Under The Blue Sky

It was time.

Alfred sat on the edge of his bed, looking into the large mirror on the opposite side of the room. It was the day of the wedding, and Alfred was alone in his room. He didn't know where Rainbow was currently, just where she would be. He stared at himself in the mirror, looking at the new Alfred. He had changed so much since he had arrived in Equestria. He looked healthier and more alive everyday. Not only his appearance had changed, but his mental state as well. He was no longer a depressed, lonely man who was afraid of his own shadow. He was no longer under constant oppression and threats. He was no longer trapped in a world that could cause him nothing but pain and guilt.

He was free. Rainbow had set him free.

He took deep breaths in, anxiously waiting for the moment to be called up and take his position out front. It was like he was caught in a trance, he couldn't move his eyes away from the mirror. He just kept breathing heavily over and over until suddenly he heard a small knock at the door. He snapped his head towards it and began to stand up, but before he could make it it to the door, Rarity opened it and smiled. Alfred stood there a little nervous by Rarity's presence.

"How are you doing, darling?" Rarity said lovingly as she closed the door behind herself. Alfred presumed that she wasn't here to tell him that it was time to go.

"I'm doing okay, just a little shaky." Alfred slowly sat down again.

"Don't worry dear, it's perfectly normal. Today is your big day after all," Rarity said as she gazed upon Alfred's suit. "You look simply divine."

"Well, you should know, you made it." Alfred was dressed in a charcoal black suit, complete with a blue striped tie. He looked amazing, all thanks to Rarity.

"That's besides the point," Rarity replied, beginning to sit on the bed next to him. "Rainbow is going to be so surprised when she sees you standing out there, oh, I can't wait!"

"Do you happen to know when I should be up there?"

"Oh, yes, you've got five minutes. I just wanted to speak to you for a bit."

"Okay, thanks." Rarity placed her hoof on Alfred's back to ease him.

"Aren't you excited? I know for a fact everyone else is."

"Of course I am, it's just a bit nerve racking. I'm also a little worried."

"Worried? What's there to be worried about?" Rarity suddenly shot back.

"I don't know what it is, but I can feel something holding me back."

"Do you truly love Rainbow Dash?"

"With all my heart."

"Then there's nothing to worry about. Wait, it's not your family back home that's troubling you, is it?

"I suppose it is. I've lived all my life with some other woman and now I'm expected to just throw it all away like it was nothing."

"But did you love her like you do Rainbow?"

"No, never."

"I know it's hard, really I do, but you can't afford to back out now. Think about the consequences. What would Rainbow think?"

"I'm not abandoning her. I'm not that cruel."

"You're not cruel at all, dear." Alfred looked up to Rarity as she said this and suddenly felt a rush of confidence flow through his body. What was he worried about? The past was the past and that was it. Only the future really matters. Alfred suddenly realised that he needed to forget about his home. That wasn't his home anymore. His home was here, with Rainbow, and not back in some horrible place. He turned to look at the mirror one last time. All he could see was the man from before. A frail, weak and innocent creature who had been endlessly stepped on for his whole life.

Alfred closed his eyes and then opened them again to see that he had disappeared. All that remained was the man he was now.

"Rarity, I'm not worried anymore."

Rarity went in for a big hug, gripping Alfred tightly. Alfred began to chuckle and squeezed her back, looking at the door over her shoulder.

"Come on, it's time to go."

XXXXXXX

Rainbow trotted around the room frantically. Too many things were buzzing in her head for her to understand. She could feel herself trembling with every step she took. It all seemed so perfect. There was nothing that could slow her down. She knew that this day was going to be the best day of her life and she was not about to let it slip away because of some nervous feelings. Rainbow was determined to keep her mind filled with positive thoughts, so she tried to think of Alfred. Memories came rushing threw her head like a wave. The night he proposed was such a special little thing. Rainbow never saw that coming. She originally thought that she would have to make the move, but luckily she was surprised by Alfred's braveness. She knew it must've been difficult to leave everything behind and that's why she was so proud of him in that one moment. Alfred had been incredibly kind to Rainbow ever since he gave her a small fist-bump on his first day. Who would've known that such a small action could've blossomed into something so much bigger.

Rainbow's hurrying was abruptly interrupted as the door opened, revealing Twilight on the other side. Rainbow stopped for a second, and then continued to run around a bit more.

"Hi! How's it going?" Twilight said as she entered the room. Rainbow finally began to slow down and chill for a second.

"Everything's great! It's good to see you, Twilight."

"Same with you, Rainbow. I'm so glad that it's finally happening. I couldn't have been happier the night you announced that you were getting married. It was so inspirational."

"Thanks, Twilight," Rainbow responded, feeling a lot more calm. Twilight walked towards her with a great smile. Rainbow looked back, still biting her lip in excitement.

"I bet it must be great to be with someone like Alfred."

"Definitely. I wouldn't have it any other way. He is just something special."

"I couldn't agree more. Thank you, Rainbow."

"Excuse me?" Rainbow said a little confused.

"Do you remember when he first arrived here, all those months ago?"

"Yes, I do. Twilight what are you trying to say?"

"Do you remember hearing about him receiving the news on the next day?"

"Yes."

"Well, I was there with him when he was told, and it was such a terrible thing to see." Rainbow Dash just stood there silently. "He came out of Celestia's doors crying his eyes out and I had no choice but to hold him close as he wept. We stayed there for a long time. It was so heartbreaking, to see him like that. I could never get the sounds of him crying out of my head." Rainbow was stunned.

"Twilight, why are you telling me this?"

"When we finally got home, he just stayed in bed, a broken man. I didn't know what to do. I decided to leave him alone so he could hopefully recover, but that didn't work. I soon heard him crying again from upstairs, so I rushed to comfort him. It was so depressing. It made me feel horrible." Rainbow began to tear up.

"Twilight, why?"

"I want to thank you, for everything you've done. I no longer see the pain in his eyes. Alfred is now a funny, smart man who isn't afraid anymore, and it's all because of you, Rainbow. You have managed to completely turn Alfred's life around for the better. Now he's happy, kind and full of hope. I can't begin to thank you for bringing him out of that dark place he was in."

Rainbow could see Twilight start to cry and immediately went to comfort her. Twilight tried desperately to smile with tears running down her cheeks. Rainbow went to hold her close, whispering to her "it's okay". Twilight suddenly began to laugh through her tears and looked up at the blue pegasus.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes."

XXXXX

Alfred stood in front of the altar on top of the hill that started it all, rattling his hands. He was waiting for his bride to appear. There were so many ponies watching. Rainbow's parents were at the front as well as his close friends. Rainbow's parents looked at Alfred suspiciously, like all parents do, but Alfred wasn't afraid. He was nervous, anxious, shy, energetic and a little distressed, but not afraid. His mind was a mixed bag of emotions, but fear was nowhere to be found inside. Being surrounded by his friends and supporters gave him the confidence to face all of those emotions head on. He wasn't going to let himself get in the way of a bright future, not again.

He looked around to everyone involved, and he was so surprised to see so many charming faces looking back. No one was there to hurt him or judge him. Everyone was happy to see Alfred succeed, and this made Alfred feel more welcome than he had ever before. He could feel his eyes watering as he looked at all the smiling faces. He glanced around slowly and suddenly froze.

There she was, his little angel, Rainbow Dash.

She looked outstanding. Her dress was pure white like an angel's wings. It gleamed as the sun's rays made contact. It reminded him of that one vision he had while holding her. She truly was the light in his darkness. Alfred began to smile as she walked up to the altar, looking to the crowd, and then to him. As soon as their eyes met, Alfred felt as if he was being lifted off the ground. His hands were trembling even more as Rainbow stood before him in the sunlight. Now that she was closer, he could see that she was wearing her necklace proudly. It was perfect.

"Dear ponies, and gentleman." Alfred nodded to the Officiant happily."We are gathered here today to honour the marriage of Rainbow Dash and Alfred Crow."

Neither Rainbow nor Alfred could hear what he was saying. They were too lost in each other's eyes to focus on anything else. Alfred gave Rainbow a small wink to remind her that everything was alright. Rainbow returned that wink to remind Alfred that he wasn't alone.

"Alfred Crow, do you take Rainbow Dash as your wife, to love and behold, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"

"I do."

"Rainbow Dash, do you take Alfred Crow as your husband, to love and behold, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"

"I do."

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Alfred could feel tears run down his face as they kissed. It felt like magic, like love. It felt perfect.

Alfred knew he would never be alone again.