Author's Note

Hi there; it's me, Fireflower here once more with an electric feel ready with a new chapter of H3 on the way: suffice to say, the past chapters from before were by far a simple note for y'all, serving as a taste of what's to come later on as I write them all right at my fingertips.

As usual, My Little Pony, or rather Friendship Is Magic, including its settings and characters belong to Lauren Faust and Hasbro; however, this concept of my fanfic still belongs to me so I will say this one time only: please do not steal this story or I will sue.

That being said, I want to say thanks again for putting up with my story this month so far, especially if you been reading the prequels as well since years ago: I honestly wished that I could have done this sooner, let alone finish it; what's funny is that had I done so in half the allotted time, I would've surprised y'all with another story on the same month, albeit on New Years' Eve but I digress.

Flat

Now, it would seem that one part of the world had its very atmosphere already applying some direct pressure upon itself with warmth and wonder. At the very least, the spacious skies had objectively held up its golden sun, unperturbed as well as without clouds of either size or shape whatsoever. The oxygen all throughout, crisp and cool enough to commute many different aromas from all walks of life, had each of them varied in two factors. Even so were many flowers had slowly sprouted from the brilliant green, instantaneously bearing witness to ever rushing waters roaring from its falls. A calm gentle breeze was surfing onward and sliding about throughout the stony roads and dusty trails already cut across the vast hillside landscape. Nesting nearby the rocks and water was but a civilization currently defined in such an intricate manner, bearing more colors and shapes than earth. Density notwithstanding, it was only a matter of perspective to find an utter abundance of such people in finite but numerously typed demographics.

Out of the many buildings in this rather quiet place, there was one which had stood out amongst others: an enormous castle nearby the heart of its city remaining in the premises’ cold distance. It’d stood up as high as a skyscraper yet its acreage was wider, predominantly white like snow alongside some starry violet accents and stripy yellowy spires adorned with its hot pink flags. The castle was opening to a fault, its doors and windows bereft of obstructions save for just one: it was a goldenrod illustration of rather nearby occupation of the sun and moon so abstract as is. A pair of staircases were also found to be providing an entrance from the ground level plainly, buttery with a red carpet as the white pillars stood by with railings to provide support in advance. Some fine flowers were found from the valley around this place, decorating the otherwise stony lonesome castle as it were with generally red petals and lavender textiles in few separate chains.

Inside, the rays of sunlight rained down through the looking glass of its windowsills were many people resided in, geometrically equilateral for a much spatial optimization as it were no less. Much of the interiors were dyed a deep blue yet were too solid as an old snake to surf around, especially considering the fact they were held in place by a dozen pillars no cheaper than strong. Aside from a glassy chandelier of a golden shell, there were torches of lit candlestick hanging halfway off the ground yet further away from the purple nosegays and the blank banners anyway. Gathering about was an enormous yet unequal checkerboard flooring where its inhabitants stood, divided into quarters as they were split in two by a longer red carpet etched on the middlemost. Ending the pathway from the outside world far beyond the tall doors was but an archway cloaked in more flowers diverse in color and species alike within their small patch of the brilliant green.

Standing on the edge of the stairs as prophets would’ve said were but two people both alike in fair dignity at first glance no less: the only commonalities between themselves were bright skins, cold eyes, long hair, and a rather serviceable smile on their visages; of course, they had some rather significant differences, something in which their entire audience can all relate to instantly. Already at the middle of it all was a woman with a multicolored set of hair painted in purple, pink, aquamarine, and green too: her eyes were like the amethysts being worn right within her goldenrod jewelry shining bright like the sun within the same sky; a lone white dress had clothed its owner, bereft of color in comparison to the integuments but otherwise elegantly all the while. Onto her left was a man with sapphires matching his tresses and sash, standing underneath her height by mere inches alone as is: he was clothed in a ruby red tunic with golden cufflinks and silver buttons as well as a pair of white pants alongside black boots; though his sclera was jaded, he was happy, much like every face he was looking at currently at this moment in time as such.

Speaking of which, there was a blond couple bunched up inside the crowd all dressed up with no place to go now that they’re all in: both of their face here was also sharing the same emotions as the two above the small stairwell nearby themselves of the leftmost; as such, their fashion was more than enough to make them feel a part of the moment in time and place appropriately herein. One of them was also a male, just like the man in red, except that he was dressed in all–black completely with an orange ascot: his hair was much shorter than the latter and especially the woman in white, not to mention much thinner, far as they’re concerned; in addition, both eyes were green like an emerald splash, precious enough to treasure the occasion bore witness alone. Another was female, clothed in deeply soulful quicksilver with a singular dress covering much of the body as it matched her shoes: not only was her hair solid in color, it’d also reach past the neckline, albeit shorter compared to her much regal counterpart as is; however, her eyes were all misaligned, despite looking off in the same direction as the rest of massive audience in question.

“Hmm… is this Canterlot… if that’s the case… then what am I… doing here in a… dress with someone… else: ain’t I just… supposed to be… in Ponyville… instead of here... not only that… how in the world… did I even… get there all of… the sudden now…?” the blonde in silver had struggled to cerebrate as both of her goldeneyes started looking around from side–to–side as is.

Whatever train of thought was developing within the strabismic onlooker was then met with both confusion and delay as a full set of brass horns sounded out, belonging to duodecet nearby doors; afterwards, they were all opened up, a trio of brightly skinned girls entering the moving picture, walking freely as they’d scattered hot pink petals from their handbaskets across the surface area. Aside from the blonde hair the elder in silver had shared alongside her nearby correspondent, they were all dressed up in light pink with deep purple accents as far as the onlookers could see; also, they’d worn a crown of flowers around their heads, alternating into a pattern of purple and white while static all the same, a luxury which was lacking in the trail they were making no less. Despite their shared affiliations, even the squinting eyewitness herself can tell their differences: the first of them, also with goldeneyes, had a purple flower over her chest matching the ribbons; the next had eyes of faded amethysts, wearing a red feather against the white scheme altogether; the last was most resembling, a plum bowtie with a white flower and pink ribbons all the while.

Trailing after the maidenly trio was another tall woman now setting foot onto the flower flung fabric as she’d also entered betwixt the observant crowd afore themselves, opposite of the one in white whom was still standing by all the very same. Much like the regal onlooker, this new individual in question also had worn some multicolored tresses in the latter’s head, sharing about half of the former’s hair colors, purple and pink, yet gold too was held in place by a veil of blue and white. Not only that, the tall entrant was also brightly skinned, bearing some orbs of amethysts as well even though they were full of color in a different shade from not only the woman in white but also the middlemost maiden as well so to speak of. The textiles being worn were but the epitome of elegant fashion, another flowing white dress matching that of the regal onlooker excpt with some goldenrod accentuation and jewelries made up of various metals, known and unknown already. Shown up in front of their owner was but a large bouquet of flowers within the tightened grip, each of them all varying in shapes, shadings, and species alike in a series of doilies, something the threesome didn’t have in comparison alone here.

The tall entrant walked about as a series of strings and keys were being grinded up and pressed down respectively into a lofty tune overhead. Each step that was taken by the flowery follower had brought her closer to the archway, greeted by a couple of friendly faces from all walks. Despite the bewilderment the blonde in silver was still in, the tall entrant was at ease, sharing the same emotions as the rest of the very crowd.

It wasn’t long until the youth themselves had made their way to the end, joining at the hip with another trio much older no less: the only commonality between the latter group was a single pearl diadem bearing a triad of jaded flowers worn around long hair; as such, there were so many differences to take note, something which the squinting eyewitness could also see plainly as day. The first woman was brightly skinned like the blondes from earlier, albeit with integuments of an ivory coast far across an ocean: her hot pink hair curled grandly past the neckline as it’d touched the fuchsia dress with a cobalt accent matching her own shoes; additionally, there was but a light yellow flower over her chest which can be seen by its owner’s electric light orchestra of blues. Similarly, the next happened to have a bright integumentary system as well except it was slightly darker but otherwise clear as is: unlike the primordial, her tresses were minty and spiky with a white midpoint, touching a golden dress wrapped by a scarlet sash; as much as both eyes had matched much of the attire, their owner’s slippers are in the same color as the prior accessory. Finally, was yet another woman, this time fifty shades darker than anyone inside and out could bother to care about all the same: even though her hair was short and spiky as well, it was blue like her eyes and dress in general, despite having some bright spots; adding to this was a cerise undercarriage matching with her footwear and a violet adorning a set of hot pink ribbons already.

Soon enough, the flowery follower had made it to the very end, standing on the opposite side of the arch to face her counterpart; then, the woman in white began to speak in a matronly soprano, “friends, Equestrians, countrypeople, I thank and welcome you all the same to this event at hand. Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of Providence, to witness the joining together of both Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Captain Shining Armor in the sacred covenant of marriage, commended to be honorable among all peer and therefore isn’t by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, and solemnly. Matrimony is not just a social occasion with a spiritual touch thrown in, but a service of devotion from start to finish, in which vows are made, prayers are offered, and blessings are given; as such, who among you supports this couple in their marriage…?”

“I do…!” a nearby voice was heard, belonging to another woman, albeit darker than the one in blue, standing to the man in red: like the latter and two other peers, the latter wore a similar attire, this time ripe rose red with hot pink accents and a star on chest; amethysts were found as well, “growing up in Canterlot, I had nothing but the highest hopes and dreams he’d be married. To many like–minded women such as Rarity herself, it’s nothing more than the highest of honors attainable, an ultimate statement of legitimacy which had meant untold success; sadly, it pains me that she’ll not be able to experience such joys in particular, much like the rest of the friends I’d made back at Ponyville: even now, I feel guilty knowing the circumstances of their downfall. Even without that, I’ve heard nothing more than excerpts from people whom had watched their marriages end in divorce and, worst of all, death of either party; even though we never talk about them for one reason or another, let alone the preludes to either outcome, I was more than able to embrace the love and happiness from their joy, especially knowing who they are since my youth. The fact that I’m standing here today brings nothing but tears to my eyes knowing that I’ve yet to experience the sensation of having a special significant other of choice to share such a lifetime with him: even the fears of living and dying alone have done nothing more than to remind me of how precious our lives are by and large, even in Equestria no less with what had happened then. As Celestia is my witness, I shall congratulate the two of them on their future journey together as both husband and wife hereby: although so much time has passed since I’d last seen either, I know Rarity and our friends would cherish this moment together; even now, I can’t even help myself but to think what life in and of itself could’ve been for all of us without the need for war.”

“Shining Armor, if it’s your intent to marry Mi Amore Cadenza, please respond with ‘I do’; Shining Armor, do you take Mi Amore Cadenza to be your wedded wife, to live together in holy matrimony and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, for as long as you both shall live…?” the regal announcer asked as the titular twosome moved towards each other onstage.

The man in red had said simply no less, “I do…”

“Mi Amore Cadenza, if it’s your intent to marry Shining Armor, please respond with ‘I do’…” the woman in white begged the question similar to one from not long ago, “Mi Amore Cadenza, do you take Shining Armor to be your wedded husband, to live together in holy matrimony, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him, for as long as you both shall live…?”

“I do…” the eponymous bride had replied in kind.

Soon, the regal announcer had spoken confidently, “the ceremony of marriage is the first and oldest ceremony in the world, celebrated in its humble beginnings in the presence of Providence as a gift given to comfort sorrows and magnify life’s joy. Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor, in all of life, rare is the moment that is filled with more hope, joy, and expectation than this sacred moment: by this divine design, this moment will never be repeated, but rather be cherished as long as you both shall live; up until now, I had but the highest hopes your potential both as individuals as well as a couple would be fully realized. A good marriage is remembering to say ‘I love you’ on a regular basis, never going to sleep angry but standing together, leaning on each other’s strength and support, having the capacity to forgive and forget, providing an atmosphere in which each of you can grow, and finding room for the Elements of Harmony – loyalty, humor, generosity, honesty, kindness, and magic itself. It is not only marrying the right partner but rather being the right partner: you will have this kind of marriage if you continue to recognize Providence as the source of your romance, love, and affection for these things are gifts to you; build your home on this spiritual foundation. Today, as you say your vows to one another, you are also committing that you’ll follow through on these solemn promises: so much preparation has gone into making this moment a special occasion for you two and your guests; these next few minutes are more important than anything else that will happen today. These are the moments that you will look back and remember when you have children, arguments, and the moment of living your first house together; don’t ever forget the words you say this day for they will sustain your marriage through all of life’s ups and downs.”

“Princess Celestia’s words are so comforting: even in the face of uncertainty, she still has the tact to ordain this wedding anyway…” the blonde in silver ruminated complicatedly, turning to face her correspondent only briefly before looking at the youth again, “still, I’m troubled: not only is my skin starting to crawl, I have this feeling that something’s about to go wrong; why is that…?”

“ACK…!” a cough was suppressed distantly.

Anyways, the aforementioned announcer still addressed the audience up in front of the two, “to all those who have joined us to witness this special commitment by both Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor, you play an important role in the lives of the couple: your attendance here shows that you care for them and are supporting this marriage as well as the future of Equestria. I would ask that your support of this marriage not end on this day, but that you continue to support the union that they commit to: it is often easy for us to undermine the value of the marriage commitment by say simple things like ‘you don’t deserve this, you really should think about divorce’ or even taking sides in an argument. Guard the words that you say, in jest and in counsel to the couple; commit today, as friends and family, to uphold this marriage to the best of your ability and never do anything to harm it whatsoever. Shining Armor, as captain of the guard, you are also ordained as the leader of your home, with a unique personality and talents that add to this marriage: when Mi Amore Cadenza was asked why he’d chose to marry you, she says that you make her feel sweet, getting along with others, and are a hard worker. She’d said that she appreciates that you respect her opinions, yet she can trust you to make good decisions for your family: at this moment, your love for your bride is apparent, I challenge you to grow in that love as you grow old together in life; put her needs above your own and lead selflessly as you’d done putting the needs of civilians and troopers alike at utmost as captain. Mi Amore Cadenza, as is apparently today, your groom finds you beautiful; when asked why he’d chose you to be his wife, Shining Armor’s first response was ‘her smile’; in our conversation together, it became apparent that without you around, then the future would refuse to change. Shining Armor values your charisma and that you are supportive of him as a person and the things that her enjoys doing: there are going to be times when the seeds of doubt threaten to grow within you; remember that this man before you trusts you so grow in your trust for him. The two of you have an opportunity today to start your own family: you complement each other – where one is weak, the other is strong and should either of you fall, the other can be helped put back together up and running; these vows that you are about to commit are just words, but they cement forever your commitment to one another. Please join hands and face one another…”

“Okay…” Shining Armor said in a rough yet steady tenor nevertheless, heeding the woman in white’s words alongside Mi Amore Cadenza as well, “I, Shining Armor, take you, Mi Amore Cadenza, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor, and cherish until death do us part…”

“I, Mi Amore Cadenza, take you, Shining Armor, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor, and cherish until death do us part…” the tall bride responded in turn to her groom in red with a tender soprano of a higher octave than the likes of Princess Celestia straightaway no less.

Sure enough, both people took out some small rings as the woman in white had said, “Shining Armor and Mi Amore Cadenza have chosen to present ring to each other as a token of their promise: they are a visible sign of an inward bond which unites two hearts in endless love; Shining Armor and Mi Amore Cadenza, from this day forward, the two of you shall be one. Do you, Shining Armor, give this ring to Mi Amore Cadenza as a token of your love for her…?”

“Yes…” the titular listener had answered instantaneously, “I do…”

“Mi Amore Cadenza, will you wear this ring as evidence of your love for Shining Armor?” Princess Celestia asked the eponymous woman.

The tall bride had replied in kind, “yes, I will…”

“Shining Armor, please place the ring on Mi Amore Cadenza’s finger, hold it there, and repeat after me: ‘I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and with all that I am and al that I have I honor you’…” the woman in white had commanded; the groom in red heeded about as he were, “do you, Mi Amore Cadenza, give this ring to Shining Armor as a token of your love for him?”

“I do…” the aforementioned counterpart responded, now feeling a ring encrusted with five different jewels around her finger.

Princess Celestia turned back to Shining Armor and inquired, “Shining Armor, will you wear this ring as evidence of your love for Mi Amore Cadenza…?”

“I will…” the groom in red said, outstretching his hand towards his tall bride gently without touching either female already in close range, “thank you…”

“Mi Amore Cadenza, please place the ring on Shining Armor’s finger, hold it there, and repeat after me: ‘I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you’…” Princess Celestia spoke immediately to the titular woman, the latter now doing the same for the targeted tenant directly upfront for the former to bear witness all straightaway.

The squinting onlooker couldn’t help herself but to cry, her matching goldeneyes currently being supersaturated with achromatic fluids as her own sights were being blurred; nevertheless, she persisted in remaining focused onto the very couple adjacent to the likes of her, thinking of the imminent celebrations overall, “so this is it, a dream come true for them and them alone as is…”

“Shining Armor and Mi Amore Cadenza have pledged their love for each other, expressing their commitment before Providence and this gathering of friends and loved ones…” the white in white announced to the applause of an amicable audience afore them, “they’ve given themselves completely to each other and declared it publicity by the giving and receiving of rings. Acting in by virtue of the authority invested in me under the laws and ordinances within the nation of Equestria, I now pronounce you husband and wife; Shining Armor, you may now kiss the bride…”

At long last, both parties in attendance surrendered themselves to each other, embracing one another in their company as both sets of hands made contact with their targets’ backs instantly. Their cold eyes, which had been underlined by their blushing visage, were closed off as they’d finally touched each other on the lips, their mutual love had currently radiated about to no end. Even though many had cheered them both on, they couldn’t resist having the entire world around themselves slowing down to their collectively treasured heartbeat in synchronized swimming. Irregardless of the many people already bearing witness to the newlyweds’ osculation with ease, they’d felt as if they were the only people on this world that had mattered to one another at large.

Suddenly, without so much as any kind of warning whatsoever, but somehow as if on schedule, the blonde in silver had felt her body becoming drenched in sweat despite being high and dry; not only that, the air around herself started growing heavy in both density and quality as she’d smelled something acrid and smoky invading both of her nostrils in the meantime all the same.

“Derpy…!” a nearby voice escaped into the squinting onlooker ears, leaving with not even the slightest measurement for time to react, if at all, much less look off to find that it’d came from the man next to her directly, something in which had instantaneously caught her off–guard as everyone else was finally staring right at her directly after all this song and dance from earlier.

The eponymous woman found both fabrics and the fiber of her being subsequentially catching ablaze in an instant as fire sprung; of the many screaming masses whom had bore witness to the pain and suffering in just so little time overall, she’d got the worst: blackening by the heat, air, and light as they were fused together by the material fueling them, be if solid, liquid, and/or gas. Though nearby peers were shocked by the ordeal, they’d all struggled to put out the spontaneous combustion of the blond in silver; despite their best efforts, careless and otherwise, they were all unable to do so as her own attire was being consumed by the flames: this was more than enough for the likes of her to be writhing about as they were struggling to save her from the sheer chaos. This was nothing compared to what had came next, not only for Derpy herself but for the rest of the audience in question no less: more people, be if near and dear as well as those closest to the doors or windows were starting to catch ablaze almost immediately; even worse, not even the youngest of individuals were spared from the random terror that had befallen upon themselves.

Out of the many whom were now caught in the crossfire hurricane that was once the happiest day for the twosome in particular, the blonde in silver could still see one face within that crowd: it was one of the girls from earlier whom had resembled her the most, screaming and crying out for attention, freezing the former in place, “MOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMY…!”

“DINKY…!” Derpy wailed as they were burning bright at the expense of their lifespans, a rather common occurrence for them; even with the fire and flames eating them away, she’d struggled to reach out to her youngest daughter as is but to little avail: no matter how hard they’d both tried, gravity had forced them down on the ground alongside many of them, “PLEASE HANG ON…!”

Even Princess Celestia was unable to do anything to help anyone in attendance, despite not showing any emotion whatsoever: while everyone around her had been reduced to smoke and ash, she’d stood still as she was from the very beginning of it all no less; even now, her face had become unreadable as the crown upon her head started to melt away in due time so to speak of.