The thundering violence below of Gurren Lagann having to prance and leap about trying to fight 20 similar-sized mutant Hive Spawn was extremely distracting as Cadence tried to remain calm in her explanation, all while the crowds were crying out in fear, anger, and calling bullshit on how unfair the situation currently was for their heroes. Several of the more level-headed ponies had to start holding down their more outspokenly upset members from going down there and giving Kaminak a piece of their minds.

“-And so now Kamina and Animak, or Kaminak; are struggling and failing to cope with a coalesced psychic amalgamation that is linked to every sentient changeling, who are all completely discombobulated by all these turns of events.” Cadence finished, getting a large number of gaping ponies who all just could not accept at the moment that so much clusterfuckery had happened in so short a time, or how pitiful the changeling's lot was in life for them to come to this to try and cure their endless starvation for Love.

“The poor dears~!” Fluttershy had arrived about halfway through the explanation with the still conked out Chrys and Amy, and was weeping waterfalls of tears as she hugged them to her chest. “Amy told us as much as she could, but we were in a hurry to try and stop Chrysalis from going through with the Hivemind transfer, but we were too late~!” She sniffled as she nuzzled the unconscious bug ponies.

“There has to be a way to save them all! Chrysalis had the Hivemind for several hundred years, so Kamina and Animak must be able to adjust somehow.” Celestia reasoned as she looked to her family and subjects for input, and Shining blinked.

He had an idea.

===//////>

“THIS!” GL caved in the face of one of the Hive Spawn with a punch. “IS!” They beheaded one that tried to come at them from the side with their razor sharp wings. “GROUNDS!” They bucked one coming at them from behind so hard, the Spawn shattered like glass. “FOR!” They whipped their long spaded tail around, the spiral stripes gleaming before the spade turned into a sickle that reaped two other Spawns heads off. “A BREAKUP!”

Kaminak's grinning faces broke into pained gasps as they clutched their chest in agony while foam collected at the corners of their mouths. 'IT HURTS! IT HURTS!' {Fools! Calm at once, before your dragon hearts give out!} Again Kaminak was deaf to the Hivemind's attempts to communicate properly, and they roared in pained fury as they wreathed the area in green dragonfire, killing most of the other Hive Spawn in their anguish. Melting them almost instantly into glowing slags of pure iron.

'Fuck! No!' <WRONG THING TO SAY!> ^KAMINA!^ [ANIMAK!] GL was becoming conflicted, as their statement before was in the heat of the moment, inspired by the feelings of betrayal all this madness was giving them, and they began to shrink. 'Everypony stay strong!' Spike encouraged, and they all braced themselves, remembering that this was to save them. 'Think! What can we do? Fighting might not work, and we just made it worse.'

Kaminak burst forth from the flames, glowing orange as they ignored the intense heat melting their outer shell, and leaped at GL in blind rage. “TRAITORS!” They almost made contact with the stunned Spiral Warriors when a massive pink barrier stopped them dead, only cracking from the impact.

“Huh?” GL looked up, and gasped in surprise at the sight. Overhead, it seemed that thousands of changelings were flying high above, nearly blotting out the sky which was now clear of Cloudsdale. They didn't make the barrier, they seemed to be flying in a spinning formation, each ring moving the opposite direction. If one moved clockwise, the next moved widdershins, and so forth. Their beating bug wings created a surprising harmony, each circle a different tone. Then, they started humming, creating a resonating and oppressive presence that invoked an odd sort of calming sensation.

Kaminak panted as they ignored their dripping melty carapace, and looked up as their shell rapidly cooled and then flaked off the malformations. They gaped in silent awe at the display, while Shining, being carried aback Cadence, flew next to them. “Are you sure about this Shiny?”

“Hey, they're basically the Emperor/Empress changeling right now, right? That means they feed off of love energy. Doing it this way will ensure they get enough that maybe they'll settle down, or at least recover quicker.” Shining proposed again, and Cadence took a cleansing breath.

“I hope you're right.” Cadence then leaned her head back, touching her elegantly twisted horn to Shining's, and then he carried out his plan.

Kaminak hissed in surprise when they found themselves encased in a massive barrier half the size of the one that had once covered Canterlot, but that wasn't it. It was the fact that the barrier was of a rosy hue, and seemed to utterly effuse everything within with pure, unadulterated Love. They tried to get out for a moment, but suddenly became complacent, dazed, and even started licking the walls of the barrier like they were high on catnip all of a sudden.

Shortly, they became drowsy, and slumped against the curve of it, drooling pink liquid. “So...good....” They closed their eyes, and the barrier gently flattened down until they were level with the ground, and then faded away.

Needless to say; Gurren Lagann as a whole was stunned stupid at the astounding display, but that wasn't what had their eyes. “<Shiny?!>” Twilight's voice screeched out from GL's mouth, and the reason was all-too-clear.

Shining was sweating, panting, he felt odd. It wasn't until he felt something twitch on his back, that he looked and gaped. “What the buck?!” He touched one of the blue-tipped white feathery appendages in awe, and blinked in confusion. “Wh-what? How?!”

Cadence, while tired, beamed as she looked back at her love with pride. “You don't realize it, but...I only gave you the spark for that spell. You took the rest of it into your hooves all on your own.” She eyed his wings, and snorted in amusement. “Guess a new realm of Love was just elevated to godhood. I'm the Love of Lovers. You're the Love of Kinship.”

“And I couldn't be more surprised, or proud Shining Armor.” Celestia's voice intoned as she, Luna, and Scoddri all flew to them, and hovered around them. “You created new magic, and so you elevated to a new plane of existence. Your barrier was made not only to protect them, but heal them. Such a thing hasn't been done before.”

“Not even Star Swirl devised a shield spell for more than blocking or containing. You took the extra step he didn't.” Luna flew up and nuzzled the newly risen alicorn, who was flustered at the attention.

“U-um...thanks...I guess? I just...didn't want my sister's beloved be hurting. I know what it's like now; to see your loved one taken from you.” Shining stated as he nuzzled the back of Cadence's neck, getting a pleased purr out of her.

Scoddri looked down, and gawked in worry as he gestured wildly with his hooves. “Sad to say the Hivemind hasn't settled yet!”

They all blinked, then looked down at the stirring Kaminak, who gurgled, and coughed up pink phlegm that made the barren ground practically flood with new life as the raw Love energy infused the surviving seeds to overgrow. “Ugh...so...full....” {We must share it with the Hive, it is our duty.} 'Y-yes...share it....' They stood laboriously, GL was tempted to help them up but hesitated, and shortly, they raised their mouths skyward, and fired pink beams of raw Love into the air, directly into the center of the surprised changeling super circle, that upon “impact” with the aerial circle began spreading out in a rippling wave, going over each of them.

They gasped in shock and amazement at the feeling of so much Love filling them, that they all started falling slowly as they became too full to keep flying properly. They were in no danger, and began hovering about aimlessly in a dazed stupor. However, Kaminak was still addled, idly though. “Who...are you?” {We repeat, too many to be known personally. Know us as the collective subconscious of the Hive.} 'How do you exist?' {We were born of necessity. A way to keep the changelings alive via telepathic communication.} 'Why are you here?' {Because you now hold our leadership. Given to you by the former Queen Chrysalis in order to hopefully end our starvation, and free us from our oppression and endless hunger for Love.} 'Didn't we just do that?' {No. You fed us all, but that is it. We will be hungry later.}

They were tottering about, seemingly oblivious, and Spike decided he'd had enough of it. GL began running at Kaminak with intent. “KAMINAK!”

This got their attention, and they dazedly looked at the approaching Gurren Lagann, who suddenly stopped and clutched their mouths as if they were choking on something while they all looked confused. After a few gagging noises, quite unexpectedly; Gurren Lagann rapidly transformed into a giant dragon's maw which took their whole body, and opened up to a swirling green vortex.

#BASTARD~!# A rough, grating voice screamed forth from the vortex in Neighponese. #CLENCH YOUR TEETH~!# Out of the vortex, came an utterly gigantic tan talon in the tightest fist possible, that punched both of Kaminak's heads simultaneously so damn hard, all their teeth flew out as they were sent tumbling and rolling back into Mount Shire, borderline unconscious.

The shocking development wasn't over however, as the talon then gripped the barren earth, and began dragging a body out of the gagging and straining mechanical dragon head that seemed to have rainbow tears pouring from it's eyes. #I've been trying to find you for years when your Spiral Power resurfaced! And I find you BEING A DUMBASS!# The talon dragged a long arm out of the mouth, until a pair of blue scaly lips in a snarl, revealing saw-teeth, met open air. #That punch was LONG overdue asshole!#

Kaminak's teeth grew back, and their eyes were quaking in amazement as they came to their senses. “Viral?”

GL turned completely green, and choked as the named giant continued to drag himself out of the far-too-small opening, until they unhinged their jaw, and he emerged fully. The one named Viral was a bizarre yet fitting oddity considering where he came from. He was a hippogriff, but not a standard one in any sense. His head from the snout to shark-finned thick tail was gray-scaled with ruddy tan stripes, reminiscent of a tiger shark. The tiger part was ironic in that his torso looked like Kaminak's tiger torso and he was definitely a hippogriff, what with his fin-like wings, tan-coated tiger hind-legs, and taloned forelegs. His slitted golden eyes were filled with equal parts scorn, and amusement.

When he fully emerged, the portal ceased, and GL decided they'd had enough and shrank to fully separate into all the different people and two mechs that had composed them, who laid about on the ground groaning in discomfort as the utterly gigantic hippogriff looked down at the gobsmacked Kaminak in distaste, as he was easily a few dozen feet bigger than them. #Oi, ya gonna say somethin' or do I gotta beat more sense into ya?#

Kamina was the first of the two to recover. #VIRAL~!# They lunged at the surprised tiger shark hippogriff and hugged his chest as Kamina nuzzled his neck. #It's so good to see you!#

#The hell?! Where'd this come from! Get off of me!# The flustered former beastman quickly tried to shove them off, only for Animak to finally come to, and grin evilly as he added his own will to their shared body and shoved the confused hippogriff onto his back, them pinning him as their tail flicked in joy, Kamina purring while Animak just kept up his shit-eating grin.

#And you shed about ten pounds of ugly off of yourself since I last saw you~.# Kamina then baffled the already shocked Viral with a searing kiss, which he didn't respond to as he froze, while Animak rubbed a black talon along Viral's diamond-hard scales appreciatively. #Been working out?#

Viral didn't understand what was going on, and being completely unaccustomed to any sort of situation like this, decided to conk out as his brain decided “does not compute” and quit on him, leaving a giggling Kamina and Animak barking in boisterous laughter.

Overhead, all the spectators, both in the air and on the ledges of former Canterlot all simultaneously thought: “What the buck just happened?”

===//////>

After getting over their fit of giggles, Kaminak used their magic and power to shrink Viral down to an acceptably normal size of just over 8 feet in height, explaining that since he was stronger in Spiral Power, he likely wasn't prepared for the size increase upon crossing over, possibly even thinking that the size he was at was normal. They too shrank down, but still towered over all at 16 feet, lamenting they'd have to divide to get back to 8 feet.

But, there wasn't any room for humor. Things were dire; Canterlot, the capital, was gone, and it was their fault. They might have been completely whacked out by not being prepared for the Hivemind, and all the angst and despair it shared from the Hive, but the blame lay with them.

“It isn't your fault! It's hers!” Twilight protested. Everybody was gathered at the edge of the ruins of Canterlot. Absolutely, everybody. Including all the citizens being held back by a thick barricade of varied types of the Guard. Most of the citizens were shouting for their heads, banishment, or imprisonment, uncaring for the circumstances. Thankfully, Equestria wasn't ruled with something as ridiculous and inefficient as a democracy.

Twilight had been pointing to the recently awoken Chrysalis, who sulked in shame while backed by all the changelings she once led, who all hissed at any who dared get close to the one that had kept them alive for so long. Well, aside from Fluttershy, who they eagerly allowed to hover over her and Amy like a mother hen. Said Hive was clustered tightly together, to the point of literally standing atop each other in a heap of coordinated bodies that were all-too-used to being in such a state, thousands of blank, glowing blue eyes glaring at them. They were all here from having received info from Cadence through the Hivemind, and Celestia freed the ones that were imprisoned, just for that display earlier to try and calm Kaminak down.

The hundreds of recently converted ones however, were all idly sitting behind Cadence, who they instinctively saw as their leader, and she was comfortable in being their shield as the assembled considered what to do.

Kaminak instantly voted for their own banishment, only for Viral to punch them again, growling that they'd become soft in their absence. He didn't know Equestrian, but he didn't care for their mopey tone. This was fine with everyone else, as they would've smacked them for suggesting it too.

Needless to say, everyone save the civilians all denied that choice of action.

“How about community service?” Cadence intoned as she perked up, everyone looking to her, as she mentally contacted all the changelings through Kaminak on the idea. She got resounding positive response, and Kaminak, being the server for the whole things, brightened up drastically at realizing how great the accumulated knowledge and skill of the changelings both original and new had combined was.

“How about fuck YES!” Kaminak jumped to their feet from their haunches, and had beaming smiles. “But first...let's go through a full system format. Brace yourselves!” Kaminak then closed their eyes, and took deep, calming breaths to steady themselves. 'Are you ready?' {Yes.} 'Then here we go!' Kaminak began to glow gently with green Spiral Power as they spread their wings.

Everybuggy then gasped as they too began glowing. Kaminak changed first, ridding themselves of their manticore stinger in preference for their kirin spade, and then they went to work on all the other changelings.

Cadence didn't change much, but her opaque chitin became more gem-like, like Game. She was essentially now more crystal pony-like.

The other changelings all went through a much more drastic change, growing slightly to be as big as healthy ponies, and whilst the males grew more buff and masculine, the mares became more slender and shapely for a clear sexual dimorphism. The fact they could change gender was now more apparent to the ones who didn't associate their identity with gender as they shifted between shapes.

Finally, the holes in their legs filled in, their chitin changed color to match the coats they'd had at birth, and finally they too became healthy crystalline bug ponies. The finishing touch was that they each also grew back their manes and tails, making for even more individuality to each of them as their blank eyes changed back to their living ones, save that they were slitted.

Kaminak panted as they finished the massive change, oily sweat dripped off of them as they too were no longer dead hematite, but rather their body was back to it's original colors, just crystalline. The display was so mesmerizing that not even the civilians could remain upset, instead they watched the newly changed changelings with awe at how beautiful they'd become.

“W-what?” Game gawked, not at what happened, but at what was revealed. “CITRINE?!”

The changeling mare that Game was looking at in shock was the exact same coloration as Game's daughter, and by extension, the same as his older sister he thought was in the Crystal Empire before it vanished. However, it wasn't just that, but the fact that it was Chrysalis that became her likeness during the change.

Chrys looked to Game, and smiled softly as tears leaked from her slitted golden eyes. “It's been forever since somepony called me that.” Game tackled her with a hug, crying into her chest as the mare hugged him back, running a hoof along his mane as she made shushing sounds. “I'm okay little brother. Don't cry. Sis is here.”

“I thought I'd lost you forever~!” Game wailed as he and his sister continued to embrace, making most of those watching smile, save Luna.

“I am sorry to ruin this, but she is to be placed under arrest when this is all said and done with. She and any who raised those poor cadavers are guilty of necromancy, and must pay for the crime of defiling their bodies. Such a crime is usually punished with banishment to Tartarus-.” All the changelings, the new ones as well, all hissed angrily as Game protectively hugged his sister to his chest, since he was now bigger than her. “However...I'd be willing to decrease the severity of the punishment should she and those involved in stealing, and reviving the corpses personally cremate them all, and clean up Stallion's Landing of the...detritus.”

“It's the least we could do to help fix all this mess...but we're going to do far more than that.” Chrys replied with a smirk, and looked to Kaminak with a raised eyebrow. “Well? Are you going to kick things off, or will I have to?”

Kaminak looked...sad. Incredibly so. They were looking at Twilight specifically, and she was wishing she was back in her armor at the moment, it might grant her some protection from their gaze. “Boys?”

“Just...just a second, okay?” They braced, took a deep breath. Kamina turned her head from female to male in a quick sweep of green fire from the shoulder up.

And let go.

“Oh, maybe I just wasn't good enough! To blow your mind! You know I've tried! Them silver lines, they cut like blades of glass! Not worth the blood, we've shed for love~!

All the changeling stallions joined in as they all flew into the ruins at blinding speeds.

“So give it up, Stop beating, Hearts have gone cold! Had enough, repeating, it's all been done before! Give it up, Stop beating, Hearts have gone cold! Hey~ now! When we gonna wake up?!”

Kaminak flew over the ruins, watching as the city seemed to regrow rapidly, buildings of various gem compositions sprouting from each changeling landing as the rubble was cleared away by their coordinated magic.

“But Fool's Gold shines like diamonds in our eyes! Thought we had a million, but baby, we've got nothin'! But Fool's Gold shines like words that make us cry! We just keep on diggin', find us somethin' better for the next time, next time! Somethin' better, for the next time, next time!”

Kaminak suddenly teleported in front of Twilight, shocking her into backing away a moment.

“So maybe I just wasn't strong enough! To toe the line, make true the lies! The fortune found, now it's all locked away! We've lost the key, hard to believe~!”

Kaminak gestured towards the fallen capital as it clearly began to rise up in glory from the rubble, even grander than before as the changelings swept through it like a wave of living magic.

“So give it up, Stop beating, Hearts have gone cold! Had enough, repeating, it's all been done before! Give it up, Stop beating, Hearts have gone cold! Hey~ now! When we gonna wake up?!

But Fool's Gold shines like diamonds in our eyes! Thought we had a million, but baby, we've got nothin'! But Fool's Gold shines like words that make us cry! We just keep on diggin', find us somethin' better for the next time, next time! Somethin' better, for the next time, next time!”

Canterlot proper had been restored, but now, the castle had returned from the valley below, being fixed and changed from Shire Stone to diamond. Kaminak meanwhile, was fighting off tears as they stayed focused on the worried Twilight.

“Oh baby, I just wasn't good enough! …. 'Cause baby, I just wasn't strong enough!”

“But Fool's Gold shines like diamonds in our eyes! Thought we had a million, but baby, we've got nothin'! But Fool's Gold shines like words that make us cry! We just keep on diggin', find us somethin' better for the next time, next time! Somethin' better, for the next time, next time!

But Fool's Gold shines like diamonds in our eyes! Thought we had a million, but baby, we've got nothin'! But Fool's Gold shines like words that make us cry! We just keep on diggin', find us somethin' better for the next time, next time! Somethin' better, for the next time, next time!

Somethin' better, for the next time, next time!
Somethin' better, for the next time, next time!
Somethin' better, for the next time, next time!”

As the song faded away, everybody else save Kaminak, their herd, Cadence, and Shining were cheering at the magically restored and new Crystal Canterlot. Rather, they all had tears in their eyes as Kaminak freely let their tears fall. “Kaminak...what...what are you saying?” Twilight asked in fear.

“What we meant. We can't keep going like this. What happened just before proves we haven't gone far enough.” They knelt down, forcibly shrinking to be at the same size, and took out a box from their hammerspace. Twilight gasped as she covered her mouth with her hooves, and was silently crying tears at the sight of four, utterly glorious horn/tail rings made entirely of rainbow diamond. “Will you marry us? Twilight Sparkle, Trixie Lulamoon, Zecora, and Applejack Apple?”

They froze, each of them holding back from just leaping at them in joy. “B-but...today has been such a terrible ordeal! And it is THEIR day!” Trixie pointed to Cadence and Shining, who both shook their heads and walked towards them.

“Twily, you say yes right now!” Shining's demand caught them all by surprise as he stood next to the still kneeling Kaminak. “They've put their hearts on the line. You say no...and it's over.”

“Yes, this is the sort of thing that makes or breaks Love.” Cadence stated as she stood before the mares Kaminak had put their hopes on. “I've been trying to let this go naturally, but Twilight...you are such a bonehead.” She flicked the mare's horn, getting a yelp out of her. “Either say yes, or let them go. We can simplify things later for your own wedding, but that doesn't matter! What does, is that you love them. Don't you?”

“YES!” Twilight, completely unaffected by the pressure, couldn't hold back anymore regardless. “YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES! I'LL MARRY YOU!” Twilight squealed as she jumped on the still fused twins, the other three mares quickly joining in, getting them to nearly collapse in relief, and the weight. They weren't used to being so average-sized.

#Bah, typical.# Viral commented snidely as he approached, and pried the mares off of his rivals quite rudely, but didn't care for the complaints. #I came here looking for you, and find you're happier than Boota on a cheese binge. Well, whatever. This place is more interesting than being a delegate for Earth anyway. I've seen more fantastic things in just a few minutes, than I have in years back home.#

Kamina's head returned to being female as Kaminak stood. #So you're staying?#

#Not like I can go back. I sensed your power spiking through a rift in space, and took the plunge. Had to punch ya again.# Viral grinned ferally, getting returning grins as Kaminak returned to being enormous. #Besides, this place has prettier females anyway. And this new body has some interesting equipment.# Viral stated as he looked himself over, including his groin. #Huh...didn't have one of those before.#

“Well.” Celestia said, drawing everyone's attention. “I believe everything's back to...well...as close to normal as can be anyhow. We still need a proper home for the changelings. I refuse to let them continue to live as they had before.”

“We have a spare city, remember?” Cadence commented as she drew attention to herself. “Just rename it. And actually make stallions use the regional retreats for the Cycle.”

“That's an excellent idea! Especially since they'll be cleaning it up anyhow.” Luna agreed, looking at Kaminak. “Is that acceptable?”

“Why ask us? We're not...oh....” They looked at the changelings, both old and new, who all beamed happily, and eager to hear their ruler's decision. “Whoa...uh...we...have a kingdom?”

“Isn't it obvious?” Chrys asked as she stood before her former subjects. “I'll be your regent, but only if you don't want to rule us directly. We can just commune through the Hivemind.”

“Whew! Great! Thought we'd have to move out of the library!” Kaminak laughed for a moment, and sighed happily. “Yeah, that'd be great. Chrys-.”

“Citrine, please...I...I want my old name back. Now that I don't have the Hivemind mixing me up, I don't need a special name to keep hold of myself.” Citrine insisted, getting Kaminak to nod.

“Very well, Citrine. We hereby proclaim you Regent of the Hive!” The old changelings all cheered, glad their beloved former queen was still going to be leading them. {The Hive is happy, all is well.} 'Hey! No need to report when it's obvious.' {Just double-checking.} “And...for the record. We would like to rename Stallion's Landing Jeeha!”

#Digger? Jeez, so sentimental aren't you?# Viral snarked, not knowing how prudent it was to rename the city Jeeha.

#Just want to associate more good things with the old home Viral.# Kaminak gently replied, before grinning as he prepared to raise his voice over the great cheers of both the changelings, the citizens, guards, his friends and family. Everyone. “WHAT'RE WE DOING?! WE HAVE A WEDDING AND RECEPTION TO DO!”

===//////>

The reception party was in full swing. Blueblood was on keyboard, provided by Vinyl. Octavia joined in with her cello while Vinyl was ready to back them up on her system. Blue got started, and lowered the mic to his mouth as the male lead. His blue slit eyes dancing with life, his mane mussed up as lights sparkled against his white diamond body. “Love is in bloom! A beautiful bride, a handsome groom. Two hearts, becoming one! A bond, that cannot be undone because, Love, is in bloom! A beautiful bride, a handsome groom! Sing it-Love, is in bloom! Starting a life and making room, for us!”

Blue looked to Amethyst, who trotted up to another mic. Her purple body glistening as she stood in the limelight. She grinned before she started. “Your special day~! Celebrate now, the pony way. Your friends are all right here~. Don't let these moments disappear-Because Love is in bloom! A beautiful bride, a handsome groom. I said, love is in bloom! You're starting a life and making room, for us!”

Amy looked to Blue, her green slit eyes sparkling with hope, while wind blew her short, straight pink hair about. He smiled at her, telegraphing that he still felt the same as before about their relationship, moments before they prepared for the duet. They had to talk. “Through joy and tears~! We're carried by love-Love always perseveres. The tiny seed has grown, today, its brilliant flower's shown! Because love, is in, bloom! A beautiful bride a handsome groom. I said, love is in bloom! You're starting a life and making room, for us~! You're starting a life and making room! For Us!”

After the song ended, Blueblood jumped on the keys, not letting anyone else get anything in as he started a solo act, looking to Amy as the party went on. “Amy. I just want you to-.”

“I'm sorry.” Amy interrupted. “I shouldn't have betrayed you.”

“You did nothing of the sort.” Blue grinned his new fanged changeling grin, his eyes twinkling. “I didn't care when I awoke. I could feel your feelings were true. I just want you to know, in spite of it all, that I love you.” Those words stunned Amy, she put a hoof to her chest as he ripped away at the keys with his magic. “You make me feel Alive Amethyst Shimmer. Nopony else has ever done that. We're not getting married yet, but know...I do love you.” He trotted to her, and kissed her deeply, they did so until the song ended, and they heard cheering from the crowds.

“Isn't love beautiful Tavi?” Vinyl asked wistfully from her station, before looking to Octavia, who seemed oddly perplexed. “Tavi?”

“Why does Blueblood seem attractive when he's clearly a male? I'm still gay last I knew....” Octavia pondered aloud, getting her lover to roll her eyes under her shades.

“Meh, shape-shifters. They're just all sexy, all the time to anyone.” Vinyl looked across the crowd, which was filled with mingled ponies and changelings.

What was meant to be just a wedding celebration was turned into an enormous city-wide party that celebrated the refurbished city, Kaminak's new station as Changeling Ruler, their engagement to their herd, as well as many other things to celebrate over. Everyone was off doing something, the most interesting thing to happen besides the party itself, was when Cadence threw the bouquet; Spike was the one who caught it when he was just standing still, getting a blush out of him as Rarity squealed with joy.

Vinyl singled out her siblings in the crowed, watching them eat, drink, and laugh with their loved ones, and she cracked a smile. “Enjoy it sibs.” Vinyl took a small box out of her hammerspace discretely, and opened it to reveal a modest gold fetlock band. She flicked her gaze to the bemused Octavia with a blush before putting it away. “Later...but soon.”

Author's Notes:

Love Conquers All!!!!!

But, it can also still be broken. The mightiest weapons still break, the strongest walls still fall.

Love is a tenuous thing, easy to form, easy to break, hard to form, hard to break. Love born of great suffering could easily be far more enduring than love born of ease or idleness.