A Dash of Rarityby BronyxyChapters1 A Secret Revealed2 Word Gets Out3 Pageantry and Ceremony1 A Secret RevealedThe day was warm and butterflies frolicked to an accompaniment of casually orchestrated birdsong. The bees buzzed a happy tune while they zig-zagged randomly from flower to fragrant flower, pausing a moment at each as if admiring a work of art, turning to better appreciate the individual subtlety of each from myriad different perspectives. There were no clouds, but high up in the crystal azure sky there was a dot, silhouetted dark against the brightness of the summer’s day. Following obediently behind the dot, shadowing every twist and turn was a trail comprising the colours of the rainbow. “Wow!” gasped the orange pegasus filly, her purple tail flowing out behind her “This is awesome!” “Ain’t seen nothin’ yet, Squirt” said Rainbow Dash “Hold on tight!” With that, the young protégé gripped tighter and her mentor tipped over into a death defying dive, hurtling toward Equestria laid out below them. Anypony else would have been scared by the fearsome way in which the lake beneath them was racing up to meet them, but not Scootaloo, who knew no fear when she was with Ponyville’s favourite Wonderbolt. At the last minute, she pulled out of her dive, gliding at frightening speed just above the surface of the lake, causing a rooster tail of water to rise up behind them due purely to the aerodynamic force under her wings. As her speed began to bleed off, Rainbow climbed imperceptibly and dipped a wing so that the tip just touched the water and she banked to her left leaving a crisp curling wake in the water that followed them through their turn, her passenger whooping for joy. Rainbow pulled up again and began to climb once more but saw something, or rather somepony unexpected by the lakeside. Sat on the grass close to the water’s edge was a pony of the purest white with a purple mane. She only knew one pony who looked as good as that, and aborted her climb to glide down gracefully next to her friend, landing with the merest bump in spite of the extra weight she was carrying. “Rainbow, you looked magnificent” praised the fashion designer. “That’s nothing!” interjected Scootaloo “You should feel what it’s like up there! It’s amazing!” “You work hard at Junior Speedsters Flight Camp and you’ll be doing it in no time” encouraged the daredevil flyer. “Oh, thanks Rainbow Dash, you’re the best!” she enthused. Rainbow made a quick assessment of Rarity’s body language and turned her head to the orange filly: “Now have a practice yourself and give me and Rarity a little time, OK Squirt?” The starstruck filly trotted off happily flapping her wings, dreaming of the day she could perform a sonic rainboom, or even a double rainboom. “What’s up Rare?” asked the cyan pegasus “I can tell something’s on your mind.” “Oh Rainbow” gushed the white unicorn “I’ve just broken up with my stallion friend.” “What, the art critic?” asked Rainbow. “Yes, yes, darling” fussed Rarity, her beautiful blue eyes tearing up “It turns out he only wanted me to show off as a trophy at public events, you know, to make him look good. I feel so stupid!” The cyan pegasus looked concerned. No pony had the right to do this to her friend, or any of her friends for that matter. Especially this one. “Oh, Rainbow” cried Rarity as she leaned over and buried her muzzle in Rainbow’s neck “I … I … I feel so used!” With this she burst into long held back tears and draped a forlorn foreleg around her friend’s neck, Rainbow responding and moving in closer to give her a reassuring hug. “You’re so strong, Rainbow” she wailed “Always so confident, so self-assured, always with a different stallion. I on the other hoof, fall in love too easily and always get hurt, so hurt. How do you do it darling?” There was a pause while Rainbow considered the circumstances that had made her who she was, whether it was right or wrong, and how much she should say. She looked around to make sure nopony else was close and checked to see that Scootaloo far enough away not to hear: “I had my heart broken once, Rare” she began. “Not the great Rainbow Dash” sniffled the fashion designer “Who could possibly do such a thing?” “Yeah, well it was a long time ago” the pegasus sighed “Somepony really special too.” “Nopony ever gets the better of you, surely?” consoled Rarity. “She did” came the reply. Rarity stopped in her tracks: “She?” she enquired “But you always date stallions; I’ve seen you often enough.” Rainbow looked around again, double checking where Scootaloo was before replying: “There was one filly, she's a mare now. Nopony could ever replace her, and so I date stallions to combat the loneliness I’ve been feeling ever since. We never actually do it, if you know what I mean, because I’m not that way” admitted Rainbow frankly “But I could never have a marefriend as good as her, so I don’t even try dating other mares.” “Oh darling, that’s so much more sad than my selfish little indulgence” said Rarity, making a real effort to pull herself together and extending a comforting forehoof towards her friend. Rainbow reached out and took her hoof in hers. “Who is this mare, darling? I’m sure I could do something to bring the two of you together.” Rainbow turned towards her with a look in her eyes that Rarity had never seen before and opened her mouth to speak. Just then, Scootaloo came bounding in: “Hey Rainbow Dash!” she bubbled with excitement “I think I can really fly! Come and watch, oh please come and watch me!” The tender hoofhold was broken and the two friends looked into each other’s eyes just a little longer than friends, even good friends generally do, before Rainbow was pulled away. Rarity sat and watched as the two pegasi trotted away from her. Rainbow did make a fine mentor; Scootaloo was very lucky indeed. Then she got to thinking, and a collection of random thoughts started to coalesce. “She can’t have meant …” she thought to herself “No, surely not …” Scootaloo tried really hard to repeat what she believed she had just accomplished a few minutes beforehand, but for whatever reason, it didn’t happen and she started to feel downhearted. “Come on Squirt” said Rainbow with a cheery expression “Climb up and we’ll put a smile back on that face, then we’ll take you home.” “Aw, must we go back so soon?” whined the orange filly. “Yes we must” said Rainbow “But I never said it had to be boring, now did I?” Scootaloo giggled, anticipating further fun in store and held on tight once more as they leapt into the air, the broadest smile across her face. Rarity trotted back to the Carousel Boutique with so much more of a spring in her step than she could have imagined when she had left for a moment of quiet and solitude by the lake earlier. She had been so close to finding out who Rainbow’s mystery fillyfriend had been, and she had started to develop a funny feeling that she may know this mare just a little better than she would have otherwise guessed. “Surely not …” she said to herself for the umpteenth time since her meeting with Rainbow. The dressmaker had only ever dated stallions and had never even considered dating another mare. There were many happy same sex couples in Ponyville for sure; Lyra and Bon Bon for example, and they were always very happy, so there was nothing to say it was wrong – nothing at all. It was just that she had never considered it for herself. “Surely not …” she said again, although the more she said it, the less farfetched it seemed. But what if she was wrong? She could make a dreadful fool of herself and their friendship would never be the same if she had misjudged it. She stopped the stitching she had been half-heartedly toying with and went to her bedroom and threw herself onto her bed, not to cry, but to lay on her back and giggle like a filly. Could she be falling in love again? “Surely not …” With a mare? Maybe … Rainbow wasn’t the easiest of ponies to engineer an opportunity to bump into. She kept the sky clear as resident weather pony and wowed crowds regularly as a member of the Wonderbolts, and if she wasn’t practising her latest flying stunts she would be napping on a cloud somewhere. She even lived in a cloud house for goodness sake! Rarity couldn’t shake the thought from her mind that Rainbow had fallen for her, but now instead of being shocked at the prospect found herself actively pushing to the corner of her mind the possibility that she may be wrong. She played over the scenarios that could happen when they next met and rehearsed some witty comments that suited every possible eventuality so she would not be caught off guard, but would appear charming, sophisticated and available, but without looking desperate; she wasn’t that way inclined after all. Or was she? Even she didn’t know any more. Dating a mare could hardly be less rewarding than dating a stallion if her recent experience was anything to go by. She forced herself to start thinking about things other than her love life and recalled that Sweetie Belle would be home soon and she simply had to go shopping unless they were going to starve, so went downstairs and prepared to go out. She stood for an inordinate time in front of the mirror with her hairbrush trying different styles with her mane in a way she hadn’t done since she was a filly – just in case she should bump into Rainbow, although she would deny that allegation immediately if any pony had the temerity to suggest it. Even if it was true. She put her mane right one more time, just in case, then left for the shops. She opened the door, hearing the friendly tinkle of the bell and spared it a happy smile as she floated out into the street, her hooves barely touching the ground. She hadn’t gone far when Starlight approached her wearing a beaming smile. “Well hello Rarity” she greeted warmly “You look particularly happy today!” “As a matter of fact I am” replied Rarity cheerfully “I can’t help thinking that something nice may come my way.” “Trixie looks lovely in that new outfit you made her” said the lilac unicorn “Thank you so much; you really showed her off to perfection.” “That was the aim darling” said Rarity “She really does have a simply divine figure to work with.” “I know” replied Starlight wistfully “She’s very lucky.” “And so are you, darling” responded the dressmaker. At this, the lilac unicorn blushed. “I … I didn’t think anypony knew” she stammered. “Really darling” said Rarity with a coy smile “The way you looked at her during the fitting? Actually, I found it most liberating.” “After what she did to you when she had the Alicorn Amulet?” asked the lilac unicorn “You truly are most generous.” Rarity gave a gentle “tsk tsk” before adding with another smile “But I confess I‘ve never used that shade of brown again!” “Tell me” said the lilac unicorn “What would you like to dress Rainbow Dash in?” It was now Rarity’s turn to blush; not just a little bit, but bright red, and the more she fought it, the worse it became. “Oh, I see ...” said Starlight, any further questions she may have had now firmly answered. As Rarity scrambled to regain some dignity, Starlight hit her with the punchline: “Because she’s right behind you! See you later Rarity - have a nice date!” Rarity turned her head quickly behind her and sure enough, there was the cyan pegasus walking toward her carrying a bunch of flowers in her mouth. Her well-rehearsed ad lib lines all grew wings and took flight, leaving her to turn an even deeper shade of red. Worse, her polished sophistication evaporated into steam as she tried desperately to claw it back and failed, leaving her staring dumbfounded as Rainbow gave her head a slight nod. “Oh … Oh, of course” she stammered taking the flowers in her magic. “Hey Rare” she said “Hope you like them. I just kinda … well, found them and thought that pretty things belonged together, so brought them along for you. I thought they were a few shades pinker than your coat, but you do look kinda redder than I remember …” “Found them, huh?” said Rarity regaining some composure “The wrapping alone tells me they came from Lily Valley, Daisy and Rose. Tell me, are they still bemoaning the end of the world?” “Yeah, quite probably” said Rainbow “But I’ve never paid them much attention.” “I’m flattered darling; thank you.” “You know, don’t you?” said Rainbow stopping to focus on the beautiful pure white unicorn and staring deep into her blue eyes. “I worked it out” whispered Rarity, praying she was right, as she leaned in, closing her eyes and puckering her lips. Finally, after all the years Rainbow had waited, she drew close to the mare of her dreams and felt their lips touch gently. She had played this fantasy over and over in her dreams so many times she had lost count, and now as her dream came true she felt her legs start to tremble with excitement the like of which she had never known. The ponies bustling around them melted away as if they weren’t there, while they shared this one precious, tender moment. When they finally gently pulled apart, they both had learned something about themselves; Rarity had lost any lingering doubts about dating a mare, especially this one, whilst Rainbow was still in shock that her long-standing dream had come true and that it was even more consuming than she had ever dared believe. “Come on darling” breathed Rarity hoarsely “I think we’re causing a scene.” Rainbow was rooted to the spot, still processing what had happened, and just happy to lose herself in her friend’s beauty. This felt so right, she just knew it had to be right. Rarity pulled back a little, still looking lovingly into Rainbow’s eyes and then turned with a giggle to trot playfully away, looking back over her shoulder with an unstated but obvious “chase me” request. Rainbow was still stood with her eyes wide and her mouth open. She had dreamed about the kiss for years and could still not quite believe it had happened for real, but the fact that this sublime moment of intimacy had ended and Rarity was still there in front of her coaxing her on seemed too good to be true. She still felt she was dreaming, but then realisation hit and washed over her like a tidal wave and she launched into the air spinning in a climbing corkscrew, shouting “best day ever!” Rainbow dived down and fell in behind Rarity’s flank as she took her cue to entice the cyan pegasus in a teasing chase, giggling playfully, leading her away to a secluded little spot she knew where they could enjoy some privacy. 2 Word Gets OutFrom the day of their first kiss, it had been impossible to keep their relationship quiet even if they had wanted to. Even if Starlight could have been trusted to be discrete about what she had seen, too many other ponies had seen the sudden and unexpected closeness the two had shared; after all the pair were both readily identifiable local celebrities. Naturally enough, gossip spread fast and neither made any attempt to deny their new status as a couple. Rarity never even bothered to take stock of how far her views had changed in a few short days; she was happy. She had never appreciated what it could feel like to be in a relationship where her partner was not making constant demands of her all the time as it had always been with stallions; she had just grown to accept that as being part of the deal. This was different; Rainbow was a celebrity in her own right and more well-known than her, so there were no demands to be paraded at media events – quite the opposite. Then there were the moments of intimacy that Rarity had shared with whoever the stallion friend of the moment happened to be. None had ever really taken the time she wanted to get her into the right state of mind and her body properly prepared before events took over and she had always been left brutalised and unsatisfied, but again she had accepted this as part of the deal. Rainbow wasn’t like that; she would take the time to cuddle, to relax her, to float her cares away and prepare her for whatever they chose to do together. This was not a relationship of demand and compliance, but a pairing of equals and a complete revelation to her. She now understood why Rainbow had hidden for so long behind a shield of bravado and still couldn’t believe it was because this surprisingly caring pegasus had been scared to show her true self to her. Although she had accepted Rainbow as being the Element of Loyalty, she had always seen this attribute displayed through aggression, a fierce defender of those whom she loved. It was all so clear now that Rainbow’s loyalty could also be displayed more tenderly with a cherished partner, but she had never had a means of showing it before. Granted, Rarity had always known herself to be talented, a cut above the rest and had risen to play the part, but she had never even realised that there was somepony close to her who was even more special in a way that she hadn’t even allowed to be seen. Rarity felt humbled, realising for the first time that she had all along been holding the happiness of another, indeed her very destiny in her hooves all this time. She felt guilty for her past actions and considered for the first time how Rainbow must have felt all along, and realised abruptly how few demands this caring pegasus had ever made of her. Nopony had ever treated her with this level of respect before and every “good morning” was a treat to look forward to, turning over to see the mare of her dreams waiting for her with a loving smile. Any reservations she may have felt before about having a marefriend had flown away on the summer breeze; she knew there would be no going back now. The news was met in the most part with best wishes for their happiness, but in some of the more conservative corners of Equestria there were lingering mutterings of discontent. The couple received this mixed reaction with gratitude to those who extended their good wishes, but were equally not deterred by those who were more backward looking as they planned the next stage in their relationship. During the course of time, Rainbow and Rarity became acknowledged as one of the most devoted couples in Equestria, each encouraging and supporting the other in achieving their dreams, always the first to praise when things succeeded and the first to catch their partner if things didn’t work out. Indeed couples who had been hiding their own relationships for fear of adverse comment now had high profile role models to aspire to, and single ponies wrestling with their own sexuality against societal expectations felt empowered to follow their hearts; to finally be true to themselves. It was no understatement to say that their relationship had ushered in a new spirit of enlightenment and tolerance. An unexpected spin-off from this was that they received letters from individuals and couples seeking advice on how to manage their own relationships and were called upon to speak publicly. With each appearance and each written response, their popularity grew and there was one question on everypony’s mind, but it took one of the celebrity magazines to express it in print – “When will they marry?” They had both thought about it, but somehow it had never felt like a priority. They didn’t feel that they needed a certificate to prove their love to each other, but there was something about a ceremony in front of everypony; a public affirmation under one of the Royal Princesses that got them to thinking. Then there was also the concern about how their friends would react. This was potentially a much more important issue because it called into question the integrity of the Elements of Harmony, for if there was dissent among the friends, then the magic would be lost, leaving Equestria vulnerable. Over the coming weeks, they took the opportunity to sound out each of their friends in turn, starting with the toughest of all to crack; the Element of Honesty. If she was out, the venture would be off. It was then with mixed emotions that the couple walked over to Sweet Apple Acres to find AJ hard at work, up to her muzzle in chores as always. “Well, what brings you two lovebirds over to these here parts?” asked the farmer with a friendly smile. “Can we talk, AJ?” asked Rainbow. “Why sure, sugar” replied the earth pony, putting down her tools and wiping her forehooves off “What’s so serious as brings the both of yuh?” “Well darling” began Rarity “It’s your honest opinion we require.” “Not judging another fashion show I hope!” commented AJ with a wry smile. “No; something more important” said the fashionista in all earnestness. “More import than fashion design to Rarity?” enquired the farmer, suddenly sensing the gravitas of the situation “I’m all ears.” “Are you, you know, happy with Rare and me being together?” asked Rainbow. “Why sure” came the reply “It’s fine as frog fur.” “Er, AJ; that’s another of your country-isms, isn’t it?” responded Rainbow perplexed. “Can you translate please?” asked Rarity. “Oh – sorry” said the orange earth pony, turning noticeable pink around her cheeks “Yeah, it’s a right nice thing you two’ve got goin’ on. I’m right pleased for yuh.” “You see darling” picked up Rarity, adding a little nervously “We wanted to know what you thought about the two of us getting married.” “That’s an easy one” sparked AJ immediately “You two are made for each other. I’m surprised you hadn’t thought of it afore now. Thought you was goin’ to ask me somethin’ difficult.” “So, no problems if we went ahead then?” asked Rainbow. “Jus’ try to make sure it’s not in apple buckin’ season, ‘cos I’m real busy round then.” The responses from the other friends fell into the same pattern, all commenting that they had considered the two to be to all intents and purposes married already; Twilight was so excited she had sounded like Rainbow with an “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!” moment on hearing the news, whilst Fluttershy said “Awwww” and Pinkie wanted to throw a party right there and then. After a tiring round of sounding out their closest friends they finally retired to Carousel Boutique and sat down at a table opposite each other. The next step was theirs alone to take, and it was far bigger than either of them had thought when they started. Rarity poured out some wine for herself and cider for Rainbow, placing the glasses on the table. She levitated her glass and stared into the translucent yellow liquid, gently swirling it round the glass, then took a sip and placed it thoughtfully down, resting her chin on her forehooves. She broke her gaze away and looked up to see Rainbow’s rose coloured eyes looking at her, concerned. Rainbow tilted her head slightly to one side and extended her forehooves over the table and waited. The white unicorn paused, deep in thought, then gave a broad smile and stretched her forehooves out to meet the cyan ones waiting for her. “Shall we, darling?” she asked, her voice cracking as she spoke. “I do” replied Rainbow. 3 Pageantry and CeremonyThe bride and her wife to be had an army of experienced helpers to call upon following their having arranged the spectacular and unforgettable wedding at Canterlot between Princess Cadence and Shining Armor. The only helper missing from the line-up was Rarity who had designed the dress on that occasion, but owing to this being her wedding she could neither design Rainbow’s dress nor her own, so had contacted two other trusted designers; Coco Pommel for Rainbow and Lily Race for herself. Lily had a tendency towards employing multiple diaphanous layers, but Rarity knew how to stamp her hoofprint on the design so as not to let it deviate too far from what she envisaged. Coco on the other hoof was the more traditionally inspired of the two designers and Rarity instinctively knew she would be able to create a suitable masterpiece without the need for any intervention, and so suited Rainbow better. Twilight took charge and all the friends reprised the marvellous jobs they had done before. The task was a lot easier this time as there was no Queen Chrysalis acting as imposter to throw off their preparations; everything was going perfectly. Although neither was royalty, the fact that Rarity and Rainbow were both Bearers of the Elements of Harmony and had saved Equestria countless times led Princess Celestia to offer the use of the Royal Castle in Canterlot for the ceremony as soon as she heard the news. She also offered to officiate over the service personally, an honour only ever reserved for the most important State occasions. Of all the other offers of help that came from outside the immediate circle of friends, the most unexpected was Vapor Trail, who wanted to contribute because she felt she owed Rainbow for getting her into the Wonderbolts. As it turned out, she was a deft hoof with decorations, taking over another of the jobs that Rarity had supervised last time. However, the two who caused most concern for Twilight’s planning skills were the fathers of the two mares; Bow Hothoof being way too loud and enthusiastic while Hondo Flanks was very chilled, but kept forgetting what he was supposed to be doing. With commendable patience, Twilight drilled them both into their roles and even succeeded in toning down the over-excitable pegasus stallion. One of the most intractable problems had been deciding how Rainbow should wear her wedding ring. As a unicorn, it was easy for Rarity; she would wear it on her horn as did all unicorns, but not only did Rainbow not have a horn, but she was a display flyer, so a necklace or a wing piercing was out. This took a lot of hard thought before Twilight thought up a clever solution with the help of some unusual magic. Although agreed by both Rainbow and Rarity, everypony else would have to wait to see what she had come up with. Finally, with the day approaching, even Twilight eventually conceded that they were ready. The night before the wedding, Rarity had held an open house at Carousel Boutique and all manner of friends, clients and society types had flocked to enjoy the wine and the company. At some time or another, the four other members of the Mane Six had stopped in to wish her well, Spike staying up later than was truly appropriate for a baby dragon, his emotions alternating between pride in her marrying one of his closest friends, but also coming to the stark realisation that there was now no chance of romance ever blossoming twixt dragon and unicorn. When the pile of empty bottles started to look increasingly precarious, Twilight felt it really was passed time that the baby dragon should be in bed and took Spike to say goodnight and thank you to their hostess who gathered him up in her forehooves and gave him a kiss of the kind he would never forget. At the same time, Rainbow’s cloud house had been the centre of a riotous and bawdy cider and pizza party. As earth ponies and unicorns would fall through the clouds, only a few of Rainbow’s friends could attend, but the house was swollen to bursting with the arrival of all the Wonderbolts. Old stories and personal anecdotes just seemed to get funnier as the night went on, and never lost their appeal no matter how many times they were retold, while others sang loudly, some even occasionally in tune. The next day dawned like any other, but carrying with it only fragmented memories of the night before. Coffee was liberally handed out at both venues as two groups of ponies tried to piece together what they had done the night before, and with whom. Rainbow went outside for a moment and walked to the edge of a cloudbank, looking down over Equestria wistfully. “You ready Crash?” asked a familiar voice beside her. Rainbow didn’t need to look to see the fiery maned leader of the Wonderbolts she knew was standing by her side, catching a private moment. She had a loud voice and commanded respect, but none would question her dedication to each individual within the team. “You could have had me, you know” said Spitfire with a note of regret in her voice. “I know” whispered Rainbow. “Oh great” teased the fiery pegasus, pretending to be affronted “Make me sound easy, why don’t you?” “My heart was hers way before I met you” replied Rainbow honestly “Nopony else ever stood a chance.” “She’s one lucky pony” replied Spitfire wistfully. There was a pause, the comfortable kind of silence between friends where neither feels the need to break the unspoken bond with the clumsiness of words. “Beautiful isn’t it” mused the cyan pegasus eventually, still staring out over Equestria “No matter how much I look at its beauty, it still stays fresh. Just like Rarity.” “Yeah” agreed Spitfire “But don’t think I’m going to be easy on you just because you’ve gone all sappy!” Rainbow looked up and turned to face the yellow pegasus for the first time in their conversation, noticing a yellow forehoof being extended towards her. She raised one of her own in response and hoof bumped, then focusing her sharply stated “You know I’m still the best flyer you’ve ever seen.” A wry smile spread across Spitfire’s face “I know a garbage can that says otherwise – Crash!” “Shall we discuss your nickname then, heh?” jibed Rainbow good-naturedly, returning the banter. The two friends giggled and shared the briefest of nuzzles as a token of how much each truly cared for the other. “C’mon” said Rainbow “Let’s go rustle up the gang. I don’t want to be late.” In Carousel Boutique, sore heads had been cleared with the magic of coffee and Rarity was ensuring that she was as prepared as she needed to be before heading off to the castle to complete her transformation. “Yuh know Rarity” said AJ “You two are meant for each other.” “Why thank you darling” cooed the white unicorn, then she became a bit more pensive and replied “I had no idea she had been saving herself for me, even after all the stallion friends I’ve had. It must have hurt her so much, and I never even knew.” “We didn’t know neither” retorted the farmer “We all thought she was the one off with every stallion in town and beyond.” “But she never did” said Rarity affectionately “I really can’t understand how she can love me the way she does.” “She’s pretty lucky too, if you ask me” said AJ “You ain’t the Element of Generosity for nothin'.” “And she’s the Element of Loyalty” sighed the fashion designer, clutching a pillow she had been tidying tight to her chest. Just then, Twilight burst in. “Rarity, come outside now!” gasped the lilac alicorn clearly out of breath. Her friend did as she was bidden and looked up to the sky where Twilight was pointing. Coming towards Ponyville was a formation of blue suited pegasi; more than she had ever seen flying at one time before. They were holding perfect formation with a rainbow tailed mare at the front and her fellow flyers following behind in a formation the shape of a heart. Rarity jumped up and down with excitement, clapping her forehooves together in delight. Just as the formation drew parallel to Carousel Boutique, all the pegasi turned to face Rarity and saluted smartly before resuming their flypast. Rarity squeed in delight, her forehooves squeezing her cheeks while a chorus of applause erupted from behind her as all her guests joined in. It was only once she had seen the Wonderbolts disappear over the skyline of Ponyville that she noticed the Royal chariots waiting to take her and her closest friends to Canterlot. Twilight held Rarity’s bags and tilted her head to one side, raising on eyebrow, wordlessly enquiring if she was ready. She opened her mouth to thank Twilight, only to find that the lump in her throat forbade it, so just nodded gently instead and floated over to the lead chariot. The two mares arrived at the Royal Castle within a quarter hour of each other, each drawing admiring gasps and ripples of applause from the eager crowds already forming to mark the special event. Both mares were met by Princess Celestia in person, wearing the warmest of smiles and then went their separate ways to prepare for the ceremony as the butterflies started to kick in. Three hours later, their manes and tails expertly coiffured and their wedding dresses fitted by their respective designers, the mares were ready. The music in the Great Hall was formal and they knew that it was already packed. Hondo Flanks came in to fetch his daughter and was speechless; he could honestly say that at that moment he was looking at the most beautiful mare he had ever seen in his life. Rarity stepped forward and gave him the most treasured kiss on his cheek and he turned to escort her out to give his daughter away to the mare of her dreams. Bow Hothoof stopped outside the door where he knew his daughter was and tried to smooth down his mane and straighten his formal attire to look his best, then knocked and went in. Before him was the rough and tumble filly he had brought up now looking at her most stunning in a gorgeous dress. Seeing her in any dress was an achievement, but this, this was so perfect that he cried on the spot, overwhelmed by this vision of loveliness he was about to pass over to the care of another. Coco had anticipated such a reaction and was ready with hoofkerchieves, secretly delighted at how beautiful Rainbow looked. “C’mon Dad” said Rainbow gently “Let’s go.” With this, her father composed himself and smoothed his mane once more before escorting his daughter out to face the rest of her life. As he faced across the back of the Great Hall, Bow saw Hondo facing him on the opposite side as they had rehearsed and the two started to walk slowly towards each other, their daughters following behind, concealed from each other. When the two stallions met in the middle, all four ponies stopped at the end of the aisle and turned as one to look down along its length at Prince Celestia standing at the altar, flanked by Princess Luna, Princess Cadence and Princess Twilight Sparkle, all with their wings outstretched. Although they had rehearsed this moment a dozen times, seeing all the Princesses in all their finery waiting at the altar with crowds either side suddenly brought home to all of them the magnitude of what they were there to do. Even Twilight, the smallest of the four Princesses and their close friend looked suddenly so imposing and regal with her wings outstretched, and the other three Princesses standing alongside her looked even more intimidating. The two stallions and their daughters all had to take a deep breath and focus before taking the first step along the red carpet and set off down the aisle, four ponies across with the two older stallions in the middle. The music changed to a specially commissioned tune composed by Octavia that somehow combined the calm tranquillity of Rarity’s beauty with the exhilaration of flying, and both proud fathers walked slowly shoulder to shoulder down the centre of the aisle, each by now fighting to hold back tears. To either side they escorted a veiled mare in a beautiful wedding dress, the crowds of friends and family on both sides gasping in awe as they approached and moved past sedately. Celestia’s warm smile calmed their nerves as they neared her, each step taking them closer to a new life together. They finally made their last hoofstep at the end of the aisle at the precise moment that the last bar of the melody faded away, cueing Celestia perfectly for the start of formal part of the ceremony. “Mares and Gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Rarity, the Bearer of the Element of Generosity and Rainbow Dash, the Bearer of the Element of Loyalty.” “Who gives Rarity, the Element of Generosity?” asked Celestia “I do” replied Hondo, feeling himself start to grow weak at the knees as he lifted his daughter’s veil and kissed her tenderly on the cheek before retiring to sit at the front of the crowd next to a pink unicorn mare with her purple mane raised high in a large bouffant. “Who gives Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty?” asked Celestia “I do” croaked Bow, his voice cracking as he uncovered his daughter’s face and started crying the instant he leaned in to kiss her. He tried desperately to stifle his sobs as he was guided to his seat by a pegasus mare with the same cyan colour coat as their daughter, tears of happiness rolling down his muzzle; tears that everypony present respected, but none would ever admit to seeing. Celestia addressed the congregation with a short text expounding the importance of love and devotion, but if two ponies were ever fully aware of what this meant it was the Element of Loyalty and the Element of Generosity, but they both listened intently. As the speech drew to a close, they each felt a tingle run through them, awaiting the time honoured words they knew they would hear, the words that would seal their relationship in front of everypony present. Celestia paused and then continued “The strength of their commitment is clear. The power of their love undeniable. May we have the rings please?” With this request, Apple Bloom directed the two fillies either side of her to each bring forth a rich red gold trimmed cushion with a ring on it. Scootaloo presented a single band adorned with all the colours of the rainbow that seemed to roll over each other with each subtle change of perspective. Rarity felt Celestia place it on her horn, and then ride down with a gentle ringing sound to the base. Next Sweetie Belle came forward with a simple gold ring adorned with three of the purest blue diamonds cut in little parallelogram shapes. “Rainbow Dash” said Celestia “Do you wish this attachment to Rarity, the Element of Generosity to be for as long as you live?” “I do” replied Rainbow. At this, a yellow aura grew at the tip of Celestia’s horn and then levitated the ring, holding it in mid-air just for a second or two before there followed a flash and it was gone, a gentle pulsing glow appearing on Rainbow’s flank showing that the ring had been magically added next to her cutie mark where it sparkled as brightly and clearly as stars in the night sky. “Rarity” said Celestia “Do you wish this attachment to Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty to be for as long as you live?” “I do” replied Rarity. Once more, Celestia’s yellow aura sprang to life, reaching out to the ring around Rarity’s horn and there was another flash magically fusing the ring into place. Celestia motioned the two to face each other in front of the congregation and spoke the binding words “I now pronounce you mare and mare! You may now kiss.” Rainbow just looked spellbound into the eyes of the most beautiful life partner that all of Equestria could offer and completely zoned out anypony else around her. Rarity looked at Rainbow and saw in her eyes the loyalty that would never fade however long they lived, and leaned forward to meet the most tender and most public of kisses, hearing a collective “Awww” from the Cutie Mark Crusaders, a sound barely audible above the thunderous applause from the congregation. “Best day ever!” mouthed Celestia to her fellow Princesses. Yes it was.
1 A Secret RevealedThe day was warm and butterflies frolicked to an accompaniment of casually orchestrated birdsong. The bees buzzed a happy tune while they zig-zagged randomly from flower to fragrant flower, pausing a moment at each as if admiring a work of art, turning to better appreciate the individual subtlety of each from myriad different perspectives. There were no clouds, but high up in the crystal azure sky there was a dot, silhouetted dark against the brightness of the summer’s day. Following obediently behind the dot, shadowing every twist and turn was a trail comprising the colours of the rainbow. “Wow!” gasped the orange pegasus filly, her purple tail flowing out behind her “This is awesome!” “Ain’t seen nothin’ yet, Squirt” said Rainbow Dash “Hold on tight!” With that, the young protégé gripped tighter and her mentor tipped over into a death defying dive, hurtling toward Equestria laid out below them. Anypony else would have been scared by the fearsome way in which the lake beneath them was racing up to meet them, but not Scootaloo, who knew no fear when she was with Ponyville’s favourite Wonderbolt. At the last minute, she pulled out of her dive, gliding at frightening speed just above the surface of the lake, causing a rooster tail of water to rise up behind them due purely to the aerodynamic force under her wings. As her speed began to bleed off, Rainbow climbed imperceptibly and dipped a wing so that the tip just touched the water and she banked to her left leaving a crisp curling wake in the water that followed them through their turn, her passenger whooping for joy. Rainbow pulled up again and began to climb once more but saw something, or rather somepony unexpected by the lakeside. Sat on the grass close to the water’s edge was a pony of the purest white with a purple mane. She only knew one pony who looked as good as that, and aborted her climb to glide down gracefully next to her friend, landing with the merest bump in spite of the extra weight she was carrying. “Rainbow, you looked magnificent” praised the fashion designer. “That’s nothing!” interjected Scootaloo “You should feel what it’s like up there! It’s amazing!” “You work hard at Junior Speedsters Flight Camp and you’ll be doing it in no time” encouraged the daredevil flyer. “Oh, thanks Rainbow Dash, you’re the best!” she enthused. Rainbow made a quick assessment of Rarity’s body language and turned her head to the orange filly: “Now have a practice yourself and give me and Rarity a little time, OK Squirt?” The starstruck filly trotted off happily flapping her wings, dreaming of the day she could perform a sonic rainboom, or even a double rainboom. “What’s up Rare?” asked the cyan pegasus “I can tell something’s on your mind.” “Oh Rainbow” gushed the white unicorn “I’ve just broken up with my stallion friend.” “What, the art critic?” asked Rainbow. “Yes, yes, darling” fussed Rarity, her beautiful blue eyes tearing up “It turns out he only wanted me to show off as a trophy at public events, you know, to make him look good. I feel so stupid!” The cyan pegasus looked concerned. No pony had the right to do this to her friend, or any of her friends for that matter. Especially this one. “Oh, Rainbow” cried Rarity as she leaned over and buried her muzzle in Rainbow’s neck “I … I … I feel so used!” With this she burst into long held back tears and draped a forlorn foreleg around her friend’s neck, Rainbow responding and moving in closer to give her a reassuring hug. “You’re so strong, Rainbow” she wailed “Always so confident, so self-assured, always with a different stallion. I on the other hoof, fall in love too easily and always get hurt, so hurt. How do you do it darling?” There was a pause while Rainbow considered the circumstances that had made her who she was, whether it was right or wrong, and how much she should say. She looked around to make sure nopony else was close and checked to see that Scootaloo far enough away not to hear: “I had my heart broken once, Rare” she began. “Not the great Rainbow Dash” sniffled the fashion designer “Who could possibly do such a thing?” “Yeah, well it was a long time ago” the pegasus sighed “Somepony really special too.” “Nopony ever gets the better of you, surely?” consoled Rarity. “She did” came the reply. Rarity stopped in her tracks: “She?” she enquired “But you always date stallions; I’ve seen you often enough.” Rainbow looked around again, double checking where Scootaloo was before replying: “There was one filly, she's a mare now. Nopony could ever replace her, and so I date stallions to combat the loneliness I’ve been feeling ever since. We never actually do it, if you know what I mean, because I’m not that way” admitted Rainbow frankly “But I could never have a marefriend as good as her, so I don’t even try dating other mares.” “Oh darling, that’s so much more sad than my selfish little indulgence” said Rarity, making a real effort to pull herself together and extending a comforting forehoof towards her friend. Rainbow reached out and took her hoof in hers. “Who is this mare, darling? I’m sure I could do something to bring the two of you together.” Rainbow turned towards her with a look in her eyes that Rarity had never seen before and opened her mouth to speak. Just then, Scootaloo came bounding in: “Hey Rainbow Dash!” she bubbled with excitement “I think I can really fly! Come and watch, oh please come and watch me!” The tender hoofhold was broken and the two friends looked into each other’s eyes just a little longer than friends, even good friends generally do, before Rainbow was pulled away. Rarity sat and watched as the two pegasi trotted away from her. Rainbow did make a fine mentor; Scootaloo was very lucky indeed. Then she got to thinking, and a collection of random thoughts started to coalesce. “She can’t have meant …” she thought to herself “No, surely not …” Scootaloo tried really hard to repeat what she believed she had just accomplished a few minutes beforehand, but for whatever reason, it didn’t happen and she started to feel downhearted. “Come on Squirt” said Rainbow with a cheery expression “Climb up and we’ll put a smile back on that face, then we’ll take you home.” “Aw, must we go back so soon?” whined the orange filly. “Yes we must” said Rainbow “But I never said it had to be boring, now did I?” Scootaloo giggled, anticipating further fun in store and held on tight once more as they leapt into the air, the broadest smile across her face. Rarity trotted back to the Carousel Boutique with so much more of a spring in her step than she could have imagined when she had left for a moment of quiet and solitude by the lake earlier. She had been so close to finding out who Rainbow’s mystery fillyfriend had been, and she had started to develop a funny feeling that she may know this mare just a little better than she would have otherwise guessed. “Surely not …” she said to herself for the umpteenth time since her meeting with Rainbow. The dressmaker had only ever dated stallions and had never even considered dating another mare. There were many happy same sex couples in Ponyville for sure; Lyra and Bon Bon for example, and they were always very happy, so there was nothing to say it was wrong – nothing at all. It was just that she had never considered it for herself. “Surely not …” she said again, although the more she said it, the less farfetched it seemed. But what if she was wrong? She could make a dreadful fool of herself and their friendship would never be the same if she had misjudged it. She stopped the stitching she had been half-heartedly toying with and went to her bedroom and threw herself onto her bed, not to cry, but to lay on her back and giggle like a filly. Could she be falling in love again? “Surely not …” With a mare? Maybe … Rainbow wasn’t the easiest of ponies to engineer an opportunity to bump into. She kept the sky clear as resident weather pony and wowed crowds regularly as a member of the Wonderbolts, and if she wasn’t practising her latest flying stunts she would be napping on a cloud somewhere. She even lived in a cloud house for goodness sake! Rarity couldn’t shake the thought from her mind that Rainbow had fallen for her, but now instead of being shocked at the prospect found herself actively pushing to the corner of her mind the possibility that she may be wrong. She played over the scenarios that could happen when they next met and rehearsed some witty comments that suited every possible eventuality so she would not be caught off guard, but would appear charming, sophisticated and available, but without looking desperate; she wasn’t that way inclined after all. Or was she? Even she didn’t know any more. Dating a mare could hardly be less rewarding than dating a stallion if her recent experience was anything to go by. She forced herself to start thinking about things other than her love life and recalled that Sweetie Belle would be home soon and she simply had to go shopping unless they were going to starve, so went downstairs and prepared to go out. She stood for an inordinate time in front of the mirror with her hairbrush trying different styles with her mane in a way she hadn’t done since she was a filly – just in case she should bump into Rainbow, although she would deny that allegation immediately if any pony had the temerity to suggest it. Even if it was true. She put her mane right one more time, just in case, then left for the shops. She opened the door, hearing the friendly tinkle of the bell and spared it a happy smile as she floated out into the street, her hooves barely touching the ground. She hadn’t gone far when Starlight approached her wearing a beaming smile. “Well hello Rarity” she greeted warmly “You look particularly happy today!” “As a matter of fact I am” replied Rarity cheerfully “I can’t help thinking that something nice may come my way.” “Trixie looks lovely in that new outfit you made her” said the lilac unicorn “Thank you so much; you really showed her off to perfection.” “That was the aim darling” said Rarity “She really does have a simply divine figure to work with.” “I know” replied Starlight wistfully “She’s very lucky.” “And so are you, darling” responded the dressmaker. At this, the lilac unicorn blushed. “I … I didn’t think anypony knew” she stammered. “Really darling” said Rarity with a coy smile “The way you looked at her during the fitting? Actually, I found it most liberating.” “After what she did to you when she had the Alicorn Amulet?” asked the lilac unicorn “You truly are most generous.” Rarity gave a gentle “tsk tsk” before adding with another smile “But I confess I‘ve never used that shade of brown again!” “Tell me” said the lilac unicorn “What would you like to dress Rainbow Dash in?” It was now Rarity’s turn to blush; not just a little bit, but bright red, and the more she fought it, the worse it became. “Oh, I see ...” said Starlight, any further questions she may have had now firmly answered. As Rarity scrambled to regain some dignity, Starlight hit her with the punchline: “Because she’s right behind you! See you later Rarity - have a nice date!” Rarity turned her head quickly behind her and sure enough, there was the cyan pegasus walking toward her carrying a bunch of flowers in her mouth. Her well-rehearsed ad lib lines all grew wings and took flight, leaving her to turn an even deeper shade of red. Worse, her polished sophistication evaporated into steam as she tried desperately to claw it back and failed, leaving her staring dumbfounded as Rainbow gave her head a slight nod. “Oh … Oh, of course” she stammered taking the flowers in her magic. “Hey Rare” she said “Hope you like them. I just kinda … well, found them and thought that pretty things belonged together, so brought them along for you. I thought they were a few shades pinker than your coat, but you do look kinda redder than I remember …” “Found them, huh?” said Rarity regaining some composure “The wrapping alone tells me they came from Lily Valley, Daisy and Rose. Tell me, are they still bemoaning the end of the world?” “Yeah, quite probably” said Rainbow “But I’ve never paid them much attention.” “I’m flattered darling; thank you.” “You know, don’t you?” said Rainbow stopping to focus on the beautiful pure white unicorn and staring deep into her blue eyes. “I worked it out” whispered Rarity, praying she was right, as she leaned in, closing her eyes and puckering her lips. Finally, after all the years Rainbow had waited, she drew close to the mare of her dreams and felt their lips touch gently. She had played this fantasy over and over in her dreams so many times she had lost count, and now as her dream came true she felt her legs start to tremble with excitement the like of which she had never known. The ponies bustling around them melted away as if they weren’t there, while they shared this one precious, tender moment. When they finally gently pulled apart, they both had learned something about themselves; Rarity had lost any lingering doubts about dating a mare, especially this one, whilst Rainbow was still in shock that her long-standing dream had come true and that it was even more consuming than she had ever dared believe. “Come on darling” breathed Rarity hoarsely “I think we’re causing a scene.” Rainbow was rooted to the spot, still processing what had happened, and just happy to lose herself in her friend’s beauty. This felt so right, she just knew it had to be right. Rarity pulled back a little, still looking lovingly into Rainbow’s eyes and then turned with a giggle to trot playfully away, looking back over her shoulder with an unstated but obvious “chase me” request. Rainbow was still stood with her eyes wide and her mouth open. She had dreamed about the kiss for years and could still not quite believe it had happened for real, but the fact that this sublime moment of intimacy had ended and Rarity was still there in front of her coaxing her on seemed too good to be true. She still felt she was dreaming, but then realisation hit and washed over her like a tidal wave and she launched into the air spinning in a climbing corkscrew, shouting “best day ever!” Rainbow dived down and fell in behind Rarity’s flank as she took her cue to entice the cyan pegasus in a teasing chase, giggling playfully, leading her away to a secluded little spot she knew where they could enjoy some privacy.
2 Word Gets OutFrom the day of their first kiss, it had been impossible to keep their relationship quiet even if they had wanted to. Even if Starlight could have been trusted to be discrete about what she had seen, too many other ponies had seen the sudden and unexpected closeness the two had shared; after all the pair were both readily identifiable local celebrities. Naturally enough, gossip spread fast and neither made any attempt to deny their new status as a couple. Rarity never even bothered to take stock of how far her views had changed in a few short days; she was happy. She had never appreciated what it could feel like to be in a relationship where her partner was not making constant demands of her all the time as it had always been with stallions; she had just grown to accept that as being part of the deal. This was different; Rainbow was a celebrity in her own right and more well-known than her, so there were no demands to be paraded at media events – quite the opposite. Then there were the moments of intimacy that Rarity had shared with whoever the stallion friend of the moment happened to be. None had ever really taken the time she wanted to get her into the right state of mind and her body properly prepared before events took over and she had always been left brutalised and unsatisfied, but again she had accepted this as part of the deal. Rainbow wasn’t like that; she would take the time to cuddle, to relax her, to float her cares away and prepare her for whatever they chose to do together. This was not a relationship of demand and compliance, but a pairing of equals and a complete revelation to her. She now understood why Rainbow had hidden for so long behind a shield of bravado and still couldn’t believe it was because this surprisingly caring pegasus had been scared to show her true self to her. Although she had accepted Rainbow as being the Element of Loyalty, she had always seen this attribute displayed through aggression, a fierce defender of those whom she loved. It was all so clear now that Rainbow’s loyalty could also be displayed more tenderly with a cherished partner, but she had never had a means of showing it before. Granted, Rarity had always known herself to be talented, a cut above the rest and had risen to play the part, but she had never even realised that there was somepony close to her who was even more special in a way that she hadn’t even allowed to be seen. Rarity felt humbled, realising for the first time that she had all along been holding the happiness of another, indeed her very destiny in her hooves all this time. She felt guilty for her past actions and considered for the first time how Rainbow must have felt all along, and realised abruptly how few demands this caring pegasus had ever made of her. Nopony had ever treated her with this level of respect before and every “good morning” was a treat to look forward to, turning over to see the mare of her dreams waiting for her with a loving smile. Any reservations she may have felt before about having a marefriend had flown away on the summer breeze; she knew there would be no going back now. The news was met in the most part with best wishes for their happiness, but in some of the more conservative corners of Equestria there were lingering mutterings of discontent. The couple received this mixed reaction with gratitude to those who extended their good wishes, but were equally not deterred by those who were more backward looking as they planned the next stage in their relationship. During the course of time, Rainbow and Rarity became acknowledged as one of the most devoted couples in Equestria, each encouraging and supporting the other in achieving their dreams, always the first to praise when things succeeded and the first to catch their partner if things didn’t work out. Indeed couples who had been hiding their own relationships for fear of adverse comment now had high profile role models to aspire to, and single ponies wrestling with their own sexuality against societal expectations felt empowered to follow their hearts; to finally be true to themselves. It was no understatement to say that their relationship had ushered in a new spirit of enlightenment and tolerance. An unexpected spin-off from this was that they received letters from individuals and couples seeking advice on how to manage their own relationships and were called upon to speak publicly. With each appearance and each written response, their popularity grew and there was one question on everypony’s mind, but it took one of the celebrity magazines to express it in print – “When will they marry?” They had both thought about it, but somehow it had never felt like a priority. They didn’t feel that they needed a certificate to prove their love to each other, but there was something about a ceremony in front of everypony; a public affirmation under one of the Royal Princesses that got them to thinking. Then there was also the concern about how their friends would react. This was potentially a much more important issue because it called into question the integrity of the Elements of Harmony, for if there was dissent among the friends, then the magic would be lost, leaving Equestria vulnerable. Over the coming weeks, they took the opportunity to sound out each of their friends in turn, starting with the toughest of all to crack; the Element of Honesty. If she was out, the venture would be off. It was then with mixed emotions that the couple walked over to Sweet Apple Acres to find AJ hard at work, up to her muzzle in chores as always. “Well, what brings you two lovebirds over to these here parts?” asked the farmer with a friendly smile. “Can we talk, AJ?” asked Rainbow. “Why sure, sugar” replied the earth pony, putting down her tools and wiping her forehooves off “What’s so serious as brings the both of yuh?” “Well darling” began Rarity “It’s your honest opinion we require.” “Not judging another fashion show I hope!” commented AJ with a wry smile. “No; something more important” said the fashionista in all earnestness. “More import than fashion design to Rarity?” enquired the farmer, suddenly sensing the gravitas of the situation “I’m all ears.” “Are you, you know, happy with Rare and me being together?” asked Rainbow. “Why sure” came the reply “It’s fine as frog fur.” “Er, AJ; that’s another of your country-isms, isn’t it?” responded Rainbow perplexed. “Can you translate please?” asked Rarity. “Oh – sorry” said the orange earth pony, turning noticeable pink around her cheeks “Yeah, it’s a right nice thing you two’ve got goin’ on. I’m right pleased for yuh.” “You see darling” picked up Rarity, adding a little nervously “We wanted to know what you thought about the two of us getting married.” “That’s an easy one” sparked AJ immediately “You two are made for each other. I’m surprised you hadn’t thought of it afore now. Thought you was goin’ to ask me somethin’ difficult.” “So, no problems if we went ahead then?” asked Rainbow. “Jus’ try to make sure it’s not in apple buckin’ season, ‘cos I’m real busy round then.” The responses from the other friends fell into the same pattern, all commenting that they had considered the two to be to all intents and purposes married already; Twilight was so excited she had sounded like Rainbow with an “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!” moment on hearing the news, whilst Fluttershy said “Awwww” and Pinkie wanted to throw a party right there and then. After a tiring round of sounding out their closest friends they finally retired to Carousel Boutique and sat down at a table opposite each other. The next step was theirs alone to take, and it was far bigger than either of them had thought when they started. Rarity poured out some wine for herself and cider for Rainbow, placing the glasses on the table. She levitated her glass and stared into the translucent yellow liquid, gently swirling it round the glass, then took a sip and placed it thoughtfully down, resting her chin on her forehooves. She broke her gaze away and looked up to see Rainbow’s rose coloured eyes looking at her, concerned. Rainbow tilted her head slightly to one side and extended her forehooves over the table and waited. The white unicorn paused, deep in thought, then gave a broad smile and stretched her forehooves out to meet the cyan ones waiting for her. “Shall we, darling?” she asked, her voice cracking as she spoke. “I do” replied Rainbow.
3 Pageantry and CeremonyThe bride and her wife to be had an army of experienced helpers to call upon following their having arranged the spectacular and unforgettable wedding at Canterlot between Princess Cadence and Shining Armor. The only helper missing from the line-up was Rarity who had designed the dress on that occasion, but owing to this being her wedding she could neither design Rainbow’s dress nor her own, so had contacted two other trusted designers; Coco Pommel for Rainbow and Lily Race for herself. Lily had a tendency towards employing multiple diaphanous layers, but Rarity knew how to stamp her hoofprint on the design so as not to let it deviate too far from what she envisaged. Coco on the other hoof was the more traditionally inspired of the two designers and Rarity instinctively knew she would be able to create a suitable masterpiece without the need for any intervention, and so suited Rainbow better. Twilight took charge and all the friends reprised the marvellous jobs they had done before. The task was a lot easier this time as there was no Queen Chrysalis acting as imposter to throw off their preparations; everything was going perfectly. Although neither was royalty, the fact that Rarity and Rainbow were both Bearers of the Elements of Harmony and had saved Equestria countless times led Princess Celestia to offer the use of the Royal Castle in Canterlot for the ceremony as soon as she heard the news. She also offered to officiate over the service personally, an honour only ever reserved for the most important State occasions. Of all the other offers of help that came from outside the immediate circle of friends, the most unexpected was Vapor Trail, who wanted to contribute because she felt she owed Rainbow for getting her into the Wonderbolts. As it turned out, she was a deft hoof with decorations, taking over another of the jobs that Rarity had supervised last time. However, the two who caused most concern for Twilight’s planning skills were the fathers of the two mares; Bow Hothoof being way too loud and enthusiastic while Hondo Flanks was very chilled, but kept forgetting what he was supposed to be doing. With commendable patience, Twilight drilled them both into their roles and even succeeded in toning down the over-excitable pegasus stallion. One of the most intractable problems had been deciding how Rainbow should wear her wedding ring. As a unicorn, it was easy for Rarity; she would wear it on her horn as did all unicorns, but not only did Rainbow not have a horn, but she was a display flyer, so a necklace or a wing piercing was out. This took a lot of hard thought before Twilight thought up a clever solution with the help of some unusual magic. Although agreed by both Rainbow and Rarity, everypony else would have to wait to see what she had come up with. Finally, with the day approaching, even Twilight eventually conceded that they were ready. The night before the wedding, Rarity had held an open house at Carousel Boutique and all manner of friends, clients and society types had flocked to enjoy the wine and the company. At some time or another, the four other members of the Mane Six had stopped in to wish her well, Spike staying up later than was truly appropriate for a baby dragon, his emotions alternating between pride in her marrying one of his closest friends, but also coming to the stark realisation that there was now no chance of romance ever blossoming twixt dragon and unicorn. When the pile of empty bottles started to look increasingly precarious, Twilight felt it really was passed time that the baby dragon should be in bed and took Spike to say goodnight and thank you to their hostess who gathered him up in her forehooves and gave him a kiss of the kind he would never forget. At the same time, Rainbow’s cloud house had been the centre of a riotous and bawdy cider and pizza party. As earth ponies and unicorns would fall through the clouds, only a few of Rainbow’s friends could attend, but the house was swollen to bursting with the arrival of all the Wonderbolts. Old stories and personal anecdotes just seemed to get funnier as the night went on, and never lost their appeal no matter how many times they were retold, while others sang loudly, some even occasionally in tune. The next day dawned like any other, but carrying with it only fragmented memories of the night before. Coffee was liberally handed out at both venues as two groups of ponies tried to piece together what they had done the night before, and with whom. Rainbow went outside for a moment and walked to the edge of a cloudbank, looking down over Equestria wistfully. “You ready Crash?” asked a familiar voice beside her. Rainbow didn’t need to look to see the fiery maned leader of the Wonderbolts she knew was standing by her side, catching a private moment. She had a loud voice and commanded respect, but none would question her dedication to each individual within the team. “You could have had me, you know” said Spitfire with a note of regret in her voice. “I know” whispered Rainbow. “Oh great” teased the fiery pegasus, pretending to be affronted “Make me sound easy, why don’t you?” “My heart was hers way before I met you” replied Rainbow honestly “Nopony else ever stood a chance.” “She’s one lucky pony” replied Spitfire wistfully. There was a pause, the comfortable kind of silence between friends where neither feels the need to break the unspoken bond with the clumsiness of words. “Beautiful isn’t it” mused the cyan pegasus eventually, still staring out over Equestria “No matter how much I look at its beauty, it still stays fresh. Just like Rarity.” “Yeah” agreed Spitfire “But don’t think I’m going to be easy on you just because you’ve gone all sappy!” Rainbow looked up and turned to face the yellow pegasus for the first time in their conversation, noticing a yellow forehoof being extended towards her. She raised one of her own in response and hoof bumped, then focusing her sharply stated “You know I’m still the best flyer you’ve ever seen.” A wry smile spread across Spitfire’s face “I know a garbage can that says otherwise – Crash!” “Shall we discuss your nickname then, heh?” jibed Rainbow good-naturedly, returning the banter. The two friends giggled and shared the briefest of nuzzles as a token of how much each truly cared for the other. “C’mon” said Rainbow “Let’s go rustle up the gang. I don’t want to be late.” In Carousel Boutique, sore heads had been cleared with the magic of coffee and Rarity was ensuring that she was as prepared as she needed to be before heading off to the castle to complete her transformation. “Yuh know Rarity” said AJ “You two are meant for each other.” “Why thank you darling” cooed the white unicorn, then she became a bit more pensive and replied “I had no idea she had been saving herself for me, even after all the stallion friends I’ve had. It must have hurt her so much, and I never even knew.” “We didn’t know neither” retorted the farmer “We all thought she was the one off with every stallion in town and beyond.” “But she never did” said Rarity affectionately “I really can’t understand how she can love me the way she does.” “She’s pretty lucky too, if you ask me” said AJ “You ain’t the Element of Generosity for nothin'.” “And she’s the Element of Loyalty” sighed the fashion designer, clutching a pillow she had been tidying tight to her chest. Just then, Twilight burst in. “Rarity, come outside now!” gasped the lilac alicorn clearly out of breath. Her friend did as she was bidden and looked up to the sky where Twilight was pointing. Coming towards Ponyville was a formation of blue suited pegasi; more than she had ever seen flying at one time before. They were holding perfect formation with a rainbow tailed mare at the front and her fellow flyers following behind in a formation the shape of a heart. Rarity jumped up and down with excitement, clapping her forehooves together in delight. Just as the formation drew parallel to Carousel Boutique, all the pegasi turned to face Rarity and saluted smartly before resuming their flypast. Rarity squeed in delight, her forehooves squeezing her cheeks while a chorus of applause erupted from behind her as all her guests joined in. It was only once she had seen the Wonderbolts disappear over the skyline of Ponyville that she noticed the Royal chariots waiting to take her and her closest friends to Canterlot. Twilight held Rarity’s bags and tilted her head to one side, raising on eyebrow, wordlessly enquiring if she was ready. She opened her mouth to thank Twilight, only to find that the lump in her throat forbade it, so just nodded gently instead and floated over to the lead chariot. The two mares arrived at the Royal Castle within a quarter hour of each other, each drawing admiring gasps and ripples of applause from the eager crowds already forming to mark the special event. Both mares were met by Princess Celestia in person, wearing the warmest of smiles and then went their separate ways to prepare for the ceremony as the butterflies started to kick in. Three hours later, their manes and tails expertly coiffured and their wedding dresses fitted by their respective designers, the mares were ready. The music in the Great Hall was formal and they knew that it was already packed. Hondo Flanks came in to fetch his daughter and was speechless; he could honestly say that at that moment he was looking at the most beautiful mare he had ever seen in his life. Rarity stepped forward and gave him the most treasured kiss on his cheek and he turned to escort her out to give his daughter away to the mare of her dreams. Bow Hothoof stopped outside the door where he knew his daughter was and tried to smooth down his mane and straighten his formal attire to look his best, then knocked and went in. Before him was the rough and tumble filly he had brought up now looking at her most stunning in a gorgeous dress. Seeing her in any dress was an achievement, but this, this was so perfect that he cried on the spot, overwhelmed by this vision of loveliness he was about to pass over to the care of another. Coco had anticipated such a reaction and was ready with hoofkerchieves, secretly delighted at how beautiful Rainbow looked. “C’mon Dad” said Rainbow gently “Let’s go.” With this, her father composed himself and smoothed his mane once more before escorting his daughter out to face the rest of her life. As he faced across the back of the Great Hall, Bow saw Hondo facing him on the opposite side as they had rehearsed and the two started to walk slowly towards each other, their daughters following behind, concealed from each other. When the two stallions met in the middle, all four ponies stopped at the end of the aisle and turned as one to look down along its length at Prince Celestia standing at the altar, flanked by Princess Luna, Princess Cadence and Princess Twilight Sparkle, all with their wings outstretched. Although they had rehearsed this moment a dozen times, seeing all the Princesses in all their finery waiting at the altar with crowds either side suddenly brought home to all of them the magnitude of what they were there to do. Even Twilight, the smallest of the four Princesses and their close friend looked suddenly so imposing and regal with her wings outstretched, and the other three Princesses standing alongside her looked even more intimidating. The two stallions and their daughters all had to take a deep breath and focus before taking the first step along the red carpet and set off down the aisle, four ponies across with the two older stallions in the middle. The music changed to a specially commissioned tune composed by Octavia that somehow combined the calm tranquillity of Rarity’s beauty with the exhilaration of flying, and both proud fathers walked slowly shoulder to shoulder down the centre of the aisle, each by now fighting to hold back tears. To either side they escorted a veiled mare in a beautiful wedding dress, the crowds of friends and family on both sides gasping in awe as they approached and moved past sedately. Celestia’s warm smile calmed their nerves as they neared her, each step taking them closer to a new life together. They finally made their last hoofstep at the end of the aisle at the precise moment that the last bar of the melody faded away, cueing Celestia perfectly for the start of formal part of the ceremony. “Mares and Gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Rarity, the Bearer of the Element of Generosity and Rainbow Dash, the Bearer of the Element of Loyalty.” “Who gives Rarity, the Element of Generosity?” asked Celestia “I do” replied Hondo, feeling himself start to grow weak at the knees as he lifted his daughter’s veil and kissed her tenderly on the cheek before retiring to sit at the front of the crowd next to a pink unicorn mare with her purple mane raised high in a large bouffant. “Who gives Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty?” asked Celestia “I do” croaked Bow, his voice cracking as he uncovered his daughter’s face and started crying the instant he leaned in to kiss her. He tried desperately to stifle his sobs as he was guided to his seat by a pegasus mare with the same cyan colour coat as their daughter, tears of happiness rolling down his muzzle; tears that everypony present respected, but none would ever admit to seeing. Celestia addressed the congregation with a short text expounding the importance of love and devotion, but if two ponies were ever fully aware of what this meant it was the Element of Loyalty and the Element of Generosity, but they both listened intently. As the speech drew to a close, they each felt a tingle run through them, awaiting the time honoured words they knew they would hear, the words that would seal their relationship in front of everypony present. Celestia paused and then continued “The strength of their commitment is clear. The power of their love undeniable. May we have the rings please?” With this request, Apple Bloom directed the two fillies either side of her to each bring forth a rich red gold trimmed cushion with a ring on it. Scootaloo presented a single band adorned with all the colours of the rainbow that seemed to roll over each other with each subtle change of perspective. Rarity felt Celestia place it on her horn, and then ride down with a gentle ringing sound to the base. Next Sweetie Belle came forward with a simple gold ring adorned with three of the purest blue diamonds cut in little parallelogram shapes. “Rainbow Dash” said Celestia “Do you wish this attachment to Rarity, the Element of Generosity to be for as long as you live?” “I do” replied Rainbow. At this, a yellow aura grew at the tip of Celestia’s horn and then levitated the ring, holding it in mid-air just for a second or two before there followed a flash and it was gone, a gentle pulsing glow appearing on Rainbow’s flank showing that the ring had been magically added next to her cutie mark where it sparkled as brightly and clearly as stars in the night sky. “Rarity” said Celestia “Do you wish this attachment to Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty to be for as long as you live?” “I do” replied Rarity. Once more, Celestia’s yellow aura sprang to life, reaching out to the ring around Rarity’s horn and there was another flash magically fusing the ring into place. Celestia motioned the two to face each other in front of the congregation and spoke the binding words “I now pronounce you mare and mare! You may now kiss.” Rainbow just looked spellbound into the eyes of the most beautiful life partner that all of Equestria could offer and completely zoned out anypony else around her. Rarity looked at Rainbow and saw in her eyes the loyalty that would never fade however long they lived, and leaned forward to meet the most tender and most public of kisses, hearing a collective “Awww” from the Cutie Mark Crusaders, a sound barely audible above the thunderous applause from the congregation. “Best day ever!” mouthed Celestia to her fellow Princesses. Yes it was.
