Chapter 19

“Shining? Shining!” Arthur banged on the captain’s bedroom door.

Arthur and Sean were sent to get Shining since today was the day Shining was to be married to the mare of his dreams. Both stallions were dressed in sharp-looking tuxedos, courtesy of Rarity, and were actually looking forward to seeing this wedding through. The only problem, however, was that a certain husband-to-be wasn’t answering Arthur’s banging on his door.

“Christ, what’s up with him?” Arthur deadpanned. “Shining! Open the hell up already!”

“Maybe he went to take a leak?” Sean guessed, as he adjusted his tie.

“Doubtful, he passed out after we led him back here to his room last night,” Arthur shook his head, then it finally dawned on him.

“Aw hell.” Arthur opened the door, not bothering to wait for any kind of permission. What they found was a still passed out stallion, sprawled across the mattress and snoring like a train.

“See?! This is why no one drinks with you!” Arthur pointed at Shining while glaring at Sean.

“I call Pot and Kettle on that one, English!” Sean retorted with his own glare which only lasted for a moment before he sighed and turned back to the drunken captain. “I think fer this one, we’re gonna need Hosea’s Wake-up Tonic.” Sean said when he and Arthur tried to wake up Shining when they approached him.

“Shining!” Arthur grabbed the passed out Captain and shook him. “Wake the hell up, son! You’re getting hitched today!”

“Ergh…lev meh ‘lone…” Shining slurred.

“Damnit, come on!” Arthur cursed as he started slapping the side of this face. “This is your day to shine, partner! Ya gotta get yourself in gear!”

“It ain’t workin’, English, this lad’s tossed beyond all measure,” Sean sighed.

“We’ll see about that.” Arthur reached into his satchel, which he brought with him, and pulled out a small bottle. He pulled off the small cork with his jaw and forced the contents inside down Shining’s throat. “Any second now…”

Sean cocked his brow and stared at the bottle that Arthur held in his one hand. “Ye still had some of that tonic when ye came to this place, English?” He asked the sheriff with widened eyes and a grimace on his face.

Before Arthur could answer, Shining’s eyes opened abruptly and he let loose a scream of agony as he jumped to his hooves. He held onto his throat that burned hotter than the sun itself and desperately ran to the bathroom. The captain kicked the door open and used his magic to fill the bath with water. Once it was full, he dunked his head into water which began to steam thanks to the added presence of whatever was in the captain’s throat.

“Jaysus, I forgot how potent that shite is…” Sean chuckled and made his way to Shining. He pulled him out of the bath and saw he was still out like a candle. “I thought this stuff was supposed to sober him, not send him to push up daisies!”

“Hang on.” Arthur waved his hand in the air a bit. He walked over to Shining, rolled up his sleeve, and took a hold of the captain. He coughed a bit and cleared his throat.

“WAKE THE FUCK UP, YOU SONOVA BITCH!!”

SLAP!!

Right across the back of Shining’s head, Arthur swung his hand as hard as he could and smacked Shining across the bathroom tiles. The captain shouted in pain as he grasped the back of his head and winced.

“GAH! BUCKING TARTARUS!!” Shining yelled in response and shook his head to clear his senses.

“There, that outta do it,” Arthur smirked.

“How ya feelin’, boyo?” Sean asked Shining with a grin.

Shining huffed and looked at each stallion that was present in the room with him. “Like I went from Elysium to Tartarus and straight to the sun before being plunged in the ocean…” He replied with a colorful comparison to his current station. “Seriously, I am never gonna challenge either of you to that again!” He declared outloud but winced when a sharp pain emitted from his head, which he soothed with his hand. “What time is it?!”

“It’s half past eight, ye lightweight.” Sean replied and pulled Shining to the basin. “Let’s get ye all cleaned up and we all will head down to breakfast fer some munchies before ye tie the knot today.”

Before any more words could be said, a knock at the door and a familiar unicorn entered the room. “Hello? Are you all ready yet?” Twilight called out and gasped when she saw all three stallions in the bathroom. Her eyes landed on her brother who looked worse for her. “What in the name of Equestria are you all doing?! You can’t go to your own wedding like that, Shining!” Twilight shouted and used her magic to levitate him in the air where she used some spells to make him look more presentable. “What happened last night, you two?!” She questioned both Arthur and Sean, the latter moving backwards away at the unicorn mare’s glare.

“We just went out for a drink, is all,” Arthur said.

“A drink?!” Twilights repeated. “Then why does my brother look like a tornado flew him across Equrstria and smells like a distillery?!”

“We had a fun fockn’ time, that’s why,” Sean grinned, earning a glare from Arthur.

“It’s fine, Twily, we did have fun-WOAH!” Shining was interrupted when Twilight used her magic to throw Shining in the shower and turn the hot water on.

“You zip it, mister! Go wash yourself and get dressed!” Twilight scolded as he pushed Arthur and Sean out of the room. “You two wait for us in the throne room! I have to rush my idiot brother to get ready for his wedding that he was about to miss!”

SLAM!

Twilight slammed the bedroom door in the two gunslingers’ faces, leaving the two a little surprised by her actions.

“Damn, she sure is a high-maintenance one,” Arthur said.

Sean just shrugged at Arthur’s comment. “She looks like the kind of lass that hasn’t had her lock opened by a man’s key before, let alone kiss one. But just wait until she tries the forbidden fruit, we might actually see a very different mare or-” Sean winced when he felt a slap on the back of his head. “What now, English!?”

“You keep that dirty yap of yours shut for the rest of this wedding, ya hear?!” Arthur warned as they walked away. “It’s bad enough that these folks don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, but I don’t wanna have to be the one to explain whatever comes out of your mouth!”

“Sheesh, relax Arthur, I didn’t mean nothin’ by it. It’s just some friendly banter is all,” Sean shrugged as they traversed through the castle halls. “Besides, you were thinking the same thing I was most likely when it comes to Twilight.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Arthur wondered.

“Are ya as daft as ya are blind? That mare’s a sight for sore eyes, if ya look past the innocence,” Sean grinned.

“Sean, if you value your own life, don’t ever talk like that about the kid again,” Arthur warned as he flashed his pistol when he opened his jacket a bit. “She’s a good kid, that’s all I think of her. And you best keep your distance from now on.”

Sean cocked his brow and waved his hands. “Oi oi! Like ye said, she’s too high maintenance! Even I have a certain standard when it comes to ladies,” he replied, but then sighed when he gazed downwards. “Did Molly or any of the others mourn me atleast?”

Arthur stopped walking before they arrived at the throne room and adjusted his hat. “Most of them were torn up about it, to be honest, even Molly cried for a day or two when she realized you weren’t coming back. Guess she did care for you in her own way, despite treating you like shit. Although, people like Micah and Javier didn’t really give much of a damn about your passing. However, you getting killed was the least of our worries.”

“How do ya figure?” Sean wondered, crossing his arms.

“After we killed the Greys for killing you, them Braithwaites figured out it was us that stole their horses. They wanted to get back at us by taking little Jack and handing him off to some Italian asshole named Angelo Bronte,” Arthur explained. “We all showed up at their manor and killed the lot of them, especially that old crazy bitch in charge. Though, she ran into the burning house when we set it on fire.”

Sean whistled in kind and imagined what it must have been like having the Van der Linde Gang take on an entire house filled with inbred Southerners. “There are just some things you just can’t do without signing a death warrant, and taking little Jack from his family is one of them,” Sean said and shook his head with a smile on his face. “Anyhow, that’s in the past life…this is the new life, our second chance, English.”

“It’s more than that, Sean.” Arthur took off his hat. “I’ve become something more than what I was back home. These ponies look at me with kindness and acceptance that I’ve rarely seen in the eyes of the people back home. It’s like…I actually matter to people instead of just being used. Not to mention, I’m able to open and share my heart with a lovely lady who loves me back for who I am.” Arthur looked at Sean with a serious expression. “Sean, I meant what I said when I vouched for you. You also got a chance to be better than what you once were. As my deputy, you’d actually be doing some good and be proud of it instead of just taking whatever you fancy. Don’t that sound like something you’d want to try for a change?”

Sean thinned his lips and crossed his arms as he furrowed his brow in thought. “That does sound much better than always having to watch your back constantly for some sod to pull a knife on you or put a bullet in your head.” He replied and shuddered when he remembered the pain and darkness he experienced in his first death. “Besides, you’re the only one who I would follow to Hell and back, English.”

Arthur was visibly glad to hear something so heartfelt from one of his old friends. “That’s mighty kind of you, Sean, I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Arthur smiled as he patted Sean’s shoulder and put his hat back on.

The two gunslingers continued their way towards the throne room where more guards were standing at attention. Two guards standing in front of the double doors nodded to Arthur and Sean as they opened the doors for them. Inside, multiple ponies were sitting in rows of chairs as the whole room was decorated and repaired from the changeling attack. Arthur and Sean made their way to the front of the crowd, where they were instructed to stand for the wedding.

Celestia and Luna were busy giving last minute directions to the staff as Twilight’s friends were helping with whatever they needed for their own roles. Each mare was dressed in beautiful dresses, designed and made by Rarity of course, which brought a smile to Arthur’s face as he and Sean adjusted their hats. Johanna, who was also helping with the preparations, was the first to see her well-dressed stallion. Arthur’s smile only widened at how gorgeous his mare looked. Her mane was brushed out and looked smooth as silk, she didn’t wear her glasses, and she wore a one-piece light blue dress.

“You look downright gorgeous, darlin’,” Arthur said.

Johanna blushed violently as she smiled demurely and averted her eyes from Arthur before she looked at him again. “You’re not so bad yourself, handsome.” She replied and gave him a soft peck on his cheek. “I hope you boys had enjoyed yourselves last night, I know us girls did…It was pretty crazy.”

“Aye, we did lass.” Sean interrupted the conversation with his trademark grin on his face as he tilted his hat at Johanna. “It was rather tame compared to other nights Arhtur and I shared with many others.”

“Ha! Can’t be as awesome as our night was.” Rainbow Dash replied when she approached the group. Her own dress was a one piece with all seven colors of the rainbow with her wearing three flowers on her head. “I wish we had a camera with us, you should have seen what Fluttershy and Cadence did!” She said but paused when she felt Sean’s eyes gaze upon her. “What?” She asked bluntly.

Sean merely smiled. “I just have to say you’re an absolute stunner in that dress, lass. I wonder if ye yourself are not some angel blessing this wedding today?” He questioned a blushing Rainbow playfully. “But honestly, tha thu boidheach.”

“What?!” Rainbow blurted out and furrowed her brow in confusion.

I forget, not all are blessed with the knowledge of the Gaelic. Sean thought. “It means, You’re beautiful.” Sean answered her question.

Rainbow took a sharp breath, her own cheeks started to burn with a passion at the stallion’s words. “Gosh, um…Thanks! I-uh…Oh look, they need my help with decorations! Bye!” She abruptly left the others as she flew quickly to the other side of the room.

“What was that language you spoke?” Rarity asked.

“Oh, just me native tongue from me homeland,” Sean shrugged. “People talked like that for days on end.”

“It gets more irritating the more ya hear it,” Arthur joked under his breath.

“Sod off, ya old uneducated guff!” Sean barked at the chuckling Arthur.

“Now, now, no need for arguing,” Celestia said as she and Luna approached Arthur. “How is Shining doing, Arthur?”

“Had to smack the poor cuss awake, but Twilight’s helpin’ him get ready,” Arthur chortled.

Sean laughed and shook his head. “Ye not only smacked the captain, ye also gave him the dreaded tonic. Still can’t fathom why ye held onto it English?”

“And what tonic was that?” Luna asked curiously as she looked at Arthur with suspicion when she saw him look away from her gaze.

“Oh, just somethin’ an old friend made to chase away the devil inside after one too many drinks,” Arthur said.

His eyes trailed back to Luna as he noticed her dress. He found himself admiring the lunar alicorn more than he had intended to. Luna was wearing a beautifully made dark blue dress that sparkles like the stars. She also wore white gloves that went up to her elbows and Arthur noticed she had done her makeup and wore light blue lipstick and light purple eyeliner.

“My, my…you look rather stunning, princess Luna.” Arthur took off his hat and held it over his chest. “Never thought you’d get any prettier than ya already were.”

Oh my stars! Where have you been all my life?! Luna’s cheeks burned and her tail started to wag uncontrollably. She straightened herself before she replied, grateful her wings did not sprout like the previous day. “Why thank you, Arthur.” She replied with a demure smile. “And may I say, you look breathtaking too.”

“Oi English, no time for love now. We got a wedding to help prepare,” Sean interrupted the two of them. “Apologies, Princess…but I must say, you gonna knock some stallions out with that dress of yers.” He commented as he smirked with a hand on his chin in thought when he looked her over. He then drew himself closer to a startled Luna. “If ye are planning on a polygamy with Arthur, you should ye first speak to Johanna. But I recommend ye get yerself a wheelchair fer yer first night with our sheriff here or-” He yelped when he felt his ear nearly torn off his head when said sheriff pulled him away from the princess.

“Sean…?” Sean gulped when he saw the look of death in Arthur’s eyes, a sense of fear the former Irishman knew all too well. “Shut. Up.”

“Y-Yes, sir…” Sean nodded vigorously.

Meanwhile, Celestia was fanning her sister with her hand as Luna’s whole face had turned completely red, all the way down her neck, and even to her shoulders. This made many bystanders smile and laugh at the whole ordeal as they continued preparing for the ceremony. Once things had calmed down, the doors opened slightly to reveal the Sparkle siblings. Twilight wore a lavish-looking lavender dress with her mane done up, and Shining wore his traditional Captain’s uniform that was adorned with his medals of valor. Despite Shining looking presentable for his wedding, Arthur and Sean could tell he was still quite hungover due to the redness in his eyes.

“You better keep it together, big brother!” Twilight lectured her delirious older brother..

“Nice to see you kids finally arrive,” Arthur said with a tip of his hat. “Y’all look mighty presentable, given the circumstances.”

Celestia merely smiled and shook her head when she saw her captain in his current condition. “Take it easy on your brother, my dearest student.” She told a surprised Twilight and approached a nervous Shining. With her magic, the princess was able to remove the redness from the groom’s eyes and pepper him up for the day. “There, that should last for the whole week.” She smiled proudly at her own magical work.

“You have got to teach me that spell Princess!” Twilight pleaded Celestia with stars in her eyes.

“Of course, Twilight…but after this wedding,” Celestia said with a motherly smile.

Shining sighed in relief when he felt the spell’s effect course through his body. “That’s much better.”

“Okay, my little ponies!” Celestia announced with a clap of her hands. “Let us all get into position!”

The bystanders all took their seats on their respective sides of the groom and bride. Twilight and her friends stood on Cadence’s side and Arthur and Sean stood next to Shining on his side. Celestia and Luna stood at the podium and awaited for the mare of the hour to arrive. Some of the nobles in the crowd gazed at Arthur and Sean, wondering why they, of all ponies, had the privilege to stand next to the Captain of the royal guard and the princesses themselves.

Within the crowd, more towards the back, sat two stallions who only attended for making an appearance. One was dressed in a light brown tuxedo with a white bow tie with his dirty blonde mane slicked back and the other wore a black suit and tie as he adjusted his glasses. Cider Mac, and his associate Duke Venture, were admiring the decorum of the throne room.

“I so do enjoy soirées such as this,” Cider commented. “What about you, Duke?”

“It’s passable, sir,” Duke dismissed, earning a mock chortle from his employer.

“By the way, have our tinkerers, Torque and Kerfuffle, received our special package?” Cider asked and Duke nodded slightly. “And what have they said about it?”

Duke took out a letter from his side pocket and handed it to Cider. “They say what we have presented to them will revolutionize both security and warfare not just in Equestria, but globally too. They are just worried about such weaponry falling into the wrong hands.”

“As well as they should, we don’t want some foal to end another’s life due to some argument or an idiot waving it around pretending to be superior,” Cider commented as he read the letter before he tore it apart and crumbled it into a tiny ball which he gave to Duke. “Tell them to make both lethal and non-lethal based, stun-wise…electric based, or serum. That should also broaden our market.”

“Yes, sir,” Duke nodded and turned his attention to Arthur and Sean who stood on the other side of the room. “What will we do when Mr. Morgan finds out about all this?”

Cider merely smiled and gazed at the said sheriff. “When the time comes, leave that to me…For now, let’s enjoy this beautiful wedding.” He said. The music started to play and Fluttershy’s birds sang and everyone in the throne room stood up. The double doors opened up together to reveal Princess Cadence in a gorgeous white gown with a veil over her head, covering her face. Walking down the aisle was a unicorn stallion named Night Light, Twilight’s and Shining’s father. Cadence walked with him with her arm hooked around his as they made their way down the aisle towards her soon to be husband. A tear leaked from his eye which he quickly cleared with his hand.

Reminds me of a simpler time… Cider thought solemnly.

Once Cadence stood in front of Shining, as the captain summoned every ounce of willpower to either not burst into tears at the sight of his beautiful bride or pass out from being overwhelmed, Night Light gave one last quick hug to his future daughter-in-law and a pat on the back to his son before sitting next to his wife, another unicorn pony mare named Twilight Velvet.

“Please be seated,” Celestia said and the crowd sat down. “Dearly beloved, friends, family, and my little ponies. We are gathered here today to bear witness to the matrimony of these two ponies. Princess of Love, Mi Amore Cadenza, and my own Captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor Sparkle. If there is anypony who does not approve of these two souls being wed, speak now or forever hold your peace.” Thankfully, no one in the crowd made a peep.

“Shame, I was itchin’ to put a soder down, should they’ve said a word,” Sean muttered to Arthur, earning a slight chuckle from the sheriff.

“Shining Armor, you have your vows ready with you?” Celestia asked Shining and he nodded. “Then you may speak to your betrothed.”

Shining gulped nervously as he pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from his coat. When he attempted to try and speak, his mouth became dry and he began to panic. Arthur sighed pityingly at Shining and leaned in, putting a hand on his shoulder.

“See that lady in front of you, son?” Arthur whispered in Shining’s ear. “That there is a woman who loves you very much. She crawled out of a cave for you, kept her sense of reason strong for you, and stood up to a bug queen for you. If ever there was a time when you wanted to express yourself, without the need of whatever’s on that crumpled paper you got, now’s a good a time as any.”

As he mustered all the courage he had in him, Shining took a deep breath before he spoke. “Cadence. Ever since I met you, I knew you were special. Special and wonderful…and downright beautiful.” He said as he smiled and was glad to see his words did make his fiancé blush. “On the day of our first kiss, I knew you were the one for me and I promised myself I would be your shield against everything the world would throw at you. It shames me that I recently did not uphold that vow. But I promise from today onwards I will be the stallion that protects you. I will be your eternal lover and friend as we laugh, as we weep, as we share our burdens and as we raise our own family together. They say until death do us part, but I cannot and will not part with you now and forever more.”

Cadence had to compose herself from Shining’s beautiful words as some of the crowd, some of Twilight’s friends included, shed a tear. Shining glanced back at Arthur, to which the sheriff gave an approving nod and thumbs up.

“Princess Cadence, now you may recite your vows,” Celestia said.

Cadence nodded and looked into Shining’s eyes. “Shining Armor. As an alicorn, I find myself as the center of attention for many other stallions who had wished to wed me simply for power or recognition. Not a single one of them had ever caught my attention until you came into my life. I still remember the day when your mother and father hired me to be your little sister’s foalsitter. The first night I met little Twilight, I met you when you had just come back from recruit training. I expected you to be headstrong and only see me as a princess and ruling figure, but you treated me as a normal mare. I thank myself every day for urging myself to work up the nerve to talk to you every time I came to foalsit. When you first asked me out, instead of just sending me a marriage proposal, it was all I needed to know you were one of the few most unique stallions I’ve ever met. The rest, after our first date, is wonderful history. Despite the altercation with Queen Chrysalis, you still kept loving me and wouldn’t fall completely under her influence. I’ve waited for the day a stallion like you would sweep me off my hooves and be my knight in shining armor.” Some of the crowd laughed at her unintentional pun. “And here you are, willing to marry me for me and not for my status. I vow to always love you as well and stand by your side, no matter what future endeavors await us.”

This time, most of the crowd shed a few tears and all of the main six wept happily a little. Sean rubbed his eye with his thumb and cleared his throat as Arthur kept on smiling. Celestia motioned Spike to approach the two ponies with a pillow. Sitting on the pillow were two gold bands, one of which had a small pink diamond attached to it. Shining took the diamond ring and Cadence took the gold band ring.

“Captain Shining Armor Sparkle, do you take this mare to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love and cherish now and forever?” Celestia asked Shining.

“I do,” Shining said, slipping the diamond ring on Cadence’s left ring finger. “With this ring, I thee wed.”

“Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, Princess of Love, do you take this stallion to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love and cherish now and forever?” Celestia asked Cadence.

“I do,” Cadence said, slipping the gold band ring on Shining’s left ring finger. “With this ring, I thee wed.”

“Then by the power vested in my sister and I, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, co-rulers of Equestria, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife!” Celestia proclaimed proudly as she and Luna unfurled their wings out wide. “Shining Armor? You may now kiss your bride!”

Not wasting another second, Shining took hold of Cadence and planted his lips to hers in a kiss. Once their lips touched each other, the crowd came alive with applause. Once they separated, the captain lifted his wife in his arms and carried her bridal style as they were showered with flowers from the cheering guests. Once they were outside, they were greeted by even more ponies waiting for them as they celebrated.

When her and her friends were outside, Rainbow Dash was nudged by Celestia. The cyan mare spread her wings and took off as fast as she could from the ground. She accelerated more until she broke the sound barrier and released her trademark Sonic Rainboom, which she formed into an arch that resembled a natural rainbow. It was when she neared the end that her vision started to blur and she felt tired.

Oh no! Rainbow mentally exclaimed as she felt her body go limp and started to plummet to the ground below. After a few seconds, something broke her fall and she dared to open her eyes to see she was held in the arms of a ginger-haired stallion with the cutest green eyes she had ever seen.

“Woah there, you chansing lass. Don’t want ye to become paste after such a brutal display of skill.” Sean said to Rainbow as he descended from the air whilst he still held onto the mare. Once they were safely to the ground, the Irish stallion gave her a grand mark grin.

That was… Rainbow trailed off in thought with a blush on her cheeks as she was still being held in Sean’s arms. He’s way more stronger than what he looks like…Those muscles I felt were-. She quickly shook her head when her mind began to wonder other thoughts. Thoughts she had to suppress at all costs. She cleared her throat and pointed to the stallion’s arms, the latter noticed and let go of her.

“Whoops! Sorry ‘bout that.” Sean let Rainbow down as he went to rejoin Arthur.

Rainbow was left a flustered mess as she fidgeted in place for a bit until she quietly went to rejoin her friends.

What’s with me?! He’s just a guy! Rainbow thought as her mind raced with confusion.

“It appears congratulations are in order, kid,” Arthur said to Shining and his newly wedded wife as he and Sean approached them.

“Aye, you’d be right about that, Arthur,” Sean nodded, then took off his hat and placed it over his chest. “And ya have me condolences.”

“Shaddup, Sean!” Arthur barked, earning laughs from Shining and Cadence.

“Thank you, Arthur, it really means a lot, coming from you,” Shining said.

“I agree, it’s thanks to you and your friend, Sean, that made this all possible,” Cadence said.

“Us? Naw, we barely did anything to set all this up,” Arthur waved it off.

“But you saved me from that cave,” Cadence argued. “And you two fought off the changelings and stood up to Chrysalis. You should be commended for your actions.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, Cadence, but it ain’t necessary,” Arthur shook his head with a smile. “I just did what I hope anyone would do in that situation.”

Such a humble and modest stallion. Cadence thought to herself. I can see why I’ve heard Auntie Luna likes him so much.

“We should make our way to the ballroom for the celebration party,” Shining said.

“Of course, dear, but first.” Cadence held her bouquet with both hands and turned around. Many mares caught sight of her and immediately positioned themselves behind her with anticipation. “Catch, ladies!”

Once the bouquet was in the air, nearly every mare behind Cadence positioned themselves to catch the assortment of flowers. Some even bumped into each other to take their spot.

“It’s mine!” Rarity yelled out whilst she looked like a patient that escaped an asylum.

The bouquet was caught however by Johanna with both her hands. She beamed with glee at the flowers before she slowly raised her eyes to look into Arthur’s. She gave a subtle wink and blew a kiss.

“If ye need a best man fer your wedding English, I’ll be there,” Sean elbowed Arthur in the ribs and was greeted with a brotherly smile from the latter. “Also, I’ll get the undertaker to prepare a casket just in case. Need your measurements though, considering ye changed and gained a bit of weight and gas from-” He was silenced when his head was held in the arm of the sheriff and he felt his scalp becoming sore.

“You’ll be the first to be introduced to the undertaker when I’m done with you!” Arthur said as he dug his knuckle into Sean’s head, messing up his combed hair.

After the bouquet was thrown, everyone made their way to the ballroom to celebrate the newlyweds. Traditional classical music played as the guests mingled with each other. The party went on as Shining and Cadence danced the first dance with each other, Cadence then danced with Night Light, and heartfelt words were shared with one another about Cadence being welcomed into the Sparkle family. One would argue, however, that no one could have been more happy about this momentous occasion than Twilight. Her own brother and foalsitter were married and she had gained a new sister-in-law. Arthur noticed she was smiling nonstop as a few tears leaked from her eyes.

“It’s a sight to see, ain’t it kid?” Arthur said as he approached Twilight with a drink in his hand. Shining and Cadence were in the middle of cutting their wedding cake that Pinkie had made for them.

Twilight nodded as she wiped the tears from her eyes, courtesy of a napkin. “I always knew those two liked each other a lot since I was a filly. I always teased them about getting married, and now look.” She pointed out to the newlyweds, how happy they were and how much love they shared with each other. “And it’s all thanks to you that this is possible, Arthur.”

“Beggin’ yer pardon, Twilight? I think ye might want to take a look in the mirror, cause none of this would have been possible without you.” Arthur replied.

“No,” Twilight shook her head and turned towards the sheriff. “I just helped plan the wedding, that’s just decorations and scheduling. What you and Sean were able to do not only saved them, but us also…” She trailed off and gave a hug to a startled Arthur, who returned it in kind. “I dunno what brought you two into this world, whether it be Equeleus or some other force, but I’m really grateful that you are here.”

Arthur took a moment to take in the words spoken by Twilight to heart. It made him feel a new sense of happiness and content how much Twilight, and the others, valued him and even Sean. His old gang once made him feel this way, in days gone by, but the feeling didn’t always last long whenever they went to commit crimes. This world, to him, was the blessing he had prayed for before he met his end on that mountain top.

“Hey Twilight!” Rainbow and Applejack came up to Arthur and Twilight. “Congrats on your bro being married,” Rainbow said.

“Thank you, Rainbow,” Twilight said with a nod.

“How’re ya doin’, Arthur?” Applejack asked the gunslinger.

“Not too bad, just thinkin’ about the things I’m grateful for,” Arthur said. “Sure wish I knew where Sean was. Lost track of him when he said he wanted a drink.”

“I think I saw him at the refreshment table,” Twilight tapped her chin. “Anyway, are you two having fun?”

“This party’s alright, but the music’s kinda boring,” Rainbow shrugged.

“Dash! That’s rude!” Applejack scolded.

“What? I’m just being honest,” Rainbow shrugged. “Nothing against Octavia, it’s just not my style.”

Twilight pondered Rainbow’s remark until a thought popped in her head. “I think I may know a way to fix that,” Twilight said as she turned to Arthur. “Princess Celestia said that anypony can make song requests to the band, maybe you can liven things up and sing a song?”

“Uh…you sure about that? I ain’t the best singer,” Arthur said nonchalantly.

“You kiddin’? Ah still remember when ya first sang that tune at yer welcome party. Ya got some talent, partner,” Applejack said.

“Thank ya kindly, but I doubt it’d be much appropriate for this event,” Arthur said.

“Please Arthur?” Twilight begged. “At least do it for my brother and sister-in-law.”

Arthur gazed into Twilight’s puppy eyes as she pleaded to him and rolled his eyes with a heavy sigh.

Goddamn, these ponies and their eyes… Arthur thought as he downed the rest of his drink. “Fine.”

As the mares celebrated their successful attempt to convince Arthur, the sheriff roamed through the crowd of guests towards the drink bar where he saw Sean talking with a few noble ponies.

“Hey Sean! Get over here!” Arthur called out. Sean glanced at Arthur and downed his drink before meeting Arthur halfway. “You still remember how to strum strings?”

Sean cocked his brow at the question. “That’s like asking if I still know how to breathe. What’s on yer mind, English? Did the ladies ask fer your voice?”

“Eh, somethin’ like that. I need you to back me up,” Arthur requested.

“Say no more, mate,” Sean grinned as he followed Arthur.

The two made their way towards the band as they had just finished another piece. In front of the musicians, playing a cello, was a mare with gray fur and long dark gray hair. Her eyes were light pink and she wore professional musician’s attire.

“Pardon me, ma’am, we were hoping we could play something?” Arthur asked.

“Hm?” The mare looked up at Arthur and Sean. “Why, you’re Sheriff Morgan. How nice to see you.”

“Likewise, who might you be?” Arthur tipped his hat in response.

“My name is Octavia Melody, I also live in Ponyville with my roommate,” Octavia said with a curt nod. “To answer your request, of course you may play whatever you please.”

“Much obliged, lass,” Sean said.

The two gunslingers grabbed guitars and tuned them a little before standing in front of the crowd.

“Ready?” Arthur said to Sean and he nodded with a grin before looking back at the band. “Just follow my lead, y’all.”

Arthur began strumming his guitar and plucked the strings with an upbeat tune. Sean soon followed suit and the stallions strummed their guitars, following each other’s tempo. The band hadn’t heard such a toon before, but after the pony playing the drums gave them a subtle beat, they managed to go along with it. Once the tune was set, Arthur began to sing in a peaceful yet laid back tone. He let the words guide his voice as he and Sean strummed away and Sean smirked hearing Arthur’s singing. Soon after, Sean joined in with Arthur and they sang together. The band was able to play along with them and the song put them in a brighter mood for an unexplainable reason. During the performance, the crowd had mixed reactions from the unexpected performance from the two gunslingers.

“I say…This is not proper music to be playing at a wedding, especially a royal wedding!” One uptight and pompous creme unicorn said as she sneered at the performers on stage. “This is the kind of cacophony you would associate with backwater villages like Ponyville!”

“I wouldn’t say that out loud if I were you, Pomp. The Element Bearers are mostly from Ponyville.” Her husband warned her, though his disdain at the music was clear as he furrowed his brow in a scowl at the stage.

Meanwhile, Shining and Cadence were enjoying themselves as they danced to the tempo of the music. “Our new friends from Ponyville are full of surprises!” Cadence beamed as she was held close to her husband in his strong yet gentle arms.

“You said it!” Shining replied with a smile of his own but it soon grimaced when he saw his sister’s own dance. “I’m gonna go join Twilight, save her and the others.” He told a bemused Cadance as he ventured off to his sister and helped her out.

Johanna’s eyes would not leave the stage where Arthur continued to perform. A myriad of thoughts entered her mind as her lips began to dry which she started to lick instinctively. She was brought back to reality by two mares who shook her to her senses.

“Hey Sugarcube? Yer gonna stare all night at Arthur or ye gonna join us fer some dancin’?” Applejack as with a smirk.

“Oh! Yes! Let’s dance.” Johanna replied hastily but soon paused. She saw Rainbow Dash alone in the crowd but her attention was to the stage. Does she fancy my Arthur? Or… Her thoughts came to a halt as she was pulled to the side by Pinkie Pie who forced her to dance with the other ladies. Rainbow shook her head of certain thoughts that popped in her head as Sean began to sing his verse.

“This is quite an evening! Wouldn’t you say, Sister?” Celestia asked cheerfully as she let loose next her younger sister, who did not dance. “Luna?” She beckoned her sister and saw Luna’s eyes were fixated on the stage.

Luna had a soft smile on her face as she looked upon the stage and the magnificent stallion that sang to them. She felt her legs become weak and knees started to buckle as she continued to admire Arthur from afar.

“You know, I’m sure Mayor Mare will let you into his herd if you ask permission from her.” Celestia’s voice entered her ear from one side, albeit in a teasing manner.

The dark navy blue alicorn’s cheeks started to burn as she blinked furiously and started to sputter. “I-I don’t know what you are talking about, Sister!?” Luna glared at a giggling Celestia. “That’s not funny!”

“Yes it is,” Celestia said back.

The two gunslingers continued to sing as now most of the whole crowd was enjoying their performance. The two glanced at each other and smiled as they sang, a sort of mental acknowledgment of one another for their friendship. Arthur had believed he was all alone in this world and would never see anyone from his old gang again. The ones whom he had the unfortunate displeasure of witnessing their deaths were those who had more of a connection with than others. Yet Sean was standing right next to him, singing with him, and would work with him to protect his new home. This was, arguably, one of the happiest moments he could recall apart from finding Johanna and sharing his heart. The song soon came to an end and the two gunslingers strummed their last notes on their guitars. A flurry of applause followed as they bowed to the crowd while taking off their hats.

“Not bad, English, not bad at all,” Sean said.

“Not so bad yourself, my friend,” Arthur said with a nod and smile. The main six, Johanna, the newlyweds, and even the princesses were the first to meet Arthur and Sean as they set their guitars down. “I take it y’all enjoyed the show?”

Johanna answered first by planting her lips upon Arthur’s as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “You are the entire package, Sheriff.” She whispered to him with a coy smile on her face. She soon let go when she heard the others in the background chuckle at her antics. “It was really good…you too Sean.” She complemented the Irish stallion.

“I ken ye ye were the type to enjoy our brand of melody, lass.” Sean laughed as she crossed his arms behind his head.

“Enough talk!” Pinkie shouted and ran to the DJ, a unicorn mare named Vinyl Scratch, who stood behind her disc player and scratcher. “Let’s get this party started!” The pink mare yelled out loud as she played a track.

The song Pinkie played was a very upbeat song that made the speakers almost shake the whole room. Arthur and Sean had never seen such contraptions before and wondered how they were playing music. Not to mention, the strange table she stood behind with spinning disks and strange buttons. As the upbeat song played, Sean’s hoof tapped to the beat as a wide grin grew across his lips. He snapped his fingers to the tempo and he bobbed just head in unison.

“Oh, this makes me wanna dance somethin’ fierce!” Sean stomped his hoof repeatedly. “Try and follow this jig from me homeland!”

Sean got to work and began clacking his hoofs on the marble floor and stomping with the beat of the song. He tossed his hat in the air and caught it as he made his legs and hooves twist, spin, stamp, and stomp as hard and fast as he could.

“What on Eques is he doing?” Shining wondered as they gazed at Sean’s loud dance.

“If I recall, he said it’s something called River Stomp,” Arthur replied.

“Come on then, lads n’ lassies! Give it a lash!” Sean laughed as he stomped and skipped his hooves.

Sean was fluid in his movements and continued to stomp in rhythm. Many onlookers were perplexed by this foreign dance, some found it amusing and others ghastly. After a few minutes of starting his dance, the Irish stallion was joined by Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. Both mares tried to follow their partner’s movement, though they stumbled at some stomps.

Cadance and Shining turned to each other and shared a laugh before they joined the dance, which they immensely enjoyed to their surprise. Slowly but surely, other ponies participated too. Even Twilight decided to dance, much to the amusement of others.

“I say, Celestia…your student has some odd movements in her dance.” Luna commented from the side as she watched Twilight on the dancefloor.

One thing I really need to rectify with my proud student… Celestia thought to herself with a smile and a shake of her head. “Indeed, dear sister. Let’s see if you can keep up with our new friends!” She challenged Luna with a playful smirk.

“You’re on!” Luna boasted with a smirk of her own.

Both princesses flew up by Sean and landed onto the dance floor. As soon as the song became more upbeat and intense, the royal sisters lifted their dresses, as to not trip over them, and joined the Iris stallion in his stomp.

“Aye! That be the way!” Sean cheered.

Despite not having an inkling as to how to properly dance this foreign form, the two royal sisters managed to get the hang of it quicker than expected. Johanna couldn’t contain her excitement and grabbed Arthur’s arm.

“Come on! We can’t let them show us up!” Johanna laughed.

Arthur had no say in the matter as he was yanked along onto the dance floor. Most of the nobles were shocked beyond reprieve that their own rulers would engage in such an uncultured and unrefined form of dance. Arthur was tripping over himself almost as much as Twilight was, but he was having fun nonetheless with Johanna. The entire room was filled with cheers, laughter, and a whole lot of stomping and clacking hooves along the marble floor. Sean was having the time of his life, being able to let his Irish heart flutter like this. Something he hadn’t been able to do in years prior. Sean led the group with his dance and saw Rainbow stomping along with him and smiling and laughing. The green gunslinger got an idea and grabbed Rainbow’s hand with his.

“Together now, lass, let’s show ‘em whot we got!” Sean said gleefully.

Before she could register what was about to happen, Sean pulled her close and started to dance with her even faster than before. Up close to Arthur’s friend, she was drawn into his green eyes and didn’t know how she was able to keep up with his erratic movements. Rainbow Dash was only focused on her partner, who smiled softly.

“Tá tú go hálainn mo bhean uasal,” Sean spoke in his native tongue.

“Wha- Woah!” Rainbow blurted out as she was lifted in the air and held steady with both of Sean’s hands supporting her by her stomach just as the song came to an end. A crimson blush emanated from her cheeks, as the pose was similar to that of a ballerina duet. This is so girly! But why do I like it so much!? She screamed in her mind as her thoughts were drowned with ponies’ applause around her. She was let down slowly with her hands resting on Sean’s shoulders.

Sean chuckled as he beamed. “Didn’t mean to scare you there, lass. Just a spur of the moment, hope you understand.”

Rainbow could only blink a few times before she nodded. “N-no problem.”

“A rousing performance, Mr. MacGuire!” Princess Celestia said as she and Luna caught her breath. “It’s been ages since we danced with such fierceness.”

“I suddenly remembered why I never liked dancing that damn stomp,” Arthur said, looking like he ran a marathon.

“You sure know how to liven things up, that’s for sure,” Shining said.

“All in a day’s work, lads and lassies,” Sean tipped his hat. “But the night’s still young, so how’s about another go?!”

“Woohoo!” The ponies cheered.

“Pass!” Arthur said as he tried to walk away but Johanna grabbed his arm again. “Damnit, woman, let go!”

“Lighten up, Arthur, it’s a party!” Johanna laughed.

Meanwhile, one unicorn mare who was present with Thunderlane as his plus one for the night, stood at the beverage table with a drink in her hand. She saw the ponies do the River Stomp and was bemused by their antics, but grateful her date did not ask her to join. She took a sip of her punch, but once the dance was over and the ponies began to speak, she froze and dropped her glass. It shattered on the floor, but she did not register it as her jaw was agape and her eyes widened in shock.

“…It…can’t be. Arthur?! Sean?!” The mare gasped.

Author's Note

Weddings bring smiles and happiness to the two gunslinging friends. More importantly, who could this mare be and how does she know our Sheriff and new deputy of Ponyville?

Side Note:
Sorry I’ve been taking so long with posting chapters, everyone. I’ve just been feeling unmotivated lately. Hopefully, it’s just a funk and it’ll pass. Thank you all again for your continued patience with me.

Hope you enjoyed!

~WurkyWilk has left the building…