//------------------------------//
// Perfect Day, part final 
// Story: Sons of Damas 
// by Tatsurou 
//------------------------------//

	Shining smiled to himself as he and his new bride danced together at the wedding reception.  The wedding itself had gone off without a hitch, as had the introductions of his extended family.  Keira and Twilight had gone off into a major technical discussion/comparison of Eco and Magic and how they interacted as soon as they were introduced, and even Princess Celestia had trouble following some of the technicalities of it.  Shining had thought that would be the high point of the meeting, but then he'd seen Fluttershy cuddling Daxter and Tess as 'adorable little creatures' and nearly busted his gut trying not to laugh at Daxter's disgruntled expression.  That had quickly been topped by Pinkie's insistence on befriending Samos, and Samos' stubborn refusal to be part of "such childish shenanigans!"

But the real highlight had been seeing Celestia's reaction to Jak.  Even as Shining danced with Cadence, that scene played in his mind.





As the Everfree Forest unraveled from around Jak and the others, all that was left behind were Changelings bound in cocoons of black, thorny vines.  Jak had then stepped forward with a smile as he saw Shining waiting for him.  "Hey bro.  Glad you saved some for me!"

"How'd you even do that, Jak?" Shining asked curiously.  "It looked like Dark Giant, but it wasn't Dark..."

"That forest has a whole bunch of conflicting energies in it, and there's a crystal tree in the center that keeps it all in check," Jak explained, "but the black vines were choking the life out of it.  I synced myself to the energies in the tree and vines and balanced them against each other.  They now work together to keep the forest in check, the Tree keeping the dark at bay, and the vines keeping the light from growing too strong.  As thanks, the Tree lent me the power of the whole forest when it felt my worry for you.  Glad I was in time."

"And just in time for my wedding!" Shining agreed warmly.  "I'd introduce you to my bride to be, but she's in the middle of re-planning the wedding for the afternoon after having spent several days locked in a cave after being replaced by a female wanna-be Kor."

"She sounds tough," Jak offered with a chuckle.  "She might just be able to keep up with you."

Shining laughed along with his brother, pausing as he saw Celestia staring.  "Celestia, this is my brother, Jak.  Jak, Princess Celestia, one of the Diarchs of Equestria."

"Guess I should be formal here," Jak murmured.  Stepping forward, he bowed respectfully.  "Highness, I am King Mar of Oasis."

"Named for several ancestors in your bloodline," Celestia murmured softly.  "Rather fitting that Shining became your brother."

"What do you mean?" Jak asked, confused.

Celestia gave Shining a look.  "The factions I mentioned...the three leaders at the very beginning were a triumvirate that led the race...and were siblings.  Two brothers and a sister.  Erebus, Faust...and Mar."  She then bowed quite respectfully to Jak.

Shining stared, dumbfounded.  When Jak gave him a confused look, he responded, "I'll explain later."





Coming back to the present, Shining smiled as he stepped away from Cadence, deciding to keep his focus on the now.  There would be plenty of time for ruminating much, much later.  For now, he would focus on this, the happiest day of his life.

Besides, a quiet voice observed, if you really want to worry over something, worry over what sort of tech Keira and Twilight will come up with.

...sometimes he really hated his subconscious.

The sound of soft wings heralded the arrival of a late guest.  Turning, Shining saw a blue alicorn settle down beside Celestia, quickly recognizing Princess Luna.  "Hello everypony," she spoke up happily.  "Did I miss anything?"

Celestia gave a soft smirk, watching as Luna went for the punch bowl to wet her whistle.  "Changeling invasion, I owe you 10,000 bits, and one of Mar's blood is visiting."

Luna's expectoration saturated a good half the nobility.  "What?" she demanded in shock, spinning to actually look at the assemblage.  She quickly spotted Jak in his Precursor Armor...and Shining still in his own armor (Cadence had insisted it looked much better for the wedding on him than the dress uniform...which he'd destroyed anyway, no matter how quickly Rarity said she could fix it) with wings on full display.  "...his transformation agreed with him," she observed, licking her lips as her eyes trailed over his musculature...which was far more defined than it had been before his 'bachelor party'.

"Also, he can use Eco," Celestia added.  "And he's taken.  This is his wedding reception, after all."

Luna frowned petulantly.  A look of cunning crossed her face.  "Do you think Cadence would be willing to share-"

"Mine!" Cadence snarled angrily, glomping onto Shining and glaring daggers at Luna.

Jak burst into laughter until Keira punched him on the arm.  Daxter showed less restraint with his own amusement.

Luna sighed softly.  "And another good one already taken," she grumbled under her breath.  She then straightened her shoulders.  "Still...there are other ways to celebrate this.  Tia, where did I leave my war hammer?"

"Lulu, you are not picking a fight with the new Prince on his wedding day," Celestia countered firmly.

"Please?" Luna begged, giving Celestia a surprisingly adorable pout.

Shining leaned towards Cadence's ear.  "If you're okay with it...I wouldn't mind finding out what I'm really capable of in battle now that I have these," he whispered, flaring his wings.  "An exhibition match sort of thing?"

Cadence grinned widely, shuddering in excitement.  "Show me what you're made of, Captain my Captain."

Grinning, Shining drew his swords and turned towards the Princesses.  "So where are we doing this?" he asked curiously.

"A fight?" Jak asked eagerly, spinning his staff.  "Hope you don't intend to leave me out!"

Keira's face met her palm.  "Boys," she groaned softly.

Celestia and Luna grinned widely.  A golden spiked mace with an eight foot shaft and a ten foot diameter sphere top appeared over Celestia's shoulders as Luna conjured a midnight blue warhammer with a sledge bigger than her entire body.

"Everyone clear out!" Samos called out.  "Super powered exhibition match!  If you aren't indestructible, vacate at least one mile away and watch through far-viewers!  Probably best to go further, but I leave it up to you idiots to balance personal safety against witnessing a spectacle!"