//------------------------------//
// Chapter 9: A Canterlot Wedding 
// Story: The Story Behind Evil 
// by Winona 
//------------------------------//

Princess Mi Amore Cadenza smiled to herself. Everything is going according to plan. She thought to herself. Cadence is trapped, Shinning Armor is under my spell, and Equestria... more importantly... Princess Celestia will pay. Once, and for all. The "Princess" walked to her mirror, she saw her eyes shimmer a evil green. As she stared, she began to laugh. The evil sound filled her room, as her horn glowed and green flames englufed her.



It was sunny say in Ponyville, and Fluttershy and her friends decided to have a picnic. It was her five friends, excluding Crystal Charm. Crystal was tired that morning, and so Fluttershy left her bunny Angel at home to take care of her. Fluttershy smiled at her friends enjoying their days

Rarity smiled, "Ahh! It is gorgeous out. Just gorgeous!"

Fluttershy agreed mentaly. I was quite a lovely day. Birds chirping, sun shinning, and just enough clouds for shade. As the pegasus continued to find more wonderful things about today, a certain dragon appeared. He was panting, and quite a lot. 

The dragon spoke slowly, still trying to catch his breath "Twi... light! ...I... have... lemme just..." he sucked in a deep breath, followed by a burped-out letter from the Princess.

Twilight picked up the scroll, and began to read aloud. "Dear Twilight, I am sure you are as excited as I am about the upcoming wedding in Canterlot." Twilight looked up to her friends "Wedding?" she then turned back to the parchment "I will be presiding over the ceremony, but would very much like you and your friends to help with the preparations for this wonderful occasion. Fluttershy, I would like you and your songbird choir to provide the music."

Fluttershy smiled wide, "Oh my goodness! What an honor!" I'll have to start training tomorrow she thought Or tonight if the birds aren't busy...

Twilight continued to read, "Pinkie Pie, I can think of no one more qualified than you to host the reception."

Pinkie's smile bested Fluttershy's as the earth pony bounced around happily. "Hip, hip, hooray!"

"Applejack, you will be in charge of the catering for the reception." Twilight smiled to her said friend.

Applejack smiled as well, "Well, color me pleased as punch!"

Twilight Sparkle then turned to her rainbow-friend. "Rainbow Dash-"

The pegasus mearly yawned, expecting something either boring or some lovey-dovey-gushy gross stuff. [yawn]

Twilight continued, "...I would very much appreciate it if you could perform a sonic rainboom as the bride and groom complete their 'I do's."

Rainbow Dash froze. Did she hear Twilight right? She must have! Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! Rainbow leaped into the air, ecstatic. "Yes!" True, the 'I do's were still lovey-dovey-gushy gross stuff... but you add a sonic rainboom in, Rainbow might even let Rarity do her mane. Well... maybe she wouldn't do that...

Twilight then turned to the last friend "Rarity, you will be responsible for designing the dresses for the bride and her bridesmaids."

Rarity froze just as Rainbow had. "Princess Celestia wants me to-" she muttered something "...wedding dress? For a Canterlot wedding..." Rarity's took on a wall-eyed look, and began to sway back and forth while Fluttershy did her best to keep her friend from falling "I, ah, ooh, oooh!" Fluttershy stared at her fallen friend with concern as Twilight continued to read.

"And as for you, Twilight, you will be playing the most important role of all: Making sure that everything goes as planned. See you all very soon. Yours, Princess Celestia." Twilight looked to the other side of the paper to make sure there was no more forgotten information. "But... I don't understand. Who's getting married?" she turned to Spike for answers.

Spike realized he had forgotten something. "Oh, wait! Uh, I was probably supposed to give you this one first." He pulled out a second scroll and gave it to Twilight.

Twilight opened the scroll and began reading "Princess Celestia cordially invites you to the wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and..." Twilight suddenly gasped and dropped the letter in front of her. "My brother?!"



Crystal Charm awoke with the sound of a door opening. How long have I been asleep? Was her first thought. 

"I'm home, Crystal." A soft voice spoke. Fluttershy. Crystal knew right away, dispite still being sleepy.

Crystal got up from her bed and quickly went downstairs. "When did you leave?" she asked, once her tired eyes found Fluttershy.

Fluttershy smiled. "Earlier today. My friends and I had a picnic."

"Why didn't you wake me?"

"I thought you needed rest. Did you just wake up now?"

Crystal nodded.

"I'm sorry... did I wake you?"

Crystal smiled. "It's fine, Fluttershy."

"Oh I have wonderful news!" Fluttershy flew in the air out of excitement.

"What is it?" Crystal asked, rubbing sleep out of her eyes.

"I'm going to a Canterlot wedding!" 

"Cool!" Crystal smiled. "Who's getting married?"

"Twilight's brother... I'm going to Canterlot!"

The sentence immediatley make Crystal wide-awake. Back to Canterlot!?!? A small part of her was still scared of Celestia... but a HUGE part of her wanted to see Luna again! Oh, they would talk again... maybe Crystal would learn more of Luna's story! Oh this will be so- wait, did Fluttershy say I?

Crystal shrugged it off. Assuming Fluttershy made an honest mistake. "So, when do we leave?"

Fluttershy's voice cut off Crystal's fantasy of Canterlot that was beginning. "Um... actually Chrysalis... I was gonna go by myself."

Crystal's wide as a mile-smile turned into near-tear eyes and a large frown within a split-second. "What!?!?"

"I... I need to prepare my birds, and... Princess Celestia will be there... I just think it's best if you stay here. I'm... leaving later today... and-"

Crysalis wouldn't listen to Fluttershy, and she stormed off to her room in anger. Fluttershy was going to leave her HERE!?!? ALONE!?!? She thought she could trust Fluttershy...



"Cadance" walked past all the guards who bowed in her presense. She liked them bowed at her, but it wasn't the same She wanted to see them quiver with fear when she entered a room. It will happen soon, she thought.

As she walked toward one of the bridges that connected towers, she heard a pony singing. "You're marrying Cadance! You're marrying Cadance!" As she walked closer she saw Shinning Armor and... Twilight? Fluttershy's old friend!?!? What's she doing here!?!? Cadance's face didn't change at all. She simply enetered the area.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything important." she said rudely.

Twilight ran up to her "Cadance! Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" as the unicorn recited the rhyme, she did its actions.

Cadance stared at her. "What are you doing?"

The unicorn turned to face the alicorn. "Cadance, it's me, Twilight!"

Cadance mearly stared for a moment before walking toward Shinning Armor. She mearly said an uninterested "Uh-huh" 

Cadance stood next to her soon-to-be husband as he spoke again to Twilight, "I've gotta get back to my station, but Cadance will be checking in with all of you to see how things are going. I think I speak for both of us when I say we couldn't be more excited to have you here." he then turned his attention to Cadance "Right, dear?"

Cadance nodded, "Absolutely." she gave an evil glare to Twilight, which Shining didn't see.

Twilight stared at the 'princess' She sure has changed... and not in a good way.



Cadance walked into the kitchen where Applejack was preparing the food. Cadance still couldn't believe it was them! Fluttershy's old friends! She'd just have to... keep her act up.

Applejack stepped in front of her and bowed low. "Hiya, Princess!"

Princess Cadance mentally sighed. "Please, call me Princess Mi Amore Cadenza."

"Hiya, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza!" Applejack said in the same, friendly, farm-voice. "You come to check out what's on the menu for your big day?" The earth pny finally looked up.

Cadance manadged a smile "I have!" ...which dropped as soon as Appljack turned around.

Applejack handed the princess a plate with fritters. Cadance levitated one and took a bite. She faked, "Delicious! I love, love, love them..."

Applejack nearly blushed, and even though Cadance wouldn't admit it, she felt slightly bad for lying. "Aw, shucks. Why don't you take a few to go?" Applejack had a few in a bag in no time, and Cadance tried to be polite and magically took it. "I know how you brides can be. So busy, you forget to get a little somethin' in your belly."

Cadance ingnored Applejack, and once the earth pony's back was turned, Cadance threw away the bag without a care. In the distance, she could hear Twilight gasp, but continued walking away.



Cadance headed to the dressmaker's chambers. She couldn't believe it! Another one of Fluttershy's friends! That sewing unicorn! As she entered, she could hear Twilight Sparkle "Oh, you should have seen how she acted back there. I don't know when she changed, but she changed!" Changed? Was she doing something wrong on Cadance's part? she could also hear Twilight imitating her... badly... "Please, call me Princess Mi Amore Cadenza."

Cadance decided she wouldn't stand for more insults on her acting. "Did I hear someone say my name?"

Before Cadance could turn to stare at Twilight evily, the white unicorn jumped in front of her. "Your highness! Let me just start by saying what an honor it is to play a role in such a momentous occasion." said the unicorn, before laughing nervously.

Cadance nodded and spoke unenthusiastically, "A-ha. Is my dress ready?"

Rarity stammered, "Yes, of course." The unicorn walked toward the bride's dress with Cadance following close behind. "Um, I've been working on it ever since I was given the assignment, and I think you'll be pleased with the results! Mmm!"

Cadance became annoyed by the unicorn's nervous and at the same time cheery attitude. "I was hoping for something with more beading and a longer train."

Rarity was shocked at first, she herself thinking the dress was fabulous and perfect, but after all, it wasn't her dress. She levitated a note book in front of herself along with a quill. She quickly wrote the princess's demands. "Oh, yes, of course."

Cadance quickly looked over the bridesmaid dresses before finding a complaint about them, as well. "And those should be a different color."

However, Cadance's bridesmaids disagreed. Twinkleshine was the first to disagree. "I think they're lovely."

Minuette joined "Me too!"

Don't you dare... Cadance thought before Lyra Heartstrings added, "I love them."

Princess Cadance glared at the three mares who sheepishly and suddenly began to find the floor quite interesting. Cadance then ignored their comments and spoke again to Rarity, "Make them a different color."

As Cadance walked away with the three mares, she could hear Twilight's comment "Gee, maybe her name should be 'Princess Demandy-pants.' "



Cadance, after going through Pinkie and Rainbow's preparations... the only one left was... Fluttershy. Cadance visibly shuddered. The pony who she'd been avoiding all day. She couldn't believe it! In truth, she was supposed to check on Fluttershy's preparations first. That way, Twilight would already be done preparing, and Cadance wouldn't have been stuck with her every time. But no, Cadance had to simply skip Fluttershy... and now the said pegasus was the only thing she hadn't checked yet.

Cadance sighed as she entered the room. There she was, Fluttershy practicing with her bird choir. Fluttershy herself turned around just in time to see Cadance enter. The princess held her breath at first. She expected Fluttershy to recognize her... or... say something around the area of her being similar to someone she knew. Cadance mentally smacked herself. Of course she doesn't recognize me! I'm Cadance!

Cadance walked slowly and regaly toward the pegasus and birds. "Hello, Princess." Fluttershy greeted.

Cadance nodded her head to show that she heard, and then turned to the birds. She eyed them for a moment before speaking, "These are the birds for MY wedding?" Cadance asked, seemingly not impressed.

Fluttershy took no notice, however. "Oh, yes. Aren't they lovely?" It took all Fluttershy's will-power to not cuddle one of the birds as they practiced the wedding song again.

Cadance rolled her eyes as Fluttershy stared smiling at the birds. She sure hasn't changed... Oh, of course she hasn't changed! It's the same time!

Cadance turned her attention back to the birds. "Yeah... sure... lovely. But, I think-"

Cadance was suddenly interrupted by the screeching sour note of a bird. She quickly spotted the horribly off-key animal, and yelled at it. "There better NOT be any WRONG NOTES at MY WEDDING!!!" Then, Cadance quickly left them room, leaving Fluttershy confused for seconds, before turning back to the poor, scared bird.

"It's okay... she's just stressed and wants her wedding to be perfect..."



"What's wrong with you, Cadance?" Lyra asked once the four ponies left Fluttershy's room. "You seem... angrier then usual."

"I'm... stressed about the wedding..." Was Cadance's only excuse.

"Even THAT wouldn't make you this mean..." Minuette pressed on, "Is it about Shinning Armor? Are you having second thoughts on the wedding?"

"No! Nothing's wrong!" Cadance was becoming angry.

"Then why are you so upset, Cadance?" said Twinkleshine.

"I told you three to call me..." Cadance took a deep breath to keep from screaming it, "Princess Mi Amore Cadenza."

"There you go AGAIN!!!" said Minuette. Cadance turned in shock to the mares who she'd been keeping her eyes away from until now. "You always HATED your full name, and now you want us to use it every time we address you!?!?"

Cadance couldn't speak. "What's wrong with you, mare?!?!" Minuette continued.

That was it... Cadance couldn't take it anymore. She blasted the three mares with a green magic, and they were teleported underground. There... Cadance thought. That takes care of them... and they'll keep the "Princess" busy. Of course... I'll need new bridesmaids now... she sighed... knowing what she'd have to do.



Cadance trotted to Shinning Armor. She still couldn't believe it! Her moth- I mean... her old caretaker and her friends were going to ruin everything! She took a deep breath. Twilight was already suspicious! She could hear her now! Talking about how mean she was and- wait a second... she really can hear her voice! She was talking to Shinning Armor! No no no!!!

"We need to talk. I think you're making a big-"

Cadance cleared her throat for the perfect interruption.

Shining Armor turned to the princess "Oh, uh, hi, sweetie."

Cadance could hear Twilight muttering, "She sure has a way of sneaking up on people."

Cadance turned to Shining, "Could I speak to you for a moment, dear?" Cadance walked into the next room with Shining following.

"Better see what she wants." was his excuse to Twilight.

Cadance spoke once they were in the next room and the door was closed. "Look, we need to talk." was all Cadance could think of saying. She didn't have a REAL reason... she just needed Shinning away from Twilight.

Shining Armor nodded "I'm here to talk. I- look, she's okay-"

Cadance shook her head "Just- listen to me."

Shining Armor nodded again, "I'm listening, I'm listening."

Princess Cadance finally found her complaint "I thought I made it perfectly clear I didn't want you to wear that."

Shining Armor looked to where Cadance was staring... "This was my favorite uncle's."

Cadance simply stared "And?"

Shining continued "And I think I should wear it."

Princess Cadance stared harder "Are you disagreeing with me?"

Shining Armor stared back "I guess I am- ah" Shinning put a hoof to his head in pain

Cadance came closer "Oh dear, are you getting another one of your 'headaches?' "

Shining Armor seemed to stare angrily at Cadance before she blasted him with magic. As Shinning stood back up, Cadance's voice seemed sweet and kind again. "Feeling better?"

Shining Armor nodded. Twilight, who had been watching silently through the slightly open door, gasped. "She isn't just unpleasant and rude, she's downright evil!"

Twilight ran away as just as Shinning opened the door again. "Twilight!" he shouted.

Princess Cadance shook her head, "Let her go".



It was time for a wedding practice. Everything was going well up until they realized a certain lavendar unicorn was missing from her part as the groom's Best Mare. Instead of her, all they saw was a certain dragon playing with the cake toppers again.

"Hey... has anypony seen Twilight?" Shinning was the first to ask.

Twilight Sparkle suddenly entered and shouted "I'm here!" The unicorn turned to the future bride. "I'm not gonna stand next to her. And neither should you!"

Shining Armor blushed and quickly apologised to Cadance "I'm sorry, I don't, I don't know why she's acting like this."

"Maybe we should just ignore her." Cadance sent a glare Twilight's way.

"You have to listen to me!" Twilight tried to speak, but her friends showered her with worries about her. Twilight ignored them best she could. "I've got something to say! She's evil!" Twilight pointed a hoof at Cadance. The ponies chatted aumongst themselves with concern, meanwhile Cadance prepared for the best acting of her life.

Cadance stared as Twilight continued to explain, "She's been horrible to my friends, 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..." Twilight put on a wall-eyed look that challenged the great Derpy!

Cadance took a breath before start to 'cry', "Why are you doing this to me?!" she ran away quickly, in tears.

Twilight Sparkle teleported behind her once. "Because you're evil! Evil! And if I don't stop you you're gonna ruin my brother's life!"



That was WAY too close. Cadance had to do something about Twilight! Suddenly, she thought of an idea. She teleported back to the room Twilight was in just in time to her a song.

"He was my big brother, best friend Forever... And now, we'll never do anything Together..."

Cadance tried her best not to gasp. She almost felt... pity. She had just... broken apart a brother and a sister... who had a special bond. Her thoughts went back to her own mother... but she shook her head. Now, is not the time for sympathy. However, she walked over to the crying unicorn and began to pet her head. Twilight looked up to see the alicorn's kind sympathetic eyes.

"I'm sorry!" she said quickly.

Cadance quickly regained control of her seeping sorrow. Her eyes fluttered a dark green, before she glared into Twilight's very soul.

"You will be..."