“’Dear Twilight,’” Twilight read, “’I am sure you are as excited as I am about the upcoming wedding in Canterlot...’”

“... ‘And as for you, Twilight, you will be playing the most important role of all: making sure that everything goes as planned. See you all very soon. Yours, Princess Celestia. PS: though neither of them will have to help with preparations, Spike and Vi are both welcome to join you.’ Okay. But – I don't understand – who's getting married?”

“Oh,” Spike said, “wait! Err, I was probably supposed to give you this one first...”

”I've got something to say to you, mister!”

Shining Armor was standing on top of the wall, giving commands to subordinate guards. Noticing the approaching Twilight, many of them pointed their weapons at her, but only until their captain recognized who it was.

”Twilight!” Shining took off his helmet, running down the staircase to greet his sister. “I've really missed you! How was the train ride?”

“How dare you not tell me in person that you were getting married?! I’m your sister, for pony’s sake!”

“That’s not my fault! Princess Celestia has requested a major increase in security. Didn't you see all the guards at the train station?”

“Oh. So you couldn’t write me?” For a moment, it seemed as if this reply was all it had taken to calm her down, but then her expression darkened. “But why didn’t you send a message before the wedding was getting close? Did you really forget?”

”Because the ban on messages has been there for three weeks now. It has nothing to do with the wedding – a threat has been made against Canterlot. We don't know who's responsible for it, but Princess Celestia asked that I help provide additional protection.”

“A threat?” Twilight echoed. “What kind of threat?”

Shining looked around before he responded. There were plenty of other guards nearby.

“You better ask Celestia that yourself,” he said quietly. “We’re not supposed to know more... and she hasn’t told me much, anyway.” He straightened up, his voice returning to normal. “You need to see this...”

He lit his horn, and in doing so, the forcefield around the city was illuminated in a red glow. Shining grimaced, in a way which Twilight immediately recognized as a sign of exhaustion from a difficult spell.

“The burden of keeping Canterlot safe and secure rests squarely on my shoulders,” he murmured. “It’s a big responsibility.”

“Yeah, it is.”

“But hey, that’s what I signed up for. And now...” He fell silent, looking nervous.

“What is it?”

“I wanted you to be my best mare... but with what happened, would you still-”

“Oh, Shining! Of course I would! I’m happy to be your best mare!”

“Oh.” Shining sounded relieved. “Okay. Good.”

“I’m honored, really. But – I still am a bit ticked that you’re marrying somepony I don’t even know! When did you meet this ‘Princess Mi Amore’-”

“What?” Shining interrupted, “Twilight! Princess Mi Amore Cadenza is Cadence.”

“... bllp?”

For a few seconds, they just stared at each other.

“Cadence?” Twilight echoed disbelievingly.

“Yup.”

“Cadence.”

“Yeah.”

“... you’re marrying Cadence.”

“Yeah. I thought you’d-”

“You’re marrying Cadence!! Ohmygosh! Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! You’re marrying Cadence! You’re marrying Cadence!” She did several, literal leaps of joy, until-

“Twilight!”

“Cadence!”

They ran towards each other, then both of them bent downward, and, perfectly in sync, went through a particular series of motions which many ponies would consider unbecoming of a royal princess.

“Sunshine, sunshine,” they recited in unison, “ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!”

Then they laughed and hugged and Shining was watching the scene with a big smile.

“I had no idea you’d be marrying Shining!” Twilight exclaimed. “I didn’t even know you two were close!”

“We haven’t been close for that long,” Cadence said, still holding Twilight. “But we do love each other.” They parted. “And we fit so well that neither of us has any doubts about committing to a life with each other. Of course, we did want to tell you before you got the official invitation, but-”

“-you couldn’t,” Twilight finished the sentence for her. “Yeah, Shining told me. Never mind! You two... I’m so happy for you! I really am. And I’m so happy you’ll be my sister-in-law!”

“Me too!” Cadence laughed, once more bending downward to draw Twilight into a hug. “Sisters! Could you have imagined that ten years ago?”

“No,” Twilight said between laughs and Cadence’s embrace, “no, I really couldn’t. It’s so great! I just hope you can endure him.”

“It’s not always easy.”

“Yes, I know how hard it can be.” Twilight’s voice was now deadly serious. “I’ve done it for years.”

Cadence nodded solemnly. “I have a hard task ahead of me.”

“But you have to do it.”

“Do I, really?”

“Yes. So we can be sisters.”

Cadence sighed theatrically.

“Alright. For you, Twilight.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

Shining, on the other hoof, did not look appreciative, and the fact that several of the surrounding guards now began snickering into their helmets didn’t seem to help.

“Are you two finished?”

Both of them laughed.

“I’m so happy you’ll be my sister-in-law,” Twilight repeated. “The letter Celestia sent me only called you Princess Mi-Amore Ca-thing, and I didn’t know it was you.”

“Ah. Yes, it’s a silly title. I’m always telling ponies to just call me Cadence, but many don’t seem to get the message.”

“Well,” Shining threw in, seemingly relieved that they had switched topics, “she had to use your full name and title in the invitation. It’s tradition.”

“Yeah,” Twilight said, “but she could have told me it was Cadence in her private letter. I guess she must have thought I know her title. ... Anyway, I’ve left the other girls waiting. I should go back to get them. Will you two...”

“Of course,” Cadence said immediately, “I’ve been looking forward to meeting them.”

They made their way down the wall and across the courtyard.

“How did you two meet?” Twilight asked on the way, “I want to know everything!”

Shining laughed. “We met because of you, Twilight.”

“Me? Really?”

“Yeah,” Cadence said, “Celestia mentioned to me that she was sending you to Ponyville, and that made me think of you again. I took the opportunity to talk to Shining about it, and we got close. The best decision I’ve ever made.”

“That’s so nice!” Twilight giggled. “But it was only the second best! The best one was becoming my foalsitter!”

“Oh stop, you!”

“These are your friends?” Shining asked. They had reached the station, where the other girls, Spike, and Vi were still waiting.

“May I introduce?” Twilight stepped forward with a smile. “Girls – and Spike – these are Princess Mi Amore Cadenza-”

“Oh, Twilight, please!” Cadence giggled. “She’s doing it on purpose,” she said to the group, “we just talked about how I dislike titles. Just call me Cadence.”

“This is Cadence,” Twilight corrected herself with a chuckle, “royal alicorn and a close friend. And this is Shining Armor, captain of the Royal Guard, and also my brother. Cadence and Shining, these are Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash – the very same friends I’ve told you about, Shining – Spike – I don’t need to introduce him – and last but not least, the smartest pony I’ve ever met! She goes by ‘Vi’, just like the letter.”

“The smartest pony you’ve ever met, huh?” Shining echoed. “She’s never called me smart before. You must be quite something.” He offered a hoof, and Vi shook it.

“It’s nice to meet you,” she said politely, “and you as well, princess.”

“Just ‘Cadence’ is enough. You only need to say ‘princess’ if you’re meeting Princess Celestia or Princess Luna. ... Oh, and it’s a real pleasure to meet you, Rarity! I couldn’t wait to meet the pony who will design my wedding gown...”

“Now, look at you, sugarcube,” Applejack said, as soon as Cadence and Shining had excused themselves. They’d been led to a fairly large room with eight beds total, which as Shining had said was entirely theirs for the duration of their visit. “Sour the whole time, but now yer lookin’ happier than Applebloom tastin’ my finest fritters. Guess that Cadence wasn’t such a stranger after all, huh?”

“She’s my old foalsitter,” Twilight admitted with a sheepish smile. “But you’re right, Applejack. I don’t know when I’ve last felt this happy. My brother is marrying Cadence! Not only that, but you’re all here with me. All of you! And we’re going to help make their wedding perfect! Isn’t it just... well, just perfect?”

“Aww,” Pinkie made. “You really do look happy!”

Twilight responded something benign, and then Rarity said something sassy, and there were a lot of giggles, and then some hugs, and all six of the elements and Spike seemed to be lost in the moment. Only Vi didn’t join, merely standing beside the scene, looking worried. She waited until everyone had calmed down a bit and Pinkie and Rainbow were claiming rights to their respective beds, until she said something.

“Twilight?”

“Yeah?” Twilight was still smiling as she turned toward the filly.

“One, can I take this bed? Two, did you ask about the forcefield?”

“The... oh. Yes. Shining said there’s been a ‘threat’ made against the city. Only Celestia seems to know what that means. I don’t think it’s a big deal, otherwise, we’d have heard more about it. And as for the bed, sure. Should I take this one?” She pointed at the one right next to it.

“Yes, please.”

“‘Please’?” Twilight echoed, putting her luggage onto the bed in question and beginning to take out various items. “Is it important?”

“Well, I’ll be faster to wake you up in case of an emergency.”

“An emergency? Jeez.” Rainbow Dash, who had taken the bed opposite to the filly’s, threw her a doubtful glance. “Paranoid much?”

“Shining said a threat has been made,” Vi reminded her. “Twilight, do you think we’ll have twenty minutes before the preparations start?”

“I don’t know. Do you want to take a nap?”

Vi nodded.

“Go ahead, I think. If they come back in five minutes, I’ll just drop by a bit later to pick you up. You aren’t even expected to help, after all.”

“But we don’t have to be quiet, do we?” Pinkie’s voice asked from her bed next to Rainbow’s.

“No, no. Be as loud as you want.” Vi climbed into her bed, pulling the covers over her tiny figure. “See you all later.”

“Hiya, Cadence!”

“Hello! Everything going well here?”

The bakery was a modest room compared to most other parts of Canterlotian establishment. Applejack had been assigned three assistant chefs to prepare the snacks for the wedding, and Vi was there to keep track of progress.

“It’s goin’ just fine. Actually, we already finished our first set of treats. Wanna try some?”

“I’d love to!” Cadence took a step closer to take one of the fritters Applejack was offering her, only then noticing the pony standing behind the front end of the table. “Oh, hello, Vi. You’re not with Twilight?”

“No, Twilight’s with Fluttershy. She explained me what she wants me to keep track of, so I’m filling in for her.”

“I... see.” She gave the filly a curious look, but then just took a bite from her fritter.

“Mhhm, these are delicious! I see the princess knew what she was doing when she named you the chief chef, Applejack.”

“Aw, shucks! Why don’t you take a few to go?”

“Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to create even more work for you.”

“Don’t ya worry none.” Applejack put the plate back onto the table. “With those three ponies helpin’ me, we’ll be done with the menu in no time. There’s plenty of time to make a few extra.”

“Alright then. I’d love to take some! Thank you very much.” She turned to Vi, who was just summoning a paper bag at Applejack’s directions. “How did you come to know Twilight? She hasn’t told Shining anything about you.”

“I live with her. She’s been very kind to take me in.”

“What about your family?”

“... I strongly prefer not to talk about that.” She offered the bag to the alicorn. “Is that okay?”

It wasn’t lost to the remaining ponies in the room that a nine-year-old had just refused to answer a question from a member of royalty, but Cadence gave no sign of finding it noteworthy.

“Of course. Thanks again, everypony. I see you’re doing great work.” She took the bag in her magic. “See you both soon!”

“Was sure I’d finally hear the answer, there,” Applejack remarked after Cadence had left. “Given you don’t lie, an’ all. But, I gotta say, you got some nerve.”

“Um ... thanks. I’ll add a note that Cadence has tested and liked the fritters.”

“... right. Well, let’s get back to work, now.”

“Isn’t Cadence great?!”

It was evening, and they were meeting up at a small but high profile café, sitting on comfortable pillows around their own table.

“She was lovely,” Fluttershy agreed. “I’m very happy for you, Twilight.”

“She’s so much fun! I almost forgot she’s even a princess!”

Rarity harrumphed. “Pinkie, please! You make it sound like she doesn’t know her stature! Why, on the contrary, when I had the honor of talking to her, she was well aware of her position.”

“She’s probably adapting to the pony she’s talking to,” Vi suggested, who had stacked three pillows on top of each other to make up for her height. “You’re more comfortable treating her as a princess, Rarity, and Pinkie is more comfortable treating her as just another pony, and she’s fine with both.”

“I suppose. ... She gave me detailed instructions as to what she wants changed for her dress, and in which areas she wants me to exercise my own creative freedom, all the while being utmost polite and respectful. I say, many customers could learn a thing or two from her.”

“I’m sure Vi’s right,” Twilight said. “Her special talent is love, after all. And she’s always been great at understanding other ponies. And feeling for them. She could always cheer me up when I was sad, and that happened... more often than I’d like.”

“It’s telling that you didn’t even know her title,” Fluttershy said softly.

“Yeah! It’s so easy to forget that she’s a princess. Like Pinkie said. She just feels like a normal pony.”

“Yeah...” Rainbow said ironically. “Except she has wings.” The lack of wits in this comment silently hung above the group, though it was unclear whether Rainbow herself had noticed. “Eh, then again, who knows whether she can even fly.”

“Rainbow!” Twilight protested while Pinkie and Spike giggled. “ ... of course she can fly!”

“Have you ever seen her do it?”

“That’s... let me think.”

“I’ll bet with you,” Vi said to Rainbow Dash, “fifty bits for you if she can’t fly, ten for me if she can.”

“Pfff. You even have fifty bits?”

“No. But still-”

“Hah!”

“-Twilight would lend them to me. Right, Twilight?”

Rather than responding, Twilight remarked that she had in fact seen Cadence fly, thereby rendering the debate pointless.

“Do Cadence and Shining Armor want to have snow on their wedding day?” Fluttershy asked.

“Beats me,” said Rainbow. “I haven’t been in touch with any of the weather ponies. Putting up with the guards was bad enough.”

“I for one cannot imagine otherwise,” said Rarity. “Which pony would not want to have an all-white wedding? Just imagine the beautiful imagery!”

There was a bit more chit-chat until they were interrupted by an armored member of the royal guard approaching their table.

“Ladies? I have a message from Princess Celestia for all of you.”

Twilight turned to face her. “What is it?”

“She invites you all for a brief visit. She said, ‘as soon as you are ready.’ If you don’t mind, I will take you to her immediately.”

“Please ask her about the threat,” Vi whispered to Twilight, as they were being led to the Castle. They both made sure to walk in the back so as to be out of ear’s range of anypony else. Fluttershy had initially been right next to them, but Twilight had redirected her to the front of the group so Vi and her had some space to talk.

“I will,” she whispered back.

“I’m nervous,” Vi admitted. “Cadence is one thing, but this is the ruler of Equestria herself. I’m actually meeting her. Just like that. That’s crazy.”

“Celestia meets with regular ponies all the time. It’s not so unusual.”

“It’s unusual for her to meet with ponies who aren’t from Equestria. What if she has a way of seeing it? What if she asks me? I’m not sure I have the courage to tell her it’s a secret.”

They had reached the castle.

“I’ll say something if that happens,” Twilight whispered, but then they had to stop talking to avoid drawing attention. Soon they reached the throne room, and there she was, royal and regal, surrounded by guards, the ruler of the paradise amidst an otherwise much colder world: Princess Celestia.

“My little ponies.” Celestia stood up, walking down the steps of her throne, towards her eight kneeling guests. “And Spike,” she added. “And only one of you is truly little anymore, is she? I’ve been looking forward to meeting the pony Twilight has written so many intriguing things about.”

Suddenly, all eyes were on the filly.

“It’s... an honor... to meet you, princess.”

“Mh.” Celestia turned to the rest of the group. “How was the day? Did you have a pleasant trip?”

“It was great,” Twilight said, and the others all murmured their agreement. “All of the preparations are going smoothly.”

“That is wonderful to hear. And I hope your room is to your liking as well?”

“We couldn’t wish for anything more. The only thing we’ve been worrying about is, well... this.” Twilight pointed outside of the window, where the red hue of the forcefield was clearly visible.

“Ah, yes. You are wondering what has taken place to warrant such a reaction, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“I am afraid there is little I can tell you. You probably heard that a threat has been made against Canterlot. It might be more precise to say that a threat has been made against me, although the culprit has made it clear that Canterlot was her real target. I don’t know who she is, but she was powerful enough to speak to me directly, without revealing herself. I took the warning seriously and had a forcefield raised to protect all of Canterlot. Unfortunately, this makes it impossible to send messages through means other than dragon flame.”

After a few moments, Vi carefully spoke up.

“I ask for permission to ask a question, princess.”

Celestia laughed. “There is no need for such formality. Speak freely.”

“Is the forcefield closed at the bottom?”

“Ah. Twilight has told me that you are a very careful pony, and one with a sharp mind. Yes, the forcefield protects the city from all sides. It is not possible to circumvent it by digging a tunnel.”

“I see,” Vi said, “thank you, princess.”

“If that is all – I see everything is in order, so you may go back to your chambers. Thank you all for the great work you are doing, and I hope you’ll have another enjoyable and productive day tomorrow.”

They all kneeled one more time, then made their way out of the throne room, this time without a guard guiding them. Once more, Twilight and Vi tried to walk at the end of the group, and once more, Fluttershy tried to do the same. Once more, Twilight tried to signal her to go in front, but this time, she didn’t seem to understand. Eventually, Vi solved the problem by taking a few steps forward, walking next to Applejack.

They had left the castle; Pinkie and Rainbow Dash began talking about flying and Rarity was saying something to Spike about the dress. Vi and Applejack-

“Twilight?”

She turned her head, unsure whether she had just imagined Fluttershy saying something. It had been so quiet as to be almost inaudible.

“Twilight?” The pegasus now repeated, a bit louder this time.

“What is it?”

“After you left, Shining came by to check on how I was doing with the choir.” Fluttershy was talking very hastily, and still very quietly, making it hard for Twilight to understand her. “Then something really strange happened. We were standing close, and suddenly he kicked me.”

“Kicked you?” Twilight repeated, once again wondering whether she had misheard.

“Yes. Kicked me. He hit my leg with his hoof, really hard, and when I looked at him, then, for a moment, he had this weird expression, but then... then just a moment later, he... he looked as if nothing had happened. He was saying something about the choir, and I responded, and we didn’t talk about what he had done at all.”

Author's Note

Part II coming soon