Caballeron's Prize

Three days passed as the decor was gradually placed outside of a seaside temple further north along the cities coast. Large wreaths and the nations flags dangling as the sun began to set over the mountains inland, revealing a starry sky on the oceans horizon on the clear evening. A pink hue that made the city itself glow warmly in a soft pink. Weddings were done at this time traditionally instead of morning or midday to let the city's warm sight itself symbolize flourishing love.

Well that's what the locals would say to outsiders. In actuality it was to help hide the blood that shed during duels, out of sight out of mind so as to not sour the involved wedding until it was cleaned up by morning.

Tonight would be no different. Caballeron was adorned in a sleek black suit within his carriage, his collar wrapped in a royal purple cape that held the mark of the country upon it's brooch. He even gained a bit of color in his fur from the sunshine to pop during the ceremony! His usual eyepatch was replaced with an engraved golden leaf pattern with soft white lining and as if to lean into the silly metaphor, a ruby placed upon it, which his tailor insisted on for publicity. The count within the first carriage in the envoy towards the temple so he might not lay eyes on his bride until the ceremony. An old Equestrian habit he prefered to keep, not wanting to tempt his future luck.

Countess Ruby herself was soon to arrive in a somber yet hopeful display within the embellished wagon with Withers sitting across ever vigilant in a similiar grey suit as his count. Her dress not seen yet as only a glistening gold tiara and white veil were witnessed by the excited townsfolk through the window of the cart, pulled by decorated guards.

"I hate this. I used to think duels in the books were cool..." She sank a bit, letting herself frown out of sight from the city. "I should've pushed him to ban the practice."

"I'm sure there's many mares and stallions that felt the same way as you." Withers leaned on the side as he seemed a bit nervous as well, trying to adjust himself. "Today is going to be a rough one either way. If Rainbow follows through, it still won't change the past three years."

Scootaloo looked down in thought with a worried expression on her face, contemplating such a violent conclusion to all she'd been through. "I know there's no stopping them, even if I had an outburst. Everyone in town is relying on this wedding to happen. They want to be put on the map again." She leaned her chin on her hoof under the white veil as she watched the cheering ponies wave and celebrate from their windows and storefronts down the sloped brick road.

"I'm sure it will after today. For better or worse." He sighed, taking off his glasses and trying to look through the cloth wall she hid behind. "I should've let you know ahead of time that I was here on Celestia's orders after everything happened. I was so focused on undermining him I didn't check on you enough." He sighed, shaking his head at himself in similiar reflection. "I never really played the good guy anyway though."

"You're a good guy, Withers." Scootaloo smiled warmly behind the rather enchanting fabric. "Maybe not morally but you were the only one who listened to my problems without sticking things in my mouth." She paused and cleared her throat, blushing a bit. "Yeah. This day sucks."

In a few carriages further back the caravan of royal and noble guests all rode upon topless carriages pulled by the silver clad guards. Celestia and Luna politely waving as the crowd seemed in better spirits than last time, possibly due to the company of the five legendary mares well known for their heroics in mainland Equestria.

"Do you think we have time to touch up our makeup before the ceremony? I want to look my best." Rarity poshly asked, getting an eye roll from Fluttershy of all ponies.

"Being bridesmaids is just a formality, Rarity. That... That WORM didn't even invite any of her real family knowing the disgust he'd face." Fluttershy pouted, her misty eyes smudging her makeup slightly as Rarity performed emergency dapping with a wipe under her cheek as the words went in one ear and out the other.

"Oh dear, save the tears for afterwords darling! I know it's an emotional day. Oh! Do you think one of us will catch the bouquet?"

"Girls!" The two froze as they were glared at by Twilight with a stern gaze. "Weddings are nice and all, but can we please FOCUS on getting Rainbow in the temple? Celestia's dress is getting caught by the wind!"

The two blinked and turned to see a tuft of rainbow tail hair poking out from underneath Celestia's maroon dress, which was extra shapely for space. "Oops." Rarity quickly set a hoof down to push the dress over the tail as the slowly approached the circular entry road.

"Introducing the Honored bridesmaids, the princesses of the Sun, Moon and Friendship! As well as the honored bridesmaids the Ravishing Rarity, the adorable Fluttershy, The jovial Pinkie Pie, and the humble Applejack!" Horns blared as the crowd bowed and greeted the group. Twilight and Rarity carefully used their horns to hold the two sisters dresses from dragging as well as fluttering to reveal their cargo as Pinkie and Fluttershy followed behind, with Applejack in the caboose, who awkwardly tipped her decorated maroon stenson hat to every greeting guest.

"Howdy. Howdy. Howdy ma'am. Howdy. Howdy."

"That's three hundred and eight! You reached a new record in a day Applejack!" Pinkie giggled, looking behind herself as the pink pony bounced little by little behind the arriving party.

"Just the nerves, sugarcube. I can't really think of anything else to say."

The group dressed in maroon dress gowns were guided within the intricately engraved whitestone halls that glowed a warm pink off of the setting sun through it's stained glass windows, newly installed with the visage of olden nature dieties locally revered by the public that gave Celestia a nostalgic feeling as she traversed. Her hoof nearly tripping over Rainbow underneath her dress as she walked along. "Carefully, Rainbow Dash... We're almost to our spot."

A silent doubletap on her chest beneath her gown let the princess know she was understood and that Dash was still in fighting form.

The corridor that lead to the grand cathedral opened uo to a large gathering of dozens of attending nobles from around the world that all stood up expectantly to bow their heads respectfully at the arriving rulers. Many familiar faces to the two sisters passed by as they made their way down the aisle to the risen stage that held the ocean in the backdrop. The sound of quiet waves and the smell of salt and flowers washed over as they all approached the decorated alter. Their eyes finally getting a good look at the groom dressed impressively smiling down at them with a rather unreadable look.

Rarity was the first to quietly react as the nearby organ covered their voices in the muffled center while they approached. "Goodness! That's Doctor Caballeron? What a gaudy eyepatch! I thought he'd be taller as well!"

Fluttershy whispered from behind her in a gossiping tone also rather intruiged by tge monster they had learned of over the years staring them down. "Maybe Daring exaggerated him a bit in the books to make him more imposing..."

To his right were his own groomstallions. The sight of Withers closest to Caballeron hiding his eyes behind his sunglasses. Next to him, a slightly larger griffon dressed in a tuxedo Luna recognised silently as Griiva. The griffon enchantress that had been blocking her attempts at communing with the islands population through their dreams and the center of the slave gem trade. Withers flinched as she elbowed him to take off his glasses which he reluctantly slipped in his breast pocket.

Next to Griiva, the entire group had to remain stonefaced to see a slightly slumped stallion with a black mane in a hastily given combover that blocked half his face. His fur pale and seeming hesitant to be near Griiva. His blue eyes unmistakable as Celestia gave a slightly shakey whisper to Rainbow through her smiling face as they got closer. They've shown their hoof and have Quibble displayed to keep us from challenging. Withers is close so focus on Caballeron when the time comes...

A pause before she felt two taps again.

The final two groomsponies weren't of much recognizable note. Likely either two ponies of high local standing Caballeron had gotten friendly with or more likely extra guards to the hostage Quibblepants. It wouldn't be hard to cry assassin as a cover for his death.

The seven feigned fitting celebratory smiles as the stepped up the mirrored curved staircase on the right to their spots, turning to the crowd as the organ softened and the nearby band gave a soft welcoming string focused tune to the arrival of a small veiled filly at the doorway of the domed cathedral.

Countess Ruby. Scootloo almost glided slowly forward as the crowd held in their gushing murmurs at the adorably enchanting little mare approaching the alter. The smug groom lowering his half lidded gaze to admire her outfit as the princesses and company felt their stomachs curl in the twisted display. They had a plan though and everything was in place.

Behind the alter, a grey eagle griffon of notable age in a clean set of priestly robes set a book on the varnished wood as she took her spot near the bridesmaids on her side, looking up with her back to them to their dismay at not being able to read her face and share a comforting look if needed.

The two turned to the alter finally as they dipped their heads to the priest, who motioned for them to rise. The bridesmaids seeing a look on Scootaloo's face they hadn't expected of all things. It wasn't dread, nor bliss, nor any emotion that gave any indication of her present situation that reflected what they had planned for.

It was immediate panicked confusion.

"Marriage. Marriage is what brings us together today. Marriage, that blessed arrangement, that dream within a dream!" The priest began. The knotting in their stomachs turned to sinking as Scootaloo looked wide eyed, staring at Caballeron behind her veil. The shrunken pupils unmistakable even behind the clouded cloth.

"Before we begin. Our sacred tradition calls upon the spirit of secret passion that one may challenge the groom to gaze upon the bride at the alter in his stead!"

Before any of the seated crowd could make any bid to offer themselves for her hoof, and before Celestia could react after meeting Scootaloo's panicked gaze, the rush of pink light from the setting sun revealed Rainbow Dash emerging from the princess's gown in a cold stare at Caballeron.

"Me."