The Jedi Prince II: Trials of the Force

Somewhere inside of a dark underground cavern, Twilight was using her horn and Cody turned on his lightsaber to survey the area, but it was too dark for them to see much of anything in what seemed like a vast area surrounded by darkness.

“Hello? Is anyone there?” Twilight asked timidly, her voice echoing as she spoke, but there was no reply as she continued to look around the area. Twilight and Cody then walked right into a wall, or more specifically, the side of a large crystal wall that showed her reflection on it. It was then Twilight heard sinister laughter and nervously looked around to find the source as she took a step back to figure out where she was. It was then her reflection changed into that of Cadance, who looked at the purple pony sinisterly.

“Where are we?” Twilight and Cody asked.

“The caves beneath Canterlot, once home to greedy unicorns who wanted to claim the gems that could be found inside, and now, your prison.” ‘Cadance’ explained. She then disappeared from the mirror walls as Twilight fearfully ran off toward a larger rock mirror as ‘Cadance’ looked at her sinisterly again.

“Help! Help!” Twilight and Cody cried out as ‘Cadance’ just laughed at her as she reappeared before them in three mirrored walls.

“It’s no use,” Cadance gloated, “No one can hear you. And no one will ever think to look for you, either. Most ponies have forgotten that these caves even exist, which is why they are the ideal place to keep the ones who try to interfere with my plans.” Twilight became more afraid and flinched when Cadance’s face disappeared again as the alicorn laughed at her.

“Plans? What plans?” Twilight asked.

“The plans I have for your brother, of course,” ‘Cadance’ answered. Twilight gasped in shock.

“Don’t you dare do anything to be brother, you...you monster!” Twilight yelled angrily as she made her horn glow brighter.

“Only way to stop me is to catch me!” ‘Cadance’ said amusingly and laughed at Twilight again, “Over here!” Twilight then saw dozens of images of ‘Cadance’ from the mirrored walls before they disappeared and ‘Cadance’ reappeared from another mirror, laughing at Twilight and Cody. They became angry as she gritted her teeth and fired a magic blast at the image just as it disappeared and turned into her own. The blast reflected off the mirrored walls. Twilight barely jumped out of the way to avoid being hit.

“Nope, over here!” ‘Cadance’ taunted as she appeared on the ground beneath Twilight and Cody and then in several crystals about the cavern. Twilight angrily blasted each crystal into smithereens as ‘Cadance’ continued to taunt her. Twilight then charged her horn at full power before unleashing a massive blast at a nearby crystal wall, shattering it into pieces. Behind the wall was...Cadance, Blaze, Dagger, and Sunset.

However, this Cadance had a messy mane and tail, and looked rather battered. Blaze, Dagger, and Sunset were in the same condition, with the latter three restrained in silk bonds and gagged by silk on their mouths, except for Sunset. Twilight glared menacingly at her.

“No! Wait!” the real Cadance shouted as she raised her hands into the air in front of her.

“Ugh!” the real Cadance grunted as Twilight tackled her to the ground. In a tussle that only lasted seconds, Twilight had Cadance pinned to the floor on her back.

“Please! Don’t hurt me!” the real Cadance pleaded as she trembled fearfully, “Twilight, Cody, it’s me! You have to believe me. I’ve been imprisoned like you two, along with Uncle Blaze, Uncle Dagger, and Sunset. The Cadance who brought you down here was an imposter.”

“Likely story!” said Twilight as she glared at the alicorn skeptically.

“She’s telling the truth. The Cadance up there is a fake!” Sunset replied.

“I knew it. This explains everything,” Cody added, then gave Sunset a hug and a kiss. Cadance and Sunset stood before Twilight.

“Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake,” the real Cadance did the dance, “Clap your hands...”

“...and do a little shake,” Twilight finished as she sang along with her, “You remember us!” Cadance chuckled.

“Of course I do,” Cadance replied, “How could I forget the filly I love to sit for the most, along with my favorite cousin?” Twilight and Cody then jumped into Cadance’s arms as the embraced each other happily.

“I’ve really missed you,” Cody said.

“I missed you too, Cody,” Cadance replied.

Cody then heard the muffled voices of his father and honorary uncle, turned on his lightsaber and cut them loose, then removed the silk off their mouths.

“Thanks, Cody. Sorry we weren’t able to meet all of you earlier,” Blaze said.

“No matter. It’s good to see you and Uncle Dagger in one piece, Father,” Cody replied, giving them a hug, then asked, “How did you end up down here?”

“Cadance’s imposter figured we’d be a threat to her plans,” Blaze replied.

“But it wasn’t just her, she had inside help getting into Canterlot,” Dagger added.

“Who helped her get past the shield?” Cody asked.

“I overheard Blueblood, he was the one who guided her through the old underground passages under the city,” Sunset replied.

“I’ve always suspected he would try to get rid of me and take the throne for himself, now he’s betrayed us all,” Cody said.

“Is this true?” Twilight asked.

“Yes,” Cadance replied.

The six of them made their way down the caverns as more evil laughter was heard. “We have to get out of here. We have to stop her!” Twilight said.

Back at the castle, which was still under the protection of the force field. Cadance’s imposter was preparing for what had now become her wedding day. She couldn’t help but sing about how well her master plan was coming along.

The imposter approached her mirror, now wearing her wedding dress as she tucked a rose into her floral crown. She openly mocked the fact that everypony would be admiring her as a dark smile appeared on her face as her eyes glowed a shade of green and blue.

Cadance’s imposter (sings):
This day is going to be perfect
The kind of day of which I’ve dreamed since I was small
Everypony will gather ‘round
Say I look lovely in my gown
What they don’t know is that I have fooled them all!

The real Cadance ran about the cavern as she was viewed through a large blue gem. She then sat down with her head low as Twilight and Cody, along with Sunset, Blaze, and Dagger looked at her with worry and concern. As she sang, she looked at her reflection from the crystals as Twilight put a hand on her shoulder and Cody gave her a soft hug.

Cadance (sings):
This day was going to be perfect
The kind of day of which I’ve dreamed since I was small
But instead of having cake
With all my friends to celebrate
My wedding bells, they may not ring for me at all.

The imposter stomped about the room as she admitted to not caring about anything involving the wedding. She then bucked a basket of apples before walking up to a mannequin, tipping the top hat into the air and blasting it into ashes that fell onto the floor. She then stomped the ashes as the room looked up at the ceiling, panned around 360 degrees, and she continued to sing boldly while looking at herself in the mirror with a single evil eye.

Cadance’s imposter (sings):
I could care less about the dress
I won’t partake in any cake
Vows, well I’ll be lying when I say

That through any kind of weather
I’ll want us to be together
The truth is I don’t care for him at all

No I do not love the groom
In my heart there is no room
But I still want him to be all mine

Cadance stopped running to catch her breath as Twilight, Cody, and the others ran past her. As she caught up with the them, they are looking around frantically about the caverns. Then they ran side by side before they find a train of mine carts that led further down the caverns via a very dangerous track. Cody and Twilight, along with Sunset, Dagger, and Blaze were weary about using it as Cadance ran up to it. They watched as she tried desperately to make the cart move but can’t make the cart budge and starts to cry. Cody and Twilight smiled as they cleared away the rocks and then they helped Cadance inside of the first cart. They then pushed the carts to get them rolling as Cadance made a definitive pose before the cart rolled down a long spiral of track.

Cadance (sings):
We must escape before it’s too late
Find a way to save the day
Hope, I’ll be lying if I say

”I don’t fear that I may lose him
To one who wants to use him
Not care for, love, and cherish him each day”

For I oh so love the groom
All my thoughts he does consume
Oh, Shining Armor, I’ll be there very soon

As Cody, Twilight, Cadance, and the others made their way down the track, they then saw the track begin to rise and fall and was broken in various places. Cadance and Twilight gasped with worry. The carts then hit a buffer making the three ponies go flying out of the cart, while Sunset teleported herself, Blaze, and Dagger to the other side of the chasm. Twilight and Cody look down fearfully as they held onto Cadance, but then noticed that they weren’t falling. Cadance had opened her wings and flew them across the wide chasm.

The doors opened as the wedding ceremony was about to begin. The Cutie Mark Crusaders, who had been chosen as the flower fillies, began spreading the flower pedals on the floor as the imposter made her way down the aisle with an evil smile on her face and approached the altar.

Cadance’s imposter (sings):
Finally the moment has arrived
For me to be one lucky bride

Inside another part of the caverns as they found solid ground, Cadance kept singing.

Cadance (sings):
Oh, the wedding we won’t make
He’ll end up marrying a fake
Shining Armor will be...

“...mine, all mine,” said the imposter with an evil laugh as she cut off her real counterpart. Shining Armor could be seen waiting for her at the altar. His green colored eyes and dorky smile were a clear sign he was now under the imposter’s evil spell. The most ironic detail was that nopony took notice of Shining Armor’s condition. By now the royal wedding had begun, the mane five were standing to the left of the imposter while Shining Armor had Spike, Sal, and Bucky on his right.

“Mares and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor.” said Princess Celestia.

Meanwhile, down below in the caverns, Cadance, Twilight, Cody, and the others were still looking for a way out.

“Oh, we’re never going to save him,” said Cadance as she began to tear up and leaned against what was clearly a blocked up path. Twilight and Cody looked up at her sadly.

“We can’t give up,” Cody said to Twilight, “We have to find a way. We can make it!”

“We will,” said Twilight, “We just have to find...” Twilight looked up until she saw a sparkle high above her.

“There!” Cody looked up and smiled as Twilight teleported the three of them to the higher ledge. Sunset also teleported herself, Blaze, and Dagger to that same ledge.

“You’re not going anywhere,” said three voices in creepy unison. They gasped to see Minuette, Twinkleshine, and Lyra wearing their wedding dresses and donning green eyes and sinister smiles.

“Oh, karabast,” Cody said.

Back at the main hall, the wedding was just about to be wrapped up.

“Princess Cadance and Shining Armor,” said Princess Celestia proudly as the imposter smiled while Shining Armor looked spaced out and exhausted, “it is my great pleasure to pronounce you-”

“STOP!” somepony shouted. Everypony turned to see Twilight standing at the entrance of the double door. The ponies began to chatter about, Rainbow and Applejack looked worried, Rarity facepalmed herself and shook her head, while Spike and Rex just lowered their own heads in annoyance.

“Ugh! Why does she have to be so possessive of her brother?” The imposter snorted until she saw Princess Celestia and the others looking at her. She blinked before quickly putting on her sobbing act, “Why does she have to ruin my special day?”

“Oh, go cry me a river you witch!” someone retorted boldly, making the ponies gasp as Cody appeared beside Twilight with a stern look on his face. The imposter stopped crying as the Mane Five, Sal, and Bucky gasped.

“Because it’s not your special day! It’s mine!” a voice replied. Cody and Twilight, along with Sunset, Blaze, and Dagger stepped aside for the real Cadance to appear before them. Everypony gasped at the sight, including the imposter who blinked.

Celestia was relieved at the sight of her husband as she came up to Blaze and they were in a tender embrace.

“Sorry I’m late, honey,” Blaze said.

“What matters is that you’re safe,” Celestia replied.

“Dad!” Rex said, running. Blaze hugged his youngest son.

“What? But how did you escape from my bridesmaids?” The imposter demanded. Twilight, Cody, and Cadance just smirked as a flashback showed them being corned by the three enchanted bridesmaids. She then picked up her wedding bouquet. The three girls immediately took interest as Cadance tossed the bouquet down another cavern path.

“I want it!” the three girls shouted as they went after it. They exchanged smiles with each other. The view was then returned to the present as they stared down the imposter.

“Hmph, clever, but you’re still too late,” the imposter replied as she smirked at them evilly.

“I-I don’t understand. How can there be two of ‘em?” Applejack asked puzzled.

“She’s a changeling, she takes the form of somepony you love and gain power by feeding off your love for them.” Cadance explained. The imposter summoned green flames of magic energy around her, causing her to reveal her true form. She looked like a large version of a ultra skinny alicorn with insect-like wings, very straight hair, a very rounded chest, and long legs like a supermodel with green-blue eyes and fang-like teeth. The black crown on her head showing she was royalty to some degree. The crowd gasped at her original form, except for Blueblood, who was hidden under a robe and smirked, cackling in the background. He seemed to have a smitten look on his face as he felt a desire for the queen.

“Okay...I’d never thought I’d ever say this about any mare, but...she is ugly!” Cody said. Nopony disagreed as the alicorn sized changeling flashed her fangs and laughed wickedly.

“Right you are, Princess. And as queen of the changelings, it is up to me to find food for my subjects. Equestria has more love than any place I’ve ever encountered. My fellow changelings will be able to devour so much of it that we will gain more power than we have ever dreamed of!” said the alicorn-sized changeling, whose name was Chrysalis, As the queen explained her plan, Cadance and Cody glared as the rest of the ponies listened in utter horror, especially as the changeling queen got into Cadance’s face.

“They’ll never get the chance!” Cadance shot back, “Shining Armor’s protection spell will keep them from ever even reaching us!” Chrysalis chuckled.

“Oh, I doubt that,” said Chrysalis as she made her horn glow, “Isn’t that right dear?”

“Mm-hmm,” said Shining Armor blankly. Cadance in shock. Cadance then tried to make a charge, but Chrysalis blocked her way.

“Ah, ah, ah. Don’t want to go to the caves, now do you?” Chrysalis warned as she made her horn glow, making Cadance step back, “Ever since I took your place, I’ve been feeding off Shining Armor’s love for you. Every moment he grows weaker and so does his spell. Even now, my minions are chipping away at it.” Just outside the barrier, a huge swarm consisting of probably hundreds and even thousands of changelings were charging, swatting, and stomping on the force field, laughing as they did so. The other elite ponies looked up in horror as Chrysalis laughed.

“He may not be my husband, but he is under my total control now,” said Chrysalis as Twilight and Cody watched her as the changeling queen walked around Shining Armor. Cody, Twilight, and Cadance gasped.

“And I’m sorry to say, unable to perform his duties as Captain of the Royal Guard,” Chrysalis added.

“Not my Shining Armor!” said Cadance in desperation as she extended an arm to reach out to him.

“Soon, my changeling army will break through,” Chrysalis continued as she hovered in the air, “First, we take Canterlot. And then, all of Equestria!”

“No, you won’t,” said a voice behind her sternly. Chrysalis turned around to see Princess Celestia and Prince Blaze standing right behind her. In all her bragging, she had forgotten that the alicorn Princess and her husband were there.

“You may have made it impossible for Shining Armor to perform his spell, but now you have so foolishly revealed your true self, I can protect my subjects from you!” Princess Celestia said sternly. The two then locked horns aggressively.

“You show ‘em, Mom!” Cody cheered as Princess Celestia hovered into the air and fired a strong magic blast. Chrysalis fired back with her own magic blast. The two blasts crashed into each other. Chrysalis was easily overwhelmed, but then she summoned more energy for herself and within seconds, her magic blast overpowered Celestia as the blast hit the alicorn’s horn. Princess Celestia gasped as the magic reached horn and the blasts exploded, which knocked off her crown as she tumbled to the floor with her horn badly burnt. Everypony gasped as tears streamed from Cody’s widened eyes.

“MOM!” Cody and Rex both cried out in anguish.

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight cried as she and Cody rushed over to her. The rest of the mane five gathered around the injured alicorn.

“Ah! Shining Armor’s love for you is even stronger than I thought!” Chrysalis boasted, “Consuming it has made me more powerful than Celestia!”

“The Elements of Harmony,” Princess Celestia said weakly to Cody, the Mane Six, Sal, and Bucky as Twilight and Cody stood next her, “You must get to them and use their power to defeat the queen.” Twilight then stood up as she shared a firm and determined nod with the rest of the girls.

“What about you, Mom?” Cody asked, eyes full of tears.

“Be strong my son,” said Princess Celestia, “Use your wits instead of your anger and you will succeed. May the Force be with you.”

Cody then narrowed his eyes in determination as he wiped them. He quickly took off as Applejack, Pinkie, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Sunset, Sal, and Bucky then raced out of the main room. They all left as Chrysalis hovered up to the entrance door, laughing at them.

“You can run, but you can’t hide!” Chrysalis taunted. The Mane Six, Sunset, Sal, and Bucky, with Cody leading the way, exit the castle when they heard more laughter from the changelings outside the force field. Twilight and Cody looked up to see them continuing to bash at it, causing parts of the force field to crack. Then a group of changelings did a simultaneous ground pound on the top, causing it to finally shatter, making Canterlot rumble as the shield completely crumbled and left it open for the changeling swarm. The changelings wasted no time creating front barriers around their heads as they began to dive at Harmony Squad.

“Go, go!” Twilight called out as Harmony Squad kept moving. They continued on their way. It was then the changelings crash landed around them, nearly causing them to scatter.

There were so many incoming changelings at once as several more came dive bombing at them in quick session. Then one landed in front of Twilight, making her and the rest of the group stop running. The changelings hissed at her menacingly. Twilight was stunned for a moment before she stomped his head, knocking him out, and then the group went on their way. They quickly made their way up some stairs.

“Aw, karabast,” Cody said worried as the rest of the group stopped behind him. There before them was a large swarm of changelings waiting for them and blocking their path to the Elements of Harmony. Cody activated his lightsaber, ready to attack. The rest of the group looked worried and concerned, except for Rainbow. She, Applejack, Sal, and Bucky took out their blasters which were conveniently hidden under their dresses and suits. Pinkie also took out her sonic cannon, which had a telescopic barrel.

“Looks like we’re gonna have to do this the hard way,” said Rainbow as she clapped her hands together. She then stood before a changeling, which quickly made itself look like Rainbow and mirrored her for a few seconds before jabbing the real Rainbow, knocking back the blue Pegasus. It was then all the changelings started changing themselves to look like the ponies and boys, fortunately none of them could duplicate Cody’s lightsaber or any of their blasters. They all gasped.

“How did you...” Rainbow asked in shock.

“They’re changelings, remember?” Twilight pointed out.

“They’re changelings, remember?” the fake Twilight’s repeated to sound just like the purple pony.

“Don’t let them distract you,” said Twilight, “We have to get to the Elements of Harmony.”

Harmony Squad looked at the fake copies of them menacingly. Twilight then squatted down as the others did the same before they pounced into the air, ready to rumble. The changelings mimicked their poses, but showed much more aggressive faces. They then made contact with each other as dust clouds filled the air. The battle had begun.

Two flashes showed that Pinkie and Applejack had been struck and had taken damage. Cody then cut down any changeling that came at him. Sal and Bucky blasted any changeling in their path.

Twilight then attacked a fake Applejack with a magic blast of her own. Fluttershy was soon overwhelmed when several fake Fluttershys approached her from the side. Fluttershy panicked for a moment before she made an aggressive face and commanded the other’s elsewhere. The fake Fluttershys just looked at each other and ran off. Fluttershy then ran off in the other direction until she found herself surrounded by four fake Rainbows. They growled at her, making Fluttershy cower down. Then the real Rainbow appeared and punched the fakes away. She then helped Fluttershy to both her hooves as the yellow Pegasus hovered beside her.

Elsewhere, the boys found themselves being surrounded by a couple dozen changelings despite blasting and cutting down so many. Cody used the Force to push several others away from them. It was then Twilight and Applejack found themselves being pushed back to back against the other as some fakes surrounded them. Applejack growled at the other fakes, but then was shocked to see the Twilight behind her was fake as it revealed its true form.

“Okay, this is just gettin’ weird,” Applejack remarked as the changelings tackled her to the ground. Close by, the real Twilight pinned down a fake version of herself and used her horn to make the changeling reveal its true form and left it dazed. Twilight then saw poor Applejack being buried alive by a pile of fake Applejacks. Twilight then magic blasted them off one by one before picking up the real Applejack at the bottom with her magic.

“Real me! Real me!” Applejack called out as Twilight set the orange pony back on her hooves. Sunset blasted several changelings, including some that were fake versions of her. Then Pinkie was standing before a changeling as it shifted from Rarity, to Rainbow, and then to Fluttershy.

“Do me! Do me!” Pinkie giggled. The fake Fluttershy rolled her eyes before it changed into her and smiled.

“Meh, I’ve seen better,” said Pinkie unamused as she grabbed Twilight’s waist and rotated her tail.

“MAGIC FRENZY!” Cody screamed as Twilight shot magic blasts like a rapid fire weapon, knocking out dozens of fakes at once. Applejack and Rainbow also took out their blasters and fired at any changelings that came to attack them.

Then combat seemed to repeat a pattern, Rainbow punched a changeling, Applejack bucked one, Fluttershy made one trip over her, Sal and Bucky blasted some, Rarity punched one, Twilight, Sunset, and Cody each blasted one or cut one down, and Pinkie fired her sonic cannon at one. This repeated over and over several times before.

SMACK!

Several changelings went flying away from the group as they made a dynamic pose. The battle was over, or so they thought. Harmony Squad stood on guard for a few seconds to catch their breath as they saw the swarm had been knocked out or dead. It wasn’t long before they saw reinforcements were on their way.

“Come on!” Cody called out as he led the group to the building where the Elements of Harmony were kept as the air changelings gained ground on them quickly. Twilight used her magic to open the door. They were given the shock of their lives when they found that another swarm of changelings were there waiting for them. The group took a step back as the flying swarm landed to surround Harmony Squad on both sides. They exchanged worried looks with each other before the changelings surrounded them.

Princess Celestia finally started to wake up, feeling rather groggy as she found herself upside down and incased inside of a green pod, same with Blaze and Dagger. Three changelings hovered around their pods as Chrysalis paced about below her. Poor Cadance and Rex had been bound to their hooves by some green slimy silk.

“You won’t get away with this!” Cadance shouted, “Cody, Twilight, and their friends will-” Cadance was then cut off when the doors opened showing that Cody, Sal, Bucky, and the mares had been captured and brought back to the main room. Clearly, Rainbow and Cody has tried to make a break for help and were being held by two changelings each in the air.

“You were saying?” Chrysalis bragged, “You do realize the reception’s been cancelled don’t you? Go! Feed!” The remaining changelings then flew off. Those holding Rainbow and Cody were dropped to the floor.

Chrysalis smugly walked up to Twilight, laughing evilly as she approached.

“It’s funny really,” said Chrysalis as she held Twilight’s chin, “Twilight and Cody here were suspicious of my behavior all along. Too bad the rest of you were too caught up in your wedding planning to realize those suspicions were correct.” Twilight and Cody just looked at each other sadly. They knew they had been right, even called out their friends about being too caught up in the wedding plans. However neither of them felt like saying “I told you so” to anypony.

“Sorry, Twi and Cody,” said Applejack in behalf of the rest of the group, “We should’ve listened to you two.”

“It’s okay. Maybe if we hadn’t been so angry and bitter,” Cody admitted, “You would have taken our concerns more seriously.”

“It’s not your fault,” Twilight added, “She fooled everypony.”

“Hmm, I did, didn’t I?” Chrysalis said in agreement with a smug smile on her face as she headed toward an open window and looked outside. Meanwhile, Blueblood looked on in the background, snickering.

As Chrysalis sang in a sickeningly sweet tone, she watched the ponies being terrorized in the streets by all the changelings. One family was cornered in a dark alley. Two guards were bounded and surrounded by changelings. The rest of the swarm just hovered all over Canterlot.

This day has been just perfect
The kind of day of which I’ve dreamed since I was small
Everypony I’ll soon control
Every stallion, mare, and foal
Who says a girl can’t really have it all?

Chrysalis laughed evilly as she watched the chaos unfold. As her back was turned, Twilight made her move and crawled over to Cadance.

“Quick!” said Twilight, “Go to him while you still have the chance!” Twilight then fired her magic blast at the green goo, dissolving it so Cadance could head over to Shining Armor as Twilight watched to see when or if Chrysalis would turn around. Cadance looked up at her still enchanted husband-to-be. She hugged him tenderly as tears fell from her eyes. It was then her horn sparked and produced a heart. The others gasped quietly as the heart appeared before Shining Armor’s face and snapped him back into reality.

“Wha-Where...huh?” Shining Armor mumbled as he shook his head, “Is...is the wedding over?” Cadance smiled as did the others, but then Chrysalis appeared between the couple and Harmony Squad with a devious smile on her face.

“It’s all over!” Chrysalis bragged. The others watched Chrysalis with worried looks.

“Not if I have anything to say about it, sleemo!” Cody said.

“Think you can take me on, Jedi?” Chrysalis asked.

“Maybe,” Cody replied, as he broke free from his silken bonds with the Force and turned on his lightsaber.

Chrysalis fired multiple magic blasts at him, but Cody was able to block them. She then flew towards him at speed, but he reached his arms out and used the Force to push her back and into a wall.

“Your spell!” Twilight called out to Shining Armor, “Perform your spell!” Chrysalis then recovered, at least mentally, and laughed.

“What good would that do?” the changeling queen boasted, “My changelings already roam free.”

Shining Armor knew he had to act fast as he tried to make his horn glow, but it was no good, “No! My power is useless now, don’t have the strength to repel them!” he said wearily.

“My love will give you strength,” said Cadance sweetly as she hugged him close. Chrysalis laughed.

“What a lovely but absolutely ridiculous sentiment,” the changeling queen remarked.

Shining Armor and Cadance then tapped their horns together, smiling at they did so to create a giant heart with a spark and a bright light above them. The extra love magic empowered them both, surrounding them inside of a barrier. Harmony Squad gasped in surprise and watched in awe, some of them turning away because the light was getting so intense. Chrysalis watched in shock as the magic surrounding them intensified, causing the main room to rumble as the couple opened their eyes. Their eyes were now glowing white as the light encased the couple and lifted them into the air. The silhouettes could be seen as their floating bodies shaped into two halves of a heart. It was then a massive wave of magic expanded from them. Harmony Squad smiled as the wave of magic harmlessly went past them, though they did get pushed back a little from how intense the magic was. Chrysalis gasped in horror as the wave came at her.

“Noooooo!” Chrysalis screamed as she was literally blown right out of the castle. As the magical wave continued to expand in a spherical shape, all the changelings were swept away and right out of Canterlot. Chrysalis and the swarm all screamed as they were flung far away from Canterlot and into the distance. Upon seeing this, Blueblood just teleported out of the castle, as to avoid being seen leaving.

Once the magic had settled down, Cadance and Shining Armor came floating back down. They smiled at each other before sharing a loving embrace. Cody and Twilight rushed over to Princess Celestia, Prince Blaze, and Commander Dagger who had been freed from their prison due to the magic wave and were now laying on the floor.

“Are you okay, Mom?” Cody asked as he and Twilight helped the alicorn to both her hooves.

“Don’t worry about me,” said Princess Celestia, “You two lovebirds have their real wedding to put together.” Cody and Twilight blushed and then smiled at each other.

Later on, Cadance was in the kitchen as Applejack finished making more of her apple treats. Cadance eagerly picked one up and ate it, licking her lips afterward, and getting a second one to eat. Cody and Sunset chuckled as Twilight smiled and checked the catering off her list. Rarity, her frazzled mane showing she had worked overtime to create a brand new bride’s dress, pulled over a mirror so Cadance could see how she looked in it. A wide and happy smile on the alicorn’s face showed that Cadance was more than pleased. Cody and Sunset clapped for Cadance as Twilight marked the dresses off her checklist. Cadance then let all the birds perch on her as Fluttershy conducted them to singing for her. Cody and Sunset laughed as Twilight checked off the music on the list. At the reception hall, Cadance and Pinkie were dancing together. Cody, Sunset, and Twilight just smiled as they checked off the reception on the list as the latter rolled up the paper. Then they shared a fist bump before Twilight and Sunset hugged him happily, which Cody returned with a smile.

The wedding, and this time the real wedding, was ready to begin. The crowds were now back inside the main hall. Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, and Applejack were at the left of the altar since Cadance has decided to keep them as her bridesmaids along with Fluttershy. As for her three original bridesmaids, Cody found them still wondering the caverns, now free of Chrysalis’s magic. Once everything had been explained and they apologized to Cody over what had happened, the three agreed to allow the other girls to take their place, but Cody still gave them front row seats since they were still his friends.

Back at the wedding, Fluttershy was standing high above a balcony with her bird choir, ready to play the bridal chorus. Shining Armor was now standing at the altar with Twilight as his best mare, whom he had given a private apology to, and Cody, who had been promoted to be his best man. Both of them now dressed in formal attire. Sal, Bucky, and Spike were standing next to Cody along with all the other groomscolts. Twilight then noticed that Shining Armor’s emblem was crooked and went to fix it for him, which he gave her a smile in return. Shining Armor and Twilight’s parents, Twilight Velvet and Night Light, were watching them as the former was already crying. Fluttershy then began to conduct her birds as they whistled the Bridal Chorus. The two guards opened the doors as, once again, the Cutie Mark Crusaders came hopping down spreading flower pedals with Blaze walking Cadance down the aisle right behind them. Her new dress consisted of a white and yellow rose floral crown with the wedding veil attached to it. The dress itself had a large yellow rose broach, a blue and yellow trimmed top with a long double layered skirt that had gold trimming on the shorter layer as well as a giant pink bow in the back of the skirt. Five birds were holding the extra long back of the dress skirt as she made her way down the aisle. Everypony smiled as they watched Cadance approach the altar.

“Seriously, though,” Twilight said to Shining Armor, giving him a playful nudge, “I get why the queen of the changelings wanted to be with you, but how did you get someone as amazing as Cadance to marry you?”

“I told her she wouldn’t just be gaining a husband,” Shining Armor answered, “She’d be getting a great sister, too.” Twilight beamed.

“Twilight is pretty great,” Cody added, “It’s why I love her.”

“You’re pretty great yourself, handsome,” said Twilight, “It’s why I love you.” Shining Armor smiled as did Sal and Bucky. Cadance arrived at the altar with the Cutie Mark Crusaders standing at the side. Rarity started to tear up as she grabbed a tissue to carefully wipe her eyes. Applejack then went to see if she could get her stenson hat to stay on her head despite already wearing a floral crown like the rest of the girls. Shining Armor and Cadance exchanged smiles with each other before Princess Celestia began to speak.

“Mares and gentlecolts,” said Princess Celestia, “We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of the real Princess Mi Amore Cadenza-”

“Princess Cadance is fine,” said the pink alicorn. Cody giggled to himself.

Now THAT’s the cousin I know and love. he thought happily. Princess Celestia blinked for a moment before she smiled.

“Hm. The union of Princess Cadance and Shining Armor,” Princess Celestia continued, “The strength of their commitment is clear. The power of their love, undeniable. May we have the rings please?” Rex then held out a pillow with a pair of wedding rings on it. The rings were then placed onto their horns.

“I know pronounce you mare and colt!” said Princess Celestia and everypony cheered as the newlyweds made their way out of the main room and onto a balcony where thousands of ponies were cheering for them from down below as streamers and confetti fell from the sky. Shining Armor and Cadance waved at the crowds as the mane seven and Princess Celestia watched from behind.

“This is your victory as much as theirs, and I apologize for not believing you two earlier,” said Princess Celestia as she turned to face both Cody and Twilight, “You both persisted in the face of doubt, and your actions led to you being able to bring the real Princess Cadance back to us. Learning to trust your instincts is a very valuable lesson to learn.” Cody and Twilight just smiled sheepishly.

“Indeed, it is very important for becoming a Jedi Knight,” Blaze added.

“Mom, by leading the changelings here and helping their queen sneak past our defenses, Blueblood has betrayed us according to a previous report by Sunset,” Cody said, remembering.

“I knew he was a jerk to you and Rex, along with your friends, but I never thought he would be a traitor. This is most unfortunate news,” Celestia replied.

“Don’t worry, we’ll deal with him soon enough,” Sunset said.

Twilight and Sunset just smiled at Cody as they nuzzled his neck. It was then the newlyweds shared a quick kiss followed by a nice long one, making Cody, Twilight, and Sunset give them teary smiles as the rest of their friends cheered for them.

“One day it’ll be you and me up there, Twilight, and maybe Sunset too,” Cody said.

Princess Celestia then remembered something, “Rainbow Dash, that’s your cue,” she whispered to the blue Pegasus. Rainbow blinked before taking off so quickly that she left her dress behind. A few seconds later a large BOOM was heard as a massive ring of rainbow colors appeared in the sky followed by a beautiful rainbow that arched over the entire city of Canterlot.

“Best...wedding...ever!” Rainbow shouted excitedly.

Later that night, Cadance and Shining Armor shared a loving embrace and then shared a slow dance together to an orchestrated version of the song “Love is in Bloom”. Rainbow, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, Sunset, Princess Celestia, Prince Blaze, and Commander Dagger just watched as Princess Luna made a landing next to them.

“Hello, everypony,” said Princess Luna, “Did I miss anything?” It was then Twilight, Sunset, and Cody, and Pinkie were seen watching the couple dance as well. Twilight then gave Pinkie a nod. Pinkie gave an excited squee before zooming over to a DJ turntable with large speakers on both sides.

“Let’s get this party started!” said Pinkie as she pulled up DJ-Pon3. The white unicorn with blue mane and tail placed a record onto the turntable. Once the music started, Pinkie tossed a mini-mike to Twilight who caught it with her magic to sing.

She and Cody stood nearby and sang to the newlyweds as they did some light dance steps while confetti and streamers fall from above. The newlyweds smiled at Twilight and then at each other.

Twilight (sings):
Love is in bloom
a beautiful bride, a handsome groom
Two hearts becoming one
A bond that cannot be undone, because

As the six friends gathered around, with Bucky standing next to Fluttershy, they began bopping to the music. Twilight swayed from side to side as she and Cody kept up their duet with Shining Armor even dipping his new wife.

Twilight and Cody (sing):
Love is in bloom
A beautiful bride, a handsome groom
I said love is in bloom
You’re starting a life and making room
For us (For us, For us)

As the music continued, pictures were taken. One featured Pinkie stuffing her face with wedding cake. Another featured Applejack and Sal playing a fiddle with some of her relatives that come to help her in the kitchen. Another was Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Rex dancing together. Another of Rarity and Spike with Fancy Pants. Then came the good pictures. One was of Soarin hanging with Sal and Rainbow, another was of Fluttershy and Bucky sharing a kiss...on the lips!, another featured Commander Dagger proposing to Princess Luna, with her feeling touched by his gesture. But the best one of all was of both Twilight and Cody doing a slow dance with their eyes closed.

It was late that night as Shining Armor and Candace made their way towards the carriage. Twilight and Cody knelt before them as they opened the door for the newlywed couple to head inside.

“Cody,” said Cadance.

“Yeah, Cadance?” Cody asked as she gave him a warm smile.

“I’m so proud of the young man you’ve become,” said Cadance, “Like me, the love in your heart will become your greatest source of magic. Use it wisely and it will never let you down.” Cody smiled as pair of tears left his eyes.

“I love you, cuz,” said Cody with a crack in his tone, “Promise me you’ll keep in touch. I’ve missed you.” Cadance hugged him.

“That’s a promise, cuz, and best of luck to both you and Twilight,” said Cadance. Cody blushed as Cadance gave him a wink. As she headed inside the carriage. Shining Armor then stopped.

“Twilight!” he called out, “None of this would’ve been possible without you, little sis. Love ya, Twily.”

“Love you too, B.B.B.F.F.,” Twilight replied softly as they share a hug. Shining Armor than turned to Cody, giving him a hug as well.

“You take good care of my little sister, you hear?” Shining Armor asked, “I know she’s in good hands.” Twilight just smiled as Cody nodded.

“Trust me. It’s gonna be your turn for all for this before you know it.” He said giving Cody a wink, making both Cody and Twilight blush and chuckle sheepishly. Shining Armor chuckled to himself as he sat inside of the carriage.

“Ready to go?” Shining Armor asked his new wife.

“Oh! Almost forgot,” said Cadance as she leaned out of the carriage and tossed her wedding bouquet. Minuette, Twinkleshine, and Lyra looked excited before a certain marshmallow unicorn shoved them all out of the way and caught it.

“IT’S MINE!” Rarity shouted with a maniacal laugh until she saw the other bridesmaids giving her dirty looks, “Oof! Ahaha...ha...” Rarity was clearly embarrassed as the three girls continued to gave her death glares. “Love is in Bloom” played in the background as the wedding carriage disappeared into the distance.

“Now this was a great wedding,” said Twilight.

“You said it, Twilight,” Cody replied in agreement as he stood next to her.

“Oh yeah?” said Spike, “Just wait until you see what I have planned for the bachelor party!” He chuckled. Pinkie looked puzzled as Rainbow and Rarity rolled their eyes at him. Twilight squatted low to the road. Then they all laughed.

“Spike. You’re supposed to have the bachelor party before the wedding!” Cody pointed out. Spike’s eyes bulged out and he grunted annoyingly.

“Why didn’t anypony tell me these things!” Spike retorted.

“No worries, Spike,” said Rainbow, “I think you’ll get your chance to host one soon enough.” Everypony looked at Twilight and Cody who just smiled with their cheeks turning a deep shade of pink. Sunset also came up to them.

“One step at a time, Rainbow,” Cody replied.

“She does bring up a point though,” said Twilight. They then shared a kiss as the others cheered for them, but they payed no mind to it. Sunset also shared a kiss with Cody, then held both his girlfriends close to him.

Twilight and Cody (sing):
Love is in Bloom
For us, (For us...For us...Aah...)

It was then fireworks lit up the sky, the last one being a giant pink and green heart.