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// What a Night! 
// Story: The Bonds of Family 
// by KidatHeart5 
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	The Crystal Gala was in full swing within an hour. The lights and crystals shimmered and projected sparkling shards of rainbow light all over the ballroom. Guests were still coming, so Discord had to widen the ballroom so it’d be bigger on the inside. The royal family of the Crystal Empire stood near the entrance and greeted each guest. Flurry was fidgeting from having to wait for the long line of guests to die down. 
Skyla noticed this and whispered to her, “Be patient.”
Flurry whispered to her elder sister, “Well, it’s kind of hard to be when –“
She stopped mid-sentence when she saw a familiar face in the line. Her heart leapt as King Thorax inched closer to the royals. She found it hard to contain her excitement and fidgeted even more.
Skyla hissed to her, “Stop it!”
Her sister whispered, “I’m trying! I’m trying!”
When it was Thorax’s turn to greet the royals, he bowed in respect to the couple and said, “It’s a wonderful honor to be here tonight.”
Cadance smiled, “You’re going to love the Crystal Gala, Thorax.”
He then turned to the sisters and said, “And who are these lovely young ladies tonight?” He took Skyla’s hoof. “Princess Skyla.” After he kissed it, he faced Flurry Heart and took her hoof. “And Princess Flurry Heart.” 
When he kissed it, Flurry blushed and gave a huge smile to contain her squealing. Her eyes lingered on him as he made his way amidst the crowd. She would’ve kept sight of him if –
“Greetings, Your Distinguished Majesties!”
Her thoughts were interrupted by the shrill and haughty voice. Flurry turned to see a lean and willowy unicorn with a light magentaish gray coat and a pinkish gray mane with light raspberryish gray stripes. Her cheekbones were as high as the frilly high neck collar tightly wrapped around her neck and her brown Elizabethan dress was as gaudy as her personality. 
Cadance returned the greeting, “Hello, Zesty Gourmand.”
Zesty clarified, “It’s Baroness Zesty Gourmand. Don’t ever forget it.” 
Shining Armor whispered to his wife, “Yep. Still the same Zesty as she was the last time.” 
Zesty gestured to her servants – who were carrying a huge chest – and said, “I have brought many decorations to help improve this Crystal Gala of yours.”
The four servants behind her set down the chest and revealed many shiny decorations that would’ve not blended in well with the crystalline surroundings.
Cadance uneasily stated, “Oh, that’s…very thoughtful of you, Baroness. We’ll consider your offer.”
Zesty held her head high and said, “See that you do.”
After Zesty and her servants joined the crowd, Shining Armor told his daughters, “Why don’t you two have some fun? Mom and I have to finish greeting the last of the guests.”
Flurry smiled, “Okay, Daddy.”
When Skyla and Flurry joined the other guests, the younger sister gasped in delight when she saw…
“Snowy! LB!” Flurry cried as she raced towards them.
Little Button chuckled as Flurry embraced the both of them, “Hey, Flurry! Long time, no see!”
Snow Pea said as Flurry drew back to face them, “I’m sorry we couldn’t make it to the Everfree Kingdom, but did you have a wonderful time with the other cousins?”
Flurry answered, “Of course I did! They were so helpful trying to help me find a cutie mark. We really tried, but I’m still a blank flank.”
LB comforted, “Well, you know what they say: it’s the effort that counts.”
“Don’t you mean ‘it’s the thought that counts’?”
“Yeah, but effort and thought are pretty much the same thing.”
Skyla couldn’t help but envy her sister’s ability to socialize with other ponies so easily. Flurry always did have that air about her, always cheery and kind. She attributed Flurry’s social skills and somewhat her personality to their mother. Cadance was always a social butterfly and happily took time for other ponies. Skyla knew that she got the reclusive nature from her grandmother, but she wanted to prove that she could be just as social as Flurry Heart was. 
She walked up to a few ponies she never met before and uneasily said, “Hey…you. What a lovely evening, huh? Like those shimmering crystals up there? They were refined by the kingdom jeweler.”
Luckily, this piqued the ponies’ interest. One of them asked, “Ooh! Where can we find the jeweler?”
“He’s not at the ball right now, but I think he’s still in his shop.”
Another pony in the group said, “We should go there after the ball.”
After the group left, Skyla chastised herself, Way to go, Skyla. You can attract attention to anypony but yourself.
“Princess.”
She gasped as she heard Zesty’s voice behind her. She turned and faced the baroness.
Zesty remarked, “I never thought I’d find you so alone in a place so full of life. After all, you are a princess.” 
Skyla said sadly, “That’s only half of who I am.”
“Oh? Then why don’t we go someplace quiet so we could have a nice, little chat?” 
Skyla was surprised, but she followed Zesty anyway. If anyone could understand what it was like to be the heir apparent, it was her. When they reached a couch outside the doorway to the ballroom, the two mares sat down. 
Skyla inhaled and then asked, “Baroness Gourmand, do you know what it’s like to be an heiress?”
Zesty nodded, “Oh, yes. Very much so. Ponies kept pressuring me to be just as good as my parents were. I hated it so much that I wanted to run away. Thankfully, I didn’t, and I learned that the pressure I was being weighed down with was good for something. If it weren’t for the constant demands, I wouldn’t be the mare I am today.”
Skyla knew her next question was going to sound ridiculous, so she worded it carefully, “Have you…felt like you were being outshone by…somepony else?”
Zesty scoffed, “Ha! That’s an absurd thing to say. No one can outshine Baroness Zesty Gourmand in her own homeland.”
“Not even if you had a sister?” She covered her mouth in shock of her Freudian slip.
Zesty scoffed again, “Is this what it’s about? You think your own sister is going to become greater than you will ever be? You heirs with siblings think all the same, and I will give you the same advice given to them, Crown Princess Skyla. You are not to let your sister claim the glory you deserve. You are the heir to the Crystal throne. You shan’t let it slip away from you.”
Just then, one of Zesty’s servants leaned through the doorway and said, “Um, begging your pardon, Baroness.”
Zesty said to the servant with scorn dripping from her haughty voice, “Yes? What is it?”
“A Duke Zephyr Breeze requests an audience with you.”
“Ah,” Zesty said more calmly. “He’s probably heard of my reputation for food critiquing. I must attend to this, Your Highness, but thank you for your time with me.”
After Zesty and her servant left, Skyla sat quietly on the bench and pondered on what the baroness said.





Blaze was growing nervous every minute Professor Sunburst and his family were absent from the party. What if Blaze’s grudge was enough to keep Nova and her parents from coming to the Gala? A part of him wanted to be satisfied that Nova might not be coming, but another desperately wanted her to come, probably to hate her more. 
He was snapped out of his thoughts when a familiar voice called out, “Hey, my B-Colt! How’s it going?”
Blaze was partially embarrassed that he had to come to the Gala with his parents, but at the same time, he had a burning question he wanted an answer to.
Sunset said in concern, “You looked alone, so we thought you could use some company.”
Blaze muttered, “Yeah, well, I preferred Professor Sunburst’s company.”
Sunset and Timber heard that, but they weren’t offended.
His mother told him, “I’m sure he and his family will be here soon.”
Timber joked, “Yeah, they’re probably trying to comb the knots out of his mane.” 
Sunset smirked at him while she playfully punched his arm. 
Blaze had to ask. If any moment was right, it had to be now. “Mom?”
She asked, “Yeah?”
“How did you do it? How could you forgive Starlight just like that, even after she kept you hostage for so long?”
The parents looked at each other with solemn looks before Sunset told Blaze, “Well, the thing is…Starlight didn’t treat me like a captive when I was growing up. I actually believed that she was my mother. Sure, there were rough spots here and there, but overall, she wasn’t a bad guardian. Well, she wasn’t a great one, either. Look, my point is that I was angry with her for a while after learning who I was, but during the sleeping curse, I took one look at her journals and I saw a completely different side of her. I knew that because her past had shaped who she was, I couldn’t hold it against her anymore. When she wanted a second chance, I just gave it to her without question.”
“How come?”
“Because everyone gets sad or angry at least once in a while, and that can change a person.” 
“Like Uncle Discord?”
Timber nodded, “Yep. Definitely him. And your Aunt Gloriosa.” 
Sunset’s eyes caught something and she pointed to it, “Oh, look! There they are!” 
Blaze turned to see Professor Sunburst and his wife all dressed in their best. However, the sight that most surprised him was Nova, who was flanked by her parents on either side. She was without her glasses and her mane was wavy like the ever-moving waters of the ocean. He had never seen a prettier sight until that moment. He felt his heart fluttering and his nerves jolting through every inch of his body. 
How could he have stayed mad at her? She was – No. No. He wasn’t going to just fall for her radiant beauty after what her mother did to – But Nova was so pretty and maybe he was – Forget it. There was absolutely no way a prince like him could be wrong.
While Blaze’s inner turmoil played out, Timber urged him slyly, “You know, you could always ask her to dance with you.”
Blaze turned to his father with a flustered expression and protested, “What?! Dad! I’m not just going to ask Nova in the middle of the ballroom!”
Timber shrugged, “Why not? You kept chattering about her after she beat you at that magic duel.”
“That was raving – ranting! I was ranting about she could’ve possibly been more beautiful than me!” He realized his Freudian slip and blushed as his parents tried to stifle their chuckles. “Look, forget it, guys! I hate her for what her mom did to you. I’m not going to forgive her for that.”
Sunset asked him in a firm tone, “Blaze, did Nova kidnap me from my family?”
“Well, no, but –“
“Then Nova’s not to blame, so you shouldn’t be angry at her for something she didn’t do.”
“Yeah, except being her daughter.”
Timber assumed the same tone as his wife, “Well, then you should be mad at Professor Sunburst for being Starlight’s husband. Are you?”
“No. No, I’m not.”
Sunset implored her son, “Please, Blaze. Let go of the past. It’s over now. I’ve moved on and so should you. Please. Give Nova and her mom a second chance, like I did.” 
Blaze knew that his mother was just as wise as her twin sister, but the wisdom she spoke came from the heart. Every bit of it proved to be right time and again. His mother was always right, and he just had to accept that…and forgiving Nova and her mother. 
He nodded, “Okay, Mom, Dad. I’ll go talk to her.”
As he slowly walked towards Nova, Timber smirked to his wife, “You used the eyes, didn’t you?”
Sunset chuckled and then answered playfully, “I think it was my voice.”
“Well, I find your voice very mellifluous.”
“Which means ‘honeyed’? Yes, I know.”
They both chuckled before embracing each other and kissing.
On the other side of the ballroom, the butler met up with Shining Armor and Cadance. 
He said in a worried tone, “Awful news, Your Majesties.”
Cadance asked, “Yes? What is it?”
“The guest singer cannot make it due to illness.”
She gasped, “Oh, dear!”
Shining Armor asked, “But we still have the back-up, right?”
The butler shook his head, “Not really.”
“The back-up back-up?”
“All of them are sick, Your Highness. There’s nothing we can do.”
Cadance asked worriedly, “But what do we do now?”
Roller Blade overheard this and told his cousins, “Hey, guys. All of the singers who were supposed to show up tonight can’t.”
Apple Butter said, “Well, who’s going to fill in for them?”
Flurry thought about this for a few moments until she offered, “I’ll do it.”
All of her cousins were surprised and looked at her with wide eyes.
Skater voiced, “Whoa. That’s big of you, Flurry.”
Flurry shrugged, “Well, it’s no big deal. Mom, Dad, and Skyla fill in for ponies all the time. I might as well follow in their hoofsteps.” 
Roller Blade smirked, “Are you sure it’s not to have King of Many Colors take an interest in you?”
Flurry blushed and said in mock annoyance, “Oh, stop that!” 
Skater said, “It’s true. You have it bad for him.”
“Look, I’m only doing this so other ponies won’t be disappointed. And it might help me get my cutie mark.” 
Apple Butter praised, “Well, in that case, you go, girl.”
Skater said as Flurry walked up to her parents, “Best of luck, kid.”
Roller teased, “Yeah, don’t get lovey-dovey on stage when you see Thorax.”
Skater jabbed him in the side.
Flurry walked up to her parents and the butler and said, “Excuse me.” When they faced her, she stated, “I want to fill in for the singer tonight.”
The adults were surprised to hear that and stood there in silence.
Cadance then said, “But, honey, you don’t know the song.”
Flurry suggested, “Well, how about a song I do know?”
Shining Armor said, “We can do that, but it has to be one the band would know, too.”
By the time Blaze finally met up with Nova (he kept chickening out and ponies kept blocking his way), he sighed in relief, “Nova, am I glad I found you!”
Nova asked in confusion, “You are?”
“Well, not entirely, but I mean I am still at least partially glad I found you, that is…” When the look on Nova’s face indicated that he was unconvincing, he took a deep breath and spoke the words as quickly as he could, “Look, do you want to –“
The sound of microphone feedback suddenly interrupted him. 
He cursed himself, Stupid timing, Blaze!
As soon as the audience’s attention was directed towards the stage, Shining Armor spoke into the microphone, “Fillies, gentlecolts, and guests from all around, thank you all for coming to the Crystal Gala. It’s always a festive and fun tradition for us every year, and what tradition would be complete without a song? Unfortunately, our guest singer had to bow out due to illness, but my daughter, Princess Flurry Heart, would be glad to sing for us instead. She’s making her mother and me so proud by volunteering to do this, but she’s already made us proud from the very beginning. Let’s welcome Princess Flurry Heart, who will be singing the song ‘Think of Me’.”
While the crowd applauded, Skyla thought of two possibilities: that Flurry was doing this to get attention or that she would make a fool of herself onstage.
Flurry Heart stepped up to the microphone and took a deep breath as the piano began to play. She thought to herself, Okay, Flurry. You got this.
She began to sing, “Think of me…Think of me fondly…when we’ve said good-bye…Remember me once in a while…Please promise me you’ll try…When you find that once again you long…to take your heart back and be free…If you ever find a moment…spare a thought for me…”
Just then, the rest of the orchestra burst out in music and filled the entire ballroom with such moving melody.
Flurry continued to sing, “We never said our love was evergreen…or as unchanging as the sea…But if you can still remember…stop and think of me…Think of all the things we’ve shared and seen…Don’t think about the way…things might have been…Think of me, think of me waking…silent and resigned…Imagine me, trying too hard…to put you from my mind…
“Recall those days…Look back on all those times…Think of the things we’ll never do…There will never be a day…when I won’t think of you…”
Meanwhile, in a dark and secluded forest where a few rays of Luna’s moon shone, an antlered silhouette shot its head up as if it could hear the song of the young Crystal princess. 
Back at the Crystal Palace, the guests gave a round of applause to Flurry.
Thorax softly sang in amazement, “Can it be? Can it be Flurry?”
Both Cadance and Shining Armor cheered, “Bravo! Bravo!” 
Cadance sang, “Long ago…It seems so long ago…How young she and her sister were…”
Shining Armor sang, “Now they’re growing into mares…Life can become a blur…”
Flurry resumed singing, “Flowers fade…The fruits of summer fade…They have their seasons, so do we…But please promise me that sometimes…you will think…” She vocalized for several moments until she finished, “…of me!” 
The ballroom erupted in thunderous applause. Some of the guests were even crying, but none more so than Prince Rutherford and his companions.
Rutherford sniffled, “Music beautiful. Much soul.”
Skyla couldn’t believe it - they loved Flurry! Her little sister was beloved by ponies, but now she was also beloved by creatures from other places as well! How could Skyla stand a chance of being adored by the masses? With her eyes welling with tears of frustration, jealousy, and sorrow, she ran out of the ballroom. Flurry saw this and decided to fly after her.
After Zesty saw the scene unfold, a small but devious grin formed on her face. She said softly, “Hmm…interesting.”