//------------------------------// // It's our time now // Story: Once upon a time, during a holy night // by Magenta Cat //------------------------------// "Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house. Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." An azure unicorn was telling the tale to the ponies gathered in the cabin. "Except for Trixie, with all her might. She stole the gifts, and disappeared from sight." She bowed to her audience as hooves, claws and even paws clapper her performance. The living room was flooded with all kind of characters. All of them received a magical invitation that afternoon. A golden ticket inviting them to a party for 'bad guys'. The letter also stated that it would transport them to the cabin in the mountains if the agreed. Although all of them had their reserves, not without reasons in some cases, each one of them decided to give it a shot and take the magical invitation that seemed to break the dimensional barriers, because King Sombra, Sunset Shimmer, The Dazzlings and even the Mane-iac received their enchanted invitations. They where all having a good time, not really minding too much about the 'bad guys' part and deciding to have fun among possible allies. For example, near to an adorned tree, Discord and Chrysalis were talking to each other in a lighthearted way. "And this is Screwball." Discord showed her a photo of the pony in his wallet. "Just last week she pulled her first fourth wall breaking, I'm so proud." He said as shedding a tear from his eye that turned into a blue balloon floating to the roof. "Oh, she looks lovely." The Changeling Queen said. "Here, let me show you my children." From under her wing, she pulled a thick looking wallet, that unfolded in a long line of pictures depicting an endless line of changelings. Near the punch, Aria Blaze and Lightning Dust were having a small drink competition with Sonata and Gilda sheering for their faorite with a classical 'drink, drink, drink' chant. Meanwhile, Rover was sharing a glass with Suri Polomare when both noticed that they were under a mistletoe. Although the diamond dog was clueless about the meaning of that, Suri decided to give up to the celebration, finishing the glass of champagne in one drink and kiss tackling the miner to a sofa. "Lucky dog." Said one of his companions as he himself was chewing a decorating candle that he found actually tasty. "Ah, this is a really good wine." Prince Blueblood commented. "Well." A totally adult Diamond Tiara said. "You should know it, your majesty." "And why is that? My dear." The blonde stallion asked her. "Because you bought the food for the party, you jack o'cubs." Tiara answered him in mocker. "Yeah." A definitely not underage Silver Spoon joined them. "You really know how to assemble a good get together." Blueblood put a hoof over his chest in pride as saying. "Although my ability to arrange parties is legendary." Smugly smiling. " I'm sorry to inform you that I'm not the organizer of these festivities." A completely legal Babs Seed heard that and decided to check on who may arranged the party. She went to the fireplace, where a reconstructed King Sombra was bringing a whole bottle of whisky and three glasses to share it with Adagio Dazzle and Sunset Shimmer, who were sitting together. "Here ladiesss, a Cryssstal Empire'sss bottle of one thousssand yearsss old whisssky." "I suppose I could use a coup." Sunset shrugged as the King sat next to them. "It's been a long while since I taste magical alcohol." "Hmm." Adagio said. "I could start to like you." As she took a glass and let the shadow pony to pour some liquid into it. "Someone knows who is the host of this?" Babs finally said out loud for everyone in the cabin to heard her. "Discord? I thought that you." Chrysalis asked. "Not me, this time I'm not behind anything." The draconequus replied. "King Sombra?" Mane-iac said. "My invitation didn't said it." The fallen monarch said. One by one, the different members of Equestria's Rogues Gallery denied the responsibility of being the host of the party. "Since nobody knows who invited us here." Prince Blueblood said. "I suggest that nobody drinks anymore, or eats anything." He took a combat stance and started to charge his horn. "I also suggest that you prepare yourselves to get out of here fighting, just in case." All of them dropped they goods and drinks, and prepared to do something less civilized. But before anything ugly could happen, a thunderous voice called for them. "I SUGGEST THAT THOU SHOULD RELAX!" A jet black alicorn with an etereal mane entered the place through the window. Her sky blue armor and draconic eyes made her very recognizable to all inside the cabin. "Nightmare Moon!" All of them exclaimed, with varying degrees of reactions from surprise to total fear. She landed in the middle of the living room as King Sombra approached her. "Whatever is your plan, freak, expect a fight from us." Nightmare Moon just looked weirdly at him, as not expecting such a reaction. "Plan? Fight? Only against the worst." She said in a clarifying tone. "The worst inside all of us." The Queen of Nightmares looked down. "Look, you all know that I'm not a pony with a clear past. I have made mistakes, hurt innocents." As she said it, her fur gradually changed its color from black to navy blue. Nightmare Moon slowly transformed herself into Princess Luna. "But I had another chance, to start over again." She warmly smiled. "And since then, I supposed that such chance should be extended to each one who may committed a mistake." She looked at Babs Seed, then at Discord and then at Sunset Shimmer. "Some of you already did that, but I thought that the rest just needed a little share of kindness, maybe some camaraderie, to think about it." Before anyone could reply, she extended her wings and flew over the night, crying out loud. "We can all learn to live a better life!" The villains, the jerks, the bullies and the monsters, all of them decided to simply shrug it off, and continue the celebration. From a cloud, the Princess of Dreams looked down at how Equestria's worsts took the decision to keep partying rather than start a fight. "I could have never been able to pull this of without your help." Standing next to Luna, a dark pink earth mare was sitting with her. "Don't thank me, Pinkie did the most. But yeah, I can understand the value of a second chance." Pinkamena said.