Before The Gala

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It had been a week since Fluttershy's week in the Royal Gardens, she was now waiting at the train station for the arrival of her friends and their guests for the Grand Gala which was tonight. Angel Bunny was at her feet and seemed to happy. He actually was looking forward to seeing Spike, mostly to give the dragon a hug; mainly because he realized how much of jerk he has been to the dragon. “You seem to anxious Angel. You must really miss Spike.” Fluttershy gave a soft laugh but she too missed her friends and could use their support in trying to interact with the people at the gala.

The train’s whistle was heard and the train started to arrive and began its declaration. As it stopped the doors opened as the CMC jumped out “FLUTTERSHY!” the three cheered as they dove at the druid. Fluttershy gave a scream as three collided with her. “We missed you!” The three said as they smiled as halos appeared over their heads.

“Now girls, enough of that, no need to make Fluttershy regret meeting us here.” Rarity said as she exited the train with a portable clothing rack.

Following her were Twilight, Spike and Rainbow Dash. At another car Applejack and Big Mac exited the train with the food stand and everything else to cater the gala. “Hey, where's Pinkie?” Rainbow Dash asked only to be tackled by the jester.

“I missed you, Dashie,” Pinkie said as held Rainbow as tight as she could.

“You’ll break her if you keep squeezing her like that,” came a monotone female voice. Everyone turned to see two young women who both were slightly older than Pinkie Pie. Both of them had flat hair, even more so when contrasted with Pinkie's, one had purple hair went down to her neck, she wore a simple gray dress with pockets that went to her knees, with a brooch that looked like a traditional diamond that was gray in color, a black belt, black arm-gloves, with boots meant for hiking along rough mountain paths and wool socks that went above them. She also appeared to show no emotions, and just looked at everyone blankly. The other young woman was clearly not a happy person, her light gray-white hair was styled to look more akin to a hard rock and roll style bard. She was dressed more akin to a man than the others and it was clear she was in a style from about two hundred years ago. She had a handkerchief in her pocket with a cut lime and two small rocks.

“Okay everyone, these are my super-duper-uper big sisters, Maud and Limestone. Limestone is oldest and is going to take over the farm after our parents pass on.” Pinkie said as she jumped to push the angry sister forward from the relatively monotone one.

“Why did I agree to this?” the aforementioned Limestone asked, she then turned to see Pinkie Pie with the biggest grin Pinkie ever gave on her face. Limestone rolled her eyes, “Yeah yeah.” she said rather dismissively but everyone could tell she loved Pinkie but also knew better than to call her a ‘softie’.

“And this here is Maud, she’s working on her rocktorate and travels of Mystica researching rocks,” Pinkie said as she called everyone’s attention to the young woman with the purple hair.

“Technically I am pursuing a doctorate in science focused on geomancy. I am a geomancer, like the rest of the family,” Maud said rather monotonically. “You must be, Rainbow Dash,” Maud said pointing to the elementalist. “Twilight Sparkle,” she said pointing to Twilight, “Fluttershy,” referring to the druid, “Rarity,” indicating the enchantress, “Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo,” turning her attention to the CMC, “Spike”, this time the dragon. “Applejack,” this time she was directing to the paladin.

“And the extra large meat cake is Big Mac. Maud, we know who Pinkie’s friends…” Limestone started but stopped and looked around. “MARBLE GET OUT OF THE TRAIN CAR!” Limestone shouted and slowly another young woman stepped out timidly. She was dressed in a long simple black dress, with a white long sleeve shirt. She had long hair that while most went back, some of it was styled to bangs that covered the right side of her face. She had a pin with three smooth stones. Timidly she exited the car, in a manner that made Rainbow Dash make a mental comment about this girl and Fluttershy having a ‘shy-off’ competition and laughing internally at herself for what she thought was a clever joke.

“Come on Marble, these are my friends. Come on, it’s okay.” Pinkie Pie said calmly trying to coax the other woman out. “Limestone is just a little sour that you’re not part of the fun.” However, Maud just walked past Limestone and Pinkie and hugged Marble and lead her out taking her by the hand.

“Mhmm.” Marble said as she gave a subdued smile and joined the group.

“Welcome ta the family, Sugarcube,” Applejack said offering her hand. Seeing Marble’s confusion. “Pinkie, Rarity, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Spike, and Twilight are honorary members of the Apple family, yahr Pinkie’s sister, as are you two, Maud, Limestone. So yah’re part of the family. Speaking of family, w’ere is Shinin’ and Cadance?”

“They’re still on their honeymoon. I thought they’d be back by now.” Twilight commented as it seemed that she did not notice that a honeymoon would be a long time.

“Well, it is a month long thing.” Rarity pointed out, “Well I think we should all start heading to the castle for the final dawning and set up for everything. So shall we?” Rarity said as she began to enchant the dress rack and started towards the castle.

Everyone started to follow after shrugging their shoulders. In the rear was Big Mac pushing the stand for the catering, with him was Marble. “Mhmm.” the timid geomancer said to the towering cleric, as she started to blush

“Eeyup.” Big Mac replied as he blushed in turn.

A couple hours later in a wing of the castle which was designated for Celestia Spike waited outside for his, Big Mac and Angel Bunny’s chance to change into their clothes for the gala. Spike was clearly impatient, as is usually the case with the very young. He was about to knock, “We’re ready, Darling,” came Rarity’s voice as the doors to the room opened. Spike and Big Mac’s jaws dropped seeing the first six young women. First was Rainbow Dash, her hair was down, over her ears she wore a sort of crown that looked like a set of leaves, her gown was a rainbow, not unlike her hair, around her neck was a golden necklace with a pendant that looked like a cluster of grapes. Her shoes were golden in color and had ankle straps. Overall, she looked like she was part of Pre-Hearth's Warming Skyborn nobility. As she looked herself over after seeing Big Mac’s face, “I am totally twenty percent cooler!” the elementalist exclaimed.

Next was Applejack, the paladin wore a custom styled stetson on her head, her hair flowed down her back in a triple-braid. She wore green stylized riding gloves, with green stylized riding boots, her gown was green with a brown leather corset-vest that covered most of her chest, and like Rainbow Dash, her arms were for the most part exposed. “Yah out dawn yahrself, Sugarcube, because THIS is a dress for a workin’-gal,” Applejack said as she angled her stylized stetson for the gala, showing the apples embroidered on it.

Pinkie Pie then skipped ahead of the group, Pinkie Pie was bouncing up and down, “THIS IS THE MOST FUN DRESS EVER!” the jester exclaimed. She had a small hat that had a light blue trim with a small pink bow on it. On her hands were small pink gloves, her gown, itself, was set up with two shades of pink, white and blue, around her waist the dress was striped blue and white like a candy cane. In the white area of the skirt of the dress, there were candy corns and lollipops embroidered on it.

Rarity was dressed in a long light purple regal gown with small gems studded into it with golden trims in various folds in the lower part of the gown, she also had a more stylized version of her usual tiara, she still had her purple shawl. Before she could respond, to Pinkie Pie, Applejack or Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy spoke up. The druid’s gown was green along the side from her waist down, but the main gown was a light yellow, the gown was embroiled vines and small leaves, her dress also had a stylized blue butterfly on her chest and one as a hairpin. “Rarity, the details, how everything matches, the yellow and green and the blue butterfly. Thank you so much!” Fluttershy exclaimed as she joined Pinkie Pie in the embrace.

Rarity was able to break the embrace, “You are so very much welcome, darlings. So, Twilight, what about you?” the enchantress asked as she called attention to Twilight.

The arcane mage’s gown went down to her ankle, it was blue with some purple in the gown not unlike Fluttershy’s gown, she also had light blue gloves more dress like then what Applejack. The top of her dress went around up and around her shoulders making a frill like back, in the front of her dress, there was a star located in a similar place as the blue butterfly on Fluttershy’s. Her hair was done up in a bun with a star as a hairpin.“I couldn’t imagine a more lovely dress. You are… Thank you!” Twilight exclaimed in gratitude as she started a group hug around Rarity.

Applejack was the first to separate, “Okay everyone let's get down to business, and remember it's a just a dance, not a life...changing...event…,” Applejack started but then trailed as their sisters came out. Apple Bloom and the rest of the CMC, looking absolutely adorable in the minds of their sister figures. Apple Bloom was in a dress that was the same style as Applejack’s with a color palette being an inversion to that of the paladin’s with an apple embroidered and stylized, almost ceremonial looking, forge apron that seemed to be devoid of its tools instead of a matching hat, “Mah little sister’s all grown up!” the paladin exclaimed as tears started to form in the corners of her eyes. She took a breath and wiped her eyes as Apple Bloom smiled at her older sister.

Sweetie Belle’s dress was done in the same style as Rarity’s with the color being a charming light charcoal to compliment her hair and the snowy white trim, instead of Rarity’s. “Oh, Sweetie Belle… you are so…” Rarity, teared up not unlike Applejack but she was about to cry more openly.

Scootaloo was the next of the group, by contrast, her formal dress was nothing like that worn by Rainbow Dash, instead, her outfit was more akin to a ceremonial gi worn by Arcane Monks for formal occasions. Rainbow Dash smiled and gave Scootaloo a thumbs up.

The next batch was the Pie sisters, by comparison, looked like they were wearing business casual dresses, especially when they were in close proximity to the more ornate looking outfits. Limestone’s dress was the same color as her hair, as was Maud’s, while Marble’s was a marble pink color, and looked like someone had tried to imitate the marble pattern but had done it far too light and decided to not put any real effort into it. Naturally, Marble’s dress and those of her sisters that weren’t Pinkie, caused Rarity to twitch a bit, and internally bemoan herself for not having the materials or time to turn the outfits into proper formal attire.

Spike, Big Mac, and Angel then walked into the changing room. Spike was the first to step out in his a suit, he had a top hat, white gloves, a cane, his suit was very much like the one that he wore as the ring bearer for the rehearsal of Shining Armor’s and Cadance’s wedding, but while during the rehearsal he wore a red bow tie, this time his bow tie was black, “Well hello ladies.” Spike said as he tipped his hat and winked as he sidestepped as Angel hopped out. He was similar to Spike but he also had a gentleman’s cap with its collar up, wore no top hat nor cane, but he had a chain that went into a pocket in his waistcoat, something Spike lacked, most likely for a pocket watch. He hopped over to Fluttershy’s feet and was pet by the druid.

Finally, Big Mac stepped into view, his suit was very similar to Spike’s and Angel’s in style with a bow tie and waistcoat, granted he had no hat or cane, but the suit was similar to Applejack’s in color, he also had stylized riding boots, but was clearly made more for men than women, “One of my hardest products, mainly because of… well, Macintosh, you are… well, rather hefty.” Rarity said as she looked the towering cleric over as if she was somehow bedazzled, most of the other young women could not help but blush as they stared at Big Mac. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle’s checks also went red.

“Ah hem” Spike coughed getting everyone to look away from Big Mac so that they can move on and go to the gala they were all dressed for, “Alright what are the plans for tonight?” Spike asked.

“Big Mac, Apple Bloom and Ah will be manning our stand,” Applejack answered, however, she noticed a shared glance between her brother and Pinkie’s twin. “But we will be takin’ turns, so we each have plenty of time to enjoy ourselves,” Apple Bloom’s grin gave Pinkie’s normal smile a run for its money. Big Mac gave a small smile as he glanced Marble.

“When I got here last week, Princess Celestia told me that some of the most respected druids will be here, I am hoping to maybe get to meet them. I know they will pretty much be Earthborns, but, it’s worth a shot.” Fluttershy answered, “Maybe Angel will be able to make friends with their companions.” Fluttershy then smiled at her rabbit. Angel rolled his eyes but consented, mostly because the last druidic companion he had met had tried to eat him and thus chased him for the better part of an hour.

“Well, my three sisters and I will try to mingle and show these people how to party!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed. However, she then noticed a slight frown on Marble’s face. “But I won’t be using up all my sisters’ times.” This brought a small smile on Marble’s face.

“Wonderbolts here I come!” Rainbow Dash shouted, seeing a dejected look on Scootaloo’s face start to creep, “But not without you, Scoots. Maybe one or two had a hard time flying like you at your age.” Scootaloo’s demeanor started to change rapidly as she gave an open mouth smile.

Rarity looked to Sweetie Belle, “Sweetie, I am going to try to meet Prince Blueblood. This is most likely my only chance. I know it’s your birthday…” Rarity started as she kneeled to look Sweetie Belle in the eye.

Sweetie Belle smiled in response, as she hugged Rarity, “I am here at a royal gala, something no one in class can say, besides Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.” Sweetie Belle said and hugged her sister, also thinking about she would ‘casually’ drop the info into Diamond Tiara’s lap the next time she was bragged at. “Now get your prince charming,” she whispered into Rarity’s ear. The two then looked into each other’s eyes and smiled at each other and then rubbed their cheeks together affectionately.

Spike wanted to hiss at the name Blueblood, but re-framed himself, “Um Sweetie Belle, since Rarity is going to be busy…” Spike started and the was hugged tightly by Sweetie Belle.

“THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!” Sweetie Belle yelled in excited squeaks.

Twilight gave a soft chuckle at what she saw, then everyone turned to her to know what she planned. “Well I am going to spend time with Princess Celestia,” Twilight answered. “I want to actually discuss with her about my studies.” Everyone…even Big Mac, Maud, Limestone, and Marble, groaned in response, Angel couldn’t, given his vocal cords, so he rolled his eyes. “What? I am still her apprentice.” Everyone just rolled their eyes in response. Twilight gave a sigh of frustration. Twilight then changed her tactic, “Well everyone, let’s do this!” Twilight declared. “And have…”

And everyone cheered together, “THE BEST NIGHT EVER!” Everyone froze as they turned to see that Big Mac was part of the cheer. With Pinkie being more surprised that Maud, Limestone, Marble were also part of the cheer. Maud and Limestone both sounded happy and Marble actually spoke beyond a ‘Mhmm’. Pinkie squealed in delight, then pulled home video camera out of her hair to see if she could get another Marble first to show their parents.

As everyone started to head out, Twilight stopped and remembered that Pinkie received four guest tickets but only had three guests with her. Against what she considered her better judgment, “Um Pinkie Pie, you had four guest tickets, who’s your fourth guest?” she asked the jester.

“Well it was going to be my mother, but she wanted a night with my father without the children home.” Pinkie Pie answered with a wink. “But I already took care of it, don’t worry about it should be a nice surprise.” Pinkie giggled as she skipped ahead leaving Twilight in the rear utterly befuddled.

“Huh…” the arcane mage commented all alone.

After a short while, as she remained there, “Twilight come on, we’re going to be late.” Spike almost scolded as he ran back to get her.

“Sorry, Spike,” Twilight said and the two started towards the hall in the castle set up for the gala.

Applejack’s Night

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After making sure the stand was all prepped for the night, for the twentieth time if you asked anyone who wasn’t her or her family, Applejack got to work checking her inventory, again. Many could say what they wanted about the Paladin, most of which she just brushed off as idle gossip, but her prep work when it came to a job was definitely not something she would skimp on. “Come on, Applejack, it’s good to go.” Apple Bloom complained.

“Eeyup,” Big Mac concurred as he started to push the mobile stand. Applejack had to acknowledge that everything was good to go.

As they entered the gala hall entrance, “Announcing the arrival of Applejack Apple, Paladin of Sweet Apple Temple, and her guests Macintosh Apple, Cleric of Sweet Apple Temple and Magiville and Apple Bloom Apple,” a man dressed as a herald with a simple court trumpet and blew it. As they walked away, the three recovered from the blow, “Well, that ‘appened,” said Apple Bloom once they were out earshot of the announcer, “Ah jus’ wish tha’ trumpet weren’t so loud.”

“Maybe tha’ can be yer nex’ project, Bloom,” said Applejack in a half-serious tone. Apple Bloom then reached into one of the pockets of her apron and pulled out a notebook and fountain pen, much to the surprise of both her siblings, for about three seconds before they figured Twilight had something to do with her having those materials, and started scribbling down some notes.

As they walked, they saw Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, dressed in flowing gowns, Celestia’s was golden like the sun and Luna’s was argent like a full moon. “Hail Defender and Teacher of the Writings!” Luna exclaimed as she raised her right arm starting it from her heart and raising it to be at an angle.

Celestia lowered the arm, “We don’t greet with that salute anymore.” she informed her sister as she gave a bow to Applejack and Big Mac, “Welcome to the gala, your presence gives us great joy.”

Applejack and Big Mac both took a knee with Apple Bloom shortly following, “Yahr majesties, it's an honour ta be ‘ere.” Applejack replied.

“Eeyup,” Big Mac confirmed. Apple Bloom was respectfully silent as the diarchs rose and then the three Apples were on their way.

“I pray you enjoy the night.” Celestia said, “Just place your stand in the left corner of the hall, most of the servers are waiting for you. They’ll take the platters and such and will distribute most of the food around.” Celestia said just before she looked at the stand. While it did have mostly platters, there were two kegs, a deep pan with a ladle, several pies, mugs and several other apple-based foods. Her eyes opened in wide in slight shock, “Well I did make this order.” Applejack, Big Mac, and Apple Bloom went into the hall leaving Celestia and Luna to greet their guests.

As the three arrived at the spot Celestia told them a small army of men and women dressed as up-scaled restaurant servers with a little more of a flair. They started taking the platters, “Well butter mah biscuit.” Applejack commented as the castle staff got to work on distributing the food on the platters to the guests.

“Applejack Apple,” came a somewhat familiar voice, the three turned to see Baron Fancypants and the elegant and slender Fleur Dis Lee leaning on him. Some would think that Fleur couldn’t support herself, but Applejack knew better, Fleur was making it clear who had the claim to the Baron. “I dare say, I was surprised when Princess Celestia said she commissioned Sweet Apple Temple to cater, but I must admit with how you managed the wedding, I was looking forward to it over the last few weeks.”

Fleur walked over to the stand, “I’ll have a cider,” she ordered.

“Cold ‘r warm? We ‘ould also offer hot as well, bu’ et’s a bit ta warm fer that this time of year,” Applejack asked.

Fleur looked at the options, “A cold cider.” As Applejack served the beverage, she also caught Fleur’s victory smirk. It was clear Fleur still thought of the Apples as uninvited guests to the party, despite evidence to the contrary, and believed that the more “sophisticated” establishments were better suited to the task.

Applejack gave a little chuckle as she went to tap a keg, “Do ya want regular, hard, er special? Ah’m sorry ta say that we can’t serve tha Apple Family Special cider, most folks can’t quite ‘andle it. Last time et involved a rather big mercenary against mahself, Ah won out in case ya were wondering,” Fleur rolled her eyes, “tha time befer that involved some rather large grizzly bears vs Mac,” she gestured to her brother, “tha bears were aroun’ twice ‘is size, he drank ‘em under tha table.” Fleur rolled her eyes again, “we have transcripts from tha competitions that were overseen by a neutral party in case ya want ta verify any o’ et. Point is, ya need ta special order the special cider, and even then ya gotta prove ya got tha fortitude ta not get so drunk ya pass out. There’re very few folks out there tha’ can make that claim, o’ course Ah’m sure ya know at least one person who ‘an ‘andle somethin’ tha’ strong.”

“A regular, for both of us,” said Fancypants, “we have business to attend to tomorrow, and showing up to work with a hangover won’t do us any favors.”

“Not to mention start rumors we blew off the Gala after getting our tickets to go clubbing, that is some talk we don’t need,” said Fleur as Applejack finished pouring from the tap into a pair of apple marked wooden mugs.

“Sorry abou’ tha mugs, said Applejack as she handed the pair their drinks, “tha castle staff just left ta get some more suited ta this event.”

“Don’t be,” said Fancypants, earning a pointed stare from Fleur, “I like to experience a little rustic charm every now and then, although it has been ages since my last flirt with it.”

Fleur just took the mug with a measure of poorly veiled disgust, obviously used in a much more extravagant manner of dining. Soon as it touched her lips she could tell it was at the perfect level of chilling, and once in her mouth, the level of crispness rivaled that of the finest champagne she had ever had. “I thought you said this was the non-alcoholic stuff,” said Fleur after pulling the drink away from her face.

“It is,” said Applejack, “tha ‘ard ‘as a bit more nip ta et, and tha special has some real bite ta et, almost feels like somethin’ is tryin’ somethin’ inside yer mouth.”

“Well, I seem to have misjudged you. Well Roy, dear, we have others to converse with.” Fleur said as she directed the baron to head off into the crowd.

“Hopefully we will see each other again tonight,” Fancypants said as the two left Applejack and her siblings.

Just then as the couple left, several other nobles who saw the baron and his wife leave with smiles on their faces walked up to the stand and they started to order cider, most of them were absolutely flabbergasted over how delectable the cider was several were placing orders for kegs for their own events, several even trying some of the other items on the stand, such as but not limited to, apple cobbler, apple chips, apple crisp, apple dumplings, apple strudel, apple turnovers, Tarte Tatin, apple pudding and even some experimental recipes like Apple Bloom’s apple crunch bites. And there were many orders placed for the goods namely for Nightmare Night and Hearth’s Warming Eve.

After nearly half an hour a fair amount, say forty-five percent, of the Apple family goods, were consumed, and they received many orders for their goods, which meant business for them and the whole Apple Clan. Just as things seemed to have slowed a little, Applejack spied Pinkie and her sisters, she could tell Marble was more frighten than a hog when it was time for more bacon. Applejack turned to Big Mac, he seemed like he wanted to go over but was nervous as well. Applejack then poured Big Mac a mug of the family special cider, “Here’s some liquid courage, drink up and go for her.” Big Mac looked at her unsure. “Ah know she’s the sister of mah friend, but yahr clearly smitten by her and she by yah. Now drink and step up.” Applejack ordered. Big Mac downed his mug in one gulp, much faster than Applejack expected and walked over, effortlessly clearing a path to Marble.

“That’s got to be the nicest thing yah ever done for Big Mac, Ah’ve seen.” Apple Bloom commented. “Ah’m gonna talk to Maud, maybe she might know w’at Ah could do wit’ all t’e rocks we ‘ave on the farm. Maybe we can come up with somethin’ ta make wit’ em aside from a stone wall.” Apple Bloom then headed off following the still clear path made by Big Mac, ending up in his wake as the eldest and youngest Apple siblings arrived where the Pie Sisters had gathered.

Applejack continued to serve her larger wares and the cider, for about ten more minutes when a man with dark blue hair, dressed in the blue flight suit with yellow stripes of the Wonderbolts, a light blue pilot scarf with a pin silver in colour and shaped like a lightning bolt with wings, and a decent sized gauntlet in his left arm stepped up. Applejack noted that his ethereal wings were light blue and looked more auran than bird related like most Skyborns Applejack knew. “What will yah have, Sugarcube?” the paladin asked the Wonderbolt.

After looking over all of the goods, “I’ll take one of the apple pies.” he decided. As Applejack served him she tried to remember which Wonderbolt was right in front of her. She remembered Rainbow Dash had an identifier book, well a series of books dating to when the corp was first formed, of Wonderbolts, but she could not recall which Wonderbolt he was, but she knew he was one of the few current male Wonderbolts. As she handed him the pie his eyes widened in delight. After he accepted the pie, he dashed towards a table where Applejack saw more people dressed in similar flight suits, some wore knee high brown boots but clearly not for riding, with light brown pants, brown gloves, goggles and blue button-up jackets with golden lighting bolts joined together as the trims around the bottom, where the jacket buttoned up and the cuffs with collars that looked like feathers of different colors, all of them having unique ethereal wings, with scarfs of the same colors, among them was Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. And watching Rainbow go wide-eyed in shock as the male Wonderbolt that took the pie dove into it, unceremoniously taking huge chunks of the pie in each bite. Applejack had a hard time suppressing a laugh as he licked the pan for the crumbs and such.

However, she turned back to the other guests and the servers. The servers placed the empty platters back on the stand and took more of the full platters to distribute the food. As for the rest of the guests, there were still many that seemed unsure about coming to the stand. Just then Rarity and a young man stepped up. The man was slightly taller than most men, he had long blonde hair, blue eyes, dressed in a white nobleman’s high social event suit, with black cuffs, a black collar with a blue bow-tie, he seemed to give off an aura of being of the Chantalot upper-crust. “Howdy, Rarity, what can Ah get for yah?” Applejack asked.

Before Rarity could answer, “What is this? Common carnival fare! Blah!” the man said and stormed off.

Before Rarity could comment about it, “It’s alright, Sugarcube, it’s not like Apple Bloom, Big Mac, Granny and Ah spent hours and days pouring our blood, sweat, and tears into each of these.” Applejack said with her eyes and clenched her first, also giving an agitated twitch of her right eye. Again before Rarity said anything, “Just go.” Applejack said as she opened her eyes to the pupils narrow. Rarity then left towards the man she was with.

After a few minutes after severing a few more mugs of cider, Applejack walked away from the stand to a pillar and tried to hide behind it. She started to feel tears in the corners of her eyes. She lowered herself to sit on the ground and covered her face and was about to cry when she noticed someone set down next to her. She looked to see the Wonderbolt that ordered her pie. “Hey, you okay?” he asked. Applejack only shook her head, “Here’s a tip for the greatest pie in the history of pies.” he said as he placed a five hundred bit note in Applejack’s left hand then a piece of parchment and said, “and an order to cater the upcoming Academy Graduation in a few weeks. May I ask, are you enjoying your evening, miss…”

“Applejack,” said Applejack, “Mah name’s Applejack, an’ all the food provided tonight was the complete work o’ the residents of Sweet Apple Temple,” continued Applejack as she stood back up and was about to leave, “Enjoy your evenin’ as well mister…” but stopped as she turned to see the Wonderbolt stand up too.

“Just call me Soarin, ‘mister’ is my dad’s name.” the recently identified Soarin then chuckled to his joke. Applejack also had a small laugh. “I’m also not one to brag, but that doesn’t mean my teammates won’t.”

“Tryin’ to win over a gal wit’ yer modesty? Ah think the term is ‘self-defeatin' humor’.” the paladin asked with a slight chuckle. She couldn't help but notice that Soarin actually made her feel better.

“Well, I got to let the most beautiful woman I have ever seen know I am interested in her somehow.”

Applejack did not respond to that right away. After a few seconds, “Yah think Ahm..” she started as she blushed. Soarin nodded with a welcoming smile on his face. “Yah lucky Big Mac has his eyes elsewhere, or he would throw yah the wall.” She said as she pointed out her giant of a brother who seemed to be having a silent conversation with Pinkie’s twin and clearly the two were not likely to separate anytime soon.

If Soarin was intimidated he didn’t show it, “Hey if you don’t want me around, I am certain you could knock me sky-high at Mach 10,” he joked.

“If yah were a Magicborn, yes, but all yah Skyborns ain't that frail, Ah wrestled Rainbow Dash a few times. Ah be sending yah closer to Mach 2.” The paladin also joked.

Soarin gave a little chuckle, “Well, it might be faster than that or slower, who’s to say? But either way, if I ended up in the hospital over any of it, and had to miss my own performance because of it. Yet I would definitely learn three things.” Applejack looked Soarin slightly confused. “That the girl I’m into, not because of some publicity or contractual obligation, has a good family; said family, namely her brother is definitely not someone I want to get on the wrong side of, but might tease a bit in good humor,” Applejack gave a smirk at that joke, “and it was worth it to make a go at her, even if all that came of it was a need for a medic.”

“Ya gotta fake interest in folks, especially gals?” Applejack asked with surprise.

“Occupational hazard of being a celebrity,” said Soarin with a weak chuckle, “and don’t get me started on the annual date auctions. So many crazy fans in one place, yeah not my idea of a good time. That's the one thing I have to give the actual Royal Guards, they don’t have all these crazy fangirls… or fanboys,” he had a pronounced shiver of fright when he said fanboys.

“Well, Ah was always told fame ain't all it's hyped up ta,” said Applejack, “that bit o’ advice came straight from my granny, Anna Smith.”

Soarin did a double take, “You’re related to the most awesome paladins of the last sixty years? Most folks would throw that around like a heavyweight.”

“We Apples are raised better than tha’, besides she really likes tha quiet life, an’ she ain't ta shy abou’ sharin’ ‘er war stories neither.”

Soarin gave a chuckle, “I know a bit about family obligations, my family has been part of the Wonderbolts for quite a few generations now. Same with Spitfire’s, we actually grew up together, she’s kind of like an older sister, probably why we know how to drive the other crazy at events like this. She said I could only have one item off of the usual Wonderbolt diet tonight, and I am so glad it was one of your pies, everything else just seemed so...lacking. So what’s the secret ingredient?” the wind elementalist asked. Before Applejack could deny it, “I really like apple pies, I cannot tell you how many different types I have had, but your pie is the best I ever had.”

Applejack wanted to blush and turn away in modesty, but she had a thought, “An Apple family closely guarded secret.” Applejack answered not missing a beat, and for some reason, she batted her eyes, “tha only way ta find out is to become part of the family.”

“So family only.” Soarin smiled as he heard the musicians starting to play a waltz. Soarin then held out his hand, “Can I start with a dance?” Applejack nodded as she accepted Soarin’s hand and he pulled her into a waltz setup. “Just gently place your feet on mine,” Applejack complained and pulled herself a little closer to her dance partner.

As the waltz continued Applejack noticed that she was being lifted off of the ground. She didn’t panic but only looked at Soarin, “Ah bet yah do this for all the girls.” She joked.

“Never danced with an Earthborn before now, so I cannot say I have,” Soarin said sincerely as he danced with her in the air above the rest of the party. As the waltz continued Applejack could not but help feel her heart go aflutter as she embraced Soarin, and she could not help but note that Soarin’s heart was matching her beat per beat. Shortly the two rested their foreheads on each other’s and they looked into each other eyes. “So how am I doing?” Soarin asked as the two smiled.

“Ah’m willin’ ta give yah a chance.” Applejack said as she wrapped her arms around Soarin’s neck closing the little distance between them. Soarin’s arms lowered to hold Applejack’s sides. “Can we go somewhere…” Applejack asked before she noted that she and Soarin were outside of the hall and were nearing a balcony away from everyone else, “private….” She then smiled as Soarin landed with her, “As Rainbow would say, ‘Well played’,” Applejack said as she took her right hand and brought it to the back of Soarin’s head and pulled it towards her and they kissed. As they pulled away, Applejack couldn’t help but notice that his lips still had the taste of her apple pie, which somehow made his lips taste surprisingly sweet. “So mah apple pie is the best yah ever had?” she asked as she looked into Soarin’s eyes, batting bedroom eyes at him.

“What will Big Mac thin…” Soarin started but was cut off by the paladin placing her right index finger on his lips.

“We ain’t gonna have a roll in the hay. So get that thought out of yahr noggin.” Applejack said with a slight glare, Soarin remained silent. “We’re goin’ ta just share this night, just like this.” Applejack took off her hat and opened one of the glass doors, “Yahr room?” she asked. Soarin nodded. Applejack pulled Soarin in and onto the bed and held him close as they laid on their sides.

“I don’t know about you, but this is…” Soarin started as he was lost in the paladin’s eyes.

“The best night ever.” Applejack cut the wind elementalist off with a kiss.

Fluttershy's Night

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Fluttershy was the second of her group to enter, mostly because Angel Bunny was effectively pushing her, “I am sorry Angel, but this is so…” Fluttershy said to her companion but the slight scowl from Angel got her to press on.

As they passed the herald, “Announcing Fluttershy, Druid of the Everfree Forest and her animal companion, Angel Bunny,” he projected and blew his trumpet. This caused Fluttershy and Angel to cringe as they walked away.

“Ow,” she said weakly as they approached the diarchs. “Your Highnesses!” Fluttershy said as she bowed to Celestia and Luna. Angel also gave a bow, then turned to Luna and gave a salute. This resulted in Luna giving a subdued chuckle.

“We are most pleased that you joined us,” Luna said as she and Celestia nodded to the druid.

“I would suggest keeping Angel hidden,” Celestia advised, “Remember when I gave you your ticket?” The princess asked the druid. Fluttershy nodded. “Well, let’s just say the nobles tend to frown upon animals being present at this event, you might even catch some bitter notes from the other druids in attendance.”

“The nobles are little more the spoiled brats that need a good spanking, Sister, and you know it.” Luna pointed out. “One night a year, they cannot keep how they feel about animals to themselves for one night.” Celestia did not challenge the point.

“Well I am certain a solution will present itself,” Celestia said and gave Fluttershy a wink. “I hope you enjoy your time.”

Fluttershy then went into the hall. The first thing she noted was there was a slowly growing line of people at Applejack’s stand. Fluttershy knew she was nervous about meeting the other druids and she also knew that having one cider seemed to help her overcome her inhibitions. While her therapist did advise against relying on any substance, she knew she could use something to take the edge off. But she was intimidated by the size of the line and was unsure of what to do when she felt her dress being tugged. She looked down and saw Angel with a mug of cider handing it to her. “Thank you.” She said and gave the rabbit a kiss on his forehead, “Cold?” she asked Angel, the bunny nodded in response, “Regular?” she asked. Angel nodded in response again. Fluttershy drank the cider and then started looking around to find the other druids invited to the gala.

Spotting the high ranking druids wasn’t too hard, they all were in dress robes made of animal skins and furs that showed everyone the druids were still on duty. Fluttershy had wanted to get one for herself, even provided Rarity a book with dozens of samples the year before and explained their importance. While the white-clad enchantress had been delighted with it all it also decided that Fluttershy wouldn’t be getting one this year, Rarity said everything had to be just right and finding a material to meet the needs while also being aesthetically pleasing would be a challenge she would gladly take on, eventually (to be fair Rarity was the expert in the field).

As soon as she began her approach she noticed that none of the other druids’ companions were within sight, which she found odd on account of the number one rule of the relationship between a druid and his or her companion was always keep close to each other as a sign of trust in each other and safety to those around. As she drew nearer she started to pick up on what was being said, “...and above all, they said my bear companion, Waltzer, was disinvited the moment we arrived at the door,” a woman said.

“I know the feeling, Skystrike wasn’t permitted access either.” a man compounded.

“Really, your eagle wasn’t barred last year.”

“Some nonsense about how he was leering at a pompous noble last year, I’m sure. They also barred my jackalope, Hedge Zoom, this year, he’s been welcome for the past decade.”

“Probably due to some noble making an accusation about how he appeared to be a pet and how those aren’t allowed at this event,” another druid said and it was clear they all were irritated.

One of the druids, a woman about Fluttershy’s age spoke, she had red hair that was done in locks and wore a crown of flowers, with a pendant with a tree with branches that were shaped into a heart, overall she seemed to be at peace, many would erroneously conclude she was taking psychedelic drugs and was still on the high from taking them recently but Fluttershy knew better, such a calm state could only be achieved by being at peace with the greater of existence. “We’re letting the ignorance and negativity of the Chantalot nobles start to clog our thought, voice and heart chakras.” She then took a deep breath, “We all need to take a moment and clear them before our other chakras get clogged too.”

All the other druids took a few deep breaths, “Sister Tree Hugger is right,” another druid spoke, he was clearly decades older than the others and wore deer antlers, which signified him as the high druid, “We also have to remember we interact with either Princess Celestia or Princess Luna at most once a month, the two have to endure these… cake-eaters on an hourly basis.”

Fluttershy had not approached them properly, but knelt to pick up Angel and hold him at her eye level, “I know you are not going to like this, but it’s not just that they cannot have their companions too.” Angel Bunny looked down sad, he actually wanted to be here. “That is why we are going help them get into the gala,” Fluttershy said throwing Angel off guard. The rabbit took a good long look at his druid’s face, she was adamant in her resolution. Angel smiled, it looked like her sessions were bearing fruit. “Here is the plan…” Fluttershy brought Angel’s left ear to her mouth as she whispered her plan. It was then that Angel realized that Fluttershy was right when she said he was not going to like it, he just hoped he would run into one of the other ‘prey’ type companions to act as a buffer.

Fluttershy then headed to one of the doors out of the hall towards one of the gardens on the castle grounds. She slipped out and after walking for about ten minutes found a group of many different animals, namely among them were an eagle, a jackalope, a deer, a snake, a wolf, a bear, and a few large cats, none of them she saw during her time in the royal reserve. She noted that they were all dressed up each seemed to complement one of the druids inside. Fluttershy cleared her throat slightly, she was trying to remember to speak Druidic “Excuse me, everyone.” she said and all the animals turned to face Fluttershy, they were surprised to see someone dressed like one of the Chantalot nobles speak the cryptic tongue.

“My name is Fluttershy and I am here to help you get into the gala and be with your partners. It’s unjust that you are denied being in the gala.” Fluttershy continued. While they still seemed unsure about trusting Fluttershy, one of the animals, a fairly large wolf, big enough for a human to ride separated from the others and looked Fluttershy in the eye. After a short stare down the wolf turned to the other animals and gave a howl of approval. Fluttershy smiled as the other animals began to accept her. “We will have to be discrete and only a few at a time.” Flutter said as she looked at the animals. She didn’t seem to know how to sneak them all in. But then she had an idea. “I’ll be right back. Angel, mind keeping an eye on everyone?” She asked. Angel rolled his eyes but consented reluctantly.

Fluttershy then dashed stealthily back into the gala. She weaved her way until she saw Pinkie almost depressed with a clearly annoyed Limestone was with her. “I am bored,” Pinkie said as a frown formed on her face and her hair slightly deflates.

“Excuse me, Pinkie Pie. I need your help.” Fluttershy said getting the jester’s attention. Pinkie Pie leaped out of her chair in glee. “You can help too if you want,” Fluttershy offered Limestone.

“Leave me be, just bring my sister back.” Limestone said annoyed. The two left but as they left they saw someone walk up to Limestone with two mugs offering one to Limestone.

After a few minutes, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie arrived at the where the animals were located. “I need your help getting these animals into the gala and reunited with their respective druids,” Fluttershy as she sat among the animals and looked at Pinkie Pie with pleading eyes.

“Wait, wait, wait, you want me to smuggle them in! How do you pose I do that?” Pinkie Pie asked as she was taken aback at that what the druid asked her.

“You can pull so many different things from your pockets and from your hair.” Fluttershy pointed out as she pulled a few animals towards her and started to widen her pupils and puff-up her lower lip making it quiver.

“But those are things! As a tricksters mage, I legally must not put animals in my pocket, and in my hair. Also, it’s a generally bad idea to put living things in there, Gummy can only get away with it because he’s been exposed to my magic for so long.” Pinkie Pie pointed out, the alligator in question elected to pop out of Pinkie' hair blink, lick his right eye with his tongue and then slipped back in.

“But cannot you pull a rabbit out of your hat?” Fluttershy asked not letting up on her plea.

Pinkie Pie did not want to say yes, but there was no way in her heart she could say no to Fluttershy. She pulled out of her hair two black tall top hats, she then pulled out a piece of paper. “Read and sign,” Pinkie said with a sigh as she handed the paper to the druid.

Fluttershy accepted the paper and began to read it silently to herself. After she finished, “So this is basically saying I am responsible for anything that might happen to these animals?” Fluttershy asked the jester. Pinkie Pie nodded. Fluttershy cleared her throat, “Everyone, Pinkie Pie is willing to help us get you in by these magically connected hats. She cannot hide you in her pockets or hair, but we will show you are perfectly safe.” the druid said as she turned to Angel. “Please?” she asked her companion. Angel the took one of the hats and jumped through it coming out the other one. After the animals witnessed this they gathered and seemed to debate. After a minute the large wolf decided to copy Angel’s example and emerged from the hat it did not enter and while it showed that it was surprised at what happened, it repeated and showed that it was safe. All the other animals then turned to Fluttershy and nodded in agreement. Fluttershy then signed the paper and handed it back to Pinkie Pie. Pinkie Pie put the document into her hair.

“Take these,” said Pinkie handing Fluttershy a collection of matching fancy hats that brought the number of hats to be equal to the number of animals plus one. “You’ll need to space them out around the room because if they are too close things might get whatever is worse than messy,” the jester said. “Best of luck.” Pinkie Pie then skipped back into the gala, happy to have done something.

Fluttershy then turned back to the animals, “Alright everyone, I am going to back in and pass these hats around your druids and each will summon you,” the druid said to the animals as she and Angel passed the hats around. She then slipped back into the hall and spotted the druids, and they seemed to be calmer but most were still annoyed. “Excuse me,” Fluttershy said getting their attention. “I think I know a way to get your companions in,” Fluttershy then held out the top hat.

The high druid got from his seat and looked at Fluttershy, “How do you know our language?” he asked befuddled that a woman dressed more like the nobles and other guests, in particular, a Skyborn.

“I know her!” the woman that was identified as Tree Hugger exclaimed as she stood up to walk over. “She’s Fluttershy of The Everfree, the bearer of the Element of Kindness, there was a big event celebrating her and her friends sealing of Discord. Cousin Zecora, Shaman of the Everfree will attest to that.”

“You know Zecora?” Fluttershy asked Tree Hugger not sure how many people actually knew about the shaman that lives in the Everfree Forest.

“Yeah, she is totally rad. Never knew how much of our language can rhyme.” Tree Hugger answered calmly. “So now what do we do?” she asked Fluttershy.

“Just reach in and you will be able to bring your companion through,” Fluttershy answered. Tree Hugger then took off her floral crown with the left hand and reached into the hat with it. She then took it out with a snake on her arm.

“Third-Eye,” Tree Hugger said as she raised her hand to her face as she and let her snake flick its tongue ‘smelling’ her nose. “Glad to have you here too.” The snake then slithered up Tree Hugger’s arm and rested on her shoulder its head almost tucked under her chin. “missed you too.”

Slowly another druid accepted a hand and reached into it. As he brought his hand back, it was held by a bear paw. “Um you might want to go into a corner,” Fluttershy suggested, the druid nodded and followed the suggestion, and brought his bear out. One by one the other druids did likewise and brought their companions into the hall, save one.

“If you don’t mind, could you escort me to Mac?” the high druid asked.

“You know Big Mac?” Fluttershy asked utterly baffled that the high druid knew the towering cleric of Magiville.

“Well, while Mac is a fairly large wolf, he prefers to let his presence speak for itself.” the high druid chuckled.

“Oh I thought you were referring to Big Mac, he’s the cleric of Sweet Apple Temple. His full name is Macintosh Apple, but… well…” Fluttershy then pointed the high druid to the cleric she was referring to. At that moment he was sitting down with Marble Pie.

After a second of processing the size of the cleric, “Oh… I see the confusion.” Turning back to face Fluttershy, “So, about my wolf?” he asked. Fluttershy then led the high druid to where she shuck back into the gala. She then led him to where the animals were to see only Angel and the wolf Mac. “Mactiremor!” the high druid said in joy as the two meet. Delighted that with the arrival, the two ran to each other and as they embraced with the wolf licked the face of the high druid. Fluttershy could not help but smile at the reunion. After a minute the high druid turned back to Fluttershy, “Thank you Sister Fluttershy, please forgive me for my doubt.” He said as he offered his hand to Fluttershy.

Fluttershy accepted his hand, “It’s okay, you couldn’t have known, especially with how I am dressed, this not what I wanted to wear this but my friend made this.”

The high druid nodded, “Thank you, this is more than enough, and will be a nice little message to those noble that they can’t always have things their way. This is supposed to be Princess Celestia’s party, after all, it be is for the best they get a few not-so-subtle reminders.” the two then laughed as they heard a man scream such that he made little girls sound brave. “That must be Blueblood,” the high druid commented. After another short laugh at the prince's’ expense, he turned to look in the direction of the Royal Preserve. “I get why she made it, Celestia with the Royal Preserve, but one can not stop the ocean to keep a wave.” Fluttershy was taken aback at that. “Don’t misunderstand me, I don’t like extinction like all other druids but as the high druid I have to oppose artificial ways of keeping any species around, can you fault the mother wolf for orphaning a fawn by killing its mother in order to feed her pups that would otherwise die.” Fluttershy stood there and listened as she not sure how to respond. “As such I, unlike all other druids and our brethren, cannot be part of the Endangered Species Preservation Society, but I can always recommend new members.”

Fluttershy then dove into him and hugged him tightly, “thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you....” the young druid repeated several more times. “I always wanted to join, but for the longest time I haven’t been one for groups. I have recently been working on it but I still have a long way to go.”

The high druid ended the embrace and look at Fluttershy with a soft but firm face, "We druids naturally seek solitude from most of Society, as a whole, our calling is to nature and to the spirits of the wilderness.” he paused. “Meet up with Tree Hugger and the others and show them this.” The high druid said as he handed Fluttershy a wooden coin with the image of a large elk carved into it. Fluttershy accepted the coin and hugged the high druid in gratitude before going back to the gala. The wolf looked at his human companion as if he knew the high druid was hiding something, “I know, Mac, she's the spitting image of Posse the Gentle herself.”

Back inside Fluttershy meet found Tree Hugger, “Excuse me, in Sister Tree Hugger, I was told by the high druid that if I wanted to join the Endangered Species Preservation Society I should show you this.” Fluttershy then held out the wooden coin that was given to her.

After looking at the coin, Tree Hugger smiled, “Always knew the old timer had a soft spot. He comes off as being a rugged, rough-edged person, but it’s more of a show. There’s a rumor that seems to persist that he has something akin to visions or second sight, he doesn’t really deny it and there’s no proof as to the truth about such things, but always seems to know more than he lets on. It can’t all be explained away by his station.” Tree Hugger said as she accepted the coin. “You got something we use to contact if you’re in or not?” the ever calm druid asked. Fluttershy took off her butterfly-shaped hairpin and handed it to Tree Hugger. It had her mailing address on it, which, was in fact, her cabin. “Sweet. So take a seat and feel free to add to the discussion.”

Fluttershy did just that and long into the gala she actually contributed to the discussion, offering up her experience on how druidic magic can be used, some insight into the world from having the ability to fly. Fluttershy never felt so fulfilled thanks to all she had contributed and all she learned in turn. The last thing that was touched upon…

“There has got to a path for the Breezies to travel this fall for their pollen collection. They are an endangered species at the mercy of the very elements and yet they provided a necessary component to Mytisca’s ecosystem at large.” a druid exclaimed clearly annoyed.

“And they are sentient beings too, can you imagine such a loss if they were to die out.” another druid commented. Fluttershy and Tree Hugger gave a shudder, both clearly didn’t like the idea of any creatures or entities dying out.

Fluttershy was hesitant at first but she recalled she made it this far, and thus reasoned she had what it took to go farther, “I might know of a path,” she started. Everyone turned to hear her, “Through Magiville, but I would need to see their usual routes and how they travel to know for certain.”

After a moment of silent thought, another druid spoke up, “We never considered Magiville, so close to the Everfree and all. Alright, Sister Fluttershy you may join us at the start of the summer to plot a route through Magiville, with any luck we will never need to plot another one.” the other druids gave a ‘here-here’ in agreement.

Just then the high druid returned to rejoin the others. Within seconds a waltz was started. “Sister Fluttershy, would you do me the honor of sharing this dance with me?” he asked as he extended his hand.

“Take it, the old timer never asks for a dance,” another druid said and the other druids encouraged her.

Fluttershy was unsure but in the end accepted the offer, “just follow my lead.” was all the advice she was given and it turned out all she needed, for the waltz as a dance was not complicated. As the music played, she could not but enjoy the dance. She was in the crowd, but no one was looking down at her, and those that actually looked for and at her would be happy for her and for those who thought negatively of her, She could not find it in herself to care. She had come such a long way, and all the time she was taking baby steps. All her hard work was paying off, and she could not but feel that this was “...the best night ever.” Fluttershy whispered to herself all but lost in the bliss inspired by the dance.

Rainbow Dash’s Night

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Rainbow Dash was the third of her group to enter the hall if the number of people caused her any fear, she didn’t show it, she was cool, calm, collect... “THIS IS GOING TO BE THE MOST AWESOME NIGHT EVER!” She shouted as she jumped into the air barely able to contain herself. As she landed back on her feet she could not help but make a kissy face with her eyes closed. Remembering she was with her biggest fan, Rainbow Dash tried to play it off, “is what I would say if I didn’t already wipe the floor with a couple of Sonic Rainbooms under my belt.” As she looked to Scootaloo, who was just bursting at the seams with excitement that rivaled her own.

“Do you think I can get the autographs of the Wonderbolts there? I have something they can sign.” Scootaloo said as she pulled out a commemorative poster for the last young fliers competition showing Rainbow Dash with the victory crown and the Wonderbolts that attended the event. “Can you imagine how jealous Rumble and Featherweight would be to know I have the only copy of the first Young Fliers after Princess Luna’s return Victor poster signed by not only the winner, or the Wonderbolt judges but all other current Wonderbolts.” It was clear the young monk had some plans, aside from seeing if there was a Wonderbolt, that as a child, had a hard time flying like she…

“You really don’t want to talk about possibly being flightless,” Rainbow said seeing through the charade her mentee was putting up. Scootaloo dipped her head as she pocketed the poster. Rainbow Dash took a knee to look Scootaloo in the eye and did what she thought might be the best way to console the younger Skyborn, “it’s cool that you’re thinking ahead, but you have to remember one very important thing above all else.”

“What’s that?” inquired Scootaloo, not sure where the conversation was going.

“You should never let the words ‘can’t’ and ‘don’t’ determine your decisions. I’m not saying that you should break all the rules, you have seen me crash so many times because of me doing just that to know better, but you should take a look at them and see if it’s really something that’s said because no one has managed it before or if it’s there for everyone’s safety. If it’s the former then you should totally break it and not back down,” Rainbow Dash then thought about it for a minute. She recalled that she was effectively the young arcane monk’s big sister and as the big sister she had to set a good example, like how Applejack and Rarity try for Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle respectively. After she got an idea of what to say, “but if it’s the latter then you should respect it. Just remember, more than anything else, the moment when you decide you can’t do something or have been defeated is the moment it will happen. If you keep telling yourself that it is possible for you then you might just surprise everyone. I know you’ve been looking into different academies and monasteries to officially learn from, but your starting guide has some tips as well. Can you think of anything it said that lines up with what I just said?”

Scootaloo gave a little smile as she said, “One of the things most important to remember is, ‘no matter what you must always remember you will always be your greatest adversary because you know the best ways to defeat yourself.’ I really didn’t think much of it before now.” As the young monk looked back at what she said she realized she actually understood it.

“See, one of the big rules for your designation is to never let anything, especially yourself, hold you back.”

Just then Rainbow Dash noticed how long the line was not only in front of her but behind her as well. “Looks like Twilight won’t be spending much time with the princesses like she planned,” she heard Scootaloo comment as she also noticed the line.

“I wonder what held her up.” Rainbow Dash commented.

“Herself most likely.” Scootaloo retorted which earned a laugh from Rainbow Dash and herself.

After the two calmed down from the short laugh, “Oh well, her loss for not being on the ball,” Rainbow said as the two then walked into the hall.

As the two passed the court herald, “Announcing the arrival of Rainbow Dash and her guest, Scootaloo,” the herald proclaimed and blew his trumpet causing the two Skyborns to jump away and rubbed their ears. As they recovered from the blast they started to climb the stairs to the actual hall for the gala.

As they arrived at the top, they bowed to the princesses, “Welcome to the gala, I hope you enjoy your night,” Celestia said as she and Luna nodded to the two as they rose.

“Your presence here brings Us much joy, Scootaloo. We hope you find the answers you seek.” Luna said catching all but Celestia off guard.

“Um… thank you, Princess Luna,” Scootaloo replied as she and Rainbow Dash proceeded to the hall. Once inside the hall, Rainbow spotted Spitfire in her flight suit with a pair of small thin swords sheathed secured by a belt around her waist. Rainbow Dash then bolted to her idol. In the meantime, Scootaloo was trying to catch up to her idol since Rainbow and forgotten her in a moment of excitement, “Wait! Rainbow!” Scootaloo called out and got herself lost in the mass of staff and guests going about their business.

However, Rainbow’s well-honed ears managed to register the cry of the younger Skyborn, she quickly rushed back to help the young girl up. “Sorry about that Scoots, guess my excitement got the better of me,” said Rainbow with a sheepish grin. Scootaloo gave her ‘sister' a well-earned scowl but when she was lifted off the ground by Rainbow, she could not find it in her to withhold forgiveness but she was not going to let Rainbow off the hook scot-free. After a short flight in the hall, Rainbow landed near Spitfire. The head of the Wonderbolts was in the Wonderbolt blue and yellow flight suit with a fire orange scarf and a golden-pin shaped like a lightning bolt with wings. She was talking to a familiar savvy count.

Before Rainbow Dash said anything, “Well, just the person I was looking for,” the older fire elementalist said as she turned her attention to Rainbow Dash. At that moment she was talking to Fancypants and with him was his wife. “As the winner of this year's young fliers competition with a record-breaking score and having successfully pulled off at least two Sonic Rainbooms, she’s got the talent to get into the academy,” Spitfire said as she walked to be right beside Rainbow Dash. Rainbow had no idea what was going on exactly, but she was starting to think she was being auctioned off like some sort of animal.

“Well think about it dear, what would be a better thing to rub in Blueblood’s pride than sponsoring such a promising elementalist when even the Wonderbolts themselves had doubts,” Fleur commented as she scanned Rainbow Dash with a cryptic smile.

Fancypants gave a sigh, “You know that until my term is up or the Princesses relieve me of my duties, and I am not re-elected, I cannot. The fact is I legally have no assets to my name, they are all in yours,” the Baron pointed out.

Fleur placed her hand on her chin as if in thought, but it was clear she already made her decision after a second. She walked up to Rainbow Dash looking at her with a very sinister smile as if the Baroness was a wolf and Rainbow a trapped lamb, “Let me know as soon as you get into the Academy, Miss Dash.” She said as she held Rainbow’s chin. “I refuse to lose to my obnoxious cousin-in-law.” Fleur continued looking into Rainbow’s eyes. After a second, “Well Roy, dear, we have other business to attend to.”

As the slender and elegant Fleur started to leave, Fancypants followed after her, “Blueblood is only my fourth cousin thrice removed on my father’s side and his mother’s side. Well, good evening to you, Miss. Dash, forgive my wife when she wants something she doesn’t hold her punches. Hopefully, we’ll meet up again later tonight.” the Baron said as he and his wife left Scootaloo, Rainbow Dash and Spitfire.

“Congrats, Ahab, you just landed the white whale,” Spitfire said breaking the stupor that both Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo had as she elbowed the younger elementalist. The two looked at her with their confusion written on their faces. “You just got the best sponsor for any Wonderbolt, Baron Fancypants.” Before they could ask, “While Fleur Dis Lee is the one actually signing the check, the money is all Fancypants’ from before his first term as Prime Administrator.” Spitfire informed, “come on, join us at our table.”

As Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash walked they noticed that some of the Wonderbolts were dressed in their flight suits while most wore knee-high brown boots, with light brown pants, brown gloves, goggles and blue button-up jackets with golden lighting bolts joined together as the trims around the bottom, where the jacket buttoned up and the cuffs with collars of the jackets that looked like feathers of different colors, all of them having unique ethereal wings, with scarfs of the same colors. Several had golden pins like Spitfire’s but most had silver variants. What the two also noticed was that everyone in their flight suits was actually sitting down at ease, the others were nervous in comparison and were all on their feet. “Why are you sitting down and the rest aren't?” Scootaloo asked.

Spitfire sat down in one the chairs as she answered, “You see those of us in our flight suits have all our gear paid off. At which point our need for a sponsor is over. Look at Soarin, Fleetfoot, Misty Fly, High Winds, Surprise and myself, all our gear is paid for. But everyone else wears the other uniform So that they can better mingle with their patrons,” Spitfire said as she pointed out the others in their flight suits.

“Boss, you might want to tell them we all are part of the same wing,” Soarin said pointing out how everyone in the group was related, “Too bad Fire Streak couldn’t make it tonight,” Soarin commented noticing that his wing was one wingman short tonight.

“Yeah, but you gotta remember he volunteered to teach classroom classes at the Academy for the upcoming seminar,” Fleetfoot pointed out as a servant placed several of the Apple Family foods in front of the group. “So you two are from Magiville,” she asked the two younger Skyborn, they nodded.

“So is …” Misty Fly started to ask cutting in but stopped herself as everyone saw that Rainbow Dash was clearly struggling from not having any of the food as if she was a recovering addict desperately trying to stay on the wagon. “That good?” she asked turning to Scootaloo. The much younger monk nodded as she too seemed to be doing the same thing as Rainbow Dash but was in more control, albeit not much. Misty then had a bite of what was offered her. As it slowly slipped down her throat, the delight and bliss Misty experienced was hard to not see as she had a big closed mouth grin with closed eyes and stomped her foot a couple of times as she finished swallowing the bite.

“Well if Misty thinks it’s that good,” Fleetfoot said as she tried what was in front of her and copied what her wingman did with a little less enthusiasm. “You gotta try it,” she said as High Winds and Surprise also tried the food and mimicked their wingmen.

“Good to know the princess actually has great taste, every year it’s been the bland upper crust stuff the nobles usually order,” Spitfire said looking at how delighted her wing-men were and happy for it.

“Say Spitfire, ma’am, I would like to get some of the cider for everyone,” came the voice of one of the Wonderbolts, she was dressed in the non-flight suit uniform.

“Did you say… Cider?” Rainbow asked her desire for the beverage was something everyone could feel.

“Non-alcoholic and cold for everyone not in a flight suit. You all can’t afford to vomit on your patrons. As for the rest of us, still cold, non-alcoholic for the kid…” Spitfire started as she placed the orders.

“I’ll take a hard cider,” Fleetfoot said.

“Same here,” Misty Fire, High Sky and Surprise said in unison.

“I’ll take a non-alcoholic,” Soarin answered.

“You?” Spitfire asked Rainbow as the Wonderbolt was making the cider run was recording everything.

“I’ll take the special, I can hold my own against Applejack, I know I can handle at least one mug of the family special cider.” Rainbow Dash said exuding confidence, which caught all the Wonderbolts and Scootaloo in a state of shock.

“You mean the cider that Bulk Biceps was drunk under the table with?” Spitfire asked as she appeared to be unphased. Rainbow Dash nodded. “I'll have the special too.” This caused everyone to gasp.

“If you say so, Boss.” the Wonderbolt said as she left to place the orders.

“So, looking forward to the upcoming summer?” the fire elementalist asked turning to Scootaloo.

Not sure how to answer, “Well in a couple of years we’ll all be official graduates of the general education and I will have to look for places to learn my class.” Scootaloo dipped her head. “When we took the class designation ceremony I didn’t get placed as an elementalist.”

“That’s perfectly fine,” said Spitfire, “only a select few elementalists are actually cut out to be Wonderbolts, and among them is a very short list of those that meet the requirements for being a headliner. That all said, we actually have quite a few non-elementalists among those working with us as well. So whatcha get placed?” She knew just looking at an outfit didn’t immediately tell you someone’s class, she’d lost count of how many different mages had dressed as something else to make themselves seem more important.

“Arcane monk,” said Scootaloo with a bit of apprehension.

Spitfire gave smirk as she said, “Not a whole lot of people know this, but the first official guards of Wonderbolt gear were a pair of Skyborn arcane monks. In fact, they were ones that taught the first Wonderbolts how to perform the feat that got us our name, the main difference was that the Wonderbolts' had three dimensions to work with, you know because of flight." Seeing that she was successful with her attempt to comfort the much younger Skyborn. "We even have a tribute to them in our remembrance hall, but the public really doesn’t take the time to try and learn about that. In fact, none of our current official, or unofficial, records make a passing mention, it wasn’t like that for the first decade or so of the corp, but the newer stuff and reprints of our documents completely omit them,” Spitfire gave a sigh looking over the past. That surprised Scootaloo, " On a different but not unrelated note, not all the main Wonderbolts are elementalists. Look at Surprise, she’s not an elementalist, she’s actually a…” Spitfire then turned to point out the golden blonde of her wing only to see a box wrapped in purple. “What the..” Spitfire started as everyone was utterly at a loss.

Suddenly the box exploding into confetti as the blonde Wonderbolt appeared almost out of nowhere and excited, “SURPRISE!!!” she shouted causing a few to fall over. Laughing at the sight, “I am a trickster mage.” Looking at the still confused guests to the Wonderbolts' table, “Being an Elementalist might make it easier to become a Wonderbolt, but any person skilled in flight that can make it through the academy and pass the history test can at least make into the reserves, personally I am surprised no harpies have applied yet.” Surprise explained. “You got to remember, while we are technically soldiers, we are also performers and who’s a better performer than a trickster.”

Spitfire shrugged, “yeah yeah,” she commented. “In short, don’t write yourself off, kid.” Spitfire said to Scootaloo before she turned to Rainbow Dash, “So what about you, kid?” Rainbow didn’t know how to answer the question. “The Mystica Games are this year, would be great to see Magiville compete this time around.” Spitfire continued, “But odds are it won’t get even a single bronze.”

Rainbow Dash was not one to back down from a challenge, “We will win not only the most medals but the most gold. This is the year of Magiville.” she declared, “Believe it!”

Spitfire smiled, like a coach seeing the team captain stepped up to the task. At that moment the Wonderbolt that took the orders for cider got to the table and passed out the cider as she placed the two special ciders one in front of Rainbow Dash and another in front of Spitfire, “Heads up there is a lot of goods made by the Apples, but they are they going like hot cakes.”

As Rainbow Dash took her mug, “Not surprised, the Apples know how to cook,” she informed.

“But most of the items are baked goods,” the Wonderbolt commented.

“You’re not going to find any recipes for their goods and they make changes as needed.” Rainbow Dash responded as she took a swig of her cider. As she felt the beverage start down her throat she realized how much of a kick the Apple Family Special Cider had. She coughed a little, “...smooth…” she said weakly. Spitfire took two gulps of her cider and gave an ‘ah’ of delight.

However before Rainbow felt her ego deflate, “Say if there was one thing that the Apples make, aside from the best cider, that you should have before you kick the bucket, what would it be?” Soarin asked her, throwing everyone but his wing-men off guard.

“Um…” Rainbow Dash took a minute to think her answer though. “Applejack's pie,” Rainbow answered still befuddled that Soarin, an athletic performer that should stick to a strict diet was interested in having such a dieting destroying dish.

“Good to know.” Soarin then got up and went over to the stand. Rainbow could not look away as she witnessed Soarin order one of the pies and his eye dilate in delight as he accepted the pie. Rainbow Dash eyed Soarin with the pie he had in hand as he came back to the table with it, she turned her attention to Spitfire who gave her smirk that pretty much told her ‘If you genuinely make the cut you might be told’ before turning to an equally perplexed Scootaloo and giving a shrug. She decided to not think of it, that is until he literally started taking chunks out of the pie with such fervor that she was left wondering how he hadn’t damaged the pan it was in. It didn’t help matters that once he finished the pie he licked the pan clean.

“Soarin really likes apple pies,” Misty commented as the two Magiville Skyborns just stared as Soarin left nothing of the pie.

“Not true Misty, he loves apple pies and if he doesn’t absolutely love the pie he has with the first bite, he only has the one bite,” High Shy retorted as Soarin leaned back in his chair in utter bliss over the pie he consumed which caused Rainbow and Scootaloo to nervously laugh.

Soarin then sat back up, “So Boss, are we going to continue to string Rainbow along all night?” he asked as he turned to the lead of the wing.

Spitfire took another swig of her cider, “I was going to…” Spitfire then started feeling the barely visible pockets in her flight suit. She found that what she was looking for was not there. “Where is it?” She asked annoyed. Just then everyone noticed a small box right in front of Rainbow Dash.

As Rainbow Dash hesitantly reached to open the box, “SURPRISE!”, the trickster Wonderbolt shouted causing Rainbow Dash fell to the floor in shock as the box exploded much like the last time as a piece of paper floats into Rainbow Dash’s hands.

She couldn’t believe what she read. She needed someone to read the letter to her. She handed it to Scootaloo. The younger Skyborn started to read, “Salutations Miss Dash, we wish to inform you that your application to attend Wonderbolts’ Academy during the upcoming Late-Spring Seminar has been…” Scootaloo stopped reading the letter. She and Rainbow Dash then turned to Spitfire, “Accepted?” Scootaloo asked. Everyone in Spitfire’s wing nodded. Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash then looked at each other and smiled in delight as they embraced. After a second, “You got to tell Pinkie Pie, she’ll want to know.” Scootaloo said looking into Rainbow’s eyes. “You know so she can plan an ‘acceptance into Wonderbolts’ Academy party,” the young monk said. “I’ll be fine.”

Rainbow Dash nodded and headed off looking for the party planner. She found Pinkie all alone against the wall and her hair almost as flat as her sisters. Rainbow didn’t know why, but she felt sadder at the sight then she expected, it was like something happened to Tank, but more intense. She walked up to Pinkie, “Hey Pinkie, you look down in the dumps, more than you did with that whole mirror pond-pool thing when you thought you might be one of the copies.”

“Princess Celestia was right, this is not the place for Pinkie,” Pinkie answered and gave a depressed sigh.

Rainbow thought about her news and thought that now was not the time for her news, but it was the time to help her friend, just then she heard the musicians start playing a waltz.

She didn’t know why or how but in a flash, she had taken Pinkie by the hand and took the stance of the leader for a waltz while she made Pinkie take the stance of the follower. As she was still processing what she just did she started to dance. ‘Long, short, short, long, short, short,’ her part of her mind played as she flowed with the beat. Another part was focused on the growing smile on Pinkie’s face which brought a feeling Rainbow could not describe. It was like when she took Scootaloo under her wing during the camping trip the two, Applejack, Apple Bloom, Rarity, and Sweetie Belle went on, but much more intense. Another part of her mind was screaming ‘WTF!' utterly baffled at what was happening and another part was looking at Pinkie and wanting more than the friendship they had.

“It's okay that you’re confused, Dashie,” Pinkie said breaking Rainbow from all her different thoughts. “You're an only child to a single father that grew up in a household of mostly men,” Pinkie commented. Rainbow didn’t respond verbally but looked away a little ashamed. But soon she felt Pinkie’s gloved hand bring her focus back to the jester. “All we need is just this night,” Pinkie said as she slowly began to lean into a kiss.

Rainbow didn't fight it, instead, she met Pinkie halfway. This was her first kiss and she was not going to be passive about it. After a minute they broke and looked into each other's eyes, not unlike lovers. But a thought popped into Rainbow’s head, ‘does this mean…’

Before she could ask, “No. It doesn't mean that either you or I are actually into girls. Only that we are each other’s exception… at least for tonight.” Pinkie said and that actually gave Rainbow Dash some comfort.

After another minute of dancing, “Um...Pinkie, do you mind if... Um..” the elementalist stuttered trying to ask the question.

“Somewhere more private?” Pinkie asked. Rainbow nodded blushing. “Just cuddling and kissing,” Pinkie stated as she led Rainbow Dash away from the gala to one of the guest rooms of the castle.

As they entered the room the two took off everything but their actual dresses and fell on the bed. Looking deep into each other's eyes they could not but feel their hearts racing. They shared another kiss, as they broke it, “there is something I want to tell you,” Rainbow started, “I got accepted into the Wonderbolts’ Academy.” Pinkie’s smile was all Dash needed to see as they joined for a third kiss as Rainbow turned to have Pinkie Pie under her, Rainbow broke the kiss and spoke softly, as of she was laying a whisper on a pillow, into Pinkie’s left ear, “best night ever”.

Pinkie kissed Rainbow and mimicking the elementalist, “best night ever,” the jester said.

Pinkie Pie’s Night

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Pinkie Pie was bouncing up and down in delight as she and her three sisters were getting closer and closer to the entrance in spite of the line. Maud appeared emotionless, while Limestone was still agitated and Marble was showing she was uncomfortable in the situation hiding behind her eldest sister. “So who’s your other guest?” Maud asked.

“It’s a surprise,” Pinkie sing-sang as she continued to hop and skip as the four preceded, “and you know my policy on those.”

“Don’t share until the right moment,” said Maud in her usual deadpan manner as the four Pie sisters continued into the hall.

As the reach the herald, “Announcing Pinkamena Diane Pie and her guests, Limestone Pie, Maud Pie, Marble Pie and…” the herald was cut off.

“Shshs, you’ll ruin the surprise.” Pinkie scolded him in a comically serious tone.

After a second, “and unnamed fourth guest,” the herald said as he was about to blow his trumpet.

Before he could blow, Pinkie stopped him and pulled out of her hair a more musical trumpet and began to play it as she danced climbing the stairs to meet the princess all the while playing ‘When the saints coming marching in’. While many just stared at the jester at first, they all started to nervously clap their hands matching the beat following Princess Celestia, until she approached the jester. Without missing a note, Pinkie conjured another trumpet for the Princess from her hair. And with her hair, functioning as an arm, she handed the trumpet to the Princess, and the two played the rest of the song together. As they finished, Celestia handed the trumpet back to the jester as Pinkie placed both trumpets back into her hair. “Thank you, Pinkie this was getting boring, look at Luna, even she’s going to sleep,” Celestia said pointing to her fully awake sister causing the jester to laugh.

“Sister, We are noctur… Oh…” Luna started until she got the joke. She then gave a subdued chuckle, “And We were the one that bore the Element of Laughter.”

“Humor is a coping mechanism, ruling an expanding nation for a thousand years can be quite taxing on one’s psyche,” Maud said as she and the other Pie Sisters caught up and bowed to the princesses.

“We are glad that you all here,” Celestia said as she and Luna nodded, gesturing to the four to rise. “Pinkie, just to let you know, your fourth guest is already here. Should I tell h…” Celestia was stopped by Pinkie Pie covering her mouth with both her hands.

“Shshsh. You’ll ruin the surprise, even if you use the pronoun,” Pinkie said upper seriously, but then took her hands off the princess’ mouth, realizing she might have crossed a line, “Sorry about that.”

Celestia chuckled. “It’s alright. But before you go in Pinkie, I would be remiss if I didn’t try to inform you, again, that this is not actually your type of party, as it’s mostly the nobles and such from all around Mystica coming together coming together mostly to discuss matters you might not find entertaining. Not to mention, their definition of entertainment is quite a bit different than what you are used to,” the princess said with a degree of concern about the jester.

Pinkie waved her right hand dismissively, “It’s not a party without Pinkie,” Pinkie then skipped into the hall with her sisters following. The princesses looked at each other neither really happy at what could happen. However, they had to turn back to greet their guests.

As the four Pies entered the hall proper, “Ou ou,” Pinkie said as she gawked at the hall, “The shiny dance floor…” Pinkie said as she hopped on the dance floor, “The pretty party goers …” she commented as startled several of the other guests. “Ooh, the fancy band…” Pinkie continued when she saw the band, “Hi Octavia.” she said normally as she remembered the cellist.

“Good Evening to you as well, Miss Pie. I was not aware that you were a guest,” Octavia commented clearly trying to appear professional as she tested her cello making sure the strings were tuned.

Pinkie bounced away, “Shiny! Pretty! Fancy!” she exclaimed barely able to contain her excitement. After almost ten seconds, “Gotta dance!” she cheered.

“Five minutes,” Limestone said as she looked at a clock in the hall.

“That’s an all-time record, isn’t it Marble?” Maud asked as she and Limestone turned to their timid sister.

“Mhmm,” Marble replied affirming Maud’s conclusion.

“I'm at the Grand Royal Gala,
I'm at the Grand Royal Gala,
I'm at the Grand Royal Gala,
It's all I ever dreamed.
It's all I ever dreamed, woohoo!
It's all I ever dreamed, yippee!
I'm at the Grand Royal GalaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAA!” Pinkie Pie sang as she hopped, skipped, jumped, bounced around the hall, every so often taking the hands of another guest and taking them along with her. As she held the last note as her twin walked up to her and tapped her on the shoulder in an attempt to stop the jester. Pinkie did stop and looked around the others in the gala getting mostly confused and annoyed looks at her, “It's all I've ever... dreamed?” she sang much more solemnly as she dipped her head.

She was guided to a table by Marble, reuniting the four Pies. “I think it was a little on the nose, but still a good song,” Maud commented in a monotone, but Pinkie could sense the comforting inflections. After pulling out a small pebble from a dress pocket and putting it on the table, “What Boulder said was that it's just what he needed to hear.” after a second “He cannot get it out of his head and is signing it now.”

“Mhmm,” Marble concurred.

“And everyone says I am the party killer, this party was DOA hours before I arrived.” Limestone commented as she got up. “I am getting some cider, what do you all want?”

“I will take a cold special,” Pinkie said. “Want one too, Marble?” Pinkie asked.

Mable took a second or two to think and nodded with her signature “Mhmm.”

“I will have a non-alcoholic one, you need a night of not being the big sister,” Maud said as she and Limestone turned from Pinkie and Marble to each other. “Also the last time you and I both got drunk things would not have ended well if it were not for Father arriving when he did.”

“Don’t remind me, Marble hid from me for the next week she was so scared, you were lucky you had to leave for classes the next day,” Limestone commented as she left to get the drinks.

“Limestone and you know that it was all my fault. If I wasn’t so wrapped up in what you and I had planned that day and I was more emphatic to her wanting to show how good of a big sister she was I would not have made her so jealous of you.” Pinkie commented remembering that night.

“Oh Pinkie, Limestone and I weren’t guiltless either,” Maud pointed out as Limestone returned with four mugs. “But I think it would be best to move to a different topic.”

“So, meet anybody interesting in your studies?” Limestone asked, making the decision of the topic.

“Not really. Although Boulder has met to a few nice diamonds-in-the-rough.” Maud answered. “Any interesting people coming to the farm?”

“There was this one girl that worked on the farm for a few months, an illusionist by trade. She was actually very good. Did so much good for the farm that she earned enough to be set for three lifetimes even if her showbiz doesn’t work out as long as she’s smart, but she’s welcome back anytime. Surprised Father that a Magicborn could do what she did. Told him it was a good investment.” Limestone informed describing in very non-specific terms of the hired hand. She smirked at the end and drank some of her cider.

“I should have stopped by the farm more often last year, I would love to have met her, maybe throw a party or two for her,” Pinkie said as she looked back at her year.

“Mhmm.” Marble said, but it was not in her usual conformational use, it was as if she was trying to say that it would have been a bad idea at the time. However, the youngest Pie started to look around until her gaze stopped at the Apples’ stand and it's vendors namely a particular cleric that no one could miss.

This was not lost on any of the other three Pies sisters as Marble just dreamily stared at Big Mac with a small blush starting to grow on her face. “Come on Marble,” said Pinkie as she started to get up taking Marble by the hand, “we all know Big Macintosh likes you we can see it a mile away, and that you like him, you both have some things in common. And if he does hurt ya in some way you know that your sisters will be more than happy to show him why he’s an idiot for not noticing the amazing person you are,” Pinkie said. But Marble shook her head as her face started to flush redder and redder as she refused to stand up. Just then the three older Pies turned as they heard the clamor and clatter of people making way for something big… or rather someone big. Big Mac stopped at the table. Right behind him was Apple Bloom.

“AJ said Big Mac should court Marble.” the young artificer said as she walked around Big Mac to take a seat at the table. “Well come on, Big Brot’er, ask her.”

Pinkie's face lit up and the smile on her face grew almost impossibly large by her standards. She stepped to the side, got behind Marble and forced her twin to her feet. While Marble was clearly not happy with what just happened, Pinkie knew her twin like the idea of being sought after. “Come on Marble, you know you want to spend time with him,”

Marble blushed as she replied, “Mhmm.”

“Well, Big Mac, do yah want to spend time with her?” Apple Bloom asked.

Big Mac and Marble looked at each other and Big Mac replied not with a word, but offering his right hand, not unlike how he offered his hand to greet Twilight. On his face as a gentle smile and a slight blush.

“Don’t treat her like some pansy!” Limestone exclaimed. “We’re rock farmers. We can take it!”

“It’s customary for a man to show to a woman that he is not going to hurt her, that she is safe and secure with him.” Maud pointed out. “Also maybe Marble wants to be treated delicately, this is a new experience for her.” While Maud was still monotone in her speech there was a very subtle inflection of anger.

“Come on, this is a big moment for Marble, are we going to ruin it for her or are we going to help our baby sister out?!” Pinkie Pie asked cheerfully stopping the impending argument between the two before it could begin.

“Help her out.” the elder Pie Sisters said together only for them, Pinkie and Apple Bloom to turn and see that Marble and Big Mac halfway across the hall.

“Ah always thought Big Mac was shy, but he worked fast,” Apple Bloom commented as the three older women just stared at the possible couple.

Before anyone else spoke, “I ship it.” Pinkie commented as she took out a pencil and piece of paper from her hair. “So what should we call it?” Pinkie asked as she was placed the pencil on the paper, sticking her tongue out in thought.

“Can we not write Marble’s love life like it’s some cheap fan fiction one shot?” Limestone asked annoyed. Pinkie gave a nervous smile and teehee as she put the pencil and paper back into her hair. Limestone then turned to Apple Bloom, “What do you want?” she asked.

“Well, um, yah see we find a lot of rocks on our farm when we plow and such and Ah was a’wondering if yall knew of a way to use t’em beside a stone wall fence,” Apple Bloom answered nervously giving a weak teehee as well.

“We can talk, Boulder always wanted to know about the rocks on an apple orchard,” Maud said getting Apple Bloom’s attention.

“Who’s Boulder?” the young artificer asked not seeing anyone else at the table.

“He’s right here,” Maud said pointing to the pebble. Apple Bloom was confused at first, but she remembered she has seen weirder from Pinkie Pie. The two headed to another table, Maud taking her pet rock with her.

Pinkie sighed in boredom, “You could try another song and dance.” Limestone suggested as she drank more of her cider. Pinkie Pie smiled and bounced away to where the musicians are.

After a few minutes, Pinkie Pie reached her destination. She smiled looking at Octavia. The cellist was lucky that she arrived at a part of the number that the cello was not needed. She looked at the jester, “How can I help you, Miss Pie?” Octavia asked.

“I was wondering do you do requests?” Pinkie Pie asked.

Octavia never had a request before, but she was well versed with the policies, “Only attendees with number tickets in the single digits can make requests.” Octavia answered. Pinkie the pulled out of her hair her golden gala ticket and handed it to Octavia the ticket. Octavia was clearly shocked at this. But after collecting her thoughts, “So what do what played?” the bard asked. Pinkie then pulled out a music sheet. It took Octavia less than a second to know the song, “The Hokey Pokey?” the cellist asked. Pinkie Pie nodded fervently. Octavia pinched the bridge of her nose. It was clear she wanted to lecture the jester, but elected to just humor Pinkie. “Give me a minute,” she said and tapped her stand with her cello’s bow.

“C'mon, everybody! I know what will make you shake those groove-thangs!” Pinkie shouted as she left the stage as Octavia and her band started to play the tune for the ‘Hokey Pokey’. “You reach your right hand in
You reach your right hand out
You reach your right hand in
And you shake it all about
You do the Hokey Pokey meeting lots of folks with clout
That's what I'm talking about,” Pinkie started to sing as she danced pouring her heart and soul into it. Most of the guests were utterly baffled at that saw what the jester do. Many were nervous about what to say or do as Pinkie is a guest.

“You step your left hand in
You pull it right back out
You step your left hand in
But you better help him out
You do the Hokey Pokey but should find a different route
That's what it's all about” Pinkie continued as more and more of the guests were forcibly drawn into the dance by the trickster mage. It was clear this was getting under the skin of more and more of the guests.

“You kick your left leg in
You pull your left leg out
You reach your left leg in
Just be brave and have no doubt
You do the Hokey Pokey feeling like you're gonna pout
That's what I'm singing about”, three verses into, and the majority of the other guests had enough of this plebeian nonsense, this is the Grand Royal Gala. One of them walked up to the musicians and guested to the musicians to stop.

“You tilt your head in
You tilt your head out
You tilt your head in
Then you shake it all about
You do the Hokey Pokey even though your date's a lout
You're better off without,” Pinkie Pie sang even as the music ended but as she finished the verse she noticed that the music stopped. She looked around seeing a lot of angry guests.

One female guest took a breath and speaking to the jester, “Young lady, this is a gala, a formal event. Not some six-year old’s birthday party hosted in a backwater.” the guest commented extremely bitter to Pinkie Pie. Pinkie looked at the gala around her and everyone else seemed to be just as annoyed with the trickster. Weakly Pinkie Pie walked away. Everyone then turned back to their business as the musicians started to play music more fitting to a gala.

After returning to the table, “Three verses with music, and people say I am a stick in the mud.” Limestone said as took a swig of her cider as Pinkie sat down.

“Actually they say worse things about you,” Pinkie pointed out, “but you’re still right about these people.” she gave a sigh. After finishing her cider she leaned onto the table and sighed again, “I am bored,” Pinkie said as a frown formed on her face as her hair slightly deflated.

“Um, Pinkie,” came the soft voice of Fluttershy, which helped pull the pink jester out of her brooding, “I could use your help with something...if you’re not too busy, that is,” Fluttershy said getting the jester’s attention. Pinkie Pie leaped out of her chair in glee. “You can help too if you want,” Fluttershy offered Limestone.

“Leave me be, just bring my sister back.” Limestone said annoyed. The two left but as they left they saw someone walk up to Limestone with two mugs offering one to Limestone.

After a few minutes, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie arrived at the place where the animals were located. “I need your help getting these animals into the gala and reunited with their respective druids,” Fluttershy said as she sat among the animals and looked at Pinkie Pie with pleading eyes.

“Wait, wait, wait, you want me to smuggle them in! How do you pose I do that?” Pinkie Pie asked as she was taken aback at that what the druid asked her.

“But those are things. As a tricksters mage, I legally must not put animals in my pocket and in my hair. Also, it’s a generally bad idea to put living things in there, Gummy can only get away with it because he’s been exposed to my magic for so long.” Pinkie Pie pointed out waving her arms in protest. At that moment the alligator in question popped his head out of Pinkie's hair, blinked, licked his right eye and went back into Pinkie's hair.

“But cannot you pull a rabbit out of your hat?” Fluttershy asked not letting up on her plea.

Fluttershy accepted the paper and began to read it silently to herself. After she finished, “So this is basically saying I am responsible for anything that might happen to these animals?” Fluttershy asked the jester. Pinkie Pie nodded. Fluttershy cleared her throat, Pinkie had no idea what Fluttershy was saying to the animals, but the jester noted that they were listening to the druid even as she turned to Angel. “Please?” Fluttershy asked the rabbit. Angel then took one of the hats and jumped through it coming out the other one. After the animals witnessed this they gathered and seemed to debate. After a minute the large wolf decided to copy Angel’s example and emerged from the hat it did not enter and while it showed that it was surprising, it repeated and showed that it was safe. All the other animals then turned to Fluttershy and nodded in agreement. Fluttershy then signed the paper and handed it back to Pinkie Pie. Pinkie Pie put the document into her hair.

As Pinkie walked back in, she started going around trying to interact with the other guest, but each guest gave her the cold shoulder, one after another. But Pinkie Pie remained adamant in her attempts, but slowly but surely it was getting to her. After some time Pinkie walked to a wall, a part of her was happy that Marble was able to be with someone and that someone was the gentle giant Big Mac, that Maud was making friends with the greater group of her friends, namely Apple Bloom and Limestone was actually happy. But for Pinkie this night had been boring, nothing she did add any fun to the party, save helping Fluttershy. But even that seemed hollow.“Worst night ever,” she whispered as she felt her hair deflate, this was almost as bad as it was when she thought everyone was avoiding her until she remembered it was her birthday just as they said ‘Surprise, Happy Birthday Pinkie’. No, this was worse, that time it was her friends in Magiville, minus Twilight and Spike because Twilight was still in Chantalot at the time, trying to surprise her and make her happy, here… well… things were different.

As she leaned against the wall when she heard a familiar voice, “Hey Pinkie, you look down in the dumps, more than you did with that whole mirror pond-pool thing when you thought you might be one of the copies.” Pinkie looked up to see Rainbow Dash right in front of her.

“Princess Celestia was right, this is not the place for Pinkie,” Pinkie answered and gave a depressed sigh as she looked away and to the ground. As she looked away she didn’t notice the musicians start a waltz and before she could realize what happened she was in the stance of a follower with Rainbow Dash as the leader. ‘Is Dashie...ahh,’ Pinkie realized as she and Rainbow Dash were dancing together. Pinkie gave a silent gasp while giving an internal squeal of delight, as she felt a rush of euphoria. However, she noticed that Rainbow Dash was confused about something and didn’t know why, but when she looked at how close the two were to each other and what they were doing the dots connected. She knew what to do, “It's okay that you’re confused, Dashie,” Pinkie said breaking Rainbow from all her apparent doubts. “You're an only child to a single father that grew up in a household of mostly men,” Pinkie commented. Rainbow didn’t respond verbally but looked away a little ashamed. However, Pinkie moved her gloved hand to bring Rainbow’s focus back to the jester. “All we need is just this night,” Pinkie said as she slowly began to lean into a kiss. However Pinkie did not go all the way, she was met halfway by Rainbow. This was her first kiss and she was glad that her partner was active in the kiss as well. After a minute they broke and looked into each other's eyes, not unlike lovers.

Seeing Rainbow’s face, it was clear to Pinkie that the elementalist was wondering if this meant that she was…“No. It doesn't mean that either you or I are actually into girls. Only that we are each other’s exception… at least for tonight.” Pinkie said, answering Rainbow Dash’s unasked question, which seemed to give Rainbow Dash some comfort.

After another minute of dancing, “Um...Pinkie do you mind if... Um..” the elementalist stuttered trying to ask the question.

“Somewhere more private?” Pinkie asked, catching on to what Rainbow Dash was thinking faster than Rainbow was. Rainbow nodded blushing. “Just cuddling and kissing,” Pinkie stated as she led Rainbow Dash away from the gala to one of the guest rooms of the castle.

As they entered the room Pinkie selected, which was her room, the two took off everything but their actual dresses and fell onto the bed. Looking deep into each other's eyes they could not but feel their hearts racing. They shared another kiss, as they broke it, “there is something I want to tell you,” Rainbow started, “I got accepted into the Wonderbolts’ Academy.”

Pinkie smiled happy for her Dashie, which seemed to be what Rainbow Dash needed to see as they joined for a third kiss as Rainbow turned to have Pinkie Pie under her, Rainbow broke the kiss and spoke softly, as of she was laying a whisper on a pillow, into Pinkie’s left ear, “best night ever”.

Pinkie leaned up and kissed Rainbow once more, “best night ever,” she whispered similarly as she reached her arms around Rainbow to pull her down into another kiss and embrace.

Rarity's Night

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Rarity and Sweetie Belle were the second last pair of the group to arrive for the gala. “How did we all get separated?” Rarity asked more to herself than anyone noting that their group had fragmented after leaving the changing room

“Well, The Apples had to get there as soon as possible, you know to have the stand ready to cater. As for Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo are all light on their feet being Skyborns and Angel really wants to be here. As for Pinkie and her sisters, well…” Sweetie Belle stopped unsure how to articulate the next point.

“Pinkie is Pinkie, that’s all we need to say on the matter, Sweetie.” Rarity said as got into the hall for the gala.

“Announcing the arrival of Rarity Crumbles-Flanks and her guest Sweetie Belle Crumbles-Flanks.” Both gave nervous smiles, very few things were more embarrassing at these sorts of events than practically the whole room learning your embarrassing or awkward sounding family name.

As he was about to blow his trumpet, Rarity placed her hand on it and while blew it no sound came, “That won't be necessary Darling. You have done quite enough (damage) already.” Rarity commented as the sisters pressed on.

“This line is really long and looks like it's getting longer. Do you think Twilight will be able to get in?” Sweetie Belle asked as the walked towards the stairs to the actual hall.

“I hope so. It’s not just that you would have to wait for Spike all alone for them or be bored out of your mind as I try to… well, court Blueblood.”

“I would ask you stay with me, but your window of opportunity is shutting faster than a greased rabbit running on a lard skillet.” Rarity looked at Sweetie Belle utterly baffled at what her sister just said. “Our clubhouse is on the grounds of Sweet Apple Temple and I spend more time with Apple Bloom then you do with Applejack. Also, Dad loves euphemism.” Rarity elected to not press the issue as they pressed on and climbed the steps to greet the princesses before going into the actual hall for the gala.

At the top of the stairs, they two gave a curtsey to the Princesses. “We are glad to have you both here,” Luna said as the princesses nodded to Sweetie Belle and Rarity, gesturing to the two Magicborn to rise. All the while the herald announced arrival after arrival of the guests to the gala, but this was mostly ignored by Rarity and Sweetie Belle.

Celestia, however, seemed in thought for a moment, “Crumbles-Flanks… Crumbles-Flanks…” she muttered. “Are you two by chance relations of the rugby player, Hondo Magnum Flanks?” Celestia asked.

“You know our father, your grace?” Rarity asked confused that her father was known outside of Magiville.

“He’s the best rugby players in recent Mystican history. So if Hondo is your father and your family name is Crumbles-Flanks then that must mean…”

“Your majesty, please, I implore you. It’s not that I don’t love my parents, but I would prefer if you not divulge the entirety of my… pedigree in such a public setting,” Rarity asked cutting the elder of the diarchs off. “With all due respect.”

Celestia chuckled to herself, “Fair enough.” Celestia took a breath and speaking only so that Rarity could hear. “We hope you both enjoy your night, but before you go, Blueblood is not what you expect as a prince.”

“Thank you for your concern, your grace,” Rarity replied, she then turned to Sweetie Belle and then backed to the princesses, “Your graces, could Sweetie Belle stay with you both while I head in until…” Rarity started to ask the diarchs.

Before anyone can respond, “Announcing the arrival of Royal Astrophysics Night Light and his wife Twilight Velvet.” the herald said and blew his trumpet. “Announcing the arrival of Her Majesty Princess Celestia's Apprentice Twilight Sparkle and her familiar Spike the dragon!” The herald then blew the trumpet again.

Sweetie Belle hugged her sister, “Best of luck with Blueblood,” Sweetie squeaked happily and she ran down the stairs to greet Spike.

Rarity turned to the princesses, “Never mind, your majesties.” Rarity then gave another curtsey and headed into the ballroom proper.

After arriving in the hall, Rarity gave no signs of being affected by the sheer number of people. Granted having spent a week with a fair number of the nobles before Twilight’s birthday had given her significant clout. Within minutes she was greeted by a familiar couple, “Rarity.” she heard. “Well, it should be expected.” Rarity turned to see Fancypants and his wife, Fleur.

“Baron Fancypants,” Rarity said with a small bow. “It is great to see you and you as well, Fleur.” Rarity said turning to the slender baroness. As she noticed the wooden mugs the two held, “I see you have tried the Apple family cider, I am assuming the non-alcoholic variant.”

“I must admit I was taken aback after trying it,” Fleur confessed. “So what, pray tell are your plans for tonight?” Fleur asked.

Rarity took a breath, “I am looking for Prince Blueblood, I am given to understand that he would be attending this event.”

Fleur gave an exasperated sigh, Fancypants chuckled at his wife’s discomfort, “Please forgive my wife. She and my distant cousin are not on the best of terms with each other.” He said rather diplomatically. “I can introduce you to him if you wish.”

“Why thank you, Baron,” Rarity said in gratitude as she gave him a well-graced handshake.

“If you are going to be spending time with Blueblood, Roy,” said Fleur, “I will abstain from the activity. So, if you would, please do two things for me.”

“Of course, dear,” said Fancypants, “what would those be?”

“Kindly remind him of the...arrangement we made at our last meeting, you know how scatter-shot his memory is,” Fleur answered, Fancypants gave a diplomatic chuckle, “and could you also give this young lady some advice regarding him.” Fancypants nodded, more so to humor his wife.

“Yes dear,” Fancypants commented, he then turned his attention back to Rarity, he offered his right arm, “May I escort you?”

“Certainly, provided your wife has no problem with it.” Rarity said reminding Fancypants about his wife.

Fancypants turned to address Fleur, “The less time I spend with Blueblood, the happier I will be.” the elegant Baroness said as she headed back to the Apple family’s stand, most likely to get another cider.

Fancypants chuckled as he escorted Rarity to one of the doors and out into one of the many gardens in the palace grounds, in particular, the rose garden. “As Fleur said there are some things you need to know about Blueblood, he tends to focus on himself. So depending on what you are trying to achieve, you should either be more like a ‘yes-man’ or threaten to make a scene.”

Rarity elected to silently agree to what she was told. As they neared on they rose bushes, Fancypants pointed out a man. The man in question was slightly taller than most men, he had long blonde hair, blue eyes, dressed in a white nobleman’s high social event suit, with black cuffs, a black collar with a blue bow-tie, he seemed to give off an aura of being of the Chantalot upper-crust. “Good Evening Blueblood,” Fancypants said getting the younger man’s attention.

“Why yes it is, almost as good as my tailor’s work,” Blueblood commented calling attention albeit indirectly to himself. “What brings you by, Roy, another remark from your wife she cannot deliver.” He asked rather dismissively.

“Actually no, I am actually here to introduce someone to you. Remember your cousin Cadance’s wedding?” Fancypants asked but he already knew the answer.

Blueblood thought on the question a moment or at least made a show of thinking. “I’m sorry to say I was not in attendance,” said Blueblood after his show of thinking. “I either misplaced my invitation or it got lost in the mail.”

Fancypants gave a knowing smile, the truth was Cadance and Shining Armor and specifically requested Blueblood be omitted from the guest list, both having a very low opinion of the man. Fancypants quickly turned his attention to Rarity and whispered, “Remember what we talked about, madam. And try not to let the event or titles cloud your judgment, after all, Princess Celestia is known for bequeathing titles she deems appropriate to those she has deemed worthy, while others have had their titles inherited separately from the delegations of the throne.” He then turned back to Blueblood, “Well this young lady was commissioned to make the bridal gown and the dresses for the bridesmaids. By Princess Celestia herself.”

Blueblood turned his attention to Rarity, taking on a rather charming tone, “Well, hello. I am Prince Blueblood,” he said as he took Rarity’s left hand and kissed the back of it.

Rarity blushed modestly, “I am... Rarity.” the enchantress said as she gave subdued but still starry-eyed gaze to the nephew of the diarchs.

Fancypants then let go of Rarity, “Well, I best be going. Take care, Miss Rarity.” he said as he left the two.

Seeing a particular marvelous rose, “Oh my, what a lovely rose,” Rarity commented in an attempt to start a conversation.

Blueblood turned his attention back to the rose bush, “You mean…” he started and then pluck the rose from the bush and held it out as if he was going to offer it to Rarity, “this rose?” he asked. Rarity nodded expecting it to be offered to her, but Blueblood placed the rose into his left shirt pocket. “Thank you. It goes with my eyes.” Rarity internally moaned at that action. “Let’s go inside.”

As they arrived at the door Blueblood stepped to the side, Rarity walked up but was baffled that he was not opening the door for her. Instead, it was as if he was waiting for her to open the door for him. ‘Seriously!’ Rarity internally exclaimed. However, she strove not to show it. Instead, she opened the door, ‘Well, to be fair, as Mother once said ‘if ya want yahr man to always open the door for yah, you got to open it for him every so often, doncha know.’ Rarity internally face-palmed herself, ‘Great, I am sounding just like Mother.’ Rarity thought as Blueblood entered and then followed him. Still in thought. ‘Just give him a chance, Rarity. His princely side is sure to come out if you're just patient.’ She reasoned with herself. As she walked she was suddenly stopped.

“Miss Rarity! Stop!” Prince Blueblood said as he stopped Rarity as he called attention to a puddle.

Welcomingly surprised at the action of Blueblood, “Oh. Prince Blueblood! How chivalrous.” she commented as she seemed to be lost in the moment, as if what she wished to see from the prince.

“One would hate to slip,” Blueblood commented as he looked at Rarity. Rarity’s heart could not stop racing as the prince seemed to care about her safety.

“Yes. One certainly would,” Rarity said still lost in the moment, it was as if all her patience and her planning were about to pay off.

“One's cloak should take care of the problem,” Blueblood said as he took Rarity’s shawl gently, while also surprisingly tastefully, lowered it over the offending substance and covered the puddle and walked over it. This left Rarity rather annoyed as her expectations were once again subverted.

“Oh, of course, it will,” she said dryly as she walked over her shawl. After which she levitated it and summoned a force-field of sorts around it as she gave a sigh of frustration over what has happened.

After the loss of her shawl, a product that had taken quite a bit of her finer material to make was practically ruined, she was sure that even the most intense cleaning possible would not remove the ‘damage’ that had been done to the poor accessory. As they continued on Blueblood said, “There is a group known as the Remembrance Theatre Group,” Rarity gave a genuine smile remembering how the troupe had first introduced her to more upscale type plays while not making much of a dent in the accounts of herself or her parents, “they asked for a few donations a while back,” Rarity hoped she knew where this conversation was going, “so I thought why not, I remembered a few good plays in my youth so it would only be fair to provide a small handful of silver coins to a charity that is all about helping us to remember those days.”

Rarity was quietly seething, the RTG was an organization dedicated to providing quality plays to communities that either didn’t have the facilities, means or population to put on any sort of big production. It was a young Rarity’s introduction to the glamours of high society, and how she had managed to become acquainted with some of her friends in the first place. They got their name from the fact they wanted all the tribes to remember their connection to each other, in fact, her first ever show seen by them was the tale of Hearth’s Warming Eve, which she later learned was a play they had done since the time of group’s inception. Magiville had grown a bit since their early days, but as a sort of tradition, the group stopped by in their small town at least once a year and perform a show or two before moving on. Rarity suspected with Twilight’s choosing to settle down in Magiville, for the time being at least, that it might be the signal of a population boom for the town, especially when you considered Twilight’s pedigree and education, which the arcane mage didn’t really try to play up as long as the situation didn’t warrant it, which was most of the time.

“Then of course,” continued Blueblood, completely oblivious to what was going on with the elegant lady next to him, “There is the castle renovation project, with Princess Luna having such a long leave of absence we must do our best to make the palace feel comforting for her again.” Once again Rarity caught his well-worded burst of hot air, “I’ve dedicated a few thousand gold pieces to the cause, I assure you,” Rarity knew that his paltry ‘donation’ was barely enough to pay for more than a handful of supplies or workers in regards to a project of this magnitude, on top of that if he had actually paid attention to the history of Mystica's rulers, he would have known that Luna had never lived in Chantalot, to begin with, she would have assisted Celestia with the designs for the city and its castle, but Luna herself had only been in Chantalot since around what many would estimate as that very year’s Summer Sun celebration, the celebration originally being a time Celestia had set aside for the populace to celebrate the ‘defeat’ of Nightmare Moon. She was starting doubt her decision on who she was trying to court.

“Have you tried the food?” a nobleman asked Blueblood and Rarity. Both shook their heads no.

“Oh, you must have some of it,” A noblewoman added, “It is absolutely divine!”

“Well, when it’s made by the clergy, we should expect nothing less.” another in the group said.

“Alright, shall we?” Blueblood asked as he headed for the food stand. It took them a while to get there.

Once they located the stand, Rarity and Blueblood stepped up to the Apple family stand. “Howdy, Rarity, what can Ah get for yah?” Applejack asked.

Before Rarity could answer, “What is this? Common carnival fare! Blah!” Blueblood said in disgust at what was offered and stormed off.

Before Rarity could comment about it, “Et’s alright, Sugarcube, it’s not like Apple Bloom, Big Mac, Granny and Ah spent hours and days pouring our blood, sweat, and tears into each of these.” Applejack said with her eyes closed as she clenched her fist, also giving an agitated twitch of her right eye. Again before Rarity said anything, “Just go.” Applejack said as she opened her eyes, her pupils narrow. Rarity then left to follow Blueblood.

She was almost done with Blueblood, but there was still some small hope that this was all a façade, a ruse. That deep down Blueblood was a nice person, but given that so many young women and girls have sought the hand of a many in his social standing, Rarity knew she was not the first to ever attempt to court the nephew of Princess Celestia, then become a princess by marrying him, he most likely elected to step up all this to weed out those that just want the title from the true gems, the mass from the Rarity (pun intended).

When she caught up to her target, “Oh Miss Rarity, I thought I lost you.” Blueblood said as he greeted her having rejoined the group they departed from.

“I am so touched by your concern.” Rarity said, her voice supersaturated with sarcasm, which seemed to be utterly lost on the prince as he continued to chat with and boast to the others around him, to which they seemed to be eating it all up.

“Runaway cake!” Rarity heard, she and everyone turned to see a fairly large cake come flying towards her and Prince Blueblood.

As the large cake was about to collide with the two, they screamed as it was about to make contact. But at the last minute, Blueblood pulled Rarity, the enchantress was expecting him to cover her with his own body. However, Rarity was used as the shield. As everyone nearby stood there with their mouths covered in shock, Rarity started to grunt and fume, barely containing her anger as she turned to Blueblood. As she stepped forward Blueblood stepped back keeping an equal distance between the two as they walked. Rarity had it if this was the price for one night, there was no purpose in pursuing any sort of relationship with this… this... Rarity was a lady and such uncouth word choice that applied to Blueblood was unbecoming for her to utter, no matter how fitting they were to Blueblood. But while Rarity might have internally calmed, externally she was not letting Blueblood off without chewing him out first. She growled with righteous fury, “You, sir, are the most uncharming prince I have ever met! In fact, the only thing royal about you is the pain you put on others!”

Blueblood looked around nervously, trying to not have the remnant of the cake come into contact with one of his best suits, “Ewww...!... Uh, stay back! I just had my suit dry-cleaned!” he pleaded almost pitifully.

Rarity refused to let up, “What, are you afraid to get a little dirty?! You seem to be acquainted with it in how you ‘play’, sir!” the enchantress shouted and her words started to devolve into unintelligible babbles as her anger was boiling over and her pupils turned into blue flames. As she witnessed Blueblood trip over backward landing on his rear and whimper as he tried to back crawl on the floor, Rarity took a breath and was able to re-articulate her thoughts. “I can not believe you,” Rarity practically roared at Blueblood, “using a lady as shield to protect yourself from a confection would have been almost forgivable if it hadn’t your egocentric rants with bouts of narcissism, and to make matters worse you turned the entire time a lovely, young lady showing genuine interest in you into a platform for bragging about things you either know next to nothing about or had a hand in while proclaiming to have a vested interest in. How you manage to maintain your station is a mystery that I’m sure even the princesses are trying to investigate, not you, the fact you still have a noble title and holdings. And above all else, you ruined an outfit that had a lot of time, energy and money invested in it,” with that she stormed off, pieces of the confection that hit her falling to the floor in randomly sized chunks as she went.

Her little outburst had also drawn the kind of attention even someone of Blueblood’s ego didn’t like to attract, he figured it would be some unflattering gossip for the next week or so, as such he didn’t really think much of it, of course, that was because he didn’t bother to learn about all new security measure that would result in Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and their staffs being able to witness his complete lack of moral character.

Rarity sat down at one of the tables, this night had been a disaster. Her prince was anything but charming, she had been humiliated and objectified, the list could go on but Rarity did not want to dwell on it. She was so caught up in how bad things were that it was not until she felt a cloth on her left cheek that she realized she was not alone or how long she was there alone. She turned and there sitting next to her was what Rarity could only describe as Spike in ten or so years, just old enough for them to have a relationship. “Hey Rarity,” the bipedal dragon said, he sounded much like how Rarity imagined Spike would sound as he matured into adulthood.

“Spike?” Rarity asked in utter disbelief at seeing Spike in his current state. “How?”

Spike pulled from under the collar of his suit a necklace with a gem Rarity never saw before, “Sweetie Belle sang some sort of song that resonated with this gem that Maud and Limestone had, which Apple Bloom made into this necklace. It’s only temporary, until dawn.” He gave a little chuckle, almost as if he were laughing at some sort of joke.

“Now, even you’re mocking me,” said Rarity indignantly, making ready to find a different location to mope.

“Oh, no,” said Spike, “just laughing at the shallowness of the event and in my honest opinion, you still are the prettiest one here, even if you are covered in cake. Of course, in my opinion, you would still be the prettiest one here if you were wearing a potato sack and covered in dirt.” Spike commented giving his sincere opinion.

“Let’s not get excited over theoreticals or shamelessness,” said Rarity, “but thanks for the vote of confidence, Spike.” Rarity was still depressed.

“Hey, how many women can say they civilized a beast like a dragon?” Spike asked, Rarity was no longer depressed, but utterly confused, and it was clearly indicated by her raised eyebrows. “Rarity, you are a great woman, and maybe your charming prince was not born a prince or charming,” Spike said as he finished removing all he could from Rarity’s dress. Spike then wrote on the cloth, “To Blueblood’s face.” Spike exhaled green fire on the cloth and it flew away like one of the letters to Princess Celestia.

After a second Spike held up three claws and after mouthing ‘three, two, one,’ as he lowered each claw and a second after he mouthed ‘one' the two heard Blueblood give a shout of disgust accompanied by a few laughs at his expense. This gave Rarity a rather heartfelt chuckle. She looked to Spike, “Thank you.”

“This wasn’t my idea, it was Sweetie Belle’s,” Spike informed with a nervous chuckle. Just then the musicians started to play a waltz. Spike rose and offered his hand, “I am actually a pretty good dancer.”

Rarity accepted the offer and within seconds she was on the floor in a waltz, Spike taking the lead and soon he more or whisked her off her feet as they started. “Remind me to thank Sweetie Belle in the morning,” Rarity whispered to Spike as she closed the distance between the two. Before he could ask, “For the best night ever,” she answered and kissed the dragon on his lips.

“Couldn't agree more,” Spike replied as the two continued to dance the night away.

The Siblings’ Night

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Now for a change in venue:

Big Mac and Marble

After the two departed from their sisters, Big Mac and Marble walk to the other end of the hall. They spoke not a word but had no need. Big Mac rarely used words he has always used his actions to convey his thoughts. Granted he was frequently not in thought but was frequently trapped in memory. Often seeing his past happening alongside the present. But now he had no memories to watch, a relief. However, he had nothing to fall back on to start talking with Marble.

Seeing Big Mac struggling to come up with something to say, Marble found a quiet place for the two to sit apart from most of the gala. She guided him out a set of doors and opened them. This took Big Mac by surprise, but he didn’t question it. There the two saw a wide set of stairs that lead into one of the many gardens on the castle ground. Marble then sat down on the top step and patted the spot to her right. Big Mac accepted the hint and joined her. Looking to the stars he finally found something to say, “Ah ain't nev’r seen so many jealous gals,” Marble was taken aback, at what Big Mac just said. Before she could ask, “Ah mean tha stars.” The geomancer looked up to the sky and blushed, she never felt so … she didn’t know how she felt, but she was being told by a man not related to her that she was prettier than stars.

Marble didn’t know what to say or do, she had never spent so much time with a man not related to her. She started to hum out of nervousness. Her humming was, “hum, hum, hum-hu-hu, hu-hu,” and it continued like that for a few seconds.

Big Mac knew that tune, he sang the song it was written for. In fact, he wrote the song, ‘The Music In You’, which he wrote for his acapella group, which included Rarity. Pinkie must have sung it when she visited her family over the time around Hearth’s Warming. He decided to actually sing, “Bum, bum, bum-ba-da, ba-da
Bum, bum, bum-ba-da ah,” he started the song proper, as he sang Marble stopped humming and looked at Big Mac both startled and in awe.

Big Mac stopped and looked at Marble and gave her a welcoming smile, “Bum, bum, bum-ba-da, ba-da
Bum, bum, bum-ba-da ah,” he repeated and gave Marble a nudge of encouragement as gently as he possibly could, even with that degree of gentleness, normally he would have knocked the person over, but Marble was solid, solid like a rock. Marble was a little confused, but it dawned on her that Big Mac was trying to get her join him in the song and she could not help but join in.

“Bum, bum, bum-ba-da, ba-da
Bum, bum, bum-ba-da ah,” Big Mac continued to sing with Marble joining in as the two seemed to rock back and forth with the internal beat of the song.

“Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah
Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah,” Marble sang joining in with Big Mac. She could not help but be happy and feel… well, she never felt this way before.

“Everybody's sayin' you should learn to express your voice
But if talking doesn't seem like it's the answer,” Big Mac sang looking to the starry sky.

Joining him, Marble’s voice started out small but started to grow, encouraged by Big Mac.“Luckily you have a choice
When you find you've got the music
Got the music in you
Find you've got the music
Got the music in you,” Big Mac stopped at the first ‘Got the music’ and Marble continued to sing without the cleric’s accompanying base, which originally drowned out her smaller voice but it was not until the end that she realized she was alone in the song. She stopped and tried to hide her face behind her bang. But soon she felt her hands and hair being moved. She opened her eyes to see Big Mac just looking into her eyes as if they were the only thing Big Mac cared about, or rather she was the only person the cleric cared about. Part of her wanted to look away, but another part wanted more than just his eyes peering into her eyes.

Big Mac had never felt so drawn to any person, yes Twilight was a crush, but so was Cheerilee, and to be honest at one time or another each of Applejack’s friends had caught his eye for different reasons, Rainbow was no-nonsense and was… well, low maintenance, Fluttershy was non-judgemental and let him express himself as himself, Rarity was gorgeous and did not challenge the traditional roles in courtship and Pinkie was… Pinkie was… well Pinkie, but he was never… enthralled like he was by the timid twin of Magiville’s residing party planning trickster mage. He wanted to lean in and kiss her, but he was not going to go any further until he knew what Marble wanted. Normally he would be told by the girl or rather asked if he would continue, but he was not used to someone as silent as him. However, he felt Marble placed her left hand on his cheek as if to…“Mhmm.” the geomancer said as she closed her eyes and tilted her head slightly as she lent up to him.

Before Marble could reach the cleric, he came to her. This was Marble’s first kiss, but as she felt Big Mac move not only his lips but himself so that Marble would get the most out of the kiss, clearly showing that he has kissed before, but now all his focus on her. She felt safe in his large arms as they wrapped around her. However, she still clung to him as she wrapped her arms around him. She had no idea how long they were kissing but there was a sudden break. Marble didn’t know why but then noticed her breathing as a little rapid. Big Mac had stopped so that the two could breathe. He was as Pinkie described him, a gentle giant. Marble tucked her head under Big Mac’s chin and gave a slight sigh of bliss. ‘Is this how mother and father feel when they are with each other?’ she asked herself without saying a word, but she didn’t want to leave this spot.

Big Mac and Marble were silent for awhile, they were not sure for how long, but after a while, they got back up to their feet and returned to the gala. As the entered Big Mac saw Applejack walking away from the food stand. Big Mac looked to Marble as if to ask her to manage his family's stand. Marble nodded and the two more or less took over. Granted there was almost nothing; a few goods and a fairly large apple cake remained with one keg of cider with still some cider but was almost emptied. Within a minute the only things that remained were the cake and two mugs worth of cider.

The two decided to finish off the cider and turned their backs from the cake unaware that the part of the cart it was on was detached and started to roll away. It was not until they heard, “Runaway cake.” that they noticed that the cake was gone. Big Mac simply closed up the stand, locked it up and rolled it into a corner, all the while whistling as guilty men often do in an attempt to give off the aura of innocence. Marble was slightly confused at what happened but elected to not to question it as she waited for Big Mac return. With everything more or less, taken care of, Big Mac started to walk back to Marble. En route he heard Octavia prepare her cello and the rest of the musicians prepare to play a waltz. He was not much of a formal dancer but he was willing to try.

As he returned to Marble, Big Mac started to head to the dance floor for the waltz that was about to begin. However, Marble had other plans. She pulled towards a set of doors. Big Mac did not argue. After a short while, they arrived at one of the rooms Celestia had reserved for Twilight and company to stay overnight. Marble opened the door and looking at Big Mac, her eyes asked him to spend the night with her as she stepped into the room taking his hand in both of hers.

“Eeyup,” Big Mac said as he entered the room, shutting the door behind him and Marble.

Scootaloo

After Rainbow Dash left to find Pinkie Pie, Scootaloo looked down at her ankles and her weak ethereal wings. She gave a depressed sigh at the likelihood she might never fly.

“Still down in the dumps about something?” Spitfire asked Scootaloo causing the young monk to look up and see that all the Wonderbolts she and Rainbow Dash had interacted with were concerned about her.

Scootaloo sighed, “I have a hard time flying, about two years ago I had a growth spurt but after that, my wings started to give out even while trying to go the shortest distance.” Scootaloo thought back to how things were before her family moved to Magiville. She frowned at that year in her life. “My parents moved us to Magiville just before last year's Summer Sun Celebration, they both got better jobs and with it being a terrestrial city there wouldn't be any fear of me falling to my doom until my wings… If they ever…” Scootaloo could not finish either statement as she closed her eyes and started to shed tears.

She soon felt thumbs rub her cheeks and the corner of her eyes, as someone was wiping away her tears. Scootaloo opened her eyes to see Surprise was looking right at her. “I know what’s it’s like to not be able to fly. When I was your age everyone assumed I was an Earthborn, if it were not for the fact I can’t take a hit like my Earthborn little sister, and my obviously faster reaction time.” Scootaloo’s face did little to hide her confusion. “Yeah, there are a lot of Earthborns in my family.” Surprise continued, “I think you know a distant cousin of mine, Pinkamena?”

“You’re related to Pinkie Pie?” Scootaloo asked taken aback by that comment.

Surprise shrugged her shoulders, “Odds are you and Rainbow Dash are more closely related to each other than I am to the Pies, I am just more aware of our relationship. But what I want to get to is that’s not uncommon for Skyborns born to Skyborn families with a lot of Earthborn or Magicborn blood to have a hard time flying until they are adults. Sometimes Skyborns of any ancestry don’t always see their wings grow proportional to the rest of their body, you know of one, Bulk Biceps.” Surprise stopped as she noticed that Scootaloo looked down at her ankles and her wings again, still with a frown. “But the flight of Skyborn doesn't all come from our wings, the vast majority of it comes from other parts of us, namely our inherent magic, but a surprisingly lot comes from our heart. Both the physical and metaphysical.” Surprise said as she pointed to Scootaloo’s heart. “My first flight was when I stopped trying to force my wings but took a leap of faith.”

Scootaloo looked Surprise in the eyes with a cautious smile growing, “So someday I will fly?” she asked.

“Well, Bulk Biceps can muster a wind power of 10 and I couldn’t even have my wings appear until I was fifteen, so it’s well within the realm of possibility.” Surprise cautiously encouraged.

Before Scootaloo could say anything, “Scootaloo, we need your help,” came the voice of Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo turned from Surprise to see Sweetie Belle and Spike.

Scootaloo looked to Surprise, not sure if she should leave or not. Before she could say anything, “Well, Wonderbolts don’t leave their wingmen hanging,” Surprise said as she more or less forced Scootaloo to her feet. “Well go on, kid.” Surprise encouraged. Scootaloo smiled and met up with her friends. Little knowing the particular crusade the Crusaders were about to embark on.

Sweetie Belle

“Announcing the arrival of Royal Astrophysics Night Light and his wife Twilight Velvet,” the herald said and blew his trumpet. “Also Announcing the arrival of Her Majesty Princess Celestia's Apprentice, Twilight Sparkle and her familiar Spike the dragon!” The herald then blew the trumpet again.

Sweetie Belle hugged her sister, “Best of luck with Blueblood,” Sweetie squeaked happily and she ran down the stairs to greet Spike.

“Well, best of luck tonight, darling,” a woman that looked like she was Twilight’s mother said as she and the man with her were about to leave Twilight and Spike.

“Spike! You made it!” Sweetie Belle squeaked as she effectively tackled Spike almost knocking the dragon off his feet.

“Um, Hi Sweetie,” said Spike as he heard the sound of two women, most likely Twilight Sparkle and Twilight Velvet, giggling. That set-off alarms and raised red flags for Spike, that usually meant the scene would be preserved for future potential embarrassments. A blue-tinted flash confirmed his fears, Night Light had just used the image capture spell that he usually used to capture various images of the night sky, which meant in a few hours it would already be transferred to a physical medium and he would have to endure its mention at a future date, probably even in relation to an actual date. Spike could only roll his eyes and give a silent groan.

Sweetie Belle then ended the hug and taking the dragon’s left hand started pulling him around away and around the line to greet Celestia and Luna. She then continued into the hall. Sweetie Belle stopped, “Tell me everything you know about Blueblood.” the young bard ordered catching the dragon.

“Huh?” the dragon asked utterly taken back by Sweetie Belle’s request. Sweetie Belle gave Spike a slight scowl. After a second of thought, “Oh, you want to know about Blueblood,” the dragon said connecting the dots. “Why?” he asked.

“Rarity has had her eye on him, not like you have your eye on her…” Sweetie Belle started before Spike could actually respond, “I know you are with me tonight because you have a crush on Rarity. And it’s okay, I kind of have a crush on someone in class. But I want to know for sure if Blueblood is good enough for Rarity.”

Spike scratched his head, “I don’t really know Blueblood personally, but when someone calls you an ‘uncouth purple people eater, just needs a horn, wings and lose an eye’ or falsely accuses you of eating his gems when he loses his things among other things,” Spike stopped knowing a fire was growing in his stomach if he continued to list his issues with Blueblood, “yeah I really don’t like the guy.”

“I can tell you all you need to know about my husband’s cousin,” came the voice of an elegant woman. Sweetie Belle and Spike turned to see the slender Fleur, she seemed to be a little agitated, likely by the mentioned of Blueblood.

“Oh, should we do some introductions?” said Spike, “Formal or informal?”

“I remember you both, the ring bearer and familiar of Princess Celestia’s apprentice, Spike I assume and one of the flower girls from Princess Cadance’s wedding, Sweetie Belle, if I recall,” Fleur said as she identified the two. Spike and Sweetie Belle nodded, “you can call me, Fleur.”

“As in Fleur Dis Lee, the model? Rarity would just kill to have you model just one of her dresses.” Sweetie Belle exclaimed cheerfully squeaking slightly. Realizing she squeaked she covered her mouth with embarrassment.

Fleur gave an amused chuckle, “When I was your age the boys in school called me ‘Squeak Dis Lee’.”

Sweetie gave her a confused look, Spike supplied an explanation, “In her tell-all book, which Twilight wouldn’t stop reading when it came out three or four years ago, Fleur explains that when she was around your age she was ‘a bit of an ugly duckling’ with a voice that was almost as squeaky as yours, Sweetie Belle.” Spike’s delivery was slightly bland and annoyed as if he had heard the summary read to him a hundred times at least.

“Was it really that long ago,” Fleur said, more with amusement than actually asking a question, “but that does sound like something I said. Of course, the publishers wanted to edit it out, mostly because they thought individuals with ‘a figure’ like mine shouldn’t be saying how very much like an average person I looked back then. Of course, they had to play it up, the ‘ugly duckling’ part is a bit of an exaggeration on my editor’s part,” she gave a coy smile, “I had more of a figure that could just blend into the background, a lot of my old school yearbooks have a little girl you can’t pick from a crowd, I can spot that little girl easy because I looked at that face almost every day for a few years. I didn’t know I was appealing to look at until I was offered my first stint as a model, that one show turned me into showrunner that everyone just had to have on the stage.”

“I’ll have to read it sometime in the future, but about Blueblood?” Sweetie Belle asked getting the conversation back to the original subject.

Fleur took a small breath, as she collected her thoughts, “Well Blueblood has never earned anything he has.” Fleur started, “then again being the only known surviving relative of the founder Princess Platinum…” Fleur paused for a moment as she recalled a little-known fact about Blueblood, “In fact, he is the only known surviving relative of any of the six main founders.” Fleur drank some of her cider and then continued. “He never had to work for anything in his life and he is rather self-absorbed. He has taken credit for things he never did or says he’s involved in things he knows nothing about, granted he rarely interacts with people from outside of Chantalot or women old enough truly grasp that Chantalot is not the only city in the nation.”

Sweetie Belle took all that she heard in as Fleur spoke, she did not like any of it. Rarity’s dream was to open a boutique in Chantalot, but that was only a starting point or finishing point and such a person would confine her to Chantalot and it was clear to Sweetie Belle that Blueblood would also infuriate Rarity, as Rarity was also taking the time to learn about the fashion business and culture of the other main cities, such as Manahattan, Vanconjur, Las Magus, Balitmage, just to list four of the hundreds of cities in Mystica, not including Protectorates like Gryphonstone and Territories like Magetonia or the neighboring countries like Yakyakistan or Zecora’s homelands of Nyika, and would spread her own business out to these cities and more. But while there might be more information, Sweetie had heard enough; Blueblood was not, and never would be, worthy enough for Rarity.

“Thank you, Ms. Dis Lee, I think I have everything I need. Come on Spike, we have some more investigating to do.” Sweetie said as she gave Fleur a slight curtsy and grabbed Spike by his hand and pulled him after her. She soon arrived at a door and using Spike as step-stole as she looked to see Blueblood refuse to open the door for Rarity. “OH COME ON!!!” Sweetie Belle shouted as Rarity opened the door for the prince. However, Spike managed to get the two away before Rarity or Blueblood spotted them.

“Are you insane? Trying to spy on Rarity? You know she wanted you to have a good time here, not spend your birthday worrying about her!” Spike lectured as Sweetie got off his back. However, when she was back on her own two feet, the young bard had a look on her face as if she was thinking. Spike shivered, he never liked the look of any of the CMC when they were thinking. It wasn’t that they necessarily had bad ideas, but when they involved him, he never liked what would befall him, when they were implemented. He was still checking to see if the...residue of the last plan that involved him was all gone, and that was over two weeks before this party. What didn’t help matters was the fact that “Cutie Mage Crusaders, Dragon Hunters!” was forever ingrained in his memory. Soon Sweetie Belle stopped thinking and gave an evil smile and laughed with a small but evil ‘hehehe’.

Within a few minutes Sweetie Belle found Scootaloo at the Wonderbolts’ table with a Wonderbolt, in what seemed to be a personal moment, but the bard needed her fellow Crusaders, “Well, Bulk Biceps can muster a wind power of 10 and I couldn’t even have my wings appear until I was fifteen, so it’s well within the realm of possibility.” Sweetie Belle and Spike heard as the older Skyborn encourage Scootaloo as they arrived at the table.

Before Scootaloo could say anything, “Scootaloo, we need your help,” Sweetie Belle called out to her monastic friend to get her attention. Scootaloo turned from the Wonderbolt she was speaking with to face Sweetie Belle and Spike.

Scootaloo then looked back to the blonde Wonderbolt, not sure if she should leave or not. Before she could say anything, “Well, Wonderbolts don’t leave their wingmen hanging,” Surprise said as she more or less forced Scootaloo to her feet. “Well go on, kid.” the older Skyborn encouraged. Scootaloo smiled and met up with her friends. Little knowing the particular crusade the Crusaders were about to embark on.

After a short burst, Sweetie Belle spied Apple Bloom alone on a bench, “Apple Bloom,” Sweetie Belle squeaked getting the artificer to turn to see her, Scootaloo and Spike. “We need your help.” Sweetie Belle continued.

“We got a crusade, Crusaders,” Scootaloo said as she seemed to have connected the dots.

“So w’at’s our quest?” Apple Bloom asked.

Sweetie Belle turned to Spike and gave a mischievous grin. “I am not going to like this, am I?” the dragon said with a gulp.

Apple Bloom and Maud

After separating from Limestone and Pinkie, Maud and Apple Bloom sat down. “So you wanted to know what you do with the rocks you find on your farm aside from making a stone wall fence?” Maud asked in her monotone voice getting to the point, however, there was a subtle welcoming inflection in her voice.

Apple Bloom was a little unsure how to proceed, “Ah know, ther’ ain't a lot of t’ings t’at a farmer knows how to use loose stone, but wah already ‘ave one t’at surrounds Sweet Apple Temple wit’ enchantments from w’en it was founded a couple centuries ago,” she started but stopped feeling as though she was trailing off.

Maud looked at Apple Bloom in what seemed to Apple Bloom to be blank. “I would have to see the rocks you uncovered as you prepared your fields,” Maud commented. “Different rocks form in different places and have different uses. Also I would have to see the stone wall you currently have,” the monotonic geomancer then stopped and looked up and down and then to Boulder then back to Apple Bloom, “However, you can set aside a part of the temple grounds to make a pit and set a fire in it to warm rocks in it.” Maud finished.

“A rock pit to warm rocks…” Apple Bloom said slightly confused at the thought.

“Certain rocks are good for storing heat, and be used to cook without the need for a stove and warm rooms and areas without the need for a furnace,” Maud explained. “However, they will need to be replaced every so often, depending on the circulation of your home.” Apple Bloom took out her notebook and jotted down what Maud told her. “If you have cast iron pans, you can put the rocks in them and use that to warm your beds during the winter night.”

Apple Bloom was scratching out a spot next to the temple proper. She was able to form a basic idea for a pit and an easy way to fetch warmed rocks. “So ‘ow ahffective are warm rocks?”Apple Bloom asked.

Maud placed her hand on her chin, and while her expression did not change. However, Apple Bloom could tell that Maud was in thought. After a minute of thought, Maud had an answer, “It really depends on the rocks, some rocks like slate will shatter. I’ll have to see what you have to know for certain,” Maud commented taking her hand away from her chin. She then looked down at the table to Boulder. She was silent for a few seconds and looked back up to Apple Bloom, “Boulder has never been to an apple farm.” She then looked back down to Boulder and back up. “He wants to go and see all the nice rocks there.”

“Well t’erah t’is big boulder t’at Rarity picked up called 'Tom', which wah have more or less taken in. Maybe Boulder and Tom will become pen pals,” Apple Bloom commented as she finished her sketches, she would still need to work out the logistics through trial and error.

Maud looked back to Boulder, after a second she looked back to Apple Bloom, “He would love to met Tom.” Maud then had a subtle change in her gaze as if she was curious about something, which Apple Bloom seemed to pick up on. “Pinkie told us that you and two of your friends make up what you called the Cutie Mage Crusaders. I would like to hear about it.”

Apple Bloom took a moment to think, she had numerous misadventures with her friends. Where should she begin? She had to think about it all carefully, she didn’t want to get her friends into unnecessary trouble. But then again, Applejack, Rarity, and Ms. Cheerilee have already lectured them after pretty much every time thing went wrong. But maybe, “Well earlier this school year, Sweetie, Scoots and Mahself didn’t know what our talents were so we tried a wide array of things. One time Ah suggested we join thah school paper.”

“So how did it go?” Maud asked.

Apple Bloom looked away for a second, “Not too good. Yah see wah got caught up in trying to be journalists that wah started spreading secrets and rumors,” Apple Bloom answered. “When yahr family found out it was us, things got so bad, Big Mac chewed us out for a solid minute,” Apple Bloom saw that Maud’s expression change to actually show shock. “And there were some other things, like Twilight banning us from the library, which she actually couldn’t do, but that’s beside the point, Rainbow Dash used a cloud to make a downpour on the three of us, and Angel Bunny slammed the door in our face after showing a distraught Fluttershy.” Apple Bloom tucked her head ashamed of how things devolved. “We did want to stop, but wah didn’t want Diamond Tiara to publish some of our secrets if we quit. After some thought, Ah suggested we publicly out ourselves. Wah did and in the end, Ah'm given to understand that the town has forgiven us.”

Maud thought for a second, she then looked down to her pet rock as if the rock was saying something to her, “Boulder thinks your friends must have come up with worse ideas.” Maud said to the young artificer.

Apple Bloom moved a little uncomfortable in her chair, “Well this last Hearts and Charms Day wah all thought it would be a good idea to get our teacher Ms. Cheerilee a special somebody and Sweetie Belle suggested mah brot’er, Big Mac. Wah tried to make a romantic scene, that didn’t work. Wah then hit the library and found a love potion recipe in the book that told the history of the day. Sweetie Belle convinced us to make the potion.” Apple Bloom paused looking at Maud and Boulder. “It turned out that it was a poison. Wah were stuck doing Big Mac’s chores around the farm.”

Maud looked to Boulder and after a couple of seconds back to Apple Bloom, “Boulder thought you have been making machines to make things easier. Or so Pinkie told us.” the geomancer commented, while still in her deadpan manner, there was a slight inflection of surprise.

“Without any of mah inventions, for a week.” Apple Bloom responded which seemed to have shocked the little rock as it rolled by itself which caused Apple Bloom to blink, Am Ah seeing things. “But that wasn’t the only time. Yah see one weekend early in the fall wah planned to have a slumber party at Rarity’s place, but she was back up with orders and Fluttershy volunteered to host it. Wah had a little too much fun and accidentally scared away one of her chickens into the Everfree, Scootaloo came up with the idea to go after it.” Apple Bloom paused before she continued. She did not like the next part of that story, “Wah were almost petrified by a cockatrice if Fluttershy didn’t stare it down chance are we would probably be statues somewhere in the forest right now.” Apple Bloom then gave a sigh, “And yah most likely heard about the talent show from Pinkie Pie.” the artificer then stopped because she assumed that Pinkie might have already shared the results of the event.

Maud looked to Boulder and then back to Apple Bloom and back and forth. “Boulder said that if Sweetie sang, Scootaloo did the choreography and you did the set design you guys would have won in the field you wanted to win in. Boulder also said that he would have booed you off stage.” Maud then gave the tiny rock a smack. “That wasn’t very nice, Boulder.” Maud still spoke in her monotonic manner but there was a clearly mother-scolding-a-child infection. As she turned her attention back to Apple Bloom, “But, you seem the most practical of your friends,” said Maud in her usual deadpan manner, “I believe you’ll have managed to come up with ways to reign in your friends’ plans before they get too out of hand in the future.”

Apple Bloom gave a nervous chuckle, “Well, ya see, Ah mite bae a little responsible for some of the plans that got a little too out of hand, but Ah think mah bad idea ta good idea ratio is better than tha others.”

Maud just gave her a flat look before saying, “At least you’re learning, sometimes experiencing a bad idea’s resolution can be more informative than a successful good idea.”

Apple Bloom thought about what Maud just said. She was right, Apple Bloom had learned a great deal from her and her friends’ misadventures. Maud was right, she learned to value that people don’t share everything and sometimes it’s the right thing to not publish them. Arguably a lesson she should not have needed to learn but unlike everyone else, she, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle actually understood why. Unlike her friends’ sisters and her sister, the CMC actually had first-hand experience how much Fluttershy actually contributed to everyone who knows her. The three also understood why one should not force people together just because they seem to be a good fit. But the main takeaway, Apple Bloom had to acknowledge, actions have consequences, granted from her experience those were among the best possible results but they still came out rather unfavorably, she still shivered at the thought of polishing all the harvested apples by hand with her toothbrush while also having to do the dishes and floors with hand brushes.

However, after some thought, as unpleasant as her punishments were, she realized how precious the lessons she had learned and how much of her life has and will improve because of them “Yah’re right. Wah have learned a lot over the year!” Apple Bloom exclaimed happily.

Maud then got up, “I need to use the powder room, do you mind accompanying me?” Maud asked as she took a step from the table, not before picking up Boulder and placing him in her pocket. Apple Bloom got up and joined her.

As they walked, “What always confound mah was why they call it the powder room,” Apple Bloom commented as they exited the dance floor and accompanying part of the hall.

Maud’s expression did not change but Apple Bloom seemed to pick up that the older geomancer was in thought. “Part of the origins of the term comes from how noblewomen would freshen-up before exiting, namely reapplying makeup and/or applying certain powders to their noses to either negate the scent of the place going in or get the scent out of their minds before they leave.” Maud summarized. “Granted I really don’t know why such people feel the need to make things more complicated than they have to because of their use of euphemisms,” Maud commented as they arrived at the restroom.

After finishing their business there, the two left the restroom and the two started to head back to the into the gala hall, however, despite the proximity of the two, they got subtly separated from each other. Maud was the first to realize she had lost Apple Bloom. Panic flashed white on her face. She bolted back to the table. There she saw someone offer a cider to Limestone. “I need your help, I lost Apple Bloom. Pinkie is going to kill me if anything happens to her.” Her fear and panic were very apparent, as she almost never expressed emotions and spoke almost in a constant monotone.

Limestone drank the cider she was offered to her in one gulp and followed with the cider of the person who offered it to her. “If you’re going to drink a girl under the table, bring a keg or two.” Limestone said to the man as she got to her feet, the man just gawked, which meant he probably didn’t know an Earthborn’s natural resistance included an almost unnaturally high fortitude capable of suppressing most toxins of a non-magical nature. “Alright, don’t panic, Maud. Now where did you last see her?” the oldest Pie asked turning to her eldest younger sisters. Maud then led her in search of Apple Bloom. Maud also gave Boulder a stern look, which indicated she was scolding someone laughing at something that they thought was funny but was not a joke worthy at the moment.

Apple Bloom looked around, how had she been separated from Maud? She had practically been holding the geomancer’s hand. And to top things off, she had gotten lost on the way back from the restroom. Finding an unoccupied bench, which seemed to have a bit of dust on it for some reason. She did her best clear off some of the dust, Applejack would likely scold her for getting her fancy suit all dirty without good reason, and just sitting on bench thinking probably wouldn’t cut it as an alibi. Sitting down she gave a huff, at least she found somewhere quiet to think for a bit.

Pulling out her notebook she flipped through it to see what inspirations had hit her during the event, two mostly done and one partially scrawled sketches stared back at her. It was official, fancy parties hindered inspiration and creativity. She would have gotten way more out just spending a couple of hours doing chores at home, even if her hands were tied up like a hog for slaughter. Which she was currently thinking would be more exciting and interesting than this joke of a party, all it really was could be summed up in a sentence, “Social ‘Elite’” wanting to grab the attention of the nation’s ruler and brag about accomplishments they most likely didn’t even have genuine involvement in,” in short the kind of party her family did not tend to take well to. She couldn’t fault Applejack for wanting to try it, it did mean good business for the Apple Family in Sweet Apple Temple and the clan as a whole with all the orders they got. But she would rather take a disastrous family road trip over this.

“Apple Bloom,” the young artificer heard a familiar squeak, breaking her from her reflection. She turned to see Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Spike. “We need your help.” Sweetie Belle continued.

“We got a crusade, Crusaders,” Scootaloo said as she seemed to have connected the dots.

“So w’at’s our quest?” Apple Bloom asked.

Sweetie Belle turned to Spike and gave a mischievous grin. “I am not going to like this, am I?” the dragon said with a gulp.

All Together

Having gathered the rest of the CMC, Sweetie Belle huddled the three and Spike. “Alright Crusaders, Rarity is having a terrible night thanks to the good-for-nothing Prince Blueblood,” Sweetie Belle started.

“I am not liking where this is going,” Spike commented.

“Found you,” came a stern and agitated female voice, the four broke from their huddle and turned to see Limestone Pie. “Maud has been looking all over the place for you.” Limestone then turned and waved her hand beckoning Maud over.

The younger of the two elder Pie sisters ran over and hugged Apple Bloom, she was clearly distraught. “Oh thank heaven you’re okay!” Maud exclaimed, “Pinkie would kill me if anything happened to you.” she continued expressing concern as she looked Apple Bloom in the face. “Where were you?”

“Ah lost yah after the restroom. Sweetie, Scoots, and Spike found mah. Wah’re about to start a quest.” Apple Bloom answered as Maud ended her embrace and looked to her friends explaining the situation.

“Pinkie was right, you three will try anything and everything. I doubt we can stop you, but you three are going to have some sort of supervision. What do you have in mind?” Limestone asked as she had elected to help out the three instead of them getting into another misadventure that her sister had told her and the rest of the Pies about.

Sweetie Belle looked at Spike and gave him what the young dragon would consider an evil smile. “We’re going to use our magic to grow a dragon.” Everyone else turned to Spike and then back to Sweetie Belle then back to Spike and then back to Sweetie Belle. All of them were baffled at the thought, save one.

Spike was not baffled at all, he knew what Sweetie Belle was planning, she was going to try to use her bardic powers to make him mature artificially. Something he knew was not going to work, or at least shouldn’t when you took into account everything he and Twilight had learned about dragons in relation to magic. “This is not a good idea, dragons have a natural resistance to magic,” said Spike trying to convey that this was a doomed proposition, “In fact, there are very few spells that can be cast directly on us.”

Sweetie Belle smiled, as another thought crept into her mind, one that might just work,“Then we’ll just have to do it indirectly,” said Sweetie Belle, which caused everyone including Spike to look at her in confusion.

“Did anyone bring anything we can use as a charm or focus for a spell or group of spells?” inquired Scootaloo, seeming to get the hint faster than everyone else, “because I sure don’t have anything like some cord, a small chain or trinkets on me for that sort of thing.”

Apple Bloom gave a sigh of annoyance, “Yah didn’ think yer plan through vary well, Sweets.” This earned a sheepish look from the young bard.

“Okay, so it’s more of an idea than a plan right now,” said Sweetie, “I honestly don’t have much to work with right now.”

“Most of the ‘plans’ you three have are barely more than ideas,” Spike snarled, “frankly, the only reason why I’m still here is because, I have little to no choice in the matter of being here. If I had it my way, I’d be at Donut Joe’s right now drowning my sorrows in sugar.”

Sweetie Bell then gave a smirk for a second, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment. However, she was able to get her eyes to tear up, “Poor Rarity, her prince is a monster and she has no knight in shining scales to rescue her.” She then looked at Spike with huge sad puppy eyes with a frown that would be an ear-to-ear if it was a smile. The dragon gave a sigh of frustration. But it was clear that he was giving into the bard’s plan.

Maud reached into her pocket, as if she felt something vibrate, and pulled out Boulder in her right hand. After a few seconds of silence as Maud just looked at Boulder. All the while the other five just waited. Limestone was not surprised at this in the slightest but she was a little annoyed. While Apple Bloom was confused much like the rest of the CMC and Spike, she did have a degree more understanding, albeit not much. Maud then spoke, “Boulder has an idea. He wants to be transmuted into an echoing gem.”

“A what?” Apple Bloom asked, verbalizing the confusion that was also expressed by the rest save Limestone.

Limestone pinched the bridge of her nose, “It’s a type of gem that is able to echo a spell embedded in it, which can circumvent dragons’ natural spell resistance as long as it’s worn by the dragon.” Limestone informed. “But even if we transmute Boulder into an echo gem, that transmutation spell would only last until dawn,” she continued pointing out a potential flaw in the plan.

Sweetie’s mouth morphed into a smile that rivaled Pinkie’s, “All the time we need.” Sweetie informed as she started forming more and more of her plan.

“Wah’re gonna havta make some sorta necklace… Wait.” Apple Bloom said as she reached into the pockets in her apron and pulled out a golden chain, long enough to be a necklace for Big Mac. “Ah ha!” Apple Bloom exclaimed as she clasped the necklace around Spike’s neck.

“How long have you been carrying that,” inquired Scootaloo, befuddled that her friend would carry that golden chain. “Ya didn’t have it on the trip here.” She continued pointing out the absence of it for as long as she knew.

“Bu’ AJ did,” Apple Bloom answered, “an ol’ time tradition we Apples keep up is a charm bracelet.”

“That’s a little big for a bracelet, even somebody like Big Mac,” Sweetie commented as she looked at the chain after taking it off of Spike.

“Earthborn like to maintain a lot of old traditions,” said Maud, “the carrying a large chain for making the charm bracelets is, in and of itself, a tradition. You cut off a length of the chain that’s just enough for the charm the bracelet, the bracelet itself has three important meanings. The first one is to signify the parting of good friends always having a connection. When you three go your separate ways Apple Bloom will probably insist on charm bracelets that have charms that signify each of you and some of your meaningful endeavors. The second kind of charm bracelet is to signify a connection between close business associates, chances are you’ve seen a few people that fit that description without actually seeing the bracelets. And the third is to signify those in a romantic relationship, with the charms indicating the couple and some of the events they believe brought them closer as lovers.” Two of the three young mages and the young dragon stared in surprise at the monotone geomancer.

“Wait, does that Mean Applejack came to this event looking for love?” said Scootaloo in disbelief.

“Nah, she was just tryin’ ta find some personal business-type connect’ns,” said Apple Bloom dismissively towards the notion that Applejack would find someone for a romantic relationship, “if she does get one o’ those romance charm bracelets out et’s gonna be a little different than we think. Tha day AJ comes home wid official news she has a boyfriend is the day Mac goes around as the chattiest guy in town, nonstop, until the end o’ tha day an’ Ah go around in notin’ bu’tha prettiest dress tha Rarity wants me to wid no hasslin’ ‘er. Frankly, there’s a better chance o’ Tartarus freezin’ over a’ this point.” Apple Bloom continued to laugh the idea off.

Maud then spoke up, “We just need a spell for Boulder to echo. Because I found a spot we can make the necklace and I can easily transmute Boulder into an echoing gem.” as she shut her eyes, there was a sudden gray glow from within Maud’s right hand, and some seem to come from where Maud’s eyelids meet when they closed. After a couple of seconds, the glow died down. Maud opened her eyes and hand. She looked at the new rock in her hand, it was a light gray gem. “Boulder’s good to go, just need to make the necklace and the spell.”

“I think I know a spell, or at least of one,” said Sweetie Belle, “it’s more of a glamour charm really, and those usually have the side effect of being seen through by everyone present at the point of the spell’s casting being able to see through them.”

“Arcane monks have a series of spells that work on physical properties,” said Scootaloo, “maybe if we combine the two it’ll work out better.”

“Sorry, girls,” said Limestone a little too roughly, “but echoing gems only work with one spell, they get a bit unstable if you try using more than that in them.”

“Well,” said Apple Bloom, “wha’ if we ‘ad two then, a smaller one ta compliment tha larger one wid the chain acting as a connection circuit.”

A few seconds later at a spot not far from the restrooms, “How in the...Bloom, when did you find this old forge?” Sweetie Belle asked as she looked it over.

“Ah didn't,” Apple Bloom denied as she looked the place over and put an additional layer of forge clothes found there so not to ruin her dress.

“Boulder and I found it. It was on the way to the restroom,” said Maud in her usual deadpan manner, “we didn’t think much of it at the time, but this is the perfect place to work without disturbing the party unintentionally.” Apple Bloom then took the transmuted Boulder and the chain and within five minutes she had exited with the necklace, Boulder in its new gem form on it. As she handed the necklace to Sweetie Belle. “Alright, you’re up Sweetie,” Maud said as she nodded to the bard.

Sweetie Belle held the gem close to her heart as she started to sing. “Rarity is sweet and kind,
She's the best sister I could hope for.
The perfect man you and I must find
One to really make her heart so-o-oar.” Sweetie Belle held that last note as Boulder started to glow for a few seconds as the spell that Sweetie Belle was casting, which was to make Spike ‘perfect’ for Rarity, was absorbed into it. As Sweetie Belle ended the glow died down but, within the gem, there appeared to be a pulsating light. Sweetie Belle then put it around Spike’s neck. She then gave Scootaloo a wink and the arcane monk left the group.

Spike instantly dropped to his knees and hunched forward. It was clear he was in pain and he bit down on his lips trying to not scream or roar as his body started to expand and grow. In pain, he crawled into the forge and shut the door behind him. After almost fifteen seconds there was a subdued roar of anguish and followed by a whimper Big Mac would give if something fell on his foot. Spike emerged from the room, but he stood slightly taller than the average man, his spikes were more defined, his scales were brighter, overall he was more muscular, not as muscular as Big Mac or Bulk Biceps, but a little more than the average man, in fact, he looked liked he aged ten years, surprising his suit matched his new state. One thing, however, was worse off, his face was pale and he was clearly recovering from what happened. “I am never doing this again.” He declared in his new aged voice. “So how we going to separate Rarity from Blue… Where’s Scootaloo?”

“Runaway cake!” everyone heard as Scootaloo sneaked back to rejoin the others with a mischievous grin on her face.

“You’re up, Spi… Woah… I forgot how big you can get.” Scootaloo commented as she stared at Spike in his new state. “Still no wings,” she said under her breath, which did not go unnoticed by the others but they all just remained quiet save Spike as he gave an annoyed growl.

Spike tucked the necklace under the collar of his shirt, “Alright let’s do this.” He said after taking a breath and focusing on his goal, his lady Rarity. Everyone returned to the dance hall and looked for Rarity. Spike’s draconic eyes spied her first, “found her. Well here goes everything.” Spike looked at the five girls and nodded, they each gave him an encouraging nod. Spike turned to his target, Rarity and taking a pocket handkerchief he left the five women to accomplish the mission.

As Spike in his slightly aged form walked to Rarity, the CMC turned to face each other and jumped into the air and gave themselves as three-way high five, “Wah done good Crusaders.” Apple Bloom said as she and the other two landed on their feet.

“Yeah but letting that cake runaway was a little much,” Sweetie Belle commented as she turned to Scootaloo, “I asked for something that would force them apart.”

“Well, what could be more forcier than Rarity or Blueblood needing to clean themselves off?” Scootaloo asked as she rubbed the back of her head nervously.

“Forcier…” Sweetie Belle then pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration over her friend’s failure at grasping the Mystican Basic language, “We got you a dictionary and a thesaurus, please read them before you butcher our language again”

“Won’t surprise mah t’at Scoots is illiterate, or uses t’em as doorstops er somethin’ ta prop furniture up on.” Apple Bloom joked, earning a laugh from Sweetie Belle and a glare and nervous look from Scootaloo. “But all jokin’ aside, it was the best way to get t’em to separate.”

“Hey!” Limestone projected getting the three younger girls to turn to face the two older geomancers. “What about us? You couldn’t have done that without us.” Limestone pointed out, earning a weak ‘teehee’ from the three girls. Turning to Maud, “Don’t you say it, you know I am right… wait? Is that… Oh buck no!” Limestone exclaimed as she noticed Marble lead Big Mac away from the gala. She was however stopped by Maud. After a short stare down. “Fine, but he does anything I get to break him.”

“Hey don’t yah think that’s a little presumptuous to say mah brother is gonna bah anything but a gentleman!” Apple Bloom challenged a little agitated at the accusation that her brother was some sort of rake.

“Girls, come on, why can’t we be happy, Big Mac found someone that likes him for who he is and Marble… well, I really don’t know about her, but she looked happy.” Sweetie Belle commented getting between the two, trying to stop a fight.

Limestone gave a sigh, “Yeah, besides Pinkie has always wanted to expand that intersection of her family and friends on that Venn diagram of hers.”

“Well with only three sisters, a mother, and father, there aren't many in Pinkie’s family and unless two more of her friends have brothers, that intersection won’t get much bigger.” Maud deadpanned.

“Well Fluttershy has a younger brother, he is the same age as Rainbow Dash, the only reason he and Rainbow were not In the same class was because Rainbow was bumped up one year. But, because Fluttershy was held back a year, the two met…” Scootaloo started but trailed off nervous about possibly pimping off Fluttershy’s brother unintentionally.

“Oh, I heard of Zephyr… I love Pinkie and I don’t mind helping her make her friends part of the family, but I refuse to bite that bullet.” Limestone commented rolling her eyes at the idea of her and Zephyr having a relationship.

“Are you sure Rainbow is an only child or you and Rarity don’t have a brother?” Maud asked after she shared a look with Limestone as if she was pleading to not be the one stuck with Fluttershy’s younger brother. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle both gave nervous laughs. “So that’s a ‘no’?” Maud asked, getting nods from all three of the younger mages. Maud then looked up as the musicians started to play a waltz. “Well, the waltz has started.”

“I say let’s all get off our feet.” Limestone said as she started back to the table. “I won’t be caught on a dance floor without a partner.” A second later Maud followed her older sister. It took a second or two more for the three younger mages to realize that they were better off of the dance floor proper. As the five sat down they could not help but smile as they witness how Spike literally swept Rarity off her feet.

As they scanned the floor for their other sisters. “I see Fluttershy.” Sweetie Belle said calling everyone’s attention to the druid as she danced with an older man wearing a crown of antlers. “She looks like she’s on cloud nine,” Sweetie added. “So that’s Big Mac, Marble, Rarity, Spike and now Fluttershy.”

Scootaloo then looked around and up. Her mouth hung open as she tapped on Apple Bloom’s shoulder. After getting her red-head friend’s attention, she pointed her towards what caught her gaze, “Is that Applejack… dancing in the air with ...Soarin?” the monk asked finally getting words to her mouth.

“Well paint mah wagon red.” Apple Bloom replied in confusion. After witnessing the pair fly out a window “Well …” the artificer was unable to form words to convey her thoughts, but as her face was slightly contorted, her confusion was more or less self-evident.

“Breakfast is going to very interesting,” Sweetie replied. “with both Big Mac and Applejack clearly having something akin to one of Rarity’s… well, she calls them adult fantasy novels but there is nothing fantastic about them and the dialogue in them is rather childish.” Sweetie informed. “Please don’t tell Rarity that I have read a few of them!” After the young bard made that plea, she spied something that caught her attention. “Hey is that Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash?” Sweetie Belle asked as she pointed out the elementalist and the jester as their hometown party planner lead the other out of the hall.

“Why am I not surprised?” Limestone asked rhetorically as everyone but Maud expressed confusion over what they have seen. Electing to comfort one of the three and the two by proximity, “You know, Scootaloo,” Limestone started getting everyone to turn to her, “just because they two ran off together, that doesn’t mean they are actually going to do anything like in one of those how did you say it, Sweetie?” Limestone asked as she turned to Sweetie Belle.

Nervously Sweetie Belle answered, “Um..adult fantasy novels…” her tone was weak and clearly she did not want to speak.

“Father would call them ‘books by idle hands trying to save idle minds from becoming paradises for demons.’ Well in slightly different words, our father and mother speaking an archaic form of our language.” Maud commented earning her a few confused looks from the three younger mages. “You should visit the rock farm, it will answer so many of your questions.”

After a second or two of processing all that, “Well, on a different note, we helped our sisters have a great time, and we also have something to hang over Diamond Tiara.” Sweetie Belle said calling attention to something that the CMC got out of the night.

“Yeah, and I got to talk to a Wonderbolt that not only had a harder time flying at my age but is also not an elementalist,” Scootaloo added cheerfully. “There’s still a chance I can be a Wonderbolt!”

“Ah made a friend,” Apple Bloom said smiling at Maud, earning a barely visible smile on the monotonic geomancer’s face. “And Ah got a few ideas for projects,” Apple Bloom said pulling out her notebook and showing it to her friends and Limestone.

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo expressed that they were clearly impressed with a couple ‘oh’s and ‘ah’s. Limestone was much more subdued as she handed it back to Apple Bloom. “So all in all, this was…” Limestone started but paused as she and Maud let the three younger girls declare.

“THE BEST NIGHT EVER!!!” the three couldn’t help but giggle afterward. All the while the two older women just shared a smile unnoticed by the three girls in silent agreement with them.

After a few seconds, Sweetie Belle looked around as if she forgot something, “Wait a minute has anyone seen Twilight?” she asked to herself as she remembered there was one last member of their group. But she elected to not press the matter and like Scootaloo elected to see if she could also become a friend of Maud and maybe all three could become friends with Limestone. But all in all, it was a great night.

Twilight's Night

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While everyone was busy with their nights, Twilight had her own plans. This was her first real chance to have a meeting with Princess Celestia and her first gala. She and Spike were the last of her group to arrive at the ballroom for the gala. “We’re late,” Spike sighed, “Sweetie is going to be so depressed, and she’ll cry to Rarity and Rarity trying to be a better big sister will chew my ears off.”

“Spike, Twilight,” came a familiar older female voice. Twilight and Spike turned to see a woman old enough to be Shining Armor’s mother with a man most likely to be her husband. “Oh, it’s so good to see my little girl and my adopted son,” the woman said as she speed walked and embraced Twilight and then Spike.

“It’s good to see you too, Mom,” Twilight replied as she returned the hug. “And you too, Dad.” Twilight as she turned to her father.

“Oh Night Light, our little girl is attending the gala, oh maybe she’ll find her true love.” Velvet said as she turned to her husband.

Night Light chuckled at his daughter’s clear discomfort, “Oh we did much worse to Shining, you have no idea how we would tease him about Cadance.”

“Well, our little soldier boy was a trooper, even played along a few times,” Velvet said, “And now my little boy has grown, is married and... and…” Velvet started to cry, “and doesn't need his mommy anymore….”

Little, Shining has at least three inches on Dad when Dad was Shining’s age, Spike thought to Twilight using their master-familiar link. And that’s both being generous to Dad and low-balling Shining.

Be nice, Twilight shot back, to parents their children will always be ‘little’, even if said children tower over their parents.

Yeah yeah, try that when I am full size. Spike retorted.

You’ll always be Spiky-wiky, Twilight chuckled reminding Spike of his new pet-name earning a mental groan from the young dragon.

Having finished her cry, Velvet turned back to her daughter, “so have you met anyone? A good girl, just like Shining has. You know someone who to take care of your home, makes sure you're eating properly?”

“WHAT!” Twilight exclaimed internally praying that her mother was not implying that.

“So, it’s a nice young man that makes you feel safe and secure.” Velvet continued.

“MOTHER!!” Twilight projected clearly trying to get her mother to stop.

“Or both, you are a healthy woman with no experiences after all and you aren’t getting younger. So you need to know what you want before you become a creepy crazy cat lady,” Velvet did not let up on her prodding.

“NO!!!” Twilight screamed and hid her deep crimson face that was just about to be as purple as her hair.

Night Light took out a pocket watch and looked at it before he commented, “Not even two minutes, Shining lasted more than four. You’re striking a little too hard, Vely.”

Velvet chuckled, “What can I say, I have greater expectations for our daughter. After all, she got a more distinguished notoriety much faster than her brother, so it’s only fair we up the standards accordingly.”

Twilight, Spike and Night Light let out a groan, Velvet was in her ‘Scheming Mode’ again. “Velvet-cake, we agreed to only tease Twilight and Spike.” Night Light pointed out.

Velvet pouted at what her husband said as if she was expecting to do more, “But Nighty,” she whimpered with a quivering lower lip and saucer size eyes.

Night Light turned to his daughter, “Sorry Sparkie, but I sleep in the same bed as her.”

Twilight groaned at her father not only for him throwing her to the wolves of her mother’s currently growing scheme but using that particular pet name. Spike was laughing via their connection and it echoed in her mind.

“Can we just go, I want to actually get through the night before it’s over,” said Twilight as she started towards the gala hanging her head in shame.

“Oh Twilight, you know we love you and care about you. This is one of the ways we show it.” Velvet said as she and Night Light walked passed their daughter and her familiar.

“We also have to make up for lost time, we were able to do all this to Shining before he was even in basic training, thanks in no small part to Cadance.” Night Light commented just as he and his wife were about to pass the court herald.

“Announcing the arrival of Royal Astrophysics Night Light and his wife Twilight Velvet.” the herald said and blew his trumpet. “Also Announcing the arrival of Her Majesty Princess Celestia's Apprentice, Twilight Sparkle and her familiar Spike the dragon!” The herald then blew the trumpet again. Twilight noted that there was a long line towards the princesses.

That caught Twilight and Spike off-guard, causing the two to cringe, but not her parents, “First gala is always the worst.” Velvet commented, “Trust me, they don’t get much better for about five more, but after the sixth gala it’s just background noise.”

“But they make a great ‘date’ night, especially when it’s the night you and your spouse met. Do you remember, Velvet-cake?” Night Light asked as he took his wife’s hand as if to waltz. “I was so engrossed in my research that night, even though I was ordered to go to the gala, I was reciting the names of the stars in the antediluvian names in a little song I developed to help me remember them all.”

“And you started dancing to the song alongside the waltz that was playing, you were so wrapped up in it, that you took my hand at random, taking me away from a boring discussion and danced the whole waltz. As it ended you dipped me saying ‘And Solaria, Stella Die, the closest and brightest of all’, and kissed me before you realized what happened.”

“And I never apologized for it, and I never will. Because if I recall correctly, I was rewarded with the best night ever for my boldness.” Night Light chuckled as the spouses ended their mock waltz.

“Let’s see, you also got a son that is the Marshall of the ESM who is also now married to one of the three demigoddesses, a daughter that is the apprentice of Princess Celestia herself and well…” Velvet paused and turning to face her husband and clearly being coy giggled, “one of the most… imaginative partners that can be found.” After placing a kiss on her husband’s right cheek she turned back to Twilight and Spike, all the while Twilight hid her face out of embarrassment. “And I got the scene for my first novel that I could not just get right no matter how hard I tried.” After a second of watching Twilight’s face take on a darker shade of red. “Well best of luck tonight, deary.” Velvet said as she and Night Light were about to leave Twilight and Spike.

“Spike! You made it!” Sweetie Belle squeaked as she effectively tackled Spike almost knocking the dragon off his feet.

“Um, hi Sweetie,” said Spike as he heard the sound of two women, most likely Twilight Sparkle and Twilight Velvet, giggling. That set-off alarms and raised red flags for Spike, that usually meant the scene would be preserved for future potential embarrassments. A blue-tinted flash confirmed his fears, Night Light had just used the image capture spell that he usually used to capture various images of the night sky, which meant in a few hours it would already be transferred to a physical medium and he would have to endure its mention at a future date, probably even in relation to an actual date. Spike could only roll his eyes.

Sweetie Belle then ended the hug and taking the dragon’s left hand started pulling him around away and around the line to greet Celestia and Luna. She then continued into the hall. Twilight could not help but laugh at her familiar’s situation. Well, he did laugh at her for how her parents embarrassed her. Twilight started up the steps to the hall. She still had her plans of spending time with her mentor. As she finally reached Celestia and Luna. “Your Highnesses,” Twilight said as she started to bow.

“That won’t be necessary, Twilight,” Celestia said as she stopped Twilight midway through her bow and hugged her. “I am so glad you have made it,” Celestia said as she ended her embrace of her apprentice and stepped aside.

“We are also glad for your attendance,” Luna said as she also embraced Twilight. Luna looked at Celestia and received a nod. “We both wish to spend time with you tonight, but We shall be busy greeting all the guests that are still on their way,” Luna explained as she ended her embrace and stepped back.

“Oh,” Twilight said as she finally realized that she would not be able to accomplish what she desired tonight.

“We are sorry.” Luna apologized seeing how distraught Twilight was over the news.

This was however not lost on Celestia as she looked to her right and waved her right hand as if to beckon someone over to her. Too bad Pinkie couldn’t be here for this. Oh well, that’s life. The elder diarch thought. She then turned her attention back to Twilight.“I’d like to introduce you to a guard, Twilight,” she said getting Twilight’s attention and out of her distraught state.

“I’ve met a lot of guards in the past few years, especially after Shining made captain and then Marshall,” Twilight had almost not caught herself, it would definitely not be proper for her to use a pet name for her brother at a formal event, or in the presence of her mentor.

“Actually, that’s why I wanted to introduce you, this guard reminds me very much of how your brother was before his promotion, and still is in many respects,” Celestia commented with a giggle as if she knew something and was having fun at Twilight’s expense.

Twilight’s attention perked up at this, someone who had a similar work ethic to her own brother was definitely something she needed to verify at the very least.

“Unless We are mistaken, the young man in question is Pinkie Pie’s fourth guest.” Luna cut in, which happened to earn her a confused look from Twilight.

Just then Celestia winked and a young Skyborn man about Twilight's age stepped forward. He was dressed not unlike how Shining dressed for his wedding, but less ‘I am the groom, this is my day too’ way and more of an ‘I'm just another guest not worth your time’ kind of way. He had blue hair and on his shirt was embroidered a blue heater shield with a yellow lightning bolt on it. “Twilight Sparkle, this is Corporal Sentry.” Celestia introduced the young man.

“With all due respect, your highness, it’s Chief Warrant Officer Third Grade (CW3) Sentry as of three days ago, you promoted me personally,” CW3 Sentry corrected after he bowed following his introduction. It was clear to Twilight that the young man was trying to be humble and not overstep things.

Celestia laughed with a ‘huhuhu’ as she hid her mouth with the back of her right hand, like one of Fluttershy’s imported graphic novel female villains, “Oh, that’s right! Silly me, Chief Warrant Officer, but as since my sister and I will be here for quite some time, would you escort my apprentice,” Celestia said cheerfully as if it was a simple request, but the CW3 knew it was an order.

“Well if you insist, your majesty,” said Flash, he was unsure of what sort of game Celestia was trying to play, or just how many people were in on it at the moment. He then offered his left arm, which Twilight accepted by wrapping her right arm around.

“Don’t feel too bad about it,” said Twilight as the two walked into the gala’s hall proper, “it’s a bit of a tradition of hers to refer to promoted individuals by their prior rank for a week or so, she gives quite a few ‘reasons’ as to why she does it.” Twilight gave a small giggle before continuing. “But, I think it’s just her way of keeping the egos of everyone promoted in check, some people get pretty big heads when they’re promoted.”

Flash chuckled at that statement before he responded, “Oh she’s nothing, my drill sergeant still calls me ‘Newbie Sentry’ and she’ll call me that even if I make it to colonel, She still calls Shining ‘Newbie Armor’.”

“Shining told me that’s a tradition among the drill sergeants, the only time they’ll refer to you by any other rank is when they bring in the new drill sergeant. It’s kind of like parents referring to their children as ‘little’, ‘baby’, or some manner of pet name well into the adult years of said children.” Twilight giggled as she thought about some her parents’ affectionate names for Shining. “Although, I’m pretty sure it’s some pretty tough love on the part of the drill sergeants.”

“You have no idea,” said Flash as he rolled his eyes, clearly the love that drill sergeants have is a lot tougher than Twilight could image, “but enough about me, how about we talk about you. And by that, I don’t mean the obvious stuff that anyone could find out after just a few minutes in an archive.”

Twilight was going to start but stopped when she recalled she never got his first name. “Before I do, what do I call you tonight, warrant officer or just Sentry?”

“So, you haven't solved my riddle,” it was then that Twilight remembered she met this man before, he was her brother’s only groomsman. He continued, “we all are familiar with your story, then again you’ve practically been a public figure so that gives me an unfair advantage.” Twilight gave him a pointed glare, “but I hear you’re a very intelligent young lady, so I’ll give it to you as a hint in the form of a problem, I heard you like solving problems. It’s a synonym for burst and dash,” he snapped his fingers at the end like he was emphasizing his hint.

Twilight paused and started to think, A word that is a synonym for burst and dash. 'Burst' is typically used to refer to a rapid acceleration; 'dash' is related to moving fast speed. Humm, there are so many, words. Wait… the riddle... savior of the universe, savior of the universe, savior of the uni… ‘Savior of the Universe’. A light bulb went off in Twilight’s head as she got it. That’s the theme song of Dad’s and Shining’s favorite series Smash Fortune with the titular character currently being played by Buck Gordon Rogers III, who, like his father Buck Gordon Rogers Jr. and grandfather Buck Gordon Rodgers, who both also played the role, is always credited as… “Flash,” Twilight answered as she finally got it. “Which is the name used by the three men that have and are portraying Smash Fortune, the Space Opera hero."

“Yeah, it was either that or the fourth. Oh, I get why Dad emulates his father and grandfather, and why Grandpa Bucky emulated his father, but Space Operas are not my thing. Although, my half-brother, First Base, might not be as lucky. Then again his mother has a fair amount of clout.”

“You have a brother?” Twilight asked confused about the idea of half-siblings.

Flash chuckled, “Two younger half-siblings, actually. My mother and my dad… well, they were kids messing around and I was the result. They were like water and oil, not that they fought, but they realized that they didn't mix well. My maternal grandparents actually raised me, my mother was still in school and my father was well getting ready to take on the mantle of Smash Fortune.”

Twilight was taken aback at that, “Why would your father do that. Didn’t he care.” The idea of a father not caring for his child was abominable to Twilight. Her own father would spend an entire day with her looking for her Smarty Pants doll, even after working a long hard night and going to work another long hard night, with no complaints.

“Actually it was my maternal grandfather’s idea, my father wanted to marry my mother and take care of me like a father should and Grandpa Bucky and my paternal grandmother were all on board with that. My mother was willing to do that and my maternal grandmother was all in support of it, but my grandfather seemed to be the only one to look ahead and said it would be in my best interest to have a more...stable people couple raising me.” Flash informed as he found a table and pulled out a chair for Twilight.

After accepting the chair and setting down, as Flash walked to sit down across from her, “So your parents never married.” Twilight said in thought, “That’s kind of sad,” she commented. “I could not image my parents being apart.”

Flash just shrugged his shoulders, “That’s life. Well, about twelve years ago both my parents found their current spouses. My dad married a baseball player, and from what I have seen their son, my half-brother First Base, seems to take after his mother, she lives in Magiville as the right fielder of the Magiville Honey Bees.” Flash paused as he took a moment to make sure he knew what he was going to say about his mother’s new family. “My mom, on the other hand, found a nice Skyborn guy like her, they got hitched and had a daughter. I think they live in Magiville now, something about my kid sister went through a growth spurt and her wings didn’t grow at the same time. I have wanted to visit them, both my half-brother and half-sister, but I have been bounced around to so many posts while the Phoenix in under reconstruction I never had the time. I hope she enjoyed the scooter I bought and sent to her.” Flash informed looking away as if ashamed of himself for being an absent brother. Twilight noticed that there was a small tear forming in his left eye. She saw him rub the left side of his face.

“Would your half-sister’s name happen to be ‘Scootaloo’?” Twilight asked as she recalled her first real run in with Scootaloo as the young monk scooted by her on a scooter with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle chasing Spike.

“Yeah, You know her?” Flash asked as he seemed to brighten up.

“She and her friends Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, are more or less the little sisters of myself and my friends,” Twilight answered as a server arrived and placed two drinks in front of them. Seeing Flash confused over the wooden mugs, “It’s the Apple Family Cider. You see, Princess Celestia commissioned Sweet Apple Temple to cater the gala and the Apples’ best beverage is their cider. I am given to understand their family secret recipe is actually the best, but I can’t handle hard cider.” Twilight explained as she drank some of the cider, it was just like the cider she had when she first met Applejack getting closer to a year before. “Delicious,” Twilight said as looked to Flash.

Flash then picked up his mug, “Well hard or not, Tonight is the first night of my leave until I am sent off to Wonderbolt Academy.” Flash then drank some of the cider. After he gave an ‘aw’ of bliss. “Divine.” he declared.

Twilight giggled, “I never heard anyone call the cider from Sweet Apple Temple that.” After another chuckle, “but I can see why.” After a second of thought, “You said you’re going to Wonderbolt Academy, thinking about transferring?”

Flash shook his head, “Nah, apparently, Princess Celestia or Marshall Armor has plans for me. Don’t know what they are, but one of them clearly has plans for me. But we really need to change topics.” Flash then looked straight into Twilight’s eyes, as he looked into them Twilight could not help but notice that they were slightly closed. Twilight could not tell exactly what the next line of their dialogue would be from him.

Not wanting to get into awkward territory, and wanting keep the topic on him for a few more minutes, she said, “Do either of your siblings know about you? Or do they just know you as a nameless relative?”

Flash took a breath, as he looked down into his mug and sighed before he answered as he looked back up to face Twilight, “I know First Base knows he and I are related, we write. I honestly don’t know if Scootaloo does, our mother has only shared very little about her to me, it wouldn’t surprise me if Scootaloo doesn’t.” Before Twilight could inquire further, “But we can not talk about the idiot ‘Flash Sentry’, let’s talk about the gorgeous ‘Twilight Sparkle’.” Flash said as he slightly closed or rather narrowed his eyes and his gaze as if he was… batting his eyes at her, with a small smile forming on his face.

Twilight, however, was taken in by what he said, “You think I am gorgeous?” Twilight said as she started to blush and turn away in authentic modesty. “I am just an average girl, appearance wise anyway.”

Flash gave a subtle grin which Twilight didn’t see, “I have to disagree, you are the most beautiful woman in the world.” He then moved his chair to move around the table, ever so slowly. “Your purple eyes are gems. Your hair has two lovely streaks. But neither holds a candle to your mind. Entered Celestia’s School for the Gifted and becoming her apprentice at ten and on your first try.”

“Oh you know, it’s nothing all that impressive, I had access to a lot of books and I like to read. Although my friends and family might call me a ‘bibliophile’.” Twilight said as she looked into Flash’s eyes and then looked away as she held the upper part of her left on with her right hand, while nervous, it was a ‘not-sure-what-to-do-am-I-making-fool-out-of-myself-oh-sweet-Celestia-he’s-still-looking-at-me-what-do-I-do-what-do-I-do-what-do-I-do-what-do-I-do’ type situation.

Flash, having subtly moved to be on Twilight’s right, took her hand in his left hand, “I think bibliophiles are the sexiest women around, they never go to bed…” Flash then paused as he brought Twilight’s hand to his face. He continued, but something in his voice indicated that the accompanying musical number would be a soft-jazz played on a saxophone, “alone.” He then kissed the back of her hand. “They always have a good book.” He continued to, well to Twilight it seemed like he was trying to woo her.

Twilight could not help but giggle a little, after which, in a sultry voice, or as close as she could, “I’d like to read you some time,” After a second of processing what she just said, her eyes widened and she covered her mouth, “Oh no, did I just say that.” She tried to cover her face in embarrassment as she tried to turn away.

Flash gave a chuckle as he reached out and moved Twilight’s hands away from her face to look her in the eyes. “I think it was an adorkable joke.” He said as he neared his face to Twilight’s as he stared into Twilight’s eyes. Twilight could not help but be drawn into the royal guard's light bright blue eyes, which reminded Twilight of an entry of the cornflower plant in a book about flora. “How about we start now?” Flash continued, still batting his eyes. Twilight never thought such a plant could be so lovely. Twilight slowly tilted her head to her left and leaned forward. She felt her heart going dokidokidokidokidoki in her chest, like she was a schoolgirl in one of Fluttershy’s imported graphic novels, as the distance between her and her escort started to close and their lips...

“So who’s the lucky fellow, Twilight?” Twilight heard breaking from her attempt to kiss Flash giving a frightened ‘AH!’ as she jumped forward into Flash. Twilight turned to see her parents too late as a blue-tinted flash captured her in the… compromising… position. It was her mother that spoke. “I am so happy for you, I thought you would end up like your aunt,” all the while Twilight buried her face in her hands and groaned.

Night Light could not help but chuckle, “So good to be able to do this to both kids.” Night Light then turned to Flash.

“Chief Warrant Officer Third Grade Flash Sentry of the ESM, currently not on assignment,” Flash answered the question unasked by Night Light but was asked by Twilight Velvet. “Royal Astrophysicist Night Light and famed author Twilight Velvet, I presume. Marshall Armor spoke highly about both of you.” Flash smiled as he nodded to both of Twilight’s parents. “I would offer my hand…”

“See, told you our little Sparkle would find someone, and so well mannered.” Velvet said as she turned back to Night Light. “I hope to see you again... Flash Sentry was it?” she asked. Flash nodded, “Shining was most impressed with your record. I highly doubt he’d object to you as a brother-in-law.”

Literally feeling Twilight groan in response to that. “We just met tonight, it’s a little too soon for that particular conversation. Also, with all due respect, we were kind of…” Flash didn’t finish as he jerked his head back twice as a ‘please move on,’ gesture.

Night Light caught on instantly, it took Velvet a little longer, but when she got it, “Oh we’re ruining your moment. Sorry. Tell us all about it when you can. Have fun, but be responsible. While I want to be a grandmother, please let Shining Armor go first.”

“MOTHER!!! You didn’t just ruin the moment, you have ruined several in just the past five years alone!” Twilight shouted in embarrassment as her face was one shade of red short of purple.

Velvet giggled as she and Night Light started to leave, “Parental privileges, dear, love you.” Velvet said and headed back to the gala proper.

After a few seconds, “Are you okay?” Flash asked, his eyes slightly narrow in concern and his voice subdued as he tried to look Twilight in the face.

Twilight gave a “GAHH! Why do parents do that!” Twilight exclaimed as she puffed out her cheeks in a pout, her face still red, but less from embarrassment and more out of anger. An act Flash actually thought looked pretty cute.

Flash thought for a moment, as an idea appeared in his mind he gave a small open smile, “Say, I bet ya there is place in the castle grounds I can take you to that Shining never could or can.” This caught Twilight off guard causing her to get back into her chair and look at Flash with her eyes and face partially contorted and scrunched up indicating her confusion. Flash stood up and offered her hand. “Come on, take a chance.” Cautiously Twilight held out her hand accepting the offer. She was pulled to her feet, Flash then moved his arm so that Twilight’s arm was wrapped around his and they walked towards one of the sets of doors.

Only seeing what was right in front of her, as they passed through the doors, “I could get here by my…” In an instant, she felt herself rise into the air. “Self!” She screamed as she clung to Flash for dear life, burying her face in his chest out of fear. After a few second Twilight felt herself be lowered to something. She opened her eyes to see she was on one of the roofs of one of the towers. She was actually standing on the roof of the tallest tower of the Chantalot royal castle, the highest man-made point in all of Mystica. As she looked around seeing the city from this new place she could not help but feel like she was, “I am on top of the world!” she exclaimed very childlike and gave a rather dorky giggle. She then turned to face Flash, who was just hovering next to the tower. “You were right.” Twilight conceded, “This is a place no-one else I know could take me to.”

“I just figured you were better off in a place no one could cloud your mind,” Flash said as he landed. “Sorry for scaring you like that.” he chuckled, “but I assumed the faster I got you away, the better.”

Twilight blushed a little, “Yeah, thanks for that, if what you saw was how my parents respond, I don’t to know how my friends would.” Flash gave Twilight a look not unlike one Applejack would when she was clearly not convinced. “I mean I am not ready to experience, Rarity would be ‘Oh Darling, we have to get you a better dress, tis unbecoming for such courtship.’ Applejack would be ‘Yahr break her heart Ah’ll break yah’, Rainbow Dash would… I guess she would she would shrug her shoulders and say ‘Whatev’, Fluttershy would be ‘Oh this is so…’ Actually, I have no idea what she would say, but Pinkie would, ‘Twilight’s-first-date-celebration-party’” As Twilight spoke what she felt her friends would say she imitated her friends, even having her own ‘Pinkie voice’. Twilight then gave an exasperated sigh.

Flash walked up to her and rested his forehead on her’s, his cornflower blue eyes looking deep into her purple eyes. “Well, who says they have to know before you have a chance to recover from your parents?” Flash asked in a very luring inflection as if he was trying to help Twilight back to their missed moment. Not so much trying to recapture the moment, but fostering a new and better one. As Twilight into Flash’s eyes, she could not help but hear in soft-jazz play on a saxophone in her mind. Slowly and subtly Flash placed his hands on Twilight’s sides as Twilight reached her arms around his neck.

“No one,” Twilight said in a sultry manner as she tilted her head to her left and started to bring herself up to kiss him. Flash, however, did not let her get very far as his lips came to her. After a couple of seconds, the two broke their kiss and with their eyes shut, each rested their forehead on the others. Twilight slowly opened her eyes and was again looking into Flash’s eyes, she felt both drawn into them, but for some reason, she could tell that Flash was also being pulled in her eyes. The idea of a man being drawn to her as Flash has been made Twilight giggle in delight.

“Solaria, Stella Die, the closest and brightest of all,” Flash said as he leaned in and whispered into Twilight’s right ear before he kissed the spot under her ear, and then just below that, and then the spot just below that as he kissed down the right side of her neck, along her right clavicle to her right shoulder. Twilight sighed and shivered of bliss all the while. After reaching the top of her shoulder, Flash started to kiss along the path again going back until he reached her right ear, but instead of going back down he moved over to her left ear, he repeated what he said in her right ear into her left and continued to kiss her on the left side much like he did on her right side. As he finished his return to Twilight’s left ear, he returned his gaze to Twilight’s eyes. He grinned as he saw Twilight smile, with her mouth slightly opened in bliss. “I was told I get things down fast.” Flash joked. Just then the two started to hear music from the gala’s dance hall. “Is that?” Flash asked.

“I think that’s a waltz,” Twilight answered. She ended her hold around Flash and started to walk away, “I am sorry, I don’t know how to dance all that well,” she explained a little ashamed of herself. “I never learned.”

Flash gave a soft smile as he took her right hand and rested it on his left shoulder and took her left hand in his right hand, “Just place your feet on mine.” Flash encouraged as he moved his left arm to be under Twilight’s right with his hand on her back. Twilight did what Flash said. “Now the waltz is actually a simple dance, with three steps that are one, two, three,” Flash started as he started to dance with the music, “that go alongside a three beat meter, that go, long, short, short.” Flash continued as he waltzed on the rooftop with Twilight’s feet on his feet. “Now the tricky part is to remember that unlike most ballroom dances, you alternate between which foot you start out with for the beats.”

Twilight was still nervous but she was starting to feel like she could actually follow Flash’s lead. “Where did you learn how to dance?” she asked as she stepped off of Flash’s feet to actually waltz with him.

“While the majority of the guards are in our armor, sometimes the best way to protect the princesses and others is to blend into the crowd and for events like the gala, and to keep your cover you’ll have to dance,” Flash explained as the two danced together circling the top of the roof. With each step, Twilight felt more and more confident in her skills. Helping matters was that Flash was only altering things one at a time spinning her fully during the long beat to her left or tow her right every so often. However, in one spin he stepped forward with her back to him. Twilight was a little startled at this as she was now facing the same way as her partner. “Didn’t mean to startle you,” Flash whispered, which seemed to put Twilight at ease.

After dancing a few more beats, Twilight felt Flash move his hands to her sides, “If you want,” Flash started to say but very soon Twilight noticed a change in how Flash spoke as if he was... “I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering splendid.
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide!
I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride
A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we’re only dreaming.” As Flash sang he lifted Twilight with him into the sky and started to fly around the castle’s towers, over the gardens, over the walls and around a few of the buildings near the castle, ending as he hovered in the air not far from Twilight’s old room.

After Flash finished the verse, with the two still flying, “That’s a little old school, don’t you think?” Twilight giggled, but she could not hide how impressed she was with him as she looked around where they were.

Flash chuckled, as he swiftly moved to once again be in front of Twilight, “Old school, here’s old school.” Flash said and after humming a few notes, “I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream
I know you, that gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam
And I know it's true that visions are seldom all they seem
But if I know you, I know what you'll do
You'll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream,” Flash sang as he waltzed in the sky with Twilight as he landed with her on the balcony of Twilight’s old room, which Princess Celestia had set aside for her to spend the night. Flash ended the song as he broke the dance and opened the door to Twilight’s room with a bow. “Well milady, here I must depart. I hope you have enjoyed your night.”

Just as Twilight entered she took Flash’s hand and gave a slight tug as she beckoned him to join her, “This, thus far, has been the best night ever… but I don’t want it to be over yet,” she said a modesty embarrassed at the idea that she was inviting a man into her bedroom. Flash stepped into the room and kissed Twilight, before shutting the door behind him.

The Next Morning

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Twilight slowly began to wake up as the light of the sun hit her face. She groaned groggily reluctant to get up. As she stirred she soon remembered she did not go bed alone as she felt the chest of a fit man with her hand. Cautiously and slowly she raised her head and remembered that she and Flash had gone into her room, but she didn’t remember him leaving. Her face suddenly flushed a shade of red that could rival Big Macintosh’s usual attire so fast she actually felt woozy for a few seconds. Soon she felt and saw Flash start to get up and stretch his arms and back as he sat up on the bed, revealing his bare soldierly fit upper body.

“It’s been so long since I was not in charge of revelry, I almost forgot what it feels like to get a nice long rest,” Flash said before he turned to face Twilight. Twilight hid under the sheets of her bed as her red face would compromise any and all of her attempts to hide her embarrassment if left with no other shield. However, Flash was able to lower the sheet to reveal only Twilight’s crimson face. “Good morning, gorgeous,” he said as he placed a kiss on her cheek and placed his forehead on her’s as he looked into Twilight’s eyes. Twilight squeaked nervously as she turned away to hide her face. Flash stopped smiling and had a small frown, mostly out of concern. “Are you okay?” he asked. Twilight shook her head. Flash then got out of the bed, exposing that the pants he wore last night were still on and were still done as they when he was introduced to Twilight. He walked around the bed and took a knee in front of Twilight, “Twilight, nothing happened,” He tried to assure her.

“I know,” Twilight said and sighed, “but what does last night mean?” Twilight started, but before she could she was given another kiss.

“It means that we are attracted to each other,” Flash explained as he reached out his right hand to cradle Twilight’s face. “But honestly, I would trade anything and everything for one more nanosecond with you last night.” Twilight gave Flash a small smile as she started to get up. However, Flash placed his hands on her shoulders, stopping her from getting up. “Perhaps I should turn around first, because...you know,” Flash said giving a nervous smile showing his teeth, trying to find the most tactful way to address a particular elephant in the room.

Twilight got the hint faster than Flash could articulate the subject, “Oh.” she said voicing her own realization. “Yeah, you should,” she confirmed with a blush, as Flash stood up and turned to face a corner.

Twenty minutes later as Flash, dressed as he was last night with his dress shirt unbuttoned and untucked and Twilight was in the clothes she’d worn on the train ride from Magiville, focusing crystal and all, which was cleaned and brought to her room as they descended the stairs to the dining room that everyone agreed to met up that morning. “Well, I had a fantastic night,” Twilight said, finally breaking the pleasant silence between the two as they entered the room.

“So am I being given the boot?” Flash joked as he started to head towards another archway to leave as he started to button his shirt.

“No, I was thanking you,” Twilight said as she grabbed Flash’s arm.

“HEY! It was my idea!” came Pinkie Pie as she seemed to just jump out of Flash’s shirt, which was by that time fully buttoned. The jester was still in her dress from the night before, but as it was wrinkled and in disarray as if she had been sleeping in it while also engaged in… other activities in the bed. Flash froze with his eyes wide in horror that someone was actually in his shirt other than him. Twilight was in a similar state but she recovered remembering that this was Pinkie. “I saw how you looked at him at the reception and how the hint of his name seemed to plague you. So~ I spoke with Lyra and she told me that Shining was only able to get one groomsman and the groomsman would have been Shining’s best man if you didn’t say yes to being his best maiden and that groomsman was Flash. So, after my mother said she wanted to spend the night with my father, I sent Flash the ticket and asked Princess Celestia to help me out," As Pinkie spoke she pulled down an image of her talking with Lyra, then one of her talking to her parents, then one with her sending a the ticket to Flash and a letter to Princess Celestia with Brighteyes as the delivery person. "And you two look so cute together.” Pinkie Pie squealed as she moved Flash to be right next to Twilight, and pulled a camera out of her hair. “Now say ‘sticky feet’,” Pinkie said as she took the shot, the flash of the camera breaking Flash out of his horror induced stupor. “I think we’ll call you both, TwiSentry because FlashLight is so~ predictable.” Pinkie continued as she got the picture and shook it twice to reveal the photograph she took. After looking the photo over as she put the camera back into her hair, “Yep, you two are so much cuter together than Rainbow and me.”

Flash looked to Twilight for some sort of answer, his mouth agape as he was trying to comprehend what just happened. “It’s Pinkie Pie, you’re better off not questioning it,” Twilight answered.

“HEY!” came a raspy female voice as Rainbow Dash walked down into the room, she looked even more disheveled than Pinkie. “I HEARD THAT!”

“Oh come on, Dashie, we might look good together, but just look at these two. They are so much cuter together than us, it’s as if they were made for each other.” Pinkie said almost dismissively as she waved her left hand with a ‘pasha’.

“I am so happy for you, Rainbow.” came Fluttershy, dressed in her clothes from the day before, which were cleaned, as she almost tackled Rainbow Dash in a hug. Angel Bunny was at her feet but hopped onto the table electing to be involved in this. “You finally found someone and we can finally get Zephyr to stop hitting on you,” Fluttershy said happily as she rubbed Rainbow’s cheek sisterly.

“Thanks, Fluttershy, so did you meet anyone?” Pinkie asked as she joined her in the hug of Rainbow Dash on the other side of the elementalist.

Twilight could only nervously laugh at the situation, “Three of my friends.” she said to Flash giving a few nervous laughs.

Flash gave a surprisingly reassuring chuckle, “You should meet my squad mates,” they both then had a small laugh, “So the other two are?” Flash asked.

Just then Rarity walked in and looked at the scene, “Oh just rub it in, all of you. At least Spike had the decency to at least attempt giving me something positive to remember about the night.” the enchantress pouted.

“Rarity, this is,...” Twilight started as Flash walked up and kneeled in front of Rarity and took Rarity’s left hand and kissed the back of it.

“Chief Warrant Officer Sentry, It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, milady. I have heard only good things about you,” Flash said as he rose back to his feet.

“Uh,” Rarity said with a degree of delight, “Such a well mannered young man, at least one of us ended up with someone with a sense of responsibility and tact.” Rarity congratulated Twilight as Flash pulled out a chair at the table as Rarity accepted the seat.

Just then Applejack walked in, in a state not much different than Rainbow or Pinkie Pie with Soarin coming right behind her. As Applejack looked around, “So, Ah ain't the only one that met someone.” Applejack then spied Pinkie and Fluttershy embracing Rainbow Dash. “Um, are Pinkie, Rainbow, and Fluttershy…” Applejack started but stopped as the elementalist glared at the paladin. “Ah ain’t judgin’, just askin’,” Applejack finished.

“Oh no, there is no me in this,” Fluttershy said as she ended her hug as Pinkie just continued to hug Rainbow Dash. “But it looks like you and Twilight are the only ones to meet someone.”

“Hey Sentry, so what’s up?” Soarin asked as he and Flash shook hands before the Wonderbolt pulled out a chair for Applejack.

“Nothing I can confirm or deny, as a gentleman does not divulge what his lady wishes to keep silent on, Sir,” Flash answered his senior officer, granted the two were in separate branches of the ESM, as he pulled out a chair for Twilight.

“I hear that, and even if we did make a passing mention of this then the rumor mills would be working overtime, which means that we have to have everyone here, and everyone they know that is also here, swear an oath to not breath a word about any of this until the proper time,” Soarin said as pulled a chair for Applejack.

“We’ll go further,” said Pinkie as she ended her hug of Rainbow Dash. The two men in the room gave confused looks.

“She’s talking about a ‘Pinkie Promise’, she takes those very seriously,” said Twilight.

“How far does she take it?” inquired Soarin at the concept.

“You don’t want to find out,” said Twilight and her friends, minus Pinkie who was instead giving a smile that was both reassuring and a bit off-putting, in almost perfect unison. About that same time, Maud, Limestone, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo entered, all of them in what they had worn before the gala. “Hey, girls, Limestone, Maud. Did you each have a good time?” Twilight asked as Flash and Soarin started pulling out chairs for everyone but themselves with three empty chairs.

“Well, Maud and mah talked and Ah started formin’ plans with what to do with all the rocks we find on the farm.” Apple Bloom stated to Twilight but she then turned to Applejack, “Wah all also used yahr chain to make a necklace to make Spike an adult, sorry for takin’ it,” Apple Bloom said a little guilty about what she did.

Twilight looked around, “Wait where is Spike?”

“And Big Mac?” Applejack asked as she also noticed the absences of not only the dragon and her big brother and, “And Marble?”

Just then, “Bum, bum, bum-ba-da, ba-da
Bum, bum, bum-ba-da ah,
Bum, bum, bum-ba-da, ba-da
Bum, bum, bum-ba-da ah,” everyone heard as the towering cleric came into the room with Marble at his side, as Soarin and Flash rose to their feet. Big Mac then pulled out one of the three empty chairs for Marble. The noticeable smaller geomancer accepted the chair and looked at her three sisters with a big closed mouth, closed-eyed smile. Big Mac then took one of the two remaining chairs, as Flash and Soarin took their seats again.

“Had a good night, Mac?” Applejack asked her brother with a raised eyebrow.

“Eeyup,” Big Macintosh replied with a closed eyes smile before he turned to face Marble, opening his eyes as he gave a smile to her, as she in turn modestly blushed.

“Should Apple Bloom and Mah be e’ceptin’ tah be aunts anytime soon?” Applejack asked not beating around the bush.

“Nope!” Big Mac declared, almost as if he was insulted by the accusation and from his own sister none the less, who had her own bedfellow last night.

Apple Bloom, knowing it was against her better judgment, addressed her other sibling’s night with someone of the opposite sex, “Wahll, should Big Mac bah accepting’ to bah an unclah anytime soon?”

Applejack turned to face Apple Bloom, her face was red in a mix of embarrassment and anger, the color of her face almost matching the coloration of a gala apple, “No, Soarin is a real gentleman, doesn’t really act lahke any celebs Ah’ve seen befer,” Applejack answered her sister.

“Well if we cast a zone of truth, we can verify that.” Fluttershy commented, “and we all can tell about our nights without any doubt.” Fluttershy continued. “I’ll even cast it. Zona Vero!” Fluttershy said as she closed her eyes and opened them revealing them to glow pink, matching her hair. From her eyes, a pink bubble grew, just as Spike entered the room.

“You guys could have at least waited for me before taking up all the seats. I knew I should have gone to Donut Joe’s instead of coming here. Actually,” Spike said as he walked over to Apple Bloom. “Here’s AJ’s chain.” He said as he handed the chain to Apple Bloom after he removed a simple gray rock and walked over to Maud. “Here’s Boulder,” Spike said as he returned Maud’s pet rock to her. “Well if you need me, I’ll be at Donut Joe’s.” Spike then started to head out, but before he left he turned to Flash, “Do anything to hurt Twilight, I WILL ROAST YOU ALIVE AND EAT YOUR STILL BEATING HEART RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR BARELY LIVING BODY!” Spike declared and hissed as his pupils narrowed to slits as he also stuck out his forked tongue and clawed the air threateningly.

After he left, “That is the most serious I’ve seen him in quite some time,” commented Twilight. “He was nowhere near that volatile even when Princess Celestia mentioned Blueblood when she gave us all the tickets. If this is him as a baby dragon, I don’t even want to imagine how he would be like as a full grown dragon.”

“Just means he really cares about you,” said Rarity, “he’s quite a passionate individual, once you take the time to actually know him. And quite the dancer. Also, Twilight, he’s almost eleven years old, he’s not a baby anymore.” Twilight gave her a look that said that she would be explaining how dragon maturations work to all her friends.

“We saw him literally sweep you off your feet. I’ve never seen you so happy.” Sweetie Belle commented. “It was wrong how Blueblood behaved towards you.”

“Spike said it was your idea.” Rarity said to Sweetie Belle, “Thank you, for making it the best night ever for me.”

“I couldn’t have done it without Apple Bloom making the necklace, Maud transmuting her pet rock, Boulder, into an echoing gem, Spike wearing the necklace and Scootaloo sending the cake...” Sweetie Belle stopped.

“What?” Rarity and Big Mac asked in unison.

“Well, you see the only way to give Spike a chance to save your night was to separate you and Blueblood, and the best way was to send the cake towards you and Blueblood.” Scootaloo started, “But I didn’t expect him to use you as a human shield.” Scootaloo then started to laugh nervously.

Before Rarity could press the issue, “So should Ah ahecpt to bah an aunt from either of yah anytime soon?” Apple Bloom asked addressing Applejack and Big Mac.

“Nope.” Applejack and Big Mac said together, both still feeling a little insulted that their sister would question them on such a matter.

“For what it’s worth, you seem good enough for Marble.” Limestone commented, “But if the Choosing Stone says you aren’t chosen for Marble, and you do anything to undermine her marriage I will break every bone in your body, you got it.” Everyone but Maud gulped at Limestone’s declaration of what she would do to Big Mac.

"Eeyup."

“Limestone is very passionate about looking after her sisters. In particular Marble.” Maud explained in her signature monotone voice, with a defusing inflection.

“Well, I had a great night, I managed to make a great first impression on the druids that attended the gala.” Fluttershy cut in. “Thanks to Pinkie Pie, I was able to reunite each of the druids with their animal companions.” Fluttershy then looked at her rabbit, it was clear he was bored. “Did you have a good time last night?” she asked. Angel held out his right front paw and rocked it was hand indicating that while it was not a bad night but not a particular night he would repeat. “It’s okay, you don’t have to come next year if I am invited.” Angel smiled and gave a nod. “Why don’t you go after Spike. If you hurry you’ll…” Angel bolted was gone before Fluttershy could say anything else.

“Well, that happened!” Soarin chimed in as everyone watched with as the rabbit vanished. “So it seems that everyone has had a great night. In other news, Rainbow was accepted to Wonderbolt Academy for the Late Spring-Early Summer seminar and she seems to be more than fri…” Soarin started.

“I AM NOT GAY!” Rainbow Dash shouted at everyone there. “YES, I HAVE RAINBOW-COLORED HAIR, I AM A TOMBOY, I AM AN ATHLETE, ETC ETC ETC. BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN I AM GAY! I HAD A PASSIONATE NIGHT WITH PINKIE LAST NIGHT! THAT’S IT!” Everyone was taken aback by what Rainbow shouted. Save one.

Pinkie was unphased, after giving a ‘pasha’, “Yeah, I was the exception to her standards last night,” Pinkie informed. “It’s okay, I still love her, not necessarily like that, but at least as friends.” Pinkie paused for a second, “Although if she does look for a man he’ll have to be an Earthborn.”

“PINKIE!!!” Rainbow Dash shouted in embarrassment as she covered her reddening face.

“Oh Dashie, we both know that what you need is…”

“This is getting really awkward, I think it would better to change topics.” Flash cut in, interpreting the jester, seeing where the conversation was going if allowed to go that particular track. “So, what are your plans today? I am guessing that you will all be heading back to Magiville after of course, everyone is ready to go,” Flash said as he looked around the table.

“Actually Marble, Maud and me…” Limestone started but she was cut off.

“I.” Twilight informed.

“What?” Limestone asked confused as to what she was interrupted over.

“It’s ‘Marble, Maud and I’, ‘I’ is the subject form the first person pronoun. ‘Me’ is used when the first person pronoun is not the subject of the sentence. In this case, you, Marble and Maud are the subjects of the sentence, thus the correct form is ‘Marble, Maud and I’,” Twilight explained. Everyone gave her unhappy looks. “Sorry,” she said weakly as she laughed nervously.

“Well, the three of us are heading back to our rock farm.” Limestone declared, while a little agitated she was polite.

“Well, Twilight, yah took Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and mah to shopping for gear for our classes. Ah think yahr the best person do tah samah for Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. For Big Mac and Ah, we got to get back to thah farm.”

“Can I stay, Rarity?” Sweetie Belle asked.

Rarity thought about it, “Well, I need to check my mail and see if I have new orders, and while I know you mean well, but the last time you tried to help me was… You know I love. Be on your best behavior, if Twilight has one bad word about your behavior…” Rarity started but stopped letting Sweetie Belle infer the outcome.

“Oh thank you, thank you,” Sweetie Belle squeaked gratefully.

As Scootaloo turned to Rainbow Dash, “I’ll cover for yah, squirt,” the elementalist said as she started to look closer to normal. Scootaloo smiled in response.

“Don’t I get a say?” Twilight asked. Flash than just gave her a look of condolence.

“If you had a younger sibling you would have learned your say really doesn’t amount to much.” Rarity commented, “besides with you around they’ll have a more difficult time getting into trouble. Also, Applejack and I would appreciate you doing this for us.”

“Don’t worry,” said Flash, “I’ll help out, think of me as your private guard for the duration of your stay in Chantalot.” He suddenly realized the implications of what he said, as did Twilight, the moment he finished talking and the two of them started blushing a vibrant ruby red.

“Hah, they’re even cute together when embarrassed,” said Pinkie, “can I call this stuff or what?” Just then the servers arrived with the food. “Uh-oh, time to eat.”

About an hour and a half later, as Applejack, Big Mac, with their mobile stand, Rarity, Maud, Limestone, Marble, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Angel and Rainbow Dash headed to the train station to catch the next train to Magiville, with a stop farther down the line being the town the Pies’ rock farm is part of, with Soarin having joined up with the rest of Wonderbolts, Flash waited outside of Donut Joe’s as Twilight exited with Spike and the CMC. “You really shouldn’t be eating so much sugar,” Twilight scolded Spike.

“My teeth can crush diamonds,” Spike spoke back. Twilight gave an exasperated sigh. “So, when are we heading home?” Spike asked.

“CUTIE MAGE CRUSADERS SHOPPING IN CHANTALOT FOR OUR CLASSES WITH TWILIGHT EXPEDITION! YAY!” Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle shouted as they jumped into the air with a cheer.

“I am catching the next train home,” Spike said as he left heading to the train station. Before Twilight could call him back, “Cutie Mage Crusaders Dragon Hunters!” he shouted back not deviating from his path.

“Oh they cannot be that bad,” Twilight commented.

Two hours later, while the trio was well behaved, Twilight realized why Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash were so stressed after spending time with the three, why Fluttershy only hosted one slumber party, and on a different but not unrelated note, why Cheerilee would spend two hours in the spa. As Twilight watched over Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were examining armor, mostly because the armors for Bards and Artificers had a tendency to overlap, Scootaloo pulled Flash aside to have a private chat. “Thanks for the scooter, bro.” the monk said.

Flash was surprised, but he didn’t deny it, “How did you know?” he asked.

Scootaloo pulled out a piece of parchment from a pocket in her grab, “I read this letter, I know you meant it for Mom, but she asked me to read it to her.” Scootaloo then put the letter back in her pocket. “You didn’t know me, and I had what you didn’t but you got the one thing that has made my new life in Magiville so much easier. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, sis,” Flash said with a welcoming smile.

“Can I write you?” Scootaloo asked with pleading eyes.

As Flash rubbed the top of Scootaloo’s head as an older brother would his younger sister, “If Mom is alright with it, I look forward to writing you,” Flash answered reassuringly.

Just then Twilight and the others exited the shop. “Alright, next stop weapons,” Twilight said exhaustively.

Flash placed his hand on her shoulder, “It will be okay,” he reassured. Twilight winced at the at the thought of Sweetie Belle trying every crossbow, longsword, and rapier she could get her hands as they neared the shop. She felt a little more assured at the level of almost negligible damage that would be incurred with Scootaloo trying out fist weapons and staffs and Apple Bloom trying out a variety of hammers. In the case of Scootaloo it was because of the usual limited range of fist weapons, and in the case of Apple Bloom, it was because of her tendency to usually be the most practical of the three. That all said, Twilight was still very worried what this trip could do to her personal finances.

“As long as we don’t think of the fiscal possibilities,” said Twilight, “they can’t really do much damage to the products in an armour shop, in fact monks like Scootaloo typically do better with ordinary clothing that has few enchantments due to the fact that armor tends to hinder them,” Scootaloo gave a glow at this, mostly because it translated to being ‘too awesome for armour’, which she figured would be the kind of praise she’d hear from Rainbow Dash. “However, I’m worried about what being in a weapon shop could mean for their tendency towards unintended damages,” continued Twilight. This comment actually caused Flash and Scootaloo to wince in a nearly identical fashion, which Twilight thought was kind of cute.

Epilogue: ‘Hello, Darling’

Later that day as the sun started to set, Rarity was about to close down Carousel Boutique, “Well just some minor tailoring jobs, Seriously, Time Turner needs to stop with his experiments, that trench coat of his has been patched up so many times he might as well order a new one.” Rarity then looked at her mail, “and a few orders for the dresses my friends and I wore. I’ll have to get back to the patrons to schedule for measurements.” Rarity said a load as she looked through the mail she got which she had not had a chance to look, Opalescence was just playing with a ball of yarn that Rarity set aside for her, more or less not interested in her mistress’ business. This was not lost on Rarity. “I know you don’t care, but if I don’t have orders I’ll have to send you and Sweetie Belle to live with my parents.” Opal stopped playing with her yawn and walked up to Rarity, and brushed her leg affectionately. “Don’t worry Opal-wopal,” Rarity said as she patted her cat. “I have no intentions of a repeat of … that weekend.” Rarity shivered at the unpleasant memory.

Just then the bell at the door rang. Rarity turned to see a woman enter. She was a Skyborn, and she carried herself with a sense of importance sauntered into the boutique. She seemed familiar for some reason, but Rarity couldn’t quite place why or how. “Good Evening. How can I help you?” Rarity asked the woman.

The woman turned to Rarity, “I am looking for a new dress.” She informed, “It’s been so long since I purchased one. I think I will need the measurements.”

“Well, I can get your measurements, but we are about the close. So I don’t know if we have the time to look through the designs I have, let alone develop something unique for you.” Rarity said as she went over to her desk to get her measuring tape and notebook. As she turned she saw the Skyborn woman take out from a bag a jar and open it. Befuddled at what her late hour patron was doing. “What are you do…” Rarity started to ask only to scream “AH!” as a thick onyx mist exited the jar and engulfed Rarity.

As everything turned utterly black, “Now, Luna, it’s your move.” Nightmare Moon said, with her voice sounding a little more like Rarity, as she started to laugh maniacally.

My Little Mages: The Grand Gala

by Foxhelm

Before The Gala

Applejack’s Night

Fluttershy's Night

Rainbow Dash’s Night

Pinkie Pie’s Night

Rarity's Night

The Siblings’ Night

Twilight's Night

The Next Morning