It was the night of the “Winter Nuova” in the Canterlot palace. It was a charity ball that would help the city get back on it's feet. Luna held it every year since the demise of Celestia. In many ways it was like the Grand Galloping Gala, but ponies didn't mind. For them it was a good excuse to get dressed up and go out. The hall of the palace was decorated with shining snow flakes and the ceiling had a spell so it looked like the night sky in all of it's glory. None of the light pollution that Canterlot put out nowadays with the new industry moving in.

Twilight Sparkle stood in a corner, checking her “Smart Papyrus.” It was a magical invention that had information sent instantaneously from one piece of paper to another. She had hers connected to the police station so she could be up to date on everything that was going on. She was only at the party because Princess Luna requested it.

“Speaking of...” Twilight said as she saw Princess Luna approaching.

“Twilight Sparkle, it's so wonderful to see you!” Luna had the look of an extremely tired mare. Twilight gave a bow.

“It's wonderful to see you too Princess.” Twilight said with a smile. “You've done another great job with the party.”

“Thank you Twilight. I was thinking about canceling it but it seems ponies are in better spirits now a days.” Luna always worried about the well being of her subjects, always watching. It was sad to Twilight to see Luna trying to be like Celestia in many ways. Maybe that was where she was failing as a leader. She isn't trying to do things her way, it was what Celestia would do. Celestia was a keeper of the peace, but peace was gone and they needed a tough leader. “Twilight- Are you listening?” Twilight snapped back to reality.

“Sorry Princess, lost in thought.” Luna smiled.

“Take a break Twilight, dance a bit.” Twilight grimaced, thinking about her attempts to dance in the past.

“Maybe not Princess, I enjoy it but I think that'll make my dancing even worse.” Luna laughed a little bit.

“Perhaps you need the right partner, there are many bachelors here tonight that would love to dance with you.” Twilight looked around the room at the bachelors. She recognized them all- she read their files and they were all crooks. One unicorn she saw was so corrupt that she swore he left a slimey trail wherever he walked. She was about to say something to Luna until she saw a Pony that caught her eye. A gray unicorn with a black mane and black star like cutie mark. She turned to Luna.

“Who's that Princess?” Luna turned to who Twilight was talking about.

“Oh! That's Dark Star, head of Star Enterprises. You've got a good eye Twilight, he's the most eligible bachelor in Canterlot.” Twilight eyed him up, he was well built, especially for a Unicorn. Dark Star turned to see Twilight looking at him. Twilight looked away and blushed. He smiled and casually walked over to Twilight and Princess Luna. He bowed to Princess Luna.

“Pardon me Princess, but may I borrow this young mare to dance?” Luna smiled.

“Of course you may, this is-” Dark Star walked past Princess Luna and took Twilight's hoof and kissed it.

“Twilight Sparkle, the bearer of Magic. It is an honor.” Twilight gasped and laughed a little.

“The honor is all mine Mr. Star.” Dark Star led Twilight onto the dance floor. Twilight wasn't sure what to do, but like a gentlecolt, Dark Star took over and led Twilight in a dance.

“So what brings a busy mare such as yourself to this little party?” Dark Star asked.

“Princess Luna invited me, though between you and me, I've got a lot of work to do.” Dark Star smiled and spun Twilight around.

“Word of your exploits have gotten everypony's attention- you're almost making the headlines as much as Batmane.” Batmane- Twilight wasn't sure what to think of Batmane. A hero? Maybe. A vigil ante? Yes. And she had orders to bring him down at any cost. “Deep thinking eh?” Twilight was brought back to reality when Dark Star leaned Twilight so close to the ground her hair almost touched it, and she was face to face with Dark Star. She blushed heavily.

“I try my best Mr. Star.” Dark placed a hoof to her lips.

“Please, call me Dark.” The two smiled at each other. Just then, a loud explosion rocked the building, causing the two doors that led into the hall to fall down. All the ponies in the room screamed. Through the dust came a pony with a black coat and black mane with red eyes, along with a cadre of thugs.

“Alright settle down ponies.” He stomped on the ground and had his thugs fire their guns in the air. “My name is Obsidian- and you're going to have to put everything you've got into these bags.” Twilight frowned and said,

“Dark Star, get yourself to safety right-” She turned to find that Dark Star was gone. “Guess you're kind of cowardly then.” She pulled out her side arm with her magic and aimed it at Obsidian. “Don't move!” Obsidian cackled.

“You're all alone here Police Mare- all your other cop friends are too far away and we already took care of your royal guard.” Twilight didn't even flinch, she kept her aim as steady as she could. “Haha, you're gutsy Police Mare- I wonder what they look like.” His thugs cackled as they all moved towards Twilight. Okay now I'm worried she thought. She was completely surrounded. Earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns cackling at her. She grimaced a bit.

But, a loud crash interrupted Obsidian and his thugs. Every pony in the room looked up to see something crash through the window ceiling. It was a pony, the Batmane. Twilight's eyes widened. This was the first time she had seen him in person.

“Well look who it is- the Batmane- been meaning to kill ya to make everypony's lives easier.” Batmane looked around at all the thugs. Six thugs with machine guns . . . cake walk Batmane thought.

“You should put down the guns- NOW.” Batmane said in a deep voice. The thugs laughed.

“Okay boys, show him how we take orders.” The guns cocked. Batmane's horn shined. The lights went out. “What the-?” Flashes of guns going off lit up the dark room. Batmane was taking the thugs out one by one. Eventually Obsidian was the only one left. “Buck it.” He made his way to the door- only to be stopped by a figure. Obsidian tried to punch, only to be stopped and thrown on the ground, knocked out. The lights came back on, but Batmane was gone. Twilight looked up at the way Batmane came in and saw the trails of his cape.

Maybe I found the ally I've been looking for the help Canterlot. She thought to herself. Luna could only look at the destruction and sigh. She wanted this party to go well. Now the only news that ponies would report on would be how the party was attacked and how Batmane came to save the day.

“Well, fillies and gentlecolts-” a voice came from the door. It was Dark Star. “Since the venue has been wrecked, I was thinking we move the party to my Penthouse. Donations will be taken there, and I hope Princess Luna will be joining us.” Dark Star smiled at Luna who could only smile back.

“Certainly Mr. Star, let us go now.” All the ponies moved out of the hall and went towards Dark Star's penthouse. Twilight remained and started to get the thugs cuffed. Police ponies flooded the room and started working. Dark Star tapped her on the shoulder. “Aren't you joining us Ms. Sparkle?” Twilight continued working. “This is a crime scene now Mr. Star, I've got to do my job. You enjoy the party.” Dark Star made his way out the door.

“I've got some work to do as well.” He said.