It was yet everypony’s most exciting moment of the year again. The Grand Galloping Gala is just around the corner in a few months. As usual, Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends were invited, and not to mention Melody Aurora and her friends. Of course, everyone agreed that this year’s Gala will be exciting.
It was one afternoon, when a crowd of ponies surrounded Melody.
“So Melody,” said a stallion. “How do you think you’re prepared for the Grand Galloping Gala?”
“Uh, I can say, fine,” she smiled nervously. “At first Princess Celestia has given me only one ticket, but I did consider about my friends, so I told her and then she sent me back some more tickets.”
“Ooh! How many did she give you?”
“Alright, that’s it, everypony,” interrupted Chaos Control as he appeared from the crowd like a genie, then put his wings around Melody’s midsection. “My marefriend needs some peace.”
“Aww, Chaos!” a crowd of mares, which Chaos was escaping cried when they realized that Chaos was already dating. Needless to say, his handsome face and mane and his glittering blue eyes have attracted any mare passing by who wanted to ask him out for a date. However they wouldn’t realize what would happen if he unleashed his hidden powers.
“Hey, Chaos,” cried another stallion. “Since when did you start dating the princess?”
“That’s a long story,” explained the draconequus-pony. “Now if you excuse me, we need to find our friends. We’ve got something very important to talk to.”
“Oh, is it?”
“Then enjoy the talk and gossip! Don’t hurt the princess too much!”
“He’s a nice gentlecolt!” chuckled Melody as they left to find their friends at Sweet Apple Acres. “He won’t hurt me!”
The lovers went to the usual big barn in Sweet Apple Acres, where Melody and her friends would use to gather here and spend their time talking about their daily lives.
“So Melody,” began Peanut Butter. “Where are the tickets?”
“At home,” replied Melody. “I can take all of them to you tomorrow.”
“Why not now?” asked Fiji.
“You see, Uncle Shiny and Aunt Cadance with Paladin Knight and Mistral Violet are coming to Ponyville tomorrow,” explained Melody. “When they come I can present you the tickets altogether!”
“Marvelous!” beamed Platinum Royale. “I spent a whole fortnight with my mom in designing the dresses for everypony.”
“Wow! Really?” exclaimed Pepper Flake.
“I can show them to you all tomorrow, because as Melody says, it’ll be more exciting when her cousins are here!”
“That’s cool!” said Beryl.
“Oh, and don’t mind me styling your hair properly!” pipped in Prudence Aura.
“You sure, lil’ Prudence?” asked Chaos.
“Hey, Prudence,” asked Melody when she noticed her smile. “Since when did you wear braces? I only noticed it now and it looks so… gorgeous…”
“Oh, you mean my braces?” replied Prudence innocently. “A week or two ago, I guess.”
“She was complaining and crying when Momma gave her an original set at first,” explained Platinum. “Then we had to choose her the braces she wanted and bingo!”
“I see about that,” concluded Raisin Brandy. “You’re kinda petty, eh?”
“Aww man, come on, Big Brother Ray!”
“Oh, and I can color your hairs and tails if you like!” added Malinae, Fiji and Raisin Brandy’s youngest sister who brought them back to their topic. The sweet unicorn filly of the Apple Family would love to color everything in sight.
“Ugh, I hate to say it, but I think you should fine some better paint specially designed for mane and tail,” said Raisin. “Mayor’s worried about your painting act!”
“Oh, really?” pouted Malinae.
“I seem to forget somepony, Melody,” said Greenie Hats. “How about your brother?”
“Orion? Don’t worry, rest assured,” said Melody. “He sent a letter to me as well, saying that he’s got his own invitation, too. Princess Celestia will give him a day off for him so that he can prepare!”
“That’s a nice thing,” agreed Honey Drops. “I wish I can be a guard, too…”
“But you’ll have to wait for vacancies!” said Peanut. “I don’t have any family members who are royal guards, but I always know that…”
“Seriously, do you?”
“I’d love to be a princess,” envied Malinae. “Then I can be cool like you, Melody!”
“Then you can learn from me,” replied Melody. “To become a princess like Mom did isn’t really an easy feat, you know.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” sighed Malinae. “I know this takes effort…”
“But you can get to enjoy the perks later on!” finished Pepper.
“I need to excuse myself first,” said Melody. “I need to help Mom and Spike to do the final preparations for Uncle Shiny and Aunt Cadance. They’re staying over with me, you know.”
“Cool…” gasped Thunder Clash.
“Tell them that I can bring them my cakies!” exclaimed Pizza Frenzy. “I’m sure they’ll love it!”
“Of course I will. See you all tomorrow!”
“Enjoy your night, Melody,” bade Chaos.
That night, Twilight, Melody and Spike were placing their final touches to their extra room.
“Whew!” sighed Twilight with relief. “That looks neat now, isn’t it?”
“Indeed!” agreed Melody. “I can’t wait to see them tomorrow!”
“Excited, huh?” asked Twilight. “Don’t forget to play host with your friends tomorrow! How are your friends today?”
“Fine,” answered Melody. “Platinum and her mom have been designing our Gala dresses for two weeks already, and I can’t wait to wear it!”
“You’ll surely look beautiful in that,” joked Spike, and they all laughed.
The next morning, Twilight, Melody and Spike were at the train station waiting for Shining Armor and his family to arrive. At 9 a.m., the train from the Crystal Empire arrived and the royal family stepped down from the train. Shining Armor and Princess Cadance alighted first, followed by their son Paladin Knight, and their daughter Mistral Violet. Paladin was like his father, but he had a light orange mane and tail and he bore a guard’s helmet as his cutie mark. Mistral had a light cobalt body with a pink mane and tail, and she had a shimmering heart as her cutie mark.
“Twily!” called Shining Armor. “You must be waiting long, huh?”
“Glad that you took your time to wait for us, Melody,” said Princess Cadance.
“Heh-heh, my pleasure,” blushed Melody.
“I hope that you’re doing well,” said Paladin. “It’s nice to come with you and your mother to the Grand Galloping Gala, not to mention the week-long stay with you.”
“Sure is, isn’t it?” asked Mistral, before she and Melody did Cadance’s special hoof-shake.
“Ugh,” moaned Spike with disgust. “How many times have I seen this already? Princess Cadance and Twilight is enough for me…”
“Seriously, do you, Spike?” asked Mistral, and she and Melody laughed.
“Alright, kids,” announced Shining Armor. “First, we need to get all things settled at your aunt’s castle. When you’re done, Melody, take them to see your friends.”
“Roger that, Uncle Shiny!”
When they have finally settled everything at the Friendship Rainbow Kingdom Castle, Melody led her cousins to Carousel Boutique, where her friends are waiting.
“So,” asked Paladin along the way. “I heard that one of your friends had done your dresses, huh?”
“With a little help from her mother,” replied Melody. “And her sister wanted to fashion our hairs and tails.”
“Oh, for a young filly, is she good?” asked Mistral.
“She’s quite okay,” continued Melody. “She just needs some amateur training. I hope she can be a great hairdresser.”
“Let’s hope she does!” chuckled Paladin.
When they reached the boutique, her friends were already there waiting for them. Upon seeing the siblings, everypony bowed.
“It’s a great pleasure to have you and your sister here, Prince Paladin,” greeted Platinum.
“No need to mention it,” smiled Paladin.
“Have you got our tickets?” asked Pizza excitedly.
“Here they are!” answered Melody as she produced a pouch of the Gala tickets, and she gave one to each of them.
“Cool…” gasped Greenie. “You are a true friend. I didn’t think you would have these much for the sake of us!”
“Coz we are meant to share and care!” said Pepper.
“Oh, so you guys are here already,” Rarity appeared from the door. “Now then, why don’t I show you all the hard work of Platinum and mine?”
“Alllright!” shrilled Peanut.
When they entered, they were all stunned. The boutique was filled with their most elegant dresses, gowns, suits and tuxedos they have ever seen.
“Wow…” cried Beryl.
“G… gorgeous…” gasped Pepper.
“I… I just don’t know where to look first…” gulped Chaos.
“So this is my dress?” asked Melody when she came upon a sparkling light indigo dress. “It’s so pretty…”
“Yes, it’s yours,” replied Platinum. Then she showed her ultramarine overalls. “This is for your brother, and I’m going to send it to Canterlot as a package tonight!”
“*gasp* Why thank you!”
“Cool! This dress is aerodynamic enough!” cried Greenie upon seeing her dress.
“I knew you would like to soar around like your parents,” said Rarity. “Your mom used to say that her dress should be ‘20% cooler’!”
“Really!? I didn’t know that,” said Thunder.
“Now that’s what I call country style!” beamed Fiji upon seeing her and her siblings’ dresses.
“Wow, you really do have talent in fashion like your mother,” complimented Mistral to Platinum.
“I’m still under training, actually,” said Platinum. “I just hope that I can be a cool fashion designer like her! And my sister, too! She can be a good hairdresser.”
“Yeah, I promise I won’t spoil your mane!” said Prudence.
“Just a little bit of practice for you two and you can make up for a great celebrity one day!” finished Paladin.
“Yay!”
“Alright, everypony,” announced Melody. “I think we’re all satisfied with our dresses. Shall we go for tea?”
“Wow! I’d love to!” complied Honey.
“Then let’s go over to Sugarcube Corner and paaartyyy!” exclaimed Pepper.