The guard brought Sorin back through the city to a small bakery. While simple on the outside, it had all the new and modern baking technologies held inside. From electric mixers to ice cream makers, the bakery had it all. Currently, Applejack was running around, whipping up her treats for the ceremony.
“I will leave you to it, sir,” the guard told Sorin. “Twilight Sparkle and Applejack are in the bakery, but the others are in their own locations, performing their tasks. Good day, sir.” The guard turned about and walked off, returning to his post.
Sorin spun around, looking at the open bakery entrance. There was an enormous cake, a beautiful heart-shaped ice sculpture, and trays of tiny apple fritters. He trotted inside, finding Twilight slouched against a pillar with her forelegs crossed. Her face was cross as she checked things off of her list. Applejack gave her a fritter, which lightened her mood as she checked them off the list.
“I hope all is well, Twilight Sparkle.”
She craned her head to look back at Sorin. “Oh, it’s nothing.” He raised an eyebrow.
“Well, it’s possible that I think Cadance has changed so much over the years that she is practically a different pony. She’s mundane, mean, and just not the same.” It felt good to get that off her chest.
“Who’s Cadance?”
“She’s my old foalsitter. Back then, she was amazing. Kind, caring, loving—she was one of the best ponies around. She’s the pony my brother’s marrying.”
“So, your brother is marrying your old foalsitter; who happens to be a princess?”
“I mean, if you put it that way…” she answered.
“I’m sure it’s just nerves. She is probably just as concerned about giving you the wrong impression as you are about her. Plus, she is getting married during a time when Canterlot is under a potential threat.”
“How do you know about that?” Twilight asked.
“Oh, the princesses told me before I came over here. My job is to watch over you and your friends and make sure you are safe during our stay,” he answered.
“I look forward to having you around,” she warmly replied.
Just then, a back door opened into the bakery. “Hiya, princess!” Applejack greeted who could only be a princess.
Sorin looked over at the door, seeing her for the first time. Her cotton-candy-like fur matched her yellow, pink, and purple mane perfectly. The locks ran down to her knees, styled to perfection. Her body was slim and sleek, giving her a curvy look. There was a crystal heart on her flank, and right in front of it were her wings. They were small, but they were still there.
She was an alicorn, and she wore a crown like the other princesses. Her golden horseshoes clicked on the ground as she strolled in. Her face was one of the finest he had seen amongst ponies, but it was ruined by the look of pure indifference she wore.
“Please, call me ‘Princess Mi Amore Cadenza,’” she said in a snobby voice. It sounded unnatural, almost forced in a way to Sorin.
“Hiya, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza,” Applejack greeted again before lifting her head. The princess put on a large smile. “You come to check out what’s on the menu for your big day?
“I have,” she answered before following with a scowl. Twilight and Sorin both studied her as she tried a fritter.
“Delicious! I love-love-love them,” she awkwardly said.
“Aw, shucks. Why don’t you take a few to go?” Applejack offered her the bag. “I know how you brides can be. So busy, you forget to get a little somethin’ in your belly.”
The princess walked towards the exit, holding the bag of treats with her… green magic. Sorin blinked to make sure he was seeing correctly. He was; she had a green magical glow. He had never seen something like that from a pony. Usually, the color was similar to the coat of fur. She threw the bag straight into the trash can, leaving and closing the doors behind her.
“Did you see what she…” Twilight tried to say after seeing what happened, glancing at Sorin and Applejack.
Something here is amiss; I just don’t know what yet.
She had already finished her tasks for the bakery, and she wanted to see more, so she left without another word. Sorin caught up to her after wishing Applejack farewell.
“Where to now?”
“I’m going to Rarity’s suite.”
He followed her, finding himself in the room at the top of a tower. Inside, Rarity was working away on her dresses and gowns. Twilight started talking about how mean Cadance was.
“Oh, you should have seen how she acted back there. I don’t know when she changed, but she changed.” She tried to mimic her voice, saying, “‘Please, call me Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.’”
Sorin was by the door, listening to the conversation. The door next to him shot open, the princess coming through.
“Did I hear someone say my name?” she asked.
“Your highness!” Rarity exclaimed while racing over to bow. “Let me just start by saying what an honor it is to play a role in such a momentous occasion.”
“Uh-huh,” the princess deadpanned. “Is my dress ready?”
“Yes, of course. I’ve been working on it ever since I was given the assignment, and I think you’ll be pleased with the results!” The seamstress hummed in excitement as she showed the princess her dress. Her look of glee fell apart as the princess listed her demands.
“I was hoping for something with more beading and a longer train.”
“Oh, yes, of course,” she said, writing everything on a notepad.
“And those should be a different color,” the princess said while looking at the three bridesmaid dresses.
“I think they’re lovely!” one of the bridesmaids said.
“Me too!” another said.
“I love them,” the last one added.
Princess Cadance shot daggers behind her at them, silencing them instantly. “Make them a different color.”
“Gee, maybe her name should be ‘Princess Demandy-pants,’” Twilight mouthed to Sorin as the princess left. He lightly chuckled, but on the inside, he could almost feel something different about this princess. Was she a friend or a foe, and if an enemy, an Equestrian or something else?
If he had not split himself apart, he would have sensed her magic by now. Calming himself, he realized he would have to find out for himself another way.
He went with Twilight to check on the reception for the wedding. She led him into the Canterlot Castle and one of its spacious halls. Pinkie Pie was on the other side of the room, talking with the princess. Twilight pulled him behind a pillar, jumping from one to another as she watched Cadance.
“Okay, let me see. We’ve been over the games,” Pinkie Pie said by a board game, “the dances.” She stopped flailing around wildly. “I think this reception is gonna be perfect! Don’t you?”
“Perfect!” Cadance answered. She started walking away, another grimace on her face. “If we were celebrating a six-year-old’s birthday party,” she whispered under her breath just loud enough for Pinkie Pie to hear.
“Thank you!”
Twilight gasped. “Poor Pinkie Pie,” she whispered to Sorin after the doors closed.
“Yes, she doesn’t quite understand the insult,” he replied.
“It’s getting late; we need to go eat. Luckily, we have that reservation at that local restaurant for the evening.”
Sorin followed her out, letting her lead him to the restaurant in another part of the city. When they showed up, their friends had already been seated. Twilight and Sorin took their seats.
The moon had come out, and the sun had gone down, casting a pleasant mood over the city.
“We ordered what you put down for your drink earlier to speed things up. I hope you don’t mind,” Rarity said.
“Not at all,” Sorin responded. Twilight nodded her head in agreement. The waiters brought out their two drinks, placing them on the table.
After taking a few large sips of her drink, Twilight cleared her throat. “Bet I can guess what you’re all thinking.” Her friends looked at her, slightly lost. “Cadance is the absolute worst bride-to-be ever.”
“Twilight, whatever are you talking about? Cadance is an absolute gem.”
“Rarity, she was so demanding!” Twilight shot back.
“Well, of course she is! Why shouldn’t she expect the very best on her wedding day?” Rarity pointed out.
Trying again, Twilight turned to her country friend. “Applejack, did you know that after she told you how much she just ‘love-love-loved’ your hors d’oeuvres, she threw them in the trash?”
“Aw, she was probably just trying to spare my feelin’s,” she dismissed it as.
“No, she was just being fake and totally insincere.”
“She did raise her voice at one of my birds during rehearsal,” Fluttershy said.
Thinking her friends finally saw the light, Twilight exclaimed, “See? Rude!”
“But he was singing really off-key.” The same bird burst into a discordant song note. Her friends cringed.
“Pinkie Pie, you had to have noticed how Cadance treated—” she saw Pinkie Pie too caught up in the cake decorations to care. “Nevermind. Rainbow Dash, you’re with me, right?”
The pegasus snapped to attention. “Sorry, Twi. Been too busy prepping for my sonic rainboom to pay much attention to the bride’s bad attitude.”
Twilight let out an agitated groan.
“The princess is about to get married,” Rarity interjected. “I’m sure any negative behavior she might be displaying is simply the result of nerves.”
Twilight put two of her hooves on the table. “And I’m sure it’s the result of being an awful pony who doesn’t deserve to even know Shining Armor, let alone marry him!”
“Think maybe you’re bein’ just a tiny bit possessive of your brother?” Applejack said, only adding fuel to the fire. Her friends mouthed their agreement.
“I am not being possessive, and I am not taking it out on Cadance. You’re all just too caught up in your wedding planning to notice that maybe there shouldn’t even be a wedding!” She knocked over a couple glasses as she slammed her hooves down before storming off.
Her friends all shrugged, cleaning up the mess she made. They did not believe her and thought she was still upset about her brother not telling her about the wedding. They also felt she was simply being protective of her brother.
“I do not entirely agree with her, but I think she is onto something,” Sorin said.
“Are ya sure?” Applejack asked in a flat tone. “She seemed mighty heated over her brother gettin’ married.”
“The mare her brother is supposed to be marrying is not the lovely, kind mare from years ago. She has been rude to the ponies helping her this whole time. Whether or not that is due to stress or pressure, I do not know. Her pretty exterior may be a mask for her true self.”
“I can’t see it,” Rarity added. “She seems absolutely splendid.”
If they cannot see something is off with her, they will never discover me.
“For now, I will continue to observe. I need more information to come to a real conclusion.” The waiters brought out their dishes, gently laying them on the table. “Now, let’s enjoy this meal.”
They did just that, discussing the city’s sights and the day’s work. They felt terrible about how their friend had stormed off, but they all agreed some space would do her some good.
Eventually, they finished their meals and left to return to their rooms, but mailponies brought them new instructions. The mares would be the new bridesmaids. They went to a changing building to get ready for the wedding rehearsal.
Twilight burst into the room, shouting, “Shining Armor’s in real trouble! You have to help—” she gasped. “Dresses? What are you—”
“Can you believe it?” Fluttershy said after flying up to her. “We’re gonna be Princess Mi Amore Cadenza’s new bridesmaids!”
“New bridesmaids? What happened to her old bridesmaids?” Twilight shot back.
“She didn’t say. But she did tell us that she would love-love-love it if we’d fill in for them,” Applejack said.
“Seeing as we’ve been working so hard and everything,” Rarity added.
“And you had your doubts about her.”
“Told you she was an absolute gem!”
Twilight was taken aback by her friends’ enthusiasm. She looked to Sorin, who shrugged. He was as surprised as she was.
“You sure this is what I should wear?” Rainbow Dash asked, wiggling around. “Doesn’t seem all that aerodynamic.”
“Hmm. I’ll see what I can do,” Rarity replied before trotting to get her trade tools.
Sorin watched Twilight trotting away with her head down. He wanted to support her, but he needed to play the fence for now. He simply needed to observe and stay low.
The Shadowstrikers narrowed their eyes as they prepared to strike at their master’s command. Their talons gripped the ground hard, cutting into the ice. Both sides stood in silence, waiting for their windigo to speak. Instead, the spirits stared at each other as if they were having a staring contest. Growing tired, Yogg-Saron broke the silence, maintaining Sorin’s voice.
“You two are brothers?”
“Yes,” the larger one said, tearing his eyes away. “Unlike our brethren, we are direct descendants of the first windigo. Our family line has always ruled, but he betrayed us. Instead of joining the pack, he decided to leave in search of friendship. It was pathetic.”
“And I have paid for that,” Vultrax answered with grit teeth, “dearly.”
“Really? You betrayed your kind—your family—to make friends with ponies. You turned your back, leaving the weight of a starving kingdom to me. Have you truly paid, brother?”
“I was foolish to think they could care for anyone but themselves, but you left me to rot away in that damnable cage!”
“You dare to criticize me?” The ruler’s eyes burned blue as he stomped his hoof. “You return to my kingdom with a pony, one that has likely revealed our location!”
He rammed into Vultrax, punching him in the jaw. Vultrax whipped his head around, slamming it into his brother’s, causing them both to stumble back. His brother charged at him, yelling out.
A powerful blast in between them caused them both to slide back, cutting into the icy ground as they went sliding.
“Enough!” Sorin shouted. “Your petty quarrels annoy me. Vultrax, I did not know you harbor such anger towards the Equestrians. I can now see why you want to ensure their downfall.”
Vultrax stilled, returning to his soldiers, his brother doing the same. Sorin stood next to Vultrax, slightly annoyed.
“I am Sorin. Who are you?” he asked the ruler.
“I am Draxil, the fifth ruler of this kingdom. Who are you to speak for a windigo—even an exiled one?” the ruler demanded.
“I am the one who freed your brother, and I am the one to give your people a true kingdom once again.”
“Bold claims from a pony. Did Celestia send you?”
Sorin laughed out loud. Why did ponies always think he was one of her minions? “She is my most hated enemy.” His laughs slowly came to an end. “No. If I get what I want, her rule shall end, and the windigos will be able to feed upon ponies for eternity.”
“You would betray your kind?”
“The Equestrians are not my kind. They have no idea how powerful I truly am.”
“Yes, I have heard, Sorin. Were you not the one who helped them defeat Discord when he controlled their nation?”
“A means to an end,” Sorin plainly stated. “My endgame can include the windigos—if you join me.”
Draxil snorted. “Join you? Who do you think you are? We are windigos, the mythic monsters of old who almost devoured the ponies permanently. We would never serve a pony.”
“What if I defeat you? Will you serve then?” Sorin asked genuinely.
“You could not defeat me.”
“No, if I defeat all of you,” he said, pointing at all the windigos.
Draxil laughed, barely able to stand straight. “How laughable.” He tried to contain himself. “I’ll give you this: if you can somehow defeat us, we will join you.”
Sorin grinned. “It is unwise to bargain your fates with one you know nothing of. Alas, your fates are sealed.” He raised a hoof, the Shadowstrikers going into the air. They flew backward, leaving their master plenty of space. He looked at Vultrax, nodding to him. He joined the Shadowstrikers.
“We will see, Sorin.”
“I may have lied,” Sorin began, his eyes lighting up, “Sorin is the name of my current form. In truth, I am Yogg-Saron.”
“Sadly, a name will not save you, pony.” Draxil went into the air, climbing directly upward. The windigos followed him. Sorin narrowed his eyes as he prepared himself. They slowed down, hundreds of feet above him, and began to dive. They all raced towards Sorin’s tiny form, spiraling down at him.
Their forms darkened the sky, and a storm took hold over the kingdom. As lightning crashed, Sorin’s black tendrils sprouted from his back.
“I am Yogg-Saron, the God of Death, and you charge towards your end!” He grinned.
The sun was out once again, and the sound of chimes was in the air. Inside the castle, the wedding rehearsal was taking place. The giant hall looked as elegant as ever, with beautiful decorations everywhere. Sorin stood alongside Shining Armor as he waited for his bride to enter. The five new bridesmaids walked down the aisle, barely containing their excitement.
Sorin was bored with such trivial affairs and wondered where Twilight was. He did not see her the rest of last night, and she had not been seen this morning. He hoped she was alright.
“Perfect, girls. No need to rush. Then, of course, Cadance will enter,” Celestia kindly said. He perked up, now fully focused on seeing the princess.
The door opened with a yellow and blue glow, revealing Cadance in all her beauty. Even though she had no dress on, she was stunning. Her fur was brushed down, and her mane was smoothed out. She started her slow trot down the red carpet, her eyes on Shining Armor.
“I’ll say a few words, and then we’ll begin with the vows,” Celestia said, Cadance coming up to Shining Armor and Sorin.
“Good morning, princess,” he greeted her with just enough venom on the last word for her to notice. She took a quick glance at him, hoping to silence him with a deadly glare. To her surprise, it did nothing.
“Shining Armor, you’ll get the ring from your best mare.” The groom looked to his right, finding no best mare.
“Hey, has anypony seen Twilight?”
His question was interrupted by the entrance door reopening. Everypony snapped their head to see the mare in question, a worryingly bold expression on her face.
“I’m here! I’m not gonna stand next to her, and neither should you!”
Shining Armor tried to apologize for his sister’s behavior, but she seemed bent on getting her point across.
“Maybe we should just ignore her,” Princess Cadance said, annoyed.
“You have to listen to me!”
Fluttershy rushed up to Twilight, and so did Applejack. The country mare tried to stop her friend, but she pulled her hat down.
“I’ve got something to say,” she announced, walking closer to the altar. She put out a hoof, pointing it directly at Cadance. “She’s evil!”
It seems she is doing the work for me…
Everypony broke into chatter, Shining Armor standing in front of his bride.
“She’s been horrible to my friends,” she teleported right behind Cadance, “she’s obviously done something to her bridesmaids, and if that wasn’t enough, I saw her put a spell on my brother that made his eyes go all—” She made her eyes roll around.
Now backed into a literal and figurative corner, the princess started to cry. “Why are you doing this to me?” She bolted towards the door, tears streaming from her face.
“Because you’re evil!” Twilight yelled, appearing in the doorway. “Evil, and if I don’t stop you, you’re gonna ruin my brother’s life!” Satisfied, she turned around and started to walk back. Instead, she bumped into her brother.
“You want to know why my eyes went all—” he asked, his eyes spinning. He cringed from the pain of doing so. “Because ever since I started having to perform my protection spell, I’ve been getting terrible migraines. Cadance hasn’t been casting spells on me. She’s been using her magic to heal me.”
Twilight could hear the venom in his voice. She took a breath to respond, but he spoke before she could.
“And she decided to replace her bridesmaids because she found out the only reason they wanted to be in the wedding was so that they could meet Canterlot royalty. And if she hasn’t been on her best behavior with your friends, it’s because with me being so busy, she’s had to make all the decisions about the wedding!”
“I was just trying to—”
“She’s been completely stressed out because it’s really important to her that our big day be perfect!” he continued, further berating her. “Something that obviously wasn’t important to you.” His head twitched in pain again. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go and comfort my bride.” He trotted away. “And you can forget about being my best mare. In fact, if I were you, I wouldn’t show up to the wedding at all.”
Twilight slumped to the ground. Her closest friends went past her without so much as a glance. They exited, going to go check on the princess. Sorin stepped down from the mantle, Celestia walking by.
“I was—” Twilight tried to explain, never getting the chance.
“You have a lot to think about,” Celestia said with a level of disappointment that shook Twilight to her core.
Sorin followed the princess as she closed the large doors. He caught up to her, putting a hoof on her shoulder to get her attention.
“You don’t think that was maybe a little harsh. The poor mare was just trying to watch out for her brother,” he said to her.
“No. She came into the castle and disgraced us all with that declaration. A few stiff words will teach her to think before she acts.” With that, Celestia trotted away. Sighing, Sorin slowly turned back to the double doors. He went towards them, pausing as he heard a voice.
“I’m sorry!” he could hear Twilight groveling.
As he leaned in closer, he heard Princess Mi Amore Cadenza as a faint whisper, saying, “You will be.”
Even in this form, he could feel the activation of magic from inside the room. He quickly teleported to the center of the room. The waves of magic washed over him, and he could tell that it was not Equestrian. It was something alien.
As he looked up, he saw Princess Cadance with her horn glowing green, standing above Twilight, who was surrounded by green flames. The princess’s wicked grin shifted to one of concern as she spotted Sorin. She fired the same spell at him as she had used on Twilight.
He tried to put up a magical shield, but the teleport spell had used a lot of his energy. His weaker form could not hold the shield, and it fell apart before him—leaving him vulnerable. The green fireball slammed into him, encasing his body in green fire and forcing him to his knees.
“You’ll pay for that!” he bellowed through the pain. He struggled against the magic as he felt himself sinking into the ground, fire forming a dome around his head. He could see Cadance grinning once again.
“We’ll see,” she smugly stated.
His head was slipping under the floor, Twilight about to disappear as well.
“The words of a dead man walking…”
“Man?” was the last thing he heard as darkness overtook him…