Canterlot Castle had stood strong for centuries perched on the side of the largest mountain range in all of Equestria; it had the perfect view of the entire kingdom from Ponyville to the Undiscovered West. Today it was dressed to the nines with flowers artistically arranged in nearly every single corner of the castle. The wedding preparations had truly produced an amazing result and any pony that glanced in its direction would declare that it was a beautiful sign of exquisite design.
However Rainbow Dash was not looking at the pretty flowers that lined the hallways. Instead she was stuck in one of the guest rooms listening to Rarity hurriedly trying to finish her wedding preparations.
“I can’t believe that we’re getting married in Canterlot Castle,” Rarity swooned as she pranced around the room, checking over her dress in the mirror from every angle she could. “Just another few more minutes, I can not wait.”
“You’re going to have to, Twilight has you as third down the aisle, so don’t jump ahead. Today is not the day to mess with her plans, I already found that one out the hard way.” Rainbow Dash pointed out with an eye roll.
“Oh, why did she ever prefer order of age instead of order of pure elegance,” Rarity mock complained as she rearranged the bodice to make sure that her silhouette properly sat over her rump. “I do wish I had convinced everypony to go for the ball gown, but I suppose that these trumpet styles will work well enough.”
“Well you did want everypony to match in dress styles, so you only have yourself to blame.” Rainbow Dash groaned, hoping that Rarity wasn’t about to go into another extended monologue about the qualities of each style of wedding dress. “I still can’t believe that it took you an hour to get into that thing. I managed mine in ten seconds flat.”
“Your dress is a lot simpler than any of the others,” Rarity pointed out.
“Whatever, you still take way too long. Anyway, it looks like you’re finally ready, so I’m going to go check on AJ and make sure she isn’t trying to take longer than you or something.”
“Hang on!” Rarity stepped over to Rainbow Dash and gave her a quick nuzzle before stepping back. “I just thought that you deserved that.”
“Thanks Rares, I’d better check on the others.” Rainbow Dash waved Rarity a quick goodbye before dashing out of the room.
Stepping into the next guest room, she wasn’t surprised to see Applejack standing stoically with her dress half on. She was surprised to see Fluttershy behind Applejack valiantly trying to awkwardly tie one of the dress’ straps around Applejack’s barrel. Fluttershy herself already had her own dress properly settled on her, and it seemed that the extra material was making it difficult to reach Applejack’s dress properly. Rainbow Dash quickly trotted over and helped get the strap properly passed back, where Fluttershy was able to finally finish securing it.
“I swear that they make these things impossible to put on yourself,” Applejack complained, shifting her position as Fluttershy pulled the back of the dress up to the back of her neck.
“It is part of the tradition to show that you spent effort on preparing,” Fluttershy mused as she finished up the last strap, “Though I suspect that Rarity may have gone just a tad over the top with these designs.”
“Don’t worry, Rarity is still struggling to finish getting on her own dress. She has magic and it still looks impossible to me.” Rainbow Dash pointed out, as she tilted her head and checked the alignment of the dress on Applejack’s back.
“She did design each dress to compliment who we are in the herd, and she spent a very long time on getting them all perfect.” Fluttershy reminded them.
“I’m not saying that I don’t appreciate them. I just wish that they were easier to put on.” Applejack pointed out, but knew that it was an argument that she was destined to lose.
“Well it’s good to see that both of you are ready at least, Twilight would probably be panicking if you weren’t ready.” Rainbow Dash reached over and straightened one of the sleeves on Fluttershy’s dress.
“Oh, is the poor dear still stressed out?” Fluttershy asked as she looked over her shoulder to make sure that her hemline was sitting properly.
“She says that it’s ‘good stress’ or something.” Rainbow Dash shrugged. “I’ll probably have to be the one to see how she is going after I check on Pinkie.”
“Pinkie Pie is fine, somehow her party cannon can also blast her dress straight onto her,” Applejack told her.
“It’d probably be smart to not tell Rarity that Pinkie Pie shoved her wedding dress into a cannon.” Rainbow Dash mused.
“It would be fun to see her reaction though,” Applejack pointed out, furrowing her brow as if she was seriously considering it.
“I’d better go check out Twilight before you make Rarity murder us,” Rainbow Dash chuckled, heading back to the door. However Fluttershy quickly stepped in her way.
“Before you go, can I do one little thing?” Fluttershy asked, holding her wings out.
“Yes we can cuddle,” Rainbow Dash laughed, wrapping her forelegs around Fluttershy and pulling the mare against her. Fluttershy responded by wrapping her own wings around Rainbow Dash and burying her muzzle into the underside of Rainbow Dash’s neck, letting out a soft squeak as she settled. Rainbow Dash looked up to see Applejack raising an eyebrow at her. “Well, don’t just stand there. Join the hug.”
“Don’t mind if I do!” Applejack threw one leg around them both, giving Rainbow Dash’s mane a tussle as she did so. Rainbow Dash didn’t even bother protesting, knowing that Twilight already had a stylist who would forcibly restyle her rainbow mane before she could even enter the great hall.
“Sorry to cut this short but I do need to help Twilight get ready.” Rainbow Dash pointed out after a few seconds, carefully unwrapping her hooves from around Fluttershy. They called out their goodbyes as Rainbow Dash hurried out of the room.
She stopped by her room to retrieve a small white cardboard box, balancing it on her back as she headed back out. She paused as she heard a yell of her name, before realising that it was just Rarity again. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes as she strode past Rarity’s room, listening to the fashionista stress about which direction to curl her mane.
Getting Rarity to the wedding on time was a problem that Dash would need to deal with later. Instead, she had somepony much more important that needed her help, Twilight. She didn’t even pause at the door to Twilight’s royal chambers, shoving the door open with her shoulder as she tried to make sure that she didn’t drop the box on her back.
“Don’t come in yet. I’ve got the dress on and you can’t see it yet” Twilight yelled out, making a mad dash for the study before stopping as she noticed who was at the door. “Oh, hey Rainbow Dash.”
“Are you still hung up on that tradition?”
“Every book I read said it was ceremonial to ensure that the lead mare and stallion didn’t see each other until they were travelling down the aisle.” Twilight lectured. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, this was the fifth time that Twilight had told her after all.
“Well it’s a good thing that I’m not your stallion, besides I’m pretty sure that it’s okay for your bridesmare to see you. It would be a bit difficult to help any other way.” Rainbow Dash teased.
“It’s okay for you to see me,” Twilight relented before pausing and turning back to Rainbow Dash. “This wedding isn’t causing any issues for you, is it?”
“Nah. The only issue was that my folks got a front row seat so that they are properly going to cheer me on for being the best bridesmare ever or something.” Rainbow Dash laughed as she put the white box carefully down on the bed.
“You really need to have a talk to them about reasonable limits,” Twilight muttered, stepping over to look at what Rainbow Dash had brought.
“So I’ve got all of five rings. The top one is yours. Also Spike has already called dibs on carrying them down the aisle” Rainbow Dash pulled out a small wooden box with a hinged top, using a wing to open the delicate lid and reveal the golden rings sitting on a cushion of satin.
“They look perfect,” Twilight muttered as she looked closely at the magically enchanted union rings that would magically bond her to four of her closest friends. Though the fact that all six of them were already bound by the Elements of Harmony did somewhat mute the importance. Still tradition was tradition. “I would’ve preferred you didn’t use dibs for something like this”
“Hey, you’ve got to respect the dibs.” Rainbow Dash lowered her voice and leaned in close to Twilight. “But just between you and me, I already called dibs on it. However I couldn’t let the little guy feel left out.”
“Of course you did.” Twilight just rolled her eyes at Rainbow’s antics as she levitated each of the five wedding rings out and checked over the resizing charm that sat ready within each. As soon as it was worn, each ring was set to resize to perfectly match the pony wearing it, and Twilight had personally designed the charms that sat hidden behind the golden exterior.
“I know I shouldn’t ask again, but are you okay with how this all turned out?” Twilight Sparkle asked hesitantly, her eyes staring at the rings held in her magical grip.
“Today is an awesome day for all six of us. It really is an honour that you chose me as your bridesmare. So, believe me when I say that I’m happy about being there to see you five form a herd.” Rainbow Dash gave Twilight a quick hug before using her wing to push the floating rings back into the wooden box.
“There is no pony else I would ever have standing beside me on my wedding day.” Twilight sighed. “I don’t know if I could have gone through this without all of you. The wedding is going to be wonderful, and I can’t wait for the honeymoon after.”
“Yeah, that’s gonna be fun. Sorry I’m missing the first night, but I know that night is not going to be my scene.” Rainbow Dash told her. “I’ll be sure to see you all in the morning. There is no way I am turning down a free holiday.”
“You’d better join us on the honeymoon! I have sooooo much stuff I want to do!” Pinkie Pie suddenly appeared beside Rainbow Dash, leaning on her with one hoof while her other hoof was strategically covering her own eyes.
“Pinkie, I told you that you couldn’t see me before the wedding!” Twilight called out, turning away from Pinkie Pie.
“That’s why I’ve got my eyes closed,” Pinkie Pie laughed.
“I’m also not meant to see you,” Twilight flatly pointed out.
“Oh, sorry.” Pinkie Pie grimaced, realising her mistake.
“It’s fine, but I think it’s time you finished getting ready,” Twilight told her with a sigh.
“Fiiine,” Pinkie Pie backed out of the room, pouting like a scolded child. “I’ll see you at the wedding!”
With Pinkie Pie gone, Twilight returned her attention back to Rainbow Dash. “I’m happy that you are comfortable joining us for the honeymoon.”
“Why wouldn’t I come?” Rainbow Dash shrugged as she carefully closed the ring box up, after checking to make sure that all five were still in there.
“I was worried that you wouldn’t want to be around us when we are enjoying each other’s company. Some of the books I read implied that it could be a bit of a complication?” Twilight tried to delicately explain.
“If something is wrong, I promise to tell you.” Rainbow Dash told her solemnly, putting a hoof to her chest. “Besides, it isn’t like I don’t like seeing you all be happy.”
“I love all five of you, you all love me. That’s it. It doesn’t matter how we define what we have, all that matters is that we have it.” Rainbow Dash pulled Twilight into a deep hug, knowing that today was going to be perfect.
She was right.