Author's Notes:

Hello Readers, I have a few things to tell you before you judge what is happening. This chapter is short because it is the end of this arch, not the end of the story. I will making the next arch after this, one that is not as dark or dangerous, but more Slice of life and teen friendly at least. I am both sad and glad to be through this part, but it happens and now I can begin the new life and new stories for you to hopefully enjoy. Enjoy this, and if you have any ideas for the next arch, please pm me those.

Canterlot Castle: Garden

The sky was clear of clouds, the sun able to shine through and brighten the cold world. Princess Luna was walking through the gardens, the snow blanketing everything around her. It made her think back to days when life was simple and peace had first been brought to Equestria. Her mind wondered for a while, temporarily trapped in the past. She was distracted enough that she did not hear somepony approach until they spoke.

“I know you don’t get enough sleep, but I didn’t think you could sleep and stand at the same time,” a stallion said, snapping the princess out of her trance.

“You should know how little I sleep, you are reason for it,” Princess Luna replied, smiling at the stallion.

“You don’t seem to be complaining about,” the stallion retorted, nuzzling the princess.

“And why should I when the stallion I love is about to marry me?” Princess Luna asked, kissing the stallion. “I wish we could stay like this forever.”

“So do I, but we have a kingdom to run. Let’s go before the court gets worried,” the stallion said, leading the lunar princess back to the throne room.

The two walked through the castle, servants moving around quickly to get tasks completed for the morning choirs. The Lunar Guard stood in key locations, unable to cover the whole of the castle as their numbers were not as numerous as that of the Day Guards. The guards were respectful as always and greeted the pair with both a professional and personal tone, true loyalty and caring in their voices.

As they arrived to the throne room, the two guards charged with watching the door opened them to the bustling room. The hall was crowded with ponies from all parts of Equestria, each one having a proposal as how to run parts of the country better. They immediately tried to speak with the princess the second she entered the room, but they were all blocked by the stallion walking with her.

His magic glowed around the two and allowed them to move to the front of the room with zero interference. Princess Luna thanked the stallion and sat down, her swollen belly making it slightly difficult. The stallion moved to her side, standing guard next to her. Even without any armor, he was still a force that should not underestimated.

“Thank you all for coming to the annual courts,” Princess Luna started. “I know that this year will be difficult, as my sister is unable to assist in, but we are confident that this year will not falter. I ask that before we begin, everypony form into groups of departments that perform many of the same tasks. This will assist in stream lining the courts and allow all your voices to be heard in a timely manner.”

Everypony in the room seemed to understand, as it made sense. The politicians all moved about, groups being formed of ponies from similar interests. Princess Luna sighed, as she was glad something was not going to be struggle. She looked out into the crowd, still knowing that the hardest part was still to come. And that involved a lot of figuring out who was out to actually try and help, and who out to help their wallet.

Canterlot Castle: Royal Chambers Wing

Princess Cadence and Twilight Sparkle poured over the letters before them, writing as quickly as their magic would allow. The wedding was in a week and the invitations still had to be sent out. The ceremony was still under development, after dining and food still had to be finalized, and the outfits for the bride and bridesmaids were not even a thought. If it wasn’t for the fact the Twilight had the group of friends that she had, this wedding would never be ready in time. But they sometimes had trouble getting things organized without her.

“Twilight, I’m sorry to barge in her like this, darling, but we have a situation,” Rarity said, running into the room.

“What is it, Rarity?” Twilight asked, not lacing down the invitations she was still writing.

“Well, it seems that you have obviously placed me in charge of making the wedding gown, which is a huge honor by the way, but the princess does not seem to have any time to come in and get the drive fitted properly. And not to mention that I haven’t even been able to work on our dresses and the groom’s suit either,” Rarity spoke, voicing the concerns that Twilight already knew about.

“I know, but Princess Luna and Anthony are current under a lot of stress having to deal with the annual financial courts. I’m not sure they have time for themselves, let alone to prepare for a wedding too,” Twilight told Rarity.

“I know, but how are we going to get them ready in time if they can’t find any time to get the proper apparel?” Rarity asked, her fashion sense for the wedding kicking into high gear. “It would be disastrous if a Princess showed up to her wedding in a dress that doesn’t even fit! Oh, we have got to get them down to see me right away, it just will not do; I simply won’t allow it!”

“Rarity, I know that it’s important, but the state of Equestria is more important,” Twilight informed her friend. “And we can’t go stressing out Princess Luna even more than she already is.”

“Your right, but they should not wait till the last minute to come see me. Princess Cadence, so you know of any way to get those two down to me in the next couple of days?” Rarity asked Cadence, knowing she knew more about the courts then Twilight.

“Maybe, but it wouldn’t be at the same time,” Cadence told her. “The first thing always talked about is whether to build a proper military force. It is normally thrown away, as we have no reason to wage war, but this year might be different, as what had happened with Blackwing. I know from the history books that Luna was always the more military adept, and she would want to be present for the whole thing. Anthony as well is for military, and with his knowledge would know how to form it properly.

“You won’t be able to pull them away. But, the second item is agriculture. Those two know nothing about agriculture, but I do. I’ll be able to step in and take the place of one of them, but two have to be present at all times. Shining Armor doesn’t know anything about politics and he is also training a whole new guard force to replace what we lost.

“Lunch is after those two subjects. That would be the only time you might be able to pull Anthony away for fitting. Stallions don’t usually take long to fit, so that would be a good time. That’s my suggestion,” Cadence told Rarity.

“Thank you, Princess, will you get me when you switch with Princess Luna?” Rarity asked.

“Of course, I’ll come get you when it’s time,” Cadence agreed.

Rarity bowed and left the two alone to finish with the invitations, passing Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy on the out. The two entered once Rarity left, causing Twilight to sigh and place down the invitation she was working on. She trotted over to her friends and waited for Pinkie to explain what they needed.

“Hi, Twilight, hope we’re not disturbing you, but we have a slight issue,” Pinkie said. “The room that we are having the wedding in is full of ponies, and they aren’t the friendliest either.”

“I know, that’s why I want you two to work on the dining hall, not the ceremony hall. I thought I had explained this to you already?” Twilight asked.

“Oh, um…you did, but, uh, Pinkie Pie had already finished with the dining hall. So, um, we don’t know what to do next,” Fluttershy explained.

“Yepperu, so what do we do know Twilight?” Pinkie asked.

“Wow, I didn’t think you guys would finish with the dining hall that fast. I’m sure you can go help AJ in the kitchen, she should have some things for you to do,” Twilight suggested.

“Okey dokey lokey, we’ll get right on it,” Pinkie said, grabbing Fluttershy and pulling her out the room.

“Your wedding wasn’t this difficult to do, Cadence,” Twilight comment, sitting down next to her sister-in-law.

“True, but we also had more ready when it came to my wedding. And I was involved with the planning, because I wanted it to be the best day of my life. My aunt doesn’t even want it on the scale we’re having it, she would prefer a small ceremony with a few guests for the dinner. She’s strange that way, I guess,” Cadence told Twilight.

“But she’s a princess, shouldn’t she want a big wedding for everypony to come to?” Twilight asked, not knowing Luna as well as Cadence.

“Yes, but you have to remember, most ponies still don’t like that she has taken almost full control with no other princess directly by her side. Blueblood and I help, but she has the final say when it comes to things. There is no pony who is standing next to her with an opposing view point, so it makes her seem more like a dictator than Celestia did when she was in power. Things will calm down once they realize that Anthony is the opposite viewpoint they want,” Cadence explained.

“Oh, that makes sense. I just wish we could get Celestia to actually speak to us, but she’s just sitting down in the dungeon. She only eats when food is brought and never speaks a word, I’m worried about her,” Twilight said, wanting to see what Cadence thought.

“So am I, but she made her chose. I know it sounds horrible, but she doesn’t deserve any pity. She had multiple chances to fix everything, but instead took the easy way out. I know she was your mentor, but she became corrupt with power. I’m sorry,” Cadence told Twilight.

“You’re right, I just wish we could help her,” Twilight said, the conversation dying as the two settling back to finishing the invitations.

Canterlot Castle: Gym

Rainbow Dash and Spike were having a leisure stroll around the track, each comparing notes on their progress on their respective jobs. So far, they seemed to be in the same boat with the assignment.

“So what did Princess Luna say when you mentioned the Bachelorette party?” Spike asked.

“She first asked what a Bachelorette party was, and then said she would pass,” Rainbow Dash told him.

“Did she say why?” Spike asked.

“Yeah, she said that wouldn’t be healthy, being so close to her due date, and that she was satisfied with only one stallion allowed to touch her. What a spoil sport she was,” Rainbow said, looking generally disappointed. “What about you?”

“Anthony said that he would have a few beers with the guys and call it a night. He wasn’t going to do anything extreme, and he said his loyalty to the Princess was worth more than a single night of adultery, whatever that is?” Spike told Rainbow.

“You really don’t know what happens at a Bachelor party, do you?” Rainbow asked.

“Not really,” Spike admitted.

“Well, I guess it’s a good thing then that the two don’t want to have one then, because I don’t think Twilight would like you exposed to that at such a young age,” Rainbow said, shrugging.

“Yeah, I guess,” Spike agreed.

“Hey, did I hear somepony talking about Bachelor parties?” a voice said from overhead. The two looked up and saw it was Scarlet, descending down on the two in changeling form. She landed and changed to her normal disguise.

“Yeah, we’re trying to give Princess Luna and Anthony their Bachelor parties, but neither one wants one,” Rainbow told the changeling queen.

“Ah, did you try shaking you rump and giving a seductive look over the shoulder?” Scarlet asked, demonstrating to the two before her. Rainbow and Spike both blushed and turned away from the sight, earning a laugh out of Scarlet.

“You two are too easy to have fun with,” Scarlet commented. “Any way, I’m sure they have their reasons for not wanting one, which is more reason to throw them one. Maybe you should let me have a go at it, I’m sure I can get them to agree. Maybe I’ll join in on them too, if they seem interesting enough.”

“Alright, you can try, but they seem to be very boring for them, if they have one at all,” Rainbow said, giving Scarlet the go ahead.

“Great, I’ll find you two when I have a better answer. See ya,” Scarlet said, changing back into a changeling and flying off.

“This is going to be amazing, if she can do it,” Rainbow said.

“I hope so,” Spike agreed, still trying to figure out what actually happened at Bachelor parties.

Canterlot Castle: Rarity’s Studio

“I still don’t understand why I have to do this?” Princess Luna asked, Rarity floating different measuring tapes around the Lunar Princess.

“Because, Princess, we need to finish with your wedding dress and I can’t use your old dress measurements because of your pregnancy,” Rarity replied. “And you are so busy that this was the only time I could get you down here to see me.”

“Alright, but please be quick, I have to return to the courts as soon as possible,” Princess Luna asked.

“Of course, just let me finish up a few more measurements and send you on your way,” Rarity said.

Princess Luna sighed and allowed the fashionesta to do her work. As Rarity measured and re-measured, she started to hum a tune to herself. Princess Luna picked up the tune and couldn’t help but smile a little. Even with all that was going on, ponies were still able to have a positive outlook. Luna was wrapped up in the thought so much, she was still standing on the pedestal when Rarity had finished.

“Princess Luna, you can leave now,” Rarity told the princess, noticing she was not paying attention.

“Oh, um, yes, thank you, Rarity. We, I mean, I was just lost in thought,” Princess Luna said, blushing as she did.

“That’s quite all right, Princess, we all earn a little daydreaming once in a while. Now shoo, I need to finish your dress,” Rarity said, waving as the Lunar Princess left the parlor.

Rarity sighed and smiled, knowing that she was going to make a beautiful bride. Especially when she finishes the dress. Rarity went back to work, knowing that she would have to re-tailor the dress anyway. She went back to humming her tune, the woes of the world dissipating as the only thing on her mind was the dress in front of her.

Canterlot Castle: Dining Hall

Princess Luna and Anthony sat at a table together, enjoying their lunch in relative ease. The morning had been long and drawn out, but not much has changed. The same plans are still in motion, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. The only issue will be rebuilding the guard, but the ideas behind it were secretly already in motion thanks to backroom politics and emergency orders. Only Anthony and Shining Armor know about it, but it was still something.

The two would have been content with a quiet lunch, but someone felt that was too much to ask for.

“Hello Anthony!” a voice said above them. The two looked up to find Queen Scarlet hovering over them.

“Hey, Scarlet, what are you doing here?” Anthony asked, watching the changeling decent and land in front of the two.
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“I heard from a certain Pegasus and dragon that you two are not even considering going out for your bachelor and bachelorette parties, is this correct?” Scarlet asked.

“Look, I know that it is something that I should be looking forward to, but neither of us really need to have one,” Anthony replied.

“Oh, come on, why not? With everything the two of you have been through, you both deserve a night to let loose and do what you please,” Scarlet tried to argue.

“The first thing is,” Princess Luna started. “I can’t go out and do anything like what happens at these parties, the alcohol would not do me or our child any good.”

“Second is,” Anthony continued. “I don’t want to do something my Fiancé can’t do.”

“Really?” Scarlet just looked at Anthony. “You don’t want a bachelor’s party just because Princess Luna can’t have one?”

“Yes, why should I have a night of infidelity when she can’t even think about that? It’s not fair and is an improper way for us to start our life together,” Anthony Told Scarlet.

The changeling Queen just stared at him with a bored look. She stepped forward and took his head in her hooves, looking him in the eye. Neither blink for what felt like an eternity when Scarlet openly kissed him. Anthony was taken aback by this, surprised Scarlet was being so forward. The changeling broke the kiss, but did not let him go.

“I am going to make sure you both have amazing parties, and there is nothing you can do to stop me,” Scarlet said, looking at the two of them with just her eyes. “Even though they will both be very different, you both will attend your specific party and you will like it. Understood?”

The two just nodded, knowing they weren’t going to change Scarlet’s mind. She let go of Anthony’s head and took a step back.

“Good, Princess Luna, yours will be tomorrow afternoon. Anthony, the day after. Can’t wait for you to see,” Scarlet said, flying off and away from the two.

The changeling flew and made her way to all she knew would attend the Princess’s party, which just happened to be the bearers of the elements of harmony and Princess Cadence. After informing all of them, she then set to getting everything ready for Anthony’s party. The people coming was smaller, mostly consisting of Shining Armor, the unicorns who came to the Hive, and a couple of mares in Canterlot she knew would enjoy being at a bachelor party in the castle. The grin on her face was massive at the end of the day.