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// Gown, Gala, and Gaffe 
// Story: A Friend to the Night 
// by Silverintuition 
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"Rise and shine, sugar cube!" An unfamiliar voice stirred Moon Struck from her nap. The sudden wake up call caused her to roll off the bed in confusion, much to the unhappiness of Opal who returned the favor by sinking her claws straight into Moon Struck's hindquarters. 
"Ouch!" She yelped, jumping up to the ceiling, the blanket, and Opal, falling to the floor in a pile of fluff and fur.
"Are ya okay? That looked like a mighty painful fall, what with the claws and all," The unfamiliar mare continued. Now that Moon Struck was no longer tangled in blankets, she floated back down to the floor and looked at the new mare standing by the doorway. The mare was a golden color, with a light yellow mane pulled, and wearing a rather well worn looking cowpony hat. The earth pony was looking at Moon Struck, concern obvious in her bright green eyes.
"Oh, I'm alright. Not the first time I've fallen out of bed when waking up. Although usually its a cloud I fall out of, so I just fall into air, not a floor," Moon Struck said, brushing herself off with her wings. "Also there's not usually claws involved, but there's a first for everything I suppose. Uhm, who are you anyway?" She finished, staring at the earth pony.
"The name's Apple Jack; Rarity sent me in here to wake ya up. Something about getting ya all dolled up for the Gala. Though I don't see what the fuss is all about, we got plenty of time before we need to leave. But that is just how Rarity gets when fashion is in the picture. Come on out when yer ready, I got some nice apple butter flapjacks for ya to eat before ya get in that dress. Goodness knows Rarity would just about faint if I fed ya after ya get yer gown on." With that, Apple Jack winked, and left the room.
Moon Struck had to suppress a giggle at that last bit. Her stomach grumbled and she was glad that somepony had thought to get her something to eat when she awoke; she hadn't eaten since the night before and her hunger was starting to get the best of her. After getting the blankets all picked up and the bed fixed up to look all nice and made up again, Moon Struck headed out of the room and out towards the main area of the boutique. 
Stepping out she saw Apple Jack setting up some flapjacks on a small table for her, Pinkie Pie was already bouncing around in a fluffy light blue dress that somehow looked oddly like cotton candy, but also kind of like cake frosting. It was decorated with little balloons and sparkled as Pinkie bounced underneath the different lights in the room. Rarity was also already in her gown for the evening, a simple but very elegant deep emerald gown with amethyst gemstones glittering along the skirts' hem. Twilight was just walking from behind the curtain in her gown from earlier, a burgundy simple gown, with shooting stars curling around her waist. There were also two other ponies that Moon Struck didn't recognize, and Twilight's dragon friend Spike who she had only met briefly back at the Castle of Friendship.
"Good evening Moon Struck, I hope you were able to enjoy your nap. We tried to let you get as much sleep as possible, but it was starting to get late and I wanted to make sure you had something to eat before we had to head out," Twilight said, seeing Moon Struck as she turned from the curtained area she had exited.
"Thanks, I am so hungry I could eat a haystack. Those smell delicious by the way Apple Jack," Moon Struck said, trotting over to the table with a plate stacked high with flapjacks smothered in apple butter. Sniffing the air over the food, she couldn't stop her mouth from watering at the wonderful scent. Without another moments hesitation, Moon Struck took a big bite of the scrumptious breakfast platter in front of her. "Mmm I didn't think they could possibly taste better than they smelled, but I was so so so wrong," She spoke between bites of food, trying hard to not eat too fast.
"Ya might want to slow down there a bit, sugar cube. Wouldn't want ya getting an upset stomach before the Gala after all," Apple Jack smiled at her.
Moon Struck polished off the whole plate of flapjacks all the same, and before she could help it, she let out a rather loud belch. "...Oops," she blushed furiously, pressing her wing in front of her mouth. Everyone laughed, and although she was sure no pony was laughing at her, she was still extremely embarrassed.
"Hey Moon Struck, I'm Rainbow Dash. You can just call me Rainbow if you want. So, I heard from Twi that you are going to be taking over the night duties for the weather out here; it's great of you to do that, but it is a tough job. We had a rotation schedule for it set up, but no pony out here likes working alone at night. It gets kinda dull after a little while. Some ponies even fall asleep on the job sometimes, and the last time it happened, a couple stubborn thunderclouds were getting too heavy and turning into thunder clapping fog instead." Rainbow Dash said, having flown up next to Moon Struck.
"Wasn't it you who fell asleep on the job that time, Rainbow?" Apple Jack asked, rolling her eyes at the blue pegasus.
"Well, yeah, but I couldn't help it! I was tired after Wonderbolt training, expecting to go home when Cloud Chaser told me that Flitter couldn't take over night duties because she had sprained her wing. And nopony else was available that last minute to take over." Rainbow retorted, hooves crossed.
"Now now girls, why don't we all just calm down. Can't you see you're upsetting Moon Struck here?" A yellow pegasus mare said, flying between Rainbow and Apple Jack.
"Oh come on Fluttershy! She doesn't look upset! And Apple Jack started it anyways," Rainbow huffed.
"Now wait just a gosh darned minute there, Rainbow. I didn't start nothin' and you know that!" Apple Jack started.
"Girls! Now is not the time. Come on over here Moon Struck, let's get you into your dress." Twilight shouted before turning and pulling Moon Struck with her back to the changing area. "Sorry about them, they can get a bit carried away. Both are a bit stubborn over the silliest things at times, honestly," Twilight sighed, handing Moon Struck her dress and gently pushing her behind the curtain to get dressed.
"I really didn't mind, it was kind of funny actually. It shows how close of friends they are that they can argue like that. It means they can be completely themselves, and completely truthful with each other, and not worry about their friendship falling apart. It really amazes me. I've never had that kind of friendship before... well, actually I've never had any kind of friendship until now really. My parents and I were always moving around while I was growing up. I never really stayed anywhere long enough to make friends, and any of the other ponies I met always thought I was weird because I preferred to play at night. After I learned about Nightmare Moon from Princess Celestia when I did my report on the night, I liked to spend the nights talking to the moon, pretending I was talking to Princess Luna, and letting her know that somepony out here loved her nights more than the sun filled days. I sometimes wonder if my words ever reached her..." Moon Struck sighed wistfully.
"Wait, what? Princess Celestia told you about Princess Luna before she escaped from the moon as Nightmare Moon? She never told me, even though I was her pupil! Why did she tell you and not me?" Twilight ranted, pacing back and forth with her wings spread in exasperation.
"Well, I was just a little filly, and honestly I had just bugged her over and over and over to tell me everything she could about my favorite fairy tale, the Mare in the Moon. I had figured at the time, since Princess Celestia is immortal and had already lived for so long, maybe she had been around when the old pony's tale had been created. She didn't want to tell me at first, but I begged and pleaded with her, so finally she had gave in to my whining. I regretted it after she told me the sad tale of her beloved sister, and how she had to banish her away to the moon. Even now, the sorrow filled face of regret and guilt stays in my mind as Princess Celestia looked to the moon that evening all those years ago..." Moon Struck whispered, coming from behind the curtain, dressed in her gown. Instead of looking beautiful and happy for the Gala, she looked downtrodden and lost.
The look of sorrow on her face brought Twilight back to herself. "I'm sure Princess Celestia had her reasons for telling you and not me, but cheer up, it all worked out in the end right? Princess Luna returned and Nightmare Moon is gone." Twilight said, trying to cheer up Moon Struck. "Although, I will definitely be talking to Princess Celestia about this later." She finished saying, mostly to herself.
"Oh you look simply stunning darling, you really will have to introduce me to the pony who crafted that gorgeous ensemble sometime. I would love to talk fashion with her and she ideas." Rarity squealed with delight at the idea of talking fashion with somepony else who understood what she was talking about for a change.
"Uhm, thanks I guess," Moon Struck said, still a little sad.
"Well, at least you will have a chance to talk to Princess Luna at the Gala tonight, and Discord is definitely going to be there, so I am sure you will get plenty of time to talk with him about your request as well. Maybe Fluttershy can help introduce you to him since he is a lot less... chaotic when talking with her." Twilight said, wrapping her wing around Moon Struck.
"You want to meet Discord? I could introduce you to him. I am sure he will be happy to have somepony looking forward to meeting him. But what is the request you have for him?" Fluttershy asked as she walked up next to Moon Struck.
"Well, I was hoping he could help with the building of my new home. The things I want are a bit to unconventional for normal builder ponies, and I was hoping he would help me out with his chaos magic." Moon Struck said with a shrug of her wings.
"Wait, hold on a second. You want Discord to use his chaos magic to build your home?!" Rainbow practically shouted.
"Rainbow!" Twilight shouted sternly at her.
"It's okay Princess, err I mean Twilight, sorry." Moon Struck said to Twilight. Then looking at Rainbow, "Yes, I want Discord to help me. I am looking specifically for the kind of magic that can make my home exist in a permanent night. That alone would require powerful, and strange magic, which is why Discord would be the perfect pony for the job. I also really would like to become friends with him. After all, where is the fun in life without a little... chaos?" Moon Struck chuckled, finally brightening up a bit more. Before Rainbow could say something else on the subject, a pegasus stallion guard stuck his head in the doorway.
"Your Majesty Twilight, the carriage is ready to take you and your friends to Canterlot now." The stallion addressed Twilight with a slight bow of the head.
"Thank you, we will be out in just a moment." Twilight responded to the guard.
"Wait, where are Apple Bloom, Sweetie Bell, and Scootaloo?" Apple Jack asked as she stepped from behind the curtain, now dressed up in her sunset colored gown.
"Maud took them up to Canterlot earlier today, something about donuts I think?" Pinkie smiled, bouncing out from the back of the boutique.
"Pinkie, what were you doing back there?" Rarity questioned the bouncing pink pony.
"Oh, I was just finishing up the rest of the flapjacks Apple Jack brought over for Moonbait. Hope you don't mind," Pinkie said to Moon Struck, giggling.
Moon Struck just shook her head and smiled. "Come on, let's get going before the guard thinks we are kidnapping the Princess," Moon Struck winked. With that they all filed out to the grand carriage waiting outside for them, with four pegasus guards set to pull it. 
"Why did Pinkie call you Moonbat?" Apple Jack asked as they climbed into the carriage.
"Not Moonbat, Moonbait! Ha ha ha, you called her Moonbat; what a super silly name." Pinkie chortled.
"Moonbait is a nickname some bullies gave to me when I was young, so I refer to myself as Moonbait to remind myself that I am stronger than some insult by somepony who doesn't understand me." Moon Struck explained.
"Wow, that must have been hard on you as a filly." Twilight looked at Moon Struck.
"It was a long time ago, I've gotten over it. Plus, I always kind of liked the nickname anyways. I think it suits me," Moon Struck smiled.
"We are going to take off now, if you are ready Princess Twilight." The same pegasus guard spoke back to them in the carriage.
"Alright, we are ready to go. You may proceed," Twilight replied. With that the guards started to trot, picking up speed until they took off into the air, pulling the carriage behind them.


Once they arrived at Canterlot Castle, Moon Struck was quite glad to be able to get out of the carriage. She felt so dizzy, she wondered if maybe she would have been better off flying here herself. Especially since Pinkie spent most of the ride giggling about baiting moon bats. Looking up at the Castle, Moon Struck forgot how big it really was. It had been years since she had been back here, it was too hard thinking of the lie Princess Celestia had been telling the whole country for so long. Even though Princess Luna was back, Moon Struck still held a heavy heart towards Princess Celestia.
As they all walked up the steps into the castle, the guards bowing to Twilight as they passed, Moon Struck started to feel really out of place amidst the crowd of elegant looking ponies on every side of her. Many of them turned at Twilight's approach and bowed, a slight bow returned by Twilight each time. As their turn to the front of the stairwell approached, Moon Struck could see Princess Celestia at the top of the stairs, greeting each and every pony who passed. Seeing Princess Celestia so soon after arriving, Moon Struck began to balk at having to greet her.
"What's wrong, Moon Struck?" Twilight asked, concerned.
"It's just, I'm not sure I am ready to see Princess Celestia again. Some part of me still... doesn't forgive her. I know it's childish, and has nothing to do with me, but I feel like she denied the night, and by doing that, I felt like I was being denied as well. I thought after all these years the feeling would pass like a memory left to yesterday, but seeing her here, now, I realize that some part of me still aches with sorrow looking up at her." Moon Struck said, taking a step back, knocking into Apple Jack. "Oops, sorry Apple Jack." 
"Come on, sugarbait, the Princess is nothin' to be afraid of. And if ya don't go up to greet her, how are ya gonna get in to see Princess Luna, or Discord for that matter? We will be here with ya the whole way, so lets just go, one step at a time, okay?" Apple Jack said reassuringly, giving Moon Struck a slight nudge forwards. With a deep breath in, then out, Moon Struck raised her head and walked up the steps behind Twilight.
"Twilight, how wonderful it is to see you tonight. Would you care to greet the guests with me again this year?" Princess Celestia said, embracing Twilight in a quick hug as she greeted her.
"I would be more than happy to, Princess Celestia. But first, I would like you to meet my newest friend, Moon Struck. She told me of a meeting she had with you many years ago." Twilight said, returning the embrace before turning and gesturing to Moon Struck behind her.
Moon Struck looked up, slightly scared by the Princess standing before her. The respect and awe she felt as a filly was now replaced by a heaviness, like a stone was placed on her back, preventing her from spreading her wings and taking flight that she so desperately wished to take at that moment.
"Hello there Moon Struck. I hope we can talk later, I would love to hear about how you and Twilight came to meet if you wouldn't mind." Princess Celestia said, having noticed the slight shudder Moon Struck gave when her name was spoken.
"Uhm, of course, Your Hi-Highness. If we s-should... uh, have the time, I would be more than.. err... happy to tell you about how I m-met Twilight." Moon Struck stuttered out. With a last nod of the head, Moon Struck rushed past Princess Celestia and Twilight into the main ball room for the Gala. Sighing, she spotted the punch bowl and wandered over to parch her suddenly dry mouth. As she went to take a sip from the cup, it poured down her front.
"Ha ha ha ha ha, punch in a dribble glass! Classic prank!" Rainbow laughed, flying up next to Moon Struck. From somewhere nearby, another laugh could be heard.
"Classic indeed my dear little Dashie. It's a real shame you hadn't happened to pick that one though," Discord materialized behind Rainbow and Moon Struck just as Moon Struck was setting the glass back on the table and grabbing a new one. "Now where is my dear sweet Fluttershy at? I've been waiting all night for her," he continued, looking around, and pushing down on Rainbow's head to see if Fluttershy was in front of her.
"She's still talking with Twilight and Princess Celestia at the entrance. Something about a duck or something, I got bored and decided to follow Moon Struck here. Speaking of, this is your perfect chance to chat with Discord now too," Rainbow answered Discord before turning to Moon Struck.
"Ooh somepony new wants to chat with me? I much prefer a dance though," Discord said, picking Moon Struck's front hooves up and twirling her in many quick circles. When he let go of her hooves, she couldn't see straight enough to even stand anymore and collapsed to the floor.
"Discord! How could you do something so mean to Moon Struck? She was so looking forward to meeting you and becoming your friend tonight," Fluttershy flew over and helped Moon Struck to stand up again.
"It's okay Fluttershy, as I said earlier, where is the fun without a little chaos?" Moon Struck managed to get out once the spinning stopped.
"Oh I think I am going to like you," Discord said, floating next to Moon Struck and pinching her cheek.
"Discord, Moon Struck here was hoping you could help her with a small request," Fluttershy smiled at Discord.
"So she just wanted to be my friend to get favors from the Lord of Chaos, is that it?" Discord pulled back and glowered down at Moon Struck.
"Of course not! I mean, yeah I was hoping you could help me build my home since I want it to be more chaotic than any normal pony can do, like no gravity and such, but I want to be your friend because well... I sort of think you are really... cool." Moon Struck finished in a whisper.
Discord's face changed from a glower into an immediate devilish grin. "So you think I'm cool?" He asked, pressing his face up close to Moon Struck's. "Would you say that I am cooler than Dashie here?" He asked while pulling Rainbow over as well.
"Well, Rainbow is cool and all, I mean she's a Wonderbolt, and that is pretty amazing. But... well I do have to say your coolness and her coolness are two different things, and I sort of prefer your chaotic coolness more." Moon Struck said, not meeting Rainbow's eyes.
"Wait, you seriously think Discord is cooler than me?!" Rainbow shouted, pulling from Discord's grasp.
"I didn't say that! I just said that the kind of cool he is and the kind of cool you are can't really be compared, but I like the chaos because..." Moon Struck started to try to explain again, but Rainbow Dash wouldn't listen.
"If you think he is so much cooler than me, I will just go off and find some other ponies who appreciate my coolness more." With that, Rainbow flew off and joined up with the other Wonderbolts when she spotted them across the room.
"I can't do anything right, can I?" Moon Struck smacked herself with her wing, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Don't worry about Rainbow, I am sure we can make her understand what you meant. Let's just give her a little time to calm down first," Fluttershy said, gently pulling Moon Struck over to a table. "In the meantime, why don't you tell Discord exactly what you were looking for in a house. I remember you mentioning no gravity just a second ago, and earlier you also said something about a house completely encased in night, what else did you want?" She continued, trying to cheer Moon Struck up.
With a smile towards Fluttershy, Moon Struck began to tell Discord all the plans she had been making for years about the home she wanted, but also letting him know that she would let his chaos also have some freedom. So long as the few major requests she has are met, he could do whatever he wanted about the rest. Even if it meant painting the ground below the house in a neon checker pattern that spelled out his name. 
The three, Moon Struck, Discord, and Fluttershy, chattered on happily about the different things that could be done and all the nonsensical chaos that could be created. It was some time later that Moon Struck looked up and saw the only pony she was looking forward to seeing more than Discord.
"Princess Luna," She whispered as the Princess walked over to them.
"Twilight Sparkle has told us that one by name of Moon Struck has desired an audience with the Princess of the Night. I am here to grant that request." Princess Luna stated while staring down at Moon Struck. "Wouldst thou prefer we move away from the festivities so that we may converse in quiet?" Princess Luna asked.
"Uhm.. okay?" Moon Struck whispered.
"Then thou must follow us, we shall take thee out to the gardens. It is much more quiet out within our Night." Princess Luna said, gesturing towards the nearby glass doors. Moon Struck stood, and with a slight nod from Fluttershy and a simple hmph from Discord, she followed the Princess of the Night out into the darkness.