//------------------------------//
// Chapter 16: Best Night Ever... Literally 
// Story: The Element of Perseverance (Venom Crossover) 
// by PlasmaBolt305 
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I woke up to find the sun shining brightly in my face and groaned, “Feels like something is going to happen today.”

“The Grand Galloping Gala is today.” Venom said in my mind and my eyes bugged out of my head literally, “WHAT!!!” 

Venom came out and looked at me, it took me a while to get used to his new appearance but seeing it in the first five minutes of waking up… nope.

“You slept all through yesterday, you were very exhausted.” Venom said which made me confused, “Isn’t my healing factor supposed to help me not experience fatigue?” Usually when I exercise I don’t feel tired.

Venom huffed in agreement, “Normally yes but your healing factor is different, whenever you exert yourself the healing would kick in but when you are not doing anything, it's like it goes to sleep and all that fatigue that it blocked out comes back and makes you sleep for days.” 

I thought about it, “That makes sense.” Venom gave me a toothy smile, “I always make sense.”

“Not always.” I said and sat up and my stomach growled loudly, “I swear Venom you are going to be the death of me if you keep making my stomach growl.” I grumbled as I got out of bed and Venom chuckled, “Well, hurry up and let’s eat something!”

I brushed my teeth and headed to the dining hall where The Princesses and my dad were there, “Hey dad.” I said and my dad smiled, “Manny! You slept for a long time.”

“I know, turns out fatigue really hits me hard.”

“Ah don’t worry, I slept through yesterday as well, it gave Princess Luna a heart attack.” My dad said and looked at the alicorn who blushed a little, “W-well I care about my guest okay?”

“Oh you care about me huh?” My dad said with a smile and her blush darkened before she shook it off, “Just come and eat Manny.” I admit what I said next embarrassed her dramatically.

“Keep that up and you’ll sound like my mom.” I joked and Princess Luna blushed heavily and somehow it became darker when my dad looked at her and she tried to say something but it stuck in her throat.

Princess Celestia cleared her throat even though she was smiling at her sister’s current state, “Well I assume you both slept well?” I was about to reply but Venom created a tendril and lifted a plate with five pancakes and eggs and set it right in front of me.
“Venom I can’t eat this much!” I complained and Venom spoke through me, “Eat it or I’m gonna eat your lungs.”

I groaned while everypony just laughed and I dug in, the pancakes weren’t that bad but I answered Princess Celestia’s question, “Yes your majesty.”

Princess Celestia smiled, “Oh and there is no need for formalities you two.” She gestured to me and my dad and I nearly dropped my spoon but I dropped my jaw and so did my dad’s jaw.

Hybrid made a tendril and took a big piece of a pancake and put it in his mouth and shutted it which forced him to snap out of his shock and chew. Venom on the other hoof made a tendril and smacked me in the back of my head and I snapped out of it, “Um… thanks?”

Princess Luna laughed, “You are probably wondering why we don’t do this to other ponies?” Me and my dad nodded while we ate since our symbiote friends were hungry.

The midnight alicorn began explaining, “Well whenever we talk to other ponies, they just feel intimidated or feel like they shouldn’t show respect at all when they talk to us… especially me”

My dad put his hoof on her back and rubbed it to soothe her, I looked at her sister who to my surprise was smiling at the two of them… she seemed to accept my dad comforting her sister.

Luna smiled at my dad before continuing, “When you and Ryan came along, me and my sister felt like we can tell you two anything and you wouldn’t hold a grudge against us for it. You two have so much in common with us… especially me.” Celestia nodded in agreement, “You four have earned my sister’s respect along with my own, we are honored to be in your presence as much as you are in ours.”

Me and my dad looked at each other and then looked at our plate which was empty and our symbiotes showed themselves and licked their lips.

“Mmm, that was delicious.” Hybrid said drunkily and Venom looked at him, “Drunk on pancakes and eggs, my kind gets more stupider each generation.” We all got a good laugh out of it even Hybrid laughed as well.

As Celestia and Luna laughed, I noticed something, they seemed normal and different instead of being royal all the time, they felt like they could cut loose and act like regular ponies around us… that is how special we make them feel.

The white alicorn eased her laughter and spoke, “Well, The Grand Galloping Gala is tonight, I have my fashion designers ready to make your suits.” 

I was about to say something when my dad spoke up, “Actually, I need a favor with something.”
We all turned to him and he spoke, “Back in our home, Elizabeth was a fashion designer and had a sewing machine where she made all of our things, it's currently in a closet back at the house so I was wondering if you could teleport us there so we could retrieve it… she thought me some skills so I was hoping I could teach my son.”

Celestia smiled and nodded before we all got up and she teleported us into my home which was still in the same condition as ever, my dad walked around and looked at me, “Good to be home but under different circumstances… wait here.” He ran upstairs while me and the alicorns remained downstairs and we heard some rustling upstairs before my dad came back down with the sewing machine and Celestia teleported us back to the dining hall.

As my dad placed the sewing machine on the table, I noticed it had mom’s signature on it which brought tears to my eyes.

“Wow.” Venom said with his tone matching my emotion, Celestia looked at the machine with a smile, “You will both make her proud, I know you will.” Luna looked at my dad and put her hoof on his as she saw his face reflecting on the machinery with sadness.

My dad looked at me with determination, “Manny, I am going to teach how to sew… you better be ready.” I nodded with a serious look on my face and we took the machine to the designing room where it had a spectrum of colorful threads ready to be used. The Princesses went to attend royal duties which meant we were alone.

My dad looked at me and said, “Alright, the first thing before you sow is to know what you want to make and make sure it fits perfectly, Hybrid, Venom?”

Our symbiotes came out and looked at my dad, “Yes?” they said in sync and my dad continued, “You two will help take our measurements since we are making our own suits, when you get them, Manny will write them down.”

I looked around and saw three stacks of sheets each with the sketch of a pony on it, earth-pony, unicorn and pegasus. They had lines in inches waiting for the user to fill in the blanks and help make the suit fit perfectly.

“Hey dad, you mean this?” I held up two papers of an earth-pony and he smiled, “Yes! That is exactly what we need now let’s begin.”

Hybrid measured my dad since he has access to his memories so Hybrid automatically knows how to measure properly, he used his tendrils to measure the correct angles while me and Venom watched and filled in the measurements. Soon after that it was my turn, Venom used his tendrils and measured the correct way, he learned very quickly and soon shared the information with me which made me realise how easy it was to measure.

“Alright now that we have the measurements, we have to figure out what kind of suit to make.” My dad said thoughtfully and looked at the array of colors that were before us and I gotta admit, it was pretty hard to choose.

“Uhh… I honestly don’t know, I never wore a suit before.” I said and my dad shrugged, still looking at the colors before us. Venom and Hybrid came out and looked at the colors before Hybrid spoke, “How about red for Ryan and white for Manny?” 

Venom used a tendril to reach and plucked out the colors, the smooth dark red matched Hybrid while the white wasn’t good for Venom’s taste, “This is horrible, black is better.” he put the white back and took out a dark black which was a little too dark in my opinion… now I can see how fashion designing can really be like… huh!

While Venom, Hybrid and my dad were arguing, I looked at the colors and one color caught my eye, a darkish/lightish purple that would look really good, I used Venom while he wasn’t paying attention to snatch that thread color down and turned to them, “What about black and purple?”

They stopped arguing and looked at the two colors, Venom used his tendrils to bring the two together and the color was so cool, everypony agreed with it immediately.

My dad headlocked me and rubbed my head, “Great job son!” When he was finished, he messed up my mane big time.

“Great, what about your color?” I gestured to the plain red and the four of us looked back up to the array of colors trying to figure out which color would be good for him.

We finally settled on orange and red after ten minutes of worthless arguing, now it was time for the real deal where we made the suits.

“Now when you use a sewing machine, you have to make sure the tension is just right because if it is too much or too little then it will ruin the entire design.” My dad said as he began sewing with the help of Hybrid, first he sewed the inside white shirt and then the time came for the scarlet colored suit, pony and symbiote worked with precision and accuracy to make the suit and me and Venom watched, information coming into our brains faster than Rainbow Dash doing laps around Equestria speaking of which I would see her and the girls tonight.

After five minutes, the suit was done, it looked really well done especially the color, the orange was slightly brighter than the red which matched well along with the inside shirt.

My dad looked at me, “Your turn son.” I took a deep breath and set the white fabric and began working, Venom helped me and it turns out that I am an expert at this, while using my mother’s sewing machine, I felt peace and my most closest connection to my mother. I felt like she was right next to me and guiding through the process and helping me overcome my struggles and fears.

Me and Venom finished the inside shirt and now we worked on the suit, we gave it everything we got and made it look like a masterpiece. When we were finished, we held the suit up and it was black mixed with purple along with streaks of bright purple.

My dad and Hybrid were looking at the suit and whistled, “Damn son, you did better than me!” I nodded with a big smile on my face but then Hybrid asked me a question, “What was that weird glow around you two?”

“What glow?” Venom asked and my dad elaborated, “When you two were working, there was a white glow around you two.”

I looked at myself and didn’t see anything, I looked at my flank and gasped, my cutie mark has decided to make its appearance and it showed the symbol of three quarter of a black shield and it was connected to a needle by a thread, there was a symbol on the shield and it was the symbol of Venom’s white eyes and white teeth.

“Whoa.” I said as I looked at it, it looked awesome and cool. Venom came out and looked at it with a toothy grin, “Now this is more like it.”

My dad gave me a hug, “Congratulations Manny!” I jumped up in excitement and then we looked at the clock, 3:00 pm.

“Well we finished our suits now we have to make the ties and that’s it.” My dad said and we went and got that done in the same color as our suits. When we were done, we carried our finished suits to our rooms, I set mines on my bed and decided to walk around the castle a bit to kill some time.

“My cutie mark looks sick!” I said in excitement and Venom agreed, “It is outstanding especially since it has me in it.” I agreed with that statement and walked in the royal garden and it was pretty cool to see the flowers growing this high, animals were playing peacefully with each other and looked at me when I was approaching them slowly and cautiously.

I sat down next to them and a baby bunny hopped into my hooves along with the rest of its siblings, this made me smile and wondered how Fluttershy was doing, only one way to find out… tonight.

As I was playing with the animals they suddenly scattered back into the forest and peeked at me from the bushes, I got up and looked at them, “What’s wrong?” I asked and a voice replied, “You being in my garden.”

I sighed while Venom huffed in disgust as we turned around to see Blueblood himself still looking ugly as ever.

“What do you want now?” I said in annoyance and Blueblood replied, “Where are your manners commoner?”

“It decided to go to a corner and puke when it saw you coming.” I said angrily and Venom was yelling in my mind, “OOOOHHHHH, KILL HIM!!!”

I don’t know why he said that but I’ll take it as a compliment as Blueblood glared at me with hatred, “Well commoner, the gala is tonight and it will begin at 8:00 pm sharp, I can’t believe would invite somepony like you and that other vile.”

That was the last straw, Venom shot a tendril that wrapped around his throat as we approached him, “If you ever mention my father again, I will make sure you suffer greatly for your stupid ignorance… understand?” 

Blueblood looked like he wanted to use the bathroom so we tossed him into the bushes and we left the garden. Venom retracted the tendril and started a conversation, “We will have to watch him tonight, make sure he doesn’t hurt Rarity.”

I sighed, “I still can’t believe we are still going to let him near her.” Venom sighed in agreement, “It is what she dreamed of Manny, you can’t interfere with that.”

I continued walking until I looked ahead and saw my dad talking to Luna while they walked into the throne room around the corner, “Well we might as well go see what’s happening.”

“Agreed.”

We walked into the throne room where Celestia, Luna and my dad were talking until I arrived, “Manny, your father told me that you finished your attire for tonight.” Celestia said and I nodded, “You won’t be disappointed.”

“I hope so, we turned down the fashion designers much to their arguments.” Luna said in annoyance and my dad laughed, “Oh you will be impressed by how well we did.”

“And the arguments we had.” I grumbled and they laughed, being around them feels like I am part of a family again… I liked this feeling.

Celestia laughing died down and she looked at me and her eyes widened, “You got your cutie mark?!” she exclaimed and I showed her it and the sisters looked at it and Luna gave me a hug, “Congratulations!” she said and Celestia gave me a smile and a hug as well.

Dad looked at the time and it read, 6:00 pm, “Well two hours until the gala, I suppose we should get ready.”

Luna smiled, “Me and my sister are already ready, this is how we look for that occasion every time it happens.”

I shrugged, “Suit yourself.” and we walked out of the throne room to get ready while Celestia teased Luna, “You know you should dress up for Ryan?” and Luna blushed deeply as her response but had a thoughtful look on her face.

Meanwhile

I walked into my room and looked at the setting sun and the rising moon, it was pretty peaceful to look at. I looked at the clock and it read 8:00 pm.

“We are late but there wouldn’t have been anypony there.” Venom said in bored tone

I trotted to the balcony and looked outside Canterlot to see chariots pulling in and ponies exiting them.

I turned around and put on my suit before I looked at myself in the mirror and I had to admit, I looked handsome and intimidating at the same time. I tied my tie with the help of Venom and walked back to the balcony to look at the chariots until one chariot caught both me and Venom’s eyes… it looked like a giant apple surrounded by rings of gold being pulled by two stallions and their harness was being held by a small purple dragon dressed like a magician.

“Don’t tell me that’s who I think it is.” Venom said in disbelief and when the chariot came to a halt, he jumped off and opened the door and the ponies exited and to my amazement… it was the girls and they all looked wonderful.

They each were wearing something that matched their personality, Twilight wore a dress that matched the stars and constellations, Fluttershy wore a dress that matched nature, Applejack wore a dress that matches a healthy farm, Rainbow Dash wore a dress that matched her talent of speed, Pinkie Pie wore a dress that fits a wild card party and Rarity wore a dress that matched her talent of fashion… and her beauty.

They looked at the castle in amazement and made their way to the castle, I was hyperventilating and pacing back and forth and stuck so deep in my thoughts that I didn’t even notice that somepony was calling my name, “Manny you alright?” 

I looked at my dad who was in his suit looking as good as me, “We did good with the suit's son.” as he looked at mine as I looked at his. 

“You got that right, we are going to blow this party up!” Hybrid spoke through my dad in excitement and we looked at him and he corrected, “Not literally of course.”

Venom sighed through me, “Hybrid you are like a child you know that?” My dad got a good laugh out of that before looking at me and noticed my expression.

“What’s wrong?” Dad asked and I shook my head, “It’s nothing.” He gave me a serious look and I gave in, “I’m nervous about meeting my friends again since they… you know.”

Hybrid spoke through my dad, “Well you said it yourself, you don’t like holding grudges… you’ll be fine.”

My dad agreed, “As long as you forgive them, they will forgive you too.”

I thought about it and realised he was right and I sighed, “I guess you're right.”

My dad saw the look on my face and smirked, “Who’s the lucky lady son?” I smiled, “It all depends if Rarity forgives me. What about Luna huh?”

My dad blushed and stuttered out, “Uh… listen… I like her, she reminds me of your mother and… I-”

I put my hoof on his back and smiled, “If she makes you happy, then go for it Dad, I’ll honestly feel honored to have Luna as my mother in the future.”

My dad gave me a big smile and hugged me, “Thank you son, now let’s get down there shall we?”

Venom and Hybrid’s colors mixed in with our suits and made us look even more dashing and together we made our way downstairs and saw some of the guests greeting Princess Celestia and we walked up to her and she looked at us and smiled, “You two look very handsome indeed.”

“We tend to please.” My father said with a smile and Celestia looked at me, “And how are you doing Manny?”

“I am doing alright.” I said and Venom spoke through me, “Now… we have to make sure stupid Blueblood doesn’t try anything.” 

Celestia nodded and looked to the staircase to her left and heard the door open and she smiled at my dad, “Well I hope you show my sister a good time.”

My dad nodded and smiled, “She won’t be disappointed and neither will you.”
From the steps of the second floor came Princess Luna wearing a heavenly white dress with light blue shoes, I have to admit she looked very pretty but when I looked at my Dad… he had an awestruck expression and Hybrid was speechless too.

I smirked and so did Celestia as she watched her sister come down the stairs and the rest of the guests looked at her fearfully but I gave them an angry glare which shut them up immediately. Princess Luna came and walked elegantly to my dad who walked to her and bowed, “You look beautiful Princess Luna.”

The alicorn blushed heavily and replied, “You look handsome.” My dad smiled and took her hoof which she gladly gave and they walked outside while I called out, “Good luck Dad!” He gave me a smile and nodded.

I looked at Celestia who was looking at somepony who just entered the ballroom and I turned around and saw Twilight looking at me with tears in her eyes, “Hey Twilight, how you’ve be-”

She cut me off by giving me a hug and she sobbed and looked at me, “You made us worried when you left! We thought you weren’t coming back!” 

I smiled, “Well I can’t hold grudges against my friends, especially after what my dad said.” Twilight widened her eyes, “You found your dad?!”

I nodded and she asked, “What about your mother?” I had a sad look and she gasped, “I’m… I’m sorry.”

I shook my head, “It’s not your fault, don’t worry her last words to my dad was for him to move on.”

Twilight nodded and spoke, “You should see the rest of the girls, they were worried about you.” I nodded and walked out of the castle and into the garden where I found all the animals again and they looked at me as I approached them.

“Hmm, Fluttershy should be here.” I said to myself and suddenly something latched onto me and began sobbing, I looked and saw a familiar buttercream pegasus with a pink mane and she looked at me with tears in her eyes and crying uncontrollably.

“I-I missed y-you!” She cried and I had tears in my eyes as I hugged her back and rubbed her back, “I missed you too sis.”

Fluttershy got off of me and looked at the animals and back at me which I gestured to, “Go ahead don’t let me spoil your fun.” She gave me one last hug before going after the animals.

“Two down, four to go.” Venom counted and I nodded as I walked around until I saw an apple cart parked up comfortably and a familiar earth-pony was behind it looking sad and bored.

“Hey Applejack.” I greeted her and she replied boringly, “Hi Manny.” I waited for common sense to kick in and she shook her head and widened her eyes and leapt over the cart and gave a hug and she had tears in her eyes as well, “I missed you partner!”

“I missed you too.” I said and we released the embrace and she looked at me, “I’m sorry for what happened.” I smiled, “I already forgive you, where can I find the others?”

Applejack told me where they were and bought an apple pie to show my appreciation which Venom happily chomped on until we came to a room in the castle where the music was being played and saw Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash.

Pinkie Pie looked depressed as ever and deflated as well while Rainbow Dash was talking to somepony in a racing outfit… The Wonderbolts maybe?

I walked to Pinkie Pie which caught her attention and she jumped up and the color returned to her mane and her fur hugged me.

“YOU’RE BACK!!!” She yelled so loud that everypony looked at us but then decided we’re not worth it, Rainbow Dash looked at us and gasped as she flew over and gave me a hug as well, I hugged both of them.

“I’m gonna kill you for disappearing like that!” Rainbow sobbed and that was a new one, “Are you crying Rainbow Dash?” I asked and she released me and wiped her tears, “NO!”

Pinkie had a huge smile on her face, “I’m gonna throw a big party for you two when we get back!”

“We look forward to it.” Venom spoke through me and they both smiled and Rainbow Dash spoke, “You two talked to Rarity? She was a mess when you two left and she blamed herself for everything.”

I had a worried look on my face and then I remembered why she came here in the first place, to see that disgrace of a prince.

“I’m gonna go find her.” I said and ran out hoping to find her and I saw Applejack moving her stand in frustration. I ran back into the ballroom and saw Twilight shaking hooves with ponies next to her teacher and it looked like she wasn’t having a good time at all.

I groaned in frustration and looked around in every direction until Venom said in my mind, “There she goes!” I looked to my left and saw Rarity and Blueblood nudging each other to open the door until Rarity had to open the door herself and the Prince walked through with a smirk on his face and the door closed itself and slammed into Rarity.

Anger surged through me as I followed them and they went to the ballroom, as they walked by the garden I heard a sound to my left and heard Fluttershy’s voice but it sounded demonic.

“That’s weird, she doesn’t act that way.” Venom said in confusion and I ran into the garden and saw Fluttershy standing before a net and her dress messed and so was her mane, “I WILL GET MY PRETTIES HAHAHAHA!!!!” she yelled maniacally before she lost her balance and fell into the net which enveloped her.

I approached her and looked at her, “Well that’s something you don’t see everyday.” Fluttershy looked at me, “Can you… help me out?”

I took the net down and she went back to do her thing, I went back to follow the two and saw they went into the ballroom.

I walked back into the ballroom and saw pure chaos, Pinkie Pie was singing the hokey pokey hoping somepony would join in but nopony wasn’t, Rainbow Dash was lifting a statue when suddenly she was tilting to one side and then another and the statue broke as it hit the floor and a piece of it flew to Applejack’s cart who just entered and it had a massive cake on it.

“That looks good.” Venom said hungrily and the piece of the statue hit the cart and pitched the cake in the air… right where Blueblood and Rarity were. Blueblood put Rarity in front as a shield to block the cake from hitting him and I had enough of this crap.

I ran at unbelievable speeds and stood right in front of Rarity and took the massive cake to the face, it drenched all over me including the suit too.

“Manny?” Rarity said in shock but I turned and Venom enveloped me and we both glared at the prince, “You dare treat a beautiful lady like a mouse under a cat’s paw!!!”

Prince Blueblood was shaking under our gaze and tried to run but Venom shot a tendril and held him down and Venom’s tongue slithered out, “If you come near her again, you won’t live to see the sunrise, we will hunt you down and make sure every last part of you is devoured so that there is nothing for anypony to bury in the ground when the time comes. Do you understand you pathetic mortal?!” We roared in his face and threw him to the ground as he ran off.

Everypony looked at us in shock and Venom retreated back into me and I panted angrily until I realised everypony was staring at me, I gave them a glare and they continued what they were doing. I looked at Rarity who was approaching me and she hugged me with tears in her eyes and I hugged her back.
Before she could say anything however, the doors of the ballroom opened and animals rushed in from every direction and standing behind them was Fluttershy and she looked angry… I never saw her like that before.

“I knew she had it in her.” Venom obviously pleased with himself but I was just looking at her until she yelled, “You are going to LOVE ME!!!” 

The animals started panicking and creating chaos, ponies of every kind were screaming, running or trying to get the animals off of them… this was not how I envisioned this party.

Somepony’s whistle snapped me out of my thoughts and I looked to see it was Twilight who whistled, the girls stopped what they were doing and ran to her. I was about to do the same when I realised something… where was my dad?

I ran around the castle and saw nothing until I ran past a lake and saw them, my dad was comforting a crying Luna.

I steadily approached them and sat down next to Luna who was crying on my Dad’s shoulder and I asked, “What happened?”

My dad looked at me with anger and I thought he was angry at me but he wasn’t, “The ponies here insulted her and called her a monster, she broke down so I brought her here to calm her down.”

Luna looked at me with teary eyes, “Everypony hates me for who I was, I try to change but it doesn’t work! I am a monster and I always will be!” 

My dad put his hoof on her shoulder but she shrugged it off and she got up and looked at him, “I’m sorry Ryan, but you don’t deserve a monster like me.” She began walking away but my dad stepped in front of her and what happened next surprised me and Venom… literally.

My dad kissed her on the lips, Luna was shocked by this but she surrendered to the kiss… both of them in pure bliss and the moon glowed brighter in the sky above us.

Dad looked at her and smiled, “I don’t see you as a monster, I see you as a normal, beautiful mare who needs a friend in her life.” Such words of honesty.

Luna was blushing heavily from the kiss and looked at him, “You are the first pony who accepted me for who I am, I see you as an honest stallion who understands me.”

I smiled at the two of them and Venom commented on it, “I can’t believe he did it, way to go Ryan!” I have to agree with Venom… this was the start of something.

Dad smiled and Luna kissed him on the cheek before looking at me and widened her eyes, “I...uh.”

I shook my head with a smile, “No need to explain, I approve your relationship with my Dad.” Luna smiled and gave me a hug before my dad asked, “How did it go for you?”

I sighed, “I got the girls to forgive me but,” I shrugged, “I don’t really know to be honest with you.”

My dad gave me a hug, “Well, you have to keep trying and by the way, where did they go?”

I thought about it but Venom spoke through me, “They went somewhere downstairs.” Luna nodded in understanding, “I know where that is.”

We began walking and my dad and Luna began chatting, I decided to ask the million bit question, “Are you two dating now?”

Luna blushed and looked at my dad who had a blush on his face as well and looked at her and she replied, “Yes… yes it's official.”

I smirked and Venom spoke through me, “I can’t wait to have you as my mom!” Luna wobbled on her legs but my dad steadied her and she had a heavy blush on her face when Venom said that.

We walked for a couple more minutes until we came across a doughnut shop and inside were the girls, Spike and Princess Celestia.

We stepped inside and Spike was the first to notice us, “Manny!” He jumped up and gave me a hug which I returned, “Good to see you too bro.”

I looked at my dad who smiled and Celestia smiled at the two, “How’d it go?” In response Luna kissed my dad on the cheek and nuzzled him, “It was lovely thanks to him.”

My dad nodded and Rainbow Dash asked, “Who is that?” and I replied, “This is my Dad.” Everypony except Celestia gasped and my dad waved, “Nice to see all of you.”

After they introduced themselves and we explained what happened to Luna, Venom came out and asked my dad, “How’s Hybrid?”

My dad had to hold a laugh which confused me and Twilight asked, “Who’s Hybrid?” Venom growled, “What did he do now?”

Luna giggled, “Let’s just say he drank three glasses of wine for his own stomach… and the amount of wine he drank… was massive.”

When she said that, Hybrid emerged surprising the girls and he looked drunk, “That’s what Luna said to Ryan last night… HAHAHA!!!”

I was the first to reply, “Are you drunk dude?” and Venom replied, “Oh he’s drunk alright.”

Luna blushed heavily at that and my dad blushed heavily as well while Hybrid just laughed like a maniac while Spike looked confused, “What do you mean ‘That’s what Luna said to Ryan?’”

Twilight was blushing when Spike asked the question and we looked at him, “Are you serious?”
Venom asked and he nodded.

Celestia was blushing at the joke and I laughed along with Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Rarity.

Venom smiled and shook his head, “Hybrid gets drunk on wine and pancakes.” Everypony started laughing and having a good time.

“Well, it's best you head home… it's getting late.” Celestia said after she finished laughing and we just nodded. The Princesses decided to teleport us home to make things easier and we looked at each other.

Luna approached my dad and kissed him on the cheek, “Thank you for the date, it's a shame we couldn’t have a dance.” 

Suddenly in my mind, a memory surfaced of a waterfall and a beautiful lake and I was sitting there thinking and cooling off… that was my favorite spot to hang out in my spare time.

My dad must’ve had a memory surfaced too because his face brightened up, “Maybe we still can.” Everypony except me gave him a confused look and Hybrid sprouted wings for my dad and he said to Luna, “Follow me!”

Luna smiled happily and flew after him while the rest of us remained on the ground and Celestia looked at us, “I’ll make sure Luna comes home safely, the rest of you should catch some rest.”

Twilight hugged her teacher and Celestia teleported back to Canterlot and the girls yawned except me.

We said goodnight to each other and Rarity looked at me, “Thank you Manny… for everything.”

I smiled, “Sure no problem… um can I ask you something?” Rarity seemed surprised at the question but she smiled, “Yes.”
“Do you want to… um… hang out for a little bit?” I asked nervously and her eyes brightened with happiness, “Of course darling!” She ran to her home and I walked behind nervously and entered the Carousel Boutique, she was digging through clothes to wear, she took off her gala dress, I already put my suit up.

“What to wear? What to wear?” Rarity asked herself frantically but I stepped in and replied, “You don’t have to wear anything Rarity, you're beautiful just the way you are.”

Rarity blushed heavily at the compliment and stuttered, “Oh… that’s so… sweet of you.” She said and came up to me and looked at me with those sparkling eyes, “So what do you wanna do?” 

Venom gave me his wings and I hovered above her, “I wanna show you something.” She was a little nervous but I gave her a reassuring smile, “Do you trust me?”

She smiled with confidence, “Yes.” I gently wrapped my hooves around her and we flew into the sky, my memory of the location now more clearer than ever as we headed to our destination. I looked down at Rarity and saw how beautiful her white coat glowed in the moonlight, she laughed with joy and she caught me staring at her and I looked away.

Soon, the place came into view, the waterfall was there in all its glory and a massive lake was at the bottom of it, I placed Rarity on the shore and I landed beside her as she looked at the wonder, “It’s beautiful!”

“Yes it is.” I said with a smile then I sighed and Rarity noticed, “What’s wrong?” and I asked her, “Did you really mean it… that you hate us?”

Rarity immediately hugged me which surprised me and Venom, “No, I was confused and stupid for saying that! I like both of you and I thought you weren’t going to come back!”

I raised her face up gently with my hoof and she looked at me with teary eyes, “You are not stupid Rarity, you are the most beautiful and the most gorgeous mare in Equestria, we would never leave you.”

Rarity’s face was blooming intensely with the color red and she stared into my eyes and I stared into hers, our faces got closer and closer until… our lips met.

Her breath smelled like vanilla and honey which was remarkable, I don’t know what my breath tastes like but I hope it's good, it must have been good because she made sure our lips were still touching.

We released the kiss and Rarity looked at me with love in her eyes while I said the four words I have been waiting to say forever, “I love you Rarity.”
Rarity blushed and smiled, “I love you both.” Venom was surprised as well, he wasn’t expecting Rarity to love him too.

“Really?” Venom asked through me and Rarity kissed me on the lips again, “Really.” she replied.

I looked at the lake and said to Rarity, “I’m sorry.” 

Rarity got a confused look on her face, “For what.” I grabbed her and tossed her in the lake while she shrieked at how cold the water was and she looked to her left to see me right beside her in the water, “What was that for?”

“For fun.” I replied and Rarity splashed some water towards me but I ducked under and came up behind her and held her in my hooves as she turned her head to face me and we kissed for goodness knows how long before we stopped to catch our breath.

Rarity snuggled against my coat and I held her protectively in my hooves as the water around us rippled calmly even though the waterfall was roaring behind us.

“I love you.” Rarity said and I replied, “I love you too.” We both cuddled for a little more until we went back to the shore and I dropped from exhaustion and so did Rarity. She cuddled next to me for warmth and Venom made a thick blanket to cover us as we laid on the solid rock and fell asleep, snuggling with the one we love.