Celestial Era 1001

On the train from Ponyville to Canterlot.

"Shining Armor is getting married and he only just told me. Has he forgotten about his sister?" Twilight stared out the train window, resting her face on her hoof, still upset about the wedding.

The little dragon sitting next to her, Spike, dared not speak. He had never seen Twilight this angry before.

Twilight's new friends from Ponyville were different. Fluttershy chatted with the chirping birds on her hooves, Rarity was daydreaming about becoming a Canterlot fashion icon, Rainbow Dash was bragging to Pinkie Pie and Applejack about her plans to perform a Sonic Rainboom at the wedding, while Pinkie listened excitedly, and Applejack sat quietly, watching her friends chat. Everyone was excited about the upcoming wedding.

"Spike, why don't you come sit with us?" Applejack noticed Twilight's mood and wanted to give her some space.

Spike cautiously poked Twilight, seeking her approval.

"Go ahead and join the girls, Spike. I'm fine, don't worry about me," Twilight agreed, but it was clear from her tone that she was in a bad mood.

"Come on, Spike, sit over here," Applejack tapped the seat next to Rainbow Dash, signaling Spike to sit there.

"Hey, come over here. Not every dragon gets to sit next to the greatest Pegasus of all time," Rainbow Dash beckoned Spike.

The little dragon wobbled over and sat next to Rainbow Dash.

"Twilight seems really upset," Spike said, still worried about her.

"Don't worry, sugarcube. Everypony gets like this sometimes. She'll feel better once we get to the wedding," Applejack reassured him, and Rainbow Dash added, "Yeah, just imagine the awesome Sonic Rainboom at the wedding. That'll get everypony excited."

"And the party, woohoo!" Pinkie Pie suddenly jumped in front of Spike, confetti bursting out from nowhere.

"Oh darling, you've lived with Twilight for so long. Perhaps you could tell us more about Shining Armor?" Rarity was pulled out of her daydream by the commotion.

"Yeah, kid, tell us about the groom. What's he like?" Rainbow Dash was curious too.

"Uh, sure," Spike began to recall. "Shining Armor was Twilight's best pony friend before she came to Ponyville. He's a white unicorn with a blue streaked mane, and his cutie mark is a shield with a six-pointed star. He's really strong, able to chase off bullies with a single hoof. Like Twilight said, he's her 'BBBFF'—Big Brother Best Friend Forever. They were inseparable.

Shining Armor always dreamed of becoming a soldier, and when I was three, he joined the Royal Guard. After that, Twilight saw him less often. When we got the assignment from the Princess to come to Ponyville, Shining Armor personally saw us off. That was a year ago, and it was the last time we saw him."

"Darling, isn't there something missing from that story?" Rarity wasn't satisfied with Spike's tale.

"Yeah, Sugarcube, you haven't told us how he met the bride," Applejack prompted.

"Princess Mi Amore Cadenza!" Pinkie Pie added.

"Sorry, but I don't know any Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. In my memory, Shining Armor had a great relationship with Aunt Cadance," Spike explained.

"Why 'Aunt' Cadance? Is she old?" Pinkie bluntly asked.

"She's about the same age as Shining Armor, but she took care of Twilight when she was little and helped look after me too, so I call her Aunt Cadance."

"Aunt Cadance is a very kind pony," Spike continued. "By the way, she's also an alicorn, known as the Princess of Love."

"Ooh, Princess of Love. So she must be really good at taking care of kids," Pinkie speculated.

"Of course. She's the best foalsitter in Canterlot. She only took care of me for a few days, but having her around was really lucky. Before I met Aunt Cadance, I thought no pony in Canterlot liked me. But she told me every pony deserved to be loved, and that includes dragons. It was the first time I felt love from somepony other than Twilight," Spike replied.

"But darling, if Shining Armor had such a great relationship with her, why did he choose Princess Mi Amore Cadenza as his bride?" Rarity asked.

"Maybe, I don't know, a lot must have happened in between, I guess," Spike shook his head.

The train gradually emerged from a tunnel, and the piercing sound of the whistle echoed. Sunlight streamed through the windows again.

"Look, we're almost at Canterlot," Daisy jumped into the air, pointing out the window.

"Can somepony explain the bubble around Canterlot?" Applejack pointed to the pink shield outside.

"Oh! I know, I know. That's to prevent a Changeling invasion. But it'll break in a couple of days, like a balloon, pop," Pinkie started to act crazy again.

"Darling, what's a Changeling? How do you know that?" Pinkie always left everypony puzzled.

"I guessed. Woohoo!" She bounced away.

"So, when we get to Canterlot, you guys help with the wedding preparations, and I host the bachelor party, right?" Spike asked.

"Party!" Pinkie Pie suddenly popped out of nowhere again, complete with confetti.

"Pinkie!" everypony called out.

"Oh, sorry."

"Of course, Sugarcube. We'll come to your bachelor party," Applejack straightened her hat.

"One question?"

"Yes, darling?"

"What's a bachelor party?"

...

That night

"Twilight, I think you might be a bit too attached to your brother," Applejack accused.

"I'm not overly attached to my brother, and I'm not deliberately against Princess Cadance. You're all too busy helping to notice that there shouldn't be this wedding at all!" Twilight angrily knocked over the drinks on the table.

"Twilight," Spike tried to comfort her, but the unicorn had already turned and left.

"It's alright, sugarcube. Let her be alone for a bit," Applejack reassured Spike.

The five ponies quietly cleaned up the table and finished their dinner.

"Spike, do you need me to walk you back to your room?" Rarity asked.

"We still have to rehearse for the wedding, but maybe you should get some sleep."

Spike agreed.

Rarity carried the little dragon on her back and took him to his and Twilight's room.

"Goodnight, dear," Rarity elegantly waved to Spike before gently closing the door.

Spike smiled and waved back at his goddess, but his smile quickly faded. Now, Spike felt an indescribable sadness, maybe even regret. He was still worried about Twilight, not understanding why she was so unhappy with the wedding when everypony else was so excited. He couldn't comprehend why Twilight was so stubborn.

The little dragon lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, blaming himself for not comforting her. Maybe he wasn't a good friend, maybe he hadn't fulfilled his responsibilities as a friend.

The clock on the wall ticked away, and the moonlight slowly crept in through the window. It was already ten o'clock at night, and Twilight hadn't returned yet. Spike was getting anxious.

"Maybe I should go find her," Spike decided.

He pushed open the door and ran out, just in time to meet his friends.

"Hi, Fluttershy, hi, Pinkie. Hi, everypony," Spike greeted them. "Why are you back so late?" He noticed their drooping faces and their apparent unhappiness.

"Just, uh, had a little mishap," Rainbow Dash forced a smile.

"A mishap? Where's Twilight?" Spike looked behind them, not seeing Twilight.

"Sugarcube, it's like this. Twilight may have gotten a bit out of control, and Princess Celestia asked her to stay in the hall and reflect," Applejack explained, trying not to upset the little dragon.

"Darling, maybe I should stay with you tonight. Twilight might be there all night," Rarity suggested, trying to make him feel better.

"Actually, you can come to my room," Fluttershy offered, her voice getting quieter.

"Pick me, pick me!" Pinkie thought it was some sort of competition.

"No, I want to go find her," Spike pushed past the ponies, wanting to run out.

"But Spike..."

"No buts, I have to go," Applejack was about to stop him, but Spike interrupted her.

Seeing his stubbornness, they didn't try to hold him back.

Spike ran out.

Having just quarreled with Twilight, the five ponies felt awkward about following him.

"It's so late, he'll be alright, won't he?" Fluttershy asked.

"Don't worry, the castle is full of guards. With the Royal Guard watching, everypony is safe," Rainbow Dash tried to alleviate her concerns, "When I was his age, I could fly around the Everfree Forest alone."

Huff...huff...huff... Spike ran towards the hall. Who knew what could happen if Twilight was alone? Spike quickened his pace, running down the garden corridor. He could already see the shadow of the hall.

"Ouch!" Spike ran straight into a suddenly appearing pony, and they both fell to the ground.

"Who dares bump into this princess?" The pony flipped onto her side, stood up with her forelegs on the ground, and looked very angry.

Spike, seeing stars, struggled to sit up, realizing it was Princess Cadance in front of him.

"Aunt Cadance! I'm sorry, I didn't see you there," Spike quickly apologized.

Cadance noticed her outburst

and quickly changed her demeanor. "I mean, it's alright. Why are you out running around at night?"

Luckily, no pony had seen her outburst.

"I'm looking for Twilight. I heard Princess Celestia asked her to stay in the hall and reflect. I'm worried about her," Spike explained.

"Oh, you're looking for my future sister-in-law? Yes, she's in the hall," Cadance tried to sound friendly. "But you can't see her right now."

"Why?" Spike asked.

"Because... because..." The alicorn struggled to find a suitable reason. She couldn't lock up Spike again, or she'd be exposed.

"Because I asked her to prepare a secret surprise for the wedding tomorrow. Yes, she can't let anypony know until it's ready," the alicorn put on a big, fake smile.

"But my friends said Princess Celestia punished her."

"That must be a cover story. After all, it's a secret," Cadance explained hurriedly. She couldn't let Spike find out that Twilight was already locked up.

"Um?" Spike looked at the flustered Cadance. After hesitating for a couple of seconds, he chose to believe her. After all, when had Aunt Cadance ever lied to him? "I see. Then maybe I'll apologize to her after the wedding tomorrow."

"That's right, good boy," Cadance breathed a sigh of relief, patting the little dragon's head.

"Aunt Cadance?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think Twilight will forgive me?" Spike looked at her with a pitiful expression.

"Such a cute little dragon, she certainly will," she answered vaguely, knowing nothing about the little dragon.

"Is Twilight very important to you?" Cadance wasn't sure if she should ask this question.

"She's my family," Spike told her. "Although Shining Armor, Velvet, Night Light, and you will be too, it's different. She's the most special. I don't want her to be sad. She was very strange today, and I just stood by and watched."

"Oh." Cadance didn't know what to say. She suddenly felt sad. She was about to destroy this child's family, and she didn't know how many families she'd destroy tomorrow for her people.

"Can I walk you back?" Cadance offered.

"Really? Of course! Everypony says you're busy with the wedding. I've wanted to talk to you, but I didn't dare," Spike was lifted onto her back by Cadance's magic.

"I've always wanted to thank you for taking care of me when I was little. Although Twilight wasn't there, you made me feel not alone at all, Aunt Cadance," Spike hugged her on her back.

"Is that so?" The alicorn tried to pretend she knew what he was talking about.

"You took me out to play, introduced me to other ponies, made friends, told them dragons aren't dirty or scary, bought me donuts, put me to bed. You made me feel loved by another pony for the first time. You're the best foalsitter in the world," Spike was grateful to see her again.

Cadance suddenly stopped, stunned for a moment, and whispered, "We aren't either."

"Aunt Cadance, what did you say?"

"Oh, nothing. I said, thank you," the alicorn continued walking. "Would you like to be my ring bearer?"

"Really? I'd love to!"

...

Tomorrow, tomorrow, it would all end. She would no longer have to endure this torment, no longer have to pretend.

But she was a little afraid. How would she face him tomorrow?

The day of the wedding

Just as Princess Celestia was conducting the fake Cadance's wedding, Twilight arrived in time with the real Cadance, exposing the demon's disguise.

A burst of green light revealed the fake Cadance's dark face.

"Yes, I am Queen Chrysalis of the Changelings. My duty is to find love for my subjects. Equestria is the place with the most love I've ever seen, so today, it will become my feast for my people."

"No, you won't!" Princess Celestia stood up.

"Shining Armor may be unable to cast his protection spell, but you've foolishly exposed yourself," the princess's majestic voice echoed in the hall.

"I will protect my subjects from the Changelings!" The white alicorn charged forward, her horn clashing with the black, decayed horn of the Changeling Queen.

Two powerful forces collided, and the princess representing light and the sun leapt into the air. Her terrifying talent for controlling the sun gathered immense magical energy in her horn. Everypony present was fortunate to witness their ruler's true power.

The blinding light of the white alicorn's magic was like a sun, and the storm-like magical energy shot at the dark creature on the ground, determined to purify everything.

Chrysalis was not to be outdone. Green Changeling magic erupted from her horn, and the ancient power of the Changelings clashed with the holy light magic.

In a violent explosion, the most unexpected outcome occurred: the sun had set, and the princess convulsed and fell to the ground. The love energy absorbed from Shining Armor helped Chrysalis defeat the ruler of Equestria.

"Princess!" The girls ran over, surrounding her.

Twilight never expected things to turn out this way. Her beloved mentor was now lying injured before her.

"Find the Elements of Harmony and use them to defeat Queen Chrysalis," the princess gave Twilight her final instructions before passing out.

"Hahaha—who would have thought Shining Armor's love for Cadance was so strong? I am now the most powerful in Equestria," Chrysalis laughed wickedly.

The girls took the opportunity to run out, sprinting towards the room where the Elements of Harmony were stored.

"Run as far as you can," Chrysalis pointed to the sky outside. Her Changeling army had already broken through the castle defenses.

"I've dreamed of this day since I was a child," Chrysalis approached Cadance.

"You won't succeed. Twilight and her friends will stop you," Cadance gritted her teeth, ready to surprise her with her horn. But Chrysalis dodged easily. She was too strong now, and her enhanced magic made her reactions much quicker.

"I think you should stay put." Chrysalis's horn glowed with magic, a beam fixing Cadance in place. "Don't worry, I'll enjoy you later. Hahaha—"

Her Changeling forces had already entered the city. A squad of guards entered the hall, awaiting her command.

"Put her in a cocoon," Chrysalis pointed to the fallen white alicorn. She couldn't let her escape.

"Your Majesty, we caught a dragon," two guards brought the little dragon forward.

Spike had been paralyzed by fear since the fighting started. The guilt over Twilight, the fake Cadance, Princess Celestia's defeat, and the Changeling forces chasing the girls—it all happened too suddenly, like a nightmare. He clung to Shining Armor's leg, hoping he could protect them again, but he was now under the queen's control.

"Put him down," the queen ordered, approaching him.

"Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you. You did nothing wrong, they did," the queen lowered herself, lifting Spike's chin with her hoof, making him look at her.

"You destroyed my home!" Spike suddenly burst out, raising his claw to strike Chrysalis.

Chrysalis's green magic instantly restrained him. "This isn't your home. Ponies will never see a dragon as family, just as they once treated us Changelings. We faced only discrimination and oppression!"

"What?" Spike's eyes widened.

"Ponies have the greatest resources: the sun and the moon. They control the most land in the world, the sky. They control the weather, the seasons. Do you know why only they have such power, while other races can only live as their dependents?"

"They took everything from us, including everything from your dragon kind. They became the rulers of the world, and we barely survived."

"Come with me, little dragon. I'll take back what we lost." Chrysalis gently lowered Spike from the air.

"No, ponies are kind. They couldn't have done that!" Spike didn't believe her.

"Think about how they treat you! Besides Twilight, do any ponies respect you or love you?"

Spike remembered the strange looks, mockery, and bullying from ponies in Canterlot.

But he saw Princess Cadance next to him.

"My friends do! And you hurt them!" Spike shouted angrily.

"Spike, no!" Princess Cadance spoke, afraid he would provoke Chrysalis.

"You should worry about yourself!" Chrysalis's magic sealed Cadance's mouth.

"You'll understand!" Chrysalis turned away.

"Guards! Watch him, but don't harm him."

"Yes!"

Chrysalis looked out the window. Most of Canterlot's ponies had been captured. Her subjects would have an endless supply of food. She was about to seize the sun from the ponies, restoring the Changelings' former glory. It was everything she had dreamed of.

"Your Majesty, we caught them," a squad reported, bringing back captives.

"Excellent, you may go feast," the squad eagerly went out to plunder.

"How interesting, Twilight always suspected my actions, yet you chose to doubt her," Chrysalis circled them, mocking.

"I'm sorry, Twilight. We should have believed you," Applejack was the first to apologize. "Sorry!" The other ponies followed suit.

"It's not your fault. She fooled everypony," Twilight didn't blame them.

"I certainly did, didn't I?" Chrysalis turned her back to the window, continuing to enjoy the scene of the war.

"This day is perfect..."

...

Voiceover:
But weakness and ignorance are not barriers to survival, arrogance is.

Because of Chrysalis's arrogance and overconfidence, Twilight had the opportunity to secretly release

Cadance. A small spark grew into a blaze, and the true love between Cadance and Shining Armor finally expelled her and her forces. So close to success, she missed her chance and fell into the abyss of failure...

On the eve of the real wedding:

"Twilight, I'm sorry. I'm an unqualified friend." After Chrysalis's defeat, Spike finally had a chance to apologize to Twilight.

"It's okay. I know you care about me," Twilight hugged him.

"Besides, we won in the end, didn't we?" Twilight released him with a smile.

"Yeah!" Spike wiped his tears and smiled back.

"Are you ready for a real wedding?" Cadance joined them.

"Aunt Cadance!" Spike ran to her side.

"Spike, the sweetest dragon I ever took care of. Do you want to be my ring bearer?" Cadance hugged him with a smile.

"Of course, as long as you don't invade Canterlot."

Laughter erupted. They were all amused by the little dragon.

...

The real wedding took place as planned, without disasters or destruction, only joy and happiness. The sacred ceremony celebrated the Princess of Love achieving her dream of true love and defeating the demon that tried to steal it.

After sending off Cadance and Shining Armor in their wedding carriage, the ponies began Spike's bachelor party.

"All the ponies at the party, let's have fun! All drinks and food are unlimited. I hope everyone enjoys the party," Spike grandly announced the start of the bachelor party.

Here, strangers became friends, seeking new beginnings. Old friends reunited, celebrating their enduring friendship. Whether by chance or invitation, everypony added their unique light to the party.

Pinkie Pie randomly grabbed ponies in the dance floor, Rarity was eyeing some noble, Fluttershy stayed shyly near her old friends, and Rainbow Dash and Applejack started another drinking contest.

And our party planner, Spike, was bragging about the party's success to his favorite pony.

"By the way, Spike, do you know what a bachelor party is?" Twilight asked, recalling Spike's question on the train.

"Of course, it's a party for single ponies," Spike swaggered, waving his drink around, sitting at the bar, not at all gentlemanly.

"Wrong. The purpose of a bachelor party is to help ponies find their other half," Twilight sat beside him, holding a cider in one hoof, watching him.

"Oh, it's all the same. It's still a party with food, drinks, and fun. Pinkie told me so," the little dragon stopped swirling his drink and took a sip. To the unknowing, he might have been drinking some fancy wine.

"Fine, our little dragon knows best," Twilight didn't want to argue with him.

"In Equestria, there are more mares than stallions, so many ponies won't find their other half. So, having a party with food and fun is the best way," seeing Twilight didn't mind, the little dragon became serious.

"I didn't know our little dragon was a great sociologist," Twilight giggled.

"Though I'm talented, I don't want to be any kind of 'ologist'. Studying this and that would be boring," Spike swelled with pride again at Twilight's compliment.

"What do you want to be when you grow up? Stay my little assistant forever?" Twilight asked.

"What's wrong with being your assistant? I could ride on your back and adventure across Equestria."

"When you grow up, I won't be able to carry you anymore."

"Then I'll eat less and not gain too much weight."

"Really? Then all the ice cream at home will be mine," Twilight grinned mischievously.

"Hmph! No eating then," Spike turned away, striking a haughty pose, but he accidentally noticed a pony outside, looking hungry and cold.

"Looks like somepony needs help. I don't have time for you," Spike jumped off the stool and headed outside.

"Excuse me, do you need help?" Spike approached the pony, politely asking.

"I..." The blue pony seemed a bit shy.

"Are you hungry?" Spike carefully asked.

"Yes."

Seeing the pony nod, Spike led him inside.

"Pinkie, could you get some food for our hungry friend?" Spike called out to Pinkie.

"Got it. With Auntie Pinkie here, nopony will go hungry," Pinkie disappeared in a flash.

"Isn't there already a pony here?" Twilight raised an eyebrow.

"Blah blah, I don't need your help," Spike stuck out his tongue at her.

Within seconds, Pinkie dramatically brought a mountain of food and drinks for the hungry pony.

After wolfing down the food, the pony seemed full, sitting on the ground, still silent.

"You seem like you haven't eaten in a while. Are you in trouble?" Spike continued to show concern.

"..."

"You can tell us."

"..."

"Alright, if you don't want to talk, that's fine. By the way, I'm Spike. Nice to meet you. What's your name?"

The pony finally spoke, "Th—" He seemed nervous.

"Th—? What?" Spike asked.

The pony looked at the ground, then at the dragon before him, thinking. "Thorax, yes, I'm Thorax," he managed a small smile.

"Hello, Thorax. We're friends now."

"Chrysalis's words were not unfounded. The Changelings were not always like this," the Rainbow Dragon stared at the paused scene.

"But it wasn't the ponies' fault," Spike said.

"You still prefer to believe the ponies, don't you?" The Rainbow Dragon had anticipated this.

"Maybe you're just biased towards 'her,' because she fulfilled your long-held wish," the Rainbow Dragon used his magic to switch the scenes on the crystal ball.

"Look at this."

Author's Note

This chapter isn't perfectly written, but I'm mainly trying to get the reader thinking about why the ponies have almost all the resources of Equestria while other creatures not, and the next chapter will be better than this one