//------------------------------// // Reunited // Story: All In // by blowngasket //------------------------------// Reunited Twilight sat patiently in the dressing room with all her friends, getting ready for the upcoming ceremony. She wasn't really sure what to expect, but when it came to her friend Rarity, she seemed to pull all the stops today. Within a matter of days, she managed to complete a brand new outfit for everyone there. With everyone else ready, Rarity was putting the finishing touches on Twilight while everyone sat around as patiently as they could. "So Twilight, ya excited?" Applejack asked from her chair across the room, her light blue dress trimmed in her favorite orange freely swaying about. Even her hat, which she refused to not have, was a new design made the same blue while retaining shape and function. "I guess," Twilight responded, staring into a mirror as Rarity continued to do her makeup. "Is all of this really necessary, Rarity?" "Of course!" Rarity said while applying blush to her cheeks. "You are going to look simply marvelous when I am done with you!" She herself was already put together, her purple dress bringing an old age flair with a nice touch of modern. The corset laces tied in the front, as well as the slit going down the side of her leg showed off her feminine figure quite well. "No offence, Rares, but she kinda looks like a doll," Rainbow said, casually tossing her blue and yellow hat up into the air, watching the plume spin about lazily. Her dress' colors and design slightly resembled a Wonderbolts suit, with the bottom hem made to look like a cloud. "What do you think, Shy?" "I think she looks amazing, Rarity," Fluttershy answered happily. "We all do, and you should be quite proud," she admired the handiwork in her own dress, a light and darker green giving her a very nature-esk appeal, covering most of her yet still bringing out her beauty at the same time. "Oh thank you dear, you are really-Pinkie stop trying to eat that!" Rarity quickly snapped at her friend, who was currently licking a mint shaped ornament on her small hat. "It's a decoration, not actually edible. What ever will I do with you?" Rarity sighed. Pinkie chuckled meekly and quickly placed the hat back on her head. It's blue coloring easily matched the two shades of her puffy dress, which defied logic and gravity itself by the looks of it. "It was so super of you to make us all these new dresses!" Pinkie smiled happily at Rarity. "I am so excited! This might be the biggest event since the last biggest event in the history of biggest events ever!" "I don't think it will be that big..." Twilight weakly smiled, blushing slightly from the comment. "Aww, don't be embarrassed, sugercube. Pinkie is right, I think," Applejack said, shrugging. "Ain't often ya get to see a princess being...princessed?" "Crowned," Twilight corrected. "Right. Point is, Twi, be proud! You deserve it." "Righto!" "Absolutely!" "Definitely!" "Superly!" Twilight smiled happily, getting up from her spot. "Thank you all so much. I couldn't have asked for better friends." The moment was completed with a warm group hug, everyone enjoying their company together. It was quiet until someone began to ask a simple question. "I wonder what those guys are doing right now?" ---------- ---------- ---------- "..." "..." "Perry?" "Catacomb?" "..." "You tried to cut my head off!" "You tried to shoot me!" "You tried...to cut off...my head!" "You...tried...to shoot me!" Shining, Reader, and Ark, all finely dressed in tuxedos, made slightly different for each person, watched the back and forth from an arguably safe distance. Each of their eyes ping ponged back and forth as Perry and Catacomb, dressed similarly, went at each other. "Should we...should we leave?" Shining asked the other two, adjusting the belt holding his sword. Reader nodded slowly, not truly sure what to do in this situation. Sharing a private room to get ready, everything was going smoothly until Catacomb, last to show, walked into the room. The tension between him and Perry were almost immediate, the two glaring holes into one another as the other three quickly backed off the troubled duo. "Ark, you said they were upset, right?" Shining asked, staring at the oddly calm hooded figure. "Yes," Ark answered quickly. "How 'upset' were they?" Ark pointed at the two men. "Worse." "Right. Reader, you're good at this thing. Any suggestions?" Shining turned towards his friend. "I have made use of the null magic field with haste. It is simply a matter of keeping the troubled men from physically assaulting one another," Reader nodded, currently holding an intricate wand, it's orb glowing slightly. Shining gave him an inquisitive look. "Safety first." "You're lucky I don't ring your neck, you shifty bastard!" Perry continued to yell, readjusting his diamond patterned tuxedo from all the spastic motions. "You started it, clown face!" Catacomb responded, adjusting his own hat. "Because you were being an insufferable prick!" "So you punch me?! Are you insane, oh wait, you are!" Catacomb mocked, grinning. "At least I am actually a human," Perry countered, his tone giving away his own amusement. "Bullshit! You're a freakin demon and we all know it!" Catacomb said, waving his arm out to include everyone. Perry looked over, the other three shaking their heads, not wanting to get involved with them. "I mean, who kills for shits and giggles?!" "...I got better..." Perry said, slightly saddened by the comment. Everything went quiet, minus the slight sniveling coming from Perry. "Oh you have got to be kidding me..." Catacomb said, staring at the target of his aggression. Everyone watched as Catacombs look changed from angry to saddened as well. "Perry?" "Cata?" Perry responded meekly. "I'm sorry!" Catacomb said, running at his friend. Perry quickly gave him a hug, as they both shared a manly embrace. "Me too, Cata!" Perry cried as they both began sobbing. Everyone else blankly stared at the two as they held each other, crying one anothers name. "Should I kill them?" Ark asked casually, pulling his knife out of his hooded tuxedo. "I thought the guards confiscated that for the ceremony?" Shining said, looking at the weapon. Ark glared slightly at Shining, causing him to back away. "Right, well maybe some other time. Let them have their special time, I suppose." "I shall be off then," Reader said, putting his wand away and walking out the door. Ark quickly put his knife away and followed out, leaving Shining alone with the two of them. "When you lovebirds are done, we need to actually perform a service," Shining said, annoyed slightly. Both Perry and Catacomb stopped their whining and quickly broke off. Shining shook his head and headed out of the room himself. Catacomb quietly began his exit as well, before being stopped by a hand on his shoulder. "Are you really going to be okay?" Perry asked, concerned. "Yeah, I think. Kinda just gonna wing it, I suppose. Not much else I can do at this point," Catacomb shrugged, giving his friend a smile which still held doubt. Perry sighed and, though his hand was still slightly shaky, removed his diamond patterned mask. Though his odd red eye was still as scary as ever, his smile spoke more words than could be said by the greatest linguist. "Just wait until you see her, everything should become clear," Perry spoke clearly, burrowing into his shocked friends mind. Catacomb took a few seconds before nodding. "I gotcha. Ya know, since on the subject of being truthful, you really are quite the lady killer there. Kinda glad you hide, otherwise you'd steal my meals away," Catacomb said jokingly as Perry fumbled to put the mask back on. "Well, I guess I gotta job to do," Catacomb grinned before walking out, Perry following shortly after. ---------- ---------- ---------- "How is your day to day?" Reader asked, walking towards the throne room. Not actually being on duty, the two would wait out the remaining time with the rest of the guests. There was business as usual as servants and guests alike walked by and around them, taking care of what business they had before the big event. "Still not much for words, I take it?" Reader inquired. "Not really," Ark said plainly. "I see," Reader said, looking over the odd design choice for the young man. He seemed very insistent on having a hood for his suit. "I have been around for some time, young man, but to this day, you remain an enigma, even to one with my talents. Try as I might, I can't even begin to pierce the storm that is your mind." "Why?" Ark asked, glaring at Reader slightly. "You will have to excuse me, winged one, but I have never seen someone so determine to remain a mystery. I am simply curious, dealing with secrets and what not," Reader responded honestly. "Why is it that you can shelter your mind so well, even from me?" Ark stopped moving, his partner stopping as well. He took a deep breath, as if to calm himself down. He continued walking, leaving Reader unsure if he should even continue to follow. Taking a breath as well, he proceeded to follow. "I can understand your desire to hide your thoughts. No one wants to have their darker moments exposed to anyone, but besides that one incident, I have never picked up on anything." Ark quickly turned and grabbed Reader by the collar, pinning him up against the wall. There was little struggle from the victim as Ark scowled intently at Reader. "You didn't tell anyone?!" Ark said loudly, those around the two backing away quickly. "Of course. I would never betray the trust of an ally," Reader spoke calmly, despite his current situation. Ark set him down after a few moments, cautiously straightening his outfit back into place. "Sorry," Ark spoke, a hint of sadness in his tone. "Can we talk about something else?" "Of course," The two continued their walk, avoiding the gaze of passerby's who witnessed the sudden outburst. "I have taken notice of your current friendship with the elements. How does that go?" "Fine," Ark said with another one word response. Reader sighed, completely at a loss. Never in his entire life had been completely incapable of reading someone. He gave up the small talk, spending the rest of the time with Ark in complete silence. ---------- ---------- ---------- "Now Catacomb, remember what I said?" Shining spoke, the two walking towards the preparation room. "Yeah yeah. Remain vigilant, act professional, and protect the princess from any and all danger. Seriously, Shining, I am a master of my craft first and foremost. Professionalism is my middle name!" Catacomb said proudly. He made sure to double check his sides, not being used to wearing actual human cloths. "How do you people wear these things all the time. The fabric is itchy as hell." "Be happy Rarity took the time at all to make you something, with how you have been acting lately," Shining snapped, Catacomb frowning but nodding in agreement. "Listen, I am sorry. Things have been intense for all of us. I swear I am surrounded on all sides by royalty myself. Even so, I try my hardest to be what I can be. You can do it to." "What gives you that idea?" Catacomb sighed slightly. "Well, you managed to convince me, so that's a hell of a start," Shining smiled. The comment was enough to give rise to a chuckle from Catacomb, who shook his head. "So should I start calling you bro?" "I'll stab you," Shining said quickly. "Love ya too, bro," Catacomb shrugged and slowed his pace, gleefully smiling with his hands behind his head. Shining ignored the voice in his head telling him to commit murder and walked further ahead to avoid Catacomb. The door in sight, Catacombs nerves suddenly flared up. He gulped, not knowing what to expect. He stayed back as Shining approached and knocked. "Twily, it's almost time. Are you ready?" Shining spoke up so she could hear. "It's about time!" Twilight yelled from behind the door. "Everyone else went ahead, what took you so-" She opened the door and looked out, going completely silent. No one could measure the time that passed by while Catacomb and Twilight stared at each other. "Wow..." Catacomb finally began to speak, not entirely sure what else to say. "Cata, I'm so sorry I made you mad!" Twilight said quickly. "I know you're mad at me for-wait what?" Catacomb was about to apologize when he finally pieced together what she said. "I am really sorry. I understand you might still be upset I missed our date," Twilight looked down. You didn't have to be Reader to tell she really felt that way. Catacomb walked over to her, and hugged her gently. "You are the silliest woman I have ever met, you know that?" Catacomb said smiling, brushing a rogue strand of hair away from her face. "Did you really think I would get mad because you ascended into royalty?" "I missed our date," Twilight said again quietly, staring up at Catacomb. "It's fine, angel," Catacomb said with a wink, gently brushing the new wings on Twilight's back. With a quick squeak, she jumped back slightly, the wings in question stretching themselves outward. "Careful! They are kinda sensitive. Randomly getting new body parts is definitely a strange feeling," Twilight said with a light smile. "Preaching to the choir, Twi," Catacomb said with an amused chuckle. She took a few seconds before realizing what he meant, laughing awkwardly in response. "Anyways, I am the one who should be sorry. I should have come to see you sooner. Kinda had to think about a few things. It took a few good friends to help me realize that thinking about things is stupid, so here I am!" "I don't follow. Thinking your actions through is the basis for a successful day." "Yeah, kinda figured you would say that," Catacomb smiled, shrugging his shoulders. "Well, here I am, and here you are, the sexiest princess in the entire world." "That is so sweet of you...what's your angle?" Twilight said with a smirk. "What? Me? Have ulterior motives?! I am both shocked and appalled by your misguided beliefs about okay that's enough of that," Catacomb quickly changed tone at the end, laughing slightly. "In all seriousness, though, you look stunning." "And you're actually wearing real clothes." "How the heck did you know?!" Catacomb said, slightly shocked. "Rarity is one of my best friends," Twilight said with a grin. "Oh yeah..." Catacomb quickly moved forwards and wrapped his arms around Twilight, hugging her once again. "I missed you so much, Twi. I really did." "It's only been a few days," Embarrassed, Twilight tried to keep her voice straight while he held onto her. "You have no idea, Twi, but I am just happy to be here in the now with you..." "Cata..." "Twi..." They started to lean towards one another, their faces inches apart when they were quickly interrupted by someone else clearing their throat. "Cata, Twi, as much as I enjoy watching my coworker make out with my sister, we are kinda holding up the entirety of Canterlot, so if you don't mind..." Twilight and Catacomb hastily separated, both heavily blushing and remaining quiet as they finally made the long walk towards the throne room.