??he ??ill ??ever ??ive ??nto ??espair ??gain.

  Twilight didn't judge Starflower for her choice—she went with her gut and her convictions. Understandable. Twilight knew she would've done the same thing in her position. What else is there to do in life apart from going after your passions and your heart's aspirations? Starflower was devoted to magic science.

  Twilight's following day was already packed with events, so the meeting in the library soon faded into a whirlwind of other conversations, pns, and everything else that accompanied her task. It was very rewarding to see how everypony was happy with the celebration, and in no small regard, it wasn't about only Princesses anymore—it was about them, ponies, who gathered in the ancient Canterlot, celebrated life, and praised the millennium-long awaited union. Many expected from Celestia and Luna something like that, after all, even if it wasn't a popur topic of discussion.

  ??inger ??ime ??lowly ??erished.

  ??nother ??roken ??romise ??o ??ear.

  Outlined festivities were fairly expensive and were pnned to span several days, but the Princess allowed it in the form of her firm hornwriting. After all, what cost is 'too much' when you speak about something as important as solidifying love for centuries to come?

  Twilight wouldn't lie: first, she was worrying they would need a miracle to pull it off. Celestia chose to postpone her public appearance until the very st minute, and thus, Twilight would have been hopelessly lost without Cadance and Shining's timely arrival. The royal pair leaped into activity like hungry timberwolves on a stray branchdeer. Cadance lent her charm and organizing skills, while Shining made it significantly easier to work with locals by pulling the old rank of the Captain of the Royal Guard. To Twilight's knowledge it was honorary, but her brother was astute and affable to no end. It must've been a shared hereditary trait.

  It went smoothly after this, maybe even too smoothly, once again proving the benefits of teamwork. Pinkie Pie naturally drifted to being in charge of the entertainment (seriously, the number of connections that pony had was simply astonishing). Applejack helped to keep things grounded and provided moral support. Rainbow Dash with other Wonderbolts joined pegasi in their task of clearing the sky and had pns to perform a quick aerial show after. Rarity took on pretty much most of what was reted to the process of the wedding itself, in a cojoined effort with Canterlot's finest... They all were working like a well-oiled machine.

  Twilight couldn't be more happy and less amazed. When she figured out that she didn't even have much to do herself, she reviewed the general process, checked up on Fluttershy with her songbirds, and delegated some time to organize a scavenger hunt that led ponies through the city to discover hidden treasures and learn more about Canterlot's history. After that fun concluded, she retreated for the final repetitions with Starswirl to prepare for his role as an officiant.

  ??hey ??eeded ??o ??ation ??he ??eager ??ood ??hey ??ad. I?? w???? u?????????????? f???? h????, b???? h???? p?????????? w????????'?? s?? b????????????.

  "Y???? n?????? n???? c???????????? y?????????????? w?????? u??, N???????? M??????????."

  "I?? n???? I, t?????? w???? w???????"

  The atmosphere of the festival was going strong through the evening and now threatened to go well beyond into the dark of the night. It was engrossing—just right.

  Everything considerably calmed down for the engagement party when everyone got onto a lovely open terrace in one of the wings of the Royal Pace. It was sort of a breather for everyone involved, except for Rarity who was busy with the final preparations at the Royal Library. The st arriving guests cordially mingled, the royal orchestra was pying something appropriately solemnly candescent, and the choice of royal cuisine—oh, it was to die for, even if you weren't a big eater.

  Too bad that the Royal Sisters made more than a humble choice, limiting themselves to bare essentials like cake and tea. Luna barely even touched her piece. Per the rules of royal etiquette, the gentry and the wealthy were forced to show equal restraint as rulers did, so the banquet was not a feast of gluttony but rather a garrison of numerous hungry gazes. It was no doubt that after festivity the same diligently civil ponies would return to the same tables and leap on food with wolfish abandon.

  It was somewhat disheartening, but what can you do? The nobility are like that sometimes. Even Celestia and Luna acted overly formally, pying into the normality of it all. They did not share ughter as they often did, nor even get busy with calling out others' reservations. Tonight, they were who they were supposed to be, and they didn't even shared a gnce that often...

  Nevertheless, Twilight had more on her mind than to worry about that. She was sharing a table with other girls of her group, as well as Shining and Cadance. Spike was also here, and the little dragon was inviting himself to all kinds of foods. Cadance's horn was shimmering, covering Twilight's little brother with an intricate illusion of some snobby pony, who wiped his lips with a napkin exactly every 5.32 minutes.

  They were lively chatting, and it would've made some heads turn if most of the attendees weren't doing the same. Royal etiquette didn't say anything about drinks, after all.

  As strange as it may sound, the conversation revolved around Applejack's and Shining's opinions on taxes and reted stories, and somehow it was genuinely interesting. Especially for Twilight. She didn't even noticed Stygian, who crept up from behind and startled her with a polite, "Your Highness, can I have a word?"

  He had a worn out appearance. Twilight excused herself and trotted with the unicorn aside, beaming all the way. "What's up?"

  Stygian was shivering. "Princess, can't you tell that something is wrong?"

  "What do you mean?" Twilight knitted brows, instantly remembering the anxiety of the past two days. Yes, there definitely was a feeling of doom, wasn't there? How strange it is that she let herself get distracted... All the trepidation that Twilight felt before already fell off like an afterthought, a forgotten nightmare...

  "Didn't you hear something? Just now?" Strygian asked inquisitively, and slightly defted with a sigh. "I swear, my mind must be pying tricks on me..."

  Twilight hummed, looking around. No, everything seemed to be fine: a lovely moonless night, sounds of a party going on, the murmuring of guests, music... As if on cue, fireworks unched in the air, and an image of both Sisters framed by a heart showed up. Twilight gasped and happily gnced at Celestia and Luna.

  The Royal Sisters seemed not to be moved at all.

  Well...

  Twilight turned to Stygian. "Did you take it to Starswirl? I remember he asked to be informed."

  "Aye," Stygian shrugged, "indeed, I did. He didn't say much, so I'm trying the next best thing. Do you sense anything?"

  Twilight focused the magic of her horn and summoned few spells in quick succession, all dedicated to exposure of anything of order.

  Everything around was brimming with threads of arcane, interwoven possibilities, and singing strings, all of which could be intuitively revealed to anyone who wielded a horn and was opened to their inner potential. Celestia and Luna were instantly drawing attention, shining with both terrible and magnificent, dark and luminous light. It was to be expected, but Twilight spent a dozen seconds inspecting Luna's aura. It was more foreboding than it ought to have been.

  All of a sudden, Luna's gaze snapped to her. Twilight smiled timidly, and Luna gave her a little reassuring wink. That provoked a reaction from a noble currently engaged in conversation with Celestia, and he craned his neck, giving Twilight a curious stare.

  Twilight pulled away, not willing to be a bother. Instead, she looked around in the multicolored sea of magical entities. Compared to the Princesses most of them seemed dim, but some shone bright like condensed consteltions of stars in a cosmic sea. Those were fellow former Bearers of the Elements—naturally—, then Shining and Cadance, and finally Starswirl, who was chatting with Treehugger and Fluttershy.

  Twilight was ready to ease Stygian's worries, but then she noticed a faint virid glow above his head. That glow existed only on the periphery of her magic-imbued vision, so Twilight began to awkwardly move her head, trying to catch it again. In an effort, she slightly opened her mouth.

  "What is going on?" Stygian queried, now even more concerned than before.

  "Stay still," Twilight demanded, and then, after a quick pause, added a small, "please."

  No matter how much she tried, she couldn't replicate the experience. Was it only an illusion? Maybe she got too excited.

  Stygian waited patiently, so Twilight quickly wrapped up with the scan and pcated him with a small smile. "Maybe there is a small curse on you, but I can't see anything substantial. Had any bad dreams tely?"

  "True, from what I've heard, a lot of ponies experience distressful sleep tely, and I am no exception. Usually my nightmares are simply dark for me, and that is of the worst kind."

  "Luna must be looking out for you often. I think she has a lot on her mind right now," sympathized Twilight. "It must return to normal soon."

  Her eyes drifted toward Night Light and Twilight Velvet who were arriving te at the party, and their appearance gave Stygian an excuse to immediately slip away.

  ??he ??as ?? ??emigoddess ??f ??ecisions ??nd ??ctions, ??f ??n ??motional, ??trong ??eart.

  Twilight leaned in a short but tender hug with both father and mother. She missed them. Almost everyone was here now, and it was wonderful. She felt a tangent of guilt that she didn't bring Starlight along...

  ??he ??ouldn't ??ear ??t ??ny ??onger. ??ny ??enace ??hat ??he ??ueen ??osed ??o ??onger ??ould ??old ??way ??ver ??er.

  "??id ??hey ??orgot ??bout ??s?" ??nyx ??tar ??as ??arely ??anging ??n ??ope. "??id ??hey ??ver ??are ??bout ??s?"

  "??y ??essenger ??ever ??eached ??elestia, ?? presume." She ??ooked ??t the ??ightlings. They were her ??onies. ??er ??ribe. ??er ??oyal ??ollowers. ??hat ??as ??he ??iving ??ack ??or ??heir ??oyalty?

  "Tonight, ??her ??he ??arrier ??ill ??e ??t ??ts weakest," ??he ??poke resolutely, "??e ??ill ??reak ??ut."

  Ever vigint, Princess Luna dispyed an interest in the wedding's organization, making small inquiries about how the proceedings should go. Of course, Twilight didn't want to y out everything beforehoof, but it was too hard to restrain herself. She let Twilight do the talking while they were all rolling as a big happy group down to the chariots, and then rode the short distance to the Library in style.

  Luna felt different—more daring and bold, more prone to joking around, intoxicated with radiating happiness. Somehow, a few simple words from her, "I think you did an admirable job, Twilight", made the little alicorn's heart truly flutter. And it was well earned, too!

  After all, it was a good decision for the Royal Sisters to be wed.

  As per Equestrian custom, in the ceremony, Luna was appointed to the role of the 'groom', which meant that she would arrive at the wedding ceremony first while the 'bride' was still pampered up. Celestia deserved to look spectacur, but Luna somehow managed to achieved that even without excessive care from the bridesmaids. When she stepped out of the chariot in the full getup and basked under the eyes of the gawking and cheering crowd, Twilight found herself transfixed by the beauty that her words almost failed to describe.

  When she was contrasted to Celestia, there was usually an offset of awkwardness, as Luna had a noticeably shorter and rounder figure. Not tonight. Luna was looking like a being of the old Equestrian ages, straight from manuscripts about legends and otherworldly magical beings. She seemed even taller—courtesy of high-heeled silver horseshoes, no doubt—and her divine beauty seemed to have an almost sorcerous pull. Somehow, she was more. Complete.

  Her voluminous celestial mane flew like a comet plume, enveloping Princess with the shimmering of little twinkling stars—a powerful aura of ethereal light, a warm summer night. She was fluid and powerful, capturing all attention while wearing the small yet content smile of a soon-to-be-wed goddess. The bck tiara crowned her, sparkling with moonlight with each elongated, proud step with outstretched dark wings.

  Petals of flowers were falling from far above, following her on the carpet that was id out on top of the stairs to the doors of the Royal Library. Twilight noticed how she lingered to brush aside one of the petals that fell right on her muzzle. The gesture was full of mild annoyance. For a few seconds, Twilight lived in a world full of anxiety, where Luna could demonstrate some old and undocumented allergy, and this little idea of using flowers would end disastrously badly.

  But somehow it went on without a hitch, and when Luna moved inside the building, others finally began to pour in and take their pces. Noble ponies tried to step with elegance in a vain but entertaining effort to match the grace that was demonstrated by the Princess. The public was happy to see the presentation anyway, so Twilight simply trotted ahead, catching up with Luna.

  The Princess was already surrounded by attendants. Curious, Twilight pushed through them, but they dispersed as soon as she got into earshot. Some of them were from a band that would py from the upper tier during the ceremony.

  "What's your opinion on the hall, Your Majesty?" Twilight beamed while looking up at Luna, strangely compelled to please her. 'Your Majesty' was a slip of the tongue, but somehow it felt very fitting.

  Luna looked around in the inner hall, which was bathing in splendor. Craftsponies performed an outstanding work here. Royal Library already was nothing to scoff at, but after some renovations and loving touches, it was draped in a silken and golden tapestry of Diarchy rule, bearing the colors of both Celestia and Luna. Most of the massive bookshelves in the immediate vicinity were removed or pushed aside, giving way for rows of seats and gothic candebras. Overhead, there was a massive chandelier that matched the aesthetic, and all of this lit up the whole room.

  Everything around them was filled with enchantment to the fullest. In some cases, literally, since Twilight preemptively pced protective wards and shielded books from the fire.

  The main centerpiece that tied it all together was the wedding altar itself. Made from an immacute white stone, with an arch overhead with flowers interwoven, it was pced on a small ptform at the far side of the hall.

  "I suppose it will manage," Luna answered cheekily, and Twilight suddenly turned red from worry.

  "We with the girls almost pulled an all-nighter to get it all just right. Oh, and look at the choice of flowers on the arch! It is genuine dark cal lilies, just like in the myth of the Canterlotian Knight and the Mare of the Lake! See how it is contrasted with the white roses there, at the side where you will stand? And those I believe are dahlias at Celestia's side, with complex—"

  "Just lovely. Thee art to be commended for thine efforts. Can thou fetch my luminous bride, so we won't tarry with this, Little Light?"

  That didn't settle right with Twilight. Where did this come from? Luna was always so approachable before, like a big sister, just like Cadance. Will she always act this way now? And this nickname... Twilight thought it was something special that only she and Celestia shared...

  "??hat ??s ??he ??oing?" ?????? ??verheard ???????? ??hen they were ??rying ??o ??igure ??ut ??er ??tubborn ??enial.

  "??he ??eeds ??o ??eep ??aising ??he Moon. ??hat ??as ??he ??rder!"

  "??ou ??re a ??risoner!" ??issed ??ne ??f ??hem. "??ollow ??t ??hrough, ??r ??ou'd ??e ??eft ??o ??ie!"

  ??wo ??f ??he ??ight ??onies had ??lready ??xpired, ??efusing ??heir ??hares ??or ??ther's ??ake.

  "Is something the matter?" asked Luna in the same unnerving manner, and Twilight stepped back, still blushing. "Please. You can tell me anything."

  "N-no. Not at all. Celestia will arrive when it is her part to walk to the altar. It will occur in a couple of dozen minutes, so please, settle in."

  Luna huffed but then smiled. At least some of her usual heart-strong behavior was still on dispy."I am a one patient pony when I need to be, aren't I?..." She chuckled, amused by some thought. "Very well. I implore thou, Twilight, overwatch each and every proceeding. This night is going to be perfect..."

  ???? ????????.

  ??ithout ??heir ??ueen ?????? ?????? ??????????????, ???????? ???????????? ???????? ???????? ???? ????. ???????????? ???????? ?????? ????????????, ?????? ???? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ????????????. ?????? ?????? ??????????. ???????? ?????? ?????????????? ???????????????????? ????????????, ?????? ???????????????? ?????????????? ??????????????, ?????????????? ???? ????????. ?????????? ?????? ????????, ???????? ???????? ?????????????????? ?????? ????????, ???????????????????????? ?????????????????? ??????????????????????.

  A???????? ???? ???????? ????????, ??t ??as ??nvigorating ??o ??ee how they ??uffer.

  Snapping out of it, ?????? ???????????? ???? ?????????? ????????????. They cowered in the presence of her ?????????????? ??????????. "?????? ?? ???????? ???????"

  "??????, ???????? ??????????????! ???????? ??????????????????!"

  ?????? ???????????????? ?????? ?????????? ???????? ?? ???????????????? ??????????, ?????????? ?????????????? ?????? ???????? ????????, ?????? ????????????. ?????????? ?????? ???????????? ?????? ??????????. ?????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ??????, ?????????????? ?????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????? ?????? ?????????? ???????? ????????.

  ????????.

  It seemed like Rarity poured all her talent and soul into the wedding dress of Princess Celestia.

  It was flowing. It was spectacur. It was divine.

  It was practical in design, yet luxurious almost to the point of decadence. Made of the finest silk and satin, embellished with rubies and sapphires, with a long billowing skirt decorated with golden trim and the veil decorated with a series of pearl-encrusted ce patterns. A beautiful flower ornament adorned Celestia's flowing mane, and crystals were sparkling over her golden peytral, which—as the symbol of royal power—was graciously embedded into the design of the wedding dress. Celestia looked like a perfect pair to match her lover and companion, who were waiting for her majestic bride at the altar. The summer sunshine and warmth were contrasted with the warm and welcoming darkness of the te evening…

  Even Twilight couldn't withstand a little squeal, as she leaned on Applejack for support. When the Princess of the Sun stepped across the room, everyone went reverently silent. Musicians began to py, embellishing the moment of ceremony. Fillies pranced in front of her, tossing petals from the baskets. It was all filled with the essence of love, a praising of life, and the dedication of two souls to one another...

  Celestia slowly opened her eyes. Her glistening gaze went over the ponies and then stopped at Luna, standing along with Starswirl. It never moved away. Twilight saw how Celestia's folded wings pressed harder to her sides, showing her anxiety.

  Shining was already sobbing at the sight of the ceremony. He just couldn't stop himself, constantly wiping tears with a handkerchief. Cadance, who was standing directly in front of Twilight and the girls, patted him on the back.

  He wasn't alone in this. Many around them were thoroughly impressed and could barely contain their tears. Amazed and astonished expressions were on ponies all around. Twilight noticed how Spike opened his jaw in utter bewilderment and, with a wide smile, closed it with a gentle hoof.

  She heard Rarity nearby, speaking in a trembling mezzo, "I can just swoon, somepony, hold me! Oh... I bet it's all just like in the olden ages, like one thousand years ago," she let out a hushed whisper. "We are so lucky to be witnesses!…"

  Stygian tried not to move far from Twilight's group, and his worries haven't gone as well. "Are we even allowed to speak about that?" he said through a nervous titter. "I mean, I never met Luna in person back then, for example, but I do know how it was. It wasn't so gmorous."

  Rarity looked at him with pathetic disdain and harrumphed, but Applejack picked up the conversation in her stead. "What are you on about?"

  "What I want to say, I suppose, is that Luna is different from back then." Stygian shook his head and knitted his brows, as if he were thinking of something unpleasant. "Aye, it is a radical change. Celestia is different too, in fact. They both seem to be almost amenable now, and I dare say, happy?"

  "Huh? They weren't happy back then?" chipped in Dash.

  "And not amenable!?" said Pinkie with a gasp. "Hoooo! But that was before all the tea parties and cakes, arent'cha know? They are lovely now!"

  "Aye, aye, but it's not just that, the whole Equestria is vastly different, so different, that I'd imagine Royal Sisters wouldn't want any of us to reminisce about old days," grumbled Stygian.

  "Under Celestia, Equestria reached prosperity like never before," acknowledged Twilight eagerly. "Details do not matter. Whatever was back then, right now they both really are happy, and we need to be happy for them too."

  "True. Though I'd never imagine they would be like that..." Stygian mumbled.

  Cadance shushed them, twitching her ear. Celestia reached her destination in front of smiling Luna at the altar.

  Starswirl loudly cleared his throat. His voice was amplified.

  "Mares and gentlecolts!" he spoke with a well-delivered baritone, and all the music and whispers from the crowd ceased immediately.

  Twilight smiled widely, looking at Starswirl. Even with the knowledge that he's gncing at concealed notes, he was very convincing. Everything felt so grandiose...

  Starswirl cleared his throat again and went on with the speech.

  "This is a truly blessed occasion as we gather to share the joy of the union of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, two ponies with a strong connection between them throughout the years. They have supported each other in both good times and when faced with difficulties, and they have dedicated their entire lives to the good of Equestria and all its denizens. From the brightest days of summer to the darkest nights of winter, these two monarchs have fought to bring peace and unity to our beautiful nd."Let us never forget the many experiences that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have shared, from battling the forces of Chaos and Darkness to governing as sisters for hundreds of years. There isn't a more model pair than the two of them; their partnership is a true testament to strength, love, and support. As their mentor and friend, I am happy to see them take this step at st, and I know that they will set a positive example for love and family that all of Equestria may follow and be inspired by."And even more than that, it is a celebration of Harmony and its victory! It's a celebration of happiness and everything wonderful about life! It's a day to cherish and a representation of all that makes Equestria unique. As we celebrate love and happiness and see them begin a new chapter in their lives, this ceremony unites us all.-"

  Starswirl barely audibly rustled paper and cleared his throat for a third time.

  "-Thus, let this wedding serve as a reminder that love is stronger than all barriers and hurdles! From now on, two of the brightest stars in the sky will shine as one! May the nuptials of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna bring forth even more brightness and joy, illuminating not just the lives of your subjects but also everyone who hears of your marriage! I hope it's a historic occasion that ushers in a time of love and friendship and prosperity for everyone of Equestria! Forever and ever!"

  "Forever and ever!" happily cheered somepony from the crowd, and then multiple voices roared in unison, "Forever and ever!"

  Eted, Twilight ughed with others, and then she lurched to the side from a sudden, sharp pain in her temple. 'What... was this...?' She caressed it, concerned.

  Luna stepped forward, taking a word.

  "And I, Princess of the Night, graciously accept these words and this union. Let it be known to all who gathered here, as well as to all ponies of Equestria! I will look over you under the dark of the night as well as in the light of day." Her smile was growing bigger during her chipper speech. "My faithful subjects, I promise you that our conjoined hearts will truly mark the beginning of a new era of our rule! And in the name of that, I beseech you: feast with us! Cherish our glory! Share love under the bnket of a moonlit night! Follow your desires with abandon..." Luna turned her head to Celestia, her eyes noticeably shimmering from veiled tears. "Isn't that right, Sister?"

  Celestia remained serenely composed throughout these speeches. A hard-to-read smile was on her muzzle, and when she was given the spotlight before the crowd, the Princess of the Sun gnced around with a thoughtful look.

  She turned to Starswirl, speaking in a high and stentorian voice, "I believe it is time for us to make our vows. Shall we proceed?"

  Ponies cheered, almost drowning out the st words of the Princess. A thundering stomp of hooves went on, an expression of their complete support. Twilight was caught in the middle of it, but she did not give in to the surrounding ardor. A complicated expression settled on her muzzle instead.

  Luna stared at Celestia strangely. Despite the dressing of the pretty words, there clearly was a tension between them. Twilight hardly believed that Luna would be so animated about the topic. Maybe something bad had happened after all? What pushed them to make the decision to arrange an engagement in the first pce, anyway?

  The pain again nudged in her head. Something was calling to her, and it wasn't unlike when she stood before that enigmatic White Tree in the Tower... Starswirl was so evasive when she tried to speak with him about it...

  She rubbed her snout, frowning. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was a connection she was missing.

  "Darling, are you alright?" Rarity leaned toward her, worrying. Fluttershy moved in from the other side. Twilight felt embarrassed that she was drawing attention at such a moment.

  "Y-yeah..." she murmured.

  There was an awkward pause at the altar. Starswirl, acting like a wooden understudy, gnced between Celestia and Luna. All three engaged in a short-lived discussion, at the end of which Celestia nodded, and Starswirl lifted from beyond the altar a little something that Twilight prepared beforehoof.

  Despite everything, Twilight had found strength to smile at the sight.

  Two items were in the possession of an old mage: a dusty ancient tome and a magnificent jeweled crown. "Behold!" he procimed, showing off the former. "First Compendium of Equestrian Laws, dated by the origins of Equestria herself and written by wizards and sages of old in ancient nguage! It is the immutable foundation of our ws and of our understanding of society! Let it guide spoken vows in the name of the sanctity and integrity of this marriage!"

  Twilight could've sworn she saw a smirk on Celestia's face as she gnced at Luna. It was a far cry from any loving gaze one would've expected.

  Luna was looking back with a silent challenge. She wasn't smiling anymore.

  Starswirl kept talking, showing the headpiece now. "And this artifact is the crown of enchanted ironbark, under which Queen Celestia the Benevolent, Sol Invictus, First of Her Name and true ascendant to the throne, the Sor Diarch and the Vanquisher of Terrors, The Living Sun, the Archmage of Light, was installed first for the rule of the fledgling Equestria!"

  An astonished gasp went through the crowd. Even Celestia seemed impressed—she certainly wasn't expecting the amount of work Twilight had put into digging up the titles. Twilight watched her expression greedily, and when the former Queen adorably blushed under the veil, she couldn't restrain a happy giggle.

  Starswirl pced both artifacts on the altar and spoke loud and clear, "As per the custom of a true royal wedding, the rules of which were established in ancient times, I invite you both to pce hooves upon the crown on top of the Compendium and repeat words of vows after me."

  "Starswirl, my good friend and former mentor," said Celestia, confidently pcing her hoof on the spot. "I have a proposal to make. How about we abstain from our usual vows for this occasion? We already have a sisterly bond that unites us stronger than any marriage, and so, Sister, let us both pledge our loyalty to the sole thing that matters above all."

  All the color drained from Luna's muzzle. When Celestia went on with her brightened speech, she stood there frozen stiff.

  "I propose for us, dear Sister, to pledge to Equestria herself and to swear to protect and cherish her and all of her ponies. Forever and ever!"

  "Forever and ever!" cried somepony from the crowd, and it roared once more, "Forever and ever! Forevermore! Forevermore!"

  And then... then... then, it hit Twilight, and she looked at Luna a little bit more attentive, at how she was standing right there with a scowl, and a fire in her eyes, and a slightly disheveled mane...

  Twilight's head split with unbearable pain...

  "Oh-h boy," Pinkie muttered. The resourceful pony produced a set of yellow hard hats and pced them on herself and Fluttershy. Somehow, those already carried respective matching cutie marks. "I think it's gonna be woozy!"

  ??er strength remained ??apped ??y ??he ??arkness ??f ??hat ac??ursed ??ave, ??ut ??t ??as ??othing ??ompared ??o ??he ??rive and resolve ??nside ??er ??eart. ??he ??eeded ??o ??ectify her mistake. ??he ??ill ??o ??xactly ??o.

  ?????????? ?????????? ?????????????? ?????? ??????????????, but n???? ???????? ????????????... A s???????????? ??rgency guided her... ?????? ??????????????, ?????????? ?????? ancient ??anterlot in a hoof's reach. ?????? ???????? ???????????? ??????????????, ???????????????? ??????.

  ?????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? while she ?????????? ???? ???????????????????? ?????? ?????????????? ???? ????????. ??he ??as ??elieved, ??ut ??he ??xpected ??o ??ee ??anterlot ??esieged, ??r, ??ore ??referably, completely ??ntouched...

  That's w?????? ??he ??aw a ??anner that was ??epicted ??er ??nd ???????????????? ????????????????, ?????? ?????? ?????????????????? ????????????, and ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ????????.

  ???????? ??????????.

  "Pretender!!" ?????? ????????????, ?????? ?????????? ???????? ?????? ?????????? ????????????, ???????????????? ???????? ?????? ???????????????? ???????? ?????? ?????????? ???????? ?????????????? ??????????. ?????????????????? ???? ?????? ???????? ????????, ?????? ?????????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ??????????????. ?? ???????????????? ?????????? ???? ???????????????????? ???????????????????? revealed itself before her eyes.

  Full of hate and anguish, she ??earched ??or ??n ??nemy, ?????? ?????? had ?????????? ??????. ???????????? ?????? ?????????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????? ?? ????????????????????, ?????????????? ???? ?????? ???? ?? ???????????????? ????????. ?????? ???????????? ?????????????? ?????????? lunged to ??eet ??????; ???? ?????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????? crimson red ??????????. ?????? ???? ?????? ???????? ???????????? ????, ???????????????? ????????????????????...

  ?????? ?????????????????????? ????????. ?????? ???????????? ???? ???????? ???????? a ???????? ???????????????? ?????? ?????? ??rey. ???????? ???? ?????? ?????? ????????, ?????? ???????????? ???????? ?????? ???????????? ????????. ?????????? ???????????????? ???? ?????? ?????? ???????????? ??????. "?????????? ??????????," ?????? ????????????????????. ???? ?????? still ??????????, but ??truggling ???? even ??aise ??is ??ead.

  "??here?" ?????? ?????????????? ???????? ????????????.

  "The Royal Library..." ???? ??????????????, ???????????? ??????????????????. "Hurry..."

  ?????? ????????????.

  "Fine," scowled Luna with wanton malice, and her hoof smmed on top of the precious crown, next to Celestia's. "But don't expect—"

  Twilight never knew what this creature, who posed as Luna, was going to say next. A powerful beam of light erupted from the altar, forcing ponies to pull back in terror. Before Twilight's bewildered eyes, darkness seeped in, inviting itself into this column of pure energy.

  Pain pulsated throughout her entire being, throwing off any attempt to focus. She saw how Cadance succumbed to something simir, grasping her head and crying in pain.

  She realized that she was crying as well as she looked at how two alicorn figures in the pilr stepped toward each other, engaging in some kind of ceremonial dance.

  They moved in a circle, their gazes lost in each other's, their eyes filled with white. They were nimble like water, pressing and stepping away, standing on their hind legs and slowly rising in the air, spinning with one another in solemn slow motion. Somehow it still was blindingly beautiful, and it would be a glorious sight to behold... if it wasn't so wrong.

  "Stop!" Twilight wailed, outstretching her foreleg toward the altar.

  "Twiley?" Shining spun around with sudden helplessness in his eyes.

  "What in tarnation is going on?"

  "Twi, snap out of it!"

  "Stop!" she tried to demand, weakly, pathetically whining...

  Something broke inside of her, and blood began streaming down from her nose. She touched the muzzle with a hoof, not feeling or hearing anything, reeling from shock.

  Behind the worried faces of her screaming friends and family, she saw how Starswirl was backing away from the alicorns, suspended above the ground with horns locked. In a moment of crystal crity, Twilight saw something moving around them. A vague shape, coiling...

  "It is a disaster..." Starswirl's despairful whisper went over the room, reached Twilight, and spurred the panic between the ponies. With the camity occurring, he forgot to undo the spell that enhanced his voice.

  As if on cue, something broke again. Not in her this time, no. Something broke in reality itself. It was like a dam colpsing under a rush of water. Like a branch, strained under pressure and breaking off. Like a thread, snapping in the air.

  An overwhelming sound came and engulfed everything.

  It was an ear-piercing, gargantuan crescendo that was drowning out all other noises. It drilled into her skull, hollowed it inside out, and filled it with nothing but pain. She screamed, thrashing, not able to comprehend where she was ending or where this continuous droning sound was beginning. Even her voice was completely submerged in it, in a cascade of ringing emptiness and fullness. Panic was flooding in.

  But even so, she couldn't escape a dawning, overpowering understanding of what it heralded: it was a point of instability, a bifurcation point. A turning point. A critical point. A point where innumerable variables smash together to create something unprecedented. A point when reality boils over through the irresistibility of change and the course of its flow needs to be corrected, patterns need to be set anew, and everything must be shifted.

  Down from her horn throughout her body unched a maddening, crushingly torturous surge, and her nerves screamed with an agonizing response. In a mere few seconds, she shattered into a complete slob, and her legs gave out. She began to fall.

  Friends did not let her. They acted as if they did not hear this monstrous agonizing scream of innumerable voices, entwined into a continuous protest against irrevocable harmonious divergence. Spike and Rainbow Dash dragged her aside to the wall, trying to help. Despair tore all strength from Twilight and she looked with bloodshot eyes at how two figures lowered down on the floor. Twilight whimpered, full of dread of what would happen when the screaming will end.

  The sound slowly suffocated itself.

  'Everything ends. One way or another.'

  A ugh cut through the still air of everyone's horrified silence.

  It was a soul-wrenching, pitiful shrill sound. A gnarly, vile figure of the Changeling Queen was standing in front of Celestia. It was her ughter, and it wasn't victorious at all.

  ?????? ?????????????? ?????? ?????????? ???? ???????? ??????????????, ?????????????? ?? ?????????????? ???????? ???? ?????? ???????????? ??????????, ?????? ???????????????? ?????????????? ????. ?????? ?????????? ???? ???? this. ?????? must.

  "What have you done!?" Celestia rapped out; Twilight never saw her so angry and fearful. Gone were any sembnces of a well-known motherly and godlike figure. Celestia was just like any other pony right now: bewildered and at a loss.

  Chrysalis snapped her mouth shut, her muzzle twisted into a ghastly grimace.

  ?????? ?????????????? ?????? ???????? ???? the ????????, ?????? ?????????????? ???????? ??????????????.

  There wasn't enough time for her to answer.

  The wall far above them was crushed by a bst of moduted magic, and from an opening, from the starry sky, a figure of dark alicorn swooped directly on Chrysalis, smashing the changeling down with her hooves. With a crunching sound, the Queen was sent tumbling right amid shrieking ponies. Twilight weakly turned her head, noting that some tried the front door but to no avail. Someone barred them all from the outside.

  She never knew that Luna was capable of such a strike. It was a terrible sight to behold. No pony could survive that, but Chrysalis, despite it all, began to scramble from the floor. Her wings fluttered, and she hovered with a lurch.

  "Get away from her, thief of love!" Luna, who was looking beaten and dirty, fixed her with a vicious and hateful stare.

  "Luna..." Celestia stumbled, weak.

  Twilight remembered a very familiar scene from the past at another wedding in Canterlot, so simir to this one. It felt like a nightmare... An unending, recurring nightmare... Luna wasn't a witness to that fight; she might not be prepared...

  It was too te to change anything. Luna summoned all her power in a single direct attack, intending to finish the changeling, who was still ascending. Chrysalis met the attack with her horn and pushed the magic back in a swift and dominant motion, overpowering the Princess with ease.

  It was so simple, and quick, and wrong. Luna didn't make a sound. She fell hard and slumped under the altar like a marionette with cut strings. Celestia screamed in anguish, grabbing Luna and cradling her in her forelegs.

  Chrysalis began to ugh. Darkness was swirling around her, devouring all light with a cold, cutting wind, spinning in a seething torrent. Ponies trembled as this otherworldly power was taking over, until nothing was seen—only two fring green eyes of the beast.

  Her joyful, booming voice echoed with triumph:

  "Bow to me!"

  "Honor me!"

  "Worship me!""THE QUEEN OF EQUESTRIA!"