Connor groaned as he felt the rays of the sun shine in his face. He opened his eyes but immediately shut them when the light burned his vision. “Ah, shit!” Connor tried again, but looked in the other direction. “Much better.” As that was said he pulled off his covers and walked into his bathroom to freshen up.

He soon came out with matted hair and a towel around his waist. A knock came from his door and he called out to the noise. “The princesses have requested your presence, they have an announcement they wish to give.”

He answered and finished drying off before getting dressed. He made his way to the throne room and in his way Artemis appeared next to him. “Are you like my guardian ghost or something?”

Artemis gave a hearty laugh “Something like that, our father assigned us to help watch over the prophets, you don’t really have wings. Or powers. But you’re here and you’re Ash’s brother. So, I felt obligated to assign myself to you.”

Connor gave a small smile “I appreciate the concern, but also offended.”

Connor and Artemis arrived at the throne room and were greeted by all four princesses, Orion, Ash and Shining Armor.

Connor gaze lingered on Princess Cadence longer than needed. He knew it was wrong. She was to be married to Shining Amor, they both loved each other. But, she treated him differently than everyone else. Or in her case everypony else.

Sure, he was the brother of an absolute hero and he didn’t do shit. She always treated him like he accomplished something extraordinary, to make him feel better when someone also gave Ash recognition. Especially after the fawn invasion half a year back.

She made him feel special for no apparent reason. And it warmed his heart each time. For that he couldn’t help fall in love. And when Ash was in his coma. She was there for him when no one else was, and he was eternally great full.

Shaking himself out of his stupor, he walked up to them. The princesses had a look of worry on his face. And Shining Armor looked alarmed and on edge.

Noticing this, Connor sported a frown. “What’s wrong?”

Cadence was the one who stepped forward with a worried look. “The kingdom is under keen supervalince.”

Connor grew more worried “What for?”

“Changelings, that’s why I assigned more guards to keep an eye out.”

Connor lifted a brow “What’s a changeling?”

Shining Armor was about to explain but Ash beat him to it, “Think of it as a shapeshifter, and they feast on love.”

He gave a look of understanding but then a look of confusion. “Feed on love? How do you eat a feeling?”

Ash only shrugged but gave a small glance towards Celestia “I guess they’re some ways to do it.” Celestia blushed brightly at his quick gaze. “I’ve read about in the castle library but I still don’t quite understand it.”

A look of resolution came across Connor’s face “So they must be here because of the wedding!”

“Bingo!” Orion exclaimed.

Luna and Celestia explained how the procedure would work and the two humans played close attention.

When all news was said and done, everyone made their way out of the throne room. But when Connor was out of earshot to the others, he turned to Artemis “Was it just me or was Cadence acting a little unusual to you?”

Artemis gave a quizzical look to Connor “What do you mean?”

“She didn’t have that usual spark, and the aura around her seemed a little sinister. And her eyes held a small hint of green in them.”

Artemis only looked more perplexed. But he only shook it off and said he was being paranoid after the news. Connor knew something was amidst, but he didn’t press it with Artemis any further. He could tell something was wrong, but he didn’t know how to prove it, but he would some how.

Connor was walking through town and saw how much the kingdom was being guarded. “Man, changelings must be a big deal if the people place is this secured.”

Connor was then hit with a realization “If it’s their wedding, I need to get them a wedding present.”

Knowing that the wedding was tomorrow, he ran around the town and looked around at each shop, until he settled on a jewelry store that contained two necklaces that were the same but held a slight difference to each other.

Purchasing them both, he made his way back to the castle. As he was passing the train station, Connor saw the main six step out. And a very agitated Twilight. When he was going to greet them, Twilight was already running off. Connor, let her run off and went to go greet the rest of them.

As the greetings were finished, him and Twilight’s friends ran after her. As they were walking Connor turned to Applejack “Soo, who raided on Twilight’s parade?”

“She’s angry because she just now found out that her brother was getting married, let alone dating somepony at all.”

Connor was slack jawed. “Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. You’re telling me, mister cap in that castle over there, never told his OWN sister. He was getting married. The day before the wedding?”

All of the replied in synchronization “Yep.”

Connor gave an outraged look “I know I shouldn’t be badmouthing Twilight’s brother but. What the hell?! That’s just ridiculous! If my brother was dating someone and did’t tell me, I would be livid. Can’t blame her though.”

Rainbow Dash “What’s with the force field?”

“Well, the kingdom is under lockdown because of changelings.”

They all gasped. “That’s also why there’s more guards than usual.”

As they got closer, they could hear a slight raised voice “Guess we found Twilight.”

As Connor reached Twilight, he saw her shaking her but at Cadence “Twilight? Should I be concerned?”

Cadence only gave her a questioning stare, as if she was crazy. Twilight looked back at him with slightly tinted cheeks. “Yeah, I’m concerned.”

“Oh, no, I’m fine. It’s just something me and Cadence made up as she ponysat me.”

Connor remembered Cadence’s reaction and was concerned for a different reason. If Cadence babysat Twilight, then shouldn’t she be familiar with the dance?

Shining and Cadence leaned up against each other and Connor’s heart throbbed in pain. Cadence’s gaze turned to Connor and a small evil grin appeared. But it was gone as soon as it appeared.

The next thing he knew Armor went back to check on the defenses while Cadence went to check on the preparations. Connor decided to go with her. For one, he hasn’t talked to her at all today and secondly, his suspicions only continued to grow.

“So, a-are you nervous?”

Cadence didn’t even bat an eye when she answered “Of course, it’s my wedding.” Damn, touchy right now. But the way she said it made red flags blare inside his head. Because that wasn’t like her at all.

The first stop was how the food was going. All was going well, Cadence tried the food, so did Connor and he loved it. But as they were leaving, Cadence threw it away! In front of everybody! Connor stared at her in utter surprise. Now he needed to confront her. “Alright, I stood by with you meeting Twilight agin after years, but I’m at my breaking point right now.” Connor stood directly in front of Cadence with a massive frown. “It might be that your wedding is tomorrow, and I know that’s a big, big step in a relationship, but the way you flat out trashed Applejacks cooking is uncalled for. What I’m trying to say is, do you wanna talk?”

Cadence stopped and gave him a weird look, “Why would I need to talk?”

“The changeling thing can be alarming, but it will pass soon. Hopefully. Maybe. I’m not very sure.”

“Oh, that’s really reassuring.”

“Listen, Candy, I know I’m not the best with these things and I don’t have any powers like my brother, but I’m trying to lighten things up right now. It’s the most I can do.”

“Then maybe you should try harder? Hm?” She responded in passive aggressive tone.

Ok, now this person isn’t even trying anymore. “Alright, who are you?!”

Green waves surrounded Cadence. A women with green eyes and irises like a cat. Her hair was black and contained small holes while her skin was a dark tan. And a pair of insect wings. “Queen Chrysalis.”

“What have you done with Candy?!” He stood nose to nose with her, to which she did not appreciate.

“Would you like to found out?”

“Try me Queen Mosquito.” His voice came out dark and menacing.

Chrysalis gave a small shiver. “I would keep you, but then you’ll go to your brother.”

Her horn glowed a dark green and a green circle formed under him. Connor could only watch as he was sinking into a black void.

Connor groaned as he tried to stand. When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a crystal cavern. “Hello? Anyone there?”

He heard nothing but his echo. Then, the sound of clopping was heard in the distance. “Candy. Candy? *Gasp* Candy?!”

“Connor?”

Connor only grew more helpful. “Cadence! Where are you?”

“Follow my voice!”

Connor sighed “I’ll follow you to the ends of the Earth, and now realizing this isn’t the time for that.” Doing as she says, he followed her voice as she called his name.

“I’m coming!”

Her voice continued to get closer until both of their eyes locked, “Cadence!”

“Connor!”

Cadence jumped into his arms as she was within reach. “Connor!”

The next thing she did caught him beyond surprise. She kissed him. The action made him freeze. She pulled away when she realized what she’s done. She had a mix of horror at she’s just done, but she also held no regret.

“Candy?”

“I-I don’t know what came over me. I’m- Mmph!”

Connor pulled her back to him and returned her kiss. Cadence didn’t hesitate as she returned it, wrapping her arms around his neck. She pulled away to speak “We shouldn’t do this.”

*Kiss*

“I know. But, you say the word, I’ll back off.”

*Kiss*

“Ne t’arrete jamais, mon amour.”(Don’t you ever stop, my love)

The two were interrupted by a feminine voice. “Aww, how cute. I knew I felt a pang of hurt when I hugged Shining.”

The both of them turned to see Chrysalis on the face of a crystal. “But, how would Shining and the rest of them feel, when the bride is cheating on the groom, a day before the wedding. What would your dear Auntie think? She would be disappointed in you, and what about your brother? How would he feel?”

Connor only hung his head, but Cadence brought it back up.

“Would you really go through with this? Risk everything? For a pointless, powerless, irrelevant alien?”

Cadence only took one look at Connor and spoke. “Yes, because I love him.”

Chrysalis gave a look of disgust, “I know this would be a waste of time, but why? Why love someone like him?”

“If only you knew him the way I do. He’s sweet, lovable, considerate, smart. And, he-“

Connor knew what she was referring to, even if she didn’t say it. “And he doesn’t treat me like an object or something to show off!!”

“Shining does what to you…?” Everyone turned to see Twilight with a confused and aghast expression.

“Twilight!”

“Hm, that’s my cue. I have a wedding to attend to.” The face on the crystal disappeared leaving them with a purple unicorn with many questions.

“Shining uses you as an item?”

Cadence didn’t say anything and hid behind Connor. “Cadence?”

“Ever since I met Connor, I’ve been able to see how he actually treats me.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I’ve tried to, but he was either working on guard duty or brushing me off.” At that point tears were beginning to flow. Connor seeing this, pulled her closer.

Twilight gave a heart broken look. “So that means…”

“I don’t want to marry Shining. But I can’t just refuse the marriage now, of all days.”

“So you’re…”

Connor finished for her “Being forced to marry Shining.”

Author's Note

Here’s a different perspective, rather than the chapters being based off of Ash’s point of view.

And now, you’re gonna be left on a cliff hanger.

Also, sorry this chapter is a lot shorter than the others.