Sandbar and Ocellus' Love

Graduation Day at the School of Friendship had been a memorable day indeed as far as Ocellus was concerned. Not only had she been awarded a Golden Diploma and an offer to become a teacher at the very school that had nurtured her for the last three years, but she had also been granted citizenship to live in Ponyville indefinitely – and best of all, Sandbar had finally popped the question that same evening. Now, a year on from that day, she was back in Canterlot, this time at the castle, for the most important and special day of her and her coltfriend's lives.

She sat in front of the mirror, reflecting on how dramatically her life had changed as her mother helped her into the pink-tinted wedding dress Professor Rarity had made for her. Five or six years had passed since Chrysalis' fall from power, when Thorax managed to seize the throne and reform his entire kingdom; but even now, it amazed her to think how lucky she was. Under the last queen, she had been but a mere drone with no future to call her own, and yet King Thorax chose her, and not some young noble, to attend the School of Friendship on behalf of the nation over a year later. To add to that, she had gained a number of new friends and helped to prove the true worth of her kind (and others) to a bigoted education chancellor, and indeed to the whole world.

But the one thing she had least expected, when Thorax presented her to the new school, was to find true love here in Ponyville, much less with a pony. Now, she was about to take the final step in their relationship, a prospect which was already making her nervous. Spiracle sensed this, and placed a comforting hoof on her daughter's shoulder.

“Take it easy, sweetie,” she whispered. “There's nothing to be afraid of – you'll be alright.”

Ocellus sighed softly. “I sure hope so,” she murmured. “It's just such a big change, this whole getting married thing; and what if something goes wrong? Like, what if I trip up before I get to the altar, or...”

“I know,” soothed Spiracle. “I had the same worries back when your father and I were wed. And you're right, marriage is a big commitment, but think about it – you and Sandbar – with how close you've grown over the last four years, you might as well have been married already.” She paused for a moment, feeling a small tear pricking her eye. “I still can't believe this is finally happening. You, my eldest daughter...you really have grown up.”

In spite of her unease, Ocellus managed an emotional smile as she hugged her mother tightly. “Have I, though?” she observed. “There are still times when I feel like the same naïve, vulnerable changeling I used to be.”

“And yet here you are, about to tie the knot with your loved one,” replied Spiracle, drawing back to look her in the eye. “I can't tell you how happy I am for you, seeing the fine young mare you've become, and the love you share with Sandbar.”

Their attention was diverted at that point as Carapace knocked and came in. “My goodness, Ocellus,” he breathed, “you look beautiful.”

Ocellus blushed with pride. “Thanks, Dad. And you're looking pretty smart too,” she said, eyeing the white suit he was wearing.

“You know,” continued Carapace, “I'd always dreamed of my little girl finding love, but...I didn't think I'd be giving her away so soon.” A wistful glint registered in his eyes as he added, “And to such a fine young pony too. We sure are gonna miss you.”

So deeply touched was Ocellus that she forgot to be nervous, and drew both her parents into the biggest and fondest hug she could manage. “I love you both,” she sobbed, trying to hold back her tears lest she ruin the small amount of makeup she was wearing.

“We love you too, poppet,” said Spiracle affectionately, and Carapace hummed in agreement.

As the three changelings finally pulled apart, a polite cough from the doorway told them that Smoulder, whom Ocellus had chosen as her maid of honour, had just entered the dressing room. “Sorry to ruin the moment, guys,” she spoke up, “but we're all ready for you.”

“Oh...right.” Ocellus was beginning to feel nervous again; but with a concerted effort, she just about managed to swallow her fears and remind herself that this was what she wanted. With that in mind, she draped over her head the one remaining part of her outfit, in the form of a silken white veil. “Okay, Smoulder,” she said bravely, “I'm all set. Let's do this.”

Spiracle gave her one last hug before flitting off to her seat, and to the strains of the Wedding March from Fluttershy's bird choir and her music teacher Octavia's cello, the procession began making its way down the aisle. Smoulder led the way, followed closely by Lumbar as ring bearer, and by Axilla and Coral Currents who left a trail of flower petals ahead of the bride. Ocellus came next, with Carapace by her side, while the rest of her bridesmaids brought up the rear – first Hornette, a slightly older changeling and close friend of hers since foalhood, with Silverstream and her cousin Skystar coming next, then Yona, Gabby, Sweetie-Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and finally Babs Seed.

As Ocellus neared the altar, she saw an awestruck Sandbar gazing fondly upon her. A wave of nostalgia washed over her at this point; for apart from the white shirt and top hat and the sea-green bow tie, the white suit he was wearing resembled the tuxedo he had worn on their first date. That happy memory, combined with the loving glint in his eyes, almost brought tears to her eyes as she remembered what a wonderful time they had had. Pausing only to share a final nuzzle with her father before he went to sit next to Spiracle, she came to stand face-to-face with her beau, while her bridesmaids lined up behind her, with Smoulder and Hornette standing closest.

Sandbar's own entourage, appropriately, featured Gallus as his best man, the griffin having taken special leave from the Royal Guard Academy for the event. Other old friends present among his grooms-creatures were Spike, Rumble, Button Mash and Tender Taps, as well as Hornette's own significant other, Locomotion; he had been a close confidante to Sandbar ever since he and Ocellus became an item, and both couples had formed a small support group to help each other through their respective tribulations. Thorax and Pharynx had been an equally invaluable source of support to all four of them, and so they had no objections to attending as grooms-creatures themselves. Last but not least in the line-up was Silverstream's younger brother Terramar, whose friendship with Sandbar had built up over a shared love of the sea.

But for a fleeting moment, only Sandbar himself seemed to exist in Ocellus' mind. All remaining traces of doubt finally melted away as she stared into those handsome green orbs, reflecting his warm, affectionate smile with her own deeply touched expression. Indeed, so entranced were the young couple that they almost didn't hear Twilight Sparkle addressing the audience;

“When my closest friends and I started the School of Friendship four years ago, it was our intention that by making it accessible to any and all creatures – be they pony, zebra, dragon, yak, changeling, donkey, griffin, hippogriff or any other species – we would help spread the magic of friendship far beyond our borders. Little could I have known, of course, that the camaraderie nurtured there would lead to two of my finest students finding love; and for this reason, I consider it a great honour to oversee the union of Ocellus and Sandbar in the joyful bond of matrimony. While they are not the first such couple to take this final step in their relationship...”

Unseen by Sandbar and Ocellus, Locomotion and Hornette smiled knowingly to each other.

“...as their old headmare, this particular union is of extra special significance to me, and I would like to emphasise how proud I am of you both,” went on Twilight. “Now, I'm told you two have written your own vows for each other. Sandbar, would you like to read yours out first?”

Without taking his eyes off his bride, Sandbar nodded in reply. Gallus passed him a sheet of paper from his pocket, and the green Earth pony began to recite its contents; “Ocellus, when we first started studying at the School of Friendship, I was concerned that it would be nothing short of chaos. With so many culture clashes and such, it sure seemed that way in the beginning; but the longer we all spent together, the more we warmed to each other, and now I can't imagine how life might've been if none of us had ever met.

“You yourself struck a particular chord in me, one which grew into a resounding melody with every passing day. It still makes my heart bleed just thinking how timid and self-conscious you were on our first day; I had resolved in my heart to help all of you fit in, but you were always at the forefront of my mind, and seeing you blossom into the young mare you are now has warmed my heart far more than I can put into words. I can't think of any other creature I'd rather spend my life with, and I promise to be there for you forever and always, to love and care for you for as long as I live.”

Ocellus was so touched by his words that she could already feel emotional tears pricking at her eyes, and it took all her willpower to hold herself back from kissing him there and then. A light tap on her shoulder brought her back to reality as Smoulder handed her the notepad on which she had written her own vows, but though the blue changeling readily accepted it, she had to pause for a moment to compose herself before she began.

“Sandbar, I can't thank you enough for helping me thrive here. As much as I wanted to do King Thorax proud at the School of Friendship, I was afraid that my being a changeling would make me the biggest outcast on the campus. But then I met you and the rest of the gang.” She paused again, smiling sincerely at Gallus, Yona, Silverstream and Smoulder. “You all befriended me, helped me fit in, made me feel like I really belonged...but you especially gave me and the others the helping hoof we so desperately needed. That first Hearth's Warming we all spent together really lit a flame in my heart, and when you asked me out for that first date...” Her voice broke a little at this point, and Hornette had to pass her a handkerchief to dry her eyes.

“...it really was a dream come true. And believe me, I'd longed to find love just as much as the next changeling – as much as any creature alive, in fact. It was only when I started dating you that I began to realise what true love was all about, and I want to be able to show that love to you just as you show and feed it to me. And so, Sandbar,” finished Ocellus, her eyes still glistening with tears of joy and love, “I promise I shall stand by your side just as you have stood by mine, and I shall cherish and support you until I have breathed my last.”

Twilight smiled warmly, and turned her attention to the audience, “I trust there are no objections to this union?”

The only reply she got was the odd sniffle here and there as Spiracle, High Tide and a few others fought to hold back their own tears.

“I hoped as much. In that case, Sandbar, do you take Ocellus as your wife, to love, honour and obey in sickness and health, for better or worse, as long as you both shall live?”

“I sure do, Your Highness.” Now even Sandbar was starting to show a few tears, but he more than kept his composure as he spoke.

“Ocellus, do you take Sandbar as your husband, to love, honour and obey in sickness and health, for better or worse, as long as you both shall live?”

“I...I do,” faltered Ocellus.

Now, Twilight nodded to Lumbar, who stepped forward with two small boxes. “Now for the exchange of rings. Repeat after me, Sandbar, as you put this ring on Ocellus; I give you this ring...”

“I give you this ring...,” echoed Sandbar, picking up the ring.

“...as an unending symbol of the love we share...”

“...as an unending symbol of the love we share...,” Sandbar spoke around the ring held between his teeth.

“...which brought us together on this day...”

“...which brought us together on this day...” He leaned forward, and Ocellus bowed her head just enough for him to slip it onto her horn.

“...in front of our friends and family...”

“...in front of our friends and family...” Carefully, he positioned the ring over the tip of her horn and let it drop into place.

“...and will keep us together for as long as we live.”

“...and will keep us together for as long as we live.” With those final words, Sandbar straightened up again to meet eyes with his bride.

“Ocellus, repeat after me as you put this ring on Sandbar.”

Ocellus took the other ring, larger than her own, and repeated the same words as she levitated it onto Sandbar's right hoof. Finally, after what might have felt like an eternity – and then some, given the whole year they had waited for this day to come – Twilight uttered the last, life-changing words...

“And now, Sandbar and Ocellus, by the powers vested in me, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

A ripple of applause echoed throughout the hall as Ocellus finally let herself go. Levitating the veil away from her face, she all but launched herself at Sandbar even as he began to lean forward. The green Earth stallion was briefly taken by surprise, but quickly recovered, and both pony and changeling kissed with far greater passion than they had ever done before. Skystar and Silverstream both squealed with glee at this point, their joy punctuated by a happy chirp from the ever chipper Gabby, while Sweetie-Belle, Apple Bloom and Hornette finally let loose their own tears of pride for the young couple. Even Smoulder couldn't hold hers back. In the front row, Spiracle clung lovingly onto Carapace as they gazed with pride upon their daughter and their new son-in-law, whilst Beachcomber passed a handkerchief over to a teary-eyed High Tide.

With the ceremony over, the wedding party filed into the ballroom for the reception. In a nod to their very first date, Ocellus had suggested that Coriander Cumin and Saffron Masala be hired to provide the catering, to which both unicorns were only too happy to agree; thus the wedding breakfast constituted a motley collection of the finest Elephandian gourmet dishes. The only exception, of course, was the huge four-tier wedding cake complete with a waxwork topper in Sandbar and Ocellus' likeness; and once they had finished their main meal, everyone else watched as the young lovers both took hold of the knife and cut two slices out of the top layer, with Featherweight taking yet another of the photographs they had invited him to take that day. Then they each fed one slice to the other before offering some more to their guests.

There were of course speeches from both Ocellus and Sandbar, as well as their parents and some of their bridesmaids and grooms-creatures. Thorax and Hornette, old friends themselves, emphasised how proud they were of the younger changeling, with Pharynx adding that unions like these could really help to strengthen their cultural relations; Silverstream and Yona enthusiastically recounted some of their adventures together, whereas Gallus kept his short and straight to the point by simply congratulating the newly wedded couple; and Smoulder remarked how proud she was of how Ocellus had matured. Locomotion even pitched in with a stand-up comedy routine specially dedicated to the young couple, inviting them to laugh with him as he jokily sang their praises! After that, Octavia took up the stage with a solo performance on her cello as Sandbar and Ocellus took their first dance as a married couple.

A few dances later, when it came time for the bouquet toss, the unmarried females eagerly reached out as Ocellus flung it towards the waiting crowd; but none were more surprised than Smoulder when, despite her not bothering to join in, the bouquet landed right in her lap. Gallus chortled at this and jokingly suggested it was about time she went and found a drake to start dating with. Smoulder just scoffed in reply, not having the heart to mention that she and another dragon, Fume, had been an item for the past five months now.

It was well past midnight when the party finally wound down. One by one, the guests retired to their chambers, but not without wishing Sandbar and Ocellus a long, happy marriage. The young couple stayed behind a little longer to enjoy the peace and serenity of the night, and to bask in the throes of post-marital euphoria.

“Well, Celly,” whispered Sandbar fondly, “husband and wife at last.”

Ocellus purred warmly as she gave him a loving nuzzle. “Yes, Sandy,” she replied. “I'm so happy we made it this far. That was the best day of my life, bar none.”

“You and me both, ladybird.”

Silence fell once again over the newly-weds, and the only sounds that could be heard apart from the chirping of crickets, the hooting of the odd owl and the chirping of nightingales was that of a brass band playing somewhere in the distance.

“Sandy?”

“Yeah?”

Ocellus gazed into her new husband's eyes. “Reckon we could have one more dance before we turn in?”

Sandbar chuckled. “I don't see why not,” he decided, taking hold of her left hoof and wrapping his other arm around her barrel. Though faint, the music was just clear enough for them to keep a decent rhythm as they spent another few minutes waltzing in the moonlight, their eyes twinkling like the stars as each became lost in the other's gaze. The wedding itself may have come to an end, but as far as they were concerned, the story was only just beginning...