Chapter 3 – Vinyl Scratch & Octavia’s Wedding

A week has past since Ford Mustang and Rainbow Dash got back from their honeymoon in the Delphi Isles. As soon as they got back, they were quickly informed about Vinyl Scratch and Octavia’s wedding date, which would happen a week later. And to Ford’s astonishment, he was chosen to be Vinyl’s best stallion out of all the ushers she picked, Rainbow Dash included.

Now early of this evening, the Kingdom of Canterlot is having another wedding, and this time, it’s for the two famed musicians. As before, each of the brides-to-be has their own private suites to get ready with their respective bridesmaids and ushers. Inside Vinyl’s suite, her four out of five ushers are helping her out on her big day as they are already in their individual, black tuxes. Despite being a bride herself, Vinyl is happy enough to wear a sharp, sleek suit with a red rose serving as her carnation compared to going through the hassles of an over-the-top bridal gown. And instead of a usual, black bowtie, she’s been given the honor to wear her bride’s personal, pink bowtie.

“This is it! This is finally it, isn’t it?!” the blue haired Unicorn grinned ecstatically as she anxiously bounces up and down. “I’m about to get married today!”

“I know! Isn’t this exciting?!” Pinkie Pie concurs with a wide, toothy smile.

“Dagnabbit, Vinyl! Stop fidgetin’ around already!” Applejack grumbles as she is busy trying to apply hair gel to the tomboyish bride’s mane. “Honestly, why am Ah always the one to spruce you ponies up on your big day?”

“Would you rather be in Rarity’s place instead?” Lyra Heartstrings giggles with a knowing grin.

Imaging her fiancée’s position when it comes to dressing up Octavia in her extravagant wedding gown, Applejack shrugs with a small smile, “Eh, good point.”

After the orange farmpony finishes her task with smoothing out Vinyl’s untamed hairstyle, the green mint Unicorn offers her assistance as she says, “Here. Let me take care of the rest for you, Applejack.”

“Much obliged, sugarcube.” AJ kindly thanks her before they switch places. “You know, this is something a best stallion should be doing in the first place.”

As Lyra uses her gold-colored magic to fix up Vinyl’s collar and bowtie, Applejack is mockingly staring at the lone stallion, who is sitting at a table and going over numerous flash cards and notes in regards with his other important task today besides being Vinyl’s best stallion.

A bit shook up by Applejack’s kidding, he apologizes humbly, “Sorry, AJ. I really wanted to get our special performance tonight to go without a hitch, so I’m trying to memorize our routine as much as possible.”

“Relax, Ford. I’m just messin’ with ya.” she reassures with a warm chuckle. “Ah know how much effort you and RD have put into this for Vinyl and Octavia.”

“Yeah, Mustang!” Vinyl agrees with a comforting smile. “Whatever it is that you two came up with, I know that it’s gonna be so cool!”

“Mm-hmm!” Pinkie Pie nods feverously. “And it will be 20 percent cooler with some extra help from Dashie! Then we can get on with the ultimate party and eventually dish out the wedding cake!”

“Mmmm… cake~!” the DJ muses with a drooling smile.

“He-heh! Simmer down, Sally-girl.” AJ chuckles while playfully patting the bride on the shoulder. “Marriage first. Cake later.”

“By the way, has anyone seen Rainbow lately?” Ford asks the mares as he looks around the room for her.

“Ah think she might be using the lil’ filly’s room.” Applejack answers before she trots toward the exit. “Here, Ah’ll go check on her for ya, hon.”

“Thanks, Applejack.” he smiles with gratitude before she leaves the room in search of her friend.

BLAARGH!!

Meanwhile, in the mare’s restroom, Rainbow Dash takes a break with heavy breaths from her unexplained vomiting before she flushes the toilet and exits out of there. Then, she approaches one of the sinks and proceeds to wash her fore hooves and mouth. After splashing some water on her face and drying it off with one of the exclusive, fluffy towels, she gets a good look of herself in the mirror as she tries to figure this out.

This morning, she received a rude awakening when she felt an urgent need for the toilet; of course, her means of relieving herself is far different than usual. Not only that, but just recently, this is the third time she had to use the toilet like that. Still, she is uncertain on why she is suffering from such an unusual symptom at a time like this. In either case, she can’t let a little sickness bring her down when ponies are counting on her on this important day for Vinyl and Octavia.

As she opens the door to leave the restroom, she is nearly startled by the appearance of one of her friends, Applejack, who is about to enter it herself. And luckily for AJ, the pony she is looking for is right in front of her.

“There you are, sugarcube!” she greets Rainbow with a smile. “We’ve been worried sick about ya!” Then with squinty eyes, the observant Earth Pony examines the startled Pegasus once she notices some bags underneath her eyes before she adds with concern, “Come to think of it, you don’t look so good yourself. Is everything okay?”

Hastily, Rainbow breaks into a wide grin as she casually leans on the restroom’s doorway before she proclaims boldly as ever, “Yep! Never better!” Unfortunately, her hasty reassurance isn’t enough to convince the steadfast farmpony as the Element Bearer of Honesty raises a skeptical eyebrow toward her fellow usher and best friend.

Seeing how there is no reason to beat it around the bush, Dash then asks in a deadpan tone, “Not buying it, huh?”

“Nnnope.” AJ answers with a winning smile.

With a defeated sigh, Rainbow sheepishly admits her own cover-up, “Okay, look. I… might have been a little sick since this morning, alright?”

“Then what the hay are ya doing out here?” Applejack demands in a worrisome yet firm tone. “You should be at home gettin’ some rest this instant!”

“And miss out on Vy & Octy’s big wedding? No way!” she retorts with renewed conviction. “Besides, Ford and I still have our routine to perform tonight! I can’t let him and the newlyweds down now!”

They fiercely stare at each for a bit before Rainbow Dash continues in a softer voice, “Look, I got most of it out of my systems already. I can still do this. No problem.”

Slightly unsure by her friend’s assurance, AJ shakes her head and responds indecisively, “Ah don’t know, RD. Ah still think yer just pushin' it a little too hard on yerself.”

“I won’t. I promise. Just… please don’t tell Ford about this.” she pleads to a great extent. “I don’t want him to worry over nothing with the performance he planned out for us.”

Applejack gives it some more thought on Rainbow’s desperate plea, but finally, she expresses her approval with a small smile and replies earnestly, “Alright. Ah won’t say a word to him. But if you start lookin’ pale around the gills, then yer going straight to bed, missy, and that will be the end of that! Got it?”

Thankful that the equally stubborn mare lets it slide this time, Dash responds with a carefree smirk, “Yeah yeah, I got it.”

“Well, come on then!” AJ insists with a grin as she leads the Pegasus back to their dressing room. “Let’s get this show on the road!”

At the hour of twilight, the seats at the royal chapel are packed to the fullest. As a special request from the couple, Princess Luna is given the privilege as master of the wedding ceremony. As Vinyl would say, it’s a way to give the princess some credit for keeping the nightlife so lively for everypony. Standing on Luna’s left side, is a jittery Vinyl Scratch along with her best stallion, Ford Mustang, and the rest of the ushers in the following order: Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Lyra Heartstrings.

“Hey, Vinyl. You nervous?” Mustang asks once he notices the bride’s restlessness.

“Me? Nervous? Nah!” she answers with a huge grin as she keeps on bending her knees in a bouncy manner. “I’m just so excited, that I could hardly contain myself!”

“Hey, I wanna bounce up and down too!” Pinkie Pie whines humorously as she quickly squeezes between Vinyl and Ford.

“Me three!” the beaming Lyra concurs as she squeezes right next to Pinkie.

In sync, the three ecstatic mares bounce in a very giddy fashion as Applejack rolls her eyes while she mutter to herself, “Heh, Ah knew Ah shouldn’t have left my lasso at home.”

“Oh, lighten up, AJ.” Rainbow playfully nudges the orange farmpony. “Let them have their fun. It is Vinyl’s big day after all.”

“Yeah, come on!” Vinyl insists joyfully. “Join in the fun already!”

Then Pinkie and Lyra start chanting with semi-creepy smiles stretching across their faces. “Join us~! Join us~!”

Rainbow Dash gives it some consideration on joining the trio’s merriment, but dreading that all that bouncing will just churn her stomach the wrong way, she gently declines their invite with a sheepish grin, “Uhh… that’s okay, girls. Gotta save up my strength and energy for our big show tonight, you know.”

“Excuse me for the interruption, Vinyl Scratch.” Luna interrupts with a gentle smile. “But I believe that everypony is ready to begin the ceremony as we speak.”

Vinyl blinks a bit from the princess’s emphasis as she responds in raspy anxiety, “R-really?! O-okay, well… let’s get started, shall we?”

As the tomboyish bride quickly pushes Lyra and Pinkie back to their proper places, Luna signals with a nod to the musicians, and they begin their first score. With the orchestrated music playing on cue, the guards open the door and allow the bridesmaids to go in first, with Beauty Brass, one of Octavia’s dearest friends and fellow musician for their ensemble, leading up front as the maid of honor with the rest of the bridesmaids following in line: Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Lyra’s wife, Bon-Bon. Each of them is wearing an elegant dress that matches the bold purple color of the upcoming bride’s eyes.

While the bridesmaids are steadily walking down the aisle, Rainbow Dash suddenly starts to sweat as she loosens her collar while whispering to her husband, “Phew! Is it just me, or has it gotten a lot hotter in here all of a sudden?”

“Hmm… I don’t feel any different.” he answers casually. “Why do you ask?”

Afraid that her sweating may be the result of her repetitive sickness, she dismisses that with a shake of her head and adds, “Huh, I guess it must be the suit I’m wearing or something.”

But the blue-and-yellow haired stallion eyes her carefully and inquires softly, “Now that I think about it… you’ve been acting a bit different lately. Is everything alright?”

“Y-y-yeah, no problem! Honestly, you worry too much sometimes!” she answers hastily with a light punch to the stallion’s shoulder.

“I guess.” he responds quietly even though he isn’t too convince on his wife’s awkward behavior.

As soon as the bridesmaids stand on the other side of the altar, the musicians finish their first score. After a brief pause, the ensemble begins the recognizable bridal chorus as the guards open the grand doors once again to let in the awaited bride. Vinyl is completely thunderstruck by Octavia’s majestic appearance as she gazes at her beloved cellist. The warm gray Earth Pony is wearing a complete bridal set with a silky veil, white leggings, and a one-of-a-kind gown featuring pink ribbons and bright violet trimmings. Her long, black, polished mane lies elegantly over her shoulder, and her affectionate eyes feature a touch of light purple eye shadow. Accompanying the blushing bride is her proud father, who is a tall, bulky Earth Pony with a slightly scruffy beard and short, wavy, comb-backed hair. Vinyl’s ruby eyes sparkle upon the lovely slight of her soon-to-be wife as her awestricken smile widen significantly.

As the more feminine bride makes her way to join her partner at the altar, Rainbow Dash once again feels that unpleasant feeling, which is churning inside her stomach. She subtly cringes from her upset stomach as her sturdy legs nearly cave in, but her prideful resolve refuses to let her displeasure get the better of her as Rainbow ignores the pain and re-straightens her posture.

Once Octavia reaches the same platform as Vinyl, the smiling cellist shares a gratifying kiss with her father before the large stallion embraces his future daughter-in-law in a bone-crushing hug. After that, he walks to his rightful seat as he sits down next to his smiling wife, who bears a strong resemblance of their daughter. With the chorus coming to its end, the attendees sit down in their seats, and Princess Luna begins the commencement once things have gotten quiet.

“Fillies and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Vinyl Scratch and Octavia Philharmonica!”

But once again, the agonizing sensation Rainbow Dash is experiencing is resurfacing as her weakening legs tremble terribly and more beads of sweat seep out of her blue coat. And to make matters worse, that awful feeling is creeping its way from her stomach and toward her mouth. Uncertain if she can restrain herself long enough before the brides could complete their vows, Rainbow struggles with a difficult decision she will have to make.

“If there is anypony here who has a reason on why these two should not be married, speak now or forever hold your--!”

But then, Luna’s speech is abruptly interrupted when a flash of rainbow colors desperately leave the altar in a thunderous boom, and she swiftly breaks through the chapel’s doorway. The immense crowd stares speechlessly at the sudden departure of one of Vinyl’s ushers before Luna awkwardly finishes her sentence.

“Umm… peace?”

Equally confused as everyone else, Ford stammers in a distressing tone, “R-Rainbow?”

"Ya better go after her, Ford.” Applejack urges him. “She hasn’t been feeling too well lately, so you might want to start with the restroom first.”

“Got it.” And he immediately takes after his wife.

Outside of the royal chapal, Ford Mustang quickly scans for the closest restrooms nearby. Luckily, it didn’t take that long to find them, and he flew to the closed entrance of the mares’ before knocking on its door.

“Rainbow?!”

His call goes unanswered, so he halfhearted decides to enter the supposedly forbidden territory. Thankfully, there are no other mares present inside, so the situation wouldn’t be as embarrassing as he leads it to be. Suspecting that his wife might be in one of the occupied toilets, and he gingerly walks by them and calls out to her once more.

“Rainbow?!”

“Here!”

After pinpointing the familiar yet worn out voice from the closed door of the lavatory, Ford knocks on the door and asks kindly, “May I come in?”

“Just… give me a minute.”

Following with her wish, he turns his back and patiently waits for her. A minute later, he hears the flushing of the toilet and Rainbow steadily exits out of confined facility. From maintaining eye contact, the stallion can see how exhausted she looks after such a short time in front of a toilet. Low on energy, she collapses into Ford’s forelegs before they sit on their hindquarters as he greatly comforts her by gently stroking her colorful mane.

Rainbow, are you okay?” he sweetly asks her as he continues his steady brushing. “Why didn’t you tell me that you were sick today?”

“I… I didn’t want it to distract you from the performance you’ve worked so hard on.” she answers shamefully as she looks at his concerned face with pitiful eyes. “And I didn’t want to let everypony down on Vinyl & Octavia’s wedding day.” Then, she face-hoofs herself in great aggravation before exclaiming out loud, “Oh Celestia! I must have made a complete fool of myself out there!”

With a sympathetic smile, Ford pulls Rainbow in closely and kisses her on the cheek before reassuring her tenderly, “Dashie… nothing you do will ever let me down. And besides, your well-being always comes first over my little fireworks show, promise or no promise.”

From gazing at her husband’s considerate eyes and tender smile, she bears a soft smile and responses with a light chuckle, “I guess that means I can’t be your lovely assistant for tonight’s act, huh?”

“Maybe not, but at the very least, you’ll still get the best seat alongside the newlyweds to witness that magnificent stallion of yours.” he brags in an amusing manner.

Rainbow rolls her eyes as she smirks sarcastically, “Oh gee, I wonder who that could be.”

After sharing a brief laugh together, the reunited Pegasi carry with their embrace as Rainbow happily snuggles against Ford’s neck. In the midst of their quiet moment of affection, gears inside Mustang’s begin to turn before his eyes widen on a possibility to his wife’s sudden sickness.

“Hang on a second… when did you start feeling sick anyhow?”

“Uhh… this morning. Why?”

“And how long has it been since we got married?”

“Two weeks. But what does that have to do with--?” Suddenly, her pupils shrink drastically as her eyes become just as large as Ford’s. Following up with that, a broad smile slowly stretches across her face as she inquires anxiously, “Wait… you don’t think…?!”

“I don’t know… but I’m going find somepony who does!” With a smile just as hopeful as hers, he gives Rainbow a quick kiss on the muzzle before saying to her as he darts out of the restroom, “Hang on, I’ll be right back!”

Back inside the chapel, the ponies and guests are still flabbergasted on the abrupt departure of Rainbow Dash and Ford Mustang. As they wait for the two missing ushers, Princess Luna looks at the two equally baffled brides and asks for their insight.

“So… umm… should I… continue?”

Octavia looks at Vinyl to hear her opinion, and the white Unicorn simply shrugs in uncertainty. So it’s up to the cellist to make the call for them. “I… guess.”

“Well as I was say… if there are any objections--!”

But once again, Luna’s speech is interrupted by a loud noise. This time, coming from Ford Mustang when he slammed the doors opened before he immediately shouts out loud.

“IS THERE A DOCTER HERE?!”

Despite his urgent shout-out, nobody responds right away as most of them look at each other in bewilderment. Just when Mustang starts to feel dismayed by the silent response, somepony does steps forward. In actuality, it is a female zebra, who is wearing a lovely, bright yellow gown that goes well with her golden earrings and the rings around her neck and left foreleg. Much to Ford’s delight, it is Zecora who has come to heed his request as the local herbalist approach him.

"Though I may not have doctor’s degree, my expertise should make up on what you might need.” she kindly offers her services with a warm, friendly smile.

With a sigh of relief, he nods to her while expressing his sincere gratitude. “Thank you, Zecora! Please, this way!”

At once, Ford flies back to the restrooms while leading the galloping Zecora to their location. Back on the altar, the ponies in place worry greatly as they begin to fear on what has become with their rainbow-haired friend.

“Oh dearie me! You don’t think it’s something serious, do you?” asks Rarity.

“I don’t rightfully know, sugarcube.” Applejack answers with soft sincerity.

“Maybe we should go check on Rainbow Dash ourselves.” Fluttershy suggests quietly. “If that’s okay with all of you, of course.”

“Well, I would feel a lot better if we knew that our friend is going to be okay.” Octavia agrees softly.

“Say no more, Tavi!” Vinyl reassures with a bold grin as she quickly picks up her Octavia by surprise with her Unicorn Magic. With the fully dressed bride saddled to her back, the DJ turns to the audience and announces in her radio-persona voice, “Folks, we’re going take a short break! In the meantime, please enjoy some music played by Octavia’s fellow band members!”

As Vinyl gallops across the aisle with the bridesmaids and usher following behind, the saddled cellist corrects her mate, “I keep telling you! It’s an ensemble! Not a band!”

“Same thing really!” she replies in a carefree grin.

“No it isn’t!” she snaps with predictable annoyance.

Outside of the mares’ restroom, the two brides and their respective attendants wait anxiously for the Zecora’s diagnosis on Rainbow Dash as Ford Mustang vigilantly stands in front of the closed door.

“Ford, what’s going on?” Twilight Sparkle asks delicately. “Is everything okay?”

“Well… yes and no.” he answers with a puzzling smile.

“Come again?” AJ perplexes with a tilt of her head.

“Just wait until Zecora finishes with her examination first. Then you’ll see what I mean.”

Then, Pinkie Pie taps the blue Pegasus on the shoulder before she pleas with an agonizing expression as her fore hooves crossed in-between her shaky hind legs, “Umm… this may seem like a bad time, but I really have to go right now!”

“Well… you’re welcome to use that one over there.” he says as he points to the stallions’ restroom next to him.

“But I can’t go in there! That’s meant for colts only!” she argues in a childish whine as she rapidly bounces in desperation.

After a soft, tiring sigh, Ford gently offer his suggestion to his pink friend, “Look, if there are no other stallions inside, will you be okay with that if I stand guard and watch the door for you?”

“Hmmm… yeah, I guess that would do.”

But before Ford checks the other bathroom himself, the main door opens up in steady creak as Rainbow and Zecora step outside. Realizing that there is no need for an alternative, Pinkie quickly dismisses it with a perky smile.

“Oh wait, nevermind!” And she hastily zooms right above the two exiting mares before occupying one of the toilets with a quick slam of its door.

Ignoring how Pinkie defies the laws of physics once again, Ford stares at the expressions of his wife and her makeshift physician. While Zecora acts very impassive, Rainbow bears a softer expression as her lips quiver lightly while her big, magenta eyes start to get watery. From seeing her tearful gaze, Ford begins to assume the worst as it looks like their initial hopes earlier was all for nothing. But just as he is about to comfort her, Rainbow swiftly tackles him for a strong embrace while planting her softly sniveling face against his coat.

“Rainbow Dash, are you quite alright now?” Rarity asks cautiously as she leans toward the Pegasus couple.

In the midst of their hug, Rainbow lifts her head up to look at Ford and her supportive friends. While Rainbow Dash is still a bit teary, her face is glowing with such a positive smile as she replies in overwhelming joy, “Far from it, Rarity! I’m better than ever!”

A bit surprised by his wife’s perplexing statement, the deadpanned Mustang blinks a few times before finally gets her meaning as his smile grows just as wide as Dash’s. Speechless by this strong indication, he looks back between the Rainbow and Zecora before his quizzical gaze locks firmly on to the zebra and ask of her, “Then… does that mean…?”

With an all-knowing grin, Zecora lightly chuckles to herself before she happily makes this announcement to everypony present, “Yes, I hope this doesn’t sound so droll… but congratulations! You two are having a foal!”

As soon as Zecora announces this, a flush is heard from inside and the bathroom door rapidly swings open before Pinkie hollers in a high-pitched voice, “WHAT?!”

All at once, the ecstatic ponies tighten their circle of friends as they warmly embrace and congratulate Ford and Rainbow on this exciting news. Mustang especially is completely overjoyed by this as he hugs and kisses his equally joyful wife. Of course, once his unrestrained lips touch hers, he promptly pulls them back after inadvertently tasting what his wife had gone through since this morning. As the stallion gags exaggeratedly, Rainbow chuckles a little over his brief misfortune before they share a contented smile over their first foal’s confirmation.

“Oh my stars, darling! That’s simply wonderful!” Rarity shrieks in overwhelming delight.

“Yes, we’re all so happy for you two!” Fluttershy adds with a gentle smile.

Applejack chuckles heartily as she firmly embraces Ford with a strong one-foreleg hug while smirking to him, “Looks like all that foolin’ around has finally paid off in the end!”

Without delay, Rarity grasps Rainbow by the forelegs and stares intensely into the Pegasus’s eyes with her large, sparkling, blue gaze before she beseeches to a great extent, “Oh, you must let me be in charge for your baby shower! I would consider it an honor if you trust me with this enormous task!”

“Uhh… okay. Sure. Why not?” the blue mare complies nonchalantly.

As Rarity smiles extremely once she receives Rainbow’s blessing, Pinkie Pie jumps in and requests in an adorable whine, “Ooo! I wanna help too!”

“Well of course you can help, Pinkie!” the seamstress nods to the pink pony’s cooperation. “We can even host it at the Carousal Boutique!”

“Speaking of festivities, we should probably get back on track with the wedding right now.” Twilight informs them.

Upon that reminder, Rainbow rubs her colorful mane as she apologizes to the brides with a sheepish smile, “Oops. Sorry about that. I hope I didn’t ruin anything for you two because of this.”

Understandably, Octavia shakes her head and replies with a pleasant smile, “Not at all, Rainbow. We’re all very happy for you and Ford today. In fact, it’s quite a nice surprise for us.”

“Yeah! No biggie, Dash!” Vinyl chimes in with a welcoming grin. “We’re just super stoked that we’re the first ones to learn about this ourselves! Congratulations, you two! But in all seriousness, we really should get back to the chapel and continue where we left off. I’m not the kind of gal who likes to leave my audience hanging in suspense for far too long, especially when it’s comes to my lovely bride-to-be.” she emphasizes with an alluring grin when she leans closely to her blushing, smiling bride.

With a smirk of his own, Ford then remarks, “Well then… Wedding of Vinyl Scratch and Octavia, Take Two.”

Several minutes later, everypony at the altar is in place once more, including the brides, the bridesmaids, and ushers. With Princess Luna standing in the center of the party, she finally carries on with her royal duties from where she left off.

“Now, if they are any further objections to this marriage…?”

From that subtle emphasis, the dark blue Alicorn glances at Rainbow Dash with an all-knowing, witty smirk as the Pegasus mare briefly looks away with slight embarrassment before her husband silently eases her by wrapping her tail with his. Smiling with satisfaction, Luna directs her gaze between the two brides.

“Good! Then I believe our two mares have prepared their own vows for each other. So, who would like to go first?”

“Ooo! Ooo! Me! Me! Me! Me!” Vinyl answers willingly as she anxiously waves her foreleg like a schoolfilly wanting to answer a teacher’s question.

With a chuckling smile, Luna nods, “Very well. Go right ahead, Vinyl.”

Promptly, Ford pulls out a folded piece of paper from the inside pocket of his suit and gives it to the tomboyish bride. With her written vows in hoof, Vinyl faces her smiling bride as they hold each others’ hooves before she begins.

“So Octavia, I know what you are thinking right now: ‘how the heck did I end up with this crazy mare in the first place?’” This earned the grinning DJ a lot of good laughs from Octavia and guests before the more confident Vinyl carries on with her speech. “And you know what? I can’t help but wonder on how I ended up so lucky with the most wonderful and beautiful pony in the world? And to an even greater surprise, no matter how loud or annoying I can be, or how many times you to try to knock some senses into me with that accursed frying pan of yours, you will still prefer my company and will always love me for who I am.”

Suddenly, Vinyl starts to get choke-up as she continues. “You are the perfect opposite to complete the missing half of my soul. Without you scolding me for not cleaning up my room for the millionth time or for making me wear an evening dress despite telling me how beautiful I would look in it, my life would be so empty without you in it. To me, you always are the life of my party, and I will see to it that the party won’t stop so as long as I have you at my side, now and forever.” With a wide, affectionate grin, the blue-haired Unicorn sheds a few sentimental tears before she brings her declaration to a close. “I love you, Octavia, and I can’t thank you enough for making this awesome day possible for me.”

With the conclusion of Vinyl’s speech, Octavia couldn’t help but cry immensely over how touching that was as she smiles tenderly over her kindhearted bride. Once she wipes away most of her emotional tears, she turns to her maid of honor, and Beauty Brass hands the vows to the Octavia. Once she is more composed with herself, the beautifully dressed Earth Pony re-grasps Unicorn’s fore hoof and begins to make her own pledge.

“Vinyl, meeting you on my first day of school was the best day of my life. Even since you became my friend, you would always look out for me and manage to cheer me up whenever I feel sad with myself. And it wasn’t until we became roommates in Ponyville where I discovered on how much I really love you. At first, I was afraid that our difference in personalities and lifestyles wouldn’t make us compatible, but I was glad to see how wrong I was when you shared those same feelings for me.

You may not believe this, but you are the one who helped me become a better pony, and I owe you so much for always being there for me when I need it the most. That’s why on this special day, I will make this pledge by loving and supporting you for the rest of my life. Because after all, no pony else can put up with your ridiculous shenanigans as much as I have since I love you that much to go through all of that again with you.”

Despite getting all sentimental over Octavia’s wedding vows, the tearful Unicorn couldn’t help but break into a hearty, chuckling smile over the last sentence of that speech as the rest of the crowd laughs alongside her. With the brides’ vows completed, Princess Luna proceeds with the next step of the wedding ceremony.

“Well said, my little ponies.” the dark blue Alicorn commends them with a soft nod. “Now then, may we have the rings please?”

Just as the princess requested, Ford Mustang pulls out a jewelry box that was secured in his suit’s other inner pocket and showcases the brides’ individual wedding rings that match each of their eyes: an amethyst gemstone for Octavia and a ruby one for Vinyl. With the best stallion presenting the glistening rings to the Princess of the Night, she lightly levitates them before addressing to the brides one at a time.

“Vinyl Scratch… do you take Octavia Philharmonica as your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”

“I do.” she answers eagerly as she does the honor to slide the amethyst ring on Octavia’s left foreleg.

Then, Luna turns to the cellist next. “And do you, Octavia Philharmonica… take Vinyl Scratch as your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”

A bit hesitant from getting so emotional from all of this, the tearful yet smiling cellist gladly takes up that pledge, “I do.” And she too slides the ring on the other bride’s fore hoof.

Finally, Luna blissfully brings the wedding ceremony to its anticipated conclusion, “Then by the powers vested in me, and with the blessing of the moon and the stars, I now pronounce you mare and wife! You may now kiss the bride!”

With a happy wag of her short, blue tail, Vinyl beams with a very big grin and wide, ruby eyes as she has been looking forward to this moment for a very long time. However, the smirking Octavia beats her partner to it by using her strong fore hooves to pull her in by surprise and giving her a really deep kiss to her newly appointed wife. In the midst of the breathtaking smooth, the grinning Unicorn melts in the Earth Pony’s embrace and wraps her forelegs around her equally passionate wife while the audience cheers ecstatically for the contented newlyweds.

Later on that night, where Princess Luna made sure that it will be one of the most beautiful nights this evening, the wedding reception is being held outside at Canterlot’s prized royal gardens. After enjoying their main entrées, they move on with the speeches from the newlyweds’ maid of honor and best stallion. After Ford finishes his speech, he begins to take his stance so he can fulfill his promise to the newlyweds by performing a spectacular display of fiery magic.

Thanks to lots of practice with his Draconic Magic and his wife, Rainbow Dash, who served as his supervisor, choreographer, and assistant, his routine tonight goes off smoothly. First, he starts it off with a simple, lively fireball that he is able to control with his will as he makes it dance and spiral around him just like those fire dancers back on Delphi Isles. Then, he progressively amps it up by spewing out more fireballs as they join in the fiery waltz. Lastly, he takes all of his fireballs and directs them up toward the sky before they collide together and explode into clusters of fireworks, and their shimmering sparkles gently cascade onto the awestricken crowd below.

In the middle of the starry sky, Ford continues his extraordinary one-pony show by breathing trails of fire to create loops and spirals while doing all kinds of aerial tricks through them. Next, he makes use of his streams of golden fire to serve as his skywriting as he creates large images of a treble clef and a mirrored, two-bridged eighth note which matches the brides’ respective Cutie Marks before he encloses them in a big, blazing heart. And finally, to cap off his climax, he soars at an incredible attitude and finishes it off with a Sonic Rainboom. As the gold-and-blue shockwave expand across the twinkling sky, the brides and their guests cheer wildly for Mustang’s personal show before he is awarded with a sweet kiss from the proud-smiling Rainbow Dash.

Afterwards, when they have finished their delicious wedding marble cake, Ford and Rainbow decide to take their leave as the mare is starting to feel more tired than usual. Once they said their goodbyes to their friends, they go up to Vinyl and Octavia to give their farewells for them as well.

“Mustang! Dash! You’re leaving right now?” Vinyl exclaims while her face is stuffed with lots of marble cake.

“Afraid so, Scratch.” Ford responds.

“Well, thank you so much for coming to our wedding.” Octavia says with a grateful smile as she exchanges hugs with the Pegasus couple. “And congratulations on your pregnancy once again, Rainbow Dash.”

“Thanks, Octy. You two have fun on your honeymoon, you hear me?” she insists with a clever smirk.

With a hearty chuckle, Vinyl reassures with a grin as she embraces her slightly rosy wife, “With me around, that wouldn’t be problem.”

“I’ll hold you to that, dearie.” Octavia adds with a grin of her own before she pecks Vinyl on the cheek.

As Ford and Rainbow turn around to head on out, Vinyl calls out the stallion real quickly, “Mustang, wait!” Once he faces her again, Vinyl speaks again, but this time, in an unusually flustered manner. “I just wanna say again that you were totally awesome with that light show of yours earlier, and I can’t thank you enough for doing all of that for us. And I don’t know if I ever told you this before, but it’s all thanks to you that has led me to making this wedding the greatest day of my life.”

Then, all of a sudden, the blushing Unicorn gingerly leans forward and gives Ford a simple yet appreciative kiss on the lips. This rare act of femininity that was coming from Vinyl Scratch catches not only Ford by surprise, but also their respective wives for that matter.

After that act of gratitude, Vinyl expresses herself with a blushing smile. “So thank you, Ford. You truly are the best pony I can ask for as my best stallion this evening.”

Speechless at first, the humble stallion smiles back and replies warmly, “You’re very welcome, Vinyl.”

“Ahem! I’m right here, you know.” Rainbow intervenes with a small smirk and a cocked eyebrow.

Resuming her typical persona once more, Vinyl remarks with her trademark grin, “Oh, don’t be hating, Dashie! I can’t help it if I’m a better kisser than you!”

“Octy, you better control that mare of yours before you end up as a widow right away!” she recommends in a mockingly threatening tone.

“Oh don’t you worry.” Octavia replies with a smirk as she firmly tugs Vinyl back to her side. “I’ll see to it that she’s on her best behavior from now on.”

In response, Vinyl dismisses that claim with a lighthearted chuckle, “As if you can tame me that easily!”

Then, a devious thought comes to Ford’s mind before he shares it with the cellist. “Hey Octavia, do you remember that one wedding gift I got for you?”

With a very shrewd smirk matching that with Ford’s, the cellist answers in mocking ignorance, “Oh, you mean the one that’s shaped like a frying pan?”

Once he sees Vinyl subtly cringing at the mention of that taboo instrument, Ford nods cheerfully, “Yep, that’s the one!”

“Wait, that was you?!” Vinyl screeches in a panicky tone from recalling that unforgettable shape out of all the wedding presents at the gift table.

“Mm-hmm! And it not only has the best sturdiness that money can buy, but it literally has your name on it, Vinyl Scratch! I’ve made sure it was specifically engraved just for you.”

Ideally, the giant frying pan Ford got for the newlyweds is simply a joke present compared to the other gifts that he and Rainbow offered to the table. Still, he definitely wants to take this grand opportunity to see the usually happy-go-lucky Vinyl Scratch shivering in fear as he, Rainbow, and Octavia take great enjoyment out of this.

“Ooh… I can’t wait to test it out!” Octavia states in a very cryptic, devious manner as she creepily nuzzles her petrified wife.

Once she shakes off her own uneasiness, Vinyl mockingly glares at the grinning Mustang as she restates with tiny, irrepressible smile, “Okay, scratch what I said earlier! I hate you so much right now!”

“He-he! Love you too, Vinyl!” he giggles in responses.

After sharing a good laugh and saying their goodbyes with the newly married couple, Ford and Rainbow exit out of the wedding reception. Once they are outside of the entranceway to the vast garden party, the rainbow-haired Pegasus playfully nudges Ford to the sides as she asks in a cheeky smirk.

“So… is she a better kisser than me?”

Instead of a simple answer, Mustang playfully taps his chin with a fore hoof before answering with mischievous grin, “Hmm… I don’t know… I’m going to need a second opinion before making my final call on this one.”

Following along with that cheeky ploy of his, the equally grinning mare goes up to him and offers the awaiting stallion a pleasantly affectionate kiss. Their lips remain in contact for a roughly minute as they close their eyes and lightly moan in ecstasy from this simple pleasure of theirs. Eventually, their tender lips part ways slowly and Rainbow waits for Ford’s final verdict.

“Well…?”

“Yep, you still take the gold in my book!” As Rainbow rewards his answer with some snuggling against his neck, Ford couldn’t help but mutter a little joke in mind, “Though a little mouthwash wouldn’t hurt every now and then.”

Unfortunately, she clearly heard him saying that, and she swiftly smacks him on the back of his head with a firm fore hoof. While rubbing his temporary sore head, he apologizes with a giggling smile, “Ow! Kidding! Kidding!”

And with renewed smiles, they finally take flight and head on home.

Author's Notes:

I have to admit, this is one of most struggling chapters I have to write in this story. I think most of struggle comes from either writing the dialogue from so many characters or writing so many scenes transiting one after the other. Either way, it can be quite a chore for me sometimes.

Originally, I was to going to have some dialogue between Ford and Lyra over their discussion with hands. But I dismissed that because it felt like it wasn't going anywhere and the fact that it was never introduced on whether he revealed his human origins to the mint-colored mare or not.

Also, the description for Octavia's father is based off of my favorite interpretation for the cellist's dad in "Two's a Company, Three's a Crowd", a well-known OctaScratch story that unfortunately hasn't been updated in a very long time.