Rainbow Pie

Dash was up bright and early. She had been clean and sober for three months now and felt great. Even with the early hour she was already rushing about. The wedding was only a month away and there was still so much to do. With her maddening continued inability to fly, and with Pinkie being an earth pony, they had decided that the cloud house just wasn't practical. Of course, neither was the little rented room above Sugarcube Corner. Together the two of them had found a nice little cottage on the outskirts of Ponyville. Dash sighed as she sealed another box and looked around her nearly empty home. Just then, there was a knock. Snapping out of her musings, she rushed over and opened the door quickly, eliciting a startled yelp from Fluttershy, who was standing there.

"'Shy. C'mon in. Long time, no see."

"Oh. I have been, umm, kind of busy this last month. I was, umm, helping Applejack relocate a number of animals that had, umm, set up their home in her orchard." the timid yellow pony stammered, blushing slightly.

"So, you seem to have been spending a lot of time around Sweet Apple Acres, even besides that, though." Dash commented.

Fluttershy's face turned beet red. "Umm, I... Umm, that is..." she stammered. "Umm, umm... Anyway, I came by to umm, see if you needed any help moving. Oh, and, umm, Rarity says your tuxedo is ready."

"I'm actually just about done packing." Dash sighed, looking around again. "Y'know, I'm gonna miss this place..."

"... There's so many memories here." Pinkie turned to Twilight. "I can't even begin to count the number of parties I've hosted here. The Cakes took me in all those years ago when I was feeling so lost and alone. It's almost like leaving home all over again." She sniffled and tears started to form in her blue eyes.

Twilight gave her friend a comforting hug. "Oh, Pinkie, don't cry. Just think, you and Dash get to make a new home for yourselves together now. You can make all kinds of new memories. You know, when I left Canterlot all those years ago, I felt the same way. But you and Rarity and Fluttershy, Applejack and Dash, you've all taught me something about what 'home' means. Pinkie, as long as you're surrounded by ponies you love, and who love you, you're always home, no matter where you go..."

"... and besides," Fluttershy added, "you know your old home will be well taken care of. This will be a lovely place for Ditzy and little Dinky to live." A thought occurred to her. "You, umm, did remember to get the floor enchanted?"

"And the surrounding cloud mass outside, too. It should be perfectly safe for Dinky."

Fluttershy seemed reassured by this as she helped Dash gather the last of her things.

As Fluttershy went on ahead, Dash closed the door. She took one last look at her former home with its airy archways and the beautiful rainbow fountains she had installed. It had been nearly a decade ago she had moved in, but it seemed like only yesterday. She turned away with a sigh. Enough looking at the past. She had a future to make. And it was gonna be awesome.

Dash fidgeted nervously as she stood waiting before the mayor in her resplendent rainbow-striped tux. After what seemed like an eternity, the town hall's old pipe organ sprang to life as Pinkie emerged from the doors at the far end of the hall, looking positively angelic in her white dress. A titter ran around the room as the bubbly bride bounced her way down the aisle. Dash smiled. That was her Pinkie, alright. When the pink pony reached her side, they both turned to face the mayor, who stepped forward and began to speak:

One of the great universals in life across all boundaries and throughout Equestria is love. We see it in families, we see it among friends. From the time we are small foals in our mothers embrace we are taught to value love in others, at first for the benefit it brings us but later just for its' own sake. It sadden us when we see ponies who have not learned to value, honor, and respect love when they see it in others. Today we are invited to celebrate a love between two ponies: The love that binds them together and makes them one. May all who see them, see love and be warmed by its' light.

The contract of marriage is one not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and with a deep realization of the obligations and responsibilities it entails. The commitment of marriage is different from all others. It is a life long bond that joins two ponies for better or for worse. Remember that love, loyalty, and understanding are the foundation of a happy home. There are no ties are more important or more tender than marriage.

We are gathered today in the presences of witnesses, family, and friends for the joining in bond of matrimony of Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie.

As the speech ended, there was hardly a dry eye in the place. Dash and Pinkie turned to face each other, gazing into each others faces, a million unspoken memories passing between them in an instant. The mayor proceeded with the traditional question. It was a question that had been asked countless times throughout the history of Equestria, and would be asked countless more. And yet it was a question that was unique each time it was asked - each asking having its own memories, hopes, and dreams attached.

"Do you, Rainbow Dash, take this mare to be your lawfully wedded spouse, promising to keep her, love her, and comfort her, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse, and to be faithful until death do you part?"

"You bet I do."

"Do you, Pinkemina Diane Pie, take this mare to be your lawfully wedded spouse, promising to keep her, love her, and comfort her, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse, and to be faithful until death do you part?"

"I absitively posolutely do!"

"Do you have anklets?" inquired the Mayor, the question more a formality now that the custom had become nearly universal.

"Yes." Dash and Pinkie replied nearly simultaneously. Applejack, acting as Dash's best mare, and Fluttershy, Pinkie's mare of honor, handed the pair the anklets. As the couple exchanged them, they spoke the traditional words, words that were again both timeless and always unique.

"Pinkemina, I give you this anklet, in token of my commitment and love."

"Rainbow, I give you this anklet, in token of my commitment and love."

After the exchange, the Mayor continued with the ceremonial closing words:

Now that you have joined yourselves formally in matrimony, may you strive all of your lives to meet this contract with the same sense of love and commitment. Together may you dream, and may you stumble, may you restore each other, and share all things. Cherish, respect, comfort and encourage each other as long as you both shall live. It is now with great pleasure that I, by the authority vested in me by the Crown, pronounce you spouses for life. You may kiss.

And kiss they did. It was a long kiss, a magical kiss, a kiss that spoke of all that had gone before and all that was yet to come. After what seemed like an eternity, their lips separated. The newly-married couple turned and walked back down the aisle. Side by side, amid scatterings of rose petals and rice, they stepped out of the town hall and into a new life. Together.