The grace of Celestia’s sun had set over Equestria. The sky was painted with the beauty of Luna’s stars and moon, twinkling with the fading of the light.
In the humble countryside town of Ponyville, most of its citizens had already gone to bed. It wasn’t a place particularly known for its nightlife. Only two establishments in town really catered to those who stayed up this late. One was a simple, but relatively high-end bar which served almost exclusively alcoholic drinks and stayed open until somewhat past midnight. The other was more of a partygoer’s hub that remained open until early dawn, for those who desired to keep the party going long after everypony else had tucked in.
The latter of these two locations was where two unicorn stallions were off to take advantage of. One with dark blue fur and a chestnut mane, somewhat tense and trying to relax. The other had bright green fur and a messy silver mane, who was much more excited.
“Woo yeah!” the green stallion cheered. “Dusk Noir and Ray Strike! Ready to paint this town red!”
“Will you keep your voice down?” urged the other. “Some ponies are trying to sleep.”
“Yeah, their loss right?” Ray nudged his friend in the side. “Come on, man! This is meant to be your bachelor party. Try to actually be excited!”
“Ray, I’ve never been a bachelor party in my life, let alone my own. I’m just a little apprehensive about what to expect,” he murmured.
The green unicorn frowned. “Didn’t Shining have one?”
“He was meant to, but then nopony explained to Spike that such an event is meant to happen before the wedding and not after,” reminded Dusk. “So it never went ahead.”
“Oh right. I was wondering if I’d just completely blanked on the events.” He grinned. “Wouldn’t be the first time! Come on, Dusk, you need to relax. It’s just gonna be a bunch of guys, getting together and having fun!”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” murmured Dusk. “I may not know much about bachelor parties, but I do know the kind of fun most stallions have at them is not the sort I’m comfortable with.”
“Ohhhh I see,” said Ray with a wink and a nudge. “Not angling for some pretty mare to come bursting out of a fake cake at any point?”
“A-Absolutely not!” Dusk’s face blushed up a storm. “Imagine how degrading that must be for the poor mare! A-And I can’t do that, what would Twilight think if she-?!”
“Dude, it’s fine, I’m just joking,” Ray said quickly. “Look, I’m sure Spike will have thought of the kind of stuff you do and don’t like. Plus, remember he’s only recently a teenager. Whatever he’s got planned, I’m sure it’ll be completely PG. PG-13, at worst.”
“You think?” He sighed with relief when Ray nodded. “Alright. Thanks, Ray. Sorry for getting all worked up.”
“It’s fine, bud. Knowing you, I’d be slightly more concerned if you weren’t being a nervous wreck.” Dusk was about to open his mouth to retort, but was cut off by Ray lifting his hoof and pointing as they rounded a street corner. “Oh hey, this looks like the place!”
Their destination lay a little on the outskirts of town, mainly not to cause disturbances at its centre and avoid noise complaints. The Hay Bail, as it was called, was a modest but vibrant affair, peering at them through a small glade of trees. It wouldn’t be quite accurate to call it a nightclub, but it was certainly the closest thing to one that Ponyville had. Even from outside, Dusk could hear music thumping over unseen speakers. A number of ponies were outside waiting to go in, a mixture of town residents and those visiting from elsewhere.
He glimpsed Berry Punch, who seemed like she’d gotten started early on festivities. Lyra and Bon-Bon stood together, buzzing with excitement, as did Thunderlane and Blossomforth further back in line. He also could have sworn he spotted Mayor Mare, dressed in go-go boots and neon coloured clothes.
Approaching the doorman, they confirmed their names on the guest list and were let in ahead of the queue. The noise hit Dusk almost the moment he stepped inside. The place had the look and feel of a tavern, straight out of a fantasy story. Large barrels were stacked behind the bar and a live band was playing from a wooden stage. A large space had been cleared in front for a dance floor, surrounded by tables and an upper level overlooking the place.
That was where Dusk spotted a flash of purple and a clawed hand waving them up.
“Hey you guys made it!” Spike greeted them once they were close enough, briefly embracing Dusk and guiding both stallions to the table. “I got us a private spot and I’ve already started a tab on drinks and snacks. Don’t worry about yours Dusk, it’s all on me.”
“Spike, I really don’t mind-“
“Nu-uh, bro. This is your night. You’re not paying for anything and that’s final,” he asserted.
“Well,” said Ray, looping a foreleg around Dusk, “as the bachelor’s closest and dearest friend, obviously I’m also-“
“You’re paying for your own stuff, Ray.”
“Oh well, had to try.” He immediately retracted his foreleg. “Well congrats, Spike! You managed to organise the right time for a bachelor party for once!”
“Hey, it’s not my fault nopony explained what it’s supposed to be!” Spike exclaimed. “Besides, didn’t you say on the train back then that you’d help with the planning since you had nothing else to do?”
“Did I? I don’t recall.”
“It was right before the story about how you once got dragged into one by a bunch of drunk stallions.”
“Ooohh, right, I remember now. Huh, sorry about that.” Ray placed his free hooves behind his head as he leaned against the backrest. “Probably for the best that I didn’t help plan that party, though. There was some stuff at the one I went to that I don’t think Twilight would’ve appreciated me exposing Baby Spike to.”
Spike’s cheeks flushed momentarily at the implication, but he quickly composed himself. “Well, now you’re going to experience what could have been. Just wait until everypony else shows up.”
Dusk looked in surprise. “There are others? I thought it was just going to be us.”
Spike grinned. “Nah, this is a bachelor party! Just you and your stallion pals, ready to have a good time!”
“But I barely know any other stallions. Nor do either of you for that matter,” added Dusk. “Most of our social circles are composed entirely of mares.”
“And I still don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing,” quipped Ray before turning his attention back to Spike. “So who else you got coming?”
“Well you’re not wrong about the stallion thing. Pickings were a little thin but I think I managed.” He frowned for a moment and shifted his gaze back toward the entrance on the lower floor, only for his face to quickly brighten again. “Oh, look, right on time! Here come a couple more!”
They looked where his claw pointed. A very unlikely pair had just arrived. A burly unicorn stallion with a white coat and blue mane, alongside another with grey fur and a black mane. Both wore suit jackets and ties, along with sunglasses for some reason.
“That’s something. I thought he’d be occupied,” said Dusk in reference to Sombra.
“I’m surprised the prince was able to spare the time to come all the way down here,” said Ray, in reference to Shining Armour.
“Cadence was invited to Twilight’s bachelorette party, so she and Shining came down together. They said the empire would be fine on its own for a day. And Sombra said he’s been making good headway on the translations and he’d be happy for a break. But don’t bring that up,” added Spikem waving to the two new arrivals as he had for Dusk and Ray. The pair of stallions quickly noticed their group and began making their way up the stairs. “This is meant to be fun, so let’s enjoy it!”
“Ah, you two must be the bodyguards I ordered,” remarked Ray sarcastically when the pair reached them.
“Hey, just because you couldn’t be bothered to wear a suit, don’t take it out on a stallion who can pull it off in style,” Shining Armour returned.
“I’m still uncertain as to the purpose of these.” Sombra levitated off his sunglasses to frown at them. “They seem impractical.”
Shining rolled his eyes. “I already explained, they make you look cool. If ponies can’t see your eyes, it makes you look mysterious and aloof.”
“But we are indoors. Surely they are more of a hindrance in that regard.”
“Sombra, just trust me. You and I are going to be turning some heads toni- whoa!” Shining vanished when he fell under the table, trying to get to his seat. He rose, sheepishly chuckling and taking off his glasses. “Heh, whoops. Didn’t see the ledge there.”
“Yeah, really turning some heads there,” said Spike.
“Indeed. Though it looks like you had a very eventful…” Sombra’s grin appeared slowly as he slid his glasses back on. “… trip.”
“YAAAAAOOOWWW!” cried Ray as everypony else laughed and Shining groaned. “Have I mentioned that I love this guy?”
“Don’t encourage him, please,” begged Shining. “So Dusk, stallion of the hour! How’s it feel, your final night as a free agent?”
Dusk laughed nervously. “I-I wouldn’t say that, Shining. The um… the wedding is still very much in its planning stages.”
“Yeah, you’re telling me. You should see the lists Twilight has me putting together,” said Spike.
“Surely organisation is important for such an occasion?” asked Sombra.
“Oh yeah?” Spike placed the tip of his claw in the middle of the table. “Let’s say that’s the top of the list. Now I’m gonna walk away and I’ll stop when it ends.”
Spike stood up from the table. He walked away from it. He walked around the side of the gallery. He went downstairs to the bar. Walked along the bar. Went around the dance floor. Twice. Then doubled back up towards the table. He held out his arms in a silent gesture before sitting back down.
“You exaggerate, surely,” said Sombra.
“Trust me, knowing my little sis, that sounds accurate,” chuckled Shining. “Still, it’ll be fine. You remember how chaotic our wedding was.”
“Oh, now there’s an event I was most unhappy to have missed out on!” A rich voice came from above them, prompting all five present to look up. The voice’s owner, a certain unmistakable draconequus, was dressed in an extremely bright orange suit and a wide-brimmed hat whilst beaming down at them with a lopsided grin. “Hello fellas! Not to worry, the party can truly begin now because the life and soul has arrived!”
The stallions and dragon exchanged uncertain looks with each other. Several seconds of uncomfortable silence followed suit. Dusk in particular directed a questioning look at Spike who coughed nervously.
“Uh, Discord,” the dragon began awkwardly. “Glad you could make it.”
“Pfffhah! Please, like I’d willingly miss out on a night like this! You’d have to seal me in stone all over again to get me to not show up!” Discord laughed, briefly vanishing in poof of cotton candy dust and reappearing next to the table. “That said, I do appreciate actually being invited for a change. Saves me the trouble of figuring out how and when to crash the party.”
“R-right…” Spike coughed, exchanging another round of glances with the stallions present before he seemed to remember something. “Oh, right! Discord, you didn’t teleport in here directly, did you? You have to check in with the bouncer out front.”
“Oh, please,” the Lord of Chaos scoffed, waving a mismatched claw dismissively. “Like anypony in their right mind would try to kick me out.”
Spike crossed his arms in response. “Come on Discord, we talked about this. If you wanna stick around, you have to play by the rules.”
Discord looked like he was about to say something else to dismiss the dragon, but opened his eyes and caught the looks he and the four stallions at the table were all giving him, and seemed to think better of it. “Ugh. Fiiiiiiiiine. I’ll be right back,” he grumbled, snapping his fingers and vanishing, this time in a burst of confetti.
Once the draconequus was gone, Spike beckoned Dusk closer, whispering just loud enough for all of them to hear. “Look, I know what you’re gonna say, I know. But we’ve got something else planned for later I needed Discord’s help for. It’ll be fun, trust me.”
“Well, I suppose it’s better than having him randomly turn up unnanounced,” muttered Dusk. “I’m just glad that it’s not-“
Dusk was cut off by a spontaneous explosion of glitter as Discord reappeared next to Ray in one of the empty seats at the edge of the booth, looking only vaguely miffed. “I’m back. Sorry for the delay, forgot where I put my ID. Oh, hold on.” He clapped his hands, causing all of the candy, confetti, and glitter which had showered across the table with his multiple appearances to vanish in a poof of smoke. “Right. Now then, what say we kick things off, eh? Tonight it’s just us guys-”
Discord suddenly stopped, as though realising something. The others watched as he pointed a claw around the table at each of them, counting under his breath. When he finished, he gasped.
“Oh, but we’re missing somepony!” Suddenly Discord snapped his fingers and a bright flash appeared next to Dusk. “Don’t tell me you forgot to invite your big brother?”
Everypony stared in shock and apprehension at the new arrival. A stallion with an imposing physique, dark fur and a white mane. Spike recovered quickest and rounded on Discord.
“You didn’t say anything about this!” the dragon cried
“I thought it would be a nice surprise!” replied the draconequus. “Family is important after all.”
“What? What’s happening, where am I? How did I…?” Blackhole Doom’s eyes narrowed, first at Dusk, then at Discord. “You. And you!”
“Yes, me! Doomy old boy, how are you?” Discord reached over and shook his hoof. “Sorry I’ve not popped by since my comeback. What’s new? Keeping busy? Find a hobby? How is-?”
“I don’t know what’s going on or why I’ve been interrupted but I will not abide by this!” He wrenched his hoof from Discord and shoved past Dusk. “I’m leaving.”
“Oh I’m sorry, Doomy,” Discord pouted. “I didn’t mean to pull you away from your comic book marathon.”
Ray just barely held back a snigger. “I’m sorry, say that again?”
“What of it?!” Doom’s glare at Ray was offset by how red his face had gone. “They are… entertaining! The art is very… very engaging and… stop laughing!”
“Isn’t he just adorable?” Discord remarked to Dusk. “Well, Doom, if you’re not feeling up to a night of fun and frivolity, cracking open a cold one with the boys so to speak, I can return you forthwith.”
“Yeah, we don’t even want him here anyway!” added Spike.
Initially, Dusk was right there with the agreement of the others. He wasn’t going to kowtow to Discord’s machinations and he wasn’t going to have his ‘brother’ ruin what was shaping up to be a good night.
Then Dusk caught Sombra's eye. The former king had a peculiar expression. He almost seemed to be silently entreating Dusk to reconsider. His initial reaction, internally, was to dismiss the notion. With everything Doom had done, why should he have that privilege?
But then again, there were three others at the table who were also guilty of past misdeeds brought on by some corrupting influence and their poor decisions. Sombra himself, of course but Ray and Spike too. Discord somewhat counted too, though he evidently still delighted in causing more low-level chaos. Why else would he have brought Doom along?
"A moment, gentlecolts," said Dusk. "I think Discord is right. Family is important, after all and I don't think I want to leave Doom out of the proceedings."
Discord's smile flashed. "So glad you agree. What do you say, Doomy? I mean, unless you want to curl up with your comics instead..."
"You...!" His face flushed again. "Fine then! Make some room there, I will bring this 'party' to a level only I can manage!"
Everypony still looked reluctant, but they all budged along to make room as the former dark side of Dusk planted himself on the semi-circular seat. He held his head up high, as if daring anypony to suggest he didn't belong.
"Wonderful!” Discord announced. “Now that’s all sorted, I'll go fetch us some drinks. BRB, LOL, TL;DR!"
With a clap of his claws, Discord vanished. A very tense, awkward atmosphere was left in his wake. Nopony seemed to know quite what to say now.
"I do wonder how it is Celestia so objected to my return, yet she was so eager to release him," muttered Sombra.
“I feel bad for the poor bartender who has to deal with him,” added Shining.
There were general murmurs of assent. Then the quiet came back. Doom's eyes travelled over each of them, looking ready to challenge the first to engage him in conversation.
“So!” Ray said first, apparently eager to dispel the awkwardness. “Looks like the full party is assembled. We’ve got the comedic genius of yours truly, the stallion of honour Dusk, event planner Spike, designated carriage driver Shining-”
“Hey, I didn’t agree to that!”
“-the cool uncle Sombra, the wild card Discord, and finally, the even-wilder card, Blackhole-” he stopped, trying and failing to contain a snigger. “Blackhole Doo-” he tried again, only to snort again and begin chuckling. The noise drew another glare from the black-furred stallion in question. “Sorry, sorry,” Ray said in between chortles. “I’m sorry, I just can’t take that name seriously.”
“What?” Doom looked to be lost somewhere between affronted and confused. “What are you talking about? What’s wrong with my name?”
“You mean besides the fact that it sounds like something an edgy teen came up with while listening to Maretallica?” Ray joked in response.
“Wha-... that’s ridiculous! How dare you even - hey!” Doom’s attention shifted to Shining, then to Spike, as both began to lightly chuckle as well. “Stop it, all of you! My name is not edgy!”
“Nah, it’s pretty edgy,” Spike sniggered.
“I mean, I was never gonna say anything out loud, but…” Shining trailed off as he smirked and shook his head.
“My dude,” Ray began, pressing both his forehooves together. “My guy. My brother in Faust and only Faust.” He leaned in, unafraid, across the table in Doom’s direction, fixing the latter with a deadly serious expression. “...your name. Your full, apparently-legal name. Is Blackhole Doom. Blackhole. Doom,” he stressed, before relaxing back into his seat. “That is, without question, the single most middle-school wannabe edgelord name I’ve ever heard for a pony in my life. And I’ve been around the block more than once. I’d be mocking your parents for naming you that, if you had any, but as I understand it you picked that name out yourself, sooo…”
“You-!” Doom seemed to have settled on affronted and pressed his hooves against the surface of the table, causing it to groan in response. “You dare mock me? I’ve half a mind to raze this establishment to the ground with all of you in it!”
Just as Doom looked like he was about to stand up and carry out his threat, causing the rest of them to tense up, Sombra reached up and placed a hoof on the dark stallion’s shoulder. “Peace, Doom,” he pressed gently. “Do not be so quick to rise to mere jibes.”
“But he is the one who insulted me!” Doom protested, only glancing at Sombra for a brief moment before returning his glare to Ray.
“I’m sure Ray only intended to jest, not to offend you or raise your ire. Isn’t that right, Ray?” he asked, offering the stallion in question a subtle glare of his own through his sunglasses.
Ray quickly raised his hooves in a gesture of relent. “Sure, don’t worry, I don’t mean to kick the hornet’s nest. I’m just giving Doom his obligatory and well-earned hazing before we formally accept him into the Guys Group. Now we can all be friends.”
Sombra, at least, seemed to accept this answer, even if he did give Ray another warning look. There were a few tense moments of silence as he kept his hoof on Doom’s shoulder until the latter, clearly still unhappy, growled and lowered himself back into his seat. He kept his glowering eyes on Ray though. “Hmph. I don’t seem to recall you finding my name so amusing back when I had this town beneath my hoof. On either occasion.”
The casual reminder caused most of the rest of the table to frown. Ray managed to keep a neutral expression, however. “Yeah, sure, but that was back when you were an aspiring murderous tyrant-dictator posessing the body of my best friend. The second time you beat him up in public and kicked him out,” he retorted matter-of-factly. “Now you’re just a guy, sitting and chilling at a table with a bunch of other guys. Plus, I have to deal with someone way scarier than you on a daily basis. So relax, dude. We won’t bring up the past if you don’t.”
Doom growled again in response, but said nothing more in response, for which Dusk was silently glad. The awkward silence returned for another few moments.
"So uh... comics," Spike began. "What uh… what kinds are you reading?"
Doom glared. "What does that matter?"
"Hey, I'm just asking. Not my fault you're embarrassed to talk about it."
"I am not...!" Doom caught Sombra's look and huffed, his eyes on anything but Spike. "... the Power Ponies."
"Oh, no way!” Spike perked up excitedly. “They're one of my favourites! Which issue are you on?"
"Ten." Doom appeared confused at Spike's sudden enthusiasm. "I had just started it."
"Wow, I remember reading that when it first came out. I was still a little foal," chuckled Shining.
Ray pointed at him. "Ha-ha, you're old!"
"You're not that much younger than me, Strike."
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, old man," he shrugged. "You can't beat the classics though. Some of the newer stuff is so weird. You read that one with the-?"
"No spoilers!" barked Doom.
"Right, yeah, sorry. Man wants to go in blind, I can respect that," said Ray with a chuckle.
Another flash revealed drinks and a grinning Discord between Ray and Shining, this time thankfully without any superfluous scattering of messy decorations..
"Here we are, boys! Let's get this night off to the right start!"
Doom grabbed his drink and took a swig. After only a couple of gulps, he suddenly stopped. He blinked rapidly and shook his head. He stared at his mostly full glass, eyes looking unfocused. But nopony's attention was on him at the moment as Shining spoke up.
"Hold on a sec." His aura caught Spike's glass before he drank it. "That better not be any of the hard stuff you've given him, Discord."
"Come on, I'm a dragon!" cried Spike. "If I can handle lava and gems, I can handle a little beer or... or whatever this is."
"Exactly! Loosen up a little, Captain-Prince," teased Discord. "I've been good and gotten him some of the watered-down drinks this place has. Draconequus's honour."
"What little that counts for," muttered Sombra.
"Oh yes, I forgot to say hello there to the big evil king! Don't worry, I got your drink with a little extra..." Discord leaned in and added a rasp to his voice. "Cryyyssstaaals!"
Sombra glared briefly, then smirked.
"My thanks, Discord. I certainly hope you got yourself something suitable. After all, I'd hate for you to spend the evening..." He peered over his sunglasses. "... stone cold sober."
A collective 'ohhhhhh!' rose up from those gathered. Sombra leaned smugly back in his seat while Shining slapped him on the back and drank to his remark. Discord frowned and leaned back, taking a grouchy sip from his drink.
"Heeyyy look at that!" Ray nudged Discord. "He can quip it out, but he can't take it!"
"Nothing of the sort. I'm simply above puns," he sniffed.
"That's a lie and you know it!" added Spike. "Hey, can somepony keep track of the Sombra zingers? This guy's on a roll!"
"I see what you mean about these glasses now, Shining." He pushed them up his muzzle and swirled his drink like a wine taster. "They do make quite an impression, when needed."
"What did I tell you?" Shining leaned over to Discord and gave him a shove. "Come on, what was it you were saying about loosening up before? Can't have the Lord of Chaos sulking in the corner."
Discord's smile returned. "You know what? You're absolutely right. After all, how can I when I've got such a captive audience in you, Shining?"
"What do you...?" Shining frowned. "Hey, what are you trying to say?"
"I mean, I hate to be siding with Discord of all beings but uh, he's got a point," said Ray. "I mean you were taken prisoner like, what, twice during the whole changeling thing?"
"I didn't know Cadence was replaced by Chrysalis!" he yelped. "And the second time, I made sure you all got away!"
"In a manner of speaking," added Sombra, "I also did counter your shield spell successfully when my darker self reigned over."
"Indeed," said Dusk. "And yet, you somehow made captain."
"Hey, don't you start," returned Shining. "You were tricked by a changeling too and you've literally been locked inside your own head. Twice, thanks to your big bro there."
"And actually captured pretty recently," added Spike. "I think I'm getting why Twilight leads and you follow on behind."
"I suppose you could call it good practice for current events," joked Dusk and everypony laughed. All except one who was reacting in the exact opposite way. "Blackhole? Are... are you alright?"
Dusk's hesitance was brought on by seeing something he never expected to see: tears, falling from Doom's eyes. They were staring at his drink, but he was quite a sight when he looked up at Dusk. His lip was shaking violently. Suppressed sobs were catching in his throat and the tears flowed from his shimmering eyes like a river.
“I’m… not the only one seeing this, right?” asked Ray.
“I was about to ask the same,” murmured Shining.
“Brother?” Dusk went to tap his shoulder, then decided against it. “Is uh… is everything alright?”
“Dusk…” He hiccupped and sniffed loudly. "I've... I've been really h-horrible to you, h-haven't I?"
His voice held none of his usual hostility or menace. He sounded more like a little foal, about to confront his cranky neighbour for kicking a ball through his window.
"Um..." Dusk wasn't really sure how to reply to that. "I mean, yes you have. But when has that ever...?"
He trailed off when Doom's sobs intensified and he suddenly threw his hooves around Dusk in tight hug.
"Oh Dusk! I've been s-such a horrid pony! A-An awful brother! I'm sorryyyyyyyy!"
Dusk would have responded, but he was having trouble doing anything except being strangled. Spike did his best to try and pry him off. Even Sombra came around from his side to lend his efforts.
"Uh, how much has he had?" asked Shining.
Ray pointed and raised an eyebrow at Doom's glass. It wasn't even half empty.
"Doom... it's... it's okay...!" Dusk managed to choke out.
"No, no it isn't!" He pulled back, pressing his hooves on Dusk's shoulders. "I... I swear to you, here and- hic!- now. I'm gonna be the... the best brother you ever - hic!- had. W-We're gonna have fun, just you wait!"
"Well, this isn't going quite as I expected," mumbled Discord. "I wonder if Fluttershy and the girls are having to put up with anything like this?"
"And so I said, 'hey buddy, find your own wagon!'" Trixie finished.
Everypony in attendance burst out laughing from her story. All except Pinkie, who frowned.
"I don't get it. Oh, wait, wait..." Then she grinned and guffawed. "I just got it!"
"Trixie, I gotta say," said Applejack, wiping her eyes, "I wasn't sure what ta think when Twi said you were comin' along, but yer a riot!"
"Funny, that's just what they said in Hoofdale after my last show there!" she tittered.
That brought out some fresh laughter from the guests of Twilight's bachelorette party, consisting of her friends and the princesses, including Cadence. It was she who asked Twilight to invite Trixie along. Things had been a little awkward at first, but once a few drinks had been had and everypony relaxed, she managed to settle in just fine. Her mentor had organised it, allowing them to use the ballroom, ensuring nopony would be disturbing them.
"You've certainly led a very interesting life, Trixie," said Celestia, occasionally giggling from her last story. "In a way, I somewhat envy you."
"What? What do you mean, your high- I mean Celestia!" she corrected quickly, still a little starstruck at being in her presence. "W-What I mean is, you're a princess. The princess! I-I mean, not the princess, no offence, Luna."
"None taken," she said. "My sister does make quite an impression in whatever room she's in. I mean, it is cheating because she's taller but even so."
Celestia patted her head. "Awww Luna. Maybe you should put some stilts or elevator shoes on your next Hearth's Warming list!"
"Tia, I'm well over a thousand years old. I do not have a Hearth's Warming list."
"I do!" cried Cadence and Pinkie at the same time. They bumped hooves and Cadence added, "What my aunt means, Trixie, is that a princess's life is very hectic. You saw everything I had to do to make sure the Empire runs smoothly while I'm here. We don't get many chances to just do what we like."
"To say nothing of my day-to-day responsibilities," said Celestia. "So many open forums and public appearances and meetings to be had. At the end of the day, I just end up flopping straight into bed."
Trixie giggled, then clapped a hoof to her mouth. "Sorry! Just... funny mental image."
"Oh, it is most amusing," said Luna. "Even better if she forgets to take off her collar beforehoof."
"Don't even joke about that," groaned Celestia. "It really digs into my chest if I do that."
"Oh, that's something else to add to the design list!" trilled Rarity. "Twilight, I'm going to have to redesign your entire wardrobe! Oh it's going to look marvellous!"
"Slow down there, Rarity," said Twilight. "I’m not even a fully inducted princess yet."
"So what was all that last week?" asked Rainbow. "I mean, what else do you call having a big ceremony and party for a new princess?"
"While that was certainly her coronation, young Twilight still has much to learn before she can take on the responsibilities Celestia and I have," said Luna. "We will be present to guide and advise her, while she continues to better her understanding of friendship in Ponyville."
"Which is a real relief because I'm so not ready for that!" Twilight put in, forcing out a laugh. "I mean, it's no big deal. Just the responsibility, the expectations, the worry that everypony will think you're doing a terrible job and they'll think you're a bad pony because you didn't realise that one little thing you made a joke sparked an international incident which-!"
"Twilight, it's okay, it's okay." Fluttershy pulled her into a warm embrace. "Breathe in and out. With me, come on. In and out. In... and out."
"In... and out," repeated Twilight. "Okay. Okay, that helped. Thanks, Fluttershy and I'm sorry, everypony. Didn't mean to bring down the mood."
"Ain't nothin' ta apologise for, Twi," said Applejack. "It's a big step yer takin'. I remember the firs' time Granny Smith said I was old enough ta manage the chores on ma own. Hoo-eee did I make a mess of it. Didn't feed the pigs on time so they got all grumpy, which meant they got the hens all stressed so they wouldn't lay and then that meant we didn't have the right number of eggs for market..."
"Uh, AJ? You're supposed to be helping," said Rainbow, gesturing to a hyperventilating Twilight.
She smiled sheepishly. "Oh right, sorry. What I'm tryin' to say, sugar, is that in the end, I got it all sorted out with help from ma family. No shame in leanin' on those ya care about, 'specially if it's yer firs' steps towards somethin' new. You got yerself a pretty pair of princesses right here with ya!"
“I’m pretty?” Celestia tittered. “You’re too kind, Applejack.”
“Hey, jus’ callin’ like I see it.” She winked, then frowned. “Wait a sec… did I jus’ flirt with a princess? Hoo-eee, didn’t think the cider’d be kickin’ in this early.”
“If it means anything, Applejack, I’m most flattered and I think you’re pretty too,” replied Celestia with a smile.
“So do I!” Rainbow’s hooves slammed over her mouth. “I-I mean… pretty cool! Yeah, that’s it!”
“Well, thank ya kindly, both-a ya,” said Applejack, though her eyes lingered on Rainbow a bit longer.
"And don’t forget, Twilight, I'm just a letter away if you need anything," added Cadence.
"Plus you got all of us!" chimed in Pinkie. "We'll be right there to help you out, whatever you need."
"Indeed," said Celestia. "We won't leave you on your own, Twilight. Not if we can help it."
“Besides,” said Rarity, “I think you’re going to do an absolutely marvellous job as a princess.”
“Heard that!” chimed in Rainbow. “You do a pretty good job keeping us all front and centre. Being princess is gonna be a cinch compared to that.”
“I um… I don’t know about any of that.” Twilight’s stomach squirmed, even though she knew such encouragement was meant to be supportive.
“You sell yourself short, my student,” said Celestia. “With a little help, you’ll be exemplary.”
That only made the squirming worsen, especially coming from her teacher. Still, she took some solace in the offers for aid too. Even if that also made her feel a little squirmy inside too.
"It's funny,” she said, with a little laugh. “Dusk said you'd all say pretty much that. Not that I didn't believe him, but it makes a real difference hearing it. Thanks everypony."
"It's our pleasure." Luna adopted a teasing smirk. "It sounds as if my student is already making great strides towards becoming a good husband."
"It's so lovely! You're going to be Mrs Twilight Noir! Or will he be Mr Dusk Sparkle?" pondered Fluttershy. "Oh, they both sound so adorable either way!"
"I'm getting married... I'm getting married!" Twilight's voice rose again, this time with glee. "I still can't quite believe it and I'm the one who proposed!"
"I can! I've been waiting for this for months!" cooed Cadence.
"He's going to be your brother-in-law! I don't even know if that's how it actually works, but that's how it'll be!"
"That's how it'll be!"
The pair squealed in delight, catching each other in a hug.
"I couldn't be more proud of you, Twilight," said Celestia. "With all you have achieved and all that is yet to come, I know that you will accomplish it in spectacular fashion."
Twilight returned her smile. "So long as I have you all with me, I know I will."
"Well somepony has to do the heavy lifting," said Trixie. "On that note, you'll obviously want me to provide the entertainment for your wedding. No need to ask, I graciously accept."
"See not that much has changed then."
"Oh, a great deal has changed, Applejack! For while you've been here, planning weddings and coronations, Trixie has been accumulating greater understanding of magical arts! Soon, you will all bear witness to the even Greater and far more Powerful Trixie!" she declared.
"With such confidence, I shall be interested to see if your claims are backed up by your actions," said Luna. "Since your name shares more than a few connotations with my night, I shall be very disappointed if my expectations are not met."
"O-Oh." Trixie suddenly didn't look so confident now she had Luna's attention. "W-Well, I'm still getting the hang of a couple of things so it maybe a little longer before... wait, are you messing with me?"
"Miss Lulamoon, the fact you would begin to make such a claim is most...!" Luna snorted and started to giggle. "Oh, I can't keep it up any longer. Celestia, stop making that face."
"What face?" Celestia quickly adopted a poker face. "Luna, I am the pinnacle of royal dignity. Don't pin your inability to control yourself on me."
"Meanwhile, Twilight and I are the perfect example of composure and grace, respectively." Cadence kept a straight face for two seconds before laughing. "Sorry, I really thought I'd be able to hold that back longer!"
"Hey, I'm not that bad! Am I?" Twilight asked, looking to her friends.
All of them exchanged looks that said more than words could hope to.
"So these are the true faces of the princesses," remarked Trixie. "I wonder if the boys are putting up with any similar nonsense like this."
Dusk didn't know what to expect from this evening. That feeling didn't really go away as time went by. That came from quite a few elements, not the least of which was the pony who was once his dark side.
Alcohol really had an impact on regulating Doom's emotions. The normally stoic, very aggressive stallion kept swaying between different moods, though rarely settling for anger. When he was finally calmed down, he sat miserably at the table until Shining told a very corny joke which had him rolling on the floor with laughter. When Discord suggested a party game in the form of Crazy Eights (When played, the Eights actually laughed like lunatics), Doom was like an excitable child. He slammed his cards down with so much force, he actually splintered the table. Embarrassed, he went to the bar to apologise and pay for the damages, at which point he tripped half-way down the stairs.
"Are you alright there?" Dusk asked, hurrying over to help him.
"S'all good, bro." Doom sniggered. "He-he-he... you're my bro. You're like, the besht bro ever, Dusk. Waaaayy better than me."
He decided not to say anything to this, along with mentioning to Discord that perhaps water would be best for him now. That was when a distinctive tune came in over the speakers, one that Dusk smiled at recognising. Doom, however, was ecstatic.
"Hoofloose! I love this song! Let's dance, Dusk!"
"Blackhole, I really don't think you're in any shape to-"
But Dusk's objections were cut short by his 'brother' yanking him onto the dancefloor. He placed Dusk by his side and started to do a little step dance in time to the beat, not unlike the way a cowpony would. Deciding he had little to lose at this point and actually enjoying seeing this other side to him, it didn't take Dusk long to get the hang of it. Other ponies started to watch them and let out little cheers. It caught the attention of their party upstairs.
"Hmm, a dance between rivals," remarked Sombra. "What a night this is turning out to be."
"You got that right." Shining looked sidelong at the former king. "Hey Sombra? You ever learn how to do the Crystal Canter?"
"It was practically a requirement for hosting social functions. Why do you...?" He saw the look Shining gave him and grinned. "Well then, let us canter, my friend!"
"You're on!"
The two stallions ran to join the other two, as the song moved to the next verse. Space was cleared for them and they engaged in a dance that involved a lot of kicks and high-knees, along with the occasional buck of the rear legs. They trotted in a circle, stopping to clap hooves and reversing direction.
"Okay, these guys are really pushing it with how much stuff is named after crystals," said Ray.
"Yeah. They sound tasty though." Spike considered a moment. "Hey Ray? Are we rivals?"
"I mean, in various nerdy debates maybe." He smirked at Spike. "You want to get in on this, don't you?"
"You mean you don't?"
"I was waiting for you to ask me!"
Ray slapped his shoulder, teleporting at the same time. The two didn't go for any kind of coordination with each other, instead taking turns to freestyle their moves. Ray used his teleportation magic to accentuate his movements and punctuate certain song beats while Spike took advantage of his bipedal nature and developing wings to pull off some unique dance manoeuvres.
"Well, I'm certainly not being left out of this!" Discord turned to a copy of himself. "What say we show them what real dancing is?"
"I was just thinking the same thing!" replied his copy.
"I know!" they both trilled at the same time.
For the last verse, the entire party joined in. Dusk, Doom, Spike, Ray, Sombra and Shining danced in the middle of a circle of chaotic movements provided by Discord. He would snake around them as they stepped, darted through dimensions as they tapped and skip about with his copies in a circle while they weaved about them.
The song ended with whoops and hollers from those watching, a few even calling for an encore while they panted heavily. Doom let out a particularly loud yell before his expression froze and he toppled over. They tried to bring him around, but he was out cold.
"For such a big guy, you'd think he'd be able to hold his drink better," said Spike.
"I thought the same," said Discord. "Well, I had hoped to include him in the next part of the evening but it looks like he'll have to miss out. Spike, I'll leave the costumes with you and I'll be back in a flash!"
"Costumes? What for?" asked Shining as Discord vanished with Doom.
Spike only smiled mysteriously and led them back to the table. A large duffle bag was waiting for them. The legend 'Discord' was emblazoned on the side, showing the Lord of Chaos pouncing like a puma. Spike pulled it open to show them its contents.
"Is this what I think it is?" asked Ray, levitating a wide-brimmed hat with a feather in it.
"It is!" Shining took out a foam rapier sword, giving it a few swings. "Oh this is so cool!"
"Now there's something I haven't seen for a while." Sombra examined the symbol on a dark blue surcoat. "I remember when this story was first published."
"But I don't understand, Spike," said Dusk, looking at a pair of leather boots. "What are these for?"
"We'll wait till Discord gets back, then my friends..." Spike took out his own sword, running his claw along the blade. "All will be revealed!"