On The Wings of Wind

"Both of y'all aught to slow down up there!"

It was picnic weather in Ponyville and the Elements of Harmony made sure to take full advantage of it. While initially planned for just the mares, Rainbow insisted that Zephyr came along as well this time since she hadn't done anything with him for a long while.

Part of it was when she helped Pinkie transport a cake to a dessert contest in Canterlot. Zephyr had a laugh when he found out Rainbow, Fluttershy, and even Rarity had snuck a bite of the cake Pinkie was guarding. In his words: "Truly, there is no greater temptress in the world of Equestria... than the combination of hunger and a tantalizing treat right before your eyes".

Other than that, Rainbow was busy helping her friends with various things to the point she was worried about losing connection with her boyfriend. Hence, her insistence at letting Zephyr join the picnic this time around. The issue Applejack was having was with their game of catch before the food was served. It started looking more like an extreme version of the arcade game Pong.

It came to a grinding halt when Zephyr missed a receive with an "uh oh" before Wind Dashing after the ball. Rainbow laughed in triumph. "First, and probably only, point goes to 'the Dash'!"

"Laugh it up, why don't ya?" Zephyr quickly returned with the ball and an unamused look. "But fine, I concede. I think lunch is almost ready to be served."

"Don't you know it!" Pinkie piped up from her place at the picnic spread.

Rarity wasn't overly bothered by the display which everypony considered an accomplishment. "Such a lovely day! After the scheduled storm a few days ago, I was worried the ground wouldn't be dry enough, but I'm glad I was wrong!"

"Oh, it really is wonderful. By the way, big brother, what did you bring?" Fluttershy looked at the basket containing Zephyr's offering with curiosity.

The question got a grimace from him. "The... only thing I know how to make..." Twilight lifted the blanket off and revealed pancakes. "Hardly a good 'lunch' item, I know... I really should start expanding my repertoire, I'm pretty sure Scoots is growing sick of them..."

Applejack chortled as Pinkie quickly snuck a taste. "Yer' far from the only pony here who needs to 'expand the repertoire'." She shoots a glance at Rainbow Dash, who glares at her in turn.

"Hey, these are pretty good!" Pinkie had consumed a whole pancake already and was doing her best to resist eating them all. "Nice and fluffy with a dash of cinnamon to give it more presence! You don't even need syrup! If these are the only things you can cook, you do it GOOD!"

"Pinkie, please refrain from talking with your mouth full..." Twilight shook her head at her excitable friend. "While I don't doubt your judgement on things like this, let's save the pancakes for a nice after-meal finisher."

"TWILIGHT!" Everypony gave a start when Spike suddenly ran up to the picnic, out of breath. He tried to catch it, but got interrupted by him belching a letter from his fire.

Twilight, not missing a beat, picked up the letter and started reading. "Dear Twilight, I am sure you are as excited as I am about the upcoming wedding in Canterlot. There's a wedding going on?" Zephyr quickly figured out who's it was and had to bite down a snicker.

As the letter went on, everypony present had their duties in the up-coming wedding written out by Princess Celestia. Rainbow Dash yawned over the whole ordeal until she was told to do her Sonic Rainboom, upon which she cheered. Rarity was unamused. "Rainbow Dash, you do realize this'll be something you have to deal with in your own wedding, yes?"

"Wha--" Rainbow gave Rarity a glare with a raging blush on her face. Zephyr didn't have as much of one because he was already teased twice about it already, but he still looked away in embarrassment.

"... And as for you, Zephyr." Zephyr stiffened up, expecting a certain job to come rear its head again. "You don't have to do anything! You already helped us out as a guard!"

Zephyr ended up face-faulting from being let down. Rainbow grinned at her boyfriend. "Look at you being ahead of the curve! Also, I guess that's what those summons were about a while back."

"I was half-expecting to be roped into Royal Guard duty again. Guess all I'll have is free time, so if anypony needs assistance with anything let me know."

"But... this letter doesn't explain who's getting married. I feel it's out of nowhere, even for Princess Celestia."

Spike chuckled nervously. "More than likely I was supposed to give you this one first. I didn't because... I had to catch my breath."

Twilight rolled her eyes as she took the supposed first letter from Spike. "Princess Celestia cordially invites you to the wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and... *gasp* My brother, Shining Armor?!" Zephyr's secret smugness instantly dropped when he realized a key detail he missed earlier.

"Now ain't that something? Congratulations, Twi! Must be a big moment in yer' life!" Applejack completely missed Twilight's exasperation.

"Gee, I sure would've been more excited if I had gotten the news from my brother personally! Instead, it's through a letter!"

It was right then Zephyr facehoofed. "Oh for the love of-- this is not what I had in mind when you told me you wanted to keep it a surprise, Captain Shining Armor! Now you REALLY have to explain yourself!" Little did he know, Zephyr just dropped a bombshell on the group as everpony else sans Twilight didn't know that information.

Twilight teleported in front of Zephyr with an exasperated look. "You knew?!"

"He asked me to keep it a secret so he could, like I said, surprise you. I agreed to keep silent, but if I had known this would've been the outcome I'd have given you a few hints at the LEAST."

"Of course he would... and here I thought he would be a BBBFF!" Noticing the weird looks, Twilight clarified. "Big Brother Best Friends Forever. He's to me what Zephyr is to Fluttershy and Scootaloo." Fluttershy couldn't help but nuzzle her own big brother after hearing that.

"Ah' at least think he sounds like a good stallion. Though ah' dunno about the way he told his own little sister about such a big event..." As excited as Applejack was, that tidbit did worry her.

Rarity shook her head. "I suppose the best thing to do would be to go confront him yourself once we arrive in Canterlot. As amazing as it is to attend the wedding between a princess and a Captain of the Royal Guard, I'd rather not have it start on a sour note..."

After a bit more discussion, the 8 of them packed up the picnic and boarded the train to Canterlot. The mood quickly picked up as everypony discussed what they were doing. Spike was oddly smug. "Yeah yeah, you all get to help with the big wedding party, but I'M the one in charge of the bachelor party. Just... one thing I need to clear up: What's a bachelor party?"

"A party for unmarried males, Spike." Zephyr responded with amusement as everypony nearby laughed. "And you can bet your sweet bippy I'll be there as well."

Rainbow stuck her tongue out at her boyfriend impishly. "You two go and enjoy that. I'M making sure I'm in tip-top shape for that Rainboom!"

"Oh, we're here! We're here!"

Everypony looked out the window towards the approaching Canterlot, only to see it covered in a pink force field. Zephyr's heart dropped into his stomach at the sight. "The Captain's-- Sorry girls, godda bail!"

Before anypony could say anything, Zephyr leaped out a window right before the train's engine started crossing the barrier. The nearby Unicorn guards were surprised at the action. "Private Windstorm? Why are you--"

"Zephyr!" Rainbow had managed to vacate the train car as well before it passed through. "What the buck are you doing?! Did you do something bad to warrant this?"

"Not that WE know of." Rainbow looks at the guards in surprise. "Private Windstorm has been part of the Royal Guard before so he should have full authorization to--"

"Were none of you given the sitrep on my capabilities?" When both shook their heads Zephyr grumbled. "You're really slipping, Captain. I know you're excited for your wedding, but that doesn't excuse this many slip-ups!"

"Oh now I remember the reason why you bailed." Rainbow shook her head, slightly disappointed in herself for forgetting her own boyfriend's capabilities. "Your Unicorn magic immunity would have popped the barrier like an oversized bubble."

"Wait, seriously?!" Both guards looked at each other in shock. "Well... thank you for your consideration. Let me go report this to the Captain and hopefully he'll have an idea on how to get you inside." With that, one Unicorn guard teleported away.

Zephyr gives Rainbow an apologetic look "Rainbow, I appreciate the company but now you're stuck out here with me. Sorry..."

"I chose to bail with you, no need to feel sorry! Besides, even if Captain Shining Armor doesn't have anything, I'm sure Twilight could think of something!"

Zephyr was about to respond when the second Unicorn guard teleported back out. "Apologies for the delay. It seems the Captain DID take you into consideration, but forgot to give us this." He hoofs over an enchanted broach to Zephyr. "Provided you don't cancel out the enchantment, this will allow you to make a hole in the barrier to allow passage without contact with it."

"Thank you and apologies for the inconvenience."

True to the guard's word, when Zephyr approached the barrier it created a hole that allowed him entry without disrupting anything. Rainbow followed close behind and the two quickly made a mad dash towards the train station, hoping their friends were waiting for them.

Turns out all but Twilight were, though Rainbow was perturbed by the number of guards at the station. "Overkill much?"

"Captain Shining Armor must have gotten even more anxious with the wedding coming up. Everypony is on high alert." Zephyr saluted a few of the guards and they saluted back, recognizing the Royal Guard temp.

One of the Unicorn Lieutenants, Spiral Spear, approached the group as the 6 of them left the station. "All of you are here on Princess Celestia's invitation? Apologies if the security frightened you."

"Ah'll say. What's gotten everypony riled up?" Applejack dared to ask.

"I can say, but not here. Since all of you will be staying in Canterlot Castle, I can explain there... though I was certain there would be one more of you here..?"

"Oh, Twilight? She went to go confront her brother, who may or may not be the Captain of the Royal Guard." Everypony gives Pinkie a flat look and she shrugs innocently.

"I kept telling the Captain that if he really loved his sister he should've told her directly... oh well, too late now..."

Once the group of 6 were shown their rooms, Fluttershy looked nervous. "S-so... what's h-happening? A-as much as I'd l-like to conduct a b-bird choir for the wedding..."

"Well Zephyr, who we know as Private Windstorm, already knows this but there has been suspicious activity in the forests close to Canterlot. He himself made mention of 'insect ponies' back when he helped a pair of Garuda's find their chick." Fluttershy felt incredibly proud of her brother for helping an animal family.

Rarity shuddered at the description. "'Insect ponies'? The very thought seems horrid... but if they are all outside of the barrier, why the increased security inside?"

"There was a threat made to Canterlot directly and technically had nothing to do with the wedding, though many of us Lieutenants can't help but think it's no coincidence. Because of that, we increased security inside on the Captain's orders on the off chance the one who made the threat already managed to sneak their way in. " He shakes his head. "Forget about the security detail for now. I'm sure the rest of you have preparations to make for the wedding tomorrow."

"Oh that's right! We godda get started if we want to make everything amazing!" Pinkie suddenly zipped out the room, with her friends slowly following suit with amused looks.

Zephyr stayed behind a bit longer, something Rainbow noticed and stopped to overhear. "I know I'm not technically part of the Guard this time around, but keep me appraised of ANYTHING you find suspicious going forward. Me being a 'free agent' of sorts gives me more mobility than the rest of you and I want to use that to my advantage should anything happen."

"... Your assistance is greatly appreciated, Zephyr. For now, just enjoy the free time before the wedding."

Zephyr left the room, only to find Rainbow with a wry grin. "Couldn't help but volunteer anyways, huh?"

"I guess you develop a sense for danger when you get involved in this line of work. Don't worry about me, Rainbow, and go get your practice in. I'll mill about and see if I can't find Twilight or Shining Armor." Rainbow pats Zephyr on the back with a smile before taking off.

While wandering the halls of Canterlot Castle, he did stumble across the bride herself, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza or Cadance as she preferred. However, when he greeted her in passing, he got a rather cold response blowing him off as a waste of time, which immediately made him suspicious. Rather unfitting for the 'Alicorn of Love' to be so heartless.

Deciding to follow said suspicions, Zephyr managed to stalk the princess the entire time without her knowing while talking to the guards nearby to get apprised of anything they found. Between her rudness to Applejack's sweets, her demands to Rarity, and even insulting Pinkie's party sense, Zephyr had more than enough to go off that this was not the Cadance he met before.

Having heard enough, he managed to flag down Rainbow Dash, who looked miffed about being interrupted. "I hope you'll make this quick. If I can't pull off a Rainboom at the wedding because of this, I'm blaming you."

"I find those terms acceptable. However, what I want you for is more important at the moment." Rainbow huffed indignantly, but continued flying with Zephyr. He must have noticed a certain expression she made because he followed up with, "I also asked the rest of our friends to come, but they're all busy with preparations. You're the only one who was willing to come along. Also, I couldn't find Twilight for some reason..."

That made Rainbow worry somewhat, but her heart dropped a bit when he led her to a room with two of Shining Armor's Lieutenants present, including Spiral Spear. Zephyr salutes to them. "Sorry for calling you here on short notice. Have either of you seen to Captain Shining Armor?"

Spiral nodded. "I have and he's been having strange headaches. Yet whenever I tell him to go get looked at by a doctor, he insists on going to his bride-to-be."

"That is indeed worrying." Zephyr put a hoof up to his muzzle. "If the Captain can't reinforce the barrier due to a splitting headache, then Canterlot will lose its primary defense. What about Princess Mi Amore Cadenza?"

There was a moment of silence before the Pegasus mare, Cobalt Feather, shook her head. "I used to be the one attending her on Captain's orders, yet seemingly overnight she changed and sent me away for being a bother. Even around the castle, she's been rather cold towards the castle servants."

Rainbow looked stunned. "Has this really been happening? Are you sure it isn't just pre-wedding nerves?"

"While it is a possibility, I highly doubt it." Zephyr gave his girlfriend a certain look. "Though we met and talked for a short time before, the impression I got from Princess Mi Amore Cadenza was one of kindness and compassion. She felt like she was somepony you could spill your heart to without worry. Now? She's cold, distant, and rather obnoxious about her critiques."

"Then... it almost sounds like somepony somehow replaced her!"

Cobalt shook her head. "We don't know what's going on for certain. We need concrete proof before we start taking action, else we might end up bringing the wrath of all the Princesses onto us for no good reason."

"That's part of the reason why I wanted you here, Rainbow. Not only to keep you informed, but so you also know what to be on the lookout for."

"But... won't I be betraying Twilight doing this?"

Zephyr was about to respond when he developed a worried look as well. "That... is a good question. Have either of you seen her outside of wedding preparations?"

"Negative, but anytime I did see her during preparations I could tell she has been growing increasingly incensed over the whole ordeal." Cobalt made sure to interject.

Rainbow suddenly had a thought. "I'm supposed to be having a break with my friends tonight to discuss our preparations. Perhaps there I can get a feel for how Twilight's thinking then."

With a plan in place, Spiral nods at Rainbow. "Regardless of what you learn, let's reconvene tomorrow to discuss any potential plans. With Canterlot going into lock-down past a certain time of night, you two can't wander late."

Zephyr pondered for a bit. "Alright, let's come back here tomorrow a few hours before the rehearsal to make our final decision on what to do. Rainbow, I know I just put a lot of pressure on you to maintain a poker face, but I'm counting on you." Rainbow nods with a determined look before the 4 leave the room.

Early next morning, Zephyr was on his way back to the meeting spot when he spotted Twilight acting like she's hiding and waiting for something. "And just what are you doing?"

That got a yelp out of the Unicorn. "Zephyr, don't scare me like that! Also, I haven't seen you all day yesterday since you bailed out of the train, though I already got informed of why you did."

"Yeah, my ability to cancel out Unicorn spells at the touch is quite the gift and curse. Also, you didn't answer my question."

"Uh, n-nothing! t-totally not waiting here to confront that evil Princess Mi Amore Cadenza--" She stuffs her hoof into her mouth, realizing she was blabbing what she planned to do.

That told Zephyr all he needed to know as he smiled. "Hmm, evil you say? Humor me and do tell why."

Figuring she had nothing to lose doing so, she went on her spiel from last night about everything she had been doing that was rude or obnoxious. She kept one part to herself since that was something she didn't want to say out of fear of being called crazy. "Long story short, she's demanding, fake, insincere, and rude!"

"Ah, gotchya. Actually, there's someplace I have to go quick before the rehearsal and I figured, after that rant, you'd be lovely to have along. You're not really doing anything until then anyways, right?"

Twilight couldn't tell if Zephyr believed her or not, but followed him anyways reluctantly. When they arrived, she was surprised to see two of her brother's Lieutenants and Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow? I thought you were continuing to practice until the rehearsal."

"Yeah, this was a bit more important. I'm surprised to see you here!"

Cobalt nodded. "Rainbow Dash as just filled us in on everything you said last night and... our fears have been confirmed."

"Wait wait wait, you all believe me?!" After a round of nods, Twilight began tearing up. "Finally... I thought I was going insane. In fact... was this what you meant when you said you were "looking into something" last night, Rainbow Dash?"

"Sorry for not being specific, Twilight..." Rainbow looked guilty, which made Zephyr walk over and nuzzle her in worry. "I wanted to know the full extent of your thoughts before this meeting. Plus, I tried to sway our friends to look into it themselves, but they all were preoccupied with the wedding preparations..."

"No, it's quite alright. I'm sure you had your reasons for not saying anything right then, I'm just glad you really did believe me! You've no idea how much it means to me!" Rainbow and Twilight clasp both forehooves with each other in happiness, which Zephyr smiled at.

Spiral cleared his throat. "So based on what Rainbow told us, you find Princess Mi Amore Cadenza--"

"That's not Cadance!" Twilight outbursted, now feeling confident enough to show her cards. "Not only was everything I said true, she's downright evil and doing something to my brother to 'cure' him of his headaches!"

"The headaches..!" Spiral looked horrified. "Did you get a good look at the scene where he got one?!"

"Kind of. She blasted him with some kind of green magic that 'cured' him of his headaches and--"

"Wait, GREEN?!" Zephyr was shocked at the new information. "I thought Cadance's magic aura was a crystal blue!"

Cobalt suddenly looked certain. "We might have an imposter on our hooves after all. Looks like we will have to get involved, but the question is how? The fake will have everypony important dancing to her tune, including Princess Celestia. This makes a direct confrontation FAR too risky."

Rainbow shuddered at that. "I know that feeling. The rest of our friends were all so happy and merry about all the prep work despite the fake's actions. She even made the 5 of us her new bridesmaids and I had no idea how to turn that down without being suspicious!" If there's at least one silver lining, I can no longer say I'm betraying Twilight. I just wish the rest of our friends would get suspicious as well...

"I actually have a separate idea now that Twilight Sparkle is here." Spiral suddenly lifted a pink feather from his side. "If you know a tracking spell, you could see if the real Princess Mi Amore Cadenza is still somewhere in Canterlot. If we can find and rescue her, it'll be the most surefire way to expose the fake."

Twilight took the feather with a doubtful look. "But... what if I don't make it in time for the wedding? I'm technically my brother's Best Mare for the real deal!"

"We'll see if we can't capture and contain the fake beforehoof. In fact, that wedding rehearsal would be a prime time to do it. We just need to find a way to get everypony else out of the room first." Cobalt started thinking on it.

Spiral came up with an idea. "I know another Lieutenant who can help us set up for the lure. He'll draw the Captain and the Princess away with word of dangerous activity inside the castle."

Rainbow knew what she has to do now. "I'll lead my friends out of the room as well. As much as I want to help capture the fake, I want to prioritize their safety first."

"That's perfect, Rainbow!" Zephyr smiled at his girlfriend. "Once you've lead them far enough away, you could come back and help if we experience more resistance than expected."

Twilight was on the verge of tears. "I can't believe it... I was truly thinking I was all alone on this... yet here we are, about to try and save my BBBFF from the hooves of a fake..."

"One thing I should say before we set out plan in motion, Twilight." Zephyr smiles at his Unicorn friend. "Shining Armor and I bonded not only through our time as fellow soldiers and guards, but over our statuses as big brothers. He impressed upon me how much it mattered to him that I was your friend. He really does care deeply for you." Twilight bowed her head, tears threatening to spill over.

Cobalt, despite not wanting to interrupt the touching moment, cleared her throat. "Before we start, we should make sure the feather is the real deal. Twilight Sparkle, if you could do the honors."

"Ah, right." Calming herself down, Twilight casts the spell and two pink trails appeared. "That's... new. It's supposed to-- wait one might lead me to the fake!"

Spiral looked at the trails, uncertain. "Question is, which one? Following the one leading to the fake might cause our plan to rescue the real Mi Amore Cadenza to end in failure."

Zephyr started at the branching trails before he developed a hunch. "Twilight, could you recreate the color you saw last night coming from the fake?"

"Huh? sure." Twilight stopped the tracking spell and shone an acid-green light from her horn. "That's the color I saw, I'm certain!"

"Hmm, alright recast the tracking spell." She did so and Zephyr used his Galesight. Sure enough, one of the trails had a faint outline of the same green Twilight showcased. He couldn't quite dislodge the feeling he's done this already before. "This trail is showing the same green color on the outline. If my hunch is correct, that one leads to the fake and the other one is the one you want."

"Galesight can see that?!" Everypony had stunned looks at the revelation.

"Remember, I COULD be wrong... yet I feel like I've seen something similar before as well..."

Cobalt quickly decided for the group. "Twilight Sparkle, follow the trail Zephyr told you was pure. The rest of us will prepare for the fake's ambush arrest. Rainbow Dash, you should meet back up with the rest of your friends to avoid suspicion."

The two mares nod and take off. Spiral holds a certain set of cobalt-colored armor to Zephyr. "Since you'll be helping us and it might be dangerous, wear this once again. There's no telling what will happen." That gets a resolute nod from the green Pegasus as he puts it on.

"Alright, let's get to the rehearsal hall and hide until the right time." Cobalt quickly puts on her own golden armor. "I'll inform our fellow Lieutenant of the plan before joining you two. Let's move, there's no room for failure!"

In the hall where the rehearsal is taking place, everypony important had already arrived. Rainbow, doing her best not to break her cover, maintained her poker face the best way she knew how: by being nonchalant about the whole thing. Luckily for her, the motions she was doing were simple enough.

Eventually, Twilight's part came up and that's when Shining Armor realized his sister was missing. "Has anypony seen Twilight?"

Rainbow did her best to pretend to be confused before the door slammed open. "C-Captain! Your Highness!"

Princess Celestia wasn't expecting anything to happen and was in immediate business mode. "What's going on? We're in the middle of--"

"U-unauthorized movement has been detected in the eastern corridors of the castle, but we cannot get a lock on the intruders! We need further assistance, but with the rest of the guards at their posts--"

"Say no more, we're on our way! Sorry, but we'll have to push the rehearsal back a bit." Shining Armor rushed out the door.

While Princess Celestia was suspicious of the timing, she knew she couldn't ignore a threat and flew out after her Captain. Rainbow saw her cue and flew in front of her friends. "Come on, everypony! Let's go help as well! The rehearsal got pushed back anyways, so we might as well!"

"O-oh, I don't really--"

"Fluttershy, you don't have to participate in any conflict. It would be nice to have you on hoof in case of injuries!" Fluttershy winced, but nodded as she followed everypony out the door as well.

Princess Mi Amore Cadenza eventually let out a groan of irritation. "Another set-back?! This is a real pain in the--"

*Slam*

"Flank is what you were going to say, hmm?" Zephyr had slammed the door shut once he confirmed everypony else was far enough away.

"You? What's your angle here? Don't you know who I am?!"

"To a degree, yes." 'Mi Amore Cadenza' suddenly found herself flanked by other guards. Spiral had brought 2 Earth Ponies with him and Cobalt brought 2 additional Unicorns as all surrounded their quarry. "Now then, we have a few questions. Answer them correctly and we'll back off. We'll even cast ourselves in front of Princess Celestia if you're vindicated."

This was the first step in the plan to capture the fake. Zephyr had come up with a few questions to ask and if the fake did her 'homework' correctly, then they would have to back off until the real Mi Amore Cadenza showed up. In the end, the primary purpose was to stall for time and let Twilight find the real one.

"Hmph, do I really need to answer you? Fine, I'm sure it can't be that hard."

That got a wry smile out of Zephyr. "Alright, first question: What do you prefer to be called by?"

"Too easy, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza!"

"Mhm, second question: What is one Twilight Sparkle to you?"

'Mi Amore Cadenza' figured this was a trick question. "She's the Best Mare in the wedding."

"Okay, third question: What do you call your soon-to-be-husband?"

"What's with all the personal questions? Ugh, I call him 'dear'. Ready to throw yourself onto my--"

She cut herself off when Zephyr's smile grew almost sadistic. "I though you were supposed to be good at this, faker. Wrong, wrong, and wrong. Now, we can do this the easy way or the hard way."

Spiral stepped forward. "You, who masquerades as Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, are under arrest for espionage and threatening the City of Canterlot."

The fake knew these ponies were wholly convinced she was a fake, meaning her only option was to escape and convince her 'husband' and the Alicorn of the Sun that she's being unfairly prosecuted. "Grr, you think you can arrest ME?!"

"What's going on?!" Princess Celestia, having confirmed that nothing of note was actually going on, had quickly teleported back to the hall and saw the scene in front of her. She was not happy with it. "Spiral Spear! Cobalt Feather! Zephyr Windstorm! Answer now, or there will be severe consequences!"

Despite the intimidation from the Princess, Zephyr stood fast. "Doing our due diligence, your highness. Can you believe that this 'Princess Mi Amore Cadenza' forgot who Twilight actually is to her?"

"She's my husband's little sister!"

Zephyr snorted in laughter. "Again, I thought you were supposed to be good at this! Maybe it's because you're, oh I don't know, Twilight's old babysitter when she was a foal?! Seems interesting you've forgotten that part of your life when it was a massive part of hers." Zephyr had that trap set up on Spiral's advice since the question had multiple obvious answers and only one hidden answer.

Celestia, now with the seeds of doubt planted in her mind, levels a glare at the pony in front of her. "The allegations against you are severe indeed, but you have yet to disprove them. What do you say in your defense?"

"T-that's because--"

"Because she was NEVER the real Cadance!" Twilight burst through the door with a grinning Rainbow Dash in tow. Not long after that, a disheveled Cadance appears shortly after with a flat look.

"What?! How-- grr, all my plans are getting waylaid way too soon!" It was then that the fake knew the jig was truly up.

"The only question I have left is: WHAT is this fake?!"

"A Changeling!" Cadance answered as the fake erupted into acid green flames and light. "She takes the form of somepony you love and gains power by feeding off your love for them!"

"Hmph, and here I was hoping I, Queen Chrysalis, wouldn't have to reveal myself until at least AFTER the wedding... a right fool you've made of me, green Pegasus!" The now undisguised Changeling huffed in severe irritation.

Spiral knew what to do. "Capture her! Don't let her escape!" all the guards make a beeline for the Changeling.

"You unworthy cretins won't take me!"