Chatper 1: The Wedding
Canterlot Castle, Garden: 1700
The sun was slowly setting on the city of Canterlot, the sun still trying to stay as long as possible. The garden in Canterlot Castle was full of ponies from all walks of life, each own dressed for a special occasion. Up in the front of the crowd, a gazebo sat, three ponies standing inside it. The ponies consisted of Queen Scarlet (in pony form), General Anthony, and Shining Armor. Scarlet stood in the middle of the gazebo with Anthony to here left and Shining Armor standing slightly behind him. All three of them were dressed in formal wear; General Anthony in a tuxedo, Shining Armor in his Captain’s uniform, and Scarlet in a special dress designed to make her appear to be of royalty.
The piano started to play, everypony standing up and looking behind them. Out first came Twilight, followed by Rarity and the other bearers of the Elements of Harmony, each one of them dressed in the same style and color dress as their element on them. After the last Element stood in front of the gazebo, Cadence walked out with the CMC being the flower girls. Then it was the final pony needed, walking out with a grace that only the Princess of the Night could.
Princess Luna was dressed in a white gown, pearls adoring her neck and a replicate of her Cutie-Mark on the back of her dress. Everypony was standing and watching Princess Luna walk down the alias, the Lunar Princess smiling the whole way down. She made her way to the gazebo, taking her place on the other side of Queen Scarlet and in front of General Anthony. He couldn’t help but smile at the beauty standing in front of him, Princess Luna blushing slightly from the attention.
As everypony took their seats, Queen Scarlet spoke up, starting the ceremony.
“Welcome, everypony, to this joining of Princess Luna, the Princess of the Night, and General Anthony, Bringer of Peace. These two have been through one of the most difficult times in Equestrian History, and as today proves, has made their love stronger. The fruits of their love is both evident in the gaze of their eyes and the foal resting inside. Their love is strong, stronger than most. I am honored to wed these two, but a question must unfortunately be asked: Is there any here that believes these two should not be wed? If so, speak now, or forever hold your peace.”
Queen Scarlet waited the oblige few seconds, even though she knew none would be against it. After no one spoke up, she smiled and returned to the ceremony.
“The couple has written their own vows, and shall need read them,” Queen Scarlet announced, turning it over to the couple. General Anthony was first to speak.
“Princess Luna, will you take me to be your lawfully wedded husband? To stand by your side, through the toughest times, and the calmest? To be loyal to you and to care for you? To be not just your protector, but the protector of your home? To guide our children to success, and to guide love them as I love you?”
“I do,” Princess Luna replied.
“Do you, General Anthony, take me to be your lawfully wedded wife? To be with you until the end of our lives? To care for the kingdom, as is our duty? To stand with you, even in the most dangerous situations? To raise our children with caring and devotion? To love you, as only the night can?”
“I do,” General Anthony replied. The two smiled at each other, wishing to seal the vows then. Queen Scarlet stepped back up, turning to General Anthony.
“Do you have the ring?” Queen Scarlet asked. General Anthony turned to Shining Armor, the Captain of the Guard pulling out a jewelry box with his magic. General Anthony took the box with his magic and opened it for Princess Luna, removing the silver ring. The embedded blue diamonds matched the coat of the Lunar Princess, who smiled as it was lowered down onto her horn.
As the ring met base, it fused to the horn, losing any bulkiness and became a part of the alicorn. Princess Luna pulled out a similar style box, this one containing a titanium ring in it. She levitated the ring onto General Anthony’s horn, the ring also fusing and becoming one with the unicorn. Queen Scarlet again took command of the ceremony.
“By the power invested in by, by the right as Queen of the Changelings, I now pronounce you: husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,” Queen Scarlet announced.
The two wasted no time in following the final part, the kiss full of passion and love, everypony clapping with joy for the couple. The kiss lasted for a long while, and the two did not wish to break it, but they knew if they kept going, the children would get a lesson in biology.
The couple walked back up the alias, heading towards the dining hall. The ceremony was closed, and the dinner party was to begin. Everypony entered the hall and found it filled with tables, each one labeled clothed with a midnight blue tablecloth and midnight flowers accented each table as the center pieces. The soft glow of the lights added to the nighttime mood, with a large, soft light resting on the ceiling to resemble the moon. On the stage, a band was playing soft, mellow music, their string and brass instruments polished and neat for the occasion. Behind them, a small booth sat, covered in a black cloth to hide what its purpose was.
Princess Luna saw the room and almost cried, surprised so much had been done, and whom the decorations were to represent. She nuzzled General Anthony as they made their way to the big table at the front of the hall. The two sat, close to each other and nuzzling, as the room filled with their guests. Everything was happening, food being eaten, conversations being had, and friends socializing, while the bride and groom lived in their own world.
It was not until the end of the main course that the cake made its appearance. It was a large cake, so as to feed those who attended and because it was a princess who was getting married. The two newlyweds went up and took the cake knife with their magic, cutting the first slice from the cake. They each got a slice, as they are the first to taste the cake. They fed each other a piece, both gazing at each other as they did so. Clapping erupted as they finished their first bites, castle servants coming by as the couple moved back to their seat.
The guest all ate, and the toasts to the bride and groom were then to take place, and it started with Shining Armor.
“Listen up everypony, I would like to make a toast, to the couple,” Shining Armor announced, the attention of the room shifting to him. “What can I say about these two that they haven’t said to each other? They are the toughest and most stubborn pair I have ever met, and I’ll more than likely be pulled into any disasters they happen to find through their marriage.”
There was a soft rumble rippling through the crowd, happy that the event was starting to gain some humor.
“But I’m happy for them, for they deserve each other. Congratulations, guys, you earned it,” Shining Armor said, sitting back down. Queen Scarlet was the next to stand, and just her standing commanded attention.
“I too, wish to toast the new couple, as I am a dear friend of the groom. It wasn’t very long ago that I first met Anthony, and it was the first time in a long while I had met somepony out in the wilds of the unexplored. I felt much sadness and sorrow in him, but beneath it, a love still beat on. At the time, I didn’t know who it was for, but as I got to know him, I learned who his heart belonged to. I’m happy to have performed the ceremony for him, and it is a step in the right direction for the relationship of ponies and changelings. These two are the reason for this peace, and I am happy to be called a friend.”
Everypony clapped, all happy for the couple. For a few seconds it seems that none were going to speak next, so General Anthony stood up. The room went silent, even the band stopping to allow him full attention.
“We would like to that you all for coming, it is wonderful to be around so many who support and wish us the best in life. We would not be together now, had it not been for Twilight Sparkle. She was the one who brought me here, and I have to thank you.
“Much has happened since my arrival here, but I would not trade it for anything. Both the good and the bad have shaped this world, for better or worse shall be determined as this age deals with the events. Luna and I shall assist in this, but it will ultimately be up to all of you to make this world better.
“Now, without further ado, enjoy the evening,” General Anthony said, the tables and chairs flying up and towards the far corner, the room darkening and a DJ stand erecting where the band had just been playing. Lights sprouted beside the stand and speakers grew from the base.
In a blast of smoke and gradually escalating music, Vinyl Scratch appeared on the stage behind the stand. The quiet, slow wedding reception turned into a loud and energetic dance club. The dresses and suits started to vanish from the attendees as they made their way to the dance floor.
Princess Luna and General Anthony made their way to the middle of the floor, as it was traditional for them to have the first dance. The electronic music disappeared as a slower song was placed on the disc. The music was peaceful as the two dance slowly with each other. Everypony watched and let the two live in their own world as the music, they two having vison for only each other.
They danced for the length of the song, only stopping when the music ended and kissing. Everyone cheered as the two left the floor, Vinyl getting back to work as the energetic DJ she was. The dancing and general partying was very different from the events of the past few months, of which the two were most glad for.
As the evening progressed, different ponies came up and congratulated the two. They mostly just smiled and thanked them, keeping to themselves for the most part. It wasn't until ponies started to leave that it was getting late, and the pair had not had time to rest since the day started. They sighed as the last guests who weren't staying in the castle finally left. Queen Scarlet was the first to talk to them.
"I hope you two had a good night, and I would wish you two a happy honey moon, but we need to get back to running a kingdom," Scarlet said, now less formal and more friendly.
"Wait a minute, you don't get to tell them that they can't go on a honey moon!" Rainbow Dash interrupted.
"Rainbow Dash, we appreciate the concern, but we have things that need to be done, and with my sister indisposed, it is up to Anthony and me to keep this kingdom strong. Besides, I'm due soon, and traveling would not be healthy," Luna explained.
Rainbow Dash huffed in protest, but she knew that once Princess Luna had agreed to something, she meant it. And she suspected that the two would rather have some time to rebuild than to watch as everything remained destroyed. Twilight had a slightly worried look on her face as she stepped up to vocalize her concern.
“Are you two sure you can handle this, the nation is still hurting and you'll have a child to raise at the same time?” Twilight asked.
“Twilight, if you want the truth, I have no idea what the hell I’m doing, but together, Luna and I will be just fine. Don’t you agree?” Anthony answered, turning to Luna at the end and placing a kiss on her lips.
“Absolutely, we might not have had the best start to our relationship, but we'll be sure to put everything we have into it,” Luna agreed, smiling at her new husband.
“And you'll have the full support of the Changeling Kingdom as merge with Equestria, building a Kingdom the size and strength never witnessed before,” Scarlet added. “I would love to stay and chat, but I have much paper work and troop organizations to do. See you two in the morning.”
“See you in the morning, Scarlet,” Anthony replied, nodding as the changeling queen flew off. Everypony else also said their goodbyes, the night extending and them all tired from the preparations from preparing for the wedding. Anthony and Luna both left, going to their room for a few hours of sleep before the lowering of the moon and raising of the sun.
That night, Anthony and Luna slept together as husband and wife, enjoying the feel of each other’s fur as they cuddled, protecting the swollen belly that contained their unborn child. The stars gleamed brightly, shining brighter than ever, all from the joy of the unity.