Ebony and Ivory: Next Generation.

It didn’t take long for news to spread across Ponyville of Harmony’s engagement. It had only been a couple of days since she told her family but it was the buzz of the town. Everywhere she went people congratulated her, wished her well and gave good tidings. Many even offered to help with the preparations Harmony turned them down of course, but they left the offer open to call upon them if she needed anything. She was currently making her way to Princess Twilight’s castle. Today was to be an amazing day today was going to be a big get-together at the castle with everyone.Including Princess Cadance, Shining Armor, Gallant Shield Princess Luna, Lucky and of course Princess Celestia, Discord and Pan. It would be the first they would see each other since the proposal. The butterflies in her stomach had it in a vice grip. She knocked on the crystal door and was answered by none other than Twilight herself. The dark-skinned princess greeted her with a big smile.

“Harmony! Come in we have everything set.” She said leading her to the massive dining hall and the moment she entered she was met by a barrage of confetti and a hail of streamers. Harmony was stunned at first but when she saw the pair behind the attack she couldn’t help but giggle. It was none other than Ponyville’s best party girl, Pinkie Pie and her daughter Starchaser with matching Party Cannons. “Congratulations!” Starchaser shouted as Pinkie blew a party favor at Harmony’s face. Harmony kept laughing at their goofy antics she loved it when Starchaser and Pinkie were like this.

Starchaser looked exactly like what you think a fusion of the her mother’s would look. She had Pinkie Pie’s pink hair with a streak of blue. She inherited her birth mother’s dark skin and Pinkie Pie’s bright blue eyes. She was the second shortest of their group of friends still being a couple of inches taller than Harmony.

“Ease off you two, lot of people are gonna wanna congratulate her. Don’t get her all flustered right off the bat.” A familiar southern voice a from behind the two. It was Applejack with her wife Rarity and daughter Apple Syrup at her side. Rarity rushed past Pinkie and Starchaser and pulled Harmony into a hug.

“Ooooh congrats darling.” She squealed smothering the little girl. “When you're ready come to my boutique and we’ll get you and your bridesmaid dresses all sorted out. Oh, and don’t worry about money, my treat. Speaking of bridesmaids have you decided on who yours will be?” She asked breaking the hug and walking back over to Applejack her arms still around Harmony.

Apple Syrup had wavy purple hair like Rarity’s but she had Apple Jacks complexion, freckles and all. She was the only one of her friends to have dual toned eyes with the outer of her iris being sapphire blue and the inner ring emerald green. She was just an inch or two taller than Starchaser. Despite her small stature she was incredibly strong. Almost as strong as her older and much larger cousin Bing Cherry.

“Oh, well um, I was kind of hoping everyone could be a bridesmaid: Apple Syrup, Windy Belle,Starchaser, Radiance and Lucky, is that alright?” She asked looking around nervously.

“Why of course darling. It is your wedding after all I was just asking for supply purposes. So you have your bridesmaids but what about your maid of honor?” She asked.

“Oh well, I haven’t actually decided that, is that okay?” she asked timidly starting to worry. Only now did it begin to hit her how many choices she was going to make. What if she made the wrong one? What if she upsets any of her friends for not picking them? Being astute as ever Applejack noticed her rising fears and pulled her away from Rarity’s grasp.

“What did ah just say Rarity?” Applejack said putting herself between Harmony and Rarity. Rarity placed her hands on her hips and gave a slight “hmph.” Turning her head as she did.

“Well these are important questions, Applejack.” She retorted.

“Ah know but it’s not like she’s gettin’ hitched tomorrow.” Applejack responded. “It’s gonna be awhile ‘till yer special day so take yer time no need to sweat.” She said giving Harmony a reassuring squeeze.

“Yeah and as for the maid of honor thing pick whoever you want no one is going to be mad. Okay.” said Apple Syrup placing her hand on her best friend’s shoulder.

“Oh, okay. Well then I was thinking of it being Windy Belle.” She replied.

With the same dramatic flair of Rarity she drew a large gasp putting a hand to her chest. She stepped backwards her eyes wide in shock. “What? but I thought I was your best friend?!” She cried in a feigned offended tone. Applejack rolled her eyes at her daughter clearly she had been spending too much time with Rarity. Rarity on the other hand was silently applauding her daughter’s performance.

The joke however was lost on Harmony as her face went pale. Thinking that she had actually upset her. “Oh, Apple if it really means that much to you. You can be it just don’t be mad.” She cried panic rising in her chest.

Apple Syrup, realizing her mistake, quickly recovered. “No, no, no, no. I’m kidding, I’m kidding, I’m kidding, I’m kidding, I’m kidding!” She said waving her hands frantically trying to calm her friend down. “I had a feeling you were going to pick her anyway please calm down. It was just a dumb joke.” She said. Harmony coming to realization it was just a little joke blushed at her overreaction.

“Oh, sorry.” she whispered smiling sheepishly.

It was at that moment Windy Belle flew over to them from the table were the rest of her family was seated. “What’s with all the crying about?” Windy Belle asked landing next to them.

“Oh, it was just a dumb joke. Speaking of which Harmony has something to ask you.” Apple Syrup responded and quickly putting Harmony between her and Windy Belle.

“Oh well Ms. Rarity was asking about bridesmaids and maids of honor and I was hoping that you would be my maid of honor. If that’s okay of course.” She said. Windy Belle was speechless for some reason being asked to be maid of honor never crossed her mind. She was certain she would ask Apple Syrup as the two were practically sisters.

Windy Belle came back to reality with a quick shake of her head. “I would be honored Harmony and I’d love to.” She responded pulling Harmony into a hug. “I love you lil sis.” She whispered.

“Love you too big sis.” She responded.

“Alright, if ya’ll are done let’s get settled before the princesses arrive. Besides I think there are some other people that want to see you Harmony.” She said gesturing towards Agate Quartz and Bing Cherry. Harmony nodded and made her way over to them.

Agate Quartz was adopted by Spike after hatching him from an egg. Like Spike Agate was an earth type draconians with no wings. Agate had chocolate like skin.. Agate’s hair was spiked up and the color of blood. Having a bit of dragon blood in him his eyes were slitted with golden iris’s.

Bing was the spitting image of his father he had his green eyes, was tall, quiet and big. All that size was pure muscle from working on the farm most of his life he was undoubtedly the strongest of the people she knew. He was probably even stronger than his father. The only thing he shared in the looks department with his mother would in his hair. Long and flowing it was a mix of red and yellow like autumn atop his head.

The congratulations from the boys were short and sweet but to the point. The two draconians each gave her a thumbs up and expressed how happy they were for her.

“Congrats, hope you two are happy together.” Bing said his father adding to his son’s sentiments with a “Eeyup.” Cheerilee rolled her eyes at all of them before pulling Harmony aside to talk to her privately to giver her some advice about marriage.

Several minutes passed and everyone was seated when they heard a knock at the door. “I’ll get it.” Twilight said jumping up from her seat and rushing to the door. Harmony sprang from her chair and stood there waiting for what seemed like an eternity for Pan’s face to come through that doorway. Finally, he appeared through the doorway.

Pan definitely took after his father more than his mother. Two horns sprouted from the top of his head with a wavy black mohawk between them. At his back were two green leather wings and his eyes were the same as Discord’s: red iris’s surrounded by a sea of yellow. Standing at a whopping 6 foot and 8 inches he was the tallest in their group of friends and towered the 4 foot 8 girl. She didn’t mind though she enjoyed his height. Harmony sprinted over and jumped into his arms. Pan embraced his fiance and spun her around before lifting her up to his eye level and pulling her into deep kiss. Harmony threw her arms around his neck and pressed further into him. When they parted they were breathless gazing into each other’s eyes.

“Jeez, you two it’s only been a couple of days.” Commented Celestia coming up from behind Pan. “It’s not your honeymoon yet.” She said winking at them.

“Oh Princess Celestia it’s good to see you again.” She said as Pan released her and she met her soon to be mother-in-law. She stood there awkwardly for a second wondering exactly how to approach her. Celestia made it clear when the two started dating that she didn’t want any formality between the two. No curtsies , bowing, or kneeling none of that. But she was still a princess. Celestia was the first to answer cupping her hands around Harmony’s face.

“It’s good to see you Harmony. I am absolutely thrilled to have you as my daughter-in-law.” She said rubbing her cheeks with her thumb. Celestia then pulled the small girl into her bosom in light but warm embrace. “Oh and don’t listen to anything Discord says. On the way over here he had the “brilliant” idea to prank you by making it appear we didn’t approve of this union. I was against it but he may go through with it just ignore him if he starts acting like an idiot. It’s what I always do” She said giving Harmony a little wink.

“Come on now Celly I was only joking.” Cried Discord coming up from behind with Radiance at his side. Harmony could just see Luna and Lucky behind him and bringing up the rear was Shining Armor, Gallant Shield and Princess Cadance still chatting with Twilight.

Radiance in contrast to her brother took more after Celestia. Flawless light skin, long golden hair and bright pink eyes she was incredibly beautiful. Ga

Radiance pushed her way past the group and tore Harmony away from her mother wrapping her in a much more friendly and tighter hug. “Oh, you have no idea how happy I am that you two are finally getting hitched. I’ve always wanted a sister.” She squealed jumping up and down in joy. “We are going to have so much fun.” She sighed before releasing Harmony.

“I feel the same way Radiance I can’t wait to spend more time with you at Canterlot.” Harmony responded throwing her a sweet smile. Radiance returned the gesture before making her way through the crowd to see everyone else, especially Bing.

Lucky was the next to approach her taking. Timidly and with more care than when handling a butterfly she took took Harmony’s hands in hers. Lucky, despite being adopted by Luna, looked a lot like the lunar princess. She too had a pale skin tone. She had midnight blue hair with white and frost blue streaks that contrasted perfectly with her piercing yellow eyes. Being part Griffin two dark blue wings sprouted from her back and her nails were sharp like claws

“Hey Harmony. I just wanted to say congrats and I hope this means we’ll get to see more of each other.” She said quieter than a mouse and a small smile. Harmony smiled back and gave her hands a fond squeeze.

“I hope so too. I would love to maybe make a garden with you.” She said. Lucky nodded in response before letting go of her hands for Princess Luna meet her next.

“Most happy tidings Harmony I am filled with incredible joy at the thought of your matrimony, and I would love it if you two created a new garden I’m sure it would be lovely.” She said smiling at her and giving  a quick hug before going over to the rest of the group with Lucky. As she watched the two depart and everyone greet each other she was blindsided by a vicious hug by Princess Cadance. Lifting her off the ground in a binding embrace almost choking the poor girl Cadance squealed like a child.

“Harmony I am so happy for you and Aunt Celestia and I are going to make sure everything goes perfectly for your special day. Hopefully it goes better than mine did.” She joked making her husband cough uncomfortably.

“A little too soon to be joking about that don’t you think, Cadance?” He asked awkwardly.

“Too soon? It’s been decades surely we can joke about it now.” She responded.

“I don’t know can we ever really joke about an almost invasion of our home?” Gallant Shield asked. Cadance rolled her eyes.

Gallant Shield seemed to take equal parts from both of his parents genetics. He had his father’s hair color but in a lighter shade of blue. Like his father he was well built with a broad chest, thick neck and confident face. The face of a leader. He also had, however, his mother’s beauty. His hair was long and wavy tied up in a ponytail and he had bright beautiful purple eyes.

“You two are just sensitive babies it’s fine. There’s gonna be a lot of work preparing for this but that can wait today just relax with family and friends.” She said finally letting go of her allowing Harmony to take some refreshing breaths of fresh air.

“Thank you Princess Cadance I would really appreciate the help.” She said. Cadance nodded in acknowledgement and walked over to the others with Shining in tow giving her a pat on the shoulder as he passed.

“Yeah, like she said congrats Harmony.” Gallant Shield said giving her firm squeeze on the shoulder and a friendly smile and then following his parents. Now free of guests she turned her attention back to the dining hall. An entire room filled with loved ones that cared for her and ready to help. She felt truly blessed to have so many friends. ‘Planning a wedding will be hard but with them it will be a blast.’ She thought.

“Hey sweetie can I talk to you for a second.” She heard Pan call beckoning her to come over to him. Harmony nodded and walked over to her fiance. “So about the wedding I’m really sorry about this but the nobility will have a fit if it’s anywhere other than Canterlot. I tried to convince them that it was your choice and that you would want a smaller engagement but you know how stubborn they can be. So do you mind if it’s in Canterlot? It will probably be really big just to let you know.” He said rubbing the back of his head ashamedly. He knew that Harmony didn’t like being the center of attention but being a prince had it’s prices.

“Oh Pan I don’t mind. I don’t care where it is as long as I’m with you everything is fine.” She responded taking his hand in hers and squeezing it. Pan smiled at her before leaning in for a kiss. Harmony was more than happy to oblige their lips meeting once more. ‘As long as I have you everything will be perfect.’ she thought savoring the kiss.