//------------------------------//
// ...All that we've been wishing for will happen at the Gala! 
// Story: The Best Night Ever 
// by The Blue EM2 
//------------------------------//

The train made incredible headway across Equestria, steam pouring from its funnel as it thundered along. Despite the relatively small size of the engine, the train wasn't too heavy for it, and it puffed and snorted along the main line towards Canterlot, weaving through the mountains (filled with spiral tunnels) and across spectacular viaducts. The train rattled and bounced along, keeping up speeds that the older engines would have struggled to maintain.

Inside, the girls sat chatting with one another. "Well, who do you think will be there?" Fluttershy asked timidly.

"Anybody and everybody who's important in the Canterlot hierarchy will be there," Rarity explained. "This unfortunately means putting up with people like Blueblood or Jet Set. I hoped to see the back of those fools, to be honest."

"Maybe Fancy Pants will be there," Applejack suggested. "And he's pretty nice, from what Ah've heard."

"He is indeed!"

"So, what's our timetable?" Twilight asked rhetorically. "I've already drawn up a full list of timings to answer that question. According to the guard, we'll be arriving in Canterlot at 18:00 hours sharp (the royal family always times things to perfection), which then gives us 60 minutes to change into our dresses. At 19:00 sharp, the event opens, and this is followed by 45 minutes of fraternising before the band starts to play."

"Have you heard who Luna hired to play the Gala this year?" Dash interrupted.

"Who?" Pinkie asked. "Ooh! A giant alligator, a frozen popsicle, maybe even a giant cake monster who has drowned all the world's cake in cake?"

"Maybe we should let Rainbow tell us, Sugarcube." Pinkie fell silent following Applejack's statement.

"They booked Benny Goodhoof!" Rainbow answered. "Ya know, the big band leader from Manehattan?"

"He plays that new music, doesn't he?" Rarity enquired. "Sweetie Belle has many of his records, along with the collaboration he did with Countess Coloratura. It sounds very strange indeed."

"We will shortly be arriving at Canterlot Terrace Road. Please ensure you have all your bags prior to departure. We hope you have enjoyed your journey with Equestrian Railways."

The train wheeshed along, and began to slow down. The shovels of white steam slowly decreased, and the train slowed to a perfect stop at Terrace Road. As Canterlot was a rail junction, most trains were routed through Canterlot Exchange, from where you could catch trains to Manehattan, Las Pegasus, Baltimare, Fillydelphia, and Boston. However, royal trains used a special station called Terrace Route, which was much closer to the centre of the city and was only accessible to those with Royal permit. Hence, the station had bag checks and metal detectors to ensure nothing unwanted got taken in or brought out. After completing all the checks and being cleared through, Twilight and her friends set off for Canterlot Castle.





Canterlot Castle was as stunning as it had ever been. The towering towers (as towers are known to do) and gleaming roofs and spires never ceased to amaze the onlooker, and the interior was just as dazzling. The changing rooms were marked off to the left, and a crowd had already developed of Canterlotians 1 waiting to enter, dressed in all their finery.

"Look at them!" Rarity said. "Don't they look splendid!"

One of them looked back, and his moustache quivered like a terrified squirrel had been glued to his face. "Who let the commoners in?"

"There really is no need to be so rude about others," announced the voice of Fancy Pants, adjusting his monocle as he did so. "Regardless of wealth or social station, they are all equally welcome at the Gala."

The other noble spluttered like a beatboxer for a few moments. The girls, however, took this as their opportunity to change, speeding off as they did so.





As the girls emerged, themselves dressed in all their finery (though Rarity had, once again, overdone it), they joined the back of the queue.

"Will we need to sing again?" Pinkie asked, bouncing up and down.

"What now?" Dash asked, confused.

"Remember how we last entered the Gala all singing in turn about what we wanted to achieve at the Gala and the other guests came up with a chorus and inexplicably knew all the lyrics and we didn't sing over each other and-"

"We live in a world where bursting into song for no readily obvious reason is the norm," Twilight reasoned. "I don't see why it won't happen again."

"The gates have opened!" called a voice at the front. "May young and old, all from far and wide, enjoy tonight's wonders and festivities!"

So, the line began to move, with the crowds soon reforming into a rank and file, putting the CRG [2] to shame. Before long, they were through the gates in perfect line and were into the Gala! Naturally, the girls all went their separate ways, based on what they wanted to do. Twilight, naturally, headed straight for the princesses, who were greeting new visitors. Luna was there too, temporarily relieved of her duties of monitoring dreams.

"Twilight!" Celestia smiled, as she saw her favoured student approaching. "It's wonderful you could make it tonight. I can only hope this year's event manages to go better than last year."

"As do I," Luna added. "From what you tell me, it was horribly boring and there was some minor property damage."

"If you count toppled columns as minor property damage," Twilight admitted sheepishly, then changed the topic. "Will you two be mostly greeting people tonight, or will you do other things as well?"

"I hope I get a chance to go to the ballroom," Luna replied. "It has been far too long since I last danced, and Tia has given me a new gown that I think will work perfectly."

"You'd have plenty of time to dance on the moon," a noble said rudely, as he walked past. Sadly, a lot of the upper aristocracy still gave Luna grief over her past.

Thankfully, Luna had a quick response lined up. "You try dancing when there is nobody else to dance with!"

Twilight, sensing tension, took quick action to change the topic. "Have you seen one of the guards anywhere? Flash Sentry?"

Another guard answered her question. "Private Sentry is in the ballroom. He said something about waiting for somebody."

"Thank you!" Twilight replied, and sped off into the ballroom.





Twilight made good speed despite the weight of her skirt slowing her down. Dodging between butlers and waiters, and other people who seemed to look down upon her, she entered the ballroom- onto to trip on somebody's foot. She shouted in surprise and flew through the air, about to hit the ground when suddenly a hand caught her.

She glanced up to see who it was. "Flash?"

He looked immaculate in the Royal Guard dress uniform of a red jacket with golden collar, a white shirt, a brown belt with a golden buckle, cream pants, and black shoes polished to absolute perfection.

"It's nice to see you too," Flash smiled, as he helped her back up. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Not at the moment," Twilight replied. "Shall we dance?"

And so they did, as the band launched into another waltz.





Not long after, two other guests arrived to great pomp and fanfare (provided by a great army of trumpeters).

"Their Royal Highnesses, Prince Shining Armour and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza!" announced a voice.

Moments later, the Royal Couple entered. Shining, as suited the occasion, was wearing the Guard dress uniform. Cadence, on the other hand, had settled for a white hoopskirt and pink bodice. Apparently, she had fancier outfits, but preferred practical wear.

Guess where they went first?

"Hey, Twily!" Shining called, and walked over to his sister. "How's my LSBFF?"

Flash looked confused. "Sir, you wouldn't mind clarifying the meaning of LSBFF?"

"Little Sister Best Friend Forever." Shining's expression briefly changed. "Twilight, I know I should've said this sooner, but I'm so, so sorry for snapping at you at the wedding."

"Hey, it's OK. I've already forgiven you for that. Besides, I didn't exactly go about voicing my suspicions in the right way."

"Is this the guard whom you're dating?" Cadence asked.

"Yep!" Twilight replied. "His name's Flash Sentry!"

As per protocol, Flash bowed politely, the straightened back up. "My lady, it is an honour to meet you."

"I understand military protocol requires formality, but I'm perfectly happy for you to call me Cadence."

Flash nodded, as Shining took over the discussion again. "So, you're dating my little sister, eh?"

"Yes sir."

"Well, I'd like you to know this; you have my approval so far, as a talented recruit and a by-the-books guard. But know this; you hurt her, and you won't live to regret it."

If Flash was alarmed by this statement, he didn't show it. "Yes sir."

Seconds later, the band flared up, and everybody took to the dance floor. At the end of the dance, on the impulse of the moment, Flash and Twi went for it, and kissed. For the first time.

Unbeknownst to them, Twilight's parents were watching from nearby, being regular attendees of the Gala. Night Light smiled. "I think we may have another wedding happening soon!" he said.

Twilight Velvet wiped her eyes. "I hadn't realised how fast Twilight had grown up," she smiled.

"She's more than prepared to take on the world. She could even lead Equestria one day!"

"Don't be silly!" Velvet replied, putting her drink down. "Shall we dance again, before we say anything else ludicrous?"

"Anything for you, my princess."