//------------------------------// // An Actual Peaceful Wedding // Story: The EK // by Magi Tail Welkin //------------------------------// “And when your done say, oh what a lovely tea party.” The waiter said putting the drinks tray down at the table, Cipher blinked and took his drink “What tea party? Have you got your events muddled up or something?” The stallion shook his head “Just saying something odd as a conversation starter.” Cipher watched him go and turned to the others at the table “Where do they get these nuts?” Shining Armour took his drink “Oddest ice-breaker I’ve heard, nothing that odd was said during my bachelor party.” Night Light smirked comment “You didn’t have one son. You were being brainwashed at the time.” At the same time, Armour, Thorax and Cipher said, “Don’t remind me.”, the three looked at each other as the rest of the party laughed, Armour spoke up looking at Cipher “What do you have to do those events.” “I was hatched not long after, so my earliest memories were Her Tragedy’s fits of rage at the older Changelings for failing.” Thorax nodded “She called us weak and idiots, then she took the love from most of us and those affected starved, I’d call it decimation, but that’s one in ten, this was more like eight out of ten.” He sighed and shook his head “I just thank whatever god is out there that made me a remainder in that dark arithmetic.”, Shining and Cipher put their hooves on the Changeling King’s shoulder. Flash took his drink with shaking hooves “I hope nothing wrong’s going to happen.” Shining chuckled “With Twilight organising it, and with as many guards as we have I don’t think they’ll be much to go wrong.” “I don’t mean from outside, I mean what happens if I mess up, I don’t want to break her heart.” He looked at the drink in his hoof “I don’t know whether I should drink to calm my nerves, or not, I don’t want a hangover when the music plays.” Soarin spoke up “If you won’t have it I will.”, Cipher turned to him “While it’s good you don’t want something to go to waste, I never took you as an alcoholic.” “Alcohol-what-now?” “Never mind.” Flash passed the glass over to the Wonderbolt before turning to Cipher “One thing I’d like to know is how come you decide to be a Post-stallion when you technically royalty.”, Shining nodded and turned to Thorax “Thorax named you a Prince of the Changeling, is that right?”, Thorax nodded. “Correct, but I moved to Ponyville to get away from the Changeling mares,” he shuddered “I have some really bad memories of, mating, with her,” he shuddered again and winced “beside I’m generally an introvert. And I don’t want to lord over ponies, not my style. I chose the Post-stallion job to make friends on my rounds, I’ve made friends with the Major, Sergeant Porter, Muffins and Doctor Time Turner, and Fluttershy,” he smiled and leaned back shutting his eyes “what did I do to deserve her love?” he sighed with a smile. Night Light took a swig and shrugged “Fair enough.” He turned to Flash “So what are you going to do when you become a prince?” “Well, not a lot different from what I do now. I mean Shining’s still a member of the Royal Guard. I’ll remain Captain of the Everfree Guard. Only difference is new,” he paused and blush slightly “sleeping arrangements.” He cleared his throat and looked to Cipher “Do you know if Prince Blueblood’s arrived in Ponyville yet?” “Not yet, I’m getting a bit impatient, from what Starlight said he knows about Jakhowls and I’m more than sure I won’t get anything from Discord, he’s still getting over the fact my and Flutters are a couple. The only thing keeping him at bay right now is Riolu.” Shining raised an eyebrow “That little creature’s keeping Discord from causing trouble? He looked and acted fairly harmless.” “Fairly?” Flash said, “There is still a percentage of a problem looming.”, Shining rolled his eyes “The same can be said for anything.”, Flash sighed and leaned back “Don’t remind me.” Night Light chuckled and glanced to Shining “Poor boy’s just like me when I married your mother.”, North Sentry nodded “Similar experience, I’d watch it on the wedding night as well, the experience I had, it would make your mane and tail stand on end.” Soarin blinked “I hope I’m not like that when me and Rainbow get married. The other Bolts won’t let me live it down.” Flash smirked and looked to him “Do you think Rainbow Dash will want to get married?” “Hey, she said yes to being my mare-friend, I think I can do the impossible and marry her.” Cipher rolled his eyes and shook his head smiling, then he sighed and looked down “I’m not sure if I’d be brave enough to ask Fluttershy for her hoof, that meeting with her family got cancelled last minute. So, this’ll be the first time I meet them.” “Hey,” Flash said, “don’t dump your problems on us, this is my night.” Cipher put his drink down “I don’t think I like alcohol,” he swayed on his seat a bit “Is it true insects get drunk too?” They all turned to him and North narrowed his eyes “Insects can get drunk to?” “Something Time Turner told me, something he read in a scientific magazine, and apparently, bees of pessimists.” Thorax, Night Light and North started laughing and Flash blinked “Bees?” Cipher nodded “Some researched did this stimulus to a group of bees, one for something good happening, and one for something bad happening, and recorded the reactions, then they did this natural stimulus, not exactly how they did that, but, the bees behaved as if the bad thing happened. You should have seen Parcel Post’s reaction when I told him.” Thorax narrowed his eyes “Parcel Post?” Cipher nodded “He was the Post-stallion before me.” And explained. “He’s a beekeeper as well. The thing about bees to me is that the flowers are just using them for germination.” Night Light’s face screwed and his hooves went to his face. North looked down “What’s up?”, Night Light murmured something and North’s eye widened “How do you know about those?”, Night Light glared at him and said, “None of you don’t want to know.” Cipher raised an eyebrow but shrugged, he held his drink up “A toast to Flash, here’s to the hope of a happy marriage.” “Cheers.” They said. Flash nodded “Oh, I do hope so, I really do.” “Princess please,” Aloe Blossom said, before her twin Lotus continued “if you don’t stop messing with your mane,” they both spoke saying “it will never look right.” Twilight groaned and removed her hooves so the spa ponies could rearrange her mane again. The Council of Friendship, Starlight included stood back, with the exception for Rainbow, who wore her officer’s uniform as a Wonderbolt, all the girls wore matching dresses, as designed by Rarity. Pinkie turned to Rarity and whispered, “Twilight doesn’t seem to be in the right mood, does she?” Applejack responded, “She’s getting married Pinkie, I may not have any experience but Ma and Pa said it was nerve racking, so does Granny Smith, surely the Cakes told you.”, Pinkie put a hoof to her chin “Maybe, but I remember being busy baking a cake at the time as well, a very important cake.” Rainbow Dash scoffed “Every cake is important to you; I mean when Starlight put that weird obedience spell on us all you could think about was all the cakes.” Starlight groaned “Thank you for reminding us of that Rainbow Dash.” “Oh, sorry.” Rarity walked up and straightened Twilight’s dress “Twilight, you’re almost as frazzled as your paranoia before the “What-it-need-it” spell, and before we improved the castle.” “Don’t I have a right to be. Remember the last time there was a Royal Wedding?” “But Chrysalis is not a threat.” Starlight nodded “She said she wanted revenge on me Twilight not you.” “Doesn’t mean something else won’t happen. I hope I don’t disappoint Flash.” “Twilight?” Fluttershy said “You could never truly disappoint Flash, you two were made for each other, it really shows.”, Applejack nodded “Things might get a little bumpy on the way, but I know you and him will make it through, trust me.” Twilight sighed and gave a small smile, Rainbow walked up beside her “Come on Twilight, you’ve no need to be nervous, you’re awesome every day, and today you look twenty percent more awesome.”, Twilight wanted to laugh, however stifled it as the spa twins finished fixing up her mane. Once the pair were done she turned around and look at her five friend and her student, brides-mares “Every-pony will tell me and Flash this is one of the most important day of our lives, but that’s not true.” She got down and walked up to the six “With all of you every day is special no matter what’s going on, like I keep saying you’re all a part of me. To me you as much family as Mom and Dad, as Shining, Cadance and Flurry Heart, as Spike, as Celestia and Luna, and much as Flash will be to me. You’re not just me friends, you’re all the sisters I never had.”, they all hugged, which made Aloe and Lotus go “Aww.” Meanwhile in another part of the castle six well-dressed stallions stood in the room. One paced the room back and forth while the other six watched. The moving groom wore his ceremonial uniform. Shining, wearing the same ceremonial dress from his own wedding, spoke having almost enough “Flash if you don’t stop you’ll put grooves in the floor. You’re a trained solider, pull yourself together.” The orange Pegasus stopped briefly before continuing to walk back and forth. Shining rolled his eyes and groaned. Soarin, in his Wonderbolt officer’s uniform, complete with black tie, nudged him “So you can add comforting your soon to be brother-in-law on the list of things your bad at.” “Not helping.” Shining muttered, he grimaced and shut his eyes and shuddered. Soarin flinched and shifted his eyes before backing away. Shining opened his eyes and looked to the others “Any ponies else going to try.” Cipher, dressed in a blue coat, with a white scarf-like cravat, shook his head “Other than scaring him stiff with a terrifying voice, I could layer some of my impression. But we need him to stand at the front of the alley and say the vows, so, I have nothing.” “Yep.” Big Mac added, he wore a tuxedo. Top Hat, in his Star Pony ceremonial uniform sniffed “It’s his day Prince Amour, let him waste however he feels.” Shining glared at Top Hat “Why Rarity chose you to be her mirrored grooms-stallion I’ll never know.” “We’re old and very good friends’ sir. Beside your sister wanted the same number of grooms-stallions as brides-mares, and since she wanted all her closest friend to be them well. I can’t help it if the Princess of Friendship is an obsessive compulsive.”, Cipher turned to him “How you get away with being so rude only I’ll never know.”, Top Hat glanced at the Changeling Prince with contempt. The door opened and Spike, dressed in his tuxedo, walked in then saw Flash as the Pegasus passed him, the dragon walked up to Shining “How long’s he been doing this?” “Just after you left.” “That long?” “Yes, and it’s annoying.” Top Hat used his magic to polish his monocle “Perhaps he’s having second thoughts.” “Top Hat!” Spike yelled. “Of course, I’m not.” Flash said turning towards the green Unicorn “I never would, Twilight is the love of my life. I want to marry her more than anything, I’d give up being a guard if I had to.” “Luckily you’re not.” Shining said, Spike nodded “Yeah, this is a happy occasion Flash. Even more for you, you’re the one getting married. It just seems so silly you of all ponies are stressed out.” “I’ll try not to be.” “Flash,” Shining said walking forward and putting a hoof on his shoulder “You were one of the best guards I ever had under my command. A prodigy who got through training and became an officer in only a year. I can’t think of anyone better to call brother.” Spike cleared his throat and tapped his foot. Shining smirked “Don’t worry Spike you family to me too.” Flash sighed “Thanks for trying to calm me down guys but I just can’t stand all this waiting, I want to make see Twilight and I want to know she’s safe. I’m her personal guard, it’s my job, and doubly so when we’re married.” “It’ll be over sooner then you know.” Shining stated firmly “I’d say I have some experience on this, but,” he shuddered again “Anyway this is the start of the rest of your life, together with Twilight, you should treasure it, because it’ll be over before you know it.” “Right sir, understood.” Flash said straightening up and hold his head high. Top Hat appeared at Shining’s side and magicked a comb “Now that this little episode is over let’s get you looking smart, you do want to impress your bride.” Flash smirked and stood still as the Star Pony began fixing him up. A few moments passed and Flash felt a couple of pulls from his hair as Top Hat untied the knot of his mane “There.” He said standing back “I may not have Rarity keen eye, but I do have an attention to detail, if I do say so myself.” A knock came at the door and Big Mac opened it. The Major stood in the doorway in his ceremonial dress uniform “There ready for you sir.”, Discord appeared at the Major’s side “You’d better get moving, you don’t want to be late to your own wedding.” Flash virtually galloped to the door “Wouldn’t dream of it.” Big Mac helped Spike into his back and the six followed the excited groom. Flash calmed himself as he entered the main hall. He gulped, so many ponies, Canterlot celebrities, Ponyville townsfolk, the rest of the Star Ponies and members of his intake during his training. He took a deep breath and walked up to the front where Cadance stood, as Princess of Love it made sense for her to handle weddings, beside her, Reverend Farthing. She smiled at him, then to her husband acting as the Best-stallion, then the other grooms-stallions and dragon took their place. On Shining’s back rested the pillow with the rings, one to be placed on Twilight’s horn, the other a bangle to be on one of Flash’s legs. He looked to the bride’s side of the room, several of the guests bring Ponyville residence, including the families of the Council of Friendship, and Twilight’s Mother, Twilight Velvet, and of course Sunburst and Flurry Heart. Mrs Sparkle nuzzled her granddaughter before looking to Flash with smile. Discord appeared in about the middle, but after receiving some complaints from ponies behind him shrunk to better accommodate the attendants. He them turned to his side, at the front stood his parents, North and Fortune, and his foal brother First Base, who tugged at this collar, causing his mother to start fussing over him. Flash chuckled. He glanced at the side of the hall where other ponies stood, include the Star Ponies, and Trixie, having been invited by Starlight’s request. Octavia and a trio of other string instrument ponies started playing the march, Flash took a deep breath as he heard a couple of gasps and murmurs along with the clopping of hooves. He knew from the arrangement both Celestia and Luna would walk in front of the bridal party before taking their places, behind them the bride would be escorted up by Night Light and the six brides-mares would hold the train of her dress. He resisted seeing her until he could remove her vial. A shadow cast at his side and he looked to his side, Night Light nodded to Flash and to Cadance before stepping down and joining his wife. Flash unfurled his wings and with the tips lifted the vial of his bride, he lost himself in her eyes, no matter how many times he saw them, they always looked new to him. Cadance spoke “Princess Twilight Sparkle, Captain Flash Sentry, the union you are about to enter is meant to be the most beautiful and sacred expression of the love between you two. You are about to say vows and commit your lives to one another. Today you become life partners, working as one unit. You have the opportunity to go forward today and create a faithful, kind and tender relationship.” She then addressed the gathered “Because Captain Flash Sentry is of the Silver Enlightenment I will give the service over to the Reverend Honouring Farthing to them a blessing.” She stepped aside and the Reverend nodded at took centre stage. “In the presence of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” he made the sign of the cross with his horn, Flash followed with his wings, and Twilight secretly moved her head, making a small sign herself. Celestia and Luna gave a small bow. Flash’s family and a few of the guest made the sign as well. The Reverend continued “We have come together to witness the marriage of Flash Sentry and Twilight Sparkle, to pray for God's blessing on them, to share their joy and to celebrate their love. Marriage is a gift of God in creation through which husband and wife may know the grace of God. It is given that as Stallion and Mare grow together in love and trust, they shall be united with one another in heart, body and mind, as Silver Light is united with his bride, the Church. “The gift of marriage brings husband and wife together in the delight and tenderness of sexual union and joyful commitment to the end of their lives. It is given as the foundation of family life in which children are born and nurtured and in which each member of the family, in good times and in bad, may find strength, companionship and comfort, and grow to maturity in love. “Marriage is a way of life made holy by God, and blessed by the presence of our Lord Silver Light,” he bowed “with those celebrating a wedding in the Unicorn Kingdom. Marriage is a sign of unity and loyalty which all should uphold and honour. It enriches society and strengthens community. No-pony should enter it lightly or selfishly but reverently and responsibly in the sight of almighty God. “Flash and Twilight are now to enter this way of life. They will each give their consent to the other and make solemn vows, and in token of this they will each give and receive a ring. We pray with them that the Holy Spirit will guide and strengthen them, that they may fulfil God's purposes for the whole of their earthly life together.” The Reverend looked up to the gathered “First, I am required to ask anyone present who knows a reason why these ponies may not lawfully marry, to declare it now.”, a few eyes glanced to the big doors encase some-pony burst through it. They waited a full ten seconds, the Reverend nodded and returned to the couple “The vows you are about to take are to be made in the presence of God, who is judge of all and knows all the secrets of our hearts; therefore, if either of you knows a reason why you may not lawfully marry, you must declare it now.” The couple looked to each other and smiled, they turned back and shook their heads in unison. The Reverend chuckled and turned to the groom “Flash, will you take Twilight to be your wedded wife? Will you love her as a person, respect her as an equal, share in both joy and sorrow? Triumph and defeat? In sickness and in health? For better and for worse? And will you shun all other and keep her as your one and only love for however you both shall live?” “I will.” He said with a smile. The Reverend turned to the bride and repeated the question, to which the Princess of Friendship naturally responded, “I will.” The Reverend looked to the gathered “Will you, the families and friends of Flash and Twilight, support and uphold them in their marriage now and in the years to come?” “We will.” Came the response. The Reverend stood up straight “God our Father, from the beginning you have blessed creation with abundant life. Pour out your blessings upon Flash and Twilight, that they may be joined in mutual love and companionship, in holiness and commitment to each other. We ask this through our Lord Silver Light your Son, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”, the few Silver Enlightened responded, most either mouthed or nodded. The Reverend backed to the side and Cadance returned to the centre “With Celestia as my witness and in the presence of all those gather, by my power as Princess of Love,” she levitated the rings, place the smaller on Twilight’s horn, and the bangle on Flash’s from left hoof before saying “I hereby pronounce this couple husband and wife. Let all recognise and respect this union from this day onward.” The two quickly kissed, unlike with Unicorn marriages which usually involved a kiss of magic, lip contact was the natural thing for all others, with the addition of wing hugging. Celestia clapped first, followed by Twilight’s parents, then by the Sentry family. It soon crescendo, still to two kissed. Finally, they brook the kiss and took each other’s hooves. Cadance finished “May I present Princess Twilight Sparkle and Prince Flash Sentry.”, the royal couple leaned into each other as they walked down the alley, together and towards the balcony. Overhead Rainbow and Soarin did a display. First Soarin flew into a storm cloud bursting it and having a long trail of lightning following, in the same spot with the last trace of lightning in place Rainbow sped up and performed her Sonic Rainboom which mixed with the lightning. She caught up with her colt-friend and the two created a rainbow and lightning combo over the city of Canterlot. Evening came in and everyone, pony, dragon, Spirit of Chaos and Changelings a like all went to the courtyard. The Reverend acted as announcer, he charged his horn for an amplification spell before speaking “Good evening every-pony. Now may I thank you all for coming to the reception. To start we should do the throwing of bouquet, so would all the unmarried mares gather together?” A mini migration of mares formed in the centre of the courtyard as the Reverend continued “Now let’s set some ground rule, no shoving or kicking or such like, let’s leave the chaos creating to Discord.”, everyone laughed, “Second no flying and no magic, let’s give every-pony a fair chance,” he turned to the newlywed princess “When you’re ready your Highness.”, she nodded turned around and threw the bunch of flowers into the air. Rarity’s voice shrieked, but another mare called out triumphantly “I win!” Pinkie cried the bouquet in her hoof, she recovered and looked around “Do I get a prize?”, everyone laughed. The Reverend clapped getting everyone attention “Now it’s time for the first dance, would the lovely couple take their place?”, Flash lead Twilight down. Twilight naturally learned to waltz by the book, and Flash to his credit knew his hoof-work. It made every-pony else nervous to start, having to measure up to them. The only two couples to follow them for the second dance were Rainbow Dash and Soarin, and Fancy Pants and Fleur Dis Lee. Applejack swore she saw Big Mac talking with Cheerilee. After the two couples finished the second dance Night Light danced with his daughter. Flash watch and relished his wife’s smiling face, his heart softened at the thought of call Twilight his wife. First Base, Flash’s kid brother walked up “You were great up their bro.” “Thanks Sport.” The Guard Pony said ruffling the colt’s mane before saying “Everything feels right with world.” Then he blinked and look a little stern “Don’t think you can capitalise on this now. I may be a Prince by marriage but that doesn’t mean you can claim bragging rights.” “Don’t worry,” he then laughed and rubbed the back of his neck “I kind of learnt it through the CMC.”, Flash raised an eyebrow and the colt started explaining. At the end, Flash sighed and pulled his little brother into a hug “It’s alright Sport, no-ponies prefect, not even Twilight.”, he glanced around seeing Starlight and Sunburst talking with Trixie and Thorax, then he caught Rainbow Dash and Soarin arguing with Fluttershy’s younger brother Zephyr Breeze, while Fluttershy and Cipher did their best to calm them down. Flash sighed and started walking towards them, but glanced back at his brother “You’d better find Ma and Pa, I’ll handle this.” “Yes sir.” First Base said giving a salute and running off. The Guard Pony put on a stern face a walked towards them, getting close enough to hear the argument. Apparently, Zephyr spilled his heart out at Rainbow and asking how she could do such a thing to the brother of her oldest friend and Rainbow responded, “You just assumed I had a crush on you and I was hiding it, how can I hide something I never had in the first place? The only reason why I didn’t say anything was because of your fear of failure and rejection,” she made sure to say “your” the most pronounced in her statement, even pointing her hoof at him “that and I thought you were so dense you wouldn’t believe me.” “Can we all just calm down.” Flash said catching every-ponies’ attention, he turned to Zephyr “Breeze I understand you feel heartbroken but maybe you should’ve actually established the facts before pointing the hoof.” He then turned to Rainbow Dash “But shouting in his face isn’t the answer.” He looked back to Zephyr “You just as highly sprung as your sister, yes I get you feel rejected, but think of this as a new opportunity, there’s a world out there ready for discoverary, I used to wonder if I’d find a special some-pony, then me and Twilight bumped into each other. There’s a pony out there whose just for you, you should go out and discover, don’t think of this as a closed door but a crossroads.” Zephyr blinked and shook slightly “What if I choose the wrong path? I did it with Rainbow, what if I do it again.” Fluttershy put her hoof to his “Zephyr, things aren’t as bad as you think, just take thing one step at a time, and if you need help you can just ask, but only when you really need help, you need to do it by yourself to know if you can.” “Thanks sis.” “Can I just ask,” Flash said, “what brought this up?” Rainbow answered, “Zephyr here got shocked at me dancing with Soarin, when he asked why we both said we were a couple, then he got angry saying I betrayed him.”, Flash lifted his hoof “I think I get what happened next. Like I said Breeze you need to go out into the world to find the pony for you. I joined the Royal Guard to do that, you’re a Mane Therapist, I remember hearing about a spa in the Crystal Empire that may need one.”, Zephyr’s eye widened and looked to his parents then to Fluttershy, they all nodded their encouragement, he grinned “Okay, I’ll have a look.” Flash nodded and walked away. Fluttershy turned to her parents and step back to stand to Cipher “Mon, Dad, Zephyr, I’d like to introduce Cipher, my colt-friend.” Cipher gulped and bowed low “It’s great to finally meet you. I’m sorry if I, if you don’t…” “Don’t what?” Mr Shy said softly as walked up “You may be a Changeling, but Fluttershy told us about you already, you, seem quite a nice pony.”, Mrs Shy trotted up “And you look handsome,” she blushed “in an exotic way.”, and Zephyr sidled up and put his hoof around Cipher “You’re pretty cool man, Changeling or not, I’m glad big sis has some-pony making her happy, hope I can find mine someday.” “A word of advice, if you find some-pony you’re always happy with, then there’s love in the air. Take it from some-pony who literally know what love it.”, Zephyr laughed. Twilight spoke with Starlight and Spike “I’m expecting you to get through more self-taught lessons Starlight, and there’s a list of things to do to sort out the Kingdom’s affairs while we’re gone, give them to Mayor Mare as soon as possible.” Starlight put her hoof on her mentor’s shoulder “Don’t worry you can count on me. You just enjoy your honeymoon.”, Twilight smiled as she thought about her husband. Flash walked up and cuddled her “Don’t worry we will. It’s you who’s got the hard work.” Cipher as he walked up chuckled “As my Time Turner told me, give a some-pony a job they love and they never have to work again. Depends how you view the job in hoof.” He glanced to Fluttershy talking with Rainbow, and smiled. “Good.” Flash said, before he took Twilight’s hoof. The exited the courtyard and through the place to the Main Street. The meet Dauntless Doo and Chrome Blade as their escort. Existing the gateway, they heard the Major called out “Platoon! Present Arms!”, a tunnel of spears appeared over their heads and they walked along the carpet to the street. The royal couple boarded their carriage, with the traditional ‘Just Married.’ Sign on the back, the Guard Ponies hitch to it started pulling it passed the cheering crowd of Canterlot Ponies and transported Princess Twilight Sparkle and Prince Flash Sentry of the Everfree Kingdom onwards towards the rest of their lives.