From an outside perspective, and for many other ponies in Equestria, this day was to be similar to any other. Wake up, breakfast, work or relax, then go home… For me… Well… It was that crossroad in life that would forever tie the roads ahead together in a specific way. Ruby and I were separated that morning by Rarity, Twilight and Pinkie and I barely managed to realise what had happened in time to shout goodbye to her as the half sleeping lamia was carried by a very strained Twilight by her magic. I was dragged off to a side building beside the church and was greeted by Luna smiling at me as a pair of stoic looking unicorn mares set me down in a chair.

Luna gave a sheepish smile “I apologise for their… Professionalism, they are Canterlot professionals so they are…” Luna waved a hoof digging for a word.

“Robotic?” Luna gave a tiny nod at my answer, neither mare bothered by us talking about them several feet away.

“But that is beside the point,” Luna began as their magical auras gripped my body, cleaning and pruning me, though Luna shook a hoof at the scissors, thank her “The various ponies of power from across Equestria have arrived, those that have the bravery to remain or haven’t sent somepony in their place because they’re too lazy anyway.” Luna mumbled irritably “But I need to tell you that from here you must remain dignified… Because, in a sense Bolt, you are one of them, and good relations are needed if you intend to have good trade and prosper.” Luna advised.

“And I can’t just send several lamias to ‘convince’ them can I…?” Luna looked sideways.

“We’ll try this approach first.” She said softly.

“Princess!?” I asked slightly shocked and she smiled “Not funny.”

“I had hoped it would be, I am sorry.” She said a little sheepishly “Anyway I shall leave you to be dressed and attend to Pinkie’s meeting for the wedding and party. Good luck Bolt.”

“Thank you, Luna.” I said.

For what I assume was an hour the duo Canterlot ponies set to work fitting the suit to my body, and treating me like a canvas adding some makeup that I couldn’t even see but felt… It was really weird to have what felt like a second line of skin on my face, I didn’t like it. Unnatural! The pair had me stand before a mirror, my mane looked straight and flat… How did they even do that? My face was a fair bit brighter and worked well with the colour of my tuxedo, which, as Rarity had decided, was a bright blue with a white collar as if I was wearing a white undershirt and red buttons that would blend in with my natural fur colour… If I could see it! At least I hadn’t gotten anything too crazy and looked like a clown. I held a hoof up, they’d cleaned them too and touched my chest, I felt so strange…

“I believe you are ready.” One of the mares said in a thick accent I couldn’t place “The wedding will begin soon, follow us.”

The church decorations were finished, along the sides of the left and right wall were rows and rows of multi-coloured flowers and somepony, I can only assume a lamia, had made something similar to paper chains that looked like snake scale chains. As I walked up to the front of the podium I glanced at the front rows, on one seat was Diamond with Sunny beside her, their tails looping in a grand twisting display of colourful scales as the room was bathed in sunlight and with Celestia in all her regal glory beside them finished it all off with a magical glow. The lines behind them had Copper and the other lamias from my… ‘Night’ with Sunny, and then various ponies in attire that made my tuxedo look bleak. Probably nobles, and the way they looked around dusting their clothes with magic was also a claxon.

On the opposite side my mum and dad sat alone, my mum waving happily with a wide smile as I passed and I smiled, at least I hope it was a smile. My dad managed a small smile as he saw me and I don’t think it was forced… He actually looked legitimately proud. Behind them was Pinkie, Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow (Who had her hooves folded on the seat beside my dad until Rarity knocked her back into place) and Fluttershy who gave a tiny wave. Also, there was a light pink coloured unicorn mare with a purple mane whom I didn’t recognise but she was in a hushed conversation with Twilight as she stared at Diamond and Sunny. The other guests behind them filled the back rows, some of them I recognised from Ponyville so I was thankful for that. Turning my gaze back to the front I walked up the slope to the podium, slopes for snake tails after all. Luna gave me a satisfied nod and a smile and I stood to her left, Digi gave me a sideways smile from the side of the podium, the rings nestled on a marble stand.

“Nearly there.” He seemed to silently say to me.

You know, thinking back, it was probably just two minutes… But to me I felt like every eye was staring up my back and into my brain as I fought every urge to keep my twitchy wings still. Then, finally, the soft tune of the piano started up and I heard a scuffle as everypony stood and I look back and joined in with their gasp.

Ruby was flanked by the three fillies from Ponyville we’d met, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom but I hardly noticed. I only had my eyes set on one lamia right then.

Ruby had a very sheepish yet adorable smile and she bowed her head a little in embarrassment. Her dress was a sweetly flowing bright red like her mane yet as she slid through the sun lit room the dress sparkled as many colours cascaded down the dress, and I had a brief image of pulsating rings and flashing fangs as the light danced in a river of colour along her body as if the sky was painting her body. The dress curled all around Ruby’s body and down to her tail where the trail of fabric that normally followed was removed so Ruby wouldn’t get her tail caught in it. On Ruby’s head, she wore a veil but with a revealed face, a cobra’s hood sat guarding her face yet it was not frightening or intimidating. It simply declared she was of a different world to ours and felt no shame in declaring it, the hood curling down to her eyes which had deep purple eyeliner on that made her look only a tiny bit seductive and snake-like. Ruby smiled and gave a small laugh as flowers were tossed over her head as she slid up to join me, Ruby taking her hood off as she smiled at me, clutching the lavender bouquet in her hooves.

Ruby and I shuffled on the spot before Luna began “Fillies and gentlecolts… We are gathered here today in this place…”

Luna’s speech and talking blurred away from me as I didn’t turn my head but shared a hidden gaze with Ruby “You look great.” I whispered hardly moving my mouth.

“You too, my handsome prey.” She said flickering her tongue out a little with a quiet laugh.

“Boltblood Thundercloud,” I almost said yes before Luna continued, how long was I staring at Ruby for? “Please state the vows.” Luna requested as Digi carried over the bracelet ring and my wing ring in his magic.

I paused then nodded, gulping the dry taste in my mouth as I turned to face Ruby
“I, Boltblood Thundercloud, take you, Ruby Scales, to be my wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to Celestia’s holy law.” I glanced at Celestia as she bowed her head slightly in acknowledgement, Digi guiding my ring on for me “In the presence of the two regal sisters I make this vow.” I looked ack at Ruby and smiled.

“Ruby, you now recite the vows.” Luna said softly.

Ruby changed only a couple words, her name for mine and vice versa, otherwise… Identical. I watched her lips move with a subtle cherry red lipstick on as she spoke the words connecting our lives forever. When she had finished, Ruby presented the end of her tail and I slipped the ‘ring’ on as her mouth broke into a wide smile, Digi putting my ring on before I forgot I needed it.

“With the power I wield I now pronounce you stallion and lamia… You may kiss the groom.” That last line made me blink but before I could turn away Ruby had slid up and gripped my head leaning down as the crowd cheered and applauded. I just followed through as I took hold of the side of Ruby’s body with my right hoof. Eyes closed… Heart almost still… Her sweet tasty fruity lips on mine as her small nose tickled mine. The noise around us was so distant

I’d made it… She’s mine and I’m hers… Paradise…

Ruby and I skipped down the aisle waving and smiling as the room cheered, the lamias curling their tails in hearts hanging over their heads like giant decorations. I blinked as several photos were taken but didn’t flinch or lose my smile. My cheeks hurt a little but I felt so full and happy, tears stung my eyes. As we walked out the church, a carriage was waiting for us, nicely decorated to look like trees with a simple ‘just married’ on the back. Six stallions nodded at us in Royal Guard fatigues and Ruby and I climbed in the back, Ruby turned back and tossed her flowers, a group of mares fighting to catch it before Sunny caught it with her tail over Rarity’s head, teasing her with it like a puppy with a toy before bursting into laughter. Ruby waved from within the carriage at the applauding crowd as we were wheeled off for a ride around the borders of the town.

We just stared forward in silence until the noise of the wedding faded before Ruby placed her hoof on top of mine with a looping coil and fell on my shoulder “Thank you Bolt.” She said very softly.

“No,” I said as she looked at me “Thank you, I got to go back to my family, got a great friend, lover and then a wife… And new friends… And a place to call home… Gonna be weird to run it but if you can help me do it, and calm me when I’m stressed I will manage.” I said.

“What about when you aren’t stressed?” Ruby whispered leaning up as her breath tingled on my lips.

“Well… You can calm me anyway…” I said letting her take over.

“Sounds… Good…”

Author's Notes:

And that's it... The end of this long, long... LONG 449 page long story... Seriously this thing is fucking huge. Thank you so much everyone who read it, gave me feedback, support, advice and tips... And putting up with my dumb humour... It's been... Amazing and I hope I can still entrance you with future stories with Ruby and Bolt, for now I'm going to be doing two relatively short epilogues for you all to enjoy then I imagine a break... Until I get bored and make more short story smexy fun time for you all. XD But for now... Enjoy that little green complete button, it has been a long time coming. :)