//------------------------------// // The Wedding Crashers // Story: Night Patrol 2: Awakening // by Foxgear //------------------------------// Night Patrol 2 chapter 17 By Foxgear The glorious sight of Canterlot brought much relief to Celestia’s eye as she stood on the deck of the Le Fleur. The negotiations between Prance and Hispania had been long and difficult, as they always were. The continuing strife between El Cid and D’Arc was taxing as she was usually called on to separate the two warring leaders by their councils. It always started the same way. One leader would invite the other over for drinks, they would get drunk, and then they would copulate. If D’arc wakes up first, she’d get embarrassed about the whole ordeal, El Cid would then wake up and tease her and she’d declare war. If El Cid woke up first it won’t be in the bed as D’arc would have him thrown from her chambers. He’d get mad and embarrassed and then declare war on her. Usually, everypony had a month to talk them down before the armies were actually ready to mobilize. So really, it’s not like any pony died… most of the time. However even if half of their wars never had a single cannon shot fired no other nation dares to tempt fate and accidentally ignite a true war, by trying to pass between the two nations. The two lovers do generally love each other, but only as much as they want to kill each other, and given the history of their countries. Which like them, was stained with blood and hate. It was a rocky relationship. “I feel like their mother some days.” Celestia sighs. Making her muse as to why she always had to be the one to go scold the two hot-headed rulers. Britannia was so much closer after all. “No, Prance and Britannia hate each other… and Hispania hates Germane and so does Prance so the Kaiser can’t. King Kusanagi won’t because he doesn’t care about outside nations beside Equestria. Austopona is allied with Germane so they can’t and no other nation is big enough to get them to stop. Guess I am the only one. Which means I’ll probably be going back next week for the peace treaty, where it will all start again. Because you can’t have a peace signing without wine.” Celestia quotes D’Arc dryly. “Made I should send Cadence next time and I don’t know… finally get them married or something? Anything to stop this nonsense.” As the ship docks, Celestia quickly trots down the ramp, ignoring the greeters and calling for Time Keeper, who quickly went about fetching the schedule. If her memory served right today was… oh yes, today was the receiving day for the wedding guests. (At least I think so? If that’s true then Twilight and her friends should be here or if not on their way. It would be fun to sit down and talk with her face to face for once. The letters are fun, but there is nothing like sitting down with tea and cake. That being said, I wonder if I have time for that?) Celestia feels for the sun, picturing a sundial in her mind she reads it is a little past noon, possibly one or two o’clock. Most of the guest should be here by now, if not it was Cadence’s duty as the bride to greet them anyway. The day courts are canceled till after the wedding, there are no meetings she needs to attend. Yes, she did have time to indulge herself. “Princess Celestia, I’ve brought the schedule!” “Oh, thank you Time Keeper. You haven’t told any pony of my arrival yet, have you?” Time Keeper looks curiously at her, “No, not yet, your majesty. But I will be doing that soon. I believe we should go…” “Please refrain from announcing my arrival to the public. If Cadence, Luna, or Twilight ask you can tell them I’m relaxing you know where and I wish to be left alone for the time being.” A look of deep understanding crosses Time Keeper’s face, as he snaps his watch shut and returns it to his pocket. He won’t be needing it for the rest of the day it seems. “I see. Very well. I shall see that all is to standard while you partake in your visit. Please, give the Young Master my regards.” Celestia smiles, “I will.” With those words, Celestia disappears in a gold flash. “Who is she going to visit?” The captain of the Le Fleur asks while cleaning his pipe. Time Keeper, standing prim and proper disregards the captain's question, “It’s none of your business, it is a personal matter to the Princess. If I were to dishonor her trust by telling you I would throw myself off this cliff. Now carry on, and get this ship out of here. Some VIP’s will be arriving soon and the dock must be clear.” The captain shrugs, figuring the schedule ping was right, it wasn’t his business where the princess was going if it wasn’t on his ship. Somewhere, distant from the docks, yet still in Canterlot Celestia appears in a simple garden. Completely surrounded by shrubs with white roses. In the Center of the garden stood a statue and a bench. Slowly she walks to the bench, sitting up on it to gaze at the statue before her. The statue was a pony in armor with wings spread wide, his stance posed heroically, his mouth in a snarl and his antlers boldly pointing toward an enemy that wasn’t there. A tear escapes from Celestia’s eye as she stares at the likeness of the pony that had been most dear to her after her sister was sealed away, “Hello, son, it’s been awhile.” Twilight steps off the train in a huff as she and her friends make their way through security. Her mood sour from the last-minute news of her brother’s wedding. Her mind in such a tizzy that she doesn’t even notice the giant pink shield around Canterlot or the extra guards until she tries to approach her brother. A bat pony guard in blue armor blocking her way. “Sorry, security personnel only,” Goodnight says with a long yawn. “But I need to talk to my brother!” Twilight insists, pointing towards Shining Armor. “He’s right over there, let me through!” Goodnight tiredly smacks his jaws, keeping the purple unicorn back. With the new threat, security was heightened and his shift extended, he really just wants to get to his bunk right now. “Yeah, that’s not happening. Captain Shining Armor is too busy at the moment. You can talk to him when he’s off duty later tonight. For now, you lot need to get to registration.” “He’s right over there! Just let me talk to him!” Twilight tries to force her way through, but another bat pony, this one female blocks her way. “Oh hey! Your Twilight, Celestia’s student!” Sweet Dreams exclaims excitedly. “It’s so nice to see you again! Remember me? I was one of the ponies that pulled Princess Luna’s chariot to Ponyville during Nightmare Night! Oh, and Goodnight here was the other. That was a fun night. So, are you here for the wedding?” Disarmed by Sweet Dream’s cheery greeting Twilight steps back, a cool head might get her farther. “Yes, I am, and so are my friends. As you can see behind me. I was hoping to get a quick word with my brother before going inside." Sweet Dreams nods, “Oh yeah, Captain Shining Armor is the groom. I kind of forget that sometimes since he’s still performing his duties. He must be run ragged what with the threat and all.” “Threat?” Twilight and friends exclaim. “Yes, seems somepony has some balls and threaten to crash the wedding. Naturally, it could be a hoax. We already have over half of the EUP stationed here, but the word of the threat came from a reliable source and it was decided Captain Shining Armor would use his shield spell to help protect the city. I believe this will be what? The twelfth hour since he started?” “Something like that, he started projecting it last night after the security meeting,” Goodnight says. Twilight’s ears flop down as she looks past the two bat ponies, seeing her brother’s tired eyes from here. He was so engrossed in his duties that he hasn’t even noticed her yet. It broke her heart, but yet made her proud of her brother at the same time. “I see,” She says stepping away from the two guards. “Perhaps it will be better if I talk to him later.” “Probably,” Sweet Dreams nods. “I mean he’d probably appreciate the visit, but now isn’t the best time. I’ll escort you six. Goody, you can go get relieved, you're already over your twelve hours. I’ll join you when I’m done here.” “I’ll stick with you, a few more minutes won’t matter at this point.” He said taking up position in front of the group, opposite of Sweet Dreams. The bat mare’s cheek turning a slight pink. “Thanks, Goody.” “Oh, I think I smell love in the air! Wedding tend to do that to ponies,” Rarity whispers from the group. Causing them all to eye roll as they follow the guards. The two bat ponies escort the six mares to the higher levels of the castle. Passing the kitchen and tailors rooms along the way. In the kitchen, a feast among feasts was being made and in the tailor’s room, the bride’s and groom’s garments were being touched up before the big day. In the main hall, the sound of music could be heard as Octavia Melody and her orchestra practice their wedding songs. The sights and smells brought a warm smile to the guard’s face, but when they looked back to see the reactions of their charges, they were surprised to find them looking a bit glum. “Um… what’s wrong ladies?” Goodnight asks as they enter a quieter hall. “Well…” Applejack began looking a bit confused. “When we got the wedding invitation it said Pinkie and I were supposed to handle the catering, Rarity was supposed to make the dress, Fluttershy supposed to do some kind of bird music things, and Rainbow is supposed to do a sonic rainboom for the couple and Twilight is supposed to supervise it all. So, we’re a bit confused because it looks like your doing all that yourselves.” She explains as the Wonderbolts rocket by the window, doing an amazing display of tricks. The two bat ponies just look at each other and begin to laugh. “What’s so funny?” Rainbow Dash demands. Goodnight waves for them to hold on as he tries to catch his breath, “I’m sorry, who wanted you to do what now? This wedding has been planned in advance for months, they’ve been making food the past week for the HUNDREDS of guests and VIPs. Professional musicians, chefs, tailors, and athletes have been working for the past month for this day. Who in the world sent you a letter asking you six to get all that done in one day, nay, a few hours. The wedding is tomorrow. The rehearsal is today for Celestia’s sake! Who in their right mind would think to drop all of that on you at the last minute?” “Also, I’m kind of surprised none of you thought of this yourselves,” Adds Sweet Dreams. “Princess Celestia sent us the letter,” Rainbow Dash declares, snatching the letter from Twilight and shoving it in the guard's faces. “Read it and weep!” The bat ponies take the letter, carefully reading it over, and gave the six a flat look, “Yeah, Celestia didn’t actually send this.” A collective, “WHAT!” shook the hallway as Goodnight takes the paper and explains. “Let me clarify, Celestia wrote the letter, but she didn’t personally send it. Look at this seal here, it reads “From the desk of Princess Celestia” meaning her secretary sent it and if you check here the date is from three weeks ago. I’m guessing for some reason it didn’t get to you and since you didn’t RSVP, somepony just sent a copy of the letter yesterday to you without reading the contents. Hey, is something wrong with you three?” He asks looking at the god smacked Twilight, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash. “URGH, that letter was important!” Twilight screams in frustration, causing passing ponies to stop and stare for a moment before returning to work. The two bat ponies look beside themselves, “Are you saying you threw away a letter from Princess Celestia, Twilight?” That didn’t seem likely. Given the purple unicorn’s relationship with the Princess. Twilight looks horrified, “Of course I didn’t! I was in the dragon lands with Spike when it came and a dragon got a hold of it and threw it into a lava pit!” Twilight continues to mutter darkly about dragons before a look of relief passes of her. “Wait, so my brother didn’t forget about me?” “I can’t see why he would or why I would either,” A sweet honey filled voice said. All heads turn as Princess Mi Amore Cadenza enters the hall, her faithful assistant Canary trailing behind her. The pink alicorn stops before the group, smiling brightly at them all, but especially Twilight. Cadence leans down nuzzling Twilight’s head. “It’s so nice to see you again, my future sister in law. How long has it been? You’ve grown so much!” Twilight’s eyes sparkle! “Cadence! Your marrying Shining Armor? Wait, why did the letter say Mi Amore Cadenza then?” Cadence chuckles, “Right, I suppose I never told you my full name. No, no, wait I did, but you always twisted your tongue when you tried to say the whole thing, so I just had you call me Cadence remember?” Twilight’s brow frowns as she tries to remember her childhood with the babysitter princess. She remembers how much fun she had, but not the event Cadence was describing. “I must have been too young to remember, but I do remember this!” Twilight proceeds to sing and do a dance that ends with her shaking her rump in Cadence’s face. Everypony stood with mouths agape, bewildered by the display. “Um, yes… I remember… that.” Cadence says hesitantly. “But it wouldn’t be proper to do it now. I mean when I was foal sitter it was alright, but as a princess and bride to be… it would be a little obscene. It would be in the newspapers for weeks if I was caught doing it!” “I completely agree, Princess,” Said Rarity, “Nothing against you Twilight, but childhood things such as that should remain in childhood, though it was a rather amusing display.” “I’m happy to see Twilight has such a cultured friend. You could stand to learn from her about public behavior Twilight. You should take that to mind when in Canterlot. It’s not like your family is in low standing after all.” Twilight dug her hoof into the floor looking sour about being lectured, “Yes, but it’s not like we are nobles either. Besides my parents never cared about those kinds of things. I didn’t think you did either.” Cadence sighs, “As royalty, I am expected to act in an appropriate manner in public. You wouldn’t expect Princess Celestia or Princess Luna to do such a thing? Would you?” “I suppose your right,” Twilight laments. “Speaking of the Princesses where are they?” “I believe Aunt Celestia has returned from her peace talks in Europa, but she’s isolated herself at the moment. I believe she’s taking a small vacation after getting back since the will be no day court today or tomorrow. As for Luna, well… she’s out of Canterlot on personal business. She’ll probably be back around the time of the wedding or later.” Sweet Dreams and Goodnight’s head’s whip towards the pink Princess in shock. “Princess Luna left without an escort? Why did you not tell us?” Goodnight demands, only to soften in his tone remembering who he was speaking too. Cadence took it in stride, politely smiling at the two bat ponies, “I’m sorry. It was early this morning when she decided to leave. I believe she said something about flying towards Ponyville. I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about.” “But still, she should have told somepony or pardon my saying, you should have told Captain Shining Armor, Princess.” Sweet Dreams argues, a look of irritation appearing on the pink Princess’s face, but it disappeared in an instant. “Perhaps you're right,” Cadence says softly, “But it is not my place to tell my dear Aunt what she can and cannot do, nor it is yours, or even Shining Armors. Last I checked a Princess outranks the Captain of the guard. We are not obligated to tell any of the Captains or any pony for that matter what we do in our free time. Am I wrong?” “No, your right Princess,” Sweet Dreams replies bitterly. Hurt that Princess Luna hadn’t even bothered to come ask them along on her adventure. “With your permission Princess Cadence, Sweet Dreams and I would like to swap out with our reliefs and take a rest. We have been on duty for more than twelve hours. I fear it is affecting our performance.” Goodnight said getting in front of Sweet Dreams. “We just need to escort the ladies here to their rooms and we’ll be done with our assignments for today.” “Oh, you don’t need to do that. I will personally attend to my soon to be sister in law and her friends. You two can be off.” Cadence said stepping in front of the six. Goodnight and Sweet Dreams look warily at each other. It wasn’t exactly regulations, but this was a princess they were talking to. “Is that an order ma’am?” Cadence nods cheerfully, “It is, now off with you, shoo, shoo.” She said playfully waving her hoof. The two guards give each other a glance before turning away to follow their orders. Turning to face the group Cadence’s smile widens addressing the group. “Now, who wants to take a peek at the food?” And excited, “I do!” From Pinkie and Rainbow Dash brought a round of chuckles as Cadence leads them down to the dining hall. From then on, the six mares were given the royal treatment as Cadence gave them the behind the scenes tour of the wedding preparations. While most were still a bit disappointed they weren’t helping with the preparations, a part of all them felt relief from not having to help. Despite the appearance of order, there was chaos everywhere. In the wedding hall, Octavia sternly scolds her fellow musicians demanding on other play through. The royal tailors were looking haggard as the final touches of the bride’s dress were being made, the kitchen was an absolute war zone. No less than three chefs, seven cooks, and ten maids were found sleeping on the floor from overwork. Their replacements not far away from joining them as one pony about fell to the floor right in front of them. Twilight catching the poor tired maid in her magic. “Gotta say, I think we dodged a bullet this time,” Applejack drawls as she sets the maid next to the rest of the sleeping staff, taking the tray for herself. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to give these folks a hoof.” “Oh, me too!” Pinkie cried bouncing after the farm mare. Rarity gains a look as she glances back at the room the wedding dress was being made, “Well, I might be of some assistance um… over there. Tata darlings! I’ll see you later.” A pony taps Twilight on the spine, “Um Twilight, do you think it would be ok if I go to the gardens below the band and listen to them rehearse? Octavia Melody is one of my favorite musicians, but I don’t want to disturb her practice.” Fluttershy asks causing the purple unicorn to look uncertainly at Cadence, who just smiles. “I’m sure that would be fine. I’ll have a guard escort you,” Cadence waves over a pegasus guard, quickly explaining what to do. The guard nods and urges Fluttershy to follow him. Leaving the group with only Cadence, Twilight and Rainbow Dash left. “I want to go watch the Wonderbolts!” Cadence giggles, “That’s fine too, but no flying with them I’m afraid. Unless you want a good scolding from Captain Spitfire. She’s rather tense during training.” “Aww,” was Rainbow Dash’s response, as she solemnly, yet excitedly makes for the training fields. Leaving Cadence and Twilight alone. “So…” Twilight said scratching her head, “You and Shining Armor are getting married.” “Yep.” “So, we’ll be related.” “Well, that’s what happens when you get married Twilight.” Cadence touches Twilight chin raising the younger unicorn’s head so they were looking eye to eye. “What’s wrong Twilight? I thought you’d be more excited? Do you not want me and Shining to get married?” “No, no, that’s not it!” Twilight says quickly, much to Cadence’s amusement. The purple unicorn blushes, her words failing to form properly. “It’s just… I don’t know. I was so mad when all the way over here because I just got the invitation today, but now I’m just tired and confused. I haven’t even gotten a chance to talk to Shining Armor yet. I’m just… I don’t know… it seems like everything changing so suddenly.” “Change seldom comes when we’re expecting it, what’s important is how we handle it Twilight.” Cadence wraps her wing around the unicorn, nuzzling her lovingly. “But perhaps you’d rather talk to Celestia about it?” A look of excitement passes over Twilight’s face. “I’m right aren’t I?” Blushing Twilight nods, “Yes… not that your advice isn’t good Cadence. It’s just…” “It’s ok Twilight, I understand. You can find Celestia here.” Cadence whispers the Princess’s location. “I’m sure she won’t mind a visit from you.” “Thanks, Cadence,” Twilight says, graciously giving the Princess a hug before departing. Cadence continuing to wave till the little unicorn was out of sight. Cadence’s expression suddenly turns sour as she heads for the nearest private bathroom. Firmly locking the door, she gags as she glares at her reflection, her eyes turning green in the mirror. “Ugh… oh, gods, I thought I was going to die keeping that cutesy act up! I just want to vomit right now!” Cadence or rather Chrysalis takes a few deep calming breaths. Looking at her reflection she forces her eyes back to pink while going through a variety of expressions, most of them smiles. “Remember, keep the act up, don’t slip up. Your Princess Cadence, a nice, loving Princess. You just need to keep this up for another day and then it’s feasting time! One more day. One more day Chrysalis.” Exiting the restroom Chrysalis reenters the crowded halls with no pony the wiser. Twilight happily trots through the Canterlot gardens. Not the regular gardens, but Celestia’s private garden. The section reserved totally for the Princess and no pony was allowed to enter without direct permission. It was in this garden that the statue was Discord was moved to. Vines already growing up the base of the Lord of Chaos’s mantle. A cold shiver passes over her as she quickly trots past her most formidable foe since Nightmare Moon. Taking a right as Cadence directed Twilight enters a frankly eerie part of the gardens she’s never been in before. The shrubs were tall, covered in thorns and roses, damp mist rolls across the worn path as the shrubs converge into a single straight road. Twilight slows in her trot as statues come into view beside the path. Not generic pony statues, no these were well detailed and covered in an anti-wear spell. “What’s this?” Brushing aside the moss over the base of the statue Twilight found a name carved into the stone, half of the name was unreadable leaving only the name “Sunset.” Twilight observes the statue. Looking at the next statue Twilight found another name. “Sunny Spark.” Both statues were mares and so where the next and next and the next with a few stallions scattered around here. All of them baring names that had to do with night and day. It was kind of creepy. As Twilight came to the end of the patch she heard the faint sound of crying. Slowing her pace to keep her hooves from clicking against the stone she peers over the corner to spy Celestia sitting on a bench with tears running down her face as she speaks to the statue of what must be the strangest pony she’s ever seen. “I’m sorry,” Celestia says her voice hoarse from crying as she presses her head against the base of the statue. “I’m a failure. You asked me to do one thing for you and I couldn’t do it. Seems that’s the way it always goes when I try to help my family. I let them down. First Luna, then Sunny Spark and finally Sunset.” The princess steps back, wiping her tears as she regains her composure. Her red eyes staring up at the statue. “I wonder what your father, Sixes, would think if he saw me like this? Heh, he’d probably call me pathetic. He was so… cold-hearted at the end. That was probably my fault. I knew where his heart was and it wasn’t with me, had I not pushed so hard perhaps things could have been better between us. Perhaps if I had given him space, we wouldn’t have fought so much. I’m sorry for that too. You worked so hard Crusader to gain his attention and respect and I only impeded that.” The Princess leans back staring mournfully at the moon. Whispering something under her breath that Twilight couldn’t hear. A smile graces her lips as she looks at the cold stern face of the statue she was talking too. “Your probably tired of me telling you the same thing over and over for six hundred years. What’s there new to talk about…” Celestia’s words fade as Twilight slowly creeps away from the Princess’s conversation. Feeling she was intruding upon something she wasn't supposed to. Quickly exiting the private gardens Twilight is surprised to see the moon hanging low in the evening sky. Has it really been that long since she came here? Running the calculations, she figured it was about six o’clock. Which would mean Shining Armor should be done with his Shift! If memory serves the Night Guard Captain, Knightwing should be taking over now. So that means Shining Armor should be on his way or home by now. Meaning if she was quick enough she could probably have supper with both him and Cadence! “Alright Canterlot Apartment 1002, here I come!” Twilight thrust her horn in the air, her horn aglow with magic as she focuses on Shining’s apartment, but the spell fizzles out. A shower of pink sparks falling uselessly to the ground. Twilight was dismayed at her spells failure until she looks up. “Right, the shield. No unauthorized teleporting. Come on, Shining Armor taught you about this Twilight!” Vexed at her own forgetfulness Twilight began the long trek to Shining Armor’s apartment or maybe it was Shining’s and Cadence’s now? Were they living together? Well, they probably would be after the wedding, but did that mean Cadence was moving in with Shining or was Shining moving in with Cadence at the castle? This was kind of confusing. “Probably the castle. I’m sure Cadence wouldn’t mind Shining’s apartment, but it would make sense for Shining to move into the Castle then vice versa. I’m mean they both work there. AH! That means Shining is going to be a Prince now! I think? Do Equestrian Princes do anything? What does Blueblood do really? Does that mean Shining Armor will have to quit his job as Captain of the Guard?” Twilight’s mood took a downturn at the thought. Shining loves being a castle guard. It was his life’s dream and his calling. Maybe he would be allowed to keep his job or maybe he’ll stay in the guard but under a different position? “I’ll just ask him myself,” Twilight says aloud as she approaches the apartment, nodding at the two guards posted at the corner. They nod back as she trots up to the door and knocks. There was no response. Waiting a few moments Twilight knocks again a little harder. Still no reply. Looking through the window she sees that the lights where on, so somepony must be home. She knocks a third time, accidentally hitting the latch with her hoof and opening the door. Awkwardly she enters the messy home of her brother, calling softly for him. “Shining Armor? Are you home?” She asks nervously. She didn’t want to accidentally catch her brother in the middle of anything like some of the books Rarity loaned her depicts. That was enough for her. Walking further into the house Twilight is unnerved by the silence of the house, safe for the creaks of the floorboards under her hooves. “Ok, to the living room and if I don’t hear or if I do hear something, I’m leaving.” Creeping into the living room, her brother’s Ogres & Oubliettes board still on the table. As happy as she was her brother snagged Cadence as a marefriend and soon to be a wife, she had no idea how he did it. Suddenly a loud moan came from the bedroom. The door opened a crackle to let the inaudible sound escape into Twilight’s ears. She was about to skedaddle out of there when another moan came from the room. Not moan of pleasure, but of pain. Carefully Twilight silently approached the door, silently begging in her mind, (Please don’t anything weird, please don’t be anything weird!) Peeking through the door Twilight peers into the darkness, scanning the messy room that was her brother’s. Her pupil pans from the dresser to the bed, where it tops as she stares at her brother withering in pain as Cadence straddles his barrel, a green mist flowing from him to Cadence’s open fanged mouth. “That’s it, give me that love. You love me, right? Your darling little Cadence?” Cadence said in a sultry husky tone as she gobbles up the green mist. For a second the image of Cadence flickers away, revealing a black insectoid like being, the sight of which made Twilight gasp! “Who’s there?” The black creature demands, her form shifting back to Cadence. She coughs, her demure changing completely as she speaks in Cadence’s soft voice, “Um, I mean whose there?” Twilight begins to back away; the door suddenly flies open! Green mist pouring out of the room as ‘Cadence’ trots out to greet her with a smile. “Oh, Twilight? What are you doing here? Is something wrong?” ‘Cadence’ asks with concern. “You look like you’ve seen something… horrible.” She says with a wicked grin. “Your… you’re not Cadence! I saw you… your… you’re a monster!” “Oh, now don’t be so harsh. Think of how painful it was for me to pretend to be that dunce of Princess. Now since you’ve interrupted my meal of love…” ‘Cadence’ licks her lips as she leers at Twilight’s trembling lips. “I’ll have to settle for one of fear. It’s not quite as filling, but just as delicious!” “AHH!” Twilight makes a break for the front door. The imposters haunting chuckling following her as she blinding runs down the street, running head first into the guards at the corner!” Help me! Something… something is in my brother’s house!” “It’s just princess Cadence, nothing to worry about,” One of the guards says, causing Twilight to turn and stare in horror as ‘Cadence’ stood on the front porch waving at her and guards. “I’m sure she was just playing a prank on you.” Twilight rears around at the guards, “No I saw (SMACK!)” Before the purple unicorn could say another word, she was hit from behind. Her body falling limply to the ground. The guards quickly collect her limp form and carry into her house, laying on her the kitchen floor as Cadence and the two guards look over her unconscious form. “What should we do with her, my queen?” One guard asks, flashing his eyes green. “She’s too important to let her simply disappear. Have Ulna come and impersonate her. I will fill her in on little Twilight’s key points. She just has to pass of being the little unicorn until the time of the attack. Now, who wants a bite before we throw in her with our other snack?” “Don’t mind if we do, my Queen.” As the two guards expose their fangs and begin feeding on the unconscious unicorn, Chrysalis can’t help but smile. There were a few hiccups and close calls, but everything was going according to plan. Tomorrow Equestria and all its love would be hers! Cadence, the real Cadence, threw herself against her crystal walled prison once again. On the other side, she knew, she knew there was another cavern. She could hear it when she hit the sharp crystal. Blood ran down her side as she breathes heavily, her face a mess of scratches and bruises, a trail of blood ran down her neck from the feeding that foul creature inflicted on her. It had not been gentle when the creature pretending to be Canary or maybe it was always Canary dragged her down here. She recognized the pain. The same pain she felt in Germane. Whatever it was it had followed her home. Bracing herself again, she rams the crystal wall, letting out a painful scream as her left front leg hits a rock too hard. She retreats, nursing her leg. Growling she calls on what magic she could muster and fires at the wall, the magic blast turning to harmless sparks against the crystal. She felt her knees give out as more of her magic drains from her body. The creature was siphoning her magic. And being very greedy about it too. The best she could do was levitate light objects, but even that was straining. “She must be like me. Using love magic as a power source, but she can take it by force, while I need permission.” Closing her eyes Cadence tries to feel for the bonds of love of the ponies closest to her. First, she tries for Shining Armor, feeling him faintly in her network of love, but his magic was weak, he was barely alive. There was no power for her to barrow. Next, she tries for Celestia, but the Sun Princess’s mental defenses quickly repeal her before she could even try to connect. Celestia probably wouldn’t even know it was her. “Ok, no problem, I’ve connected with Luna before, she should be able to understand and send me a little magic.” Cadence tries again but is dismayed for find Luna far, far away. She could barely even find the Princess of the Night. Let alone connect with her. She wasn’t in the dream world so her range was limited, unlike before on Kiri’s ship. “Ok, somepony else, someone near and dear to my heart…” “Somepony help!” Cadence’s head jerks up at the sound of the voice on the other side of the wall. It was different, but she still recognized it. “Twilight! Twilight! It’s me! I’m right here!” She calls happily, even as her throat dries and her voice hoarse from dehydration, she still calls for her favorite filly. A light shine from the other side. The wall explodes! Cadence quickly covers her face against the flying debris and smiles happy at the sight of Twilight Sparkle, now much taller and older, looking right back… with her horn lowered and her face contorted in rage… Oh right, the shape-shifting bug probably got her too. “Twilight wait it’s me!" “ARGH!” The younger unicorn charges, Cadence exhausted and injured stood no chance of dodging the coming attack. Instead, she spread her forelegs wide open, standing her ground, and catching the enraged Twilight in an embrace. The young unicorn’s body flinching in shock as they tumble to the ground, sharp rocks peppering Cadence’s back as she cradles Twilight in her limbs. “Cadence?” Twilight whispers horrified as she feels her former foalsitter’s magic wash over her, there was no mistaking this feeling, this was the real Cadence! “I’m so sorry! I…” “It’s ok, she got me too,” Cadence rising to her hooves. She gives a crooked smile to the young unicorn, seeing just how badly she was beaten up in Twilight’s pupils. It wasn’t a pretty sight. She’d need some spa treatments after this. From outside hisses could be heard as black insectoid creatures appear in the dim crystal lights. Now that she got a good look at them she finally put two and two together. They were changelings. “I figured she probably wouldn’t leave me unguarded. But this means theres a exit nearby too, right?” Cadence asks the changeling, standing protectively in front of Twilight. “It won’t matter after we feast on your love, again,” One of the changelings hisses. “Cadence what do we do?” Twilight asks fearfully. Cadence smiles touching her horn to Twilight’s establishing a love bond. She could feel Twilight’s love for her and grabs onto her, renewing her strength, but that wasn’t all. Cadence tugs on the bonds leading out from Twilight to five others. She taps into their power, the ponies on the other side readily sending their strength to their friend, even if they didn’t know they were doing it. Cadence’s own magic flares and the Changelings back away as she rips crystals from the walls and meshes them into a lance. “You stay back and I’ll show you what Auntie Luna taught me,” More crystals fly off the wall, forming makeshift armor around her coat. Cadence creates more lances stalking closer to the horde of Changeling, her rage coming forth as she let her weapons fly! “NO SO EASY WHEN YOU DON’T SNEAK UP ON ME!” The lances fly, bursting into a rain of sharp crystal shards. Some hit their marks others, others just hit the wall, either way the changelings scatter, none of them appearing to be dead, but the path was open! “Twilight! Come on!” She urges the shell-shocked unicorn while running for the exit ahead. “Um, right!” Twilight says galloping beside her. “You're going to teach me how to do that right?” “After we stop that bitch trying to steal my husband!” Cadence replies as they encounter more Changelings guarding the entrance. Ripping more crystals from the walls Cadence grits her teeth as Luna’s words whisper in her head, (Show no mercy when attacking!) “Twilight, close your eyes. I don’t want you to see this.” “Um, ok,” Twilight obey the Princess of Love’s command, still overwhelmed by the new Cadence she’s just discovered. The sounds of screams ring throughout the cave and then were cut short, followed by gagging. She feels a wing settle on her and leads her towards the exits, the sun warming her coat. Twilight tries to open her eyes, but a wall of pink feathers blocks her view. “Please don’t look,” Cadence’s voice said trembling. “Please, I don’t want you to see this.” Twilight heeds Cadence’s words and they exit the cave. Leaving the scene of impaled Changelings behind. Celestia stood at the front of the altar, ready to finally wed her niece and Captain of the Guard in holy matrimony. Not barring Cadence turns out to be actually immortal and nearly ageless like her and Luna lending her to multiple marriages for the next millennia. But that was something they could worry about when Cadence reaches her forties or even sixties. (Live in today Celestia. It’s a happy day, don’t sully your mood, but if I didn’t want to do that I shouldn’t have visited Crusader’s grave yesterday. Crap, they're coming down the aisle. Lines, lines, what are my lines! Oh right, they’re right here on the podium. Ahahah, how silly of me.) The bride and groom approach the podium. Cadence was smiling, looking as happy as she could be, it was a wonderful sight. Shining Armor… well… he… (I’m just going to assume he’s exhausted from keeping the shield up. Gods, he looks like he’s about to kill over!) As Celestia reads through the vows her eyes wander to the maidens in waiting or maidens of honor? No that’s not what they were called, Mares of Honor! Yes, that’s it. No, wait, Brides mares! Ok, she had it this time, it’s been awhile since her last wedding. Anyway, she was happy to see Twilight and her friends standing there in their dresses, it was nice of Cadence to let them take on the role at the last minute. Twilight especially looks… strangely neutral about the whole affair. (She’s probably just so excited that she’s calm. Now, what line am I at?) “STOP THE WEDDING!” (Oh, thank the gods! I forgot where I was at and… there’s two Twilights… and two Cadences… this cannot be good.) Celestia focuses on the exchange between the two Cadences. The one in the bride’s dress bursting into green fire and revealing one of her most hated enemies. A changeling Queen. How she despises their kind. She had thought after the Crystal Empire and The Battle of Maredor a thousand years ago, the Changelings would never dare step their hole covered hooves in her kingdom again. “You’ll never have your way, Shining Armor’s shield will keep any more of your kind from entering!” Cadence boldly rebukes. But the Queen simply smiles at the Pink Princess’s words, making Celestia’s stomach churn with dread. Her eyes glance to the other Twilight, to the guards not doing anything, and ponies in the crowd not gasping in shock. The realization coming to her too late. “Foolish child,” Chrysalis rebukes controlling Shining Armor’s body with her magic. “There is no need to break through the shield when we’re already inside!” Celestia screams! “Cadence, Twilight! Everypony! RUN!” It was too late. Bursts of green fire appear all over the room. Black insectoid equines like the Queen but smaller appear beside guards, guests, and even Twilight’s friends. The guards were caught completely by surprise the crooked horns of the attackers plunging deep into their exposed throats. Guests scream and panic as the black drones fire green slime at them for later feasting. Celestia stood and watched it all with a grim expression. Her teeth gritted in anger. “Drones.” She hisses, glaring at the Changeling soldiers. Looking at the fake Twilight who has long since shown her true colors. Celestia grabs her by the neck with her magic and drags her away from the elements bearers. Tossing the lowly changeling to the ground she stomps her booted hoof on the changeling’s skull, crushing it. “Princess!” The elements gasp, staring slack jaws at her bloody hoof. She gives them a stern look. “Leave, you’re in my way.” “But!" “I said leave! Everypony! Get away from here!” Celestia shouts, summoning her magic bringing forth an intense heat, but the remaining guards, bravely, yet foolishly take up position in front of her. “Begone! That’s an order!” “We can’t do that Princess!” One the Guards replies as Chrysalis turns her attention towards her as drones surround Cadence and Twilight. Green armor grows on the Queen’s coat, creating a protective shell around her body as she summons a crooked spear, levitating it in her magic with a come get me grin. “Well, do I need to take care of the peons first before getting to you Celestia?” “No,” Celestia said and much to the shock of very pony threw the guards out of the way as her mane and tail ignite in golden flames! “I’ll end this in an instant!” Celestia let’s lose a blast of flaming gold magic, Chrysalis countering with her own sickly green! The two attacks collide fighting for dominance! Celestia breaks off the attack, quickly sidestepping Chrysalis’s blast and firing a stream of blazing gold magic at the Queen. Acting quick Chrysalis throws her spear, the black weapon nullifying the flames. With her magic Celestia rips the suits of armor off the fallen guards, quickly meshing them into a magic shift shield. The spear pierces the armor easily but remains stuck in the metal. Smiling Celestia tosses the shield, spear and all out the window into the courtyard below. “There that should make things a little more even. You're lucky I don’t have my Axe, otherwise, I would have cleaved you in two the moment you revealed yourself.” Celestia huffs, lamenting her lost weapon. She should have replaced it long ago. And her armor too. Chrysalis snarls, green mist pouring off her, her long mane floating in the air becoming an ethereal green. Celestia counters by flaring her magic staring the Queen down, but the changeling's smirk made her uneasy. “Well,” Chrysalis pants, the intense heat of Celestia’s magic getting to her. It must be a hundred, no two hundreds degrees in here! Maybe even hotter. The punch was boiling and table clothes were catching fire. “I’m impressed. I never expected you to have this kind of power. You kept it hidden well, even with Shining Armor’s magic on top of my own, I still barely match up.” “Match up?” Celestia scoffs, flaring her flames higher. “I’ve barely begone!” Celestia poses to attack, a sphere of flames forming on the tip of her horn, the stone floor cracks beneath her hooves, turning to molten rock. She lets loose her attack, Chrysalis throwing up a shield to protect her self. The Queen skids across the ground, her drones flying to her side to support her, adding their own magic to the barrier. Celestia presses her attack, the temperature of the room spiking dramatically as the pillars begin to melt. “You can’t win, Chrysalis!” “Neither can you!” The Queen retorts, her voice straining as she holds her ground against the attack. “You can kill me, but you’ll have to kill everypony else too! Look for yourself!” Celestia glances away from the Queen, her eyes widening in horror as everypony and Changeling lay on their bellies. Their mouths wide open, their hooves reaching out in desperation for relief from the heat, the very air burning their lungs. The body of one of the guards closest to her was in flames, his armor melting into his skin. “Everypony, run! You must get away from me!” She pleads, but nobody could move, the heat sapping their strength as they gasp for air. If that wasn’t bad enough, Shining Armor, still under the control of the Queen stood by the entrance, the door closed shut and a shield encasing the entire room. Everypony was trapped inside this furnace of her own creation. (Come on, Come on! Hold on a little longer everypony!) The elements weren’t stopping her this time. They couldn’t. Their power wouldn’t work on the Queen. Even if she was evil from their point of view, she was only doing what was natural to her kind. Just as she provides protection for her ponies. Chrysalis must tend to the needs of her changelings. They weren’t all that different really. The heat of the room continued to rise. Celestia looks worriedly at the ponies moaning in agony on their sides and bellies. She tries to force more power, to finally overwhelm the queen, but when she did one of the guards closest to her began to scream in agony! His coat caught fire and he was quickly working to remove his armor, terrible burns mar his coat as the metal plates bounce towards her, melting into molten pools of iron. She’d roast her own ponies alive before defeating the Queen at this rate. Celestia took a breath, looking around the room she saw the pain of her ponies as they reach towards her, their dry mouths gasping for air, begging for her to stop. Her eyes fell to Cadence and then to Twilight as they scream out for her. Their tears evaporating into steam. She couldn’t do this. The heat dies away in an instant, Celestia’s hair and mane return to normal, her attack disappearing. Chrysalis drops her shield and fires a blast hitting her gold yoke. The regalia exposes, sharp fragments of metal pelting the Sun Princess’s face and body as she falls to the ground in a bloody mess. “Hehehahaha! I knew you couldn’t do it!” Chrysalis mocks, standing triumphantly over the Sun Princess. “Equestria is mine!” “Don’t count on it. Luna is still out there.” Celestia weakly rebukes as drones begin wrapping her in green slime. “Oh, I doubt I’ll need to worry about her. She went off on some little quest early yesterday morning. I had my best soldiers follow her with orders to attack her at her weakest. Trust me, they’ll be bringing in her cocoon shortly.” As the last of her face was covered Celestia lay her head sorrowfully against the still cooling floor. Biting her lip as she tries to keep her tears from falling. She’s already fallen this low, she would not disgrace herself by crying before her enemy. Yet, her heart was in tatters. She had failed. She had grown soft in peace and now because she didn’t have the strength necessary. Everypony would suffer. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” Celestia sobs, a single tear rolling down her cheek. “Luna, please, be safe, it’s in your hooves now.”