~Monday~
April 11th, 1 S.R.
Canterlot Royal Palace

The day after the shield's summoning over the city, Celestia stood on top of a tower, alongside none other than a disgruntled and pleading 'Cadance'. The younger princess was trying to coerce her superior into having the wedding rescheduled for the upcoming weekend. Despite coming off as unusually to the princess, she continued to press on with her proposal.

"Princess, I think that it would be best to schedule the wedding on an earlier date."

Celestia, who was currently looking through a spyglass for any signs of trouble, grew concerned of the timing of her request. "Cadance, I understand you wanting to marry him, but must you rush this?"

"I've waited for far too long! And I want to be to at least see my husband off for when he leaves for battle."

"I understand. But if we were to set up a wedding, what's to say that we wouldn't be attacked?"

Celestia tilted her spyglass to another direction, confirming that the area she previously scouted out was clear of activity. But upon her looking for another point of interest, she found an unusual pink blur obstructing her view. Removing herself from the scope, she saw that the younger princess blocked the view, flying over the edge of the balcony. "Please, auntie! I love him! I won't send him off without sharing our vowels with each other."

"Once again, I don't think that a wedding can be thrown together in such a short notice."

"Auntie. Please." 'Cadance' persisted, giving her adoptive family member a quivering set of lips and widened eyes that shimmered with a slight whimper.

It was one of the few things that Celestia could rarely say no to in any given situation. She always surrendered to Cadance when she saw that there was something that she really wanted and would work hard to get. And the puppy-dog eyes were of no help to her resistance factor. With a sigh, she finally surrendered. "Well... I suppose that the citizens will need something to celebrate in this dark time."

"Yes! Oh thank you! Thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou!" The pink mare shouted as she nearly crushed the older mare with her own physical strength.

"You're welcome! Goodness, I never thought you would be so excited."

'Cadance' held on to the princess as she gave a sinister glare to her aunt, taking pleasure that her plans to speed things up a bit was going by the book. "Oh you have no idea!"

"But there is a matter of your wedding plans."

"What?" Asked the pink mare as she released Celestia from the vice-like embrace.

"You don't have a planner, nor a caterer, musician or seamstress."

The news of the lack of planners and staff drew worry from the younger mare. "Oh... right."

"Luckily, I have just the group of ponies who can work very well with each other."

'Cadance' felt relieved that her situation was so simply resolved. If there was anything that had it's advantages, it was being kin to royalty. Now the wedding could take place within a week's time, possibly even shorter. "Wonderful. How soon will they be here?"

Celestia returned her attention to the spyglass on the balcony. Looking to a small town to the south of the city. "Tomorrow. They should be getting their letter in the mail today. And I am more than sure that you will be excited for who will also be joining you."

Ponyville

Spike ran furiously as he struggled to keep the letter within his body. A letter of the utmost importance was stored in his magical flames and he also carried yet another curled around his tail. Jumping over creeks and rivers, he finally found the recipient of the letter alongside her five friends, all of them having a picnic together.

"Twi... light... I... have... let me just..." He said as he tried to heave out the letter. Finally feeling his gag reflex kicking in, he belched out the letter in front of the purple mare and her friends. Twilight telekinetically picked up the letter and started to read.

Dear Twilight,

I am sure you are as excited as I am about the upcoming wedding in Canterlot.

"Wedding?" She asked, unsure as to what was going on. She continued to read the letter.

I will be presiding over the ceremony, but would very much like you and your friends to help with the preparations for this wonderful occasion. Fluttershy, I would like you and your songbird choir to provide the music.

"Oh my goodness! What an honor!" Exclaimed the yellow pegasus with a pleased expression.

Pinkie Pie, I can think of no one more qualified than you to host the reception.

"Hip, hip, hooray!" Shouted the pink party pony as she performed a cartwheel over the cake that they were supposed to be eating, leaving a hoofprint. Twilight continued to read as she used her magic to repair the damaged cake.

Applejack, you will be in charge of the catering for the reception.

"Well color me pleased as punch!" Applejack said as Rainbow Dash sat next to her, unimpressed with what she was hearing. She gave a yawn as Twilight continued to read aloud.

Rainbow Dash, I would very much appreciate it if you could perform a sonic rainboom as the bride and groom complete their I do's".

Finding herself chewing on the hoof she used to stifle a yawn, the pegasus excitedly leapt into the air and flew into a miniature corkscrew. "YES!"

Rarity, you will be responsible for designing the dresses for the bride and her bridesmaids.

Rarity failed to process the request as she was stuck on the key words Canterlot wedding and design. "Princess Celestia wants me to... wedding dress... Canterlot wedding? I-ee-ah-ooooo..." Fluttershy tried her best to capture her friend before she wobbled over, but Rarity could care less for the grass in her mane as she reveled in the news of her assignment.

And as for you, Twilight, you will be playing the most important role of all: Making sure that everything goes as planned. See you all very soon.

Yours,

~Princess Celestia.

"But I don't understand. Who's getting married?" Twilight asked as she turned over the letter in hopes of finding an answer.

Spike perked up and remembered the letter coiled in the grasp of his tail. "Oh, wait! Uh... I think I was supposed to give you this one first."

Receiving the parchment from the young drake, Twilight read the invitation out loud. "Princess Celestia cordially invites you to the wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and... MY BROTHER!?"

"Dun dun duuuun!" The cyan pegasus shouted loudly.

"Rainbow!" Applejack said, chiding the flight-crazed mare.

"What? The occasion called for it."

"Anywho, yer brother's getting married? Congratulations, Twilight! That's great news!" Applejack said as she walked up to the still-shocker sister to the groom.

Twilight felt a stir of emotions. Some that bordered on the lines of 'how dare he get married' and 'why didn't he tell me about this'. Despite Twilight being affectionate to her older brother, she didn't mind the fact that he was getting married as much as his failure to inform her of his engagement. "Yeah, great news. That I just got from a wedding invitation! Not from my brother, but from a piece of paper! Thanks a lot, Shining Armor. I mean, really, he couldn't tell me personally?"

Picking up a sandwich, she mimicked her brother's voice as she transformed the small meal into a ventriloquist act. "Hey, Twilight, just thought you should know I'm making a really big decision that changes everything. Oh, never mind, you'll hear about it when you get the invitation."

The others stared at the purple unicorn as she continued gripe about the news. "Princess Mi Amore Cadenza? WHO IN THE HELL IS THAT!?!"

Fluttershy slowly walked beside the livid unicorn and tried to console her. "Um, Twilight, are you okay?"

"Sorry, it's just that Shining Armor and I have always been so close. He's my B.B.B.F.F!"

The five other mares stared at Twilight, not knowing what her acronym meant.

"Big Brother Best Friend Forever?" The purple unicorn corrected.

"Ohhhhh." The others said in unison.

"Before I came here and learned the importance of friendship, Shining Armor was the only pony I ever really accepted as a friend. Not to mention how close we were. When I was a filly, the only thing I thought I needed was my books, but there was only one colt I truly cared for because he would always be there for me. He taught me how to fly a kite and we never really got into any serious arguments. We shared everything together... I guess I really do miss him more than I realize."

"Twilight." Fluttershy whispered as she watched Twilight mope about her brother.

"And even though he's so far away, I wanted him, no, us to stay close. But now it seems like he's growing further and further away from me. And now this... He didn't even tell me that he was getting married."

Applejack walked up from behind the pony and tapped her on the shoulder. "As one of yer P.F.F's..." Her acronym causing the others to tilt their head in question. "Pony friends forever."

"Ohhhhh." The other four answered.

"Ah wanna tell ya that Ah think yer brother sounds like a real good guy."

"He is pretty special. I mean, they don't let just anypony be captain of the Royal Guard."

Rarity gawked and intervened in the conversation as she heard the news that her older brother was so high in society. "So let me get this straight. We're helping out with the wedding of not only a princess... but a captain of the Royal Guard?"

Twilight answered her friend hesitantly. "...I guess we are."

~Tuesday~
April 12th, 1 S.R.
Ponyville-Canterlot Line

The next day, the six ponies as well as Spike made their way over to the city of Canterlot via train. Despite the train being unusually empty, they sat next to each other, sharing jokes and their excitement over the upcoming wedding. They all found the day to be exciting. All of them but Twilight, who sat in the back of the cart they all shared. She stared out the window, watching the mountains pass by as she continued to think about the relationship of her and her older brother. Applejack took notice and approached the brooding mare.

"Why the long face, sugarcube?"

"I'm just thinking about Shining Armor. Ever since I moved to Ponyville, we've been seeing each other less and less. And now that he's starting a new family with this 'Princess Mi Amore Ca-whatshername', we'll probably never see each other."

"Come on, now. Yer his sister. He'll always make time fer ya."

"Couldn't seem to make time to tell me he was getting married." She snapped back as she shut the blinds and focused on the mare beside her.

"Twilight, Ah'm pretty sure that there's a logical explanation fer why he didn't get a chance to. You just have to be patient with 'em."

Twilight took a deep breath as she felt herself detach from everything around her. She just wanted to dissipate into thin air for just a second so that she could just cry. "Just for a moment, I wanna be left alone."

Applejack frowned but understood why she felt like she needed to distance herself. "Okay, sugarcube. Jus' know that we're her for ya when ya need us."

Twilight felt her world being pulled from underneath her. She curled into the seat as she tried not to let her friends see her in such a state. Her thoughts reverberated deep in her mind. "You don't love me the same way I love you, and now you're getting married without my knowing? I would've accepted everything, if you had just told me. But now, I don't know."

Suddenly, the world she distanced herself from drew back into focus as Pinkie Pie shouted from up ahead. "We're here! We're here!"

As they passed the checkpoint of the city, they passed through the magical barrier placed over the entire area. As they passed through, each felt an unusual jolt of energy sweep past their bodies, catching all of them off-guard.

"Whoa, what was that!?" Rainbow Dash shouted.

"Don't know, but Ah reckon y'all felt it too?" Applejack said as she touched herself to make sure she was okay.

"What an odd sensation." Rarity said as she shuddered off the strong magical vibes she was getting.

"Wowie! That felt so funny! I love tickle shields!" Said Pinkie as she giggled and bounced up and down.

"Oh goodness! That was surprising." Fluttershy whispered as she felt her muscles release the tension that coiled up within her from the shield's touch.

Twilight stood speechless as she immediately recognized the magical aura in color and wavelength. And being that the wavelength was similar to hers, she knew exactly who the caster was. "That was..."

The train came to a stop at the Canterlot Central Station. The six ponies and Spike made their way out and was overcome by what they saw.

"Whoa, what's with all the guards?" Rainbow asked.

"I'm sure they're just taking the necessary precautions. Royal weddings do bring out the strangest ponies." Rarity answered as Pinkie Pie sneezed right beside her, shooting out confetti from her nostrils before trotting on like nothing happened. Following Pinkie's example, Rarity urged the group to move along. "Now, let's get going! We've got work to do!"

"And you got a big brother ta congratulate." Applejack said as she turned to Twilight, who wasn't as optimistic as the others.

"Yeah, congratulate. And then give him a piece of my mind."

Canterlot Courtyard
Canterlot Palace Grounds

Shining Armor stood at the top of the battlements that surrounded the courtyard and gave his orders to a set of squads. As some groups came in from their respective patrols, he assigned others to take their place. And with a firm face, he issued his orders to the others.

"Go out and patrol the parameter of the city. We need to make sure that there are no surprises."

"Sir!" A squad of unicorns shouted out in unison as they saluted and marched off.

"Lieutenant Shadow Star, you and your boys take to the skies and scout the area north of the city. They could be hiding within our very shadow."

"Yes, captain." The dark grey pegasus guard said as he also gave the captain a salute before he and his squad took to the sky.

"Sergeant Spaz, I need you to take to Command Tower and guard the princess while she's on lookout."

A murky-red earth-pony stallion with a red coat gave the captain a salute. "CAN DO, SIR! I'M GOING TO ENJOY DICKSMACKING THE NEAREST CHANGELING IN HIS JAW, FOLLOWED BY A LONG AND TENDER CONVERSATION OF MY HOOF SO FAR DEEP IN HIS ASS THAT HE'LL BE TASTING THE DIRT I STEPPED ON, AS WELL AS THIS MORNING'S BREAKFAST!"

Shining failed to experience the same amount of enthusiasm as the stallion before him exhibited. Though he was fresh out of high school and out of the Equestrian Reserve Officer Training Corps, he was still considered new to the majority of those around him. "Ugh, rookies. J-ju... Just go."

"WELL YOU HEARD THE COLT! LET'S MOVE OUT AND-"

Before he could finish, a third voice shouted out to the captain donning the purple armor. "I've got something to say to you, mister!"

Captain Spaz immediately pulled out his weapon without a moment's notice or taking the time to see who was approaching. "CHANGELING! SPEARS OUT!"

The sea of guards on the walls readied their weapons as they took aim for the pony that seemed to have a bout with their captain. Many of them were ready to throw their spears, all except the captain himself.

"Twily!" Shining yelled as he took his helmet off and ran for the stairs.

"NEVERMIND! FALSE ALARM!" Spaz corrected as he pulled his spear from the top of the battlement, alongside the other guards.

"Get to your post already!" Longshot yelled out to the stallion.

"SIR, YES SIR! I LOVE DYING FOR MY COUNTRY!" Spaz shouted before charging at full-gallop towards his designated lookout point, leaving Longshot to watch in utter confusion.

"Ohhhhhh-kaaaaay."

Shining ran down to his younger sibling and offered to give her a hug. "I've missed you, kid. How was the train ride? I-"

Twilight back away from him, seething in anger. "How dare you not tell me in person that you were getting married! I'm your sister, for pony's sake!"

Shining, realizing his mistake, tried to cover for himself. Though he intended to tell her when they last spent time together, he ultimately decided that it would be better that he'd ease her into the news considering her feelings towards him. "It's not my fault! Princess Celestia has requested a major increase in security. Didn't you see all the guards at the train station?"

"Yeah, there's a big wedding coming up. Maybe you heard about it?" Twilight snapped back at her brother, trotting to a nearby pond.

Shining gave chase to his angered sibling and offered to reason with her. "It has nothing to do with the wedding. A threat has been made against Canterlot. We don't know who's responsible for it, but Princess Celestia asked that I help provide additional protection."

Lifting her chin so she could see his face, he advised her to pay attention. "This, you need to see."

Shining stood on the very ground he originally cast the spell the first time and fired up his magic. His horn coursed with his magic and a beam of light surged forth, rising into the air and blasting the shield at it's crown. The entire barrier that surrounded the city glowed brightly as Twilight shielded her eyes from the light. Finally finished with the fortification of the spell in place, his magic restricted itself into the confines of his horn. Though the display was not nearly as flashy as the initial casting, it continued to mesmerize the guards in the city. And though he didn't faint from the exhaustion, his head pulsed with a pain that annoyed him. Coming back from the dizzying after affects, he turned his attention back to Twilight.

"The burden of keeping Canterlot safe and secure rests squarely on my shoulders. Staying focused on the task at hand has been my top priority."

Twilight and Shining started to make their way to the tower where he and his fiancee would normally reside. Twilight felt she was wrong to accuse her brother for him not having time for her, but the news being told by another source aside from him still ate away at her. "Okay, okay, I get it. You've got a really important job protecting all of Canterlot with a force field only you can conjure up. But still... how could you not tell me about something as big as your wedding? Am I not that important to you any more?"

Shining placed a hoof on her and tried to console her. "Hey. You're my little sister. Of course you're important to me." With a smirk, he turned away before speaking. "But I'd understand if you didn't want to be my best mare now."

Twilight gasped as she placed a hoof to her chest. "You want me to be your best mare?"

"Well... yeah."

"I'd be honored!" Twilight said as she hugged her brother for the first time in her visit. But she shoved him off as she thought about the final thing that bothered her. "But I'm still pretty ticked you're marrying somepony I don't even know! When did you even meet this 'Princess Mi Amore Cadenza'?"

Shining giggled as he realized that he never made it clear on who she was throughout all of these years. "Twily, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza is Cadance, your old foalsitter."

Twilight shook her head to make sure that she heard him right. "Cadance? As in the Cadance? As in the greatest foalsitter in all the history of foalsitters?!"

"You tell me. She was your foalsitter."

Twilight reminisced on the times she spent with her and smiled. "Ohmygoshohmygosh! Cadance is only the most amazing pony ever! She's beautiful, she's caring, she's kind. How many alacorns can just spread love wherever they go? I only know of one! And you're marrying her!"

"Yeah. Don't mind me, just marrying the foalsitter." Shining mumbled to himself as his little sister started to playfully prance around him, identical to when she did when they were much younger.

"♫You're marrying Cadance! You're marrying Cadance!♪" Twilight sang-sung before running into a familiar face.

"I hope that I'm not interrupting anything important."

"Cadance!" Twilight shouted as she started to perform the dance they would normally do whenever they met. It was a tradition that they carried whenever they saw each other from time to time.

"Sunshine, shunshine,
Ladybugs awake!
Clap your hooves,
And do a little shake!"

The pink princess stared at the purple plot being shaken in her face and asked in deadpan. "What are you doing?"

Twilight turned around and gave her a better look at her face. "Cadance, it's me, Twilight!"

"Uh-huh..." Said the pink alacorn as she walked through Twilight as if she wasn't there. It was apparent that she was upset, or possibly moody, perhaps even forgotten the mare after their long separation.

Taking his fiancee in his hold, Shining smiled back to his little sister. "I've gotta get back to my station, but Cadance will be checking in with all of you to see how things are going. I think I speak for both of us when I say we couldn't be more excited to have you here. Right, dear?"

The larger mare looked at Twilight with a suspicious glare, immediately realizing how she was going to get rid of her. "Absolutely."

"Well, we'll let you get to it." Shining said as they took to the tower they stayed in, leaving a superstitious Twilight to think about the interaction that she and her 'foalsitter' had just now.

"That wasn't Cadance, or at least the Cadance I remember."

Kitchen of Canterlot Royal Palace
Canterlot Palace Grounds

Twilight sat in the royal kitchen, angry over the encounter of her foalsitter. Though it was unusual for Cadance to not perform the dance with her, her mind replayed the look the pink mare gave her as she walked alongside her older brother. The purple mare continued to pout, even as she checked off the list of foods that Applejack continued to burn through.

"Cake, check." The farm pony said as she finished placing the icing on the cake. Running past the pouting unicorn, she continued to her next item on the list.

"Ice sculpture, check." She said as she finished sculpting a large ice block into a large heart. Running past Twilight one last time, she ran over to the oven.

"Best darn bite-size apple fritter ya ever tasted..."

Applejack fed the confection to the brooding mare, causing Twilight's demeanor to lighten up a bit. Savoring the taste, Twilight smiled with glee as she tended to her list. "Mmmm, check!"

As everything was going on, Spike grew bored and even resorted to playing with the small figurines of the bride and groom that were supposed to go on the cake. "I do. Do you? I do!"

Twilight pulled the toys out of Spike's claws and placed them on the counter as he laughed nervously. Before she could chew him out for his behavior, the group of ponies received some company. Applejack welcomed the esteemed guest and client into the kitchen with a bow.

"Hiya, Princess!"

"Please, call me Princess Mi Amore Cadenza." The pink princess corrected, causing Twilight to roll her eyes in response.

"Hiya, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Ya come to check out what's on the menu for yer big day?"

"I have!"

Cadance followed behind the orange mare while giving a nasty glare to the purple unicorn on the other side of the room. Twilight returned the expression as her eyes trailed every step she took towards the counter where Applejack had the samples. The princess telekinetically grabbed one of the frosted goods and bit into them. After a brief system of chewing and a swallow, she wore a feint smile.

"Delicious! I love-love-love them." The princess lied.

"Aw, shucks. Why don't ya take a few to go?" Applejack suggested, offering a brown bag of the sweets to her.

'Cadance' hesitated as she looked at the mare smiling before her. She wasn't one for sweets nor was she interested in what the mare had to offer. Despite her consideration to decline, she accepted the gift, not wanting to be rude. "Of course. Thank you."

"Ah know how y'all brides can be. So busy, ya forget to get a little somethin' in yer belly."

As 'Cadance' walked out of the door, she took the liberty of disposing the goods once she reached the doorway. As the brown sack of food landed in a trash can nearby, Twilight gasped and turned to Applejack who was far too busy to even pay attention.

"Did you see what she just...?"

Later that day...

Luna slept in her bed, tossing and turning restlessly as she suffered from a nightmare. Her facial expressions twisted and contorted as she mumbled in her dream. Soon, the horrible dream came to it's startling end, causing the princess to rise and shout ouf for the one stallion who could sedate her. "AZURE!"

The door swung open as the blue unicorn galloped into the room with haste. "Princess! Is something wrong?"

Closing the door behind him and pulling the guard in for an embrace, the night princess breathed heavily as she touched him, making sure that her dream was not real. "You're here. You're safe. I am relieved."

Confused as to what was going on, Azure pushed her away and urged her to explain. "Wait a minute, hold on. What's going on?"

"Oh Azure, I had a nightmare. One that I couldn't disperse. It just kept playing and playing."

Though it was far from night, a nightmare was still an unpleasant thing to have, especially considering that you have the power to control dreams and for it to continuously run on as long as it did. Azure called out to her as she remained stricken with unease. "Luna."

"It was like it never ended."

"LUNA!" He exclaimed, shaking her lightly. "I'm okay. Please tell me what's going on."

Calming down for a moment, the Princess of the Night stood before him, shivering as she retold the things she saw. "I've had a dream that we ran alongside each other. As we ran, you started to get ahead of me. I called out to you, but you refused to slow down. I kept trying to run after you, but you kept running. I started to lose hope and I faltered in my pursuit. And then, I found myself under a small tree on a giant hill. The sun was setting and I saw an old stallion staring at the tree."

"What was he doing under the tree?" He asked, trying to keep the princess calm.

"Singing. He walked around it and placed his hoof on the bark and sang a song to it."

"What was he singing?"

Luna looked away from the stallion as she started to panic once more. "I...I can't."

"Luna."

"I had to see you! I just wanted to see you! I don't want to lose you!"

"LUNA!" He shouted, trying to snap her back to reality.

The princess grappled his slightly smaller frame as she sank her head into his body, hearing the beating heart in his chest. Letting the sound calm her, she rested on the small turf of blue fur on his chest. "I won't go on without you."

Azure could remember a time where his dream had ultimately disturbed him. And even though it was many years since he had it, it still resonated with him thanks to the events that followed. Holding Luna, he confessed his own situation. "I've had a dream that Shining was going to die a long time ago. I was immediately up in arms about it. And when Shining didn't show up at school the week after, I assumed the worst. But he didn't die. If anything, my dream showed to me that his life was going to suffer a drastic change, one that could fall one way or the other."

Luna smiled at the guard's testimony. She knew exactly what kind of dream it was and what message it pertained to. To see him taking in the knowledge that she invested many years into, it made her proud. "You've done your research."

Azure scoffed as he kissed his princess on her forehead. "I've gotta study if I'm gonna be with the dream-walker."

The two sat in the silence, only letting the sounds of their breath sound out softly as the minutes ticked away. Snuggling against the stallion, Luna was the first to break the long silence. "Azure, promise me that you'll stay with me until I leave for my duties. I feel that you should enter into my dreams and protect me."

The guardian knew that he would protect her in real life, but to enter into a dream was something he had no knowledge of. He didn't want to deny his princess, but reason and doubt beat him to the punch. "I don't know if I can."

Luna closed her eyes as she started to drift in his hold. Her body loosened against his and she allowed the slumber to take her. "You can. And knowing you, you'll find a way."

Watching the beautiful mare below him rest, he rubbed the side of her face lightly. He smiled warmly as he thought about how he was going to protect her, despite all odds. Looking to the sun taking it's final dip into the horizon, he whispered to her.

"Okay. Get some rest, your shift to replace your sister will be in two hours."

~Wednesday~
April 13th, 1 S.R.
Royal Guesthouse
Canterlot Royal Palace

The next day, Twilight decided to check in with the dressmaking. With checklist in hoof, or rather on a table, she paced back and forth from one side of the room to the other. And by checking on dresses, she was actually in the middle of a rant on how Cadance wasn't the mare she used to look up to.

"Oh, you should have seen how she acted back there. I don't know when she changed, but she changed! 'Please, call me Princess Mi Amore Cadenza'."

In a miraculous sense of timing, the aforementioned princess made her entrance into the room. "Did I hear someone say my name?"

Rarity halted everything she was doing and ran before the princess. "Your highness! Let me just start by saying what an honor it is to play a role in such a momentous occasion."

"Uh-huh." The pink alacorn mare said dismissively. "Is my dress ready?"

Rarity walked over to one of the larger mannequins and revealed the dress for the bride. The fashionista smiled as she revealed the turquoise-and-cream colored dress with the intricate gold hems. "Yes, of course. Um, I've been working on it ever since I was given the assignment, and I think you'll be pleased with the results!"

Taking only a single glance, the princess gave her opinion on the elegant outfit. "I was hoping for something with more beading and a longer train."

"Oh, yes. Of course." Rarity said as she picked up a notepad and started to take notes.

"And those should be in a different color."

The three other mares, the bridesmaids, smiled as they took pride in the designs of the dresses that thew were to wear. The first to speak was a mare by the name of Twinkleshine. "I think they're lovely."

"Me too." The second mare, Minuette, agreed.

"I love them." Cosigned the third, Lyra.

The princess cut her eyes back to the three, causing them to back away in fear. Turning to the door, 'Cadance' took her leave. "Make them a different color."

"Gee, maybe her name should be 'Princess Demandy-pants'." Twilight said as she was about to take after her.

Rarity continued to work on the train for the bride's gown as she offered to correct her frustrated friend. "Oh Twilight, I am more than certain that she would be taking this in stride if it wasn't for the fact that her special day is being outshined by a war looming over the horizon. And also, you have to keep in mind that she's the only one to check up on us. I haven't heard anything from the groom."

Twilight frowned as she remembered the last time seeing her brother just earlier that morning. He was suffering from a really bad headache but he didn't want to give up on his duties. Though she insisted that he'd take a day off, he ignored her and resumed to his post. "My older brother is on patrol. Plus he's the one responsible for the big shield over the city."

"Well I can understand his position, but would it kill him to introduce himself? We all want to see him, you know." Rarity said as she waived a hoof to the purple unicorn.

"I know. I want to see him too." Twilight said as she took the clipboard off of the table and made her way to the door as Rarity returned her focus to the job of her dress-making.

"Now if you excuse me, I am in need of redoing the designs of these dresses."

~Thursday~
April 14th, 1 S.R.
Canterlot Ball Room
Canterlot Royal Palace

'Cadance' took to the town a little later that day. She stood by the party planner as they started to discuss what was going to take place. Pinkie Pie pranced lively as she discussed the various activities she had planned.

Okay, let me see. We've been over the games, the dances... I think this reception is gonna be perfect! Don't you?" The pink earth pony mare asked with a stressed smile.

"Perfect! ...If we were celebrating a six-year-old's birthday party." The princess responded harshly, though Pinkie didn't seem to mind since any kind of joy seen made her happy.

"Oh! Thank you!" Pinkie yelled as she went back to the matter of taking care of the festivities of the wedding.

But as the pink party mare danced over her 'acceptance' of the party, Twilight stood behind a granite pillar, staring at the princess as she walked away. It infuriated Twilight that she would be so insensitive and blunt. Not only the loving characteristics that she was known for was nowhere to be seen, but she flat-out insulted one of her friends.

"Just who does she think she is!?"

The Crème De La Crème Eatery
Canterlot Inner-District

Night flushed over the sky above Canterlot, though star gazing was not an option due to the large shield emitted over the city. Twilight made her way to a table with her other friends as she held a drink in her arcane grasp.

"Bet I can guess what you're all thinking. Cadance is the absolute worst bride-to-be ever."

"Who me?" Mimicked Spike as he played with a figurine of the bride.

"Spike! That goes on the cake." Applejack shouted as she finally discovered the reason behind the figurine's disappearance.

Rarity confronted her friend, concern set in her tone. "Twilight, whatever are you talking about? Cadance is an absolute gem!"

"Rarity, she was so demanding!"

"Well, of course she is! Why shouldn't she expect the very best on her wedding day?"

Realizing she would get nowhere with Rarity, she moved on to a different victim of 'Cadance's' wrath. "Applejack, did you know that after she told you how much she just 'love-love-loved' your hors d'eouvres, she threw them in the trash?"

"Aw, she was probably jus' trying to spare mah feelin's."

"No, she was just being fake and totally insincere!" Twilight argued, causing the group to look at her with worry. They soon turned their focus to each other and tried to think of something to say. Luckily for the other's, Fluttershy was the first to speak.

"She did raise her voice at one of my birds during rehearsal."

"See? Rude!" Proclaimed the purple mare.

"But he was singing really off-key." Fluttershy took out the bird that was the source of the trouble. As it started to sing, the group, as well as a few passerbyers cringe and hold their ears shut.

As the bird finished, Twilight turned her attention to yet another victim, "Pinkie Pie, you had to have noticed how Cadance treated-" only to see her playing dolls with Spike. "Never mind. Rainbow Dash, you're with me, right?"

"Sorry, Twi. Been too busy prepping for my sonic rainboom to pay much attention to the bride's bad attitude."

Twilight groaned as Rarity tried to offer reason. "The princess is about to get married. I'm sure any negative behavior she might be displaying is simply the result of nerves."

Slamming a hoof on the table, she caused her glass to rattle as she objected in outburst. "And I'm sure it's the result of being an awful pony who doesn't deserve to even know Shining Armor, let alone marry him!"

"Think maybe yer bein' jus' a tiny bit possessive of yer brother?" Applejack asked while the five others hummed in agreement.

"I am not being possessive, and I am not taking it out on Cadance! You're all just too caught up in your wedding planning to notice that maybe there shouldn't even be a wedding!" Shouted Twilight as she drove a hoof into the table, causing all the drinks of her friends to tilt and spill. The purple unicorn stormed off in a seething rage as she made her way to the one pony who would listen to her. The other six sat at the table, wondering what they should do.

"Shouldn't somepony talk to her?" Fluttershy asked quietly.

"Nah, give her a moment. She's jus' going through the motions." The orange farm pony answered as she started to take some napkins and clean the mess she made. As she reached out for the napkin holder at the center of the table, she found a bright green aura manipulating the space around the dispenser.

"Um... excuse me ladies." A voice called out.

"Princess?" They all said in unison, all equally surprised that they would be getting a visit from their client during off-hours.

"Well, I know that this comes off as extremely last minute, but I was kinda looking for some mares to be my bridesmaids. I would love-love-love it if you could."

"What!?" They all shouted, caught off guard by the request.

"What happened to the old bridesmaids?" Rainbow Dash asked objectively.

The princess grew bitter as she spoke about the previous three mares that served the role prior to their dismissal. "I can't talk about it right now. Just thinking about it makes me angry. But I think that you five would be a great replacement. You all work so hard to see to it that my special day is... well... special. So think of it as my way of saying thanks."

The five mares spoke amongst themselves and took the moment to come up with an answer. It didn't take them long to consider their options as Applejack was the first to speak. "Well, we can understand yer frustrations and how ya don't wanna talk about 'em..."

"We would absolutely adore being your new bridesmaids!" Rarity finished excitedly.

"YEAH!" The others yelled in one accord.

'Cadance' took pleasure in seeing that her plan to gain the trust of her nemesis' friends had been fulfilled. By the time Twilight came to object to them about how she was being treated, she would have to convince all of her friends to see it her way. And being that she made them her bridesmaids would make her look like a saint compared to the accusations that the purple unicorn mare would bring against her. With a smirk, she turned away from the ponies and started to make her way to the next target.

"Thanks ladies. Now I can expect you to be at the chapel sometime around five tomorrow evening for the rehearsal?"

Sparkle Residence
Canterlot Inner-District

Back at the Sparkle's residence, Shining stood in front of a mirror, trying to fix a red ceremonial uniform his uncle used to wear. It was the very uniform he wore back in the first Changeling War of Equestria. Though it a size larger than the stallion who donned it, Shining made it work with the exception of the chest strap that showed a replication of his cutie mark. As he struggled to get the strap to fall in place, a knock on the door sounded. Feeling somewhat frustrated over the losing battle, he decided to take a break and answer the door. Upon opening, he smiled brightly as he tried to get her opinion on how he looked.

"Twily! Your big brother's looking pretty good, don't you think?" Seeing that Twilight was unusually dispirited, he threw his conversation about the uniform to the wayside. "Huh. Everything okay?"

Twilight immediately took the opportunity to speak. "We need to talk. I think you're making a big-"

"Ahem!" A third voice sounded from the top of the stairs. It came as a surprise to the both of them to see 'Cadance' at the home. With a scornful appearance, she made her way down the stairs.

"Oh, uh, hi, sweetie." Shining answered nervously.

"She sure has a way of sneaking up on people." Twilight mumbled to herself as she watched the pink princess stop in front of the kitchen door.

"Could I speak to you for a moment, dear?"

Shining gave Twilight a playful nudge as he spoke. "Better see what she wants."

As the two disappeared behind the door to the kitchen, Twilight could hear murmurs coming from within the kitchen. It sounded as if they had started a quiet, yet discerning argument. Feeling curious, the purple mare quietly walked up to the door and started to eavesdrop.

"Look, we need to talk." 'Cadance' said.

"I'm here to talk." Shining responded.

"It's about your sister, okay?"

"I- look, look, she's okay-"

"Just... listen to me, alright?"

"I'm listening, I'm listening!"

"I thought I made it perfectly clear I didn't want you to wear that."

Seeing a crack in the door, Twilight decided that a visual account of the situation would be better than that of a audible one alone. She eased the door open and saw the two in confrontation.

"This was my favorite uncle's."

"And?"

"And I think that I should wear it."

"Are you disagreeing with me?"

"I guess I am- Ow!" Shining felt another one of the painful surges that came with the raising and maintenance of the shield over the city. It seemed to be an extremely painful one as he was brought to his knees.

"Oh, dear. Are you getting another one of your headaches?" Asked the princess before activating her magic and casting a spell on Shining. Twilight watched as his eyes glowed green and his vision loose focus, all while the pink princess stood over him and cast her spell upon him. Finishing the task, she offered her assistance as he rose from the painful ordeal. "Feeling better?"

"Mmmhmmm." He hummed out, feeling a little better but slightly weaker due to the side effects.

Twilight backed away from the door in shock over the suspicious events that recently transpired. "She isn't just unpleasant and rude. She's downright evil!"

Shining and his fiancee made their way out of the kitchen, only to see that their visitor was taking her leave. Shining called out ot her. "Twilight!"

"Let her go." Said the pink princess as she nuzzled the soon-to-be groom.

"Huh. It seemed like she had something else she wanted to tell me." He said to himself, disturbed over his sister's leave. Meanwhile, 'Cadance' looked back to the open door and grinned in amusement over Twilight's refusal to say what she wanted to say in front of her.

"That's right, simpleton. Run like the spineless invertebrate you are."

Royal Guesthouse
Canterlot Palace Grounds

Twilight ran past the courtyard, hearing a warning from Princess Luna as well as other guards in the vicinity. Galloping for the guesthouse, she knew exactly what was going on. This Cadance was clearly not the one she's come to know, but rather some sort of sociopath who wanted to marry her brother. She loved Shining far too much for that to happen, and she would rather face the world than to see him make a crucial mistake in his choice of marrying her. Making her way through the door, she shouted to her friends.

"Shining Armor's in real trouble! You have to help-" Twilight was silenced over the sight of her five friends in gowns. "Dresses? What are you-"

"Can you believe it? We're gonna be Princess Mi Amore Cadenza's new bridesmaids!" Fluttershy cheered as she danced in mid-air.

"New bridesmaids? What happened to her old bridesmaids?" Twilight asked, even more perplexed over the sudden change.

"She didn't say. But she did tell us that she would love-love-love it if we'd fill in fer 'em." Applejack explained.

"Seeing as we've been working so hard and everything." Rarity added to the explanation.

"And you had yer doubts about her." Applejack said.

"Told you she was an absolute gem!" Agreed Rarity, causing Twilight to grow horrified over what was going on.

"You sure this is what I should wear? Doesn't seem all that aerodynamic." Rainbow asked as she complained about the dress she wore. It made her uncomfortable that she was so constrained to basic movements such as walking and casual dancing rather than being able to take to the sky.

Rarity took a look at the dress and decided that she could make some adjustments. "Hmm. I'll see what I can do."

As the other mares continued to celebrate, Twilight left the five giddy mares to their excitement, her brother still on her mind. She knew that they would be of no assistance to her now that they were bridesmaids as well as having roles in the wedding as is. To convince somepony that the one who did them a monumental favor was doing harm to her brother would only result in their defense of the one who gave them such esteemed privileges. Twilight sulked as she made her way to her old room in the palace. "Looks like I really am on my own."

Back inside, the five mares giggled and laughed as they shared their exuberance, Pinkie Pie especially. "This is so exciting! I never been a bridesmaid for a princess before."

"I concur! Perhaps we should go out and celebrate the occasion." Rarity agreed as she placed a small box of sewing supplies on the ground before Rainbow Dash, who already took off the dress.

"Hell yeah! Let's do it. Put the dresses on hold for later and lets head out to town." Rainbow said as she flew loops in the air.

"It isn't like we live here in Canterlot. I think that an evening to unwind would be perfect." Fluttershy suggested.

"And I know just the place." Said Spike as he spoke from a far-off corner, gaining bewildered expressions from the five mares.

"You do?"

"Lived here for eight years, remember?"

Guiltless Paradise
Canterlot Central District

The loud bumping music and throbbing bass-lines invoked the ponies in the club to dance along with the beat. Mares and stallions alike moved and swayed to the rhythm of the kick that punched out on every beat, accompanied by a melodic bass progression that carried the empty space between the blasting kick. As the ponies below danced and threw their cares of the day out of the door, they let the sounds of the music drive them to a life of blissful ignorance.

Above, a smaller group of party-goers danced and shouted as the dj continued to play her music out on the speakers. The room was filled with the cheers of the ponies as they all watched the dj spin her records in front of the night sky. And on the far end of the room, five mares, alongside Spike, entered into the sealed off room.

"Told you that this was the best place to come."

The five mares gawked at the scene and how many ponies were reserved to the room. Judging from the fifty other ponies, it appeared to be rather exclusive. Rainbow Dash flew over to Spike. "How did you get us in here, in the V.I.P. no less?"

"Well, when you do judge a few competitions with some of the royal guards, who tip generously, you tend to get a few favors."

"Wow, go Spike!" Pinkie Pie shouted as she started to hit the dance floor.

Spike finally feeling at home, decided to unwind and let himself to be taken by the music thumping in the sub-woofers. "I know I'm awesome. Welcome to my sanctuary."

Rarity giggled as she stroked his prominent green scale he was known for. "How cute, Spikey-poo thinks that a club is his sanctuary."

"No, I'm serious. How do you even think I got us in here? Favors with the princess?" He asked sarcastically.

"I have to admit, that would be a believable excuse." Fluttershy added as she accompanied Rarity to the bar.

"Excuse me, may I have a White Zinfandel, please?" The white unicorn asked to the bartender.

"Classy chic, huh? You come to a bar that's filled with lots of the hard stuff and you ask for something so light?" The heavyset stallion asked from behind the counter.

"C'mon Guiltless, you could at least give her the drink." Said another stallion who sat beside Rarity.

As the barkeep started to rinse a glass, the stallion continued to talk to his friend next to him. Feeling appreciative of the stallion for his assistance in brushing off the bartender's criticism, she showed her appreciation. "Thank you, darling."

"Sure, nothing at all." He responded.

"So I take it that you come here often." Rarity asked, while Fluttershy requested a similar order.

"Yeah sometimes." The stallion answered as he took a sip from his glass.

Rarity smiled as she took an interest into knowing the stallion beside her. "Do you have a name?"

"Well, my na-"

Spike shouted from the other side of the room to the two stallions beside Rarity and Fluttershy. "Hey, Azure! Shining Armor!"

Azure turned away from the stallion behind the counter and smiled at the familiar face. "Hey Spike, didn't think you'd be here!"

Fluttershy gasped at the name she identified as the name of her friend's older sibling. "You're Twilight's older brother!?"

"Yeah! How do you know Twi...ly?" Shining was stuck in stare as he looked next to him and recognized the mare beside him. It was the mare that he'd often see in his dreams. Though she was usually dressed in a frilly gown with an elegant crown upon her head, the indigo curls were a dead giveaway.

"She's our friend in Ponyville." The fashionista answered.

Spike started to introduce the two sets of friends to each other. "Yeah! Fluttershy, Rarity, this is Shining Armor and Azure Sword. Shi-"

"RARITY!?" The two stallions shouted in unison as their jaws were left unhinged at the sight of the mare before them.

The barkeep instantly turned around to look at the two mares that sat next to his two best customers. "You mean, Mag's little girl, as in Magnus Belle's daughter?"

Rarity spoke up as she failed to recognize the stallion behind the counter. "Magnus Belle is my father, yes."

Guiltless laughed heartily as he nudged and winked at Shining. "Wow, she really blossomed from the last time you were foalsitting her, eh?"

It was at that moment where it all came together. Rarity finally remembered everything about her prince. The prince of her dreams was sitting right in front of her. She froze as she took in the features that seemed to have faded with time within the confines of her mind. But now, they became refreshed as she remembered the young and scrawny colt she looked up to when she was only ten years old. Her foalsitter, her prince, the stallion of her dreams, her knight in shining armor. She cursed herself for the obvious clue her dream had given her throughout her life. Shining Armor and Rarity stared at each other as the world around them seemed to be shut away in silence.

"...M-m-mister... Shining? Oh dear."

"Oh shit."

Author's Note

Well... I've been on this story for 7 months, thinking to myself that this was going to be a simple 84k-word story, and here I am +340k words and seven months and when I finished the skeleton of this chapter, I've pretty much stared back at the page and said to myself.

FINALLY GODDAMMIT I'M HERE!

Yes, the two have met for the first time in nine years. And 26 chapters in, we are all sitting here saying "well it took you long enough." Maybe the build was a little long, but I'll try to make it worth the wait.