The Derpy I Know and Love

The throne room was packed. All the wedding party were dressed and ready. All were beautiful. Even Applejack was wearing a little more makeup than she normally let Rarity put on her, she also swore to Rarity that she’d leave her hat back in the room, on pain of sleeping alone for life.

They were lined up in twos. There were the Best Mares, Sparkler and Cadence. Then came Bride’s Maids, Applejack with Rarity, Carrot Top with Octavia, Vinyl Scratch with Pinkie Pie, Bon-Bon with Rainbow Dash and Lyra with Fluttershy. And ready to proceed the Brides, were the Flower Fillies, Dinky with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom with Sweetie Belle.

At the back stood Dr. Hooves and Night Light. The music started and the doors opened all looked back to see. Rarity’s first sight of the regal princesses wearing, in public, dresses she’d made, almost made her swoon. It was one of her fondest dreams come true.

As Lyra and Fluttershy, the last of the Bride’s Maids, made their way to their position, the music paused. Then a louder chord sounded, all stood. From the back, the Flower Fillies skipped up the aisle, spreading rose peddles. The two Brides walked from out of sight to their escorts. They then processed forward with the escorts in the middle and the brides on the outside. Never had Canterlot Castle hosted two such beautiful brides. Nopony even noted Muffins eyes, only how lovely she and Twilight looked. They were escorted to the top of the dais. Each escort kissed the bride they were leading and handed their hoof to the other bride. The music stopped.

“Dearly Beloved Subjects, I’ve never had the honor to join two such cherished brides before.

The Lady Twilight Sparkle, whom I’ve taught since she was a filly has been as dear to me as a daughter. I trust her knowledge, I trust her wisdom, and I trust her council. When she let me know she’d found a pony to love, my sister and I rejoiced!

Then I found out the pony was a pony I’d known. A pony who’d faced the horror of watching the ultimate loss of a loved one. A pony who faced a condition others would scorn. A pony who took it all and yet forged ahead with grace and honor.

The perfect match for my apprentice.”

“So it’s my pleasure to ask you.”

Looking at Muffins;

“Muffins Star, do you take Twilight Sparkle to be your wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”

“I do, Your Majesty.” Said Muffins, a tear streaming down her cheek.

Then turning to Twilight;

“Twilight Sparkle, my beloved student, do you take Muffins Star to be your wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”

“I do, Your Highness, more than anything,” said Twilight.

“Then if none object,” said Celestia.

“One moment my sister!” Said Princess Luna stepping forward. “There’s a small matter to take care of first.”

There were gasps and mumbling from the crowd.

Princess Luna called out in her Traditional Royal Canterlot Voice;

“HONDO FLANKS, BIG MACKINTOSH APPLE. DO YOUR DUTY!”

Rarity’s father and AJ’s brother came forward, took AJ and Rarity by the hoof and removed them from the Bride’s Maids line. Sparkler and Cadence took their place then Muffins and Twilight moved to the Best Mare position. Rarity and AJ were led to the top of the dais. Big Mac and Hondo Flanks kissed the cheek of who they were escorting. Then handed their hoof to the other.

Rarity was flabbergasted.

Luna spoke in a more subdued voice;

“We were approached by the pony Applejack who requested to share the joy of this day with a pony she loves dearly. One she’d do anything to make her dreams come true. So with permission from Lady Twilight Sparkle and Muffins Star, and the consent of their own families, I’ve the honor to ask;

Rarity, do you take Applejack Apple to be your wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”

Rarity looked at the ponies around her and into AJ’s eyes. It was apparent everypony was in on it. And because her parents were there for her, it was okay with them.

This had to be the most romantic thing ever done for her, and it was Applejack who did it.

“Answer her for pony sake!” said Sweetie Belle from behind.

“I do,” she said weakly.

Luna smiled as AJ winked at her. Then she continued;

“Applejack Apple, do you take Rarity to be your wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”

“I do Your Highness, I truly do.”

Celestia stepped forward again.

“Will the couples come forward?”

Muffins and Twilight joined AJ and Rarity in front of the princesses.

“The rings please.” Said Celestia.

AJ produced a ring like Rarity had only fantasized about, Rarity looked lost but Sweetie Belle gave her an Earth Pony ring. Twilight brought out a ring, Muffins pulled a ring from under her wing. It looked strangely like her mother’s wedding ring. Twilight looked over her shoulder to where her mother was seated. Twilight Velvet nodded her head. Celestia’s golden and Luna’s deep blue magic aura took the rings and placed them on the proper bride.

“In the name of the Crown” said Celestia and Luna together. “And Our Regal Selves. We declare you wed!”

“What We join together,” said Celestia,

“Let no pony sunder!” said Luna.

“You may now kiss your Bride.”

All the crowd jumped to their hooves, cheering and stomping.

“May I be the first to introduce, Mrs. Twilight and Mrs. Muffins Sparkle and Mrs. Applejack and Mrs. Rarity Apple.” Said Celestia over the din.

“PLEASE JOIN THE COUPLES AT THE RECEPTION TOMORROW AT 5:00 P.M.” announced Luna in her Traditional Royal Canterlot Voice.

Music sounded and the two newly married couples led the wedding party out. They went to a room set aside for the party. Their family and friends gathered there with them.

Rarity and AJ’s family were gathered around the couple as did Twilight and Muffins’ family around them.

“I’m so happy for you Rarity” said Rarity’s mother. “And what a strong hard worker you’ve caught. When Applejack contacted us we thought we’d go crazy not being able to see and congratulate you!”

“The look on your face was worth the wait,” Said Rarity’s father. “Sweetie Belle was the most calm, she likes secrets.”

“I was floored! It wasn’t anything I ever expected. I knew Applejack was up to something but I never expected something so grand!” She said smiling at AJ.

“And the ring! where did you get such a fabulous ring? I’ve only dreamed of such a ring,” exclaimed Rarity.

“What did you think Sugar Cube,” said AJ with a smirk, “we give apples away? Ponies eat a lot of apples, and who do you think sales them?”

“Are you saying that you’re… Rich?”

“I am now that your my wife.”

Rarity hugged and kissed AJ discovering all her dreams were coming true with a pony she’d only considered a country bumpkin and rube only a little over a year or so ago.

Rarity’s father turned to AJ;

“Welcome to the family, Applejack. Take care of our little girl.”

“I think she’s the one goin’ to be takin’ care of me,” laughed Applejack.

“AJ?” said Big Mac.

“Thank you big brother!” said Applejack, “I’m so happy you could do it for me. I love you so much.”

“We love you too AJ,” said Big Mac. “Sorry Granny Smith couldn’t make it. Just too far to travel, and to tell the truth I think the whole mare marrin’ mare business would’ve confused her. She’ll get use to it.”

“Are you ’kay now with Twilight marrin’ Muffins?”

“He was kind of upset at first,” said Apple Bloom, “But when Miss Cheerilee heard of it, she came by to try to cheer him up. And has been by a lot, I think they’re now ‘Very Special Someponies.’

“Eeyup!” said Big Mac, all laughed.

“And best of all, Sweetie Belle and I are now sisters!” exclaimed Apple Bloom putting a foreleg around Sweetie Belle.

“I guess you are,” said Rarity kissing each of the fillies’ on the head. “Now go find Dinky and Scootaloo and have some snacks.”

Off the two ran to find their friends.

Over where Muffins and Twilight were, Twilight’s parents were fussing over the couple. Both Night Light and Twilight Velvet were constantly hugging the mares.

“Dad,” exclaimed Twilight, “we know you’re happy for us, but if you keep squeezing us, we won’t be able to breathe.”

“We’re just so happy for the two of you. Your joy brings us joy!” Said Night Light. “It was always our hope that you’d find the perfect stallion.”

Muffins and Twilight both snapped their heads toward Twilight’s father.

“Daddy,” said Twilight.

“No,” he replied, “that’s what we hoped for. But bringing this wonderful mare into the family was more than we could’ve ever dreamed of.”

“Your father is right, Twilight. I don’t think you would’ve been happy in a normal relationship. I’m not saying you couldn’t have had a special relationship with a colt. But it takes a special pony to break through barriers of prejudice and the mundane to show they are truly the one.”

Twilight’s friends were starting to gather around. AJ and Rarity came over and joined them.

“Rainbow, Pinkie, Fluttershy, you’ve all been kind of quiet. It’s not like you, well maybe Fluttershy. What gives? Muffins friends have been kind of off as well.”

“Twilight it’s like this,” said Rainbow, acting the spokespony, “Pinkie, Vinyl Scratch, and myself are very outspoken ponies. We decided that we’d tone it down, let you shine for tonight!"

“And you can believe how hard that’s for Vinyl, Rainbow and Pinkie!” said Octavia.

All laughed.

“We wanted to keep it low key, being that it’s late and you’re going to need your strength tonight!” said Vinyl, more laughter. “The party is tomorrow at five. That’s probably the most we’ll be able to keep Pinkie and Rainbow Dash contained.”

“Twilight,” said Fluttershy, “Where’s Spike?”

“He’s still a baby, and he tried to stay up, but he just couldn’t. Truthfully I think he would’ve taken the Rarity/AJ part hard.”

“Poor Spiky-Wiky. We’ll have to make it up to him.” Said Rarity.

“I promised him free reign at the reception.” Said Twilight. “That lifted his spirits.”

It wasn’t noticed that Cadence or Shining Armor wasn’t present until the doors came open to a royal fanfare.

“All hail the Princesses of Equestria!” It was Shining Armor in his best uniform.

In proceeded Princess Celestia, her sister Princess Luna and following was their niece Princess Cadence. They walked through the gathering, all backed away and bowed. Then stopping before the two couples, Celestia spoke.

“It is a royal custom for the Princesses of Equestria to bless special weddings. The Royal Apprentice and her companions certainly qualify. The Lady Twilight and Muffins Sparkle, both have rendered service to our August Selves in many ways. As have Applejack and Rarity Apple. Both wielders of the Elements of Harmony.”

Three horns glowed and a gold, dark blue and light blue aura surrounded the four ponies. They rose off the floor slightly. Then Celestia continued.

“So these beloved and trusted ponies, we bless them this night.”

“May their dearest wishes come true tonight!” Said the three princesses together.

The aura faded and the ponies settled to the floor. Then the princesses proceeded back out.

“What was that?” asked Muffins.

“I’ve only read of this. It hasn’t been done for a long time.” Said Twilight, “it’s suppose to be very significant.”

Shining and Cadence returned to the room and talked a while with everypony. Soon, Shining spoke up.

“Princess Celestia wanted me to remind everypony that the couples need to retire now. Please stay as long as you wish everypony else. Remember that there’ll be a brunch tomorrow for family and friends only,” then with a smile, “when the couples can make it. This is so the family doesn’t have to vie for attention at the reception.”

AJ, Rarity, Muffins and Twilight gave a hurried goodbye and left the room to cheering and applause.

“I totally know what they are going to be doing,” said Pinkie Pie. It was apparent that Pinkie had brought in a flask of whiskey, and had almost finished it.

“Oh great,” said Rainbow Dash, “Pinkie roulette.”

There were questioning eyes from those who didn’t know the pink Earth Pony well. Seeing this Rainbow continued, “regardless of whether you want to or not. Somepony is going to wake up with Pinkie Pie in their bed.

I just hope it isn’t one of the newlyweds.”

Some shocked and amused looks all around. Not to mention a few hopeful ones as well.