Chapter 22: Part 2

Rainbow Dash's eyes fluttered open as the morning sun shined through the window on her. She sighed happily as she turned over in the bed and closed her eyes once more. Sleep began to envelop Rainbow Dash again as she snuggled into the blankets that surrounded her. Something sparked within Rainbow Dash moments later as one of her eyes shot open. With this one open eye Rainbow looked around the room frantically as this spark turned into a fire which made her stomach boil. She shot up from the bedsheets and gasped to herself.

She was getting married.

Today.

With a happy shout, Rainbow jumped out of the bed and made a beeline for the window. Upon opening it, Rainbow breathed in the refreshing morning air and exhaled happily. The overwhelming happiness she felt caused her to quickly and spontaneously jump from the window and take off into flight. She let out a happy cry, half laughing as she flew over Sweet Apple Acres, punching through clouds. Rainbow felt as light as a feather, purely elated in anticipation of what was to come.

She flew higher and higher until she smashed through a cloud and landed softly on it. She gazed out over the expanse of Ponyville, her eyes immediately shooting to Rarity's boutique. She sighed wistfully, wishing that she could be there with her fiancee.

"Wife." Rainbow said to herself. "She's gonna be your wife today." Rainbow smiled widely as she jumped off of the cloud and sailed back down to the farm before touching down on the front porch of her home. She entered the house to behold Big Macintosh and Granny Smith. They smiled at her.

"Mornin', miss Dash." Big Mac said. "Happy this mornin', huh?"

"You guys heard that?" Rainbow asked, a blush forming on her face.

"Ah didn't hear it, but Big Mac told me all about it." Granny Smith said. Rainbow snickered and rubbed the back of her head.

"Yeah..." The pegasus said "Well, I can't help it! I'm just so excited. I'm getting married today!"

"Ya do remember everything from the rehearsal, don't ya, sweetie?" Granny Smith asked the pegasus.

"Yep!" Rainbow said. "Got my vows back down-pat too." The cyan pegasus looked around the room. "Where's Applebloom?"

"Oh, she's still sleepin'." Granny Smith said. "Figured Ah'd let her sleep in a bit, seein' as how she's gonna be up pretty late tonight!"

"The reception..." Rainbow said. "How much has Applejack told you about it?"

"Ah know it's gonna be 'wild'." Big Mac said. "That's all she told me about it. When Ah asked for more, she told me she'd rather keep it under wraps, for fear of it gettin' back to ya." Rainbow's jaw dropped.

"Is she really that obsessed with keeping it a secret from me?" Rainbow asked. Big Mac shrugged.

"Ah dunno, seemed pretty important to her at the time." He said. Granny Smith giggled.

"Ah know why she's keepin' it under wraps." Granny Smith said. "She told me everything." Rainbow looked at Granny Smith, as did Big Macintosh.

"She told you?" Rainbow asked.

"Yep! 'Cause she knows Ah can keep a secret." Granny Smith said with a wink. Big Mac looked down at the ground.

"Ah feel a little betrayed..." He mumbled. Rainbow sighed as she looked at the clock. It was only ten thirty in the morning. The wedding didn't start until six-thirty.

"So...we have about six hours until we have to be at the wedding to get ready..." Rainbow said. "What do you guys want to do to pass the time?"

"Well, the way Ah figure it, a day of rest and relaxation wouldn't be too far off from right." Granny Smith said. "We're all gonna need it."

"I might go and visit with some of the girls and hang out for a while." Rainbow said. "You know me. I can't really stand still for too long without going a little stir-crazy." Granny Smith nodded and smiled.

"Whatever you wanna do." The old mare said. "This is you and Applejack's day." Granny Smith sat back in her rocking chair and resumed her knitting.

"Ah might come into town with ya." Big Macintosh said. "Haven't seen Cheerilee in a while." The stallion said.

"Well, I'm gonna be leaving in about half an hour." Rainbow said.

"Let me eat breakfast first, at least, before ya start the countdown." Big Mac said. "You could use it too." Rainbow nodded.

"Yeah, that sounds good." Rainbow said. "I am kinda hungry. What's on the menu?"

"Well, whatcha hankerin' for?" Big Mac asked. "We got a whole bunch of stuff."

"Pancakes with butter and syrup?" Rainbow asked. Big Mac nodded and smiled.

"You got it." He said. Rainbow smiled back at the stallion as he walked into the kitchen.

"Well, now." Rainbow said. "What's with this sudden burst of awesomeness?" Rainbow asked. Big Macintosh looked at her and smiled genuinely as he continued to remove ingredients from their neccessary compartments.

"What, Ah ain't awesome enough for ya usually?" Big Mac asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, no, it's not that." Rainbow said. "You're usually just so introverted." Big Mac shrugged and began to mix together the ingredients for the pancakes in a rather large bowl.

"Ah just feel like today should be special for ya, that's all." He said. "Granny, how many flapjacks ya want?!" He had to put extra volume on his question due to Granny Smith's partial deafness. The old mare put down her knitting kit and turned toward the kitchen.

"Uh...one is fine, sweetie." She said before returning to her knitting.

Rainbow appraised the large, musclebound stallion stuttering around in the kitchen preparing pancakes for the three of them. Since Rainbow Dash had moved into the farmhouse, she had never witnessed Big Macintosh like this. He juggled a steady flow of flipping the pancakes in the pan, mixing more batter in the bowl and placing finished pancakes on a plate. What he was doing was incredibly sweet, especially for a stallion of his...mannerisms. Rainbow smiled warmly at him before leaving the kitchen and sitting on a chair beside Granny Smith.

"Granny, how often does Big Mac act like this?" Rainbow asked with a smile.

"Oh, rarely." Granny Smith said. "And that's puttin' it lightly. Truth is, he only ever really acts like this on special occasions like Hearth's Warmin' Eve or me, Applejack's and Applebloom's birthdays. What he's doin' now for you... it's special." Rainbow smiled as she sat back, whiffing the alluring aroma of the flapjacks emanating from the kitchen.

Applejack grunted as she jumped across Rarity's large, lavish bed with one of the many sheets between her teeth in a futile effort to make the bed. Rarity had let Applejack sleep in the bed last night and due to the fact that nearly half the time, Applejack moved in her sleep, the bed was marvelously disheveled and out of order that morning. Applejacks third attempt to spread the sheet over the bed failed miserably as the sheet crumpled over the mattress. Groaning in anguish, Applejack picked the sheet back up and made another attempt at spreading it. It was moderately successful, spreading over roughly seventy percent of the mattress. After landing from the jump on her belly, Applejack heard a light giggle from behind her.

"What in Equestria are you doing, Applejack?" Rarity said, half laughing. Applejack sighed and turned back toward Rarity.

"Ah'm makin' your bed." The farm mare said as she got off the bed. "It's really the least Ah can do."

"Not necessary, my tired friend." Rarity said as she picked up every single sheet at once with her magic. Applejack stepped back and watched in wonder as Rarity neatly made her bed back the way it was when Applejack had walked into the bedroom the previous night.

"Ah can never get over how amazin' all that levitation stuff is." Applejack said with a smile.

"It takes an...obscene amount of practice." Rarity said, out of breath. "I can't manipulate things nearly as well as, say, Twilight, but I'd say that I am a moderately accomplished magic user." Applejack nodded.

"So, what's on the agenda today, Rarity?" Applejack asked. "We've got about five and a half hours until we need to start gettin' ready."

"Well, I thought that we'd go and piddle around Ponyville a bit, maybe get a small bite to eat at Sugarcube Corner." Rarity said. "Really, its all up to you. This is your day, Applejack." The farm mare blushed.

"Well gosh, Rarity, Ah'm not very used to bein' treated like this." Applejack said. Rarity nodded and smiled, an eyebrow raised.

"Yes, its nice to be pampered for a change, eh?" The unicorn said leaning closer to the earth pony. Applejack scoffed and looked to the side. "Admit it." Rarity's smile grew wider as her brows slowly furrowed. Applejack sighed.

"Okay, okay yeah." Applejack said. "Livin' all fancy is nice...once and a while."

"There! Now doesn't it feel better now that you've gotten that out of your system?" Rarity asked. Applejack raised an eyebrow at Rarity.

"Ah...guess." Applejack said. "Ah actually wanna go buck some apples now, to be honest." Rarity sighed and shook her head.

"Well, I've already been primped and preened enough to last until the wedding, so why don't you go wash up and meet me downstairs? Please help yourself to my bathroom." Rarity said in a courteous manner. "We'll leave when you're ready." Applejack nodded at the unicorn before she turned and exited the bedroom, leaving Applejack alone. The farm mare turned and looked at the bathroom that she hadn't bothered to notice the previous night. Upon entering the bathroom, Applejack realized that it was easily three times the size of the meager bathroom she had back at the farm house.

"Well now, Rarity must make a lot of dough with that dress business of hers..." Applejack muttered to herself, marveling at the splendor of the room. Shiny blue tiles lined the bottom half of all the walls over a white tile floor. The sink was large with an intricate faucet and pretty water handles that looked to be diamond. Applejack was almost certain they were fake, however. Rarity was probably the best off of all their friends, with the exception of Twilight and her new title, but she certainly wasn't rich. The smooth marble counter looked inviting and homey. A pretty arrangement of artificial plants hung on the wall above the toilet, which was neatly covered by the lid. A large tub with jets inside it lay underneath a window with blue curtains drawn to hide the restroom.

The bathroom was certainly wonderful, especially in comparison to the bathroom Applejack had at home. But the most fantastical part of the bathroom to Applejack, however, was the shower. The metal-framed glass door to the walk in shower looked inviting and beautiful at the same time, giving off a ritzy aesthetic feel. Applejack pulled it open to reveal an absolutely shining walk in shower, complete with a seat built into the wall and a compartment to hold the various hair treatments Rarity had. A loofah that Rarity obviously used hung from the faucet handle.

Applejack removed her stetson and hairties and placed them upon the counter

'Rainbow would love this.' Applejack muttered to herself, blushing lightly in fond remembrance of recreational times she had had with her fiancee in the shower when they were alone. Applejack stepped into the shower and turned the hot water handle. The water came out of the shower head immediately warm. Applejack smiled at the difference from her own showerhead, which usually spouted out water that stayed cold for about a minute before becoming hot. The temperature of the water rapidly escalated, however, causing Applejack to shout in surprise. She quickly turned the cold water handle in her desperation, which quickly evened out the temperature and allowed Applejack to experiment with the water to find the perfect relaxing temperature.

Applejack took the seat under the water and allowed herself to relax, sighing contentedly to herself as she felt the water play over her body. Slowly and gradually, her stress began to ebb away. The muscles which were newly freed up by the massage she received the previous night gratefully heated up as the water continued to flow. Applejack soaked her mane and tail in the water before standing up and looking at the various shampoos and conditioners Rarity owned. Applejack eventually settled on what she considered standard shampoo and conditioner and went to work scrubbing her mane and tail, lathering the hair and rinsing it under the water.

When Applejack finished, she opened her eyes to behold a peculiar knob on the side of the shower head. It seemed to have some sort of function, so to indulge her natural curiosity, Applejack turned the knob. The flow of water from the shower head immediately changed to several concentrated streams from the center of the fixture. Applejack, surprised by the sudden and unexpected change, jumped.

"Woah, nelly!" She exclaimed with a small giggle. After testing out the various flows of water from the shower head, Applejack finally decided on the original flow she started with. Applejack, utilizing the loofah hanging from the faucet handle, washed her body. Afterwards, she sat for several more minutes before exiting the shower. Applejack dried her mane, tail and body and brushed her hair straight once more before replacing her hairties and stetson. She exited the bathroom and moved down the stairs to meet Rarity in the living area. The unicorn was reading a fashion magazine as she waited.

"Well, finally!" Rarity said with a smile. "I was beginning to think you had died in there."

"Ah almost got lost in that palace you call a bathroom." Applejack said jovially. "That shower's amazin'."

"Yes, I'd have to agree." Rarity said with a sigh. She then stood and ushered Applejack toward the door. "Well then, shall we?"

Rainbow Dash ambled through Ponyville happily, smiling at various ponies who greeted her. Big Macintosh had already left her presence to go see his marefriend Cheerilee, so for the moment, she was alone. She passed Roseluck, who smiled widely at her.

"Rainbow!" She said. "I'm so excited for tonight." Rainbow nodded and smiled.

"Well, we're happy to have you there, Roseluck." Rainbow said. "You've pretty much been supportive of us since day one, so you were one of the first ponies we decided to invite." Roseluck nodded.

"Well, thank you." Roseluck said. "See you up at the altar tonight!" Rainbow nodded.

"Yeah, see you tonight." Rainbow said before continuing on her way to her destination. As Fluttershy's cottage came into her view, Rainbow smiled as she anticipated a lunch with her long time friend. Rainbow approached the happy little home and knocked on the door. Fluttershy answered almost immediately and smiled happily at seeing her betrothed friend standing on the doorstep.

"Rainbow Dash! This is such a pleasant surprise! I mean, I guess it's a surprise, because I figured you'd be back at the farmhouse right now."

"Well, I have nothing to do for about five hours." Rainbow said with a smile. "I was wondering if you wanted to come grab a little pre-wedding bite to eat at Sugarcube Corner with me." Fluttershy nodded excitedly.

"Oh, I'd love to." Fluttershy said with a smile. "But I need to feed Angel before we leave...I mean, if that's alright with you..." Rainbow scoffed and smiled at her timid friend.

"Fluttershy, of course it's alright!" Rainbow said, half laughing. "Geez, I already told you that I had time to kill." Fluttershy blushed and nodded.

"Okay." She said. "Would you like to come inside and have a seat?" Rainbow nodded. Rainbow walked into the house and sat upon the couch and waited patiently for Fluttershy.

"Where is Angel anyway?" Rainbow asked. "I don't see him anywhere."

"Oh, sometimes he just likes to hide from me." Fluttershy explained. "I usually make his meal and leave it out for him." Fluttershy then went to work in the kitchen preparing her pet rabbit's meal.

"Does he usually hide from you like this?" Rainbow asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, not usually." Fluttershy said. "He just sometimes gets into his little moods. You know how bunnies are."

"Yeah." Rainbow lied, rolling her eyes. "I know all about that." Fluttershy finished the preparation of the meal and placed it on the ground by the entrance to the kitchen. It was a fine assortment of lettuce and carrots, a meal fit for a pony.

"Geez, Fluttershy, that rabbit eats better than half the population of Ponyville." Rainbow said with a smirk as she stood up. "Ready to go?" Fluttershy nodded and smiled. Rainbow left the cottage and prepared to take off into flight before Fluttershy's voice interrupted her.

"Okay, Angel, I'm going to Sugarcube Corner with Rainbow Dash! Your food is where it usually is! Be good!" Fluttershy yelled. Rainbow raised an eyebrow at the timid yellow pegasus, who blushed when she noticed Rainbow's disapproving expression.

"I-Is something wrong?" Fluttershy asked.

"Not really, Fluttershy." Rainbow said. "It just feels like every time I come over here, Angel is abusing your kindness in some way."

"I respect your thoughts, but I wouldn't call it abuse." Fluttershy said. "I'm always happy to do these things for him." Fluttershy said as she shut the door to her cottage. They took off into flight toward Ponyville, Rainbow decreasing her normal speed quite drastically to allow Fluttershy to keep up with her.

"Fluttershy, your rabbit is spoiled rotten." Rainbow said. "I mean, I hate to be the one to tell you, but-"

"Rarity and Twilight have told me before." Fluttershy said. "I just don't think I'm doing anything wrong."

"Well, I can see how you'd think that, Fluttershy." Rainbow said with a sigh. "And I know that you love getting affection from Angel, but what usually happens when you deny him something he wants?"

"Well, he gets kind of angry..." Fluttershy said. "And he doesn't want to associate with me until I actually give him what he wants."

"And you don't see the problem with that?" Rainbow asked, raising an eyebrow at Fluttershy. They both landed in front of Sugarcube corner and began to walk toward the entrance. "Flutters, if you don't get a handle on it now, its just gonna get worse and worse. He'll think he's entitled to anything he wants. Believe me, I know. Before I moved in with Applejack and learned that things don't always go my way, I thought like that."

"You weren't that bad." Fluttershy said. "You've always been a bit overzealous, but you always learned from any mistakes you made." Rainbow nodded.

"Yeah, I know. All I'm trying to say is that I've learned about the big picture, you know? And so can Angel." Rainbow said. "Look, Fluttershy. I'm not gonna tell you what to do with your pet. But I'm just asking you to think on it, okay?" Fluttershy nodded and smiled at the cyan mare.

"Thanks, Rainbow." Fluttershy said. "I appreciate your concern."

"No prob." Rainbow said. "Now let's eat. I'm starving!" They entered the building to see Pinkie Pie standing behind the counter, who brightened up as soon as she layed her blue eyes upon Rainbow and Fluttershy. She hopped happily before running around the counter and straight at them.

"Get ready!" Rainbow said quickly to Fluttershy.

"Rainbow! Fluttershy! HI!" Pinkie said ecstatically before wrapping both of them into a tight hug. Fluttershy and Rainbow hugged Pinkie back.

"Thanks for the warning, Rainbow." Fluttershy said. "You're getting better at predicting her." Pinkie Pie finally let go of them and stepped back for a moment, still beaming.

"So are you guys here to eat?" Pinkie asked.

"Yeah. Got any tables open, perchance?" Rainbow asked with a cheeky smirk, making light of the fact that only two ponies were sitting in the small eatery.

"Sure. Hold on a sec." Pinkie said before walking to the door of the kitchen and leaning her head in. "Mrs. Cake! Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are here to eat! I'm gonna take my lunch break so I can eat with them!"

"Okay, Pinkie!" Mrs. Cake called. The pink party pony withdrew her head from the kitchen and walked back over to her two friends.

"Everypony know what they want to eat?" Pinkie asked.

"Yep." Rainbow said with a smirk.

"Actually, I was kind of unsure, so could I have a menu?" Fluttershy asked. Pinkie Pie nodded happily.

"Of course you can, silly filly!" Pinkie said, half giggling before stopping abruptly.

"Wait a minute...Dashie, why aren't you with Applejack?" Pinkie asked, confused, a concerned eyebrow raised. "Its your wedding day."

"Yeah. I know." Rainbow said. "But Rarity brought up that thing that it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding, and asked Applejack if she wanted to stay the night at her house. We figured 'What the hay?' and she spent the night with Rarity last night. So I guess I'm not seeing her until tonight."

"Actually, Rainbow, Applejack just left from here with Rarity." Pinkie said. "They stopped for a minute and got a cookie." Rainbow's eyes widened and she looked at Pinkie Pie.

"She was here?" Rainbow asked, excitement suddenly building up within her. Pinkie nodded. "Do you know where they are now?" Pinkie Pie nodded again.

"Rarity said they were going to the market to...'Piddle around'? I don't even know what that is." Pinkie Pie said. Rainbow smiled and began moving toward the door.

"Rainbow Dash, where are you going? I thought we were gonna have lunch." Pinkie Pie said, disappointed.

"We are." Rainbow said, the smile on her face growing ever wider. "I've just gotta go take care of something first." Rainbow Dash then left the confectionary and took to the air above Ponyville, heading toward the market district. Her stomach danced with excitement as she moved closer and closer to the location of her fiancee. The pegasus didn't care if she was cursed with bad luck for twenty years. She was going to see Applejack.

*Ten minutes earlier*

"Good morning, Pinkie Pie!" Rarity said lightly as she and Applejack entered Sugarcube Corner. "Your largest cookie for two weary travelers." Pinkie Pie smiled at them.

"You want the face cookie?" Pinkie Pie asked. "Good choice." The giddy little earth pony removed the large cookie from its case and carried it to her friends who had taken a seat.

"Face cookie?" Applejack asked, raising an eyebrow and cracking a smirk. "Why exactly do ya call it that, Pinkie?"

"Well, the cookie is as big as my face." Pinkie Pie said. "So I just came up with the name. It kinda stuck ever since." She said with a sweet giggle.

"Well, it sure does taste amazin'." Applejack said, mid-chew.

"Applejack!" Rarity said sternly. "Manners. You're going to be a bride tonight and we're all going to be eating together at the reception, so you should act accordingly." Applejack sighed and rolled her eyes.

"But we ain't at the wedding, are we?" Applejack said, her speech becoming more clear due to her swallowing her bite. "Ah had to speak up as Ah was chewin' 'cause it's so darn good! Go on, take a bite." Rarity proceeded to eat some of the cookie.

"Oh!...Goodness..." Rarity said. "This is one of the best cookies I've ever had. Pinkie Pie, did you make the dough yourself?" Pinkie nodded happily.

"I'm so happy you guys are enjoying it!" She said. As she finished her sentence, a customer walked into the confectionary, the bell hanging from the door dinging lightly. "Be right back!" She then hoppped over to the entering couple to greet them.

"Well, it certainly seems that Pinkie is doing quite well here." Rarity said. "She really has flourished since she's become co-owner." Rarity took a bite of her half of the cookie.

"Yeah." Applejack said. "Ya know, Ah gotta admit Ah was surprised the day Rainbow had given everything back to the Cakes. Especially seein' as how they lost it on account of how they treated us and Pinkie."

"I was amazed myself when I caught wind of it." Rarity said.

"Ah don't think Ah've told Rainbow this, but when Mrs. Cake was kneeling in front of her and apoligizin', Ah wanted her to spit on her, or tell her she deserved what she was gettin'." Applejack said.

"Well at the time, who could blame you?" Rarity asked.

"Then, Rainbow just goes and...pulls them out of the hole and gives them their lives back. All while giving Pinkie Pie a real job again...it just amazes me. She amazes me." Applejack said with a fond smile and a small blush.

"Well she is quite amazing." Rarity said with a smile and a raised eyebrow. "I suspect that that's why you're marrying her tonight." Applejack smiled and nodded.

"That's true." Applejack said. "Ah think that the Cakes learned their lesson. They're so nice to us now."

"Do you think that it could be a false front?" Rarity inquired before taking a bite of cookie.

"Oh Ah'm positive it was for Mr. Cake at first. He was courteous, but Ah could tell we made him uncomfortable. But now, that way he'd act whenever we'd show up, it's gone. Mrs. Cake definitely changed her mind on us as soon as Rainbow saved them. She's been nothin' but nice to us and Pinkie even tells us she overhears her talkin' to her husband about how nice we are and how much she regrets sayin' what she did." Applejack explained. "They're both comin' to the wedding tonight, so that's somethin', at least." Rarity nodded.

"I'd say that for the most part, its worked out for the two of you." Rarity said with a smile after swallowing her final bite of cookie. "Well, shall we?" Applejack, having finished her half of cookie several minutes prior, nodded as they both stood. Pinkie Pie returned at that moment and frowned sadly.

"Aww...you guys are leaving already?" Pinkie asked. "But we barely got to talk."

"We'll stop by on the way back through." Rarity said. "But for now, Applejack and I have to go piddle around the market a bit before it closes." Pinkie Pie nodded.

"Okay, see you guys later!" She said, ever cheerful as she ambled back to the kitchen. After leaving sugarcube corner, Applejack and Rarity walked the short distance to the market district. Smiling, Rarity turned to Applejack.

"Let the hunting begin." Rarity said with a small squeal. They began browsing all the different booths, looking at the different items, clothing and food. "Oh, I just love coming to the market. A lot of the time you find utter garbage in terms of clothing, but I've procured many an adorable outfit from this place for a moderate price."

"Ah know." Applejack said with a smile. "A lot of times when Ah'm runnin' the apple stand here, you'll come by and show me some particular good deal ya found."

"Seems like it'd be annoying." Rarity said with an embarrassed smile. Applejack shook her head and smiled.

"No, actually. It's funny because ya overreact to it so much." Applejack said. "It's provided me with a lot of entertainment on dull days." Rarity sighed and smirked at Applejack before going back to browsing a stand with a new clothing inventory. Applejack's mind drifted to Rainbow Dash. She wondered what the pegasus was doing, what she was thinking about. Applejack missed her love at that moment seemingly more than she had in a long time. Bored to tears, Applejack sighed as she looked around the market for anything of interest.

After a few minutes of looking, she found it.

Standing by an alleyway, waving at her, was Rainbow Dash with a wide smile on her face. Applejack nearly gasped at the sight of her fiancee and bit her lip before turning to Rarity.

"Hey Rarity, there's some pretty cool lookin'...cowpony hats over there. Ah'm gonna go check 'em out." Applejack said. Rarity nodded, still observing the clothing.

"You go on ahead dear. I'll meet you by the cherry stand in five and we'll go from there." Rarity said. Applejack smirked as she turned to Rainbow and ran at her nearly at full speed. Rainbow smiled as she spoke.

"Hey Applejack- URGH!" Her speech was interrupted by Applejack wrapping her into a massive and loving hug. "Hey, Applejack. I wonder if you missed me..." Rainbow said, slightly strained. Applejack nuzzled Rainbow's chest before putting her down and giving her a peck on the lips.

"Your darn right Ah missed ya." Applejack said. "Feels like Ah haven't seen ya in weeks."

"That bad?" Rainbow asked with a smirk. "So this is affecting you worse than me? Wow."

"Oh, shut up." Applejack said. Rainbow gave off a small snicker.

"So, what did you guys do?" Rainbow asked.

"We went to the spa, came back, Ah tried on my dress, we talked for a bit and then we just went to bed." Applejack said. "It was actually pretty uneventful. What about you?"

"Pretty much the same with me." Rainbow said. "I went back to the house and talked to Granny Smith for a bit before going to bed."

"Ya know, you're not supposed to see me before the wedding." Applejack said with a mischevious grin. "You're breakin' the rules."

"So sue me." Rainbow said, raising an eyebrow, leaning in closer to Applejack. Applejack leaned closer as well.

"Nahh. It's not worth it." Applejack said before connecting her lips with Rainbow's. They kissed for a short while before escalating their kiss by using their tongues together, Rainbow quickly sliding hers into Applejack's mouth without warning. Applejack had no qualms with this as she reciprocated the motion.

"Applejack!" They both heard Rarity call, interruping their kiss. "Where are you?"

"Is she seriously calling for you?" Rainbow asked before putting a hoof on her forehead. "Oh, Rarity..."

"Ah guess Ah'd better go." Applejack said. "Don't want her comin' to conclusions that Ah've been murdered or somthin'." Rainbow nodded and giggled.

"Okay." Rainbow said before flying into the air above Applejack's head. "See you tonight, AJ." Applejack smiled widely.

"Ah can't wait." Applejack responded. Rainbow then flew away, back in the direction of Sugarcube corner. Applejack turned and exited the alleyway and moved to the cherry stand where Rarity stood.

"Where were you?" Rarity asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Ah was checkin' out somethin' that was darn good lookin'." Applejack responded with a smirk.

"Oh, well will you get it?" Rarity asked with a smile.

"Yeah. Not now, though. Later on." Applejack said, her smirk widening.

Rainbow Dash sighed and looked at herself in the mirror of her restroom. She was dressed up in her dark cyan suit with the gold vest and the gold tie, and needless to say, she looked awesome. The outfit fit her so well, and she was excited to show it off to everypony at the wedding. But the awesomeness of the outfit seemed secondary to the pegasus as she regarded herself in the mirror. She was nervous. More nervous than she had ever been in her life. In fact, she felt braver when she stared down a dragon. She inhaled deeply and exhaled before slapping her face and jogging in place for a moment.

"Okay, Rainbow." She said to herself. "You've got this. You're gonna go get married. Right now. Nothing's gonna change it." She was completely unafraid to talk to herself because Big Macintosh, Granny Smith and Applebloom had already left for the plot of land in the fields where the wedding was being set up. She looked at herself in the mirror and, despite her wobbly legs feeling like gelatin, she walked out of the restroom. She exited the house and took off in flight to the area of the fields where the wedding was taking place.

She tried to breathe evenly so as to avoid any further stress or emotion. Despite her nervousness, she smiled widely and was filled with elation.

"I'm gonna go get marred." Rainbow said. "It's happening! I'm gonna marry the mare of my dreams, and there's nothing that can stop me!" Rainbow's flying pace accelerated drastically to where she arrived at the site in seconds. Upon arriving, she did a large loop in the air, leaving a bright rainbow streak behind her, before going into a spin toward the ground. She landed perfectly and flipped her mane. Every guest sitting applauded her, several of them cheering for her. Twilight Sparkle came down from the altar, before hugging Rainbow lovingly and stepping back to look at her.

"You always know how to make an entrance, don't you?" Twilight said.

"You know it." Rainbow replied with a confident smirk.

"Rainbow, you look fantastic." Twilight said with a wide smile. "Rarity really stepped up with that design."

"Yeah." Rainbow said looking herself over again. "It's awesome, that's for sure. It's even awesome enough to fit me." Twilight giggled. Rainbow looked around at everyone who had arrived. Every single pony on the list had come, as confirmed by the guest list, and was seated. Granny Smith was seated in the very front of the chairs, beside Princess Celestia. The old mare winked at Rainbow, making the pegasus blush and wave at her. Celestia stood and walked over to Rainbow Dash and smiled down upon her.

"Rainbow Dash, I would just like to extend to you my congratulations." The regal alicorn said. "I am so very proud of you and Applejack." Rainbow smiled at her and gave her a curt bow.

"Thank you, Princess." Rainbow said. "I'm very happy you could be here." The princess nodded before returning to her seat beside Granny Smith. Twilight Sparkle moved up at Rainbow.

"Looks like we've only got about seven minutes until Applejack, Applebloom Rarity and Big Macintosh are supposed to arrive." Twilight Sparkle said with a smile. "I'm so excited for you two!"

"This is gonna be awesome!" Rainbow said. "I can't wait!"

Upon looking among the attendees, Rainbow nearly gasped when her eyes fell upon Gilda. The griffon waved sheepishly at her and blushed. Rainbow smiled and approached her where she sat.

"Hey Gilda." Rainbow said.

"Hey there, Dash." Gilda responded before standing and giving Rainbow a friendly hug, which Rainbow returned.

"I'm really happy that you could be here." Rainbow said.

"Well, I wouldn't have missed it." The griffon said. "Look, Dash. About what happened last time I was here..."

"Don't worry about it anymore, Gilda." Rainbow said with a smile. "It's all water under the bridge. You being here says enough."

"Yeah, I know, but hear me out...Please." Gilda said, blushing heavily. "I treated you and your friends pretty bad. I called you all losers...including you. I didn't mean any of it. I was just flustered and upset. I've already apologized to all of your other friends except for Fluttershy and Applejack, and Fluttershy's already looking kinda scared seeing you talking to me." Rainbow looked behind her to see Fluttershy standing beside Pinkie Pie, looking at her and Gilda with wide, frightened eyes. Rainbow snickered.

"Yeah, she's always been that way." Rainbow said. "She'll warm up to you when she realizes that you're not a total monster."

"Yeah. I wouldn't feel right going up there to her now..." Gilda said, scratching the back of her head. "I think I'll apologize to her at the reception."

"Sounds good." Rainbow said with a nod. "Well the ceremony's about to start. I'd better get up there." Rainbow turned and began to walk up the aisle.

"Rainbow." Gilda called, making Rainbow Dash turn around to see her.

"Awesome suit." The griffon said with a smile. Rainbow smiled back and nodded before walking down the aisle. Rainbow stood at the altar, next to Twilight, who leaned down to her.

"The ceremony starts in three minutes!" Twilight whispered to her with a small squeal. Rainbow snickered quietly.

"Are you tracking this second by second or something?" Rainbow asked. Twilight raised an eyebrow at her.

"Why yes." The alicorn said with a small giggle. "But I doubt everypony else will go by that."

Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy stood by the end of the aisle, represented by a red carpet embroidered with gold patterns. They wore gold dresses, the color Rarity had picked as the "theme" for the outfits. Rainbow had to admit, they worked exceedingly well. Pinkie Pie jumped up and down quickly in excitement.

"Oh, oh, OH! Here they come, everypony!" Pinkie yelled with a squeal. Sure enough, a beautiful carriage came down the road, being dragged by two royal guards, compliments of Princess Celestia. When the cart finally came to a rest, Rarity came bounding out of the door before shutting it quickly behind her. She laughed nervously as she went and stood behind Pinkie and Fluttershy, her gold dress flowing behind her. Rarity gave a signal that they were ready, and upon receiving a signal from the conductor, Octavia Melody and her quartet began playing a peaceful, happy song that fit a wedding well.

Rarity and Pinkie Pie walked down the aisle, smiling at the ponies they passed on the way. They finally settled up by the place where the bride would eventually stand. The carriage door opened and Applebloom came out, beaming and blushing at the same time. The filly took the time to wave happily at her two friends, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, who were sitting next to each other. Applebloom came to a stop and stood at the altar.

The song the quartet was playing segued into one of the most beautiful songs Rainbow Dash had ever heard. The slow moving, delightful tune evoked a feeling of happiness from the pegasus as her stomach lit aflame. From the open carriage door came Big Macintosh, who proceeded to help the bride from the carriage.

And what a beautiful sight she was.

Rainbow Dash nearly gawked at the sight of her bride walking down the aisle. Her dress shining in the sinking sunlight like a supernova. The touches of gold and white mixing together perfectly. Smiling happily, she walked with Big Macintosh down the aisle until she reached the foot of the altar. Big Macintosh slowly lifted her veil and smiled warmly at her before moving to his seat beside Granny Smith. Applejack walked up the altar and came to a stop before Rainbow Dash. Rainbow supressed a gasp as she blushed deeply at the sight of her beautiful bride, smiling warmly at her. She had on a light layer of makeup with slight eyeliner so as not to conceal her natural beauty.

"You..." Rainbow whispered before gulping. "Look so beautiful."

"Thanks, Dash." Applejack said. "Lookin' dapper yourself." Rainbow laughed nervously and blushed. The quartet finished their song seconds later and Twilight Sparkle began.

"Fillies and Gentlecolts!" She said. "We are gathered here today to witness the union between Rainbow Dash and Applejack in loving matrimony. If anypony present has any reason why these two should not be wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace."

Not a soul stirred.

"I believe that Rainbow Dash and Applejack have prepared their own vows..." Twilight said in introduction. "Applejack?"

"Rainbow Dash, ever since Ah met you when you moved to Ponyville, Ah considered you to be one of my best friends. We did so much together and overcame so much side by side, Ah found it hard to think about goin' through all that with anypony other than you..." The farm mare said. "And, Ah'll say, that Ah never thought we would be in this position, though. We've had our rough patches and our obstacles, but we've overcome them together. Now that we're here, Ah couldn't be happier. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and Ah can't wait to spend the rest of my life as your wife...Yes, I did mean for that to rhyme." Many ponies laughed, including Rainbow Dash. "Ah will be there as your companion, your friend, your rival and your wife until the day Ah die. Ah love you, Rainbow Dash." Rainbow smiled widely at Applejack's heartwarming words and nodded.

"Thank you, Applejack." Twilight said. "Rainbow Dash?"

"It didn't take me long to write these vows, because from the moment I proposed to you, I knew what I wanted to say." Rainbow said. "Applejack, everything that we've been through, everything that we've beaten and conquered, has led to this moment. You are the greatest pony I have ever known and I'm inspired so much by what you do and who you are. The mere thought of you makes me feel like I can do absolutely anything. I'd slay three dragons bare hoofed for you. Sorry, Spike." The baby dragon laughed and nodded. "I'd crawl though ghastly gorge on my belly for you. And...if I had to, I'd give up my chance at being a Wonderbolt for you. I'd die for you. But my main point is this. Applejack, you are the light of my life and I feel like it'd be meaningless without you. I promise to be there with you through good times and bad, and I promise to love you with every ounce of my ability." Rainbow sniffled and wiped a tear that fell from her cheek. "I mean, look at me, Applejack! You're the only pony that can make me cry!" This earned an audible "aww" from everypony at the altar, including Twilight Sparkle. "Oh shut up, you guys." Rainbow said half laughing, earning laughs from many of the ponies watching. "Applejack, I love you so much and from here, we move on to the rest of our lives together."

"Thank you, Rainbow." Twilight said before exhaling. "Applejack, will you take Rainbow Dash as your wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health until the day you die?"

"...Ah do." Applejack said, tears running down her cheeks.

"Rainbow Dash, will you take Applejack as your wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health until the day you die?"

"Hay, yeah!" Rainbow said, pure elation bursting out of her, tears running down her cheeks as well. Everypony watching laughed.

"Well then, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you to be wed." Twilight looked down at Rainbow. "You may kiss the bride." Rainbow immediately leaned forward and kissed Applejack deeply, earning happy cheers from everypony in the audience. Rainbow and Applejack separated and put their foreheads together, both of their ears layed back, a show of their pure love for one another. Rainbow laughed happily before Applejack nuzzled her happily. Octavia's quartet played another beautiful, happy song as Rainbow and Applejack turned around to view the guests. Applebloom hugged Applejack happily as Rainbow and Applejack both took a moment to smile at Granny Smith and Big Macintosh before being wrapped up in a gigantic group hug from all their friends, including Twilight, who had stepped down from the altar.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack then walked down the aisle toward the carriage.

This was it.

Their life together had officially begun, and neither one of them could have been any happier.

"Ugh, finally!" Rainbow cried, throwing her hooves in the air. "I finally get to see what this reception is all about!" Applejack giggled and kissed Rainbow on the cheek.

"Yep." Applejack said. "Ya sure do. And Ah don't think you'll be unimpressed." The statement sent a jolt of excitement through Rainbow Dash, energizing her even more than she already was. The ceremony had gone off without a hitch, she was on her way to what was quite possibly the best wedding reception ever, and most of all, she was married to the mare of her dreams. The carriage didn't bounce or bump down the road, even though Applejack and Rainbow were absolutely certain there were pot holes and lumps in the road. They had ridden down it in a wagon enough times to know.

"I'm so happy!" Rainbow said, wrapping her forelegs around Appledash lovingly. "We're married...I mean, like, we're really married."

"Ah know." Applejack said, giving Rainbow a peck on the lips. "It's so surreal."

"Look how far we've come." Rainbow said. "After everything we've been through, and we've been through a lot..."

"Ya got that right." Applejack said with a nod.

"It just feels like it's...meant to be." Rainbow said with a warm, loving smile.

"Ah know exactly what ya mean, sugarcube." Applejack said before giving Rainbow a deep kiss on the lips. "And Ah couldn't agree more." Rainbow giggled and nuzzled Applejack before they continued to hold each other.

"You know..." Rainbow said. "I'm kinda feeling a little bit sleepy." As if on cue, the carriage came to a halt.

"We've arrived." A royal guard said.

"Oh, trust me, darlin'." Applejack said, half laughing. "Ya won't feel like sleepin' when ya see what's waitin' for ya right outside this carriage." A muffled, thumping beat came from outside the carriage, and this served only to excite Rainbow Dash even more. Rainbow smiled widely and prepared to exit the carriage. As Applejack opened the carriage door, Rainbow inhaled sharply and followed her out. What she saw made her jaw drop.

They stood on a small hill, overlooking a lower patch of land. Running down the hill toward the reception was a red carpet similar to the one that comprised the aisle at the ceremony. (In all likelihood, it was the same carpet.) Flashing, colorful lights flowed throughout the reception, comprised of a buffet area where several ponies ate, a bar, many groups of seats, a dance floor filled with dancing guests and standing up in a mobile DJ booth was the thing Rainbow found the hardest to believe.

Vinyl Scratch.

DJ-PON3.

Applejack had gotten DJ-PON3 for the reception to their wedding.

Rainbow's breath caught in her throat, as she looked at Applejack, who smiled happily. She looked at the reception again, then Applejack, then the reception yet again and to Applejack once more. Rainbow let out an ecstatic scream and nearly tackled Applejack in a hug. Applejack laughed heartily and returned the embrace.

"Ohmygosh, I can't believe it!" Rainbow said happily. "You got DJ-PON3 for the reception! You...this is....AUGH!" Rainbow yelled once more and hopped up and down excitedly.

"Well, don't thank me too much." Applejack said. "Thank Pinkie Pie! In fact, here she comes now!" Rainbow looked and saw Pinkie Pie galloping up the carpet to meet them. When she reached the top, she beamed at Rainbow Dash. Rainbow laughed and grabbed Pinkie Pie up into a tight hug.

"Pinkie, I can't believe you did this!!!" Rainbow said. "H-How?!"

"I'll let you ask Vinyl herself that question after the..." The pink pony paused for a moment. "PAAAARRRTTYY!!!" She laughed and ran back down the carpet toward the reception. Rainbow looked at Applejack and pulled her into a kiss.

"Let's go have the time of our lives!" Rainbow said happily before she and Applejack ran down the carpet to the reception.

"Well now, lookie here fillies and gentlecolts!" Vinyl Scratch said into the microphone above her turntable. "It's the couple themselves! Let's give 'em a warm welcome!" Everypony at the reception cheered happily. Rainbow worked to stop herself from jumping up and down at hyperactive speeds. "And as tradition goes, the newlyweds get a dance...all to themselves." Vinyl made sure to put a sultry, knowing air to the last part of her sentence. Rainbow looked at Applejack and motioned to the dance floor. Applejack blushed and nervously entered the dance floor into the circle of ponies surrounding them. Celestia and Granny Smith watched, sitting in two seats away from the dance floor.

"Go Applejack!" Caramel yelled from the circle. Applejack giggled nervously.

"Show us how it's done, Dash!" Gilda called. Rainbow and Applejack came to a stop in the center of the circle and smiled at each other. After what seemed like an eternity, the song came on. It was a romantic sounding song made to slow dance to. Rainbow and Applejack joined and began to dance, looking into each other's eyes lovingly. Applejack blushed and smiled at Rainbow.

"Ah've never been very good at this..." The farm mare said, noticing several mess ups of hers. Rainbow smiled and shook her head.

"You're doing fine, AJ." Rainbow said. Applejack layed her head on Rainbow's chest and Rainbow layed her head on Applejack's as they stepped to the music. Out of nowhere, the song seemingly effortlessly segued into an upbeat dance song about love and marriage. It was much easier to dance to.

'Wow, Vinyl Scratch sure can pick some great stuff.' Rainbow Dash thought to herself as she and Applejack began to dance. Applejack seemed to adapt very well to this music as she moved along with Rainbow, matching a lot of her movements. Rainbow took one of Applejack's forehooves in her's and gave her a quick spin before pulling her back up to her, earning whoops and cheers from the crowd. After another minute of happy dancing, the song ended.

"Alright everypony! I wanna see you guys back on this dance floor for this next little ditty that you're really gonna be able to shake those tails to!" Vinyl said, earning cheers from the audience. Another song came on, with Vinyl's trademark thumping bass and smooth grooves. Pinkie Pie, who was dancing alone at the time, was approached by Applejack's tall, studly cousin Arbor Chip.

"Excuse me, ma'am." He said with a grin that worked wonders on the mare. "Ah believe that you need a proper dancing partner."

"Well, what are you doing just standing there?" Pinkie responded with a wide smile. "Let's do this!" Pinkie pulled Arbor Chip closer to her as they began to dance happily together.

Twilight Sparkle stood by the punch bowl, watching all the dancing ponies moving with amusement. To her surprise, Appleajck's cousin Braeburn walked up to her.

"H-Hello, P-Princess Twilight." He said, visibly trembling.

"Oh, hi, Braeburn." She said. "Enjoying the party?"

"Yes, ma'am...very much." He said. "Ah noticed that you ain't-aren't dancing and uh...um...well, would you...um...ya see..."

"Come on." Twilight said rolling her eyes and smiling at the stallion as she pulled him up on the dance floor. He was a bit too stunned to move at first be he eventually began to move to the music as well.

Applebloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Babs Seed and Spike all danced in a small group, laughing and having fun together. Spike, having done this sort of thing before, knew many dance moves and nearly effortlessly impressed the fillies around him. Spike gave a knowing smirk to Twilight, who proceeded to laugh before continuing her dance with Braeburn. Applebloom looked over to see her brother dancing with Cheerilee.

"Ms. Cheerilee!" Applebloom called, earning the attention of her schoolteacher. "Take it easy on my brother!" Cheerilee laughed and looked at Big Mac, who laughed as well.

Across the party, not everypony was dancing and having a great time. Amber Heart sat at a table, drink in front of her, forlorn and alone, afraid to approach any available mare around for a dance.

"You mind if I sit here?" Someone said above her.

"Be my guest." She said before looking up to see the source of the voice. Before her sat a tough-looking, yet beautiful griffon. Gilda took a swig of her drink before looking over to the mildly stunned mare sitting across the table from her.

"Uh...you alright?" Gilda asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh! Yeah...uh...Ah'm fine." She said, looking away embarrassed.

"So whats a pretty little mare like yourself doing sitting here alone?" Gilda asked. Amber Heart sighed.

"Ah just....Ah dunno..." Amber Heart said, taking a sip of her drink, the bitter liquid stinging her throat. "Ah just...don't have the..."

"How about you dance with me?" Gilda asked in a rather straightforward manner, a smirk crossing her beak. Amber Heart's eyes widened as she looked at the griffon and nodded. She smiled as she stood and followed Gilda to the dance floor, noticing a subtle sway in the griffon's flank as she walked. Gilda looked back at her and raised an eyebrow.

Fluttershy looked up at the dance floor. It was intimidating to her in every sense of the word. Up there, in front of almost everypony she knew, dancing under the gaze of others... It was enough to make her want to stand back.

"Fluttershy darling, why aren't you dancing?" She heard a suave, feminine voice from behind her say. Fluttershy turned to behold Rarity standing before her, looking absolutely beautiful in the gold dress. Fluttershy looked to the side and frowned.

"I don't know..." She said.

"You're going to have to speak up." Rarity said.

"I don't know! I just...I don't know what to do..." The timid pegasus explained. "I'll look stupid up there."

"Nonsense!" Rarity exclaimed. "Come with me!" Rarity pulled Fluttershy up onto the dance floor

"W-What are we doing?" Fluttershy asked in fear.

"You and I are going to dance, my dear. I thought that was apparent." Rarity said. "At least until you get it right so you can dance with somepony else, for goodness sake! Now, feel the music." Rarity explained. "Let it flow through you and influence your body."

"I don't know where to start!" Fluttershy said, feeling more apprehensive than she should have.

"Just start moving." Rarity said, continuing to dance. "Go from there." Fluttershy gulped and began to sway back and forth awkwardly to the music. Taking quite a while, eventually Fluttershy was beginning to feel a certain energy from the tunes. It spurred her to begin to put more effort into her dancing and soon, she was able to keep up with Rarity and have fun doing it.

"You were right!" Fluttershy said with a smile. "This is very fun!"

"Have I ever steered you wrong?" Rarity asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, I suppose you should go find some other pony to dance with now that I know how to dance..." Fluttershy said.

"Hmmm...I don't think I will." Rarity said with a smile. Fluttershy, surprised by Rarity's response, widened her eyes slightly.

"I don't exactly see anything else that intrests me here." Rarity said. "And you look absolutely ravishing in that dress, so I think I'll stay with you, unless you have somepony else here who interests you." Fluttershy shook her head.

"Oh, no." Fluttershy said with a smile. "No, I'd much rather dance with you."

Rainbow and Applejack smiled happily at each other as they continued to dance with each other, surrounded by their friends and family, having what was truly the time of their lives. The time of their lives was rather tiring though, so they eventually went and got a drink from the punch bowl.

"First punch." Rainbow said with a smirk. "Later, booze."

"Ah'll have some with ya, but don't get too happy, Dash." Applejack said.

"What and risk losing any memory at all of tonight?" Rainbow asked. "Hay, no! Maybe I'll get a little tipsy, but nothing bad. Besides, a nice adult cider is sounding good right now."

"I couldn't agree more." A familiar voice said from above the pegasus. Rainbow looked at Applejack, who was looking completely spellbound at whoever was above her. Slowly, Rainbow looked up and gasped at what she saw.

"Discord!" She yelled. The music stopped and several ponies in the crowd gasped. Noticing he was being noticed, Discord came to the ground in front of Rainbow.

"Wow, looks like I can make an entrance too, now can't I?" He said.

"Discord!" A powerful, loud, feminine voice called from the night sky. Princess Luna, regal and majestic in her appearance landed behind the draconequus.

"My most sincere apoligies to the both of you." Princess Luna said to Applejack and Rainbow Dash. "Discord, come back with me to the castle this very instant!"

"But you never let me have any fun!" He rebutted, crossing his arms like an annoyed child.

"Can you blame me for not trusting you?" The princess of the night asked. Discord thought for a moment and looked at her.

"Good point, but still!" He said. "Maybe I shouldn't have joined the two of you!"

"Uh..." Rainbow said. "What's...going on here?" Discord turned back to her, wide-eyed.

"I just found out two minutes ago that you and Applejack are married!" He said before putting his claws to his chest. "And you didn't invite me!"

"What happened, Luna?" Celestia asked. "How did he find out?"

"I apoligize, sister." Luna responded. "It...slipped out."

"I am completely offended!" Discord said, throwing his head back dramatically and putting the back of his lion paw on his forehead.

"Oh." Rainbow said. "Well, sorry, Discord. We didn't think you'd want to come."

"Are you kidding?" He asked. "You two are some of the first friends I ever really had!" He teleported between Applejack and Rainbow Dash, put his arms around both of them and kissed them both on the cheeks. "Plus, it gets to be such a drag up in that castle. I have got to get out more." He pointed his claw toward Vinyl Scratch and smiled. "So get the music going again! We have a party to continue here!" The spirit of chaos then teleported behind Vinyl and pressed play on the music once more. The music resumed as the DJ looked up at him before raising her sunglasses at the audience.

"I like this guy." She said with a smile. "You all heard him! Let's get this party rollin'!" The ponies on the dance floor cheered as the music and fun continued.

"Once again, I must extend to you my most sincere apoligies." Princess Luna said. "It was my duty to keep Discord away from the wedding and this reception. If he destroys anything, the responsibility lies solely with me."

"It's alright, princess." Rainbow said. "This party might just get more awesome with him around."

"Yeah." Applejack said. "He's not so bad."

"Even so, I must-"

"As long as he doesn't do any detrimental harm, I don't see the problem with having Discord here as long as Rainbow and Applejack are alright with it." Princess Celestia said. "Let him have his fun, sister." At that moment, Discord appeared behind Princess Luna, startling her.

"Yeah, Luna." He said with a suave, raised eyebrow. "Live a little!" He then pushed Luna onto the dance floor before teleporting again and catching her in his arms. "Let's dance!" The draconequus began to sway around stylishly with Luna to the music, not taking his hands off of her.

"Discord! Stop it! I demand you..." Luna said as Discord continued to dance with her. "You must cease...If you don't stop I'll...You should..." The princess' speech was interrupted by her laughter as she finally began to let go, dance with Discord and legitimately have fun. Princess Celestia, Applejack and Rainbow Dash all laughed at the scene before them.

"She really needs this." Celestia said. "So serious all the time. She never really ever does this sort of thing..."

"I guess it's not so bad that he did arrive." Rainbow said with a smile. She looked up and saw DJ-PON3 lean into her microphone, Octavia Melody standing next to her in the booth.

"Alright, everypony! Keep those flanks swayin' because I've got a whole lotta more tunes comin' your way!"

The reception went on for what seemed like the rest of the night. Everypony danced, ate and drank, having the best time together as Vinyl Scratch's tunes reverberated throughout each of their bodies. Princess Luna, however, reluctantly asked Vinyl to turn her music down after two and a half hours so that the peace of the night could be maintained. Soon after, the princesses and Discord departed, leaving the party to continue. The music, while lowered, still supplied a happy air to the reception and ponies still danced with each other. Rainbow Dash and Applejack, tired once again after a straight hour of dancing, decided to sit down for some cider. They had each already had some alchohol, but only enough to get the euphoric feeling of very slight inebriation.

"This is so awesome." Rainbow Dash said. "I just can't get over it. I mean, the wedding, this reception, and the knowledge that I get to spend the rest of my life with you...I think this has been the best day of my life."

"Ah feel the exact same way." Applejack said. "Ah figured that the reception would be fun, but nothin' like this. Lamsakes, we had Pricesses Celestia and Luna and Discord himself here!" Applejack and Rainbow shared a laugh. Applejack looked around to the opposite side of all the tables and layed her eyes upon Gilda and Amber Heart. They were kissing. "Hey, Dash! Look over there!" Rainbow giggled upon seeing her old friend and Applejack's cousin.

"Hey, Amber's doing it better than I ever could." Rainbow said with a shrug. "Kissing a beak is hard stuff." Applejack's eyes widened as she looked over at Rainbow.

"Ya mean you and Gilda..." Applejack said.

"You didn't guess that before? Geez, Applejack." Rainbow said with a chuckle. "Just because I've been with stallions in the past doesn't mean I haven't been with...well, other girls."

"Ah'm just a little surprised, is all." Applejack said. "Why didn't ya ever tell me?"

"Well it wasn't really anything serious." Rainbow said with a smirk. "We roomed together at Junior Speedsters Flight Camp. One thing led to another and...eeehh, you know. She wanted a relationship, but I couldn't do it. I was weird like that back then."

"No wonder she seemed so attached to you..." Applejack said. "What was it like?" Applejack inquired, curiosity evident in her tone.

"You know, you wouldn't think it but at first, she was as timid as Fluttershy in bed." Rainbow said with a small laugh, shaking her head. "But once she got going..." Rainbow looked over to Applejack to see that she was slightly saddened by Rainbow's fond remembrance. "But she was nothing compared to you, AJ. I promise you that."

"Oh, you're just sayin' that to butter me up." Applejack said, throwing a hoof in Rainbow's direction.

"No seriously." Rainbow said, smiling. "I've never felt so alive with anyone before. To be honest, Gilda was...well, too submissive. She would just let me take control every time and go along for the ride. You actually take control half the time and when I do, you still make me work for it." Applejack blushed.

"Sompony'll hear ya, ya know." Applejack said.

"Are you kidding?" Rainbow said with a cheeky smile. "You're telling me this when the new couple over there are macking away on each other?" Applejack laughed heartily and smiled at Rainbow.

"Ah love you so much, Rainbow." Applejack said before removing her stetson, placing it on the table behind them and laying her head on Rainbow's shoulder. "Ah'm just so happy you're all mine now." Rainbow Dash nuzzled Applejack and giggled.

"I always was."

The party continued for some time before everyone involved was bone tired, including Vinyl Scratch herself, though she did a fantastic job of hiding it. Applebloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Babs Seed and Spike were all fast asleep together at a table, all their heads layed down on the hard, flat surface.

"Oh, look at them, aren't they adorable?" Fluttershy asked as she and Rarity exited the dance floor after another round of dancing.

"Yes, I must say that I do agree with you." Rarity replied with a smile. "But you're not the one who has to carry a filly that is positively dead to the world home tonight." Fluttershy giggled. Twilight Sparkle sat, happily observing the dancing ponies on the floor, and how steadily, they began to trickle off the dance floor.

"Alrighty then, everypony." Vinyl Scratch said calmly into her microphone. "It seems that it's time to go. You've all been great!" The guests all cheered as the DJ began to put her equipment away to leave. Rainbow Dash and Applejack stood and walked to the exit of the area to thank their guests for coming. One by one they exited, giving their congratulations, with Rainbow and Applejack also giving their thanks. Gilda, with a plastered Amber Heart's foreleg draped around her shoulders walked past Rainbow and nodded at her.

"See ya, Dash." Gilda said. "Bye, Applejack. It's been awesome."

"Thanks for coming, Gilda." Rainbow said.

"Bye, Gilda." Applejack said. "Looks like you're not a bad griffon at all."

"Oh, I'm awful." Gilda said with a smirk. "I'm just good at hiding it." Gilda sent a wink their way before leaving with Amber. Arbor Chip then walked up to Rainbow Dash.

"If she takes advantage of my sister..." He said calmly with a raised eyebrow. "Ya might be losin' a friend." Rainbow patted his shoulder comfortingly.

"She may seem like it, but she's not that kind of girl at all. Trust me." Rainbow said. Arbor Chip smiled and nodded.

"Okay. Ah'll take your word for it." He said. "Congratulations, you two." More guests passed until Lyra and Bon Bon finally came up to them.

"We haven't had much time to address the two of you since the ceremony." Lyra said. Bon Bon beamed happily.

"We're just so happy for you two!" Bon Bon said. "We need to meet for lunch sometime."

"Or we could double date." Rainbow said with a raised eyebrow.

"Sounds great." Lyra said. "We'll be in touch."

"Congratulations again, you two!" Bon Bon called as they left.

"See ya at home, sis." Big Macintosh said to Applejack as he passed her, Cheerilee walking next to him. The red stallion gave his sister a gentle kiss on the forehead before leaving with his marefriend. Spitfire and Soarin came next, smiling at Rainbow Dash.

"Rainbow Dash, congratulations!" Spitfire said. "It certainly seems you've married quite the mare."

"Well, thank ya, miss Spitfire." Applejack said blushing. "That means a lot, comin' from you."

"Oh, don't worry about it. There's nothing that special about me." The Wonderbolts captain said genuinely.

"The party was awesome!" Soarin said with a toothy grin. "Great party for the great couple."

"Thank you, sirs!" Rainbow Dash said, instinctively going straight.

"Loosen up, Rainbow." Spitfire said. "We're not at the academy." Rainbow blushed intensely and giggled nervously.

"Oh...okay..." Rainbow said, rubbing the back of her head. "Thanks."

"No problem. Oh and by the way, you got a perfect score on your last flying exam." Spitfire said. "You're getting closer, kid." Spitfire patted Rainbow's shoulder and smiled at her before leaving with Soarin. Over time, the rest of the guests left the reception and the Cafe Du Mane attendants had gathered up their food dishes. Vinyl Scratch approached them after loading her gear into her taxi carriage.

"Congratulations, you guys." Vinyl said. "I just wanna say that this was one of the best reception gigs I've ever done. I mean, I've had gigs with twice as many ponies as this one had that didn't last half as long. You guys were awesome in the first dance, by the way." The DJ exhaled and smiled at them. "Well, I guess I'll be seeing ya." She turned to walk to her taxi before Rainbow spoke up.

"Vinyl!" Rainbow called. The DJ turned around.

"Sup?" She asked.

"If it's not too prying a question, why did you play here?" Rainbow asked. "I mean, you only play at big clubs and stuff."

"Well, there's two reasons." Vinyl responded. "First, I got pretty far past wasted at a previous gig I had here in Ponyville. Your friend Pinkie Pie managed to find me the next day and give me a few cupcakes. Now, I don't know what she puts in them, but they destroyed my hangover and pretty much saved me for the rest of that day, so I owed her." Pinkie Pie giggled.

"Happy to do it!" The pink party pony called.

"Second, Applejack and Pinkie told me about what happened to you on the way back from my last gig here in Ponyville. I wanted to kinda make it up to you." The DJ said genuinely. "Push that bad stuff away, you know?" Rainbow smiled, feeling a warmth from within her as she nodded.

"Yeah." She said. "Thanks, Vinyl. That means a lot."

"No prob." She replied as she slung a bag over her shoulder. "See ya!" She walked alongside Octavia, who had been waiting for her, to the taxi before speeding away.

"Don't worry about the dance floor, tables and chairs." Twilight said as she finished stacking them neatly with her magic. "I've got somepony coming in the morning to pick them up." Rainbow nodded at Twilight and sighed, looking up at the sky, smiling.

"Well, it looks like the perfect end to a perfect day." The pegasus leaned on Applejack lovingly.

"Actually, it's not quite over." Rarity said. Rainbow and Applejack looked at her, their eyebrows raised.

"Huh?" They both said.

"What were you going to do for your honeymoon?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Well, we have a bit of debt for the weddin', so we're probably gonna hang out around Sweet Apple Acres." Applejack said with a slight frown.

"Yeah! That place is already awesome enough." Rainbow said wrapping a foreleg around Applejack's shoulders. "We'll just take a honeymoon sometime later."

"Well, we all...kinda...have a problem with that." Fluttershy said with a blush.

"What do you mean?" Rainbow Dash asked with an eyebrow raised. "Applejack, do you have something to do with this?" The farm mare looked at Rainbow and shook her head.

"Ah swear Ah have no idea, Dash." Applejack said.

"Rainbow Dash, Applejack..." Twilight said. "Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie and I have pooled our money. We're sending you to the Canterlot Gardens Hotel Honeymoon Suite for your honeymoon!"

Rainbow and Applejack were both stunned. They looked at each of their friends, completely spellbound and at a loss for words.

"But..." Rainbow said. "But...that's the most expensive place in Canterlot!"

"We know! That's why we're so happy about it!" Pinkie Pie said with glee.

"Think about it, girls..." Rarity said. "Five star cuisine, silk sheets, the best living conditions money can buy and best of all, a twenty-four-seven staff that will unquestionably serve you when you want them to, and will leave you completely alone...when you don't." Rarity raised a suggestive eyebrow with the last part of her sentence.

"T-This is all so much..." Applejack said, her eyes still wide. "Ah just...Oh, Goddesses..."

"We've already cleared it with Granny Smith." Twilight said happily. "So pack your bags! You leave tomorrow morning in a pegasus-drawn carriage that will pick you up at the orchard. Everything, and I do mean everything, is covered." Rainbow laughed and looked at Applejack.

"Can you believe it, AJ?!" Rainbow said happily. "We're getting a honeymoon!" Applejack swept Rainbow up into a tight embrace and spun her around happily, both of them laughing together.

"Ah just don't know how to thank y'all!" Applejack said, her eyes moistening.

"No thanks are neccesary, Applejack." Rarity said with a smile. "We've been planning this ever since we heard about how you weren't going to be able to have a honeymoon. It was such an atrocity that we absolutely had to do something."

"And we were happy to." Fluttershy said.

The friends all joined in a group hug before separating after a short while. It was now darker than it had been previously, and all the friends began to leave. Applebloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Babs Seed had woken up some time prior and had proceeded to talk as Spike continued to slumber deeply.

"Applejack!" Applebloom called. "Do ya think it would be okay if me and Babs stayed with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo for a slumber party tonight?" Applejack chuckled and nodded.

"As long as it's okay with Rarity." Applejack said, looking at the unicorn. She smiled and looked at the fillies.

"Just be prepared to bed down and be extra quiet once we get home." Rarity said. "I'm going to need my sleep after tonight."

"All those fillies at once can be a hassle." Fluttershy said quietly to Rarity. "Would you like me to come help you keep them in check until you get to the boutique? It's on the way to my cottage." Rarity nodded.

"That sounds splendid." Rarity said with a smile before turning to Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

"Applejack, Rainbow," Rarity said. "I could not be more happy for the two of you. Be sure to come to the boutique and tell me everything about the honeymoon...well...almost everything." Rarity hugged each of them before separating. Fluttershy nodded and did the same.

"Goodnight, Rainbow. Goodnight, Applejack." Fluttershy said. "Be safe." They then turned and walked toward town together, the fillies blazing a trail in front of them. Twilight approached them and smiled warmly.

"Look how far you both have come." Twilight said before wiping a tear from her eye and moving Spike to lay on her back with her magic. "Goodnight. Enjoy your honeymoon together. You both have earned it." Twilight hugged both of them and then took to the skies on her way back to Golden Oaks Library.

Suddenly, from behind, Pinkie Pie wrapped Rainbow and Applejack into a crushing hug, squeezing the air out of the both of them. The pink party pony sobbed happily as she continued to hug them.

"I'm so happy for you guys!" Pinkie exclaimed. "I'm gonna miss the two of you so much!" She let go of them and stepped back, finally giving them both the opportunity to get some air. "I hope you have a super-amazing-amazetastictacular time!"

"Thanks, Pinkie." Applejack said with a smile. "If it wasn't for you, this whole reception would've been a whole lot more boring."

"I was happy to help!" Pinkie said before giving off a yawn. "Now I'm gonna go home and get some sleep." She began to hop away toward Ponyville before turning around. "I'm tired! Can you believe it?!" Rainbow and Applejack laughed before Pinkie waved at them again before turning around once more and continuing on her path.

"Shall we?" Rainbow asked Applejack. The farm mare nodded and walked with herself pressed against Rainbow affectionately.

"Let's take it slow, sugarcube." Applejack said, looking up at the night sky lit up with millions of spectacular stars. "Ah wanna enjoy this." Rainbow nodded and nuzzled Applejack as they walked.

"Fine by me." Rainbow said. "We've got all the time in the world."

Obligatory End-of-Chapter Author's Note: WHOOO WHEE! That was awesome to write. Took me long enough though, eh? I felt like I should really take my time with this chapter because, hey, it's the WEDDING chapter, and it deserves my focus for a while. This was originally a 23,000+ word chapter, but seeing as how that's a hell of a lot of words to swallow in one sitting, I figured that I'd give you guys a stopping point somewhere in the middle. There's still a little more fun to be had, but sadly we are in fact nearing the end of this tale. I know. Sad, right? Cheers!