The past few days had been hectic for Cadence, though made easier by the presence of Twilight's wonderful friends. Rarity had taken her in hoof, creating a beautiful wedding gown for her that incorporated both the traditional designs of Equestria and those that Cadence had told her about from the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdoms. While the requests had caught Rarity off guard, she'd absolutely adored them and had gone on and on about how it would be a brand new trend in Equestrian fashion, which had left Cadence rather amused.
Pinkie Pie had helped plan out the reception after the wedding, and all the games and pastries and music that would be available. Cadence had been rather surprised that Pinkie already had recipes for several Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom dishes, as well as arranging for the music for the Fire Nation traditional wedding dance. In response to how she had all this already, Pinkie had offered one of three explanations, telling Cadence to believe whichever she was most comfortable with. ...Cadence chose to believe Pinkie Pie spoke owl, as the first explanation gave her a headache to even contemplate, and the third didn't actually explain anything.
Applejack was overseeing the baking, and the home-cooked feel she gave to every dish she put her hoof to was a welcome touch for Cadence, and the rediscovery of apples - she wasn't certain if there had actually been any in the other world, and if there were they hadn't been this good - had been an embarrassing pleasure. She was grateful that Applejack had been so understanding about the mess Cadence had made of the kitchen with her 'tasting'...and of having to get a lot of her ingredients - including all the apples - redelivered.
Fluttershy had taken care of the music, teaching all of Celestia's songbirds to carry the wedding march beautifully. Her gentle nature had also eased some of Cadence's own worries about her upcoming nuptials, what with how much she'd obviously changed from that 'five minute' jaunt through a dimensional rift. It was a relief to hear that, for all her differences, Shining was still obviously head over hooves in love with her. She hoped the differences didn't ever come between them.
And now here she was, hearing the songbirds sing her down the aisle, the lovely dress hanging from her body, the train laid out behind her as three adorable fillies threw flowers in front of her. Iroh was at her side, walking her down the aisle to where Shining Armor awaited her, splendid in his best dress uniform and his favorite Uncle's insignia on his chest. He smiled widely as she approached, nervousness only barely visible. Celestia stood behind the altar, smiling warmly as she watched Cadence as she approached.
Cadence looked downward, her eyes on her white clad hooves and the red carpet she walked upon. Ever so briefly, the music faded out of her mind, and she saw the carpet as clay, the red crawling up her hooves as flames.
A touch on her shoulder snapped her out of it. Looking up, she saw Iroh smiling down at her. Nodding, she continued her walk forward until she was at the altar.
She stood there, her eyes locked on Shining Armor before her, not really hearing the speech Celestia was giving about the beauty of marriage and love, and about how wonderful it was that they'd finally come together. It didn't look like Shining was really hearing it either as they gazed into each other's eyes. As silence briefly fell over the cathedral, they both found themselves whispering the two words they'd come to say. "I do."
Startled murmurs raced through the hall, until Celestia's amused chuckle cut through it. "Feeling a bit jumpy, aren't you?" she asked teasingly.
As Iroh started laughing, Cadence and Shining simultaneously realized the silence had been Celestia asking if anyone had any objections. While both were mortified at first, Cadence soon found herself laughing, and Shining quickly joined in.
More familiar laughter caught her attention, and Cadence turned her eyes upward. Wan Shi Tong in the guise of Twilight's #2 assistant, perched atop a window. Through the window, Cadence saw not the outside of the castle, but many familiar faces. Aang, Katara, Sokka, Suki, Zuko, Mai, Jin, their children...even King Bumi, who was still live and kicking after all this time (he claimed the Death Spirit had tried to take him three times, only to find him too tough).
Wan Shi Tong smiled and winked at her, his wings spread over the top of the window, letting all those she knew from the other world witness her wedding. Turning back, she saw Shining smiling at her, and Celestia and Iroh smiling down at her.
The rest was a joyful blur, and the next thing Cadence knew, the ring was on her horn and Celestia was telling her to kiss Shining. She needed no second bidding.
The reception was a wild bash, and Cadence wasn't entirely sure she'd remember all of it. However, as she climbed into the carriage to ride off with her new husband, she knew that it would always be a special memory, a day that didn't start out perfect, but truly made itself perfect by the end.
She smiled as the carriage began the long journey for their honeymoon, leaning against Shining with a happy sigh. "That was amazing..." she whispered happily.
"Yeah," Shining agreed. "Quite the day." He leaned his head against hers.
"It's not over quite yet, Shining," Cadence breathed teasingly, making him blush. "So I heard Spike was planning your bachelor party. How'd that go?"
Shining blushed even brighter. "Well...apparently your father heard about it and...after deciding Spike wasn't old enough to understand, took over the planning. Teamed up with my father, Big Macintosh - Applejack's brother - and Prince Blueblood for a real blowout."
"Sounds like quite the party," Cadence replied warmly. "But why are you so embarrassed?"
"Well, Iroh assigned Big Macintosh to procure...entertainment," Shining replied. "He somehow convinced a friend of his - a zebra shaman named Zecora - to jump out of a cake." He swallowed convulsively. "Among other things..."
Cadence did her best to stifle her giggles. "So...take anything away from that?"
"Umm..." Shining swallowed convulsively. He then grinned nervously. "Can we...buy you some fans?"
Unable to hold herself back, Cadence burst into laughter, hugging her husband tightly. "Only if you get Zecora to give me lessons," she teased, nuzzling into him.
It wasn't happily ever after. It was only a new beginning.
That must've been some bachelor party!
Woot! So Bumi is Teddy Rosevelt! One of my favorite Presidents, if he could run again I would definitely vote for him!
So... Owlouicious is secretly Wan Shi Tong? Okay, either that owl is secretly the Cosmic Owl, or THIS IS MY NEW HEADCANON, NOBODY CAN OBJECT TO IT!
*leaps out of a window*
No invite for Cryssi? She should complain.
I want to know what those other two explanations were SSSSOOOOOOOOOO badly!
But wait, where did Zecorah learn to dance with fans? >_____>
Okay, but where did Celestia learn to dance with fans? Wait, NOBODY ANSWER THAT! IF IT'S ANSWERED WE'RE ALL GONNA GET ASSIMILATED!
Either that or I need sleep... Nice chapter though!
I can definitely believe that. I love the trope where an old person dies but somehow brings themself back to life after realizing they passed on XD
Havent read this yet buut omg you have combined two of my most favorite things ever... and Iroh is one of my favorite characters!!!
Keep Calm and Drink Tea!
now must read...
7082841
Seconding this.
7082841
7082859
The first involved the implication that all the Pinkie Pies of the multiverse were somehow a hive mind, and there was one somewhere where Equestria was the Avatar world.
The third was "I'm Pinkie Pie, your argument is invalid."
King Bumi and the CMC hanging out... that would be gold
7082864 both make good head canon.
7082840 then we'd have a Sleeping Beauty scenario lol
This is going to sound like I'm complaining, but I have to ask; whatever happened to Chrysalis?
All I wanna know is if she's still planning to invade, or if you dealt with that in some other fashion. Despite what everybody else thinks I actually do love that love bug.
She just doesn't know how to plan her invasions, that's all.
7082889
In the chapter "A New World", Chrysalis flat out indicated her intention to stay far away from Cadence' wedding.
I didn't think I could have been any more obvious about it, and it hasn't been that long since that chapter went up.
7082803
You beat me to it! As was said about TR, "Death had to take him sleeping, for if Roosevelt had been awake there would have been a fight."
7082889
*Holds up a sign that says "Spoilers?")
When I heard "fans" this was the first thing that popped into my mind:
7082896
I really, really really need to pay better attention when I read. I cannot believe I missed that.
Though it does show how stupid she actually is if she thinks she can get one by Big Mac; just because he doesn't talk much, doesn't mean he's stupid.
Like I said before, Chrysalis just doesn't know how to plan her invasions right. Of course, anybody that plans to invade does that anyway; the best way to plan for an invasion against a worthy foe is to simply not invade; try diplomacy instead.
7082906
Tatsurou responded to my post; he actually addressed Chrysalis' invasion in this chapter.
Yeah, I feel this big for not catching that earlier.
7082932
She doesn't intend to get one over on Big Mac. She intends to put one over on Luna by impersonating Big Mac.
7082940
oh I can't believe I forgot about that. I was thinking about a different story involving the changeling queen and a certain red merc with a very big mouth. I'm starting to think im reading to much now if that's happening.......meh just one chapter more for me and i'll get to play some bloodborne......what was I typing about again?
7082961 And we all know THAT will end well for her.
7082985
Hey, there's no such thing as reading too much!
*looks around room, then looks at clock*
By the way, what day is it anyway?
I sense an epic battle with Sombra in the future.
7082896 Chrysalis should've just shown up openly at the reception. If anyone asked, she could tell them she's just there for the buffet.
Lies, we all know you're not doing Korra, you're just going to do a intriguing series of chapters that involve the events from the show as well as some last hurrahs from Avatar!
(Important Note: This is not a slight in the slightest, it is merely a joke. The man does not have to do a Korra story if he does not want to. Got it? Any random comment ninjas going to show up?... Good, let's all enjoy this story to its end in peace, then.)
So yeah, this was pretty great... although, I did just notice something I forgot. So earlier, I said that seasons 3 and 4 were plausible... weeeeell, if we consider the fact that Wan Shi Tong is expanded upon in this version, the significant events that lead to some of the more interesting plot points may not occur due to an extra force on Korra's side. Meaning, that Zaheer probably wouldn't be able to bust anyone out, and Kuvira wouldn't have a reason to do all the awesome things she does.Of course, that simply weakens it rather than completely disproves it.
Anyways, nice chapter. The wedding was cute.
7083084 actually i was expecting a crossover with every story made so far, since the only one who did this is the chrysalis with deadpool vs pinkie with kratos (i think..) in the last chapters (of chrysalis of course)
7082866
Almost as much as King Bumi planning the next Grand Galloping Gala.
7082866
7083127
King Bumi and the CMC planning the next Grand Galloping Gala.
7082864
Both potentially valid answers.
7083140
CMC and Bumi turning Canterlot (the mountain and the city) into Equestria's greatest superslide
7083140
...
shit, we're doomed.
I kinda want to see some fanart of Cadance in a cheongsam, now.
7083125 Alright, thanks for not thinking weird things about me out of context, I appreciate it. *fist bump*
7083127
...aided by Pinkie Pie. Maybe with a side of Discord, given that he'd be out by then. Those stuffed shirts in Centerlot won't know what hit them.
7083140
OOooooo my that... will end in fire and hilarity
Awesome update man, awesome update!
most glorious, most glorious indeed
Okay, someone has GOT to tell me what 3 Explainations Pinkie Pie gave Cadence for how she got those receipies!! O.O
I cant imagine zecora popping out of a cake and doing a fan dance. She just doesnt seem the type.
I like Pinkie's other explanations. Looking forward to more.
Keep up the good work. Deus tecum.
7083189 Oh it can't be that bad!...note to self: Lock away all
heavyweapons of all types andhigh explosivesexplosives of all types7082961 I thought it was some other red stallion hehehe
Why does Cadence need fans when she has wings that are just as good??? Or use both! And I'm wondering just how powerful Flurry Heart will turn out with this version of Cadence as her mom. I can see Flurry doing Bending in addition to the magic and flying she's shown doing in her debut episodes.
7082840 I would not be surprised if she had a bunch of Changelings in the castle just soaking up the love released by the wedding.
7082866 Canterlot would not survive. Ponyville sure, but that crazy town has gone through enough that it can bounce back from anything.
7083066 I'd love to see that.
7083186 I wanna ride that slide.
At least Cadence didn't find the catering to be Appleing.
It'll be the day where Owl never be surprised by what Pinkie knows.
Least Wan Shi Tong is a good wingman for the others.
At least there's no flames of jealousy to fan with Zecora huh?
It was the third one, wasn't it?
7082889 how does she not know how to plan an invasion? She beat them. She had them by their pony tails as she dangled them over a cliff. She only lost because of a fluke involving Cadence's magic and the power of love.
7082905 so Bumi doesn't sleep? That explains a lot.
I can not wait until Cadene gets to curbstomp Sombra!
7083906
Simple, she ignored everything connected to Twilight. First of all, she acted in a manner not suited to Cadance. It fooled everypony except Twilight. Then after managing to get everypony to believe her over Twilight- which only worked because of Twilight's neurotic tendencies to make mountains out of molehills -she taunts said pony and throws her in the exact same set of unguarded caves where she was keeping Cadance.
Then, when she had everypony on the ropes, she starts monologuing. This gives Twilight the time to vaporize the slime over Cadance's hooves so she can get her to Shining Armor.
Like I said, she didn't plan her invasion right. It wasn't the invasion itself she failed; she didn't have a good plan to deal with Twilight. Also, to make sure her plans would succeed, she should have kept Cadance in a cocoon keyed to her specific mana signature.
Just like every big bad out there, she wanted to gloat over her prize.