Braveheart: The Untold Stories Episode 14: Life's Worth
The date is June 31st. Sunset Shimmer and I have been dating for three months now. Sunset had settled into my house, and made the guest bedroom her own. She accepted her new life in Equestria, and I’ve done my best to make her feel even more at home. Citizens of Equestria have been very kind to Sunset, and I’m glad they have. After hearing about what Sunset had gone through in the human world during her first few years there, I didn’t want her to suffer further.
We were relaxing in the living room. Sunset Shimmer was reading over the dark spell page I had found, and I was tweaking the hydraulics of my mechanical hoof.
“How in Celestia’s name did you ever manage to learn these spells, Braveheart?” Sunset asked.
“I learned them over the course of five years in the Everfree Forest,” I explained.
“Could you possibly teach me them?” Sunset wondered.
“I can try,” I replied. “But they were extremely hard to learn, and I’m no teacher. But I will try.”
“Thanks,” Sunset said, smiling.
“Anytime,” I said. We went silent again. Only Sunset’s magic aura and my hydraulics could be heard. We were quiet for a good half hour before I decided to ask Sunset something, something I’ve wanted to ask her for a while, but never had the courage to do so until now. I pulled a small black box out of my saddlebag, but I kept it hidden.
“Sunset,” I said. “I need to ask you an important question.”
“Sure,” she agreed. “What is it?” I took a deep breath. I was finally about to do this.
“Are you happy here?” I asked. “In Equestria, and with me?”
“Of course,” Sunset replied. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.” I smiled. I stood up and sat down next to Sunset on the couch. She put a hoof around my shoulder. I took another quick breath. I pulled out the small box and gave it to Sunset Shimmer. She opened it up, and brought a hoof to her mouth at what she saw. A ring with a diamond in the center. She started to cry with joy.
“Will you marry me, Sunset?” I quietly asked. Sunset responded with a strong hug. I hugged her back.
“Yes,” Sunset whispered. We broke the embrace and relaxed, the decision made.
“Braveheart,” Sunset asked, changing subject. “Will you teach me the morphing spell first?”
“Sure,” I said. “That one was actually surprisingly easy. Let’s go into a more open area. If you don’t control it, things may catch fire.” Sunset and I walked into the front yard, which was concrete.
“To start,” I explained. “You want to get a good, sturdy stance. Like with casting any spell. After that, focus your magic to create fire, engulfing yourself in a ball of flame. Don’t touch yourself with the fire, because it is extremely hot. Focus the fire correctly, and it’ll turn a light green. Go ahead and try it. Don’t worry. If your coat catches fire, just stop casting. I’ll have a water spell ready.”
“Here goes nothing,” Sunset breathed. She got into position, and began to cast the spell. Fire erupted from her horn, and slowly spiraled around her to create a ball. The fire began to turn green, and I grinned. The flames suddenly stopped, and I noticed a small flame on Sunset’s mane. I shot a burst of water at Sunset, and the flame hissed out.
“Thanks,” she panted, clearly panicked.
“Yeah,” I nodded. “Try to engulf the flames further away from you, but not too far.” Sunset nodded and tried the spell again. She kept the flames going for a while.
“All right, that’s good!” I called out. The flames dissipated, and I saw myself in front of me. I backed up as my eyes widened.
“Well?” Sunset asked, in my voice.
“Uh…” I paused. I was speechless.
“What’s wrong?” Sunset asked, then shot a hoof to her mouth. She looked down at herself, and she went quiet. “Oh…” she said. “How do I change back?”
“Same process,” I said. “Were you thinking of me when you were changing?”
“Yes,” Sunset said.
“That explains it,” I realized. “Just do the same thing when you change, but think of yourself when you do.” Sunset nodded. She morphed back to herself. She held her breath.
“Better,” I said.
“OK, good,” Sunset exhaled, in her normal voice.
“The only improvement is to change faster,” I said. “Otherwise, you did great.”
“Thanks,” Sunset said. We walked back inside the house.
“I’m going to write a letter to Twilight,” I said. “Tell her to arrange a small wedding for us. Nothing too fancy.”
“Sounds good,” Sunset nodded. I spawned in a piece of paper and a quill and ink. I dipped the quill tip into the ink and wrote out the letter.
“Dear Twilight Sparkle,
I’ve got some great news. Sunset and I are getting married. I need a big favor. I need you to arrange a wedding for us. Nothing fancy, because we don’t want that. Just set up something simple, and send Rainbow Dash over to my place, but don’t tell her about this letter. I need to tell her something. I’d greatly appreciate it if you could do this. Thank you.
From, Braveheart”
I sent the letter off to Twilight as Sunset put a hoof over my shoulder. We kissed for a moment, then stood up.
“I’m going to go into Ponyville to look for a wedding dress,” Sunset said.
“No, no, no,” I stopped. “You’re not looking for anything. Go to Rarity’s Carousel Boutique. She’ll make you one. The fee is on me, as is the train ticket.” I gave Sunset some bits for the train ticket. “Tell Rarity to send me the bill,” I said.
“All right,” Sunset said. She left the house and went to the train station. Not long after she shut the door, Rainbow Dash opened it.
“Hey, Braveheart,” she said.
“Hi, Rainbow,” I waved. “Come sit down. I need to talk to you.”
“OK,” Rainbow Dash said. She sat down next to me at my table. “What’s up?” she asked.
“Twilight didn’t tell you, did she?” I questioned.
“Tell me what?” Rainbow wondered.
“Good,” I said. “OK, listen. I wanted to tell you this in person. Sunset Shimmer and I are engaged.” Rainbow’s eyes went wide.
“Seriously?” she cried.
“Seriously,” I said.
“That’s awesome!” Rainbow said.
“…and I wanted you to be my best mare during the wedding,” I added.
“Really?” Rainbow asked. I nodded. Rainbow Dash suddenly wrapped her hooves around me in a hug. I returned the embrace. When Rainbow Dash finally let go of me, she said good-bye and flew off. I left as well and flew off to Ponyville to talk to Twilight.
Upon reaching Ponyville, Twilight was waiting for me at her castle.
“Hi, Braveheart,” she cheerfully said.
“Hey, Twilight,” I said.
“Come with me,” Twilight said. I followed her inside the castle into the main lobby, where a small wedding arch and carpet met my gaze.
“I love it,” I said. “I’m sure Sunset will too.”
“I know she will,” Twilight agreed. “I also got Rarity to make you a tuxedo.” Twilight pulled a white tux out of a closet. “Try it on,” she said. I walked into another room and slipped into the suit. It was quite comfortable, and it fit well, despite Rarity never once making me an outfit in my life. I stepped out of the room.
“Well?” I asked.
“You look amazing,” Twilight said. “Go ahead and get anything else that you need ready. We’ll start the wedding in an hour.”
“Got it,” I said. I stepped back into the fitting room and got myself ready.
The wedding started promptly at 6 PM. The bridesmaids started to walk down the aisle, while Sunset and I waited until last. Sunset was wearing a small, yet flowing wedding gown, and had her mane curled and hanging down with a small flower behind her ear.
“You look gorgeous,” I whispered, as the next set of bridesmaids and groomsmen walked down the aisle.
“Thank you,” Sunset whispered back. “You look great too.”
“Well, thanks,” I said. I had done a last minute brush of my mane, so it was still a bit wet from the water I used to wet it down. Sunset plucked a stray hair from my head that wouldn’t stay down. I gave her a lopsided smile. As the last pair reached the end of the aisle, Sunset and I walked down ourselves. Twilight was waiting for us underneath the arch. Rainbow Dash was standing next to Twilight, and she was nearly crying. We reached the arch, and Twilight began the ceremony.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of Braveheart and Sunset Shimmer,” Twilight announced. “If anypony objects to this marriage, speak now, or forever hold your peace.” Nopony spoke up, so Twilight continued. She read a passage she wrote, then turned to us for the vows.
“Do you, Braveheart, take Sunset Shimmer as your lawfully wedded wife?” Twilight asked me.
“I do,” I responded. Twilight turned to Sunset.
“Do you, Sunset Shimmer, take Braveheart as your lawfully wedded husband?” she asked.
“I do,” Sunset Shimmer said.
“Then I now pronounce you mare and stallion,” Twilight announced, as we placed the rings on each other’s horns. The crowd cheered as we kissed. When the ceremony ended, I saw Rainbow Dash wipe a tear from her eye. I turned to Sunset.
“Excuse me for a moment,” I said. Sunset nodded. I walked over to Rainbow Dash.
“Congratulations, Braveheart,” Rainbow Dash said, crying.
“You OK?” I asked.
“I’m great!” Rainbow said. “I’m so proud of you.” She was so close to breaking down, but she held it in. We embraced before I walked back to Sunset, and we all went down to the reception at my house.
During the dinner reception, Rainbow Dash stood up and clinked a wine glass to get everypony’s attention.
“I have a quick story to tell,” she said. “It happened around the time when Braveheart was going out to do some shopping back when he still lived with me.” I knew exactly where Rainbow Dash was going here, and I buried my face in my hooves.
“Oh please no,” I mumbled.
“I was at home, and Braveheart was out,” Rainbow Dash started. “I used a small telegraph device he built to call him, because I needed his help. I’ll just run through the dialogue.
‘Hello?’ I called.
‘Hey,’ Braveheart said. ‘What’s up?’
‘I need your help,’ I said. ‘Can you come here?’
‘I can’t,’ Braveheart replied. ‘I’m buying clothes.’
‘All right,’ I said. ‘Well, hurry up and come over here.’
‘Well, I can’t find them,’ Braveheart told me.
‘What do you mean, you can’t find them?’ I asked.
‘I can’t find them,’ Braveheart repeated. ‘There’s only soup.’ On hearing that, I paused for a second, confused.
‘What do you mean, there’s only soup?’ I asked.
‘It means there’s only soup,’ Braveheart had said. So I yelled at him.
‘Well then get out of the soup isle!’ I yelled.
‘All right!’ Braveheart cried. ‘You don’t have to shout at me!’ I heard him take rather loud steps into the next isle.” All this time, I noticed Sunset try not to laugh at what she was hearing. This was truly embarrassing.
“So after walking into the next isle,” Rainbow Dash continued. “Braveheart spoke up again.
‘There’s more soup,’ he said.
‘What do you mean, there’s more soup?’ I asked, growing increasingly angry.
‘There’s just more soup,’ Braveheart said.
‘Go into the next isle!’ I cried out. Braveheart quickly walked into the next isle.
‘There’s still soup,’ he said.
‘Where are you right now?!’ I cried.
‘I’m at soup!’ Braveheart shouted.
‘What do you mean, you’re at soup?!’ I yelled.
‘I mean I’m at soup!’ Braveheart screamed.
‘What store are you in?!’ I cried out.” At this point, I decided to join in on Rainbow’s story.
“I’M AT THE SOUP STORE!!!” I cried out, recalling what I said.
“WHY ARE YOU BUYING CLOTHES AT THE SOUP STORE?!?!” Rainbow screamed, smiling. We ended the story there, and everypony in the room was in hysterics, even Sunset Shimmer. Rainbow Dash and I sat back down, and everypony else continued conversation.
“What the hell?” Sunset asked me in between laughs.
“I wasn’t exactly the smartest back then,” I said, laughing myself. “Dash told me to go out if I wanted, and that Rarity’s boutique was a white and purple building. Turns out, so was the soup store. We started yelling and swearing at each other when I got home.” We laughed again, then finished up the reception.
As the last pony left the reception, the Mane 6, Sunset Shimmer, and I were the only ponies left.
“Twilight, thank you for such a great wedding and reception,” Sunset said.
“Of course, Sunset,” Twilight smiled. “Anything for a friend.”
“Well, we’ll see you around,” Rainbow Dash said, before flying off.
“Indeed,” Rarity agreed. “Farewell, Sunset Shimmer.”
“Bye you guys,” Sunset called. “Thanks again.”
“See you later,” I said. The Mane 6 left, and only Sunset Shimmer and I were left. We cleaned up the house, and Sunset Shimmer moved her things into my room. We settled down after a long day, and fell asleep. With the day ended, we slept soundly, happily married as husband and wife.
