> No Day But Today
>  by Harmony Charmer
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Guests
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Glasses clinked. Chairs creaked. Hooves tapped.

Eyes flitted towards other eyes, some familiar and some unfamiliar. Clashing irises and piercing pupils made the encounter seem even more strange, the queerness of it all becoming even more obvious. Words were not exchanged, nor would they be permitted to, as the foreignness of peers and company made the entire encounter just all the more bizarre.

Awkward coughs. Small murmurs. Tiny hums.

Finally, one brave soul managed to break through the silence. "Anypony know what time it is?"

There was collective relief, and an air of frustration, too, that came with the shattered stillness. A yellow coated mare looked down at her watch, the hands of which holding cartoonish little lightning bolts. "Little before five?"

Half of the occupants groaned and the other half sighed.

The questioner didn't seem to mind the obvious delay in time. "Meh, I guess we have to keep waiting, huh?"

An irritated sigh followed his statement. "Sthoarin, the wedding was sthupposthed to sthtart earlier. What'sth the holdup?"

"Easy now, Fleetfoot," warned Spitfire. "Don't want you gettin' riled up again."

Fleetfoot rolled her eyes. "Any clue why we're here? I don't even know why we were invited."

Soarin shrugged. "Guess 'cause we're friends with Rainbow Dash... Besides, I ain't complainin'! Pinkie Pie sure knows how to throw a party after all!"

Spitfire and Fleetfloot rolled their eyes collectively. Spitfire looked around the castle's ballroom for a brief moment, where the chair were all placed around into rows, then returned her gaze to Soarin. "Ya know, there are an awful lot of ponies here... Like, famous ponies." She nodded her head to a row that was in front of them. "Check it out, it's Sapphire Shores."

Soarin looked where Spitfire was looking, his eyes widening as he saw that Spitfire was telling the truth. His jaw dropped as he noticed the other celebrities that were seated among them. "Whoa, look, Hoity Toity's here! And, oh, cool, it's Fancy Pants and Fleur de Lis!" His eyes sparkled with foal-like glee and wonder as he picked out the different stars of Equestria from the rows, almost as if he were playing "Duck, Duck, Goose". "Trenderhoof, Photo Finish, even Prince Blueblood!" He paused for a brief moment and squinted as he tried to place the mare beside him. "Yo, who's that next to him?"

Fleetfoot groaned in annoyance. "It's Trixie Lulamoon. Remember her from that show we did a long time ago?"

"'The Great and Powerful Trixie,'" Spitfire said in a mocking voice of Trixie. She scoffed lightly. "She is such an egomaniac... She even spoke in third person."

Soarin frowned at his female companions, then arched a brow at Spitfire specifically. "Ya sure ya aren't mad 'cause Blueblood is dating somepony else, Spitfire?"

Spitfire grit her teeth. "I told you-- and the rest of the team--" She rolled her eyes as she muttered that last past. "--that I dumped him." She let out a tiny "hmph" to herself. "Makes sense that two self-absorbed ponies would end up with one another."

"We heard that!" Blueblood snapped suddenly, sparing Spitfire a sharp glance. He protectively wrapped a foreleg around Trixie, who seemed rather rigid and apprehensive, then sent another glare towards Spitfire and the rest of the Wonderbolts before leaning down to whisper something to Trixie. Soarin blinked, unsure what to make of his strange behavior, but decided not to comment on it.

Spitfire sniffed in a snide manner. "When is this wedding gonna start? I just wanna get this over with and eat some cake."

Soarin elbowed her in annoyance. "Seriously, quit with the attitude! We're guests, remember?" He sighed. "Yeesh, it's usually you who has to keep me in line. What gives, Spitfire?"

Spitfire went silent for a moment, her gaze uneasy and trickling with trepidation. Finally, she looked away and muttered with a light scoff, "I'm not a big fan of weddings, OK? Let's just leave it at that..."

Soarin, deciding that questioning Spitfire was more trouble than it was worth, looked around the room for a minute, then frowned as he failed to find who he was looking for. "I guess I can understand why all these celebrities are here..." Fleetfloot and Spitfire turned towards him as he muttered to himself. "But, what about the other Elements of Harmony...? Where are they?"

Spitfire grinned teasingly. "Ya mean Rainbow Dash, the chick you been eyeing since the Young Flyer's Competition?"

Soarin almost immediately put a hoof over her mouth, then the other on Fleetfoot's for good measure. His pale complexion was a very rosy red, which seemed to add to his unease. "Shhhhhh! You guys swore not to talk about it in public!"

Fleetfoot smacked his hoof away. "Dude, she'sth a bridesthmaid. You'll see her going down the aisle soon enough." She grinned slyly. "Maybe the next wedding you go to she won't be a bridesthmaid...?"

Soarin arched a brow in confusion. "What are you...?" His eyes widened and his blush darkened as he realized her meaning. He frowned at her, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Not. Funny."

Spitfire snickered with Fleetfoot, which caused Soarin to sigh in annoyance. Spitfire put a hoof on his shoulder as he pouted. "C'mon, we're just teasin'... Besides, I'm pretty sure that Dashie likes you, too, Soar."

"You're speaking of it," Soarin said through gritted teeth, his forelegs crossed over his chest in a childish manner.

Spitfire rolled her eyes. "Just sayin', dude... She seemed pretty keen on talking to you out of all the members, ya know... Even asked for a dance at the Grand Galloping Gala a couple years back."

Soarin's flattened ears perked up at that. "For real? She asked for a dance?"

Spitfire nodded. "Yep. But, since you were muzzle deep in pie--"

"I thought we agreed not to speak of pie in public, because you and I both know how it affects me mentally and physically."

"--she didn't get a chance to, and neither did you, ya big dork." She smirked. "Man, you should've been there at the academy when she was there... Ya know, I thought she wasn't Wonderbolt material at first, not like Lightning Dust showed me in the first couple of days."

Soarin rolled his eyes. "You told me this story. Lightning Dust was this epic student, but she was super reckless and nearly got a couple ponies killed in the process-- the Elements of Harmony, if I remember correctly." He shuddered. "Ya know, it scares me a bit, 'cause that was before Princess Twilight was... well, Princess Twilight."

Spitfire frowned, not appreciating his interruption, but continued nonetheless. "Aaaaaaand, when she was acting reckless, Rainbow was the one who called her on it. Heck, she even called me out when she came to see me about it."

Soarin blinked. "Say what? You never told me this."

Spitfire shrugged. "Anyway, Rainbow told me all about how Lightning was busting clouds with a tornado method and when I said it was a bit excessive, yet effective, she totally snapped on me. She told me flat-out, 'There's a difference between pushing yourself and just being reckless about it.'"

"Dash said that?"

Spitfire nodded. "Anyway, she was really upset about it, and said that if that was the kind of thing to be rewarded in the Wonderbolts, then she didn't want a part of it."

Soarin's eyes widened. "She quit the academy?"

"Yep. And left before I could say anything to her about it. At least, 'til I got outside and caught up to her, anyway. When I told her about her being right and how I was wrong--"

Soarin snickered. "That's new."

She glared at him. "--I made her lead pony and Lightning got kicked out." She smirked to herself. "Ya know, not a lot of ponies do that. Stand up to us, even when we're wrong about some things." She punched his arm playfully. "So, Soarin, thing is, if ya wanna have a chance with Dash, then you're gonna wanna prove yourself worthy of her. She is the Element of Loyalty, after all."

Soarin arched a brow in thought. "You know, I never got why we never let her join yet. Like you said, she's the Element of Loyalty, and she's saved Equestria tons of times. She even gave us our Pegasus magic back after the whole Tirek incident, ya know."

Spitfire gave him a deadpan look. "Being famous won't get you where you need to be, Soarin. Hard work, determination, and strength, however, will." She looked straight ahead. "Dash needs to work for her spot on the team, just like the rest of us did. She isn't disciplined enough, and she's still a bit... immature, for being one of us."

"Sthpitfire, you sthill sthleep with a nightlight on," Fleetfloot commented.

Spitfire ignored her. "Besides, there's still an awful lot she needs to learn..." She looked up, where several banners of Princess Twilight's and the other Elements' cutie marks hung about, though not enough to take from the wedding decor itself. "Rainbow has yet to grow into she's gonna be."

Soarin looked up with her for a moment, not sure what to make of her behavior, but shrugged. "Whatever you say, Spitfire." His eyes sparkled as they caught onto the rainbow decorated banner that held Rainbow Dash's cutie mark. He smiled to himself. "Whatever you say..."


*	*	*


"Shining, will you quit with that?" Cadence whispered in a hushed tone.

Shining groaned as he ceased scratching his neck. "This suit is super uncomfortable... Why couldn't I wear my uniform?"

Cadence frowned at him. "Because, it was dirty! I don't want to come into a wedding with you wearing your greasy, mustard stained uniform!" She sighed. "You should really stay away from corn dogs when you're wearing your formal wear, Shining..."

Shining put a hoof on her shoulder. "Listen, if this whole ordeal is too stressful for you--"

"No, I'm fine," Cadence assured him lightly. She held his hoof tenderly. "I'm sorry for being so snippy... I'm just a bit emotional, I guess. It doesn't really help, what with--"

"I know." Shining smiled at her. "I have a little sister, Cadence. I know how mares tend to get when they're expecting."

Cadence slapped his arm playfully. "Careful, now. Wouldn't want Twilight to overhear that, now would we?"

Shining chuckled. "No, I suppose not." He frowned. "Didn't you mention that Pinkie was expecting, too?"

Cadence nodded. "Yes. Looks like Sombra's gonna have a lot on plate after honeymoon, hmm?"

The couple laughed quietly to themselves, their hooves covering their muzzles upon entrance into the castle. Twilight's castle was decorated elegantly, though in a playful manner almost, as was expected of the bride and groom. Streamers hung about like banners, strewn around in the most orderly chaotic way as the varying shades of pink swathed the room into the likeliness of a blooming flower.

'Or, an explosion of confetti and streamers,' Cadence pondered, realizing this was a party pony's wedding, after all. Cadence smiled as she placed around the different, yet familiar accents of Pinkie's decor choices, ones that she had seen herself when Pinkie helped with the wedding plans. The chairs that were beside the aisle were tied up in pink bows and accented with blue ribbons, with small, crystallized hearts on and around them. Cadence speculated that was Rarity's touch. Then, along the backs of the guests' chairs, were similar pink bows, though smaller in size as not to take up too much room.

Cadence glanced back up at the ceiling, where more streamers hung around, though as accents to the colorful banners of Twilight and her friends' cutie marks that surrounded the room's interior. Cadence wondered for a moment over why Pinkie would allow the banners to remain when it risked taking from the decorations that were placed for the wedding, but then stopped. The banners were not just representative of Twilight, but of her friends, she remembered. Friendship was important to Pinkie, and since she was the Element of Laughter, it would make perfect sense for an Element like her to want her friends to a part of the wedding, both physically and aesthetically.

Cadence paused. 'I wonder if Sombra had a say in the decor?' She thought it over, than smiled at herself chidingly. 'He's marrying a party pony... I honestly doubt it.'

Shining nudged Cadence gently, then nodded his head towards the row where their names were written on small little placards. Cadence noted that there were seat placements for Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, but stopped as she took in the two ponies already seated on the row.

It was Blueblood, and an unrecognizable mare with a silver mane and blue coat, who sat rather uncomfortably and shyly, almost. Blueblood wore a simple suit that matched his coat, a small red rose adorning his puffed out chest. The mare was wearing a purple gown that accented her eyes, tiny, sparkly stars spread across it like the early night sky with matching shoes. A small star clip was pinned beside her ear, pulling her long bangs out of her face enough to show her gentle, yet somewhat fierce features.

Blueblood didn't bother smiling at Cadence, or Shining for that matter, as they approached the row. "Cadence. Shining." It was curt and simple.

The mare beside him spared him a frown. "Blueblood," she said in a low tone. "Enough of the pouting, now." She turned to Cadence and Shining. "Sorry. He's still a bit sour about the invitation."

Blueblood sniffed. "I'd have been invited if it weren't for that mare, Rarity." He rolled his eyes. "She was such a pretentious little thing..."

"Blueblood," the mare said in a more pressed tone. "Not now. We're guests, remember?"

Cadence sat down uneasily next to the mare, not sure if she wanted to initiate conversation with Blueblood so close in proximity. She took a deep breath, then put on a smile. "So, what's your name?"

The mare perked up at that. "The Great and--" She paused, as if realizing something, then faltered once more. "Trixie. Trixie Lulamoon."

Shining arched a brow. "Lulamoon? I could swear, I've heard that name before..."

Trixie looked down. "Perhaps from your sister, Princess Twilight? Surely she's spoken of Trix-- me on many occasions, no?"

A light flickered on in Cadence's mind. "Are you that Trixie?" She flinched as she realized her tone. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that... I just meant that you were the one to...?"

Trixie nodded. "It was a rather difficult time for Trix-- me. It was a rather difficult time for me."

Cadence gave her a reassuring smile. "It's quite alright. At least they're behind you now, right?" She looked to Blueblood. "How did you two meet?"

"A party," they said together, then blushed collectively as they did.

"A party," Trixie clarified. She twiddled her hooves nervously. "My friend brought Trixie--" She shook her head. "I brought my friend as a guest to the party, and when I was working on a couple of magic tricks--" She seemed relieved to have spoken in the first person. "--Blueblood saw me." She turned towards him. "What trick did you see, anyway?"

"I believed you called it 'the Trick-tacular'?" Blueblood said, a smile coming to his face.

Trixie groaned. "Seriously? What was Trix-- I thinking?"

Blueblood chuckled. "Not sure, but it did get my attention." He stopped smiling as he noticed Shining and Cadence looking at him, then cleared his throat. "Then, I asked for a dance and blah, blah, blah, it was as if we were the only two ponies in the world and it felt like time stopped and all that mess." Blueblood looked to Cadence. "You must get story plenty, don't you?"

Cadence noted the light blush across his cheeks before answering. "Yes, but it's always nice to hear."

Trixie shifted awkwardly for a moment. "Well, it was quite a night, to say the least... Too bad my friend couldn't stay... She said she had to go look at something, then didn't show up for the rest of the night." She shrugged. "Her loss."

"Indeed," Blueblood concurred.

Cadence smiled at their similar mannerisms. "Well, I'm glad to see you with somepony so well-derived and polite, Blueblood." She nudged Trixie teasingly, though carefully as not to seem intrusive. "You got yourself quite the stallion, Trixie. Keep a hold on him?"

Trixie blushed. "Trixie will try to..." She froze. "Oh, horseapples!"

Shining arched a brow. "Is something the matter?"

Trixie sighed. "Trixie has been trying to rid herself of this ridiculous third-person speaking habit for the past couple of weeks... It's ridiculous how Trixie's linguistics have turned on her."

Shining Armor perked up for a moment. "Wait, have you spoken in third-person for a long time?"

Trixie, though a bit perturbed, nodded. "Er, yes... Trixie developed it from her mother... Why?"

Shining relaxed. "No reason. Just was curious."

Cadence glanced at him in confusion, then stopped as it dawned on her. Among the families of elites in Canterlot, there was a family that seemed to hold a problem similar to Trixie's own. It was the House of Moon and Stars, which was thought to have descended from the bloodlines of powerful Unicorns, both politically and magically. Granted, the family itself was rather snobby and full of themselves, yet extremely prestigious nonetheless.

'Who was it that started the House...?' Cadence wondered, her eyes wondering to Trixie.

Trixie sighed. "Ugh, Trixie wishes that she brought her hat... My ears feel strange without it."

Cadence blinked. 'Oh. That makes sense, then...' She paused, then glanced over at Trixie once more. "Hey, Trixie?"

Trixie turned towards her. "Yes?"

"Do you happen to like bells?"

Trixie blinked, not sure what to make of the strange question, but she answered nonetheless. "Yes, Trixie has a liking towards bells. Why do you ask?"

Cadence smiled. "No reason." She held back a giggle. "No reason at all..."


*	*	*


"So... You're Pinkie's father?" Mr.Cake asked, somewhat awkwardly.

Igneous nodded. "Yes."

"Oh. I see." He tapped his hooves anxiously. "So, um, have you gotten to know Sombra, then?"

"Yes." Igneous remained monotone and unmoved.

Mr.Cake glanced at his wife, who was chatting it up with Cloudy Quartz quite easily, then back at Igneous. "And what did you think of him?"

"Pleasant." Igneous glanced at him, then looked straight ahead. "Sombra was pleasant."

Mr.Cake frowned at the short, curt answers, but then remembered how Maud had been the same way in her visit to Ponyville. 'That's where she gets it from, then...' he pondered, his eyes cutting to Cloudy Quartz, who was laughing lightly with Mrs.Cake.

Mr.Cake found the whole thing rather unnerving, being around Pinkie's family. Limestone was being sullen and cynical, occasionally muttering incoherent words of annoyance and anger, earning a couple smacks from Marble, who was fidgeting rather nervously in her seat. Her plus one, Florina, a mare with a blushing pink mane and tail with a pastel green coat, sat on the other side of her, offering small words of comfort to her when she began getting antsy about anything. Mr.Cake pondered the nature of their relationship, but decided it not to be his business to begin with. His eyes flickered to Cloudy Quartz, who seemed to be the most talkative of the bunch, and he felt a flicker of envy as he watched his wife hold an easy conversation with her while he struggled to get more than one syllable out of Igneous.

He sighed. 'Pinkie must take after her mother...'

Igneous grunted quietly. "I wonder where Maud is... She mentioned going to help Rarity with Pinkie, and she's been gone for an awful long time."

"I can go check on her!" Marble said, a little too eagerly.

Igneous arched a brow, but he didn't question it. "Alright, go check on your sister."

Marble nodded, then scurried off, a bit too quickly. Florina, not wanting to be alone, stood up. "Ah'm gonna make sure she's alright... She's kinda nervous." She left without anyone saying anything to her.

Mr.Cake looked to Igneous, who didn't seem to notice Florina's departure. "So, um, any idea what might be on the menu for the wedding party?"

Igneous turned to him. "Aren't you and your wife the ones catering the wedding?"

"Oh... Right." He looked straight ahead. "I'm just gonna stop talking now."


*	*	*


"Marble, slow down!" Florina called out, her tone hushed.

Marble stopped, took a deep breath, then exhaled before turning to face Florina. "Sorry for running off... I was freaking out, what with us being so close to Dad and I just--"

"Ah know," Florina interjected. "Believe me, Ah get it. Yer worried about yer Dad findin' out, aren't ya?"

Marble nodded slowly. "Yeah, I am... I don't know what to do if he makes the connection... And that's a pretty big 'if', because he can pretty dense sometimes."

Florina smiled at her, the sight of which making Marble a bit breathless. "It's alright to be nervous, Marble. Being honest with yer parents is hard to do, because ya both have different viewpoints on things and ya have different experiences. My parents didn't really get it either, ya know."

Marble felt a bit envious of Florina's parents, she knew. While Florina's family was country as all get out and perhaps a bit stubborn, they were accepting when it came to their family and livelihood. "My parents are different, remember? Mama's pretty open, but Daddy might just--"

"You don't know that," Florina interrupted. "Thing is, ya don't know anything that could go down." She smiled at her again, her pastel complexion practically glowing. "Come on, let's go check on Maud and Pinkie, then head on back to our seats, 'k?"

Marble smiled back at her. "I'm on board checking on the girls, but going back to our seats might be a bit of an issue..."

Florina frowned. "Why?"

Marble shifted awkwardly. ''Cause Trixie's seating in the front row on the other side of the aisle with her new coltfriend."

Florina's eyes widened, and she glanced back at the aisle to check if Marble was telling the truth. "Oh, horseapples!" She looked back at Marble. "Why didn't you say anythin'?!"

"Well?! How was I supposed to with Mom and Dad sitting in the row? Besides, I don't think I want everypony knowin' that she only quit the farm because of me... And proceeded to put Ponyville under siege all while banishing the would-be Princess of Magic and Friendship..."

Florina's frown lessened. "Good point... Yer gonna have to tell yer parents sooner or later, ya know."

Marble let out a hum of thought as she tapped her chin. "I choose later." Her eyes widened. "Crud, Trixie's lookin' over here, run!"

Florina sighed as Marble ran off. "Sweet Celestia, why do Ah always go for the wild ones?"
> The Flower Fillies
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"Scoots, will ya cut that out?" Apple Bloom snapped in annoyance. "Yer gonna rip that dress if yer not careful! Rarity's gonna kill you if you do!"

Scootaloo rolled her eyes and continued to flap her wings rapidly. "Ugh, I told Rarity that this dress was bothering my wings, but she still didn't fix it!" She grunted with effort as her wings struggled to move to her leisure. "Man, this is super annoying."

Apple Bloom sighed. "Scoots, can't ya just put up with it until the wedding is over? Ah mean, this isn't about you, y'know."

"I know, I know, it's for Sombra and Pinkie Pie," Scootaloo said. She frowned as she looked at her restricted wings. "But, this is sooooo annoying! I mean, I can't even move right! How the heck am I supposed to move for our routine if I can't--"

Apple Bloom shoved a hoof into her mouth. "Don't say it out loud! It's a surprise, remember?"

Scootaloo smacked AB's hoof away. "Sorry, I didn't mean to. Besides, we're still in the dressing rooms, so nopony can hear us."

"Yeah, but once we get out there, everypony's gonna hear us..." Sweetie said, more to herself than the others. She gulped. "Everypony... Hear... Me..."

Apple Bloom's brows furrowed in worry. "Ah thought you were over yer stage fright?"

Sweetie chuckled nervously. "Heh, maybe not... I mean, it's not like I've only performed in front of other ponies just once, right?"

"But, you have only performed in front of other ponies just once-- Ow!" Scootaloo rubbed the area where Apple Bloom hit her. "What the heck, Apple Bloom?"

"Hush up! She's already nervous enough without you makin' it worse!" Apple Bloom turned to Sweetie Belle. "Listen, if yer not feelin' up to performin', we could always--"

Sweetie held up a hoof. "No, it's fine... I'm just really nervous, is all... I mean, this is a big occasion, remember? And I'm worried about how I'll sound... And how everyone will react."

Scootaloo waved a hoof. "C'mon, it can't be that bad! I mean, sure, there are going to be lots of ponies here--"

Sweetie's eyes widened. "There are?"

Scootaloo didn't seem to hear her. "--and the Princesses are going to be here, too--"

"The Princesses?" Sweetie's pupils turned to pinpricks, a series of small squeaks escaping her.

"And the Wonderbolts, too! Soarin, Spitfire, and Fleetfoot were invited! How cool is that?"

"Scoots!" Apple Bloom protested.

"What?" Scootaloo questioned, then turned to see Sweetie Belle's horrified expression. "Oh. Sorry."

Sweetie's teeth clattered, her knees wobbled, and her breathing quickened, yet she tried to put on a brave smile. "I-It's fine... I mean, it's not like I'm performing in front of... celebrities and royalty..." She laughed awkwardly and tensely. "Y-Yeah... Fine."

Scootaloo's brows furrowed with worry. "Y'know, maybe we could go with our backup plan... Maybe Sombra won't freak out about the pyrotechnics after all?"

Apple Bloom shook her head quickly. "Are you crazy? Remember how mad he got the last time we did that? That, and he got his flank burned pretty bad..."

Sweetie giggled. "Ponies called him Blackbutt for, what, two weeks?"

"However long it takes for burns to heal," Scootaloo commented with a roll of her eyes. "If we can't use the fireworks, then what? Sweetie's too scared to sing by herself--"

"I'm not scared!" Sweetie protested. "Just... nervous."

"To-may-toe, to-mah-toe," Apple Bloom said. "Well, what, then? Ah'm flat outta ideas! Besides, we planned this for weeks, guys."

Scootaloo let out a hum of thought, her hoof tapping her chin in rhythmic pondering. She gasped, a metaphorical light bulb flickering on over her head. "I got it! Why don't we sing with you, Sweetie?"

Sweetie frowned. "That defeats the purpose of the routine, Scoots. You were gonna dance and show off your moves, and AB was going to show off her art skills!" She faltered a bit. "I'm the one dragging us down... I can't even get up and sing a love ballad!"

Apple Bloom turned to Scootaloo. "Any clue where Button is? Maybe he can help."

Sweetie sighed. "Button's busy helping Rarity out, remember? Apparently Pinkie keeps changing dresses, and it's driving her nuts. Plus, he's been helping Sombra out, too." She smiled sympathetically. "Poor guy's been trying on ties all morning... I think he's freaking out like Pinkie is."

"Isn't Cheese Sandwich helping out, too?" Apple Bloom questioned. "Ah saw him runnin' around earlier..."

"He's been running errands for Rarity, and everypony else, it seems." Sweetie giggled. "He's gonna be so stretched out, poor guy!"

The three fillies giggled for a moment, the misgivings forgotten as they imagined the wedding planner rushing about like the blur he was. Sweetie took a moment to imagine how Cheese would look actually stretched out, and concluded that he'd look like a pile of string cheese.

Apple Bloom broke the blitheness with a frown. "But, what are we gonna do, then? Yer a nervous wreck, Sweets! How're ya gonna handle singin' like this?"

Sweetie faltered once more. "I don't know... I wish Rarity was here... She'd know just what to say."

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom looked to one another, both worried and unsure of what to do. Suddenly, Scootaloo perked up, causing Apple Bloom to give her a confused glance. Scootaloo held up a hoof to her lips, signifying her need for silence, and she darted out of the room quickly, careful not to make too much noise in the process.

Meanwhile, Sweetie was brooding, like she usually did in times of trouble. 'How am I supposed to sing for Pinkie and Sombra? I can barely hold a note with somepony sitting next to me, and I thought doing a song at wedding for the Element of Laughter and a former tyrant was a good idea?' She flinched at her own thought. 'Well, maybe calling Sombra a tyrant is a bit much, but still...'

She sighed. This was too much like the situation she had been in a couple months prior to the date. After an altercation with Diamond Tiara, the snobby filly had challenged her to a "battle" of sorts, the battle being a performance duel. Sweetie had been dragged into it because of Button, who was unaware of her stage fright, and she was forced to get over her social anxiety by singing in front of the entirety of Ponyville. By herself. With no one else to help her.

'That was almost a disaster...' She remembered. Then, she smiled. 'But, thank Celestia and Luna that Button was there. That stupid dork and his mustache saved me from public humiliation!' She faltered again. 'Now I don't think his mom would be too keen on stealing his dad's mustache again, even if it was for my sake.'

Of course, this hadn't been the first time Sweetie had been requested to sing at a wedding. There was the Royal Wedding, when Princess Mi Amora Cadenza, AKA Cadence, was marrying Captain Shining Armor of the Royal Guard. Due to the lack of young female relatives to take the places of flower fillies, the Cutie Mark Crusaders had been invited to do so, at the request of Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack. Then, when Rarity had asked who was going to sing at the wedding, she was surprised to hear that there wasn't one. And even more so when she found out that Rarity requested her to sing for the event, despite how much she knew that Sweetie hated to perform in front of other ponies.

Sweetie had thrown such a fit when she found out that Rarity had done it, and she didn't want anything to do with the wedding when Rarity refused to change the Princesses' minds. Rarity only did so when Sweetie threatened to pack up and leave Canterlot the day before the wedding.

Sweetie looked down at her hooves and sighed with apathetic sadness. 'Looks like I'm gonna have to back out... again.'

Then, after a couple minutes of silence, Scootaloo returned, somepony trailing after her. Apple Bloom's eyes widened and her jaw slacked in surprise. Scootaloo grinned giddily as she scurried over to Sweetie, who was too immersed in her self pity to notice anything going on around her. "Sweets, I think I know who can help you with your problem."

Sweetie sighed. "I don't think even Rarity can help me with this..."

"Honey, Rarity's too busy helpin' out the bride," said a sassy, familiar voice. "That's why little Scootaloo here brought me."

Sweetie's eyes widened and she whipped around in surprise. "Sapphire Shores?"

Sapphire chuckled at the filly's surprise. She was wearing a stunning outfit, as was custom for her, though not enough to seem informal. She wore a simple cobalt blue blouse with sparkling golden accents at the trim of the short sleeves and hem. A star-shaped skirt wrapped around her hips, the shiny, golden material catching the light and making it look like a shooting star. Her mane was down, but pinned back with a star-shaped barrette, golden tinsel shimmering beside her ear.

"That's right, honey, it's Sapphire Shores!" she boomed, her diction strong. "You know, I was beginnin' to wonder why I was invited to this little shindig, seein' as how I don't know the bride or the groom that well--"

"Huh?" Sweetie blurted out, completely flabbergasted.

"--but now I see!" Sapphire lifted her head theatrically. "Honey, I was brought here because of destiny!" She looked up in wonder. "Perhaps this is because of our prior meeting?" She gasped. "Perhaps this is how you knew about my lucky animal?"

Sweetie blushed, not sure how to explain to Sapphire that she only knew that because of Princess Luna, but she nodded in acknowledgement. "Um, yeah..."

Sapphire cleared her throat. "But, Imma digress. Accordin' to your friend here, you're having a bit of a problem with singin' in front of a crowd?"

Sweetie shuffled awkwardly. "Uh, yeah... I have stage fright..."

Sapphire smiled warmly at her. "Honey, believe me, I've been there. When I was your age, I was s'posed to sing for my mom and stepdad's weddin'!" She shivered in remembrance. "Ooo, I was so scared! I hated singin' in front of ponies more than anythin'!" She looked down at Sweetie. "But, ya wanna know somethin'? When I got up in front of everypony and sang, I had a blast! And who woulda thought that I'd get my cutie mark that day?" She shrugged. "But, honey, thing is, if you don't wanna sing, you shouldn't have to. You only get on stage when you're ready to, ya hear?"

Sweetie blinked. "But, what if ponies get upset because--"

"Honey, Imma stop you right there." Sapphire sat down next to Sweetie. "You shouldn't care what others think of you. If somepony says you shouldn't sing, then are ya gonna listen to them?" She shook her head. "I've had my fair share of haters in my life, but I don't let them get to me. Wanna know why? Because, if you got haters, then it means you got enough recognition to have them!" She chuckled. "So how about instead of worryin' about how you're gonna stop ponies from hatin', you start worryin' about the ponies who won't hate you?"

"So... You want me to focus on my fans?" Sweetie asked, not sure what else to think.

"Exactly!" Sapphire proclaimed. "Like I always say, 'Haters, if you need someone to hate on, then go on and hate me! Hate me, because that's what y'all are for! Go on and tell ponies that you think I got a ratchet mane, even though you know it ain't!'" 

Sweetie giggled. "Alright, I guess I'll try that... Especially when Diamond Tiara's around."

Sapphire put a hoof on her shoulder. "Next time you see this 'Diamond Tiara', I want you to tell her what I told you. Then see how she'll act!" She stood up. "Now, if you excuse me, I have to hurry on back to my seat! Weddin's about to start!" She paused at the door. "Oh, and honey? I may not have heard you sing, but Rarity has; and she loves talkin' about it."

After Sapphire left, Sweetie took a moment to get over her shock. Finally, she turned to Scootaloo. "I didn't know Pinkie invited Sapphire!"

Scootaloo shrugged. "Apparently she did it for Sombra. Turns out he's a huge fan."

Sweetie Belle arched a confused brow, but decided not to question it. "Scoots, that was so cool! I just got advice from Sapphire Shores!"

"Were ya nervous askin' her for help?" Apple Bloom asked Scootaloo.

Scootaloo shrugged. "Not really. I mean, kinda, but I already met her once, remember? She remembered me from that one time!" She squealed with excitement. "How cool is that?"

The Crusaders all joined together in giggles, all the tension and nervousness from before having dissipated into nothingness. Apple Bloom looked at Sweetie as she ceased her giggles. "Are ya still nervous, Sweets?"

Sweetie shook her head. "Not as much as I was before... Sapphire made me feel a little better. Besides, I'm kind of excited, too! I can't wait to sing!"

Scootaloo turned to Apple Bloom. "Do you got the costumes ready for the surprise?"

Apple Bloom nodded. "Yep! Thank Celestia that Granny knows how to sew, or Ah woulda had trouble with 'em!" She let out a sigh. "They were such a pain to make, y'know."

Scootaloo frowned. "Not as big a pain as teaching you two how to tell your right hoof from your left when I was teaching you how to dance for the past couple of weeks. Seriously, AB, I love you, but you got two left hooves."

Before Apple Bloom could reply, Sweetie stepped in. "Easy now, guys! The wedding hasn't even started yet!"

Apple Bloom frowned. "Are you even sure that we're ready for the weddin'?"

Sweetie smiled. "I think the better question is: Is the wedding ready for us?"
> The Bride
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"Pinkie, will you quit fidgeting?" Rarity hissed quietly. "If you're not careful, I'll end up tearing the fabric or worse!"

Pinkie frowned. "But this is taking foreveeeeeeer..." She sighed as Rarity continued her examination of her dress, which was poofy and resembled the frosting of a cupcake. Pinkie shook her head to devoid herself of the thought, not wanting to remind herself of how hungry she was. 'I mean, it's not like I ate a long time ago... Oh, wait, I did eat a long time ago...' Pinkie whined quietly as Rarity paced around her. "Rarity, can I have a--"

"No," Rarity said curtly. "Last time I gave you something to eat while you were in your dress, it was a disaster! You got frosting everywhere!" She sighed raggedly. "That fitting was a nightmare..."

Button walked up with a small pushpin cushion covered in multi-colored pins. "Need any pins?"

Rarity's rigidness faded a bit from her posture and expression as she smiled at Button. "Thank you, dear." She levitated the pins around the train of Pinkie's dress, then leaned in and pressed her cat-eye glasses further up her nose as she examined the hemline. She sighed. "I really ought to have checked before... The stitching looks so strange!"

Pinkie turned her head to watch Rarity. "Uh, Rarity, if it's such a problem, I could always change dress--"

"Absolutely not!" Rarity snapped. She winced at her own tone. "Sorry, dear, but I don't want to go through another fitting. We already chose your dress, remember?"

Pinkie did remember. She had tried on approximately 27 dresses, much to Rarity's disdain, and each one had been a fight to get right. After all the different shades of pearl, alabaster, ivory, and eggshell, Pinkie had settled on a simple white gown with pink trim on the neckline, sleeves, and skirt. But, Rarity had still been haggard by the end of the fitting, and had insisted that Pinkie not change her mind, which was rather difficult for her.

"Well, what about the veil, then?" Pinkie asked. "I mean, it might look--"

"It's fine," Rarity told her, not even looking at her.

"What about the necklace? It's kind of--"

"It's fine."

"Oooh, what about the shoes? They might--"

"Pinkie, it's fine!" Rarity exclaimed. She sighed raggedly. "Pinkie, why are you being so indecisive? You're always so sure of what you're supposed to do, but now you're fretting over a dress?"

"A wedding dress!" Pinkie protested. She rolled her eyes. "For my wedding day, Rarity!"

Rarity blinked. "You actually care about that sort of thing? I figured you'd be more... lax on the matter."

Pinkie shook her head. "No way! I mean, this is supposed to be the best day of my life, right? How is it going to be that if I don't look my best? Or how will anypony remember it forever and ever if I don't remember it because of how I looked? Or what if my veil falls off and everypony laughs? Or what it my shoes fall off when I walk down the aisle and I trip and fall? What if everypony laughs at me instead with me? What if--"

Rarity put a hoof to Pinkie's muzzle to silence her. "Now hold on, dear! Where is all this coming from? You weren't so nervous a while ago!"

"Because I'm getting married!" Pinkie cried out, her hooves flying to her face dramatically. "I don't know what to do! I'm so worried, because Sombra and I are supposed to be getting married and have a life together, but what if things don't go right? What if this is all a big mistake and I have to deal with the consequences?" She gasped. "Oh, no, what about the foal?! What happens if things don't work out and I have to raise it alone?"

Rarity's magic dissipated almost instantly and a rain of pins came down upon them. Unconsciously, Rarity caught them before they hit the floor or the three ponies in the room, then placed them all on the pin cushion Button was holding, who looked positively shocked and incredulous. Finally, Rarity turned to Pinkie, her eyes wide and shell-shocked. "What did you just say?"

Pinkie, having realized what she just said, blushed in embarrassment. "Whoops... Um, surprise?"

Rarity, still shocked, pointed at the door without turning away from Pinkie. "Button, will you go check on how Sombra is doing, please? Oh, and don't mention what you heard in here, will you? What happens in the dressing room stays in the dressing room." As Button exited the room, Rarity took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly before removing her glasses and placing them beside the pin cushion on the vanity. "Pinkie, would you care to repeat what you just said so that I might confirm what I heard?"

"...No."

Rarity chuckled uncomfortably. "Oh, thank goodness, because I could have sworn that you said that you have a foal with Sombra!"

Pinkie flinched. "Are you mad at us...?"

"Yes! Extremely so, Pinkie!" She sighed. "How could you two keep this from us? We're your friends, aren't we?"

Pinkie's eyes widened at the accusation and she nodded. "Of course you are! We didn't tell you because, well... We thought you guys might freak out and think we were only getting married because I'm... You know."

Rarity's eyes widened. "You didn't know until after Sombra proposed?"

Pinkie shook her head. "Nuh-uh! We found out a week later, Rarity." She held up her hooves. "You can't tell anyone yet! Please, you have to keep this a secret! Only my mom and dad know outside of me and Sombra!"

Rarity frowned. "Pinkie, you can't honestly expect me--"

"Promise me!" Pinkie told her. "Pinkie Promise!"

Rarity flinched at that, not sure what to say. A Pinkie Promise was the highest form of promise, and it definitely carried the most weight out of any promise to exist through the ages. Rarity knew all too well what the penalties of breaking a promise was and that it could have serious consequences for everyone, even those not involved. She sighed. "Alright... Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

Pinkie smiled, satisfied with Rarity's promise. "Yay!" She put on a serious face. "You know this means you can't tell anypony ever, right?"

Rarity nodded. "Yes, I do."

"Or that you ever knew, right?"

Rarity nodded once more. "Yes, Pinkie, I know the drill. Because if I tell anypony a secret or break a friend's trust, then it's the quickest way to lose them--"

"Forever!" Pinkie finished. She faltered a bit. "Rarity, what am I going to do if something goes wrong? Or what if I'm not making the right decision?"

Rarity blinked at her in surprise. "Pinkie, since when have you gotten so serious about things? You're usually so--"

"Silly?" Pinkie sighed. "Yeah, well, sometimes it's hard for anypony to tell when you're being serious when you act silly all the time." She perked up. "But if it means everypony gets a laugh out of it, then it's fine by me!"

Rarity coughed uncomfortably. "Yes, well, I suppose that makes sense... In a party pony way." She gasped in realization. "Oh, Cheese! The poor thing is probably running himself ragged, what with making sure everything's going smoothly and--" She gasped again. "Oh, Sombra! I forgot to check his suit!" She looked up apologetically. "I'm sorry, dear, I have to run!"

Pinkie didn't say anything as Rarity darted out of the room, and she didn't say anything even when she was alone. With nothing better to do, she found herself looking at the mirror, where a mare so different and similar to herself stood. Her mane was pulled back, save for her familiar, front curl that bounced against her nose when she moved just so, with a pink, frilly ribbon with blue lace on the edges. Her dress was simple and white, the pink trim along the skirt and neckline accenting her coat perfectly, with a blue brooch that had belonged to her Granny Pie wrapped around her neck.

'Something borrowed and something blue,' Pinkie thought to herself, lightly recalling the rhyme.

Pinkie had never thought about her wedding day. She had planned weddings and wedding parties, but she had never considered how her own would be. Being a party pony and an advocate of Laughter made making herself happy and her own celebrations rather difficult to plan. Especially due to how hard it was to pinpoint eactly what she wanted. Cheese had been the one to plan the wedding in the end of it, after he and Sombra realized how overwhelming it was to her. She felt a pinch of guilt as she recalled how exhausted he was because of it, despite how many times he had told her he was fine.

"Hey, Pinkie!"

Pinkie let out a small, quiet shriek before whipping around to face whoever had entered the room. Speak of the Devil, it was Cheese, who was wearing a suit that had seen better days back before the day had begun. She sighed. "Cheesie, you scared me!"

Cheese chuckled. "Sorry! I guess I got excited. How's the bride doing?"

Pinkie put on a big smile. "Great! I'm great, Cheesie!"

Cheese frowned almost instantly. "No, you're not. You're freaking out, aren't you?"

Pinkie sighed. She kind of disliked how well Cheese knew her. "Yeah, I am. A lot, actually."

"Worried about how the wedding's gonna go?" Cheese guessed.

"Yeah."

"And if things are gonna go right for you and Sombra?"

"Yep."

"And how the foal's gonna be?"

"Uh-huh."

Cheese shrugged. "It's OK, these things happen, y'know. I mean, you're not the first pony to freak out before a wedding, Pinks!"

Pinkie sighed. "I know, but still! How am I supposed to know if I'm making the right decision? What if-- What if I freak out when I get to the altar? What if I, just, turn around, for no reason? What am I going to do? How am I going to handle all this? How am I supposed to know if everything's going to be fine?"

Cheese darted towards her and held out his hoof. "Breathe, Pinkie. Just breathe, OK? You're gonna start hyperventilating." He gave her a reassuring smile as she did as told and sighed. "Y'know, you shouldn't be freaking out so much. Everything's going to be just fine!" He held up a hoof as Pinkie opened her mouth to answer. "Breathe! Now, I'm sure you're just worrying for nothing, Pinks. You and Sombra are gonna be happy together, even if you don't think that right now. Believe me, Pinks, I've seen a lot of mares-- and stallions, mind you-- freak out about who they're marrying!"

"Yeah, but--"

"Breathe," Cheese urged. "C'mon, Sombra loves you, and I know how much you love him!" Pinkie thought she detected a hint of sadness in his tone, but she decided it to be her imagination. "Besides, Pinks, I think you're forgetting something really important here: the foal! I mean, if Sombra was so unsure about it, then why was he getting so excited when I saw you two talking about painting the nursery the other day?"

Pinkie arched a brow. "He actually looked kinda nervous..."

Cheese shrugged. "Excited, nervous, nervouscited, sounds like a bunch of potatoes and tomatoes if you ask me!" He laughed a bit at his own quip. "Listen, Pinkie, I'm gonna have to tell you something, OK? Something you might not want to hear... Love isn't easy."

Pinkie almost snorted at that. Of course she knew love wasn't easy; she had been in it long enough to know. But, Cheese continued nonetheless.

"I mean, I would know, since my parents are divorced and all." He smiled a bit when he saw Pinkie's shocked face. "Yeah, I know, shocker. But, things were hard, especially since they really did love each other... Things were really complicated, is all, and they had to separate before the poison could get worse. I guess that's why I left in the first place." He shook his head and the seriousness was gone. "But, as a smart pony once said, 'The course of true love never did run smooth.'" He paused. "Was that Ponefuscious..?" He shrugged. "Besides, you shouldn't have to worry if things don't work out between you and Sombra-- which is a pretty big 'if', to be real honest."

Pinkie frowned. "Why not?"

Cheese smiled at her. "Because, whether you like it or not, I got your back, Pinks. I'm always gonna have it, as long as my tail is twitchy and my senses are cheesy keen." He smiled at her. "That is, if things don't work out. And, again, that is a pretty big 'if'."

Pinkie felt her eyes prick with tears, and she smiled at Cheese. "Thanks, Cheesie." She hugged him. "I'm really glad to have you as a friend."

Cheese returned the hug. "I'm glad to have you as friend, too, Pinks." He pulled away. "Sorry for leaving abruptly, but I got a wedding to run, y'know."

Pinkie giggled. "Try not to stretch out too much, Cheesie."

Cheese chuckled. "I'll try, but no promises." He smiled at her one last time. "See you soon." He walked to the door, then stopped. "Hey, were you having trouble finding something to wear with your dress?"

Pinkie frowned. "Yeah... I keep feeling like... I don't know, like something is missing."

Cheese smiled. "I guess that explains why I felt like bringing this..." He pulled out a small white box, then gave it to her. "You're gonna wanna wear this."

Pinkie's brows knitted together in confusion, then immediately rose in surprise as she snuck a peek in the box. "Cheese, you didn't have to--"

"Yeah, I do," Cheese told her. "It's your wedding, remember? You wanna look your best, right?"

Pinkie smiled at him. "Thanks, Cheesie."

"No problem, Pinks," Cheese told her. "No problem at all."
> The Groom
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Sombra paced from side to side, practically gliding across the floor as the rate of which he was moving. He ran a hoof over his mane once more, checking to see if any hairs were out of place, but finding none. He sighed as he glanced at his tie, which was black like his suit, unsure of how it looked on him.

"Do you think this tie looks bad on me?" Sombra asked, trying not to sound as frantic as he felt.

"No," Button droned as he sat in the chair by the vanity. "It's fine."

"Really?" Sombra glanced at it. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." Button sighed quietly. "Any clue when Rarity's gonna be here?"

Sombra shook his head. "She said she was going to check on Pinkie before me, and since Pinkie can be rather... antsy, she's probably having trouble with her."

"Yeah, because you're the chill one..." Button mumbled sarcastically.

Sombra frowned, but decided not to comment on it. He wasn't about to start a fight with a colt, especially one that Sweetie had explicitly told him not to bother under any circumstances. He glanced at the clock on the wall, then felt a prick of unease as he noted the time. The wedding was bound to start soon, and he wasn't feeling an inkling of readiness for it.

"Sorry for my tardiness!" Rarity announced as she flounced in, her dress ruffled and wrinkled from constant movement. She paused upon looking at Sombra. "Sombra, are you sure that you want to wear that tie?"

Sombra turned towards Button with a look that practically screamed, "See?!", then back at Rarity. "No, that's just what I was wondering before you came in."

Rarity sighed. "You and Pinkie both... It's your wedding day, and you're just now finding some wrong with your attire? Why not speak to me at the fitting?"

Sombra frowned at her. "Why are you being so snippy?"

Rarity put a hoof to her temple. "Sorry, dear, I'm just a bit rigid from helping Pinkie... She's being so... skittish today! I don't know where it's come from... Must be hormones..."

Sombra blinked. "What?"

Rarity waved a hoof. "Never mind, it's nothing." She glanced at Sombra. "Perhaps a blue tie would match better? Or maybe a pink one?" She shook her head. "No, it would clash against your eyes and horn... Hmm, maybe the black tie is the best bet, after all?" Sombra didn't like how unsure she sounded.

"Hey, anyone know where Spike and Discord are?" Button asked, suddenly noticing the absence of the dragon and draqonequus. "I swear they were here earlier..."

"Spike said that he and Discord had something to check on before the wedding started. I hope they get back soon." Sombra was feeling anxious enough as it was, and he didn't want his Best Dragon and Best Draqonequus missing the wedding (even if said draqonequus forced himself into the wedding to begin with).

Rarity sighed. "Hopefully nothing too chaotic will come of whatever Discord has planned. Fluttershy promised that he would be on his best behavior during the wedding."

"What about afterwards, during the party?" Sombra asked.

"That, I can't confirm." Rarity rolled her eyes. "Celestia help us if anything goes wrong."

"Hey, speaking of, aren't the Princesses coming to the wedding?" Button asked. "Sweetie told me that Pinkie invited them, right?"

Sombra sighed. "Yes, she did. I'm surprised they accepted, especially after everything. Luna, I understand, but Cadence and Celestia... They're a different story altogether."

Rarity gave him a reassuring smile. "I'm quite sure that they're happy for the both of you, dear. They've forgiven you, don't you remember?"

Sombra frowned. "That doesn't make me feel better."

Rarity sniffed, her eyes flickering over him as she checked his suit for any error. "Take it as you will, but I mean only kindness and reassurance." She took a step back, then smiled as she admired him. "Quite good." She looked at him. "You look quite good in a suit."

Sombra fidgeted a bit before looking at himself. "I don't know... Somethings feels... Missing?"

Rarity frowned. "Everything looks fine, dear. You're just nervous, is all." Her eyes widened. "Oh, dear, Sweetie Belle! I just remembered! Poor thing must be worried out of her mind right now!"

Sombra's eyes widened. "What is it? Is everything alright?"

Rarity took a deep breath. "Yes, it's fine, something just slipped my mind, is all. Sweetie and the girls are doing something for the wedding, and I think Sweetie might be a bit nervous... Terribly sorry, but I have to leave." She darted to the door, then stopped. "You know, I'm still not sure about that tie..."

Button frowned as Rarity left, then sighed. "I'm gonna go check on Sweetie, too. She gets pretty nervous easy, y'know." He patted Sombra's foreleg. "Hang in there, buddy. Try not to freak out, 'k?" Then, he left, too.

Sombra sighed, then took a seat at the vanity chair and stared at his reflection. He was dressed in a normal black suit, hardly elaborate whatsoever, and his mane was slicked back as usual. He frowned, then tucked a forelock away from his face, only for it fall back down, prompting him to sigh.

"Sombra?"

Sombra blinked, his eyes looking at the reflection, where Cheese Sandwich stood in the doorway. He turned towards him, somewhat surprised to see him. "Cheese. I thought you were out in the ballroom?"

Cheese shook his head. "Nope. I stopped hanging out there when two fillies decided it would be funny to rip my suit 'on accident'."

Sombra rose his brows. "Crusaders?"

"Nuh-uh. Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara, actually."

Sombra blinked. "They were invited?"

"Apparently. I think it's because of Silver Spoon's dad, and since he put down bringing a family on the invite, I guess he brought Diamond, too." Cheese frowned in confusion. "Why are they here, even? How does Pinkie even know half of the ponies here? I saw the Wonderbolts back in the second row, and Sapphire Shores hanging out with Fleur de Lis in the third!"

Sombra cleared his throat awkwardly. "I guess Pinkie's a big fan of Sapphire's?"

Cheese sighed. "And don't get me started on the Royals... Well, mainly Blueblood, but still. He's Trixie's plus one, and he's been making snide comments about the guests. Trixie keeps hitting him and telling him to quit, but she can only say so much." He frowned even more. "Ugh, why does she surround herself by mean ponies and negativity...?"

Sombra shrugged. "I wouldn't know, seeing as how I don't know her. I know that she used to work on the rock farm, and that she and Marble have a history together--"

"Wait, Pinkie's sister Marble?" Cheese arched a brow in interest. "What kind of history?"

Sombra gave him a deadpan look. "What do you think?"

Cheese's eyes widened. "Ooooh... I get it now!" He paused. "Oh, great, does this mean that there's going to be a scene?"

"Not unless Marble has already outed herself, which, I'm sure she hasn't. No one really knows except me, I guess."

Cheese frowned. "Great. Another thing for me to worry about..." He sighed. "Never mind me, how are you doing? You look pretty frazzled, man."

"Honestly?" Sombra questioned. "Not great. I feel pretty worried, and I'm not sure what about..."

"Worried about how the wedding's gonna go?" Cheese guessed.

Sombra blinked in surprise, but put on a blank face to eradicate it. "Yes, I suppose so..."

"And if things are gonna go right for you and Pinkie?"

"Well, yes, but--"

"And how the foal's gonna be?"

Sombra frowned. "You're pushing it, Cheese."

Cheese chuckled. "Sorry, I'm just highly intuitive at times of stress and high emotion." He put a hoof on Sombra's shoulder. "Y'know, I'm sure you're worrying over nothing. Things are gonna go just fine!"

"Don't jinx it," Sombra warned, though he smiled back at him. "Any clue how Pinkie's doing?"

"Pretty good, actually," Cheese told him. "She's calmed down a bit from before, so I guess that's something, right?" He frowned a bit in worry. "How about you? You still super nervous?"

Sombra sighed, then turned away from him. "Yes, I am. And it doesn't exactly help that the Princesses are going to be here, as well. I worry something might go wrong, and that I'll react poorly, prompting a overview of my reformation and behavior which will eventually lead to me and Pinkie getting separated because they find me unsuitable to be a parent or husband, so Pinkie has to raise the foal alone and without a father, so she's made fun of and scorned as the child is and things just go generally bad from the get-go."

Cheese was silent for a moment. "So, super nervous, then?"

"Yes, super nervous," Sombra said with a sigh. He ran a hoof over his mane once more. "And it doesn't help that I keep having this aching feeling of something being missing, too. Any idea what it could be?"

Cheese peered at Sombra for a moment, a small hum of thought escaping him as he did. Finally, he pointed at Sombra's tie. "The tie. Definitely the tie."

Sombra sighed. "I knew I wasn't imagining things when I said it didn't look right... But, I've tried on, what, 26 ties?"

"27, actually, but there's no logical way of me knowing that, right?" Cheese undid the tie and threw it over his shoulder. "Black is too drab with you, y'know. Wear something a little more colorful, will you?"

Sombra frowned at him. "Cheese, I tried on a red tie, blue tie, green tie, yellow tie, purple tie, a pink tie, a glitter tie, a pink glitter tie, a rainbow tie, and if you can guess it, odds are I wore it."

Cheese shrugged. "Who said it had to be a tie?" He pulled a box out form behind him, though Sombra could have sworn he hadn't seen it on him when he came in, then handed it to him. "Makes sense that my leg was twitching for me get this, then."

Sombra furrowed his brows in confusion, then took the box and opened it. His eyes widened and he dropped it, then caught it with his magic. "How in Tartarus did you even--"

"Don't. Ask." Cheese sighed. "Remember how I told you that you shouldn't question party ponies because...?"

Sombra frowned, then sighed in defeat. "'Because party ponies are not to be understood except by each other, and the things that you do is something normal ponies can see, yet not comprehend.'" He rolled his eyes. "You and Pinkie both..."

"And the foal, you know," Cheese told him. "Odds are he's gonna be a party pony like his mom!"

Sombra blinked. "'He'?"

"Don't ask how I know, just know that I do," Cheese told him. "He might be chill, like you are, though. I don't know how party genes work." He patted Sombra on the shoulder. "Whelp, I gotta run! Odds are the guests are probably wondering when the wedding's gonna start and that the bridesmaids are fretting over... whatever bridesmaids fret over. See ya!" Sombra arched a confused brow at Cheese as he darted out, but couldn't help but smile at him, feeling way better than he had before the day had begun. 
> The Best Dragon, The Best Draconequus, and The Mare of Honor
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The five members of the Mane Six all remained silent in the dressing room, each one immersed in their primping and grooming for the wedding. Their multi-colored skirts brushed against each other as they rushed across the room to get a different eye shadow or pair of earrings to wear with their dress. Of course, getting ready would have been easier for the group if Discord weren't in there, causing a commotion with his horrendous flute playing, which was mediocre at best.

"Discord, will you quit with that?" Rainbow snapped irritably, obviously annoyed at Discord's flute playing. "No one wants to hear your rendition of 'My Heart Will Go On' for the wedding!"

Discord frowned, then put the flute down. "It is my job as Sombra's Best Draqonequus to serve a toast to the bride and groom, and I am merely brushing up on it. Wouldn't want to disappoint, now would we?"

The girls all turned to Fluttershy, who fidgeted awkwardly under their gazes. "Um, maybe you could, uh, do something else? I'm sure you can do something way better than play a flute, Dizzy."

Discord pondered it for a moment, then shook his head. "Nah. I'm pretty cool with this as a toast."

She sighed. "Oh... OK, then."

Suddenly, the door to the dressing room burst open, where Spike stood, panting loudly and heavily. He pressed a hand to his chest, as if checking his heartbeat, then took a couple of soothing breaths to calm down. He straightened up, then rearranged his tipping top hat. "Hey, guys, how's it going?"

Rarity looked up from the vanity long enough to glance at him. "Oh, hi, Spikey. What are you doing here? I thought you were with Sombra?"

Spike twiddled his claws. "Oh, no reason, just came to check on you guys... Not like there's been a disaster or anything..."

Discord arched a brow at him. "Shouldn't you be watching Sombra, making sure he doesn't bolt or something like that?"

"Discord!" Fluttershy said, her tone urging him to be quiet.

Twilight frowned at him. "I don't like your insinuation of Sombra ditching Pinkie, Discord."

Discord rolled his eyes. "You think that every time they get into an argument, Sparkler. Don't be such a hypocrite."

"Discord," Fluttershy said in a more pressed tone.

Spike tapped his fingers together in a nervous manner. "Hey, um, Discord? Can I see you for a minute?"

Discord arched another brow at him, this time in confusion. "Why? You're not worried I'll mess something up here, are you?"

Spike frowned. "Just... Please?"

Discord shrugged, then tossed his flute over his shoulder. "I guess practice will have to wait." He tried to ignore the sigh of collective relief come from the mares, then slithered through the air and out the door with Spike. Once the door was closed and they were away from it, Discord stood on his mismatched feet and leaned down to Spike's level. "What did you need?"

Spike took on a more panicked demeanor, and he began shuffling awkwardly in place. "Um, you know how I'm supposed to make sure that the rings are alright...?"

Discord nodded. "Yeah, I know, so that way Button can walk down the aisle with them because he's the ring bearer. Why?"

Spike looked down. "I think, that I, uh.... I think I lost them?"

Discord's eyes widened. "You lost the rings for the we--" Spike slammed a hand over his mouth, causing the rest of his words to become muffled. He frowned, then detached his lips from his face and put it right in front of Spike's face. "You lost the rings for the wedding?!"

Spike's hat flew off his head at the volume of Discord's voice, which he picked up off the ground and put back on his head. "Well, I didn't mean to! I just put them on the vanity in the dressing room, and now they're gone!"

"Why didn't you tell Sombra?" Discord asked, that being the most logical thing to ask. He rolled his eyes. "Yeesh, you lot are so irresponsible! Why, I remember one time with Fluttershy--"

Spike groaned. "I don't have time to hear one of your crush stories with Fluttershy! I need you to help me with finding the rings!"

Discord frowned at him. "Why can't you ask Sombra or someone else to help you?"

Spike moaned and dragged his claws down his face. "Because, he's already freaking out enough as is! Did you know he changed his tie twenty times in the past hour alone? I don't need him freaking out about me losing the rings, too!"

"What about losing the rings?"

Both Discord and Spike turned simultaneously to see who had spoken, and they both blinked in surprise. "Maud?"

"Yes," Maud said, sounding as monotone as ever. She was also wearing a bridesmaid dress, which was a light hue of pink on the skirt with multi-colored ribbons around the waistline and neckline. The golden crown that wrapped around the back of her ears held inscriptions, somewhat resembling the ones on the Elements of Harmony in Discord's opinion. "Now, what are you saying about missing rings?"

Spike frowned guiltily. "I don't know how, but somehow they're missing--"

"Because he lost them," Discord added on. "Which is why I should be the Best Draqonequus and that be the end of it."

Spike sent him a sideways glare, but continued on nonetheless. "--and I can't find them now."

Maud blinked blankly. "Have you talked to Pinkie or anyone else about it?"

"No, he hasn't," Discord said in a chiding tone, causing Spike to glare at him again.

Maud just looked at them. "I see..." She glanced at the watch on her foreleg. "We still have time before the wedding starts. Let's try retracing your steps, then divide and conquer to cover more ground."

Discord sighed and rolled his eyes. "Why is it when in a time of crisis you ponies feel so keen on splitting up? This is how ponies get killed in horror movies, and that's why there are never any survivors."

Spike frowned. "This isn't a horror movie situation, though. Why does it pertain to us?"

Discord shrugged, then snapped his fingers, causing his tuxedo to disappear and be replaced with an overcoat and his top hat to be replaced by a cheap knock-off of the typical Sherlock detective's cap. "Now, now, Watson, we mustn't question our superiors." He pointed a finger to the sky. "Let us begin the search!" Then, he snapped his fingers and disappeared.

Maud looked at Spike. "Is he always like that?"

Spike nodded. "Yeah, he is. Well, not when Fluttershy is around, anyway... At least, not as chaotic as he usually is."

Maud arched a brow, but all she said was, "I see." She glanced down the hall, then back at Spike. "I can check on the dressing rooms while you check anywhere else you might have been."

Spike nodded in acknowledgement. "Alright, I'll head down to the kitchen and see if I left them in there when I was eating the cream puffs." When Maud gave him what he assumed to be a disapproving look, he frowned at her. "What? I was hungry, and those things are delicious!"

Maud sighed. "I'll meet you soon."

And with that, they split up, stealthily searching for the missing rings.


*	*	*


Spike let out a groan as he left the kitchen, his search holding no fruit to show his labor. He glumly walked back down the hall, contemplating his next actions and when Maud would return. He saw that she wasn't back yet, and then let out a tiny huff of impatience, then noted that Maud was probably talking to Sombra or Pinkie in their respective dressing rooms and ceased doing so.

"Huzzah!" called out Discord, who materialized in front of Spike, who clutched his heart in shock. "I have returned, bearing the rings!"

Spike blinked in surprise. "Wait, seriously? You found them?"

Discord frowned at him, not appreciative of his tone. "Yes, I did, as a matter of fact. Just goes to show how much better I am at my duties than you are, dear Spike!" He held up two ring hoof-sized rings in between his talons and laughed mirthfully. "Why, I'm sure Sombra will be ecstatic to hear how I found the rings you lost."

Spike looked at the rings, then at Discord. "Uh, Discord...?"

Discord ignored him. "Oh, I'm sure he'll be so grateful, just as he was when I helped him with his troubles with Pinkie!"

"Discord," Spike said again, a little more forcefully.

"Oh, but wasn't that another instance in where you failed in your duties?" Discord peered down at him. "Surely you recall the phrase, 'Never leave a bro behind'?"

"Discord!" Spike exclaimed, extremely annoyed and frustrated.

Discord frowned at him in irritation. "What?"

Spike took a ring from Discord, then held it up for him to see. "These aren't the rings, you nimrod." Then, much to Discord's surprise and horror, he took a bite of it. "This is an onion ring."

Discord looked down at the other ring in his claws, then back at Spike, then back at the ring again. Slowly, he took a small bite of it, and his eyes widened in realization. "Oh. Well, forget everything I said, because it would appear we're both screwed."

"Ya think?!" Spike shouted. "How am I supposed to explain this to everypony?" His eyes widened. "Oh, Sombra's gonna kill me!" He gasped. "Or Pinkie! Oh, sweet Celestia, I'm dead!" He collapsed to the ground. "How am I supposed to call myself the Best Dragon if I can't even do my job right?"

Discord waved a paw nonchalantly. "Oh, come now, you didn't take what I said seriously, did you? I was just playing with you, Spike!"

Spike looked up at him. "You were right, though... I messed up big time, and now it's too late to do anything about it! Sombra and Pinkie aren't gonna have rings for their wedding day and it's all my fault!" He sighed. "And now I have to tell them... Sombra's gonna be really upset with me for this."

Discord frowned as Spike trudged down the hall, a troubled expression on his face and a weight on his shoulders like he walking to his death. Which, Discord pondered, he might be, knowing Sombra and how he tended to react about these sorts of things.

"Oh, I'm going to have to do the right thing, aren't I?" Discord muttered to himself. With a heavy sigh, he snapped his fingers and dissipated from the hall.


*	*	*


"You did what?!" Sombra exclaimed, sounding just as angry as was predicted. "I can't believe you!"

Spike's eyes widened as he stepped into the dressing room, where Discord and Sombra stood. "Huh? Discord? What are you doing in here?"

Discord turned to Spike. "Come on, Spike, you don't have to feign oblivion. I know you don't want me getting the heat, but I deserve it."

"Huh?" Spike questioned.

Sombra let out a ragged sigh. "I can't believe you lost the rings, Discord! I put Spike in charge of them for a reason, you know!" He put a hoof to his face. "How am I supposed to go through with the ceremony if we don't have the rings for it?"

Discord shrugged, then snapped his fingers, accumulating two onion rings. "How about these?"

Sombra frowned. "Is this some joke to you? I'm marrying the mare of my dreams in minutes, Discord, and you want me to say my vows to her and give her an onion ring?"

Discord frowned at him in an unappreciative manner before snapping his fingers, two donuts accumulating on his talons. "Well, how about donuts, then? I don't think Pinkie will mind."

Before Sombra could open his mouth to tell him exactly where he could shove those donuts in vivid detail, the door opened and Maud entered with Button trailing after her. "Hello, Sombra."

Sombra took a deep, yet not-so-soothing breath. "Hello, Maud. What is it? I'm having a bit of an issue at the moment."

Maud looked down at Button. "Care to tell them what you told me?"

"Oh, sure," Button replied. "So, uh, the rings aren't missing, guys... Don't know why you thought that, but I just took them so that way I'd have them for the ceremony."

"Wait, what?" Sombra, Discord, and Spike said simultaneously in shock.

"Yeah." Button held up the cushion with the rings so everyone could see them. "So, yeah, crisis averted."

Sombra sighed in relief. "Thanks, you two. I nearly had a heart attack for a moment..." He looked back at Discord, a frown forming on his face. "I have half a mind to take you out of the wedding, Discord." Spike and Discord flinched at that, but Sombra wasn't done. "But, I am glad you came forward and that you were honest with me about it. So, thanks for that." He turned to Maud. "Thanks for making sure everything went smoothly, Maud. I think I needed that."

"It's no issue," Maud told him. She turned to Discord and Spike. "Let's go make sure you two are ready for the ceremony, alright?"

"OK," Spike and Discord said together, not even bothered by it. As the three of them left the dressing room and closed the door behind them, they turned to Maud in collective wonder. "How did you--"

"Out of all the places to check, you'd think that logic would say to check with the ring bearer before anything else," Maud told them. "And you two call yourselves the Best Dragon and Draqonequus."

"Hey!" they said, then frowned at each other as they noted the other's voice.

Maud turned around to go down the hall where the rest of the bridesmaids were, then stopped to look over her shoulder. "Keep this in mind, you two: you two might be the best guys Sombra has." She smiled.  "But I'm the best mare he could ask for when it comes to a crisis." And with that, she trotted down the hall, leaving the two of them to each other's company.

Spike turned to Discord. "So, you wanna explain why you decided to cover for me back there?"

Discord shrugged. "Sombra trusts you more than he trusts me, Spike. If I were to mess up, it'd be expected. You, however, have far more credit than I do, so you messing up would be far less expected and far more ridiculed because, 'You should know better!'" He shook his head. "Just because you do well all the time doesn't mean that you aren't exempt from making mistakes."

Spike frowned. "And just because you mess up all the time doesn't mean you can't do anything right."

Discord arched a brow. "Was that meant to be a compliment?"

Spike shrugged. "Take it how ya want, I'm just being honest." He checked his watch. "We better get in position, Discord. Wedding's about to start."
> The Wedding Planner
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Cheese watched the guests with a scrutiny unlike any other as he watched from the end of the rows, where no one seemed to notice him. He was used to watching ponies and going unnoticed, so it was nothing new to him. He narrowed his eyes as he saw more ponies begin taking their seats and begin chatting with another, then glanced at his watch. 

'The wedding is gonna start soon,' he thought as he returned his gaze to the hallway, where Pinkie's mother, Cloudy Quartz, was standing with Spike and Discord, who were probably shoving each other over who gets to go first. Cheese imagined that Sombra would knock them both over their heads as he stands behind them, waiting for his turn to enter.

Waiting after him was Twilight, probably prodding and picking at Sombra's tie and mane, nervously waiting for her turn. He could recall how Twilight had begged for the position of officiant, then proceeded to read every piece of literature on the matter. Cheese could practically hear her muttering her opening words for the ceremony, along with the shuffle of her note cards that more than likely included blocking along with the words. 

The girls were next, with Rarity leading and Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Fluttershy going after her in their respective order. Fluttershy had insisted on going last as to avoid being the center of attention, and to make sure that Maud was ready to go after her she had added hastily. Maud was probably as stoic as ever, even if the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Button were messing around behind her. Cheese could only imagine the disaster they had planned for the reception.

Then, Pinkie would be waiting, unseen by Sombra and the others as to avoid any bad luck or broken traditions. Knowing her, she was probably thinking of different cupcake recipes and foods waiting at the reception, especially because she hadn't eaten anything since early that morning. Cheese pondered how she could have been standing for as long as she had, and felt a bit guilty he hadn't snuck in a few cupcakes for her to snack on before going out.

He shook his head of that thought. Pinkie might vomit from nervousness if she ate or drink anything before going out.

Suddenly, his watch went off, letting out a small noise resembling that of a party noise maker. He took a deep breath, then nodded his head at the musical quartet that stayed in the back, so that way the sound bounced off the walls and echoed through the room.

The preludes ceased, then faded into the processional seamlessly, allowing for an easy transition. Cheese turned to entrance, then nodded at Cloudy Quartz, then readjusted his fez as he felt it slip forward. Cloudy nodded in response, then began a nervous trot forward, but kept her head up nonetheless. She wore a simple blue gown that brought out the color of her eyes with a white belt around her waist.

Cheese watched in silent fascination as everypony walked down the aisle in perfect silence, some gazes proud and stoic, others nervous and low to the ground. He rolled his eyes as Spike stumbled after Discord, who had tripped him upon entering the aisle, and prayed that Sombra wouldn't get too upset over it. He let out a breath of relief as he saw Sombra enter, a small, nervous smile across his face. Everything seemed to be going alright.

Twilight entered, wearing a dress similar to the bridesmaids', and Cheese smacked his hoof over his face as he saw her looking at her note cards. She didn't even seem to notice that everyone was looking at her until she was three rows in. Cheese cleared his throat, causing her to look up. She stopped, then blushed, then put her note cards into her dress, a few spilling over and falling out. Cheese sighed and shook his head.

Rarity entered with the flourish she usually did, and even flipped her mane for good measure, which was refreshing for Cheese to see some actual professionalism. Rainbow followed suit, though her chest was puffed out in a semi-ridiculous manner. Cheese noted how Soarin from the Wonderbolts stared at her, then began to understand why Pinkie had seated them near each other for the reception. Applejack was like Rarity, though her golden leaf crown was hidden by her stetson. Not that Cheese minded the stetson, seeing as how he thought they were cool, but it was the fact that it was lopsided and practically falling off her head that bothered him. Lastly, Fluttershy walked in, her head somewhat low and her mane covering her face. Her long legs made her walk down the aisle look like a walk down the catwalk, but her shy demeanor and posture made it look like she was being forced to go to the principal's office for a minor offense. Then, Maud entered, stoic and silent. She looked like a more resolute Rarity with her tall posture and oddly perfect strut. Cheese thought he saw tears glisten in her eyes, but he swore he imagined it.

Then, the music changed. Everyone stood collectively and turned to see the entrance as the Bridal March began, all eyes focused on one spot. The Crusaders skipped in, petals falling everywhere, much to the disdain of Button, who tried very well to not flinch as petals landed all over his face. Then, Pinkie entered, her father Igneous Rock holding her foreleg, possibly to be supportive emotionally and possibly to be supportive physically, seeing as how Pinkie didn't seem to be able to move her legs that well. It was in that moment that Cheese realized that Pinkie was wearing his gift, or rather, something he had borrowed from her to give to her.

If Pinkie was wearing white, you wouldn't have been able to tell with the red cloak covering her dress. Cheese hadn't a clue as to why Pinkie would need a cape of all things on her wedding day, but if it made her happy, then so be it. And by the look on her face, Pinkie did look happy. Nervous, but happy.

Cheese's gaze went to Sombra, who was standing at the altar, an amazed look on his face. He could tell that there was love and happiness in his expression, and that behind it, was a look of nervousness no one would have been able to see except for Cheese. He had a knack for knowing when somepony felt nervous, and he had hoped the scarf around Sombra's neck was helping him to get over it. Again, he hadn't a clue as to why Sombra would need a scarf, but he wasn't going to be the one to judge. However, by the look on Rarity's face, it looked like she was having a mini-fashion alarm going off in her head that she was desperately trying to ignore.

It wasn't long before Pinkie was at the altar with Sombra, both beaming with happiness and love towards one another. Twilight frantically assorted her notes, then began to panic as she noticed the missing cards. Cheese saw Sombra whisper to Twilight, a small frown on his face and a tell-tale look of annoyance in his eyes. Pinkie seemed to be giggling, which prompted a roll of Sombra's eyes in the most affectionate manner.

Cheese felt himself smile as he saw Twilight drop her notes and begin the ceremony, then allowed Pinkie and Sombra to say their vows. "Today, there will be no dearly beloved, no betrothed, and no ancient rhyme of the married."

A murmur with throughout the crowd as the informal words escaped the Princess's lips, and Cheese looked to see Sombra standing uneasily, while Pinkie didn't seemed to be all that bothered to begin with. Still, Twilight continued."Today, there are no dead languages to solemnize vows that are very much alive and will remain so for a lifetime. Today, promises become permanent and friends become family. However, this day is not about the words spoken or the rings exchanged, nor is it about grand pronouncements and recessional marches..."

Twilight looked up, her eyes sparkling and showing a sweet sincerity unlike any. "Today, is about love." She smiled in her usual dorky manner. "Although, a bit of a strange one."

Everyone chuckled a bit at that, Sombra and Pinkie as well. Cheese let out a steady sigh of relief as he saw Sombra loosen up a bit more.

Twilight cleared her throat awkwardly. "I have a close friend of mine who taught me about love and how it worked. She told me that life wasn't measured in how many cups of coffee you drank, how many sunsets you saw, how much you laughed, or even by how much you suffered. She said that life is measured in love, and that in the minutes we have in a year-- 525,600 minutes, to be exact-- are to be measured in the love that the seasons of the year hold.

"I always found it such a strange saying... I didn't really understand love of any variety outside of my family until I came to Ponyville, to be honest. But, one day, the day I came here--" She smiled in nostalgia. "--the first pony I ran into was Pinkie Pie. She ran off the moment I said 'hello' to her, and it wasn't until I went to the library later that night that I realized it was because she planning a party for me. That was the night I found the Elements and realized what friendship was for the first time in my life.

"I had many moments in my life I went through trials, all of which my friends have helped me though. We all saved Equestria from certain doom on multiple occasions. That's actually how these two met, actually!"

Cheese frowned, his eyes flickering between Pinkie and Sombra. 'I don't know if I like where this is going...' Suddenly, he wished that Twilight had looked at her notes and not gone off-script.

But, Twilight didn't act out his fear. "These two met in rather strange circumstances, and they're both different from the time that they did." She smiled at Sombra and Pinkie. "They both grown into a strong pair, despite their trials, and I don't think I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit envious of what you two have together. You two are more than a couple; you're best friends, and that's something that you need to have in your relationship. I can't tell you all how many times I've caught these two giggling about something silly together like a pair of schoolkids, or how many times I've caught them arguing over nonsense like an old married couple.

"Their love transcends time and reason. A millenia of hatred, fear, or isolation could never take away from this love. A lifetime of hesitation or hurt could never try their trust. And no trial is too much for them to bear, for the strength they hold on their own is powerful, but unstoppable together."

It was silent as Twilight took a moment to prepare herself. "This is the day they've been waiting for, even if they didn't know it yet. I know that some ponies don't feel love, and that nothing's wrong with that..." She took a deep breath. "What I'm trying to say is, for the love that these two have, to be shown on this day..." She smiled. "Who's to say that those capable of love shouldn't be able to feel the same?"

Cheese smiled as he noted the sincerity in her voice and the tears of joy within her eyes. Twilight didn't need the notes after all; she had nailed it.

"Now is the time for the bride and groom to exchange their vows with one another," Twilight said. She took a small step back, allowing Sombra and Pinkie's focus to be on one another. Cheese already imagined that they were, by the way they were looking.

"Pinkie, I--" Sombra tried to say.

"Sombry, I just wanted to say--" Pinkie blurted out.

They both blinked in surprise, a small tinge of pink brushing over their cheeks as they laughed quietly in embarrassment. The crowd chuckled amongst themselves, even the elites who had been invited.

Twilight leaned in. "Uh, Sombra, how about you go first?"

Sombra smiled nervously and silently thanked her. He turned back to face Pinkie, his eyes gleaming. "Pinkie, I... I had something prepared for this, I swear." The crowd laughed and Pinkie giggled, prompting a smile from Sombra. "Pinkie, when we first met, I didn't think anything between us was going to escalate. I was... rude, selfish, and harmful to those around me. I caused more pain than I did good, and it didn't bother me. That is, until I met you.

"I know it sounds cheesy, and like an old friend might say, rather cliche and typical, but I'm a better stallion because of you. I mean, sure, I made mistakes even after I knew you, but I was trying not to. Really hard. And even though it would have been a thousand times easier to just forget about what I was feeling and what it was doing to me, I couldn't. I couldn't because I knew that no matter how many times I told myself I didn't want to be with you or that I loved the way you smiled, it all came crashing down every time I saw you.

"Do you have any idea how frustrating it is to be so resolute and calm all the time when you're around? You're a beam of sunshine and sweet lord if it didn't drive me insane. You can make any situation light and fun, even when I'm around. You're the epitome of Laughter, and the fact that you managed to affect me in the ways you've affected others only solidifies that fact. I wanted to hate you, to hate everything about you, and everything that made you into who you are. But, I couldn't.

"I couldn't because of how you snort when you laugh too hard. I couldn't because of how whenever you hear a rhyme, you make a song out of it. I couldn't because of the way you look when you bounce around town, making everypony smile and laugh with one of your silly songs. I couldn't because of every little curl that I know you can't brush without help from somepony else. I couldn't because when I didn't know how to laugh, you taught me. And I couldn't because when I was lost in my own darkness and trapped within a self-inflicted hell, you pulled me out of it like the angel you are.

"I never believed in angels. I never believed in anything, really; I'm not the religious type. I always thought that angels were just Pegasi with schizophrenia or something of the sort." That got a laugh out of the crowd, but it didn't distract Sombra. "I've seen some strange things in my life, some things ponies might call 'miracles'. I've never experienced them for myself, and I never thought I would. But, then, I met you, and everything around me changed. The flames of my anger and hate disappeared, turning into a feeling I never though someone like me was capable of feeling or had the right to feel to begin with... Love."

The words hung in the air, the silence of the enamored crowd making it seem like an eternity before anything else was said. Sombra's eyes were glistening, though his tears were nothing compared to Pinkie's, who had large streaks staining her cheeks. He smiled at her, and she returned the gesture, though she was still rather emotional. "Pinkie, I can't promise to be perfect in the ways you want me to be. I can't promise to remember every single anniversary, every birthday-- yours or any foals we may have-- or every party." He smiled at her. "But I can promise that I'll never leave your side, and that no matter what comes our way, I'll be with you until the very end. I promise to be honest with you-- even if it hurts my pride." Cheese thought he saw his gaze flicker to Igneous, but he couldn't tell for sure. "And I promise that I will love you, and only you, even long after I'm gone."

Cheese sniffled a little, and was glad to see he wasn't the only one moved by Sombra's words. Cloudy Quartz was clinging onto Igneous, who tried to be resolute, but was failing as he smiled at Sombra with his eyes glistening. Limestone had taken to holding her tears back, unlike her sister, who was leaning into Florina with tears streaming down her face. Florina was faring no better, her eyes shining and small sniffles escaping her. Pinkie's friends were all wiping their tears away, Spike and Discord included, the latter of the two residing beside Fluttershy with his paw and claws resting on her shoulders in a subconsciously affectionate manner. Even the Princesses were moved, each one wiping their eyes, and from what Cheese could see, Shining and Blueblood were practically clinging onto each as they wept in the most masculine way possible. Trixie merely resided beside Blueblood, moved by Sombra's words, but annoyed by how Blueblood was reacting, though not as much as Cadence as she was in between the two weeping stallions.

Twilight wiped her eyes. "Pinkie, it's time to say your vows."

Cheese took a deep breath. 'Oh, boy, here we go.'

Pinkie blinked, as if realizing where she was, and then nodded in acknowledgement. "OK." She fidgeted a bit, then took a deep breath before looking back at Sombra. She was nervous, probably from standing for so still for so long, and she was probably thinking about busting into a musical number at the moment. Cheese personally wouldn't have minded it, but Sombra might find it a bit inappropriate to do so, especially since it was their wedding day. Finally, she spoke. "Sombry, I think it's safe to say we both know how bad at I am at being reasonable sometimes... And that when I get unreasonable, I act a bit, well, crazy!" She smiled. "But, I promise that I won't do anything too much for you to handle. Aaaaaaaaand I promise to not be so stingy with my cupcakes, because sometimes I eat too much--"

"And then you end up throwing up on Rarity's new frock like that one time," Sombra finished, eliciting a laugh from the audience, save for Rarity, who was shaking her head and muttering something along the lines of "made of genuine cashmere" and "cost a whole month's salary".

Pinkie smiled at Sombra. "Sombry, I'm not good at saying what I want to say when I want to say it without sounding weird or not making sense to other ponies sometimes. But, I just want you to know that I love you, probably more than any cupcake I've ever had. Including the ones they sell at Sugarcube Corner around Hearts and Hooves Day."

Cheese felt himself tear up and he sniffled a bit. "That's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard."

Pinkie giggled a bit. "Like I said, I'm not good at saying what I want to say... But I just want to say, I love you, Sombry."

Twilight smiled as Sombra returned the words, then stepped forward once more. "Button, the rings?" Button trotted up, the cushion with the rings on his back. "Do you Sombra, take Pinkie to be your lawfully wedded wife, promising to love and cherish, through joy and sorrow, sickness and health, and whatever challenges you may face, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," Sombra replied, slipping the ring onto Pinkie's hoof.

"And, Pinkie, do you take Sombra to be your lawfully wedded husband, promising to love and cherish, through joy and sorrow, sickness and health, and whatever challenges you may face, for as long as you both shall live?"

"Yep!" Pinkie answered, eliciting a laugh from everyone in the audience as she returned the action to Sombra.

Twilight giggled. "Then, Sombra, you may kiss the bride." She held up a hoof. "Appropriately! There are kids here, you know!"

Sombra chuckled a bit as he leaned in for the kiss, but was stopped as Pinkie beat him to the punch and kissed him instead. He was surprised, but he leaned into it and smiled happily as he did.

Cheese felt a sense of relief wash over him as the audience clapped and applauded the married couple, a series of cheers and shouts showing their support for the both of them. Everything had gone just right. Just like a certain Princess he knew, he might say that everything was perfectly fine.


*	*	*


It had taken all of Cheese's convincing abilities to get Pinkie not to DJ her own reception. Sombra, though adamant on the matter, was no match for Pinkie's argumentative skills or her switcheroo argument tactic.

"Pinkie, you're not going to DJ the reception!" Sombra had told her.

"Yes, I am! I know all the jams!" Pinkie replied.

"You're not!"

"I am!"

"You're not!"

"I am!"

"You're not!"

"I'm not!"

"You are!"

"I'm not!"

"You are!"

"I'm not, Sombra, and that's final!" Pinkie said with finality.

Sombra huffed. "You are, and that's final!"

Pinkie shrugged. "OK, whatever you say!" Then, bounced off.

It took Sombra a moment to realize what he just said, and he immediately turned to Cheese. "What just happened?"

Cheese had shrugged, then said, "Party ponies, man. Don't question it."

Of course, afterwards, Cheese managed to change her mind, despite her defense of Sombra allowing her to, and instead, Vinyl Scratch was set to DJ the reception.

"Hey, everypony, DJ P0N-3 announcing the newlyweds, Sombra and Pinkie!" Vinyl called out. "It's time for their first dance as a couple! Well, a married couple, anyway, but still, ya know."

"Come on, Sombra, let's dance!" Pinkie exclaimed before tugging Sombra onto the dance floor. Cheese felt a bit bad for Sombra, especially because he still hadn't gotten the hang of modern dancing, or dancing to begin with. But, before the couple could begin their dancing, the whine of the microphone put them to a pause.

Sweetie Belle winced as she held the mic in her magic. "Sorry... Got too close to the speakers."

"What's she doing?" Cheese whispered to Vinyl, who was changing up her discs.

Vinyl lifted her shades. "Duh, it's their gift to the couple. Sweetie told me about it way back."

Cheese frowned. 'Please don't explode, please don't explode, please don't explode...'

Sweetie looked around awkwardly. "Uh, the Cutie Mark Crusaders and I wanted to do something special for the wedding... Something that didn't involve pyrotechnics for once, actually."

"Oh, thank Celestia," Cheese said to himself as the crowd chuckled.

"So, um, here goes, I guess," Sweetie said. She looked down and then up, not sure what to do as the music began. She sang a bit uncomfortably at first, the words almost sounding foreign coming from her.

'Oh, no, she's nervous,' Cheese realized, not sure what to do. He looked around the room, hoping that no one was noticing the nervousness in her voice.

Suddenly, another voice joined in on the singing, and Cheese looked back to see Button onstage with Sweetie. Sweetie looked surprised, but she smiled thankfully as they sang together and suddenly, the nervousness disappeared from her voice. Cheese sighed in relief, then looked at the dance floor to see Pinkie and Sombra beginning their dance with each other.

Pinkie took small steps, allowing Sombra to mimic them, small words of encouragement urging him to continue. Sombra would occasionally nod his head in acknowledgement, then follow through with a step and repeat the process to keep the dance going. Soon enough, he was dancing a little more confidently and was whirling across the floor with Pinkie.

As they continued their dance, Button and Sweetie were singing with each other, both smiling and swaying to the rhythm of the poppy tune. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom appeared behind them, both doing an intricate dance of their own, though Scootaloo was doing a far better job than Apple Bloom was, who was very close to stumbling with each step.

Cheese watched in silent fascination as the dance continued on, Sweetie and Button's words matching the rhythm of their steps. Cheese couldn't help but notice just how immersed in their dancing the two were, and he wondered if they even heard the song playing. 

This was it, Cheese realized. This was where all of it ended and all of it began. Pinkie and Sombra were married now. They were going to move in together, have a family of their own party pony kids, if Cheese's hope held any say in the matter, and they were going to be together for the rest of their lives, quite possibly. Pinkie would no longer be just a party pony; she was going to be a mother. She was going to leave a legacy on the world (and Sombra, maybe), and everything she did was probably going to go in the history books for ponies to look at and say, "Wow, she sounded super cool!".

The thought made Cheese happy. The fact he might not be there to see it all made him a bit sad, but knowing all that would come of Pinkie's existence made him extremely happy. He knew that any of her kids would probably change someone's life with a smile, just like she could. Of course, no one could quite compare to her.

Cheese didn't know how long he stood there, and he didn't know how long it had been since everypony had been allowed back on the dance floor. He blinked, and suddenly, everyone was out dancing with each other. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were sliding around, causing Rarity to snap at them for almost ripping their dresses. Spike was trying to robot dance over to Rarity, but was having difficulty due to her chasing the running crusaders and appeared to be having trouble with his constant moon walking. Soarin and Rainbow were dancing together, but it probably had to do with the punch they drink that Cheese bet was spiked due to the sluggish way they did danced. Discord had picked up Fluttershy and was twirling around with her, causing her to squeal with fear and laughter. Princess Luna was dancing it out with Big Mac, who didn't even seem to notice he was next to royalty and was totally nonchalant about it. Prince Blueblood and Trixie appeared to be doing the tango, which prompted Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor to get into a major dance off with the other couple and do a more expert version of the tango. Florina and Marble were dancing rather closely, and they twirled together as they laughed and giggled with each other, catching the attention of her parents and sisters. Maud seemed to be doing a simple step touch step dance, which Trenderhoof immediately noticed and mimicked as if it were some sort of a mating dance to gain her attention. Sapphire Shores was congratulating the married couple, which caused Sombra to look absolutely starstruck as Pinkie just giggled and laughed at her coltfriend's-- No, husband's reaction.

Husband. The word sounded strange to even think, Cheese thought.

'Well, they look real happy,' Cheese mused, smiling as he saw Pinkie tease Sombra for being so embarrassed about Sapphire and him blush a bit in response. Cheese watched in silent fascination as Pinkie wrapped Sombra's scarf around herself, smiling and giggling as she did. He'd have to ask for the story one day.

'Why not today?' he asked himself. 'I could ask them right now. I'm sure they'd love to tell me.'

He watched as Pinkie and Sombra started to walk off the dance floor, probably to take a break for Sombra's sake. Cheese felt bad that he didn't have as much energy as Pinkie did, but he smiled a bit when he saw them laughing together.

'Maybe I could save that question for another day,' Cheese concluded. 'This is their day, after all. I could hear them tell that story anytime I come to visit!' Of course, he didn't know when that would be, but he didn't care. 'I'm glad that things went the way they did. They went better than I thought. Way better, actually. I just have to hope Discord isn't drunk when he gives his best man speech and that I wish Pinkie happy birthday-- Oh, crud.'

But, as he prepared to go into full party panic mode, he saw Sombra pull out a cupcake from behind him. It was a pink cupcake with red icing that looked like rose petals with a candy heart in the middle of it, and Cheese wondered why Sombra had it begin with. Of course, it didn't matter as Pinkie tackled Sombra into a hug, nearly making him drop it in the process but not as he caught it with his magic. Pinkie appeared to be thanking him at rapid speed and she showered him in quick kisses, though Sombra seemed to be more concerned with the cupcake and whether or not Pinkie was going to accept it. His inquiry was answered by Pinkie shoving the icing on his face, then licking it off his face for humorous effect.

Cheese sighed in relief. 'Way to go, man, you did a good job. Now just make sure you don't forget later on!'

Of course, that didn't matter at the moment to Cheese. Everything that needed to happen had happened, and now, everyone was happy because of it. The day had come, and Cheese now saw that there was no better day for a wedding of two loving ponies. No day but today.
> Epilogue: Letters
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



	Dear Pinkie and Sombra,

Hey, guys! Just wanted to say congrats to you guys! Sorry for leaving like that, but Cheesy sense never stops, even for weddings. So, I hear that Pinkie's doing well with the pregnancy? If so, awesome! If not, Sombra, I will come down there and go full on mom mode. I literally won't be able to stop myself.

Sincerely, Cheese Sandwich

P.S. Pinkie, if you find your sweets missing from their respective cabinets or secret chest compartments, please kindly direct yourself to your husband about the whereabouts. He might have something to do with it.





	Dear Cheese,

You sell out, she's not supposed to have sweets.

Sombra





	Dear Sombra,

STOP HIDING MY SWEETS. YOU'RE STARVING ME.

Sincerely, your wife, Pinkie





	Dear Pinkie,

First off, you're pregnant. You can't have too much sugar because it's bad for the baby. Also, why are we writing letters to each other? We live together, you twit.

Sincerely, your confused husband, Sombra





	Dear Sombra,

I WANTED TO BE INVOLVED. Also, OK, I'll try to stay away from my cupcakes.

Sincerely, your compromising wife, Pinkie





	Dear Pinkie and Sombra,

I'm not real used to writing letters, especially to you guys since it's been only a couple weeks since we last saw each other. So, how's the honeymoon? I hope it's great.

Anyway, I was kinda writing to tell you guys something I told Mom and Dad... I'm dating a girl. Her name's Florina, and she's real nice, and I was wondering if you guys had anything to say? Mom and Dad was cool with it, and so was Limestone and Maud, but I didn't know if you guys knew... I just wanted to tell you before anyone else did.

Sincerely, Marble

P.S. Wow, this is really weird for a congratulatory letter...





	Dear Marble,

Someone better answer that phone because I so totally CALLED IT.

Sincerely, Pinkie

P.S. I've known for years, Marble, oh my gosh, I've been shipping you two since you two first looked at each other.





	Dear Marble,

I already knew. We all knew. We've been making bets about when you were gonna come out.

Sincerely, Sombra

P.S. Tell Limestone and Igneous they both owe me twenty bits. Each.





	Dear Sombra,

Here's your bits. It was a lucky guess.

Igneous and Limestone





	Dear Sombra and Pinkie,

At the request of Fluttershy, I would like to apologize for my behavior during my speech. It seems I do not know how to handle my alcohol.

Sincerely, Discord





	Dear Discord,

Don't apologize to us. Apologize to Rarity. You ruined her dress.

Sombra





	Dear Pinkie,

Stop spiking the punch. You're lucky it worked out for me or I would have come after you.

Sincerely, Rainbow Dash





	Dear Pinkie,

You brilliant genius.

Sincerely, a very lucky Soarin





	Dear Sombra,

Pinkie told me you were a fan, so I enclosed a copy of one of my demos. Have fun on your honeymoon!

Sincerely, Sapphire Shores.





	Dear Sapphire,

Thanks! Sombra would thank you himself, but he's too busy listening to your music.

Sincerely, Pinkie





	Dear Pinkie,

You're gonna have some explaining to do when you get back from your honeymoon... It would appear your secret is out, dear.

Sincerely, Rarity

P.S. I DIDN'T DO IT, IT WAS BUTTON.