A couple of months later

Dusk gave a stressed sigh as he and the other stallions in his friend group rode on the train to Canterlot for the biggest wedding ever, their brides-to-be are taking an alternative route.

“Calm down Dusky! Today’s the day! The most epic, most awesome, most weddingest wedding EVER!” Berry cheered.

“I k-know… it’s just… I never thought this day would come… imagine, me and Luna… up there getting married.” Dusk said.

“Pre-wedding jitters, understandable, I do wonder what my filly self would say if she knew she would one day marry a dragon instead of a prince, I bet she would be in shock,” Elusive said with a chuckle.

“Ah agree, ah need ta think of this as me continuing the family legacy as well as me marrying the mare of mah dreams, makes it easier,” AJ said.

“Me and Soarin tying the knot is predictable, we go together like bread and butter,” Blitz chuckled before turning to Butterscotch “What’s up Scotch? You seem oddly quiet, I figured you’d be bouncing off the walls like Berry here,” Blitz said.

“I-I-i’m so nervous… I’m not good with crowds,” Butters said.

“Gala is, just follow her lead,” AJ reassured.

“Yeah, this wedding will go differently remember? She’ll be by your side,” Blitz said.

“I-I guess,” Butterscotch said.

“Alright, we’ll be there soon,” Dusk said.

“Ok!” Everypony said.

Barbra drummed her claws on her lap nervously.

“What’s got ya Barb?” Gala asked.

“This is the day… I’m finally becoming Rarity’s significant other… cept she’s now a stallion…” Barbra said.

“Is that a problem?” Thunderstrike asked.

“Not at all, I just think that fate is fickle, I wanted her now I have him, I’m worried, will we even be able to have kids? What if my future kids get bullied?” Barb said needing to fan herself.

“And what if the world detonates tomorrow, don’t subsist on if’s, live in the now, if Berry has taught me anything,” Luna chuckled.

After arriving at the carriage landing the group followed Luna to the bridal area.

“Alright, good luck girls,” Barbra said as they went into their areas.

Dusk and his friends were sitting in various areas of the wedding, steeling their nerves for what was to come.

“I hope they don’t get nervous,” Dusk said thinking of his friends, after writing the group vows and sextuple checking it over for errors he got up and saw his family and Cadence over at a table and he walked over.

“Guys!” Dusk called and the group got up upon seeing him.

“Bro!” Shining said getting up and hugging him.

“Hello Dusk Shine,” Cadence said.

“Cadance,” Dusk said hugging her too, and then they performed their ladybug song.

“Haha, I’m glad you remember that, it’s been a while since we did that,” Cadence said.

“I’d never forget it Cadence,” Dusk said before turning and hugging his parents.

“Our young scholar is getting married, I had looked forward to this day,” Twilight Velvet said.

“Two princes and their marrying princesses, and one lucky dragoness marrying the love of her life, I’d say we’re very proud parents,” Night Light said.

“I’m glad,” Dusk chuckled.

“Mom! Dad!” Blitz said hugging his parents who hugged him back.

“Our Blitzy is getting married to a Wonderbolt! It’s a dream come true for you,” Bow said.

“I could kiss you all day,” Windy said.

“Moooom Daaaad,” Blitz whined when ponies started to stare.

“I hope things go well,” Bow said releasing his son.

“I do too,” Blitz said.

Mr and Mrs Shy turned to see their son approaching.

“Oh dear, Butterscotch, I am so excited,” Mrs. Shy said hugging him.

“I am too,” Butters said, meanwhile Zephyr was sitting silently, Butters noticed and went over to him.

“Is everything alright Zephyr,” Butters asked.

“I…. yeah…” Zephyr said.

“I heard… sorry for taking the mare you had a crush on,” Butters said.

“It’s fine, you didn’t know,” Zephyr said hugging Butters quickly.

“Oh don’t be like that Zephyr, Butters loves her too, you’ll find another,” Mr. Shy said.

“I guess so, thanks for inviting me,” Zephyr said.

“No problem,” Butters said with a smile.

“If it isn’t our soon-to-be married son,” Hondo said proudly.

“Hello Mother, Father, Sweetie Belle,” Elusive said hugging Sweetie Belle.

“I was admittedly a little skeptical when you said you and Barbra were getting married, but knowing how happy she makes you, I couldn’t be happier,” Cookie said.

“I can’t wait for Barbra to be my sister-in-law!” Sweetie cheered.

“Nor can I wait for her and me to become partners for life,” Elusive said.

“I do hope we can get grand foals, not to sound selfish,” Hondo said.

“No problem, I will do research,” Elusive said.

“And I could help,” Sweetie said.

“Ok Sweetie,” Elusive chuckled.

AJ approached Appel Bloom and Granny Smith who had to sit for a while.

“Hello Granny, hello AB,” Applejack said.

“AJ!” AB cheered and she ran up to him and hugged him.

“If it ain’t the wedding boy,” Granny said.

“Ah’m a tad nervous if ya can’t tell,” AJ said.

“Do ah still get to be a flower girl?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Course, in fact, ah’m sure the other flower girls are lookin' fer ya,” Applejack said.

“Yay!” AB cheered and she ran off as Granny approached.

“You an Gala gettin married, ah’m glad to have lived long enough to witness it,” Granny said with a tear in her eye.

“Yer gettin that great grandfoal no matter what,” AJ said with a smile.

“Ah’m glad ta hear it,” Granny Smith said.

Berry bounced over a table and landed beside his sisters.

“Heya! Guess who's getting married! Me!” Berry said hugging Maud.

“I am so glad….” Maud said flatly.

“I hope you don’t forget us with all the parties you’ll have Berry,” Marble said.

“Worry not! This Berry will never fall too far from the family tree,” Berry said as he went over to his parents.

After some time passed everypony was seated and awaiting the main event.

According to Celestia, the wedding will go slightly different than the usual wedding, because there are so many grooms and brides they will come out in groups and walk eachother to the altar and they will do a mass vows reading for them.

As everyone was seated they looked to see Celestia who is being the officiant for the wedding.

“Friends, family, and all others, let me be the first to welcome you to the biggest wedding of the century, a marriage of eleven ponies and one dragoness, of those who have protected and those who have led, let me take this time to introduce-” As Celestia went on the ponies of the current events were getting ready.

“Whew! Pre wedding jitters… I got them bad,” Barb said breathing into a paper bag.

“It will be okay darling, we’ll go down the aisle together,” Elusive said as he and Barbra stood at the entrance hall.

“And what are the odds Chrysalis will strike again?” Barb asked.

“Surely even she wouldn’t be so predictable,” Elusive said.

“Ooooh… do we have to go first?” Barb asked.

“Trust me, do you trust me?” Elusive asked.

“With my life,” Barb said feeling reassured.

“And would you look at the flower girls go!” Celestia’s voice called.

“It seems the time is near,” Elusive said “Marriage in Canterlot, my dream come true,” Elusive said.

“Let’s go then,” Barb said and they heard the wedding music playing, and so they exited the hall and entered through the door and walked down the hall.

“And there they are, our first known Canterlot wedding between a dragon and a pony,” Celestia said.

As they made their way to the altar Elusive looked to see his family tearing up and waving at him.

Barb noticed the same with her family.

As they got up there they looked out at all the ponies watching them.

Barb squeezed Elusive's hand a little and Elusive gave it a reassuring squeeze back.

Applejack and Thunderstrike stood in the hall next.

“I am so happy…” Thunderstrike said tearing up a little.

“Ah am too, thank ya Thunderstrike,” AJ said.

“Thank you too,” Thunder said.

Soon they walked out into the wedding room and everypony looked to them as well.

As they walked down the aisle Thunder noticed her parents and Rumble in their seats.

She smiled knowing they accepted AJ.

Applejack noticed Granny smiling proudly in her seat.

They arrived at the altar and stood beside Barb and Elusive.

“I hope you're ready for this,” Soarin said.

“I still got butterflies of my own, but I’ll be clipped if I let my wife down on her biggest day,” Blitz said.

The two exited the doorway and saw Bow and Windy standing and giving a loud applause and Soarin’s parents too.

“Ugh, parents,” Soarin said embarrassedly.

“Same,” Blitz chuckled as they walked down the aisle and stood by their friends.

“I-I’m scared,” Butterscotch said.

“Don’t be, ah’m right here,” Gala said comfortingly “Come on, let’s show them we’re a power couple,” Red Gala said before they went down the aisle together.

They saw their respective families looking happy and waving to them.

They soon made their way to the altar as well.

Berry and Cheese didn’t exit the door, instead when the door opened a flurry of balloons came out.

“Huh? Where did they go?” A random pony asked.

“I know my brother, just wait…” Maud said flatly.

Suddenly the balloons surrounded eachother and formed a ball before both Cheese and Berry descended out of the balloon pile and landed on the altar.

“Whoa!” Barbra yelped in surprise.

“Berry, must you do something like that on your wedding day of all days?” Elusive asked.

“Sure! Weddings are just big ole parties,” Berry said.

“And lastly the moment I have been waiting for, put your hands together for my beloved student Dusk and my sister Luna!” Celestia said.

Dusk gulped a bit and his hands trembled but Luna put her hand on his and smiled at him.

“It will be alright my prince, come let us show them how we take the stage,” Luna said before they made their way up the aisle as well.

Ponies cheered and Dusk saw his family waving at him… but Cadance… odd, she just looks like she has a headache.

But he can inquire about this later.

As they made their way to the top of the altar they stood with the other grooms and brides.

Dusk handed the group speech to Celestia and she approached the podium and began reading.

“Friends, family and all others yet to be befriended, we gather here today to celebrate the bonding of twelve souls, in matrimony and in heart, we came to this world as strangers and grew connections from the problems of our past, and we became ever stronger because of it, we are not only joined in love, we are joined in friendship, a deeper than ever friendship, from now until the day of our passing, we are, Harmony,” Celestia read out.

The crowd applauded.

“Nice one dude,” Blitz remarked.

“No problem,” Dusk chuckled.

“And with that speech out of the way, we will now say our wedding vows, may the ring bearers come forth, as to this unique wedding,” Celestia said and several mares and stallions came forth to present the rings.

As they stood with their beloveds, they took the rings and placed them upon the fingers of their loved ones.

“To all the mares and dragoness present, do you take these gentlecolts, in health and sickness, till death do you part, as your husbands?” Celestia said.

“I do,” They all said without hesitation.

“And do you, gentlecolts, take these fine mares and dragoness to be your beloved, wedded wives?” Celestia said.

“I do,” They all said without hesitation.

“Then by the binding of the Sun and Moon, by the power of Magic and through the seal of love, I hereby declare you all, husbands and wives! You may now kiss the bride!” Celestia said proudly.

And they did… they kissed and the crowd erupted in cheers, everypony made their joy known.

And to the mares and stallions on stage, it was their most fulfilling moment.

Celestia turned to the couples and said “Butterscotch and Red Gala, AJ and Thunderstrike, Rainbow Blitz and Soarin, Elusive and Barbra, Bubble Berry and Swiss Cheese, Dusk Shine and Luna, it is my eternal joy to-”

…

……

……….

……………..

…………………..

When Celestia didn’t finish everypony paused and turned to her.

“To what?” Blitz asked before noticing the cheering had stopped.

“Um… does anypony else notice that everything is quiet or is it just me?” Barbra asked.

“I did too…” Elusive said before turning to see the crowd was frozen in time… not only them, the confetti was frozen in place, the noise was gone, and even a bird that was outside the window was frozen mid-flight.

“What the? Luna, what is- Luna?!” Dusk exclaimed seeing she was frozen too, in fact, save for Barbra, all of the brides were like statues.

“Wh-what’s happening?” Butterscotch asked nervously.

“It’s like time is standin still, cept fer us,” Applejack said looking at the frozen Thunderstrike.

“Ok, guys, I’m getting a little freaked out here,” Barbra said.

“What’s happening? Is anybody else here!?” Dusk said.

“Oh dear, didn’t think the spell would do this,” A familiar voice said and they turned to see Discord approaching.

“Discord! Of course, it was you, of all days to pull your constant shenanigans, why would you-” Elusive began before Discord interrupted.

“Wasn’t me,” Discord said.

“Discord, unfreeze everything please,” Butterscotch said looking a little miffed as well that the moment was ruined by him.

“I’m serious, it wasn’t my doing,” Discord said.

“Then who? Who else could freeze time like this?” Dusk demanded.

“That would be her,” Discord said gesturing to Cadance who stood up.

“Candance? You can move?” Dusk said running over to her “What’s happening? Is a threat coming?” Dusk asked cursing himself for not seeing that something like this could be happening right-

“Be not afraid Prince Dusk Shine,” Cadance said in a robotic tone.

“... Cadence?” Dusk said backing up.

“No,” Candace walked from her seat and stood next to Discord.

“What… what the hay is going on?!” Blitz demanded.

“Simple really, the spell wishes to speak with you now that its purpose is fulfilled,” Discord said.

“What?” Dusk said before looking to Cadance… or whatever was possessing her, Dusk got defensive “Who are you? Where’s Cadance?!” Dusk said.

“I said be not afraid,” ‘Cadance’ said.

“You gotta admit this is pretty left field for them,” Discord told it.

“I suppose my timing could be worse,” ‘Cadance’ said.

“TELL ME!” Dusk said, lighting his horn and the others readied themselves for danger.

“Very well, I am The spell of destined love, or at least an avatar created in which to communicate with you all, I hope you don’t mind me borrowing her for the moment,” ‘Cadance’ said.

“What? What do you mean?” Dusk asked.

“I am the spell you cast, in order to find your destined loves, I found them, but as things were, it wouldn’t work, so I rearranged reality so that you can find your true love, and now my mission is complete, are you satisfied with your current relationships?” The voice said.

“...I… I don’t get it… what is happening?” Butterscotch said.

“Since the beginning, during the accident, I came into being, that is the function of the spell, to create me whenever it is used to aid the pony or dragon in question in finding their true love and to rearrange reality should current conditions remain unsuitable for the subjects of the spell,” The voice said.

“Wait… so you were behind this?” Dusk asked in shock.

“Mostly, I aided in a few ways,” Discord said.

“You Discord?” Butterscotch asked.

“Indeed, I could not rewrite his mind like the others, so I communicated with him to work with me on this, and together, we helped you complete your objective,” The voice said.

“B-but why swap us? And them!” Dusk asked pointing at the other swapped ponies.

“The current conditions were unsuitable for you, you all wished to be stallions and if that were the case you would fall out of love with your current loves, and you wouldn’t pursue them as mares, so I saw fit to change their genders as well,” The voice said.

“We wished to be stallions?” Dusk asked for clarification.

“In your own ways, Rainbow Dash wanted to stop struggling to fit in with her male companions in the Wonderbolts, Fluttershy felt too unconfident in her own body to go after Big Mac, Rarity wanted to show up the stallion Blueblood and prove chivalry isn’t dead, Pinkie always wanted to try a stallion form, Applejack felt that she’d rather have a marefriend than a coltfriend and was scared she’d be shamed for her preferences, Spike felt like he didn’t fit in amongst females due to being a male, and you Twilight wanted to see if mares would target you for status just like the stallions, I helped you in that regard and organized situations where your love for your significant other would grow,” The voice said.

“So… because of that, you changed our genders?” AJ asked.

“And Petunia… were you responsible for-”

“No, Petunia’s actions were her own, evidently rewriting reality has consequences, such as mares ruled by their desires for a studly stallion,” The voice clarified.

“Why didn’t you approach us sooner? Or in fact why did Discord tell us-” Dusk said before Discord spoke.

“I am sheepish to admit I fibbed when I mentioned the mutant spell, in reality things just needed to run their course,” Discord said.

“Discord! You lied to us?” Butterscotch exclaimed.

“For good reason! If I had said the truth then all this will have been for nothing,” Discord said.

“Do not blame him, I am the one who convinced him,” The voice said.

“He still went with it, and you, I knew I sensed strange magic when I was with Luna, these sudden moments where we were suddenly compelled to change our minds… you were behind that too weren’t you?” Dusk demanded.

“I was, I needed to push you in the right direction, to-”

“SO IT WAS ALL A LIE!?” Blitz shouted suddenly and he marched up to the possessed Cadance who looked at him without an expression “Even if you didn’t make her do it, the fact you put us in this version of reality is what led to my getting hurt by Petunia! IT’S YOUR FAULT!” Blitz looked like he wanted to fly off the handle but Dusk held him back.

“I do admit what happened to you was unfortunate, but It was unforeseen, I didn’t create or change Petunia, and in the end, would you trade away all your experiences, including those you spent with Soarin in return for solace?” The voice asked.

Blitz paused “What?”

“All I merely did was plant you all in a rewritten version of reality and subtly guide you when you needed it, the connections you formed were real, you just needed to be given the chance,” The voice said.

“And… why reveal yourself now?” Barbra asked.

“Because my mission is complete, you all have experienced true love, and found your mates, I now ask you all, are you satisfied with your current situation, or shall I return you to how everything used to be?” The voice asked.

“What?...” Dusk said in shock, everyone's expression mirroring his.

“Yep, like I said, it just needs to run its course, and now that it has, you are given a choice, stay in your current reality, or go back to how things were,” Discord said.

“You have all the time in the world to decide, but know this, once your decision is made, it cannot be undone,” The voice said.

“What do you mean?” Dusk asked.

“When my job is done I will cease to exist again until somepony else uses the spell, and if you go back, you will never be able to use the spell again, the same goes for if you all decide to stay as is, you all will be stuck either way, the question is, do you wish to return to being mares, or stay as stallions?” The voice asked.

“....So there was a way after all… guys! We have a way to-” Dusk turned but paused when he saw everyone looking hesitant “What?” Dusk asked.

“Dusk… I can’t do it, I love my new life, I love being a stallion, and I love Soarin,” Blitz said.

“I can’t… leave Red Gala, not when I learned how to live as Butterscotch and not Fluttershy,” Butters said.

“That thing is right… ah wanted to date mares but was too scared mah family and friends would reject me, but now that barrier is gone, ah’m stayin as is,” Applejack said.

“Me and Barbra have formed a bond as we are, I am fine with whatever Barbra chooses,” Elusive said.

“I… wanna stay like this,” Barb said.

“Berry?” Dusk turned to Berry who shook his head “Me and Cheesie have too much fun like this, we’re staying,” Berry said.

“...” Dusk turned to the possessed Cadence, “I can return to being a mare right? And stay here?” Dusk asked.

“Yes, but do you truly wish that?” The voice asked.

“What?” Dusk asked.

“You’ll be the only mare in a group of stallions, not to mention you will never have foals with Luna, in the end, I see only disadvantages, knowing this, do you wish to continue?” The voice asked.

“It’s one way, remember,” Discord said.

“....So then, I have a big choice to make,” Dusk asked.

“Yes,” The voice responded.

...Dusk Looked to his friends and then to Luna and he walked past his friends to the statue-like Luna and he looked at her beautiful blue eyes.

“...I…” Dusk looked like he was struggling with his response.

“Yes?” Discord said.

“...I… want to be with Luna forever, and… I want to help her bear foals,” Dusk walked back to the possessed Candance and nodded.

“I wish to stay as I am,” Dusk said.

“That… was the right answer,” The voice said with a smile before turning to Discord “Thank you for your aid, I will now take my leave and await the next users,” The voice said before going back to Cadance's seat and she bowed her head.

“Better get back in place,” Discord said and the stallions nodded and ran back to their spots they were in before the time stop happened and when time resumed it was like nothing happened.

“-announce that this wedding has concluded and we will now move onto the party that follows, everypony if you’ll make your way to the celebration room!” Celestia finally got to finish.

The crowd cheered and went to the reception after-party and the stallions and their brides went to follow.

“Did something happen? I noticed you had a slight look of concern on your face,” Luna said.

“Nothing is wrong… not anymore,” Dusk said with a smile as he hugged Luna close and he went to the after-party with the others.

Author's Note

And here is the moment we've all been waiting for, hope you all enjoyed it, I was thinking of one more chapter before declaring this done.

Let me know what you think.