Wedding preparations were underway over the next couple of days. Rarity, Sunset, and Fluttershy thought they had to leave after Spike made the announcement of marrying Applejack but it turned out that every one of the Selected mares (except Twilight) had to come back for one last hurrah and were invited to the wedding.
Ms. Harshwinny held Applejack's bridal shower in the leisure room where all 34 mares celebrated with cider and presents. This gave Sunset a chance to make amends with the other girls that she wronged during their time at the palace. Some were willing to forgive her like Pinkie Pie while others were still distrusting of her. But this didn't bother Sunset so much not when she had her closest friends by her side.
Sunset lifted a glass of cider up and announced, "A toast! To the winner of the Selection and Prince Spike's bride! To Applejack!"
Applejack felt herself blushing as the girls lifted their glasses up too, chanting, "To Applejack!"
The country mare addressed them, "Thank gals. That means a lot to me given I'm getting married to the dragon we had all competed for in the beginning of this."
There were giggles and agreements.
"And when I leave here, I hope all of ya find your own happiness… Thank you."
There was applause and cheers before the party resumed.
Meanwhile, Discord was throwing Spike his bachelor party in the ballroom with an assortment of guards and male servants plus a certain Changeling King and his subjects.
Thorax told the dragon prince, "You found the right mare, my friend."
Spike smiled, "That I did, Thorax."
"I wish you nothing but everlasting happiness between the two of you."
"Thank you." he took a sip from his mug.
Looking around the room they could see the males partying hard with Discord doing it the most. Thorax commented, "It truly amazes me how Discord, the spirit of chaos itself is displaying a large amount of love and all to one mare…"
Spike chuckled, "Well once I told the entire castle that I had chosen the winner, Fluttershy was free from the Selection and she and Discord have been barely apart since." he then spotted Fancypants from across the room before telling Thorax, "Excuse me for a minute." he went straight to Fancy and inquired, "How are you this afternoon?"
Fancy replied with a grin, "Wonderful! Discord certainly knows how to throw a party!"
"And um… how are you and Rarity doing?"
Fancy's monocle nearly popped out in shock as he stammered, "I-I-I fail to see what you mean, your highness!"
Spike whispered, "It's okay, Fancy, I know about you and Rarity talking that one day in the hallway… You don't have to hide it anymore now that I'm getting married to Applejack."
Fancy sighed as he admitted, "It's not that I was trying to make her forget about you, but well… I felt so sorry for her and I knew what it was like to be in love before… I wanted to help her get past her doubts of finding the right one."
"It sounds to me you are having doubts yourself…"
"Perhaps, you're right. Mainly because I came this close to marrying somepony I thought was the right one for me but just before our wedding, I discovered she was not who I thought she was."
"Well I know for a fact that Rarity won't be like that with you, if anything I think you two are perfect for each other. Just like with me and Applejack."
Fancy slightly smiled, "Indeed… I knew since Miss Applejack's interview, she would be the one you'd end up with."
The dragon laughed, "You got good insight!"
"Why thank you!"
Spike went serious, "Rarity has that too…" he told the stallion, "Fancy, when I leave here, I want you to promise me something."
Fancy inquired, "About?"
"Promise me you'll try to find the courage to ask Rarity out… I don't like the idea of going without knowing that she'll get a chance at happiness just as Applejack and I have."
Fancy was beside himself but then he slowly nodded and said, "Upon my word as a gentlecolt, I will ask Miss Rarity out."
Spike smiled in content.
By then Discord popped up and told Spike, "Come on, groom-to-be! You're needed to break open the piñata!"
Sure enough in the middle of the room was a large Spike-shape piñata. Discord handed him the bat all the while blindfolding him. He spun the dragon at a fast pace a few times before letting him go. Spike wobbled around while swinging the bat around but he couldn't the hit the target making a few colts duck their heads from the swinging bat. When he still couldn't hit the target, mainly because Discord was messing around by keeping the piñata away until Thorax decided to cut in and used his magic to get the piñata to Spike. The two magical beings had a tug-a-war until the piñata ripped by itself and candy, cupcakes, and all sorts of goodies came out.
Spike took off his blindfold to see the commotion and shouted, "Hey! I was supposed to break it!"
Thorax and Discord pointed at each other accusingly, "It's his fault!"
Spike laughed as they bickered and looked around the room once more. This was a great moment of joy in his life. As his good friends were helping him to celebrate the time he would be spending the rest of his life with the love of his life. He was glad that Garble left before the wedding, to him his wedding to Applejack was a huge moment for him and he didn't want his cousin being there acting like a downer.
Nothing is going to ruin this for us…
Back in the leisure room; Applejack, Rarity, Sunset, Fluttershy, and Pinkie were in a corner talking with Applejack inquiring to the pink mare.
"Have you heard any news about your sister yet?"
Pinkie sighed sadly as her mane slightly drooped, "No… But we're hoping that Maud comes back to us soon…"
Rarity tried to give a reassuring smile, "I'm sure she will, darling… I may have known Maud briefly, but I could tell she was a tough one."
Pinkie nodded, "She is…"
Applejack decided to change the subject since this was supposed to be a happy occasion. "By the way, I don't suppose either of you gals would be interested in being my bridesmaids?"
Pinkie gasped out loudly before tackling the cowgirl as she practically screamed, "Of course, I will!"
Rarity, Fluttershy, and Sunset happily agreed before they got into a group hug. To Applejack this was one the greatest days of her life. It did pain her that her family won't be present according to the rules but at least she got a letter from them telling her how proud they were of her and that they wished her and Spike all the happiness in the world. She also wished Twilight could be at the wedding but that's how it was. Luckily when Spike and she told their unicorn friend the good news, Twilight had patched things up with Flash so they were back on track as a couple.
Things were looking up for her and Spike and she never wanted it to end once they were married. But good or bad, she would gladly spend the rest of her life with the dragon she loved.
Her maids dressed her up in a white and silk long-sleeved dress with pearls sewed into the fabric. Sugar Belle put her mane up and curled it. Coco put the veil behind the curls. Night Gilder added blush and light pink eye shadow on her face. When they stepped back, she got a good look at herself in the mirror.
Well… not exactly how I would picture myself in a weddin' dress but tradition is tradition… especially when it comes to wearing the dress wore by past winners of the Selection…
Ms. Harshwinny exclaimed, "Oh! It's perfect! Our bride is all ready for tomorrow's ceremony!"
Coco gushed, "You look really beautiful, Applejack…"
Harshwinny pointed, "Remember, Miss Pommel, you will keep addressing her as Miss until tomorrow. Then it will be: Princess Applejack!"
Coco gulped, "Yes, ma'am."
Harshwinny took her leave by doing a quick bow and then once she was gone, Applejack told Coco, "Don't worry. Princess or not, I'm still Applejack with you."
That made the mare smile bright before hugging the country mare, than Sugar Belle and Night Gilder joined in much to Applejack's delight.
"I'm sure am goin' miss ya gals."
NG said, "We're going to miss you too."
This was it. The final countdown before she would walk down that aisle and say her vows for all of Equestria to see. She would be leaving so much behind and yet she would be gaining so much at the same time. One thing's for sure, tomorrow was going to change everything…