“We are gathered here today to celebrate a wondrous occasion…”
”Psst,” Thunderclap whispered to her husband-to-be, ignoring the priest’s boring, generic speech. “Hey Cheeseboy, nice dress. Wonder who made it for ya?” She smirked.
“I dunno, but she’s the best designer ever!” Chocolate Cheesecake quipped in reply, fluttering his eyelashes. “I just might be marrying her right now.”
”Damn right you are,” Thunderclap took the stallion’s polished hoof in hers and grinned. Today, she was marrying her best friend. She almost couldn’t believe it herself, as much against the idea she was in her younger days. But what was the model without his fashion designer by his side?
Their friends and family surrounding them only made it even more real. His sisters beaming by his side, her brother and friends by hers, and their parents glowing with pride in the audience. Sure, Cheeseboy had to invite his boring aunts and grandma, but Thunderclap didn’t care. This was her and Cheeseboy’s day, and it didn’t matter what a bunch of old ponies thought.
”Thunderclap, do you take this stallion, to have and to hold, till death due you part-“
”HAY YEAH I do!” Thunderclap didn’t hesitate to take her stallion and vigorously press her muzzle against his. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause as they were officially married, just as it should be. Well, except for the older, gray mares sternly clapping in the back. But the newlyweds didn’t seem to notice them as they became lost in a makeout session.
Thunderclap broke away from the kiss and lifted her groom up in her forelegs. “Let’s get this party started!”
~
There was no doubt that the wedding reception was a party for the ages. Everypony was dancing and having a good time. Even Cheeseboy’s grumpy old aunt was in on the fun, agreeing to a dance with her husband. And, of course, the groom looked more fabulous than ever, his dress swishing around as he danced to the music. But there was one thing that was off…
“Yo Cheeseboy, what’s up with old lady rock farmer over there?”
”Who?” Cheeseboy asked as he stopped dancing. “Oh, you mean Grandma Cloudy? I dunno, let’s go check on her.”
The newlyweds took the opportunity to sneak off the dance floor unnoticed, making their way over to the dark corner in which an ancient old mare brooded. In this light, Cloudy Quartz almost looked like she was dying as she gripped her chest and grew paler.
”Hey Grandma, you okay?” Cheeseboy asked with concern.
”Yeah! Why don’t ya come join us?” Thunder nudged the old mare. “We’re all having fun out there!”
Cloudy groaned softly as her eyes shifted between the two. “Mmm, no thank you. Indigestion, is all.”
”Are you sure?”
”Yes, Cheesecake. You kids go have your fun. <sub>Thou shalt surely face Her wrath on Judgement Day…</sub>“
”What was that?”
”Nothing, dear. I’d like to be alone now.”
“Okay,” Cheeseboy shrugged and headed back towards the dance floor. “What’s wrong with her?”
”Too old for a good time, apparently,” Thunder snarked. “But who cares about that? This is our night!”
~
”Ready, Cheeseboy?”
”I’m ready!”
Cloudy watched dully as her grandson hopped into his wife’s arms and they zoomed off into the sunset. Oh, the atrocities they’d committed at such a young age. Weddings back in her day would never be like this…they would be proper and solemn, not wild and out-of-control like this one. And the bride and groom would have worn the right attire for the occasion, unlike those two. Why, it pained Cloudy to see the sanctity of marriage go down the drain like this…
…Quite literally. All of a sudden, the dull ache in Cloudy’s chest turned into a shooting pain, as if she was being stabbed.
”Ma!” Marble was the first to notice as she, Pinkie, and Maud rushed to their mother’s side. By the time Limestone reached them, however, it seemed too late as Cloudy lurched and slumped over lifelessly.
”Mama! No!!” Pinkie and Marble both cried and shook her body as Maud quietly pressed an ear to her chest. But her solemn expression said everything. It was no use.
Limestone galloped out a few paces into the sunset after the newlyweds. It was all their fault! She screamed, cursing them for what they had done. Cursing them for being so immoral. Cursing them for breaking tradition. And cursing them for killing her mother.