//------------------------------// // Chapter 15: The Grand Galloping Gala // Story: Changeling Fate // by Nightmare Rift //------------------------------// Night Crystal’s POV: The mane six, Starlight, and I arrive by the Ponyville Express to Canterlot and make our way towards the castle. Thankfully, none of them brought up the red crystals. I assume they all thought that it was just a part of my dress, and not something I added as an afterthought. Rarity did compliment the dress, saying that she indeed liked it. We come to the entrance of the castle and see that there are two lines to get into the Gala, ticket holders and golden ticket holders. Thank goodness we had golden tickets because the other line was ridiculously long. Once we made it to the palace entrance, we all showed our tickets and were allowed in. I was the last of the group to show my ticket, and the guard ponies both bowed to me after one of them let me in. I gave a small curtsy in return and continued on my way. Catching back up to the group I see that we now must wait in line for Celestia and Luna to greet us. Just as I join the group, we are transported to the front. Celestia and Luna scoop us up into one giant group hug. How these two Alicorns have legs long enough for this, I don’t know. After they release us, I see that everypony is sharing a quick exchange and then heading off towards the ballroom. I head over to Celestia and Luna and thank them for inviting me. I quickly walk to the ballroom and find myself the most remote corner. Rarity eventually comes to me, asking if I would accompany her to speak with the nobles. I reluctantly agree, but know I need to try to get into good graces with a few of them before I topple all the trust in Equestria. The first one we go to is a noble that works very close with Rarity in the fashion department, Photo Finish. Photo Finish sometimes comes to Ponyville to get outfits for her models from Rarity, but otherwise we rarely see her. Rarity introduces me and we talk a little bit about fashion, mainly just small talk. We proceed to do this about four more times with different ponies in different industries, while also having small samples of food. Then, I see Rainbow Dash walking over to me and Rarity. She whispers something into Rarity’s ear, and Rarity nods her head in agreement. Rainbow Dash then comes over to invite me to come meet the rest of the Wonderbolts. I happily agree, glad to get away from all of the nobles. They are very boring and their taste in food is horrendous, and that’s coming from a Changeling who feeds on emotions. Emotions at least have flavor. The food the nobles eat is bland and tasteless. We reach the VIP area for the Wonderbolts who performed earlier in the day, but are always welcome at the Gala. They are still required to dress fancy, but also can be a little more relaxed. Rainbow introduces me first to Fleetfoot, then High Winds, then Thunderlane, and finally Spitfire. She leaves me to chat with Spitfire and wanders off to try to find Soarin so he can come meet me. “More likely to find him and go to a dark corner to kiss him senseless,” Spitfire says, earning a giggle from me. She immediately busts into laughter. I join in her laughter for a bit before asking, “Are we sure it just stops there? Also, why is Soarin never around except when pie is present?” “Well that’s easy, Soarin lives for pie, but he also doesn’t particularly love social situations. He is very camera shy, and he only seems to overcome that fear when Rainbow is around.” “Well he isn’t the only pony I know who is camera shy. I hate cameras, and Celestia is a big liar when she said that there wouldn’t be any cameras here tonight.” “I’m surprised she would do that, there hasn’t ever been a year that cameras aren’t here. I think I get my picture taken with the whole team at least once over the duration of the night.” “I am so sorry for you. Well, I want to go back into my corner of seclusion in the main ballroom, so I’ll catch you later Spitfire.” “Catch ya later slick.” I find my way back to the main ballroom, brooding in my remote corner. I finally see Fluttershy over the crowd and see that she is accompanied by Discord. I was really hoping that I would get through the night without running into him. I close my eyes and hope that I can do what I want tonight after the Gala ends an hour before midnight. My eyes fling open as I hear Discord yell, “Hey, look everypony, it’s Night Crystal, the new Alicorn that everypony must meet. She is a very interesting pony. I am sure that she would love to tell you all about herself!” The news ponies come running over to me, flashing cameras in my face, and asking me so many questions. I keep my mouth shut and start to panic, charging my horn in case a quick getaway is needed. Suddenly, the room goes dark and when the lights come back on I see the dead bodies of everypony who has ever been my friend around me. Littering the floor are hundreds of crystals, all with blood dripping down them. I look up to see a shadowy figure starting to lift the crystals to form one large crystal. Then it’s gone. I start to panic even more, but realize that my fear is making the crystals on my dress start to glow. I know that the second somepony notices me I am going to be in deep trouble. “Hey everypony, come see what Twilight can do with her new magic!” Discord yells, making all of the news ponies rush to Twilight, leaving me alone. I run to the balcony and leap off of it, making a beeline towards the Everfree Forest.