Twilight's Love

Chapter Eleven: The Wedding

Twilight and Flash's engagement ending up lasting well over six months. This was mostly due to Twilight's compulsive need for organisation. She had made sure every aspect of the wedding was planned out to the smallest detail. Both she and Flash agreed that it was going to be held in the Crystal Empire, where they had first met. Then came the matter of security. Knowing what had happened at the last royal wedding, Twilight had insisted that the occasion be well-guarded, putting in a request to Shining and Cadance to have as many guardsponies keeping watch as possible, just in case the Changelings (or some some other unsavoury characters) should try something.

"Is all this really necessary?" Flash asked, as he and Twilight looked over things.

"Necessary?" Twilight repeated. "Didn't you see what the Changelings did to Canterlot?"

"Not really." Flash shrugged. "I was visiting relatives in Manehatten at the time."

"Oh." Twilight said dully. "Well, it was bad. Really bad. And I'm sure nopony wants the same thing to happen to the Crystal Empire."

The security measures didn't stop at the venue, though. Twilight had placed a powerful locator spell on Flash so she would know he was at all times. And, as an extra precaution, the two had devised special code phrases, to be requested if one was not entirely sure of the other; Twilight's was "I hate boring old books", while Flash's was "My favorite food is ruby pizza."

Flash thought these measures were a little much, but he knew how important it was to Twilight that everything went smoothly, so he went along with them.

As the final preparations were being made, Flash, Twilight, and Twilight's friends travelled to the Crystal Empire, making themselves ready for the big day. The day before the wedding, Twilight was performing a last minute check of the venue. Everything seemed okay; no Changelings, no Dragons, not so much as a Diamond Dog.

That night, Twilight, her friends, Cadance and her mother were gathered together in celebration.

"Here's to you, darling." Rarity raised a glass of cider. "Congratulations."

"My little girl's getting married." Velvet sobbed. "I'm so proud of you, dear!"

"Mom..." Twilight smiled.

"How are you feeling, Twilight?" Cadance asked.

"A little nervous." Twilight replied. "And a lot excited."

"Nerviciiited!" Pinkie sang.

"Gotta hand it ta ya, Twi." Applejack grinned. "Ah nevah woulda guessed you'd be the first one a' this group ta tie the knot."

"Neither did I." Twilight chuckled. "But that's life for you; There's always a surprise, waiting just around the corner."

"Tomorrow's gonna be awesome!" Rainbow cheered. "It'll be the best wedding ever - No offence, Cadance."

"None taken." Cadance smiled.

"This is all so wonderful, Twilight." Fluttershy squeed. "I couldn't be happier if it was me getting married!"

"That goes double for me!" Pinkie yelped, as she hopped up and down.

"Thanks, guys." Twilight beamed.

A short distance away, Flash was holding a similar celebration with Shining Armor, Night Light and Spike in his hotel room.

"I've got to give you credit, Flash." Shining admitted. "When I first heard about you and Twily, I didn't think it would last. And yet, here you are, about to marry her. Way to commit, pal."

"Thanks... bro." Flash smirked.

"I've told you once, and now I'm telling you again." Shining grimaced. "Don't push it."

"Oh, lighten up, Shining!" Night Light admonished him. "I, for one, am overjoyed about you joining our family, son."

"So am I." Flash sighed. "Twilight's, well... she's the one for me. I can't imagine being with anypony else."

"Looks like I'm gonna be an assistant for two from now on." Spike smiled.

"Yes you are, little buddy." Flash gave Spike a noogie.

"I think we'd better call it a night, fellows." Night Light suggested. "We want to get up bright and early for tomorrow."

"You said it, dad-in-law." Flash nodded. "Night, guys."

"Night." The others chorused, filing out of the room.

Flash cleared up everything, then got ready for bed. As per tradition, he was not permitted to see his bride until the wedding, lest the union be cursed with bad luck. It was pure superstition, but he preferred not to risk it. He climbed into bed, visions of his love on his mind until he slept, and even after.

The next morning, Twilight was practically pushed out of bed by Rarity, whom she was sharing the room with.

"Wakey-wakey, bride-to-be!" The fashionista yelled. "We need to get you ready!"

"I don't remember ordering a wake-up call." Twilight grumbled.

"There'll be time for sarcasm later." Rarity said, unfazed. "Now, let's get you all dressed up for your big day!"

Rarity went to work on Twilight, starting by styling the young princess's mane into elegant curls, then helping her into her wedding dress (Which she herself had designed, of course). The dress was one of Rarity's greatest creations; The pure white complimented by patterns of gold and lavender. Twilight's veil was the finest silk, topped with a ring of daffodils and violets.

"Voila!" Rarity proclaimed, opening the dress mirror so Twilight could see herself. "What do you think?"

"I... I look... incredible." Twilight gasped, tears of joy running down her face. "Thank you, Rarity."

"Don't go giving me all the credit." Rarity said humbly. "I just made the dress. You did the 'looking incredible' part yourself. Now, let's get going. Your carriage awaits."

Outside the hotel, a carriage, pulled by a pair of crystal pony guards, was indeed waiting, her friends (each wearing their own, individually styled bridesmaid dresses) waiting beside it.

"You ready, sugahcube?" Applejack smiled.

"Definitely." Twilight nodded.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Pinkie said excitedly. "Let's gooooo!"

They all climbed into the carriage, which set off for it's destination, the crystal palace. Inside, the throne room was packed with guests; Twilight's family, many old friends from past adventures, and of course, Celestia and Luna. Cadance was standing center stage at the alter, having happily agreed to conduct the ceremony. The groom was nervously awaiting his bride's arrival, a trio of his former fellow guardsponies standing close by, and Shining Armor next to him. Outside, the carriage parked, and Twilight and her friends disembarked.

"Any problems?" Twilight asked the lead guardspony.

"Just a few would-be gatecrashers." The guard announced. "And a couple of nosy paparazzi. But other then that, it's been quiet."

"Good." Twilight smiled. "Let's go, girls."

The bride and her bridesmaids entered the throne room. Spotting them, the crystal pony on the pipe organ started playing the wedding march. Looking towards the archway, Flash gaped at the vision of beauty that had just arrived.

"Wow..." He sighed.

Night Light stood by his daughter's side as she walked down the aisle, a bouquet of flowers held in her tucked wing. He stood aside as she reached the altar. Twilight climbed the steps, standing practically nose to nose with Flash.

"Fillies and gentlecolts." Cadance announced. "We are gathered here today to join this stallion and this mare in holy matrimony. And can I just say, as the princess of love, that I have never seen a union as strong and committed as this one before me."

Twilight and Flash beamed at each other.

"The bride and groom have prepared speeches." Cadance declared. "In your own time."

"Twilight, you are the most beautiful, most brilliant, most wonderful mare I've ever met." Flash announced. "Every moment with you has been a joy, and for us to be together for the rest of our lives? I can imagine no greater happiness."

"Flash, before I met you, I'd never known what love truly was." Twilight declared. "But you have taught me so much about it; The ups, the downs, the sheer contentment that comes from sharing your life with another. I will be honored and priveliged to become your wife."

There wasn't a dry eye in the house.

"That's so beautiful." Fluttershy sniffed.

"Ah, geez." Rainbow wiped away some tears. "Quit it, eyes! I've gotta rep to maintain!"

"Do you, Flash Sentry, take Twilight Sparkle to be your lawful wedded wife, in sickness and in health, til death do you part?" Cadance recited.

"I do." Flash nodded.

"And do you, Twilight Sparkle, take Flash Sentry to be your lawful wedded husband, in sickness and in health, til death do you part?" Cadance asked Twilight.

"I do." Twilight blushed.

"Then by the power vested in me, I hereby pronounce you stallion and wife." Cadance declared. "The rings, please."

Spike brought forth the rings, resting on a velvet pillow. Twilight levitated her ring on her horn, while Flash placed his larger ring around his hoof.

"You may kiss the bride." Cadance smiled.

"With pleasure." Flash grinned.

"You got that right." Twilight chuckled.

The couple embraced in a long, sweet kiss. The crowd cheered loudly.

Twilight and Flash led the assembled ponies out of the throne, and into the castle gardens, where the reception began. Rainbow kicked things off by flying up and performing her signature move, the Sonic Rainboom.

"OH, YEAH!" She boomed.

As was the custom, Twilight and Flash made the first cut of the wedding cake. They fed each other the first two slices, getting a fair amount of frosting on their faces, to everypony's amusement.

After the cake came the dancing. As the music played and the lights flared, Flash spun and dipped his new bride, before pulling her in close.

"Not bad, huh?" He smiled.

"Almost as good as me." Twilight joked.

"Check out the newlyweds!" Pinkie called. "So romantic!"

"Just like a fairy tale." Rarity sighed.

"You go, Twilight!" Applejack cheered.

After a few more minutes of dancing, Twilight and Flash sat down. It was then that they were approached by Celestia and Luna.

"Congratulations, Twilight." Celestia smiled. "I hope the two of you will be very happy together."

"Thanks so much." Twilight smiled back.

"Thank you, your highness." Flash bowed.

"There's no need for that now." Luna chuckled. "For you are now royalty too, [i]prince[/i] Flash Sentry."

"My prince charming." Twilight nuzzled him.

"You know it." Flash nuzzled back.

"Good luck to you both." Celestia said warmly. "Come, Luna. I'd like to get some cake before it's all gone."

"You and your sweet tooth, dear sister..." Luna shook her head teasingly.

All too soon, the celebrations wound down. Twilight and Flash headed for the carriage that would take them to the blimp port, and from there, their honeymoon destination at the haywaiian islands. Spreading her wing, Twilight hurled her bouquet into the air.

"IT'S MINE!" Rarity screeched, leaping to an unnaturally great height and catching the flowers. Noticing everypony was staring at her, she chuckled awkwardly. "Sorry. Reflex."

"Enjoy your honeymoon, Twily." Shining told his little sister. "And Flash? Take care of her."

"From one prince to another, you can count on me." Flash nodded.

"Congratulations, Twilight." Cadance beamed. "I always hoped you would one day feel the joy I feel."

"And now, I will." Twilight grinned. "Every day, for the rest of my life."

"Congrats, Twi." Rainbow told her.

"See ya soon, sugahcube." Applejack added.

"I'm so happy for you both, I could just burst!" Pinkie squealed.

"Me too." Fluttershy said softly.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do, darling." Rarity winked.

"Thanks, guys." Twilight beamed. "I'm missing you already."

"Have a great honeymoon." Spike told her.

"You bet." Twilight smiled. "Hold down the fort while I'm gone, okay?"

"Okay." Spike sniffed.

"Are you crying, little buddy?" Flash asked.

"No." Spike rubbed his eyes. "Just a little... crystal dust, that's all."

Twilight hugged the baby dragon.

"What's this for?" Spike smiled.

"For having crystal dust in your eyes." Twilight squeezed him tightly.

On that heartfelt note, Twilight and Flash climbed into the carriage. They waved to their friends and families, who enthusiastically waved back. The guardsponies in front starting pulling the carriage away. The crowd cheered and waved after it, until it vanished over the horizon. Inside, Flash and Twilight were snuggled up together, exhausted from their big day.

"This has been the best day of my life." Flash declared.

"Mine too." Twilight kissed him.

"And now comes the honeymoon." Flash smiled. "Just you and me, husband and wife, in sunny Haywaii."

"Can't wait." Twilight nuzzled him. "Love you."

"Love you too." Flash put a hoof around her.

They cuddled each other happily. Their big day had gone by without a hitch, and now they had the rest of their lives to look forward to, together.

To Be Continued...

(My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic and all associated characters are the property of Hasbro.)