//------------------------------// // Epilouge // Story: Learning To Fly // by CrimsonWolf360 //------------------------------// One Year Later As the sun began its decent into the horizon, and the moon began to show itself once more, Sky looked out through the window to watch the ponies in his backyard eagerly take their seats. Blood orange rays of light tinted the world outside in a warm hue that perfectly framed the gathering as one from heaven itself. Even the temperature bowed to the event about to take place, as the outside air was crisp and pleasant, and there was hardly a cloud in the sky. The gathering was small, admittedly, but only the ponies who were necessary were present. Sky watched as Twilight and Spike took their seats at the front row, followed by Princess Luna, Cadence, and Wind Rider. Princess Celestia took her place at the alter, and prepared herself while also humoring her sister with small talk. Sky chuckled at Celestia's use of air quotes before he cast his glance down to his tailored suit, and frowned. The bow-tie was off again, and no matter what he tried to do to fix it, he just couldn't get it to look right. A knock at the door behind him caught Sky's attention, and he turned around just in time to see Midnight open the door and enter the room. She was wearing a gorgeous alabaster white dress. It fit snugly around her barrel and withers, draping off into a short train that just barely kissed the ground with every step she took. Dressed in all that white, she almost resembled an angel. He couldn't help the butterflies that fluttered about in his stomach as she met his gaze with her own, and in that moment, she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever laid eyes on. "Hey." He said, softly smiling. "Hey there." She replied. "You know, it's bad luck for the bride to see the groom before the wedding?" Sky teased. "Hehe, you know that's just a joke, right?" She teased him back. "It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest. How are you?" He asked, taking a more gentle tone. "Nervous as Tartarus... But in a good way, you know?" "Yeah... Same here. I can't believe how long it's been since I got here... And I'm just now marrying the mare of my dreams." Sky reminisced. "Well, we would've got married a lot sooner, but with the whole Storm King fiasco and half of Equestria needing to be rebuilt, we just didn't have the time to get around to it." Midnight replied with a dismissal wave of her hoof. "Well, I mean, that was a minor thing." Sky shrugged. Midnight cocked an eyebrow, "Uh huh... minor. Definitely the word I'd choose to describe it." "Well, Twilight and her friends took care of him in like, what a week? Ah, that's nothing. I've had indigestion that lasted longer than that guy." Sky replied, shrugging again. Midnight chuckled, "All the same, I wish we could've done this six months ago like we planned." "Me too, but you know what, it kind of feels like it was meant to happen today." "Why's that?" She asked, tilting her head to the side. "Look outside.." Midnight walked over to the window and looked at the outside world. Beautiful Spring flowers bloomed in the glistening sunlight, and singing birds littered the tree-tops. A gentle breeze whispered through the field that lay behind their home, and each blade of grass moved ever so slightly as if to wave hello at the soon-to-be husband and wife. She turned to face Sky and let a gentle smile tug at her lips until it turned into a wide grin, "It's gorgeous." With that, they leaned in and nuzzled each other. Sky found his resting place just on top of Midnight's wither, and softly inhaled, allowing her gentle scent to flood his nostrils. Midnight, in turn, rested her head just at the crook of Sky's neck and sighed. They stood there for a few moments, simply enjoying each other's warmth and comfort until a knock at the door got their attention, and they pulled apart. "Hey Sky, hey Midnight! Are you guys almost ready?" Storm asked from the slightly ajar door. "Yeah, just one second, Storm," Sky replied before turning back to Midnight, "I'll see you out there in a bit." He said, giving a loving smile. Midnight placed a tiny kiss on his muzzle, "I'll see you out there, big guy." She turned and walked out of the room, prompting Storm to head inside. Her teal dress almost caught on the doorway, but she easily avoided it and made her way over to David. "Alright, hang on, you are not going out there looking like that." Storm said. "What? What's wrong?" Sky asked searching himself for flaws. "Here, let me get it." Storm replied, grabbing his bow-tie with her hooves and adjusting it until it was perfect, "I get that you've never worn a suit before, but come on, Sky. In what world would a bow-tie go sideways?" "I have worn a suit! Just... you know, not as a pony... And if you think mine is fucked up, then you should see the mayor down in Ponyville." He replied, a little too defensively. "Hehe, I'm just messing with ya, Sky. Everything good?" She asked. "Yeah... yeah I'm good to go. Thanks for doing this, Stormy. I know you've been busy ever since the Storm King, but it really means a lot to me that you could make it." Sky replied, gratefully. "Ah, come on, Sky! You really think I'd even consider missing out on being your best mare? Not in this lifetime." Storm said, shaking her head in disapproval. Sky chuckled for a moment, "Alright, Storm. You got me there. Still though, thanks. For everything. Not sure what I'd do without you." Storm smiled brightly and pulled Sky into a gentle hug. "Anytime, Sky," Upon pulling away, she looked out the window, "We'd better get out there though. Unless you want to be the one that walks down the aisle..." She teased. "Hehe, no, I think I'll let Midnight have that honor. Come on, let's go." With that, they headed out the door and made their way outside. Sky was immediately met by Wind Rider and Sapphire. "Sky! There you are, come on, we're gonna start in a few minutes." Sapphire said, hurriedly ushering him towards the alter. Wind Rider also hurriedly pushed Storm alongside Sky, "Same goes for you, sweetie. Can't be the best mare from all the way back here." Sky and Storm quickly found themselves at the alter with Princess Celestia. She gave them an amused grin before leaning down slightly and whispering. "Nervous?" She asked, a clearly smug smile on her face. "Hehe, not one bit. Just, you know... a little... maybe a lot... okay a ton." Sky replied, sheepishly adjusting his collar. Celestia and Storm both giggled at David's nerves. "Fear not. I promise that this will go exactly as planned. You know what you need to do, and so does Midnight. The rest is on me, so if anypony should be nervous, it should be me, not you." Celestia said, teasing Sky with a grin the whole time. "Right, right. Thanks, Tia." He responded, calming down slightly. As Storm took her place to Sky's right, the rest of the ponies took their seats and prepared for the ceremony to begin. Sky nervously glanced back at Storm, but found her giving him a reassuring nod and smile. He felt his nerves relax somewhat, and redirected his attention to the doorway at the end of the walkway. A moment later violins began to play, and Sky had to suppress a chuckle at the ponies version of Here Comes the Bride. Before he could properly appreciate it however, the door opened, and Midnight stepped out into the light with her father coming in just behind her. He quickly stepped up to her side, and they began their slow walk down the aisle. Sky's eyes locked on Midnight's and he felt all his nerves disappear. Any reservations he had were dashed away immediately, and he could only think about the beautiful mare coming closer with each step. In the crowd, the muffled sniffles of Sapphire could be heard just over the violins, but Sky paid her no mind. All he could think about was how surreal and perfect that moment was. As Midnight reached the alter, a glowing light caught his eye and he finally realized something was different about her appearance. Sitting just above her left ear and gently stuck into her beautifully straightened mane, was the crystal rose that started it all. Sky's jaw dropped as he saw it, and when he finally looked back into Midnight's eyes, he found her smiling brightly at him. Once she was at the alter, Midnight gave one last loving look to her father before he nodded and walked back to sit with Sapphire. Only a moment later, did the song finally end, and Celestia cleared her throat before officially beginning the ceremony. "Mares and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Midnight Shadow, and Crimson Sky, formerly known as David Lawson. If any of you have known them as long I as have, then you will know without question, the strength of their love, and the devotion they share. Would the best mare kindly provide the rings?" Celestia announced. Storm unfurled her wings and provided two gold rings to the princess. She quickly wrapped her magic around said rings and brought them over to Sky and Midnight. She effortlessly slid one ring down Midnight's horn, bringing it to a rest at the base of her scalp, before turning to Sky. He quickly unfurled a wing and allowed Celestia to slip the other ring down his feather until it rested near the wing joint. "If there is anypony with a reason that these two should not be wed, speak now, or forever hold your piece," Celestia continued. When nopony spoke, she smiled, "Then by the power vested in me, as Princess of the Sun and diarch of Equestria, I pronounce you Mare, and Stallion." With that, Sky and Midnight kissed, and the gathered ponies cheered. . . . . . . As the last of the ponies headed home for the night, Sky, Midnight, and Twilight remained on the front porch. The sun was just below the horizon now, and the events of the day were finally catching up with the weary ponies. "-that was a great wedding. It went a lot smoother than the last one I was at." Twilight chuckled. "We couldn't have done it without you, Twi. Thanks for organizing everything. Really, I don't know how you do it." Sky replied. "Anytime. It was a pleasure." "We really do owe you for everything you've done for us, Twilight. Thank you so much." Midnight added. "Like I said, it was a pleasure. I'll look forward to seeing you both down in Ponyville sometime soon though." Twilight said, giving an implicative smile. "You still wanna figure out what this cutie mark means, don't you?" Sky asked, eyeing his own flank. "Yes! You've had it for over a year now and we still have no idea what it means!" Twilight exclaimed. "Hehe, maybe I'll need to meet with those 'experts' you mentioned way back." Sky said with a slight laugh. "Maybe. Anyways... it's getting late, and I can tell you two want to enjoy your time together, so I'll get out of your manes." Twilight said. "Wait! Before you go-" Sky hurried over to Twilight's side and whispered into her ear. Midnight raised an eyebrow but said nothing as Sky whispered. Twilight nodded and, after a moment her eyes widened while a smile formed on her face. "Yeah, I can do that." Twilight replied. "Do what?" Midnight asked. "Just a quick spell. Could you hold still for a second, Midnight?" Twilight asked. "Uh... sure?" Midnight responded. Twilight's horn lit up in a purple hue, and within seconds, Midnight's entire body was similarly enveloped in purple. A slightly ticklish sensation bloomed over her entire body from her head down to her hooves. After a few seconds, the spell fizzled out and Twilight gave a triumphant smile. "Alright, that should be good for the next twenty four hours." Twilight announced. "Awesome! Thanks, Twi." Sky said. "Wait, what will? What spell did you cast?" Midnight asked, a puzzled look on her face. "Ask Sky," Twilight sing-songed before turning to head down the steps. "You two have a fun night!" She called back. "Thanks again, Twi! You're the best!" Sky hollered. Sky turned around to find Midnight giving him an expectant look. "Well?" She asked, expectantly. "Come here and I'll show you." Sky replied, holding his forelegs out invitingly. Midnight rolled her eyes but walked over to Sky as asked. He quickly wrapped his hooves around her and lifted her into a cradle while standing on his hindlegs. "Whoa!" Midnight managed through the shock of being so suddenly lifted and flipped around. "You good?" Sky asked, looking down into her eyes. "Hehe, yeah. I just didn't expect you to pick me up so easily. Is that what the spell did? Make me lighter or something?" Midnight asked, raising an eyebrow. "Hehe, nope. You trust me?" He asked. "With my life." She immediately replied. Sky unfurled his wings and spread them wide. At his full extension, he had a six foot wingspan, and Midnight's eyes widened upon realizing just what he was going to do. Before she could say anything, Sky gave one good flap of his wings, and suddenly, she was weightless. She screwed her eyes shut and tightly gripped him with her forelegs, but after a moment, found nothing but a cool breeze blowing past her with each flap of Sky's wings. Midnight opened her eyes to find that they were hovering several hundred feet in the air, and her gaze immediately shifted back up to the grinning pegasus holding her. "We-we're flying..." She breathlessly whispered. "Well, I wanted tonight to be special." Sky replied, bringing them over to a lone cloud. Midnight eyed the cloud with suspicion, and as Sky gently landed, she couldn't help but grip him tighter. "I'm not gonna let you fall." He whispered, breaking her from her fearful trance. Midnight hesitantly lessened her hold on him, until she was able to touch the cloud below, and to her surprise, it held firm under her weight. "Wha?" She asked as she completely released her hold on Sky and rested on the could. "Cloud walking spell. I figured it was something easy for Twilight, and I really wanted to share this view with you." Midnight's eyes trailed over to the horizon to find the sun setting completely, and bathing the world in reds, yellows, oranges, and purples. She turned around to find the night sky behind, and millions of bright stars sprinkling throughout the view opposite of the sun. "You know, I think I had a dream like this once." Midnight thought aloud. "Well, that's the good part. This isn't a dream." Sky replied, gently kissing her cheek. Midnight shuddered from his affection, and turned to properly return the kiss. Even with the breathtaking view around them passing by with each second, the only thing either of them could care about was each other. Even as the sun fully set below the horizon, Sky and Midnight busied themselves in their heated passion, and the world around them simply faded away. After a while, they came to a rest, and laid on that cloud until sleep came to claim them. Not a thing in the world could disturb the loving couple as they snuggled together in the embrace of soft cloud. Even the chilly air did nothing to the graphite mare while she was wrapped in the fuzzy embrace of her pegasus. "Who knew wings were so cozy?" She whispered as she dozed off and the world followed suite.