Shining Armor, captain of the Equestrian Royal Guard, feared nothing.

Well, almost nothing. If an assassin fired an anti-magic arrow at one of the princesses, he’d throw himself in front of it in a heartbeat. If some eldritch abomination escaped from Tartarus and attacked the palace, he’d gladly hurl himself against it, even if it meant certain death.

But now, as he stood at the Castle altar with Princess Celestia, he wanted nothing more than to run to the nearest corner and curl up into a ball. The captain’s stomach felt like it was training for the Equestria Games, while his heart felt like a crazed jackhammer.

Something’s gonna go wrong. In the Guard, the rule of hoof was that if anything could go wrong, it would go wrong.With something as big and as important as his wedding, it could be anything. Like flubbing his vows. Like passing out. Like passing out after flubbing his vows.

It didn’t help that the throne room was packed with guests. Some of them were familiar enough; his mom and dad were there. Twilight and her friends were there. Heck, even a few of his old High school buddies were there.Then there were the faces he didn’t recognize: brown-muzzling nobles trying to score brownie points with the princess-to-be, dignitaries from nations with tongue-twisting names, and relatives he hadn’t even known existed.

His bride hadn’t skimped on the wedding guests either. The right side of the throne room was packed with guests that she’d insisted on bringing; trusted generals from her people’s massive army or ordinary citizens who had been deemed worthy of attending, which, judging from the sheer number of guests, must have been quite a few.

All of those ponies were watching him. While most of the faces were friendly enough, Shining couldn’t shake the feeling that they were judging him. Waiting for him to screw up like a timberwolf waiting for a rabbit to hop within reach of its jaws.

Shining’s Guard training kicked in. He took a deep breath, counted to four, then exhaled. There was no point in worrying about what might happen. If he screwed up, he screwed up. Nothing could change that. Worrying about it would just make things worse.

Just gotta think of something else. Think of something else. Shining’s eyes fell on his Best Mare. The lavender unicorn waved at him. He smiled back; by the Creator had Twili changed! The last time he’d seen her, her only companions had been dusty old books. Now, she actually talked to ponies. Heck, she actually had friends!

He couldn’t be more proud.

Just as Shining’s body was starting to relax, the strains of “Here Comes the Bride” echoed throughout the throne room. Shining locked his limbs into place and gritted his teeth. This was it. No going back.

The entrance to the throne room opened, and Shining’s bride trotted in. He gasped.

Chrysalis, you look beautiful

-

The Queen of the Changelings had gotten creative with her shape-shifting abilities. Her serrated, sickle-shaped horn was now a more traditional curlicue icicle shape, and her dragonfly-like wings had become gorgeous, electric-blue butterfly wings. Light from the midday sun glinted off of her coat, giving her a beautiful purplish sheen. Shining could hear more than a few gasps from the audience.

The shape-shifting monarch slowly trotted down the aisle, flanked by two of her most trusted generals. Behind her, two Changeling drones held up the trail of a wedding dress almost as beautiful as her. Made from the silk of a moth native to the Badlands, the dress looked like it was spun from pure emerald.

After what felt like an eternity, Chrysalis finally reached the altar. Shining looked into his bride’s leaf-green eyes and little of his love for her flowed into the Changeling’s body, empowering her soul. In return, he felt her little bit of her love for him flow into his own mind like a wave of sweet, soft fire.

Princess Celestia cleared her throat. The couple snapped to attention.

“Honored guests, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two kingdoms that have been separated for far too long.” The alicorn princess motioned to the newlyweds. “Captain Shining Armor of the Equestrian Diarchy, and Queen Chrysalis of the Changeling Union.”

“Their relationship has not been an easy one. For much of our history, Changelings have been outcasts. The lucky ones managed to stay hidden amongst pony society, living in perpetual fear of being discovered. The rest were forced to live in the desolation of the Badlands, struggling to survive in underground hives.”

Celestia stomped a hoof. “But no more! Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in Equestrian history. With this marriage, Changelings shall walk as equals with their pony brothers and sisters. ”

Celestia turned to Shining. “The couple will now say their vows.”

Shining took a deep breath.Ok, Shining, just as we rehearsed. “Chrysalis, when I was ambushed during my border patrol of the Badlands, I hadn’t expected a rescue. Especially not from a Changeling.”

The words came more easily now. “When I woke up in your hive, I thought your kindness was just part of a typical evil plan.You’d treat me well and earn my trust. You’d use your evil Changeling magic to seduce me, you’d get me to spill all of Canterlot’s secrets, then you’d suck me dry’.”

The audience laughed softly. Chrysalis gave a bemused smile.

“But as I got better, I realized just how much of an idiot I was. This was no ruse. You never asked Despite your food shortages, you always made sure I had plenty to eat. Against the warnings of your generals, you treated me as an honored guest in your hive.And when I asked to bury my men, you insisted on giving them a proper funeral.”

Shining wiped a tear from his eye. “Chryssie, during those two months, I saw that Changelings aren’t so different from ponies. Sure, you may not look exactly like us, but your thoughts, your feelings, your dreams...well they’re just like ours.”

Shining beamed. “That’s why I’d be honored to have you as my wife.”

Celestia smiled and turned to Chrysalis. “Now, Chrysalis?”

The Changeling monarch tensed for a second. Shining could feel tension press in on her brain like a vice. With a thought, he gave her a quick burst of reassurance and her tension snuffed out like a candle.

“Shining Armor.” Chrysalis said. “When I had my drones save you from those bandits, I initially saw it as a way to save my dying race. I’d hoped that saving a high-ranking member of the Royal Guard would prove a useful bargaining chip for negotiating with the Diarchy. “

Chrysalis smiled. “I never expected to fall in love with you. While you certainly were suspicious of me at first, you quickly began to look beyond our appearances. As your wounds healed, we developed a deep respect for both our races. A respect that soon turned to love.”

“However, it wasn’t until you jumped in front of an assassin's arrow that our love became a lasting bond. From then on, despite our differences, we knew that we were meant for eachother.”

Chrysalis’ eyes began to water. “Your love for me was only matched by your love for my people. When I told you about our food shortages, you went with me to Canterlot. Once there, you did not rest until the Princesses agreed to hear my plea.”

In all of our history, no Outsider has been willing to speak out for us.” She blinked away a few tears. “Because of you and the kindness of the Princesses, my children shall go hungry no more.”

A tear trickled down Chrysalis’ cheek. She sniffed. “That’s why I would be honored to be your wife.”

More than a few ponies started weeping. Shining could see one of Twilight’s friends wiping tears from her eye.

Celestia spoke up. “If anypony has any reason why these two should not be wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace.”

There was nothing but silence. Shining breathed a silent sigh of relief.

“Therefore, by the power invested in me by the Creator, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

With that, Shining wrapped his arm around Chrysalis’ neck and and kissed her like he’d never kissed before. She tasted like lemons, laced with the faint musky scent of Changeling pheromones. It was as though she was a thundercloud and his lips were a lightning rod.

Celestia beamed. “May I present to you, Prince Shining Armor and Princess Chrysalis.”

The guests went ballistic. Shining’s parents smiled, tears trickling down their cheeks like liquid pride. Twili and her friends cheered. To Shining’s surprise, a few of the nobles were actually smiling..

That was nothing compared to Chrysalis’ subjects. Overwhelmed by excitement, the Changeling drones in the audience reverted to their true forms and started swarming all over the throne room, hissing joyfully in their native tongue. Shining suppressed a laugh as a fancily dressed unicorn passed out.

BEHAVE YOURSELVES! Chrysalis shouted through her empathic link.

The psychic reprimand worked. The changelings returned to their pony forms and settled down.

Shining and his new wife trotted down the aisle towards a waiting carriage. Rice showered on the new couple like rain. To Shining’s amusement, both the guards harnessed to the carriage were crying tears of joy.

“So.” Shining helped his new wife into the carriage. She nuzzled him playfully, “Now what?”

“Well, what do we have planned?”

“Well, first there’s the reception. Then there’s that party Pinkie’s throwing. We wouldn’t want to miss that.”

Shining gave Chrysalis a kiss. “Then after that, well...we’ll go from there”

The Changeling slipped her forked tongue slide into his mouth. Shining felt as though

This day had been perfect.

-

Deep below Canterlot, a scrying orb smashes against the cavern walls in a spray of enchanted glass.

“Whorse!” The disheveled alicorn charges her chipped horn and fires a bolt of magical energy. A crystal stalagmite explodes in a spray of glittering powder. “Thieving Whorse!”

The alicorn fires destructive bolts everywhere. Crystal dust wafts down like glittering snow. “Shining isn’t yours, bug! He’s mine!” She stomps her hooves. “Mine mine mine mine mine!”

The unhinged alicorn pushes a strand of greasy mane out of her mane. A deranged smile spreads across her emaciated face. No matter. It wouldn't last. Not for long, at least.

The alicorn giggles like a filly hearing a funny joke. She picks up an old photograph of Shining Armor with her telekinesis. The crystal heart on her flank glows with an eye-smarting light. She just give it a little time. Just a little more time

[iThen Shining Armor would belong to Cadance.