//------------------------------// // Chapter 27 // Story: The Angel of Equestria // by Robobrony //------------------------------// Chapter 27 The day Charles made his disappearance from Ponyville and Celestia left to investigate the matter a little. Luna took the opportunity to have a little chat with Dark Flash. She was curious as to why this alicorn was so desperate to take over and where she came from. Luna made her way down to the dungeons and to the cell she was being held in. Her legs were bound by chains, her wings strapped to her side, and a magic inhibitor ring was on her horn thanks to Discord. Luna approached Dark Flash’s cell and practically glared at her. “Hello Dark Flash.” Dark Flash narrowed her eyes. “Princess Luna, you’re the last pony I want to see right now. You have some nerve coming down here.” “You’re the one who attacked me and Charles in the middle of Ponyville, I’d say you’re the one with nerve.” “Charles, is that the humans name, interesting.” She said with mock interest. “Tell me Dark Flash, why, why are you so set on taking over Equestria.” “I want one thing and one thing only…….revenge.” Luna cocked an eyebrow. “Revenge, why, what have we ever done to you that you would want revenge against me and my sister?” “Oh, my grudge isn’t with your sister, it’s solely with you.” “Me, why, I don’t even know you.” “Don’t you? Well, I suppose it has been a long time since last we saw each other, and I did look different back then.” Luna was getting confused by her words. “What are you talking about?” Dark Flash smirked. “Why luna, I’m hurt you don’t recognize your old friend, don’t you even remember me, then again, I did go by a different name back then too.” Luna’s eyes began to widen in realization. “It……no, it can’t be……..you aren’t.” Dark Flash then scowled. “That’s right, it’s your old friend Night Shine.” Luna looked at her with sympathy. “Night Shine, what….how……..what happened to you, how did you get like this?” “DON’T….call me that, my name isn’t Night Shine anymore, she died the day YOU turned your back on her, I am Dark Flash now.” “But, what happened to you, how did you ever get like this?” “I didn’t always have a silver coat like how you found me when I was just a fox. I had black fur. I was formed from a spell that was meant to create dark matter to form powerful assasin’s, but the foolish unicorns that used it didn’t do it right, they died in the process and I was born as a black furred fox. I lived my life alone and hungry, doing what little I could to survive, not knowing my place in the world. As time went on, the dark matter in me faded and my fur turned grey. Then you came along and found me, took me in, cared for me, loved me. It was your love that turned me into an alicorn.” “I tried to fit in with the others, and sure, we were friends, but what you failed to notice was that the other’s just made fun of me, laughed at me, said I was worthless and good at nothing, that I didn’t belong.” Luna tried to Speak. “Night Shine, why didn’t you tell me about this?” “I tried to, but you didn’t listen, you just thought I was being silly or something. One day, I had enough of it, I couldn’t take the ridicule anymore, so I blew up the city in my rage and flew off.” Luna’s eyes grew wide again in surprise. “YOU, YOU did that, I……I can’t believe it.” “Believe it Luna, you turned you back on me when I needed you and you just ignored me, you betrayed me.” Luna was on the verge of tears at this point. “Night Shine, I…I’m so sorry, I…..I didn’t…” Dark Flash cut her off. “DON’T CALL ME THAT, I told you, I’m not Night Shine anymore, I am Dark Flash, my anger and desire for revenge fueled my power, turning my fur black again, and gave me the ability to turn into my former fox self AND that dragon that attacked you and your precious human guard.” “Night…..I mean, Dark Flash, I’m sorry, I am truly truly sorry, I know now I should have listened to you when you said what was going on, but I…..” Dark Flash cut her off again, her glare intensified to a crazed look. “SAVE IT, It’s too late for apologies, you broke my heart Luna, so now I want to break you! Killing you won’t be enough to satisfy me, I want to destroy everything you cared about to make you pay for what you did to me, for what they did to me!” Luna’s eyes were wet with tears, seeing her old friend in such a state. “Dark Flash, is there anything I can do to change your mind, anything I can do to make it up to you?” Dark Flash smirked. “There is one thing.” “Name it.” Dark Flash’s frown returned. “You can die.” Luna straightened her face, her eyes still wet with tears. “I see, then I suppose there is nothing I can do to make it up to you so we could be friends again.” “No….there isn’t, I never want to be your friend again, you turned you back on me and ignored me when I needed you, so why would I want to be your friend after all that.” Luna wiped a foreleg across her face to wipe away the tears, she gave a stern look at Dark Flash. “Very well then, you will stay here in the dungeons for the rest of your life.” “All eternity? I am an alicorn, I am immortal like you, do you really thing keeping me locked up in a dungeon is the best way to go? I will find a way out, and when I do, I will rule Equestria.” As Dark Flash said that, her eyes flickered to slits, then back. Luna saw this but did not react. She kept her composure. “I suppose you have a point, I will talk with my sister and figure out the best course of action to take. Fare well Dark Flash.” Luna turned to leave, she took a few steps forward then stopped. She looked over her shoulder to Dark Flash. “For what It’s worth, I really am sorry I didn’t listen to you, if you’re ever willing, I promise that if we we’re friends again, I will listen to you when you say some pony is insulting you. I would like my old friend back.” Dark Flash said nothing, she just glared at Luna. Luna then continued on and left. Back at Ponyville: Charles was now standing in front of town hall with a line of guards behind him and captain Lightning Thrash giving him the berating of a lifetime. “I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU, you run off without telling any pony where you’re going, desert your post, worry all the guards in Ponyville and force them to waste time looking for your sorry flank only for six mares to find you hanging out in the forest with the manticores and timberwolves safe and sound! Do you have ANY idea how much trouble you’re in?” “I’m getting the idea sir.” “I don’t think you are private, you wasted not only the guard’s valuable time, but the princesses as well, she came down her and got worried about you as well when Twilight told her you were missing, if it was up to me, I’d fire your sorry flank for such insubordination.” “But it’s not up to you, is it captain?” Came Celestia’s voice. The guards all turned around and saw Celestia stroll up with the girls behind her. “Princess, what are you doing here?” Lightning asked. “Twilight sent me a letter informing me that Charles was found, I came here to see for myself.” “Greeting princess, I suppose you’re here to chew me out as well for my stupidity?” Charles asked as he bowed before the princess. Celestia kept a straight face. “While I believe your actions were irresponsible, you have proven yourself a capable guard on multiple occasions, I think taking you out of the guard wouldn’t make much of a difference, would it?” She then smiled. Charles smiled back. “No princess, even if I were to be fired from the guard, I would still act to protect every pony from any danger. And I am sorry for my actions, I know it was stupid of me, and reckless, and irresponsible.” “Not to mention boneheaded.” Came Applejack. “And foolish.” Rarity threw in. “And let’s not forget completely dumb.” Twilight added. Charles jumped in. “I get it, I was a total moron…..and I’m sorry for it.” Lighting then came in. “You better be sorry, you deserted your post without permission. You should be court marshalled for this.” “Captain, I think that’s enough.” Celestia interrupted. “As Charles has sworn an oath to me and my sister, his fate is up to myself and her, but she is not here right now, so I will decide his punishment. Besides, you can’t tell me you weren’t worried about him yourself, with the way you were going on.” Celestia gave a playful Smirk at Lightning Thrash. He said nothing. Fluttershy found the courage to speak up. “Um, Princess, you won’t be too hard on him will you?” Rainbow agreed. “Yeah, I mean, sure he caused us all to worry, but Hearths warming is coming up.” Twilight then came in. “Surely you can forgive him for the sake of the holidays.” Celestia raised a hoof in thought. After a moment, she spoke. “Charles, I am willing to forgive you and forget your punishment on one condition.” Charles looked up at Celestia. “Yes princess, what is it?” Celestia leaned down and whispered in his ear. Charles’s eyes grew wide as Celestia whispered. “You want me to WHAT…..but….I mean….is it really your place to…..I mean….you are a princess and all but….is it really ok for you to suggest that?” Everypony was looking on in confusion…..almost every pony. There was one sour puss in the bunch. “Charles, that is my condition, I merely said this because I thought it about time for you to do such a thing, do you disagree with me?” “Well, I……that is…I….um.” He looked at Celestia, then to his mare friends looking at him with confusion. He smiled at them. He then looked back at Celestia smiling at him. “I suppose your right your majesty.” Celestia gave a nod. “Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, I believe Charles has something he wants to ask you.” The four mares looked at each other with confusion, then back to Celestia. “Princess, what is going on?” Twilight asked. Celestia kept her smile. “It will all become clear soon enough.” The four mares then just walked up to Charles while Celestia stepped aside. Charles got down on one knee and began. “Girls, I can’t tell you how sorry I am I worried you, as I said before, the last thing I want to do is hurt you, I love each and every one of you very much. You have brought me happiness into my miserable life and helped me make it better. For that, I am eternally grateful, and I don’t know how I could ever repay you four for it. For now, I hope that what I want to ask is a good start.” “What is this all about Charles?” Rarity asked. Charles just smiled. “Rarity, Applejack, Twilight, Pinkie Pie, it would make me even happier if you all agreed to marry me and be my wives, will you marry me?” Rarity raised a hoof to her mouth in shock. Applejack had a look of shock on her face as well. Twilight’s eyes widened as she smiled. Pinkie was smiling the biggest and started shaking with joy. “YES!” Pinkie shouted, she then pounced on Charles and knocked him to the ground and kissed him furiously on the lips. Once Pinkie FINALLY released Charles, he sat up. “Well, that’s one answer, what about you three?” Twilight was the second to answer. “Yes Charles, I will marry you.” Rarity then answered. “Oh Darling, I thought you’d never ask. Of course I will.” Finally Applejack. “All I can say is, it’s about time, you got a deal partner, come here.” The other three then each took turns giving Charles a kiss to seal the deal. Fluttershy put both hooves up to one cheek with a smile. “Oh Rainbow Dash, isn’t this wonderful, our friends are getting married.” “It sure is.” She agreed, she then looked to Celestia with a curious look. She flew up to Celestia’s ear and whispered in it. “You weren’t really going to punish him were you?” Celestia smiled and looked at Rainbow Dash. “Let’s keep that between us, shall we.” Rainbow Chuckled. “Heh heh, sure thing princess.” “How wonderful, comrade Charles is getting married.” Black Cloud said with a smile. “Yes, wonderful, now there is going to be wedding.” Shadow Fang said with sarcasm. During the kissing, Dusk Fang and Dawn Fang just gagged. “Way to go dude!” Storm Chaser cheered. Once things settled down, Celestia left for Canterlot again and Charles made his way to the train station with his four future wives, but not before Lightning Thrash informing Charles that his pay was being docked for the week. Charles didn’t mind though, he was fine with some kind of punishment for what he did. Upon arrival, Rarity’s mother and father were there, Rarity trotted up to them and gave them a hug, Sweetie Belle was with them. “Hello mother, father.” Rarity greeted. “Hey there sunshine, how ya doin?” Her dad asked. He had a white coat, and a brown mane and tail with a brown mustache. He was wearing a straw hat and a blue shirt with flowers on it, his cutie mark was of three footballs. “Oh mother, father, I have such wonderful news, but first, I must introduce you to the stallion….er..human, I’ve been telling you about.” “Well it’s about time, I was beginning to wonder if you just made him up or something.” Rarity’s mother asked jokingly. “HAH, I’m just teasing, we have seen him around town before and heard about all he’s done.” She had a light pink coat and a purple mane and tail of two shades. She was wearing a blue visor hat, a red shirt and white pants, her cutie mark couldn’t bee seen. Rarity’s dad then came in again. “I’ll say, we’re real proud you found yerself a real standup stallion to be with. Sweetie Belle here can’t stop talking about him either.” Rarity motioned for Charles to come over. “Mother, Father, I would like to properly introduce you to Charles, my colt friend. Charles, this is my mother, Pearl, and my father, Magnum.” Charles gave a smile. “It’s very nice to meet you. Rarity is a real fine mare, you should be proud of her.” Magnum stuck his hoof out for a shake. Charles took it and shook. “We are son, believe me.” “Now then, about that good news I mentioned.” Rarity said. She looked down at Sweetie Belle. “Sweetie Belle dear, you know how Charles said you could think of him as your big brother?” Sweetie looked at her sister with a bit of confusion. “Yes?” “Well guess what, it’s going to be official, he’s going to be your big brother in law.” Sweetie Belle’s face lit up. “REALLY, does that mean?” “Rarity dear, are you saying he proposed?” Pearl asked. “YES, we’re getting married. He proposed to me, Applejack, Twilight and Pinkie earlier and we all said yes.” Magnum was smiling big now. “That’s wonderful news dear, congratulations.” “So when is the wedding?” Pearl asked. Charles answered. “We haven’t discussed that yet.” “I’M GONNA HAVE A REAL BIG BROTHER!” Sweetie Belle cheered as she hopped around Rarity and Charles. The two just laughed at her enthusiasm. The group of ponies and human made their way into the train station to meet the others that were coming. The train arrived and came to a stop. The first ponies off the train were Twilight’s family. To Twilight’s surprise, Shining Armor came off with her parents. “Shining Armor!” She cheered as she ran over. The two shared a hug. “Hey there Twily, good to see you again. Celestia gave me some time off so I could spend the holiday with you and mom and dad.” Twilight then went over to her parents and they shared a hug too. “Mom, dad, it’s great to see you.” “It’s great to see you too dear, we missed you so much.” Twilight’s mother said. She had a grey coat and a white and purple mane and tail, her cutie mark was of three purple stars. “Hey there, how’s my little girl doing?” Twilight’s dad said. He had a blue coat with a dark blue mane and tail, his cutie mark was of two crescent moons, a small one within a bigger one. “I’m doing great, and I got big news for every pony, but first, I want to introduce you two to Charles. Come on.” While Twilight met up with her parents, Pinkie and Applejack met up with theirs. Pinkie excitedly went over to another part of the platform where her parents and two sisters were getting off. “MOM, DAD, SISTERS!” She cheered as she rushed over to them. “There’s our little baker, hey there Pinkie.” Her dad said with a big smile. He had a light brown coat with a grey and light grey mane and tail, he was wearing a black hat and a white collar with a black tie. His cutie mark was of a pick axe. “Pinkie, my little girl, I’ve missed you so much.” Came Pinkie’s mom. She had a light grey coat with a dark grey, almost black mane and tail, she was wearing glasses with chains attached at the corners like a necklace and a black scarf with white stripes. Her cutie mark was of three rocks. “PINKIE!” Her two sisters cheered, they all shared in a group hug. “OOOHHHH, I’ve missed you all so so so so much!” One sister spoke up. “We missed you too Pinkie.” The other than chimed in. “Yeah, it’s not as much fun on the farm without you.” Pinkie looked at them with a smile. “I’m sorry, I’ll be sure to visit more often. OH, I got big news for every pony I want to tell you later, right now, I want you to meet the human I’ve told you about in my letters.” Pinkie then started hopping away with her family following. Applejack was greeting her family as well. “Ma, pa, so glad you could make it.” Applejack cheered as she hugged her parents. Her dad was an earth pony with a light yellow coat and a dark red mane and tail with a half apple with four seeds in it, he was wearing the same kind of hat Applejack wore. “Applejack, my little appleseed, how ya doin.” Her mother, another earth pony with a light green coat and a light blue mane and tail with an apple tree for a cutie mark, gave her a hug. “Applejack, It’s good to see you again, but where’s your brother and sister, why aren’t they here to greet us?” “They’re up at the farm getting it ready fer every pony, we got a lot to celebrate and we’re gonna need the room, every pony is meetin up at Sweet Apple Acres fer the holiday, so we’re gonna have a lot of ponies in one place.” Her dad gave a bit of a stern look. “And why aren’t you helpin them, we coulda found our own way ta the place.” “It’s kind of a long story, it don’t matter, come on, let’s go meet the feller I been writin to ya about.” Her mother agreed. “Well I am eager ta meet this stallion that got ya fallin head over hooves over.” “MOM!” Applejack whined with embarrasement. “It’s about time ya found yerself a stallion ta be yer colt friend.” Her dad said. “Dad, please.” Twilight had her family standing in front of Charles now. “Mom, dad, this is Charles, my colf friend. Charles, this is my mother, Twilight Velvet, and my dad, Night Light.” Charles first greeted Twilight Velvet, he took her hoof in his hand and said his hello. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, I see where Twilight gets her good looks from.” Velvet laughed. “Oh you, thank you.” He then turned his attention to Night light. “It’s very nice to meet you sir, I imagine you two are very proud of your daughter.” “You bet we are, and we’re real grateful you’ve been looking out for her here, we really appreciate it. Looks like she landed her-self a good one.” Night light said with a laugh. “Dad, please.” Twilight said with a blush and a smile. “Oh come on dear, you know I’m just kidding.” Charles then turned to Shining Armor. “Hello Shinning, always a pleasure.” “Hey there Charles, staying out of trouble?” He said as they bumped hoofs/fists. “Well, mostly, there was a small incident earlier today, but you don’t need to worry about it.” “Really, what happened?” Twilight interjected. “We’ll explain later, once every pony gets to say their hellos to Charles we have an announcement to make.” Twilight and her family then trotted off somewhere to talk so the others could say their hellos. Pinkie was next. “Charles this is my family, my mom, Cloudy Quartz.” “A pleasure ta meet ya young fella.” Cloudy greeted. Charles greeted back. “Likewise miss. Pinkie continued. “My dad, Igneous Rock.” “A fine pleasure sunny.” He greeted with a smile. “Same here, real nice to meet you sir.” Charles greeted back. “And my two sisters, Marble Pie, and Limestone Pie.” “Hello.” The two said together. “It’s nice to meet you.” Marble Pie said with a smile. She had a grey coat as well, but darker than her mothers, with a darker grey mane and tail, her cutie mark was of a geode. “Pinkie’s been so excited for us to finally meet you.” Limestone Pie said. She had a purpleish, greyish coat with a grey mane and tail. Her cutie mark was of a rock with gems in it. “You sure are funny looking though, but not in a bad way, just……something we’ve never seen before.” Marble said. “He sure is cute though.” Limestone said with a bit of a dreamy look in her eyes. “I’ll say.” Marble agreed. “Easy there girls.” Cloudy said with a smile. Charles got nervous at this. “Well, *AHEM* it is very nice to meet you all, Pinkie has told me about you and I am glad to finally meet you.” “Like wise sunny, a real pleasure.” Said Igneous. Pinkie spoke happily. “Come on family, let’s let Applejack bring her folks over to meet Charles.” “All right dear, we’ll get plenty of time ta get ta know him durin our stay here.” Came Cloudy. “I know I’m looking forward to it.” Said Limestone. “Me too.” Came Marble, the two just walked past him on both sides and rubbed up against him. Charles brought his arms up to him as they did. “Uh, he he, yeah.” He gave a nervous smile. Applejack then came up with her parents. “Ma, Pa, this here’s Charles, my coltfriend.” Applejack’s dad came up to him and held out a hoof for Charles to shake. “Nice ta meet ya.” Charles grabbed his hoof. “Likewise.” His hand then started being shaken rather violently by the stallion who’s hoof he was holding. “Names Appleseed, glad ta finally meet the stallion that stole my daughters heart.” He finally stop his shaking, Charles brought his hand closer and started rubbing it with the other. “Yeah, I’m glad to meet you too, I imagine it must have been hard to find time to get away from your own farm for this.” Applejack’s mom came in. “Not at all darlin. This time of year, the crops don’t really grow, we always get some downtime during this time of year. Names Appletree.” “A pleasure.” Applejack then made an announcement for all the ponies to hear. “All right everypony, now that introductions are out of the way, let’s head on over to Sweet Apple Acres so ya’ll can get settled in, once there, me and my friends got an announcement ta make.” The group then headed off for Sweet Apple Acres.