After the morning’s near disaster with the Griffin platoon, the The Equestrian platoon was able to avoid further contact during the day as they made decent progress towards Equestria and home. By the time they made camp, they had covered about forty miles from where the train had been attacked. Under optimum conditions, they would have been at least twenty miles closer to home, but with the need for stealth and the fact they had wounded, the distance they made was a small miracle in itself.

As Corporal Healing Touch had predicted, Bright Star died during the trip. He had finally succumbed to the brain injury he had received when the Griffin had attempted to remove his head. Seven lost in one day. If not for luck and the sheer fighting spirit of his Guard ponies, the losses would have been much worse. Had their luck gone any different, then it was possible that the whole platoon, as well as the two they had been sent in to retrieve, would be dead.

Dusty Spearhead did not fear death. Instead, he feared failing his ponies, and failing the princesses. He feared that he would fail Equestria when his nation needed him to succeed the most.

The odds against them were still pretty bad. There were a lot of Griffins who were still looking for them, and if they were discovered, the Major held no illusions on how badly it would go for them. They had found a small secluded valley that offered excellent concealment. That was something which he was thankful for. They made camp there, and used what they could to help further conceal them from any passing Griffin platoon. Without Corporal Lulamoon and her concealment spells, they would have to rely on their own training, along with a healthy dose of luck.

If they could just survive through the night, Princess Luna should get to them within an hour after dawn, according to the message they had received. They would be easy enough to find, having been sent a beacon talisman to allow the princess to track and home in on them. All they would need to do is not get caught, and make it to an open area they had selected on the map, to allow for a swifter recovery and exfiltration from the danger they were in.

He forgot to remember that it is always darkest before the dawn.

Soarin and Spitfire sat near their fellow Wonderbolts, but just enough away from them to give a small measure of privacy. It was not a whole lot of privacy, mind you, but it gave them a sense of it, and that was enough for the two of them.

“Never thought there would come a time where we might fail a mission, Soarin, or that we might not even make it home alive,” Spitfire admitted to him. “I’m scared. More scared than I’ve ever been when out on an op somewhere. Even when we faced those pirates years ago, I wasn’t this scared.”

That she was even willing to admit how scared she was drove the point home to the Lieutenant. She was always the one that everypony always looked up to as unshakable and unstoppable. She never let the situation get to her when they were on a mission, and she never failed. Yes, Soarin knew that she felt fear just as much as anypony else, but that was only because how close they had been.

“To be honest, I’m terrified, Spits,” he admitted back.

“I keep thinking back on all the close calls we’ve had, and the not so close, but simply crazy moments as well. Like that time in Panamare when we had broken up that smuggling ring,” she said. “Then later that night we got into that barroom brawl, you and I against what must have been thirty or more ponies.”

Soarin let out a soft chuckle at that. “And the night in jail that followed. Damn, but those ponies were pissed that we would have broken up that organization. Yes, they did supply a lot of the income for the locals, but they were bringing drugs into Equestria.”

“Yeah, it was, and the princess, what does she do when we finally get back? She offers us a drink for our troubles,” Spitfire replied, grinning. “Most expensive wine I’ve ever had, too.”

Her smile faded as other thoughts entered her head. “Where did we go wrong, Soarin? Why is it that we can lead the craziest, sometimes most reckless, bunch of ponies, and turn them into the most elite group in all of Equestria, yet we failed so miserably in our own lives?” She turned her head away, wishing desperately to hide the tears that refused to stay hidden from her former husband. “I keep thinking that our failed marriage was all my fault. That I didn’t do enough, or just wasn’t good enough.”

Soarin shuffled over to sit next to her and draped a wing across her back, hugging her to him. “Funny, I keep thinking the same about myself. I always felt I was a total failure as a husband, and found myself wishing there was some way I could have another chance.” He paused a moment as he collected his thoughts. “Honestly, I think that we just got too caught up in our jobs, and spent too much time as Wonderbolts, and not enough time as a married couple in love.”

Spitfire nodded as she leaned into his embrace. “I never stopped loving you, Soarin. But I’m afraid. I’m scared that if we were to try again, we would just let the same shit get in the way again, and we’d end up even more hurt,” she admit as she wiped a tear from her face. “I’m tired of feeling incomplete all the time and feeling so alone, but I am afraid I’ll only end up hurt again. I don’t want to be hurt anymore, Soarin.” Is this what I want, she thought to herself. Do I really want to try again, knowing how badly it hurt when it went south on us? Yeah, I do want him back in my life, but I am so very afraid I’ll be making a mistake. “Hold me. Just hold me right now. Please.”

On the other side of the camp, Silverwing watched the two of them. Though too far away to hear what they are talking about, he knew. Call it a father’s instinct. A part of him felt relief that Soarin and his daughter were finally talking things out, but another part of him was concerned that his daughter would just end up hurt again. Then again, if that were to happen, he could not, in all honesty, lay all the blame on the stallion. When their marriage had gone teats up the first time, it had been both of their faults. That had been plain as day to him and Tavi, just as this marriage to the cellist ended due to the actions of the both of them. Maybe there might just be hope for Spits and Soarin. Silver hoped so. He loved his daughter dearly, and Soarin was a damn good stallion. It was a damn shame that it took the two of them being in a desperate fight for their lives to finally start realizing that.

Silver had personally not wanted either of them to be on this operation, but he had no right to deny them doing what their duty called for them to do. And he had to admit that the pair was among the very best suited for the mission. All he could do is pray that the two of them made it home alive.

Dusty made his way through the small camp to check on Princess Twilight. He was concerned for her, knowing that she and Corporal Lulamoon had been friends, and with the young mare having been killed right in front of her, he worried for the princess’ emotional state.

After the attack this morning, the princess seemed to have retreated back into her mind again, unable to cope with the extreme violence she had witnessed. Trixie had been one of the ones to have helped the princess break out of the catatonic state she had been in when they initially rescued her. His mission was to get her home safe, and in his eyes, that included her emotional and mental well being. He was thankful that she still had two others she could draw strength from, that being Spike and Corporal Sentry.

Who would have thought that the young stallion would have been instrumental in the princess’ recovery? Dusty knew of the Guard pony’s infatuation with Princess Twilight, but when it came down to it, Flash seemed to have moved past the infatuation. He was simply there as support, being her friend when she was in most need of friendship.

Fortunately, between him and Spike, it seemed that she was opening up again. That was a positive sign that the Major thanked Faust for.

As he sat down next to her, Dusty nodded to Flash, showing his appreciation for his efforts to take care of the princess. His eyes then moved to the Alicorn mare, and he saw tremendous sadness in her eyes, but they were not the eyes of someone lost to the world. This was a good sign, for it told him that she had not fully retreated into her mind, as he worried she might do. This meant that she stood a chance to recover from all of this still. “How are you holding up, Your Highness?” he asked her.

Twilight looked up to him, and anger flashed in her eyes, until she saw the genuine concern in them. She looked back down, feeling shameful that she would let her anger at all that had happened come out towards one of the very ponies who was placing themselves on the line for her. “I’m fine. I’ll be okay,” she whispered, unable to look him in the eye.

He felt uncertain what to say to her. Never before had he ever had to deal with anything of this nature, and he wished he knew a way to help make things better for her. “I wish I could say I knew what it was like for—“

Twilight’s anger flared within her at hearing those words. Turning on the Major, she struggled to her hooves and got right in his face. “NO. YOU. DON’T! Want to know what it was like! Nopony wants to ever experience what I went through. Have you ever been tortured and raped, Major? Have you had things shoved up inside you for their fucked up pleasure? Have you ever been used like a TWO BIT WHORSE OVER AND OVER AGAIN?” she screamed. She was about to tear into him further, but she saw that he was cringing away from her. He had only been trying to check on her, concerned for her well being, and she attacked him for it. She was no better than the ones who had attacked her. She was no princess, only a filthy whorse, unworthy of being around decent, good ponies. A good pony doesn’t attack her betters like she had just done. Twilight was a bad pony.

Her legs gave out from under her and she collapsed, sobbing, begging for forgiveness. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” she cried. “I’ll be a good pony, Don’t hurt me! I’m sorry!”

Spike woke to the sound of his sister tearing into Major Spearhead, and him and Flash rushed over to calm her when she collapsed. Spike flashed the Major a look of anger before turning towards Twilight, trying to talk her down from her panic. Flash looked to his commanding officer as well, but his look was one of concern and worry. He wanted for the Major to know it was not his fault, but he needed to help calm Twilight down first. When he and Spike first touched Twilight, trying to help her calm down, she had flinched and tried to get away in her panic. After a few moments of their efforts, she had calmed down enough to apologize.

“I’m sorry, Major. I should not have yelled at you like that,” she said to him, sniffling.

“It’s ok, Your Highness. I just wished to understand, so I might be able to at least empathize with you,” he gently told her. “If it would help, I’m willing to listen if you feel the need to talk.”

Twilight lay there in shame, of both her actions just now and what had happened to her while she had been held by her captives. All she wanted was for all the emotional pain and mental scars to simply disappear, but the rational part of her knew that they would never fully go away or heal. But she has heard many times that talking with somepony about what troubles you can help make it easier to live with. Could she talk about this yet? Was she ready to? She did not honestly know, but she felt she needed to do so.

“Everything was going fine. We were right on schedule heading Griffinhelm when the train car suddenly went tumbling. I remember seeing Spike fly out a window, and then I hit something, and I felt my wing snap. Immediately after, another pony, I think it was Fleetfoot, collided with me, and that dislocated my shoulder. Once the train car stopped rolling, she helped me out of the wreckage. I remember the gas arrows landing all around us, then everything went black.

“I woke up to find Griffins all around us,” she continued. They had shackled our hooves, and those of us with wings, they had bound them. They did not bind mine, for some reason. Maybe they decided that I couldn’t just fly away with my wing broken. The Unicorns among us that survived the crash had inhibitor rings like the one they placed on my own horn,” she told them, pointing to the ring on her head. They made it a point to demonstrate just what happens when you try to remove one. I think Quill was his name. I was forced to watch when they pulled it off his head.”

Twilight shuddered, the memory of Quill’s death, as well as the rest of the train survivors, chilled her deeply, leaving her feeling a sickness deep inside. “After they had done that, they forced me to watch as they executed the rest. They started with Fleetfoot. They pulled her head up, and t-they…”

Dusty gently took her hoof in his, offering what support he could. “If you can’t do this, Your Highness, it’s ok,” he gently told her as Spike and Flash offered their comforting touches as well.

Twilight looked Dusty in the eyes once more, but this time, without anger, but a determination to get through this. “No, I need to do this, Major.” She shivered more as the memories filled her mind, but she forced herself to continue, so that she might exercise some of the demons that have haunted her since that nightmarish night. “When they lifted her head, one Griffin drew a long knife, and proceeded to saw through Fleetfoot’s throat. I remember trying to look away, but they physically forced me to watch. I re-re-remember the look in her eyes as her blood poured from the gaping wound. The wet gurgles as she drowned in her own blood. And then they went down the line, and proceeded to do the same to the rest of the survivors.

“The memories of watching them die, one by one, slowly, haunts me every time I close my eyes to sleep.” Twilight’s breath catches in her throat as her tears begin to fill her eyes. She pushes aside her pain and fear, needing to continue. “It only got worse after. They took me to their camp. I don’t remember the trip, really. I think my mind was beginning to shut down. When they got me to their camp, they chained me inside a tent, and then they spent the next day trying to get information out of me. They said that they wanted to break me, and that they would use me to break Princess Celestia.

“They beat me severely, not caring about my injuries. They would also use something they called a cattle prod against me. It delivers a very painful electric jolt to the body, wherever they touch you with it. Or they could just leave it touching you and push a button to randomly shock you with it. When they shocked you, it was like your whole body was both numbed and on fire at the same time. Every nerve in your body feels like it was dipped in acid.” She doesn’t want to continue, the memories so horrific, but she forces herself to do so. She needs to tell them this. “They even put the cattle prod inside of me,” nudging her head back, indicating her hind quarters. “They would laugh as they shocked my insides.

“And then they would use me for their sexual pleasures. And it was not just Bloodclaw,” she said, feeling the urge to retch at having said his name, “but other Griffins as well. And they did so repeatedly. Both vaginally and anally.” Twilight had to stop for a moment to quell the feeling of panic that rose within as she told them the horrors of her captivity. When she was calm enough to continue, she told them, “And all the while they did that, they would hit me, telling me how horrible I was, and that I would be the one to betray Equestria and tell them everything.

“And I DID! I finally broke, and told them whatever they wanted,” she admitted, her tears and sobs wracking her body. “I betrayed Equestria and the Princesses! And even then, they didn’t stop. They kept hurting me…” She was unable to continue, breaking down crying into her forelegs.

Dusty again took her hoof in his as Spike and Flash comforted her as best as they could. He had learned much about Griffins and how viciously cruel they could be. And he had read the briefing papers on Major Bloodclaw, and how he took great pleasure in causing others severe emotional, mental, and physical pain. The Griffin had an earned reputation as a sadistic torturer who especially loved to rape his victims, and with a Griffin’s feline penis, the barbs would just add to the pain and trauma. It was no wonder that the princess had finally been broken by her captives. There was no way that Dusty could blame Twilight for breaking down and giving into the Griffin demands. If anything, he was even more enraged at the enemy now, wishing to exact revenge on those who would hurt and murder those he was charged to protect and serve.

But right now, the princess did not need to see his rage. What she needed was to know that she had friends who loved her and would be there for her. She needed to be surrounded by those who would be there whenever she was in need, and who would never judge her. Dusty vowed to himself that he would get her home, where she would be surrounded by all those who love her, where she would finally be able to start healing.

“Your Highness, please, do not blame yourself. Nopony could go through what they put you through without breaking. That you’re here with us now, on the way home, just proves your strength. Please trust in us that we’ll get you home, so you can be safe with all your friends and family once again,” he said to her, gently wiping a tear from her face. “I promise you, that we will get you back to Canterlot, and that the Princesses and your friends and family will all be there to help you heal from all of this.”

When Twilight looked into his eyes this time, she saw compassion and truth. She knew she could trust this pony, and that he would get her home. For the first time since the attack on the train, Twilight dared to feel the beginnings of hope. “Thank you, Major,” she simply said.

“Rest, Your Highness. In the morning, Princess Luna will be here to get us all home.”

Dancing Dead and Sunny Hearts sat together, having just finished a not-so-delicious prepackaged meal. While the meal itself may have been similar to ground up cardboard with a sprinkling of rat droppings for added flavor, they were thankful that they had the opportunity to detest another stomach churning dinner together.

“It still haunts me, Dance, every time I close my eyes, I see the look on the Griffin’s face when I killed her,” Sunny hauntedly told him. As a medic, she was not expected to take up arms in combat. It was the role of her, and medics like her, to heal those who are injured in a fight. She was supposed to heal, and not kill. But she had seen the Griffin charging towards them, even when the others hadn’t, and she suddenly found the spear in her hooves and the Griffin leapt towards the Princess. And she saw the look on her face as the light fled her eyes. “I don’t know why I picked up that spear, Dance. I honestly don’t know why.”

Dead wrapped his foreleg around her, hugging her close. “If you hadn’t, Sunny, we may have lost the princess, or you, even. For that reason, I’m glad you did. It would kill me if I lost you,” he told her as she leaned into him.

“I’m scared, Dance. I just want for us to make it home alive. I want to marry you, and have a family with you,” she said. “But will we make it home? What if the Griffins find us again? What if it isn’t just a patrol, but a whole company, or bigger, even?”

Dead can only hold her tighter as he kisses her forehead as he told her, “It worries me as well, Sunny. I may look like I’m holding it all together, but on the inside, I’m scared shitless. Honestly, if we make it home alive, I’m strongly considering not re-enlisting. I want to be there for you, but how can I be if I’m being sent off to fight in every corner of the world?” He sighed as he continued, “I guess we just have to have faith. Faith that the Sarge and the C.O. will get us home.”

“We’ll get you two home. We’ll get everypony home,” they heard from beside them. The Major and First Sergeant had walked right up next to them without the couple noticing their approach. The young couple scooted away from one another, suddenly feeling as if they had just been caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Dusty just waved a hoof reassuringly, “Don’t worry, guys. Everypony knows about your relationship.” The two of them sat down next to the couple.

“So, I hear a rumor goin’ around that you two might have some good news to share,” Silver mentioned to the couple sitting across from him and the Major. He certainly hoped what he heard was true. They were good kids, and deserved to be happy. He just hoped that what him and the Major just promised would hold out to be true.

Sunny smiled shyly at the two of them as she said, “Well, yesterday, Dance here finally proposed to me.”

“And, Sir, she said YES!” the stallion exclaimed joyously.

Dusty could only smile and chuckle at the happiness in the young Corporal’s expressiveness. “You know, if you explode from all that excitement, it’s gonna be tough keeping that promise to her,” Dusty joked.

“Actually, Sir, I suspect that Dead here will be the first pony to officially explode twice,” Silver added, a smile upon his own face. “You know how these young’ns are, Sir. They just can’t seem to contain themselves when they’re all happy.” Silver saw so much of himself as a young stallion in Corporal Dead, and he was reminded of him and Tavi back when they were younger. He hoped that these two would have that chance together, and that they would be happy.

Dusty smiled as well, both at the First Sergeant’s humor, and the fact that two of his own had such news to share with them. Unlike many commanding officers, Dusty was not one to sit alone, separated from his troops. Yes, he could be a hardflank when needed, but he much preferred to be able to interact with his Guard ponies as if he was one of them. Hell, he WAS one of them, and he loved each and every one. “So, have you two picked a date yet for the big day?” he asked.

Sunny and Dead just looked to one another before Sunny replied. “Not yet, Sir.”

“We’re hoping soon,” Dead added, “but we’re scared right now. What happens if we get attacked again before we get home? What if one of us doesn’t make it? Sir, honestly, I’m terrified that I’ll lose her, or something will happen to me before we have the chance to finally be married.” Dead looked down, trying to hide his fear and emotional pain at the thought of not being able to live that life him and the mare he loved with all his heart desired. “I should have proposed long ago. I should have asked her, and been married to her already. I’m just afraid it will turn out I was too late, Sir,” he admitted to his commanding officer.

The Major could understand why Sunny and Dead were so fearful right now. The two of them were smart and knew the score. He wished that he could honestly promise to get the two of them home safe, but he as well knew the odds were against them. If there was a way for them to be married right now, then that would alleviate a lot of their fears. It would grant them what could end up being their final wish, and though Dusty prayed that it would not end up their last one, he desperately wanted to see it happen. Also, this would boost morale throughout the whole platoon, which might make the difference between them making it home, and dying here on Griffin soil.

Normally, it would be either a minister or a notary public who would perform the ceremony, but they did not have that available to them. Also, before a notary or minister could do so, a marriage license was needed, and the nearest Equestrian town hall to obtain one was miles away on the other side of the border. Another option would be for Princess Twilight to officiate the ceremony, but the princess was in no shape to do that for them. Not after what she had gone through. Also, the problem of the needed license still loomed with this option.

“Sir, if I may make a suggestion,” Silverwing chimed in. “The Equestrian Code of Military Conduct does authorize a commanding officer in the field to perform a wedding ceremony, under special circumstances, and with approval from the Princess.”

WOW! Dusty thought to himself. Was this stallion a registered mind reader, or something? It’s as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. Then again, that is just what makes him a good First Sergeant. Turning to Silver, Dusty replied, “Yeah, I could, except I would need authorization from Princess Celestia to do this. Also, there is the needed paperwork, specifically, the marriage license. Without both, the marriage would not be official.”

“We have Spike here, and he can send messages directly to the princess. If we send a message to her, explaining the situation, I am certain she would approve, and even make it so it will all be legal, Sir. It can’t hurt, anyways,” Silver said.

Sunny and Dead looked to their commanding officer with a sudden feeling of hope in their hearts. “Would you be able to do this for us, Sir?” Sunny asked hopefully.

“I would be honored to do so.” Turning to his First Sergeant, Dusty instructed him to go find Spike and get the letter sent off.

Silver wasted no time doing this. He knew just where to find the young drake. When he found him, Silver walked up to Spike asking a favor. When he explained to Spike what the plan was, Spike smiled and immediately pulled out a sheet of paper and a pen from his pack. It only took a minute for him to write the message and send it off to Celestia. “Thank you, Spike. If the princess is willing to authorize this, then this will make two ponies very happy, and that is something we all need right now,” Silver said to him.

“First Sergeant, if I know the princess, she’ll be overjoyed by this, and will have a reply sent back within the next five minutes.”

Spike was wrong about one thing; it took a total of six minutes for Princess Celestia to reply. But as Spike predicted, she was overjoyed with the request and immediately set things in motion so that the wedding would be one hundred percent legal. She even sent all the needed paperwork, with all that was needed for them to do with it was to sign where needed, and send it back so she could personally file it herself. While that would normally be a task for those whose jobs it was to do so, if Celestia wanted to do this herself, she was damn well going to do so. After all, she is THE Princess, and it was her prerogative if she so wished it.

The word was quickly spread, and all those who were able to witness the blessed event gathered together. Only the Guard ponies who were needed for watch duty around the perimeter of the small camp were not among the crowd, though they were still close enough that they could hear it, and occasionally look back to catch a glimpse.

One other chose not to join in the gathered ponies for the wedding ceremony. Princess Twilight could have joined them, but she felt uncomfortable enough that she did not wish to taint the event. Spike wanted to stay with her, as did Flash, who felt that it was his duty to watch over her and be there if she needed. Twilight asked then to go, though. She felt it would be good for her little brother to be there, to boost his spirits, and Flash had been asked to be Corporal Dead’s best stallion. She would be fine sitting back out of the way. Besides, she actually felt she needed some time alone, away from the others, even for just a bit.

Dancing Dead and Sunny Hearts stood together waiting for Major Spearhead to step up to officiate the wedding ceremony. That he was willing to do this for the two of them filled them with happiness enough that, for a moment, they could forget about the dire straits that they were all in. Though it could be said that the two of them would finally be able to die happily, if worse came to worse and they were unable to make it home, they chose instead to believe that this was just the beginning of a wondrous life together with each other.

Flash Sentry stood to the right of Dancing Dead. Dead would have none other to serve as his best stallion for this. Though the two of them have had their differences now and then, and even fought on occasion, they were brothers, if not biologically, then in each other’s hearts. Whatever pony who said that you could chose your friends, but not your family was full of crap. Dead and Flash chose each other as their family. And maybe someday, Dead might be standing to the right of his brother, once he finally found a mare he could settle down with.

On the other side, just to the left of Sunny Hearts, stood Corporal Rain Clouds. Her and Sunny had become close friends, much like Dead and Flash, when she had rotated into the same company as the others. The two of them often seemed to be as close as family, themselves, and Sunny was happy that Rain had accepted her role in the ceremony.

Behind them, the rest of the platoon stood or sat waiting. They pretty much all had been wondering when he would pop the question on her, and when he had finally done so, word has started to spread quickly amongst the tight-knit group. Platoons and companies were like families. Though there may be some within that might not get along with some of the others, it was certain that they always would watch over one another, and they would always share in the joys and sorrows of their fellow family members.

Though the scene lacked the normal decorations and adornments of a typical wedding, and it was dark within the camp making it difficult to see, that did nothing to spoil the mood. The fact that it was their very own father figure officiating the ceremony only served to elevate their spirits further. This was truly a family affair, and they would celebrate this as a family.

Dusty Spearhead, commanding officer of these Guard ponies, and father figure to them all in a sense, felt immense pride when he walked up to the soon to be wedded couple. That he was given such an honor as this lifted his soul greatly. That they would ask of him to fulfill this role meant more to him than there were words to describe. To his eyes, this is what love was about. It was about family and friends. It was about the commitment ponies shared with one another. Most of all, it was about two hearts joining together to live as one.

If he were to do nothing else with his life, to be able to look back, and know that he had shared with his family this joyous occasion, was all he could ask for.

Nodding to the couple to affirm that they were ready, he began the ceremony. “Mares and gentlecolts,” he opened with. “We gather this evening in the darkness, during a time of struggle, to cast aside that darkness and those struggles, so that we may bear witness to a truly blessed event. Tonight, two ponies stand before you. Two ponies who have found such a strong connection inside their hearts for one another, that they have decided to join together, and share their lives as one.”

Within the small crowd, Spitfire and Soarin sat beside each other as they bore witness to this occasion. At one time, the two of them had stood before a minister, and they too, had joined their hearts as one. Seeing the two young Royal Guard ponies do the same this evening, Soarin and Spitfire both hoped and prayed that the new couple would be blessed together, and find the long lasting commitment of the heart that had eluded them in the end.

Watching the wedding brought more than just memories and best wishes to Spitfire’s mind. She found herself questioning why it was that she was still afraid. She questioned what it was that she wanted for herself, or specifically, whom it was she wanted. Was she going to continue to let her fears dictate that she deny what her heart continued to tell her, or would she finally cast her fears aside and listen to what her heart wanted her to hear. She looked next to her, and she knew her answer. The two of them had been deeply in love, but they had let their jobs and petty differences get in the way of that love. Differences that most ponies would work through, and come out stronger, but the two of them seemed to latch onto those differences, either because of pride, or just as likely stubbornness, and those differences had become a poison within their hearts.

No more. No more would she let her fears, her pride, and her stubbornness get in the way. Next to her sat the stallion who was still very much in love with her. And she was still in love with him as well. She had just been too damn blind to see. Her hoof reached to the side, and found a matching hoof seeking her’s, as the two of them watched the wedding ceremony.

Dusty pulled from his pack a book and a glow stick. Activating the stick to read by, he opened the book to a marked page, and proceeded to read. “And so the stallion and mare asked for the blessings of Faust, and Faust answered. For love is the spirit that lives in all ponies, and for two ponies wish to share that love, it forms a bond that is holy and strong. And if two such ponies so wish that bond, let them stand before Faust, and commit their hearts to the bonds of Holy Matrimony. For such bonds will be blessed in her eyes.” Dusty closed the Book of Faust and gave it to Silver to hold onto. “As put forth in Bondings, Chapter Sixteen, Verses Twenty-one through Twenty-five, two such ponies stand before us to call upon the blessings of Faust, that they may be wedded in holy matrimony.

“Dancing Dead and Sunny Hearts stand before us, with a vow that they shall share their lives and their hearts together. True bonds such as this are all too often rare and difficult to forge. But these two have held true to their feelings for one another, and have forged the bonds that make for such a union to exist in the eyes of Faust. And this evening, it is their desire to join as one before The Goddess,” he intoned to the gathered ponies.

Twilight sat by her stretcher as she watched with misting eyes. She felt that her presence would only taint the ceremony and spoil things, with how unclean and spoiled she saw herself to be. But another part of her longed to join in and be a part of the joining of these two. A feeling built inside of her. It was the feeling that she needed. She started to feel hope. She felt hope that, just maybe, once they got through this things would finally start to get better. And maybe, hopefully, she might recover and heal from the emotional and mental wounds inflicted upon her by her former captives.

Maybe even it might be possible someday that she herself would discover love. After the torture and abuse she had gone through, she had felt that she would never be able to know what it would be like to feel love for another, and that she was unworthy and unfit for such feelings. But maybe now she might be able to do so someday. She knew that there was at least one pony who would be more than willing to be there for her. Maybe someday… Twilight stood, and with slow, painful steps, she hobbled over to join with the others.

Dusty continued with the ceremony. Though this was his first time to ever officiate a marriage, he found that the words came easy to him. Tonight was the night for these two, who so much loved one another that they would become as one before The Goddess. Dusty opened his heart to let Faust guide his words. “Dancing Dead, you have vows that you wish to share with your beloved?” he asked.

Dead looked at his bride-to-be. His heart swelled with all the love inside that overflowed into the words which he said to her. “Sunny Hearts, when we first met, I quickly found somepony who would become my best friend and lover. I found someone who filled a hole inside of me that I had never known existed. Without you in my life, I would be lost and drifting in this world, but with you sharing my life and my love, my heart feels whole. I love you, Sunny Hearts, and I wish to be with you, by your side, forever.”

Dusty looked to Sunny now, asking her the same question. She looked into the eyes of the stallion she so very much loved with all her heart, and said her own vows. “Before I met you, I was floating in a sea of mixed emotions, floundering, wondering if I would ever know what true love felt like. Then you entered my life and my heart, and you showed me what love is meant to be. With you in my life, I am complete, and I wish for us to walk through life, hoof in hoof, as we share our hearts together, side-by-side.”

Dusty smiled, feeling the love these two shared with one another, and pleased that they had chosen to make this commitment to one another. It was time for the ceremony to come to the finale. “Dancing Dead, do you take this mare before you, Sunny Hearts, to be your wedded wife forever before Faust, to hold her true in your heart, to honor her above all before The Goddess, to stay by her side, through sickness or health, for as long as you both live under Her blessings?”

“I do,” he said, his voice filled with love and pride for the mare he will forever love with every ounce of his soul.

Dusty turned to Sunny next. “Sunny Hearts, do you take this stallion before you, Dancing Dead, to be your wedded husband forever before Faust, to hold him true in your heart, to honor him above all before The Goddess, to stay by his side, through sickness or health, for as long as you both live under Her blessings?”

There was but only one answer she could give. With tears of joy in her sparkling eyes, she simply said, “I do.”

“Let it be known that Dancing Dead and Sunny Hearts have formally vowed to remain true to each other’s hearts before The Goddess Faust, asking for her blessings. By the powers granted to me by Her Royal Highness, Princess Celestia, and with the Blessings of The Goddess, I now pronounce these two to be husband and wife. Dancing Dead, you may now kiss your bride,” intoned Dusty, pride filling his heart as his words flowed forth.

Dead wrapped his forelegs around his wife’s barrel and pulled her to him to kiss her passionately. Around him, mares and stallions applauded, their forehooves stamping on the ground, though they did not cheer, for they did not dare to become so loud as to be discovered. That in no way dampened their joyous mood, though as they gathered in closer to give their congratulations to the newly wed couple.

Speaking over the crowd, Dusty announced, “It gives me the greatest honor to present to you, my brothers and sisters, Mr. and Mrs. Dancing Dead!”

It was time for him to let his guards quietly celebrate. They would not stay up long, though. They all knew to get their needed sleep, for the morning be upon them too damn early, and they had be ready to move to the location where Princess Luna and combined brigade she was bringing with her would pick them up. Dusty approached Silver who had the paperwork in his hoof. Signing the papers where he was required to place his signature, he told the First Sergeant to get Sunny and Dead’s signatures, and have Spike send them back to Princess Celestia.

“Thank you, Major,” he heard behind him. Turning around he saw that Princess Twilight had joined in to witness the wedding along with everypony else. This was a good sign, telling him that she would be okay, as long as they were able to get her home to Equestria. “You gave me something tonight that I desperately needed. You gave me hope, Major Spearhead, and for that, I thank you,” she said to him.

“You’re welcome, Your Highness,” Dusty simply replied.

“Walk with me, if you please,” she requested. This Dusty did, for even a simple request from a princess carried the weight of an order, and he would never refuse any request from one of the princesses. They walked back towards where her stretcher lay, so that she might rest. Walking was good for her, helping the injured shoulder heal, but it did hurt to do so. Still, this gave her a chance to speak to Dusty, while they still had the chance to do so. “I see how much you care for your troops, and that is something I respect highly, Major. And I am not the only pony who respects that,” she told him.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” he replied with a blush at receiving such a compliment from one so regal. “I love my troops. They’re like family to me,” he said to her.

“I can see, and I’m not the only one who has noticed. Have you ever met my friend, Applejack?” Twilight asked him.

“Orange mare with a blonde mane and tail, always wearing that tan hat of hers, with three red apples for a cutie mark? Yes, I’ve met her, at the party for Fleetfoot,” he said. “She seems to be a damn good worker, and honest like none other. I can respect that in a mare,” he added.

Twilight smiled at hearing that. “That’s good to hear, Major. She has very similar thoughts towards you. In fact, she expressed interest in you. That might be something to consider. She’s a good mare, and if a good stallion were to enter her life, I think it would be a good thing.” Twilight walked over to her stretcher and grabbed her blanket. She too needed rest. “Goodnight, Major. Think about it, if you please.”

Dusty bid her a good evening, and headed towards his own gear. He had noticed Applejack at the party, and to be honest, he felt an interest towards her as well. Maybe it would be a good idea to pay a visit to Ponyville sometime after all of the fighting was over.

Author's Note

This chapter is for you, Son.