//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3 
// Story: Why not? Sure. I'll Marry You. 
// by HAKDurbin 
//------------------------------//

It was the night of Pipp and Presto's wedding. Ponies were partaking in festivities in every square inch of Zephyr Heights. There were food stands, games, plays, and magic shows on the streets. Music videos made by Pipp, Presto, or both played on the mega screens. There was a timer in the bottom right of the screens counting down to the ceremony. Ponies were on their phones, taking pictures and videos and sharing them with their friends and family in Maretime Bay and Bridlewood. On top of every other building, cartons of fireworks were set to go off as soon as the bride and groom kissed for the first time as husband and wife.
Pipp watched the festivities from her bedroom. Two maids were adjusting her dress for the concert before the wedding. Though Pipp didn't care about the politics regarding her marriage to a unicorn, she was astounded to see so many ponies expressing their happiness for her. Never in ten thousand moons did she imagine so many souls supporting her getting married so passionately. Not even when her only fans were her fellow pegasi. Pipp put her hoof on her heart as she fought the urge to cry, touched. 
Suddenly, Pipp felt her phone vibrating from underneath her wing. She took it out and saw that it was a video call from “Prestie.” Her heart skipped a beat, and she gave the maids a look, telling them to leave. The maids bowed and left the room just as Pipp answered the call, and Presto Tetrachord appeared on the screen. 
"Hi, Prestie Bear," she chirped. 
"Hi, Pippy Cake," Presto greeted. "Have you seen what's happening outside?"
"I can see it from my bedroom. I didn't know there could be so many ponies in Zephyr Heights at one time," Pipp said. 
"I know. It's incredible. I've seen posts of ponies selling plushies of us that are handmade out there," Presto said. 
"Seriously? You've got to share them with me," Pipp said. "Speaking of which, one of the ponies that brought earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi together made the cutest figurines of us. I can't wait to show you later."
"I'm looking forward to it," Presto said. 
Pipp's smile grew, gazing into Presto's gray-blue eyes. Then her smile weakened, and she sighed as she looked back outside. 
"I wonder how many of them are celebrating just because a unicorn and a pegasus are getting married," she said. "I'm thankful that our races are united, so we were able to meet, but it would be nice if there is focus solely on us getting married rather than just what it means for ponykind."
"No, my love. This night should be a historical moment," Presto said. "One day race will have no focus when ponies are united in holy matrimony, but it has to start with us. All of Equestria will treasure our happiness even when we are long gone."
Pipp kept looking outside as though she didn't hear Presto. Then she turned to her phone and said with a smile, "I guess you're right. Ponykind has to start somewhere. Might as well be us."
"And after that, we don't need to focus on anything else but our married life together," Presto said. "It will be just you and me. Well, you, me, and our fans."
"That sounds perfect," Pipp said. "Anyway, I better let you go. I'm performing in a few minutes."
"Of course. See you at the ceremony, Pipp Puff," Presto said.
"I'll be the one in the veil, Honey Bear," Pipp said.
Pipp hung up and held her phone to her chest as she let out a blissful sigh. She felt goosebumps in her body as she thought of everything Presto said about what their married life would be. The thought made Pipp more eager for the wedding to happen so she could sing her song for Presto. 
Eventually, Pipp took a deep breath to focus on the concert. She closed her eyes and did vocal warmups before exiting her bedroom and heading to the backstage room above the throne room. When she arrived, two crewponies attached wires to her dress and ran a test to ensure they were sturdy. Pipp paid no mind to them, for this was a normal routine whenever she was going to pretend to fly with her mom and sister.  Queen Haven was powdering her face in her dressing desk close to the edge. Cloudpuff stood next to his owner, dressed in a little cloak with holes for his wings and a bowtie. Haven saw Pipp through the mirror and smiled as she turned to her youngest daughter. 
"Your last concert before getting married. How are you feeling, pumpkin?" Haven asked. 
"Excited and anxious. I love my fans, but I just can't wait to be married," Pipp said.
"Oh, don't be so hasty, my darling. I'm not in a hurry to pronounce my little girl a married mare," Haven said. "I wish your sister would find someone. I'd be at ease knowing someone will be by her side when she becomes queen."
Pipp chuckled and said, "I'd like to see somepony try to woo Zipp. Your best bet might be to make an arranged marriage."
"Don't tempt me, Pipp," Haven said.
"Your Highness, we're going to start the show in two minutes," a crewpony said.
"Thank you, Frank," Pipp said.
Frank nodded and told the operator behind the curtain in the throne room that they were ready through his headset. A few seconds later, the wires lifted Pipp up and sent her hanging above the hole to the throne room. Pipp took a deep breath and did more vocal warmups for safety as her mother watched with a smile. 
"Remember to enjoy performing for your fans," Haven said.
"I always do, Mom," Pipp replied.







************************************************************





Down in the throne room, Sunny, Izzy, and Hitch stood in the middle of the crowd waiting for the concert to start. The walls and windows were decorated with flowers, party drapes, and lights. There were white, pink, and lilac cloudbuster balloons hanging above the ceiling. There was a stage set up in front of Haven, Pipp, and Zipp's thrones with a golden arch at the center.  
Sunny and Izzy wore neon light necklaces, fake earrings, and face paint. Sunny had plushies of Pipp and Presto, and Izzy was wearing a plastic ring on her horn that they won from playing games. Hitch played some games but mostly acted as the mares' chauffeur. Still, it was nice to watch his childhood friend enjoy the festivities with her best friend. 
Hitch felt somepony bump into his side, and he turned his head to see Periwinkle Pi's apologetic face. Izzy was more than happy to take Hitch's suggestion to make Periwinkle her plus one after he explained her reason for wanting to go to the wedding. Periwinkle partook in activities the least among the group. Sometimes she watched Sunny, Izzy, and Hitch play games and dance; other times, her focus was on Presto's music videos playing on the mega screens. Eventually, the group would push her into joining the fun, which eased her up. Periwinkle even won a pizza-eating contest, winning a unicorn raccoon plush. However, when it was time to go to the castle, it was back to focusing solely on her goal. When they went inside the castle, Periwinkle told the other to go ahead while she used the restroom, and so Hitch waited, hoping she’d be back before the concert started. 
“Sorry. It was hard to find you guys,” Periwinkle said. 
"It's alright. The concert hasn't started yet," Sunny said.
"Are you ready for this?" Hitch asked. 
Periwinkle hesitated and turned her head to her saddle bag.
"I'm…prepared," she answered. "Either way, I really appreciate you guys giving me this chance."
"Oh, pfff. You've said that like, nine times since we invited you," Izzy said.
"I know, but I can't help but be grateful that I can make this once attempt to get Presto to notice me," Periwinkle said. "Plus, how often do you get to watch your favorite artist perform in Zephyr Heights Castle? It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, to say the least."
"You're telling me. This has already been a wonderful night. I can't wait for the wedding itself," Sunny said. "Er, I still hope for the best for you, Periwinkle."
"You don't have to hide it, Sunny. You have your dream for tonight, and I have mine," Periwinkle said. 
Sunny gave Periwinkle a sad smile, knowing she was trying hard to keep her cool. Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and ponies cheered and stomped their hooves. Pop music was playing, and party lights lit up the room. Sunny, Izzy, Hitch, and Periwinkle expected somepony to appear on the stage until Sunny noticed ponies holding up their phones at the ceiling and looked up.
"Guys, look!" Sunny shouted. 
Izzy, Hitch, and Periwinkle looked up to see Pipp pretending to fly down with two spotlights on her from both sides. Pipp waved at the crowd before she leaned forward as the wires lowered her to make it look like she was diving down. Ponies cheered louder as Pipp pretended to fly a few feet above them. Finally, Pipp began singing her song, and ponies immediately sang along while waving their phones with their flashlights on. 
But while Sunny, Izzy, and Periwinkle sang, Hitch watched Pipp in awe. All his life, Hitch feared seeing a pegasus fly. That's what made him at ease when he learned the pegasi had no magic and yet seeing this mare flying above him with poofy wings, a pretty dress, and a radiant smile entranced Hitch as if he was looking at an angel.  Eventually, Hitch looked back and saw that his plot was shaking to the rhythm of the music. He embraced the moment and hummed the melody while bobbing his head. Hitch didn't look away from Pipp as she went from one song to the next. Sunny noticed Hitch enjoying the concert and smiled. It gave her hope that Hitch might become open to things outside of being a sheriff. 
Finally, after Pipp finished her last song, the crowd applauded with some ponies chanting her name. Pipp looked down at the crowd with a heartfelt smile before she cleared her throat.
“Thank you, everypony. It means so much to me that you are all here for this momentous occasion,” She said. “How is every pony doing tonight?” 
The ponies cheered and stomped their hooves again. 
“Do we have any unicorns in the house?” Pipp asked. 
Izzy jumped up and down like a little filly as she and Periwinkle cheered with the other unicorns. 
"Well, I have my eye on only one," Pipp said, smirking. 
Suddenly, smoke appeared from the stage, and ponies cheered as Presto appeared from it, wearing a blue onesie and holding a microphone. He looked up to see Pipp being lifted back up and blew a kiss. Pipp’s smile grew, and she mouthed, “I love you.” Presto smiled and mouthed, “I love you more,” before Pipp was out of sight. 
Hitch, Sunny, and Izzy turned to Periwinkle, whose face turned cherry red, and her knees wobbled at the sight of Presto. She slapped her cheeks to break out of her trance and took off her saddlebag.
“Hold this for me, Hitch,” Periwinkle said, handing her bag to Hitch.
Hitch hesitantly complied, taking the bag as Periwinkle opened it and took out a piece of folded cardboard paper. She unfolded the paper, revealing it to be a large sign with the words “Marry Me” drawn in red and black marker. There were hearts around the text made with glitter and glue, and a wide arrow pointing down below the text. Periwinkle closed her eyes and took a deep breath while holding the sign close to her before she lifted it so it was right above her.
“Marry me, Presto! Please, marry me!” Periwinkle shouted.
But by the time she began shouting out to her crush, the music had started, and ponies cheered as Presto sang his first song. Periwinkle bit her lip, worried that she had made her move too late, and stood up on her hind legs, holding her sign as high as she could, chanting, “Marry me! Marry me, Presto!” Sunny and Hitch looked at each other uneasy with Hitch’s ears hanging low. He started to regret suggesting that Periwinkle came with them, thinking she might not accept failure to get Presto’s attention as she thought she would. Hitch thought of telling Periwinkle to stop, but he didn’t have the heart to prevent her from seeing her goal all the way through. He could only hope that he, Sunny, Izzy, and Periwinkle’s friends back at Maretime Bay would help her move on once everything was over.
But as Hitch watched Periwinkle, he noticed ponies taking out their phones from the corner of his eye. Instead of using their phones to record video, they were staring at the screens with looks of shock, devastation, and anger. The ponies began to whisper amongst themselves and give Presto looks of betrayal and hate. The pop star didn't notice their dark looks because he was focused on the performance, and most of the crowd was focused on him. Hitch furrowed his brow as it was clear something was wrong. 



******************************************************



An hour later, the concert ended, and the ceremony was minutes away. Zipp was in her bedroom, staring at herself in the mirror. She wore a taffy-colored dress with poofy blush-pink sleeves, gold slippers, and a tiara with an emerald at the center. The makeup crew powdered her face, put blush on her cheeks, and violet glitter eyeshadow. Zipp looked at herself with dread as if she was turned into a life-sized doll. She pursed her lips before she shut her eyes and muttered to herself. 
"I love my sister. I love my sister. I love my sister. I love my sister. I love my sister."
Suddenly, the door burst open, and Thunder went in panting. He was quickly followed by Zoom looking troubled. Zipp turned around to face the guards as Thunder took a moment to collect himself.
"Your Highness, pardon the intrusion, but have you seen your sister anywhere?" He asked.
"Uh, pretty sure she's backstage putting her wedding dress on. Why?" Zipp answered.
"Something's wrong, and we need to tell Princess Pipp before the ceremony," Zoom said urgently.
"What's the problem?" Zipp asked.
"Well, you see, I was at my post, hanging on my phone to…check with security cameras," Thunder began, earning a glare from Zoom, who knew he was fibbing. "Anyway, I got a notification of breaking news on ZBS. Princess Pipp needs to see this!"
Thunder took out his phone from underneath his wing, pressed a few buttons on the screen, and handed the phone to Zipp. Zipp stared at the phone for a few seconds before her eyes grew wide, and she shook her head in disbelief. She rushed out of her room with Zoom and Thunder quickly following. As they ran, Zipp noticed the staff on their phones and whispering to each other. Some noticed Zipp and had looks of dread and sympathy, figuring out why she was running. 
They ran until they were at the doorway leading to the backstage room above the throne room, and the guard standing in front of the door opened it while holding her phone. Zipp ran to Queen Haven’s dressing table, and her fear grew as she found her mother not there. 
“Where’s my mom and Presto?!” Zipp shouted.
“The queen is down in the throne room giving her speech,” a crewpony said. "Presto should be in his dressing room getting into his tux."
“Oh, great,” Zipp growled. “Somepony down there, get in touch with my mom and keep Presto out of the throne room! We have to stop this wedding right -”
“Zipp?”
Zipp, Zoom, and Thunder’s hearts froze, and they slowly turned to where they heard the voice. Pipp was standing by the hole leading to the throne room with a pair of wires attached to her wedding dress. Her head was tilted as she looked at her sister’s troubled face. A few minutes prior, Zipp would have smiled at how beautiful her sister looked in her white dress with thousands of hoof-made beaded crystals from Bridlewood and a gold crown on her head with jewels of many colors. Pipp grew unsettled as Zipp walked over to her.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Pipp asked. 
Zipp opened her mouth, but she couldn’t think of how to explain the situation. After a moment of hesitation, she looked at Thunder’s phone and held it out to Pipp. Pipp looked between Zipp and the phone before she took the phone and saw a video on the ZBS app with Presto appearing in the thumbnail. Pipp hesitated before she pressed the play button, and the video showed Presto and a dark orange unicorn mare standing in front of his house at night. 
“A ZBS exclusive: an anonymous poster sent us this video of Princess Pipp’s husband-to-be, Presto Tetrachord, cheating on her with another mare,” a newsreader said through the phone’s speaker.  
Pipp let out a sharp gasp. She tried to convince herself that the ZBS was lying, misinterpreting what another mare was doing in front of Presto’s house, but her brief moment of hope was crushed when Presto smashed his lips together with the other mare’s. The dark orange mare ran her front hoof through Presto’s mane, and Presto had his hoof on the mare’s waist. They kissed as if it were a wrestling match between their lips. Finally, Presto opened the front door, and the two of them chuckled with flirtatious looks as they went inside.
Pipp kept staring at Thunder’s phone even though the video was over. A one-minute anonymous video disproved everything she thought was true about her fiancee since the day they met. Pipp looked down from the edge of the hole, where Haven and Cloudpuff were on stage. She could see ponies on their phones, either taking pictures or muttering in groups while looking at the news. Thunder's phone fell out of Pipp's hoof, and Thunder dived to catch it before it hit the floor and broke. 
"Pipp, I…I don't know what to say, " Zipp said. 
Pipp kept looking down as though she didn't hear Zipp. She was so stunned that she didn't know whether to cry or scream in rage. Her eyes widened as she realized all of Equestria might have seen the video already before the ceremony started. Her fans would be devastated, and ponies who weren't her fans would be ballistic that the groom of a royal wedding would cheat on the bride with a mare of his race. Even though Pipp was never into politics, she knew the unity between ponies was still so new that ponies might lose hope with the first wedding between ponies if different races ruined. Maybe dishearten other couples of different races. Her dreams and the peace in Equestria would be crushed because she fell in love with an unfaithful unicorn. 
"Pipp?" Zipp asked. 
Pipp stayed silent for a few seconds.  Then her face turned serious as she lifted her head and put her hoof on her chest to take a deep breath. She turned to Zipp, Zoom, Thunder, and the crewponies.
"I have a plan," Pipp said.



**************************************************************************************


Down in the throne room, ponies eagerly waited for the ceremony to commence. Many discussed how they enjoyed watching Pipp and Presto perform and sent videos they recorded to their friends and family while they waited. When the royal guards sounded the trumpets, and Queen Haven came down carrying Cloudpuff, ponies stomped their hooves as she landed in front of the golden arch. Haven began her long speech about unity among ponies, marriage, watching Pipp grow up, and watching her and Presto grow as a couple. Ponies politely listened to the queen’s speech, but over time they grew restless as Haven began to dwell on telling stories about Pipp and Zipp as fillies. 
Sunny and Izzy were invested in the queen's speech the most. They loved hearing Haven praise them for what they accomplished for ponykind and the stories she shared about the princesses. Sunny especially enjoyed hearing about Pipp and Zipp learning how to fly. Yet, as time passed, even she realized that the queen was dragging. 
Sunny turned her head to see Periwinkle feeling low with her sign lying on the floor. Periwinkle called out to Presto throughout his performance, even when her throat became dry, but Presto didn't notice her. When Presto finished his last song, Periwinkle's voice was drowned by the cheers as Presto exited the stage. With her last shot spent, Periwinkle sat on her plot staring at the floor, not paying any mind to Queen Haven or her speech. Hitch left to find something for Periwinkle to drink. Sunny sighed and walked over to stand next to Periwinkle.
"Are you going to be okay?" Sunny asked.
Periwinkle stayed silent for a moment, then turned her head to give Sunny a weak smile.
"I think I will be eventually," she said. "I mean, I didn't get his attention, but I spoke my mind to him as best as I could. Better that than to never try at all. Right? All that's left is for Presto to marry her, and I'll have closure knowing he's happy."
Sunny gave Periwinkle a small smile and put her hoof around her. Periwinkle's smile grew, and she put her hoof on Sunny's hoof, appreciating the support. Just then, Hitch came in carrying a smoothie. He handed the smoothie to Periwinkle, who immediately began drinking it, feeling her throat get better. She gave Hitch a thankful look, and Hitch smiled back before he turned to the crowd, frowning.
"What is it, Hitch?" Sunny asked.
"Haven't you guys noticed the ponies on their phones since Presto's concert? Something's not right," Hitch said.
Sunny looked at Hitch, confused, until she looked around. While many ponies were watching Queen Haven, some still whispered amongst themselves and showed something on their phones to other ponies. Some were uncomfortable with the queen discussing Pipp and Presto as a couple. The more she looked, the more Sunny wished she had a phone to find out what was happening. 
"And now, without further ado, let the ceremony commence!" Queen Haven shouted.
The ponies who were unaware of the situation cheered at the top of their lungs. The Wedding March began to play, and Pipp and Zipp were lowered from the ceiling to the stage. Ponies gasped in awe at how beautiful Pipp looked in her wedding dress. Even Hitch and Sunny forgot about the ponies on their phone as they stared at Pipp. Pipp looked at the crowd for the forced grin, but Zipp looked away to hide her unease as the wires lowered them to stand on the right side of the stage. Queen Haven smiled at her youngest daughter as she landed in front of her until she realized Presto had not entered the stage. His best stallion entered the stage on the left side, equally confused that Presto was not there. 
"Excuse me. Can I have your attention, please?" Pipp called out. "And can we have the house lights on?"
The cheering died down, and ponies looked at Pipp in confusion as the lights were turned on. The wedding band awkwardly stopped playing as Zipp grabbed a mic and handed it to the bride. Pipp took a moment to keep her cool, but her voice cracked as she started to speak. 
"It's my understanding that everypony in Equestria is watching to see me get married," Pipp said.
 Ponies cheered again before Pipp continued. 
"It's only natural I would want that when it’s not about marriage so much as love,” Pipp said. “That’s what we’re all looking for, right? The love between our families, our friends, and, of course, that special love you feel for that one special pony.”
The crowd cheered in agreement save for those who knew the truth and wondered if Pipp found out. 
“But the thing is sometimes we get so caught up in our idea of love that we are clueless of what our love actually is: a lie,” Pipp said. 
The throne room grew silent as ponies looked at Pipp, confused. Haven’s smile fell, and she turned to Zipp, who was giving her a sad look.
“Zipp, what is going on?” Haven whispered. 
Zipp squirmed as she took out her phone, opened the ZBS app, opened the video, and handed it to her mom. Haven covered her mouth with her hoof as she watched the video. She fought the urge to scream at the guards, ordering them to arrest Presto in front of the crowd. Meanwhile, Pipp sniffled and took another moment to collect herself before spilling the beans. 
“I just found out a few moments ago that my fiancee, Presto Tetrachord, cheated on me with another mare.”
Ponies in the audience gasped. The ones who already knew were astounded that Pipp straight out said it herself for all of Equestria to hear. Sunny, Izzy, and Hitch turned to Periwinkle, who looked at Pipp, stunned. 
"No. No, that can't be right. She's lying, or maybe there's some misunderstanding," Periwinkle said.
"I highly doubt it," said a stallion standing next to her. "It would be one crazy misunderstanding."
He handed his phone to Periwinkle, and Sunny, Izzy, and Hitch looked over Periwinkle's shoulder. As they watched the video, Sunny gaped and covered her mouth with her hoof, Izzy's mouth dropped, and Hitch stood appalled. They turned to Periwinkle, who watched the video with her eyes watering. 
Periwinkle robotically gave the stallion's phone back and picked up her sign. She studied all the hard work she put into making the sign, and her heart began to break. It was one thing that the stallion Periwinkle fell for didn't return his feelings, but finding out Presto would cheat on his fiancee, a beautiful princess at that, destroyed what closure she was ready to have. 
"I'm sure some of you might think I was cheated on out of prejudice since he was with another unicorn, but I don't believe that matters," Pipp said as tears ran down her face. "After all, just as we are all looking for love, so too can we have flaws of hate, fear, dishonesty, and unfaithfulness. I have no hate for unicorns just because the one I wanted to marry did this to me any more than if he was a pegasus like me, and neither should you. No matter what we are or what we do, we're all ponies. Right?"
The ponies stomped their hooves and cheered in agreement. But Periwinkle wasn't listening. She whimpered as she stared at her sign, with tears in her eyes. With a sob, Periwinkle shoved the sign into Hitch's front leg and got down on her belly, crying. Sunny and Izzy rushed to Periwinkle's side and rubbed her back as she cried. 
"We love you so much, Pipp!" An earth pony stallion in the crowd screamed. 
Pipp gave the Pippsqueak a sad smile and said, "I love you too. I love you all. More than anything, I wish this never happened, and I don't want anyone to lose hope in love, no matter who you find it with. If you want it, you need to grab it by the hoof and never let go. You chase it to the ends of the Earth, and when love comes for you, you…"
Pipp's voice died in her throat, struggling to make another expression. She realized that even with her big speech, ponies would be let down with all of their excitement and joy for her wedding being for nothing. If she wanted her words of encouragement to mean something, she would have to be an example, like her marriage to Presto was supposed to be. She began to quiver as the fear of the entire night becoming a catastrophe began to overtake her. 
As Pipp struggled to continue her speech, her eyes turned to Hitch. She stopped shaking and tilted her head as she watched Hitch look at Periwinkle sympathetically as she cried. As far as Pipp could tell, the unicorn was a fan of her and Presto and was heartbroken because they weren't going to get married. Whether she was right or wrong, Pipp saw in Hitch's gamboge eyes that he wanted to do something to cheer Periwinkle up. To make her happy. 
Pipp then noticed Hitch holding the "marry me" sign and raised an eyebrow. The distance between Hitch and Sunny, Izzy, and Periwinkle implied he wasn't in a relationship with either of them and, while not hunky like Presto, had a sightly appearance. The edges of Pipp's mouth curled up as she took a chance. 
"You say, 'yes,'" she said.
Ponies looked at Pipp, confused, and turned to where she was staring. Hitch broke his gaze from Periwinkle, realizing everypony in the crowd was looking at him. He looked around until he saw Pipp looking directly at him. Hitch looked at her, confused until he realized he was still holding the sign for her to see. His ears hung low, his cheeks turned barn red, and his pupils shrunk to the size of grains of sand as Pipp finished with a sweet smile.
"Why not? Sure. I'll marry you."