The Conjuration Wizard

The air was crisp as sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows of Canterlot Castle’s ballroom. Due to… recent events, Cadance and Shining opted for this change of venue. I had insisted that I had no issue with the prior one, but no one believed me.

In hindsight I’m glad they didn’t believe me, because I was lying. I’m not sure if I could have made it through the ceremony if I had to stand in the same room Aldin and I were murdered in.

I banished the thoughts with a shake of my head, and instead focused on my surroundings.

The faint scent of winter lingered in the air, mingling with the fragrance of fresh flowers meticulously arranged along the aisle. Rarity had done well with designing the décor. Guests filled the seats, a mix of mostly ponies, some thestrals, a few zebras, a pair of griffons, and a sole yak, all dressed in their finest attire. The murmurs of an antsy crowd carried through the room.

Standing beside Shining Armor at the altar, I adjusted the cuff of my sleeve with a bit of magic as I cast a glance toward him. His usually confident demeanor was marred by a nervous energy I had never seen on him before. His jaw tightened, his eyes roaming toward the large double doors at the end of the aisle, then back to the floor.

"Cold hooves?" I asked quietly while trying to keep my tone light.

Shining gave a weak chuckle, shaking his head but unable to meet my eye. "No, not cold hooves. Just... a lot to take in."

That was not very convincing at all.

I took a moment to plan my approach before I stepped slightly closer, keeping my voice low. "Why are you here, Shining?"

He blinked, finally looking at me. "What... what do you mean?"

I gestured subtly down the aisle, and towards the doors that Cadance would soon be walking through. "Why are you standing here, waiting for Cadance? Why not any other pony in Equestria? Why her?"

The question seemed to catch him off guard. His ears twitched as he thought, his expression softening in realization. "Because... she’s everything," he said after a moment. "She’s kind, strong, smarter than me most of the time... and she loves me for who I am. Even when I screw up, she’s there. She makes me better."

"Exactly," I said, offering him a small smile. "That’s why you’re here. Because you love her, and she loves you. Everything else? Just background noise."

Shining exhaled slowly, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. "Thanks. I needed to hear that."

I smirked, leaning in just enough to keep our conversation private. "Also, it’s a bit late to fake your death, so you’re kind of stuck with her now."

He stifled a laugh, shaking his head. "You’re the worst best man ever."

"In my defense: I am the only best man in Equis," I quipped. “Therefore I am both the best, and the worst.”

"Sure, buddy," Shining replied with a roll of his eyes. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

A wider smile etched itself onto my face as I flipped him the bird. “I’ll have you know, I don’t sleep at night."

The soft hum of conversation among the guests faded, replaced by a collective hush. The first strains of a sort of bridal march began to play, and all eyes turned to the grand doors as they swung open. Cadance appeared, radiant in a flowing white gown that shimmered in the sunlight. Her mane, styled with delicate curls, framed her face perfectly, and the love in her eyes bordered on the divine as she began her walk down the aisle.

I glanced at Shining, whose breath audibly caught as he saw her. His nerves were forgotten and cast away, replaced by pure love and awe. Cadance had slain his doubts with her existence alone.

Twilight Sparkle walked alongside Cadance, her expression a mix of pride, emotion, and nerves as she walked her sister-in-law-to-be down the aisle. Twilight held her head high and took measured steps as if determined to perform her role perfectly, but I could see the doubts she tried so hard to hide. Twilight was braver than I. I just have to stand here and try to look presentable, she had to walk Cadance down the aisle. Cadance’s every step exuded a joyful grace as they passed row after row of guests, many of whom wore soft smiles or dabbed at their eyes with tissues Rarity had so wisely seen fit to supply to each row prior.

Near the front, Twilight’s friends sat and watched intently.

Pinkie Pie leaned forward as if she could barely contain her excitement, while Rarity seemed to be trying — and failing miserably — at holding back tears of her own. Fluttershy sat beside Rainbow Dash, the latter seemed to be trying to dismiss the event in its entirety, and once Fluttershy fully turned her attention back to the proceedings, Rainbow began quickly dabbing at her eyes. Applejack, seated at the edge of the group, shot a quick glance towards her friends before smoothly placing a stetson atop her head and smiled as though she had just won some important bet.

I shifted my stance slightly, my eye catching on Shining as he stood rooted to the spot. Every ounce of Shining's attention was laser focused onto Cadance. For a stallion who commanded the entirety of the Solar Guard, he looked utterly unarmed in the face of love. The sight was strangely endearing.

Was this how I looked when I looked at Luna?

My eye instinctively sought her out.

Luna was seated near the front alongside Twilight’s friends. Luna and Celestia had decided early on to stick with their normal regalia, as to not show up the bride and groom at their own wedding, but still she stood out even among the fancier dressed ponies. Her eyes met my own briefly, a subtle smile playing at her lips, and the world seemed to narrow for a moment. The nearly silent hum of the guests, the music, even the significance of the ceremony — all of it faded as I held her gaze. It was as if she was silently informing me that no matter how elaborate or grand the moment may be, my heart belonged to her.

Cadance interrupted my line of thought as she stepped closer to Shining, her gaze fixed on him. Twilight gave her an encouraging smile, along with some hushed words, before stepping aside to take her seat with her friends. Shining’s posture straightened, his expression turned soft as Cadance ascended the short platform to stand beside him. The music eased to a halt, leaving the room cloaked in expectant silence.

Princess Celestia stood tall behind the soon-to-be-wed couple. She spread her wings slightly, a gesture that commanded attention without the need of a single word. The window behind her produced a ray of sunshine that made her regalia softly glow as her melodious voice filled the room.

"Dear friends and family," she began, "we gather here today to celebrate the union of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Captain Shining Armor, two souls whose love has inspired us all. Their bond reminds us that love is not merely a feeling but a choice — a commitment to stand by one another through all of life’s challenges and triumphs."

As Celestia continued, I felt an unexpected stirring in my chest. Her words weren’t just mere ceremony; they resonated within me deeply, as though each word was being whispered directly to my heart and soul alike. My gaze drifted back to Luna, who was watching the proceedings with a serene intensity. Memories of our shared moments surfaced unbidden — the nights spent in bouts of sparring and constellations, our shared confessions of love, the passion that seemed to always sweetly burn in our moments together, the first time I preened her wings, the promise of a future filled with peace and love we’d dreamt of together, and so much more.

A thought bloomed with a intensity in my mind: I want this with her.

Not just the shared moments or the love that had grown between us — I wanted the commitment, the declaration. To stand beside her, not just as her consort, but as her husband. The realization was a steady flame that warmed every inch of me from within, and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that this was what I wanted more than anything.

Celestia’s voice drew my attention back to the ceremony as she motioned toward me. She had said something, and although I did not hear it, I knew what must be done.

I stepped forward, careful not to fumble as I held up the small velvet pillow bearing the golden circlets. Shining and Cadance exchanged vows, their words heartfelt and unshaken, even as their voices carried their love. Shining’s magic lifted Cadance’s ring, his aura steady as he placed it on her horn. The motion was mirrored by Cadance who did the same, her movements steady despite the glistening in her eyes.

"In the presence of those who love you," Celestia declared, a soft smile breaking her usual composed demeanor, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may share your first kiss as a married couple."

Shining stepped closer to Cadance, his eyes never leaving hers. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Then their lips met, and the room erupted in a cacophony of stomping, applause, and cheers. It was a kiss filled with tenderness and joy, a sort of promise in of itself.

My remaining hand found its way to Promise’s pommel. My thumb traced the shape of Luna’s crescent moon that rested there as I stepped back to give them more space. My gaze roamed to Luna again, who met my eye with a knowing look. She smiled — not the polite one she wore for the public, but the one that she reserved just for me.

My heart swelled, a quiet thought crystallizing in my mind amidst the boisterous celebration.

Someday, Luna… us too.

The stomping, applause, and cheering continued even as Shining and Cadance parted. Their foreheads rested together for a brief moment as they whispered words belonging to no one but themselves, and shared smiles bright enough to outshine the daylight streaming through the grand hall’s stained-glass windows. The guests began to rise, the atmosphere charged with excitement for the next part of the celebration. My duty as the best man wasn’t over yet, but for now, the attention shifted entirely to the newlyweds as they descended the platform to take their first steps together as husband and wife.

Their destination was the dance floor for the first dance. Mine was to Luna.

I moved through the throng of departing guests, slipping between clusters of chatter and laughter alike, my focus fixed ahead. The air was alive with post-ceremony energy, but my attention was solely on Luna who was waiting near the edge of the seating area. Her eyes caught mine immediately, as they always did. Whether it was some shared instinct or her ability to sense me as effortlessly as I felt her presence, she never failed to find me.

Then again, it might just be the fact that I towered over most ponies, and stood out even more by not being one.

“Sebastian,” she greeted as I approached, her voice soft but carrying its usual strength. There was warmth in her eyes, a quiet pride that tugged at something deep in my chest. “You performed admirably.”

“Just doing my job,” I replied with a small grin. “Though, between you and me, I think they might have stolen the show.”

Her lips curved into a smile, one that made me wish the crowd around us would vanish entirely so that we could be alone. “As it should be.”

I offered her my arm, and she accepted it gracefully, her silver-shod hoof slipping into the crook of my elbow as if it had always belonged there. Together, we turned toward the center of the hall, where a cleared space awaited for Shining and Cadance’s first dance. The musicians began to tune their instruments, the soft notes weaving through the air as the guests formed a wide circle around the space.

Shining led Cadance to the center, his every movement were almost reverent, as if he couldn’t quite believe this moment was real. The music swelled, and they began to dance. It was a slow and deliberate dance, their steps perfectly synchronized. Their eyes never left each other, an expression of joy and contentment plastered onto both of their faces.

Standing beside Luna, I felt her lean slightly into me, and I found myself matching the motion. I glanced at her, catching the subtle tilt of her head as she watched the couple with a soft expression on her face. The way her eyes softened, the gentle tilt of her head — it was a look of genuine happiness for the pair before us. But it also reminded me of the moments we’d shared in solitude, away from the pomp and spectacle.

I could see it in my mind's eye... a cottage tucked away from it all. Where the only problems that reached us were snow, logs for the fire, and where we would like to cuddle to watch the rise and fall of her moon.

It was impossible to look away from her.

“Do you think they’ll last?” I asked quietly, making sure my voice was low enough not to disturb the moment.

Luna turned her gaze to me, one brow arching slightly. “Do you doubt their bond?”

“Not in the slightest,” I admitted with a shake of my head. “Just curious what you think.”

Her smile returned, small but genuine. “I think their love is strong. Like all relationships, it will face its trials, but their foundation is more than solid enough to weather any trial.”

I nodded, her words resonating more than I expected. “Good answer. They’re a good match,” I said quietly, my gaze shifting back to Shining and Cadance.

“They are,” Luna agreed, her voice carrying a wistful note. “It is rare to see such harmony between two souls.”

I nodded, my mind wandering to the thought that had taken root during the ceremony. Noctra was right. Luna deserved more than stolen moments of time or the shared dreams of a distant cabin. No, she deserved everything. The vows, the commitment, the dance that spoke of our love in a way that words could not match.

Before I could put voice to any of it, the song drew to a close, and Shining and Cadance finished with a flourish, the room erupting into applause once more. They turned to their guests, both a little breathless but beaming all the same, and made their way to their seats at the head table.

The band struck up a lighter tune, signaling the start of the open dance floor, but for now, the focus shifted to the meal ahead. The guests began to find their seats, the sound of chairs scraping against the floor mingling with laughter and chatter.

Luna and I followed suit, taking our places at a table close to the newlyweds. As I settled into my chair, my thoughts lingered on the quiet moment we’d shared and the desire that had solidified in my heart.

Dinner was a spread worthy of royalty, yet it felt personal in its details. It was a culinary representation of Shining Armor and Cadance’s love for those they held dear. Platters of roasted vegetables, spiced bread, and an array of decadent cakes adorned the tables. The conversation flowed easily, laughter punctuating the warm hum of voices as guests shared stories, their joy evident in every glance toward the happy couple.

I ate slowly, savoring this rare moment of peace, my gaze often drifting to Luna. Her expression was serene, yet her eyes sparkled with a quiet joy that made my chest tighten. She caught me staring at one point and smirked, tilting her head as if to say, ‘Caught you.’ I returned her smirk with a wink, then I realized that I couldn’t wink in a way that made sense anymore. So instead, I wiggled my eyebrows.

I turned my attention to my plate as Luna held back a giggle.

Twilight Sparkle rose to her hooves not long after dessert was served. Her nervous energy made apparent by the way she quickly hid note cards under the table, and adjusted her mane with a burst of magic before speaking. “If I could have everypony’s attention?”

The room fell quiet, all eyes on her. She cleared her throat, glanced at her brother, then began. “I’ve always looked up to my brother. He’s been my hero, my protector, and my best friend since I was a filly. I didn’t think it was possible for him to be any happier than when he was helping others, whether it was as Captain of the Guard or just being my BBBFF—” she grinned sheepishly at the abbreviation, drawing soft chuckles from the crowd, “—but then Cadance came into his life.”

Her gaze softened as she looked at the newlyweds. “You brought out a side of Shining I hadn’t seen before. A softer, sillier, and loving side. You make him better, Cadance, just as I know he’ll strive every day to make you happier than the last.”

Her voice wavered slightly, and I realized that she was sneaking peeks at her note cards. She gave them a look before tossing them away, and pressing on without them. “Your love is inspiring, and it gives me hope for the kind of connection I want to find someday. I love you both, and I wish you a lifetime of happiness.”

Applause filled the room as Twilight sat down, her cheeks flushed but her smile wide. Shining reached over to pat her hoof in thanks, and Cadance nodded with a warmth that seemed to light up the entire hall.

I leaned back in my chair, feeling the weight of expectation press down on me. Shining caught my eye, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. “You sure you don’t want to say anything, Sebastian?”

I groaned inwardly but pushed my chair back, rising to my feet all the same. “Fine,” I muttered, earning a childish laugh from Shining. I stepped around the table, the room quieting once more as I faced the guests and gave them all a once over.

“I told Shining I wasn’t going to give a speech,” I began, sweeping my gaze over the crowd. “But, well, he’s not going to let this one go. So, fuck it, here goes nothing.” That earned a round of chuckles, Shining’s the loudest among them.

I turned toward him, and his grin faltered slightly, replaced by something a little more genuine. “From the moment I stepped foot into Canterlot, you’ve been there. Not just as a captain, but as a friend. You’ve got a good heart, Shining, and Cadance — well, she’s the princess of love for a reason. She must know something I don’t.”

I flashed a smile at Shining before I turned to Cadance. “Cadance, thank you for loving this fool. He’s lucky to have you. But, between you and me, we’re all lucky you’re the one keeping him in line.”

The crowd laughed again, Shining groaning in mock protest while Cadance grinned triumphantly. I let the humor settle before continuing, and I let my tone take on a more soft and serious inflection. “You two are the kind of pair that makes the rest of us believe in something bigger than ourselves. You don’t just love each other — you make love seem like the easiest, most natural thing in the world.”

I raised my glass, the gesture mirrored by the guests. “To Shining and Cadance: may your days be filled with laughter, your nights with peace, and your lives with the kind of love that brought us all here today.”

A cheer went up as glasses clinked around the room. I caught Shining’s eyes one last time as I sat down, and the gratitude there needed no words.

The clinking of glasses faded into the hum of conversation, the crowd resuming their celebratory chatter. I leaned back in my seat, taking a long pull from my own glass as Shining and Cadance shared a quiet moment at the head table, their gazes locked in that unspoken language used only by the deeply in love.

Luna leaned in close, her voice low but warm. “A fine speech, my love. You did them proud.”

I smirked, turning my head slightly to meet her gaze. “Didn’t think I had it in me, did you?”

Her hoof lightly brushed against my knee beneath the table. “I never doubted you.”

The touch lingered for a heartbeat before she pulled away, leaving behind a warmth that left me yearning for more. In a vain attempt to take my mind off the sensation, I shifted my focus to the banquet before us. The spread of food was meticulously tailored to the tastes of those closest to the newlyweds.

Across the table, Celestia was engaged in conversation with Twilight, though her attention frequently drifted to the towering slices of cake on her plate. Each forkful of cake disappeared with a level of efficiency that bordered on the comical, though no one dared to comment — likely out of reverence, or perhaps they knew better to get in the way of Celestia’s great cake exodus.

Luna noticed my amused look and leaned in once more, her voice tinged with mischief. “Careful, my moonlight. She may be my sister, but even I would think twice before coming between her and her desserts.”

I chuckled, grabbing a moon cake from the small tray beside us and holding it out to her. “Good thing I enjoy the superior desert.”

She accepted the treat with a sly smile, her hoof brushing against my hand as she took it. “Wise as ever.”

We shared the moon cake in comfortable silence, the chocolate filling and flaky crust were a simple pleasure amidst the grandeur of the reception. It wasn’t lost on me how much Cadance and Shining had gone out of their way to include touches like this — little gestures that made the extravagant nature of the event feel far more personal and down to earth than it had any right to be.

From across the room, Shining caught my eye, lifting his glass in a subtle salute. I mirrored the gesture with a slight nod before turning my attention back to Luna.

The music shifted, transitioning into a tune that felt similar to the one from our recent nights of practice. Luna’s ears perked, and her expression softened as she turned to me. “Sebastian,” she said, her voice just loud enough to be heard over the growing hum of music. “Would you care to join me on the dance floor?”

The question was simple, but it set my heart racing. I set my glass down, my gaze meeting hers as the familiar melody began to drift through the hall.

“I thought you’d never ask,” I said, offering her my hand.

Luna’s lips curled into a soft smile as she stepped closer. She placed her hoof lightly in my palm, a gesture less about practicality and more about the connection it represented. Together, we made our way toward the dance floor. With Luna at my side, the whirl of celebratory energy that infused the dance floor and its occupants felt far less overwhelming.

The music shifted, transitioning into a slow and elegant waltz. It struck me then, this was the very same song from our first night of practice. The rhythm was familiar and comforting after so many recent hours of nightly dances. As we reached the center of the floor, the other couples graciously stepped aside, their curious gazes lingering but respectful.

Luna turned to face me, her eyes meeting mine with a warmth that seemed to banish the world around us. Even now it surprised me just how much of a hold she had on me with just a simple look.

Those eyes that promised me that she loved me. Those eyes that promised me that I was normal. Those eyes that promised me that everything was going to be alright.

A smile I didn’t even realize I had, widened as I placed my left hand on her shoulder. Her hoof rested gently at my waist, the contact as natural now as breathing.

The first notes of the melody swelled, and we began to move.

Her steps were as fluid in dance as they were in sparring. She led the dance with the grace of someone who had danced beneath the stars far longer than I. I followed her lead, the movements halfway to instinctive now after so many nights spent under her patient tutelage. My feet slid forward in time with her hooves, our motions synchronized as though we shared the same heartbeat.

"See?" she murmured, her voice low enough for only me to hear. "You are a decent dancer after all."

I smirked as I met her gaze. "Only because my teacher refuses to accept failure."

Her laugh was soft, a private melody meant just for me. "And you would do well to remember it."

The room around us seemed to fade, the vibrant colors and muted conversations dissolving into the periphery. All that remained was the music, her steady presence, and the rhythm we forged together. The other dancers rejoined us, their movements forming a flowing current around our shared center, but it was as if we danced on a separate plane of existence altogether.

Luna’s mane shimmered with starlight as it trailed behind her, the motion mirroring the sweep of her steps. I adjusted my pace to match hers. My hand was firm on her shoulder, guiding with a level of confidence that should’ve surprised me, but it all felt so natural now. She smiled, her approval clear in the slight nod she gave as we slid smoothly into a turn.

The dance wasn’t without its challenges — my foot occasionally drifted too far or a step landed a fraction off-beat — but each time, Luna corrected me with an effortlessness that made the stumbles feel inconsequential. As it turns out: a few hours over a few nights of practice does not turn you into an amazing dancer.

"You have greatly improved," she whispered as we executed another turn, her voice carrying a quiet pride that warmed my heart.

"Couldn’t let my Luna down, now could I?"

The term of endearment made her eyes sparkle. "No, you could not."

As the music swelled toward its crescendo, I once again found myself caught in the depth of her eyes, their cyan hues shimmering like a quiet sea under the light of the moon. It was strange what my mind registered in moments like these: the rhythm of the waltz, the nearly silent sounds of her breathing, and the faintest rustling of her wings as they shifted with our dance.

Words slipped from me, and came without thought. “You’ve made me love this.”

Her mouth curved into the kind of smile that made my heart ache in the most wonderful way. “And you have made me love it anew.”

The final note lingered before the music was entirely drowned out by a chorus of applause from the gathered guests. Luna leaned in, her lips brushing softly against mine in a kiss that was soft, unhurried, and as natural as the night sky she commanded. The taste of moon cake and fruity red wine lingered as she pulled back, her smile holding the key to my heart.

"Thank you, Sebastian," she said, her voice as gentle as the night. "For trusting me."

The applause ebbed into a murmur as the next song began, a far softer melody that invited the couples lingering on the dance floor to stay. Luna’s hoof remained at my waist, her touch might as well had been upon my heart. My hand was still on her shoulder, and I let myself savor the moment before we moved again, the faint scent of lavender and night air that always seemed to follow her filling the space between us.

“Trusting you was the easy part,” I said with words meant only for her. “You’re the reason I’m here at all.”

She tilted her head slightly, her mane cascading like a river of stars down her neck. “And do you regret it?”

I let out a soft laugh as I guided us into the gentle rhythm of the new song. “Not a chance. If anything, I should thank you.”

Her brow arched, a silent prompt for me to continue.

“You’ve made me forget.” I paused, searching for the words that didn’t feel like they could ever do justice to what I felt. “Forget that I’m not… normal. Out here, with you, it’s like none of it matters. Not the scars, not what’s missing — just this. Just us.”

Luna’s eyes softened, and her hoof slid from my waist to rest lightly over my heart. Her voice, when it came, was quiet but unyielding in its resolve. “You are normal, Sebastian.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but her hoof pressed just slightly firmer against my chest, effectively silencing me.

“You are normal,” she repeated, her tone resolute. “In every way that matters. Do not let anyone, not even yourself, convince you otherwise.”

The lump in my throat made speaking impossible, so I nodded instead. Her gaze lingered on mine for a moment longer before her lips curved into a small smile.

“And besides,” she added with a playful glint in her eyes, “it would take far more than your so-called imperfections to diminish my consort’s presence on the dance floor.”

Her playful teasing drew an unexpected laugh from me as we transitioned effortlessly into the next step, the rhythm of the music guiding us like waves lifting a ship. The world around us blurred into irrelevance; if there were eyes on us, they no longer were a concern of mine.

In this fleeting moment, there was only Luna — the gentle warmth in her voice, the spark of love in her eyes, and the sense that she alone could piece together what felt broken and lost within me.

At least, for as long as the moment lasted.

Now, if only this moment could last forever.