The Jedi Prince II: Trials of the Force

Not too long after Cody and the Thrace brothers had their 18th birthdays, it was a beautiful spring day in Ponyville park. A pair of butterflies flew by as Cody, Sal, Bucky, and the Mane 6 were enjoying a nice, quiet picnic together.

“Ahh!” Rarity sighed contently, wearing a sunhat and pink neck scarf around her neck as Fluttershy was enjoying munching on some of the goodies they had brought to eat. In the distance, a familiar baby dragon and astromech droid were heading in their direction.

“It is gorgeous out,” said Rarity, “Just gorgeous!” Fluttershy looked up and smiled in agreement.

“I know,” Cody replied as he sat next to Twilight and giving her a glance.

“I meant the surroundings and the sky, not Twilight, Cody,” Rarity teased as Twilight rolled her eyes.

“I know, I know,” Cody remarked indignantly as the others snickered to each other. Spike was continuing to run and approach them. As he and R5 got closer, Rainbow was enjoying her sandwich and Applejack slurped her drink. Spike made a leap over a small stream as he came within range of the group’s picnic blanket. Twilight pulled out an apple and went to take a bite.

“Twi...light!” Spike panted as he arrived and came up to her, making the purple pony drop her apple, “...I...have...Lemme just...” Fluttershy and Rarity looked at Spike with worry as he went to take a deep breath. Spike then gave a loud belch, producing a scroll. Twilight wasted no time using her magic to pick it up and unrolled it.

“Dear Twilight and Cody,” the purple pony read aloud as Cody read it quietly beside, “I am sure you are excited as I am about the upcoming wedding in Canterlot.” Twilight and Cody shared puzzled looks.

“Wedding?” they both exclaimed as they looked at the others.

“I will be presiding over the ceremony, but would very much like you and your friends to help with the preparations for this wonderful occasion,” Twilight continued reading aloud as the others listened attentively, “Fluttershy, I would like you and your songbird choir to provide the music.”

“Oh my goodness!” Fluttershy exclaimed as she looked at the others, “What an honor!”

“Pinkie Pie and Bucky, I can think of no one more qualified than you to host the reception,” Twilight continued. Pinkie then did a handstand followed by a front flip and a cartwheel.

“Hip, hip, hooray!” said Pinkie excitedly as she got into Spike’s face.

“Applejack and Sal, you will be in charge of the catering for the reception,” said Twilight as the orange pony smiled excitedly. Rainbow Dash looked rather bored.

“Rainbow Dash-” Twilight began as the blue Pegasus yawned, “-I would very much appreciate it if you could perform a sonic rainboom as the bride and groom complete their “I do’s.” When Rainbow heard that, she literally stuck a hand on her mouth in shock.

“Yes!” said Rainbow excitedly as she hovered in the air and did a double fist pump.

“Rarity, you will be responsible for designing the dresses for the bride and bridesmaids,” Twilight continued. Rarity went agape as her face twitched and was suddenly teetering about as her eyes crossed. Fluttershy looked at her worried and tried to stabilize Rarity, but the marshmallow pony collapsed into her back. Fluttershy cringed at the impact, but Rarity was on her back with a wide toothy grin on her face.

“And as for you, Twilight and Cody, you two will be playing the most important role of it all,” Twilight read on.

“What is it?” Cody asked curiously.

“Making sure that everything goes as planned. See you all very soon. Yours, Princess Celestia,” Twilight finished and then examined the rest of the paper, “But...I don’t understand. Who’s getting married?”

“Maybe it could be Aunt Luna and Uncle Dagger. If it’s theirs, then he really will my uncle,” Cody replied, “I wouldn’t be surprised they’d want to tie the knot so quickly since 1,000 years trapped in the moon is far too long of a wait.” Twilight nodded in agreement. Spike then blinked.

“Oh wait!” said Spike as he pulled out another piece of parchment, “Uh, I was probably supposed to give you this one first.”

“That would have been nice,” Cody remarked annoyingly as Twilight rolled her eyes and opened it.

“Princess Celestia cordially invites you to the wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and...” Twilight gasped as she read who the other pony getting married was. The others looked over her shoulder, “My brother?!”

“Wuh?” Cody said in just as much surprise, though he had to admit...the name “Cadenza” sounded very familiar.

While Cody recovered a few seconds later after failing to figure out why the name “Cadenza” sounded familiar to him. Poor Twilight was still in a state of shock as the others looked at her worried.

“Your brother’s getting married?” said Applejack as she shook Twilight’s hand, “Congratulations, Twilight!” Twilight then glared.

“Yeah, great news,” said Twilight as she stomped away from the picnic blanket, “That I just got from a wedding invitation! Not from my brother, but from a piece of paper! Thanks alot, Shining Armor. I mean, really he couldn’t just tell me personally?” Twilight then picked up a nearby sandwich.

“Hey, Twilight, just thought you should know I’m making a really big decision that changes everything,” said Twilight in Shining Armor’s voice as she used the sandwich like a puppet, “Oh never mind, you’ll hear about it when you get the invitation.” Twilight made faces as she imitated her brother as the rest of the group looked at her worried.

“Princess Mi Amore Cadenza,” Twilight said in a mocking tone, “Who in the hoof is that?” Twilight snorted as Cody rubbed his chin.

“The name sounds familiar to me,” Cody replied, “But I don’t recall why.”

“Um, Twilight?” Fluttershy asked as she hovered over to the purple pony, “Are you okay?”

“Sorry, it’s just that Shining Armor and I have always been so close,” said Twilight as she took a few steps away and pointed a finger at them, “He’s my B.B.B.F.F.!” There was a long silence and Twilight face-palmed herself.

“Big Brother Best Friend Forever?” Twilight said as a matter of fact.

“Ohhh!” said all the ponies as they looked at each other and smiled.

“Don’t feel too bad, girls,” Cody replied, “I didn’t get that right away either the first time I heard it.” Twilight just rolled her eyes.

“Before I came here and learned the importance of friendship and before I even met Cody,” Twilight explained as she kept her back against the group, “Shining Armor was the only pony I ever really accepted as a friend.” It was then Twilight raised an arm as a magenta bird perched on it. Twilight nuzzled it gently by the cheek before it flew away and watched a pair of butterflies as she began to sing.

Once Twilight had finished singing, Applejack wasted no time approaching Twilight as she placed a gentle hand on Twilight’s back.

“As one of your P.F.F.’s...” said Applejack as she pointed to the rest of the group. Cody just smiled as the others just look at each other blankly. Cody noticed their blank faces and face-palmed himself.

“Pony Friends Forever...” Applejack explained bluntly.

“Ohhh!” said all the girls in agreement and smile. Cody just rolled his eyes.

“...I wanna tell you that I think your brother sounds like a real good guy,” said Applejack.

“He is pretty special,” said Twilight as she walked away, still feeling rather upset as she sat down and played around with a slice of cake, “I mean, they don’t let just anypony be captain of the Royal Guard.” Rarity made an O with her mouth in surprise as she sat down beside Twilight.

“So let me get this straight,” said Rarity with a excitedly screech, “We’re helping out with the wedding of not only a princess but a captain of the Royal Guard?”

“I guess we are,” Twilight answered.

“Ooh, ooh, oooh!” said Rarity as she wobbled about in a woozy manner.

“Not again!” Cody remarked as he handed Twilight a pillow, which the purple pony used to set on the grass as Rarity passed out again with a wide smile again. Twilight just sat with an irritated look on her face as Rainbow and Fluttershy flew above her and Pinkie and Applejack held hands as the four ponies, plus Sal and Bucky just chattered excitedly about the upcoming wedding. Cody just sat next to her and put a hand on her shoulder. Twilight looked up at him as he gave her a reassuring smile.

It wasn’t long before the ponies, the boys, Spike, and R5 had gathered what they needed for the wedding and boarded the train to Canterlot.

“A sonic rainboom? At a wedding?!” Rainbow asked as she and Applejack leaned their heads out of the windows, “Can you say “best wedding ever”?!” Pinkie then stuck her head out of a window with a gasp.

“Best wedding ever!” Pinkie echoed as the train entered a tunnel and reappeared from another tunnel opening higher up the mountain.

“So you all get to help with the big fancy wedding, but I’m the one who gets to host the bachelor party!” Spike said as he stuck his head out of a window with Rarity and Fluttershy at his left and right. They both smiled as he pointed a finger at himself, “I have just one question. What’s a bachelor party?” he asked. The other ponies just laughed, except for Twilight, as Spike, Fluttershy, and Rarity pulled their heads back inside of the train. Twilight was just sitting on the other end of the coach car, staring out of the window as Cody just sat beside her, worried about his best friend that he loved so much. Applejack then came up to them.

“Why the long face, sugarcube?” Applejack asked with concern.

“I’m just thinking about Shining Armor,” said Twilight, “Ever since Cody and I moved to Ponyville, we’ve been seeing each other less and less. And now that he’s starting a new family with this “Princess Mi Amore Ca - whatshername”...”

“Cadenza,” Cody said quietly.

“Whatever!” Twilight snapped, making Cody flinch, “The point is that we’ll probably never see each other.”

Cody was thinking about why “Cadenza” rang a bell to him but just couldn’t make any sense of it.

“Come on, now,” said Applejack, “You’re his sister. He’ll always make time for you.”

“Couldn’t seem to make time to tell me he was getting married,” Twilight remarked bitterly as she pulled the blinds to her window down.

“Twilight has every right to be upset about this,” Cody added, “I’d be upset too if my cousin didn’t make time for me.”

The train continued on its way to Canterlot, which was apparently surrounded by a giant bubble shaped force field. As the train arrived at the edge of the force field, it slowed down as the ponies standing guard created a way for the train to pass through the field. All the girls flinched as the barrier passed through them.

“Woah!” Cody exclaimed as he felt the barrier pass through him, “Well, that was weird...”

“We’re here, We’re here!” said Pinkie as the train arrived at the station, which was surrounded heavily by a large number of guards as the train came to a stop.

“Whoa, what’s with all the guards?” Rainbow asked as she, Applejack, and Rarity peeked out of their train car from the train car door.

“I’m sure they’re just taking the necessary precautions,” Rarity explained, “Royal weddings bring out the strangest ponies.”

“Aaaaaaaaaa-choo!” Pinkie sneezed as her sneeze sounded like a trumpet as she, Fluttershy, Twilight, and Cody hopped off of the train. Twilight still had a bitter look on her face.

“Now, let’s get going!” said Rarity, “We’ve got work to do!”

“And you’ve got a big brother to go congratulate,” Applejack told Twilight with a smile.

“Yeah. Congratulate, and give him a piece of my mind,” Twilight muttered bitterly as she approached two guards. She passed the guards and they quickly lifted their spears to let her pass. Everypony watched her take off with worry, both Applejack, Sal, and Cody had skeptical looks on their faces.

“I...better go make sure Twilight doesn’t do something she regrets,” Cody said.

Up in a tower, Princess Celestia was using a telescope as she stood on the balcony to survey the area around Canterlot as Twilight continued her way towards the castle with Cody not too far behind her. For the moment, Shining Armor, now in full uniform, was gesturing to give direct orders to the local guards on where they needed to go or patrol.

“I’ve got something to say to you, mister!” Twilight said so sternly and boldly that several guards pointed their spears at her.

“Guards, stand down!” Cody ordered. The guards nodded in reply and relaxed a bit as Shining Armor looked over to them.

“Twily! Cody!” said Shining Armor excitedly as he removed his helmet and raced down the stairs to meet his little sister and Cody, whom the latter he considered a friend of the family, “Ah, I’ve missed you, kids. How was the train ride? I-” Shining Armor was taken aback when he offered to give Twilight a hug and she angrily pulled away from him.

“How dare you not tell me in person that you were getting married?!” Twilight asked angrily, “I’m your sister for pony’s sake!” Twilight then turned away.

“It’s not my fault!” Shining Armor replied in his defense, “Princess Celestia has requested a major increase in security. Did you and Cody see all the guards at the train station?”

“Yeah, there’s a big wedding coming up,” said Twilight sarcastically as she walked away a bit and stared at her reflection in a puddle, “Maybe you heard about it?”

“Easy Twilight,” Cody replied gently, “By the look on Shining Armor’s face, it’s clear it wasn’t intentional...”

“You can stop trying to get on his good side,” said Twilight, “I think you’re good enough for me and that’s all that matters! You don’t need his approval to be with me!”

“Good enough? Be with you?!” Shining Armor said puzzled before he blinked, “Are you and him a couple?”

“Yes, we’ve been dating for a while now. I’ve confessed my love for her at the Grand Galloping Gala last year,” Cody replied.

“Cody is right. This had nothing to do with the wedding. A threat has been made against Canterlot. We don’t know who’s responsible for it, but Princess Celestia asked that I help provide additional protection.” Shining Armor said as he gave Cody a friendly fist bump. Twilight didn’t bother to look at him, but was still listening attentively.

“Pretty bold for a threat to openly state their attack,” Cody remarked, “Need any assistance? I’ve actually grown stronger in the ways of the Force, and this could be another test of my Jedi powers.” Shining Armor smiled.

“I’ll inform you if we can use the extra help,” said Shining Armor, “First, this you two need to see.” Shining Armor then lifted Twilight’s chin so she could look at him before taking a step back. He then began to concentrate intensely, making his horn glow brightly as a large beam exits his horn. The beam strikes the barrier above them, making it shine and reenergizing it. Shining Armor then relaxed, but gasped as his horn gave a tweak and he wobbled a bit.

“The burden of keeping Canterlot safe and secure rest squarely on my shoulders. Staying focused on the task at hand has been my top priority,” Shining Armor said as he made his way back up the stairs.

“Okay, okay, I get it,” Twilight replied as she, Cody, and Shining Armor made their way across a bridge, “You’ve got a really important job protecting all of Canterlot with a force field only you can conjure up. But still...how could you not tell me about something as big as your wedding? Am I not that important to you anymore?” Twilight placed an arm on the bridge railing and looked out into the distance. Shining Armor looked at her sympathetically.

“She does have a good point,” Cody said, “How would you feel if Twilight and I were getting married and the only way you learned about it was through an invitation?” Twilight blushed at the idea, but kept her face away from them so neither could notice.

“I’d feel the same,” Shining replied, before addressing Twilight, “You’re my little sister. Of course you’re important to me. But I’d understand if you didn’t want to be my best mare now.” Shining Armor gave her a sad look, but Cody could tell it was playful one. The stallion was clearly trying to cheer Twilight up. The purple pony perked up as Shining Armor donned a smirk on his face.

“You want me to be your best mare?” Twilight asked in surprise.

“Well...yeah, and Cody, Sal, and Bucky can be my groomsmen,” Shining Armor replied. Now Cody was smiling.

“Awesome!” Cody replied.

“I’d be honored!” said Twilight as she bowed before him regally as Shining Armor pulled her into a hug. Twilight accepted it...before roughly pulling away from him again.

“But I’m still pretty ticked you’re marrying somepony I don’t even know!” said Twilight, “When did you meet this “Princess Mi Amore Cadenza”?” Shining Armor looked at Cody.

“Don’t you know who Princess Mi Amore Cadenza is?” he asked Cody as he gave Shining a puzzled look.

“It’s sound familiar, but I can’t...No way...” said Cody in shock, “It’s...it’s my cousin?!”

“That’s right,” said Shining Armor, “Twily, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza is Cadance, your old foalsitter.” Twilight pondered for a second and then smiled.

“Cadance?” Twilight asked as she shook her head in surprise, “As in the Cadance? As the greatest foalsitter in all the history of foalsitters?”

“You tell me. She was your foalsitter,” said Shining Armor with a chuckle and a light eye roll.

“Until I met you, Twilight, and Sunset, Cadance was my only true friend. She and I were practically inseparable in those days,” Cody replied, “I always felt happier when I was with her as she let me sleep with her whenever I had nightmares, defended me from Blueblood, who did nothing but pick on me, and whenever she hosted sleepovers at the castle, she let me join in.”

“That was very nice of her,” Shining remarked.

“Now she’s marrying you,” Cody said before slapping his forehead, “I still can’t believe I didn’t recognize the name. But in my defense, Cadance never used her full name when she was speaking to anypony and I never heard anybody else call her that either. But still, I can’t believe I didn’t realize it, and I can’t believe she never told me she’s marrying you!”

“Easy, Cody,” Shining replied, “It was an honest mistake, but now you know that my bride-to-be is somepony you both know.”

“I still can’t believe it!” Twilight exclaimed, “Ohmygoshohmygosh! Cadance is only the most amazing pony ever! She’s beautiful, she’s caring, she’s kind...”

A flashback was then seen of Filly Twilight in her old bedroom searching for her old Smarty Pants doll when Teenage Cadance walked into the room. Young Twilight wasted no time rushing over so they could share a loving hug together. Other memories included Cadance putting a band aid on Young Twilight’s arm after she scratched it and then wiping away the little filly’s tears. Another moment was when Cadance was pushing Filly Twilight on the swing.

“I am so lucky to have you as my foalsitter!” said Filly Twilight.

“I’m the one whose lucky,” Teenage Cadance replied as she continued to push Young Twilight on the swing as Twilight scoffed.

“You’re a princess,” said Twilight as Young Cadance rolled her eyes playfully behind her, “I’m just a regular old unicorn.”

“You are anything but a regular old unicorn,” said Young Cadance as she removed Young Twilight from the swing and put her down on the grass. It was then they did their special dance together.

“Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake!” they sang together, “Clap your hands and give a little shake!” The dance involved the two bouncing on both their hooves, ducking down, covering both their eyes and then peeking from one eye, then clapping hands patty-cake style, and finishing with shaking their rumps and tails. After the dance was done, they fell into their backs laughing.

It was then Filly Twilight and Teen Cadance were walking down the street when the latter spotted two ponies arguing as they sat at a table.

“I am going for a hooficure and that is that!” said the mare named Wild Fire.

“You are not going-” a stallion named Lucky Clover yelled back.

“I am! I am!” Wild Fire shouted.

“I’ve already paid for three this month!” Lucky Clover protested.

“I...no!” Wild Fire shouted, “My girlfriends are all getting their hooves and nails done! And you said that onl-”

“Please, we’ve done this at least-” Lucky Clover shouted back. Teen Cadance and Filly Twilight just watched the two argue. While Filly Twilight looked worried, Teen Cadance just smirked before she produced a red heart from her horn. She then made the heart split up into two perfect halves that floated over to the arguing couple. Just as the two halves united, the heart shinned brightly, making the couple stop arguing and smile at each other.

“Oh! Ho, ho, ho,” said Lucky Clover.

“Oh, Sweetie,” said Wild Fire, “You just did that face.” Teen Cadance just smiled proudly and walked away as Young Twilight smiled in amazement.

“How many unicorns can just spread love wherever they go?” said Twilight happily as the flashback ended.

“We only know one!” said Twilight as she looked at Shining Armor, “And you’re marrying her!” Twilight then bounced about excitedly.

“You’re marrying Cadance,” Twilight and Cody sing-sang as they bounced around Shining Armor like they used to when they were little, “You’re marrying Cadance.”

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything important,” said a voice. Twilight and Cody stopped dancing and turned his head to see the very pony they had been talking about standing just a few yards away. Cadance’s physical appearance was roughly the same, but taller. She now had on a gold necklace similar to the one Princess Celestia wore, a small gold crown on her head, and her hair was now fully down and slightly curled to one side of her head. She also had her own pair of gold shoes on her hooves. Cody and Twilight smiled.

“Cadance!” Twilight and Cody greeted excitedly as she and Cody stood before her.

“Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hands and give a little shake!” Twilight danced for her together. Cadance just gave them a funny looks.

“What are you doing?” she asked bluntly.

“Cadance, it’s me, Twilight!” said the purple pony.

“And me, Cody!” he added excitedly, “Your favorite cousin?”

Cadance just gave them both a disinterested look.

“Uh-huh,” said Cadance as she simply walked past the both of them and ignoring them both. Cody and Twilight looked rather puzzled. Cadance stood before Shining Armor as he wrapped an arm around her.

“I gotta get back to my station, but Cadance will be checking in with all of you to see how things are going,” said Shining Armor, “I think I speak for both of us when I say we couldn’t be more excited to have you here. Right, dear?” Cadance then gave a smile that was anything but genuine or sincere. One might say it looked rather devious.

“Absolutely,” Cadance replied, leaving Twilight and Cody unnerved and narrowing their eyes at her.

“Well, we’ll let you get to it,” Shining Armor said as the couple just walked off the bridge. Cody and Twilight both glared.

“Nice to see you again too, cuz,” said Cody, sternly saying the last word before he and Twilight headed into the Castle kitchen. They were soon sitting on the floor fuming as Applejack was rushing frantically about the kitchen as some country music was being heard. Twilight had a notepad and pencil in her magic grip as well as Applejack was ironing out the frosting for the top layer of the wedding cake.

“Cake, check,” said Applejack as Twilight bluntly marked her checklist as Applejack ran past the two ponies each time she went to show each completed item, “Ice sculpture, check. Best darn bite-size apple fritter you’ve ever tasted.” Applejack then pulled the said pastries from the oven and shoved one each into Twilight and Cody’s mouths.

“Mmm. Check,” said Twilight.

“Mmm. Tasty,” Cody added, both of them feeling a little better after their free treat. Then they noticed Spike was playing with the two cake toppers.

“I do. Do you?” said Spike, trying to mimic Shining Armor and then made his voice sound like Cadance, “I do!” He then made kissing noises with the two figurines as Twilight and Cody arrived and glared at him before the former grabbed the toppers and put them on the table. Spike just chuckled sheepishly at the two kept glaring at him.

“Hiya, Princess!” said Applejack as Cadance entered the kitchen in a rather regal fashion.

“Please, call me Princess Mi Amore Cadenza,” Cadance replied snootily. Twilight and Cody gave Cadance a dirty look.

“The Cadance we knew never used to make others address her by her full name,” Cody remarked to Twilight in an irritated tone, “Come to think of it, I haven’t even seen my father, Uncle Dagger or Sunset at all today. Isn’t that a little odd?”

“Yes. I haven’t even seen them come to greet us,” Twilight replied.

“Hiya, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza,” Applejack repeated as she bowed before the princess, “You come to check out what’s on the menu for your big day?” As Applejack’s back was turned, Cadance had a very irritated look on her face, which flipped into a smile as Applejack looked at her.

“I have,” said Cadance in a cheerful tone that was obviously fake. Both Twilight and Cody gave her a look that pretty much said “I’m watching you!”. Applejack then offered her one of the apple fritters, which Cadance ate rather quickly as she shoved the whole thing in her mouth.

“Delicious!” Cadance replied, “I love-love-love them.” Cadance then gave a nervous laugh as Cody and Twilight glared.

“How much more fake can she get?” Cody whispered to Twilight, “Though I find it weird because Cadance was a big fan of apple treats. At least she used to be...something’s not right here.”

“Aw, shucks,” said Applejack, “Why don’t you take a few to go?” Applejack then handed Cadance a brown goodie bag and gave a little squee. “I know how you brides can be. So busy, you forget to get a little somethin’ in your belly.” Cadance then took the bag by her mouth and turned to walk away. Cody and Twilight watched as Cadance headed towards the exit, and they especially took notice when Cadance threw the bag of treats into the trash can. Both of them silently gasped as Cadance slammed the door closed.

“Did...you see what she...” Twilight stuttered, but Applejack paid her no attention.

“I’m afraid nopony is home at the moment,” Cody said, “Although I noticed her magic aura was green and not the the normal light blue.” They were giving Applejack a glare for being so clueless to their distress. Twilight just growled and stomped off with Cody not too far behind her.

Back outside, Princess Celestia was still patrolling the city from the top tower with her telescope. Some other guards were standing outside the tower where Rarity was hard at work, wearing her red glasses, as she designed and assembled the dresses for the bride and her bridesmaids.

“Oh you should have seen how she acted back there!” Twilight vented as she paced about the floor and Cody did the same behind her but in the opposite direction.

“I know right! I have never seen Cadance act so fake and snooty before. She never used to behave like this! The worst part is that she brushed me off just like the other Canterlot elites used to do!” Cody added.

“I don’t know when she changed, but she changed!” said Twilight, “’Please call me, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza!’” Twilight didn’t resist mimicking Cadance in her irritation.

“Did I hear someone say my name?” said Cadance, now standing inside the room with Minuette, Twinkleshine, and Lyra behind her. Cody was surprised to see three members of the old Canterlot group.

“Hey girls, nice to see you all...WAH! Ugh!” Cody was then sent for a loop as Rarity charged before Cadance, making Cody spin about in the air and land on his back.

“Your highness!” said Rarity as she bowed twice before Cadance, who looked at her unamused, “Let me just start by saying what an honor it is to play a role in such a momentous occasion.” Rarity laughed nervously as Cody, who had now recovered, face-palmed himself.

“Kiss-up,” Cody muttered.

“Uh-huh,” said Cadance in an unenthusiastic tone before heading over to the dresses, “Is my dress ready?”

“Yes of course,” Rarity stammered as she presented her dress, which featured a blue sapphire broach on the front, lacy trimming on the top with a flowing multi-layered white skirt with gold swirl trimming on the bottom of each layer. There was also a floral headset for the wedding veil. Cody and Twilight just kept glaring at Cadance in the background. Rarity didn’t notice the glares and watched as Cadance looked at the dress with a skeptical look on her face.

“I was hoping for something with more beading and a longer trim,” Cadance said after a brief pause.

“Oh, yes, of course,” said Rarity.

“And those should be a different color,” said Cadance as she pointed at the three bridesmaid dresses.

“I think they’re lovely,” said Twinkleshine.

“Me too!” Minuette added.

“I love them,” said Lyra. Cadance gave the three girls dirty looks, making them cower back timidly.

“Make them a different color,” Cadance said sternly. Cody then approached the still frazzled girls.

“Has Cadance been this difficult around you girls too?” he asked quietly.

“Excuse me!” Cadance snapped as she roughly shoved Cody away from the three mares, making him fall over onto his back.

“Hey, cuz! You never used to be so rough with me!” Cody protested, “I was just talking to them! There my friends!”

“I don’t see why they should be friends with a lowlife like you,” Cadance retorted sternly, “Now stay away from them!” Cody looked hurt as the Minuette, Twinkleshine, and Lyra looked at him sadly.

“Girls!” Cadance shouted before they took off to catch up with Cadance before any of them could speak to Cody, who just watched them leave and felt hurt that they didn’t even try to defend him. He especially felt disgusted with Cadance.

“I can’t believe she said that to me,” Cody said sadly, “She always said I was special and now I’m just beneath her.” Twilight then arrived and helped Cody back to his feet. She was just as upset.

“Gee, maybe her name should be “Princess Demandy-pants”,” Twilight remarked.

“’Dark Side Princess’ is more like it. I think she’s an imposter pretending to be my cousin and is holding her captive somewhere, along with my father, Uncle Dagger, and Sunset,” Cody remarked when he noticed that Rarity was just working and hadn’t even paid any attention to what had happened.

“Let’s get out of here, Twilight!” said Cody angrily, “Nopony’s home.” Twilight looked puzzled but then saw Rarity just working and figured out what Cody meant before following behind him.

Meanwhile, in the royal ballroom, Pinkie had just finished setting up the decorations for the wedding reception. Cadance was also there as well, with her indignant and snobbish demeanor.

“Okay let me see,” said Pinkie as she popped up from behind Cadance, “We’ve been over the games...” Pinkie then squatted down and rolled the dice to a board game set up on the floor, which was next to a poster of pin the tail on the pony and a floral shaped piñata behind her.

“...the dances...” Pinkie continued as she headed over to the music player and started doing to the chicken dance to the song she played when she drove out the parasprites from Ponyville. Cadance just gave Pinkie a bored look.

“I think this reception is gonna be perfect!” said Pinkie with a gasp as she hopped about, “Don’t you?” Pinkie gave Cadance a sheepish smile. Cadance was taken aback for a moment before she recomposed herself.

“Perfect!” said Cadance before adding sarcastically as she walked away, “If we were celebrating a six-year-old’s birthday party.”

“Thank you!” said Pinkie as she gasped excitedly. Neither pony noticed that Twilight and Cody had been watching them from behind one of the pillar columns, both with glares on their faces.

“Pinkie, you are so clueless,” said Cody as Twilight rolled her eyes in agreement.

“Cadance said she would always be a child at heart,” Cody said in an over the top before sternly saying, “Puh!” Twilight said nothing.

Later that night, Princess Luna returned from a flight outside the barrier as she landed at the tower where Princess Celestia was still on patrol.

“Rest, my sister,” said Princess Luna to a clearly exhausted Princess Celestia, “As always, I will guard the night.” Princess Celestia then went inside the tower. Down below near an outdoor cafe, Cody, the mares, Sal, Bucky, and Spike were just enjoying a beverage. At least all but Cody and Twilight, who were still upset as they arrived at the table with their sodas in their grip.

“Bet I can guess what you’re all thinking,” said Twilight, “Cadance is the absolute the worst bride-to-be ever!”

“Bridezilla is a better word,” Cody added in agreement. The others just looked at the two agape.

“Who, me?” said Spike mimicking Cadance as he held her cake topper in his hand.

“Spike! That goes on the cake!” Applejack retorted. Spike just laughed nervously as he put the cake topper down.

“Twilight, Cody, whatever are you talking about?” said Rarity as the two quietly sipped their sodas, “Cadance is an absolute gem!”

“Oh yeah, she was quite a gem when she shoved me to the floor!” Cody snapped, making Rarity lean away.

“Not only that, Rarity,” said Twilight, “She was so demanding!”

“Cadance never used to be like that!” Cody added.

“Well, of course she was!” said Rarity, “Why shouldn’t she expect the very best on her wedding day?” Twilight and Cody slapped a hand to their head.

“Perfection is one thing, Rarity, but the standards she is asking for are so out of character. She never used to be like that!” Cody replied, “Did any of you even notice that my father or Uncle Dagger weren’t around?”

“Applejack, did you and Sal know that after she told you how much she just “love-love-loved” your hors d’eouvres, she threw them in the trash?” Twilight asked. Applejack was quiet for a moment.

“Aw, she probably just trying to spare our feelin’s,” Applejack replied, with Sal nodding in agreement.

“No, she was just being fake and totally insincere!” Twilight snapped as she crossed her arms.

“Cadance never used to lie about enjoying something,” said Cody, “She always championed being honest and sincere with ponies and she used to love apple treats!” The response was an awkward silence, even Rainbow gave the two an eye roll.

“She did raise her voice at one of my birds during rehearsal,” Fluttershy pointed out, with Bucky nodding in agreement.

“See? Rude!” Twilight retorted as she crossed her arms and smiled to claim she was right.

“But he was singing really off-key,” said Fluttershy as she presented the bird perched at her arm. He began to sing off key, making Rainbow cringe and Twilight and Cody covered their ears.

“Pinkie Pie, you had to have noticed how Cadance treated-” Twilight had tapped her hand to get the pink pony’s attention, but then saw that she and Spike were busy playing around with the cake topper, making kissing noises with them and laughing. Cody looked at the pink pony with a unamused look on his face.

“Does that surprise you?” Cody asked discreetly to Twilight’s ear.

“Never mind,” Twilight replied, “Rainbow Dash, you’re with me and Cody, right?”

“Sorry, Twi,” said Rainbow as she stretched, “Been too busy prepping for my sonic rainboom to pay much attention to the bride’s bad attitude.” Twilight and Cody took another sip of their drinks before growling in frustration.

“The princess is about to get married,” said Rarity, “I’m sure any negative behavior she might be displaying is simply the result of nerves.”

“What!?” Cody yelled angrily as he and Twilight stomped the table with both of their hands, “You call being shunned, ignored, pushed to the ground, and being called a lowlife a case of nerves? I don’t think so!”

“And I’m sure it’s the result of being an awful pony who doesn’t deserve to even know Shining Armor, let alone marry him!” Twilight added angrily.

“As far as I’m concerned, the mare I called my cousin is gone, replaced by some kind of snobbish witch imposter who doesn’t deserve a happy ending!” Cody said. The rest of the group just gave them worried looks.

“Think you’re bein’ just a tiny bit possessive of your brother?” Applejack asked Twilight.

“Don’t you think that maybe you’re letting your hurt feelings over the princess losing touch with you clouding your judgment?” Sal asked Cody.

“Uh-huh,” the others said in agreement.

“I am not being possessive,” said Twilight angrily.

“And I’m not letting my hurt feelings cloud my judgment,” Cody continued in the same tone.

“…and I’m not taking it out on Cadance!” Twilight finished, her patience hitting its limit, “You’re just all too caught up in your wedding planning to notice that maybe there shouldn’t even be a wedding!” Twilight then slammed her fists on the table, making the drinks on the table spill over as she stomped away. Cody just watched Twilight walk away.

“Cody, can’t you try and reason with her?” Fluttershy asked. Cody blinked before glaring at the group.

“Reason with her?” Cody retorted sternly, “She’s right! You’re so busy with the wedding plans that you’re not even taking the time to noticed that something isn’t right! I just said that Cadance, the mare I called my cousin and my first best friend, hurt me! Along with the fact that my father, Uncle Dagger, and Sunset are missing, and neither of you seem to care!” Cody then turned around and panted heavily.

“I thought you all learned your lesson about taking the concerns and worried of others seriously, even if you think we’re being unreasonable,” Cody said bitterly, “Perhaps I was wrong.”

Several minutes later, Shining Armor was in the living room trying on his wedding attire. Since he was a member of the Royal Guard, his outfit consisted of a red militant’s uniform and he had just finished adding a special sash with his cutie mark on the front. He was admiring the said sash when he heard a knock on the front door.

“Twily! Cody!” said Shining Armor excitedly as he opened the door to see the purple pony and her boyfriend standing outside and let them come in, “Your big brother’s looking pretty good, don’t you think?” Shining Armor then took noticed that Twilight and Cody were looking very upset.

“Huh, everything okay?” he asked concerned.

“We need to talk,” said Twilight, “I think you’re making a big-”

“AHEM!” said a voice as the three of them turned to see Cadance standing at the top of a small flight of stairs.

“Oh, uh, hi, sweetie,” said Shining Armor as the pink alicorn made her way downstairs.

“She sure has a way of sneaking up on people,” Twilight muttered under her breath.

“I sense an evil presence in our midst,” Cody added.

“Could I speak to you for a moment, dear?” Cadance asked in a blunt tone, interrupting Twilight’s train of thought.

“Better see what she wants,” said Shining Armor as the alicorn led him into another room, but the door wasn’t completely shut so Twilight could hear muffled voices while she just sitting quietly in the main room.

“Look, we need to talk,” said Cadance.

“I’m here to talk,” Shining Armor replied calmly.

“It’s about your sister, okay?” Cadance asked.

“I-look, look, she’s okay-” Shining Armor said in Twilight’s defense.

“Just...listen to me, alright?” Cadance retorted, cutting him off, and then saw his sash, “No, no-”

“I’m listening, I’m listening,” Shining Armor told her. By now, Twilight was worried as she slowly sneaked up to the door to see what was going on.

“I thought I made it perfectly clear I didn’t want you to wear that,” Cadance said firmly.

“This was my favorite uncle’s,” said Shining Armor proudly.

“And?” Cadance retorted.

“And I think I should wear it,” Shining Armor replied.

“Are you disagreeing with me?” Cadance retorted, clearly offended.

“I guess I am,” Shining Armor replied back with a firm tone before he got another tweak from his horn, “Ah!” Shining Armor then rubbed his aching head.

“Oh, dear,” said Cadance with concern, “Are you getting another one of your headaches?” Before Shining Armor could reply, he stumbled to the floor from the pain. Cadance wasted no time shooting a beam of green magical energy at his head, making his eye go wide and swirly.

“Gyah!” Shining Armor grunted as Twilight gasped.

“Feeling better?” Cadance asked sweetly as Shining Armor rose to both his hooves.

“Mm-hmm,” he grunted sheepishly. Twilight had seen enough.

“She isn’t just unpleasant and rude,” said Twilight, “She’s downright evil!”

“Told you,” Cody replied.

Twilight and Cody then ran out of the house just as Shining Armor and Cadance exited the room.

“Twilight! Cody!” Shining Armor called out.

“Let them go,” said Cadance dismissively as she gave them a glare and then softened as she smiled and nuzzled his neck.

“Huh. It seemed like they had something else they wanted to tell me,” said Shining Armor with concern.

As for Twilight and Cody, they had made a direct beeline for the castle. From the top of the tower, Luna was on patrol when she saw something running about below.

“Who goes there?” Luna said and then saw who it was, “Stay indoors, Twilight Sparkle and dear nephew.” The purple pony and her boyfriend didn’t reply. They were in too much of a hurry for find their friends.

“Shining Armor’s in real trouble!” said Twilight as she and Cody burst through the door to the room Rarity was working in, “You have to help-” They then frozen in her tracks when they saw the rest of the girls all dressed up and talking excitedly.

“Dresses? What are you-?” Twilight asked puzzled as Fluttershy flew over to her.

“Can you believe it?” said Fluttershy as she showed off her dress, “We’re gonna be Princess Mi Amore Cadenza’s new bridesmaids!”

“New bridesmaids? What happened to her old bridesmaids?” Twilight asked.

“She didn’t say,” said Applejack in a rather dismissive tone as Rarity and Rainbow smiled, “But she did tell us that she would love-love-love it if we fill in for them.”

“Seeing as we’ve been working so hard and everything,” Rarity added.

“And you and Cody had your doubts about her,” Applejack said as Twilight and Cody looked at them all in shock and disbelief.

“Told you she was an absolute gem!” said Rarity as Twilight and Cody began biting her lips seeing that no one seemed to care about their feelings at this point.

“You sure this is what I should wear?” Rainbow asked as she bucked her legs against the skirt, “Doesn’t seem all that aerodynamic.”

“Hmm, I’ll see what I can do,” said Rarity as Applejack, Pinkie, and Fluttershy just chatted excitedly with each other. Twilight and Cody just walked out of the room feeling very dejected.

“Looks like we really are on our own,” Twilight said sadly to herself.

“I have a bad feeling about this,” Cody added.

“How so?” Twilight asked.

“It’s the dark side of the Force, Twilight. I can sense it surrounding ‘Cadance’,” Cody replied gesturing his fingers like quotation marks, “Let’s go.”

The next morning, the practice ceremony was taking place with organ music being heard in the background. Princess Celestia was standing at the location where she would wed the bride and groom. Shining Armor was standing at the right of Princess Celestia, with Sal and Bucky next to him. For the moment, the five girls were practicing walking down the aisle side by side of each other with formal smiles on their faces.

“Perfect, girls,” said Princess Celestia as Rarity and Rainbow bit their lips to avoid giggling, “No need to rush. Then of course, Cadance will enter.” It was then the two guards opened the double doors as Cadance stood regally in the entrance way. The classic “Bridal Chorus” began to play as she made her way down the aisle. Shining Armor smiled as Cadance made her way up to the stallion.

“I’ll say a few words, and then we’ll begin with the vows,” Princess Celestia continued as Cadance and Shining Armor gazed into each other’s eyes, “Shining Armor, you’ll get the ring from your best mare.” Shining Armor turned around to see that Twilight wasn’t there. Just Spike and Rex, still playing around with the cake toppers.

“Do you?” said Spike, mimicking Shining Armor’s voice and then Rex mimicked Cadance’s voice, “I do!” Then one of the toppers came flying out of his hand and he noticed that everypony was looking at him.

“Hey...has anypony seen Twilight and Cody?” Shining Armor asked.

“We’re here!” said a voice as the two double doors burst open to reveal the purple pony and her boyfriend, “We’re not gonna stand next to her! And neither should you!” Shining Armor cringed as Cadance gave him a death glare.

“I’m sorry,” said Shining Armor, “I...I don’t know why she’s acting like this.”

“Maybe we should just ignore her,” ‘Cadance’ suggested.

“You have to listen to us!” Twilight demanded with her head down and gritting her teeth, ready to attack anypony that stood in their way.

“Oh, goodness,” said Fluttershy with concern as she flew up to Twilight and Cody, “Are you okay?”

“We’re fine,” Twilight answered definitively.

“Ya sure about that?” Applejack asked skeptically as she stood beside them. Twilight used her magic to grab her stenson hat and shoved it over the orange pony’s face.

“I’ve something to say!” Twilight said boldly as she pointed a finger at ‘Cadance’, “She’s evil!” ‘Cadance’ was left shocked, Shining Armor stood protectively in front of her, and the rest of the group chatted amongst each other with concern, including the nearby guards.

“She’s been horrible to our friends, she literally insulted and shunned Cody, she’s obviously done something with her bridesmaids,” Twilight explained as she teleported to ‘Cadance’ and backed her into a wall, “And if that wasn’t enough, we saw her put a spell on my brother that made his eyes go all..,.” Twilight then imitated eyes rolling about in opposite directions with bells jingling in the background.

“She’s an imposter and I suspect she’s also done something to my father, Uncle Dagger, and Sunset! Which is why they’re missing!” Cody added, then turned on his lightsaber.

Everypony watched with interest as Twilight and Cody confidently stared ‘Cadance’ down, who did the only thing she could do. She began to cry.

“What have you done with my father, Uncle Dagger, and Sunset Shimmer, you lying imposter?!” Cody asked, pointing his lightsaber.

“Why are you doing this to me?!” ‘Cadance’ sobbed as she ran out of the room.

“Because you are evil!” Twilight shouted back as ‘Cadance’ disappeared in tears, “Evil! And if I don’t stop you, you’re gonna ruin my brother’s life!”

Twilight just teleported herself and Cody to the entrance and watched ‘Cadance’ leave with a smug smile on her face. Rainbow and Rarity were staring with their jaws hanging from their mouths. Twilight and Cody then happily walked away until they smacked into Shining Armor. Twilight and Cody looked up to see her brother giving them a stern look. Twilight and Cody couldn’t resist smiling sheepishly since Shining Armor only gave them that look when she was in big trouble.

“You want to know why my eyes went all...” Shining Armor then made his eyes look swirly as the jingling bells was heard again before his horn tweaked again and he continued to speak, “Nuh! Because ever since I started to perform my protection spell, I’ve been getting terrible migraines. Cadance hasn’t been casting spells on me, she’s been using her magic to heal me!” Twilight just inhaled deeply as he walked around her and then got in her face. Twilight and Cody tried to speak, but Shining Armor cut them off.

“And she decided to replace her bridesmaids because she found out the only reason they wanted to be in the wedding was so that they could meet Canterlot royalty!” Shining Armor continued sternly, then stomped his hoof as the rest of the girls, Sal, Bucky, and Spike watched the scene unfold with worry. “and if she hasn’t been on her best behavior with your friends, it’s because with me being so busy, she’s had to make all the decisions about the wedding!”

“But she was so mean to Cody,” Twilight tried to explain, “I was just trying to…”

“Where’s my father, Uncle Dagger, and Sunset?” Cody demanded.

“Prince Blaze, Commander Dagger, and Sunset Shimmer are probably delayed and Cadance’s been completely stressed out because it’s really important to her that our big day be perfect. Something that obviously wasn’t important to you two!” Shining Armor replied angrily, giving Twilight and Cody such a fierce glare that it made his horn tweak again, making Shining Armor gasp and rubbed his head again. Twilight tried to reach out to him, but he rejected the gesture.

“Now if you excuse me,” said Shining Armor as he walked past Twilight and kept his back turned away from her, “I have to go and comfort my bride. And you can forget about being my best mare. In fact, if I were either of you, I wouldn’t show up to the wedding at all.” Twilight and Cody tried to reach out to him again, Shining Armor had already left.

“C’mon, y’all,” said Applejack a couple of seconds after, “Let’s go check on the princess.” The five girls and the Thrace brothers then made their exit, walking around Twilight and refusing to speak to her.

“I was-” Twilight tried to speak.

“You two have alot to think about,” Princess Celestia said sternly before walking around them and out of the room. Twilight and Cody felt their hearts break as the guards slammed the doors shut, leaving Twilight and Cody all alone.

“Maybe I was being overprotective,” said Twilight sadly as she walked over to the steps where the altar would be and reclined on them on her stomach, “I could’ve gained a sister...but instead, I just lost a bother...”

Twilight (sings):
He was my best big brother, best friend
Forever... And now, we’ll never do anything
Together...

As she sang, two cutout ponies were seen, each representing Shining Armor and Twilight. They were prancing around together happily, but then Shining Armor faded away, leaving the Twilight cut out all alone. It was then the cutout Twilight was then shattered as a pair of familiar hooves made their way toward the now crying Twilight and Cody. Cadance gently stroked the purple pony’s mane, making Twilight and Cody look up at her.

“We’re sorry!” Twilight croaked as Cadance gave them a soft smile as a faint green glow flashed from her eyes.

“You will be,” said Cadance deviously, making Twilight and Cody’s eyes shrink as they were soon surrounded by a ring of green flames, which crackled as Twilight was then transported underneath the floor and disappeared. Cadance watched Twilight and Cody sink under the floor with an evil smirk before walking away, feeling very pleased with herself.