From her post in Manehatten, Celestia rose the sun over the horizon of the eastern ocean. Back at her capital, the participants rose up from their beds and began their deep cleaning and grooming for the big day. After Cosgrove stepped out of the shower, he noticed his mentor slowly eating a plate of quiche, her brow still furrowed after last night. Knowing of her anger, the Hipparion cautiously sat next to her.
"Still mad after last night?" he asked.
While chewing a piece of the egg recipe, Sunset nods before swallowing, "And the worst part of it is she wasn't always like that. Well, there was that time when she was worried sick about not making a deadline."
"And they called you 'rude.'" - Cosgrove added before taking a slice of quiche - "You know, I was thinking about what you told us last night and, once this is all done, if Princess Celestia ever offered to take you again as her student..." - Sunset looked at him rubbing his hooves together - "I wouldn't hold you back."
Suddenly the clock tower outside struck at a new hour, the bell tolling nine times. Cosgrove hopped off the table chair before walking to his suitcase.
"I promise to keep in touch." He added as he put on his white tux.
As preparations were made to the wedding hall, Rarity was just helping Princess Cadance into her dress, now adorned with more beading and a longer train as requested. Smiling at her multiple reflections, the Alicorn then turned to the dressmaker.
"I shall leave you alone to get suited to your fabulous dress." - Rarity bowed before leaving the room.
Cadance turned to a mirror, lifting up and twirling a red rose.
[Queen Chrysalis]
This day is going to be perfect
The kind of day of which I've dreamed since I was small
Everypony will gather 'round
Say I look lovely in my gown
What they don't know is that I have fooled them all!
Deep below an abandoned gem mine, another Cadance, emaciated, dehydrated and her wings broken, looked up at the ceiling of her subterranean prison.
[Princess Cadance]
This day was going to be perfect
The kind of day of which I've dreamed since I was small
But instead of having cake
With all my friends to celebrate
My wedding bells, they may not ring for me at all…
The Cadance above the mines shuffled around, kicking the tables and destroying the manikins.
[Queen Chrysalis]
I could care less about the dress
I won't partake in any cake
Vows, well I'll be lying when I say
That through any kind of weather
I'll want us to be together
The truth is I don't care for him at all
No, I do not love the groom
In my heart, there is no room
But I still want him to be all mine
The Cadance in the mines weakly lit up her horn, hardly providing light beyond her horn.
[Princess Cadance]
I must escape before it's too late
Find a way to save the day
Hope, I'll be lying if I say
"I don't fear that I may lose him
To one who wants to use him
Not care for, love, and cherish him each day"
For I oh so love the groom
All my thoughts he does consume
Oh, Shining Armor, I'll be there very soon
Above ground, Flash Sentry and Hooflock opened the doors, ready to escort Cadance to the wedding hall.
[Queen Chrysalis]
Finally, the moment has arrived
For me to be one lucky bride
[Princess Cadance]
Oh, the wedding I won't make
He'll end up marrying a fake
Shining Armor will be...
"...mine, all mine." Cadance chuckled as she walked down the stairs.
Back at the room she lived before moving, Twilight was covered head to toe in blankets. Her face was red after crying so much last night. Her friends don't want to see her, her parents are disappointed, and worse of all, on the same day she saw her brother again in years she lost his trust. All she could do is sleep the day away then she could return home to her library. But her dreams still weren't that pleasant as she saw the apparitions of her friends shunning her and worse when Celestia, having heard the trouble she caused her niece, removed her from her studies.
"You are troubled, Miss Sparkle." - Princess Luna stood before her.
"Oh, Princess Luna," - Twilight hugged her - "I have been so wrong, and now I lost everything."
"The ignorance of thy friends has put them all in grave danger." Said Luna.
"What do you mean?" twilight wiped her face.
"The aura of her magic was out of the ordinary, was it not?"
Twilight recalled the color surrounding her horn as being different from when she last saw her before now.
"Yes... It wasn't blue but a sick green." - Twilight's eyes widened - "But that means!"
Twilight's dreamland started to tear apart as Luna ascended into the air.
"Awaken, Twilight Sparkle! I shall join you momentarily!"
Twilight's eyes shot open before springing out of the bed just as the church bells echoed the mountainous castle. Immediately she began a race against time before those last two words seal their fate.
Back at the wedding hall, everyone gathered outside as they waited for the newly weds to make their appearance. Inside, Shining Armor had just walked down the aisle with his mother before being stationed next to Mr. Waddle's left with Spike and Cosgrove carrying the rings on a pillow. Just at the main hall, the bridesmaids lined up followed by the Crusaders just in front of Cadance. Sunset entered the doors.
"Everything's all secure." Sunset cracked open a door. Signaling Angel Bunny, the rabbit began to wave his baton, allowing the birds to sing "Here Comes the Bride."
"Let's do it y'all." In unison, the Mane Five walked down between the audience to their places.
Cadance noticed Sunset about to join the others when she lit up her horn.
"Sunset," - The Alicorn brought her attention as her eyes had a green glow to them - "You wouldn't mind looking out for outside disturbances until I am wed?"
"As you wish, your Highness." Without a second question, Sunset walked out the door.
Back at the altar, Cosgrove, having been magic chanted for a while, cringed for a while, catching Spike's attention.
"You okay, Cos-?"
"Mares and gentlecolts," - Mr. Waddle began - "we are gathered here today to witness the union of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor."
Just outside the hall, Twilight tried to find a way around the masses. She tried to break into the crowd only to be kicked back by Jetset.
"The nerve of some ponies." He scoffed with disgust.
Twilight had to think of something and soon before Mr. Waddle could finish. She could teleport, but the range of her spells could land her in a spot where she would be uncomfortable to both her and the crowd.
"Oh, I'm not sure if I have the strength to do this," - Twilight looked up at the balcony - "But it's for my brother!"
Twilight concentrated as hard as she could. The aura that surrounded her horn slowly enveloped around her body before lifting her up as gently as a balloon. The audience watched as Twilight slowly floated towards the hall. Twilight couldn't open her eyes, lest she lose her concentration and become seriously injured. Relying on a sense of touch instead, Twilight hugged the walls as she guided herself around the building. Landing back on the ground, the purple Unicorn panted hysterically.
"I need to practice this more often." Twilight walked forward when a sea-green blast splattered the pavement.
Sunset Shimmer was right at the doors with a deep glare from her eyes.
Back inside, the occupants remained standing as Mr. Waddle continued the introduction.
"That no matter who we are, where we’ve come from, what we believe, we know this one thing: love is what we’re doing right."
Back outside, Sunset stepped down onto the paved road.
"You're not welcome to this wedding!" She hissed as her eyes glowed green.
"Sunset, this isn't you!" - Twilight stepped forward - "You're being used!"
"I'm just doing my job, so do me a favor and leave!"
"No!" - Twilight rebuked - "Not without seeing my brother!"
Using her magic, Sunset emanated a heat signature that slowly dissolved her red-violet dress before intensifying her magic as she rose on her hind legs.
"Sunset, please" - Twilight begged - "I don't want to hurt you."
At the peak of her magic, Sunset slammed her front legs forward before unleashed a great stream of magic. Twilight was quick to react as she pulled up a protection spell of her own. Having done a levitation spell on herself, Twilight mustered any reserve of magic she could to keep her unscathed. Inside, the audience in the back of the hall grumbled at the soft hum outside. When she felt the magic no longer attacking the shield, Twilight noticed Sunset was missing from her view when she heard a scream coming from the air. Using the magic of her horn like a katana, Sunset cut through the protection spell, leaving her vulnerable as she dodged her various swipes.
"I’m here — we’re all here — because we want those moments for you.We’re here to hope with you, to support you, to be proud of you, and to remind you that love isn’t happily ever after, love is the experience of writing your story." Mr. Waddle's slow talking of his introduction was starting to get on Cadance's nerves.
Twilight was running out of time; she needed to end this senseless fight and soon. There is a method to severing a link between puppet and master, but it would be painful. Both Unicorns fired streams of magic, locking at each other in the middle. Having almost exhausted herself, the odds were not in Twilight's favor.
"I cannot fail..." - Twilight groaned - "not now."
Mustering wait she could, Twilight managed to bring the combined energies back to her friend, ending the conflict with a small explosion. Back inside, Cosgrove flinched at the sudden change in his head.
"Will you-?!" - Cadance interrupted the speech in front of the audience before calmly clear her throat - "My apologies, but can we get to the rings, please."
"Oh, yes." - Mr. Waddle turned to both Spike and Cosgrove - "May I have the rings?"
Cosgrove looked down at the drops of blood falling onto the pillow.
"You're bleeding!" Spike whispered, pointing to his snout.
Before going any further, the Hipparion placed his ring onto Spike's pillow.
"Please excuse me!" - Cosgrove ran down the right side of the hall, taking a handkerchief from his suit pocket to cover his nose. Opening the main entrance, he saw Twilight running towards him, before spotting the faint Sunset Shimmer lying on the pavement.
Now inside, Twilight followed the sound of Mr. Waddle's voice as he said, "If there is any reason that these two shouldn't be married, speak now or forever hold your-"
The doors slammed open again on Flash Sentry and Hooflock, revealing a near exhausted Twilight Sparkle.
"Stop!" She beckoned. The fact that Twilight has returned was met with confusion and an occasional facehoof from her more irritated friends.
Cadance looked to Shining Armor before sobbing, "Why does she have to ruin my special day?" - before she glowed her horn, causing her betrothed to wince again.
"Oh no, you don't!" Twilight immediately shot at Cadance, sending her a few feet back.
"What have you done?!" Fluttershy whimpered
Immediately Twilight had spears lined up around her throat. Back at the altar, sparks of electricity snaked around Cadance as she got up and walked to the stairs.
"Send that defiler to the mines for all-" - Cadance noticed that a green ring was drawing back towards her, replacing the delicate pink fur to a chitinous black. She looked as her body changed before the audience. Gone was the fur, gone were the feathered wings, gone were the multiple colors of her mane and tail. Now before them was no Pony but a monster.
The audience talked among each other at the horrid sight.
"That's not Cadance?!" Exclaimed Rarity.
"Then who is she?" Added Applejack
"Or what is she?" Added Rainbow Dash
"She's a Changeling!" - Twilight answered before them - "She is able to take the form of another Pony and pass it as her own."
"Right you are, Pony." - Chrysalis hissed as she walked down the aisle - "And as Queen of the Changelings, it is up to me to find food for my subjects. Equestria has more love than any place I've ever encountered. My fellow changelings will be able to devour so much of it that we will gain more power than we have ever dreamed of!"
"They'll never get the chance!" - Twilight rebuked - "Shining Armor's protection spell will keep them from ever even reaching us!"
"Oh, I doubt that." - She turned to Shining Armor, glowing her horn - "Isn't that right, dear?" - Pulling the strings once more, Chrysalis made him agree with a nod - "Ever since I took her place, I've been feeding off Shining Armor's love. He may not be my husband, but he is under my total control now. And I'm sorry to say, unable to perform his duties as Captain of the Royal Guard."
Outside the hall, the residents looked up to see a massive buzzing hoard of smaller Changelings smashing at the protection spell. Taking note of this, Cosgrove attempted to drag Sunset's body away.
"First, we take Canterlot." - The spell started to crack after her subjects repeated attempts - "And then, all of Equestria!"
As if on cue, the shield gave, shattering like glass. Immediately the drones started to charge to the ground, wrapping themselves in their magic as they collided with buildings and pavement. The inhabitants both in and out of the wedding hall screamed and scattered about as Chrysalis laughed at her progress.
"The Elements of Harmony." - Twilight turned to her friends - "We must get to them and use their power to defeat the Queen!"
Literally, the clothes were off as the Mane Six removed their dresses and made a quick run for the door. All except Rarity, who was catching each dress as they floated down.
"Rarity!" The others beckoned
Chrysalis spotted them running out the door before laughing once more.
"You can run, but you can't hide!"
The Mane Six dodged the biological asteroids as they collided with the ground, leaving holes in the pavement. One Changeling plopped right in front of them, ready to pounce at Twilight when Flash Sentry crashed his head with his hooves.
"We need to stop meeting each other like this." Flash took off into the air, catching the attention of a few more Changelings.
Twilight looked on before Applejack pulled her mane, "C'mon!"
Cosgrove hadn't dragged Sunset's body far when he was surrounded by the enemy. Several of them bore a toothy grin; all that stood in their way of their prey was just one little Pony. Cosgrove tried to fend them off but it was as foolish as a lion chasing away droves of vultures.
The Mane Six finally arrived at the Chamber of the Elements, surrounded by hoards of Changelings.
Ready for a fight, Rainbow Dash pounded her fists together - "Looks like we're gonna have to do this the hard way." - Rainbow immediately leaped to action before finding another one of her. The two looked at each other in unison before the copy punched her away- "How did you...?"
The Changelings in front of them began taking the form of the Mane Six, showing off a somewhat off character to them as they sneered at them.
"They're Changelings, remember?" Twilight reminded Rainbow
"They're Changelings, remember?" Six Changelings in Twilight's form mimicked all the way down to her voice.
"Don't let them distract you. We have to get to the Elements of Harmony." - Twilight and her friends assumed a battle stance - "They're our only hope."
Immediately our heroes charged at the Mane Six, their first ever problem that they had to resort with physical violence.
Twilight Sparkle, being a master student of the magical arts had no trouble with wiping hoards of her duplicates. Repeating the same spell she had done with Chrysalis, Twilight disabled their transformation spell before being pummeled. But she had to be careful with doing so to her duplicates.
That was no problem for the Honest Applejack. Pulling out her lasso, the Apple Farmer wrapped several duplicates in one loop before swinging them around like a ball and chain, thwacking several others before the ball dispersed. At one point her back was with Twilight, but noticing something off, Applejack gave the duplicate a pile driver.
No matter the duplicate, the Changelings could not copy the original recipe that is Rainbow Dash. The world's fastest flyer flew circles around the Changelings before picking them off one by one
Back on the ground, Rarity was chased away by those of her form. While she was not above violence, she can get overwhelmed with dangerous crowds. Soon they had her cornered but at a bad location. Rarity's horn glowed before turning around, finding a whole assortment of gems. She wrapped an aura around as many as she could.
"Diamond cut gems at half price!" Rarity shot the gems out the windows, pummeling the Changelings out of their forms.
Pinky Pie had a more fun time with the battle as the Changeling in front of her kept changing shape from the Mane Six, to Mr. Cake, and finally Fluttershy.
"Do me! Do me!" - Pinky Pie requested. "Fluttershy" rolled her eyes before transforming to Pinky Pie, complete with a smile on her face - "Meh, I've seen better."
Pulling our her party cannon, Pinky blasted the Changeling away.
Fluttershy had the worst of it. Even against her own duplicates, all she could best do is fool them that she is a Changeling. But that only fooled her duplicates. At one point Applejack was lucky enough to save her.
Back on Cosgrove's side of the battle, the Changelings added much more teasing to the pointless battle by transforming into what the Hipparion would appear as an adult, with a few smaller ones being the same size he is now.
"With my help, you can help anypony including your grandparents." Cosgrove recalled in his head just before he was taught magic, and now the weeks have passed and it is time for the physical exam. The Hipparion quickly drew copper and gold alchemy symbols into the earth and stepped on it. The energy glowed around him as bolts of electricity coursed through his body. When Sunset first witnessed this, runes of an unknown calligraphy coursed across his forelimbs.
Rising on his hind legs, Cosgrove brayed at them just when Hooflock and Crescendo pummeled their way through the pseudo Hipparion. With a series of rapid punches, Cosgrove sent several pulses of electricity on his enemies. Hooflock resorted to using his melee attacks from his shield, occasionally grappling and headbutting them. Crescendo used the splintered remains of her flagpole as a spear, stabbing and flinging them away.
Sunset opened her eyes to a Changeling about to sink his teeth into her. With a quick blast of her horn, the blackened beast was sent flying. Several other Changelings started to morph into Hooflock, Crescendo, and Sunset themselves, adding more to the confusion.
Hooflock grabbed one of the Sunset duplicates, ready to punch her.
"Real me! Real me!" - She told him before being released - "Thanks!"
Just as the Changelings began to close in, a ground began to shake repeatedly, faster and faster as it got closer. Dozens of the duplicates were flung away before Schnookums arrived on the scene, bellowing out against the invaders.
"Schnookums?" - Cosgrove uppercuts a clone - "How did-?"
"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS CHANGELING STOMPERS!!!!" The Crusaders yelled out while riding on the Brobdingnag. Spike toppled off the beast before wobbling over to the Hipparion.
"Don't get me started." - Spike requested before stopping his last meal from leaving.
Just as Schnookums swept his tail at the viewer (er readers), we return to the Mane Six continuing their side of the fight. With the numbers of the Changelings ever increasing, the Mane Six were becoming overwhelmed. Rarity was running out of gems to reuse, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were showing signs of fatigue, even Pinky Pie was running out of tricks (including the classic "run into a background painting" gag). In the midst of the battle, Twilight ran into the hall where the Elements were kept, only to encounter more Changelings to fight.
Rainbow Dash was flying at a slower pace when she heard Fluttershy's cry for help as she was surrounded by Changelings.
"Nopony messes with my friend and gets away with it!" Rainbow Dash dove towards Fluttershy.
"Rainbow Dash, no!" Applejack shouted too late.
It was a duplicate that grabbed Rainbow and pinned her to the ground. The other Changelings arrived as they covered her in a green slime. The real Fluttershy saw that her closest friend since flight camp was in trouble. Grabbing the courage, she stomped over to the pack.
"You big meanies!" - She yelled, stopping their process - "How dare you mess with my friends" Shooting her eyes wide open, Fluttershy gave the Changelings "The Stare." That not only stopped the pack but most, if not all, in her line of vision.
Relieved, Applejack began to pull Rainbow Dash out of the muck, but it proved even tougher than uprooting a tree.
"Applejack, go and help Twilight!" Fluttershy ordered as she kept "The Stare" going.
"Oh no, I am not leaving you two-" - Applejack saw Fluttershy direct her signature move to Applejack - "Ah'm much obliged to do so!"
Applejack ran inside the hall to see Twilight using less powerful spells as she succumbs to exhaustion. Using her lasso once more, Applejack roped a quite a few Changelings and thwacked the who battalion away. Twilight was so exhausted that she collapsed to the ground.
"Are you alright, sugar cube?" Applejack lowered herself to her level.
"Must... Get... The..." Twilight strained herself towards the chamber when a shadow loomed over the two.
"Like I said, my Changelings are many." - Chrysalis walked forward, another battalion of her people behind with the other four Element bearers - "Fight all you want, but in the end, I shall win!"
The Queen began to laugh before her subjects joined the chorus of laughter. Twilight tears up; she had not ruined yesterday and could not even save today.
No.
Twilight strained herself back on her four legs. "I cannot fail... I cannot... fail..." - those words caught Chrysalis' attention - "I. WILL. NOT. FAIL!!"
Just after finishing that last word, Twilight's eyes shot open, revealing an unusual white glow. The Changeling drones backed away as the purple Unicorn was wrapped in a glow that illuminated the hall, catching the attention of the other resistant members to even as far away as Manehattan, much to Celestia's surprise. Immediately, Twilight fired a massive stream of magic at the Changeling Queen, who caught it just in time. The spell drew near the Changeling Queen as she grunted in pain. But powerful as this is, Twilight for the first in a long time had lost focus. Chrysalis drew as much power as she could, sending the magic back to Twilight. Shot out of the super state, the Unicorn crashed through a window, hurdling to the gardens.
Flash Sentry spots this and flies down to assist her. Twilight was comatose, her horn burnt at the tip and her fur frayed.
"Ah! Shining Armor's love is even stronger than I thought!" - Chrysalis walked down the stairs to the gardens - "Consuming it has made me even more powerful than Celestia!"
Flash assumed a battle position when he heard the sound of a stone cracking. Looking behind, Flash notices that Discord's prison was slowly breaking away.
"So, what'll it be?" - Chrysalis towered over the yellow-orange Pegasus. This was a dangerous decision to make. If he surrendered, he could be killed right on the spot, but If Flash continued the fight, Discord would be free and bring chaos right at Canterlot. Flash took his helmet off and threw it on the grass. Chrysalis giggled before walked away- "Round them up with the others and bring them to the wedding hall."
When you wake up, go to the underground mines.
Back inside the hall, Big Mac opened his eyes and looked around. He tried to move around, but the fluid surrounding him prevented him from doing so as he was in a cocoon-like structure along with several others who stayed and fight in the wedding hall. Chrysalis fluttered through the window and admired her work in progress.
"You won't get away with this!" - Loopty Hoop caught the Queen's attention, prompting her to land in front of her, her husband, Granny Smith and the zombified Shining Armor - "Twilight and her friends will–"
The doors slam open as several Changeling soldiers escort their POW's. Applejack carried the nearly expired Twilight Sparkle on her shoulders. A couple drones carried Rainbow Dash, having hogtied her in sludge. Schnookums had been glued to a catapult plank and pulled to the hallway.
Chrysalis turned to the chartreuse pony, "You were saying?" - Apple Bloom tried to run up to her grandmother before being stopped with a stamp of the Queen's perforated leg - "My poor little pony, you do realize that you are all doomed, don't you?" - She turns to her drones - "Go! Feed!"
Immediately the drones flew out the door, the turbulence slamming the doors shut, leaving only Chrysalis and her POW's. The tall Changeling noticed Twilight beginning to stir before she laughed.
"It's funny, really. Twilight here was suspicious of my behavior all along. Too bad the rest of you were too caught up in your wedding planning to realize those suspicions were correct!" Chrysalis' laughter brought a sense of guilt to those that had a duty for the wedding.
"Sorry, Twi." - Applejack turned her head to Twilight - "We should've listened to you."
"It's not your fault." - Twilight balanced herself on the Apple Farmer, giving the queen a glare - "She fooled everypony."
The Queen looked around the various open windows, seeing her invasion going so smoothly.
"Hmm, I did, didn't I?"
She walked to the balcony behind her to see her subjects chasing down their prey.
This day has been just perfect
The kind of day of which I've dreamed since I was small
Everypony I'll soon control
Every stallion, mare, and foal
Who says a girl can't really have it all?
Just as she begun to laugh, the doors slammed open once more, this time flattening a couple Changeling drones. The POW's looked back before stepping aside.
"Who dares disturb my-?!" - Chrysalis gasped. Standing between her captives and herself was Princess Luna, ready for a fight - "Well... Haven't accounted you for my plans."
"Tis a habit these days..." - Luna lowered her head - "Ponies forgetting I exist."
"What good would you do now that my Changelings already roam free?" Chrysalis bantered, pointing to the carnage outside.
"For the last thousand years, I have been viewed as a creature of darkness. And after my true colors were seen by others, I promised to return the favor someday." - Luna opened her eyes, glaring daggers at the queen - "You may have made it impossible for Shining Armor to perform his spell, but now that you have so foolishly revealed your true self," - The two individuals of royalty locked horns, baring their teeth - "I can protect my subjects from you!"
With a discharge of magic, the two beings were sent a few feet away from each other. Their respective magics collided with each other, each blast illuminating the halls as they attract several Changelings. Rainbow Dash looked out to find droves of Changelings approaching the wedding hall.
"We got company!" She yelled.
Twilight popped a few of her leg bones to get herself into shape before she used whatever left of her magical reserves to released Rainbow Dash and Schnookums.
"Applejack, come with me! We need to find Cadance!" - Twilight turned to the others - "Will you guys be all right?"
"Eeyup!" Answered Big Mac
"We'll buy you some time, now go!" Sunset ordered.
As the Changelings approached the hall, the guests started preparing themselves all the while avoiding the magic spells cast by Luna and Chrysalis. Cosgrove positioned Schnookums to the west wing, while Rainbow Dash and Flash Sentry flew out of the east wing. Big Mac and Hooflock provided barrels of sacramental wine for Schnookums. Brobdingnags aren't used to ingesting processed consumable items and so store them in a specialized bladder. Spike climbed on top of the beast as both puffed out their chest. When they got close enough Spike shot out his green dragon fire a second after Schnookums upchucked the wine. The napalm-like substance burned several Changelings, sending them squealing to their deaths.
Rainbow Dash and Flash Sentry were busy taking out the Changeling's in the air, but only two fliers were not enough.
"Fly my pretties!" - Fluttershy beckoned to the birds in the Canterlot Gardens - "Fly!"
Birds ranging from hummingbirds to condors flew fast to the hoard, teasing and causing pain to the beasts.
Soon a few members of the hoard reached the hall, bringing themselves to battle with our heroes. Deep underground, Twilight and Applejack quickly search the dark caverns for Cadance.
"Hello?" - Twilight beckoned - "Is anyone there?"
Applejack's ears turn to the sound of a sound behind the stone wall.
"I hear something, Twi!" - Pressing her ear against the wall, she hears a soft moan - "Somepony's in here!"
Mustering her strength, Applejack destroy's the wall. All that was inside was darkness, the quiet being disturbed by slow hoof steps. Soon a ragged Cadance appeared before the two ponies.
"Cadance?" - Twilight walked up to her - "Is it really...?"
Recognizing her close friend, Cadance began trotting in place.
"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake." - Cadance hoofbumps Twilight - "Clap your hooves..."
"...and do a little shake." - Twilight finished, confirming that she had found the real Cadance. She then embraced her former foal sitter - "You remember me!"
"Of course I do." - Cadance rubbed her close friend - "How could I forget the filly I love to sit for the most?"
Hearing the battle upstairs, Applejack stepped forward to the comforting individuals.
"Pardon me for interruptin' this kind reunion, but we have a villain to stop!"
Back on ground level, more Changelings slowly encroach the hall. Luna and Chrysalis were still neck and neck in their magic duel, though it has been pretty clear that the former is winning. Despite them no longer having any wine to use, Schnookums proved to be quite a handful to the brutes, only by the Changelings dog piling onto the beast did he start to falter. Fluttershy's birds were quickly overrun, forcing Rainbow and Flash to take the fight into the hall. One Changeling managed to sneak up on Shining Armor attempting to sink his teeth into the stallion. That was stopped when Lion Tamer lashed the beast around the neck and flung him to his wife who then kicked him using a backward somersault.
"Oh, my..." - Lion Tamer panted before turning to his wife - "after all these years we still make a pretty good team."
"Yes, we do!" Loopty Hoop added.
Rarity was in the middle of sucker punching a Changeling when one tried to pounce on her before being brought down by Cosgrove. The Changeling attempted to change form.
"Oh...!" - Cosgrove clutched the horn - "No!" - began pulling it - "You!" - The base began to tear before he ripped off the horn - "Don't!"
The changeling hissed in pain before being blasted away by Sunset's magic.
In the nick of time, Twilight, Applejack, and Cadance finally arrive at the wedding hall as the battle continues. Twilight is still relieved to see that her brother is still unscathed (let alone moved an inch).
"Quick! Go to him while you still have the chance!"
Without asking twice, Cadance ran as she could through the battle with Twilight and Applejack providing backup. Upon reaching him, she looked at him, how much trouble he must have gone through the past few days since the threat was carried out. Embracing Shining Armor, Cadance performed a spell that Twilight knew since she was a kid. The heart shaped spell reached Shining Armor's head, quickly snapping him out of his zombified state.
"Wha– where... huh?" - Shining Armor looked around, noticing the carnage - "Is...is the wedding over?"
Cadance pushed her lover aside as Chrysalis and Luna collided with the ground. Rising up quickly, the two figures crossed horns with each other as the Changeling Queen tried to sink her teeth into the Alicorn's throat.
"Your spell!" - Cadance asked of Armor - "Perform your spell!"
Shining tried to activate his protection spell, but can only get a spark from his horn.
"My power is useless now." - Shining lowered his head in shame - "I don't have the strength to repel them."
"Then my love for you will give you strength."
Shining Armor tried the spell again, with Cadance activating hers. As the two horns touched each other, a strand of electricity bridged the gap as energy waved around them before they ascended into the air. As the magic became brighter, the fighting Ponies and Changelings stopped and watched the magic unfold. Chrysalis noticed her shadow becoming darker when she noticed too late when the two lovers formed the silhouette of a heart.
"Noooooo!"
With one great burst of magic, the protection spell was unleashed, sending Chrysalis and her subjects flying far out into the horizon, saving everypony from a grisly fate. When the magic faded, the two betrothed ponies descended to the ground, Cadance actually restored to a healthy condition. The Mane Six rushed to Princess Luna, lending a hoof.
"Don't worry about me. I'm fine." - Rising on her legs, Luna turned to the others still dirtied up from the whole conflict - "You have a real wedding to put together."
After having the rest of the day to clean up, the following day resumed just like yesterday. The only difference being that with the real Cadance present, the preparation was much more welcome. The Princess of Love enjoyed Applejack's treats, helped the cardinal get a much better voice for Fluttershy's choir, danced to Pinky Pie's polka music, and loved Rarity's first design of her wedding gown.
The day after, the wedding commenced finally. This time, Twilight walked her brother up to the altar and stayed by his side as the Mane Five, Minuette, Twinkleshine, and Lyra walked up to their positions.
"Seriously, though." - Twilight made one last fix to Shining's family crest - "I get why the queen of the changelings wanted to be with you, but how did you get someone as amazing as Cadance to marry you?"
"I told her she wouldn't just be gaining a husband." - Shining Armor wrapped an arm around his sister- "She'd be getting a pretty great sister, too."
Sunset and Cosgrove walked over to their positions near the altar.
"Everything's secure." - Sunset turned to Angel Bunny - "You may start."
Once again with a tap of the baton, the rabbit played "Here Comes the Bride." Flash Sentry and Hooflock opened the doors, revealing Princess Cadance once more. The Crusaders hopped forward, spilling flower petals with each hop as the bride walks down the aisle along with the flag bearers. With them taking their positions, Cadance and Shining Armor looked at each other once again.
Princess Luna took a deep breath, "Mares and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of the real Princess Mi Amore Cadenza–"
"Princess Cadance is fine." She corrected.
"Hm." - Luna smiled - "The union of Princess Cadance and Shining Armor. The strength of their commitment is clear. The power of their love, undeniable. May we have the rings please?" - Spike presented the rings to Luna before she lifted them- "I now pronounce you mare and-"
"I object, my sister."
The audience turned to find Princess Celestia has returned from Manehattan. Bowing before her, Celestia walked down the aisle to meet her niece and nephew-in-law.
"I have come to wish you the greatest happiness you will ever come by in the years to come."
Cadance immediately embraced her, tearing up in joy, "Thank you, Tia."
Returning to the wedding, Princess Luna prepared to give the wedding rings. She looked at her sister before giving a wink of approval.
"By the power vested in me and the law of Equestria, I pronounce you mare and stallion."
Just as Shining Armor and Princess Cadance kissed each other, the audience cheered. Upon walking outside, the newlyweds were greeted with the cheers of the outdoor audience. Just inside, Celestia wrapped Twilight under her wing.
"This is your victory as much as theirs. You persisted in the face of doubt, and your actions led to your being able to bring the real Princess Cadance back to us. Learning to trust your instincts is a valuable lesson to learn."
The newlyweds continued to kiss, much to the soft fuzzy feelings of many. Suddenly Rarity remembered one last thing.
"Rainbow Dash, that's your cue!"
Snapping back into focus and zipping off her dress, Rainbow Dash flew high above the city before diving so hard and fast that she created the Sonic Rainboom before the audience.
"Best... wedding... ever!" She screamed in delight.
The following evening, the reception was just at the point where Shining and Cadance were just finishing the first dance. Twilight turned to Pinkie Pie, giving her a nod of approval. The pink pony zipped over to a DJ stand, pulled out Vinyl Scratch and flipped out a record label.
"Let's get this party started!" Pinky Pie flung a wireless microphone to Twilight Sparkle.
[Twilight Sparkle]
Love is in bloom
A beautiful bride, a handsome groom,
Two hearts becoming one
A bond that cannot be undone because
Love is in bloom
A beautiful bride, a handsome groom
I said love is in bloom
You're starting a life and making room
For us (For us, For us....)
As the other guests participated in the dance, Princess Celestia walked up to Sunset Shimmer.
"Sunset, I have been meaning to talk to you." - Her former student turned around - "I have heard so much how you have improved on the values of friendship, but I wanted to ask you this first. Would you like to be my student once again?"
Sunset began to smile before looking at her friends from Ponyville.
"I wouldn't have learned such if it weren't for you sending Twilight down to Ponyville." - She looked at Flash, Hooflock, and Crescendo talking to each other - "Since then I have met others once again," - She looked to Cosgrove as the Hipparion danced with Spike and the Crusaders - "and I was one a pony could depend on." - She turned to her former teacher - "I thank you for the offer, but I wish to continue my lessons as an independent study."
Princess Celestia smiled once more just before noticing Cosgrove trotting out of the dance floor laughing.
"I am currently arranging a meeting with Saddle Arabia over the summer, maybe you and your little friend would like to join me?"
Sunset and Cosgrove looked at each other before giving each other a nod.
"We'd be honored, your Highness."
From a distance, Lion Tamer and Loopty Hoop saw the conversation unfold before them.
"Kid's want to grow up so fast." Said Lion Tamer.
"And when they do, they wish they would be kid's again." Loopty Hoop and her husband chuckled before they nudged each other.
Just at the end of the reception, the newlyweds were just about to enter a carriage ready to say their goodbyes.
"None of this would've been possible without you, little sis." - Shining hugged his sister - "Love ya, Twily."
"Love you too, B.B.B.F.F." Twilight responded before letting him go.
Just as they entered the carriage, Cadance stopped.
"Oh! Almost forgot." Pulling out a bouquet of flowers, she turned around and tossed them towards the crowd. The destination was towards the three intended bridesmaids just before a white and violet blur snatched them out of midair.
"IT'S MINE!" - Rarity held it as if it possessed a magic power before noticing the stern looks of her friends. She then gave it to Lyra - "Ahaha... ha."
The carriage was driven further and further away until it was out of sight. The guests slowly dispersed, with the Mane Six following shortly after.
"Now this was a great wedding." Twilight reassured herself.
"Oh, yeah?" - Spike snapped his fingers at each of his friends - "Just wait until you see what I have planned for the bachelor party!"
Everyone stopped and looked at him before giving a hearty laugh. In the sky, fireworks soared the air, exploding into various shapes, including a gestalt of Shining and Cadance's cutie marks, signifying their marriage even further.