Chapters Chapter 1 - The Road To Las Pegasus
“A chance to stretch your legs, everyone.” Sunset Shimmer pulled Fluttershy’s van into the parking lot. She turned the motor off and stretched.
The rest area on the road to Las Pegasus included restrooms and a grassy area with one picnic table and one tree. It included a lookout point with an amazing view of the valley and mountains that ran to the horizon. The only other vehicle in the parking lot was Applejack’s truck with the rest of the wedding party.
Flash Sentry opened the van’s passenger door. Spike leaped out of the door and scampered urgently toward the grass. Flash grabbed an empty plastic grocery bag and moved to follow him.
“Thanks, Flash,” Twilight Sparkle said from the middle row of the van. “After all our delays, I hope this stop won’t make us late for the wedding.” She reached her hand forward, engagement ring sparkling in the fading sunlight.
Flash reached his hand back and they brushed fingertips. His matching ring sparkled just as brightly. “Nothings going to stop there being a wedding today,” he said.
Flash set off after Spike. He may be able to talk, but Spike still had a dog’s needs and so Flash watched out for him.
By the time Flash got to the picnic table, Spike was calmer. Flash showed the bag and raised an eyebrow. Spike shook his head ‘no’, so Flash knew that nothing more need be said on that subject.
Spike bounded up onto the picnic table. “I wanted to finish our conversation from the car. What did you mean by the girls having four classes of magic?”
Flash leaned against the tree and looked back. None of the girls had come this way. Spike was also the only other boy in the group, so sometimes they bonded over ‘guy talk’.
“Let’s take as a given that these are seven amazing girls,” Flash said. “Beautiful. Heroic. Always trying to do the right thing.”
“And they smell nice,” Spike interjected.
Flash gave him a quizzical look.
“Smell means a lot more to me than what I see,” Spike said. “I don’t see color like you do. To me, Fluttershy and Pinkie are about the same shade. But they smell very different.”
“Fair point,” Flash replied. “Everyone brings their point of view to the discussion.” After hanging with Twilight and the girls through high school and beyond, he’d learned to roll with the situation. Flash didn’t let a little thing like species dictate his friendships.
“Class one is when the girls use their powers but don’t transform,” Flash continued. “Class two is when they ‘pony up’, but don’t go full superhero.”
“So class three is when they get the costumes?” Spike asked.
“And a bunch more powers,” Flash said. He sat down at the picnic table and held up fingers one at a time. “Flight. Strength. Supercharged magic powers. I saw a robot attack blow all the girls through a wall when they were in costume and it barely phased them. So class three is full-blown comic book superhero.”
Spike wrinkled his nose. He leaned in, gave Flash a sniff. and looked quizzically at him, “And class three means more to you than just them getting powers?”
“You caught me.” Flash rolled his eyes and scratched Spike behind the ears. “They all look super hot in costume. Like them, but super-them.”
Spike shook his head and looked like he’d bit a lemon.
“I’m a guy,” Flash said. “I admit to being shallow. It's one of my superpowers. Anyway, my bride-to-be is one of those super hot girls, my ex is another, and I get to be friends with all seven.”
“I don’t think of them like that, especially Twilight.“ Spike shuddered. “But they do smell extra special when they pony up or are in costume. Like you said, them... but better.”
Flash and Spike were lost in the thoughts of the people they cared about. Flash absently pet Spike and he let himself be petted.
Spike finally broke the silence. “I see where you’re going with this. I gotta tell you I don’t like to think about class four. We almost lost Twilight when she went class four at the Friendship Games.”
“We almost lost Sunset at the Fall Formal,” Flash said. “And Gloriosa at Camp Everfree, and Jupiter what’s-her-name at the mall. It can be scary when someone goes to class four. It’s like all that magic goes to their heads. They can get larger than life and lose touch with reality.”
Spike gave a bit of a whimper but didn't say anything.
“But Sunset was like an angel when she went class four at the games,” Flash continued. “She saved Twilight. And I’ve got a theory about why.”
“Hit me,” Spike said. He looked relieved.
“Sunset went demon at the Fall Formal because she had no friends, no connections to others,” Flash said. “She was acting for herself. Twilight went all scary at the games for the same reason.”
“But Sunset did the angel thing at the games because by that time she had friends. Her first instinct was to help and protect people. When she got all that magic, she was still a hero,” Flash said. “Twilight’s connection with you was what gave Sunset an opening to save her at the games.”
“Twilight has friends now,” Spike said. “She always had me, but now she’s got all the girls, and you, and lots of others. And she’s a hero too. They all are.”
Flash smiled. “That’s why if Twilight or any of the girls ever go class four again, Everything will be ok.”
Spike grinned and held up a front paw. Flash tapped the paw to complete the high five.
“Hey everybody, check this out!” Rainbow Dash was standing at the short wall of the lookout point and pointing. They all rushed to see. About a mile down the road, a dust cloud was rising from a pile of rocks blocking the road that lay ahead of them. Pebbles rained down from a gash in the side of the mountain where the rockslide had begun.
“Is anyone hurt?” Sunset asked.
“No cars passed that way in the last few minutes,” Flash said.
Rainbow shielded her eyes and ‘looked’ at the slide. Her pegasus magic gave her amazing eyesight. “No cars under the slide or coming the other way.”
“I’m going to be late for my own wedding,” Twilight cried.
Fluttershy put a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Twilight. We’ll work it out. Everything will be OK.”
“Come on girls,” Applejack said. “We’ve got powers. We’re not gonna let some little old rock slide stop us.” She thrust her hand into the center of the group.
All the girls joined hands. Magical rainbow motes emerged from their geodes and swirled about them. Within the swirling colors, the girl’s silhouettes got taller and bolder. They all assumed colorful costumes, pony ears, and ankle-length hair that waved in an unfelt breeze. Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rainbow spouted small wings.
Flash took a half step back. It was always good to know the girls could respond when there was trouble.
But even though she’d transformed, Flash could see Twilight was still upset. He had to find a way to help too. “Maybe Twilight and I should stay here,’ he said. “I’ll look for another route as a backup.” He held up his phone with the GPS map.
Applejack sized up the situation and took the lead. “Rainbow, Rarity, Pinkie, let’s go clear that slide.”
Sunset glanced at Flash, nodded to AJ, and pulled out her phone as well.
Fluttershy took Twilight’s hands. “Let your friends take care of this.” She led Twilight over to the picnic table to sit down. AJ, Rainbow, Rarity, and Pinkie took to the sky and flew toward the slide.
Flash poked at his phone. “There’s got to be an alternate route,” he said to Sunset.
She checked her phone, grimaced, then put it away. “My reception is terrible up in the mountains.”
Flash was heads down, swiping on his phone. “Do you want to go help the others?”
“Empathy isn’t much use when clearing rocks,” Sunset said. “But you’ve been a big help. Twilight may have her checklists, but you've done most of the work in setting up this wedding.”
“Once Twilight said yes, I wanted to make things as easy on her as possible.” Flash held up his cell phone to show Sunset. “I got something, do you think this route will work?”
Sunset reached for the phone and brushed Flash’s hand. Her eyes went white as Flash's memories of helping Twilight played out for both of them. Flash bringing Twilight a treat when she had forgotten to eat. Helping Twilight get to bed when she fell asleep on her lab bench. Driving her to appointments and school interviews. And a hundred other times when Flash helped Twilight keep her life on track.
But interspersed with these images were also many times when others stepped in to help. They were the ones that listened when Twilight was lecturing. They talked her down when she was ‘Twilighting’. And they touched, held hands, and hugged Twilight while Flash was engaged in running errands.
Flash pulled his hand away from Sunset and took a step away. He fumbled his phone into a pants pocket then rubbed his hand like it was dirty.
Sunset retreated half a step and put her hands up to shoulder height. She held her palms out like someone surrendering. The color returned to her eyes. “I’m sorry, Flash. I didn't mean to…” Sunset's voice faded. “My control is usually better than that. I’m so sorry.”
Flash looked at where he was rubbing his hands. “No, Sunset, I don’t think it was you. All those things had been running through my mind.” Flash took a deep breath. “I just kept distracting myself from them by doing chores and errands for people, like I always do.”
Flash raised his glance to find his fiancee. Twilight and Fluttershy were embracing platonically. Their wings were mutually raised as if ready to fly together. Twilight was smiling again.
In Flash’s trip down memory lane, the person who gave Twilight emotional support more than all the others combined was Fluttershy.
Flash couldn’t hold his gaze and had to look away. He made a heavy sigh.
“Maybe proposing to Twilight was going a step too far,” Flash said. “When Twilight’s relationship with Timber cratered, I stepped in because she needed someone. And there may have been some residual crush that I transferred from the Princess.”
Flash stopped and took a deep breath. Sunset let him talk.
“Twilight was so new to having people in her life and she wanted a partner really badly.” Flash looked out across the fabulous mountain vistas. Anywhere but into the eyes of any of the girls. “Going from supportive friend, to boyfriend, to fiance seemed like the next step in our relationship.”
“I’d hoped you two would buck the odds against coming together on the rebound,” Sunset replied.
“I thought we were happy,” Flash said, “I thought I made her happy.”
“You did, and she was.” Sunset stepped up next to Flash but didn’t touch him. “But maybe there needs to be more to a relationship than making someone's life easier. Real harmony is making each other happier and fulfilled on every level.”
Before Flash could reply, four colorful figures alighted from the sky, heralding the return of AJ, Rainbow, Rarity, and Pinkie. “The road’s all clear,” Applejack called.
“It was really cool,” Rainbow said. “Applejack was all ‘grunt’ while clearing the big boulders. I was all ‘zoom’ cleaning away the smaller ones. Rarity was all ‘zoosh’ sweeping with brooms of light to make sure the road was clean and as good as new.”
“What were you doing, Pinkie?” Fluttershy asked.
“I checked out the gash on the side of the mountain where the rocks fell,” Pinkie replied. “I’ve been on lots of rock hunts with Maude and I have some idea what to look for.” Pinkie screwed up her face in deep thought. “That rock slide wasn’t caused by erosion. Something pushed those boulders. And not one at a time, but all at once across a fifty-yard swath.”
“That would either mean a whole gang of people with power tools…” Applejack said.
“Or it was magic.” Rainbow sighed. “Who’d want to stop our road trip?”
Author's Note
Thanks to Rexketchum for inspiration and encouragement! If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be posting my first story in 3 years!
Twilight shivered. Her left eye twitched once. She stepped away from the other girls and over to the edge of the lookout. She peered at the gash in the side of the mountain where the rockslide had come from. He felt her panic start to return.
“Hey?”
Twilight jumped and her wings sprang into a full display. “Oh, Flash! You startled me.”
“Sorry Twi. Can we talk for a bit?”
Twilight glanced between Flash and the gash on the side of the mountain. “Ok…”
Flash took Twilight's hands in his own. This got Twilight’s attention. They were not a very ‘touchy’ couple.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about us, about our future, and about getting married,” Flash said. “And I had a kind of epiphany.” He glanced over at Sunset and then back to Twilight.
“Spending time with you is great. You’re amazing, and I don't mean because of the wings and powers. I mean you are an amazing person.” Flash hesitated. Gods the next part was hard to say. “I think there might be other people out there who would be better for you. Who could support you in ways that... I‘m not good at.”
Twilight’s hands shook in his own. She felt like an animal that might bolt at any second.
Twilight closed her eyes, took in a deep breath, and held it. After a few seconds, she blew it out. Twilight tucked her wings in, opened her eyes, and looked at Flash. “I’m afraid I may have caused the rockslide,” she whispered.
Flash cocked his head, but let Twilight continue. He wasn’t good at this. He wanted to jump in and try to fix things. But for once he just listened.
“I didn’t mean to,” Twilight continued. “I mean I didn't do it on purpose. But I’ve had these doubts. That we were pushing too fast, getting married for the wrong reasons. Like it was just the next box on a checklist to mark off.”
Flash nodded and let Twilight talk.
“I got scared as we all started Senior year at CHS. Having you, and the girls and all my new friends was so wonderful, so different from how I’d lived my life before. We did things together, had adventures, helped people, and made magic. It was... perfect.”
“But when I looked to the future, to the time after graduation, I saw it all falling apart. I knew we wouldn’t end up in college together and we’d ultimately start careers in different places. We’d drift away from each other. And I’d end up at some tech school halfway across the country and be alone again.”
Flash cupped his hands around Twilight’s. Seemed that sometimes listening was a superpower.
“That’s why I reciprocated Timber’s advances, even though I knew he was older,” Twilight said. “And because his interest was flattering. And he was really cute…” Twilight’s eyes went wide. “Not as cute as you! I mean not as handsome as you.”
He flashed his best grin so Twilight knew he was OK.
Twilight reversed her grip and held Flash’s hands in her own. “After the breakup, you were so supportive, so good to me. It was like we went straight to being a comfortable pair and skipped all the drama.”
“But I could tell it wasn’t enough,” Flash said. “That you wanted something more.”
“And gallant knight that you are, you asked and I said yes,” Twilight said. “And once I said yes and you were doing all the wedding planning. I didn’t feel like I could change my mind.”
Twilight looked over at the rockslide. “I think the Midnight Sparkly part of my subconscious decided to put the brakes on. I know it is incredibly late to be saying this, but I think we may be better off as just friends,”
Flash felt relieved and sad all at the same time. It felt like the right choice, but it still hurt.
“So,” Flash said. “We’re not getting married?”
“No, we’re not getting married,” Twilight shook her head.
“Still friends?” Flash asked.
“Always,” Twilight replied. She pulled him into a full-body embrace and surrounded him with her wings to hold him tight. Flash leaned in and hugged her just as fiercely. He buried his face into the great mass of her hair. It smelled of lilacs. They stayed embraced for a long time.
When the two pulled apart, they smiled at each other. “The fact that was our best hug in a while tells me we’re making the right choice,” Twilight said. Flash nodded. There seemed to be something to this listening thing.
They walked arm in arm back to their anxious friends.
“Girls, we have an announcement,” Twilight said. “Flash and I have mutually decided we are not getting married.”
“Not getting married today, or…” Rarity asked.
“Not getting married,” Flash replied. “We’ve agreed we’re better friends than we are life partners.”
The girls rushed forward to embrace and support them both.
Fluttershy held Spike up so he could hug Twilight too. Then she whispered in his ear and let him down. Spike scampered off.
“Yes, we’re both OK with this,” Twilight said from within the group hug. “I mean I was looking forward to getting married today. But we both had doubts and hadn’t told each other. Once we talked, we agreed that staying friends was the right way to go.”
“But I don't get it,” Pinkie Pie said. “I’ve been getting wedding twitches all day. And they’ve grown into a doozy!”
Spike came racing over with something in his mouth and dropped it into Fluttershy’s hand.
“Excuse me,” Fluttershy whispered. She was quiet enough that it took the girls a few moments to understand what was happening. They all retreated from the group hug and gave Fluttershy room to talk.
“This may be the worst possible time, but I’ve got my courage up, so I’m going to say this now.” Fluttershy turned to face Twilight.
“Twilight Sparkle, I fell for you the first time you showed me how you carried Spike in your backpack like I carried my animal friends with me,” Fluttershy said. “I was too scared to say anything at first. And later you always seemed to be in a relationship and I never wanted to get in the way of your happiness.”
Fluttershy’s voice got stronger. “But now you’re “on the market” and I’m going to state my case before you go away at the end of summer and I miss my chance.” Fluttershy got down on one knee and held up a small jewelry box. Inside was the Sparkle family wedding ring that Flash had been going to give Twilight. “Twilight Sparkle, I love you. Will you marry me?”
Pinkie and AJ gasp. Rarity beamed.
“Fluttershy, this is so sudden!” Twilight said. She reached down, took Fluttershy’s hands, and pulled her to her feet. “And I don’t think you’re supposed to use a wedding ring as an engagement ring…”
Sunset smiled, reached in, and put her hands around Twilight and Fluttershys’. Sunset’s eyes went white. In the blink of an eye, Twilight and Fluttershy relived the hundred times that Fluttershy had been there for Twilight and the hundred times that Twilight had encouraged and helped Fluttershy in return. Sunset stepped back, beaming like Rarity.
Twilight teared up. “I guess it’s not sudden at all.” She smiled through the tears. “Yes, Fluttershy! Yes, I’ll marry you!”
“Today?” Pinkie asked, drawing the word out until it was an entire sentence.
“I’ve always wanted an outdoor wedding,” Fluttershy said. “And this is a lovely spot.”
“But all the wedding dresses were sent ahead to Las Pegasus,” Twilight countered.
“Darling, our costumes are made of magic.” Rarity replied. “I can change them into whatever we need before either of you can say ‘I do’.”
“Who’ll perform the ceremony?” Twilight asked.
Fluttershy glanced sideways at Sunset. “One of our best friends is like Harmony’s own angel. That’s good enough for me.”
Twilight’s smile got even bigger. “Sunset, would you do us the honor of performing our wedding ceremony?”
Sunset was taken aback but recovered. “Of course. Any way I can help.”
Pinkie sported a grin that was even bigger than Twilight’s. Her wedding twitches were coming true. “Light ‘er up, ladies!”
Twilight, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash all tapped their magical geodes and gathered power in their hands. Then as one, they thrust their hands toward Sunset Shimmer. Beams of magic from every color of the rainbow enveloped and lifted Sunset into the air.
The colors mixed into an explosion of blinding white. Golden magic swirled about Sunset’s feet and hands, then rose up her torso and head. The magic transformed Sunset into an imposing angel, with a horn and two gigantic wings of light. Massive tresses of crimson and gold roiled about her head.
Sunset hovered just off the lookout point with the glorious mountain vista behind her. The sun was falling toward the horizon and backlit Sunset with crimson fire.
“Let’s get this wedding started!” Sunset’s voice rang with power, authority, and love for all assembled. She nodded her head and lit her horn. Pre-wedding music rose from all around them, ringing off the mountain walls, grander than in any cathedral. It was as if an army of organists were harmonizing with a symphony of players with classical and modern instruments.
Rarity gestured and conjured dressing room dividers of ice blue diamonds. “Twilight, Pinkie, meet me in the dressing area. I will be there in a moment.” Pinkie giggled, grabbed Twilight’s arm, and pulled her behind the dividers.
As soon as Twilight was out of sight, Rarity leaned toward Fluttershy. “I have a good idea what Twilight wants to wear. But you and I have talked about so many options. What do you wish to wear on this most auspicious day?”
Fluttershy leaned over and whispered in Rarity’s ear.
Rarity looked surprised but pleased. “A bold choice, my dear.” Rarity waved her hand at Rainbow Dash and Applejack. “And these shall be your attendants?” Fluttershy nodded and Rarity smiled.
“Flash,” Rarity said. “Your tux is in the van. Go put it on, then meet Twilight behind the divider.” She took the box with the wedding ring from Fluttershy and handed it down to Spike. “Find the other ring and safeguard them until the time comes.”
“You can count on me!” Spike said. He grabbed the ring box in his teeth and bounded back to the van to find the other ring.
Flash retreated to the van and climbed inside. He unzipped the tux carrier bag. His was a traditional black tux jacket, vest, and pants, white shirt, and black bow tie. Twilight had wanted the traditional look and Flash could deny her nothing. Even if he wasn’t to play the part of groom today, he would do everything he could to support Twilight.
“I’ve got both rings,” Spike said from the back of the van. His tail was wagging a mile a minute. Ever since gaining the power of speech, Spike had gotten very good at carrying things in his mouth without causing them harm.
Spike looked at Flash in his full tux. “You doing OK there, big guy?”
Flash reached over and gave Spike a scritch behind the ears. “Is it OK if I’m both disappointed and happy? If I miss what might have been but think this will be even better?”
“It’s been like that for me ever since I learned to talk,” Spike replied. “Doing what’s right is harder than doing what’s easy. But it works out way better in the long run.”
Flash and Spike made their way to the glittering dressing divider. The divider was translucent. Rarity’s diamond pattern was tessellated across the surface. Flash could see three silhouettes moving behind the divider.
”Ladies?” Flash inquired.
“I’m coming out!” Pinkie called. She emerged around the divider wearing an amazing pale pink gown. It was tailored to make the most of Pinkie's generous curves.
“You look great, Pinkie!” Flash said.
“You’re looking hot yourself!” Pinkie picked Flash up off the ground and wrapped him in a gigantic hug. While she held him suspended, Pinkie whispered, “It’s going to be a doozie of a wedding, and it wouldn’t have happened without you.” Pinkie gave Flash one final squeeze and dropped him back on his feet.
Rarity came around the screen and Flash gaped. She looked even more amazing than Pinkie. Rarity wore a modern cut pale purple gown that emphasized her classical beauty and sophistication. She’d have wowed the crowd on the red carpet at any event in the world.
“Your gaze is all the appreciation a lady needs,” Rarity said to Flash. “Now go to Twilight. We will all see you both soon.” She looked down. “Spike, here is what you must do…”
As Flash rounded the divider, all sound from the wedding side except the music fell away, likely another aspect of Rarity’s magic.
But Flash’s brain had stopped responding to other stimuli anyway. Because Twilight Sparkle, in a classic white wedding dress that any magical princess would give her crown jewels to wear, was simply the most beautiful woman Flash had ever seen.
The fitted bodice hugged her every curve. It left her firm shoulders bare with room for her wings to fold at her back. A voluminous bell-shaped skirt swirled about her legs. A massive royal train floated behind her, flashes of purple magic making sure it never touched the ground. Yards and yards of Twilight's magical lavender hair flowed behind her as well. It was also supported by magic and hovered above the train.
Twilight nervously pushed her glasses back up with a finger. “Flash?”
Hearing his name broke Flash from his reverie. “Twilight, you are the most amazing woman it has ever been my privilege to know. Fluttershy is the luckiest woman in the world.”
Twilight blushed. “Are you sure, Flash? You look pretty amazing in that tuxedo.”
“I am 100% certain,” Flash replied. “Are you?”
Twilight blushed harder and nodded. They embraced, and neither could remember who’d made the first move. After a moment, they stepped away. Twilight smoothed her skirt and Flash straightened his jacket.
“Flash, I have a favor to ask, and I’ll understand if you say no,” Twilight said. “Would you walk me down the aisle?”
Flash made a short formal bow. “My lady, it would be an honor.” He offered Twilight his left arm and she took it in her right.
They heard the music change. The classic wedding march thundered off the mountains. Everyone at the ceremony could feel it reverberate in their hearts.
Twilight and Flash stepped out from behind the diamond divider. They began their procession toward the assembled wedding party.
The others had already completed their procession and assembled at the edge of the lookout. In a wedding party sefused with magic, populated by superheroes, presided over by an angel, and accompanied by the music of the ages, Twilight only had eyes for one, Fluttershy.
She was wearing a striking black tuxedo, the same color as the one Flash wore. But there the similarities ended. Fluttershy’s tux was tailored to perfection. It emphasized both the formality with which she was treating the proceedings and her superhuman beauty. Fluttershy's extravagant pink tresses, longer than she was tall, floated behind her in a gentle breeze.
Fluttershy had swept the hair from both her eyes. She locked them on Twilight and their mutual gaze was as if nothing else in the world mattered to either of them.
Flash could see that the rest of the participants made almost as much of an impact.
Sunset floated majestically in the center of the proceedings. Her wings of light were as broad as the wedding party. The fires of the last moments of the day set all the mountains behind her aglow.
At the far right of the wedding party, Rarity and Pinkie Pie stood in their gowns as Twilight’s bridesmaid and maid of honor. On the far left, Applejack and Rainbow Dash stood in their own expertly fitted tuxes, as Fluttershy’s bridesmaid and maid of honor. Spike was standing in front of the wedding party, having completed his job as ring bearer.
Flash guided Twilight toward the wedding party. It felt like she was gliding on air. As Flash couldn’t see Twilight's feet among her voluminous skirts, she might have been.
Fluttershy moved to meet them. She embraced Flash, kissed him on the cheek, and whispered, “Thank you.” Then Fluttershy embraced Twilight and led her to stand before Sunset Shimmer. The music fell silent.
Sunset smiled beatifically toward the couple. “Friends, we gather today to share in the joy of the wedding of Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle. This celebration is an expression of the inner love and devotion they have in their hearts toward one another.
“Fluttershy, do you take Twilight Sparkle to be your wife, to love, honor, and cherish her now and forevermore?"
“I do.”
“Twilight Sparkle, do you take Fluttershy to be your wife, to love, honor, and cherish her now and forevermore?"
“I do.”
“Let these rings symbolize the vows you have taken before your friends.”
Sunset opened her hands, showing one ring in each palm. Sunset’s hands glowed with golden light. The rings rose a few inches into the air, and rainbow motes raced around them until there was a bright flash. The rings remained, levitating above Sunset’s palms and glinting with a rainbow shimmer.
“Take these rings, place them on the finger of your beloved, and repeat after me.
“With this ring, I thee wed, and with it, I pledge you my love, now and forever.”
Fluttershy and Twilight repeated the vows and slipped the rings on the fingers of their beloved.
“Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle, before these witnesses you have pledged to be joined in marriage. You have sealed this pledge with your wedding rings. it is my pleasure to declare you married and partners in life!
“You may both kiss your bride.”
Fluttershy and Twilight embraced and kissed passionately. An “aww” rose from all attending.
Fluttershy and Twilght’s rings glowed with rainbow radiance. Yellow motes of magic emerge from Fluttershy’s ring. Purple motes from Twilight's ring joined them. The motes raced around the couple and levitated them until they were level with Sunset. Lost in their shared love, the couple were oblivious.
Flash scooped up Spike and moved toward the couple.
Pinkie held up a hand to stop them. “This is a part of the doozie I was expecting.” Pinkie turned to the rest of the wedding party, “Are we all in for these love birds?”
Rarity, Pinkie, Applejack, and Rainbow nodded to each other and raised their hands toward the couple. Their ice blue, pink, orange, and navy blue beams joined Fluttershy and Twilight yellow and purple motes. The couple was surrounded by a swirling rainbow of magic.
Sunset looked left and right for her part to play, but all the other girls were occupied. For all her power, Sunset was unsure what to do. She looked to the audience, to Flash and Spike, for some kind of reassurance.
Spike’s tail wagged a mile a minute as he shook his head up and down. Flash grinned from ear to ear and mouthed, “go for it.”
Sunset nodded. She raised her arms and brought her wings of light to full extension. The crescendo of a symphony rose and reverberated off the mountains. A tornado of rainbow power, as great as what the girls had already shared, gathered before Sunset. She thrust her hands and wings forward and added her magic to what encircled the couple.
Flash raised a hand to shade his eyes from the blinding radiance. He could only see silhouettes of Twilight and Fluttershy inside the swirling magic. As he watched, both silhouettes grew. Their height, hair, and wings all became as large as Sunset’s. A sound like rolling thunder echoed off the mountains and the magic became too bright to watch. Flash covered his eyes with one hand and covered Spike’s eyes with the other.
When Flash could see again, Fluttershy and Twilight were continuing their passionate embrace. They were still levitating above where they had begun their fiery kiss. Both girl’s wings were enormous. Fluttershy’s yellow feathered appendages had a wingspan at least three times her considerable height. Twilight’s energy wings of indigo shadow were at least as large and sparkled with stars and nebulae. Glowing energy horns of yellow and purple projected from Fluttershy and Twilight’s foreheads. Masses of pink and magenta hair roiled about their heads.
The power of magic and love poured off the couple like a physical thing, crashing over the wedding party. Fluttershy and Twilight ended their kiss but remained embraced.
Pinkie looked up at the glowing brides. “That was a doozie of a kiss!”
“Thank you! Thank you all!” Fluttershy said.
“This is the most amazing wedding gift ever!” Twilight said.
Both their voices rang with the same power that Sunset projected.
Fluttershy and Twilight floated down to the ground, and all the girls surrounded them in a group embrace. Sunset, Fluttershy, and Twilight stood a head taller than the others, two heads if you included the hair that magically roiled above them.
Flash stepped up and the girls parted. Spike jumped from Flash’s arms and into Twilight’s and began licking her. Everyone laughed.
“Congratulations to you both,” Flash said. “May you share a long and happy life together.” It was strange to have to look up at Fluttershy and Twilight. But the happiness and love that radiated from the couple made today’s bizarre events seem like the only reasonable outcome.
While the other girls were congratulating the happy couple, Flash noticed Rarity speaking to Pinkie Pie off to the side. He overheard Rarity say, “You said this was just part of your wedding doozie?”
“Yuparoonie, just a part!” Pinkie replied. She made a sidelong glance from Rarity over to Applejack.
“Thank you, Darling,” Rarity said. “I’ll be one moment.” Rarity made a beeline for Applejack and pulled her out of the group with the blushing brides. A moment later they returned.
“Fluttershy, Twilight, I wanted to congratulate you both again,” Rarity said. “This is a truly magical moment. And while I am loath to take the well-deserved spotlight off of the two of you…
“Applejack and I want in!”
Everyone was stunned. Sunset was the first to speak. “Want in on what?”
“We want to get married too,” Applejack said.
“Right here, right now,” Rarity continued.
“Rarity and I’ve talked about getting hitched a couple a times,” Applejack said. “We’ve never set a date, but I can’t see that any other wedding we could plan is going to be as special as this event right here.”
“But only if you two wouldn’t mind,” Rarity said. “I know it is a frightful imposition...”
Fluttershy looked questioningly at her partner. Twilight smiled back and nodded.
“Rarity, today is all about joining together, not about dividing us,” Fluttershy said. “If this is what the two of you want, it feels right to Twilight and me.”
“Thank you, thank you!” Rarity squeed. She turned and hugged Applejack. “Would you like a wedding gown or do you want to keep the tuxedo?” she asked her bride-to-be.
Applejack straightened her jacket and squared her impressive shoulders. “This tux looks pretty sharp,” she said. “And I figure you have something slinky and chic in mind for yourself.”
“You know me too well!” Rarity kissed Applejack lightly on the lips then sashayed off toward the dressing divider.
Flash sidled over to Pinkie. “Is this the rest of the wedding doozie you were talking about?”
“Definitely another part.” Pinkie said.
“Another… part,” Flash said. “Does that mean there's more?”
“Maybe,” Again, Pinkie drew out the single work into an entire sentence. She gave Flash a broad wink and a big smile. She skipped over to the group of friends planning a second wedding within an hour.
Pinkie seemed to be everywhere and talking to everyone. She lined up Sunset, Twilight, and Fluttershy and positioned them hovering where Sunset had been for the first wedding. Pinkie maneuvered Rainbow, Applejack, and Rarity together behind the divider. Then she directed Spike and Flash to their place in the “audience” of one boy and one dog.
Pinkie scanned the area to be sure everyone was where she wanted them to be. Nodding to herself, she gave Sunset, Twilight, and Fluttershy the high sign. Pinkie called out “Music!” to the hovering trio before dashing off behind the divider.
Sunset, Twilight, and Fluttershy lit their horns. The mountains rang again with music. Sunsets organ and symphonic harmonies were joined by energetic electronica and an angelic choir.
Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash came down the “aisle” first. They were still bedecked in their maid-of-honor dress and tuxedo. Pinkie turned left and stood in front of Sunset. Rainbow turned right and stood in front of Fluttershy.
Once Pinkie and Rainbow were in their places, the hovering trio changed the music to Ode to Joy for the processional. Rarity dissolved the dressing divider into ice blue motes, revealing the happy couple.
Applejack and Rarity walked down the aisle together. Applejack was still sporting her black tuxedo. Rarity wowed everyone with her ice blue vintage satin wedding gown. The fitted bodice flowed seamlessly into a trumpet skirt that hugged her every curve and shimmered as she walked.
Applejack and Rarity stopped in the center before Twilight Sparkle. “Friends, we gather today to share in the joy of the wedding of Applejack and Rarity along with the friendship vows of Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash. This celebration is an expression of the inner love and devotion they all have in their hearts.
“Applejack and Rarity, do you take each other to be your wife, to love, honor, and cherish now and forevermore?"
They both responded, “I do.”
“Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash, do you both pledge to all in this ceremony, your love and friendship, now and forever?”
They both responded, “I do.”
“May I have the rings?”
Rarity opened her right palm and waved her left hand over it. Four glittering rings appeared in a shimmer of ice blue magic. One was inset with gems depicting three ice blue diamonds. Another showed three crimson apples. The third had three balloons. And the final had a rainbow lightning bolt.
Twilight cupped her palms together and lit her horn. The four rings levitated into her palms. Sunset and Fluttershy light their horns as well, and the four rings raced in a circle through three swirls of rainbow magic. After a bright flash, the rings remained. They levitated above Twilight’s palms and glinted with a rainbow shimmer.
“Let these rings symbolize the vows you have taken before your friends.” Twilight levitated one ring each to Sunset and Fluttershy, keeping two hovering above her palms. “Applejack and Rarity, take these rings, place them on the finger of your beloved, and repeat after me.
“With this ring, I thee wed, and with it, I pledge you my love, now and forever.”
Applejack and Rarity repeated the vows and slipped the rings on the fingers of their beloved.
“Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash, accept these rings from your friends and repeat after me.
“By accepting this ring I pledge to all of you my love and friendship, now and forever.”
Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash repeated the vows. Sunset and Fluttershy slipped the rings on their fingers.
“Applejack and Rarity, before these witnesses you have pledged to be joined in marriage. You have sealed this pledge with your wedding rings. it is my pleasure to declare you married and partners in life!
“Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, you have pledged your love and friendship to all of us, now and forevermore. It is my pleasure to declare all of us, friends for life.
“You may now embrace.”
Rarity and Applejack embraced with a passionate kiss. Pinkie Pie leaped up and practically tackled Sunset, who returned the hug with equal vigor. Rainbow Dash raised on her wings until she was face to face with Fluttershy. Fluttershy opened her arms, and the two embraced with arms and wings.
Flash and Spike knew what was coming. They grinned and shaded their eyes.
The wedding party was soon awash in magic. Motes of orange, ice blue, pink, and navy blue from Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash merged with rainbow tornadoes from Sunset, Twilight, and Fluttershy. A harmonic crescendo rose and reverberated off the mountains.
As before, Flash could only see silhouettes of Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash. All their silhouettes grew to match Sunset, Twilight, and Fluttershy. Rolling thunder echoed off the mountains again and the magic became too bright to watch.
When Flash could see again all seven girls were hovering in a great group hug. All had enormous wings of magic or feathers, glowing energy horns, and masses of hair that roiled about their heads.
“Wow!” Spike exclaimed.
“That must have been the rest of Pinkie’s doozie,” Flash said.
Pinkie turned her head from the hug, grinned at Flash, and gave him a big wink. Then she turned back and whispered to the girls. They all seemed to agree, but the only one he could make out was Twilight. “Absolutely.”
The seven floated to the ground and strode toward Flash. Their beauty and power were both tantalizing and intimidating. They towered over Flash with their height, wings, and hair. They radiated an electrifying aura of power and joy.
Twilight spoke first, “Flash, we are all eternally grateful to you. If you hadn’t spoken to me from your heart, all of us would not have connected like this.” Twilight’s horn glowed magenta. “May your thoughts be always clear, and your friendships endure.” Twilight kissed Flash on the cheek. He felt a jolt like electricity.
Fluttershy stepped up, horn also aglow. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and may all living creatures always be your friend.” Her kiss on the cheek felt refreshing, like a cool breeze on a warm day.
One by one the rest of the girls stepped forward and honored Flash with a magical kiss on the cheek.
Finally, Sunset Shimmer stepped up. “May you find your true love and know happiness for all of your days.” Flash was lifted into the air until he was face to face with Sunset. She embraced Flash with arms and wings of light and kissed him full on the lips. The warmth and magic Flash felt from all the girls swirled inside him until it felt natural and a part of who he was.
Flash knew that while Sunset, Twilight, or any of the other girls may not be his true love, they would all be special friends for the rest of his days.
Rainbow was back to hovering again. “Where should we go for the wedding reception? I’m starving!”
“We can use our reservations at the Las Pegasus Resort,” Flash offered.
“Thank you for the offer, Flash.” Twilight spread her energy wings wide and shimmered with lavender power. “But I think we have more options now.”
“I hear Puerto Caballo is a lovely place for a honeymoon or a vacation,” Rarity said. “And the food is supposed to be divine!”
Seeing acceptance from all the girls, and a stunned expression from Flash, Sunset Shimmer encased them all in a bubble of golden radiance. When the magic bubble burst, the lookout point was empty.
