiver. "…Starlight…what are you doing here…?"

"I could ask you the same question, Alex." She spoke in such a sly and seductive tone. "But if you must know…" She began to slowly walk around me. "I'm here with my band. Four Hooves Strong? I'm pretty sure you've heard of them…"

"Don't play games with me…" I answered, starting to feel a little bolder. "Why must you try to suck me into this heart-piercing torture you call fun?"

"Oh, Alex…" She continued to smirk softly, purposely letting her tail lightly hit me. "You and your 'big' words. That was always you. The smart one. You always got good grades at school. It seemed too easy for you, actually… But it was a shame you ran away…for who knows what…"

"A shame?" I raised my voice a little. "It was your fault! It was everypony in Fillydelphia's fault! I was treated so horribly! As if I was some kind of… outcast!" I directly faced towards her, pointing at her angrily. "You're my sister! You're supposed to be family!" As I continued speaking my emotions, she could only continue smirking as if she was taking everything I was saying as a joke. "Instead of comforting me when I needed it, you just did the complete opposite!" I sighed and began feeling a little down again as I stared at the floor. "Not even mom and dad liked me…" I scoffed softly. "They don't even remember me…" I slowly looked up to her again. "I'm actually surprised somepony like you would remember me."

"Really?" She pretended to act like she was surprised. "I even remember your birthday, Alex. Happy birthday."

I scoffed again. "That makes me even more surprised…"

"Why, how could I forget everything about my little brother? It's hard to forget how you always messed things up…but that's okay…" She placed a hoof on my shoulder. "I accept you for you who are…"

I slapped her hoof away and began to feel myself heat up. "Shut up…"

She laughed a little and continued to analyze me as I looked away from her. "Wow…you've grown so much, to be honest. Oh, look!" She pointed out, observing my flank. "You even got you're cutie mark! Yay. What is it?" She narrowed her eyes. "A wolf…huh…is that even a talent?" I continued to breathe heavily in an angry matter. She is really pissing me off… She looked at me and noticed my status. "Oh, Alex. You're selfish you know that? Leaving your poor mom and dad, including me."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, still feeling angry. "I thought I 'messed everything up' and that I was a 'mistake'. Considering your harmful words, I'd guess that I was actually considerate of leaving the household and making your lives better."

"But it was so much fun to see you cry and be scared of dad. It actually wanted to make me laugh."

"…you're sick…"

"Hm…?" She questioned, continuing to smirk in a sly manner.

"…How could you enjoy me getting hurt both physically and mentally everyday…? You even saw dad hit me with either his hooves or leather strap…and you just stood there…and watched… You even…" I began feeling tears form in my eyes. "…you even…purposely created scenarios that caused dad to beat me in order to 'discipline' me…when I didn't even do a single thing… You knew you could get him to hit me whenever you wanted because… you were his 'little princess'."

"Still am." She responded with the same smirk. "You should see how proud he is of me. A singer in a band that is growing more popular by the minute. And you?" She scoffed in a laughing way. "You seemed to have done nothing but mope about everything in your life."

I remained silent and continued to look away. I could have easily told her about the Elements of Harmony and how I basically saved Equestria a couple times, but I didn't want to look like I was bragging about it. She would have probably taken it as a joke anyway, like always. Besides…I felt too emotional to talk… She continued to eye me as I just wished for her to go away and leave me alone.

"Alex?" I heard a call for me from a short distance. It sounded like Applejack. Starlight and I turned around to see Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash appear. They seemed to have not noticed me yet…

Starlight smirked and looked at me again. "Are those your friends?" She asked. I still didn't answer. "Ha, I'm shocked. They must be another group of ponies who don't even like you. Just watch." She turned around and faced them. She raised her hoof and waved, calling them out loudly. "Hey!"

They heard the call and immediately noticed me. They walked over to me. "Alex, where were you?" Applejack asked. "We've been wonderin' what happened to you."

Before I could try to even answer, Starlight immediately intervened, holding out her hoof. "Hi, I'm Starlight, Alex's sister."

"Starlight…?" Applejack slightly flinched.

"Alex's sister…?" Fluttershy questioned.

"Yes! You all must be his friends." She raised her hoof and wrapped it around me. "We were just catching up."

I shook her hoof off from me. "Forget it, Starlight. They already know about you."

"Yeah, from what we've heard, you're not such a nice pony." Rainbow Dash stated, crossing her forelegs as she flew.

However, Starlight was able to work her twisted little mind. "Oh." She shared a friendly laugh. "It's always the same story. Alex tells everypony about how I'm this mean sister. The truth is that when he was little, he would always get mad over how he never got what he wanted. Now, he takes the blame out on me."

I narrowed my eyes irritatingly at her answer, but I remained quiet.

"Psh. Yeah, right." Rainbow Dash responded, clearly not believing a word she said.

"We have known Alex long enough to know that he isn't that kind of pony." Rarity added politely, but wore a slightly annoyed and irritated expression on her face. "He's sweet, gentle, and kind to all of us. There are absolutely not enough words to describe him on what a wonderful pony he is."

"Yeah, so I reckon you leave him alone and mind your own business." Applejack finished.

Nonetheless, she continued to smirk and glanced over to me. "Looks like your friends are smarter than I thought."

"Excuse me?" Pinkie exclaimed.

"Although…" She began walking around slowly again. "I can't see why they would ever like a pony like you…" She directed towards me. "Look at you. You're pathetic."

Rarity gasped. "He is not pathetic! We love him for who he is! It's as simple as that!"

"Yeah." Fluttershy now flew over to me, standing in front of me in a protective kind of way. "He's the best boyfriend ever." She stated boldly.

"Hah! Boyfriend?" She reacted and looked back at me. "So this is your girlfriend?"

"Yes…" I answered briefly. "With the kind of pony you are, I doubt you have a relationship yourself."

She scoffed. "I'm the lead singer of a band. I can get anypony I want."

"You must not understand what true love is then."

"Please. You and your friends are just lost causes." This caused Pinkie and Rainbow to become aggressive. Rarity had to hold Pinkie while she tried to go after Starlight, and Applejack had to hold down Rainbow's tail in order to hold her back as well. "Now if you excuse me, I have to go get ready for my concert." She began turning away and managed to smirk irritatingly at us. "See you all norms later." Afterwards, she began walking away as I could only stare angrily at her.

Once Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash finally calmed down, they were released. "Come on, Alex." Applejack told me. "Let's get to the suites Princess Celestia prepared for us."

Still feeling a little…bothered…I sighed. "Okay…"

As we began walking, Rarity scoffed in a lady-like way and looked at me with annoyed eyes. "I can believe why you dislike your sister so much, Alex. She's absolutely horrid and so…so rude!"

"…if you don't mind, Rarity… I really don't feel like talking about what just happened or anything about her right now…" I answered with a frown on my face and my head lowered.

"Oh…right…I'm sorry…" She responded and continued walking.

Fluttershy could only look at me sadly and nuzzled her head lightly on mine.

When we arrived, we were immediately confronted by Cadence.

"Hello, girls." She announced.

"Why, hello, princess!" Rarity instantly responded.

"I was wondering if you girls would be my new bridesmaids… I would love love love it if you'd fill in for them…" Without question, the girls immediately accepted her offer, growing excited already. "I'm glad you all are able to. I'll send you your dresses right away." She smiled and began leaving. "I'll see you girls later…"

The girls continued to chatter excitedly. I felt too down that I just wanted to go up to the room and go to sleep already… I didn't even want to question Cadence's reason for making the girls the new bridesmaids. I just wanted this day to end. I walked up to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy…what's our room number?"

"Um…" She thought for a moment and remembered it, telling me. "Are you going to bed already…?"

"Yeah…" I nodded. "I'm really tired…"

"Okay…I'll see you in a bit, Alex."

"Alright…" She kissed me in the cheek and allowed me to go find our room number.

Since the suites are in towers here, such as Rarity's from last time, I had to go through the outside and climb some stairs. However, before I could get started on the way to our suite, I was stopped by her voice again.

"Hello, little brother." She greeted behind me.

"Ugh." I slapped a hoof to my face, highly annoyed already. "Can't you just leave me alone, Starlight? Don't you have a concert to go to?"

"I just thought I could help out my poor brother before leaving for the concert…"

"…what…?" I turned around to face her. She only returned a sly smirk. I sighed heavily and thought I could ask how she even knew Princess Celestia. "How did you even get to talk to Princess Celestia, Starlight? Based on what she told me, it seems you've mentioned me to her not too long ago."

"Oh, that." She replied. "It was the band, Alex. She noticed my talent in singing, and I got a chance to talk to her. I told her about how you ran away from home, just in case she knew about you. It turns out, she did. She never knew that you ran away though. When she found out that I was playing here today, she told me that she was inviting you to the upcoming wedding, so we could both meet up. Especially after how I told her that playing music made me happy, but it could never fill the hole in my heart from when you ran away." She managed to laugh softly. I could only look away and growl softly. "Oh! That reminds me. I have a present for you, Alex. It's very special. Come on." She grabbed my hoof and began leading me somewhere else.

I wanted to just tear my hoof away from her, but I knew she would never leave me alone about it. So I decided to just take the hit and be able to leave back to the room after. She led me to this type of social gathering place outside. There were tables that held up a sun umbrella on each of them. There was nopony here except for two ponies, who were sitting at one table.

"Mom? Dad?" Starlight called, immediately widening my eyes. Mom…? Dad…? She began pulling me towards them. I would have instantly broken free and ran away, but I was too shocked and stunned do anything but widen my eyes. When she pulled me near them, they turned their heads towards us. My heart was beating very rapidly and I began feeling so hot inside, almost to the point where I just wanted to pass out again.

"Hey, Starlight." My dad smiled and hugged her. "Who's this?" He asked, glancing at me for a moment.

"Dad!" Starlight giggled. "Don't you remember? It's Alex!"

"Alex…?" He rubbed his chin. "Is he one of your friends?"

"No, dad!" She giggled again. "He's your son, remember? The one who ran away from home?"

"Starlight, have you been drinking too much? You know we only had you."

"No, dad." She answered playfully. "Come on? Really? It's his birthday today!"

He shrugged. Even though I was highly stiff as a board, I managed to look at my mother. She was looking away with a saddened look. My father turned his head to see my mother and chuckled. "Do you know what she's talking about, honey?"

She was silent for a few seconds. "…no…"

I couldn't believe it. My sister did this on purpose. She just wants to see me break down again. I growled and forcefully pulled my hoof away from her. I turned around and began storming off to somewhere far away from here.

"Hey, little brother!" She called. "Where are you going?" I didn't answer but continued walking off in a very pissed off mood. "Okay! See you at the wedding!"

She's going to wedding too? Ugh! I can't believe it! How much more does she need to see me get hurt! I was beyond pissed off now, but I didn't answer her to that either. I just wanted to get out of there…

When I arrived in the room Fluttershy told me, I stormed into bed and threw myself on there. Now, I couldn't even go to sleep because of the such irritating things Starlight told and did to me. I was living it all over again. After so many years, I had to confront her…on my birthday? I knew it! She ruined my birthday! Yet again! The only one I've ever celebrated! I grabbed the pillow and forcefully planted it above my head in anger. After a moment, I felt the need to cry… It wasn't even voluntary, the tears just started coming out on their own. She won…she did it… I felt the tears form in my eyes and stream down my face to the bed.

This continued to happen in silence when I heard the door open. I was completely startled, jumping and thinking that it would be Starlight there to torture me again, but it was only Fluttershy. "Alex…?" She called noticing the condition I was in. She flew over to me on the bed and laid down next to me. "…what's wrong, Alex…? Why are you crying…?"

I began feeling that feeling that if I began to try to talk, I would probably just cry even more. Nonetheless, I sighed sadly and tried to answer her. "It was her again, Fluttershy… She just won't leave me alone…" I shook my head, feeling more tears fall from my face. "I don't know what I ever did to have them despise me so much… I don't know…" I planted my head on the pillow and continued to release tears, feeling too emotional to even talk anymore.

"Oh, Alex…" Fluttershy responded and embraced me from behind, wrapping her hooves so caringly around me. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…but I don't know what to tell you. All I can really say is to just not care what she does and only care about your friends…but I know that it's easier said than done… the only thing I can really do is be there to support you… I'm really sorry I can't help you much…"

I turned around to face her. "Thanks for just being here with me anyway. It's a lot better to have you than to deal with this alone."

"I'll do anything to help you…" Fluttershy responded and then closed her eyes to kiss me. I wrapped my forelegs around her to continue kissing her.

After several seconds of this intimate moment, I pulled away and decided that it would be best if we just got some sleep. "We should get some sleep, Fluttershy… you have to practice tomorrow…"

"Okay…" She nuzzled herself close to me and closed her eyes.

I nuzzled her back, but I couldn't help but continue to feel the corruption of my mind as Starlight plagued it with the usual images she hosts. Either she has successfully implanted the parasite into my mind again, or she's very close into doing so. Either way… I don't know if I can take much more of this…

"Alex…" I heard Fluttershy speak softly, causing me to open my eyes.

"Huh…?" I mumbled.

"I'm going to the practice session of the wedding…do you want to come with me…?" She asked.

"Oh…" I thought about it for a moment. I was partially scared of going out, due to the possibility of seeing Starlight again, but I was most likely to be even more scared to stay here by myself… "Um…sure…" I messed with my mane a bit and flattened it down a little. "I'll go." I moved and removed myself out of bed. Afterwards, when I began walking towards the door, Fluttershy wrapped her hoof around mine and locked it with hers.

Fluttershy led me to the wedding hall, where they would be practicing for the real wedding. Fortunately, I did not spot Starlight or my parents… they must be asleep…especially since Starlight had that concert late at night. Still… I sighed. She was supposed to attend the wedding as well…

When we entered the wedding hall, we could see the other girls there, along with Shining Armor, Princess Celestia, Cadence, and Spike.

"Perfect. Are you girls ready to begin?" Princess Celestia asked, noticing Fluttershy come in with me.

"Yeah!" They answered.

As Cadence walked out of the room and the girls walked to the end of the room, I decided to just take the spot between Shining Armor and Spike. I sat down and just kept mostly a blank expression. Shining Armor turned his head to see the look on my face. "Hey, Alex…" He called me softly. "Are you alright…?"

"Huh…?" I answered a bit dazed. "Oh…yeah…I'm okay…"

Nonetheless, he had to look back when Princess Celestia began the practice session. As the church organ began playing, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash all began walking towards us in a straight horizontal row with smiles on their faces. "Perfect, girls. No need to rush!" Princess Celestia commented. "Then of course, Cadence will enter." We all looked towards the door, which the royal guards nearby opened and presented Cadence. I could see Shining Armor open his mouth slightly as he gazed at her beauty. Princess Celestia continued speaking as Cadence walked up to her. "I'll say a few words, and then we'll begin with the vows. Shining Armor, you'll get the ring from your Best Mare." Shining Armor turned his head to see her Best Mare, but she wasn't there. I hadn't even noticed Twilight was missing, to be honest…

"Do you?" Spike nearby asked in a deep voice. "I do!" He answered himself with a high voice as he was playing with those figures again, even accidentally throwing the Shining Armor one across the floor.

"Hey... has anypony seen Twilight?" Shining Armor asked.

Afterwards, we heard the door open, catching all of our attention.

"I'm here!" Twilight answered, walking in. "I'm not gonna stand next to her. And neither should you!"

Shining Armor returned an embarrassed expression as he looked around nervously. He faced towards Cadence and apologized. "I'm sorry, I don't, I don't know why she's acting like this."

"Maybe we should just ignore her." Cadence responded in a rude tone.

"You have to listen to me!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Oh goodness!" Fluttershy reacted, rushing towards her. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Twilight responded briefly.

"Ya sure about that?" Applejack asked, leaning towards her.

Twilight grabbed her hat with her magic and pulled it over her face in response. "I've got something to say!" Twilight walked a few more steps towards them. "She's evil!" She pointed, causing Shining Armor to become alarmed as Cadence returned an innocent and frightened look. He quickly stepped in front of Cadence with an irritated frown as the girls, even the guards at the end of the hall, responded with concerned chatter. "She's been horrible to my friends," Twilight disappeared and reappeared next to Cadence. "She's obviously done something to her bridesmaids," She continued speaking as she inched closer to Cadence, causing her to back away. "And if that wasn't enough, I saw her put a spell on my brother that made his eyes go all…" She rattled her eyes around in confusion as she stuck out her tongue.

The others, including I, could only return surprised and questionable looks. Cadence tried to look around, but Twilight walked closer towards her, eyeing her with a smirk across her face. Twilight's look on her face seemed to display "I've got you now", as everypony else stared in confusion. Cadence then sucked in a breath and began crying. "Why are you doing this to me?" She asked as tears fell from her eyes.

"Because you're evil!" Twilight responded, continuing to point at her as she began running out of the room, continuing to cry. "Evil!" She repeated, teleporting back at the door. "And if I don't stop you you're gonna ruin my brother's life!"

The other ponies and I could only return shocked expressions. Twilight began walking back into the hall as she looked back, seeming to look as if she was successful in her task, but she quickly bumped into an angry Shining Armor. Twilight could only grin nervously at him.

"You want to know why my eyes went all…?" He rattled his eyes as Twilight did. "Nuh!" He placed his hoof on his head in pain. "Because ever since I started having to perform my protection spell, I've been getting terrible migraines." He began walking around Twilight. "Cadence hasn't been casting spells on me, she's been using her magic to heal me!" He emphasized. Twilight inhaled, picking up her hoof in order to speak up, but Shining Armor continued to talk. "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!" As Shining Armor continued to explain everything to Twilight in a way that was obviously going to end bad, the rest of the girls could only return surprised and suspenseful looks. "And if she hasn't been on her best behavior with your friends," He slammed a hoof on the floor. "It's because with me being so busy, she's had to make all the decisions about the wedding!"

"I was just trying to—

"She's been completely stressed out because it's really important to her that her big day be perfect!" He slammed his hooves on the ground again as he interrupted Twilight. "Something that obviously wasn't important to you." He responded, directly at Twilight's face. He gasped, due to placing his hoof in pain at his head again. Despite the fight, Twilight tried to reach out to him with a small smile, but he quickly declined it. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and comfort my bride." He said as he began walking away. "And you can forget about being my best mare." He added, shocking me and widening my eyes. "In fact, if I were you, I wouldn't show up to the wedding at all." This last comment caused me to feel chills in shock as I could only stare at the scene, unable to speak.

Twilight sat down, gloomily, as she looked back at us in the same way.

The girls were speechless as well. Rainbow Dash had widened eyes. Fluttershy was on the floor, placing her hooves to her mouth in shock. Pinkie Pie was leaning towards the floor in shock as well. Rarity was surprised as she placed her hoof to her chest. But Applejack… she returned a more annoyed and irritated expression towards Twilight. "C'mon, y'all. Let's go check on the princess."

They all began walking past her, ignoring her completely, shocking me in a frightening manner even more. Rarity walked past her, closing her eyes and furrowing them in an angry manner. Applejack did the same thing, but left her eyes open to glare at her. Pinkie Pie didn't furrow her eyebrows, but had them closed as if she was ignoring her as well. Fluttershy followed them as well, but she had a bit of a worried face. Rainbow Dash followed them as she flew away with an angry mood. Spike followed all of them as he held the pillow in his claws, feeling the need to follow them too. Twilight tried to hold out a hoof to them in order to try to explain, but they all completely ignored her. I was left just standing there in shock. When Twilight realized that they had all ignored her, she placed her hoof to her mouth in worry. Princess Celestia began walking past her in the same annoyed and disappointed expression.

"I was—

"You have a lot to think about." Princess Celestia cut her off, boldly, and with no longer the warm tone of her voice. This caused me to feel even more chills of shock, especially on how I saw Twilight form tears in her eyes as she held her mouth agape. I could only stand there…pretty much stunned. The doors slammed shut after they all left.

"Twilight…" I released, feeling speechless.

"Maybe I was being overprotective…" She commented, walking back to the stairs that Shining Armor and Cadence were on top of. "I could've gained a sister." She laid down on them. "But instead... I just lost a brother." As I tried to approach her, she began singing very sadly, causing the emotions to swell up inside me as I even felt the need to cry as she did, adding in more chills of shock. "He was my big brother, best friend

Forever...

And now, we'll never do anything

Together..."

"Twilight…" I called again, reaching out a hoof towards her.

"Leave me alone, Alex… I deserve to be alone…especially after what I did…"

"No you don't Twilight…" I answered, shaking my head. "It was just a misunderstanding…"

"Didn't you see how I hurt everypony?" She asked, turning her head towards me. "They completely ignored me! Even the Princess!" She sighed sadly. "Just leave me alone so I can think about what I've done…"

"You know I can't do that, Twilight… Not when you're like this…" I responded, gloomily as well. She didn't answer, causing me to call her again after a moment. "Twilight…"

"Please, Alex…go…" She looked at me with teary eyes as they began to stream from her face.

I could only stare at her, understanding her pain. I knew exactly how she felt. I sighed sadly as I looked at her for a few more seconds. Then, I turned around and began walking away. When I saw all the girls leaving and ignoring her like that… I instantly knew how that felt like… I would most likely be in the same position Twilight is in if that happened to me… I'll just give her some time to think… then I'll come back to check up on her. Meanwhile… I'll see if I can talk to Shining Armor about this…

When I reached the doors, I glanced back at her to see her crying all alone at the stairs. It truly stung my heart to see her like this. I lowered my head sadly and continued walking to the doors. I opened them and walked out. I turned around to close them, but then I suddenly saw something off…surprising me. In front of Twilight, I saw Cadence walking towards her. What the…didn't she just run off in tears…?

Cadence walked up to Twilight and began stroking her mane as she continued crying. Twilight looked up to her, feeling this. Cadence returned a soft smile. "I'm sorry!" She apologized.

Suddenly, I saw Cadence's eyes shift to a light green for a split second. Then, she changed her expression to an evil and revengeful one. "You will be." Unexpectedly, Cadence's horn formed that same green glow. Green flames began surrounding Twilight, trapping her in a circle. Cadence returned an evil grin as she glared at Twilight through the green flames. Twilight tried to break out, but the green flames had produced a green shield above her, completely trapping her as it dug her through the ground. Cadence glanced back at her completed evil task as I could only stand there, out the room, with my eyes widened and my mouth agape in shock. Cadence then continued to walk away, as I was left speechless…

TWILIGHT!

To be continued…

Comments

[Nick Sylvester]

Everypony I have just found out that there is a worse pony than Diamond Tiara and her name is Starlight.

Oh, And this is a really good story. Keep up the good work.

[Happydeath]

"He's the best boyfriend ever."
coltfriend not boyfriend

your faithful student happydeath

[Raptordude115]

now i've got 3 ponies on my shit list: 1. Trixie 2. Diamond Tiara 3. Starlight

[142 with an 8]

PIZZA PONY SERVICE HERE!!!
sorry but I noted a few little problems here.....

"Yeah." Fluttershy now flew over to me, standing in front of me in a protective kind of way. "He's the best boyfriend ever." She stated boldly.
"Hah! Boyfriend?" She reacted and looked back at me. "So this is your girlfriend?"

question, what is a boy or a girl? should it be colt or marefriend? hmmmm..... no not colt.... sounds to young for colt.

and i'm off to find that thing in the place. keep it up!

[DrWhooves007]

June 6th!

June 6th, 1944

[F14m3rz]

Huh. Starlight is one character I DON'T regret call a bi- no! I'm still coninuing this joke!

[Lord_01010000]

Why don't Alex's parents remember him? I mean the first time they showed up was understandable, but meeting face-to-face isn't. I'm thinking this goes a lot deeper then we initially imagined.

Also, Starlight is a complete 'insert four letter bad word for a lady's down stares part here'!

[Peter20percent]

6088382
Theory, alex is actually a changling, but hes forgotten that and thinks he is a pony and that's why the wing spell didn't work, because he is not a pony. And his family are changlings too, and that is why they hate him, because he is a defective drone. This is just a Theory mind you.
And yes, starlight glimmer, you're cool...
Starlight, meet Mr. Wright, he is going to send you to jail.

[Icy Creation]

She was silent for a few seconds. "…no…"

I think I understand.