Cinematic Adventures: Corpse Bride

Chapters

To the Rescue
According to Plan
Wedding Rehearsal
Into the Forest
Remains of the Day
Reunion
Elder Gutkneckt
Betrayal
Change of Plans
Revelations
One Last Day
A Wedding to Remember

To the Rescue

The skies were dark and cold, the usual shining sun over Equestria blocked out by gray storm clouds. Down at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack bucked with fierce determination along the West orchard of her farm. Big MacIntosh and Apple Bloom were working in the East field, which left Applejack to work by herself. She was of course okay with it, seeing as she usually preferred to handle things herself. The weather Pegasi of Equestria had a big storm planned for later, which is why she was currently out bucking right now to harvest as much as possible before it came.

Finally, after a couple hours in the field, she finished with the last tree in the orchard and gathered all the apples in her cart. She pulled the cart back to the barn to store the apples away for now, intending to sell them as soon as the storm passed. As she wiped the sweat from her brow, Big Mac came in pulling his own cart with Apple Bloom riding in tow.

“Hey big sis!” Apple Bloom waved. “Looks like we were able to get ‘er done just in time, eh?”

Apple Bloom leapt from the cart and ran to nuzzle up to her sister, who nuzzled back affectionately.

“Ya got that right sugar cube,” Applejack chuckled. “Any problems out in the East field Big Mac?”

“E-nope!” Big Mac responded simply.

“Good thing. Means we got the harvest in with no trouble. Or at least what we could before the storm.”

“Eeyup!”

“INCOMING!!!”

The three Apple siblings looked outside where the yelling came from. They looked up only to see a certain cyan blue Pegasus mare flying toward the barn at top speed. Realizing the impending collision, Applejack’s eyes widened.

“Ah reckon we better skedaddle, like now!”

The three quickly raced out the barn just as the Pegasus crashed right through the door. They slowly looked in and saw all the apples strewn everywhere. Beneath a pile of wood and mashed apples, a rainbow-maned mare emerged. Applejack groaned in irritation as she slowly walked over.

“Rainbow, wut in tarnation are y’all doin’?!” She asked loudly.

She pulled Rainbow Dash out from the pile and the Pegasus shook herself like a dog. She looked over at A.J. with wide eyes and a quivering lip, threatening to laugh as her shaking covered Applejack in apple mush.

“Oops, sorry A.J.,” She apologized with a snicker.

Applejack quickly wiped the residue off her before placing her signature Stetson hat back on her head.

“It’s alright Rainbow, but wut in the name of Celestia’s royal hindquarters y’all doin’?”

“Well I just thought I’d come down and make sure everything was going well for you. What with the storm coming soon, I figured I’d see if you guys got your crop in. So… how’s that going?”

Applejack uttered no words, only gestured with a hoof around the barn. Rainbow looked around the now very messy barn, broken wagons and a whole bunch of smashed apples all over the place.

“Oh…” She said awkwardly. “I really screwed up, didn’t I?”

“Eeyup!” Big Mac said, through gritted teeth.

“Rainbow Dash smiled nervously, rubbing the back of her neck as the three Apples stared angrily at her.

“Sorry about that.”

Applejack shook her head, as the three turned hoof and started walking back to the house.

“A.J., wait!” Rainbow called out.

She rushed right in front of Applejack; an apologetic look plastered all over her face.

“Look, I’m really sorry for smashing your apples,” She said sincerely.

“Ah know yah are Rainbow, but now wut are we supposed tah sell at the market when the storm passes?”

“How about I just pay you back however much they are worth?” Rainbow suggested.

This made Applejack chuckle a bit.

“That’s mighty kind a yah Dash, but I don’t think yah got 3,000 bits lyin round.”

Rainbows eyes widened, her jaw actually hitting the ground.

“3,000 bits?!?!” Rainbow asked astounded.

“Well ya gotta taken into considereation all the baked goods them apples coulda made and how many folks wanted apples as they is. Altogether, that’s the total price it woulda fetched.”

Rainbow almost fell back, the thought alone of that much money simply for apples. Applejack once again shook her head.

“Don’t worry ‘bout it none, Rainbow. We’ll figure something out.”

But the stubborn Rainbow Dash just shook her head.

“No way A.J., I’ll figure a way to pay you back. You can count on that.”

Just as Applejack and the others were about to walk around her, to head inside the house, Rainbow placed a hoof on Applejack’s shoulder.

“Before you go, can I talk to you about something… in private?”

Applejack looked at the hoof on her shoulder, then at Rainbow Dash. Giving a heavy sigh and a head nod, she gestured her siblings to pass her and head to the house. Rainbow and Applejack then take a slight walk down the path toward Ponyville.

“Whatcha wanna talk about Rainbow?” Applejack asked.

“Well you see—it’s just that—maybe we should talk about—you know—it,” Rainbow answered nervously.

“Whatcha mean sugar cube?” Applejack asked confused.

Rainbow hid her face, so Applejack couldn’t see the blush on her cheeks as she rubbed her neck nervously.

“You know… what happened… a week ago… Hogwarts?”

Applejack’s confusion remained for a moment till her eyes widened and she herself had to hide a deep blush. It had been a week since returning from Hogwarts and their last adventure. During the final portion, while trying to pass the trials to reach the Stone, she and Rainbow had to do something… interesting just to pass the Devil’s Snare plants. It wasn’t the only time something like that happened, as similar actions occurred in all the adventures before that. Of course, they never really discussed these events before, though they kept them fresh in their minds.

“Ah—Ah see,” Applejack responded nervously.

“Yeah…” Rainbow nodded awkwardly.

“So—um—what do y’all think we should do ‘bout this?”

“I—uh—well I—I really don’t know. What do youthink?”

Before they could continue, however, a sudden loud scream drew them toward the nearby forest. It sounded like some pony was in grave peril. Looking toward each other for a moment, they quickly galloped in the direction the scream came from. Whatever talk they had in mind, it would have to wait.

Galloping as fast as their legs could carry them, Applejack and Rainbow followed the screaming in the direction it came from. Whatever was going on, it clearly wasn’t good if they were screaming that way. After a while, they finally come upon a clearing in the middle of the forest and stared wide-eyed at what they saw. There, in the very center, laid a cream-colored Pegasus mare with a bright golden mane.

https://www.pngkey.com/png/detail/232-2324121_sugaryicecreammlp-female-mare-oc-oc-digital-art.png

The poor thing was badly injured, many different cuts and bite marks lined over her body. Blood poured from the wounds inflicted on her and she looked completely devoid of life. Gasping loudly, both Rainbow and Applejack rushed to the mare’s side.

“Is she dead?” Rainbow asked.

Applejack gently flipped the poor mare onto her back, leaning down and pressed an ear upon her chest to listen for a heartbeat. Her eyes widen even more when she could hear not a single beat.

“Ah don’t hear no pulse!” She said fearfully.

“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!” Rainbow uttered loudly. “What’ll we do? What will we do? WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?!?!”

*WHACK!*

A hard slap upside the head snapped Rainbow to the side.

“First, we’re calmin’ down that’s wut,” Applejack said.

Rainbow took a few deep breathes, slowly calming down. Quickly she approached Applejack’s side, as she turned the girl over and examined the scratch marks.

“This was a Timberwolf attack,” She stated.

“You sure?” Rainbow asked.

“Yeah, see them spots ah sap in the wounds?”

Rainbow peered closely, spotting the amber-like sap along the wounds.

“What do we do?”

“Ah need y’all tah go off and look fer green leaves with little red specks on ‘em.”

“Why?”

“Learned from Zecora they can be handy in helpin’ tah heal some pony.”

Rainbow quickly nodded, before zipping off into the woods in search for the leaves while Applejack remained with the mare. For a while, she quickly applied CPR until finally the mare released a few shaky breaths and a giant heartbeat could be heard. Sighing in relief, the mare started to breathe again as soon as Rainbow soared back with the leaves in her hooves.

“Okay I got the leaves,” She said.

“Now come on over here and start applyin’ ‘em in them there cuts,” Applejack instructed.

Rainbow quickly came over and applied the leaves upon the wounds. Soon as the wounds were dressed, both ponies breathed heavily.

“Is she gonna be okay?” Rainbow asked.

“She’ll live,” Applejack nodded. “But we gotta get ‘er to the hospital quick.”

“Well why didn’t you just say so?”

Rainbow picked up the mare, placing her upon her back. She zipped into the sky and soared off toward Ponyville. This left Applejack galloping back through the forest back to town, where she hoped help would be waiting.

A short while later, Applejack and Rainbow sat waiting in the hospital waiting room for an update on the pony they saved. Applejack already sent word to the rest of their friends, whom still have yet to show. Just then, the doors burst open and the rest of the Mane Six, Spike included, burst into the room. Pinkie pushed Lil’ Cheese in his baby carrier as they approached, and boy did she look frazzled. It appeared she hadn’t slept in a week, the pink party mare extremely fatigued. Rainbow and Applejack stood up the moment their friends entered.

“Over here y’all!” Applejack called.

They all noticed the two ponies’ presence and quickly made toward them.

“What happened?” Twilight asked.

“We were walking back to Ponyville from Sweet Apple Acres when we heard this scream,” Rainbow explained. “We ran off into the forest and we found a mare near dead from Timberwolf attacks. We did what we could to help her and brought her here. Still haven’t heard an update on her.”

“Oh my dear,” Fluttershy said, frightened.

“How awful!” Rarity gasped.

Then Lil’ Cheese started to cry, probably sensing the stress in the room. Pinkie quickly reached into her saddlebags, which she had with her, and procured a bottle for him.

“Oh no, no, no! It’s okay Lil’ Cheese,” Pinkie spoke to her son. “Everything’s okay, mommy promises. Would Mister Giggle Pants make everything better?”

Pinkie pulled out a tiny stuffed clown plushie from her saddle bags, honking its big red nose. Lil’ Cheese stopped crying and started laughing, reaching his tiny hooves for his toy. Pinkie smiled and placed it next to the little colt, who cuddled the toy closely as he slumbered back down. Pinkie sighed and fell back into a nearby seat.

“Wow Pinkie, you’ve really got this whole mom thing down,” Spike said impressed.

“Yep!” Pinkie nodded. “Being a mommy is great, just wish I had some sleep.”

No sooner she said that when Pinkie’s eyelids shut, and she started snoring. Every pony else chuckled as Doctor Horse finally approached.

“How’s she doing Doctor Horse?” Twilight asked concerned.

“Personally, I’d say she’s a very lucky mare,” Doctor Horse answered honestly. “Had your friends here found her even a minute later, we’d be signing a death certificate rather than hospital records.”

“So she’s gonna live?” Applejack asked hopefully.

“Yes, she’s going to live,” Doctor Horse smiled. “Those Timberwolves must have done quite a number on her. The lacerations were quite deep, and she also has a few broken bones. She’s very lucky to be alive. We have to keep her here for a few days for further observation, but it looks like she is going to make a full recovery.”

Every pony breathed a deep sigh of relief upon hearing the news. Thank Celestia this mare was going to live to see another day.

“Can we see her by chance?” Rarity asked.

“She is awake right now, and I suppose maybe a few minutes. But I do recommend she really must rest. Room 225, down the hall.”

Every pony made their way to the hospital room to check on the poor mare. All except for Pinkie Pie, who snored away while one of the nurses tended to Lil’ Cheese. The rest of the Mane Six, along with Spike, slowly and quietly entered Room 225. There they could see the poor mare laid up in bed wrapped in bandages and casts. The mare in question turned toward them, her face instantly fearful.

“Non s’il te plait!” She spoke, in a thick Prench accent. “Please… do not hurt me!”

“Whoa hey, it’s okay,” Twilight spoke calmly. “We won’t hurt you.”

The mare slowly looked back at them, the fear quite obvious in her eyes. The girls slowly approached her with caution, so as not to frighten the poor girl.

“My name is Twilight,” Twilight introduced herself. “Twilight Sparkle.”

The young mare’s eyes widened, not of fear but wonder.

“Ze Princess?” She asked.

“That’s right,” Twilight nodded.

“Zen would I be correct in assuming zat zese are ze rest of ze Elements of Harmony?”

Twilight nodded as she gestured her friends to come closer. More specifically, for Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

“This here is Applejack and Rainbow Dash,” She introduced. “They’re the ones who saved you and brought you here.”

The mare gazed toward Rainbow and Applejack with a look of utter appreciation.

“Sank you both so much,” She thanked them.

“Eh, it weren’t nothing really,” Applejack smiled.

“Just doing our duty,” Rainbow added.

Rarity and Fluttershy both made their way to the other side of the bed.

“What is your name darling?” Rarity asked kindly.

“Je m’appelle Parfaite,” The mare answered in Prench.

Rarity extended her hoof forward, gently shaking Parfaite’s good hoof.

“Well it is simply lovely to meet you Miss Parfaite,” She said kindly. “Might I say your name fits you quite well. Aside from the injuries, your appearance seems perfect in every way. And I must say you speak Prench quite well. Is that your original place of origin darling?”

“Oui!” Parfaite nodded.

“Oh, that is amazing! You know my husband Erik is actually quite the eccentric Prench man himself.

“Oh oui, ze Phantom of ze Opera.”

This made the whole group pull back a bit.

“Uh, not to sound rude, but how exactly did you know that?” Rarity asked curiously.

“Your tales in ze television, zey spread all over Equestria,” Parfaite explained. “I hear all about zem as I leave from Prance.”

“You left Prance?” Fluttershy asked. “Why would you leave your home?”

Hearing the question, Parfaite immediately shut down as tears emerge from her eyes. The tears rolled down her cheeks, as small whimpers could be heard. Instantly, Fluttershy felt guilt.

“Oh my goodness,” She gasped. “I am so, so sorry! That was insensitive of me to ask. Oh please don’t be angry with me.”

“No, it is quite alright,” Parfaite sobbed, shaking her head. “I left home because I have nowhere else to go. Me mére (mother) passed recently. I could no longer work in her doll shop and zey kick me out of my home. I am forced to move here with nowhere to go.”

The girls felt sympathetic, sorrow even for the poor mare. To think a pony could be forcibly removed from her home following a mother’s passing and no place else to go. It sounded like a dreadful situation. Even Fluttershy teared up over her story.

“Oh you poor dear,” She croaked.

Though she had known this mare for more than a few minutes, Rarity instantly knew what to do. Being the Element of Generosity, she knew what had to be done.

“Well that just simply won’t do darling,” She spoke determined. “When you get discharged from here, you will come and live in my boutique with me and my husband till you are back on your hooves again.”

Hearing this made Parfait smile, though she still shook her head.

“Oh no, I could not possibly ask zat of you. You are all too kind enough bringing me here to ze hospital.”

Rarity gentled placed her hoof over the mare’s mouth before she could continue.

“It is not a discussion for debate dear,” Rarity assured. “I simply cannot allow a poor homeless mare to live in the gutter, especially one as beautiful as you. I shall make the necessary arrangements immediately and you shall stay with me till further notice.”

Every pony smiled at Rarity. Truly her generosity astounded them all greatly. Only just meeting Parfaite and already offering her room and board in her own home. That is what they truly loved about their friend. A knock on the door shifted their attention, to Doctor Horse standing there.

“I’m sorry ladies, but I must insist you leave so our patient can get some rest,” He said.

They all nodded before looking back at Parfaite one last time.

“Truly Miss Rarity, you do not mind?” She asked.

“Of course not darling,” Rarity replied. “You may stay as long as you need to. If you feel you are taking advantage of my hospitality, please don’t. However, if you’d please, I could really use another pair of hooves in the shop if you’re looking for work.”

Parfaite smiled brightly, as tears fell from her muzzle. What little strength she had left were more than enough to throw her hooves around Rarity in a hug.

“Sank you so much Miss Rarity!” She cried.

“You are most welcome,” Rarity replied, patting the young mare’s back.

The two eventually parted ways, as the Mane Six and Spike left the room. This left Parfait lying upon the bed, a huge smile on her face.

Shortly after leaving the hospital, the Mane Six and Spike found themselves walking through Ponyville on their way to Sugar Cube Corner. As they walked, they noticed a large cart parked off the side of the road and a gathering of ponies around it. On the stage of the cart was none other than the ‘Great and Powerful’ TRRRRRRRRRRRIXIE! The show pony was putting on quite the magic show, as all the ponies in town clapped and cheered.

“Come one, come all!” The show mare called out. “Come and witness the amazing magic of the Great… and Powerful… TRRRRRRRRRRRIXIE!”

Fireworks ignite across town, as the Mane Six chuckled at the display.

“Looks like Trixie’s back in town,” Rainbow remarked.

As the group stood and watched the eccentric show pony on stage, none of them took notice of another figure stepping from the crowd and right behind Pinkie Pie.

“Pinkie.”

Pinkie’s eyes widened, her mouth formed a huge ‘O’ shape as she quickly turned around, and stared face-to-‘stone’ face of her older sister, Maud Pie. Pinkie’s face grew into a huge smile that looked like her head could pop right off. And then… she exploded.

“MAUD!!!!”

The force of her scream nearly blew the crowd and Trixie’s cart away, as Pinkie eagerly hugged her older sister, who hugged back. Some ponies still could hardly believe Pinkie and Maud were actually related. Pinkie was so energetic and full of life, whereas Maud… was not. Any pony who knew Maud knew the mare was a complete mystery.

She was always stone-faced and emotionless. One could never tell exactly what she was feeling. Not to mention, whenever she spoke, it was in this slow, monotone style that could put mountains to sleep. However, Pinkie loved her big sister more than life itself and eventually every pony got along with Maud rather well.

“OH… MY… GOSH!!!” Pinkie yelled. “What are you doing here, you silly filly?! You didn’t tell me you were coming to visit.”

Maud just looked at her sister with that same expressionless face.

“I wanted to surprise you,” She replied, in the monotone voice. “Are you surprised? You look surprised.”

“Are you kidding me?!” Pinkie said gleefully. I’m always super-duper happy to see my amazing older sister. And I know some pony else who’s really excited to meet his auntie!”

Pinkie pulled Lil’ Cheese’s baby carrier closer, as Maud looked upon her little nephew. The colt giggled and babbled as he reached for her.

“He looks just like Cheese Sandwich,” Maud said simply. “But with your hair.”

“I know, right?!” Pinkie nodded. “I couldn’t believe how much he looked like his daddy. But then I saw he had my hair, and I was like ‘GASP!’. Oh, he’s just the bestest little baby ever and very well behaved. I just wish he’d let me and Cheesy sleep at night. He just likes to keep us up, don’t you Lil’ Cheesy? Don’t you? Yes you do! Yes you do!”

Lil’ Cheese giggled and flailed about as his mother ticked him while speaking in baby talk. As this went on, Maud reached behind her and into her saddle bags. She pulled out a little present wrapped in dark-colored paper. Seeing this, Pinkie gasped loudly once more.

“What is that?!” She asked excitedly.

“I brought my nephew a gift,” Maud answered.

“Oh, isn’t that so sweet Cheesy-Wheezy? Auntie Maud brought you a present! What is it?”

Maud handed the present to Pinkie, who ripped through the wrapping paper. Fully unwrapped, she smiled brighter when she noticed it was a tiny baby rattle made entirely of rock.

“Aww, that’s so sweet Maud!” Pinkie squealed.

“I hope he likes it. I sorted through every rock in my valley to find the right one. There was sedimentary rocks, igneous rocks, metamorphic rocks…”

“Take it from me kiddo,” Rainbow whispered to Lil’ Cheese. “She knows a lot about rocks.”

“AND NOW, FILLIES AND GENTLECOLTS!” Trixie called out.

Her shout drew the group back toward Trixie, who cleared her throat and brushed off her hat.

“If we can just move on with the show, please?” Trixie spoke, pausing. “Thank you… and now, the trick for all of Equestria worthy of headlines in Las Pegasus! But first, do we have a volunteer? A lovely mare, perhaps?”

Trixie paused, looking around toward the crowd who eyeballed toward one another. While this went on, Twilight Sparkle studied the stage closely. There appeared to be two wooden closets designed with a similar color scheme as Trixie’s outfit. Some fireworks stuck in between the two closets. After a moment, a smirk formed on Trixie’s face as she stamped one hoof upon the stage. The closet on the right opened up, revealing her assistant, Starlight Glimmer, dressed in an outfit reminiscent of a Las Pegasus show mare (Or at least resemblance of a magician superhero).

“We have a volunteer!!!” Trixie declared, to heavy fanfare.

This sent all the ponies applauding, a handful of them actually whistling (Stallions and mares). Starlight Glimmer practically blushed over all the attention; she can tell her friends in the audience were trying so hard not to laugh. She forced herself to smile as she slowly approached Trixie.

“You said I wouldn’t have to wear the outfit…” Starlight spoke, between her teeth.

“And you said you wanted to be more involved in the show,” Trixie whispered, with a toothy grin. “The Great and Powerful Trixie is doing you a favor…”

A sigh escaped Starlight’s lips as she made her way over to the opposite closet, while Trixie cleared her throat.

“Yes fillies and gentle-colts, as you can see my great and powerful assistant stands in this very cabinet. Trixie will now close the door and cross to the other cabinet…”

A moment after Trixie shut the left-hoof side closet and crossed to the right, a mischievous look formed on Rainbow Dash’s face. Gesturing the group with her wings, she leaned them over to her and began whispering her plan to her friends. All of this seemingly going unnoticed by Trixie as she took her position by one of the fireworks and slowly removed her hat, which she casted aside.

“Trixie shall now fire one of her signature rockets!” Trixie continued.

With a spark from her horn, Trixie used her magic to ignite the rocket and sent it straight into the air.

“And what have we here?” Trixie asked, opening the second cabinet. “The little lady…”

Suddenly, the whole crowd went up in an uproar falling head over heels in laughter. Confused, Trixie stared at the crowd, slowly turned to the cabinet, and her eyes went wide. Inside the cabinet, while Starlight Glimmer was indeed in the cabinet… she wasn’t alone. Sharing a chat with Trixie’s friend/assistant, Spike leaned inside the cabinet casually. He then noticed the crowd staring at them.

“Hey, this is private!” Spike called out, closing the cabinet.

An awkward glance was plastered upon Trixie’s face before she slowly turned back to the audience and laughed it off.

“Seems Trixie’s assistant picked up a friend on the way!” Trixie chuckled awkwardly. “But I’ll take him away from her. Again, Trixie fires her signature fireworks!”

The firework explodes into the sky with a shot of her magic. She then approached the left hoof cabinet.

“And we have here…”

Trixie opened up the cabinet and…

*BOOM!*

An explosion of confetti emerged from the cabinet, as Pinkie Pie popped out of the cabinet. Also inside were Starlight Glimmer and Maud Pie.

“It’s the pie sister greeting song!!!!” Pinkie sung, gesturing to Maud.

“Hey!” Maud said dryly.

The crowd laughed wildly and applauded as if it were part of the act. Without showing it to the crowd, Trixie eyed Starlight with a ‘Really?!” expression. Starlight’s eyes faced Trixie and the girls that came into the act… and she just shrugged sheepishly. Taking a deep breath, Trixie forced herself to smile as she faced the crowd.

“Well, would you look at the time? Don’t go away, we’ll be right back after a quick intermission!”

Trixie slapped a hoof on the stage, reverting it back to her cart. In doing so, Trixie found herself with Starlight, the Pie sisters, and Spike inside a rather cramped compartment. She glared at the group of ponies, slapping her signature hat back on her head.

“You three better have a good reason for playing improv during Trixie’s show!” Trixie spoke, annoyed.

“Just your show?” Starlight asked, raising a brow.

“.. Trixie and Starlight’s…” Trixie corrected, annoyed.

“Just to clear the air, this was not my idea,” Spike spoke.

Suddenly, the rest of the Mane Six appear from inside Trixie’s cart much to the stage magician’s surprise. Rainbow Dash could barely contain her own laughter, as she fell head over heels. Applejack tipped her hat down to her face, while she shook her head.

“Boy Trixie, ya should’ve seen your face!” Rainbow chuckled.

“Terribly sorry about this Trixie,” Applejack apologized. “Some pony thought it be a good idea to pull a few practical jokes on a ‘friend’.”

“Hmph… luckily for you girls, Trixie knows when a show must go on. Least your little stunt made the crowd believe it’s all part of my ingenious act!”

“And it was a very good performance Trixie,” Twilight assured.

“Good… but not quite great and powerful as I need it to be,” Trixie replied. “Trixie must make sure we’re in tip-top form for when we book our act for Las Pegasus.”

“Las Pegasus?” Rarity asked.

“Trixie’s been trying to book a show at that place for weeks,” Starlight replied. “Though I think it’s mainly out of a rumor that her father is a famous performer there.”

“Trixie knows not what you’re talking about,” Trixie replied indignantly. “Trixie happens to know for a fact that my astounding feats of magic are made fit for a larger audience. There’s only so many times we can perform in small towns.”

“It’s a little too flashy,” Maud replied plainly.

Trixie scrunched her face in annoyance against Maud’s dry expression.

“And you can name any feat of magic that is supposedly greater than Trixie’s?” The magician challenged.

“Well, aside from Twilight’s magic T.V. that lets us traverse between worlds, meet new friends, and fighting bad guys twenty-four seven,” Pinkie replied. “Pretty much almost ‘any’ kind of magic really.”

“Yes… the T.V.,” Trixie pondered. “Trixie’s seen your adventures at work plenty of times; needless to say, Trixie’s interest is peaked. Care to show how it works?”

“Well, we mostly only use the television for when there is someone in need of help,” Twilight pointed out. “But… we can at least show you how it operates.”

“Oh! Goody, goody, goody!” Pinkie hopped up and down. “How about it Maud? Want to see Twilight’s magic box at work?”

“… Sure,” Maud replied dryly.

“Now hold on a minute,” Starlight butted in. “Not that I’m against a good adventure, we’ve got a crowd out there who’ve already taken some time just to see our show. Trixie, don’t you think it would be rude to end a show so abruptly?”

“Hmm… you make a very good point Starlight,” Trixie pondered.

Then before Starlight could react, Trixie slapped her signature hat upon Starlight’s head.

“Thank you for volunteering, you’ve just been promoted!”

“Wha—ME?!?!” Starlight gasped. “Now Trixie, I’m flattered you think highly of my magic! But I can’t possibly—”

“Oh, no need to fret…” Trixie brushed off.

From her cloak, she reached into a pocket and pulled a thin version of her hat. Flapping it hard, a new hat opened up which she placed upon her mane.

“Trixie always carries spares for any occasion. You just keep the audience entranced with the act, while Trixie has a quick little peak at Twilight’s T.V. You’ve got the finale of our act memorized…”

“Well yes, but…”

“So relax… you’ve got this! You are such a dear friend!”

Trixie then kissed both cheeks on Starlight’s face before facing the others.

“Well, come on girls!” Trixie replied.

“Ahem!” Spike cleared his throat.

“… and Spike,” Trixie rolled her eyes. “Show me your… magic television.”

“Oh! We probably should stop by Sugar Cube Corner first,” Pinkie pointed out. “Least we can do is arrange a sitter for Lil’ Cheese…”

They made their way out the doors of Trixie’s cart. But before Starlight Glimmer could approach and object, Trixie slapped the wall with a hoof converting it back to the stage. Starlight Glimmer was nearly taken off her hooves, as she slowly recovered. She found herself staring at the crowd, all of whom anxiously awaiting to see some feat of magic. Starlight smiled awkwardly before adjusting Trixie’s hat.

The rumble of storm clouds draws Starlight to look up, reminded of the storm that the Pegasi were bringing in. A sigh escaped her lips but being a good friend she knew Trixie would expect her to keep the show going.

“Ahem… so…” Starlight began, straightening herself. “Care to see a trick involving a kite and a key?”

A short while later, Twilight and the group were already at her castle around the heart of Ponyville. In the one room, the little television box laid positioned with all the wiring attached around the box. Twilight stood by the panel while the rest kept a distance from the television just in case anything should happen.

“So it’s all true Twilight,” Trixie replied. “This is how you and your friends get around nearly every world outside of Equestria.”

“Well not to toot my own horn,” Twilight replied, chuckling. “We would never have been able to go to any of those places without this. Just showed up near the Everfree Forest while I was off on an errand, and it just stuck around.”

“This baby’s taken us to tons of places,” Pinkie Pie replied. “Heck, I’ll never forget that one trip when we went to explore Mr. Wonka’s chocolate factory! All the best candies I’ve ever eaten outside of Equestria!”

“Yes… we all saw that from Discord’s movie theater,” Trixie replied bluntly. “How that klutzy draconquus got his own movie theater I’ll never know.”

“Now… whenever we do have the need to go anywhere,” Twilight informed. “We merely need to only pull this lever, like so.”

Twilight pulled the lever and the television instantly came to life…

*SCREECH!!!*

A high pitched screeching sound emerged from the television, the screen itself brightly lit with heavy static. The shrilling noise caused the whole group to cover their ears as best as they could, though Maud hardly seemed phased by the commotion.

“What in tarnation is that?!” Applejack called out.

“Has this ever happened before?!” Trixie cried out.

“This is relatively new!” Twilight winced. “No worries… probably just a bad frequency. Just have to make a few adjustments…”

Twilight Sparkle proceeded to fiddle with the controls, even turning some of the knobs on the television set itself. The screen barely changed as it retained the static nature. After a moment or two, eventually Twilight was able to tone down the ear-piercing noise until… a portal suddenly appeared. Only, not strong enough to suck the group inside like a vacuum. But rather… it just stood in place…

Then something else emerged from the portal. To the group’s astounded gaze, a glowing, blue butterfly (Perhaps even a moth) fluttered through the portal. The little creature fluttered over to the group as they looked on in amazement, even Maud’s eyes widened slightly. They silently watched as the butterfly fluttered around their heads, flew around the room, and then hovered just inches from the portal it came from.

“What’s it doing?” Fluttershy asked nervously.

“I reckon it wants us to follow,” Applejack observed.

Sure enough, that seemed to be what it did as it fluttered back through the portal. The group looked at each other, till all heads turned back toward Twilight Sparkle.

“Well Twilight…” Trixie began. “Common occurrence for you and your friends?”

“This usually doesn’t happen,” Twilight replied. “I’m just as surprised as you are.”

“But Twilight… it’s just as you said,” Rarity pointed out. “We’d only go through the television in the event of an emergency. Unless… perhaps that is a sign that something is either occurring or perhaps ‘will’ occur.”

“Except we don’t know where it came from,” Rainbow reminded. “We don’t even know where that portal will take us.”

“Well girls, Spike, there’s only one way to find out,” Twilight declared. “We go through the portal, and hope whatever’s going on isn’t too big. Last thing we need is another attempt by the Benefactor and his troops to stir trouble.”

“The Benefactor…” Maud spoke plainly.

“Some creepy guy dressed in a scary hood,” Pinkie clarified. “Probably a scary lady… actually, we don’t really know who or what the Benefactor is supposed to be.”

“C’mon every pony,” Applejack declared. “Let’s see where this portal takes us this time.”

One by one, Twilight and her friends slowly made their way through the portal to who-knows-where. Until during this moment, the only members of the group yet to go in were Applejack and Rainbow Dash. The two mares glance toward the portal where all their friends have gone through before they face each other. Not knowing where they were going or what to expect, they could see the uncertainty upon their faces.

But with tiny nods, determination formed upon their faces as they slowly approach the portal. A single wing wrapped around Applejack, who’s face started to blush upon contact. Their silhouettes illuminate over the light of the portal shortly before they both step through the portal, into the unknown… and the portal closed the moment they entered.

According to Plan

A light wind picks up as the glassy portal arch opened for the new world. The group of Equestrians, along with their little dragon companion, stepped through to the other side. The moment their feet touch the ground, the portal closed behind them, leaving them in a new world with a mission to accomplish. They looked around their new surroundings, noticing something rather odd about this place.

They were completely surrounded by large stone buildings, its architect resembling a very Victorian style, cold and severe. Its streets are entirely cobblestone and its landscape was so… gray. Much like their first arrival in Kansas long ago, there was hardly any color minus a deep gray. All the hues here were muted and grim. It honestly sucked all the good feeling out of the atmosphere, replacing it with a feeling of gloom and despair.

“Wow!” Rainbow remarked. “This is officially one of the most depressing places I’ve ever seen. Even the townspeople look like zombies!”

“What ya talkin’ about sugar cube?” Applejack asked.

“Take a look!”

Rainbow gestured with one hoof down the cobblestone street, all the others having a glance at all the people crossing the streets. Much like this town, they were all gray, depressive looking, and above all stiff. Many of them slugged by their days in dreary fashion, nodding very formally, and without warmth when they pass each other. A church bell chimes the first of four strokes. One townsperson, the town crier, strides into the squares and rings his big hand ell.

“FOUR O’CLOCK AND ALL’S WELL!!!” He shouted.

As the group studied the area, its shops making up the whole town, none of the other townspeople looked any better:

The grocer arranging fastidious little piles of withered onions; the watchmaker checking and re-checking the large clock hanging in front of his shop, resetting the second hand as it ticked in a monotone fashion; the baker wearily adding another plain brown loaf to the pyramid standing in his window; two completely lifeless men chopping fish, their arms rising and falling mechanically; and a seamstress sitting among bundles of cloth, all shades of gray. Trixie gasped as she looked upon all the gloomy people.

“Such a dreary looking bunch,” She observed. “Perhaps a little show by the Great and Powerful TRRRRRRRRIXIE will lighten their moods.”

Trixie pulled of her hat, reaching in to pull out a gigantic anchor with her glowing horn. She proceeded to hurl it backward, a loud crash erupted upon landing. This caused every pony, Spike especially, to glare angrily toward her.

“Trixie! What are you doing?!” Twilight hissed. “We can’t draw too much attention to ourselves!”

“But that’s the whole point of Trixie’s presence. To make everyone gaze at her in adoration!”

“Yeah well if you keep it up, I’ll do a little trick of my own,” Rainbow threatened. “One where I make you disappear!”

Trixie immediately placed her hat back on her head, a fearful smile formed as she nodded her head. Meanwhile… Maud just stood there.

“Personally, I think this is one of the more interesting adventures I’ve witnessed since the discovery of the television,” She said lazily.

This caused every pony, minus Pinkie Pie, to glance at Maud in confusion.

“Seriously Darling?” Rarity asked in awe. “More interesting than a magical castle filled with witches, wizards, and all manner of magical creatures?”

To which Maud simply nodded.

“Or a demon witch that nearly killed us all?” Spike asked.

“A talking sponge and starfish among other sea creatures?” Fluttershy added.

“Oh! Oh! Don’t forget Mr. Wonka’s super-duper chocolate factory!” Pinkie piped excitedly.

And again, Maud merely nodded at all the suggestions. This caused every pony, again minus Pinkie, to roll their eyes. Only Maud Pie could find sluggish, dreary looking things interesting. However, Pinkie merely wrapped an arm around her sister’s shoulder with a bright smile.

“I’m just excited you get to come on one of our adventures Maud!” She said excitedly.

“What about Trixie?” Trixie asked.

Pinkie extended her arm to great length, drawing Trixie to her side as well. Even the magician found herself shocked by Pinkie’s abilities.

“Oops! Sorry Trixie, I’m happy you can come too!” Pinkie smiled. “Hmm… I wonder what’ll happen to us while we’re here… *GASP!* Maybe it’ll be a swashbuckling tale about wacky pirates! Or maybe a cheese-loving inventor and his dog! Or… or… OR… maybe a bunch of mice that live in a big city under the sewer!”

Every pony slowly turned, with utter confusion toward Pinkie Pie.

“Huh?” They all said, in unison.

“Oh sorry, went a little ahead of schedule!”

Pinkie reached into her mane and drew out a list entitled: Future Cinematic Adventures.

How did she get that?! I thought you changed the safe combination!

I did! But she keeps getting in somehow…

Do we have to start keeping it in the pool with the sharks with the laser beams attached to their heads?

Don’t mock me! You laughed when I suggested that idea…

Ugh! Hold on… *Snaps fingers*

All of a sudden, the paper disappeared in a flash much to Pinkie’s confusion. She just shrugged it off and bounced along smiling.

It was only then Fluttershy noticed that very same butterfly, the only really colorful thing in view AND the very same one they followed through the portal, flew around them. Being the caring animal lover, Fluttershy gently held her hoof and the tiny insect landed with grace.

“Why ever did you lead us here little butterfly?” She asked sweetly.

The little butterfly just fluttered its wings again, off the Pegasus’s hoof and down the street. Until eventually, it flew up through the window of a large-looking house.

“I think the butterfly wants us to follow it,” Fluttershy informed the group.

“The one we followed here?” Spike asked.

“Mm-hmm,” Fluttershy nodded.

“But we don’t even know what’s in there!” Twilight objected.

Though Fluttershy had to admit that Twilight had a point, and the thought already scared her slightly, she couldn’t help but feel it was leading them toward that house for a reason.

“I’m not sure why… but I have a feeling it’s leading us to where we need to be,” She insisted.

The butter-yellow Pegasus strolled down the street, much to the town residents’ surprising ignorance. Every pony watched on with confusion, till Twilight sighed in defeat. With a single gesture, she beckoned every pony to follow her. They made their way down the street after Fluttershy before finally resting at the foot of the house.

“Okay, now what do we do?” Rainbow asked. “We walk in and be like, ‘Hey, we’re a bunch of talking ponies who followed a butterfly through a magic portal. Can we please come into your house?’”

The sarcasm was thick in her voice, much to the chagrin of one Twilight Sparkle.

“Don’t worry Rainbow,” She assured. “We won’t need to walk through the front door.”

Lighting her horn with her magic, she and every pony vanished in a flash of purple light. They transported to the top room where the butterfly flew through the window. After shaking the teleportation feeling off themselves, Fluttershy noticed the butterfly hovering around the Victorian-style room. The group looked around and saw it was filled with numerous drawings and paintings of all sizes, mostly of butterflies. Only one prominent painting presented a man with a friendly-looking dog. Then at last, the butterfly floated next to a large glass dome covering an exact replica butterfly inside.

“Oh dear!” She gasped. “The poor creature’s trapped in that glass dome like a prisoner!”

“You mean to say we got dragged up here just to free a butterfly?” Rainbow asked annoyed.

“I think it’s more complicated than that,” Twilight answered.

“Oh, I simply must get it out of there,” Fluttershy said.

“Well hurry it up sugar cube,” Applejack ushered. “We just gotta figure out why we came here.”

Fluttershy nodded quickly as she walked toward the glass case atop the desk it sat. She reached her hoof out to pull the case away… when the door to the room suddenly opened. Every pony, except Maud, froze fearfully as a young man walked in.

A rather handsome, but also skinny young man, approximately nineteen years old with a gentle, slightly dreamy quality. He wore a very nice-looking suit, his dark hair done up rather nicely. He strolled right into the room carrying a piece of parchment under his arms.

“Well hopefully I can finish this drawing before…”

His words cut off when his huge eyes caught sight of the group of pastel-colored ponies and their little dragon companion. Though his pupils were not particularly large, they shrunk even tinier when he saw them. For a moment they all just stood there, him staring at the group and they staring back. Finally, Pinkie Pie waved her hoof excitedly.

“Hi, how are ya?!” She asked loudly.

The young man gasped loudly, as he fell to the ground and scrambled back into a corner. Twilight held her hooves up, as she slowly approached him.

“Whoa, hey! It’s alright. We’re not here to hurt you, I promise.”

The poor man just sat there, shaking his head as fear completely overtook him.

“Goodness gracious, I’ve finally gone round the bend!” He muttered. “The stress of this wedding is now making me hallucinate to the point where I’m seeing colorful, talking ponies!”

“Well, least he got that right,” Rainbow nodded, with a shrug.

Twilight glared at Rainbow before turning back toward the frightened man. She slowly inched closer, as the man tried to pull back even further. She then held out a hoof toward the man, as his eyes grew wider.

“Sir, I promise,” She said. “Neither me nor any of my friends are here to hurt you.”

For what felt like an eternity, the young man sat there staring in fear. Then slowly, he reached a trembling hand toward her. His fingers barely touched her hoof when he flinched, expecting the worst to happen. However, he slowly relaxed and looked back as instead he felt nothing but warmth and kindness from her soft fur. After another moment, he slowly got back to his feet, towering over the pony princess as she looked up at him with a warm smile.

“See?” She smiled. “There’s absolutely nothing to worry about.”

The young man looked from her to all the other ponies and the tiny dragon who all smiled at him, except for Maud. The man turned back toward Twilight, shaking his head.

“Am I dreaming?” He asked her.

“No,” Twilight shook her head, slowly. “I’m sorry but you’re not.”

“But—but—how is this even possible?”

“It’s a bit of a long story,” Twilight chuckled.

“… and that’s basically all there is.”

The young man sat upon his bed listening to her and her friends explain the situation to him. As he listened, he couldn’t help but be fascinated. Not just because they were talking ponies, Pegasi, and unicorns…

Ahem!!!

… and Spike… but also because they actually proved it by performing such amazing feats for him.

“I must say this is quite an interesting surprise,” He said amazed. “What are your names?”

“Well, I’m Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight introduced herself. “This is Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Trixie…”

“You mean the ‘Great and Powerful’ TRRRRRRRRIXIE!!!” Trixie exclaimed dramatically.

Twilight rolled her eyes, groaning to herself. Then Pinkie shoved Maud in front of the group, smiling brightly.

“And this is the best big sister in the history of big sisters forever and ever, MAUD PIE!” Pinkie shouted joyfully. “Just look how excited she is to come and meet you!”

The young man looked down at the gray pony, who looked at him with the same blank stare plastered upon her face.

“Hi,” She said.

The young man merely bowed his head for her, as he stood back on his feet.

“It is quite lovely to make your acquaintances,” He said kindly. “My name is Victor, Victor Van Dort.”

One by one, he shook each of their hooves, in Spike’s case his claw.

“Mighty nice tah meet ya Victor,” Applejack tipped her hat.

“Charmed darling,” Rarity greeted with a bow.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie is honored to meet you,” Trixie stated.

“Sup!” Rainbow waved.

“VICTOR!”

Everyone quickly faced the door, as the sound of footsteps made their way quickly toward the room.

“Oh no, it’s mother!” Victor said fearfully. “You must hide quickly!”

Twilight quickly lit her horn and in another flash of light every pony turned invisible just as the bedroom door flew open. There stood Victor’s mother, Mrs. Nell Van Dort, a rather pump, pushy Victorian matron wearing a dark gray dress and a hat. She strolled into the room, staring at her son with narrowed eyes.

“Victor, why aren’t you getting ready?” She asked sternly. “We’re expected at Everglot Manor in the next half hour!”

“Just getting ready mother,” Victor responded nervously.

Mrs. Van Dort eyed the boy up and down before looking around the room.

“Who were you talking to?” She asked suspiciously. “I swore I heard voices.”

Victor’s eyes darted back and forth, nervously thinking of an excuse.

“Er—no one mother,” He said quickly. “Just talking to myself you know. Trying to calm myself of these wedding day jitters.”

“Well stop talking and get ready! We’ve come too far now and so close to the life I’ve always wanted. The carriage will be here in half an hour and you best be ready by then!”

With that, Mrs. Van Dort quickly left and shut the door behind her. Victor sighed with both relief and frustration as he walked over to the desk. By then, Twilight and the others became visible again.

“What the hay was all that about?” Rainbow asked.

“That’s just my mother for you,” Victor sighed.

“Wut in tarnation was she talkin’ ‘bout?” Applejack asked.

Victor gazed out his bedroom window before taking a deep breath and faced the group.

“I’m to be married tomorrow,” He answered.

This made all the girls and Spike, minus Maud, smile joyfully.

“That’s amazing Victor!” Twilight declared happily.

However, Rarity took one look at his expression and noticed the sad, scared expression on his face.

“Yet you don’t seem happy about the idea,” She remarked.

Victor shook his head slightly.

“It’s just I’ve never even seen her before. Never even spoken to her.”

Now every creature seemed confused.

“Wait one apple pickin’ minute,” Applejack said abruptly. “Y’all mean tah say yer marryin’ some girl y’all never even met or talked to before?”

“It’s an arranged marriage,” Victor explained. “For years now, my parents have always intended for me to marry the daughter of Lord and Lady Everglot. Their family is considered high in nobility here in England.”

In an instance, every pony went from confused to straight up sad with despaired looks.

“That’s terrible!” Fluttershy whispered.

“Trixie agrees with Fluttershy,” Trixie nodded. “One should never marry if not for love and adoration.”

Both Pinkie and Rarity really had to agree with that statement. Having both married wonderful, caring stallions (Though in Erik’s case, he only became one after leaving his world). The mares completely understood how terrible Victor must feel.

“We’re so sorry Victor,” Twilight said sadly.

Victor merely sighed, as he strolled toward the desk. He unfurled the parchment he brought with him, observing the butterfly in the glass case.

“Perhaps a bit of drawing will help ease my nerves,” He said.

“You’ll let the poor creature go free after you finished, right?” Fluttershy asked.

“But of course,” Victor nodded. “That was alwaysthe plan… according to plan…”

For the next half hour, the group sat alongside Victor and continue to talk while Victor worked on drawing the butterfly in the case. He outlined every detail on the butterfly, from the gentle curve of its wings to the delicate pattern shimmering in lakes of color. Finally, after a while, the sketch was finished and looked perfect. After admiring his handy work, Victor opened the window of his room and lifted the glass case allowing the tiny butterfly its freedom.

The tiny creature flew through the town, as its denizens went about their business. As they do so, a nice man dressed in a fancy suit and hat strolled through town while the town crier delivered his daily news.

“HERE YE! HERE YE!!!” He yelled, ringing his bell. “FIFTEEN MINUTES UNTIL VAN DORT’S WEDDING REHEARSAL!!!”

That last bit made the newcomer stop in his tracks, shooing the butterfly away as it flew past him. Just then, a carriage riding through town stopped in front of the Van Dort house. Victor looked on as the front door opens, and out steps Mrs. Van Dort along with her husband, Willian Van Dort. He’s a slouch-shouldered gentleman who spoke from behind his drooping mustache as the gentle voice of reason.

“Where is Victor?” Mr. Van Dort asked. “We might be late!”

Victor leans from the upstairs window, with zero enthusiasm…

“Coming, Father!” Victor called out.

“Right, right. Very good.”

His parents stroll from the house with more festive moods, as they gaze across town toward the Everglot Mansion with its two imposing gables. So festive the pair were, they began to sing.

https://m.

The Equestrians and Victor watched as Mrs. Van Dort attempted to step into the carriage. Unfortunately, she found herself stuck in the door. So mush so that her husband and the driver, Mayhew, struggled just to push her in. Rainbow Dash didn’t even try to hide how amused she looked.

“Come in now dear,” Mr. Van Dort groaned.

“It’s not me, it’s my dress that caught!” Mrs. Van Dort replied. “Where is Victor? We might be late!”

Meanwhile, on the other end of town, there were a few people not very happy with the whole arrangement. Inside an enormous room furnished with high wing-backed chairs, an elaborate gray sofa, curlicue side tables and heavy drapes lived an imperious Victorian Matron, Maudeline Everglot. She stood by the window, with extremely high hair and an imposing bosom, watching the Van Dort carriage approach across the square. By her side was her round, importantly-frowning husband, Finis Everglot.

“Ugh… fish merchants!” Lady Everglot spat, groaning in disgust.

Upstairs in her room, Victoria Everglot was being laced into tight corsets by her elderly maid, Hildegarde. Despite what her family thinks, she’s a pretty, sweet young girl for sure and any man would be lucky to have her by his side. However, much like Victor, she too was having doubts about the wedding.

“Oh, Hildegarde, do loosen it a tiny bit,” Victoria requested.

Hildegarde hesitates, then quickly loosens the corset. Victoria turned toward a gray high-collared dress prepared for her to wear.

“Hilde, I’m nervous,” Victoria said worriedly. “What if Victor and I don’t like each other.”

Before the old maid could response, there was a shocked, severe laugh from the doorway. Victoria and Hildegarde whirled and spotted the imposing figure of Maudeline, with Finish at her side, standing there looming in disapproval.

“Ha, as if that has anything to do with marriage!” Mrs. Everglot sneered. “Do you suppose your father and I like each other?”

“Surely you must… a little,” Victoria replied.

Both Everglots just looked at each other, wide eyed and disgusted.

“Of course not!” They both replied.

“Get those corsets laced properly!” Mrs. Everglot snipped. “I can hear you speak without gasping!”

Back at the Van Dort house, Victor gazed down toward the carriage then back toward the group.

“Well, I suppose it’s time to go,” He said sullenly. “Perhaps I will see you all again later.”

Victor made his way from the room and down to the carriage where his parents waited. As he did so, every pony looked down through the window sharing great concern.

“This isn’t right,” Twilight stated.

“No kidding!” Rainbow nodded. “I don’t know nothing about marriage or even love for that matter, but I know you should really learn to love some pony before you get married.”

As they watched the carriage roll through town, an invisible lightbulb went off in Twilight’s head.

“Maybe this is the reason we were sent here!” She realized.

“What do you mean Twilight?” Trixie asked.

“Think about it! We come here through the portal, we hear about Victor’s arranged marriage, and that’s just supposed to be a coincidence?”

“Ah gotta admit, ya got a point,” Applejack nodded.

“What’ll we do?” Spike asked curiously.

“We follow them as best we can. This way we can learn about this situation and figure out the best way to solve this problem! Come on, every pony!”

Without hesitation, the group stood beside Twilight Sparkle and one zap of her horn they instantly teleported from Victor’s room to the cobbled streets outside the house. They quickly galloped their way after the carriage, with Spike riding atop Twilight’s back. Again, any nearby townspeople simply ignored the group passing by as if they were too caught up in their own routines. Course, for one unicorn in the magician’s costume, there are times she wished they were showering her with attention.

Back at Everglot Manor, Finis and Maudeline Everglot step down the grand stairway sneering. All the while, one of the butlers continued to clean as he worked his way dusting down the stairs. It’s cold and imposing, feeling more like a financial institution than a home. The Everglots are the very image of old world high society.

As the Everglots reached the bottom of the stairs, the Van Dorts stand before the massive front doors of the manor. Twilight and her friends rush as fast as they could, quickly running low on breath.

As the song reached the end, Twilight and her friends skidded to a halt merely a few feet from the unsuspecting Van Dorts. The Equestrians, apart from Spike, were heavily exhausted (Though again, difficult to say for Maud). Most of the group were sweating profusely, breathless as they panted with their chests puffing in and out. So dehydrated from having to gallop for what seemed like an eternity for these group of friends, they could barely stand at all.

“Ta-da…” Trixie sighed. “Made it… according to plan… aaaahhh…”

Finally, Trixie could no longer keep it in as she leaned forward and crashed against the cobbled street, passing out against the cold rock. The group just glanced at Trixie as she laid on the floor, her eyes swirling. Maud’s expression retained its stone-faced appearance, slowly blinking as she looked at Trixie. But should they think that this was exhausting, none could prepare them for what was still to come…

Wedding Rehearsal

A pair of light purple eyes steadily fluttered open as they slowly spun from disorientation. Trixie’s vision spun, her gaze blurry, following all the running she had done. True she spent her time pulling a wagon from town to town, but it had been so long since she ‘actually’ ran so fast and so quickly too. Above her the rest of the Equestrians and Spike stood over her, Twilight waving her hoof over Trixie’s face.

“Are you alright Trixie?” She asked concerned.

“Can you hear us darling?” Rarity added.

“Is she even alive?” Spike asked the group.

“Hey!” Rainbow yelled. “Instead of playing twenty questions, get her some water already!”

Twilight nodded and quickly used her magic to conjure a glass of water, which she gently leaned down so the liquid could trickle down Trixie’s throat. As Trixie drank, slowly but surely, her senses returned one by one. Soon as she was finished, she sat up quickly with a gasp and breathed heavily.

“Thank goodness!” Fluttershy sighed in relief. “We were worried you might not wake up.”

“Ah don’t know ‘bout that Fluttershy,” Applejack disagreed. “Might be takin’ it a bit too far.”

“Either way, we’re just glad you’re feeling better,” Twilight said. “You are better, are you?”

Trixie took a few more breaths, recomposing herself as she looked at all the others around her.

“Trixie hasn’t run like that in such a long time,” She said breathless. “I had no idea how out of shape I’ve truly become.”

“Maybe you could do a trick to make that extra weight disappear,” Rainbow joked.

She laughed at her own humor, but quickly stopped soon as she noticed every pony and Spike, minus Maud, glaring at her.

“I’ll be quiet…”

Twilight turned toward the steps to the Everglot mansion, noting Victor and his parents entering. Quick as a whip, she conjured her magic to turn herself and her friends invisible once more, silently gesturing them to follow. They quickly make their way through the door as the Everglot’s butler, regarding the Van Dorts with barely concealed disdain, closed the door behind the guests.

Once inside, the girls all got a good look around the mansion’s interior. Much like the rest of London, it was dark and gloomy, overall ‘very’ depressing. Many portraits lined the walls, many of which were Mr. Everglot’s ancestors, a majority of which resemble the toad-faced man. A grand piano stood off the corner of the foyer, near the grand staircase which Mr. and Mrs. Everglot stood at the bottom of.

“I rather enjoy the fine décor of this fine establishment,” Rarity commented quietly. “But I do believe a bit of color would really living things up.”

“Yer not kiddin’,” Applejack nodded. “This place is ‘bout as lively as a tomb.”

“Actually, tombs might just be a little livelier,” Rainbow corrected.

“It r-r-really just g-gives me c-chills,” Fluttershy shook fearfully.

Pinkie Pie bounced merrily over her frightened friend, placing a comforting hoof around her.

“Aww it’s alright Fluttershy,” She assured. “There’s nothing scary about this place. I mean aside from the darkness… and the creepy echo of footsteps… and that freak shadow racing across the walls every now and then…”

Fluttershy squeaked and hid herself deep within her mane, trembling harder than before. Pinkie noticed this quickly, realizing the mistake she made… again.

“Oopsie, sorry about that,” She apologized. “Didn’t mean to startle you Flutters! Just remember the song I taught you all that time ago…”

Suddenly, some upbeat music began to play in the background and Pinkie starts getting in the groove

“Oh don’t tell me she’s going to…” Twilight began.

After Pinkie concluded one of her famous songs, Fluttershy slowly peeled her head out from her mane and looked toward her smiling friend. Hearing the familiar tune, along with seeing Pinkie’s infectious smile, Fluttershy felt slightly better. Slowly, she sat up and put on a teeny tiny smile.

Amazing that the occupants of the manor did not even hear that…

Don’t ruin the moment.

“See, that’s better,” Pinkie smiled. “Even Maud got into the spirit of the song. See how happy she is?”

Every pony turned toward Maud, who just stared stone-faced at one of the motionless portraits. It almost seemed like she was in a never-ending staring contest with the frozen face in the picture. Neither one backing down, neither one blinked, the anticipation ran thick as every pony wonder which one was going to…

Are you being serious right now?

No! It’s just so boring I had to ‘try’ to make it fun.

Well, guess what?

What?

It’s not working.

I know…

Anyways… while the ponies and Spike preoccupied themselves, the Van Dorts made their way toward the staircase where the Everglots waited for them.

“Oh my goodness!” Mrs. Van Dort admired. “Oh, such grandeur. Such impeccable taste!”

“Oh, beautifull innit?” Mr. Van Dort asked.

“It’s not as big as our place, dear.”

“Bit shappy really, innit?”

“Shut up!”

As they went back and forth, Emil, the butler, quickly made his way between the two families to make the introductions.

“Lord and Lady Everglot,” He gestured to them. “Mr. and Mrs. Van Dort.”

Mrs. Van Dort gave a courteous bow to the Everglots, while Mr. Van Dort took off his hat in respect. He then attempted to charm the pair, but sadly failed miserably.

“Why, you must be Miss Victoria,” He said to Mrs. Everglot. “I must say you don’t look a day over twenty! No. Oh yes.”

Mrs. Van Dort merely nudged her husband’s side with her elbow, glaring as she cringed with embarrassment. Meanwhile, Mrs. Everglot just sneered and whispered to her husband.

“Smile, darling, smile,” Maudeline told Finish, under her breath.

“Let’s get this over with, shall we?” Finish whispered back.

Mr. Everglot’s lips quivered, shaking with tremendous effort as he forced himself to twist his mouth into a huge, fake, and very forced smile to the Van Dorts. Clearly to hide the fact he really did not care for them in the least.

“Well hello!” He greeted through his teeth. “What a pleasure. Welcome to our home.”

“Thank you!” Mrs. Van Dort thanked.

The parents come together in an awkward ritual of handshakes, bows and air-kisses. The two mothers offer each other false smiles. Then Maudeline turned toward the Butler.

“We will be taking tea in the west drawing room,” Mrs. Everglot announced. “Do tell Victoria that the Van Dorts have arrived.”

The Butler tipped his head before turning away to inform the young Everglot.

“Oh, do come this way, it’s just through there,” Mrs. Everglot informed the Van Dorts.

“Oh, I love what you’ve done with the place!” Mrs. Van Dort praised.

The parents turn as a group and made their way down the hall into the west drawing room, leaving Victor and the Equestrians to themselves standing in the foyer, completely forgotten. Soon as the coast was clear, the room completely empty, Twilight Sparkle switched off her spell and she, along with the group, are visible once more. Applejack approached Victor’s side, shaking her head as they watched the two familiars leave.

“Ah ain’t never seen such phony-bolonga in all mah years,” She remarked. “Ya can clearly tell them Everglots ain’t too keen on this wedding one bit!”

Trixie nodded, as she and the others stepped forward.

“Trixe may put on an act herself, but hers is always with good intentions of wowing the audience. These folks give us show-ponies a terrible name!”

“You said it,” Rainbow agreed.

“Indeed!” Rarity nodded.

“I may not be very expressive, but at least you always know I’m honest about what I say,” Maud piped in.

Victor sighed, shaking his head as he stood unsure of what to do. He still wasn’t all too glad about this whole arrangement still, even more so than the Everglots themselves. Least he had something in common with his future parents-in-law. Looking around nervously, his eyes glance around the large dreary room with drab, formal paintings. As he rested his hand down, a single note played and he looked down to see he stumbled onto the grand piano, about the size of a small boat. Irresistibly drawn to it, wanting to relieve himself of some tension, Victor sat upon the bench and glanced over the keys.

“Do you play darling?” Rarity asked.

“Indeed I do,” Victor nodded. “Mother always wanted me to take up an instrument as a boy. She believed when I marry one day, it would be polite of me to entertain guests for myself and my future bride.”

“Forgive me for saying this Victor,” Twilight apologized. “It just seems your mother has always been more concerned about marrying you into nobility more than actually being a parent.”

“No offense taken,” Victor sighed. “I’ve already known for the longest time.”

“That’s just awful,” Fluttershy whispered.

“Sorry to hear about that Victor,” Spike said. “At least you learned a pretty cool skill with the piano. How good are you?”

Victor looked upon the tiny dragon and the ponies, offering a slight ghost of a smile.

“I’ll show you.”

Victor touched the keys caressingly and begins to play, at first haltingly, then losing himself in the music. His song is sad but dreamy, a very beautiful and haunting melody. On the piano, a small vase holding a single stem of winter jasmine sat in place.

https://m.

His nimble fingers glided gently over the ivory keys of the piano with a sense of grace and poise. Every pony and Spike sat as they listened to him play. They couldn’t help but sway along to the beautiful song.

Rarity immediately though of her husband Erik, noticing how Victor played with the same sort of musical elegance her beloved usually would when working on his latest masterpieces. Applejack and Rainbow sat side by side as they listened to the boy play. As he went on, Applejack slowly leaned her head right along the crook of Rainbow’s neck. Rainbow’s eyes darted over to the country pony leaning onto her, but rather than pushing her off, she smiled and rested her head atop of Applejack’s as they both smiled. Even Maud, normally showing little to no emotion, had a tiny glimmer of a smile curl up in the corner of her mouth. As it turned out, they weren’t the only ones enjoying the performance.

From her room, Victoria Everglot was finished with making herself presentable, as she nervously adjusted her dress and tied her hair into a tight bun. She looked in the mirror, admiring her appearance in her dark-gray, wine-red striped dress. Just then, the sound of music floated toward her and she stopped, transfixed. With her attention caught, she quickly made her way out to see where the music was emanating from.

She reached the top of the grand staircase, looking down to see Victor playing the piano. She cannot help but smile a little. With a lady’s grace, she slowly ascended the stairs with her arms behind her back, as voices speak from the doorway of the drawing room where the parents are gathered. William Van Dort was in the midst of relating a rather boring tale, much to Nell’s chagrin.

“I never understood why men needed black shoes and brown shoes, when a quick coat of paint can turn one into the other!”

Crossing past the door, Victoria quietly walked behind Victor, seated at the piano and his back turned to her. He continued to play, lost in his music.

“How lovely,” Victoria spoke.

Startled, Victor turned to look back at the Equestrians only to catch sight of Victoria, who looks as pretty as a picture, standing behind him. Victor stumbled and nearly knocking over the small flower vase.

“Oh… I… do forgive me,” He obliged, catching the vase.

Victoria just giggled slightly, as she gazed at the young man. She had not taken notice of the ponies or the dragon, who all sat looking at her in anticipation of what she will do when she sees them.

“You play beautifully,” She complimented.

Then Victoria turned toward Victor’s side and noticed the group of Equestrians. Already they were expecting her to scream, perhaps even run and inform her parents. Thy all, minus Maud, flinched and awaited a loud, shrilling scream… one that never came. They all opened their eyes again, looking back at her only to find her smiling toward them all.

“How do you all do?” She asked politely.

This caught them all, even Victor, by complete surprise. When he came into contact with them the first time, they had to stop him from almost having a heart attack. However, Victoria looked at them as though this was completely normal. Wanting to test this, Twilight spoke up.

“You’re not scared of us?” She asked nervously.

To which Victoria just shook her head.

“Not at all,” She answered. “As a matter of fact, I am most humbled and honored to meet you.”

“Okay, wait a minute!” Rainbow interrupted. “How are you so cool with this? Everyone else we’ve ever met for the first time, we’ve either had to stop them from screaming, fainting, or a combination of both. You’re the only one that hasn’t done either yet.”

“Terribly sorry for the interruption,” Victor spoke up. “But I’m afraid I must agree.”

Victoria just knelt down, holding out her hand before them. Hesitantly, Twilight inched her way forward till she felt Victoria’s slender fingers scratching under her chin. It felt so good she couldn’t help but twitch her leg as she sighed in contentment. Spike, and every pony else (Again, not Maud), had to stifle their laughter as they saw Twilight behaving like a common dog.

“When I was a child, I had this strange connection with animals,” Victoria explained. ‘Whenever I walked through town with my parents and came upon any animal, I would always stop and talk to them. Never could understand why but they always listened intently, and I could understand them.”

“It doesn’t even bother you some of us are Pegasi and Unicorns?” Rainbow asked.

“Or a dragon?” Spike added.

“I will admit it is a little unusual yes, but I love all manner of creatures just the same.”

This caused everyone to smile, calming themselves. There was not a single trace of falseness in her words nor any indication she was joking. Victoria truly did seem like a kind, down-to-earth young lady. Eventually, she stopped scratching Twilight’s chin and the lavender alicorn Princess stopped twitching.

“My name is Victoria by the way,” She introduced herself.

“It’s very nice to meet you Victoria,” Twilight said kindly. “I’m Twilight and this is Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Trixie, and Maud.”

“Ahem!”

Twilight looked down toward Spike, seeing his arms crossed.

“And my favorite little assistant Spike, of course.”

Spike nodded, as he scampered onto Twilight’s back.

“Very lovely to meet you all,” Victoria said, with a slight curtsy.

With introductions in order, Victor finally spoke up over what just happened.

“I-I-I do apologize, Miss Everglot,” He apologized. “How rude of me to—well—excuse me…”

Once again, Victoria giggled a little as she herself walked over to the piano impetuously.

“The song… what is it called?” Victoria asked.

“Oh, it was…” Victor stammered. “Just something I came across.”

“Came across where?”

“Well… it was inside of me, I guess.”

“How nice you found a way to let it out.”

Victoria’s fingers slide across the keys.

“Mother won’t allow me near the piano,” She continued. “Music is improper for a young lady. Too passionate, she says.”

“No offense or anything Victoria, but your mother sounds horrible,” Rainbow said bluntly.

“RAINBOW!” Applejack yelled.

“SHH!!!” The Equestrians hushed, checking the drawing room door.

“What? It’s the truth,” Rainbow said defensively.

“If I may ask, M-Miss Everglot, where is your chaperone?” Victor asked nervously.

Victoria merely smiled, as she slowly approached Victor.

“Perhaps, in view of the circumstances, you could call me, ‘Victoria’,” She said sweetly.

Victor chuckled nervously, rubbing his knees as he slowly backed away.

“Yes, yes, of course,” He chuckled. “Well, Victoria…”

“Yes, Victor?”

“Tomorrow, we are to be… m—m—”

“Married?” Victoria guessed, with a smile.

“Yes, m-married,” Victor nodded.

Once again, Victoria walked back over to the piano and sat along the bench.

“Since I was a child, I’ve dreamt of my wedding day,” She said fondly. “I always hoped to find someone I was deeply in love with. Someone to spend the rest of my life with. Silly, isn’t it?”

“Yes, silly,” Victor chuckled, quickly realizing his mistake. “N-No. No, not at all.”

“It’s not a silly idea at all Victoria,” Rarity said. “Coming from some pony who met and fell in love with an amazing man such as myself, marrying the one you love is the most magical moment of all.”

“Abso-positive-olutely!” Pinkie nodded enthusiastically. “Love is even better than chocolate cake covered in molten layer peanut butter and topped with red chili flakes.”

Everyone looked at Pinkie with raised eyebrows in confusion.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie has no idea what you’re talking about,” Trixie spoke.

“Oh, that’s right!” Pinkie giggled. ‘Guess those pregnancy cravings never really left.”

The others just shook their heads, Victor and Victoria laughing nervously as they moved a tad closer. Victor leaned on the piano a little too far and accidentally knocked over the tiny vase and the flowers in it.

“Oh dear, I’m sorry,” He apologized quickly.

Seeing the mess, Pinkie Pie pulled out a handkerchief from her mane and handed it to Rarity, who hastily cleaned the spill. But as she looked up toward the Lady Everglot, she slowly stopped and seemed surprised.

Victoria, however possible, didn’t seem to mind as she picked up the flowers and smiled as she took in their scent. She handed the flower to Victor who smiled as he took it. Every pony else smiled over the cute scene unfolding before them. Two people, who before today had no prior meetings or communication, yet the way they interacted just now felt as if they’ve known each other forever. That perhaps they actually might have something a little more, and…

“What impropriety is this?”

The moment was ruined, as everyone quickly turned spotting Mrs. Everglot standing there and looked upon Victor and Victoria with a look of upmost disapproval. Thankfully, Twilight casted her spell quickly so every pony and herself were out of sight before the lady could see them.

“You shouldn’t be alone together! Here it is one minute before five, and you’re not at the rehearsal. Pastor Galswells is waiting. Come at once!”

Mrs. Everglot proceeded back into the drawing room, as Victor and Victoria looked after her in dread. Eventually, they found their feet under them and started towards the drawing room as well. Twilight and the others watched them walk off and couldn’t help but feel sorry for them.

“Why’d that old crone have to come and wreck the moment?” Rainbow grumbled.

“I agree!” Rarity nodded. “It really felt like they were actually bonding there. Perhaps even starting to fall for one another.”

“I say we follow them in,” Twilight suggested.

“Ah agree with Twilight on this one,” Applejack agreed. “Who knows wht kinda tomfoolery them parents ah them’ll put them poor kids through?”

“The Great and Powerful Trixie for one think spying on them would be quite rude,” Trixie piped in.

“Don’t worry guys,” Twilight assured. “We’ll just go in and watch them rehearse, then we’ll be gone. We’ll be in and out in no time.”

The group gathered in the drawing room to rehearse the wedding ceremony. Seated are Finish and Maudeline, William and Nell. The front of the room has been set up as a makeshift altar. An elaborately carved table holds a pair of candles and a chalice. Pressure is high. It’s the social event of the decade, and Maudeline Everglot has left nothing to chance, obsessively planning to the tiniest detail. An event… that feels like three hours of torment for one alicorn mare.

Twilight banged her head on the floor of the west drawing room, wishing this would just end already. Everyone else slumped along the floor, completely bored out of their minds. Normally, a wedding rehearsal doesn’t take this long. However, with a nervous groom like Victor Van Dort, you better be ready for a long road ahead.

“Three… whole… HOURS!” Twilight groaned.

“I told you we should’ve just left and waited elsewhere after the first half hour!” Spike told her.

Twilight slowly turned and glared at the little dragon, who upon seeing her heated gaze slowly stepped backward and whistled awkwardly.

“Somebody please just strike me down now before I die of boredom!” Rainbow moaned.

“Normally I’m all for the beauty of a wedding rehearsal,” Rarity sighed. “However, three hours is just far too long.”

While they laid upon the floor, slowly wasting away, the rehearsal continued up in the front of the altar. Pastor Galswells, a rather large and skinny man in priest’s robes holding a crook, overlooked the rehearsal. He was generally a tame man but did not like having his time wasted. Right here and now, with a stern, forbidding glare, his patience was being pushed to the limit as Victor trembled in nervous agony.

“Master Van Dort, from the beginning… AGAIN!” He said impatiently. “With this hand, I will lift your sorrows. Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine. With this candle, I shall light your way in darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine.”

They had gone over these vows for the longest time and still Victor was yet to even make it past the first line. Each time he looked back at his parents, they tried to be as supportive as they could while still wanting him to move along. Then there was the Everglots, looking completely annoyed and upset. Needless to say, not really a whole lot of support and motivation to get this right. Nevertheless, he tried his best to move on.

“Let’s try it again,” Pastor Galswells said.

“Yes, yes sir,” Victor nodded. “With this candle…”

Victor attempted to light the ceremonial candle, but for whatever reason it refused to light.

“This candle…”

But again, the candle refused to light.

“This candle…”

Still nothing…

“Shall I get up there and do it for him?” Mrs. Van Dort whispered harshly.

“Don’t get all aflutter, dear,” Mr. Van Dort answered quietly.

“Poor Victor…” Fluttershy whispered, sympathetically.

“Just… give him a chance…” Rarity replied, anxiously. “

“Rarity, he’s already stumbled over the hand lifts and the steps,” Rainbow grumbled. “How many more chances can he get?”

The priest cleared his throat, drawing Victor back to the front of the altar as he once more tried to at least pass the candle bit. And to his amazement, the candle actually lit to his relief.

“With this candle…”

A chuckle escaped Victor’s lips, which accidentally doused out the tiny fire. Moans and groans were heard from the parents, even Trixie twisted her own hat anxiously. While Maud Pie… well it was difficult to tell what she was thinking.

“Continue!” Galswell called out.

*BONG!”

The large doorbell of the Everglot’s door rang, Galswells’s right eye twitched over the unwanted interruption.

“Get the door, Emil!” Mr. Everglot gestured.

Emil the butler parted from drawing room and made his way to answer the door.

“Let’s just pick it up at the candle bit,” Galswells grumbled.

Before they can proceed on schedule, Emil quickly returned to Mr. Everglot’s side with a single card in his right hand.

“A Lord Barkis, sir,” Emil spoke, handing the note.

Mr. Everglot takes the notecard from Emil, who quickly scampered away. Reading the note was the name ‘Sir Barkis Bittern’. Suddenly, another set of footsteps draws the Equestrians to a stranger approaching the front of the alter. A handsome, yet mysterious man who resembled that of a lawyer judging by the way he dressed. They wondered what manner of business he had and if he were in relation with that of either the Van Dorts or the Everglots.

“I haven’t a head for dates,” The man replied smugly. “Apparently, I’m a day early for the ceremony.”

Mrs. Everglot took the note sharply from her husband’s hand, reading the name as Mr. Everglot leaned beside her.

“Is he from your side of the family?” Mr. Everglot questioned.

“I can’t recall,” Mrs. Everglot replied. “Emile, a seat for Lord Barkis.”

Barkis leaned down as Emile quickly grabbed a chair and positioned it for the man to sit. He brushed the knee of his pants, as Victor and Victoria looked on anxiously. Even the Equestrians studied the man very deeply, eying some sympathetic disapproval (A sense of a private scheming thought).

“Do carry on,” Barkis gestured.

“Let’s try it again, shall we, Master Van Dort?” Galswells asked Victor.

“Yes. Yes, sir,” Victor nodded. “Certainly…”

Victoria managed to light Victor’s candle while no one else was looking or even paying attention. An action that did not go unnoticed by Twilight Sparkle, who smiled a bit for the bride to be. Holding the candle in his right hand, Victor lifts his left.

“Right,” Galswells muttered.

“Right,” Victor nodded, realizing his mistake. “Oh, right!”

Victor quickly switched the candle to the other hand and lifted his right hand, as the Equestrians looked on nervously.

“With this… this…"

“Hand!” Galswells reminded.

“With this hand…” Victor stumbled, escorting Victoria forward. “I… with…”

*BAM!*

Victor’s knees accidentally hit the table. The Equestrians, minus Maud, cringed while they watched.

“THREE STEPS, THREE!” Galswells explodeded. “Can you not count? Do you not wish to be married, Master Van Dort?!”

“No! No…” Victor answered.

“You do not?” Victoria asked in surprise

“No! I meant, no, I do not-not wish to be married. That is, I want very much to…”

*WHACK!*

Pastor Galswells hits him with the crook right on his head.

“PAY ATTENTION!” Galswells called out.

“Ooh… I can’t bear to watch!” Pinkie moaned, covering her face.

“You and me both,” Spike nodded, biting his nails.

“Have you even remembered to bring the ring?” Galswells asked.

“The ring… yes!” Victor remembered. “Of course…”

Victor pulls the ring out from his pocket, Mr. Van Dort giving a thumbs up slightly. A bit of hope raised for the Equestrians hoping the boy will get it right. But unfortunately, Victor fumbled and dropped the ring. The moment it touched the ground, everyone, but Maud, gasped at this sacrilege.

“Dropping the ring!” The Pastor thundered.

“Oh no!” Twilight moaned.

“He dropped the ring!” Fluttershy added.

“This boy doesn’t want to be married!” The pastor spoke to the heavens.

Victoria looked on worried as Victor raced for the ring.

“I’ll get it!”

Victor scrambled on his hands and knees, desperately grasping for the ring as it rolled under Mauddeline’s chair. He reached, fumbling blindly under the hem of her long dress as she gasped and stared at him with barely contained outrage. Even Rarity gasped, as she fainted before Applejack and Rainbow Dash caught her. Victor scrambled to his feet, holding up the ring triumphantly.

“Got it!”

As he does this, Victor accidentally knocked over the other lit candle and Maudeline’s dress caught fire. Finnis quickly raced to his wife.

“Out of the way, you ninny!” He cried, shoving Victor aside.

Everyone desperately tried to put out the fire, Finnis Everglot stomped on the flame while Mrs. Van Dort fanned it.

“Oh, dear! Oh, my!” Mr. Van Dort cried. “Giddy on, there’s a woman on fire! Help! Emergency!”

“Oh, I hope it doesn’t stain,” Mrs. Van Dort replied.

“Stop fanning it, you fool!” Mrs. Everglot cried out.

Amidst all the chaos, Pastor Galswells sighed heavily as he slapped his book shut, shaking his head in utter shame. The Equestrians could only look on in horror as all the relatives tried to get the flames out, but to no avail.

“Get a bucket!” Mrs. Van Dort ordered her husband. ‘Get a bucket!”

“I’m on my way, dear,” Mr. Van Dort assured. “Yes. Oh, dear.”

As Mr. Van Dort searched for a bucket of water, a single hand with the cup of wine held out over the fire… and tipped down. The wine fell upon the flame, dousing it instantly to a simmering smoke, and left a slight stain on the hem. The Equestrians looked and saw Barkis, holding the cup, casually tossing it aside while Emil caught it with a tray in hand. The man merely rubbed his finger along the neckline of his suit, as Twilight and her friends studied him.

“Show off!” Rainbow muttered.

“Takes one to know one,” Applejack replied.

“ENOUGH!” Galswells called out, furiously. “This wedding cannot take place until he has properly prepared!”

The Pastor slowly turned toward the timid groom, as a bony finger pointed directly toward the door.

“Young man, learn… your… vows!”

Victor looked toward the furious Priest, then toward the Everglots, who merely stared at the boy. They glared at the young Van Dort with a look of disdain. Even his own parents looked on, the father a slight concerned but the mother… mortified that her own child would embarrass their family name. Humiliated, the boy backed away toward the door, fumbling for the door handle, until his hand clasps upon the knob, and he breaks out of the room. The Equestrians looked toward him with pity and sympathy.

“We better follow him,” Twilight informed the group. “To make sure he’s okay.”

They all nodded in unison and quickly made their way out of the Drawing Room while the door was still open. The only pony who didn’t leave was Maud, who had been staring out front the entire time… mostly toward the gentleman Barkis.

“Well, he’s quite the catch, isn’t he?” The man asked, with a hint of sarcasm.

All Victoria could do was look on as Victor rushed away in a panic. Maud glanced at the pair, with a face unreadable, barely blinking once.

“Hmm…” Maud uttered.

Then Maud slowly turned away and followed her sister and her friends at her own pace, departing from the Everglot Manor and made off to follow Victor Van Dort. Without a doubt, the rehearsal have proven to be a rather disastrous moment for both families.

If the rehearsal is bad, I can’t say I’m confident about the wedding…

Not now, sir…

Into the Forest

Following the fiasco at the wedding rehearsal, Twilight and the others made a mad dash from the Everglot manor in search of Victor. The entire scene that happened just recently certainly wasn’t one that would help Victor work through his nerves any sooner. He had already made a complete fool of himself in front of his parents, the Everglots, and even Victoria. Not to mention he set his future mother-in-law on fire, certainly it couldn’t get any worse. But even if it could, no doubt Victor could find a way.

But this wasn’t entirely on Twilight’s mind, or any of her friends, at this very moment. However, they rushed throughout the entire town trying to find one poor boy… only to come up empty.

“Victor!” Twilight called out. “Victor!”

“Where are ya sugar cube?!” Applejack yelled.

At some point during the search, the group split into two separate parties trying to find Victor quickly. Twilight lead a team consisting of herself, Spike, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy. Meanwhile, Rainbow lead a team consisting of herself, Trixie, Pinkie Pie, and Maud.

“Oh, I hope he’s alright,” Rarity said worriedly. “I can only imagine the shame and humiliation the poor boy must be feeling after all that.”

“Ah know,” Applejack nodded. “Not exactly like anyone tried to make him feel better. You’d think his parents would at least ‘try’ tah be supportive, but all they did was sit and glare at ‘im.”

“To be fair, he did set Mrs. Everglot on fire,” Spike pointed out.

“That was just an accident Spike,” Twilight responded. “If it were intentional, I’d understand everyone being upset as they were. But he was just nervous, he didn’t know what he was doing.”

“I just hope we can find him,” Fluttershy added.

Just then, Rainbow and her team came running down from another street before screeching to a halt before the others.

“Any luck girls?” Twilight asked.

“No sign of him anywhere,” Rainbow answered. “I’ve flown over this whole stinking town and I can’t seem to find him.”

“Did you check his house?”

“Nooooooo,” Rainbow groaned sarcastically. “I’d never even bothered to think of that!”

“Trixie searched his entire room and everywhere else in the house,” Trixie replied kindly. “But he’s simply not there.”

Twilight groaned in frustration. Clearly, this wasn’t a very large town, something they picked up when they first arrived in this world. But why was it so hard to find one nervous groom?

“Would it help if I said I saw Victor running toward the bridge in the outskirts of town?” Maud asked emotionlessly.

This caused every pony, except Pinkie, to slowly turn and face the emotionless rock pony.

“And this is just coming up now because?!” Twilight asked irritated.

Maud just blinked slowly before responding.

“I assumed you knew,” She replied simply.

“Well clearly we didn’t!” Rainbow responded annoyed. “We’ve literally run and flew all over town trying to find him and you knew where he was all along? You realize it’s already getting dark?”

“That’s classic Maud for you,” Pinkie giggled, bouncing away.

True to Rainbow’s word, the night sky, already gloomy and grey, grew darker and darker by the minute. Soon enough, night would be upon them.

“C’mon every pony, let’s go and find Victor,” Twilight told them, before facing Maud. “And Maud, in the future, please just tell us if you see something.”

Maud gave no audible remark nor even a change in expression, merely a slow nod of agreement. That said, Twilight led the girls and Spike as they rushed toward the gates that led out of town. As they stood under the stone archway of the city’s stone wall, they could see Victor himself standing along the stone bridge.

The poor boy looked so defeated, so hopeless. Seeing the boy, it honestly made the group a little sad themselves. Slowly, they made their way toward the bridge and stepped toward Victor’s side. The young man slowly turned his head to look down upon them before sighing and turning back toward the river.

“I am such a blundering idiot,” He mumbled.

Though it was sharply audible, Twilight could still hear it. She looked sadly toward Victor, as she gently placed one hoof upon his leg.

“No, you’re not Victor,” She assured. “You were just nervous and scared, that’s all.”

“We’ve all had days like that darling,” Rarity added. “I cannot even tell you how many times I’ve screwed up a huge shipment of dresses simply because of my constant pickiness and stress.”

Victor gave a light chuckle toward the marshmallow unicorn’s attempt to make him feel better. Sadly, it didn’t quite work. Then, an invisible lightbulb went off in Trixie’s head as she formed an idea.

“Trixie believes she has something that might cheer you up,” She smiled.

Victor and the others turned to look, as Trixie removed her hat and waved her hoof over mystically. She reached deep into her hat and pulled out the very same winter jasmine flower Victoria had given to Victor. Letting a small ghostly smile form on his lips, Victor kneeled down and took the flower Trixie offered.

“I don’t understand,” He said. “How did you…”

“You must’ve dropped it when you ran out,” Trixie explained. “Trixie could see how much you enjoyed it when Victoria gave this flower to you. She just knew she couldn’t leave it there.”

Victor stood back to his full height, as he smiled fondly at the little flower before looking back at Trixie.

“Thank you very much Trixie,” He thanked her.

Trixie bowed her head slightly before putting her hat back where it belonged. Victor gazed with admiration at the flower before remembering everything that happened. His small smile quickly faded as he released a deep sigh.

“Oh Victoria,” He sighed. “She must think I’m such a fool.”

“No she don’t sugar cube,” Applejack assured. “We watched the way y’all looked at each other back in that there house. Really thought tah be a connection formin’ there.”

Pinkie popped up beside Victor with her usual giddy smile.

“You betcha!” She smiled. “The way you two looked at one another is the way I look at Cheesy and cupcakes. Well… maybe Cheesy a bit more because when I look at cupcakes, all I wanna do is eat them… although there was that one time…”

Before Pinkie could go any further, Rainbow quickly flew and lightly placed a hoof into Pinkie’s mouth. This actually got Victor to chuckle a bit.

“Normally… I don’t agree with Pinkie on many things,” Rainbow replied. “But in this case, she actually has a point dude. Look at the bright side; least it can’t get any worse!”

Just then, they could hear the yelling of the town crier as he made his rounds near the city gate.

“HEAR YE! HEAR YE! REHEARSAL IN RUINS AS VAN DORT BOY CAUSES CHAOS! FISHY FIANCE COULD BE CANNED! EVERGLOTS ALL FIRED UP AS VAN DORT RUINS REHEARSAL!”

Every pony and Spike glared and growled at the town crier, as Victor finally threw his hands in defeat and started off toward the forest. Once they’d finally stopped flaring, they decided to follow him so as not to lose him again. Before that, however, Rainbow turned back toward the town crier.

https://m.

“Hey buddy!” She yelled. “Try yelling a little louder! I don’t think they heard you… IN SPACE!”

Before the town crier could see who yelled at him, Rainbow quickly zoomed off. She, along with the rest of the Equestrians, slowly started to enter the forest. Looking up toward all the dark trees, the ponies and Spike all seemed slightly nervous, particularly Fluttershy.

“W-W-Why is t-t-there always a d-dark forest in a-all these p-p-places?” She shook.

Rarity merely patted Fluttershy’s back for comfort, as they followed Victor through the forest. As he walked, he tried to think to himself on how to fix his problem.

“It really shouldn’t be all that difficult,” He said to himself. “It’s just a few simple vows. With this hand, I will take your wine… Oh. No.”

The further into the forest they went, the more eerie and creepy the scenery became. Victor paid no attention to the change in surroundings, as he kept trying to get his vows right.

“With this hand, I will cup your… oh goodness no!”

*Awkward silence between narrators*

DAMN! I can’t believe they really snuck that into this movie…

You know, for kids!

Eventually, all the walking led the group to a large dead tree in the middle of the forest. The scenery was now completely dark as night took full effect on the atmosphere. As they walked, everyone started noticing the changing environment around them.

“Is it just me or are things getting a whole hay of creepy around here?” Rainbow asked.

“Ah hear ya sugar cube,” Applejack said wide-eyed.

“Right there with you darling,” Rarity said nervously.

Fluttershy said no words, her shaking and whimpering alone were enough to showcase her agreement. All that and still Victor paid no mind.

“With this—with this candle, I will—I will—”

Finally, he sighed in defeat.

“I will set your mother on fire. Oh, it’s no use!”

He slumped onto a fallen tree, holding his head in his hands. It seemed no matter how hard he tried that it wasn’t going to work for him. Maybe he just wasn’t good enough for Victoria after all.

“Ahem!”

The sound of someone clearing their throat made him look up toward Twilight Sparkle, who stood before him.

“You can’t just give up Victor,” She said. “I know things seem really hard right now. But it’s always when things seem hardest that you just can’t quit.”

Needless to say, this didn’t seem to help Victor at all. Rather, he slumped down again with another sigh.

“Easy for you to say,” He said quietly. “You have no idea what it’s like being forced into an arranged marriage and being pressured into perfection.”

Twilight nodded in agreement; she did think his words rang true. Indeed, she had never been forced into marriage or even been close enough to ‘any’ pony to consider marriage. She had no idea what must be going through his head, still she was determined to help.

“You’re right,” She agreed. “I don’t know what you’re going through. But you know I do know?”

Victor again slowly looked up and into Twilight’s lavender eyes.

“I know exactly what it’s like to feel pressured into being perfect. In the kingdom my friends and I come from, I’m next in line to take the throne. Believe me, I understand the pressure that’s put on you to be perfect and do things right.”

“So, how do you deal with them?” Victor asked.

“Truth be told… I don’t really know. Honestly, I’m still feeling pressured. And given almost everything that’s happened so far, it scares me just the same.”

Then Twilight began to smile.

“There is one thing that helps me get through the day and make me believe I can do anything.”

“What’s that?”

Twilight turned toward her side, as the rest of her friends stepped beside her.

“My friends,” She answered. “Whenever I feel so pressured and nervous, especially when things are beyond my control, I think of all my friends and all the amazing times we have together. Just thinking of them, how they’ve supported me no matter what, that alone gives me strength to know I can handle anything life throws at me.”

Victor twerked his head to the side in confusion.

“How does that help me?” He asked.

“Maybe instead of thinking about getting the words right, you should try thinking about Victoria,” Twilight suggested.

“That’s right sugar cube,” Applejack nodded. “Thinkin’ bout her might just get ya through what ya need tah do.”

Victor contemplated the idea for a moment, as he reached into his coat pocket. He pulled out the ring the ring and the winter jasmine flower. He held the flower to his face and took a deep breath, as he inhaled the pollen. As he did so, he thought of Twilight’s words and his thoughts drifted to Victoria. He remembered their earlier conversation, the connection they seemed to form right off the bat. As he thought of her, he suddenly felt confident and renewing pride. With a serious and determined face, he quickly stood up and again attempted his vows.

“With this hand, I will lift your sorrows. Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine.”

Feeling much better, he even flicked the ring into the air and caught it with ease. Twilight and the others couldn’t help but smile at his newfound confidence.

“See? Now you’re getting it!” Twilight smiled.

As he turned to the side, a smug grin formed on his face.

“Ah, Mrs. Everglot!”

The group turned toward his direction only to find that he was speaking to a tree branch, which he took as if he were shaking its ‘hand’.

“You look ravishing this evening,” Victor complimented.

He then quickly leaned toward a nearby stump, which resembled the size of Mrs. Everglot’s husband.

“What’s that Mr. Everglot?” He asked. “Call you Dad? If you insist sir.”

Some of the ponies chuckled knowing deep down the Everglots would never be so swayed. But still, seeing Victor showing such renew vigor made the group very impressed. They looked on as Victor tore one tree branch and mimed a candle which he proceeded to ‘light’ another.

“With this candle, I will light your way in darkness…”

Victor, feeling his confidence renew, he takes the ring for his ‘grand finale’. With a dramatic flourish, gathering up all his strength, he kneeled.

“With this ring…”

He slipped the ring along a small, twisted root extending from the ground.

“I ask you to be mine!” Victor concluded triumphantly.

The sound of hooves stomping drew Victor back, looking towards Twilight and her friends as they applauded for the young Van Dort with smiles. As they cheered for the man, Twilight Sparkle slowly approached Victor. For a moment, the two stare eye-to-eye for a couple seconds. Then Twilight placed one wing on Victor’s shoulder, as her smile formed.

“Now you’re ready Victor,” Twilight declared.

All of a sudden, as the applause died down, the group looked around only to notice everything was… silent. Only a strong wind blew across the way, a slightly chilly brush of air against the ponies. Just then, they heard cawing which drew their heads upward… as the root beneath Victor seemed to twitch.

Perched along the nearby branches, overlooking the nervous group, all the crows glanced silently. A whole flock of them just stood there, while each of the Equestrians looked side to side. Apart from Maud, who just stared blankly at the birds.

“They’re waiting,” Maud observed.

“For what?” Rarity asked nervously.

“… Not what,” Maud slowly answered. “Who…”

“C-C-C-Can we leave now?” Fluttershy stuttered nervously.

“Quite right, Fluttershy dear,” Rarity nodded. “This place is starting to get spooky. Maybe we should just go back into town and—”

Just then, the root suddenly encircled Victor’s wrist and proceeded to drag him down.

“VICTOR!!!” Twilight cried out.

“HOLD ON!!!” Applejack shouted.

Horrified, the Equestrians raced toward Victor, as the crows scattered with a cacophonous cawing, wings flapping. Each of the ponies, even Spike, grabbed hold of the young man, they tried to pull the thinly man free. Only to discover that it’s ‘not’ a root, but it looked like the hand of a skeleton with a piece of blue fabric along the hand. And the skeleton proved very strong, as the Equestrians and Victor struggled to pull away as the hand kept hold. They pulled and pulled and pulled until…

*SNAP!*

The group fell back as the hand came loose from the ground, ripping a mass of roots and dirt from the ground. Spawling backwards, Victor sees the skeletal hand clamped around his wrist. Victor gasped in fright and tried to wriggle it off before Applejack raced over and bucked the hand off. The skeletal hand flew onto the snowy ground, as the group stared with wide eyed.

“What the buck is going on here?!” Rainbow cried out.

Just then, they heard a thumping noise and slowly inched their heads back toward where the hand reached out. All at once, the ground split open right before their very eyes. Fluttershy and Rarity hugged each other, shaking and quivering. Spike leaned against Twilight’s side as she tried to act brave. Rainbow Dash and Applejack stood at the ready, while Maud stared blankly. And then it happened… a root-covered figure, wearing a tattered wedding gown, sprung from the frozen earth. Her veil sparkling in the moonlight, she slowly lifted the veil. Huge eyes dominate her pale face as she stared toward the group… but mostly, Victor.

“I do…” She whispered.

“Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z—ZOMBIE!!!” Spike screamed.

“ZOMBIE!!!!!!!!” Pinkie screamed, her mane flying.

Trixie jumped in the air screaming, turned, and peddled away on her hind legs, as she ran for dear life. All the other ponies stood and screamed at the sight of the ‘Corpse Bride’ standing before them.

“WET YOURSELVES AND RUN!!!!!” Rainbow screamed.

Victor scrambled backward, turning and ran frantically, stumbling through thickets and branches. The ponies followed after him, the Pegasi taking to the air, while the others just ran as fast as their legs can carry him. The only pony who didn’t quite run was Maud Pie, showing no fear whatsoever… or any other emotion for the matter. She watched as the Corpse Bride slowly stalked from its grave before seeing the arm come to life. It edged its way across the dirt before the Bride picked it up. And Maud barely blinked.

“That’s new,” Maud stated bluntly.

Just then Pinkie Pie zipped beside her.

“No time for games Maud!” Pinkie shouted. “We gotta get rolling!”

Pinkie practically lifted Maud onto her back and quickly dashed away with the bride right behind them. Victor and the Equestrians raced deep into the night before he fell and rolled down a slight hill. Looking up, he found himself tripped by a gravestone in an old, abandoned graveyard. And the Corpse Bride was moving toward him. Victor picked himself along the gravestone, staring gravely toward the approaching creature. Fortunately, Applejack raced back and helped him up.

“Come along, Victor!” Applejack cried out, lifting him up.

They raced for their lives, dodging the crooked tombstones in their path until…

*BAM!*

Victor crashed blindly against a tree in his path. Victor held his head, as the pain seethed. Then his eyes widen, while his hazy vision caught the bride marching toward him with grave intent. Scared, Victor turned around…

*BAM!*

And hit the tree again. Applejack had to push Victor to the side before he hit the bark again and together they ran till they caught up with the rest of the group. They raced down the hill before landing on solid ground. Victor barely turned around, spotting the bride, before he turned and ran… or at least ‘tried’ to. While the rest of the Equestrians went around, Victor found himself stuck on a bed of ice. His shoes skid along the ice and he wasn’t getting anywhere. He helplessly watched as the bride drew herself closer, reaching out for him.

Before the bride could get closer, Rainbow Dash flew from behind Victor and lifted him away from the ice and onto firmer ground. While she takes off after her friends, Victor raced after them with the bride still in pursuit. They crashed blindly through the branches of the bare, brittle trees that seem to block their only escape. One branch even took a piece of Victor’s suit as he pulled away. As they dashed blindly through the trees, the crows flew in their path. They reached the edge of the woods, sprinting toward the footbridge, and stopped to catch their breath.

They all turned back, peering through the dark forest. But the Corpse Bride wasn’t in sight, and the night was oddly silent.

“W-W-W-Where did she go?” Fluttershy whimpered.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie never felt so scared… until now!” Trixie shuddered.

“Twilight, please tell me we did not just disturb the grave of a lost soul!” Rarity begged.

“I don’t know what happened,” Twilight shook. “Nothing about tonight makes sense!”

“I reckon we oughtta get as far from the forest as possible,” Applejack suggested. “We head on back to the manor, we keep Victor under tight watch, and hopefully that bride’ll just leave him be.”

“Sure, we could do that,” Rainbow nodded. “Not like tonight can’t—”

“DON’T SAY IT!!!” The group shouted.

The group raced down the footbridge to get to town. Victor turned to run after them and froze in horror… as the strangely-alluring figure stood face-to-face with him. She approached him, as he backed toward the edge of the bridge just as the Equestrians turned back.

“VICTOR!!!” The group called out.

The Equestrians rushed to rescue their friend, only for the crows to burst from the trees and surround them, blocking their path. Twilight and Rarity tried to shoot beams against the birds, even Rainbow tried to swing her hooves toward them, but it felt as if they were hitting only the night air. Fluttershy and Trixie kneeled toward the ground, cowering against the birds while Maud stared blankly at the woman in the long gown reaching to embrace Victor.

The Corpse Bride moved towards the man, as more crows gathered and swirled around them. Overcome by fear, Victor stood motionless.

“You may kiss the bride,” She spoke.

She leaned toward Victor, her bony hand caressing his chest as the crows encircle everything and everyone around them. The birds formed a solid field of black…

And then… there was none…

Remains of the Day

Groaning in pain, the entire group laid flat out along the ground. Incredibly sore from what they could not possibly understand. The last thing any of them could possibly recall was standing along the bridge outside of town with Victor when they noticed the undead bride approaching him. After that, everything was a complete haze to them. Twilight’s eyes slowly flutter open, as a blinding light shined upon them.

“She seems to be waking up,” A voice said.

“Are they alright?” Another asked.

“We should let them regain themselves before we go asking.”

Slowly but surely, Twilight’s vision started coming back to her. Just enough so she could see outlines of what appeared to be people. One of them, standing right next to her, appeared to be dabbing her head with a rag and water.

“Can you hear me?” The figure asked. “Are you alright?”

Twilight groaned a bit before finally being able to respond.

“Yeah, I think so,” She moaned. “Ugh! I just had the strangest dream.”

“Whatever about?”

“I’m not sure… it’s so unclear. I remember me and my friends… being on a bridge… with our friend Victor. Next thing we knew, there was a…”

Twilight’s words got caught in her throat, as her vision began to full recover. She soon took notice of what was dabbing the watered rag upon her. The hand itself had absolutely no skin on it whatsoever… only bones. Twilight slowly looked away from the boney hand, seeing none other than the very same undead bride she had seen before.

“I’m so glad you’re alright,” She said.

“AHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

Twilight’s scream echoed throughout the area she found herself in. Her eyes quickly darted back and forth, noticing she appeared to be in some sort of bar or saloon of sorts. But what terrified her most was the patrons of said establishment. Many of which were blue colored undead zombies or skeletons. There was a very short skeleton dressed in a Napoleon style uniform with a sword thrust through his center. There stood another skeleton in old style crusade armor with a huge cannon ball sized hole through his chest. Many of them looked at Twilight curiously, as she in turn backed herself away from them all.

“Stay away from me!” She yelled.

She continued to scoot back, till she suddenly bumped into something. She turned around to see what it was and found the rest of her friends lying on the ground, still completely passed out. Due to the severity of the situation, Twilight tried to shake them all awake as quick as possible.

“Guys! Guys, wake up! We have a problem here!”

“Five more minutes…” Rainbow groaned sleepily.

The cyan Pegasus yawned loudly, as she rolled over and grasped the nearest body to snuggle with. In which case, the pony in question turned out to be Applejack who snuggled Rainbow just as much. Twilight glared at her tomboyish friend before quickly reaching out and pulling one of Rainbow’s eyelids open. The magenta pupil inside looked around at the undead patrons and Rainbow immediately shot up screaming. Her scream seemed to startle everyone else in the pile because they all sat up and rubbed their tired eyes.

“Wut in tarnation are ya hollerin’ ‘bout Rainbow?” Applejack asked groggily.

“Honestly darling, have you no concept of beauty sleep?” Rarity groaned.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie cannot perform if she does not have her sleep,” Trixie yawned.

“Girls, this is way more important than catching a few more minutes of sleep!” Twilight cried fearfully.

As the rest of the group slowly awoke, rubbing the sleep away from their eyes, only then did they look around and truly realize the situation they faced right now. Altogether, minus Maud, the ponies and Spike screamed in terror as they huddled in a corner. The dead patrons just stare at them in utter confusion. All of a sudden, Twilight Sparkle jumped in front of the rest of her friends, her horn glowing and ready to fight.

“Stay back!” She yelled. “I’m not afraid to blast you all to dust if I have to!”

Then, one of the many skeletons slowly edged toward her.

“Look miss, this ain’t what you…”

With a frightened squeak, Twilight Sparkle released a huge blast of magic in the skeleton’s direction. The blast hit dead center, as the skeleton exploded into a hundred pieces. It’s many bones flew in all directions, some breaking the bottles in the bar counter. Its skull bounced against the floor till it landed in front of Twilight. But instead of being completely lifeless, as she thought it would, the skeleton kept talking.

“Ow!” He cried out. “What you do that for?”

“I warned you to stay back!” Twilight yelled. “One more step and I’ll send this whole place to the depths of Tar-Tar-us!”

“It’s Tar-tah-rus darling,” Rarity corrected. “One of the ‘R’s is silent.”

“Not now Rarity!”

“It’s okay, it’s okay…” The Bride reassured gently. “My friends and I won’t hurt you. We promise…”

Before any of the ponies or Spike could say a response, one of them did the unthinkable. Maud Pie, the stone-faced mare in the dress, slowly approached the bride and the skeletons. Her friends stared in utter shock over Maud’s bold maneuver.

“Maud, what’re you doing?!” Trixie cried out.

“Come back here!” Rainbow gestured.

But Maud did not comply to the request. Instead, she walked until she was merely inches from the curious Corpse Bride. For a moment, the two glanced toward one another, the mare’s own face unreadable in comparison to the Bride’s intrigue. Her eyelids slowly close and reopen during these past few seconds.

“Hello,” Maud greeted simply.

The Bride was silent at first, but then a giggle escaped her lips while the ponies and Spike looked perplexed toward that mere greeting.

“You certainly are a friendly pony, aren’t you?” The bride smiled.

“It is polite to say hello,” Maud replied directly.

“Yep, that’s Maud for you,” Pinkie chimed in. “My big sister’s the best when it comes to meeting folk she likes.”

“Now would you kindly say hello to our hosts please?” Maud told the group.

“Are you nuts?!” Trixie shouted, in outrage. “We’re in a room with zombies and skeletons! We’re probably dead now, probably gone to the bad place my mother always warned me about—”

“Say hello to our hosts… please,” Maud repeated, bluntly.

The group stared toward the stone-gray rock pony, whose face never changes in the slightest. But seeing as how there was no talking Maud out of it, a sigh escaped Applejack’s lips as she slowly stepped forward. She lifted her Stetson hat off her head, holding it against her chest.

“Howdy-do,” Applejack began. “A pleasure makin’ yer acquaintance. I’m Applejack, and these are our friends Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Trixie, and Spike…”

“Sup…” Spike waved nervously.

The quivering Pegasus looked up at the undead patrons for a moment or two, silently nodding her head with a whimper but no other words.

“You’ve already met Maud over there,” Applejack gestured.

“Delighted to meet you,” The Bride smiled at the pony.

Maud’s eyes merely blink as the bride turned her gaze toward the only other pony she hadn’t been introduced to. The alicorn mare with her horn still glowing, staring cautiously toward the walking corpse with a hint of uncertainty.

“And you are?” The bride asked curiously.

Seeing the bride means no ill-harm for neither her nor her friends, indicated by the kindness in her tone, the glow in Twilight’s horn dims down. Her face slowly relaxed as she released a breath of air which she kept in.

“Twilight… Twilight Sparkle,” She introduced herself.

“What a lovely name,” The bride smiled. “It’s lovely to meet you and your friends, you may call me Emily.”

“You’re… not going to hurt us?” Twilight questioned.

“Oh heavens no! It is not right of the undead to harm those of the living world. We have certain rules between the living and the undead worlds that must be kept in balance.”

“And before you ask lady,” The skull spoke. “No, you and your friends are not dead... yet. You’re what we call… breathers. If you and your friends passed on… well, we’d know about it.”

Twilight looked down upon the skull as it spoke to her, carefully using her magic to lift the skull into the air.

“Sorry… for blasting you,” Twilight apologized sheepishly. “I guess I overreacted a little…”

“A little?” Rainbow asked mockingly.

“Eh, no sweat love,” The skull replied. “My friends tell me I need to loosen up anyway. If you’d just put me down now, I can pull myself together.”

“Oh yes, sure.”

Twilight carefully lays the skull down upon the floor. As the magic dissipates, she watched as the skull and the rest of its pieces bounce together to form a pile. Then before her eyes the skeleton slowly pieces itself back together like forming a puzzle much to her amazement. Even the other ponies, Spike especially, were nearly impressed.

“We are definitely not in Equestria,” Spike replied.

“Wow! It feels so different when we’re the ones freaking out over talking skeletons and zombies,” Pinkie pondered.

“Okay… so you mean us no harm,” Twilight nodded. “But I still have a few questions that require answers. What’s going on here? Where are we? How did we get here? Why are we here? What do you intend to do with us? Who are you guys?”

“Believe me when I say, this as close to a ‘few’ as you’ll get,” Rainbow butted in.

“It’s true…” Fluttershy spoke quietly.

“And more importantly… Where is Victor?” Twilight concluded.

“I promise all your questions will be answered as best as I can,” Emily assured. “As for Victor… oh, there he is right there.”

Emily gestured toward a spot in the bar, the ponies and Spike turned and found Victor lying on the floor, unconscious the entire time. A groan escaped his lips before he finally, if not slowly, started coming to. As his vision returned, he noticed his pony friends and Spike gathering around him looking down with great concern. Next to him was the Corpse Bride herself, Emily, and another skeleton in a dark purple suit.

“A new arrival,” The skeleton commented.

“He must have fainted,” Emily remarked. “Are you alright?”

She gently placed her skeletal hand behind Victor’s head, helping to raise him up. Victor, still not fully comprehending what was going on, just looked around in confusion.

“W-Where am I?’ He asked.

“By Jove, looks like we’ve got ourselves another breather!”

As his senses fully return, Victor could finally see and understand exactly what he was seeing. His eyes widen, his pupils shrink to pinpricks, and his mouth dropped a bit. Just then, a plump-looking deceased chef lady pushed the skeleton out of the way for a better look.

“Oh, does he have a dead brother?” She asked.

Then a skeleton child jumped up as well, poking him.

“He’s still soft,” The child commented.

Victor pushed himself up and off the ground, as he stared in horror at the scene around him. Meanwhile, up at the bar, General Bonesapart and General Wellington made their toasts.

“A toast then!” Boneasapart announced.

He drank his tankard of green slime, as Wellington pulled the sword from his gut, allowing the slime to spill into his own tankard. Wellington drank the liquid himself, which spilled through the huge hole in his chest. The very sight nearly made Rarity gag, as Applejack patted her back.

“To the newlyweds!” Bonesapart cheered, the sword stuck back in his gut.

“Newlyweds?” Victor questioned.

“Newlyweds?” The Equestrians questioned.

Emily gave a slight giggle as she held her bone hand, the ring on her skeletal finger.

“In the woods, you said your vows so perfectly,” She smiled. “You were wonderful. So passionate. It was everything I dreamed of!”

Victor just stared at the ring on her bone finger, gasping in horror.

“I did?” He asked.

“You did…” Maud stated bluntly.

“I DID!!!”

Victor proceeded to bang his head three times against the bar counter, hoping this was all some bad dream.

“Wake up!” He said loudly. “Wake up! WAKE UP!”

“Bonjour!”

Victor and the others looked across the bar, where someone carried a large platter with a dismembered head being carried by many roaches. Clearly the head belonged to a French man if the accent didn’t give it away.

“Coming through, coming through,” The head said. “My name is Paul, ze ‘Head’ waiter.”

“Uh, heh-heh… puns!” Trixie chuckled anxiously.

The head chuckled at his own joke, while Victor backed away in horror. Rarity’s face turned a deep shade of green, finding herself struggling to keep the bile down with everything grossing her out.

“I will be creating your wedding feast!” Paul informed Victor.

Then without explanation, one of Emily’s eyes popped out of her head and a little green maggot emerged from the eye socket.

“Wedding feast?” It asked. “I’m salivating!”

Emily just covered the eye socket as Victor gasped in horror… again.

“Maggots,” She giggled.

That was the last straw for Rarity, who rushed to the nearby bucket in the corner and emptied the contents of her stomach. When she finally walked back over, she appeared totally flushed and disoriented.

“I will never get used to any of this,” She said dazed.

“Stay back!” Victor yelled, backing away.

Much like how the ponies reacted upon seeing an entire canteen of dead people, Victor backed away into a corner as every single ghoul merely looked at him curiously. Wanting to find the nearest weapon to defend himself with, Victor grabbed the sword in General Bonesapart’s back and in turn the tiny skeleton with it.

“I’ve got a… I’ve got a… dwarf, and I’m not afraid to use him!” Victor threatened weakly. “I want some questions now!”

“Um, not to interrupt Victor, but I’m pretty sure you mean answers,” Twilight spoke up.

“Yes, answers. Thank you Twilight. I need answers. What’s going on here? Where am I? Who are you?”

“That’s exactly what we oughtta know,” Applejack replied.

The last question was addressed to Emily, who looked down at the hands in her lap with a small smirk.

“Well, that’s kind of a long story,” She said truthfully.

“What a story it is!”

Hearing the voice made everyone in the bar, the ponies and Spike especially, turn toward the back of the canteen where a single skeleton in a bowler hat stood in the spotlight. He had one single eye in his skull which rolled back and forth from one socket to the other. This was Mr. Bonejangles, the resident musician.

“A tragic tale of romance, passion, and a murder most foul.”

“This is gonna be good,” Bonesapart said with a thumbs up.

Victor dropped the small man with the sword on the floor, with a loud clattering. Bonejangles gestured to his ‘Bone Crew’.

“Hit it boys!”

And just like that, Bonejangles and his boys began playing music by drumming their own skulls and ribs. A skeleton in sunglasses played the piano, as Bonejangles began to sing.

https://m.

As the singing continued, the group of skeletons danced while playing music. One skeleton ripped the spine off another, using it as a saxophone. Another tapped the skull and bones of another almost like a xylophone. Then the one with its spine removed chased its running legs and when it finally caught up to them, it strummed them like a guitar. Then a group of skeletons stood side by side, switching heads with one another down the line.

The ponies and Spike watched the whole display, slowly settling with this unique display. Fluttershy, her nerves dimming a bit, actually swayed her head side to side to the music while Spike snapped his claws and swayed his head back and forth.

As the song concluded, Victor used the opportunity to slip away and escape. While all the ghouls and skeletons danced and had a good time, Victor quietly slipped through the back of the bar and ran up the back steps. However, the Corpse Bride noticed him running and headed after him. All this went on while Twilight and the others were actually having a good time (Aside from that tragic backstory of the bride). Nevertheless, they laughed and clapped as the dancing skeletons took their final bow.

“Bravo!” Rarity cheered.

“Awesome!” Rainbow yelled.

“Thank you, thank you!” Bonejangles bowed. “You’re all too kind, really. Don’t forget to tip your waitress. If you’re not able to right now, don’t worry about it. Just catch her up in the next life.”

As everyone else laughed at the incredibly corny joke, Applejack looked around only to notice that Victor and Emily were both gone.

“Hey y’all, looks like Victor and Emily ain’t here no more,” Applejack informed the others.

“Where could they have gone?” Fluttershy asked. “Poor Victor doesn’t know this place very well.”

“Yeah, well neither do we Fluttershy,” Spike pointed out.

“We should probably go looking for them,” Twilight suggested.

“No doubt!” Rainbow nodded. “I mean let’s face it. Without us, Victor would be running around this place like a cockatrice with its head chopped off!”

Hearing the remark made Fluttershy whimper. True cockatrice are one of the most dangerous creatures in their world, turning ponies to stone and everything, but they were still living animals. She cared for all manner of creatures, no matter what they might be, and the idea of such a fate made her tremble. Rainbow took notice of this right away, quickly patting Fluttershy’s back.

“Sorry Flutters,” She apologized. “Figure of speech.”

“Alright y’all, let’s get a move on!” Applejack said.

Just as she turned to head out the canteen, she ran directly into someone so hard it knocked her backward. She shook herself off the ground, grabbing her Stetson hat that lay beside her, and placed it back onto her head.

“Mighty sorry ‘bout that miss," A male voice spoke. "Reckon ah wasn’t payin’ much attention to where ah was goin’.”

“Nah, it’s alright,” Applejack assured. “Ah didn’t exactly look where ah… was…”

As she turned to face the figure she bumped into, she froze on the spot she stood. What she saw before her made her heart stop altogether, so deeply in shock. Her mouth dropped, her eyes widened, she completely shut down. From behind her, her friends didn’t exactly fare much better. They all looked completely shocked as well.

“No way!” Rainbow said amazed.

“It can’t be!” Rarity gasped.

“It’s not possible,” Twilight shook her head.

Applejack’s lower lip trembled as tears came to her eyes as she stared at the figure… or in this case ‘figures’ standing before her. One was a large butter yellow Earth pony stallion with a cherry red mane and a half sliced green apple cutie mark. The second was a light pear-colored mare with a mango-colored mane and a jar of preservatives cutie mark. Applejack stared at them, and they stared at her, for what felt like an eternity. It had been so long since she seen them, but she knew right away who they were. Only two words choked out, the two words she missed saying most of all.

“M-M-Ma? P-Pa?”

For standing in front of her, not even three feet away from either her or her friends stood none other than her parents:

Bright MacIntosh and Pear Butter

Author's Note

Hope you all like the huge surprise here at the end. We’ve been waiting a long while for this and we hope it was everything we thought it’d be

Reunion

Back in the Land of the Living, things weren’t going smoothly in regard to the upcoming wedding. The Village Square was dark, except for a few lights coming from Everglot Mansion. All was silent, except for the hacking cough coming from Mayhew, who sat shivering on the Van Dorts’ carriage parked in the drive.

After Victor ran away from rehearsal, needless to say the Everglots were certainly not happy. Currently they sat with the Van Dorts in their lounge drinking tea as they waited for Victor to return. The Everglots were very cross with the whole situation from earlier and honestly they’d rather call off the wedding. However, knowing their financial troubles, they were hesitant to do so.Thankfully, Mr. and Mrs. Van Dort were able to stall the Everglots for a while in hopes they could keep them occupied till their son returned.

Victoria, meanwhile, just stood at the window sewing together several patches of material to make the corner of the quilt. So far, it’s only as big as for lap. Hildegarde attends her, clearly concerned for the girl. As she sewed, Victoria looked out toward the cold night sky, waiting for Victor.

“Perhaps the Pastor was right,” Victoria sighed. “And Victor doesn’t want to marry me.”

But just as quickly, she cast her patchwork aside.

“I’m being silly. He’s bound to have turned up by now. Right?”

“Victoria, come away from the window!” Her mother ordered.

Hesitantly, Victoria backed away from the window and made her way to the center of the Drawing room where her parents and the Van Dorts drank their tea by the fire.

“Oh, I’m sure he’ll be back shortly,” Mrs. Van Dort assured. “He’s terrified of the dark. In fact, when he was a boy, he used to wet his combinations regularly. Didn’t he, William?”

Before Mr. Van Dort could answer his wife, a loud knock at the door caused them to turn in its direction.

“Enter!” Mr. Everglot called.

The doors slowly opened as Lord Barkis entered the room with a smug look upon his face.

“Ah, Lord Barkis,” Mrs. Everglot acknowledged. “I trust the room is to your liking.”

“Thank you,” Barkis nodded. “You’ve been a most gracious hostess. Which is why it pains me to be the bearer of such bad news.”

This drew everyone’s attention as they looked at the newcomer, wondering what he could be talking about. With a snap of his finger, Barkis beckoned the Town Crier into the room.

“Would you care to repeat tonight’s headline for us?” Barkis asked.

“HEAR YE! HEAR YE!”

The Town Crier’s loud voice actually made the teacups in the Everglots’ and Van Dorts’ hands quake.

“VICTOR VAN DORT SEEN THIS NIGHT ON THE BRIDGE IN THE ARMS OF THE MYSTERY WOMAN! THE DARK HAIRED TEMPTRESS AND MASTER VAN DORT DISAPPEAR INTO THE NIGHT!”

Then within a moment, the Town Crier stopped yelling, his bell ceased ringing, and instead begam speaking in a more calm, low voice.

“And now for the weather. Scattered showers—”

“Enough!” Barkis interrupted loudly. “That will be all.”

With that, the Town Crier made his way from the room and out of the manor. This left the Everglots and Van Dorts rather shocked over this newfound revelation. Victor on the bridge with a mystery woman? That just did not make sense to any of them.

“Mystery woman?” Mrs. Van Dort asked. “He doesn’t even know any women!”

“Or so you thought,” Barkis retorted. “But alas, he has gone. Doc all for me if you need my assistance… in any way.”

Barkis eyed Victoria, the same way a cat looks at a pet parakeet. Then he slinked from the room, slowly sliding the doors shut behind him.

“Victor…” Victoria spoke softly.

“Oh, the humiliation!” Maudeline cried out, in distress. “Who else knows about this? Good heavens Finish, what should we do?”

“Fetch me musket!” Mr. Everglot barked angrily.

Now for the first in a very long time, the Van Dorts actually seemed quite concerned for the well-being of their son.

“Oh William, do something!” Mrs. Van Dort said frantically.

Thinking quick, Mr. Van Dort quickly leapt to his feet as Emil returned to the room with a loaded musket. Just as he was about to hand it over to Mr. Everglot, Mr. Van Dort quickly snatched it to himself as he chuckled nervously.

“Uh look, the Town Crier probably just had a slow news day,” He tried to explain. “You know how it is. We all need something to cry about—”

“Regardless, we are one groom short for the wedding tomorrow!” Mr. Everglot shot back.

“Not to mention the financial implications,” Mrs. Everglot added. “A most scandalous embarrassment. And with my relatives due to arrive, this is most dreadful.”

“Oh give us a chance to find him,” Mrs. Van Dort begged. “We beg of you!”

“Just give us until dawn,” Mr. Van Dort implored.

Mrs. Everglot frowned greatly over the idea, wanting nothing more than to throw them out and never see them again. However, she knew what was at stake and decided to take no chances.

“Very well… ‘til dawn!”

She rings for the butler and the Van Dorts hastily get up and back out, bowing in unison.

“Thank you! Thank you!” Mrs. Van Dort replied. “I am sure there must be some explanation. We will find him… and when we do—”

*SLAM!*

The doors shut in their face quickly, and the Van Dorts bolt from the manor toward their waiting carriage outside. Once they climbed in, they were off to find their missing son. From the dark shadows of the foyer, Lord Barkis stepped for with a wicked smirk on his face. Thus far, his plan was working perfectly. Granted, he had not planned for the boy to up and run away, but it certainly played into his favor. Beside him, the Mysterious Benefactor emerged from the shadowy depths.

“Very well played,” The Benefactor approved.

“I do hope when the plan is successful, you and the others will see fit to welcome me into the Order,” Barkis mentioned.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves Barkis. Your plan is working so far; however, our business is not yet complete. If you wish to be part of the Order, you have much to do.”

“Ah yes,” Barkis chuckled evilly. “Marry the Everglot girl… and deliver a bundle of dead ponies to you.”

“Indeed,” The Benefactor nodded. “Complete these tasks, and you shall be welcomed to our Order.”

Barkis smirked once more, as he looked out into the night.

“Let us not waste any more time then…”

Applejack, along with the rest of the Mane Six, stood staring in complete shock and awe. Bright MacIntosh and Pear Butter, Applejack’s parents, stood not even six feet away from them now. From what Applejack could recall, they looked just as they had the last time she had ever seen them. The two Apple parents stared right back in equal shock, as they gazed upon their daughter for the first time in so long.

“Ma? Pa?”

Bright Mac and Pear Butter slowly stepped forward toward Applejack, and she in turn did the same. They stood exactly in front of each other, staring at one another. Tears slowly formed in all their eyes, the eyes never leaving one another’s gaze.

“I-I-Is it r-really you?” Applejack croaked.

Bright Mac and Pear Butter gave no response, simply grabbing hold of Applejack and drawing her into a huge hug. They both cried heavily, as they held their precious daughter once again. Though Applejack was hardly one to cry, except on the inside, she couldn’t help but bawl her eyes out as she fully embraced her parents again.

“Y-Y-Yeah sugar cube,” Bright Mac wept. “It’s us.”

“We’ve missed you so much little Apple Pie,” Pear Butter cried.

Applejack cried even harder hearing her mother call her by the old nickname she used to call her by. It helped her to believe even more that all this was very real. Her parents were indeed holding onto her right now, that alone making her so happy. Off to the side, the rest of the Mane Six, along with Spike, Trixie, and even Maud, watched the family reunion before their eyes.

“I can’t believe this is happening!” Twilight said amazed.

“How is this even possible?” Rainbow asked confused.

“Considering we’re in a land filled with dead people, makes sense to me!” Spike pointed out.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Applejack and her parents pulled back from their hug and wiped the stray tears out of their eyes.

“H-H-How is this possible?” Applejack stumbled. “Ah thought y’all were dead.”

Bright Mac and Pear Butter both looked at each other, then back at Applejack sadly.

“We are dead dear,” Pear Butter confirmed.

“We have been for a long time now,” Bright Mac added.

Then the two widened their eyes in shock when they realized something.

“Are you--?”

“No,” Applejack assured, shaking her head. “No, ah ain’t dead and neither are mah friends. It’s kinda a long story as to why we’re here, but that can wait a bit. What I wanna know is how did youget here?”

Bright Mac and Pear Butter both looked at each other again, contemplating whether or not to actually tell Applejack how they died. Then Bright Mac placed his hoof over his wife’s shoulder, silently nodding his head. Pear Butter nodded, as they both turned back toward Applejack.

“What you gotta understand first sugar cube is how this here place works,” Pear Butter explained. “Ah know yer probably wonderin’ why we’re here and not in some better place. You see, this here land represents the endless wandering between life and death. It’s a place where yer neither in heaven nor hell, just forgotten… stuck. The reason fer bein’ that ya had unfinished business when ya died.”

As every pony took in the information, it made them stop and think. If what Pear Butter said was true, then this land represents what is known as the Underworld. In here, you’re neither bound for heaven or hell. All you can do was wander aimlessly till you discover what is your unfinished business, and only then would you be able to finally move on.

“So, what happened to ya both?” Applejack asked again.

“Well… it all started on our way back to the farm…”

Bright Mac and Pear Butter trotted down the path toward the Apple family farm just as they had done many times before. Bright Mac pulled a big empty cart which when they had left was full of apples. They had gone into town that day to sell the apples that had been gathered on the farm and were now on their way back after a long day. Night already began to set upon the sky as they walked.

“Boy howdy, talk about a long one,” Bright Mac commented.

“Ah know, that’s what worries me,” Pear Butter said concerned. “We ain’t never left the kids this long before. Especially little Apple Bloom. She’s only a month old after all.”

Bright Mac just chuckled at his wife’s constant worrying, placing a hoof around her as they walked.

“Don’t go worrying too much now Buttercup,” He smiled. “Ma’s taking good care of ‘em. We’ll be back home with ‘em in just a bit.”

Pear Butter nodded as they continued down the path through the patch of forest leading to the farm. As they walked, Bright Mac looked back toward his wife and could see the pain in her eyes. Slowly he pulled the cart to a halt and looked at her with great concern.

“Are y’all alright?” He asked.

Pear Butter gave no verbal response, just closed her eyes and stared upon the ground. As she did so, a series of tears fell from her eyes. Unable to stand to see his love cry, Bright Mac pulled her close to him allowing her to cry into his chest.

“Come on now Buttercup, what’s wrong?”

After a few more sobs, Pear Butter finally answered.

“Ah sent another letter to Daddy a week ago,” She sobbed. “That’s the hundredth one ah’ve sent him since he left and still ain’t respondin’ to ‘em. Ah don’t think he ever will. It just breaks mah heart so much that he can’t accept the fact ah love you. He ain’t never even met the kids. Ah don’t even know if he wants to.”

As Pear Butter continued to cry, Bright Mac brushed a hoof along her back trying to comfort her. It had been many years now since Grand Pear left town and started off somewhere new. Years without seeing his daughter, never responding to any of her letters, nothing. It truly was as if he had no intent of wanting anything to do with her anymore. Bright Mac placed a hoof under his wife’s chin, slowly lifting her head so her teary eyes could gaze upon his.

“Ah’m sure that ain’t true Buttercup,” He assured her. “He just needs time tah process and accept it.”

“It’s been years Bright Mac,” Pear Butter croaked. “If he wanted anything tah do with me, you, or even the kids, he’d try and at least contact us somehow.”

“Ah know yer hurtin’ darling, but if ya keep thinkin’ like that, yer only gonna make yerself feel worse. Ah guarantee someday, you and Grand Pear are gonna make things right. Just gotta keep yer chin up.”

Pear Butter gazed into her husband’s eyes, seeing the kindness and sincerity in his words. She actually managed to form a slight smile, as he held her tightly. He always knew exactly what to say just to make her feel better.

“Come on, let’s get back home,” Bright Max smiled.

Pear Butter nodded and together they started walking back towards the farm.

Suddenly, they heard a strange sort of sound coming from the skies above. Looking up, they saw what looked like multiple streams of black smoke heading their way. They had no idea what this meant, but knew they had to get out of there right away.

“RUN!” Bright Mac yelled.

Both ponies took off down the path running as fast as they could. However, no matter how fast they ran, the black smoke kept up with them and even caught up with them. Eventually the smoke encircled them, completely disorienting the pair. Finally, as the smoke cleared, both Bright Mac and Pear Butter regained their composure and looked around in horror at the figures in black cloaks and skulls masks surrounding them.

“Who are y’all?” Bright Mac asked horrified.

“What do ya want?” Pear Butter asked.

One of the figures drew a long stick-like thing from their robes and pointed it directly at them.

“Crucio!”

All of a sudden, both ponies felt a tremendous surge of pain coursing through their bodies. They both screamed in agony and turmoil as the pain rocketed through them.

“Stop, please!” Pear Butter begged.

But the figures ignored their pleas and the unending torture continued. After a long, painful torture the figure relented and lowered their wand. Bright Mac and Pear Butter gasped and groaned in pain, as they slowly crawled their way toward one another. This moment certainly was a horrible, frightening one for them as they realized this very well could be the end. They’d never see their children again, never see Granny Smith or even Grand Pear ever again. When they were in each other’s hooves, they closed their eyes tightly and silently prayed.

“Dear Celestia, please watch over Big Mac, Apple Bloom, and Applejack…”

Once more, the figure raised their wand and aimed at them with murderous intent.

“Avada Kedavra!”

Then there was a bright flash of green… and then there none…

“—and next thing ya know, we end up here,” Pear Butter finished.

By the time Pear Butter finished the story, to say Twilight and her friends were stunned was putting it rather mildly. Bright Mac and Pear Butter, a pair of ponies they knew to be Applejack’s parents but never having actually ‘known’ much about them or even as ponies Applejack was willing to talk about. Course eventually they had heard about how her parents lived and how they met, but never before had they ever learned how her parents supposedly passed away. But even after finally hearing the story… it’s no wonder they were deeply disturbed.

“Sweet Celestia…” Rarity gasped silently, tears in her eyes.

“That’s messed up…” Rainbow muttered, looking down.

Poor Fluttershy mentioned not a single word. The emotional wave overwhelmed the sensitive Pegasus, hearing the terrible tale of the passing of a friend’s family. Only they never passed away… they were ‘taken’ from her friend. She could only hide her face behind her mane, hiding the teary-eyed face. All Spike could do was stand by her side and silently pat along her side.

“Ms. Pear Butter… forgive me for asking this,” Twilight stepped up. “The creature that attacked you and your husband, did they… stand on two legs?”

“Yes…” Pear Butter nodded.

“How could this have happened?” Twilight spoke, in shock. “If what they say is true, the only other being that would murder them had to have been a wizard. But Celestia said that the portal was closed for a thousand years and given how old Applejack and her siblings were the day their parents died… they should not have been able… Applejack, what do you make of this?”

But answer there came none and Twilight Sparkle looked on greatly concerned.

“Applejack?”

Twilight Sparkle turned the moment heavy breathing filled the air. The other members of the Mane Six and the rest of their friends turned as Applejack stood there, puffs of air snorting out of her nostrils. Her teeth grind side to side, her eyes furrow deeply and heavily, the veins seemed to pop from her face. Whatever emotions Applejack was trying to keep bottled up, now at once she was slowly boiling over.

“Who was it?” Applejack growled silently.

“Now Apple Pie, please try to understand—” Pear Butter spoke up.

“WHO… WAS IT?!?!” Applejack shouted louder.

The rumble of Applejack’s voice was loud enough to draw some attention from the other patrons in the facility. Even some of the creepiest looking zombies slowly edged away.

“It was a wizard, ain’t it?! Some pony who don’t believe in the alliance between Equestria and Hogwarts, wasn’t it? Is that why you have unfinished business?”

“We wish we can tell ya, Applejack,” Bright Mac admitted. “But we honestly don’t know. We never saw their face.”

“All these years…” Applejack stewed, scuffing the floor. “All these years I thought it was timberwolves… I blamed them for yer death! But it was murder!”

“Hey, hey, take it easy A.J.” Rainbow approached. “No pony else could’ve known—”

“Ya don’t understand, Rainbow!” Applejack snapped. “These are mah parents we’re talkin’ about! Two of the most important ponies in our entire lives… and they were takin’ from us… from me!! If I had been there, I coulda done somethin’… I coulda… what could you even know Dash? You can’t possibly understand what it’s like to lose a family!”

Rainbow Dash was taken aback by the harsh tone in Applejack’s words. Granted, they’ve had their share of disagreements in the past and they’ve had their moments of intense anger. But in this case, Applejack words were as harsh as the snap of a bullwhip. Rainbow Dash stared at Applejack for a moment, as the latter breathed heavily.

“I see…” Rainbow nodded, backing away.

Rainbow Dash turned away as the others looked upon their two friends with great concerns. Whereas it was easy to tell just how every pony else was feeling, even Spike, Maud just stared blankly at the scenario the whole time.

“To lose a family is the toughest loss,” Maud stated bluntly.

While Applejack took a moment to compose herself, as her friends gave their country-bumpkin friend the extra space, a figure slowly approached from behind and placed a hoof over her shoulder. Applejack slowly turned around and her saddened eyes caught sight of Bright Mac, looking down upon his daughter. Not upset for the way she acted, but instead of understanding.

“I know you’re angry,” Bright Mac spoke softly. “You have every right to be. But what happened to your mother and I was not yer fault.”

“We know you have questions,” Pear Butter added. “Yer father and I will do our best to answer them. But all that matters now is havin’ a chance to see you again. So please don’t be upset… not even for us.”

Even with Pear Butter’s words were meaningful and understanding, it only did so much to lower Applejack’s temperament. Still, if she hoped for answers over an even bigger mystery than she expected to encounter, she had to trust her parents. After all, it has been so long since Applejack got to see her parents… so long. How she would explain this to her siblings… or Granny… or even Grand Pear… that was going to be quite a bundle.

“I do reckon y’all might be missin’ somethin’?” Bright Mac guessed.

“Oh my goodness!” Fluttershy gasped, in realization. “Victor!”

“We nearly forgot all about him!” Trixie added.

“And he’s all alone with a bride who thinks he’s his husband in a land with undead, scary monsters!” Spike concluded, smiling sheepishly. “No offense…”

“None taken,” Bright Mac shrug.

“We have been around this land for quite some time,” Pear Butter spoke. “Allow us to be yer guides while we’re all here.”

“We could use all the help we can get,” Twilight replied. “Considering you know this place better than we do. Provided it’s okay with A.J. of course…”

They all turned toward Applejack, who turned her gaze to all her friends for a moment. Until eventually, after a sigh escaped her lips, she made her decision.

“I reckon we need all the help we’ll need tah find Victor, clear this misunderstandin’, and get him safely home,” Applejack confirmed. “Sooner we get that done, the better.”

“Then y’all just stick with us,” Bright Mac smiled. “This’ll be quite a bonding experience.”

“Ooh! Ooh! Ooh!” Pinkie Pie raised her hoof. “I do have a quick question before we get underway!”

“Oh yes… Pinkie Pie, wasn’t it?” Pear Butter guessed. “What would y’all like to know?”

A smile formed on Pinkie Pie’s face as she slowly leaned toward the ghostly apparitions.

“Where do you stand on the possible relationship between the Apples and the Pies?”

Bright Mac and Pear Butter stared blankly toward Pinkie Pie, then toward each other. But neither one had an answer to that question. An awkward silence commenced between the pair.

“Boy, this is going to be a long trip,” Rainbow sighed.

“Tell me about it,” Spike shrugged.

Elder Gutkneckt

Author's Note

Everyone be sure to give a big thanks to my awesome co-author Dramamaster829 for the second half of this chapter

Elder Gutkneckt

Along with the entire Equestrian group, among them the recently reunited Apple family, Twilight Sparkle led the group through the back door of the tavern. Soon they were out along the streets, walking through the place known as the ‘Land of the Dead’. Aside from Bright Back, Pear Butter, and Maud, everyone was a little shocked, if not somewhat scared of their surroundings.

Dead folk everywhere, walking along the streets just going about their daily undead lives. One guy was flat as a board from being crushed, a woman crawled along the streets dragging her dismembered lower half behind her, and a couple of zombies were almost completely skeletonized. Needless to say, everyone was practically uncomfortable in this dreary place.

“I-I-I think I m-much p-p-preferred it b-back in the t-tavern,” Fluttershy shook fearfully.

“I must agree with you darling,” Rarity nodded. “No matter how much we try, I don’t think we’ll ever get used to wandering about with the dead.”

“Don’t worry girls, everything’s going to be alright,” Twilight assured. “Right Spike?”

The little dragon in question peeked his eyes from behind Twilight’s mane, quivering in fear.

“Y-Y-Yeah!” He chuckled nervously. “Nothing to worry about here.”

Trixie, trembling as she walked, turned toward Maud, who’s as stone-faced and emotionless as ever.

“Trixie cannot understand how you are so calm about all of this,” Trixie spoke to her.

“You may not see it, but I’m frightened on the inside,” Maud said plainly.

Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash quickly flew besides Applejack and her parents. As they walked, Rainbow gave a light nudge to Applejack’s side.

“Hey A.J., can we talk for a moment?” She whispered.

“Not right now Dash,” Applejack whispered back. “The sooner we find Victor and Emily, the sooner we get the hay outta this here place.”

“I know, I know! But just before we came here, we were talking about something very important--"

"It’s gonna have tah wait a little longer, sugar cube. Ah ain’t too keen on spending a lot of time around dead folks.”

Rainbow Dash sighed to herself, shaking her head.

“Forget it…” Rainbow brushed off.

She made to fly back to the rest of the group. But before she could, a single hoof reached out and onto her back. As she turned back, Rainbow saw Applejack’s face, seeing the look of regret upon the country pony.

“Look Dash, ah’m mighty sorry about what ah said back at the tavern,” She apologized. “Ah was just taken back by the information and seein’ mah parents again. Ah was happy, sad, and angry all at the same time. I shouldn’t have taken it out on ya like that.”

Rainbow actually cracked a tiny smile, as she placed her hoof around Applejack.

“It’s cool A.J.,” She assured. “Tell you the truth, if I were in your hooves, I’d probably done the exact same thing.”

“So no hard feelings?”

“Nah, I’m over it.”

The two continued walking side by side with Bright Mac and Pear Butter, as they all made their way to the center of town. Once there, they all took a moment to look around and assess where they were.

“Any pony have any idea where they could be?” Twilight asked.

“Not a clue,” Rainbow replied.

“This place is so gal darn huge, ah couldn’t even begin to guess,” Applejack agreed.

“GASP!”

Every pony turned toward Pinkie Pie, who bounced enthusiastically with her hoof in the air.

“Ooh! Ooh! I know! I know! Pick me! Pick me!”

Twilight rolled her eyes before addressing her energetic party friend.

“Alright Pinkie, what have you got?”

“Emily’s right over there!” Pinkie pointed.

Every pony, and especially Spike, turned toward the undead corpse bride herself, walking about the streets in search for Victor too. Twilight’s eye twitched a bit as she slowly turned toward Pinkie Pie once more.

“Pinkie, how long have you known she was there?” She asked slowly.

“About twenty minutes,” Pinkie responded happily.

“And why didn’t you tell us?”

“I thought it was supposed to be a fun game of ‘Hide and Seek’. I couldn’t just tell you where she was; it’s more fun to find them ourselves.”

Twilight looked as if she were about to blow over, to say something she really did not wish to say. However, she took a few deep breaths and calmed herself.

“Go to the library,” She spoke calmly to herself. “Just imagine yourself… peacefully reading in the library…”

Soon as she calmed down, Twilight lead the rest of the group in Emily’s direction. The corpse bride walked about the square, trying to locate her missing groom.

“Victor, darling, where are you?” She called out.

“If you ask me, your boyfriend is kind of jumpy,” The Maggot said, inside her head.

“He’s not my boyfriend, he’s my husband,” Emily corrected.

“Emily!”

The undead bride turned to see who just called out to her. Soon enough the group of Equestrians rushed toward her. More than anything, she noticed the two country ponies among them.

“Bright Mac!” She smiled. “Pear Butter!”

The two Apple parents raced toward Emily, who knelt down and embraced the two with a hug. This caused the rest of the group to look on in shock.

“Y’all know each other?” Applejack asked.

“We sure do Apple Pie!” Pear Butter smiled. “Why Emily here was the first one to help us settle in when we first came here.”

“We were both so afraid and lost, we didn’t know what to do,” Bright Mac continued. “But Emily here showed us kindness and helped us learn to live with bein’ dead. We’ve all been friends since.”

“So what are ya lookin’ fer darlin’?” Pear Butter asked.

“Ah’m gonna go out on a limb here and assume yer lookin’ fer Victor,” Applejack said.

Just then, Emily’s eye popped out and Maggot peeked out.

“I’ll keep an eye out for him,” He said.

The sound of a comedic drum sound made everyone turn and see Pinkie sitting at a drum set. They all just looked at her, as she in turn shrugged her shoulders in response.

“Some pony had to do it,” She replied.

As this went on, Victor snuck behind the corner of one building as he remained hidden from the corpse bride. Slowly, he tried to sneak away for a better place to hide. However, his motions did not go unnoticed by the Maggot.

“There he goes, there he goes!” He said urgently.

Everyone turned to see Victor running off down the street.

“He’s—he’s getting away! Quick, quick, after him!”

Emily popped her eye back into her head, as she lead the group down the street after Victor.

“Victor!” Emily called after him.

“Victor, come on back sugar cube!” Applejack called.

“Victor, it’s alright!” Twilight added. “Nothing’s going to happen to you! Come back!”

Victor paid no mind to their assurances; he kept running down the street. He raced right past a barrel full of disembodied arms. As Emily and the group came upon the same barrel, they all came to life and pointed toward Victor’s direction.

“Thank you,” She thanked them.

Everyone else looked at the barrel of arms wide eyed before continuing forward… except Pinkie.

“Thanks for the help boys,” She thanked.

She gave each arm a high hoof before strolling down the path with her friends. They stayed behind Emily, as she kept calling out for Victor.

“Victor! Where are you?”

As Victor fled, he finally came upon a lengthy alleyway filled with coffins. The sight alone frightened him, but none more frightening than being chased by a walking corpse. Thinking fast, Victor positioned himself into one of the coffins and played dead. Thankfully, Emily just went right past him and didn’t even notice him. Victor opened his eyes just as she disappeared down the alley. Just then, a black widow spider climbed down in front of him.

“Married huh?” She asked. “I’m a widow.”

Victor gasped in shock before swiping the spider away and running back down the alley.

“Oh, how rude. He went that way!”

Victor continued to run and run till he finally came to a dead end before a large stone wall. Knowing Emily was undoubtedly behind him, Victor acted on instinct and began to climb. Finally ascending to the top, he grabbed hold of something to pull himself up. He was so relieved till he realized exactly what he grabbed onto. He looked up and saw Emily looking down at him with a smile on her face.

“You could’ve just used the stairs silly,” She said.

She grabbed hold of Victor’s arm, pulling him up so now he stood on the very same ledge overlooking the Land of the Dead. Once he was safely on his feet, he also noticed the group of ponies and the little dragon standing there as well.

“How did you all get here so fast?” He asked them.

“Teleportation,” Twilight answered simply.

“Man Gallus has a point,” Spike shook himself off. “Teleporting makes you feel like you left part of yourself behind.”

“That’s why I stick to flying little dude,” Rainbow said, patting his head.

Emily gave a little spin, as she looked out at the view over the whole city.

“Isn’t the view beautiful?” She marveled. “It takes my breath away. Well, it would if I had any.”

Bright Mac and Pear Butter leaned against one another, as they smiled brightly while fond memories came to them of this place.

“It sure is a wonderful sight, ain’t it?” Bright Mac asked fondly. “Matter of fact this here is where Buttercup and ah used to come all the time when we first came here.”

“It helped us forget the pain of being dead and buried,” Pear Butter nodded. “Just to feel alive again, if only for a few moments.”

Applejack’s heart ached hearing her parents say that. What she and her siblings went through without their parents was one thing. She couldn’t even imagine what they must have been through seeing as they went for so long without her, Apple Bloom, and Big Mac. Not to mention the fact they were dead so they would ‘live’ with it for much longer.

“Isn’t it romantic?” Emily asked.

“Dead…” Victor said, dreadfully. “Demised… expired… not that it matters anymore. I’ve kicked the bucket, shuffled off this mortal coil…”

“Technically you are not dead,” Pinkie pointed out. “You’re just married.”

“Very funny,” Victor frowned, sighing. “But how can a living person marry a dead person?”

“You made a vow,” Maud spoke plainly.

“But I’m already supposed to marry Victoria!”

“Well, I’m sure she’ll get over it,” The Corpse Bride assured. “There are lots of living people up there.”

Twilight and her friends looked toward each other in uncertainty. They didn’t want to have to break it to Emily, but if she knew this woman like they do she wouldn’t have said that. But still, seeing how unconvinced Victor is, the Bride took the more ‘sympathetic’ approach.

“This Victoria. Did you love her?”

“I never had a chance to find out,” Victor said, slightly wistful. “Truth is, we hardly know anything about each other.”

“Oh Victor…” Fluttershy spoke softly.

“The thing is, Victor,” The Corpse Bride spoke. “I know a lot about you.”

“You do?” Applejack asked.

“Say what?” Rainbow raised a brow.

“Oh girls, I’ve been watching Victor wandering through the woods. I always loved it when he sketches his pictures…”

“You have?” Victor asked, surprised. “When?”

“Haven’t you ever felt like you weren’t alone, even when you were? Or saw something out of the corner of your eye and you turned but it just wasn’t there?”

“Yes…”

“It was me,” The Corpse Bride smiled.

“That’s not creepy at all,” Spike muttered, beneath his breath.

Rarity lightly shushed Spike, seeing how strangely touching it was coming from the undead bride. Even Victor felt strangely flattered by her words.

“We live in these two different worlds, but they overlap sometimes,” The Corpse Bride continued. “I think we were meant to find each other.”

“Look, I am terribly sorry about what’s happened to you,” Victor spoke regretfully. “And I’d like to help you, but I really need to get home. We really need to get home.”

“This is your home now,” She insisted.

“And I’m sure it’s very lovely here,” Rarity assured. “Much more colorful and… well animated than the place we came from. But this can never be anything like Equestria, we don’t know any pony or anyone here other than Applejack’s parents.”

“I don’t even know your name,” Victor added.

“Well, that’s a great way to start a marriage,” The maggot replied.

“Shut up!” The Corpse Bride whispered, clutching her head.

Victor looked on silently, while the bride merely smiled at him.

“I can’t believe… in all the excitement. It’s Emily.”

“Emily…” Victor repeated.

It was then the corpse bride suddenly realized something important.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” She spoke, reaching down. “I have something for you.”

From beneath the seat, Emily handed Victor a box with clattering items inside. The living Equestrians looked at the box, before facing Emily in confusion.

“What is it?” Twilight asked curiously.

“It’s a wedding present,” Emily answered.

“Well, Trixie knew that,” Trixie replied smugly.

“Good grief!” Spike rolled his eyes.

Curiously, Victor lifted the box toward his ear and gave it a light shake. From the sounds of it, there appeared to be multiple items inside rattling about. Emily looked on nervously, as if concerned Victor may not like the present. The ponies and Spike, apart from Maud and the Apple parents, looked just as nervous too but more so as to how Victor will react and not so much the contents. Eventually, Victor slowly slid the lid off, and when the package was opened, he peeked inside and gasped.

“What is it Victor?” Fluttershy asked nervously.

Victor did not answer right away, but rather he stared inside the box. Slowly, Victor reached his left hand inside the box and from inside he revealed… a bone.

“Thank you,” Victor thanked Emily, politely.

The rest of the group peeked inside the box, only to discover it wasn’t just ‘one’ bone.

“My, I say…” Rarity smiled nervously. “You certainly took up quite a collection, Emily.”

“It’s a lovely present,” Twilight nodded.

“Yeah, they’d be perfect for the Spikester,” Rainbow added. “If he were in that dog form Twilight told us about.”

“Don’t even joke about that!” Spike frowned.

Suddenly, the box began to shake and rattle as Victor quickly slid the lid of the box back in place. But then the box hopped off his lap, crashing onto the floor as the group gasped. All the bones suddenly rolled out from the box into one big pile. They stared at the bones for a second or two, until the bones quickly shifted together to form… a dog, a dog that actually ‘barked’ at them.

The skeletal dog looked out towards the group, but mostly toward Victor. From the moment it saw him, the little creature wagged its tail excitedly. Victor gazed in confusion, as the dog skipped towards the living man with something in his jaws. It sat upon its hind legs as Victor reached over and carefully, cautiously even, took the little item from its jaw. Victor studied the item, which appeared to be a red collar with a single dog tag on it. And the moment he saw its name, his face brightened.

“Scraps?” Victor gasped.

“Scraps?” The ponies questioned.

The dog barked in response to Victor, very happy to see Victor. All at once, it suddenly dawned on the nervous man.

“Scraps! My dog, Scraps!”

The dog hopped onto Victor’s lap and starts licking Victor. The group looked in awe as the young man hugged his former companion. The dog barked toward Victor, as he attached the collar around its bony neck while Emily softly giggled.

“Oh, Scraps, what a good boy!” Victor cooed his dog.

With manic energy, the little dog leapt from his lap and raced around the grounds before the group.

“That was your dog?” Trixie observed.

“Oh yes, he’s mine…” Victor smiled. “Well, was… Scraps was my dog when I was a boy.”

“I knew you’d be happy to see him,” Emily smiled.

“Who’s my good boy?” Victor asked. “Sit. Sit, Scraps, sit.”

It takes a bit of time, but the dog followed his masters command as he sat upon his hind legs. The group sighed with awe at this cute scene.

“Good boy, Scraps. Roll over. Roll over.”

And just like that, Scraps rolled its body across the floor while its head kept still watching Victor. Under normal circumstances, most of the ponies would be creeped out. But still, this touching reunion between a master and his friend made them forget for the time being.

“Good boy, Scraps. Play dead.”

Only Scraps didn’t play dead. The choice of words made the little dog whine slightly and the group turned their heads toward the man, who just realized his mistake.

“You went too far,” Maud replied bluntly.

“Sorry,” Victor apologized.

But the dog seemed quick to forgive, as he hopped back onto the bench as Victor and Emily petted the little dog. Even the ponies raced up to greet Victor’s little companion, actually finding him rather cute.

“Aw, what a cute little puppy,” Fluttershy cooed, scratching its head. “Oh yes you are! Yes you are!”

“You should have seen him with fur,” Victor replied. “Mother never approved of Scraps jumping up like this. But then again, she never approved of anything.”

“Well, it’s her loss,” Applejack replied. “Because this little critter is cute, I’ll admit. I’d say Scraps would get along with Winona.”

“Oh sure, course they’d get along,” Rainbow nodded. “As long as Winona isn’t in the mood for bones.”

“Oh hush!”

“Do you think she would have approved of me?” Emily asked curiously.

“Heh! You’re lucky you’ll never have to meet her,” Rarity replied. “We’ve seen how that woman behaved while we were, um… ‘up top’ for lack of better words. And while I understand upper class citizens tend to act that way, it don’t excuse the fact that they can be… well, rather rude.”

Little did Rarity know, but her saying about ‘meeting her’ drew Victor some inspiration.

“Well, actually… now that you mention it…” Victor spoke up, with false brightness. “I think she would.”

“Huh?!” The group turned with confusion.

“What you talking about?” Spike asked, tilting his head.

“You really think your own mother would approve?” Trixie asked.

“Why yes. I do believe she would,” Victor answered, turning to Emily. “In fact, since we’re, you know, m… married… you should definitelymeet her. And my father too. We should go and see them right now!”

The ponies and Spike, the entire time, tried to process what Victor was going on about. While their intent was to find a way to get back to the mortal world, it was still baffling as to why Victor would suddenly even suggest introducing Emily to a mother he could barely tolerate. Victor waits nervously for her reaction. Slowly, but surely, a big smile comes over Emily’s face.

“What a fantastic idea! Let’s go find them. Where are they buried?”

“Ooh…” Applejack spoke nervously. “There is ‘one’ slight problem…”

“What is it, Apple Pie?” Pear Butter asked.

“They’re not from around here,” Victor answered.

“No?” Bright Mac raised a brow. “Well, where are they?”

Victor and the ponies point upward. It takes a moment for Emily and even Applejack’s parents to realize it.

“Oh!!!” The parents nodded, understanding.

“They’re still alive?” Emily asked.

“I’m afraid so,” Victor shrugged.

“Gee… that’s gonna be tough,” Bright Mac pondered.

“That is a problem,” Emily nodded, slightly crushed.

“How come?” Rainbow questioned. “We were all transported into this ‘Land of the Dead’ joint somehow, and that wasn’t a problem before.”

“I’m afraid drawing mortals here and the dead to the living world are two entirely different issues, dear,” Pear Butter spoke up. “It’s very rare for an undead soul, like us, to freely wander the Earth without reason. And never before have mortals ever come down to this place… and ever got back.”

“So basically… we’re all stuck down here,” Spike summarized.

The Apple Parents nodded reluctantly, as the group sighed and plumped to the ground. Just then, Scraps started barking excitedly toward Emily. The group looked on wondering what they were talking about.

“What’s that, Scraps?” Emily asked. “Oh no, we couldn’t possibly…”

“Can I try, Miss Emily?” Fluttershy asked curiously. “I’m very good with animals.”

“Oh yes, do try.”

Fluttershy leaned her head and listened very carefully as Scraps repeated his message to the Pegasus pony.

“Oh! I see…” Fluttershy nodded. “Uh huh… uh huh… well, when you put it like that…”

“What?” Victor asked.

“Yeah Flutters, spill it out!” Rainbow spoke impatiently.

“He mentioned some figure named ‘Elder Gutknecht’ who he says can help us get back to the Living World,” Fluttershy answered.

“Elder Gutknecht!” Emily gasped, excitedly.

“Elder… Gutknecht?” Trixie questioned.

Meanwhile, back in the Land of the Living, the night grows later along the Van Dort House. Mayhew sat on the carriage outside, sneezing and coughing amidst the pouring rain. As the rain hammered against the window of the Van Dort Drawing Room, Nell whimpered with an oversized handkerchief.

“They’re the best family for miles and we were going to marry into them!” Nell wailed, her voice breaks. “Their manners and breeding—were going to be our manners and breeding! They’re related to a Duke. A DUKE!!!”

“And we’ve lost a son, of course,” William pointed out.

“Oh yes, that too…” Nell replied, dismissively.

“But… we haven’t lost all hope.”

“How so?”

“The Everglots agreed to have their daughter marry our son.”

“Yes, yes! I recall!”

“But we never specified which son,” William added.

Nell looked at him deeply perplexed, as if the man had finally lost his mind.

“William, we only have ONE son!”

“Or do we?”

“Yes, we do!”

With a ‘wait-one-moment’ finger, William left the room. A beat later, he returned holding a broom dressed in a dinner jacket, complete with a top hat perched on the straw.

“May I introduce Reginald Van Dort!” William introduced.

“He’s a broom!” Nell yelled.

“He’s tidy!”

“He’s flammable!”

“And Victor isn’t? Dear wife, with the proper flame, we all burn to cinders.”

“And we will burn to cinders if we don’t find Victor! Ooooh! You are so… so… URGH!!!”

Nell stormed out of the room, leaving William alone… with the broom.

“Your mother’s very fragile,” William told the broom.

Meanwhile, back at the Everglot manor, Victoria sits alone in her bedroom. She sews away her quilt—it now covers an entire armchair, looking slightly more unhinged. And every passing minute Victoria seems sadder and lonelier than ever.

Finally, she stands up and hurls the heavy shawl aside. With great effort, she pushes up the window and leans along the sill, gazing her eyes into the rainy night.

Back in the Land of the Dead, Emily, along with Bright Mac, Pear Butter, and Scraps, lead Victor and the Equestrians into a large study. The study itself is stacked from ceiling to the floor with crumbling books, scrolls, charts, and strange, medieval, scientific instruments. Rickety shelves bend under the weight of mysterious jars and boxes. Crows perch along the rafters. The whole place frosted with bird droppings, and the dust of untold centuries. The best way to describe the place is if Leonardo Da Vinci meets ‘Sanford and Son’.

I LOVE THAT SHOW!!! :pinkiehappy:

Pinkie Pie… please…

“Elder Gutknecht… are you there?” Emily called out. “Hello? Is anyone home? Hello? There you are!”

The Equestrians turned their gaze toward Emily’s direction and their eyes widen in shock. There before them is Elder Gutknecht himself, an ancient, gnarled skeleton, as bent and twisted as a tree root. He wears a scholarly cap and wire-rimmed glasses. He wandered between the stacks, removing something from one pile and carefully placing it on another when he acknowledged the visitors.

“Oh, my dear!” Gutknecht greeted. “There you are.”

“Good evening to you, Elder Gutknecht,” Bright Mac greeted. “We brought new visitors who’ve come to meet you. This is our daughter, Applejack.”

Applejack stood before Gutknecht, tipping her hat with a light bow.

“Ah… so you’re Applejack,” Gutknecht observed, adjusting his glasses. “Bright Mac and Pear Butter told me so much about you.”

“Pleased to make your acquaintance,” Applejack replied. “And these are mah friends: Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Maud Pie, and Trixie…”

“Ahem!” Spike cleared his throat.

“… and Spike,” Applejack added. “And apparently… Emily’s husband, Victor.”

“What’s that?” Gutknecht asked, surprised. “Husband?”

“Pleasure to meet you, sir,” Victor greeted politely.

“I’m as surprised as you,” Maud spoke plainly.

“We need to go up,” Emily requested, pointing upward. “Upstairs? To visit the land of the living.”

“More like wanting to go home,” Trixie replied. “Trixie’s too young and beautiful to live amongst dead folk… no offense, Mr. and Mrs. Apple.”

“None taken,” Pear Butter replied.

“Land of the living?” Gutknecht repeated. “Oh, my dear…”

“Oh please, Elder Gutknecht, sir!” Twilight plead. “I’m afraid there’s been a slight misunderstanding; most of us aren’t dead, and we must go back.”

“Now why go up there when people are dying to get down here?” Gutknecht asked.

“Ah, heh-heh… dying to get down here,” Pinkie giggled lightly. “Yeah… I totally get it…”

Victor, Emily, and the others exchanged a look. Of course, leave it to Pinkie Pie to find humor out of any situation.

“Sir, I beg you to help,” Victor implored. “It means so much to me… us!”

“I don’t know,” Gutknecht replied uncertainly. “It’s just not natural.”

“It’s very important she meets my family. Just a quick hello and we’ll be right back.”

“We will?” Rainbow questioned.

Applejack nudged against Rainbow’s side; the Pegasus quickly corrected herself.

“I mean sure! Why wouldn’t we want to come back?”

“Please, Elder Gutknecht,” Emily begged. “Surely there must be something you can do.”

Elder Gutknecht rubbed his head in deep thought, as a shower of dust drifted off his skull.

“Let me see what I can do.”

Elder Gutknecht shuffled to a stepladder affixed to his bookshelf. The whole team watched as he hoisted himself along each step, knocking books off the shell as he goes.

“And I thought your libraries are messy,” Spike chuckled.

“Oh hush, Spike!” Twilight frowned.

“Where did I put that book?” Elder Gutknecht looked around. “I left it here somewhere.”

At the top of the ladder, he suddenly found a particularly large book.

“I have it! A Ukrainian haunting spell!”

“A what?” Victor questioned.

“Of course!” Emily replied.

The elderly skeleton struggled to reach for the book as Victor approached.

“Allow me, sir,” Rarity replied.

Being the generous pony, Rarity retrieved the book with the aura of her magic. Slowly and gently, Rarity positioned the book on top of a nearby desk. The ancient skeleton proceeded to climb down the ladder.

“It’s just the thing for these quick trips,” Elder Gutknecht replied. “None of the fuss of corporeal travel.”

“Such a thing is possible?” Victor questioned.

“Certainly. But not needed here. Now, let’s see…”

As Gutknecht flipped through the pages, the group leaned for a closer look.

“So glad you thought of this,” Emily told Victor.

“Me too,” Victor replied.

Though judging by Victor’s face, a twinge of guilt could be seen as if Victor knew something Emily didn’t. As Applejack stared at Victor’s face closely, she started to grow suspicious of Victor’s intentions. But the moment is slightly broken when she feels something slightly touch her. She turned to the side and noticed how close she was to Rainbow Dash, course she paid such close attention to the book she didn’t notice. A blush slightly formed on Applejack’s face, which she tried to hide… though two particular ponies nearly caught it.

“Hmm…” Bright Mac thought.

“It certainly is dusty,” Elder Gutknecht replied.

Course Gutknecht didn’t realize most of the dust was coming from him. Rarity lifted a hoof to speak up but decided against it.

“I better not,” Rarity spoke to herself.

“Now, then… where were we?” Gutknecht asked.

“The Ukrainian haunting spell?” Pear Butter pointed out.

“Ahh! Here we have it!” Gutknecht observed. “And we have everything we need.”

Then he took a strange, speckled egg from a bowl along his desk. The group listened closely as the old skeleton began to mumble a strange spell. After a moment or two, he suddenly looked up.

“Ready?”

“No!” Victor spoke nervously. “I don’t understand how…”

“Just remember,” Gutknecht interrupted. “When you want to come back, just say ‘hopscotch’.”

“Hopscotch?” Victor asked.

“Hopscotch?” Spike asked.

“Hopscotch?” The living Equestrians questioned.

“What is there an echo in here?” Trixie asked, looking around.

“That’s it,” Elder Gutknecht replied.

Elder Gutknecht suddenly cracked the egg above their heads. But instead of yolk, a strange, sparkling powder fell from the shell. And the moment it contacted everyone, the Equestrians both living and dead, even Victor and Emily, they instantly vanished.

Betrayal

The strange glowing mist slowly dissipated along the abandoned wood. After a moment, the mist disappeared altogether. As the sparkling dust cleared, everyone opened their eyes, blinking with bewilderment. They find themselves standing in very familiar surroundings, the very same forest they originally been in before Emily’s arrival. It looked as though no time had truly passed seeing as it was still the dead of night, cold and wintery, the moon still hanging high along the sky. The ponies took a look around, smiling in relief before the forest.

Twilight Sparkle took a deep breath, and a sigh escaped her lips. It felt good to be breathing the air of this landscape once more.

“So good to be back in the living world again,” Twilight sighed in relief.

“Yeah, no offense to the other world, it’s nice being back in a place where everything feels… well, alive!” Rainbow remarked.

“You can say that again,” Spike nodded.

Even Bright Mac and Pear Butter looked around in complete astonishment. They’ve been in the Land of the Dead so long, being in the living world felt almost… foreign. So long since they were able to bask in the chilled air of winter or even feel the light of the moon shining on them.

“Ah almost forget what it’s like tah actually feel the cold on mah fur after so long,” Bright Mac commented.

“Remember our first Hearts Warmin’?” Pear Butter asked, smiling. “When we walked side by side with that scarf wrapped tightly round us?”

Bright Mac smiled fondly over the memories, as he and his wife leaned against one another enjoying each other’s presence as they were finally among the living again. Applejack smiled fondly as well, as she approached them and turned her gaze toward the moon.

“Ah still remember our first Hearths Warmin’ as a family,” She recalled. “Me and Big MacIntosh buildin’ that huge snow pony… lil’ Apple Bloom prancin’ round the snow fer the first time…”

The Apple family reveled in their memories, as Applejack leaned towards her parents. Bright Mac wrapped his hooves around his wife and daughter, one hoof over each of them. The other ponies turned toward the family as they basked under the moonlight, side by side after what felt like an eternity.

“Trixie can hardly believe this to be true,” Trixie replied. “Almost feels like a dream.”

“A dream where everything’s real yet they’d all be phantoms,” Maud added plainly.

“Yeah, sure… that’s one way to look at it,” Rainbow replied, uncertainly.

The Apples were not alone, as Emily too gazed up at the moon. Though she held no air in her lungs, she still took the deepest breath she could.

“I’ve spent so long in the dark,” She smiled. “I had almost forgotten how beautiful the moonlight is.”

The rest of the Mane Six gazed toward the bright moon and couldn’t help but smile as well.

“It makes me happy Princess Luna is with us again,” Rarity marveled. “At least in some form.”

“I couldn’t agree more Rarity,” Fluttershy nodded.

Feeling the joy and jubilation course through her decaying body, Emily began to swiftly slide about as she waltzed about in the snowy eve. She glides around the trunk of a tree and round the clearings, disappearing and reappearing again. Victor and the others are transfixed by the vision of her dancing, her dress flowing around her like smoke in the cold light of the moon. Pinkie Pie herself couldn’t help but join in.

“I remember my first dance with Cheesy after our marriage,” She smiled fondly. “I stepped on his hooves a few different times, but he never let me fall.”

As Pinkie and Emily danced in the moonlight, Victor couldn’t help but think of Victoria, especially when Pinkie spoke of marriage. So strange that even after only speaking to each other for no more than a moment or two, he had already taken a liking to her. Still, he couldn’t deny that she was certainly a very enchanting woman.

Everyone was so entranced by either the moonlight, the dancing, or memories of days gone by no one took notice when Emily’s skeletal keg caught a tree root and she fell to the ground. Lifting herself up, Maggot popped from out her ear.

“Psst, hey! I think you dropped something,” He whispered to her.

Emily quickly sat up and grabbed her discarded limb, reattaching it to herself just as everyone else turned back to her. Emily merely smiled at them all as she continued to dance across the ground. Until eventually, Emily returned to Victor’s side.

“Which house is yours?” Emily asked.

Victor looked around, knowing that somewhere beyond the wood was the town itself. And eventually the path there would split into two: One way would take him to his own house with one gable. The other would lead directly to the Everglots’ two-gabled mansion. After a bit of hesitation, he pointed toward a random direction.

“It’s right up there,” He quickly improvised.

Emily was just about to start for the trail when Victor grabbed hold of her shoulders and sat her down.

“Hold on, hold on,” He said. “Why don’t I sort of go first, and… I think I should prepare Mother and Father for the big news. I’ll go ahead; you wait here.”

“Perfect!” Emily nodded.

Applejack and the rest of the girls looked suspiciously at Victor, all wondering what he was planning.

“I won’t be long. Stay right here. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay,” Emily smiled.

“And what about us?” Twilight asked Victor.

“Oh… well, why don’t you all stay and keep her company?” He suggested.

Victor was just about to turn and head off towards town when suddenly he was yanked backwards. A lasso encircled his midsection and drew him back. He turned around and saw Applejack looking at him suspiciously, discarding the lasso from her mouth.

“Wut in tarnation y’all plannin’ Victor?” She whispered.

“I just need to go into town,” He answered nervously. “To make sure Mother and Father won’t be too surprised by the news.”

“Ah don’t think so sugar cube,” Applejack shook her head. “That might work on some ponies, but NOT me. Ah’m the Element of Honesty after all, and ah could tell from the moment you brought this idea up y’all were lyin’. Ah’m gonna ask ya one more time… what are y’all up to?”

Victor closed his eyes, sighing in defeat.

“Alright… I wanted to come back to see Victoria,” He admitted.

“Well why didn’t y’all just tell us?”

“Do you believe she would have allowed it if I did?” He whispered, acknowledging Emily.

“Alright, fair point,” Applejack agreed. “Still, ya can’t expect to hide this from Emily. She’s gonna find out.”

“That’s why I need you all to stall her, just for a while.”

Applejack’s mouth clamped shut quickly, her eyes grew to the size of saucers. She closed her eyes and gave out a big exhale before opening her eyes again.

“Yer sayin’ you want us to lie to her?!” Applejack asked in disbelief.

“It’s not lying per say,” Victor justified. “Just to keep her away.”

“Have y’all forgotten who yer talkin’ to? Element of Honesty? Ring any bells?”

“Applejack, please! I really needed to come back so I could see Victoria; I have to speak to her and explain myself. Victoria deserves to hear what I have to say. You don’t need to lie to Emily, just don’t tell her and keep her here for now. I can’t explain it Applejack, but I feel a connection with Victoria. Surely you understand.”

Applejack sighed as she slowly turned toward her parents, who still looked up at the moon. Hearing what Victor said certainly made her think of how her parents clicked right away and how they tried like hay to be together. She could understand what Victor meant, even if she didn’t agree with his actions. But finally, she turned back at him and shook her head.

“Y’all got half an hour,” She warned.

“That’s all I need,” Victor said thankfully.

“Ah’m just warnin’ ya now Victor. Ah’ll stall fer as long as ah can, but if any pony asks me… ah’m gonna have tah tell the truth! I can’t lie to any pony… not especially to my friends and family… I just… can’t…”

Victor gave no response, only a slight nod before he turned around and ran off for town. Applejack watched the boy, as she shook her head.

“Why do ah have a feelin’ this is gonna go wrong so quickly?”

Victor ran as fast as his nearly frozen legs could carry him through the town. Until eventually, he wound up just outside the Everglot Mansion. He smiled in relief as he approached the steps cautiously, not sure what to expect. He was just about to knock on the door, when he heard voices coming from the other side of the door. He carefully approached and leaned closely to hear what they have to say.

“If I ever see that Van Dort boy again, I’ll strangle him with my bare hands!” Mr. Everglot said angrily.

“You’re hands are too fat,” Mrs. Everglot criticized. “His neck is too thin. You’ll have to use a rope.”

“Humph!”

Victor gasped in horror, creepy backward from the door and gulped in fear. Going through the front door was officially out of the question.

“Drat!” He whispered harshly. “There must be a way. Think, Victor, think!”

But what other way could he possibly get in to see Victoria? He nearly gives up altogether, when he turned toward the side of the house and noticed vines stretching up to a balcony on the side of the mansion. And along the balcony, no doubt the upstairs window leading to Victoria’s room. He rubbed his chin in thought, but ultimately nodded his head in approval. With the courage of the damned, he reached for the rickety trellis and began to climb it.

Back with Emily and the rest of the group, they all sat in anticipation for Victor’s return. So far, only twenty five minutes have passed and Applejack started to get very worried. As much as she wanted to help Victor, she knew she wasn’t going to keep his secret. Such a disadvantage for being the Element of Honesty.

“What’s taking Victor so long?” Emily asked curiously.

“I’m sure he’ll be along shortly,” Applejack replied nervously.

“I do hope so darling,” Rarity shivered. “It is getting frightfully cold out here. Had I known it be this chilly, I’d have packed my winter apparel.”

“I gotcha Rarity,” Spike spoke up.

The little dragon in question walked toward the large dead oak tree and pulled off a series of dead branches. He brought the pile toward the center of the group and used his dragon breath to ignite a tiny flame. Everyone quickly came forward, holding their hooves over the warm fire and sighed in bliss.

“Thank you ever so much, Spikey-Wikey,” Rarity smiled.

She leaned down to plant a big kiss on Spike’s cheek. Normally that was enough to make Spike fall over, with hearts replacing his pupils. Only this time, he merely blushed and smiled. He knew Rarity was a happily married mare, and he accepted it as maturely as possible. Still, he couldn’t help but feel slightly giddy when Rarity showed him affection… just like old times.

“N-No problem.”

“I really do have to agree though,” Twilight added. “What is taking Victor so long?”

“I hope the poor dear didn’t get lost along the way,” Fluttershy said worriedly.

“Aww don’t worry Fluttershy,” Pinkie said comfortingly. “I’m sure he’s on his way back any minute. I mean, what’s the worst that can happen? A hungry pack of wolves could come out of the forest on his way back and next thing you know, one of them burps a piece of his suit—”

Fluttershy squeaked and hid in her mane. Every pony else turned and glared at Pinkie.

“What? It could happen…”

“Can we try not to think negatively, Pinkster?” Rainbow scolded. “He’s probably on his way back right now.”

“Oh, if my coat wasn’t already blue, it certainly would be now in this weather!” Trixie shook.

While they sat around the fire, Emily sat along the tree limb where Victor asked her to stay. Suddenly, a voice began speaking in her head.

“This is the voice of your conscience. Listen to what I say: I have a bad feeling about that boy. You know he is no—”

Emily groaned and knocked against her head a few times till Maggot came flying out and landed in the snow.

“Go chew someone else’s ear for a while,” Emily said to him. “Victor’s gone to see his parents, like he said.”

Applejack could hear Emily talking, and the very mention of that made her eyes go wide. She quickly looked down at the ground hoping to avoid eye contact with any pony. However, her actions went unnoticed by her parents.

“If I hadn’t just been sitting in it, I would say that you’d lost your mind!” Maggot scoffed.

“I’m sure he has a perfectly good reason for taking so long.”

“I am sure he does. Why don’t you go ask him?”

“Alright, I will.”

“After all, he can’t get far with those cold feet.”

Maggot wiggled his way over to Victor’s still fresh footprints in the show, while Emily slowly glided behind. Applejack was just about to reach out and tell her otherwise, when her eyes caught sight of her parents, standing in front of her.

“Apple Pie… where is Victor?” Pear Butter asked seriously.

“We want the truth,” Bright Mac added.

The moment the parents started confronting Applejack, the remainder of her friends turned curiously in their direction. Slowly they approached Applejack wondering what their friend knew.

“I, uh… I…” Applejack stuttered, struggling with her words. “He said he’d go into town—”

“Applejack, y’all know it ain’t okay to lie right?” Bright Mac reminded.

“Emily is a very trusting bride,” Pear Butter added. “The most warm-hearted being alive and dead.”

“Well, actually she’d be ‘cold-blooded’ now,” Pinkie Pie specified. “Given that she’s a walking corpse, while you guys are ghosts. Most of her organs are still intact, slightly rotted from little use and—”

The Apples just silently glared at Pinkie Pie, who realized this was no laughing matter.

“Please continue…” Pinkie spoke, backing away.

“Applejack, listen to the tone of mah voice,” Bright Mac began firmly. “Victor’s up to somethin’ and yer Ma and I don’t know wut. All we know he’s back in the Land of the Livin’, and we reckon he has a lot to catch up on.”

“We know that implies somethin’,” Pear Butter spoke worriedly. “Out of sight, out of mind. Out of mind… out of the picture, y’all get the gist?”

“Y’all don’t understand…” Applejack insisted.

“Applejack… before ya go on, we need y’all to think for a moment,” Pear Butter interjected. “How would we all feel? If Emily finds out wut Victor’s really up to.”

Applejack looked toward her parents, then back to all of her friends. Every pony were all waiting for an answer, especially from the one pony who hardly lied in her life. All the effort to try to cover for Victor’s absence, finally there was no way to hold it together. A deep sigh of regret blew from her mouth before she addressed her parents.

“Victor’s at the Everglots…” Applejack confessed.

Inside her bedroom, Victoria sits in her armchair, frantically stitching away at her quilt. A commotion interrupted Victoria, who turned to the balcony and before her very eyes… there was Victor. Muddy, disheveled, his jack torn, and his hair wild. But still… somehow Victor was back. She rushed over and opened the French doors, allowing Victor to enter.

“Victoria—” Victor sighed.

“Victor!” Victoria cried out. “I’m so happy to see you! Come by the fire.”

Victoria quickly leads Victor to a fireplace, allowing him a comfortable seat by the flames.

“Where have you been?” Victoria asked. “Are you all right?”

“I… I…” Victor stuttered nervously.

But a set words there came none. Yet all Victor could do was look at Victoria, her beauty enrapturing him as she graced his hand over his.

“You’re as cold as death,” Victoria observed. “What’s happened to you? Your coat.”

Victor, noticing the tear on his right shoulder, merely brushed it off… in this case literally.

“Victoria, I confess…” Victor began. “This morning I was terrified of marriage. But then, on meeting you, I felt I should be with you always… and that our wedding could not come soon enough.”

Victoria’s face brightened as each word escaped from Victor’s lips. So warm, so sincere. The fact that such a shy, timid young man such as him saying in his own words how he truly feels about her. It warmed her heart.

“Victor, I feel the same,” Victoria smiled.

The two young souls slowly leaned toward one another, their lips inches away from touching each other. Just as Victor had come close to kissing Victoria… he suddenly gasped and froze with horror.

There by the window, he alone sees the skeletal arm of the Corpse Bride appearing over the railing of the balcony. Confused, Victoria nearly turned her head before Victor stopped her.

“Victoria, I se… I se… I seem to find myself married,” Victor confessed hastily. “And you should know it’s unexpected.”

The Corpse Bride heaved the rest of herself over the edge of the balcony, losing a leg in the process. She grabbed the leg to reattach it. In her distraction to fix her leg back on, the veil fell over her face and she at first didn’t even noticed Victoria.

“Oh dear, and I did so want to make a good impression!” Emily replied merrily. “I couldn’t wait, darling. I wanted to meet…”

She drew the veil off her head and the moment she saw Victoria… she froze in horror. Both women stare at each other. The Corpse Bride, puzzled, goes up to Victor, putting a possessive hand on his arm.

“Darling? Who is this?” Emily asked.

“Victor! Who… what is this?” Victoria asked, stunned.

“I’m his wife!”

As her hand rests upon Victor’s arm, she flashed the bony arm toward Victoria and before her eyes… she sees the wedding ring upon the boney finger. Victor’s eyes loom side to side, the poor man suddenly caught in the middle.

“Victor?” Victoria spoke.

“Victoria, wait! You don’t understand,” Victor spoke desperately. “I can assure you it’s not what you think. She’s dead! Look!”

He grabbed the Corpse Bride’s bony arm, flapping it for emphasis. Victoria couldn’t even scream, she just stared in horror and disbelief.

“Who is she?!” Emily repeated.

“Victoria Everglot…”

A voice drew everyone around as the spirits of two Earth ponies floated through the floorboards and into Victoria’s room. The girl’s eyes widened in shock as they stood before her, a look of regret on their faces. Pear Butter turned toward Emily, who was still reeling in horror.

“This girl…” Pear Butter addressed. “She’s the one Victor’s supposed to marry.”

“What?!” Emily gasped.

All at once, a flash appeared in the room as Twilight Sparkle and all her friends entered the room. They stood dazedly trying to regain their footing, as Victoria saw them.

“Twilight!” Victoria gasped. “Applejack! What—”

“Victoria, you have to help us!” Twilight insisted. “You must help Victor.”

“Twilight…” Victoria shook. “The things everyone’s been saying—”

“Victoria, listen!” Applejack interrupted. “There’s so much we wanna tell ya. We were sent to—”

All of a sudden, there’s a pounding against the bedroom door.

“Victoria!” Maudeline cried out, behind the door. “What’s going on in there! Open this door at once! Finis, fetch the key!”

So much chaos going on in the room at once. Everyone turning their heads in one direction to the other, Victoria unable to find the words to all the madness in her room. And Emily, standing by the open balcony, glared at Victor. And upon her face, an angry expression replaced her usual happy, whimsical charm as it all became clear to her.

“You tricked me!” Emily spoke to Victor.

“Emily, please listen to him!” Applejack spoke up. “He didn’t mean to—”

But Emily would hear no more. The moment it became clear to her that Victor lied to her, tricking her the way he did, that… that was the last straw.

“Hopscotch!”

“Emily, wait!” Twilight called out. “NO!”

But it was too late, Emily grabbed Victor tightly by the arm. And before Twilight and her friends knew it, their bodies slowly began to fade, and they began to sink down the floor unable to escape. Twilight’s pleading eyes turned toward Victoria who looked at the scene in horror.

“Victoria, you have to help us!” Twilight called out.

“No! No!” Victor cried, reaching out. “Victoria!”

As Emily drew Victor across the balcony, Bright Mac and Pear Butter hovering closely behind, Victor desperately reached out to Victoria, who reached out in return. Victor’s eyes watch Victoria drifting far away as the crows gathered around him until they all completely vanished into thin air.

When the crows cleared away, the entire group were once again back in the Land of the Dead. Once more, they stood before Elder Gutknecht’s study, as the old skeleton stood atop his mountain of books looking down at the group. Emily still wore the very same angry expression on her face since the moment they left.

“You lied to me!” She yelled, pushing Victor away “Just to get back to that other woman.”

And Victor just stood there, guilty as charged.

“Don’t you understand?” Victor asked miserably. “You’re the other woman.”

But Victor’s justification only made Emily more hurt than furious now.

“No! You’re married to me!” Emily wailed, tearing up. “She’s the other woman.”

Finally Emily began to sob and cry. Bright Mac and Pear Butter came to her side, trying their best to comfort her.

“There, there… it’s alright Em,” Bright Mac assured.

“Ah’m sure there’s an explanation fer all this,” Pear Butter added.

“What other explanation is there?” Emily sobbed. “My husband tricked us all into going up there just so he could be with someone else!”

Unsure of what to do, Victor turned toward the Elder for support. All the old skeleton could do was shrug his shoulders.

“You know, she’s got a point,” Elder Gutknecht pointed out.

“Oh, and I thought—I thought this was all going so well…” Emily sobbed.

As she continued to cry, her eye plopped out once more through the force of her weeping. The eye rolled over toward Victor’s foot. He picked it up and wiped it clean before slowly approaching her from behind and handed it back to her. Emily took back her eye and slowly propped it back in her empty sockey.

“Look, I’m sorry but… this just can’t work,” He said honestly.

“Why not?” Emily asked sadly. “It’s my eye, isn’t it?”

“No, no, your eye is… lovely.”

At first Emily didn’t give any response, until she fully turned toward Victor.

“Really?” Emily asked, blinking.

“Yes! Listen, under different circumstances, well, who knows? But we’re just too different. I mean, you’re dead.”

“You should have thought of that before you asked me to marry you.”

“Why can’t you understand? It was a mistake! I would never marry you!”

Those words made everyone’s mouth instantly drop, the very words stinging as heavily as a wasp. Certainly, they agreed that maybe this was just a big misunderstanding. But there was no need for that at all. Emily said not a word, only dejectedly lowered her head and slowly walked past Victor toward the stairs leading back to the streets. Once she left the Elder’s study, Victor stood there, watching her slowly descend the stairs till she was out of sight and he was left feeling… like a heel.

Bright Mac and Pear Butter turned toward each other before facing Applejack.

“Ma… pa…” Applejack spoke tearfully. “I didn’t mean—”

“We’re just gonna make sure she’s alright,” Bright Mac spoke softly.

“We’ll all meet up again later,” Pear Butter added.

The two ponies quickly raced off hoping to catch up with Emily. When Victor turned back around, he came face to face with a group of very displeased looking ponies.

“Well that certainly seemed like the best way tah handle this situation don’t it?” Applejack said sarcastically.

Victor sighed and shook his head.

“I was only just—”

“Just what huh?” Rainbow interrupted. “Look buddy, this isn’t a great situation. Believe me, I don’t really want to be here either. But there was no call for what you just said!”

“Hasn’t the poor girl been lied to enough already in her life?” Rarity asked.

As Victor listened to each of them speak, he felt more and more guilty by the second.

“You can’t really blame her you know,” Spike added. “She had been laying under a dead tree for who knows how many years. Waiting for a true love that would never come.”

“Accidental or not, you did propose to Emily,” Fluttershy pointed out. “I’m really sorry to have to say this, but I may as well anyway…”

Fluttershy took a deep breath before she continued, giving Victor the firmest face she can muster.

“Victor Van Dort, you really… really… bucked up!”

Fluttershy gasped and covered her muzzle with her hooves, before hiding behind Rarity who did her best to calm her down. The other Equestrians stared at their friend with wide eyes, even more so than Victor’s.

“Whoa…” Pinkie uttered.

“Come on, y’all,” Applejack gestured.

One by one, the ponies trotted passed Victor who stood there with complete shame. Even Trixie barely looked at Victor, before she lifted her head with a ‘Humph!’ and shut her eyes completely from him. Maud stood over Victor, staring blankly at the thinly man before her. He tried to speak up, but she raised a hoof…

“No…” Maud spoke bluntly.

And just like that, Maud Pie walked away. Slower than the rest of the group, but she still walked away. All that remained was Twilight Sparkle herself, who slowly drifted behind her friends.

“Twilight…” Victor spoke up.

“You’ve got a lot to think about,” Twilight concluded, walking away.

And just like that, the Equestrians had all left the Elder’s study leaving him alone with the ancient skeleton. A sigh escaped his lips, as he looked down upon his feet. And it was in that moment, that what happened to Victor was absolutely certain… he really bucked up.

Down the alleyway, Emily walked slowly. She reached into a hidden pocket of her gown, pulling out a dried, crumbling wedding bouquet. Its petals slowly drifted off.

“Roses for eternal love…” Emily spoke. “Lilies for sweetness… baby’s breath…”

She dropped the bouquet on the ground and walked off. From the shadows, Bright Mac and Pear Butter watched as the Corpse Bride walked away. They follow yet keep a good distance just the same. As Emily sat by her lonesome, the Black Widow spider drifts down to her right shoulder and Pear Butter on her left. As the bride wiped off a tear, the moisture floated away like a drifting feather.

“Why so blue?” The Black Widow asked.

“Don’t cry, Em,” Pear Butter spoke softly. “His words ain’t worth the tears. It'll be all right.”

“Maybe he’s right, Pear Butter,” Emily sighed. “Maybe we are too different.”

“Maybe he should have his head examined…”

Annoyed, Emily reached into her left ear and pulled the little maggot out from her head. He hung in her grip loosely, yet his attitude remained.

“I could do it,” The Maggot offered.

“Now don’t listen to him,” Bright Mac spoke, approaching. “Emily… Buttercup and I may not have known how you were amongst the livin’, but yer a wonderful soul. If Victor cain’t see it, that’s his loss.”

"Just ferget what Victor said," Pear Butter added. "Any pony else in Victor's place and they'd be dyin to marry you, and I don't just mean literally either."

“I can’t compete with that woman!” Emily argued. “She has everything he wants. Including a pulse!”

“I don’t know much about this Victor fella to know if it’s true or not,” Pear Butter admitted. “But a wedding vow, even to the dead, is the biggest promise a feller can make. He’s got to learn tah live with his choice… if he really cares about ya.”

“Or perhaps he does belong with her,” Emily spoke sadly. “Little Miss Living. With her rosy cheeks and beating heart.”

"So wut?" Bright Mac asked incredulously. "There's plenty of gals all that way! But none can compete with the likes of you!"

“He's right! Those girls are ten a penny,” The Black Widow insisted. “You’ve got so much more. You’ve got… you’ve got… you’ve got a wonderful personality.”

The Corpse Bride merely shook her head, as if not believing a single word either of her companions were saying. They glance toward each other until they try a rather ‘unique’ approach.

https://m.

A single lone tear fell from Emily’s eye, the moment her eyelids shut. All Maggot, Black Widow, Bright Mac, and Pear Butter could do was look upon her with pity and sorrow. Finally, they all sighed and walked away. They didn’t really want to, especially not Bright Mac and Pear Butter, but seeing how truly upset she was perhaps she needed a little time to be alone for a while.

Little did either one know, Twilight Sparkle and all her friends had silently been watching from a corner, hearing the whole song. Seeing Emily in such a dreadful state, they all felt terrible for how this evening turned out. Now only one question remained:

How could things possibly get any worse?

Change of Plans

Author's Note

Again a huge hand to Dramamaster829 for all his help on this chapter. I feel he doesn’t get enough credit for his part in this so I’d just like to say thank you again

Change of Plans

PBack in the living world, things were getting far more out of hand than they originally had been. After Victoria witnessed the Equestrians and Victor in her room, when a living corpse bride appeared claiming she and Victor were married, needless to say it was a lot to process. Before she could make sense of any of it, however, they all disappeared out the window in the blink of an eye.

Victoria couldn’t make sense of any of this madness, as she paces the room, wide-eyed and disheveled. Currently, she tried explaining the entire situation to her mother. While Hildegarde tried desperately to calm her, Maudeline watched her with unamused disdain.

“It’s true mother!” Victoria exclaimed seriously. “Victor’s married to a dead woman! I saw her! A corpse! Standing right here, with Victor!”

“Victor was in your room?!” Mrs. Everglot gasped horrified.

“Miss Victoria, dear, let Hilde fix you a nice cuppa tea,” Hildegarde offered. “Come sit in your chair…”

“I can’t sit!” Victoria insisted. “I have to help him! He came here to ask for my help!”

“The scandal!”

Hildegarde approached Victoria, grabbing her by the hand as she led her over to a chair in the center of the room.

“Come sit under your chair, dearies,” She said worriedly. “You’re shaking like a leaf. Let Hilde fetch you a blanket.”

“Fetch her a straightjacket!” Mrs. Everglot said loudly. “She’s completely mad! Come Hildegarde.”

Hildegarde hesitantly left Victoria in the chair, as she followed her boss’s orders. As the two walked from the room, closing the door, Mrs. Everglot pulled out a key from her dress pocket and locked the door in an instant. Hearing the click at the door, Victoria looked horrified that her own mother locked her in her own room. She backed her way towards the window before turning to look out toward the cold rainy night. She felt so helpless, unable to do anything to help either Victor or the ponies at this point.

“A corpse in a wedding gown, with my ring on her finger,” She spoke to herself. “This is awful… so truly awful. And those poor ponies… they asked me to help, but what can ‘I’ do? If only there was a someone in town who’d know—”

Just then, a thought came to her head. Perhaps there ‘is’ someone who’d know how to deal with this matter, but first she needed to escape her room somehow. She turned toward the sheets covering her bed, as a look of determination formed on her face. She knew then what she had to do: She must help Victor and their pony friends.

Grabbing the bed sheets, she tied them together and opened the window to the balcony. Approaching the edge, she hurled the blanket rope down toward the ground below. As the rain pelted her hard, she descended towards the ground. It was tricky seeing how the rain made her grip slippery. Just as she was about to reach the ground, one of the blankets ripped at the seam. Victoria gasped in fear as she dangled above the foyer window, where her father stood looking at his pocket watch.

"Finis, come to bed at once!” Mrs. Everglot demanded.

The blanket ripped further, leaving Victoria deathly afraid she’d be seen. Thankfully, Mr. Everglot turned away from the window just as the blanket finally ripped and Victoria landed on the ground with the blanket falling around her. Fastening the blanket around herself, wrapped like a hood as shelter from the rain, Victoria set forth toward the outskirts of the village square. Only one person could potentially help her now; she only hoped he would believe her.

Crossing the old bridge outside town, Victoria made her way to the church just outside the forest. When she approached the giant oak doors, she grabbed one of the giant iron knockers and knocked loudly. Inside the church, Pastor Galswells, his towering Pope-hat, now flopped forward like a night cap, and dressed in a night dress, made his way slowly to the door.

“What in heavens name?” He asked himself. “Who could that be at this hour?”

Opening the door, Galswells looks down toward the individual who interrupted his sleep. Victoria slowly removed the blanket from her head, looking up toward the wide eyes of the pastor.

“Miss Everglot?!” Galswells said appalled. “What are you doing here?! You should be at home, prostrate with grief!”

“Pastor Galswells, I seek advice of a man of the cloth,” Victoria responded urgently. “I have to ask you something.”

“This is most irregular!”

Galswells was about to close the door, but Victoria pushed forward and entered the church.

“Please, I beg of you!” She pleaded. “You are the only one in the village who knows what awaits beyond the grave!”

Galswells looked toward the young woman curiously and suspiciously, particularly ‘why’ she would ask him about a matter most strange.

“A grim topic for a bride-to-be,” He said.

“It is a bride I fear,” Victoria said seriously. “Which is why I must know. Tell me, can the living marry the dead?”

Galswells gasped in surprise and shock over the ludicrous question. A more serious expression instantly replaced his initial response.

“What on Earth are you speaking about?” He asked her.

“Please, Pastor Galswells! It’s Victor!” Victoria answered. “He needs our help! He’s married to a corpse! He has a Corpse Bride! There must be some way to undo what’s been done. You’re the only one who would know how!”

Pastor Galswells looked toward the young Everglor girl with upmost curiosity, his eyes staring at her with piercing skepticism.

“I’ve known you child my entire life,” Galswell spoke. “In all my years, not once have you ever lied.”

Galswells nodded his head slowly, as if he knew exactly what must be done in this situation.

“Come inside.”

Galswells beckoned the girl inside his church. The interior itself was cold and dark, barely a speck of candlelight illuminated the holy house. The pastor slowly approached the front of the altar, staring toward the wall in deep thought. Victoria took her seat waiting in anticipation as the pastor thought long and hard.

“A corpse in a wedding gown…” The pastor emphasized. “Yes… I’ve heard tell of such things, dating all the way back to when I was a boy.”

The man gazed toward the fire, as shadows started to dance around and about. The shadows themselves appeared to form into shapes of dead trees and stick figures of people. Shapes that told the story as the pastor related the tale while Victoria sat listening.

“Once upon a time, there was a young man who lived in a village far away from here. He was to be married, he and his friend prepared to go to another village where his bride-to-be lived, a two days walk there and back. On the first night, the two friends set camp by the river and there the young man stumbled upon an unusual looking stick in the ground resembling a bony finger…

As the pastor spoke, a shadow resembling the bony hand sticks out from the ground as the two figures gazed over it.

“As a joke, the friend convinced the groom to take the golden wedding ring from his pocket and put it on the strange-looking stick. He started to do the wedding dance around the stick three times, even singing a song from his native country, and recited the entire marriage sacrament all at once. But the fun stopped suddenly when the earth itself started rumbling and shook beneath their feet…

As the pastor related the tale, the two figures performed a pantomime of the dance shortly after one stuck the ring upon the finger. Then the shadows themselves shook, as the figures struggled to keep balance. They looked down toward the dark ground as a third party appeared.

“From the place where the stick had been opened and from the ground a very bedraggled looking corpse emerged, a living corpse, a bride only barely more than a skeleton held together by shreds of skin, still wearing an old torn white silk wedding dress. Worms and spider webs hung on the once-beaded bodice and tattered veil. It took the groom deep into the Earth, while his friend panicked and fled back to the village. But when he got there, bearing tales of what happened, he was declared mad and locked away under presumption that he actually killed his own friend and left him to die in the woods.”

The shadow puppetry repeated the very same words, displaying Victoria of the actions with pantomime. Victoria merely looked on frightened yet sat on through the whole story as the pastor neared the conclusion of the story.

“As the story goes fair child,” Pastor Galswells concluded grimly. “Master Van Dort has already been succumbed by the clutches of darkness. And if he is truly taken by what you claim to be a ‘Corpse Bride’, your groom is in grave danger…”

The Pastor then slowly turned his head back toward the lady Everglot, his expression never changing.

“That is if you truly believe in any of that. It is merely a story we use to encourage grooms and brides not to go tampering with the laws of holy matrimony, no matter how innocent they may be.”

“But there just has to be a way Pastor, please!” Victoria insisted. “I know Victor’s alive; I’ve seen him myself! The ponies themselves practically begged for my help!”

The Pastor’s brows slowly raised, slightly surprised by this new tidbit of information.

“Ponies?” The Pastor questioned. “The ponies told you?”

“Yes!” Victoria confessed, nodding her head. “Yes, I know it sounds crazy! But I’ve seen them for myself… they spoke to me…”

“What… ponies?”

“Ponies, like the ones who cross our grounds! Only… three of them were mostly like our ponies, except some wore clothes or just a hat. There were at least two unicorns, a pair of Pegasus ponies, and even a pony with a horn AND wings! An alicorn, I believe they are called. I don’t know where they came from, but they came with Victor… the afternoon before we were to marry…”

All at once, Pastor Galswells slowly approached the Everglot girl as if he knew exactly what must be done in this situation.

“I believe I know the thing to do,” He declared. “Come with me.”

Putting out the candle he had been holding, Galswells escorted Victoria out of the church. He led her back into town…

… and towards the Everglot mansion. Victoria tried to run when she noticed where they were going, but Galswells kept a firm hold on her. He kept her with him as his fist banged against the large imposing door.

“No! Please!” Victoria begged. “You must believe me!”

The Butler answers, with Maudeline and Finish right behind him.

“Good lord!” Maudeline gasped horrified. “What on Earth is this about?! Victoria! Where are your corsets?!”

Victoria struggled wildly, she is muddy and disheveled, looking more and more, in fact, crazy.

“She is speaking in tongues!” Galswells declared. “Of unholy alliances! Her mind has come undone, I fear.”

“It’s not true!” Victoria yelled, struggling. “Let me go! Let me go!”

“Good heavens,” Finis muttered.

Finally, Galswells pushed her into the house and Mrs. Everglot pulled Victoria behind her.

“Thank you, Pastor Galswells,” She thanked the old man. “Thank you ever so much.”

Mrs. Everglot finally shut the door, allowing the pastor to head back to his home. To say she was very crossed with Victoria would have been an understatement.

“Take her to her room!” She commanded her servants. “No breakfast!”

Hesitantly, Emil and Hildegarde grabbed Victoria by the arms, pulling her up the stairs.

“No, I’m telling the truth!” She pleaded. “Victor and the ponies need my help! Hildegarde, you believe me don’t you? Mother, father, please… listen!”

“Seal the doors and bar the windows!” Mrs. Everglot demanded. “See to it that she doesn’t escape again!”

As the servants continued pulling Victoria up the stairs, her begging for someone to believe her bellows throughout the house.

“They need our help! Let me go! Let me go!”

Mr. and Mrs. Everglot remained downstairs in the foyer, trying to figure out their next course of action. With Victor gone and Victoria now raving mad, it seemed as though their torment would never end. Overcome by the stress, Maudeline leaned against the wall, clutching her heart.

“Will the mortification never cease?” Mrs. Everglot asked.

She looked in agony, toward the portrait of the Duke himself.

“What would the Duke have said?” She asked, slowly growing horrified. “The relatives en route as we speak! They’ve R.S.V.P.’d. It’s too late! Oh, won’t the villagers just gloat! It will be years before we can show our faces in public again! What shall we do?”

“We shall continue as planned, with or without Vincent,” Mr. Everglot answered.

“Victor.”

“Whatever.”

It was then another figure entered the room, drawing their immediate attention. Lord Barkis walked in, standing before the Everglots with an offer.

“For that young boy to toss aside a young woman like Victoria, it’s positively criminal,” He said, with fake offense. “Why if I had a woman like your daughter under my arm, I would lavish her with riches befitting royalty.”

This drew the Everglots’ attention as they widened their eyes in shock. They looked at each other, then back to Barkis.

“Your lady wife is a fortunate woman,” Mrs. Everglot commented.

“Alas, I am not married,” Barkis replied. “I was betrothed some years ago, but tragedy snatched my young bride away. When one lives alone, wealth counts for nothing.”

With that, Lord Barkis departed from the foyer, leaving the Everglots pondering over their next course of action. Hearing what Barkis said certainly made them think twice about the marriage tonight. Perhaps they’ve been looking at it all wrong. Looking at each other, they both nodded their heads as they knew just what to do.

As for Victoria, she remained locked in her room as instructed. The door and windows had all been barred leaving no possible means of escape. This would not stop her, however, as she tried using a fireplace poker to pry the boards off the door… or try to. Just as she was about to try again, the door suddenly swung open. Quickly, she hid the poker behind her back as her parents came in.

“Marvelous news Victoria,” Mr. Everglot announced. “There’ll be a wedding after all.”

A big smile drew across Victoria’s face, as she had the idea her parents finally found Victor.

“You’ve found him?” She asked hopefully.

“Make haste my dear, our relatives will arrive at any minute,” Mrs. Everglot said. “We must have you looking presentable for Lord Barkis.”

This shocked Victoria, so much that she gasped and dropped the poker from behind her back.

“Lord Barkis?”

“He will make a fine husband.”

“Aye!” Mr. Everglot nodded. “A fortuitous turn of events indeed.”

“A far better prospect this time,” Mrs. Everglot agreed.

“But I do not love him!” Victoria argued. “You cannot make me do this!”

“We must!”

“Please, I beg of you. There must be another way.”

“Without your marriage to Lord Barkis, we will be forced penniless into the street!” Mr. Everglot retorted. “We are destitute!”

“But Victor—”

“Victor Van Dort is gone child!” Mrs. Everglot snipped. “You shall marry Lord Barkis tomorrow!”

The two Everglot parents made their way to the door, leaving their distraught daughter standing in shock.

“According to plan,” They both said together.

They slammed the door shut, beginning to make their way down the hall, completely unaware Barkis stood behind the corner the entire time. He watched the entire scene unfold and it honestly made him chuckle. He laughed to himself as he walked down another corridor, observing the portraits as he walked. He approached Victoria’s portrait, smiling with a wicked grin as he observed it.

“Oh, my dear,” He chuckled. “Oh, don’t look at me that way. You shall only have to suffer this union until death do us part. And that will come sooner than you think!”

The Van Dort carriage clattered along the cobblestone streets through the pouring rain. Mayhew sat, wet and miserable, his hacking cough reverberating. Seated within, Nell and William continued their search for Victor. William peered out the window on one side as Nell looked out the other, scanning the vicinity with a pair of opera glasses. From outside, in the driver’s seat, the sound of Mayhew’s rasping cough echoed in the cold night air.

“Oh, it’s almost dawn!” Nell observed. “Where could he be?”

“Victor Van Dort elopes with corpse!” The town crier announced. “Heartbroken bride to wed wealthy newcomer!”

“Did you hear the latest gossip?” Nell asked William. “Our son, married to a corpse?! Wealthy newcomer? It cannot be!”

“Did he say corpse? Stark raving mad!” William shook his head. “Frankly, my dear, perhaps we’re better off out of it.”

Nell slowly turned her head toward William, staring daggers at the gangly man.

“Of course, we’re the ones with the son married to the corpse,” William added.

“Oh William, don’t be ridiculous!” Nell objected. “What corpse would marry our Victor?”

“At least we have ‘one’ dependable son.”

He gestured toward the suit-wearing broom, sitting across from them. Nell rolled her eyes and banged against the ceiling.

“Faster, Mayhew! And silence that blasted coughing!”

Mayhew suddenly stopped coughing, as William looked out the window through his own opera glasses.

“Oh, where can the ninny have gone to?”

Just then, there came a loud ‘thud’ and the carriage seemed to bounce upward sending the pair jumping from their seats. Little did they know, Mayhew had fallen from his seat along the carriage, the carriage rolled over his body, and he laid upon the cobbled floor… ‘dead’.

“Mayhew, are you trying to kill us?!” Nell called out. “I think he’s trying to kill us!”

And without a driver, the carriage kept rolling away into the darkness and the Van Dorts wandering aimlessly in search of their lost son. If things hadn’t gone worse for the Van Dorts before, then their troubles would only have just begun…

Back down the Land of the Dead, the Mane Six, Trixie, Maud, and Spike made their way back to the tavern where they had arrived at. Currently, there were no patrons inside and the only thing that could be heard was the melody of a piano being played. They slowly descended down into the tavern seeing Emily sitting at the piano, playing a sad little tune. Beside her sat Bright Mac and Pear Butter, the two ghostly ponies having been watching her the whole time. Soon as they heard the clattering of hooves and claws, they turned as the group made their way inside.

“How long has she been playin’?” Applejack asked her parents.

“Couple hours… give or take,” Bright Mac answered quietly.

“Where’s Victor?” Pear Butter asked.

“We don’t know,” Twilight confessed. “We were very cross with him. He’s probably thinking of what to say to Emily.”

“Humph! If you ask Trixie, he’s said quite enough for one night,” Trixie frowned, folding his hooves. “Whatever Victor has to say, he can save it for the living girls.”

“I’d like to think he never meant it…” Fluttershy suggested quietly.

“Mountains carry dozens of rocks… none of them as heartless,” Maud stated plainly. “Because they’re rocks.”

“I knew where Victor was goin’,” Applejack sighed reluctantly. “I feel ashamed for havin’ to lie…”

“Apple Pie, we understand why ya done it,” Pear Butter assured. “Your pa and I have had friends. But no matter what we promised each other, what happens to them means more to us than some promise.”

“Fact is, Victor is married now,” Bright Mac stated. “There’s nothing we can do about it. He might as well get used to it.”

“So… what happens now?” Spike asked.

“Now… we wait,” Pear Butter sighed.

Outside the pub, Victor slowly walked toward the entrance. At the foot of the doors, Scraps dropped the dried bouquet by his feet while he wagged his tail. Victor looked upon the bouquet sadly, regretfully even, before picking them up and entered the tavern. As he looked around, most of the tables have been moved outside for the upcoming wedding feast. It’s quiet and still, with a ‘closing time’ vibe.

The place was empty except for the ponies, the little dragon, and the two spirits of Applejack’s parents sitting closely by the stage. There the Corpse Bride herself sat, plinking sadly along the old piano. The Equestrians slowly turned toward Victor, not saying a word, but just looking at him with more disappointment than anger. Victor glanced toward them briefly before turning his gaze toward Emily.

“I… I think you dropped this,” Victor spoke.

Emily doesn’t look up, she just kept playing. Whether she was listening or not, she didn’t seem to care about anything. Victor dropped the bouquet atop the piano and initially turned around to leave. He stopped, released a sigh, and turned back.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I lied to you about wanting to see my parents. Truth is I’m happier not to see them.”

The Corpse Bride still doesn’t respond, as Victor took a careful seat beside her.

“I never meant to hurt you…” Victor continued, turning toward the Equestrians. “I never meant it to any of you, but… I… I just…”

“Don’t force yerself Victor,” Applejack suggested. “You shouldn’t lie if ya didn’t like her…”

“But that’s just it!” Victor spoke up, turning to Emily. “I do like you… truly. It’s just this whole evening hasn’t gone quite, well…”

Victor released a breath of air before he finished that sentence.

“According to plan…”

https://m.

After a single beat, Victor starts playing along beside Emily. The Corpse Bride briefly looked up at him, slightly surprised, but keeps playing. Whereas Victor improvised with a cheery tone, Emily’s melody was low with a forlorn feel. The melody they play is nothing fancy, just something simple like ‘Chopsticks’. And yet, as Twilight and the group observed, not once interrupting the moment between them, they could see they were seemingly ‘communicating’ through the piano. The notes he played were something Victor would never do in the company of others… not till now.

Soon the music picks up as Victor plays the next set of notes with an unexpected spin. At first Emily tried ignoring it, as if it were Victor’s attempts to offer something light-hearted. But eventually, she could no longer ignore the beat, and began to play her own notes reminiscent of a ‘Dueling Banjos’ scenario. Soon the Corpse Bride plays a riff as they’re starting to truly enjoy themselves.

Some of the ponies became mesmerized by the melody and tuning of the notes. At some point, Pinkie Pie’s look of awe slowly alters into a smile as she sways her head side to side. At one point, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were merely just watching the pair play that they did not realize their hooves were making contact, clutching onto each other seemingly out of instinct. While most of the group were too busy watching them play, Pear Butter’s eyes turn toward the girls and the way they held their hooves. What she had to think of this… none could say.

As the Corpse Bride took her solo, her skeletal hand broke free from her wrist and ran its fingers down the length of the keyboard. It danced all by itself, doing a little ‘soft shoe’ melody, before crawling along Victor’s shoulder and arms dancing cutely. What would once be taken as something scary, now the group actually chuckled over it. Even Victor and Emily laughed, as he picked up the skeletal hand.

“Pardon my enthusiasm,” Emily giggled.

“I like your enthusiasm,” Victor spoke shyly.

Victor snapped Emily’s hand back in place, an awkward silence formed from then on. For a brief moment, Victor and the Corpse Bride just look at each other with warm smiles.

“Miss Emily…” Applejack spoke.

Emily slowly turned back toward the Equestrians, as if just seeing them for the first time. Applejack released her hoof from Rainbow’s grip, before slowly approaching the Corpse Bride, drawing her Stetson hat down as she looked toward her with regret.

“Victor told me the truth about where he was goin’ instead of tellin’ you,” Applejack confessed. “I’m the one to blame for not mentionin’ it sooner. I’m very sorry…”

Emily looked at Applejack, neither cross nor disappointed as she was previously. She merely placed her hand, the zombie hand upon Applejack’s shoulder as she bent down to her knees. She smiled before the pony as they glanced eye to eye.

“You’re a very good friend,” Emily spoke softly. “You’d make someone very happy with your honesty.”

“More than you think…” Rainbow replied, under her breath.

"And Victor!" Applejack acknowledged the man.

Victor turned toward Applejack, who glanced toward the man more softly.

"Applejack... I didn't..." Victor began. "I'm sorry, I..."

"We know... we know..." Applejack nodded, understandingly.

"We forgive you," Twilight assured. "You earned it."

*RING!*

Suddenly, a clattering bell caused everyone to turn. One of the kitchen staff began rapidly ringing the bell, as the head chef, Mrs. Plum, emerged.

“New arrival!” She declared. “New arrival!”

Soon all the undead were rushing around back and forth, shouts of ‘Lights up!’ filled the tavern. As they gathered in the tavern, a group of cockroaches carried Paul, the ‘Head’ Waiter, along the bar.

“Hurry up, boys!” Paul called out. “Drinks for everyone!”

As the Equestrians slowly approached the crowd, wondering what’s going on, Paul turned toward one of the patrons.

“Another pint, sir?”

The corpse turned toward Pual and before the eyes of the group, his head split in half.

“No, no. Just a half,” Both sides spoke.

“That still creeps me out girls,” Spike muttered.

“Shh!” Twilight hushed.

The cockroaches took a mug, probably some form of ale, dragging it along the counter but accidentally knocked Paul’s head on his side. He tried to hop back in place but found it relatively difficult to achieve.

“It is impossible to get good help anymore,” Paul sighed.

“Welcoming committee, coming through!” Miss Plum called out. “Coming through!”

She approached the newcomer, taking the confused-looking figure by the hand.

“My name’s Plum,” She winked. “Miss Plum.”

The group turned to see whom Plum was ushering. Before his very eyes, though the figure’s back was turned, Victor instantly recognized him.

“Mayhew?” Victor spoke, eyes widening. “Mayhew! How nice to see…”

The figure turned around and Victor instantly recognized the Van Dorts’ coachman. Only his entire body was completely blue, though not as colorful as his outfit normally dull and gray back in the mortal world. But the moment the group studied the man very closely, they realized just what happened to him.

“Young Victor!” Mayhew gasped.

“Oh… my…” Fluttershy gasped sadly.

“I’m so sorry,” Victor apologized.

Yet Mayhew doesn’t seem all the more upset by the predicament, nor frightened by all the frightening imagery around him. Instead, as he looked around the tavern, his eyes gave off a look of wonder.

“So… so peaceful! No one barkin’ orders at me night and day,” Mayhew admired, turning toward the Equestrians. “Oh, pardon me, who are you?”

“Twilight Sparkle, sir…” The alicorn spoke, gesturing to the group. “And these are all my friends…”

“Talking ponies?” Mayhew gaped. “Extraordinary!”

“You mean… you’re not freaked out that we are…” Rainbow gestured. “And you are... well, um…”

“Dead?” Mayhew finished. “Oh, yeah. Actually, though, I feel great!”

Mayhew took a very deep breath, regardless of having little air to breathe. But still when the group had last observed this man, if ever at all, he’d be hacking up a fit. Except now, he seemed to be relieved it finally stopped. Paul had his cockroach pals aiding in preparing a drink for the new arrival.

“Hurry up, boys!” Paul called out. “Can you not see the gentleman is parched?”

They quickly whipped up a drink for Mayhew, who casually took the mug despite the questionable contents inside. Not that it mattered, being a zombie now it was likely not to hurt him any more it would have in the mortal world.

“I beg yer pardon Mr. Mayhew sir,” Applejack approached. “We’ve been tryin’ to get Victor back to the Land of the Livin’ for quite some time.”

“We just know his parents must be worried so sick,” Fluttershy added.

“His parents she says,” Rainbow scoffed. “Worried about something all right…”

“How is everyone?” Victor asked.

“All right, I suppose,” Mayhew shrugged. “Well, they’re still wondering where you slipped off to. Oh, and Miss Victoria—”

“Oh yeah, how is Victoria?” Pinkie asked. “Is she okay? Is she finding help for us? Did she run to the nearby drug store seeking some vial because she cannot bear the thought of being away from her dearly beloved groom?”

They all turned toward Pinkie Pie with incredulous looks upon their faces. Pinkie acknowledged each of them side by side.

“What? It can happen…”

“Well, she’s getting married this evening,” Mayhew answered.

“Oh, of course she’d get married,” Trixie replied smugly. “No sense in delaying the inevitable, not on account of… WHAT?!?!?!”

“WHAT?!?!!” The girls asked.

“WHAT?!?!!” Spike asked.

“WHAT?!?!?!?!”

Two sets of voices drew everyone’s attention, turning their heads around the tavern even looking up toward the ceiling.

“What on Earth was that?” Mayhew asked.

“Ask Pinkie…” Maud suggested plainly.

They all turned toward Pinkie Pie, who merely shakes her head rapidly before literally zipping her lip shut, then taking the zipper, and hurling it into someone’s beverage (“Hey!”).

“Married to who?” Victor asked Mayhew.

“Some newcomer, Lord Somebody-or-Other…” Mayhew described.

“Lord Somebody-or-Other?” Bright Mac and Pear Butter asked, confused.

“Barkis…” Maud answered bluntly.

“You mean that creepy gentleman from the wedding rehearsal?” Rarity questioned. “But that’s impossible!”

“Yeah dearie, with Victor gone and all…” Mayhew chuckled. “I guess they didn’t wanna waste the cake.”

By that moment, Pinkie Pie gasped so hard it forced her zipped lip open.

“THEY HAD CAKE?!?!?!” Pinkie shouted. “Aww… no fair!”

“But how could she?” Victor sighed.

“She was supposed to be our friend!” Spike argued. “I don’t get it… I thought she really lovedVictor…”

“Women, you can’t live with them…” A skeleton drunkenly spoke. “You can’t live with…”

*CRASH!*

The skeleton fell to the floor and broke into a billion boney pieces. Mayhew, meanwhile, just continued.

“Time to pick up the pieces and… you know, and move on, I suppose.”

“Speaking of picking up the pieces?” The skeleton spoke.

But Victor, his spirit completely broken by the news, slowly walked away from all the patrons and made for the exit in a solemn pace. The Equestrians looked on sympathetically as Victor left, while Emily looked from the bench utterly concerned.

“Victor? Where are you going?”

Floating beside Emily, Pear Butter and Bright Mac looked toward Victor and when they really took a good look at the man… they felt very sad for him. Initially they were tough on him for trying to go back on his word and taking advantage over a sweet yet naïve friend of theirs. But still, just seeing his reaction when informed how his actual bride was marrying someone else, somebody not even they heard of, they could imagine how heartbreaking it is for the man. They turn toward Victor, sharing the same look of concern before turning back toward the man with eyes sharing a pitiful gaze.

Revelations

Late that same evening, things were only getting much worse for young Victoria. She sat in her chair by her vanity while Hildegarde helped her finish getting ready. Victoria was dressed in a beautiful wedding gown with her hair all done up in a tight bun which also held the wedding veil securely in place. One would think this was meant to be the happiest, most jubilant day of her young life.

Yet the poor girl felt a terrible feeling of dread and despair. Her one true love gone, possibly forever, and she had been betrothed by her parents to some newcomer earlier that same night. All she could think about was Victor, as she looked into the mirror and Hildegarde finished up.

“Miss Victoria, we must leave for the church now…” Hildegard informed her gently.

The old maid looked at Victoria and could see the obvious pain and sadness in her eyes. She truly felt bad for her, wishing there were some way she could help. But she knew that was impossible at this point. Yet when she looks up, it’s obvious she’s been crying.

“Yesterday, I thought my wedding would be happy,” Victoria said sadly. “Now I feel like I’m caught in the tide, pulled out to sea.”

A single tear fell below her porcelain cheek, as she stood from the chair. Hildegarde took her face in her hands, brushing away the tear with an offer of reassurance.

“The sea leads to many places dearie,” She said. “Maybe you’ll find somewhere better.”

With that, the old maid regretfully lead the young bride from the room toward her fate. They proceeded to leave the mansion and climbed into one of the carriages outside. The carriage took them to the church outside town. Not a single star shined nor even the moon. It is a somber, ponderously bleak night accentuated by the sound of lugubrious organ music.

As the wedding progressed, Victoria stood dully at the altar, wearing her austere ivory wedding gown. Like a girl completely dead to the entire world around her, she paid no mind to anyone in the room looking at her or Pastor Galswells, who officiates the ceremony. Not even the portrait of the Duke, which has been brought to the church and placed in a seat of honor, as if to bear witness to the ceremony.

Her husband to be, Lord Barkis, stood at her side with a smug smirk on his face as he went through his vows. Much like Finnis Everglot, he wore a rather formal wedding suit with a matching towering top hat.

“With this hand, I will lift your sorrows. Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine. With this candle, I will light your way in darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine.”

He slipped an ornate ring onto Victoria’s finger and when he let go, Victoria let her hand fall limp to her side as she stood with wide eyes. The silent crowd sat, stiff and starched in their grey suits and dresses. Among them, Hildegarde sat amongst the crowd, feeling sorry for the young Everglot. Pastor Galswells nodded toward Victoria, gesturing it is her cue to move on.

Realizing er fate had now been sealed, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes in sorrow before taking the candle from the table.

“Wit this hand I will lift your sorrows…” Victoria whimpered. “Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine. With this candle, I will light your way in darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine.”

She slid a gold ring onto Barkis’ chubby finger. He offered a saccharine smile, as much for the crowd as anyone.

“I now pronounce you, man and wife,” Pastor Galswells announced.

The entire room remained silent as the grave, all but Hildegarde who sat in the back of the church sobbing. However, her tears were not of happiness for Victoria, but pity. She felt so terrible for the poor girl, yet there was nothing she could do for her. Her only hope was that something would come along to help the girl out of this predicament.

As for Victoria, as Barkis leaned in for a kiss, she turned her cheek at the last moment lest he kissed her lips.

Back in the Land of the Dead, Victor strolled the desolate, abandoned alleyway behind the tavern. His heart was in shambles after the news from Mayhew that Victoria was getting married. Many emotions ran through him in the heat of the moment: Betrayed, heartbroken, every form of hurt. Approaching a coffin at the end of the alley, he sat near it and pulled out the flower Victoria had given him. Looking down upon the slowly dying flower, he sighed sadly.

“I’m too late…” He said sadly.

Letting the little flower drop to the ground, he slumped down and stared at the ground in defeat. Unbeknownst to him, a certain group of ponies and a baby dragon came beside him and sat by his side. Twilight reached out her hoof and placed it comfortingly on Victor’s hand.

“We’re so sorry Victor,” She said regretfully.

“I cannot begin to fathom just how broken you must feel right now,” Rarity added.

“You poor, poor dear,” Fluttershy wept.

Fluttershy approached from his other side, hurling her arms around him in a hug. Victor, hesitant at first, slowly found his arms coming around the timid Pegasus and returned the hug. Slowly but surely, everyone joined in on the hug as well. After a few moments, they drew away.

“It sucks,” Rainbow shook her head. “But just know we’re for ya till the end buddy.”

“Yer darn tootin’ sugar cube,” Applejack nodded.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie might know something to make you feel better,” Trixie suggested.

Pulling off her hat, she reached her hoof deeply into her hat. After a few seconds, she drew out a large bouquet of flowers and handed them to Victor. He gave a small ghost of a smile before it quickly vanished.

“Thank you all so much for trying,” He sighed. “But I’m afraid it’s no use. Victoria’s getting married tonight, and I won’t even be able to see her one last time. Not even to tell her… I love her.”

Even with her stone-faced expression she always maintained, it seemed for the tiniest moment Maud Pie actually starting showing some emotion. A small tear threatened to trickle its way down her cheek.

“The saddest thing about life after death is knowing the ones you love most in the world must move on without you,” She said plainly.

Pinkie, however, had no problem letting her tears fall freely down her face. She drew a box of tissues from her mane.

“Oh, it’s just so sad!” She cried. “You two were so good together!”

She blew her nose comically before putting the box back into her mane. Little Spike hopped off Twilight’s back and approached Victor. Fluttering his wings, he floated up and landed along Victor’s lap. Victor looked down upon the little dragon, softly petting the scales along his head.

“Don’t worry Victor,” Spike smiled. “We’ll help you get through this somehow.”

Victor smiled faintly again as he looked up toward the group of ponies, who all smiled at him (minus Maud). Before he could say anything, they heard a commotion from the back door of the tavern. Everyone looked at each other curiously before Victor got up and they made their way to the door. Peering into the cracked door, Victor saw Emily, Bright Mac, and Pear Butter talking with Mrs. Plum.

“Oh Mrs. Plum, what am I to do?” Emily asked concerned. “He just walked off without saying a word. Are all men like this?”

“Well I’m afraid none of them are very bright,” Mrs. Plum responded. “They get something in their heads, and you can’t do a thing with them.”

Hearing their talk made Pear Butter frown, as she remembered her father. How he walked away from her when she and Bright Mac got married. And all because of a silly feud he allowed to consume his mind. However, he was still her father and she loved him so dearly. She only wished there were a way to reconcile and for them to finally have closure. Bright Mac noticed his wife’s discomfort and pulled her closer to him.

“Don’t y’all worry now Emily,” Bright Mac spoke up. “Ah’m sure Victor will come round eventually. He just needs time fer all this tah sink in properly. Ah mean after all, this did come upon him rather quickly.”

“Ah gotta agree with Bright Mac,” Pear Butter nodded. “Once he gets more comfortable with the idea, everything will work out just fine.”

It was then Elder Gutknecht came into the kitchen carrying his old book and set it upon the table.

“My dear, we have to talk,” He said.

Maggot, who was residing under one of the pages, had this oddly cheery expression on his little face.

“Let me tell her please,” He offered excitedly. “Let me tell her.”

“What?” Emily asked.

“There is a complication with your marriage,” Gutknecht explained.

“I don’t understand.”

“The vows are binding only until death do you part.”

“What are you saying?”

“Death has already parted you.”

A collective gasp came from Emily, Bright Mac, and Pear Butter simultaneously. Gutknecht was absolutely right. If Emily’s already dead and Victor is still alive, that meant Emily could never be with him.

“The moment he realizes he ain’t really married,” Pear Butter realized. “He’ll simply drift back.”

“If he finds out, he’ll leave,” Emily gasped. “But surely… surely there’s some way to fix this? Please help me, Elder Gutknect. There must be something you can do.”

“Well, there is one way,” Elder Gutknect thought.

“Oh, please, please, let me tell her,” Maggot spoke excitedly.

“It requires the greatest sacrifice.”

“Go on, get to the good part.”

“What y’all sayin’?” Bright Mac asked worriedly.

“We have to kill him!” Maggot answered gleefully.

“What?!?!” Emily and the Apples gasped.

While the three undead souls were utterly shocked at the offer, none were more so shocked than Victor and the group of living Equestrians. As if it weren’t difficult enough that their human friend found himself engaged with an undead, yet very kind bride, now the undead would have to ‘kill’ Victor just to make sure he and Emily could be legally married. Spike was so mortified by even the slightest suggestion of that remark, his purple scales turned a pale shade as he cringed at the thought.

“But Elder Gutknecht,” Pear Butter spoke up. “If we do that, Victor would be givin’ up the life he had… forever!”

“Unfortunately yes, my dear,” Elder Gutknecht nodded, turning the pages. “He would need to repeat his vows in the land of the living and drink from the ‘wine of ages’.”

Elder Gutknect turned to a single page in the book that displayed the sketch of the very bottle. It appeared as grim as the elder referred to it, with a skull drawn along the front of the bottle. The Maggot crawled its way around the page, chuckling over the thought knowing what this brew will do to the boy. Emily gasped in horror, while Pear Butter and Bright Mac looked toward her with concern.

“Poison!” Emily uttered.

“Yer proposin’ we’d ‘poison’ that boy?!?!” Bright Mac asked.

“This would stop his heart forever,” Elder Gutknect explained, approaching Emily. “Only then would he be free to give it to you.”

“I could never ask him,” Emily sighed, crouching.

“She shouldn’t have tah to do that,” Pear Butter agreed. “Keepin’ a weddin’ vow is one thing. But askin’ that poor boy to throw his life away… just to be married? That ain’t a choice at all!”

“Those poor ponies…” Bright Mac sighed. “And our little Apple Pie… they became such good friends! We can’t ask them to let this happen.”

Victor and the group looked on the whole time. Initially, the very thought they were considering to poison Victor would’ve been more than enough to make a run for it. Yet when Twilight and her friends watched closely, they could see how reluctantly they all are to even go through it. Especially Emily, a bride who practically waited her whole ‘after life’ to meet her perfect groom, was suddenly put in a position to decide whether to murder Victor or not.

Before the Equestrians could act, a sight leaves the group very surprised. Victor Van Dort, slowly walking into the room, and toward the undead souls. In particular, he approached Emily.

“You don’t have to,” Victor spoke. “I’ll do it.”

“Victor!” Twilight called out.

The Princess of Friendship, along with the majority of her friends, quickly rushed into the room the moment Victor made his choice.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“You realize they were just talking about poisoning you, right?” Rainbow asked, raising a brow.

“I know…” Victor nodded. “But what else is there?”

“My boy, if you choose this path you may never return to the world above,” Elder Gutknect warned. “Do you understand?”

The Equestrians looked on toward Victor, who merely turned toward Emily. He reached his arm out, took her undead hands gently, and slowly lifted her up the ground as their eyes gaze toward each other.

“I do,” Victor answered.

“Oh Victor…” Applejack spoke softly.

In the town square, the Dead have gathered around the statue. The Corpse Bride and Victor stand together to address the gathered crowd.

“Gather round! Gather round, everybody,” Victor called out. “We’ve decided to do this thing properly. So grab what you can and follow us. We’re moving this wedding party ‘upstairs’.”

“Upstairs?” A corpse woman spoke. “I didn’t know we had an upstairs.”

“Sounds creepy,” A corpse child said.

“Let’s go!” A corpse girl shouted.

The undead children ran off with Scraps following closely behind. Soon the entire place was bustling, as the Dead prepared for the upcoming party at the new venue. The hard-working crowd soon began to break out in song.

https://m.

Just as Victor hopped off to join the crowd, Rarity quickly approached Victor.

“Victor, wait!” Rarity called out. “You can’t honestly want to go through with this!”

It was then the Black Widow herself zipped down along her web.

“She’s right dear,” The Black Widow replied. “You can’t get married looking like that.”

The spider’s eyes settle on Victor’s filthy, tattered jacket. The spider studied him carefully, shaking her head, and gave a light whistle. All of a sudden, dozens of her fellow spiders descend from above and land upon Victor. Rarity, slightly terrified by the spiders, initially shut her eyes in horror… before taking a quick peek.

Before Rarity’s amazement, the spiders swarmed over Victor… initially tickling him soon as they land. But soon they repaired his tattered suit in Land of the Dead style. The plain, austere fabric now interwoven with glistening spider webs, and glowed with a sinister elegance. Rarity dropped her hooves over her eyes, looking down in astonishment.

“Well… now you look very dapper,” Rarity smiled sheepishly.

“RARITY!!!” The girls shouted

Soon Mrs. Plum lead the singing, stirring a brew of an odd, gnarled ‘dish’ with the other members of the kitchen staff.

“Did somepony say ‘cake’?!” Pinkie cheered, midway.

In the meantime, all the soldier corpses were performing a slight routine out along the square (Even a few reenactments of their glory days on the battlefield). All of whom gathered around Victor, ready to stand by his side for the big night ahead of him.

Victor and the soldiers turn and stared, as the female zombies approached with awe. The Equestrians looked up toward the staircase and they couldn’t help but share the same sentiment. The Corpse Bride, feeling her old cheerful self again, gazed upon the party preparations swirling around her. Her eyes settled on Victor, as the spiders lower her wedding veil upon her head. She beams at the party preparation, as the music reached a fever pitch.

As the crowd gather around Victor and Emily, who prepare to lead them to the ‘upstairs’, there was so much happening all at once. A group of skeletons stagger under the weight of a grotesque, towering wedding cake, decorated with tangled roots and spider webs. It tilted and swayed precariously from side to side. It’s so massive the skeletons dance on the first three layers. Mrs. Plum, on top of the cake, placed the finishing touched as Pinkie Pie hopped along the top. She brushes a bit of frosting with a hoof and licks the frosting for a taste. She turned toward Mrs. Plum and nodded her head with approval.

Some of the skeletons were polished to perfection, while Bojangles’ band packed their instruments for the trip.. even themselves into the coffins. Soon everyone was marching through the streets of the Land of the Dead, ready to go forth for the biggest wedding of their ‘afterlives’.

With that being said, or rather ‘sung’, the residents of the Land of the Dead proceeded toward the living world. Of course, the group of ponies and Spike were all very uncertain of exactly how to feel about all this. On one hoof, they couldn’t be happier for Victor and Emily seeing how this all worked out. But on the other hoof, neither one couldn’t help but feel something was just all… wrong.

All they could do now was going along with it, hoping everything will work out for the best…

Or so they think…

One Last Day

Panic… dread… immense sorrow… such negative emotions permeating through the atmosphere, as the group of ponies (Spike, Victor, Victoria, and Emily included) stood over a fallen Applejack. The poor country pony groaned in pain, clutching the still bleeding slash across her chest from Barkis’s blade. Her head currently sat on Rainbow Dash’s lap, as the cyan Pegasus cradled her carefully while gazing upon her with great worry.

“A.J., why would you do that?!” Rainbow panicked.

Though finding it difficult to move, much less talk, Applejack looked toward Rainbow and managed a slight smile.

“Well… ah couldn’t let ‘im do ya in, can I Rainbow?” She answered weakly.

“Look at you!” Rainbow gestured the wound. “You’re losing a ton of blood.”

Rainbow Dash quickly looked around, desperate for something to help.

“Does any pony have any green leaves?!”

The ponies and Spike looked at each other in confusion.

“Please!” Rainbow begged. “Green leaves… with little red specks on ‘em. They’re supposed to heal ponies.”

“You mean… like this?”

Rainbow turned toward Pinkie Pie, who pulled out a single branch with the very leaves Rainbow described. Not bothering to ask questions, Rainbow took the branch from Pinkie’s hoof. She carefully removed the leaves from the branch and carefully ushered Applejack’s hooves aside to position the leaves. Gently, Rainbow placed as many leaves along the wound as possible, Applejack grunting and groaning as they tried to press the leaves.

After a few seconds, Rainbow looked down toward the wound… but it still bled. Stressed beyond words, Rainbow pressed the leaves again… and again… but the results remained the same.

“It’s not working!!!” Rainbow shouted.

Fluttershy held a wing over her hoof, fighting the urge to cry as she tearfully gazed at her fallen friend. Rarity turned toward Twilight, a look of desperation upon her face.

“Twilight… can’t you cast a healing spell to fix her?”

“I’m not sure Rarity,” Twilight answered honestly. “Even for most advanced magic users, healing spells are very complex. No pony has ever been able to successfully make it work.”

“We have to at least try,” Fluttershy whimpered. “We just can’t let poor Applejack die.”

“Come on Twi,” Spike encouraged. “If any pony can do it, it’d be you.”

Rainbow looked toward Twilight, her tearful eyes silently pleading for her to try. Taking a deep breath, Twilight nodded and fired up her horn, which sputtered and surged with magical energy. Focusing her power on healing Applejack, Twilight aimed her horn as a magical glow formed around Applejack’s wound. But after a moment, Applejack cried out in pain and the wound only worsened. Twilight quickly dimmed her horn.

“It’s no use!” Twilight shook her head. “My magic isn’t strong enough; I keep going, it’s going to make whatever time she has left less and less.”

Everyone in the church looked down toward Applejack, tears forming in all their eyes. Applejack grew paler every moment, her breathing shortening. Bright Mac and Pear Butter came to their daughters side, in the saddest shape they’ve ever been in their lives. Applejack’s mother clutched her daughter’s hoof with her own spiritual grip.

“My little Apple Pie…” Pear Butter croaked. “We’re sorry this happened to you…”

Applejack slowly turned her head toward her parents, smiling just a tad.

“It’s alright ma,” She said.

“No… no it ain’t,” Bright Mac argued, tears streaming. “It weren’t supposed tah end like this, not fer ya darlin’. Yah still have so much left tah live fer…. Yer brother… yer sister… yer friends they all need ya.”

Rainbow Dash carefully pulled Applejack’s face back toward her.

“He’s right A.J.,” She cried. “We all need you!”

Rainbow closed her eyes for a moment, releasing a deep exhale. If this were truly the very last time she’d probably see Applejack, she may as well go for broke right here and now.

“I need you…” Rainbow confessed. “I… I… I love you A.J.”

Everyone in the group looked at Rainbow Dash in shock. Normally the tomboyish Wonderbolt normally wouldn’t speak about her feelings all that often. There had been some slight indications based on their actions, the fact their friend might like other mares was hinted often. But still… to actually hear her confess something so huge was still utterly unbelievable.

“There… I said it, okay?” Rainbow nodded. “I don’t just mean as my best friend either. I mean… I’m in love with you. I think I have been for… well, Celestia knows how long! But… I just… I just couldn’t really admit to it myself.”

Applejack herself, even though she was quickly bleeding out, seemed genuinely shocked.

“Ya mean that Sugarcube?” She asked.

Rainbow gave no reply; instead, she nodded her head slightly as tears fell down her face. With this confirmation, Applejack used whatever strength she had left to do something she’s done before, but an action that never really meant more than it did right now. Lifting her head with all her might, she planted her lips directly to Rainbow’s. The cyan Pegasus’ eyes popped right open with shock, but quickly fell closed again as she melted into the kiss. When Applejack finally pulled away, a smile formed on her face and single tear fell from her eye.

“Ah love ya too Rainbow,” She smiled weakly.

Rainbow smiled brightly, as she held Applejack close. The tears continued to fall from her eyes.”

“I just wish we had more time,” Rainbow sobbed.

“Ah know Sugar cube,” Applejack whispered faintly. “Maybe one day… we’ll see each other again… I love ya… Rainbow…”

Applejack’s breathing faded, her eyes glazed over, and Rainbow drew back once she saw the life in her friend rapidly slipping away. She shook her head, her shock turning to anger.

“Applejack…” Rainbow quivered. “No… no! You can’t end it this way, Applejack! Please! You don’t tell a pony ‘I love you’ and leave me… you can’t! I’m going to fix this some way, somehow… just please stay… Applejack!”

As Twilight stood over Rainbow Dash and a dying Applejack in her arms, she thought long and hard over what to do. She contemplated any and ‘all’ possible ideas, just anything that could save her friend’s life before it’s too late… and then it hit her.

“I got it!” She whispered in realization.

Using her magic to conjure a giant spell book, Twilight frantically skipped through the pages. Everyone looked at her, wondering what she was trying to find.

“What are you doing Twilight?” Trixie asked.

“I can’t believe I didn’t think of this before!” Twilight told herself.

Finally discovering the page she needed, she turned the book toward them. They looked at the ancient text and the scribbles along the page. Neither of the other ponies could quite understand exactly what Twilight was looking at.

“What is this?” Spike asked. “It looks like a school filly wrote this!”

“It’s an ancient healing spell, Spike,” Twilight answered. “This was written thousands of years ago, by one of the very first unicorns to walk Equestria.”

“How the hay do you have this?” Rainbow asked.

“It came from Princess Celestia’s library. Apparently when she and Luna tutored under Starswirl the Bearded, he was a passionate collector of ancient Ponish knowledge. I’ve read through this long ago and couldn’t understand it originally… but thanks to Starlight’s help, now I do!”

“Understand what darling?” Rarity asked.

Twilight pointed her hoof to a section of the page.

“It says right here on this page the key that has been missing the entire time for a proper healing spell… the essence of life after death.”

Hearing that, everyone in the group looked at each other in absolute confusion.

“What does that mean exactly?” Victor asked.

“We need a totem of sorts that has transfixed between life and death. Something that has been on someone living and is still with them in death.”

Emily’s eyes widened, as she looked down at the ring sitting on her bone hand. The very same ring she wore in life… and in death before she lost it.

“Is it possible this might work?” She asked, holding out the ring. “It was given to me when I was alive. I had it on me when I died… and I’ve had it with me in death.”

Twilight took the ring from Emily’s hand in her magical aura.

“It’s a long shot, but it just might work,” She nodded.

“Please hurry…” Rainbow urged. “A.J. isn’t going to last much longer…”

Twilight quickly lit her horn again, concentrating all her energy along the ring. The ring spun uncontrollably fast in mid-air, shooting a magical energy blast toward Applejack. Soon as the beam made contact, Applejack floated in the air as magical strands began to encase her body. As that happened, her wound instantly began to heal… her body slowly regaining its color. After a moment or two, Applejack lowered to the ground… the magical strands vanished… and when the spell was over, Rainbow Dash and the others looked down nervously…

But Applejack’s eyes remained closed, her breath very still, and not a part of her body moved. Approaching Applejack, Fluttershy grabbed her left hoof and leaned it to her ear… but she does not seem to hear a pulse. Putting her hoof back on her chest… Fluttershy slowly turned toward Rainbow Dash and sadly shook her head. Rainbow Dash, staring at her friend, slowly shook and turned toward Applejack.

“Applejack…” Rainbow cried. “Please… don’t leave me. You just have to be here! What am I going to do without you?”

Rainbow Dash laid her face upon her hooves, crying away as her sobs echoed in the silent church. As the whole group looked down sadly, thinking that they have failed, suddenly Applejack’s eyelids began to move. Her left eye slowly fluttered open and she turned toward Rainbow Dash.

“You’re the best mare that a pony like me could ever have…” Rainbow continued, as she cried.

Hearing such sweet words from an uncharacteristic Rainbow Dash, Applejack looked toward her… and softly smiled toward her friend. But Rainbow did not see her right away, instead she looked up toward the skies as if she were talking to the heavens.

“Oh please… please come back to me, Applejack!” Rainbow begged. “If you give me one more chance, I promise you… um… um…”

“You’ll pick all the apples in the orchard?” Applejack asked softly.

“Yes… all the apples… even the ones guarded by the fruit bats!”

“And you won’t complain?”

“No complaining…”

“No pranks?”

“No more pranks…”

“That’s a promise?”

“That’s a—”

All at once, Rainbow’s eyes shot open. A loud gasp escaped her lips, drawing everyone’s attention. They turned over and saw Applejack, looking down at her now fully healed chest. She caressed the very spot from where she was struck only to find not a trace of the wound as if her injury never happened.

“A.J…?”

Applejack quickly looked toward Rainbow right next to her and smiled brightly. She grabbed her face in her hooves, crashing her lips to Rainbows with a heated, passionate kiss. Both ponies just sat there for the longest time, locked in each other’s loving embrace.

“It’s about time…” Maud spoke, with a small smile.

“Told you so…” Pinkie smiled at her sister.

As Applejack and Rainbow kiss, Victoria held onto Victor after so long of being apart.

“Oh Victor, I never thought I’d see you again,” Victoria said happily.

Emily smiled happily seeing Victor reunited with Victoria and seeing Applejack alive once more. Feeling completely content, the corpse bride started walking towards the entrance. Victor noticed her walking away and quickly came up behind her.

“Wait!” He called to her. “I made a promise.”

Emily turned back to face him, smiling.

“You kept it,” She smiled. “You set me free.”

She took off the ring along her boney finger, placing it in Victor’s hand.

“Now I can do the same for you.”

Victor smiled, nodding in understanding. Then Emily knelt down, pulling all the ponies and Spike into a huge group hug.

“Thank you all so much… for everything,” She said thankfully.

“It was our pleasure Emily,” Twilight answered. “I only wish we could do more.”

“We only hope that you’ve finally found the peace you’ve been looking for all this time,” Trixie added.

Even Maud smiled slightly along her otherwise expressionless face.

“We will always remember you,” She said.

Emily pulled back, smiling at them all once more before turning to the two ghostly figures of Bright Mac and Pear Butter. Both of them threw their arms around her and she did the same.

“We’ll miss ya something fierce Em,” Bright Mac said sincerely.

“Thank you for being our friend in our time of need,” Pear Butter added tearfully.

“You’re most welcome,” Emily responded. “You’ve both been the best friends I could ever ask for.”

Then Emily stood back to her full height and once more made her way toward the entrance of the church, her flower bouquet clutched to her chest. Just as she made it to the door, she took one last look back toward whoever remained in the church. The ponies and Spike all waved one final goodbye, to which Emily smiled at. She then threw her bouquet much like a bride would after just getting married and it was caught by Victoria.

“You know… I still feel terrible for her,” Rainbow spoke to Applejack. “To lose so much…”

“Yea…” Applejack nodded. “But at least she’s finally free.”

Then, drawing one final breath, Emily sighed as she was finally at peace. A glowing white light enveloped her body, transforming her into hundreds of blue butterflies that flew toward the sky. Everyone raced to the entrance and watched the butterflies flying high into the night sky. One of the butterflies flew back toward Fluttershy, landing upon her nose as she giggled softly. It then kissed her cheeks, as it took off to rejoin the others.

“Good luck Emily!” Fluttershy said.

After they all disappeared into the sky, the archway portal opened out of nowhere and every pony smiled, knowing just what this meant.

“Guess it’s time for us to go,” Twilight announced.

Victor and Victoria both knelt to their height, smiling toward them.

“If this is goodbye, I’d just like to say… thank you to all of you,” Victor said. “Thank you for everything.”

“You’ve all been a most wonderful help to us,” Victoria added. “There is no way we could possibly thank you enough.”

“The only thanks we require is that you two get married and live as happily as you can,” Rarity smiled.

“Y’all deserve yer happiness after everythin’ y’all been though,” Applejack agreed.

“If we weren’t here with you guy, this probably never would have happened,” Rainbow pointed out.

For emphasis, she leaned over and kissed Applejack one final time, which made the country smile like a goofy idiot and blush profusely. Every pony and Spike hugged Victor and Victoria for the last time before turning to face the portal. All, except Applejack of course, as she faced the ghostly figures of her parents. They both smiled fondly at her, as she slowly approached them with a tear in her eye.

“Ah wish ah didn’t have tah leave y’all again,” She said, her voice cracking. “We just found each other.”

Bright Mac and Pear Butter both shed a tear, as they drew their daughter in for a hug.

“Ya must go sugar cube,” Pear Butter cried. “You’ve got so much left of yer life tah live now.”

“We’ll see each other again one day,” Bright Mac assured. “Ah promise ya.”

Applejack hesitantly pulled back, as her tears fell from her eyes. She really didn’t want to be separated from her parents again, but she didn’t have much choice. She indeed have so much left of her life to live, a life with her brother, her sister, Granny Smith, and all of her friends. And yes… even a mare-friend, seeing how she and Rainbow finally confessed to one another. Slowly but surely, she made her way back over to the others. With one final glance to her parents, they all made their way through the portal.

By the time the portal closed, Bright Mac and Pear Butter both stood there with tears streaming down their faces as they watched their daughter leave. Elder Gutknecht slowly walked alongside both of them, holding the Wine of Ages in one hand and his ancient tome in another.

“Your daughter and her friends certainly are quite the courageous bunch,” He observed.

Both Bright Mac and Pear Butter nodded.

“They certainly are,” Bright Mac concurred.

“Ah only wish we could spend more time with them,” Pear Butter sobbed. “We barely saw Big Mac, Apple Bloom, Granny Smith, and… mah daddy.”

“I know wut ya mean…”

Elder Gutknecht looked toward the two ghostly ponies, seeing how distraught they were to lose their daughter all over again. He scratched his bone chin as he thought of something.

“There is ‘one’ way,” He offered.

Just like that, Bright Mac and Pear Butter looked at the old skeleton in shock.

“Really?!” They both asked loudly.

“Ya mean the Ukrainian haunting spell?” Bright Mac thought.

“Not quite, my boy,” Gutknecht shook his head.

He placed the tome along an empty bench, flipping through the pages.

“Many years ago, I had the fortunate chance to meet another young stallion in our realm,” He explained. “He too had been separated from his loved one, just like the two of you. He was determined to find a way back to her, using my study to perfect a spell he believed could send him back to the Land of the Living for at least one whole day.”

Finally coming to the page, he pointed at any ancient spell in cryptic writing… ponish writing.

“It took him years to create… but it’s all right here. A single spell that allows anyone among the dead to travel back to the Land of the Living one last time. But it’s only fair to warn you: Once cast, there are no more chances. You’ll be left with one of two choices: Move on… or resign yourselves to the Land of the Dead forever. It’s up to you now…”

Bright Mac and Pear Butter both looked at each other for a moment, then back toward the page. A chance to see their family one last time, only then must they move on or remain where they were forever. What a decision to make.

One day later…

Much time had passed since Twilight Sparkle and her friends returned to Equestria. Since the portal opened up after helping their friends, after every pony stepped through to the other side, a huge bright light shined through the halls of Twilight’s Castle. By the time the portal dissipated, Twilight Sparkle and her friends reunited with every creature in Equestria who had been watching the events unfold on the television. They had so much to catch up on after such a crazy adventure that day and by the time every pony settled down, they all decided to go home to rest.

It was now early in the morning along the hilltops of Sweet Apple Acres. The sun had yet to edge its way over the horizon, but now the great story had finally passed. Though Granny Smith, Apple Bloom, and even Grand Pear were still asleep, Applejack and Big Mac were up and about knowing there was much work to be done. With most of their apples mashed up from the other day, they knew they needed to work fast in order to gather up the supplies they needed for the sales.

Just as Applejack and Bright Mac made their way to the top of the hill, to make their way to the orchard… they stopped. Their eyes widened in surprise as one by one, basket upon basket of freshly picked apples laid in a single file row. Applejack and Big Mac stare in shock, glancing at one another for a moment, before edging toward one of the baskets. Looking closely, they saw that all their apples were ripe, not a single smudge on them. Just then, a flicker of a shadow waved over them drawing them to look up.

Flying up around the sky, Rainbow Dash slowed her wings and lightly dropped along the grass beside Applejack and Big Mac. She trotted her way toward Applejack and kissed her along the cheek.

“Morning A.J.!” Rainbow smiled. “Surprised?”

“You… you harvested all our apples?” Applejack spoke, stunned.

Rainbow Dash smiled, as Big Mac looked back toward one of the baskets as if doing a double take.

“You… did all this? By yerself? In such a short time?”

“I don’t know if these apples are more than enough to make three thousand bits,” Rainbow Dash shrugged. “But I made you a promise that I would make it all up to you the other day… and I keep my promises.”

Applejack turned over toward all the baskets that were filled to the very top. True, at about a dozen baskets or so, it seemed like an impressive number especially if Rainbow had been picking apples all night. Probably not enough, but even Applejack had to admit it was impressive. She turned back toward Big Mac, who looked back at his sister and nodded with an approving smile. She turned back toward Rainbow Dash with a smile.

“It’s a start Rainbow,” Applejack smiled. “Thank you. Would you like to help carry these baskets to the barn?”

“I’d be glad to.”

Rainbow was relieved to see she at least made it all up to her friend, proving how far she’d go to make her special some pony happy. They start to make their way back, each carrying a basket or two to carry into the farmhouse.

“Rarity told me that Parfaite pony will soon be cleared to leave the hospital in a few days,” Rainbow added. “She said we can all pay a visit to meet up with her and help her get settled at Rarity’s.”

“That sounds like a mighty fine idea, Dash,” Applejack smiled. “Ya know, I think we keep working now, we’d actually be finished before the day’s over. Then we can go back to the house, and maybe—"

Applejack didn’t get to finish when Big Mac clutched her shoulder. Turning toward him curiously, she saw him looking straight out toward the horizon, his eyes wide as saucers. The girls turned toward his direction… and then their mouths gape open. As the sun rose steadily into the sky, a bright ray of light shined down along the field a few feet before them. As the ponies stood blinded partly by the light, their vision slowly adjusts as two silhouettes walk toward them like motioning through a brightly lit hall.

When the light soon faded, their silhouettes coming to full view, the three ponies stared in shock. There before them… a pair of very familiar ponies stood upon the ground, the grass brushing against their now mortal hooves. A pair of faces that hadn’t seen the face of this world in years, though for Applejack’s and Rainbow Dash’s case… it felt like only yesterday.

“Ma…?” Applejack spoke tearfully. “Pa…?”

The two Earth ponies looked upon their daughter, smiling warmly.

“Hello Apple Pie…” Pear Butter spoke softly.

Crying out happily, Applejack raced toward her parents, who opened their hooves toward her and embraced her in a warm hug. It felt like such a surreal dream, everything Applejack always imagined time and time again… now here they were, back before her. Watching in shock, Big Mac slowly approached the two parents. Bright Mac looked upon his son, the two stallions facing each other in the eye.

“That’ll do Big Mac…” Bright Mac spoke proudly. “That’ll do…”

Tears streaming down his eyes, the giant Apple sibling no longer holding it, Big MacIntosh cried as he approached his father. The four Apples held each other in their arms, embracing this tender moment as Rainbow Dash looked on proudly. Pear Butter looked up, seeing Rainbow Dash standing a few feet away… and silently reached her arm out, beckoning her to join them. Feeling honored, Rainbow Dash casually took Pear Butter’s hoof… only to be thrust directly into the pile. Though Rainbow Dash wasn’t often into mushy-gushy stuff, this heartfelt reunion between the ponies was too beautiful to pass up… and Rainbow smiled, as she closed her eyes.

Eventually, they slowly made their way back to the house (The work from before was on hold for this moment). By then, Granny Smith just pushed the door open as Apple Bloom followed, yawning cutely. As Apple Bloom rubbed the sleep from her eyes and looked out, she gasped at the sight before her eyes. Granny Smith also looked on in surprise, clutching her chest as if overcome by emotions. There they could see Pear Butter and Bright Mac following the two Apple siblings and a friend, looking on to the farmhouse proudly.

“Mama…” Apple Bloom gasped, slowly smiling. “MAMA!!! PAPA!!!”

Apple Bloom raced from the farmhouse toward her family, Rainbow Dash and the two siblings splitting off to pave way. The two parents laughed as Apple Bloom leapt into Pear Butter’s arms, as she in turn hugged her little girl. Bright Mac smiled, patting Apple Bloom along the back as Apple Bloom pressed her face upon Pear Butter’s shoulder, crying happily. As mother and daughter embraced each other, Bright Mac looked up seeing Granny Smith lean along the patio.

Bright Mac slowly made his way toward Granny Smith, a mother looking upon her long lost son after Celestia knows how long. For a brief moment, neither Apple said a word to one another. Nothing but looking at each other, Bright Mac seeing how Granny Smith has aged since he last saw her and Granny Smith seeing his son… just the way he was before… before… well, that did not matter anymore. Finally, releasing a happy sigh Granny Smith hugged her son and he in turn hugged her back.

While this joyous reunion amongst the Apples take place, as Pear Butter carries Apple Bloom in her arms (With Applejack and Big Mac beside her), she looks up toward the door as another familiar face looked out from inside. Standing there in complete shock, Grand Pear silently gasped as a long-lost face stood before him. Carefully, Pear Butter put Apple Bloom down as she crossed over to look her father in the eye. For a while, neither one knew just what to say as the others looked on nervously, seeing how their last meeting was… not so fortunate. Yet as he looked upon her daughter, seeing how beautiful she is… he can’t help but smile tearfully.

“Pear… Butter…?” Grand Pear croaked.

“Hi Daddy…” Pear Butter greeted softly.

“I must be dreaming again… how are you—”

“Would you like some coffee? Just the way you like it?”

Grand Pear looked on with surprise. There was no malice in her words… nor any hint that she holds a grudge for what he said. She’s just smiling at him; with an offer he hadn’t heard from her in a while. The old stallion smiled upon her, slowly nodding.

“Yes…” Grand Pear smiled. “I’d love a cup very much.”

Pear Butter turned toward Granny Smith, who nodded with a warm smile.

In the kitchen, Granny Smith and Pear Butter worked together preparing the coffee with Pear Butter explaining to Granny how she does it. Once the coffee had finished brewing, after taking a tiny spoonful of sugar and adding a pinch of cream into the cup, Pear Butter filled the cup with freshly made coffee stirring it with care as she approached her father, who sat at the counter. As the others looked on, he takes the cup and sipped the warm beverage down his lips. He released a sigh, as he looked upon his daughter.

“You never forgot how you did this,” Grand Pear spoke.

“No… never had,” Pear Butter smiled.

Grand Pear nodded in understanding, as he looked upon his daughter then toward Bright Mac. If this were a dream, it was the most real he ever imagined it would be.

“Pardon me for feelin’ so confused,” Grand Pear apologized. “I’ve dreamt of this moment so long… now that yer both here… how?”

“Let’s just say… a very old friend of ours gave us a chance to visit,” Pear Butter spoke simply.

“Does this mean y’all gonna stay with us forever?” Apple Bloom asked hopefully.

For a moment, Pear Butter looked upon her daughter, toward her sweet innocent face, and didn’t utter a word. She turned back toward her husband, who only returned a look. After a moment or two, she turned back toward her daughter.

“Let’s just enjoy the rest of the day…” Pear Butter suggested. “All of us… as a family.”

“Any plans on what you wanna do, Bright Mac?” Granny Smith asked Bright Mac.

“Fer now…” Bright Mac spoke, smiling. “Whatever we do, let’s enjoy it today… ‘living’.”

“We’d all like that very much,” Applejack agreed.

And as the day wore on, for Applejack and her family, and especially Rainbow Dash, the Element of Honesty herself looked upon this union and saw it as the happiest day of her life. As if all the problems seemed to disappear from each other’s mind. There was no bitterness, there was no cause for worry, and most importantly, there was no grief. There was only the Apples, side by side… like they never left.

Even the simplest of activities became their most treasured memories together. The girls fixing up each other’s manes, which was hardly something they had done together. Even Rainbow Dash somehow found herself dragged into it, much to her chagrin and the amusement of Big Mac. At one point, they fixed up Rainbow’s mane to resemble a mohawk… which actually got a chuckle out of Rainbow, even imitating a rock star as they all laughed.

In the kitchen, they drew pictures together out of the arts and crafts they could find. Most of the pictures would relate to all the moments that Pear Butter and Bright Mac had missed out in their absence. All the ups and downs the kids had, the laughs they shared, the sorrows they bared, and all the dangers they encountered. Apple Bloom even put together a picture of how she and her fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders finally got their cutie marks. And Granny Smith and Grand Pear looked on at this tender scene, Granny Smith leaning her head against Grand Pear’s shoulder.

And the whole time… neither Pear Butter nor Bright Mac said anything about ‘how’ they came back nor even the fact that their time with them would be very short. So as not to frighten their family and risk everything being spoiled. But this timeframe was a treasure for them, and only them to share. There was no harm in spending this day making memories that they always want to cherish with them forever.

And since it had been ages since they shared this one moment, even though it was no pony’s birthday in particular, they baked a cake made from the rest of the apples they picked together in the orchard… even the pears Grand Pear grew for the family to share. It was as beautiful as it was delicious, with all the candles meant to represent not so much the number of years… but having all of them together under one roof.

“Care to make a wish father?” Pear Butter asked.

“I don’t need to…” Grand Pear smiled. “My wish already came true.”

As they all blew out the candles together, one single candle remained lit and as the parents looked on… their smiles dropped slightly. By now, all the windows in the house were beginning to dim. Soon their time together would come to an end…

As the hours drew late, Luna’s moon rising into the sky, all was quiet inside the Apple Family home. By now, most of the ponies were all tucked into bed to sleep after such a long, yet eventful day. Pear Butter softly adjusts the sheets covering Apple Bloom, the little filly sleeping so peacefully in the bed. She smiles at the wonderful sight before leaning down to kiss her on the cheek.

“Good night Apple Bloom…” Pear Butter whispered gently.

“Hmm… night mom…” Apple Bloom said sleepily.

A sigh escaped Pear Butter’s lips as she leaned back, regretting the fact that this was truly the last time she’ll see her. A hoof touches her shoulder, as she turned toward Bright Mac.

“It’s time… Buttercup…” Bright Mac spoke.

Pear Butter nodded in understanding, as they turned to leave the bedroom. Pear Butter stares back at her daughter one last time, a sad smile upon her face, before they turn the corner and work their way downstairs. But their motions do not go unnoticed, as a face peeks out from the room watching them leave.

The cold winds brush against the fields as Pear Butter and Bright Mac stand before a giant tree with intertwining branches. They stare in admiration of the two seeds they planted, joining together to become this magnificent tree. A symbol of their undying love for one another despite their differences. They look on silently, to breathe in the moment before they have to make the ultimate decision.

“Pear Butter!”

Pear Butter and Bright Mac quickly turned around, as Grand Pear and Granny Smith worked their way as hard as their limbs could carry them to reach them. Not far behind, Applejack and Rainbow Dash followed making sure the elderly ponies did not fall.

“Wait!” Grand Pear called out.

“Daddy?” Pear Butter spoke.

Pear Butter slowly approached Grand Pear as he stopped before her, the old stallion catching his breath for a moment or two. When his strength eventually returned, he looked up towards his daughter’s face, his own stricken with tears.

“So many things I wanted to say to you… and only one comes to mind…” Grand Pear spoke. “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry for leaving you that day.”

“You don’t have to apologize, Daddy—” Pear Butter assured.

“No… no I must. I’ve been bitter and angry at this family, for so many years that I’ve lost count. When I got your letters in the mail, and I saw your name on each of them… I couldn’t bear myself to read them. I was so angry… and betrayed… I thought that if I just ignored them, I’d never have to bear the weight on my shoulders and just focus on my work. Even when they kept piling and piling, I stayed firm in my beliefs that you’d just give up and move on… like I did.

“And then… when they did stop… I felt… confused. And I asked myself… ‘Why now?’. That’s when I finally opened an envelope and the first letter I read… it told me, that little Apple Bloom was born. Soon one letter turned to another and the next and the next… suddenly I realized I’ve been missing out on every precious moment I could’ve been there for. Had I known what you’ve been up to sooner, had I known your family back then… if I hadn’t been so—”

Before Grand Pear could spiral any further, Pear Butter gently laid a hoof upon her father’s shoulder and he looked at her with such tears in his eyes. And looked up him with the same tearful eyes.

“Father… all I ever wanted was to see you one last time,” Pear Butter spoke. “To see you getting’ tah know our kids, to see how much they’ve grown. I am glad to say that’s all come true. It took an unfortunate circumstance true… but here we are. Together again…”

“But I just found you,” Grand Pear sobbed. “Please don’t go away…”

“I have to Daddy… our time’s up. Today was our only chance to see you… and I don’t regret a moment of it.”

“I love you so much…”

“I love you too Daddy…”

The two Pears hugged each other, not daring to let go knowing this will be their final time. Bright Mac slowly approached Granny Smith, who looked up to her late son.

“You’ve been really good to our kids, ma,” Bright Mac smiled. “They would not be the kids they are today if not fer you.”

“Bright Mac, that’s very kind of you to say…” Granny smiled sadly. “But I’m not the same pony I used tah be. I have no idea what I’m doin’ half the time.”

“No parent ever truly knows everythin’. But a very special pony taught me that.”

“Who…?”

“Heh-heh… you did ma. Learned from the best.”

Granny Smith chuckled as she leaned her head against Bright Mac’s chest, sobbing away as he patted her shoulders. Grand Pear turned back toward Bright Mac, a sigh escaping his lips, before he smiled.

“Bright Mac…”

Bright Mac turned toward Grand Pear, the two ponies staring eye to eye.

“I never did give ya my blessin’ ages ago…” Grand Pear admitted. “But you were very good to mah daughter… just as you are to them kids. Better late than never…”

“It was mah highest honor, sir,” Bright Mac smiled.

“Please… call me ‘dad’.”

“Of course… ‘dad’.”

Grand Pear nodded his head with satisfaction, while Bright Mac smiled. All of a sudden, a bright light could be seen behind them. A signal that their time was running out and the time had come to make their choice. The two spiritual Apples looked toward each other, their eyes reading a decision having been made. But before they go, they turned toward Applejack and Rainbow Dash who approached them. The former tried to fight the tears threatening to emerge as she looked up toward her family.

“Ma… pa…” Applejack sighed. “There’s so much I wanted tah tell ya before… so much I…”

“Apple Pie…” Bright Mac interrupted softly. “We ‘knew’ all along.”

This made Applejack raise her eyes with surprise.

“Yah always were different compared to all the other gals… yer mom and I had it figured while we were alive. Granted, we never recalled such a thing in our youth, and we knew how hard ya tried tah hide it. But I want y’all tah know what yah have between you and Rainbow here is beautiful, and we’ll always luv ya no matter what. Y’all have our blessin.”

Pear Butter nodded in agreement as she approached Applejack, gently caressing her face with her hoof.

“Love is the most powerful friendship in the world,” Pear Butter smiled, turning toward Rainbow Dash. “Take care of our daughter, Miss Dash.”

“Always…” Rainbow promised.

Satisfied, she turned back toward Applejack, adjusting the Stetson hat upon her head.

“One day… we’ll all be together again. But till then… always remember us not for how we died, but the way we lived. Can y’all do that for us? For me?”

Applejack pondered over it for a moment, though the terms of her parents death were still in the air. But for this tender period in time, she looked up toward her mother and nodded her head.

“I promise ma…” Applejack vowed silently.

“Tell Apple Bloom and Big Mac… we love ‘em so much. We’ll never furget ‘em.”

Applejack nodded her head softly, as Pear Butter returned to Bright Mac’s side. Their affairs completely settled; they slowly make their way toward the light that would raise them toward a world beyond Equestria.

“Say hi to Emily when you get there,” Rainbow called out.

“Heh-heh… we’ll do Dash,” Bright Mac called back.

Before they left, however, there was just one more thing to do.

“Before we go, I just need to do one more thing” Pear Butter said.

She reached behind herself and pulled out a guitar.

“I wanna sing ya a little song that I sang to yer daddy long ago, just before we got married”

Applejack and Rainbow Dash both smiled brightly as they leaned against each other, nuzzling lovingly as Pear Butter began to sing.

https://m.

Then, as the two Earth ponies settled themselves beneath the light and slowly turned back toward their family, they waved their goodbyes toward them. The family in turn, with Rainbow Dash especially, they waved tearful farewells. Soon, the two were slowly lifted up toward the sky looking down upon the world they are leaving behind again… only this time for good. A spectacle witnessed by very few eyes on this night.

From Bright Mac and Apple Bloom secretly looking out from their windows, smiling sadly. Even their friends could see the light so bright piercing into the night sky: Twilight Sparkle and Spike from the balcony of their castle; Rarity from the window of her shop; Pinkie Pie and Cheese from her room at the Cake’s bakery beside Lil’ Cheese’s crib; Fluttershy looking up as she tucks her animals good night; Trixie as she organizes her fireworks and props occasionally looking out her window; and even Maud Pie, as she makes a slow walk to her cavern home turning right over to the sky and a small smile forms.

As the two figures ascend up toward the heavens, a single glowing blue butterfly perched along a nearby branch and seemed to look up toward the clouds. Then it proceeds to flutter around, up above the highest trees into the skies. Ascending upward as if to join the new arrivals to their newfound home. And somewhere past the clouds and starry sky, as the three figures disappear into the atmosphere, Pear Butter’s voice could be heard…

“We’re always watchin’…”

A Wedding to Remember

Author's Note

This chapter truly goes to Mr Dramamaster829 who wrote most of it

A Wedding to Remember

Back in the living world, the wedding reception for Victoria and Barkis could very well be considered a wake more than a celebration. The dinner party being held has all the formality of a funeral. Multiple salad forks, finger bowls, and everything placed just so. The only other sound aside from the occasional tinkle of glass and silverware was Hildegarde weeping as she brought out the extremely small wedding cake and set it down at the long table where all the wedding guests sat. Among them, Maudeline Everglot was in her element, working the crowd, who sit chewing the bland meal like wax statues. All of the guests sitting at the table shared the same bored, emotionless expressions.

At the head of the table, Victoria sat completely frozen and terrified. It was official that now she was a married woman, much to her utter horror. Her new husband, Lord Barkis, sat along the head of the table beside Victoria with the same smug look on his face. He tried to take Victoria’s hand, but she merely pulled away.

Meanwhile, the village square is silent and still. The only person out at this hour was the town crier, lighting the streetlamps. Just then, the clatter of hooves on cobblestones drew the attention of the Town Crier himself. He looked up and saw Van Dort’s carriage coming over the bridge, racing toward the village at a breakneck pace. It barreled through the gates, circled the square on two wheels, and then…

*SMASH!*

All the other villagers peered from the windows and their eyes widen with shock. The driverless Van Dort carriage smashed right into the statue, the horses trotting away into the night. Resorting to his default behavior, the Town Crier pulled out his bell and started ringing.

“HERE YE! HERE YE! VAN DORT FAMILY CARRIAGE CRASHES IN VILLAGE SQUARE! NO SURVIVORS!”

A second later, moaning and groaning draws the man’s attention. The very shaken Van Dort parents emerged from the cabin.

“TWO SURVIVORS!!!” The Town Crier corrected himself.

“Our driver, Mayhew, expired while at the reins!” William explained.

“Hmph! Quite rude!” Nell spat, indignantly.

Before they could continue, the Town Crier rung his bell again.

“UNGRATEFUL SURVIVORS BLAME VICTIM!” He cried out.

“So much for impartiality,” William replied to no one particularly. “Why the Dead crossing the streets are more subtle.”

“Well, isn’t this peachy!” Nell grumbled, absentmindedly. “First our son runs off late in the night. Then there’s bloody talk of him eloping with a corpse of all things! My idiot husband replaces him with a broomstick! Ooh… if I ever get my hands on that boy, I’ll… William, did you mention the dead?

Just then, a loud set of noises, like a jubilant carnival could be heard crossing down the streets. The disgruntled Van Dorts and the Town Crier turned around, and to their shock another wedding party was arriving. Only this wedding party was, for lack of a better word, ‘dead’. So stunned, the Town Crier dropped his bell and the broomstick, of which William held, snapped at the head.

“Good… Lord!” Nell gasped.

Back at the Everglot Dining Room, Lord Barkis stood up with his wine glass for a toast. Normally, he’d have to wait for the room to grow silent. But frankly, it’s already ‘library’ level quiet.

“Quiet down now, everyone,” He announced. “Thank you. As many of you know, it was a quick courtship for Victoria and I. But love is like that—elegant, cultured, radiant, spontaneous, and unexpected. Unbridled even! Victoria has found a husband with all these qualities and more. Serendipity may have brought us together, but no force on Earth could ever tear us apart.”

Just then, the entire atmosphere of the evening changed. The fireplace erupted with a giant green flame; a feeling of dead began to engulf the people in the room. All at once, everyone’s eyes went wide and began looking around frantically. From behind the Everglots, Bonejangles and his bone crew slowly crept toward them in a menacing manner. Everyone gazed in horror as the skeletons approached, like a nightmare come to life. Just when all the skeletons stood behind the Everglots, Bonejangles’ one eye fell out from his skull and right into Mr. Everglot’s soup. Mr. Everglot dished the eye out and looked down at it curiously.

“There’s an eye in me soup,” He observed.

Then… all hell broke loose!

Everyone started screaming in pure terror, flipping the table on its side as everyone started running around in fear. One lady backed right into General Bonesapart and got stuck with the sharp end of the sword protruded from him.

“Oh, sorry,” He apologized.

Lord Barkis held Victoria in front of him, eventually crawling under the table like a coward. Mrs. Everglot stood high along a chair as Scraps barked at her. Under the table, Lord Barkis took no notice of the two skeletal children till they were right beside him giggling. Mr. Everglot wasn’t one to run in fright, he wanted to fight.

“Fetch me musket!” He yelled to Emil.

Emil, however, was already dressed to leave and opened the front door.

“Fetch your own musket! I’m off!”

Panic and mayhem continued to run rampant through the halls of Everglot manor. One slightly hefty woman ran right past Mr. Bonejangles, who just smiled his boney grin as she rushed by.

“Hey, hold on there. I love a woman with meat on her bones.”

Maggot crawled along the shoulder of a bearded man with a huge top hat; the man looked extremely terrified that the slimy little creature was on his shoulder.

“Excuse me, you don’t know me,” He spoke. “But I used to live in your dead mother.”

The Everglots, minus Victoria, made their way up the grand staircase and looked down in shock at all the events taking place in the foyer.

“Finis, who invited these people?” Mrs. Everglot asked. “Are they from your side of the family?”

“Certainly not!” Mr. Everglot answered. “Why if my grandfather Everglot could see this, he’d be turning in his grave.”

“Finis…”

Hearing the deep voice ringing out through the hall, both Everglots’ eyes widened to the size of saucers as they slowly turned to look behind them. There, standing next to his portrait of his living body, was the skeletal grandfather Everglot himself.

“Where do you keep the spirits?” He asked, holding a glass.

The Everglots were about to scream until…

*SMASH!*

The Dead began to smash through the windows; among them, an undead spirit known as the ‘Hanged Man’, a finely dressed corpse with a neck bent with noose marks, pushed through hoping to restore calm.

“Sorry to bust in,” The Hanged Man apologized. “But we need some tables. We’ve got a celebration of our own.”

Skeletons and ghouls lifted several tables, carrying them right out the door, along with the plates and silver. Maudeline strove gamely to maintain her composure, till the Hanged Man lurched toward her and ripped his head through the painted portrait.

“We haven’t been properly introduced, have we? It’s me! The Duke!”

He struck the same heroic pose as his portrait, the frame hanging around his neck. The Everglots stood shocked and horrified… till Maudeline screamed, more from the horror of the revelation than anything else.

“You… the Duke?!” Maudeline gasped.

“Darling, how do you think you got this very grand house?” The Hanged Man questioned. “And all your lovely ‘family heirlooms’?”

The Everglots just screamed, racing into a nearby room and slammed the door behind them, locking it. The Hanged Man merely shrugged before turning to those remaining in the manor.

“Come on, you stuffy buggers! The real party’s happening down the hill!”

Eventually, the chaos started pouring out onto the streets as the guests ran out the front door with the dead patrons following behind. Just as all this was happening, the ponies, Spike, Emily, Victor, and Elder Gutknecht emerged from the portal to the Land of the Dead. They walked through all the mess and into the streets seeing the living people running away from the dead ones.

“Something tells me we’re not going to get a warm reception here,” Spike observed.

“Well, you had to expect this was going to happen!” Twilight pointed out.

“What other reaction could you expect with a bunch of dead people running around?” Rainbow asked, turning to the apples. “No offense…”

“Eh, we’re numb to it by now,” Bright Mac shrugged.

“I tell you darling, it’s all about the delivery,” Rarity explained. “It’s all in the way you present yourself. If you come out all menacing, you are looking at the end results.”

She gestured with one hoof toward the screaming, running masses as the town crier bellowed into the night.

“In other news… THE DEAD WALK THE EARTH!”

All the villagers screamed with fright, racing out of their homes as the dead chased them outside. Those out on the streets stood quivering with fear, the butchers shook as they held their cleavers and blades in defense. And old woman in black, with no weapon at all, stood her ground aiming her stretch against all the corpses and skeletons who merely stand frozen.

“Get back!” The woman barked. “Don’t try and sneak up on me! Get back! I’ll give you such a wallop.”

“Well… least our undead friends have left quite an impression,” Trixie smiled sheepishly.

“Not the time, Trixie!” Applejack moaned.

As all the villagers stood shaken with fear, as the undead slowly approached, one wide-eyed child peaked from behind his mother’s apron and eyed the one corpse with the tall hat. Driven by a sense of curiosity, the child slowly left the safety of his family and approached them.

“No!” The mother cried out.

All they could do was watch as the child approach the horde of the undead. All the villagers flinch with fear, thinking this will be the end of the poor child. The undead spirit leaned toward the child, eyeing him with a sense of wonder. He then picked the child with his hands and lifted the child up toward his face. Watching in the background, the Equestrians watched nervously wondering what will happen next. The child eyed the creature, for a moment or two… when it suddenly dawns on him.

“Grandpa?” The child gasped.

“Grandpa?!” The Equestrians spoke.

And all at once, the atmosphere changes when the corpse hugged his grandchild and the child in turn returned the favor. Amongst the group of confused Equestrians, Bright Mac and Pear Butter nodded with approval knowing that somehow this would happen. As the humans looked on with surprise, one particular human was still on the offense against one of the corpses.

“Bounder! Monster! Cad!” The old woman yelled, swinging her walker.

“Sweetie Pie! Buttercup! Gertude!” The corpse called out.

And just like that… the old woman stopped and adjusted her glasses.

“Alfred?” The woman spoke, in awe. “You’ve been dead for fifteen years!”

“Frankly, my dear,” The corpse replied, twirling her around. “I don’t give a damn!”

“I love that movie!!!” Pinkie smiled.

“What movie?” Fluttershy asked.

“Don’t ask…” Maud replied bluntly.

But it did not change the fact that an entirely different mood was taking shape. The living found themselves reuniting with old friends and family members come and gone. A husband and wife or a sister and a brother reuniting. Even Scraps the dog introduced itself to a living dog, with a traditional canine greeting…

You just don’t want to mention what they do, don’t you?

Don’t ruin the moment…

Meanwhile, back at the Everglot manor, Victoria Everglot sat all alone amidst all the chaos that took place in her home. She alone having sat through a moment when undead beings came into her home, frightened away all the guests, and literally turned the world upside down. As if seeing one haunting figure was not enough for the girl, now a whole army of the undead have come.

Finally, Lord Barkis emerged himself from under the table and tried his best to recompose himself.

“Right! That’s it,” The man declared. “We’re going to take whatever money we can and get out of here.”

“Money?” Victoria questioned. “What money?”

“Your dowry. It’s my right!”

“But my parents don’t have any money. It’s my marriage to you that will save them from the poorhouse.”

To Lord Barkis’ utter shock, the truth struck him like a big slap in the face. Suddenly, all the plans he had made for what this marriage had to offer… now all at once the tables turned on him.

“Th… The poorhouse?!” Barkis shouted, lifting her up. “You’re lying! It isn’t true! Tell me that you’re lying!”

“Did things not go according to your plan, Lord Barkis?” Victoria replied, shoving him back. “Well, perhaps in disappointment we are perfectly matched.”

As Victoria walked away, making her exit from her own home, Lord Barkis was left alone to allow the truth to sink in. He had come to the Everglots hoping to marry his way into the family fortune, with the promise of having more money than he could ever hope for. But as it turns out, he was marrying to the daughter of a poor family, who were actually expecting him to be a rich aristocrat to provide for them. And now… now he was about to risk spending a lifetime in the poorhouse? No… no, he shall not have it!

After realizing the undead mean no harm, the Living gradually warmed up to the situation. Soon the village square had been transformed beyond recognition. Once a dull, colorless world had suddenly become a brightly-colored, pulsating party zone in a manner of seconds. The Green Grocer’s racks of lettuce heads now had skulls, while the skeleton children ran with bolts of fabric from Widow Munch’s seamstress shop. To the consternation of the watchmaker, Wellington reset all the clocks to ring at once. Down the street, Paul the Head Waiter lead a crew of ghouls through the baker’s shop, spraying frosting everywhere.

Amidst all the turmoil taking shape, the Equestrians look around as life seemed to come to London in comparison to their first time being here. Even Fluttershy, the shyest of all the ponies, found herself smiling in awe.

“You know girls… I’d used to be afraid of scenarios like this,” Fluttershy replied softly. “But now that I’m giving this a chance… I like this place ‘better’.”

“So… does that mean you change your mind about Nightmare Night?” Pinkie asked hopefully.

“Baby steps, Pinkie… baby steps.”

“Victor?”

While watching the group, Victor and Emily turn around and Victor’s eye widen with surprise. Swept away by the revelry, dancing with the Dead Dwarf General, Nell’s eyes dropped in shock the moment she saw her son again. William joined his wife soon after, just as surprised.

“Are you…?” Nell asked.

“No Mrs. Van Dort,” Applejack spoke.

Nell and William turned around, reeling back with silent shock. There before them was one of the ponies, only now they were no longer invisible before their eyes. Not that it mattered anymore.

“You’re son’s alive,” Applejack assured. “And there will be a weddin’… on his own terms.”

Deep down, Applejack was still not happy with the Van Dorts, given their treatment of Victor. But not wanting to tell them their son is about to die, she did feel they at least deserved one last look at their son before… well, she still couldn’t find the heart to say it.

“Mother… father…” Victor spoke softly, addressing the Corpse Bride. “This is Emily.”

The Van Dorts turn toward the Corpse Bride themselves, at first unsure what to believe. They heard the rumor that Victor had gone off and gotten hitched to a corpse. But of course, initially Nell would’ve scoffed at the idea that Victor would do such a thing. Only now, this was not a joke… Victor was seriously with this woman. The only downside was… it was very unlikely this woman was even a high class maiden.

“Well… we’re very pleased to meet you,” William spoke, going with it.

“Emily…” Nell repeated, looking at her. “What is your last name?”

The Equestrians turned back toward Emily, suddenly drawn by a sense of curiosity. Applejack looked back toward her undead parents, but they merely shrugged as well. Apparently, not even they knew whether Emily had a last name or not… and in turn the Equestrians never thought to ask. Then they turned back to Emily, waiting with sheer anticipation.

“Merrimack, ma’am,” Emily smiled.

“Merrimack?” William questioned. “I say I don’t seem to recall that name before…”

“Oh William, you dolt!” Nell replied. “Why the Merrimacks are a very good family. Their grandfather was an Earl!”

“An Earl?!” William gaped, turning to Victor. “Well done, my boy! I always knew you could do it!”

“… I really want to hit him in the face,” Rainbow muttered.

“Just let them have this, Rainbow,” Twilight sighed. “He won’t have to put up with this, any longer.”

“We’re just about to get married…” Emily spoke quickly. “Again.”

“Be gone, ye demons from hell! Back to the void from whence you came!”

The time had finally come for a proper wedding between Victor and Emily. Of course, the start of it wasn’t very easy… especially from a certain pastor. Galswells tried to keep all the corpses and skeletal beings from entering his sacred place in the church, though they planned to have the wedding their regardless. None could blame the pastor for trying given his stubbornness.

“You shall not enter here!” Galswells demanded. “Back, back!”

“Sir… we’re in a church,” Maud replied bluntly. “We’d like you to be quiet, please.”

Pastor Galswells looked down and his eyes widened in shock. Before his very eyes, a stone-faced pony… in a dress of all things… was just speaking to him. And she was not alone, she was amidst a whole group of colorful ponies, with symbols on their flanks, and manes of multiple colors. As he observed, some had horns… some had wings… a mixture of both… and some of them also wore garbs.

“T-T-T-Talking… ponies…” Pastor Galswells muttered, clutching his chest. “I need to sit down…”

The Equestrians watched silently as he walked away to find a space in the corner to sit down. Pinkie Pie merely shrugged absent-mindedly.

“He’s nice…”

As the wedding progressed, everyone from the Land of the Dead was very excited for a happy union… well, ‘almost’ everyone. Twilight Sparkle and her friends could not help but share concern for Victor, a man willingly agreeing to trade is life just to spend an eternity with Emily. As Emily checked her outfit in the mirror, they approached her. Applejack tapped her hoof along her back, drawing the bride’s attention.

“Yes?” Emily asked, turning around. “Oh Applejack! Girls, something wrong?”

“Well sugar cube, it’s ‘bout the wedding,” Applejack explained. “We feel it’s—”

“Wonderful, isn’t it?” Emily interrupted, dancing around. “I get to be with Victor now! Oh how happy we’ll be together, doing everything a new couple can do. I have so much planned for our future.”

“Well, that’s nice and all but… what about Victor?” Trixie brought up.

Emily faced the ponies, with confusion spread across her face.

“What about Victor?” She asked softly.

“You’re a nice girl, Emily,” Rainbow Dash explained. “But we just don’t feel taking Victor’s life is the right thing.”

“But Victor said he’d give up his life for me. He said so himself.”

“We know… we were there,” Twilight added. “But still… either way, this is all wrong and you know it. Emily, we’re your friends… we'd support you no matter what. But as your friends, you need to know Victor has dreams too: Having a family, playing with a pet, going to the park, and having sunshine on his face. A life is the most wonderful thing in the world, dead or alive. But what chance would he have to life… if he feels he has to give it away, like it means nothing?”

Emily stood quietly for a moment, the conflict weighing heavily. On one hand, she finally received a true love to spend a lifetime with. But then again… suppose these ponies were right? Was it right to take a man’s life before he could even live? Can the undead truly live with making that man throw away his right to do so? All the girls could do was watch, as thoughts raced across their minds.

“What do you think she’ll do, Twilight?” Fluttershy asked.

“Honestly Fluttershy… I haven’t the faintest clue.”

With no other alternative, they followed Emily as the wedding proceeded. The citizens, living and dead, all packed into the church waiting for the processions to go on. Victor and Elder Gutknecht waited at the front of the altar in anticipation. Finally, the church organ sprung to life and all eyes turned to see Emily walking down the aisle, like the bride she was meant to be. Behind her, the ponies and Spike all walked as well as they all made their way to the altar. Finally, Emily stood across from Victor and the Equestrians all took their place behind them as Gutknect began the ceremony.

“Dearly beloved and departed, we are gathered here today to join this man and this corpse in marriage.”

As they continued, Victoria made her way to the front door of the church. Looking inside, where the ceremony was taking place, she gasped the moment she saw Victor and the ponies all at the altar.

“Victor? Twilight?”

“Shh!!!”

One of the bone crew turned back to shush her quiet. Victoria snuck along the side of the church, slowly making her way to the altar. When she got to the front, she hid behind one of the pillars and watched in shock.

“Living first,” Gutknecht instructed.

Victor nodded, as he and Emily turned to each other. Victor raised his cup as he began to read his vows.

“With this hand, I will lift your sorrows. Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine.”

Gutknecht then turned to Emily.

“Now you…”

The whole time, Twilight and the friends stood there in silence. Secretly hoping Emily would do the right thing.

“Come on Emily,” Twilight whispered. “You know this isn’t right.”

Emily just smiled, as tears threatened to fall. She grabbed for the Wine of Ages.

“With this hand, I will lift your sorrow. Your cup will never empty, for I will be…”

As the Corpse Bride spoke, she found her words cut off the moment she looked behind Victor. She could see Victoria observing from behind the pillar, watching with quiet horror. Emily gasped slightly, as if suddenly everything she wanted to say left her.

“I will be…”

“Go on my dear,” Gutknecht encouraged.

Emily looked down toward Twilight and the rest of the girls. They could all see Victoria behind the pillar too. The Princess of Friendship shook her head, with a light smile toward Emily, as if signifying she already knew what had to be done.

“Your cup will never empty, for I will be…”

“I will be your wine,” Victor finished for her.

He lifted the cup to his lips, ready to drink and take his life away. But then… Emily placed her bone hand atop the cup, pulling it back down. Victor looked at her in shock, as did everyone else in the church.

“What’s happening?” Gertrude whispered.

“She’s having second thoughts,” Alfred whispered back.

Finally, Emily allowed her tears to fall as she looked back at Victoria and back at Victor.

“I can’t!”

“What’s wrong?” Victor asked.

Victor made to turn, to see where Emily was looking, but the bride gently guided his face back to hers with her hand.

“This is wrong…” She sighed sadly. “Twilight and the others are right. I was a bride. My dreams were taken from me. Well now… I’ve stolen them from someone else. I love you Victor, but you’re not mine.”

Twilight and the others smiled with approval, as Emily gestured Victoria to come forward. Victor turned and gasped the moment he saw her appear.

“Victoria!” He gasped.

“Victor!” Victoria spoke. “I thought you weremarried…”

“I heard you were too.”

Victoria looked down upon her hand, revealing the ornate wedding ring. Shaking her head, she slipped the ring from her finger, held it out before Victor’s eyes, and dropped it upon the floor. It was more than enough to say she no longer wants to be part of the marriage, only to be with the man who she truly loves… the one standing right in front of him.

Victoria stood alongside Victor and Emily grasped her hand gently before placing it into Victor’s. Victor and Victoria looked at each other, smiling once more seeing they were once again reunited. Emily smiled at the two, as another tear rolled down her cheek. Bright Mac, Pear Butter, and the rest of the Equestrians made their way toward Emily’s side as they all smiled warmly.

“I know this was a tough decision Emily,” Twilight smiled. “But you did the right thing.”

“Y’all gonna be alright hon?” Pear Butter asked.

“Yes…” Emily nodded. “I will be. After all, they deserve a lifetime of happiness.”

Everyone else nodded, as they looked toward Victor and Victoria happily. But then, curiously, the Corpse Bride looked down toward the ring on the floor. Confused, she leaned down and picked up the ring to look closely. All at once her eyes widened, as she turned toward Victoria.

“Where did you get this ring?!”

“Oh how touching!”

Everyone gasped, as they turned quickly toward the entrance of the church. Lord Barkis himself strolled in, with a wicked smile on his face.

“I always cry at weddings,” He said sarcastically.

“It’s that scary Barkis guy!” Trixie cried out.

Everyone else looked at him angrily, as he slowly approached.

“Our young lovers, together at last. Surely now they can live happily ever after. But you forget… she’s still my wife!”

Barkis roughly yanked Victoria back to his side, slowly backing away.

“I’ll not leave here empty handed!” He growled.

Emily gazed at the mad man with almost a look of realization. If the ring was not enough, she looked at him as if she’d seen him before.

“You?” She gasped.

“You know this guy?” Spike asked.

Barkis turned toward the undead bride, his face turned to shock.

“Emily?” He asked.

“YOU!” Emily repeated angrily.

“But—but—I left you…”

“For dead.”

Everyone all at once gasped again, one skeleton’s jaw literally dropped to the floor. They heard the tale of how Emily had been left in the woods, murdered at the height of her youth. Only now, it’s become perfectly clear that this man, Barkis, was the one that had been behind it all.

“You were the highwayman who strangled me!” Emily accused. “You took my ring!”

Barkis looked over toward everyone in the crowd, the living and the dead, all trying to process ‘everything’ this bride was saying.

“Nonsense!” Barkis denied. “I’m a respected attorney…”

“You’re a fraud…”

Barkis quickly turned toward the new voice, his face widening when he sees the source. Maud Pie, once more speaking up. The pony staring blankly at Barkis, while the other ponies stared from behind. Though scarcely seen, her eyebrows barely drop to a slight frown.

“There’s a darkness in you…” Maud added.

“The ring has my name on it,” Emily continued. “Check the inscription.”

Rarity took the ring from Emily’s hand, as Pinkie Pie pulled out her work glasses from inside her mane. Handing them to Rarity, she placed her signature glasses over her eyes and read the inscription:

“’For Emily, with all my love’…” Rarity read, gasping. “You… you’re a murderer!”

“This woman is obviously delusional!” Barkis yelled. “And those ponies… it’s a trick! None of ‘em are real! It’s all in bad taste!”

Twilight and the others growled angrily, as they made ready to fight. But Barkis grabbed Bonesapart’s sword and held it to Victoria’s neck.

“Sorry to cut things short, but we must be on our way.”

Victor started to slowly step forward, with a more angry, determined look.

“Take your hands off her!” He demanded.

Barkis glanced at him and actually chuckled, before drawing the sword toward him.

“Do I have to kill you too?” He asked.

“Hey butt-kiss!”

Barkis turned back toward all the ponies and Spike, stepping beside Victor and ready to fight.

“If you want him, you’re gonna have to go through all of us too!” Rainbow challenged.

“Y’all ain’t never messed with the likes ah us before,” Applejack added.

Barkis stared toward the ponies for a moment before a sigh escaped his lips and an evil smirk formed.

“Maybe not…” Barkis replied. “But I know what you are… Miss Element of Honesty.”

The ponies eyes widen the moment Barkis mentioned Applejack’s title.

“You do know who we are?” Twilight asked.

“Yes… and for that I can’t let you live. Once I put you all away… it will be all worthwhile.”

*SNAP!*

Barkis cried out as Scraps bit him straight on the leg, allowing Victoria to break free and run away to safety. More annoyed than hurt, Barkis kicked his leg and sent Scraps flying away. Just as Barkis turned, he grunted loudly as beams of magic blasted him in the chest. Twilight and Rarity fired magic beams from their horns, not enough to kill the man… but enough to singe him. Fluttershy meanwhile lead Victoria to safety, so the others can fight.

Barkis held his grown, patting away a flame upon his shoulder and marched toward the girls…

*SPLAT!*

A chocolate cupcake with white frosting struck Barkis square in the face, sliding off before plopping to the ground. The man’s face covered with frosting.

“Was that a…”

A barrage of cupcakes cut him off, rapidly slamming against Barkis, who can barely block the ‘sweet’ offense. Pretty soon he was nearly covered in frosting or bits of the cupcake, much to his annoyance.

“WILL YOU KNOCK IT OFF—”

*SMASH!*

A teacup magically zoomed straight at the mad man’s face, exploding upon impact, and spilling hot tea all over his face. The man screamed in utter agony, his eyes turning blood red from the steaming beverage. Pinkie Pie and Trixie stand side by side, the latter’s horn dimly fading as she put her hat back on. The two girls smiled toward each other and shook hooves for a job well done.

A shadow loomed over them, drawing Pinkie’s and Trixie’s laughter to a complete stop. Wide eyed, they slowly turned heads only to stare at a very angry, very drenched Lord Barkis. Gritting his teeth, he quickly raised the sword over his head and the two ponies screamed in terror.

“HELLLLLPPPPPPP!!!” Pinkie screamed.

Lord Barkis swung his sword toward the ponies and…

*BAM!*

A stiff uppercut sent Lord Barkis reeling, as Maud Pie appeared from nowhere. The stone-faced Earth pony landed on the ground in front of the two ponies, fierce determination forms upon her face as if life ignited within the rock pony.

“Don’t… touch… my… sister!” Maud warned.

Before Lord Barkis could react, quick as a whip Maud zoomed forward and delivered a series of hoof shots against Lord Barkis, rapidly swinging her fists. They blows hit their mark, directly right toward the man’s chest as everyone watched from their seats. This was not the first time the Equestrians suddenly saw this spark out of Maud, especially when Pinkie was in peril. But for Trixie, this was quite a surprise as she never saw Maud react this quickly.

Finally, with one quick turn, her cutie mark briefly appearing… Maud Pie delivered a stiff buck against Lord Barkis knocking him onto his back. He landed hard upon the floor, his breath knocked out and he clutched his chest in pain. Maud Pie soon approached Pinkie Pie, staring silently for a moment… before pulling her close to her and giving a warm hug.

“Could you teach Trixie that?” Trixie asked, shocked.

But as the group observed, Lord Barkis was far from finished as he forced himself on his feet. He used the sword to balance himself out as he stared angrily toward the meddlesome ponies. Growling, he raced toward the two Earth ponies and unicorn… only for his feet to catch a strung lasso and he fell forward to the ground. He looked back seeing Applejack and Spike reeling the lasso from opposite sides of the church.

“Whoops!” Spike shrugged.

Grunting, Lord Barkis once more picked himself off the ground…

*WHAM!*

A rapid punch struck Barkis along the face. Only instead of Maud Pie, a rainbow blur whizzed passed the man… and came back. It strikes Barkis again… and again… and again… the man barely standing on his feet. Near invisible to the naked eye, apart from her colors, Rainbow Dash strikes Barkis fiercely.

“Can you see me now? *WHAM!* Can you see me now? *WHAM!*” Rainbow teased, between blows. “How you gonna hit something you can’t touch—”

*BAM!*

Lord Barkis raised a fist slightly and Rainbow Dash crashed face first into his hand. Rainbow hovered for a moment, before dropping to the floor. Rainbow moaned, clutching her face as blood slowly spilt from her muzzle.

“That’ll do it…” Rainbow moaned.

“You meddlesome beast!” Barkis growled.

He raised the sword high, ready to bring it down upon the stunned Pegasus.

“NOOOO!!!”

Applejack dashed forward quickly, leaping in front of Rainbow Dash just before Barkis brought the sword down. Before Rainbow’s shocked eyes, she saw Applejack jump right in front of her… seconds later, she slid across the stone floor. She groaned in pain, as blood began to seep from a wound upon her chest to the shock of all the witnesses.

“APPLEJACK!!!” Her parents cried out.

“NOOOOOO!!!” Twilight screamed.

“A….. J……!!!!” Rainbow screamed.

Rainbow quickly crawled toward Applejack, who struggled to keep her wound closed as she gasped. Spitting the ground near their feet, Lord Barkis turned away and stalked toward the other ponies and a shocked Victor. Seeing her friend hurt sent Rarity and Twilight in a rage.

“YOU MONSTER!!!” Rarity screamed, tearfully.

The unicorn and the alicorn fired their beams again toward Barkis. Only this time, the man was prepared as he angled the sword, so the beams struck the flat end of the sword. The beams hurled back toward the source… and sent Rarity and Twilight back, as Fluttershy looked back in shock. As the others raced toward their friends’ aid, Lord Barkis repositioned himself, so he stood face to face with Victor. Quickly, Mrs. Plum pulled a blade from a corpse’s back.

“Victor, catch!”

Victor reached out and caught his weapon… which turned out to be a fork, instead of a knife.

“A FORK?!?!” Trixie cried out.

“Sorry,” Mrs. Plum apologized.

But Barkis gave Victor no time to change weapons. With a yell, he charged toward the timid groom and a fight ignited between the two mortals. Victor backed away from the blade and bumped into the table, nearly spilling the Wine of Ages… which Gutknecht himself prevented. Victor remained on the defense as Barkis swung his blade, intent to kill the man. They fight along a pillar as Victor ducks and dives. Seeing Victor in trouble, Spike released a fireball… right in the seat of Barkis’ pants which made him gasp.

“That’s for our friends!!!” Spike called out.

Angry, Barkis swung the blade around… only for Spike to dodge, while Paul’s head leapt, and a corpse’s hat was sliced clean off.

“Sacre bleu!” Paul shouted.

Victor tried to back away, as Barkis kept pressing onto the attack. The corpse that can split in half stood right behind Victor, as he blocked the sword with the fork, his sole means of defense.

“I say, you’re not playing fair, sir!” The corpse spoke.

Barkis swung his sword and Victor dodged, while the corpse split itself in half. Barkis spotted Victor and swung again, but the man dodged, and the sword embedded itself on one of the benches. Just as Barkis pulled the sword free, Victor swung his fork and successfully hit the man… but only succeeded in tearing his suit. The motion infuriated Barkis, who swung the sword and Victor blocked with his fork. The murderous con man tried to push the sword down upon Victor’s head, who surprisingly proved strong against the former’s intent.

Victor managed to slip away and hide under a bench… but Barkis pierced his sword above him trying to reach the timid man. Barkis kept stabbing the table trying to reach him, until Victor stabbed his fork beneath the man’s shoe. He yelped in pain as he fell head over heels, knocking a few benches toward the girls.

“Watch out!” Rarity cried.

She used her magic to draw Emily and Victoria back from harm’s way, as the benches in front of them fell down. Victor quickly got up, looking around for Barkis. The group spotted Barkis emerging, going for the kill.

“Victor, behind you!” Fluttershy called out.

Victor turned and raised his fork in defense, but Barkis swiped it away and knocked Victor back with a stiff kick. Barkis stood over the fallen man, aiming the sword with intent to kill the man. Though Victor was frightened, he put forth a brave face as if to say, ‘I’m not afraid to die’. Barkis reeled back for the killing blow, Emily gasped and rushed over. Barkis thrust the sword and…

*SQUISH!*

The Equestrians gasped when the sword made its mark… but Barkis wrenched back with shock. For instead of Victor, Emily stood in front of him… glaring at Barkis, as the sword pierced through her decomposed body. As she pulled the sword from her body, the Equestrians (Minus Rainbow Dash, the ghostly Apples, and Applejack) stood by her side. The horns of the Princess and her two friends glowed, Pinkie Pie and Maud Pie stood together, Fluttershy sticking close behind, and Spike puffing smoke from his nostrils as he flew above. It was at this point Barkis realized he was completely outmatched…

“Touche, my dears,” Barkis replied, smugly.

“Get out,” Emily ordered.

“You heard her Barkis…” Twilight frowned. “We should destroy you for all the lives you have ruined, so you’ll never harm another living soul here or anywhere else again. BUT… we’re giving you ‘one’ chance. Surrender peacefully, turn yourself to the authorities, and atone for all the sins you committed. If you run… you will be pursued, word will get out, and you’ll be captured.”

“You lose either way,” Maud stated plainly.

“Oh, I’m leaving, my little ponies…” Barkis replied, chuckling. “But don’t think any cell can hold me. I have never been caught for my crimes before; I have no intent on surrendering myself now.”

As Barkis circled around, he reached for the wine glass and fixed his hair.

“But first a toast, to Emily. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Tell me, my dear… can a heart still break once it’s stopped beating?”

Emily did not answer the man’s question, he merely chuckled over his own question. The Equestrians glare angrily toward the man and Maggot, Emily’s one close friend, made haste to attack. But he didn’t get far when Gutknect held a boney finger in front of him.

“Let me at him! Let me at him!” Maggot shouted. “No, don’t hold me back.”

“Wait!” Gutknecht shouted, to the undead. “We must abide by their rules.”

“Gutknecht’s right…” Bright Mac sighed. “Just as a livin’ soul can’t marry the undead… the undead cain’t harm the living.”

“We are… amongst the livin’,” Pear Butter shook her head.

“Well said…” Barkis smirked, turning toward the ponies. “This isn’t goodbye, little foals… especially you, Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight Sparkle frowned at the mention of her name.

“But because I am a gentleman, I will give you a small warning. No matter where you go, no matter where you sleep, I will not rest until I’ve hunt you down… and kill you one-by-one, just like your precious friend. Until then, I intend to do what I do best… lavishing in the luxury… of being alive.”

Barkis tipped the wine glass mockingly toward the group before he sipped the wine down to the very last drop. Sighing, he hurled the mug aside and as it clattered against the floor, the group watched as he took his leave. But seeing as the ‘type’ of wine he just had, a confident smirk returned to Trixie’s lips. For just as the man turned to leave, he stopped… clutched his chest and groaned as if his heart stopped pounding. Even the maggot looked very pleased.

“Not anymore…” He said sinisterly.

After a few seconds of moaning and groaning, Barkis turned around and to the shock of the group… his entire skin turned blue, his eyes a deathly yellow, and his breathing sporadic. Just as Gutknecht said would happen… Barkis had died.

“Yep, you’re right,” Gutknecht replied. “He’s all yours.”

Chuckling sinisterly, the horde of the undead slowly approached Barkis. The man gasped and tried to break through the door, but it wouldn’t budge. Soon the undead overwhelmed the frightened man, Victor and Emily looked on in horror, Victoria hid herself from the view as did the others amongst the Equestrians. As they drew Barkis through the passageway, back to their world, Mrs. Plum turned back to them.

“New arrival…” Mrs. Plum declared.

Then she closed the door behind him, and just like that… Lord Barkis was gone, taken far into the deeps of the underworld. And with the Wine of Ages no longer needed, Gutknect sealed the bottle with a cork and lifted the mug back in place. The Equestrians released a deep sigh of relief.

“Well… let’s see how he likes it,” Rarity smiled.

“Applejack…”

The group turn around and their eyes turn to saucers when they are reminded of what happened. Quickly, Twilight and her friends raced toward Rainbow Dash’s side, who had stood over the wounded Applejack, the blood seeping through her wound as her gasped in pain, crying in agony. Even Applejack’s parents looked over with concern, shocked beyond words that their daughter was dying. And Twilight looked especially horrified, seeing one of her best friends… succumbing to a grave injury as everyone else looked on.

“Applejack…” Twilight spoke softly.