The wedding was soon to start, and winter in Ponyville was back on schedule. It wouldn't be long, but there was a lack of enthusiasm. Midnight had brought Rainbow Dash and Tank back and told everyone what she'd tried to do. Blueblood and Macintosh had wanted to berate her for her selfishness, but Midnight insisted that Rainbow Dash needed time to herself. He sent her home with a warning that she was not to leave Ponyville until the wedding was over, and if she tried, he would know. Though he did tell her she was still welcome to be a part of the wedding Rainbow Dash had given him the cold shoulder.

Now, she was sulking in her cloud house, knowing that by the time the wedding was over winter would have officially arrived, and there'd be no stopping it. Soarin offered to go home with her, but she told him she just wanted to be alone with Tank. The wedding would start any minute now, and the guys and girls were all garbed in their suits and dresses, though Twilight was still at the boutique with Rarity, her mother, Velvet, and Cadance.

In the tent where Midnight and his groomstallions had prepared for themselves, Midnight was finishing up his uniform, the same one he wore to his and Twilight's coronation. It was a golden uniform with a white collar and borders, black buttons, a royal blue sash, and his mane had been combed so his usual bangs didn't hang above his face. The guys wore their tuxedos, and Shining Armor his own uniform. But hearing a sigh, Midnight looked over towards Soarin, as did the rest, and saw their friend looking downhearted, hadn't even bothered to fix his bow tie. They all shared concerned looks, and Midnight decided he had to say something.

Stepping over to his friend, Midnight said, "Soarin, I'm sorry for the way I handled things with Rainbow Dash. I'm not going to justify her reasons for what she tried to do, but I can understand them. Still, if you would rather be with her-"

"I'm gonna go talk to her," Soarin interrupted while standing up. "I know she said she wants to be alone with Tank, but I think she's due for a little... tough love. Do you mind if I ask the girls to come with me to see her?"

"Sure, buddy," Midnight patted Soarin on the shoulder, "Take all the time you need. The attendees can wait a little longer for things to get started."

In her cloud house, Rainbow Dash, garbed in her purple night robe, was lying in her bed, holding Tank, onto whom she'd put some pajamas Rarity had made for him, as the little tortoise yawned again, to her chagrin. Then she heard her door open, and several hoofsteps and Pinkie Pie saying, "Knock, knock!"

"How are you feeling, Rainbow Dash?" asked Fluttershy in a gentle and slightly upbeat way.

"Whatever..." Rainbow Dash sighed in response, not even looking their way.

Soarin looked to Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Applejack, the last of whom walked up to Rainbow's bedside, "Buck up, sugarcube. Yer gonna miss th' whole shebang goin' on at th' park!"

This time, Rainbow Dash's tone was colder as she repeated, "Whatever..."

Unable to take the tension any longer, Pinkie hesitantly whined, "I hate to say this, but well... You've become... a party pooper!"

Finally, Rainbow Dash sat up and looked at them all tersely, "Didn't you hear me? I said 'whatever'. I don't know if you're here to cheer me up or what, but I'm fine!"

Seeing her sulk back to her pillow, Soarin opened his mouth, only for Fluttershy to step forward, placing her hoof on his shoulder as she said, "Let me handle this."

She approached Rainbow's bedside, and cleared her throat, "Rainbow Dash, your winter is going to be PET-LESS."

Rainbow Dash's ears perked up before she sat up to look at Fluttershy, then at Soarin, and Applejack, and Pinkie, and her eyes quickly welled up with tears and her lips pursed shakily... until finally she broke out into heart-wrenching sobs! She sniffled, trying to catch her breath while looking at Tank but continued to bawl her eyes out, Tank looking at her with concern.

Soarin nudged Fluttershy in the shoulder, whispering, "Was that really necessary?!"

"Yes, otherwise," Fluttershy explained, "she'll never get past this until she lets it all out."

And let it out she did as Rainbow Dash's crying started to turn hysterical, clutching Tank as though her life depended on it. Then Applejack pushed Soarin forward, to his confusion and saw her wave him forward to say something. He sighed, knowing this was gonna be hard, but Fluttershy was right.

He walked over, sat on the edge of Rainbow's bed, and gently placed a hoof on her withers, and kindly said, "Dashie, it's okay! Tank will hibernate just for a few months."

"MONTHS?!" Rainbow Dash got up in Soarin's face, her eyes begging to redden from her crying as she wailed, "I DON'T WANT HIM TO GO-HO-HO..."

Soarin laid by his mare, not caring if he got his suit wrinkly, gently saying, "Go ahead, angel, get it all out..."

They all waited a few minutes longer before Rainbow's crying began to soften and slow down. Soarin took out the hanky in his suit and offered it to Rainbow, asking, "Feeling better?"

Rainbow accepted it, wiped her tears away and blew her nose before uttering a soft, "Uh-huh..."

But then just a few seconds later, Rainbow bawled out again, and Soarin couldn't take it anymore! He hugged Rainbow from behind and started to sniffle, "C'mon, Dashie! I can't stand to see you like this...!"

"It's so... heart-wrenching!" Pinkie Pie agreed as she pulled Fluttershy into a hug, that the butter yellow pegasus couldn't help crying either.

Looking up, wiping away his tears, Soarin looked at at Applejack and asked, "Uh- AJ? How come... you're not crying?"

"Applejack cries on the inside, Soarin!" Pinkie Pie shrieked tearfully.

Applejack crossed her forelegs and nodded, "It's true."

After several more minutes of crying, Rainbow Dash broke it up, "OK, everyone, I... I'm good."

She hiccuped and sat up, Soarin letting go, while Rainbow gently set Tank aside, "I feel better. Really, I do."

She looked at Soarin and smiled warmly, "Thanks. I don't know what I'd do without you. Without any of you."

Then she noticed Tank looking at her and teared up again, "Or him!"

Seeing her shelly friend slowly smile at her, Rainbow Dash knelt down to be eye-level with him, "Oh Tank, I'm sure gonna miss you."

Then Tank put his foot onto Rainbow's hoof and they shared an adorable nuzzle, when Rainbow felt Soarin rub up against her side, and she looked to him.
"Tank's not gonna be gone forever, Dashie! Three months will go by faster than you know it, and the both of you will be so darn happy to see each other come the spring. And even if you can't share winter with Tank the way you wanted to, you can take pictures and show him an album."

Rainbow Dash smiled at her stallion, "How did I ever get somepony as awesome as you to love?"

She nuzzled him, and he nuzzled her back, their ears perking to the aw's from Applejack, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie, and then Soarin said, "If you don't want to go to the wedding, I'm cool to hang out with you here."

"...I'm... still a little miffed at Midnight," Rainbow admitted before she sighed, "But... he was right to stop me. If Tank really does need to hibernate, then if he got sick because I wouldn't let him I'd never forgive myself. So... I'll go. At least for Twilight."

"Then it's a good thing we brought your bridesmare dress!" Fluttershy held it up while Applejack shoo'd Soarin out.

The attendees were starting to get impatient, as the Best Stallion, Shining Armor, received a levitated note from his mother and what he read made his sigh before he leaned over to whisper to Midnight, "Um, how much longer before we can start? Mom just informed me that Twily and Dad are ready and waiting."

Midnight winced, knowing they had to move this along and soon... when thankfully, he saw the Soarin and rest of the girls, including Rainbow Dash, arrive and hurry to their places. Though he noticed Rainbow Dash stood as far from Midnight as she could alongside the bridesmares, and didn't give him so much as a glance. He understood, but then nodded to Sombra before nodding to Fluttershy, who flew up to a fancy perch where her songbirds were waiting and the ceremony began.

The birds began to sing 'Here comes the Bride' and everyone eagerly looked down the wedding aisle to see Night Light, looking sharp in his tux, standing beside his daughter, Twilight, who wore a gorgeous wedding dress. It was designed with velvet, faux fur, and touchings of pale lavender and gold. Magenta stars lined the hems of her gown while the train behind her was designed to resemble fanciful patterns of frost. On her head, she wore a crown of snowdrops interwoven together with ribbons of gold, turquoise, and lavender, and she wore crystal slippers on her hooves.

Her face, however, was what caught everypony's attention. She wore only the faintest makeup, mere touches to emphasize her natural beauty, which was genuine, humble, and warm. The moment her violet eyes met Midnight's turquoise eyes, their hearts soared so that it took all their willpower not to run to each other delay the ceremony any longer. Cameras flashed, tears were shed, everyone watched the Princess of Friendship walk down the aisle with her father towards the Prince of Friendship. Upon arriving at the altar, Night Light took his daughter's hoof and held it out towards Midnight, who humbly accepted it as they shared a look and nod of respect. For a moment, Night Light stalled, his heart wavering as he was giving his daughter away to another stallion. He felt a squeeze on his hoof and saw Twilight giving her father a warm understanding smile.

With deepest love and pride, and just a little sadness, Night Light let his little girl go, and watched her join Midnight at the altar before Sombra. He felt a gentle tug on his tail and saw his wife, Velvet, shedding tears of joy but gesturing him to sit beside her. Sitting down, night Light joined everyone else as they watched.

"Dearly beloved, family and friends, we have come together to be a part of this moment where two incredible ponies join their hearts in holy matrimony," Sombra began, sweeping his gaze across the crowd of attendees.

He saw the rest of the Harmonic Twelve, along with Shining Armor, Cadance, the parents of the bride, the mother and brother of the groom, their friends, their neighbors, as well as many ponies and creatures whose lives had been touched and made better because of the Magic of Friendship. And of course, Sombra saw his wife and sister-in-law, who were getting along and not bickering like petty fillies because this time Sombra had reminded them to bring their wedding gift.

"Theirs is a story that defies time and destiny," Sombra went on, "a bond that has been tried and tested by doubt, by fear, by the most incredible and trying of circumstances. Yet through it all, that which these two feel for each other, deep down in their heart of hearts, has only been made stronger and proven beyond any shadow of a doubt that they truly are meant for each other. Do you, Prince Midnight Blaze and Princess Twilight Sparkle, join us here of your own free will to acknowledge the eternal bond the both of you share?"

"I do," Midnight answered, unable to stop his own tear of joy.
"I do!" echoed Twilight, feeling her spirit soar.

"You may face each other and join hooves," Sombra instructed, and once they did so, he added, "Midnight, you may recite your vows."

Gazing into his Twily's eyes, Midnight felt nervous. Then he felt her gentle squeeze on his hooves, and the smile she gave him helped. Taking a deep breath, Midnight began.
"Twilight Sparkle? We've come a long way. We've known each other in ways not many ponies can relate to, but despite all the trials and obstacles we've faced to be standing here, I can say with absolute certainty that it was worth it. That you are worth it, and you will always be worth it, no matter what the future may yet hold for us. I vow to spend the rest of my life loving you, protecting you, to be a good husband who listens to you, respects you, and will settle for nothing less than making you happy, and perhaps one day to do all that and more for a family of our own.

"Because I love you, Twilight. I love everything about you. Your determination, your intelligence, your everything that makes you the magical miracle that captured my heart and spurred me on even in my darkest times. For as long as you are with me, as long as you believe in me, there is nothing I can't do!"

Twilight felt her heart flutter from every word, and was so lost in her feelings that she didn't hear Sombra the first time, and looked at him, "What?"

Chuckling, Sombra repeated, "You may now recite your vows, Twilight."

"Oh, yes!" Twilight giggled a little sheepishly, looking adorable to Midnight, when she cleared her throat and took a deep breath.
"Midnight Blaze... Never have I known a pony like you. You've always looked out for me, even when I didn't even know it. I feel blessed to have you in my life, and now we join our lives together. I won't deny I have had doubts about what we have between us, but now, in this moment, I have none whatsoever. If you of all ponies can have faith in our future together, how can I not believe? So to you, I vow to love you, to support you, to believe in you, to be a wife who is there for you when you don't know where else to turn to for guidance, and to return all the happiness you give me and more, and yes, to one day mother your children and work with you to raise our future foals grow up to be happy and the best they can be.

"Because I love you too, Midnight. I love you for your strength, your spirit, your ability to inspire me and our friends to bring out the best in ourselves and in each other. Whatever challenges the future may yet have in store for us, we will overcome them together!"

The crowd was aw'ing and shedding more tears, wanting to applaud, so Sombra nodded and declared, "Then by the power invested in me, I sanction this union in the name of Faust and declare these two souls as husband and wife! May we have the bands?"

All eyes turned to Shining Armor who was sniffling, trying to hold back the "liquid pride" (as he insisted) as he levitated out the wedding bands Midnight had entrusted to him, placing them onto Midnight's outstretched hoof. He faced his Twilight again and both nodded before they took the other's ring and gently slipped them over each other's left forehoof, and finally, Sombra said, "You may now kiss the bride!"

Midnight laughed and pulled his wife towards him before dipping her, making her giggle before their lips met right as snowflakes began to drift down through the Thermal Barrier, creating a magical effect as everypony cheered!

Still lip-locked with her new husband, Twilight held up her bouquet, earning the attention of a lot of mares and a few stallions. Without a care, Twilight launched the wedding bouquet and wouldn't you know it, the one who caught it was Joe, who hadn't even tired. He blushed and looked to Chili Spice who gave him a saucy wink, making him laugh nervously.

Moving on to the reception, the newlyweds began with their first dance, unable to stop looking into each other's eyes and smiling with a warm content. Then, the Cutie-Mark Crusaders walked up to Vinyl Scratch, Twinken whispering something into her ear, and the DJ nodded. After the song Midnight and Twilight were dancing to ended, there was feedback on the microphone and everypony looked to see the Crusaders standing in front of the microphone as Twinken cleared his throat.

"Um, hi, everypony!" he waved, sounding a little nervous but you could see the determination in his bright red eyes. Clearing his throat, Twinken announced, "My name is Twinken, Prince Midnight's little brother, and now I'm happy to call Princess Twilight my new big sister!"

"Oh...!" Twilight wanted to run up and give Twinken a hug but obviously he had something to say.

"For a long time now, I've seen Midnight and Twilight together, even before they were... together," Twinken chuckled nervously, and some of the attendees laughed lightly as well. "I've seen them do all kinds of things together, and they were always happy just because they were doing those things together. So now, in honor of their marriage, my friends and I, the Cutie-Mark Crusaders, would like to sing a song for them. Big brother... big sister? I hope you like it."

Twinken invited his friends up to the microphone with him before he signaled Vinyl, and the DJ pony began the music.

As soon as the song ended, Midnight and Twilight hurried over to give Twinken a big hug, and then included the rest of the Cutie-Mark Crusaders for that wonderful song, as everypony cheered. The music continued, this time for everypony to dance. Twilight excused herself from Midnight to dance with her father, but before Midnight could look for his mother, he was tapped on the shoulder and turned to see a reluctant-looking Rainbow Dash.

"Can... can we talk?"

"...Sure, let's go find some privacy," Midnight obliged and led Rainbow Dash to behind the wedding altar.

For a few long moments it was a very awkward silence when...

"I just wanted to-/Listen, Rainbow, I-"

They both stumbled on their words when Rainbow Dash held up a wing, took a breath, and then spoke, "Listen, Midnight, I'm... I'm sorry. You were right, I was being selfish and not thinking about the consequences of my actions would have had, not only on myself but others as well. I just got so caught up in how much it hurt that Tank is going away for a while and... The point is, I'm sorry and I shouldn't have said those things to you. You were just stopping me from making a huge mistake."

"Well, Rainbow, I could have been a little more sympathetic," Midnight sighed in response, "Instead of forcing you and accusing you, I should have tried talking to you- I mean, really talking to you. Not that I could have in any way allowed you to go through with what you were planning, but while I am sworn to protect this nation and those who live in it I still appreciate our friendship. You're loyal and dependable, you never leave your friends hanging, and that means more to us than you think.

"But a part of being friends is stopping your friends from doing something they shouldn't. Even if they don't appreciate it or resent you for it. I know that saying goodbye to Tank for the winter is gonna be hard on you, but if you're ever feeling troubled or worried or scared for a friend, talk about it. Your friends are here for you, no matter what, Rainbow Dash."

"Thanks, Midnight, Rainbow Dash smiled gratefully, and the two friends shared a hug before returning to the party.

They danced, had cake (and the newlyweds did the traditional smushing cake in each other's faces), they received plenty of wedding gifts, but as the hours passed the time for Midnight and Twilight to leave came before anypony knew it.

Standing at the foot of the gangplank that led up to their airship at the Ponyville Airfield, Midnight and Twilight faced their friends and family happily.
"Have a great trip!" "Bring souvenirs!" "Take lots of pictures." "Come back in time for Hearth's Warming Eve!"

"OK! Okay," Midnight laughed, holding up his hooves in surrender, "Just... try not to burn Ponyville down while we're gone!"

"Oh hardy-har-har!" Thunderlane responded, and everypony laughed.

Night Light, Velvet, Faerie Tail, Twinken, Shining Armor, and Cadance all approached the newlyweds and they came together in a big family hug, everypony watching the touching moment. When they parted, they allowed the Royal Sisters and Sombra to step forward, and Twilight looked up warmly at Sombra, "Thank you for the sermon, Prince Sombra."

"Thank you and your husband for giving me the honor," Sombra responded kindly.
"We are all so very happy for you," Celestia hugged them, feeling like a proud mom.
"You'd better get going!" Luna reminded them, as the hour was getting late.

Once Midnight and Twilight boarded the airship, they waved farewell as they disembarked, and kept waving until they were too high to see their friends and family. Making their way to the bow of the ship, Twilight gazed out towards the horizon, feeling Midnight wrap his wings around her, and she nuzzled up against his chin before they were cheek to cheek.

"I'm all yours and you're all mine..." she heard him whisper deviously... before she felt something poking her.

"Hmmm, you have my interest and apparently I have yours," Twilight responded in a sultry voice.

"I'm not sure I can wait until we get to our hotel in Manehatten," Midnight said in pretend sulky way.

"Aw, poor baby," Twilight looked up at him and gave him a tender kiss. When they parted lips, they lost themselves in each other's eyes and she finally relented, "Aw, to hay with it."

Throwing up a Privacy Barrier, the newlyweds consummated their marriage right there on the deck of the airship in full glorious view of the moon.

The beautiful artwork is by Hoodwinked MCShelster

Disclaimer - "The Best of Friends"