Canterlot Wedding. You know how it goes. But, have you ever wondered, just what would had happened if our heroines hadn't made it in time to stop Chrysalis from invading?
Canterlot Wedding. You know how it goes. Evil changeling queen impersonates the princess, takes control of the heroine's brother, conflict, betrayal, reunion, conflict resolution, wedding scene, the end. But this all begs the questions; what if Cadance and Twilight hadn't made it in time to stop Chrysalis from the wedding?
His head throbbed with pain, as if someone was grinding a knife on his brain. His legs nearly buckled and gave out beneath him as he tried to get up and stand. The whole room seemed to sway, so he shook his head to try to remove the blurriness. Several hooves from the bridesmaids reached out to steady him. The vibrations from the barrier cracking and letting in the hundreds of changelings still buzzed in their minds.
And all in the midst of it all, their queen stood before them. No longer in disguise of the alicorn Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, she stood tall in her holey, insectoid form. Her slitted pupils focused on the fallen ponies before her and her lips quirked up into a devilish smirk, revealing a set of sharp fangs that seemed to grow larger as she threw back her head in a cackle.
"Muhuhahaha! You little fools. Thinking you could defeat me? I had you played from the moment you stepped into Canterlot," came the metallic, buzzing tone of the figure where the appearance of his fiance once was. His eyes narrowed and he tried to lift his head up to look at her, but he thrust it back down as a way of fresh pain flowed over.
"W-what... have you... ngh," he nearly fell over, but managed to lift up his head enough to glare at her. "What have you done with Cadance?!"
"Oh calm yourself, dear husband. I simply sent her far, far away where she won't interfere with my plans. Same for your sister as well," she hissed.
"What have you done with her," Applejack cried out, throwing her legs up in anger while the others gasped in fear and shock. Chrysalis let out another laugh, her chest heaving with giggles.
"Me? Why I did nothing at all. I do recall that it was you who called Twilight out on her beliefs when it was really her who knew what was happening. She tried to warning, but you all were too caught up in your wedding plans to even think that she might have been right. I merely put her in a place where she no longer will feel betrayal from her so-called friends. Rather courteous of me in hind-sight."
Like the barrier that had broke just minutes ago, Shining and the rest of Twilight's friends felt something crack inside of their chests. The memories of what had happened just earlier that day resurfaced and they felt their hearts sink down with horror and guilt.
"You have to listen to me! I've got something to say! She's evil!"
"N-no," Shining whispered, his eyes growing wider and his head hurting more as the memories from just earlier that day began to come up.
"She's been horrible to my friends, she's obviously done something to her bridesmaids, and if that wasn't enough, I saw her put a spell on my brother that made his eyes go all..."
"No," he repeated.
"Because you're evil! Evil! And if I don't stop you, you're gonna ruin my brother's life!"
"I-I..."
"You want to know why my eyes went all...? Because ever since I started having to perform my protection spell, I've been getting terrible migraines. Cadance hasn't been casting spells on me. She's been using her magic to heal me!"
"I-I did..."
"And she decided to replace her bridesmaids because she found out the only reason they wanted to be in the wedding was so that they could meet Canterlot royalty! And if she hasn't been on her best behavior with your friends, it's because with me being so busy, she's had to make all the decisions about the wedding!"
"I was just trying to–"
"No. I-I did..."
"She's been completely stressed out because it's really important to her that our big day be perfect! Something that obviously wasn't important to you! Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and comfort my bride. And you can forget about being my best mare. In fact, if I were you, I wouldn't show up to the wedding at all."
"Twily," he screamed out, tears streaming down the sides of his face. His legs buckled, sending him down to the floor where he collapsed in a heap of massive sobs. Tears started to stream down the rest of the pony's faces as they felt the feeling of guilt wash over them. Chrysalis smirked and walked over to them.
"Ah, yes. The feeling of absolute guilt for what a pony has done. Betrayed the person that only had their best intentions at heart," she said. Her hoof slid under his chin and forced him to look up at her. "Pity you did not see the signs or even care to consider that your pathetic little sister's accusations were true, much less consider her feelings after you dismissed them and proceeded to directly make her heart break." She let his head drop before walking up the steps to the center front of the room. Her wings fluttered at a mad pace and she flew up into the air. "It's too late for all of you fools now. My changeling army has broken through and is infesting the city as we speak. First, we take Canterlot. And then, all of Equestria!"
"No. You won't," Celestia firmly said, stepping forward. Chrysalis landed and glared at the wet-eyed princess of the land. "You may have deceived all of us and caused me to betray my only student," Celestia threw her head forward and locked her horn with the queen's, "but I will correct this mistake!"
A bright yellow light glowed from the tip of her horn as she rose into the air. It gathered until it condensed into a white-yellow beam with several streak of light blue in it, directed right for the changeling queen. Chrysalis quickly reciprocated the spell, sending up a vibrant green beam right towards two beams met and fizzed with raw energy. Both alicorns applied more concentration to their magic, hoping that they might push the other's beam back and strike the other.
To Celestia's shock and horror, her magic began turning back as Chrysalis's power started overpowering her own. Just before it touched her horn, her eyes widened as the green light shone over her and she felt cold fear seep into her soul.
A flash burst where the beam hit and Celestia fell back onto the floor, limply falling onto her side as he horn smoked black and her crown clattered to the ground beside her. The bridesmaids and the other members of the audience gasped in horror, some coming over to help aid the downed princess of the sun. Shining just lay still on the ground, tears still streaming down his face over the guilt he was drowning in.
"Your majesty," the other ponies screamed, some coming over to stare at her while the bridesmaids took examination for any physical injuries. Chrysalis was stunned at her surprised, unexpected victory, but then she flew up into the air.
"Ah! Your love for Cadence is even stronger than I thought, Shining Armor! Consuming it has made me even more powerful than Celestia," she explained. A shudder passed through his body at her tone and words directed towards him. Then his body began to uncurl from the tight ball it was in. He slowly stretched out and placed his hooves firmly on the ground. His legs straightened out and he stood stoically on the floor, though his head was tilted down. Suddenly, he threw his head up, eyes narrowed angrily at the queen.
"You monster," he screamed up at her. "What have you've done with them?! Where my Cadence! Where's my younger sister!"
A door slammed open from right behind him and a strong voice called out, "I'm right here!"
Many pairs of eyes stared back towards the entrance where a purple unicorn stood proudly, with a disheveled pink alicorn by her side. The crowd gasped again, surprised to see that the real bride had returned.
"You! How did you escape the caves? I thought my bridesmaids would have stopped you," Chrysalis seethed angrily. The unicorn pawed at the ground and snorted furiously.
"It doesn't matter. You might have kept Cadence and I in the caves long enough to invade, but you will never succeed in taking over," she shouted as her horn grew aglow. Cadence copied the movement beside her and the two suddenly charged forward towards the queen.
"Twily! Cadence," Shining yelled, attempting to run over to them, but suddenly a green aura surrounded him and he found himself being pulled up by a external force and dragged back and up into the air, right beside the queen. The two halted in their tracks at the sight of him being held by Chrysalis' magic.
"One more step and I throw him out the window," she threatened, moving and levitating him right out one of the open, glass windows. The two gasped, but made several steps backwards. Shining squirmed against the powerful magic holding him.
"No! No! Twily! Cadence! Don't do it! I'm expendable," he yelled, but neither of them listened to him. Chrysalis's grin only grew wider as her two adversaries backed away from her. She suddenly gave a shrill screech and by her side instantly came forth two changelings. She made several clicks and whistles with her tongue and the two drones nodded, flying over towards Shining Armor and seizing both of his arms before Chrysalis let the magic around him drop, letting him drop to the floor inside but bound by two of her soldiers.
Once satisfied, she turned back to them. "You all might as well give up. Resistance is futile against me and my army. I've already seized control of Canterlot," she thrust her hoof to the side where changelings were swarming before towards inside again, "And beaten their only ruler."
Twilight's eyes swiftly turned and widened in horror at the sight of her beloved mentor sprawled out on the floor, unconscious and battered from the fight she had not witnessed. "Princess Celestia," she yelled and tried to rush over to her side, but several more changelings appeared out of nowhere and hindered her path. Some of them flew around and over the crowd, acting as a barrier for those who tried to escape. A few surrounded Twilight's friends, keeping them from means of escape too.
"Twilight," they screamed, trying to move past them, but were met with hissing and snarling. Her eyes widened in fear and she felt her heart race. Her hoof stomped the floor repeatedly as her nervousness flooded her body.
"Oh, look here. It appears our brave heroine and her little lackey are caught between a rock and a hard place. And here you thought you could come in here and stop me." Her fangs seemed to grow larger as her smile widened. "But it was all for naught. I've planned this day for many moons and have come up with every possible contingency in case a step fails. You were all played for fools the second you stepped into Canterlot."
"Isn't it just so heart-wrenching to know you've come so far, only to have your entire world shattered before you. It really is quite pitiful, seeing everything you've gained up in life be torn painfully and mercilessly from you," she snarled. Twilight's eyes widened in shock, but her eyelids suddenly came almost all the way down as she glared up at her.
"No. No! No, I haven't failed yet. Not today and certainly not now," Twilight shouted. Her horn suddenly became aglow as her magic flooded towards the tip. In an instant a bubble formed around her and Cadence and as it popped the two inside of it vanished. Chrysalis's slitted eyes darted through the throneroom, searching for the escaped adversaries. All of a sudden there was an woosh and another pop as another magic bubble formed and popped, revealing the two only beside Shining Armor. The two ponies bucked, their legs connecting with the changeling's face or bodies and sending them backwards from Shining Armor. Cadence hurried to embrace her now-freed fiance while Twilight prepared another teleportation spell. Chrysalis's horn lit up with green light again and she shot a beam towards her, missing when Twilight teleported before the beam struck the spot where she had been.
An enraged whinny escaped from the side of the room as Twilight appeared over. Her hooves madly shot out in all directions, connecting with the changeling's forms and thrusting them back with startled hisses and growls. Her horn lit up, magic condensing into a magenta beam that shot out and hit them back. Chrysalis let out a feral snarl and sent her beams out towards the unicorn fighting back her troops. Twilight dodged the queen's beams, instead sending her own drones back away from the ponies. As Chrysalis took a chance to regathered her magic, Twilight's head turned towards her and she got a good look at the unicorn's face. A mask of burning rage spread across the once placid unicorn. Her eyes were dilated and her irises appeared to have a reddish tint in them.
To everyone's shock and horror, Twilight suddenly reared and made a mad charge towards the queen. Her horn seemed to elongate and become more pointed as it glowed with a burning, magical energy aura. Chrysalis lowered her head down and lit up her horn, preparing to receive the blow. The aura around her horn grew larger and larger, sparks even flying off the hard, swirled surface. All of a sudden, she vanished again, sending Chrysalis's head briefly up to quickly scan around her for the incoming attacker.
A flash of magenta light suddenly appeared above her head. In an instant, Chrysalis' eyes grew even thinner then before and her mouth opened wide as the unicorn with the strong magic energy now surrounding her entire body fell directly towards her. Her wings fell limply in fear at the fierce unicorn streaming straight forward. Seconds seem to slow down, heart beating as each one passed. A second passed, then another, then another, then...
"Twily," Shining Armor screamed as his sister and the changeling queen started descending outside the window. Changeling warriors abandon their guard post to follow after their commander. Twilight's friends and Cadence screamed out her name as the two ponies plummeted at high-speeds through the changeling-infested air. Shining Armor stuck his head out the glass-shattered window, watching in pure horror as his younger sister fell freely without anything to slow her fall.
As the two descended, they still both tried to inflict injury on to the other. Chrysalis's wings wouldn't work at such high speeds, she would crater the ground when she landed, but at least her chitin armor would save her from mortal injury while her enemy's soft skin and brittle bones would crack and result in her dying instantly. Twilight's body was already covered in scratches and cuts form the broken shards of glass that fell down along with them, yet she ignored the pain and still kept trying to hit the queen.
All of a sudden, Chrysalis's legs had wrapped around her neck and clutched hard. Twilight's mouth opened as she was reduced to panting her breath while her enemy madly cackled.
"Don't you see it, you foolish pony? Canterlot is lost. Your beloved princess and mentor are lost. Your friends and family are done for. You have lost, I have won," she screeched in her ear. The buzzing of several of her drones nearby signaled that they were surrounding in and their horns were alight with energy ready to stab the one who attacked their queen. Twilight's eyes began to roll back in her head as the lack of consciousness started to affect her.
An explosion of changeling magic on one of the castle's towers nearby sent shockwaves streaming through the area. Suddenly, Twilight's eyes flew wide open, a gasp escaped her throat and her head flung back as the vibrations jolted her senses awake again. Her pupils suddenly flashed a white pink and spread out to the rest of her eyes. Her horn grew aglow, but the energy was more alive and sporadic. Her aura covered her entire body and Chrysalis's hooves quickly unwrapped as her legs began to vibrate with the energy too and bits if her chitin exoskeleton crumbled.
"No," she screamed once she realized what had happened. A beam shot out towards her, but the green energy was simply absorbed into the mass of untamed energy surrounding her for.
"No," she screeched again, firing more lazers at her. Her changelings added to the firing, but the beams simply bounce off or were absorbed from the falling unicorn. Her descent seemed to slow to just a few inches before her form became so bright with light and the changelings had to cover their faces with their hooves to avoid becoming blind. From within the glowing mass, a loud, stoic voice came through.
"I WILL PROTECT THEM ALL!"
Her body felt drained. The sounds of Chrysalis and her soldier's screams faded into the distance as the remaining pink burst of energy sent them far, far away to the badlands, away from where they could do any harm.
The aura suddenly disappeared. Her eyes began to roll back into her head. She felt ignited, yet the cool air streaming through her fur as she fell was a welcome feeling. She no longer had any strength left to be able to hold herself up with her levitation magic. Faintly in the distance as she grew closer to the cobblestone street below she could hear the screams of her dear friends, brother and her old foalsitter. A weak smile graced her lips as her eyes started to shut.
"They'll be fine now. They'll all go on to live happy, wonderful lives now that the danger has been averted. I... I only wish though that I... I could've... said... goodbye."
She let the blackness consume her vision as they round grew near. Her body prepared itself to crash against the ground. The last thing she recalled before the darkness consumed her was the vibrations as she impacted into something, yet it was much softer then the ground, and her name being called before numbness overtook her.
Her breathing was labored as her eyelids began to crack open. Her mouth felt dry with the aftertaste of several chemicals and the oxygen mask covering her face. The world spun around her, blurring the painfully white room she was in. Her limbs and head felt like lead as she struggled to get up on the soft hospital bed she had been placed on. She suddenly felt as if she lost breath as she felt something push her back down and call her name.
"Twily!"
Her eyes lazily looked to the side of the bed where a more pearlescent blur of white with several blotches of dark navy blue called out to her. Her mind was foggy and her her vocal cords felt paralyzed with her limbs, but she still recognized the figure.
"Shining," she thought.
A suddenly slam came as the door was thrust open and her eyes shut tightly in pain as the vibrations shot through her head. In an instant multiple voices were calling her and asking about her. She winced at all the overloud sounds that were assaulting her eardrums at this moment. The light was aggravating as well and she tried squinting past it until her pupils could accept it.
"Twily," he said again, taking her hoof into his and clenching it softly. She let out a huff of air, irritated that she was too weak to move her hoof tighter around his. Still, the fluttering of her eyelids and the short breath outtake was reassuring enough for him.
She winced as the vibrations of several footsteps started throbbing in her head. And lo, the rest of her friends, Spike, her parents, and, to her surprise, all three princesses came into the room. She shut her eyes tightly as the sounds scraped through her brain. When they finally subsided a little, she looked from behind the gas mask at the worried eyes and faces of her dearest friends and family. Cadance was right besides Shining. Her eyes were bloodshot, clearly from lack of sleep. Tears began flooding the corners of her eyes and wetting her eyelashes as she took her hoof from Shining's into hers. She managed a weak smile at her, just to reassure her new sister-in-law that she was okay.
Just then, she realized something. The wedding! The images of what happened came flooding towards her all at once. She tried to sit up, but her heavy limbs and the sudden pricking everywhere made her let out a scream of pain. Several nurses came in and forced her gently down back onto the gurney. An earth pony nurse gently soothed her back down while the two other unicorn nurse checked over the equipment and while another one cast a spell over her chest. She almost choked for a moment, but then relaxed as the soothing warmth of the healing magic flooded over her.
Cadance gently squeezed her hoof together and a few tears escaped down her cheeks. Twilight's eyes noticed a box of tissues beside the bed and she squeezed her eyes close in order to concentrate enough magic to bring one over to her. Instantly, another wave of pain flooded her senses, breaking her control on her power. Shining gripped her hoof tighter and used his opposite to stroke it.
"Twily. Please don't try to move or use magic. You took a lot of damage from the fight," Shining pleaded. His eyes suddenly widened with memory and he dipped his head and pressed his face on her hoof. His shoulders suddenly shook and his breathing became ragged. "I'm so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so sorry, L.S.B.F.F," he cried out. His voice was broken as he cried hot tears and begged her forgiveness. Spike and her parents explained to the others what it meant while her focus never left him.
"W-w," she tried to call out. Her vocal cords felt stuck, as if she had swallowed a tube of glue. He looked up past a veil of blurred tears at the sound of her voice.
"Wha," he whispered quietly.
"W-w-w," she tried again, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Wedding," Cadance asked. The tiny nod confirmed it. "Oh Twilight." A fresh set of tears came down her face. "You saved us from Chrysalis's plans. You saved all of Canterlot, maybe even Equestria. Your sacrifice saved us." She leaned in and gently cupped Twilight's face. "The wedding can wait. All that matters now is that you recover and rest so that you can get better," she let out a shaky breath and smiled warmly at her, "so you can be my best mare."
Twilight's eyes widened again as a feeling of hope came over her. Shining looked up and wiped away the tears wetting his face. He managed a smile and nodded. "Yes. We would love for you to be our best mare again." He sighed again and wiped more tears from his face. "It was something I should've never taken from you in the first place. I was a foolish, foalish, pathetic, idiotic, stupid, dumb-," he stopped when Cadance touched his shoulder, "stallion that had no right hurting you like that." He knelt down more by the side of the bed. "That's why I'm asking, no, begging for forgiveness and that I hope to mend our relationship again by letting you be my best mare at my wedding. When you get better though."
She took in his appearance. His eyes were bloodshot from the lack of sleep, much like everyone else, and from all the tears shed. His mane was messy from lack of attention. Dark bags hung under his eyes and his fur was dishevelled. The look on his face had her heart breaking with forgiveness and sympathy for him. He had hurt her, yes. He had verbally abused her right to her face, yes. He had broken their sibling trust and openly denied her help when he needed it most, but... he was her brother. Despite the Tartarus-awful things he had done to her before the sabotaged wedding, she couldn't be mad at him, or her friends for that matter.
She couldn't move much, but her hoof twitched in his. He stared at her face. It took a lot of effort, but the sides of her lips cracked up into a smile and her eyes twinkled with a look that spoke to him, "I forgive you, B.B.B.F.F."
He gave out a ragged breath of air and lurched towards her. Minding the many wires, tubes and bandages, he wrapped his hooves around her gently squeezed her in a firm embrace. She winced as he was a little tight around her aching ribs and she couldn't move her tied up limbs and to return the hug, but her head moved down just the littlest bit onto his head and her eyes dropped close as the warmth from his body flowed through her.
Her friends and family then came up to her, one by one. Her parents cried and presented her with get-well cards and flowers. Each one of her friends gave their own cards, flowers or little presents to apologize.
Applejack gave her a crate of apple juice, applesauce and some apple brown betties for her to eat when she was able to. The farm pony had taken off her stetson hat and apologized with her sincerest sorry.
Rainbow Dash handed her a well-done card of her with a picture filled with rainbows and lightning bolts and such, but with a certain, purple unicorn on a pedestal in the midst of it all. Rainbow also openly cried in front of her as she apologized, something she wouldn't normally do. She told her that she could punch in the face repeatedly to 'make it even' before going to sit down.
Fluttershy had wept right beside her. When the flow of tears had went down a bit, she presented a bouquet of wildflowers and lovely mobile with pink, glass butterflies. She practically screamed that she was sorry before sobbing on Rainbow Dash's shoulder, who, by the way, joined in on the crying.
Rarity had presented a fancy card with several gems, fabrics and designs worked into it. She had dabbed her eyes and blown her nose a few times into her embroidered handkerchief. After putting up some glittery bows on her cast and bandages, she had given her a firm Pinkie promise to redo her bridesmaid gown and make another one for her for special occasions.
Pinkie Pie was a sad sight. Her once bouncy, curled mane and tail fell limply down. She had presented her with several balloons, an extravagant card that even topped Rarity's, a huge gift basket with candy, games, toys and party favors, and lastly, a simple, lavender cake with the words "I'm sorry" scrawled on top with violet and fuchsia icing. She too joined in with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy by crying on Applejack's firm shoulder.
Spike was next. The look on the baby dragon's face sent her heart aching. He apologized profusely and begged her forgiveness. He then presented her with several short novels. After an explanation that he would come over and read them to her anytime she felt bored, he joined in on the group.
Shining and Cadence gave her a special book. A first-edition, mega-collector's edition of "Advanced Magic Spells", signed by none other than Starswirl the Bearded. Cadance also brought a bouquet of pink and red roses with a few lilies in a magenta vase, which she put alongside the others on the bedside table.
The princesses were last. Luna smiled softly at her and gave her a star. An actual star. The other ponies were amazed by the gently glowing sphere. It was small enough to fit in Twilight's hooves and Luna explained that it would grow bigger or smaller and brighter or dimmer if she wanted it to be just by willing it. A dear gift and a perfect, late-night, reading light.
Celestia. Her dear teacher and mentor Celestia. Ruler of the Day. Monarch of the Sun. Princess of Equestria. Regal, unwavering, benevolent, kind, pristine and all-powerful.
She looked like a wreck. She seriously looked worse then Shining Armor. Dark bags hung under her eyes and her face was stained with tears. Though Twilight knew not how, strands of her ethereal-flowing mane stuck out everywhere. The princess stood stoically, though the look on her face and her quivering form made her look as if she was to break down sobbing at any moment.
She said nothing at first. Her horn then glowed a light yellow and she lifted something up from her sun-enblazed saddlebags. A scroll came out and unfurled itself before her line of vision. She had to squint at the words, but once she read through it, she gasped.
It was one of the friendship letters she had and her friends had sent to the princess.
Dear Princess Celestia,
We're writin' to you because today we all learned a little somethin' about friendship.
We learned that you should take your friends' worries seriously.
Even if you don't think that she has anything to worry about.
And that you shouldn't let your worries turn a small problem...
...into an enormously huge entire-town-in-total-chaos Princess-has-to-come-and-save-the-day problem.
Signed, your loyal subjects.
Once she read through, she looked up and froze. Celestia's form was shaking with sobs that escaped the alicorn's throat. Tears fell in rivers down the sun goddess's face before dripping off her chin and landing with loud plinks on the floor. Her pained magenta eyes focused on her, filled to the brim with sorrow and guilt.
"Please forgive me, dear student," she choked out between sobs. "I-I have failed you," she whispered before fleeing the room and down the hall crying, followed by her sister in pursuit. She started as she left. Her mouth opened the tiniest bit, to try and call after her. She suddenly realized that her mouth stretched out all the way open without her wanting it to go and her eyes fluttered shut as she let something out from her voice.
A yawn.
She looked over to her intent audience of ponies and a baby dragon. She blushed and, much to her annoyance, let out another yawn. Just then, the doctor, a tan, male unicorn, came in and asked the party kindly to leave to allow her to receive some sleep. After several protests and some minor threats, he succeeded in escorting them all out, but not before the majority of the group apologized one last time and promising to come visit her when she awoke.
The light switch had magically been switched off, leaving her alone in the darkness. Her eyes fell to the star Luna had given her, glowing dimly on the bedside table. Staring at it, she wished it would lift up. The star heeded her silent command. It slowly floated up and came to a halt in the middle of Fluttershy's mobile that she had hung on the ceiling. The pink, glass butterflies gently swayed as the star came in the midst of them and, as the star grew just the tiniest bit brighter, the light shone through their translucent, colored wings, sending an array of light speckles on the walls, ceiling and bed.
She admired the small light show for a few minutes more, before her eyes began to feel heavy with sleep. Gently fluttering them close, she let her body began to drift and she entered the land of sleep.
"You sure you want me to do this sister," Luna asked. The two regal alicorn sisters were alone in Celestia's private study. Celestia had stripped off her royal regalia and now lay in bed with Luna standing right at the foot. She would still be awake for the night to guard it, but matters between siblings came first.
"You know as well as I do that you are the only one to access the realm of dreams, dear sister." She sighed and look guilty towards the floor. "And you are well aware that I will not feel any redemption of my guilt until I have received her forgiveness."
The princess of the night sighed and nodded. The guilt of becoming Nightmare Moon, though had faded and was just a dim memory inside her now, it still came up every once in awhile to haunt her. Guilt was a feeling she knew all too well.
Celestia's eyes fluttered close and soon her breathing became steady. Luna waited until she sensed her sister was fully asleep before she lit up her horn in white light. A thin, smooth tentacle extended from the tip and slowly snaked down to Celestia's face. It touched her forehead and connected Celestia's mind to Luna's magic as the younger alicorn sent her sister's subconsciousness to the realm of dreams.
Celestia followed the path of clustered stars, guided by a gentle glowing light. Eventually, she came across a set of doors on either side of the path. The orb of light kept flying down the way, so she continued following it. Eventually, the orb stopped in front of a door. On further examination, she saw that Twilight Sparkle's cutie mark had been engraved on it. The orb pulsed a few times before dissipating into nothingness. Luna had left her on her own now,
Hesitantly, she reached out and touched the doorknob. A chill spread up her spine as she gently turned the cold metal. She took a deep breath before she pushed the door open and walked into the light.
When she opened her eyes, she saw a strange sight come into mind. It was a dark cavern with the only light coming from several cracks and holes in the ceiling. As she walked down the smooth path, she realized she was walking on crystal. She saw gleaming and sparkling from all angles. And suddenly, she realized what this place was.
A couple hundred years ago, an earthquake had opened a hole in Canterlot. Several brave ponies who had decided to investigate the hole further had stumbled upon a cavern of naturally growing crystals beneath the city. It was only a matter of time that greed had taken root into their hearts and many had tried to claim and collect the gems that grew underneath in order to gain wealth. Word about it got out, fights and stake claims broke out, and if she hadn't intervened then perhaps there wouldn't even be a Canterlot anymore. The hole was sealed up, the whereabouts hidden or destroyed and the crystal cavern soon fell out of memory.
She flinched as the white, glowing orb suddenly appeared before her face again. She narrowed her eyes to glare at her sister's doing before it pulsed and flew over around the corner. Knowing better then to quarrel with her sister's power, she galloped after it.
Rounding the corner, she was met with an unnerving, horrifying sight. Twilight Sparkle was standing on a crystal platform, legs spread apart, horn aglow and head lowered in a defensive, protective position. Princess Cadance laid unconscious right underneath her, and surrounding the both of them was hoards and hoards of changelings.
Twilight fired beams upon beams of magic at them, knocking them back to defend the both of them. But the insectoid equines kept approaching, licking their lips hungrily with the prospect of fresh love to suck from their bodies until they were nothing more the emotionless, shriveled husks. Still, even as her energy drained her muscles drew fatigued and sweat poured in bucket loads down her body, she kept firing.
All of a sudden, a changeling, clad in a blue helmet and breastplate, flew up and began charging straight down at them. Their horn drew aglow with green energy, forming around his head and body like a green blade. Twilight's eyes fluttered close as she no longer had the strength to repel them. Just as the changeling was about to reach her head, a sudden burst of light shot him back. A huge burst of energy appeared around them and expanded further, throwing back all of the changeling down the dark tunnels of the cave.
Twilight threw her head back up to Celestia, gazing in awe at her mentor as she flew down before her. In an instant, the crystal cavern began melting away. The glittering gems turned into orbs of light and soon clustered to the floor to form the starry path beneath them. Twilight watched in awe at the fantastic scene, only to realize Cadance was no longer beneath her, or anywhere for that matter. However Celestia was before her.
"She is just a figment of your imagination Twilight Sparkle. You are in the realm of dreams now," she explained. The unicorn looked puzzled before her.
"The realm of dreams? As in the dimension where ponies allow their minds to wander and take place in the form of imagination and/or memories" she asked. Celestia nodded. Her eyes widened in startled surprise before she stared confusedly at her. "Wait. If this is the realm of dreams, then aren't you a figment of my imagination too, just like Cadance?"
Celestia looked surprised at the sudden question. She then threw up her head a bit and a soft, tinkling laugh came up from her throat. "I suppose, in a way, yes," she replied. "However, my sister has ways of projecting the subconsciouses of others in a way that they may communicate with one another, even when asleep."
Twilight's eyes grew wide with surprise, but then softened with curiosity and wonder. "That's amazing. I must read about it when I get the time. I also might want to ask her about it as well." Celestia nodded before her expression grew more stoic.
"Luna also saved you mid-flight," she said before sighing deeply in relief. "Bless her heart."
"Oh," Twilight said surprised. "I didn't know. I'll have to get her a thank you card when I get the chance as well." A silence then came between the two ponies. Twilight awkwardly rubbed her front legs before speaking.
"Chrysalis had me and Cadance locked in the crystal caverns before the wedding," she explained. Celestia nodded.
"Cadance told me," she replied.
"Oh," Twilight said again as she looked down at her hooves.
"She also told me the major role you had in helping her escape that place," Celestia continued. Twilight's head slowly rose and she gave a small smile.
"Yeah," she whispered back.
Twilight flinched suddenly as she looked up an saw her mentor come before her. To her astonishment, she saw the great goddess of the sun bow down before her, coming down to her level and dipping her head solemnly in shame and repentance.
"Twilight Sparkle, my most faithful student," she began, "not more then a week ago, I dismissed your worries for your brother's safety. I completely disregarded the first lesson you and your friends ever wrote together to me. I walked down a path of ignorance and disgust for your actions, only to find that mine nearly cost us Canterlot and possibly Equestria."
Her eyes looked up at Twilight's, sparkling with unshed tears. "That is why I bow down before you, ashamed of what my actions have wrought. I caused you and a whole city of ponies suffering because I chose to follow the other's beliefs and make them my own without examining the possibilities of the actual truth." Tears poured down the sides of her face like rushing rivers as she continued and bowed her head even lower. "Now, I, Princess Celestia, your failed mentor, bow before you, begging you for your forgiveness on the conduct of my actions."
Twilight Sparkle stood shocked before her princes, teacher and idol, now reduced to a pony guilt-wracked and pained of her past mistakes. She stared at her mentor for a moment longer before finding just the right words in her heart to say to her.
"Dear Princess Celestia," she started slowly, making the princess's head look up at her in shock and surprise, "Almost a week ago I learned to trust my instincts and to do what I feel in my heart is right."
She paused for a moment, looking down at Celestia's grief-stricken face before continuing. "But today I learned that holding onto the past is never something you should do. Looking back onto past mistakes and not choosing to move on and learn from them to do better is dangerous, but also is not letting go of grudges. Friendships are beautiful things, but fragile as well. Forgiveness and mercy are two beautiful things too, though neither of them always comes so easily. And yet-," she looked down and smiled at the alicorn princess, "they help mend broken hearts and soothe soul aching for repentance. Today I learned that showing mercy and forgiveness towards other not only mends their hearts and friendships, but it also help the pony giving it feel better too. And that is why, friendships rely on forgiveness, for it not only helps the pony suffering from guilt, but also helps the pony giving it feel better as well."
The unicorn then leaned down and made full eye contact with her teacher. "I'm sorry too," she whispered quietly. Celestia's head rose back and her mane almost poofed out in surprise like Pinkie Pie's.
"What?! What for," the surprised alicorn almost shouted. Twilight sighed and gave a small smile at her teacher.
"For acting poorly before you and the others. I should've gathered more proof of the the truth and acted in a more civilized, discrete manner then acting aggressively and selfishly before you, my brother and the others." Her grinned grew wider till it threatened to split her face. "So that is why, I, Twilight Sparkle, your most faithful students, ask you, Princess Celestia, for your forgiveness on the conduct of my actions."
Both mares stared at each other, just looking at one another in silence. All of a sudden, Celestia's lips pursed together and her cheeks puffed out like a fish. Finally, she let out a giggle. Then another giggle. Then another. Celestia could no longer keep in her laughter and let out a hearty guffaw. Twilight joined in and together, the two mares hugged, each while laughing their heads off. In their hearts, the guilt and sorrow had been erased as their friendship mended.
In Celestia's bedroom, Luna still kept the spell going. She would soon put it down so that the two mares could let their psyches rest for the night and so Twilight could recover more.
As she slowly lowered the spell after a few more minutes, her mind went to ponder what the two had said to each other in the realm of dreams. Mercy and forgiveness help mend friendships. A smile crossed her face as she felt comforted by these thoughts and wise words. She finally cut off her connection with Celestia, letting her older sister rest for the night. She took one last look over her sister's now smiling face before she opened the window to her room, spread out her wings and took to the night sky.
In Canterlot hospital, a slumbering unicorn had the same expression as she slumbered peacefully and had sweet, pain-free dreams for the rest of the night.
The throne room had been repaired and redecorated since the last event. New decorations, courtesy of Pinkie Pie, had been put up and the whole room looked spectacular. Everything was arranged just perfectly, thanks to Twilight Sparkle, and the whole event could go on again. The guests had been re-invited and thankfully most of them came, even after what happened the last time. While Fluttershy stood some parts away from the other ponies to conduct the birds when the bride came, the other four stood right on the left of the altar as the bridesmaid. Their dresses had been cleaned and fixed after last time and each of them stood patiently on the stairs.
Twilight Sparkle stood much closer to her big brother. Most of the bandages had been removed and she could stand up straight. All but two bandages still remained. One was wrapped around her horn over the healing crack that had broken when the burst of magic had exploded in the fight. The other was around her midsection where her ribs were still healing after being dropped onto Luna's back. Of course, Rarity had redesigned the dress and did her makeup and hair in a style that covered up her injuries.
Her hair was done in curls like before, one going a bit higher to conceal the white cloth. Her headband was still flowers, yet they had been exchanged for a light pink one with magenta and gold flowers with small accents of teal. A pair of magenta, star earring were clasped onto her ears. Her dress had been changed too, now sporting a more airy look with a lovely magenta cloak that swept out from behind her and covered in a sparkly, lighter pink veil with shiny gold swirls. A gold sash was tied lightly around her torso, ending in a small bow on her back. The front had the same design as before, but it was more elaborate with a pink strip replacing the aqua one and the star had been made to look like the main star on her cutie mark with smaller, white fabric stars extending around it.
Shining Armor's eyes watched the door, but occasionally went to watch his mare of honor. She suddenly frowned at a detail and he watched as he straightened his pendent with her hoof, since her magic wasn't strong enough to cast spells just yet. He gave a grateful smile at her before focusing back to the entrance.
The drum started beating and Fluttershy's chorus of birds then began singing. All eyes went to the door as the royal guards opened it with their magic. The CMC flower girls hopped along the carpet, swishing their baskets back and forth to let the petal drop as the bride walked forth. Her dress had been redesigned as well, now with gold accented ruffles, a gold peytral with a gold rose on it, with gold and white roses creating the veil piece. A bright pink bow with a little pearl on it was in the back before the train. The train itself was lifted up by birds, another act by Fluttershy.
As the bride grew close to the altar, Twilight quickly nudged and whispered to her brother, "Seriously, though. I get why the queen of the changelings wanted to be with you, but how did you get someone as amazing as Cadance to marry you?"
He smiled widely at her and replied, "I told her she wouldn't just be gaining a husband. She'd be getting a pretty great sister, too." Twilight gave a grateful, happy expression towards him before turning back to her not-to-far-future sister-in-law. Cadance came up to the top of the steps and smiled at him. They then both turned to the top where Celestia was there, ready to join them in matrimony. Luna and several of the royal guards stood nearby, to give the couple their blessing and also be on extra guard, just in case.
"Mares and gentlecolts," Celestia proudly announced, "we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of the real Princess Mi Amore Cadenza–"
"Princess Cadance is fine," she quickly interrupted. Celestia nodded and continued.
"The union of Princess Cadance and Shining Armor. The strength of their commitment is clear. The power of their love, undeniable. The bonds of loyalty between then and their families," she winked at Twilight, "unbreakable." She then turned over to Spike, the ringbearer. "May we have the rings, please?"
Spike proudly lifted up the tasseled, royal purple cushion with the two gold rings laying daintily on top. They glowed as a yellow, magic aura surrounded them and lifted up into the air. The rings finally set on each of the two's horns, signifying their marriage.
"Princess Cadance and Shining Armor. I now pronounce you mare and colt!"
The newlyweds then walked out to the balcony, greeted with a shower of confetti as the crowd of hundreds of ponies cried out and cheered for them in the castle gardens below. They waved to all the ponies as the light shone down from the heavens and graced the two with the blessing of a long, happy marriage.
Inside, as the ponies watched, Celestia came over and gently tapped Twilight on her shoulder, making the unicorn look up at her. "This is your day as much as theirs. You were victorious in saving Equestria. Though I wish that we in the past didn't treat you as horribly as it did, we're eternally grateful for you persisting in the face of doubt, and that your actions led to your being able to bring the real Princess Cadance back to us. Learning to trust your instincts is a valuable lesson to learn," she then leaned in and whispered, "And so is learning to be concern for your friend's worries," he added with a blush.
Twilight nodded and giggled before continuing to watch her brother and sister-in-law on the balcony. As they came in for a kiss, Celestia leaned in close to rainbow-haired pegasus. "Rainbow Dash. That's your cue," she quickly reminded.
The pegasus quickly shed her formal attire and streamed out the window. She rushed up in the atmosphere, diving swiftly down and the jetting straight up over the castle till a sonic boom blasted from behind her, shedding out rainbow colored ray as it did. A rainbow trailed across the sky and glittered in the sunlight, shedding its beauty for all the world and symbolically wishing the newlyweds a loving marriage.
When the reception happened, it was already starting to get dark. All the bride and groom's closest friends and family had attended and were now celebrating in the garden. Luna's starry sky had come out and, to present her gift she had two new stars put up side by side, one with a light pink aura and the other light blue.
As the couple had its first dance, the party began, lead on by Pinkie Pie and DJ-PON3. Luna came on down and began chatting on with her sister and a few of the guests. Many other ponies were talking, dancing or taking in part of the food and festivities.
Twilight stood alone from the groups, allowing herself to take the time of being isolated for a while from the action. Her eyes fell upon the entirety of the wedding reception. A smile graced her lips as she watched the ponies enjoy themselves in the joyous atmosphere. She let out a content sigh as a light breeze ruffled her fur. Her heart felt at peace and she was very happy.
Her brother had finally married and she had gained an amazing, wonderful sister-in-law. Her friends no longer felt any more guilt for their actions. She had made amends with her mentor and there was no longer a threat in Equestria at the moment. She had healed up for the most part and she would tomorrow return back home and partake in her normal routine.
She heard a small shriek behind her and she closed her eyes, shaking her head softly. The splat and loud chewing from behind her indicated that Pinkie Pie was indulging herself in the wedding cake. She turned around and made her way over to the buffet table. She was hungry and she knew if she didn't hurry their would be no cake, or even food, left.
Fireworks and sparklers came off in the background, illuminating the night sky even more. The sparks twinkled against the stars as they fell and faded, signifying the day's end and putting to end the wedding as the newlyweds climbed intro their honeymoon carriage. Equestria was a land filled with mystery and revelation, pain and kindness, trust and deception, magic and negativity. But what kept the land and the ponies united would continue all throughout the night and far into the future.
