"Twilight!" Spike shouted, running toward them. "I have... hold on!" Spike rested his hands on his knees and burped. Out came a letter.
Whoa! Taro thought, That is on weird place to keep a letter.
Twilight held it up with her magic and read aloud. "Dear Twilight, I'm sure are as excited as I am for the upcoming wedding in Canterlot. Wedding? I will be presiding over the ceremony, but would love it if you and your friends would help with the preparations for this wonderful occasion. Fluttershy, I would like you and your songbird choir to provide the music. Pinkie Pie, I can think of no one more qualified than you to host the reception. Apple Jack, you will be in charge of the catering for the reception. Rainbow Dash, I would very much appreciate it if you perform a Sonic Rainboom as the bride and groom complete their 'I-Do's'. Rarity, you will be in charge of designing the outfits for the bride and brides-maids. As for you, Twilight, you will be playing the most important role of all, making sure all goes as planned. Taro, you shall be watching over the event. I look forward to seeing you all very soon. Attached to this letter is one for Taro. Yours truly, Princess Celestia."
Twilight looked over the letter. "But I don't understand, who's getting married?"
"Oh, right, I was probably supposed to give you this one first." Spike handed over another rolled up scroll.
Twilight grabbed it, and gave Taro his. Dear Taro, a threat was made against Canterlot from an anonymous source, but the wedding had already been planned. Your duty in Equestria is to see that nopony gets hurt and to help lead the Royal Guard.
Twilight read her letter: "Princess Celestia cordially invites you to the wedding of Princess Miamore Cadenza and," Twilight gasped, "my brother?"
"You're brother? Congrats, Twi!" Taro said, patting her on the back.
"Yeah, great news from an INVITATION! Not from my brother, but from a piece of paper! Thanks a lot, Shining Armor. He couldn't tell me personally? And who's Princess Miamore Cadenza anyway?"
"Um... Twilight, are you okay?" Fluttershy asked sheepishly.
"Sorry, it's just, Shining Armor and I have just been so close. Before I came to PonyVille to study the importance of friendship, Shining was the only one I counted as a friend."
Music started playing in the background and Twilight started to sing. "When I was just a..."
"Woah woah woah!" Taro interrupted. "What are you doing?"
"S-singing about my troubles. Why, is that weird to you?" Twilight answered.
"Yeah, a little. Can't you just tell us what happened?"
"Ugh, fine. He's my big brother best friend forever, and we..."
Taro sneezed. Alliteration.
"Bless you," AJ said politely.
"Thanks."
"Anyway, we did everything together. He taught me how to fly a kite, we never fought. I guess I miss him a lot more than I thought." Twilight looked toward a castle Taro assumed was Canterlot.
"As one of your friends, I'd say this brother of yours sounds like a really special guy," Apple Jack complimented.
"He is. They don't let just anypony be captain of the Royal guard."
Rarity's ears perked up. "Let me get this straight: We're helping out with the wedding of not just a princess, but the captain of the ROYAL GAURD!" she asked with a wide grin.
"Yeah, I guess we are," Twilight shrugged.
Without another word, she fainted.
"She sure likes that kind of publicity, huh?" Taro said rhetorically, stepping over Rarity.
"Well, the train already left for today, so I guess we'll leave tomorrow," Twilight said, still bummed.
"Actually, I'll leave for Canterlot now and I'll meet you at the station tomorrow. I want to get there early."
"Fine, whatever."
Taro took to the skies and called out for Thatch. Thatch, we got our mission. Fly toward Canterlot, the mountain-side town. Try staying out of sight from PonyVille.
Will do, Thatch approved.
Taro flew through the skies. He finally felt free again. An hour passed, only feeling like a minute. It would be almost seven before he reached Canterlot. Thatch, however, being a dragon, was more than likely already scouting for a place to stay. Taro was daydreaming about how he hoped the wedding would go: a small fight between him and some bad guy, a flesh wound and then a happy couple, joining together for their lives.
Suddenly a black... thing slammed into him. "Hey!" he shouted. The thing took shape as a human. Changeling, he thought to himself. Taro landed to fight the changeling on the ground. The creature followed.
"Alright, you want to fight?" Taro taunted. "You're gonna regret it!" Taro swung his fist at the fake human's jaw. It ducked and tried to counter with a blow to Taro's gut, but he was too slow. Taro back flipped out of the way, and kicked it in the head in the process. It tried to punch Taro straight in the nose, but he dodged, grabbed it's arm, and elbowed it in the face, killing it.
Taro shrugged it off and started flying again.