//------------------------------// // Wedding at the Gates of Tartarus Part I* // Story: Return to Society // by Silent Sir 224 //------------------------------// It's been two months since Dusk moved in with Fluttershy and neither could be any happier, the animals returned and warmed up to Dusk rather quickly. To his surprise, no pony has tried to threaten or intimidate him into leaving since that little incident when he first moved in. Fluttershy must've set quite an example with that poor stallion when she knocked him on his flank in the blink of an eye. "Fluttershy, we might be late!" Dusk exclaimed the two were walking rather quickly, but apparently not fast enough. "Calm down Dusk, it's just a picnic, our friends won't mind that much if we're a little late," Fluttershy explained. "I know, but still..." "No buts, we should enjoy the summer air, if we're a minute or two late our friends won't be angry with us or anything." "Okay," he slowed his pace and matched hers. "What's got you so excited anyway?" "Oh, nothing," Fluttershy just gave him a suspicious look before continuing on. Whew, I need to contain my excitement until after the fact. The two walked out to an open field in Sweet Apple Acres where all their friends were, minus Spike. "Glad to see you two made it!" Twilight greeted. "We wouldn't miss a picnic on such a nice day," Dusk smiled. Rarity shot a glance at Dusk, signalling him to wait for a little bit before acting, which he confirmed. The seven sat and caught up, then Spike came running in, "T-Twilight I uh," he panted, "give me a second." He then burped up a scroll, Dusk still found it strange that his body acted like a mail carrier. Twilight picked up the scroll in her aura and read it, "Dear Twilight, I'm sure your as excited about the upcoming wedding in Canterlot as I am, Wedding? Being the Princess of the sun, I will be mediating the ceremony but I would like the assistance of you and your friends. Apple Jack, I would like you to handle the catering." "Well, I'm honored to be caterin' for a fancy weddin'," Apple Jack stated. "Pinkie Pie, I would like you to host the reception." Pinkie did a cartwheel through the picnic, "hooray!" "Fluttershy, I would like you and your songbird choir to perform." "Oh my, what an honor!" She exclaimed. Dusk kissed her on the cheek, "you deserve it, your song choir is amazing." "Rainbow Dash, if you could, I would like you to perform a 'Sonic Rainboom' as the bride and groom say their 'I do's. "A Sonic Rainboom, at a wedding? Sweet!" "Rarity, I am putting you in charge of the dresses for the bride and bridesmaids." "Dresses... for the bride and..." Rarity barely got that much out before passing out and coming to a minute later, "I'm alright!" "Dusk and Spike, since wedding planning is not in your credentials, I believe helping with the bachelor party would be the best way you could help." "Sweet!" Spike jumped up in the air, "Wait, what's a bachelor party?" While the girls laughed, Dusk just thought to himself, Mentor, why would you have a child help with a bachelor party? "And you Twilight have the most vital task, making sure everything goes smoothly. I will see you all very soon, sincerely, Princess Celestia." Twilight inspected the both sides of the letter, "I don't understand, who's getting married." "Oh yeah, this one is probably states that," Spike handed Twilight another scroll. "Princess Celestia cordially invites you to the wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and... My Brother!?" "Wait, when did the Princess get a brother?" Dusk asked. Twilight face hoofed, "no, MY brother, as in, my parents son." Dusk just let his moment of stupidity die with some stifled laughter, "okay, okay well congratulations then Twilight, looks like your getting a sister-in-law!" "Yeah, if only some pony informed me about it ahead of time," she punctuated, "a piece of paper, yeah that's exactly what I want to hear such big news from." "Twilight, you okay?" Fluttershy asked. "Yeah, I'm fine, but why couldn't he come tell me himself?" "Maybe he got caught up in plannin' the weddin'," Apple Jack proposed. "Yeah, being captain of the Royal Guard he has enough things on his plate." "Wait just a moment! So we're not only helping with the marriage of a princess, but a captain of the Royal Guard!" Rarity exclaimed. "Yeah... I suppose." Once again, Rarity started to get lightheaded, but before she hit the ground Twilight slipped a pillow underneath her. The five mares were so excited as they got on the train to Canterlot, but Twilight and Dusk had differing thoughts about it. This throws a monkey wrench in all of my plans! Do I just wait? I don't think I could wait too much longer! Dusk saw Twilight by herself staring out of the window, and joined her, "you don't seem quite as enthused about the wedding as everyone else, something on your mind?" "It's just... ever since I moved to Ponyville my brother and I have been drifting apart," Twilight sighed, "especially so after he gets married and starts a family." "I can't really relate too much," Dusk placed a fore hoof on her shoulder, "but I do know that your brother will always be there for his sister, don't forget that." Twilight did her best to smile, but it wasn't quite enough to lift his spirit much, the train passed through a magical barrier, signalling that they had arrived. Upon exiting the train, the group noted the extra twenty guards standing outside the train station. "The Royal Guard must've gotten a big budget increase to have this many around," Rainbow Dash joked. "I'm sure it's a precautionary action, a royal wedding is around the corner here," Rarity explained, "speaking of which, we should get started on preparations." "Yeah," Dusk turned to Twilight, "and you have a brother to congratulate." "Sure, 'congratulate' and then let him know my thoughts on the matter," she stormed off. "So, what are you going to do Dusk?" Fluttershy asked. "Find the Princess and let her know what's going on," he leaned in closer, "and ask her why she decided to put myself and a baby dragon in charge of setting up the bachelor party." Fluttershy nodded, "so you'll come see me and my song birds when your done?" "Of course!" He kissed her on the cheek and started walking to the castle, he could see Rarity in his peripheral vision. "They didn't see you follow me, did they?" He asked in a hushed voice. "Not a chance, so when do you want to do it?" "I don't know, it seems like I should wait until this all blows over, but I don't think I could wait that long, you still good to go?" "Always, this is child's play, and she doesn't suspect a thing." "Good, I'd hate for her to find out and ruin everything." "Likewise, I'm going to go start work on the dress, remember, this conversation never happened." "What conversation?" He smiled. "Ha, ha. goodbye Dusk," she slipped away as quickly as she came up. Everything just got a whole lot more difficult for us, I hope we can keep a lid on it, he thought. He approached the main tower and saw his Mentor sitting at the very top balcony, she jumped down and landed gracefully in front of him. "So good to see your safe arrival my student, so what brings you to my doorstep?" "Three things my Mentor, first is the extra security, this can't be just for the wedding I know you handle such matters with subtlety." "You are correct, there has been an anonymous threat to the city, I felt this one was serious so I set up extra defenses to be safe." "Okay, that makes sense, second, did you get my letter?" "Oh yes, I have to say I'm a little surprised at you, you don't usually do such rash things, I guess she really has an affect on you, to have you do something like this." "I know, I know I shouldn't be doing this, but my mind is made up, and now for the third matter," he took a breathe, "why in Equestria did you set myself and Spike as the bachelor party planners? I can understand myself being put in charge, but Spike didn't even know what a bachelor party was until the train ride here." "Do you not trust my judgement?" "Of course I trust you Mentor, but I would like to here your logic behind the matter." "I'm no foal, I know how wild those parties get, I feel someone with your moral compass would help keep the party from getting too wild." "And Spike?" "A precautionary measure, I know you wouldn't be able to live with yourself if he became mentally scarred from the party." "As always, impeccable logic Mentor, thank you, and I trust you will keep the matter discussed in my letter a secret." "Of course my student, now get back to Fluttershy, she might be getting a little worried." "You may be right, until next time my Mentor," Dusk gave a bow before returning to Fluttershy in the castle courtyard with her song birds. They were singing a lovely melody, "that sounds beautiful," he walked up to her and locked lips with her for a minute. She stood there for a moment, "that was... a surprise." "Good... or bad?" She didn't answer with words, she only pulled his head close to repeat it, only for a little longer than before, she replied when they separated, "good of course!" The two had grown used to displaying their affection publicly. Dusk stood next to Fluttershy and watched her direct her group in ways that would rival the famous composers of history. One bird began to sing off key or rather, wasn't singing any key and it was hurting the performance of the group as a result, Dusk noticed an alicorn princess approaching them, she had a pink coat with multiple colored stripes in her mane. "Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, an honor to meet you, congratulations for your big day," Dusk greeted, she looked at him but walked passed him. "I hope that bird gets it's act together, I will not tolerate such a distraction at my wedding," the Princess warned. "Oh no, don't worry, everything will go perfectly," Fluttershy called the bird from it's perch and had it land on her shoulder. "I do hope you're correct," with that she left the two with the bird out of key. "Well, someone is not having the best day, the stress must be getting to her," Dusk announced. "Yeah, I hope I don't act like that when I get married." "Y-yeah, that-that wouldn't be good," he stuttered. "Are you alright?" "Uh," he cleared his throat, "yes just a bit of a hectic day that's all." She shot a suspicious look like the one earlier that day, "yes, but if something's bothering you, you'll tell me right?" "Of course." "Well okay, should we go see how everyone else is doing?" "Sure." The two walked back to the castle from the courtyard and found out that the others were going out for dinner. The seven sat at one of the cafes and discussed the wedding, until Twilight came up and joined the group, "now I know what you're all thinking, princess Cadence is the worst bride ever!" She slammed her glass on the table for emphasis. "Twilight whatever do you mean?" Rarity asked. "She was so demanding about the dress." "But of course, a bride wants to look her best on her wedding day." Twilight turned to Apple Jack, "Apple Jack, did you know that after she told you how she loved your hors d'oeuvres she tossed them in the garbage?" "She was probably just sparin' my feelin's." "No, she was just being dishonest and totally insincere." "Well... she did yell at one of my birds a little bit during rehearsal," Fluttershy admitted. "See, rude!" Twilight exclaimed. "But, he was singing off key," the bird gave another one of his loud screeches to demonstrate. "Pinkie Pie, tell me you noticed when she-" Twilight was cut off by Pinkie and Spike playing with the bride and groom figurines. "Rainbow, please tell me you know what I'm talking about!" "Yeah, sorry I have to be ready to perform a sonic rainboom, I've been really busy training." "She's probably nervous, she is about to get married after all," Rarity proposed. "Or she's a terrible pony who doesn't even have any business even knowing Shining Armor!" Twilight slammed the table for emphasis. "Are you sure you're not bein' just a little bit overprotective?" Apple Jack asked, the group nodded in agreement, minus Dusk and Twilight. "I'm not being overprotective! You're all just too caught up in this wedding to realize that maybe it shouldn't even happen!" Twilight slammed the table hard enough to knock over every drink on it, before storming off to Celestia knows where. Dusk was about to follow, but Fluttershy grabbed his shoulder, "this isn't something you can help, come get some dinner." "Okay, I just don't like just sitting back and not saying anything," he admitted. "I know," she snuggled up to him, "it's just in your nature to try to help." The group ate in silence, letting the tension die down from Twilight's outburst was probably the best way to deal with it. After the group finished Princess Cadenza walked up to the table, "I need you all to come with me." "Oh dear, is something wrong?" Fluttershy asked. Princess Cadenza said nothing and began to walk toward the castle while the seven got up and followed, she remained silent until she led the group into one of the chambers. "Would any of view object to being my bridesmaids on such short notice?" No one could speak for a moment until Dusk broke the silence, "what happened to your original bridesmaids?" "That's not important!" She snapped, this made Dusk a little suspicious... but he held his tongue. Rarity finally managed to respond, "Princess, I believe that I speak for all of us when I say say it would be an honor and a pleasure to be your bridesmaids." The other four nodded in agreement, "good, I trust that the gowns will be handled, good night." She walked out the door, when it closed three things happened: Rarity passed out for a moment, Fluttershy's face grew beat red and Apple Jack, Rainbow and Pinkie started giggling like young fillies. "Well... I guess that you're bridesmaids now, congrats!" Dusk congratulated. "Thank you Dusk," Rarity turned to her fellow birdesmaids, "now since we have been given this role, I feel I should get the final fitting done for all of our dresses now." She had each mare try on their dress and worked the final measurements individually. First, Apple Jack, then Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and lastly Fluttershy. Fluttershy's dress left Dusk speechless: it was a magenta color with pale blue flowers and lining that came around the neck to a green butterfly shaped choker, she wore a garland of light blue bulbs with a trio of flowers on it. "So, how do I look?" She asked the group, more so Dusk than anyone else. "I- uh..." Dusk's brain couldn't get the words out of his mouth, tongue, please work, for her more so than me. Fluttershy shrank away from him, "oh, that bad huh?" Dusk shook his head in disagreement, which reconnected his mind to his mouth, "no, you look... stunning, that is the closest word I could think of." She blushed slightly, "really?" "Of course, the dress was designed by Rarity, and the fact you're wearing it is just too much for words to describe." Before their little courtship could continue Rarity interrupted, "seeing you girls try on your dresses makes me want to try mine on too." With that she flashed her dress on as well, admiring herself in the mirror. There came a loud slam and the door swung open directing the group's attention to the pony responsible, "girls my brother's in trouble and- why are you-?" Twilight was shouting, as if in a panic. Fluttershy flew across the room to the door "isn't it great?! We're Princess Mi Amore Cadenza's new bridesmaids!" "New bridesmaids?! What happened to her old ones?" Twilight asked. "She didn't say, but she asked us to fill in," Apple Jack explained, "and you had doubts about her." The girls just started giggling in excitement, Twilight just walked back out the door and Dusk pursued. "Twilight wait up!" "You come to tell me I'm wrong too?" "No, I just want to tell you, you may very well be right," Dusk explained. "What?" Her eyes widened in shock. "I asked her specifically what happened to her bridesmaids, her response was a little less than composed, something else might be going on here. Now I'm not saying that she is evil or anything, but I am saying that something is amiss here." Twilight nodded in agreement before walking off again,Fluttershy popped her head in the doorway, "hey Dusk, you aren't leaving are you?" He turned around and walked back inside, "of course not, I just wanted to talk to Twilight before she left." "Trying to convince her that the Princess is a good pony?" "More or less," he lied, he felt stating his doubts would do no good here. "Well, at least you tried, think she will come around?" "Possibly, but I couldn't know what it's like to be in her hooves since I lack any siblings," he explained, "older or otherwise." "I don't either, but I don't know if that's enough reason to dislike some pony." "It might be in her mind, but that's besides the point, it's looking pretty late and you all have quite a lot to do tomorrow." She nodded in agreement. The girls finished the work on the dresses and went their separate ways, Dusk and Fluttershy were walking to their room, "Such a beautiful night isn't it?" He asked. "It really is, we should thank Luna for it." "Yeah, it's almost as beautiful as you are," he smiled. She walked closer beside him, "I love you." "I love you, too." The two walked inside their room which was dark, "the princess said she selected this one for us specifically," Dusk turned on the light revealing what he believed one would call a 'Honeymoon Suite.' A heart shaped bed and the decor made it look like a Hearts and Hooves Day's storage space. "She, uh, picked this suite for us?" "Evidently, I never knew Mentor to do something like this," he rubbed the back of his neck what was she thinking?! This looks like a post wedding suite, we're in the middle of planning one... she pranked me, she got me pretty good, note to self: have myself or Fluttershy pick the room next time!, "we'll make it work though." "Yeah, as long as we're together everything will be fine," she rested her head on his shoulder. The two climbed into the big heart shaped bed, the situation felt a little awkward at first, but it was as soft as any other bed so they drifted off in each others' arms. Dusk found himself floating in a white expanse, nothing as far as the eye could see, "hello?" "Dusk, is that you?" A voice called to him. "Fluttershy? Yeah it's me!" A moment later she materialized in front of him, "are we in the dreamscape?" "I suppose, Luna! Are you here?" "Indeed, our sister sought our assistance." "Assistance? Assistance with what?" "We know not, she only asked that we bring you both here tonight, she will no doubt appear shortly." Not a moment later, Princess Celestia materialized before the three, "good evening, thank you Luna for bringing them here." "Think nothing of it sister, should I be off then?" "No, not yet dear sister, I will need your assistance in a moment." Luna simply materialized a chair behind her and sat down, a bag of popcorn materialized in front of her, like she was watching some sort of sporting event. "Now, I trust you found your living quarters to be... cozy." Fluttershy nodded. "Yes Mentor, was it your idea, or does your sister share your love of pranks?" "You could say it was a combined effort, but now I need to speak with you Dusk, privately," she turned to Luna, "sister I would like you to speak with Fluttershy like we previously discussed." "But of course, come Ms. Fluttershy, we haven't been able to speak since our last tea time." The two walked a distance before vanishing from sight. "So, what is this really about?" "My student, I've helped you grow and develop into the stallion you are today, and now that I see what you are planning to do and I need to know how sure you are about it." "How sure I am? One hundred percent sure Mentor." "Now, let's analyze this, you're young and not very sure of what you're getting yourself into." "How so?" "First, your parents what would they think about you doing this, especially before trying to re-establish contact with them?" "I'm sure they would understand, love is a complex emotion." "Dusk, if I was going to argue with you, I would have done it in broad daylight and without having my sister go through all of this trouble. Promise me you will take what I'm saying to heart." Dusk took a deep breathe, "I promise." "Okay, how will the friendship of Fluttershy and Rarity hold?" "I don't think it will hurt them too much, I mean... I hope it doesn't, they've been through rough spots before." Celestia found the chink in Dusk's armor and exploited it, "so you're unsure about the outcome of your actions?" Dusk sighed, "yes, but I can't possibly know how everything will go, I've learned that sometimes it's better to be a little spontaneous than be calculated." "Nothing is wrong with being a little spontaneous, but with such a life changing decision I think you should take a step back about it." "I understand, thank you my mentor." "It appears Fluttershy is done as well, I will see you both tomorrow." She vanished, as did the dreamscape, leaving Dusk and Fluttershy together in the bed again. "Are we back?" Fluttershy asked. "Yeah, should we wait until morning for explanations?" Before he even finished the question, he felt Fluttershy's breathe against his chest, she had fallen asleep, "I'll take that as a yes." He followed suit and slept soundly through the night...