Chapter 10
“...and so, let the Grand Galloping Gala begin!” Thus started this year's Gala. Twilight and her friends were wearing their (repaired) dresses from the previous year. None of them could contain their excitement. With the folks in Ponyville here, a bit more fun was to be had.
Midnight arrived dressed only slightly snappier than usual. He had abandoned his usual black vest in exchange for a white tuxedo, bedecked with a pineapple blossom that he'd gone to some trouble to procure. He was wearing smaller glasses as well, and he had attempted to tame his tail. He'd had no luck; it was as wild and explosive-looking as ever, with a broken comb to prove it. He also had a somewhat ragged blue tie that was obviously the oldest part of his outfit.
He had a few tricks up his sleeve for this Gala. He had interviewed some of the previous year's attendants, and knew most of what had happened. One of the ponies he'd attempted to speak with was one Prince Blueblood. Blueblood had simply looked down on him for his shabby outfit and seeming bad attitude(actually social ineptitude), and made no secret of his arrogance. Midnight was a very tolerant pony –after all, he'd have to be to live with his siblings without completely losing his mind– but Blueblood had stretched his limits. One thing Midnight couldn't stand was being made to feel inferior. And while he wasn't strong, he had his ways of making somepony else's life hell. He allowed himself a wicked grin.
–
Twilight was hanging around with Fluttershy, both sipping some of the drinks Applejack had been selling. She was simply enjoying talking to her friend, who had a few of her forest friends with her. They were trying to have a pleasant time, and thus far they had been successful. And – hold on. Was that–?
“Fluttershy? I think the Gala has just been crashed by the Zebra Mask.”
–
For what seemed to be the first time, more than six ponies were aware of the tall, masked, dichromatic stranger. Zebra Mask seemed to have no particular goal, and wandered aimlessly through the crowd of attendants. He stopped for a moment, and then spoke in a foghorn voice.
“Greetings to all present at this momentous occasion, the Grand Galloping Gala.”
Immediately, all eyes were upon the stranger.
“I am Zebra Mask. I know that a small hoofful of thy number here tonight are familiar with me. I am simply here to entertain thee.” Something about the way he said entertain struck a chord in Twilight's mind. Where had she heard that tone before? “First... I believe there is one Prince Blueblood among thee?”
The white stallion was shoved unceremoniously in front of Mask. The black smile seemed to increase in size. “Come with me for a moment, would you? I think we need to... talk. Kuhuhuhu~” That high-pitched chuckle sent shivers down everypony's spine as BlueBlood, trying to retain an air of dignity, was led away by the stange visitor.
–
Twilight got up from her seat. “I'm going to follow him. I want to know what he's up to.”
“No, no, ladies, allow me.” Rarity appeared next to her. “I'll see what he's doing to Blueblood. After all, it was me he humiliated last year.” Rarity walked over to the patch of trees that Blueblood and Zebra Mask had vanished into. Seconds later, she was speeding back as though demons were chasing her, with an appropriate look of terror on her face.
Twilight's first response was concern. “What happened?”
“You don't want to go back there! The shadows were moving, there were these dark, monstrous shapes floating about...”
“I thought we took care of this problem back when I first came to Ponyville.”
“I'm not finished. There was this sound, like the screams of the dead... I don't want to go back there! I'm not finding out what he's doi–”
She was interrupted by a booming report from the trees, and an enormous flash of light.
“YOU... INSOLENT... ASS!”
–
Zebra Mask was displaying something he'd never shown before: anger. Prince Blueblood cowered in front of him as the powerful voice drove him back, practically dripping with venom. Explosions of shadows and light could be seen behind the outraged stallion.
“I have NEVER been so insulted in all my life! If I have to endure the arrogant swaggering of a pathetic, overdressed throwback for one second more, I'm going to break off that flimsy horn of yours and shove it up your ass! Begone with ye, before I do something that I'll regret!” BlueBlood, still scared, sat on the ground unsure of what to do.
“Did you hear me? I said begone! That means GET OUT OF HERE, YOU WORTHLESS WASTE OF FLESH!” BlueBlood had gone before he got any further.
Zebra Mask stood panting for a moment, and then beat a hasty retreat towards the trees.
–
A few moments later, the party had recommenced as though nothing had happened, although several mares were chattering animatedly about Blueblood's humiliation. Midnight Green stowed the black-and-white costume in a box, before rejoining the festivities. He thought he'd spotted some caramel apples, and he wasn't one to resist a sweet snack.