//------------------------------// // Part III // Story: Equestria Noir Epilogue "I Do" // by Jacoboby1 //------------------------------// “I Do” Part III Perspective: Private Eye “Per l'amore di Celestia Private, will you stop fidgeting?” Potso complained as he tried desperately to straighten my bow tie. “Sorry,” I said. “I’m just nervous.” We were in the changing room which was really just one of the rooms at Ponyville’s Hotel lobby. The place was converted for everypony to use as a dressing room. Right now, I felt like I was being grabbed all over the place. In between Raiden and Big Mac running lint rollers over the suit jacket, Swarm buzzing over my head trying to get my hat mane into some measure of decency, and Potso fighting my bow tie, it was hard to find breathing room. Finally they let go of me and I was allowed to look at the results in the mirror. I was clad in a suit specially made for me by Rarity and Cross. The tuxedo was a traditional black with a white shirt and red bow tie provided by the Doctor. Hey, bow ties are cool, remember? It’s been almost non stop working since this morning. I was forced awake by Raiden and dragged down to the spa to get ready. I swear Lotus and Aloe looked about ready to scream when they saw me. Next thing I know, I’m dragged here by my best stallion and put into my tuxedo. It all happened so fast I took a breath just to try and handle it all. Potso slid a hoof over my shoulder “Ha ha, look at you Private, off to get married to la ragazza dei tuoi sogni.” Yeah, no pressure. The other groom’s stallions left me alone with my thoughts. I looked in the mirror, and loosened up the bangs on my mane a little. It was only about an hour before I had to be up there. I was beyond nervous at this point. Part of me wanted to run away from Ponyville and forget the whole thing. But then I reminded myself who I was marrying. A smile came to my face and I said to my reflection, “Just say I Do, and you’ll be fine.” The door opened and I turned to see Tailspin, Dad, and Cross enter. Tailspin rolled up to me excitedly. “You look great Private! I can’t wait for it all to start!” “Are there any loose strings or tears Private?” Cross asked, examining my tuxedo. “No, I’m fine Cross, you and Rarity did a good job,” I smiled at my cousin. That earned a flush of embarrassment from Cross. He always acted like that whenever I praised him for using the talent he got, not what he wanted. Dad looked on me, his blue eyes looked, almost misty. “Dad?” I asked, concerned. “Forgive me,” he said, shaking his grey head and righting himself. “I just wish Sparrow could see you now, so grown up and about to marry a wonderful mare.” “Dad,” I said, a smile on my own face. “I’m glad we made up in time for this.” Dad smiled and walked over to me, before pulling me into a hug. At first I didn’t know what to do, then for the first time in a while, I hugged my dad. Dad beamed as he held me, “You’ve made more proud than any father could possibly be. Know that above everything.” “Dad,” I choked, trying not to get misty eyed myself. He let me go and said, “I’m sure Sparrow thinks the same.” “I still miss her dad,” I admitted. “I know, but I’m sure she’s smiling as wide as she can be in the life after this one,” he smiled. Tailspin and Cross were discussing the wedding while Dad and I talked. “Dad, I’m still nervous about all this. Will I be able to say the vows?” “In truth, I was just as nervous when I was about to marry your mother,” Dad admitted. “You were?” I asked, a little surprised. “Yes, I bumbled my way through the vows during rehearsal. I was just blown away by the idea I was marrying my best friend for years. But, that all changed, when she walked down the aisle in her wedding dress. Once I saw her like that, all anxiety just melted away. Just focus on Twilight, and you’ll be fine.” “Dad, thanks,” I smiled. “I needed that.” “Also,” Dad added, “I’ve gotten Celestia to take you both to your honeymoon on that private island I bought back.” “Dad, you didn’t have to,” I said. “Twilight and I would’ve been happy with a honeymoon at Manehatten or some other city not so expensive.” “Well, I’m not about to have my grandchildren conceived in just some drafty hotel room in the city.” “DAD!!!” I yelled, my cheeks flushing at the thought. Dad laughed as Tailspin rolled up to him. “Dad come on, we’re going to be late and I have to practice some more.” “I’m coming Tailspin,” Dad said, following Tailspin and Cross before stopping and looking behind me. “Think on what I said, and you’ll be fine Preventus.” “Sure dad,” I said, smiling. With that, I was left alone in my dressing room. I looked at my reflection and said “I Do...” ____________________________________________________________________ Perspective: Twilight Sparkle “All right, everypony, this is my greatest work. IF THERE IS SO MUCH AS A DROPPED HEM...” “Geez, Rarity, we get it,” Rainbow muttered with a roll of her eyes, and very grateful that she was on preening duty, with Fluttershy. “Okie dokey, we’re going to get your hair all curly-whirly to look really bride-er-riffic!” Pinkie enthused. “‘Brid-er-riffic’?” I uttered, sounding concerned. “Relax, Twilie-wilie, just let your Auntie Pinkie take care of the mane, kay?” “... Pinkie, I think we’re about the same age,” I said. “Eh, minor detail,” Pinkie dismissed. “AJ! Pass me that spray whatzit!” “Ya mean tha mane spray?” Applejack asked dubiously. “Duh, you gotta stay on top of things AJ!” Pinkie declared. I groaned. This is turning into a disaster, and I haven’t started to get cold hooves, and even if I did, I’d never make it out of here, grab Private and elope to where we wouldn’t have to deal with crazy ponies, with crazy mane styles, and crazy dresses getting ready for a crazy ceremony... Wow, I sound like I did when I first came here. “FINALLY!” Rarity gasped, obviously unused to her masterpieces in the hooves of amateurs. “Twilight, darling, why don’t you take a look?” I turned to the mirror, and could not believe my eyes. “Is... Is that ME?!” My jaw dropped a little as I stared into the reflective surface. “You look beautiful Twilight,” Fluttershy complemented, hovering over my shoulder. “Why if Private dosen’ faint at the sight of ya Ah’d be surprised.” Applejack chuckled. “He’s gonna be all like,” Pinkie pulled Private’s hat out of nowhere, “Who the hoary horseradished hay is that!” She then pulled Celestia’s crown out of nowhere. “Uh, that’s the mare you’re getting all marry warry’d to!” She put Private’s hat back on. “WHAAA!!!!” Rainbow laughed, “Well, at least your wings look good. Just don’t try and fly off with them, we don’t need a repeat performance at Canterlot where you almost dropped Private.” I couldn’t help but smile and shake my head at all this. “It is my finest work Twilight,” Rarity said, smiling wide herself, but then frowned, “If you and Private don’t see this through I’m killing you both!” “Don’t worry Rarity,” I said, still looking at my reflection. “I’ll be fine, you girls should get ready yourselves.” “Let’s all hop to it then!” AJ said as the others followed her out the door. I was left alone for the first time all day. So today is the big day. I’m marrying Private... I’m marrying Private. Oh... And I thought I was over being nervous! What am I going to DO?! What do I do? What do I say? What if I mess up? What if I trip, and ruin the dress? Rarity would never forgive me! Wait... Wait... Getting through this means... Wedding night, and... Oh... Oh yeah... Me and Private... It will be so worth the wait... “Twilight?” The door suddenly opened and my mother came in. Just when I was about to... Oh right, probably not a good idea. Wings could very easily go ‘sproing’ and then I’d be in trouble for messing up the preening job. I turned around and my mom almost broke down in tears as she saw me. Her blue eyes started tearing up already as Dad walked in behind her. Mom wiped her eyes with a hoof and sobbed, “I can’t believe this, my little baby is getting married. I used to hold you in my forelegs while you sucked your little hoof.” “Mom!!” I yelled, embarrassed that she kept bringing up stuff like that. But, I guess I couldn’t really blame her. “We’re really proud of you sweetheart,” Dad said, walking to me and taking me in. “You’ve made us some of the proudest parents in the world.” “Thanks Daddy,” I smiled. Mom then walked to me, and hugged me as best she could without ruining anything. “No matter what happens, you’ll always be my little filly. Never forget that Twilight.” “I won’t mom,” I said, hugging her as best I could. “You won’t let me forget it.” Mom let go of me reluctantly and joined Dad to head outside. I smiled at them, maybe after I’m married I should try and spend more time with them. They deserve to have their daughter care about them. Another pair came through the door, Shining Armor and Cadence walked through. Cadence smiled wide upon seeing me. “I don’t think you need my love spell for today Twilight.” I smiled at my sister in law, “I would do our greeting, but then Rarity would kill me in my sleep for ruining her masterpiece.” Both of us laughed as Shining Armor came up, clad in his uniform. I smirked, “No liquid pride this time?” “Trying to hold it back,” he said, smiling tenderly. “My little sister’s grown up, give a guy a break.” “I’m just glad I had a good example to go on for what my husband should be.” I said, smiling at him. He smiled in turn and looked at Cadence. “Come on, let’s get our seats.” Cadence nodded in turn and looked at me. “We checked, no changeling invasion this time.” We both laughed a little as they left. I was really happy for both of them. I was about to return to the mirror when one last pony entered. My mentor, Princess Celestia was standing there. She lifted a hoof to her mouth and a tear fell from her eye. “Princ-I mean, Celestia, what’s wrong?” “Forgive me.” She wiped her eye with a hoof. “I just, am proud to see you like this. To have come so far and have all your work rewarded.” I smiled, “I couldn’t have done it without you.” She smiled in turn, “I wish you and Private all the best in your coming lives. I’m also proud you chose to remain mortal.” I looked at her a little puzzled, “I thought you’d be mad that I didn’t conduct that ceremony.” “Twilight, I speak from experience that immortality is not something I would honestly wish on anypony. It ruins how one sees the world and the lives of others. But, you’ve brought faith back in me of mortals. You’ve been the daughter I wish I had and my finest student I’ve ever trained. You’ve come farther than any who have come before. I wish you nothing but happiness in the days to come.” I tried to fight tears myself. It was, just so amazing to hear her say all that. I wanted to run and hug her myself. But again, Rarity would kill me in my sleep. I just said, “I only hope, that when I take on a student, that I can be as great a teacher as you are.” Celestia smiled, “It is almost time, I should get to my position. It seems I have another royal wedding to perform.” With that, my mentor left. I turned back to the mirror, no longer nervous and scared like before. I had all these wonderful ponies backing me up. They put a lot of faith in me, it’s time I put that into action. I looked at myself, smiled and said, “I Do...” ____________________________________________________________________ Perspective: Private Eye So here I am, up on the dais, looking around at all the decorations from the perspective I hadn’t seen them, before. The decorations are all for the audience, of course, and I’m a part of them. I took a deep shaky breath, looking at the ever-serene Princess Celestia, standing under the arbor that framed her podium, it too festooned with flowers to celebrate the occasion. The planter boxes looked fresh and new, the ribbons on the lampposts all faced the audience, naturally, and I could see a sea of ponies, all... staring right at me. I swallowed hard. Is it too late to elope? Potso smiled over at me in an attempt to try and calm my nerves. It helped a little but it didn’t detract from my overall nervousness of what was to come. I looked over at Celestia but all I got from her was a small smile. I felt my legs shaking a little. I’ve never felt this nervous in my whole life. I tried not to let it show but it was getting harder and harder as time went on. But then, Raiden took to the piano and began the wedding march. Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Dinky came down the aisle throwing flowers everywhere... That’s... Dear sweet Celestia... That’s... Twilight?! I could feel my jaw drop, as I took her in. Oh... My... She was dressed in white, I have no idea what the material was, but it looked very light and airy. It shimmered as she walked, the train floating, so it would not get dirty, but it was still rather long, lacy and seemed to twinkle with a thousand little tiny jewels. Her dress shimmered in the sunlight, it was white, but it had different colors, too, like mother-of-pearl. The sleeves were poofy, with vertical dags, with magenta fabric in the openings, Twilight beamed as she looked up toward me, her hair styled into gorgeous ringlets, and it looked like her wings had been preened to a glossy shine. On her head was her crown, but a wedding veil hanged from it, I could see Twilight’s smiling face a little. How in the hoary horsradished hay did she keep all that... looking so good? Any doubt that I was going to marry her blew away with the wind. I smiled at her, and watched as she took her place beside me. I felt nothing but assuredness as I gazed into her violet eyes, accented a with a little make up. I wanted to lift her up in my hooves and declare my love for her in the most cheesiest way possible. But, then Celestia raised her wings for everypony’s attention. Twilight and I turned up to the princess as she spoke, “Mares and Gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two very special ponies. Ponies that Equestria owes debts to that can never be repaid. Sir Preventus Phelps Eye, and Princess Twilight Annamarie Sparkle. These two ponies have given much, sacrificed much, and have done a lot for the betterment of Equestria, and now, it is only fitting that they get a small something for themselves.” She raised a hoof to each of us in turn. “For they are more than deserving. Now, I have the honor of bringing them together in holy matrimony.” The Princess then looked out at the crowd, and smiled in a very mischievous manner, her eyes twinkling with mirth. “Should any pony have any reason for these two not to be joined in glorious matrimony... They can take it up with me, and they will be enjoying new digs on the moon,” Celestia said with a very impish grin, obviously joking. The audience chuckled. Twilight, and I did, too. Any lingering nervousness... Well, nothing like a little levity to help calm the nerves. “Bring forth the rings,” Celestia declared. I looked over to see Spike and Tailspin coming. Each of them held Twilight and mine’s respective rings. Both of them smiled at us as they held the rings before us. We used our magic to levitate the rings. Twilight’s was the one Spike made. Mine was a simple gold band that Twilight had made for me. Both Twilight and I stood facing one another as Celestia spoke, “Do you, Twilight Annemarie Sparkle, take Preventus Phelps Eye to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or worse, until death do you part?” Twilight looked at me, her eyes beaming as she said with confidence, “I Do.” Celestia then spoke again, “Do you, Preventus Phelps Eye, take Twilight Annemarie Sparkle as your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or worse, until death do you part?” I looked at Twilight, for a moment I couldn’t say anything. My throat dried up and I just couldn’t speak for a moment. But then, I looked at Twilight, remembered not what I was marrying, but who I was marrying. I slowly smiled and said, not confidently, but just gently, “I Do...” I looked at Twilight’s amethyst eyes and said, “Twilight, from the moment I met you, you’ve had such an indescribable influence on my life. Your laugh, your talent, your heart, all so many things I could say about what I love about you. But, above all, you were my friend as well as my love. I vow to remain beside you, to always be there to hold you, to care for you, until my very last breath I will be beside you.” I lifted the ring and gently slid it on her horn. “With this ring, I thee wed.” Twilight held my ring in her magic as her eyes gazed into mine from behind her wedding veil. “Private, you’ve been the greatest friend I’ve ever had. Always there, always keeping me sane and feeling loved in everything we’ve done together. We’ve had our arguments and fights, but we always came back to each other in the end. I promise never to leave you, and never forsake the love I hold for you, so long as you love me in return.” She raised the ring and slid it on my horn. “With this ring, I thee wed.” Twilight and I looked at each other as Celestia spread her wings and declared, “Then, by the power vested in me as Princess of Equestria, and in the company of all these witnesses; I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You, may kiss the bride.” I lifted Twilight’s veil with my magic and pulled her into the most love filled kiss I could muster. She kissed back with equal tenderness and love, I felt her tears but I knew they were tears of joy. I just poured all the love I held for her into our first kiss as husband and wife. The crowd roared, Cadence screamed, “YES!” and I think someponies yelled, “Goooooooooal!” or something. But, I was too focused on my wife right now. Wife... Twilight’s my wife now... Twilight and I broke our kiss and simply looked at one another, our eyes showing so much love I think Swarm was going to have an overdose. I then heard Fluttershy say, ”Oh I’m so happy for them I could just scream!” She took a big breath and sounded a quiet, “yay” Rainbow face hoofed. “You gotta be kidding me! Fluttershy! Our friends just got married! You can make it louder than that!” “Um, yay?” Fluttershy said, a little louder. “Louder!” Rainbow commanded. “Yay! “Louder!” “YAY!” “LOUDER!!!” Fluttershy took the biggest breath she could muster and then… “YAY!!!” Rainbow was blown back into a nearby flower bed from the sheer force of Fluttershy’s cheer. The butter yellow pegasus flew to her friend. “Oh my gosh! Rainbow Dash are you okay?” “That was music to my now bleeding ears,” Rainbow groaned, her eyes dizzy. We all laughed as Twilight and I walked down the aisle together. We walked hoof in hoof, not really paying attention to all the cheers whoops and cries from the crowd. It was just us two. Husband... and Wife...