Ch. 42
Several hours drifted by as Fang sat in silence with Coco resting at his side. Though his eyes were closed, the changeling was wide awake as he thought about how the night was going to play out. Many different scenarios ran through his mind, both best and worst. The worst possibilities was not something Fang wanted to think about, but being a changeling meant you had to think as events went on.
Of course the best scenario was having Queen Chrysalis and Celestia have an understanding with each other, AND confess his love to Coco Pommel under the moonlight. But Fang couldn’t dwell on what if factors. He has to face reality and understand that not everything has been set in motion. All he can do is hope the best scenario becomes the best reality.
The sun was now beginning to set. It seems that the princess who moves the sun is getting to work. It is time Fang did the same.
The pony to his side looked so peaceful as she slept. Coco was breathing slowly and her mouth was slightly parted open. It bothered Fang that he had to wake her but it was now time to head to the gala.
A gentle push to the shoulder was enough to awaken the mare. “It’s time to go to the gala,” Fang spoke softly.
Despite his efforts, Coco Pommel let out an irritated grumble. “Can we go in a few minutes?”
“I would, but tonight is very important to you and I. We need to meet up with the queen.”
Sitting upright, the pony stretched out her back before fully opening her eyes to look at her friend. “Thanks for letting me rest.”
“Your welcome Coco,” Fang replied with a nod.
The mare didn’t have the happiest expression when Fang responded. “I’m sorry that you had to bore yourself by having to just sit there in silence…”
Fang could only chuckle to the comment. “You don’t need to worry about that Coco. I’m the queen’s personal guard. I have stood in place for hours on end just by her side. Honestly, I should be honored to be by her side most of the time. And…” The changeling didn’t bother hiding his red cheeks. “...it is an honor to have you by my side. To have the one who has spoken to Queen Chrysalis in so many ways that no changeling has ever done before. To have her friend wanting to be so close to me is twice as honorable.”
A playful giggle escaped Coco as she bumped into Fang. Blush bled onto the mare’s face as she took in the complement. “Oh stop. I am just a simple fashion designer.”
“Your profession has nothing to do with your personality. You are great because of who you are.” Fang let out an irritated sigh. “Must you always lower yourself when I compliment you.”
“N-no. I just don’t value myself so highly. I’m modest is all.”
“Then what are you going to do tonight if somepony approaches you tonight and asks you about your career? Are you going to tell them that you are just some normal run-at-the-mill mare who makes dresses?”
Coco was quiet for she knew the answer. “Of course I won’t just tell them that. It’s just hard to take a compliment after what Suri once used to do to me. Always telling me her work was better than mine and all I was was average.”
“I had a feeling it had something to do with her,” Fang scowled. And somehow you forgave that hurtful mare…
“But you are right,” Coco reassured. “I will try and take compliments a little better.” The mare leaned into the changeling and spoke into his ear, “Just don’t expect me to become cocky either or… hot headed like you can get.”
As Coco was against Fang, he noticed her head was no his shoulder. “I’m not always hot headed. I can do other forms of magic.”
“Like what?”
Fang looked down at the pony with a mischievous glint in his eye. “I can do a freezing ability called the cold shoulder.” In one swift motion, the changeling sat up and got out of his seat. Coco didn’t have time to react and fell over, her face planting into the seat’s cushion.
“H-hey!” the pony whined as she looked up .
“I wasn’t lying,” Fang replied with a toothy smile.
Playing along with the antics, Coco scrambled to get up. “You are going to get it!” Before she had the chance to chase Fang out of the carriage, he was already outside.
“I’ll let you know when we are there,” he barked inside at Coco before slamming the door.
***
The cart started and stopped its motion as Coco made her way to the Canterlot Castle. The mare could see that there was quite a lot of carriages on the road which was no surprise to Coco. As for Fang, he was struggling to make the trek to the castle. Other drivers tended to cut him off when he allowed too much space in front of him. The changeling wanted to spit out a few swears, in some cases he did, but Fang realized his words fell on deaf ears. At least so far nopony cared for his insults. Perhaps it was a good thing. If he got into a tussle with another pony, it may jeopardize the entire mission.
Finally getting to the parking location, Fang opened the door and Coco emerged from the carriage. She looked around to see other wagons that were in better condition and had much better appeal to them. Perhaps an upgrade for the changeling’s wagon was in consideration.
“Geeze,” Fang grumbled as Coco touched ground. “Are ponies normally that rude when the road is full of horse drawn carriages?”
“Trust me, the city is much worse.” Coco reached out her hoof and placed it on the changeling’s shoulder. “You had it easy.”
“Doesn’t mean I liked it…”
Finished with their short conversation, Coco and Fang were now on their way to the castle entrance. They would have been lost if it were not for the signs that pointed to the front. Coco was in awe as she saw the castle looming over her. The white stone structure shined against the setting sun like glittering marble. And the towers with their pointed roofs looked like tall spears piercing the sky. Several flags waved through the air, perhaps representing the royal colors of the Regal Sisters; but the sun was too bright for Coco to see the patterns.
None of this was spectacular to Fang at all. He has seen it all before, especially during the Canterlot Siege. Several guards stood at the top of the staircase with mean gazes looking out for trouble. The changeling couldn’t help but give them the same stare the guards did to every pony that entered the royal palace.
Once inside, Fang heard Coco gasp once again. She looked at everything, not giving herself enough time to take it all in as her eyes darted around. The many paintings. The number of ponies. The large sparkling chandelier. The staircase that lead to other parts of the castle. It was all too much!
“Relax Coco,” Fang spoke trying to calm his friend down from her excitement. But it was impossible for Coco. This was… the… Grand Galloping Gala! Every mare wishes to go to this glorious event. Many celebrities, business owners, and overall important ponies come for this one night. Coco was blinded by the fact that there was a fashion contest held tonight that she forgot what she was attending in the first place. And speaking of the contest and business owners, this event may be Coco’s way back into the fashion industry.
Coco looked at Fang who wore the outfit she made several days ago. Not only was he the one who offered the job to her. He introduced her to the misunderstood queen who allowed her to continue pursuing her dream. And all it took was Inferno Fang overhearing Coco having some small talk about fashion when she was working at a coffee shop several days before this one.
“Thank you Fang,” Coco said to him with a happy smile. She pulled him in close as he stood slightly confused, but glad for the compliment. Fang could only assume what brought on the complement as a thank you for everything, but didn’t let it sit in his mind for long.
But now something important needed to be addressed: where is Queen Chrysalis? Coco and Fang looked at each other with the same thought in mind.
To their right by the staircase, a white pegasus guard stood watch. Coco needed to ask him a question. Maybe two. “Excuse me,” she spoke aloud to him, “do you know where Princess Celestia may be? She is with a friend of ours.”
Only the pegasus’ eyes moved to look at Coco. “No.”
The blunt attitude took Coco slightly aback, not sure how to take the response. “Do you know when she will be here?”
“Sometime tonight Miss.”
Fang nudged Coco’s side, telling her he now needed to talk to the guardspony. “Princess Celestia has a unicorn accompanying her by the name of Your Majesty.”
Suddenly the guard tensed up. “Your name?”
“Inferno Fang.” The changeling gestured to his friend. “And this is Coco Pommel.”
After eyeing the two of them over, he finally answered, “She is lowering the sun currently as you might have already seen. Princess Celestia will be standing at the top of these stairs to greet the guests once twilight has passed. She will be expecting to see you two.”
“Thank you,” Fang nodded. “You’re doing a fine job. I’m sure you have everyone asking you where the princess is.”
The guard dropped his stiff attitude and spoke casually, “You don’t know the half of how many ponies come and ask me where Princess Celestia is, expecting me to know her exact whereabouts.”
“Don’t worry, I understand.”
Coco watched the two stallions chuckle at their inside joke, not finding any humor at all. But she was glad to finally have information that she wanted thanks to Fang. She let them talk among themselves as she looked at the top of the staircase. Princess Celestia will be waiting for her and Fang once it is fully nighttime. Coco glanced at a large window that showed that it was twilight. All she had to do now was wait.
Then something in the air changed. The chatter that the main hall had was now at half volume. Coco looked around to see what was swallowing voices. At the entrance stood Princess Celestia, Princess Cadence, Shining Armor, and Her Majesty; or as Coco knows her Her Majesty as Queen Chrysalis.
"Attention all Canterlot Guests!" a pony boomed beside the four ponies who had all eyes glued onto them. "Princess Celestia, the Prince and Princess of the Crystal Empire, AND Princess Celestia's close friend, Her Majesty, have arrived. Please give them your respects." The announcer bowed his head and gestered his hoof to those who deserved attention.
The fateful event has begun.