Author's Note

Welcome back, to a land not the same as the world you know. A land, where everything is similar, yet so very different. In this new world, forget all you knew about Terraria and MLP. And let us guide you through this journey, where even Fate is uncertain. Please enjoy.

{Prologue} Till Death do us part

Shining Armor’s breaths are bated as he hurriedly rounds the corner of The Living Wood Tavern and passes by several other notable establishments such as Rock And Stone Mining, Lillian’s Summoner Delights, Annabel’s Hair Salon, and more; all while distracted by the carefully balanced basket of flowers on his back.

As he does so, a carriage transporting items for the celebration that evening prompts the young unicorn to duck under the vehicle, scurrying out the other side.

“Woah there, sonny,” an elderly male voice called out as the white unicorn looked back to the earth pony-drawn wagon, where an old male terrarian, or hooman, was busily unloading boxes. “Careful not to get that pretty gown of yours filthy!”

“Oh, come on, Mr. Dean, it’s a tuck- tusk- tux- big suit thing, not a gown!” Whines the young colt, voice cracking mid-sentence.

“Hey,” the earth pony drawing the wagon began, “we don’t judge, kiddo. See ya at the wedding!”

The colt grumbles, scampering off with his basket in tow. He had, unluckily in his mind, been forced to become a flower colt for the wedding, mostly thanks to the two ponies getting married being friends of the family. His little sister Twilight was also chosen as a flower filly, but her new friend Applejack needed her help to bake pies… leaving him with delivering every single one of the flower baskets by himself.

It also was quite fortunate that the young unicorn had taken some time to familiarize himself with his new home, Livingville, given that they’d fairly recently moved in; all with a—what was that word again? Oh! Right, medalevil. A medalevil ashtettick—living wood comprising all of the town’s buildings, hence the town’s namesake; all surrounded by hardy walls of stone with watchful guards of pony and Terrarians at the ready.

He had been particularly interested in the forest nearby that the locals had taken to calling the Everfree, thanks to its chaotic nature where even sticks taken from the trees would grow leaves and roots, never staying in one state.

From what he was told by his father, the town was made to encourage friendly relations between Terrarians and ponies as some historic event including an…empress, was it? He wasn’t too sure, but if that was correct, the actions of that empress led many of the world’s races to mistrust and resent ponies.

To say that Celestia had her hooves full was a big understatement. Their demi-goddess-alicorn-protector always acts quickly to douse the flames of hatred, always managing to find a way to please both sides with a resolution. Of course, having the support of Emilia, The Princess; Pillar of Authority, added that much needed oomph to Celestia’s credibility.

As Shining makes his way down a narrow alleyway, his ears flicker at the sounds of wedding bells dinging, followed by the roar of a crowd a short distance away. Fortunately, it was likely the townsfolk testing the bells for the event. Unfortunately, it also meant that he’d be late if he didn’t pick up the pace. Knowing this, he tries to gallop and maneuver around a corner, not seeing the pegasus filly just around the bend.

“Hey, Shining, what's the hurry- WOAH!” Both the foals go down in a mess of dirt, gravel, and petals as the basket flips into the air, landing on Shining’s head.

The red striped filly blinks, looking at Shining, before bursting out in a fit of laughter, almost rolling around from the strain.

“Oh. My. Stars. Shining. They’re everywhere,” she chokes out, still giggling.

“A-Ambi-” Shining’s words die in his throat, realization forcing his eyes wide open, “THE FLOWERS! Quick, help me pick them up!”

“Gonna be hard to do that without the basket,” she points out, smirking at the fact that the colt still hadn’t taken the basket off. “You’re lucky Cadence isn’t here to see that!”

“O-oh...” Shining responds, lifting the basket off of his head and spinning it upright before setting it down. “Come on, we have to collect these quickly. Twily will never let me hear the end of it; neither would Cady.”

“Alright, alright, don’t get your suit in a bunch,” she says, as the bells ring for a second time. “Omen! Help me out, please.”

A tiny raven swoops down and begins grabbing the flower petals in its beak, placing them into the basket quickly as Ambient starts gathering the rest. Several of them are broken from the impact, though once they are scooped into her hoof, they repair instantly within a green aura.

“I forgot you could do that.” Shining mused.

“Hm? Do what?” She asks, blinking in confusion.

“That!” He emphasizes with an appointed hoof. “That thing you do to plants. You’re not supposed to be able to do that—you’re a pegasus!”

Ambient stares down at the petals, tilting her head.

“I know I’m a pegasus, but I’m not doing anything to the plants? I’m picking it up, dummy,” she giggles, placing the last of them into the basket.

Shining was about to form a retort, only for the wedding bells to let loose a mighty DONG. “N-never mind! Let’s just hurry this up.”

Ambient places the basket on Shining’s back, before beginning to walk away, the raven landing on her shoulder.

“Alright, flower colt. Have fun, I’ll see you later. Mom’s only here for the drinks, so I’m gonna have to make sure she gets home safely. Wouldn’t want anything bad to happen, haha!”

“Bye, Ambi!” Shining waves a forelimb in gratitude before setting off in the opposite direction, his eyes resting upon the ceremonial decor of an apple-themed wedding that staked its claim to the center of town.

As the hour drew near for the wedding to begin, the moon, bearing a horned equine insignia with what looked to be a series of tentacles reaching outward on its surface, slowly rose to the heavens while the sun lowers itself in the mountainous distance and bathed the land in a pale tint of orange. Shining stood before a sea of equine and bipedal bodies spread throughout the center of town, his light blue eyes piercing through the masses to find his loved ones.

His observation soon picks up the faintest patch of lavender adorned with a white dress, despite terrarian and pony legs rhythmically obscuring his view.

“Twily!” He shouts merrily, carefully melding into the flow of the town’s denizens, though his sibling seemed to have failed to pick up his words as she continued to look back and forth.

“Twily!” He tries once more at a closer range, his words having a noticeable effect this time as Twilight’s ears jerk upward, her head turning in his direction.

Twilight’s eyes widen, and a beaming smile adorns her features as she takes notice of him; hurriedly moving in his direction. The siblings soon close the distance and come together for a loving embrace, Shining setting the basket of flowers down beforehoof, though his height advantage forced Twilight to rear up as she wraps her forelimbs around and across his chest.

“What took you so long, Triple-B F. F.?” She inquired while pulling away and setting herself down on all fours. “Mom and dad were worried you’d gotten lost.”

“Pfft! As if!” He responds while waving a hoof dismissively. “If anypony is going to get lost, it’s you, little sis. If going around town was ever a challenge for Sibling Supreme, I’d win.” He finished with a smug grin.

“Well, statistically speaking,” Twilight began with a playful yet challenging look, “since I’m a few years younger than you, it’s expected for me to lose my way. You, on the other hoof, don’t get that privilege or excuse, BIG brother. Which means I'd automatically get that golden star. It’s a matter of principle.”

The elder sibling went for a retort, but a surge of realization seized his form as his once confident expression fell to uncertainty.

The sound of someone whistling from nearby abruptly presents itself, followed by a chuckle as the siblings turn to face the sound.

“Well, like me and mah kin always say, ‘How do ya like them apples,’ Shine’n?” Asked the orange earth pony filly with the southern accent often associated with the Desert Biomes, prompting a moment of silence between the trio, followed by conjoined laughter.

“D-did you and Granny Smith get those pies sorted out, Applejack?” Twilight inquired after recovering.

“Eeyup! Everyth’n’s ready for mah ma and pa’s weddin’. Thanks fer helpin’ me with bakin’ them pies, Twi.”

“No problem!”

“And I delivered all of the flowers.” Shining proudly declared. “Even if it cost me my pride as a colt. Speaking of flowers,” he gestures towards the basket, “we’re ready.”

Applejack nods. “Then yawl best be head’n to yer folks and take yer seats ‘fore everything gets filled up. Ah got thirty minutes tah get my dress on. Bye!”

“Look for us in the front row!” Shining declared as the siblings wave their goodbyes to the parting earth pony.

“We’d better go meet up with mom and dad,” Twilight suggested. “Dad’s been acting…strange.”

“Strange how?”

“It’s better if you ask him yourself, Triple-B F. F.”

……….

“I’m telling you, Velvet,” a panic-filled, grayish azure unicorn stallion donned in a black suit said to his wife in a whispered tone, the pair sitting on the furthest right end of the front row. “Something’s wrong. I… Ever since that zebra and lihzahrd Witch Doctor showed up and ranted about that prophecy… A-and that book I got from that strange man…”

“Night Light, my sweet,” the light-gray unicorn mare gently places a hoof onto her husband’s right cheek, “we talked about this. Nothing’s going to happen tonight, and, just to ease your fears, I cashed in a favor and asked Mayor Mare to practically triple the guards for the wedding.”

“But still, honey, I- we have to-” Night Light’s words were silenced as Velvet’s lips locked with his own.

“Not tonight, dear.” Velvet pleaded after gently breaking away from the kiss. “Our best friends are getting married. This is their special moment, please, let’s not cause a scene…”

Night’s ears fold against his head, his gaze slowly lowering in shame. “I know… I don’t want to cause a ruckus, but…”

A mischievous smirk slowly forms on Velvet’s closed lips. “Tell you what, dear, maybe… After the wedding, we could…” she suggestively rolls a forehoof on his chest. “Convince Twilight and Shining to leave the house for…say, a few hours?"

“As much as I’d like that, I fear what might come…”

“Mom! Dad!” Twilight’s sweet voice interjects from the rear.

“We made it!” Shining shouts in relief.

Although fear still kept its grasp firmly on Night Light, the sight of his children relaxed his tensed frame, if only for a time.

As last few attendees take their seats, and various members of the Apple Family position themselves on either side of the stage adorned with an apple and pear tree twisting around one another and forming a heart-shaped hole with their joined branches, the renowned mayor of Livingville - a pale, light grayish earth pony - steps into the stage’s epicenter, checking her pink mane and professional attire.

“Citizens of Livingville!” She beckoned, her voice echoing over the masses. “Today we honor two ponies who have been essential in our fair town’s establishment. Many of you, as you know, are all too aware of the strife that exists between ponies and terrarians…” She paused for a moment, allowing those words to land heavily on all in attendance.

“Which is why this town stands as a paragon, a living testament, of friendship and forgiveness. I see before me not ponies, terrarians, nor even elves and dwarves,” She motions playfully to an elven and dwarven family that had recently joined their town’s number. “But living beings, for that is what we all are. We all wish to live our lives to-”

“BULLSHIT!” A drunken green pegasus cuts the mare off, staggering away from the liquor bar as she takes a swig from a champagne flute. “Tha's a whole load o’... BULLSHIT!”

She wanders up to the stage, chugging the last of the wine in question before tossing the flute at Mayor Mare, completely missing.

“Ya think we can jus’... FORGIVE those hairless monkeys for… for what they did…?” She sways in place as a familiar red-striped pegasus filly scampers up, grabbing her tail in their mouth and pulling her away, muffled apologies being heard.

“Those skinny FUCKS get t’ just… kill all of us and noone cares!” The older mare says, stumbling backwards as she’s pulled. “Y’all are… are a bunch of…” She trails off, seeming to almost fall asleep standing up for a few moments.

Mayor Mare sternly maintained her gaze with the troubled pegasus throughout their rant. “Are you done, Miss Blade? Is this how you wish to make progress? Continue to stoke the flames and prevent any chance at ponies and terrarians finally coming together? Here’s the real truth: BOTH sides are to blame, and it is up to all of us to make things right.”

“Fuck yer progress and fuck yer half-assed truth-” Blade slurs, before being cut off by Ambient, who gives a mighty pull that ends with Blade on the ground as she trips over her own hooves.

“Mom, please, don’t make this any more embarrassing, my friends are here…”

Hearing her filly’s words, the drunken mare rolls over, wobbling in an effort to get onto her hooves. She tries to fly, only to crash into a nearby wall of flowers, though the wall itself was sturdy enough to cause the mare to slip down on its surface, the exit to the outdoor venue just mere inches to the right.

“Fuck every’thin ‘bout this. Come along or stay ‘ere, Ambient, I’m getting the fuck out…”

Ambient sighs, trotting over dutifully. “I'm coming… Sorry everyone…”

The audience looked on, some in silence, others with murmurs. Among them, Shining had been quick to cover his sibling’s ears, leaving her blissfully unaware of the harsh words that had filled the air.

Following Blade’s departure, alongside Ambient’s, Mayor Mare’s eyes searched over the sea of wedding attendants. The troubled pegasus’s words had lingering effects, scars from the past having been dug up as some attendees shuffled out, taking their leave.

In hindsight, she was glad that Pear Butter and Bright Mac were still at their respective loungings getting ready and weren’t present for this horrible affair. However, the same couldn’t be said for the Apple family members that were in attendance. Big Mac and Apple Bloom’s ears folded against their heads while Granny Smith could only look on at the former commotion in disappointment.

“Some thin’s just don’ change,” the old mare comments after a woeful sigh.

However, by a stroke of good fate, Bright Mac suddenly appears from the flower-adorned archway positioned at the left of the stage, prompting an eruption of cheers and congratulations from the audience, the Sparkle family standing out at the front row.

But as Bright Mac steps onto the stage, his scarred eye glancing towards his brother-in-arms, Night Light… Something seemed off about his long-time friend. Even so, there was a wedding at hoof, and if all was going according to plan, the music and his beautiful bride to be should-

Du Dun Dunun

Du Dun Dunun

Bright Mac lets out a hearty chuckle. “Right on time.”

Loud whistling and applause sound off as Pear Butter positions herself down the isle, proceeding down with graceful and calculative steps.

As the wedding proceedings go on, The Bride making her way toward her future, Night Light’s eyes unfocused slightly as the world seemed to grow dark. The noise of the wedding becomes distant as he feels an urge to look skyward, where the moon had taken its place in the heavens. Something was wrong.

The craters that normally peppered the celestial body to form the equine shape appeared to have disappeared, their absence a jolt to his senses. As he watches, a shadow passes over where they used to be, and for a brief moment, he could have sworn he saw something looking at him.

Twilight Velvet taps him on the shoulder, breaking him out of his trance as he shakes his head, urgently looking back up to the now-normal moon.

“Dear?”

“Take Twilight and Shining to the bunker. Now.” The panicking stallion says.

“Wh-what- why-”

“Just do it, dear. Please.”

On stage, something continued to nudge at Bright Mac’s senses. There was a certain uniqueness that the Apple Family possessed, and although many attributed it to him simply being an earth pony, none could ever know the truth about his family… the fact that they had a connection to the earth itself in ways other earth ponies could never understand.

Pear Butter, lovingly looking deep into his eyes while Mayor Mare prepared their vows, took notice of his concerned expression and reached out a hoof.

“Babe?” She questioned. “Are…you ok?”

“It’s The Green, darl’n…” Bright Mac managed. “It’s…act’n up mighty fierce right now.”

Pear giggles. “Maybe that’s its way of express’n how happy it is for ya. How happy ah am~.”

“Now then, my dears,” Mayor Mare began. “Are you ready for your vows?”

“Ah’ve been ready, ma’am.” Bright Mac asserts proudly, shaking off the disorienting feeling.

“So ah’ve ah~”

“Do you, Bright Mac, take Pear Butter as your loving wife?”

“I do.”

“And do you, Pear Butter, take Bright Mac as your loving husband?”

“I do.”

“Then in the name of the Maker, I pronounce you as husband and mare, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish, till death do you part.”

“Till death do us part.” Bride and Groom say in unison.

As the words echo amongst the silent crowd, the moon rises. And before another word can be said…

The moon, and the sky, goes red.

Shining Armor jolts awake, slamming his horn on the top bunk where Twilight dozes away with Spike curled up next to her side. He grimaces, holding his head, before slipping off the bunk to his hooves. Gazing around at his metal, somewhat spartan surroundings, he sighs.

A slight creak of the bunk garners the white unicorn’s attention. “Sh… Shiny…?” Twilight managed after a stifled yawn.

“Morning, Twi. Sleep well?” Asks Shining with a smile, that uneasy feeling already fading to the back of his mind.

It had, after all, been 7 long years since that horrible night. An event that would forever be remembered as… The Crimson Wedding.