After returning to Canterlot, Dark had found himself trapped in a whirlwind of paperwork and meetings as the alliance between ponies and changelings was finalized. He had had hardly any time to talk to Luna and since Celestia had insisted on receiving detailed reports from himself, Starnight, Fluttershy and General, things had been a horrific mess of politics over the past few days. He was relieved when Chrysalis later approached him and informed him that she was enjoying her stay in Canterlot…and that her feelings for him had faded completely. She had realized that love would come at the right time and for now, she could enjoy the experience of friendship…something which was steadily blossoming between herself and Celestia as they resolved their differences.
Currently, he was at Princess Luna’s side in the final meeting before the party which Pinkie Pie had insisted on hosting in Canterlot.
“And…signed!” Chrysalis proclaimed joyfully. There was cheering all around; the alliance was official. Celestia, smiling graciously, levitated a set of tall glasses towards herself, Chrysalis, Luna, Dark, Fluttershy, Starnight and General before opening a bottle of champagne…Dark noticed that her glass was significantly larger than the others. Celestia's a drinker?
“I think this calls for a toast,” Luna announced. Silence fell upon the table as she stood up, enclosing her glass in a swirl of magic. “It’s been a road full of trials and tribulations…and we’ve all been through so much. I am grateful to everyone sitting at this table. For the experiences you’ve given me…and for the experiences I hope we can share.” Dark smirked as the General wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.
“To new friendships!” Chrysalis yelled, shattering the moment.
“TO NEW FRIENDSHIPS!” There was much clinking of glasses. Celestia giggled, then downed her drink in a single slurp to an “Oh my…” from Fluttershy. Starnight grinned, then ruffled Dark’s hair affectionately with one hoof and did the same.
Chrysalis elegantly sipped at her drink, then smiled.“I have a proposition to make,” she said.
“Does it involve paperwork? Please tell me it doesn’t involve paperwork,” Starnight groaned.
Chrysalis shook her head.“No…however, it does require the permission of the Princesses.”
“What is it?” Luna asked gently. Chrysalis hesitated, and Luna bit her lip knowing what she was going to ask.
“Fang…” she murmured quietly. The light atmosphere grew dark. Fluttershy swallowed.
“You’ve decided what you want to do with him, haven’t you?” Celestia asked softly.
Chrysalis nodded.“If it’s alright with you…I’d like him to do community work in Ponyville to make up for his crimes…After feeling so welcomed here…I think living in a friendly, open environment has the potential to reform him.” For a moment, there was silence. Then Celestia and Luna glanced at each other and nodded.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” Celestia said, beaming.
“I agree with my sister.” Luna wrapped a foreleg around Chrysalis’s neck in a hug. “It’s settled then.”
Starnight’s head shot up.“Wait…so he’s gonna be here! Well, not here, but in Ponyville? Even after everything he’s done?”
“Starnight…” Cadence said with a warning tone.
Starnight shook his head rapidly, “Look…it’s fine, I can deal with it…I’m just surprised. That’s all.”
Dark bit his lip.“I think he was just lonely,” he said. He glanced at Princess Luna, who blushed. “I don’t ever want to feel that way again.”
Everyone nodded and Fluttershy smiled slightly.“If it’s okay…could I go and get changed for the party? I promised Rarity that she could make my dress.”
Celestia nodded and grinned.“Of course! In fact, I think we should all do that.” She leaned back luxuriously in her chair, then threw her head back and howled.“Tonight’s the night we PAR-TAY!” Dark winced. She should’ve gone easier on the drinks.
A few hours later, Dark found himself standing nervously next to Starnight in the Canterlot Royal Ballroom. They were both dressed in tuxedos…though Starnight’s was torn and tattered and looked as though it hadn’t been worn in years. The room was gradually filling up, but there was no sign of Dark’s Princess.
“Do you think she’s coming?” he asked anxiously. “She is coming, right?” Starnight rolled his eyes.
“Calm yourself, Loverboy,” he grinned. “She’s coming.” Dark nodded uncertainly, then smiled as Fluttershy floated into the room.
“You look really nice,” he noted. Fluttershy beamed shyly in return.
“Rarity really outdid herself,” she said. Dark nodded appreciatively, then turned as Luna, Celestia and Chrysalis walked into the room. He hardly noticed Fang by Chrysalis’s side as he stared at Luna.
“Holy…” he whispered.
The Night Princess was clothed in soft, black satin. A dark crown adorned her mane, which hung in a loose side-pony at her head, partially concealing one of her eyes. Dark walked up to her as though in a daze. Starnight and Fluttershy followed.
“I…You…” he stammered. Celestia rolled her eyes.
“My, but you certainly chose a smart one,” she snorted.
Luna blushed furiously.“Sister!” Dark, however, smiled.
“Well, I certainly choose a beautiful one,” he said softly. Luna squeaked and Fluttershy giggled.
“Dark…I…” She swallowed nervously. “I…” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Oh, to hay with it all!” she said suddenly. She leaned forward and kissed Dark.
If Dark hadn’t felt as though his brain had melted into a puddle of cider, he might have noticed as the crowd erupted into cheers. Celestia breathed a sigh of relief as Fang stared mournfully at the scene, then dragged himself dejectedly to the other end of the ballroom. Ponies gave him a wide berth. Dark broke away from Luna and laughed dazedly, then hugged her tightly.
“I…I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you more,” Luna replied lovingly.
“These soppy lines are going to be the death of me,” someone growled.
Dark turned in surprise to see General, also dressed in a tuxedo.
“Good to see you,” he said. “I didn’t think you’d show.”
The General snorted.“Yeah, well…I did. I’m starting to regret it.” Dark laughed, then frowned as he realized Starnight had gone to get a drink.
“I’ll be back in a minute. I promise,” he told Luna.
She smiled reassuringly,“I don’t doubt that.”
Dark trotted up to Starnight, who was holding a pair of punch glasses. He handed one to Dark and winked. "Cheers, bro.”
Dark grinned.“Cheers.”
“So…” Dark said. He glanced at Fang. “It’s gonna be weird having a changeling in Ponyville, huh?” Starnight nodded slowly.
“Uh-huh.” He winced. “I kinda feel bad for him, y’know?” Dark nodded.
“I know what you mean. I think in the end…I think he just wanted to feel like someone acknowledged his existence.” Starnight shrugged, he then said something that surprised him “Well, at least he’s cute. He shouldn’t have any trouble in Ponyville.” Then his eyes widened in shock as he realised what he’d said. Dark turned slowly to face him.
“Starnight…” he said slowly.
Starnight turned red.“I said that out loud, didn’t I?”
“You did.” Dark said quietly kind of taken a back by this sudden revaluation
“Uhm…right.” Starnight nodded
"You're gay?" Dark asked quietly "Why did you never even attempt to...."
Starnight interupted "Because you're clearly straight, and honestly even if you were, you're like my brother not my lover" He looked at Fang longely, which Dark noticed.
“Starnight…” Dark grinned. “Are you telling me you have a crush o”-
“Not one word,” Starnight snapped.
Dark stared at him.“How long?”
Starnight sighed reproachfully.“Since I first saw him.”
“You don’t seem like the kinda guy who believes in love at first sight,” Dark noted, surprised.
“That’s the problem! I don’t!” Starnight howled, finally snapping. “Holy Celestia, what am I supposed to do, Dark! He’s a freaking changeling who tried to kill Queen Chrysalis! After everything he’s done, why do I”-
“I think if we’ve learned anything from this, it’s that we can’t control who we love,” Dark said quietly.
Starnight snorted.“No, it’s that when we think we’re in love, we usually aren’t. I mean, how can this possibly be real?”
“Because you never became obsessed with him. You never showed it, even once. You just love him. Plain and simple.” Starnight grinned gratefully at Dark's words, then flinched.“So…you’re okay with…y’know…” Dark raised an eyebrow.
“Dude…I’m not going anywhere.” He jerked his head towards Fang. “I think you should tell him how you feel.”
Starnight coughed in surprise.“Are you INSANE!” He lowered his voice as ponies started staring.
Dark shook his head.“He needs someone to show him what true love is. More than anything…I just think he needs a friend.” Starnight hesitated.
He, however sighed and said, “Okay…look. I’ll befriend him and I’ll help him out. He’s in a bad place right now. But there’s no way I’m going to…” He jumped and yelped as someone cleared their throat. Celestia was standing behind them with a particularly evil grin on her face.
“Fang. Come over here, will you?” she called sweetly.
“Oh hay,” Starnight groaned. Fang padded dejectedly up to them.
“Can I help anyone?” he asked dully. Celestia smiled.
“No, I’m simply introducing you to your guard.”
Fang frowned.“My…my guard?” he asked uncertainly. Dark swore that Starnight was going to have a seizure.
“Your guard,” Celestia confirmed. “He’ll be overseeing your community service. Making sure you don’t get out of hand…that sort of thing.” She turned to Starnight who looked as though he wanted to sink into the ground.
“Make sure he doesn’t kill anyone. Stay by his side at all times.” She winked. “Including tonight.”
“B-but…” Starnight stammered.
Celestia walked past him, unperturbed, and Dark caught the words she whispered in his ear:
“You’ll thank me later.”
Starnight, still dumbstruck, turned to Fang.“Er…hi,” he said awkwardly. He didn’t know how to handle the situation.
“Look,” Fang started. “I know that after everything I did, I…”
“We’re cool,” Starnight said quickly. “I mean…you shouldn’t have done what you did. It was flat-out wrong,” Dark stared at him and shook his head wildly as Fang lowered his gaze to the floor. “But,” Starnight he quickly. “If you ever need someone to…um…er…” he blushed and Dark tilted his head meaningfully towards Fang. “I’d like to be your friend,” he blurted. Fang looked up and stared at him, taken aback.
“This is a joke, right?” he asked suspiciously. Starnight shook his head.
“Nope.” Dark grinned.
“I’ll leave you two alone,” he said slyly.
“Why?” Fang asked, puzzled.
“Yeah, why, Dark?” Starnight countered. He shot Dark a glare: “I’ll kill you later.” He simply smirked and padded back to Luna.
“Told you I’d be back,” he said. Luna smiled.
“I know.” She nodded towards Chrysalis. “Look,” she said. The Changeling Queen was talking to a number of ponies. They all seemed very engaged in their conversation…it looked like she was going to be just fine. Dark couldn’t help but smirk when he noticed the General dancing with Mayor Mare…so that’s why he’d come.
He kissed Luna absently on the cheek and she blushed.
“It’s being a long run,” he sighed, smiling as Luna laid her head on his shoulder.
“Yeah.” He smiled.
And then, Dark looked out across the ballroom at all the friends he’d made…remembering how far he’d come. And though he knew his adventures would never end, that friendship would never stop being magic…he realized that he had never been so happy. Right here. Right now, at this very moment. Because right now…
Everything was perfect, with the moon shining above.