Chapter IV

James, albeit confused, looked around for any sign of where the wedding was located. Guards consistently told him, who were shocked to see me and him, but through the excitement I guess he got carried away.

I was by his side the entire time, he’d need the help if he was going to stop this whole thing from going through. I’d need the help, too. Oh my stars I hope Shining is okay.

“Cadence. Cadence!” He quickly called me, holding up a hand to stop me.

“What-”

“Shh! Listen!” He motioned towards the sounds of…

… the wedding!

“That has to be the wedding! I hope you know where you’re going, Princess!” I heard as I bolted past him, leaving him momentarily behind as the bipedal human stayed with me, even wounded. How are you still holding up?

The pain James was experiencing must’ve been excruciating. It was more noticeable now, he wasn’t able to hide it any longer. It broke my heart to cause him so much pain, to force him to run, rather get him to a hospital.

But if he was anything like me, he was determined. I noticed that right off with him. Once he sets his mind on something, he doesn’t want to let go. Very similar to me; once I met Shining, well, I refused to let go.

And I’ll be damned to think I’m going to give him away to some filthy bug!

“James! This way!” I called to him as we came upon a set of two doors, 4 guards on each side accompanying them. James and the guards had a bit of a staring contest, but we had to time for delays.

“Guards! Open this door immediately!” I commanded as the contest between the guards and James came to the abrupt halt. Their faces told me exactly what was on their minds.

“A-Aren’t you supposed to be in there, Princess?”

“She is in there, Storm, what kind of a question-”

“No, you idiots! This is the princess! The one in there is a fake: an imposter!” He waved his arms frantically, forcing them to eventually give in, save for the leader.

“How do we know you aren’t the imposter waiting to ruin the wedding?”

“Because Changlings can do shit like that.” James deadpanned at the guard, making his eyes go wide at this knowledge. They proceeded to open the doors, although it was painfully slow.

Slow enough to make James assist one of the doors being opened before looking towards the scene.

My wedding was beautiful. The royals, the decorations, my friends, Twilight and her friends… they were all there. I couldn’t believe how much time and effort my friends made to make the wedding look awe-inspiring.

Truly, they were my friends.

“Who the hay are you?!” A citizen asked as James looked around wearily, eyeing the ponies closely before looking up to the altar.

“Princess?!” Twilight trotted up to me as I smiled, knowing my best friend was here to help.

“Lo and behold I present to you, two Princess figures.” James said while he walked up to the altar, only now I can see what was there. There was Shining Armor… my love. He looked so desirable, so lovely… and there she was. The imposter.

He looked at Shining and briefly nodded to him as all here were very surprised. My guess is that shock had not set in yet.

“G-Get away from my fiance, you monster!” Shining pushed him down the altar, forcing James to hit the ground on his back, causing him to reel in pain. I looked at the imposter, the Changling who was me, and noticed the grin she had.

We locked gazes with each other, knowing full well what was about to go down here. I looked to see James standing back up, holding out a hand to my fiance.

“Hold on a sec my dude, I ain’t here to hurt you…” He wheezed while walking up the stairs and looking helpless, “… I’m just here to hurt your LADY FRIEND!” He finished, giving a swift kick after turning around, impacting the other me and forcing her to the ground a few feet away.

2 guards jumped onto James but he fought them away quickly, as I ran over to my husband, his eyes a deeply bright green instead of the normal blue, I knew something was wrong. A spell, perhaps? I’ve not done much research on these Changlings.

I looked around to noticed quickly that Celestia and Luna, were onto my friend’s games. James was pinned quickly by two more guards and even my auntie’s were involved with restraining him.

“Celestia, no! Don’t hurt him!” I rushed to his side before a wave of green energy sent us all to the ground, except James.

“Get back, princess!” A guard addressed me as I ignored the request, I’ll have none of that. James faced what was the imposter all along.

A black, bug-like pony with holes in her body, a sickly green seeweed-like tail and wings of the same stature. She was… horrifying.

She quickly transformed into what looked like another human, possibly female, one with black hair and green eyes, and walked softly towards James. Shapeshifting?! Oh hay I’d forgotten they had those powers!

She poised a hand to his face and began to release some kind of green energy through her hands into him, causing his body to glow green. Shining slumped to the ground, tended to by Twilight and Luna, as Celestia approached me quickly.

“An attack? How?” She asked.

“Beats me.” I said as I couldn’t help but stare at the situation, fear gripping me as James looked helpless.

“James!” I began to rush to him, behind held back by Celestia.

“Stop! I’ve seen this before, you cannot help him now, if you stop what is in motion, you may very well kill him.

“No!” I cried out as my heart sank to the bottom of my chest, knowing James was in pain and I couldn’t help.

My worst fears were then confirmed… with a mix of surprise. I saw James beging to caress her face, giving her a look of pleasure as he gripped both his hands on her head and smiled evily.

“Yes, yes! You’re all mine now, ahh… this should be- guah!”

James slammed her head into the wall and broke solid granite with the force of what seemed to be impossible.

“What the...” Celestia murmured under her breath as Luna and Twilight came to my side.

“He’s doing alright, Cadence.” Twilight said, earning no response from me as ponies were being evacuated, almost instantly being replaced by a Changling army, which swept in swiftly.

James turned his back on the Changling which was scrambling to its feet. The look he gave me would come to haunt me for a long time.

His eyes were a solid black mass, showing no light but the green light from around his eyes, as the grin he showed was borderline demonic.

“James!” I rushed to him and hugged him tightly, hoping anything would help him at this point, desperate to save my friend which gave me a second shot at making my dream come true.

“Cadey!” The voice of my love called to me as I looked into James’ eyes, his strength doubling as he tried to push me away. He squinted, trying not to look at me as if I was a threat.

Even at this point the Changling stood in horror at the monster she’d created.

When my gaze met with James, he stopped struggling and only looked at me, confused.

“L… Love? Friend… ship?” He spoke, his voice raspy and dark, much like his appearance, frightening me.

“Its me, Cadence! Don’t you know who I am?” I begged as he looked around, eyeing everypony suspicously, until he locked eyes with the true form of Chrysalis. She eyed him in horror as he threw me off of him. I stumbled but remained on my hooves as he grabbed the nearest Changling by the neck and growled at him, making the smaller pony tremble in fear; its ears dropping as it tried not to lock eyes.

James growled down at it insessantly before what looked like he smelled it, stopping his glare. The Changling looked up at him, its ears perking back up as I saw what even Chrysalis thought was odd:

He slowly put it down and pat its head.

“Its a-al… right. D-Do not… be afraid, drone.” He spoke softly as the rest of the Changlings stopped and looked at the scene, even some ponies stopping to see this.

The interaction between two completely different species, bound together by some unknown force, was… well to say the least, it was beautiful.

He put the Changling down slowly and looked at Chrysalis, pointing at her.

“Prepare for unforseen consequences.” He growled before collapsing to the ground, the Changlings being slowly outnumbered as the fight outside the wedding took place. Chrysalis and her “drones” as James had said, flew off quickly, leaving the place a wreck.

I rushed to the side of my friend as he could barely keep himself concious.

“James!” I pleaded silently to the gods to keep him with me. His eyes returned to normal and he looked at me weakly.

“W-What the hell… what the hell happened?” He groaned weakly as Twilight rushed over to him, becoming a full on scientist.

“Are you alright? How do you feel? What is the last thing you remember? Are you-” I stopped her as she could barely contain herself.

“I-I… I think I’m going to go to sleep now...” He nodded off and passed out in my hooves.

“If you don’t mind me stating the obvious, what the buck was that?” Luna asked asked we all looked at her.

“Your guess is as good as mine… Cadence, are you alright?” Celestia responded before addressing me with a stern look.

“You’re going to have to have a lot of explaining to do… but for now, what happened?” She asked.

“I… was put under and stuck down in the crystal mine for several days without help… until he arrived,” I motioned to him in my hooves, “He somehow was stuck down there as well and through finding him… he saved my life. Without him, I would’ve never gotten out. You need to make sure he’s okay!” I explained. I couldn’t help but cry for him as he looked so weak in my arms, so helpless.

“Princess, we are prepared to take the human to the Canterlot Hospital, if you wish.” A guard said. I noticed it was my personal guard and I smiled at this.

“Yes, Braveheart, by all means.” He nodded as they stuck him on a gurney and rushed him away.

“Cadence!” Shining Armor called to me as I met him with open arms, embracing him tightly. This was a blessed moment for me. I began to cry, making quick work on making his suit messy and wet.

“I-I thought I’d never see you again… I love you.” I spoke softly into his ear. He held me close, as if he was never going to let go.

And I was fine with that.

“Sister, I am going to get started on damage control and need your help. Twilight, go and tend to the creature at the hospital and lend any assitance. Cadence… just rest.” Luna began to direct ponies around.

“No! I need to make sure James is alright!” I protested heavily, letting my love go and looked at my aunts.

“Its not safe, Cadey! I’ve never seen something like that and I’ll be damned if I lose you again.” Shining stated strongly.

“He saved my life and my dream! My dream of marrying you! If you care about that at all you’ll let me see him!” I cried out as he looked down and nodded.

“Alright. Twily, take care of her. Don’t let anything happen or else.” He glared at his little sister, making her gulp audibly.

“I-I will! D-Don’t worry ab-bout that!” She gave a fake smile as if nothing could go wrong.

I turned to the direction of the hospital and looked to Twilight to follow.

“Come on now, I’ve got to make sure my friend is alright.”

…

… Eugh. My head… holy bajeebs. That is one massive headache.

I listened to the sound of a hospital. The PA system, the beep of my heartbeat on a monitor, and the feeling of utter pain combined with needles in my skin.

I hate needles.

I opened my eyes, letting my eyes readjust to the focus of the surrounding area. I looked around to see a pony sitting in a chair next to me, her attention focused on the monitor.

Hey, its Twilight! This made me happy, I knew she was a reliable pony.

“H-hey...” I croaked out as she looked my way quickly.

“Oh my gosh you’re awake! How are you feeling?” She smiled at me softly.

“Well, I feel like crap. But thanks for asking… could I have some water?” I asked as she levitated some over to me and helped me drink some down.

Ha! All those stories I read about some poor sap literally dying from no water… not me!

“Many thanks, Twilight. Seriously.” I smiled and chuckled, only to be met with pain from doing so.

“You’re welcome… W-Wait how do you know my name?!” She panicked as I raised an eyebrow.

“I know all the names of the ponies in the show- I-I mean I know all of the names of you guys- I mean… oh boy what do I mean.” I looked down at my hands as I sat up slowly, trying to swallow my pain.

“Huh?” She squinted in confusion.

“I know your name, for one. You’re pretty famous, being Celestia’s prized pupil.” I smiled as she blushed and looked away. Good save, James.

I looked around and silently took in my surroundings as I wondered how Cadence was doing.

“Hey where’s Cadence?”

“Oh she’ll be here soon, she had to leave for some business… she’s been staying here daily with you… she must really like you.” She admitted, forcing a blush out of me as I chuckled nervously.

She is really hot. And like, the princess of love? Holy damn would I like to get her alone.

“W-Well...” I stammered as then stopped to think. How long have I been here? She mentioned something about being here daily?

“How long have I been out?”

“Uhh well… about two weeks.” She said as my jaw dropped. That info hit me like a brick at high speed.

“Did I miss the wedding?” I groaned, wanting to see that.

“No, Cadence decided against it. Something about some mixed feelings or such.”

Odd. Normally she’d be all to happy to marry him… did my being here affect something or is she just a bit shook up?

The door swung open softly, grabbing my attention as that familiar pink alicorn came into the room, looking at the ground in depression.

“Hey, Cadence! I’m alive!” I chuckled a bit as I let known my state of being. She looked up sharply, her eyes growing wide as she looked straight at me. She froze for a moment, as I knew she was just processing the fact that I’d woken up.

“James!” She jumped onto the bed and hugged me, Twilight giggling as I stared at the ceiling in horror of the pain I was experiencing.

“Ahahahhh!” I wheezed as Cadence squeezed me tight enough to make me feel like I was going to be crushed. Jeez she is strong.

“Ca-Cadence… As much as I really enjoy this, I-I’m in a lot of pain.” I spoke through labored breathing as she realized and quickly jumped off of me.

“I-I’m sorry, James.” She apologized without hesitation, looking down and welling up with tears. Something is definitely bothering her.

“Hey it wasn’t that bad. Don’t cry!” I smiled as she looked up at me, tears rolling down her face, a mix of pure joy and overwhelming emotion.

Twilight stood in the back and watched from afar, this, I realized.

“When are you going to get the wedding underway? Without the attack, of course.” I chuckled, causing her to shut her eyes and merely stand here and cry.

Great going, asshole.

“L-Look, I-I’m sorry, maybe that wasn’t-”

“No, it-its not that… I-I… called off the wedding.” She smiled as she grabbed my hand with her hoof and caressed it.

“Oh. Well, whenever is most convenient is good… but why?” I smiled back.

“I-I called it off because I don’t want to get married to Shining Armor anymore.” She looked into my eyes and hovered ever closer, her tears now beginning to drip onto my bare chest.

“W-Why? He’s a great guy! You should! You deserve him.” I leveled with her.

James I really don’t think she means what you think. You know what I mean, right? I thought to myself as I began to realize. My heart began to pound in my chest hard, and I began to stutter.

“I-I-I do-don’t get it. A-At all.” I lied. I began to put two and two together.

She blushed hard, being this close to me and told me something that stopped my own heart.

“...because I’m in love with you.”

Author's Note

Well there we have it. Strange turn of events, eh? You may have been expecting that later but noooope. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, it was fun to write.

Seeya in the next one!

-Joss10

Also, if you get the reference, props to you.