Rose, Vaiawa, and Razor Wit were already heading toward the recently opened train station while Oriana urged Artex toward the front door of their home, "Come ON! We have to go!" She stressed, "The train leaves in half an hour!"

Artex re-rechecked everything in his bag, "Wedding gift, formal clothes, bit purse..." Oriana interrupted him by biting onto the hem of his cloak and pulling him toward the bedroom door, speaking from between clenched teeth, "Cum om! Lepf goo! Vee uvers ur whafing!"

Artex stumbled, "Gah! Alright already!" He managed to catch himself against the bedroom door frame, "I'm hurrying!" For the first time in over a year he was not carrying his khopesh or hatchet/hammer, only the deactivated Shock Blade hanging off his belt. He had recently been given the odd weapon by Chris, and that came only after almost a week of daily training with the thing.

Artex and Oriana hastily closed and locked the door. They turned around only to see Suey looking at them from the snow-covered front yard. She knelt down in the snow and gestured toward her back with her snout and a grunt. Artex' eyes lit up and he grabbed Oriana by her waist, "Hang on, love." He slid onto Suey's back and managed to catch a grip of her neck bristles with his right fist while he held Oriana with his left.

Suey rose to her hooves and began to trot. The trot quickly turned into a gallop and soon the Great Pig was barreling down the streets of New Humansville with her passengers hanging on for dear life. Suey swerved around buildings, skidding on the icy, slick cobblestones, yet she somehow managed not to plow into any pedestrians scrambling to get out of the way.

The train station came into view as Suey cleared the orange tree grove which surrounded New Humansville and slid to a stop not ten Fathoms from the station stairs. Artex dismounted Suey and gave her a hearty pat on the back, "Thanks Suey," he suddenly groaned and grabbed the fabric between his legs, "Though I think we need to get you a saddle before we do that again... ouch."

Oriana shook herself out, standing on her own hooves once more, "Ooh, do NOT do that again!" She griped, "You took years off my life!"

Artex only chuckled in response, "Oh it wasn't that bad, Ori." He said dismissively.

Oriana grumbled to herself as she trotted to the station platform. Suey rolled her eyes and sat down, right on Artex' right boot, effectively trapping his foot beneath her porcine behind. The immense weight of the Great Pig's backside pressed down against his foot caused Artex to grunt in quickly-growing discomfort, "Suey... erg! Suey, you're on my foot! SUEY!"

In response, Suey merely turned her head toward him and shot him a glare, laced with meaning. Artex nodded quickly, "Alright, alright!" He said loudly, "I get it! No more teasing Oriana like that!"

Suey snorted and stood up, releasing his foot. Artex immediately grabbed his foot and began hopping around in the snow. On the third hop, he slipped and fell onto his backside. Rose Thorn trotted down from the platform of the station, "Are you alright, Oriana? I know you're scared of heights... was Suey too tall?"

Having forgotten about the Zebra mare's fear of heights because of how rarely it came up, Artex wilted as the reality of his actions hit home, "Oh... god Ori, I'm so sorry."

Suey snorted at him with an attitude. Artex turned to her and gave her the stink eye, "Hey, lay off, young lady." He said in a warning tone, "It was your idea, after all."

It was Suey's turn to wilt under his stare. She looked at Oriana and snorted apologetically. Oriana shook her head and sighed at both Artex and Suey, "Oh stop it, you two. I was just... erm... surprised, yeah." She flashed the two of them a very fake grin.

Artex smirked, but it was a fleeting thing, "I really am sorry, Oriana. I'll try to be more mindful in the future." Suey grunted in sheepish agreement, which was quite the accomplishment seeing as she was, in fact, a pig.

Oriana rolled her eyes and smiled warmly at the two, "It's alright. Just please don't do that again."

Rose giggled, "Yeah, next time Artex is late, I'll stay behind with him. I'd like to try sow-back riding some time."

"Gilt," Artex corrected her, "An unbred female pig is called a gilt. Female pigs don't become sows until they've farrowed a litter."

Rose and Oriana both blinked in confusion, but before either of them had a chance to comment on the odd knowledge, Vaiawa in her Pegasus form, called down to them from the platform, "We already have the tickets. Now hurry up the train will be here any minute!"

* * *

The train ride was pleasant, if unusual. Suey took up quite a bit more space than an average Pony and could not even fit through the doors. She had grunted unhappily as she had been forced to climb into one of the baggage cars instead of riding with her family. Rose chose to stay with the Great Pig for the duration of the ride. The train route ran from Canterlot to New Humansville to Flankfurt and to Trottingham then back again. The herd would have to transfer trains in Canterlot and the train they chose was returning from Flankfurt and heading straight to the capital.

The ride was rather long but less than five hours. They arrived in the Canterlot station, glad to be stretching their legs. The crowd of Ponies waiting to board the train was thick and the herd was forced to squeeze through the waiting Ponies. Suey and Rose had no such trouble. None of the rich Canterlot elite wanted to risk being trampled by the Great Pig. As such, they gave her a wide berth. The transfer took a few minutes as the first train departed and the train coming in from the direction of Ponyville pulled up.

In short order, the herd were all aboard the second train and on their way to Artex' first Kavim wedding. Artex had plenty of questions concerning the wedding, but having been seen in the station, many of the Canterlot Ponies wanted to be near a Human and thus the passenger car was filled with chattering Ponies. Seeing the press of Ponies all around him and feeling very self-conscious about his ignorance in regard to the upcoming wedding, he refrained from asking his questions.

* * *

Four hours later the train slowed to a stop in Ponyville. The herd waited patiently for the conductor to open the door and let Suey and Rose out. It still surprised Artex that Suey's ticket had cost no more than any of the others. As soon as they were all together, a voice called to them from the bottom of the stairs leading down from the platform, "Well Ah'll be! She sure grew a heap since last time Ah saw her!"

Suey, not needing to use the stairs, stepped down from the platform and planted her snout against Applejack's side, a signal that she wanted ear scratches. Only too happy to oblige, the farm mare reached up and tried to scratch behind Suey's ears, only to discover she could no longer reach them.

Artex hopped down from the platform and swept up his adopted sister in a bear-hug, "How've you been, A.J.?"

She hugged him back, grunting at the strength in his arms, "Been real good, all of us." He set her down and she adjusted her hat as the rest of the herd trotted down the stairs, "Ah got to tell ya, Big Mac may have already danced this jig four times already, but he's still nervous as a cat in a room full of rockin' chairs. He'll be right glad t' have ya there with him, Artex."

Artex nodded, "Where is he? I'm supposed to stand next to him when he says his vows. What's the dress-code for Kavim weddings? Are we all supposed to be dressed the same? Has Rarity already prepared a suit for me?"

Applejack only laughed, "Yall don't have t' worry about none o' that. Ah don't rightly know how you Humans go about it, but with Pegasus Pony weddings, you don't need no super fancy get-up, you just wear somethin', nice and do your part. In your case, you just stand there an' make sure mah brother—that is, mah other brother, don't chicken out an' try to run." Applejack informed him, much to his relief. She smiled at him and motioned toward the farm, "He's up at the farmhouse gettin' ready. Recon he'd like to have somebody to talk to."

Artex nodded and hurried off toward the farm. Applejack then turned toward the mares and Suey, "Ah-Ah got to admit Ah could use some help." She said in a quavering tone, "Fluttershy is nervous, and Ah mean NERVOUS! We already done had to drag her out from hidin' in her closet no less than four times already. And that's WITH all her sister/wives already tryin' to calm her down. Twilight's already tried usin' spells to calm her down, but it don't seem to be helpin' none, and she's afraid that if'n she uses on more, she'll put her to sleep. Any help yall can lend would be greatly appreciated."

Suey grunted and turned toward the edge of town. She began trotting away, toward Fluttershy's cottage, remembering where it was easily. Applejack watched her go and tipped back her hat, "Ya know, Ah think Suey just might have the right idea. Ain't nothin' gonna clear up that girl's head like seein' one of her old animal friends."

* * *

Fluttershy was all but having a panic attack. She was getting married. She wanted to get married. She loved her stallion dearly and her sister/wives were all wonderful mares. Her biggest problem was that she was going to he the center of attention of hundreds of other Ponies. Stage fright was one thing, but the stress of getting married in front of all those Ponies nearly had her breathing into a paper bag.

Her friends, her mother, and all her sister/wives had managed to corral her in front of a dressing mirror, but progress was abysmally slow. Every time they tried to apply even the smallest bit of makeup, she would finch away and not a single one of them harbored the courage to even try to get a single piece of jewelry on her. She kept trying to hide behind her mane and flinched whenever any of them tried to get close to her with a brush or pencil.

Lyra and Bon Bon sat on either side of her, stroking her mane in an attempt to calm her down. It worked, but only as long as nobody tried to do anything. Zecora sat behind her and was smoothing down her feathers, also trying to keep her calm while Cheerilee kept waddling back and forth behind them, her very pregnant belly swaying with each step. The poor mare was unable to sit down for any length of time before she felt the urge to get up again. She kept muttering about needing to go home and clean.

Twilight and Rainbow Dash sat on Lyra's left, constantly talking to her, but were both unsure of their success. Pinkie Pie had been banned from the cottage after triggering a full-blown panic attack in the poor Pegasus. Fluttershy's mother and Rarity sat on Bon Bon's right, also trying to calm the yellow mare down. None of their words or actions had any affect on the panic-stricken Pegasus.

Rarity would levitate a mascara pencil toward the butter yellow mare and Fluttershy would squeak and try to run away. Twilight would levitate brush toward her and Fluttershy would squirm away from it as if it were a Dragon.

A heavy thud came from the front door of the cottage and Cheerilee waddled over and opened it. Looking up slowly, she turned from the front door and called toward the back of the cottage, "Fluttershy, it's for you."

Glad beyond words for the distraction, Fluttershy put forth a sudden, almost violent burst of energy and threw off everypony around her. She zipped to the front door but came up short as she spotted the Great Pig waiting just outside. Suey was far too large to fit through the door. Her face lit up like it was Hearth's Warming Day, "Suey!" She squealed happily, reaching out and hugging the Great Pig's snout.

Suey gave her a porcine smile and grunted at her. Fluttershy pulled her head back and looked at Suey in confusion, "You want to talk with me? Uh, sure." She turned her head and called out, "I'll be right back everypony. Her statement was answered by chorus of disappointed groans from further within the cottage.

Suey led the flustered Pegasus away from the front of the cottage and around to her garden in the back. The Great Pig sat herself down and grunted at Fluttershy several times. Fluttershy blinked and suddenly looked bashful, "Oh that... well I'm supposed to be getting married today..." she trailed off and Suey grunted several more times. Fluttershy shook her head vigorously, "Oh no! I DO love him!... it's just that..." she scraped her forehoof against the soft grass, "It's just that there are going to he so many Ponies there and... they'll all be staring right at me and... oh it just makes me so nervous I feel sick!"

Suey nodded along then grunted several more times. Fluttershy blinked in confusion, "Well, yes... I suppose the Apple family IS pretty big... and they did all travel a long way to be here, but... oh I know I'm being selfish, but that doesn't make me feel any better..."

Suey nodded along then grunted some more and pointed to Fluttershy with her right forehoof. Fluttershy blushed, "I already know that today is supposed to be special for me..." more grunting and pointing followed and Fluttershy answered, "What!? Of course I only want to be married once!" Suey nodded again and used her snout to nudge Fluttershy's chest, "I know I don't seem like it, but I really can deal with stress. When I have to stay up for days so I can keep an eye on a sick animal, that's pretty stressful."

Suey snorted and tossed her head haughty and Fluttershy smiled warmly at her, "I'm glad you have so much faith in me, Suey, I just... I don't know. It's so much and I know I've had plenty of time to prepare but..." Suey interrupted her with a long series of grunts and snorts, gesturing this way and that with her head. Fluttershy blushed at what Suey was saying, "Oh I already know he'll be gentle with me. I'm not worried about that at all..." she partially hid behind her mane, "Actually... I'm really looking forward to that part. Every time I think about it, I get butterflies in my tummy. All I have to do is just think about him holding me in his muscular legs and nuzzling me softly and I get goose bumps all over. Picturing his firm chest and his broad shoulders..." she shuddered in delight at the thought, "We've actually cuddled before, closely I mean. He's so perfect for snuggling too. He's all warm and despite how strong he is, he's very gentle. I've been there several times for Lyra and Bon Bon and Cheerilee. I've been a Comforter for each of them. Big Mac was always so gentle with them. He was always nuzzling the tops of their heads, or whispering to them, or nibbling on them... honestly I was a little envious. I wanted that for myself too."

Suey wore a knowing smile and leaned toward Fluttershy. She grunted and snorted into her ear for several moments. Fluttershy's face turned cherry red and her wings fluffed out at the mental image. Suey pulled her head back and grunted a few more times before she tossed her head in a satisfied manner. Fluttershy still held her blush, "So... you're saying I should just picture that in my mind whenever I get nervous? I should just think about him, because it calms me down?"

Suey grunted and nodded with a satisfied grin. Fluttershy took several deep breaths in and out, her blush never fading, "I-I'll try." Suey snorted and stood up again. She led Fluttershy back around to the front of her cottage and saw Applejack leading Vaiawa, Razor Wit, Oriana, and Rose Thorn up the path heading toward the cottage. Ignoring them, Suey nudged Fluttershy through the door, grunting one last time.

Fluttershy turned her head over her shoulder and smiled shakily, "Thank you, Suey. I-I think I can do this now."

Suey withdrew her head as Cheerilee closed the door. She laid down next to the path and smiled smugly as Applejack led the mares up to the cottage. She opened the door and let the mares inside while Suey smiled and said to herself, "I doubt she'll need any blush today."

* * *

Artex all but jumped up the stairs of the farmhouse. He burst through the front door and called out, "Hey Big Mac, where are you?"

Braeburn poked his head around the corner of the stairs on the second floor, waving to Artex, "Up here, cous!"

Artex nearly ran up the stairs, following Braeburn to Big Mac's old room. The hulking stallion was pacing back and forth from one end of his old room to the other. He lived with his wives in a second farmhouse built behind the main one, so the room was reserved for guests. He had decided to use it to get ready for his last wedding and he was wearing a hole in the floor. The other groomstallions were already in the room with him. Braeburn, Red Delicious, and one of the more distant relatives, Fuji, were already there with him. All of them were standing back, letting him pace as he muttered quietly to himself.

Braeburn held the door for Artex and the man closed it behind himself, "Hey there Big Mac," he greeted his adopted brother, "How are you doing?"

Big Mac stopped his pacing and looked up, "Ah'm nervous, brother."

Artex nodded and plopped himself down on Big Mac's old bed, "Don't feel bad. I was so nervous before my wedding that I stayed awake all night. Heh, I was a 'smoker' back then. I 'smoked' four packs that night." The other stallions in the room all looked at Artex with confused expressions since smoking was unheard of in Equestria. Artex waved his hands dismissively, "What's eating you?"

Big Mac continued pacing, "It's Fluttershy." He did not say any more on the matter.

Artex closed his eyes and rubbed his temples, "What is it about her that worries you?"

"She's too good for me." The large stallion said simply.

Artex rolled his eyes, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that HER decision to make? If you were having doubts like this, why didn't you bring them up before your wedding day? And what about your other wives?"

Big Mac never stopped pacing, "Ah don't know."

Artex opened his eyes and groaned, "Oh come on!" He stood up and walked over to his adopted brother and stood in his path, forcing him to stop, "You proposed, right?"

"Eyup."

"And she accepted, right?"

"Eyup."

"Then listen and listen good." Artex said firmly, "No male deserves the ones he marries... none. The ones who they marry are the ones who deserve better. They deserve the best, but they chose us. They chose to marry us. They are amazing and wonderful creatures and yet for some unknown reason, they chose to spend the rest of their lives with us. Why?" Artex threw up his hands, his fingertips brushing the ceiling, "Who knows!?" He let his hands fall limply to his sides and took a knee in front of the muscular stallion, "We always get the better end of the deal when we marry those we love. It's just all the more reason to cherish them and treat them like the princesses we know them to be."

"Tain't fair..." Big Mac began.

Artex cut him off, "Life isn't fair!" He gestured wildly with his hands, "Everything, EVERYTHING in life is unfair! But..." he said holding up a finger, "This... this is one of the positive points of that truth. This is one of the few that works in our favor." He stood up and patted Big Macintosh on the shoulder, which was akin to patting solid steel, "What do we do when life is unfair?" He asked, "What have I always said about it? You should be able to remember, we've had plenty of discussions about it."

Big Mac looked up to Artex' face, "We... deal with it. Take it as it comes."

Artex smiled broadly and gestured to the window of the room, "And there is a mare out there waiting for you to accept the fact that you got the better deal. Now, are you going to stay here and mope about how lucky you are? Or are you going to go out there and make her the happiest mare in the world today?"

Big Mac cracked a small smile, "Nope." He answered plainly, "Ah'm gonna make her the happiest mare in the world every day."

Artex threw back his head and laughed, "Now THAT'S what I'm talking about!" He took a single step toward the door then turned and slapped Big Mac right on the haunch, "Now get out there and marry that mare!"

* * *

The ceremony had been set up in the northern field of Sweet Apple Acres. Thankfully, Ponyville had yet to receive any snow, otherwise the wedding would have had to be indoors. The seating area was colossal, stretching for nearly a square League, if both sides were combined. Among the guests were Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Discord, Chris Vacca, and the rest of the Element Bearers. Chris had come as Luna's plus one. A series of fifteen huge, open-sided pavilion tents had been erected, each one snugly fit against the others, forming a gigantic square under which the reception was to be held.

Artex stood beside Braeburn as the best man, while the other stallions stood next to Braeburn angling away from the podium. On the other side of the platform stood Cheerilee, Zecora, Bon Bon, and Lyra in descending order. Big Mac stood right next to Artex, trying to remain calm. The entire crowd stayed utterly silent as the music began.

Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle trotted down the aisle throwing apple blossoms, despite the lateness of the year. Artex noticed the flower throwing and hummed in thought at the distinct similarity. The music changed to a more somber tune and Fluttershy slowly trotted down the aisle with a regal air about her.

Artex heard Big Mac draw in a deep breath when he spotted his bride. The man nudged his adopted brother and whispered, "Take it all in, brother, she dressed up that pretty just for you." Big Mac's chest swelled as he looked at the butter yellow mare slowly making her way down the aisle.

She slowly ascended the stairs and Big Mac stepped up beside her. The Mayor of Ponyville cleared her throat and began, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to unite these two in the bonds of maretrimony. As I look out among the guests and even at the wedding party," she glanced to Artex briefly, "It amazes me how many different individuals I see gathered together in support of the bride and groom. Individuals from all trots of life originating from both this world and others. It is in times like these that we should all admire how love has brought together so many. For it is not only in our similarities alone that we find strength, but our differences as well." She smiled playfully and continued, "And I am sure I speak for all present when I say, 'it took you two long enough'." Joyful laughter echoed through the field at her light-hearted jab.

"These two Ponies were brought together indirectly by the Elements Of Harmony, but their love had to be discovered and developed on its own. Today we stand here and bear witness to these two taking the next step in their relationship and so, without further ado," she turned to the stallion, "Big Macintosh, do you take this mare to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

To absolutely nobody's surprise, his response was his usual, "Eyup." His response brought about another round of giggles and chuckles from the guests.

The Mayor then turned to the yellow mare, "Fluttershy," she began, causing Fluttershy to 'eep' adorably, "Do you take this stallion to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I-I do." Her voice was nearly a whisper.

The Mayor leaned over, "What was that?"

Fluttershy shuddered then suddenly verbally exploded, "I DO!"

The Mayor rubbed her ear with her hoof, "So I see. I am proud to pronounce you, husband and wife! May your flight through life be forever through clear skies."

Amidst the deafening cheering and applause, Big Mac leaned over toward his wife, but she beat him to it. Sweet, meek, humble Fluttershy all but launched herself at him and locked him in a passionate kiss, her cheeks burning hot all the while.

The kiss continued on... and on... and on... with a bead of sweat rolling down Fluttershy's face. The crowd quieted down and politely waited for the two to finish.

After several minutes of waiting a voice called out from the guests on Fluttershy's side, "Unless you plan on starting the Honeymoon right now, you might want to stop." All eyes turned to the speaker as Discord held out his mismatched arms, "What? If they kept it up much longer, the foals here would be getting an education outside the classroom."

Fluttershy and Big Mac broke their kiss, embarrassed that they had publicly carried on so long. Artex merely groaned and facepalmed at the statement.

* * *

The reception was just as big an event as the ceremony itself. There were Ponies everywhere. Artex noticed there was no table set apart specifically for the wedding party. Everybody sat with whomever they pleased. He naturally sat with his herd and Suey laid next to their table, munching happily at an entire platter of baked apple slices sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.

Fluttershy and Big Mac both sat with their herdmates, sipping hard cider and enjoying the home made apple based foods. Discord hovered over to their table and exchanged a few words with the, now complete, herd. He hugged Fluttershy and shook Big Mac's hoof before leaning down and pulling their heads together. He whispered something in the couple's ears. Fluttershy and Big Mac's eyes widened and they nodded their heads vigorously, ecstatic expressions on their faces. Artex paid special attention to Discord's lips as he spoke, trying to understand what he was saying.

Unfortunately he had no luck and the message was lost to him. He was not concerned anyway. If Big Mac and Fluttershy were happy, he had no problems with whatever it was Discord was saying. He looked back to his own mares and picked at the fruit salad he had retrieved from the buffet tables. A tap on his shoulder alerted him to somebody trying to get his attention.

He turned his head and saw the Lord of Chaos was standing right behind him, "Oh, hey there, Discord." Artex noticed how strong Discord's breath reeked of alcohol.

Discord smiled broadly, "Helllllllo Artex." His smile turned mischievous, "I just couldn't help but notice how much attention you were paying to my little private conversation with the newlyweds."

Artex shrugged, "Just making sure nothing ruins their special day. I'm allowed to look out for my friends and family after all, right?"

Discord's expression soured, "As if I would ever ruin such an important day for the first friend I ever had?" He blew a raspberry and rolled his eyes, "Please. If you're so curious, I offered for my wedding gift to be them knowing what their first foal would be."

Artex arched an eyebrow, "You can do that?"

Discord slumped his shoulders in irritation, "I AM the most powerful being on this planet, after all. All I did was take a quick little peek at the future. It is not something I do very often because the amount of magic it takes is ridiculous, even by my standards." He looked back at the table where the newlyweds sat, "But the looks on their faces were definitely worth it."

Artex decided to voice a question that had been bothering him for a while, "Honestly I'm surprised you're alright with Fluttershy marrying Big Mac. I would have thought you would have developed feelings for her, yourself."

Discord whipped his head back to the disfigured man, "Me!?" He blew another raspberry, "Heavens no! For one, while she is my first and closest friend, her personality is nowhere close to mine in what we find amusing. She would be upset with me every single day for the pranks I pull. No, I'm afraid that our personalities would not mesh well together at all. As much as I love Fluttershy, and no not in that way, she can be a bit of a wet-blanket when it comes to my definition of fun." Discord patted Artex on his head and began to walk away. He stopped and spoke briefly over his shoulder, "Oh and for the record, I already have somepony else." With that, he disappeared into the crowd in the direction of the open bar, though how he managed to do so with his height in a crowd of short Ponies was beyond Artex.

Artex shrugged it off as just another of Discord's quirks and went back to his food. It took him a few minutes to realize his mares had been eerily quiet. He raised his head from his plate and looked to each of the mares. They were all staring at the bride and groom. Razor was even blushing while doing so. Her tail was waving back and forth hypnotically in a way that Artex had never seen before. Clarity hit Artex like a wrecking ball, 'O.K. I DEFINITELY need to sleep alone tonight.'

Concerned with how much Discord smelled like he had been drinking, Artex became worried that the Draconequus would do something too outlandish and make a scene. He stood up and excused himself from his herd, "I'm going to go get something. I'll be back." The mares all acquiesced.

Artex found Discord exactly where he expected he would, chugging down hard cider at the open bar that had been set up on the grass. Artex stepped up next to him and ordered a hard cider for himself. Mug in hand, he turned and leaned against the bar, "You surprised me back there, Discord."

Discord finished off his mug and received another one before he answered, "Do I really come off as THAT unlovable, Artex?" he asked with hurt in his voice, "I'll have you know, the mare I love is one in a million. And she loves me too, so don't even go there." he took another gulp from the mug, "She's quite a dish too. Nice long legs, keeps herself in good health, and she has the sexiest, tightest, most delightful little va... ARG!" Before he could say another word, an aura of magic harshly pinched his ear. Discord pawed at the aura and it let go, "Eesh!" he yelled to the small crowd of gawking Ponies nearby, "It was a compliment for Pete's sake!" Nobody answered him and he continued, "Anyway, I couldn't ask for a better lover. I shan't say who it is, but she is truly wonderful... even if she has trouble taking compliments outside the bedroom." he moodily crossed his mismatched arms, "Which is confusing because when we're alone together, she loves it when I say things like that." His eyes flashed purple as he looked at Artex. His trademark grin fell to a dreadfully sorrowful expression, but it was gone in less time than it takes to blink. Artex was not certain he had actually seen it at all. Discord leaned over to him and patted him on the back, "Don't worry," he said without specifying what he meant, "It'll be alright eventually." Artex blinked at the random statement, but seeing as it was Discord, he merely shrugged and grabbed two more mugs of hard cider, one for him and one for Rose. That mare sure did love her alcohol.

* * *

Arch Magister Catalyst shook her head as she performed her forty-fifth magical scan on Full Spectrum and came up wit the same results. She groaned in aggravation, "It's impossible!" She said to the smiling young woman, "How can I not sense ANY magic from you!? According to my scans there are no Nouns or Verbs in your Magerium! Physically you're as healthy as anybody has any right to be, but you are all but overflowing with magic and yet there is not even a hint of a trace of a single Noun or Verb in your whole body!"

Full Spectrum only giggled in reply, "It's because of what happened, Caddy!" She expressed in a happy tone, "You're stressing over it. Get some sleep and I promise you'll figure it out when you wake up."

Starburst looked worriedly between his ladies, not sure what to say or do. Catalyst had teleported them back to Canterlot after the medical Ponies had declared Full Spectrum to be at peak physical health. The Arch Magister had spent hours trying and failing to understand what had happened with her future sister/wife.

Catalyst looked at Full Spectrum with eyes filled with concern, "I... I just can't! I have to find out what happened to you! You could be dying and I wouldn't know." It was a rare thing for the Arch Magister to become truly emotional, but the present circumstances were upsetting her like nothing else ever had. She slouched down on her cushion, nearly tearful from the stress, "I-I... I don't know what to do... all my knowledge... all my studying... my entire life spent in the pursuit of magical understanding and... I'm lost."

Full Spectrum stood up from her cushion and knelt down in front of the mare, "Caddy, not even the Princesses know everything there is to know about magic and they have lived longer than any of us." She pulled the distraught mare's head against her chest, stroking her mane soothingly, "I promise, I'll be fine. I... know a little about what happened now, I remembered it." Catalyst jerked her head up, but Full Spectrum held a finger to her lips, "Ssssssshhhhhhh, it's late now. Let's all go to bed. No funny business from me, I promise." Her voice was uncharacteristically soft, "I'll tell you in the morning. You have to trust me, Caddy."

Catalyst sniffled, but nodded, "I do... I'm just worried..."

Full Spectrum only stroked her mane some more, "We'll all be fine. Come on, let's go to bed."

Author's Notes:

Another new chapter. Let me know if you spot any typos.