Prince Rutherford turned to Pinkie Pie. “Ponies and yaks… friends?”
Pinkie smiled up to him. “For a thousand moons?”
“For a thousand moons!” Cheers rang out at this declaration of friendship as ponies and yaks continued the celebration. Prince Rutherford faced Pinkie with a smile. “Pink pony, you understand yaks now.”
“Aww, come here, you!” She embraced the furry wall that was Prince Rutherford’s side. When he failed to respond, she recognized her little social misstep and let him go.
Prince Rutherford reared up on his hind legs and hugged her with all of his might.
“Wow!” Pinkie squeezed out as her eyes threatened to pop out of her head. “Too strong! Okay, okay, okay!” She quickly filled her lungs with fresh air once Prince Rutherford set her down. Her head tilted in confusion as he knelt down before her.
“Pinkie Pie,” he said, towering over her despite kneeling, “me be honored if you would become… my bride.”
The sounds of the party came to a crashing halt as jaws hit the ground and eyes went wide. Pinkie was the first to recover from the shock and simply gave a shrug.
“Okay!”
“You don’t have to go through with this, Pinkie,” Twilight said, doing her best to keep calm. “I’m sure the yaks would keep friendly relations with Equestria even if you didn’t marry Prince Rutherford.” She smiled nervously to the rest of her friends seated in the throne room, trying to convince herself as much as anypony else.
“I’m sure they would, too!” Pinkie Pie said with a smile. Her friends exchanged uncomfortable glances, not quite as certain as she seemed to be.
Applejack cleared her throat into her hoof. “Ain’t ya supposed to marry for love?”
“I love all of my friends, silly.” Pinkie’s smile didn’t falter in the slightest. Applejack was about to say something else when the sound of quiet sniffling pulled their attention away. All eyes fell on Rarity, whose makeup was already starting to run.
Concern etched Fluttershy’s features. “What’s wrong, Rarity?” she asked from across the table.
“It’s just—” Rarity sniffled again. “It’s been my dream to be a princess ever since I was a little filly, and now… another of my friends is becoming a princess before I do!” She started sobbing in earnest.
“Aww, don’t worry, Rarity,” Pinkie said, reaching over to comfort her. “I’m sure your day will come, too.”
Rainbow Dash merely shook her head at the display before turning to Pinkie Pie. “So you’re really going through with this, huh?”
“Yep!” Her smile immediately returned as she looked out at all of her friends. “And I want all of you to be my bridesmaids!”
Despite their efforts, her friends couldn’t quite work up a suitable amount of enthusiasm. A knock at the door was a welcome distraction from the awkward atmosphere. Prince Rutherford and his entourage entered the throne room.
“Pinkie!” he said louder than necessary. “Ready to leave for Yakyakistan?”
Pinkie hopped out of her seat and bounced up to him. “Actually, Prince Rutherford, I was hoping we could have the wedding here in Ponyville.”
He straightened up in surprise but brought a hoof to his chin as he thought it over. “If that what bride-to-be wishes...” He turned to one of his fellow delegates. “Send word to king and queen immediately. Let no sheep stand in way!”
With a grunt and a nod, the yak raced out of the castle.
“King and queen arrive tomorrow,” Prince Rutherford said. “We begin wedding preparations then.”
“Sounds good to me!” Pinkie Pie said cheerfully.
The remaining yaks left the room and closed the doors behind themselves.
“I’m surprised he was okay with that,” Fluttershy said.
“‘The bride is entitled to choose what she considers the perfect place for the wedding’,” Pinkie recited. “Volume six, page three-hundred fifty-seven, line… one-two-three-four-fi—twenty-two! And what place could be more perfect than right here in Ponyville?”
Pinkie smiled proudly while her friends could only continue to exchange uncomfortable looks.
The yaks stood patiently in the foyer with Pinkie Pie practically bouncing in anticipation. The rest of ponies, meanwhile, awkwardly shuffled on their hooves. The delegate that left for Yakyakistan the day before had returned and shared word that the king and queen would be arriving shortly. Twilight swallowed hard as visions of Prince Rutherford’s initial visit played over and over in her head.
The doors to the castle flung open as a new yak stepped inside.
“Presenting King Livingston and Queen Allaway!”
The yak that announced their arrival fell in line next to his fellow guard behind the king, while the queen was flanked by her two maidservants. King Livingston was adorned with five crowns—two for each horn and one atop his head—as well as other gold accents, and had a distinguished amount of grey streaking his beard. Queen Allaway had a small, tasteful crown on her head, blue robes draped around her body, and not quite as much grey in her beard. Prince Rutherford stepped forward to meet the royal procession and stopped before the king.
“Father!”
“Son!”
They crashed their heads together with a solid crack.
“We pleased to hear good tidings from Equestria,” King Livingston continued. “Where is betrothed?!”
Pinkie bounced forward and took her place next to Prince Rutherford.
“Nice to meet you, Your Majesties,” she said with a smile. “I’m Pinkie Pie.”
Queen Allaway lifted her bangs to get a good look at Pinkie before turning to her son.
“She beautiful!”
“Indeed,” King Livingston agreed.
“Aww, shucks,” Pinkie said, blushing.
Rainbow Dash leaned over to whisper to Twilight.
“Well, they like her, at least.”
“Y-yeah,” Twilight said shakily. “Maybe this won’t be so bad.” She took a step forward to address the king and queen. “We’d be more than happy to help with the wedding preparations.”
“No need,” Queen Allaway said with a shake of her head. “Yaks will handle wedding arrangement.”
Applejack let out a nervous chuckle. “All by yerselves?”
King Livingston nodded. “Is customary for parents of groom to oversee all wedding arrangements. Is our duty to ensure everything is perfect.”
Twilight and her friends huddled together in fear of that word. All except Pinkie Pie, who still wore the most serene smile on her face.
Pinkie Pie led King Livingston through Sugarcube Corner and into the back where Mrs. Cake was busy fussing over a towering cake. She looked up from her work when Pinkie entered the room and ran up to her.
“Oh, Pinkie Pie!” she said, her voice quivering with emotion. “This is such an honor. I’ve always dreamed of someday designing your wedding cake.”
Pinkie smiled to her. “Of course I’d ask you to do it.”
“I guess I just thought you’d be a little older.” Her laugh came out a bit strained. “…And that you’d be marrying a pony.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean,” Pinkie said casually. “But life’s full of little surprises, and who doesn’t love surprises?”
“Er, yes,” she said hesitantly.
“Mrs. Cake,” Pinkie said, hopping over to the king, “I’d like you to meet King Livingston of Yakyakistan.”
Mrs. Cake quickly swiped away a bead of sweat. “It-it’s nice to meet you, Your Highness.”
“Pleasure is mine,” he said with a nod. “Me here to taste test wedding cake.”
“Oh! Of course!” Mrs. Cake quickly collected a slice of cake and presented it to the king. “I really, really hope it’s to your liking.” She smiled nervously as he carefully inspected the cake.
“Cake is for wedding of yak prince,” he reminded her. “More important, cake is for my son. Must be perfect.”
Mrs. Cake shot a glance to Pinkie Pie, who simply flashed a supportive smile.
King Livingston tossed the slice of cake into his mouth and chewed it slowly.
“Ponies too heavy on vanilla extract!” He roared and slammed his hoof down on the cake, sending cake debris flying in all directions before leaving the establishment.
“Like father, like son, I see,” Mrs. Cake said.
“Sorry about that, Mrs. Cake!” Pinkie Pie called over shoulder as she followed the king out. “You know how in-laws can be!”
Mrs. Cake took a look around her kitchen and the cake splatter covering her walls.
“Well, it’s not any messier than when Pinkie goes on her all-day baking sprees.”
Rarity and Queen Allaway with her maidservants sat together in the waiting area of Carousel Boutique. The queen quietly fanned herself in the unfamiliar warmth of Equestria while Rarity did her absolute best to do nothing to offend her.
“Pinkie Pie,” Rarity called into the changing room, “is everything alright in there?”
“Just a minute,” Pinkie’s voice sang out.
“Do you need help putting it on?” Her voice betrayed a hint of how much she wanted to avoid more alone time with the queen. “How does it fit?”
“It’s perfect!”
Rarity winced at the word but managed a smile. The doors to the changing room pushed open as Pinkie Pie entered the waiting area. She was practically glowing in her wedding dress, the white lace and silk flowing across her body and ultimately ending in a delicate sweep train just above the ground.
“Pinkie Pie,” Rarity said, bringing a hoof to her chest, “you look positively radiant.”
Pinkie bashfully kicked the floor and smiled to her.
Queen Allaway folded her fan, rose from her seat, and crossed the room with her maidservants following close behind. A critical eye peeked through her bangs and looked Pinkie over.
“Wedding gown lovely!” she shouted with approval.
Rarity sighed in relief and shared a smile with Pinkie Pie.
“Where Rutherford’s garments?”
Rarity stiffened and somehow became even paler than usual. “Th-the prince…?”
“Yes, Prince Rutherford must wear traditional wedding garments,” Queen Allaway said. “Groom’s wedding garb must compliment and coordinate with bride’s. Must be perfect.”
“Oh, my,” Rarity whispered and carefully cleared her throat. “I-I don’t have any fabric from Yakyakistan, you see.”
The portion of Queen Allaway’s face that could be seen slowly crept into a frown.
Rarity’s attempt to smile was closer to a panicked grimace. “I’m certain I could fashion something quite dashing for the prince using… what I… have?”
“Yeah!” Pinkie said with a nod. “If anypony can do it, Rarity can.”
“Unacceptable!” Queen Allaway bellowed to the sky. She calmly turned to face her two maidservants.
“Smash for me.”
The pair nodded to each other and leapt into action. The room became filled with the sound of crashing as furniture went flying in all directions. Pinkie and Rarity dove for cover as the pandemonium continued to escalate. Queen Allaway, however, was casually pointing her fan around the waiting area.
“Smash that. And that. That, too. Not that—that pretty. But that!”
With impressive efficiency, Queen Allaway and her maidservants gave the room a thorough-yet-well-orchestrated smashing before leaving the boutique. Rarity sighed and walked up to one of the dresses that had been spared in the destruction. She gently ran a hoof along the fabric, as if comforting it after its near-death experience.
“I compliment her tastes, I suppose,” Rarity said distantly.
“She really has an eye for color,” Pinkie agreed as she stepped over, ready to provide whatever comfort her friend might need.
A mistiness filled Rarity’s eyes as she looked up at Pinkie. “That dress truly does look lovely on you.” She gently wiped at her eye and put on a smile. “I daresay you look just like a princess.”
“Aww, thanks, Rarity!” The two joined in a hug and held tight. Pinkie’s smile faltered a bit as she looked around at the damage done to her friend's shop.
“I’m really sorry about the mess,” she said sheepishly as they pulled apart.
Rarity shook her head. “Think nothing of it, darling. I shall have this cleaned in no time.” She gave Pinkie Pie her most reassuring smile. “At least Queen Allaway smashes with discretion. This isn’t nearly as bad as the messes Sweetie Belle can make.”
Prince Rutherford, King Livingston, and the guards each squeezed through the doorway and lumbered into the lobby.
“Welcome to Ponyville Day Spa,” Aloe said with a smile. “What can we do for you today?”
“Son is to be married!” King Livingston shouted. “Must be presentable for betrothed!”
“Right this way, please,” she said, gesturing deeper into the establishment.
King Livingston nodded and led the way into the next room. There he saw another smiling mare, as well as numerous stations that promised the patrons a luxurious experience.
“Yaks take grooming very seriously,” King Livingston said with severity.
“Uh-huh,” his guards agreed.
“Do not worry, Your Highness,” Lotus said. “We will make sure this handsome prince is ready to meet his beautiful bride.”
Aloe and Lotus led Prince Rutherford into an individual tub and began feverishly scrubbing his thick fur. After systematically cleaning and drying the prince’s coat, Lotus took to filing his hooves while Aloe started filing his horns.
Prince Rutherford lowered himself into the large tub while the spa ponies fetched King Livingston and his guards. The king took a moment to regard his son’s coat and polished horns.
“He look perfect!” he shouted with a smile.
“Come, Father!” Prince Rutherford said. “Join in soak. Such relaxing.”
King Livingston turned to the spa ponies and got their nod of approval. After thinking about the long journey from Yakyakistan to Equestria, he immersed himself in the water. A smile slowly spread across his lips.
Lotus emptied a container of bath solution meant to revitalize the bathers into the water. The king gave a couple of sniffs, and his smile instantly fell away.
“Pony fragrances too floral!” he shouted to the ceiling. “Yaks smash!” He leapt out of the tub and joined his guards, who were already tossing around couches and ramming the walls. Aloe and Lotus ducked out the way of the rampage while Prince Rutherford continued his soak.
A particularly loud crash through the wall announced the arrival of Bulk Biceps.
“What’s going on?!” he bellowed.
“Not now, Bulk!” Aloe shouted. “There’s enough smashing without you here!”
Bulk looked down at the ground in shame. “Sorry!” He smashed a fresh hole in the wall as he went back into the massage parlor.
The spa ponies took a moment to consider that, compared to the damage Bulk has been known to do, the yaks actually weren’t so bad.
It had been quite a day of wedding planning, and of smashing. The streets of Ponyville were deserted unusually early, likely due to the procession of yaks being lead by Pinkie Pie and Prince Rutherford. Their reputation had spread through the town faster than a parasprite infestation. When told that the queen would be visiting to look at flower arrangements, Daisy, Lily, and Rose had all fainted right on the spot.
Things were far from perfect.
Pinkie and Prince Rutherford stopped and turned when they realized they were no longer being followed. King Livingston and Queen Allaway had taken a seat on a bench that threatened to shatter beneath their weight while the rest of their entourage kept watch at a respectful distance. Tears were flowing from behind the queen’s bangs despite her efforts to dab them away, and the king was holding her free hoof, trying to comfort her.
Prince Rutherford rushed to his parents’ side.
“Mother!” he said, worried. “Why you weep?”
“Cannot give only son perfect wedding!” Queen Allaway wailed. “We failures as rulers, parents, and yaks!” Her sobs broke into even greater hysterics.
A grave look fell over the lower half of King Livingston’s face as he rose from his seat.
“Must preserve honor as yaks. Wedding… cancelled,” he solemnly decreed. They all watched as he walked over to Pinkie Pie.
“We ask forgiveness,” he said, lowering his head. “Pinkie deserve perfect wedding and more, and we fail to provide. We not worthy to have you as daughter.”
Pinkie placed a hoof against him. “It’s okay, King. I understand.”
King Livingston turned to Prince Rutherford and bowed his head.
“Forgive us, son!” he pleaded. “Son deserve better. Must learn to be better rulers and parents.”
Prince Rutherford lowered his head to the king and the queen. Seeing her husband apologize on their behalf and receiving forgiveness from her son and Pinkie Pie finally brought an end to Queen Allaway’s tears.
King Livingston lifted his head and smiled. “We return to Yakyakistan now. No more sheep on tracks.” The king and queen made their way to the train station, closely followed by their entourage.
Pinkie Pie walked over to the prince.
“I’m sorry things didn’t work out for us, Prince Rutherford,” she said gently.
“Me sorry, too.” He offered her a smile. “Me grateful you understand yaks so well.”
“You sure you have to leave so soon?”
Prince Rutherford nodded. “Me miss Yakyakistan. Miss scratchy bed and bland food of home.”
“Oh, that reminds me.” Pinkie produced a dingy sled and held it up for him to see. “I kinda borrowed it to get back home after my adventure, but now there’s a little yak back in Yakyakistan missing his sled, and that’s just so sad. Do you think you could get it back to him?”
Prince Rutherford accepted it with a nod. “Me return sled. Search all Yakyakistan if me have to!”
“Thanks, Prince Rutherford,” she said, smiling.
Prince Rutherford shuffled on his hooves. “Ponies and yaks… still friends?”
“For a thousand moons?” Pinkie said, playfully poking his side.
“For a thousand moons!”
The two joined together in another bone-crushing hug, cementing their vow of friendship. The day might not have gone as planned, but they would both agree that—in that moment—everything was perfect.
