//------------------------------//
// Night/Derpy 2 
// Story: The Day the Darkness Died 
// by lunabrony 
//------------------------------//

Princess Celestia made her return to Canterlot just in time to lower the sun as she had done for centuries. The sunset, a phenomena she never grew tired of, was different every night, and a wondrous sight from the high vantage point of Canterlot Tower that the matriarch never grew tired of seeing. Princess Luna stood next to her sister, the first sliver of moon appearing in the sky, gradually rising higher as the sun disappeared.

The two were quiet, looking out at the landscape together until finally it was Princess Luna that spoke. 

"Did thou enjoy thine trip to Ponyville, sister?"

"Indeed I did, I was worried that the Changelings would pose a problem at first. But they seem to be completely under control. Not only that, but they've found ways to help and be part of society. I thought Changelings would never be able to reform themselves. I have never been so wrong."

Far away, back in the cozy darkness of Ponyville, a grey pegasus was putting her daughter down to bed. The young filly fidgeted restlessly.

"Sing me the Tribble song, mama!" She insisted.

"That old thing?" Derpy asked. "You know that's nothing more than an old myth."

"I want the Tribble song!" The filly insisted again.

Derpy rolled her eyes. "Very well." She nuzzled her nose into the bangs of her daughter, and quietly sang.

Soft Tribble
Warm Tribble
Little Ball of Fur.

Happy Tribble
Hungry Tribble
Churr, Churr, Churr.

Derpy glanced down at her daughter, who was already contentedly nearly asleep. Derpy blew out the nearby candle. "May Luna watch over you until you wake." She whispered, closing the door. 

A shadow bolted past the window. Derpy frowned.

"Hello?" She called quietly. No answer.

Derpy stepped outside, taking just a step or two away from the door. "Hello?"  She called again. No answer. With a soft shrug, the pegasus disappeared back inside and closed the door.

The two Changelings who had run past the window stayed quietly hidden in the shadows of a nearby alley. The first pointed in concern to the house they had just passed. The second perked its ear, waited a moment, then shook its head. Together the two ran towards the edge of town and eventually passed into the border of Everfree Forest, where they met up with their two comrades. The four creatures sat in silence, until a pair of golden eyes glared at them from the darkness.

"Were you seen?"

All four shook their heads.

"Good. What took you so long?"

One of the Changelings burst into a series of rapid clicks.

"I don't CARE if Pinkie wouldn't go to bed. I told you to be here at eight, that means you're here at eight. I don't want to hear excuses that you couldn't slip past a pony with the attention span of a brick. Got it?"

The Changeling nodded.

"Good. Tonight we make our final plans. Those ponies won't know what hit them."