Protecting Love

“Hellooooooooooooooo?” There was no answer. I looked around, the blackness making me wonder where I was. I was wondering if somepony was going to put out a surprise party for me. I looked around with inquisitive eyes, but no answer came, still.

“Is there anypony here?” I asked, but there was no answer. I started feeling alone.

A sudden burst of darkness surrounded me like wild fire. I could hear somepony laughing like it was some type of joke. I decided to join in with the laughing.

“SHUT UP!” the voice yelled. I immediately ceased laughing, and commenced giggling.

“Somepony woke up on the wrong side of the bed~!” I said in a singsong voice. “So, who’re you, anyway?”

The pony finally showed itself. He was dark blue and a black mane. He had a scar on his cheek, and a scythe for a cutie mark. I widened my eyes; his look brought back some dark memories. A frown crossed my face and I lowered my ears.

“W-who are you?” I stuttered. He looked at me with sharp red eyes and growled. No words were formed to answer my question. I felt afraid. He stepped towards me and smirked.

“I am Creeping Darkness,” he said simply. My eyes widened.

“You remind me of somepony...but...how can that be..?”

“Be quiet. You’re mine.”

I stood up and backed away. “Uh, what d-do you mean?”

“I mean...” he took a few steps toward me and I winced. “I mean you’re going to stay here with me...forever...”

I bit my lip and backed away quickly, I felt a stone wall bump up against me and I could not go any farther. “What do you want? Why do you want me here anyways?”

“I want... YOUR SOUL!” Creeping said with a sinister smile. I squealed and tried to back up some more, but it was to no avail.

“W-why?”

“I’m going to turn you into a soul slave. The most cheery souls are also the most powerful.” He smirked and took a lunge forward at me. I screamed and closed my eyes tight.

“EEK!!!” Pinkie yelled. Sweat poured down her face and she shuddered. It had been a while since she had a real nightmare before, and her shaking confirmed that it had really just happened. Discord, who was next to her, jumped awake

“PAT, I’D LIKE TO BUY A VOWEL!” he exclaimed. It took him a few seconds to realize Pinkie was next to him, crying. What happened? Why are you shaking?” Discord asked.

“I just had a nightmare, Dissy…” Pinkie confirmed. Discord hugged the small pink pony, trying to give her some comfort. Pinkie sniffled and clung tightly to him. She sniffed and wiped her nose.

“What was it about, mi amour?” Discord asked.

Pinkie let out a tiny giggle and smiled weakly. Then, recounting the events of her dream, she frowned. “There was this pony and he wanted to steal my soul and...” she paused and wiped her eyes. “I...he...” she couldn’t finish her sentence.

“I will never let anypony hurt you…” Discord said as he hugged Pinkie tighter. She sniffled. He smiled and nuzzled her encouragingly. “Turn that frown upside down. We have our wedding today, remember?” Discord reminded. Pinkie gasped and looked up into his crimson eyes, she kissed him on the nose.

“That’s right! I forgot! And then we’ll be together forever! And we’ll--”

“We’d be together forever anyway, Pinkie,” he stared at her seriously and she lowered her ears.

“Oh, yeah. Hehe...” she rubbed the back of her neck of her hoof and giggled. Pinkie jumped out of bed and looked in the mirror. It was funny that she was not getting married to a pony, but to a draconequus. But she loved him, he loved her. That was all that mattered. “I wonder what Mrs. Cake is cooking for breakfast,” Pinkie said. Discord smiled and flew out of bed. He landed next to her and looked at her.

“I’m sure it will be delicious.” Discord said with a smile.

“I hope its pancakes with frosting on them!” Pinkie exclaimed. “I’m sure she’ll even make extra!”

“Extra?” Discord asked. “Why would she make extra?”

“Well, DUH, silly filly! My friends are all coming over!!!” Pinkie jumped in circles around the draconequus. Discord smiled.

“I’m so excited, mi amour,” Discord said with a chuckle as he flew toward the window. Celestia’s sun was shining brightly in the morning sky. Pinkie hopped over to him and hugged him.

Discord smiled and patted her head with his paw. Pinkie looked out the window and smiled, she tapped it with her hoof and it opened. She looked out over Ponyville’s bustling streets and giggled. She’d be getting married outside, near Fluttershy’s cottage in a beautiful meadow. She sucked in a deep breath and smiled. She’d forgotten about her dream, she knew now that this day was perfect, and nothing could stop it from being so.

When Discord and Pinkie walked downstairs into the kitchen. Their friends were there at the breakfast table. Pound and Pumpkin sat in their highchairs munching down baby food. Everypony looked over at Discord and Pinkie, they all smiled.

“Hey, you two,” said Rainbow Dash, loading her plate with pancakes.

Pinkie grabbed the frosting. “Does anypony want any frosting? It is a cake, after all!”

Everypony was quiet. Discord raised his paw and smiled. “I’ll take some!”

Pinkie smirked and tossed it to him.

“That’s not frosting, Pinkie, that’s syrup,” Twilight said, rolling her eyes and smiling. Pinkie lowered her eyebrows and tasted it with her tongue. She smiled.

“Oh. I just thought it was because it’s white...What’s with the white syrup?”

Mrs. Cake giggled and spoke up. “Well, it’s your wedding day! White is the theme of weddings!”

Pinkie frowned. “I like white, but why not pink instead?”

Applejack raised her eyebrows. “Well, when Ah was a youngin’, my family sometimes used yellow in a weddin’. I guess it’d be ok.”

A certain blue Pegasus stuck her hoof up in the air. “Why not just make it a rainbow wedding? With all different colors everywhere and stuff?” Rainbow Dash said.

“That’s a great idea, Dashie!” Pinkie exclaimed. “A rainbow wedding it is!”

Rarity scoffed, “Well, darling, I like the idea, but I’ve spent WEEKS sewing everything needed! That being your dress!”

Pinkie blushed. “I haven’t even seen it yet. You blindfolded me at every fitting so I couldn’t!” she laughed and Rarity smiled.

“That’s simply because it looks stunning and I want you to be surprised!” Rarity then looked at her sister, Sweetie Belle, who nodded in agreement.

“Great! I can’t wait to wear it!” Pinkie said, bouncing with excitement.

“Rarity, did you finish my suit?” Discord asked.

“Why, yes, dear! It was so very hard to get the measurements correct, though.” she smiled weakly. “I’m afraid I’ve never made an outfit for any other creature than a pony!”

“Well, that’s ok. If it doesn’t fit then I will just wear a corsage.” Discord said.

Pinkie held back a giggle, in her mind she was trying to picture Discord wearing a corsage. He looked rather dashing, actually. She smiled and nibbled on her pancake.

“The Princess is going to be at the wedding,” Twilight said. “I got a letter this morning about it.”

Pinkie smiled. “That’s great! Is she... happy?”

Twilight choked on her pancake and took a drink of water. “Happy?” she coughed. “She’s more than happy! She’s ecstatic! I’d go so far to say she can’t wait until this evening!”

“That’s great!” Pinkie started to bounce again.

Discord smiled and took a bite of his pancake. Fluttershy smiled. “I-I’m so happy for the both of you.” she said quietly. Discord and Pinkie both grinned at her.

“Thanks, Fluttershy!” Pinkie side-hugged her friend, who sat next to her. Mr. Cake took the twins out of their seats. They’d finished eating and it was diaper-changing time. Pinkie was silent as she looked at the twins. She felt something inside of her smile, but she felt amiss as well. But why? She pondered that for a few moments, but then shrugged.

Once everypony was done with their food, Pinkie headed toward Rarity’s Boutique, where Rarity showed Pinkie her dress. Discord stayed at Sugarcube corner to try on his new suit. The suit was a long white uniform with a long red tie. There was a long black suit that went around it. Discord tried on the suit, and it fit perfectly. Rarity had made it very comfortable, to Discord it felt like a cloud.

“I’m proud. Rarity did a very good job,” Discord smiled.

“I’m glad you’re happy, Discord.” Twilight said.

“Thank you, Twilight…” Discord hugged Twilight.

“I’m so happy for you and Pinkie. You know this day means a lot to her.” Twilight said after the hug was ended. She smiled and nodded at Discord. “It really does.”

“I know it does.” Discord said, smiling.

---Meanwhile, back at Rarity’s Boutique...---

Pinkie was wearing a pink wedding dress that Rarity had made for her. It fit her perfectly. Just like Discord’s, it felt like a cloud. Probably because it was styled after one of Discord’s cotton candy cloud creations. It was an absolutely beautiful dress, now that Pinkie Pie was allowed to see it properly. Pinkie didn’t know that much on dresses and their styles but it matched her bubbly and pink personality perfectly.

“Do you like it, Pinkie?” Rarity asked.

“Like it? I LOVE IT!!! It’s so pretty; of course what else would I expect coming from you, Rarity? You always make such beautiful things! But wow, I never, ever, ever imagined my wedding dress could look anything like this!” Pinkie exclaimed happily, twirling around in her dress, viewing herself in the mirror, noting that her big toothy smile made her dress even more so for her.

“I can’t wait till the wedding,” Pinkie bounced in excitement.

“Careful Pinkie! That dress is very delicate!” Rarity said.

“Sorry, Rarity,” Pinkie said, blushing.

It was almost time for Pinkie’s big moment.

--Meanwhile at Fluttershy's house.--

Fluttershy and her animals were setting up for the ceremony. The stage was up, the tables were set, the drinks were made, the dance floor was up, and the balloons were put into place.

The ponies started arriving, Pinkie’s mom and dad showed up, along with her sisters. Her friends were there and the photography ponies were there. This was the wedding of the century, and all of Ponyville had showed up.

Discord arrived at the party. Pinkie hadn’t arrived yet. She was still being held up by Rarity for her make-up and mane styling.

“Come on, Rarity! I know I wanna look nice for my big day, but I also wanna be there on time!” Pinkie complained as Rarity levitated yet another makeup brush towards Pinkie Pie’s face.

“Beauty takes time, darling.” Rarity said, but she did consider her friend’s words. “However I can see how you would want to at least have you finished up to socialize with your family.” Rarity said as an afterthought. So thinking for at least 5 seconds on it, Rarity finished up all the little touches left for Pinkie Pie’s makeup, Rarity having finished styling Pinkie’s mane already. A feat that Rarity would forever mark down, in her book, as a true miracle.

Rarity smiled and tilted the mirror in Pinkie’s direction. The pink mare gasped and let out a huge grin. “Wow! This looks...WOW, RARITY! THIS IS SO WONDERFUL! THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!” she bounced up in the air and Rarity winced.

“Uh, dear, please, watch the dress...!” Rarity shook her head

“Oh, yeah, sorry Rarity, I’m just SO EXCITED!” Pinkie grinned, “I know the dress is really delicate and really REALLY pretty, I just got so excited, and you know how I am when I get excited!” The pink pony’s face fell. “Oh no! Rarity, I’m going to be excited all DAY! What if I get the dress dirty, or I rip it, or cake gets on it in the cake fight that I planned? You worked so hard on it!”

“Cake fight...?” Rarity shook her head again, remembering who she was talking to. “Anyway, darling, it’s, as they say, your party, and I will not have you worrying about the dress on your big day! Although I do love this dress, and I am remarkably proud of it, and it did take hours and hours to get that stitching right to make the draping look like that chocolate rain you’re so fond of...” Rarity glanced at her friend, who was looking at the pink, fluffy dress she was wearing with an expression that could only be described as fear.

“Stop it this instant!” Rarity demanded. Pinkie looked up, shocked, and Rarity blushed and cleared her throat. “What I mean to say, is, you need to stop worrying. Celestia knows I do. Just remember that no matter what, you will look absolutely beautiful to everyone today, no matter what you’re wearing. Especially to Discord.”

Pinkie smiled, looking at her friend thankfully. She gave Rarity an enormous hug.

“That’s not to  say that I don’t want the dress perfect for the time being. Imagine if you went down the aisle, and the dress wasn’t even in one piece! Oh, dear, you’ve mussed up your mane. I need to re-do it now!”

Pinkie remembered her wedding, and looked at the clock. Her eyes widened. “No time, Rarity! I’M GOING TO BE LATE! Hold on, Dissy, I’m coming!” She ran for the door.

“I suppose I’ll meet you there, then, dear,” Rarity said weakly, holding up several cosmetics, barrettes, and straighteners.

The ceremony had just started. Pinkie ran into Fluttershy's house, chest heaving, hair in a mess, brambles, dirt and flowers inexplicably caked and scattered all over.

“Pinkie Pie, you’re late,” Twilight said, eyes widening. “The Cutie Mark Crusaders have been waiting for their cue for ten minutes, and they’re getting antsy!”

“I know, Rarity was holding me up,” Pinkie claimed.

“She does that to me too. But Pinkie, we need you on now!” Twilight pushed Pinkie on the aisle. Everypony was now watching. Pinkie looked around the crowd. Her parents were there, Princess Celestia was there, and her friends were there. And of course, Discord was there, grinning, trying not to show how nervous he was. She could not let a chance of a lifetime go.

She slowly walked down the aisle, one hoof at a time. The music was playing. She got faster and faster, keeping in time with the music. The music played faster. Then she started to fast walk down the aisle. The music was going so fast. The CMC were stumbling over their stubby hooves, trying to stay in front of the energetic mare, while throwing gummy flowers at the same time. (Scootaloo’s basket, suspiciously enough, was nearly empty, and they were only halfway down the aisle.) Pinkie rushed down the aisle. The music was ridiculously fast, and Pinkie was stumbling over her hooves. Fluttershy had lost control of the birds, who were excited by all the candy that was littered all over the yard as decoration. Pinkie ran up to Discord, who was waiting under a canopy, trying not to laugh. Pinkie saw this and started giggling herself. Discord finally let himself laugh, then the CMC laughed, then Rainbow Dash, (Pinkie’s best mare) and soon enough, everypony at the wedding was chuckling and wiping tears from their eyes. When everypony had calmed down, the ceremony went on as planned.

Celestia cleared her throat, and everypony looked to Pinkie and Discord, as if stalking them, their eyes followed either wherever they went. Pinkie was afraid to even move, so many eyes were watching her. Her parents, her sisters…Inkie was grinning and nodding while Blinkie sat next to her, with a small smile on her face. Pinkie blushed and turned back to Discord, who kept his eyes on her, blushing slightly. She smiled and winked at him, and he did the same.

“Mares and gentlecolts,” began the Princess, “We are gathered here today to celebrate the wedding of Discord and Pinkamena Diane Pie.” Pinkie giggled slightly and said in a louder voice than she should have,

“Pinkie Pie’s fine, Princess.” Princess Celestia nodded and corrected herself.

“The wedding of Pinkie Pie and Discord.” Then she proceeded to the vows. After a while, the time came. It was the last “I do”. After that, Pinkie and Discord would be officially married. Together forever. And maybe even longer. “Discord,” Celestia said with a grin, “You may kiss the bride.”

Discord was practically sweating a river at this point. Pinkie looked up at him expectantly, cocking her head to the right and smiling. Discord smiled and closed his eyes; he leaned over and gave Pinkie a kiss.

And everything was perfect. Pinkie batted her eyes as everypony in the audience stomped their hooves on the ground and cheered. This day was absolutely perfect.

For the time being.