//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: If Only // Story: Dancing With The Shadows // by Vocal Sweets //------------------------------// “Will you marry me?”  “Huh?” Applebloom ears prick up as she walks past the barn, overhearing a voice from inside the house. She backtracks, as she stealthily and quietly peers inside.  Gasping at the sight before her, she thinks to herself: “I have to tell Applejack!”  She moves away from the door and quickly gallops full speed towards the apple orchard.  Applejack was bucking down apples, she had almost enough to help Granny Smith make her world famous apple pie.  “Sis! Sis!” Applebloom calls out, her voice full of worry.  Applejack stops bucking apples. Her ears prick up at the sound of her sister's voice. She watches as a frantic looking Applebloom gallops toward her full force.  “Huh? Applebloom? What's the matter, sugarcube?” Applejack asks. She wonders what has her sister all worked up.  By the time Applebloom reached her sister she was already out of breath. “.... I just saw Discord in the house…” She huffs out.  “Well maybe he come by to pick something up for Twilight.” Applejack assumes.  “But, he has a ring…. He was proposing-” Applebloom was still out of breath, but Applejack cut her off.  “Well that's nice. It's about time him and Twilight tied the knot.” Applejack kicks, the apple tree once more.  Applebloom shook her head. “No, sis you don't understand. He was proposing to Granny Smith!”  “What?!” Applejack instantly stopped what she was doing. “We have to stop them! Come on!” She says, already ahead.  Both sister siblings gallops full force back to the house. “Applebloom, are you sure you saw a ring?” Applejack says, in between breath as she was running.  “Sis. I know what an engagement ring looks like. I'm positive I saw a ring! It had a one hunk of a diamond in it after all.” Applebloom says.  “Let's just hope we're not too late! That varmint has another thing come to him once I get a hold of him.” Applejack says, she grits her teeth.  * Applejack kicks in the door to the house. “Applejack! What in tarnation has gotten into you? I just fixed that door last month.” Granny Smith bellows.  “Sorry, Granny.” She looks apologetic to her grandmother, before snapping her attention back to Discord.  “Look here you varmint!” Her voice was full of venom.  Discord clumsiness caused him to almost drop the ring.  “A-A-Applejack! I swear this isn't what it looks like!” Discord says, still holding onto the ring.  “Oh really! Well it looks like to me that you were about to marry Granny Smith! I thought you were with Twilight?” Applejack still had the look of bitterness on her face.  “I am, but listen-” Discord pleads.  “No, buts! Why when I tell Twilight that you broke her heart-” Applejack was pissed that Discord would stoop so low as to go behind Twilight back and do something like that.  “Forget this I'll just go tell Twilight right now.” Applejack hurried off, but she didn't get to far. Discord poofs her back in and holds her by the tail.  “Hey! Put me down you lying varmint!” Applejack says.  “Not until you let me explain.” Says Discord.  Applejack huffs. “Fine! You got ten minutes.”  Granny Smith and Discord both looked at each other laughing.  “What seems to be so funny?” Questions Applejack.  “Applejack, Discord wasn't gonna marry me. Yes, he's still in love with Twilight. But, he was just practicing what to say to Twilight with me.” Granny Smith says, still laughing.  “For what exactly?” Applebloom wonders.  “To marry her, duh.” Discord says, showing Applebloom the ring.  Applebloom felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment.  “So you don't want to marry, Granny Smith?” Applebloom questions.  “Your grandmother is a very sweet mare. I'll admit that, but she does have your grandfather to keep her company as well as you three.” Discord admits.  Discord turns to Granny Smith. “Thank you for the help.”  “Anytime, Discord.” Granny Smith says.  “Now if you excuse me I have a soon-to-be wife I need to get home to. Ta-ta!” Discord said, before disappearing. In a flash he was gone.  Applejack drops to the floor with a hard thud.  She looks at her sister, her eyes narrowed. “You owe me big time missy.”  ***  The sky was painted in shades of lavender and light pink, mixed with a mango orange.  “Twilight! I'm home!” Discord calls out, to no one in particular. However, she wasn't in her room, instead he saw her silently standing there on her balcony.  “Twilight?” Discord, approaches her with caution.  “Where have you been?” Twilight questions her voice, slightly monotonous. She didn't even bother to look in his direction. “You know I needed help with Harmonia today.” Her voice sounded: distance, cold, and bitter.  “Where is Harmonia, anyways.” Discord questions.  “Tempest and Starlight decided to watch her, while I finished my tasks for the day.” Twilight's voice was blunt.  “Perfect! Now come on.” Discord said.  “Whatever it is, I don't feel like going anywhere tonight.” Twilight’s voice was bitter.  She was about to walk off, but Discord wrapped her around with his tail. “Look Twilight, I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you today. But I promise I will always be here for you from now on. Just believe me when I say this: follow me.”  “Discord, I'm cranky, ill and tired for the day. Can this not wait til tomorrow?” Twilight wonders.  “No, now come on.” Discord teases, he puts his paw on Twilight's eyes.  “Discord, I can't see anything.” Twilight mutters.   He snaps his claw, the two of them end up at Winsome Falls.  Twilight grabs his paw with her aura and removes it. “Discord-” Twilight, but she stops short of her sentence. She looks around at her surroundings. “Where are we?” She wonders.  “Winsome Falls of course.” Discord says.  Twilight watches the sunset from a far. The rays of the sun cast a golden glow on both of them.   This was his chance.  “Twilight?” Discord asks.  Twilight turns away from the sunset and looks at Discord. “Yeah?” Questions Twilight.  “H-How do you like this view?” Discord wonders.  “Coward.” He thinks to himself, behind his back he clutches the ring.  “Well it certainly is breathtaking.” Twilight said, watching the rainbow waterfall spill downward into the river.  Twilight turns to face Discord, who in return gave her an awkward smile. “Discord are you okay?” Twilight wonders.  Discord nodded his head. “I'm fine really, just doing some thinking, but it's nothing  important really. Let's just enjoy this scenery together.”  They both sat in conformable silence for a good fifteen minutes, Discord rubs the leather box he now placed beside him, hidden from Twilight of course.  “What could go wrong? I mean we are at the perfect place with the perfect view, I just can't bring myself to ask her. Ugh! For Celestia sake I practice this with Granny Smith. I mean sure she was old, but that's besides the point. Whatever, it's time to put this plan into action.” Discord argues with his thoughts for a good five seconds.  He grabs Twilight hoof, she looks down at her hoof then back at Discord. “Disco-” Discord places a finger on Twilight’s lips.  “Twilight, I'm not sure where life will take us in the next five to ten years, but I know I don't want to be apart from you or Harmonia. Ever. But right now- in this moment- I'm sure of us. So sure that I would marry you in a heartbeat.” Discord said, giving Twilight the most heart-warming speech that she has ever heard from anypony.  Tears prick at the corner of Twilight. She gasps at what was being displayed in front of her.  A ring.  Not just any ring, an engagement ring.  “I guess what I’m trying to say is: Twilight will you marry me?” Discord asks. He was looking a bit nervous, while he waited for Twilight's answer.  Minutes felt like hours, which hours lead to it felt like infinity. Twilight eyes the ring then looks back at Discord. She bit the inside of her cheek. Contemplating her answer.  “We have been through so much in the last few months and I couldn’t ask for a better pony to be by my side through it all.” Twilight thought to herself.  “Well…” Discord wonders. Tears poured down her face, she gave him the biggest grin on her face.  “Y-yes… yes of course I will.” Twilight cries out. She wraps her hoofs around her soon to be husband and gives him a long, but loving kiss.  “I love you. You big chaotic goofball.” Twilight says.  Discord chuckles. “I love you too. Now let’s have a wedding!”  *** “So, tell us what happened, darling!” Rarity said, squealing she couldn't contain her excitement any longer.  Twilight sent a message to the girls last night telling them to meet her at her castle in the morning. The following morning, She showed them the ring that Discord had proposed to her with. “Where did he propose to you?” Rainbow Dash wonders.  Twilight giggles. “At Winsome Falls.”  “That’s the most beautiful spot that I know of. It’s where we took Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo for our Annual Sister Campout a few years back.” Applejack said.    “Well if you girls loved Winsome Falls during the day, just think of what it would look like when the afternoon rays hit the waterfall. It is simply breathtaking.” Twilight had a starstruck look on her face.  “Sooo when’s the wedding?” Pinkie Pie questions.  “Suppose it was June 10th so…. 7 months from now.” Twilight thinks out loud.  “I was also wondering if you girls would be in my wedding? As my bridesmaids?” Twilight wonders.  “Of course, darling! We would be honored to be a part of your wedding.” Squeals Rarity.  “Pinkie can help with the decorations and I will make sure everything runs smoothly for your wedding.” Said Starlight.  “ I can make sure the weather is cleared for your big day and I'm sure Fluttershy can handle the music.” Rainbow Dash said.  “ I can make you a beautiful wedding dress.” Rarity said  “And I can take care of the catering. We've all got your back Twilight.” Applejack said with a wink.  “Now you can have all the time you need to take care of Harmonia. We will handle the rest.” Starlight said.  “Okay, well I trust you that I'll be in good hoofs with you girls.” Twilight said, she turned and walked away, going into Harmonia’s room.  Fluttershy turned to the girls. “So, where is this wedding going to happen?”  The girls thought for a moment. “Well, every wedding that I have ever attended to has always been held in Canterlot.” Rarity said.  “And we can ask Princess Celestia to resign over the ceremony.” Applejack thought.  “Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go to Canterlot.” Rainbow Dash said, flying out the castle door.  *** May 1st “So, what do you say Princess? Could you preside over Twilight and Discord's wedding?” Rainbow asks.  “Rainbow Dash! I don't think that's how you ask the Princess if you need something done.”  Rarity warns her friend.  Celestia giggles. “It's fine, Rarity. I would love to resign over the wedding. When is it?”  “Several weeks from now, your highness.” Starlight said.  “So why are you girls setting up this early?” Wonders Luna.  “Ever heard the saying ‘Early bird catches the worm’?” Asks Applejack.  “Applejack, I don't think they are from the south.” Pipes up Pinkie Pie.  Luna and Celestia giggles. “Well we will leave you girls to it. If you need us, just ask one of the guards to come and get us.” Said Luna.  Both the princesses turn to leave the girls to attend to their business.  “Now let’s get to work girls.” Applejack says.  *** June 10th  “The wedding scenery looks beautiful, girls.” Starlight said, she had a clipboard in hoof checking everything off.  “I hope so, it took us five and a half weeks to pull off everything.” Mumbles Rainbow Dash said.  “Pft Dashie, it took us only three minutes and twelve seconds to do a montage about it.” Giggles Pinkie Pie. “A song that we didn’t include Starlight in.”  Starlight quickly raises an eyebrow. “Anyways, I think it’s safe to say that we can now get Twilight and Discord ready for their big day tomorrow.”  “Pinkie, are you sure those party cannons are safe?” Fluttershy wonders.  “There wedding cannons, Fluttershy. Of course they are safe.” Says Pinkie.  Applejack yawns. “Well, I’m beat. We better get some sleep if we want to be prepared tomorrow for Twilight’s wedding.”  Rarity was the next pony to yawn. “Indeed.”  Luna walks into the room the girls were standing in. “You girls did a marvelous job, everything looks perfect.”  “Thank you, Princess.” Applejack said.  “You girls can stay here for the night if you would like to.” Luna said, offering her hospitality to the girls.  “Oh, Princess we couldn’t impose-” Fluttershy said.  “Please Fluttershy I insist.” Luna said, smiling kindly at the shy mare. The girls all settled down for the night to prepare for Twilight's big day tomorrow. *** Today was the big day, Ponies and creatures from all over came to the city of Canterlot to celebrate Twilight's big day.  Her family was in the front, Flurry Heart was Twilight's flower girl and Kunzite was Twilight's ring barrier. Shining on the other hand was already crying and the wedding hadn't even started.  “He’s okay, he always cries at weddings. Usually it's before the wedding starts.” Cadence mutters the last bit to herself. Twilight was in the backroom, with the girls getting prepared.  However, Twilight was pacing back and forth clearly nervous.  “Twilight, darling if you don't be still I won't be able to get your makeup finished or even this last curler out of your tail.” Rarity said, her magic aura held a mascara wand and a blush brush.  “Sorry, Rarity. It's just… what if I mess up my portion of wedding vow or I trip going down the aisle.” Complains a worried Twilight.  “You have nothing to worry about Twilight.” Rainbow Dash said.  “Besides, everyone has an embarrassing moment at their wedding-” Pinkie Pie said.  Twilight's eye twitches slightly. Everypony looks at Pinkie with a deadpan expression on their faces. “I mean depending on the pony.” Pinkie lets out a nervous giggle.  Starlight sighes. “Twilight, you have been an amazing mentor and friend to me the past four years and I still continue to learn new things, even without your guidance. I know that if you are amazing in those two areas, then you will be an amazing wife and mother.”  Starlight wraps her hoofs around Twilight's neck. “Thank you, Starlight.”  “Now come on, we have a wedding to put on!” Starlight sang.  “We will be there in a bit, Starlight.” Applejack said.  Starlight nodded and walked out to join the others.  Twilight waves goodbye before turning around to face the others. “No matter the events that happen today you girls will always play an important part in my life.”  Applejack and the others tear up at Twilight’s comment. “We love you, Twilight.” Fluttershy spoke up. “Awe, I love you too girls. Now come on we have a wedding to throw.” Twilight said. *** Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow and Pinkie Pie slowly walk side by side of each other, making their way down the aisle before taking their rightful places on the left side. Discord groomspony-and dragon-was on the right side consistent with Spike and Big Mac.  Everypony stood up as Flurry Heart made her way down the aisle, her flower basket levitating in gold aura around the handle.  Her magic scattered the red rose petals on the floor. She stopped half way, before continuing looking in her basket. “Daddy, I ran out of flowers.” Flurry said, a sad expression was displayed on her face.  The crowd of ponies stifled a giggle at the young Alicorn, even Shining and his wife. “It's okay sweetie. Keep going.” Shining said.   Flurry smiled and walked down the rest of the aisle and stood at her post. The classical music of the Wedding March plays softly in the choir of birds that Fluttershy was directing.  Twilight's magical aura grip at the door handles and pulls them open.  She looked beautiful, as she made her way down the aisle. Her silk white wedding dress trailed behind her, the front was made of lace and accompanied with colorful gems and tiny silver beads.  A veil covered her eyes, but she could still see where she was going. Applejack and her friends were tearing up as they watched their best friend get married.  Celestia smiles at the both of them before addressing the crowd. “Mares and Gentlecolts, we have gathered here today to celebrate the union of Princess Twilight Sparkle and Discord. The strength of their commitment is clear, the power of their love is undeniable.”  Both of them smiled at each other. “May we have the rings please?” Asks Celestia. Kunzite smiles as he lifts the tiny pillow with two rings on it. Celestia grasps the ring in her light golden aura, sliding on Twilight’s horn and the other one on Discord’s finger. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”  Announces Celestia.  Discord and Twilight share a passionate, yet loving kiss. Her friends watch from aside, each of them tearing up.  “Rainbow Dash,” Celestia whispers. “That’s your cue.”  “Oh! Right!” Rainbow says, she quickly zooms off. She was flying faster than a speeding bullet, her speed broke the sound barrier. “Best wedding ever!”  *** The reception of the wedding took place as night began to fall across the city of Canterlot, thanks to Luna who was raising the moon.   The reception was in full swing, creatures and ponies were chatting and getting along, despite their racial differences. Twilight, Discord and the Mane 6- along with Spike and Big Mac- were sitting at the head of the wedding table.  A slow song came onto the speaker, Discord looked at Twilight smiling at her basfully.  “May I have this dance?” Ask Discord.  Twilight nodded. “Girls we’ll be back.” She tells her friends.  On the dance floor, Twilight and Discord smile at each other. “Is this everything you ever dreamed it would be?” murmurs Discord to Twilight.  “Yes,” Twilight swoons. “Today was absolutely perfect. I mean besides the fact that my niece ran out of flowers.” Twilight giggles at that last bit.  Discord lets out a chuckle himself. “Yes, that was adorably chaotic.”   From afar, the Princesses watches as Twilight glides gracefully across the dance floor with Discord.  “Aw, Twilight looks so in love! Doesn’t she sister?” Luna said.  Celestia stays silent for a moment.  “Tia?” Luna had a concerned expression on her face, clearly something was bothering at her sister. “Hello? Is anypony in there?” Luna waves her hoof in front of her sister's face. “Earth to Celestia!” She shouts a little. Celestia sighed. “Wha- oh! Yes, yes she looks very happy.” Celestia softly mutters between the both of them.  “Sister? Is something wrong?” Luna asks.  “No I'm fine, really.” Celestia said. Her expression remain calm as she gives Luna a fake smile.   Celestia walks off. “Where are you going?” Luna asks.  "I just need some time to think, okay?" Celestia said, with that she walks out of the reception area to get some much needed fresh air.