The Grand Galloping Gala. Everypony wanted to go but few made it. Now Octavia, Vinyl, and Derpy were going to the Gala. However, before the Gala they had to get dinner. After debating where to go they decided on a place that had a variety of food but was still formal. They arrived there and had ordered their food and were left waiting.
“The Gala starts at seven so we have forty five more minutes.” Octavia said. “I bet all the ponies here are attending the Gala.”
“I hope they can get the food done fast. Otherwise we’re in trouble.” Derpy added.
“Yeah, I’m pretty hungry too, so the sooner it’s done the better.” Vinyl mentioned.
Ten minutes later and their food had come. Vinyl ordered a simple pancake stack with syrup. Octavia had gotten a salad. Derpy decided on a pasta with a tomato sauce.
“This is really good.” Vinyl mumbled through a mouth full of pancakes.
“At the Gala please swallow before you speak Vinyl.” Octavia pleaded. “The high class ponies there might not appreciate you talking with food in your mouth.”
“Well if they’re gonna complain they shouldn’t invite me.”
Derpy said, “They wouldn’t have known that you were going to talk with food in your mouth when they invited you.”
“I’m not going to purposely talk with food in my mouth you guys.”
“Well, you’re right about that. I would hope that you aren’t plotting to talk with food in your mouth just to annoy ponies.” Octavia added.
Once they had finished eating their food and paid the bill they got up and left. As they were walking up the cobbled road to the castle Derpy pointed something out.
“You two’s dresses both look really good.”
“Yeah, Sassy really did an awesome job.” Vinyl replied.
“I can’t believe she is putting this much effort into the dresses for all the ponies attending the Gala.” Octavia said. “It must be a lot of work.”
Once they approached the castle Octavia saw her orchestra ahead and departed from Vinyl and Derpy. She met up with the ponies there and entered the castle expecting to go the same direction as everyone else only to be directed leftwards. They entered some sort of back room where they could prepare. Octavia started unpacking her cello which had proved to be a drag to take with her thus far.
“Attention everyone.” The conductor said. “The stands and chairs are all on stage so you don’t need to worry about them. However since you are performing for a Gala I’m unable to conduct you so you will need to play on your own. I wish you all good luck. I know you can do it.”
Octavia and the others from the orchestra were a little bit worried about performing without a conductor at first but after a few rounds of practice they thought they were ready. Then it was seven fifteen and they had to go out on stage. Well it wasn’t really a stage, more of an area that was slightly higher than the rest of the floor. When they walked out surprisingly nopony really seemed to care. A few looked their way and then went back to whatever conversations they were having.
“What a warm welcome.” Somepony in the orchestra whispered.
The conductor looked at them and, seeing that they were unsure of what to do, counted them off with his hoof. All the way across the room. They started playing to which the conversation grew louder. Throughout the whole performance Octavia felt as if they were playing and trying their hardest for nothing. None of the Gala ponies seemed to care that they were there. After the performance Octavia put her cello into it’s case and gently set it in the corner of the room to grab later. She went out to meet Vinyl and Derpy who were together towards the back of the room talking.
“Octavia you were great!” Said Derpy.
“Thanks, I felt like the ponies here kind of just treated the performance as background noise.”
Vinyl leaned closer and whispered in Octavia’s ear, “Snobby rich folk.”
“Vinyl, come on. Not everypony here is that bad. I mean you don’t think the wonderbolts are horrible do you?”
“No, I’m just saying the majority of people here are kind of… you know.”
“Hey, so, what do you guys want to do?” Derpy asked. “Don’t yell out party, Vinyl. I see that look in your eyes.”
“I don’t really know.” Octavia replied. “Everypony else is just talking.”
“What do you guys want to talk about?” Asked Vinyl.
Suddenly Derpy’s watch lit up. Her face looked worried. She looked around and told Octavia and Vinyl to follow her. They went and asked a guard where a restroom was and followed his directions. They opened the door and Derpy signaled to stay silent. Her ears perked up and she sighed.
“Okay, the coast is clear. I just got a message from P.O.N.E. and they don’t send you a message unless it’s urgent. Here’s what it says, Urgent! The agent from Project R.G.R. has informed us an assassin is due to take out Princess Luna at 8:00 from the balcony overlooking the ballroom. He said we won’t have time to send agents but doesn’t know you are there. Derpy this is desperate. Please take him down quietly if possible and meet us outside in the gardens. We will take him from there.”
Derpy’s face was white. Vinyl and Octavia were shocked.
“Follow me! Be quiet!” Derpy said.
“Derpy wait, what if he has backup! We can’t take him alone. We have to wait.” Vinyl said.
“But the princess is in danger!” Octavia exclaimed.
“Well if we go we’re putting ourselves and the princess in danger!”
“Maybe we should wait for other agents to arrive, maybe Vinyl’s right. NO! What am I saying? Vinyl, frankly, I’m tired of it. Tired of everything. I’m always saying yeah, you’re right a million times a day. Well, you know what? You are not right or ever right, and I didn’t accept your apology the other day. Every time you apologize it’s just the same… BULLSHIT! YOU NEVER MEAN WHAT YOU SAY VINYL! Every apology you make is the same blank crap that you never follow through with! Every time it’s just I promise I’ll do better and I’m working on being a better pony! I have not seen you make any improvement to yourself! You’re arrogant as ever and don’t care about others! So, what’s you’re excuse this time Vinyl?”
Derpy and Vinyl stood shocked looking at Octavia.
“Octavia, I-I didn't know you felt like that. I didn't mean to be forcing my opinion on you.”
“Well you have been. Constantly. How many more fights are we going to have to have until you can realize how selfish, rude, and irrational you are?”
“Octavia I never wanted this. For once I can finally say you’re right. I do always think about myself before others, and it's stupid. That’s not what I want.”
“What do you want then Vinyl?”
“I want to be b-better.” Vinyl said before bursting into tears.
She wept on Derpy’s shoulder as Derpy held her up. Octavia felt somewhat guilty but then remembered all the times that Vinyl had promised to change and hadn’t. Vinyl kept sobbing for a minute or two until she saw Derpy’s watch.
“It’s seven fifty five!” She choked. “We need to go! Octavia I-I promise you I’m so incredibly sorry. I never meant to hurt you like I did but if we don't go now Princess Luna is going to be killed.”
“How do I know this isn't like the other promises? How do I know you mean it?”
“Please Octavia! We need to go stop the assassin. I'm begging you! I never wanted this to happen! None of it! I just thought you agreed with my opinion. I really am trying to focus on others but if we don't go help Princess Luna she is going to be killed.”
Octavia stood still and squarely said, “I accept your apology.”
Vinyl beamed and hugged Octavia as hard as she could.
“Thank you.” She whispered, tears in her eyes.
Derpy let them keep hugging until her watch said seven fifty seven.
“Are we going to go take this guy down or what?” Derpy said.
“Let’s do it.” Octavia replied.
Lastly Vinyl slowly looked up and said, “He won't know what hit him.”