//------------------------------// // Chapter 24 // Story: A Red and Yellow Affair // by Horsegirl123 //------------------------------// Perspective: Fluttershy "Wait wait wait! No- GO! Go go go!" Her eyes darted around rapidly, trying to make sense of the commands, but decided to follow the last order. Her legs didn't want to cooperate and wobbled violently under her body. Unable to kick herself to make her body work as she wanted it to, she stood frozen for a second, letting herself be engulfed in fear and anticipation. Frightened out of her mind, the mare stood solidly in her track, her wobbly limbs becoming stiff as tree trunks. She stood halfway between the inside and outside of a ten, feeling the grass blow in the steady breeze around her hooves. It wasn't until she felt a push on her hindquarters that she slowly started walking. She turned her head to see Lotus and Aloe waving her on and rearing in encouragement towards the hill. Rarity had recruited them to assist Fluttershy in getting ready for the wedding ceremony as Rarity would be busy with her own Made of honor duties. The twin earth ponies had enthusiastically agreed, having bonded with the unicorn and Pegasus during their weekly get-togethers at their spa. The two were adorned in simple white dresses and pink headbands that matched the color of Fluttershy's dress perfectly. Of course, Rarity had even been in charge of the assistances' wardrobe as well. Fluttershy gulped hard, swallowing the ball of tension that chocked inside her throat. She stepped outside of the white tent that served as the makeshift dressing room. "Rarity, is this really necessary? Its not like we wear clothes most of the time anyways…" questioned Applejack as they got ready behind a divider in the tent. Fluttershy could hear them crisp and clear through the flimsy wall, and it soothed her to know her friends were just a tarp away. "Why can't we get ready with Fluttershy?" "Heavens yes this is of utmost priority!" said Rarity dramatically, as if it was the silliest question she had ever heard and the answer was quite obvious. "Aw but why?" squeaked Pinkie Pie in a muffled tone as Fluttershy heard her pull the dress over her poofy hair. She was sure Rarity had probably asked her to control her mane for the special event, but knowing Pinkie, that literally wasn't possible. Fluttershy had seen it literally explode from a bun once. She was pretty sure Pinkie's mane consisted of a party canon of its own… "Its tradition that the bride is not seen by anyone in the wedding until she enters. My goodness, didn't you all read the book I sent on Exquisite Wedding Preparations?" scoffed Rarity unbelievingly. There was an awkward silence until Fluttershy heard Twilight say "Um… well, being so busy and all-." The about to be wed Pegasus could almost sense Twilight rubbing the back of her neck in uneasiness. "Gosh Rarity, I didn't think you would take this job so seriously," stated Rainbow Dash as she struggled with the strings of a girdle while hovering upside down like always. "I am shocked! Of course I am taking this seriously. I would turn down tea with Celestia if it meant assisting in the wedding of one of my best friends!" retorted the elegant white unicorn to the group of bridesmaids. Fluttershy smiled at Rarity's enthusiasm, until she felt herself get whipped around by a hoof on the shoulder, and Aloe and Lotus beamed at her. Settling into a chair, they washed her mane, massaging a volumizing shampoo into her luscious rose colored mane. Fluttershy allowed herself to relax for a moment while they worked on her, momentarily forgetting the stress of the day. They poured wonderfully warm water over her mane, washing the contents of the herbal shampoo away, before drying her mane inexplicably fast. Spa pony magic, she guessed. To save time, Aloe did her make up while Lotus styled her mane. Applying a thin layer of foundation to prevent shine, Aloe maneuvered her hooves around Fluttershy's face, apologizing for getting the skin a little when curling her eyelashes. She was having some difficulties choosing the make-up, for Rarity had instructed it to be fabulous yet natural, two styles that didn't necessarily go hoof in hoof. "Are you excited?" Aloe gushed. "Yes… and nervous," replied Fluttershy weakly. The spa ponies giggled and exchanged some words in a language Fluttershy couldn't understand for the life of her. "Don't be! Its big day for you! But you still come to our spa with Miss Rarity, won't you?" questioned Lotus. "Of course," answered Fluttershy, as the twin sisters squealed in delight. They continued their work in silence as with some idle chit chat to soothe Fluttershy's nerves. The girls in the other room stayed fairly rowdy with excitement, but Fluttershy continued studying her appearance change in the mirror. Before she knew it, thetwins squealed "You're ready!" in delight in unison. Fluttershy looked at herself. A light amount of rosy blush graced her cheeks, and her eyelashes curled around the shape of her face. Every hair on her face was laid perfectly flat, and no blemishes ruined it. A neutral shade of lipstick was chosen for the nature loving pony, and her hair was braided and twisted into a style similar to the one she wore in her last fashion show with Photo Finish. A little clump of strands hung loose in front of her face, but curled wonderfully, making her look like her old self, not some puckered up doll. She looked fabulous yet natural. Fluttershy was snapped back into reality by the sound of horns being sounded. That was her cue. She made her way up to the grassy hill, leaving the dirt road of where the dressing room resided. Aloe and Lotus stuck their heads out to see her off, and Lotus was sobbing like a foal. The wedding dress Rarity had fastened now fit snuggly over her swollen tummy. Many alterations had to be made to accommodate the constant growing of Fluttershy's stomach. However, Rarity had pulled it off. The dress even was slimming, making an illusion that minimized the size of Fluttershy's foal bump. The dress looked even more amazing on than it did when Rarity had showed it to her in the boutique. Every aspect of it matched Fluttershy's personality and coloring, and she couldn't wish for a better way to be married. Before Fluttershy reached the start of the aisle, which was a white silk sheet rolled out on the grass, she was met by her father to lead the way. "Daddy!" she squeaked as she hugged her father, of whom she had not seen in several years. He had a light orange coat with a bright rose mane, darker than Fluttershy's. He squeezed her tight, savoring his moments with his daughter before he had to give her away to a stallion he had never formally had the honor to meet. After their short reunion, the two emerged at the sight of the wedding. At the end of the aisle stood Big Macintosh in his father's wedding tuxedo. Three of the six bridesmaids flanked each side of a floral arch. On the left stood Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Applejack. On the right stood Twilight, Pinkie Pie and Ditzy Doo. For once they all wore matching dresses. Rarity had designed three ideas, and Fluttershy made the final decision of which dress she preferred. Even though most of them couldn't pull it off, they wore a soft green that ruffled along the edges. Darker greens swirled within the dress, and each mare was adorned with a floral headpiece that matched the flower arrangement of the arch. When they saw the bride approaching, they all fell silent and smiled hugely, extremely happy for their friend. Big Macintosh went wide eyed when taking in Fluttershy's beauty as she proceeded down the aisle, but maintained his composure and kept a calm smile. As she passed, the guests stood. Several long white benches served as seating arrangements for the wedding guests. As she walked next to her father, Fluttershy recognized every face. Cheerilee, Diamond Mint, The Cakes, Mayor Mare, Photo Finish, Blue Harvest, Carrot Top, Candy Mane, Cherry Berry, Mane Goodall and June Bug. All of her friends were there, and many more, but her father blocked the other benches full of ponies from her view. In the front rows was the entire Apple Family, and they took up a lot of space. Many of them were crying in joy of Big Mac's marriage, and some were stern and emotionless. The Cutie Mark Crusaders bounced happily in front of her, tossing flower petals as they went. She reached the floral arch across from Big Macintosh and her father departed her side. She stared into her about-to-be husband's eyes, and waited for the minister to begin the ceremony. He took a long breath, and began the words that would seal their marriage. Honestly, Fluttershy couldn't understand, but she repeated what needed to be repeated, and she was just ecstatic to be officially with the stallion of her dreams. "I believe the bride and groom have written their own vows," said the minister. Angel hopped up next to Big Mac with some paper in his mouth. Big Mac retrieved it and returned a quiet 'thank you' to the rabbit who then scampered away. Mac cleared his throat and began. "Fluttershy, we've known each other for a while now. A few months ago, I would never have thought that we would one day be standing up here, getting married. But here we are, and a million apple trees couldn't bring me the happiness I feel right now. Or, whenever I'm with you. Every second I spend with you is the best moment of my life, and you have made me become a better stallion with your kindness." He dropped the paper to the ground as tears sprang in Fluttershy's eyes. She memorized what she needed to say, and coughed a little before beginning. She mustered up her courage to reveal her feelings in front of everypony, and spoke. "Macintosh Apple, I love you. I knew I loved you after a few days with you. You are the best thing to be in my life in a while, and you have been both a friend and a partner the past few months. You have made me blossom as a mare, teaching me how to be strong and courageous through gentle teaching. I have never felt safer than when I am with you. I love you." She finished out of breath, saying the speech a little faster than she had originally planned to. A few more words were said by the minister pony until Fluttershy heard herself say "I do." "By the power vested in me, by our Princesses Celestia and Luna, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." Fluttershy's heart leapt as she leaned in to kiss her 'husband', when she felt his large hoof lean her backwards as he kissed her passionately in front of every pony. The Cutie Mark Crusaders 'ew'ed and Granny Smith complained about 'how in her day, it was just a simple peck,' and 'look at what our generation has turned into.' But the couple didn't care; they were married. Rarity and Pinkie Pie were balling together, and Ditzy was snacking on a muffin she had somehow snagged from the reception table. "Lets get this party started!" screamed Pinkie Pie as she sprinted over to a sound system and pulled Vinyl Scratch out of nowhere. A techno beat blared from the speakers, deafening all the guests. Vinyl and Pinkie were obviously having a spectacular time rocking out. "PINKIE!" yelled all the bridesmaids, and Pinkie looked up from the mixing board, put on a sheepish smile, and turned on a nice slow dance song. Vinyl slowly shrank back down to wherever she had come from, and Pinkie was left alone swaying to the beat of the new song. Big Macintosh held out a hoof to bring Fluttershy to dance. She took it and he spun here out onto the grass in front of the speakers, where they swayed together neck-on-shoulder. "I love you," whispered Fluttershy as they gently swayed. "Eeyup," replied Big Mac. Fluttershy giggled and swished her tail at him making him chuckle too. A few pegasi above dropped rose petals over the dancing couple, and guests watched in a circle, taking in the beautiful scene of their friends happily together. The soft dance music slowly but surely transformed into Vinyl's dubstep blare, but since they got their first dance completed, the newly weds allowed it. Big Macintosh decided to sit out the techno, but the bridesmaids rushed next to Fluttershy, forcing her to stay on the dance floor and celebrate. Twilight started the famous conga line, and everypony on the dance floor joined in. "Hay, zis is fun!" squealed Photo Finish as she joined in. Ditzy was inhaling the muffins at the snack table, that was now carrying sweets and sarsaparilla and pies and a whole lot of apples. Pinkie had somehow been able to sneak Pin the Tail on the Pony past Rarity, and now her and Mayor Mare were in an intense battle of who could pin the tail correctly the most times. Fluttershy giggled at the Mayor playing with commoner ponies. As the current track came to an end, Rainbow Dash jumped on stage, nodded at Vinyl Scratch and grabbed a microphone. As the familiar music started blaring, she took a breath and opened her lips as all the guests gathered around to hear the Dare Devil Rainbow Dash sing. "Show me how to lie, you're getting better all the time…" Everypony started cheering, seeing how good Rainbow was at rock singing. Even Fluttershy screamed a little for her friend, who was smiling at her the whole time. Rainbow rocked out on the stage to The Offspring while everypony danced and had a great time. Although someone really did have to tell Twilight what were some better dance moves than flailing around while sticking your tongue out. Fluttershy had to keep the dancing to a minimum, not wanting to hurt the foal growing inside her. She stayed away from alcohol and played it really safe, not wanting to cause any complications with her pregnancy. She was determined to be a great mother. The music continued as the afternoon wore into night. So far they had played a lot of Fleet Foxes and Zac Brown Band, although no pony knew any of the songs that Vinyl Scratch had picked. Like, what is a Chicken Fried? And why sing about it? As the evening drawled on, guests slowly dispersed. Fluttershy and Big Mac left around 1 a.m. That was some party Pinkie threw. She was amazed out how fast Pinkie was able to turn the wedding ceremony into a popping party that lasted all night. The couple walked to Sweet Apple Acres to retire for the night. Nestled into Fluttershy's dress, a memento she planned to keep forever, was a napkin that read Fluttershy and Macintosh Apple.