Chapter 49
Three months had passed since the council’s adjournment, and things could not be better for the royal family. With the plot to have her son taken from her thwarted, Celestia could care for her kingdom in peace. Luna had been going out and familiarizing with her citizens. Her public relations events did wonders towards mending her infamy as Nightmare Moon. Cadance and Shining were busily preparing for their wedding and honeymoon while Onyx and Blueblood was still doing their apprentissage as ruling a kingdoms.
***
“Have you made your choice?”
“No. In fact, I’m waiting for somepony, but thanks for asking,” Onyx said to the old mare. The mare nodded and returned to her business, leaving the prince to his slow, agonizing death in the fitting room. Onyx sighed before returning his gaze to the several dozen wedding dresses. It was just his luck that when she showed up, Candace would have him thoroughly criticise each one before she made her decision. Onyx was deep in thought until a voice called his name.
“Hiya Cousin. Sorry for being so late, but I promise you I had a good reason,” Cadence explained, entering the shop and simultaneously breaking its calm atmosphere.
“So cousin, have you spotted one in particular that matches the wedding theme?” asked the pink alicorn.
“No, not really. They’re all white—no pink,” Onyx deadpanned with an extra pinch of irritation. Cadance either ignored it or had already stopped listening to him and was back in her non-stop enthusiasm.
“Well, we’ll just have to try them all and get one in the right color later,” piped Cadence with a smirk. She plucked the first two from the rack and cantered toward the fitting room.
“Oh boy, here we go.”
***
The Changelings, like the ponies, were feverishly preparing for the upcoming wedding of princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Instead of being fitted for dresses and mulling over color schemes and decor, however, they were being fitted for armor and sharpening daggers and arrows. For months, the hive hungrily anticipated the upcoming invasion. The warriors honed their shapeshifting abilities while workers prepared vats of strange, acrid-smelling healing mixtures for the inevitable wounded. Traditional values forbade revealing their hive to the world; but with the food crisis becoming more and more dire, they did not have much of a choice. It was particularly hard on their queen.
Chrysalis was in her room when there was a knock at the door. With a small sigh, she walked over to welcome her second in command while she would be masquerading as Cadance.
“Greeting your majesty.” Said the changeling while kneeling in front of Chrysalis. “Shall I come back later?”
“No come in General, you have already broken the calm of this room, no need to do it a second time.” Answered in a little harsh tone Chrysalis. The general enter hesitantly her room, it was not everyday that a common Changeling would get the opportunity to enter the room of their Queen without being killed on place.
“My Queen, I come here in your room today not as your general but as a friend but please before I tell what I have to say promise me that you will let’s me finish before taking action against me.”
Chrysalis was now intrigued and so let’s her general continue.
“Go on…”
“My Queen...I...I think we should cancel the invasion.”
***
“Now repeat after me; How you doin’?”
“How are you doing?” Repeated Onyx, taking a sip of glass of wine while Stainless Steel and Curved Bronze “tried” to teach him how to pick up mares. Since Cadance no longer needed him Onyx took the liberty to take a little break and relax with some guards at the nearest Inn.
“No no no not like that, how do you think you will get any mares if you can’t even present you properly?” Asked Stainless Steel.
“Ho leave him alone, we both know that his heart is already owned by that purple Mare.” Said back Curved Bronze.
“Who? Berry Punch?”
Onyx choked on his wine at the answer before retaking his breath and exploding with laughter. If it was not a hazard he would have picked these two to get a beer with him more often, they always finds ways to make him laugh whether intentional or not.
“C’mon guys, let’s talk about somepony besides me. Why not about you guys? Do you have any mares with whom you share your hearts with?”
Both looked back at their beers, so far no mares ever wanted to date them but they did not want the prince to know it, scared that he might not continue to hang out with them if he knew.
“Aww, c’mon guys who is it?”
“Well you see… We um.. We’ve never had a date before.” Answered hesitantly Curved Bronze.
“No Mares ever wanted to go out with us.” Continued Stainless Steel.
Onyx remained silent at their answer. True they were a little clumsy, but that’s hardly a reason to have never been with somepony else.
“Guys don’t be depressed like that. If Blueblood could get three dates in his life, you guys, being way nicer than him, can easily find someone to share your life with. Right?”
Both of the guards remained silent and kept looking sadly at their beers. Feeling bad for his friends Onyx choose to help them a little.
“You know I could ask Cadance to help you with this. She loves to play matchmaker and I’m sure she will find somepony to go on a date with you.” Onyx didn’t know if it was true, but it certainly helped to return his friends to their good mood, for which they hugged him in return.
***
Meanwhile in the castle, Cadance was in her room looking at her reflection in the mirror, she was wearing one of the three dress she bought this day with Onyx but unfortunately none of them were to her taste. While they were all pretty she wanted them to tell a story, to be unique, to be something else than just “wedding dress bought in any shop.” She tough while taking of her crown and preparing herself for bed but a knock at the door interrupted her.
“Who is it?” Asked the love princess.
“Room service.” Was the only answer she get. “But I did not asked for anything...Unless it is a surprise from Shiny” She thought happily while opening the door.
“Yes what is…Haa!” She exclaimed before being pushed in her room by force and being blinded by a green flash and lost consciousness