I'll Be There Very Soon *

Chapter 9

Five years had passed since the changeling attack. Orion had been through several years worth of counseling and therapy, Dazzle always at his side. The children also received counseling for their post traumatic stress, but for Orion, the scars went far deeper.

In order to save his sanity, he willfully blocked out the details of what happened that night. The fact was: Orion had been raped. He was abused and tortured; his life threatened by a changeling, disguised as Cadance.

Shortly after the attack, Shining Armor began attending the Royal Guard Acadamy. Princess Cadance returned to Canterlot Castle, where she continued to learn and study. Her location also allowed her to be closer to her coltfriend.

Twilight Sparkle was sent on a special assignment by Princess Celestia to Ponyville. While there, she led a group of ponies on a sacred quest to destroy Nightmare Moon. They were victorious, allowing the Spirit of Luna to take up her body again and walk amongst ponies once more. Orion and Dazzle had never been prouder.

The seventh year anniversary since the attack was coming up. Orion stared out his bedroom window, lost in thought. He was awakened from his meditation by his wife. Dazzle ran to meet her husband, waving a letter in the air by magic.

"Shining Armor and Cadance are getting married!" she said, skipping around the room.

Orion was shocked. "What?" he said, "But they'd just gotten engaged!"

"Apparently that was just a formality," Dazzle said, as she continued to dance. Orion smiled. It was good to see his wife happy again. Comforting Orion through his trials had taken its toll on Dazzle. But now, here she was dancing. His wife was happy, his daughter was a hero, and his son was getting married. Orion broke down and cried with joy.

It's night on the Canterlot Castle grounds. The party starts to disperse as the happy couple steps into their coach. Shining Armor and Cadance are whisked away to their honeymoon suite. Orion and Dazzle hug Twilight as she and her friends leave on their trip back to Ponyville.

When Dazzle and Orion returned home, they stayed up and reflected on the events of the day. Changelings. Orion hated them.

"They declared open war on ponykind," Orion said fuming."They attempted to overthrow the kingdom."

"And ruin our son's wedding," Dazzle said, "Don't forget that." This forced Orion to smirk.

"I'm heading to bed," Dazzle said, "It's been a long day."

"I'll join you in a minute," Orion said, as he continued thinking.

Yes, the changelings that had traumatized Orion and his family seven years ago had returned in greater numbers to assault Shining Armor's wedding. Just like the last time, the changelings had been defeated. When all hope seemed lost, Cadance stepped in and using the love she and Shining Armor had for each other, managed to repel the changeling menace.

After enough reflection, Orion went to go join his wife in bed. Upon entering the room, the stallion noticed the lights were off. At first he thought his wife was already asleep, but her side of the bed was flat. Orion noticed a sliver of light coming from under the bathroom door, and reasoned his wife was in there. Suddenly the phone rang, which caused Orion to jump.

"Blast!" he said, picking up the phone, "Now who could it be at this hour?"

"Dad," Shining Armor said, his voice was trembling.

"Son?" Orion said, concerned, "What's wrong?"

"I don't know where Cadance is." Shining Armor said.

"What are you talking about?" Orion asked, "The two of you went to the honeymoon suite."

"It wasn't Cadance, dad." Shining Armor said, a note of panic in his voice, "It was a changeling."

Orion's eyes went wide. Repressed memories came flooding back in an instant. Too shocked to speak as he tried to process this new information, he listened to his son.

"When we got back to our room," Shining Armor said, "it transformed and started attacking me. I was able to trap it, but Cadance is missing and I don't know what to do."

"I'm sure the Royal Guards will find her," Orion said.

"I'm Captain of the Royal Guard!" Shining Armor shouted hysterically, "And I don't have a clue where she is!"

"Don't worry son," Orion said, trying to stay calm, "Dazzle and I will form a search party." After hanging up with his son Orion called out to his wife.

"She's in no condition to answer you." a voice said from behind the door. Orion froze and stared at the door.

"That voice..." Orion whispered.

The door to the bathroom swung open, and out stepped Cadance, still in her bridal gown, a deranged look on her face.Her pupils were pinpricks, and her mouth formed a sinister smile. Traces of webbing clung stubbornly to the tip of her horn. It floated on the breeze as she slowly walked towards Orion.

Cadance used her magic to flick the lights on. Only now did Orion see the true horror of his situation. His wife Dazzle was suspended from the ceiling by a changeling cocoon. Her mouth was covered so she couldn't scream. Her eyes were wide with terror as she looked down at her husband; their daughter-in-law advancing towards Orion. Flanked on either side of Dazzle was a changeling drone clinging to the ceiling; two of Cadence's creations.

Orion kept inching back until he bumped into the bed. He looked back up at his wife. She cried as tears fell from her eyes and landed on the middle of their bed. When Orion tilted his head back down, Cadance was staring at him, mere inches from his face.

"I missed you, dad," she whispered, "I've been saving myself. Just. For. You."

Orion was breathing heavily. All of his repressed memories were coming back. Cadance. Since she was a filly, her whole life has been a lie. An elaborate scheme to get to him.

Cadance pushed Orion onto the bed. He stared up at his wife. She stared back. Cadance looked up at Dazzle.

"I don't care if mom watches us," Cadance said, looking back down at Orion, "That will just turn me on even more."

Cadance leaned over the blue stallion, obscuring his vision of Dazzle. The alicorn mare placed a fore-hoof on either side of Orion's shoulders. Leaning in close, she whispered to Orion.

"You may kiss the bride." she said.