Stone Hoof trotted down the streets of Canterlot with a spring in his step and a whistling tune on his lips. His golden mane bounced happily on his shoulders as he skipped his hooves across the cobblestone streets. His heart felt like it would burst from his chest. He was just so happy. After three years, nine months, two weeks, four days, eleven hours, twenty-two minutes, and twenty-eight seconds, he finally found the mare of his dreams. River Runner was going to be his bride. She chose him, over every other unicorn in Equestria, to be her husband. He wasn't anything special. Except one unique feature about him. Since he was a unicorn, one would expect him to have a horn. Well, he does, except it was half the size of a normal unicorn's horn. When he a child, his parents took him to be examined, and it seemed his genes were crossed, giving him the horn from his mother, a unicorn, but it was shortened by the earth pony genes that his father possessed. Although his horn was shorter, he grew to be a larger sized stallion. A small sacrifice for a greater good. In fact, he needed the size, endurance, and strength that came with being an earth pony to work in the Canterlot mines.
Stone Hoof made it to the gate of River Runner's home. He stopped just short and looked up to the sky. Up above him, he saw a flash of cream and honey dart over head. The blurry figure did impressive barrel rolls and loops through the air. Any pony that was lucky enough to see such an amazing spectacle, looked in awe as the figure went through complex routines that seemed to borderline dare-devil and suicidal. After a few more feats of agility and flying prowess, a cream colored pegasus with a honey colored mane landed softly on her hooves in front of Stone Hoof. Beads of sweat glistened on her fur coat, as the beads of perspiration gave the pony the appearance of a glowing angel, she flicked her mane dry with a short snap of her head and looked into the young unicorn's face. Her smile was so warm that it seemed the Frozen North threatened to thaw and flood all of Equestria. Her orange eyes looked like two glassy orbs of polished diamond. Stone couldn't help but stare into them. He was so stricken with amazement and excitement that he found it impossible to do anything else.
"Hey, honey." the pegasus said in a greeting tone. Her vocal chords put choir singers to shame. "How are you?"
"Uh, uh, uh," Stone Hoof stammered. River Runner leaned in and kissed him on his lips. He immediately stopped stammering and pressed his lips against his fiancé's in a passionate act of affection. It almost came on reflex to do such a thing. He truly loved this mare, and so, it was easy for him to show it to her.
"So." River Runner said after releasing the stallion from her mouth's grip. "What did you come all the way out here for?"
It took Stone Hoof a few seconds to collect his thoughts. He cleared his throat and said "I am here for no less of a reason than to see my bride to be."
The winged mare giggled and blushed. She still couldn't believe that out of all the mares in Equestria, this hard working stallion, possibly the hardest worker in Equestria, actually proposed marriage to her. She only just realized the fact that a guy like him had asked her out on a date just two years ago. She was such a dare-devil that nopony would even go near her. It didn't matter if she was a Wonderbolt, the stallions in Canterlot found her uncouth sometimes, and preferred mares like Fleur de Lis, who were quiet and just plain sexy. With her adrenaline fueled brain, River Runner was prone to doing extreme stunts and often had outbursts of excitement or anger at the most inappropriate of times. Qualities that most Canterlot elite would label as uncouth, but to Stone Hoof, they were what made her the perfect mare for him. He didn't like frilly fillies. To him they were just plain weak.
Stone Hoof nuzzled his snout up against River Runner's. She returned the act in full. Both looked deeply into the other's eyes and smiled.
The large palace clock rang out loudly as it struck mid-day. Stone Hoof's eyes widened. "What day is it?" he asked his lover.
"I think today is Wednesday." she said with a hint of confusion, but then it hit her like mountain stone. "Oh! You gotta go see your dad."
The colt nodded. "Do you want to come with me?" he asked. His question was met with a warm smile and a nod. They went to the northern part of the city. Towards the Guard Barracks.
It did not take the pair long to reach the destination. Though that's what anypony else would say. It felt like hours to the lovers, but that was because of the heaviness in the air. It was not so easy to see his father anymore. Come to think of it, because of his father' standing in the guard, they rarely saw each other, but now it took a major toll on him.
When the pair made it to the guard post, everypony gave him looks. Not out of hate or confusion, but out of admiration. One guard who was walking in the gardens gave him a hoof on the shoulder. He was an older, more experienced pegasus guard. "Your father is waiting for you, colt." he said in a knowing tone. "And who is this fine young lady?"
"Sir, this is my fiancé, River Runner." Stone Hoof said.
"Ah." said the guard. His eyes holding back tears. "You finally popped the question and got yourself, not only a beauty, but a beauty with talent. I see many of your derbies Miss Runner. I can only hope that one day you will beat Fleet Foot." 'and win me back some of that money' the last part he said under his breath. "By the way, my name in Sergeant Gate."
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir." River Runner said.
"Well, I should let you go see him. You know where to go." with that, the pegasus flew off to his post.
The pair continued walking till they came to the section of the station that was usually off limits to the rest of the populous, except under special request. However, Stone Hoof was a usual in these parts, so personal recognition was what let him and River pass through the well protected gates. The gate closed behind them, and they were left in another courtyard, that housed nothing but a wall. Stone Hoof led the way to his father. When they arrived, he stood in silence before the him before he said, "Good afternoon, dad." he said in a fractured tone. His father didn't say a word back to him. Then again, stone plaques weren't supposed to talk. Before the two ponies was a plaque that read
Here on the Wall of Heroes
We commemorate the loss of Master Sergeant Steel Hoof
of the 200th Earth Pony Division, Detrots, Equestria with not
only this plaque, but with this Celestia's Star of Honor.
He exercised what it truly means to serve by showing bravery
in the face of danger, by holding off a pack of timber wolves
single-hoofed while local villagers escaped to the safety of
the walls of the city. Though his valiance was strong, he fell
after everypony was safe inside.
Though he is gone, he will not be forgotten.
"Fight to your last breath, then fight some more."
Below the script was a symbol of a golden star with a wreath around it and in the middle was Princess Celestia's cutie mark. The sight of one of these was an honor in itself, to receive one is a whole other story, and to receive one while one was still alive, was legendary.
Stone hoof gazed at his father for a while and said. "I didn't come alone this time. I brought somepony with me, River Runner, and I got great news, she said yes." The two ponies just stood there in silence, both contemplating what Stone Hoof's father would have said.
"I think we should leave your father to take in what you just told him. I'm sure he is very excited" she nuzzled him, "and proud." With that, the couple walked away from the Wall, both with tears in their eyes.
As Stone Hoof walked away, with the barracks far behind him, River Runner jumped on his back and rode. She rested her hooves on his head and purred softly. Stone Hoof just laughed at this. She would be cute and playful at times of heavy emotion. That was one of the reasons he loved her so much. She knew when to really make him smile. "Say it." she said.
"Say what?" he said in a playfully confused tone. He knew exactly what she wanted to hear.
River Runner lightly tapped her hooves on his head. "Say it!" she cried.
"I honestly have no idea what you want to hear." he failed to hide his amusement at the game he was playing with her.
"Come on!" she whined. "I want to hear why you love me!"
"Oh." he laughed. "Is that all?" River buried her face in Stone's mane and whimpered. "Alright." he said. The cream colored pegasus issued a cheer and threw her hooves in the air. "Where to begin." the unicorn pondered. "Well . . . you are a talented flyer."
"That is true." she said as she looked and the tip of her hooves with her leg outstretched.
"You also make me happy just by standing next to me. You also are one of the best masseuses I think I have ever known." These last words hung in his throat. "And I love you because when I needed somepony the most, you where there. You where always there when I needed you." Stone Hoof slowly took in a breath and let it out at the same rate. A glow in his heart made him feel like River Runner was lifting him off the ground. She wasn't, but nevertheless, he still felt like it. "Okay, now tell me why you love me."
"Ha." she laughed. "That's an easy one. I love you because you're a good stallion. You're faithful, and you work yourself to the bone every day. I love you because you have one of the best hearts that I think I have ever seen in my twenty-four years of life." She had the same problem that Stone Hoof had with his final reason. "And" she choked. "You will do whatever it takes to make me happy. Even if it kills you." She jumped off his back and landed in front of him. She wrapped her forelegs around him and held him close. "Don't ever do that though. Don't die just to make me happy."
Stone Hoof returned the hug and said. "Sure. As long as you make sure I never make you unhappy." River Runner backed off just far enough to plant her lips against his. He returned the kiss with full force. It almost turned into a competition of who could kiss harder. It would have been if it wasn't for the chuckling that the pair heard from not too far away. They both unlocked their lips and turned to face whomever was interrupting. It happened to be a lightly tanned colored unicorn in a ritzy outfit. The suns glistened off of his neatly styled and rouge colored mane. He narrowed his green eyes as he smiled deviously.
"What do you want, Masquerade?" River Runner shot. She never liked being interrupted from her make-out sessions with Stone Hoof, but her anger was magnified by the fact that the posh unicorn made his way into the picture.
"So much fire." Masquerade said as he stepped closer to the Wonderbolt. He placed a hoof under her chin. "It's one of the reasons you seem to stand out among other pegasi." A brown hoof smacked his away. A rather broad unicorn with a shortened horn stepped in front of the elite stallion. Stone Hoof took a threatening stance. "Ah." said the tan unicorn. "So this is the famous Stone Hoof. I am not impressed."
"I think you should leave here, friend." Stone Hoof said with a growl.
"Manners." Masquerade said in a faked insulted tone. "I would expect more from someone that River Runner spoke so highly of."
Stone Hoof turned his attention back to his fiancé. "Who is this guy?"
River Runner gave a huff before turning away from the two stallions and walking away. "He's just some creep that's been after me for Celestia knows how long." She turned her head around and looked to Stone Hoof. "And because we do not associate ourselves with such low lives, we are leaving." Stone Hoof shrugged innocently and took off with his bride-to-be. Didn't make sense not to. "I would think that I hold much more poise than you on the account that I am not slumming it with a filthy commoner." said the not too distant voice. River Runner's blood boiled almost to the point of immediate evaporation. She spun around and bolted for the posh stallion with her wings giving her an amazing amount of speed. Before one of her forehooves could connect, a tug on her tail stopped her just half an inch short. "Hold on there, gumdrop." said Stone Hoof through clenched teeth and tail hair. He released his grip when the irate pegasus settled down next to him. "He's just being a snob. Let him make his comments. He just is going to have to settle with lying alone at night instead of having somepony else to keep him warm." Stone Hoof gave him a snort before turning back to River Runner. "Who is this guy anyway?"
"I am Royal Masquerade. Heir to the Masquerade family fortune. I wouldn't expect a dirt digger to know of such a name." His arrogance was just as apparent as his wealth. "However, I seem to know your name, Stone Hoof."
"It seems my name reaches the heights of the Canterlot elite, while your name seems to escape even the simple of us ponies." the sharpness of Stone Hoof's words cut Royal's ego deep. So much so actually that he visibly winced at the comment.
"I hold influence in the highest portion of Canterlot society." the word wounded unicorn shot back. "You are nothing more than a filthy mine worker."
"You know more about me than I thought." Stone Hoof replied. "If you're stalking me, I just want you to know that my door doesn't swing that way. Though I can see yours revolving."
"Oh." River Runner chimed in. "Let me get you some ice for that." The couple laughed heartily at the posh stallion's expense.
"It seems I am being double teamed here." Masquerade said with a growl.
"Just like last night." River laughed out and hoof bumped her husband to be.
Royal's face blushed furiously in embarrassment, or was it becoming red with anger? Nopony could tell. After a bit he issued a devilish smile Stone Hoof's way and said. "Make your jokes, but this time that you have been spending with this little mare is moot." Stone hoof stopped laughing and gave each other concerning looks. "Ah, that got your attention. In case you don't know, Canterlot elite unicorns do not associate themselves with commoners relationship-wise. Unless said commoner passes a test." Both ponies gave the stallion confused looks. He used his glowing horn to produce a book out of nowhere with his magic. It was a simple book that read Equestrian Law. The pages spun open until a page was presented to the brown half-unicorn. He read what the page said aloud.
"If a unicorn wishes to elevate their position to elitism through marriage, said unicorn is free to do so, unless challenged in a duel and losses. If said occurrence happens, the proposal is then void." Stone Hoof scoffed at this. "I was never challenged, and never would I accept."
"Keep reading." bade Masquerade.
"If a challenge is not made or met with acceptance, then the marriage is again void." Stone Hoof looked closer into the print. His face screwed up at what he found. "This is dated just a year after the founding of Equestria. This supposed law itself is void on account of its age. It doesn't have legitimacy anymore."
"Sorry, brethren, but laws like this withstand the test of time. And before you say what I think you were going to say, I am the one challenging you." His smile widened as Stone Hoof's face was shadowed with worry. Stone Hoof's instincts kicked in a he felt a sense of dread as he looked at the opposite unicorn. He was rather rich, but there was also something about him that gave off a sense of mystery. He didn't like it. However, the facts where as clear as day. If he was to keep River Runner as his bride, he would have to accept. Stone Hoof looked at his love with worried eyes and gave a defeated sigh. "Alright." he finally said. "I accept your challenge."
"Splendid." Masquerade said with an evil smile. "How this works is that we meet in the ring of honor and we fight. The rules are as follows: Rule 1) Magic is allowed; Rule 2) Telekinesis is not allowed; Rule 3) Both combatants will fight until the other yields or cannot fight anymore. Those are the conditions we spar under. Sound fair?"
"Just one question." River Runner spoke up. "What happens if Stone Hoof wins?"
Royal gave an expressionless look. "If he does manage to defeat me, then he would be unrestricted to marry you. Nothing more. However, if he loses, then the winner will take the mare as his own bride. Simple."
"If you think I'm going to marry a fool like you, then you got another thing coming!" River Runner's wings were fully erect and her legs were poised to pounce. "You don't have a choice in the matter, Miss Runner." chimed Masquerade. You chose to cross your breed and so you rode the risk that comes with having relations with not only a unicorn, but a commoner. So, you must also abide by the rules or forfeit your marriage anyway." River Runner opened her mouth to say something, but soon closed when her rebuttal never made it out of vocal chords.
Masquerade turned himself away from the pair, and said. "I will see you at the arena in one hour."
Stone Hoof gave River Runner a look of worry. He didn't want to go through with this. He had everything going for him, but now, all that was threatened by a law that he wasn't even sure mattered anymore. The pegasus nuzzled him affectionately in response. He soft mane giving him a little comfort, but it also strengthened his resolve. This was his time to show that he truly loved River Runner, by fighting for her hand in marriage. Even if it killed him, he would make her happy.
