Author's Note

okay i'm on my own now. thanks to Hazel Heart, but now my chapters are from now on, what is to be.

the begining of everything falling into place

I mean...” Rarity scrunched her face up for a few seconds and then relaxed her face. “No, dear. Twilight and the others can handle things well enough on their own, and they have the royal guards, the hoofmaidens, and anypony else in the castle that will help. I’m sure they’ll be too busy to even know we’ll be gone.”
“Well, I suppose...”

“We’re baaaack!!” Pinkie Pie sang, carrying her white box tray with the tray’s baby blue strap around her neck and a sleepy Spike on her back. The box tray was filled with Spike’s triple-decker vanilla-nut cookies, with some juice boxes at the side. “Lil’ Spike started getting all snoozy while we had to mix the batter.” Pinkie explained as she took off the strap connected to her box tray and placed it on a nearby table. “Luckily, I swooped in to save the cookie mix before he dove in face-first. The egg-beater probably lulled him to sleep.”

“Oh, poor thing,” Fluttershy cooed as she quietly flew to Spike’s aid. “It must’ve been from staying up until sunrise.” She laid Spike gently in the bed and pulled the covers over his shoulders. “He should’ve went to bed rather than bake cookies for us.”

Rarity bit her lip. “Oh, dear. I should’ve thought about Spikey’s bedtime. I simply must leave him a jewel to snack on for later.” She opened one of her many suitcases and brought out a sparkling sapphire. She placed it on the nightstand nearest to Spike, then turned her attention to the clock, which read 11:30. She silently gasped. “Um...” She nervously turned her attention to Pinkie Pie. “Pinkie, thank you kindly for fetching us such a darling assortment of morning sustenance. Fluttershy and I are going out to visit some... friends in Canterlot... just to clear our heads from last night’s little fiasco,” Rarity nervously chuckled.

“Oh, it makes me so happy that you guys are feeling so much better.” Pinkie Pie exclaimed with jovial delight. “I’m also glad that I brought my ‘Get Well Soon’ balloons...” Pinkie disappeared for a millisecond and came back with a ton of balloons in her pink hoof that had Get Well Soon written across them. “... in case of Get Well Soon balloons emergency.”

“.... yes darling, thank you. Very good...” Rarity awkwardly looked away, then faced Fluttershy. “We’re just going to have a quick little nosh and then we’ll be on our way.”
Fluttershy let out a quiet gasp. “Oh my... we have to go so soon?” She could feel her heart beating like butterflies, as if her cutie mark of the three butterflies on both of her flanks flew up into her chest, fluttering all around. But then she slowly breathed in and out, trying to calm herself down. You’ll be fine, Fluttershy. Everything will be just fine.
“Well dig in, girls!” Pinkie Pie said, breaking Fluttershy from her thoughts. “There’s plenty of cookies to go around.”

“Don’t mind if we do, dear,” Rarity replied, while placing a few equal amounts of cookies on two plates for her and Fluttershy. “Let’s just make sure we have extra napkins.” Rarity used her unicorn magic to bring a box of tissues forward. “We must look presentable for our... special engagement.” She winked at Fluttershy. “Right, darling?”
Fluttershy meekly smiled as she took out an apple juice-box from Pinkie’s tray. “R-right... ” she sighed.
Rarity glanced at Pinkie Pie with caution, formulating a plan on how she and Fluttershy would be able to make their way out of the castle without Twilight and the others interfering. “Pinkie?” Rarity asked. She lowered her voice in a whisper to Pinkie Pie, so Fluttershy couldn’t hear. “I have a little favor to ask of you, but you must first Pinkie Promise not to tell anypony else about this...”

“I wonder how Fluttershy is doing, now that the sun’s up,” Rainbow Dash mused. She and Applejack were out in the hallway, waiting for Twilight, the Princesses, and Shining Armor to finish up their plans for tonight in the throne room.
“Well thankfully, Rarity and Pinkie Pie are looking out for her,” Applejack mentioned. “But I worry too on account of how the lil’ darling’s feeling. As soon as Twilight and the Princesses are done roundin‘ everything up, we should -”

The sound of opening doors interrupted Applejack. Twilight came out of the throne room, with her brother and the Princesses trailing behind her.
“So, what’s the skinny?” asked Rainbow Dash.
“We don’t know who else was bitten,” Sining Armor replied. “ But me and a couple of my recruited stallions will be scouting all over Canterlot to find and bring the bitten victims back here so we’ll have them under quarantined care and protection.”
Twilight sighed. “We’ll have no other choice for them if they’re going to refuse our offer and be restless about it. The sooner we find them, the better for all of Equestria.”

“But we believe that the victims‘ hearts are not infected by the bite,” Cadance explained. “If we can remind them about the love they have for their families and friends, there may be a chance that we could save them from Discordula’s thrall and cure the bite marks.”

“The citizens of Canterlot must be well aware of all this immediately.” Princess Luna acknowledged. “I must inform the Royal Guards to alert the citizens to stay secure and indoors during nighttime hours. Everypony must have garlic strung around their doorways to their homes, to prevent Discordula’s entryway.”
“Just like the necklaces.” Rainbow Dash pointed out.

“Precisely,” Princess Luna said. “Garlic is one of the few things to prevent that monster. We don’t want anymore ponies to suffer like Celestia.” Luna closed her eyes for a moment and opened them with a look of fear for a grave knowledge that she was about to tell. “But I fear for the bitten victims... because if Discordula has the mare he intends to have as his bride to himself and receives a first kiss from her, the bridesmaids will become stronger and unstoppable.”

“But, that means... Princess Celestia...” Applejack started.
“Yes, Applejack,” Twilight said quietly. “The barrier that Princess Luna created to imprison Celestia will be unpreventable for her to be kept contained.”

“What the flying pegasus feathers does that even mean?” Rainbow Dash asked.
Applejack sighed in silent frustration. “It means that Princess Celestia will be strong enough to break free from her barrier if Discordula kisses the mare he wants as his bride, Rainbow.”

“Ohhh....” Rainbow Dash started laughing. “Well, that shouldn’t be anything to worry about. Like any mare would want to lock lips with some sick, twisted freak show like him!” Rainbow folded her hooves at the back of her head. “Besides, now that it’s morning we’ll be able to get ready to protect Canterlot from him tonight. That creep won’t stand a chance.”
“I hope so, Rainbow,” Twilight replied. “We should find the others and inform them immediately-”
“GOOD MORNING!!!!!!!!!”

“Huh?” Twilight turned her attention to the sound of the sudden outburst.
Pinkie Pie was on bended knees, her hooves spread out in presentation with a huge smile on her face. She brought out a cannon that looked bigger and different from her original party cannon, aimed it inside the throne room and fired.

Twilight gasped. “Pinkie, what are you-?” Before she could say another word, Twilight saw a huge folded table with a white tablecloth spring forward out of Pinkie’s cannon onto the long rug in the middle of the throne room and unfold itself. A few inflatable chairs, plates, silverware, and a teapot with matching teacups followed suit and landed neatly in their rightful place. Oatmeal cakes drizzled in honey were piled on each of the plates.

“We didn’t have any breakfast to eat and it’s almost 12:00!” Pinkie’s expression started to look grim and serious, her eyes giving a dark faraway glare that looked very threatening. “And you do NOT want to see me when I have no breakfast before 12:00.”
Twilight was a little scared of acknowledging this side of Pinkie, but was still concerned for other pressing matters. “Pinkie, please-”

“Ooh, ooh, ooh! Wait, wait, wait!” Pinkie’s bubbly expression sprang back to life as she fired towards the head of the table and three big inflatable red chairs appeared. “Three seats most suitable for three Princesses! We should really start filling all of our tummies up to the brim before-”
Twilight groaned and face-hoofed herself. “PINKIE!!!!!” She sheepishly gave an apologetic smile to Princess Luna, her sister-in-law and brother and shamefully turned away.

Luna smiled and placed a silver-clad hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “Most excellent Royal Canterlot Voice, Princess Twilight,” she whispered. Twilight blushed in gratitude. “But Miss Pie is right. We should heed our appetites and break our fast, for we must have our energy and strength for the task at hoof that awaits us.” She turned to Pinkie Pie. “Thank you, Miss Pie. We are very grateful that you have prepared us a most very gracious morning meal.” She bowed.

“Sure thing, Your Majesty,” Pinkie bowed back with a cheerful smile. “Come on, everypony! Soup’s on!”

As everypony took their seats, Rainbow Dash asked, “Wow, Pinkie. I knew your party cannon could shoot confetti and balloons, but folded tables and inflatable chairs?”

“Oh, this isn’t my original party cannon,” Pinkie explained, gesturing towards the cannon. “This is my brunch party cannon! I have many different types of party cannons: there’s my tea party cannon, my clambake party cannon, my baby shower party cannon, my Nightmare Night cannon, my Hearth’s Warming Eve cannon, my Hearts and Hooves cannon...”

Little did everypony know, as Pinkie Pie went on about her different types of party cannons, Rarity took a quick peek behind the doorway to make sure nopony was looking in her direction. She wore a black hooded cloak to keep herself well hidden. Fluttershy was behind her, waiting patiently for Rarity to say if the coast was clear.

Rarity then turned to Fluttershy. “Alright, darling,” she whispered. “Stay close to me and make sure you’re not seen. We don’t want to disturb them.”
“Oh... okay,” Fluttershy whispered back as the ponies laughed at Pinkie Pie’s silly tricks with her brunch party cannon, shooting paper flowers for decorations on the table. “But... it doesn’t sound like they’re busy right now.”

“Well... they were very busy making plans while we were having our breakfast. And now they need to eat for the preparations they need to make for tonight.” Rarity turned and peered in the throne room with leering eyes. “So we simply must not disturb them with the aggravating knowledge of us going out, visiting friends...” she turned back to Fluttershy with a wink and a smile. “... well for you, you’ll be having one charming male companion.” Fluttershy blushed and bowed her head in demure.

Rarity turned to check if Pinkie had everyponies’ attention. Pinkie was now stuffing her face full of oatmeal cakes and shot some honey in her mouth.
“Geez, Pinkie. Where do you put it all?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“I have to be honest with y’all,” Applejack said.
“Like you even have a chance to not be honest,” Rainbow muttered with a smirk.

“But I know exactly how Pinkie feels when it comes to me and apple fritters, ever since I was a little filly...” And so Applejack started to tell the story back when she was a mere apple seed; of how she was found underneath the table, her face covered in applesauce and crumbs when all of the apple fritters “mysteriously” disappeared.
Rarity motioned to Fluttershy that the coast was clear and they both started to sneak quietly to the other side of the doorway. Then they turned a corner and cantered down the staircase in the castle’s main entryway.

“Phew, we made it,” Rarity sighed as they both stepped out of the castle entryway. “Finally, we can meet up with Fleur de Lis and Derpy. And then...” Rarity turned to Fluttershy with gleaming eyes. “...we’ll take you to the bridge to meet with Drake.”

“Oh... okay,” Fluttershy said with a blush. Fluttershy still felt very nervous about not knowing the outcome of being alone with a stallion, but she was very excited nevertheless. There was just something about Drake that made her heart feel all aflutter.

Rarity and Fluttershy made it to the glamorous Bridle Beauty Boutique shop, where they spotted Fleur de Lis and Derpy, waiting outside of the entryway. Fleur de Lis was apparently wearing a black hooded cloak, just like Rarity. Must be a new trend this season. Fluttershy thought.
“Oh, Rarity!” Fleur de Lis waved in greeting. “So lovely to see you, dear.”
“Likewise, Fleur.” Rarity replied, as they both gave air kisses to each other.
“Hey, Fluttershy!” Derpy gave Fluttershy a friendly hug. “Glad you made it, pal!”
“Oh thank you, Derpy,” Fluttershy said with a tiny smile. “It’s such a beautiful day out today, don’t you think?”

Rarity and Fleur de Lis winced and pulled their hoods tighter over their heads from the shining sun. “Yes, delightful...” Fleur de Lis murmured. She then turned to Fluttershy with a polite smile. “...so, you must be Fluttershy.”
“Oh, well... um... yes?” Fluttershy meekly replied.
“Yes, Derpy told me you were coming as well. Enchante, cherie.” Fleur de Lis leaned down to Fluttershy’s height to give her air kisses while Fluttershy bashfully accepted them. “Oh... m-merci... beaucoup...” Fluttershy replied.
“Ah, parlez-vous francias?” Fleur de Lis asked.
“Umm... un peu...” Fluttershy answered with a sheepish smile.

“Oh, what a darling little petite she is!” Fleur de Lis then turned to Rarity and whispered something in her ear, which made Rarity nod in agreement. “You know...” Fleur de Lis started. “Derpy also told me that you have a date with a certain charming beau, are you not?”
“Oh... um... y-yes?”
“And that you should meet him at the bridge by the waterfall, oui?”
“O-oui...” Fluttershy squeaked.
“At 1:00, non?”
“No... oh, I mean, yes... yes.”

“Hey,” Derpy cut in. “Before you start buttering her up like a blueberry yogurt muffin, isn’t it already three minutes to 1:00?”
Rarity gasped. “Three minutes already?!!” She turned to Fluttershy and pushed her ahead. “Oh my dear, we should not keep Drake waiting! We simply must get you to the bridge, tout suite!”
“Could’ve said it better myself, but Rarity’s right,” Fleur de Lis replied. “Derpy and I shall accompany you. For once, our bridal shopping can be put on hold for the possibility of l’amour.” Fluttershy gulped at that last word.
“Ooooh this is so exciting, Flutters!” Derpy exclaimed. “You’re finally gonna see this Drake guy and be all hearts and hooves with him!”
Fluttershy let out a frightened whimper and hid her face among her pink mane.
“Oh, darling. You’ll be just fine.” Rarity assured her. “It’s not like he’s going to bite you.”
And at the same time, Rarity, Derpy, and Fleur de Lis gave each other a knowing smile.

Yet...

Underneath the secluded willow tree that was by the foot of the bridge, a dark pony figure waited. It was almost 1:00, and there was still no sign of her. The anticipation to see her sweet little face was more than he could bear, but he still held firm to his patience. After all, if patience is a virtue, that would probably be the only virtuous thing he would ever commit to. But then again, Fluttershy’s beauty, kindness and compassion made her the only virtuous thing that he could ever want in his grasp.... All the more reason why I want her as my bride... he thought as he closed his eyes.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Rarity’s voice in his head. She’s waiting for you, my lord.
He opened his eyes and immediately directed his attention toward the bridge when his jaw dropped the moment he saw her.... at the top of the bridge, she was an angel descended from heaven, her pretty pink hair sparkling in the sunlight and she wore a green bow that was wrapped around her tail.... she was definitely the spitting image of Posey.
Drake slowly grinned, his eyes glinting yellow. “At last,” he chuckled. “My princess awaits....”