Missing

by HiddenBrony

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Romance
Length: 17172

An amalgam of three stories originally produced as their own progressions, the Missing series includes stories from HiddenBrony's Hop, Skip, and a Jump! universe that follows the story left after Eggheads and First Date.

Published 2011-08-18 07:53:34 UTC
Last updated 2011-09-11 04:36:39 UTC

Call Him in the Morning

Two pastel ponies trotted along the path to the library, chatting amiably as the life of Ponyville came into focus. The blue sky was tinted slightly in the late afternoon sun, and the wafting sugar-sweet smell of Sugar Cube Corner filled the air as the two mares, Applejack and Fluttershy, enjoyed themselves with talk of work, life, and the various antics of little fillies. "An' the bigger ones tha' act like 'em!" Applejack laughed slightly, watching the sky for a certain rainbow pegasus. "Ah swear, paintin' apples is one thing, but tryin' ta mess with mah pappy's hat..."

Fluttershy giggled slightly, turning her head as she got a better look at the accompanying mare. "But I'm sure even he dreamed of flying sometimes," she defended the other pegasus, causing the Earth Pony to cast an indifferent gaze. Pressing, the yellow coated pony nuzzled her love gently. "And now he got to, if only for a short time." Applejack turned to Fluttershy, giving a small contemplative look toward her partner.

"But if she crossed a line, I'm sure she'll apologize, um. Sometime," Fluttershy added meekly. In truth, when Rainbow had nabbed the hat right off the farm worker, it was Fluttershy who quickly pursued the pony. Having found Dash whooping it up on some cloud, she explained to the other pegasus why taking the hat was wrong. The hat had belonged to Applejack's father, which caused the cyan mare to cease her laughing immediately. Stammering excuses, Rainbow Dash gave the hat back, apologizing profusely while sending cautious glances down toward the ground. However, she begged Fluttershy not to tell Applejack before she could. "So um, don't be too hard on her, she didn't know what she was doing..."

Applejack softened her expression, putting a hoof to her hat. "Don't you worry about it none, Fluttershy. Not many ponies know how special it is ta me. Rainbow especially." Applejack calmed down a bit, letting go of the last vestiges of indignation she felt for the cyan pony. Fluttershy gave a pained smile, not wanting to betray Dash's wishes. "So what do ya suppose Twi has us comin' to the Library fer, anyway?"

Shaking her mane, Fluttershy simply didn't know. She wasn't a pony to venture a guess on baseless assumptions. The discussion trailing off, she started to take in the late afternoon activities of other ponies. She could even see Pinkie Pie putting away the outside stand for Sugar-Cube Corner, dancing about and quite possibly singing a little ditty she made on the spot. Snips and Snails were talking about Celestia knows what to little Dinky, but she seemed to be responding well to it. A gentle breeze flowed through town, brushing Fluttershy's mane aside. It was a wonderfully warm wind that offset the slight cool air that had been descending around them. Breathing it in deeply, the pink maned pegasus looked to Applejack, leaning slightly upon her. "Whatever it is, I think," she gave a long pause. If it was bad, the unicorn would have been a bit more rushed to tell the girls. "I think it'll be good. She didn't sound too urgent in her letter."

Applejack smiled, nodding. The two ponies continued their way, listening to the sounds of Ponyville. As the library came into sight, Applejack paused, feeling a second weight on her other side. Closing her eyes, she sighed, shuddering her flank a bit to remove it. "Pinkie Pie. Leanin' privileges extend only to members of tha' Apple Family." Turning her head, the hyperactive pink pony smiled hugely as she removed her head from Applejack's broadside. Fluttershy did the same, looking over Applejack's mane to see the bouncing hair of Pinkie move energetically in place.

"Hi girls! I saw you walking by and then I remembered that I got a letter from Twilight, except I really didn't forget but I was going to wait a little bit longer to finish working, but then there you two were and I was like HAAAAAAAAUUUUUHHHH!" The sudden intake in breath spooked the pegasus, but she kept herself firm and on the ground. Pinkie's almost permanent smile shifted from the two ponies before pointing toward the Library. "So I finished up super-quick! Super-duper quick! And then I caught up and I was all 'Awwwww' when I saw you two and I wanted to lean against you too because it was so cute. But then you said it was Apple Family only and since I'm not part of it, at least I don't think I am. Oh, could you imagine if I was?!"

"Ah fear it everyday." Fluttershy laughed despite herself, before covering her mouth for a bit. Pinkie laughed more explosively at Applejack's deadpan delivery, causing the only sane Earth Pony to take small pride in her humor. "So Pinkie Pie, you got a letter from Twi, too, huh?" Looking toward the sky, Applejack's eyes scanned the skies for Rainbow Dash, expecting that all of Twilight's friends had been called by this point.

"Yep! Rarity too! She was with me when Derpy delivered our letters," Pinkie mentioned, putting a hoof to her chin. Somehow, she continued her forward momentum despite the loss of one of her hooves to thought, something which the other ponies had ceased to question. Applejack stopped and reached a hoof out, rapping at the door as she looked to the other two ponies. "So why does Fluttershy get to lean on you? She's not Apple family."

Applejack sighed, shaking her mane. "Well she's close enough!" Exasperated, she didn't notice the smile that had appeared on the yellow mare's face. Fluttershy turned slightly to look at Pinkie, who was ready to meet her gaze with a crafty smile, her tongue hanging out of her mouth playfully. Fluttershy couldn't help but giggle at Pinkie's performance, bringing the attention of the orange Earth pony to look about her. "What? What're you two fillies sayin' behind mah back?" In all her mock threatening, Applejack missed the door opening, revealing a white unicorn standing inside the Library.

Seeing the front pony of the three having turned around, Rarity's eyes fell into half moons as she addressed the trio. "Applejack, really. If you are going to knock at somepony's door, please have the decency to face the door. I, unlike someponies, take no pleasure in being greeted with your flank!" Rarity chided, a mischievous smile on her face. Not known as a joker, the unicorn's quip caught Applejack completely off-guard, and Fluttershy had to hang unto Pinkie Pie to keep her face from exploding into laughter and embarrassment. The pink pony simply looked proud, as if surveying a new protege.

"H-Hey now! I-I-It wasn't mah fault!" The hardworking mare had trouble composing herself in front of the others. Taking in the moment, Rarity breathed deep, stepping aside to let the others in.

"Applejack, it was a joke. You simply mustn't be so easy to haze so even I can..." Rarity turned her head over to Pinkie Pie, who was currently looking around, a puzzled expression hanging on her face. "....'Pull a fast one' on you. Pinkie Pie, this isn't a party, darling. There aren't any drinks or candy." Trotting over to her friend, she placed a hoof on the now downtrodden Earth pony and shook her mane playfully. "Ahem. However, I'm sure if we ask Twilight nicely, she can cook something up last minute, even if it might be a bit... small. I mean, we are all together. That doesn't happen as much as it really should."

Looking about, Fluttershy took note of a couple missing factors. Specifically the absence of the lavender unicorn. "Um. Where is Twilight? And..." Looking straight up, she scanned the ceiling space for the weather pony, but to no avail. "I don't see Rainbow Dash anywhere."

"Hardly everypony, then," Applejack huffed, bringing her attention back to Rarity. "Well, you let us in. Where is Twilight anyhow?"

"Oh, I'm sure she's in her bedroom, talking to Whoof and creating MASSIVE experiments! Like, maybe they're making Spike into a GIANT DRAGON, or maybe even purple!" Pinkie hopped about, thinking heavily on just what the two intellectual ponies could possibly be doing alone in the bedroom.

"Darlin', Spike already is purple." Applejack stuck a hoof out as Pinkie collided with it across her chest. "An' Ah don't think they're into experimentin' on livin' things," putting a finality on her opinion, she added, "'Least of all Spike."

"Somebody call?" Opening the upstairs door, the purple dragon appeared, followed closely behind by a brown Earth pony, an hourglass adorning his flank. Looking down below, Spike saw the one pony, the one brilliant, beautiful, perfect unicorn Rarity - and then he saw other three. "Oh, uh. Hey guys. Twi's gonna be with you all in a sec'. Me 'n Whoof here are gonna go get a bite to eat."

"Well howdy there Spike." Applejack greeted, before processing the rest of the dragon's remark. Raising an eyebrow at the two, the orange pony raised a hoof. "Oh, and what an' where to?"

"If – you don't mind us asking." Rarity cut in, tittering at the orange mare. What she got in return was a low bleat and an eyeroll, landing on Fluttershy who simply smiled at her companion.

"Quite alright, really," the Doctor mentioned, trotting contentedly down the stairs. "I believe I owe Spike a dinner for an ill-placed bet."

"Yeah, Doc here didn't even consider the idea of distortions in time and space being able to be manipulated by magic and technology!" Spike sneered, as if he knew the words that were coming out of his own mouth.

Laughing, the Doctor turned to look at the group. "It's an interesting concept, really. Right now I'm referring to such an object capable of that ability as a DTS – that is, Dimensions in Time and Space. However, I believe that's a bit off, as there are still many variables to be found."

"Time and Relative Dimensions in Space!" Pinkie's mouth ran, her nose literally crammed in a nearby book. The Doctor looked blankly on as the mare giggled a bit. His eyes clouded over a moment as Pinkie continued. "Then you'd have a T-R-D-S. 'Terds'!" She yelped suddenly, feeling a hoof against her flank, deftly delivered by the other Earth Pony. "Owie, why'd you do that, Applejack?"

"'Cause you're letting yer mouth run without you on board." The orange mare chuckled regardless, keeping her head facing Doctor Whoof and Spike. In the interim, the latter had clambered onto the former's back. "Well, Ah ain't gonna act like Ah know what y'all are sayin', but Ah know we're holdin' you up. An' Spike gets grouchy when he's hungry."

"I do not!" Spike shouted, raising a fist at Applejack's comment. The jolt brought the stallion he sat upon back to reality, causing him to distressingly look about, as if fearing an impending fight. The mare simply laughed it off, pushing Spike's claw back with her front hoof. "That's ridiculous! I'm perfectly fine - I don't get grouchy."

"That you don't, Spike," the Doctor chimed in, ending their tirade. Clearing his throat, he counted the ponies. "Well, anyway, Twilight will be out soon, although I don't think she'd mind..." Trailing, the stallion looked about the room. "Say, isn't there supposed to be one more of you? Let's see... Fluttershy... Rarity... Applejack, of course, Pinkie Pie... Ah! Ponyville's famous weather pony, where is our Rainbow Dash?" Looking about, all he was met with were shrugs and shaking heads. "That so? Well, our new Wonderbolt is obviously quite busy, so of course she'd be excused for being a little late-"

"A Wonderbolt is known for it's speed, poindexter!" Shooting into the house in a burst of wind, the cyan mare trotted about on the upper floor, having flown in from the balcony. Goggles adorned on her visage, the rainbow-maned pegasus smirked at the ponies below, the pink one of which was clapping her hooves together happily. "I'm never late!"

"Whoo! Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie cheered her friend, as if she was in attendance of a celebrity. Turning her head away from the others to hide a threatening red blush on her cheeks, the pegasus acted as if she could find Twilight by looking about where she came in.

"So egghead two, where's egghead one?" Rainbow called from the upper floor, still hiding her face from her friends below. Applejack took it upon herself to trot up the stairs, whereas Fluttershy and Rarity decided to catch up in the downtime.

"Apt..." Whoof trailed, before shaking his mane. "Well, now that you girls are all together, I believe it's best Spike and I are off. Twilight's in her room cleaning up a bit, she'll be out momentarily. She asked that we vacate the premises before hand."

"Heh, yeah. Don't wanna be here when all the huggin' and girly stuff happens," Spike pointed at his tongue in disgust, obviously not pleased with whatever sort of reaction the news Twilight was going to break to the group would bring. However, a quick buck from Whoof quieted the dragon. "Oh, right, the saps don't know yet. Eh, whatever." Shrugging, the dragon kicked his feet softly against the Doctor's flank, egging him on to leave. The other girls which had caught on by this point started to move in.

"Right, right, we're off then!" Sweating bullets, the good doctor made for the door, barely making it past Rarity as she slammed the door behind him by accident. The sound of a gallop could be heard as Spike's laughter coincided with it perfectly as they rode out toward the sunset. Rarity frowned and shook her mane, decidedly livid that she had reacted too slow to stop the gossipers from spilling everything.

"What do you think he meant by that? Do you think Twilight's news is... bad?" Fluttershy breathed, tapping the ground uneasily. Applejack's attuned senses wheeled her about at the sound of the soft spoken pegasus, having missed Spike's faux pas.

"What's wrong, sugarcube?" Raising her voice slightly to clear it over the others.

Fluttershy turned to see her companion, and shook her mane slowly. "Oh, um, it's nothing, really," she murmured, but neither Applejack nor Rarity nearby bought the deflection.

Rarity clicked her tongue as she looked over toward the orange pony. "Nothing is far from it. Whoof and Spike just retreated before they could tell us what we're all drawn here for."

"Um. Yes. Spike said that we'd all be supportive of Twilight and... that was it," Fluttershy had paraphrased for Applejack, a small smile on her face. "I was worried we it might be bad news after all."

Dash raised an eyebrow, shaking her head. "Well if it is, then we'll take care of it together!" She shouted, stamping a hoof down on the hardwood floor. Applejack bleated low and shook her head.

"Sometimes we can't stop bad news from happenin', Rainbow. You can't buck every problem away," she corrected, earning a huff from the pegasus. Applejack chuckled, recalling how she had learned that lesson the hard way. The activity of the girls in the library brought caused the door to Twilight's room to be opened behind Applejack, revealing a very tired looking unicorn. Looking back, Applejack looked her friend over a moment before smirking. "Well Ah'll be, Ah 'spect that professor's gone and worked you to the bone there, Twilight."

The purple unicorn gestured something between a wave and a dismissal as she strode into the room. She took quick stock of her guests and smiled. "Hello everypony. Nice to see you all again-" She got cut off by a yawn as she rubbed her eyes with a free hoof. "Oooof, sorry. Nice to see you all." The other girls started to make their way to her, Pinkie Pie having somehow already accomplished such when nopony was looking.

"Oh, Twilight, you look dreadful!" The white unicorn looked her friend over, tittering over her. "You must get some rest soon. That stallion must be working you so to the last!" Rarity dismissed the topic of the brown colt quickly as she set to work moving the other unicorn against her will toward her couch. "Please, darling, at least take a seat!" Less a please than an instruction, the purple mare was too tired to refuse the request, and lacked the ability to stop her friend.

"Aww, I think Twilight's too tired to have a party!" Giggling, Pinkie accepted this as a good enough reason to postpone any sort of party she may have been gearing up in her head. Twilight's face froze at the mere prospect of a party tonight, but Pinkie Pie seemed to drop the idea quickly, the pink mare sipping absentmindedly on some nearby drink. Applejack, on the other hoof, was trying to contemplate just where Pinkie came across the drink.

"So, um, we got letters from you, Twilight..." Fluttershy began, causing the unicorn to lift her head towards her. "I was hoping it wasn't, um... Bad." The pegasus' wings folded in tight along her side, prompting Applejack to move over to her and rest her head against the pony, calming her nerves.

Smiling at the two, Twilight shook her head. "No, it's not bad at all, really." Intention confirmed, the ponies in attendance breathed a collective sigh of relief. The purple mare shook her mane incredulously. "Really, girls, if it was bad news do you think I would have sent a letter through the mail?"

Rainbow Dash shrugged. "Well, sometimes you can't catch me, being up in the air and all, so you could have sent Derpy after me with a letter." Defending the prospect seemed important, but Twilight gave it little thought.

"Dash, you may go a mile a minute, but I know you'll always come back," she smiled. Turning her head, she missed the ferocious blush which crawled over the cyan mare's visage as she suddenly found the window being of the utmost fascination. "Sorry for making you girls wait, though. We were on a roll and we just had a bit of a breakthrough-"

"Oh, think nothing of it, Twilight. We know how important your studies are." Rarity put a hoof on Twilight's shoulder, smiling and patting her friend's back. "What's a minute or two of waiting when we've got each other to talk to in the meantime," she mentioned, gesturing to the other girls, who nodded in agreement. The group mingled for a little while, letting each other in on their days, and praising Rainbow's admission into the Wonderbolts which had happened only a month prior. "And let me say, darling, I'm always happy to give your mane and coat a quick brush up if you need to be spic and span for a show."

Rainbow hesitated before finally nodding, trying not to mind that her tough-guy attitude was being threatened again in front of the others. "Really guys, it happened a month ago, and uh – Hey, weren't we here to listen to Twilight anyway?" Deflecting questions was a bit of a specialty she was developing, but Rarity let it drop as she was quite interested in having to hear what the other unicorn had called them for.

"Hm...? Oh, right! My letters!" Twilight pushed a hoof into the couch, bringing herself up a full head above the others. Looking about, it took a moment for the tired mare to realize she didn't actually have to reach for anything, and she laid back on her haunches again. "I just wanted to let you all know... I'm dating somepony again.," she murmured, her purple cheeks turning pink.

The reaction was instant and explosive. Pinkie and Rarity tied for loudest shriek, both of them fawning over the unicorn – for different reasons, of course. Pinkie's party-throwing senses were tingling, and Rarity was prodding on just who the lucky pony was – taking great care not to assign a gender role, 'lest she end up with hoof in mouth disease. Applejack chuckled deeply as she patted the unicorn on the back, Dash having muttered some semblance of congratulations toward the lavender pony.

Fluttershy made the first coherent messages clear. "Oh that's wonderful, Twilight," she graced, brushing her hair to the side. Her azure eyes pierced through the crowd of ponies, locking eyes with the unicorn and catching her undivided attention. "Is it the Doctor?" It was a simple question, but blunt. Enough so that the rest of the assembled ponies, sans Pinkie Pie, soon paid full attention to Twilight's answer.

"Yes. Yes it is." Closing her eyes, she allowed her friends time to digest the new information. It wasn't surprising to them, really. "He and I just sort of... click, I guess," she mused, her hooves crossing together as she continued. "It's nice to have somepony who I can talk to so candidly." She spoke of their shared intelligence, and of their similar upbringing in Canterlot and attending the university there. Twilight sighed, nodding her head. "Plus I can tell he really needed someone. So I extended my friendship, and got back more than I bargained for," she smiled, staring off as if in a dream.

"Aww, that's super-duper sweet!" Pinkie bounced from one end of the couch to the other in one solid motion, peering out a window to see if she could see the escaping Earth pony. She couldn't have course, but she still made as if she could. Winking slightly, she leaned close at her own reflection. "Plus he totally has a nice flank."

"PINKIE!" Twilight shouted, in unison with Applejack and Rarity. There was a long pause, before Pinkie looked back with a huge smile on her face.

"Well he does."

The gathered ponies couldn't help but laugh, Pinkie Pie spreading her element around gleefully. Even Fluttershy was giggling uncontrollably, causing a few hiccups to cut in the laughter. The high pitched squeaks were harmlessly embarrassing, and the group couldn't help but laugh harder, until streams of tears were pouring out almost all ponies present.

"So you're Twi's boyfriend now. Huh." Spike mentioned idly, playing with a emerald as he passed it around in his claws. Whoof broke the news at the table among a couple of other colts who they had run into at the restaurant. Spike knew already, of course, but he had barely given the concept thought. "Guess I'll be seeing you around the ol' library a lot more." Leaning back in his chair, the dragon found that the high chair, while demoralizing, was quite comfortable with the additions of arm rests at the sides - perfect for sitting up a foal, or housing a baby dragon.

Caramel laughed a bit. "More? Whoof here can barely seem to pry himself from there as is ever since that librarian invited him in! Spike, if you see any more of him there he might as well live there!" He chuckled, taking a bite of his orange and apple salad. The multitude of colors in the dish made it look like a bowl of shining gemstones in the low-light atmosphere, and Spike had twice found himself snacking on an apple on accident. Not that he minded, he was an omnivore, after all.

"Well enough with the joking, please. I'm sure I'll be there just as much as I normally am. Just under newer pretenses," Whoof strangled out, trying to hide the red that had been glued on his features since he told everyone. "It's quite a trip, being with another pony, I have to say."

Spike snorted, as if holding in an explosive laugh. "I'll say! Hey, do you ponies know how this guy asked Twilight out?" He slammed the table to get the party riled up, and the dragon scanned their faces. Caramel seemed quite interested, and Whoof looked as if Death himself was on Spike's features. Butterscotch, Caramel's twin sister, seemed passingly interested, and was more keen on watching the bar for potential fun. Filling out the ranks of their table was one blue stallion with an adapt name – Blues. Blues was leaning back, fiddling with an unwieldy instrument. The silence reigned just long enough for Blue to look up and greet Spike's stare with a look of mild amusement as Spike delivered his fatal blow. "He tripped," the dragon finished, a victorious grin on his face as he fell back hard into his seat, the wooden contraption threatening to fall over as he did.

"You tripped?" Butterscotch echoed, looking back toward the men at the table. "Like, stumbling hooves and everything?" Doctor Whoof shrunk in his seat, trying desperately to disappear completely from the conversation. Butterscotch laughed aloud, Blues wincing slightly at the mare's high pitched laugh, shooting a dark glare toward Caramel when he joined in with his sister in an equal and unmanly laugh. Spike had joined in the hazing, leaning over the small table in front of him and slamming his fist into the surface repeatedly.

"Right into her. BANG!" Chuckling like a fool, Spike turned to see the Doctor giving him a pleading look. Relenting, Spike fell back into his chair, as if the story suddenly bored him. "Kissed her right then and there," he continued, his hands moving about with the story as he gestured to the white-as-snow expression on the normally brown stallion's features. "Should have seen the look on his face when she kissed back! A lot like the one he has now. Apparently she'd been reading about how to kiss." The tease quickly became a double-edged sword as the memory of the event flashed vividly in his mind, reddening the baby dragon's face. Spike shook his head violently, trying to erase the image from his mind.

Ending her laughter, the butterscotch colored earth pony captured the attention of the group as she leaned into the table. "She could have been practicing with that rainbow pony – what's her face-" Butterscotch drummed on the table with her hooves, her tongue sticking out and up.

"Rainbow Dash? I dunno, they only went out on one date, I hear," Blues mentioned, shrugging. "Word was they hadn't even kissed."

Caramel laughed aloud, nudging the pony next to him. "There you go, Doc, you're already one step ahead of the Ex!" Whoof chuckled nervously, shrugging slightly at his friends. Blues peered over with a simple expression, and nodded in approval toward his friend. "Hey 'Scotch. What about Dash, she's available!"

"Oh-ha-ha, bro." Butterscotch clocked her brother's side with an open hoof, turning over to Blues and Spike. "So how're you two's love lives treaten' you? You get that unicorn yet, Spike?" The mare knew full well that Spike hadn't a chance in the world, but by the amount of blood that had left the good Doctor's face and entered just his cheeks, a subject change was all that could save the brown stallion from fainting.

Huffing, Spike crossed his arms at the question. "Pheh! No," he spat, a burning shot of dragon saliva lightly hissing on the table. "I tried a suit and a mustache and a beard and Luna knows what else! I can't seem to get my mind around it. What am I missing." Leaning forward, he drummed his claws on the surface, leaning his head on his free hand. Butterscotch stifled a giggle before turning to the blue colt.

Catching Butterscotch's stare, Blues sighed. "Bah, can't get 'er to look'it me," Blues mentioned, rolling a hoof through the air dismissively. "Figure she thinks I'm too artsy for her tastes. Can't blame 'er for that." Bringing the instrument up to his lips, Blues belted out a few chords as Butterscotch hummed in harmony with the tune, laughing slightly as Caramel ordered another round for the table – taking pains to make sure the dragon didn't get any.

"I already told you, man, Dragon's aren't affected by alcohol," Spike defended, watching the pony behind the counter get to work on the order, a couple of coconuts being unearthed from underneath the table. The others always got drinks, and here he was with... well, gemstones. Taking a turquoise, he quickly found himself no longer minding his culinary choice.

"Oh, I know little dragon. But I also know alcohol is highly flammable, and it's highly gaseous. Right Doc?" Caramel mustered, prodding the Doctor.

Whoof looked up sharply a bit, looking left and right quickly. Spike tapped his shoulder, getting his attention, before flicking the colt's snout quickly. "Yowch, what was... Oh hello Spike," he murmured, before taking stock. "Right. What was that, again?"

"Nothing, Doc. Caramel just doesn't want me burping flames!" Spike informed bitterly, his mind having wandered on the effects of alcohol fueled flames and he had taken quite a shine to the idea. "Speaking of which – ever seen a dragon sneeze?"

"Yes. That's how Celestia got her hooves on some of my more important research. Never expected to see those again." The Doctor rolled his eyes, looking about the table as the conversation was dying down.

"Hey, it put in a good word for you at Canterlot U, didn't it?" Spike cheered, rubbing his claws against his chest. "If anything, a good word from the Princess has to be the best kind of words."

The brown Earth pony chuckled, turning to his friends. The lot over at Canterlot University were a bit tougher crowd than that, to be won over by simple words from the Princess. Taking in the musty odor of the bar, he hadn't noticed Blues had left the table until he had made it up on stage and was playing with the band. One extremely garish cowpony tuned his guitar slightly before grabbing the mic. Whoof leaned back, content with the direction his life had been taking in recent months. The dragon to his right drummed his palm on the table, intent on listening to the song. It was going to be an interesting future, as well, it seemed.

Blues took a quick bow from the stage and returned to the ponies down below after a few songs. Joining the others at the table, a waitress pony arrived with a number of drinks lined in coconut shells, the blue pony drinking straight from the husk, Caramel joining in directly after. Butterscotch chuckled a bit, before grabbing a bit of lime nearby, squirting some of the citrus contents into the drink before offering it to the Doctor, who accepted the idea graciously.

"Alright, let's get this train wreck a'rollin'," the singer started, his voice low and gravelly. "We're gonna start with a song a little pink pony taught me, about Friendship. Hit it!" The lead pony on stage hit his guitar limply at first, causing the rest of the band to start up, filling the room with the fresh sounds of the band. The jazzy tunes hit them with a modified western song that Spike swore he had heard somewhere before.

The night air was warm and muggy, but only enough to lightly graze the skin. The lights in the library told tales of ponies having fun, the unicorn and her friends all enjoying eachother's company. However, it didn't take long before one unicorn noticed only five ponies dancing and chatting at the makeshift party. Catching sight of an open door to the balcony above, the white pony trotted up the stairs silently and pushed the glass frame open, stepping out. There was a stock silence, only chirping insects and far off shouts and calls of parents calling their foals in for the night. However, the purple maned pony could already tell her quarry was nearby still.

"I noticed you didn't stick around very long," Rarity called, stepping out into the open on the wooden deck. Above, on a branch, lay what looked to be a very dejected pegasus. "Come on down here, Rainbow Dash. Why are you even up there?"

"No reason. Too much girly stuff in there. Cramps my style," she muttered, picking herself up and stretching. "So Twi's dating the Doc, huh? Fits. Egghead for an egghead." Hopping down, the rainbow-maned mare landed on the balcony's railing, her face a mask of unamusement. "What's it to you, anyway? You normally love this kind of stuff!" She shot, her eyes hard as she quickly averted her gaze toward the window looking inside. Rarity sighed briefly, bringing a hoof to her head as she shook it softly.

"Rainbow Dash, I put up with your little quirks as well as anypony, but I will not be accused of leaving a friend out in the cold while they're so obviously hurting," she took a step toward the mare, who's wings shot out, threatening to leave the premises quickly. "Stop right there, Rainbow. Please!" Rarity added, halting her forward motion. The pegasus stayed where she was, prompting Rarity to fall back on her haunches.

Rainbow paused for a moment. Running was cowardly. She wasn't a coward – she wasn't! "I'm not... hurting. Or anything like that. I mean, why would I be? I'm a Wonderbolt! Do you know what that means? I'm the best, Rarity! The best don't get hurt!" She stomped at the ground angrily, but didn't take into account the small surface area of the railing and clipped the edge. Losing her footing at the energy leading down, the pegasus toppled over, her wings outstretched in an attempt to take off before she fell – and completely failed it. Hitting the balcony with a loud thump, Rarity rushed forward to her aid, but was rebuked almost immediately. "Get off, Rarity, it was only a tumble." Rainbow gnashed her teeth as she moved her hoof, wincing slightly at the action.

"Hmph, so this is how 'the best' acts," the unicorn sighed, shaking her head sadly. She moved forward to help the cyan mare again, but again the pegasus backed off, flaring her wings defiantly.

"Flap off, I don't need this right now!" Dash challenged, picking herself off the ground and into the air.

Yet, Rarity would have absolutely none of that. Her horn glowing, she focused hard on grabbing the pegasus' foot in a locking spell, something she had seen Twilight pull off before. Resisting, the pegasus flapped hard against the spell, which was slowly working her down to the ground. "I. Respectfully. Disagree! Now. Sit. Down. You. Silly. Little. Filly." Each word was drawn out with baited breath as she struggled against the pegasus, but she finally brought her friend down, finishing off with a small binding charm that kept Rainbow grounded. Exhaling long and hard, she opened her eyes and saw a now very disgruntled mare in front of her. "I think this is exactly what you need, darling. Now please, Rainbow Dash, talk to me."

Struggling against the binding that held her hoof down to the balcony, the cyan pony ignored her for a time. However, it soon became clear that Rarity wasn't going anywhere as she slipped herself down to the ground and laid herself comfortably in a ladylike fashion. Relenting in a bid for freedom, Dash sighed, laying down herself. "Look, there's... nothing to talk about, okay?"

"I should say not. Nothing wouldn't have struggled against me and had to have been bound to the deck!" Rarity rebutted, rolling her eyes. A cool wind blew from behind Dash, chilling her slightly. The unicorn chuckled a bit, feeling that the wind coincided with her friend's demeanor quite well. "Rainbow, it doesn't take a PhD in Friendship to know why you're out here." Rarity guessed it had something to do with ponies getting together, and the pegasi's continued bachelorette status.

"Oh yeah?" The challenge was nearly gone from her voice, but she withstood giving in. "And why is that, oh Element of Generosity? This isn't even your area of expertise!"

"And you think Element of Loyalty would be loyal to herself." Rarity's remark hit Rainbow across the face like a ton of bricks, and the blue mare looked away. Hot, angry tears threatened to come out, but she soon felt a soft hoof raise her chin up to meet with caring, gentle eyes. "Rainbow Dash... we're friends. More than that, really. Despite all odds, me being a dressmaker with a penchant for styles..." Walking alongside the pegasus, the unicorn spun around a couple times before laying next to her friend, sharing her warmth against the sudden cold winds. "And you, a rough and tough Wonderbolt!" Rarity drummed her hooves along the ground, giving Rainbow reason to move a bit. Pushing a hoof against her friend's shoulder, she smiled. "You know I'm not out to hurt you, darling. Nopony is. I want to help, in any way I can."

Rainbow was defeated the moment Rarity laid next to her and helped her stand the slight cold that had been creeping up. "I-I know. But... I'm not hurting. Really. I'm just..." She trailed. She didn't have the words, but suddenly she laughed. "I guess I am now, a little. It's good though, I think," she hastily added, wiping away the threatening tears. "I don't know. It's more of a... missing, feeling."

"Missing?" Rarity parroted, much to her own displeasure.

"Yeah, missing. Missing a chance. Missing the signs. Some of you didn't look at all surprised, and I know the squeal you made was more for Twilight's sake than your own, Rare," the pegasus sighed, cushioning her head on her hooves. "You and Applejack... you two knew for sure, I could see it right there. But..." Dash's eyes closed, shaking her head in disgust for herself. "It was a surprise to me, Rarity." Looking away from her friend, she sniffed uncharacteristically.

Rarity nodded her head slowly. "I'm so sorry, Rainbow Dash... up until you stormed out here I didn't even realize you still held feelings for our dear Twilight."

"SSSSHHHH! Not so loud..." The pegasus warned, looking wildly about. Some part of her expected something like a buffalo herd of all things to have rushed up to her the moment Rarity suggested that out loud. Dropping her hooves back down to the ground, Dash sighed long and hard. "Look, I kinda maybe still have a... thing for... her. But that's my damage." Standing up, Rainbow noticed Rarity's enchantment had been gone for awhile, and she happily kicked her hoof at the ground a couple times to make sure. "So I missed my chance while being an awkward little pony. It's not like I'm going to stay away from her now that she has somepony else."

Rarity picked herself up gracefully, feeling the cold wind herself batting around with her posh mane. "That's very brave of you, Rainbow," she gave a soft smile as she trotted forward, placing a hoof on her friend. "It might hurt awhile, but eventually it will heal," she smiled, playfully pushing against the pegasus' chest. There was a small crash from inside the library as she did, drawing the attentions of the two mares. "Well, I do believe our visitations are up, or Pinkie has fallen down."

"Or both," Rainbow chuckled, stretching her wings out. Blowing an insect from her, the cyan pony moved toward the door back inside. "Oh hey, Rarity... how do you know?"

"Know what, dear?" Rarity asked, halting slightly, believing whatever Rainbow might ask might be fairly personal and not fit for the ponies inside.

"You said whatever hurt... whatever hurt I may have will go away with time. How do you know that?"

Rarity paused, giving a faraway look. Giving it some thought, she took a step forward and shook her mane. "I... think I may have read it in a book once, I'm not sure," the normally posh pony gave a lopsided grin. Messing with her hair a moment, she moved inside once no curl was out of place. "But it's sound advice, I assure you. If not, a lifetime of free makeovers from mwah." Gesturing toward herself, Rarity fluttered her lashes, giving a small showcase of her style.

It didn't much effect the pegasus. "Well, sounds more like a gift to yourself than one to me," Dash added wryly.

Swishing her tail about, Rarity opened the balcony door and let the mare in first. "Well, I didn't say I couldn't be generous to myself, now did I?" Giggling, she let the door shut itself on her way in, content with bringing Rainbow back into the fold. She looked on as the rainbow-maned pegasus started talking with the others, and finally discussing the topic of the hour - Whoof with Twilight. Dash was keeping a straight face and doing exactly what could be asked of a friend, giving Rarity a soft smile and as her attention soon turned toward Pinkie Pie, the hyperactive mare trying to make a song out of cleaning up some mess she had made.

Running Rings

Author's foreword: I did not want to place this in the Missing series, I really didn't. But honestly, this series of fics are important in that they follow each other in tandem, each following the last fairly well, especially the chapter after this. Oh, and do note that this chapter hints at later chapters, as well as the last bit of First Date chapter two!

Anyway, thus follows a very important chapter in Hop, Skip, and a Jump series.

Also, if it's the Mare of Honor, does it make the other ponies bridlesmaids? Bridesmares?

"Oh my, oh dear, What to do, what to do..." Fluttershy paced from one side of her little area to the other. The depressed grass under her hooves told tale of her disposition - it was flat as the ground it grew out of. The pegasus had been walking like this for what felt like a half an hour. Nearby, a white unicorn walked parallel with her every step of the way, attempting to calm the delirious yellow pony, her hooves aching as the desperation fueled pegasus continued her relentless assault on the blades of green below.

A cyan mare stood nearby alongside a very energetic pink pony. Exchanging glances, Rainbow Dash could tell even though she was bursting with happiness, Pinkie Pie was doing everything she could to keep it under control for their nervous friend. As she held her silence, Rarity's cultured voice droned on and on about how the world would be a brighter place after today, and how Fluttershy should simply look forward to what would be happening in just over two hours. "At least think of Applejack, darling. Ah, speaking off..." Turning her head, Rarity focused her gaze toward the pink and blue pair of ponies, Fluttershy mimicking the action a second later as she become suddenly curious in what could have silenced Rarity, if only for a moment. "Shouldn't you two run along and be with her?" the unicorn chastised. Rainbow could only shrug.

"Hey, Granny kicked us out, saying it was some "Apple family tradition" or something, so we came here to see how Fluttershy was doing." Rainbow pointed out with appropriate air hooves. Putting a hoof on Pinkie's shoulder for comradery, the pegasus raised an eyebrow, having actually only just arrived on the scene moments ago. "So what's the big meltdown for?"

"Rainbow Dash!" Rarity chided, tittering her tongue as she put her manicured hoof upon Fluttershy. "Unlike your brash need to take everything head on..." she trailed, catching a look from Fluttershy that caused her to stop.

"I'm sorry, girls. I really shouldn't be worrying so much," she squeaked, looking back toward Rainbow Dash through her long, pink mane.

"Yeah, you see? Not here two minutes and I've solved all your problems." Rainbow pounded her chest in victory. However, it didn't impress Rarity in the slightest. "Perfect Bridlesmaid, that's me," Dash boasted once more, but everypony was soon looking at her in mild annoyance - except Pinkie Pie, whose uncharacteristic silence was giving away to an awkward silence. Receiving a cynical glare from the unicorn, the pegasus cleared her throat. "Say, where's Twilight, anyway! She's part of the wedding party, after all."

Rarity shook her mane a bit. She was about to answer when a brown Earth pony poked his head in a moment, followed by a second, more draconian head on top of him. "Excuse me, don't mean to barge in or anything but I was wondering if any of you ladies have seen a lavender mare named Twilight walking about?" He asked, raising an eyebrow, "She may have her muzzle buried in a book of some sort. Likely something about Mare's in Tuxedos." This earned him a quick tap on the head from the purple dragon perched on his back. Shooting Spike a look, Doctor Whoof realized the room he had happened upon and gave an apologetic smile. "Oh, hello Rarity! Fluttershy! You all look fabulous, even if I can't see your faces, mane in the way and all."

As the Doctor pointed to various bits of his face to signify the areas in which he couldn't see Fluttershy's face, Rarity groaned. She never even considered the irony as she facehoof'd in response to his shenanigans. "Well, I'm fairly certain that if she isn't with you, Whoof, then she very well may be-"

A pink rush cut her off as it bounced next to Spike and the Doctor, eager to move along to something more exiting. "Ooo! I know, the Library! She lives there, y'know!" she shot out, looking over toward the unicorn and pegasus pair on the other side of the white tent. "Oh, um." Halting her bounces, she smiled sheepishly, recalling the very reason she wasn't invading whatever personal space she possibly could before the wedding. Rarity giving her a disappointed gaze, Pinkie Pie responded with a dejected, "I know, I'll mess up my tuxedo..." Struggling against the constricting clothing, Pinkie had to admit she'd take one of Rarity's dresses over the less flowing tuxes anyday. As Pinkie looked over her clothes, Dash furrowed her brow as she looked at her own dress, before realizing she completely lacked her bridlesmaid dress.

"Well, thank you for that, Pinkie." Whoof muttered a moment, bringing everypony back to the missing mare. Turning to the other girls, he bowed his head as he started to slink off out of the bride's tent. "Then it falls on me to go get her. Alright then, Spike, we're off!"

"Hey hold it, Doc, I wanted Rarity to fix my bow tie," Spike heeded, giving Whoof exaggerated pause. Leaping off his back, Spike landed hard on the ground, but ignored it, his curtails of his suit lightly brushing to top layer of grass. "H-hey, um, Rarity! I was wondering, you know, if you have the time-"

Rarity sighed as her horn glowed with the power of magic. "Please, Spike, you know a quick fix like this is well within my limits of time for friends, darling," she smirked, glad for the reprieve she was getting. She loved her friends to death - but sometimes keeping up with all of them was a momentous task all by itself. Spike's bow lifted off his shoulder, the red ribbon draping slightly over him as Rarity smoothed it out and began working on trying it around the dragon's neck.

Fluttershy looked over the dragon a moment before turning to Whoof, her eyes shrouded in uncertainty. "Doctor, if you um, don't mind. Could you and get Twilight for me? I really would like her to be here," she asled, causing Rainbow Dash to snap her attention toward the other pegasus, her mind buzzing as her wings started to unfold.

"So, uh, Spike, I'll just leave you here while I go and get Twilight, then?" Whoof wondered aloud. A wind blew past him as a mighty push of feathery wings came between him and the exit, the pegasus giving a smirk.

"Don't worry about it, Whooves!" Dash smirked, padding at the ground as she looked back at the group of ponies. "I'll go get Twilight, you guys stay here. Be back quick as a flash."

Rarity looked over at the cyan mare as she streaked off, huffing as she put the finishing touches on the gemstone bow tie Spike found himself quite proud of. "Well, at least she realized she forgot her dress without having to be reminded, silly girl," Rarity smiled, giving a passing glance to the Doctor, whom had suddenly found himself without a task to preform and a naming convention he didn't appreciate. "Ahem, Doctor..."

"Whoof, Whoof. Not Whooves- I'm sorry what?" Doctor Whoof shot to attention a bit late, but found himself under the collective stares of everypony - and dragon - in the room. "Can I help you with something?" he smiled, glad to be doing something. His mind was venturing a guess, perhaps they needed him to be-

"Out!" Rarity pointed a hoof toward the flap of the tent, trying to keep her composure while the male pony stared at her incredulously. "Really, Whoof, I know you like to be around us mares a bit more than the next stallion, and believe me when I say we like you too, but this is a wedding and more importantly the bride's quarters, so you really have no reason to be in here right now." Talking a mile a minute in a way that would make Pinkie proud, the designer was now forcefully pushing the colt right out of the tent, the Doctor trying to put in a word in edgewise the entire way out.

With the Doctor out, Rarity exhaled long and hard. "Huh, yeah, like he had any reason being here, am I right, Rarity?" Spike said, leaning on her flank with a cool elbow.

The glare she gave him would have frozen Nightmare Moon in mid catch-phrase.

Giving a nervous chuckle, the dragon nodded his head slowly. "R-R-right, I'll go see what Whoof is up to. That guy, always up to something you know? Ah haaa.... S-See you girls later!" he stammered, rushing out the flap behind the brown stallion.

Fluttershy giggled softly as the tent lost three of its occupants, turning over to Pinkie Pie as she did. "Um, Pinkie, if you don't mind, I'd like to talk to Rarity alone for a little while. Would you mind checking on Applejack again? I'm sure whatever they're doing is finished now..." As she asked for the favor, she made sure to hide the fact she knew she was giving Pinkie just as much a favor in return. The poor mare looked ready to explode.

"Okie-dokey-Loki!" Pinkie took great care to step slowly and deliberately toward the flap, ushering it open softly and letting it slide off her gently, giving the Bride and her Mare of Honor some privacy. Looking back, the pony smiled. "I know two ponies who are in Loooooove~," she giggled and bounced away toward the other pony whose love was shared with Fluttershy. "I hope Rainbow Dash comes back with Twilight quickly," she mused, lifting her jump higher as she soared over Spike and Whoof, who gaped slightly until they realized who it was.

"That Pinkie Pie - always a wonder...." Whoof trailed, chuckling as he turned to his companion. "Now, Spike, what do you suppose we do for the next... Spike?" Whoof raised an eyebrow as the dragon frantically checked his pockets multiple times, looking for Celestia knows what. "What are you doing?"

Spike started to kick his feet as he felt the movement would jostle whatever it was into existence. "The- The Rings! I'm the ring bearer, and I don't have the rings!" He cried, turning his pockets inside out for effect. Leaping off the Doctor's back, Spike put his face near the ground as the crowds moved around them.

"The rings, Spike?" Whoof echoed.

"You know, the wedding bands! They go around the left forehoof." Spike raised his left arm and pointed at the dragon equivalent. "And I'm the ring bearer! And I don't have the rings!" Looking about, the dragon gazed over the gathering crowds of ponies. "They could be anywhere!"

Whoof gave Spike a long, hard look, his eyes trailing all over his features, moving unto the crowd and along the path they came from. He didn't see any hoof sized rings, and if they had left it in the tent, then surely Rarity would have seen them immediately. Ponies crossed his vision, moving all about as they met with friends and family as they came out to the wedding. Letting his mind wander, Whoof realized the amount of ponies present was larger than expected. Someponies with not-so-nice tendencies could have seen golden bands sitting on the ground somewhere and just scooped them up. This was a problem.

A big problem.

Pinkie Pie slowed her bounce as she approached the white tent on the other side of the orchard hill. Both tents were not far from each other - in fact, they laid on either side of the long stretch that made up the center aisle, towards the gazebo. Pinkie slowed slightly, taking in the empty expanse, decorated with white arches and various flowers. Apple blossoms rained down in a swift breeze, covering the area in pink and white natural confetti. The pink mare squealed a little in happiness, turning her head around to see the various balloons and decorations that made up the reception area just outside of the main event space. Her tail twitched rapidly, but she ignored the reaction as her mane became full of the falling petals.

Catching a moment for deviance, Pinkie snapped a petal out of the air, enjoying the light taste that was reminiscent of the apples that filled the orchard. Sighing contentedly, the mare allowed herself a moment of calm, taking herself down to a simple stride, the tux releasing itself from the various folds that occurred during her nigh relentless bouncing. The petal rain got stuck in her inflated mane, but the pony found nothing wrong with that - and being away from Rarity for a time meant that it was likely to stick there for awhile.

Sticking her head into the white tent opposite Fluttershy's, the pink mare found herself face to face with a rather dashing Big MacIntosh, his large form looming over her, his mane brushed smooth and, to Pinkie's joy, a light smile on his face. "Heya Big Mac!" The pony beamed up at the stallion as she tried to look around him. "Are the Apples all done in here?"

"Eeyup!" Big Mac nodded, stepping aside to let the pink pony in as she looked about for Applejack. "You'll find AJ beyon' those flaps," he added, gesturing to a second pair of tent flaps that sectioned off the tent, much unlike Fluttershy's open room.

Walking gently past the giant stallion, Pinkie smirked as a little white bunny hopped right on by. Angel looked fairly simple, a neat black bow around his neck, no little animal tux adorning his features. Although Pinkie had to smile at the inspired choice of two golden ear loops that adorned either ear on his little head. Patting him gently, Pinkie giggled slightly as Angel sighed with customary annoyance, letting the pink mare get her fill. She let him go before too long, the bunny giving a small salute to Big MacIntosh on his way out. The mare thanked the Big Mac quickly, before heading into the next 'room' of the tent.

"Nahw how am I supposed ta' be a flower girl when it's already rainin' 'em!" A little voice complained, shaking her red mane as little specs of white and pink fell to the ground. "It 'taint fair, 'sis! Ain't nopony's gonna notice my flowers now!" AppleBloom sighed, kicking at the dirt below as yet another small layer of fabric separated Pinkie and AppleBloom from the mare on the other side.

"Ya mean t'say all our flowers are white 'n red?" Applejack's voice could be heard. Pinkie giggled to herself as she entered the room, listening to the sisters talk.

AppleBloom turned her amber eyes towards the pink mare's direction, her eyes trailing over the multitude of apple blossoms that adorned Pinkie's mane and tail. "Ah reckon Pinkie Pie could just shake herself down the aisle and flowers would go everywhere!" she claimed, walking over to the older pony. The pastel yellow pony's brilliant red mane was unmistakable, her normal red bow had been replaced with one that was a shining white. Literally shining, as the bow had been custom made with a silvery gleam by none other than Rarity. In fact, all of the clothes on display during the wedding were made by Ponyville's own fashionista.

Applebloom pushed against Pinkie a bit, the pink mare curious in what she was doing, only to see the slightest movement had jostled a few of the petals off of her. Again, she snapped up the petals as they fell from her mane. The young filly giggled as she pushed against Pinkie again, this time jumping up and chomping at the blossoms as they came near her - taking pains to grab them as they fell instead of snatching the ones that fell on the ground. Pinkie giggled louder, this time grabbing the attention of the other full-grown mare in the room.

Sticking her head out of small flaps, Applejack caught sight of Pinkie Pie and her little sis, her expression one of exasperation, but melted as she saw the two playing. "Well hey there Pinkie Pie," she greeted, a smile on her face. Looking beyond the pink mare, she didn't see hide nor hair of their purple friend. "No news on Twi, Ah 'spose?" Pinkie Pie shook her head.

"Nope, but Dash took off after her to make sure she gets here in time!" Pinkie explained, putting a hoof to her chin. "Not that Dash went after her, more that she's going to her. And home, 'cause Rarity said that Dash forgot her dress which totally sounds like something she would do because she's always forgetting her uniform for practices-" Applejack sighed slightly as Pinkie ranted, before finding her head jolted back behind the curtain as her mane was pulled backward.

"Now Applejack, don't you go out there before you're finished with your mane. This is a special day and I want the pictures to last me a good while." A voice called from the small side room that Applejack inhabited. Pinkie giggled as she recognized the voice belonging to Granny Smith, and looked toward AppleBloom.

"So you need flowers that'll POP, right?" Pinkie mentioned idly, putting a hoof to her chin in what looked to be deep thought. AppleBloom nodded her head excitedly, expecting a very explosive idea. "Oo! I know! The blue flowers in the Everfree are sure to POP!"

AppleBloom's excitement quickly dissipated as she considered the consequences of using that particular flower. "I don't think that'll work right, Pinkie Pie. Mah sister's pretty antsy already, and getting the whole weddin' caught up in Poison Joke seems like a bad idea," she muttered, her voice not into denying the plan, enjoying the prospect of another Appleteeny episode.

Pinkie Pie quickly nodded and put her hoof down, her mind mulling over the happenstance. "Then we'd need to put Fluttershy in the Tuxedo or nothing would make sense!" Pinkie Pie talking about making sense was just about enough to break a poor filly's mind, but conditioning with Applejack had taught her not to ponder Pinkie's words too much.

The pink pony turned about as she realized there was nothing she could do for Applejack in her current situation - probably being fancied up by Granny Smith. She knew the Oranges were present for the wedding, so it was probably a good idea to have Applejack be somewhat more presentable than just her hat and whatever tuxedo she had on. Spinning about, she took stock of her own clothes, guessing that Applejack's own tux would look similar to hers. As she continued to spin in place, AppleBloom 'ahem'ed and caught her attention. "Oh, um," Pinkie's face contorted to one of serious comprehension as she was reminded of the flower situation, the pony looking hard at the petals scattered upon the ground. "I dunno!" Shrugging her shoulders at the filly, AppleBloom groaned at the anti-climax of the pony's extensive thought process.

"Oooh, this'll never work! I'm going to be a terrible flower pony!" AppleBloom cried, catching a look at her blank flank. "Looks like I'm not gonna get a flower filly cutie mark either!" Kicking at some dirt, she found herself moving slowly toward the door.

"Wait!" Pinkie shot up. Going airborne, the mare ended up hitting the top of the tent lightly, disrupting her mane and causing a shower of petals to swirl down below over the little filly below. "I got it! We don't need blue flowers, we need blue petals!" she exclaimed.

AppleBloom stared at the mare, simply nodding to appease her. AppleBloom knew there was a bit of a disconnect in Pinkie Pie's plan. "An' how're we gonna do that?"

Pinkie stamped a hoof on the ground, looking proud of herself. "Twilight Sparkle!"

"I'm here, I'm here!" a rushed voice called, entering the back room of the tent. A purple mare with a straight mane that was accented with a single violet strip of hair trotted in, parting the white tent flaps with the glow from her horn. "Really, Pinkie, I didn't make a noise, how'd you even know I was... nevermind." Letting the subject drop and filing it under 'it's Pinkie Pie', Twilight let her attention be drawn by the other pony in the room. "Hello, AppleBloom!"

"Twilight!" AppleBloom cheered, but quickly composed herself. The idea that involved the unicorn belonged to Pinkie, and unfortunately the filly was unaware of the intricacies involved. "I-I'm glad you're here!" she forced out, which seemed to placate the purple mare's curiosity for the displaced excitement.

"Good to see you too, AppleBloom. You must be excited to be a flower filly for your sister's wedding, huh?" AppleBloom nodded enthusiastically as the unicorn loosed the curtain and dropped her white saddlebags nearby, unlatching them and revealing her tailored tuxedo. Smirking, she could see the intricate details Rarity had put into it - a mare's tuxedo, what a strange order, she mused. "I can't imagine getting into this without magic." Twilight smirked, looking about at Pinkie Pie. "Did Rarity help with yours?"

"Nope!" Pinkie offered no further explanation as she poked her head out of the tent, seeing Big MacIntosh continued guard over the front room. The curtain protecting them from the onslaught of the floating petals was open slightly, and she could see Spike outside, his face right next to the ground as he looked to be searching everywhere for something. Poking her head back in, she found Twilight was almost completely dressed, fiddling with the bow tie. Apparently, even magic had it's limits. "How. Does. Rarity. Tie. These. Ugh." Her horn ceased it's glow, the bow falling gently upon the saddlebag below. "I give up, I'll have Rarity tie it later. Applejack?"

Twilight's call caused the pony in the small sectioned off part to stick her head out, a look of reprieve on her features. "Twilight, yer a sight fer sore eyes, Ah tell ya." She felt a tug on her, but she held firm, turning her head slightly. "Please Gran, Twi's here now an' Ah'd like to talk ta her fer a lil' while."

"Ooooooh.... fine." A sigh was issued before Granny Smith came through the curtain, a simple dress on her features. An interesting note was she was without her walker, and stepping cleanly upon the grass. "Ah, Twilight, good to see you, good to see you." She greeted, the unicorn flashing a small smile toward the grandmotherly mare. "Don't take too long with my Applejack, now." She smirked before passing the other girls, where they could hear her lightly chewing out Big Mac for leaving his fetlocks unshorn.

"Ah, that's Gran for ya." Applejack muttered, stepping out from the small enclosure. Twilight gave a light gasp at the sight. Decked out in a pure white tuxedo made from a similar material to Applebloom's bow, it had a tinge of blue to compliment her natural orange coat. But what was far more breathtaking was how light her mane seemed. It flowed around her head gently, curving slightly, no longer tied back in a ponytail. The long, flowing blonde mane swayed free from any earthly restriction. Applejack looked between the three ponies whom now stared at her, raising an eyebrow. "What? Y'all look like ya seen an Ursa," she joked, giving a quick look toward her freed mane. "Guess Ah let mah hair grow a bit too much, but Granny said it looks fine."

"Applejack, you look..." Twilight trailed, hey eyes flowing with the hair, before blinking hard and shaking her mane. Handsome? Beautiful?

"Fantabulous!" Squeaked Pinkie, hopping up and down on the spot.

AppleBloom trotted over to her sister and nuzzled against her in support. "You look great, sis. Real proper like!" Applejack grinned down at her sister, before putting her attention back on her friends.

"Amazing." Twilight finished, choosing a good gender-neutral adjective. "Truly amazing."

"That's right nice of y'all ta say. Calms the nerves," Giving a lopsided smile, her eyes trained downward, unexpectedly locking eyes with the large amber orbs below her. She opened her mouth, but was interrupted from a voice in the front room.

"Hi. Terribly sorry and all that, but I was wondering if you've seen Twilight around? We have a bit of an emergency and-" The Doctor was talking to Big MacIntosh, the three mares in the room sighed slightly.

"Emergency," Applejack stated flatly. Looking over to the purple mare, she gestured with her head for her friend to check it out. "He's your boyfriend, Twi, you go an' sort it out. An' bring Granny Smith back o'er here 'fore long, would you?" She asked.

Twilight nodded, a sheepish smile on her features. "Will do Applejack. And... you really do look stunning. I don't think you have anything to be nervous about. I'll go and check on Fluttershy before long." It earned her a soft smile in return, and Twilight trotted out the door, intent on seeing this emergency dealt with. Applebloom galloped along behind her, curious about the emergency the Doctor spoke of.

Exhaling long and hard, the elder Earth ponies were left alone in the tent. "Well, S'far as she knows," she trailed, catching Pinkie's attention. Applejack looked up at her friend, forcing a smile that Pinkie didn't buy for a second.

"What's wrong, AJ?" The pink mare stressed, taking it slow as she walked over to her friend. "Weddings are happy days. Plus they have big parties afterwards and your whole life with Fluttershy after is like a party! Think of how happy it's going to be and your nerves will melt away!" She beamed at her friend, but the orange Earth pony just solemnly nodded her head. Resting her flank next to Applejack, the pink party pony nudged Applejack softly. "Applejack?"

"'Taint nothin', Pinkie. Jus' some... family matters," she muttered, shaking her mane. The blonde strands fell limply across Applejack's face, hiding her eyes. Pinkie's face contorted into thought, stepping toward Applejack and leaning down, peering under the farmer's bangs with bright blue eyes. Applejack caught her look and chuckled despite herself. "Let's just say there're ponies in mah family that... don't take too kindly to this kinda marriage," she swallowed, averting her eyes. She knew the words she said would dim those blue orbs of Pinkie's, and she didn't want to see that in her friend. "'Taint proper, they said. Said I'm shamin' tha family name." Sighing, she didn't expect to feel a hoof fall on her shoulder - in fact, two of them did. Looking up, she saw Big MacIntosh had silently entered the room, and had pulled her in for a hug. In her moment of vulnerability she hadn't expected the large stallion to have appeared, but she didn't fight it. Applejack leaned into the embrace, the side of her head nuzzled against her brother's chest.

"Love ain't nothin' to be ashamed of, AJ, no matter what anypony tells you," he comforted, not letting go of his little sister. "Not even family," he added, and tightened the hug. Applejack simply returned it, burying her face in her brother's chest, her cheeks tightened in a forced smile as she fought back tears. Pinkie decided it was high time for her to check on the others, leaving the Apple siblings to their moment.

"They had more'n a year to say somethin', Big Mac! Why do they have to bring it up on mah weddin' day?" Applejack muttered, her voice cracking slightly. "It's mah day," she whimpered. The big red pony released his sister and raised her chin up with his now free hoof.

His face was hard, but his eyes held love. "Now you lissen here, AJ. This is your day. It is also that beautiful pegasus' day. And I ain't gonna let nopony say otherwise, ya hear? So you stop frettin' your little head about the Oranges and let yer big brother take care'a everythin'," he said, giving his sister a lighter hug. "Enjoy t'day, Applejack. Ain't no one prouder'a you than me." Standing tall, he coughed slightly, unused to saying so much so quickly. The orange mare sniffed and smiled, nodding as she did. As Mac started to depart, Granny Smith entered as he did, withholding him briefly. Placing a hoof on his side, she gave a silent thank you. "Gran," He reciprocated as he left the tent proper, looking about.

"So Spike is looking for the rings," Twilight muttered, rubbing a hoof on her temple. "Saying he's lost them, no less!" she added, earning two nods from her boyfriend. "Whoof, we have to find him."

Whoof looked about a moment, across the seas of ponies and over the tables and chairs set for the reception. He let himself take idle notice of the brilliant color of the ocean of bodies before him, each one seemingly next to the color that best complimented it. Still, he was brought back down by Twilight, who prodded his flank, snatching his attention. "Hm?! Right, sorry." Giving an ahem, the scientist pushed up his non-existent glasses and stared the unicorn down. "So why are we looking for our little dragon friend when we could be searching for the rings?"

Twilight sighed, rolling her eyes. "Because the rings aren't lost. Spike's the ring bearer but we never gave him the rings. At least I don't think we did," she said simply. AppleBloom giggled a bit nearby, finding it a bit cute.

Doctor Whoof hesitated, averting his eyes as they spun left to right as he considered this. "How do you know that - you just got here," he replied, before a soft glow emanated from the unicorn's horn. She raised an eyebrow expectantly as a knowing smile crossed her features, her hooves padding along the ground as she trotted along. A slow look of dawning spread across the Earth pony's face as he galloped after the lavender unicorn. "The locater spell! Brilliant!" Applauding the use of Rarity's signature spell, there was a thundering of hooves on the ground as he took off. "So, Twilight, where are they?"

The pony turned to her date and smirked. "Angel has them - we gave him the rings last night for safe keeping. If there's one thing we can be assured of, it's that he's never far from Fluttershy, and since he's so small he'd notice a weight like the rings falling from his body..."

AppleBloom nodded slowly, but the motion through her equilibrium off as she struggled to keep pace with the adult ponies. "Ah saw him earlier with the rings in his ears! They looked a bit like big 'ol earrings!" she recalled, thinking back when she was in the tent. It had been just before Pinkie Pie had arrived. "Ah knew he didn't look like he enjoyed them bein' there!"

"He couldn't really lose them without somepony taking them clean off him, and then he'd come hopping. Fantastic." Whoof agreed, noticing they had found themselves at Fluttershy's tent. Giving the white flap a look of dire concern, the brown stallion kept himself from approaching any further. "Ah, well... I don't think I'm really allowed in here. Bride's tent and all, got to be, what was it? Prudent?"

"Prudent?" Twilight echoed, giving the stallion an entertained glance. "Not of your usual vocabulary."

"I say any word within the Equestrian language is well within my usual category. Same with antiquing, pharmaceuticals, and prudent!" Whoof defended, earning himself a sad shake of the head from his companion. Clearning his throat and attempting to banish a perpetually reddening of his cheeks, Doctor Whoof quickly diverted the subject back to the task at hand. "You're certain Angel's in here?" He asked, looking about for the not-so-amicable rabbit.

"I wasn't looking for Angel or the rings, Whoofsey," she teased, taking great delight in the embarrassed reaction Whoof displayed, his brown coloration giving way to a maddening red on his face whenever she uttered her pet name for the Doctor. AppleBloom giggled at his expense as well, which earned her an angry but ultimately futile glare. It was sickeningly sweet, and Twilight knew it, but it was too entertaining to let slide sometimes. Nuzzling the brown Earth pony in minor apology, Twilight parted to the curtain with her magic. "Wait here, I'm sure one of your targets will show up soon. AppleBloom, you go out and see if you can track our dragon friend."

"Cutie Mark Crusader Dragon Patrol! You got it, Twilight!" Applebloom shouted, taking off into the crowd, her small stature aiding her as she swung under the legs of the adults and scurried under tables looking for the wandering dragon.

Resting his flank, the Doctor seemed a bit beside himself. "When did I become the type to 'wait around'?" Sighing, the Doctor kept an eye out for the purple dragon or a white rabbit with golden hoops in his ears. Bleating, he drummed his hooves in a bored fashion. Looking about, he began to contemplate the best way to eavesdrop against a white tent that wasn't glaringly obvious. Color tended to blend into the outsides of them, so he couldn't keep too close without risk of the very light of the sun itself betraying his presence. There were enough folds in the flaps at the entrance to hide himself, making light refraction a non issue, except it would be obvious to anypony outside. Not to mention anypony inside would likely run into him on their way out. No, it was probably best just to... sit there. Quietly. And take orders. "How... domestic," he muttered, defeated.

"So Spike is running about out there looking for the rings? Oh, but he'll get so dirty!" Rarity sighed, shaking her mane, letting it bounce to and fro as she did. "Perhaps I rushed him out a bit too quickly; he's so excitable sometimes." Placing a hoof near her chin, she dared not actually touch it, as the floor below was just, well, dirt and grass, much too many things to even contemplate getting close to her pristine white coat. "Still, I suppose it does keep him out of our manes for a little while." A silver lining in everything.

Twilight smirked and rolled her eyes, but Fluttershy seemed a bit downtrodden by such a remark. "Oh, poor little dragon. Rarity, you mustn't let him keep worrying over it." She asked, hey eyes threatening tears.

"Darling, please, I'm sure our little scamp is more than capable of handling news about such a small thing," Rarity attempted, but she relented quickly enough and sighed, catching a pouting look from Fluttershy. "Oh, fine, if I must! Rainbow Dash-" she started, the mare in question being nowhere to be seen. "Now where did that filly get off to, I thought she was right here."

Twilight shrugged, pointing toward the tent flap. "Might as well check out there. Probably laying in some tree. But, oh! Before you go find Spike, can you help me with my bow tie? I've never read up on proper tying techniques and I kinda frustrated myself earlier." Sheepishly, she presented the length of fabric, in which Rarity soundlessly and almost without looking looped the entire thing around Twilight's neck and had it sitting pristine on her chest in mere moments.

"Well, if there is one thing in magic I can hold over you, dear Twilight, is that I am a bit more dexterous about it. Perhaps you should start taking a few lessons from me," she added coyly, a bit of laughter in her voice as Twilight matched it with a contented grin. Heading out the door, Twilight found herself alone with Fluttershy, a development she didn't exactly see coming today. She could hear the Doctor conversing quickly with Rarity, and two took off to find the dragon together, figuring if he came back to the tent the others would hold him there.

"Well, today's the big day, huh?" Twilight asked, trying to get some discussion going. She didn't know much in pre-wedding situations, to be certain, but she had some idea.

"Oh yes, I'm so excited. And. Nervous. Like my cutie mark is going crazy in my stomach." Shrinking down, she gave Twilight a smile. It was a lot more settling than Applejack's earlier display, and the purple mare smiled. However, the realization the Fluttershy was taking the nervousness better than Applejack nearly short-circuited her brain.

Looking about, Twilight noted quickly that there was someone missing from the tent that she hadn't seen yet. "Hey Fluttershy, if you don't mind me asking... Where's your mom?" Twilight had read more than enough books on the subject, including a number of romance novels(and a few borrowed from Rarity's secret collection that seemingly detailed interactions between Bridlesmaids and Groomscolts than the actual wedded couple), and in almost every one a mother would be with her daughter before the ceremony. Sometimes both parents.

The pegasus smiled softly, shaking her mane. "Oh, she's on her way. She's very busy and, um, she's important in Cloudsdale," she nodded, before looking over at Twilight. "Oh, but don't worry, she'll be here in time." There was a short silence as Fluttershy's eyes seemed to gloss over, the pegasus bowing her head. "Papa, too," she finally added, a soft smile on her features. Relief flooded over the unicorn as she had realized she never actually asked about the parents of her friends - Rarity's lived in Manehatten, and Applejack's... well, the Apples always said they were far off. Probably for AppleBloom's sake. "Um, Twilight?"

Snapped out of her revelry, the unicorn looked up at the pegasus before her. "Yes?"

"Um, I wanted you to know, that, um. Well, there's somepony who's part of the wedding party, she's someone we've met before but, she, um, looks different," she said.

"What's her name?"

"Sunny," she murmured, averting her gaze from the unicorn. Twilight's eyes bulged a moment, the mare taking a step back before regaining her composure. Clearing her throat, Twilight smiled weakly at first, but it slowly grew more confident as she spoke. "Sunny? As in... well okay then." The pegasus looked back toward Twilight, relief in her eyes. The purple pony chuckled slightly, commenting, "I didn't think you'd be so bold."

Fluttershy smiled, actually giggling a little bit alongside Twilight. "Well, she's been so friendly to us before, and I needed one more bridlesmaid to even them out since Big MacIntosh is the Best Stallion and Applejack wanted you and Pinkie on her side."

"I'm surprised AJ didn't want Dash, honestly," Twilight mentioned idly, a small smile on her lips as she tapped her chin.

At this, Fluttershy smiled sheepishly. "Oh, well, she did, but um, I wanted her on mine first." Twilight paused, but nodded in retrospect. The two pegasi did know each other for a long time, all the way back in Cloudsdale, even. In fact, the nature of how they came to Ponyville was something Twilight never thought to ask, but it did interest her. Fluttershy quietly cleared her throat, which sounded more like a squeak, catching the unicorn's attention again. "So, um, if you could find Sunny for me, I'd feel a lot better."

Twilight nodded, a large smile on her face. "It's no problem at all, Fluttershy. I'm on it on the double." Lifting a hoof up, Twilight paused and hesitated, leaning back in reconsideration. "As soon as somepony else comes. I don't feel right leave the bride-to-be alone in her tent," she smirked, jostling her body around a bit in the tuxedo.

The two mares conversed for a little while, Rarity returning with a rather unkempt Spike after not too long. Between the two unicorns, they cleaned and pressed the dragon with a little magical prodding, and he was good as new. As soon as they had, Whoof had entered with Angel and Dash in tow, Rainbow Dash carrying the bunny in her hooves as she placed the rebellious rabbit down. Catching a frighting look from the white unicorn, Whoof doubled back out the door, Twilight trotting off after him shortly thereafter. Twilight stopped her beau quickly enough to recruit him for yet another mission, searching for the enigmatic Sunny to complete the wedding party, despite the Doctor having no prior experience on who this supposed pegasus was, nor what she looked like.

Before long, the final preparations were completed, and Mayor Mare entered the tent. Having already visited with Applejack shortly after Twilight had left the other tent, she wanted to make sure everypony was ready before the wedding ceremony. She, as Mayor of Ponyville, would be presiding over the ceremony. As she spoke with Fluttershy, Rarity, and Dash, Twilight entered the tent alongside Whoof and a light pink pegasus pony. Introducing the mare as 'Sunny', Mayor Mare asked all those not in the wedding party to leave. This happened to just be Whoof, who looked quite flustered as he spun about on his hooves and stepped out of the tent, obviously tired of being sent in every direction. Twilight smiled sheepishly as her date disappeared, but her attention was brought toward the others as they rehearsed the order or the wedding. As they discussed, however, it became apparent that they had overlooked a part in the wedding, and Whoof was quickly brought in as an usher for the matrons of both parties.

Upon being informed of his duties as an usher, which basically amounted to walking the mother's of the two sides down the aisle before the wedding party, Whoof suddenly felt as though his jealously for being outside of the wedding party was unfounded.

Still, he admitted, he'd at least have a great seat.

The initial ceremonies went off without a hitch. Twilight had paired with Dash down the aisle, walking after Rarity and Big MacIntosh, the sight of which caused quite a few murmurs in the crowd. Pinkie Pie has ended up walking down with a light pink pegasus, who owned a matching pink mane to boot. There was some discussion if this pony was a sister to Pinkie, being of similar coloration, but those who knew the Pie's knew better. No, this was apparently a friend of Fluttershy's from Cloudsdale, the rest imagined, taking note of the pony's wings that adorned her sides and her place as a bridlesmaid.

Still, many ponies didn't pay her as much mind as an unknown pony might have normally gathered, for in attendance towards the back of the long aisle was a newly familiar regal pony. Dark blue in color and with hair that shone with the paleness of the moon, Princess Luna had come down from Canterlot to view the wedding herself. What most ponies couldn't take account for was her amused smile as the wedding party was assembled at the alter.

The music of the ceremony changed slightly as Spike walked along, holding the forelimb of a mature mare. Her coat was of a deep yellow, her hair a streaming magenta that flowed much like her daughter's mane. Leading the mother of the bride to her seat, Spike quickly and unceremoniously jogged back toward the waiting wedding party, passing Whoof along the way. It didn't surprise many to see the Doctor help out at the last minute to lead Granny Smith to her seat on the 'groom's side'. As Granny Smith took her seat alongside the familial pew, the good Doctor found himself in the awkward position of standing in front of everypony with nowhere to sit himself. However, Granny motioned for him to sit next to her, which he gleefully accepted if only to make it look intentional. As he made himself comfortable, Spike walked down the aisle near AppleBloom, holding a pillow where the two golden loops rested, freed from a bunny's ears. Angel hopped between the two, looking decidedly sour as he cradled his ears in his paws. The flower filly beside him was swaying her head, letting small blue and red rose petals tumble out of the basket she held around her neck. Spike helped grab a few and loosened them from the sides of the basket, allowing all of the petals to be spread evenly along the ground. He smirked as his dragon senses felt a small magical resistance to them, noting that their colors had been changed via a spell. He gathered that Twilight and Rarity had worked on them moments before the ceremony began. The dragon looked toward his companion, noting that AppleBloom couldn't look any happier as she did right then, making a mark at the wedding herself, although sadly not earning one on her flank.

Spike had to admit a Flower Filly cutie mark would be horridly limiting.

Vinyl Scratch, talented musician and DJ for the reception, gestured to her friend Octavia, motioning her to start playing with her group of more classical talents. Thus, the wedding march started, and all eyes turned to the back of the aisle.

In most circumstances the pony involved under so much attention would have cowered, ran, or fidgeted all the way down the aisle, but right now Fluttershy held such beauty and grace, not even the slightest movement betrayed her. She stood in her long, flowing wedding dress. Traditionally white, it was adorned with flashes of color, an obvious Rarity original, it made Fluttershy be seen by anyone in the crowd. Her flowing pink mane had been shortened by the white unicorn, clearing her face to the eyes of the crowd, but mostly to Applejack who stood proudly at the other end. Her tail was stylized, a bit more wave to it than normal. Her bangs, too, had been shortened, barely the length of Rainbow's hair, parted neatly to one side. Her brilliant sapphire eyes shown as she came into view, catching sight of the Earth pony who awaited her on the other side.

Alongside her was a large stallion that in his heyday would have given Big MacIntosh a run for his money. His pale blue hair screamed of an age gone by, but his gaunt face and powerful frame let everypony know he was still in it for awhile. His white coat couldn't be seen much under his black tuxedo, and he stood in front of everypony as he stoically gave his daughter away as Mayor Mare asked, a gleeful tear running down the face of his daughter as she turned and nuzzled her father, his tough face breaking as he smiled warmly, brushing her mane from her eyes. "Let Daddy see those sparklin' eyes one more time," he said, before gesturing her to go to the pony who awaited her at the alter. "Go on, 'Shy. Be with... her." Breathing deeply, the mare broke from her father one last time, and headed up next to Applejack. The large stallion moved toward his wife and sat next to her in the grass, his smile holding back the tears that threatened to fall. The mare next to him leaned against him, putting a loose hoof on his chest, breathing rhythmically as she watched her daughter in the dancing petals of Sweet Apple Acres.

"If there is anypony who feels the union between these two loving ponies should be quelled, speak now, or forever hold your peace," Mayor Mare mentioned. It was all part of the routine for her. There was a shuffling among the crowd of ponies, and Applejack felt her heart shoot up into her throat. She waited for it, those prim and proper city ponies that she called her kin. Any second now they would speak up, cause a scene, and ruin her day. Her day. Fluttershy's day. She scanned the crowd, looking for them, her anger bubbling as she looked for those ponies. But something else caught her eye instead. A light pink strand of hair in the corner of her vision. Looking over, deep aqua blue eyes stared deep into her emerald orbs. Her features softened, her anger subsided. Nuzzling her love gently, Applejack felt her nerves calm, and the anxiety melt away as she found herself no longer caring about the neigh-sayers. The only thing important to her, right now and right there, was the pegasus in front of her.

"Ah love you, Fluttershy," she spoke softly.

Silence reigned over the crowd, Big Mac holding an uncharacteristic smirk on his features as his eyes locked onto the Manehatten ponies who spoke so little of Applejack's love. He had had words with them, and it was interesting on how such proper and so called powerful city ponies could be quelled so easily with a few words. The order of the ceremony continued without hiccup, no one speaking out against Applejack and Fluttershy's love. A couple of ponies in the audience were a bit noisy in favor of them, a pastel green one with her mate, a dual-colored mane and tan-coated mare. They were playfully shushed by some other ponies, who couldn't help but smile at the two's antics.

"It's simply dreadful," Mister Orange muttered darkly. "Our Applejack, sweet little Applejack... A filly fooler! This simpleton town mustn't have had the stock to produce a man enough for her," he harrumphed clearly, taking no mind of the ponies around him.

"Yes, simple to gather why she would go for a mare, seeing that all the men here are... rubes to the rubes," Misses Orange seethed out, turning to an ensemble of their friends that they had brought along - without invitation or prior notice, of course. They chuckled and laughed 'politely' at her joke, taking great pride in her words.

"Ahem," a voice called from behind. The group of proper ponies turned to find Big MacIntosh standing behind them, and a smaller yet formidable looking caramel colored pony alongside him. "Now, Ah won't say anything against you city dwellers, 'cause I'm not that kinda pony."

"MacIntosh, really," Ms. Orange drawled, earning a few chuckles from her entourage. However, a quick stare from the muscular red stallion ended their pips and squeaks quickly. Yet the Oranges themselves weren't through speaking. "We already had our discussion earlier, and as I recall you didn't say anything there, so why come to us now? Because you don't have the entire Apple Family there to stare you down, you big lummox?"

Caramel stepped forward, but Mac shook his head gently, holding a peaceful hoof across his chest. "Ah didn't find it proper form to speak down a family member in front of kin like that," he said simply. Ms. Orange didn't look too pleased, but he continued. "Now, as Ah saw it, you were just runnin' some hot air 'cause you gone and missed your chance in raisin' AJ ah long time ago. And the way it seems t' me, is Ah don't see any foals running around you now, either," he added. Caramel chuckled slightly, which the red colt appreciated.

"Ugh, foals are so loud, MacIntosh, hardly worth the time and energy dealing with them at such a young age. Applejack was just past our point of contention, not that I think you know what that word means, simple Mac." Mr. Orange muttered, earning a chortle from some of the men in the group.

"I don't think you even know what that means, Mr. Orange." Caramel rolled his eyes, unimpressed with the pomp and 'proper' ponies. Big Mac chuckled, shaking his large frame.

"Well, without foals of yer own raisin', Ah don't think you were ready to claim such responsibilities as to carin' for mah little sister." Caramel nodded at Big Mac's words, the smaller stallion stepping forward.

Caramel gestured toward the general direction of Applejack's tent, shaking his deep brown mane as he did. "It's pretty clear once she ran away from alayoo back to Ponyville with no attempt to keep her, you sacrificed any right to have a say in her life."

Big MacIntosh nodded solemnly toward his friend, peering back at his family. "See, Ah'm not here to cause any trouble with you. You're still kin, and Ah have to respect that. Same with yer guests, uninvited as they may be," Big Mac paused, leaning close toward his aunt and uncle. "But what you did at the Apple Family meetin'; well, that wasn't respectful ah'tall." His eyes squinted slightly, causing a visible shudder to go down Mister Oranges spine. "Ah woulda simply let it go, bein' the simple pony that Ah am." His eyes darted between his aunt and uncle, each one feeling smaller than ants as the big farmer towered over the entire group. "But then, Ah found out yer words hurt AJ," he snorted, steam emanating from his nostrils. "And no one hurts mah little sister, understand?" Leaning up, his colossal figure seemed infinitely taller than before, and various ponies in the Orange entourage started to falter and move away, no longer wishing to be associated with the two posh ponies.

"B-b-but she's-" Mr. Orange stammered. Big Mac's eyes became hard as he stared down his uncle.

"Ah said, 'You understand'?" The Oranges nodded their heads obediently, fear shaking their bones for them. "Good. Now, you're gonna attend that weddin'. The weddin' of yer niece." His eyes turned sharply toward Ms. Orange. "Your sister's daughter." He seethed the last bit out. "And yer gonna be on your best behavior. And you know what, you're gonna give them a right good weddin' gift, too. I know that they don't have the money for much of a honeymoon - and you're such a rich aunt and uncle. I'm sure you can think of somethin'. Somethin' real respectful."

Big Mac sniffed slightly, listening to the vows from both mares. His sister's words were short, but powerful, and Fluttershy's were full of feeling, straight from her heart. In front of a crowd so large, many of them total strangers hailing from the furthest reaches of the Apple family, he knew whatever the pegasus felt for his sister was purer than a newfoal's laugh. And that was all the type a pony he could ever want for his sister.

As a breeze picked up, it sent a shower of petals from the apple trees over the congregation and the alter, where Pinkie and Dash simultaneously snapped up a couple petals as they flew by, much to the delight of all those who caught the act, their friends included. Even AppleBloom tried to catch a few, but failed, stamping her hoof lightly in reaction to her lack of skill in catching flying snacks. It was picturesque, the light smell of sweet apples covering the orchards, the high afternoon sun sparkling overhead, giving it's blessing as the moon's ambassador stood in the back, giving hers.

As the ceremony reached it's end, the presiding pony continued her last passages. "I now pronounce you...um. Oh dear. Umm." Mayor Mare stumbled. In all her preparation, she had forgotten to word the end a bit better in this new scenario for Ponyville. Both ponies in the middle of their pronouncement found some humor in it, but to be held up on such a triviality was a little annoying for all involved.

"Mare and wife, Ma'am." The light pink pegasus offered, giving the Mayor a knowing look as she nodded.

Nodding quickly, she smiled and continued, "I pronounce you 'Mare and Wife'. You may now kiss the, uh, kiss, each other." With the Mayor stumbling over her words again, Applejack chuckled as she turned to her mate. Her wife. Her... everything, now. Fluttershy returned the look in kind, nuzzling her companion a moment before breathing in deeply.

They leaned close, touching gently. The pegasus closed her eyes, letting the Earth pony guide her in. Their lips touched gracefully, locking together in a loving embrace, much to the 'aws' and 'D'aws' of the crowd, and the very energetic clapping of one similarly energetic pink pony. Twilight was clapping her hooves together as well, standing on two hind legs a spell before landing on her feet again for balance. Rarity was bawling, tears absolutely ruining her mascara as she cried in what everypony wasn't quite sure was joy, but it was rather entertaining. Rainbow whooped and cheered, her fore hoof pumping the sky as she cheered her friends on. Parting, both ponies blushed profusely as the crowd of ponies that had gathered cheered and applauded, the thundering of their hooves causing the the remaining petals on the trees to loosen and trickle into the air, covering the entire area in beautiful leaves and streaks of pink and white. In response to Dash and Pinkie, plenty of ponies snatched up the blossoms as they floated by, taking the taste of light apples with them as the two mares bowed slightly.

"I now pronounce you, Misses and...oh dear not again, ah, Misses and- Misses Applejack." Mayor Mare finished, having decided that since Applejack was in the tux, she'd be the name delivered to the crowd. Sighing from the load off her mind, Ponyville's first same-sex wedding came to a close, both ponies practically galloping past the thundering crowds which blessed them with cheers and calls. Tears of happiness streamed from both of them, Fluttershy's wings outstretched and giving a light flap at every gallop, carrying her alongside her wife.

Looking on, Twilight smiled warmly as the two disappeared into the crowd of ponies, finding herself uncaring that the normal organization that went with weddings was being generally forgotten. The friends in the wedding party chatted as the crowds in the aisle, flanked by two tents, filtered out. Mischievous fillies and colts walked around the sides and out the front near the alter, finding it a much faster way out of the large amounts of ponies. Approaching the pink pegasus, Twilight smiled coyly, "Well, I'm glad you could make it out here."

The light pink pony smiled and nodded. "It's not often a pony actually asks me to be in her wedding, Twilight. And your friends are very dear to me and my sister," Looking about, she giggled slightly as she locked eyes with the midnight mare in the crowd. "Not to mention it's nice to be in front of everypony and not be the center of attention." Twilight nodded as well, sighing contentedly.

"Well, Sunny, would you like to join Whoof and I in some cake and discussion before you and Luna have to go?" She asked, offering the mare some additional time away from her duties.

"It'd be my honor, Twilight," Sunny smiled, the group of friends moving out and around the tents, avoiding the crowds - much like the mischievous foals that ran between their feet, AppleBloom reuniting with the Crusaders as she regaled her friends in the adventures of being the Flower Filly. The rest of the ponies laughed and joked as they found their table, meeting up with Luna along the way. Applejack and Fluttershy soon joined them, the party continuing a short time before the two wedded ponies decided they had some things to do before they were off for their honeymoon.

"It's tha strangest thing. One moment mah Aunt 'n Uncle are against us, and the next they're offerin' us their home fer the week in Manehatten." Applejack laughed, a tear holding firm behind her eye.

"We really didn't have anything planned for afterwards, this all happened so quickly." Fluttershy added. "It's really kind of them to offer something so selflessly."

The big red pony who had accompanied them thus far chuckled in response. Applejack raised an eyebrow, as if asking him what was so funny. "Well, the Oranges are rather rich ponies, they probably thought it was a good idea to go on some cruise or somethin'. A real good idea," Big Mac finished, winking slightly toward his sister. She gave him a knowing smile, pushing against his shoulder playfully.

AppleBloom spoke with 'Sunny' for quite some time after that, as Spike, Luna, and Doctor Whoof discussed things over a bottle of strawberry cordial. Twilight and Rarity stuck with the wedded couple for as long as possible before they took off, leaving them to head to the table with the other three. Pinkie Pie had been all over the reception, as something seemed to set her off into some mission, the Wonderbolt of the group honestly having to try to keep up with the filly. Between giggles and laughter, Twilight noticed the light pink pony appear at her side with a small smile on her features. "So what has you so happy?"

Sunny gave a light smile, gesturing dismissively, but her eyes held a more mischievous intent. "Left the little Apple child a moment to speak with her sister...s," she hesitated before adding the second 's', putting in the fact that Fluttershy was now legally AppleBloom's sister. "Just a quick parting gift for the wedded couple, when they're ready."

Twilight raised an eyebrow, looking toward the disappearing figures of the Earth pony and pegasus as they made their way to an apple carriage. "A gift from the Princess? And what would that be?" she asked, legitimately curious. The playful smile never left the ponies lips, causing a mirthful giggle to erupt from the studious unicorn.

"Oh, I'm sure you all will find out someday, my faithful student," Celestia hinted, taking a sip of the cordial that Spike had poured for her. "Someday soon, maybe." The high afternoon sun radiated off the light pink pony, as she returned to conversation with the rest of the wedding table, enjoying cake, laughter, and friends. Twilight made a quick mental note that today, she needn't write a letter to the princess, instead she would share a laugh in honor of her happy friends, those who would go on and reach the highest magics of friendship.