Chapter 82

Adamas removed the baskets from his claws as he pushed them to one side of the runway. All the ponies left to get to bed early, Dave remained as he let Spike drop to the floor and Nox landed beside him.

“Alright, the guard said the wedding is arranged for ten tomorrow,” Dave rubbed his neck as he looked up at Adamas. “You going to be alright?”

“I shall be fine,” Adamas smiled as he reached down and rubbed Dave with his large snout. “Thank you for all the opportunities you have given me to expand past my barbaric past.”

Dave gave the dragon a hug by wrapping his arms around as much of the diamond snout as he could. “I am just glad I improved someone’s life.”

“Hey things got a bit more exciting for me when you showed up,” Spike poked Dave’s leg before climbing up and joining in on the hug.

Nox flew onto Dave’s head as he smiled down, “Don’t forget about me!”

“I never will son,” Dave smiled as he stepped away from the dragons and pulled Nox of his head to hug him. “I will always be there for you, I will never leave you and we will be the best family in the entire galaxy.”

Adamas walked over to the far end of the runway to lay down as Spike made his way into the castle. Dave ruffled Nox’s grey mane as they slowly walked into the large castle and made their way into Luna’s quarters, quietly at first until they saw nopony was inside.

“Alright, we get up early and then get ready,” Dave yawned as he fell onto the bed. “You want to know something Nox?”

“What is it dad?” Nox jumped onto the bed and dropped his head into one of the huge pillows.

Dave rubbed his eyes as he allowed them to fall shut. “I could have never asked for a better son, you matured so fast with everything going on and…” Dave yawned again, “I’m proud of you.”

Nox smiled as he pulled a wing over himself, “Thanks dad.”

“I will make your mother happy, Luna too,” Dave’s breathing became shallow as his voice became little more than a whisper. “Your mother is so… beautiful…” Dave fell asleep, exhaustion taking him as it dragged him into a deep slumber.

Nox watched his father before he let out a yawn of his own and fell asleep. Both father and son slept through Luna’s arrival, the princess smiled as she gently kissed both of them on the head and then left the room.

The next morning…

Dave suddenly awoke, surrounded by water as he instantly began swimming for the light above him. His head broke the surface of the water and he gasped for air, he rubbed his face before he realized that he was in Luna’s bath.

“Get washed then get dressed,” Strong Shield rose his eyebrow at Dave’s glare. “You are getting married today.”

As Dave heard the words he submerged himself and began washing as fast as he could. Battering Ram stepped in and threw Nox into the bath as well. “Alright Dave, Spike said he would wait for you then take you down to the hall.”

Battering Ram and Strong Shield both left as Nox and Dave began washing frantically, the alicorn preening his wings as Dave rubbed his face. They both finished and began wiping themselves dry, Dave helped rub Nox’s mane as the colt shook his tail.

They cleaned their teeth using some spare toothbrushes to make sure they were completely clean as they stepped into the bedroom. Spike saw Dave and threw him some pants which Dave quickly put on.

“Your suits are here as well,” Spike pointed to the two smart suits on the bed. One was for Dave, a sharp black suit with polished shoes that reflected almost perfectly. The other was Nox’s obsidian and diamond regalia, the polish had been used on this as it glistened under the light.

Dave whistled as he saw Spike’s top hat, “Nice hat, you got the rings under that?”

“Solid gold, should rest perfectly around Celestia’s horn,” Spike smiled. “We have a few minutes so get dressed and let’s go already!”

Meanwhile…

Celestia shuddered as she looked in the mirror, her knees were visibly shaking as she saw the white veil placed into her mane. Luna stepped beside her, the younger sister was wearing a purple dress that was decorated in silver stars.

“I think you look beautiful,” Luna smiled as her sister continued to stare at her wedding dress. “How are you feeling?”

“W-well I…” Celestia looked at herself in the mirror as she took a deep breath to calm herself. None of her golden regalia was on, she wanted this to be her and Dave, not a princess and a human. “It is indescribable.”

Cadence was applying makeup in the mirror beside Flux, “The feeling is wonderful once you see him at the end of the isle and you just want to run.”

“I think we should be more worried about Dave running to Celestia,” Flux joked as she brushed her mane, she didn’t have enough to tie into a ponytail or to sweep it all over one eye. “Maybe I should sit aside, I would make a terrible bridesmaid.”

“No,” Celestia said sternly as she stared at Flux in the mirror. “I didn’t ask you because Strong Shield wanted you there, I asked you because I want you to be there.”

Luna nodded in agreement with her sister, “You are going to marry Strong Shield, which means you are going to be Dave’s mother.”

“You do want to be his mother don’t you?” Cadence joined the other princesses in staring at the deep purple Pegasus.

“I love Strong Shield, and Dave is the most courageous thing I have met,” Flux smiled as she looked at herself in the mirror. “He is just like his father, and I would be happy for him to acknowledge me as his mother.”

Celestia smiled as she looked at her sister, “How do I look?” She asked nervously.

“Perfect,” Luna smiled as she turned to see Cadence and Flux were in their own bridesmaid dresses. The bedroom door opened and a maid stepped in, she gasped as she saw the radiant mares, almost forgetting why she was there.

“Excuse me your majesties but the guests are now being seated,” The maid bowed before leaving the mares to finish their preparations.

Meanwhile…

“Bride or groom?” Battering Ram asked the next ponies in the long line as he slowly ushered in the guests. Celestia’s side was filling slightly faster but it was usually a group that came to sit on Dave’s side.

“We are here for Dave,” The two mares smiled sweetly as Battering Ram rose an eyebrow at them both.

“You had better not cause any problems,” Battering Ram muttered as he saw through the disguises. “The last time a changeling was here there were a few arguments.”

The disguised changeling sisters hissed quietly, Larva had her amber hair in curls and her body was white. Chrysalis had a cream body and her mane was a rose colour, both had come as unicorns and their dresses were obviously part of the magical disguise.

“Listen, we are here to show our support,” Chrysalis stared at the larger earth pony. “If Dave chickens out then it is only fair that he has somepony to comfort him.”

Battering Ram narrowed his eyes, “I will let you in, but if I so much as see you blink at Dave then I will not hesitate to snap your neck.”

Larva and Chrysalis exchanged looks before walking past the navy pony and taking their seats. Battering Ram continued to stare at them before continuing his duty of ushering in the guests. He put on another smile as he allowed in a few off-duty guards.

Matrix and Night Stalker walked over as a few more guests were allowed in. “Is everything ok so far?” Night Stalker asked as he looked at the long line of ponies waiting to get in.

“Fine, is everything secure everywhere else?” Battering Ram allowed in a few more guests before looking back to the two pegasi.

“Yes, the chefs are also finishing off the cake,” Matrix sighed. “They spent most of yesterday making a small Dave figure to stand at the top beside the Celestia one.”

Night Stalker nodded as he pointed to the large double doors at the other end of the large hall. “The balcony has a few guards and the courtyard is filling with the public as we speak. Matrix and I will be guarding here as the ceremony goes on.”

The bearers of the Elements of Harmony arrived at the entrance and Battering Ram smiled to them. “Ah, you six get front row seats on Celestia’s side.” The elements were taken to their seats by Matrix as Night Stalker took the next group to their respective areas.

Rainbow Dash got comfortable in her set as a familiar pony sat in the opposite row on Dave’s side. “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, I have to go sit over there!” She squealed as she watched Spitfire talking with Vinyl Scratch and Octavia.

“No ya don’t,” Applejack sat on the rainbow coloured tail to prevent the Pegasus from sneaking away. “We are here on Celestia’s side together, and harassing Dave’s friends ain’t polite.”

The final guests were let in and the doors were slowly being closed, leaving just enough time for Spike, Big Mac, Shining Armour and Dave to step in. Dave checked his suit again before taking a deep breath.

“How are you feeling?” Shining asked as the group made their way to the front and stood by the archway.

“I felt less nervous going into Tartarus,” Dave gulped as he looked down at Spike. “You sure you have the rings?”

Spike nodded as he tapped his pocket, “Sure have, I made sure to check before we left the room.”

Odio’s fog appeared in the archway and he smiled at Dave, “I have screens set up in every city and large town.”

“Great,” Dave gave a thumbs up before placing his hands nervously together. “Is Adamas ready?”

The silhouette of Adamas’ head appeared in the large glass windows and gave a reassuring nod. The human wiped a bead of sweat from his head as he smiled to himself.

“Getting married to the one I love,” Dave muttered as everyone else around him ticked off mental checklists. “I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without everything that has happened… the good and the bad.”

Dave’s heart leapt to his throat as Adamas began humming loudly, his voice clearer and more impressive than any church organ could ever sound. He turned as he heard the doors open and Celestia stood, her face behind a white veil.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders were once again flower girls as they skipped down the aisles ahead of the bride. Applebloom saw Nox at the front and gave him a small smile, the colt smiled in return as he saw Applebloom in a fancy dress for the first time.

Strong Shield walked alongside Celestia, he was wearing a black suit that was a vast contrast from Celestia’s white dress. The pair walked down the aisle, Celestia smiled at Dave as the human responded with a smile of his own.

As Celestia and Strong Shield reached the front and the bride was opposite the groom, Strong Shield lifted one of Celestia’s hooves and passed it to Dave’s hand. The black unicorn then took a seat as he watched the proceedings, smiling to Flux before looking to his son.

Odio’s fog flowed in a small sphere, a white strip across the centre was his way of showing his authority. He waited patiently for Adamas to finish humming before beginning the proceedings.

“We are gathered here today, to witness the union of Princess Celestia and Dave Shield,” The fog’s voice was being repeated to the crowd outside and to every group of ponies all over Equestria. “The love that these two share has not come to pass without hardship, and it has endured through many attempts to squashed.”

Odio sighed, “I tried everything I knew honestly!” The cloud of hatred stared at the floor before looking up with a smile. “Can I get a ‘PRAISE JESUS’?”

Everypony gave Odio a confused look, except Dave. Dave’s eyes were filled with an anger that no facial expression could match. Odio apologized before continuing, “Anyway, I am sure Dave and Celestia have come up with some lovely vows to exchange and we can get our sick-bags ready.”

Celestia smiled as Luna levitated a piece of paper over to her sister, the page was covered in scribbles and writing. Celestia had obviously poured every emotion into writing the vows, nothing was not thought out or planned.

Dave’s face smiled but he screamed on the inside, he had forgotten about any vows and he had nothing to go on. He kept his smile as best he could as he racked his brain for ideas, he wasn’t going to ruin Celestia’s wedding.

“A few years ago, I would have never imagined I would be standing here,” Celestia took a moment to steady her nerves as she smiled at Dave, the human pushing aside his fears as he listened to Celestia. “I rose the sun and set the sun, I gave light to all the ponies and creatures of the world.”

“This simple act made everypony happy, and in turn it made me happy.” Celestia’s words made some of the ponies in the audience smile, knowing that their princess thought so highly of their simple lives. “But one day, a star fell from the night sky and fell to this world.”

Luna looked past her sister to smile at Dave’s expression, his face almost speechless from awe. Celestia continued with her vows, “This star was you Dave Shield, you were so different, not only physically, but spiritually too.”

Dave felt his stomach knot up in guilt from his lack to prepare vows of his own, Celestia’s heartfelt speech only made him feel worse. “You wanted to make everypony happy, even if that meant your own sadness.”

“You once kissed me on my cheek, before our love was apparent,” Celestia smiled as she remembered that day. “From that moment I wondered why I smiled around you, I made mistakes trying to figure it out and you should have left me so many times.”

The princess of the sun paused for a moment to compose herself before reading the rest of her vows. “But one day, you became a star in the sky again and I knew that you were the sun in my life, you were the reason I was happy and you were the one I want to spend eternity with.”

Dave snapped back to reality when Celestia moved the paper and smiled up at him. “And now my star has come back to me, I will never let you go again.”

A few mares sniffed after hearing the vow, even Flux was smiling at Strong Shield. Celestia handed her notes back to Luna as she stared back at Dave. Odio nodded as he turned to Dave, “And now the groom’s vows.”

“Oh… yeah,” Dave’s world seemed to stop, he stared into Celestia’s eyes as his brain worked overdrive. He couldn’t find the right words as he noticed a small sigh from Celestia, almost as if she knew this would happen but forgave him instantly. Dave’s happiness was smashed as he closed his eyes, knowing he had messed up Celestia’s happiest day. And she was fine with that.

But Dave wasn’t.

“From the first day I arrived,” Dave started, his self-hatred forcing out his true feelings. “I knew that I wouldn’t have a normal life, I would never see my home and I would have to endure ordeals every day to survive.”

“But then I met you,” Dave smiled as he opened his eyes and stared at the floor. “When I met you, I forgot about all that stuff, I didn’t care.”

The human continued to gaze at the stone floor, he didn’t want to see Celestia upset if he said something wrong. “You did put me through a lot that is true,” Dave sighed and he heard a few ponies chuckle in agreement. “But I did all of it because I hoped that it made you smile.”

Celestia had to hold back tears as she felt Dave gently squeeze her hoof. “It isn’t your sun that brightens my day, it is your smile. And it is that same smile that made me endure through everything.”

Odio’s smirk he had been wearing had faded, instead replaced with an actual smile as he heard his friend’s confession. Dave looked at Celestia’s hoof as he continued, “I know I will never have a normal or easy life, but as long as I am by your side then I will gladly do everything I can to make you smile.”

“I guess what I am trying to say is that I love you, now and forever.” Dave finally looked up into Celestia’s eyes, tears forming at the edges. “I am yours, nothing will ever change that. I will always be by your side and I promise to make you smile.”

“You aren’t a princess or a goddess to me,” Dave smiled. “You are perfection, from your smile to your personality. You are perfect, and I would never change a thing. I love you more than any words can say and more than any action I can do.”

Dave felt his own eyes tear as he smiled one last time, “I love you Celestia.”

The crowd smiled as Dave lifted Celestia’s hoof and kissed it, looking up at her teary eyes as she smiled. Odio sniffed as he got everyone’s attention, “Tissues are located at the end of each row if anypony needs them.”

“Sorry I had nothing prepared,” Dave whispered to Celestia.

“Neither did I,” Celestia smiled innocently. “That paper is for when I test new quills.”

Dave smiled as he stroked Celestia’s hoof with his thumb, “I love you so much.”

Odio tapped Dave as he returned to his duty. “Now Princess Celestia, will you take Dave Shield to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, so long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” Celestia smiled until Odio shook his head.

“That entire speech doesn’t work with you two,” Odio hummed before grinning. “Do you take Dave Shield to be your lawfully wedded husband, in boredom and in excitement, so long as eternity still exists?”

The princess looked at Dave who merely shrugged, “I do.”

Odio nodded, “And Dave, do you take Princess Celestia to be your lawfully wedded wife, in boredom and in excitement, so long as eternity still exists?”

Dave smiled to Celestia, “I do.”

“Damn,” Odio muttered to himself before smiling. “Now will the best man please pass the rings?”

Spike passed a large ring to Dave and a smaller ring to Celestia. He winked to Dave as he returned to his spot. Dave placed the golden ring onto Celestia’s horn, slowly guiding it down her white horn until it rested in place.

Celestia used her magic to levitate the ring towards the finger Dave indicated to. She smiled until the ring almost neared Dave’s finger and his resistance caused her magic to weaken. She pulled back so the ring didn’t fall to the floor as she shuddered.

“I can’t put it on,” Celestia whispered sadly. Another thing she couldn’t do.

Dave glared at his left ring finger, his eyes moved to where the mark was on his arm, hidden beneath his sleeve. “Yes you can, I will never resist you again, for as long as I live.”

Celestia looked at Dave’s determined face as she tried to place the ring on his finger again. She slowly neared his hand but this time her magic wasn’t being repelled or resisted. She managed to slide the gold ring completely on before she allowed herself to smile.

Odio smiled as he looked at Dave, he knew that he was channelling his resistance elsewhere and the pain coursing through his mark must have been agonising. But Dave kept a smile on his face to make Celestia happy.

“Are there any objections to why these two cannot be wed?” Odio asked as he glared around the room, every guard joined him as they collectively glared everypony into a silence. “No? Good,” Odio smiled as he looked at Dave and Celestia. “I now pronounce you man and wife,” Odio smiled. “You may kiss the bride.”

Dave gently lifted the white veil and smiled as he saw Celestia’s eyes look into his. “I love you,” Dave whispered as he gently placed a hand on Celestia’s cheek.

“And I love you,” Celestia closed her eyes as she leaned forward and kissed Dave. They both embraced as the crowds cheered, some whistling as the newlyweds kissed. Adamas let out a small roar of happiness as Odio sent the final image of Celestia and Dave kissing all around Equestria.

Dave was the one to finally break the kiss as he rested his head against Celestia’s. “So are we Dave and Celestia Shield now?”

“Or maybe Prince Dave and Princess Celestia?” The alicorn smiled as she nuzzled Dave gently.

“Just Dave and Celestia,” The both whispered in unison as they kissed again.